The Commercial Break – TCB Infomercial: Rickey Smiley
Original Air Date: August 12, 2025
Hosts: Bryan Green & Krissy Hoadley
Guest: Ricky Smiley (comedian, radio legend)
Episode Overview
This special "TCB Infomercial" episode brings comedy icon and radio legend Ricky Smiley into the virtual studio with Bryan and Krissy. With typical TCB energy, the conversation blends chaos and warmth as the group riffs about Southern culture, comedy, decades in radio, grief, gratitude, the art of radio, and the shared madness of pop culture obsessions. Ricky discusses his career journey, his unique approach to radio, his new Hulu comedy special, and the deeply personal story behind his latest book.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Ricky Smiley's Atlanta & Southern Roots
- Birmingham to Atlanta: Ricky expands on his close relationship with Atlanta despite being a Birmingham native.
“Everybody that live in Birmingham went to Atlanta every weekend... We grew up in Atlanta also.”
— Ricky Smiley, 12:20 - Cultural Crossovers: “Once you get past Six Flags, you in the game, you're there.”
— Ricky Smiley, 13:08 - Atlanta's influence: Outlines the intertwined atmosphere and community between Birmingham and Atlanta, especially in music, radio, and Black culture.
2. The "White Thanksgiving vs Black Thanksgiving" Bit
- Comic Take on Food Traditions: The episode opens with a riff from Ricky’s comedy special, humorously dissecting the contrast between the simplicity of "white people Thanksgiving" and the lavish, all-day feast of "black people Thanksgiving."
“Why we can't do that?... Why we be doing the most on Thanksgiving?”
— Ricky Smiley, 00:42 - Food List Run: A rapid-fire, hilarious recitation of dishes that show Southern and Black household extravagance.
3. The Radio Legend: How Ricky Smiley Has Lasted
- Secrets of Longevity:
“Mastering the art of being funny. People want to laugh. I found out...people want to be entertained in the morning...you got to have a good balance...make it about the listeners and not me.”
— Ricky Smiley, 14:43 - Audience Engagement: Describes creating “must-listen” radio through unpredictability, audience involvement, and performing both on-air and on stage to keep current with listeners’ moods.
“When you get text messages while you're on the air...people are talking about the show.”
— Ricky Smiley, 16:40 - Transparency: Ricky’s open discussion of heavy topics—autism, childhood cancer, grief—blended with fun and lightness, keeps his bond with fans strong.
4. Grief, Loss, and Using Pain for Purpose
- On Losing His Son:
“I lost my son on a Sunday. Wednesday I was back on the air... That’s the reason why I've had a lot of success in radio, because I had to realize that I'm not the only one that lost a son.”
— Ricky Smiley, 42:08 - Radiating Resilience: Ricky emphasizes the importance of channeling personal tragedy into helping and encouraging listeners, especially those with similar experiences.
“Our job is to make people laugh while we're crying on the inside.”
— Ricky Smiley, 41:44 - Power of Connection: Shares how book signings brought catharsis for others coping with loss, and how vulnerability has become part of his healing and his gift to the community.
5. Mentorship, Fraternity, and Career Breaks
- Mentorship from Steve Harvey:
“Steve called me one day and he said, ‘Hey, I'm getting ready to go to Clear Channel...I recommended you for this job.’ ... His bodyguard Boomerang cursed me out... ‘If you don't have your skinny black ass in Dallas by tomorrow morning, we ain't effing with you no more.’”
— Ricky Smiley, 21:03 - Omega Psi Phi Brotherhood: Ricky describes the supportive fraternity network (with famous brothers DL Hughley, Steve Harvey, Shaquille O’Neal) and how it’s influenced his growth and opportunities.
6. Crafting a Comedy & Radio Career
- Comedy Playbook:
“I have a playbook...I have like six different acts...it depends on the audience and where you are and who you’re performing with that decides what you're gonna do on stage.”
— Ricky Smiley, 33:59, 35:01 - Pressure of Standup vs Radio:
“Radio is less pressure...people pay money to come see you [on stage], so the expectations are like right here. Radio is free.”
— Ricky Smiley, 26:11 - Early Start: Started at age 20, doing “roasting sets” in college dorms, inspired by watching others try stand-up and realizing he could do it too.
