‘Black-ish’ Spinoff ‘Old-ish,’ Starring Laurence Fishburne, Jenifer Lewis In The Works At ABC
The ish franchise may be adding another installment.
ABC is developing Old-ish, another spinoff from Kenya Barris’ Emmy-nominated flagship series Black-ish. The comedy would see Laurence Fishburne and Jenifer Lewis reprise their roles as Earl “Pops” Johnson and Ruby Johnson, the parents of Anthony Anderson’s Dre.
Fishburne — who has been an exec producer on Black-ish since its start — has been a recurring player on the series and appeared in more than 60 of the comedy’s 141 episodes thus far, while Lewis was promoted from recurring to series regular in season two.
Barris, who departed ABC for a lucrative overall deal with Netflix in August 2018, will pen the script and exec produce alongside Fishburne, Anderson and Artists First’s E. Brian Dobbins. Lewis will be credited as a producer. The single-camera comedy hails from ABC Signature, Fishburne and Helen Sugland’s Cinema Gypsy and Barris’ Khalabo Ink Society.
The spinoff will follow Ruby and Earl as they give love a second chance. When they move to a rapidly gentrifying neighborhood of L.A., they’ll meet characters who represent the old and new faces of the community as they try to make it work as a married couple. Again.
Old-ish is the third spinoff in Barris’ ish empire which, in addition to the flagship series, includes ABC-turned-Freeform entry Grown-ish, starring Yara Shahidi, and Mixed-ish, a 1980s-set prequel built around the younger version of Tracee Ellis Ross’ character, Rainbow. While Grown-ish was originally developed for ABC, the network at the time thought it skewed too young. It was eventually picked up to series at Disney’s younger-skewing basic cable network, Freeform as its then head of originals Karey Burke (who is now president of entertainment at ABC) strongly pursued the series. Grown-ish, which has become a calling card for the cabler, returns for its fourth season in 2021. Mixed-ish, starring Arica Himmel, Tika Sumpter and Mark-Paul Gosselaar, will return for its second season on ABC sometime in the 2020-21 season.
While Barris has focused on developing film and TV projects for Netflix — his scripted comedy, Black AF, was recently picked up for a second season at the streamer — sources say that ABC’s Burke has remained friendly with the prolific showrunner. Sources note that Barris has also continued to be in touch with top Disney execs and recently pushed the company to release his shelved Black-ish episode, “Please, Baby, Please.” The episode, which was famously shelved in 2018, was released last month on Disney-owned Hulu. The move to shelve the politically-themed episode proved to be the last straw for Barris at Disney and the showrunner negotiated an early exit from his ABC deal and signed a three-year, eight-figure pact with Netflix in 2018.
Barris, who created the Peabody-winning Black-ish, remains actively involved in all of the ish shows. While others serve as showrunners, Barris has a carve out in his Netflix deal that allows him to remain deeply connected to the franchise. That he’s penning the script for Old-ish comes as a surprise given his lucrative Netflix deal.
#BlackAF is but one of multiple film and TV projects Barris and his Khalabo Ink Society banner have in the works as part of the company’s overall deal with Netflix. He also has a doc in the works about Civil Rights attorney Ben Crump, an animated music series Entergalatic and is in talks with the streaming giant for a Juneteenth-inspired musical with Pharrell Williams. Meanwhile, the Barris-produced comedy sketch show Astronomy Club was canceled after one season. He’s repped by CAA, Artists First and Morris Yorn.
Fishburne, meanwhile, is fresh off of Quibi’s FreeRayshawn. His TV series regular roles also include NBC’s Hannibal and CBS’ CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. He’s earned two Emmy wins, for guest actor in Tribeca and in the 1997 made for TV movie with Miss Evers’ Boys. On the big screen, his credits include the John Wick franchise, The Matrix, Marvel’s Ant-Man and the Wasp, DC’s Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Passengers and Contagion. He earned a best actor Oscar nomination for 1994’s What’s Love Got to Do With It. He’s repped by CAA, Landmark Artists and Del Shaw.
Lewis, meanwhile, has been a staple on Black-ish since season two, earning nominations from the Critics Choice Awards and the Black Reel Awards, among others. Her credits include Strong Medicine, Girlfriends and voice roles in Tuca & Bertie and Elena of Avalor, as well as features The Addams Family (2019), Cars 3, It Had To Be You and The Wedding Ringer. She’s repped by Innovative Artists and Joe Walker Management.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
‘Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’ Drama Reboot Lands at Peacock With Two-Season Order
NBCUniversal-owned streamer Peacock has emerged as the winner in the bidding war for the drama reboot of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, handing out a straight-to-series, two-season order for the update from original series star Will Smith.
