Academy Award(R) winning actress and comedian Mo’Nique (Precious, Bessie) will join the lineup of strong female characters in the second season of STARZ’s hit drama “BMF” in a recurring role. The upcoming sophomore season will also feature previously announced Leslie Jones (“Our Flag Means Death,” Coming 2 America),La La Anthony (“The Chi,” The Perfect Find), who was recently upped to a series regular, and “BMF” newcomers Kelly Hu (The Scorpion King, X2: X-Men) and Christine Horn (“Snowfall,” “black-ish”). The first season of “BMF,” a story of two brothers who created “Black Mafia Family,” the most prominent drug distribution network in American history, debuted as the #1 premiere on the STARZ app last year and ranked as one of the most highly engaged series premieres ever.
Mo’Nique will star as the character “Goldie,” a sophisticated Atlanta strip club owner with swagger and street smarts. She forms an alliance with the Flenory brothers which will help fuel their migration from Detroit to Atlanta. A fierce protector of her dancers and the people in her world, Goldie isn’t afraid to take care of business, no matter what the cost.
Mo’Nique will join returning cast members Demetrius “Lil Meech” Flenory Jr., the son of Demetrius “Big Meech” Flenory, Da’Vinchi (The Way Back, “grown-ish”), Russell Hornsby (Fences, The Hate U Give), Michole Briana White (“Dead to Me,” She Hate Me), Myles Truitt (“Black Lightning,” “The New Edition Story”) and Steve Harris (“The Practice,” Diary of a Mad Black Woman). Snoop Dogg (Dolemite Is My Name, Soul Plane, Training Day), Arkeisha “Kash Doll” Knight, and Serayah (“Empire,” Favorite Son) star in recurring roles.
“BMF” is executive produced by Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson (co-creator of the “Power” Universe, “For Life”), alongside showrunner, executive producer, writer and Detroit native Randy Huggins (“Star,” “Rebel,” “Power”). Heather Zuhlke, Anthony Wilson and Anne Clements also serve as executive producers on the sophomore season. “BMF” is produced through Jackson’s G-Unit Film and Television in association with Lionsgate Television for STARZ.
After discovering a once-in-a-lifetime player with a rocky past abroad, a down on his luck basketball scout (Adam Sandler) takes it upon himself to bring the phenom to the States without his team’s approval. Against the odds, they have one final shot to prove they have what it takes to make it in the NBA.
Disney+ has released the trailer, key art, and images for “Rise,” based on the triumphant real-life story about the remarkable family that gave the world the first trio of brothers to become NBA champions in the history of the league – Giannis and Thanasis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Laker Kostas Antetokounmpo, and their younger brother Alex. The film will debut June 24 exclusively on Disney+.
Audiences have never seen a story like that of the Antetokounmpos. After emigrating from Nigeria to Greece, Charles and Vera Antetokounmpo (Dayo Okeniyi and Yetide Badaki, respectively) struggled to survive and provide for their five children, while living under the daily threat of deportation. With their oldest son still in Nigeria with relatives, the couple were desperate to obtain Greek citizenship but found themselves undermined by a system that blocked them at every turn. When they weren’t selling items to tourists on the streets of Athens with the rest of the family, the brothers – Giannis (Uche Agada) and Thanasis (Ral Agada) – would play basketball with a local youth team. Latecomers to the sport, they discovered their great abilities on the basketball court and worked hard to become world class athletes, along with brother, Kostas (Jaden Osimuwa). With the help of an agent, Giannis entered the NBA Draft in 2013 in a long shot prospect that would change not only his life but the life of his entire family. And last season, Giannis and Thanasis helped bring the Milwaukee Bucks their first championship ring in 50 years, while Kostas played for the previous season champs, the Los Angeles Lakers.
