AceShowbiz - Kenya Barris draws inspiration from Eddie Murphy’s iconic 1980s stand-up specials to explain the challenge of balancing explicit humor with broader audience appeal.

His latest project, the scripted comedy podcast Big Age on Audible, revolves around a retirement community and features an impressive cast including Jenifer Lewis, Cedric the Entertainer, and Niecy Nash-Betts. Barris, known for creating Black-ish and co-writing Girls Trip, emphasized the increased creative freedom audio formats offer compared to film and television.

“In audio, you definitely have more freedom,” Barris explained during his appearance at On Air Fest in Brooklyn. “I can cut things because you’re not seeing them... And the story can still last.” This flexibility allows for a more daring approach to comedy without compromising the narrative.

He also praised Jenifer Lewis for her unapologetically explicit comedic style, describing her as “as blue as they come.” Barris humorously noted that their script contains “so many f-ks,” highlighting the podcast’s boldness in language and tone, a level of freedom not often possible in traditional visual media.

Big Age represents a new frontier for Barris, where he can push boundaries in storytelling while maintaining the sharp wit and humor his fans expect. The podcast format enables him to explore themes and language with fewer restrictions, appealing to listeners who appreciate edgier comedy.

With a powerhouse voice cast and Barris’s unique vision, Big Age is poised to showcase how audio media can offer a fresh, unrestricted comedic experience.