Brandon T. Jackson is one of the stars of the upcoming Ben Stiller comedy Tropic Thunder, which is getting a lot of buzz primarily on the strength of newly minted super-duperstar Robert Downey Jr.'s hysterical parody of the far-too-self-important actor by actually having medical procedures done to play a black man in
a new Vietnam War movie. Jackson plays Downey's major foil, and he had a few words to say about the experience.
Robert Downey Jr. played a black man better than I played a black man. That should tell you that Robert is an
amazing actor. His career has been up, it's been down, it's been left, it's been right. To see him be a superhero [in Iron Man]... he's a superhero himself.
I actually play a version of Diddy, a big hip-hop mogul. I don't want to give too much away. We both have this big conflict of him playing black and I'm really
black in the movie. It's crazy, it plays so real, so funny and so amazing. It's one of those things that you gotta go see.
I think it's going to be one of the biggest comedies of the summer, as I knock on wood. Jack [Black] is amazing, Ben is an amazing director. I think people don't understand that Ben Stiller is the comedy Spielberg. That's
my opinion.
Gen Y’s Funny Guy
The KING-MAG.com Q&A with Brandon T. Jackson
Comedian Brandon T. Jackson knows the easiest way to any girl’s panties heart: comedy. Apparently the
rate is for every laugh you get one booty call. And now that the self-ascribed “Class Clown” who appeared alongside
Bow Wow in Roll Bounce is set to premier his hilarious self-titled sketch comedy on the N network, he might just
have to change his number. KING-MAG.com’s youngest scribe, Rodney Dugue, chopped it up with Jackson
about how Melyssa Ford is not so impossible, what you drink when you’re underage, and his MySpace game.
KING-MAG.com: You’re young, you’re a rising actor/comedian, how does it feel, right now, to be Brandon
T. Jackson?
Brandon Jackson: I’m feeling good right now, but I’m a little nerve wrecked to be honest.
This is my first TV appearance and this is my first writing executive-producer [gig].
Let’s rewind the hands of time and take it back to the set of Roll Bounce. Keep it un-Hollywood
for a minute. Who was getting more ladies on the set of Roll Bounce, you or Bow Wow?
It was so funny on the set of Roll Bounce. I had the party house that everybody could come back to. My parents
weren’t in town, Bow Wow’s parents were. So, when Bow Wow walked in the room everyone would kinda cuff their girl
by the neck [impersonates] “Oh no Bow Wow, you ain’t getting her, nah-huh”. You know, back in 8th grade,
when all the girls would go to one side and all the guys would go to the other side? It was like the same thing, but all the
girls would go to Bow Wow and the guys would be stuck by themselves [on the other side]. So, you know it was definitely Bow
wow. But, hey, now, that the Brandon T. Jackson is coming out hopefully I can compete.
I hear that. How is the attention from the ladies now? The same? Or has it grown?
You know what? Ladies these days are very, um, very funny, man. I like the real thing; I’m the son of a preacher,
man, and my mom and dad are pastors and I saw the way my mom and Dad got along. So when I see the girls popping out of nowhere,
it’s kinda hard for me to be real with them.
Well, you probably already know that Melyssa Ford is down with us. If I gave you $30 and 30 minutes, could you press game to Melyssa “Impossible” Ford?
Of course.
Oh, of course?
Of course, man, you talking to… You don’t talk to a comic artist, we’re trained to talk. This is what
we do, dude.. Girls love to laugh, that’s one of the things I love about the N channel. When I do my shows, Teens of
Comedy, it’s all girls in the audience it couldn’t be no different. She’s a woman, I mean, you know
True. Could you give us a preview of what type of game you would use?
[Laughs] Aww, you gonna put me on the spot. Melyssa Ford, man, I don’t know. I need to see her and hear
whatever she says, I can roll off and make a joke out of it. I don’t know if you wanna play her and be her. I’d
rather not do that,
Yeah, I’m not cool with that either. Well, you what about gaming chicks on the Internet. I imagine you have
a MySpace page?
