Cedric the Entertainer in Madagascar 2

Comedy King and Proud Father Not Afraid of Risks

DreamWorks SKG Presents “Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa,” a Paramount Pictures release featuring the voices of Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, David Schwimmer, Jada Pinkett Smith, Sacha Baron Cohen, Cedric the Entertainer, Andy Richter, Bernie Mac, Sherri Shepherd, Alec Baldwin and will.i.am.

The film is directed by Eric Darnell and Tom McGrath, who helmed the original “Madagascar,” which earned more than $500,000,000 in worldwide box office.

We pick up the story when a group of friends --pampered and spoiled New York zoo animals-- are stranded on the continent of Africa along with a team of self-assured characters who love a laugh—you could even go so far as to say self-centered characters who demand you laugh—who could forget the party-loving leader of the lemurs, King Julien?

No king can function without an attendant—and right-hand men don’t come any better than the king’s own cousin, Maurice. Voiced again with the easygoing baritone of Cedric the Entertainer, the character proves a wonderful counterpoint to the sometimes frantic Julien—making the pair a kind of Laurel and Hardy duo. For reasons only known to himself, Maurice loves Julien, in spite of the king’s flaws and out-of-leftfield actions, and is able to put all of Julien’s shortcomings aside and be there for his king.

Cedric has his own theory about the relationship between the two: “I think that Maurice is now looking for that validation from the king, something like ‘Hey, man, you know, I appreciate your years of service. You’re my main man and here you go.’ And at the same time, he’s a little comfortable in his position, he likes being next to the man.  You’re always first in the door whenever you’re with the king; you’re gonna get first class A treatment. Everybody’s gonna do it for ya’. And even though I think this guy’s a little bit of a bum sometimes…well, he’s my cousin.”

Always funny with a unique point of view, I sat with Cedric the Entertainer in Los Angeles to discuss his role in Madagascar 2 and his future endeavors --

Sandra Varner (SV):  The content of your comedy runs the gamut from adult-rated to family-friendly. 

Cedric:  When I first started stand-up in St. Louis, I performed in a way that my mother could come to see my shows.  Having a range of comedy has always been a part of me and who I was.  Also, as you grow as a comedian, you also understand that you have to be free to say whatever it is that you really feel.  That’s what’s going to be “the best comedy” so, sometimes language can come into play, sometimes subject matter that’s inappropriate for kids will show up but, I think that is the greatest thing with any oratorical person is to have the opportunity to be able to say something spontaneous. When you do that you may make some people uncomfortable or you could cross a line or two but I think again, if you’re honest about it that is actually where the best comedy comes from.

Talk2SV:  I heard Jerry Seinfeld say he did not know how silly he could be until he had children.  To what extent will you go to make your children laugh?

Cedric:  You go hard with the kids because, you know, they’re born of me and they’re sort of some really “laughy” kids.  They like to laugh.  But you know, you’ll dress up, you’ll get down on your hands and knees and crawl around and roll around with them; I’ve done it all to make them laugh and to make them happy.  It’s just one of those things to see that joy on their faces that makes you never question if you’ve gone too far or if what you’ve done is too silly.  These are your kids and it’s the thing you do to make them happy.

Talk2SV:  One of the things about kids that I find enjoyable and equally intimidating is their sheer honesty.  They cut through the bull and tell you just like it is.  What have your children said to you that left you jaw-dropped?

Cedric:  Lucky, my four-year-old daughter is brutal.  She told me, “Daddy, you’re fat and you don’t need to be with mommy.  You need to do some sit ups.”  (Laughter) She went on to say, “Short people should be with short people, skinny people should be with skinny people and fat people should be with fat people.”  And, she said it with a straight face --with no remorse-- and no idea that she was hurting my feelings.

Talk2SV: How do you come behind that …?

Cedric:  You don’t.  You just get on the floor and do some sit ups and push ups (laughter).

SV:  Switching gears a bit, we’ve seen you over the years performing before live audiences slaying them with laughter; we’ve seen you in dramatic roles such as Street Kings and now we will get to see you in a dramatic stage performance.  You will perform on Broadway in David Mamet’s   “American Buffalo.” What can we expect to see from you in this new endeavor and who is Cedric the Entertainer apart from comedy?

Cedric:  I can be pretty serious minded at times and I have a lot of world views; it will be nice to express them because all of my views are not comedic.   It’s also a chance to avoid being type cast in the same roles; I thought it was important to do something different that shows I can do this and I have the integrity to look for “the heart” in a role, in a character and bring it to life and to a point where it is believable.  That was one of the reasons why I made a choice to do Broadway at this time in my career.  I was looking for a serious dramatic piece and I’m having a really good time, shaping it and turning it into something unique and working alongside other strong, dynamic actors.  So, knowing that you have to set the pace and then you’ve got to catch up to the pace when somebody else enters the stage will be a great challenge for me and one that I think will be quite rewarding at the end.

