The Breakfast Club - Kim Fields Talks Iconic Roles In TV, The Upshaws, Dancing With The Stars, Living Single + More

Episode Date: June 30, 2022

Kim Fields Joins Us on The Breakfast Club to talk iconic roles in TV, The Upshaws, Dancing With The Stars, Living Single + MoreSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hey guys, I'm Kate Max. You might know me from my popular online series, The Running Interview Show, where I run with celebrities, athletes, entrepreneurs, and more. After those runs, the conversations keep going. That's what my podcast, Post Run High, is all about. It's a chance to sit down with my guests and dive even deeper into their stories, their journeys, and the thoughts that arise once we've hit the pavement together. Listen to Post Run High on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. own? I planted the flag. This is mine. I own this. It's surprisingly easy. 55 gallons of water,

500 pounds of concrete. Or maybe not. No country willingly gives up their territory. Oh my God. What is that? Bullets. Listen to Escape from Zaka Stan. That's Escape from Z-A-Q-A-S-T-A-N on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. As a kid, I really do remember having these dreams and visions, but you just don't know what is going to come for you. Alicia shares her wisdom on growth, gratitude, and the power of love. I forgive myself. It's okay. Have grace with yourself. You're trying your best, and you're going to figure out the rhythm of this thing. Alicia Keys, like you've never heard her before.

Listen to On Purpose with Jay Shetty on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Lauren Smith, Laura Layton, and Daphne Zuniga. On July 8th, 1992, apartment buildings with pools were never quite the same as Melrose Place was introduced to the world. We are going to be reliving every hookup, every scandal, and every single wig removal together. So listen to Still the Place on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Hi, I'm Dani Shapiro, host of the hit podcast, Family Secrets. How would you feel if when you met your biological father for the first time, he didn't even say hello? And what if your past itself was the secret, and the time had suddenly come to share that past with your child? These

are just a few of the powerful and profound questions we'll be asking on our 11th season of Family Secrets. Listen to season 11 of Family Secrets on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Wake that ass up in the morning. The Breakfast Club. Morning, everybody.

It's DJ Envy, Anjali Yee, Charlamagne Tha God. We are the Breakfast Club. We got a special guest in the building. A legend. Actress, Kim Field. Welcome. Thank you so much. It's so great to be here.

I can't believe I'm just now getting here. Oh, man. We happy to have you. Is this your first time on the show? Yeah. Really? Yes. How are you, first and foremost?

I'm great. How are you? I am blessed black and highly favored. Well, all right and all right. And happy birthday to you. Thank you very much I'm great. How are you? I am blessed, black, and highly favored. Well, all right and all right. And happy birthday to you. Thank you very much. Thank you. Happy birthday to you.

Thank you. Thank you. You're welcome. Thank you. How does it feel to be a star on yet another hit show? Well, thank you. Talk about, you know, being blessed and favored. It feels wonderful.

It's very surreal, quite honestly. And we knew that we had something really great. We didn't know it was going to do what it did and continues to do and have the impact, you know, that it has on the culture and beyond. So it's exciting. It feels great. Of course, we're talking about the Upshaws, if you haven't seen it. Yeah. Season two.

So how did you get involved with the Upshaws for people that don't know? I was actually on a press tour for a movie that I executive produced and starred in called Adventures in Christmasing. And while I was in L.A. on the press tour, they said, hey, can you come in and do a chemistry meeting with Mike Epps and Wanda Sykes for a Netflix series? And I wasn't checking to do a comedy, but I was like, that's a trio you can't say no to. And so I went in. Mike and I had great chemistry. Wanda and I had great chemistry. And the Netflix crew was there.

And before I got home, practically, they were like, yep, we're going to do an offer and, you know, go from there. Do you ever feel intimidated to keep up with the humor of the Mike Epsons and Wanda Sykes? Not at all, because we all have our lanes, you know, and they're so funny. But I know my lane, you know, and so and they definitely give me a lot of great stuff to do on the page as well. And they're not really doing a lot of improv. You know, it's so great. Our writers room is fire, you know, and so it's so great what they do. And so you really don't have to kind of jockey for position, you know.

Now, we've seen recently that Martin did a reunion show. Yeah. Would you guys be interested in doing a— You knew this question was coming. I knew. I mean, living single reunion, could that possibly happen? Did y'all think about it? We have this really great thread, the six of us and Yvette, who created the show, this text thread.

And so, you know, we just love how everyone loves Living Single. And again, talk about impact, you know, that the show has made and continues to make. And we don't want to taint that by just kind of throwing a reboot together with the idea of a reunion show. Thank God everybody's busy. So, you know, there's no plans for one in the immediate future, but, you know,

one never knows. I saw you tell People.com that you got to be cautious when you do these reboots, whether it's Facts of Life or Living Single. You said you have to be really careful. So what are your worries exactly? Well, because if you, these characters are beloved, you know, Martin, Fresh Prince, Living Single, Facts of Life, different shows. I mean, these characters, these shows are so beloved and these characters really mean

something to everyone. And so if you get it wrong, they're going to be mad, you know, and if you if you get it wrong to this tune of, well, I didn't see the character doing that or no, that doesn't make sense or trying too hard or just, you know, almost feeling like you're trying to put a square. What is it, a square peg in a round hole? And so so, you know, it's almost like, hey, why don't we just kind of keep curating what's there and acknowledge that and celebrate, you know, it's almost like, hey, why don't we just kind of keep curating what's there and acknowledge that and celebrate, you know, the efforts that those actors and those creatives are making now in other places. Absolutely. As a fan, it's selfish in a way, right?

Because it's like we would only want that for nostalgia purposes. We got all of the reruns. We watch it now. It's a timeless show. So just enjoy the art that's there. The reboots or the reunion? I mean, no, the show. The Living Single reruns all the time. It's like watching the Mona Lisa. Just go enjoy

the art that was created. For the reunion, you want to see what your favorite cast members are up to, what they're doing, if you don't see them. That's what I thought was dope about the Martin one. I think those reunions are kind of a nice, happy medium. A good hybrid for, we're not really rebooting, but here you get to see us all together.

