It's Where I Am with Zandra Polard

Speaker 1 0:00
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Zandra Polard 0:50
Good morning, Las Vegas. This is Andhra polearm. It's where I am. I am back with my loquacious long term friend, Paula J. Parker is back. We are continuing the conversation about Hollywood relationships. And, Paula, thank you for coming back onto the show. We want to continue some of the stuff you were talking about last week, which is Hollywood, but you didn't get a chance to mention what you're working on currently.

Speaker 2 1:21
So Oh, yeah, tell us about.

Zandra Polard 1:25
That's right. The Proud Family, family. Family.

Speaker 2 1:33
I am so thankful like that. He's so good. Like, I I was just like, and then I don't know where Rebo. And any I mean, literally out of nowhere. Rebuild. Yeah, yes. And, you know, we did a friend has that out to friends and my birthday brother, Matthew Perry, who recently passed away. So I took a cue from them, and we stuck together, and they fought to really get money. And it's like, the most I've ever been paid to do something. And I'm just so thankful. Because when you when I tell you wait on God, he's got you. And it will be beyond what you could have ever imagined or thought. It's the truth. Like, and that goes with relationships as well. I think the last thing you said is be patient, you know, and I agree, because I didn't get married till I think I was 35. And I have my my son at 39. So yes, I was truly patient, and I did kiss a few frogs. So that just go in every area of your life. Right.

Zandra Polard 2:57
So you guys are now in your third season. The show is on Disney. And you play Disney plus, and you play the mother and her name is is a training ground truly, truly, truly, truly proud. Yeah, so if you recognize the voice is because it's Judy proud. Paula J. Parker. Yes, here with us on 91.5. Jas and more on the show. It's where I am with Zondra polearm. If you've missed last week's episode, please know that you can find it on your favorite podcast platform. We are on Apple, Spotify, Google and Amazon podcast. Just type in. It's where I am with Zondra za NDR a show pop up. And you can hear all my shows here that have been on 91.5. So Paula, continuing on, you got the proud family, you're in the third season. Then I want to say you know, often I'm watching television, I'll find a good movie and then all of a sudden, you pop on the screen. Like I never know. Just all of a sudden there you are. So I wanted to give you your flowers for the last thing that I saw which was the Ava DuVernay. Did I say the name right? film about Colin Kaepernick? Yeah, I really enjoyed that. That was that was on I don't remember what station was on but it's it was a great little film by her and you played in? What was it Netflix? It? Okay. Yeah. And you played in ont right? Yeah. Yeah, I thought that was really awesome.

Speaker 2 4:53
Thank you. I was really really I was really, really proud of that one like Just the fact that those two people reached out to me, like, I look at both of them as being activists, for our, our generation, our world, you know, he started a movement of, you know, taking a knee to let people know it's not okay. You know, he started that he lost his job because of that movement, and that it was settled for something that we'll never know. But he showed him putting it back into the industry, and then no actors to have to open up a leg for him to do it. Trip and you're gonna get money back. We all have egos that wants to tell our stories, we all have a story to tell. If anyone gets a big chunk of change come out of at me, I will tell your story for a pretty little penny, and you will get a pretty little penny and return. And the good thing about the movie industry is it's residual money. So that means you'll get money for the rest of your life, based on how successful the film does.

Zandra Polard 6:16
Now, what about the industry right now? What's going on with Hollywood strike? What is going on with the actors?

Speaker 2 6:23
There's nothing going on. It's painful. Yes, I really feel stupid, because young and the restless is like, my favorite of ever all time. And they know it. So they consistently been trying to find some place for me. And at the time, it wasn't working. Like we couldn't come to money terms. Because to my fave, Kyla Pratt, I'm trying to tell you that's that went out me a favor to you notice how I've been in the industry since she was eight years old. So even though, you know, she was younger than me, like my child, she is like more, you know, as far as the business, and that's because of her mom. And so, you know, but the point is, soap operas are not on strike. And I'm so passionate that, you know, at some point, you have to say no. And I think that is what kind of taught me so yes, we actors follow the riders, they're back working. And now we're waiting for a great deal. You know, a deal. And that's not

Zandra Polard 7:41
fair. Because of, you know, my understanding from I had Marshall Todd on the show, who is an executive producer in Hollywood. And he was explaining to us here on the show, that Netflix and Hulu, and all of these other type of, you know, what do they call networks? They don't let you guys know, how the shows are going. And they'll just cancel them, you know, at their whim or leisure. Yes. Yeah. That is so and then also like the residual. I'm sorry, they also the way Paula, let me say this. Also the residual income, right. So as you're speaking of respect, residual income from television stations, like, CBS, NBC, when you're in these other entities is like, isn't it just like a flat fee? Oh, okay. And that's a problem. Yeah, that would be a problem. Yeah.

