
When I first heard “Rickey Smiley Morning Show”/”Dish Nation” co-host Gary With Da Tea landed his own talk show, I said to myself, “Well, they must be passing out talk shows to everyone these days.” You get a talk show, she gets a talk show, everyone gets a talk show! So, immediately I had to make plans to get my name on the list and go and check it out. Upon arrival to the set, I was pleasantly surprised with the decor and utterly impressed that Gary held my attention for an entire hour. It was nonstop laughter.

Being behind the scenes and on set during production, I learned there was more to hosting a talk show than meets the eye. The energy Gary put into the deliverance of “the latest tea,” combined with the chemistry he had with each guest was definitely a recipe for the perfect talk show that just may be around for a while. Kicking off the show, his first guests were Braxton sisters Trina and Towanda.

His next guest was Rickey Smiley, his boss, mentor and very close friend. I didn’t know that Gary started as Rickey Smiley’s personal assistant.

Other guests included Bravo “Fashion Queen”/celebrity hairstylist Derek J, who looked refreshingly dapper and amazing. Karlie Redd closed out the show. When you talk about Gary finding his match in a partner to dish out the tea, Redd should be his co-host. Redd spoke about her new acting gig on Bounce TV’s “Saints & Sinners.”

Congrats to Bobbcat Films CEO Roger Bobb and his crew, who are responsible for the set decor, and production of this well put together talk show. There was a live studio audience who seemed thoroughly entertained.