'CEDRIC' PRESENTS MILD LAUGHS, MUCH POTENTIAL.Byline: David Kronke TV Critic PRIME-TIME VARIETY sketch shows have been a notoriously hard sell in recent years, but ``Cedric the Entertainer Cedric the Entertainer (born Cedric Antonio Kyles on April 24, 1964) is an American actor and comedian. Biography Personal life n 1992, he made his first TV appearance on It's Showtime at the Apollo. Presents'' boasts as good a chance at reviving the form as anyone has had of late. Cedric, following another of the Original Kings of Comedy, Bernie Mac, on Fox, has assembled a talented cast - including Wendy Raquel Robinson, Shaun Majumder and Amy Brassette - capable of comedy both vaguely subtle and very broad. If he can round up writers who are just as funny, the show might show some legs - and not just those of the troupe of dancers he gracelessly (and amusingly) knocks hips with in tonight's opening sequence. Tonight's skits are fairly run-of-the-mill: Cedric (or, as The New York New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of Times might dub him, Mr. Entertainer) is sassy sas·sy 1 adj. sas·si·er, sas·si·est 1. Rude and disrespectful; impudent. 2. Lively and spirited; jaunty. 3. Stylish; chic: a sassy little hat. as the ``Cafeteria Lady,'' who delights in insulting students and teachers alike with the embarrassing gossip she happily spreads. He also essays a marriage counselor who channels Barry White. Tonight's episode also features a versatile if opportunistic jingle-writing team hoping to land an apple-juice advertising account, a Mexican soap opera aimed at folks who've learned Spanish from the simplistic sim·plism n. The tendency to oversimplify an issue or a problem by ignoring complexities or complications. [French simplisme, from simple, simple, from Old French; see simple line or two thrown into English-language movies, and a TV-news anchor trying to discipline her off-camera children on ``Take Your Children to Work Day'' (which features tonight's best joke, presented as a throwaway throwaway See for your information (FYI). gag - a cop embroiled em·broil tr.v. em·broiled, em·broil·ing, em·broils 1. To involve in argument, contention, or hostile actions: "Avoid . . . in a hostage situation has brought his kid with him, as well). Between sketches, Cedric - who can be seen in theaters in ``Barbershop'' - cozies up in the studio audience (at one point, he serves fans martinis, which might explain the uproarious laughter at some of the weaker material). Viewers may sense an amiably entertaining atmosphere more than genuine entertainment in tonight's episode, but given the dismal state of new comedies this fall season, that has to count for something. CEDRIC THE ENTERTAINER PRESENTS Cedric the Entertainer Presents is an American comedy television series starring Cedric the Entertainer. The series premiered September 18, 2002 on FOX and after the first season, FOX renewed the show for a second season but right before the show aired its second season, FOX - Two and one half stars What: Variety-comedy series starring one of the Original Kings of Comedy. Where: Fox (Channel 11). When: 8:30 tonight. In a nutshell: Funny cast, so-so material. CAPTION(S): photo Photo: no caption (CEDRIC) |
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