Apple Orders Kevin Durant-Produced Basketball Drama To Series
The Golden State Warriors star will executive produce ‘Swagger,’ which hails from Imagine Television and CBS Studios.
NBA star Kevin Durant has scored a series pickup from Apple for a drama about youth basketball that will air on the tech giant’s forthcoming streaming service.The Golden State Warriors forward and two-time NBA Finals MVP will executive produce Swagger, a drama series inspired by his own life as a top hoops prospect in Washington, D.C. The project comes from Durant and Rich Kleiman’s Thirty Five Ventures, Imagine Television and CBS TV Studios.
Apple has been developing Swagger for the better part of a year.
Reggie Rock Bythewood (Shots Fired, Notorious) will serve as showrunner and will also direct. The show will explore the world of Amateur Athletic Union basketball in the nation’s capital, following players, families and coaches who walk the fine line between dreams and ambition, opportunism and corruption.
Durant was a top AAU player in his high-school days in Washington, and the circuit is a magnet for high-level basketball players and college and pro scouts along with shoe companies and apparel makers.
Durant, Bythewood and Kleiman will executive produce with Imagine’s Brian Grazer and Francie Calfo.
The project is the latest series pickup for Apple, which has more than 15 scripted series on deck for its streaming service. It has not yet announced a launch date for the service.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
WATCH: New Trailer For Marvel’s ‘Captain Marvel’ Debuts!
Check out the new trailer for Marvel Studios’ CAPTAIN MARVEL that debuted on ESPN’s “Monday Night Football” last night during halftime of the National Football League (NFL) game between the Washington Redskins and Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. There were some new reveals and some shocking surprises!
Check out the trailer below:
Issa Rae To Star In Limited Series With Laura Dern Titled ‘The Dolls’ At HBO
Issa Rae and Laura Dern are teaming up to star in a limited series called “The Dolls” currently in development at HBO.
Inspired by true events, the series recounts the aftermath of Christmas Eve riots in two small Arkansas towns in 1983, riots which erupted over Cabbage Patch Dolls. The series explores class, race, privilege and what it takes to be a “good mother.”
Rae will serve as a writer and executive producer on the series in addition to starring, with Dern also executive producing. Laura Kittrell and Amy Aniobi will also serve as writers and co-executive producers. Jayme Lemons of Dern’s Jaywalker Pictures and Deniese Davis of Issa Rae Productions will also executive produce.
Both Rae and Dern currently star in HBO shows, with Dern appearing in the acclaimed drama “Big Little Lies” and Rae starring in and having created the hit comedy “Insecure.” Dern also recently starred in the film “The Tale,” which the premium cabler acquired out of Sundance and debuted on-air back in May.
In addition to her Emmy-nominated work on “Insecure,” Rae’s web series “The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl” was the recipient of the Shorty Award for Best Web Show and her first book, a collection of essays, is a New York Times Bestseller. She made her film debut in the acclaimed drama “The Hate U Give,” and will also star in Universal’s “Little,” with Regina Hall and Marsai Martin releasing Spring 2019.
Dern won an Emmy and a Golden Globe for her work in “Big Little Lies” Season 1, and has previously been nominated for two Academy Awards during her career. Her recent credits include “Star Wars: The Last Jedi,” “Twin Peaks: The Return,” “Downsizing,” and “The Fault in Our Stars.” She is also known for her work on films like “The Master,” “Jurassic Park,” “A Perfect World,” “Rambling Rose,” “Mask,” and “Blue Velvet,”
Dern and Jaywalker Pictures are repped by CAA and Untitled Entertainment. Rae is repped by UTA, 3 Arts Entertainment and Hansen Jacobson.
Source: Variety
Showtime Sets The Premiere Date For ‘Desus & Mero’!
SHOWTIME will debut DESUS & MERO, the weekly half-hour late-night series starring Desus Nice and The Kid Mero on Thursday, February 21 at 11:00 p.m. ET/PT, which will air on Thursday nights from New York City. The first ever weekly late-night talk show on SHOWTIME will feature popular TV and podcast personalities Desus and Mero speaking off the cuff and chatting with guests at the intersection of pop culture, sports, music, politics and more.
