← Next On Scene: The Human Behind The Brand
Next On Scene: The Human Behind The Brand
Cedric the Entertainer on Stand-Up, Broadway & Staying Relevant
00:22:51
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- [00:00]
Narrator
Jack Harndale was helping his daughter Emily lift an awkward dresser up a staircase when he slipped and fell backwards. A week later, Emily asked him how he was doing.
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Cedric the Entertainer
I'm good.
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Narrator
Truth was, he wasn't good. Jack needed help. Then the darndest thing happened. Emily called Pacific Source my health plan. Jack learned that Pacific Source provides members with support beyond healthcare. In Jack's case, we got him in touch with the local food bank.
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Jacqueline Zuckerman
You guys do that?
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Narrator
Yes, we do, Jack. Pacific Source health plan.
- [00:30]
Podcast Host/Announcer
Today's red carpet moments are sponsored by Camarbre, a local Massachusetts fashion brand. For all your luxury fashion needs, check out these amazing shoes. And check out kamarbre.com welcome to Next on scene, the human behind the brand. I'm Jacqueline Zuckerman delaure award winning publicist, mom and media visionary. I believe visibility isn't just about being seen. It's about being of service. Each week we are going to uncover real stories behind success. The breakthroughs, the heartbreaks, and the moments that made you who you are. Because the truth is, the more we allow ourselves to be human, the more powerful our impact becomes. This is where visibility meets legacy. This is next on scene.
- [01:17]
Jacqueline Zuckerman
Welcome back to next on scene where we go behind the highlight reel and meet the human behind the brand. From stand up to hit TV and film, his legacy spans generations. Please welcome the one and only Cedric the Entertainer. Cedric the entertainer, welcome to next on scene. I'm so excited to have you here today.
- [01:35]
Cedric the Entertainer
Hello. How are you?
- [01:36]
Jacqueline Zuckerman
Good. So I want to talk about. So before we started recording, we talk about fashion and colors because I feel like every time I've seen you perform, you're wearing these awesome suits. Okay. And color affects, like, how we show up in the world, how we interact with others. So blue is actually a big communication color. I see you wearing navy blue today. I love that red is like the energy and the green is actually grounded, like very like grounding. I don't know if you ever knew that before, but I love, like, discussing color psychology because I really feel like it affects like, how we show up in the world. Do you agree with that?
- [02:08]
Cedric the Entertainer
You know, I mean, now that you say it, it does make a lot of sense. You know, when you wear certain colors, you know, like you are communicating a certain way. Or I love when people say, oh, I love you in earth tones or when you these, these things, you know, that they kind of control mood or if you a brighter color, you actually feel brighter. You know, those kind of. I never really thought about what you call it, colored psychology.
- [02:29]
Jacqueline Zuckerman
Yeah, that's what it's called color psychology.
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Cedric the Entertainer
That is something new for me. And I will be talking. I will be talking about this on stage.
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Jacqueline Zuckerman
I love it. Oh, my God, I love this. So good. Okay, I'm. I'm psyched. Psyched to hear that.
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Cedric the Entertainer
I'm just gonna be going around the room just judging people. Look at you.
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Jacqueline Zuckerman
Well, no, no, I'm telling you, like, now, literally, when I interact with people, I'm like, googling, like, what does this color mean? Like, what are they? Like, I literally do it all the time. I think it so fascinating. Yeah, I love that. Awesome. Okay, so I want to talk a little bit about your background. So, like, you have a background also in, like, insurance, substitute teaching. Like, how did comedy come about for you?
- [03:05]
Cedric the Entertainer
You know, I mean, you know, I was from a funny family in a way. Like, you know, a lot of uncles. I mean, single parent household. My mother had a. She was a school teacher with a great sense of humor. And I could just kind of remember I had two uncles that influenced me a lot. And they both had funny personalities. They were the ones that made you laugh. You couldn't wait to be around them because they always had the family laughing. And so as a young person, it was like a part of my kind of family background is to just be. Make sure that there was laughter happening. So I can remember making people laugh at a very young age not knowing it was, you know, that I could be a comedian, but just knowing that that was the energy that I wanted to give people. Like, when I show up, I know how I felt when they came around. Like, I know I'm gonna laugh. I can't wait to see my uncle, you know, so, you know, that. That became, you know, what I consider almost my brand, like, in a way, is that just this person that shows up and you almost can't wait for me to be there. You're just ready for me to come in, in the room, right?
