Mike Epps On Katt Williams, Kevin Hart Rivalry, Working With Ice Cube, Whitney Houston & Beyoncé

You was talking to me on the way to my. hometown when you got to the airport. mother Shannon Sharp here. [laughter]. He just I Shannon Sharp at the hotel. there. >> I talked TO A MAN TURF AND TALKED to. him. >> I can take my mother jacket off too. >> All my life been grinding all my life. Sacrifice hustle paid the [music] price. Want a slice. Got to roll the dice. That's why all my life I've been. grinding all my life. All my life been. grinding all [music] my life. Sacrifice.

hustle paid the price. Want a slice to. roll a dice. That's why all my life I've. been grinding all my life. Hello. Welcome to another episode of. Club Shay. I am your host Shannon Sharp. I'm also the propriet of Club Shay. Stopping by for conversation on the. drink today is one of the most hilarious. comedic minds of our time. He's one of. the funniest comic actors to emerge in. Hollywood. He went from stand-up comedic. star to a bonafide international movie. star. One of the most celebrated.

comedians of our time. He tours the. country and performs the soldout arenas. Award-winning and critically praised. actor, multifaceted host, writer, executive producer, entrepreneur, real. estate magnet, artist, entertainer, and. extraordinaire. He's a powerhouse and. icon and legend. The OG. Here he is. Mike Els. >> What's up, Shannon Se man? Look here. [applause] you. Hey, you know this light not to happen. >> [ __ ] you, Sh.

[laughter]. I ain't going to lie to anybody. You had. me on SW. I was going to whip you. >> Okay. Well, hey, you know what? >> Hey, you ain't got your bars here now. You get your ass toe up. >> What's up, Santa? [laughter] We ain't. nothing right between us. >> You know what? I I ain't going to be I. ain't going to beat no person. >> But you know what? You know, I know you. a football player, but I ain't turning. down no fades, though. that we if we. would have really if we went if we would. have got in a fight I wasn't going to. turn down the fage. >> YOU RIGHT TALKING ABOUT YOU GOING TO. SHOOT ME. YOU IN THE BED TALKING ABOUT.

TIE TIME. YOU AIN'T WANT ANY PROBLEM. >> I NEVER SAID that I was going to shoot. you, bro. >> What you What you say, >> Shannon? I didn't say that I was going. to shoot you, but them little [laughter]. was your little homies going to probably. tear your ass up. I was [laughter]. >> I wasn't f to fight your big ass, man. >> Let me ask you this. I had seen you at. the I seen you at the uh uh uh uh where. what I where what did I see you at? >> Whole Foods in Atlanta and you was nice. as hell to me. That's what that's what. took me by surprise. >> What I said, hold on. I was saying to.

myself, I said, "Hold on. I just saw. this man at Whole Foods. We exchanged. it. >> You hadn't did the interview with Cat.". The cat thing. THAT'S. >> HE AIN'T SAY [ __ ] ABOUT YOU. >> It It It Look, >> I could have put you in there. >> You did. You did say my name. Oh, you. said you said. >> I said I say I said Mike was great. >> You said my name. No, [ __ ] The way you. said my name. You said it like you was. trying to set me up to get him to talk. about me. I was watching I watched the. interview. >> This is what I said. I said Mike. I said.

Mike played that. I said can't nobody. else play day but Mike. That ain't You might have said that, but. but but you did say some other [ __ ] that. and and where I was up with that at, Shannon, to be honest with you, bro. I. respect your podcast. I respect you. getting your money. What threw me off. was I'm like, this ain't interviewing. nobody but comedians. >> Yes. That's what threw me off. And why? >> Because I'm like, this is our business. And and look what the look what Catman.

Cat the [ __ ] up. >> So that Hold on. I can't even do this. [ __ ] now. That [ __ ] bumped some record. Why am I doing this [ __ ]. >> So, let me ask you this because I did. catch a lot of flack. >> Let me tell you why we branched out. Because in the beginning, we did mainly. athletes, right? >> But I said I got the athlete. >> See, I had to study that to know that. At first, I thought you started off. doing comedians. >> I started off with athletes. I said in. order to what Popeyes did chicken, but. in order to get bigger, what they do the.

chicken sandwich? >> Yeah. So, in order for me to get a. different audience, let me do cles, let. me do entertainers, let me do comedians. Yes, I can get the athletes, but I need. to get a different audience because. that's the only way you can grow. >> I get. >> I mean, if Target just sold one thing, they're not going to be Target. If. Costco sold one item, they're not going. to be Costco. So, in order for me to. grow, that's what I had to do. >> Now, I didn't know I was going to have. to whip a comedia in order to get even. more followers. But, I thought that's. the route I was gonna have to go. >> Well, [ __ ] you weren't gonna whoop me. First of all, I wasn't going to let I I.

I know you played football and. everything. >> I played. I don't play no more. >> You was a great ass tight end. I. appreciate that. I must say you you was. a great tight You weren't as good as. Mike Dicker, [laughter]. >> but you was but you was a good t I did. Okay. So, let me let me ask you this. because. a lot of comedians got upset at me. >> Yeah. >> Because I think what Cat did was peel a. scab back that outside the comedic world. nobody knew about. Didn't nobody know. that there were this hostility or this. butting of heads between comedians.

because it was never talked about, right? >> And so what Cat did is that Cat lifted. the veil and like, "Oh, this one don't. like that one and that one don't like. this one and I don't like him and he. don't like that." And so. >> everybody got mad at me. I was like, "Bro, I mean, I don't know what y'all. want me to do.". >> Yeah, >> I understand that. I understand that. I. mean, you know, I mean, the thing of it. is is that us as comedians, we all every. every last person that Cat talked about, everybody that that I talk about, we all.

worked hard as to get here. >> Mhm. >> You know, u and I guess I I guess each. one gets money the way they get money. >> You know what I mean? >> Get it how you get it. >> Yeah. And that's and and that's what. everybody has to respect. Um, but like I. said, it just felt like it was like the. interview was set up to gear towards. attacking. You see what I'm saying? >> Oh, that's what he You realize the first. 45 minutes I didn't ask a question. >> Yeah, I understand that.

>> So, >> yeah, that was his but but but that's. what I'm saying. See, that's just like. me right now. I could tell a million. stories about. >> I just need like three or four. >> You need three or four? [laughter]. Well, you know, before we go, let's get. here. Let's get here. You want to talk. about I'm ready to go now. But I'm ready. to go. This is my mother. You want to. talk about right now? >> This is This is a shade by La Por. It's. a VSOP KNC. I know you like Kgnc. >> I know you do. This is best. This the. best KNC you will ever put to your lips. >> You ain't put no P. Diddy in there.

>> Go. Then you go back down over here in. the morning. [laughter]. >> Hey, bro. You've been in this thing. three decades, bro. Damn, that's pretty smooth. It ain't. Yeah. I thought I. >> Yeah, you thought it was going to burn. I know. Yeah. See, see that's pretty. smooth. Yeah. I've been in the business. 30 years, man. >> But you know what? When you and I had a. conversation, we talked on the phone. And I just thought it was very.

important. I want to hear why you. thought it was very important for you. and I to have a conversation. >> Yeah. >> To settle our differences, be it agree. or disagree. We can agree to disagree, but you felt I felt that we need to have. a conversation. And I'm going to tell. you what, I was going to tell you my. things from my point of view. I wanted. you to hear from your point of view. And. we got I didn't I didn't anticipate you. showing up at Country Kitchen. Since set. that up cuz she knew I was coming and. the next thing I know, I'm sitting down. there and Jordan he.

boss there Mike. So now I'm like, okay. You know, I you know, I ain't ate too. much. I can tussle for. >> [ __ ] That was my hometown. You was. talking [ __ ] to me on the way to my. hometown and then you got to the country. get when you got to the airport said. Shannon Sharp here at the airport. [laughter]. He just I [ __ ] Shannon Sharp at the. hotel at the airport. >> I talked TO A MAN TURF AND TALKED TO. HIM. [laughter]. >> Your ass was coming there anyway. You I. was coaching at the All-Star game.

>> Yeah, you was coming there anyway. But. that but that was the thing Shannon. It. was the one of the most important things. that came out of that is we got a chance. to show these little youngsters out here. that guess what? It ain't always got to. end in no violence. >> It doesn't. >> Or fighting each other, putting our. hands on each other cuz at at the end of. the day, we still all black men. Yep. >> You know what I'm saying? We still all. examples in front of. >> millions. >> Millions. That's just like whatever Cat. said wasn't it wasn't that bad, right? >> It was It was It was It was It was like.

uh uh roasting them. >> Yeah. He just got up here and roasted. everybody. [ __ ] I can take my jacket. off too just in case. [laughter] [ __ ]. [ __ ]. >> All right, we up here in white tea. You. >> think you going try to just in case you. get upset, [ __ ] [laughter]. >> But but no, I I I think the thing was. for me, >> right, >> is that the everything that you said. that I wanted to show, look, we. disagree. But just because we disagree, that.

doesn't mean it ha we have to fight. We. have to like get our hair because at the. end of the day, ain't no other group. doing that but us. >> You're right. >> Ain't nobody doing that but us. >> You're right. >> I mean, ain't nobody fighting Joe Rogan. No. >> Ain't nobody fighting for Yo Von. Ain't. nobody fighting Andy Drew shows. And. they might and there might be people. that say things that they disagree with, but we're the only ones that feel like. >> I got to show you how much macho how big. and bad I am. >> Yeah. >> I'm going to show you. >> Yeah. Yeah, >> we ain't got to do that, bro. Let's go. ahead and get this money.

>> But that's where we come from. You know, the neighborhoods and stuff we grew up. in, man. You know, >> I'm pretty sure you had a bully. I had a. bully. Everybody had a bully when we. were kids. >> And uh we live, we grew up in. neighborhoods fighting, man. That's what. black kids did. We grew up fighting each. other. You know what I mean? And. >> hey, man, unfortunately, that's what it. is. But like you said, as adults, we. have to make sure that we we pass that. stage now. >> That's right. So, but I I'm glad that we. got an opportunity. But do you feel it's.

an obligation because they everybody. refer to me as they call you the OG. Do. you feel like we have an obligation to. our community to show that there's a. better way outside of violence to handle. the difference? >> We do. We all we all are responsible for. the youngsters out here because they. watching us, you know, and and if if if. you are somebody that that that the kids. are watching, whatever you do, they. going to do it. Yep. >> And sometimes you can't even see your. influence. You doing some [ __ ] you don't.

even know somebody's copying you. >> Nope. >> So, we are responsible for that. And. that's the hardest part about coming. from where we come from is that a lot of. us don't want to take the responsibility. because we so used to being. >> I'mma be I'm who I am. >> Yeah. I'm who I am. No matter what. Hey, now now you gray and and you old. [laughter] doing this [ __ ] and you look. stupid as. >> right. >> Yeah. Cuz if you think about it, think. about all the everything you see these. NFL players do when they start doing all. this stuff like this. What the college.

kids do? What the high school kids do? >> They start doing it. Steph Curry hit a. three and do this right here. What they. doing in college? >> Yeah. >> So, it's you are influential whether you. choose to be or not. And I think you you. should take responsibility because all. the the positive that comes along with. it. >> Yeah. >> You're so accepting of it. The money, the fame, the attention, the agilation. that comes along with it. So, I think we. do have an obligation, Mike, uh uh to. like put our best foot forward. >> We do. >> To let to make sure that the the the. ones that are watching us say, "You know.

what, man? Sharp and uh uh Mike had a. disagreement, but I like the way they. settle that, man. I like they they got. together and they say, "You know what, man? I understand. I might not agree. with what you said or how you said it, but I understand you being a comedian. You said it, bro. Let's dap this thing. up. Let's move on.". >> Yeah. Cuz it's enough. It's cold. [ __ ] [laughter]. >> [ __ ] got this [ __ ] off on jail. on hospital in this [ __ ]. [laughter] man. cuz it cuz it is enough situations out. there to show that or where where where.

it couldn't come to an agreement and. it's enough like you said it's enough. doing that. >> Yeah. >> We don't have to do it. >> right. So. when K came like people like man you. said I say here first of all when. someone comes sit down I'll always ask. him is there anything you don't feel. like you don't want to talk about. because if you're sitting in that chair. which you're sitting in I believe you. have enough of a career that I can talk. to you. >> over your career. >> about not about something that's not. your most salacious or something that.

you don't want to talk about I believe. you have enough of a career that we can. talk about exclude that and still get. the best Mike Els That's right. >> So when he came, I had no idea what he. was going to talk about, but that's his. story. Like Mike, if I you tell me your. story, >> and I like Mike, that didn't happen. >> That is your story. You telling me your. story. I wasn't there. >> That's right. >> So I can't I can't It's like, man, you. should have said no. Stop what? I don't. know his relationship. >> Well, you know what I think? Cuz I met. Cat Williams long time ago. Um,

we used to do we did a thing called uh. uh it was a a comedy competition in the. Bay Area. It was called the Bay Area. Comedy Competition. >> And Cat was a cool as a. >> nice little in a [ __ ] His name. was Cat in the Hat. >> Yes. >> And Cat Cat when it was time to do Next. Friday, Ice Cube asked me, "Man, you. know him?" I said, "Hell yeah, that's. Cat in the Hat from Oakland." cuz I. thought he was from Oakland cuz he was.

always like a Bay Area dude to me. >> I said, "Hell yeah, that's Caddy." He. said, "Man, he funny." He put him on. Friday at the Next, >> right? >> So, >> so you knew him prior to Friday After. Next? >> Hell yeah. Okay. From doing from, like I. said, the Bay Area comedy. I thought he. was from Oakland. >> Uh uh. And then he did the Bay Area. Comedy Competition and I knew him from. there. >> But he was always a cool, calm, funny. dude to me. I never seen all of the. crazy [ __ ] that happened. [laughter]. But I can honestly say this right here.

I really think that coming up in this. business when you young as a comic, you. could probably relate to it in sports, >> I think, you know, I think you do get. brushed by older guys the wrong way. >> I didn't been brushed by a couple of. them, but I don't say nothing about it. because I I understand what this is. It's a sport and it's camaraderie. And. when you first come in the game, when. you first come in the locker room, >> just talk [ __ ]. >> Really? >> I mean, in anything. Yeah. I think I.

think if you when you coming in prison, going to try you, you go in the locker. room of a sports joint, you know that. Am I lying? >> They're not trying. They're not try a. lot of especially if you play because. it's like, okay, I might take somebody. under my wing, but am I really trying to. take somebody under my wing that's. really trying to take my job, take food. off my table? >> Hell no. Hell no. So, so you gonna be. away with him. And I think that's what. happened to Cat, >> right? >> Crossed him a couple times. Steve. Harvey, all of the [ __ ] crossed.

him some kind of way. But it happens in. the game cuz [clears throat] I'm an. older comic now and I run into all kind. of young that sometime I run into little. young comics and I be looking at them. like you need to get a job. [clears throat and laughter]. >> Straight the up. Now you going to have. to prove to me later on, >> right? If and if I see you again and you. hot, I'm gonna say, "Shit, this little. end up turning into something, >> right?". >> But I know that can happen. And I'm. pretty sure that happened to Cat, right? >> Because it happened to me, >> right?

>> But but but some of the same that he was. talking about. >> Damn. >> But but I never took it the way that Cat. took it. You see what I'm saying? The. only that I took that from being when me. and Kevin Hart had a little problem. >> Yeah. >> is Kevin was a dude that came right up. under me. Right. You see what I'm. saying? And he blew up and he got famous. and he got rich and they was no longer. talking about Mike GPS. But before Kevin. came along, they was talking I man I was. I had this [ __ ] locked down,

>> right? >> I did. I was out on the road. But I. didn't know that other part of the. business. >> which was business. >> Business, >> you know? I got in I got in show. business and all I was good at was the. show part of it cuz I didn't I didn't. grow up under business. Mhm. >> Um, and. all I could speak for was really my. work. >> Mhm. >> Which in in and later on in life, that. [ __ ] ended up helping me because. >> I did good work. >> And I didn't get the big accolades, but.

I did good work. But but Kevin Hart knew. how to do that show and that business. So, he was able to get in there and then. I had to end up learning from him. >> Damn. >> That's how that [ __ ] work. Yeah. >> The old learn from the new, the new. learn from the old. and and I didn't. understand that. So I took it to heart, you know, I took that [ __ ] to heart. I'm. looking at I'm like, [ __ ] this is a. little dude that came up under me that. open up for me that sometime I put money. in his pocket.

>> and he don't remember, but a couple. times I've seen him and he would kind of. brush me the wrong way. And see, people. do that [ __ ] sometime, especially if you. get some success. Mhm. >> Sometime if you get some success and you. hot and a person see you and you don't. respond to them or act a certain way. with them, especially if they a OG to. you, they'll take that [ __ ] to heart and. all this mother think he better than me. >> You know, that's how that [ __ ] end up. happening. And and and I told him that. when I seen him, I said, "You know what? You actually end up putting fire under.

me. That's what it end up actually. doing. It made me, it put fire under me. because at the time, man, I was settled. in whatever the I was settled in. And I. needed some young to come along that was. hot and and and and the people was. loving them and looking at me like, "What you going to do?" You know, that. [ __ ] hurt. But at the end of the day, I'm like, "Okay, you know what? I know. what I got to do. I got to I got to. stick it to him." So, I just went back. to my regular roots, to who I really was.

and how I started comedy, you know, and. that [ __ ] helped me, propelled me to. keep going and stop looking at the new. Stop looking at the old and just just. focus on what you got cuz only one Mike. eps. Ain't going to be no other Mike. eps. Only one Mike eps. Go do Mike eps. and you gonna get whatever you get from. that. And I and and once I focused in on. that, I was able to breathe and I be. free and not look at the young coming up. or the old. >> So in other words, [clears throat] a lot.

of what Cat was talking about that some. people rubbed them the wrong way. Some. rubbed you the wrong way. You just. didn't take it the way Cat did, >> right? >> And and voiced it because you could, but. you like, you know what? >> Let me leave well enough alone. >> I'm eating. I'm okay. >> Yeah. And I and and that that that. that's a testimony to believing in. yourself and believing in your art. When. you believe in your art and your. testimony, I I have a lot to believe in. that'll help that that keep me from.

>> getting into [ __ ] right? >> I'm a real I'm a good actor, right? >> So, I can I can I can rest on that. Yeah. >> You know what I'm saying? I'm good at. what I do. So, do I really need to do. some other [ __ ] to get people to. look at me? Hell no. But it's days I. wake up, I'm like, "Oh [ __ ] I need to. get a podcast." Right? [laughter]. >> Cuz it look like the business is leaving. me. You know what I'm saying? YEAH. >> OH, SHANNON CHOP JUST GOT A BIG ASS. DEAL. I got to do this. I Let me go get. me some glasses and tight ass shirt. [laughter].

and and I'm serious. I started looking. AT LITTLE TIGHT CHURCH AND [ __ ] I SAID, "I'M GOING TO DO I'M NOT LYING. AND THAT. [ __ ] DID CROSS MY MIND because but. because when you see a getting money and. success, you start think your your way. your mind flick is like. >> I can do that. >> That's right. And I'm going to get left. back, >> right? >> But only you can do that. That was your. this is your thing. >> Yeah. This episode is brought to you by. Prize Picks. Whether you're starting a. new routine, making player picks for the. first time, trying something new can be. hard. But in life and on prize pick, it.

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or the bad guys? This movie is an edge. of your seat thrill ride the entire. time, keeping you guessing till the very. end. Don't miss the rip only on Netflix. on January the 16th. >> I was going to ask you because you were. on the uh Friday After Next with Ricky. Smiley, >> right? I had Ricky Smiley on the show. and and it was great. Ricky was. unbelievable. He's one of my favorite. guests, >> right? >> He divulged some information that I. didn't know. >> He said that he was originally cast to.

play Money Mine. >> Cat asked me say, "Why?" I said, "Cat, how am I supposed to know? I wasn't on. the set. I got to take If you were to. say, you know what, you don't know. Shark.". >> That's not true. >> Check this out. If you were to say shark. Yeah. >> I was originally scheduled to play uh uh. uh Damon. >> Yeah. >> I gotta believe that cuz you were there. How How would I know that's not true? So. I said, "Cat, how would I know that's. not true?". So Cat, so when we released the episode.

