Former NFL Player, 2-time Super Bowl winner, and Hall-of-Famer, Shannon Sharpe has had his interview skills become just as captivating. He is arguably the best interviewer of today’ in pop culture. He has interviewed the who’s who of Black entertainment culture, from Steve Harvey and Amanda Seales to Deion Sanders and Katt Williams, solidifying his role as a vital and influential part of the Black community on his podcast “Club Shay Shay.” But what are the best interviews of Club Shay Shay?
Controversy, intrigue and “must-see TV” accompanies the neon flashing lights of “Club Shay Shay” upon entering. After he butters his guest with elegant words for admiration and some of the best introductions one would hear on any podcast or television show, Sharpe pours his guests a glass of cognac (Le Potier’s Shay) named after his late grandmother Mary Viola Washington Porter, toasts the moment and the magic ensues, or contention begins depending on the guest. Like that of the superpower of Wonder Woman’s golden lasso, once the doors open at “Club Shay Shay,” the truth is inevitable.
Here are 7 of the Best Club Shay Shay Interviews
7. Ray J
When the contentious R&B singer and TV reality star sat on the couch at “Club Shay Shay,” he discussed why his relationship with his older sister Brandy has not been as close as it used to be. He reflected on how he missed being Brandy’s little brother, insinuating that times were much easier back then, as Ray J claims, “It was lit.” Although he separated from just being “Brandy’s brother” and made a name for himself, it has been both a blessing and a curse due to the turmoil he has been put through, causing a strain on the relationship with his big sister.
6. Amanda Seales
Comedian, actress Amanda Seales appeared on “Club Shay Shay” and claimed that Insecure’s Issa Rae did not empower Black women. This surprised everyone, including Shannon Sharpe. Seales claimed that “Grey’s Anatomy” alum, Jesse Williams, invited her to a Black Emmy party in 2019. However, once she gained entrance to the party, security quickly removed her at the request of Issa Rae’s publicist. But when Seales refused to leave, it caused a big commotion and as Seales stated, “I ain’t no sucker, but I am not stupid either” indicating she is no fighter.
Seales also claimed that no one came to her aid; it escalated on social media, and a few days later, Rae’s publicist started a smear campaign. Seales stated previously that she told Rae that her publicist had a problem with her, but Rae did not want to get involved. Seales felt that she always protected Rae. Still, it was not reciprocated, because she was made out to be the villain instead of being vindicated, including being labeled as the “mean girl” on the set of “Insecure.”
5. Bobby Brown
Anytime the “King of R&B,” former “Bad Boy”, and the ex-husband of late Whitney Houston, Bobby Brown, sits down and chats with someone, at the very least, it will be interesting. Hence, his time on “Club Shay Shay” was captivating and heartfelt, openly honest, and fascinating. Brown discussed surviving being shot at in a car that killed his best friend, and the loss of his daughter, Bobbi Kristina.
Brown tells Sharpe that while sitting in his Mercedes Benz with his best friend in his hometown of Boston, Massachusetts, 178 bullets were fired upon them, and remarkably, Brown survived without a scratch on him, but his friend was not so fortunate. Sharpe sat up in his seat in disbelief, stating that many people were praying for him, because that is unheard of. Brown noted that he would never forget that day and knew he had someone watching over him.
Brown also discussed the Bobbie Kristina Charity House, a place for women surviving domestic violence. He stated that his daughter did not have to go the way she did and said he does not want to see other families go through what he did. His daughter was found unresponsive in her bathtub in 2015 and placed in a medically induced coma, dying six months later. Brown blamed Bobbi Kristina’s boyfriend at the time, Nick Gordon, who died from a drug overdose in 2020. A judge found Gordon legally responsible for Kristina’s death and ordered Gordon to pay the Brown estate $36 million dollars in damages. When Sharpe asked Brown what he learned from the unfortunate events in his life, Brown stated, he “learned that life is a long road, but if you stay positive and work hard, life could be so fulfilling.”
