BET Releases New Trailer For Lena Waithe’s New Comedy Series ‘Twenties’
BET has released the first trailer for Twenties, Lena Waithe’s new single-camera comedy series set to premiere in early 2020.
In a first for the network, the eight-episode series follows the adventures of a queer black girl named Hattie, played by newcomer Jonica “JoJo” T. Gibbs (Good Trouble, The Neighborhood), in her first role as a lead; and her two best friends, Marie, played by Christina Elmore (The Last Ship, Insecure, Fruitvale Station), and Nia, played by Gabrielle Graham (On The Basis of Sex, 21 Thunder); as they chase their dreams and live life in their twenties. Cast also includes Sophina Brown as Ida B, and
Big Sean as Tristan.
Guest stars include Jenifer Lewis (Black-ish), Rick Fox, Vanessa Williams, Seth Green, Iman Shumpert, Kym Whitley, Chuey Martinez, Marsha Thomason, and Nazanin Mandi.
Waithe, who’s coming off a successful weekend at the box office for her latest feature Queen & Slim, executive produces with Susan Fales-Hill who will also serve as co-showrunner, Rishi Rajani and Andrew Coles. Justin Tipping directed the pilot and also executive produces.
Check out the trailer.
Source: Deadline
Will Packer To Develop And Produce New Thriller ‘When I Was You’
Will Packer Productions has teamed with Focus Features to develop a female-driven thriller “When I Was You.”
Based on a novel by Amber Garza, “When I Was You” centers on a woman named Kelly Medina who becomes obsessed with another Kelly Medina — a single mother half her age who lives in her same town, has a baby boy, and has her whole life ahead of her. When they become friends, she finds a renewed sense of purpose taking care of the young woman and her baby.
“Amber Garza writes edgy and tense psychological thrillers that keep her readers on the edge of their seats,” Packer said. “We’re excited about collaborating with Focus Features on material this good.”
Garza has also authored “The Girl Frozen in Time,” “The Last Time I Saw Her,” and the “Prowl” trilogy.
Production, casting and further plot details on “When I Was You” have yet to be announced.
Will Packer and James Lopez will produce the movie under Will Packer Productions. The studio’s feature films have earned more than $1 billion from a slate that includes “Girls Trip,” “Night School,” “What Men Want,” “Little,” and “Think Like a Man.”
Focus Features and Will Packer Productions will also develop an ensemble film set in and around the Wattstax music festival in 1972 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Wattstax was a benefit concert that commemorated the deadly 1965 riots in Watts in a predominantly African-American neighborhood in Los Angeles.
Focus Features debuted “Harriet,” “Downton Abbey” and “Dark Waters” in theaters this year. Upcoming releases for the specialty studio include “Emma” starring Anya Taylor-Joy and Johnny Flynn, “Let Him Go” with Kevin Costner and Diane Lane and Jon Stewart’s “Irresistible” starring Steve Carell, Rose Byrne, and Chris Cooper.
CAA represented the book on behalf of The Gernert Company. Mira will publish the novel, with an anticipated release in August, 2020.
Source: Variety
Tracy Morgan’s Next Comedy Special To Land On New HBO MAX
HBO Max is bolstering its comedy offering.
The forthcoming streamer, which launches in May 2020, has ordered four new stand-up comedy specials from Tracy Morgan, John Early, Rose Matafeo, and Ahir Shah.
“We are incredibly proud to showcase this expansive range of comedic talent on HBO MAX,” said Suzanna Makkos, executive vice president of original programming, comedy and animation at HBO Max. “From legends to newcomers, this impressive slate of specials will complement the library of premium stand-up specials that HBO has become known for.”
Morgan’s special represents an extension of his relationship with WarnerMedia, given that he currently stars in “The Last O.G.” on TBS, which is moving into its third season in 2020. He recently announced a comedy tour next year titled “No Disrespect,” and will executive produce this special for HBO Max.
Early also has a prior relationship with WarnerMedia, starring as Elliot in the TBS series “Search Party.” This will be his first one-hour television special.
This will be Matafeo’s first-ever comedy special and represents a continuation of her partnership with HBO Max following the recently announced “Starstruck,” a new comedy series written, created by and starring the comedian and actress. Both “Starstruck” and the stand-up special are produced by Avalon Television and executive produced by Matafeo, Rob Aslett, Jon Thoday and Richard Allen-Turner.
Shah is currently on tour with his new stand-up show “Dots.” His first stand-up TV special will also be produced by Avalon Television, and he will will EP alongside Aslett, Jon Thoday, and Allen-Turner.
The four shows join a slate of specials at HBO Max which already includes two hosted by Conan O’Brien. HBO Max announced a partnership with O’Brien and his Team Coco banner which will also see him curated hour-long sets from three comedians.
Source: Variety
New Comedy ‘The United States of Al’ Lands Adhir Kalyan In Lead Role For CBS
Adhir Kalyan is set to star in the CBS comedy pilot “The United States of Al,” Variety has confirmed.
The show was given a pilot production commitment in October. It is a multi-camera comedy about the friendship between Riley, a Marine combat veteran struggling to readjust to civilian life in Ohio, and Awalmir (Kalyan), also known as Al, the interpreter who served with his unit in Afghanistan and has just arrived to start a new life in America.
Kalyan previously starred in the CBS comedy “Rules of Engagement.” His other recent credits include “Arrested Development,” “I Love Dick,” “Nip/Tuck,” and “Aliens in America.” On the feature side, he has appeared in the “Paul Blart: Mall Cop” franchise, “Youth in Revolt,” “No Strings Attached,” and “Up in the Air.”
He is repped by UTA, Thruline Entertainment, and Jackoway Tyerman.
“The United States of Al” hails from “Big Bang Theory” executive producers David Goetsch and Maria Ferrari. Both serve as writers on the series and executive produce along with Lorre. Religious studies scholar Reza Aslan and Mahyad Tousi will also executive produce. Warner Bros Television, where Lorre is under an overall deal, will produce.
Lorre’s other current shows are “Bob Hearts Abishola,” “Mom,” and “Young Sheldon,” all of which air on CBS. He also created the Golden Globe-winning Netflix series “The Kominsky Method,” the second season of which debuted in October.
Shelley Morrison, ‘Will & Grace’ Actress, Dies At 83
Shelley Morrison, who played Karen Walker’s sharp-tongued yet endearing maid Rosario Salazar on “Will & Grace” from 1999-2006, has died. She was 83.
Morrison died at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles from heart failure after a brief illness, Morrison’s publicist, Lori DeWaal, told The Associated Press.
Rosario, who hailed from El Salvador, was originally written to appear in just one episode of the hit NBC series, but her dynamic with Megan Mullally’s Karen resonated so well with audiences that the charater went on to appear in 68 episodes over eight seasons of the original series. According to co-creator Max Mutchnick, Morrison was asked to reprise her role for the revival of “Will & Grace,” but had decided to retire from acting completely.
CREDIT: NBC-TV/KOBAL/SHUTTERSTOCK
Marvel’s ‘Black Widow’ Trailer Debuts!
The stand-alone movie, starring Scarlett Johansson and directed by Cate Shortland, opens May 1, 2020.
Though fans have been mourning the loss of Natasha Romanoff since the events of Avengers: Endgame, she’s back in the first trailer for Black Widow. Scarlett Johansson steps into her first solo film for the Russian spy, which she has played since 2010’s Iron Man 2.
Cate Shortland directs Black Widow, which also stars Florence Pugh, David Harbour and Rachel Weisz. The trailer shows Romanoff returning to her roots and confronting her sister-like figure (Pugh) as well as the Red Guardian (Harbour) and an older Black Widow (Weisz).
The film takes place between the events of Captain America: Civil War and Avengers: Infinity War. Black Widow isalsothe first film in Phase Four of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Footage from the movie was shown earlier this year at Comic-Con in July as well as at D23 in August, where it was likened to a mix of Mission: Impossible and Captain America: The Winter Soldier.
