Gina Yashere

Stories

An operatic hologram? That fits the “Trek” universe

We expect a lot from our robots, holograms and AI entities.
We want them to drive our cars, edit our prose, mow our lawns. And one (albeit a fictional one) sings opera.
That’s happened in the “Star Trek” shows — first in “Voyager” and now in “Starfleet Academy,” which starts Thursday (Jan. 15) on Paramount+.
“The notion that an artificial intelligence has hobbies is idiotic to begin with,” Robert Picardo granted in a Television Critics Association session. “The notion that he loves opera is really taking … it out there.”
But his character (simply called The Doctor) sang in “Voyager” (shown here); 30 years later, he’s doing it again, in the second episode (also Jan. 15) of “Starfleet.” Read more…

By Mike Hughes / January 11, 2026
Stories

Gina’s fierce fun ripples through “Bob” comedy

On the “Bob (Hearts) Abishola” set, people were semi-celebrating a semi-successful run.
The show has spent much of its five seasons in the top-25 of Nielsen ratings. It’s been a rare throwback to the days when comedy was king.
So members of the Television Critics Association directed questions to its stars (Billy Gardell, Folake Olowofoyeku) and producer Chuck Lorre — who made one thing clear: “We would have never gone far with the show had we not found Gina.”
That’s Gina Yashere, ready for her close-up. In the show, she’s Kemi, a noisy friend who’s there for a few quick laughs. In the second-to-last episode (8:30 p.m. Monday, April 29, on CBS), she finally gets the focus (shown here), with a Las Vegas wedding.
But the core of the show – including its culture conflict – springs from Yashere.
“They found me on Google,” she said later. “I turned it down. But my best friend and my brother said, ‘You’re being stupid.’” Read more…

By Mike Hughes / April 24, 2024
News and Quick Comments

Good news: quietly clever “Bob” has been renewed

One of TV’s best shows has just been renewed for next season.
And no, it’s not one that grabs awards or lands on 10-best lists. It’s “Bob (Hearts) Abishola,” the quiet gem that airs at 8:30 p.m. Mondays on CBS.
The network had already renewed its other comedies, two good ones (“Young Sheldon” and “Ghosts”) and “The Neighborhood.” Now it adds “Bob,” a quiet success. In its fourth season, it’s been averaging six million viewers, sometimes sliping into the top 10. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / January 26, 2023
Stories

Culture clash? Nigerian grit meets reality-show glitz

TV is fond of opposites and odd couples, so maybe this makes sense:
When “Real Housewives of Potomac” starts its season Sunday (Aug. 2), a hard-working Nigerian-American – with four college degrees, three children and many jobs – will join the flashy crowd.
It’s not a total mismatch, Wendy Osefo said. “I’m in the same social circles as some of the ladies.” (She’s shown here. socially circling with her husband Edward and, right, Candiace Dillard._
Still, we think of the various “Real Housewives” reality shows as being filled with glitz, with privileged people who are ready to throw a drink or at raise a fuss. By comparison, Osefo’s life has involved constant motion. “I feel like I’m on a hamster wheel,” she said, without really complaining. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / July 27, 2020
News and Quick Comments

It’s catch-up time, with “Bob” reruns

I’ve already babbled about “Bob (Hearts) Abishola,” the season’s best new situation comedy.
ut now is a handy time to catch up: In a 10-day stretch, you can see three key reruns. The pilot film is 9:30 p.m. Saturday (Dec. 21); others are 8:30 p.m. Dec. 25 and 30.
What you’ll see is a show with a unique style and pace. It’s not like other sitcoms – including other gems (“Big Bang,” “Mom”) from the same producer, Chuck Lorre; for that, we’ll credit Gina Yashere (shown here). Read more…

By Mike Hughes / December 18, 2019
Stories

Amid comedy — a love letter to immigrants

As Gina Yashere tells it, her career choices were limited.
“I used to … say that in a Nigerian amily, there are only four choices of jobs – doctor, lawyer, engineer, disgrace to the family.”
She took the third choice (briefly being an engineer in London) and then the fourth, as a stand-up comedian. Now her roots are reflected in this fall’s first new broadcast-network show. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / September 20, 2019