4. GloRilla
When “Memphis’ own rapper, GloRilla, stopped by to visit “Unc” as the Black community affectionately refers to him, Shannon Sharpe, on his podcast, she did not shy away from any topic, including her encounter with Milwaukee Bucks NBA superstar Damian Lillard. When asked about her taking a shot at her crush on social media, she touted, “Who’s (man) this is?” Shannon claimed GloRilla said that “she didn’t care (whose man it may be), because she can’t whoop me,” asking if that was a statement towards Lillard’s now ex-wife, Kayla Hanson. GloRilla was cryptic in her answer, stating, “At the end of the day, the day is going to end.” Wait a minute, what?
She said she has always been attracted to basketball players growing up, mainly as a Lakers fan because of Kobe Bryant. With her enduring country accent and intriguing vernacular, GloRilla told Sharpe that she does not trust men and that all men cheat. She stated that growing up with six brothers and from her experiences with men, “men ain’t (nothing)”. One time was enough for her lesson to be learned; women cannot trust them.
3. Tyrese Gibson
Dressed in a black shirt with gold accents down the middle and his black shoes with a golden flare, the singer and actor who made his debut with resounding lyrics in a Coca-Cola commercial, Tyrese, stirred things up by first stating, “This going to be controversial, but I’m going to say it.” Gibson gave his viewpoint concerning the Black community arguing that Black people are broken and lack unity or cohesiveness in comparison to Jewish, Asian, and Latino communities. Speaking directly to the camera Tyrese stated, “I am trying to tell ya’ll some uncomfortable truths.” However, the resentment he encountered from the Black community may have gotten a little too uncomfortable for him.
2. Mo’Nique
Hearing the name Mo’Nique rings controversy, deservedly or undeservedly so. The Oscar-winning comedian has had her share of moments with Oprah Winfrey, Lee Daniels and D.L. Hughley, just to name a few. When Mo’Nique appeared on “Club Shay Shay” in February 2024, she commented on her relationship with the Kings of Comedy legend D.L. Hughley. Jokingly, she claimed that for some reason when anyone sits down on the couch on “Club Shay Shay”, it makes you tell the truth, stating “the seat makes you go, truth tell it, tell the damn truth.” Mo’Nique noted that “family is sacred, and we don’t cross the line with family”, because she felt her husband was disrespected on DL’s radio show. She also discussed the altercation when Hughley headlined over her at a comedy show in Detroit, although Mo’Nique claimed that she was contractually obligated to headline the show. Some of her comments about Hughley on “Cub Shay Shay” were bittersweet. But as she stated, “Was what I said the truth? No, I did not put any sugar on it, it was (poop). And I didn’t try to make it taste good.”
1.Katt Williams
Comedian extraordinaire Katt Williams does not run from controversy; he runs towards it because it always seems to follow him. So, who would think that anything would be different once he sat down with Shannon Sharpe on “Club Shay Shay”. Williams stated that he came to set the record straight because “all of these low browed comedians” have come on his show and lied to Sharpe about Black Hollywood. After a sip or two of Shannon’s cognac, Williams took no prisoners, taking shots at many, including Ricky Smiley, Faizon Love, Earthquake, and Cedric the Entertainer. But his main focus seemed to be on Kings of Comedy and comedic legend Steve Harvey.
Williams claimed that Harvey had stolen the idea of his “Steve Harvey Show” from Mark Curry’s television show, “Hanging with Mr. Cooper” (Mark Curry has “co-signed” on this as well). And for fun, Kat also talked about Harvey’s freshly cut and stylish hair style (when he was master of ceremonies for “Showtime at the Apollo”) stating that it was actually a wig. But what was probably the most controversial topic was the fact that the late Bernie Mac really did not get along with Harvey, as Williams told Shannon. Williams claims that Harvey tried to take Bernie’s role in the Ocean’s Eleven film, after Harvey declared that he had no desire to have a career in acting.
By the time the show ended Sharpe’s head was glistening with sweat and the bottle of Le Potier’s Shay was running low.
Did we miss any of the best Club Shay Shay interviews?
