According to several of our sources, comedian TJ McGee has passed away.
Our sources have confirmed that McGee passed away from a heart attack that we heard came on suddenly two days ago. No further word has yet been discovered on how this heart attack came about.
As soon as we discover more we will pass along the information.
Kerry Washington To Play Helen Willis Of ‘The Jeffersons’ For ‘Live In Front Of A Studio Audience’ For ABC
Kerry Washington joins “Live in Front of a Studio Audience: Norman Lear’s ‘All in the Family’ and ‘The Jeffersons,’” the live sitcom special coming from late-night host Jimmy Kimmel and television icon Norman Lear. Washington is set to play Helen Willis in the special, airing live WEDNESDAY, MAY 22 (8:00-9:31 p.m. EDT), on The ABC Television Network. This historic event will take viewers down memory lane, recreating an original episode from each of the Emmy® Award-winning series “All in the Family” and “The Jeffersons.” This legendary night of television will be hosted by Lear and Kimmel, directed by 10-time Emmy winner James Burrows and produced by Sony Pictures Television.
Previously announced stars include Woody Harrelson (Archie Bunker), Marisa Tomei (Edith Bunker), Jamie Foxx (George Jefferson), Wanda Sykes (Louise Jefferson), Ellie Kemper (Gloria Stivic), Will Ferrell (Tom Willis), Justina Machado (Florence Johnston), Ike Barinholtz (Meathead), Sean Hayes (Mr. Lorenzo), Amber Stevens West (Jenny Willis Jefferson), Jovan Adepo (Lionel Jefferson), Anthony Anderson (Uncle Henry), Stephen Tobolowsky (Mr. Bentley) and Jackée Harry (Diane Stockwell).
From 1971 through 1979, “All in the Family” was in the homes of millions of Americans, tackling controversial subjects for the first time such as women’s rights, racism and homosexuality. The series followed Archie Bunker as the highly opinionated, working-class family man who viewed the world on his terms. When not arguing with his liberal son-in-law, Archie took refuge in his wife, Edith, who tried to understand Archie’s conservative ways and outdated beliefs. The award-winning series shaped ongoing political and social conversations among American families in the post-civil rights era.
The success of “All in the Family” launched “The Jeffersons,” running from 1975 to 1985. It was the first television series to feature an interracial couple, and it would go on to be one of the longest-running African-American shows on TV. The series followed George and Louise Jefferson moving on up to the east side and showcasing what it was like to be successful in a predominantly white world. The series changed the landscape and helped shift conversations about race and class, paving the way for other African-American actors and TV shows.
“Live in Front of a Studio Audience: Norman Lear’s ‘All in the Family’ and ‘The Jeffersons’” will be produced by Smoking Baby Productions, ACT III Productions, Gary Sanchez Productions and Sony Pictures Television. Norman Lear, Jimmy Kimmel, Brent Miller, Will Ferrell, Adam McKay and Justin Theroux will executive produce; and the live special will be directed by James Burrows.
Anthony Anderson Leads Cast In ‘All In The Family’ And ‘The Jeffersons’ For ABC’s ‘Live in Front of a Studio Audience’
The live production of Live in Front of a Studio Audience: Norman Lear’s All in the Family and The Jeffersons is fleshing out its cast.
Anthony Anderson and Ike Barinholtz have been added to the cast, as well as Amber Stevens West, Sean Hayes, Stephen Tobolowsky, Jovan Adepo and Jackée Harry. They join Jamie Foxx, who has already been cast as George Jefferson, Wanda Sykes, who will play Louise Jefferson, Will Ferrell as Tom Willis, Justina Machado as Florence Henderson, Elie Kemper as Gloria Bunker Stivic, Marisa Tomei as Edith Bunker and Woody Harrelson as Archie Bunker.
Anderson will play George Jefferson’s brother Henry, who was once Archie Bunker’s neighbor in Queens. Adepo will play Lionel, George and Louise’s son, who marries Jenny, Tom and Helen Willis’ daughter, who will be played by Stevens West. Tobolwsky will play Harry Bentley, the Jeffersons’ neighbor, and Harry will play Louise’s friend Diane Stockwell. Barinholtz will play Archie’s foil and son-in-law, Mike “Meathead” Stivic, and Hayes will play Mr. Lorenzo, another of Archie’s neighbors as well as a househusband.
Live in Front of a Studio Audience: Norman Lear’s All in the Family and The Jeffersons is a love letter of sorts to Norman Lear’s profound effect on TV.
As the special’s title suggests, the special will recreate two episodes from Lear’s classic series All in the Family and The Jeffersons with today’s stars. As Lear himself has said, the special shows how much the series’ stories still resonate today as much as they did back in the ’70s and ’80s.