Produced for SHOWTIME by JAX Media, DESUS & MERO will be executive produced by Desus Nice, The Kid Mero, Lilly Burns, Tony Hernandez and Victor Lopez.
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 duobrings 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.
https://youtu.be/4y_ewZm7mYc
‘A Thousand Words With Michelle Obama’ To Premiere Tonight On BET!
BET Networks is set to premiere two powerful specials in December, embracing the holiday spirit that uplifts and celebrates black excellence. “A THOUSAND WORDS WITH MICHELLE OBAMA” premieres on Wednesday, December 5 at 9PM ET and “Q85:A MUSICAL CELEBRATION FOR QUINCY JONES” will air on Sunday, December 9 at 8PM ET.
“A THOUSAND WORDS WITH MICHELLE OBAMA” is an empowering new one-hour special featuring former First LadyMichelle Obama in candid conversation with former Senior Advisor to President Barack Obama Valerie Jarrett at the Leading Women Defined symposium at the St. Regis hotel in Miami, FL. The women discuss a range of topics as Michelle Obama shares words of uplift, stories of sisterhood, the importance of self-care and her marked growth through her husband’s eight years in office.
Tune in to the captivating conversation with the Former First Lady as she shares anecdotes and salient advice from her worldwide bestselling autobiography, Becoming. “A THOUSAND WORDS WITH MICHELLE OBAMA” premieres Wednesday, December 5 at 9 PM ET/PT on BET.
“Q85: A MUSICAL CELEBRATION FOR QUINCY JONES” is a star-studded evening that celebrates the life and legacy of the icon. Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight, Brian McKnight, John Legend, Gloria Estefan, Emily Estefan,Fantasia, Charlie Wilson, Jennifer Hudson, Ne-Yo, Meghan Trainor, Patti Austin, Yolanda Adams, Ledisi, Cynthia Erivo, and Gregory Porter all hit the stage to pay tribute to Mr. Jones performing his classic works in this nostalgic musical special. Additionally, Oprah Winfrey, Will Smith, Danny Glover, Usher Raymond, Dave Chappelle, LL Cool J, Rashida Jones, Ludacris, and Aloe Blacc share their personal stories of how Quincy has impacted them throughout the years.
DL Hughley To Host The 1st Annual ‘Urban One Honors’!
Urban One has announced the honorees for the inaugural URBAN ONE HONORS Awards show, set for December 9, 2018 at The Anthem in Washington, DC. The show will be hosted by comedian and REACH Media personality DL Hughley. Urban One Honors is presented by MGM National Harbor and Radio One’s Washington D.C. radio stations Majic 102.3 & 92.7, 93.9 WKYS, Praise 104.1, WOL 1450 & 95.9, Spirit 1340 and The Team 980, and was developed to acknowledge and honor individuals or organizations that have made an extraordinary impact on society and culture.
This year’s honorees include: Rapper/Producer, Jermaine Dupri, Living Legend Award; Singer/Actress, Brandy, Cathy Hughes Excellence Award; Fashion Stylist, June Ambrose, Fashion Icon Award; Singer, Teyana Taylor,R&B Impact Award; Media Mogul, Tom Joyner, Lifetime Achievement Award;Gospel Artist, Marvin Sapp, Inspirational Impact Award; Former NFL Player, Doc Walker, Sports Legend Award; Activist/Columnist Shaun King, Social Change Agent Award; Music Executive, Benny Pough, Record Executive of the Year Award; Congresswoman, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Public Servant Award; Singer, Jade Novah, Viral Sensation; Principal, Dr. Nadia Lopez, Education Maven; and Actor, Rotimi, Generation Next Award.
Marvin Sapp and K-Ci of Jodeci are set to perform, with LA Reid, Da Brat, Bryan Michael Cox, Ray J, Roland Martin and Q Parker among the presenters.
Representing excellence in the areas of innovative programming, successful business ventures, advanced technology, entertainment, social activism, education, and community service, through diligence and dedication, this inaugural class of honorees has set the bar high whilst being an exemplary catalyst for change and profound models for success.
“There is no better place than the DMV, where history is made, to salute the best of the best in media, entertainment, sports, education, community and more,” says Jeff Wilson, Senior Regional Vice President, Radio One.
Tickets to the awards show are available to the public and can be purchased here: Urban One Honors.
