Poppa's House

❧

Wikipedia

Poppa's House
GenreSitcom
Created byDamon Wayans
&
Kevin Hench
Starring
Music byDamon Wayans
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes18
Production
Executive producers
Producers
  • Dave Neglia
  • Kameron Tarlow
  • Chris Arrington
  • Tom Ragazzo
Cinematography
Editors
  • Pamela Marshall
  • Angel Gamboa Bryant
  • Michael Karlich
Camera setupMulti-camera
Production companies
Original release
NetworkCBS
ReleaseOctober 21, 2024 (2024-10-21) –
April 28, 2025 (2025-04-28)

Poppa's House is an American television sitcom that aired from October 21, 2024, to April 28, 2025 on CBS. The series stars Damon Wayans as Poppa, Damon Wayans Jr. as Damon, Essence Atkins as Ivy, and Tetona Jackson as Nina. The series was created by Damon Wayans and Kevin Hench. In April 2025, the series was canceled after one season, ending with an unresolved cliffhanger.[1]

Cast and characters

Main

  • Damon Wayans Sr. as Poppa Fulton, a popular New York City radio DJ. It is later revealed his full name is Damon "Poppa" Fulton.
  • Damon Wayans Jr. as Junior Fulton, who works for his father-in-law but wants to produce documentaries. It is later revealed his full name is Damon "Junior" Fulton.
  • Essence Atkins as Dr. Ivy Reed,[2] Poppa's new co-host
  • Tetona Jackson as Nina Fulton, Junior's wife who is an event planner

Recurring

  • Bryan Safi as Allen Whitley, Poppa’s producer
  • Geoffrey Owens as J.J. Fulton, Nina's father
  • Caleb Johnson as Trey Fulton, Junior and Nina's son
  • River Blossom as Maya Fulton, Junior and Nina's daughter
  • Wendy Raquel Robinson as Catherine Fulton, Poppa's ex-wife and Junior's mother
  • Adriyan Rae as Lola, Poppa’s dater
  • Coby Bell as David, Ivy’s ex-husband

Notable guest stars

  • Rebecca Mader as Headmistress Susan Pierce, the poised and put-together headmistress of Buckingham
  • Tommy Davidson as Jarnold, Poppa’s friend
  • Lamorne Morris as Todd, Junior’s friend
  • Hugh Moore as Lafonzo
  • Ella Joyce as Felicia
  • Charo as herself[3]
  • Marlon Wayans as Melvin Fulton,[4] Poppa's younger brother who is a con artist
  • Vivica A. Fox as Judge "Say Wha?",[4] a judge that Junior clashes with
  • Amara Wayans as Natalie Fulton, Junior's sister
  • Tre Hale as Dyrrl

Episodes

No.Title [5]Directed byWritten byOriginal release date [5]U.S. viewers
(millions)
1"Pilot"Andy AckermanKevin Hench & Damon WayansOctober 21, 2024 (2024-10-21)4.20[6]
2"Sleepover"Kelly ParkDean Lorey & Damon WayansOctober 28, 2024 (2024-10-28)3.54[7]
3"Podcast"Robert TownsendKim Wayans & Kevin KnottsNovember 4, 2024 (2024-11-04)3.29[8]
4"School Days"Kim WayansLeslie SchapiraNovember 11, 2024 (2024-11-11)3.46[9]
5"Disciplinairian"Phill LewisErica MontolfoNovember 25, 2024 (2024-11-25)3.20[10]
6"Family Photo"Kelly ParkRomanskiDecember 2, 2024 (2024-12-02)3.37[11]
7"Brokeback"Kim WayansMichael WayansDecember 9, 2024 (2024-12-09)3.16[12]
8"Wig"Robert TownsendPhil Beauman & Shawn WayansDecember 16, 2024 (2024-12-16)3.42[13]
9"Puppy"Phill LewisChris LoreyJanuary 27, 2025 (2025-01-27)3.67[14]
10"Elevator Friend"Kelly ParkMichael WayansFebruary 3, 2025 (2025-02-03)3.38[15]
11"Dirty Laundry"Kim WayansDean Lorey & Damon WayansFebruary 10, 2025 (2025-02-10)3.58[16]
12"Slumber Party"Phill LewisAdrian Colón, Jr.February 24, 2025 (2025-02-24)3.60[17]
13"Graduation"Robert TownsendPhil Beauman & Shawn WayansMarch 3, 2025 (2025-03-03)3.32[18]
14"Melvin"Kim WayansDean Lorey & Damon WayansMarch 24, 2025 (2025-03-24)3.48[19]
15"Say Wha?!"Damien Dante WayansTeleplay by : Kim Wayans & Kevin Knotts
Story by : Kristin Layne Tucker & Jack Sentell		March 31, 2025 (2025-03-31)3.64[20]
16"Game of Phones"Phill LewisTeleplay by : Romanski & Leslie Schapira
Story by : Brittnay Johnston & Jess Lieberman		April 14, 2025 (2025-04-14)3.12[21]
17"Babygirl"Robert TownsendTeleplay by : Cara Mia Wayans & Kyla Wayans
Story by : Amara Wayans & Aniya Wayans		April 21, 2025 (2025-04-21)3.48[22]
18"Magic Shine Again"Robert TownsendTeleplay by : Phil Beauman & Shawn Wayans
Story by : Chris Lorey & Keenen Wayans Jr.		April 28, 2025 (2025-04-28)3.32[23]

