There's no -- I had no idea that the weird spinoff of "the cosby show,"
that I thought I'd make,
you know, couple of g's off of
and then get out to chasing
movie roles would -- turned into
what it turned into
but then still resonate
years later.
But then still resonate years later. You know, 30 years later, people
are still talking about it like
you know, 30 years later, people are still talking about it like I do with my favorite shows,
like,
you know, from when I was a kid.
Like, you know, from when I was a kid. Like, I had no idea it could be
this big, that it would --
like, I had no idea it could be this big, that it would -- that it was even big at the time
because they constantly was
like, "yeah, no."
we never get nominated for emmys
or never
any kind of recognition.
Or never any kind of recognition. So I didn't think people really
cared or --
so I didn't think people really cared or -- you know, until later.
Cared or -- you know, until later. How would we know?
You know, until later. How would we know? It was -- you know,
how would we know? It was -- you know, it was before the technology
it was -- you know, it was before the technology that would let us know.
It was before the technology that would let us know. ♪
♪
-- captions by vitac -- www.Vitac.Com
I grew up in brooklyn, new york, raised by my grandmother, great-grandmother,
mother, and her best friend,
who was kind of like my aunt.
Mother, and her best friend, who was kind of like my aunt. So I was prepped at a early age
on knowing how to understand
so I was prepped at a early age on knowing how to understand and coexist with women.
On knowing how to understand and coexist with women. My grandmother made me
mayonnaise-and-jelly sandwiches
my grandmother made me mayonnaise-and-jelly sandwiches after school every day.
Mayonnaise-and-jelly sandwiches after school every day. I liked that [bleep]
nobody else did.
It was my thing.
Nobody else did. It was my thing. She would make them for me.
Then, after about 10 years
she would make them for me. Then, after about 10 years of brooklyn, my mother
then, after about 10 years of brooklyn, my mother had finally got it settled,
and she was ready to come
have me live with her.
And she was ready to come have me live with her. I call her nana.
Have me live with her. I call her nana. The darker side is,
you know, she was a bit
the darker side is, you know, she was a bit of an alcoholic, so she drank.
You know, she was a bit of an alcoholic, so she drank. And I was the young kid
she sent to the store
and I was the young kid she sent to the store to buy bacardi
and whatever so she could have
her drink and her cigarettes.
And whatever so she could have her drink and her cigarettes. She liked her cigarettes,
which is why I can't.
I don't drink and I don't smoke.
Which is why I can't. I don't drink and I don't smoke. I don't know if it was
hard for her.
It wasn't hard for me
because I made the call.
At least that's what my mother
says.
And something happened.
Says. And something happened. Either somebody was fighting,
and something happened. Either somebody was fighting, somebody -- something --
either somebody was fighting, somebody -- something -- I saw something, I heard
something --
was something -- something.
Something -- was something -- something. But something happened,
and it's just, you know,
but something happened, and it's just, you know, but as a kid, you block certain
[bleep] so that you can't -- so
they can't get to you no more.
And something happened,
and I called my mother, and I
and something happened, and I called my mother, and I said, "okay, I'm ready to go."
and she was like,
"yeah, but next year,
you know, like in the fall,
I'll have the apartment
downtown, and we can --"
and I was like, "no.
Downtown, and we can --" and I was like, "no. Like, come get me now."
yeah. My mother and I didn't
like, come get me now." yeah. My mother and I didn't live together until I was 10.
Yeah. My mother and I didn't live together until I was 10. I had a lot of freedom
with my grandmother.
You know, grandmothers,
they spoil you.
They let you get away
with murder,
they let you get away with murder, and they don't charge you.
With murder, and they don't charge you. My mother was different.
And they don't charge you. My mother was different. She was more like --
my mother was different. She was more like -- she'll charge you
she was more like -- she'll charge you if you get caught.
She'll charge you if you get caught. The beauty of it was,
she was so busy modeling
the beauty of it was, she was so busy modeling and working to
keep us together
that I had more freedom.
Keep us together that I had more freedom. In the time that she left me
to my own devices,
in the time that she left me to my own devices, all I did was play act.
To my own devices, all I did was play act. All I did was -- I had toys,
with everything from action
all I did was -- I had toys, with everything from action figures to comic books
that I would just read in voices
and I would act out scenes
and I would always and I never
had to be embarrassed about it.
And I would always and I never had to be embarrassed about it. That's what the time
and the distance did.
I just got more freedom to --
to be wilder with it.
My mother was like, "what do
you want to do
my mother was like, "what do you want to do when you grow up?"
I had to get her off my back.
When you grow up?" I had to get her off my back. I said, "I want to be
spider-man."
she was like, "okay, and you
want to be spider-man or you
want to draw spider-man?"
"I want to draw spider-man."
she said, "all right."
years later, as soon as we got
together, we started living
together, she remembered.
Together, we started living together, she remembered. She sent me off to the
art students league.
It didn't take long before
I realized
it didn't take long before I realized that I was not going to be
the best artist in the class.
That I was not going to be the best artist in the class. So I said, "I want to --
I want to be spider-man.
How about that?
Make that happen."
how about that? Make that happen." and then she started sending me
make that happen." and then she started sending me to acting school.
And then she started sending me to acting school. Michael ralph, who you all know
from "a different world,"
michael ralph, who you all know from "a different world," he was in the class with me,
and he was the top dog
in the class.
And he was the top dog in the class. Like, when I went to art school,
I knew that there was these kids
like, when I went to art school, I knew that there was these kids that were just the top
of the class.
That were just the top of the class. Mike ralph was the coolest dude
in acting class, and I was just
mike ralph was the coolest dude in acting class, and I was just the little chubby kid
who just kind of looked at him
and marveled at him.
Who just kind of looked at him and marveled at him. Yeah. So, spent a good year
or so doing amas,
yeah. So, spent a good year or so doing amas, eubie blake's children's
theater, and --
and then, I think
I started looking for auditions.
And then, I think I started looking for auditions. I think I might have been 14
or something like that.
13 or 14, and it was time
to start really getting serious.
And moms was like, "okay.
