Toccara Jones guest stars on "Are We There Yet?"

By TV Maverick
JR Staff Writer

When TBS agreed to bring "Are We There Yet?" back for a second season, Ice Cube promised to go all out. The show is anchored by two stars, Essence Atkins and Terry Crews. But, in the second season, Ice Cube wanted more high-profile guests.

Last week, "Are We There Yet?" featured a guest appearance from Charlie Murphy. During an appearance on ESPN, the show's star, Terry Crews, said many big names would appear during the season. Without dropping many names, Crews invited some of ESPN's people to stop by.

In an effort to compete with Tyler Perry's sitcoms, Ice Cube may bring in people from ESPN. It would go well with the show seeing how Crews' 'Nick' is a sportscaster. The new season is bringing in high ratings. Still, Tyler Perry's sitcoms are the highest-rated shows on cable television.

On last night's episode, "Are We There Yet?" featured guest appearances from Sandy 'Pepa' Denton and former reality star, Toccara Jones. Pepa played as one of Nick's co-workers, while Toccara Jones played as one of Suzzane's friends' cousin. Before she fell out of the public eye, Toccara Jones said she wanted to land some scripted roles in television shows and movies. Her appearance on "Are We There Yet?" is one of her first scripted appearances.

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Ice Cube takes his Act to TBS

Outside of rap music, Ice Cube proved that he was able to make it. In a matter of years, Cube was able to transform himself from an offensive rap figure into the most marketable hip hopper in history. Early in the 1990s, Cube proved that he was a great actor with his acclaimed role in Boyz n da Hood.

Following his performance in that film, Ice Cube began writing and other behind-the-scenes roles in major films. Finally, Cube was able to become PG with his Are We There, Yet? films. It has been since that time that Ice Cube has become "safe." He was considered one of the top black filmmakers.

However, Tyler Perry emerged the same year that Are We There, Yet came out. At a rapid pace, Perry adapted his popular plays into films. These films have become major hits within the black community. By himself, Perry had become what the black community wanted BET to be.

Tyler Perry's takeover was complete before the end of 2007, when he landed a multimillion dollar deal with cable network, TBS to begin broadcasting original sitcoms for the network. The sitcoms ended up bringing a full return to the investment that TBS made. More important than all of the rest, Tyler Perry has become one of the richest men in America because of the deal. While Ice Cube remains very happy for Perry, in the back of his mind, he knows that should be him in that position.

Instead of going on a smear campaign against Tyler Perry, Ice Cube has worked out a deal with TBS that is identical to the one that Perry struck four years ago. The first project in this new partnership will be the sitcom version of the hit films Are We There, Yet? and Are We Done, Yet? Stepping back, Cube will only guest star in the series with Terry Crews becoming the father. Essence Atkins will play the role of the mother and Cube will serve as the executive producer.

"Are We There, Yet?" will premiere on June 2, 2010 at 9:00 pm on TBS.

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Essence Atkins returns to Television on “Are We There, Yet?”

The last time that Essence Atkins was seen as a regular on a television show was four years ago in 2006. At the time, she portrayed the smart-mouthed, witty, half-sister Dee Dee Thorne on the hit UPN series, “Half & Half.” While the show was a hit, UPN was overhauled during the summer of 2006 and most of their black sitcoms were lost in the crossfire.

Slowly, cable network, TBS, has been working to fill this void. During the same summer, they signed a multimillion dollar deal with Tyler Perry that landed them his two sitcoms. Along with his hits, “House of Payne” and “Meet the Browns,” TBS has the rights to any other sitcom that Tyler Perry may decide to create. Last summer, they landed a similar deal with Ice Cube.

Long before Tyler Perry built his film empire, Ice Cube had built his. However, because he has a rap career on the side, Cube never thought of creating a television program out of his movies. But, after watching Tyler Perry, Ice Cube turned his Are We There, Yet? film series into a sitcom. The show was announced last year, but will debut next month.

Essence Atkins has fallen off since “Half & Half.” In the time since the cancellation of the sitcom, she has made her living in low-budget films. Most people had forgotten about her, but needing a sassy star, Ice Cube reached out. Because the reruns of “Half & Half” have aired since 2008 and because the films she starred in are beginning to air, Atkins has been on a comeback.

The comeback will be complete on June 2, 2010, when “Are We There, Yet?” premieres.

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