With so many music venues, bars, and comedy clubs closed due to the coronavirus pandemic, consumers are trying out new ways to keep themselves entertained. Actor and standup comedian Damon Wayans Jr. might just have an option for the stuck-at-home audience.
Wayans and his business partner, Kris Jones, developed an app called Special Guest, which allowed users to book live, on-demand entertainment, but due to social distancing orders across the country, it has since pivoted to a virtual experience.
“Unfortunately, because you know, in our country’s situation we can’t meet in person, we can’t have these interactions. But, me, Kris Jones, and the Special Guest team adapted to the situation and incorporated a virtual component,” Wayans told Cheddar Wednesday. “So, now anyone anywhere can hire virtual entertainment on-demand.”
Special Guest co-founder Kris Jones said that pivoting to virtual has allowed them to book diverse performers and acts, with some users even having used the app as a learning tool.
“We’re booking a lot more performances with a variety of different entertainers,” Jones said. “We had a young 15-year-old girl book a dance professional so that they would be able to practice over these next couple of weeks, so she could make her high school dance team.”
Jones said before the pandemic, the service was only available in the U.S., but with the virtual component, it’s greatly expanded its reach.
“Literally overnight, once we launched this new technology, it allowed our performers, the talent that is available for hire on the app, to be hired from anyone around the world,” he said. “I think this idea of virtual creates a new entertainment experience.”
NBC To Broadcast Eddie Murphy, Chris Rock, Kevin Hart And More Comedy Fundraiser
The Byron Allen-driven comedy fundraiser for Feeding America has a new air date, broadcast partner and additional guests.
The fundraiser will now be held on Sunday, May 10 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. ET, with NBC broadcasting the show. The program has added the talents of Sebastian Maniscalco, JB Smoove, Jim Gaffigan, Judd Apatow, Jack Black, Cedric the Entertainer, Whitney Cummings, Jim Gaffigan, Brad Garrett, Whoopi Goldberg, Kevin James, George Lopez, Sarah Silverman, and Kenan Thompson to its previously announced lineup.
Kevin Hart, Chris Rock, Adam Sandler, Eddie Murphy, and Billy Crystal are among the big names joining Byron Allen’s Allen Media Group television production division Entertainment Studios and Funny or Die for a live-streaming comedy event next month.
The fundraiser will support hunger-relief organization Feeding America. The event will livestream on the Allen Media Group TV networks Comedy.TV and The Weather Channel, as well as on the free streaming service app Local Now from 8-11 pm ET on Saturday May 9.
Pre-recorded comedy segments will be featured during the three-hour event. Committed to appearing are Hart, Sandler, Murphy, Rock, Billy Crystal, Marlon Wayans, Howie Mandel, Tiffany Haddish, Brad Garrett, Taraji P. Henson, Louie Anderson, Margaret Cho, Kenan Thompson, Marc Maron, Jon Lovitz, Caroline Rhea, Byron Allen, Billy Gardell, Tim Meadows, Jamie Kennedy, Bill Engvall and Sheryl Underwood. Producers say more will be added.
Byron AllenEntertainment Studios
Allen, founder/chair/CEO of Entertainment Studios/Allen Media Group, said the benefit will help hungry people who are straining the resources of the nation’s food banks during the pandemic shutdown. “Laughter is often the best medicine, and we are extremely motivated to bring attention to issues of food insecurity, and to assist in providing meals to families across the country who are financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said Wednesday.
“The coronavirus pandemic and the economic downturn it has created is shining a light on the fragile nature of people’s household budgets,” said Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, CEO of Feeding America, a nationwide network of 200 food banks. “Millions more of our neighbors are turning to food banks for help and we cannot thank Byron Allen and Allen Media Group enough for their support to raise funds and awareness of our work.”
Source: Deadline
The Cast Of ‘Fresh Prince’ Reunites On Will Smith’s Snapchat Show
Will Smith’s Snapchat show Will From Home is a must-watch for those at home quarantining. This week’s episode reunited him with the cast of his hit sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, which aired from 1990 to 1996.
The reunion included Alfonso Ribeiro (Carlton Banks), DJ Jazzy Jeff (Jazz), Tatyana Ali (Ashley Banks), Karyn Parsons (Hilary Banks), Daphne Maxwell Reid (Aunt Vivian) and Joseph Marcell (Geoffrey). James Avery, who played Uncle Phil, passed away in 2013. However, according to Rolling Stone, there is a tribute to James Avery in the virtual reunion.