Because certainly social media, you get to see everybody as much as they want you to see them. But I think it's a good little happy medium. Now, I'm going to be honest. I just thought about I would love a reunion. See? Because I love hearing Erika Alexander talk. Oh my gosh. She's brilliant.

Queen Latifah, yourself, Kim Coles. Yeah, I would like to see that now that I think about it. Just the conversation amongst y'all. Right, right. Yeah, absolutely. Well, you know, when we had one of those anniversary specials that I think TV One did, and we weren't able to get everybody, but we got quite a few of us. And so we were sitting around and chatting about the show and that sort of thing. So we have had that type of a moment, not with everybody all in, but, you know, close enough.

I would love like mind frame with certain episodes, how they shot it, how they, how it felt, you know what I mean? I would love to hear that. I remember the first time, well, not the first time I saw y'all, but I think probably one of the first time I saw y'all together in an interview was on Arsenio Hall. Yes. Yes. Back in the day. How important was that interview at the time? That was major, you know, because of what the Arsenio Hall show was to the world, you know, at that time. That was what nowadays we would call that a moment,

you know, and definitely a highlight for all of us, even for everybody that had accomplishments in the individual careers, to be able to do Arsenio at that moment in time with all of us. It was really great. Really, really just a memorable moment. Definitely a highlight. Now, you did Housewives.

That was short-lived. Yes. You didn't like it? It wasn't for you? No, no, no. It wasn't that at all. It was only supposed to be a one and done. It was Brett Favre with the Jets kind of moment.

So for me, I did what I had set out to do. The mandate at that time in my career was I'm celebrating 40 years in the industry. And so my team, I said, hey, let's go into uncharted waters. We're only going to do stuff that we've never done before. And so they kept asking me to do reality for years. And I was like, no, the time's not right. It's just too much. So we said, OK, well, let's just give that a try and see. But knowing that I still had other shows to do, other work to do as a director, as a producer, all kinds of things. So it was just one of those, okay, yep, did that.

And then from there being almost catapulted into Dancing with the Stars, which was not only a game changer, but a real life changer for me because there was such a deep dive of surrender and pushing my limitations all the way to the point of no return, you know. And that was the introduction to me for life begins at the end of your comfort zone. Wow. And so from there, I haven't, you know, looked back since. It's always forward motion of what haven't I done? What can we still do?

Because there's a lot to still be done. Did you not like reality TV at all? You know, it's the production. It's the production. It's the production schedule, you know, in scripted, whether it's single camera, multi-camera, comedy, drama, whatever, even in features, you have a very specific schedule. And so with reality TV, you don't really have that. And so it's a lot more demanding. And when you're doing other things besides that, then it's really incredibly demanding. And it was very difficult, you know, family-wise, just with just everything else that was going on.

So it was one of those, yeah, we're good. We'll stay in the scripted spaces. We'll stay in the certain lanes that we can really maintain that type of scheduling and that sustainability work-wise. Now with Dancing with the Stars, were you a dancer or was this something like... I'd never done that before in my life. But you never danced, so you had to be trained from the beginning. From scratch. How difficult was that?

It wasn't difficult. The challenge that I wanted to keep rising to every day was come in as a blank slate, be a blank canvas for my partner, Sasha, to be able to Kyrie Irving, trade it to the Lakers possibly. Sorry. Yeah, I didn't think so. And we're back. But but having that sense of of of doing something that you've never done before, but at the highest level, you know, was really exciting. Very, very demanding, incredibly demanding, dancing about six or seven hours every day. And I'm very competitive. And so there was nothing that he could ask me to do. And I was like, if you teach it to me, I will do my very best.

And so now I have that skill set at that level. And it introduced other things to me. Like now I want to be, I want to compete professionally in tango. So I just started doing lessons. I make time. I make time for it. Yeah. And then COVID happened. So I had to obviously no more lessons.

But, you know integrating that back into the schedule is something that I really want to do how would Kim feel to describe her journey in the entertainment industry oh um I I I very exciting very surreal you know to be uh to be the the little black girl from Harlem um who is who is the one that's still, you know, to be the little black girl from Harlem who is the one that's still going, you know. And like our brother LL always says, doing it and doing it and doing it well. That's right. You know, and so it's very surreal that I'm not a stranger to people around the world, that people have known of me or me since I was seven years old.

It's, you know, it's like Langston Hughes poem. Well, son, I'll tell you life for me. Ain't been no crystal stairs. You know, there's,

there's been some low lows and some high highs and, you know, all the, all the stuff in between. There's still a lot to look forward to, but I think at the end of the day, I think people don't see me coming. What do you mean?

Well, from the standpoint that, that they, they know of me, you know, but the idea of like, it's almost like almost every time people say my name, it's like,

Oh yeah. Oh yeah. Oh, I got what you're saying. You know, and so after a while in order for me not to, you know, have that really mess me up, it became a thing of, OK, so now I have to flip the script and make it where I have the element of surprise.

It's a surprise attack since now you're just not going to see me coming, but know that I'm here. So I think that's that's the way to describe it. It's like this push-pull of, I always feel very honored and the flowers and all of that. But shit, it's still a grind. I'm still grinding and hustling. Like, damn, like I'm new at this. I wonder if they don't see you coming because you, you know,

you've had the blessing of having two characters that are just absolutely beloved. Like, you see you and you see those two characters. You think that is it? I think that's some of it. I think that's some of it. You know, I think that the characters that I've played, that I've been doing, blessed to do these long-running shows,

and then being behind the camera for so many years. And so it's just kind of those. I really like the expect the unexpected. I think that's my mantra going forward in my career, you know, is that not only did you not see me coming, but now you better expect the unexpected because, you know, I'm still here and I ain't going no goddamn where. And that 80s celebrity is different.

