Saturday Night Live alum Leslie Jones has been tapped for a key recurring role in the upcoming second season of Starz’s BMF, from executive producer Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson (Power franchise) and writer/executive producer and Detroit native Randy Huggins (Star). She is the latest in a growing list of strong female characters in Season 2, including La La Anthony, who was recently upped to series regular, along with new series regular Kelly Hu and Christine Horn, who recurs.
Jones will play Federal Agent Tracy Chambers. Smart and calculating, Chambers knows how to maneuver the bureaucracy that comes with carrying a badge. Years on the streets facing the most dangerous drug dealers have shaped her into a formidable hard charger. She suffers no fools and has a wicked wit to back it up.
BMF is inspired by the true story of two brothers who rose from the decaying streets of southwest Detroit in the late 1980’s and gave birth to one of the most influential crime families in this country.
Returning cast includes Demetrius “Lil Meech” Flenory Jr., the son of Demetrius “Big Meech” Flenory; Da’Vinchi, Russell Hornsby, Michole Briana White, Myles Truitt and Steve Harris. Snoop Dogg, Arkeisha “Kash Doll” Knight, Wood Harris and Serayah recur in the series.
The series is executive produced by Jackson, alongside Huggins. Heather Zuhlke joins as an executive producer on Season 2 with Anthony Wilson and Anne Clements who are both set to return to executive produce. BMF is produced through Jackson’s G-Unit Film and Television in association with Lionsgate Television for Starz.
Jones most recently starred in Amazon’s Oscar-nominated Coming 2 America and in HBO Max’s period comedy Our Flag Means Death. The three-time Primetime Emmy nominee starred in 105 episodes of SNL, and starred in the Sony 2016 event movie Ghostbusters which grossed close to $230M. She is currently working on an untitled Christmas project with Lionsgate. Jones is repped by CAA and Hansen, Jacobson, Teller.
Source: Deadline
Netflix has announced more cast members for its Jordan Peele and Keegan-Michael Key film Wendell & Wild, including Angela Bassett, Ving Rhames, and more.
The upcoming animated film is directed by Academy Award-nominated director Henry Selick.
The cast for Wendell and Wild will include Key as Wild, Peele as Wendell, as well as Lyric Ross, Angela Bassett, James Hong, Tamara Smart, Natalie Martinez, Tantoo Cardinal, Gabrielle Dennis, Igal Naor, David Harewood, Maxine Peake, Ramona Young, Sam Zelaya, Seema Virdi, Gary Gatewood and Ving Rhames.
Peele also served as a writer of the film along with director Henry Selick. The film is being produced by Selick, Ellen Goldsmith-Vein for The Gotham Group, Jordan Peele, and Win Rosenfeld for Monkeypaw productions.
Here’s the official description of Wendell and Wild:
From the delightfully wicked minds of Henry Selick and Jordan Peele, comes Wendell & Wild, an animated tale about scheming demon brothers Wendell (Keegan-Michael Key) and Wild (Peele) – who enlist the aid of 13-year-old Kat Elliot – a tough teen with a load of guilt – to summon them to the Land of the Living. But what Kat demands in return leads to a brilliantly bizarre and comedic adventure like no other, an animated fantasy that defies the law of life and death, all told through the handmade artistry of stop motion.
We got a chance to talk to the comedian known Earthquake, one of Washington D.C.’s finest, as he discusses his new Netflix comedy special titled Legendary!
In the interview ‘Quake opened up about his thoughts on how he felt being the first special ever to be produced by Dave Chappelle. You ever wondered what a person as successful as Earthquake has left to accomplish? Well, we did too, and ‘Quake got into it with us to give us the desires he has left to accomplish. He also spoke on his thoughts on comedians today, and while we were talking about comedians he mentioned his thoughts on the DL Hughley and Kanye West situation- and he got candid about that (to say the least).
Check out the interview below (and scroll past the first few minutes because I had to ramble on while I waited for him to join the conversation :)).
ABC on Monday announced that it has renewed freshman comedy Abbott Elementary for a second season after the series starring, created and written by Quinta Brunson has become a breakout for the Disney-owned network.
The series, a co-production between Warner Bros. Television and Disney’s 20th TV, is tied with CBS’ already-renewed Ghosts as broadcast’s No. 1 comedy among the advertiser-coveted adults 18-49 demographic.