Yea, I do. I have a huge MySpace song that got like 5 million hits on MySpace. How is the love on MySpace?
I got a lot of friends. I have about 100,000 friends. Which is not too bad for a comedian.
Oh wow. I have about 6 friends, I need to work on my page.
Yeah, you need to work on your page. Please, I’m around 6 people right now.
Well, is Wayne Brady in your top 8? For him to be co-producing the show says a lot. How did that come about?
Well, I know Wayne he was the DJ [in Roll Bounce]. I met him, he saw me and we started talking. I met [executive
producer of programming at N] S.C chambers at the N channel. And we got into the room and the room pretty much caught on fire
with comedy and S.C. couldn’t stop laughing. So, I was like why not? Wayne was trying to get his executive producing
thing going on.
Hollywood industry, even the music industry, is known for making the even most average dude jell-o – soft
and gay. Could you tell us anyone who’s on your gay-dar, your gay radar?
[Publicist interrupts, says something about we’re not here to speculate on people’s private lives.]
Is there any single woman, in the music industry, in Hollywood, or any industry,
All Hollywood girls are mad stuck-up. I hate to say that but it’s true. [Publicist warns him not to say any names]
You know whom would I love to meet? You know Jennifer Freeman?
Yeah, I’m familiar.
That’s my celebrity crush.
Have you met her yet?
Yeah, I did at Omarion’s party. It was…I saw two angels around her, it was really weird. I couldn’t figure
out what to do with her. Nerve-racking, man.
At least, I’m not the only one that happens to. If you were in the NY area and I said let’s hit up
the club, drinks on you, would you be down?
I would get some Kool-Aid and ice. I would just get some Kool-aid
and ice and we could sit down and talk about the Brandon T. Jackson Show. [Publicist says some bit about being
21 to drink]
Any other forbidden acts or subjects in your comedy act?
I would never make fun of religion too much in such a bad way because of my experiences with religion Like, we had a sketch
we were gonna do that my dad wouldn’t let me listen to regular rappers when I was growing up. So, he would have me listen
to gospel rappers like 50 shillings and Judo Cris. But, the sketch didn’t go because for the first episode we didn’t
wanna get that like that. I wouldn’t go too far with religion.
Well, what about celebrities? As a comedian, what’s funnier Kevin Federline’s rap career or the Chicken
Noodle Soup Dance?
Kevin Federline’s rap career. And you know what’s funny? I wanna do a song with him. If you ever reach out
to Kevin tell him I want to do a song with him. Yeah, you talk about Flavor of Love with Flavor Flav.
Do you see yourself potentially doing a reality-type show in the future?
No time soon. And, not like that. I would never wear a Viking helmet on TV. I don’t know, man he’s a character,
man. That dude is really… It’s really ridiculous. I don’t see why the girls be crying over him. I mean there
are cameras around me. ‘Cuz these days you don’t need game with girls, you just need cameras.
Yeah, it’s pretty mind-boggling. Let’s leave it at that.
He’s pretty cool. That’s my dude. It’s funny about being a comic. Everybody’s name I know. And
when I talk about them, people have to understand I am a comic. Everybody knows that it’s a fair game.
The N Premieres
Its First Sketch Comedy Special The Brandon T. Jackson Show Friday, November 24 At 9:00 P.M. (ET)
Special
Includes Celebrity Guests Wayne Brady, Chris Brown and Sinbad with Musical Performance by Nelly Furtado
NEW YORK,
Oct. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Brandon T. Jackson is a true-to-life "son of a preacher man," who's delivering his hometown Detroit
humor to teens across America in his very first sketch comedy special, The Brandon T. Jackson Show. The N, the nighttime
network for teens, premieres the new half-hour special Friday, November 24 at 9:00 p.m. (ET). Nothing is
off limits for Jackson, the 20-year-old comedic wunderkind, grabbing from today's outrageous headlines of celebrity fodder
to politically incorrect humor with mock skits of Angelina Jolie and Osama Bin Laden. The Brandon T. Jackson Show is
co-created and executive produced by Jackson and Emmy Award-winning comedian Wayne Brady who also stars in the special.
