All of Us
 

ALL OF US is inspired by the domestic adventures of entertainment superstars Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith and reflects a new generation's enlightened attitude toward the extended family dynamic with humor, sensitivity and heart. Duane Martin ("Deliver Us From Eva") stars as Robert James, an entertainment reporter for a local Los Angeles television station whose best friend is also his publicist, the three-time divorced Dirk (Tony Rock, "The Chris Rock Show"). Robert is handsome, smart and a thoroughly modern man in his thinking, as he should be, considering his romantic and parental entanglements. On the verge of finalizing his divorce from the somewhat self-absorbed Neesee (LisaRaye, "Envy"), the mother of their endearing five-year-old son, Bobby, Jr. (Khamani Griffin, "Daddy Day Care"), he is madly in love with Tia, (Elise Neal, UPN's THE HUGHLEYS), a funny, clever kindergarten teacher. This humorous and heartwarming comedy is a fresh, timely look at many young parents' new, compassionate attitude toward how divorced parents raise their children together.

Produced by: Overbrook Entertainment, in association with Warner Bros. Television Productions
Executive producers: Will Smith ("Men In Black II"), Jada Pinkett Smith ("The Matrix Reloaded"), James Lassiter ("Ali"), Betsy Borns ("Friends")
Writer: Betsy Borns

Duane Martin as Robert Sr.
Elise Neal as Tia
LisaRaye as Neesee
Khamani Griffin as Robert Jr.
Tony Rock as Dirk

This is the show that is supposed to be based on Will Smith and Jada Pinkett-Smith's life. It will show this fall, Tuesdays at 8:30 PM on UPN.

Does anyone think it will last longer than one season??

I doubt it. I am sure that the show may be good, but you know. It's crazy. Duane Martin is a good actor and Elise Neal was good in the Hughleys, but I don't kow about Lisa Rae. She was good as Diamond in the Player's Club, but I don't think that she can pull off a sitcom.

I'm going to watch it. Everyone is always knocking LisaRaye's acting skills, but I like her.


I hope it lasts. I am not that enthused with Elise Neal but hey.

I've seen the previews for it, and I'm going to check it out. I like all 3 Elise, Duane, and LisaRaye, so I hope that it last.

Also, has anyone noticed that Abby bit the dust....YIKES!!!

I saw the previews for the show the other day.

Hmmmm..... I will definitely watch it....I don't know if it will last.....If it doesn't I'm sure it won't be a reflection of Jada and Will's life.

Truth be told, when Living Single first started I didn't think it was going to make it past the first season.....and what 3-5 years later....it ended. I was wrong then and I hope I will be wrong now.

I hadn't realized that Abby was a goner! :eek:

I am in school on Tuesdays, which I believe is the day the show came on.

I haven't seen the commercial for it yet, but I'll give it a try.
I also read in Essence that Jada is working on making a film version of The Coldest Winter Ever. Has anyone else heard anything about it?

That's been an undertaking of hers for the past 2 years or so. We might have mentioned it in either a book thread or The Coldest Winter Ever thread.

(7/26/03, 10 a.m. ET) -- Hollywood power couple Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith are not only the executive producers of the new UPN show, All Of Us, they're going to bring their family in on the project as well. Smith and Pinkett Smith told reporters at a Television Critics Association panel this week that they and their children will have guest spots on the sitcom throughout its freshman season.

All Of Us centers on an entertainment reporter whose untraditional family includes his fiance, his son, and his ex-wife.

Smith--who first made the transition from music to acting on the Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air--will play the ex-wife's boyfriend in a three-episode arc.

Pinkett Smith--A Different World regular for two seasons--will play the recurring role of the main character's sister.

Smith on wife Jada's comedic skills: "Jada is hilarious,” says Smith. “You know, she did a film called A Low Down Dirty Shame with Keenan (Ivory Wayans) and that was really the only film where she played that level of comedy. I mean, she's a brilliant physical comedian."

All Of Us
 

I am gonna watch the show. I think that it will be good, but I dont know if it will last for more than one season though.

Abby was just on last Tuesday and of course it was a repeat. Maybe it will be back next season. Maybe it did the same thing as Wanda Sykes Show, came on for 5 episodes and will be airing on Friday nights about 8pm. BUT then again, maybe not.

Jada was tight in A Low Down Dirty Shame. I loved that movie.

"I can see through ALL that Maybeline (sp?)."


