Kelly Price And Kelly Rowland Join BET’s American Soul’ Cast
Singers Kelly Price and Kelly Rowland are the latest additions to the cast of American Soul. BET’s newest scripted drama series tells the story of the emergence and national rise of the groundbreaking ‘70s television show Soul Train —“the hippest trip in America”— created by the late Don Cornelius.
Price joins the cast as a series regular, playing Brianne Clarke. Clarke’s character is described as the “wise yet cautious” head of the Clarke family whose children Simone and Kendall are rising stars in Los Angeles. Music fans know Price as the Grammy Award-nominated singer whose R&B hits include “Friend of Mine,” “Heartbreak Hotel” (with Whitney Houston and Faith Evans) and “As We Lay” as well as the platinum albums Soul of a Woman and Mirror Mirror. Price most recently held a recurring role on digital network Bounce TV’s Saints & Sinners.
Rowland steps into a multi-episode, guest-star role portraying soul legend Gladys Knight. Knight was one of the first performers that Cornelius booked during Soul Train’s early days. Four-time Grammy winner Rowland, a co-founding member of the seminal girl group Destiny’s Child, will also record an original version of Knight’s signature hit with the Pips, “Midnight Train to Georgia” for the role. Rowland’s acting credits include guest stints on the television series Empire, Girlfriends and Being Mary Jane. She also executive produced her own BET docu-series Chasing Destiny. Rowland most recently served as a guest mentor on NBC’s The Voice.
Production for American Soul, helmed by Jesse Collins Entertainment, began Sept. 17 in Atlanta. The series will premiere in 2019.
The 2018 American Music Awards ToHonor Aretha Franklin With Special Tribute!
Dick clark productions and ABC today announced an all-star lineup of soul and gospel legends who will come together to pay homage to the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, at the “2018 American Music Awards.” Gladys Knight, Ledisi, Mary Mary, Donnie McClurkin and CeCe Winans, friends of the late, luminary singer/songwriter, will take the AMAs stage for a moving tribute honoring Franklin’s gospel roots and iconic gospel album, “Amazing Grace.” Consulting producer for the tribute is the Emmy Award ® -winning music director, composer and producer Rickey Minor. Hosted by Tracee Ellis Ross, the “2018 American Music Awards,” the world’s largest fan-voted awards show, will broadcast live from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on Tuesday, Oct. 9 at 8:00 p.m. EDT, on ABC.
“We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the American Music Awards, dick clark productions and American Music Awards’ producer, Larry Klein, for honoring Aretha Franklin with a musical tribute for this year’s broadcast,” said Sabrina Owens, Franklin’s niece and executor of the Aretha Franklin Estate. “Throughout its 46-year history, the American Music Awards has continued to stand by the music and honor the best in talent and the greatest in popular music culture. When I heard some of the initial ideas for the tribute, I knew without a doubt that this tribute will go down as one of the best in American music.” Owens adds, “We still remember when Aretha won her first American Music Award in 1976 for Favorite Female Artist – Soul/R&B; and throughout the years, she went on to win five more awards; and we will never forget when she hosted the show, as well as her memorable performances. Dick Clark helped to revolutionize American music and, along the
way, Aretha Franklin was part of that revolution.”
“It’s a blessing to be a part of this moving musical tribute to honor our late queen and sister, Aretha,” said Gladys Knight. “She was an icon and visionary, radiated light and love through all of her life’s work, and touched all of us through her incredible gift of music.” “Aretha was the voice of a generation,” said music director, composer and producer Rickey Minor.
“She transcended racial barriers by reaching into the depths of her soul and taking us on a journey with every note she sang. Her spirit will live forever in her music.” One of the most iconic voices in music history, Franklin accumulated six American Music Awards in her lifetime, including Favorite Female Artist – Soul/R&B (1976, 1977, 1984 and 1986), Favorite Female Video Artist – Soul/R&B (1986) and Favorite Album – Soul/R&B (1983). She served as host of and performed on the AMAs in 1976 and 1983, and last performed on the AMAs stage in 1986.