Smith and Morgan Cooper are teaming to adapt the latter’s dramatic reimagining of the former’s beloved NBC comedy The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air that was taken out to buyers last month.
“We have just officially closed the deal with Peacock with an unprecedented two-season-order from a pitch,” Smith told Morgan Cooper and showrunner Chris Collins when he surprised them with the good news about Bel-Air in an announcement posted to YouTube (watch it below). “I’ve been in this business for 30 years and that does not happen. They ordered two full seasons of Bel-Air based on the quality of the pitch and the work that you guys have done. So I want to say congratulations. I am hyped.”
Bel-Air is described as a dramatic take on the beloved ’90s comedy that catapulted Smith to stardom over his six seasons starring as a street-smart kid who moves from West Philly to the tony Los Angeles neighborhood. With a reimagined vision, Bel-Air will dive deeper into the inherent conflicts, emotions and biases of what it means to be a Black man in America today, while still delivering the swagger and fun nods to the original show.
The new Bel-Air has been in the works for more than a year, after Cooper’s four-minute clip went viral when it was posted in March 2019 and caught Smith’s attention. Cooper, a Fresh Prince superfan, created and directed the trailer that reimagined the series as if it were a drama. He will co-write the script, direct and be credited as a co-EP.
The series is a co-production between Smith’s Westbrook Studios and original producers Universal TV. Peacock, Netflix and HBO Max were among the streamers who were bidding for the series. HBO Max is the current streaming home for the original series.
Original series producers Smith, Quincy Jones and Benny Medina, as well as creators Andy and Susan Borowitz, are all set to return as exec producers. Chris Collins (The Wire, Crash, Sons of Anarchy) will serve as showrunner, exec producer and is set to co-write the script alongside Cooper.
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air ran from 1990-1996 on NBC and was produced by Jones, Warner Bros. TV and what became Universal Television. Smith starred alongside James Avery, Alfonso Ribeiro, Karyn Parsons, Tatyana M. Ali, Joseph Marcell and Janet Hubert-Whitten/Daphne Maxwell Reid. Smith has remained close with the cast and recently reunited with everyone on SnapChat.
Reboots remain in high demand across broadcast, cable and streaming platforms as they come with built-in recognition and a viewership with built-in awareness, helping to reduce the costs of marketing and making it easier to cut through a crowded landscape. Key to reboots is having the original creators and studio attached, which Bel-Air has in spades. Miguel Melendez and Westbrook Studios’ Terence Carter are also attached to exec produce.
At Peacock, Bel-Air joins reboots of former NBC comedies including Saved by the Bell and Punky Brewster, as well as an update of Syfy’s Battlestar Galactica as the NBCU streamer mines its top library titles to help boost the new platform.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
Showtime Picks Up Drama Series ‘The Chi’ For A Fourth Season
LOS ANGELES – September 8, 2020 –SHOWTIME has picked up the hit drama series THE CHI for a fourth season. Created and executive produced by Emmy® winner Lena Waithe (Twenties, Boomerang) and executive produced by Academy Award®, Emmy and Golden Globe® winner Common (Selma), THE CHI is a timely coming-of-age story centering on a group of residents on the South Side of Chicago who become linked by coincidence but bonded by the need for connection and redemption. Season three cast included Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine (Queen of Katwe), Jacob Latimore (Sleight), Alex Hibbert (Moonlight), Yolonda Ross (Treme), Shamon Brown Jr., Michael V. Epps and Birgundi Baker (Station 19). Justin Hillian (Snowfall) will return as showrunner and executive producer for the fourth season. THE CHI is produced by Touchstone Television(HOMELAND). Season three of THE CHI was up double-digits across platforms over last season and doubled its audience on streaming platforms.
“Each season, THE CHI’s authentic storytelling resonates more deeply with its devoted and growing audiences,” said Gary Levine, President of Entertainment, Showtime Networks Inc. “Lena Waithe together with Justin Hillian explore the joys and the heartbreak of life on the South Side in a way that is unique on television, and we relish the prospect of continuing that exploration with them.”
“This show has definitely taken me on a journey,” said Waithe. “One of learning, healing, and growth. I didn’t know how this season would be received, but the level of engagement and enthusiasm from the fans has been fantastic. I still can’t believe our numbers are up by double digits! THE CHI is a team effort, and I’m grateful to continue this journey with such an amazing group of people.”
