Hello World,

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?

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