‘The Chi’ Star Jason Weaver Launching Late-Night Style Talk Show

Jason Weaver’s next move is a doozy. He’s launching a talk show. That’s right. The actor who just wrapped a five-season run on The Chi said that his newest project, Leave It To Weaver, will debut next month. He revealed the news in a recent ScreenMag exclusive. “We’re bringing back that late-night format for the younger audience,” he explained. “But just like punched-up a little bit more.”

Leave It To Weaver will star Weaver as host interviewing guests in front of an audience. It is scheduled to start filming the first of five episodes this week in Atlanta. There will be a desk-and-chair arrangement and a band, just like Carson, Letterman, and Arsenio. “I’m paying homage, in a way, to all of those guys,” says Weaver, “but doing it in a way that puts a little bit of spin on it, a little bit more extra seasoning.” The extra seasoning is a commitment to engage with the world.

“If people are familiar with like Twitch or Kick, you know, when you see a lot of these live-streamers,” says Weaver. “Their actual viewers weigh in while they’re filming in real time. We’re bringing that element to this kind of structured format to make it easier for the youth to tap in with us.” 

Weaver is developing the independent project with Chico Bean, DC Young Fly and Karlous Miller, stars of The 85 South Comedy Show. On their YouTube channel, the trio hangs out in a living room and discusses life from an African-American perspective. Family, relationships and cell phone bills… everything’s up for grabs. On a recent episode, Miller explained that, “No matter what you looking for, you ain’t gotta leave the hood … whether it be a plate of food or an outfit.” Over the last decade, the 85 South guys have grown from online celebs into arena sensations. They’ve racked up nearly a billion views along the way.

So, Leave It To Weaver has a ton of content-generating expertise. But what about the guests? When asked, Weaver talked about his relationships with musicians like Usher, Chris Brown and his Grammy Award-winning first cousins, Tricky Stewart and Kuk Harrell. “I’m around them every day,” he said, “you never know.” He also promised “some big names” for viewers who are “heavy into film, television.” Since he’s worked with everyone from Disney and the Coen Brothers to Common, Tom Hanks and Oprah Winfrey, that seems likely. 

In person, Weaver is gracious, inquisitive and smart. He’s also got a voice that people like hearing. It’s high-pitched and kind of sweet. Whether he’s cussing, like in The Ladykillers, or singing, like in The Lion King, you want him to keep talking. Ultimately, he hopes that Leave It To Weaver becomes a place where Hip Hop artists, R&B groups, actors, actresses and comedians can “tell their stories and connect with people.” 

“If people give us a shot and tap in, you will be entertained, you will not be disappointed and you’ll actually learn something as well,” he said. 

JASON WEAVER EXCLUSIVE SCREENMAG INTERVIEW

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSZs9OqMzFY