Cedric the Entertainer is basically a living legend at this point. If you’ve turned on a TV in the last thirty years, you’ve definitely seen that grin. But honestly, it’s not just about being funny anymore. It's about how he's managed to stay relevant while so many of his peers from the 90s comedy boom have sort of faded into the background.
People often forget how he started. Before he was the King of Comedy we know today, he was Cedric Kyles from St. Louis, working as a claims adjuster. Yeah, an insurance guy. Can you imagine him coming to look at your fender bender?
He’s got this specific kind of magic. He can be the loud, suit-wearing uncle at the BBQ, and then pivot to a nuanced character facing down gentrification in a modern sitcom. Most people searching for Cedric the Entertainer TV shows are looking for The Neighborhood, but his filmography is a literal roadmap of Black excellence in television over three decades.
The Steve Harvey Show and the Birth of an Icon
We have to talk about Coach Cedric Robinson.
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Back in 1996, The Steve Harvey Show hit The WB, and it changed everything for him. He played the best friend to Steve Harvey’s character, Steve Hightower. He wasn't just a sidekick, though. He was the soul of that show. You probably remember those wild suits. The chemistry they had was authentic because they were actually friends coming up through the comedy circuits.
He won four NAACP Image Awards for that role.
Think about that for a second. Four in a row. It’s because he brought a specific texture to the "funny best friend" trope that felt grounded. He wasn't just there to set up Steve's jokes; he was a fully realized person with his own weird quirks and heart. It’s what made the "Kings of Comedy" tour later on feel like a family reunion rather than just a business deal.
Why The Neighborhood is Winning the Ratings War
Fast forward to right now.
In 2026, The Neighborhood is wrapping up its final season on CBS. It’s been a massive hit, often sitting comfortably in the top three most-watched comedies on all of broadcast television. That’s a huge deal in an era where everyone is watching TikTok or streaming some obscure documentary.
Cedric plays Calvin Butler. He’s a guy who is fiercely protective of his community in Pasadena. Then, this incredibly nice white family from the Midwest moves in next door. It sounds like a setup for a cheesy "odd couple" trope, and in lesser hands, it would be.
But Cedric, who also executive produces the show, pushes it further.
The show tackles real stuff. We're talking about race, policing, and the actual fear of losing the culture of a neighborhood when it starts to change. It’s "comfortable" TV that isn't afraid to make you feel a little uncomfortable for a minute. That balance is hard to strike. If you've ever seen him interact with Max Greenfield (who plays Dave Johnson), the timing is just... chef's kiss. It's masterclass level stuff.
The Projects You Probably Forgot (But Shouldn't Have)
Not every show was a decade-long run, but some of the shorter-lived Cedric the Entertainer TV shows were actually some of his most creative work.
Take The Soul Man.
It ran on TV Land from 2012 to 2016. Cedric played Reverend Boyce "The Voice" Ballentine. The premise was hilarious: a former R&B superstar—basically a fictionalized Al Green—leaves the Vegas life behind to take over his father’s church in St. Louis.
- Niecy Nash was his wife, Lolli.
- They had this incredible "grown folks" chemistry.
- It was a spinoff from Hot in Cleveland.
- It lasted 54 episodes, which is a solid run for cable.
Then there was Cedric the Entertainer Presents on Fox back in 2002. It was a sketch show. It was weird, vibrant, and maybe a little ahead of its time for the network. He did this character, "The Cafeteria Lady," that was just pure, unadulterated comedy. Even though Fox canceled it after one season, it proved he could carry an entire variety format on his back.
And let’s not ignore his hosting chops. He took over Who Wants to Be a Millionaire for a season. He hosted the Emmys in 2021. He’s currently doing The Greatest #AtHome Videos. The man simply does not stop working.
More Than Just a Funny Face
Cedric’s influence isn't just in front of the camera.
He’s been producing under his company, A Bird and a Bear Entertainment, for years. He’s the reason shows like Johnson on Bounce TV exist. He’s investing in the next generation.
It's actually pretty inspiring. He’s shown that you can be a "clean" comic (mostly) and still be edgy enough to matter. He’s shown that you can stay in the "sitcom" lane without being "stale."
Most people don't realize he's also a serious actor. If you haven't seen him in First Reformed alongside Ethan Hawke, go do that. Like, right now. He plays a mega-church pastor, and he brings this gravitas that usually surprises people who only know him from Barbershop.
Looking Forward
What’s next? Well, with The Neighborhood ending, he's moving into his next chapter. He’s got the Kings of BBQ thing going with Anthony Anderson on Hulu. They’re basically turning their love for ribs into a lifestyle brand. He's also doing more voice work, reprising Uncle Bobby in The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder.
If you’re looking to dive back into his work, start with the classics. Find those old episodes of The Steve Harvey Show on Pluto TV or Hulu. Then jump into The Soul Man to see him at his most soulful.
Actionable Next Step: If you want to see the range everyone talks about, watch the pilot of The Neighborhood to see his comedic timing, and then immediately watch the movie First Reformed on a streaming service like Max or Paramount+. Seeing those two performances back-to-back will change how you view his entire career. You'll see the expert craftsman behind the entertainer.