Rickey Smiley and comedian-writer Rita Brent get real about what happens before the laugh—why nerves never fully go away, the brutal pressure of following Darnell Rollins on the Martin Lawrence tour in Atlanta, and the very unglamorous ways anxiety shows up minutes before hitting the stage. 

Listen to the full interview on

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Learn more about the podcast: https://www.urban1podcasts.com/rickey-smiley-on-the-spot

From playing basketball and getting into trouble during Sunday service to performing her very first 5-minute set for $25 with her mom in the front row, Rita breaks down her journey in comedy. Plus, Rickey and Rita discuss church etiquette, wild funeral requests, comedy grind stories in the hood, and how giving Cedric the Entertainer a few punch-up notes led to writing for the Emmys and Grammys!

CHAPTERS
0:00 – School days, basketball, and being the class instigator
1:45 – Getting in trouble at church & the age limit on praise dancing
4:10 – Extravagant funerals and wild final wishes
5:36 – How Rita’s mom shaped her love for music and drums
6:42 – The pivotal moment Rita decided to pursue comedy
7:43 – Touring and learning comedy chops with Rickey Smiley
8:25 – Meeting Cedric The Entertainer & writing for major award shows
10:00 – Earning stripes performing in tough comedy clubs