TV One’s latest sitcom “The Rickey Smiley Show,” premieres Tuesday (Tonight), Sept. 18 (9/8 c).
The new series stars comedian and nationally syndicated radio personality Rickey Smiley, as well as stars singer/actor Ray J, comic J. Anthony Brown, Roz Ryan (“Amen”), Noree Victoria (“Necessary Roughness”) and Demetria McKinney (“Tyler Perry’s House of Payne”).
From TV One
“The Rickey Smiley Show” stars comedian and nationally syndicated radio personality Rickey Smiley. The new comedy is loosely based on Smiley’s life as a radio personality and a single father trying to balance family life-having life- and a career in the spotlight. The series also stars singer/actor Ray J, veteran comic J. Anthony Brown, Roz Ryan (“Amen”), Noree Victoria (“Necessary Roughness”) and Demetria McKinney (“Tyler Perry’s House of Payne”).
The new series is from executive producer Roger Bobb and– the producer behind hitseries ”House of Payne” and “Meet the Browns.”
This multi-camera sitcom keeps audiences laughing with the challenges, joys and insanity Rickey Smiley faces as a single father raising three children (ages 8-18), his struggles with his ex-wife, his extended family, and his attempts to try and have a ‘personal life.’
Just as unpredictable and entertaining – Smiley’s life at the radio station which is a hot-bed of office politics, sexual innuendo, social issues, celebrity appearances, music and of course, lots of humor.
The series also features several celebrity guest stars and appearances from many of Smiley’s original characters he has made famous over the years, including Mrs. Bernice Jenkins, Lil’ Daryl, Minister Joe Willie and Beauford.
At the summer television critics’ press tour, M&C asked Ricky Smiley about his cast’s ability to improv while filming.
Smiley says, “Well, sometimes with Ray J, we have those moments where we just have to go with it and keep it. Sometimes some of the stuff that we did was funnier than what was on the paper. So (producer) Roger Bobb kind of gave us a little wiggle room, and we thank him for it. Sometimes the writers are right there on the set. Sometimes we make changes right there on the spot. And it kind of started out with Ray J going off the script, and it was funny.”
“The Rickey Smiley Show” also stars veteran comic J. Anthony Brown as Rickey’s radio station manager Maurice, aka “Mo Sweets” from his earlier rap career; R&B singer/actor Ray J who plays Smiley’s morning show producer and protégé, Kenny; Roz Ryan (“Amen”) as Aunt Sylvia, who lives with the Smileys and helps keep the household in order; comedian/actor Jay Lewis (Nickelodeon’s “Just Jordan”) plays Rickey’s eldest son Brandon, an 18-year-old video gaming aficionado entering his first year of college; singer/dancer Ajiona Alexus plays Smiley’s 16-year-old fashion-conscious and smart-phone addicted daughter, De’Anna; Gabriel Burgess plays Rickey’s precocious eight-year-old entrepreneur son, Aaron; Noree Victoria (“Necessary Roughness”) plays Simone Renee Jackson, Rickey’s business manager; and actress and singer Demetria McKinney (“Tyler Perry’s House of Payne”) plays Rickey’s uber-career oriented ex-wife, Monica.
