Podcast Summary: The Breakfast Club – Mike Epps Interview
Episode: INTERVIEW: Mike Epps Talks ‘We Them One’s’ Tour 2026, ‘The Upshaws,' ‘Last Friday,’ Kai Cenat; Streaming + More
Date: November 13, 2025
Hosts: DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, Charlamagne tha God (and guest host Lauren LaRose)
Guest: Mike Epps
Episode Overview
This episode of The Breakfast Club features comedian and actor Mike Epps, who joins the crew to discuss his long-running career, the upcoming "We The Ones" Comedy Tour 2026, the end of his Netflix sitcom "The Upshaws," the long-anticipated "Last Friday" movie, the evolution of comedy, building generational wealth, and adapting to new platforms like streaming. The interview is wide-ranging, honest, and often hilarious, with deep commentary on Hollywood, Black entertainers, and life, woven through classic Mike Epps banter.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Mike Epps' Relationship with The Breakfast Club & Legacy
- Mike jokes about not being honored enough by the show despite being a frequent and early visitor:
- "That's what I wanted to come here and talk about. I wanted to talk about the neglect that has been going on with the Breakfast Club." (04:22)
- Recognition of his longevity:
- Charlamagne highlights that Epps is one of the few Black comedians to have a hit sitcom last over five seasons, noting this is a rare achievement in television (06:44).
On Staying Relevant and Creative
- Epps describes why he never leaves the road:
- “That's the thing about me. I never leave the people... and that's because Hollywood is... they don't trust me 100%. Even now, white people do not trust me, man. And I've been working on it for years.” (05:43)
- Material comes from everyday life, not writing:
- “A real comedian ain't sitting there writing shit... You catch me wherever you catch me at, I'm gonna be funny.” (08:49)
- “If you come and see me that night at the comedy show, you gonna hear some shit that happened that day. I'm talking about it right on the stage.” (09:19)
The Black Experience in Hollywood
- Discusses ongoing struggle for respect:
- “Anybody black in any situation, you still gonna have to fight just to fight... it's even harder for us because we doing it against each other. We our biggest competition...” (09:54)
- Calls out how quickly Black culture can “forget” greats after one misstep:
- “One mistake in our culture can cause people to not f*** with you. Which is weird as hell to me.” (11:28)
- “We’ll push the narrative. We'll go so hard against each other.” (12:24)
Fame, Security, and Being Real
- On not needing security and living like a 'normal person':
- “...Nobody's paying attention to your mother f***ing ass. You can walk around by yourself and save your security money... Just live like you're a normal person so that you can enjoy this shit.” (16:59, 18:53)
- Jokes about seeing celebrities with excessive security:
- “I think it was Bobby Valentino? This nigga had two big ass niggas in the city. I couldn’t even see the little nigga!” (20:21)
Social Media, Streaming & the Young Generation
- Admiration for streamers like Kai Cenat:
- “That's why it's working for him, because he's not affected by it. He ain't on there trying to show you how much he got... he's just being himself and making money.” (21:44)
- “You gonna make more money and get more success being yourself than anybody in the world.” (22:01)
Comedy and the Craft
- On discussing other comedians:
- “I'm so tired of talking about people, talking about other comedians and other artists. I'm sick of that shit… I'm so blessed, I don’t have no room to talk sh*t about nobody, you know?” (15:08)
- On relatability and working as a team:
- Praises Netflix, Wanda Sykes, and Kim Fields as part of his success: “You have to have a great team. Nobody's doing this sh*t by themselves.” (07:58)
- On mentorship and honest feedback:
- “The worst thing in the world is to think you the sht and you ain't the sht... my special called Delusion... you really gotta be out of your mind and delusional to be successful and make it and keep going.” (24:25)
"The Upshaws" Ending
- Explains creative tension and show ending:
- “The Upshaws ended because the writers, Wanda Sykes and the other lady, Regina Hicks, they just couldn't see eye to eye... everybody didn’t agree with it all the time... kids got grown, you can’t write stories around them... I’m thankful that I’ve been able to be on TV for six years.” (34:26–37:28)
- Epps on creative input:
- “I never went in the writer’s room... If I got a script… I'll tell them, hell no, I ain’t doing that. I ain’t doing that.” (38:35)
Family, Maturity, and Personal Growth
- On growth as a father:
- “Most of us are still trying to find ourselves when we make kids... now I'm at the age now I got two new young kids. I'm the best father in the world.” (40:39)
- “It takes 50 years for a man to get his sh*t right. So be patient.” (42:26)
"Last Friday" Movie Update
- On the next Friday installment:
- “Me, Ice Cube, Aaron Magruder, and DJ Pooh were just together sitting in a room writing this movie. This movie gonna be crazy.” (46:19)
“We The Ones” Tour Details
- What makes this tour special:
- “This comedy tour is like a party, bro... you get 85 south together, and myself, man, them niggas are a fool... ain't nobody out here better than us. You go get a comedy lineup... we gonna spank they ass.” (44:36)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
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On Black success in Hollywood:
- “You still gonna have to fight just to fight. I never seen a race of people that, quote, unquote, are successful and still have to prove themselves.” – Mike Epps (09:54)
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On living authentically in showbiz:
- “Most of the people in the business are just pretend. All this shit is copied shit. I see the entertainers walking with the... coffee in the hand... that's some shit he’s seen somebody do.” (18:53)
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On social media and youth:
- “You gonna make more money and get more success being yourself than anybody in the world.” (22:01)
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On letting personal drama go:
- “The little shit stops you... I always focus on the prize. I never went in the writer's room... But if I got a script... I'll tell them, hell no, I ain't doing that.” (38:35)
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On personal growth and fatherhood:
- “It takes 50 years for a man to get his shit right. So be patient.” (42:26)
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On the competitive, “plant” nature of showbiz:
- “That's how Hollywood is, too. That's how show business is.” (11:17)
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On writing comedic material:
- “Nobody can really write for me anyway... I'm gonna say some shit funnier than whatever you put on the paper.” (47:08)
Timestamps for Important Segments
- Start of Main Interview & Mike Epps Roasting the Crew: 03:11
- Mike on Hollywood and Staying Hungry: 05:43–07:58
- Discussion on Comedy Writing Style and Tour Material: 08:45–09:41
- Respect in Hollywood & Black Comedians: 09:41–12:29
- Celebrity Security and “Living Normal”: 16:59–20:19
- Streaming, Kai Cenat, and Reaching Young Audiences: 20:51–22:27
- On “The Upshaws” Ending: 34:26–37:28
- On Fatherhood and Growth: 40:16–42:26
- “Last Friday” Movie Update: 46:04–47:17
- What Makes the “We The Ones” Tour Special: 44:36–45:41
Tone & Vibe
The episode is classic Breakfast Club: raw, candid, funny, and full of energy. Mike Epps’ trademark humor blends effortlessly with moments of deep honesty about Hollywood, the pressures on Black entertainers, and personal transformation. The crew keeps things both probing and playful, with Mike throwing as much shade as he gets and speaking directly to his love of community, authenticity, and the craft of comedy.
Summary for New Listeners
This episode delivers the unfiltered, hilarious, and wise perspective of Mike Epps as he pours out stories about showbiz struggles, personal milestones, and the uniqueness of staying true in the entertainment world. You’ll get inside updates on major projects, see the reality of creative differences behind shows like "The Upshaws," and laugh at sharp commentary on everything from streaming to alumni parties and “sugar daddies.” For fans, comedians, and creators, it’s a study in resilience, humility, and always, always finding the funny.