Jelly Roll Makes His Acting Debut on ‘Tulsa King’ [Watch]

Jelly Roll showed up in the most appropriate place during Episode 2 of Tulsa King. Sunday’s (Sept. 22) premiere of “Kansas City Blues” marks the “I Am Not Okay” singer’s acting debut.

Season 2’s second episode introduces two new villains and additional threats against Dwight “The General” Manfredi and his Tulsa, Okla. crew.

This recap includes several photos and spoilers. To catch up on the action so far, enjoy this Season 1 recap video and Taste of Country’s recap of the Season 2 premiere.

New episodes of Tulsa King drop on Sundays on Paramount+.

Why Was Jelly Roll on Tulsa King?

Jelly Roll’s presence on Tulsa King was surprising, but not shocking, as he allowed the Paramount+ show to use his song “Get By” for the trailer.

He appears during the end of Ep. 2. Bodhi’s (Martin Starr) high-end marijuana dispensary is hosting a grand opening party, and Jelly Roll is traveling through Oklahoma on his way to a show at the BOK Center in Tulsa.

Dwight (Sylvester Stallone) doesn’t know who Jelly Roll is and calls him “Jelly Fish” at first. The pair find out they have a few things in common — prison mostly — and the singer puts up with being underestimated until he asks to sing in the shop’s vocal booth.

After hearing him sing “I Am Not Okay,” Dwight realizes he’s being punked and Jelly Roll is a pretty big deal. It’s all very on brand for the Nashville native. Talking to Taste of Country, he said smoking marijuana keeps him sober, meaning free of heavier drugs or large amounts of alcohol.

“I think a world without weed,” he said, “Jelly Roll’s drinking codeine and popping Xanax and snorting cocaine again, but a world with weed, I’ll be alright.”

Watch the full Tulsa King scene with Jelly Roll below.

Tulsa King, Season 2, Episode 1 Recap:

Jelly Roll’s appearance on Tulsa King was enjoyable, but not important to the overall plot of Ep. 2 or Season 2. Fans learn that the cowboy Cal Thresher (Neal McDonough) called to end Ep. 1 is part of a rival mafia to the one Dwight left behind in New York City.

The two groups band together to go after Dwight and his team, but don’t stop there. Chickie (Domenick Lombardozzi) calls Goodie, the family member that defected to Tulsa to join Dwight to end Season 1. It would appear he’s considering turning his back on Manfredi.

Meanwhile, Thresher flexes once again to convince the United States District Attorney to personally handle the federal case against Dwight. That’s unusual, but so too is a federal defendant choosing to represent himself, as Dwight is doing.

Meanwhile, Dwight’s daughter is settling into Tulsa and agrees to lease a large home in town. She’s banking on her father, which seems like a risky bet, as he has some very original thoughts on how to select a jury for his trial. Longing for company — her husband appears to be out of the picture — she asks her aunt (Dwight’s sister) to come stay with her, and she obliges.

Needing money, Tyson (Jay Will) and Armand (Max Casella) hatch a plan to steal 100 catalytic converters from the car dealer who wouldn’t sell him an SUV in Season 1. The crime goes off without issue — in fact, they’re able to double dip when the owner comes asking for protection.

Mitch later meets with the owner, and they discuss the potential to sell the whole dealership. Those plans don’t get formalized before the end credits roll.

In large part, Ep. 2 was a setup episode for action down the road.

Tulsa King, Season 2, Ep. 3 Preview:

Fans should expect more action from Ep. 3 on Sunday (Sept. 29). Chickie and the Oklahoma mafia may make their first move, or Dwight may send a warning to the District Attorney (and Thresher). There could also be more enemies on the rim of the state’s marijuana business.

Needing a place to crash, Tyson brings Dwight to his parents’ house in the suburbs which leads to a pretty comical scene of “The General” waking up in a little girl’s room, fashioned in bright colors and Beyonce posters.

At breakfast, Dwight reads that Chinese organized crime is also getting into the local medical marijuana business.

The General’s hit list is growing very long.