Fat Joe is set to host a new interview series for Starz.
Fat Joe Talks will “give viewers unique access into the lives of today’s most influential personalities who drive the cultural zeitgeist,” the network announced Thursday. The 30-minute episodes will follow Fat Joe as he travels throughout the U.S. to conduct conversations with cultural icons.
“Fat Joe Talks is an exciting foray into talk, and who better than Joe—a legend in and of himself—to drive provocative conversations that tap into the zeitgeist and matter to our audience,” said Kathryn Busby, President of Original Programming for Starz. “We are thrilled to be working with Joe and our partners at SpringHill and Embassy Row to launch this incredible show, offering authentic, backstage, rare access to these cultural icons.”
Embassy Row will serve as the production company on the project. LeBron James, Maverick Carter, Philip Byron, and Jamal Henderson will executive produce for SpringHill, while Michael Davies will executive produce for Embassy Row.
Fat Joe is a Grammy-nominated recording artist, author, actor, entrepreneur, philanthropist and media personality from the Bronx, New York. He has amassed several multiplatinum and gold studio albums and mixtapes, while also playing an influential role in the careers of other musicians including DJ Khaled, Big Pun, and Remy Ma.
Prior to having his own Starz series, Fat Joe began his foray into hosting with the 2022 and 2023 BET Hip-Hop Awards as well as episodes of The Drew Barrymore Show and The Wendy Williams Show. He also previously led The Fat Joe Show, an Instagram Live talk show where he held conversations with Dr. Anthony Fauci, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Floyd Mayweather, Jamie Foxx, and more.
Source: Deadline
The Martin cast reunion was a highlight of this year’s Emmy Awards, tapping into nostalgia to bring the 90s sitcom back into the pop culture conversation. The beloved comedy is now looking for a more permanent return with Young Martin, a new hourlong drama series from Martin Lawrence and his production company, RunTelDat, in collaboration with Marvin Peart‘s WonderHill Studios.
The hourlong Young Martin is a contemporary origin story centering on Martin Payne, a charismatic teenager navigating the complexities of transitioning from youth to adulthood. It reimagines the character played by Lawrence on Martin, paying homage to the original show, which aired on Fox from 1992-97.
Young Martin‘s dramatic bent resembles the route another signature 1990s sitcom, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, starring Lawrence’s Bad Boys co-lead Will Smith, took with Bel-Air, executive produced by Smith.
Executive Producing Young Martin are Lawrence, Rae Proctor, Robert Lawrence and Stacy Lyles from RunTelDat, with Bob Yari, David McPherson, Rosa Peart, Greg Martin for WonderHill Studios. (Yari and Peart, who originally launched WonderHill together, continue to collaborate on outstanding projects, including Young Martin, after parting ways several months ago.)
Set in modern-day Detroit, Young Martin follows Martin Payne, a spirited teenager whose journey is characterized by ambition, humor, and a genuine compassion for those around him. The show will explore themes of family, friendship, and life while the young Payne balances on the tightrope between adolescence and adulthood. Martin’s quick wit and magnetic personality draw him into high-stakes situations, where he must confront obstacles, and emotions, and ultimately, find his path to success.
Young Martin marks WonderHill Studios’ inaugural TV project and is part of the company’s commitment to cultural authenticity.
“Out of all the hit shows during the 90’s, there was only one Martin — a show that defined culture and positivity. Martin reflected a real group of friends from our community that wound up on TV screens all over the world,” WonderHill CEO Marvin Peart said. “I respected and revered Martin Lawrence for creating Martin Payne and what he did for African Americans on television in front and behind the camera. In many ways, he influenced my path in the entertainment industry and it’s an honor to partner with Martin and his younger self and share him with the next generation of fans.”
