Tracee Ellis Ross To Lead ‘Daria’ Spinoff For MTV Studios
MTV Studios’ new take on Daria is coming into focus.
The Viacom-owned cable network’s studio counterpart has tapped Black-ish Emmy winner Tracee Ellis Ross to voice and exec produce Jodie,the first in a series of spinoffs based on the beloved animated comedy Daria. A network is not yet attached.
Jodie is the first in what MTV Studios hopes will become the “Daria universe,” which in success would feature multiple TV series and films and honor the history of MTV Animation. Additional details about other series and films was not available.
A new take on Daria was first announced a year ago, when Viacom launched MTV Studios in a bid to monetize its library content and sell to networks and streamers outside of its cable portfolio. The series was originally set to be called Daria and Jodie and revolve around the two friends as they deconstruct pop culture, social classes, gender and race.
The new Jodie,which hails from the same writer — Grace Nkenge Edwards (Insecure) — will be centered around Daria’s friend, an African American character from the original series who was credited with helping to shape a generation of women. The series will follow Jodie as she comes into her own and enters the workplace in her first post-college job in tech. Other former students from Daria‘s Lawndale High will also appear. Jodie will satirize workplace culture, Gen Z struggles, themes of empowerment across gender and racial lines and explorations of privilege.
The original Daria, a spinoff from Mike Judge’s Beavis and Butt-Head,ran for five seasons on MTV from 1997-2002.
“Being able to give voice to fresh, feminist and unexplored stories of young women excites me,” Ross said. “Jodie will spin off from the cult classic Daria, and with the brilliant, sweet and sarcastic black-girl magic that is Jodie Landon, we will feature a diverse cast, comprised mainly of unapologetically smart and ambitious young female characters who are vulnerable and flawed and interesting and funny. As a very cool bonus, Jodie will be the first adult animated show in almost 20 years that will star a black woman. It will be a smart, funny workplace comedy full of commentary about everything from gentrification to sex to tech to call-out culture.”
The Daria show was among the first slate of projects to get the revival treatment, part of a larger effort by Viacom’s MTV Studios to sell to third-party outlets and further monetize its rich programming vault. The studio, overseen by MTV, VH1 and Logo president Chris McCarthy, was launched last year and has already sold a new take on The Real World to Facebook Watch as well as revivals of Punk’d and Singled Out to Quibi.
MTV Studios is also developing series based on Aeon Flux and Celebrity Deathmatch and is prepping a documentary films division, which longtime HBO exec Sheila Nevins will oversee.
“Given the passion for these characters, there was only one person who could build upon the legacy to reimagine Jodie for a whole new generation, and that person is Tracee Ellis Ross,” McCarthy said. “This marks another exciting step forward for MTV Studios as we build out a wide new slate based on the rich characters from the history in MTV Animation.”
In addition to Ross and Edwards, MTV’s Trevor Rose, Morgana Rosenberg and Amy Doyle will exec produce Jodie.
Ross, who also produces ABC’s Black-ish and forthcoming prequel Mixed-ish, is repped by UTA, Artists First and Hansen Jacobson.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
Lavell Crawford Sets To Debut His New Stand Up Special On Showtime Titled ‘Lavell Crawford: New Look, Same Funny!’
NEW YORK – June 13, 2019 – Lavell Crawford is back to debut his new comedy special LAVELL CRAWFORD: NEW LOOK, SAME FUNNY!, premiering Saturday, July 6 at 10:35 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME. Filmed at the Charline McCombs Empire Theatre in San Antonio, Crawfordis funnier – and skinnier – than ever. After losing over 120 pounds, the comic offers his unique take on everything from being a fan of first-term President Obama and the recent government shutdown to his weight-loss journey and the best way to deal with cops in 2019.
A native of St. Louis, Crawford is a comedian, actor and producer. His numerous television appearances include Better Call Saul, New Girl, Workaholics and Breaking Bad along with his previous standup special on SHOWTIME, LAVELL CRAWFORD: HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS. Additionally, his film credits include Compton’s Finest, Love Is Not Enough,Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates, American Ultra and The Ridiculous 6.
LAVELL CRAWFORD: NEW LOOK, SAME FUNNY! is directed by Brian Volk-Weiss (KEVIN SMITH: SILENT BUT DEADLY, The Toys That Made Us). Volk-Weiss and Cisco Henson serve as executive producers for Comedy Dynamics along with Lavell Crawford and Justin Edbrooke.
It’s Official: ‘The Boondocks’ Reboot In The Works
There has been ripe speculation for some time that a reboot of The Boondocks was on the way. These rumors were amplified by claims from star John Witherspoon in a recent interview.
Now, it has been officially announced that the show will come back with series creator Aaron McGruder. According to the show’s home studio, Sony, it will be “a complete re-imagining” of the show “for the modern era.” The news was announced by Sony at the Annecy International Animated Film Festival.
