Last night at the April Fool’s Comedy Show in Brooklyn at the infamous Barclays Center, we got a chance to chat with comedian Ronnie Jordan, who is easily one of the best comedians to come out of Atlanta!
Jordan talks about his past projects and why he feels no need to try to make it from Los Angeles!
Watch the interview below;
ABC is gearing up for The Rookie‘s backdoor pilot. The 2-episode event is the first taste of a spinoff starring Niecy Nash.
As the network states: In part one of the two-part event, titled “Simone,” Officer John Nolan (Nathan Fillion) and the LA division of the FBI enlist the help of FBI trainee Simone Clark (Niecy Nash) when one of her former students is suspected of terrorism following an explosion at a local power station.
Nash’s Simone Clark is described as “a force of nature, the living embodiment of a dream deferred – and the oldest rookie in the FBI Academy.” The spinoff would have the franchise expand beyond the LAPD.
The episodes also feature Frankie Faison as Christopher “Cutty” Clark, Kat Foster as Special Agent Casey Fox and Felix Solis as Special Agent Matthew Garza.
The Rookie stars Nathan Fillion as John Nolan, Mekia Cox as Nyla Harper, Alyssa Diaz as Angela Lopez, Richard T. Jones as Sergeant Wade Grey, Melissa O’Neil as Lucy Chen, Eric Winter as Tim Bradford, Jenna Dewan as Bailey Nune and Shawn Ashmore as Wesley Evers.
Alexi Hawley is the creator and executive producer. Terence Paul Winter, Mark Gordon, Nathan Fillion, Michelle Chapman and Bill Norcross are executive producers.
Entertainment One (eOne) is the lead studio and the show is a co-production with ABC Signature.
The two-part event begins April 24th.
Source: Shadow & Act
Deon Cole (Black-ish) has been cast in the lead role of BET+’s upcoming dark comedy Average Joe. The series, which received a cast contingent script-to-series order in February, hails from Robb Cullen and McG.
Set in The Hill district of Pittsburgh and inspired by Cullen’s life, Average Joe follows blue-collar plumber, Joe Washington (Cole) who discovers his recently deceased father lived a secret, second life and stole millions of dollars from dangerous people just before he died. Now those people think Joe knows where it is. A bloody and violent confrontation triggers a chain of events that force Joe and his close-knit circle of family and friends out of their very average and mundane lives into a life or death race against time to find the truth and the millions.
The dark comedy is written by Cullen, who will executive produce alongside McG, Mary Viola, and Corey Marsh for Wonderland Sound and Vision.
Cole is a comedian, writer, producer, and actor. He can most recently be seen in Netflix’s The Harder They Fall and Kelley Kali’s I’m Fine (Thanks For Asking). Cole will next appear in Blitz Bazuwale’s The Color Purple and Kenya Barris’ You People. Known for his work as Charlie on Black-ish and Grown-ish, Cole is a three-time NAACP Image Award winner for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series. He also appeared in Angie Tribeca.
He also earned two Emmy nominations for his work as a writer on Conan. Cole touts two specials, Netflix’s Cole Hearted and Comedy Central’s Deon Cole’s: Cole Blooded Seminar. In 2020 he debuted his Work’ It Out stand-up documentary on Netflix is a Joke’s YouTube channel.
Cole is represented by WME and Kirsten Ames Management.
Source: Deadline
The long-gestating sequel to the hit comedy franchise Beverly Hills Cop looks to be gaining momentum as sources tell Deadline that up-and-coming director Mark Molloy has been set to direct Beverly Hills Cop 4. Eddie Murphy is expected to reprise his role of Axel Foley, with Netflix on board to distribute. Jerry Bruckheimer is back to produce.
Molloy replaces directing duo Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, who parted ways with project to focus on the Warner Bros pic Batgirl, which recently wrapped production and is set to bow on HBO Max. Insiders add Beverly Hills Cop 4 is still in development and no production start date has been set.
Netflix had no comment on the hire.
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 friend. The film became one of the year’s biggest hits and solidified Murphy’s movie star status. It was followed by two sequels.
As for Molloy, the project would mark his first feature film for a major studio. The rising star has gained acclaim on the commercial circuit specifically with Apple spots. He is repped by UTA.
Source: Deadline
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) -Hollywood’s film academy on Friday said its board of governors banned Will Smith from any of its events, including the Oscars, for 10 years after the best actor winner slapped presenter Chris Rock on stage at the Academy Awards ceremony.
“The 94th Oscars were meant to be a celebration of the many individuals in our community who did incredible work this past year,” Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences President David Rubin and Chief Executive Dawn Hudson said in a statement.
“However, those moments were overshadowed by the unacceptable and harmful behavior we saw Mr. Smith exhibit on stage.”
