Showtime Expands ‘Desus & Mero’ To Two Nights A Week For Special Summer Run
Showtime is showing its commitment to Desus & Mero.
The series, which is the premium cabler’s first-ever late-night show, will air this summer for a special run and for this run, it will be expanded to two nights a week.
The summer run will begin on May 6, with the series airing Monday and Thursday nights at 11:00 p.m. ET/PT until it goes on hiatus beginning August 5. Upcoming guests include Lin-Manuel Miranda, Charlize Theron, Amy Poehler, Gabrielle Union, Seth Rogen, Spike Lee, Bill Hader, Regina Hall and many more.
The official description: Longtime acquaintances Desus (Daniel Baker) and Mero (Joel Martinez) reconnected online in the early days of Twitter, where they unleashed their potent personalities and found themselves kindred spirits. That led to stints on Complex and MTV, the Bodega Boys podcast and a daily late-night show on Viceland, developing a feverish following. The quick-witted duo brings a distinct voice to late night, delivering smart and comedic commentary on any and all topics, that keeps audiences buzzing. Desus and Mero continue to host their Bodega Boys podcast.
Source: Shadow & Act
Jaden Smith To Play Young Kanye West In Showtime Anthology Series
File this under the truly bizarre: Kanye West is developing a Showtime anthology in which Jaden Smith would play a young Kanye West in an alternate reality.
Ominverse is described as a limited half-hour anthology series “examining the many doors of perception.” The first season, the one for which a pilot script has been commissioned, would explore ego through the alternative reality of West.
From West, Scooter Braun’s SB Projects, Westbrook Studios and writer Lee Sung Jin, it would be the first anthology to hit Showtime in some years. The network, which has been making a noted push to expand its original offerings, has yet to put an anthology on the air since they became en vogue again in recent years. And while it doesn’t exactly sound like a comedy, it’s half-hour status would fill some much-needed holes at the network. Showtime has been more aggressive in the drama space and limited space, and recent stabs at half-hours — see SMILF or White Famous — have proven short-lived.
For all of West’s dabbling in media and culture, this would also be the first TV series to his credit. He’ll serve as executive producer alongside Braun, Jin, Smith, James Shin, Scott Manson and Miguel Melendez.
No other details, aside from the cryptic logline, were immediately available.
The script comes from Jin, whose comedy credits include Silicon Valley, Netflix newcomer Tuca & Bertie and upcoming Amazon animated series Undone.
Jin is repped by WME, Grandview Entertainment and Hansen, Jacobson, Teller. Smith is also at WME.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
‘The Chi’ Renewed For Season 3 On Showtime
SHOWTIME has picked up the hit drama series THE CHI for a third season. Created and executive produced by Emmy® winner Lena Waithe (Boomerang,Master of None) and executive produced by Academy Award®, Emmy and Golden Globe® winner Common (Selma), THE CHI is a timely coming-of-age story centering on a group of residents who become linked by coincidence but bonded by the need for connection and redemption. The cast includes Jason Mitchell (Mudbound, Straight Outta Compton), Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine (Queen of Katwe), Jacob Latimore (Sleight), Alex Hibbert (Moonlight), Yolonda Ross (Treme) and Armando Riesco (Bull). The second season is currently airing Sundays at 10 p.m. PT/ET.
“THE CHI revels in revealing the beating heart of the South Side of Chicago,” said Gary Levine, President of Entertainment, Showtime Networks Inc. “We, like our viewers, have fallen in love with these characters and we remain eager to see where Lena and her fellow artists will take them in season three.”
Produced entirely in its namesake city, season two of THE CHI spotlights Brandon’s (Mitchell) ambitious plan for his food truck business. Emmett (Latimore) makes an effort to grow up and get custody of his son, while his mother Jada (Ross) discovers a new life of her own. Kevin (Hibbert) reckons with trauma as he strengthens bonds with his buddies. Ronnie (Mwine) attempts to reclaim his life, while Detective Cruz (Riesco) launches a new investigation. In addition to Waithe and Common, Ayanna Floyd Davis (Empire, Hannibal), Aaron Kaplan (Santa Clarita Diet, Divorce), Rick Famuyiwa (Dope), and Derek Dudley and Shelby Stone of Freedom Road Productions served as executive producers on season two. THE CHI is produced by Fox 21 Television Studios.
