Damon Wayans Jr. Joins Cast of TBS Comedy Pilot ‘Kill The Orange-Faced Bear’
Damon Wayans Jr. has signed on to star in “Kill the Orange-Faced Bear,” the TBS comedy pilot about a man bent on revenge after a bear eats his girlfriend.
Wayans Jr., whose credits include the much-beloved “Happy Endings” as well as his disappearance and then reappearance on the hit “New Girl,” will be joined by Jessy Hodges (“Indebted”), Alex Karpovsky (“Girls”) and Nate Torrence (“Hello Ladies”).
Wayans Jr., who will also serve as an executive producer, plays Hank, described as a “charming, funny and grieving man who’s hell-bent on tracking down the bear who attacked his girlfriend on a camping trip.” “Kill the Orange-Faced Bear” will be told both from Hank’s point of view, as well as the POV of the bear, “who is just trying to move on from the incident and navigate the other idiot bears in her life.”
Hodges was cast as Stacy, the girlfriend who becomes the bear snack, as well as Stacy’s twin sister Jamie, who harbors a “confusing secret.” Karpovsky will play Ronnie, described as “an oddball park ranger who has a score to settle with Hank.” And Torrence is Hank’s best friend, Murray, who’s also Jamie’s boyfriend.
The pilot to “Kill the Orange-Faced Bear” will shoot this May in Portland. The writer and actor who goes by the single name Romanski (“Blue Mountain State”) is the writer and executive producer. Underground’s Trevor Engelson and Steven Fisher (“Snowfall”) are also executive producers, as is Karpovsky and Jake Szymanski, in addition to Wayans Jr. Szymanski is directing the pilot.
Wayans Jr. can currently be seen in both the films “Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar” and “Cherry.” His other credits include “Let’s Be Cops,” the sitcom “Happy Together” and he recently was cast alongside Gina Rodriguez and Tom Ellis in the Netflix movie “Players.” Hodges was also seen on “Barry,” while filmmaker Karpovksy’s on-screen roles have also included “Homecoming” and the upcoming “Angelyne” and Torrence was also in “Weird Loners.”
Wayans Jr. is repped by WME. Karpovsky is with WME, Underground and Ginsburg/Daniels; Hodges is with Gersh, MGMT and Mitch Smelkinson; Torrence is with Gersh, Melanie Truhett and Ginsburg/Daniels.
Source: Variety
First Look: Jamie Foxx’s New Sitcom ‘Dad Stop Embarrassing Me!’
‘Dad Stop Embarrassing Me!,’ a father-daughter comedy starring and executive produced by Oscar winner Jamie Foxx, is set to premiere on Netflix on Wednesday, April 14. Full of heart and humor, the multi-cam sitcom is inspired by Foxx’s real-life relationship with daughter Corinne Foxx, who also serves as executive producer. First Look: Jamie Foxx Sitcom ‘Dad Stop Embarrassing Me!’
Cast: Jamie Foxx, David Alan Grier, Kyla-Drew, Porscha Coleman, Jonathan Kite, Heather Hemmens, Valente Rodriguez
About Dad Stop Embarrassing Me!: Brian Dixon (Jamie Foxx), successful business owner and bachelor, just unexpectedly became a full-time father to his teenage daughter Sasha (Kyla-Drew). Determined to turn over a new leaf, Brian’s going to need all the help he can get from his dad (David Alan Grier) and sister (Porscha Coleman) — and Sasha’s going to need all the help she can get learning how to fit into her new, lovingly imperfect home.
Apple has ordered a half-hour comedy series starring Maya Rudolph that hails from Alan Yang and Matt Hubbard.
The series is about Molly (Rudolph), a woman whose seemingly perfect life is upended after her husband leaves her with nothing but 87 billion dollars.