During its five-season run, Martin, which Lawrence co-created with John Bowman and Topper Carew, earned People’s Choice and NAACP Image awards. The series’ comeback started in 2022 with a highly rated 30th anniversary reunion special on BET+, which featured performances by Snoop Dogg and Bryan McKnight. It continued at the recent 75th Emmy Awards where Martin was recognized alongside other groundbreaking TV series, including All in the Family, Cheers, The Sopranos, Ally McBeal, Grey’s Anatomy, and Game of Thrones with a set recreation and a cast reunion.
Lawrence is currently back on the big screen in Bad Boys: Ride or Die, whose $361 million worldwide box-office to date has pushed the long-running movie franchise past the $1.2 billion mark globally. He is repped by IAG, Artists First and Gang, Tyre, Ramer, Brown & Passman.
Source: Deadline
We’re going back to the swamp.
DreamWorks Animation has announced that “Shrek 5″ is officially in development, with a far, far away release date of July 1, 2026. Original “Shrek” stars Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, and Cameron Diaz are all confirmed to return.
Antonio Banderas’ return as the feisty feline Puss in Boots is not yet confirmed. “Shrek 5” will be directed by Walt Dohrn, who served as a writer and artist on “Shrek 2” and “Shrek the Third,” and as head of story on “Shrek Forever After,” in which he also voiced Rumpelstiltskin. “Shrek 5” will be produced by franchise returner Gina Shay and Illumination founder Chris Meledandri; Brad Ableson serves as co-director.
Murphy let it slip in June that he had already begun voice recording for the film and will next do a Donkey spinoff movie.
“We started doing [‘Shrek 5’] months ago,” Murphy told Collider. “I did this. I recorded the first act, and we’ll be doing it this year, we’ll finish it up. ‘Shrek’ is coming out and Donkey’s gonna have his own movie. We’re gonna do Donkey as well. So we’re gonna do a ‘Shrek,’ and we’re doing a Donkey [movie].”
The “Shrek” franchise released four feature films between 2001 and 2010. The original “Shrek” turned DreamWorks Animation into a powerhouse studio with its $487 million worldwide gross. The movie became the first Oscar winner in the animated feature category. “Shrek 2” grossed $928 million. Both films competed for the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival. While “Shrek the Third” and “Shrek Forever After” earned less acclaim than the first two movies, they still managed to gross $813 million and $752 million worldwide. Both “Puss in Boots” spinoffs were theatrical hits as well, grossing $555 million and $484 million, respectively.
As Variety reported in 2018, Universal Pictures tasked Meledandri (who is also the powerhouse producer behind the “Despicable Me” franchise and “The Super Mario Bros. Movie”) with overseeing a revival of the studio’s “Shrek” and “Puss in Boots” franchises. The animation guru was adamant at the time about not messing with the franchise’s vocal performances, which he credited as being key to the “Shrek” films’ success.
“When you look back on those vocal performances they’re awesome, and while you certainly could make a case for a complete reinvention, I find myself responding to my own nostalgic feelings of wanting to go back to those characterizations,” Meledandri said. “The challenge for us has been to find something that really does feel like it’s not simply yet another film in a series of sequels.”
The “Shrek” franchise also includes “Puss in Boots” spinoff titles, the most recent of which, “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish,” opened in theaters in December 2022. The film was a box office hit with $484 million worldwide, and it also picked up an Oscar nomination for best animated feature.
The success of “The Last Wish” relaunched interest in a potential fifth “Shrek” movie, with Donkey voice actor Murphy saying in January 2023, “If [DreamWorks] ever came with another ‘Shrek,’ I’d do it in two seconds. I love Donkey. They did ‘Puss in Boots’ movies. I was like, ‘They should have done a Donkey movie.’ Donkey is funnier than Puss in Boots. I mean, I love Puss in Boots, but he ain’t funny as the Donkey.”
Meledandri told Variety in April 2023 that he was “thrilled” when he read Murphy’s comments, adding, “It’s evidence of his strong enthusiasm for a role that he so brilliantly inhabited and really created alongside the artists at DreamWorks. I found that comment to be very exciting.”
