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Just slow down a little bit.
Years later, Carmichael still feels a debt of gratitude.
Im forever trying to pay back that first moment, he continues onstage.
I want to see him as clearly as it felt like he saw me.
What follows is Carmichaels ostensible attempt to even the balance sheet.
His method of remuneration?
Despite having some reservations, Neighbors agrees to participate.
Despite some compelling premises and intermittent laughs, his stand-up shows appear to go poorly.
Carmichael and Neighbors have been friends for over 15 years.
Theyre also fundamentally different people with clashing philosophies about comedy and how to heal.
At times in the episode, Carmichael comes off as paternalistic and Neighbors comes off as obstinate.
It did scratch certain itches that I didnt know that I had, he says.
What was your reaction when that happened?I said, Nigga, what the fuck is this?
He was like, Oh, its for HBO.
And I said, Oh, okay, I like HBO.
And then we just rode to the show.
Im used to being on camera anyway.
I just didnt know what it was for.
It was always kind of vague.
I still think that youd benefit from being more vulnerable, because your personal story is extremely compelling.
When he said it on-camera, by that time, I had already heard him say it before.
But I still didnt know where it was headed.
Whatever I do onstage, even wearing a mohawk, thats a personal choice.
But for me and my comedy style, thats just how I do stand-up.
So it was still very personal for me.
And the stories dont have any punch lines.
And you know how social workers check on the status of the home?
To Jerrod, thats the funniest version of me.
I told Jerrod, Hey man, whats wrong with the way I do comedy?
To me, it sounds like youre saying, What youre doing is fine, but you should dothis.
I told Jerrod this in some personal conversations.
Maybe I dont have your level of fame, but in the game, Im right there.
That joke literally destroys.
And we have two totally different styles.
Sorry to hear that.
Hey, heres Spider-Man taking a shit.
Out of those six shows, I probably took the L twice.
And also, I went upafterJerrod.
These people arent expecting me to headlinehisshow, so Im in a weird, unique position.
Thats how they cut it together.
Its reality TV, you know?
When I first saw the show, I was furious.
They showed the dichotomy of our lives, right?
So it looked like Jerrod was way better than me and Im just this struggling person.
Nah, Im just a down-to-earth person who lives his life.
I dont have to have a mansion or anything like that to be happy.
At that time, I was on a hit show; I was onThis Fool.
Im a working actor.
I have my shit together, but it didnt make it seem like that.
That was one of my only qualms.
Again, they cut out so much in the show, and I was talking to Jerrod about this.
Because I was talking about how I did a lot of internal work.
I made amends with a lot of people who I felt like had wronged me in the past.
I silently forgave my mom and all this stuff.
Even the therapist was like, You seem like youve really thought this out.
I said, I had to.
The real therapy, you do that shit yourself.
Thats the only way youre ever going to figure out all of this shit.
So you havent kept up with therapy?No, but I love my therapist.
I fuck with Marvin.
I actually liked him asking me certain questions, because he did give me certain things to think about.
Were you compensated for appearing in the show?I was not compensated.
Jerrod always says, Never ask about money.
But Im over here like, Nigga, I want some money.
If I knew, I promise you I would tell you.
But I dont remember.
She doesnt remember because the 80s were wild.
Have you been keeping up with the online reception to the show?
As an internet troll myself, I love it.
And rightfully so, because Jerrodisshowing himself in a light that isnt very likable.
Its a very polarizing light, so he kind of brings it on himself.
But I personally appreciate the bravery.
Because it was kind of therapeutic to go out there and say things that I didnt necessarily write down.
It did scratch certain itches that I didnt know that I had.
Even to call my mom out and say, Hey, who was my father?
Ultimately, I dont regret the experience at all.