Q

I'll check it out. I don't like UPN, but I'll check it out anyway. Will Smith is a good brother. A good, positive brother.

...and Jada is fine as all whatnot. ;)

She positive too

i don't think lisa rae can act. she is so ghetto to me. i remember her from "the wood" and i cringe at her acting skills...."dis MY weddin' and ya'll ain't gonna ruin it!!!!"

but, in hollywood, a pretty face and a nice body will take you very far! just my two cents!

Me too. I'm sure she's brushed up quite a bit anyhow. She needed a chance in a pretty good role to show us what she's got (other than a figure I would kill for!!):o :D

Re: All Of Us
 

Abby has been officially canceled. Good riddance I say.

Re: Re: All Of Us
 

Thank goodness for that! I really did not like that show. I am going to watch All of Us at least once! I will give it a try because when I first heard of Half n Half I thought it was going to be garbage but it turned into one of my favorite shows! Lisa Raye has come along way I think and if Will and Jada think she is worth a try, I'll bite!

'All of Us' blends real-life fiction
Mon Sep 8, 6:51 AM ET Add Entertainment - USA TODAY to My Yahoo!


By Bill Keveney, USA TODAY

"Here we go, baby. Energy, everybody, it's gonna be on TV," the executive producer exhorts the cast of UPN's All of Us in a booming voice. "Let's wake it up."

With the actors and crew focused on him, he breaks out in baritone, singing Great Day in Bethlehem. The musical interlude may have been meant to relax everyone before taping. Or maybe he just wanted to sing.

Either way, it's an unorthodox performance for the executive producer of a TV show. Then again, how many executive producers are Will Smith (news)?


The 34-year-old A-list movie star/rapper and his wife, actress Jada Pinkett Smith, are the high-profile executive producers of the new comedy about a blended family, a series UPN describes as "inspired by the domestic adventures" of the Smiths.


As Will Smith's charismatic presence illustrates, big stars draw attention even in behind-the-scene roles. The Smiths' involvement means publicity that's likely to juice ratings, but they don't want that to overshadow the series itself. Passion for the concept is the reason Pinkett Smith pitched All of Us (premiering Sept. 16, 8:30 p.m. ET/PT).


"I thought, 'Wow, there's nothing anywhere that reflects anything that deals with divorce, nothing for kids to be able to watch that they could say, 'That's how I feel,' or 'I could relate to that' or 'Thank God, I'm not the only person who feels that way,' " says the actress, who starred in summer's The Matrix Reloaded and returns in The Matrix Revolutions in November.


In All of Us, Robert (Duane Martin), fiancée Tia (Elise Neal (news)) and ex-wife Neesee (LisaRaye) all try to keep the peace in a way that will be best for Robert and Neesee's 5-year-old son, Robert Jr. (Khamani Griffin). In real life, the Smiths and Will Smith's ex-wife, Sheree Zampino, have worked out a cooperative relationship that's in the interest of Will and Sheree's son, Trey.


But that's where the parallels end, says Pinkett Smith, 31, who has a son, 5-year-old Jaden, and daughter, 2-year-old Willow, with Smith and calls Trey, 10, her "bonus son."


"There's nothing in the show that is specific to what we experienced," she says. With Robert a TV entertainment reporter and Tia a teacher, the characters "don't reflect any of us."


The producers have relied on therapists and a focus group to come up with story ideas, she says.


"We would never put our own personal experiences in a TV show. It's too private," Pinkett Smith says.


If the stars' involvement brings people to the show, that's great, saysBetsy Borns, the Smiths' fellow executive producer who has day-to-day responsibility for the show. But she doesn't want them expecting to see the Smiths, because they'll be disappointed.


Although the show may not reflect the Smiths' lives directly, it can be a family affair. On a recent shooting day, Trey and Jaden guest-starred in an episode about Robert Jr.'s birthday party. Except for occasional consultations with his wife or the actors, Will Smith sat in the bleachers with Zampino as Pinkett Smith attended to details, watching scenes on a monitor and talking to actors and crew members.


The Smiths have been more hands-on than many star producers, UPN entertainment president Dawn Ostroff says. Pinkett Smith has been looking at everything from character portrayals to furniture to wardrobes. Her husband has flown in on days off from shooting I, Robot in Vancouver. A video link in Canada lets him watch rehearsals.


