Everybody Hates Chris (The CW 2005-2009, Tyler James Williams, Terry Crews)

Inspired by his childhood experiences, comedian Chris Rock narrates the hilarious, touching story of a teenager growing up as the eldest of three children in Brooklyn, New York, during the early 1980’s. Uprooted to a new neighborhood and bused into a predominantly white middle school two hours away by his strict, hard-working parents, Chris (Tyler James Williams) struggles to find his place while keeping his siblings in line at home and surmounting the challenges of junior high. This responsible resilient adolescent brings a distinct, funny spin to his everyday trials and traumas.

1982 was the year that Chris turned 13. Filled with dreams that being a teenager would be really cool, Chris’ entry into adolescence is turning out to be less idyllic. Moved from the projects to the tough Bed-Stuy neighborhood of Brooklyn, Chris is still stuck in his older brother role. As the family’s emergency adult, he’s responsible for taking care of Drew (Tequan Richmond), his taller, more assured brother, and Tonya (Imani Hakim), the baby of the family, when his parents are working.

His rugged, cost-conscious father Julius (Terry Crews) works multiple jobs to support the family. Meanwhile, his strict, sassy mother Rochelle (Tichina Arnold), who works part-time in a small realty office, runs the household on a tight budget, while demanding the best for her children.

With his mother determined to see him in a good school, Chris grudgingly faces numerous bus transfers each day to attend Corleone Junior High in the fiercely Italian neighboring South Shore. Despite being an instant target for bullies, Chris’ inherent charm and sharp wit enable him to make new friends at school, such as Greg (Vincent Martella), another smart, nice kid.who can’t fight.

As Chris Rock pointedly reflects back, his younger self is set to discover what his family already knows–Chris’ sharp, scrappy nature is going to take him places. But first, he’s going to have to think, talk or run his way through one growing experience after another at home, at school and on any number of buses along the way.

production details
USA | The CW – 3 Arts Entertainment – CBS Television Studios – Chris Rock Enterprises | 22 minutes | Broadcast 22 September 2005 – 8 May 2009

Adrienne Carter as Producer
Ali LeRoi as Executive Producer
Chris Rock as Creator and Executive Producer
Dave Becky as Executive Producer
Don Reo as Executive Producer
Jim Michaels as Co-Executive Producer
Luisa Leschin as Co-Executive Producer
Michael Rotenberg as Executive Producer
Rodney Barnes as Co-Executive Producer

cast
Tyler James Williams as Chris
Terry Crews as Julius
Tequan Richmond as Drew
Imani Hakim as Tonya
Jacqueline Mazarella as Vivian Morello
Tichina Arnold as Rochelle
Vincent Martella as Greg Wuliger
Holly Weber as
Kevontay Jackson as Jerome
Travis T. Flory as Joey Caruso
Chris Rock as Narrator