That's real celebrity. Now I ain't real celebrity. You came up in the era of real. Right. Right. Celebrity. So I'm sure that's why people recognize you all over the world. You know, yes, I totally understand that concept because the 80s were such a very specific time and such a pinnacle for for culture, pop culture. And so to survive that,

and just what society-wise and life-wise what was going on, I think it was just a lot. So if you got to the other side of that and you're still going, whew, great. But yeah, I think that that's part of it. It's almost like the characters in the 70s. And even though Facts Life had just started then, but you still had those staples, you know, that that were beloved as well. So I do think that

some of it is the time that I was getting my comeuppance, you know, which is why I'm so excited about The Upshaws, because it's such a new and and fresh take on a style of storytelling that everyone loves, the sitcom, the classic sitcom, but in such an edgy, you know, again, expect the unexpected kind of vibe. As a little black girl coming from Harlem, how did you get into acting? So mom is, well, was, because she claims that she's retired. She's a director now. She directs Young Dylan. But my mother is an actress.

And so she was starring in Hello, Dolly! with Pearl Bailey when I was a little girl. And I would go backstage and see her go out on tour. And I would love to see the behind the scenes. That was the magic to me. Very shy person, Kim Fields. And even as a kid, very shy. And so the idea of performing and wanting to be seen, not my thing at all, but the magic, seeing the costumes and the wigs and the makeup and the sets and the props. And

that was my sweet spot. I was finding more and more. And so that's how I got kind of into it. Mom was in acting class here in New York and we couldn't afford a babysitter and so she would take me to her acting class with her there were other kids there their parents couldn't afford babysitters Danielle Spencer who played D on what's happening she was a part of that little tribe and so that's where we got introduced to it we would imitate what we saw our parents doing just because we were bored. And that was how we entertained ourselves. First commercial was Miss Butterworth's syrup when I was seven. And mom had moved us to L.A. She couldn't take Harlem and New York anymore.

How did you get to Harlem at that time? At the time, that's when Harlem, the drug. Yeah, exactly. Yeah. And my mom was like, no, I can't I can't do this anymore. And I can't raise a baby girl on my own in this environment. And my mom, you know, she was she was a teen mom, basically. And so she finished high school at High School of Performing Arts. And then after she toured with Hello Dolly, she was like, nope, let's go. So I was at PS92, came back home and when everything was fine by the time I got back home, the little bit that we did have was packed up and she was like, yeah, we're leaving tonight.

Okay. Wow. Yeah. You know, it's so interesting. I mean, I was going to ask, you know, how did a child star survive and not go crazy

like we see so many of them do? Yeah. I got my answer. Your mom was in the business. Yeah. But she already knew all the demons, all the evils to keep you away from. You know, I am always amazed at how my mom was able to raise me when she was such a kid herself and had no blueprint at all.

But my village, you know, those that my mom chose to have around me. And then as I, you know, grew up and, you know, invited people into my life and my space, my village is extraordinary. And they really do keep me together, keep me grounded. You know, they're there for me in the low lows and the high highs, you know. And so that has definitely helped me not lose it. And I didn't want to be a statistic. I thought that I owed, again, my village way more than that, you know, than what the normal child star path, you know, was going to be. I was going to ask you because you hear all these stories about young child actors.

Yeah. These grown men taking advantage of them, whether it's through a contract or sexually. And you were able to go through that because your mom was right by your side the whole time. Yeah, absolutely. Mom was right there. My Aunt Pat was right there. Again, the rest of my village as I got older

and just had really lifelong friends, Blair Underwood, Malcolm Jamal Warner, you know. That's royalty right there. Yeah. When you say, that's wild, because there's not too many people, you know, their characters' names, you know, their real names. Like, that's just, I don't think y'all realize how much of a part of our childhood y'all were. Yeah. You know what I mean?

And are. Yeah, yeah. I think now we do because there's more accessibility, you know, with that, the way that that you can access your either fan where it's like, oh, this this was kind of thankless. But at the end of the day, you realize, but I'm still here and I'm still blessed to do what I do. And again, at that highest level. How do you survive that social media time? Hey, guys, I'm Kate Max. You might know me from my popular online series, The Running Interview Show,

where I run with celebrities, athletes, entrepreneurs, and more. After those runs, the conversations keep going. That's what my podcast, Post Run High, is all about. It's a chance to sit down with my guests and dive even deeper into their stories, their journeys, and the thoughts that arise once we've hit the pavement together. You know that rush of endorphins you feel after a great workout? Well, that's when the real magic happens. So if you love hearing real, inspiring stories from the people you know, follow, and admire, join me every week for Post Run High. It's where we take the conversation beyond the run and get into the heart of it all.

It's lighthearted, pretty crazy, and very fun. Listen to Post Run High on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Is your country falling apart? Feeling tired, depressed, a little bit revolutionary? Consider this. Start your own country. I planted the flag. I just kind of looked out of like, this is mine. I own this. It's surprisingly easy.

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Listen to Escape from Zakistan. And we're losing daylight fast. That's Escape from Z-A-Q-istan on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. As a kid, I really do remember having these dreams and visions, but you just don't know what is going to come for you. Alicia Keys opens up about conquering doubt, learning to trust herself, and leaning into her dreams. I think a lot of times we are built to doubt the possibilities for ourselves. For self-preservation and protection. It was literally that step by step. And so I discovered that that is how we get where we're going.

This increment of small, determined moments. Alicia shares her wisdom on growth, gratitude, and the power of love. I forgive myself. It's okay. Like grace. Have grace with yourself. You're trying your best. And you're going to figure out the rhythm of love. I forgive myself. It's okay. Like grace. Have grace with yourself. You're trying your best and you're going to figure out

the rhythm of this thing. Alicia Keys, like you've never heard her before. Listen to On Purpose with Jay Shetty on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey, what's up?