When asked if he thought Donkey was a character that could support its own film, similar to the fighting feline spinoffs starring Antonio Banderas, Meledandri answered, “Without question.” He also said he was keen to see the return of the film’s original voice cast (which includes Mike Myers, Cameron Diaz and Murphy) for “Shrek 5.”
Though no deals were in place at the time, Meledandri said negotiations with the three actors were going well. “We anticipate the cast coming back. Talks are starting now, and every indication that we’ve gotten is there’s tremendous enthusiasm on behalf of the actors to return,” he said in April.
Source: Variety
Today, comedian, actor, and radio host, Corey Holcomb, announced his upcoming “The Joke King Tour”. Produced by Live Nation, the 20-show run kicks off on Friday, September 6 in Indianapolis at the Egyptian Room at Old National Center, with stops across the U.S. in Las Vegas, Chicago, Brooklyn and more before wrapping up on Thursday, December 12 in Washington, DC. The tour comes following his successful 2023 run, “The Book of Coreythians Chapter 1” Tour.
TICKETS: Tickets will be available starting with an Artist presale on Wednesday, July 10 at 10 AM local time. Additional presales will run throughout the week ahead of the general on sale beginning Friday, July 12 at 10 AM local time at livenation.com.
“The Joke King Tour: Starring Corey Holcomb” 2024 Dates:
Sun Sep 01 – Inglewood, CA – YouTube Theater^
Fri Sep 06 – Indianapolis, IN – Egyptian Room at Old National Centre
Sat Sep 07 – Northfield, OH – MGM Northfield Park
Fri Sep 13 – Baton Rouge, LA – River Center Theatre
Sat Sep 14 – Mobile, AL – Saenger Theatre
Sat Sep 21 – Las Vegas, NV – House of Blues
Fri Sep 27 – St. Louis, MO – The Pageant
Fri Oct 04 – Little Rock, AR – Robinson Center
Sat Oct 05 – Memphis, TN – Graceland
Sun Oct 13 – Philadelphia, PA – The Fillmore
Thu Oct 17 – Minneapolis, MN – The Fillmore
Fri Nov 01 – Chicago, IL – The Chicago Theatre
Sat Nov 09 – San Diego, CA – House of Blues
Sat Nov 09 – San Diego, CA – House of Blues (LATE SHOW)
Sun Nov 10 – San Diego, CA – House of Blues
Sat Nov 16 – Atlanta, GA – Tabernacle
Sat Nov 23 – McKees Rocks, PA – Roxian Theatre
Sun Nov 24 – Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Paramount
Sat Nov 30 – Detroit, MI – Opera House*
Thu Dec 12 – Washington, DC – MGM National Harbor
^Part of Hollywood Black Comedy Festival
*Non-Live Nation Show
This event will be a phone-free experience. Use of phones, smart watches and accessories will not be permitted in the performance space.
Upon arrival at the venue, all phones, smart watches and accessories will be secured in individual Yondr pouches that will be opened at the end of the event. Guests maintain possession of their devices at all times, and can access them throughout the event only in designated Phone Use Areas within the venue. All devices will be re-secured in Yondr pouches before returning to the performance space.
Anyone seen using a device (phone, smart watch or accessories) during the performance will be escorted out of the venue by security. We appreciate your cooperation in creating a phone-free experience.
Part 7 of the Acclaimed Comedy Series Will Consist of 12 Episodes
Netflix today announced that the hit comedy series The Upshaws has been renewed for a final season, with a 12-episode Part 7.
Additionally, The Upshaws’ penultimate run, Part 6, is slated to premiere in early 2025.
Quotes from Co-Creator/Co-Showrunner Regina Hicks, Co-Creator/Co-Showrunner/Writer/Star Wanda Sykes, as told exclusively to TUDUM:
Regina Hicks: “Truly grateful to Netflix for giving us this season to once again bring the warmth and funny that we’re known for (and with this fifth and final-some closure) to our Upshaws family.”
Wanda Sykes: “A heartfelt thanks to Netflix for letting us send-off The Upshaws with this fifth and final season. We are excited to give the show and the fans a proper farewell.”