The special also features celebrity guests Chris Brown and Sinbad, as well as a musical performance by Nelly Furtado. "The
Brandon T. Jackson Show features a unique brand of sketch comedy that is sure to be a hit with our teen viewers," said
Sarah Tomassi Lindman, Vice President, Production and Programming, The N. "The filter through which Brandon views the world, combined with his irreverence and quick wit makes for a great half-hour
of comedy." The special includes the following four sketch comedy skits written and performed by Jackson and Brady: Adoption
Idol -- How does Angelina Jolie decide on a new sibling for Maddox, Zahara and Shiloh Nouvelle? Well, she holds an Adoption
Idol competition of course! Baby Brandon and the rest of the Jackson cast partake in an "American Idol" type competition to see who can join the ever growing Jolie-Pitt family. Game
Unit -- Every hot rapper today has a sneaker deal so why shouldn't the original gangster, Game Unit be any different? Brandon plays a rap star that showcases his new line of shoe wear -- The Game Unit 2000. Game
Unit spreads the word to his legion of fans that the sneaker "is not just a shoe ... it's a way of life." Sweet 16
-- You are cordially invited into the cave dwellings of fictional character, Reggie Bin Laden (Brandon Jackson), one of
the many children of terrorist leader Osama Bin Laden (Wayne Brady). Reggie's turning 16 on a mock episode of the famed
MTV reality series My Super Sweet 16, and he's determined that his birthday be the underground party of the year. R&B
artist Chris Brown makes a cameo appearance. Possessed By a Pimp -- After realizing they've purchased their dream home
over an ancient pimp burial ground, a family of three quickly discover that their son (portrayed by Jackson) has become possessed by the spirit of a Detroit pimp. While growing up in Detroit, Jackson found school to be dull and unbearable, but comedy provided him the perfect outlet
to get through it. This self-titled "class clown" honed his comedy skills by performing in talent shows at youth nights
at his father's church. By the time Jackson was teenager, his career as a stand-up comic evolved from local
school shows to community projects such as the Motor City Youth Festival. Jackson continued on his road to success when his internship at local Detroit radio station led to a guest-host position its rival station. As his following grew, so did his hunger for
stand-up comedy. Soon Jackson was working side-by-side with many of today's top comedians,
including Chris Tucker and Wayne Brady, and delivered side-splitting performances at New York City's legendary Showtime at the Apollo and BET's Comic View. He quickly made the transition
from stand-up comedian to Hollywood actor when he was cast in his first major movie role as Bow
Wow's former best friend "Junior" in the motion picture Roll Bounce. In the past year, Jackson launched and hosted the Teens of Comedy Tour (featuring Lil JJ and presented by BET)
and served as host on singer Chris Brown's 30-city U.S. Tour. Jackson's upcoming projects include a starring role in the indie film Cuttin the Mustard and a character role opposite
Rob Schnieder in Big Stan. A national tour is currently in the works for his comedy show featuring other talented young
comedians and musicians. One of seven siblings, Jackson draws upon his comedy from his childhood experiences in the
inner city and credits his sense of humor to his dad, Bishop Wayne T. Jackson (his mother also serves as the Pastor of
their church). Jackson counts comedians Sinbad, Martin Lawrence and Chris Rock as his
source of inspiration and much of his comedy touches upon politics, the ups and downs of being young, dating and God. He
aspires to be the funniest man in America
-- without cursing -- and hopes to reshape the world of comedy into one that inspires, teaches and uplifts people. Along
with Emmy Award winner and comedian Wayne Brady, both actors co- created, starred and executive produced the half-hour
special. Brady recently wrapped the independent film I'm Perfect and the romantic comedy Crossover with Anthony Mackie
and Sydney Timiia Poitier. Last fall he finished a run on the Broadway production of Chicago. Robert Teitel and George Tillman Jr. serve as executive producers for The Brandon
T. Jackson Show. Teitel and Tillman have teamed up as executive producer and writer for hit films and television adaptations
including Soul Food, Men of Honor, Barbershop, Barbershop 2: Back in Business, Beauty Shop and Roll Bounce. Their production
company, State Street Pictures, has many films currently in development, including: College, Stephon's Corner, Champions
and The Interrogator. The N, the nighttime network for teens, is a programming arm of MTV Networks and is currently
available in 52 million households via cable, digital cable and satellite television. The N's mission is to be the authentic
voice for teens and help them figure out their lives with relevant, topical programming on-air and online at the network's
web site http://www.the-n.com. The N airs everyday from 6:00 p.m.
