Phoebe Robinson Of ‘2 Dope Queens’ Lands New Comedy Special ‘Yearly Departed’ At Amazon
Phoebe Robinson of “2 Dope Queens” fame and “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” star Rachel Brosnahan are teaming up to wave a fond (or not so fond) farewell to 2020.
The duo have set a comedy special at Amazon called “Yearly Departed,” which will feature an all-women lineup of comedians delivering delivering a series of eulogies for the year. Robinson will host the special, and Brosnahan will appear in addition to executive producing.
“Yearly Departed,” which is slated to premiere sometime this winter, will see the comedians tackle everything from casual sex to beige Band-Aids, as well as reflecting on everything that we’ve “lost” in 2020. Brosnahan exec produces alongside Paige Simpson, David Jammy, Katy Mullan, Samantha Ressler, Nathalie Love, and Bess Kalb, with the latter serving as head writer.
“I can’t imagine a better way to lay this unfathomably awful year to rest than giving some of the world’s funniest women the last word. I’m grateful to our partners at Amazon Prime Video, We The Women, Bess Kalb and Done + Dusted for breathing life into our funeral and giving us all the opportunity to collectively heal through laughter,” said Brosnahan.
Linda Mendoza will direct the program which hails from Amazon Studios and Done + Dusted.
“I’m ready to put 2020 on fire like I’m barbequing at a Black family reunion. All kidding aside, the world is beyond stressful and confusing, so I’m honored to help take everyone’s minds off the heaviness with some much-needed comedy while wearing a fresh wig,” added Robinson.
“Given the events of 2020, we can’t wait to toast its departure with this group of hilarious women, led by the incredible Rachel Brosnahan!” said Jennifer Salke, Head of Amazon Studios. “Rachel, Bess, and the Done + Dusted team have come together with Phoebe Robinson to bring us some much needed laughter as this year finally ends.”
Source: Variety
‘Ms. Pat’ Comedic Sitcom Lands On BET Plus
The multi-cam sitcom based on the stand up comedy and memoir of Patricia “Ms. Pat” Williams has landed a series order at BET Plus.
The series was originally set up at Hulu last year with a pilot order. Now, BET Plus has given it a 10-episode order.
Williams stars as a fictionalized version of herself, a former convicted felon turned suburban mom whose hustle and resilient spirit were forged on the streets of Atlanta. To much reserve, she now finds herself in conservative middle America alongside her well-intentioned husband (J. Bernard Calloway), a struggle of a sister (Tami Roman), and two distinct sets of kids (Theodore Barnes, Briyana Guadalupe, Vince Swann) raised under very different circumstances.
Williams executive produces in addition to starring. Imagine Television’s Brian Grazer and Samie Kim Falvey also executive produce along with Lee Daniels, Marc Velez, and Pam Williams via Lee Daniels Entertainment. Anthony Hill executive produces and will serve as showrunner, with Jordan E. Cooper executive producing and having penned the pilot. Jon Radler will serve as co-executive producer.
“We are thrilled to welcome powerhouse creators Lee Daniels, Brian Grazer, and writing phenom Jordan E. Cooper home to the BET family,” said Traci Blackwell, executive vice president of scripted programming for BET. “We look forward to bringing Ms. Pat’s story to life on BET+ and offer viewers more premium content that reflects and celebrates the spectrum of the Black experience and tons of laughs.”
Williams is a comedian, author, podcaster, and actress. She was named one of Variety’s 10 Comics to Watch in 2019. She has also appeared on shows like “Last Comic Standing,” “This Is Not Happening,” “Larry Charles’ Dangerous World of Comedy,” “Standup in Stilettos,” “Mom’s Night Out,” and “Degenerates.”
She is repped by APA, Levity, and Cohen Gardner.
“This is the type of show I wish I had growing up – raw, funny, and honest,” Daniels said. “Ms. Pat and Jordan Cooper are magic together. We are thrilled that Lee Daniels Entertainment and BET are working together for the first time. Historic!”
Cooper is a playwright and performer. He received an Obie award for writing and performing in the play “Ain’t No Mo.” The play also earned him a nomination for The Drama League’s Distinguished Performance award. He also starred in the award-winning independent film “Wolf.”