“They have said over and over again that these two shows were meant for the ’70s and would not work today,” said Lear about the special. “We disagree with them and are here to prove, with two great casts depicting All in the Family and The Jeffersons, the timelessness of human nature.”
Lear and Jimmy Kimmel are executive producing along with Ferrell and Adam McKay’s Gary Sanchez Productions and Justin Theroux. The live event will take place May 22 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.
Watch:Gabrielle Union And Jessica Alba In This Exclusive Clip From ‘Bad Boy’s’ Spinoff ‘L.A.’s Finest’
Two extremely well-dressed cops bicker back and forth as glass shatters around them. Although they’re stuck in a convenience store shootout, they’re far more interested in debating their interpersonal, opposites-are-stuck-together shenanigans than the crime at hand. But, it’s not that these two detectives don’t care about saving lives. They’re just so good at their jobs, they know they’ll be able to cuff these petty bozos with their eyes closed.
Were you imagining two mismatched dudes like Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan in Rush Hour? What about Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill in the 21 Jump Street universe? Or Will Smith and Martin Lawrence in Bad Boys? Well, you would be wrong.
Instead, this life threatening scene unfolds around Jessica Alba and Gabrielle Union in their brand new series, L.A.’s Finest (which is in fact a spin-off of the aforementioned Bad Boys films). And it’s only a taste of the genre-breaking fun ahead in the Alba and Union-executive produced sexy police drama, which premieres on Monday, May 13.
Finest, a Spectrum cable-only series, follows the saga of LAPD detectives Nancy McKenna (Alba) and Syd Burnett (Union). McKenna is a supposedly straight-laced officer married to Patrick (Ryan McPartlin), a rising member of L.A.’s district attorney’s office. Despite Nancy’s allegedly Type-A ways, she just may be hiding a dark secret.
On the other hand, it’s pretty obvious there is something going on with Syd, sister to Bad Boys’ Marcus Burnett (Lawrence). She is a loose cannon who joins the force after something mysterious went down in her hometown of Miami. The question is whether Syd’s past is tragic or criminally checkered. Considering one shocking twist in the upcoming premiere, it’s nearly impossible to know which possibility is more likely.
While L.A.’s Finest spends its first season unraveling the mysteries of its two badass stars, the drama also takes a few procedural cues from the likes of Law & Order. Every week, Syd and Nancy — get it? — juggle their enigmatic backstories with a case of the week splashed on your screen. That means technology-obsessed serial killers, twisty heist stories, and some wild homicide investigations. This way, Alba and Union can drop cutting CSI-y bon mots while catching the bad guys across La La Land.
And, yes, those convenience store robbers count as bad guys. Watch the video below to see exactly how Syd and Nancy take them down. Then, if you’re a Spectrum subscriber, tune in to L.A.’s Finest to see what happens next.
L.A.’s Finest premieres on-demand on Monday, May 13 via Spectrum.
‘Avengers: Endgame’ Porducers Join New Tiffany Haddish Comedy With Chris Hemsworth
Joe and Anthony Russo are re-teaming with Chris Hemsworth. The Avengers: Endgame directors have committed to producing Down Under Cover, the comedy that teams Hemsworth with Girls Trip‘s Tiffany Haddish on a two-hander buddy-cop action comedy that is being mounted in the spirit of films like 48 Hours, Rush Hour and The Heat. The Russos will produce with Mike Larocca under their AGBO banner, along with Thematic Entertainment — the production shingle hatched by Hemsworth, John Finemore, James Hoppe and Ben Grayson— and Haddish.
CAA Media Finance is brokering the domestic deal, and sources said there are already four strong offers on the table, before the market gets underway at Cannes. It figures to be one of the splashiest deals to be made on the Croisette. FilmNation, which is handling international sales, is getting the same heightened interest. Script is by Peter Hoare.
In Down Under Cover, Hemsworth will play a detective who goes undercover to crack a series of baffling casino heists in which the prime suspects are a troupe of Australian male erotic dancers. He’s forced to take the partner no one else will — Haddish’s character, a lone wolf who does things only one way: hers. Together they have to work as an unlikely duo to solve the crime of their careers. The Russos are already planning to make a splash on the Croisette on Thursday in the Grand Ballroom at the Carlton Hotel to discuss Cherry, their next directing project that will star Tom Holland.
No newcomers to the genre, the Russo brothers’ comedy credits include Arrested Development, Community and Larry Charles’ Dangerous World of Comedy.
Source: Deadline
Kyla Pratt’s New Comedy Titled ‘Patty’s Auto’ Not Moving Forward At FOX!
Fox is not moving forward with Patty’s Auto. Amid a bloodbath at the network, which saw series like Star not returning, a few pilots, including the Kyla Pratt-starring comedy, were not ordered.