SV: One of the things I’ve sensed about you over the years is that you are not afraid to take chances.  If that observation is on target and when you have taken risks, have you ever second guessed those chances?

Cedric:  Yeah, I’m pretty unafraid to take chances, I mean, I’ll try a number of different things and I don’t take myself too seriously one way or the other; I believe I can do anything.  I kind of have that spirit that makes me feel I can do many things.  I even joke about it in a way when talking about (Senator) John McCain’s campaign speeches when he says, “Yeah, I can do this, I can do that; I know how to get Bin Laden and I’ll find him.  I will, I know how to do it.”  So, that’s my new attitude about life, ‘I can do that, sure.’  You want pasta?  I can make pasta; I’ll make it, although I’ve never cooked a day in my life (laughter).  I like this Jay Z line that says, “Why do you fly so high?  Because I’m not afraid to fall out of the sky,” and I think that’s the key thing about life.  How do you reach heights if you’re afraid to go higher?  Yes, I’ve had things that I thought would be a hit and hit big and it didn’t.   All of a sudden everybody’s looking and you’re not as hot as you once were.  But, you can’t really be afraid of that in life because if you never took the shot, then you will never know.  That’s the attitude that I’ve been trying to embody a lot more and let that empower me.  Better opportunities can and do come and you just can’t be afraid to go for it.

Talk2SV:  I think you would be great in a biopic on Flip Wilson’s life.  Have you ever considered it?

Cedric: (Contemplative) … that’s a great idea.

Talk2SV:  When people see things in you that you perhaps have not seen in yourself, how to you internalize their perceptions?

Cedric:  I think it’s a great compliment.  If people can see things in you that remind them of someone they highly regard is good; that is the kind of light that I try and walk in, I try to send out good energy and good vibes in general so I can get it back in return.  Of course, that doesn’t mean you walk around thinking you know everything and that somehow if you throw out good energy, good energy comes back; you never know exactly what that will be.  It could be in the form of a good idea.  Then you manifest it to be so, work hard at setting it up and try to do everything you can to make things happen.  So its one of those kinds of scenarios that I try to believe that being a spiritual person in a Christ-like energy means that I try to be positive and kind and bring joy to folks.  I’m not the kind of person that you look up and see coming and say, ‘Oh no, here comes Ced.’  That’s something my mother taught me as a kid.  It’s sort of like an expression we use, “good credit” which means in your life you’ve got “good credit.”  It means that your name walks in the room before you do.  If somebody mentions my name and I’m not there, how do you feel about me before you see me arrive?  And, that’s “good spirit” if my name comes up and good vibes come around, then that’s a good thing and very necessary. 

Talk2SV:  That said, you’re different from a number of comedians I’ve encountered who are larger than life on stage and as quiet as a “church mouse” in person, the totally introverted type.  What makes a good comic great?

Cedric:  I think it’s really inside the spirit of letting your realities come to life; when you’re a comedian you’ve got to be able to say it and express it and dive deeper.  People that I enjoy as comedians are usually so introverted and some of them can be that way.  But, the fact that they are so free when they get into that stage environment; they’re free to say everything that they are really thinking because that’s where great comedy comes from.  It’s all about having these shared life experiences or things that maybe we have not shared, have some idea or taboo about and have somebody be up there and throw it out for us so we can say, ‘Wow …’ It may not be me but at least I was able to witness it and go, ‘Wow.’ 

Talk2SV:  A most enviable spot that entertainers have is the ability to be free.   That said, when have or when do you feel most free?

Cedric:  (Takes a long pause) … probably when I’m on stage like most people.  Again, I don’t walk around with a lot of pretense; I’m not the kind of person that needs 20 bodyguards when I go anywhere.  But, I think that when you’re up there on stage you realize that people are sitting and they’re watching you and they have no idea what to expect other than what you’re going to give them. Therefore I have the ability and capability to take them anywhere I want to; now, that’s of course, once you get into the grove because it’s also a very scary spot.  Usually, right at the point you come up against your greatest fear is when you have your most freedom.  There are times when I haven’t performed in a while and I have to go do a show in front of 3,000 people.  You are nervous to death because I haven’t done it in a while.  You gird yourself and go out there and get a laugh and another one.  Then the next thing you know, you’re in the zone and you almost blank out.  I record all my shows for that reason because my guys will be like, “Yo, Ced you was killing ‘em tonight,” and I have no idea what I said.  It’s somewhere in that space where your greatest fear forces you to cross the line over into greatness or to crumble right in front of your crowd.  A lot of comedians will tell you that same thing.  If you look at (George) Carlin who talked about his journey to finding his own voice in a documentary; Chris Rock is perhaps atypical.  A very quiet guy in person but when he’s on stage, the guy is a beast.  The stuff he is willing to say is greatly appreciated by the audiences but to comics, it’s pure freedom.

