When a project has the name Norman Lear attached, you know it’s going to be special—but add Orange is the New Black's Laverne Cox into the mix, and it becomes something truly groundbreaking. Clean Slate, the new Freevee comedy, brings heart and humor together to tackle themes of identity, acceptance and family.
Starring comedian George Wallace, Family Matters actress Telma Hopkins and rising star D.K. Uzoukwu, the series follows a father reconnecting with his estranged child, Desiree (Cox), who is now a proud transgender woman.
As the show's co-executive producer and a transgender woman herself, Cox plays a key role in cultivating Clean Slate, ensuring that the story is told with care, authenticity and, of course, plenty of laughter.
In Parade's interview at SCAD TVFest, the cast opened up about why this show matters, the impact of working alongside Cox and Lear, and why Clean Slate is more than just another sitcom.
Read on for the full interview.
Clarisa Franchesci, Parade: What drew you to Clean Slate?
D.K. Uzoukwu (DKU): Well, what drew me to the project was the audition and I really wanted the job. I wanted a job, but I landed this part and it's just been a blessing to be a part of, telling that wonderful story with this wonderful cast.
And this character sort of, like, really, it's tangentially related or close to me a little bit. You know, we have a lot of similarities. I grew up in a choir. My character, Lewis, is a choir director. You know, he struggles with coming out to his family. I had those struggles as well. So it's very topical, but it resonates with me. So I love that aspect about this show.
Telma Hopkins (TH): I mean, I first of all, Norman Lear! Mic drop. To get a chance to do a story that is timely, sensitive, but you know it's going to be handled with care with a Norman Lear project. I mean, that is such an honor for us to be a part of his legacy.
And, the other thing, well, George. Yeah, I love me some George. Never worked with him before, but I was looking forward to the chance of just really having that acting moment with him. But, great cast. Laverne?! Come on. You know, Orange is the New Black. This girl is phenomenal. So it was just a chance to do something. And I could swear! That's a first for me.
I'm never on a show where I'm an adult. I'm adulting on this show. But just a wonderful opportunity, wonderful project. It’s exciting, you know? I mean, this is a project that we know may not agree with everybody, but it's going to help so many more people than it hurts.
Related: Agatha All Along' Creator, Jac Schaeffer, Reveals the Moment She Knew the Show Had Cast a Spell on Fans
What would you say to encourage people to watch Clean Slate?
DKU: I think the show is, I mean, first of all, we're a family comedy, right? It's a Norman Lear project and, you know, in line with his legacy, we are talking about, you know, sensitive topics, but we're doing it with laughter. And laughter is literally the best medicine. We've been saying that all day. And so I think people can be rest assured that it's going to give them laughs and it might teach them a couple things and it’s okay to learn. It's okay to be challenged and changed, but at the end of the day, we are here to bring joy and laughter and love and teach you about acceptance.
TH: If you think you might not know whether it's a show for you, give us one show. I guarantee you’ll come back.
DKU: Watch the pilot, see how you feel.
What emotional scenes can we look forward to in Clean Slate?
George Wallace (GW): Oh yes, all the scenes were powerful and great, and it's all about love and it's all about listening, learning, living, loving and laughing. And that's what it's all about. So when you watch all of the scenes, there's going to be some moments you might drop a tear. We try to tackle everything with a bit of humor.
We know what's controversial. We know this is actually real life. People are living these lives and we're proud to tackle it. And I'm proud to have come up with the idea to do it all. And we made it come to fruition with a great Co-Executive Producer, Miss Laverne Cox.
And it's just wonderful. And I'm just blessed to be honest. And it came to fruition. We started this seven years ago. I came up with it in my head seven years ago. We had COVID and we had the writer’s strike. And guess what? We're doing it. And guess what? Made in Georgia!
What’s your favorite piece you’ve worked on?
GW: Actually, it would be a natural stand up. I love my stand up more than anything else and I love doing it all over the world. I'm blessed to have worked from Hong Kong to Singapore and making people happy. And when I see happy people, it makes me happier.
What’s a memory of yours that stands out from The Young and the Restless?
TH: Valerie and I decided that for this particular time, we were doing a lot of press for The Young and the Restless that we wanted to do our own particular thing, which is something we did on Half and Half. And that's when I would, like, casually go by and just take her wig and walk out the door and she always has another wig in her purse.
She's a we did a whole thing where I came down the stairs, “Oh, hi, Val!”
And she had the dog, “Hi, Coco.”
And then I just went past and just took the wig, and she was just standing there in a wig cap and that got over a million views.
This transcript has been edited for clarity.
Related: 45 LGBTQ+ TV Shows You Should Binge-Watch to Celebrate Pride Month
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Telma Hopkins on Adulting, Swearing and Why 'Clean Slate' Is Unlike Any Other Show She’s Done )
Also on site :
- 215 ‘Kiss, Marry, Kill’ Game Questions That’ll Really Get a Party Going
- Iconic Actress, 75, Turns Heads in Rare Red Carpet Appearance
- Stunning '80s Soap Opera Star, 75, Is Unrecognizable in Recent Outing