Franklin left a resounding mark on the music world and beyond, also garnering an induction into the Rock and Roll and Rhythm and Blues Halls of Fame, a Kennedy Center Honor, a Presidential Medal of Freedom, and by utilizing her voice for social issues including civil and women’s rights. The great ones endure, and Gladys Knight has long been one of the greatest. Very few singers
over the last fifty years have matched her unassailable artistry. This seven-time GRAMMY ® winner has enjoyed No. 1 hits in Pop, Gospel, R& B and Adult Contemporary, and has triumphed in film, television and live performance. Fall 2015 marked the release of Knight’s first mainstream dance record, “Just A Little,” in nearly twenty years. The song serves as lead single from her 12 th studio album that she is currently working on. Knight, who is a two-time GRAMMY winner in the gospel category, yet again embraced her gospel roots, releasing her inspirational album “Where My Heart Belongs” in September 2014. The album was a major success and won an NAACP Image Award for “Outstanding Gospel Album.” All told, Knight has recorded more than 38 albums over the years, including four solo albums during the past decade: “Good Woman” (1991), “Just for You” (1994), the
inspirational “Many Different Roads” (1999) and “At Last” (2001). “At Last” showed the world that she still has what it takes to record a hit album, employing the talents of contemporary producers like Randy Jackson, Gary Brown and James D.C. Williams III, Jon John, Jamey Jaz, Keith Thomas, Tom Dowd and Tiger Roberts. Her involvement in other creative undertakings, business ventures and humanitarian activities has been extensive, and has brought her honors from industry and
community alike.
The American Music Awards winners are voted entirely by fans. Voting is now open in all categories. For New Artist of the Year presented by Capital One ® Savor ® Card, Favorite Social Artist presented by Xfinity and Collaboration of the Year, fans can vote for each award 100 times per day, per voting platform in one or both of the ways below. Fans can vote for all other awards once per day, per voting platform.
Via web at VoteAMAs.com
Posting a tweet on Twitter that includes the nominee's name or Twitter handle, the category
name and #AMAs within the tweet
Voting for New Artist of the Year presented by Capital One Savor Card and Collaboration of the Year will close on Tuesday, Oct. 9 at 5:59:59 p.m. PDT, one hour into the live broadcast. Voting for all other categories will close on Thursday, Oct. 4 at 11:59:59 p.m. PDT.
American Music Awards nominees are based on key fan interactions as reflected on Billboard.com including streaming, album and digital song sales, radio airplay, social activity and touring. These measurements are tracked by Billboard and its data partners, including Nielsen Music and Next Big Sound, and reflect the time period of Sept. 15, 2017, through Aug. 9, 2018.
YouTube Music is the presenting sponsor of the “2018 American Music Awards.” Capital One Savor Card and Subaru of America, Inc. are sponsors of the “2018 American Music Awards.” Media partner is Cumulus Media/Westwood One.
The “2018 American Music Awards” is produced by dick clark productions. Barry Adelman, Mark Bracco and Tracee Ellis Ross are executive producers. Larry Klein is producer.
According To Whoopi Goldberg, ‘Sister Act 3’ Is In The Works
Whoopi Goldberg is preparing to get back in the habit, but it won’t be for long. The actress and The View panelist revealed on Good Morning Britain while promoting her upcoming UK appearances that she will be appearing in a new Sister Act film according to a report from Pride.com. However, the catch is that Goldberg’s role might just be a cameo. Another catch: the film won’t be another sequel, but a reboot. —
“We’ve been all over Disney begging,” she said to the British talk show. “They’ve decided that they’re going to go in a different direction with Sister Act. It won’t be Sister Act 3. It will be a brand new rendition of Sister Act, and I guess I’ll walk through a scene and that’s how they’ll say I was a part of it.”
According to the article, Goldberg has been adamant to reprise her role as Deloris Van Cartier/Sister Mary Clarence and according to Digital Spy, Goldberg also offered to direct a sequel last year. But apparently, Disney has its heart set on rebooting the franchise. How they will reboot it is still information that’s being held close to the vest.
The original Sister Act came to theaters in 1992 with Maggie Smith, Kathy Najimy, Wendy Makkena, Mary Wicks, Harvey Keitel and Bill Nunn rounding out the cast. The sequel Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit came out a year later with Goldberg, Najimy, Smith, Makkena and Wicks reprising their roles. The film also introduced audiences to Lauryn Hill as one of the Catholic students being whipped into musical shape for the church’s youth choir.
Source: Shadow & Act
Director Malcolm D. Lee (Of ‘Girl’s Trip’ & ‘Night School’) Sets Hip-Hop Comedy ‘Real Talk’ As His Next Film
Radha Blank, who penned episodes of ‘Empire’ and ‘She’s Gotta Have It,’ will write the script.
Just ahead of the opening of his Universal movie, Night School, director Malcolm D. Lee is reuniting with the studio for a new comedy.
