Interview: Craig Robinson Talks Petty Rivalry With Tracy Morgan in The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins

Fans of sports comedies and mockumentary-style sitcoms have another reason to tune in to The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins, and it comes in the form of a delightfully petty rivalry. During a recent interview with The TV Cave, Craig Robinson opened up about joining the series, playing the hilariously vindictive Jerry Basmati, and what it’s like sharing scenes with comedy powerhouse Tracy Morgan.

The NBC comedy follows disgraced football star Reggie as he attempts to repair his public image while being trailed by a documentary crew. Naturally, that redemption arc gets a lot messier once old rivals start resurfacing. Enter Robinson’s Jerry Basmati, a man who clearly never learned the phrase “let it go.”

According to Robinson, Jerry’s feud with Reggie is fueled by pure, unapologetic pettiness.

“He’s definitely petty and he definitely holds a grudge,” Robinson explained. “It was like one and two back in the day. If someone’s better than you, that sticks with you.”

And apparently, Jerry has been holding onto that resentment for about 20 years.

That long-running grudge plays perfectly into the show’s mockumentary style, a format Robinson is more than comfortable with thanks to his time on The Office. The style allows characters to break the fourth wall, react to the camera, and deliver some perfectly awkward moments—something Robinson clearly enjoys.

“It’s fun,” he said of the format. “I’m used to it.”

Robinson also confirmed what viewers might suspect: working alongside Morgan means a lot of comedic chaos behind the scenes. While the cast had to stay focused enough to get through the script, there were definitely moments where the actors tried to make each other crack.

“I probably cracked once,” Robinson admitted with a laugh.

Beyond the rivalry with Morgan’s Reggie, Jerry’s home life adds another comedic layer. Robinson shares scenes with Tisha Campbell, who plays his wife. Their dynamic is intentionally ridiculous, with Jerry mostly ignoring his glamorous spouse while she steals scenes with subtle improvised reactions.

“She’s hysterical,” Robinson said. “She’s got a great writer’s mind and always comes up with good ideas.”

Robinson was also quick to praise the creative team behind the series, which includes heavy hitters like Tina Fey. When the offer to join the show came in, accepting it was an easy decision.

“It was a no-brainer,” he said. “The script was hysterical, I loved the character, and there was just so much love in the room.”

As for what fans can expect as the season continues? Robinson teased the storyline with three simple words: “Jerry gets revenge.”

And if Jerry Basmati’s level of pettiness is any indication, that revenge probably won’t be subtle.

With a stacked comedy cast and a rivalry that feels destined to spiral into increasingly ridiculous territory, The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins is shaping up to be one of TV’s most entertaining comeback stories—both for its disgraced athlete and the enemies who refuse to let him forget the past.

Check out our full interview below: