Kenya Barris Embraces Audible's Creative Freedom for Podcast 'Big Age'

The 'Black-ish' creator worked to balance profanity from star Jenifer Lewis to keep the show accessible.

Feb. 26, 2026 at 7:36pm

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Kenya Barris, the creator of the hit TV series 'Black-ish', has embraced the creative freedom of audio storytelling for his new scripted podcast 'Big Age' on Audible. While the show's star Jenifer Lewis is known for her raunchy comedy, Barris worked to rein in the profanity to keep the podcast open and accessible to a wider audience. Barris discussed the challenges of balancing creative expression with commercial viability, drawing comparisons to Eddie Murphy's iconic stand-up specials.

Why it matters

Barris' experience with 'Big Age' highlights the unique opportunities and challenges of creating content for the booming podcast medium. As more high-profile creators move into audio, finding the right balance between creative freedom and commercial appeal will be crucial to reaching broad audiences.

The details

For 'Big Age', a comedy set in a retirement community, Barris said he had more creative freedom compared to film and TV, as he could 'cut things because you're not seeing them' and the story could 'still last.' However, the show's star Jenifer Lewis is 'as blue as they come' in terms of her comedy, leading to 'f--k negotiations' to keep the language palatable. Barris often asked the production team for a 'no-f--ks pass' to ensure the podcast remained accessible. Despite the challenges, Barris is excited about the potential of audio to heighten the sensory experience, citing the sound design in films like 'Heat' and 'F1' as inspirations for future crime dramas.

  • The scripted podcast 'Big Age' recently premiered on Audible.

The players

Kenya Barris

The creator of the hit TV series 'Black-ish' and screenwriter of 'Girls Trip', who is embracing the creative freedom of audio storytelling with his new Audible podcast 'Big Age'.

Jenifer Lewis

The veteran actress starring in 'Big Age', known for her raunchy comedy style that Barris had to work to rein in for the podcast.

Eddie Murphy

The iconic comedian whose stand-up specials in the 1980s served as a reference point for Barris when trying to balance explicit content with commercial appeal.

Cedric the Entertainer

One of the co-stars of 'Big Age', Barris' new scripted podcast on Audible.

Niecy Nash-Betts

Another co-star of 'Big Age', Barris' new scripted podcast on Audible.

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What they’re saying

“In audio, you definitely have more freedom than film and TV. I can cut things because you're not seeing them. … And the story can still last.”

— Kenya Barris, Creator, 'Big Age'

“Jenifer Lewis is 'as blue as they come' in terms of her comedy. 'We got so many f--ks.'”

— Kenya Barris, Creator, 'Big Age'

“When you're working in film and television, sometimes if you cut too much of a scene out, you just lose perspective and you've lost the story. I think that because we have voiceover, because we can use sound for you because we're going to drop these things in, you have more freedom in that aspect to create, where it still is fluid and cohesive.”

— Kenya Barris, Creator, 'Big Age'

What’s next

Barris plans to continue exploring the creative potential of audio storytelling, mentioning ideas for future podcast projects about divorce and street crime that could make use of cinematic sound design.

The takeaway

Kenya Barris' experience with 'Big Age' demonstrates how top creators are embracing the creative freedoms of the podcast medium, while also navigating the challenges of balancing artistic expression and commercial viability. As more high-profile talent moves into audio, finding the right balance will be crucial for reaching wide audiences.