There is conflicting information about what happens beyond the initial 13 episodes. While reducing episodic guarantees - the number of episodic fees per season to which each series regular is entitled - is becoming more common amid industrywide belt-tightening, downgrading the entire cast besides the two leads to recurring is the most dramatic talent cost-reduction move yet and a possible indication of what’s to come as linear ratings continue to slide and the networks’ push to cut license fees continues to grow.Īs Bob ❤️ Abishola actors are switching from series regular to recurring, the studio is waving exclusivity, so they can take on other TV jobs while being asked to notify producers of their availability so the writers can write the scripts accordingly.Īccording to sources, Bob ❤️ Abishola has received a 13-episode Season 5 renewal from CBS, so the actors - except for the two leads - are guaranteed to appear in five of the 13 (some could do more, subject to availability). The rest were offered to continue as recurring with a five-episode guarantee. TV, were notified this week that only Gardell and Olowofoyeku’s series-regular options for next season will be exercised. I understand in my bones that dichotomy of being emotionally centered on the country left behind while living in a new nation in which we have pinned our hopes and dreams.Īt a time when Nigeria has been placed on the list of countries whose people are banned from entering this one, I’m rooting for Abishola to bridge that divide and open the hearts and minds of Americans to understand and respect the “other” one episode at a time.I hear the cast members of the multi-camera sitcom, produced by Warner Bros. People speaking English with an accent feels like home to me. I am a first generation daughter of South American immigrants, born in Brooklyn and brought up in Queens. She is no-nonsense, focused on the deeper essentials of life, and speaks with refreshing candor combined with a beauty, gentleness and grace that lights her up like the African sun. She maintains a dignity in stature and carriage, in her line readings, in her fierce and unwavering focus on the success of her son, and in the way she approaches the growing relationship with Bob and his family. Her portrayal of Abishola is a revelation, especially for a prime time situation comedy. However, who they are as people of differing cultures is always handled with respect.īut the winning element of the program is the show’s star, Folake Olowofoyeku. The families of both of the main characters do engage in some of the usual sitcom antics – occasionally exaggerated facial expressions and over-extended line readings that seem forced to comply with the one joke every 30 seconds comedy dictum. Bob is a sincere guy and an honorable man. It’s a relief to find that amidst some of the jokes you can see telegraphed from a mile away (especially when his siblings are onscreen), there are moments of real humor, genuine feeling and vulnerability. The character of Bob, played by former Mike & Molly star Billy Gardell, carries a maturity about him that favorably flavors his portrayal as the middle-aged patient who falls for his cardiac nurse while recovering from a heart attack and determines to win her over. She is completely in touch with her cultural roots and immigrant life and depicts it in her stand-up in a way that is deferential yet accurate, sharp and revealing. She is a first generation Brit born in the UK of immigrant Nigerian parents. Gina is part of the writing and producing team, one of the show’s creators and one of its stars. I’m guessing a lot of the credit for the shape and tone of the show goes to the presence of Gina Yashere. The credits are a colorful yet subtle way of placing a different sounding name like Abishola into an American cultural and geographic context. Half of the residents of Queens are foreign born and 58% speak a language other than English at home. The credits also make excellent use of a graphic design that depicts the many nationalities in Queens, NY, through first names. The opening credits feature music that is wonderfully reminiscent of traditional African melodies. That seems to be the general way of sitcoms.Īnd I was very wary of what’s become the typical comedy couple – an out-of-shape clueless man who is the butt (pun intended) of every joke delivered by a kinda hot woman with a sharp of mind and razor tongue who is clearly the one in charge.īut nearly everything about this show is a step-up from previous TV sitcom fare. Truth be told, I did not hold out much hope that this sitcom would authentically depict the lives of immigrant Nigerians in America without succumbing to culturally ignorant stereotypes and dumbed-down dialogue. As soon as I saw the commercials for this new network comedy, Bob Hearts Abishola, I was intrigued.
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