To start really getting serious. And moms was like, "okay. We got to get you some money,
and moms was like, "okay. We got to get you some money, so you're gonna have to get a
we got to get you some money, so you're gonna have to get a little jobby job, and you got to
get some headshots.
Little jobby job, and you got to get some headshots. And I knew she was friends
with a director.
And I'd always ask, "yo,
give me a part, give me a part."
and I'd always ask, "yo, give me a part, give me a part." he's like, "I'm not gonna give
you nothing.
He's like, "I'm not gonna give you nothing. You can come and audition
for a part."
you can come and audition for a part." and that was how
I got my first one,
"the color of friendship."
but I got a call
to come in and read,
and I booked a job.
To come in and read, and I booked a job. I only had one line.
And I booked a job. I only had one line. I was boy number 1.
My father was very proud
because my one line
my father was very proud because my one line was, "what you white boys
doing in my neighborhood?"
♪
my mother is a fighter,
a go-getter,
a revolutionary,
a badass.
A revolutionary, a badass. My father's laid-back.
A badass. My father's laid-back. He's cool.
Doesn't seem like he worries
he's cool. Doesn't seem like he worries about anything.
If you -- if you -- if you don't
talk to him for six months,
if you -- if you -- if you don't talk to him for six months, a year, the next time you talk
to him, it's like you talked
to him yesterday.
To him, it's like you talked to him yesterday. And he was the one that told me.
To him yesterday. And he was the one that told me. He came to visit
and he was the one that told me. He came to visit l.A. Like once or twice,
he came to visit l.A. Like once or twice, and we were standing out there
just waiting to get in the car,
waiting for some people to come
up, and he said, "man,
I don't know how you made it
out of there.
I said, "what do you mean?"
he said, "out of brooklyn,
out of that house."
I said, "what are you talking
about?"
he said, "well, you were raised
by alcoholics."
I got it, but -- but I never
heard it out loud
like that before.
Heard it out loud like that before. For nana, the hardest part
was when she passed because
for nana, the hardest part was when she passed because I'd --
like -- like, her and my
great-grandmother,
they nicknamed me sammy
because they thought I was gonna
be like sammy davis jr.,
who was their guy, you know,
at the time, their generation.
Who was their guy, you know, at the time, their generation. So they never called me
by my name.
They just call me sammy.
By my name. They just call me sammy. But the hardest part for me
they just call me sammy. But the hardest part for me was that she never got to see
but the hardest part for me was that she never got to see "a different world,"
like, where it really
kind of blew up.
Like, where it really kind of blew up. She never got to see it
come -- you know,
she never got to see it come -- you know, to see it all come to fruition.
Come -- you know, to see it all come to fruition. And then it really messed up
how I dealt with death,
and then it really messed up how I dealt with death, I think, to this day.
How I dealt with death, I think, to this day. Because what I couldn't
hear was,
because what I couldn't hear was, "I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry."
like, I didn't -- I couldn't
accept that comforting.
Like, I didn't -- I couldn't accept that comforting. I didn't want to hear it
because, as a kid,
"you didn't know her,
you didn't --
you didn't do what we did.
You didn't -- you didn't do what we did. So back the [bleep] up."
that was my attitude at...17.
I think she died when I was 17.
That was my attitude at...17. I think she died when I was 17. So I really -- it -- it's --
it's -- it's put me in
so I really -- it -- it's -- it's -- it's put me in a really weird spot
when trying to deal with others
when they lose someone.
When trying to deal with others when they lose someone. I get quiet, and I back away.
When they lose someone. I get quiet, and I back away. And then, way later,
maybe I'll come and ask,
and then, way later, maybe I'll come and ask, "how you doing?"
but I won't bring up the loss.
It doesn't --
it takes me right back
it doesn't -- it takes me right back to [bleep] brooklyn
and in that funeral parlor
that was right next
to the [bleep] liquor store
that I had to buy the booze at.
To the [bleep] liquor store that I had to buy the booze at. So I couldn't, uh...
That I had to buy the booze at. So I couldn't, uh... I couldn't make that --
so I couldn't, uh... I couldn't make that -- I can't make that leap.
>> hardison: Fame, to me, was a -- was a bit of a trick bag.
Was a -- was a bit of a trick bag. Like, I was lucky enough to go
and do a guest spot on "cosby"
like, I was lucky enough to go and do a guest spot on "cosby" when it was the hottest thing.
And do a guest spot on "cosby" when it was the hottest thing. And everybody was in love
with lisa bonet.
And I couldn't wait to sit down
and talk to her
and I couldn't wait to sit down and talk to her about this white-hot light
that was on them all the time.
About this white-hot light that was on them all the time. We're sitting at lunch one day,
and not to know that,
we're sitting at lunch one day, and not to know that, years later, we'd end up
on the show together.
Years later, we'd end up on the show together. But I asked her, I said,
"how do you deal with it?"
but I asked her, I said, "how do you deal with it?" she said, "well, I used to go
to the mall and, you know,
hang out with my friends, and
now I don't go to the mall so
much."
so it kind of prepared me
a little bit that, "yeah.
So it kind of prepared me a little bit that, "yeah. Once your anonymity is taken
away, it's something you can't
once your anonymity is taken away, it's something you can't get back."
and so I was really kind of
hoping that however I made it
to wherever
I was planning to go,
that I kept some of that.
♪ >> hardison: With spike, there was no audition.
Spike was the best
and the weirdest casting
spike was the best and the weirdest casting process of all time.
And the weirdest casting process of all time. The first time I'm going to
start working, we do rehearsals,
the first time I'm going to start working, we do rehearsals, we rehearse for about two weeks,
and then the money falls out,
and we never get to do this
project.
And we never get to do this project. Couple years later,
I get a call from spike
couple years later, I get a call from spike before "a different world,"
saying, "kadeem -- spike.
Before "a different world," saying, "kadeem -- spike. 'school daze,' edge.
Saying, "kadeem -- spike. 'school daze,' edge. You down?"
there was no, really, --
you down?" there was no, really, -- there wasn't even a sentence.
There was no, really, -- there wasn't even a sentence. I was like, "yeah!
There wasn't even a sentence. I was like, "yeah! [bleep] yeah, I'm down.
Let's go."
said, "a'ight.
Going down to homecoming."