Produced entirely in its namesake city, season three of THE CHI found Kevin (Hibbert), Kiesha (Baker) and their newlywed mothers Nina (Tyla Abercrumbie) and Dre (Miriam A. Hyman) as they underwent a seismic shift in their blended family when Kiesha goes missing. Emmett (Latimore) grappled with the loss of his business partner as he struggled to mature into a full-fledged businessman and family man with girlfriend Tiff (Hannaha Hall). Jada (Ross) had her sights set on her own next chapter with a budding romance. A fledgling Ronnie (Mwine) was unsure of his life’s purpose but hoped it wasn’t too late to transform himself. Jake (Epps) found himself in a tug-of-war when his estranged brother Trig (Luke James) and girlfriend Imani (Jasmine Davis) arrived back in town to extricate Jake from his powerful new father-figure, Douda (Curtiss Cook). Meanwhile, Papa (Brown Jr.) found love in an unlikely place with former rival Maisha (Genesis Denise Hale). Season three guest stars included series creator Waithe, two-time Grammy® nominee James (Star, Little), Alani “La La” Anthony (Power), Lil Rel Howery (Get Out, Bird Box) and Kandi Burruss (The Real Housewives of Atlanta). In addition to Waithe, Common and Hillian, the hit drama series is also executive produced by Aaron Kaplan of Kapital Entertainment, Derek Dudley and Shelby Stone of Freedom Road Productions, Rick Famuyiwa and Jet Wilkinson.
Chadwick Boseman, ‘Black Panther’ Actor, Dies Of Cancer at 43
Boseman died at his home in the Los Angeles area with his wife and family by his side, his publicist Nicki Fioravante told The Associated Press.
Actor Chadwick Boseman, who played Black icons Jackie Robinson and James Brown before finding fame as the regal Black Panther in the Marvel cinematic universe, died Friday of cancer, his representative said. He was 43.
Boseman died at his home in the Los Angeles area with his wife and family by his side, his publicist Nicki Fioravante told The Associated Press.
Boseman was diagnosed with colon cancer four years ago, his family said in a statement.
“A true fighter, Chadwick persevered through it all, and brought you many of the films you have come to love so much,” his family said in the statement. “From Marshall to Da 5 Bloods, August Wilson’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom and several more- all were filmed during and between countless surgeries and chemotherapy. It was the honor of his career to bring King T’Challa to life in Black Panther.”
Boseman had not spoken publicly about his diagnosis.
Source: The Associated Press
Aida Rodriguez Stand-Up Comedy Special Coming To HBO Max
HBO Max is adding to its ever-expanding stand-up slate with the greenlight of a solo stand-up special from comedian, actress, producer Aida Rodriguez.
In the special, Aida Rodriguez takes to the stage to confront today’s audiences about cancel-culture and the social issues of the day, not just because they’re ripped from the headlines, but because they are in the pages torn out of her personal life. Trigger warning: her comedy might offend those who are too uptight to listen anyway.
“We are so thrilled to be able to partner with Aida not just on her scripted development but for her first one-hour stand-up special” said Suzanna Makkos, executive vice president of original comedy and animation for HBO Max. “Aida has such an unmistakable comedic voice and distinct point of view. Her ability to tackle an array of current events will certainly resonate with audiences.”
“I’m excited about my first hour-long special and I’m thankful that HBO Max believed in me enough to create a place for my voice, “ said Rodriguez. “They have been a great partner every step of the way.”
The special will be produced by Art & Industry.
Rodriguez joins HBO Max’s exciting slate of stand-up offerings, with previously announced specials from Chelsea Handler, Tracy Morgan, Marlon Wayans, John Early, and Ahir Shah, along with a slate of five specials from Conan O’Brien’s Team Coco, which includes which includes solo specials from Moses Storm, and Chris Redd. HBO Max launched the following specials on the platform TODAY: Rose Matafeo: Horndog, Beth Stelling: Girl Daddy, James Veitch: Straight to VHS, and the Latinx multiact special HA Comedy Festival: The Art of Comedy hosted by Anjelah Johnson.
Sinbad To Star In ‘Shazam’ Sequel Titled ‘Shazam: Fury of the Gods’
Sinbad is starring in a “Shazam” movie after all.
The actor and comedian was announced as the newest cast member of the “Shazam!” sequel during the DC FanDome virtual fan convention, where the film’s official title was revealed as “Shazam: Fury of the Gods.”