“I feel like I’m in control of the destiny of this film, which gives me a lot more peace of mind,” Johansson toldThe Hollywood Reporter earlier this year of executive producing the film. “I know her better than anybody. What was her childhood like? What is her relationship to figures of authority? This character is gritty and multidimensional but has a lot of trauma and has led an unexamined life. In order to operate at this elite level, she has probably had to push away a lot of stuff.”
Along with the first Black Widow trailer, Marvel released a new poster for the film (see below).
Black Widow opens May 1, 2020.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
SNL’s Pete Davidson Asks Fans to Sign $1 Million NDA Before Comedy Show
Whatever you do, never tweet at a Pete Davidson comedy show. The “Saturday Night Live” cast member has recently been doling out non-disclosure agreements before each of his recent comedy shows.
Most recently, fans attending Davidson’s standup at the Sydney Goldstein Theater were asked to sign a lengthy contract that forbade them from tweeting or Instagramming any opinions about the performance.
One attendee, Stacy Young, originally discovered by Consequence of Sound, posted the alleged NDA on her Facebook. It stated: “the individual shall not give any interviews, offer any opinions or critiques, or otherwise participate by any means or in any form whatsoever (including but not limited to blogs, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, or any other social networking or other websites whether now existing or hereafter created).”
“I didn’t want to sign it because it was basically saying that I wasn’t able to comment on it or have an opinion,” Young told Variety. “The most you could say is ‘no comment.’” After refusing to sign the NDA emailed to her from the venue, Young was given a full refund but there was no additional information as to why this was happening. “I called the box office and wondered if it was for a special, but they didn’t have any information.”
The fine for breaking said NDA was a whopping $1 million. “In the event of breach of this agreement, individual shall pay company, upon demand, as liquidated damages, the sum of one million dollars, plus any out of pocket expense.”
“I understand that comedians are protective of their material,” Young added. “But to not be allowed to express an opinion, whether I liked it or not, is off-putting in an Orwellian thought police way.”
Sources confirmed to Variety that Davidson’s NDA would again be handed out on Saturday prior to his show at Chicago’s Vic Theatre.
A spokesperson for the “SNL” star could not be reached for comment.
Cell phone bans are nothing new in world of modern day live performances. In May, Louis C.K. banned the use of phones at his comedy shows while Dave Chappelle and Madonna have also prohibited fans from sharing live materials without written consent.
Source: Variety
Martin Lawrence, Cedric The Entertainer To Be Honored, Wanda Sykes To Host Bounce Trumpet Awards
Martin Lawrence, Cedric the Entertainer, Marsai Martin, Ambassador Andrew Young,Hydeia Broadbent and Phylicia Fant have been named as honorees for the 28th AnnualBounce Trumpet Awards, an exciting and inspirational night celebrating African-American achievements and contributions.
Hosted by EMMY® Award-winning comedian, actress and writer Wanda Sykes, the gala black-tie honors will take place Dec. 4 at Dolby Theatre in Hollywood and will world premiere on Bounce on Sunday, January 12 at 9:00 p.m. ET. Bounce, the fastest-growing African American network on television, exclusively owns, produces and telecasts the star-studded event. Visit www.trumpetawards.com for more information.
Among the artists scheduled to appear, perform or present: Anthony Anderson, Niecy Nash, Steve Harvey, Vanessa Bell Calloway, George Lopez, Mike Epps, Faith Evans, NAS, Elle Varner, Rapsody, BJ the Chicago Kid, Le’Andria Johnson and more.
About this year’s honorees:
Iconic comedian and actor Martin Lawrence will be given the Luminary Award, which honors an individual who has risen to the top of their field and has illuminated and inspired others along the way. Lawrence became a household name with the success of his hugely-popular self-titled television series, Martin, while going onto star in an impressive list of blockbuster movies including Bad Boys, Blue Streak, Big Momma’s House and Life.
Cedric the Entertainer, one of the “Original Kings of Comedy” and star of the popular CBS sitcom The Neighborhood, will be honored with the Excellence in Entertainment Award. With a career spanning 30 years, Cedric’s universal appeal, versatility, and tremendous career successes in film, live performance, and television have solidified his standing as one of the top entertainers in the world.
