The Humor Mill

Regina King To Make Big Screen Directorial Debut With ‘One Night In Miami’

Regina King is set to make a splash with her theatrical directorial debut. She has been tapped to helm One Night in Miami, which is based on the debut play of the same name from Kemp Powers. It gives a fictional account of a real-life night featuring a pre-Muhammad Ali Cassius Clay, Jim Brown, Malcolm X and Sam Cooke.

Here’s the description: Set on the night of February 25, 1964, the story follows a young Cassius Clay as he emerges from the Miami Beach Convention Center as the World Heavyweight Boxing Champion. Against all odds, he’s defeated Sonny Liston and shocked the world of boxing. While crowds of people swarm Miami Beach’s hotspots to celebrate the match, Clay — unable to stay on the island because of Jim Crow-era segregation laws — spends the night at the Hampton House Motel in Miami’s Overtown neighborhood celebrating with three of his friends: activist Malcolm X, singer Sam Cooke and football star Jim Brown. The next morning, the men emerge determined to define a new world.  In One Night in Miami, Powers aims to pinpoint exactly what happened during those pivotal hours. Featuring the music of Cooke, including his hit song, “A Change Is Gonna Come,” the film offers a piercing narrative for the evening, which challenges the four men, strips them bare and reveals them for who they were.

Regina King is arguably one of the most powerful figures in Hollywood right now, active as an actor, producer and director. In the past year, she’s won an Emmy, a Golden Globe and an Oscar for work in both television and film. Her next big role will be leading Damon Lindelof’s Watchmen series on HBO. Over the past several years, she’s become an acclaimed television director, helming episodes of shows like Scandal, The Good Doctor, Pitch and Insecure. And One Night in Miami isn’t exactly King’s overall feature directorial debut, as she directed the 2013 BET television film, Let The Church Say Amen. 

Source: Shadow & Act

Beyoncé Debuts New Original Song From ‘The Lion King’

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Beyoncé has dropped a new original song from Disney’s live-action “Lion King.”

The song, “Spirit,” was released Tuesday and should get an Academy-Award push for Academy Award consideration.

The tune comes at a pivotal moment for Nala, the character voiced by Beyoncé, in the film that comes out July 18. She also co-wrote the song.

It’s part of an album called “The Lion King: The Gift” that Beyoncé is executive producing and performing on along with other artists. It will be released digitally July 11, with the physical album coming July 19.

The collection is a companion to the main “Lion King” soundtrack, which consists mostly of songs from the animated film, along with a new number from Elton John and Tim Rice, who wrote the songs for the original.

 

Jay-Z To Partner With New Cannabis Company

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Jay-Z is heading into the legal marijuana industry as a chief brand strategist in partnership with a California cannabis product company.

The rapper said in a statement Tuesday that he entered a multiyear deal with San Jose, California-based Caliva. His role will consist of driving creative direction, outreach efforts and strategy for the brand.

Jay-Z says he also wants to increase the economic participation of people returning from incarceration through job training and workforce development.

The rapper called Caliva “the best partners for this endeavor.

Caliva operates a farm and two stores in Northern California. It also distributes its branded products in roughly two dozen other retail outlets in the state.

NFL legend Joe Montana’s venture capital firm took part in a $75 million investment in Caliva earlier this year.

Ian Edwards Sets To Premiere His New Special Titled ‘IanTalk: Ideas Not Worth Spreading’ On Comedy Central

Bill Burr Presents IanTalk: Ideas Not Worth Spreading,  the second of three All Things Comedy produced specials previously announced by Comedy Central, premieres July 12 at midnight ET/PT on Comedy Central.

In IanTalk: Ideas Not Worth Spreading, Ian Edwards gives his own edgy twist on a traditional TedTalk. He shares his thoughts on abortion, Harriet Tubman, and why he refuses to learn to swim for his own safety. Through his authentic balance of charm and self-deprecating humor, he’s able to dive into the intricacies of life, success, and dating with a relatable and refreshing twist.        