Production

Development

Poppa's House was announced on October 10, 2022.[24] The pilot for Poppa's House was ordered on February 8, 2023. The pilot was written by Damon Wayans & Kevin Hench, and it was directed by Andy Ackerman. Production companies involved with Poppa's House include Amara Films, Hench in the Trench Productions, Two Shakes Entertainment, and CBS Studios.[25] Poppa's House was given a series order on May 9, 2023.[26] Poppa's House was moved to the 2024–25 season due to 2023 strike-related production delays.[27] CBS received a full season order of 18 episodes on November 7, 2024.[28] On April 22, 2025, CBS announced the cancellation of the series, with its final episode airing on April 28, 2025.[1]

Casting

Upon pilot order announcement, Damon Wayans and Damon Wayans Jr. were cast to series.[25] When CBS gave a series order, Essence Atkins and Tetona Jackson joined the cast in starring roles.[26] On August 9, 2024, Wendy Raquel Robinson was cast in a recurring capacity.[29] On December 20, 2023, it was reported that Marlon Wayans and Vivica A. Fox are set to guest star.[4] On February 6, 2025, it was announced that Charo is set to guest star as herself.[3]

Filming

Poppa's House is filmed at Radford Studio Center in Los Angeles, California but is set in New York City, New York.[citation needed]

Broadcast

Poppa's House premiered on October 21, 2024, on CBS.[30] In Canada, the series airs on Global and is available to stream on StackTV.[31]

Reception

Critical response

The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported an 86% approval rating based on 7 critic reviews.[32] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned a score of 62 out of 100 based on 7 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.[33]

Accolades

Award Year Category Nominee(s) Result Ref.
American Cinema Editors 2025 Best Edited Multi-Camera Comedy Series Angel Gamboa Bryant (for "Sleepover") Nominated [34]
Art Directors Guild 2025 Excellence in Production Design for a Multi-Camera Series Aiyana Trotter (for "Family Photo" and "Wig") Nominated [35]
2026 Aiyana Trotter (for "Baby Girl" and "Magic Shine Again") Nominated [36]
Kids' Choice Awards 2025 Favorite Male TV Star (Family) Damon Wayans Jr. – Poppa's House as Damon Nominated [37]
NAACP Image Awards 2025 Outstanding Comedy Series Poppa's House Nominated [38]
Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series Damon Wayans Won
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series Damon Wayans Jr. Won
NAMIC Vision Awards 2025 Comedy Poppa's House Nominated [39]

Ratings

Viewership and ratings per episode of Poppa's House
No. Title Air dateRating/share
(18–49)		Viewers
(millions)		DVR
(18–49)		DVR viewers
(millions)		Total
(18–49)		Total viewers
(millions)		Ref.
1 "Pilot" October 21, 20240.4/44.200.10.860.55.06[6]
2 "Sleepover" October 28, 20240.4/33.540.00.680.44.22[7]
3 "Podcast" November 4, 20240.4/33.290.00.740.44.03[8]
4 "School Day" November 11, 20240.3/33.460.10.640.44.10[9]
5 "Disciplinairian" November 25, 20240.4/43.200.00.510.43.71[10]
6 "Family Photo" December 2, 20240.3/43.370.10.530.43.90[11]
7 "Brokeback" December 9, 20240.3/33.160.10.610.43.77[12]
8 "Wig" December 16, 20240.3/33.420.10.550.43.97[13]
9 "Puppy" January 27, 20250.3/43.670.10.500.44.18[14]
10 "Elevator Friend" February 3, 20250.3/53.380.10.520.43.89[15]
11 "Dirty Laundry" February 10, 20250.4/53.580.00.490.44.07[16]
12 "Slumber Party" February 24, 20250.4/53.600.10.540.44.14[17]
13 "Graduation" March 3, 20250.3/43.320.10.520.43.85[18]
14 "Melvin" March 24, 20250.3/43.480.10.590.44.07[19]
15 "Say Wha?!" March 31, 20250.3/53.64TBDTBDTBDTBD[20]
16 "Game of Phones" April 14, 20250.3/43.12TBDTBDTBDTBD[21]
17 "Babygirl" April 21, 20250.3/43.48TBDTBDTBDTBD[22]
18 "Magic Shine Again" April 28, 20250.3/43.32TBDTBDTBDTBD[23]

