The Soul Man
An R&B superstar-turned-minister takes over as preacher of his father's church.
Main Cast
Cedric the Entertaineras Reverend Boyce 'The Voice' Ballentine
Niecy Nashas Lolli Ballentine
John Beasleyas Barton Ballentine
Wesley Jonathanas Burrell Stamps Ballentine
Jazz Raycoleas Lyric Ballentine
Episode Guide
Season 1
- Episode 1: Lost in the Move
Aired: Jun 20, 2012Singer Boyce "The Voice" Ballentine (Cedric The Entertainer) gets the calling and moves his family to his hometown of St. Louis to become a preacher. The family soon notices that some things were definitely lost in the move.
- Episode 2: Pastor Interference
Aired: Jun 27, 2012Barton is spending all his time at Boyce's house, so Boyce hires him as a senior advisor at the church, but quickly regrets the offer. Lolli thinks Barton needs a woman, and Lyric practices driving with Stamps.
- Episode 3: The Ballentine Hands
Aired: Jul 4, 2012The church choir director convinces Boyce to hire outside singers to rig their competition, Boyce struggles with the decision. Lolli hires Stamps as a hair washer at her salon but discovers that he's doing more than shampooing.
- Episode 4: I Wanna Spend Time Witchoo
Aired: Jul 11, 2012Boyce is excited to spend his birthday with Lolli and relax but finds his hands full when his annoying, former neighbors from Vegas arrive out of the blue and interfere with the surprise party Lolli and the family have planned.
- Episode 5: My Old Flame
Aired: Jul 18, 2012Attending a funeral prompts Barton to announce his own last will and testament stirring up tension between Boyce and Stamps. Boyce is visited by his hot ex-girlfriend who is looking for more than just minister's counseling.
- Episode 6: Preacher's Block
Aired: Jul 25, 2012When Boyce gets preacher's block, Lolli invites his old writing partner Sweet Brown Taylor to come help - but Sweet has another agenda. Barton and Stamps lock themselves in Boyce's office while installing a new alarm system.
- Episode 7: The God-Fathers
Aired: Aug 1, 2012Boyce is put to the test by the Council of United Leaders of Faith - "made men" who can "make it or break it" for Boyce and his church. Lolli's tea party for the church ladies heats up when Boyce's cousin Nikki spikes the punch.
- Episode 8: J. C. Carpenter's Gospel Show
Aired: Aug 8, 2012J.C. Carpenter, Boyce's former back-up singer turned mega-preacher, declares he's quitting religious showbiz and asks Boyce to break the news to his faithful flock. Barton seeks Lolli's advice about the woman he's been seeing.
- Episode 9: How to Be a Church Lady
Aired: Aug 15, 2012Trouble arises for Boyce when Carolyn, a church member's wife, catches Lolli and the church ladies gossiping about her. Barton disapproves of Stamps' girlfriend but warms up to her when he realizes she cooks a mean breakfast.
- Episode 10: Loving Las Vegas
Aired: Aug 22, 2012Boyce brings the family and choir with him to Las Vegas for fun and relaxation. Things go awry when Barton is tempted by sin, Lolli has trouble with the church ladies and Stamps takes Boyce's spot in a round of celebrity golf.
- Episode 11: To Leave or Not to Leave
Aired: Aug 29, 2012After visiting his brother in Florida, Barton decides to move there permanently much to the surprise of his family. Meanwhile, a huge storm, and Barton's estranged wife Della, prepare to roll into St. Louis. To Be Continued...
- Episode 12: Momma's Home
Aired: Sep 5, 2012Barton's ex-wife Della arrives in St. Louis and there's a blackout caused by the storm. Boyce counsels the couple and things take an unexpected turn. Is Lolli pregnant? And is it finally time for Stamps to grow up?
Season 2
- Episode 1: Get Thee Behind Me
Aired: Jun 19, 2013When a new church policy calls for Boyce to undergo a physical, he's extremely confident he's in great shape – until the doctor reveals one of his test results could be serious. Meanwhile, Lolli's sister, Kim, moves to town.
- Episode 2: My Brother's Keeper
Aired: Jun 26, 2013As Boyce and Lolli begin to enjoy the perks of their newly empty nest, a fed up Barton decides it's time for Stamps to move out of his house… and into Boyce and Lolli's.
- Episode 3: Daddy and Mommy Dearest
Aired: Jul 10, 2013Boyce and Lolli's old friends Paul and Robyn come to visit, bringing along their brand new foster child. When Boyce and Lolli see their parenting skills in action, it's up to them to save the kid.
- Episode 4: Love Thy Neighbor
Aired: Jul 17, 2013Boyce and Lolli begin to miss their old Vegas days, especially when their neighbors leave them off the invite list to a wild party. So Boyce and Lolli throw a party of their own, but get more than they bargained for.
