All The Upshaws jokes might well be a couple decades old, but theres also a laudable attempt here at a different kind of family sitcom. There'd been nothing remotely like it since until now. Regina appears to be preoccupied, as she manages the garage while Bennie works on the vehicles. Hes also a rapper. She spent much of the late 1980s and early 1990s building her reputation as a rising star in the stand-up game, eventually getting her big break as an opening act for Chris Rock. Mike Epps as Bennie, Journey Christine as Maya, Kim Fields as Regina and Wanda Sykes as Lucretia in "The Upshaws" on Netflix. Some of it is still over the top; it feels like Spraggins, for instance, is in a Disney Channel teen sitcom that encourages mugging and arm-waving while everyone else is in something more akin to a network family sitcom (albeit one that uses the word shit very liberally). . Lucretia admits that Bennie is an excellent mechanic and agrees to reinstate him as manager. Portrayed by Fields also joined The Real Housewives of Atlanta for Season 8. [13], Last edited on 20 February 2023, at 16:43, "Netflix Orders 'The Upshaws' Comedy Series Starring Wanda Sykes & Mike Epps", "Wanda Sykes and Mike Epps hilariously butt heads in first look at Netflix's, "Netflix Renews Wanda Sykes' 'The Upshaws' for Season 3 as It Creates New Comedy Pipeline for Standups (EXCLUSIVE)", "Mike Epps' new Netflix sitcom is set in Indianapolis. All Rights Reserved. In 2018 the actor/comedian/singer played DJ in the sci-fi action film The Meg, which should see a sequel in the next couple of years. Kim Fields Regina Upshaw. She writes at her blog,Chocolate Girl in the City. The thriller follows a forensics agent desperate for answers after finding out shes an identical triplet. Netflix's 'The Upshaws' is a sitcom that sees comedy veterans Wanda Sykes and Mike Epps join hands as executive producers and co-stars with uproarious results. You can follow Kennedy on Twitter or Instagram. The Upshaws season 3 plot. Reginas relationship with her sister Lucretia hasnt been good lately, either, mainly because of the continued sniping between Lucretia and Bennie. Bennie's wife, Regina, is overworked, stressed out and increasingly fed up with having to do the bulk of the parenting and housework. The Upshaws, though, aren't the first working-class Black family ever to be seen on television. Opening Shot: Bennie (Mike Epps) and Lucretia (Wanda Sykes) are in holding cells after being arrested for buying stolen auto parts. Come 2006, she landed her first comedy special on HBO titled "Wanda Sykes: Sick & Tired," and in 2009 she returned for "Wanda Sykes:I'ma Be Me" collectively earning her three Emmy Awards nominations between the two. Christine also had a small role in the 2019 Netflix movie Let It Snow. Lucretia Turner is one of the main characters in The Upshaws she is the older sister of Regina sister-in-law of Bennie and aunt of Aaliyah, Bernard and Maya. The Upshaws 2021 | Maturity Rating: TV-14 | 3 Seasons | Sitcoms A working-class Black family in Indiana strives for a better life and a happy home while juggling everyday struggles in this comedy series. Godzilla. Lucretia Turner is one of the main characters in The Upshaws she is the older sister of Regina sister-in-law of Bennie and aunt of Aaliyah, Bernard and Maya. Jermelle Simon as Bernard Upshaw Jr., Bennie and Regina's eldest child and only son together. 1,736, This story has been shared 1,616 times. The Upshaws, co-created by Regina Y. Hicks (Girlfriends, Insecure) and comedian-actress-writer Wanda Sykes, juices the multicamera-family-sitcom model with fresh dynamics, depth, and genuine laughs. It's also notable that, being on Netflix, Bennie and his friends use the N-word in good-natured conversations, without any censoring or underlying feelings of performative dialogue as is common among men of their age, education and background. Subscribe for full access to The Hollywood Reporter. What Shows Will It Remind You Of? Those interested in watching it in the US or the UK will need a subscription to Netflix, which can be purchased with just a few clicks. Set for a May 12, 2021 release, "The Upshaws" is set to join Netflix's ever-growing collection of original series. Bennie tells Regina about his new job, in which he has built his own garage in the driveway of their home. Still, although this one hits a bit heavier than earlier installments, it nevertheless manages to show how funny life is, even when its a bummer. The Upshaws are like the Conners in "Roseanne" a working-class family with money woes and a fraught relationship between a parent and the eldest child. 