Yang and Hubbard created the series and will serve as executive producers. Rudolph will executive produce in addition to starring under her Animal Pictures banner. Natasha Lyonne and Danielle Renfrew Behrens of Animal Pictures will also executive produce, as will Dave Becky of 3 Arts. Universal Television is the studio. Both Yang and Hubbard are under overall deals at UTV.
Rudolph is one of the most well-regarded comedy actresses working today. An “SNL” alum, she recently made her return to the show to play Vice President Kamala Harris. She picked up two Emmy Awards in 2020 — one for “SNL” and another for her work on the Netflix animated series “Big Mouth.” She is also known for her roles on shows like “The Good Place” and films like “Away We Go” and “Bridesmaids.”
Yang currently works on the critically-acclaimed Apple series “Little America.” He and Hubbard also previously collaborated on the Amazon series “Forever,” in which Rudolph starred. Yang won an Emmy in 2016 alongside Aziz Ansari for best writing in a comedy series for the Netflix series “Master of None.” His other credits include “Parks and Recreation” and “The Good Place.” Hubbard is also an Emmy winner from his time on the NBC comedy series “30 Rock.” He is also a “Parks and Recreation” alum and has also worked on shows like “Superstore.”
Rudolph is repped by WME, 3 Arts Entertainment, Narrative and Hirsch Wallerstein. Yang is repped by WME, ID PR, and McKuin Frankel Whitehead. Hubbard is repped by UTA and Hansen Jacobson.
The Apple project is the second announced for Animal Pictures this week. It was previously reported that Lyonne would star in a series at Peacock from Rian Johnson.
Deadline first reported the Rudolph series news.
Source: Deadline, Variety
First Look: Mike Epps And Wanda Sykes’ Netflix Sitcom Titled ‘The Upshaws‘
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 Daniya-Renee 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. Premieres Wednesday, May 12 on Netflix.
The Upshaws is co-created by Regina Hicks and Wanda Sykes, who serve as executive producers alongside Mike Epps, Page Hurwitz and Niles Kirchner.
Cast: Mike Epps, Wanda Sykes, Kim Fields, Page Kennedy, Diamond Lyons, Khali Daniya-Renee Spraggins, Jermelle Simon, Gabrielle Dennis, and Journey Christine,
Jamie Foxx, Stand Up To Cancer And Exact Sciences Launch PSA To Increase Awareness Of Colorectal Cancer
Academy Award® winner Jamie Foxx has joined Stand Up To Cancer® (SU2C) and Exact Sciences for a new public service announcement (PSA), which raises awareness about colorectal cancer screenings, early detection and prevention, and focuses on reaching underrepresented communities. The campaign launched today to coincide with Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month and is in both English and Spanish. The PSA will be placed across print, broadcast, radio, digital and out-of-home outlets.
“Cancer affects everyone. I’ve lost good friends – young friends – to this deadly disease,” said Foxx. “We need to make sure that we are taking care of our bodies, paying attention to certain things, that you didn’t necessarily think about when you were younger. Medical issues come up and you may not know what’s at your disposal, so that is why I am proud to shine a light on the importance of getting screened for colon cancer early and bring awareness to the options that are available with this PSA campaign.”
In 2020, nearly 148,000 Americans received a new diagnosis of colon or rectal cancer. Black people have the highest colorectal cancer rates of any ethnic group in the United States. They are 20% more likely to get colorectal cancer and 40% more likely to die from it than any other population. And research has shown that colorectal cancer screening rates are the lowest in Hispanic communities, with Black and Hispanic people typically being diagnosed at a later stage in the disease when it is more difficult to treat.
“We are so thankful to Jamie Foxx for lending his voice to this campaign. We have seen a sharp drop in screenings as a result of COVID-19, and this compounds an already significant screening disparity in minority communities,” said Sung Poblete, PhD, RN, CEO of Stand Up To Cancer. “With routine screening, colorectal cancer is one of the most preventable cancers. It’s beatable in 90% of cases when detected early, and lives can be saved with just one simple step. People must get screened!”