- [04:05]
Jacqueline Zuckerman
No, I mean, it makes complete sense. I love that. So then obviously now you've done acting, you're a film. You're like. You're a producer, you're executive producer, Right. On your show, the Neighborhood. Like, how did all of these, like, compile into parts of you? You know, I'm so fascinated by that.
- [04:18]
Cedric the Entertainer
Yeah. You know, I think that it really is a combination again, because my mother was an educator. School was a big part of how I had to get along. I couldn't just be the class clown. Matter of fact, I wasn't the class clown. People always think that that Because I was comedian. They like, you must have been a class clown. I was like, I was not. My mother taught in the same school district that, that I went to school in. And so all the teachers kind of knew each other and they would call if I was like being extra. So I did get that call one time and that was it. I was like. When they called, my mother told her I was doing too much. So, you know, I started to like lean into school and you know, actually wanting to be a lawyer when I first went to college. And so I guess a lot of that kind of analytical thinking and you know, kind of leadership and not necessarily feeling like everything was a joke, you know, led to the idea of being able to kind of produce and see things from an organizational point of view and you know, want to take ideas and implement them from the top as opposed to just be a part of them.
- [05:22]
Jacqueline Zuckerman
So interesting. Do you think your kids play a role in what you do today? Like especially now, how you're showing up, interacting and the things you do, you know?
- [05:30]
Cedric the Entertainer
Yeah. You know, because kids, it just, they're just so, so demanding in that way. Right. When they show up in your life, it's like, you know, your, your schedule is no longer yours. Right. You have to kind of fit things in. I've had, you know, I got a fantastic, you know, support, well, family, you know, wife, sister in laws, cousins, so many people that was able to support, you know, and that allowed me to still be like on tour and you know, do my business. But my kids were definitely the kind of personalities that demanded your attention and wanted and even to this day we have very, you know, close knit bonds with each other. So it's just like, you know, you just respect who they are and then they give you respect and that, and that's, you know, how they lead you for sure.
- [06:23]
Jacqueline Zuckerman
No, that makes, that makes a lot of sense. So when you, when you perform, I want to go back because obviously you're performing this week. We're spotlighting you at Foxwood, which is so exciting. Like what goes into, like what amps you up before you perform? Like, what's, what's Cedric's thing that he does before he performs?
- [06:39]
Cedric the Entertainer
Mainly a lot of music. You know, I listen to like, you know, both old school and new school. Like I have a, I have a nephew that works with me younger, you know, that brings me all the kind of newer music and let me kind of listen through what's, you know, going on I probably wouldn't listen to. And then I have my, my My kind of go to hype me up songs that, you know, you know, I'm. I'm old Jay Z, dude. So I'm like, no Jay Z and, you know, 2000 Kanye. 2008-08-002010 Kanye. You know, so. But. But I like. I like the. I like that vibration. You know, listening to a lot of music, I usually kind of get kind of chill also right before the show. And he's really, like, looking over notes and thinking over. Thinking over joke ideas and go. I have this thing of knowing what joke I want to start with and at least have a general idea where I want to end. Like, the ending could change, but I usually have to, like, really, like, know my map out in a way. In a way like. Like Google maps. I have to know my first four or five steps and then I can kind of improv from there. Like, but I need to. When I walk on stage, I need to know, like, I'm going to start here. I'm going to go here. I'm going to go here, and then. All right, I'll get a feel of the room and then just take off.
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Jacqueline Zuckerman
Fair. Like bullet points in your brain.
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Cedric the Entertainer
Yeah, exactly. Need that. You need some bullet points.
- [08:02]
Jacqueline Zuckerman
I get it.