"You'll be rehearsing and then a cell phone will ring" with Will Smith calling his wife with a suggestion, says Neal, who appreciates their perspective.


With her own acting schedule, Pinkett Smith won't be able to be on the set every day, but she says she and her husband will be there as much as possible. She already has the show's structure envisioned through the fourth season, although she won't give out details.

For her, it's crucial that All of Us contains some serious and even sad moments that reflect real life. A shift away from that would be a deal breaker, but she says UPN has been supportive.

"There's the balance of the drama and the comedy, of making the story relatable yet keeping it funny," Pinkett Smith says. "It takes a lot more thought than just having to think, 'Oh, we've got to make a funny episode this week.' "

All of us
 

I think I'll check it out. I love Duane Martin. I have followed his career and think he is talented as well as handsome. Lisa Raye and Elise Neal are somewhat suspect, but I figure the plot seems positive and should be supported. Blended families are the norm and from what I can see from the previews it is presented in a positive way so I'll be checking it out.

I didn't pay too much attention, but....
 

:confused:
LisaRaye :confused:
Elise Neal :confused: Didn't it seem like there is MORE of her up top? :confused:

Re: I didn't pay too much attention, but....
 

I was on the phone but Elise's weave was looking a little OFF!!!
Hmmm Elise -- boob job?!?!?!?

Did not get to thoroughly survey Lisa Raye's acting skills this week.

Re: I didn't pay too much attention, but....
 

Soror, she did look like she was plugged into the helium tank for a few minutes too long. . . :eek:

Re: Re: I didn't pay too much attention, but....
 

While some people who shall remain nameless was on the phone me and my TiVO recorded the show and LisaRaye can act...they definitely picked the right one for her part because she as the right baby mama 'tude"
Elise.....Hated her and not just because her boobs bigger than mine!!!(Heck, I achieve the same look daily with my Victoria Secrets water wonder bra for half the prices she paid)

Nameless, sorry you missed it:D
Please accept this as the official update from me.

Re: I didn't pay too much attention, but....
 

Yep, yep. I was sitting there thinking, I don't remember her being that big on the Hughleys. And, I kept thinking she was going to topple over.

i wasn't too impressed. the script, i thought, was a bit dry. i would have thought that by now, lisaraye would've enrolled in some acting classes or something. maybe by episode 3, they'll be working with something.
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actually, who am i kidding, that show was HORRIBLE!!! it was rather painful to watch. i wanted to cry but didn't because (in my best impersonation of lisaraye in the wood..)"i paid too much for this DAYum MAKEup

Ok, Soror, I really have to co-sign on this. I wasn't feeling it at all, but I will give it chance to grow on me. I was the first one that didn't like My Wife and Kids, and now that show has really grown on me. I didn't notice the new look that Elise had, but I will be watching for them next week.

What I didn't like about LisaRaye were the clothes they were putting her in, I just really wasn't feeling them at all.

I'm not feeling Elise Neal. I mean she JUST got off of the Hughleys. Why wasn't another actress chosen? I'm still thinking she is going to say "Darryl.....". Then I'm waiting to see DL and the kids and the neighbors and Overton. :confused:

I was not feeling her from the get go. Her voice is too whiny.

As I read these postings, I am so glad that I didn't watch it. I am not a Jada fan, or a LisaRaye fan, or an Elise Neal fan, or a Duane Martin fan . . . I guess I won't be watching the show. http://www.1-2-3-gaestebuch.de/smilies/179.gif

Re: Re: Re: I didn't pay too much attention, but....
 

Yeah, she surely has the "baby momma 'tude". The pilot was a bit dry, but at least they laid the foundation for the premise of the show.

I'll give this show the benefit of the doubt b/c I really like Duane Martin. Now both he and wife Tisha have tv shows. :)

i slept on it and now i have MORE to say...
 

i thought the outfits were rather fly, but to say she had just dropped her son off at school, the 'fits were a tad inappropriate to me.

also, before this show, i thought elise neal and duane mar tin were decent actors but it appears that this show has sucked the talent out of them.

and who is the broke-down chris rock character? or the new millenium white hired hand (a la sean on martin)?

also, how old is this kid? 3 or 4 years old? i'm asking because he was able to understand his father say "let's get the basic structure then work out the details later?"

Re: i slept on it and now i have MORE to say...
 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by MeezDiscreet
i thought the outfits were rather fly, but to say she had just dropped her son off at school, the 'fits were a tad inappropriate to me.