Speaker 2 8:37
And like your friend was saying, they get us because we don't sign those, those the proper paperwork. Like friends, I was gonna say, it was in the I read in the paper that Matthew Perry was bringing in $2 million a year and residuals because they allow the show to go to extreme so that they could have it could go into syndication. That's what it's called syndication. Okay. So you have to reach your seven years to get syndication. And when you get the indication, they have to give you a big bump. So a lot of jokes on networks will cancel you right before the case in syndication gives you a big bump, and that's what your friend is talking about. You had no say and whether or not you are going to get canceled because of a whim, because they don't want you to go to seven, they'll cut you off at the six, you know, or they'll let you go exactly the number it takes to go into syndication and then no more. And that's usually that's the seven year mark. And that's usually what they do to most shows. At the seven year mark. They stuff, but not like shows like supernatural, and friends and shows that go in, you know, soap operas, those that go on and on and on. And also in syndication. But see, they don't do that with our shows. minority, no shows except for failed. Well, I don't know if he hit the seven. But he's so smart. He was able to negotiate deals that, you know, he made more than anybody's ever, you know what I mean? So having that knowledge and having those relationships where they'll give you that knowledge because it's your friends, right? But you know, they're gonna break you up like that. We're not their friend. They don't give a hoot at school, if I'm able to pay my rent. Whatever. And, and that's the sad thing about humanity. We do that even in relationships if you have a I know a friend of mine had a prenup. That said, if she went a certain amount of years, she gets a bump. That man divorced her right the day before the bump. Oh, wow. Like, are you are you frigging Warner? Warner, who aren't you? So with all this baby becoming with all this

Zandra Polard 11:27
being said, you know, it brings me back to Monique. You know, there were people on social media saying like, you know, she should have just taken that little bit of change. They were offering her really know exactly, exactly what I'm saying she did it before. She was ahead of our time because she was fighting for something that now Hollywood is fighting for. Yes, yeah. Because we're so now does she get grace?

Speaker 2 11:58
I always gave her a grip on her biggest fan. Okay. And I've always been vocal about that. People used to come up to me and be like, You need to be on the Parkers. I don't know why. But if I tell you more than 1234 I mean, people would tell me that all the time.

Zandra Polard 12:20
Well, you were on the Wayans brothers. That was that was good. You were on the Wayans brothers now, come on. Yes.

Speaker 2 12:24
But I don't know what it is about her energy that I think people see us. And I see her and I know, she sees me. And you know, it's always been love. And I am an activist. So I never I even cheered for her and her husband, because she married someone not in the game. And I don't think she ever really addressed that as being one of the reasons why. But it also was, you know, and the fact that her husband is intelligent, and you know, wasn't going for, you know, it's hard. I can't you know, and we we forgive them because we did this, this reality show and they got my man, like, they got him. Because it's so tempting. In you, it's hard to say no. And it ain't hard for me because I can say no all my life, because I've never, I've never been because I grew up with money. For all intents and purposes, I you know, my mom, her husband. Come on, Gloria, I

Zandra Polard 13:38
love you.

Speaker 2 13:42
So, you know I am that it didn't impress me when she was doing it. So it doesn't it. I'm just not that person. So I'm like a unicorn. So out here, because everyone else is and it's not because they want to be it's because you have to be to make a film. For Spike Lee to make a film. He's gonna have to get people to give him a million dollars. And that's just the film at this point in his career, because he's independent. He needs about to make the movie he probably really wants to make 100 million. But I have never seen anyone give him 100 million. How's he going to get it?

Zandra Polard 14:27
Girl How did that reminds me of the story you were telling me about? You were doing a Spike Lee film was it get on a Million Man March or something? What was it? Yeah, get on the bus. Okay, get on the bus. What was that like working with Spike Lee?

Speaker 2 14:43
Amazing. Okay, because he's brilliant. Yes. You know, I like the mind. You know, and that's why I'm able to be friends with guys because I don't think like your average chick because you I had to kinda like, when my dad died, I kind of like had to be there for my mom. I had to have some sense because she fell apart. So, you know, talking to him is like, I don't know what I imagined talking to Einstein would be like to a scientist. Oh, wow. If you ever get to take a class of his, I would truly recommend it. He's cool. He's brilliant. He's, you know, he's just a cool dude. And he's not on that BS.