15-year old actress Marsai Martin, currently starring on the hit ABC series Black-ish,will receive the Rising Star Award presented by McDonald’s, which recognizes a young person who is quickly establishing themselves by making a significant or historical impact in their particular field or industry.
Civil Rights icon Ambassador Andrew Young will receive the Xernona Clayton Award of Distinction presented by the 2020 Census, named for the legendary Trumpet Awards founder which recognizes individuals who have succeeded against immense odds and heralded change and prosperity to enhance and enrich the world. Young’s work for civil and human rights, his many years in public office as Congressman, United Nations Ambassador and Mayor of Atlanta, his leadership of the Atlanta Olympic Games, his advocacy of investment in Africa through GoodWorks International and much more are among the highlights of his extraordinary life of service.
The Community Activist Award, which recognizes an individual who dedicates their time and energy to raising awareness of an important cause or issue and to fight for change in their community, will be presented to HIV/AIDS activist and public speaker Hydeia Broadbent. Broadbent has spent her life spreading the message of HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention as a distinguished international speaker with a mission to educate people of all ages.
The Corporate Executive of the Year Award, recognizing someone who leads companies to new heights while creating opportunities for others to succeed, will be presented to music industry and entertainment dynamo Phylicia Fant. Recently appointed as Head of Urban Music at Columbia Records, Fant has established herself as a preeminent executive in the entertainment industry.
The Bounce Trumpet Awards were conceived to recognize the outstanding accomplishments of African Americans and those who have succeeded against great odds and inspired success in others. Founded in 1992 by American Civil Rights leader Xernona Clayton, The Trumpet Awards were acquired by Bounce in 2016. The list of prestigious honorees includes Muhammad Ali, Beyoncé, Jamie Foxx, Halle Berry, Stevie Wonder, The African-American Women of the United States Congress, Steve Harvey, Martin Luther King, III, Janelle Monáe and Spike Lee.
Ex-New England Patriot Wide Receiver Lands New Comedy On FOX
In a competitive situation with multiple bidders, Fox has handed a put pilot commitment with a big penalty to Football Book Club, a multi-camera comedy from Robert Horn and Scott Ellis, the duo behind the Tootsie Broadway musical, former New England Patriots wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell, Aaron Kaplan’s Kapital Entertainment and Warner Bros. TV.
Written by Horn and to be directed by Ellis, Football Book Club is inspired by Mitchell’s experiences. In the comedy, when a career-threatening injury sidelines professional football wide receiver Lawrence Lasalle, a trip to an Athens, Georgia, bookshop unexpectedly lands him as the only male in an all-female Southern book club, started by recent suburban widow Nancy Leverett, looking to reconnect with life. These two opposite lives collide at a time of major transition for both, as a surprising relationship forms over beginnings, Beaujolais and books, bonding a group of opinionated Southern women with an all-star athlete from an entirely different walk of life and with an entirely different social perspective.
Horn and Ells executive produce alongside Mitchell, Kaplan and Dana Honor of Kapital Entertainment, Jeff Holland, Stan Spry and Drew Brown of The Cartel. WBTV co-produces with Fox Entertainment.
The plot of Football Book Club mirrors the story of Mitchell while he was a star University of Georgia football player, which was subject of a CBS News piece. (you can watch it below). After college, the Georgia native was drafted by the New England Patriots. In his first season, Mitchell was part of the Patriots team that won Super Bowl LI in 2017, which aired on Fox, one of the broadcast homes of the NFL.
Right after that, he was sidelined with a knee injury which ultimately forced him to retire this past spring at the age of 25.
Horn and Ellis recently teamed up on the Broadway adaptation of Tootsie. Horn wrote the book and Ellis directed the musical, which earned 11 Tony nominations earlier this year, including Book of a Musical for Horn and Direction of a Musical for Ellis. Horn was among the two Tootsie Tony winners, along with star Santino Fontana.
