Sherman's Showcase (2019)

About Sherman's Showcase

Sherman's Showcase is a scripted comedy TV series that premiered in 2019. The show, described as a mix of American Bandstand and Soul Train, is a fictional music variety show hosted by Sherman McDaniels. It takes viewers through time, drawing heavily from four decades of music and comedic pop culture through a faux documentary style. It cleverly uses music, dance, and comedy to highlight and parody African American culture.

Making / Production

The show is created by the team of Diallo Riddle and Bashir Salahuddin. These creators both write and star in the show, bringing their vision of a surreal, hilarious musical journey to life. Produced by John Legend's Get Lifted Film Co. and RadicalMedia, it's a unique comedic spin on the traditional music variety show.

Actors

• Diallo Riddle - Portrays the charismatic show host, Sherman McDaniels. Riddle's comedic talent and timing bring a unique charm to the role.
• Bashir Salahuddin - Stars as the show producer, Dutch Shepherd. Salahuddin skillfully portrays a softer, more reasonable counterpoint to Riddle's McDaniels.
• Mary Kraft - Plays the role of Buzzy McDaniels, Sherman's wife. Kraft performs with a delightful blend of intuitive comedic timing and earnestness.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The series is inspired largely by Soul Train and other iconic musical variety shows of the '70s and '80s.
• Each episode travels through time, featuring a plethora of musical guests and comedic sketches that span several decades.
• The series features many guest stars, including John Legend, Quincy Jones, and Common.

Quotes

• "Sherman's Showcase - where black history and music history come together, often for legal reasons."
• "Black people have been inventing dance crazes for years. It's in our DNA - Dancing Nucleotide Anomalies."

Music / Soundtrack

• The series has an original soundtrack, "Sherman's Showcase Original Soundtrack", released by Mad Decent, the label founded by Thomas Pentz, also known as Diplo.
• The soundtrack features all-original music that spans several genres and decades, fitting perfectly with the show's concept.
• Many of the tracks are performed by cast members Diallo Riddle and Bashir Salahuddin, showcasing their musical talents in addition to their comedic prowess.