The series would have also starred Carra Patterson, Joanna P. Adler, Sarah Levy and Paola Lázaro.
The project was inspired by the real-life Girls Auto Clinic founded by Patrice Banks, centering on Patty (Patterson) and the “eclectic” women who work for her.
Pratt would have played Tiny, Patty’s younger sister.
‘Empire’ To End With Season 6 On FOX
Empire‘s song is ending.
Fox on Monday revealed that the previously announced sixth season of Empire would indeed be its last. News that the Lee Daniels and Danny Strong drama would close up shop was part of Fox’s fall schedule release, which sees the Taraji P. Henson and Terrence Howard starrer move from its home Wednesdays to Tuesdays at 9 p.m. In its new slot, Empire will go head-to-head with the fourth season of TV’s top drama, NBC’s This Is Us. The final season will consist of 20 episodes, up two from its standard 18.
Empire will wrap after achieving a major milestone — its 100th episode — as the hip-hop drama reaches the threshold required for syndication, helping to provide another revenue stream for new owners Disney. The Mouse House acquired Empire as part of its $71.3 billion Fox buy, which included studio 20th TV.
The final season decision arrives days after Fox opted to cancel low-rated Empire spinoff Star following its three-season run. Fox, which enters the 2019-20 as an independent broadcast network, picked up 10 new scripted series — including three animated comedies. The network will air two new dramas — Prodigal Son, starring Michael Sheen and from exec producer Greg Berlanti, and Jason Katims-produced Not Just Me — in the fall alongside wrestling on Fridays, Thursday Night Football and The Masked Singer.
Meanwhile, there has been no change in the status of beleaguered former star Jussie Smollett. Producers 20th TV picked up Smollett’s option but there are no current plans for his character to return for season six.
Empire heads into its final season as Fox’s second-highest-rated drama series, behind only Ryan Murphy-produced procedural 911.
Empire joins Modern Family, Criminal Minds, Arrow, Supernatural and Blindspot as broadcast shows that will end next season.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
Steve Harvey Replaced By Melissa McCarthy As Host Of ‘Little Big Shots’
Melissa McCarthy has been named host of NBC’s unscripted series “Little Big Shots,” replacing Steve Harvey as emcee of the talent competition for kids.
Harvey hosted the previous three seasons of the show, which hails from Warner Horizon Television and Ellen DeGeneres’ A Very Good Production banner.
“Little Big Shots” last aired on NBC in July 2018. NBC executives said the show was in for a “brand refresh” as McCarthy takes over. “Little Big Shots” is scheduled to return to NBC’s Sunday 8 p.m. berth after the end of football season next winter.
“Melissa’s just an incredible performer and incredible comedian,” said Paul Telegdy, NBC’s co-chairman of entertainment alongside George Cheeks. “She will bring a completely fresh perspective to it.”
Harvey’s departure from “Little Big Shots” comes on the heels of end of his NBCUniversal-distributed syndicated daytime talk show, “Steve,” which taped its final episode on Thursday.
There was no love lost between Harvey and the Peacock when the host opted in 2017 to cut a new deal for a new iteration of his daytime talk show that shifted ownership from Endemol Shine North America and NBCU to IMG Original Content and Harvey. It’s also understood that Harvey’s deal with “Little Big Shots” called for him to receive a hefty raise for a fourth season.
Telegdy did not reference the tussle with Harvey in discussing the host change with reporters on Sunday as NBC unveiled its 2019-2020 programming plans ahead of Monday’s upfront presentation at Radio City Music hall. Telegdy emphasized that McCarthy would bring her own comedic stamp to the show.
“Melissa is a strong creative force with her own ideas,” Telegdy said. “Changes will be apparent.”
SOurce: variety
Rihanna To Launch Groundbreaking New Fashion Label With LVMH
NEW YORK (AP) — Rihanna certified her status as a cultural fashion icon with her groundbreaking new deal with LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, the world’s largest luxury group.
The pop star, born Robyn Rihanna Fenty, announced Friday that she will debut a line called Fenty this spring through LVMH. Her luxury house will be based in Paris.
The 31-year-old singer becomes the first person since 1987 to launch a new house with LVMH (the last person was Christian LaCroix). Rihanna is also reportedly the first woman to create an original brand at LVMH and the first woman of color at the top of an LVMH maison.
“Designing a line like this with LVMH is an incredibly special moment for us,” Rihanna said in a statement. She added that Bernard Arnault, the chairman and CEO of LVMH, “has given me a unique opportunity to develop a fashion house in the luxury sector, with no artistic limits. I couldn’t imagine a better partner both creatively and business-wise, and I’m ready for the world to see what we have built together.”