Kevin Hart’s Hartbeat Productions To Produce New Film Titled ‘Bye Bye Bye’!
‘Insecure’ writer-producer Amy Aniobi will pen the script.
Kevin Hart is saying Bye Bye Bye.
The comedian has set up a female-driven dramedy that remakes a Korean film at Universal, which has acquired the pitch that has Hart’s Hartbeat Productions producing with CJ Entertainment.
Amy Aniobi, a writer-producer on HBO’s Insecure, will pen the script.
Bye Bye Bye is described as a dramedy about a group of adult friends who reunite 20 years after high school. It is based on a 2011 Korean hit titled Sunny, that saw friends come together when one of them is stricken with cancer. The movie is one of the highest-grossing films in Korea of all time.
“Amy is an incredible writer who has put a fun spin on the classic mother-daughter story that will make you want to laugh and cry,” said Hart in a statement. “We are so thrilled to work with her, Universal and CJ Entertainment on Bye Bye Bye. Universal continues to be a fantastic partner, and CJ Entertainment is the premiere media company in South Korea. Plus, they’ve promised to help me achieve my life-long dream of becoming a Kpop Star.”
Bye Bye Bye will be produced by Hart and his HartBeat president, John Cheng. CJ’s vp of global co-productions and head of U.S. production Francis Chung will produce for his respective banner. Jerry Ko, head of international at CJ, will exec produce.
Overseeing for Universal will be exec vp of production Kristin Lowe. Carli Haney and Cheng will oversee for HartBeat while Fred Lee and Jihyun Ok will oversee for CJ.
Hartbeat is coming off of Night School, Universal’s comedy which has made over $101 million worldwide on a budget of $29 million. The company recently signed a first-look deal with Nickelodeon to develop and produce scripted kids content for television.
Aniobi, a first generation Nigerian American, is a writer on the rise who, before working on Insecure, served as an exec producer on 2 Dope Queens, a consulting producing on Brothers in Atlanta, and a story editor on Silicon Valley. She is also rewriting American Princess, a Fox feature with Issa Rae attached to star.
Aniobi is repped bu UTA and Ziffren Brittenham.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
Showtime To Premiere Sommore’s New Special Titled ‘Sommore: A Queen With No Spades’ In Dec!
Stand-up comedian Sommore brings a full house of class and sass for the debut of her new one-hour comedy special, SOMMORE: A QUEEN WITH NO SPADES, on Friday, December 21 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME. In the special, directed by Kevin Layne and Scott Woolley and filmed at the Faena Theater in Miami Beach, Sommore commands the stage with her frank and fearless take on today’s issues and her unique perspective on life, politics and individual choice.
Born in Trenton, New Jersey, Sommore has been a trailblazer for women in the comedy business since she first grabbed a stand-up mic in 1995. The comedian, actress, writer, executive producer, entrepreneur and television host is undeniably a queen of comedy.
Sommore’s credits include the films Friday after Next, Soul Plane, Something New and television series The Parkers and The Hughleys. She has been a featured guest on The Oprah Winfrey Show, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The View and Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher, and was profiled in “Special Women in Comedy”. Sommore wrote, self-produced and performed in her own one-woman comedy specials, The Queen Stands Alone, Chandelier Status and The Reign Continues.
BET To Celebrate Quincy Jones With New Musical Special!
BET Networks is set to premiere “Q85: A Musical Celebration for Quincy Jones,” a star-studded evening that celebrates the life and legacy of the icon. The special was taped in September at the Microsoft Theater at L.A. Live in Los Angeles, and will premiere on BET Networks on Sunday, December 9, 2018 at 8:00PM ET.
Produced in partnership with AEG Ehrlich Ventures, who is most known for producing the GRAMMY Awards telecast, the two-hour special is set to take audiences on a melodic and visual journey, depicting the momentous impact Jones has had on music and popular culture over the past seven decades. The evening will explore Quincy the hit maker, contributions to film & television, work as a humanitarian, his contributions to jazz, and success as a producer, highlighting his relationship with Michael Jackson.