>> Yeah. >> and we had that clip that he that Ricky. said that he was originally scheduled to. like to do Money Mike, Cat responded up. under it. I didn't think I didn't think. he said anything bad. I didn't know that. wasn't true. >> I don't think that was true. I think. that I think that um knowing Ice Cube. and watching how he works cuz I didn't. work with him a many of times and he is. involved in the casting. >> Yes. >> I think uh uh uh uh uh Ice Cube might.

have, you know, vaguely. >> told because that's how Ice Cube is. He. might tell a [ __ ] "Go read these two. parts.". >> Mhm. >> I want you to read for this one and read. for that one. I don't know if that's. what happened, >> right? >> But. >> it's something in along the lines of. that, >> right? >> Where Ricky could have thought that, >> but Money Mike was a real. >> But like I'm saying, so you look at it. >> Yeah. >> I don't believe I don't believe. >> I don't think Ricky liked the part he.

played. >> because he had the he had the bandana. on. You could really couldn't see it. >> Yeah. And he said that he said he said. that me and Ice Cube was really hitting. him hard with the tree. You know, you. know when [laughter] we found him and. that [ __ ] kept saying, "Man, y'all hit. me hard with the tree." [laughter]. And Ice Q was like, "What's up with this. dude?" I said, "I don't I don't know." I. said, "I'm not hitting him hard with the. tree.". >> You was You were framing You were. framing. Yeah, you were. Yeah. Hey, Mike. You were framing on him, man. >> I wasn't hitting that with that tree.

Ice Cube slammed [laughter] the tree on. that [ __ ] And when he slammed it on. Ricky GUM SAID, "OKAY, THAT'S IT. NO. MORE NO MORE OF THE TRUTH SLAM, [laughter]. >> MAN. You I I can see now you went. overboard with it, man. >> I swear I wasn't the one hit." Yeah, I. was hitting him with the chair. [laughter]. >> You was hitting. >> But I really wasn't trying to hit him. with the I mean, sometime when you wrote. when in acting I think Ice Cube might. have told me go ahead and hit that. [ __ ] [laughter]. >> No, he didn't tell him that. Oh, that.

[ __ ] Ricky go mad. [laughter]. I knew THE DID THAT ON PURPOSE. YEAH. And so that and so that was the. situation. I didn't know. I thought I. was like, "Well, damn." I remember. thinking I said, "J man, he revealed. that he was supposed to be Money Mike.". I said, "People going to really love. this cuz he get So I didn't know.". >> Well, well, can you see Ricky as Money. Mike? >> No. >> Right. after it's hard to see because. when you like we've all seen somebody. was originally supposed to to play this. part or somebody was supposed to. originally sang this song. Yeah. And.

after you hear that person sing the song. like. >> I I know you can sing but I don't think. you would have did it like this person. did it. Yeah. >> So no, I can't see him. I think Ricky. played the role of the Santa Claus and. he played it amazing. >> Yeah. >> That Klepto Santa Claus. >> You think Gonzalez should be sitting. where you at right now instead of you? I don't know if THAT'S HIS CALL. >> NO, NO, NO. BUT, but. >> I'm just saying. I'm just [ __ ] with you. >> But if you look at look at the tight. end, look at all the tight ends. Me, Jason Whitten, Gates, Gonzo, all the.

guys. >> No, you took that [ __ ] to the next level. though. You made you made you you made. it where you know, you was the you was. the first tight end that was catching. that [ __ ]. >> Yeah. But I think the thing is, you know. what it is, Mike? >> You said it all. >> When people come sit across from me. >> Yeah. within the first 5 to 10 minutes, they look at me and they say, "This man. ain't judging me.". >> Whatever I've done or haven't done. Yeah. I don't look at somebody with. judgmental lies. And so, they're willing. to open up to me because I don't have. any judgment. >> That's good. >> And I think that's the thing that people.

love about me. I don't They You got them. drunk or you let I didn't lead nobody. I. don't make nobody say anything. So, I. was the question. >> They just want to tell Yeah. You like a. detective, dude. [laughter]. You make tell on yourself like on first. 48. [ __ ] just sit there and just tell. the [ __ ] all that [ __ ] That's That's. cuz most of these want to need a daddy. [laughter]. >> You look like a daddy to some of these. >> But the best. >> You don't look like no daddy to me. You. look like a big old. >> You older than me, Mike. >> I ain't older than you. [laughter].

How the am I older? How old are you, Shannon? >> 57. >> How the is am I older than you? I'm 55. Do I look older than you? >> Kind of. >> Hell no, [ __ ] I [laughter] look like. you [ __ ] Uh, stop cutting your. face like a white man. Let the [ __ ]. let the beard grow on your [ __ ] See how. old your old. southern. >> I never had no face around, man. Cuz I. ain't never had no beard, you know. That. [ __ ] won't grow. >> It It'll grow. >> Yeah. I But I shave every [ __ ] grow. You. got. >> I shave every day. No. No. I ain't got. no spot [ __ ] That a patchy. I ain't got.

to do no feeling. >> You got to walk around like a white man. All your [ __ ] shaved like that. [laughter]. And so I but I think the thing is when. Cat came on though, Cat, everybody that. that Cat was really talking about had. already been on the show. >> Yeah. >> Ricky said. uh Steve. And the thing is with Said I. asked said I said Rick uh uh Cat said. you stole one of his jokes. Say said.

Shannon if you take the timeline it. don't really m it don't add up. He was. talking about I think he said about a. spaceship and so forth and so on. So. here here come Cat again. I like cat I I. DON'T KNOW BUT I I A HEARD THAT JOKE. YOU know Joe. You in the comedy club so. you know people joke. >> Yeah. But you know what? Just looking at. what he was doing the went and turned to. check into it. >> Went out on the road. >> Yeah. >> And went out there and people came to. see him off of what he said on this. show. >> Yeah. >> That was his hustle.

>> So that's what it was. >> Yeah. them [ __ ] should have came back. on here and roasted his ass right back. and said all kind of [ __ ] but you know. what I'm saying? Everybody's different. I don't think they them type of dudes. You know what I'm saying? But. >> he should have came on here and roasted. him back. >> You mentioned that you knew uh uh you. had known Cat from the Bay Area. So when. you saw him on on Friday after Next, were you surprised at how well he played. that role? >> No, man. You got you got guys like guys.

like me and Cat, certain guys in the. business, you know, we come from a we, you know, we can reach back and grab. certain things that first of all, me and. him from the Midwest. He from. Cincinnati. I'm from Indiana. And you. know, we coming from a different. perspective when it come to acting. >> and performing. Um, but I wasn't. surprised cuz I knew, you know, Cat Cat. been around some [ __ ] He done seen some. [ __ ] So, you know, when it's when it. when it come down to this acting thing. and this comedy thing, if you don't have.

that that that background and that. history, it it's it's going to show up in your. work. >> You know what I'm saying? It's going. it's going it's going to limit you on. your jokes. It's going to limit you on. your on your creativity. So, no, that. was a perfect role for Cat and and like. I said, Cat is a great actor, >> right? >> You know, like myself. Um, but you know, personally, everybody has their own. personal [ __ ] And that's where it get a. little rough for all of us as comedians, man. We are some crazy.

>> Yeah, it is. >> [ __ ] comedians. I tell. everybody, man, we we we like it's dark, you know, and I had to I had to and just. as a comedian, man, people don't. understand uh uh the sacrifice for. making laugh in your [clears throat]. personal life. It's it's it's like you. you give up a lot. >> Is a lot of times that you're sad that. you're making other people laugh, but. you're really sad in your own personal. life. >> All the time. All the time. That's.

that's that's one of the hardest things. about being a comedian. And um they call. it a tears of a clown, >> you know, because it's it's it's the. real sacrifice of making someone laugh. is that you got to be sad to make me. laugh. You can't be happy and make me. laugh, right? >> And if uh uh uh and if if if if I see. something that you're happy, it's it's. kind of made up, you know, cuz we come. from dark places, man, to make people I.

know I'm standing up there telling. [ __ ] my whole personal life and. they dying laughing, right? >> And I got to go to a therapist and tell. the [ __ ] the same thing. >> You know what I'm saying? And and she. got to make it make sense for me before. I go make a mother laugh about it. >> So you got two therapy sessions. One. what you're getting paid for and the. other you're paying for. >> Come on. Two therapy sessions. One I'm. paying for it and [laughter] the other. one I got. Don't laugh. >> This is real. >> But but you know what? But I had Miss. Pat on and Miss Pat said although a lot.

of comedians do come from a dark. Everybody doesn't have that same type of. a past. >> They don't. Everybody don't have the. same past. I got a hell of a I got a. dark past. >> You know what I'm saying? My past is. dark. I come from dark [ __ ] family, uh, personal life, all of that [ __ ] So, you. know, I consider myself a hero every day. >> because of the [ __ ] that I exper, huh? >> Hell yeah. That I know that I ain't even.

supposed to be sitting here, >> period. Supposed to be dead in jail, strung out on dope, fail at this [ __ ] you know. But um I. guess God had a better plan for me, you. know, and I and I think that come that. that's because he know I'mma do the. right thing with my [ __ ] now. >> that I'm at this age. I I use my power. to do the right [ __ ]. >> you know? When did you was Friday the first time.

you've ever met Q? >> Yeah. So, how did he get the call? Okay. You. Hey, obviously the uh the first Friday. was Chris Tucker. So now Tug's not. coming back. So he's going to have to. move this franchise in a different. direction. >> Yeah. >> So he need he uh Smokey was his homeboy. Now he need another homeboy. Day that. going to be that's going to be obviously. probably three 400 people read for that. part. >> Yeah. >> You get the part. So So what what is Q. when when Q tells you to come in and you. read for the part? Did he tell you.

anything? So how did how did how did you. create this character day? Well, at. [clears throat] the time that the first. movie that I did when I got to LA was. Three Strikes. It was a movie called. Three Strikes with DJ Pooh. >> I met Pooh. He said, "Damn, boy. I wish. I would have I would have used you as. the main role." Even though my man Brian. Hooks did a great job. He said, "Damn, boy. I would have used you as a great I. said, I know, man." So, I did a small. part in that movie, but um my manager,

who's still my manager, his name is. Niles Kersner. When I first moved to LA, um and this is some funny [ __ ]. >> When I lived in New York, Red Grant. >> Yeah. >> your partner. >> Yeah. >> Play ball together stay. >> Yes. Red Grant used to come to New York. and sleep on my floor. >> Bam. When I moved to LA, I rode a bus. from New York to LA. >> [ __ ]. >> That probably take you a week. >> Seven days. Yeah. Took me seven days.

>> because THEY STOP THEY STOP EVERYWHERE. >> You did it before. >> I It took me like 6 and 1/2 hours to get. from Glitville to Columbia, South. Carolina. It's crazy, right? >> I said, "God, >> yeah, they stop everywhere.". >> Yeah. So, I took the bus out there, man. And and and Red Grant said, "Man, uh, I. got an apartment over here off of. Venice, man. You can come stay on my. floor." I said, "Come on, Red. I'm going. go stay on your floor." I'm sleeping on. Red's floor, man. And uh I had a little. partner, man, uh named Lil Marcus, Baby.

Looney. He was a he was a straight gang. member. Straight gang member. [clears throat] But he was so nice to me. and cool. I never seen that part of it. They said he was a straight hitter, right? >> He was telling people he was my manager. So, he take me up there to the to the. comedy club. We at the comedy club. my. man Niles, who's my manager now, um he was a manager at Jamie Fox's. management company. >> Okay. >> Which was Marcus King and his wife, and. that's who I was signed with. Mark uh uh.

Niles went to school with Matt Alvarez, who was the producer of Next Friday. >> Okay. >> He said, "Man, we got to get Mike up. here to do an audition." I went up there. audition. And when I came off the stage, man, my man Baby Looney said, "Mike, Ice. Cube want to holl at you." And when I. turned around, man, I seen Ice Cube and. John Singleton standing there and almost. peed on myself. [laughter]. I said, "Damn." And he said, "Can you. act?" I said, "Hell yeah." And he start. putting me on the auditions. I start.

auditioning for it. Every time I show. up, I see a lot of comedians audition. for it. Now, don't forget, everybody's. trying to audition for this move, this. role that Chris Tucker didn't want to do. no more, right? Which was next Friday, >> correct? >> I mean, which was the first Friday. So, this role was really hot in Hollywood. Um, and I'm I'm I'm performing and and. auditioning. Bunch of comedians that I. know was auditioning for it. Every time. I audition for Ice Cube, when I'm done, he look at me and go like this. So, I'm. like, "Okay, I got this." So, I'm.

thinking in my head, "Okay, I got it. I. got Yeah, I got this mother." Make a. long story short, unfortunately, my. little homie that was bringing me to the. auditions, man. Little Baby Looney, he. got killed. Get murdered up on Yeah. got. murdered up on Sunset, man. I'm talking. about beautiful young brother, man. But. was in the streets. Wasn't no joke. Good. little guy, right? Gets killed. The day. that I went to his funeral, I left his. funeral and took my funeral clothes off. and put my put my regular clothes on and.

went in that audition and got that role, man. And the day that day that I pulled. up, I seen Marlon Wayne's all kind of I. was like, "Oh, I thought I had it." Cuz. he kept looking at me going like this. >> You do? Yeah. You doing good, >> man. I pull up, I see all kind of out. there with the I said, "Oh, I ain't. going to get this [ __ ] man." I went in. there and got that roll. And when I seen. his wife, Miss Jackson, laughing. I. said, "Oh, man. I think I got this role, man.". >> You know, and I got that role. I called.

my mom. I said, "What you want?" She. said, "Give me a buy me a washer and. dryer." I said, "I'm going to buy you a. house." She said, "No, you going to my. social security up [laughter] cuz I get. 700 a month. You I get 700 a month. You. You going my social security.". [laughter]. Hey, you ain't been messing with that. social security 700 a month. [laughter]. Okay. But what you do? What is it about. Q that he loves comedians? Chris Tucker, you. He had John Witherspoon, he had DC.

Curry, he had uh uh uh Bernie Mack. Bernie Mack, >> he had all those guys. He uh AJ John, all Jamie Fox, what is it about Cube. >> with comedians. >> and comedians in his movies? I don't. think he's never had I don't think Cub. has ever been really been in a movie. Obviously, you know that Triple X. Yeah, he did a few. Yeah, but I get what. you're saying. >> Johnson Family Vacation and all that. other stuff. >> Let me say this about Q. As long as I've. been a and I've been a fan of Ice Cube. since 19. >> 89. Yeah. NWA.

>> He's always had if you listen to his. music, always had comedic. a comedian uh a comedic sense to his. music. >> Once Upon a Time and the projects, >> you know, I mean, on and on and on. And. I think that he's a comedian in his own. right, >> you know. So. >> he knows how to work with comedians. He. knows how to be the straight man. He. knows how to be that guy that is. that'll play off of you and let you get.

your [ __ ] off. >> Yeah. >> Like he did for me and Cat and all the. rest of everybody that cube touch on on. on the comedic side gold. Now on the. other hand, you had to have it to bring. it too. You know, I tell people all the. time, man, Q put me on. >> I put the movie on, too. >> I I made that character. >> You did. >> the franchise of a movie, too. You know, so it takes it takes both moving parts. to make the [ __ ] work. >> Yeah. I mean, now that you now think.

about it and you look at all the. comedians that you say, there are a lot. of comedians obviously that were reading. for the part. >> Yeah. >> I don't know if they could have played. day like you. >> No, cuz it cuz it because that's how Q. wrote it. And and fortunately it it. would fitted me because if he would have. wrote the character different. >> Yeah. >> might have been a different story. >> So, you know, he he's a genius when it. come to that. >> Hey, what's up y'all? It's your. favorite, proud partner of Rose Sparks. Have you ever had one of those nights? Maybe you're watching a movie. You're.

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giving you. You know, Cube always used to tell me um. it's a marathon. That was one of one of. the things that stuck to me. He said, "Man, this is a this is not a race. This. is a marathon." Cuz I think he caught on. when I was younger. >> Mhm. >> Like this dude want it now, right? >> This dude want to make it now. This dude. >> You do realize that [clears throat] a. marathon is a race. You meant to say.

this a sprint. >> You know what I'm talking about. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. You It's not a. sprint, it's a marathon. Yeah. I get. what you're saying. >> Yeah. Yeah. [laughter]. >> This [ __ ] here, >> I knew you was going to get me on here. and do a Sesame Street thing with a. [ __ ] man. [laughter]. Hey, look. The man said, "Take your. time, do it right, so that you could be. here for a long time, right?". >> And I took that advice, you know, and to. this day, I think I think Chris Tucker. is mad at me cuz I didn't do cuz I did.

the next Friday. >> To this day, I said that's. >> How is he mad at you? He didn't Okay, the reports are that he didn't want to. do cursing and he didn't want to be. smoking weed. >> Well, I heard that. I heard through the. grape vine he said they should have left. it alone that they they up keep doing. it. >> It's too much money to be made. >> Well, you know, >> you can say that same thing about the. Godfather. They should have left it. alone. But they had two and three. >> That was it. That was He did such a. great job. I can see him saying that, but I don't think anybody I don't.

>> I think my mama needed to wash it and. dry. [laughter]. >> But I think that's what I supposed to. do. Mike, I think the thing is I love. the way what Q the pivot he did. Yeah. Nobody could have played Smokey. >> Nobody could have played Smokey. >> He had to do a whole different. character, a whole different a whole. different way of doing. >> Nobody could have played it. And see, that's what thought I was about to come. and go come and play Smokey. >> But I fooled him. And I'll never forget. the first day I did that when I was on. the set. >> and they said action. And when they said.

cut, I'm not bullshitting. John. Witherspoons was sitting there looking. at me like this. And the set was silent. It was quiet cuz. they was waiting on me to bring it. They. like, "Nigga, you better bring this. shit." And I was I was nervous. I went. up there told Cub. I said, "Man, they. ain't laughing." You know what Cube. said? It ain't time for him to laugh. I. said, "Okay." He said, "I'll let you. know when when when it's time to when. it's time to go there." Yeah. >> Go there. And by the time it was time. for me to go there and I came down the.

stairs AND SAID, "WHY Y'ALL LET THE FAT. [ __ ] JUMP ON ME? Y'ALL JUST IT was over. with. They was laughing. I said, "I'm. gone now, [laughter] you know, and that, you know." So, so that was that was that. was pretty much the layout, Shannon. You. know, >> but you know, it as great as Cube has. been to a lot of people. A lot of people. complain about the pay. >> Yeah. >> That Cube don't pay his actors and Cube. don't do this after all this all that. what that man has done. We got to get a. man his flowers cuz he's putting he's. put so many people on. Neil Long was in.

the movie. See, his [clears throat] pay. is different. And and if if if you if. you want to if you want to ask somebody. if you want to compare to what somebody. gave you for one movie and it was your. breakout movie or your first movie, you. you you. >> Yeah. You ain't in no $300 million. budget movie. >> You ain't in that yet. And so so I hear. people talk about he don't pay a lot. But every that did his movie took off. and went and got paid. >> Yes. >> You know what I'm saying? >> Yes. Absolutely. I know what you're.

saying. >> I didn't get paid. I I I got I got a. decent pay. >> Yeah. [clears throat]. >> Uh but but the money that I made from. being in the movie was. >> now your standup. Now you hotter in your. stand up. >> Now I'm hotter in my stand up. >> Now instead of doing, you know, not not. there's there anything wrong with a 200. seat. Now you doing 500. Now you doing. a,000. Now you doing 2500. They come to. man. Hey man. Hey. They fun the mug. >> Now you getting your money. And see, they got to look at they you you gota. you have to in this business here as a.

as a as an actor, as a comedian, when. you first starting off, because. everybody got to start somewhere. You. have to plant a seed. >> Yes. >> For the flower to grow. You're not going. to get a instant Well, some of these. dudes is getting instant flowers, but. the flower pot going to pop in a minute. It's going to break [laughter]. >> and your ass going to melt down back. into the soil. >> cuz it ain't a seed. It was sitting in a. pot. There is a report that there is a. last a last Friday. >> It's a last Friday. >> I just said with me, Ice Cube, Aaron.

McGrder, and DJ Poo just sat in a room. and we've been writing it, >> right? >> So, it's it's it's going to be off the. hook. >> So, what can we expect? 27, 28. >> Hopefully 26. Hopefully, we'll come out. [clears throat]. >> 26. >> Yeah, probably 27. [laughter]. >> Yeah. >> Damn. Yeah. You know this [ __ ] more than. me. So, so I mean, is it bittersweet cuz. you've been at this thing two decades. that you've been at the Friday at the. Friday franchise and knowing that it's. coming it's coming to an end.

