Bobby Brown On Fox Sketch Show

Bobby Brown to join ‘Cedric’ for sketch

HOLLYWOOD, California (Variety) — Some comedy shows may parody recent “Primetime Live” interviewee Bobby Brown, but the producers of Fox’s “Cedric the Entertainer Presents” went out and got the real thing.

Brown — in what executive producers Matt Wickline and John Bowman joke is his “first post-interview performance” — is one of a number of major names who have been persuaded to guest star on the sketch comedy show.

Mr. Whitney Houston will play “Your Inner Ike Turner” — the mischievous voice inside your head that counterbalances the angel on your other shoulder.

“He was great. He really looked like Ike,” Wickline said.

Other recent and upcoming guests include hip-hop stars Lil’ Kim, Nelly and Xzibit, in addition to actor-rap pioneer Ice Cube, superfreak Rick James and basketball’s Charles Barkley.

Bowman said star Cedric the Entertainer has had a hand in attracting a number of celebs to the show. Guests are also attracted to the relative ease of appearing in a sketch, as opposed to an entire episode of a series.

“It’s easy in, easy out; it may only take four hours max,” Bowman said. “The sketch format can play to someone’s strength. They know we’ll take care of them.”

The parade of guest stars will come in handy as Fox prepares to relaunch the show an hour later — Wednesdays at 9:30 p.m. — next month.

“That’s the whole point,” Wickline said. “You have to get promo people excited about running your spots. That’s what stunting’s all about.”

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