References

  1. 1 2 Andreeva, Nellie (April 22, 2025). "'Poppa's House' Canceled By CBS After One Season". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 22, 2025.
  2. ↑ "When Dr. Ivy Reed Joins Poppa's Family for Dinner, She Begins Scrutinizing Junior and Nina's Relationship, on "Poppa's House", Monday, Oct. 28". Paramount Press Express (Press release). October 10, 2024. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
  3. 1 2 "Junior Attempts to Make Poppa Jealous of Everyone Attending His Family Sleepover Event, on "Poppa's House," Monday, Feb. 24". Paramount Press Express (Press release). February 6, 2025. Retrieved February 25, 2025.
  4. 1 2 3 Silva, Gabriela (December 20, 2024). "Vivica A. Fox's Poppa's House Role Will Have You Asking: 'Say Wha?!' (Exclusive)". TVLine. Retrieved December 20, 2024.
  5. 1 2 "Shows A-Z - poppa's house on cbs". The Futon Critic. Retrieved April 2, 2025.
  6. 1 2 Pucci, Douglas (October 22, 2024). "Monday Ratings: Wayans Sitcom Poppa's House Off to Good Start for CBS, Well Compatible with Lead-In The Neighborhood". Programming Insider. Archived from the original on November 4, 2024. Retrieved December 25, 2024.
  7. 1 2 Pucci, Douglas (October 29, 2024). "Monday Ratings: MLB World Series Game 3 and NFL Monday Night Football Nearly Even in Total Viewers". Programming Insider. Retrieved December 25, 2024.
  8. 1 2 Pucci, Douglas (November 6, 2024). "Monday Ratings: SNL Election Special on NBC Leads Non-NFL Telecasts Within its Hour Among Adults 18-49 and 25-54". Programming Insider. Archived from the original on November 8, 2024. Retrieved December 25, 2024.
  9. 1 2 Pucci, Douglas (November 12, 2024). "Monday Ratings: The Voice Powers NBC to Top Broadcast Networks in Prime Time". Programming Insider. Archived from the original on November 13, 2024. Retrieved December 25, 2024.
  10. 1 2 Pucci, Douglas (November 27, 2024). "Monday Ratings: Monday Night Football Continues Prime Time Dominance for ABC and ESPN Networks". Programming Insider. Retrieved December 25, 2024.
  11. 1 2 Pucci, Douglas (December 4, 2024). "Monday Ratings: Holiday Editions of Celebrity Wheel of Fortune and Press Your Luck on ABC". Programming Insider. Retrieved December 25, 2024.
  12. 1 2 Pucci, Douglas (December 11, 2024). "Monday Ratings: Bengals-Cowboys Posts Top NFL Week 14 Monday Night Football Telecast in Total Viewers Since 2001". Programming Insider. Retrieved December 25, 2024.
  13. 1 2 Pucci, Douglas (December 18, 2024). "Monday Ratings: Monday Night Football Doubleheader on ABC and ESPN Combines for Nearly 18 Million Viewers". Programming Insider. Retrieved December 18, 2024.
  14. 1 2 Pucci, Douglas (January 29, 2025). "Monday Ratings: NBC Tops Linear Networks in Adults 18-49 and 25-54 with SNL Music Retrospective". Programming Insider. Archived from the original on January 29, 2025. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
  15. 1 2 Pucci, Douglas (February 4, 2025). "Monday Ratings: 9-1-1: Lone Star on Fox Hits Season-Highs with Series Finale". Programming Insider. Retrieved February 4, 2025.
  16. 1 2 Pucci, Douglas (February 12, 2025). "Monday Ratings: Extracted Debuts Well in Demos for Fox". Programming Insider. Retrieved February 12, 2025.
  17. 1 2 Pucci, Douglas (February 25, 2025). "Monday Ratings: NBC the Leader in Most Key Prime Time Figures". Programming Insider. Archived from the original on February 26, 2025. Retrieved February 25, 2025.
  18. 1 2 Pucci, Douglas (March 4, 2025). "Monday Ratings: ABC and NBC Share Prime Time Victory Among Linear Networks". Programming Insider. Retrieved March 4, 2025.