I don't even know
going down to homecoming." I don't even know what homecoming is.
"okay. I'm down."
so we go, and we do
"school daze."
after I finished "school daze,"
I go to california to visit
some friends.
And while I'm there, lisa bonet
is doing a spinoff
and while I'm there, lisa bonet is doing a spinoff of "the cosby show."
I was like, "oh, snap."
so I wanted to go see her.
I wanted to go visit and
support.
So I get over there, and we
watch a taping of the show,
so I get over there, and we watch a taping of the show, and it was long,
and it wasn't that funny.
And it was long, and it wasn't that funny. So I'm thinking,
"that's not gonna last."
so I'm thinking, "that's not gonna last." and then, a week or so later,
I get a call, saying, "they're
looking for some new characters
for this "cosby" spinoff.
Looking for some new characters for this "cosby" spinoff. And I was like, "I bet they are.
For this "cosby" spinoff. And I was like, "I bet they are. It needs something over there."
and I was like, "I bet they are. It needs something over there." and they was like, "you be
it needs something over there." and they was like, "you be interested?"
and at this point,
having just done "school daze,"
I was on my movie [bleep]
I wanted to be -- I wanted to do
films.
So I wasn't really interested,
but I thought,
so I wasn't really interested, but I thought, "it'll be over soon.
But I thought, "it'll be over soon. It'll probably get canceled."
so I go in, and I get the call
it'll probably get canceled." so I go in, and I get the call to get -- to go to my first
audition, and I go in.
To get -- to go to my first audition, and I go in. Pretty easy. Bang boom.
Audition, and I go in. Pretty easy. Bang boom. And then I got called in
pretty easy. Bang boom. And then I got called in it seemed like
and then I got called in it seemed like for the final time.
It seemed like for the final time. It was a room full of people.
For the final time. It was a room full of people. It had to be maybe 30 people.
And all of a sudden,
it had to be maybe 30 people. And all of a sudden, I got a little nervous, and to
and all of a sudden, I got a little nervous, and to get that off of me,
I decided, on the spot,
to break the ice.
And I said, "how you doing?
To break the ice. And I said, "how you doing? I'm kadeem," and then,
and I said, "how you doing? I'm kadeem," and then, they would say their name.
And then I'd go around
to every person.
And then when I got
to the last person,
and then when I got to the last person, I said their name,
and then I went backwards
saying all the names
that I had just heard.
Saying all the names that I had just heard. And about the halfway point,
you could feel them kind of
and about the halfway point, you could feel them kind of start to go -- [ gasps ] --
"is he gonna make it?
Start to go -- [ gasps ] -- "is he gonna make it? Is he gonna make it?
Oh, my god."
is he gonna make it? Oh, my god." and then I got to the last one,
oh, my god." and then I got to the last one, and I said, "and jason."
and they erupted
and started clapping.
And they erupted and started clapping. And I was like,
"all right, thanks, everybody!"
and I was like, "all right, thanks, everybody!" and I turned to leave,
and they was like,
"no, no, you got to audition!"
I was like, "all right.
Let's do this --
oh, that's the easy part."
let's do this -- oh, that's the easy part." and I did the audition, and they
cracked up, and that was it.
And I did the audition, and they cracked up, and that was it. That's how I got the job.
Cracked up, and that was it. That's how I got the job. That was my last audition,
that's how I got the job. That was my last audition, and that's how I got the job.
Monday morning,
jasmine auditioned.
She does her final audition,
and then we're all
she does her final audition, and then we're all in the table read,
waiting to read the script.
In the table read, waiting to read the script. And then she comes in the door
as whitley.
And I was like --
I know her from "school daze."
and I was like -- I know her from "school daze." I was like, "oh, wow.
This is gonna be good.
This is gonna be good."
this is gonna be good. This is gonna be good." the first season was --
this is gonna be good." the first season was -- you know, I like to say we could
have been white kids from
kansas.
Have been white kids from kansas. It wasn't true to an hbcu
and what's going on there.
We were just kind of, you know,
doing basic stuff,
we were just kind of, you know, doing basic stuff, which was cool as a sitcom,
but it just -- it didn't feel
important.
But it just -- it didn't feel important. There were definite camps.
Important. There were definite camps. There was the writers camp,
there were definite camps. There was the writers camp, and there was the actors camp.
And as actors,
we'd get the script and be like,
and as actors, we'd get the script and be like, "so that's it, huh?
We'd get the script and be like, "so that's it, huh? All right, let's go do it.
Let's go turn water into wine."
all right, let's go do it. Let's go turn water into wine." and from the writers'
let's go turn water into wine." and from the writers' standpoint, it was like,
"come on.
Standpoint, it was like, "come on. Give it something.
Act [bleep]"
give it something. Act [bleep]" so, second season, mr. Cosby
act [bleep]" so, second season, mr. Cosby stepped in and was like,
"yeah, we got to clean house.
Stepped in and was like, "yeah, we got to clean house. Everybody that was there first
season, y'all gotta go."
everybody that was there first season, y'all gotta go." and debbie came in
and started cleaning.
And debbie came in and started cleaning. I think the first thing she did
was she started casting.
She started recasting.
Was she started casting. She started recasting. And one of the casualties
she started recasting. And one of the casualties of it were marisa tomei,
and one of the casualties of it were marisa tomei, who I loved,
and marie-alise recasner.
Who I loved, and marie-alise recasner. Marisa and I, in the first
season, you know, just to stay
marisa and I, in the first season, you know, just to stay alive, we were like,
"why don't we have our
characters get together?
Like, it seems like
nobody sees this guy
like, it seems like nobody sees this guy and nobody sees this girl.
Nobody sees this guy and nobody sees this girl. Why don't they see each other?"
and we took it to the producers,
why don't they see each other?" and we took it to the producers, and they were like,
"no, not gonna do that."
I don't think interracial
was where they were ready to go.
I think maybe
they were intimidated
or, you know, maybe the network
said, "unh-unh, we're not ready.
Or, you know, maybe the network said, "unh-unh, we're not ready. We're not doing that yet."
who knows? It was obvious to us.
It wasn't obvious to them.
