EURweb associate Tene Croom and actor Miguel Núñez, who’s also creator and executive producer of ‘Belle’s’
*A new show has opened for business on Friday nights on TV One. The show is “Belle’s” and Elise Neal portrays Jill Cooper on the sitcom.
“Belle’s is all about family, soul food cooking and basically my family, the Coopers. My father ran this restaurant with my now deceased mom and now he and I have taken over this restaurant and we want it to succeed. We have the crazy Tami Roman as my glamorous sister. We have Ella Joyce as the cook. Miguel Núñez as one of the people who work in the restaurant. It’s just a great cast. And I had such a good time doing it.” Neal said.
She has been on the big screen in a number of films, including the Academy Award winning (for song) movie Hustle and Flow.
The remainder of the cast is also stellar. Neal’s father on the show is played by Keith David, the veteran actor with the mellifluous voice featured in numerous movies, such as the blockbuster The Princess and the Frog where he won rave reviews for the voice of Dr. Facilier. Nadja Alaya makes her TV debut as Pam, the sassy 12-year-old daughter of Jill, who provides narration exhibiting wisdom beyond her tween years. Alaya had previously worked in several theatrical productions.
Juwanna Man is perhaps the movie people first think of when Núñez name is mentioned. On Belle’s he’s more than just a cast member. He’s the creator and Executive Producer of the show too. “I was just looking at all the stuff that was out there already and it wasn’t anything I was proud of. It isn’t anything I thought was really good true family entertainment. It’s a lot of Black shows that are over the top. So big and broad. I wanted something that was more toward like the Cosby Show. Just about family.”
Ed Weinberger, the creator of the Cosby Show, and Núñez share creator and Executive Producer credits. Weinberger gave the show a vintage look. The set is reminiscent of shows with predominantly African American casts from the 1980’s like 227.
Núñez bemoaned the fact that there are an abundance of poor quality sitcoms with predominantly African American casts on television. The reason for that Núñez said with a laugh is because of Tyler Perry.
But he wasn’t joking when he took aim at the acclaimed actor/filmmaker. While Núñez recognized that Perry has a “stellar, impeccable, incredible career,” he was also critical of Perry, saying he has learned something about making TV shows from him. “I learned how not to do one.”
So, what is it about the TV shows, produced by Perry that he doesn’t like? Núñez explained, “I think they’re too big, too loud. Too many people dancing every four or five minutes in the shows. There’s a lot of good actors in his shows. Some of his stories are really good. But I think to me, I’ve seen that before. I’ve seen it over and over again.”
A soon to be released motion picture entitled School Dance, starring Nick Cannon, is something Núñez is proud of. He’s the Executive Producer of the film and gave a preview of what to expect when it’s released this Summer.
“Nick Cannon wrote it and he directed it. It’s got Kevin Hart. It’s got Mike Epps. It’s got everybody you name in this movie and they are incredibly good. It’s about a freshman in school who wants to hang out with the most popular dance crew, but he ain’t really got it. It’s got some incredible dance teams in it. Nick did an incredible job.” Núñez said with a big smile.
Besides making School Dance, Cannon, married to songbird Mariah Carey, will be busy in the Summer hosting Season 8 of America’s Got Talent. The show is NBC’s popular reality competition series that has people in various categories, including singing and dancing, vying for the top prize of one million dollars.
Belle’s is on TV One on Friday nights at 10, Eastern and Pacific times; 9, Central time.
Tene’ Croom conducted exclusive interviews with Elise Neal and Miguel Núñez. Reach Tene’ at tene.croom.tc@gmail.com
Watch Tene’s feature/interview:
So I am guessing that you were turned down for a part in one of his movies or plays. Have several seats….
Oh, you said it! You took the words right out of my mouth.
I just happened to come across this show over the weekend. I hadn’t seen or read anything about it, but was pleasantly suprised. The writing was decent and the acting was good. I think it could develop into a really strong show if people watch.
WellI liket the new sitcom Like Family with Omar Gooding on TVOne. I haven’t watched Belle’s yet. I really wish we stop bashing each other. Tyler has his brand and hopefully Miguel’s sitcom and movie will be a success. Hey you never know when you might need a job so be careful who you talk about.
I hope its not the predictable slap stick chitlin comedy ..where’s he’s right ..where isthe creativity.. why must the sitcom mirror other sitcom that’s premier before? i haven’t the sitcom as of yet.. so i hope the creativity and script is different with this sitcom.. if not i won’t be watching this one as well.. but let me say I’m happy to witness encouraging afri-amercan sitcoms.. i thin the REAL HOUSE WIFE OF HOLLYWOOD is really funny because you never know what the cast is going to do..especially bipolar actor Kevin Hart. who has taken a negative a learning disability into what he wanted it to be.. $$$$$$$
Funny how Miguel states that TP’s shows remind him of things that he’s seen before. Well, hell, haven’t we seen enough black college movies featuring steppin’/dancing. Hello!!! Did he NOT see ‘Drumline,’ ‘Stomp the Yard,’ ‘Stomp the Yard: Homecoming,’ and ‘Steppin.’ Seems to me that criticism applies to Mr. Nunez too.