It’s a two-part show, which will air today (April 29) on Snapchat at 6 p.m. EST. The second installment will air Thursday, April 30, at 6 a.m. EST.
Watch a preview of the reunion below. Will reveals that it was Alfonso Ribeiro who insisted that he use his own name in the iconic series.
Source: BET
‘D.L. Hughley Uncut’ Coming To Pluto TV Via Kevin Hart’s Laugh Out Loud Network
Kevin Hart’s Laugh Out Loud Network is bringing comedian D.L. Hughley’s take on current affairs and pop culture D.L. Hughley Uncut to Pluto TV. The Peabody Award-winning stand-up will be joined by his longtime radio co-host, Jasmine Sander, in the 60-minute livestream format.
The weekly series premieres Friday on Pluto TV.
“Laugh Out Loud is one of the most dynamic and diverse brands in comedy and I couldn’t be more excited to be teaming up with them,” said Hughley. “I can’t wait to get started and speak directly on the topics that matter most to our community without any filter or hesitation.”
Said Laugh Out Loud President Jeff Clanagan: “D.L.’s ability to balance humor and realness while taking on almost any topic no matter how controversial or challenging, makes him a great addition for LOL Network as we break new ground with our first live weekly series, Uncut.”
Hart and Laugh Out Loud signed a deal with NBCUniversal’s forthcoming Peacock streaming service in January.
Hughley won a Peabody for his 2012 Comedy Central docu-comedy special D.L. Hughley: The Endangered List. His book How Not to Get Shot and Other Advice from White People is a New York Times bestseller.
D.L. Hughley Uncut premieres at 8 p.m. ET Friday at pluto.tv/live-tv/laughoutloud, with new live episodes each week.
Source: Deadline
Katt Williams Featured On New Prince Channel On SiriusXM Curated From 2005
SiriusXM is launching several new artist channels today — including Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, the Rolling Stones and others — but there’s little question that the most interesting one is a Prince channel that the artist himself curated back in 2005, but never aired until today. You can listen to it for free, starting at 7 p.m. ET, on channel 30 and SiriusXM’s streaming app.
The show, which is more than two hours long, is a previously unaired demo of a conceptual radio show created by Prince in 2005 for a Sirius Satellite Radio channel. It dates from the era of his 2006 “3121” album — which many fans feel was by far the strongest release of his final decade — and features songs from that album as well as rarities from across his career like the 1986 song “Dream Factory” and a live version of “Beautiful Strange” with a blazing guitar solo from the artist.
But the show primarily features songs by other artists selected by both Prince and his friend and host DJ Rashida, ranging from Parliament-Funkadelic and Sly & the Family Stone to Joni Mitchell, jazz great Ahmad Jamal and the Jimi Hendrix deep cut “Hey Baby” (one of the last songs he ever recorded), and there’s an inspired segue from Ann Peebles’ “Can’t Stand the Rain” into Bjork’s “I Miss You.”
While Prince speaks at a couple of points during the show, many people are likely to think that an often-hilarious character named Ezekiel who calls in several times during the show is Prince — it’s actually comedian Katt Williams.
The channel also features a “takeover” from Sheila E., special playlists from Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis and SiriusXM’s recent “Let’s Go Crazy: The Grammy Salute To Prince Town Hall,” featuring Jimmy Jam, Sheila E. and H.E.R.
SiriusXM’s The Prince Channel can be heard on channel 30 on all SiriusXM radios and can be found on the SiriusXM app in the Hip-Hop/R&B category.Anyone who is not already a SiriusXM subscriber can download the SiriusXM app or go toSiriusXM.com/streamfree, and start listening free of charge, with no credit card or commitment required, through May 30.
Source: Variety
D.L. Hughley And Friends Host First-Ever Virtual Comedy Show, ‘CEEK VR Presents The Laugh Experience’
Comedy’s biggest names come together for a first-of-its-kind, livestream virtual comedy event, “CEEK VR presents The Laugh Experience.” The virtual comedy club opens with a star-studded lineup including D.L Hughley and Chris Spencer, and will be livestreamed online and in virtual reality (VR) on Friday, May 1 at 9:00 p.m. EDT exclusively on CEEK.com and on the CEEK VR app (available in the App Store and Google Play).
“Livestreaming on CEEK is a game-changing way to share comedy with the world,” Hughley said. “At a time when people are stuck inside and trying to cope with the unknown, laughter is needed now more than ever. I’m excited to work with CEEK VR and share ‘The Laugh Experience’ with everyone. Virtual comedy clubs are the future of entertainment.”