Lee and Universal are developing Real Talk, an homage to old-school hip-hop that will be penned by Radha Blank, a writer whose credits include episodes of Empire and She’s Gotta Have it.
Based on a concept by Lee, the story tells of an old-school rapper who attempts to reunite his group to reclaim their past glory as one of the most influential hip-hop acts ever.
Lee is attached to direct the pic and will produce via his Blackmaled Productions banner.
Blackmaled senior vp productions and development Melanie N. Clark will oversee alongside Universal executive vp production Kristin Lowe and creative executive Mika Pryce.
Lee has made a career of black-centric comedies ranging from Undercover Brother to Barbershop: The Next Cut. He last directed Universal’s Girls Trip, the surprise hit that made over $115 million domestically. Night School, which stars Kevin Hart and Tiffany Haddish, bows Friday.
Lee is repped by Paradigm and Del Shaw. Blank is repped by CAA and Del Shaw.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
‘Saturday Night Live’ Has Awkwafina Of ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ Fame To Host
Crazy Rich Asians‘ Awkwafina will host Saturday Night Live‘s second show of the season on Oct. 6, making her SNL debut. Seth Meyers, the show’s former Weekend Update co-anchor, will host the third episode on Oct. 13.
Musical guests for the episodes are Grammy Award-nominated Travis Scott, making his first SNL appearance on Oct. 6, and for the Meyers episode, Paul Simon, returning to the show for the 15th time.
The appearance by Simon is of particular note to longtime SNL fans. Lorne Michaels’ old pal was a frequent presence on the show in its early days, and he recently concluded what he’s said is his final tour. His just-released 14th studio album, “In the Blue Light” revisits 10 of his personal favorites from his body of work.
Simon will celebrate his 77th birthday on Oct. 13, the night of his SNL appearance.
This week’s season premiere host is Adam Driver with musical guest Kanye West.
Source: Deadline
Comedy Central Records Debuts Comedian Langston Kerman’s New Album And Special Titled ‘Lightskinned Feelings’
Comedy Central Records announced today that Langston Kerman’s debut album, Lightskinned Feelings, will be released on Friday, September 28, the same day Kerman is featured in the Season 2 premiere episode of Comedy Central Stand-Up Presents… at 11:00 p.m. ET/PT on Comedy Central.
In Lightskinned Feelings, Kerman is super afraid to explore difficult topics like the Baha Men and white women who believe in ghosts, but somehow he powers through and does it anyway. Recorded at the historic Punchline Comedy Club in San Francisco, the album is available for purchase on iTunes and for on-demand streaming on Apple Music, Spotify, Pandora Premium and Stitcher Premium.
Comedy Central Stand-Up Presents… showcases emerging classes of exciting, dynamic stand-up talent through its slates of half-hour specials airing on Comedy Central. The weekly series is a vital springboard in the network’s talent-development pipeline for stand-up and scripted projects on all platforms.
Lightskinned Feelings Track List
Intro Baby Girl
Oh Canada (With Yo’ Fine Ass)
Bipartisan Issue
Monte Da Gawd
The White Spirit
Y’all Just Making This Shit Up
A Grandfather’s Love
Horny from a Distance
Built for Stamps
The Atlanta Invitational
People Who Don’t Know How to Work the Internet
An Ode to The Pink Slipper
Eloquent & Broke
Early Retirement
Cocaine is for Closers
Langston Kerman is a Los Angeles-based stand-up comic, actor and writer originally from Oak Park, IL. Kerman was chosen by director/executive producers Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg to star in their FX pilot Singularity, which was written and also executive produced by Sonny Lee (It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia). Last year Kerman recurred as “Jared” on the HBO series Insecure. Kerman has appeared Adam Devine’s House Party, High Maintenance, Strangers and Comedy Bang! Bang!. Kerman was a part of Chris Rock’s writing staff for the 2016 Oscars and also wrote for Comedy Central’s Problematic with Moshe Kasher and the network’s forthcoming scripted series South Side. In 2015 Kerman was honored as a New Face at the Just For Laughs festival and chosen as a finalist for the StandUp NBC diversity showcase at the Hollywood Improv. He has toured all over the country.
Comedy Central Records is home to the biggest names in stand-up with albums from top comedians Amy Schumer, Daniel Tosh, Kevin Hart, Hannibal Buress, Jim Gaffigan, Tracy Morgan, Patton Oswalt, Nate Bargatze, John Mulaney, Marc Maron, Natasha Leggero, and many more.
The Comedian Known As Luenell Stuns In A New Spread For Penthouse Magazine!