In a statement, Smith said, “I accept and respect the Academy’s decision.” The actor had resigned from the academy on April 1 and has issued statements apologizing to Rock, the Oscars producers, nominees and viewers.
At the March 27 televised ceremony, Smith strode up to the stage after comedian Rock made a joke about the appearance of the actor’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, then smacked Rock across the face.
Less than an hour later, Smith gave a tearful speech on stage as he accepted the best actor award for his role in “King Richard.” After the ceremony, he was seen dancing at Vanity Fair’s annual post-Oscars party.
Rock’s joke about Pinkett Smith made a reference to the 1997 film “G.I. Jane” in which actress Demi Moore shaved her head. It was unclear whether Rock was aware that she has a condition that causes hair loss.
Reporting by Lisa Richwine; Editing by Chris Reese and Jonathan Oatis
Amazon Studios’ series adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s Anansi Boys has added Oscar-winner Whoopi Goldberg to its cast.
Goldberg is one of six actors joining the series, which is filming in Scotland and will debut on Amazon’s Prime Video streaming service. Hakeem Kae-Kazim, Emmanuel Ighodaro, Cecilia Noble, Ayanna Witter-Johnson and Don Gilet have also been cast.
Goldberg will pay Bird Woman, the god of birds and one of the story’s primary antagonists. She and the other new cast actors will play gods who make up the World Before Time — a place where the animals are gods who still walk and that’s full of beauty, magic, and danger.
Kae-Kazim will play Tiger, a dangerous enemy to Anansi and his bloodline. Ighodaro plays Lion, who’s proud and noble and has no time for Anansi. Noble plays Elephant, who is old and wise and hates Anansi. Witter-Johnson plays Snake, who also hates Anansi. Gilet will play Monkey, who’s terrified of Anansi and has a very short attention span.
“I have been a fan of this book for a very long time and when Neil Gaiman told me it was being brought to the screen, I did everything I could to be part of it to help make people aware of Anansi and all his magic,” said Goldberg.
Added Gaiman, who is writing and serves as series co-showrunner, “When I first conceived Anansi Boys, decades ago, I imagined Whoopi Goldberg as Bird Woman. I wasn’t able to meet her until 2018 when she interviewed me with some of the Good Omens team at New York Comic-Con. At which point she mentioned that she had just finished listening to Sir Lenny Henry’s reading of Anansi Boys, and that it was one of her favorite books. Sometimes things feel planned and inevitable, and we are incredibly lucky. She’s going to be scary.”
Anansi Boys stars Malachi Kirby (Small Axe) as Charlie Nancy, a young man who is used to being embarrassed by his estranged father (Delroy Lindo). But when his father dies, Charlie discovers that his father was Anansi: trickster god of stories. And he learns that he has a brother, Spider (also played by Kirby), who is determined to make Charlie’s life much more interesting but also a lot more dangerous.
The cast also features Amarah-Jae St. Aubyn, Grace Saif, Jason Watkins, Fiona Shaw, CCH Pounder, L. Scott Caldwell, Joy Richardson and Lachele Carl.
Gaiman, Sir Lenny Henry, co-showrunner Douglas Mackinnon, Hanelle M. Culpepper, Endor Productions’ Hilary Bevan Jones, and RED Production Company’s Richard Fee are executive producing the series. Culpepper is also directing the first episode.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
Bad news for fans who attend a Chris Rock show expecting to hear his side of the Oscar controversy in which the “Good Hair” comedian received an unexpected slap from Academy Award winner Will Smith promptly after making a joke onstage about the shaved head of Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.
During a surprise set at the Comedy Cellar in New York City on Tuesday, April 5, 2022, the 57-year-old entertainer sent a clear message that he would not be addressing the highly publicized incident.
“He literally only addressed it as the crowd was going wild for his surprise appearance,” an alleged audience member told Page Six. “He got on stage and said, ‘Lower your expectations. I’m not going to address that s–t.’ “
The only time Rock has spoken about the Oscar drama publicly was at his first show following the award ceremony, which took place on Sunday, March 27, 2007, in Boston, where he received a standing ovation.
“So, how was your weekend?” the comedian remarked. At the time, he told fans that he was “still processing what happened” but would eventually speak on “that s–t.” Before the show, the venue manager told the outlet in a statement that Rock was “in a great mood” despite still being a trending topic nearly a week later.
Rock’s comment comes as the Academy announced that its board of governors would meet this Friday, April 8, 2022, instead of the previously scheduled April 18 meeting to discuss “possible sanctions” for the “King Richard” star.
“The April 18 date was set in accordance with California law and our Standards of Conduct because our agenda included possible suspension or expulsion of Mr. Smith from membership,” Academy president David Rubin wrote in a signed letter obtained by The Hollywood Reporter.