Hughley, an original ‘King of Comedy,’ political commentator and syndicated radio show host, will headline the evening of punchy and piquant humor from an all-star comedy line-up featuring “Real Husbands of Hollywood” and BET Awards head writer Chris Spencer and comedians Bo Dacious and Ryan Davis.
CEEK VR’s award-winning, digital streaming platform boasts virtual concerts from the likes of music megastars Katy Perry, Quavo Huncho, Snoop Dogg and Lady Gaga, along with celebrity athletes and influencers for its immersive technology and streamlined content monetization solution. The platform features a diverse library of experiences including exclusive 360VR videos and live concerts.
“We are honored to have these world class icons sharing exclusive entertainment experiences on the CEEK platform, especially during this time of social distancing and beyond,” CEEK VR CEO and Founder Mary Spio said. “CEEK’s mission of bringing artists closer to their fans virtually is more important now than ever. We’re excited to play our part in helping people connect through great entertainment experiences while staying safe at home.”
A portion of the show’s online admission cost will be donated to Entertainment Industry Foundation’s COVID-19 Response Fund for affected members of the entertainment industry.
Eddie Murphy Locks In Date To Return To Stand Up And Does It For Charity
It has been decades since Eddie Murphy has done stand-up comedy for the general public, but in a precursor to his upcoming Netflix specials, Murphy has agreed to perform a set from home for Byron Allen‘s upcoming charity event, the Feeding America Comedy Festival.
Adam Sandler, Chris Rock, Kevin Hart, Tiffany Haddish and Billy Crystal are also part of the star-studded lineup for the festival, which Allen put together via his Entertainment Studios. Funny or Die is co-producing the charity event, which will raise money for Feeding America.
Image via Paramount
The three-hour event won’t air on a major network or streaming service, however. Instead, it will be live-streamed on Allen Media Group’s television networks Comedy.TV and The Weather Channel as well as on the free streaming service app Local Now on Saturday, May 9. Viewers will be encouraged to donate to Feeding America at www.feedingamerica.org.
Additional comedians who will perform sets from home include Marc Maron, Jon Lovitz, Brad Garrett, Marlon Wayans, Howie Mandel, Taraji P. Henson, Louie Anderson, Margaret Cho, Kenan Thompson, Caroline Rhea, Billy Gardell, Tim Meadows, Jamie Kennedy, Bill Engvall, Sheryl Underwood and Allen himself.
“In partnership with Feeding America, my comedian friends and all of us at Allen Media Group are pleased to announce this global live-streaming comedy event on May 9th,” Allen said in a statement. “Laughter is often the best medicine, and we are extremely motivated to bring attention to issues of food insecurity, and to assist in providing meals to families across the country who are financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Image via NBC
“The coronavirus pandemic and the economic downturn it has created is shining a light on the fragile nature of people’s household budgets,” added Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, CEO of Feeding America, a nationwide network of 200 food banks. “Millions more of our neighbors are turning to food banks for help and we cannot thank Byron Allen and Allen Media Group enough for their support to raise funds and awareness of our work.”
Murphy is riding high off strong notices for his Netflix movie Dolemite Is My Name, as well as his recent hosting stint on Saturday Night Live. His new comedy special was supposed to hit Netflix later this year, but it’s unclear if that’s still the case, as I’m not sure whether he had a chance to film it before comedy clubs across the country were forced to close their doors. While Murphy’s Feeding America set may be short and safe, it’s something to hold fans over until his full-fledged Netflix special arrives. At this point, we’ll take any laughs we can get!
Source: Collider.com
Dwayne Johnson, Issa Rae Team For HBO Backyard Wrestling Show
HBO is getting back into the ring with Dwayne Johnson.
The WWE legend and former Ballers star will executive produce a show about backyard wrestling that’s in development at the premium cabler. His Seven Bucks Productions partner, Dany Garcia, and Insecure creator and star Issa Rae are also executive producing.
Titled Tre Cnt (or Tre Count), the show centers on Cassius Jones, a dock worker and struggling pro wrestler who lives in Houston’s Third Ward, also known as The Tre. It will follow working-class family, neighbors, and friends of Cassius who come together — pooling their talents, resources, savvy, and dreams — to build a unique hip-hop centric backyard-wrestling empire from nothing, with Cassius using inherited life insurance money and the deed to a shotgun house from his grandfather to start his American dream.
