Katt Williams Debuts New Look, Slams Trump, & Urges People To Vote
In a new, brief stand-up set, comedian Katt Williams slams President Trump’s coronavirus response and urges people to vote and show support for Black Lives Matter.
In a partnership with the clothing brand Supreme, Williams delivered his set to a non-existent audience on an empty stage. He also showed off a new, rainbow-colored hairstyle in the six-minute video posted on Sunday.
“Thank you, everyone and no one. Ladies and gentlemen, Katt Williams. Crickets, crickets, crickets,” he began, addressing the unprecedented circumstances that comedians and live shows face during the coronavirus pandemic.
He jumped right into criticizing Trump’s bizarre suggestion that injecting bleach and using UV light could help prevent coronavirus.
“Right now, we have a perfectly suitable clown running the free world. We got a guy whose advice included things that no decent crackhead would tell you to do with a gunshot wound. The man said if you have bleach, rub it on yourself. Sprinkle some in your eye. You see any UV light, walk in front of it. But these are serious times. The president is a clown,” Williams said.
Throughout the video, the comedian urged everyone to support Black Lives Matter because “it’s a fact.”
“Black lives matter, period. You can say it. Say it at home. Say it wherever you are, no matter who’s around. Say it because it’s a fact,” he said.
Williams then urged everyone to wear a face mask during the pandemic and touched on the death of George Floyd, calling the police encounter that resulted in his death “televised murder.”
“It’s an airborne virus, folks. If you breathe air, put on a mask. And because we can all agree that breathing is important, we can all agree that you putting your knee on a man’s neck for eight minutes is just murder. Just televised murder,” he said.
Even if people are unhappy with the candidates ahead of the November election, Williams asked that they still go out and vote.
“I have no right to tell people to vote, but I will tell you that even if your choices were as dumb as hickory, dickory and dock, even if those were your only choices, I would ask you make a choice. And if you can’t make a choice, go and put my name on there. It ain’t gonna count for nothing…but I appreciate you vote,” he said.
Finally, Williams admitted that he took a more serious tone in this stand-up, but he hoped people learned something from what he said.
I kept most of the jokes in quarantine in case you were looking for some laughs,” he said. “If you got some information out of it, I appreciate that. I’ve already done more than an elected official.”
Draya Michele Of ‘Basketball Wives’ To Star In Her Own Docu-Series
Draya Michele, famous for her turn in reality TV show “Basketball Wives L.A.,” has inked a deal for a docu-series — all about her life — coming to subscription-streaming service Zeus this fall.
The 10-part series, “Doses of Draya,” promises a behind-the-scenes look at the actor-model-entrepreneur-social media influencer’s life as she builds her businesses and lets loose with her close friends.
“I’ve been on a pretty incredible journey over the past decade, and I’m grateful to my fans who have been with me through the ups and downs,” Draya Michele said in a statement. “As a woman of color, I couldn’t be more excited to be working with Zeus, a Black-owned streaming service, to share my story, and to let people into my daily life in a way I never really have before.”
She added, “I’ve come a long way, from humble beginnings, and have continued to reinvent myself and evolve my brands over and over. I hope my fans have appreciated my honesty along the way.”
Draya will serve as an executive producer for the series, which Zeus is billing as marking her “return to television.”
“We’re excited to welcome Draya into the Zeus family,” said Zeus co-founder and CEO Lemuel Plummer. “Viewers who have been following her journey will see her in a more personal way than ever before.”
Draya Michele has over 10 million followers on social media, including over 8 million on Instagram. She’s the founder and owner of Mint Swim, an e-commerce swimwear label launched in 2011. Draya Michele starred in four seasons of “Basketball Wives L.A.” from 2011-15; her other acting credits include roles in films “We Belong Together” and “The Perfect Match” and TV series “L.A.’s Finest.” She is repped by Innovative Artists.