Star Zachary Levi kicked off the “Shazoom” call by explaining to fans that he was “a little limited” about what he could talk about when it came to the sequel, so he invited a few surprise guests to the panel — including co-stars Asher Angel, Jack Dylan Grazer, Faithe Herman, Meagan Good, Adam Brody and director David F. Sandberg.
When Sinbad jumped onto the video conference, Levi looked surprised asking, “Sinbad, are you in ‘Shazam 2?’”
“You tell me, John Krazinski, am I? Because everybody thought I was in ‘Shazam 1’ before it even existed — Google it,” Sinbad joked, referencing the internet theories that he’d starred in a comedy about a genie called “Shazam” in the 1990s. (In 1996, Shaquille O’Neal played a genie in a movie titled “Kazaam.”)
“People think I was in that one too, ‘Shazam,’ ‘Kazaam,’ all the Kazaams, I’m relegated to the false memories of the Tide generation man,” Sinbad said. “I’m going to work right now to rectify the situation once and for all with a big, prominent role in ‘Shazam 2,’ thank you very much.”
While it’s unclear who Sinbad will play in the film, he added, “I can play anything. I can play a good guy, bad guy, I can play Shazam’s trainer. And great news, David — I’ve already started working out for the movie. Check this out, man. I’m gonna look so good. I’ll even do nude scenes, a little booty, not a lot.”
Prior to the conference, Sandberg trolled fans by tweeting a fake poster for the sequel, with the title “Shazam!: Now the Kids Have Facial Hair,” acknowledging the long delay between the two films. The director posted the joke in response to a fan who tagged him online after “The Batman” director Matt Reeves revealed his film’s logo and artwork on Thursday.
The first “Shazam” was released in 2019, going on to make $365 million at the box office. The lighthearted superhero film starred Levi as Shazam and Angel as 14-year-old Billy Batson, who could turn into the godlike superhero at will.
Chris Rock Announces Busta Rhymes’ New Studio LP titled ‘Extinction Level Event 2: The Wrath Of God’
With just a few words this afternoon, comedy legend and Hip-Hop fanatic Chris Rock pushed the button, officially launching the countdown to one of the most highly anticipated releases of the past ten years, a megaton bomb being unleashed by one of Rock’s closest friends. “You n****s can’t fuck with the God Busta Rhymes!” Rock continuously chants in a video posted to his Instagram page on August 17th as he announces the impending arrival of Busta’s tenth studio album, E.L.E. (Extinction Level Event) 2: The Wrath of God. The project, which has been the subject of rumors and speculation for nearly a decade, arrives 22 years after the original, a groundbreaking album which, in 1998, cemented Busta’s status as a rising Hip-Hop legend.
“This is the longest album I’ve ever worked on in my career,” Busta said of E.L.E. 2 in 2014, when he was four years into the process. But the album’s arrival six years later is far from a delay. It is the result of a master taking the time to craft a masterpiece, a career defining and culture shifting opus. “This ain’t a ‘hot’ album, this is a legacy album,” he added. “I’m working on an album with over 20 years of experience in the game. I’m probably one of three dudes in Hip-Hop today that whoops anybody’s ass on a record, that can say they’re this many years in the game, and still has the relevance and the market value to influence the climate. I’ve taken my time to really apply that experience to this album.”
Source: The Source
‘Sneakerheads’ Comedy Series Is Set to Premiere on Netflix
Attention sneaker lovers, there’s finally a comedy show for you and it’s coming next month. From creator Jay Longino and Complex Networks, “Sneakerheads,” is set to premiere on Netflix Sept. 25.
The six-episode comedy series stars Allen Maldonado as Devin, a former sneakerhead turned stay-at-home dad, who finds himself back in the sneaker game and $5,000 in debt after falling for a friend’s scheme. The show then follows Devin as he works to get his money back with help from a group of fellow shoe fanatics as they go on a global hunt to a find a pair of coveted kicks.
“Sneakerheads,” a Complex Networks Production, is directed by Dave Meyers and also stars Andrew “King Bach” Bachelor, Jearnest Corchado, Matthew Josten, Yaani King Mondschein, Justin Lee and Aja Evans.
