Eddie Murphy To Be Inducted Into The NAACP IMAGE AWARDS Hall Of Fame
BEVERLY HILLS, CA (March 11, 2021) – Today, the NAACP revealed that legendary entertainer, film icon and two-time Image Award recipient Eddie Murphy will be inducted into the acclaimed NAACP Image Awards Hall of Fame during this year’s ceremony. Additionally announced, Image Award Outstanding Female Artist nominee Jazmine Sullivan will perform–along with Grammy Award-winning singer Maxwell, who will celebrate the 25th anniversary of his debut album Urban Hang Suite–during the 52nd NAACP Image Awards airing LIVE on BET and simulcast across ViacomCBS Networks including CBS, BET Her, VH1, MTV, MTV2, and LOGO on Saturday, March 27th, 2021 at 8/7c.
The Hall of Fame Award, which will be presented by Eddie Murphy’s collaborator and long-time friend Arsenio Hall, is bestowed on an individual who is a pioneer in his or her respective field and whose influence will shape the profession for generations to come. As one of the most commercially successful actors in the history of the motion picture business, Murphy has entertained and kept audiences laughing for over 40 years.
He began his career doing stand-up comedy as a teenager and later joined the cast of Saturday Night Live. At age 21, Murphy starred in the box-office hit 48 Hours, and went on to star in more than 70 films including Trading Places, Beverly Hills Cop, Coming to America, Harlem Nights, The Nutty Professor, Dr. Dolittle Shrek, Dreamgirls, Dolemite Is My Name, and Coming 2 America–which secured the #1 opening weekend of any streaming movie in the past year. An Academy Award nominee, he has been recognized for his work with two NAACP Image Awards, as well as Golden Globe, Emmy, Screen Actors Guild, and Grammy Awards.
“We are honored to celebrate one of the most influential comedic geniuses in the entertainment industry and an individual who has inspired a generation of Black talent,” said Derrick Johnson, President and CEO of the NAACP. “To this day, Eddie Murphy’s work continues to bring joy and laughter to individuals around the world, and he is an amazing example of Black excellence, creativity, and artistry.”
Presenters for the LIVE show include Alicia Keys, Andra Day, Arsenio Hall, Cynthia Erivo, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Michelle Obama, Misty Copeland, Regina King, Samuel L. Jackson, the cast of Tyler Perry’s Sistas, Swizz Beatz, and Tracy Morgan.
The non-televised award categories will be announced virtually March 22-26. Presenters include thecast of BET’s Bigger (Tanisha Long, Angell Conwell, Rasheda Crockett, Tristen J. Winger, and Chase Anthony,) CeCe Winans, Damson Idris, Daymond John, Javicia Leslie, JB Smoove, Leslie Jones, Madalen Mills, MAJOR., Marcus Scribner, Method Man, Nicole Beharie, Retta, Reno Wilson, Susan Kelechi Watson, Tamar Braxton and Terrence Terrell.
Earlier this week, nominees for the inaugural Outstanding Social Media Personality award were announced, which included Desi Banks (@iamdesibanks), Karlton Humes (@notKarltonBanks), Kevin Fredricks (@KevOnStage), Tabitha Brown(@iamtabithabrown), and Tiffany Aliche (@thebudgetnista).
The NAACP Image Awards honors the accomplishments of people of color in the fields of television, music, literature, and film and also recognizes individuals or groups who promote social justice through creative endeavors.
For all information and the latest news, please follow NAACP Image Awards on Instagram @NAACPImageAwards.
‘Wild N’ Out’ Sets Its Return On MTV For April 6th!
According to sources, we hear that MTV’s Wild N Out is set to return back on the small screen on April 6th.
Nick Cannon and ViacomCBS restored their partnership after the TV host apologized for anti-Semitic comments that led to his termination last year.
Nearly seven months after cutting ties, the company announced the VH1 sketch-comedy series “Wild ‘N Out” resumed production with Cannon as host.
MTV Entertainment Group said Cannon has “taken responsibility for his comments” and “worked to educate himself” through conversations with Jewish leaders.
Cannon, 40, has been in business with ViacomCBS since 1998, including stints on Nickelodeon’s “All That” and “The Nick Cannon Show.” “Wild ‘N Out” has aired on Viacom’s MTV and VH1 since 2005.
No word yet on who will be joining the cast.
Young Rock’ Had The Largest Digital Launch Of Any NBC Comedy Ever
Streaming viewers smell what “Young Rock” is cooking. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s new sitcom debuted to the largest digital audience of any NBC comedy ever, TheWrap has learned.
NBC executives are no jabronies.
