LaVan Davis was kind enough to sit down with us and talk about Tyler Perry's new hit family comedy House of Payne.

Q: How did you get involved in House of Payne?
A: I became involved with the series after working with Tyler Perry on his play Madea Goes to Jail. He asked me if I would be interested in doing a TV show, and I said yes, so here I am.

Q: Describe your character, Curtis Payne?
A: My character is an old school type of cat. He has definite views on life and doesn’t care about anyone else’s thoughts on situations. He knows what works for him and his family, and if you can’t get with it, than that’s your problem. Deep inside, he is a caring person he just doesn’t want to be a sucker.

Q: As the patriarch of the Payne family household what does your character add to the series?
A: Pops adds realness to the show. He is the person who says what everyone is thinking but is afraid to say. And that’s what makes him enjoyable. He is someone who speaks his mind no matter how silly or insensitive he sounds, and I believe everyone can relate to someone like that because we all have someone in the family with the same disposition.

Q: What is the relationship between your character and your CJ Payne?
A: CJ is Curtis’s nephew, the son of his oldest brother. He promised his brother on his deathbed that he would take care of his son, and that is what he is doing. Uncle Curtis feels that CJ is too kind, which lends him to being taken advantage of not only by his wife, but also by his kids. He loves CJ and wants him to be all right in spite of his naive personality.

Q: What is it like working with Tyler Perry?
A: It’s wonderful working with him because he allows you to bring the best you have to the table, and he gives you the platform to do your craft. Also Tyler is a big ol’ kid. He likes to play jokes, and he likes to laugh, in spite of the big responsibility he carries every day.