Poppa’s House: Character Guide and Noteworthy Show Information
This is a character guide for CBS’ “Poppa’s House,” with character descriptions, quotes, names of actors, and more.
Spoiler Alert: This summary and review contains spoilers.
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General Information
| Network(s) | CBS |
| Created By | Damon Wayans and Kevin Hench |
| First Aired | October 21, 2024 |
| Executive Produced By | Damon Wayans, Damon Wayans Jr., Kevin Hench, Andy Ackerman, Dean Lorey, Michael Petok |
| Genre(s) | Comedy |
| Renewal Status | To Be Determined |
Groups & Organizations
- The Pop and Doc Show (Season 1/ Episode 3): The podcast launched by Damor Sr. and Dr. Reed
- The Top Hat Boys (Season 1/ Episode 6): JJ and Poppa’s group when they were young men
- Two Jabronis (Season 1/ Episode 10): The film company that Todd and Junior were supposed to have
Notable Locations & Items
- Show Location (1.1): The show takes place in New York
- Buckingham (Season 1/ Episode 4): A top school in the country that Junior and Nina are trying to get Trey into
Terminology
- Love Action Time (1.1): A technique that Damon Jr. and Nina learned in couples therapy where they get on the ground and speak to each other eye to eye
- Kissing Words (Season 1/ Episode 5): Another technique Damon Jr. and Nina learned in couples therapy where, if certain words are said, they need to kiss – Damon Jr. sometimes takes this beyond his relationship. Examples of kissing words include “Love” and “Sorry.”
Noteworthy Information
- Leon (Season 1/ Episode 8): Leon is based on a real person but in the show, he is a friend of Poppa Damon’s who died. Thus triggering a late-life crisis for him.
Damon Wayans As Poppa Damon
Damon Sr., known on the radio as Big Poppa Fulton, is a 7-time Marconi Radio Award winner, divorcee, and father to one.
- Character Introduced In Season 1/ Episode 1
- The actor is also known for their role in “Cinnamon.”
Additional Information
- Medical History (Season 1/ Episode 2): Has diabetes
- Time At Radio Show (Season 1/ Episode 3): 25 years
- Age (Season 1/ Episode 8): He is 61
- Nickname (Season 1/ Episode 8): Sweet D, when he was a kid
- Trauma
- (Season 1/ Episode 9): Rollo, Poppa’s dog died violently, which is why he doesn’t want a dog in his life
- (Season 1/ Episode 11): He wanted to be a DJ since he was 14, but his dad didn’t support him, even ridiculed him, so he left home at 14 to spite his dad
Quotes
Damon Wayans Jr. As Damon Jr.
Damon Jr. dreams of directing shorts for a living, but with a wife and kids, and a loan given to him by JJ to buy a house, he works for his father-in-law, JJ, selling foam rollers.
- Character Introduced In Season 1/ Episode 1
- The actor is also known for their role in “Long Weekend.”
Additional Information
- Age (Season 1/ Episode 1): He is 35
- Government Name (Season 1/ Episode 7): Damon Throckmorton Fulton Jr.
- Allergies (Season 1/ Episode 9): He is allergic to dogs
Quotes
Tetona Jackson As Nina
Nina is Damon Jr.’s wife.
- Character Introduced In Season 1/ Episode 1
Additional Information
- In Another Life (Season 1/ Episode 5): Nina was a professional ice skater previously, but due to an injury, she didn’t get to go to the Olympics.
- Age (Season 1/ Episode 6): She is at least 35
Quotes
Essence Atkins As Dr. Ivy Reed
Dr. Ivy Reed is a best-selling author and podcast host brought onto Poppa’s program due to his ratings dipping, mainly among women. She is a big fan of Poppa and has been listening to him since college, but she has noticed how his divorce has turned him sour on air.
- Character Introduced In Season 1/ Episode 1
- The actor is also known for their role in “The Ms. Pat Show.”
Additional Information
- Marital Status (Season 1/ Episode 2): She is divorced
- Books
- The Charm Alarm: When Cute Stops Being Cute (1.2)
Geoffrey Owens As JJ
JJ is Nina’s father, the Foam Roller King, who has known Poppa Damon since at least 1978.
- Character Introduced In Season 1/ Episode 1
Additional Information
- (Season / Episode):
Quotes
Byran Safi As Allen
Allen is Poppa Damon’s producer, who often acts as his middleman between him and the corporate side of the radio station.
- Character Introduced In Season 1/ Episode 1
Additional Information
- (Season / Episode):
Quotes
Trey (Caleb R. Johnson)
Character Description
Season 1
Trey is Nina and Damon Jr.’s eldest son.
Additional Information
- Introduced in Season 1/ Episode 4
Catherine (Wendy Raquel Robinson)
Character Description
Season 1
Catherine is Damon Sr.’s former wife of 20 years, who now he sees as a hole in his pocket due to having to pay her alimony.
Additional Information
- Introduced in Season 1/ Episode 4 | Original Actor Is Also Known For: Flatliners
Maya (River Blossom)
Character Description
Season 1
Maya is Nina and Damon Jr.’s daughter, the youngest of their two, who is more a mix of Poppa Damon and Nina than Nina and Damon Jr.
Additional Information
- Introduced in Season 1/ Episode 5
Lola (Adriyan Rae)
Character Description
Season 1
Lola is a young woman who enjoys skydiving, driving with the top down, and many things men with wigs should not do.
Additional Information
- Introduced in Season 1/ Episode 8 | Original Actor Is Also Known For: Atlanta: Season 2/ Episode 7
Jarnold (Tommy Davidson)
Character Description
Season 1
Jarnold works on the 10th floor at Poppa’s old job and because the two had good rapport as they took the elevator together, Poppa decides to pursue a friendship with Jarnold. But, with Jarnold being notably eccentric, Poppa isn’t sure if their chemistry extends beyond the elevator.
Additional Information
- Introduced in Season 1/ Episode 10 | Original Actor Is Also Known For: So Fly Christmas
Todd aka Preston Valentine (Lamorne Morris)
Character Description
Season 1
Todd, who now goes by Preston Valentine, is a friend of Junior’s from film school who is starting to make moves that could lead to his career blowing up. He just finished a film called “A Loud Place,” a parody of “A Quiet Place” and with a promise to bring Junior along for the ride if something happened, he is trying to fulfill that promise.
Additional Information
- Introduced in Season 1/ Episode 10 | Original Actor Is Also Known For: Not Another Church Movie
Felicia (Ella Joyce)
Character Description
Ivy’s mother, who recently obtained her Master’s Degree, who is very critical of Ivy and seems to want her daughter to get back with David.
Additional Information
- Introduced in Season 1/ Episode 13
David (Coby Bell)
Character Description
David is a famous NFL Champion whose reputation has repeatedly suffered, and he is trying to make a comeback.
Additional Information
- Introduced in Season 1/ Episode 13 | Original Actor Is Also Known For: The Quad: Season 1/ Episode 2
Joey (Max Woods)
Character Description
Joey is a popular kid in Trey’s grade who has enough influence to make someone popular or deemed a loser.
Additional Information
- Introduced in Season 1/ Episode 13