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Cedric the Entertainer
I tell young comedians that too, all the time. Like, don't go up there thinking you just magic. You can just pull it out. Like, you need to know what you're gonna do, right?
- [08:10]
Jacqueline Zuckerman
So true. Okay, wait, so I want to go back to the music because every guest that I have on, like, I make like a Spotify playlist. So what would be your song choice, like, if you could pick one right now that speaks to you? What is it?
- [08:21]
Cedric the Entertainer
One right now that speaks to me is. It's French Montana's. Ever since you left. That's my song right now.
- [08:29]
Jacqueline Zuckerman
Love it. Okay, perfect. I'm going to add that one. Thank you. That's awesome. Okay, so I want to also talk about your entrepreneur background, right, because you have the wine company, you're doing the grilling. By the way, what is your favorite thing to barbecue?
- [08:43]
Cedric the Entertainer
Oh, I'm still an old, old school. You know, what they call hot link, dude. Like, I like to do the links and, you know, any kind of. Any kind of kabas. I like to want to. I like to get dark and kind of grilled up. But. But ribs, of course, is always great.
- [09:00]
Podcast Host/Announcer
So, you know, I love that.
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Jacqueline Zuckerman
And so your book with Anthony is coming out in May. I saw. Right?
- [09:06]
Cedric the Entertainer
Yes.
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Jacqueline Zuckerman
Yeah. So where can people get that, all of those things?
- [09:10]
Cedric the Entertainer
Well, that that book will be out wherever books are sold, which is going to be the great thing about that. You know, we. We wanted to have a big, large footprint there. So, you know what is no Barnes and Nobles anymore. I don't know what's going on, but it's few. It's like four. But anywhere that you sell books will. You'll be able to go there. So awesome. Look for. Look for other book people and ask them where they sell books.
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Jacqueline Zuckerman
I laughed too, when I saw the title of the book too. I loved it. So, like, you guys just kept it so simple to depict your personalities. Like, is that kind of what inspired the title of the book?
- [09:46]
Cedric the Entertainer
Basically, yeah. Yeah. The husky and handsome guy to grilling is. Is. Is actually me and Anthony and we say we're interchangeable. You know, like the. The husky and the handsome. He's. He's got more svelte lately than I have. But you know, we used to be the two big sexy guys, as we call ourselves. So, you know, like, that's hilarious. So we. We play with that and we still play with that idea that being husky and handsome is fine. Just fine.
- [10:13]
Jacqueline Zuckerman
It is just fine. I love it. Okay, thank you for sharing that. I think that's amazing. And it's. I'm kind of disappointed too, that Barnes and Noble doesn't really exist the way that it used to anymore. It's kind of disappointing. That was like favorite bookstore. I don't know about you.
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Cedric the Entertainer
It's me a good time. They put the Starbucks in there at one time. You can go and spend a long time just kind of reading and never buy a book. I would just read in there. I would just grab.
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Jacqueline Zuckerman
I. But to the way you said you write. I love journaling. I loved their journals. They had like all the things. So I relate to that too. So I want to talk to you about the wine company that you have. So did that like, was that inspired by your mom?
- [10:47]
Cedric the Entertainer
Yeah, you know, the. The name was. The idea really came. You know, I started drinking win ago. This is a few years Maybe. Maybe about 15, 20 years ago. And you know where you started to learn about the wine Educated stumbled upon. A friend of mine introduced me to a great vendor in. In Napa Valley. We sat one day just kind of talking and he was. He wanted to do. He likes to do kind of like little charity projects. Just a little small one offs. And this was going to be that idea. And yet, you know, it's. Here it is four or five years later. We like doing great, having a lot of fun. But it was an opportunity. My mother, again, didn't drink much, but whenever she would celebrate, wine would be her. She would always have this little saying. I toasted glass with a touch of glass. So that's why I named the wine after her. Her name is Rosetta. Of course, the. The name Rosetta was taken. So we just took. Yeah, yeah, exactly. Just kind of rock with it.