Synopsis: Bennie Upshaw (Mike Epps), the head of a Black working-class family in Indianapolis, is a charming, well-intentioned mechanic and lifelong mess just trying his best to step up and care for his family – wife Regina (Kim Fields), their two young daughters (Khali Spraggins, Journey Christine) and firstborn son (Jermelle Simon), the teenage son (Diamond Lyons) he fathered with another woman (Gabrielle Dennis) — and tolerate his sardonic sister-in-law (Wanda Sykes), all without a blueprint for success. But the Upshaws are determined to make it work, and make it to the next level, together. In this upcoming part, the Upshaws continue to ride life’s ups and downs, including new jobs, bigger dreams, health struggles, and some major life surprises but still hanging on with the love that comes with family.
Created by: Regina Hicks and Wanda Sykes
Showrunners: Regina Hicks and Wanda Sykes
Executive Producers: Regina Hicks, Wanda Sykes, Mike Epps, Page Hurwitz, Niles Kirchner, Annie Levine & Jon Emerson, Mark Alton Brown
Cast: Mike Epps, Wanda Sykes, Kim Fields, Khali Spraggins, Jermelle Simon, Journey Christine
The Order for Season 2 was Announced by BET+ Following a Critically Acclaimed First Season
BET+ has renewed its darkly comedic drama series “Average Joe” for a second season.
The series, originally released on June 26, 2023, broke ground for BET+ quickly becoming the #1 scripted drama series on the platform in its debut week.
Inspired by the life of creator Robb Cullen, AVERAGE JOE is a darkly comedic, intense one-hour drama set in “The Hill” district of Pittsburgh. Blue-collar plumber, Joe Washington, discovers his recently deceased father lived a secret second life and stole millions of dollars from dangerous people just before he died. Now those people think Joe knows where the money is. A bloody and violent confrontation triggers a chain of events that force Joe and his close-knit circle of family and friends out of their very average and mundane lives into a life-or-death race against time to find the truth and the millions.
Deon Cole is set to reprise his role as “Joe Washington,” a hard-working blue-collar Steelers fan.
Season one also starred Tammy Townsend, Malcolm Barrett, Cynthia Kaye McWilliams, Michael Trucco, Ashley Olivia Fisher, Pasha Lychnikoff, and Ashani Perkins.
Robb Cullen, McG, Corey Marsh, Mary Viola, and Deb Evans will return to executive produce. Rose Catherine Pinkney will executive produce for BET.
Production for the new season and a premiere will be announced at a later date.
Quote from Deon Cole, star of AVERAGE JOE
“Hold on tight, A LOT OF ACTION! This one will be crazy. Let’s go!”
Quote from Scott Mills, President and CEO, BET Media Group
“We congratulate the amazing writers, cast, crew, and our production partners for creating such a captivating first season. AVERAGE JOE is a masterclass in storytelling – a thriller anchored in authenticity, friendships and family drama, spiked with perfectly timed moments of humor – all of which resonated tremendously with viewers. We are excited to see where the second season will take us.”
Peacock has announced a fourth season of Kevin Hart’s weekly celebrity talk show, HART TO HEART, premiering June 20.
This season, Hart gathers with a new batch of celebrity guests to dive into hour-long conversations about their life journeys, careers and never-before-heard memories. This season’s guests include industry powerhouses Ben Affleck, George Lopez, Cynthia Erivo, Andy Samberg, Judd Apatow and Niecy Nash.
The third season of HART TO HEART featured guests Bill Maher, Dr. Dre, Dwayne Johnson, Issa Rae, J.Cole, John Cena, Mark Cuban, Sofia Vergara, Will Ferrell and Will Smith. The first three seasons of HART TO HEART are currently available to stream in full on Peacock.