For those that can’t wait to see sneakers steal the screen, there are plenty of movies and TV shows so help with your anticipation for “Sneakerheads.” Watch Back to the Future II, for instance. Nike was already an established household name in 1989, the year “Back to the Future II” premiered. But a cool cameo — and futuristic, self-lacing sneakers atop a hoverboard from the athletic brand — turned into a key onscreen moment. The fantasy Marty McFly shoes would eventually lead to the production of the very real Nike Air Mag.
If you’re looking for the real thing, however, check out the documentary “One Man and His Shoes” from Vice TV. The doc covers the phenomenon of Air Jordan sneakers with an emphasis on their social, cultural and racial significance. It will also show the groundbreaking marketing strategies employed that helped to create a business that amasses billions of dollars. Included in the documentary are interviews with people associated with Jordan and his sneakers, such as his former agent David Falk, late NBA commissioner David Stern, famed retired sports marketing exec Sonny Vaccaro, Air Jordan 1 designer Peter Moore, famed sports journalist Jemele Hill, sportswriter and sneaker expert Scoop Jackson and Nike marketing and ad exec Jim Riswold.
Kenan Thompson To Sit In On ‘America’s Got Talent’ For Simon Cowell
Kenan Thompson is the latest star who has been tapped to fill in for Simon Cowell as a judge on “America’s Got Talent.”
The “Saturday Night Live” cast member will temporarily take over for Cowell, who underwent back surgery over the weekend of Aug. 10 following a bike accident. Sources close to “AGT” say there is no word yet as to when Cowell will return to his hosting seat. Last week, Kelly Clarkson was the one to temporarily take Cowell’s position.
Thompson will join this season’s regular judging panel of Howie Mandel, Heidi Klum and Sofia Vergara, and host Terry Crews for Tuesday and Wednesday’s live telecasts. The news comes only a couple weeks after he received yet another Emmy nomination in the supporting actor in a comedy series for his work on “SNL.”
Cowell was hospitalized on Aug. 8 after a bike accident at his home in Malibu. According to a statement from his reps, he was testing out a new electric bicycle in the courtyard of his home when he fell. He was in surgery for five hours but is now said to be recovering.
He put out his own statement last Sunday, thanking fans for the outpouring of support he has received. He also thanked the doctors and nurses at the hospital, calling them “Some of the nicest people I have ever met.”
Thompson is set to deepen his ties with NBC through the upcoming comedy series “Kenan,” which is slated to premiere sometime midseason. The show centers on a recently widowed host of Atlanta’s number 2 morning show (Thompson), who struggles to balance his job and his young daughters despite all the “help” he gets from his father-in-law (Don Johnson) and his brother/assistant/manager/house guest (Chris Redd). Thompson has recent experience in the guest judging domain, having the joined “The Masked Singer” panel of judges for a couple episodes last year.
Source: Variety
Will Smith And Kevin Hart To Star In New Remake Of ‘Planes, Trains & Automobiles’
Will Smith and Kevin Hart will star in and produce a remake of the 1987 road comedy “Planes, Trains & Automobiles” for Paramount Pictures.
The original “Planes, Trains & Automobiles” was directed by John Hughes, and starred Steve Martin and the late John Candy as a pair of mismatched businessmen trying to get home to Chicago for Thanksgiving in the face of a variety of travel disasters.
The remake will be a modern update of the original, with Smith and Hart playing characters who are forced to team up to tackle travel obstacles to get home to their loved ones.
Hart’s HartBeat Productions and Smith’s Westbrook Studios are developing the remake. Aeysha Carr (“Brooklyn 99”) is set to pen the screenplay, marking her feature writing debut. Hart and Smith will produce the film alongside Westbrook Studios co-president and head of motion pictures Jon Mone and HartBeat’s president of film and television Bryan Smiley.
Smith was most recently seen in “Bad Boys for Life.” He’s in production on “King Richard,” in which he stars as the father of tennis stars Venus and Serena Williams. Hart was last seen in “Jumanji: The Next Level” and has completed production on the drama “Fatherhood,” which Sony will release in April 2021.
Carr most recently executive produced the upcoming Hulu series “Woke,” starring Lamorne Morris and Sasheer Zamata, and set to air in September. Her recent writing credits include episodes for a number of sitcoms, including the series “Brooklyn 99,” for which she also served as a supervising producer.
Carr is represented by ICM Partners, 3 Arts Entertainment and Goodman, Genow, Schenkman, Smelkinson & Christopher. Hart is represented by UTA, 3 Arts Entertainment and Schreck Rose Dapello Adams Berlin & Dunham. Smith is represented by CAA. The news was first reported by Deadline Hollywood, and Variety.
