Let’s Talk About CBS’s ‘The Neighborhood,’ a Comedy About Race and Gentrification (Podcast)
The series starring Cedric the Entertainer and Max Greenfield airs its third episode tonight
Tim Molloy | October 15, 2018 @ 4:14 PM
Last Updated: October 15, 2018 @ 6:00 PM
CBS’s “The Neighborhood” is a lot more ambitious than your typical laugh-track sitcom: The story of a white family moving into a black L.A. neighborhood addresses racism head-on in its very first episode.
We talk about it at length in the “Low Key” podcast, in which we look at subtle messages in pop culture, often through a racial lens. You can listen on Apple or right here:
Co-hosts Aaron Lanton, Keith Dennie and I have some thoughts on the elements that need improvement on the show, which stars Cedric the Entertainer, Tichina Arnold, Max Greenfield and Beth Behrs. We also see signs that the episode is making big strides in its second episode, which centers around a flooded basement — and lots of wigs.
The third episode of the show, created by Jim Reynolds, airs tonight. On the show, Greenfield and Behrs play a young white couple who move with their young son into a historically black African-American neighborhood, where they find that Cedric the Entertainer’s character isn’t pleased to meet them. His wife, played by Arnold, is far more welcoming, as are their sons, Malcolm (Sheaun McKinney) and Marty (Marcel Spears).
The comedy centers around the white couple learning what they can and can’t say to their new neighbors — they have a tendency, at times, to make themselves too comfortable. (Case in point: the wig episode.)
But the show also sets up plenty of plot points that could be comic (and conversational) gold in future episodes: a racist mom, Behrs’ character’s job at a school, and all the usual misunderstandings that spring up between all neighbors — even ones who don’t stumbling over racial misunderstandings.
CBS’s “The Neighborhood” airs Mondays at 8/7 c.
The Evolution of Tiffany Haddish, From 'The Carmichael Show' to 'Like a Boss' (Photos)
Tiffany Haddish has gone from stand-up comic to guest star to full-fledged movie star, starring in a string of comedies and even some dramatic roles. She's taken so many, she rivals her co-star Kevin Hart as one of the hardest working people in Hollywood. This weekend, Haddish stars with Rose Byrne and Salma Hayek in "Like a Boss." See how the actress has evolved through the years.
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Haddish was born in Los Angeles on Dec. 3, 1979. After she became the primary caregiver for her family after her mother suffered an accident, she opted to go to the Laugh Factory Comedy Camp when she was 17 years old. There, she received mentorship from people like Richard Pryor and Dane Cook.
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"Bill Bellamy's Who's Got Jokes?" (2007)
Haddish got her break on the comedy competition "Bill Bellamy's Who's Got Jokes?", and had guest appearances on shows such as "Chelsea Lately," "That's So Raven," "My Name Is Earl" and "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia."
TV One
"The Carmichael Show" (2015)
Haddish landed a recurring role on "Real Husbands of Hollywood" in 2013 followed by another part in the Oprah Winfrey series "If Loving You Is Wrong" the following year. However, she left that role after one season when she got a bigger break on NBC's "The Carmichael Show" for three seasons. She played Nekeisha on the show, the estranged wife to Lil Rel Howery's character Bobby.
NBC
"Keanu" (2016)
One of Haddish's biggest film roles cast her as Hi-C opposite Jordan Peele, Keegan-Michael Key and an adorable cat in the action comedy "Keanu" in 2016.
New Line Cinema
"Girls Trip" (2017)
Haddish exploded as a household name after she starred in Universal's raunchy comedy "Girls Trip" alongside a stellar cast that included Regina Hall, Queen Latifah and Jada Pinkett Smith. Her party animal energy and tendency to hide contraband in her "booty hole" made her an instant star after the movie grossed $140 million worldwide.
Universal
"Tiffany Haddish: She Ready! From the Hood to Hollywood" (2017)
Almost immediately after the success of "Girls Trip," Haddish landed a stand-up comedy special on Showtime called "Tiffany Haddish: She Ready! From the Hood to Hollywood" that helped audiences really get to know her humble roots in foster care and prove she was ready for the big time.
Showtime
"Saturday Night Live" (2017)
Within just another few months, Haddish became the first black, female stand-up comic to host "Saturday Night Live." In her monologue, she joked that she would re-wear her expensive, white, Alexander McQueen dress numerous times, a promise she later fulfilled.
NBC
"Night School" (2018)
Haddish kicked off a wave of movie comedies after her whirlwind 2017 and starred alongside Kevin Hart in the 2018 comedy "Night School." That year alone she was everywhere, appearing in "Uncle Drew," "The Oath" and "Nobody's Fool." She even popped up in music videos with Drake and Maroon 5 feat. Cardi B.
Universal Pictures
"Tuca & Bertie" (2019)
Haddish proved to be just as prolific as Kevin Hart in the last few years, as she managed to star in a pair of TV shows in addition to her movies. She starred alongside Tracy Morgan in the TBS sitcom "The Last O.G.," and then played a talking, cartoon toucan on "Tuca & Bertie" from the creator of "Bojack Horseman." Though Netflix cancelled the show after just one season.
Netflix
"The Kitchen" (2019)
Haddish had a strictly dramatic turn alongside Elisabeth Moss and Melissa McCarthy in the crime drama "The Kitchen," though the film flopped with critics and the box office.
New Line Cinema
"Kids Say the Darnedest Things" (2019)
ABC picked Haddish as the host for its revival of the TV variety show "Kids Say the Darnedest Things," which is continuing into the start of 2020.
ABC/Eric McCandless
"Like a Boss" (2020)
Haddish's latest film "Like a Boss" is another female-fronted, raunchy comedy that pairs her with Rose Byrne as they're business partners locked in a battle against a famous designer played by Salma Hayek.
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The stand-up comedian appears opposite Salma Hayek and Rose Byrne in “Like a Boss,” opening this weekend
Tiffany Haddish has gone from stand-up comic to guest star to full-fledged movie star, starring in a string of comedies and even some dramatic roles. She's taken so many, she rivals her co-star Kevin Hart as one of the hardest working people in Hollywood. This weekend, Haddish stars with Rose Byrne and Salma Hayek in "Like a Boss." See how the actress has evolved through the years.
Getty Images
Getty Images