Zandra Polard 15:32
And then what about I want to ask you about one more person. And that is Robert Townsend. So you started out with Robert Townsend on

Unknown Speaker 15:40
that CS? Brush on, man.

Zandra Polard 15:46
Wait, because I think we had a little technical Robert Townsend. Yes. Yes, Robert.

Speaker 2 15:52
Now, I had the tickets plus on Robert Townsend. And it was beautiful, because he knew and always said, I reminded him of his daughter. I was only like, 20. And it wasn't a sexual crush. It wasn't like that. It was like Robert Townsend. Yeah.

Zandra Polard 16:12
It's a big deal he caught

Speaker 2 16:15
me is comparing me to his daughter, right? The other guy would have been knowing. But yes, you know, it's not him. Right? Never. And not only is it because he's happy in his marriage. But it's because he's a good cat. Like, I was so young and impressionable. Like he could have done anything.

Zandra Polard 16:41
He didn't miss his power. No.

Speaker 2 16:46
My first mentor, and raise me it's like being loved. So, you know, not to take note stuff from no one else, because you've been loved before, right? So you need to set the bar. So I've been loved by my boss. So if you're not coming with love, I'm not I'm not. I'm not going there with you. So he set the bar and now all my bosses, I love them all. Because you have to let people know how you will and will not allow yourself to be treated. Yeah. And, you know, sometimes people fall into a habit of treating people. how most people allow them to That's right. And don't allow it. They, they love you for it. And most my bosses are older gentleman, and they don't, you know, they don't go there. Because they know that, you know, they're not going to go there. And that's what I love about Robert Townsend because he taught me how to respect myself. And how to be respected by my bosses by men in power.

Zandra Polard 18:04
All right. Now, I want to

Unknown Speaker 18:06
know that you were there. You saw it firsthand.

Zandra Polard 18:09
No, I never met Robert Johnson.

Unknown Speaker 18:12
You don't come to the

Unknown Speaker 18:14
television. No,

Speaker 2 18:16
no. And to the boy i

Zandra Polard 18:19
i was with you. For movies like Friday movies like Tales from the hood. Neither one of them one of my one of my all time favorites. Is you and Tisha Campbell in sprung. That is one of my all time favorites and it's like you guys gonna look alike.

Speaker 2 18:45
Thank you, thank you, thank you and people don't understand when I say I really got into the game because I look like Pisa and I am going to tell this story on my show as well but I mistakenly said I reached out to Gabrielle and women like Gabrielle all over the you know, the world literally, you know that want to be actors or people that I've seen their work. And I said because no one did it for me but I you know, there's so many women I need to get you included, the like you came through for me all the time and still do. But like when I first met TISA and to Siena, it was on the Robert Townsend set and T shirt and to Cena came on the set and I was standing there and I looked up and it was t shirt and to Siena, you guys know I'm from Cleveland. If you don't know now you do honey I am a fan. I I thought I was going to thank and they came up with pieces that so you the chip spoke to be looking like me. there to see like have walked around to the back of me and they kind of like was circling me. And they was like, you know, by how they look like you see what you say. And they both just start cracking up, you know, as I was about to like, oh my god, oh my God, my favorite people in Oh, I was about to beat me up, it's okay. Give it to the ladies, I'm ready. And they just start cracking up and embrace me. And they looked out for me like, like for real, like, you know, and those are just two of the women who have, I mean, come, I can't even express how much love I have for those two ladies and how much love they have given me over the years. So, you know, my flowers go out to Siena and Pisa. They are incredible, incredible human beings.

Zandra Polard 20:50
So before you go, there's a couple of things I do want to ask you. I want to ask you about what made you decide to do reality television. one and then two. How difficult because I know there had to be some difficulty with putting your life out there for other people to judge. So why didn't do it? And how difficult has it been since you've done it?

Unknown Speaker 21:21
I needed the money. Okay.

Zandra Polard 21:25
Why did simple I need money? Okay.

