Jazz Raycole Archives - After the Altar Call

Hello World,

I’m a finicky TV viewer…I’ve never watched a complete episode of the runaway hit “Scandal.” I didn’t watch my all-time favorite program “Sex and the City” until several seasons in. And I prefer to watch sitcoms from yesteryear from “The Golden Girls” to “The Cosby Show” rather than the sitcoms of today…So you could imagine that I would be somewhat skeptical about enjoying TV Land’s sitcom “The Soul Man.” However, I did enjoy Cedric the Entertainer when he portrayed Cedric Jackie Robinson on the sitcom “The Steve Harvey Show!” I loved the relationship between “Ceddy” and Lovita Alize Jenkins! They were hilarious!

On Monday, I was invited to a blogger reception to watch an episode of “The Soul Man” and meet Wesley Jonathan, who portrays the younger brother of the Reverend Boyce “The Voice” Ballantine, portrayed by Cedric the Entertainer. Here is the premise of the show from its website:

From the creators of Hot in Cleveland, The Soul Man revolves around Cedric’s character, Reverend Boyce “The Voice” Ballentine, an R&B superstar-turned-minister who takes over as preacher of his fathers church. Niecy Nash (“Reno 911”) stars as the reverend’s wife, Lolli. The pilot also features John Beasley (Everwood) as his father, Wesley Jonathan (“What I Like About You”) as his younger brother, and Jazz Raycole (“My Wife and Kids”) as his daughter. The character of Reverend Boyce originated on a second season episode of “Hot in Cleveland” in which Cedric guest-starred.

Actor Wesley Jonathan talking about his new show “The Soul Man.”

The sitcom premiered last year and was picked for a second season beginning tonight! However, some changes have been made to the lineup since the show’s debut. Jazz Raycole, who portrayed the daughter on the show, is no longer there as she is attending boarding school. According to Jonathan, budget constraints for the show led to Raycole’s departure which is especially unfortunate as Raycole was also dropped from the popular “My Wife and Kids” sitcom. Also, since the show will come on at 11 p.m., Jonathan said the show will be “not as family-oriented” and “a little sharper” as far as the comedy is concerned. Also, I noticed that Yvette Lee Bowser (“Living Single”) is the showrunner rather than the original showrunner Phoef Sutton. (I loved “Living Single” too by the way!)

Me and Wesley Jonathan.

In the episode that we watched at the blogger reception, Stamps is having a hard time adjusting after being the Reverend Ballentine’s stage manager and then suddenly not having a career after the reverend decides to leave entertainment for the ministry. He ends up moving with the reverend and his wife after being kicked out of their father’s home. My honest verdict: I thought the show was funny. But with my busy schedule, I have to remember that a show is on for me build it in my schedule which as you know includes planning a wedding/marriage, working full-time, training for the Peachtree Road Race, etc. A show has to really pull me in to make me remember to watch it so I will see…and you should too…

Check out the season premiere tonight at 11/10C on TV Land! A preview clip is below…

Any thoughts?

Hello World,

It is so easy to get wrapped up in what is going on in our church or our city or even our state so I decided to post links to stories dealing with religion and faith all around the nation and world so that we can make sure that we really know what is going on the world around us…

First of all, according to new study conducted by The Washington Post and The Kaiser Family Foundation, black women are the most religious group in the United States…that is no surprise to me…I’m just surprised that nobody called me…lol…Some of the results of the survey are below…(The only problem I have with the survey is that it appears that only black and white people were surveyed…)

74 percent of black women said that living a religious life is very important to them versus 70 percent of black men. Also, 57 percent of white women agree with that statement versus 43 percent of white men.
87 percent of black women said that religion or faith in God plays a very important role in helping them get through tough times versus 79 percent of black men. 66 percent of white women and 51 percent of white men agree with that statement.

There are some other interesting findings that have nothing to do with religion and faith. For more information, take a look at the complete survey results from The Washington Post and the Kaiser Family Foundation.

Now on to other interesting news in the religion and faith biosphere….

2. I cannot believe this kind of stuff is going on in the name of Christianity…A whites-only Christian conference…From The Huffington Post – Whites-Only Christian Conference Held in Alabama By Pastor William J. Collier’s Church of God’s Chosen

3. This woman is actually selling her soul…Lord, help us…From The Christian Post – Women Sells Her Soul on eBay, Hopes to ‘Deliver Opportunity’ for Salvation

4. Retired Bishop Leontine Kelly, the first African-American female bishop in a major Christian denomination (United Methodist Church) has passed away at 92 years old. I interviewed Bishop Linda Lee of the United Methodist Church for my book. Bishop Lee is first African-American woman to be elected as a bishop in the North Central Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church and one of three African-American women elected in jurisdictions across the United States in July 2000. According to The Huffington Post, Bishop Kelly was quoted as saying, “”Praise God, I’m no longer the only one.” From The Huffington Post – Leontine Kelly Dead: African-American United Methodist Woman Dies at 92

5. Just in case your dog needs a blessing…Can I get a woof, woof? I know I’m lame…lol..From The Washington Post – Prayers for Pets in downtown D.C.

6. Remember the first Claire Kyle on that hilarious Damon Wayans show “My Wife and Kids?” Well, the actress Jazz Raycole, is back as a pastor’s daughter in TV Land’s “The Soul Man,” the new show with Cedric the Entertainer. And she says she worshiped her way into her new role. From The Christian Post – Jazz Raycole, ‘The Soul Man’ Actress, ‘Worshiped’ Her Way Into Latest Role

7. Apparently, women givers in churches are being ignored despite controlling more than 51 percent of personal wealth in the nation according to a new survey…(Hmmm….have they been to Atlanta? I don’t think we are being ignored here in the A…Pass that offering plate one mo gain plz…lol…) From Newswise – Many Churches Overlook Women as Donors, Despite Their Growing Control of Personal Wealth in the U.S.

Any thoughts?