In celebration of such an iconic figure, some of the biggest stars came to share in on the celebration. Performers such as Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight, Brian McKnight, John Legend, Gloria Estefan, Fantasia, Charlie Wilson, Jennifer Hudson, Ne-Yo, Sam Smith, Meghan Trainor, Patti Austin, Yolanda Adams, Ledisi, and Cynthia Erivo all hit the stage to pay tribute to Mr. Jones performing his classic works. Additionally, Oprah Winfrey, Will Smith, Danny Glover, Eddie Murphy, Dave Chappelle, LL Cool J, Rashida Jones, and Ludacris shared their personal stories of how Quincy has impacted them throughout the years.
“For most of my life, the name Quincy Jones has represented excellence in nearly every part of the American musical landscape. To be able to celebrate his remarkable achievements in a two-hour television event is has been one of the great joys of my life, and I have no doubt that viewers of all ages and backgrounds will relate to the musical highlights of this amazing man. From Ray Charles to Michael Jackson, from “The Pawnbroker” to “The Color Purple”, Quincy’s done it all, and done it all with brilliance,” said Ken Ehrlich, executive producer of Q85.
Over the past 70 years, Quincy has graced us with a multitude of talents such as a trumpeter, producer, conductor, composer and arranger. His work is so intertwined into popular culture giving us the soundtracks and theme songs to many of the films and television shows we’ve come to know as classics, such as “The Color Purple,” “Roots,” ‘Sanford & Son,’ and ‘Fresh Prince of Bel Air.’ As a mentor, he has cultivated the careers of some of the biggest talents of the past decade, such as Michael Jackson, Oprah Winfrey and Will Smith, a tradition he continues with new artists today.
For show information on for BET Presents: “Q85: A Musical Celebration for Quincy Jones,” please visit BET.com.
Whoopi Goldberg To Adapt Romanian Game Show ‘Win Your Country’ And Launch In 2019!
Whoopi Goldberg is set to adapt the Romanian game show Win Your Country! in the U.S. after optioning the format from Small World IFT.
Goldberg’s One Hoe Productions has teamed with Red Arrow-backed Wahlburgersproducer 44 Blue Productions to develop a U.S. remake of the show with Ellen’s Game of Games co-exec producer Noah Bonnett lined up as showrunner.
The series is a studio-based game show where contestants win big if they can prove they really know their country. Originally produced by Romania’s Zucchero Media for TVR2, the show sees players compete over three rounds, battling it out state by state, region by region, or city by city. Each contestant starts with a chosen territory and must “conquer” neighboring regions by answering a series of questions about that specific territory. Only then will they be able to make it to the next level where a cat-and-mouse game ensues and the remaining opponents try to reach each other’s territory first, leaving just one to battle for the prize money in the final round.
The show has run for 200 episodes in Romania and is sold as a format by Tim Crescenti’s Kew Media-backed Small World IFT, which was responsible for NBC adapting Grandpas Over Flowers as Better Late Than Never as well as ABC’s I Survived A Japanese Gameshow. The format is also currently in development for a Canadian broadcaster and optioned in France.
The U.S. adaptation is now in development and will be executive produced by Goldberg and Tom Leonardis (I’m Coming Home) for One Hoe, in partnership with Stephanie Noonan Drachkovitch and Dan Snook for 44 Blue.
“We love the civic nature of this show and the positive focus on unity and identity. It gives the players and the audience a chance to take pride in the place they call home and have a great time doing it, along with a little healthy competition,” Goldberg said. “We think U.S. audiences will love Win Your Country!, and Small World, 44 Blue and Noah Bonnett are the perfect partners to bring it to life here.”
Said 44 Blue’s Noonan Drachkovitch: “We have produced two critically acclaimed series with Whoopi and Tom and are always looking for exciting new content to create together. When we saw Small World’s Win Your Country!, we knew it would be a perfect fit for Whoopi’s brand of topical humor and family fun. The format couldn’t be more relevant, and we look forward to bringing it to the U.S.”
Crescenti added: “The format guarantees plenty of humor, fast-paced quiz/trivia action and viewer interaction. One Hoe and 44 Blue were quick to recognize its strong potential for the U.S. market. And to partner with a rare EGOT winner like Whoopi Goldberg, we couldn’t be more thrilled and honored.”
44 Blue and One Hoe are represented by WME, while Small World IFT is repped by UTA.
