Comedian, writer, musician and radio personality Rita Brent sits down with Rickey Smiley for a conversation filled with laughs, honesty and a few stories only these two could tell.

Rita opens up about growing up in Mississippi, her journey from Army musician to stand-up comedian, coming out and navigating her relationship with the church. She also talks about learning from Rickey Smiley and Cedric the Entertainer, writing for major award shows and turning rejection from opportunities like Saturday Night Live and Netflix into motivation to create her own late-night show.

From cancel culture and the state of comedy to divorce, faith, HBCU pride and betting on yourself, Rita proves there’s a lot more behind the laughs.

CHAPTERS
(00:00) - Welcome to Rickey Smiley On The Spot
(02:34) - Raised by Three Generations of Women in "Jacktown" (Jackson, MS)
(04:51) - Music & Serving in the Army Band
(06:33) - From Basketball "Sharpshooter" to Class Laugher
(08:40) - Church Antics & The "Jesus Calling" Prank
(13:13) - Getting Started in Stand-up
(14:58) - Learning from Cedric the Entertainer
(17:37) - Coming Out On Stage
(24:21) - Jackson State University & The Sonic Boom of the South
(28:33) - Pledging Delta Sigma Theta
(31:10) - Rickey and Rita's First Meeting
(33:55) - The Magic of "Fix It Jesus"
(35:32) - Cancel Culture & Policing Comedy
(37:24) - Mental Health & Finding Grace in the Industry
(39:31) - Late Night with Rita Brent: Choosing Yourself
(44:50) - Lightning Round