Netflix Nabs Eddie Murphy For Another ‘Beverly Hills Cop’ Installment
Netflix has nabbed the rights to make a sequel to “Beverly Hills Cop,” a move that deepens the relationship between the streaming giant and Eddie Murphy.
Murphy’s new comedy “Dolemite is My Name” is currently showing on the platform, earning the actor some of the best reviews of his career. The film will see him reprise his role as Axel Foley, a street-smart Detroit cop who finds himself transplanted to the tony streets of Beverly Hills. The first two films in the series were huge hits, though 1994’s “Beverly Hills Cop III” was a commercial and critical disappointment. Paramount released all three previous films, but is licensing the rights to Netflix.
Bob Bakish, CEO of Paramount’s parent company Viacom, confirmed the move during a call with analysts on Thursday. The studio is still in the Eddie Murphy business. It will release “Coming 2 America,” a sequel to the 1988 hit “Coming to America,” in 2020. Paramount had tried for years to get a follow-up to “Beverly Hills Cop” off the ground, at one point even considering launching a television series.
Jerry Bruckheimer will produce the sequel for Paramount. The move comes when follow-ups and reboots to aging properties such as “Terminator,” “The Shining,” “Men in Black,” and “Shaft” have fallen flat at the theatrical box office.
The deal also enables Netflix to produce one more sequel. Paramount will retain rights to the underlying intellectual property and the first three movies.
Source: Variety
Jamie Foxx To Be Honored With Missy Elliott, Ryan Jamaal Swain, At Urban One Honors
Cathy Hughes, Urban One Founder and Chairwoman, announced the honorees, performers and presenters for the prestigious annual URBAN ONE HONORSevent on Thursday, December 5, 2019, at MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Maryland. The two-hour telecast will air on TV One, a division of Urban One, on January 20, 2020, the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday.
This year’s honorees include: veteran music executive Sylvia Rhone (Lifetime Achievement Award); Grammy Award-winning recording artist and producer Missy Elliott (Music Innovation Award); Academy Award-winning actor Jamie Foxx (Entertainment Icon Award); and actor/dancer and star of “Pose,” Ryan Jamaal Swain (Represent Pride Award).
Performers include: Grammy Award-winning recording artist and songwriter Ne-Yo; Grammy-nominated rapper Wale; Grammy Award-winning R&B superstar Brandy; R&B singer Eric Benét; gospel singer Pastor Charles Jenkins; new music artist Jac Ross; and television host Egypt Sherrod. Actor/singer and star of “Pose” Billy Porter, and the subject of Netflix’s documentary “The Black Godfather” Clarence Avant are among the show’s presenters.
“This will be an evening to remember,” stated Hughes. “We are extremely proud to present this showcase of talent in recognition of these exceptional men and women whose contributions “REPRESENT” our capacity to transform industries and effectuate change. I am overjoyed that we can celebrate the anniversary of Radio One with an event that honors what has been our mission of service to our community over these 40 years.”
URBAN ONE HONORS is presented by TV One and Radio One’s Washington D.C. market’s cluster of radio stations: Majic 102.3 and 92.7; WKYS 93.9, Praise 104.1, WOL 1450, Spirit 1340, and The Team 980 and 95.9. The televised event will herald the accomplishments of individuals who have made extraordinary contributions in entertainment, media, music, education, and the community. It will also pay tribute to the 40-year history of Radio One, the radio division of the company, and its extraordinary founder, Cathy Hughes.
Hughes continued, “We are blessed to have Billy Porter as part of our event. No matter how busy the Emmy, Grammy and Tony Award-winning performer is, he has made time to support Urban One and continues to be an advocate for black press.”
“It’s so amazing to be a part of an organization that is about the excellence of black people and to know that I’m an honoree at this year’s Urban One Honors in conjunction with celebrating the 40-year anniversary of Radio One,” stated Ryan Jamaal Swain. “It just shows we’re in a place where we are accepting innovation, diversity and inclusion – and not just buzz words. It’s so beautiful to have my pop-up Billy Porter presenting me with my award and it’s going to be an event that I feel will set the tone for the trajectory of entertainment, media, radio and also the world.”
“I’m very happy to be here to support Cathy Hughes, as a honoree of last year’s awards, it’s a good feeling to be recognized and appreciated” said Brandy, who is a featured performer at this year’s event.
URBAN ONE HONORS is produced for TV One by Eric Tomosunas and Keith Neal of Swirl Films. Kashon Powell, Vice President of Programming for Radio One, Susan Henry and Gold Morgan are the Executives in Charge of Production for TV One. For TV One’s Original Programming and Production, Robyn Greene Arrington serves as Vice President and Brigitte McCray serves as Senior Vice President.
