Exclusive: Gerald “Slink” Johnson Talks Black JesusPosted by Wilson Morales
September 26, 2014
Currently airing on Adult Swim TV is their latest series, Black Jesus, created by Peabody award-winning creator Aaron McGruder (“The Boondocks,” “Red Tails”) and Mike Clattenburg (“Trailer Park Boys”). The half-hour, live-action scripted comedy series finds Jesus living in present day Compton, CA on a daily mission to spread love and kindness throughout the neighborhood with the help of his small but loyal group of downtrodden followers.
The series stars newcomer Gerald “Slink” Johnson as “Black Jesus.” The series also stars Charlie Murphy, Corey Holcomb, John Witherspoon, Kali Hawk, Andra Fuller, Antwon Tanner, Andrew Bachelor, Angela Gibbs, and Valenzia Algarin.
For Johnson, it’s his biggest role in his career. Best known for voicing the role of Lamar Davis in Grand Theft Auto 5, which set 6 world records, the Arkansas-born-but-Inglewood-raised comedian has a role that pairs him with some of the best comedians in town.
In speaking exclusively with Blackfilm.com, Johnson talks about his role as Black Jesus and how much fun he’s having doing what he does best, making folks laugh.
How did you go about in getting the role?
Gerald “Slink” Johnson: It all fell into my lap. It was a wondering thing. I originally met Aaron in 2007-2008 through a friend of mine, Jason Van Even, who was writing on The Boondocks in season 2. Through his association with Aaron, I met him and we began to do some sketches and eventually Aaron had an idea for a show called The Super Rumble Mix Show. The was a sketch comedy show that consisted of a lot of great sketches including Black Jesus. Aaron took this comedy sketch show and put it on Youtube and its audiences went crazy for it. Black Jesus and the ones with John Witherspoon were some of the sketches that stuck out. At that time, Adult Swim had been nursing Black Jesus from the sketches. It’s been about seven years in the making.
As a comedian, how much has your game changed because of this role?
Slink Johnson: As a comedian, Black Jesus has upped the stakes 10,000 fold and I don’t want to feel any pressure behind it but it has definitely upped the ante for me.
Were you initially concerned with how Aaron wanted the character portrayed?
Slink Johnson: No, not at all. I trust Aaron and his artistic vision and the way he looks at society. I really trusted him in that regard and I had no problem doing it whatsoever. I’m an actor. I’m an artist and it’s satire and it’s art and there are no boundaries in both.
Did you get to ad-lib any of your scenes?
Slink Johnson: Yes. I think that was one of the things that attracted Aaron to me is the fact that I have a certain vernacular. When I’m with my homies and buddies, we have a whole different language. You wouldn’t even think we were speaking English and Aaron knew that. He trusted me in that regard. He would give me the script and say, “This is the story, but you need to convey it.” He would give me that opportunity and I would go out there and rip it.
Now, you’re working with a host of comedians around you. Can you talk about working with John Whitherspoon, Charlie Murphy and the others?
Slink Johnson: Believe me when I tell you, and I can’t get enough of this, but I’m working with John Whitherspoon, Charlie Murphy, Corey Holcomb, Antwon Tanner, Valenzia Algarin, Kali Hawk, and the beautiful Angela Gibbs. It’s just awesome. It’s overwhelming. I’m still getting my stomach stitched up from laughing too much.
What were your thoughts of a black Jesus prior to doing this?
Slink Johnson: I know that I’m Black and I could play Jesus Christ. I don’t think much of it. I try not to get caught in all that stuff. It’s just an interpretation. I’m not trying to convey the message as a color as opposed to just an interpretation. It doesn’t bother me at all. I’m just out here doing what I love and that’s the bottom line for me. I try not to get caught in the politics or theology of it all. Ultimately, we’re all have to deal with ourselves at the end of the day, so I won’t let the opinions of others destroy the way I look at myself. I’m just having fun with it.
As a comedian, one has to shed away some level of morality…
Slink Johnson: Definitely. As a comedian, you have to put away the emotions. Personally, I lost my emotions years ago because when you come up the avenue like me, you hear a lot of jokes; so I think I lost all my emotions by the time I was 14. I didn’t matter anymore.
Of the skits you have done so far, which one is your favorite?
Slink Johnson: None in particular because it’s all funny. The interaction with Black Jesus is totally different because you have to understand that Jesus is going to deal with everyone the same, but he’s going to deal with the you different. Within my experience, I hold a lot of value with the cast. This whole experience is really fun and we had such a great time filming.
What did Aaron want you to bring to the scene?
Slink Johnson: What Aaron wanted me to bring to the scene was basically for me to be me. I appreciate Aaron because he sees something in me that he really digs and the type of interpretation I bring to Jesus. I’m glad to know that there are so many fans that really dig it as well. I wish I had some geek way to answer this but this is who I am and it’s a wonderful thing that Aaron and the audience love this show.
Are you parlaying the role for more opportunities elsewhere?
Slink Johnson: Yes, I’m beating the streets, hitting the comedy clubs, and on the social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook. I’m constantly tweeting, “Watch Black Jesus. Thursdays at 11pm on Adult Swim.”
When you’re not playing Black Jesus or making anyone laugh, what keeps you grounded?
Slink Johnson: My children. I have three children, two sons and a daughter, 19, 8 and 7. My children and my family and sitting home on the computer talking trash on Facebook and on Twitter. I get a kick out of that. When I get out the house, I like to fish and do outdoors type of stuff. One day I will go camping. I’ve never been camping. Don’t know about sleeping outside, but maybe I’ll change my mind one day. I like fishing and cooking. A lot of people don’t know I like to cook and bake.
