The Knockturnal was on the scene at Bar Americain to join the one and only Mike Epps for a delicious lunch as he shared with us some insights on the new ABC series Uncle Buck and his role.
This new series is inspired on the 1989 movie Uncle Buck. In this new comedy, Mike Epps takes the role of Uncle Buck, a man who does not have his life together, but is a funny and loving character. Read highlights from our conversation below:
You must be excited about this new project!
Man I am. This is the first time I get the opportunity to be on TV and I’m really happy, you know. I mean look what happens with networks, you get your hopes up. I don’t like to get too excited because I don’t know what’s going to happen but I’m crossing my fingers and praying that it really works out.
Aside from the diversity difference, what is the twist of the show as opposed to the film?
Well, I always look at it in the time frame because the original Uncle Buck, believe it or not, was a film that I think 70% of the children that are watching this new Uncle Buck have never seen the movie and they don’t know what it is … I am looking to present something new to the new generation, when they are like “Man, this is really cool, I’m gonna go watch the original.” It’s an education to the new and a homecoming for those who know what it is.
You mentioned you are nervous about the premiere.
You know, it’s network television. I come from a very urban and edgy world, from doing Friday movies. I have always had fear of doing television shows because I have watched a lot of comics during the years get opportunities to do television and it just took away their mojo, their swag. So it was really a thin line between that and I have always been afraid of that. People just say “Well just be yourself!” If I am being myself 100%, they might not go for that. I try to articulate a few words, trying to fit in the frame, but still bring my thing.
Why do you think actors lose that uniqueness, that mojo?
Because mentally you are thinking that you have to please a new audience, which you are. People who never knew who I was are gonna learn who I am now. You have an insecurity about that. Like, man I don’t know if middle America is going to really accept meeting Day-Day for this first time. But fortunately as we started shooting the show, I just became myself. At the beginning, I was a little animated because I thought that’s what TV was, until I realized that you don’t have to do that. If it works, it works. If not, at least you know you tried your best.
Would it be safe to say that you have some artistic license for the show?
Yeah. The thing is that when you are working on set, you are working with people who want what they want. You have to give them the opportunity to see both spectrums from it. That’s what I was doing. I’m not going to argue with you between what you want and what I think I should do. You let me do what I think I should do just to show you. You then will see what works. Sometimes I think they cut something out and they should have kept it. But I think people will be able to see maybe by the third episode, ok now he’s starting to get in the mix. I remember when Jamie Foxx come on it was like that.
Do you draw inspiration from anyone close to you for the crazy uncle?
I am one of the guys who came from a big family but was the only worldly one. I was the only one who thought, “Man, I ain’t living like you all.” I have always been an extended type of guy. I go out like I was a family member to so many other families in my neighborhood and they were wild as hell. I pull from a lot of different areas in my life, dealing with uncles, and other people. Most of my references came from my father, other older guys from the neighborhood.
What makes Uncle Buck new, fresh and different than other black family shows?
Well, that irresponsible, fun, loving, been sleeping on people’s couches for 25 years, just now getting your driver’s license when you are 48 uncle. That’s me. Noboby is on TV like that. This character right here is definitely very different. I play on network for real, because I am really Uncle Buck. I’m 45 now, I never took a driver’s test (somebody gave me that).
Mike Epps not only has that comic genius in him but also a great heart; which is what, along with his cast memebers Nia Long, Iman Benson, Aalyrah Caldwell, James Lesure, Sayeed Shahidi, and Zedakiah Koterba will give this show light.
Don’t forget to watch the entertaining series premiering June 14th on ABC.