Jay Pharoah Lands In New Dramatic Film Titled ‘All My Life’
Jay Pharoah has joined the cast of Universal’s drama “All My Life.”
Actors Marielle Scott and Kyle Allen will also appear in the film alongside the previously announced cast of Jessica Rothe and Harry Shum Jr.
Directed by Marc Meyers, “All My Life” is inspired by the true story of Jenn Carter and her husband, Solomon Chau, a young couple planning their wedding in the face of devastating news.
Todd Rosenberg wrote the script, which was featured on the Black List in 2017. Todd Garner and Sean Robins will produce for their Broken Road Productions banner. Universal’s senior vp of production Sara Scott and director of development Lexi Barta will oversee the project on behalf of the studio.
Best known for his work on “Saturday Night Live,” Pharoah was most recently seen in Steven Soderbergh’s “Unsane” and also had a recurring role on ABC’s “A Million Little Things.” Scott was recently seen in “Lady Bird” and the Netflix series “You.” Allen was recently cast in one of the lead roles in Steven Spielberg’s adaptation “West Side Story” and also appears in Hulu’s “The Path.”
Pharoah is represented by ICM, manager Shaina Farrow, and Hansen, Jacobson, Teller, Hoberman, Newman, Warren, Richman, Rush, Kaller & Gellman L.L.P; Scott is represented by Gersh and Mosaic; Allen is represented by UTA, Management 360 and Hansen Jacobson.
Source: Variety
Kevin Hart’s ‘Cold As Balls’ Returns For A New Season
Kevin Hart is chilling out again in “Cold as Balls” season 3 — with his most eclectic guest list yet for the locker-room talk show in which he and his guests get immersed in an ice bath.
Featured guests in season 3 of the sports/comedy talk show include esports star Tyler “Ninja” Blevins, Dennis Rodman, WWE personalities the Bella Twins, Oklahoma City Thunder’s Chris Paul, San Antonio Spurs’ DeMar DeRozan, Fox Sports reporter Erin Andrews, Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, Olympic athlete Lolo Jones, and former NBA stars Charles Oakley and J.R. Smith.
The new season, from Hart’s Laugh Out Loud digital comedy network, premieres Tuesday (Nov. 12) with the actor-comedian chatting up Thunder point guard Chris Paul, who reflects on his two seasons with the Houston Rockets and reveals details about the 2015 incident when he shared a banana boat with LeBron James and Dwyane Wade on vacation.
“I couldn’t be more excited to be back in the tub with what is sure to be our biggest and most ambitious season of ‘Cold as Balls,’” Hart said in a statement. “The outpouring of support we’ve received for the first two seasons has been amazing, and I can’t wait to see how fans react to what we have in store for them next.”
In conjunction with “Cold as Balls” season 3, in a few weeks Laugh Out Loud will launch a new line of merchandise tied to the show, including apparel like bathrobes, shower slippers, towels, backpacks and more. “It’s a way for fans to extend their relationship with the show,” said Thai Randolph, EVP and general manager of Laugh Out Loud Network.
Also Tuesday, Hart will rejoin his SiriusXM radio show “Straight From the Hart” for the first time since his car accident in early September. Launched in February 2018, the show ranks as one of the most popular comedy shows on SiriusXM.
The first two seasons of “Cold as Balls” have accumulated more than 320 million lifetime views. Guests in season 1, which ran in early 2018, included Gabby Douglas, Blake Griffin and LaVar Ball. Season 2 kicked off with two-time NBA champ Lamar Odom, with other guests including MMA superstar Ronda Rousey and NFL wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr.
Among Laugh Out Loud’s programming, “Cold as Balls” has been “definitely unrivaled in terms of the interest, demand and conversation it has spurred,” said Randolph. “Kevin’s just magic in the tub, and the athletes have been amazing.”
New episodes of “Cold as Balls” will premiere Tuesdays on the Laugh Out Loud YouTube channel and on the Laugh Out Loud app and website. The first six will roll out this fall, with the final four of the 10-episode season 3 available in early January. (All of the episodes were shot before Hart’s accident.)
For season 3, Procter & Gamble’s Old Spice returns as presenting sponsor, with the men’s grooming brand and its products featured on the set and Old Spice Guy Isaiah Mustafa matching wits with Hart in a locker room meet-up.
The series was created by OBB Pictures president and CEO Michael D. Ratner and Sean Thomas Spencer, with Ratner serving as executive producer alongside Hart, Laugh Out Loud president Jeff Clanagan, Dave Becky, and OBB’s Scott Ratner, Kfir Goldberg and Eric D. Cohen.
