BET’s new comedy series, Lot Patrol, is bringing a mockumentary-style look at the unpredictable world behind the scenes of a Hollywood studio. Ahead of the series premiere, actress and comedian Tamera “Tee” Kissen spoke to BLKCinema.com about collaborating with comedy icons, the show’s heavy use of improvisation, and how her career has evolved from viral sketches to starring in major television projects.
Premiering June 30 on BET, Lot Patrol follows a mismatched team of security guards navigating the chaos of a Hollywood backlot while juggling their own dysfunctional personal lives. The ensemble cast includes DeRay Davis, Carl Anthony Payne II, Darius McCrary, Kissen, Skeet Carter, TK Kirkland, Alex Thomas and Tanjareen Thomas.
Tamera Kissen on working with comedy vets
For Kissen, joining a cast filled with comedy veterans was both exciting and educational.
“I mean, it was awesome because these are people that I’ve looked up to. I feel like these are the OGs, the legends,” she said. “Some of the people that I’m really working with are the kings and queens of comedy.”
Although she came into the series with years of experience through All Def Digital, WorldStar Hip Hop, Wild ‘N Out, and stand-up comedy, Kissen said Lot Patrol gave her the opportunity to collaborate with performers she has long admired.
“This is a well-written, well-produced show where it’s like these are people that are coming in and they’re telling me, ‘Okay, T, you should deliver your joke like this,’ or maybe change that line, be a little bit more free with it,” she said. “Being able to express myself with people that I really respect and also see that they respect me as a comedian…it’s really been so fun.”
The amount of improv in the show
One of the biggest surprises for viewers may be just how much of the comedy comes from the cast themselves.
“I think improv is about 50%, to be honest. Maybe even more,” Kissen said.
While the actors remain committed to the script, she explained that everyone was encouraged to bring their own comedic instincts to the material.
“At the end of the day, we’re going to keep the integrity of the script and make sure we’re pushing out what’s trying to be portrayed by the producers, the director, the writer,” she said. “But at the same time, we’re creatives. We’re actors and actresses… I think being able to mix and match that came into something that was really seamless.”
From viral moments to mainstream television
Before social media creators became Hollywood regulars, Kissen was already building an audience online through comedy videos.
Looking at today’s landscape, she believes social media has become more accessible and relatable.
“Honestly, I think it’s beautiful,” she said. “I feel like the foreground was people who wanted to be actors and now it’s turned into something where it’s just the everyday person and it’s relatable.”
She added that platforms like TikTok and Instagram have become places where people simply enjoy creating content.
“We all have a phone now, so we all have the capability to make something cool or something funny or something that other people can relate to,” she said. “I think social media can only be bad if that’s the intention that people use for it… Personally, I think it’s becoming more fun again.”
Comparing this role to her role in ‘Tyler Perry’s Beauty In Black’
Coming off dramatic work in Tyler Perry’s Beauty in Black and now starring in the comedy Lot Patrol, Kissen says she wants to continue pushing herself as an actress.
“With Beauty in Black, I had a very deep, dark, dramatic role. And then now with Lot Patrol, I have this very morbidly funny, quirky type of upbeat character,” she said. “I like the switch of that.”
Looking ahead, she’s hoping to continue working with both familiar collaborators and new creative voices.
“I think now I want to do something that’s even completely different than that and that would even challenge me more,” Kissen said. “I want to do more seasons of Lot Patrol… I want to continue working with the people that I enjoy, people that I love, and also work with new people as well and make new connections too.”
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