Mohamad El Masri (HBO’s Here and Now, Apple’s forthcoming Brie Larson CIA drama) is writing and executive producing, and Judah Miller (American Dad, Crashing) is set to serve as showrunner. Johnson, Dany Garcia and Hiram Garcia of Seven Bucks Productions also exec produce along with Rae and Montrel McKay of Issa Rae Productions and 3 Arts Entertainment’s Dave Becky, Tom Lassally and Jonathan Barry.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
Loni Love Hosts Quarantine Talent Show With Special Guest Judge Jonathan McReynolds
In 2003, Loni Love competed as a finalist on “Star Search” an opportunity that brought major attention to her comedic chops as a stand-up talent. This past weekend, Love went back to her roots and garnered over 20,000 viewers who tuned in for the first-ever Loni Love Quarantine Talent Show.
#QuarantineWithLoni is a 1 hour Instagram Live series presented by Loni Love, Emmy and 2x NAACP Image Award winning talk show co-host of The REAL Daytime and co-host of the nationally syndicated Cafe Mocha Radio show, to give people an opportunity to escape. Many fans check in from around the world and play a round of ‘Shoutragous!’ as seen on “The Real” that requires blurting out things related to a specific topic before time runs out!
For the last few weeks, Love has welcomed special celebrity friends and experts to join her live including DJ D-Nice, Kierra Sheard, Killa Mike, Angela Rye, Tamera Mowry Housley, Terry Ellis of En Vogue, David Allen Grier, Tiffany The Budgetnista, Yo-Yo, Jeannie Mai, Yvette Nicole Brown, Adrienne Houghton and Ta’Rhonda Jones.
During her daily live on Friday, Love announced to fans that she wanted to do something special for them…a virtual talent showcase with a cash prize winner!
Prospective participants were instructed to upload a video and tag #QuarantineWithLoni for a chance to perform live on Saturday. With an overwhelming response, 8 lucky finalists were chosen to compete live in front of a virtual audience. The finalists found out later that Grammy-winner Jonathan McReynolds would join Love as a special guest judge.
The contestants performed various talents that included singing, spoken word, rapping and comedy.
Following the performances, Jonathan McReynolds joined Love on camera to give feedback to the contestants. “I’ve been enjoying the whole talent show. There were a lot of them that were really good. Shamika was cold…the first spoken word artist…Lamarr was cold at the end,” said McReynolds.
Love continued with highlighting McReynolds upcoming “People” project and community initiatives. Last week, in support to those impacted by the pandemic of COVID-19, McReynolds’ non-profit, Elihu Nation, gave away $300 per day to fans that answered trivia questions.
In hopes that he would say yes, Love asked McReynolds if he would sing something…to her surprise before you knew it there appeared his guitar and McReynolds was performing his new single, “People.” Love even joined in on a line of singing…see for yourself!
After the show, Love took to Instagram to announce that she will actually be awarding one male and one female with a cash prize. The public was able to vote via Instagram story poll for Lamarr Lyons or Mir Mizack and DeAna Fai or Shamika Chantae. After more than 17k votes, Love announced not only the two winner BUT another Loni Love Quarantine Talent Show to take place on Saturday, April 25, 2020.
Tamar Braxton To Host New Reality Show ‘To Catch A Beautician’ At VH1
Tamar Braxton is adding to her reality TV resume with hosting a new beauty series entitled “To Catch a Beautician” for VH1.
The Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter is partnering with celebrity hairstylist Johnny Wright on the series that debut May 25. The duo will help clients confront the beautician who damaged their hair; Wright then puts the stylists through a “hair boot camp” before giving them the chance to redeem themselves by redoing their disgruntled clients’ hair.
Braxton is a reality show veteran, sharing the screen with her family for six seasons of “Braxton Family Values,” headlining spin-off “Tamar & Vince,” competing on season 21 of “Dancing with the Stars” and winning “Celebrity Big Brother” in 2019. Braxton also co-hosted the daytime talk show “The Real” for two seasons. Most recently, Braxton announced a new reality series, “Tamar Braxton: Get Ya Life,” which begins airing on We TV in April.
Known for serving as former First Lady Michelle Obama’s personal hairstylist, Johnny Wright’s client list also includes Maxine Waters, Queen Latifah, Kerry Washington, Regina King and Janelle Monáe.
“To Catch a Beautician” is produced by Scout Productions with David Collins, Michael Williams, Rob Eric, and Kim McCoy serving as executive producers. Sitarah Pendleton-Eaglin and Rachel Tung executive produce for VH1.
The beauty series joins VH1’s popular Monday night lineup, which includes “Love & Hip Hop Atlanta” and “T.I. & Tiny: Friends & Family Hustle.”