“I have always been drawn to stories that celebrate universal human themes of family and love Ms. Pat is an authentic, truthful voice that reflects what’s going on in our culture and how it relates to family,” Grazer said. “Because of her fierce authenticity, fans already love her humor and irreverence. She and Jordan E. Cooper have created this family comedy that will reach even more of the world – and we all desperately need to laugh. I am excited to be working again with Lee Daniels and BET+ to bring Ms. Pat’s story to life – showcasing her powerful tale of survival, as she finds humor and love in all things life.”
Source: Variety
Jasmine Mathews Joins Kevin Hart In Sony’s New Comedy ‘Man From Toronto’
Jasmine Mathews is joining Kevin Hart and Woody Harrelson in Sony’s action-comedy Man From Toronto.
Kaley Cuoco and Melanie Liburd are also on board.
The film revolves around a case of mistaken identity after the world’s deadliest assassin, known as the “man from Toronto,” and a stranger, played by Hart, run into each other at an Airbnb. Chaos soon ensues as the assassin’s world comes crashing down on Hart.
Patrick Hughes, who directed Ryan Reynolds and Samuel L. Jackson’s 2017 action-comedy “The Hitman’s Bodyguard,” is on board to helm. Robbie Fox and Chris Bremner wrote the script from a story he conceived with Jason Blumenthal. Blumenthal is producing along with his Escape Artists partners, Todd Black and Steve Tisch. Bill Bannerman is executive producing along with Aaron L. Gilbert and Jason Cloth on behalf of BRON Creative.
The film hits theaters on Sept. 17, 2021.
Mathews will next appear in The Tomorrow War opposite Chris Pratt. She was previously a series regular on the Starz drama Sweetbitter based on the bestselling book by Stephanie Danler. She was also recently seen in a recurring role on ABC’s The Rookie. Mathews is repped by the Gersh Agency, Red-Letter Entertainment and Wolf Kasteler Public Relations.
Source: Deadline
Darius McCrary and Kellie Shanygne Williams Will Portray Siblings In New Comedy ‘Just Like Old Times’
If you look at the totality of an actor’s career, there will always be a standout role everyone remembers that actor for, no matter what other roles they portray. For Darius McCrary and Kellie Shanygne Williams, those roles are Eddie and Laura Winslow from the beloved ‘90s sitcom Family Matters.
According to Entertainment Weekly, McCrary and Williams are now starring in a romantic comedy film called Christmas in Carolina, where they will portray a married couple. Of course, since the two actors portrayed siblings in their best-known roles, a *record scratch* likely went off in many of your heads after reading that.
EW provides the scoop on the upcoming holiday flick:
The film, Christmas in Carolina, is a holiday rom-com that follows Elle (Atlanta’s Joslyn Y. Hall), a career-driven investment banker who has given up on love (and Christmas) until she meets Wesley (David L. Rowell), a former NBA player and CEO of a small marketing firm. On a whim, Wesley invites Elle home for Christmas in South Carolina with his mom and uncle (Williams and McCrary). With some trepidation, Elle accepts and is given a much bigger gift than she could have imagined.
OK, so Family Matters ended a while ago—23 years ago, to be exact, as the series finale was in 1997—and memorably, the hook in the Family Matterstheme song is “days go by.” Many days and years have gone by since McCrary and Williams starred as brother and sister, and I am fully aware that actors typically hate being linked to their childhood roles indefinitely and try to stray away from them as much as possible. But you have to admit this pairing forces you to think of it. How can you not—even for a second?
One Twitter user, @BinMasterTiggz even pointed out that the two actually portrayed love interests before on the 2000s TV show, Eve. I completely missed that—though I missed the show entirely and never got to watch it, save for a random clip or a few scenes while it played in the background. But, I digress!
Christmas in Carolina, written by Stacie Davis, premieres On Demand and Digital on Nov. 1. You can check out the trailer for the film below:
Source: The Root
Eddie Murphy’s ‘Coming 2 America’ To Debut On Amazon Studios
“Coming 2 America” is making one more connection before it arrives to American audiences.
The long-anticipated sequel to the Eddie Murphy classic is in the process of being sold by distributor Paramount Pictures to Amazon Studios, in a deal worth roughly $125 million, insiders said. The expected streaming premiere date is December 18, sources added.
Final details are being hammered out, sources said, including two complex consumer marketing tie-ins with McDonalds and whiskey brand Crown Royal, which are expected to transfer over to Amazon Studios with the film. Murphy, who produced, as well as stars in the film, has to give his blessing.
