The Haunted Hathaways is a new kids television show on Nickelodeon. The series follows a single mother and her two daughters who move into a New Orleans home, which she soon finds is also home to three ghosts, a single father and his two sons. The show can be considered the ghostly Brady Bunch. It stars Chico Benymon (from Half and Half fame), Amber Montana and Benjamin “Lil P-Nut” Flores. We got a change to talk with Chico Benymon [pictured far left] on his role, how he is an influence to the children on the show, and his other endeavors besides acting.
Parlé Magazine: How did you hook with Nickelodeon for “The Haunted Hathaways”?
Chico Benymon: I actually auditioned for the show and got the job. I chose to do it because one thing I love about a children’s audience is that they are loyal. I do a lot of charities for children; it’s a plus when I walk into a place and the children know who I am.
Parlé: What drew you to the storyline for the show and made you want to play the character of Ray Preston?
Chico Benymon: I liked the fact that it is unique. The show wasn’t something that was cliché and was already being done. Using the city of New Orleans and an African-American family was a great flip to the script. I also appreciated the fact they were bringing different ethnics to the network.
Parlé: What is it like working with the children of the show?
Chico Benymon: They are like my little brothers and sisters. You have to have the mentality of a child and you can’t forget that you were one before. I’m like a big kid on the set. I also love the fact that the series incorporates the parents into the storylines with the children. I think it’s great the kids are seeing parents being a lot more involved in the lives of the children. The children of the show like to hang out in my trailer; it’s like Chuck-E-Cheese to them.
Parlé: What type of leadership qualities are you showing the younger cast?
Chico Benymon: I tell them to practice being humble. The key to being successful in this business is that you want people to work with you. You want to be around positive energy. I tell them to focus on having fun and let their personality show through their work. I let them have the opportunity to vent and ego-trip just to get out of their system.
Parlé: What have you been doing besides the show?
Chico Benymon: I run a flag football league for entertainers [EFFL- Entertainers Flag Football League] which is sponsored by Nike. It consists of celebrities, people behind the scenes, and lawyers. I do charities for children, one builds playgrounds for children in the inner city.
You can catch Chico and other entertainers in his flag football team on Youtube.
The Haunted Hathaways can be seen Saturdays at 8:30pm EST on Nickelodeon.
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