“The Carmichael Show” - A New Kind of Family
Category: Television and Streaming
The days of Archie Bunker and “All in the Family” may be part of history, but this season NBC premieres “The Carmichael Show”, a different kind of series wherein comedian Jerrod Carmichael showcases a version of his very outspoken and opinionated family.
The peacock network has ordered six episodes of the comedy, directed by Scott Ellis (“The Michael J. Fox Show”, “Modern Family”, “The Good Wife”) and scribed through the pen of Carmichael, Willie Hunter, and Nicholas Stoller.
Carmichael’s family is involved in every area of his life, whether he admits it or not. The opener has him hesitant to tell his parents (David Alan Grier and Loretta Devine) that he and girlfriend, Maxine (Amber Stevens West) are moving in together. Brother Bobby (Lil Rel Howery) is no help with the situation, and once his parents are introduced, his dilemma becomes clear.
The multi-talented cast past projects include impressive credits in both stage and screen, with Devine’s prominent background in the Broadway musical “Dreamgirls” and her award-winning performance as Adele on “Grey’s Anatomy”. Her work on that series garnered her an Emmy, a Gracie Award, and an NAACP Award, as well as additional nominations for an Emmy, Gracie, NAACP, and a Critics Choice Television Award. Equally impressive is Grier, who is a three-time Tony as well as Grammy nominee and who sits on Comedy Central’s list of the “100 Greatest Stand-ups of All Time.” His credits include the large and small screen, with work in “In Living Color” as well as “A Soldier’s Story” (where he played opposite Denzel Washington).
Rounding out the cast are West and Howery. Besides a string of TV credits, West can be seen in “22 Jump Street”, “The Amazing Spider-Man”, and “The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift”. Howery is a stand-up comedian in his own right.
Carmichael hails from North Carolina and has worked with the likes of Spike Lee and Zac Efron. And he’s no stranger to family values and right living. On a recent trip to New York, he shared with “New York Times’” Laura M. Holson the fact that he cried upon hearing that the families of those killed during a Bible Study in Charleston forgave alleged gunman Dylann Roof. Drawing on his upbringing, he said, “I went to Bible Study. I know the intentions of those people. They weren’t just going to church on Sunday like most folks. Their intention is to be good. And that’s what hurts.”
“The Carmichael Show” premieres August 26, 2015 on NBC.
Cheryl Hollar
Cheryl Hollar is a freelance writer for various online TV and film magazines. Besides freelance writing, Cheryl holds a certificate in Writing for TV from UCLA’s Writers Extension Program. She has a background in entertainment public relations.