I also agree with a previous poster that it’s time to stop bashing other folks. Did he need to mention TP at all to get his point across about the lack of quality shows? No, he didn’t. He couldn’t have said 90% of what he said without dropping TP’s name once. Damn…
Uhhhhhh tiramc68, he never mentioned the movie took place in a black college. And even if it did there could NEVER be enough of those types of movies. It takes place in a high school. Now get off Tyler Perry’s sack and go watch a real movie besides that garbage you’ve been brain washed to believe is “good”. Or better yet… go READ
Nucca..please. You don’t know me. How the hell do you know it’s set in high school? The article stated a freshmen in school. That can be high school or college — DUH! Regardless if it’s high school or college, the story premise has been done before and it’s tired. Furthermore, he nor Nick are bringing anything new to the plot to expand on it or reinvent it.
And, ain’t nobody swinging off TP’s nuts. I could give a damn if he was talking about TP or the neighborhood crackhead. He didn’t need to bash anyone to make his point. Go back and read my comment for the points before you throw shade telling a person to go READ. You need to take a class in basic reading comprehension. When you do — holla back.
Not a Tyler Perry fan at all, have never and will likely never seen one whole episode of any of his tv shows, but I don’t think bashing him was necessary for this guy to promote his own show. Very cheap way to get publicity.
It’s not slap stick at all, at least not the two episodes that I saw. No laugh track neither so it may not go over well with some. I like the fact that although most of the focus is on the adults it is told through the eyes of the young girl.
Ok another Tyler-hater basically…..Juwanna Mann forgot that Tyler Perry started out doing stage plays…musicals with a gospel theme and then he progressed to movies and tv sitcoms from there. Sounds like Juwanna Mann is not happy with the way HIS career has been going and lack of quality roles for him…I’ll give his new show 10 episodes before it gets cancelled….hating will not get you anywhere!
And he hires Ella Joyce to play the cook.
“No good deed goes unpunished.” “No weapon formed against me shall prosper.” Just two of many sayings Mr. Nunez should hold onto. TP was/is/has been creating jobs for people a long time. Give him credit for that at least. Mr. Nunez (Juwanna Man) has no production company nor studio, nor movie lot to give anyone a job. Even as Executive Producer, he still has to ask, “Can I boss?” Tyler Perry IS the BOSS! If the Miguels and Spikes of this world would be quiet, no one would KNOW they drank hater-aid.
I have seen “Belle’s” and I am not yet impressed. The fact that Tami Roman was apart of the cast turned me off [after her BBW antics] but yet I gave it a chance and still was not impressed. I think it needs a laugh track and they really need to let Keith David loose like he was in Dead Presidents. I definitely think he can be funny when he’s given the chance. Ella Joyce is a cut up too but a laugh track will complement her antics. Overall, the writing seems good on “Belle’s” and I think they have a good cast but it’s just missing something special though. Maybe it will improve over time. I hope Miguel didn’t think coming against the powerhouse that is TYLER PERRY, would bring him an audience of thousands. He has a right to his opinions though and did what he should have. If you don’t like what you see, then create your own. However, in the process, there is no need to point fingers and name names. Besides, Miguel acting like the player, who thinks everyone wants him, he’s done in everything I’ve seen him in up till now. TP’s sitcoms are at least funny and have good writing AND have been on the air season after season, still breaking records with good weekly ratings, something “Belle’s” is not close to doing yet …at least not from what I’ve seen so far. Good luck though!
Friday Night .. TV comedy grave yard….
What does Spike Lee have to do with this? Spike ALSO hires people of color behind the scenes in his movies. I don’t agree with Nunez taking a dig at TP but Spike only spoke about TP when he was ASKED about him. TP is not the beginning or end all of movie makine and perhaps it would behoove him to step his game by hiring people who are better writers than him. A person can attempt to do everything but that doesn’t mean they do everything well.
I am not a Perry fan, never have been. But, I don’t speak bad about him. When I am invited to a show, I just decline and tell them he is not my speed. If you live anywhere near the city(New York) and have been blessed too see great actors/actresses such as James Earl Jones, James Avery, Alfre Woodard or Paulette Pearson Washington(Denzel wife) you’d understand
Cosign, tiramc68. Nunez didn’t even have to mention TP and just let his work speak for itself. Now, he has pissed off lots of TP’s fans that he obviously want to support him with the same type of ‘loyalty’ and probably won’t receive. It’s sickening how they keep taking swipes at TP because they can’t figure out his fan base. When minority filmmakers trip over themselves to diminish Black actors so as not to offend ‘others’…we get the message loud and clear…and blank them too.