Leading up to the on-air premiere, the Comedy Central Stand-Up YouTube channel, Comedy Central Stand-Up social-media accounts, and the CC App will feature clips from the special. Fans can follow Edwards on Twitter at @IanEdwardsComic and Comedy Central Stand-Up at @standup to join the social conversation around the special (#BillBurrPresents).

Ian Edwards is a stand-up comedian whose topical and culturally relevant content can be heard on the Joe Rogan Experience podcast and The Adam Carolla Show podcast. He has written for hit comedies such ABC’s Black-ish, NBC’s The Carmichael Show, CBS’ Two Broke Girls, and Universal’s UnderCover Brother 2. He can be seen on Netflix’s Friends From College, and his co-producer credits include Netflix’s Friends From College and HBO’s Crashing. Ian’s comedy debut, 100% Half Assed, was released under Conan O’Brien’s Team Coco Records. He is a regular on Conan and, previously, @midnight. Other successes include widely popular Tangerine which premiered at Sundance in 2015. Most recently, he appeared on Comedy Central’s The New Negroes with Baron Vaughn and Open Mike Eagle.

Ian Edwards, Bill Burr, Al Madrigal and Mike Bertolina of All Things Comedy are Executive Producers. Anne Harris and Ryan Moran are the Executives in Charge of Production for Comedy Central.

 

HBO Releases Trailer To Robin Thede’s ‘A Black Lady Sketch Show’

HBO has released the trailer for its highly-anticipated upcoming series, A Black Lady Sketch Show, from Robin Thede and Issa Rae. Thede also stars and Rae guest stars.

It debuts August 2 on the premium cabler. The series is a half-hour sketch comedy show that features Black women. Considered to be the first sketch comedy written by, directed by and starring Black women, it will feature narrative sketches performed by the core cast of Black women, as well as celebrity guests.  Lauren Ashley Smith, who was the head writer on The Rundown with Robin Thede, is the head writer and co-exec producer for A Black Lady Sketch Show. 

The official description reads: A Black Lady Sketch Show is a narrative series set in a limitless magical reality full of dynamic, hilarious characters and celebrity guests. The show presents sketches performed by a core cast of black women, including Robin Thede, Ashley Nicole Black, Gabrielle Dennis and Quinta Brunson.

Guest stars this season include Tia Mowry, Aja Naomi King, Angela Bassett, Lena Waithe, Patti LaBelle, Amber Riley, Yvonne Orji, Loretta Devine, Gina Torres, David Alan Grier, Jermaine Fowler, Lil Rel Howery, Deon Cole, Khandi Alexander, Marsai Martin, Laverne Cox, Yvette Nicole Brown, Larry Wilmore and Kelly Rowland.

Watch the trailer below:

Source: Shadow & Act

 

Nicki Minaj Abruptly Pulls Out of Saudi Arabia Concert

NEW YORK (AP) — Nicki Minaj is pulling out of a concert in Saudi Arabia because she says she wants to show support for women’s rights, gay rights and freedom of expression.

“After careful reflection I have decided to no longer move forward with my scheduled concert at Jeddah World Fest. While I want nothing more than to bring my show to fans in Saudi Arabia, after better educating myself on the issues, I believe it is important for me to make clear my support for the rights of women, the LGBTQ community and freedom of expression,” Minaj said in a statement Tuesday to The Associated Press.

Minaj was originally scheduled to headline the concert on July 18.

In Saudi Arabia, gender segregation between single men and women is still enforced in many restaurants, coffee shops, public schools and universities, but other rules have loosened with women now allowed to drive and attend events in sports stadiums.

Jeddah World Fest, which in line with Saudi laws is alcohol and drug-free, is open to people 16 and older and will take place at the King Abdullah Sports Stadium in the Red Sea city. Other performers include former One Direction member Liam Payne and DJ-producer Steve Aoki.

The Human Rights Foundation issued a statement last week, calling for Minaj and other performers to pull out of the show. On Tuesday, the New York-based organization praised Minaj’s decision to not perform at the concert.