Drake To Join Taylor Swift, Cardi B, And BTS For The Billboard Awards
Taylor Swift is set to kick off the 2019 Billboard Music Awards on Wednesday with the debut performance of her new song “ME!” and she could continue her run as the most decorated winner in the show’s history.
Swift, a 23-time Billboard Award winner, will open Wednesday night’s show at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas alongside Brendon Urie of Panic! at the Disco, who is featured on her new track. Swift is also nominated for two awards: top female artist and top touring artist.
Cardi B, though, is the leading nominee with 21 and will attend the show. Drake — who will also attend the show — and Post Malone are close behind with 17 nominations each. All three acts will compete for the night’s biggest prize — top artist — along with Ariana Grande and Travis Scott, who scored 12 nominations.
Kelly Clarkson will host the Billboard Awards — for a second time — and also perform at the three-hour show, airing live on NBC at 8 p.m. Eastern.
Other performers include Madonna with Maluma, BTS with Halsey, Paula Abdul, Dan + Shay, Jonas Brothers, Khalid, Tori Kelly, Panic! at the Disco, Lauren Daigle, Ciara and Mariah Carey, who will receive the Icon Award. Grande will perform via satellite from her tour.
Cardi B’s 21 nominations include top female artist and top Billboard 200 album for her Grammy-winning release, “Invasion of Privacy.” With her No. 1 hits — “I Like It” featuring J Balvin and Bad Bunny and “Girls Like You” with Maroon 5 — she is nominated twice in categories like top Hot 100 song, top selling song and top collaboration.
Rap music, which dominated the charts and streaming services last year, owned the top Billboard album category. Along with Cardi B, the nominees include Drake’s “Scorpion,” Scott’s “ASTROWORLD,” the late XXXTentacion’s ”?″ and Malone’s “beerbongs & bentleys.”
For top Hot 100 song, rap shined again with nominees like Cardi B’s “I Like It,” Juice WRLD’s “Lucid Dreams,” Scott’s “SICKO MODE” and Malone’s “Better Now.” Maroon 5 and Cardi B’s “Girls Like You” is also up for the prize.
XXXTentacion, who was fatally shot last June, earned 10 nominations, including bids for top male artist, top R&B artist and top rap album. Last year, he posthumously won honors at the American Music Awards and the BET Hip-Hop Awards.
The late Aretha Franklin also earned a nomination. The Queen of Soul, who died last August, is up for top gospel album with “Gospel Greats.” Queen — whose music hit a new peak late last year with the Oscar-winning Freddie Mercury biopic, “Bohemian Rhapsody” — received nominations for top rock artist and top soundtrack.
Presenters at the show include Jennifer Hudson, Chrissy Metz and Justin Hartley of “This Is Us,” David Guetta, Eva Longoria, Florida Georgia Line, Kane Brown and Terry Crews.
Nominees and winners for the Billboard Awards are based on album and song sales, streaming, radio airplay, touring and social engagement. The awards are based on the chart period of March 23, 2018, through March 7, 2019.
Jussie Smollett Will Not Return To ‘Empire’ For Next Season
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Fox Entertainment said Tuesday that Jussie Smollett will not return to his series “Empire” next season in the wake of allegations by Chicago officials the actor lied about a racially motivated attack.
“By mutual agreement, the studio has negotiated an extension to Jussie Smollett’s option for season six, but at this time there are no plans for the character of Jamal to return to ‘Empire,’” the studio said in a statement that gave no reasoning was given for the decision.
Fox announced earlier Tuesday that the drama about a hip-hop record label and the fiery family behind it had been renewed for a sixth season.
A Smollett representative released a statement to several media outlets suggesting a hope that he may eventually return.
“We’ve been told that Jussie will not be on ‘Empire’ in the beginning of the season but he appreciates they have extended his contract to keep Jamal’s future open,” the statement said. “Most importantly he is grateful to Fox and ‘Empire’ leadership, cast, crew and fans for their unwavering support.”
Fox announced earlier Tuesday that the show had been renewed for a sixth season.
Smollett’s character was removed from the final two episodes of season five.
Chicago police allege Smollett paid two brothers to help him stage a January attack in which he said two masked men beat him, hurled racist and homophobic slurs at him, doused him with a chemical substance and put a rope around his neck.
Smollett, who is black and gay, maintains the attack wasn’t staged. He was arrested, but prosecutors later dropped the charges .
“Empire” films each episode in Chicago.