At this point, “Young Rock’s” Feb. 16, 2021 series premiere (and its encores) has amassed a 3.4 rating in the adults 18-49 demographic and 11.8 million total viewers. Since those numbers include digital platforms — Hulu, the NBC app and Peacock — we really can’t compare them to programming on another network. But we can tell you that using NBC’s in-house data, multiplatform ratings for the “Young Rock” debut are lower than only the network’s “This Is Us” season premiere last fall.
We can also look at “Young Rock’s” growth. The series premiere drew a 1.0 rating in “live” TV viewing. With three days of delayed viewing, that linear-only number grew to a 1.4. Then add another 0.7, or another one-third of the overall viewing, from digital alone during the same 72-hour time period.
Nielsen does not measure proprietary digital offerings. The TV ratings currency company does not yet measure Peacock viewing and its Hulu data should still be considered in the infancy stages.
“Young Rock” is also the most “multigenerational” comedy of the 2020-21 season, according to NBC research, meaning more 50-year-olds watched the series premiere with a minor (under 18) than any other sitcom on broadcast television. If bringing the family unit back together isn’t presidential, we don’t know what is.
We’ve got another interesting tidbit about the comedy, which sees Johnson telling his life story during a 2032 presidential run. USA Network’s Monday, Feb. 22 encore of NBC’s “Young Rock” premiere, immediately following WWE’s flagship wrestling program “Raw,” was the highest-rated (in 18-49) post-WWE telecast in nearly a year.
That means a six-days-later rerun of a series that already aired for free on broadcast television drew better ratings in the key demo for entertainment programming than a whole bunch of original episodes for other shows. USA Network tends to slot WWE-adjacent programming following “Monday Night Raw” — like “Stone Cold” Steve Austin’s “Straight Up Steve Austin” — but the “Young Rock” repeat left a pandemic’s worth of regularly scheduled stuff pinned to the canvas.
“Young Rock” airs Tuesdays at 8/7c on NBC. The series is on a brief hiatus until March 16.
Source: The Wrap
‘Coming 2 America’ Scores Biggest Streaming Opening Weekend Of The Past Year
Research firm Screen Engine, which didn’t disclose viewership numbers, finds the Amazon film’s debut topped that of ‘Wonder Woman 1984’ and ‘Borat Subsequent Moviefilm.’
The long-awaited sequel Coming 2 America scored the top opening weekend of any film launching on a streaming service in the past year when debuting March 5 on Amazon Prime Video, according to Screen Engine/ASI.
Screen Engine, however, isn’t allowed to disclose viewership numbers for the movies it surveys.
Starring Eddie Murphy, Coming 2 America edged out Paramount+’s new offering, The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run, according to Screen Engine. The weekend’s other high-profile new offering was Disney’s Raya and the Last Dragon, although it cost Disney+ an additional $30 to watch the film (Raya also debuted simultaneously in cinemas).
Coming 2 America‘s performance means it beat out opening weekend viewership of fellow Amazon Prime tentpole BoratSubsequent Moviefilm, which debuted last October, and Wonder Woman 1984, which launched on Christmas weekend on HBO Max.
Directed by Craig Brewer, Coming 2 America — like Borat and SpongeBob — are among numerous films that opted to head for streaming instead of waiting for the box office to recover.
Murphy and Arsenio Hall reprise their roles as Prince Akeem of Zamunda and his trusted associate Semmi, who once again journey to America — specifically, Queens, New York.
Wesley Snipes, KiKi Layne, Leslie Jones, Tracy Morgan and more, also star in the sequel to the 1988 comedy blockbuster.
Amazon acquired the film from Paramount.
“The Zamunda Royal family has arrived and audiences around the globe welcomed them enthusiastically! The premiere of Coming 2 America has far exceeded any of our wildest expectations,” Amazon Studios chief Jennifer Salke said in a statement.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
Jamie Foxx Announced As New Owner Of Flavored Whiskey Brand BSB-Brown Sugar Bourbon
Jamie Foxx has been announced as the owner of the new flavored whiskey brand BSB-Brown Sugar Bourbon. Foxx’s leadership and the redesigned bottle starts a new era for the brand and it’s two product offerings: BSB-Brown Sugar Bourbon and BSB 103.
In his ownership role, Foxx will lead creative direction and lend his entrepreneurial spirit to help further the brand’s expansion.
“I’ve always lived by the rule that life is short, and you need to go out and do what you want to do. Owning a brand that brings sweet life to the party has always been a goal and with BSB we’re making it happen,” said Foxx. “Before the quarantine I watched bottles of BSB disappear at all my celebrations and knew this was a brand I wanted to bring into the spotlight. Anyone who tries BSB is going to love it just like I do.”