to 6:00 a.m. (ET). The N and all related titles, characters and logos are
trademarks of Viacom International Inc.
News
Carl Anthony Payne, Hassan Johnson, Alex Thomas, Mobb Deep, Brandon T. Jackson and others Slated for Film "A Talent
For Trouble"
Music video director Marvis Johnson, who is in preproduction on a comedy feature "A Talent For Trouble" with Carl Anthony
Payne (CosbyShow/Martin), Hassan Johnson (HBO'S The Wire), Alex Thomas (Just Married), Prodigy and Havoc (Mobb Deep), Brandon
T. Jackson (Roll Bounce), and Roman Rivera (R-Xmas).
He is also developing a musical for the big screen. This one will
find him helming a hip-hop musical inspired by what's described as a genre bending story, though the exact story and the details
of both multicultural projects are being kept under wraps. Production is scheduled for 2005.
It is known that Marvis
Johnson will team with industry multihyphenate Norman "Storm" Bell, while Adiel Eshkenazi will executive produce. The project
will be co-produced by JillyBean Productions and Buck 50 Productions
Hailed as the next Chris Tucker by Director Malcolm D. Lee, Brandon T. Jackson is simply
hilarious in his role as Junior in Lee's film, "Roll Bounce", which stars Bow Wow, Mike Epps, Chi McBride and Meagan Good.
According to IMDB, by age 14, Brandon's career as a stand-up comic evolved from local school shows and community projects
such as the Motor City Youth Festival to an appearance in Marc Cayce's film, Nikita Blues (2001). A 2005 national tour is
currently in the works for his comedy show featuring other talented young comedians and musicians. This comedian from Detroit
has a future on stage and on screen. Jackson recently spoke to blackfilm.com about his role in "Roll Bounce" and working along
with Bow Wow.
How excited are you to be in this film?
Brandon T. Jackson: I'm very happy. There aren't that many movies that come along like this and working with
Bow Wow was amazing. I'm taking it all in. It's my first big one, so I'm really happy about.
What role do you play?
BTJ: I play Junior and he's the loud mouth. He's a funny guy and always has something to say about something,
but at the same time, he has heart and he's a leader too. He's sort leads in a certain way and he's next Bow Wow's character
as far as pushing the guys to move on to the next level in life as well as gets them to prepare for the skate-off at the end
of the film. At first Junior was the leader, but X is the better skater, so he became the leader of the crew.
How did you get the role?
BTJ: Well, I'm a stand-up comic and I got discovered at the Laugh Factory doing 3 minutes of comedy. I started
in church back in Detroit and when I moved to LA right out of high school, a lady from Creative Artist came up to me and said,
"Hey, have you ever heard of Brad Pitt?" and I said yes. She said that they represented him and for me to call her the next
day. Well, I called her and she sent me on auditions and I met Monica Swann, the casting director of "Fat Albert", who also
cast "Roll Bounce" and she thought I would be good for the role of Junior. So then we just kept going and kept working and
kept auditioning and landed the role.
At the Urbanworld Film Festival, where "Roll Bounce" was first shown to the public, Malcolm D. Lee had referred
to you as the next Chris Tucker. Do you think that was a big statement to make at the early stage of your career?