Zeus was founded in 2017 by Plummer along with social-media stars DeStorm Power, Amanda Cerny and King Bach. The network features original scripted and unscripted comedy and drama series, along with other premium content. Zeus’s series include “The Real Blac Chyna,” “Joseline’s Cabaret Auditions” featuring Joseline Hernandez, “Your Best Life” hosted by King Bach, scripted drama “Sober Coach,” and dating show “One Mo’ Chance” with Kamal “Chance” Givens.
The Zeus service is priced at $3.99 per month or $49.99 per year. It’s available via the Zeus Network website and as well as iOS and Android mobile, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Google’s Chromecast and Android TV.
Watch the teaser trailer for “Doses of Draya”:
Source: Variety
New ‘Fargo’ Season Featuring Chris Rock Finally Sets Premiere Date
FX’s hit series Fargo has been at the top of our list ever since the network announced that the fourth season would star Chris Rock.
The show was initially due out in the spring but was delayed due to the COVID-19 crisis. Thankfully, the next installment of the award-winning series has finally landed a premiere date: Sunday, September 27th.
Rock will lead an all-star cast that includes Jason Schwartzman, Salvatore Esposito, Ben Whishaw, Jessie Buckley, Jack Huston, E’myri Crutchfield, Andrew Bird, Anji White, Gaetano Bruno, Sean Fortunato, Jeremie Harris, Corey Hendrix, Matthew Elam, James Vincent Meredith, Francesco Acquaroli, Karen Aldridge, Kelsey Asbille, Rodney Jones, Jameson Braccioforte, Tommaso Ragno, Glynn Turman and Timothy Olyphant.
Fans will be treated to two episodes on Sunday and based on the network’s lengthy description, we are in for a real treat.
In 1950 Kansas City, two criminal syndicates fighting for a piece of the American dream have struck an uneasy peace. Together, they control an alternate economy of exploitation, graft and drugs. To cement their truce, Loy Cannon (Chris Rock), the head of the African American crime family, trades his youngest son Satchel (Rodney Jones), to his enemy Donatello Fadda (Tommaso Ragno), the head of the Italian mafia. In return, Donatello surrenders his youngest son Zero (Jameson Braccioforte) to Loy.
When Donatello dies in the hospital following a routine surgery, the tenuous truce is threatened. Josto Fadda (Jason Schwartzman) takes up his father’s mantle, but his efforts to stabilize the organization are undermined by his brother, Gaetano (Salvatore Esposito), who has joined the family in Kansas City after building a reputation for ruthlessness in Italy. The other Fadda men – including Ebal Violante (Francesco Acquaroli), Constant Calamita (Gaetano Bruno) and Antoon Dumini (Sean Fortunato) – must decide where their loyalties lie. Amongst the turmoil, Patrick “Rabbi” Milligan (Ben Whishaw), a man who once betrayed his own family to serve the Italians, watches carefully to ensure his survival.
Sensing an opportunity, Loy tests the Faddas for weakness, deploying his most trusted advisor, Doctor Senator (Glynn Turman), and top lieutenants, Leon Bittle (Jeremie Harris), Omie Sparkman (Corey Hendrix) and Opal Rackley (James Vincent Meredith) to do his bidding. However, to Loy’s dismay, his oldest son Lemuel Cannon (Matthew Elam) wants no part of the family business.
Intertwined with this tale of immigration, assimilation and power, are the stories of Ethelrida Pearl Smutny (E’myri Crutchfield), the precocious 16-year-old daughter of Thurman (Andrew Bird) and Dibrell Smutny (Anji White), an interracial couple who own their own mortuary; U.S. Marshal Dick “Deafy” Wickware (Timothy Olyphant), a Mormon lawman; Detective Odis Weff (Jack Huston), the Kansas City cop known for his compulsive tics; and Oraetta Mayflower (Jessie Buckley), a nurse who cannot abide others’ suffering.
Season 4 of Fargo premieres on September 27 at 10/9c on FX.
