Get ready to laugh and learn how to negotiate yourself inside your own family drama. This process does not have to be hard, in fact it can be downright hilarious if you are being given advice and allowed to peek into the lives of the lovable and business savvy couple David and Tamela Mann. In their new reality series “The Manns” which debuts on TV One, April 4th, and air on Tuesday nights at 8pm (e.t.) bring a needed and positive perceptive in living and loving in a modern family unit.
In case you are trying to place their lovely faces, the Manns have delighted audiences through a string of Tyler Perry plays and movies, as well as the television series, “Meet The Browns” and “Mann & Wife.”
Great news, their new reality series “The Manns” has every single ingredient needed to produce a bonafide hit reality show and one without the negative stereotypes and the lavish parade of bad behavior that has colored that genre of television in the past.
The central action revolves around the David and Tamela Mann’s four grown and lovable children, eight spirited grandchildren and a slew of equally colorful friends, extended family and other quirky characters that enrich the lives of the entertainment power couple.
Make no mistake David and Tamela are a power couple they just don’t make a big fuss about their successful recording careers and tours or think they are better than you and I because they have a life on television. The Manns have to put in the work and deal with the day-to-day responsibilities of managing an outrageous family. And when it comes to the love game, David and Tamela have a lot of experience to share because they have been married for 29 years.
29 years of Black love and it’s clear that they love and respect each other. Just in case you think this reality show is just a big love fest — it is not — “The Manns” has enough drama and hilarious disfunction to make any reality series fan happy but the love that the family shares is so undeniable that you can see it, clearly, with both eyes tightly shut, in a dark room, at night.
Here is a brief expert for an early morning interview with David and Tamela Mann.
LAS: Your new reality series — “The Manns” — is a step above standard, negative reality series. So, congratulations to you and your team.
David and Tamela Mann (laughing)
David: That is exactly what we wanted to do. To steer away from the negativity that has been a part of reality series [in the past]. [I think] The problem is that was all we were feeding people and that’s all they had to eat so we wanted to be a different entree on the menu. Look not all families behave that way. Like some families genuinely love one another which is true about our family. Some families know how to handle issues. We have the same issues that you have but we want to show you a different way to solve and handle those issues.
LAS: The power of love is nothing to sneeze at and your love for each other is crystal clear. What is one key to 29 years of a successful marriage?
Tamela: We enjoy each others’ company. It’s not always about spending money. Sometimes it’s just hanging out at home and going to get a hamburger or a sandwich and come back home and just eat the sandwich not necessarily having to be out all the time.
In our family we but the fun in dysfunctional!
We always like being around each other. We have a good time and even when we do have a spat or [a] disagreement it’s like we all want to get an understanding because our family realizes, and we taught them that, [that] family is all you have and you got to get along. You have to get along, no matter what. And we just want to work toward that and show other families where they can work together too and enjoy each other.
LAS:You are both faith based people. What is your favorite Bible verses?
David: Wow. That is a tough one. Got it! All things work together for the good of them that love the Lord. Romans 8:28. Because when you start thinking about it , when hard times come that is something that you must tell yourself. Sometimes it seems like it’s just not going to work out for you. Sometimes it’s hard to think that things are going to work out of you when you are sitting in a dark room with no lights. So, Romans 8:28. That’s one of them.
Tamela: All things are possible if you just believe. Mark 9:23. That is my verse. Because with him [God] all things can happen but without him it makes it a lot harder.
To learn more about their full tour dates at our website http://www.tillymannmusic.com/events.html.
To follow David and Tamela Mann via social media:
@tvonetv
#TheManns
@DavidandTamela
“The Manns” is produced by TV One in partnership with Entertainment One (eOne) and Bobbcat Films. It is executive produced by David and Tamela Mann, eOne’s Tara Long and Mark Herwick, Roger M. Bobb and Phil Thornton. For TV One, Lamar Chase is executive-in-charge of production, Robyn Greene Arrington is vice president of original programming and production, and D’Angela Proctor is head of original programming and production.