Arguably, most gossip sessions, and casual conversations transpire in hair salons as well as tonsoriums. Naturally, people feel at ease in a peaceful sanctuary where everyone relates when bringing issues to the table such as politics, relationships, and neighborhood concerns. Speaking with the cast members from In The Cut, it was obvious that they were delighted to take part in those worldly discussions.
Dorian Wilson (character Jay "The Dream" Weaver) echoed a similar perspective. “I think it’s a great thing. It’s truly the hub for black communities. Well, from a man’s standpoint, as somebody who has grown up in the barbershop, and what-not. You learn about what’s happening in the communities. You’re able to talk freely amongst other men. You can get things off your chest. You can find out new information, so there’s always something going on.” Creator of In The Cut, Bentley Kyle Evans, kept that veracity in mind while producing the side splinter sitcom which premiers on Bounce TV July 11, 2017 at 9pm Eastern Standard Time, with two-new shows running back-to-back. ABOUT IN THE CUT: Jay “The Dream” Weaver is a barbershop owner and staple in his community. Recently reunited with Kenny, the adult son he never knew he had, life is all new for both of them. Together, they are learning what it means to be adult men: living, working and learning alongside one another. Close quarters, coupled with wisecracking employees, know-it-all neighbors and complicated love interests make for close shaves and good times. The first series opens with Kenny Clark (played by Ken Lawson) running fanatically into the shop to tell his dad, Jay Weaver, ( played by Dorian Wilson) and barber shop owner, that he has a kid on the way.
Yes, the slipperoo definitely happened!
Of course, pregnancy isn’t a thing Kenny is prepared for like most young parents, but he has to deal with the situation by any means necessary. Meanwhile, friend and barber, Clevon 'Smitty' Smith (played by John Marshall Jones) is giving the ladies a dancing lesson on the “Jungle Buggy,” cause clearly, he thinks the moves are still there. Facts are still prevalent about the informal expectancy.
Though unplanned pregnancy is an unadulterated reality for younger people, it was interesting to learn Lawson’s feeling about being a new father on the show, and not to mention the shock and awe moment that unwary men face on the norm when they find out that their mates are expecting. Lawson said that he’s had plenty friends that experienced unintended pregnancies. “I was able to understand that feeling. It was shock and Awe. It did take a lot of sitting back—I really had to sit back like, Dude, my chick is really getting ready to have this baby. I was over here stressing out. I had to read the script like everybody else.” As viewers can only imagine the chaos that’s taking off this season is through the roof of insanity; and to think, this is only one instance portrayed in the wildly funny chronicles. In preparation for their season premiere, other cast members from In The Cut popped in just to talk about characters and upcoming segments. Kelita Smith, her character is Cheryl Bowman; she is the salon owner of In The Cuts.
“We’re just having a whole lot of fun. The third season happens to be relationship oriented. There is a surprise towards the end with Dorian, and I's, relationship. I think this season, the game got stepped up all the way, even with the writing, the cast—collectively, we’ve all kinda got together and just kinda raised the ainty up a little bit. I think what this season is going to provide (that) it's just a whole other level of comedy.”
Dorian Wilson agreed with Kelita, he also shared his sentiments about the show. He said that his character (Jay Weaver) was previously owner of the Barber Shop, and his ex-wife was co-owner of the Beauty Salon. Now, here’s where the tea comes into play… Kelita's character is the newest owner, whom Jay is somewhat smitten with. For whatever reasons, they mix business with pleasure, and both bring messiness to the sanctuary where they work. It's with absolute certainty-- it's crystal clear that the relationship is not a good idea, but viewers will need to keep watching to see how the drama and romance unfolds. According to Dorian, this year is all about the narrative for his and Kelita’s character.
“I believe this year the writers are writing more for Dorian, the actor playing Jay, than engulfing both Jay’s character and Dorian’s personality. They are writing for us as people, and (they) know what our strengths are-- It's exactly what Kelita said, 'It's more character driven and relationship driven this year.'
I have some great stuff with Smitty, played by the amazing, John Marshall Jones, who is my best friend on the show. We just have some really comical moments. And of course, my relationship with Kenny, played by Ken Lawson, who plays my son, and after many, many, years, we find each other. We’re just getting to know each other, and this year, it’s taken to a whole other level. We’re peeling away—it’s not so much us getting to know each other, it’s how we’re getting along with each other.
Ken Lawson in all of his incisive funnies, he spoke up too.
“Well, I’m Ken Lawson, and I play the illegitimate son of Jay Weaver, played by Dorian Wilson. He accepts me now, and you know, I moved into the house and we are doing our thing. Basically, my character is working at the shop and getting to know his pops, hanging out with Smitty, played by John Marshall Jones.
He’s doing his thing. He’s actually venturing out. My character is working on the rap game and getting into a mix tape, all sorts of stuff is going on. Also, we’re growing in this episode. My character is definitely evolving, definitely. One of the episodes that’s coming in, I’m making a major decision and it’s going to be a change in Kenny’s life later in the season, and I can’t wait until everybody sees that." Again, these scenarios are just small layers from the cast and production team that have made Tuesday evenings a joy to anticipate. Let’s chat about the second series premiering. It dispenses with antagonism and simplistic humor. Imagine borrowing money from a friend earlier in life, and you didn’t pay back the debt. That same blast from the past just happens be your leasing agent—that’s right, your landlord. Things can muddle very quickly when old friends become rivalries and face-off on that unpaid debt.
John Marshall Jones agreed that it’s definitely a deal breaker between friends when money is the issue. “You know, in all of our dealings in society, we have the sort of undercurrents of respect, and one of the things that is an undercurrents of respect is, ‘You don’t mess with people’s money.' The money represents their ability to function independently in society, and also when you’re talking about giving money or receiving money, that’s like giving or receiving your word; and when you say you’re going to do something with money and don’t do it, people take it very personal. I’ve seen friendships come and go… over money, and that’s the kind of choice you have to make, ‘Do I want my friend or do I want my money?’ Over time, I’ve found that the money, you can always make again but, you can’t ever, again, make a really good friend once you’ve chosen to let that go.” John Marshall Jones also talked about what being on the show means to him. “Well, first off, I wanna thank Bounce TV and all of my wonderful cast members for a terrific season three. One of the things I love about this is how everybody pulls together to create this feeling, a group that’s been together a long time and people who really know and love each other. The character, Smitty, reaches a whole new level of crazy this season, and he keeps showing up in these different outfits as if what he’s doing is going to be the solution to the problem and he’s only making it worse. His best friend, Jay, played by Dorian, is willing to put up with all the craziness that Smitty comes up with, and still let's him keep a job. I think that really speaks for the depths of their friendship that Smitty has with Jay.” In The Cut boasts comedy, while embroidering family matters, virtues, and ethics. Its slapstick humor is relatable and entertaining as it finesses conversational barriers like The Barbershop: Next Cut (produced by Ice Cube)” and 70’s sitcom, What’s Happening. The bare bones of the show, it’s mature and educational. Viewers will be schooled subliminally and simultaneously with jesting as a peace offering for one night each week.
Behind the scene of In The Cut