Shondaland Audio and iHeartMedia Release New Original Podcasts and Announce Upcoming Lineup
Today, iHeartMedia, the No. 1 commercial podcast publisher globally, and Shondaland Audio, a division of Shondaland, founded by award-winning television writer and producer Shonda Rhimes, announced the division’s upcoming lineup. Co-Produced with iHeartRadio, three new original podcasts will launch as part of the partnership, which was first announced and formed late last year. “You Down?” with Obama’s Other Daughters, “Criminalia” and “Go Ask Ali” will debut this month on iHeartRadio and everywhere else podcasts are available. As a result of GroupM’s sponsorship deal—the first for the iHeart and Shondaland Audio partnership—the largest global media investment network’s clients have exclusive access to the entire slate of original podcasts.
Also announced today were future shows that span a variety of genres and formats including: “#Matter,” “American Coup,” “Black Girl Lost,” and multiple companion shows for Shondaland’s ABC and Netflix series, including “Bridgerton” for Netflix. The lineup joins previously launched podcast “Katie’s Crib,” a bi-weekly podcast following “Scandal” and “Waitress” actress Katie Lowes, which joined the slate in its third season this past May. The show will release a new episode on August 13th featuring actress Gabrielle Union.
“Shonda Rhimes is an absolute creative powerhouse and developing these first few shows together has indicated what a strong partnership iHeartMedia and Shondaland have formed with Shondaland Audio,” said Conal Byrne, President of the iHeartPodcast Network. “The breadth and depth of content that’s in progress as part of this partnership is unparalleled, and we’re thrilled to work beside the Shondaland team to bring Shonda’s unique storytelling magic to podcast listeners everywhere.”
Rhimes will oversee development of the Shondaland Audio slate with Chief Design and Digital Media Officer, Sandie Bailey, who will manage day-to-day operations as the company introduces incredible talent and stories to hundreds of millions of podcast listeners across the country.
“Podcasts allow for innovative and intimate storytelling and that’s exactly what this slate offers: deeply human stories through a range of genres and formats aimed to engage the varied and ever- growing podcast listenership,” said Bailey. “iHeartMedia has been an incredible partner in forming Shondaland Audio, and I’m thrilled that audiences will soon hear more from our collaboration with this new offering of shows.”
Progressive clients including T-Mobile and Unilever have signed on as brand partners of the upcoming slate of podcasts within the exclusive GroupM sponsorship.
“We’re excited to be a first and only partner in support of the rich and diverse perspectives and stories that are signature to Shondaland. This partnership serves as added reinforcement of our priority to elevate multicultural voices—audiences and programming talent—in direct connection with our previously announced Multicultural Marketplace,” said Susan Schiekofer, GroupM’s Chief Digital Investment Officer. “We understood from the outset of these discussions at the end of last year how beneficial a deal like this could be for our clients. The unique slate-wide ownership position allows us to create custom integrations for clients across so many different opportunities. We’re looking forward to helping bring this audio slate to life.”
In 2017, Shondaland began broadening its digital footprint with the launch of Shondaland.com and later entered podcast territory with “Katie’s Crib,” featuring Katie Lowes welcoming guests for open and honest conversations about everything parenting, from fertility and postpartum life to the ups and downs of raising tiny humans.
Shondaland Audio Shows Releasing This Month Include:
August 11th
“You Down?” with Obama’s Other Daughters– Hosted by four members of the all Black, all female comedy troupe known as Obama’s Other Daughters: Maame-Yaa Aforo, Ashley Holston, Yazmin Monet Watkins and Shakira Ja’nai Paye. These hilarious and opinionated friends come together for laughs and brutal honesty in this talk-show style podcast featuring fun, irreverent discussions as they offer their unique perspective and comedic take on all things culture. The group also executive produces, writes and stars in Comedy Central Digital series, and produces and performs under Kevin Hart’s Laugh Out Loud Network banner.
August 18th
“Criminalia” – In this podcast, veteran Holly Frey (cohost of the award-winning podcast “Stuff You Missed in History Class”) and co-host Maria Trimarchi (writer, journalist and researcher) ask the question “what can we learn from the criminals and crimes of the past?” “Criminalia” is a dark, yet playful look at historical true crime.
