BURBANK, Calif. (September 12, 2022) – Goooaaalll! Warner Bros. Television’s Ted Lasso once again took top honors at the 74th Emmy Awards, with the global hit comedy winning four Emmys tonight, including Outstanding Comedy Series for the second year in a row. And WBTV’s Abbott Elementary made the grade with three Emmys total, including Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series for creator/star Quinta Brunson and Outstanding Supporting Actress for Sheryl Lee Ralph this evening.
Topline highlights include:
· Ted Lasso means (repeat) business. For the second year in a row, Ted Lasso scored the Emmy for Outstanding Comedy Series, Jason Sudeikis won once again for Lead Actor in a Comedy Series, and Brett Goldstein again took home the trophy for Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series. And MJ Delaney won her first Emmy for Directing.
· With her win for Writing for a Comedy Series, Abbott Elementary’s Quinta Brunson becomes only the second Black woman in television history to be honored in this category, after Lena Waithe in 2017 for Master of None.
· And with her win for Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, Abbott Elementary’s Sheryl Lee Ralph received her first Emmy in her distinguished 45-year career. Sheryl becomes only the second Black woman in television history to be honored in this category and the first in 35 years, since Jackée Harry in 1987 for 227.
Warner Bros. Television Group Chairman Channing Dungey said: “We are thrilled for the Ted Lasso team on their richly deserved Emmy wins, including Outstanding Comedy Series. Through their brilliant storytelling, they continue to entertain and inspire viewers all over the world. Ted Lasso is a special show, and we are so incredibly fortunate to be a part of making the world ‘Believe.'”
Dungey continued: “And we are also incredibly excited for Quinta Brunson, winner for comedy writing tonight. With Abbott Elementary, Quinta shines a spotlight on a group of everyday heroes working at a public school, while never missing a single comedic beat. And last but certainly not least, what can you say about the incomparable Sheryl Lee Ralph?! I am overjoyed that the Television Academy has recognized Sheryl with her first Emmy Award tonight. Her portrayal of Barbara Howard in Abbott Elementary was an instant classic in a career full of indelible performances. We are so thankful that she is part of the incredible Abbott Elementary ensemble, and we look forward to going back to school with them next week.”
Following is a complete list of Warner Bros. Television Group winners at the 2022 Emmy Awards:
TED LASSO (WBTV for Apple TV+): 4 Wins
· Outstanding Comedy Series
· Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series: Jason Sudeikis
· Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: Brett Goldstein
· Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series: MJ Delaney
ABBOTT ELEMENTARY (WBTV and 20th Television for ABC): 3 Wins
· Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series: Quinta Brunson
· Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: Sheryl Lee Ralph
· Outstanding Casting for a Comedy Series
THE VOICE (Warner Bros. Unscripted Television for NBC): 1 Win
· Outstanding Lighting Design/Lighting Direction for a Variety Series
# # #
HBO Max has renewed the comedy series RAP SH!T, from Emmy(R) and Golden Globe(R) nominee Issa Rae, for a second season. The eight-episode first season debuted in July and is currently available to stream on HBO Max.
· Season One logline: Starring Aida Osman, KaMillion, Jonica Booth, Devon Terrell and RJ Cyler, RAP SH!T follows two estranged high school friends from Miami, Shawna (Osman) and Mia (KaMillion), who reunite to form a rap group.
· Sarah Aubrey, Head of Original Content, HBO Max quote: “We are so excited to continue this journey with Shawna and Mia and the incredibly fun world of RAP SH!T. With the wonderfully comedic and unique perspectives of Aida Osman, KaMillion, Issa Rae, Syreeta Singleton and the team at HOORAE, season two is sure to bring even more seducing and scheming.”
· Issa Rae quote: “We’re so happy to play in the world of ‘Rap Sh!t’ for another season with this incredibly talented team.”
· Syreeta Singleton quote: “This show and cast are one of a kind and I’m thrilled to get to do this again with them. We’re going bigger and harder!”
