NEW YORK, Oct. 30 (UPI) -- The cast of the U.S. comedy series "Everybody Hates Chris" has been drawing from their own pasts and that of creator Chris Rock for their roles.
The show, loosely based on Rock's childhood in New York, has led many in its cast to look into their own pasts for inspiration for the characters they play in the family comedy on The CW, The New York Times said.
Actress Tichina Arnold plays Rock's mother on the series, which recently moved to Monday nights after its second season met with poor ratings, and confessed she draws her motivation from her own mother.
"I never met Chris's mom, but she likes the show," said Arnold. "I pull from my mom for the character -- a woman doing her best to keep her family together."
The man who plays Rock's father on the series, actor Terry Crews, also shared that he draws inspiration for his hard-working fraternal character from men like his father, who spent their lives juggling jobs in order to pay the bills.
The Times said the on-screen couple shared their experiences during a recent second season promotional visit to the Brooklyn neighborhood of Bedford-Stuyvesant, where the series takes place.