7. Comedy Special, Pop Culture & TV Obsessions
- New Hulu Special — "Foolish":
“It is so funny and it is so fucking true...Stovetop stuffing, that’s what we like. We don't want any oysters or old bay seasoning.”
— Bryan Green quoting Ricky’s special, 49:28 - Favorite TV Shows: Ricky (and Bryan) bond over obsessions with "My 600 Pound Life" and "7 Little Johnstons."
“All the women that's on there, they all got a man...but all the men over there don’t got a woman. None of them.”
— Ricky Smiley, 50:01 - Nostalgic Music Talk: Ricky’s joy at sharing soft rock classics and MTV with his grandkids, stories about radio’s crossover of genres ("Fleetwood Mac on Black radio").
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
On the Power of Comedy and Grief
- “Our job is to make people laugh while we're crying on the inside.”
— Ricky Smiley, 41:44 - “If you can't handle this, you're not ready to go to the next level that God have for you.”
— Ricky Smiley, 43:15 - “I lost my son on a Sunday. Wednesday I was back on the air.”
— Ricky Smiley, 42:08
On Why He Still Loves Radio
- “You have to have a good balance… make it about the listeners and not me.”
— Ricky Smiley, 14:43 - “Mastering the art of being funny. People want to laugh.”
— Ricky Smiley, 14:43 - “I get up, take a shower, get dressed… I would never disrespect radio to walk in here and do the show in my pajamas.”
— Ricky Smiley, 26:11
On Mentorship
- “If it’s uncomfortable, lean into it. That's where you need to be.”
— Bryan Green, 31:43
On Atlanta-Birmingham Culture
- “Everybody that live in Birmingham went to Atlanta every weekend... We partied in Atlanta. We grew up in Atlanta also.”
— Ricky Smiley, 12:20 - “Once you get past Six Flags, you in the game, you're there.”
— Ricky Smiley, 13:08
On Thanksgiving
- [Ricky’s classic riff listing endless Southern/Black Thanksgiving dishes—see 00:48 for full comic rant!]
On Legendary Syndication
- “To be syndicated in five stations is a big deal...Ryan Seacrest, Howard Stern, Joyner, Ricky Smiley, Steve Harvey... That's amazing.”
— Bryan Green, 24:06
On Influencing and Being Influenced
- “I got a playbook...I have like six different acts...I knew what they had a taste for. I think they. He had swung the audience in this direction, so I need to be over here.”
— Ricky Smiley, 34:02
Key Timestamps for Important Segments
- 00:00–03:06 — Ricky Smiley’s Thanksgiving Bit
- 10:19–11:40 — Hosts hype and intro to Ricky Smiley
- 12:20–13:08 — Culture talk: Atlanta, Birmingham, and music
- 14:43–16:40 — Secrets to powerful radio longevity
- 18:04–18:22 — Importance of transparency on-air
- 21:00–24:00 — Ricky’s radio break & Steve Harvey friendship
- 26:11–27:52 — What he loves most: radio vs. stage
- 33:59–36:04 — Comedy “playbook,” prepping for shows, and adapting to audiences
- 41:44–44:33 — Grief, his son’s loss, turning tragedy to purpose
- 49:20–50:31 — TV obsessions ("My 600 Pound Life" and more)
- 52:03–53:14 — Nostalgia, soft rock, and sharing music with family
Final Thoughts & Takeaways
- Ricky Smiley is both a towering radio presence and a deeply transparent, generous soul. His blend of humor and humanity is universally resonant, whether he’s riffing about Southern holidays or opening up about his own pain.
- Connection, community, and authenticity are the pillars that have sustained Smiley’s multi-decade career.
- His new comedy special and his book, Sideshow, are both extensions of his versatility—offering side-splitting humor and emotional candor.
“Our job is to make people laugh while we're crying on the inside.”
— Ricky Smiley, 41:44 - Bryan and Krissy’s easy rapport with Smiley brings home the sense that the best comedy comes from lived experience, shared pain, and genuine warmth.
Episode Links
- Ricky Smiley on Hulu – "Foolish"
- Sideshow — Ricky Smiley’s book on grief and growth
- Find Ricky Smiley’s syndicated show
- All links are in the show notes
For fans of Southern comedy, radio nerds, or anyone needing a dose of laughter, resilience, and real talk about surviving and thriving through life’s toughest moments, this is a not-to-miss entry in The Commercial Break’s archive.