I was a young entertainment reporter at the Daily News when I interviewed Cedric the Entertainer along with his comedic co-horts Bernie Mac, Steve Harvey and D. L. Hughley. They were taking a celebratory media lap for their uber-successful comedy tour, “The Kings of Comedy,” and celebrating the release of their feature-length concert film of the same name when I hooked up with them at the Hard Rock Cafe New York. Bernie and Steve were kinda mean (something I would jokingly point out to Steve later when we worked together to pen his New York Times bestselling books, Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man and Straight Talk, No Chaser) and D.L. rather flirtatious (though respectfully so), but it was Cedric who stood out to me, with his teddy bear charm and that mile-wide smile. He was kind to me—gracious. And downright hilarious—naturally. I’ve always loved his sense of humor: just a look, a quip, a familiar riff that reminds me of home, and I’m holding my sides. A couple times when he guest-hosted Steve’s show, I literally had to pull off to the side of the road, tears from my laughter blinding me so that I thought I might crash.

Cedric the Entertainer is, in a word, a nut.

And I can’t wait to join hosts Lamar and Ronnie Tyler of BlackAndMarriedWithKids.com tonight as we fete Cedric and the season 2 premiere and return of his sitcom, The Soul Man. The show, starring Cedric alongside Niecy Nash and Wesley Jonathan airs Wednesday, June 19th at 11PM EST on TV Land, but the party kicks off half an hour before then on Twitter, with me, @BlackAndMarried,  @kiamorgansmith, @epaynethedad, @stephanspeaks,  @iluvblackwomen and more talking about Soul Man and our favorite characters until the episode ends at 11:30 PM.

And if you’ve ever followed MyBrownBaby on Twitter, you know a party ain’t a party till it’s ran all through—we have a good time. Join us! Here are the deets:

Party Details

• Date: Wednesday, June 19, 2013
• Time: 10:30PM – 11:30PM EST
• Hashtag: #TheSoulMan
• Sponsor: @TVLand
• Host: @BlackandMarried
  
• Joining in:@mybrownbaby @kiamorgansmith @epaynethedad@stephanspeaks, @iluvblackwomen & more! (Follow us all to make sure you catch all the action!)

About The Soul Man

From the creators of Hot in Cleveland, The Soul Man revolves around Cedric The Entertainer’s character, Reverend Boyce “The Voice” Ballentine, an R&B superstar-turned-minister who takes over as preacher of his father’s church. Niecy Nash (Reno 911) stars as the reverend’s wife, Lolli. The Reverend Boyce character originated on a second season episode of Hot in Cleveland, in which Cedric guest-starred. Season 2 premieres June 19 11/10C on TV Land.

Editor’s Note: This post is part of a compensated campaign with TV Land. All opinions are my own.