I remember my mother sent me a letter in the mail and she wrote a little magic marker she left for twenty dollars bill. She said, oh, no, you need that, and don't leave, baby. I love you and I didn't go that happened. So I called her and I said, guess what happened? Because Richard Pryor for the show, found me and he looked up and down like I was a strange animal. He went, he was a funny mother and walked away. And we was like, And I called my mother. I told her what happened.

I remember my mother sent me a letter in the mail and she wrote a little magic marker she left for twenty dollars bill. She said, oh, no, you need that, and don't leave, baby. I love you and I didn't go that happened. So I called her and I said, guess what happened? Because Richard Pryor for the show, found me and he looked up and down like I was a strange animal. He went, he was a funny mother and walked away. And we was like, And I called my mother. I told her what happened.

She said, I told you not to leave.

She said, I told you not to leave.

The love of a mother is unlike any other. Tommy Davidson telling the story of how he was ready to pack up and leave La because his dreams had not been fully realized. His mom sends them twenty bucks, and not too long after that, he's at the Comedy Store performing with Richard Pryor and Eddie Murphy.

The love of a mother is unlike any other. Tommy Davidson telling the story of how he was ready to pack up and leave La because his dreams had not been fully realized. His mom sends them twenty bucks, and not too long after that, he's at the Comedy Store performing with Richard Pryor and Eddie Murphy.

His story is pretty amazing.

His story is pretty amazing.

It also solidifies the fact that he is a legend, and he is also our guest on this day of Naked Gotta pay some bills, We'll be right back.

It also solidifies the fact that he is a legend, and he is also our guest on this day of Naked Gotta pay some bills, We'll be right back.

It's the greatest suspersion entertainment can Naked Wind Carry Chappie, and then Carrie Chappy is to be a champion, a Champion, and Carrie CHAPPI and Nigger Play Got a Champion and Carry Chappion and Carrie Chapy Entertainment cant Naked Word.

It's the greatest suspersion entertainment can Naked Wind Carry Chappie, and then Carrie Chappy is to be a champion, a Champion, and Carrie CHAPPI and Nigger Play Got a Champion and Carry Chappion and Carrie Chapy Entertainment cant Naked Word.

Hey everybody, welcome to a new edition of Naked You know, I'd like to do a little news update and I received a few messages about the Alabama Brawl. I talked about that last week before we interviewed Stephanie Mills. Made in Brooklyn. If you haven't checked it out, please check it out. One of my favorite podcasts. I'm so hot on Brooklyn, Like I can't get off Brooklyn. I'm from California, but living in Brooklyn in my mind right. But today, before we get into Tommy Davidson, Uh, the iconic comedian who you may all know from in Living Color. He's been on tour forever. He's known for his impressions. He has had a life. He will talk about that with us today. But before before we dive into that, I want to talk about what happened this week in the world of sports, the world that I live in so much. She Carrie Richardson is now the newly minted one hundred meter world champion, and she won gold at the World Championships in Budapest. I don't know if you remember she Carrie Richardson. She came onto the scene with a lot of flare and flash, and we loved it. Black girl magic, We loved it.

Hey everybody, welcome to a new edition of Naked You know, I'd like to do a little news update and I received a few messages about the Alabama Brawl. I talked about that last week before we interviewed Stephanie Mills. Made in Brooklyn. If you haven't checked it out, please check it out. One of my favorite podcasts. I'm so hot on Brooklyn, Like I can't get off Brooklyn. I'm from California, but living in Brooklyn in my mind right. But today, before we get into Tommy Davidson, Uh, the iconic comedian who you may all know from in Living Color. He's been on tour forever. He's known for his impressions. He has had a life. He will talk about that with us today. But before before we dive into that, I want to talk about what happened this week in the world of sports, the world that I live in so much. She Carrie Richardson is now the newly minted one hundred meter world champion, and she won gold at the World Championships in Budapest. I don't know if you remember she Carrie Richardson. She came onto the scene with a lot of flare and flash, and we loved it. Black girl magic, We loved it.

We loved it. She was nineteen years old.

We loved it. She was nineteen years old.

She had just declared that she was going to turn pro after the NCAA Championships. She was a freshman at LSU and she was leaving college to basically go to the Olympics. She had qualified for the Olympics, and we loved her because she had everything. She was unapologetic, she was beautiful, she was fast, and she talked that trash.

She had just declared that she was going to turn pro after the NCAA Championships. She was a freshman at LSU and she was leaving college to basically go to the Olympics. She had qualified for the Olympics, and we loved her because she had everything. She was unapologetic, she was beautiful, she was fast, and she talked that trash.

She could back it up seemingly.

She could back it up seemingly.

And unfortunately, just a few days after she qualified for the Olympics, she tested positive for marijuana and that immediately voided her results and she could not go to Tokyo. However, what ensued after that was a combination of social media hype. How come the black girls getting vilified? Why isn't she allowed to do what we've seen other Olympians get away with? Russians have been cheating, They're still allowed to compete Michael Phelps was smoking weed, he was still allowed to compete.

And unfortunately, just a few days after she qualified for the Olympics, she tested positive for marijuana and that immediately voided her results and she could not go to Tokyo. However, what ensued after that was a combination of social media hype. How come the black girls getting vilified? Why isn't she allowed to do what we've seen other Olympians get away with? Russians have been cheating, They're still allowed to compete Michael Phelps was smoking weed, he was still allowed to compete.

The list goes on.

The list goes on.

She carry adding to the narrative by going to Twitter and talking about it very unapologetically, as mentioned, and she was like, I just don't trust this system, the IOC, which is the International Olympic Committee. They don't operate in truth. They are hypocrites. I'm paraphrasing. But none of what she said was wrong. Everything she said was right. But this was one of these instances where I thought, Hey, Shakerrie, you're right, but I don't know if you've earned the right to say that just yet, just because you're so new. There was an instance in which there was some back and forth and Alison Felix went on a show and wished her well, and she jumped on social media and was like, people who wish me well don't really mean it. We didn't know where that was coming from. There were a lot of subliminal messages, and it seemed like a lot for someone who had so much to prove. Perception is everything, and oftentimes we want our heroes to behave or act a certain way until they've actually earned that grizzly vet respect. It's like a rookie coming into the NBA talking mad trash and can't back it up. It's like Dylan Brooks going after Lebron James and saying things that he just can't fully say. Although he's a great, great player, he doesn't have the hardware.

She carry adding to the narrative by going to Twitter and talking about it very unapologetically, as mentioned, and she was like, I just don't trust this system, the IOC, which is the International Olympic Committee. They don't operate in truth. They are hypocrites. I'm paraphrasing. But none of what she said was wrong. Everything she said was right. But this was one of these instances where I thought, Hey, Shakerrie, you're right, but I don't know if you've earned the right to say that just yet, just because you're so new. There was an instance in which there was some back and forth and Alison Felix went on a show and wished her well, and she jumped on social media and was like, people who wish me well don't really mean it. We didn't know where that was coming from. There were a lot of subliminal messages, and it seemed like a lot for someone who had so much to prove. Perception is everything, and oftentimes we want our heroes to behave or act a certain way until they've actually earned that grizzly vet respect. It's like a rookie coming into the NBA talking mad trash and can't back it up. It's like Dylan Brooks going after Lebron James and saying things that he just can't fully say. Although he's a great, great player, he doesn't have the hardware.

