SITCOM PREMIERE "The Soul Man" 
 WHEN|WHERE Wednesday night at 10 on <a href="/topics/TV_Land">TV Land</a> 
 REASON TO WATCH Can anybody say "Amen"? 
 WHAT IT'S ABOUT Cedric the Entertainer plays a onetime <a href="/topics/Barry_White">Barry White</a> wannabe who goes "from singing soul to saving souls" in taking over his daddy's St. Louis church. Along for the sass and sermons: Vegas-styled wife <a href="/topics/Niecy_Nash">Niecy Nash</a> ("Reno 911," Style's "<a href="/topics/Clean_House">Clean House</a>") and driving-age daughter Jazz Raycole (original Claire on "My Wife and Kids"). 
 Is retired daddy (<a href="/topics/John_Beasley">John Beasley</a>, "Everwood") really ready to pass on his pulpit? Might his younger son be a bit of a rascal? "The good Lord created cuss words so I could describe your brother." 
 MY SAY The good Lord created sitcoms like "The Soul Man" as relaxing, relatable humor with heart, and Cedric's new creation isn't about to mess with His template. Besides the got-it-down-cold cast, <a href="/topics/TV_Land">TV Land</a>'s latest has experienced director Stan Lathan (Sanaa's dad), who ranges back to "Sanford &amp; Son" and "<a href="/topics/Hill_Street_Blues">Hill Street Blues</a>." Then there's showrunner Phoef Sutton. His resumé runs from "Cheers" to FX sleeper "Terriers." They can do silly, they can do serious. 
 As does "The Soul Man," aiming proudly mainstream the way sitcoms like "Amen" used to. (Gotta love that race switcheroo of token white players supporting.) 
 BOTTOM LINE Either I'm getting forgiving, or cable's live-audience sitcoms are getting better all the time. Think the networks might notice? 
 GRADE B+

SITCOM PREMIERE "The Soul Man" WHEN|WHERE Wednesday night at 10 on TV Land REASON TO WATCH Can anybody say "Amen"? WHAT IT'S ABOUT Cedric the Entertainer plays a onetime Barry White wannabe who goes "from singing soul to saving souls" in taking over his daddy's St. Louis church. Along for the sass and sermons: Vegas-styled wife Niecy Nash ("Reno 911," Style's "Clean House") and driving-age daughter Jazz Raycole (original Claire on "My Wife and Kids"). Is retired daddy (John Beasley, "Everwood") really ready to pass on his pulpit? Might his younger son be a bit of a rascal? "The good Lord created cuss words so I could describe your brother." MY SAY The good Lord created sitcoms like "The Soul Man" as relaxing, relatable humor with heart, and Cedric's new creation isn't about to mess with His template. Besides the got-it-down-cold cast, TV Land's latest has experienced director Stan Lathan (Sanaa's dad), who ranges back to "Sanford & Son" and "Hill Street Blues." Then there's showrunner Phoef Sutton. His resumé runs from "Cheers" to FX sleeper "Terriers." They can do silly, they can do serious. As does "The Soul Man," aiming proudly mainstream the way sitcoms like "Amen" used to. (Gotta love that race switcheroo of token white players supporting.) BOTTOM LINE Either I'm getting forgiving, or cable's live-audience sitcoms are getting better all the time. Think the networks might notice? GRADE B+

Entertainment

ETTEL20.WEB

Cedric the Entertainer is TV Land's 'Soul Man'

Newsday

soul man-CROPPED

Entertainment trending

Take our quizzes

34 must-see fall concerts

Fall theater preview

Too much 'Jeopardy'?

Most Popular

Entertainment Rail Module

Fans feared the worst after Google indicated the singer had died Thursday.

Billy Joel is still alive, publicist confirms following Google error

The actor will talk about his memoir at Woodbury Jewish Center on Oct. 5.

Michael Douglas lauching book tour to Nassau

Tribute bands are attracting dedicated fans, offering affordable alternatives to seeing original artists live.

Even better than the real thing? Why LI loves tribute bands.

"Lost Interview" with the Piano Man premiere in Stony Brook Sept. 25 amid controversy.

Not quite just the way he is: AI's role in Billy Joel doc

The 90-minute, family-friendly show focuses on the wonderment of being a kid again.

Magician channels his LI roots at Paramount this weekend

Attendees were encouraged to write letters to the Cinema Arts Centre's board seeking Dylan Skolnick's reinstatement.