>> Well, you know, it might not come to an. end. We we thought we thought the second. one was the last one. We thought the. third one was the last one, but Ice Cube. has the ability to keep creating. [laughter]. that going to juice squeeze the juice. out of this. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, that. [ __ ] going to have no juice left. in [laughter]. Friday after the next B. How did you. come up with that? You cuss them old. ladies out. Them ladies come out there. with a family and [laughter]. you say y'all selling y'all selling in.

the neighbor out here selling in the. name of Lord. >> That's the thing about that's the thing. about film and and knowing somebody's. going to do something. You you know what. the reaction is, but if you don't know. what I'mma say. >> when I walk up to you, >> it's going to throw you off. I got a. real response out of them ladies. It. really shocked them. >> Yeah. >> But them is being knowing that they in a. movie they couldn't break. So they just. went on with it. That [ __ ] was real. They didn't know what I was going to. say. I just walked up to them and said, "Why y'all using God to sell [ __ ] on?".

And the lady [laughter]. old lady saw, "Oh my, that's how she was. looking.". [laughter]. >> But they they just kept going. They. kept, you know, they stayed in it, man. >> So how much how much freedom does Cube. give you to add lift? >> Oh, man. That's. That's what he do. I I remember I went. in the script. I mean, I was sitting in. the in the trailer with him and he just. took the script out my head and threw. the mother. I said, "What the?" He said, "Come on, let's go." You know, u but but. but you know, the script is the.

guideline, right? >> And we have to say certain words to to. lead us to the next scene. Okay? >> So, it's certain [ __ ] that has to be. said and it's certain [ __ ] that he's. like, "Okay, this scene right here, do. what you want." you know, go ahead in. there and you know, and if he had to. pull me back, he'll pull me back. >> Should we expect some upand cominging. comedians in the last Friday? >> Yeah. I mean, like I tell all the. comedian, a lot of people been hollering. me about that movie. I said, Cube is.

he going to make you audition. >> He ain't just handing out no part cuz. sometimes like Leo Leo ain't got ain't. got to read for no part. Denzel ain't. reading for no part. Samuel Jackson not. reading for no part. >> No, [laughter]. >> there's some people that are not reading. for a part. >> They're not reading for a part. >> You going to read for this part even. though. >> not me. I'm part of the franchise. But. these new guys, >> I'm pretty sure it I respect him for. doing that because the only way you'll. see it is if you see it. >> Like I can guess all the way and try to.

pair a person up with a character in a. script, but to see it. >> is to believe it, you know? So, I agree. with that. >> Right. Do you think Chris Tucker have. regrets about not returning to Friday. seeing how successful that it was? Because in the beginning, they said, "Well, he wanted he wanted this much. money and well then you heard earlier. people say, well, it was about his. religion and he didn't want to smoke. weed. He didn't want to do all that. cursing. He didn't want to do all that. drinking." But then, I guess, you know, when uh what what was that movie that he.

got with Jackie Chan? I mean, they came. along and it's like, well, >> well, he was the he was the perfect. example of he I he might have been the. that first started off saying the cube. didn't pay, >> right? >> Cuz I remember he had a joke that said, "Man, that paid me a t-shirts and CDs.". [laughter]. That was his joke that the [ __ ] used to. do on there, >> right? >> Um and then but what he did with that. role was crazy. He went and did Rush. Hours and. >> rush hour, money talk. >> So he he went and got paid off of the. role. Do I think he regret being in it.

to some degree? >> Why would he regret it? It put him on. the map. >> I mean, look what he did afterwards. >> Yes. I don't think he get Do you think. he Do you think he gets rush hour if. he's not in Friday? >> No. >> I agree. >> I think Rush Hour got him. I think next. Friday I think Friday got him everything. he. >> he was going to get. Would he have been. a star outside of Friday? I think so. >> Yeah, cuz he was good. He was good at. what he did. But definitely the Friday. roll put him where he was.

>> It it it was crazy. It. >> And I'm glad this didn't do it. [laughter]. >> Don't do another I was waiting on him. Said he was going to do Russia. I was. going to ask him. [laughter]. >> Hey man, >> they got a light-skinned [ __ ] that do. all these roles. This dark [ __ ] won't. do. >> Did you feel pressure? Because even. though that was a different character. >> Yeah. >> You were a comedian. >> Yeah. >> Replacing a comedian. Yeah. in the. franchise of Friday. Did you feel. pressure?

>> No, I didn't feel no pressure because of. where I came from, how hard I worked. You got to think about it, Shannon. I. worked I lived in New York for for 10. years, man, doing. $50 rooms, $25 rooms. Damn. Yeah. Not. making no money, man. You know what I'm. saying? >> So, that that true like some Hey, uh uh. uh uh. >> not making no money. >> Roy, I had we had Roy Woods Jr. on. He's. like, "Hey, sometime, man, all they pay. you in buffalo wings and and and. drinks.". >> Yeah. Well, I don't know where that.

[ __ ] was performing [laughter] at. I. always got a couple dollars for. performing. >> $20. $20. >> at least. Some gas money. I just Roy, where the was you performing that [ __ ]. gave you some chicken wings, [ __ ]. >> You parlay Friday the next to All About. the Benjamins. >> Yeah. All About the Benjamins. That was. a That was a script. Me and a partner. named TC, my partner TC, we we found the. script, took it to a guy named Ron Lane.

Ron Lane wrote it, took it to Ice Cube, Ice Cube, rewrote it, and we shot the. movie. So, at least the second movie, I. brought it to Ice Cube, >> right? >> You know what I mean? He put me in one, then I brought him one. >> Yeah. >> And um that movie was incredible, too. >> It was. It was. But you said that was. like you had a lot going on during All. About the Benjamin. You had a lot going. on in your personal life, in your. private life. >> Yeah. >> How were you able to? >> Because as a professional athlete, we. have to compartmentalize. >> I got to play the game. Whatever I got.

going on at home, whatever I got going. on, the game is the most. So, I'm going. focus here now. Once I'm done with the. game, >> I can decompress and I can deal with. whatever I got going on outside of the. game. How are you able to. compartmentalize? Yeah. >> Focus on I got to do this read. I got to. get through this movie, but I got all I. got chaos in my life. Yeah. Well, you know, first of all, um. the the next Friday movie, it it it did something to me. It me up.

Um I I couldn't believe I was famous. I. couldn't believe I made it. >> It it really did a mind trick on me. And. not only that, I was so upset that I. left so many. It felt like I left my. whole family and my whole all my friends. cuz I'll never forget one day I went. back home and I was looking for. everybody to be like, "Ah, >> yeah.". >> Was nobody like that. >> You might them though.

>> That [ __ ] me up. [laughter]. That [ __ ] me up. And and. I'm the type of person that, you know, since I didn't get the love, you know, I. started getting high. I start getting. start doing coke. Start snorting. cocaine. >> That was your first time. That's so that. was that. >> I was doing that [ __ ] when I was 14, but. I had revisited as [laughter]. damn. >> Yeah. First time I did it, I was 14, but. I revisited as an adult and I started.

getting high cuz I had I had I really. had survivors remorse. I swear to God, I. was so hurt that I left so many people. back in my hometown, my friends, cuz I. was really out here by myself, you know. But what were they going to do? It was. they like they could act, they couldn't. sing, they couldn't dance. So why are. you having you make it seem like they. actually could do something and you. didn't help them? They couldn't do they. couldn't do what you did, Mike. And they. couldn't do what I did. And then I had. pressuring me on the bringing money back.

home to buy kilo cocaine. All kind of. [ __ ]. >> Damn. >> Yeah. Because I Well, you got to think. about it. I came from the street. >> Yes. >> I came straight out of jail and started. doing comedy. I was in the street and I. and I and I wasn't successful at it, you. know. And um that [ __ ] followed me, man. You know, I mean, for a long time I. would come back home, man. It was it was. [ __ ] still talking about I owe them. money and I'm like [ __ ] I I I can't pay. no old ass 20 year old debt with you.

with no man I you know I tried to buy my. friends I tried to buy my family I. couldn't buy none of them they the ones. that were naturally jealous of me they. was just. >> it did what it was nothing I could do to. them I was get I one time I swear to God. I gave my friends one of my buddies some. money and that took that [ __ ] and threw. it out the though. >> Huh? Hold on. >> Yeah. >> Why you Why it wasn't enough? >> Well, you know, I think it was just it.

was just I think people's perception of. what they thought I had, I didn't have. it. >> You know, I didn't have what. [ __ ] thought. >> They thought you was Eddie Murphy all of. a sudden. >> Hell yeah. [laughter]. I'm like, [ __ ] [ __ ] I I'm one joke. away from being right back here with. your. standing on the block. But um why is it. why is it that when. >> I can just speak to our community. Yeah. I'm black, you black. So we can speak on. a level that we understand. Yeah. >> Why is it that when we leave everybody.

feel like we owe them something? >> Cuz we all came from a We all came We. all came from a. crab in the burl syndrome. We all came. from crab in the burl. And if you watch. crabs in the burl, that's what they do. They they. if one of them get out, another one will. grab his crab and pull him back. That's. why they call it crab in a burrow. >> And you know, I think that [ __ ] is a. derivative from slavery. You know, we. all, you know, that [ __ ] started and I.

tell I tell brothers this all the time, man. We still on the plantation. >> You know, we just got clothes. We got. more money and stuff like that. But if. you think about back in slavery, that. [ __ ] was real. If you seen a brother. standing up there with an outfit on in. Master's house, you you know you was. like, >> you had light skin, you worked inside, dark skin, you was outside. >> How can I get in? How can I get how can. I get how can I get out? >> How can I how can I be a part of this? You know, so that [ __ ] is that [ __ ] is.

real prevalent. It's still right now. It's still right now. And that's what. these dudes that's what these dudes. don't realize is like you know I if if. if. [snorts]. one brother makes it in this business. he don't understand that. he's the guy that they use to to to make. all the other brothers rise to the top. He's he's he's he's he's [clears throat].

the guy. He's the center guy, you know. He's the He's the the template of what. we are. >> Mhm. >> They all compare us like that. I was. just sitting on the plane with a And it. it blew my mind, but the [ __ ] is real. I. was sitting on the plane with an older. white lady and people were speaking to. She said, "Who are you?" I said, "Chris. Brown.". >> And she believed that [ __ ] She said, [laughter] she said, "OH, I CAN'T. BELIEVE I'M SITTING there with you. I'm. serious." I said, "Yeah, Chris Brown.". And late. And then and something must. have hit. She said, "You've gotten a lot.

older." I said, "Yeah." I said I said I. said Rihanna and them wore me out. [laughter]. They drove me crazy. I was just talking. [ __ ] Right. And then and then and then. she must have called her daughter on the. phone. She called her daughter on cuz. the lady I seen the lady. She started. looking at me like this. >> You ain't Chris Brown. >> Yes. You ain't no Chris Brown. >> And uh but it didn't make me mad cuz I. was the first thing I said to myself. We. sitting on Southwest Heer. >> You should know that I ain't no damn.

Chris Brown. Right. >> That just she didn't know who I was. She. probably didn't know who the damn Chris. Brown was. >> She knew who Chris Brown was. >> She did. >> Probably. >> No, >> she probably knew the name, but I don't. know. >> 55 year old [ __ ] with sner color gray. in his chin. [laughter]. >> Well, you did all about the Benjamins. Uh those lines 15 30. >> 35. >> 15. >> Yeah, them them joints right there. The. them was. >> you came up you that was ad lib. Yeah, I. was high right then.

>> Damn. >> I Yeah. >> How you show up to work high? >> Like now? No, I'm just kidding. No, I'm. just [ __ ] No, I'm just [ __ ]. No, no, you know what? Uh uh uh man, I. was 20ome years old. I Please, I could I. could do everything at that at that age. Um. you know, my com my comedic time and it. I don't care what position I'm in. I'm I. am able to still tell jokes. You can.

wake me out of my sleep and I'mma crack. a joke. That's my That was my calling. This is my only talent that I've ever. been able to. >> to harness. >> That's right. I tried all kind of [ __ ]. Shannon. I tried to go to the military. They wouldn't let me in there cuz I. flunked the test. >> Well, that's probably why. >> Yeah, >> but the military take anybody. Damn. How. bad are you in school? >> You're right. >> And they military ain't really turning. out nobody. They're looking for a few. good people to die. DAMN. >> DAMN. YOU COULDN'T THEY so bad they.

didn't want you. YOU COULDN'T EVEN DIE. DAMN, [screaming] MIKE. >> OH, STOP. I'm just like all the rest of. you [ __ ] [laughter] man. It's all. kind of can't read in. >> You wasn't NO SCHOLAR, SHANNON. >> NO, NO, NO, NO, NO. >> They probably let your ass get through. the. >> No, but I was about I was about to take. the test. I was about to go to the Air. Force. >> Did you have good grades in college? >> Yeah, I got good grades in college. college. I didn't have no good grades in. high school cuz I didn't apply myself. I. was full of, you know. >> So, how did you get to college? >> You know, back then I my first year.

>> your talent they. >> No, no. Prop 48 hit in 1986, which means. if you didn't score 700 on the SAT, you. couldn't go D1. You had to go D2 H.B.CU. So, that's why I ended up going to an. H.B.CU. >> Yeah. That's why you went to Savannah. State. >> Yes. Yes. >> You was too good to be there. You. supposed to been in Notre Dame, some. [ __ ]. >> Georgia, Texas, somewhere like that. But. you know what? the best thing to happen. >> Why? >> Because I sincerely believe I went to to. a a university. >> where you could get off.

>> They cared about me. >> How did the NFL find you in that little. school? >> When you good, they find you. >> Them numbers, huh? >> Mhm. And I think the thing is, Mike, is. that. >> you don't think your brother help you. don't think your brother put a little. >> No, cuz guess what? He [clears throat]. couldn't catch no passes for me. Now, obviously, this like he has a. brother. Okay, let's go see what he's. like. >> Yeah. Come on now. Don't take nothing. for Sterling. >> No, no, no, no. They're going to say, "Yeah, he has a brother. Well, why is he at Savannah State then?

If he that good, why is he at Savannah. State? His brother's at the University. of South Carolina.". Then they see me play. Okay, he's big, he's fast, okay, [clears throat] tape on. you. >> And the thing is is that obviously we. don't have a wide receiver coach, a. tight end coach, a running back coach, a. O line coach, a coach. We ain't got 15. coaches on offense and 15 on defenses. So they look at me as like, "Okay, he's. raw." But with some coaching, we think. we can find something for him to do in. the NFL. He's big. He's fast. He's.

strong. >> So when you came to NFL, they wouldn't. check for you like that. You had to earn. it. >> Oh, you got to get it. Oh, but you. because you got to realize though, like. I went to an H.B.CU where H.B.CU wasn't. cool. You see everybody how they hype up. H.B.CU. Now it was no ESPN wasn't coming. to no. >> looking at you like it was [ __ ] Yeah, man. They they was old. You went to you. went to a college in a strip mall. People making jokes about it then. Yeah. They making jokes. Now it's it's a big. thing going to an H.B.CU. >> A strip mall. [laughter].

>> Damn. Hold on. Was Lil Kim supposed to be in. All About the Benjamin? >> She auditioned for it. Damn. >> She audition. >> You going to be your wife or your. girlfriend or something? >> She was going to be It was If you watch. All About I think she was going to be. Cub's girlfriend. >> But you've been in movies with like. Whitney Houston was in with Sparkle with. you. Yeah, I was in Whitney Houston's last. movie, man. >> It was it was crazy to be in the mo cuz. she was a lot different person in the. movie world than she was in the music. world. >> Really? >> Yeah, man. When she was on the set, she.

was really, really calm. She was really. cool and she was really serious. >> Right. >> And and what threw me off with that, I. was like, damn, this ain't the Whitney. everybody be saying, >> right? >> Because I think in the film world, she. was because she was a great actress. She. was an incredible actress. She wasn't. just a good singer. >> She was a performer, >> right? >> Um, >> and she just has some great energy on. the movie set. >> Is that you get that a lot? Like you get. on the set, you have this expectations. of someone and you what you've heard or.

what you've kind of experienced with. them, not on set, and then you get on. the set and they're totally different. than what you thought they would be. >> Totally different people, man. And and I. didn't had some good experiences and bad. experiences really. I mean, you know, sometime I mean they always they got a. saying is sometimes you don't want to. meet your heroes, you know, because. they're not going to be who you think. they are. >> And that's a true statement. You know, everybody is not who they portray they. are in in show business, you know, some.

people are different people. You know, you meet them and you like, damn, what a. [ __ ] That's why I'm always cool. I. try to be cool with people when I meet. them and see them cuz I heard all these. stories before I got in the show. business, you know. I'm pretty sure you. did, too. >> Yeah. Well, people always ask me what. such and such like. I was like, >> I just know what they're like around me, >> right? >> I can't speak to what they if they see. you or if they see somebody else, I can. just tell you what how they treat me. [laughter]. >> And and people like, well, oh,

>> I thought, well, I don't I mean, what. you want me I mean, I can't tell you. somebody I haven't been around what. they're like. I can just tell you what. how they interact with when I'm around. them. Right. >> So So you say she was really really. quiet. Did she ever sing on set? Did you. I mean could she. >> I I tell a story. One day I was on my. way to the set and um I had to always. walk past the trailers and I was walking. past the trailers and I heard Whitney. Houston. singing M. She was playing Michael.

Jackson in the trailer. >> and man it sound like they was both in. there singing together. It blew my mind. Damn. >> You know, she was in there singing. I'm. like, damn. So, so it was it was it was. um that was that that hurt it, man. That. really hurt me because I had just met. her. >> Mhm. >> You know, I had did a previous video. with her and Bobby Brown years ago, but. I didn't get to meet her. This was the. first time that I got to meet her. >> and and and oh man, she was such a. beautiful person. >> You think somebody could beat Whit in a.

versus battle? >> Hell no. [laughter]. Hell no. I doubt it. >> [ __ ]. >> But you was also on the set with uh. Beyonce and Fighting Temptations. >> I did a movie with Beyonce and Fighting. I actually worked with Beyonce on the. Apollo. When I first did Showtime at the. Apollo, Destiny Child was on the show. >> Really? >> Yeah. >> Damn. >> And I seen them before they became who. they were, man. >> Did you did you know they were going to. become that? >> You know what? I was so nervous from. doing that show. I I I didn't even pay.

attention to him. But then later on I. was like, damn, that's the girl. That. was. >> Yeah. 125th. >> You look at uh uh Beyonce Fighting. Temptations. She was in I think Dream. Girls with Eddie Murphy. She was in. Austin Powers, one of the Austin Powers. Are you surprised she's not doing any. more acting and she's kind of focused on. her music career and raising raising a. and raising a family? >> Um. no. You know, the acting world is. something you got to want to do. >> Yeah. >> That's some [ __ ] That's.

>> I think she feel that. Did you feel. scratch that itch? And. >> yeah, acting is acting is it's it's it's. different. It's some [ __ ] you got to. want to do. >> It's a it's a it's a different parlay. It's a different hustle. Uh sitting in. trailers and that [ __ ] is different, man. >> It is. I can just imagine I can imagine. doing a movie cuz I've been on. commercials and the commercial is going. to be 30 seconds and you're there a day. and a half. You're there a day, a day. and a half, maybe even two days. So I. can imagine a movie that's going to be.

120 minutes or 150 m. I can just. imagine. >> Yeah. It's a process. It's it's. different. And it's different than. performing on stage. Yeah. >> When you on when you performing on stage. as a performer, whether you're a. comedian, an actress, I mean, or singer, you got control. That's your [ __ ]. >> Yeah. >> The acting, >> you sitting in the trailer waiting on. them to literally call you and say, >> "Okay, >> it's your turn.". >> Yep. Five minutes. >> Five minutes. [laughter]. 10 minutes. Sometimes you sit in a.

trailer and they come home and tell you. go home. >> Yep. >> Yep. >> It's different. It's a It's a different. hustle. So. >> you we going to rap for today? What you. mean rap for today? >> I've been here all day. >> We can finish We can finish this today. [laughter]. >> Welcome to the movie world. >> Someone that we had on the show that you. I know you're familiar with. Mo'Nique. >> Yeah. >> I love Mo. >> I love Mo'Nique, too. >> She uh Welcome Home Rosco Jenkins. Three. strikes. Bessie. Yeah. >> People have this perception of Mo.

because what they heard. Yeah. >> You've been around her in a more. intimate setting on set. Been around her. a lot. Probably been on tour with her. What's Mo like? >> Family. >> You know what I'm saying? One of them. cousins or one of them aunties that. don't bite her tongue. >> Nope. >> Going to say how she feel. >> But but sweet man. Mo'Nique. Good. people, man. Me and me and Mo'Nique, we. did a a a comedy uh festival up in. Montreal called Just for Laughs. >> And I didn't have no ride back home.