· RAP SH!T has been praised as “a glossy, entertaining show that prioritizes quick wit and fun” by The Hollywood Reporter and The A.V. Club says, “Rae & Co. have created a hilarious and experimental comedy, one that’s propelled by stellar rising talent and authentic, complex stories of Black life.” The Ringer highlights the “fluid, near-constant use of social media, woven seamlessly throughout eight episodes” and Los Angeles Times claims “Rap Sh!t thrives in the space in between the images we project and who we really are.”
· Credits: RAP SH!T is executive produced by Issa Rae and showrunner Syreeta Singleton, as well as Montrel McKay for HOORAE, and Jonathan Berry and Dave Becky for 3 Arts Entertainment. Rae also wrote the season one premiere episode and co-wrote the finale episode with Singleton. Hip-hop duo Yung Miami and JT of City Girls serve as co-executive producers, along with Kevin “Coach K” Lee and Pierre “P” Thomas for Quality Control Films and Sara Rastogi for HOORAE. Rae’s audio content company Raedio handles music supervision for the series.
· NBC’s iconic late-night franchise “Saturday Night Live” will begin its 48th season on Oct. 1. The season will continue on Oct. 8 and Oct. 15 with original telecasts.
· More information on these telecasts will be available shortly.
· In addition to the live broadcast on NBC, the “SNL” season premiere episode will stream live on Peacock on Oct. 1 at 11:30 p.m. ET/8:30 p.m. PT. Watch every season of “SNL” now on Peacock.
· “Saturday Night Live,” which is nominated at tonight’s Emmy Awards for Outstanding Variety Sketch Series, was the #1 comedy program in the 18-49 demo for the past three seasons.
· “Saturday Night Live” is produced in association with Broadway Video. The creator and executive producer is Lorne Michaels.
David A. Arnold, a comedian, actor, writer, and producer who headlined two Netflix comedy specials and was a writer/producer on the Fuller House reboot, passed away unexpectedly last night. He was 54.
The Arnold family issued a statement confirming the death. “It is with great sadness that we confirm the untimely passing of our husband, father, brother, and friend, David A. Arnold. David passed away peacefully today in his home and doctors have ruled the cause of death due to natural causes. Please keep our family in prayer and respect our privacy at this time, as we are all shocked and devastated by this loss.”
Arnold started out as a stand-up comic, performing at the Montreal Comedy Festival and on Jamie Foxx’s Laffapalooza on Comedy Central, among other projects.
He wrote for several comedy series, including Meet The Browns (TBS), The Rickey Smiley Show (TV One), Raising Whitley (OWN) and Tyler Perry’s House of Payne (TBS). He also created and was executive producer and showrunner on Nickelodeon’s hit series That Girl Lay Lay, making him one of few Black showrunners in Hollywood.
“We are shocked and incredibly saddened by the sudden passing of our dear friend and creative partner, David A. Arnold,” Nickelodeon said in a statement. “David was an immense talent and a gifted storyteller with a wide range of fans, from adults through his stand-up, to kids and families through the Nickelodeon show he created and executive produced for us, That Girl Lay Lay. On behalf of everyone at Nickelodeon, we send our thoughts and condolences to his family, his friends, and his fans.”
Arnold’s first stand-up comedy special on Netflix, David A. Arnold: Fat Ballerina, debuted in 2019. His follow-up comedy special on the streamer, It Ain’t For The Weak, premiered July 19.
At the time of his sudden death, Arnold was three stops into a four-month national comedy tour.
Chris Spencer issued a statement mourning his best friend. “Our closely knit comedy community mourns the loss of one of the greatest to ever do it. He was admired by his peers, respected by other veterans, and looked up to by the burgeoning comedians that he mentored. He will be deeply missed, especially by his comedy fraternity.”
Survivors include his wife, Julie L. Harkness, and two children, Anna-Grace and Ashlyn.
