Soul Food is Akil's first television writing job. He perceives no difference in the styles of sitcom writers and dramatic writers. If you're a writer and you can tell a story, which they can, you concentrate on telling stories, not whether it's sitcom or science fiction or hour drama. The most amazing thing to me is the ability of Kevin and Felicia to allow writers from whatever so-called genre to have a voice. It's sort of an artificial schism.
Most people can write both.
It hasn't been any different at all for the people who are used to doing drama. The people who are working with us from half hour have every bit the same skills and talent as other people in drama. It's gender differences that have generated the most sparks in the Soul Food writing room. Then there's a whole relationship-speak going on with black men. Part of the process of doing this show has been breaking down communication walls.