Interview: Kevin Hart Leads the Crew in ‘Think Like a Man Too’

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Terrence Jenkins
Terrence J in Chicago for ‘Think Like a Man Too,’ June 13, 2014
Photo credit: Joe Arce of Starstruck Photo for HollywoodChicago.com

HollywoodChicago.com: Regina, what is the origin of your name being Candace in both ‘The Best Man’ and ‘Think Like a Man’ series. Is it a coincidence or do you really like the name?

Hall: Remember in the first film ‘The Best Man,’ her name was Candy. I wasn’t even cast in ‘Think Like a Man’ when the name Candace was written – so it was a complete coincidence. Remember in ‘The Best Man Holiday’ she was trying to change her life, so she went back to Candice.

HollywoodChicago.com: Did you find that weird?

Hall: I did, I found that really weird, because I have an ex-boyfriend whose ex-girlfriend was named Candace.

Hart: It may be the same name, but it’s completely different characters, and it shows her tremendous range as an actress. The last three films – ‘The Best Man Holiday,’ ‘About Last Night’ and this one – shows completely different sides of Regina.

HollywoodChicago.com: Terrence, You are both a reporter on E! News and an actor yourself. Do you think you go easier in interviews and reports because you know what it’s like to be on the acting side of the camera? And in your experience, what is the key to being a good interviewer and reporter?

Jenkins: I have more respect for both sides of the interview, because I’ve been on your side. I know what it’s like, I talked to Brad Pitt last week. When I’m doing it on this side, I want to give you as many quotes that you can use for your story. I want to give you as much as I always need, when I’m conducting an interview. And because I’ve been on a movie set, I can ask an actor a different of range of questions. It’s the best of both worlds, and being a reporter beats not working in between films. [laughs]

When I was in college, I wrote that I wanted to be both Tom Hanks and Dick Clark. So I took both broadcast journalism and acting classes all through college. People told me that I couldn’t do it, but I have set my own pace.

HollywoodChicago.com: Kevin, according to your biography, you have reconciled with your father. Was that before or after your mother’s passing, and how does both of their influences continue to inspire you in life and your stand up?

Hart: It was definitely before my mother passed, and my father and I fixed everything. My father’s problem was during my teen years, when his drug problem became really bad. But after i graduated high school, that’s when Dad and I got closer. He asked for help, and went through rehab. My mother’s situation came later, so he was there with us. That became easier for all of us, because we were reconciled. So it made the transition easier when my mother passed. There was no negativity between any of us.

HollywoodChicago.com: Regina, we talked extensively about creating character the last time we were together. Which character that you’ve played – either on stage or screen – feels closest to who you are in real life?

Hall: It’s interesting, because of course you have to put little pieces of yourself in every character. Ironically enough, when I was on ‘Ally McBeal,’ playing Coretta Lipp, I would say that she wasn’t me, but [series creator] David Kelley said he wrote the character for me, after he met me. I thought, ‘is that what I give off?,’ because she was a bossy little thing. [laughs] Maybe also Joan from ‘About Last Night,’ and there was a lot of me in Candace in this film.

HollywoodChicago.com: Terrence, everybody has to be a ‘brand’ in show business, and you are also known in the business as Terrence J. What was behind the decision to go back to your full name, or are you generally still known as Terrence J?

Terrence Jenkins, Regina Hall
Terrence J and Regina H on the Red Carpet
Photo credit: Joe Arce of Starstruck Photo for HollywoodChicago.com

Jenkins: I really need to sit with my agency William Morris and figure out what my name is. [laughs] I really don’t know. When I landed the gig on the E! Network, they felt it would be weird to put Guiliana Rancic and Terrence J on the graphics card below us on the broadcast, and they asked me if it could be Terrence Jenkins, just so the names look even next to each other, that was the only reason that Jenkins came in. I still say Terrence J when I introduce myself on the show, but now it’s a hodge-podge depending on who you talk to – for example on the poster it’s Terrence J.

HollywoodChicago.com: One last question, Kevin. The character of the city of Philadelphia, your hometown, what is it about that city that is part of you?

Hart: Philadelphia breeds winners, in my opinion. The reason I say that is its a tough city. They are hard on their entertainers, whether it’s a sports team or stand-up. And when it gets to the point where they love you, they love you forever, no matter what you’ve taken them through. They will ride with you. To take the example of athletes, if they accept them and love them, the only time Philadelphians will turn their backs on them is when they feel like they’ve abandoned the city. That’s the only time. But it you stick with us, and we love you, and you retire a Philadelphian, we’ll celebrate you any time we see you.

HollywoodChicago.com: Have you met your fellow Philadelphian comic legend, Dr. Bill Cosby?

Hart: I’ve met Bill Cosby, we’re acquaintances. But the great Dr. J., the band The Roots, actress Jill Scott and don’t forget Will Smith – they’re are all from there. Anyone from Philadelphia that starts in the city, and has their history after that, I am well aware of them and I love them to death.

“Think Like a Man Too” opens everywhere on June 20th. Featuring Kevin Hart, Regina Hall, Terrence Jenkins, Michael Ealy, Jerry Ferrara, Dennis Haysbert, Taraji P. Henson and Wendi McLendon-Covey. Screenplay by Keith Merryman and David A. Newman, based on the book by Steve Harvey. Directed by Tim Story. Rated “R”

HollywoodChicago.com senior staff writer Patrick McDonald

By PATRICK McDONALD
Senior Staff Writer
HollywoodChicago.com
pat@hollywoodchicago.com

© 2014 Patrick McDonald, HollywoodChicago.com

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