Who knows? It was obvious to us. It wasn't obvious to them. So I think debbie was like,
it wasn't obvious to them. So I think debbie was like, "look, if we're not gonna
so I think debbie was like, "look, if we're not gonna explore why this girl, this
white girl, is enrolled in this
hbcu, then what are we doing
with her?
Hbcu, then what are we doing with her? Can we do it?
With her? Can we do it? I'd love to keep her," but when
can we do it? I'd love to keep her," but when they said no, she's like,
"well, then what is she doing
here?
Let me get somebody in here that
can -- I can do something with."
let me get somebody in here that can -- I can do something with." and I think that's where
freddie was born.
And I think that's where freddie was born. And then the hairstyles changed.
Freddie was born. And then the hairstyles changed. The way we were
and then the hairstyles changed. The way we were dressing changed.
Castmates changed.
Dressing changed. Castmates changed. It all started to feel like
castmates changed. It all started to feel like things we were talking about.
They invented the pit,
a place for us to go and eat,
they invented the pit, a place for us to go and eat, where the character of
mr. Gaines was a real person.
Where the character of mr. Gaines was a real person. Yeah, she just gave it --
she gave -- she gave life
yeah, she just gave it -- she gave -- she gave life in these areas that were
dormant.
In these areas that were dormant. I remember the first time
I kind of knew that the audience
was really
watching me was first season,
and it was the
pig-nose episode.
And it was the pig-nose episode. And denise is trying to date
this really pretty boy,
and denise is trying to date this really pretty boy, and he decides
to put the pig nose on
to show solidarity with her.
To put the pig nose on to show solidarity with her. Like, she was freaking out
that he was going to see her
like, she was freaking out that he was going to see her with the pig nose
because she's a slob at the dorm
and yada, yada, yada.
Because she's a slob at the dorm and yada, yada, yada. And so he took it and put it on,
and I improv'd something.
I don't remember what it was,
but the audience cracked up.
So then I started going, "okay.
But the audience cracked up. So then I started going, "okay. So now what I'll do is,
so then I started going, "okay. So now what I'll do is, I'll just start loading
so now what I'll do is, I'll just start loading my chamber with extras
so that when something gets
a little dry, I got something
I could pull from and bust
off a couple of shots, like,
'boom, boom -- they didn't see
this one coming, they didn't see
that one coming.'"
and the writers would always
be happy because it wasn't like
I rewrote the whole scene.
Be happy because it wasn't like I rewrote the whole scene. It's their scene.
The good scenes are there,
it's their scene. The good scenes are there, and I only tried to enhance it
the good scenes are there, and I only tried to enhance it by saying something that
felt more comfortable for me.
By saying something that felt more comfortable for me. The chemistry
wasn't there at first.
I had to learn about chemistry,
and I had to, sadly, learn
about chemistry from jasmine.
And I had to, sadly, learn about chemistry from jasmine. And having
a real live crush on her
and having a real live crush on her just a year before, I was not
trying to be disrespectful
in any way to her,
her relationship,
my relationship, anything.
Her relationship, my relationship, anything. I was extra cautious
when dealing with this new
relationship that was happening.
When dealing with this new relationship that was happening. So jas pulled me over one day,
and she was like, "you know
so jas pulled me over one day, and she was like, "you know about chemistry, right?"
and I was like, "yeah."
because, to me, chemistry is,
if you good, I'm good,
there's gonna be chemistry."
she's like, "yeah, no,
it's not that simple."
she was like,
"no, if we're gonna do this,
then it's got to be real.
So feel free to do anything.
Then it's got to be real. So feel free to do anything. If I'm your girl, you've got
so feel free to do anything. If I'm your girl, you've got to treat me like your girl."
if I'm your girl, you've got to treat me like your girl." and I was like, "okay.
To treat me like your girl." and I was like, "okay. So you want me to go for it."
[ laughs ]
so you want me to go for it." [ laughs ] "okay, I can go for it.
Okay.
As long as we all cool with
okay. As long as we all cool with going for it."
as long as we all cool with going for it." and from then on, it was --
we just flew.
And from then on, it was -- we just flew. Then it was easy.
♪ >> hardison: Cree and I, from the time we met, when she
first got cast,
we became best friends.
First got cast, we became best friends. We share a love of comic books
and motorcycles.
On our free time,
me and cree would be on our
on our free time, me and cree would be on our bikes going to comic stores,
run around l.A.
Bikes going to comic stores, run around l.A. Just being geeks.
Run around l.A. Just being geeks. And then, one night, we went out
just being geeks. And then, one night, we went out to a play or something like
and then, one night, we went out to a play or something like that, and then we started
kissing.
That, and then we started kissing. The next thing you know, she was
telling me she was in love with
the next thing you know, she was telling me she was in love with me, and I panicked.
Telling me she was in love with me, and I panicked. [ laughs ]
'cause I didn't -- I didn't
see it coming.
I didn't see it coming.
See it coming. I didn't see it coming. Like, I knew I loved her,
but I didn't see it getting
like, I knew I loved her, but I didn't see it getting heavy.
But I didn't see it getting heavy. And I was like -- and it seemed
like I waited for an hour.
I couldn't see anything.
Like I waited for an hour. I couldn't see anything. I was just stunned.
And she got out of the car,
and she slammed the door,
and she got out of the car, and she slammed the door, and it was all like a blur,
like I was trapped in a bubble.
And it was all like a blur, like I was trapped in a bubble. I couldn't hear her.
Like I was trapped in a bubble. I couldn't hear her. I could just see her mad as hell
and stomping her feet.
We went back in, and it was
all cool within a week 'cause I
we went back in, and it was all cool within a week 'cause I realized I love her, too.
All cool within a week 'cause I realized I love her, too. So, yeah, it was --
it was such a great,
so, yeah, it was -- it was such a great, perfect family on set.
It was such a great, perfect family on set. Like, jasmine and cree
were like this.
And then I had to pretend to be
in love with jasmine
and then I had to pretend to be in love with jasmine while being in love with cree.
In love with jasmine while being in love with cree. Yeah, the wedding.
While being in love with cree. Yeah, the wedding. I -- you know, it's no secret
yeah, the wedding. I -- you know, it's no secret that I'm -- that I'm probably
the person in america
that wasn't a fan of the wedding
episode.