This is Ramses Jha. And I go by the name Q Ward. And we'd like you to join us each week for our show Civic Cipher. That's right. We're going to discuss social issues, especially those that affect Black and Brown people, but in a way that informs and empowers all people to hopefully create better allies. Think of it as a Black show for non-Black people. We discuss everything from prejudice to politics to police violence,

and we try to give you the tools to create positive change in your home, workplace, and social circle. Exactly. Whether you're Black, Asian, White, Latinx, Indigenous, LGBTQIA+, you name it. If you stand with us, then we stand with you. Let's discuss the stories and conduct the interviews that will help us create a more empathetic, accountable, and equitable America. You are all our brothers and sisters, and we're inviting you to join us for Civic Cipher each and every Saturday with myself, Ramses Jha, Q Ward, and some of the greatest minds in America. Listen to Civic Cipher every Saturday on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey there, my little creeps. It's your favorite ghost host, Teresa. And guess what? Haunting is back, dropping just in time for spooky season.

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Just don't call me unless it's urgent. And tune in for new episodes every week. Remember, the veils are thin, the stories are spooky, and your favorite ghost host is back and badder than ever. Listen to Haunting on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Because at one time, like you said, you were only seen when you wanted to be seen. Right. But now it's like, you know, you go to the mall or you go to the grocery store. Yeah. Somebody's sneaking a picture, taking a picture. I mean, you could just have a head wrap on or you

could just be doing garden work and, you know, but people won't take a picture. So how do you navigate through that? Well, for me, you know, there's, again, people have seen me since I was seven. So there's really no like kind of hiding space, hiding place. And, you know, so I'm comfortable like if I don't have my makeup. Hey, it is what it is. It is what it is. Y'all have seen this face before it knew makeup. So there you go. But I feel like I've kind of navigated certain areas of social media. One, from that standpoint of if you can't beat them, join them.

And also doing it on my own terms. You know, if I don't if I'm not up for posting or I feel like I've had just a sensory overload, take a little breather. But but it's a it's a space that I actually enjoy because, um, I get, number one, I get to connect, um, with certain people. Uh, I've even, even, you know, collaborations. I just did a collaboration, uh, with Jonathan McReynolds. Um, and he sang on, on my soundtrack and now it's under consideration for an Emmy. So, you know, and that was because I, thank you. But I reached out on Instagram

because we follow each other and, you know, DMs can be great and horrible. So in that moment, it was great. But social media, you know, there's certain things like anytime somebody tries to throw me in that auntie zone, I am quick to respond.

This is the no auntie zone. Hashtag no auntie zone. No, I am nobody's auntie. What is it with the auntie term that people... Nah, nah. Because I like being called unk. I'm 44 today,

they call me unk. I like it. Really? Well, good. Good for you. I mean, that's wonderful. But nah, uh-uh. And I think it's,

you know, some of it too, it's different from, you know, male-female vibe. But yeah, I just, I like the banter sometimes and just things that you learn. Certainly as a content provider, you have to be in the space so that you know what's current and what's relevant. As an entrepreneur, I'm in the space. It has helped me tremendously as with my budding coffee and tea business, Signature Blends by KF, because at that point, I don't have to spend what, you a lot that my pages or my spaces are like a really happy

place or a destination. I don't try to be a role model. I don't try to be inspirational and all that. Most of the time, and I think with a lot of the work that you do, it's from that place of, well, here's what I need. I'm speaking to myself first. And if somebody sees it and get something from it, great. But most of the time it's, I'm seeing either what I need or I'm seeing something that I need and it's not out there. So I'll provide it. Yeah. You know, mom told me very, when I was very young, find a need and fill it or if you see a need then then fill that and so a lot of time my social media um is is coming from that kind of space you know um and I I enjoy it you know and when people try to get negative that's right block either block or it's

in the trash now is that how you approach your oh I'm sorry I said you mentioned your dms yes how many fellas are in your dms that you're surprised about, old or young? I'm sure there's got to be some young men in the DMs as well as some older people. That's actually a great question because I think what y'all generation don't realize is y'all are showing a different level of aging gracefully. When we was growing up, 40 and 50 used to seem like old. That was Grady. That was Gr to seem like oh that was that was grady yeah um well i mean to answer that in in my in my dms it's just you know i basically have it set to

the people that i know um so i don't have any like surprise like, oh, my God. No. And then in terms of like aging, it's such a different, like you said, such a different time. It's such a different everything, you know. And so I plan on adventuring and journeying and doing, I mean, just I'm in such a new space, I think, too. And again, the genesis of it, Dancing with the Stars, and then being regarded the way that I am as an executive producer. You know, people talk about having a seat at the table.

My journey, quite honestly, is I felt like I had to actually build the table and the chairs. And then everybody was like, oh, well, let me come to this table. So I have a seat at the table. It's just different how that table and that seat got created. And so that's actually very empowering and very exhilarating. Liberating? Oh, wee. Yeah.

So that's really where I'm really hovering and moving about. And and so with that, yes, I'm leveling up age wise. It's it's one of those like, you know, like the princess said, age ain't nothing but a number. That's right. Have they gotten better or worse for black creators in the industry? I think, you know, in my humble opinion, I think it's gotten better just from the standpoint that I mean, the the the the opportunities that we can create ourselves and the gatekeepers aren't really there like they used to be. networks, five networks. Now there's so many platforms. Now you have any kind of phone with a camera and you can become your own network really quickly. There's so many different outlets that you can populate content on and things like that. So I feel like it's better not just for people of color, but just people, period. You know, anybody that is in that creative space or whatever space

you're in and want to create content. I just was doing research for a show about architects. And so in that research, finding all sorts of like there's a YouTube platform where this guy and this girl and all they do is they talk about different topics regarding architecture. And it's massive, you know, and it's just one of those things where it's like, whatever you're interested in, there's a guy on IG, the fishing guy. Okay, I'm mad at you. Whatever you want to do. So I feel like it's the accessibility, you know, is there and technology has really helped us in terms of quality. Don't throw no junk up there, people, just because you can. Now, you mentioned your coffee line. Yes.

Now, how did you get, why did you get into the coffee business? So you're a huge coffee drinker? Oh, my goodness, yes. Yeah, huge coffee and tea drinker. So when I was a little kid, my teacher in third grade, she would read to us every day after lunch, and she was reading Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. And she had this enormous thermos of black, hot coffee that she would drink.