The sale is said to be a priority for Amazon Studios chief Jennifer Salke, who has been on the hunt for more commercial fare with the recent acquisition of the sequel to “Borat,” and another Paramount acquisition in the Tom Clancy adaptation “Without Remorse” starring Michael B. Jordan. the studio also picked up Regina King’s One Night in Miami,” which is expected to be an Oscar contender.
In light of ongoing movie theater closures and countless blockbusters changing release dates, Paramount had been exploring numerous options in recent weeks for the tentative Christmas Day release of “Coming 2 America” — including selling the rights in-house at owner Viacom’s streamer CBS All Access, sources said. Other streaming services also looked that the film.
The project is one of several that Paramount has sold this year to streamers, including Aaron Sorkin’s “Trial of the Chicago 7” and the action comedy “Lovebirds,” both of which went to Netflix. The studio sold “Without Remorse” to Amazon.
The first “Coming to America” was directed by John Landis in 1988, and saw Murphy as the charming African prince Akeem, who traveled to New York City to escape an arranged marriage. Arsenio Hall, James Earl Jones, Shari Headley and John Amos co-starred. The film grossed nearly $300 million at the worldwide box office.
In the sequel, Prince Akeem is set to become king of the fictional country of Zamunda when he discovers he has a son he never knew about in America — a street-savvy Queens native named Lavelle. To honor the former king’s dying wish to groom his grandson as the crown prince, Akeem and Semmi set off to America. Murphy, Hall and Jones are reprising their roles. The film stars Jermaine Fowler and supporting cast includes Tracy Morgan, Leslie Jones, Arsenio Hall and Wesley Snipes.
Source: Variety
Comedy Group ’85 South’ To Host The 2020 BET Hip Hop Awards Set To Premiere Oct. 27th!
Hip Hop’s biggest night returns with new hosts, a superstar lineup of performers and a legendary, music icon at the 2020 BET “HIP HOP AWARDS.” Today BET announces rapper, actor, producer, philanthropist and founder of the iconic hip hop label No Limit Records, Master P, as the recipient of the 2020 “I Am Hip Hop” Award. Additionally, comedians, actors, hosts of the “85 South Show” podcast and stars of “Wild N’ Out” – comedy supergroup 85 South (Karlous Miller, DC Young Fly and Chico Bean) have been tapped to co-host the annual show premiering Tuesday, October 27, 2020, at 9:00 PM ET/PT.
Percy ‘Master P’ Miller rose from humble beginnings to become a pioneer in the rap game and leave an indelible mark on the industry. His hard work and perseverance drove him to start No Limit Records ultimately building an empire that would become one of the most successful hip-hop brands in history, selling over 100 million records.
Master P first rose to fame in the mid-1990s with the success of his hip-hop music group TRU as well as his fifth solo rap album Ice Cream Man, which contained his single “Mr. Ice Cream Man.” He gained further popularity in 1997 after the success of his platinum single “Make ‘Em Say Uhh!” Throughout the 90s, No Limit Records released an astonishing 66 albums and amassed a collection of platinum plaques, generating nearly half a billion dollars in one decade, making millions and millionaires during that time. He embarked on a successful career in acting, starring in films, including I Got the Hook Up, Soccer Mom, Gone in 60 Seconds, Toxic, and Foolish and starring alongside his son Romeo Miller in the sitcom Romeo! In addition to music, television and film, Master P’s mogul touch has transcended into the worlds of fashion, sports, management and more that has left him consistently ranked as one of the wealthiest figures on the American Hip Hop scene. Presently, Miller is working on his package food lines, RAPSNACKS, Uncle P’s and Hoody Hoos Cereals. In addition to his food product lines, he is promoting his Moneyatti clothing and shoe products.
Things are also heating up with a jam packed, lineup of performers set to take the stage including 2 Chainz, Big Sean, Burna Boy, Chris Martin, City Girls, Gucci Mane, Jhené Aiko, Lil Baby, Mulatto, Quavo, Tobe Nwigwe and Ty Dolla $ign.
Previously announced nominees include DaBaby leading the pack with 12 nominations followed by Roddy Ricch with 11. Megan Thee Stallion and Drake are tied for third highest nominations with 8 each. Other top nominees include Future with 6 nods, Lil Baby with 4 followed by Beyoncé, DJ Khaled, Travis Scott and Mustard with 3 nominations each.