[laughter] And Mo'Nique and her mother. and her brother, I rode all the way back. to uh the States with them. >> Damn. >> Yeah. I rode all the way back to the. States with them. >> She. She is a very motherly person. >> Yeah. >> Because off off camera, Brother Shannon. >> Yeah. You know I'm praying for you. >> off camera. Huh? >> Yeah. Oh, brother Shannon, I'm praying. for you. >> Yeah. Hey, >> but see, she's another one. See, that's. what I'm saying. In this business right. here, people cross people and in and.

paths. People people do [ __ ] and little. [ __ ] like, you know, like if we sitting. under a table, right? >> Say this is the table, >> right? We at the dinner table and nobody. can see me doing this to you [laughter]. and you just jump and say you kick my. [ __ ] now. Now uh from everybody. else appearing they like. >> you overreacting. >> Crazy. >> Yeah. >> But that's what happens in this. business. >> Wow. People people nudge people the.

wrong way and and. >> and they pretend like ain't nothing. happened. >> And you supposed to take it and deal. with it cuz it's it's me. >> Yeah. >> I'm the one. It's me now. You want want. to work now? >> Yeah. >> You want to be around here. So don't. even say nothing about what I did that. might have offended you. So if you don't. bring it to me, guess what? I'm going to. go publicly and talk about every. [ __ ] body in the business. And. I think that man, I'm telling you that. [ __ ] happens to everybody. >> You know, and if you don't address it to. nobody cuz what happens is when you get.

home and you sitting around, you like. that. You know what I'm saying? That's some. [ __ ]. And you really upset because you didn't. check them right then, >> right? >> So you go on a platform and just blast. that [laughter]. >> being in the hangover. >> Yeah. >> I've always I ask a lot of people can. and and some people like, "Hey, a. audience is an audience. A funny joke is. a funny joke.". >> Yeah. >> But have you know Is there a difference.

between a black audience and a white. audience? >> Yeah. Hell yeah. Money. [laughter]. craft service [ __ ]. >> you can see a whole bunch of differences. [laughter]. [ __ ]. >> No, but but but seriously, so let so. when you go on stage, let's just say for. the sake of argument, >> Yeah. >> you in Harlem and you got 5,000 people. and they're black. >> Yeah. >> Now you go to Oklahoma. >> and you got 5,000. Are you you got to. tell different jokes.

>> You do. You do. It's it's it's it's uh. you actually have to tell a different. joke every time you go in front of any. audience. >> Really? >> Yeah. Every audience is different. Um. and black people celebrate different. than white people. >> Yeah. >> And and that's what throws a black comic. off is that when white people laugh, they say [laughter]. >> BLACK PEOPLE.

SEE WHAT I'M SAYING? [laughter]. >> [ __ ] hit each other like that. Yeah. That's us. >> Yes. So, but that's how we are. That's. how we are. That's our makeup. That's. how we celebrate. So, that [ __ ] will. throw a comic because it did me like. that. And I get off stage, I'm like, damn man, them [ __ ] white. people ain't laughing at me, >> right? >> They laugh different. They laugh. different. [laughter]. And that's like Dave Chappelle and them,

they know how to do that [ __ ]. >> man. >> They know how to master that. And see, my whole thing with white, I don't think. white people trust me 100%. >> I mean, your your background. I mean, you did, you know, do some. >> But even if a don't even know that they. I guess they can see the arrest. >> Yeah, but you got little beady eyes. [laughter]. >> Hey, but you know what? That's the real. truth. I said, guess what? your success. It it it spans off of the trust. >> Mhm.

>> You know, and white people let they let. me in their house. I ain't going to take. nothing out of there. >> this time. >> No. Back in the day, I would [laughter]. had all their VCRs and TVs up at the. front cuz you know that's how [ __ ]. used to do when they break your house. They bring everything to the front of. the door and just set it there. Go make. a baloney sandwich in the people house. [laughter]. [snorts]. You've been on sitcoms, one on network television, Uncle Buck,

and now uh you're in the final season of. the Upshaws. I love the Upshaw. You're. my favorite. >> Thanks, man. >> Be tearing you a bit. >> Hilarious, man. [laughter]. >> Be tearing you up a bit. I ain't I ain't. going to hold you on that one. >> Is there a difference? Do you have to. because like Netflix versus ABC? >> Mhm. >> Is there a difference in performing and. how you do it on like a streaming. platform versus a network television? Yeah, you know, streaming the streaming. platform, you're able to be yourself. more. >> Okay. >> Um,

>> I've always looked at network television. as a commercial. >> Okay. >> It's a commercial for. for you to to to show who you are and. what you and to do other things to ride. in the parade on CBS, [laughter]. >> get other commercials and stuff because. it's a it's it's a it's a commercial. >> network, right? You know, it's a sale. network. So, if you do a television show on one. of these main networks, that's what you. are. You really doing a a commercial, >> right?

>> I want to ask people this. Like, when. people get killed off, it was reported. that you got killed off because you. asked for a rape. Is that true? >> And which and which one? >> Um, >> what was that show? >> Survivors of more. >> Yes. >> No, I didn't get killed cuz that that. was LeBron's show. I didn't get killed. I didn't get off the show because I got. another show. >> Uncle Buck on ABC. >> and I was a fifth lead on that show.

>> I had to go for the. >> You got the bigger bread. >> Even though [clears throat] the show. didn't go, but I still had to take the. chance, right? >> That's why I wasn't on the show anymore. >> But what they'll do on a show is if. you're not on it on no more, especially. if you're black, they're going to kill. your ass. >> Is that written into your contract that. you got to let them kill you off? Can. you just not show up no more? No, they. gonna they're going to kill you without. asking if you want to [laughter] die or. not. They're going to get rid of your. ass. The dude Michael Mel asked me that [ __ ]. The director, how do you want to die? I.

said, huh? [laughter]. We we killing you on the show, so let me. know how you want to die. I said, "Oh. yeah, make a car accident." Damn. You. know, that's how they do. >> How How did the Upshaws come about? Because you got you and you got uh uh. >> Wanda. >> Wanda in there. Uh uh my guy Duck. >> Duck uh uh uh Kim Fields. >> Yeah. >> Um. >> Regina, >> you know. Yeah. That's all I do is. create, man. And um. >> You spend a lot of time doing that, huh?

>> Yeah. That's all I do is think think of. different scenarios. Think of different. television shows, movie ideas, and I. take them and when I write, I'm always. writing, casting at the same time. >> I'm writing with this person in mind. You know what I mean? So when it's time. to pitch it, it matches. >> So I called Wanda. I said, "Man, I got. to I got to First I called Wanda." She. called me back. >> I said, "Oh, this some bullshit.". [laughter].

You know, I started saying all kind of. crazy [ __ ] You know how you say some. crazy [ __ ] Then she called back. I felt. bad as hell. [laughter]. >> I said, "Oh, Wanda didn't went Hollywood. on a She don't want to call me back.". Yeah, I know. She think I'm a deaf. comedy J. Hello, Wanda. >> [laughter]. >> And I pitched her the idea and she loved. it, man. We went to Netflix, sold it, went for six years. >> Wow. >> We're in our final year, man. And um it. was great to do, man. It was it really. was. The kids got old on us.

>> Yeah. >> You said you said something very. interesting. You said you always got. these ideal in your head and you're. always writing. >> Mhm. >> Can you sleep at night because it. doesn't seem like you can turn your mind. off? >> No, not at all. I I've I've been having sleep apnnea my. whole life because you know like I said. sh. >> you [clears throat] mean insomnia. >> Yeah my insomnia but. >> sleep apnnea is like you start breathing. for an intermittent period of time. >> Yeah. [laughter] Shut up [ __ ] You know.

>> here we go with this [ __ ] right here. [laughter]. >> I have sleep apnnea also. >> You know. >> I do. I have insomnia also. [laughter]. >> The inability to sleep at night. You. know, you stay. >> Which one? I got. >> insomnia. Sleep apnnea is like you stop. breathing for a period of time. >> Oh no, [ __ ] I'm breathing. >> You might not know it. [ __ ] Uh uh I. might have to watch somebody watch me. sleep now. >> Yes. >> So, right.

>> Yes. >> Somebody told you that [ __ ] right? >> Well, I did. I Well, I took the sleep. test. >> and I I stopped breathing for up to like. 90 seconds at a time, >> which is not good. So, I got fitted. They I'm going to get the machine. Uh. next week. >> Wow. [laughter]. >> I'm sitting here talking to a [ __ ] that. don't breathe. I. >> Well, I had as I've always had had it as. a kid. Even like when I'm just sitting. around, my sister used to always. breathe. Stop holding your breath.

>> That's just a human thing. People hold. their breath. Don't know it. >> But you can't hold your breath. You. >> You go meet your makeup. You hold your. breath at night cuz you You're. >> right. You're right. So you out of here. >> But but I find that ironic. People that. are really creative. >> Yeah. And you say like you you're. constantly writing and you're constantly. thinking. It's hard. It's hard for me to. turn my mind off. >> It is cuz you're thinking about the next. move. >> You are. >> And you and you and you and you work. And don't forget, Shannon, from where we. come from from childhood, we are always. in survival mode.

>> Yep. >> In our mind. >> Yep. >> That's crazy, ain't it? >> It is. >> Even if you successful, >> bills [clears throat] paid, everything. done, still surviving in your head. You. are. >> still trying to not fall. Still trying. to win. >> I'm never like Shannon, you you I mean. you don't cuz I I I don't cuz that's the. way we were brought up. >> Yeah. Surviving, trying to win. [laughter]. >> [ __ ]. >> Of all the characters that you played, what's your favorite character? Um,

I used to say all about the Benjamins, but. because I was so raw, but I played a I. played a role one time in a movie called. u Pety Green and it had it was me, Don. Cheetah, Chewel, okay, and Taraji. And I. played a guy in prison and I love that. role because. >> it made you a natural. >> It made me so honest, man. You know, some roles make you honest, man.

>> I could I could feel it and smell it. I. could I could touch it. I I knew where I. was and it just did something for me. creatively. But uh yeah, that's one of. the main one of the roles that I really. enjoyed doing. >> I'm looking at some of the people that. you've been on set with. Don Cheetel, Martin Lawrence, The Rock, Angela. Basset, Megan Good, Forest Whitaker, Taji, Danny Glover, Wanda Sykes, you. mentioned Chewy Tale, Edor. Um, wasn't. like I could just imagine cuz I love uh. uh Forest Whitaker and the Godfather of.

Harlem. >> Man, I love Don Cheeto. Don Cheetah went. to Denver East High School. I've known. 20 plus years. >> So to see because that's not the ele. that's not the world that you come from. >> And to see them in their world. I. remember doing a commercial with Martin. Lawrence and you know he's like really. quiet. >> Yeah. >> And then as soon as they like, "Okay, action." And. >> he turned it on. >> like that. >> You ain't say nothing for the last 10. minutes. >> Yeah. >> Now you. >> Yeah. That's that's that's that's the.

that's the anatomy of u of an artist, man. You know, we I think I think to. live with the art, to live with being. funny all day, you know, you you want to. have a cut on and cut off switch. It. should have drive you crazy. >> Really? >> Oh, yeah. Yeah. Or you or you'll be one. of them dudes that's running around and. can't cut it off all day, >> right? >> Do people do people want when they see. you, do they want you to be funny all. the time telling. >> Oh, yeah. They want me to be funny. And. sometimes I'm not. I tell people. sometime all all the time, not all the.

time, but for the most part, I'm a nice. guy, but I do tell people, "Get the out. of my face. [laughter]. What you looking at?" When people just. stare at me and they know it's me, I'm. like, I'll just say, "What the [ __ ] you. looking at?" Cuz say it. >> You say, "Yeah, I'm say ask me my mic at. Are you Mike? You know, you know what. I'll say? You know the I am Mike." Why. would you just sit there? I hate when. they do that. just. >> they might not be really sure. >> and just. >> they don't know Mike. >> Man, >> it could be someone else.

>> I'll be standing somewhere and a. [ __ ] say, "Man, are you Mike F?". And and I'll just do the I'll just say, "No, I'm not Mike." And they'll say, "Stop playing." I'll say, "Well, motherfucker." Yeah. Well, stop asking. me that. That [ __ ] bothers me right. there. >> Why? >> Cuz I feel like they playing with me. It's like, you know, I'm Mike Abs. I. say, "Hey, Mike Abs, can I have a hard. girl?" Don't sit there and just stare at. me and do this [ __ ]. cuz it it make me do it back. I mean. people [laughter] look at the. [ __ ] like this.

We both in the liquor store looking at. each other like this [laughter]. sometime say, "Are you Mike S?" And I. say, "Yeah." And they'll say something. up. >> They'll say, "No, you're not.". >> No, they'll say, "Oh, >> you look you look too old or you look. it's like that." It's like you asked me. that to say something up you. >> [laughter]. >> What's the hardest thing to learn as an. actor? >> The hardest thing to learn as an actor. is your lines. >> Do you take acting classes or you just.

>> Nope. I have went to some acting. classes. [ __ ] didn't work. That [ __ ]. felt like school again. I'm like, "Oh, >> yeah. You know, you ain't do well in. school. >> I ain't do good in school. I'm out. I'm. I'm I'm out of here." So, I I lived. enough life to know how to act, right? You know what I mean? And I learned a. long time ago as a kid, um, if somebody's watching you talk to. somebody, that's the camera. >> So, do you ever look at that person. that's watching you? No. >> No. >> You keep like me and you talking and.

say, "Man, you know that we ain't looked. at the camera yet.". >> Yeah. That camera over here. You know. what I'm saying? >> Right. >> So, that's helped me learn how to not. look at the camera. >> But, um, I wouldn't say that I'm aless. actor, but I can, you know, >> you can hold your own. That's all. >> I can hold my own. >> But what they to have the opportunities. to show a person that yet, >> you know, >> what they ask you to do. >> Yeah. >> They're not asking you to to be Oscar. They're asking you to be Mike. Yeah.

Which is funny, which is hilarious. Yeah. >> And to be and to deliver a line. >> Yeah. >> On Q. >> Yeah. That's it. But I want to. show people that I can really get into. it. So, you wanted to take on more. serious roles. >> Yeah, I've done a lot though. I've done. I've done I've done I've done um uh. Death Wish with Bruce Bruce Willis, Acts. of Violence. I've been in Vaka with. Forest Whitaker. >> I've been in a lot of serious roles,

>> you know, as a comic. >> And um you know, >> it's hard though when you. >> It's not a joke. And most comics you. ain't going to hear their name is in in. no actor lineups, >> right? Like when it's time to cast, they're not calling them. >> No. >> But they'll call me and um you know, I'll get at least a shot at it, >> right? >> Yeah. >> Have you ever been embarrassed? Have you. ever forgot your line? >> Hell yeah. >> Damn, Mike. >> Hell yeah. All the time.

All the time. It's not easy, you know, >> Mike. >> Yeah. >> You got six months. They send you the. script. They say, "Okay, Mike, you got. the part." So before they start. shooting, you got months to remember. >> Your mind can play a game on you right. in the moment of acting. You can really. like your mind can freeze up where you. can't remember what you supposed to say. Dead ass. When I did when I did. Hangover, John Goodman, >> they had a big ass truck, a trailer with.

the trailer up and they had a big ass TV. screen with his lines on it for him to. remember. And in the middle of the. scene, HE'D BE LIKE, "YET GOD DAMN IT.". He was doing that. He couldn't even. remember that [ __ ] on the thing. Damn. And that's John Goodman. We didn't seen. him in a mill a million movies. >> Yeah. But it just go to show you that. the uh uh the way the brain works when. you trying to memorize the memory is it. can be tricky, you know. >> Man, I got new respect now when I see.

Denzel doing all that with that training. day. >> Oh, Denzel's one of the coldest ever. that ever did it. off a show, >> but you could tell that he becomes the. character so well that the the the words. come. >> they not like he. >> like nothing. >> like him and Mal like Malcolm X I still. don't know how he didn't win the Oscar. they pull a car on that one. >> yeah he did a good job in on the. training day too. >> oh training day like hurricane. >> oh yeah he was cold.

>> devil in blue dress inside man. >> yeah he was cold and he was if you if. you watch the movies cuz I'm I've. studied the movies and I'm a big fan of. his. >> Yeah. >> Still see Denzel the whole time. >> But he the way he take on those. characters. >> Robert McCall and Equalizer. >> Oh, he just become them. >> Did you see you ever see the movie uh Bo. when he played Bantto? Steven Boco. >> Uhuh. I never seen that. >> Never see that. >> Yes. Unbelievable movies. I see. >> He unbelievable. >> About what was going on in the part time.

South Africa. >> Yep. >> Is there a role you auditioned for that. you didn't get? Um. >> or a role you turned down you wish you. hadn't. >> Yeah, I turned down a movie called. Fool's Gold had uh Matthew McConn in it. >> Kevin Hart did it. >> Yeah. >> Damn. >> I should have did it. I don't know if. that would have made a difference, but. uh it was roles like that. Um. there all kind of roles I should I.

shouldn't have never turned down none. I. wasn't in a position to turn down no. roles cuz I was just starting. >> Right. >> There was another movie with Eddie. Griffin and this other guy. >> Damn, I forget the name. What was the. name of that movie? TZ. >> Eddie Griffin and uh the guy with the. big eyes. >> Chris Katon. >> No, it was uh. >> And they had a dog. They was running. >> they was running around the city. That. was my role, man. And. >> huh.

>> Double Oh, double take. >> Double take. Okay. >> And I turned the road down. I turned the road down. >> Why you do that? >> I was tripping. I I was in in my mind I. I was I thought I was I needed I I was. deserve something better. You know, sometimes you can get tricked off of. success. Like if you get successful, >> you trick yourself or you allow other. people to trick you. >> I trick myself. I trick I trick my. Sometimes you can get a little too fancy.

in your head about your success and. start demanding. >> more than what you supposed to get. Damn. >> And end up don't up what you had in. front of you. [laughter]. >> [ __ ]. >> What is selling out? We hear that a lot. He sold out. >> Yeah. >> I got the cat interview. I sold out. >> Yeah. you. Hey, you you probably heard. that you sold out because. >> you and Cat sold out on that [laughter]. episode. You [ __ ] sold out arenas and. sold out shows. That [ __ ] sold.

[laughter]. >> You sold the sold out. No, you know what. though? Um. Quincy Jones said something important. He said, "You got to have something to. sell." [laughter]. >> Damn. >> Ain't that true? >> You can't sell out if you ain't got. nothing to sell. I like that. You know. what I mean? >> I like that. >> It's the real talk because at the end of. the day, >> you know. who's going to turn down opportunity to. make money to send their kids to college.

and have a good life? >> Yes. >> You know, um and I think there's levels. of comp compromising that you have to. value. >> You know, I don't think one should. compromise themselves for something. makes them uncomfortable for money. >> Yeah, I agree. But hey, who's going to. turn down opportunity to work with white. people in order to send their kids to. college and have a good life? I'm not. >> No, >> you nor should you. >> Yeah. >> And I I I I I had I used to have.

uh peer pressure around my own people. about being racist. I used to be racist about white people. and didn't notice it until I was around. I'm like, damn, I'm only racist around. black people. >> Right. And when black people ain't. around, I'm white. I act white with my. white friends. >> Yeah. >> So, how unfair is that? If like if black. people was sitting in the tree and see. me reacting with my neighbor, they'll be. like, "That a sellout.". >> Yeah.

>> But you only seen it cuz you was in my. tree. [laughter]. Stay your ass out my tree and you won't. see me being nice to white people. [laughter]. >> It I need you to help. I need because. you've been, you know, you've been a. comedian for 30 years. You've been in. Hollywood for damn near as long. >> Yeah. >> What's a gatekeeper? >> A gatekeeper is. >> And are there such a thing? >> Yeah. A gatekeeper is a [ __ ] at the. gate [laughter].

that know if you get in there, you might. take his job. We talked about this. earlier. You might take his job. the. people who are the people that are to be. might see you and give you better. opportunities than the next one. >> Right? And if I'm a if I'm a guy, black. guy, [snorts] making money for a company. who's dishing out a lot of money, >> and you bring my name up in an office,

in a room, and I say, "H, you won't be. making money. It's just that simple.". >> You believe they out there? >> What? Hell yeah. I'm I'm I'm the guy. I make money. >> I make I I make money for your company. And you another black guy. And they. bring your name up and they say, "What. about Sandy Sharp?" I You sure you want.

to deal with that? >> You're not making no money, Shannon? >> Until they catch this [ __ ] doing. something he ain't got nothing to be. doing. >> And then they going to come back. >> UNTIL THEY COME BACK. OH, SHANNON. >> YEAH. >> People really do that. >> Hell yeah. in every aspect. Not only in. the black community, I'm pretty sure. they do it in the white community, too. >> You know, that's that's just that's what. a gatekeeper is. >> Damn. >> Somebody that can keep the gate. >> and make sure.

he he's okay, but I don't know if he'll. be okay for this role. >> That's right. Or or you got to be. careful with him. Well, let them decide. if they should be. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Don't Don't you help. Don't you tell the mother. [laughter]. That's why people would say, "God, you're so nice." I'm like, "What? Did. you hear something different?". [laughter]. Oh, yeah. Damn. You know what I mean? Are you a conspiracy theorist? >> Hell yeah. Damn, Mike. Come on, Mike.

