Samuel L. Jackson, Leslie Jones, And More Join New Nexflix Comedy Event Special
Netflix has pulled the curtain back on its first project with Black Mirrorcreators Charlie Brooker and Annabel Jones since it was revealed in July by several outlets that it had invested in their production outfit Broke And Bones.
After Brooker teased the comedy event special last Friday in a 10-second trailer and one of the stars of the show, Hugh Grant, let slip some of the details, we can reveal that spoof documentary Death To 2020will juxtapose footage of real-life events this year with fictitious “renowned” experts passing comment on what took place.
Grant told New York magazine last week that he will play a “repellent” historian in the special, while it can now bring you news of several other big names joining the cast.
Samuel L. Jackson, Lisa Kudrow, and Leslie Jones will be among those casting an eye over 2020 in character. Stranger Thingsstar Joe Keery, Silicon Valley’s Kumail Nanjiani, Golden Globe-winner Tracey Ullman, How I Met Your Motheractress Cristin Milioti, and Truth Seekersstar Samson Kayo will also feature.
British comedian and actress Diane Morgan has also signed up for the project, although sadly for her fans, she will not be playing Philomena Cunk, a character who remarks inanely on TV moments and topical events in Brooker’s darkly comic Wipe franchise for the BBC.
Having said that, Death To 2020 sounds like a supersizing of this element of the Wipe shows, in which fictional talking heads pass comment on the year to cathartic effect. In fact, Al Campbell — who has long collaborated with Brooker as the talking head character Barry Shitpeas — is directing the Netflix special.
Here’s the logline: “2020: A year so [insert adjective of choice here], even the creators of Black Mirror couldn’t make it up… but that doesn’t mean they don’t have a little something to add. Death To 2020 is a comedy event that tells the story of the dreadful year that was — and perhaps still is? This landmark documentary-style special weaves together some of the world’s most (fictitious) renowned voices with real-life archival footage spanning the past 12 months.”
Brooker and Jones executive produce Death To 2020 for Broke And Bones, while Alison Marlow is the producer. It is Broke And Bones’ first project for Netflix, although it did co-produce Charlie Brooker’s Antiviral Wipe for the BBC earlier this year. Netflix invested in the company in a landmark deal that gives the streamer exclusivity over Brooker and Jones’ new shows.
Source: Deadline
George Lopez Lands New Dramatic Series ‘Once Upon a Time in Aztlan’ For Amazon
In a competitive situation, the George Lopez drama series “Once Upon a Time in Aztlan” has been set up at Amazon for development, Variety has learned exclusively.
Lopez will star in and executive produce the one-hour series under his Travieso Productions banner. Javier Rodriguez created the series and will executive produce along with famed photographer and director Estevan Oriol, iconic LA-based artist Mister Cartoon, and Michael Connolly, who put the package together under his Mad Hatter Entertainment banner. Ricardo de Montreuil will direct the pilot and executive produce along with Oriol and Cartoon’s longtime collaborators Mark Suroff and Marco Valadez. Oriol previously collaborated with Cartoon, Suroff, and Valdez on the documentary “LA Originals,” with Oriol directing and the latter three executive producing.
The series will be a production between STXtv and Amazon Studios. STXtv acquired the spec script over the summer and subsequently took it to market, focusing on streaming and cable outlets.
The series is described as reaching into the deep suburbs of Los Angeles to characterize a Chicano family coming to terms with the falsehoods of the American dream, and their ability to defy expectations.
This would mark the first dramatic TV starring role of Lopez’s career. A well-known stand up comedian, he previously starred in a self-titled ABC comedy series for 120 episodes over six seasons from 2002-2007. He has also starred in shows like “Lopez” and “Saint George” as well as hosting his own TBS talk show, “Lopez Tonight.”
de Montreuil previously directed the feature “Lowriders,” on which Cartoon, Suroff, Valdez, and Oriol were executive producers. He is also known for directing and co-writing the story for the feature “Máncora.”
Cartoon is a legendary L.A. tattoo artist and designer. He has previously tattooed celebrities including Kobe Bryant, Eminem, Dr. Dre, 50 Cent, Beyoncé, Snoop Dogg, and many others. He has also created designs for companies like Nike, The LA Clippers, and EA Sports.
Oriol is an internationally celebrated photographer and director. He began his career as a tour manager for Cypress Hill and House of Pain. His work documenting the world of hip hop has been featured in numerous books and galleries, as well as The Smithsonian Center for Latino Initiatives, The Petersen Automotive Museum, and The Museum of Contemporary Art among others.