August 20th
“Go Ask Ali” – Hosted by actress and New York Times best-selling author, Ali Wentworth who has become a comedic authority on wading through all the chaos that is modern life. Ali speaks with doctors, experts and friends about “How to grow a teenager in a pandemic” and “how to grow a relationship in a pandemic.”
Upcoming Shondaland Audio Show Details Include:
“#Matter” – This scripted drama will be written, produced and directed by Dylan Brown (writer/producer, “Raising Kanan” and “Mac and Devin go to High School”), and told through the lens of a reporter looking back at a case of police brutality, as a father intervenes in his teenage son’s beating and later finds himself, his badly hurt son and a wounded cop barricaded in a nearby restaurant as they all struggle to stay alive. Set to launch this fall.
“American Coup” – A scripted series from writers Aaron Tracy (writer, “Law and Order: SVU”) and Andrew Lenchewski (co-creator, “Royal Pains”) that explores the incredible, untold story of Edith Wilson, the woman who hijacked the Oval Office. As a writing team, Aaron and Andrew have sold original TV pilots to USA Network, Freeform, Lionsgate, and Alcon Entertainment. Set to launch this winter.
“Black Girl Lost” – This documentary-style podcast, produced by award-winning filmmaker and writer dream hampton and hosted by award-winning journalist Yesha Callahan, looks at the complexities behind the growing numbers of missing Black women and girls. Asking the questions who takes them and why? But most importantly, does anyone care about Black girls lost? The show will also feature thought-provoking interviews around a number of these unsolved missing persons cases. Set to launch early next year.
More details will be released at a later date on future Shondaland Audio podcasts including multiple companion shows for Shondaland’s ABC and Netflix series, including “Bridgerton” for Netflix.
In addition to the shows announced today, listeners can expect a steady stream of new podcasts from Shondaland Audio over the next couple of years.
Bounce Fall Lineup Features Cedric The Entertainer, D.L. Hughley, Vivica A. Fox, Kim Coles & More
Bounce, the first and only broadcast and multi-platform entertainment network serving African Americans, today unveiled its 2020-21 original programming slate during the 2020 summer press tour.
The wide-ranging array of originals includes: Two new comedy series-one produced by Cedric The Entertainer-three new movies, a limited-run true-crime murder mystery, the U.S. premiere of a new documentary special about the death of Michael Jackson, the renewal of the mega-hit drama Saints & Sinners plus a first-ever stand-alone movie based on the franchise, new seasons of popular network sitcoms In The Cut and Family Time, the 29th annual Bounce Trumpet Awards and more.
New Scripted Series – Bounce will debut two new original comedies looking – and laughing – at single life from both the male and female perspective. Both series, debuting in the second quarter of 2021, will include guest appearances and cameos from top names in entertainment, music, sports, and more.
Johnson – Executive Producer Cedric The Entertainer, iconic comedian D.L. Hughley and a stellar cast of fresh new faces are part of this single-camera dramedy about life-long best friends navigating the world while Black. Produced by Cedric’s A Bird & A Bear Entertainment. Premieres second quarter of 2021.
Secrets of the Salon comedically chronicles the lives, loves, relationships, and daily web of gossip that finds its way into an Atlanta hair salon. Vivica A. Fox stars along with Reginae Carter and Monique Coleman. Produced by Swirl Films. Premieres third quarter of 2021.
True Crime Docuseries & Documentary Specials
Killing Michael Jackson – Bounce will present the exclusive United States premiere of Killing Michael Jackson on Mon. Sept. 7 at 8:00 pm (ET). This ground-breaking documentary special, featuring never-before-seen images of that fateful day, is told through the eyes of detectives Orlando Martinez, Dan Myers, and Scott Smith, all three of whom were involved in the investigation that ultimately leads to the arrest and conviction of Jackson’s doctor Conrad Murray.