The cast and creatives announced the pickup with a cheeky “memo” from Abbott Elementary principal Ava Coleman (co-star Janelle James) encouraging fans to support schools via DonorsChoose.org as the show continues to support education.
The series, it’s worth noting, is inspired by Brunson’s mother, a retired teacher. The workplace comedy has also drawn comparisons to NBC favorite The Office for its documentary-style format. New episodes return on March 22 at 9 p.m.
Brunson (A Black Lady Sketch Show) created the series and exec produces the single-camera comedy alongside Warner Bros. TV-based producers Justin Halpern and Patrick Schumacker (HBO Max’s Harley Quinn). The cast includes Tyler James Williams, Lisa Ann Walter, Chris Perfetti, and Sheryl Lee Ralph.
In an interview, Brunson said Abbott Elementary stemmed from her work on a busted CW pilot, which led to the mockumentary that was originally designed to be an animated series. Brunson also noted that she initially was not going to star in the series.
Abbott Elementary was developed by former ABC Entertainment president Karey Burke, who picked up the show to pilot before she was tapped by Disney to lead studio 20th TV. Hulu’s Craig Erwich added oversight of the broadcast network to his purview and ultimately handed out the series order for the Philadelphia-set comedy.
Abbott Elementary was a slam dunk to return after its solid ratings and delayed viewing returns as well as critical support. The comedy boasts a rare 100 percent rating among critics (with 81 percent among viewers) on RottenTomatoes.com.
Abbott Elementary is ABC’s first comedy renewal for the 2022-23 broadcast cycle and joins only Grey’s Anatomy and spinoff Station 19 as scripted series set to return next season.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
Our NEW DIGITAL ISSUE of The Humor Mill IS OUT! Our cover features the comedian known as James “Talent” Harris as we discover the fact that Talent is NOTORIOUS about his comedy!
Also inside, we have some news about Kevin Hart, Will Smith, Cedric The Entertainer, Dave Chappelle, and more! Plus we hit some red carpets, behind-the-scenes, and some comedy clubs across the country!
Check out the issue by clicking the link below!
https://viewer.joomag.com/the-humor-mill-april-2022/0427418001647112926
Katt Williams abruptly ended a comedy show in Nashville, Tennessee, over the weekend due to a bomb threat.
On Saturday evening, the 50-year-old comedian was forced to end his World War III comedy tour show, according to a statement from the venue, the Nashville Municipal Auditorium.
“Comedian Katt Williams had to abruptly end his show at the Municipal Auditorium in Nashville 10 minutes before the end of his set due to a bomb threat,” the statement read.
“Williams made the decision not to notify attendees of the bomb scare to avoid panic and possible injury,” the statement continued, before adding that the venue “was successfully cleared by the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department without incident.”
A representative for Williams, as well as one for the Nashville Police Department, did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
On social media, fans of Williams who were in attendance shared details of the incident.
According to one social media user, lights within the venue came on and audience members were told to go home after Williams walked offstage toward the end of his set.
“Katt Williams literally just dropped his mic walked off stage, the lights came on and they told us to go home #nashville tf?!” they tweeted.
Added another: “Just left Katt Williams show in Nashville security escorted him off stage mid joke then lights came on and everyone was told to leave some say bomb threat some say gun all I no I got me and mine out that MF.”
One other patron even said that they reportedly saw Shaquille O’Neal in attendance at the event. “Came to see Katt Williams and f—ing Shaq just pulled up and walked [right] past me,” they tweeted. “He tall AF in person.”
Source: People
According to reports in the television industry, it looks like another favorite daytime talk show is getting canceled. Word on the street is that ‘The Real’ is allegedly getting canceled. Reports are that the show, which has been on for 8 seasons, will be ending soon.
While the specific reason for the cancellation hasn’t been confirmed, it’s speculated that ratings played a part in its end, even though the show just celebrated its 2500th episode.
The Real is a syndicated talk show created by SallyAnn Salsano (495 Productions). The series initially received a trial run on Fox-owned markets in the summer of 2013 and premiered for full syndication in 2014. It is currently co-hosted by singer and actress Adrienne Bailon, comedian and actress Loni Love, television host and fashion stylist Jeannie Mai, and actress and model Garcelle Beauvais.
