by Megan Kirk
A new show is hitting screens and telling a story of positivity in Black family structures. Netflix is debuting a new show that celebrates the relationship between Black fathers and their daughters. Academy Award-winning actor and comedian Jamie Foxx and David Alan Grier are together on screen for the first time since the 1990’s in their roles on “In Living Color,” playing a father-son duo navigating raising Foxx’s daughter.
“I never thought it would take 30 years. I didn’t know it would be this kind of show,” says Grier.
Brian Dixon, played by Foxx, is single, successful and a full-time father to a teenage daughter. Becoming a full-time dad presents its challenges, but he will have a full ensemble to guide him. In line with the phrase “it takes a village to raise a child,” Dixon enlists the help of his father, Grier, and his sister to help him on the fatherhood path, raising his daughter.
“Having David Alan Grier as a dad, having my sister and how it actually is in my house is basically him (his character) running things by a committee,” says Foxx.
Entitled, “Dad Stop Embarrassing Me,” the show is loosely based on Foxx’s real-life relationship with daughter Corinne. It also works to shift the narrative of Black fathers being absent from their child’s lives.
“It started off as a seed of me and my daughter’s experiences,” says Foxx. “I was always embarrassing my daughter. And my daughter never got in trouble, but there were always these moments where she felt under siege.”
Ahead of the show, the actors reflected on their experience as fathers. Both dads to daughters, Foxx and Grier gave advice to girl dads on how to show up for them despite hardships, relationship fails and other stumbling blocks.
“You don’t have to be perfect, you just have to show up,” says Grier. “You don’t have to spend money. You don’t have to buy these gifts.”
Netflix has produced several original series for families since the quarantine. For Foxx, being able to partner with a production company and content provider that would allow for more creative control was essential to ensuring a sound show.
“I think the only way to do what we wanted to do, what me and David wanted to do, was on Netflix where we have a little bit more latitude,” says Foxx.
“Dad Stop Embarrassing Me” is sure to keep the laughs rolling with a history as rich as this comedic duo. Having good chemistry is the first step to creating relatable family comedy and Foxx and Grier are no strangers. Since their time on the iconic show “In Living Color,” the duo has waited for the perfect opportunity to work alongside each other again. Teaming up came at Foxx’s request.
“There are certain guys you can’t beat. You can be as funny as you want, you can do whatever you want, but there are certain guys you can’t beat,” says Foxx of Grier.
The eight-episode, multi-cam sitcom will balance classic sitcom comedy with presenting their take on family, societal and parenting dynamics. “Dad Stop Embarrassing Me” will also explore issues relevant to today like race and the relationship between the Black community and the police force. A new spin on what it takes to raise a child, this show will be packed with not only comedy, but learning as well.
“There’s going to be moments where it’s teachable but then it’s going to be funny moments,” Foxx says.
The show is executive produced by Bentley Kyle Evans, who worked on the “Jamie Foxx Show,” Foxx’s daughter Corinne Foxx and Ken Whittingham who is the director of both ABC’s “Black-ish” and “Dad Stop Embarrassing Me.” The show is now available exclusively on Netflix. For more information, please visit http://www.netflix.com/DSEM.
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