Long before her breakout role as the “hooker with the heart of gold” in the 2006 hit comedy Borat, comedian Luenell spoke openly about her body, beauty, and public perception. Now, fans can see this extraordinary diva in all her glory, along with an evocative interview that sheds more light on one of today’s biggest and brightest stars. The exposé titled “HEY, LUENELL” is a key feature in the April edition of Penthouse magazine slated to hit newsstands on March 21st!
“It was the opportunity of a lifetime because Penthouse wanted to do much more than just go skin deep,” said Luenell. “Looking closer at social media, Hollywood stereotypes, body shaming, and the current political landscape, posing for Penthouse empowered me to be real with y’all in a way that was previously unavailable to me.” Luenell continued, “ These things affect us all, and this is a more honest look than anything you’ll see in the mainstream. Naked truth can be as sexy as a naked body.”
Penthouse CEO Kelly Holland added, “For the past 52 years, Penthouse magazinehas lead the conversation about the progression of sex, sexuality, and sex appeal—a conversation that is still woefully unexplored today.” Holland continued, “We’re huge fans of Luenell—her style, her attitude, her fierce honesty—and her layout reveals everything about who she is, who we are as a brand, and the world we want women to live in today.”
“I want to make history with this shoot,” said Luenell. “It’s already made history for me. I had cold feet, but they warmed up very quickly when I walked on set. I just said, “Eff it!” People can go fuck themselves if they feel any type of way about what I’m doing.”
Take a look at one of today’s sexiest renegades when the April issue of Penthousemagazine hits newsstands March 21st and see for yourself!
Luenell can be seen next in the new film A Star Is Born with Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga on Oct 5th and in the upcoming remake of Dolemite titled Dolemite Is My Name with Eddie Murphy set to premiere on Netflix sometime in 2019, On TV Luenell will be in TV Land’s Lopezon March 29th.
Bill Cosby Sentenced To 3-10 Years In State Prison
Just less than two hours after being designated a sexually violent predator, Bill Cosby has been sentenced to xxx years in prison by a Pennsylvania judge after being convicted for the 2004 rape of former Temple University employee Andrea Constand.
The ruling by Judge Steven O’Neill comes nearly three years after the much accused actor once known as “America’s Dad” was arrested an charged with three counts of aggravated indecent assault against Constand. With Cosby sitting in the Norristown, PA courthouse, Tuesday’s long-expected decision comes six months after a jury found the actor guilty of all three counts in a retrial.
“No one is above the law,” O’Neil said from the bench to Cosby, who was seated just in front of him in the Montgomery County courtroom. He added that it’s no matter what their “wealth, fame, celebrity or even philanthropy” — a clear dig at the latter element Cosby’s lawyers frequently brought regarding their client’s character.
Proclaiming he felt feel a duty to “the public, the Commonwealth and the defendant,” O’Neill said there would be “no probation, no limited confinement” such as home arrest. “I am compelled to consider the guidelines,” O’Neill told the court of the prison time, which is up to four years under legislative rules in the law.
“This is a court of law and I plan to sentence you under the law,” O’Neill said.
Attorneys for Cosby are expected to quickly file an appeal, but their client will have to cool his heels in prison while that case moves up to the state Supreme Court. His prison time will start immediately in a state facility; he had been under house arrest and out on $1 million bail.
Reading poetry of a great fall and noting “who he is and who he was,” O’Neill told Cosby while reading his sentence that he will have to participate in sex offenders treatment while behind bars.
More than 60 women have come forward in the past few years with accounts of Cosby drugging and assaulting them, but the Pennsylvania action was the only criminal case in the country due to the Keystone State’s longer-than-usual statute of limitations for sex crimes. Constand and several other alleged victims were in the jam-packed courtroom this afternoon.
Cosby is the first major conviction of the #MeToo and Time’s Up era that has seen the likes of Harvey Weinstein, Kevin Spacey, ex-CBS boss Les Moonves and others investigated, dethroned and, in the case of Weinstein, charged with crimes in the past year.
Having gone through a battalion of defense lawyers since being charged, Cosby sat in court yesterday and today as his current team tried to convince O’Neill to spare the 81-year-old prison time based on his age and health. But with more than 80 inmates older than Cosby in Pennsylvania’s prison system, and a recently opened $400 million facility for seniors with health issues like the actor, the argument never gained traction with either the judge or the D.A.
“You were old then,” the judge said while reading the sentence today, decimating the belief that Cosby is too old and sick for prison.