Hart’s fourth season of the talk show adds to his ever-growing slate of content on Peacock, including upcoming titles OLYMPIC HIGHLIGHTS WITH KEVIN HART AND KENAN THOMPSON, BACK THAT YEAR UP WITH KEVIN HART AND KENAN THOMPSON and Hart’s highly anticipated scripted drama series, FIGHT NIGHT: THE MILLION DOLLAR HEIST, premiering later this year.
The highly anticipated return of the iconic duo, Mike Lowrey (Will Smith) and Marcus Burnett (Martin Lawrence), is a thrilling prospect in Columbia Pictures’ ‘Bad Boys: Ride or Die.’ Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, the masterminds behind the franchise’s third film, have again taken the reins, while Chris Bremner and Will Beall handle the script with finesse.
When we last left, Mike and Marcus were in charge of AMMO, including weapons expert Kelly (Vanessa Hudgens) and tech expert Dom (Alexander Ludwig). Mike was always building a relationship with his newly discovered and recently jailed son, Armando (Jacob Scipio). The fourth film finds the duo closer than ever, with Marcus enjoying being a grandfather and Mike newly married to a new therapist named Christine (Melanie Liburd).
Their initial excitement is abruptly overshadowed as they are thrust into a labyrinthine web of corruption within the Miami PD. This revelation, following the posthumous accusation of the late Captain Conrad Howard (Joe Pantoliano), linking him to the Romanian Mafia, sets the stage for a gripping narrative. James McGrath (Eric Dane), the deceptive figure behind these false claims, manipulates Mike and Marcus, casting them as fugitives and coercing them to navigate the murky waters outside the boundaries of the law to uncover the truth.
When a franchise reaches its fourth film, moviegoers may feel that the stars are only in it for the money. However, given the financial success of the previous movie, a fourth outing was all but inevitable. One of the first things I commend the film’s script for is stripping away some of the plot armor for the characters we’ve come to know and love.
Will Smith’s Mike undergoes a relatable arc about letting go of the tough guy bravado and acknowledging personal struggles. This journey of vulnerability also extends to Martin Lawrence’s Marcus in an early plot point that I won’t reveal. Fans can rest assured that the witty one-liners and undeniable chemistry between Smith and Lawrence are still fresh, and both men get an equal share of scene-stealing moments.
The supporting cast of returning characters from the third film also has its moments. I enjoyed seeing Paola Núñez return as Rita Secada, a woman in authority, while Vanessa Hudgens and Alexander Ludwig offer their usual quips. However, the MVP is Jacob Scipio, who has one of the best action sequences in the film, which is only second to a moment I won’t reveal.
While there are some great callbacks to the previous films, I found Eric Dane’s performance as our lead villain overly cliched, and he’s not having fun in the role. Thankfully, there are plenty of action-packed scenes and one-liners to make up for any minor gripes I have.
“Bad Boys: Ride or Die” is a delightful summer film featuring a mix of action, comedy, and undeniable chemistry between its stars.
Final Grade: B+
Now Playing In Theaters Nationwide
By Derrick Dunn
From visionary director Alexandre Aja (The Hills Have Eyes, Crawl) and the creative minds behind Stranger Things and Arrival comes NEVER LET GO. In this new psychological thriller/horror, as an Evil takes over the world beyond their front doorstep, the only protection for a mother, played by Academy Award® winner Halle Berry (Actress in a Leading Role, 2001 – Monster’s Ball), and her twin sons is their house and their family’s protective bond. Needing to stay connected at all times – even tethering themselves with ropes – they cling to one another, urging each other to never let go. But when one of the boys questions if the evil is real, the ties that bind them together are severed, triggering a terrifying fight for survival.
Lionsgate presents, in association with Media Capital Technologies, a 21 Laps production.
Watch the trailer below;
SANTA MONICA, Calif.- Michael Colyar, the legendary comedian whose journey from homelessness and addiction to sobriety and stardom has inspired millions is making history and giving back to the homeless again.
Colyar is returning to where it all began for him nearly four decades ago – the iconic Venice Beach – to film his historic one-hour comedy special titled “The KING of Venice Beach” on May 17, 2024.