“The 85 South Show” unites three of America’s funniest and most fearless comedians, DC Young Fly, Karlous Miller, and Chico Bean. Born in Atlanta, DC Young Fly first caught on with viewers and followers via his inimitable online videos. His success as a YouTube personality and his over 4 million followers on Instagram led to being cast as a lead on the MTV series Wild ‘N Out and also hosting MTV’s TRL. His 85 South Co-Host Karlous Miller is another veteran of Nick Cannon’s sketch comedy and improv showcase, serving as a regular on the fifth season in 2013. Miller was also a runner up on NBC’s Last Comic Standing. The 85 South team is completed by Washington DC’s very own Chico Bean. Another Wild ‘N Out veteran from Season 5, well known as one half of the “Old School Fools” rap battle. Bean started his comedy career in Greensboro, North Carolina and has since gone on to star in national fast food and athletic advertising campaigns tour around the country and, appear on shows such as The James Davis Project, Steve Harvey Talk Show.
Following the 2020 BET Awards, which displayed solitary for black lives, and BET’s recent #ReclaimYourVote efforts, the 2020 Hip Hop Awards will follow the theme “Hip Hop has something to say” – continuing the network’s tradition of highlighting the Black experience and culture.
Connie Orlando, EVP Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy at BET will oversee the annual show, with Jesse Collins, CEO of Jesse Collins Entertainment, serving as Executive Producer of the 2020 BET “Hip Hop Awards” along with and Jeannae Rouzan–Clay, Vice President of Specials, Jesse Collins Entertainment.
Jermaine Fowler Developing Animated Comedy Series At Fox
Yet another animated comedy could be coming to Fox.
The network has put an untitled project from comedian Jermaine Fowler into development, Variety has learned.
The prospective series is loosely based on Fowler’s formidable years growing up in a working-class town in Prince George’s County, Maryland, with his family.
Fowler will serve as creator, writer, and executive producer on the project, which hails from Fox Entertainment. He is arguably best known for his two-season performance as Franco Wicks on the CBS sitcom “Superior Donuts.” Since then, he has starred in Pete Holmes’ HBO comedy “Crashing,” and voiced the character of Pete Repeat on Netflix’s “BoJack Horseman.” His TV credits also include “The Eric Andre Show.”
On the film side, Fowler will appear next year opposite Daniel Kaluuya and Lakeith Stanfield in “Judas and the Black Messiah,” a biopic about the assassination of Black Panther Party leader Fred Hampton.
Beyond its Animation Domination Sunday lineup (which is currently comprised of “The Simpsons,” “Bob’s Burgers,” “Family Guy” and “Bless the Harts”), Fox also has multiple other animated projects on its development slate. Just over a month ago, it was revealed the network has an “X-Files” animated comedy spinoff in the works, handing it a script and presentation commitment. Back in late July, Variety exclusively reported that Fox gave Vince Vaughn’s Wild West Picture Show production company a blind script deal for an animated series, with Vaughn himself attached to executive produce.
Fowler is represented by UTA, Management 360, ID & Morris Yorn Barnes Levine Krintzman Rubenstein Kohner & Gellman.
Source: Variety
‘Tiffany Haddish Presents: They Ready’ Renewed At Netflix
Tiffany Haddish’s Netflix stand-up series, featuring six comedians personally chosen by her, is returning for a second season and is set to film with an audience this weekend.
The streamer has renewed Tiffany Haddish Presents: They Ready and Deadline understands that it is shooting in Long Beach, California. It will air in 2021.
Deadline understands that audience members will be tested for COVID-19 before they are cleared to attend the event with testing provided by production. They will subsequently have their temperatures tested upon arrival, after a negative COVID result, and will be required to wear masks and adhere to social distancing.
Comedians involved this time include Godfrey, who voices President Obama on Showtime’s Our Cartoon President, Tony Woods, one of Dave Chappelle’s main influences, Barbara Carlyle, who has appeared on Apollo Comedy Hour and Def Jam, Erin Jackson, who has appeared on Late Night with Seth Meyers and Conan, Kimberly Clark, who has appeared on Last Comic Standing and Lopez Tonight and Dean Edwards, who starred on Saturday Night Live.