That wasn't a fan of the wedding episode. I just couldn't see it.
Episode. I just couldn't see it. I just couldn't -- I couldn't --
as an actor,
I was having a hard time
getting to the place
where I could make that leap.
Getting to the place where I could make that leap. Joe morton, playing
byron douglas, came on,
joe morton, playing byron douglas, came on, who was magnetic.
Byron douglas, came on, who was magnetic. You know, he captured all of
the kids and rallied us around
you know, he captured all of the kids and rallied us around and had us -- we was working
for him.
And had us -- we was working for him. We was campaigning for him.
For him. We was campaigning for him. We wanted to see him win.
And then, somehow,
we wanted to see him win. And then, somehow, because I'd had a misstep
and then, somehow, because I'd had a misstep in the relationship,
now dwayne and whitley
were off the table,
and she naturally found home
with someone who was -- who
might actually have been
perfect for her.
Might actually have been perfect for her. This dude was providing
her ideal life -- could provide
this dude was providing her ideal life -- could provide her ideal life.
Her ideal life -- could provide her ideal life. I don't have a problem with
whitley and dwayne ending up
together, but how they ended up
together just didn't feel
as, um -- as authentic
as some of the stuff
we were doing.
As some of the stuff we were doing. It felt like it just
rang false in my ear.
Just like, "I'm gonna do what?"
you had your shot, bro,
just like, "I'm gonna do what?" you had your shot, bro, and you gave it up.
You had your shot, bro, and you gave it up. Now -- and this is what I
pitched.
I'd go to her the night before,
which, yeah, that's a snake in
the grass.
Which, yeah, that's a snake in the grass. But if I'm taking my last shot,
I'm not trying to embarrass you,
but if I'm taking my last shot, I'm not trying to embarrass you, and your mom was here, and your
brother's here and your cousins
and all your people, you done
paid for all this [bleep]
it was like, "yo, something
about this is making me extra
nervous.
About this is making me extra nervous. Like, I don't feel this.
Nervous. Like, I don't feel this. Like, how about if..."
like, I don't feel this. Like, how about if..." and they loved the idea,
like, how about if..." and they loved the idea, and they wrote it into the show
so that, the night before,
dwayne shows up at her crib
and is like --
you know, they have a really
great conversation,
a really kind of
a deep conversation
about each other to each other.
A deep conversation about each other to each other. And debbie was like,
"but you're still gonna have --"
and debbie was like, "but you're still gonna have --" [ laughs ]
and she was like, "but you're
still gonna have to do it,
honey.
Still gonna have to do it, honey. They gave you -- they gave you
a scene.
You see that?
A scene. You see that? They gave you a scene.
You asked for this scene.
They gave you a scene.
Now you still -- turn the page.
Turn the page.
You still got to do this part."
turn the page. You still got to do this part." let's talk about the mess-up.
See?
Let's talk about the mess-up. See? 'cause whitley was putting --
see? 'cause whitley was putting -- [ laughs ] -- an immense amount
of pressure on old boy
about this wedding.
Of pressure on old boy about this wedding. So he meets a math nerd,
he goes out to dinner with her,
so he meets a math nerd, he goes out to dinner with her, he touches her hand.
He goes out to dinner with her, he touches her hand. So debbie comes on, and she
plays this teacher who dwayne
so debbie comes on, and she plays this teacher who dwayne has a -- an emotional attachment
to only because --
and they set you up.
To only because -- and they set you up. Whitley is with me at this event
for these math nerds,
whitley is with me at this event for these math nerds, and she don't want to be there.
For these math nerds, and she don't want to be there. See, her [bleep] I go to,
and I try to be there.
Next thing you know,
I'm flipping barbecue sauce,
next thing you know, I'm flipping barbecue sauce, and I'm so nervous
and out of sorts.
And I'm so nervous and out of sorts. Then I form an instant
connection with somebody who's a
then I form an instant connection with somebody who's a little bit like the opposite of
whitley.
Little bit like the opposite of whitley. I spill barbecue sauce
all over her dress,
and I think I touched her hand
in the show, in the episode,
and that sent people into,
like, "oooh!"
and that was another one of
those episodes where I was like,
"nothing's going on, really.
Those episodes where I was like, "nothing's going on, really. Like..."
but we have to, you know --
like..." but we have to, you know -- the arc is, we have to break you
up so we can get you back
together."
that's your job is to get there.
Together." that's your job is to get there. And if you can't do that job,
then you really
and if you can't do that job, then you really shouldn't have it.
Then you really shouldn't have it. So I took pride in,
"okay, even though
so I took pride in, "okay, even though kadeem doesn't agree
with this 100%,
somehow dwayne has to."
and one of the things I did,
when I'm walking towards her,
saying my vows,
there's a guy on my left arm
who's gonna grab me
and try to stop me.
Who's gonna grab me and try to stop me. And I told him, I said,
"when you go to grab me,
and I told him, I said, "when you go to grab me, I want you to make it strong
so that I can't get away."
I was setting him up, really,
because I just gave him
a swim move,
which in football it's like as
soon as he started to come, and
it just made him look awkward.
Soon as he started to come, and it just made him look awkward. So, yeah.
It just made him look awkward. So, yeah. So I had to really kind of,
so, yeah. So I had to really kind of, you know, play little tricks
so I had to really kind of, you know, play little tricks just to keep me going.
You know, play little tricks just to keep me going. It wasn't long,
but we did make it -- for me --
it wasn't long, but we did make it -- for me -- a leap where we -- we just
kind of left reality behind for
this fantasy.
Kind of left reality behind for this fantasy. It had to be done because
everybody else loved it.
But I was the one that was kind
of fighting it the whole time.
When he came to set,
it was easy.
You know, as a director,
you kind of say, "okay.
Let's try rehearsal, and
action."
let's try rehearsal, and action." and then you go, "cut.
Action." and then you go, "cut. That was perfect.
And then you go, "cut. That was perfect. Let's -- let's do it again
that was perfect. Let's -- let's do it again for safety, to make sure
let's -- let's do it again for safety, to make sure we get all the steps.
For safety, to make sure we get all the steps. You know what I mean?