To back up just yet. We like your trash talk, but hold on.

To back up just yet. We like your trash talk, but hold on.

And she Carrie said, just a few days before she won the World Championships, in regards to what people thought about her, she goes, listen, I don't really care about what people think. The world already turned on me. I disbelieve in me. And she's referring to a very public pushback to her tweets, to how she handled herself, to her response to the Olympic Committee, to everything. She just was loved by everyone, and then all of a sudden, people started to, in her words, turn on her. And I lived in the camp of follow the rules. But as a black woman, I get where you're coming from. But I also lived in the camp of some things don't need to be said. In fact, most things don't need to be said. Keep that to yourself until you earn some cachet to really talk about the experience in a way that gives you perspective. You can't tell a nineteen year old that a nineteen year old is going to be nineteen. And as of late, especially within the last year, we've watched her win race after race after race, and she's been quiet, and she's put her head down and she's not saying the things. In fact, all of her frustrations with the Olympic Committee, with the way in which track and field athletes how they are being treated, she has now started an advocacy group and she's advocating for their rights. She's using her voice in her platform in a way that is a constructive, and we can digest that. But I started to think, why did I require her, as a black female athlete to behave or conduct herself in a certain way. And what I realized is that as a black woman, I didn't want her to have to deal with the things that I had to deal with. I too spoke too soon, I too used to say things. I too used to light the world on fire. I too used to say this is not right and you can't do this, and I'm waving my hand to say this that and the third but I realize is that there's a time and a place for everything, and also how you say it is arguably just as important as what you say. And I felt a way about her being so unapologetic without filter, But I don't have the right to feel a way about that, because inherently, as a black woman in a world that doesn't really understand us, it is oftentimes the only way that we can express ourselves if we feel like we haven't been heard or seen. And I started to think back about how female athletes, but more specifically black female athletes, are treated by society, by social media, by those who don't really understand the complexity of being a black woman in this world, and how we show up.

And she Carrie said, just a few days before she won the World Championships, in regards to what people thought about her, she goes, listen, I don't really care about what people think. The world already turned on me. I disbelieve in me. And she's referring to a very public pushback to her tweets, to how she handled herself, to her response to the Olympic Committee, to everything. She just was loved by everyone, and then all of a sudden, people started to, in her words, turn on her. And I lived in the camp of follow the rules. But as a black woman, I get where you're coming from. But I also lived in the camp of some things don't need to be said. In fact, most things don't need to be said. Keep that to yourself until you earn some cachet to really talk about the experience in a way that gives you perspective. You can't tell a nineteen year old that a nineteen year old is going to be nineteen. And as of late, especially within the last year, we've watched her win race after race after race, and she's been quiet, and she's put her head down and she's not saying the things. In fact, all of her frustrations with the Olympic Committee, with the way in which track and field athletes how they are being treated, she has now started an advocacy group and she's advocating for their rights. She's using her voice in her platform in a way that is a constructive, and we can digest that. But I started to think, why did I require her, as a black female athlete to behave or conduct herself in a certain way. And what I realized is that as a black woman, I didn't want her to have to deal with the things that I had to deal with. I too spoke too soon, I too used to say things. I too used to light the world on fire. I too used to say this is not right and you can't do this, and I'm waving my hand to say this that and the third but I realize is that there's a time and a place for everything, and also how you say it is arguably just as important as what you say. And I felt a way about her being so unapologetic without filter, But I don't have the right to feel a way about that, because inherently, as a black woman in a world that doesn't really understand us, it is oftentimes the only way that we can express ourselves if we feel like we haven't been heard or seen. And I started to think back about how female athletes, but more specifically black female athletes, are treated by society, by social media, by those who don't really understand the complexity of being a black woman in this world, and how we show up.

And I started to look.

And I started to look.

At some of the egregious or what we're at least in that in that moment, it was seemingly egregious offenses or instances that involved black women, and I realized, this is crazy.

At some of the egregious or what we're at least in that in that moment, it was seemingly egregious offenses or instances that involved black women, and I realized, this is crazy.

We really don't do anything wrong.

We really don't do anything wrong.

You all want us to behave a certain way, and you won't even allow us to come up and be our full selves. And when we are, you beat it out of us. And the older we get in, the more experience we get, we decide, all right, I don't want to pick up that baton if you will, I do not want that fight. Serena Williams wearing a catsuit at the French Open was a scandal.

You all want us to behave a certain way, and you won't even allow us to come up and be our full selves. And when we are, you beat it out of us. And the older we get in, the more experience we get, we decide, all right, I don't want to pick up that baton if you will, I do not want that fight. Serena Williams wearing a catsuit at the French Open was a scandal.

Get out of here, guys.

Get out of here, guys.

Naomi Osaka saying that she wasn't going to do any more press interviews during the French Open and she'd pay the fine because she's mentally exhausted with talking to the media after every single match. She's just not ready for that this time around. Scandal Simone Biles taking a mental break during the Olympics and not performing. Are not participating in certain events because she said, guess what, I just don't have it. I lost a beat, too much pressure. I need to sit down. How dare you sit down? You're here to represent America. Angel Reese making gestures at Caitlyn Clark after she won the national championship. Talking is a rite of passage once she win a championship, and yet she was vilified for doing the exact same thing Caitlyn Clark had been doing leading up to the final game. Then there was this athlete, I don't know if you remember her, Olympian, Gwen Berry. She was at the US Trials leading up to Tokyo and she put up a sign that said athlete activists exercising her First Amendment right. All of these things were written about, think pieces, comments on social media, thirty thousand and commons left telling her what she did wrong. The same was true with Serena, the same is true with Naomi Simone Shakiri. And you would think these women actually committed a murder. You would think they robbed someone. You would think they took kittens and threw them on top of a roof like you. Whatever you can think of as the most egregious offense. You would think that they've done those things. But we're talking about simple actions to be themselves, to exercise their First Amendment rights, to be honest, to be true to who they are, who they think they are, and bringing their full selves to work. And all it does is send the message that as a black woman, you cannot bring yourself to work, your full self.

