Look, when you sit down with a comedy icon like Cedric the Entertainer, you know you’re going to get the real deal. From the timeless power of his jokes to the groundbreaking success of the Original Kings of Comedy, Cedric is a master of keeping it both classic and contemporary. I recently got the chance to chop it up with him, and he didn’t hold back on the past, present, or even the biggest sports debate of all time: Michael Jordan vs. LeBron James.
That “Delicious” Joke is Classic for a Reason
I had to start with the line everyone still quotes—the one from the Kings of Comedy special that’s become a cultural reference point: “You don’t call no grown man Delicious.”
Cedric just let out that signature laugh. “That’s classic, man! That’s real life though,” he confirms. “That joke actually came from real life.” That’s the magic of his comedy: it’s observational, relatable, and rooted in an everyday truth that makes it just as funny today as it was twenty years ago. The fact that a single, simple line has influenced generations of fans speaks volumes about his talent for turning the ordinary into the unforgettable.
The Kings of Comedy: Royalty on Their Own Schedule
I asked him if the Original Kings of Comedy—himself, Steve Harvey, Bernie Mac, and DL Hughley—were maybe ahead of their time. He corrected me, making it clear that they were perfectly in sync with the moment.
“Uh no. It was actually a part of its time,” he explained. He sees the tour and the Spike Lee movie as a pivotal opportunity that proved stand-up comedy deserved the same grand platform as music. “It was an opportunity for us to be in arena tours that introduced more comics where they can go out and be in arenas; that was dope and it was just a great experience, man.”
The group wasn’t just working; they were having a blast. “We had FUN, man,” he recalled. “That was like being The Beatles but a comedy team! It was unique and we were in a unique space.” They didn’t just sell tickets; they opened the door for every major comic that followed, cementing their legacy as innovators.
Still Working the Neighborhood
While he’s a giant on the stand-up stage, Cedric has a serious career on the small screen, too. He’s been starring on the hit CBS sitcom, The Neighborhood, for years, where he plays the cranky but lovable patriarch Calvin Butler. The show, which is currently in its eighth and final season (premiering in Fall 2025), is a testament to his staying power in television.
In addition to acting, he’s also an executive producer on the show, proving that his career is just as much about creating opportunities behind the camera as it is about delivering laughs in front of it. Between his long-running sitcom success and his role as host and producer for shows like The Greatest @Home Videos, Cedric’s work ethic is legendary. He continues to prove his range, whether he’s doing voice work for animated films or preparing for new stage projects like his reported venture into Broadway.
Why Comedy Can’t Just “Verzuz”
With the rise of head-to-head music battles like Verzuz, I had to ask if a comedy version could ever be successful. Cedric was quick to point out the fundamental difference between the two art forms.
“I don’t know because comedy isn’t necessarily like, ‘off the dome,’” he said. He makes a solid argument that great comedy requires time, discovery, and refinement. “Most big comedians don’t battle comedy, they write comedy. They take their time and discover a joke; they work it out, they don’t ‘battle’ it.”
He suggests that performing your “biggest joke against one of your biggest jokes” is possible, but comedy audiences are unique: “If people are willing to let that happen and not be like, ‘Yo! I heard that already!’” The core of his comedy philosophy is clear: originality and writing are king.
We’re Going with MJ, End of Story
You can’t talk to a veteran without touching on the Michael Jordan vs. LeBron James GOAT debate. Unsurprisingly, Cedric is a proud member of the Jordan generation.
“As far as the GOAT? I’m from the Michael era and I’m gonna go on and admit my age, man,” he declared, following up with a laugh and a firm statement of allegiance: “At this point I wish a muthafucka would say somebody is better than muthafuckin’ Mike in this game!”
While he “rocks with LeBron too,” he believes the debate is fundamentally flawed because “the game was played differently.” He points to differences in rules, pace, and game volume. But when it comes to the intangible qualities—hustle, ambition, and aggression—his mind is made up: “MJ was my GUY!!”
The man is a force. From a single classic joke to his work as an actor, host, and producer, Cedric the Entertainer continues to build on a royal legacy that few can touch.
