Cedric the Entertainer: Missouri to Hollywood

0:00 – The FIRST EVER PODCAST (thank you, Cedric Kyles)

0:32 – Intro to Cedric and some of his more popular works (e.g. Comedy Def Jam, Stand Up Comic, Barbershop the Movie, Who Wants to be a Millionaire) but there’s a lot of work that people don’t know as much about – e.g. voice overs in Madagascar and Charlotte’s Web (with Oprah).

1:12 – The #1 sitcom on CBS “The Neighborhood”

1:30 – Cedric talks about he early days (80’s) starting in St. Louis and how he got started in stand-up comedy.

2:08 – The popularity of black comedy clubs, starting in Los Angeles and then traveling the USA and ultimately make a living with comedy.

3:40 – “A friend of a friend” helped Cedric and “taught me how to be a comedian” – “I won $500.”

5:00 – To get from Missouri to Los Angeles – “How did you get the courage?”

5:40 – The danger of “doubting ourselves from even trying…”

6:50 – Working at State Farm – how Cedric made the jump from “get a good job, get a corporate job and work your way up…” – the strategy (save some money) and how it all went down.

8:00 – Booked a comedy club (and got to quit State Farm)

8:45 – Mark’s observation with people with success there’s a person or a time (a step, a first step) – “was there anyone” that helped you along the way?  Steve Harvey comes to mind for Cedric.

9:25 –  Cedric talks about how Steve Harvey was the significant mentor and help to him as he got his start in the comedy world.

10:50- “First $1000”

11:45 – Coach talks about the man who gave him his first big break.

14:35- Coach applauds Cedric for his consistent authenticity throughout his career and how he has always been “a guy’s guy.”

18:00- Cedric talks about how he fully realizes he “has it all” when it comes to his wife, kids, and success in his career.

22:20- Cedric talks about overcoming butterflies and as soon as he gets on stage, he “knows who I am and what I do.”

22:35- Cedric talks about doing a comedy show for the White House Correspondents Dinner.

23:28- Cedric was nominated to put his hand prints on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

26:36- Coach asks Cedric what 3 or 4 characteristics he wants to instill in his children. 

34:30- Coach asks Cedric how he navigates “Cancel Culture.”