- [11:51]
Jacqueline Zuckerman
That's awesome. So part of my show is talking about the human behind the brands. Was there a moment in your life that kind of, like, put you on the trajectory to change the path you were on? That kind of, like, really stood out to you in terms of, like, I need to shift something. This really was something I need to take the jump for.
- [12:09]
Cedric the Entertainer
Well, you know, I think I always kind of tell the story in mine was. In a sense, I was. I went to college. I was working at State Farm. I was a claims adjuster doing well, and was actually starting to get promoted in the company. I kind of discovered I could do comedy around the same time. So I'd worked for state farm about three years doing comedy around St. Louis, bouncing around. But, you know, it got to a point in the company, in State Farm, where they were going to promote me to a level where as a young man, I probably would have, you know, stayed in that job if I would have took this, you know, the salaried position of 80 something thousand dollars a year at 28 years old or whatever. Right. You'd be like, once you do it, you like, all right, I'm hook. I'm not gonna leave this job. And so that was the. That was the. That was the kind of impasse for me was to decide not to go for what felt like the safer, more corporate, more, you know, smarter. You know, I had health insurance over on that side. We had a. At that. At that point, the company used to let you drive a company car. You had all kinds of, you know, perks. And then I'm gonna go and take a chance on being comedian. But that's what I did. And that was that kind of, you know, definitely that point that where I feel like had I not made that choice, I would have been living a different life.
- [13:32]
Jacqueline Zuckerman
I love that. Thank you so much for sharing that. I think my audience is going to so much resonate with that because I think people just feel like it's. It's okay to stay comfortable because they're so worried. Right?
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Cedric the Entertainer
Yeah.
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Jacqueline Zuckerman
Having security. I love your mentality. I have the same mentality. Thank you for that inspiration today. I really appreciate that. I Love it. Okay, so obviously now, neighborhood, the neighborhood's been on for eight years, right? Yeah, yeah. Amazing. What are the, what are the goals with that? Like, what's next?
- [13:57]
Cedric the Entertainer
Well, you know, we just wrapped that was it. It was a series finale cup like last week. And it was, you know, bittersweet. I mean, it was one of those ones where it's a great experience to do something that long with a wonderful cast of people and then, then you go into the. Back into the wild unknown. So, I mean, I'm actually in New York now preparing to do Broadway. So rehear and I'll be, you know, on Broadway. So I'm stretching, stretching in a different direction. This is my second run on Broadway. I did play in 08 short run. But this is something I'm excited about with Taraji P. Henson and Debbie Allen directing us. So. And we're doing August Wilson's Joe Turner's Coming Gone, which is going to be big and opens in April. Want everybody to come see me do something different, man, I'm out here stretching out.
- [14:50]
Jacqueline Zuckerman
Amazing. I'm gonna have to ask Arn, send me all the links so I could put it in like show notes and stuff. Yes. So cool. So you've been on so many different stages, awards. Like, what's been the one thing that actually has stood out to you the most in your career?
- [15:04]
Cedric the Entertainer
You know, I mean, you know, you know, many great opportunities. I think, you know, the fun one I can remember was the first time we ever hosted the BET Awards, the big awards. And it was me and Steve Harvey as partners. And of course. And that was. That kind of stemmed from the original Kings of Comedy, which would be another, you know, tent pole moment in my career of the being on these large arena stages performing to, you know, 20, 30,000 people at a time. Craziness. Like, you know, you just don't do that as a stand up. You never think about it hitting you like that in those moments. So, you know, I think those are the kind of things that I think about, are highlights for me. You know, the movie Barbershop, like, you know, having a character in my head and making it come to life and you know, because they wanted me for another role in that movie and I wanted to play the old man and I told him I can do it. And when that, when that character hit and it just changed my life. And it was one of those things again where you bet on yourself, you bet on an idea you have and that's the thing that propels you to your greatest, greatest height. So Those are the things I can think of that are like these moments where I like, oh, I saw. I saw it before I did it. And then it threw me. It catapulted me up to for further because it was the right thing to do.
- [16:37]
Jacqueline Zuckerman
So good. Mic drop. I'm so inspired today. Like, so good. So good. Okay, I want to do rapid fire. I have some quick questions I want to ask you. Okay. So who is the funniest person you've ever met?