“We are thrilled to partner with Jamie Foxx and our friends at Stand Up To Cancer to get more people thinking about their options for colorectal cancer screening,” said Kevin Conroy, chairman and CEO of Exact Sciences. “We remain committed to addressing the challenges we face in colorectal cancer screening and helping to save lives with education, awareness and cutting-edge research. Providing personalized outreach and making it easier to get people screened is vital, especially in minority communities.”
The PSA campaign is part of a larger initiative between Exact Sciences and SU2C. With a $10 million grant from Exact Sciences, SU2C will launch a new colorectal cancer ‘Dream Team’ of researchers that will identify communities near anchor institutions serving medically underserved communities. This Dream Team will help pinpoint unique local needs of those areas and will provide free colorectal cancer testing in the identified zones and study samples collected via approved tests for colorectal cancer, including colonoscopy, CT colonography, flexible sigmoidoscopy, and at-home stool tests that analyze fecal DNA and/or blood. The research will aim to develop better approaches to colorectal cancer interception.
The PSA was directed by Tommy Walker and photographed by G.L. Askew II for Petrol Advertising, a creative marketing and advertising agency specializing in gaming, sports, technology and philanthropy. Walker co-directed and produced the feature-length documentary, God Grew Tired of Us, which won Best Documentary and Audience Award at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival and produced the 2019 documentary, Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am. Askew, originally from Atlanta, is an artist whose work is rooted in communicating the truth of the human experience.
Damon Wayans Jr. Joins Gina Rodriguez, & Tom Ellis In New Netflix Comedy Titled ‘Players’
Jane The Virgin alum Gina Rodriguez, Happy Endings’ Damon Wayans Jr., and Tom Ellis from TV’s Lucifer have signed on to star in Players, a romantic comedy from Netflix. Marc Platt and Ryan Christians are producing the pic for Marc Platt Productions with Ross Dinerstein for Campfire.
The Sleepover and Pitch Perfect 3 director Trish Sie is attached to direct the feature from a script by Whit Anderson, who has written for shows like Ozark and Marvel’s Daredevil.
The plot follows Chicago sportswriter Mack (Rodriguez) who has spent years devising successful hook-up “plays” with best friend Adam (Wayans Jr.) and their crew, but when she unexpectedly falls head-over-heels for one of her targets (Ellis), they all must learn what it takes to go from simply scoring to playing for keeps.
Rodriguez and Molly Breeskin will serve as executive producers under their I Can and I Will Productions label alongside Ross Girard for Campfire and Dan Clarke.
Rodriguez, who starred in Netflix’s Someone Great which she also served as a producer, has an upcoming project slate that includes the Amazon features I Want You Back and comedy-adventure Lost and Found as well as Netflix family series, Lost Ollie. She is repped by WME and Jackoway Austen Tyerman.
Wayans Jr., who co-starred the Netflix original film Love, Guaranteed, was recently seen opposite Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo in Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar and appears in the Anthony Russo and Joe Russo-directed crime drama Cherry, which will debut this week on Apple TV+. He is repped by WME.
Ellis, repped by CAA and Anonymous Content, has starred as Lucifer Morningstar for six seasons of the Fox/Netflix series, Lucifer. He also appeared in the 2019 comedy film Isn’t It Romantic.
Source: Deadline
Comedy Central Announces Two Projects With Roy Wood Jr.
New York, March 10, 2021 – Comedy Central continues its long-standing relationship with uber-talented Roy Wood Jr. and announced today a new podcast called Roy’s Job Fair. Produced in partnership with iHeartMedia, the 40-episode series will debut on Wednesday, March 17 and rollout weekly.
In Roy’s Job Fair, work is like sex or food – you’re either getting it or looking for it. Roy Wood Jr. explores the human condition every week through the prism of employment. Roy sits down with real people from ALL lines of work about their most memorable jobs, employment vacancies they’re looking to fill, scams they’ve run at the office, and of course, the cringe-worthy office romances.
