ATL, get ready to laugh again!

Comedy heavyweight and radio legend Rickey Smiley is bringing the funny back to the screen with FOOL-ISH, his first stand-up special in over a decade, premiering May 30 exclusively on Hulu.

Filmed at the historic Lyric Theater in Birmingham, Alabama — Smiley’s hometown — FOOL-ISH marks a triumphant return to the stage for the veteran comedian. Best known to Atlantans as the voice of The Rickey Smiley Morning Show, the top-rated nationally syndicated urban radio show that’s called Atlanta home for two decades, Smiley promises this latest project delivers “for people of all ages, from those who grew up playing with Etch A Sketch to those who were raised on iPads.”

Directed by longtime collaborator and filmmaker David E. Talbert (Baggage Claim, First Sunday), this marks Talbert’s first foray into stand-up specials. The project, which reportedly sparked a bidding war before landing at Hulu, brings Smiley’s signature brand of satire, outrageous characters, and real-life reflections center stage.

“I’ve been through a lot of transformation and trauma these past few years,” Smiley shared. “I was determined to get through it — and I think that will help me connect even deeper with my audience. We can find humor in so much of life.”

That’s not just talk. Smiley’s latest book, Sideshow: Living with Loss and Moving Forward with Faith, released last fall, bravely detailed the personal heartbreak of losing his eldest son to a drug overdose. That raw honesty now finds its way into FOOL-ISH, balancing belly laughs with lived experience — a testament to Smiley’s range and resilience.

With production credits from industry vets like Laura Lizer, Judi Marmel, Matt Beales, and John Bravakis, alongside Lyn Sisson-Talbert and Talbert himself via Golden Girl Inc., this special is stacked behind the scenes, too.

From BET’s Comic View to Rickey Smiley For Real, Smiley has built a legacy by blending comedy, culture, and community. Now, FOOL-ISH adds a new chapter — and ATL will be watching.

📺 FOOL-ISH premieres Friday, May 30 on Hulu. Don’t miss it.

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