On This Day In Comedy… In 1994 ‘Beverly Hills Cop III’ Was Released By Paramount Pictures
On this day in comedy on May 25, 1994, Beverly Hills Cop III was released by Paramount Pictures
This third installment in the trilogy reteams Eddie Murphy and director, John Landis. They worked previously on the comedy classics, Trading Places and Coming to America. This film does not follow that tradition. In Beverly Hills Cop III Murphy reprises his signature role of Axel Foley, the wisecracking detective from Detroit who always finds himself in Beverly Hills. This time it’s because somebody killed his boss (as opposed to his friend) and Murphy has to get to the bottom of it and the only place to do that is any place but where the murder took place.
On this outing, the suspects are counterfeiters (as opposed to drug or gun runners). Murphy hooks up with the newly promoted Billy Rosewood from the first two films (Ronny Cox and John Ashton reportedly passed once they did a little thing like read the script) and his new partner and it’s on and cracking. They’re off to Wonder World in Encino, California (but it was really in Santa Clara) where Murphy gets to know Theresa Randle. Naturally, his cover is blown when he’s caught snooping around where he doesn’t belong and now they’re out to kill him. Even more naturally he avoids all that murder-the-star nonsense and triumphs triumphantly at the climatic end. The owner of Wonder World is so grateful he names a new theme park character he made up in his old hospital ridden head after Murphy, Axel Fox. Corny end to a similar toned flick.
However, despite being critically lambasted, Beverly Hills Cop III had a good cast: Judge Reinhold, Jon Tenney, Hector Elizondo, Alan Young, Joey Travolta, Stephen McHattie, John Saxon, Timothy Carhart, Michael Bowen and Bronson Pinchot. And besides the action sequences, one of the highlights of the film were the cameos. George Lucas, John Singleton, Barbet Schroeder, Jerry Dunphy, Ray Harryhausen, Arthur Hiller, Joe Dante and Robert B. Sherman appear (composing brother Richard Sherman shot, but it didn’t make the final edit).
Beverly Hills Cop III was made on a reported budget of $50 million and grossed $42 million domestically and $77.2 internationally for a worldwide box office gross of $119.2 million.
DJ Envy Of Power 105’s The Breakfast Club, Lands New Docu-Comedy Titled ‘Gold With Envy’ On Bravo!
DJ Envy currently co-hosts Power 105’s The Breakfast Club, but the syndicated radio show won’t be the only place you can see Envy in the coming months. According to a May 21 report from Variety, cable network Bravo has ordered 11 new shows, including a new docu-comedy about the radio personality and his family titled Gold With Envy.
According to the official description for the upcoming show, the series will follow Envy and his wife Gia as they attempt to balance their hectic lives. The show will also feature a cast that includes friends, extended family and their five children, as the couple “works to keep up the street cred that has made them a household name.”
Gold With Envy will be produced by Truly Original, while Steven Weinstock, Glenda Hersh and Lauren Eskelin will serve as executive producers. Envy and his wife will also work as co-executive producers.
“Bravo offers a wide scope of programming that gives viewers many options to escape their normal reality mixing humor and fun with layered storytelling resulting in addictive series that offer unique worlds and characters,” said Rachel Smith, senior vice president of development for Bravo Media.
“With this new slate of development, we’re testing unexpected environments and loud formats that aim to attract a wide audience while staying true to what makes Bravo so distinct,” she continued.
The DJ celebrated the news on Instagram, posting a screenshot of the report and writing, “@bravotv + TheCaseyCrew = A Real Family Show… CoExecutive Producer – Raashaun & Gia Casey. Envy’s real name is Raashaun Casey.
Source: XXL
Lebron James And Channing Tatum Pitch New Comedy ‘Public Enemy’ For New Line
New Line has acquired the pitch “Public Enemy” with LeBron James and Channing Tatum’s production companies, SpringHill Entertainment and Free Association, on as producers.
Lucas Carter will pen the script, which is a subversive action-comedy that looks at the speed of media in our current landscape.
James and his SpringHill Entertainment partner, Maverick Carter, will produce. Spencer Beighley and Jamal Henderson will oversee for SpringHill. Michael Parets and Andrew Schneider will oversee for Free Association.