Hell yeah. Cuz I didn't seen [ __ ]. formulate. That's why I'm a conspiracy. theor theorist. I seen [ __ ] I've seen. conspiracies come true. So I do believe. it too to. >> you manifested it. >> I manifested. >> It's like the roots. You know that. people say, "Oh, they can put root on. you.". >> Yeah. >> Yeah. If you start to believe in it, >> you got a root on you. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. But that you right. That's how. that the mind whatever the mind can. conceive. If your mind is strong enough. to conceive it, it it'll come true.

>> Cuz like dead man, dead people can't. hurt you. No, but they can make you hurt. yourself. >> That's right. That's right. >> Bad [clears throat]. pain and the pain itself. >> Yeah. sitting there crying over somebody. that just don't even know you crying. >> I can't believe you believe in him. Let. me ask I I always want to I like to ask. people that. >> Yeah. >> came from a very similar background. Came from nothing. >> Yeah. >> Dealing with fame. >> Mhm. >> What do you learned about fame?

>> I take it face value. I take it with a. grain of salt. I don't I'm never. surprised. I'm never shocked and I'm. very rarely mad about any outcome that. happens in that business. You know, I'm. not shocked no more that there's ass. kissers. I'm not shocked that people are. act like they know you and don't know. you tomorrow. I'm not shocked that happened to you, Mike. Hell yeah. I mean, you know, it. happens in choke. It happens with.

success. You know, I got I got friends. and family members and [ __ ] that it Hey, you know, one good thing about me, I. ain't always been famous and rich, >> right? >> I've been broke before. >> Yeah. >> And I have been nobody before. >> And I know how I felt then and how. people reacted to me, >> right? >> So, can't nobody pull the wool over my. head. >> Yeah. I'm half and half now. I've been. I've been poor. I've been well off about. as long as I've been poor. So, it's. about 50/50 now.

>> Yeah. You know, >> so you Yeah, you you absolutely know. [ __ ]. >> But I hate that. I I You know what I. hate? >> Human. >> Hey, man. Hey. >> Hey, man. Take my number. Give me a. call. >> Yeah. >> What? I'mma call you about. >> And then they change the number, bro. >> Oh, yeah. >> Bro, why you say why you say? >> Yeah, I done had that. I done had that. done before. But I like again, Shannon, to keep my stress levels down and to I. understand that's what it is. It's like. >> It's like trying to tang a change a. tiger stripes. This business has stripes.

on it. It's a tiger. You're not changing. it. You're not going to change how. people are. That's how people are. People are fake. People are are are are. messy. People up. People do. That's what. it is. Go home, go to bed, and. understand that's what it is. >> You know, I want to ask you, when you. was grow, were you always funny? Were. you always Were you funny as a kid? >> My whole life. Any situation? >> So, you a class clown, huh? class clown. like a [laughter]. they used to call it being disruptive.

Yes. >> But it turned into being a comedian for. me. So my disruption turned into Spain. >> So when the teacher would call and and. say Mr. EPS, uh it's just hard to get. him to focus. Yeah. I mean, he he's just. disruptive in class. I mean, he's. everybody's friends. He's making jokes. He's constantly he's I I I just I don't. really know what to do with him anymore. >> Yeah. Well, see, they tried to put me on. riddling when I was a kid. They tried to. put me on a pill. And uh. >> they had pills back then. It's called. Riddling. No, they just had ass.

whipping. >> No, back then they had they had. >> Mike, you talk about back then you two. years younger than me. You make it seem. like you 20 years younger than me. >> I am, [ __ ] Really? >> Your mom didn't tear your ass up. >> I didn't get whoopings like that. >> Yes, he did. I That's why. >> I didn't get whoop I I have gotten some. whoopings, but uh I didn't get ass. whoopings like that. And uh yeah, I used. to take a rin pill and I stopped taking. that. >> Why? Cuz the teeth I would act like I. took it and spit it out and they told.

them they told my mother, "We need to go. up on the volume. It ain't working.". >> Damn. >> And and she said just No, he ain't. taking [ __ ] cuz. >> Did Did you notice a When you took it, did you notice a change in you? >> Yeah. Made me tired and made me eat. Made That's why them kids that's on that. [ __ ] make them fat and. >> you know that's government [ __ ] Yeah, man. You know what h you know what I. needed to do? And I tell people with. their kids all the time, let them grow, man. You don't know what they going to.

grow into be. You can't really judge a. kid when they're young. You think you. can cuz a lot of people thought I was. going to be something else that I'm not. I end up being successful. >> I got people looking at me so shocked. It's people that look at me like, damn, you are really a different like you. I I. never thought you would grow up to be. who you are. I thought you would be. ignorant and slow and dumb. I always had. I've always been smart, but I was very. unorthodox. I I learned different from.

everybody. Never learned the same way. nobody learned. So I picked up a brick. way different than you pick a brick up. So. >> what kind of brick we talking? >> One of them red ones. >> Oh, okay. [laughter]. >> They don't look bigger than you. >> I'm just curious. I mean, you know what. I'm saying? >> Well, [laughter] you you on today, ain't. you, man? That [ __ ] is on. That [ __ ]. is on today. >> But you but you you you've had some some. criticisms. >> of comedians publicly.

>> Um. >> Chris Rock, you say like, "You think he. ended Chucky Ducky?". >> Yeah, >> I like Chuck Ducky quite quiet. >> He did. He Chucky Ducky's career up. >> What little career that was there? >> Yeah. Come on, man. Don't do Chucky. Ducky like that. >> [ __ ] [ __ ] Chucky Ducky. >> I like Chucky Ducky. That [ __ ] went on. one of them shows and said Shucky Ducky. needs some joking wokies. [laughter]. See, that's why Will Smith popped that. [ __ ] upside his head. >> Come on, man. Oh, you condone him that. behavior. >> I condone it, but I can understand how a.

[ __ ] pop him upside his head cuz he. Chris Rock weigh 132 pounds. [laughter]. >> Them be the [ __ ] that know how. to get a hold of you. >> That [ __ ] that Chris Rock, he know how. to say he said some [ __ ] to me one time, >> huh? Yeah, that [ __ ] walked up. to me and said, "You can't act rich if. you ain't rich." I said, "How? What the. hell?" [laughter]. At the time, I wasn't rich. I understood. what he said, but I I'm like, >> "But you just upset that he said that.".

>> Yeah. Cuz I Cuz what he didn't. understand is I came from a drug dealer. world, so I always like little. >> Yeah. You had Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. You sp. drug dealer. >> He thinking I'm up here trying to make. the people think I got show business. money. >> Yeah. >> And said that [ __ ] to me. I said, "Man, I'm rich in a whole lot of ways.". >> Damn. >> Ferret looking ass. I know. I know how I. feel about being rich, >> man. I'm going try I try to get Chris. Rock on the show. You going I can't get. him. >> That scared that somebody going to pop. him up. He's scared you going to reach.

over here. [laughter]. >> Now that we on Chris Rock, when you saw. that? >> Yeah. >> Did you think it was real? >> No. >> I didn't either. I'm like, "Damn, that. was. >> I was like, I was like, that's a skit.". I thought it was a skit. >> I knew it was real when I seen uh uh. Will Smith's face when he said, "Damn.". When he said, "Keep my name." I was. like, "Oh, he really. >> keep my wife's name out your. >> He could have got away with that. I.

would have just caught him in the back. somewhere and pow.". >> Nobody would have seen it. He let me ask. on stage saying Chris Rock hit me in the. I mean, I would have said I ain't hit. him. But I don't know a whole lot of. comedians that would have let that go. You up there. You ain't letting that go. >> Nah. [laughter]. >> No. >> But Chris Chris Hey, Chris took it. He. made a joke out of it. >> Fighting right there. We' have towed. that whole little area off. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> But see, I wouldn't have said nothing.

about his wife either, >> right? >> You know what I'm saying? >> So you felt that was off limits. >> I mean, you know, with all them white. people in there, it gets a little rough. >> All he said was GI Jane. But I think I. but I think I think it was a culmination. because remember years before that we uh. uh uh Jada say she wasn't coming. >> I would have popped that upside his head. too. >> Come on man. Come on up. >> But I wouldn't have did it in front of. everybody. I would have said, "Hey man, Chris, don't do that again.". >> Yeah. >> And in the back. Nobody would have said. >> you don't do that in front of company.

>> Nah. Not in front of the white people. >> Yeah. >> You know what I'm saying? That's one. thing. Black people, we can't do certain. [ __ ] in front of the white people. >> Yeah. We have to look at each other. I. catch you behind the liquor store. Okay. Chick-fil-A or something. >> But we ain't doing this in front of the. white people cuz it's going to your. money up and my money up. >> Yeah. >> As soon as the white people see you. violent, they done. >> Yeah. >> They don't like violence. >> Unless it's a war. >> I'm like, [clears throat] damn. >> I I was I I was shocked. But I think I.

thought Chris handled it really really. well. Only He might have been the only. black man that could have handled it. like that. Yeah. I mean, you know, >> but I'm not so sure Will would have did. that to somebody else. But like you. said, that's that man's wife. No matter. what you No matter what somebody else. might think of her, that's that man's. wife and he love. >> thing that coochie will do. >> Make you act a fool. >> Yeah. >> My Yeah. My wife, anybody, that's one. thing that'll get me too. >> And they call it Can I curse on here?

>> Yeah. >> They call it a tender dick. Lord, >> when you tender dick, you'll kill. somebody over a woman. Chris Rock was. tender [ __ ]. >> I mean, Will Smith. Yeah, he had tender. He was tender. But I am too. Mama better. not say nothing about my wife. You can. do anything in the world, [ __ ] Don't. say nothing about the [snorts] C. Cuz. you got to go home to these women. And. if you don't stand up in front of a. woman, they going to say that [ __ ]. >> What they going to say? >> You ain't say nothing to them one that. said. See, now you.

>> Now they looking at you half cop. He he. bigger than me though, baby. I don't. want to mess up our money. Don't you. like living here? >> I mean, in in in the in the thrust of. it, [laughter]. some pop [ __ ] [ __ ]. >> Let me ask you this. Have you talked to. Chris Rock? Have y'all y'all y'all y. >> I never really had a relationship with. him like that. >> Really? >> No. >> Have you tried? >> I don't I telling you when I tell you me. and him ain't never ever. >> Hey, y'all ain't never been cool like. that, huh? >> No, I don't think he gets me and I don't.

get him. And it's cool. Yeah. >> You know what I mean? >> Damn. I hate that. >> That's how it is. I mean, you know, some. people I get, some people get me, some. people I don't. Right. Do I think he's. funny? Yeah. >> Yeah, I do, too. >> I think he's funny as hell. >> Yeah. >> But personalitywise, I don't I've never met him enough to. know how cool he I really don't know him. and he don't know me like that. >> Okay. >> Which is cool. >> Eddie, you the Eddie Murphy with Dr. D, Little Dolomite, you people. What What's.

it like working with Eddie? Because I. grew up on See, I grew up on Eddie. I. was in I was in the early 80s when Eddie. was at when Eddie was. >> funny funny all day. I mean, that's why. I was just telling somebody. I've been. trying to get Eddie Murphy to go do. stand. Every time I work with him in a. movie, I'm like, man, go do stand up cuz. he's sitting there telling you jokes. while he's standing with you. >> That [ __ ] just sitting there. funny just in his regular life. He done. said, man, some of the stories he told. me, boy, I was on the floor laughing. I.

mean, had me down. He told me one time. John Amos was at a party. Remember from. good time? >> Good time. Yeah. >> Said he had a whole suit on with a drink. and it was so many girls in there. They. said he stepped right off in the water. with the whole suit. They said he kept. the drink up like this [laughter]. >> and got out of the water and just kept. drinking like nothing happened. Drenched, soaking wet. [laughter]. You you you think Eddie ever do a stand. up again? He should. He's the king of. that [ __ ] man. That's one thing about.

Eddie Murphy, man. His timing and the. [ __ ] that he you know, I seen him and. Kevin Hart has words. I don't know how. real that is, but I seen them have some. words and I'm like, Kevin, you can. forget it. This dude is the Eddie. Murphy's the king of he's king of st. that. But he ain't done it in so long. It's like a surgeon. You don't stop you. like serge like. >> so you can play football. >> No, not with two artificial hips. I got. real. >> Oh, I forgot about that. >> Yeah.

>> If I'd have known that when we got into. it, [ __ ] I would have hurry up and. found your ass, [laughter]. >> [ __ ] Shannon, what the hell you on. that [ __ ] hip? Bam. No, no, no. They good now. They good. I just can't I. can't, you know, I can't, you know, can't go below 90° or something like. that, but my hips are fine. I don't I'm. not in pain anymore. Now, you should. have called me about four, five years. ago when I was in pain. You could have. got me then, Mike. >> I can get you now. See, >> not not a fan. >> [ __ ]. >> I seen you up there playing with. Crawford. >> Yeah, >> in the box.

>> I ain't want to mess his money up. Hey, I wanted. >> You think you could have whooped him? >> Oh, I have tossed him. Yeah, I could. have. >> See, you talking about grabbing a. [ __ ] That's why. >> I already I had it. What you. >> That's why I said I was getting a pistol. [laughter]. cuz that ain't fair. We supposed to be. like this, but grabbed the man. >> No. WHAT? I'M GOING TO DO THAT for I got. It's got to be quick. I got too much. muscle. It's going I'm going fatigue. >> You got to get rid of. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. [laughter]. >> Yeah. For sure. >> Yeah. >> Give me your goat comedians because you.

go back a ways. >> Yeah. >> I mean, you get Eddie and then Carlin. and all these guys coming forward. So, you have a. >> you know, a guy that's 30 years old. He. might like take this guy because that's. all he know. But you get to go back a. ways, Mike. So, give me your goat. comedians. Give me my Rushmore. Sucky ducky. Oh lord. >> Lunell. [laughter]. [laughter]. No. Of you know what? I hate saying this. [ __ ] because everybody say the same guys.

all the time. But. Martin Lawrence, Robin Harris, Eddie Murphy, Richard. Prior, >> Bernie Mack. That's my Russ Moore. You. do much more. You only got four heads. >> No, that's fine. Oh, they only did four. >> Yeah. Damn. I see. You didn't do good in. school, huh? >> I didn't. I was I dropped out. >> How many recesses y'all had, >> [ __ ] I don't remember. I didn't even. I'm telling you, Shannon. I got I This. is the honest to God truth, brother. I.

stopped going to school. Like literally, literally. fifth grade. >> You just stopped going. >> I got held back twice. Oh my goodness. How you get held back in. that at that age? You ain't doing. nothing. I mean, you getting stars for. grades, >> doing no work, coming in the room. >> Would you go to sleep? >> No. >> Bit balls, beating on the table. >> Oh my god. >> I see why teacher turned the back. When.

her teacher turned the back, I say, "Shut up." And she turn [laughter]. I was that dude right there. Always in. the hallway. Never had. >> Yeah, you're definitely in the hallway. I can tell you. >> I stop at your classroom. Get Shannon. right there. Shannon, what's happening? And the teacher said, "Keep walking.". And I say, "Shut up." [laughter] Now I'm. in the principal's office. >> I mean, literally, school was a. playground for me, but I was working on. being a comedian. >> So, let me ask you a question. >> Yeah. >> When you go, you in the principal's. office. At some point in time, they had. to call your mom or your dad. >> Yeah.

>> So, so when you when they when your. parents come to school and they said, "Uh, Mike is being disruptive and he's. >> My parents couldn't handle me, Shannon.". No, my parents couldn't handle me. My. mom or my dad. I was off the hook. I was. off the hook. Literally, I got suspended. all the time. >> Hold up. How you get suspended in like. before you before the fifth grade? >> I made it to the knife. You know how I. made it to high school? >> How? >> They just kick me out of junior high.

>> So, they just kept cuz they just keep. promoting you cuz they ain't want to. deal with you no more. >> I went to junior high. I soon as I got. to a freshman in high school, I got. kicked out of high school. >> for what? >> Fighting crazy [ __ ] Showing up late, not going to In high school, I just. didn't go to school. I was like, I'm. just hung in the cafeteria and in the. they had a little court where the kids. was. Man, I was wild, man. But I was. really a comedian. I had I had people on.

the floor. I would mimic all the. teachers. If it was a cute girl, it was. my job to make her feel not cute. That's. how I would get her to like me. I talk. about her toes, her hair, and they come. back to me. Do you Why did you say that. to me? I said, "No, I'm just kidding.". And then they'd be my friend. [laughter]. They know if I came around, I was going. to talk about their ass. That was. >> Did y'all have talent shows? >> Yes. >> So, you would have you you the comedian, you win.

>> No, we didn't have them talent. The only. talent show we had was I tried to get in. a spelling bee one time. >> and got and went I got I think I got to. the second stage of that mother. [laughter]. >> and I don't I I think the I think the. word was uh. it really wasn't a big word but all I. remember is I stormed out of that. I was. so mad cuz my mom and them was there and. I I couldn't look at my mother like. that. I just seen her hands go like.

this. This is like [laughter]. damn. She was like damn son. But I am so h like like like I can talk. about all of my misfortunes in life. because I am so successful now. >> I am so successful off of nothing. No. money, no education, no nothing. That's. how I know when God creates something, >> you don't make no mistakes. He don't. make no mistakes, brother.

>> Do you ever think about like, man, I. could have did this. I could have I I. could have graduated. I could have did. with gone to college if I have focused. >> none of that [ __ ]. >> Yeah. But you focus on these roles. You. focus on your standup. You focus in this. this this movie business. So when you. when you want to lock into something, >> I can do it. >> You can do it. >> But it took me to be an adult and have. bills and kids to lock in. >> I couldn't lock in on just my life. It. wasn't enough. I had to see some kids. >> Yeah. You had.

>> Now I got responsibilities. >> More for more than just myself. That. makes me do the right thing, >> right? >> Yeah. >> You was going to play You going to do a. biop uh with Richard. >> Prior. >> What happened to that? >> Um. >> cuz I talked to Damon. I think Damon. Ways was also talking about the biop and. and and. >> Yeah. I mean, you know, I think I think over. the years, man, um, and I honestly think this about Richard.

Prior. I think his spirit was so keen, man. I think that [ __ ] said, "I don't want. none of them playing me.". >> But he actually chose you in 2000. He. chose you to play. >> Yeah. I'm I'm pretty sure. But I I I I I. still think that his spirit in living. with this, trying to do his role all. these years, I think he literally in his. spirit cuz I don't know why the movie's. never been done. >> It's got to be though. >> And I don't care who they picked to do. it at this point. I just want to see the.

movie done. >> But I I I I don't know if anybody can. play it because uh of you. You get that. little semifro. You have the complexion. You have the voice. >> in played him before in a movie. uh. called uh it was with Zoe Zalda. >> Z. >> I forget the name. It was what was the. girl lady's name? >> Nina Simone. >> Nina Simone. >> I played it. I played a small part of. him and killed it in that movie and and. um.

that was enough for me, man. I played. enough I played him again. They had a. Lakers series that was on HBO. >> Remember that Laker series? I played him. in that. Killed it. Well, Showtime, I. think it was. >> Showtime. So, I had a chance to play him. a couple times. Small roles, >> but you want to play the big thing. You. You want to do it, >> man? >> You don't want to do it now. >> What? I will kill that. I will body. that. >> Why won't it Why won't his wife. because I mean, you know, is that to. hold up his wife in kind of the.

direction of the movie? >> Well, she definitely owns the rights. >> Oh, for sure. Absolutely. >> But I don't know why she don't want to. do it. I don't know if she wants to do. it. I don't know if she found the right. person to do it, but she's definitely. keeping it from going or seeing if it'll. go. You know, >> but I don't I didn't want nobody to. believe nothing. My daddy was Richard. prior to me. >> Mhm. >> If you met my daddy, that was the.

funniest [ __ ] to me, >> right? >> In the world. Hilarious. That's how. where I got it. >> That's my Richard Prior before I even. get to anybody else. my real father who. gave me my [ __ ] Funny as hell. Just. wasn't a comedian. Hilarious. >> Well, funny that you mentioned uh Zoe. Donald because she played Nina Simone. and they said she had black face on. >> Mhm. [laughter]. >> Why you laugh? >> I don't know why she did that [ __ ] That.

was crazy. I mean, >> listening to white people. See sometime. if you listen to white people sometime. they they be mean and well but they'll. send your ass down a dark hole. >> right. >> with your culture. >> You cuz you could have easily got. someone of darker complexion to play. that role. >> That's what I'm saying. That was. somebody that wanted her to play that. that bad. >> Mhm. >> And was thinking but but didn't know. that you can't do that. >> They do that. >> They should have got somebody like Mary. Jay Blige who was really good that could. sing. >> sing right.