Talk2SV:  I am of the belief that one should give back during their prime while they are at the top of their game: to me, you are there, at your apex.  Are there any comedians out there that you would like to mentor or see following in your footsteps?

Cedric:  I mentor a lot of comedians and I’ve got a lot of little cats under me, you know.  In 2000, I started doing this thing called “The Starting Line Up” where I bring a lot of up and coming comedians on tour and let them open up for me.  I try to put them in movies that I’m in; Rodney Perry is one of those guys who has grown a lot and I’ve been working with him for a while.  He’s doing a lot of radio now, he’s writing for other people and he’s just a sharp dude who works hard with a good work ethic.  I’ve tried to show by example that you can’t sit back and feel that you are successful and ride on your past successes.  I try to encourage that in a lot of these young guys.  I’ll take ‘em all, anybody who wants to take advice and talk to me about what they are trying to accomplish and, if there’s a way for me to help them then I’m open to it.

Talk2SV:   What charitable organizations are you involved with?

Cedric:  A program named “A Call to Oneness” that I’m involved in along with my manager and business partner Eric Rhone; we try to get people involved in good causes especially in my hometown, St. Louis, MO.

Cedric the Entertainer continues to take us higher. 

More Celebrity Profiles

Jeremy Piven

Joel Silver

Guy Ritchie

Chris "Ludacris" Bridges

Thandie Newton

Idris Elba

RocknRolla Is a Scorching
Hip Hop Adventure

Never a dull moment, RocknRolla is a sexy, rip-roaring adventure with a terrific cast in this high-intensity film!  Talk2SV.com

From Guy Ritchie, the writer/director of the acclaimed films “Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels” and “Snatch,” comes “RocknRolla,” a story of sex, thugs and rock ‘n roll. 

The action comedy takes a dangerous ride into high crime and low life in contemporary London, where real estate has supplanted drugs as the biggest market, and criminals are its most enthusiastic entrepreneurs.  
 
With millions up for grabs, all of London’s criminal underworld conspires, colludes and collides with one another in an effort to take their cut.  But as high rollers and petty criminals alike jockey for dominance, the true prize of one multi-million-dollar deal will fall into the hands of a junkie rock star (Toby Kebbell) – Lenny’s stepson, presumed dead but very much alive.

“RocknRolla” stars Gerard Butler (“300,” “P.S. I Love You”) as One Two, a street-smart hustler who tries to play both sides of the fence.  Two-time Oscar nominee Tom Wilkinson (“Michael Clayton,” “In the Bedroom”) stars as the ruthless head mobster, Lenny Cole, part of London’s old crime regime, which is quickly losing ground to the wealthier foreign mob. Thandie Newton (“Crash,” “The Pursuit of Happyness”) stars as One Two’s love interest, Stella, a smart and sexy accountant with ties to the underworld.  Mark Strong (“Body of Lies”) stars as Archy, Lenny Cole’s right-hand man.  Idris Elba (“The Reaping,” “The Wire”) plays Mumbles, One Two’s partner in crime and best friend, and Tom Hardy (“Layer Cake”) is Handsome Bob, another member of their crew.  Toby Kebbell (“Control”) plays missing and presumed dead British punk rock star Johnny Quid, and Jeremy Piven (“Entourage”) and Chris “Ludacris” Bridges (“Crash”) appear respectively as Roman and Mickey, two Americans trying to break into the music scene in London.  

Guy Ritchie directed “RocknRolla” from his own screenplay.  The film is produced by Joel Silver (“The Matrix,” “Lethal Weapon” and “Die Hard” franchises), Susan Downey (“The Brave One”), Steve Clark-Hall (“Revolver”) and Guy Ritchie.  Steve Richards and Navid McIlhargey are the executive producers.

