Billy (Andy Garcia) and Ingrid (Gloria Estefan) are surprised when their eldest daughter Sofia (Adria Arjona) comes home to Miami for a visit, announcing a new boyfriend, Adan (Diego Boneta) – who is now her fiancé – and their plans for a wedding and a new life together in Mexico. Family relationships are tested as the roller coaster ride of wedding planning races toward the altar. This sparkling story of a modern rom-com updated from a timeless classic illustrates the surprising and funny ways the heart can adapt in the name of love.
Save the date for #FatherOfTheBride, streaming June 16 on HBO Max.
From Emmy Award(R)-nominated director Allen Hughes (The Defiant Ones) comes a five-part cinematic television event exploring two voices, activist Afeni Shakur and hip-hop icon Tupac Shakur, that could not be silenced. Told through the eyes of the people who knew them best, Dear Mama is an intimate wide-angle portrait of the most inspiring and dangerous mother-son duo in American history, whose unified message of freedom, equality, persecution and justice are more relevant today than ever.
The Upshaws Season 2 Part 1
Premiere Date: June 29, 2022 Episodes: 8 x 30-minute episodes
Created by: Regina Y. Hicks and Wanda Sykes
Executive Producers: Mike Epps, Wanda Sykes, Regina Y. Hicks, Page Hurwitz, Niles Kirchner
Starring: Mike Epps (Bernie Shaw), Kim Fields (Regina Upshaw), Wanda Sykes (Lucretia Turner), Page Kennedy (Duck), Diamond Lyons (Kelvin Upshaw), Khali Daniya-Renee Spraggins (Aaliyah Upshaw), Jermelle Simon (Bernard Upshaw), Gabrielle Dennis (Tasha Lewis), Journey Christine (Maya Upshaw)
Logline:
A multi-camera comedy that centers on a working-class African American family in Indiana struggling to make it work and make it right without the blueprints to do it.
Synopsis:
Bennie Upshaw (Mike Epps), the head of a Black working class family in Indianapolis, is a charming, well-intentioned mechanic and lifelong mess just trying his best to step up and care for his family – wife Regina (Kim Fields), their two young daughters (Khali Spraggins, Journey Christine) and firstborn son (Jermelle Simon), the teenage son (Diamond Lyons) he fathered with another woman (Gabrielle Dennis) — and tolerate his sardonic sister-in-law (Wanda Sykes), all without a blueprint for success. But the Upshaws are determined to make it work, and make it to the next level, together. In season 2 part 1, the Upshaws continue to ride life’s ups and downs, including new loves, old flames, big dreams, life changes and the love and drama that comes with family.
#TheUpshaws #NetflixIsAJoke
Comedian Dave Chappelle was assaulted on stage during his set at the Hollywood Bowl on Tuesday night, according to people who attended the show and footage circulating on social media.
Several event attendees posted videos of the incident on Tuesday evening, the footage seeming to show Chappelle on stage performing when a man to his right rushes at him and tackles him to the floor.
The man is then seen to be dragged away by security.
NBC News Los Angeles reported that the LAPD had confirmed they had taken a man into custody and that he was armed with a replica gun “that can eject a knife blade” when discharged correctly. It wasn’t immediately clear if the man tried to use the weapon. Police said that Chappelle was not injured in the incident.
In video footage after the attack, Chappelle is seen to recover his composure and joke, “It was a trans man.” The joke was a reference to the ongoing controversy surrounding some of the comedian’s jokes in his Netflix specials that have been construed as transphobic.
Stephanie Wash, a journalist for ABC, tweeted that Chris Rock, who performed earlier in the evening, then came on stage and joked: “Was that Will Smith?”
Later, in video of the curtain call, Chappelle spoke more about the incident and called out to thank actor-comedian Jamie Foxx. “Whenever you’re in trouble, Jamie Foxx will show up in a sheriff’s hat,” said Chappelle.
“N——, I thought that was part of the show, I didn’t know what the fuck…” Foxx jokes in response.
Chappelle then says, “I grabbed the back of that n—— head. His hair was spongy. Absorbent”
Foxx then takes a moment to address the crowd and Chappelle. “Listen, I just want to say, this man is an absolute genius. We’ve got to make sure we protect him at all times,” said Foxx.
He added, “For every comedian who comes out here, this means everything. You’re a genius. You’re a legend, I enjoyed myself thoroughly, and we’re not going to let nothing happen to you.”
Chappelle then jokes to Foxx, “I’ve been doing this for 35 years. I just stomped a n——— backstage. I’ve always wanted to do that.”