2003 saw the arrival of her sitcom "Wanda at Large," which put the thriving comic center stage, succeeded by 2004's short-lived "Wanda Does It" a show that put her in various professions away from the entertainment world. Shes also starred in two music videos, her own Work and Nina Wests Drag is Magic.. Other notable television works that Sykes appeared on include the political satire "Alpha House," "Black-ish," and "Broad City." Air date: May 12, 2021 When two of his kids have birthday parties on. What follows is a chaotic, humorous journey typical of the Upshaw family. Regina urges him to visit her clinic later that day. Now that the show is entering its third season, though, its in a position where the shows writers have figured out its characters and the actors who play them. You can follow Fields on Twitter or Instagram. She goes ahead and fires him. The comedy is also her first big part, after popping up on Empire as a young Cookie Lyons. Bennie is a mechanic in Indiana trying to do well by his family, but as his father was not around to teach him how to provide, Bennie's kind of winging it and making plenty of mistakes along the way. Well, youre in luck because were laying it all out for you from detailing the entire cast to connecting the dots on this family tree. 2023 TheReviewGeek. However, because both Regina and Bennie are unemployed, Bennie has no choice but to accept the job. She tries to get her oldest son Bernard (Jermelle Simon) to help, but he refuses; his relationship with Bennie is better than its been, but still isnt great, and hes tried of getting in the middle of Bennies messes. Watch the latest videos about #upshaws on TikTok. The Upshaws are determined to make it work, and make it to the next level, together. Lucretia proudly claimed the bragging rights, only to be informed that the authorities had discovered illegal parts trade in this garage. Here's how the city is portrayed", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Upshaws&oldid=1140556073. Gabrielle Dennis plays Tasha Lewis on The Upshaws, the mother of Kelvin, whom she and Bennie had when Bennie and Regina were on a break. Wanda Sykes headlines a Netflix multicam she co-created, starring Mike Epps and Kim Fields as an Indiana couple whose marriage becomes strained. One of her most enduring routines is 2003's "Tongue Untied," where she riffed on topics including her old NSA job, drinking in different locations, and the idea of having children. By using our Services, you agree to our use of cookies. But Bennies antiheroic qualities dont make The Upshaws characters any less two-dimensional or its dusty jokes any funnier. Epps has a long history of bringing the funny, with multiple stand-up specials available on Netflix: Only One Mike, Dont Take it Personal, and the latest, Indiana Mike. [5][6] On October 26, 2022, Netflix renewed the series for a third season. Why Lucretia From The Upshaws Looks So Familiar. Maya is the baby of the fam, and is brought to life by Journey Christine. Lucretia agrees to hire Bennie as a worker in the garage after much pleading, but she does not reinstate him as manager. Also, she tries to keep Bennies predicament away from her daughters, 15-year-old Aaliyah (Khali Spraggins) and 8-year-old Maya (Journey Christine). upshaws | 1.2M views. As we said when we reviewed the first set of episodes in 2001, The Upshaws feels like a 90s sitcom in a lot of ways, a cross between Martin and My Wife And Kids. In the second episode, for instance, he tells a guy hes dating to not be so extra in front of his daughter, and that leads the boyfriend to break up with him because Bernard needs to go on the journey of being queer and comfortable in his own skin. Lucretia encounters difficulties while running the garage without Bennie, as Bennie kept the place running. Now that she and Regina are on the outs, Sykes is able to explore the characters life outside of the Upshaw family, continuing the shows lovely tradition of building the sitcom stock typethe disparaging auntinto a well-rounded person. Bennie tries to diffuse the situation by trying to explain, but the scene cuts to Bennie inside a prison cell with Lucretia in another one opposite to him. Heading into this latest batch of episodes, the Upshaws are going through it even more than usual. Theyre the type of broke in which a bottle of body wash isnt truly empty when you can still add some water and get a couple more uses out of it. Lucretia Turner Watch Part 3 Now Bernard Jrs boyfriend can be seen spending time with his daughter Sydney by dancing at Bernards house. Since Aaliyah is trying to fit in, she caves and steals a top. Network: Between the ups and downs of this Indiana clan, led by father Bennie (Mike Epps) and mother Regina (Kim Fields), theres a lot of love here. Her friends also push her to steal from the shop. 1,616, This story has been shared 1,399 times. He was conceived when Bennie thought he and Regina were on a break. Occupation By focusing on these dynamics (and doing so quite well), The Upshaws is able to carve out a unique place in the history of Black sitcoms. In later years, Cosby would rant about Black women's supposed promiscuousness and the vulgarity of hip-hop culture and its supposed effect on Black people ignoring white supremacy and racism, which have been the real enemies of Black Americans since the trans-Atlantic slave trade. The Upshaws cast is led by comedian Mike Epps and features some well-known names, including Wanda Sykes and Kim Fields. Sykes also does voice work, appearing on animated series such as Bob's Burgers, Vampirina, and Harley Quinn and has done a number of standup specials, including Wanda Sykes: Not Normal, which is streaming on Netflix. Genre: Comedy. Before "The Cosby Show" shifted the representation of Black Americans almost solely to the middle class, "Good Times," created by Eric Monte and actor Mike Evans, centered on Florida (Ester Rolle) and James Evans (John Amos), who were living with their three children J.J., Thelma and Michael in Chicago's Cabrini-Green housing projects. Young teen Aaliyah is the scene-stealer of the Upshaws, and shes played by newcomer Khali Daniya-Renee Spraggins. You can follow Simon on Twitter or Instagram. Bernard is disturbed by everything his