- Episode 5: The Punching Preacher
Aired: Jul 24, 2013After Boyce resorts to violence when defending Lolli's honor, his ego is tested when a video of the incident goes viral. Boyce's tough-guy attitude eventually finds its match.
- Episode 6: Bride and Prejudice
Aired: Jul 31, 2013A lesbian couple comes to Boyce to perform a wedding ceremony, causing a moral challenge between Boyce and the church elders. Boyce also examines his relationship with Lolli when he sees the couple have some familiar problems.
- Episode 7: Save the Last Dance for Me
Aired: Aug 7, 2013When Boyce and Stamps discover Barton has a secret crush, they take it upon themselves to get their dad out of the house and back on the dance floor.
- Episode 8: Boyce in the Hood
Aired: Aug 14, 2013Boyce's good intentions yield mixed results when he hires three former gang members as assistants. Stamps asks Boyce for help with his new business venture. Lolli is annoyed when Boyce refers to her career as a hobby.
- Episode 9: Music and Lyric
Aired: Aug 21, 2013Boyce and Lolli question their parenting skills when Lyric samples one of Boyce's songs with surprising results. They agree to manage her new music career as a way of controlling her. Stamps and Kim's relationship heats up.
- Episode 10: Revelations
Aired: Aug 28, 2013Boyce slips back into his old habits when he returns to the studio to record a new song. Lolli and Barton step in to keep things running smoothly at the church. Stamps and Kim are conflicted about revealing their relationship.
Season 3
- Episode 1: All the Way Live
Aired: Mar 26, 2014When Boyce learns the church's summer camp might close down, he decides to put on a live concert to save it.
- Episode 2: Obama Drama
Aired: Apr 2, 2014Lyric's new boyfriend (David Alan Grier) threatens to ruin Boyce and Lolli's night with the Obamas.
- Episode 3: Brother, Can You Spare a Kidney?
Aired: Apr 9, 2014Boyce and Lolli's old neighbors from Vegas return in need of a big favor. Kim and Stamps deal with their new living situation.
- Episode 4: Oh My Goddy
Aired: Apr 16, 2014Boyce feels the pressure when he's nominated for a big award. Lolli makes a sexy gesture to get Boyce's attention.
- Episode 5: Back in the Day
Aired: Apr 23, 2014When Stamps and Kim have a disagreement, Boyce and Lolli reminisce about their early relationship when they had a huge fight and almost broke up.
- Episode 6: Daddy Issues
Aired: Apr 30, 2014Boyce and Stamps join Barton on a road trip to Colorado. Lolli gives Kim advice on raising a child when Kim thinks she might be pregnant.
- Episode 7: My Sweet Lord
Aired: May 7, 2014Boyce goes on a health kick and tries to get everyone to join him. He cancels the annual bake sale which angers his congregation.
- Episode 8: Moving On Up
Aired: May 14, 2014In an effort to move into a new phase of their lives, Boyce and Lolli decide to sell their house and move into a luxury condo. After kicking their family out of the condo, they both question whether they did the right thing.
Season 4
- Episode 1: Oh Snow You Didn't
Aired: Mar 18, 2015Supplies dwindle and tempers flare when a terrible blizzard traps Boyce and Lolli in the house for days on end with Stamps, Barton, and Boyce's cousin Nikki.
- Episode 2: No Weddings and Ten Funerals
Aired: Mar 25, 2015Boyce feels like his congregation is dying on him after presiding over too many funerals, so Lolli and Nikki convince him to visit a mega church with a younger crowd. Stamps gets involved with a woman under false pretenses.
- Episode 3: Shopping While Black
Aired: Apr 1, 2015When Lolli is wrongfully accused of shoplifting at a posh department store, Boyce rallies the community for a protest. Stamps turns to Lester to help him get rid of his cupcake truck.
- Episode 4: Voice Over
Aired: Apr 8, 2015When Lolli persuades Boyce to sell his "Boyce The Voice" memorabilia on eBay, it makes him nostalgic for his singing career. Barton volunteers at the homeless shelter and Stamps becomes a minister online to avoid paying taxes.
- Episode 5: Home Boyce
Aired: Apr 15, 2015Boyce discovers Nikki and her friends are going away for the weekend but didn't invite Lolli. Lolli wants to show them she can still party despite being a pastor's wife. Stamps is excited to hang out with his brother.
- Episode 6: Tell It Like It Isn't
Aired: Apr 22, 2015Boyce's sermons about his ne'er-do-well friend "Gooch" are popular with everybody but Gooch, who shows up unhappy about his dirty laundry being aired. Meanwhile, Lolli receives a bad Yelp review that could hurt her business.