Charlamagne tha God To Host New Series ‘Emerging Hollywood’ For Hollywood Reporter
The show will feature newsmaking guests — including Trevor Noah, Jameela Jamil, Alan Yang, Dascha Polanco and Killer Mike — sharing their views on topics including inclusion, racial politics, gender and body positivity.
The Hollywood Reporter will premiere a new video conversation series, Emerging Hollywood, that will feature on-the-rise voices in entertainment sharing their views on topics including inclusion, racial politics, gender and body positivity with TV and radio personality Charlamagne tha God. The series will premiere May 2 with The Daily Show host Trevor Noah and continue weekly on Thursdays exclusively on THR.com, YouTube and other digital partners.
Each episode of Emerging Hollywood will consist of three stand-alone chapters with the following themes: “Where I Came From,” “What I’m About” and “Where I’m Going.” Each chapter will be five to seven minutes in length, detailing how the guest’s life experience shaped his or her views, current activism and vision for what’s next.
The series was announced Tuesday by The Hollywood Reporter editorial director Matthew Belloni in conjunction with THR’s Empowerment in Entertainment Gala honoring Oprah Winfrey and celebrating individuals who have created opportunities for people of color, women, members of the LGBTQ community and other emerging, underrepresented voices in the industry.
“THR is dedicated to amplifying the voices of the industry’s agents of change,” said Belloni. “Charlamagne, Trevor Noah and the other Hollywood leaders joining Emerging Hollywood work daily to ignite meaningful conversations and provide opportunities for a diverse new generation. We’re thrilled that they’re joining us for this series and hopeful that THR’s readers will be impacted by their perspectives.”
Following Noah, Charlamagne and THR will host The Good Place star and outspoken body-positivity activist Jameela Jamil; Emmy-winning Master of None and Forever creator Alan Yang, who has been a vocal advocate for Asian-American representation onscreen and has tackled issues of racism on his series; Orange Is the New Black’s Dascha Polanco, who has spoken publicly about the pressure to hide her Afro-Latina heritage to secure roles; and rapper, actor and activist Killer Mike, who uses his platform to call attention to police brutality and racism.
“I don’t do interviews. I do conversations,” said Charlamagne. “I love conversations because through conversation, you hear people’s stories, and through people’s stories, you get information and inspiration. That’s all I want people to get out of these conversations is information and inspiration.”
Emerging Hollywood’s premiere is set two days after the reveal of THR‘s first-ever Empowerment in Entertainment “Agents of Change” list, as well as the launch of the publication’s Hollywood inclusion initiative, the Young Executives Fellowship. Aided by launch sponsors WME and Amazon Studios, the fellowship aims to create a pipeline for future leaders in film and television. Each year, 25 high school juniors will be chosen on a highly competitive basis for a two-year program that will include curriculum and mentoring; all will be selected from underserved schools in Los Angeles, Compton and Inglewood.
The Fellowship aims to complement and inspire similar efforts across the entertainment industry and will be overseen by a stellar advisory board that includes Endeavor CEO Ariel Emanuel, Amazon Studios head Jennifer Salke, former Paramount Pictures chairman Sherry Lansing, King Center CEO Martin Luther King III and L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti.
Emerging Hollywood, produced in-house by THR, is executive produced by Shira Brown, Matthew Belloni, Jennifer Laski, Lenard “CThaGod” McKelvey and Karen Kinney and is produced by Victoria McKillop and Francine Nazario from The Hollywood Reporter.
Charlamagne tha God is represented by ICM Partners, Loan Dang of Del Shaw Moonves Tanaka Finkelstein & Lezcano and KK Entertainment.
F. Gary Gray To Direct Movie Based On Video Game Franchise ‘Saints Row’
F. Gary Gray is developing to direct a film based on the hit action video game Saints Row. Greg Russo, who’s scripting the Mortal Kombat reboot at Warner Bros, is writing.
Gray, who followed Straight Outta Compton with The Fate of the Furious, just completed Men In Black: International, which stars Chris Hemsworth and Tessa Thompson and will be released June 14 by Sony Pictures.
Created by Deep Silver Volition, Saints Row spans four installments and has become one of the top-selling video game franchises of all time. It tells the story of the rise of the Third Street Saints as they battle rival gangs in an attempt to conquer the fictional cities of Stilwater and Steelport.