We get all the steps. You know what I mean? Blocking, you come over here."
you know what I mean? Blocking, you come over here." there was nothing to tell him.
There was nothing to him.
There was nothing to tell him. There was nothing to him. Him and jada were seamless.
You know what I mean?
They worked perfectly together.
The only -- the only challenge
they worked perfectly together. The only -- the only challenge was pulling him off of bumper
the only -- the only challenge was pulling him off of bumper when they were rehearsing
the fight.
When they were rehearsing the fight. Like, he was in it.
The fight. Like, he was in it. Like, he was --
like, he was in it. Like, he was -- I was like, "cut, cut, cut!
Cut! Cut!
Save it.
Save it for --
save it. Save it for -- save it for the audience."
save it for -- save it for the audience." but that was it.
Save it for the audience." but that was it. Like, you know, he still
was a --
like, you know, he still was a -- you know, he was a good rapper,
really good rapper,
but he was a master actor.
Really good rapper, but he was a master actor. I thought -- I just thought
that we didn't even get
to scratch the surface
of what he could have been
as an actor.
Of what he could have been as an actor. Yeah, if I had to have
one favorite episode,
yeah, if I had to have one favorite episode, it would be the n-word episode.
One favorite episode, it would be the n-word episode. It was -- it was a chance to
act.
It was a chance to be real.
Act. It was a chance to be real. Like, they let me dress myself.
Like, that's the only ti--
like, they let me dress myself. Like, that's the only ti-- like, usually, I controlled the
like, that's the only ti-- like, usually, I controlled the sneakers that I wore,
and that was it.
Sneakers that I wore, and that was it. And for this episode,
I was like, "yo, can I wear --
and for this episode, I was like, "yo, can I wear -- you mind if I wear my jacket and
my hood?"
because I knew my hood had a
point to it.
Because I knew my hood had a point to it. I had a black hood that
had a point to it, and I wanted
to make that statement
for that particular joint.
To make that statement for that particular joint. Yeah, it was -- it was a chance
to be a little bit of a bad guy.
You know what I mean?
To be a little bit of a bad guy. You know what I mean? Like...
And to say some stuff
like... And to say some stuff that needed to be said.
I improv'd one word
in that whole episode.
And it was "duke," because that
was a shout-out to brooklyn,
and it was "duke," because that was a shout-out to brooklyn, 'cause we would always
call dudes "duke."
and then it was a shout-out
to david duke, who was the head
of the kkk, or had been.
To david duke, who was the head of the kkk, or had been. So I wanted to -- I wanted to
throw that kind of
so I wanted to -- I wanted to throw that kind of double entendre in there.
Throw that kind of double entendre in there. So he said -- you know, I said,
"my grandfather was born here,
so he said -- you know, I said, "my grandfather was born here, duke.
And you people still look at me
as just another [bleep]."
and you people still look at me as just another [bleep]." "duke" was the only thing
I added in that whole episode.
It just felt necessary.
And nobody said anything
it just felt necessary. And nobody said anything about it.
Nobody was like,
"ooh, I got that," or, "don't do
nobody was like, "ooh, I got that," or, "don't do that," or -- nothing.
It was like, "yeah, good take."
>> hardison: "vampire in brooklyn's" story. Me and eddie are at the table
read.
And, um --
and we're friends, so we're --
and, um -- and we're friends, so we're -- we got lots of inside jokes.
And we're friends, so we're -- we got lots of inside jokes. And I said to him,
"wouldn't it be funny
and I said to him, "wouldn't it be funny if, at the end, when everything
went back to normal,
I stayed in this ghoul state,
stuck?"
and he laughed, and I laughed,
and they went with it.
And he laughed, and I laughed, and they went with it. And then they saw it,
and then they was like,
and then they saw it, and then they was like, "that's not working."
six months later, they called me
up and was like, "yeah, we got
to reshoot that whole ending.
Up and was like, "yeah, we got to reshoot that whole ending. That's not working.
To reshoot that whole ending. That's not working. And he didn't have to go to
that's not working. And he didn't have to go to work.
[ laughs ]
it was just me.
Me and spoon got in the limo,
and da da da da, and...
Yeah, it was a great reshoot
and a fun way to end the movie,
yeah, it was a great reshoot and a fun way to end the movie, but we just thought, "yeah,
just the darker ending was like,
yeah, you feel sorry for this
one dude here who has to
walk around with his ear
and his skin falling off
for the rest of his life."
I went back to new york.
For the rest of his life." I went back to new york. It was a rough time, actually.
Like, I was having
it was a rough time, actually. Like, I was having a hard time getting arrested.
Like, I couldn't book a job
for nothing.
And I packed up the house
and moved back to new york,
and I packed up the house and moved back to new york, back to my room on 20th street
with moms.
Back to my room on 20th street with moms. And then got this opportunity to
do this disney show and was
and then got this opportunity to do this disney show and was like -- yeah, I wasn't really
into it.
Like -- yeah, I wasn't really into it. I was pretty much hemmed in
to being a good guy.
I've always wanted to be
a bad guy.
I knew that disney
wasn't the place, so when
that opportunity came up,
I was kind of like, "eh..."
and while I'm in new york,
visiting my brothers and nieces
and nephews, they were like,
"so what are you gonna do next?
And nephews, they were like, "so what are you gonna do next? What are you gonna do next,
uncle?
I was like, "they're kind of
after me about doing this show
with this girl, 'zendaiya,'
or something," and they were
like, "zendaya?"
and I was like, "yeah.
Like, "zendaya?" and I was like, "yeah. I think that's her name."
and they was like,
"this girl is incredible.
And they was like, "this girl is incredible. You have to do it."
everybody from like my
you have to do it." everybody from like my 7-year-old niece to my
30-year-old sister, they all
were like, "stop. Do that."
and I was like, "yeah, but --
yeah, but it's on a disney
channel."
they was like,
"do that. She's amazing.
They was like, "do that. She's amazing. You'll thank us later."
and that was what kind of
you'll thank us later." and that was what kind of made me go back to california
and be like, "all right.
Made me go back to california and be like, "all right. Let's, uh -- let's see maybe
what this could be."
let's, uh -- let's see maybe what this could be." and then we met in the --
in the final audition.