It continued, “We were required to provide Mr. Smith notice 15 days prior to the board meeting at which such action might be taken, and also give him the opportunity to provide the board a written statement no less than five days prior to that meeting.”
Smith has since resigned from the Academy while ticket sales for Rock’s comedy tour have skyrocketed. He has dates scheduled through Nov. 19, when he is set to return to the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, where the film awards took place.
Source: Atahabih Germain/Yahoo
Tha Doggfather is bringing out Katt Williams, Mike Epps, and more.
Hip Hop icon Calvin “Snoop Dogg” Broadus Jr. will present a comedy show for Netflix Is A Joke: The Festival. Snoop Dogg booked several notable comedians.
Fans will get to see Katt Williams, Mike Epps, and Sommore at Snoop Dogg’s F*cn Around Comedy Special. One of the latest additions to the Netflix-backed fest will take place on May 5 at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles.
Netflix Is A Joke organizers also announced Bill Burr, Neal Brennan, and others as new editions to the lineup. Billy Eichner will host STAND OUT: An LGBTQ+ Celebration as well.
Controversial comedian Dave Chappelle is a headliner for Netflix Is A Joke: The Festival. Last year, some LGBTQ+ organizations criticized Chappelle’s Netflix special titled The Closer for highlighting the anti-trans movement known as TERF (Trans-Exclusionary Radical Feminist).
Amy Schumer, Chris Rock, Damon Wayans, and David Letterman will also be at the Netflix Is A Joke Festival. Plus, Jerry Seinfeld, Kevin Hart, Larry David, Marlon Wayans, Pete Davidson, Seth Rogan, and Wanda Sykes are on the lineup.
“We were so disappointed to postpone the event last spring and our line-up of comedians can’t wait to bring much-needed laughs to audiences in LA and around the world on Netflix,” stated Robbie Praw, Netflix’s Director of Original Standup Comedy Programming.
Robbie Praw added, “Netflix Is A Joke Festival is going to give comedy fans the opportunity to see the greats and discover new voices in one of the greatest cities in the world.”
Netflix Is A Joke: The Festival will feature over 250 live shows at over 30 different venues. The shows run from April 28 to May 8. All new tickets for the general public will go on sale Friday, April 8 at netflixisajokefest.com.
Source: AllHipHop.com
A couple of hours ago we reported the incident that happened a couple of days ago whereas new actor, rapper, and now new comedian, Tip “TI” Harris approached comedian Lauren Knight while she was on stage performing. It seems Knight said a joke he didn’t like and things quickly out of hand.
Since the incident, lots of folks have been saying that TI intimidated her, and more, so we got a chance to ask him about the incident and ask him what happened. Here is what he said;
Fans are going wild over a resurfaced story about Marlon Wayans and a “Batman” film he never starred in. According to Cinemablend and a movie fan on Reddit, the actor and comedian received $100,000 for his role as Robin in director Tim Burton‘s 1992 film “Batman Returns.” The part was later passed on to actor Chris O’Donnell.
The 49-year-old producer previously admitted to these findings during a 2018 Gizmodo interview. He said, “I was actually supposed to play Robin in ‘Batman Returns,’ about 15 years ago.
But there was too many characters. I was cast, I was paid, and everything. I still get residual checks. Tim Burton didn’t wind up doing three, [director] Joel Schumacher did it, and he had a different vision for who Robin was. So he hired Chris O’ Donnell.”
As news about a Black Robin made its way to Twitter, fans noted that Wayans was financially compensated for his “trouble.” Still, one person tweeted, “So we were robbed of a Black Robin?
Fans of the many “Batman” stories and comic books such as “Batman and Robin Vol. 4: Requiem for Damian” began requesting Wayan’s deleted scenes to be released.
One person wrote, “So am I the only one that wants [to] see Marlon’s deleted scenes extremely bad? They need [to] release them; I bet he was EVERYTHING! I’ve really been a fan of his since [before] Requiem [for Damian], but Requiem solidified it [for] me. I bet if he was playing a criminal, they [would have] kept every scene.”
However, some “Batman” fans were unaware of the actor’s contribution to “Batman Returns.” While making a point about Wayans’s family and their diverse acting range, one person said, “I didn’t know this, but I’m not surprised at all about his range or anyone in his family’s range. Thank you for sharing!”
Meanwhile, the idea of a Black Robin caused fans to bring up another film the “White Chicks” star has yet to star in. Wayans is among the many actors mentioned as picks to play late comedian Richard Pryor in a biopic helmed by “Empire” creator Lee Daniels.
One person said, “Always wondered what his Richard Pryor project would’ve been like.” In response, one person wrote, “Same here. He’s always had the range for more, and I’m always surprised when people don’t realize what he’s capable of.”
Source: Atlanta Black Star