Roy’s famed humor is matched by his true empathy and curiosity for people. Join him on an entertaining exploration into the battle all of us fight every day. Balancing our need to provide with our need for emotional fulfillment. Learn from the people who got it right. Laugh with the rest of us who constantly get it wrong. Welcome to the Job Fair. Listen to the trailer HERE.
Additionally, Comedy Central will produce and air Roy’s third one-hour stand-up special this year. His second special, No One Loves You, premiered as part of Comedy Central’s Stand-Up Month in January 2019; the special remains the network’s highest rated original stand-up premiere* since his February 2017 one-hour, Father Figure.
Roy Wood Jr.’s comedy has entertained millions across stage, television and radio. In addition to stand-up comedy, producing and acting, Roy is currently a correspondent on Comedy Central’s Emmy and NAACP Award-winning The Daily Show with Trevor Noah. During his tenure, he has used The Daily Show’s brand of satire to shed light on serious issues including gun violence, police reform, LGBTQ+ discrimination, ICE deportations and PTSD in the Black community. Roy’s recent credits include guest starring roles in Netflix’s comedy series Space Force, AMC’s Better Call Saul, and The Last O.G. on TBS.
For Comedy Central, Roy is currently featured in the new digital docuseries Dark Humor, which spotlights Black stand-up comedians discussing their approach to comedy and sources of inspiration that speak to their unique experience. Roy created the digital series, Stand-Up Playback, in which he has fellow comics revisit vintage clips of them performing to see if their old jokes still hold up. He also wrote and starred in the original, digital series The Night Pigeon, the story of a black superhero with minimal powers fighting the biggest baddest gang in his community, The Gentrifiers. In 2017, he hosted the storytelling series, This Is Not Happening.
Roy is a graduate of the Florida A&M University with a B.S. in Broadcast Journalism. True to his roots, he is a strong and outspoken advocate for reshaping the image of Alabama and the American South as a whole. In 2018, he penned a New York Times piece on the subject. He is actively working with the Birmingham City Council and the Film Commission to bring more entertainment jobs to the state. During the pandemic, Roy has spent time raising money for the staff of his hometown comedy clubs in Alabama through tipyourwaitstaff.com and Laugh Aid. Roy is active on social media and can be followed on Twitter and Instagram @roywoodjr.
Roy’s Job Fair is distributed through the iHeartPodcast Network and available on iHeartRadio and all major podcast platforms.
Tracy Morgan Set To Play Louis Armstrong In A Self-Financed Biopic
Tracy Morgan is playing Louis Armstrong in a self-financed biopic about the late jazz legend’s life.
That’s according to Jermaine Fowler who, while promoting his new film Coming 2 America, told NME that his co-star Morgan is currently working on the biopic.
When asked if he thinks Morgan is an under appreciated actor owning to his “whackier” roles, Fowler responded: “I do. I would love to see him do something dramatic. In fact, he showed us a clip of a movie he’s financing that’s really, really dope. He wants to play Louis Armstrong in a biopic and I believe he can do it.
“He sounds exactly like him and looks exactly like him, and I was blown away by it. If he can truly pull that off I think it’ll put Tracy on another level altogether.”
Tracy Morgan and Jermaine Fowler in ‘Coming 2 America’. CREDIT: Paramount Pictures
Morgan, who plays Fowler’s uncle in the new Coming To America (1988) sequel, is known for his stint in 30 Rock (2006-2013) as well as films including The Longest Yard (2005) and Death At A Funeral (2010).
The actor previously told Howard Stern SiriusXM’s radio show about his wish to make and star in an Armstrong film, however, Fowler’s new comments confirm that progress is well underway and that Morgan is indeed portraying the jazz great.
Elsewhere in the interview with Fowler, the actor spoke of his admiration for Morgan. “I’ve been a fan of everything Tracy’s done since Martin. I love small cameos, and when you can turn them into a big cameo it’s even better – like Kevin Hart in 40 Year Old Virgin and Craig Robinson in Knocked Up. With Tracy, his cameo in Jay And Silent Bob Strike Back always made me laugh so much.”