Connolly is currently an executive producer on the upcoming Amazon anthology horror series “Them” with Lena Waithe. He executive produced “Hemlock Grove” for Netflix and “The Son” for AMC. On the feature side, Connolly co-produces the “How to Train Your Dragon franchise.”
Source: Variety
Kevin Hart’s Laugh Out Loud And Headspace Partner on a Groundbreaking Content Collaboration
Headspace Studios, a multi-platform content studio from Headspace, the global leader in meditation and mindfulness, and LOL Studios, the production arm of Laugh Out Loud, the comedy brand and multi-platform network founded by the world’s top comedian Kevin Hart, announced their content collaboration blending comedy and mindfulness with the goal of inspiring and motivating people around the world to live a life full of compassion and awareness.
“Partnering with Headspace to bring wellness and positivity to everyone through premium comedic content delivers on our mission at LOL to keep the world laughing together,” said Founder and Chairman of Laugh Out Loud, Kevin Hart. “LOL Studios and Headspace are bringing a diverse set of comedians together in Meditate With Me and I am sharing my own journey with Mindful Runs and Energy Shots, seamlessly fusing comedy with wellness.”
The slate of content will roll out in January and include:
“Meditate With Me” YouTube Series – Each episode focuses on the meditation journey of various comedians and the inner monologue or chatter that occurs when they sit down to meditate. Confirmed talent include Kevin Hart, Hasan Minaj, Amanda Seales and Deon Cole. The episodes will live on the LOL Network YouTube channel.
Daily “Energy Shots with Kevin”featured in Headspace’s The Wake Up – Headspace’s daily Wake Up content is designed to help members start their day on a mindful note by prompting users to take healthier actions, focusing on five key elements of living a mindful life: meditation, sleeping, moving, eating and playing. “Energy Shots with Kevin” will feature daily motivational episodes, which will be accessible to Headspace Plus subscribers.
“Mindful Runs” with Kevin Hart – A part of Headspace’s Move mode, created to help members strengthen both their mind and their body while making running fun, Kevin will guide and motivate members in this mind-body fitness experience for Headspace Plus members. Mindful running is about being mentally connected to your physical movement through intention, breathing, form and recovery.
“Headspace and Kevin Hart share a passion for bringing joy to people around the world. So, our partnership with LOL Studios is an organic opportunity to merge the worlds of comedy and mindfulness together to make our planet a healthier and happier place,” stated Sam Rogoway, Chief Content and Product Officer at Headspace. “We are excited to break new ground with Kevin and LOL by introducing mindfulness concepts through inspirational comedy.”
“Our work with Headspace showcases our collaborative approach to production and partnership with world-class brands,” said Candice Wilson Cherry, Head of Development and Production at Laugh Out Loud. “We are bringing new and exciting content, IP and projects to market that ignite conversation and spotlight voices who are representative of Comedy In Color. With Headspace we’ve brought together our brands perfectly, mixing Comedy In Color with wellness and premium content.”
‘Baps’ And ‘How To Be A Player’ Star Natalie Desselle Reid Passes Away Unexpectedly
This morning a family member posted on Natalie Desselle Reid, star of the comedy film Baps (along with Halle Berry), and the hit Def Comedy Jam’s How To Be A Player (with Bill Bellamy), posted on her Instagram account that the star had passed away unexpectedly.
No word yet on how the star of Baps, How to Be A Player, Cinderella, and many other television shows, passed but as soon as we discover we will pass the word along. The family has yet to announce any funeral arrangements.
Reid was 53 years old. Condolences to her family.
UPDATE-Word has reached us that Reid has passed away after a very long battle with colon cancer.
‘The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air’ Reunion Trailer Is Released!
30 years later, the Banks family is back together! Join Will Smith, and Tatyana Ali, Karyn Parsons, Joseph Marcell, Daphne Maxwell Reid, Alfonso Ribeiro, and DJ Jazzy Jeff, for a funny and heartfelt night full of music and dancing in honor of the show that ran for six seasons and 148 episodes.
Rickey Smiley To Host The 2020 ‘Black Music Honors’ On Bounce TV
Chicago-based television production company Central City Productions will present the 2020 Black Music Honors in national broadcast syndication November 21 – December 13, 2020. Television and radio personality Rickey Smiley returns as host of the star-studded two-hour special which will honor artists and musicians who have influenced and made significant contributions to American music.