- [16:48]
Cedric the Entertainer
Oh, wow, that's ouchy. Oh, man, I'm gonna go. Oh, that's. Man, I met some funny people, man. I'm probably have to say my wife. She hilarious.
- [16:58]
Jacqueline Zuckerman
Love it.
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Cedric the Entertainer
She didn't do stand up.
- [17:00]
Jacqueline Zuckerman
I love it. So good. Okay, what's been your favorite voiceover role?
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Cedric the Entertainer
Oh, man, probably I'm. I'mma go with Uncle Bobby from the Proud Family on Disney.
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Jacqueline Zuckerman
And.
- [17:13]
Cedric the Entertainer
And then. And then Maurice from. Maurice from. What is that joint? Madagascar.
- [17:26]
Jacqueline Zuckerman
So good. So good. Okay, what is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
- [17:33]
Cedric the Entertainer
That I kind of write songs and jingles sometimes too.
- [17:36]
Jacqueline Zuckerman
I love that.
- [17:37]
Cedric the Entertainer
Yeah.
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Jacqueline Zuckerman
Yeah, I love that. Okay, and last question too. What's the most unglamorous thing in your routine of your day? But you do.
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Cedric the Entertainer
Have to put Icy Hot on my knees.
- [17:52]
Jacqueline Zuckerman
No, perfect. I love it. So relatable. So obviously now I want to transition into like a day. A day of Cedric. So what goes into a full day of Cedric? Every day is obviously different.
- [18:03]
Cedric the Entertainer
Yeah, every day is a little different. But normally I get up and I'll try to get some stretching in a little, you know, and then it's. I'm usually in the car, going to work, listen to a lot of books. I. I listen to Easy Rollins. What's my right. Walter Mosley. So Austin Mosley is my kind of detective crime OG Books I write usually listen to that on the way to work. And then it is, you know, in the office, work time. You know, hang out, get off, get off from work at home, listen to my book again, grab something to eat, maybe smoke a cigar.
- [18:45]
Jacqueline Zuckerman
Love it.
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Cedric the Entertainer
Yeah. And then I'm back. And then I'm back in the showered, up, back in the bed, chilling, watching a little tv. If Landman is on, then that's gonna be.
- [18:55]
Jacqueline Zuckerman
I heard that show is so good. Side note, it's very good.
- [18:58]
Cedric the Entertainer
But yeah, we love Landman. So these are things we'll try to do. Of course my wife will try to find shows that we like to enjoy together and. And that's it. And I'm a. I'M a habit of old school stuff too, so I watch older shows a lot. Like I'll go back and watch the Wire or Boardwalk Empire or the Good Wife. Like, I'll watch the whole series all over again. Like, I've never seen it.
- [19:22]
Jacqueline Zuckerman
I love it. I'm like, when do you have time, Cedric?
- [19:24]
Cedric the Entertainer
It's impressive that it's usually. I mean, it's usually when I'm, you know, about to go to sleep, it's never like, I never get. It's probably why I do it because I can't get through old episodes.
- [19:34]
Jacqueline Zuckerman
Yeah. So. So you're living in New York now while you're prepping for the show, right?
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Cedric the Entertainer
Yes, yes.
- [19:40]
Jacqueline Zuckerman
Are you good? Well. And you're traveling for your stand up comedy tour, so you got a lot happening.
- [19:45]
Cedric the Entertainer
Yeah, yeah. That was this. This is the final weekend that I could do it because once we get into pool rehearsals, then I, you know, I can't really work on the weekend. So I'll see people in Foxwood. It's gonna be great. I'm gonna before then. And then I'm gonna do Detroit after that. So I'm just out running, having a good time, making people laugh. I've been on tour. I was on tour last weekend, so I'm just out, you know those. That's these moments of, you know, doing something you love and you know that it's for a reason. It's gonna have to stop for a while for about four or five months. And I was like, oh, I gotta just get it off my chest. So I'm not. I love it just like this.