Speaker 2 21:27
I, I was I was at last, you know, my my condo in 2008. And, you know, I didn't file bankruptcy because I didn't want to. And so I was going through a slump and I was teaching and they, I they had this audition and I went and and he fell in love with me. He then Carlos King, the great Carlos King the right and, and he basically built this show around me and my relationship with the different women in Hollywood. And I just, I just did a whole therapy like the audition was, I just had therapy with him. And I just, I was at my lowest and I was crying. And you know, he just he, he did the damn thing. And you know, the thing about it was reality TV was still kind of new. So no one knew that it was manufactured, including me. And it wasn't like until recently, I saw Carlos interview, the great Mimi leaks, where she gave me a lot of tea, you know that I still and this was just recently and I was on a show like years ago, like wonderful, like 10 years ago, and I'm still running it like it was yesterday. But you know, there it's like the WWE. It's real like that. The fights are real like that. It's it's this someone's supposed to be the heel, then someone is supposed to be the the pretty face or the pretty boy or whatever that is if you know wrestling, you know what I'm what I'm trying to talk about. And, you know, I think I play a fake because I broke the the wall and I was like, Y'all are gonna try to act like I didn't write what I wrote. Because I take my work very seriously. That is who I am. We're not gonna do that. We're not

Zandra Polard 23:33
gonna get in last though, but I'm getting lost. So you're saying that it wasn't real? Because when I was looking at it, and I know you very well, I was like, Oh, my I think that's true.

Speaker 2 23:44
I never know, Lisa, Will. I you know, and people were like, You're so mean to you. I don't know her. She didn't throw me anything. They pay for that. They made her do that. She didn't do those things because she wanted to she did those things because it was part of the script. Oh, yes. Why they all start calling me a liar is because I was used to cut them out. Each one came to me I wanted to cut the other out. Okay, so I was used. And so then the storyline became each one like got an improv, like, they'll give you an improv thing. Like, Lisa's was, no matter what she says. You call her a liar. Like and, you know, I didn't get any of these memos. And like, their objective, because, you know, my hairdresser is she's trans gender. So she felt like when she'd come over, my husband didn't like that she was transgender. My husband wasn't thinking about her. So he gave them the storyline to have the transgender young lady Come on, and be and try to eat my husband sausage. Meat. I was always like, is that is Adam Kushner? By become his butt out here is Am I being frank like? Yeah. Like when they started saying that they wrote the script. And that storyline happened. That's when I had to just shut it down. Right. You know, I, you know, I've been writing. Yeah, I have, I have to protect what may never, ever be seen on screen and that will just be the world loss. Okay, what can I say I can't make Dave

Zandra Polard 25:38
Chappelle in the dress. Yeah.

Speaker 2 25:42
It is what it is. And if they, if they go with me, I've written enough of them. Maybe my my ancestors will make movies you never know God's plan. And so I don't stress it. It blue if y'all want it, that's all you YOLO so, you know, that's my I was I went into the situation. And they would, and I wasn't seeing Lisa who is the veteran reality show actress, she was on the number one reality show when it was the number one reality show. She knows how to play the game. So she do the whole I'm a detail but jump up and go cuckoo and run off the stage. And that's a bad like smile and waving at me. And I'm sitting there with egg on my face, looking like booboo the fool. Like don't be over there. I'm just playing. And you got the world thinking I'm a liar and a terrible, like friend, and a terrible businesswoman. And it's genuinely cost me business. It genuinely has cost me opportunities. But it's not. I'm not a litigious person. And I'm especially not a litigious person, when the woman I'd be suing on geez, understand. But she thinks she does. Probably that is the lady that I I have so much admiration for. And I know, she has love for me too. And in her way, I know she is showing it, but I just need the money. And this is what we're fighting for, you know, not fair, that I have broken off. And I didn't even get broken off with me and then get broken off. I just got a cute little slap that totally put you out there. But honey, it wasn't worth it. You know, and, and in retrospect, if we had taken the deal, we my husband and I would be in the game. And that's what he tried to offer us. And I really wish she had reached out. And just like a mentor, like, you know, and just because we have a lot of mutual friends. And I think that a lot of the mutual friends just are confused about who I was. Like, it really did a number on my my reputation, and that's how they get to and then I realized that that was their ambition, you know, America's favorite hoochie mama then they went and came after today. Oh, I love that. You know, now they're coming after my baby Kyla and her husband on that ink. So you know so that is what reality feeds off of it feeds off of making you know established people who have worked their butts off to get where they are and they just couldn't get in maybe so now they just want to show us that were dumb dumb or just make up look crazy. Not real name of it is not video ality is just, it's just it's scripted. I you know, it's like, you gotta take the bitter with the sweet like this duality, call

Zandra Polard 29:13
the Jay Parker, special guest on the show today. Thank you for coming on. You know, I'm here every week, every Saturday 7:30am. It's where I am. And we'll talk to Jesus

Unknown Speaker 29:25
for living.

Zandra Polard 29:29
I love you, girl. I'll be on your show soon. I'll make sure I mentioned it. All right, y'all. See you next time. Bye.

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