Source: NME
Brandy To Star In New ABC Hip Hop Drama Titled ‘Queens’
Grammy-winning singer and actress Brandy has joined the cast of ABC’s pilot Queens.
Brandy will star opposite Eve, Naturi Naughton and Pepi Sonuga in the drama from writer Zahir McGhee (Scandal) and ABC Signature. The show centers on four women in their 40s who reunite for a chance to recapture their fame and regain the swagger they had as the Nasty Bitches— a ’90s group that made them legends in the hip-hop world.
Brandy will play Naomi, who 20 years ago was better known as Xplicit Lyrics, the musical engine of the Nasty Bitches. An artist with boundless talent, Naomi was sure she’d achieve more success after the group broke up – but she didn’t. When the group gets back together, Naomi is reunited with the only man she ever loved, as well as the rival bandmate who stole that man from her. But what Naomi wants more than anything is to build a relationship with the daughter she was never really there for.
In addition to acting, Brandy will also contribute original music to Queens. Eve and Naughton (Power) are playing two other members of the group, while Sonuga (Freeform’s Famous in Love) plays a rising hip hop star.
McGhee executive produces Queens with director Tim Story (Tom & Jerry, Ride Along) and Sabrina Wind.
Brandy’s most recent TV role was on Fox’s Star. Her credits also include Moesha, the 1997 Cinderella opposite Whitney Houston and The Game. She’s repped by CAA, Ryan Ramsey of SALXCO, Sonja Norwood of Norwood & Norwood and Stephen Barnes of Morris Yorn.
Queen Latifah’s ‘The Equalizer’ Renewed For Season 2
CBS announced that it has renewed television’s #1 entertainment series, THE EQUALIZER starring Queen Latifah, for a second season.
“THE EQUALIZER has proven more than equal to the task of engaging viewers and racking up wins on Sunday night,” said Kelly Kahl, President, CBS Entertainment. “We’re extremely proud to see this outstanding broadcast drama, led by Queen Latifah, punch through the competitive landscape and return for a second season.”
After four episodes, the CBS original series THE EQUALIZER is television’s #1 scripted series in viewers, adults 25-54 and adults 18-49, averaging 14.6 million viewers. The series premiere on Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 7, was the most-watched debut of the 2020-2021 season, delivering 23.8 million viewers, and scored the best viewer and demo numbers for any entertainment program since the Academy Awards on Feb. 9, 2020. In addition, it retained 40% of the SUPER BOWL post-game show’s total audience, the best post-game retention for any scripted show since the half-hour “New Girl” telecast in 2014 (40%) and best hour-long scripted retention since “Glee” in 2011 (41%).
THE EQUALIZER is a reimagining of the classic series starring Academy Award㈢ nominee and multi-hyphenate Queen Latifah (“Chicago,” “Bessie”) as Robyn McCall, an enigmatic woman with a mysterious background who uses her extensive skills as a former CIA operative to help those with nowhere else to turn. McCall presents to most as an average single mom who is quietly raising her teenage daughter. But to a trusted few, she is The Equalizer – an anonymous guardian angel and defender of the downtrodden, who’s also dogged in her pursuit of personal redemption.
Chris Noth, Lorraine Toussaint, Tory Kittles, Adam Goldberg, Liza Lapira and Laya DeLeon Hayes also star. Andrew Marlowe, Terri Miller, Dana Owens (Queen Latifah), John Davis, John Fox, Debra Martin Chase, Richard Lindheim (co-creator of the original “Equalizer” TV series that ran on CBS for four seasons) and Shakim Compere are executive producers for Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group, in association with CBS Studios.
THE EQUALIZER joins the previously announced renewals of the CBS original series THE NEIGHBORHOOD and BOB ⒕ABISHOLA.
