C.J.: 'Black-ish' actor Anthony Anderson falls deeply under the spell of Prince when so invited

Article by: C.J. , Star Tribune Updated: September 22, 2014 - 8:08 PM

“When Prince summons you to the suite or to the house, you show up,” said comedianAnthony Anderson, while on ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live.”

The subject of hanging with Prince came up while Anderson was promoting his new ABC show, “black-ish,” a comedy about a man raising children who are not as in touch with their skin tones as their dad thinks they should be. “Black-ish” also stars Tracee Ellis Ross and Laurence Fishburne.

Kimmel wanted to know if Prince actually called to request Anderson’s presence.

Come on, Jimmy, even I know the answer to that question!

Anderson said he gets a phone call from someone associated with the royal entourage, saying something along the line of, “Prince would like you to come to the suite for pizza and pasta,” Anderson said, affecting a voice. “I’m like, ‘Alright, it’s 3 a.m. OK. I’ll come to the party.’

“I’m not going to lie, this is a true story: He cornered me at the elevator in his house one day, trying to convert me to be a Jehovah’s Witness. Oh my god, he was 2 inches away from my face and I made the mistake of looking him in his eyes. Jamie Foxx said never look him in his eyes! And he [Prince] was like, Anthony, I hear things are going on in Hollywood with my brothers and sisters. Is everything OK? I said, ‘Yeah, yeah, Prince.’ He was like, Can I have your number to call you? And I was like, ‘Ah, yeah.’ Then some noise happened in the back and he said, I’ll be right back. … Twenty minutes later I’m standing in the corner at the elevator waiting on Prince and my wife says, Baby, come on, let’s go, it’s 3:30 in the morning. I said, ‘Baby, Prince asked me to stay right here. He’s going to call me.’ And so he made three wardrobe changes [the audience laughed], finally came back and got my number. We’ve been cool ever since.”

If you can find the clip on ABC’s website, it’s worth it to hear Anderson’s Prince voice, as well as his failed attempt to imitate the rock legend’s laugh, which takes place in a register Anderson said he cannot reach.

Anderson did not say whether he is now a Jehovah’s Witness, a religion with which, I believe, the changeable Symbolina has sustained interest for much longer than he sticks with a band. Anderson’s new show looks entertaining, and I hope it succeeds because I enjoy Ross and I want to see if her acting technique has grown beyond over-flashing those big eyes, genetic gifts from her mom, Diana Ross.

I don't know much about C.J. and I haven't read anything other than a few things posted here, but holy shit is she a bad writer. Funny story, though.

Interesting read. Had me . Thanks for sharing.

Great find!!!! & comedians have a special connection. They have similar minds. A lot of peeps don't realize how funny is. If U listen to his songs his sense of humor shines through. Just like Kanye both very misunderstood but funny artist.

^^Priceless!

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

Great find!!!! & comedians have a special connection. They have similar minds. A lot of peeps don't realize how funny is. If U listen to his songs his sense of humor shines through. Just like Kanye both very misunderstood but funny artist.

I know how funny Prince is and can be, and he does have great since of humor. I love it when he smiles.

steakfinger said:

I don't know much about C.J. and I haven't read anything other than a few things posted here, but holy shit is she a bad writer. Funny story, though.

She's the subject of "Billy Jack Bitch" and is basically BartVanHemelen with a gossip column.

She's been living off of writing BS about Prince for the better part of three decades.

RodeoSchro said:

steakfinger said:

I don't know much about C.J. and I haven't read anything other than a few things posted here, but holy shit is she a bad writer. Funny story, though.

She's the subject of "Billy Jack Bitch" and is basically BartVanHemelen with a gossip column.

She's been living off of writing BS about Prince for the better part of three decades.

.

Some real grown-up opinions there.