>> that was a real black girl that could do. it. >> Yes. >> You know and I love love Zoe. I just. don't think that was the right role to. play. >> Hell, uh, Jennif Jay Hood, get Jennifer. Hudson to play it. >> She would have been good, too. >> Yeah. I mean, because Duski caught a. little flat. >> Sexy Red would have did good. >> No, Sexy Red. made that [clears throat] part. >> I seen SK. [laughter]. >> Drew got in trouble for wearing white. face. >> Yeah. >> During the skit. >> Yeah, I seen that [ __ ].

>> What were you What were your thoughts? He He ain't He ain't made it all the. way. They don't get He's good. That's. what I'm telling you. When you get on. the real radar Yeah. >> then you can't do [ __ ]. >> right? >> But, you know, I don't think a lot of us. are on the real radar to get uh punished. >> because it see I mean it seemed like. skits are the thing. I mean, a lot of. guys are a lot of guys came up doing the. skits. >> Yeah. >> And but that's not how you guys you guys. had to get up there. Y'all had to get on.

sit on a stool or walk back and forth. and you had to tell jokes. >> That's right. >> It was no, it was no ski. You might. have, you know, do a voice inflection. and you make your boy sound like. somebody famous, >> but you weren't doing no skits. >> Hell no. You have to do joke for joke. >> Jokes. >> Set up, punchline, set up, premise, punchline. >> How different is punch line set up? >> How different is it now? Is it easier to. become a comedian now than it was when. you were coming up in the biz?

Hell, >> they got social media now. >> It's a million comedians. Even Even for the ones who want to just. sit there and tell a joke. >> Yeah. >> [ __ ] is no joke. I mean, to become a. real comic. takes about 10 years. >> Really? >> Yeah. To become a real to to to really. say I'm a comic and I've been doing this. [ __ ] and you got to go on the stage a. lot, man. I was doing seven shows a.

week. Sometimes two and three in a day. Damn. Hell yeah. That's why like right. now I'm on this tour that's coming up, >> right? >> Called We the Ones. >> I'm I'm I'm headlining. This is our. third year doing it. >> Okay. >> These young comics on this tour. These. are young brothers that I would say. >> five 10 years they'll be household. names. >> Yeah. They they they they do pretty good. in the culture now, >> right? >> But these guys are going to be some guys.

that's really really You got guys like. Mojo Brooks, little young dudes from. Chicago. >> I know. Yeah. >> Um. >> he go over to be trying to get with it. back with the baby mama. >> Yeah. [laughter]. >> With the groceries. >> DC Young Fly. >> Yeah, I know. Yep. >> Uh Country Wang. >> Yeah. >> Uh uh uh. Uh Carlos Miller. >> Yeah. Los. I've had them all on. These. dudes are. these dudes are young comics of today. And if I could pick any of the comics,

these are the guys that are closer to. anything that we were the Eddie Murphy. They are speaking on the culture. >> You know what I'm saying? These dudes. really living in the streets. They. really live this [ __ ] They know it. >> Yeah. >> Only difference is we just got the time. on them, man. you know, we we you know, and and and that makes a difference. Unfortunately, they came in a time of. this business that just wouldn't allow. them to run around and tell jokes like.

we did, >> right? >> Even if I wanted to do that [ __ ] right. now, I it ain't enough rooms. >> Yeah. >> Comedy clubs are just scarce now like. that, >> you know? >> How different is telling jokes now than. it was then? Because there are a lot of. stuff you can't say now that you could. say back then. is different. I mean, they they they got this whole cancel. [ __ ]. >> Yeah, we are. Which I don't understand. that [ __ ] because if you got an. audience, you can't be cancelled, >> right? >> Like, hey, can't nobody cancel me.

>> The I think the cancellation uh comes in. where when you trying to cross over. >> Mhm. >> If you crossed over, I guess you won't. get the opportunities that you had on. the crossover. But if you have an. audience, you can't cancel me. I got people that's. going to watching me like they don't. even know the people that's quote. unquote cancelled you. There. [ __ ] in the hood, people that. watch the Shannon Sharp show, religious. to it, they don't give a about what.

anybody else said about you, >> right? >> Same with me, >> right? >> These people coming to see me, these. people watching your show, >> right? >> They don't I don't know the [ __ ] what. what time they come on. And and and. that's what we have to understand and. and realize and remember. You you you. trying to hold on to some [ __ ] that. wasn't yours in the first place. >> It wasn't our business. This a privilege. for us to be able to cross over and get. some crossover dollars. But this ain't. your business, >> right? >> That's why I'm on a tour with these.

guys. This tour right here, this is me. with young hot comics from the hood that. come from the urban life and they are. hitting right now. And I make sure I. surround myself with them. And I'm I'm. not hanging with the guys who have. already made it, >> right? >> You know, even though I can learn from. them, but man, I'm getting the heat off. these young dudes. These young dudes are. making me plenty. >> How do you determine who you going to. I've I've always wondered this. Yeah. How do comedians.

>> determine Yeah. who they're going to. tour with? >> It it got It got to be the guys that's. young and hot and who you like. And you. got to always have a ear to the streets. The streets going to tell you who's hot. The streets going to tell you who's. funny. The streets going to tell you who. you need to be with. And that's what I. use. You know, I've always kept my ear. to the streets. My kids, I got young. kids. I got teenage kids, young adult. kids. They keep me up on what's new and. what ain't right. Daddy, that ain't. daddy. That daddy. So, you know, I get a.

lot of game from them. But like when you. were like when you were younger, let's. say you're in your 20 mid 20s, mid late. 20s, 30s, 40s, how do you determine who. you going want to tour with? Or is there. a promoter that says, "Okay, okay, uh, Mike, I've got this tour together.". >> I got a com Yeah. I got I got I got an. agent named Chris Smith. Okay. >> That's been my agent. particularly my almost my whole career. >> Okay.

And what he particularly does, he take a. comic like me who already made it or and. he'll go get a young comic and put the. young comic on my shows, >> right? >> Cuz he's he's he's a agent for both of. us. >> Okay. >> And that's how a young comic gets his. name. >> Okay. >> I opened up for Steve Harvey. I opened. up for all of these guys. Earthquake. I've been on tour with Bruce Bruce. Yeah. >> This when I was young. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. >> Man, Bruce Bruce is on tour. We rode all. over America, man. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Nobody knew who I was, but that's how.

young comics get on. You got to open up. for somebody that's on for somebody to. see you, >> right? >> Yeah. >> I like say I I seen Bruce Bruce and. Earthquake. >> Yeah. >> I used to go to comedy shows all the. time. Get back going to that. >> Did you? >> Yeah. But they the ones I want to go. see, they in big play. I I like the I. like the like comedy school. >> Yeah. Yeah. I like the small intimate. like 100 people. >> It ain't the same. >> It's different now. >> It's different now. So you come from the. old school. You remember when it was. real common?

>> I do. I do. I do. >> Yeah. >> Um entertainment business. What have you. learned about the entertainment. business? >> The entertainment business is uh. it's going to give you as much as you. put in it, >> you know. >> Uh. and you can't take it personal. You know, one thing. uh Queen Latifah's manager, Sha Kim, what he always say, I learned from him. one time. He said, "Man, it ain't that. serious, man.".

>> You know, it really ain't. I mean, you know, when it comes to you driving. yourself crazy and trying to force it. and make it be what it is, >> it is what it is, man. >> It's entertainment business. It's it's. show business. >> and you just can't take it to heart, man. You get what you can get out of it. last as long as you can last and make. people happy and. you know pass the baton, man. It ain't. it ain't yours to keep.

>> A lot of people It's hard. It's hard to. pass that baton though. They just want. to keep running, bro. You got four. people on here, man. Pass the No, bro. I. got to keep this thing going. >> cuz they think it's they [ __ ] They. think entertainment. This [ __ ] was here. before we got here and it's going to be. here when we gone. >> After we gone. Get as much as you can. get out of it and keep going. Mike, what's the broke as you been? >> Said I grew up on welfare. I grew up on welfare. I got I got six, seven brothers by three different women.

My mother had three, four different. daddies in our family. We grew up poor. I grew up with a single mother in the. house with seven brothers and no money. So I tell a person all the time, if you. ain't never felt a miss meal cramp, you. don't know what hungry is. >> Yeah. >> I'm talking about where it felt like. somebody just punched you in your. stomach. But. >> yeah, >> that's cuz you was hungry. >> Mhm. Every time you swallow your. stomach, say thank you. >> Hell, ain't nothing come down, bro. [laughter].

>> I mean, you people don't like like when. you grow up like. >> Yeah. >> I grew up in the South and we had to eat. some things, but there are times we miss. me. We just My grandma just didn't have. the money. That's right. >> But it makes you appreciate. >> everything that you get now. I remember. when I. >> or rob something. >> You can do one of the two. [laughter]. >> You know, when you when you when you. grow up, I remember my we had like dirt. floor. We had cement floors. So it would. you know, you know how it is in in a. mechanic shop. It get dusty. Yeah. >> And I we spray water down to try to keep.

the dust down. I remember my grandma. used to say all the time, "Son, it ain't. much, but let's try to keep the pizza. house clean." And I always I always. remember that. And now that I got little. piece of house, >> I mean, you got cement floors. You ain't. got no indoor plumbing, you ain't got no. paneling. But that's all we had. We had, you know, >> done. You had to, you had to appreciate. what you had. >> You have to care. Now that I got stuff. and. I like, bro, can we like I tell my kids. and I tell, you know, can we just like. >> I heard your poor story. I seen that. place y'all lived in. >> Yeah, that was that that's that's I.

realized. >> you might have been a little poor today. [laughter]. I'm sitting up here telling you little. star [ __ ]. >> But it makes you appreciate everything. I appreciate everything. >> I I don't think that'll ever leave. I. don't care if I got 200 million, $300. million. That'll never leave. >> Well, that's why you able to survive. That's why you able to survive a lot of. things. That's why you able to survive. backlash. You able, >> you know, you you was you was built for.

this [ __ ]. >> Yeah. >> You was built for it mentally. You was. built for it physically. You was You was. built for these boulders to come at you. and not to kill you though. They just. >> bounce off of you, bro. >> It makes you It It definitely You. understand having grown gone through. what you're going through as a kid. >> You know, that [ __ ] would have broke. another, right? >> Oh, yeah. >> You wouldn't be sitting there somewhere. in the same house. >> Yeah. >> Up. [laughter]. >> But you done already seen the worst. >> Yeah. I've been in the storm long time.

So, you know, >> when you got money? >> Yeah. >> What was the first thing you did when. you got money? >> I bought my mother a wash and dryer. [laughter]. >> You won't mess with that Medicaid, huh? >> My mother was My mother was on. assistance and I bought her a wash and. dryer and uh she was so happy to get. that wash and dryer. My My mother grew. we grew up watching Prices, right? And. >> my mother used to my mother dreamed of. having things for us. And I'll never. forget uh uh Reader's Digest sent us a.

fake check in the mail. >> I remember my mother's got the screaming. and we tried to cash that. [laughter]. We got in the car and went up to the. bank and my mother came out the bank. saying we said, "What's wrong, mom?" She. said, "This this wasn't real." It was a. Yeah, it was a Reader's Digest check. I'm saying to myself, mama, the first of all, it was too much money. to be real. [laughter] [ __ ] had. like $5 million or something on. >> they they sended us that ball.

[laughter]. >> The way that [ __ ] was written on the. check. It look. >> have a name with everything else. >> What? >> We thought we had that money, man. I I. used to take and take a scissors and cut. big wheels out and paste them on the. wall. [ __ ] I wanted. >> Yeah. >> I said, "Boy, I just want that shit.". And we grew up Jehovah Witness. Oh man, >> that didn't make it easy. >> So we wasn't I think my mother made us. Jehovah Witness because she knew we. couldn't afford [ __ ] So she said, "I'm. gonna give you a religion that. >> you don't need anything. [laughter].

>> You ain't supposed to do it. You going. to feel bad about getting this shit.". >> Um you real estate, you you really. involved in real estate. Yeah. >> What made you What how did you like. learn how to invest like, "Okay, I got. this money. Ain't no guarantee if I. don't do something with it to make sure. I'm gonna be able to keep it." Yeah. Well, I you know, growing up as a kid, I. um we rented houses all the time. We. ain't never owned no house. My mom. didn't. So, I always promised myself if.

I ever got some money, I was going to go. back and buy all the houses that we got. evicted out of. And I did. >> Damn. >> I made an I made I made an address list. in my hometown. And I rolled around and. I made an address list of all the houses. we got kicked out of and I went and. bought every last one of them. [ __ ]. >> You bought every house? >> Every one of them that we got kicked out. of out back. >> And you allow family to you you you rent. them out. >> Yep. I rent them out. You know what I. mean? And my family stay in them. And.

you know, >> damn. >> I went back and got them. I told my. mother that, too. I'll never forget, man. We used to get kicked out of them. houses. My mother, we sitting in the. back of the cab. She have a big ass bag. of clothes and my mother crying and we. get go to my grandmother's house to stay. with my grand cuz that's every time we. got kicked out we went to my grandma. >> and I said my mama I'mma buy all these. [ __ ] houses back one day. I. thought I was going to do it with some. dope money but [laughter]. >> you going to get them houses. >> I was going to get them houses back and. I did. I went back and got them houses. I went and knocked on people's door and.

bought they ass up out them houses. >> Yep. I sure did. Me and me and my wife, we went and we fixed them houses up. We. actually had a show on HGTV called. Buying Back the Block. >> Damn. >> Yeah. Went and bought them houses and I. revitalized my whole neighborhood, man. Um, you know, and the white people walk. down the street, man. And they don't. know the history in them houses, >> right? >> I told him, man, you know, a little dude. named Tonio got killed in that house you. live in. >> Oh my god. >> I said, "Yeah, [ __ ] You ready to come.

up out of here? [laughter]. >> Mike. Mike, did you know your father? >> Yeah, I knew my dad, man. Hardworking. man. >> Mhm. >> Uh Tommy Eps. Worked worked at a plant, worked at a harvester for 40 years, >> you know. Um Yeah. Good dude, man. My. father was a hardworking dude. And I'll. never forget, man, my father did not he. didn't like no street people. And uh.

when I became a street dude, I was. selling drugs. I went he had a car wash. I went to his car wash in my Cadillac. and he told the people, "Don't wash. that.". >> Damn. >> Cuz I sold I was selling dope. >> Yeah. >> He called me a dog. He said, "You're a. dog." I said, "Huh?" He said, "Yeah, you. a dog." He said, "You ain't worth shit.". Cuz I was selling dope. >> Yeah. >> And I got caught. And I'll never forget. I was in prison and I met a dude from. Miami that got caught selling kilos and. [ __ ] And I'm sitting in the cell with. him. He was showing me pictures of his.

houses and boats. I said, "Damn." I. called my father on cuz I said I was. talking to my father in jail. I said, "Daddy, I'm in here with a dude that is. smart as hell." He said, "Well, son, if. he's so smart, why is he in there with. you? [laughter] Why is he sitting in. jail? He's sitting here bragging about. some mother in jail with you." Talking. about he's smart. [laughter]. >> Yeah. >> Damn. >> Yeah. My dad always said crazy [ __ ] that. you know. And it's that [ __ ] still. I'll. never forget one time too I told my dad. I said this how I learned how to deal. with my kids. I used to cuss my dad out.

I said man you ain't no real cuz he. wouldn't buy me the [ __ ] I wanted cuz I. thought I Cuz it was kids that had go. carts and mobile. I said why come I. can't have I said man you ain't no real. father. You know what he told me one. time that came back smacked me in the. face. He said wait till you had some. kids. And boy if I be damn my kids. didn't say the same mother. That's crazy. how that [ __ ] just double back. >> Yeah, absolutely. >> So, it just teach you to always honor. your parents and listen to them. They. know what they doing. And most kids be.

upset with their parents and not. realizing their parents be kids, too. >> Yes. >> Your your mother and father were too. young too. >> to be who the you thought they was. They. was young, too, right? >> They were still trying to figure it out. So now that I'm grown and I got kids, that [ __ ] just all came clear to me. You. know, >> you mentioned your wife. >> Yeah. >> How has your wife helped you? Because. you hear a lot of stories like, "Okay, I. got married and she helped me, you know, she helped me find my purpose." You.

know, Steve speak glory about his wife, uh, I forget his wife's name, but he. Margie and he speaks about like I. started to elevate when Margie got in my. life. I hear you talk about the same. thing that how she calmed you down that. you like. >> it's not that serious, Mike. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, what what you try? Hey, we I got. you got me. I got you. We We good. >> Yeah. H how how is how is it that when a. man finds a wife, he the Bible says when. a man finds a wife, he finds a good. >> Most of us get married so we don't screw.

everybody. [laughter]. >> Let's be honest. >> Okay. >> Um but I can honestly say that my wife. um is much younger than me. 20 years. younger than me. >> Is she? Yeah, I don't want to date nobody my age cuz. that's 100 years in the bed. [laughter]. >> So, I had to cut the margin down, man. >> But she's a grown ass woman, right? >> She's 38 years old,

>> right? >> You know what I'm saying? So, uh, she taught me a lot, you know. She. taught me a lot. And sometimes sometimes. most of the time your wife is gonna see. things that you don't see about yourself. >> all the time. And you need that, >> right? >> Cuz we we're we're we're very very slow. when it come to women, man. >> We think we smart, but they the coldest. when it come to holding them, knowing.

when to fold them, >> when to walk away, when to be quiet, when you we'll never be able to figure. women out, >> right? So, I guess we got to listen. >> You know what I mean? We got to listen. to him. And that's what God put him. there for. He He gave them that extra. sense to protect us. I always say women. are caretakers for men, >> right? >> You know, I don't care about how much. money we make or how much the king we. are. Ain't none of it no good if a woman. can't take care of you, >> right? You um this is your second.

marriage, right? >> Yeah. After your first marriage, did you think. you'd ever get married again? >> Yeah, >> you did. >> Yeah. Soon as I met my second wife, I. wanted to marry her. cuz that's that was it was like God sent. you to me. You know, I can tell sometime. when women are come through God for me. and um and I can tell when it's not that. >> and um you know.

being being young and famous and being. in the business it can you know having. money meet a bunch of women. >> Yes. >> So you know you know when it's that one. >> she was that one. What did you do. different in the second marriage that. you didn't do in the first marriage that. probably caused the split? >> I didn't do coke in the second marriage. [laughter]. >> Are you serious? >> Yeah.

I I was my first marriage I was a fool. I'm not going to lie. Wild, crazy. And. again, I just needed to grow up. I couldn't. even wait to get to 55. Now that I'm 55, I am so comfortable in my skin, man. I. love who I am right now. >> Right? >> You know what I'm saying? I I love how I. think. I love how I feel. I love that I. don't give a I cared all them years now. I don't give a like.

everything. And I love it, >> right? >> You know, but it that's what helps me. with myself. That's what helps me with. my sanity. >> Are you and your wife still good for. first wife still on good terms? >> Yeah. I like that. >> Yeah. We don't we don't talk like. friends, but. >> have kids together. >> We ain't arguing. Yeah. We ain't arguing. and fighting, >> you know, >> cuz you like like The Rock and his first. wife, they went to business together. >> I see uh uh Dave Portoi like his his.

ex-wife have access. >> Well, you got to understand I got uh. multiple. women kids with women. >> But I'm saying married. >> Yeah. Marriage. No. How many You only. been married twice, though? >> I only been married twice, but I got a. bunch of kids. >> Yeah, but I ain't talking about that. No, no, that's that's different. >> Yeah. Marriage. >> Marriage and and and and. >> Yeah. Yeah. My co-arenting. Yeah. Yeah. We Yeah. You know, like I said, my all. my kids mothers. >> done great jobs with my I didn't pick. bad women,

>> right? >> Okay. >> They picked the bad. >> It just did. Yeah. Pretty much. >> It just didn't work out, >> right? >> And it's okay. >> How many kids you have? I got um seven. kids. >> Damn. Yeah, I got you. >> Trying to catch Nick Can? >> No, I ain't trying to catch that [ __ ]. That [ __ ] need to wear a condom. [laughter]. >> Nick Cannon is on a a moxicillin at this. point. [laughter]. >> So, how how old is the oldest? >> 36. >> The youngest? >> Four.