SpringHill has been active recently in setting up a strong slate, and New Line has been particularly interested in its material, as the two are currently working on a “House Party” reboot. SpringHill also recently sold a pitch to Legendary called “Hustle,” and is also exec producing the Netflix limited series “On Her Own Ground” starring Octavia Spencer.
SpringHill is repped by WME and Ziffren Brittenham.
Carter previously sold the pitch “The Gun Show” to Paramount with Michael Bay producing. He is also writing/creating and executive producing his first series “The Paperhanger” at ABC Signature, based on the acclaimed William Gay short story, with Ben Younger attached to direct. Carter is repped by UTA, Echo Lake, and Gang Tyre Ramer Brown & Passman.
Free Association, who is repped by UTA and Management 360, produced the “21 Jump Street” and “Magic Mike” franchises. Most recently, the company has produced “Logan Lucky” and the Amazon series “Comrade Detective.”
Source: Variety
Idris Elba To Star In ‘Hunchback Of Notre Dame’ For Netflix
Idris Elba will star as the Hunchback of Notre Dame for Netflix.
The Golden Globe winner will also direct and produce the project under his Green Door production shingle, and will also be producing original music for the feature, which is being described as a “sonic and musical experience.”
The Hunchback of Notre Dame, whichisperhaps best known as the ’90s Disney animated adaptation, is a 19th century gothic romance that follows Quasimodo, a hunchback, who falls in love with the gypsy Esmeralda.
Michael Mitnick, the scripter behind The Current War and The Giver, will write the modern day re-telling of the Victor Hugo classic.
Fred Berger (La La Land) and Brian Kavanaugh-Jones (Midnight Special) will produce for Automatik, along with Elba and Green Door’s Ana Garanito.
The Hunchback of Notre Dame is Elba’s latest foray into behind the camera work, having made his directorial debut this year with Sundance drama Yardie. He created and will star and exec produce comedy Turn Up Charlie that was ordered straight-to-series by Netflix.
Elba, who is repped by WME and the U.K.’s Artists Partnership, is currently in theaters with Avengers: Infiinity War. Minick is repped by WME, Grandview and Sloane Offer.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
Cedric The Entertainer Considering Reunion With The Late Bernie Mac Through Hologram Tour
According to AceShowBiz, Cedric The Entertainer has entertained the idea of reuniting the “Original Kings of Comedy”, complete with the late Bernie Mac.
The funnyman tells the Huffington Post that the idea of taking Bernie’s hologram on tour was something he considered seriously for a while.
“It did come about, it was one of those things,” he says. “The technology was supposedly getting a lot better, and maybe we would do a short bit where we put Bernie up in this hologram situation. It was gonna be an expensive task.”
Cedric also reveals he, Steve Harvey, and D.L. Hughley were close to hitting the road together again when Bernie fell ill.
“We tried, we were very close,” he adds. “We had a couple of scripted ideas, and then we had the idea of just getting back together to do a mini-tour. It was right around the time Bernie was ill.”
Mac, real name Bernard Jeffrey McCullough, died in August, 2008, aged 50.
Source: AceShowBiz
CBS Announces Premiere Date For ‘TKO: Total Knock Out’ Hosted By Kevin Hart
CBS today announced premiere dates for its summer schedule, including the obstacle course challenge TKO: TOTAL KNOCK OUT hosted by global superstar Kevin Hart; the 20th season of perennial summer favorite BIG BROTHER; and the return of thriller SALVATION.
Suspense thriller SALVATION premieres Monday, June 25 (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT). In season two, the world has learned about the impending threat of an asteroid on a COLLISION COURSE with earth. The question is: will the truth bring out the best…or the worst in humanity? All-new episodes of ELEMENTARY will follow at 10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT.
BIG BROTHER, hosted by Julie Chen and celebrating its 20th season, will once again have three weekly episodes. The hit reality series debuts with a special two-hour premiere on Wednesday, June 27 (8:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT), followed by the Thursday episode on June 28 (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) and the Sunday broadcast on July 1(8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT). On Wednesday, July 4, the show moves to 9:00 PM for the remainder of its Wednesday run. Last summer, all three editions of BIG BROTHER ranked in the summer’s top 10 in viewers and all key demos.