And so the aroma from that and listening to the story, I always felt like I was in the chocolate factory. Fast forward to me graduating from college and I read Russell Simmons' autobiography. And it really, really... Before that one. Before Do You?

Yeah. Life and Death, was it called? But it's the 90s. I think it was before that. But it was really a game changer for me from the standpoint of I know I wanted to be an entrepreneur. I know I didn't want to wait around for some things to happen. And then it became, well, what do you want to do? And I know I didn't want to wait around for some things to happen. And then it became, well, what do you want to do? And I knew I didn't want to just license my name.

And so coffee, I knew, was certainly sustainable. I love the idea that being a global, I like to think of myself as a global citizen. And so doing coffee and tea gave me an opportunity to be in that global space as an entrepreneur, working with over 36 countries around the world and different farms and growers and the bean belt. So it was very exciting. But also on a deeper level, I love that coffee is always a part of someone's day, someone's moment, you know, you reach for it first thing in the morning to then to get through the day, then to wind down or have it with dessert or after dinner, having a difficult or a business deal, a conversation that may be uncomfortable. Hey, let's grab a coffee and talk things over. So I just love that it was always a part of someone's moment at any given time. And I see a lot of my career has been like that as well.

Are you one of those ones that can't even do nothing until you get your cup of coffee? Don't want to talk to nobody? According to my eight-year-old, yes. Because he would look at me on FaceTime if we're not together and he'd be like, ooh, why don't you get some caffeine and then hit me back. So for the most part, yes. Yes, I am. I want to talk to you about the content of black, you know, shows, art, right?

Do you think that it was some type of conspiracy to change the content? Because everybody talks about how, you know, the content is, you know, destructive now and influences people the wrong way. But growing up, you know, you saw Living Single. Y'all had careers, you know, y'all weren't, I guess, quote-unquote, ratchet, even though there's nothing wrong way. But growing up, you know, you saw Living Single. Y'all had careers. Y'all weren't, I guess, quote-unquote, ratchet,

even though there's nothing wrong with being a little ratchet. That's right. Do you think there was a conspiracy to change the content of the shows? You know, if I'm really for real, for real about it, there's probably a conspiracy about every damn thing. And especially anything positive to impact any people, let alone people of color. That said, I don't, I'm not aware of anything that was that, you know, in your face about

it. I think that as a content provider, you have to listen to what the audience is saying that they want to see you know and when they put on these great shows or positive shows or whatever and people aren't watching they get snatched up so it's almost like are we are we in our own way sometimes but you know we don't have to watch everything just because it's black people or just because it's music or just because it's you know there are certainly many different ways that people can enjoy content and stories. And so I think at the end of the day, it's really about what's good storytelling, what are really good characters. I think that's what

people want to see. And then it becomes the timing of it. You know, there are some shows that you feel like, God, that was ahead of its time. And then some shows you like, OK, we've seen enough of that type of show. Can we please see something else? So I don't know that there's a conspiracy or that there was, but I feel like there are certain efforts that that we as the viewers, we actually contribute to mmm true true you know Kim Coles said that Fox used black shows like living single and Martin to build the network then kicked him out the house yeah I mean you know when you when you are growing a network and and creating something from scratch yes you do gravitate towards what do we know is going to sell right away?

What do we know will have that loyal audience right away? And historically speaking, it's been black shows. But, yes, there is that sense of, okay, we got the numbers, we grew the audience. And then sometimes it's also if there's a changing of the guard. If there's a new network executive and they want to create a new vision, put it in a new direction, then, you know, and it has nothing to do with being, you know, shows of color, then, you know, you go that route. So I think that, yeah, that there is definitely something to what Kim said in terms of, you know, how they build the network.

Yes, do I think that there could have been a touch more finessing in terms of how you transition into whatever the new direction is. But, you know, people run their network how they want to run it. So how important is it to have a creator like a Regina Hicks who's worked on, like, Insecure, Girlfriends, Sister, Sister?

Is it important to have somebody who understands those legendary black sitcoms and what it takes to create one? Yes, from the standpoint of her experience. Not in my opinion, not because she's a woman or a woman of color. And here's why. Because there are those of us, Mike Epps, Wanda Sykes, me, we are people of color.

And two of us are women. One is a man of color. So we're already going to bring some of that to the table. So the idea of, well, we need somebody who understands that voice. Well, not if we have that voice.

Her resume and what she knows about running a writer's room or what she knows about how to have a successful show and a successful comedy, those to me are the more important boxes to check if you're going to just start checking boxes. But I do feel like there has to be that sense of diversity, even when you are telling a specific type of story. Like people will say, oh, I'm looking for a black director. I need a female director. Well, I check those boxes, but I don't approach it that way. I'm a

director. And so my sensibilities are about how to tell a great story. Secondary and what's kind of tertiary is, yes, I'm female or yes, I'm a person of color. But but for me, it's you know, if you're a great director, you should be able to tell anybody's story. Now, I love that because, you know, you have some companies, they got that title now with the president of president of diversity and inclusion? Inclusion. Yeah. But it might be a black person that has no connection to the black community. Right. No experience with black people whatsoever. Listen, I, you know, in the wake of certain. Tragedies in the wake of certain difficult moments in society, we had some, you know, what some would consider forward motion, forward movement, and exactly what you're saying. And for me,

I'm not about being a box checker. And when you are a box checker, and then you don't have the skill set to back it up, it's like, okay, get in the door with the boxes that you check, but then what you're going to do once you're in the door? You have to have the skill set. You've got to bring the thunder. Otherwise, you're just a box checker taking up air. So then check the box that I'm an air taker-upper.

You think that's messing up the art? Because it feels like sometimes they'll put some black shows on, black movies, and it should be whack. Yeah. Yes. Yes, I do. Yes, I do. I feel like it's messing up the art, the craft, the culture.

I mean, just, I mean, come on. You know, there are people that, you know, diversity on anything is what's up. I mean, it just makes it that much more interesting, that much more collaborative. That's that much more real in terms of of what the reality is in most people's environments. And it just makes to me for it to be more interesting, I think. Yeah, I want you diverse in thought, though. I like I like diversity, but I like diversity in thought, diversity in creativity. Like what you said, the talent first. Yeah, absolutely.