>> You done? >> Yeah, I'm done now. I think I am. I need to go. You do realize like when. the kid is in a senior in high school, what's his name? >> Mike. >> Mike. They going to say Mikey. Your. grandfather out there. That's my daddy. Fool. >> You do realize how old you going to be, right? >> I'm That's why I'm teaching him to say. you [laughter] don't yourself and get. out of my face. Don't worry about I'm. teaching him all this [ __ ] cuz he's. going to need it. >> Yeah.

>> Don't worry about what the I'm doing. That's the one I've been teaching. >> Don't worry about what the I'm doing. He. going to need that one. But um I that's. why I still try to go to the gym because. I mean I see man I see guys right now in. in their 70s that look really really. good black man. We don't all have to. grow and be old and brittle. You know. what I mean? I can be a 75 year old. still walking around here like like. right I'm I'm 55 right now and I will. run out I'll run a young I boxes. I do. all that [ __ ] right now.

>> 55. You ain't f to be play playing catch. with no eight-year-old at 60. >> Well, I'm not. man here. >> What. >> kind of is you, man? I can't do that as. a old ass. At least say I can, Santa. Don't say I can't do that, bro. >> You can do that. >> You're being negative now. Now, >> hey, you Hey, you throw it to her and. have to bring it back to you while you. sitting in the chair. [laughter]. >> Hey, man, don't do that [ __ ] Don't do. that. >> But but this you went all out on this. marriage, though. Yeah,

>> they were star-studded. >> It was star studied. >> Was that her or you? >> That was me. [laughter]. >> That was me and her. [ __ ] We both You. know what? She She always loved the. whispers. >> Okay. >> And I went and got the whispers. >> Damn. >> And I flew my mother out here. And man, I flew my whole family out there, man. >> Yeah. You had TI Snoop Dog. >> Ti Snoop Dog. And my mother, my mother. never got on an airplane. And my mother. came out, rest her God rest her soul. She's not with us now, but that was one. thing that I did get to say. I said,

"Boy, I got my mother on that airplane. She came to California, man." And she. seen that ocean and Oh, man. You know, that was that. >> You like, "My baby, >> my baby did this. >> My baby did this. She She got on that. plane. She came to LA and seen me, >> right?". >> Yeah. >> So, what type of dad are you? Are because. like you said, you know, um you say you. cool with your dad, but are you are are. you raising your kids kind of like how. your dad raised your mom and dad raised.

you or are you like Yeah. >> Well, I've been a different dad through. the years. >> Okay. >> Unfortunately, [snorts] my oldest. daughter didn't get the best of me. because I was too young. >> and I didn't know what I knew. >> And I so I feel so bad about that. and I. see my baby sometime and I wish I could. pay her back, but I can't. >> because I just wasn't in that place in. my life. >> Um, but my newer kids, I'm able to do.

the things that I wish I could have done. >> with my oldest child, >> you know. So, >> you didn't know you could only do. >> I didn't know, man. I really didn't. And. if I could go back and. repatch that, I would do it a hundred. times, you know. You said you had a lot of daughters. because that's karma paying you back for. all the the conniving bulldrive stuff. that you done. >> Yeah. >> I wasn't that great with women, man. But. I didn't have no examples, man. >> Was it the money? Was it the fame? Or.

was it the. >> No, I didn't I didn't have examples of I. didn't know a lot of married people as. kids. I've seen my mom get married once, but you know, her relationships with men. weren't that great. Um, so I just didn't. know what that looked like, >> right? >> My dad wasn't in the house, so I didn't. know how that felt. I became my own. person young, >> right? >> You know what I mean? So. I became grown really really too quick,

>> right? >> So I didn't I didn't get a chance to see. what a real dad do. So I had to learn as. an adult, >> right? You had to learn on the job. I. had to learn. >> You have nobody to teach you the job, but you learn on the job. Yeah. Unfortunately, my daughters didn't get. the the you know what I mean? >> So, what's the relationship with them. like like now? Are they resentful? Do. they look at you as like, well, we. didn't get we didn't get this dad, but. they get the best of dad while we got. >> I'm pretty sure. I'm pretty sure, man. I'm pretty sure that my daughter.

>> Have you talked to them about it? >> Yeah, I've tried. You know, I tried. It's hard. It really is. It's hard to. patch that kind of stuff. It is. >> cuz it's time. It's long. >> But you're not trying to patch it up, Mike. You got to move forward. You can't. move back. You can't get what's gone. >> Yeah. >> Do they understand that? >> Yeah, they do. And again, I I still. applaud their mothers. >> Yes. >> Thank God that my kids had great mothers. >> because they were able to take up the. slack for. >> what I didn't do and where I wasn't.

>> not being there. Yeah. >> Thank God that they had good mothers, grandmothers. They they all had good. extended family. Like if you see my kids. and met my kids, you don't see no pain. on them and none of that [ __ ] Whatever. their personal preferences about me, it. is what it is. But. >> my I got a daughter at USC. I got a. daughter go to NYU. I got another. daughter about to go to FAMU. >> Yeah, that's their mom. >> Not mom. You hold on. You.

>> paying for that [ __ ] Get the [ __ ] out. of here. >> But they But. >> mom, no. Get the out of here. I'm paying. for that [ __ ] Mike, your grades, you. couldn't have got in prison. >> Get your ass out of here. >> Oh, you did get But I'm saying. >> USC, NYU, you those are not easy places to get. into whether you got I know people that. got money and they still couldn't get. the kids in because the kids didn't meet. the academic. >> Well, you know what. you saying? I'm not [laughter] I'm not.

good explaining myself to that [ __ ]. man. >> Ain't no way. Ain't no way they put you. down there. >> Hey, bro. I had a little something to do. with it in there on the smart side. I. just couldn't never see it through. myself. >> You know what I'm saying? I'm smart as. hell, but it's a different kind of. smart, Shannon. >> You know what I mean? I'm sitting here. with you. >> Yeah, but I'm saying the NFL and all. kind of [ __ ] How did I get here with. you? >> But books, see you smart. That doesn't it had like. you're not books. you street smart and.

you understand how to parlay that into a. business, >> but you got to be smart smart to go to. NYU and USC. >> You do. You do. And they and and Yeah. Maybe they mothers did. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> But I [laughter]. co-parenting. >> Yeah. >> I tell people like, look, when you. young, you argue about silly stuff. because you look I look back at it like. >> we we argue about stuff that that really. wasn't that important. Yeah.

>> And how difficult was it. >> to, you know, you're on the road, you're. a comedian, you you got to travel, you. got to go to work. Yeah. >> And you're not there. >> And the kids are growing up. They Hey, one I mean, you might leave and come. back. They're like, damn, the kid. walking without laughing. THE KID WAS. BARELY COULD CRAWL. NOW HE'S WALKING. I. CAN TALK, can eat, can ask for this. >> It's the unfortunate part about being. famous. You got to give up something, man. You going to sac. >> the sacrifice. You're gonna sacrifice.

something for being who you are. >> If you are, you know, a factor in this. world, you're gonna give up something. This [ __ ] ain't free, Shannon. >> It ain't. >> You know it. >> I absolutely know it. >> We had to pay for a lot in a lot of. different ways for this [ __ ]. >> What What are What are the goals you're. trying to get? I tell people as simple. as this, Mike, and I want to know what. you The greater the goal, the greater. the sacrifice that must be to meet said. goal. >> Say it again. The greater the goal, the. greater the sacrifice to reach the goal.

>> Real [ __ ]. Real [ __ ]. >> People like, "Oh, oh, uh, work life. balance." Okay, you have work life. balance. You doing a 9 to5, but if you. want to be great, great great. There is. no work life balance to be great, great. because it's continuous. And people don't understand that. People. think that you can like I like well look. at Jeff Bezos. Okay. Ask Jeff Bezos when. he was starting Amazon. Did he have a. work life balance? >> No. Ask Bill Gates when he was starting. Microsoft.

Ask all these people when the Walton. family when their dad was starting, did. he have a work life balance? They got. that now because they got three $400. billion. But in the beginning, there is. no work life balance. >> It's all sacrifice. >> It is. And you have to have a partner. that understands the sacrifice. I had a. coach asked me one time, Mike, he said, Shannon, do you know why movie stars. marry other movie stars? I like I guess. cuz they like each other. He said that's. a part of it. He said because the other.

know what it's like to live that life. >> Yeah. See, they know how to jump in and. out of character. They know they're. going to be gone. My partner knows I'm. going to be gone for 6 months. Her. partner knows or his partner knows. She. knows. Her partner is going to be gone. for six months out of the year. >> Yeah. >> You have to understand what it's like. And everybody says that they, oh, I. understand sacrifice. I can be number. two until you ask to be number two and. then it's a problem. >> Yeah. And I think my wife understand.

that. That's why I think she's so. important in my life is cuz she. understand, you know, and she say it all. the time. Can't know any person be with. you. >> Exactly. You know what I mean? But you. know that. >> takes a special woman to be with a guy. like you. You know, and I respect her. for that. You know that I I do. I really. do. I respect her for having the the the. the. I can't say balls, but [laughter]. having the. >> the gut the gut. with with a person like me. So, you.

know, >> are you OCD? >> Yeah. >> See, I am too. >> I got to clean. I can't stand dirt. >> See, >> it do something to me. >> It. don't. m. >> do something to me, >> man. You mad. Look here. I need I need. everything hung accordingly. I need long. sleeves hung accordingly. Short sleeve, the darker jeans, the lighter jeans. >> Your brain up, right? >> It do, man. I need all the labels to. face out. I need everything turned. I. need the track. I don't need I can't see. dishes in the sink.

>> Yeah, >> it ain't that hard. >> Yeah. >> Is your life going to end? If if the dishes in the sink, is your. life going to end? >> Pretty much. [laughter] Now you got. flies and gnats and [ __ ]. No, I don't know if my life go, but this. relationship go in. [laughter]. Nasty. >> Hold on. You got It's eight boys. Your. mom had eight boys. >> Seven boys. >> Seven boys. >> I got My dad had another son. So.

>> So it's eight of y'all. >> Yeah. >> Y'all fight all the time, ain't it? >> We used to fight. We used to fight all. the time. And that's what I'm saying. That sibling comp com that was another. thing that got me ready for a show. business. Yeah. >> Living in the house with a bunch of. competition. Yeah, >> we was all competing to get my mama's. attention. >> Where you fall in the pecking order, huh? You the oldest, the middle. >> Three up, three down. >> Damn. My mother used to introduce all. her kids with a talent and was and they. used to say, "Who is that?" And she. said, "Oh, that's just Michael.

[laughter]. >> Imagine that [ __ ] right there.". >> Damn. That's just you just Michael. Yeah. >> Yeah. Cuz she could not they couldn't. identify my talent, >> right? was being a comedian because it. back then. people didn't sought out to be. comedians. >> No. >> So if you seen a kid act being funny, it. was like he's disruptive. >> Mhm. >> They didn't look at him and say, "Oh, he's going to be a big comedian star, right? >> They like put a paddle on his ass.".

>> See what I'm saying? >> Yeah. >> So nobody could recognize my talent, >> right? >> You know, and now I'm Hey, man. I'm who I am. >> Mike, >> you got held back in kindergarten. I think so. Mike, all you got to do is come to. class. You sleep. >> I did. >> Mike, how you get held back in. kindergarten? I wiped a booger on a kid, Shannon.

I wiped a booger on a kid and they from. there it it just never stopped. [laughter]. >> Mike, but they say you were in the slow. classes too, though, Mike. >> I was in special ed. I was in special ed. I was in the. regular room up to about the fourth. grade. >> And then you stayed in the same. classroom the whole day. >> They came and got me out of there and. took me to a Do we got to do this? >> I'm just because. >> All right. They took me out of a regular.

room and put me in special ed and um I. stayed in special ed for the rest of up. until the ninth grade and I stopped. going to school. >> So you was going to be in special ed in. the ninth grade too? >> What you think [ __ ] I just thought. [laughter]. kindergarten up. >> So you was about to answering your own. [ __ ] question. >> So you was about to get a certificate. >> I don't know if they give certificates. >> Yeah, they do. >> Who? They say you attended. >> for what?

>> The high school you went to. >> They said perfect. >> No. No. That's what they would have gave. you a certificate. >> for what? >> Because you don't get a diploma. >> Cuz I don't get a diploma. No, I don't. I didn't get a diploma. >> No, you weren't going to get one in. special ed either. >> No. >> Damn. >> Oh, I would have got a certificate if I. graduated. >> That say participation. You came to. class. >> That's why I dropped out, [ __ ]. [laughter] But [ __ ]. >> you ain't going to put that on your. wall. >> No, no, no. Just in case you knew that. [laughter].

>> you you taught yourself how to read and. write as an adult. >> Yeah. >> Did So, so did you was it was it hard. for you in school or you just didn't. apply yourself in school? >> It was hard. >> So, you know, you know, when you when you weak in one. area, you you you compensate. overcompensate another area. So, that's. where the comedy came from. >> Yeah. Yeah. So, you didn't have to read, you make jokes. >> Yeah. kept people from seeing that I. could read, couldn't read, you know. >> But I love telling these stories. You.

know why? Because there's some kids out. there. >> right now watching that's going to watch. this going to say, >> "Ah, >> I feel good about who I am." Yes. >> And I ain't different. And you're not. alone. >> There's a bunch of people around here. that got all kind of something about. them, [ __ ] They they appear to. be okay, but something's wrong with. everybody. >> Take ownership of your imperfections. Yeah. >> Then people can't make you feel inferior. about them.

>> So why are you making me feel inferior. about it? >> Your ass four or five jokes. >> No, I didn't. >> Yes, you did. >> No, I just asked like I was just asking. how. >> you got all the great slogans. [laughter]. >> [ __ ] was just laughing about ME BEING. [ __ ]. >> NO, MAN. You were slow. But I'm just saying I was. just trying to figure out how you get. left. >> I don't think that I was slow. I think. that my interest wasn't there. I was not. interested in school. >> Right. >> I watched TV. I could tell you about.

every episode of. uh Happy I. >> Good Times and all that. Hell yeah. I. was all the family, the Jefferson. >> So when it was time for me to do TV, my. timing was perfect. >> Yeah. That's why I told Wanda I'm like. this feel like old school sitcom because. that's what I grew up watching, >> right? >> Old school sitcom. >> Damn. >> Yeah. >> So, because you struggled early on. >> Yeah. >> Do you think someone took advantage of. you like when you first got into the.

business as far as moneywise or putting. you in bad contracts? >> Um, yeah. Well, you know what always saved me is I. always had a street edge. So, whoever. dealt with me and dealing with [ __ ]. >> like if I was dealing with somebody who. was dealing with my money and I was. unsure, I would drop a pistol out of my. pocket [laughter]. >> on an accident. Oh, sorry about that. I. didn't mean to do. >> So, in my head, I was like, "This. [ __ ] ain't going to steal from. me cuz he already know I'm capping your.

ass. You [laughter] steal.". >> I would do all kind of weird [ __ ] like. that. You know what I mean? It was like, "Let me send a subliminal message to. save them from stealing from me.". >> Yeah. because I don't want to have to. kill you. >> I wouldn't have did that either. But. you've seen. >> But he don't know that though. >> Yeah. You don't know. You see a guy with. a You don't know. >> Don't take my money. That don't take. advantage of me. So I had tactics of. surviving, man. >> Right. >> Yeah. >> With a situation that you were a pimp. and you end up How you a pimp and you. end up owing the lady money?

>> Cuz I tried to be a pimp one time. I. tried to pimp some girls and um I've. always been a nice guy, man. And um. I don't know I one of the girls said I. owed her some money. >> But you know you she got to make the. money and then you take the money and. then you give her a cut of. >> money. I bought some money from her. >> You borrowed some money? How you a. pimping? YOU BORROWING MONEY FROM the. girls. >> One of them was my cousin. [laughter]. >> One of the girls was my cousin.

>> How you pimp your cousin out? My. >> I really wasn't pimping them. I was like. I'mma play like the pimp so we can get. the money. And they was like, "We ain't. giving you shit.". I don't know if they turned a trick or. not, but I didn't get nothing out of it. >> Then you tried to. >> That was a bunch of [ __ ] that I tried. I. This is a run of [ __ ] that I tried as a. kid. Tried to go to the military. I. tried to be a. >> So what happened in the military? >> I flunked the ass. >> I.

>> So you didn't actually go to the. military. You flunked the test to get in. the military. >> Yes. And two of my friends went, my. buddy Ryan Benry and another guy went. and left me. And I was showing people. the Bruce brochures. I was like, "Look, I'm going to the army.". And I didn't push. >> Oh, you got to be really bad cuz the. army take anything. >> They [clears throat] didn't take me. >> Damn. Right. >> And I'm glad they didn't cuz I probably. would have got a discharge. >> I guess they would. >> Soon as one of them dudes would have. JUMPED IN MY FACE, I SAID, "GET THE OUT.

OF MY FACE, MOTHERFUCKER." YEAH. YEAH. YEAH. YEAH. >> [laughter]. >> That [ __ ] wouldn't have worked out. Say, who the you talking to? It's like that's. what we supposed to do to the army men. in here is talk [ __ ] to them. You ain't. supposed to talk [ __ ] back. >> DAMN, [clears throat]. >> SOLDIER. DO YOU HEAR WHAT I WAS I WAS. SAYING? NO, I DON'T EVEN over. discharge. >> Yeah. >> What about the robbery when you call. your homeboy's name? >> Oh, yeah. My buddy Ray Bob.

I went on a robbery. >> How you call How you call your partner's. name, Mike? I wasn't a good robber. >> You ain't supposed to say nothing. Just. You ain't got to call no name. >> I Well, I was so in the moment. I was in the moment and I was. >> get the money. >> and I was saying. >> get the jewelry. >> I was saying Ray Bob. I was saying and. and my buddy had a mask on right here in. his eyes. like that. He kept doing.

>> I'm like what you I I didn't know what. he was saying. >> You call him my name. Calling my name. He said the next morning it was 200. diggers in front of his house [laughter]. to do. to this day that mad at me right now. I. swear to God. >> He should be that [ __ ] mad at me right. now. [ __ ] like you almost got me. killed. >> What happened when you got put in the. trunk of the car? Um, I was at a I was at a uh club called.

the Bottom Line on 38th Street in my. hometown. >> and uh I was sitting there my I was in. one of my buddy Jeff's he had a. convertible. He had a Bonnieville with. switches on and [ __ ] I'm sitting up in. the car and I'm in the parking lot. talking to I'm supposed to be taking the. car taking the car and some money. somewhere. I'm in the car riding and. while I'm riding it's a girl on the side. of the car and I'm talking to her and. I'm like damn.

I don't know how I didn't realize it but. the walk excuse me. the girl walked me to the back of the. club. I'm like damn. All of a sudden we in the. dark then I heard I heard the dude jump. up in the car like. and the dude had been robbing. so much. He had all kind of people [ __ ]. on his neck, chains. >> Damn. >> Yeah. He had been robbing all that day. and he had blicker on his breath and he. was hitting me with the pistol going. like here. Turn that way. Turn that way.

I'm in the car turning the car like. this. [laughter]. So we get on one street. He said, "Cut. the mother lights off. Cut the lights. off." So I cut the lights off. And I got. my hands like this on my eyes. So I hear. a bunch of other cars pull up. Joom. They getting out the car. Why was the. fighting over the [ __ ] in the car? While. I'm in the car like this, I HEAR NO. [ __ ] THAT'S MY SPEECH. I'M. GETTING THIS THIS TIME. I'm just I'm So. they get me out, put me in the trunk. They ride me around,

man. I'm in the back of the trunk. Ain't. nothing but some It's some dirty clothes. back here, a kicker box. And when they. >> not even, it's not even spread time. I'm. the [ __ ] And they playing DJ. quick black [ __ ] I [laughter] swear to. God. D. And when they got to the stop sign. and stopped the light, stopped the music. on. I beat on the seat. The mother said, "What?" I said, "Play that again.". [laughter]. They bust out laughing, let me out of. the truck. The dude slapped me upside my.

head. I was running through the field. like this. [laughter]. I said, "Boy, I better get out of this. [ __ ] man.". >> That's when you realize that that that. that that life of crime ain't for you, huh? >> Yeah. You had to be a certain type of. dude to be in the streets. >> Yeah. >> I mean, I was in the streets enough, but. uh Yeah. I I didn't want to. >> But you realize you weren't willing to. die for that foolish. >> I wasn't I wasn't ready [laughter] to go. out. Yeah. I I was really meddling. Yeah. >> I was really being nosy. I really had no.

business in the streets. Mother and. father wasn't street people. Right. >> You know, living in the neighborhood, you going to learn some [ __ ]. >> Yeah. >> You pick [ __ ] up. You know, your buddy. down the street, he's a criminal. You. going to hang with him. You going to get. in trouble. you uh you ended up going. doing some time in uh uh some jail. >> Yeah, I did two years in the county. jail. And if you Google Mike Ep's mug. shots, you'll see it. You'll see when I. got when I got caught. 1990. 91 90 89 one of them years. >> You had you had drug they caught you.

with drugs on? >> I sold some drugs to a to an informant. To an informant. >> informant. Okay. >> And u he was a drug addict so we. couldn't get him back in court. the. judge I had, I mean the lawyer that I. had, uh, his name Jeff Bowwin. I put him. on my second special. I did my special. in my hometown. He was sitting in the. Yeah. >> I said, "Give it up for for Jeff B." But. cuz I almost got 20 years with that. [ __ ]. >> And he got me down and found an. affidavit for the dude uh to come in. He.

never showed up cuz he's a drug addict. And um, I end up getting just. possession. >> Okay. >> So they gave me eight years and. suspended five. And I did I had two. years served in the county. I did two. years in the county jail. >> You going on probation? >> I end up going to halfway house after. that. I went to the halfway house then I. was on probation. >> But that's when I got out. When I got. out of sleeping on my sister's couch. and he had a comedy competition. >> u on the radio.