Chappelle was performing as part of the Netflix Is A Joke Fest, a Los Angeles comedy festival put on by streaming giant Netflix.
The attack on Chappelle is likely to reignite worries in the comedy community about audience members rushing the stage and attacking comedians. The issue was highlighted after Will Smith slapped Chris Rock at the Oscars last month.
A report in the aftermath of the slap incident, showed that comedy clubs were considering adding security guards, preshow warnings and even metal detectors for shows.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter, NBC news LA
Dave Chappelle has always been transparent about his love for Hip-Hop and its artists, and on Sunday (May 1), Busta Rhymes announced that he is hitting the road with the iconic comedian. The tour is titled The Dave & Busta Tour (a clever flip of the popular Dave & Buster’s restaurant franchise). In a video clip, Busta proceeds to broadcast a clip of Chappelle telling an audience that he is about to embark on a tour with Busta.
Next, a clip of a recent Busta concert with a star-studded backstage ensemble, including Chappelle, is aired.
Chappelle is no stranger to Hip-Hop collaborations. 2005’s Dave Chappelle’s Block Party is dedicated to the memory of J. Dilla, one of Hip-Hop’s most revered producers. Hosted by Dave, the documentary famously included performances by Kanye West, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Jill Scott, The Roots, Big Daddy Kane and a host of other Hip-Hop giants. Dave’s iconic and groundbreaking Chappelle’s Show integrated Hip-Hop and comedy with sketches where he mocked rappers like Ying Yang Twins and Lil Jon, as well as the popular “Racial Draft” featuring Wu-Tang Clan.
Dates will soon be announced according to Busta. See the video below.
LOS ANGELES – (May 2, 2022) – ABFF Ventures LLC today announced that multi-hyphenate star Issa Rae (Insecure) will serve as festival ambassador for the 2022 American Black Film Festival (ABFF). The festival, widely recognized as a leading platform for Black content creators, returns live to Miami Beach June 15-19 followed by virtual events from June 20-30 on ABFF PLAY, https://abffplay.com/ the festival’s custom-designed online platform.
As ambassador, Rae will help bring media awareness to ABFF’s 26-year legacy of showcasing Black talent and discovering new voices. Along with joining festival founders, Jeff and Nicole Friday onstage for welcome remarks during opening night on June 15, Rae will screen her highly anticipated television series RAP SH*T which she created for HBO Max as part of the festival’s Saturday night lineup.
“I’m honored to be this year’s Festival Ambassador,” said Issa Rae. “ABFF was the first major festival to showcase my work and they continue to elevate Black creatives from the ground level. It’s also fun as hell.”
“It has been amazing to watch Issa shatter ceilings with her incredible sensibility to storytelling and her astounding achievements in the industry,” said Nicole Friday, festival producer and president of ABFF Ventures LLC. “We have been admirers of her work from the early days and salute her for remaining authentic and never forgetting the importance of elevating the next generation of emerging artists.”
With her own unique flare and infectious sense of humor, Rae first received attention for her award-winning web series and the accompanying New York Times best-seller, “The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl.” She created and starred in the Peabody-award-winning HBO series Insecure which garnered her multiple Emmy® and Golden Globe® nominations. Rae has also made her mark on the big screen, starring in THE PHOTOGRAPH and THE LOVEBIRDS.
In 2020 Rae formed HOORAE, a multi-faceted media company that develops content across mediums in an effort to continue to break boundaries in storytelling and representation. HOORAE is comprised of HOORAE Media for film, tv and digital; Raedio, the music label, music supervision company, and “audio everywhere” company; and ColorCreative, its management division. Via HOORAE’s Warner Bros. Discovery deal, Issa has also expanded her Executive Producer slate with the Emmy-award nominated A BLACK LADY SKETCH SHOW, the fan-favorite docuseries SWEET LIFE, and the upcoming HBOMax series, RAP SH*T.
Rae’s commitment to South LA is evident in both her personal and professional pursuits. After planting roots near her childhood home, Issa decided to set up the HOORAE headquarters in the heart of South LA. Her participation in the non-profit organization Destination Crenshaw furthers her mission of celebrating Black Angelenos and her ownership in Hilltop Cafe + Kitchen provides much-needed jobs and opportunities for local residents as well as a space for creatives to unlock their potential.
Former ABFF ambassadors include Halle Berry, Mary J. Blige, Idris Elba, Tracee Ellis Ross, Regina Hall, La La Anthony, Jay Ellis, Morris Chestnut, Omari Hardwick, Common, Taraji P. Henson and Earvin “Magic” Johnson.
