BET Moving Ahead With Andre Harrell’s Uptown Records Miniseries Following His Death
A miniseries about the rise of the late Andre Harrell’s Uptown Records is still in the works and moving ahead at BET following the veteran music executive’s death. But with production throughout the television business shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic, no premiere date or timetable for the start of shooting has been set.
“We are mourning the loss of a cultural icon, Andre Harrell, a chief architect of the modern hip-hop and R&B sound,” BET president Scott Mills said in a statement. “Andre was tremendously excited about sharing the origin story of Uptown Records, and its pivotal role in the urban music landscape. With his tragic passing, BET is committed to ensuring that the Uptown limited series event tells both the Uptown story and Andre’s story — that of the incredible music innovator, man and friend to so many.”
In December, BET ordered “Uptown,” a three-part miniseries about record label Harrell founded in 1986 and which helped launch the careers hip-hop artists such as Heavy D & The Boyz, Russell Simmons, Lyor Cohen, Mary J. Blige, Jodeci, Father MC, Al B. Sure, Christopher Williams, Teddy Riley, Notorious B.I.G., and Sean “Diddy” Combs. Harrell was set to serve as an executive producer on the miniseries alongside Jesse Collins of Jesse Collins Entertainment, with Charles Murray, Carlito Rodriguez and Barry Michael Cooper writing the scripts. Production on the miniseries, which was initially slated to premiere sometime in 2020, had not started prior to the industry-wide shutdown that began in March.
Harrell was reported to have died Thursday night at his home in West Hollywood, Calif. His ex-wife, Wendy Credle, told the New York Times that Harrell died of heart failure.
Source: Variety
Jerry Stiller, Of ‘Seinfeld’ And Stiller & Meara Fame, Passes Away
The husband half of the legendary comedy duo also starred for years on ‘The King of Queens.’
Jerry Stiller, the shorter half of the famed husband-and-wife comedy team Stiller & Meara who was the father of the famous (Ben Stiller) and the fictitious (Seinfeld nebbish George Costanza), has died. He was 92.
“I’m sad to say that my father, Jerry Stiller, passed away from natural causes,” Ben Stiller tweeted. “He was a great dad and grandfather, and the most dedicated husband to Anne for about 62 years. He will be greatly missed. Love you Dad.”
Stiller played another dad, the basement-dwelling Arthur Spooner, on the long-running CBS sitcom The King of Queens.
Anne Meara, his wife of 61 years and frequent comedy partner, died in May 2015. In addition to actor-director Ben, survivors include their daughter Amy Stiller, an actress.
While Stiller was 5-foot-4 and Jewish, Meara was lanky, two inches taller and an Irish-American who was raised Catholic. Needing a comedy bit as a stint on The Ed Sullivan Show loomed, Stiller decided to use their dissimilarities for what would become their signature routine, playing the characters Hershey Horowitz and Mary Elizabeth Doyle.
“That was Jerry’s idea, to use and plumb the depths of our backgrounds, exaggerate them and have the two differences of the Jewish and the gentile,” Meara said during a 2005 Archive of American Television sit-down with her husband.
The New Yorkers, who had met in a theatrical agent’s office in 1953 after both failed to land a job in summer stock, made 36 appearances on the Sullivan show alone. By the end of the decade, they were the No. 1 couple of comedy, inheriting the title vacated by Elaine May and Mike Nichols and following in the footsteps of another famous husband-and-wife team, George Burns & Gracie Allen.
Stiller portrayed the cranky and combustible Frank Costanza, a former salesman who speaks fluent Korean, on more than two dozen episodes of NBC’s Seinfeld, and in 1997 he received his lone Emmy nomination for his work on the show. (The character was introduced during the fourth-season episode “The Handicap Spot” but was played by John Randolph. Series co-creator Larry David, though, thought Randolph “looked too Protestant,” said Stiller, who flew out to L.A. to audition for the job.)
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
Cedric The Entertainer Launches YouTube Channel: Channel Will Feature Behind The Scenes Looks
World-renowned actor, comedian and host Cedric The Entertainer, is pleased to announce the highly-anticipated launch of his YouTube channel. With his brand new YouTube channel – built in partnership with GC Studios – the icon and Hollywood Walk of Famer will be beginning a new digital journey, uploading exclusive new content and will also be giving viewers a peek behind the curtain as he shares about his daily life.
Since the 90’s, Cedric has dominated the comedy space, from his iconic stints as a host on BET’s ComicView and on Def Comedy Jam, to recognizable roles on The Steve Harvey Show and Barbershop. Cedric is also the star and executive producer of CBS’ strongest comedy seriesThe Neighborhood, now in its second season. The launch of his YouTube channel marks a brand new era of content, one that allows Cedric to engage directly with his audience.
This is not his first rodeo at exploring new digital formats. Earlier in April, he hosted a star-studded, marathon fundraiser called Def Comedy Jam: Healing Through Laughter, alongside big names like Usher, Tiffany Hadish and Marlon Wayans. The live-stream drew more than one million viewers across Facebook and Twitch, and raised over US$92,000 and counting.
“The entertainment world has completely changed from when I first started out. With my new channel, I will now be able to create content more regularly, and also communicate directly with my fans – something I’m incredibly excited about,” said Cedric.
Fans can expect weekly uploads on his channel, where Cedric will provide exclusive, behind the scenes coverage of his shows and projects, travel, family time, and other fun activities. Viewers will also be treated to Cedric’s take on current events and pop-culture news which will be delivered with his signature style and humor. Finally, this will also be the platform where Cedric will update his fans about the projects he’s working on and passionate about as well as exciting collaborations with other YouTube personalities or celebrities doing challenges, skits, and games.
Tune in to watch Cedric The Entertainer’s first Youtube video that will premiere on the 6th of May, 2020 at 18:00 PST
Lebron James Reveals The Title Of ‘Space Jam’ Sequel
Everybody get up, it’s time to slam now because “Space Jam 2” has an official title, thanks to NBA superstar LeBron James.
On Thursday, the Lakers player posted a video of himself wearing a hat on his Instagram with the logo of “Space Jam: A New Legacy,” the apparent title of the Looney Tunes sequel. It was reposted by the film’s official Twitter page later that day.
James captioned the video with the year 2021, but no specific date. Back in February of 2019, Warner Bros. had announced the release date for the film to be July 16, 2021.
“Girls Trip” director Malcolm D. Lee is on board to direct the sequel to the 1996 animated film. His other credits include “Night School” and “Barbershop: The Final Cut.” Lee replaced “Random Acts of Flyness” creator Terence Nance as director last July. Nance exited the film over disagreements with producers over the vision for it.
“Space Jam: A New Legacy” marks James’ first major acting role. Previously, he played himself in the 2015 comedy “Trainwreck” along with Amy Schumer and Bill Hader. Since then, he’s hosted a talk show called “The Shop” on HBO where he interviews other celebrities and athletes in a barbershop.
The original “Space Jam” saw Michael Jordan team up with Bugs Bunny and his Looney Tunes gang to defeat evil alien basketball players, and it grossed $230 million worldwide. Fellow NBA stars Larry Bird, Charles Barkely, Patrick Ewing, Larry Johnson, Shawn Bradley and Muggsy Bogues also appeared in the film. It’s presumed that current NBA players will appear in the sequel, but none have been announced.
Source: Variety
Damon Wayans Jr.’s Entertainment Booking App Goes Virtual
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.