Comedian Kevin Hart is making the rounds across the country on his latest comedy tour. He performed Saturday night in Albany at the Palace Theatre. It was a sell-out crowd. But the show started with a slight problem. An announcement was made at the beginning of the show that Kevin was running late and the crowd would be entertained by a local comedian.
Turns out, that ‘local comedian’ was Chris Rock!
As it turns out, Albany may have been a type of ‘test market’ (as it often is) to gauge how the crowd would react since Chris Rock and Kevin Hart will be hitting the road together this summer for their ‘Rock Hart’ tour starting in July. The duo will be performing a limited number of shows on Long Island, New York City, and New Jersey.
One of the security requirements for Saturday’s show mandated that everyone turn in their cell phones into secure bags so no recording could take place. Now we partly know why. And unless someone was REALLY sneaky, there’s probably no photo or video from inside the Palace. Which kinda makes a moment like that even more special – when there aren’t thousands of cell phone lights glowing.
Still, what a cool night for so many in attendance at the Palace. Nobody saw that one coming. Major props to Kevin Hart and Chris Rock for keeping it hush-hush and letting everyone in the audience get the surprise of a lifetime – and thanks for making it happen in Albany!
Longtime Saturday Night Live cast member Pete Davidson is headlining his own comedy series inspired by his life, I have learned. Davidson is poised to play the lead in the project, tentatively titled Bupkis, which he is co-writing with his long-time friend and collaborator Dave Sirus as well as Judah Miller (Crashing). Deals are still being finalized for the series, which hails from SNL honcho Lorne Michaels’s Broadway Video and Universal Television where the company is under a deal.
Bupkis is described as a raw, unflinching, fictionalized version of Pete Davidson’s real life. It will include a mixture of grounded storytelling with absurd elements depicting an unfiltered view through Pete’s eyes.
The show, which has been compared to Larry David’s Curb Your Enthusiasm, is expected to reflect Davidson’s real-life persona with an unapologetically unfiltered, R-rated storytelling. It is being pitched to streamers, with Prime Video and Peacock believed to be among those interested. Talks are currently underway with A-list talent for the ensemble cast around Davidson.
Bupkis is executive produced by Davidson, Sirus and Miller as well as Broadway Video’s Michaels, Andrew Singer and Erin David.
Davidson, who started off as one of the youngest ever SNL cast members, initially only making sporadic appearances on Weekend Update, has become one of the sketch comedy’s most recognizable stars who has been making headlines with his work as well as his high-profile relationships, most recently with Kim Kardashian. He is currently in his eighth season on SNL, and for the last few years, he has juggled the sketch comedy with a burgeoning feature career as Michaels has allowed established cast members to take leaves of absences to pursue other projects — features as well as TV series, which are often produced by Broadway Video.
Such Michaels-produced series headlined by current SNL stars include Shrill, starring Aidy Bryant, Schmigadoon! with Cecily Strong, Kenan, starring Kenan Thompson and Chris Redd, Bust Down with Redd, and That Damn Michael Che with Che.
Davidson is currently on a leave from SNL while he is filming the Miramax horror thriller The Home. He will next be seen on big screen in Bodies Bodies Bodies, which premieres on SXSW, Good Mourning with a U with Machine Gun Kelly and Megan Fox, and in Meet Cute opposite Kaley Cuoco.
Davidson and Sirus, who have worked together on SNL for years, co-wrote the film The King of Staten Island with Judd Apatow. Miller served as an executive producer alongside Davidson on the film which starred Davidson and was based on his life. Davidson is repped by ICM Partners, Brillstein Entertainment Partners and Granderson Des Rochers.
Source: Deadline
According to reports, which started out with the reporting from New York’s Page Six, word is spreading that Nick Cannon’s Talk Show has been canceled.
Page Six reported earlier today that the staff was unaware but the nationally syndicated show’s staff were already looking for new jobs because the outlook seemed bleak for the struggling show. It’s almost no surprise that this was coming as the show was struggling to gain ratings for months and has been one of the lowest-rated shows in its time slot in years. There was talk that the show was going to replace The Wendy Williams Show time slot since Williams was absent due to her health, but Sherri Shephard took over that mantle.
We also tried to reach out to several people who are on staff and they neither confirmed nor denied the report.
After six months, it looks like the plug will get pulled. Anyway, Cannon is still hosting his Morning Show on the radio, and still hosting The Masked Singer for FOX.
More as this story develops…