“This is what leadership looks like. We are grateful to Nicki Minaj for her inspiring and thoughtful decision to reject the Saudi regime’s transparent attempt at using her for a public relations stunt,” said Thor Halvorssen, president of the Human Rights Foundation. “The July 18 festival in Saudi Arabia still shows Liam Payne as a performer. We hope that he follows Nicki Minaj’s lead. Minaj’s moral stance differs from celebrity performers like J-Lo and Mariah Carey who in the past have chosen to line their pockets with millions of dollars and stand with dictatorial governments as opposed to with oppressed communities and imprisoned human rights activists.”

Over the past several months, the kingdom has seen performances by Carey, Enrique Iglesias, the Black Eyed Peas, Sean Paul, David Guetta and Tiesto. That’s a stark change from when Saudi morality police would raid establishments that played loud music.

Saudi organizers said the Jeddah World Fest will be broadcast globally. The kingdom is also promising quick electronic visas for international visitors who want to attend.

Saudi Arabia saw profound change last year as a result of Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s top-down reform efforts, including the opening of the first movie theater and the lifting of the world’s only ban on women driving.

In December 2018, women — some without headscarves — drove themselves to a Formula-E car race where thousands of young Saudis and hundreds of international visitors partied into the night at concerts. The spectacle would have been unthinkable until recently in the ultra-conservative kingdom where religious police used to enforce strict gender segregation and scolded women for not covering their hair.

But there’s a hard limit to the reforms — as revealed by the brutal killing of Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi by Saudi agents close to the crown prince in October and the reported torture of several women’s rights activists in detention. While the arena for entertainment is widening, the space for political engagement and dissent has virtually disappeared.

The 33-year-old crown prince, backed by his father King Salman, presides over a nation where he alone defines the pace and scope of change.

WATCH: Disney’s First Teaser for Live-Action Remake Of ‘Mulan’

Mulan is ready to bring honor to us all.

Disney released first-look footage for the upcoming live-action remake of “Mulan,” starring Chinese-American actress Liu Yifei. In the teaser, debuted during halftime of the FIFA Women’s World Cup, Yifei shows off her sword-fighting skills as she gets ready to take on the battlefield and any new suitors that come her way. The matchmaking scene from the original animated movie plays prominently in the teaser.

Mulan’s horse Khan also makes a short appearance at the beginning of the video, which features a classic conversation between Mulan and her parents.

“The matchmaker has found you an auspicious match,” her mother says.
“Yes, I will bring honor to us all,” she replies as faint notes from the classic Disney song of the same name play in the background.
Noticeably absent from the trailer are the original film’s dynamic animal duo, Eddie Murphy’s dragon character Mushu and Mulan’s lucky cricket Cri-Kee. Other stars in the film include Jet Li who will play the emperor of China, Gong Li who will portray a powerful witch and Donnie Yen who will play Mulan’s mentor, Commander Tung. Yoson An will also make an appearance as Chen Honghui, a confident and ambitious recruit who becomes Mulan’s ally and eventual love interest.

The new film is a live-action remake of the 1998 classic animated film about a female Chinese warrior. Niki Carois is directing “Mulan,” which is set to hit theaters March 27, 2020.

Source: Variety

Watch Trailer In the link below;

WATCH: A Clip Of Niecy Nash’s Television Directorial Debut In ‘Claws’

Comedic actor Niecy Nash is making her directorial debut on Claws next week and The Humor Mill has an exclusive clip from that episode.

In the clip, we see Desna (Nash) and her boyfriend, Roller, discussing a heavy topic — reconciliation with an absentee parent.

Watch the clip below:

The critically-acclaimed series stars Emmy winners Nash and Carrie Preston, alongside Karreuche Tran, Judy Reyes, Karrueche Tran, Jenn Lyon, Jack Kesy, Kevin Rankin, Jason Antoon, Evan Daigle, Suleka Mathew, Harold Perrineau and Dean Norris. Preston also directs an episode this season.

