My husband and I are always looking for new shows that we can enjoy together. We love a good comedy and so when we first saw the commercial for ABC’s new show, The Mayor, we thought it might be a good one to try out. Both of us laughed through the whole thing, so it seemed like something we would like. A few of the actors in the show are favorites of ours and we tuned in the first week it aired. I am glad we did because little did I know just a week later I would get to interview some of the cast!

Meeting the Guys

While in LA for my most recent press event, ABC invited our group to watch a new episode of The Mayor and interview two of the show’s stars: Bernard David Jones (“Jermaine Leforge”) and Marcel Spears (“T.K. Clifton”)! I knew right away that it was going to be a great interview because when we entered the room, the guys stood up and hugged EACH ONE OF US. Yup! They made sure to hug all 25 of us and personally say hello. How nice is that?

Bernard and Marcel even sat and watched the episode with us – which neither of them had seen before. It was so much fun to see their reactions as things happened. The episode we say was last week’s – The Filibuster – and it was hilarious! I am really excited for tonight’s episode, Buyer’s Remorse, because this is one of my new favorite shows. Honestly, it just keeps getting better and better. After the episode, the guys sat down and chatted with us for nearly half an hour!

Landing Their Roles

We asked Bernard and Marcel how they got involved with The Mayor, and both of them said after they read the script, they just knew they needed to be a part of it. “I read the script and I said, I have to be a part of this. I don’t know how I’m gonna do it, but I need to be a part of this. It was so amazing. The script was so funny. It was topical. It was current and I was just like, man, I need to do this.” Bernard told us.

Marcel then told us about how he got involved, “It was the same for me. I auditioned in New York and I feel like every young brother in New York that could halfway sing and kind of rap was in that audition room. I originally auditioned for [the role of Courtney Rose] and they were like, ah, it’s not quite a fit because Brandon went in and apparently free-styled for like an hour, He killed his audition. The casting director was like, we got to find a place for Marcel. And then I got the script and I saw [the characters] T.K. and Jermaine – and now I’m here.”

Bernard’s Thoughts on Politics

Right now, there is a lot of political divide in our country. So we asked the guys what it was like being a part of a political show at this time. Bernard answered first, “As artists it’s kind of our duty, our job, to be able to hold a mirror up to our country, our world and say, this is what’s going on. How do we fix it? What can we do to fix it?”

“I think our show is an awesome representation of what happens when somebody that has a heart for people, that understands community and unity, leads with love. How that can affect a community. This guy, he has no political experience. He didn’t mean to win. But he didn’t stray away from the responsibility. He took it head on and I think that’s a good lesson for all of us, all of America. If there’s something going on in your neighborhood that you want to change, take leadership. Take ownership of your community.”

Marcel Wants to Reach People

Marcel added his thoughts, “It’s an opportunity for us as artists to provoke change and inspire people. The thing is, when I was kid, people wanted to be the President – even if you didn’t want to be the President, that was the go-to answer if a teacher asked you. You want to give the answer that’s going to make your mom go, ‘Awww!’. You say that and people are like, aw, yeah, it can happen for you, kid.”

“[Politics has] always been a topic that you don’t talk about at dinner, but it’s something that people weren’t afraid of. Now, I feel like people are so exhausted with it because you have to pick a side and it’s become so divided that we forgot it’s a part of what makes this country great. I feel like us doing the show gives us a chance, in a fun way, in an approachable way, to really talk about politics.”

“I feel like can reach people so that people aren’t afraid of politics anymore. So that people aren’t exhausted with it so much and they can really get down to what it’s about [which] is taking care of the people around you. Really taking care of your community and making sure that you’re looking out for the next person. Whether you disagree on how to go about doing that, the end goal is always the betterment of the community.”