The honorees for this year’s Black Music Honors include Grammy® Award-nominated R&B legends Rhona Bennett, Terry Ellis, and Cindy Herron of En Vogue, recognized as one of the top 5 highest selling American female music groups in history, who will receive the Urban Music Icon Award for their three decades in the industry. Grammy® Award-winner, actress and Broadway star Deborah Cox will receive the Entertainer Icon Award. Multiple Stellar Awards and Grammy® Award-winner and producer Fred Hammond will receive the Gospel Music Icon Award. The National Museum of African American Music will be honored with the Legacy Award.
Founder and Executive Producer Don Jackson stated, “I am extremely excited about our 5th Annual 2020 Black Music Honors television special and our legendary awardees. Even in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important for us to stay committed to producing The Black Music Honors as a means of celebrating music icons who are often overlooked in receiving their much-deserved recognition.”
Performers of the evening include Musiq Soulchild, Raheem DeVaughn, Tweet, MAJOR., June’s Diary, Brian Courtney Wilson, D Smoke, Evvie McKinney, Marvin Sapp, RL, and Sheléa.
The show is set to air on Saturday, November 21 at 12PM (EST) on Bounce TV. State Farm returns as the show’s title sponsor. Other sponsors include AT&T, Walmart, Johnson & Johnson and Bounty.
Saturday’s Episode of ‘SNL’ Hosted by Dave Chappelle Was the Most Watched Since Eddie Murphy Hosted
Dave Chappelle’s recent appearance on Saturday Night Live, alongside musical guests the Foo Fighters, gave the sketch comedy show a big boost in ratings.
John Koblin, a TV reporter for The New York Times, tweeted on Tuesday: “SNL ratings bump following Biden’s speech/college football: Dave Chappelle SNL had 9.1 million viewers, most-viewed since Eddie Murphy episode (10 million). And biggest rating in the demo since 2017.” Murphy previously hosted SNL on December 21, 2019, with musical guest Lizzo.
SNL ratings bump following Biden’s speech/college football: Dave Chappelle SNL had 9.1 million viewers, most-viewed since Eddie Murphy episode (10 million). And biggest rating in the demo since 2017.
— John Koblin (@koblin) November 10, 2020
In his 16-minute opening monologue, Chappelle reminded folks to be humble in the wake of Joe Biden becoming the president-elect. “I would implore everybody who’s celebrating today to remember, it’s good to be a humble winner,” he told the audience.
“Remember when I was here four years ago, remember how bad that felt? Remember that half the country right now still feels that way. Please remember that.”
Chappelle previously hosted SNL in November 2016, right after the presidential election between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton. He told audience members then that he was going to give then-president-elect Trump a chance. “We, the historically disenfranchised, demand that he give us one, too,” he said of minority communities at the end of his monologue at the time.
Chappelle’s November 2016 episode (which was his debut as SNL host) garnered 8.691 million viewers, as per Deadline.
Another memorable moment from Saturday’s installment of SNL? The cold open, which imagined Trump’s concession speech.
Jim Carrey, as Biden, made a victory speech that echoed the one Biden gave in Delaware hours earlier. “Thank you very much America. We did it!” Carrey said. “Can you believe it? I honestly kind of can’t. It’s been so long since something good happened.”
Maya Rudolph joined Carrey’s Biden onstage as Vice President-elect Kamala Harris. “I am humbled and honored to be the first female, the first Black, the first Indian American and the first biracial vice president,” Rudolph said. “And if any of that terrifies you, well, I don’t give a funt.”
The segment also featured Alec Baldwin’s Trump, who falsely declared himself the winner of the election. “Good evening, thank you! Thank you for coming to watch my victory speech tonight,” Baldwin told the audience. “As anyone who died halfway through Tuesday knows, I was re-elected President of the United States, but of course they’re trying to steal the election away from me.” Baldwin ultimately “conceded” with a piano rendition of “Macho Man,” a nod to when Kate McKinnon, as Hillary Clinton, opened the first episode following the 2016 election (which, again, Chappelle hosted) with a piano rendition of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah.”
Source: Newsweek, Deadline
Jamie Foxx To Produce And Star In ‘The Burial’ For Amazon Studios
Oscar-winner Jamie Foxx is set to produce and star in Amazon’s The Burial, with Maggie Betts on board to direct. Foxx joins the two-handed drama and will star opposite a legendary role currently being cast. Pulitzer Prize winner Doug Wright penned the screenplay.