“We keep looking for ways to elevate the show season over season, and with Kevin at the helm we’ve managed to make the series continuously funnier, deeper, and more informative for our increasingly growing audience,” OBB’s Michael Ratner said in a statement.
Hart formed Laugh Out Loud in partnership with Lionsgate in 2016 and earlier this year he acquired a majority stake in the venture (with Lionsgate retaining a minority interest). Originally, LOL launched with a premium subscription option to watch ad-free but now all the content is available for free, ad-supported viewing.
Kevin Hart Makes 1st Official Appearance Since Car Crash
At the E! People’s Choice Awards, comedian Kevin Hart wins Comedy Act of 2019 and thanks God and the people for their support since his accident which occurred on Sept 1st. while being a passenger in his 1970 Plymouth Barracuda near Calabasas, CA.
Watch the moment now!
Netflix Announces Premiere Date for Tiffany Haddish’s ‘Black Mitzvah’ Comedy Special
We hear that Tiffany Haddish‘s new upcoming Netflix original comedy special, “Black Mitzvah,” will premiere on Dec. 3rd.
In the new special, Haddish embraces her Jewish heritage, reflects on newfound fame and the time she received a jumpsuit from Beyoncé.
More news soon!
WATCH: Pixar’s ‘Soul’ Debuts First Trailer With Jamie Foxx, Tina Fey
What do you want to be remembered for?
That’s the central question in “Soul,” Disney and Pixar’s upcoming existential animated adventure about a middle school music teacher (voiced by Jamie Foxx) who dreams of being a jazz performer.
“We only have a short time on this planet,” Foxx’s character Joe Gardner says in the new trailer released Thursday. “You want to become the person you were born to be. Don’t waste your time on all the junk of life. Spend your precious hours doing what will bring out the real you, the brilliant passionate you that’s willing to contribute something meaningful to this world.”
But before Joe gets his big musical break, he gets in an accident that causes his soul to be separated from his body. He is transported to the “You Seminar,” an ethereal center where souls are refined before being sent off to human bodies. There, he meets 22 (voiced by Tina Fey), a grim soul with a bleak outlook who is trapped in the You Seminar. (She, for the record, wants to be remembered for “doing this funny cowboy dance.”) Together, the two journey to get Joe’s soul back to his body on Earth before it’s too late.
Pete Docter, best known for Pixar hits including “Monsters Inc.,” “Up” and “Inside Out,” is directing the film. The voice cast also includes Questlove, Phylicia Rashad and Daveed Diggs.
“Soul,” one of two Pixar movies debuting next year, will hit theaters June 19, 2020. In March, the studio is unveiling “Onward” with Tom Holland, Chris Pratt and Julia Louis-Dreyfus.
Tyler Perry Sets Pair Of Scripted Series At BET’s Streaming Service
Tyler Perry continues to expand his scripted roster for Viacom’s BET platforms.
The multihyphenate has added a pair of scripted series for BET+, the cable network’s recently launched streaming platform. Ordered to series are Bruh, which looks at the world of dating, and The Oval spinoff Ruthless. Both series will be written, directed and exec produced by Perry. Tyler Perry Studios’ Michelle Sneed will also exec produce both.
The two pickups join the previously announced White House soap The Oval and Sistas, which recently launched on linear network BET.
“I’m so grateful for the millions of fans who have been watching the new shows on BET,” Perry said. “And this is only the beginning. I’m excited to bring these two new dynamic series to the BET+ family and continue to tell stories of high stakes drama with emerging talent.”
Perry is a key part of Viacom’s turnaround strategy and is expected to produce 90 episodes of original series annually for BET and other Viacom platforms. He also is a partner in BET+, which was launched in the fall. It features a mixture of library content from various Viacom brands as well as Perry’s former TBS comedies House of Payne and Meet the Browns,in addition to scripted originals, such as Tracy Oliver’s First Wives Club. Perry’s The Oval will launch first on BET’s linear network before moving to the streaming platform.
“Our landmark partnership with Tyler Perry has delivered beyond our expectations,” BET president Scott Mills said. “We are thrilled with the ratings performance of Tyler Perry’s first two original television series and can’t wait to bring fans more of the content they love on our premium streaming product, BET+. Our streaming service is a natural extension of BET’s linear network, and Tyler Perry is the perfect partner. The combination of new, original shows and his robust library of popular movies, series and stage plays that Tyler brings to our joint venture strengthens our position in the streaming landscape and drives subscriber growth, viewership and retention.”