BTJ: It is pretty big, but I can grow that. I definitely would like to have the success that Chris has had, and
that's a nice compliment, but I'm Brandon T. Jackson. My whole movement is different. It's up to what the people think, but
he's definitely one of my mentors and an inspiration in my life. He and Nick Cannon are both inspirations, but I have my own
little movement. I'm bringing stand-up to the film people and my generation and that's what I'm doing. To do that, the whole
Class Clown Tour that I'm putting together, which is like the Kings is Comedy, is going to be so big and it's a whole different
market that I'm trying to bring to the world. Comedians that are young and can do stand-up comedy and I want the world to
see it. I've been living this since I was 13 and that what's I'm really working on, right now, my tour. They can see who I
am. I'm a little bit like Will Smith and a little bit like Chris Tucker. I'm urban and suburban, and that's cool. My dad's
a pastor and I grew up in church. The church is in the city but I lived in the suburbs and so I'm diverse in both ways.
Is this your first film and if so, how did you go into in terms of the acting?
BTJ: I went into it trying to be the funniest that I can be. This is my first big. I did a film called "Nikita
Blues" back when I was in 9th grade. It was an independent film, but this is my first big one. I went into the role knowing
that I would have to work hard and I watched a lot of Œ70s tapes. With some of my jokes, I tried to do it in the way
that people spoke in the Œ70s with the "Hey man". "Cooley High" took place in the Œ60s, but it was filmed in the
Œ70s, and you still had the reference, and then there was "Good Times" with JJ and "What's Happening" and all that sort
of stuff. I watched a lot of films and shows and saw how they delivered the jokes.
Did it takes some time for you to get your acting together when working with those who have more experience
than you?
BTJ: Well, I wasn't too bad. I'm very quick. One thing you have to learn about being a comedian is how to be
quick to learn things and you train to be in awkward situations and I was like, as long as I can be funny in any situation,
they will like it. So I tried to be the best at that and the acting kicked in.
How was working with Bow Wow?
BTJ: It was great. Bow Wow is amazing. He's an amazing actor and an amazing performer and I think he's one of
the key performers of our time and you can tell him I said that.
What did you learn from Malcolm as a director?
BTJ: I learned that he has a great vision, but what is sad about this film is that they are marketing it as a
black movie. The sad thing is that it's an all around good movie. It's just not a black movie where they put it in the corners
of every little black show and say, "Ok, you all go see the movie". Malcolm has a vision for everybody. His vision isn't just
for one person or one type of group and that's what come across in the film; that everybody can go see it, and that everybody
can love the movie, and you know what, hopefully it opens big first weekend, but if doesn't, it will leave the box office
with big numbers because the word of mouth is growing to spread how good this movie is.
Have you seen it with fans to get their reaction?
BTJ: They love it, and I heard them say it without me there.
As a comedian, what did you get from working with Mike Epps and Charlie Murphy?
BTJ: I can wait to be like that; to be better like them. It's all good. I can't wait to be at that level. Mike
and Charlie have been in the game so long, that I'm just learning from them.
Do you want to continue to do films?
BTJ: Yes, that's the only way.
What are some of your favorite films?
BTJ: I love Rush Hour. I love Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Animal House, Back to the Future. I love a lot of films.
I really loved Made with Vince Vaughn, and my new favorite is The Wedding Crashers. That's pretty funny. Believe it or not,
I like Underclassman with Nick Cannon. I see what's he trying to do and I hope I can catch on to his vision. He will be another
performer of our times.
How often do you skate?
BTJ: It was cool being on skates. It was really grueling to wake up in the morning and put on skates and that's
annoying, but it was also cool because we had to do it. I was on skates for three months.
How often did you fall down?
BTJ: Not that often. At times, they would yell, "Cut", and let my double do some scenes.
What's next for you?
BTJ: I'm working on my own TV show with the N channel, Noggin, and I have something popping MTV as well.
Why should anyone see "Roll Bounce"?
BTJ: It's a fun movie. It's an African American film that's good and fun and showing us in a good light with
family and not a bunch of violence. It's good film and you will have a good time watching it.