Dying To Be Famous: The Ryan Singleton Mystery is an intriguing six-episode, true-crime docuseries – Bounce’s first – following the extraordinary story and mysterious death of Ryan Singleton, a 24-year old aspiring model and film producer, who sets out to pursue fame and fortune in Hollywood with two of his friends. His dreams of stardom turn into a tragic nightmare when he is found dead in California’s Mojave Desert, his body dumped, mutilated and missing all vital organs. World Premieres Sun. Nov.1 at 9:00 pm (ET) with two back-to-back episodes.
Original Movies
A Chance in the World – The true, inspiring and unbelievable story of Steve Pemberton (Terrell Ransom, Jr.), an orphaned boy who endures the abuse of his foster parents (Kelly Owens, Lawrence-Hilton Jacobs) and siblings. While searching for his biological family, he meets a caring teacher (Tom Sizemore) who will change the course of his life. World Premieres Sat. Sept. 5 at 7:00 pm (ET).
Will You Merry Me? – This holiday movie is the story of Daniel English, a bighearted, energetic, buoyant pastor who returns to his hometown church to take over for his mentor and falls for a parishioner. When out of the blue she asks him, “Will you marry me?” Pastor Daniel is thrilled-until he realizes she is asking him to officiate her wedding with someone else. Just how far will the Pastor go for true love? World premieres December 2020.
Faith Heist – When a preacher finds his church in financial ruin after being swindled by a shady businessman, he moves heaven and earth to save his flock. When everything fails, he turns in desperation to an old friend who’s a former convict from the neighborhood who, in turn, recruits an ensemble of assorted misfits to run a scam on the scam artist who robbed the church. This family comedy/action movie World premieres in the second quarter of 2021.
Returning Series
Saints & Sinners Renewed + Stand-Alone Movie – Bounce has renewed the mega-hit drama series Saints & Sinnersfor an all-new fifth season coming in the spring of 2021. Mayor Ella Johnson (Vanessa Bell Calloway) will be bracing for the ride of her life when a father comes to town seeking revenge for his son’s murder-revealing a long-kept secret that threatens to take the entire town down. Bounce will also produce a first-ever Saints & Sinners movie, with the two-hour stand-alone event airing in the first quarter of 2021. Set against the backdrop of a large southern church, Saints & Sinners centers around the pursuit of power, intertwined with greed, deception, corruption, compromising sexual affairs and murder. The series stars Calloway, Clifton Powell, Tray Chaney, Keith Robinson, J.D. Williams, Donna Biscoe, Jasmine Burke, Dawn Halfkenny and Karon Joseph Riley.
Returning Series, cont.
In The Cut – Bounce’s popular comedy In The Cut is back in the barbershop for an all-new seventh season starting August 26at 9:00 pm (ET). Series stars Dorien Wilson and Kellita Smith will be joined by TV veterans Mark Curry (Hanging With Mr. Cooper) and Kim Coles (Living Single) in the hilarious cast.
Family Time – The new season of Family Time, Bounce’s longest-running original series, will bow this October and will see Tony (Omar Gooding, Jr.) and Lisa (Angell Conwell) dealing with all the good and the bad that comes with being empty nesters.
Honors/Awards
The Bounce Trumpet Awards annually recognize the outstanding accomplishments of African Americans and those who have succeeded against great odds and inspired success in others. The list of prestigious honorees includes John Lewis, Muhammad Ali, Beyoncé, Harry Belafonte, Halle Berry, Stevie Wonder, The African-American Women of the United States Congress, Quincy Jones, Maya Angelou, Martin Lawrence, Janelle Monáe, Ambassador Andrew Young, Spike Lee and many others. This year, the 29th annual event will take a specific focus – The Bounce Trumpet Awards: “Stand Up” which will honor women and men who have stood up against social injustice. Honorees, presenters and musical performers will be announced shortly. Premieres December 2020.