boyfriend is doing, so he attempts to talk to Hector about it. A couple of his stand-up specials are currently streaming on Netflix. Save for one noteworthy update to the Black family sitcoms of yore, Sykes and her co-creator Regina Y. Hicks largely listless series wouldve fit right into the network TV comedy landscape 20 years ago. Mike Epps as Bennie, Journey Christine as Maya, Kim Fields as Regina and Wanda Sykes as Lucretia in "The Upshaws" on Netflix. Parting Shot: After Bernard finally bails his dad out, Bennie goes to the garage and apologizes to Lucretia about the stolen goods, even though he maintains he had no idea they were stolen. Also in the second episode, we find out how much Bennie and Lucretia need each other when it comes to running an auto repair business; yes, it feels like a fast way to get things back to the norm, but it does feel like the story that leads to their dtente is an organic way to get to that point. Rounding out the blended family is Lucretia (Wanda Sykes), Regina's older sister and the show's spiritual descendant of Sanford And Son 's Aunt Esther. She's one of the most recognizable comedians of her generation and still makes audiences laugh the world over with her one-of-a-kind delivery and infectious energy. The Upshaws season three premieres February 16 on Netflix. You can follow Epps on Twitter or Instagram. Youd hardly call them a perfect bunch, and they certainly would never have made it to the small screen in the days of the Cosbys and the Bankses. The Upshaws is an American sitcom created by Regina Y. Hicks and Wanda Sykes. 996, This story has been shared 850 times. 800, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved, 11 Best New Shows on Netflix: February 2023s Top Upcoming Series to Watch, Stream It Or Skip It: On the Come Up on Paramount+, Where A Young Rapper Discovers That Success Isnt One Dimensional, Stream It Or Skip It: Snoop Doggs F*cn Around Comedy Special On Netflix, A Rapper Who Knows How To Laugh And Hang With Funny Comedians, Stream It Or Skip It: Mike Epps: Indiana Mike On Netflix, A Comedy Special That Doesnt Slap, ABC Staff Go "Zero Contact" With Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes, Encouraged to "Never Mention Their Names Again", Hoda Kotb's 'Today Show' Absence Finally Explained, but Her Return Is Still Unclear, 'Below Deck's Captain Sandy Hasn't Spoken to Captain Lee Since Public Feud: "I Tried To Call Him", What Time Does 'The Mandalorian' Come Out on Disney+? Like Epps and Fields, Sykes is also a comedy legend, appearing in scripted series like The New Adventures of Old Christine, rom-coms like Monster-in-Law and her own stand-up specials. Lucretia isn't a big fan of Bennie and . Meet Storm Reid. He also appears in an episode of the Colin Kaepernick miniseries Colin in Black & White. Sykes' most recent theatrical credits are "Friendsgiving" from 2020 and "Breaking News in Yuba County" from 2021, and she hasn't expressed any desire or plans to retire from big-screen roles. Now thats doing your business in luxury. Bernard Latrell "Bennie" Upshaw Sr. is the protagonist of The Upshaws he is the husband of Regina, ex-boyfriend of Tasha, father of Bernard, Aaliyah, Kelvin and Maya and grandfather of Sydney He is portrayed by Mike Epps Categories Community content is available under CC-BY-SA unless otherwise noted. Comedian Mike Epps plays Bennie, who strives to be a better family man. IE 11 is not supported. And throughout, the show is consistently dedicated to portraying the realities of blended families, especially in scenes in which Regina and Tasha, or Kelvin and Aaliyah, have to relate to each other. [10] On December 2, 2020, Gabrielle Dennis, Page Kennedy, Diamond Lyons, Khali Daniya-Renee Spraggins, Jermelle Simon, and Journey Christine were cast in starring roles. Following that, her friends lose faith in her because she only pretended to steal. The Upshaws (TV Series 2021- ) - Full Cast & Crew - IMDb The Upshaws (2021- ) Full Cast & Crew See agents for this cast & crew on IMDbPro Series Directed by Series Writing Credits Series Cast Series Produced by Series Cinematography by Series Film Editing by Series Production Design by Wendell Johnson . [5], The series is set in Indianapolis, but it is shot in the Old Warner Brothers Studio in California. Her natural charisma and quick-wit shone through, despite being straddled with rather small roles, so Sykes received a few more significant ones in the years to come. This story has been shared 5,875 times. The Upshaws arent the Winslows, declares one character, contrasting themselves against the teeth-achingly sweet brood in Family Matters. Lyons' only other credit is a guest appearance on a 2020 episode of the Urban Movie Channel series 5th Ward. Soon, Bennie revealed to Regina how they have finally made some fortune from the garage and presently have a pretty good balance in their account. hampered by archaic parental and marital roles, disillusioned with the stereotypes in the show, Kenya Barris dares you to laugh at (or with) a black Larry David in '#blackAF', Lisa Bonet, who portrayed Denise Huxtable, Golden Globe-nominated series "Everybody Hates Chris.". From "Family Matters" to "Black-ish," the majority-Black shows that got greenlighted at the majority-white broadcast networks generally featured two-parent families, middle- or upper-middle-class households and a lot of whitewashing. 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