Exclusive: Tommy Davidson Talks ‘Black Dynamite’ Animated Series Season 2Posted by Wilson Morales
September 17, 2014
Coming back for a second season is the animated series Black Dynamite, which will premiere on Saturday, October 18th at 10:30 p.m. (ET/PT) on Adult Swim.
Based on 2009’s critically-acclaimed feature film, the Black Dynamite animated series further chronicles the exploits of the central character, Black Dynamite, and his crew. Under the direction of executive producer Carl Jones, the series features the voice talent of Michael Jai White, Tommy Davidson, Kym Whitley, and Byron Minns, all of whom starred in the feature film.
Black Dynamite is a 1970s renaissance man with a kung-fu grip. A lover and a fighter who is not afraid to leap before he looks. His sidekick extraordinaire is Bullhorn, the brains and cunning that complements Black Dynamite’s hard-hittin’, bone-crushin’ style. Providing comic relief on the mean streets is Cream Corn and classing up the place is the gorgeous Honey Bee.
For Davidson, who voices the role of Cream Corn, it’s another fabulous character he can add to many he’s played in his twenty-plus years in the business. Best known for being on the hit variety comedy show In Living Color, Davidson played several characters, and was widely remembered for his impersonations of Sammy Davis, Jr. and Sugar Ray Leonard, and Homey D. Clown.
With Cream Corn, Davidson gets to add more to the character, who was initially killed in the live action version but lives in the animated world.
Blackfilm.com spoke exclusively with Davidson about voicing Cream Corn and working with the cast.
When you started the character in 2009 for the film version, did you ever think you would still be working with the character?
Tommy Davidson: You know what? There’s always a hope that you would do that because I knew how good it was and now it’s gone to a higher level. I’m surprised but not surprised.
Considering Cream Corn died in the film but lives on in the animated series, you had to be a bit surprised?
TD: The storyline itself is so strong and me and Michael Jai White had such a strong connection personally that I knew I would pop up somewhere.
What’s the experience been like, creating it and make it grow from episode to episode?
TD: It’s been easy when you’re working with people who understand you; and the thing that people understand about me the most is that they know what ever they want me to do, I can shape myself to do it. The easiest thing for me to do in the world is to play characters.
Can you talk about working with this cast from Michael, Carl, Byron and Kim?
TD: It’s like Heaven. When you don’t get the chance to work with people a lot and when you finally do, it’s really exciting because there’s a lot of talent here.
How would you best describe Cream Corn?
TD: Actually, that was Michael’s idea. It was the brainchild of Michael and his partners, Scott Sanders and Byron Minns and they came to me with the concept. It was so incredible that all they had to do is say, “Action.” Cream Corn makes a perfect team member for Black Dynamite. We’re like a Greek chorus for him, me and Queen Bee.
What can we expect of Cream Corn in Season 2?
TD: We take things further. He’s always wild. He’s always out there and Michael and Carl took him further. He first premiered in the Michael Jackson episode and I didn’t think they would do that so fast. It was so cutting edge that I thought they would save that so they could get the series on the air, but they put it on right away and I was like, “Uh-oh, here we go!”
Having been in this business for over 20 years, what’s the secret to staying fresh?
TD: Just doing it everyday. Living it. The things that I have done best goes with who you are and I have always been the person and artist that has no limits. Actually, that’s been part of my whole lifestyle. It’s actually pretty natural.
From In Living Color to roles in films like Strictly Business and Booty Call, what are some of highs and lows of staying relevant?
TD: Just being persistent and never staying down. From the moment I did my first standup to now, it’s always a challenge but it’s honest work. Even when I got my first job at IHOP, I realized that the harder you work, the further along you go. Work first and then promotion later. That’s been my motto – “work first, promotion later”.
There were discussions in bringing back ‘In Living Color’ that never materialized. Do you see that type of format ever coming back to TV?
TD: I would like to see it coming back. It’s hard to tell. The whole comedian world is changing with the internet and cable. There’s a vast amount of opportunity to get stuff out there. It’s just a much more complicated and intricate world; but now if you can get something out where people can see it, you’ve done a lot.
What’s a good reason to start watching Black Dynamite – Season 2?
TD: Because it’s really good. It’s just like In Living Color. When you come across something that’s really good, it’s a great feeling. There’s not a lot of quality out there when you think of content and you can say quality is perception, but when you come to reality, a lot of people who don’t talent can still get to a place where everyone can see them; and it levels the playing field between those who are talented and those who are not. You just have to pick your poison.