- [20:22]
Jacqueline Zuckerman
So. Okay. To tie together before we close out. Like, do you know what you're wearing yet for your, for your stand up comedy shows coming up, the next. What colors? What colors are we talking about?
- [20:31]
Podcast Host/Announcer
Colors.
- [20:32]
Cedric the Entertainer
Colors. We're talking colors. What are we talking, Jackie? You know, the problem is, is that this blizzard came and I don't know if my clothes is gonna. My clothes are gonna make it.
- [20:42]
Jacqueline Zuckerman
Oh, so.
- [20:43]
Cedric the Entertainer
So you might see this sweatsuit on stage.
- [20:46]
Jacqueline Zuckerman
I love it.
- [20:47]
Cedric the Entertainer
Sink it.
- [20:48]
Jacqueline Zuckerman
You're gonna rock it. It'll totally pull through. I think I'm in Boston, so I think by the time hopefully this surpasses, you know what I mean? Hopefully tomorrow or the next day.
- [20:57]
Cedric the Entertainer
Yeah, I agree.
- [20:58]
Jacqueline Zuckerman
Yeah.
- [20:59]
Cedric the Entertainer
Yes. So, yeah. But it was all shut down, so I didn't know what was going on. I was like, oh, I hope my stuff makes it.
- [21:05]
Jacqueline Zuckerman
Yeah, well, it will. I'm sending all the good energy. All the good energy. I love it.
- [21:10]
Cedric the Entertainer
Yeah.
- [21:10]
Jacqueline Zuckerman
Cedric, you are amazing. Thank you so much for your time today. How can people follow you? Get in touch. I will definitely have Arnold send me all the things in the show notes, too, but something.
- [21:18]
Cedric the Entertainer
All right.
- [21:19]
Jacqueline Zuckerman
How can people follow?
- [21:20]
Cedric the Entertainer
Hey, follow me on. I'm mainly on Instagram at Sid the Entertainer. Check for the blue chick. But then there's my page. I am Cedric. I'm. I'm on Tick tock and Facebook and I don't know what. What names I'm under, but come follow me. I'm over there having a good time.
- [21:38]
Jacqueline Zuckerman
Love it. And then obviously your show tickets are available. Where. Where do you guys.
- [21:42]
Cedric the Entertainer
Yeah, I don't know.
- [21:46]
Jacqueline Zuckerman
Well, Foxwoods, I'm assuming, like the places. Yeah.
- [21:51]
Cedric the Entertainer
Is one of the funnest places to do shows. All comedians love to perform there. It's a great stage. I love when people. When people come out and understand it is going to be a blast. We have a great time there. And you will. You will enjoy yourself. So we expect to see everybody in the house. All right.
- [22:08]
Jacqueline Zuckerman
I love it. Okay, and one question to close out. What would you tell your younger self today, man?
- [22:13]
Cedric the Entertainer
You know, continue to continue to think big and dream big and don't wait as long, man. You know, a lot of times you kind of doubt yourself from trying. I would say do that. Try that, brother. Don't.
- [22:26]
Jacqueline Zuckerman
I love it.
- [22:27]
Cedric the Entertainer
Go do it.
- [22:28]
Jacqueline Zuckerman
Do it. Go do it. Oh, my God. Thank you so much, Cedric. This was awesome. Thank you, everyone, so much for tuning in to next on scene. And stay tuned for his next on scene.
- [22:37]
Podcast Host/Announcer
Today's red carpet moments are sponsored by Camarbre, a local Massachusetts fashion brand. And for all your luxury fashion needs, check out these amazing shoes and check out camarbre.com I'm here to give you your red carpet moment. So follow us on all our podcast channels on any stream from iheartradio Spotify. If you just type in next on scene, the human behind the brand, or you can also follow us on all our social media channels at nextonscene.
- [23:04]
Jacqueline Zuckerman
I can't wait for you to come on this journey with us.
- [23:06]
Podcast Host/Announcer
Your say is very impactful as an audience member. So come along for the ride and we are going to all evolve together. And we can't wait for you to see who's next on scene.