Craig Robinson Breaks Down His Petty, Hilarious Role in ‘Reggie Dinkins’

In my interview with Craig Robinson for Taji Mag, he steps into the role of Jerry Basmati—an arrogant, petty presence in The Rise and Fall of Reggie Dinkins, especially in Season 1, Episode 5, “You May Hug Your Hero.” Best known for stealing scenes in The Office and the cult favorite Eastbound & Down, Robinson brings that same offbeat timing here. Jerry is the kind of character who’s as absurd as he is frustrating—especially in how he treats Reggie (Tracy Morgan), a former football star trying to hold onto what’s left of his legacy.

He also talked about the energy on set, which he described as loose, unpredictable, and perfect for comedy, especially working alongside his castmates. We got into everything from his theater background to those quick but memorable moments with Morgan, and how those environments create space for fun moments. Beyond the jokes, there were conversations about the overlap between TV and theater—and, naturally, I had to ask if he’s finally dropping that mixtape, and whether Megan Thee Stallion might be on it after sharing Episode 5 with him.

Check out The Rise and Fall of Reggie Dinkins Mondays at 8:30 p.m. on NBC for the rest of the season, with episodes streaming the next day on Peacock.