MediaMaven: How was the reaction to season one of “The Family Crews?”

Terry: The reaction to season one of “The Family Crews” has been wonderful. I was really nervous. It’s my family.   When those camersas started rolling, I wanted to back out so bad. We started it. I had to finish it. My wife said, “don’t fake with it.” I thought people would be bored. I’m not a partier. I’m not a crazy guy. I love coming home. I just thought it’d be a really, nice sweet little thing. So many people loved it. When I heard that churches were using the show to show their youth groups, that blew me away. There are so many families like us, people were finally like, ‘that’s a family like mine. I want to see somebody that we can relate to … even the kids.’ You could watch it with your whole family. Now, we got picked up for season two. We plan to do the same thing all over again. Let the cameras roll and let us see our real life.

MediaMaven: Tell us about your new sitcom?

Terry: I was so pumped. God blessed me to be a TV dad all over again. In “Everybody Hates Chris,” I was channeling my dad through Julian. Julius was really my father in so many ways. This one is more like me. When I met my wife, she was a single mom. When we got married, she was two. When my wife was mad at me, she loved me, but that baby didn’t love me. This is what “Are We There Yet” is about. It took me right there. It’s the same dynamic where you have to win these kids over on top of being a newlywed. In my heart it’s really all about family. I love doing something that my family and I can all watch. I can do the “Friday After Next” movies, but I can’t let my kids watch that. I like doing something that my family can watch.

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Plus, watch Ice Cube, Essence Atkins and Terry discuss “Are We There Yet.”

We have reached the end. Now the true reason for my dad’s impromptu camping trip and the redecoration of our house has been revealed to us, and I was very surprised. As an actor, my dad has had to go on location a LOT, sometimes for a couple months at a time; but SIX MONTHS is just too long. I appreciate everything he did for us, but I know this will not be easy for our family. But through this show we have grown so much closer, so I know we will make it out alright. And we have so many things to look forward to! My dad got an exciting new job, my sister has a baby girl on the way, and I had my first date, which hopefully means there will be more in the future. Things are looking up for us, and I just wanna thank everyone who has watched us and encouraged us through this journey. And it’s not over yet… Will there be a season two of ”The Family Crews“? There’s no looking back for us! God bless you!

- Azzie

Lately I have been reading some of what people think of our family, through your comments on my blog and online in various places, and everyone has an opinion on “The Family Crews.” And what I have to say right now may not mean much to anyone reading this, but I feel the need to share it. My family may not be what anyone expected us to be, or we may be exactly what everyone expected us to be, but I will never apologize for who we are. I love every single one of my family members, just as much as any of you out there love your family and friends. And being on this show puts us in an extremely vulnerable place; people feel like they have the right to critique anything and EVERYTHING about us, from how we look, to how we act, to what we do and believe. Through this experience, I have become extremely protective of my family, and grown closer than ever to them. One thing I know for sure is that no matter what anyone says about us, we will succeed in whatever paths we choose because we trust in the Lord with all of our hearts. God has brought us through so much, and will continue to bring us through whatever may come to pass in the future. We may not succeed at going camping, but we WILL do God’s will in our life. I’m here to tell you right now that this family will never, EVER, fall apart.

-Azzie

Watching my mom share her story with those women made me realize that THAT is exactly what she is meant to do. My mom has gone through more trials than anyone I know, and she has come out victorious and successful. And the things she has gone through really make her who she is, and make her such a good mother and minister.

I was there when she lost that baby, and it took a toll on all of us.  At the time, I feared that she wouldn’t make it through and that we would lose her, but we didn’t. I cannot imagine life without my amazing mother, who went on to bring me two more siblings whom I love dearly.

She may have put her career on hold, but I think that being a mother is more honorable, fulfilling, and way more significant than any career. Because you influence the way people see the world, you have the ability to build a legacy. I love you Mama, more than Wynfrey loves cake.

-Azzie

Before I say anything, let me just say that watching your mom make out with any man, let alone a boy your age, is something that I never wish upon any of you. That’s all I have to say about THAT.

Now for the exciting part… I, Azriel Patricia Crews, can testify that this was my FIRST DATE EVER. And honestly, compared to some horror stories I’ve heard, it was a pretty nice first date! Especially since I had never met James. But it was so much fun! He was very talkative which helped me get out of my shy nature a little bit, and we genuinely had a great time. Granted, there were cameras everywhere, but by this point they all knew so much about me it didn’t even matter. I think it’s exciting that my first date was on TV because you all get to live through it with me! It’s a pretty monumental event… all my friends in high school used to tell me that my lack of dating experience would mean that when I finally do meet a guy, he will be wonderful. And lucky for me, my first date was with a pretty amazing guy. But I wanna know what you all think, do you have any tips for me on how to act on my next date?