This is what is was, it wasn't that I didn't like the clothes....it was I thought they were a bit inappropriate for what she was wearing them to..i.e. dropping the son off at school


also, how old is this kid? 3 or 4 years old? i'm asking because he was able to understand his father say "let's get the basic structure then work out the details later?"

Ok, good I wasn't the only one. When Duane said this, I was like you mean to tell me that this kid understands what he just said....

and who is the broke-down chris rock character?

Chris Rock's brother Tony Rock. :)

Did anyone catch how long the divorce process took and how long he was dating the girlfriend?

I couldn't feel any of the main characters for any reason. Elise Neal's hair was more than a tad off, and I couldn't cheer for her concerns about her relationship. Lisa Raye was dressing on the hoochie side (but not a complete hoochie), but she portrayed the baby mama drama well. Duane Martin's acting skills are being overwhelmed by the fact that he is trying too hard to project Will Smith's personality.

I kept watching for the "broke down Chris Rock" because he was funnier than Duane. I just hope guys don't start running around talking about "man up". :rolleyes:

I'm glad that I wasn't the only one to catch, "let's get the basic structure then work out the details later". What 4 or 5 year old is really gonna understand that. The script needs some work, but this is the pilot, so they'll get a little slack. In the meantime, I'll stick with "Girlfriends" and "Half and Half".

I finally watched the show.

Comments:

1. Yes, Elise Neal is a tad bit bigger in some areas. I feel this now balances out the size of her head, which ALWAYS seemed large to me.

2. Chris & Tony Rock look nothing alike to me.

3. When did Lisaraye start to use a last name? :confused:

4. I agree with what jojapeach said about Duane trying to hard to act like Will.

I'll watch another episode to see if it grows on me.

You caught that too

I don't recall him saying how long he and Tia had been dating, but it seems like he said (wheen Neecy came to the studio to talk about giving it a try again) something about it had been a year and a half since she left him. Seems kinda quick though to meet someone, fall in love, and get engaged.

On a related note, for some reason I was glad she left him and it wasn't for something like him cheating. Don't ask me why. Did Sheree leave Will and did he and Jada hook up that fast? Seems like I heard she was supposed to be his "friend" first, but I'm not sure.

Yeah, it is kind of quick.

Does anyone have a problem with Tia and Duane Martin's character dating while he is still married?

I kinda like the show. I'll give it another try. When Living Single first started I wasn't feeling it too much and I thought it wouldn't last.... :D BOY WAS I WRONG!!! LOL

Hmmmm.....I didn't watch the Hughleys too much so I don't know the difference with Elise Neal.

I did catch the fact that they never showed Daryl actually signing the divorce papers and that him and Tia were dating while he is still married. I don't like that at all! :mad:

The boy is supposed to be 5 years old, but I'm 32 and I was like what did he say? I had to rewind the tape and hear it again. The boy probably said yes to keep it moving. :p

LisaRaye is good for the baby mama drama type. "Remember that baby, Mama may have you repeat in front of a nice judge one day."

Okay, is Tia the boy's kindergarten teacher? Or is she a teacher? And what does Neecy do besides give attitude to Tia and walk up in the house unannounced?

;)

Okay I'm done venting now.

Shoot I thought Raye was her last name.......but I don't like the show at all.. How are you gonna get divorce papers and 10 minutes later because yo girl is pressuring you, you give her an engagement ring...........:rolleyes: . Did Jada put all that pressure on Will like that??? Did Jada go out and purchase a hideous couch just to mark her territory??? Does Sheree always walk around with tude???

Whatever, I aint wastin my Tuesday nights on that one, sorry Jada and Will........

I, too, didn't like how he got the divorce papers one minute and was proposing the next. I wasn't all that impressed. I personally think that Lisa Raye overdoes it when she is acting. It's like she is trying to hard. I may watch it a few more times, but I actually liked the show "Rock me baby" that came on after it better. I didn't really understand why Lisa and Elise had attitude towards each other. Maybe that will come out in subsequent episodes.

ELISE NEAL
 

I watched an old ep of Living Single the other night and Elise Neal was on there. Let me just say that old girl went from an A cup which stands for Are You Sure Those Are Breasts or a B cup for Barely Breasts. . .but yeah Elise used her Hughleys royalty check to get her DAYUM!! There are Breasts!!

:o :o :o