LVMH’s leather and goods division includes Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior Couture, Celine, Kenzo, Givenchy, Fendi, Marc Jacobs and more, while its wine and spirts includes Moët & Chandon and Dom Pérignon. The company has also backed Rihanna’s ultra-successful cosmetics brand, Fenty Beauty.
Arnault said “everybody knows Rihanna as a wonderful singer, but through our partnership at Fenty Beauty, I discovered a true entrepreneur, a real CEO and a terrific leader.”
“She naturally finds her full place within LVMH,” he continued. “I am proud that LVMH is leading this venture and wish it will be a great success.”
Fashion has been synonymous with Rihanna’s name since the Grammy-winning superstar launched her music career in 2005. She has collaborated with brands like Armani, Puma, Dior and more to launch products and lines, and she debuted her lingerie line, Savage X Fenty, last year. Her Fenty Beauty collection disrupted the beauty industry when it launched in 2017, offering 40 foundation shades and bringing in more than $500 million by the end of last year. The success of it forced other cosmetic brands to be more inclusive and launch more foundation color shades, while Fenty even extended to 50 shades.
A release date for Rihanna’s new Fenty line with LVMH was not announced, but a website where consumers can eventually purchase the line launched Friday. The new line “is centered on Rihanna, developed by her, and takes shape with her vision in terms of ready to wear, shoes and accessories, including commerciality and communication of the brand,” according to a press release.
“Celebrity fashion brands have been around a long time and led by singers, but in the past they’ve tended to be done via licensing, wholesale distribution and often more with mass retailers or department stores. What’s different about this Rihanna project is her partner, which is the world’s largest luxury group, which has expertise across a range of leather goods, perfumes, fashion, beauty — so it really raises the bar for celebrity-led fashion brands,” Miles Socha, editor-in-chief of WWD, said in an interview with The Associated Press.
Rihanna, a native of Barbados, expressed her excitement about the epic new deal in an Instagram post Friday.
“Big day for the culture,” she wrote. “Thank you Mr. Arnault for believing in this little girl from the left side of an island, and for giving me the opportunity to grow with you at @LVMH. This is proof that nothing is impossible. Glory be to God.”
Morgan Freeman Joins Robert De Niro, Tommy Lee Jones, In New Comedy Film Titled ‘Comeback Trail’
The ‘Bad Boys’ writer will direct the action-comedy — based on Harry Hurwitz’s 1982 film — which is heading to the market in Cannes.
A trio of Oscar-winning legends are coming together for Bad Boys writer George Gallo’s upcoming action-comedy The Comeback Trail.
Robert De Niro, Tommy Lee Jones and Morgan Freeman have boarded the film, which is heading the Cannes market next week with Storyboard Media repping international sales.
The Comeback Trail sees De Niro play Max Barber who, in debt to Freeman’s mob boss, creates an insurance fraud by casting washed-up, suicidal cowboy/movie star Duke Montana (Jones) in a poorly written Western with the intention of killing him during the first days of filming. Surprisingly, Duke somehow rises to the occasion, thereby redeeming his past misdeeds, and brings Max and others along on the same journey.
Josh Posner co-wrote the screenplay with Gallo, which is based on the 1982 film of the same name, written, directed and produced by the late Harry Hurwitz. Shooting begins in June in New Mexico. Donald Pemrick and Dean Fronk are handling casting.
The Comeback Trail is being produced by Steven Tyler Sahlein, March On Productions’ Richard Salvatore (The Big Wedding, The Poison Rose) and David Ornston, along with Joy Sirott Hurwitz and Julie Lott Gallo. The film is being financed and executive produced by Empire Media Partners’ Justin Calvillo and John DeMarco, Storyboard Media’s Philip Kim, Patrick Hibler and Elisabeth Costa de Beauregard, along with Ben Ruedinger and Joerg Fischer.
De Niro, Jones and Freeman have experience working together before (De Niro and Jones in 2013’sThe Family, De Niro and Morgan in Last Vegas the same year, and Jones and Freeman 2017’s Just Getting Started). Gallo and De Niro’s relationship goes back to the 1988 buddy cop hit, Midnight Run, while Gallo’s last film, The Poison Rose, starring Freeman and John Travolta, is being released by Lionsgate on Memorial Day weekend.
Gallo and Posner are repped by Industry Entertainment and Gang, Tyre, Ramer, Brown and Passman. De Niro is represented by CAA and Grubman Shire Meiselas & Sacks P.C. Jones is represented by CAA and Jacobson, Russell, Saltz, Nassim & de la Torre, LLP. Freeman is represented by CAA and Sloane, Offer, Weber and Dern, LLP.
Empire Media Partners; Producers Sahlein and Salvatore; and Executive Producers Calvillo and DeMarco are represented by Harris Tulchin of Harris Tulchin & Associates.