This comes after the Girl’s Trip star’s first season launched on Netflix in August 2019. That season featured Chaunté Wayans (Wild n’ Out), April Macie (Last Comic Standing), Tracey Ashley (The Last O.G.), Aida Rodriguez (Comedy Central’s This Week at the Comedy Cellar), Flame Monroe (Def Comedy Jam), and Marlo Williams (BET’s Comicview).
The series is produced by Push It Productions and She Ready Productions with Haddish, Wanda Sykes and Page Hurwitz as executive producers.
Source: Deadline
Shocker! Jamie Foxx Returning As Electro In Marvel’s ‘Spider-Man 3’
How’s that for shocking news?
The next Spider-Man movie is getting a major jolt.Jamie Foxx, who played classic Spidey villain Electro in the Andrew Garfield-starring The Amazing Spider-Man 2, is in final talks to reprise the role for the latest Spider-Man installment, starring Tom Holland and being made by Marvel Studios and Sony Pictures.
Jon Watts, the filmmaker behind Homecoming and last year’s Spider-Man: Far From Home, is in the director’s chair for the third installment, which Sony has dated for Dec. 17, 2021 — although moviegoers have now come to expect release dates to change amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Most of the supporting cast from the previous movies — including Zendaya, Marisa Tomei, Jacob Batalon and Tony Revolori — are expected to be on the call sheet when cameras roll in Atlanta this fall. Kevin Feige and Amy Pascal are producing.
Marvel had no comment.
Story details are being kept under the mask, but having Foxx return is a stunner as it shows a further melding of the previous Spider-Man movies into the current Holland series, which is the first one that has Marvel running point on production.
Far From Home began that idea by bringing back J.K. Simmons as J. Jonah Jameson, the character he played in the Tobey Maguire-starring Spider-Man trilogy, a move that tickled audiences with glee.
Foxx played Electro in 2014’s The Amazing Spider-Man 2, which starred Garfield as Spider-Man. The film failed to impress critics and underperformed at the box office with $708.9 million globally. Those muted box-office returns — along with the 2014 Sony hack — paved the way for Sony to do the unthinkable and strike a deal with Marvel Studios to share the character, leading to Holland starring as the webslinger in the Avengers movies and Marvel talent such as Robert Downey Jr. appearing in Sony’s solo Spider-Man films.
Despite the performance of Amazing 2, Foxx remains one of the most in-demand players in Hollywood and his casting is certain to jazz up excitement amongst fans. The actor is currently starring in Project Power, a Netflix superhero drama, and is one of the voice stars in Pixar’s upcoming feature, Soul. He is repped by CAA, LBI Entertainment, and Ziffren Brittenham.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
Keegan-Michael Key Lands In New Apple Musical Comedy Series From Lorne Michaels
Apple has filled out the cast for its upcoming musical comedy series starring and produced by Cecily Strong.
The Lorne Michaels executive-produced project is adding Keegan-Michael Key, Fred Armisen and Kristin Chenoweth, as well as seven others.
The as-yet-untitled series, which was announced earlier this year, follows a couple on a backpacking trip designed to reinvigorate their relationship when they discover the magical town of Schmigadoon, in which everyone acts as if they’re in a studio musical from the 1940s. They then discover that they can’t leave until they find “true love.”
Key will play as Josh, Melissa’s (Strong) long term, pragmatic partner, and the last person who wants to be stuck in this magical town. Armisen, another “Saturday Night Live” alum, joins as Reverend Layton, the mild-mannered religious leader of the town. Chenoweth will play Mildred Layton, Reverend Layton’s morally superior wife who is in everybody’s business.
Also joining the cast are Alan Cumming (as Mayor Menlove), Aaron Tveit (as Danny Bailey), Dove Cameron (as Betsy), Ariana DeBose (as Emma Tate), Jaime Camil (as Doc Lopez), Jane Krakowski (as The Countess), and finally Ann Harada (as Florence Menlove).
The series is being co-created by Cinco Paul and Ken Daurio (“Despicable Me”), with Paul will serve as showrunner and writer for all of its original music. Barry Sonnenfeld will direct. Ken Daurio will serve as consulting producer. Andrew Singer will serve as executive producer on behalf of Broadway Video. Caroline Maroney, Micah Frank and Rose Lam will serve as producers.
The show hails from Broadway Video and Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group.