Naomi Osaka saying that she wasn't going to do any more press interviews during the French Open and she'd pay the fine because she's mentally exhausted with talking to the media after every single match. She's just not ready for that this time around. Scandal Simone Biles taking a mental break during the Olympics and not performing. Are not participating in certain events because she said, guess what, I just don't have it. I lost a beat, too much pressure. I need to sit down. How dare you sit down? You're here to represent America. Angel Reese making gestures at Caitlyn Clark after she won the national championship. Talking is a rite of passage once she win a championship, and yet she was vilified for doing the exact same thing Caitlyn Clark had been doing leading up to the final game. Then there was this athlete, I don't know if you remember her, Olympian, Gwen Berry. She was at the US Trials leading up to Tokyo and she put up a sign that said athlete activists exercising her First Amendment right. All of these things were written about, think pieces, comments on social media, thirty thousand and commons left telling her what she did wrong. The same was true with Serena, the same is true with Naomi Simone Shakiri. And you would think these women actually committed a murder. You would think they robbed someone. You would think they took kittens and threw them on top of a roof like you. Whatever you can think of as the most egregious offense. You would think that they've done those things. But we're talking about simple actions to be themselves, to exercise their First Amendment rights, to be honest, to be true to who they are, who they think they are, and bringing their full selves to work. And all it does is send the message that as a black woman, you cannot bring yourself to work, your full self.

That is.

That is.

I already knew that.

I already knew that.

So why was I so disappointed that Shakiri was trying to express herself in the way in which she knew how, the only way in which she knew how. Why didn't I say, Hey, you're nineteen years old, it's okay, you'll figure it out. Fast forward nearly four years later, she has figured it out and to should carry and all of those alike, myself included. We have to give these women space to grow and be in these new environments, because I could not imagine the pressure that they are under. We are so quick to judge, so quick to be to be as if we are offended by their behavior, we.

So why was I so disappointed that Shakiri was trying to express herself in the way in which she knew how, the only way in which she knew how. Why didn't I say, Hey, you're nineteen years old, it's okay, you'll figure it out. Fast forward nearly four years later, she has figured it out and to should carry and all of those alike, myself included. We have to give these women space to grow and be in these new environments, because I could not imagine the pressure that they are under. We are so quick to judge, so quick to be to be as if we are offended by their behavior, we.

Don't even allow them to make mistakes.

Don't even allow them to make mistakes.

I don't want you to know what I was doing when I was nineteen, Thank god social media was a big deal or perhaps around. But I find myself at this stage saying I was wrong for judging she Carrie, and I'm asking everybody to give her some grace of mercy because we all deserve that. And that's how I feel about Serena. I've come full circle in Serena. People will say ABC and D. I think she's lovely. She's lovely. She's earned the right to be who she is. Take it or leave it, I don't care. She's the goat, end of story, period, done no more. And I feel that way about so many of these great female athletes, because if they were.

I don't want you to know what I was doing when I was nineteen, Thank god social media was a big deal or perhaps around. But I find myself at this stage saying I was wrong for judging she Carrie, and I'm asking everybody to give her some grace of mercy because we all deserve that. And that's how I feel about Serena. I've come full circle in Serena. People will say ABC and D. I think she's lovely. She's lovely. She's earned the right to be who she is. Take it or leave it, I don't care. She's the goat, end of story, period, done no more. And I feel that way about so many of these great female athletes, because if they were.

Men, this wonn't even be up for debate. It just won't even be up for debate.

Men, this wonn't even be up for debate. It just won't even be up for debate.

Fills Lebron, James Harden, Kobe Bryant rest in peace. He was in love but never vilified. He had his moments, but winning solved all. It could be the case here too. Once you start to win and you do your job and you put your head down, perhaps people start to respect you in a way. With that being said, take a minute go check out her page, Instagram, Google her, show her some love, her words the world turned on me. Just let her know that the community and the culture still has her back. She needs to hear that, whether she says she does or not. And with that being said, today's guest, you know him from in Living Color. You know him from, like I said, various films. I know him from his impressions. Tommy Davidson has been in this business five plus decades and one of the very first things that I get into is how long have you been able to sustain? Or how more importantly have you been able to sustain? And he's worked with the likes I get the very beginning, the likes of Jim Carrey on a Living Color, Jamie Fox, j Lo Flygirl. He used to do comedy tours with Dave Chappelle and Martin Lawrence, two other people from DC, because that's where he is from. I don't know if you heard of that Martin Lawrence, he's from DC. You heard of him before, Dave Chappelle. I think you heard of him too. Anyway, I sit here and I think this man has lived some life, and he has worked with and has been a part of some amazing iconic projects. Comedy that can narrate your childhood, if not your adulthood. You can go back and watch it now and it'll still make you laugh. True classic. Sit back, relax and enjoy this edition of Naked with Tommy Davidson.

Fills Lebron, James Harden, Kobe Bryant rest in peace. He was in love but never vilified. He had his moments, but winning solved all. It could be the case here too. Once you start to win and you do your job and you put your head down, perhaps people start to respect you in a way. With that being said, take a minute go check out her page, Instagram, Google her, show her some love, her words the world turned on me. Just let her know that the community and the culture still has her back. She needs to hear that, whether she says she does or not. And with that being said, today's guest, you know him from in Living Color. You know him from, like I said, various films. I know him from his impressions. Tommy Davidson has been in this business five plus decades and one of the very first things that I get into is how long have you been able to sustain? Or how more importantly have you been able to sustain? And he's worked with the likes I get the very beginning, the likes of Jim Carrey on a Living Color, Jamie Fox, j Lo Flygirl. He used to do comedy tours with Dave Chappelle and Martin Lawrence, two other people from DC, because that's where he is from. I don't know if you heard of that Martin Lawrence, he's from DC. You heard of him before, Dave Chappelle. I think you heard of him too. Anyway, I sit here and I think this man has lived some life, and he has worked with and has been a part of some amazing iconic projects. Comedy that can narrate your childhood, if not your adulthood. You can go back and watch it now and it'll still make you laugh. True classic. Sit back, relax and enjoy this edition of Naked with Tommy Davidson.

You.

You.

I called my friend, a really good friend of mine. Her name is Kendrick Carter. She's been in the world for a minute, and she is you in a few ways, and she's always thought, well, you're so great. But she also said something that I think is important. You have been able to have a career that has expanded and lasted for such a very long time. Why do you think that?

I called my friend, a really good friend of mine. Her name is Kendrick Carter. She's been in the world for a minute, and she is you in a few ways, and she's always thought, well, you're so great. But she also said something that I think is important. You have been able to have a career that has expanded and lasted for such a very long time. Why do you think that?

Is one?

Is one?

God love me a whole lot that that's the first and most important one. And the second one is I always have emphasized on quality, not quantity, So I didn't need to be doing a thousand things. I don't need no bill's and bees of dollars to do something good. It's a standard, it's the standard. So and I do know that quality doubts, you know, you wouldn't think so these days, Yeah, because it's not. It's not about quality these days, it's about it's about it. It's more popular, has nothing to.

God love me a whole lot that that's the first and most important one. And the second one is I always have emphasized on quality, not quantity, So I didn't need to be doing a thousand things. I don't need no bill's and bees of dollars to do something good. It's a standard, it's the standard. So and I do know that quality doubts, you know, you wouldn't think so these days, Yeah, because it's not. It's not about quality these days, it's about it's about it. It's more popular, has nothing to.