>> Dion Cole was the host. >> Okay. >> He was driving from Chicago to Indiana. to host the show cuz he was on Comic. View. They thought this big ass star. >> and u one of two of my buddies Otis. Brown uh uh Otis Brown and Gary Bates, they both got murdered. They both us. three went to the club Seville to get in. the competition. I signed up for it. They said, "You funny at the barber. shop, but you funny in front of people.". I signed up for it. Went up there and. blew the club up. Everybody laughing. Next week I came and my name was on the.

radio. I done invited my mama, friends, all them. Man, I go back to the go back. up there to the to the comedy club. They. booed me off stage. >> Damn. What happened? >> I seen two I owe money. When I walked. in, they threw me off cuz I was one of. them run off with the club type of. dudes. [laughter]. >> Cuz drug users catch me and say, "Boy, you better be glad I like you, Michael. I'll you up." Cuz I was one of them. dudes, >> right? >> Um and I ran off with the money, but I.

seen them and them [ __ ] threw. me off. I got booed. I came back the. next week and won that competition. >> and ain't looked back. >> Ain't looked back and and I've been I've. been I've been in the business. >> You think that was a sign of God that. you had like you went did that time you. like I get out. I ain't coming back. here. >> Oh yeah. That was that was it. That was. I got I got tired of that [ __ ] And plus. people was telling me I was funny. >> and I was watching Comic View and I was. watching Death Jam. I And they had.

people I was like, "Oh, hell no. I'm. funnier than them." Yeah. >> I just didn't know how to get to it. because I was living in Indiana. >> Yeah. Right. And you ain't know no. comedian from Indiana. >> Oh, I would call Def Jam up in New York. >> Yeah. >> And say, "My name is Mike Eps and I'm. trying to get in touch with Russell, but. I didn't know I couldn't get in touch. with him through calling the office.". >> You know what I mean? >> Right. >> I was just green, man. >> Right. >> Yeah. >> When you uh those demons. and you beat them?

Not really. >> You have to fight them every day. >> Every day. Every day. >> You understand that? That you got to. fight these demons every day. This a. fight you got to fight every day for the. rest of your life. >> Rest of my life. But, you know, the older I get, I learn. how to cope a little better. You know, that's why I'm That's why my care factor. is too is so low because the more I. care, the the more they come around.

>> Really? >> Yeah. The is like, you know, it's like demons only come around when. you care. >> When you don't give a, they gone. And. then you can you can have. >> move maneuver how you want to. >> Yeah. Soon as they catch you celebrating. and having a good time, doing good in. life, here they come. As long as you. don't care, you up, you can't find them, you know. >> Is it was it hereditary in your family? >> Yeah.

whole family. >> Really? >> Yeah. All kind of [ __ ] in our family. >> Damn. >> It's in black people period. >> Schizophrenia, bipolar. >> Mhm. >> Criminal, all of that [ __ ] [ __ ] just running the. running history. But I learned how to. deal with it, man. You know, and I I. remember my mother used to make me go. take naps. I never forget that and I never.

understood what it was. She said, "Go. take a nap.". >> And I go lay down and when I wake up, I. was a different person. So I still do. that. I go take naps. I let it all go. I. don't care what's on my family, wife, kids. >> Ah, I go to bed. >> You decompress. >> Whatever is wrong with me, I go to bed. And when I wake up, I can deal with it. But I got to go lay down. And I shut. that [ __ ] off. I don't want to think about the world.

>> What is it that you wish you knew then. that you know now. that everything was going to be okay? If I knew everything was going to be all. right, I wouldn't have damaged myself or. hurt myself, you know, because I was. unsure about the future. So when you're. unsure about the future, you have. tendencies of giving up, not giving a. cuz you don't know if it's going to be. okay. >> So you make bad decisions.

>> Yes. >> Cuz you you're unsure and you unsurity. makes you not give a you don't give a. you hurt yourself. And when you survive. hurting yourself, you have to live with. you hurting yourself, you know. Damn. >> Yeah. Help me understand this. Mhm. Is it okay for comedians to have writers. or do you look at do you look down on. guys that have other people write.

material for them? I don't think people. can write for a real comedian. >> Really? >> Yeah. I think I think you can only. u advance it. You can only nurture it. You can help it. >> You [clears throat] can't really write. for a comedian. Nobody can write a joke. for me. It's got to be something. They. got to write some [ __ ] that. that would really come from me. If it. don't come from if it if it's something. that came from them that they think I.

should do, I can't do the joke. >> Really? >> No. It's got to. >> It's funny because I I see this a lot of. rappers like, "But you ain't a real MC. if you don't write." But singers don't. look at it. Beyonce have people write. for her. Whitney had people write for. her. Right. >> But I'm saying that's a joke. Yeah, but it's but but again. >> but you have to it has to be personal. Does it have to be personal? >> No, it don't have to be personal. But. but but. I'll just take a premise. Just give me.

the premise. I don't want to hear your. punchline. >> Don't give me a punch line. >> Oh, okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. >> Cuz I can't do anything with that cuz I. need to make it up myself. >> Okay. >> I need to make my own punch line. I need. my own setup. >> Just Just tell. You just need the shell. >> That's it. That's it. Just give me the. shell. Cuz I get I I People write for me. all the time. Regular people that don't. even know they writing for me. Sitting. at the bar say some [ __ ] I'm saying I.

got to have that. I'm taking that. And. he can't deliver it. Don't nobody know. who the he is. He'll never see me again. I'll never see him again. >> Somebody saying, "Man, I told him that. joke at the bar. Man, stole my ish.". Ain't nobody going to believe it. Huh? >> [laughter]. >> gone in the wind. >> You mentioned uh uh uh Dev Comedy Jam. You were on those. How did how did how. did those shows advance Mike El's. career?

>> Um they th those platforms were my. start. That's what got my confidence. going. Russell Simmons Death Comedy Jam. was a platform for young um urban comics. >> to do seven minutes and get their [ __ ]. off and shock the world, you know, cuz. back then it was just Richard Prior and. Eddie Murphy. It was always one comic. When Def Comedy Jam came along, it was. able to.

profile all these comics from different. cities that were funny. >> That was You're right. Cuz that was the. only comedians that you knew. That was. it. >> I mean, you know, you you know, obviously Red Fox, but like it is now. I. mean, it was deaf comic view and Def. Comedy Jam and Comic View. Yeah. That. >> you Earthquake and the Bruce Bruces and. and and the Bernie Max and all those and. you saw, you know, you saw the Hope. Floods and the and the Samors and the. Cheryl Underwoods. Like, damn, >> man. There's that many comedians out. there.

>> Yes. I mean, a slew of them. And when. you think about it, you talk about Ice. Cube, Russell Simmons. >> Oh yeah. >> Adele Gibbons. >> gave everybody a career. >> Yes. >> Everybody came from that guy from music. to standup comedy. >> You can't take that from him, >> right? You mentioned something very. interesting. You me you said that you. open up for Steve Harvey. I've had a lot. of guys sit in that chair right there.

and say, "Man, Steve did from from said. the Entertainer to Quake to so many. Ricky Smiley uh Carlo you Carlos Miller. who's on tour going to be on tour with. you, Los. So many guys have said what that man did. for them in their career. What is some. of the best because I believe in giving. people their flowers. Hey, somebody. might have just because somebody had a. bad experience, it doesn't take away. what he's done for other people, >> right? >> What is some of the best advice Steve.

gave you? >> You know what? Um, I don't think Steve Harvey ever. personally gave me um an ad advice out. of his mouth, [clears throat]. >> but he definitely showed by example. >> Okay? >> You know what I mean? Mhm. >> He's one of the example guys that if you. were smart enough, you would watch him. and learn, >> right? >> You know, I don't think he was a. personal guy like that that would come. up to you and Yeah, man. And if he just.

one of them kind of guys Cedric and. them, they'll do it. Dio Hugley, but. Steve not that kind of guy. >> Bernie, >> what? >> I did his last movie. >> Did you? Soul Man. That was the last. movie he was in. He had an oxygen tank. He was dying. And um him and him and Sam Jackson was. on the on the. u. >> Did you realize he was that sick then?

>> Yeah. Yeah. He was messed up. And I said, "Bernie M, man, give give a. young comedian some advice." He said, "Don't do nothing for money." And I was. like, "Wait a minute. There he is. >> What we doing it for? >> He's rich as hell. some money. [ __ ]. >> that's the only reason I'm doing this. [laughter]. >> I can't take that advice. [ __ ]. >> But he was basically saying, you know, make sure that it's something that you. want to do, >> right? >> And don't do it because it's just money.

that, >> right? If you had to pinpoint one, the person. that do what you do, who's helped Mike. the most in his career? I mean, it's it's so hard to say because. it's so many it's so many people. I. think it's a conglomerate of.

a lot of people, you know. >> Um, I got a friend of mine named TC. that's been with me. He's seen the whole. movie. My brother TC, >> he seen me. come to New York before anybody met me. He seen me before any of the wives that. I met. So, I would say my my brother TC, man, and my manager. You know, I always. tell young black men, you got to have a.

soul brother, man. You got to have. somebody with you, man. >> A brother that's gonna ride with you, man. And that's what TC's been. He's. been a great friend of mine and um. been with me in some dark times. >> and some great times, you know. So, I. would say my I would say my my road. manager TC has been one of the most. pinnacle brothers. in my people in my life,

you know, when my parents died, all kind of stuff, you know. You think about the moments, man. Mhm. >> You know, but of course my wife, man. My. wife, I can't take anything from her, man. She's been a solid person for me. and helped me become who I remember one. time I came, the first time I met my. wife, I came in the house high and she. said, "If you ever do that again, we'll never be together." And I never. did it again. And that's been some years.

ago. >> Oh. I thought I was going to be able to. be that person with her like. >> let me show her this other because she. didn't know. I said let me show her this. other side of me. Hi, come in the house. She was like you do that [ __ ] is over. And I respected that and I I wanted to. be with her that. >> is that the type of person that you. needed? >> Hell yeah. If I would have been with. somebody who would thought that was cool. what I did, I probably would be sitting. here, >> you know. >> You'd have been back at square one.

>> Yeah. Probably would have. Anything. could have happened. So sometimes you. have to have people. threaten you with not being in your. life. That's right. To make you. >> It's either this or that. So I picked. that. >> I picked a good wife. She's a beautiful. mother to my kids. >> Great wife. >> Very smart. You know, she's a producer. herself. Okay. Jana Vanzant, different. shows like that. >> So she understands the business, which. I've got blessed with that.

Joke stealing. >> I hear a lot of some says, "Look, if. that's your that's the best joke you. ever going to tell, okay, you I guess. you can get upset about it." Or somebody. will say, "Write a better joke." Where. are you on joke stealing? >> I don't know. I'll be honest. I don't. know. I don't know how you could steal a. joke. I don't know. I don't know what. that is. Um. the problem with that is is we all think. alike, >> you know. Uh, all the way down all the.

way down to telling a joke the same. sometimes. >> Um, it's a million jokes in the world, man. Red Fox used to do whole sets of. stock jokes. [snorts] I don't know where. the he got them jokes, [laughter]. but he was telling them and was loving. them. >> Right. >> Richard Prior did all the jokes that. Paul Mooney. >> wrote for him. I don't know how I don't know how you.

can steal a joke. You know, I I hear. people say [ __ ] I say all the time and I. just I recognize it going, >> but I don't never go to nobody and tell. them, "Hey, man, you can't say that.". >> Right. You don't draw no attention to. it. You just like you keep it moving. >> Yeah. Because the reality of that is is. that. I can take a joke and tell it and a. little young guy can tell the joke and. tell it and if nobody know who the he. is, it ain't his joke. No way.

>> Right. >> It's not. >> You know, people stole all kind of [ __ ]. from me coming up, but I I don't. can't steal a joke, man. They they all. joke. They all ideas. >> Is it true that you uh uh you was. gambling one time with Oak and you lost. 40 grand. >> with Charles Oakley in there? >> Yeah. >> Hell yeah. Around with him. And remember. Charles uh uh Gerald Levert. >> Yeah, >> man. Them NBA [ __ ] was in a hotel. gambling and [ __ ] and I thought I could.

jump in there. >> You paid Oak cuz I was going to call Oak. say Oak, I got him here for you. >> I know that. That [ __ ] know me too. I. know that [ __ ] Hell yeah. >> I was talking to him on the way over. here. No, I didn't lose no money to him. I mean, I didn't owe him. I just lost. some money gambling. But damn, >> that was the thing about with them old. them NBA players. They had way more. money than me. >> Yeah, >> I thought I could jump in there. >> No, you can't weather them storm. It's. like the casino. >> Goted up quick. I got that money and got. got my ass up out of there. [laughter].

>> I'm out of there. That [ __ ] Charles. Oakley. >> Let me ask you this. Why is it important. for you. >> to take these young comedians on the. road? You know, I remember when I was young. and I remember how it felt to go on tour. with the OG's and I knew how important. it was for them to learn and for for for. me to learn, too, >> you know. I like I said, I learned from. them and they learn from me. We all. learn from each other, man.

>> You know, and unfortunately, we all got. to start somewhere. Right. >> I like being on the road with these. guys. We the Ones tour, you know, >> and um. >> has the tour started yet? >> No, the tour is starting up. What's the. date on the tour? >> February. >> February. >> Huh? >> February 6th. >> So, it's in 26. You kick it off in 26? >> 26. February 6. We doing a worldwide. tour. Like I said, Shannon, this is our. third year doing it. >> How many cities? >> Oh, man. We doing all the major cities?

>> 40 cities. And if if I posted it, it's. on um uh bmn. >> shows.com. bmnshows.com. You want to go on there, check out all. the dates. I'm headlining this year. Last year, I was just hosting bringing. up the young comments. But this year, >> I'm coming out OG, right, after. everybody. And we got TK Kirkland on the. show. Okay. You know what I mean? Yeah. We got uh uh uh uh uh Jay Ski, man. We. got some of the some of the youngest. hottest comedies. It's gonna be the. hottest comedy tour out. You know, you.

ain't gonna see nowhere, nowhere you. gonna see a better tour than this. >> Wow. >> Young hot black comics. >> And that's important. That's important. to you. You feel this is this is this is. Mike's giving back. >> Hell yeah. And Mike's staying in the. loop, right? >> Cuz I got to stay in the loop with these. young guys to be funny, too, as well. >> Teaching and learning. >> Were you gifted Tupac's jewelry from All. Eyes on Me Cover? Yeah. How you get.

that? >> Um, Mutar, one of the outlaws, >> yeah, >> gave me that bracelet. and I gave it to Tupac's sister. because I kept saying to myself, I can't. >> It ain't right for you. Ain't right for. you. >> You hold this man's bracelet. >> I met his sister set and I said, I got. something for you. And I gave her that and somebody gave me. the original picture of him and Suge.

sitting in that car. The photographer. did. And I gave them to her and I said, "If. I would have passed, I would have loved. that somebody was real and gave my. sister my bracelet, you know?" Wow. That. That was the realest thing I could have. did, man. You know what I mean? >> Yeah. >> It it blew her mind, too. She was like, "Oh my god.". >> Wow. Yeah, I got to give you that. bracelet. >> I'm going to get you out of here on this.

one. I had uh we had two chains on. Two. chains said you and him cousin had Omar. Y'all kidding. I ain't kidding to them. [laughter]. black ass big dreadlocks [ __ ]. Two chain sat there and and you Yeah, you baited him into that too. >> WHAT? HOW BAIT HIM? I SAID Y'ALL. COUSINS. He say yeah. No. See, Shannon, everything that you No. Yeah. No, you. That's what I'm saying. See, I'm glad I. finally wor did this show with you.

because you would bring my name up all. the time to different people trying to. bait them to say up [ __ ]. >> No, I mean saying that's your cousin. >> Yes, you did. >> How they fed up if that's your cousin? >> Cuz every time you ask people about me, they end up saying something else. >> He said that's your cousin. That's my. cousin. >> No. two chain sat right on this on one. of these chairs and said. >> he must be a cousin by marriage. >> What kind OF [ __ ] IS THAT? [laughter]. >> Y. >> THAT MEANS somebody mar I married.

somebody that was last name to change. >> Let me tell you something. Two chains. >> and Omar eps y'all can have that slave. name. [laughter]. Sitting there arguing about a damn slave. name. I'm my name is Mike X. >> [laughter]. >> [ __ ] two chain said I was married by. uh uh uh I'm by y'all related by by man. >> when me and Omar ass we see we was all. supposed to do a TV show going to find.

out who. >> Oh y'all do him and Louis Gates show. >> Yeah, cuz we were all eps. >> Yeah. And I started thinking about it. I'm like, I don't want to meet my. master, whoever the MC is, cuz I did that that. that. >> DNA, the ancestry 23 and me. >> Yes. Like a dummy. >> And um. >> where you from? >> I'm white. [clears throat]. >> I'm white. That's where I'm from. I.

thought I was black. I am black, but. >> Yeah, you are. >> But it's some Get pulled over. >> It's some white people. >> Yeah. My nose ain't as big as yours. [laughter]. >> I'm I'm like I'm like I'm 90% Nigerian. >> Yeah, I know he's Niger. See, I called. you out. I knew you was Nigerian. >> It takes a while for me to get to the. Africans on my [ __ ]. >> All European popped up. >> So, I'm I'm I got a lot of white in me, but I got problems. [laughter].

We gonna get you out of this bike. Is. there anything that you haven't. accomplished that you hope to accomplish. before you're done with this business? >> Yeah. Um, I just want to make sure I leave a great. name. um for myself in this business so that. my children can hear and live off of my. legacy. That's all I want to do. I want. to make sure I leave out of this. business.

unscathed and alive. so that my kids can take what I did and. flourish off of it. If I can do that, I'm good. I just want my name to be. good. Everybody when they hear my name. and they hear Mike, they say, "Man, your. dad was. >> he was all right. >> All right guy. Hell of a hell of an. actor, comedian. [ __ ] starter sometime, but for the most part all the way around. guy." What do you credit credit credit. your longevity to? How have you been.

able to stay in this business, stay. relevant for so long? >> Um, my passion for the business, my. passion for the art. I really love I. protect what I have. I protect my art. I. protect my comedy. I protect it in my. spirit. >> Like, it's all I got, right? and I. protect it and I love it and I honor it. and that and I and I that's why I have. I've had longevity as a I'm very.

passionate about the gift that was given. to me and I protect it. >> What can they expect from the tour? We. them ones. >> We them ones tour. This tour is going to. be the biggest one that we ever did. I'm. headlining and these guys are hilarious. Some of the greatest black young comics. in the game right now. Make sure you go. get them tickets. We're gonna be in all. the great cities. If you went last year, you seen how fun it was. It's gonna be. even bigger this year. And I'm. headlining. Make sure you go get them.

tickets. We the ones. >> Kicks off February 6. What's the first. state you What's the first city you. hitting? >> Indianapolis, right? >> Indianapolis. >> Indianapolis. My hometown. Make sure you. go get them tickets, man. We the ones. Make sure y'all check out the Upshaws. coming out January 8th. Our last season. on only on Netflix. Shannon Sharp, I. appreciate you, boy. >> Mike Els, [applause]. respect, man. Appreciate you, bro. Appreciate you. >> All my life been [music] grinding all my. life. Sacrifice, hustle, paid the price,

want a slice, got to roll the dice. That's why all my life I've been. grinding all my life. Look, all my life. [music] been grinding all my life. Sacrifice, hustle, paid the price, want. a slice, [music] got to roll a dice. That's why all my life I've been. grinding all my life.