The guilty verdict at the April retrial held a combined sentence of up to 30 years, but on Monday the Montgomery County D.A. and the defense agreed to collapse the three counts into one with a 10-year maximum sentence. In recently filed paperwork and in closing arguments, D.A. Kevin Steele advocated for a sentence close to a decade plus fines and court costs. However, O’Neill indicated Monday that he was looking at a sentence closer to the state guidelines of 22 to 36 months.
Surrounded by his legal team, including an already hired appeal lawyer, Cosby was in apparently intense conversation with the attorneys before the final stage of the sentencing hearing began Tuesday. Unlike when he became a convicted felon this spring, he did not verbally lash out at the prosecution with shouts of “a**hole.”
Meanwhile, today’s earlier ruling labeling Cosby a sexually violent predator means he must register as a sex offender for the rest of his life and check in with state police monthly. With the prison time, Cosby will also be required to attend counseling and provide details of any change in residence once he is released.
As sources told Deadline today, the Cosby will be handcuffed in the courtroom and led out by Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department deputies. He will then be taken to the lower part of the courthouse to complete paperwork before being transported to a nearby state prison.
Even as Cosby has admitted in depositions in a civil suit more than 10 years ago to giving Constand several Benadryl pills on the night of the alleged assault in his Philadelphia-area mansion in 2004, Cosby has unsuccessfully insisted through various investigations and two trials that the encounter with the ex-Temple University employee was consensual.
Source: Deadline
Rapper Lil Yachty To Star In Comedy ‘How High 2’ for MTV
Rapper Lil Yachty has been cast in the lead role of the MTV film “How High 2,” its been reported.
The film began production in Atlanta today. It is a follow up to the 2001 stoner comedy “How High” starring Method Man and Redman. It will premiere on MTV in 2019.
Lil Yachty plays Roger, an entrepreneur and the younger brother of one of the protagonists from the original film. Per the official description by MTV, Roger and his friend go “on a magical hash-fueled journey to fund their on-demand munchies delivery start-up.”
This will not be Lil Yacthy’s first acting role. He previously appeared as himself in an episode of George Lopez’s TV Land series “Lopez” and provided the voice for Green Lantern in the hit animated film “Teen Titans Go! To the Movies.” The Atlanta rapper also acted in a very different recent project: an improbable sing-dong duet with ‘70s teen-pop icon Donny Osmond for Chef Boyardee. “Start The Par-dee,” a full-length jingle that debuted as a music video and an original track on streaming outlets last month. It’s the most recent in a series of high-profile commercial team-ups for the Atlanta rapper, who’s also worked with Target & Carly Rae Jepsen as well as Sprite & Lebron James (and released his second full-length album, “Lil Boat 2,” last March).
“How High 2” is written by Alex Blagg, Neel Shah, Shawn Ries, and Artie Johann. Bruce Leddy will direct. Shauna Garr returns as a producer alongside Mike Elliot. Josh Vodnoy, Morgana Rosenberg, and Jason Goldberg serve as executive producers for MTV. The film is produced by MTV and Universal 1440 Entertainment.
Source: Variety
Trailer For New Trailer ‘The Oath’ Starring Tiffany Haddish And Ike Barinholtz Political Dark Comedy Released
The latest trailer for The Oath, a political comedy starring Tiffany Haddish and Ike Barinholtz,teases more from the film, such as John Cho’s role as a government agent.
Cho plays one of the government agents assigned to check individuals who prohibit others from signing the compulsory oath to the president. The oath, in the film’s slightly alternate universe of American politics, comes from a draconian right-wing president who wants the entire country to swear loyalty to him. Haddish and Barinholtz play a liberal couple who must survive a Thanksgiving with conservative family members as the countdown to the deadline for signing the oath dwindles.
Haddish’s role is also fleshed out more. In the official description, her character, Kai, is described as level-headed compared to her news junkie husband, Chris (Barinholtz), and this trailer does show more of Kai’s frustration with Chris’ inability to keep his mouth shut long enough to get out of the family Thanksgiving visit unscathed.
The Roadside Attractions film also stars Jon Barinholtz, Nora Dunn, Carrie Brownstein, Billy Magnussen and Chris Ellis. Barinholtz wrote and directed the film. He also acted as a producer with Sean McKittrick, David Stassen, Andrew Robinson and Ray Mansfield. Haddish, Edward H. Hamm Jr. and Kristen Murtha are executive producers. The Oath comes to select theaters October 12 and opens nationwide October 19th.