Do with quality.

Do with quality.

So so I was I was raised in an era where being an entertainer quality was first.

So so I was I was raised in an era where being an entertainer quality was first.

What era would you call that? What era is that?

What era would you call that? What era is that?

Oh, that's easily, that's easily the seventies, easily the seventies up to now.

Oh, that's easily, that's easily the seventies, easily the seventies up to now.

But but I think that people any any African Americans that are in the we're in the chevianties their formative stage, seventies. So we grew grew up with a whole different type of music, you know, a whole different type of society is really really different.

But but I think that people any any African Americans that are in the we're in the chevianties their formative stage, seventies. So we grew grew up with a whole different type of music, you know, a whole different type of society is really really different.

Then, so we we bring those fourth, we bring the stuff that we experienced fourth, you know.

Then, so we we bring those fourth, we bring the stuff that we experienced fourth, you know.

And so that's why I would agree that you are quality and you always finish well in terms of all your projects, like you and that most people would obviously bring up and living and living color rather and and so many wonder folk medians yourself obviously included, were born from from that special show. How was how was it or how did it feel working on such a project, And did you have any clue where Jim Carrey or Jimmy Fox would land while you are all in the midst of working.

And so that's why I would agree that you are quality and you always finish well in terms of all your projects, like you and that most people would obviously bring up and living and living color rather and and so many wonder folk medians yourself obviously included, were born from from that special show. How was how was it or how did it feel working on such a project, And did you have any clue where Jim Carrey or Jimmy Fox would land while you are all in the midst of working.

I had every clue in the world. You know. We were we were good, and we knew it.

I had every clue in the world. You know. We were we were good, and we knew it.

We just we just we just were looking for that opportunity, you know what I mean. I'm like, I'm like the people I'm from. We're good, we know it.

We just we just we just were looking for that opportunity, you know what I mean. I'm like, I'm like the people I'm from. We're good, we know it.

We We're gonna.

We We're gonna.

Press you about nothing. What's supposed to come our way? Uh, it's gonna come my way, and and and and we got the faith to show it. So so and that that's what is about for me.

Press you about nothing. What's supposed to come our way? Uh, it's gonna come my way, and and and and we got the faith to show it. So so and that that's what is about for me.

You know. I I'm on full.

You know. I I'm on full.

Scholarship from from the ones before me, you know, so they had already put faith in me, so so here I am, you know, and I knew it. We we we didn't get on the air for six months after we shot the pilot. He's already we all ready to go back to the clubs and start over, building ourselves up, you know. And it got it got picked up. I knew if it got picked up it was gonna be good because it's actually good. It's actually funny. You know, funny in a way is expressed by audiences sometimes like this, Oh that's funny. Sometimes it's express it's expressed like oh, but the best way is expresses.

Scholarship from from the ones before me, you know, so they had already put faith in me, so so here I am, you know, and I knew it. We we we didn't get on the air for six months after we shot the pilot. He's already we all ready to go back to the clubs and start over, building ourselves up, you know. And it got it got picked up. I knew if it got picked up it was gonna be good because it's actually good. It's actually funny. You know, funny in a way is expressed by audiences sometimes like this, Oh that's funny. Sometimes it's express it's expressed like oh, but the best way is expresses.

You say it that you know, and that's what it was, and that's exactly what it was.

You say it that you know, and that's what it was, and that's exactly what it was.

You're gonna be at the laughs.

You're gonna be at the laughs.

I'm curious because as you were such a part of iconic television, that's like that's Americana for me. What was it like weekend and week out filming? Was the process similar to what I hear about Saturday Night Live? Like you all sat around the table and had to make people laugh and they said, yes that works, and no that doesn't work.

I'm curious because as you were such a part of iconic television, that's like that's Americana for me. What was it like weekend and week out filming? Was the process similar to what I hear about Saturday Night Live? Like you all sat around the table and had to make people laugh and they said, yes that works, and no that doesn't work.

Nah, not at all. It's like being in the Titi in high school or something.

Nah, not at all. It's like being in the Titi in high school or something.

You know you're gonna have fun or else, you know what I mean. So it's just like the best atmosphere you can imagine, Like here we are, we're all talented, we all love each other, and we have fun all day long. And them when the cameras come, you better watch out because we're gonna have double fun. Double fun.

You know you're gonna have fun or else, you know what I mean. So it's just like the best atmosphere you can imagine, Like here we are, we're all talented, we all love each other, and we have fun all day long. And them when the cameras come, you better watch out because we're gonna have double fun. Double fun.

We were inviting the whole country to the body and that and that was us. That was us.

We were inviting the whole country to the body and that and that was us. That was us.

Man.

Man.

I feel like when I hear these stories, and I've interviewed a lot of comedians who have been a part of this iconic moments, it makes me, it makes me have a little bit of fomo fear of missing out. I hate that I missed out on such a I never heard that. It's such a beautiful process. And you guys are all so amazing. I'd like to talk about your childhood because you've talked about how you had a rough childhood and you were ultimately adopted by white parents and you didn't really understand what the racial barriers were until until you moved to d C. Yeah, yeah, can you walk me through that process, of course.

I feel like when I hear these stories, and I've interviewed a lot of comedians who have been a part of this iconic moments, it makes me, it makes me have a little bit of fomo fear of missing out. I hate that I missed out on such a I never heard that. It's such a beautiful process. And you guys are all so amazing. I'd like to talk about your childhood because you've talked about how you had a rough childhood and you were ultimately adopted by white parents and you didn't really understand what the racial barriers were until until you moved to d C. Yeah, yeah, can you walk me through that process, of course.

But then you mentioned the word amazing. So and it's so amazing, you know when you hear that love.

But then you mentioned the word amazing. So and it's so amazing, you know when you hear that love.

Has okay, rest in peace, not.

Has okay, rest in peace, not.

Of single you know. And he was a really good friend of mine. We we we we knew each other for years. He was he was one of the first people that I performed with. Wow, and before you live in college and took me on the road, took me on the road, him and Anita Baker for that tour that they had.

Of single you know. And he was a really good friend of mine. We we we we knew each other for years. He was he was one of the first people that I performed with. Wow, and before you live in college and took me on the road, took me on the road, him and Anita Baker for that tour that they had.

DC for me was shocker because I didn't know I was black coming into it. You know.

DC for me was shocker because I didn't know I was black coming into it. You know.

I didn't know the things that happened to me until way later in life, and didn't understand what was going on until way later in life. But I found out that I was left in the trash that a woman found me random. She raised me in in the Midwest. So I grew up in Colorado and Wyoming.

I didn't know the things that happened to me until way later in life, and didn't understand what was going on until way later in life. But I found out that I was left in the trash that a woman found me random. She raised me in in the Midwest. So I grew up in Colorado and Wyoming.

Wow.

Wow.

And I didn't know I was black. I didn't know what black and white was.