Pic is a co-production between Fenix Studios, Koch Media and Occupant Entertainment. Koch Films is a subsidiary of the German-based Koch Media, the conglomerate that owns Deep Silver. The film will fall under Fenix Studios’ production and development deal with Starlight Culture Entertainment Group. Fenix is separately developing a feature adaptation of the video game Echo, and has set Derek Kolstad (John Wick trilogy) to write it.
Gary Glushon is overseeing development for Gray’s Fenix Studios.
Felipe Marino and Joe Neurauter are producing for Occupant with Stefan Kapelari and Moritz Peters are producing for Koch Films.
Aside from the Mortal Kombat reboot he’s writing for Warner Bros, Russo worked on the Resident Evil reboot for Constantin.
Occupant is in post-production on action-comedy Guns Akimbo, starring Daniel Radcliffe.
Gray is repped by UTA, Artists First and Del Shaw Moonves; Russo’s deal was brokered by Verve, Lit Entertainment and Jeff Frankel. Scribe’s deal was done before the WGA/ATA franchise agreement expired.
Source: Deadline
CBS Renews ‘The Talk’ And Their Entire Daytime Lineup
File this under: “If it ain’t broke…” CBS has renewed its entire daytime lineup for the 2019-20 season, including chat show The Talk, long-running soaps The Bold and the Beautiful and The Young and the Restless and veteran game shows The Price Is Right and Let’s Make a Deal.
The bring-backs aren’t a big surprise, as the network boasts a 32-year winning streak in daytime ratings. It also has the most 2019 Daytime Emmy nominations of any network.
“For almost a third of a century, CBS has demonstrated a remarkable legacy of success in Daytime,” said Angelica McDaniel, EVP CBS Daytime Programs and Syndicated Programs Development. “Our programming continues to maintain a level of achievement unheard of in today’s television landscape, thanks to the passion and dedication of the extraordinary producers, casts, staff and crew on the shows, our studio partners, and most importantly, the fans.”
The Young and the Restless launched in 1973 and has been TV’s No. 1 daytime drama since the Reagan administration. The soap is averaging 4.6 million viewers this season. The Bold and the Beautiful debuted in 1987, and CBS notes that it is recognized as “the most-watched daytime drama in the world. Both are vying for Outstanding Drama Series at the Daytime Emmys on Sunday.
Hosted by Eve, Sara Gilbert, Carrie Ann Inaba, Sharon Osbourne and Sheryl Underwood, The Talk will turn 10 this upcoming season. The chat show is averaging 2.39 million viewers this season and is up for eight Daytime Emmys including Outstanding Talk Show.
The Price Is Right launches its 48th season in the fall and will mark its 9,000th episode in October. Hosted by Drew Carey, the retail value of the game show is undeniable: It is the most-watched daytime series on network television. Price Is Right is up for Outstanding Game Show at the Daytime Emmys, as is the Wayne Brady-hosted Let’s Make a Deal. The game featuring costumed contestants first hit the airwaves in 1963.
Source: Deadline
Appeals Court Denies Bill Cosby’s Latest Bid For Bail
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — An appeals court has denied Bill Cosby’s latest request to leave prison on bail while he fights his sex-assault conviction.
Defense lawyers say the 81-year-old comedian is likely to have his conviction overturned because of trial errors.
Cosby spokesman Andrew Wyatt says they aren’t surprised by the Pennsylvania Superior Court order Monday denying last week’s bail motion.
He says the filing was meant to point out that Montgomery County Judge Steven O’Neill hasn’t issued a post-trial opinion the defense needs to pursue Cosby’s appeal. They plan to challenge several trial rulings, including O’Neill’s decision to let five other accusers testify at last year’s trial.
Cosby is serving a three- to 10-year prison term for drugging and molesting a woman in 2004. District Attorney Kevin Steele calls Cosby’s bail motion “fraught with inaccuracies.”
R&B Singer Peabo Bryson Hospitalized After A Mild Heart Attack
NEW YORK (AP) — A rep for Peabo Bryson says the R&B singer, known for hits such as “Beauty & the Beast” and “A Whole New World,” is hospitalized after suffering a “mild heart attack.”
A statement released Monday says the double Grammy-winner was stricken Saturday morning and is now in stable condition. The rep says both doctors and family are “optimistic for a speedy recovery” and welcome prayers on his behalf.
The 68-year-old with the silky tenor has had numerous hits, including “If You’re Ever in My Arms Again” and “Tonight I Celebrate My Love” with Roberta Flack.