“We are extremely fortunate that Jamie was introduced to our brand at one of his legendary parties,” said Sean M. Penn, CEO of BSB Spirits. “I have no doubt that Jamie will lead BSB to new heights. We can think of no better creative force than Jamie, and we look forward to watching him introduce BSB to the world.”
The brand was found in Washington state in 2016 and is currently available nationwide at online and fine liquor retailers.
WATCH: ‘Coming 2 America’ Movie Review Available On Amazon Prime & Amazon
Director’s Craig Brewer’s Coming 2 America, the sequel to the enduring Eddie Murphy hit Coming to America, has finally arrived 33 years later. We are happy to say that most of the beloved original cast has returned in parts both big and small.
In the film, Murphy and Arsenio Hall are back as Zamundan Prince Akeem and his personal aide Semmi; James Earl Jones briefly reprises his role as King Jaffe Joffer, alongside John Amos (as the fast food restauranteur Cleo McDowell), Shari Headley (Akeem’s love interest, now wife), Paul Bates (Oha, the royal servant with the voice of an angel), and Vanessa Bell Calloway (Imani, Akeem’s would-be betrothed in the first movie who memorably barks like a dog at his command). Time has been kind to all these familiar faces, who seem to be having fun revisiting these characters.
What should be noted is there are some AMAZINGLY funny performances in this film; especially by Leslie Jones in what we think is going to be her breakout role, and newcomer Nomzamo Mbatha lights up the screen with her role. We can’t overlook Jermaine Fowler and Snipes, who all have been added to this sequel.
Anyway, check out our full review of the film in the video below;
WATCH: Eddie Murphy Reveals He’s Ready To Return To Stand-Up Comedy ‘Again’ In New Interview
Eddie Murphy is going back to his comedy roots. He reveals that he wants to return to stand-up comedy once the pandemic is over in this preview of his interview on ‘Tamron Hall.’
Eddie Murphy, 59, is one of the great stand-up comedians of our time, and he wants to get back to it. The legendary actor sits down with Tamron Hall, along with his daughter Bella Murphy, 19, on March 11 to discuss what’s next for him. Tamron asks Eddie about the status of his return to stand-up comedy in this EXCLUSIVE preview of the interview.
“As soon as the world gets back to normal and people can be around people and can do shows and stuff again, I want to get back out and do that again,” Eddie says in our EXCLUSIVE video. “I was trying to take it all full circle.”
Eddie Murphy with his daughter, Bella, on ‘Tamron Hall.’ (Tamron Hall)
Like with everyone, the pandemic put a pin in Eddie’s stand-up plans and changed everything. “I was having so much fun just being on the couch doing nothing. I was like, you know what? I can’t sit up on this couch forever. I have to get up off this couch. I didn’t want to leave it,” he admits. He notes that he wanted to get up and do “something funny.” He adds, “In case I sit on this couch forever, I left it on a high note, so we’ll do some full circle stuff.”
Eddie’s plan to return to stand-up comedy was revealed back in 2019. He opened up to The New York Times about wanting to get back to that aspect of his career, and his movie Dolemite is My Name paved the way for that. “I didn’t want to just pop back up,” he said. “I wanted a funny movie to remind them that they liked me. This movie turned out so strong that I figured this is a great way to come back.”
A Netflix comedy special was planned for 2020, but the pandemic put that on hold. In Sept. 2020 after his Emmy win, Eddie revealed that his stand-up comedy return was still very much in the works. His past stand-up comedy specials, Delirious and Raw, are available on Netflix. His stand-up and sketch comedy talents made him a household name and built the foundation for his long and successful career. His next film is the highly-anticipated Coming 2 America, which will debut March 5 on Amazon Prime Video. Eddie’s Tamron Hall interview will air on March 11. Check your local listings for airtimes.
Source: Hollywoodlife.com
Kevin Hart Joins John Hamburg For New Netflix Comedy Film Titled ‘Me Time’
Hamburg, who wrote the Meet the Parents movies in the 2000s, wrote the script and will direct.
Kevin Hart has reteamed up with John Hamburg, who wrote the comedian’s hit, Night School, for Me Time, a comedy set up at Netflix.
Hamburg, perhaps best known for writing the Meet the Parents comedies and directing Along Came Polly in the early 2000s, wrote the script and is directing and producing.
Hart is also producing with Bryan Smiley and the duo’s HartBeat Productions. Lauren Hennessey will also exec produce.