And I didn't know I was black. I didn't know what black and white was.

All I know is that, you know, if if a brown cat had kitten said to be a white one, gray wound speca one. So I thought people were like that.

All I know is that, you know, if if a brown cat had kitten said to be a white one, gray wound speca one. So I thought people were like that.

How did you not know that?

How did you not know that?

Did you went to school? No one let you know when you were in school. No, no other children, because you know kids are mean. No one said, hey, you're different than us.

Did you went to school? No one let you know when you were in school. No, no other children, because you know kids are mean. No one said, hey, you're different than us.

I was five, and where I lived, it wasn't really affected by that. Racism wasn't really I wasn't affected by it. At that point. It existed, it existed more than now. But at that point, just personally I had I hadn't confronted it or been confronted by it. My family was a very loving family, So all I knew was that I was a very love loved little boy and had all the opportunities that anybody else would have. Is when I moved to d C that I got the concept of black and white. Because we moved to d C in sixty eight right when doctor King was shot and killed. So we moved in during the riots, so that one blue was a mind blower. I was like, Okay, things are on fire. The soldiers was going out in tear gas. And so we settled in in Northeast Washington, and they called it Trindyday in Northeast for it in Northeast.

I was five, and where I lived, it wasn't really affected by that. Racism wasn't really I wasn't affected by it. At that point. It existed, it existed more than now. But at that point, just personally I had I hadn't confronted it or been confronted by it. My family was a very loving family, So all I knew was that I was a very love loved little boy and had all the opportunities that anybody else would have. Is when I moved to d C that I got the concept of black and white. Because we moved to d C in sixty eight right when doctor King was shot and killed. So we moved in during the riots, so that one blue was a mind blower. I was like, Okay, things are on fire. The soldiers was going out in tear gas. And so we settled in in Northeast Washington, and they called it Trindyday in Northeast for it in Northeast.

And we get there.

And we get there.

And we go to play with the other kids, and the other kids whipped our ass every day. They were calling my sister and my brother white cracker and calling me white cracker lover.

And we go to play with the other kids, and the other kids whipped our ass every day. They were calling my sister and my brother white cracker and calling me white cracker lover.

Wow. So I was confused. So I go to my mother.

Wow. So I was confused. So I go to my mother.

I say, you know, why why they calling me a white cracker lover? I like Graham crackers, you know, and being serious, you know, yeah, that was what people are color called people you're a color when.

I say, you know, why why they calling me a white cracker lover? I like Graham crackers, you know, and being serious, you know, yeah, that was what people are color called people you're a color when.

They don't like them.

They don't like them.

I said, what we're color? She said, you're black? I said, no, I'm brown. Let my colors and crayon.

I said, what we're color? She said, you're black? I said, no, I'm brown. Let my colors and crayon.

I know, I'm ready.

I know, I'm ready.

She said, well that's what they say. So I thought that was stupid, like, how can you call me? How can you hate me for a color?

She said, well that's what they say. So I thought that was stupid, like, how can you call me? How can you hate me for a color?

I really ain't. And then we moved to the suburbs. It was the same thing, but in reverse.

I really ain't. And then we moved to the suburbs. It was the same thing, but in reverse.

You know, the white kids, well werewing not kids, men and teenagers.

You know, the white kids, well werewing not kids, men and teenagers.

I'm six years old.

I'm six years old.

We're chasing me. Paul, kill the knick, kill the nick. You know, barely get in the house. And I went to my mother. I said, wood, he's Nick. We need to stay away from him because they all seem to be two good people, you know, And then she said, that's what people are color coffee ver in the reverse. So that was really really coming up with all of that going on. And you know, DC is majority black, not the city. So I had a lot of physical conflicts because I always had someone trying to hurt my family, and no matter how old they were, I had to face them, you know, And it was what I had to do. And it's okay because I still turn out to be really loving, really down to earth. It's what it's what shaped me into just being I ain't just you won't get that from me.

We're chasing me. Paul, kill the knick, kill the nick. You know, barely get in the house. And I went to my mother. I said, wood, he's Nick. We need to stay away from him because they all seem to be two good people, you know, And then she said, that's what people are color coffee ver in the reverse. So that was really really coming up with all of that going on. And you know, DC is majority black, not the city. So I had a lot of physical conflicts because I always had someone trying to hurt my family, and no matter how old they were, I had to face them, you know, And it was what I had to do. And it's okay because I still turn out to be really loving, really down to earth. It's what it's what shaped me into just being I ain't just you won't get that from me.

I'm just a person.

I'm just a person.

No, I am an African person, a person of African descent. The category is African American and that's that.

No, I am an African person, a person of African descent. The category is African American and that's that.

You know what I mean.

You know what I mean.

So it shaved me the right way. I have a book called Living in Color. The book is appropriately named living in Color. So you can't tell me that something bigger ain't happening if I end up on a show called in Living Color.

So it shaved me the right way. I have a book called Living in Color. The book is appropriately named living in Color. So you can't tell me that something bigger ain't happening if I end up on a show called in Living Color.

And I lift it, see I lift.

And I lift it, see I lift.

It, and I know it. I know what it's about. And I got a lot of insight on real love because people could say, you know, you heard it. Seems like you hear it a lot. You know, love ain't got no color.

It, and I know it. I know what it's about. And I got a lot of insight on real love because people could say, you know, you heard it. Seems like you hear it a lot. You know, love ain't got no color.

You know. Well, if you really really look at it, it don't.

You know. Well, if you really really look at it, it don't.

But you really got to look at it from a very fundamental, elementary point of view.

But you really got to look at it from a very fundamental, elementary point of view.

And I'll tell you what it is.

And I'll tell you what it is.

When a tribe or whatever you want to call in the village of whatever, way way back, okay, came across another group of people. The women from that color tribe said, those men look pretty good, and the men from there said, those women look pretty good.

When a tribe or whatever you want to call in the village of whatever, way way back, okay, came across another group of people. The women from that color tribe said, those men look pretty good, and the men from there said, those women look pretty good.

V'stly we all look different, m hm. So I don't know we love each other, but we love something.

V'stly we all look different, m hm. So I don't know we love each other, but we love something.

We love something because everybody is the same.

We love something because everybody is the same.

I want you.

I want you.

I'm really really curious you now have.

I'm really really curious you now have.

I feel like, not necessarily it's a full circle moment, but growing up in d C, where you learn the good and the bad of what humanity looks like and how people can be great and how they can be not so great. You now have a new show, Caught the Union, based in d C. How how do we get back to d C? How do we get back to your roots?

I feel like, not necessarily it's a full circle moment, but growing up in d C, where you learn the good and the bad of what humanity looks like and how people can be great and how they can be not so great. You now have a new show, Caught the Union, based in d C. How how do we get back to d C? How do we get back to your roots?

If we will?

If we will?