Below are details about both new BET+ series.
Bruh
The half-hour comedy, premiering in 2020, revolves around a group of “bruhs” who will unravel the stereotypes of African American men and manage to maintain their brotherly relationships while finding love and fulfilling careers. Barry Brewer, Mahdi Cocci, Phillip Mullings Jr., Monti Washington, Chandra Currelley, Candice Renee and Alyssa Goss star.
Ruthless
An hourlong drama that will also bow in 2020, the series tells the story of a young woman who becomes entangled in a scandalous cult of powerful sex-crazed fanatics, whom she must now play along with until she can find a way to free herself and her young daughter. Melissa L. Williams (The Oval) stars as Ruth Truesdale along with Matt Cedeño, Lenny Thomas, Yvonne Senat Jones, Baadja-Lyne Odums, Jaime Callica, Nirine S. Brown, Blue Kimble, Stephanie Charles, Herve Clermont, Anthony Bless (Sistas) and Bobbi Baker James. Production is underway at Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta.
DL Hughley Docu-Comedy Special ‘How Not To Get Shot And Other Advice From White People’ Greenlit At Comedy Central
Comedy Central today announced a greenlight for a one-hour comedic documentary from D.L. Hughley, How Not to Get Shot and Other Advice from White People, based on Hughley’s New York Times bestselling book of the same name. Hughley will executive produce and star in the project, which will follow him into the field to explore the state of race in America. By following behavioral advice given to African Americans, will Hughley make all the problems of race in America disappear, or will he bring systemic prejudice to light?
“I look forward to working with Comedy Central on this documentary, where we’ll get to explore deeper into the state of race as I see it today. And then…leave it to me to point out the absurd,” said Hughley. “I dig how Comedy Central saw How Not To Get Shot as I did — knowing the conversation would extend far beyond the length of a book.”
“We’re incredibly excited to work with D.L. again and build on our award-winning partnership,” said Sarah Babineau and Jonas Larsen, Co-Heads of Original Content, Comedy Central. “D.L. has an eye for the absurdities that mainstream America too often accepts as normal, especially when it comes to race. His incisive wit and comedic genius will be on full display in How Not to Get Shot.”
How Not to Get Shot and Other Advice From White People is executive produced by Hughley, 3Arts, Hugh Fink, Adam Mansbach, and Vikram Gandhi, who is also director and showrunner. Sonya Vaughn is a producer. Hughley is repped by 3Arts and UTA. Fink and Vikram are repped by UTA. Jonas Larsen, Christian McLaughlin, Ola Iko, and Michael Stanger are the Executives in Charge of Production for Comedy Central.
Hughley’s 2012 docu-comedy special with Comedy Central, D.L. Hughley: The Endangered List (2012), was awarded the George Foster Peabody Award in the 72nd Annual Peabody Awards competition.
How Not to Get Shot is the latest project to advance Comedy Central’s expansion into the documentary space, following the network’s October announcement of plans for a deep-dive documentary about the life of comedian Patrice O’Neal. Earlier this year, Comedy Central premiered Klepper, an eight-episode immersive documentary series about American activism, and The Daily Show with Trevor Noah Presents Desi Lydic: Abroad, a one-hour special chronicling Lydic’s international exploration of how the U.S. has fallen behind other nations on issues of gender equality. Prior Comedy Central docu-comedy specials include Jeff Ross Roasts the Border: Live from Brownsville, Texas (2017), Jeff Ross Roasts Cops (2016), and Jeff Ross Roasts Criminals: Live at Brazos County Jail (2015).
Today’s greenlight announcement comes as Comedy Central closes a 2018-2019 fiscal year of strong overall growth and series performance, including among African American audiences. Recently renewed for a second season, the network’s summer hit South Side was the #1 new cable comedy of 2019 with African American Men 18-49 and Comedy Central’s highest-rated new series among African-American Adults 18-49 since the launch of Key & Peele in 2012. South Side is 100% Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.
Singer Chris Brown Holding High-End Yard Sale At His Home
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Chris Brown says he’s having a high-end yard sale at his Los Angeles home, and a crowd has been gathering for hours.
The singer posted a flyer on his Instagram and Twitter accounts that included his home address in the Tarzana neighborhood and says the event started at 10 a.m. Wednesday and will go until 7 p.m.
The flyer says the sale will feature “significantly marked-down high-end designer items.” He captioned the posts: “DA CRIB … 2 day event.”
People began gathering at the house Tuesday night, and a long line stretched down the sidewalk of the residential neighborhood before the event Wednesday.