Silver, acclaimed producer of countless films to include: 48 Hrs., Brewster’s Millions, Jumpin’ Jack Flash, Action Jackson, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Ricochet, The Last Boy Scout, Demolition Man, Ritchie Rich, Executive Decision, Conspiracy Theory, Exit Wounds, Swordfish, Cradle to the Grave, Gothika, V for Vendetta, Fred Claus, Speed Racer along with the successful film franchises: Lethal Weapon, Predato
r, Die Hard and Matrix; also has some 20 future film projects on the books through 2011.

RocknRolla cast members spoke to Talk2SV.com during this year’s Toronto International Festival.

Talk2SV - How would you describe the verve of this film?

Guy Ritchie - The movie was inspired by the notion of the “new wild west” that I suppose has come about over the last 10 years.  Where things have really changed is in the upper echelons of society and I just wanted to make some kind of humorous commentary on that and it seems that’s just the way London’s gone.  The story is an amalgamation of narratives and the main character is London itself, the rich kind of “new London.”

Talk2SV - The vibe in this movie is very cool …

Ritchie:  I like the idea that “street speak” has a rhythm and a kind of poetry.  Our language becomes rather prosaic and it’s just another aspect, another element of entertainment for a narrative is the language itself, so clarity is important to me.  I just wanted to make it colorful; I don’t know if you will be able to understand it specifically in terms of its attitude … we’re just looking at crime from a different perspective.

Talk2SV - When you watch films such as this one, clearly there is an element of escapism in imagining the life of a high roller; also this film is a throw back to movies made popular by Frank Sinatra and his gang (Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr, Joey Bishop, Peter Lawford).   What do you think in consistent about that slice of life and why it has had such mass appeal over the years?

Joel Silver:  There has always been a lot of interest in these kinds of heist-type pictures or “Rat Pack” type movies; it’s a strong genre but Guy (Ritchie) kind of made it his own as sort of a sub-genre of a Guy Ritchie film and I love it.  This film is a little more sophisticated that those earlier films and a bit more polished.  I think Guy has evolved as a filmmaker and it’s still funny and sharp and great.  We worked together on the look of it, the feel of it and the editing of it and we really wanted to make it work.  This was a group effort on everybody’s part and I’m really proud of this movie.  I think it’s an evolution of those types of movies and I am praying we can keep making them.

Talk2SV - You bring a special something to this industry that is indescribable.  It is evident that you also possess an arsenal of talents, though being used, are yet untapped to their fullest potential.  Could you talk about that?

Jeremy Piven:  What a great compliment and thank you very much.  With this particular movie, I’m such a fan of his (Guy Ritchie’s) work that it was kind of all there on the page.  You have this tragic character, Johnny Quid, in a way, he has the most insights and the most interesting speeches and he’s the guy supposedly lower than anyone else.  I was just sifting through the script looking for anything to play and I think because I’ve made my bones playing small roles.  It’s almost like paying homage to how I came up.  I have always played roles as if they were the leads in a film where you give it as much integrity as you can and just let the director sift though and take whatever they feel is best. 

Talk2SV - You (Piven) and Ludacris have some pretty intense scenes in this film.  Did you know each other prior to working together on this project?

Chris “Ludacris” Bridges:  We actually hung out together while we were shooting in London and he was really cool.  I think that’s one of the most important things is when you have so many scenes with someone in a movie and the chemistry is extremely import on camera.  So, we got to know each other and we’re still good friends now. 

Talk2SV - You play a guy trying to break into the music business.  Were you able to contribute any of your experiences to the story?

Bridges: Yes.  Given my background in music, Guy was open to my input and I brought that element to the role.

Corbin Bleu

Corbin Bleu of “High School Musical 3”

Disney’s “High School Musical” phenomenon leaps onto the big screen in “High School Musical 3: Senior Year,” in which the super popular high school students (ZAC EFRON, VANESSA HUDGENS, ASHLEY TISDALE, LUCAS GRABEEL, CORBIN BLEU and MONIQUE COLEMAN) hit senior year. Amidst a basketball championship, prom and a big spring musical featuring all of the Wildcats, Troy and Gabriella vow to make every moment last as their lifelong college dreams put the future of their relationship in question. A crew of sophomore Wildcats (MATT PROKOP, JUSTIN MARTIN, JEMMA MCKENZIE-BROWN) joins in the fun as the film’s incredible new music and exciting dance numbers take maximum advantage of the big screen.

Celebrated around the world, High School Musical 3 is loads of fun, full of energy, and an abundance of talent, making it an enjoyable family treat.

I spoke with cast members in Los Angeles recently and talked about the success of this Disney favorite.  Here’s what Corbin Bleu (Chad) had to say --

Sandra Varner (SV) - How does it feel to have this type of “Rock Star” lifestyle?