Attendees seek reinstatement for fired Cinema Arts Centre's co-director at meeting

Sign up for Newsday's Entertainment newsletter

Entertainment newsletter widget

Wantagh funeral director competes on the NBC hit which returns Thursday night.

'Traitors' Joe: LI's Joe Vanella has eye on the prize

More Entertainment

Entertainment Article Bottom Module

Wyle won a second straight drama actor Emmy for "The Pitt" and Seehorn took her first — for "Pluribus," while Smart won her fifth for "Hacks."

Emmys 2026: Noah Wyle repeats, Jean Smart wins again, Rhea Seehorn finally wins her first

She may have taken a single fentanyl-laced oxycodone on the day of her death.

Report: New details on Hayden Panettiere death

First impressions from the season premiere with its new anchors.

4 takeaways from '60 Minutes'

Odds are you've forgotten about these oddities, including "Russian Roulette."

Remember 'Shenanigans' and these other game shows?

Monday's awards have an air of nostalgia and questions about the show's future.

Could this be the Emmys' last year on network TV?

NEWSDAY TV SHORTS

Vertical videos

Supporters of "through-running" would like to see LIRR trains adding stops beyond Long Island. NewsdayTV's Alfonso Castillo reports.

What is through-running and will it work at Penn Station?

After 19 months, the Crescent Duck Farm in Aquebogue, the last major commercial duck farm on Long Island, reopened with new generation of birds.

New generation of birds

Ken 'Batman' Buffa heads to 4th World Comics in Smithtown.

LI Works: The Dark Ken sells comic books

Residents on Tuesday urged Huntington officials not to approve a plan to build an $85 million four-story, mixed-use luxury residential community in Melville. NewsdayTV's Andrew Ehinger reports.

Residents oppose Melville development proposal

NewsdayTV's Andi Berlin visits No Good Burger Joint in Baldwin.

Newsday's Top 50 restaurants: A burger joint joins the list

NewsdayTV's Doug Geed checks out a beloved local staple where visitors near and far gather to grab tomatoes for their Sunday sauce.

Out East: Lenny Bruno Farms

New York State is mailing out energy rebate checks between $100 and $200 to taxpayers who qualitify. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports.

'A check is always nice. A little more would be nicer.'

Long Island is the strongest seller's market in the country as limited inventory drives up home prices, according to a new study. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports.

LI bucking the national trend

As New York picked up the pieces and began to rebuild after 9/11, Newsday's photographers were there. NewsdayTV's Macy Egeland has more.

Picture This: When New York and America rose from 9/11

NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa checks out this viral social media hit that has customers flocking to Chefs Corner in Mineola.

Trendy Bites: Lemon curd pancakes in Mineola 

Sitewide Video Playlist

The Willens now find themselves part of a widening national debate about doctor-assisted end-of-life decisions as they consider whether a new state law offers Kim Willen an option she may want to take when her disease runs its course. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie has more.

'Walk a day in our shoes before you make a judgment'

The trio gave the ball back to Alonso, who signed a bat and a ball for each of them in return and also signed the jerseys and shirts they were wearing. Newsday's Laura Albanese spoke to them.

'Dropped right in front of me'

Vibrant downtown or overbuilding?

The victim's identity has not yet been released. NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa reports.

Homicide probe launched in Nassau

Suffolk politicians call for third lane in stretch from Patchogue to Center Moriches. NewsdayTV's Shari Einhorn has more.

'It seems wide enough'

Dominick Critelli concluded five weeks of rehabilitation at Lynbrook Restorative Therapy & Nursing with a saxophone concert.

'It comes from the heart'

More than 700 of the automatic license plate readers adorn poles and other structures in Nassau and Suffolk counties pitting security against privacy concerns. NewsdayTV's Shari Einhorn reports.

'Invasion of privacy? That's not cool'

The picture brought together the photographer and the Woodmere firefighter whose image he captured. NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa has more.

'I came upon a crew of firefighters'

Experts questioned whether government officials prioritized a partnership with a developer over protecting Long Islanders. NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa has more.

'I'm not being treated respectfully'

The proposed Amazon warehouse and distribution center in Holbrook would be one of Amazon's largest facilities in the U.S. NewsdayTV's Andrew Ehinger reports.

'I don't know anybody who wants this'

App Nativo Ad Unit Slot

TV - megaslot

Newsday TV critic Verne Gay reviews new TV shows and series from Netflix, Max, Hulu and more. Plus, what Long Island actors are working on and Long Island filming locations.

Cedric the Entertainer is TV Land's 'Soul Man'

Most Popular

Top Stories

Stay logged in.