In this episode of Box Seats, we discuss the news of Damian Lillard re-signing a deal to return to the Portland Trailblazers- in a move that no one saw coming!
Plus, we talk about news that is shaking up the Philadelphia 76ers! Whats going to happen to Joel Embiid?
We also talk about the NFLPA news that’s shocking, and the other hottest topics in sports!
This episode stars comedians Howie Bell and Maurice Smith!
#NBAPlayoffs #NBAfreeagency #Freeagency #Indiana #IndianaPacers #OKC #OklahomaCItyThunder #BostonCeltics #NBAPlayoffs #NewYorkKnicks #DenverNuggets #OKC #Denvernuggetts #NFL #NBA #NBATrades #comedy #comedygrind #NFLTrades #NFLRumors #NFLFreeagency
From viral specials to sold-out tours and Emmy nods, African American comedians are leading the charge in 2025’s comedy renaissance. Whether through stand-up, streaming, or social media, these artists are reshaping the landscape with bold storytelling, cultural insight, and undeniable charisma.
| Comedian | Project(s) | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Dave Chappelle | The Dreamer (Netflix), Summer Camp Tour | 17.4M views; sold-out shows in Ohio and Europe |
| Jamie Foxx | What Had Happened Was… (Netflix) | Emotional comeback; Golden Globe-nominated |
| Katt Williams | Arena Tour, Podcast Appearances | Provocative and packed performances |
| Ali Siddiq | Domino Effect series, In the Shadows Tour | 40M+ views across specials; 34-city tour expansion |
| Deon Cole | Average Joe (TV), Stand-up Tour | Blending acting chops with sharp observational humor |
| Comedian | Show/Platform | Accolades & Buzz |
|---|---|---|
| Quinta Brunson | Abbott Elementary (ABC) | Emmy-nominated for acting & writing |
| Ayo Edebiri | The Bear (FX), Prodigies (Apple TV+) | Lead Actress and Directing Emmy noms |
| Jessica Williams | Shrinking (Apple TV+) | Supporting Actress Emmy nominee |
| Nicole Byer | Summer of 69 (Hulu), Nailed It! | Joyful irreverence meets hosting excellence |
| Name | Work & Impact |
|---|---|
| Josh Johnson | Touring Flowers, writing Daily Show, podcast host |
| Sam Jay | We the People (Fringe Festival), HBO special Salute Me or Shoot Me |
| Langston Kerman | Bust Down, podcast My Momma Told Me |
| Comedian | Platforms & Projects |
|---|---|
| DC Young Fly | 85 South Show, solo stand-up tour |
| Desi Banks | Elevation Tour, Desi Banks Productions |
| Druski | Skits, tour dates TBA |
| Tacarra Williams | Stand-up special My Favorite Season Is Men |
These comedians aren’t just making people laugh—they’re shaping conversations around race, identity, and representation. From Emmy stages to YouTube specials, African American comedians are proving that Black comedy is the heartbeat of the industry.
Netflix’s comedy lineup in 2025 was headlined by two titans of stand-up—Jamie Foxx and Dave Chappelle—whose specials not only captivated audiences but also topped the platform’s performance charts. Their respective releases, What Had Happened Was… and The Dreamer, delivered a potent mix of vulnerability, social commentary, and signature humor, making them standout hits in a competitive year for streaming comedy.
Jamie Foxx’s long-awaited return to stand-up was more than just a comeback—it was a revelation. Filmed in Atlanta, the special chronicled his near-fatal health scare in 2023, including a stroke caused by a brain bleed, and his emotional journey back to the stage.
Foxx’s motto—“If I could stay funny, I could stay alive”—became the emotional heartbeat of the special, resonating deeply with viewers and critics alike.
Dave Chappelle’s The Dreamer, released on December 31, 2023, kicked off 2025 with a bang. Known for his fearless approach to comedy, Chappelle tackled everything from cancel culture to race and politics in his signature unfiltered style.
Chappelle’s ability to provoke thought while commanding massive viewership underscores his enduring influence in the comedy world.
Together, Foxx and Chappelle’s specials outperformed other top-tier releases, including Gabriel Iglesias’ Legend of Fluffy and Nate Bargatze’s Your Friend, Nate Bargatze. Their success highlights a growing appetite for personal, provocative, and culturally resonant comedy.