Yep, the old man still thinks he’s funny. When Mr. Colyar won Star Search for $100,000 back in the 90’s he promptly gave $50,000 of it to the homeless. And, Colyar’s commitment to giving back remains unwavering.
For nine years straight, Michael Colyar graced the vibrant sands of Venice Beach with his magnetic presence, captivating audiences with five one-hour shows a day, every weekend.
With starring roles in iconic films like Blackish, House Party III, Norbit, and The Princess & The Frog, as well as his memorable portrayal of Mr. Whitaker on the beloved television series “Martin,” Colyar carved out a place for himself in the annals of entertainment history.
He continues to spread joy and laughter to those in need, extending his performances beyond the spotlight to shelters, rehabilitation centers, schools, prisons, and military bases.
His dedication to using his talent for the betterment of others further solidifies his place as not only a beloved entertainer but also a compassionate humanitarian.
Colyar commented, “Look, I just love people and I feel like we have a responsibility to look out for one another. Am I my brother’s keeper, you damn right, and my sisters, too.”
“The KING of Venice Beach” goes beyond entertainment. As part of his commitment to giving back to the community, Michael Colyar will be giving away 1,986 blessing bags to the homeless, packed with essential personal hygiene products and more.
Additionally, a portion of the proceeds from the comedy concert will be donated to The Turning Point Homeless Shelter, 1447 16th Street in Santa Monica, California.
Michael Colyar has embarked on a remarkable journey to gather the necessary funding for his groundbreaking project with the support of friends, family, community members, fans, and several prominent stars. “I have stole, lied, tricked, begged and borrowed to GET to the GOOD,” added Colyar.
In addition to his ambitious project and philanthropic efforts, Mr. Colyar is also making waves with his captivating morning show, “The Michael Colyar Morning Show,” five days a week, 7 am PST, now in its 800th episode.
This daily dose of entertainment and insight offers viewers a unique blend of humor, wisdom, and inspiration.
The Michael Colyar Morning Show was designed to be a place where people can come and start every day with laughter and prayer. Michael shared, “If you start your morning with laughter and prayer, you create a wall of positivity around you that no negativity can penetrate.”
We told you the boy is busy on top of the upcoming special! Mr. Colyar also does a morning show 5-days a week (he just passed 800 shows) and he has a new late night show with his brand new wife (178 days and counting) called, “15 Minutes with Me and my Wife,” on Instagram and a jaw-droppingly beautiful children’s book titled “Little Bobby White”, a story of a kid who always wins because he always chooses to do the right thing.
You can grab the book on Amazon for $15 dollars and for $2 dollars more, they will bring it to your house tomorrow….and Michael believes Oprah Winfrey is going to hold this book up as one of her favorite books of the year.
Michael Colyar is presently on his 100-city nationwide tour, featuring his acclaimed one-man play, “Michael COLYAR’S Momma’s.”
From hosting events such as super sensual seductive car washes to enlisting the help of adorable Girl Scouts selling cookies, Mr. Colyar has demonstrated his unwavering determination to transform a creative vision into a tangible reality.
Through this endeavor, he not only aims to entertain but also to shed light on and raise crucial funds for the homeless.
By supporting this project, donors not only play a vital role in bringing to life an extraordinary comedy special but also actively contribute to improving the lives of the homeless through Michael Colyar’s generous initiative.
Every contribution not only fuels the creative endeavor but also serves as a beacon of hope for those in need.
If you’re inspired to be a part of this meaningful project, you can make your contribution to Mr. Colyar’s Zelle account Michael Colyar /comicking123@aol.com.
Embodying compassion, Colyar’s initiative extends beyond mere celebration as he commits to uplifting those in need, distributing $10 gift cards to the homeless, fostering a culture of generosity and goodwill.
Join us in making a difference and spreading laughter with purpose.
To learn more about “The KING of Venice Beach” and updates, follow Michael Colyar on social media: Twitter & Instagram: @michael_colyar.