“Rise” stars Dayo Okeniyi, Yetide Badaki, Manish Dayal, Taylor Nichols, introducing Ral Agada and introducing Uche Agada. The film was directed by Akin Omotoso (“Vaya”), written by Arash Amel (“A Private War”) and produced by Bernie Goldmann (“300”). Giannis Antetokounmpo and Douglas S. Jones served as the executive producers.
Netflix Is a Joke: The Festival Wraps LA Run and Announces New Specials Coming Soon
VP, Stand-up and Comedy Formats
We just wrapped the biggest live, in-person event in Netflix history: our first, real-life Squid Game! Just kidding … that’s coming next year. But today, I’m excited to announce that in the weeks ahead, some of the incredible shows we taped at Netflix Is a Joke: The Festival will be available to watch:
· May 19 – The Hall: Honoring the Greats of Stand-Up, an evening to celebrate some of the greatest stand-ups of all time who are no longer with us. John Mulaney honors Robin Williams, Dave Chappelle honors Richard Pryor, Chelsea Handler honors Joan Rivers and Jon Stewart honors George Carlin.
· June 6 – Bill Burr Presents: Friends Who Kill, a showcase featuring stand-ups curated by Burr.
· June 7 and 12 – That’s My Time with David Letterman, each of the six episodes spotlights one comedian, including a 5-minute stand-up set and conversation with Letterman.
· June 9 – Stand Out: An LGBTQ+ Celebration, the largest-ever gathering of LGBTQ+ comics.
· June 10 – A Tribute to Bob Saget, a celebration of Bob’s life in comedy with his friends and family.
· June 11 – Amy Schumer’s Parental Advisory, a showcase featuring stand-ups curated by Schumer.
· June 13 – Pete Davidson Presents: The Best Friends, a multi-comic special hosted and curated by Davidson.
· June 14 – Jane Fonda & Lily Tomlin: Ladies Night Live, Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda introduce an all-female lineup of comedians.
· June 16 – Snoop Dogg’s F*cn Around Comedy Special , original comedy from Snoop, along with sets from legendary black comedians performing at the festival.
· June 23 – Best of the Festival, highlights from throughout the 11-day event.
We’ll share more about these shows soon, along with additional specials coming to the service. Like our newest with Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias, a history-making special filmed in front of our largest audience ever – a sold out Dodger Stadium! As a forlorn Montreal Expos fan, it was incredible to experience joy on a baseball diamond again. And we’re adding even more festival performances to our Sirius XM Netflix Is a Joke channel.
These shows represent some of the best work we’ve done at Netflix, with the best comedic talent on the planet. We’re so grateful to everyone who performed, helping to create the biggest comedy festival in US history. From Amy Poehler and Tina Fey in conversation, to John Mulaney performing at both the Forum and the Hollywood Bowl, and an unforgettable evening during Stand Out … this festival was a celebration of comedy and a true civic event.
There were so many special moments that are almost too numerous to mention – Bill Burr, Wanda Sykes and Kevin Hart headlining the biggest venues in town, Larry David charming everyone at the Greek, Seth Rogen leading hilarious table reads, free outdoor shows at the Palladium and Chris Rock surprising fans at the Hollywood Bowl. And, of course Dave Chappelle’s four sold out stand-up shows at the Bowl will go down as one of the biggest successes of the festival. Just look at what we were able to accomplish together:
· 295 shows;
· 336 comedians performing;
· 35+ venues across LA – from the Comedy Store and the Laugh Factory to the Dodgers Stadium, the Forum and the Hollywood Bowl, and many more in between;
· And 260,000+ tickets sold.
Thanks to the hundreds of thousands of people who came to support and enjoy these shows. It was a great reminder that comedy helps bring us together. There’s nothing quite like being in a crowded theater or outdoor arena with hundreds to thousands of other people laughing their heads off with their favorite comics on stage. For everyone who couldn’t make it to LA, check out highlights from the festival here. And sit tight. We’ll have plenty of great stand-up specials for you on Netflix very soon – it’ll almost feel like you were actually there.
By Robbie Praw
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.