In this episode of Box Seats, we discuss the news of Bradley Beal landing on the Los Angeles Clippers, and hope it affects the new team, and if it forms a new Big 3 in LA.
Plus, we talk about the new news we heard about LeBron James, and the hottest topics in sports!
This episode features comedians Marc Howard and Maurice Smith!
#NBAPlayoffs #NBAfreeagency #Freeagency #Indiana #IndianaPacers #OKC #OklahomaCItyThunder #BostonCeltics #NBAPlayoffs #NewYorkKnicks #DenverNuggets #OKC #Denvernuggetts #NFL #NBA #NBATrades #comedy #comedygrind #NFLTrades #NFLRumors #NFLFreeagency
Paramount+ today announced that Samuel L. Jackson has signed on to headline his first TV series following the greenlighting of NOLA KING, the first spinoff of the hit series, TULSA KING. Jackson’s character, Russell Lee Washington Jr., will be introduced in the upcoming, highly anticipated third season of TULSA KING, slated to premiere in September.
NOLA KING follows Russell Lee Washington Jr. (Jackson) who, after befriending Dwight Manfredi (Stallone) during a ten-year stint in federal prison, is sent to Tulsa by New York’s Renzetti crime family to take Dwight out once and for all. Inspired by what Dwight created in Tulsa and impressed with the possibilities of second chances, Washington returns to New Orleans, the home he abandoned forty-years ago, to rekindle his relationship with his family and friends, and to take control of the city he left behind. In so doing, he incurs the wrath of his former employers in New York, and makes himself vulnerable to old NOLA foes, both criminal and cop.
“Samuel L. Jackson brings unparalleled presence and global appeal, making him the perfect choice to maximize the momentum of one of our biggest hits and transform it into a hit franchise,” said Chris McCarthy, Co-CEO of Paramount Global and President of SHOWTIME/MTV Entertainment. “Building on the breakout success of Sylvester Stallone’s TULSA KING, audiences will now experience the full force of Jackson’s dynamic, layered performance, supercharging one of Paramount+’s flagship series.”
“Chris McCarthy came to me with a game-changing idea: to elevate my show beyond a mob boss series, creating a dynamic, family-driven franchise,” said Sylvester Stallone. “I was immediately on board. Sam Jackson is the only choice to anchor this new adventure in NOLA, and David Glasser and 101 are the perfect partner to bring it to life.”
“Partnering with Paramount has been such a rich experience,” said David C. Glasser, CEO 101 Studios. “Taylor had the brilliant idea to drop Sylvester Stallone in the middle of Tulsa and it has been everything we have wanted and more. The success of this show has now led us to another icon. I cannot wait to see what Sam brings to this world.”
NOLA KING is executive produced by Oscar(R) nominees Taylor Sheridan, Sylvester Stallone and Samuel L. Jackson. David C. Glasser, Ron Burkle, David Hutkin, Bob Yari, Michael Friedman and Keith Cox also executive produce. The series is produced by MTV Entertainment Studios and 101 Studios and distributed by Paramount Global Content Distribution outside of the Paramount+ markets.
In 2024, TULSA KING ranked as the #1 global Paramount+ original series and was a top 10 original series across all SVODs in Q4 of that year.
With countless iconic screen performances in over 150 films, Samuel L. Jackson is one of the most respected and beloved performers in Hollywood, standing among the highest global box office earners in cinematic history with his films grossing nearly $15 billion worldwide. He has received Academy Award(R), Emmy(R), Golden Globe(R), SAG(R) and Tony Award(R) nominations, and is the recipient of a BAFTA Award, two Independent Spirit Awards, and four NAACP Image Awards(R), among myriad honors. In 2022, in recognition of his extraordinary contributions to cinema, Jackson received an Honorary Academy Award.
Jackson’s portrayal of ‘Jules’, the philosopher hitman, in Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction made an indelible mark on American cinema, and among his many acclaimed performances, he made movie history with Spike Lee’s Jungle Fever when he was awarded the first and only Best Supporting Performance Award at the Cannes Film Festival. His career-defining collaborations with both directors include Lee’s Do The Right Thing, Chi-Raq, School Daze, Oldboy, and Mo’ Better Blues; and Tarantino’s Jackie Brown, Django Unchained, Kill Bill: Vol. 2, Inglorious Basterds, and The Hateful Eight.