Absolutely. And then, hey, if you check a box or two, cool. But at the end of the day, that's more of a, I think, of a corporate mindset of checking those boxes because they want to look good that's right but then it's like okay but then the the work that's being put out there and not just in terms of the creative space but anything you know you should you could be at microsoft and and if you yes i check the box i'm black i'm female i'm fluid i'm bi i'm pronoun free or i mean just all of that and then you know now it's time time to show up and do the work. That's right. And you might be whack.

There it is. Now you talked about, you know, you wanted to do reality show. You wanted to be a director. You wanted to do this. Is there anything that you haven't done yet that you want to do? Yes. What's on your bucket list that you're like, this is what I want to do? Oh, my gosh. Well, I guess I don't approach it like bucket list vibe. You know, I think I approach it more of just, you know like, this is what I want to do? Oh, my gosh. Well, I guess I don't approach it like bucket list vibe.

You know, I think I approach it more of just, you know, here's some shit I want to do. Okay. So let's go. So for me, definitely I want to do more drama. I definitely want to do sci-fi because I love sci-fi and fantasy. And, you know, folks can't just be the only ones in, you know, blue and green makeup and getting a check. I mean, come on. I put another color on me and I'll get a check, too.

Ask him what he wants to do for his birthday today. What are we doing today, baby? What are we doing, brother? This is what he wants to do for his birthday. The only thing. Right. I'm going to therapy at 3 and I got a workout at 6. But, you know, I'm watching Ms. Marvel on Disney+,

and there's the Welcome to New Jersey sign on Exit 14. They have Ms. Marvel sitting on top of the sign. I just want to go see it. I love it. I'm a science fiction guy. I'm a comic guy. I'm a nerd. Before his birthday, he wants to drive down the parkway just to see it.

That's exciting to me. Just to see it. Yeah, she's the first Muslim superhero. She's on top of the sign. Right. So, now, I thought you was gonna say that you wanted to be up there and sit next to her on the sign.

That's some birthday shit to drop off. My anxiety too bad. There ain't no way in hell. You ain't doing that. Nah, I'm cool. You just wanted to see it in the key. I just wanted to see it. You and him got under your seatbelt. No, no, no. I'm just gonna drive by like, oh, that's dope. Keep it moving.

Well, the upshore season. Oh, I got a couple more questions. Go ahead. Because, you know, you said earlier, you said this is a thankless business. So what do black creators need to do to get their just due? Manage your expectations on getting that just do manage your expectations because, you know, usually my answer is, you know, be good. Be be better than, you know, set the bar. Don't just don't just don't just get to the bar. And in fact, raise the bar and all of that is fine. But then you can do all of that and still feel like, well, now what?

I didn't get any accolades or I didn't get any flowers. I didn't get any awards. I didn't get a pickup. So I feel like managing your expectations, and I know you were specific in terms of black creatives. But for anybody that's listening, you know, and you're looking at wanting to go further, you know, hit it stronger and level up and raise the bar and all of that. Those are fantastic goals to have and more than likely attainable. But at the end of the day you can do all of that and if your goal is at beyond what you can control then you know you have to manage that expectation versus it's a great example years ago Blair and I were to Blair and Wood and I were talking about auditioning and he said you

know make the goal something other than booking the gig because that's actually not in your control you can go in there crush it kill it give them something never thought about for that role I mean be extraordinary and not book it because of circumstances beyond your control they've already cast they're going with a different type of look. They're going with a different name, all kinds of things. And so what is the goal? You know, but don't make the goal something pressurized like I got to book this to pay my rent. I got to book this to get the light bill paid or my baby needs to use whatever it is, because that pressure will then mess you up and you won't be able to be at your best. But when you find that space where you are not in a pressurized moment,

then make the goal something that you can control. Oh, I want to do better with my comedy. Or I want to work on being off book in an audition a bit more, knowing all the lines a bit more. Things that you can control. That way, even if you don't get the job, you go, okay, but at least I was off book. At least I feel like I got my comedy going a bit more because I'm more of a dramatic actor.

So that's what I think when I say manage your expectations, you know? Now you mentioned auditioning. Do you still audition for parts? No. She said no. No. I'm either offer only or like with the Upshaws, chemistry. Certain things I will do a meet and greet with either the director or the producer.

Just because, like you said earlier, bro, I don't know what's in some people's heads if they haven't seen the upshows when they hear the name Kim Fields. I don't know what visuals are going to pop up in there. And even if you Google me, I don't know what image. And, you know, there's a slew of them that come up. How old am I going to be? Am I grown? Am I a kid? Am I an 80s teen that just nobody wants to see?

You know, so I don't mind mind meeting greets and things like that. But I don't necessarily audition in that truest sense of the word. So that's great advice you gave. So what is your intention when you do a show like the Upshaws? Hey, guys, I'm Kate Max. You might know me from my popular online series, The Running Interview Show, where I run with celebrities, athletes, entrepreneurs, and more. After those runs, the conversations keep going. That's what my podcast, Post Run High, is all about. It's a

chance to sit down with my guests and dive even deeper into their stories, their journeys, and the thoughts that arise once we've hit the pavement together. You know that rush of endorphins you feel after a great workout? Well, that's when the real magic happens. So if you love hearing real, inspiring stories from the people you know, follow, and admire, join me every week for Post Run High. It's where we take the conversation beyond the run and get into the heart of it all it's light-hearted pretty crazy and very fun listen to post run high on the iheart radio app apple podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts is your country falling apart feeling Feeling tired? Depressed? A little bit revolutionary?

Consider this. Start your own country. I planted the flag. I just kind of looked out of like, this is mine. I own this. It's surprisingly easy. There are 55 gallons of water for 500 pounds of concrete. Everybody's doing it. I am King Ernest Emmanuel.