And then we met in the -- in the final audition. And after we read, I was like,
"okay, this is a show.
This is -- this is easily --"
and it was the actual people
this is -- this is easily --" and it was the actual people who got cast -- like, this group
right here -- me, tammy, kamil,
and z -- that's a family.
Right here -- me, tammy, kamil, and z -- that's a family. I buy that."
so, yeah.
And then she became
my jasmine 2.0 without the,
and then she became my jasmine 2.0 without the, you know, "I got a crush on you"
thing.
You know, "I got a crush on you" thing. Everything that happened
30 years ago, I was standing in
everything that happened 30 years ago, I was standing in front of again, but she was
more -- whereas jasmine might
have been more like my mom in
her, you know, revolutionary,
badass aggressiveness,
z was more like me and my dad.
Badass aggressiveness, z was more like me and my dad. And so we connected.
Z was more like me and my dad. And so we connected. Like, all she wanted to do
and so we connected. Like, all she wanted to do was find a spot to chill.
And I was like, "wow."
so -- so we connected.
We hit it off instantly.
So -- so we connected. We hit it off instantly. All of us -- like, tammy,
we hit it off instantly. All of us -- like, tammy, kamil, z, we felt like a family.
Like -- and the kids.
Kamil, z, we felt like a family. Like -- and the kids. Tammy had her room.
I had my room.
The kids had their room.
But then their room
the kids had their room. But then their room became my room.
So we all hung out in my room
and played video games and
so we all hung out in my room and played video games and watched netflix and just hung.
>> hardison: Right across the street from the beverly center, there was a record store.
Street from the beverly center, there was a record store. And I went in there one night
after a clipper game
and I went in there one night after a clipper game or something like that.
After a clipper game or something like that. And I saw her picture
on an album cover, and I was
and I saw her picture on an album cover, and I was like, "wow!
On an album cover, and I was like, "wow! Who the hell is that?"
and I turned around, and it
who the hell is that?" and I turned around, and it said, silas music group.
And I turned around, and it said, silas music group. And I sit next to little silas
at the clipper games
and I sit next to little silas at the clipper games twice a week.
At the clipper games twice a week. So I buy this album,
I listen to it -- "oh, my gosh.
She's dope."
so the next clipper game,
she's dope." so the next clipper game, I was like, hey, bro."
[ laughs ] -- "hey, this right
here, yo, you gotta --
you gotta hook me up.
Here, yo, you gotta -- you gotta hook me up. I want to meet her."
he was like, "I can't do that."
couple of weeks after I asked
him, they asked me to present
at image awards
or some -- some award show.
At image awards or some -- some award show. When they asked me, I was like,
"man, I'm not so, uh --"
when they asked me, I was like, "man, I'm not so, uh --" and they was like, "yeah, you'll
be presenting with
chanté moore," and I was like,
"what? Yes.
Chanté moore," and I was like, "what? Yes. I'm in."
I remember I had a sports car at
the time.
I was probably, you know, 40,
50 minutes late
for the joint,
and it was raining.
For the joint, and it was raining. And I pull up in the car,
and she's walking down
and I pull up in the car, and she's walking down the stairs to leave
because I missed a rehearsal,
and I was like, "hey, hey!"
and I jumped out of the car.
And I was like, "hey, hey!" and I jumped out of the car. Don't even close the doors.
And I jumped out of the car. Don't even close the doors. Standing in the pouring rain
don't even close the doors. Standing in the pouring rain like, "yo, yo, please, let's go
standing in the pouring rain like, "yo, yo, please, let's go back, let's go back!
Like, "yo, yo, please, let's go back, let's go back! We got to rehearse.
Back, let's go back! We got to rehearse. We got to rehearse 'cause I
we got to rehearse. We got to rehearse 'cause I won't know what to do."
we got to rehearse 'cause I won't know what to do." and she was like, "it's fine.
Won't know what to do." and she was like, "it's fine. I'm gonna stand here, you stand
here.
We're gonna walk to this,"
and I was like, "yeah, but I got
we're gonna walk to this," and I was like, "yeah, but I got to do it with you.
And I was like, "yeah, but I got to do it with you. I gotta see what it's like.
To do it with you. I gotta see what it's like. I won't be able to do it.
Like, please come back."
and she thought, "okay.
He's kind of cute."
I left my car in the street,
he's kind of cute." I left my car in the street, went back and rehearsed it with
her.
Went back and rehearsed it with her. When we did it, you know,
I got up, my moms was in town.
[ laughing ]
and -- and after we presented,
you know, I took her by the hand
and led her off the stage,
and I didn't let go of her hand,
like, the whole night.
And I didn't let go of her hand, like, the whole night. And I just held her like,
"mnh-mnh. Mnh-mnh."
and I just held her like, "mnh-mnh. Mnh-mnh." it was just like one of those,
you know, perfect nights
of -- of a guy
trying to chase a girl.
Of -- of a guy trying to chase a girl. ♪
growing up how I did, the one
thing I knew was that I wanted
to be in the house
with my kid all the time.
To be in the house with my kid all the time. I kind of knew from my mother
and my father
and from the people around me
that I grew up with,
I wasn't the marrying kind.
That I grew up with, I wasn't the marrying kind. I just knew that all my friends
who got married got divorced,
and they didn't talk anymore.
Who got married got divorced, and they didn't talk anymore. And I was like, "well, okay.
And they didn't talk anymore. And I was like, "well, okay. So I'm not gonna get married
and I was like, "well, okay. So I'm not gonna get married because then I will have to get
so I'm not gonna get married because then I will have to get divorced, and we can still
always be cool."
so, yeah.
Always be cool." so, yeah. So I wanted to make sure sophia
was -- always had me present
so I wanted to make sure sophia was -- always had me present because I didn't have my father
always present.
Because I didn't have my father always present. And I don't know how much
I missed out on, you know,
and I don't know how much I missed out on, you know, I mean, like I turned out
a'ight, so I'm kind of not
blaming nobody for nothing,
but I was like, "this is what
I would do different."
and I'm always gonna push her
towards anything.