A franchise powerhouse, Jackson currently holds the record for the most Marvel Cinematic Universe projects, appearing as ‘Nick Fury’ in twelve films and three television series. His other major franchises include the Star Wars prequel trilogy; M. Night Shyamalan’s Unbreakable trilogy; and Pixar’s The Incredibles and its sequel. His impressive filmography includes A Time to Kill, The Red Violin, Black Snake Moan, Changing Lanes, Eve’s Bayou, Snakes on a Plane, Deep Blue Sea, 187, The Long Kiss Goodnight, Kingsman: The Secret Service, Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, The Hitman’s Bodyguard, and countless others.
On television, Jackson has made a powerful impact both as an actor and producer. In 2022, he starred in and executive produced the critically-acclaimed limited series The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey, earning a Critics Choice Award nomination for his performance. He also starred in and executive produced Secret Invasion, once again reprising his role as ‘Nick Fury’. Most recently, Jackson starred in the record-breaking series Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist alongside Kevin Hart, Terrence Howard, Taraji P. Henson, and Don Cheadle.
Jackson’s career began on stage, graduating with a degree in Dramatic Arts before originating roles in two of August Wilson’s seminal works, The Piano Lesson and Two Trains Running, and in the original company of The Negro Ensemble’s A Soldier’s Play, by Charles Fuller. On Broadway, he portrayed Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Katori Hall’s The Mountaintop opposite Angela Bassett. He most recently returned to Broadway in 2023 in the acclaimed revival of August Wilson’s The Piano Lesson, directed by his wife LaTanya Richardson Jackson, for which he earned his first Tony Award nomination for his performance as ‘Doaker Charles’. He later reprised the role in the Netflix film adaptation of the play, released in November 2024. He earned his second Tony Award nomination as co-producer of the acclaimed Broadway revival of the seminal play Purlie Victorious.
Jackson and his wife recently opened the LaTanya Richardson Jackson and Samuel L. Jackson Performing Arts Center at Spelman College, the sister school of his alma mater, Morehouse College.
Jackson is repped by CAA, Anonymous Content, ID and law firm Jackoway Austen Wertheimer Mandelbaum Morris Bernstein Trattner & Klein LLC.
Nick Cannon is stepping into the world of late-night intimacy and love talk with his newest venture, a relationship advice podcast titled “Nick Cannon @ Night.” Set to premiere on July 23rd, the show promises candid conversations, expert insights, and a whole lot of unfiltered realness from the man who’s fathered 12 children with six different women.
“Nick Cannon @ Night” is a modern twist on the classic call-in advice format. Each episode features Cannon responding to questions pulled straight from his personal DMs, tackling topics like:
The show will be taped in front of a live audience in Los Angeles, adding an interactive and theatrical vibe to the experience.
Cannon won’t be flying solo—he’s bringing in a panel of relationship experts and sex therapists, including:
Celebrity guests like Raven-Symoné, Melyssa Ford, and Flame Monroe will also join the conversation, sharing their own experiences and perspectives on love and relationships.
While some critics have raised eyebrows at Cannon’s qualifications—given his unconventional family structure and public relationship history—he’s leaning into his lived experience unapologetically. As the press release puts it: “Nick has never shied away, unapologetically leaving the world curious about his views on dating, fatherhood and modern relationships.”
“Nick Cannon @ Night” will be available on:
New episodes drop weekly starting July 23rd. Whether you’re tuning in for genuine advice, celebrity gossip, or just curious how Cannon juggles it all, this podcast is bound to stir conversation.
The 77th Primetime Emmy Awards are shaping up to be a celebration of Black brilliance in comedy, with a powerful lineup of African American talent earning nominations across major categories. From breakout stars to seasoned veterans, these nominees reflect the depth, diversity, and dynamism of Black comedic storytelling on television.
This year’s Emmy nominations mark a significant milestone: the majority of nominees in the Lead Actress in a Comedy category are women of color, a testament to the shifting landscape of television and the growing recognition of Black voices in comedy.