Brandon T. Jackson is proud to say he was the class clown at West Bloomfield High School. And he's quickly turned that
role into a Hollywood career.
This week, the 19-year-old comedian and actor is back in his hometown, kicking off a planned 20-city comedy tour.
You've heard of the Kings of Comedy and even the Queens of Comedy. Jackson is the host and producer of the Teens of Comedy,
taking the stage at Detroit's Music Hall on Saturday.
"I was definitely a teen of comedy coming up," Jackson says from his family's historic mansion in Detroit's Palmer Woods.
He's now living in Los Angeles and is fresh from his film debut as Junior (Bow Wow's best friend) in the film "Roll Bounce,"
which is still doing some big box office in theaters.
"I got out of a lot of situations with my wittiness," he says.
Among them, a potential fistfight in sixth grade, not to mention punishments for a few skipped classes.
Jackson moved to L.A. after high school in 2001 and was cast as an extra in several films, including "Ali," "Bowling for
Columbine" and Eminem's "8 Mile." But it was his performance at New York City's Showtime at the Apollo and BET's "Comic View"
that secured him a supporting role in "Roll Bounce."
Jackson is the son of Bishop Wayne T. Jackson of Great Faith Ministries International Church in Detroit and preacher Beverly
Y. Jackson. You can safely bet the topic of growing up with preachers as parents will get some stage time on Saturday. He
does, however, give props to the Bishop for his sense of humor.
"My dad's really funny," he says.
Saturday's audience can also expect a bit on Jackson's brief stint at being home-schooled and growing up in both Detroit
and the suburbs (his family -- he's the fifth of seven kids -- still divides time between homes in Detroit and West Bloomfield
Township). Other than that, he's not giving up too much material.
"I'm very physical with my comedy," he explains, then hints at another riff on popular drugs like Ritalin that keep kids
in line.
"I was on Ritalin for two weeks," he says. "They need to get back to old-fashioned whuppins."
The Saturday show also features four other young, up-and-coming comedians: Lil J.J., Cory Fernandez, Isiah Kelly and Juan
Garcia. They plan to help teach teens how to use wit and laughter to resolve conflicts. But mostly, Jackson wants to get everyone
laughing.
"It's a family show that everyone can come out to," he says.
Brandon T. Jackson has less than three months of experience in Hollywood, but already he's landed a major role in the upcoming
film Roll Bounce. The 19-year-old preacher's kid from Detroit says it is an answer to many prayers.
Jackson appears on the big screen this month alongside teen sensation Bow Wow, who stars as X in the 1970s era roller-skating
movie. Jackson depicts X's best friend, Junior. “This [breakthrough] is something I always prayed for,” Jackson
told Charisma. “I [would pray], 'God, if You are going to use me, use me in entertainment, for Your glory.'”
Jackson's father, Bishop Wayne T. Jackson of Detroit's Great Faith Ministries International, has the church interceding
for his son, and he sent one of the ministry's young leaders to Los Angeles to be his son's prayer partner and Bible study
leader. Although the PG-13 film will stir up more hoots than hallelujahs, Jackson's performance could position him for bigger
roles and greater influence. All part of the plan, says the young actor, who once wanted to follow his father's footsteps
into the pulpit. Now he wants to preach “in a different way” and be a transforming force in Hollywood. Steven
Lawson in Hollywood
Brandon With His Class Clown Chain
Brandon's MySpace Rap Song Exclusively on his MySpace Music Page
I know when you all read that first line you were probably thinking, "What is she talking about, Brandon is a Comedian
not a Rapper!" Well it turns out that he does both! To hear Brandon's Rap Song "What's Yo MySpace?", you have to check out
his Music MySpace Page.
Comedian Brandon T. Jackson knows the easiest way to any girl’s 
How is the love on MySpace?
Yeah, I’m familiar. 
Roll Bounce: An Interview with Brandon T. Jackson 
to make at the early stage of your career? 
key performers of our time and you can tell him I said that. 
ay. 
ell. 
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