The satirical animated series, which was originally conceived as a comic book strip, followed two brothers as they move from the city to the suburbs to live with their grandfather. It follows their adventures (and conflicts) in the new neighborhood, incorporating social and political commentary through a range of exaggerated characters.
The show primarily featured the voices of Witherspoon and Oscar winner Regina King. It first aired for three seasons from 2005-2010, and a fourth season, without McGruder, aired in 2014.
It has not been entirely confirmed at this time that it would return on its original network, Adult Swim / Cartoon Network.
Source: Shadow & Act
WATCH: The Red Carpet Premiere Of The New Action/Comedy ‘Shaft’
From the film: Samuel L. Jackson, Jessie T. Usher, Regina Hall, Alexandra Shipp, Richard Roundtree, Luna Lauren Velez, Avan Jogia, Adrienne C. Moore, Almeera Jiwa director/executive producer Tim Story; executive producer/screenwriter Kenya Barris; screenwriter Alex Barnow; executive producers Ira Napoliello, Marc Fischer. Additional guests include Awkwafina, Jerry Ferrara, John Leguizamo, Adrien Brody, Andrew Rannells, Curtis Martin, Victor Cruz, Dwight Gooden, LA Reid, Don Lemon, Benjamin Bratt, Tristin Mays, Evan Engram, Robby Anderson, Willie Colon, Cameron Jordan, Dominique Fishback, Maxwell, Chaske Spencer, Bebe Neuwirth, Rachel Bay Jones, John Ventimiglia, Leyna Bloom, Comfort Clinton, Joy Corrigan and additional guests to be announced.
The most badass private detective ever to walk the streets. The epitome of cool. Shaft is back on the big screen. Right on! New Line Cinema’s action comedy “Shaft” was directed by Tim Story (the “Ride Along” and “Think Like a Man” franchises). The film stars Oscar nominee Samuel L. Jackson (“Pulp Fiction,” “Glass,” “Captain Marvel”), Jessie T. Usher (“Independence Day: Resurgence,” “Almost Christmas”), Regina Hall (“Girls Trip,” “Little”), Alexandra Shipp (“X-Men: Apocalypse,” “Love, Simon”), Matt Lauria (TV’s “Kingdom,” “Friday Night Lights”), Titus Welliver (“Argo,” TV’s “Bosch”), Cliff “Method Man” Smith (“Peppermint,” “Trainwreck”), and Richard Roundtree, the original John Shaft. JJ, aka John Shaft Jr. (Usher), may be a cyber security expert with a degree from MIT, but to uncover the truth behind his best friend’s untimely death, he needs an education only his dad can provide. Absent throughout JJ’s youth, the legendary locked-and-loaded John Shaft (Jackson) agrees to help his progeny navigate Harlem’s heroin-infested underbelly. And while JJ’s own FBI analyst’s badge may clash with his dad’s trademark leather duster, there’s no denying family. Besides, Shaft’s got an agenda of his own, and a score to settle that’s professional and personal.
The film was produced by John Davis (“Game Night,” “Joy”) under his Davis Entertainment banner. Kenya Barris (“Girls Trip,” TV’s “Black-ish”) & Alex Barnow (TV’s “The Goldbergs”) wrote the screenplay, based upon the character John Shaft from the novel by Ernest Tidyman. Richard Brener, Josh Mack, Tim Story, Ira Napoliello, Kenya Barris, and Marc S. Fischer served as executive producers. New Line Cinema presents a Davis Entertainment Production, a Tim Story Film, “Shaft.” Opening on June 14, 2019, the film will be distributed in North America by Warner Bros. Pictures. This film has been rated R for pervasive language, violence, sexual content, some drug material and brief nudity.
Source: BlackTree TV
T.I. & John Ortiz To Star In ‘Flint’ Water Crisis Film From Will Smith’s Overbrook Entertainment
Actor and rap artist Tip “T.I.” Harris and John Ortiz (Fast & Furious, Fast & Furious 6) have signed to topline Flint, a feature set against the backdrop of the Flint, Michigan water crisis written by Malcolm M. Mays, who will also direct. The project hails from Will Smith and James Lassiter-founded Overbrook Entertainment. Clarence Hammond and Dougie Cash will produce on behalf of Overbrook along with Tommy Oliver.
Flint is about a spiritually reformed ex-convict who finds himself embroiled in a murder mystery, set upon by his ex-lover and a young mentee that unravels the very fabric of the water crisis afflicting the community he grew up in.
Overbrook’s Lassiter and Caleeb Pinkett will serve as executive producers alongside Harris and Brian Sher from Grand Hustle Films as well as the late auteur John Singleton, a longtime mentor and friend of Mays, who helped bring the film to fruition. Mays was also series regular for the first two seasons of the Singleton co-created FX series, Snowfall.