- Azzie

Leave your tips for Azzie in the comments section, and get more on “The Family Crews” here.

You all can’t hear it right now, but I am laughing so hard watching Tera babysit Isaiah and Wynfrey! I love Tera, but seeing her struggle through all the mess we went through with HER and the little ones is too funny! And me and Naomi NEVER got paid fifty bucks to do it! She’s lucky she got anything at all! It’s good practice though. She’s gonna be doing a lot of that pretty soon, especially with Naomi’s baby on the way. There’s something about a newborn baby that just kind of makes all your concerns melt away, and I know my parents are gonna be total softies when this baby comes. They are gonna spoil that little baby. I just know it. And I’m going to be an aunt! It’s so amazing how you can already love someone who hasn’t even gotten here yet. I hope I can be a wonderful aunt to this child, the way my aunts have been to me! It’s a very special bond… ask any of my aunts. Auntie Azi wants to give a shout out to all her aunts, related or not, you know who you are. I love you!

-Azzie

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I am completely willing to admit that I lost my temper with my parents about housing for the summer. I inherited my dad’s temper and when I get upset, sometimes I prefer to just walk away than sit there and end up saying something I’ll regret. This was one of the rare times that me and my dad just sat and talked about things… without my mom there to be the mediator. And it was really nice! Honestly, I was so nervous beforehand that I was shaking a little bit because, as you may know, my dad can be very intimidating! But our conversation was open and honest and I am so grateful that we were able to work that out. I’ve often felt like my dad doesn’t know how to deal with us girls, and although he tries, there is usually a lot of miscommunication. But this time I felt like he understood me and that I understood him and that was a big step for our relationship. My prayer is that we continue to understand each other and let our feelings be known in a calm, respectful manner. I love you, Daddy!

-Azzie

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So… for anyone wondering out there… my dad has never, I repeat, NEVER talked to me about sex. So you can imagine when he decided to have that talk with me, in front of my roommates, on our show, I was more than a little embarrassed! Besides, I felt like it was a little late to have that talk anyway. I know he means well and that Naomi’s pregnancy has got him worried about me, but he has nothing to worry about! Like I said on the show, I am SO far from getting pregnant right now! I am 18 and I’ve never even been on a date, or had my first kiss. I’m pretty sure my little sister Wynfrey has kissed a boy before I have! But I appreciate that he cares enough to try to warn me of all the “pimps” out there. And as much as I love my sister, I do not want to go down the same path of sexuality that she did. I already made a vow to God to stay pure until marriage, and my relationship with Him is more important than any guy. But it would be nice to test the “dating” waters and see what’s out there… But any guy who wants to get with me has to go through my dad first, so good luck to anyone willing to try!

-Azzie

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I love my siblings so much! And I have to admit I’m rather partial to Isaiah. I was 14 when he was born and I babysat him so much, I feel like I played a role in how he was raised. And now he and Wynfrey are going off to school… time flies! And pretty soon we will be going through the same thing with Naomi and Jorge’s baby, which is even more surreal! I guess I understand why my parents are so hard on them; they just want them to do well. But I also know the times when I have felt pressured by my parents to succeed, and it’s taxing. At times I feel like giving up completely and just trying to do my own thing. And then I remember that they do love me, and that their advice must be good because they have done so well for themselves over the years. God tells us to honor our father and mother, which means that even if we disagree sometimes, we continue to respect, love and listen to them. My prayer is that Naomi can continue to honor Mom and Dad, while still being free to decide what it is God wants for her.

- Azzie

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When my sister first came to me and said that she thought she might be pregnant, it was a total shock. I knew that she and her boyfriend were living together, but for some reason having a baby seemed so far off. And then we got the news that she actually was pregnant and it totally shook up my family. I know my mom was disappointed because she struggled as a single mother with Naomi and she always wanted us to steer clear of what she went through. And it’s only natural for a father to react the way my dad did, because I know we are still his baby girls in his mind. But the fact is that the baby is coming and I wanna do everything I can to be a good aunt. I would hate for this child to enter the world feeling like he/she wasn’t wanted. I don’t ever want that child to doubt our family’s love for him/her. So, while it may not be the ideal situation, I fully accept this beautiful gift of life that God has brought to us and I am more excited than ever to welcome this baby into the Family Crews. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13

-Azzie