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.
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;