Harris was last seen on the big screen in Disney/Marvel’s Ant-Man and the Wasp and upcoming has Dolemite Is My Name, starring Eddie Murphy, RZA-directed heist thriller, Cut Throat City, and Paul W.S. Anderson’s Monster Hunter. Ortiz’s credits include Bumblebee, The Cloverfield Paradox, and Kong: Skull Island. He’ll next appear in James Gray’s Ad Astra opposite Brad Pitt and the Netflix series, Messiah.
Harris is repped by APA and Category 5 Entertainment, Ortiz is with Gersh, Principal Entertainment and Schreck Rose Dapello Adams, and Mays is a client of CAA and GSA Entertainment.
Source: Deadline
VH1 Orders ‘Girls Cruise’ Reality Series Starring & Executive Produced By Lil’ Kim
VH1 has ordered Girls Cruise, a new reality series starring and executive produced by Grammy winner Lil’ Kim, whose real name is Kimberly Denise Jones, from Big Fish Entertainment, an MGM company. Also starring are TLC’s Chilli, singer-songwriter Mýa, Wild N’ Out stars Pretty Vee and B. Simone, and their long-time best friends Tiffany and Char. It’s set to premiere Monday, July 15 at 9 PM ET/PT on VH1. Check out the show’s promo below.
VH1
In Girls’ Cruise, Lil’ Kim and her celebrity friends embark on a vacation of a lifetime in the series described as one of self-exploration and sisterhood. Per the official synopsis: “As they travel through the Caribbean, the crew hits the high seas on an epic journey filled with hilarious adventures, emotional breakthroughs and spicy romances as they cultivate bonds and unapologetically live their best lives.”
Girls Cruise is produced for VH1 by Big Fish Entertainment for VH1. Jones (Lil’ Kim) serves as an executive producer. Elena Diaz and Sitarah Pendelton serve as executive producers for VH1. Dan Cesareo, Lucilla D’Agostino, Anthony Sylvester, James Knox, Ashley McFarlin Buie and Shelley Sinha serve as executive producers for Big Fish Entertainment.
Lil’ Kim is a Grammy Award winner and the first woman in hip hop to score three consecutive Billboard number-one singles. She’s a multi-platinum rapper, actress and fashion icon who remains one of the most influential people in pop culture. Lil’ Kim is set to release her fifth studio album, “9,” this summer.
Chilli is a singer-songwriter, dancer and entrepreneur. In addition to being a member of the renowned musical group, TLC, Chilli is the founder of a nonprofit group, Chilli’s Crew, which works with young girls in Atlanta.
Mýa is a Grammy Award-winning international pop superstar and actress who broke into the mainstream with her platinum self-titled record. In addition to an extensive discography and film resume, Mýa has recently emerged as a leader in vegan lifestyle activism.
Pretty Vee is a rapper and comedian who stars on MTV’s Wild ‘N Out. She rose to prominence through her viral skits and characters, and has become a popular act in parody.
B. Simone is a rising comedian who also stars on MTV’s Wild ‘N Out.
Tiffany is an actress, model, host, dancer and entrepreneur with a long-standing friendship with Lil’ Kim.
Char is a philanthropist, socialite, former model and entrepreneur.
Source: Deadline
Dave Chappelle To Make His Broadway Debut; Announces Five-Show Engagement For July
Dave Chappelle will make his Broadway debut this summer as…Dave Chappelle. The comedian and actor will stage a five-show residency at Broadway’s Lunt-Fontanne Theatre July 9-13.
Producers Live Nation, The Araca Group and EBG announced the limited run today. See the full schedule below.
Chappelle is the latest Broadway residency announced for the Lunt-Fontanne in recent weeks, all with the same producers (though not all of the shows are included under the “In Residence On Broadway” series title; Chappelle is not part of the series).
Dave Chappelle Live on Broadway opens just several months before the comedian is set to receive this year’s Mark Twain Prize for American Humor (at the Kennedy Center Concert Hall in Washington, D.C. on Oct. 27).
Tickets for Chappelle’s Broadway shows go on sale Friday. The comic’s stand-up appearances typically sell out quickly.
The Lunt-Fontanne has been the site of recent week-long residencies of Morrissey and Yanni, with upcoming shows including Mel Brooks (June 17-18), singer-songwriter Regina Spektor (June 20-26), illusionist Criss Angel (July 2-7), Beatles tribute band Rain (July 16-21), and Barry Manilow (July 26-Aug. 17).
Of the shows so far, Morrissey’s run was by far the most successful, with the former Smiths frontman playing to near sell-out houses and grossing $1.9M for his seven shows. Yanni’s five shows took in $527,138, about 39% of its box office potential.