  19. 1 2 Pucci, Douglas (March 26, 2025). "Monday Ratings: The Bachelor Season Finale Lifts ABC to Key Demo Victory". Programming Insider. Retrieved March 26, 2025.
  20. 1 2 Pucci, Douglas (April 2, 2025). "Monday Ratings: NCAA Women's Basketball com Elite Eight Propels ESPN to Lead Prime Time in Almost Every Key Demo". Programming Insider. Retrieved April 2, 2025.
  21. 1 2 Pucci, Douglas (April 16, 2025). "Monday Ratings: WNBA Draft on ESPN Leads All Prime Time Telecasts Among 18-34 and Young Males". Programming Insider. Retrieved April 16, 2025.
  22. 1 2 Pucci, Douglas (April 23, 2025). "Monday Ratings: LL Cool J Guest Spot Boosts 'NCIS 'on CBS to its Most-Watched Telecast Since Season premiere". Programming Insider. Retrieved April 23, 2025.
  23. 1 2 Pucci, Douglas (April 30, 2025). "Monday Ratings: 'Poppa's House' Finale on CBS Matches the 18-49 Demo of its 'Neighborhood' Lead-In". Programming Insider. Retrieved April 30, 2025.
  24. ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (October 10, 2022). "Damon Wayans & Damon Wayans Jr. To Headline Father/Son Comedy In Works At CBS". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on July 2, 2024. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
  25. 1 2 Andreeva, Nellie (February 8, 2023). "Damon Wayans & Damon Wayans Jr. Father/Son Comedy Gets Pilot Order At CBS". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
  26. 1 2 White, Peter (May 9, 2023). "Matlock, Elsbeth & Wayans' Family Comedy Poppa's House Ordered To Series At CBS". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on September 13, 2024. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
  27. ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (November 8, 2023). "Most New Broadcast Scripted Series Moving To 2024–25 Season Due To Strike-Related Production Delays". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on November 9, 2023. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
  28. ↑ Cordero, Rosy (November 7, 2024). "Poppa's House & NCIS: Origins Land Full Season Orders At CBS". Deadline Hollywood.
  29. ↑ Kuznikov, Selena (August 9, 2024). "The Game Actor Wendy Raquel Robinson Cast in Recurring Role on Poppa's House (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
  30. ↑ Pedersen, Erik (July 13, 2024). "CBS Fall Premiere Dates: Blue Bloods Final Episodes, FBI Trio, Matlock Reboot, Survivor & More". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on July 20, 2024. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
  31. ↑ "GLOBAL ANNOUNCES 2024/25 BROADCAST SEASON LINEUP OVERFLOWING WITH THE MOSTBUZZ WORTHY ACQUISITIONS AND TV's #1 RETURNING HIT SHOWS - Corus Entertainment" (PDF).
  32. ↑ "Poppa's House: Season 1". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved November 25, 2024.
  33. ↑ "Poppa's House: Season 1". Metacritic. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
  34. ↑ "ACE Eddie Winners and Nominees". American Cinema Editors. Archived from the original on January 23, 2025. Retrieved February 9, 2026.
  35. ↑ "Nominees/Winners 2024". Art Directors Guild. Retrieved February 9, 2026.
  36. ↑ "Nominees/Winners 2025". Art Directors Guild. Retrieved February 9, 2026.
  37. ↑ Petski, Denise (May 15, 2025). "Ariana Grande, Lady Gaga, Kendrick Lamar & Selena Gomez Lead 2025 Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards Nominees; Tyla To Host". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 9, 2026.
  38. ↑ Smart, Jack; Walcott, Escher (February 23, 2025). "NAACP Image Awards 2025: See the Complete Winners List". People. Retrieved February 9, 2026.
  39. ↑ "NAMIC Vision Awards (2025)". IMDb. Retrieved February 9, 2026.