I am the Queen of Laudonia. I'm Jackson I, King of Kaperburg. I am the Supreme Leader of the Grand Republic of Mentonia. Be part of a great colonial tradition. The Waikana tribe own country. My forefathers did that themselves. What could go wrong? No country willingly gives up their territory.

I was making a rocket with a black powder, you know, with explosive warhead. Oh, my god. What is that? Bullets. Bullets. We need help! We need help!

We still have the off-road portion to go. Listen to Escape from Zakistan. And we're losing daylight fast. That's Escape from Z-A-Q-istan on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. As a kid, I really do remember

having these dreams and visions, but you just don't know what is going to come for you. Alicia Keys opens up about conquering doubt, learning to trust herself and leaning into her dreams. I think a lot of times we are built to doubt the possibilities for ourselves. For self-preservation and protection, it was literally that step by step. And so I discovered that that is how we get where we're going. This increment of small, determined moments. Alicia shares her wisdom on growth, gratitude, and the power of love.

I forgive myself. It's okay. Like grace, have grace with yourself. You're trying your best and you're going to figure out the rhythm of this thing. Alicia Keys, like you've never heard her before. Listen to On Purpose with Jay Shetty on the iHeartRadio app, Apple podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey, what's up? This is Ramses Jha. And I go by the name Q Ward. And we'd like you to join us each week for our show Civic Cipher. That's right.

We're going to discuss social issues, especially those that affect black and brown people, but in a way that informs and empowers all people to hopefully create better allies. Think of it as a black show for non-black people. We discuss everything from prejudice to politics to police violence. And we try to give you the tools

to create positive change in your home, workplace, and social circle. Exactly. Whether you're Black, Asian, White, Latinx, Indigenous, LGBTQIA+, you name it. If you stand with us, then we stand with you. Let's discuss the stories and conduct the interviews that will help us create a more empathetic, accountable, and equitable America. You are all our brothers and sisters, and we're inviting you to join us for Civic Cipher each and every Saturday with myself, Ramses Jha, Q Ward, and some of the greatest minds in America. Listen to Civic Cipher every Saturday on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey there, my little creeps. It's your favorite ghost host, Teresa.

And guess what? Haunting is back, dropping just in time for spooky season. Now I know you've probably been wandering the mortal plane, wondering when I'd be back to fill your ears with deliciously unsettling stories. Well, wonder no more, because we've got a ghoulishly good lineup ready for you. Let's just say things get a bit

extra. We're talking spirits, demons, and the kind of supernatural chaos that'll make your spooky season complete. You know how much I love this time of year. It's the one time I'm actually on trend. So grab your pumpkin spice, dust off that Ouija board, just don't call me unless it's urgent, and tune in for new episodes every week. Remember, the veils are thin, the stories are spooky, and your favorite ghost host is back and badder than ever. Listen to Haunting on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. To do something, again, that I've never done before. So those characters

and my character in particular, I've not played that type of character. So even though I've done 14, 15 years of sitcom television, what makes this moment different? Well, this is edgier. Edgier than living single? Yeah, because

at that time, living single for me was totally edgy to go from facts to life to living single. Well, that was for real uncharted waters. So now doing that same kind of thing. OK, so what are my expectations? Yeah, you want to do the kind of great work that makes your industry and your peers take notice and, you know, submit you for awards and all these other things. But if not, I'm gonna be all right. Because I feel like, wow, that scene, I put my foot in it. Wow, that moment there was really great. You know, and so so I feel like that to me is is really when you go back to the goals and what are my expectations that I'm managing.

Season two just dropped. So, you know, yeah, of course we want everybody to love it. Everything ain't for everybody. Every black thing ain't for every black person. But at the end of the day, I'm looking at, okay, for my character, you know, did I leave it all on the floor? And that becomes my goal and my expectation. That's what I expect from myself. And then everything else is the gravy train.

You talked about doing something for the check, doing something for the money, to keep your light bills on. Have you ever did a roll for the check and regretted it later on? If there was ever a part in your life you'd be like, well, I got to do it for this and then hated yourself later on, If there was ever a part in your life, you'd be like, well, I got to do it for this and then hated yourself later on. Like I didn't like that. No, because excuse me, because I I first I don't live in regrets. I mean, there's just what's the point of that? That's that's energy that could be, you know, used for something else. But but I have I don't necessarily take a role for the check.

Sometimes it's for the opportunity. So if it becomes a situation of, oh, well, it's a small role, but it's to work with so and so, then OK. Yeah, sure. Or it positions me. I'm really big on positioning yourself. And so if it puts me in a different position, then OK. Yeah. You know, thankfully, I'm more about who do I feel like being bothered with? You know, who do I feel like I want to work with? Because that's real, you know, and I and I really am clear and grateful that I've gotten to a point in my career where if I'm like, I think I'm good. No, I don't really want to

have that kind of energy in my energy right now. And so there have been projects or opportunities where I've passed on that. You know, it would have been a great check. I'll find another way to make some paper. Gotcha.

What do you expect from the upshaws in Netflix? And the reason I ask that is because I'm sure there was a huge difference between Facts of Life and Living Single. And then the streaming service. That's like, what is that? Cable? No, no. Living Single was broadcast.

And then Facts of Life was network? Yep. And so the streaming service. So what's the differences in those three things? Well, as a business model, you know, streaming services are just different because you can either get all the episodes at once or you can get them, you know, once a week like a regular network would distribute them.

Sometimes there's a tendency to feel that a streaming service will give a show more of a chance, you know, as opposed to, well, we air three episodes, they didn't work, so we're going to yank the show. And it's like, well, wait, give it a time. Give it some time. And the same with cable. Cable and streaming are usually kind of like kissing cousins in my mind because it's, you know, for the most part, commercialuss. You could show nudity. I mean, you know, so there were all sorts of things that you could do on cable and then on streaming that you couldn't necessarily do on a broadcast network. I was going to ask a question with that. So with all those three different things, what you talk about, I feel like sometimes with streaming, it cuts the life short, right?