Dave Chappelle Live on Broadway will play the following schedule:
Tuesday, July 9, 8PM
Wednesday, July 10, 8PM
Thursday, July 11, 8PM
Friday, July 12, 8PM
Saturday, July 13, 8PM
Source: Deadline
Will Packer Comedy To Launch On Upcoming BET Streaming Service
BET is joining the streaming wars.
The Viacom-owned cable network will be launching a streaming service of its own in the fall, sources tell The Hollywood Reporter.Plans for the platform — which will feature Tracy Oliver’s bounced around First Wives Club series and Will Packer-produced comedy Peachtree Place as well as content from Tyler Perry — have been in the works for more than six months. BET declined comment as formal deals for the service have not yet been completed.
Sources say Viacom is near a deal to bring in an executive to oversee BET+. A price point for the African American-focused service has not yet been determined. Similar to Disney+ and other forthcoming subscription services like WarnerMedia, BET+ will include content from across Viacom’s cable brands including MTV, Comedy Central and VH1.
BET+ is the latest digital effort to come under Viacom CEO Bob Bakish. As linear ratings for the media behemoth’s cable portfolio continue to dwindle, Viacom earlier this year paid $340 million for streaming video upstart Pluto TV. The ad-supported platform already has 16 million monthly users who have access to old episodes of Viacom-owned library content including The Hills and All That.
BET+ becomes the latest streaming platform to bow from a major media titian. Disney will launch its SVOD service later this year. WarnerMedia will bow its streaming platform in beta in the fourth quarter and Comcast has its upstart platform due in 2020. Apple also will join the fray as conglomerates look to compete with billion-dollar content spenders Netflix, Amazon and Hulu, the latter of which is now entirely controlled by Disney.
As for First Wives Club, the series was originally developed for TV Land and moved to BET after being redeveloped with a new writer — Girls Trip‘s Oliver. That series — a reboot of the iconic 1996 feature that starred Bette Midler, Diane Keaton and Goldie Hawn, has been in the can for months and will launch, sources say, exclusively on BET+. Packer’s Peachtree Place — picked up as one of the first originals from new BET president Scott Mills in April 2018 — is a 10-episode comedy that follows five 30-somethings living in Atlanta as they try to build their personal and professional lives. It was originally slated to air on the linear network. Sources say the comedy will be redeveloped with an edgier take and new title.
In addition to originals from Viacom’s cable brands, the service will feature new content from Perry that stems from a multiple-year partnership the prolific producer inked with Viacom back in July 2017. Perry’s deal with Viacom did not officially start until May of this year, after his pact with OWN expired.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
Kevin Hart Sued By Woman Who Claims His Security Fractured Her Face
When it comes to being a “comedic rock star” it’s no surprise that Kevin Hart employs top of the line security, yet based on a new lawsuit it appears that on one occasion his bodyguards may have needed to show more restraint and self-control.
Sure enough, it’s been alleged that Hart’s security left a woman with a broken face after she was pushed on an NYC sidewalk to make room for the actor as he left a film screening, all the while she was apparently minding her own business as she walked across the street.
The woman, identified as Carmen Marrero, alleges that Hart was leaving a screening of “The Upside” when his bodyguards started shoving people out of the way to clear a path, leaving her to be pushed to the ground while being caught in the fray.
From there, the impact is said to have left Marrero with a fractured face, thus she’s now suing Hart, his production company, and SAG-AFTRA for assault and battery while asking for an undisclosed amount of damages.
Source: TMZ, Vlad TV
Kevin Hart Lands In New ‘Scrooged’ Remake
A Christmas Carol is the gift that keeps on giving to Hollywood.
Paramount and Kevin Hart have teamed up to develop a remake of Scrooged, the 1988 Christmas comedy that starred Bill Murray and was directed by Richard Donner.
The update is being eyed as a potential acting vehicle for Hart, who will produce via his Hartbeat Productions. A search for a writer to pen the script is underway.
Scrooged was a modern retelling of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, centering on a selfish television executive, played by Murray, who is visited by various ghosts who help him regain his Christmas spirit. Also in the cast were Karen Allen, Bobcat Goldthwait and Robert Mitchum.
The movie was a moderate box office hit when it was released but has become a cult hit and Christmas fixture. One reason for the long-lasting appeal is the movie’s irreverent but still heartfelt take on the Dickens material, which has been adapted for screens big and small numerous times, with performers ranging from Marcel Marceau to Jim Carrey to even Mickey Mouse taking on the characters.
Hart is currently gearing up to shoot Fatherhood, Sony’s adaptation of the weepy best-seller Two Kisses for Maddie, which Paul Weitz is directing this summer. Hart is also among the project’s producers.
He is one of the voice stars of The Secret Life of Pets 2, which Universal and Illumination open Friday, and next appears on the big screen in the sequel to Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, which opens December.
Hart is repped by UTA, 3 Arts Entertainment and Schreck Rose.