Jay Pharoah, Christina Milian, Sinqua Walls To Star In New Netflix Comedy, Produced By Alicia Keys
Multiple Grammy award-winning recording artist Alicia Keys is attached to produce a currently untitled Netlfix romantic comedy that explores the bonds of love and family. Christina Milian,Saturday Night Live alum Jay Pharoah, and Sinqua Walls will star in the film, which is being directed by Steven Tsuchida, who has directed episodes for Dear White People, Younger, and On My Block.
The script was co-written by Stella Meghie, Dana Schmalenberg and Rheeqrheeq Chainey. It centers around an aspiring pop star, Erica, who ends up as the entertainment at her ex-fiancé’s wedding after reluctantly taking a gig at a luxurious island resort while in the wake of a music career meltdown. She tries to keep their past relationship a secret from his bride-to-be Beverly, but Erica rediscovers her feelings for her ex, Jason, despite his brother Caleb’s attempts to keep them from falling back in love. The question soon becomes will Erica sing at Beverly’s wedding – or her own?
Filming will take place in Mauritius. Keys, who recently served as a producer on the Netflix film Work It, will produce via her AK Worldwide label, along with Maggie Malina for The Malina Yarn Company, and Jeremy Kipp Walker for Story Ink
Milian, who was most recently seen in the rom-com Falling Inn Love and the series Soundtrack, both on the streamer, is repped by UTA and LINK Entertainment. Pharoah’s recent credits include Sundance film, Bad Hair, ABC’s A Million Little Things, and 2 Minutes of Fame with Katt Williams. He’s repped by ICM, Shaina Farrow and Hansen Jacobson. Walls, repped by Paradigm and Artists First, appeared in the Netflix film, Otherhood, and currently headlines the BET series American Soul.
Source: Deadline
‘Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’ Drama Reboot In The Works
Will 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.
Bel-Air is described as a dramatic take on the former NBC comedy that catapulted Smith to stardom after he spent six seasons starring as the street-smart kid who moved from Philly to the upper-class neighborhood.
Sources tell The Hollywood Reporter that the new Bel-Air has been in the works for more than a year after the four-minute clip went viral when it was posted in March 2019 and caught Smith’s attention. Cooper, a Fresh Prince super-fan, 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 drama series is currently being shopped to streamers and is a co-production between Smith’s Westbrook Studios and original producers Universal TV. Sources tell The Hollywood Reporter that Peacock, Netflix and HBO Max are among the streamers who are bidding on the potential series. HBO Max is the current streaming home for the original series.
Original series producers Smith, Quincy Jones, Benny Medina as well as creators Andy & 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 for six seasons 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 for 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.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
Lionsgate Moves Janelle Monáe’s New Horror Film ‘Antebellum’ From Theaters To On-Demand
Lionsgate announced that the compelling, highly anticipated motion picture Antebellum, starring Janelle Monáe and written and directed by the advocacy filmmakers Gerard Bush and Christopher Renz, will premiere as a Premium On-Demand release, debuting on all platforms on September 18th. The film will be released theatrically in select international markets. The announcement was made by Joe Drake, Chairman, Lionsgate Motion Picture Group.
With audience demand for content at an all-time high, Lionsgate’s versatile slate positions the studio to take advantage of different distribution strategies. Antebellum’s timely themes presented the studio with the opportunity to create a release plan that reaches as wide an audience as possible, as soon as possible.
“While the theatrical experience will always be the heart of our business, we are thrilled that we are able to seize the opportunity to match Gerard and Chris’s urgent and immediate film with a release strategy befitting this moment of extraordinary change,” said Drake. “Gerard and Chris are storytellers whose work beats with authenticity – not only will this film entertain and thrill audiences worldwide, but spark a discussion about our current world.”
Gerard Bush and Christopher Renz added, “While we designed Antebellum to be consumed as a communal experience in the theater, we are thrilled by the unique opportunity we have to pivot to a different kind of communal moment in our culture. As we face the realities of systemic racism in our country, which have crescendoed to this current inflection point in 2020, we understand how imperative it is to bring Antebellum to the broadest audience possible, while also prioritizing health and safety. It is our ardent hope that by sharing our film widely, both nationally and internationally, we will transform the moviegoing experience from home into a true event.”
