If you haven't tuned into TV One's brand new hit series, "Rickey Smiley for Real", then it's safe to say you're missing out on a lot of laughter and the best in television right now. The Bobbcat Films-produced docu-series returned on Tuesday, May 10th and airs every Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET. The show takes a fun but introspective look into the life of nationally syndicated radio personality and comedian, Rickey Smiley who has parlayed his stand-up comedic talents into a massively successful career as a multi-faceted media mogul. The series documents Smiley's hectic life as a single father splitting his time between Atlanta and Birmingham all while trying to balance his demanding duties as the host of his own widely popular radio show and Dish Nation.
After many years of struggling to balance these responsibilities, Smiley is now determined to be more attuned to his personal needs which includes, family, fun and meeting his perfect match. Smiley says there's a lot to look forward to this season especially for families who feel deeply connected to the show. He exclusively spoke to us about diversity in television, faith and what audiences can expect on season two.
"I want everyone to watch this show because its universal, and we all go through the same things in life. The same problems that affects my household affects someone else's household regardless of race or culture. How we resolve our issues through conflict resolution is something everyone can learn from," shared Smiley.
Throughout this second season, Smiley is focused on trying to keep his kids on the right track while being concerned with the fact that his success may be affecting his family. Perhaps in a cry for attention, Brandon, Malik and Craig each challenge him by finding themselves in a variety of behavioral and legal issues. Smiley also attempts to keep a close watch on his daughters, D'Essence and Aaryn as they navigate through the ups and downs of living life as celebrity seeds. Despite these obstacles, Smiley shared that his unabashed commitment to faith helps him get through a lot of the issues that come his way. He encourages others to also be strong in their faith.
"Faith has been an awesome part of my life and career. We (my family) go to church on Sundays. I'm a part of Full Gospel Ministry and my best friend, Joseph Walker III is the Presiding Bishop. I love the ministry and teaching. It helps me get through it all." Smiley has been been a blessing to many people such as myself through the wisdom that he shares and his work in the community. He is impacting the lives of children, teens and seniors through The Rickey Smiley Foundation, a Nonprofit Organization. "My foundation was born out of my desire to motivate young people to live life to their fullest potential, as well as celebrate the lives of our seniors who are the fabric of the community by putting in place programming that inspires, impacts and motivates the youth," said Smiley.
After tuning into the show last season, I came to my own conclusions of why "Rickey Smiley For Real" is a show that everyone needs to be watching. There are a few obvious yet critical reasons to tune in. First and foremost, the handsome sharp-dressed comedian with European-styled tailored jackets will definitely have you laughing to the point of tears. His radio family, Gary, Da Brat, Headkrack and Juicy all add to the raw unfiltered comedy that engulfs the show. On the opposite end of that spectrum, "Rickey Smiley for Real" isn't just about laughs. This docu-series is an honest exploration of fatherhood in general but precisely "single fatherhood." This is something that resonates with viewers and fathers no matter what their backgrounds are.
"There's nothing like this on TV. I feel like Rickey Smiley's story is my story," shared 42 year old Robert Smith- a white British single father of three living in Vinings, Georgia. Many diverse viewers are in fact able to connect to Smiley's family dynamics which is beautiful. To extend this thought in its specificity, I must say that "Rickey Smiley for Real" also visually captures the essence and vast dynamics of Black fatherhood all while shattering a myth and social construct that has been obsessively submerged into too many television and film scripts. This myth of the "absentee Black father" intentionally drowns the beauty that encompasses Black fatherhood at its best. Immersing out of this overflow of rhetoric that poisons the mind is a show that embodies the strength, challenges and joys of Black fatherhood. This is why I fell in love with "Rickey Smiley for Real." Lets be honest, Black fatherhood is rarely truthfully represented through the lens that TV One is presenting it. This is refreshing.
Ironically, the current state of television has digressed as it pertains to a greater representation of positive diversity and fatherhood. Once upon a time there was Family Matters, The Cosby Show, The Jeffersons, Sanford & Son, 227, Amen, and A Different World but now those type of programs seem like a different world altogether. We are now so inundated by negative perceptions that you would be hard-pressed to find a prime-time show that you can watch with your entire family without feeling uncomfortable.
Brandon "Scoop B" Robinson, a CBS radio personality and Media Lecturer at NJIT said, "I agree with the importance of having a show like Rickey Smiley for Real on TV right now. For a long time Black roles were marginalized and pigeon-holed to domestic workers and then the Cosby show was introduced which gave an ideal of what a Black family could or should be like. Cliff Huxtable was a Doctor and Entrepreneur and Claire was a mother who was a successful Attorney. The Fresh Prince of Bel-air blurred the lines between that which was the Cosby show and what was also the reality of the hood (West Philly) worldwide. The 90's and Hip Hop music opened the gates for different television and film roles which included the struggles of inner city life but somehow this perspective became the norm that defined Black family life which is inaccurate," explained Robinson.
There is a danger in the single story, as eloquently explained by Author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie in her Ted Talk. "Our lives, our cultures, are composed of many overlapping stories. If we hear only a single story about another person or country, we risk a critical misunderstanding."
Like Smiley shared, we are all much more alike than we are different. Telling the wide spectrum of stories that make up different fabrics of our lives contributes to the richness of our multi-cultural society. Not to say that they aren't children growing up without fathers, but to present this as the only Black family narrative on television and in media is factually irresponsible. In addition, we need to be careful where we're getting our stories and content from and perhaps examine the story and background of whose telling that story. Inaccuracies, ignorance & perceptions with prejudice have a way of seeping into our society & re-emerging as facts even without truth. That's not fair. Through "Rickey Smiley for Real" I hope that the conversations and analysis that dominate the theme of Black fatherhood" will shift. Tune into TV One and enjoy the laughs, drama and inspiration!
You can watch Abesi's live interview with Rickey Smiley here. Keep up with Rickey Smiley on facebook and check out his foundation.
Follow Abesi on Twitter @abesipr and read more of her perspective on her blog, 7thandLotus.