Corbin Bleu (CB) - “Rock Star” is a good way to describe it, I mean, it’s surreal.  I didn’t expect but it’s great to be able to embrace it now.  We get to travel the world and go to major events.  We toured South America with thousands of screaming fans in a soccer stadium --it’s a surreal life-- but it’s something that we’ve been able to grab hold of and take up the challenge every time.

SV - What do you think young people are connecting to most with this film and the characters that are in it because clearly you guys are a phenomenon?

CB - (Said modestly) Thank you.  I think the characters are ones that you see in school; they all have choices that they make [that are] like the real choices kids make in school: especially middle school and high school.  There is so much peer pressure, pressure from parents, you almost have to concede to what their aspirations are for your life rather than your own, so it’s something that I think they can really latch onto, the fact that these characters are making their own choices.  They are doing what they truly feel is their own passions.

SV - Were you a dancer prior to getting cast in this franchise or did it enhance your dancing abilities?

CB - I grew up dancing and as a young child I would dance on the floor in the mirror.  I went to Debbie Allen’s dance academy for some time.  I started dancing when I was two years old with ballet and tap.  This was a great project to come to and to be able to sing and dance in front of a camera and, the fact that it was an original musical was another thing that I liked.  You haven’t seen that in a while; I think one of the latest ones (original film musical) was Moulin Rouge which obviously wasn’t for a younger audience.  I grew up with so many other musicals so to be able to make something for this generation to call their own --that they can actually watch and enjoy-- that was not something that their parents used to watch was great.

SV - I understand that you are a Barack Obama supporter.  How are you involved with the campaign?

CB - While on tour, each night I’d come on stage wearing a Barack Obama tee shirt and during the middle of a performance, I’d make a speech saying, “Now is our time” and make an appeal for the audience to get involved and vote.  Those who can vote go out there and vote.  It may not seem like one vote can make a difference but that’s not what it’s about; it’s the fact that you can have and express your own opinion.  My goal is to get people active. 

SV - Do you feel a certain connection to him (Obama) being of mixed race as he is?

CB - Absolutely, of course I do.  I believe that it’s a beautiful time right now.  You know I walk on the street and I definitely see more mixed faces which is awesome.  Growing up back in New York during the very early parts of my life it wasn’t necessarily looked upon the same way by everyone.  I know when my parents were first together, they’d sometimes receive dirty looks, but I think it’s a time right now where it’s (mixed race families) blossoming and accepted.  Cultures need to come together.  Every culture brings something so beautiful about themselves that putting them all in the pot and mixing them all together can only make something really special.

More about Corbin --

CORBIN BLEU (Chad Danforth) starred in the Emmy Award®-winning Disney Channel Original Movie “High School Musical,” returning for “High School Musical 2.”

He produces and stars in William Dear’s “Free Style,” in which he plays a young motocross racer looking to win the Amateur National Championships while supporting his family. The film is slated for an early 2009 release.

Bleu’s first leading film role was in “Catch That Kid,” opposite Kristen Stewart. Other film credits include “Soldier,” opposite Kurt Russell; “Galaxy Quest,” with Tim Allen and Sigourney Weaver; “Mystery Men,” opposite Ben Stiller and Hank Azaria; and “Family Tree.”

On the small screen, Bleu starred as a boxer turned double Dutch champion in the Disney Channel Original Movie “Jump In!” with Keke Palmer and his real-life father David Reivers. Prior to the premiere of HSM2, “Jump In!” was the most watched Disney Channel program premiering to 8.2 million viewers. Bleu’s television credits also include a starring role on the Discovery Kids/NBC series “Flight 29 Down” and guest-starring roles on Disney Channel’s “Hannah Montana,” “ER,” “The Amanda Show,” “Cover Me” and “Malcolm & Eddie.”

On stage, Bleu starred in the off-Broadway productions of “Tiny Tim is Dead” and “Brothers of the Knight” with Debbie Allen. He attended the prestigious Debbie Allen Dance Academy and later the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts as a theatre major.

Due for release in February 2009 is Bleu’s second album distributed by Hollywood Records. His debut solo album “Another Side” was released in 2007 featuring the hit single “Push it to the Limit” from “Jump In!” In the summer of 2007, Bleu completed a solo 45-city concert tour. He recently released the single “Run It Back Again” from the Disney Channel Original Movie “Minutemen,” which was one of the top 10 downloaded songs on iTunes. Bleu was nominated for a 2008 NAACP Image Award for Best New Artist.

Bleu is involved with many children’s charities, including St. Jude's Children’s Hospital, Starlight Starbright and the Make-a-Wish Foundation.