- Episode 7: Be My Ballentine
Aired: Apr 29, 2015When a lonely Nikki wears out her welcome, Boyce and Lolli play matchmaker. It makes Boyce wonder if Lolli, who fell for Boyce the Voice, truly loves Boyce the Pastor. Stamps discovers online dating is trickier than it seems.
- Episode 8: Wife of a Preacherman
Aired: May 6, 2015In Boyce and Barton's absence, an inexperienced Lolli must deliver a last-minute sermon. Meanwhile, Stamps wants to date a single mom, but he has to meet her son first.
- Episode 9: Who Let the Dog In?
Aired: May 13, 2015When Nikki brings a dog to the office, Boyce feels she is undermining his authority. Barton's regular barbershop goes out of business so he makes Lolli's salon his new hangout. Stamps' new job isn't as much fun as it sounds.
- Episode 10: Mo' Momma, Mo' Problems
Aired: May 20, 2015Boyce tries to stay out of the way when Lolli's passive aggressive mother comes to visit, but he ends up right in the middle of the family drama. Stamps wants to impress Kim and make her wish she never broke up with him.
- Episode 11: Roar!
Aired: May 27, 2015When Stamps gets sucked into a self-help philosophy called The Roar, Boyce crashes a seminar to see if it's legit. Lolli tries to get her salon on St. Louis Weekly's hot list, and Barton refuses to go to the dentist.
- Episode 12: Busting Boyce
Aired: May 27, 2015The church is planning a big party for Boyce's anniversary as pastor, but the parishioners turn on him when he seems ungrateful. To avoid a low turnout at the anniversary, Lolli does damage control.
Season 5
- Episode 1: Rev. Run
Aired: Mar 30, 2016Boyce uncovers larger issues within the city government that prompt him to enter the mayoral race. Lolli's eyesight is failing, but she fears glasses could mean the end of her 'healthy relationship' with Boyce.
- Episode 2: Boyce's Choices
Aired: Apr 6, 2016Not wanting to be part of the political machine, Boyce lets his family run his campaign, but a series of failed events forces Boyce to fire them and hire a professional campaign manager.
- Episode 3: Hangin' with Mr. Cupper
Aired: Apr 13, 2016After Alicia tells Boyce and Lolli that skeletons in their closet could derail the campaign, Boyce must decide whether to fire a reformed ‘booty cupper' from his church staff, and Lolli tracks down leaked photos of her breast.
- Episode 4: Leader of the PAC
Aired: Apr 20, 2016Lolli and Stamps form a Super PAC to help fund Boyce's campaign without know-it-all Alicia, but when their casino event isn't properly planned, Alicia must bail them out.
- Episode 5: Southern Discomfort
Aired: Apr 27, 2016Alicia sets Boyce and Lolli up with a donor who seems to be the answer to their fundraising problems until Boyce spots a Confederate flag in the man's house. Stamps proves his silver tongue can be an asset to the campaign.
- Episode 6: Soul Train
Aired: May 4, 2016When Lolli gets kicked off a wine train, she forces Boyce to have her back, even though he knows she's in the wrong. Stamps helps Alicia relieve her campaign stress.
- Episode 7: Sex, Lies, and Video Store
Aired: May 11, 2016Paul and Robyn, Boyce and Lolli's old neighbors from Vegas, crash what is supposed to be a quiet family evening to celebrate Boyce's first campaign commercail. The family finds out about Stamps and Alicia's relationship.
- Episode 8: This Mud's for You
Aired: May 18, 2016Mayor Saxby repeatedly undercuts Boyce during a debate, and Boyce must decide whether or not to stoop to Saxby's level. Lolli's new friendship with the mayor's wife is short-lived.
- Episode 9: No Bingo, No Peace
Aired: May 25, 2016Mayor Saxby is purposely interrupting all aspects of the Ballentines' lives, including revoking Barton's Bingo permit. When Barton protests, it inspires Boyce to take action.
- Episode 10: White Trash
Aired: Jun 1, 2016With everyone blaming Boyce for the garbage strike, he is determined to put an end to it with or without Mayor Saxby's help. Alicia has a surprising offer for Stamps, and Barton is stretching himself too thin.
- Episode 11: Numb and Number
Aired: Jun 15, 2016Boyce must convince Dr. Zagelman to withdraw from the mayoral race and endorse him, but Zagelman has other ideas. Barton helps Stamps make a life-changing decision, and time with Alicia makes Lolli realize Boyce could win.
- Episode 12: Boyce Don't Cry
Aired: Jun 22, 2016On Election Day, Boyce is overwhelmed by the effect his campaign has had on the family -- Barton is still in the hospital, Stamps is moving, and Boyce still needs to win the most important vote of all: Lolli's.