By RODNEY HO/ rho@ajc.com, originally filed Saturday, October 3, 2015
Last month, Rev. Al Sharpton taped his annual Triumph Awards in downtown Atlanta last month and it's airing tonight on TV One featuring Tichina Arnold as host and honorees such as local civil rights legend Rev. Joseph Lowery, actor and singer Tyrese, comic Wanda Sykes and singer John Legend.
T.I. did a spoken word poem "United We Stand" you can watch here.
I spoke with Arnold the day before the awards show was taped last month as she was in prep mode. We spent quite a bit of time discussing her Atlanta-based Starz show "Survivor's Remorse," where she plays the protective mother to the star basketball player. Here are some highlights:
Q: I was on the set of "Survivor's Remorse" during the episode where you are prepping to sing 'The National Anthem' and it's godawful. Is it harder to sing badly than well?
Arnold: On 'Everybody Hates Chris,' I had a 'Dreamgirls' episode. I was excited. I got to sing! But Rochelle couldn't sing. It's a lot funnier when you can't sing. But it's hard to sing off key on demand. [She begins to sing on key but in an exaggerated manner] 'And I'm telling you, I'm not going!" I did this whole physical thing.
Q: I just saw the episode where your character [Cassie on 'Survivor's Remorse'] wants vaginal rejuvenation. How did that go for you?
Arnold: I had told the writers to take Cassie where you need her to go. So I definitely didn't come up with that idea! I don't normally watch myself but I was live tweeting that night. I was looking at Jessie's face when we were talking about it [Jessie T. Usher plays her son.] When you're in it, you're not necessarily paying attention but wow. He looked uncomfortable - which was the point. This was the first time you got to see us interact that way.
Q: Are you happy with season two?
Arnold: I gotta say it's a good one. And you have to credit the cast and the crew. Nobody talks about the crew. It takes a whole group of people to make the magic. Not just actors and producers and directors. It's the grip guy and camera guy and DP. We enjoy what we do. We enjoy watching it come alive. The writers are amazing. We bring the scripts to life as actors.
Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
Q: What's it been like working with Mike Epps?
Arnold: He's brilliant. He has a natural sensibility and brilliance nobody I've seen before. Part of why he's successful is he comes to life on camera. I don't know. It's just a gift.
Q: What's he like off camera?
Arnold: Off camera, he's a nutbag. Mike is unpredictable, a sweet guy. That was one of the deciding factors to be excited about taking the role of Cassie. The fact I get to work with a comedic great.
Q: Martin Lawrence is coming into town soon. [He was at the Fox Theatre October 1 and 2.] Would you like him to make an appearance on "Survivor's Remorse"?
Arnold: I'm going to try to get him to . [A season three has already been cleared.] Not on "Survivor's Remorse' But on the Triumph Awards. That would be awesome. I'd love for him to make a quick cameo. [That did not happen.] To be able to work with Chris Rock, Mike Epps, Martin Lawrence. I like learning new things. I like to experience new things. I've been doing this since I was three. I've been a professional since I was 11. That's 30 years.
Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
Q: You've already been renewed for a third season. Congratulations!
Arnold: We love that. We're not mad at it. I'd love to go 10 seasons. The only downside is we don't do 22 episodes. On the other hand, we don't get burnt out as fast. You get time to do other things, get a breath of fresh air.
Q: Are you enjoying the big mansion season two?
Arnold: We do! The house is great. That condo [from season one] drove me crazy. Shooting wise, it wasn't enough space. But I was on 'Everybody Hates Chris.' That was tiny! It was rough! I spent a lot of time sleeping on the equipment. The crew would take pictures. That was the first time I played a mother. It was one of the reasons I could play Cassie now. This time, I'm the matriarch. I'm the oldest person on the cast. I'm 46. I've got notches in my belt.
Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
Q: Do you miss the live audiences when you taped "Martin"?
Arnold: I do. It's nothing better than hearing real laughter. On our show, it all depends on the crew. If the crew's laughing, that's great. If they aren't anymore, that means you've done it too many times!
Q: The show runner Mike O'Malley ["Yes, Dear," "Glee"] is an actor, too. Does that make a difference?
Arnold: He's very open, very honest. I think he's one of the best executive producers, a really good guy. He makes you feel comfortable. I have a habit of not remember people's names. Mike O'Malley every day will call a different cast member out and have them introduce themselves and we ask questions. This is a good way to get to know everybody.
Q: Are you looking forward to hosting this awards show on TV One?
Arnold: Yes! We just did some promos for the show. I like to keep a grassroots feel to whatever I'm doing. I like people to believe in what I'm doing. I've never hosted a show by myself. I have a lot of angst. I'm excited about what's going to happen. I'm looking forward to being in front of a live audience again. I love that the Triumph Awards are about recognizing philanthropic work and quite a few unsung heroes and a few you may know.
Q: Have you worked with any of the winners?
Arnold: I played Tyrese's wife in "The Transformers." Then Michael Bay cut my scene. It was a very poignant scene you won't ever see!
Q: Do you have any past connections with Atlanta?
Arnold: I used to have a house in Atlanta years and years ago when Atlanta was growing. The "Martin" days.
Q: Did you make any money?
Arnold: No. I got out too early. I was too young. I was a kid. I always tell people you're in your 20s, you can make mistakes. You got room. Once you hit your 30s, it's a wrap. I began investing better with "Everybody Hates Chris."
Q: The cool thing is a new generation is now watching repeats of "Martin."
Arnold: I keep waiting for people to get tired of it but it hasn't happened. People still call me Pam. It's totally fine with me. Shows me I did my job right.
Q: "Survivor's Remorse" is paired with "Blunt Talk." What do you think of Patrick Stewart?
Arnold: I love Patrick Stewart. I love the fact it's almost an "Entourage" for older people. He's just a great actor. It's good to see him play a different role in a different light.
Q: At this stage in your life, what have you really learned most about yourself?
Arnold: It's not about me anymore. That's the joy and pain of motherhood. I try to live my life not only to be an example to my daughter but other young people. I have made it through obstacles that could have broken me. But I was determined to make myself stronger. It's based on what choices I make, my frame of mind, the company I keep. I'm really happy what my parents instilled in me. It's nice to be important but it's more important to be nice. I am really learning how true that statement is. Treat everyone nicely. I knew someone that used to deliver scripts who is now an executive producer. You never know!
Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
TV PREVIEW
"The Triumph Awards," 8 p.m., Saturday, October 3, TV One
"Survivor's Remorse," 9 p.m. Saturdays, Starz
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