ALWAYS RIGHT HERE

How Tiffany Haddish is conquering Hollywood  

Is anyone really surprised that Tiffany Haddish is being floated as a talk show successor to Ellen Degeneres? She’s not only a bankable movie (“Girls Trip,” “Night School”) and TV (“The Last O.G.”) star, but she’s been sharpening her hosting skills on CBS’ “Kids Say the Darndest Things.

Haddish recently addressed the rumors during a recent appearance with “The Breakfast Club” — saying that she’d be open to the opportunity “if I could get what Ellen’s getting. … I haven’t commented on it because ain’t nobody that gives those jobs talked to me about it. The reason I’ve even been popping up as a guest host for the Ellen Show is because she wanted some days off. I’m learning a new skill, that’s it. Y’all just watching me learn in front of everybody.” 

In the meantime, Haddish is winning notice opposite Billy Crystal in “Here Today,” in which the pair star as a pair who forge an unlikely yet hilarious and touching friendship that grows into a deep bond that kicks the generation gap aside and redefines the meaning of love and trust. When Crystal — who also directed — reached out to Haddish about taking the role of Emma Payge, she gave an immediate yes. 

“I’m only looking for roles that inspire me, drama or comedy,” says Haddish. “As long as it makes me feel something, then I’m interested. I was especially drawn in by the fact that Billy’s character, Charlie, is losing his memory. I have a family member going through that right now, and I think that’s something powerful that needs to be talked about.” 

For Haddish, the movie has a lot to say about how we care for the people who mean the most to us — blood relations or not. “I would love this movie to inspire people to share their story—do a memory book or write something so there can be a history of documentation of what we’ve all done, or funny moments they’ve shared. And it doesn’t have to be a family member. If someone is important to you, you can love them and look out for them like they are.” 

According to Haddish, her collaboration with Crystal is a perfect match. “Billy and I hit it off the first time we met,” she said. “When we’d talk on the phone from time to time, it was always funny and great conversation. But then, that’s not surprising. I have good chemistry with most human beings, because I treat people the way I want to be treated. Billy is a regular person — I understand his method and where he’s coming from. He’s very traditional and that kept me feeling safe, because I knew what to expect. I enjoy him very much.”