In TV, Ellis received an Emmy nomination for directing 30 Rock. He recently worked with Kapital on the CBS multi-camera comedy series Fam, helming the pilot and multiple episodes. Horn co-created the FX comedy series Partners.
At Fox, Kapital Entertainment also has a script commitment plus penalty for drama Stateside, from The Enemy Within writer-producer Tony Camerino and Royal Pains creator Andrew Lenchewski; and has in the works Sanchez, Ohio (working title), a multi-camera/hybrid comedy written by Isaac Gonzalez & Chris Case and directed by Victor Gonzalez. Additionally, the company has a script-plus-penalty development deal with Fox that includes one additional backup script for Pivoting, a single-camera comedy from writer Liz Astrof.
Source: Deadline
The 51st NAACP Images Awards To Be Broadcast On BET
New York, NY (Monday, November 25, 2019) – The NAACP and BET Networks announced a broadcast partnership to air the 51st NAACP Image Awards. The telecast will take place from Pasadena, California and will air on BET Networks for the first time ever. The announcement was made today by NAACP National Board of Directors Chairman Leon W. Russell, NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson, President of BET Networks Scott Mills and Executive Vice-President, Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy Connie Orlando. The NAACP Image Awards is the preeminent event celebrating the accomplishments of people of color in the fields of television, music, literature, and film and also honors individuals or groups who promote social justice through creative endeavors.
“We’re proud to partner with BET Networks to showcase the incredible breadth of Black excellence in television, film, music, and literature, and to bring awareness to the social justice and economic empowerment work of the NAACP,” said Johnson. “Through its diverse platforms, BET delivers culturally enriching and entertaining content to a wide and multigenerational audience. As we head into a critical 2020 election and Census, the collaboration with BET will be critical to reaching our shared communities.”
“The NAACP is vitally important, and BET Networks shares the organization’s commitment to our community and social impact,” added Mills. “With the NAACP’s half-century of history acknowledging the achievements of African Americans across entertainment and activism, this partnership allows BET to further our mission to entertain, engage and empower our viewers by delivering this cultural pillar to the communities we serve. We’re thrilled to welcome the NAACP Image Awards home to BET.”
Karen Boykin-Towns, NAACP National Board of Directors Vice-Chairman is the newly appointed Chairman of the NAACP Image Awards Planning Committee and will provide strategic guidance and leadership. Eris Sims, Chief of Staff will oversee all NAACP Image Awards events and activities.
“We are excited that two storied organizations, NAACP and BET, are partnering to cultivate innovative approaches to our work and to deliver a transformative experience that inspires and empowers the Black community. This is a natural partnership and one which aligns with our strategic focus,” said Boykin-Towns. “We are confident that the NAACP Image Awards will continue to grow in both impact and legacy.”
One of the most iconic annual celebrations of black excellence, the NAACP Image Awards draws a crowd of the biggest and brightest stars in Hollywood. Previous years attendees include Oprah Winfrey, Will Smith, Taraji P. Henson, Viola Davis, Gabrielle Union, Kerry Washington, Anthony Anderson, Sterling K. Brown, Mandy Moore, Halle Berry, Common, Dwayne Johnson, Steve Harvey, Audra Day, John Legend, Lena Waithe, Tracee Ellis Ross, David Oyelowo, Laverne Cox, Octavia Spencer, Issa Rae, Trevor Noah, Terry Crews, Yara Shahidi, Danai Gurira, Jacob Latimore, Jay Pharoah, Jemele Hill, Josh Gad, Loretta Devine, Michael B. Jordan, Sylvester Stallone, Meta Golding, Michael Smith, Tyler James Williams, Ava DuVernay, Chadwick Boseman, and many more.
“It is our honor to partner with the NAACP as the exclusive broadcast partner of the Image Awards, one of the most influential Award Shows in the black community,” said Orlando. “We will celebrate and acknowledge the excellence and achievements of African-Americans in television, music, arts and give special recognition to the artists that have thrilled us and shaped the past the year in black culture. As we head into our 40th anniversary, it is only right to start off 2020 with this monumental partnership and bring the legacy of NAACP Image Awards to BET.”
