I actually forgot all about this new show. I watched the first 3 episodes, wasn't at all encouraged to continue watching, so I moved on.
You might recall that the pilot episode of Cedric the Entertainer's original scripted sit-com for TV Land (The Soul Man) pulled in 1.9 million viewers during its 10pm time slot, making it TV Land's second highest-rated original series debut ever.
However, after that hot debut, ratings dipped a bit; and it looks like it's not an absolute certainty that the network will renew it for a second season, and to that end, Cedric has taken to the web to drum up audience support.
Specifically, he posted the below message on his Facebook page – essentially a campaign to bring the show back to TV Land.
Ladies and Gentlemen I need your help… if you liked my show on TV Land, The Soul Man, then please take part in my letter writing campaign to bring it back for a second season . Just use the following letter and email it on… we want to make the biggest impact so if you have a moment please email. Thank you, I'll Holla
Cedric
Email: lois.curren@mtvn.com
LETTER:
PLEASE BRING "THE SOUL MAN" BACK TO TV LAND
Dear Ms, Curren (MTV Networks):
We love "The Soul Man"! We are writing to you in hopes that our letter of support will encourage you to bring "The Soul Man" back to TV Land for another season.
After watching the debut of "The Soul Man" in June, we have become regular viewers /fans of that show and the TV Land network enjoying so much of your other programming such as "Hot in Cleveland" as well as the classic shows. It's so refreshing to do "one-stop-shopping" at your network for quality family programming.
Please hear our voices and bring "The Soul Man" back to TV Land ! Thank you for your kind consideration.
Sincerely,
Fan Name
Cedric's a funny guy! I've seen his stand-up routine, and he's got jokes. I laugh hard. Here, as much as he tries to keep things bouncy, he seems restricted, and I wish the writers/producers would just let him loose to do what he does best, while still keeping things PG; Same for co-star Niecy Nash who plays his wife on the show.
The opening credit sequence is actually one of the show's highlights, as short as it is.
So, in short, meh… I was happy for Cedric and company, but the material didn't grab me.
The series is a spinoff of Hot in Cleveland, and stars Cedric as Rev. Boyce "The Voice" Ballantine, a former R & B singer turned minister, who takes over his father's church.
Jazz Raycole plays his daughter Lyric, John Beasley as Boyce’s father, Barton, and Wesley Jonathan as his brother, Stamps.
The Soul Man was heavily marketed to African American audiences, with the intent being to attract new audiences to the network.
You can watch the first episodes on TV Land's website HERE.
If you've been keeping up with the series, your thoughts? And will you be contributing to the email campaign?