The script centers on a stay-at-home dad who finds himself with some “me time” for the first time in years while his wife and kids are away. He reconnects with his former best friend for a wild weekend that nearly upends his life.
The project falls under Hart’s recent deal with Netflix which calls for the actor to star and produce at least four features while also establishing a first-look deal. The goal is to shoot the project later this year.
Joe Gatta will also executive produce.
Hamburg’s Meet the Parents movies were early 2000s comedy mainstays that starred Ben Stiller and Robert De Niro, among others. The Universal movies grossed over $1.1 billion worldwide. Hamburg also wrote and direct Along Came Polly, another Stiller hit that also starred Jennifer Aniston, and I Love You Man, which starred Paul Rudd and Jason Segel. Night School, which he wrote and saw Hart star opposite Tiffany Haddish, was a $100 million hit when it was released in 2018.
Hart is prepping to shoot Lionsgate’s high-profile video game adaptation Borderlands and recently wrapped Sony’s action-comedy Man from Toronto opposite Woody Harrelson.
Hamburg is repped by WME, manager Mikkel Bondesen, and Sloss Eckhouse while Hart by UTA, 3 Arts Entertainment, and Schrek Rose.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
Ta-Nehisi Coates To Write New Superman Movie Reboot
J.J. Abrams is producing the feature.
Acclaimed essayist and novelist Ta-Nehisi Coates has been hired to pen the script for a feature reboot of Superman that will be produced by J.J. Abrams.
“To be invited into the DC Extended Universe by Warner Bros., DC Films and Bad Robot is an honor,” said Coates in a statement to website Shadow and Act, a website dedicated to the African diaspora in the arts. “I look forward to meaningfully adding to the legacy of America’s most iconic mythic hero.”
“There is a new, powerful and moving Superman story yet to be told. We couldn’t be more thrilled to be working with the brilliant Mr. Coates to help bring that story to the big screen, and we’re beyond thankful to the team at Warner Bros. for the opportunity,” said J.J. Abrams in the statement to S&A.
Coates is a superstar author whose books include We Were Eight Years in Power: An American Tragedy, The Beautiful Struggle and Between the World and Me, the latter of was adapted by HBO. In the comic book space he has worked on Captain America and Black Panther, with Disney’s Bob Iger crediting his influential run helping him decide to greenlight the groundbreaking movie starring Chadwick Boseman.
More to come.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter, Shadow & Act
Winston Duke To Play Activist Marcus Garvey In Amazon Studios’ New Film ‘Marked Man’
Amazon Studios has set Winston Duke (Black Panther) to will star as Marcus Garvey in Marked Man. Garvey was a political activist who was a key figure of Black nationalism in the 20th Century. Andrew Dosunmu will direct the drama and Jesse Williams (Little Fires Everywhere) and DeWanda Wise (She’s Gotta Have It) are in talks to star.
The film is partly inspired by the Colin Grant biography, Negro with a Hat: The Rise and Fall of Marcus Garvey. Script is by acclaimed playwright Kwame Kwei-Armah, which Esther Douglas developed with the support of the BFI Film Fund.
Mark Gordon (Ray Donovan) of Mark Gordon Pictures is producing with Jackson Pictures’ Matt Jackson (The Trial of the Chicago 7), Glendon Palmer and Douglas. Robert Teitel, Kwei-Armah and Jackson Pictures’ Joanne Lee will be executive producers, along with Kwei-Armah.
Set in the 1920s, Marked Man follows a young black man who joins J. Edgar Hoover’s Bureau of Investigation, and then infiltrates Marcus Garvey’s UNIA organization, testing his loyalty to both race and country as he grows weary of both men’s actions.
After directing videos for the likes of Isaac Hayes, Common, Tracy Chapman and Wyclef Jean, Dosunmu made his feature directing debut with Restless City, and most recently helmed the Michelle Pfeiffer-Kiefer Sutherland-starrer Where Is Kyra? He next directs for Netflix and producer Lena Waithe Original Film Beauty.
Among Kwei-Armah’s works as a playwright are Elmina’s Kitchen and Let There Be Love, A Bitter Herb, Statement of Regret, Marley and Seize the Day. He most recently wrote the script for Spike Lee’s upcoming musical film on the breakthrough of Pfizer’s little blue pill, Viagra.
All of the talent and filmakers are repped by CAA. Dosunmu is also repped by Andre Des Rochers; Williams by Management 360, and Des Rochers; Wise by ColorCreative and attorney Nina Shaw; Kwei-Amah by Redfine Entertainment, United Agents, and attorney Linda Lichter; and Jackson Pictures by attorney Neil Sacker.