Here’s the official description for the season: In last year’s epic Season Two finale, Desna (Nash) dodged an ill-fated marriage to the sinister Dr. Ruval (Jimmy Jean-Louis), took out her Russian crime boss, Zlata (Franka Potente), and inherited a new casino. The celebrations ended with a massive cliffhanger when Virginia (Tran) took a bullet for Desna as they were about to survey their new business venture. In Season Three, the ladies will quickly learn that the stakes couldn’t be higher in the casino world, and Desna will take a gamble as she enters into business with a sinister couple, Mac (guest star Michael Horse) and Melba (guest star Rebecca Creskoff). 

Claws airs Sundays at 9/8c, on TNT.

Source: Shadow & Act

Marlon Wayans Denies Development Of ‘White Chicks 2’

According to Marlon Wayans, we all jumped the gun too early- especially by listening to Terry Crews.

If you recall, a couple of days ago, Terry Crews lit the internet and the world on fire by stating that WHite Chicks 2 was officially on its way.

As you probably also know, it’s been 15 years since the release of the cult classic White Chicks. And it has been talked about for years but never given the green light.

As Terry Crews ignited the notion of a sequel this week, Marlon Wayans quickly shut it down.

Taking to Instagram Wednesday (July 3), Wayans stated there is no confirmed deal in the works for White Chicks 2.

Released in 2004, White Chicks featured Marlon and Shawn Wayans as undercover FBI agents who hid in plain sight by disguising themselves as privileged white women. While the film faced terrible reviews, it still grossed over $100 million in the box office, making it the highest grossing comedy of 2004.

Fans have been hoping for a sequel and Crews confirmed a follow-up film was in the works during his interview with Andy Cohen’s What What Happens Live! “You know what? I actually got with Shawn [Wayans], and he was like, ‘Man, we doing it, we getting it going’,’ Terry said in response to a fan calling about the rumors.

Talks of sequel kicked off in 2009 with Sony announcing then canceling the project. In 2014, Marlon Wayans also expressed interest in the project, but given today’s political climate and state of race relations, White Chicks 2 might not make it to the big screen.
Source: IG

 

Russell Simmons’ All Def Digital Shutting Down

All Def Digital (ADD) — the digital entertainment brand founded in 2013 by hip hop entrepreneur Russell Simmons, which produces urban music, comedy, spoken-word content, and more — is shuttering, multiple sources have confirmed to Tubefilter.
Sources say that layoffs have been widely administered, and that executives from a business advisory firm arrived at ADD’s Los Angeles offices this week to divvy up assets, including its digital properties.

We have reached out to ADD as well as Simmons-owned parent company Rush Communications for comment and will update this story with any additional information.

Simmons, co-founder of the iconic Def Jam Recordings music label as well as the Phat Farm clothing brand, was accused of sexual assault by multiple women beginning in 2017, and subsequently said that he was stepping away from ADD and his other business and charity ventures in Nov. 2017. Simmons denied the allegations of assault, stating that he has “never been abusive or violent in any way in my relations with women,” and explaining that he’d stepped down so as not to become “a distraction.”
Two months prior to that decision, ADD CEO Sanjay Sharma departed his post to launch his own digital media venture, whereupon day-to-day management duties at the company were assumed by Osman Eralp, a longtime Simmons associate.

The ADD YouTube channel (4.1 million subscribers, and recently clocking 20 million monthly views) is still live, but hasn’t posted any new content in five days. The company’s Facebook page (4.9 million followers) and Instagram channel (489,000 followers) appear to be active, though its Twitter account is suspended.

ADD launched as a YouTube channel in 2013 in collaboration with AwesomenessTV (which was then owned by DreamWorks Animation). Eventually, the brand came to develop content for a whole host of different distribution venues, including HBO, Facebook, Spotify (Traffic Jams), linear television (World Star TV), and feature films available for digital download (Major Deal). In April 2016, the company launched a branded content studio called ADHD.

ADD raised a $5 million Series A funding round led by Greycroft Partners in Aug. 2014, and then raised another $10 million — in a round led by venture capital firm Third Wave Digital — in June 2016, bringing total funds raised to $15 million.

Source: Tubefiller

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