With the ceremony set for September 14, 2025, all eyes will be on these trailblazers as they continue to redefine what comedy looks like—and who gets to lead it.
Netflix has officially dropped the long-awaited trailer for Stranger Things Season 5, igniting excitement and nostalgia as fans prepare for the final chapter of the Hawkins saga. Released on July 16, 2025, the trailer teases an epic showdown between the beloved gang and the sinister forces of the Upside Down.
The trailer opens with a haunting montage of Hawkins in chaos—radio static, flickering lights, and a chilling voiceover hinting at the return of Vecna, now more powerful than ever. Key moments include:
The trailer’s tone is darker and more urgent, underscoring the stakes of this final season. A mysterious radio tower and cryptic symbols suggest new layers to the Upside Down’s mythology.
Netflix is breaking tradition by releasing the season in three volumes:
Each volume drops at 5 PM PT / 8 PM ET, giving fans a holiday season packed with supernatural suspense.
Returning favorites include Millie Bobby Brown, Finn Wolfhard, Winona Ryder, David Harbour, and Sadie Sink. New additions like Linda Hamilton and Jake Connelly bring fresh energy to the ensemble.
With its signature blend of horror, heart, and 1980s nostalgia, Stranger Things is poised to deliver a finale that’s both emotionally resonant and action-packed.
As the trailer declares, “To end this nightmare, they’ll need everyone—the full party—standing together, one last time.”
Netflix’s upcoming comedy Little Brother just got a major dose of comedic brilliance with the addition of Ego Nwodim, the Saturday Night Live standout known for her sharp wit and scene-stealing performances.
Directed by Matt Spicer (Ingrid Goes West) and penned by screenwriting duo Jarrad Paul and Andrew Mogel, Little Brother follows a high-powered real estate agent whose meticulously curated life is thrown into chaos when his eccentric younger brother unexpectedly reappears. The film promises a heartfelt and hilarious exploration of sibling dynamics, control, and the unpredictable nature of family.
Nwodim joins a powerhouse ensemble that includes John Cena, Eric André, Chris Meloni, Sherry Cola, Caleb Hearon, and Ben Ahlers. Her role in the film hasn’t been publicly detailed yet, but given her track record—from Poker Face to Mr. Throwback and her breakout SNL character “Lisa from Temecula”—audiences can expect a performance packed with charisma and comedic timing.
Behind the scenes, the film is produced by David Bernad (The White Lotus) and Ruben Fleischer (Zombieland) under the Middle Child Pictures banner. With Spicer’s knack for dark comedy and emotionally resonant storytelling, Little Brother is shaping up to be one of Netflix’s most anticipated releases.
While the official release date is still under wraps, filming is reportedly underway in Montclair, New Jersey. If the cast chemistry and creative team are any indication, Little Brother could be the next big comedy hit to land on the streamer.
ABC’s hit mockumentary-style sitcom Abbott Elementary continues its winning streak, earning multiple nominations at the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards, solidifying its place as one of television’s most beloved comedies.
Created by and starring Quinta Brunson, the series received its fourth consecutive nomination for Outstanding Comedy Series, joining a competitive lineup that includes Hacks, The Bear, and Only Murders in the Building. Though the show has yet to clinch a win in this category, its consistent presence signals enduring acclaim from both audiences and critics.
Brunson herself is once again nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series, following her historic win in 2023, when she became the first Black woman to take home the award since 1981. Her portrayal of Janine Teagues—a passionate and slightly awkward second-grade teacher navigating the challenges of a Philadelphia public school—has become iconic.
Supporting cast members Sheryl Lee Ralph and Janelle James also earned nods for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. Ralph, who won in 2022, and James, now on her fourth nomination, continue to be recognized for their standout performances as Barbara Howard and Ava Coleman, respectively.
The show’s writing team, led by Brunson, is also nominated for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series, marking another milestone for Black women in television. Brunson now ties the record for most writing Emmy nominations by a Black woman for a single series.
With the ceremony set for September 14 at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, Abbott Elementary fans are hoping this year brings the show its first win for Outstanding Comedy Series. Whether or not it takes home the top prize, the nominations alone affirm the show’s cultural impact and its role in reshaping the landscape of network comedy.