That the miracle that came about in the first place, you know, to to go out to Hollywood, which is so far away from the way I grew up and so far away from the DC experience or even the East Coast experience you on New York City Philly. It's just how could that come about if there wasn't something something that was really happening good and that was was not temporary, was something that exists, like you know how racism is racism and sexism you know there isms they're not wasms, yeah you see yeah, and you know it's an ism me and see thing we we just is, you know, So so to be back makes total sense. Because the city that I come from has been one of the top African American cities in the whole country, in the world since it's been around. You know, I can go back to NW James like Duke Ellington, Marlon Gay to people like PD green A to go mayor Marion Berry just outstanding and and and and many many, many multitudes of multitude more of intelligent, family oriented, professional or blue collar. But get it done and get it done right. And so so this city deserves union, deserves a TV show, deserves to have relationships broadcast into the world, especially since the native residents, the African Americans you know, have been displaced in a way. What better way to bring it back together than to have a television show started.

That the miracle that came about in the first place, you know, to to go out to Hollywood, which is so far away from the way I grew up and so far away from the DC experience or even the East Coast experience you on New York City Philly. It's just how could that come about if there wasn't something something that was really happening good and that was was not temporary, was something that exists, like you know how racism is racism and sexism you know there isms they're not wasms, yeah you see yeah, and you know it's an ism me and see thing we we just is, you know, So so to be back makes total sense. Because the city that I come from has been one of the top African American cities in the whole country, in the world since it's been around. You know, I can go back to NW James like Duke Ellington, Marlon Gay to people like PD green A to go mayor Marion Berry just outstanding and and and and many many, many multitudes of multitude more of intelligent, family oriented, professional or blue collar. But get it done and get it done right. And so so this city deserves union, deserves a TV show, deserves to have relationships broadcast into the world, especially since the native residents, the African Americans you know, have been displaced in a way. What better way to bring it back together than to have a television show started.

You know.

You know.

But but the DC Commission on Television and Film Entertainment is the one who came up with the concept to bring entertainment back to using DC on the level that it is in Atlanta.

But but the DC Commission on Television and Film Entertainment is the one who came up with the concept to bring entertainment back to using DC on the level that it is in Atlanta.

Mm hmm, and why not?

Mm hmm, and why not?

And why not? It makes sense?

And why not? It makes sense?

And I'm curious, Hey, y'all gotta pay some bills as I normally do, not me but black effect and I heart have to do that.

And I'm curious, Hey, y'all gotta pay some bills as I normally do, not me but black effect and I heart have to do that.

So you know, how to get past this point?

So you know, how to get past this point?

You could just like fast forward a little fifteen second button, you know, just fast forward, fast forward a couple of minutes. We'll be right back in just a few moments.

You could just like fast forward a little fifteen second button, you know, just fast forward, fast forward a couple of minutes. We'll be right back in just a few moments.

Every Champion and Cary champions to be a champion, a champion and carry chapion and carry Chappy out a champion and carry Chappion and carry.

Every Champion and Cary champions to be a champion, a champion and carry chapion and carry Chappy out a champion and carry Chappion and carry.

Chappy is the sports and entertainment and naked weird.

Chappy is the sports and entertainment and naked weird.

Harry Champion and carry chappion is to be a champion of champion and carrie Chappi and nigger shout a champion and carry champion and carried sheppy.

Harry Champion and carry chappion is to be a champion of champion and carrie Chappi and nigger shout a champion and carry champion and carried sheppy.

Naked word.

Naked word.

Hey, everybody, welcome back to this edition of Naked Tommy Davidson still here. Uh. And in between being very vulnerable and naked and honest, he's also given us a few impressions. This man just does them, just spews them out. Did you know he actually has a few singles out on Apple Apple Music.

Hey, everybody, welcome back to this edition of Naked Tommy Davidson still here. Uh. And in between being very vulnerable and naked and honest, he's also given us a few impressions. This man just does them, just spews them out. Did you know he actually has a few singles out on Apple Apple Music.

I didn't.

I didn't.

You're welcome. I asked you mentioned DCE. Tell me what Union is about? I know this is the very first streaming show of its kind on DCE. So what is your Tell me what Union is about?

You're welcome. I asked you mentioned DCE. Tell me what Union is about? I know this is the very first streaming show of its kind on DCE. So what is your Tell me what Union is about?

In your role, It's just about it. It's like the prowd family.

In your role, It's just about it. It's like the prowd family.

Huh.

Huh.

You know, it's it's about us being a part of humanity and not outside of it. You know, it's like like Africa where we're from. Yes, it's not outside humanity. We're not like in some zoo. We're part of humanity. A matter of fact. We created it and the things that sustained it to be able to survive to this point anyway.

You know, it's it's about us being a part of humanity and not outside of it. You know, it's like like Africa where we're from. Yes, it's not outside humanity. We're not like in some zoo. We're part of humanity. A matter of fact. We created it and the things that sustained it to be able to survive to this point anyway.

You know.

You know.

So if you got cheers and you got friends, well you better say cheers because we're going to.

So if you got cheers and you got friends, well you better say cheers because we're going to.

Be chilling with our friends, you see what I mean?

Be chilling with our friends, you see what I mean?

Yeah, and our friends don't just have one race of friends in a major city.

Yeah, and our friends don't just have one race of friends in a major city.

Yeah.

Yeah.

That that that's a that's a fairy tale. Yeah, you know, we as real as it goes back to that. Yeah, you know the whole nine Yard Chocola city all the way. And we're we're we're not. We're not we love hip hop. We're not a hip hop city, we go Go city. We're not from from LA We're not we're from We're not dirty South. You know, we who we are. I think that our closest cousins would be Philly probably.

That that that's a that's a fairy tale. Yeah, you know, we as real as it goes back to that. Yeah, you know the whole nine Yard Chocola city all the way. And we're we're we're not. We're not we love hip hop. We're not a hip hop city, we go Go city. We're not from from LA We're not we're from We're not dirty South. You know, we who we are. I think that our closest cousins would be Philly probably.

Really really, that makes sense, that makes sense. I agree with that. I agree with that that makes sense.

Really really, that makes sense, that makes sense. I agree with that. I agree with that that makes sense.

Be our closest cousins.

Be our closest cousins.

Yeah, yeah, you.

Yeah, yeah, you.

Know, every I love d C. I think anyone who's been there can appreciate it. And yes, you love Go Go music. You love what it brings. There's so much power there. How do you in this show talk about the power in the black experience while addressing humanity because we should be a part of the power collective.

Know, every I love d C. I think anyone who's been there can appreciate it. And yes, you love Go Go music. You love what it brings. There's so much power there. How do you in this show talk about the power in the black experience while addressing humanity because we should be a part of the power collective.