Amazon Studios, Bobby Shriver Inc. and Double Nickel Entertainment are producing the upcoming off-kilter drama based on the New Yorker article by Jonathan Harr. Producers are Bobby Shriver and Double Nickel’s Adam Richman & Jenette Kahn. Datari Turner is also producing.
Based on a true story, after a bankrupt funeral homeowner decides to sue a rival businessman over a handshake deal gone wrong, the owner hires a flamboyant attorney to handle the case.
Foxx recently won at the NAACP Image Awards and received a SAG Award nomination for Just Mercy. He can currently be seen in Netflix’s Project Power, and will next be heard in Disney-Pixar’s Soul. Foxx is producing and set to star in They Cloned Tyrone, and is also executive producing and starring in Netflix’s father-daughter comedy series Dad Stop Embarrassing Me, based on his relationship with his oldest daughter Corinne Foxx, who also produces the series. Foxx is repped by CAA, LBI Entertainment and Ziffren Brittenham.
Betts wrote and directed Novitiate, which won the Special Jury Award for Breakthrough Director at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival. She also received a Gotham Award nomination for the film. Her 2010 Tribeca Film Festival breakout documentary The Carrier tells the inspiring story of an HIV-positive and pregnant mother in Africa trying to protect her baby from being born with HIV/AIDS. Betts is repped by CAA, Brillstein Entertainment Partners and Sloane Offer Weber.
Wright has written more than10 plays, most notably the Broadway success I Am My Own Wife, which went on to win the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the Tony for Best Play in 2004. Other Broadway titles include War Paint, Grey Gardens, Hands on a Hardbody and The Little Mermaid. He adapted his own play Quills for the 2000 movie, which was directed by Philip Kaufman and was nominated for three Oscars. Wright is represented by ICM Partners and Colden Law.
Source: Deadline
Universal Is Moving Forward With A Reboot Of Dwayne Johnson’s ‘The Scorpion King’
‘Straight Outta Compton’ writer Jonathan Herman is penning the script for Dwayne Johnson and Dany Garcia’s Seven Bucks Productions.
Dwayne Johnson’s The Scorpion King is looking to reign once again. Universal is developing a reboot of the 2002 film, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed.
Screenwriter Jonathan Herman, who earned an Oscar nomination for Straight Outta Compton, is penning a script for Johnson and Dany Garcia’s Seven Bucks Productions.
Scorpion King was a spinoff of Brendan Fraser’s The Mummy series, which saw Johnson’s Scorpion King serve as an antagonist of 2001’s The Mummy Returns. The next year, Johnson led his own film, a prequel that told the story of the desert warrior Mathayus. Scorpion King earned $178.7 million globally and launched Johnson as a leading man. Johnson will not reprise his role as the titular character, but may appear in the film in another capacity.
Herman, who also has a Scarface reboot in development, is repped by UTA, Industry Entertainment, and Lichter, Grossman, Nichols, Adler, Feldman & Clark.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
‘Desus & Mero’ To Debut One Hour Original Special On Showtime On Nov 15th
SHOWTIME announced today a one-hour original DESUS & MERO special will air on Sunday, November 15 at 10 p.m. ET/PT. The special titled “DMFM: The Home of Boom Bap” will transform the DESUS & MERO studio into an old-school radio station and focus on the history of hip hop, featuring special guests includingBusta Rhymes, Sheila E, City Girls, Juicy J and Cam’ron, along with calls from listeners and more with the hosts Desus Nice (Daniel Baker) and The Kid Mero (Joel Martinez).
DESUS & MERO just wrapped its second season and, as previously announced, will return for season three in 2021. Each episode features the co-hosts giving their take on the day’s hot topics and chatting with guests at the intersection of pop culture, sports, music, politics and more.
Longtime acquaintances Desus Nice and The Kid Mero reconnected online in the early days of Twitter, where they unleashed their potent personalities and found themselves kindred spirits. That led to stints on Complex and MTV, the Bodega Boys podcast, and a daily late-night show on Viceland, developing a feverish following. The quick-witted duobrings a distinct voice to late night, delivering smart and comedic commentary on any and all topics, that keeps audiences buzzing.Desus and Mero continue to host their long-running and wildly popular Bodega Boys podcast. Their life advice book, God-Level Knowledge Darts: Life Lessons from the Bronx, was released by Random House on September 22, 2020 and made the New York Times Best Seller List.
