Tuesday nights on ABC just got funnier. All of your favorite comedies finally return, which include Fresh Off The Boat, Emmy nominated black-ish, and The Middle, on its final season run. This time they will be joined by the new kid on the block, and we mean that literally. The Mayor tells the story of Courtney Rose, a struggling rapper who comes up with the idea to run for mayor in his local race as a way to generate publicity for his album. He’s as surprised as anyone when he actually wins the election, and must switch gears in order to help his community. He is encouraged in his new role by his family and friends, which include best friend Jermaine Leforge, played with ardent hilarity by series star Bernard David Jones. TVOvermind had the chance to talk with Jones about his role, why millennials should be inspired by the show’s message, and to tease music fans about what they can look forward to this season.
- Who is your character, Jermaine Leforge?
He’s Courtney Rose’s best friend. They grew up together and are more like brothers. He’s also close to T.K. and Courtney’s mom Dina, since she kind of raised them all together. Once his best friend is in the mayor’s office? He makes sure that his image is right. He’s like a Scaramucci type-but better!
- What is Jermaine’s reaction to this election and his arc for the season?
Jermaine’s reaction is like ‘Yes, absolutely yes!’. Because one of the things about Jermaine is that he loves his family, which is Dina, Courtney and T.K. He loves his family, but he also loves his community as well. And he believes so much in Courtney. He is Courtney’s number one fan and biggest cheerleader. He believes that this man can change the city, that they all will. So he’s very excited about Courtney becoming mayor. As far as his arc, you find out that Jermaine takes his job very seriously, because he really wants Courtney to win.”
- JET Magazine described this show as the “political sitcom for millennials.” Do you agree with that statement?
Absolutely, because I feel like at this point when it comes to millennials, we watch a lot of television. We’re very into the internet, on social media, and this mayor, he puts out a rap CD and he tries to get likes for his rap CD and he becomes mayor! But what he does is he accepts the responsibility, he gets up and he does something. I think that’s the biggest goal for millennials today is that you have a voice, you can do something. You just have to step up and that’s what Courtney does. I hope that’s what millennials relate to.
- It’s also great that you’re going to be right behind black-ish, that it leads you into the ABC Comedy line-up.
[Laughs] When they told us that, Wow! We said what a perfect lead-in it is for us!
- What is something you feel you have in common with your character, and something that is wildly different between the two of you?
I think that we both love our friends. My friends are like my family, and Jermaine’s friends are like his family. Jermaine loves hard, and that’s something that I admire about him, and something that I bring from my own personal experiences to the character. Wildly different? Well, the thing about Jermaine is that he can be over-the-top, take his job maybe a little too seriously. He’s a little more type-A than I am. That’s also something that I admire about him.
- This is your first time being a series regular on a network series. What’s something that you’ve learned through this process?
Eat and get sleep! Make sure you do those things. It’s a challenge, because you’re creating a fully realized human person that people get to see every week, and you need to be consistent. That’s where theater comes in. I’ve learned that when you make choices, big choices, make good choices that are right for your character. And eat and sleep!
- Why do you, personally, think that people should watch this show?
I think that people should watch the show because currently, the temperature of America is so hot right now. I think that we need an escape. I think that this show provides people the opportunity to watch what happens when someone in leadership has a heart for people. He’s not a politician, he’s a rapper. But what he does have is a love for his community, for the people of this community. He wants to see them be better. I think this is a great example for people to tune in and say ‘hey, I can do that. I feel like I want to change my community. This guy’s not a politician, I’m not a politician, but I can get in here and I can do something. All I need to do is step up and make the decision.’
- Is there something that most people don’t know about you that might surprise them?
I’m probably going to get in trouble for this. I have little bit of a guilty pleasure. I love to watch different types of Reality TV. I like Project Runway, So You Think You Can Dance, and Dance Moms. Probably not the typical ‘guy Reality TV’.
- What is the best advice you can give to someone who wants to go into the entertainment industry?
The thing that I think is super important as an artist is to stick to the original plan. You moved somewhere to become an actor, stick to that plan. Now how you get to the goal may be different than you originally planned, but stick to the original plan.
- Finally, what can you tease about what is coming up on The Mayor?
You may or may not hear some music [performances] from some other cast members. Just throwing it out there!
The Mayor airs Tuesdays on ABC.
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