London’s O2 Arena was rocking Saturday evening as Dave Chappelle and Chris Rock continued their European stand-up tour, including new commentary on their assaults on stage.
Rock, who took the stage first, dedicated a small portion of his lengthy set to talking about Will Smith, during which he said, “f*ck your hostage video,” in an apparent response to the actor’s viral YouTube apology video. Smith posted the apology on YouTube in July. This is the first time Rock has directly addressed the video in public.
As in previous sets, the comedian noted the stinging effect of Smith’s slap: “Yes that sh*t hurt. He played Ali. I can’t even play Floyd Mayweather.”
Rock again referred to Will Smith as “Suge Smith” in reference to the former Death Row Records music executive Suge Knight who is currently serving a 28-year jail sentence for voluntary manslaughter. He then swiftly moved on to say that he’d been back at work the following day after the slap and he was not a victim before discussing an array of topics from Trump’s election to the dating habits of the Kardashian family.
Rock was followed by Chappelle, who referred to the moment in May he was attacked on stage in Los Angeles. Chappelle said that he was now wary of performing on stage because he can no longer tell whether the crowd will be hostile.
“That was some scary sh*t,” he reflected, before saying that Rock upstaged him that night by walking on stage and making a joke about Will Smith.
Chappelle later added that he doesn’t know what his response would have been if Smith slapped him onstage at the Oscars, but he’s certain that the actor would not have “enjoyed the rest of his night” at the awards show.
Chappelle walked on stage to Radiohead’s Karma Police and sounded off on a selection of controversial topics including the walkout Netflix employees staged last year following the release of his standup special The Closer on the streamer. Chappelle ended his set by imploring audience members to be themselves, unlike Smith who he claimed “did an impression of a perfect man for 30 years.”
“I just hope he doesn’t put that mask back on,” Chappelle added.
Rock and Chappelle continue their short tour of the UK and northern Europe before taking the show back to America at the end of September.
Source: Deadline
The long-awaited sequel to the classic comedy franchise is a go as we hear that Taylour Paige and Joseph Gordon-Levitt have joined series star Eddie Murphy in Netflix’s newly titled Beverly Hills Cop: Axel Foley. Production on the sequel is underway with Mark Molloy directing. Murphy is back as Axel Foley and will produce along with Jerry Bruckheimer and Chad Oman of Jerry Bruckheimer Films. Will Beall penned the script.
The franchise moved from Paramount to Netflix in the winter of 2019 and follows the adventures of Detroit cop Foley, who first appeared in the 1984 smash hit that followed him to Beverly Hills to solve the murder of a friend. The film became one of the year’s biggest hits and solidified Murphy’s movie-star status. It was followed by two sequels, in 1987 and 1994.
Charisse Hewitt-Webster and Ray Angelic will exec produce the new movie. Melissa Reid of Jerry Bruckheimer Films will co-produce.
Gordon-Levitt has been busy going all the way back to the pandemic when he had multiple pics bow including the popular Netflix actioner Project Power and the Oscar-nominated The Trial of the Chicago 7. Over the past year, Gordon-Levitt has stayed busy on both the TV and film fronts, starting with the Showtime series Super Pumped, where he played Uber founder Travis Kalanick. Next up, he will voice Jiminy Cricket in Disney’s Pinocchio. He also recently wrapped production on the drama Providence opposite Lily James.
Following her breakout role in the A24 pic Zola, Paige has been a star in demand and already has had a busy 2022. She was most recently seen the Lena Dunham pic Sharp Stick, which premiered at Sundance, and Mack & Rita, and has several films in post including The Toxic Avenger reboot with Peter Dinklage.
Gordon-Levitt is repped by WME and Jackoway Tyerman Werthheimer, and Paige by CAA, Entertainment 360 and Granderson Des Rochers. Murphy is repped by WME and ML Management; Molloy is represented by UTA; Beall is represented by UTA, Darin Friedman at Entertainment 360 and McKuin Frankel Whitehead LLP; and Angelic is represented by UTA.