Because every week you was waiting to see that person, to see that network. But now if you all, let's say I watch the whole thing this weekend. Yeah. Now I don't see you for another, you know, until you got to do season three. Yeah. Which, you know, I miss you. But now for, you know, every day I would have to wait for a Thursday night to see the comedy show. That's right. I would wait for, you know, whatever night to see Living Single.

That was Thursday night too, wasn't it? Yeah, that was Thursday night. Both Thursday nights. Does that hurt at all? I think some people would argue that yes, it does hurt it in a certain way, this newer business model of distribution. But, I mean, it still works for, you know,

some people love to binge and then it goes away and then you want to, you know, you revisit it. Like you said, yeah, I'm going to miss you. So I think that there's something to be said for both models. I think a platform like Disney Plus and now some of the others have caught on where they will stream, but they still drop, you know, one episode a week. So I think they've started understanding that people like that hybrid. Some people, like Netflix has started doing it where they'll drop a certain number of episodes and call that part one.

Then you have part two. Even though in broadcast, because people want to keep watching their favorite shows. So remember you used to have your cliff, you know, your cliffhanger, and that was for the summer, and then you didn't see any new episodes until the fall. So now in the fall you get new episodes, and then they have your winter cliffhanger.

What is that? And then you get new episodes after the top of the year. That's real. Absolutely. I'm going to tell you why, because we shoot a show, right? What Netflix does is they wait for the show to be a hit. Now it's a hit. What was the show that just came out recently

where they were shooting the people whatever that was called. I can't think of it. Squid Game. So Squid Game came out, right? Everybody loved it. But now you've got to wait for them to shoot another Squid Game to get another budget to do that. So now, by the time it comes out a year and a half later, I don't know about it. Now I've got to rewatch the first one to catch up.

I hate that. I like more of the weekly catch on, enjoy. Yeah, absolutely. You hate it, but you do it. You're right. I don't even know what age I was when I started realizing there were seasons. Because it just seemed like on Thursday nights, comedy shows coming on, different world coming on, Martin coming on, Living Single coming on.

My last question, you grew up in the entertainment industry. What was the best and worst advice you received? Thankfully, I've not had any bad advice. Wow. Yeah, thankfully. And if I had, I guess I just didn't listen. But my best advice was from my mom. And I mean, my goodness, when I wrote my autobiography, I just felt like it should be called, you know,

Chips Gems because my mother just dropped gem after gem in my life. But when I was growing up, like one of the early days of Facts of Life, and she said, you started a hundred percent. And she put her hand up here and she said, Kimmy, you start at 100% and everything that you do and say every day that you're here either keeps you here or it can chip away. Right? And I was like, okay.

All right. That's all right. And then the second piece of advice when I went to do the audition for the Miss Butterworth Seraph commercial. So Janet was there and that was the first time that I'd even seen her or met her. And, you know, they had those Jackson summer specials. Janet Jackson, you're talking about? Yes.

Okay, you can say yes. Yes. And so they had those summer specials the Jacksons had. And so I knew who she was, and I got into that. And that was my first audition, first time doing anything. We had just gotten to L.A. And I thought, oh, my God, that's Janet Jackson. I don't belong here.

I want to go home. I want to go home. And I got terrified and very insecure. And my mom took me into the bathroom and she said, listen, she's not doing anything to you. You are doing this to yourself. Don't let anything or anybody intimidate you of your own doing, but don't, don't do it. And there are times to this day, guys, if I'm like feeling, you know, some kind of way or in my feelings and feeling like, oh, I'm not sure, whatever. And you know, my,

my level of confidence or my security is not on full blast. I will go into the bathroom and tell myself, don't let anything or anyone intimidate you. And especially when you're doing that to yourself and they're not even doing anything to you. Don't you allow your own mind to do that. So those were the two. Go ahead, Ms. Chip. Right?

Because that keeps the child from never having imposter syndrome, always feeling worthy, which are two things that you always deal with no matter how old you are. That's right. Absolutely. Absolutely. And so that level of security, you know, really, really helped seal the deal for me. All right.

Yeah. Well, check out the Upshore Season 2 right now. And we appreciate you for joining us. The legendary Kim Phil. Thank you. Thank you for coming. You're right. Listen, I'm so glad that I was able to finally get here and finally meet you.

Happy birthday to you. Have an amazing, amazing next chapter filled with so much adventure and wonder and success and being grounded. Happy birthday to you. I receive it all. Thank you. Yes, indeed. And go on and sit up there next to her.

Take that adventure. No way. It's Kim Fields. It's The Breakfast Club. Good morning. Hey guys, I'm Kate Max. You might know me from my popular online series, The Running Interview Show, where I run with celebrities, athletes, entrepreneurs, and more.

After those runs, the conversations keep going. That's what my podcast Post Run High is all about. It's a chance to sit down with my guests and dive even deeper into their stories, their journeys, and the thoughts that arise once we've hit the pavement together. Listen to Post Run High on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Five gallons of water, 500 pounds of concrete. Or maybe not. No country willingly gives up their territory. Oh my God. What is that? Bullets.

Listen to Escape from Zakistan. That's Escape from Z-A-Q-istan. On the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. As a kid, I really do remember having these dreams and visions. but you just don't know what is going to come for you. Alicia shares her wisdom on growth, gratitude and the power of love. I forgive myself. It's okay. Have grace with yourself. You're trying your best and you're going to figure out the rhythm of this thing. Alicia Keys, like you've never heard her before. Listen to On Purpose with Jay Shetty on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey, everyone. This is Courtney Thorne-Smith, Laura Layton, and Daphne Zuniga. On July 8th,

1992, apartment buildings with pools were never quite the same as Melrose Place was introduced to the world. We are going to be reliving every hookup, every scandal, and every single wig removal together. So listen to Still the Place on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Hi, I'm Dani Shapiro, host of the hit podcast, Family Secrets. How would you feel if when you met your biological father for the first time, he didn't even say hello? And what if your past itself was a secret and the time had suddenly come to share that past with your child? These are just a few of the powerful and profound questions we'll be asking on our 11th season of Family Secrets. Listen to season 11 of Family Secrets on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.