ABFF 2022 sponsors and partners to date include Warner Bros. Discovery & HBOÒ (Founding); Cadillac, City of Miami Beach, Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB), Sony Pictures Entertainment, Prime Video(Presenting); American Airlines, Comcast NBCUniversal, Meta, IMDb (Premier); ALLBLK, Prudential Financial, Variety, TV One, Netflix, Starz, Disney+ (Official); Accenture, Motion Pictures Association (MPA), A&E Indie Films, Springhill Company, The Boston Globe, Color of Change, Confluential Films, Endeavor Content (Supporting).
For festival information and to obtain an ABFF pass, visit www.abff.com. Pre-registration closes May 13. Press interested in media credentials to cover ABFF go to https://www.abff.com/miami/press-room/media-credentials/. Follow @ABFF on Twitter and @AmericanBlackFilmFestival on Instagram and Facebook.
Megan Thee Stallion established herself as one of the best Hip-Hop artists in the world right now. She won four Grammys at last year’s Grammy Awards ceremony and things only got better after that. Megan Thee Stallion is currently collaborating with Netflix on a new comedy series.
The upcoming Netflix comedy series is loosely based on the rapper’s life. Megan signed a first-look deal with Netflix in December to create and executive produce her own shows. Tracey Pakosta, Netflix’s head of comedy, announced the series earlier this week in an interview with Deadline.
Pakosta did not provide any additional information about the show. Pakosta remarked when Megan first signed the deal with Netflix that she is a multi-talented creative force who has consistently made her mark on culture. She’s an artist who is constantly growing and evolving, and they’re thrilled that she’s found a home at Netflix for the next chapter of her journey.
Megan has always had a passion for telling creative and entertaining stories, so this collaboration with Netflix excites her. The next step in her entrepreneurial journey is to venture into production, and she can’t wait to bring all of her ideas to life for her ‘Hotties’ to watch.
· Peacock’s critically-acclaimed drama series Bel-Air has shattered every Peacock record for new subscribers, usage, and upgrades, and has been crowned as the platform’s most-streamed original series reaching 8 million accounts to date.
· The series premiered with three episodes on February 13, 2022 (Super Bowl Sunday) with new episodes released weekly on Thursdays and will return next year in 2023 with the original two season order.
· “We’re elated at the positive response to Bel-Air and that this passionate audience quickly solidified the series into the cultural zeitgeist,” said Susan Rovner, Chairman, Entertainment Content, NBCUniversal Television and Streaming. “Week after week Bel-Air captivated audiences with buzzy cliffhangers and stunning ensemble performances, led by the unmatched Jabari Banks. We can’t wait for what’s in store for season two.”
· “The incredible performance of Bel-Air really demonstrates the power of culture-defining content,” said Kelly Campbell, President, Peacock. “Bel-Air is our most-streamed Peacock Original series and the third biggest title on the platform, breaking records for customer acquisition, viewership, and upgrades. We strategically launched the series in February amid two of the biggest sporting events, the Olympics and Super Bowl, making Bel-Air a cornerstone of our most-streamed month in Peacock history. We couldn’t be more excited to dive deeper into this story next season.”
· “We see a lot of reboots in today’s television landscape, and yet there’s something undeniably singular, relevant and contemporary about this take on a beloved fan-favorite,” said Pearlena Igbokwe, Chairman, Universal Studio Group. “We knew Bel-Air would push the boundaries of possibility for IP adaptation, and we’re thrilled to celebrate its success with Peacock.”
SERIES DESCRIPTION:
Set in modern-day America, Peacock’s new one-hour drama series Bel-Air imagines the beloved sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air through a new, dramatic take on Will’s complicated journey from the streets of West Philadelphia to the gated mansions of Bel-Air. As these two worlds collide, Will reckons with the power of second chances while navigating the conflicts, emotions, and biases of a world far different from the only one he’s ever known.
Inspired by pilot director and executive producer Morgan Cooper’s viral trailer that reimagined the iconic, culture-defining ’90s sitcom, Bel-Air takes a fresh and raw approach to this world of swagger, style, and aspiration, while exploring Will’s complex journey through a current lens. The new series features an ensemble cast that introduces Jabari Banks as Will and a creative team that includes Cooper, and coshowrunners and executive producers TJ Brady and Rasheed Newson. Bel-Air is produced by Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group, and Westbrook Studios.