In many ways, we talk like we really talk, you know, we talk like we really talk. We talked about politics, we talk about we talk about relationships, we talk about business, you know, we talk about aspirations and goals. We talk a lot of too, like everybody else, you know, but most of the most of all, we talk about positive We talk about, you know, getting ahead or knowing how to get ahead, or learning how to get ahead, you know, or learning how to be the best that you can be. You know, and that that hasn't gone anywhere, That hasn't gone anywhere, we have not the only thing that African Americans, Americans have done here and and at large globally is get better, get better at who we are and what we are. You know, don't let the last eight years fool you mm hmm. Because you know, once we ran the world for eight years. Look like they're trying to get us to forget. And that was just one of us.

In many ways, we talk like we really talk, you know, we talk like we really talk. We talked about politics, we talk about we talk about relationships, we talk about business, you know, we talk about aspirations and goals. We talk a lot of too, like everybody else, you know, but most of the most of all, we talk about positive We talk about, you know, getting ahead or knowing how to get ahead, or learning how to get ahead, you know, or learning how to be the best that you can be. You know, and that that hasn't gone anywhere, That hasn't gone anywhere, we have not the only thing that African Americans, Americans have done here and and at large globally is get better, get better at who we are and what we are. You know, don't let the last eight years fool you mm hmm. Because you know, once we ran the world for eight years. Look like they're trying to get us to forget. And that was just one of us.

Yeah, correct, can you imagine?

Yeah, correct, can you imagine?

And there's there's there's a billion. Correct, So.

And there's there's there's a billion. Correct, So.

You know we we we stand firm as anyone else who loves their culture and loves themselves. You know, there's a Korean there's a Korean community that's that's orbiting around the black community. There's a there's an East Indian community that's orbiting around the black community. There's there's an East Indian community that's orbiting around the black community. At Vietnamese community that's orbiting around black communities. There's and uh back in the forties and and and the Industrial Revolution that were Polish families orbiting around Washington, d c. Or orbiting around a majority of Black city. So it's just it's just designed for us to orbit around ourselves.

You know we we we stand firm as anyone else who loves their culture and loves themselves. You know, there's a Korean there's a Korean community that's that's orbiting around the black community. There's a there's an East Indian community that's orbiting around the black community. There's there's an East Indian community that's orbiting around the black community. At Vietnamese community that's orbiting around black communities. There's and uh back in the forties and and and the Industrial Revolution that were Polish families orbiting around Washington, d c. Or orbiting around a majority of Black city. So it's just it's just designed for us to orbit around ourselves.

Get it? Union?

Get it? Union?

Yeah?

Yeah?

Yeah, So Frankie asked something like that. Freakie add something like that, Uh, ain't understand.

Yeah, So Frankie asked something like that. Freakie add something like that, Uh, ain't understand.

Why wait treat you over this?

Why wait treat you over this?

Why things we do?

Why things we do?

Right?

Right?

Yeah?

Yeah?

I do?

I do?

I love you? Don't battle? How would said or done you do?

I love you? Don't battle? How would said or done you do?

The best impression?

The best impression?

You need a whole album of just you singing by yourself because you can sing.

You need a whole album of just you singing by yourself because you can sing.

Do we have miss.

Do we have miss.

That's missing that?

That's missing that?

Because I'm now in the music industry, I just had my my biggest song single. It's called Kids zero. So you go to Apple, you go to Apple Spotify, don't get it. I have another one called I Know featuring Richard Elliott, and also another word called Sweet Reunion featuring Dave Cox any many others coming with was collaborations with artists. Use music Spotify, check it out. And the good thing about that is I started singing first, tell me more be since I was a little kid four, I was seeing entertaining.

Because I'm now in the music industry, I just had my my biggest song single. It's called Kids zero. So you go to Apple, you go to Apple Spotify, don't get it. I have another one called I Know featuring Richard Elliott, and also another word called Sweet Reunion featuring Dave Cox any many others coming with was collaborations with artists. Use music Spotify, check it out. And the good thing about that is I started singing first, tell me more be since I was a little kid four, I was seeing entertaining.

I must have won.

I must have won.

I must have been, you know, fifty five and oh as a kid when the talent show singing undefeated, yeah, undefeated, undefeated, you.

I must have been, you know, fifty five and oh as a kid when the talent show singing undefeated, yeah, undefeated, undefeated, you.

Know yeah, I love it.

Know yeah, I love it.

The last time I.

The last time I.

Lost a talent show was when I decided to sing instead of do comedy, and a friend of mine from DC told me, don't don't sing because everybody do. Your comedy is unique, and I said, man, I'm a singing I lost you.

Lost a talent show was when I decided to sing instead of do comedy, and a friend of mine from DC told me, don't don't sing because everybody do. Your comedy is unique, and I said, man, I'm a singing I lost you.

I never even asked you that we got into all of this. How did you? This is so bad on my part? How did you get started in comedy?

I never even asked you that we got into all of this. How did you? This is so bad on my part? How did you get started in comedy?

I know you moved to LA and I know you had you made friends with some of the grades, and you and up being this amazing show. When your career has spanned and you've had TV shows and you've been in movies, But how did you start in comedy? What was the genesis of that for you?

I know you moved to LA and I know you had you made friends with some of the grades, and you and up being this amazing show. When your career has spanned and you've had TV shows and you've been in movies, But how did you start in comedy? What was the genesis of that for you?

My friend Howard, who grew up with Howard.

My friend Howard, who grew up with Howard.

Okay, hey, Howard, he out there. If he ain't out there, then you can talk to Monique or with Sheila or Cartoon Harvey or Leo Monique. You know, you got a lot of brothers, sisters. But he's the one told me, you know, you stupid, you stupid man. You don't even know you could be in Hollywood right now doing movies and all that, and you happy to be an assistant chef at Ramada in Virginia. He's like, come on, man, you're crazy. So he made me go down to the worst strip club in DC, the Penthouse, and there was a mic available where the guy said he going to net you to the stage. So I went there. I stood there for a while. The guy turned to me and said, all right, you go ahead on. I turned to Howard, I was like, well, what do you want me to say? I said, I don't care what you say, just say something. And from the first thing I said, people laughed, and within a year I was in Hollywood.

Okay, hey, Howard, he out there. If he ain't out there, then you can talk to Monique or with Sheila or Cartoon Harvey or Leo Monique. You know, you got a lot of brothers, sisters. But he's the one told me, you know, you stupid, you stupid man. You don't even know you could be in Hollywood right now doing movies and all that, and you happy to be an assistant chef at Ramada in Virginia. He's like, come on, man, you're crazy. So he made me go down to the worst strip club in DC, the Penthouse, and there was a mic available where the guy said he going to net you to the stage. So I went there. I stood there for a while. The guy turned to me and said, all right, you go ahead on. I turned to Howard, I was like, well, what do you want me to say? I said, I don't care what you say, just say something. And from the first thing I said, people laughed, and within a year I was in Hollywood.

Wow. Now I'm talking to you. It happened.

Wow. Now I'm talking to you. It happened.

Wow wow wow. So wait, you were a chef at the Ramata in Virginia. Howard said, you wasted your time. Let's go to the strip club his open mic. You go, you don't know what to say. First thing you say, they start laughing. And then at that moment it just clicked, like this is what you were going to do for your life.