In Antebellum, successful author Veronica Henley (Janelle Monáe) finds herself trapped in a horrifying reality that forces her to confront the past, present and future – before it’s too late. Advocacy filmmakers Gerard Bush + Christopher Renz (Bush | Renz) – best known for their pioneering advertising work engaged in the fight for social justice – write, produce and direct their first feature film, teaming with QC Entertainment, producer of the acclaimed films Get Out and BlacKkKlansman, Zev Foreman, Lezlie Wills, and Lionsgate for the mind-bending new thriller Antebellum.
The film stars Janelle Monáe, Eric Lange, Jena Malone, Jack Huston, Kiersey Clemons, Gabourey Sidibe, Marque Richardson, Robert Aramayo, Lily Cowles, and introducing Tongayi Chirisa. Written and Directed by Gerard Bush & Christopher Renz. Produced by Raymond Mansfield, p.g.a., Sean McKittrick, p.g.a., Zev Foreman, p.g.a., Gerard Bush, Christopher Renz, and Lezlie Wills, p.g.a.
Comedian Tyler Craig Passes Away!
This morning we have very sad news to report; its been discovered that comedian Tyler Craig has passed away unexpectedly. Probably best known for his storylines with the cliché “And the moral of the story is…”, Craig is survived by his wife and several children.
Craig, from Atlanta, was also probably best known for his performance on BET’s Comic View, which became legendary. Over the years Craig appeared on HBO’s ‘Def Comedy Jam’ in 1997 and Jamie Foxx’s ‘Laffapalooza!’, That Comedy Show’ and Martin Lawrence’s ‘First Amendment’.
Craig opened for many well-known comics, including Cedric the Entertainer, Mo’Nique, Katt Williams, Chris Tucker, and more just to name a few.
No word yet on his funeral arrangements, but as soon as we discover the info, we will pass it along.
In the meantime, we here at the Humor Mill send many condolences to his family and friends.
LeBron James And Maverick Carter’s SpringHill To Adapt ‘New Kid’ For Universal
Even with the NBA restart in high gear, LeBron James’ SpringHill Entertainment continues to stay busy building its feature film slate into a dominant presence. We are hearing Universal Pictures has acquired rights to New Kid, the 2019 graphic novel by Jerry Craft, with SpringHill on board to develop and produce. New Kid is the first graphic novel to win the coveted Newbery Award as well as the Coretta Scott King Award. The SpringHill Company optioned the award-winning novel last year.
The graphic novel was highly coveted by several other buyers but SpringHill — specifically SpringHill co-founder Maverick Carter — was so touched by the story that they aggressively went after it, eventually landing rights. The project is now a high priority for SpringHill with hopes of attaching a writer to adapt the material shortly.
James and Carter will produce with Jamal Henderson and Spencer Beighley overseeing the project as executive producers for The SpringHill Company. Craft will also executive produce.
The story follows Jordan Banks who experiences culture shock when he enrolls at a private school.
Even as James delivers another MVP season on the court, his drive along with Carter’s to build SpringHill Entertainment into a powerhouse media company has not wavered. They are in post-production on Space Jam 2, which James is also starring in, and their Netflix limited series Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker., which was produced by SpringHill and recently earned Octavia Spencer an Emmy nomination for actress in a limited series. They are also producing the Netflix pic Hustle with Adam Sandler recently signing on to star.
Carter and James have also raised $100 million from backers including Guggenheim Partners and Elisabeth Murdoch and are now consolidating their trio of media companies into a single entity, SpringHill, which is aiming to serve as a multifaceted platform to empower Black creators and audiences. On the TV side, SpringHill also landed a first-look deal with ABC Studios for scripted series.
Craft, the New York Times bestselling author, is represented by Judy Hansen and Hansen Literary, WME and Darren Trattner at Jackoway, Austen. James and The SpringHill Company are represented by WME and Ziffren Brittenham LLP.