SERIES REGULARS:
· Newcomer Jabari Banks as “Will”
· Adrian Holmes as “Phillip Banks” (At That Age, V Wars)
· Cassandra Freeman as “Vivian Banks” (The Enemy Within, Atlanta)
· Olly Sholotan as “Carlton Banks” (Run Hide Fight, Evolution of Nate Gibson)
· Coco Jones as “Hilary Banks” (Let It Shine, Vampires vs. the Bronx)
· Akira Akbar as “Ashley Banks” (We Can Be Heroes, Captain Marvel)
· Jimmy Akingbola as “Geoffrey” (The Most Dangerous Game, In the Long Run)
· Jordan L. Jones as “Jazz” (Rel, Snowfall)
· Simone Joy Jones as “Lisa” (The Chair, What If)
LOS ANGELES, May 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Today, two world-class masters of their crafts, unstoppable comedian, entertainer, and businessman Kevin Hart and 11th generation tequila producer Juan Domingo Beckmann, announce their highly anticipated new tequila brand, Gran Coramino™. In a true marriage of Beckmann’s generational tequila-making knowledge, and Kevin Hart’s unrelenting passion to introduce a high-quality tequila to a new community of tequila drinkers, Gran Coramino debuts with one of the smoothest Reposado Cristalinos on the market.
The creation of Gran Coramino has been two years in the making, with Hart and Beckmann seeking to innovate within the category and draw from their backgrounds as inspiration. The journey resulted in their first expression to launch – a perfectly smooth and uniquely balanced Reposado Cristalino tequila. The 100% agave tequila is first aged in Eastern European oak barrels and finished in California Cabernet wine casks to reflect the state that Hart calls home. The liquid is then transformed into a Cristalino tequila – a unique slow-filtration process that Beckmann invented for the tequila industry more than 10 years ago – delivering a complex, deeply smooth flavor with a crystal-clear appearance.
“Gran Coramino is about people coming together and building a community that everyone can be part of. As someone who loves tequila, I’ve spent the past two years working with Juan Domingo to create a brand and product of the highest possible quality that is accessible to my fans. Juan is an undisputed leader in the tequila industry and, like me, strives for excellence in everything he does. Together with Juan and my partner James Morrissey from Global Brand Equities, we decided on every aspect of this product from the ground up. I wanted something different in the market, to tell a story that hadn’t been told before for my fans, for my culture, and a generation who has never tasted a Cristalino before. It’s the best-kept secret in tequila,” said Kevin Hart, Founder of Gran Coramino Tequila.
Gran Coramino owns every step of the tequila-making process from planting, selecting, and harvesting the finest blue Weber agaves from family-owned fields, to distilling and aging the tequila at La Rojeña Distillery in Tequila, Mexico. As the oldest distillery in Latin America, La Rojeña is an historic place for Gran Coramino to be made where, for the past 225 years, Beckmann and his family have dedicated their time to the production of high-quality tequilas.
“Kevin is a proven leader and true tequila aficionado whose creativity, passion, and enthusiasm have driven him to unparalleled success in all of his endeavors. From day one, it was clear both Kevin and I share the same philosophy for producing tequila of the highest quality, entrepreneurial drive, and care for the people who make and enjoy tequila. Kevin has become part of our team here in Mexico and I could not think of a better partner to share this journey with, and to introduce Gran Coramino to a new global community of tequila drinkers,” said Juan Domingo Beckmann, Founder of Gran Coramino Tequila and 11th generation tequila producer.
As entrepreneurs, long-time philanthropists, and tequila lovers from diverse backgrounds, Beckmann and Hart first bonded over their passion for tequila, as well as their commitment to give back to their respective communities in a meaningful way. Gran Coramino is proud to donate $1 from every bottle sold to support diverse entrepreneurs and small businesses, working with trusted partners in Mexico and the United States to help close wealth and opportunity gaps through cash grants and programs.
Gran Coramino was created and developed by Kevin Hart, Global Brand Equities and Proximo Spirits.
“Partnering with Kevin Hart has been an incredible experience. Kevin is an engaged entrepreneur who understands the hard work that goes into creating success,” said James Morrissey, Founder & CEO of Global Brand Equities. “When Kevin and I first started talking about the category of tequila, we both shared the common vision to bring higher levels of quality and innovation to the wider consumer. Kevin has been a truly hands-on partner in every aspect of this venture, and he has worked extensively with us to create something wholly authentic. Being able to partner with Juan Domingo Beckmann in the tequila category is a true honor for us. There is nobody who knows the business better than Juan Domingo, and this long-term relationship has helped us realize our vision to bring Gran Coramino to the world.“
Gran Coramino Reposado Cristalino will be available from May 2nd on GranCoramino.com, ReserveBar and at retail across CA, IL, TX, GA and NY. It will be available nationwide starting June 1st for a suggested retail price of $49.99. For more information, please visit GranCoramino.com and follow @GranCoramino on Instagram.