Wow wow wow. So wait, you were a chef at the Ramata in Virginia. Howard said, you wasted your time. Let's go to the strip club his open mic. You go, you don't know what to say. First thing you say, they start laughing. And then at that moment it just clicked, like this is what you were going to do for your life.

It had been there the whole time. Assistant chef.

It had been there the whole time. Assistant chef.

Okay, I'm sorry, hey guys, sorry, Yeah.

Okay, I'm sorry, hey guys, sorry, Yeah.

But I was qualified because I was working as a prep cook since I was fifteen, So the chef knew me.

But I was qualified because I was working as a prep cook since I was fifteen, So the chef knew me.

So when he got the big job, he took me with him because you know, I knew what to do.

So when he got the big job, he took me with him because you know, I knew what to do.

So wait, tell me more. I'll go back to the chef. The assistant chef gig in a second. So then you do this at the Penthouse. Everyone loves you. Do you just start performing in there every night? Do you start finding local clubs to go up and do open mic? In the neighborhood in the d m V area. What happens next?

So wait, tell me more. I'll go back to the chef. The assistant chef gig in a second. So then you do this at the Penthouse. Everyone loves you. Do you just start performing in there every night? Do you start finding local clubs to go up and do open mic? In the neighborhood in the d m V area. What happens next?

It was a It was an avalanche. It was an avalanche. Remember Mason, Mason Buffy had to join Bybee What's to think about comedy? And I went so so it was like it was like I ended up, uh doing talent shows. I ended up doing concerts, opening concerts, and I just it just started rolling and rolling. As a matter of fact, there was a television show that preceded def Jam and all of them. The first one was here at Howard Universe m hm, oh yeah, oh yeah, yeah, And that was the first. You know, Andy Evans was a brilliant guy who said we should have a TV show just with black comics. That was the first time, and so I came from that since trifty. The first time I went to a comedy club for open night, I mean open mic night, I met Martin and Dave Chappelle. That's how we met. You see, two other small names. They came out of DC two all.

It was a It was an avalanche. It was an avalanche. Remember Mason, Mason Buffy had to join Bybee What's to think about comedy? And I went so so it was like it was like I ended up, uh doing talent shows. I ended up doing concerts, opening concerts, and I just it just started rolling and rolling. As a matter of fact, there was a television show that preceded def Jam and all of them. The first one was here at Howard Universe m hm, oh yeah, oh yeah, yeah, And that was the first. You know, Andy Evans was a brilliant guy who said we should have a TV show just with black comics. That was the first time, and so I came from that since trifty. The first time I went to a comedy club for open night, I mean open mic night, I met Martin and Dave Chappelle. That's how we met. You see, two other small names. They came out of DC two all.

The time, little names. Yeah, I think I've heard of them. I read that you lived in the same neighborhood as Dave.

The time, little names. Yeah, I think I've heard of them. I read that you lived in the same neighborhood as Dave.

Is that true? Or you guys kind of grew up around you one another.

Is that true? Or you guys kind of grew up around you one another.

I lived in Silver Spring on sixtieth in East West Highway. He lived a little further up, so yeah, he lived.

I lived in Silver Spring on sixtieth in East West Highway. He lived a little further up, so yeah, he lived.

He lived.

He lived.

He didn't live in my neighborhood. He lived near it. Okay, So so where he lived, everybody went to play basketball, you know. So he basically isn't from my neighborhood, but you from around the way.

He didn't live in my neighborhood. He lived near it. Okay, So so where he lived, everybody went to play basketball, you know. So he basically isn't from my neighborhood, but you from around the way.

Can you point to one single moment, whether it be a show, a comedy show, a TV show, a movie, something that really defined your career and established you as a comedian, a premier comedian, a part of that that og cast of greats.

Can you point to one single moment, whether it be a show, a comedy show, a TV show, a movie, something that really defined your career and established you as a comedian, a premier comedian, a part of that that og cast of greats.

I think it was the night that I went on in the main room at the Comedy Store, which was the real deal, and I got put on the show with Eddie Murphy and Richard Pryor, and I was thinking I was the host, and then he told me, no, you're on the show with him. You all do it half an hour each and you're You're a sandwich between the two of them for four shows. So amazing, So I turned I turned it out. I turned up, y'all say, turned up?

I think it was the night that I went on in the main room at the Comedy Store, which was the real deal, and I got put on the show with Eddie Murphy and Richard Pryor, and I was thinking I was the host, and then he told me, no, you're on the show with him. You all do it half an hour each and you're You're a sandwich between the two of them for four shows. So amazing, So I turned I turned it out. I turned up, y'all say, turned up?

Right?

Right?

Yeah? Yeah, the kids still say that, how amazing.

Yeah? Yeah, the kids still say that, how amazing.

Listen a look at you.

Listen a look at you.

You can't still say that the main.

You can't still say that the main.

Room you're talking about here in La right, and you were sandwiched between Richard Pryor and Eddie Murphy.

Room you're talking about here in La right, and you were sandwiched between Richard Pryor and Eddie Murphy.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Yeah, I was doing that well in all the other rooms. So it's my turn to get in the big room. And I didn't. I didn't disappoint. I was like, I was like, I looked like Michael Vickan his first season to watch out.

Yeah, I was doing that well in all the other rooms. So it's my turn to get in the big room. And I didn't. I didn't disappoint. I was like, I was like, I looked like Michael Vickan his first season to watch out.

They could catch you. They can't catch you.

They could catch you. They can't catch you.

Uh that's exciting. Yeah. Yeah, it was the best frit of in my life.

Uh that's exciting. Yeah. Yeah, it was the best frit of in my life.

No, I wasn't because I had gone from having two little cars and the job to take in the bus. I ain't never I didn't think you was gonna catch me on the bus for the rest of my life, you know.

No, I wasn't because I had gone from having two little cars and the job to take in the bus. I ain't never I didn't think you was gonna catch me on the bus for the rest of my life, you know.

I usually we used to do laundrying, go get groceries on the bus. Are you crazy?

I usually we used to do laundrying, go get groceries on the bus. Are you crazy?

So so here I am catching the bus, you know, Mexican's with cowboy ats on. Somebody got to fight, got to the front of the Dago bus or whatever. And I'm like at a bus stop. From all that, from being at a bus stop, you know, and and and working at working at Deli's and making ends meet and staying out all night every night doing comedy and I was about to go home because it was just too much. I had a job. I go back to DC do my thing, and then I did that show. I remember my mother sent me a letter in the mail before that show, the week before that show, and it was one of those big legal on the legal yellow legal paper, you know, long ones, and she wrote a little magic marker she left for twenty dollars bills. She said, I know you need that, and don't leave, baby, I love you, yep, yep, yep. And I didn't go, and man, that happened. So I called her and I said, guess what happened? Because Richard Pryor for the show, found me in the little room I was in and he looked up and down like I was a strange animal.