And I'm always gonna push her towards anything. I'm gonna tell her from the time
she can understand english,
figure out what you love,
and turn that into your
profession or your job,
and you'll never feel like
you're working.
And you'll never feel like you're working. ♪
so, yeah.
So chanté and I, we got to a
point where it was like,
so chanté and I, we got to a point where it was like, "this is -- you know, it's not
working, so..."
and that was hard for me
because now that meant sophia
was gonna have two houses.
Because now that meant sophia was gonna have two houses. And the one thing I wanted
for sure was that, you know,
and the one thing I wanted for sure was that, you know, she'd always be with me
or have me.
She'd always be with me or have me. But me and chanté is so good
that we share, like, willingly.
And one thing my father told me
was, "whatever happens,
and one thing my father told me was, "whatever happens, be the bigger man.
Was, "whatever happens, be the bigger man. Be the nice guy.
Be the bigger man. Be the nice guy. Don't let your daughter hear you
be the nice guy. Don't let your daughter hear you talk about her mother bad."
don't let your daughter hear you talk about her mother bad." you know, "if she got something
bad to say, say, 'oh, really?
You know, "if she got something bad to say, say, 'oh, really? Really? Tell me more.'
if she doesn't understand
really? Tell me more.' if she doesn't understand something, let her vent to you,
but don't you chime in with,
'yeah, she made me so mad.
But don't you chime in with, 'yeah, she made me so mad. Yo, I hate her, but --'"
no. And him knowing me
yo, I hate her, but --'" no. And him knowing me the way he does,
I knew that that would be easy.
The way he does, I knew that that would be easy. You know what I mean?
That wouldn't be a chore at all.
That wouldn't be a job.
I was like, "oh, that's
that wouldn't be a job. I was like, "oh, that's a nice one right there.
I can easily do that."
so yeah, once it was --
you know, once we we parted,
my big fear was that, you know,
she wouldn't have me around
to -- all of that.
She wouldn't have me around to -- all of that. But you realize that whatever is
of the moment is what kids do.
They are in the moment.
Of the moment is what kids do. They are in the moment. So it's not like, "oh,
they are in the moment. So it's not like, "oh, I wish I was over here.
I wish this or I wish that."
this is your life,
and it's not like you've had
another life to compare it to.
And it's not like you've had another life to compare it to. So it took me a minute
to kind of come to grips
so it took me a minute to kind of come to grips with, "it's gonna be
what it's gonna be,
and she's gonna be all right
because she got two people
that support her and
and go to bat for her."
>> biggest influence
for the culture, black men --
fresh prince or dwayne wayne?
It's an argument people are having. >> hardison: [ laughing ] that's
not an argument.
That's not an argument.
Not an argument. That's not an argument. Stop joking.
>> no, it's real.
>> hardison: As a -- as an
influence on men,
it's not even close.
Influence on men, it's not even close. Like, dwayne wayne was much more
of a rounded character.
He started out at the bottom,
as a geeky freshman,
he started out at the bottom, as a geeky freshman, chasing anybody that --
that he saw.
Chasing anybody that -- that he saw. And then he rounded into
this dude who was a teacher,
and then he rounded into this dude who was a teacher, was a husband,
eventually gonna be a father.
Was a husband, eventually gonna be a father. Like, I don't think that
fresh prince really did that.
Like, he had moments -- or the
moment, which was his dad.
Like, "why don't he --
why don't he want me?"
like, "why don't he -- why don't he want me?" that was the moment
that we really got to see
some depth in the character.
That we really got to see some depth in the character. But other than that, it was --
it was -- you know,
but other than that, it was -- it was -- you know, he was about some good times
and some jokes,
which was perfect because we had
the other with the balance.
Which was perfect because we had the other with the balance. We had the balance of dwayne.
The other with the balance. We had the balance of dwayne. Yeah. You got to be joking.
[ laughing ]
♪ >> hardison: My most career-defining moment.
It's hard to sat anything
other than "a different world"
it's hard to sat anything other than "a different world" because of...
Other than "a different world" because of... That's the one people
are still talking about.
You know, in 1990 -- 1990, maybe
I was tired of people saying,
you know, in 1990 -- 1990, maybe I was tired of people saying, "hey, dwayne, dwayne!"
I was like, "yo, my name is
kadeem, and I'm an actor.
You have to call me by my --"
no. You know, you go through
you have to call me by my --" no. You know, you go through that struggle.
No. You know, you go through that struggle. But in terms of acting, uh...
That struggle. But in terms of acting, uh... Yeah, you know, I don't think
but in terms of acting, uh... Yeah, you know, I don't think I've done my best yet.
Yeah, I always want
to try something different.
Like, before "rush hour,"
we were able to do "drive,"
like, before "rush hour," we were able to do "drive," which then inspired "rush hour."
and they just got jackie chan
and chris tucker,
which were, you know, the names
that you can -- the biggest
names you could get at the time
to do kind of what we did
a couple of years before.
To do kind of what we did a couple of years before. I like that whole
jackie robinson, you know,
get out there, swing, baby,
fall on your face,
get up and try again
and keep swinging to you're
there.
And keep swinging to you're there. [ camera shutter clicks ]
I'm perfectly happy being less
famous, more comfortable,
and working consistently
than being more famous,
more sought after, and,
you know, maybe a little richer.
More sought after, and, you know, maybe a little richer. But...
You know, maybe a little richer. But... I like being able to pick
but... I like being able to pick the stuff I want to do
because I want to do it.
The stuff I want to do because I want to do it. Michael jordan, his contract,
he had put in a "love of the
michael jordan, his contract, he had put in a "love of the game" clause,
which meant any playground,
any gym, anywhere he wanted to
stop and play basketball,
he could play basketball.
Stop and play basketball, he could play basketball. When I heard that,
when I learned that,
when I heard that, when I learned that, I was impressed that
he would risk it.
But, yeah, I love that "love
of the game" clause.
So when I get something,
if I like it,
if I like enough of it,
I want to do it regardless
if it's the best part or the --
the most lines or the most
likable or the most despicable.
If I want to be involved in the
whole thing 'cause I think it's
a good piece, I want to be
involved in the whole piece.
If they don't have all the money
or they have half, whatever.
Just I want to be able to do
what I want to do
when I want to do it.