Yvette Nicole Brown is the “Big Sister” of the Cast

One of the things I love about The Mayor is that it is truly a family show. The boys assured us that it will remain a family friendly show – which is awesome! Speaking of families, they let us know that Yvette Nicole Brown is the big sister of the cast. I totally adore her so I was excited to hear that. “If you’ve ever met her, you’ve ever talked to her, you’ve ever seen her in anything – people are like ‘Yvette, we love you. We love you. We love you.’ I always say, Yvette, I hope that people love me the way that they love you and respect you, and she said, just be yourself and have a heart for people. That’s been some of the best advice that she’s given, but she is literally like Big Sis.”

“She helped pay for me to get to New York one time and she was like, ‘Well, I know where you work. You’ll give it back.’ Then when I tried to give it back, she’s like, ‘Baby, just keep the money.’ She just has a heart. That’s just her. When you see her in these interviews, it’s not Hollywood. It’s not fake. It is genuine.” Bernard told us.

Marcel added, “Yvette helped me find an apartment. I was in New York at the time and then I went to San Diego. I was doing a play. She was like, I can go to the apartment. I can Face Time you and I’ll show you what it is. She is that kind of person.”

Brandon Micheal Hall

Brandon Micheal Hall plays Courtney Rose, who is the lead in the Mayor. Bernard and Marcel had so many positive things to say about him. “He’s such a great actor. He’s young, but his ability to be a leader, onscreen and off screen, is amazing. I think we’re blessed to have a leader in Brandon. He’s wise beyond his years and he’s under a lot of pressure. He’s the lead of an ABC show – the only comedy that ABC picked up [to premiere in the fall] – and he’s handing it beautifully.” Bernard told us.

“We actually hang and Brandon is one of those people like. I’ve [known] Brandon for three years now. He’s the one who called me and told me that I got this job. I’m watching this young man grow into himself and taking on the position of being the star of the show and really learning as he goes. [He’s] being a servant leader and making sure that we’re all okay and taking care of us. I’m proud. I’ve only known him three years, but I feel like I’ve known him forever.” added Marcel.

Working with THE David Spade

Before we parted ways, we just had to ask what it was like to work with David Spade. Marcel answered right away saying he is way cooler in real life, and then Bernard expanded on that. “He is so sweet. He’s like, ‘You guys are amazing. You guys are great. This show is awesome.’ That’s David Spade. We were going to do ADR – ADR is where you go in and you do the vocal stuff that needs changing. David knew we were coming and he literally laid prostrate on the floor and we’re like, ‘David!’ And he’s like, ‘I just wanted to get you guys.'”

Bernard continued, “From the first table read to now, he’s just been amazing. Very supportive. I went up to him, I said, David, you have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He’s like, yeah, you know, but you got to pay the upkeep and all that.” Marcel had a little bit more to say about David “He’s legit. He’s the coolest cat I’ve ever met. He’s so good at being really snarky – the stuff that he’ll come up with on the fly. He’ll be reading the page and then he’ll make a side remark. Next thing you know, it’s in the script. He’s so good. He’s sharp.”

About Tonight’s Episode

As Courtney settles into his new role as mayor, he’s faced with a dismal approval rating as the citizens of Fort Grey express their lack of confidence in his ability to lead, as well as those on his own staff. He realizes that he needs to take an unconventional approach when dealing with Councilman Ed Gunt (David Spade) and comes up with a plan to quickly turn public opinion in his favor, on “The Mayor,” TUESDAY, OCTOBER 17 (9:30-10:00 p.m. EDT).

About The Mayor

After years of toiling away in a small inner-city apartment, making music in his bedroom closet, young rapper Courtney Rose is ready for his big break. Tired of waiting for opportunity, Courtney cooks up the publicity stunt of the century — running for mayor of his hometown in California to generate buzz for his music career. His master plan goes wildly awry, ending in the most terrifying of outcomes: an election victory. With the help of his mother and friends, Courtney will have to overcome his hubris if he wants to transform the struggling city he loves.

THE MAYOR airs Tuesdays at 9:30/8:30c on ABC!

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