Source: Deadline
New York, NY – The creator of the Wild ‘N Out Live and April Fools Comedy Jam tours is back at it again and this time he is bringing along even more of his musical celebrity friends! Comedian, producer and TV personality Rip Micheals from Urban Eats & Treats and Wild ‘n Out is excited to announce that his newest event concept – Fall Back in Love Comedy & Music Jam –featuring Trey Songz, Mario, August Alsina, and more will be coming September 16 – 18, 2022 to Washington, DC, Chiciago and New York City.
The stellar musical lineup for the Fall Back in Love Comedy & Music Jam features R&B Superstars Trey Songz, Mario, Jacquees, and August Alsina, who became infamous after his “entanglement” with Jada Pinkett-Smith became public knowledge in 2020. Event producer Rip Micheals also serves as host and will be joined on stage by fellow comedians Zoie Fenty aka GotDamnZo, Brandon T. Jackson, and Pretty Vee.
“I’m excited to bring a new event concept to these three cities that have always shown so much support for me throughout my career. Plus, these artists have never performed together before so this is going to be absolutely amazing!”, said Rip Micheals, who was presented with a proclamation by New York City Mayor Eric Adams naming September 27, 2021 “Rip Micheals Fall Back Comedy Jam Day” during his inaugural Fall Back Comedy Jam tour stop in New York a year ago.
In spite of inflation rates spiking over 9.1% in the U.S. over the past 12 months, ticket prices for the Fall Back in Love Comedy Jam start at $30, which has remained the same since Rip Micheals started his flagship tour, April Fools Comedy Jam in 2012. Earlier this year, the April Fools Comedy Jam made headlines when Grammy award-winning rapper T.I. made his comedy debut in New York as Tip Harris and was booed by the sold-out crowd of 15,000.
Tickets for Rip Micheals’ Fall Back in Love Comedy Jam start at $30 and are on sale now.
FALL BACK IN LOVE COMEDY JAM DATES:
Fri Sept 16 – Washington, DC – Capital One Arena – Info Video – https://youtu.be/LRuIF16izm0
Sat Sept 17 – Chicago, IL – Arie Crown Theater – Info Video – https://youtu.be/QjbXt45bVcY
Sun Sept 18 – Belmont Park, NY – UBS Arena – Info Video – https://youtu.be/b0KG1v1Y-Mk
Ticket Link: https://bit.ly/FallBackinLoveComedyMusicJam
According to our sources, the LeBron James and Springhill Entertainment Company’s new House Party reboot has officially been taken off hold and now it looks like it’s going to move to Paramount Plus for a release on the streamer early next year.
The film, produced by the NBA superstar and his The Shop co-host Maverick Carter, was announced in 2018 with SpringHill Entertainment and New Line Cinema set to deliver the film. Directed by Grammy Award-winning filmmaker Calmatic, House Party centered on two high schoolers who throw a party in James’ house, resulting in the loss of his championship rings. Atlanta co-writers Stephen Glover and Jamal Olori also wrote the script.
Set to star singer-actor Jacob Latimore, Tosin Cole, DC Young Fly, Melvin Gregg, Rotimi, and Bill Bellamy, the film was originally planned to debut on July 28 on HBO MAX, but ended up quietly scrubbed from the HBO Max release calendar.
“It’s an entirely new look for a classic movie,” James told The Hollywood Reporter in 2018. “Everyone I grew up with loved House Party. To partner with this creative team to bring a new House Party to a new generation is unbelievable.”
“It’s fun, it [was] an honor when I got the opportunity to produce it [and] reboot the whole movie,” James shared with ESPN a year later. “I had so much fun as a kid watching that movie and when I was growing up as a youngster, I was like, ‘Man, I hope I have an opportunity to go to one of these house parties where it’s just a bunch of fun, joking around, a lot of dancing… People just having a good time.