For years, Norman Baker has been the secret weapon behind daytime television’s most iconic divas. From feeding the juiciest pop culture moments to Wendy Williams during her legendary “How You Doin'” era to helping Sherri Shepherd launch and produce her own hit talk show, Baker knows exactly how to craft a viral moment.
But at the 57th NAACP Image Awards Creative Honors, the tables finally turned. Stepping onto the blue carpet in Los Angeles, the “King of Hot Topics” found himself on the receiving end of the microphone for the very first time, and he chose to make history with The Quintessential Gentleman.
“The very first person I’ve ever spoken to on the red carpet ever in my entire life. Right now. This is the very first time,” Baker confirmed. “We’re making history. Black History Month. So when I’m president in 2036… you can always say, this is the very first time I ever did the red carpet. And I love that for me, and I love that for you.”
The energy of the NAACP Creative Honors truly had Baker glowing. Surrounded by Black excellence, Baker likened the experience to a cultural family reunion.
“I am so happy to be around all this Blackness… The plane here from New York was like Soul Plane. It was full of Black people,” he laughed. “This is one of the most important award shows of any of them, just because you feel loved and appreciated by your own peers, by your own people. I’ve truly never been happier in my life.”
With his extensive background in daytime talk, Baker has a front-row seat to the rapidly changing landscape of television. His time on the blue carpet came just weeks after it was announced that Sherri would officially be ending after its current fourth season, a casualty of a shifting broadcast market.
When asked what the talk show format is currently missing today, Baker didn’t miss a beat: “Me.”
Reflecting on his recent tenure producing for Shepherd, Baker expressed immense gratitude for the ride while acknowledging the reality of the industry.
“I’ve been so happy to work for Sherri Shepherd for the last four seasons. I wish there were more and more seasons, but that’s just not the way things are going,” he shared. “Hopefully, we can survive and rescue talk shows and bring them back. That’s what we need. We need more me.”
Even without a daily broadcast, Baker hasn’t stopped doing what he does best. Fans can still catch his unfiltered hot takes on Instagram and TikTok (@thenormanbaker).
As for the hottest topic he is breaking down right now? He is keeping a close eye on the escalating feud between 50 Cent and T.I.
“50 Cent and T.I. going at it is really like… probably too hot,” Baker joked. “Like, I should probably stay out of that kitchen. So should Tiny.”
