ROBERTSON TREATMENT SYNDICATED COLUMN (RISC): Funny Man Mike Epps

America’s Premiere Urban Lifestyle Column: Volume 14, Edition 5

      *I am convinced that everybody loves Mike Epps.  A naturally funny guy, Epps, 38 has spent the better part of the decade honing his skills as a comedian-actor on the road and in front of the camera. With film credits that include films like “The Honeymooners,” “Something New” and “Talk to Me,” the Indianapolis native may finally be on the precipice of success with his upcoming role in the film “Next Day Air”. Starring as a petty criminal who hits the big time opposite his partner, Guch (Wood Harris), Epps another signature hilarious performance that is bound to generate laughs and get him closer to mainstream success. The Robertson Treatment recently caught up with the actor to catch his vibe on his career past and present. 

Robertson Treatment: How did you get involved with “Next Day Air”? 

Mike Epps: The script was written by a guy named Butter Combs who told me that he had a script he wanted me to read. Now everybody has a script in this business but I guess he did his homework because it was actually really good. He also did his part in getting other talent attached to it like Wood Harris and Mos Def and stuff, which automatically made me want to be in it. 

RT: What did you like about the character? 

ME: What I liked about the character is that he’s so different from what the roles I usually play. I’m usually in movies that are all slap stick comedy the whole time. In this film I like the fact that even though he was a bad guy he had a slight bit of innocence to him too. You feel sorry for him because he’s desperate and a little naive. 

RT: What was the chemistry between you and Wood Harris? 

ME: Wood and I knew each other from around town, so there we shared a familiarity with our talent and what we would bring to the parts. We are also both from the same region of the United States and that’s what really helped. We both had the same vision on how those characters are. 

RT: Do you have a dream role? 

ME: I would have loved to play Richard Pryor but the politics on that got screwed up. Right now I’m playing the role that I want to play and that’s my character in “Next Day Air.” 

RT: What’s the boldest move you’ve made in your career so far? 

ME: Leaving my hometown and committing to making it in this career on faith, not money, not ego. I knew I had to try. I knew that I had something to offer this industry, so I placed all bets on me to succeed. I’m truly blessed to be one of the diamonds in the rough who was able to come up out of the ghetto. It takes more than just talent to make it. It’s like a million things working at once thing that helps you get to the top. When you’re coming from nothing, you don’t have anything, you don’t have mommas and daddies with money to send you to Hollywood, you don’t have family in Hollywood, you don’t know anybody in Hollywood, you don’t even know anybody in the city of Los Angeles, so to get up and move from Indiana to New York, the same place you don’t know, with maybe $1500, that’s a lot of heart. I had to say that to myself because you can run up in a Pizza Hut with some duct tape and tie everybody up. That’s a lot of heart too but that’s negative energy. Take that same energy and run up in Hollywood and duct tape the business. – Gil L. Robertson IV 

BEST BETS – BOOKS

The Washingtons of Wessyngton Plantation by John F. Baker Jr.

      Baker taps into a treasure trove of African American history with this comprehensive text that thoroughly explores his family’s story “up from slavery”. Distant cousins of America’s first president (yes, George Washington), this book is an uplifting story of survival and family that gives fresh insight into the institution of slavery and its ongoing legacy today. It’s simply spellbinding.

Grade A+

AUTOMOTIVE SPIN

2009 GT COUPE FORD MUSTANG

      The 2009 GT Coupe impressed me from the moment I saw it parked in my drive way. Strong, powerful and sexy, the GT Coupe offers eye-popping appeal, which it backs up with an almost Batmobile like performance. I knew that it was going to provide me with an interesting driving experience. 

Wow Factor:  With its classic muscle car power and looks the 2009 Mustang packs plenty of wow. I drove a V8-powered GT model that boasts 300 horsepower and offered acceleration that is capable of going from zero to 60 mph in a little over 5 seconds. In addition to its V8 engine, the GT Coupe includes 17” alloy wheels that adds to its flashy appeal.

Ride:  In terms of performance and reliability, the GT Coupe scores high marks handling well on a variety of road condition and more than exceeding my performance expectations. It’s rear-wheel drive and 5-speed manual transmission added to my driving experience maneuvering through Atlanta’s congested highways.

Comfort: The interior on the GT Coupe offers comfortable seating and adequate space for a family of four. The controls are simple and easily accessible, which makes for safer handling on the road. As an added plus, my ride also featured ambient lighting and a real cool Shaker 500 audio system. 

Spin Control: With its potent performance and timeless styling, the 2009 GT Coupe totally delivers on it iconic reputation. Offering decent fuel economy (15mpg city/23mpg hwy), and affordably priced, (base sticker begins around $29,000). I predict that this car will really move off the lots. It’s nearly the perfect driving machine.       

Grade: A 

Visit: www.robertsontreatment.com

Copyright 2009, Robertson Treatment, LLC