What do you get when you mix the cast of a reality television show, a lot of humor and the immediacy of live theatre?   The answer may be the sketch comedy show called “Where’s the Remote?” performing this weekend on August 21st, 22nd and 23rd at the University Theatre on the campus of North Carolina Central University.  Advanced tickets are $20. General admission is $25 while student tickets are $10.  Show times for Friday and Saturday begin at 8 p.m. The show begins at 3 p.m. on Sunday.

“Where’s the Remote?” is a comedy sketch revue that spoofs current events and television personalities but it also has several original characters.   It is the product of a collaboration between executive producer and NCCU alum Simone Shepherd and Zainab Johnson. If Shepherd’s name sounds familiar, you may remember her from a recurring role on Black Entertainment Television’s reality show “Hell Date.”

“After Hell Date, most of the cast went on to do other projects, but we remained close,” says Shepherd. “The show was a way for me to get us back together. And by doing live shows it gets us out of Los Angeles and close to our fans.“ 

Shepherd chose to bring the show back to where she honed her skills as a serious actress. NCCU’s Department of Theatre.   She and partner Johnson write the majority of the skits, but everyone adds their own comedic elements.  The duo have taken “Where’s the Remote?” on the road, across the nation and also to London, England. 

Shepherd currently resides in Los Angeles and is “living her dream.”  She has appeared in numerous commercials, sitcoms, and films since graduating from NCCU in 2004.  Her upcoming projects include a starring role in the romantic comedy “Tons of Love” and a recurring role on a new reality show on the E! Network channel, “Reality Hell” which premiered earlier this month.

The show is produced in conjunction with the NCCU Theatre Department and funding from NCCU’s Top Cat program.