Beginning Wednesday, July 11 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT), CBS will present a remarkable new obstacle course challenge hosted by Kevin Hart, TKO: TOTAL KNOCK OUT from executive producer Mark Burnett. The game features one player racing through daunting obstacles while the other contestants are determined to knock them off course with huge projectiles.
About TKO: TOTAL KNOCK OUT
TKO: TOTAL KNOCK OUT is an obstacle course series with a twist. The game features one player racing through daunting obstacles while the other contestants are manning battle stations along the course, firing over-the-top projectiles in an attempt to knock them off and slow them down. Actor/comedian and global superstar Kevin Hart will take on the role of host for the first time in his career. TKO: TOTAL KNOCK OUT is produced by MGM Television and distributed internationally by MGM. Mark Burnett, President, MGM Television Group and Digital, and BARRY Poznick, President, Unscripted Television, MGM, are executive producers along with Kevin Hart, Holly Wofford and Jane Y. Mun. TKO is an original format created by Steve Hughes and Sean Kelly of Shaggy Entertainment, Inc.
About BIG BROTHER
Returning for a 20th season, BIG BROTHER follows a group of people living together in a house outfitted with 94 HD cameras and more than 113 microphones, recording their every move 24 hours a day. Each week, someone will be voted out of the house, with the last remaining Houseguest receiving the grand prize of $500,000. BIG BROTHER is produced by Emmy Award-winning producer Allison Grodner and Rich Meehan for Fly on THE WALL Entertainment, in association with Endemol Shine North America.
About SALVATION
SALVATION is a suspense thriller that centers on Liam Cole, an MIT grad student, and Darius Tanz, a tech superstar, who bring Pentagon official Grace Barrows a staggering discovery – that an asteroid is just six months away from colliding with Earth. In season two, the secret is out – the world learns the truth about the impending threat of an asteroid on a COLLISION COURSE with earth. The question is: will the truth bring out the best…or the worst in us? The answer, of course, is both. The series stars Santiago Cabrera, Jennifer Finnigan, Charlie Rowe, Jacqueline Byers, Melia Kreiling, Ashley Thomas and Ian Anthony Dale. Liz Kruger, Craig Shapiro, Alex Kurtzman, Heather Kadin, Stuart Gillard, Grace Gilroy and Peter Lenkov are the executive producers for CBS Television Studios in association with Secret Hideout.
CBS’ SUMMER 2018 SCHEDULE
Monday, June 25
9:00-10:00 PM
SALVATION (2nd Season Premiere)
10:00-11:00 PM
ELEMENTARY
Wednesday, June 27
8:00-10:00 PM
BIG BROTHER (2-Hour 20th Season Premiere)
Thursday, June 28
9:00-10:00 PM
BIG BROTHER (Thursday Premiere)
Sunday, July 1
8:00-9:00 PM
BIG BROTHER (Sunday Premiere)
Wednesday, July 4
9:00-10:00 PM
BIG BROTHER (Moves to regular Wednesday time period)
Wednesday, July 11
8:00-9:00 PM
TKO: TOTAL KNOCK OUT (Series Premiere)
Jamie Foxx To Host The 2018 BET Awards!
BET Networks, a unit of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIA.B sted NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), today announced Academy Award-winning actor and Grammy award-winning musician Jamie Foxx as this year’s “BET Awards” 2018 host. Returning to the stage as host for the second time after nearly a decade, Foxx joins an A-List roster of comedians and entertainers who have lit the room, including Leslie Jones, Anthony Anderson and Tracee Ellis Ross, Chris Rock, Mo’Nique, Kevin Hart and Chris Tucker. This year’s broadcast celebrates 18 years of dynamic performances, groundbreaking moments, the hottest talent in the game, and entertainment’s most thought-provoking players. Most importantly, the “BET Awards” continues to tackle culturally relevant topics and conversations, setting the standard for one of the most intently unconventional, news-provoking and talked-about broadcasts. The “BET Awards” 2018 will air LIVE on Sunday, June 24 at 8 pm ET from the Microsoft Theatre in Los Angeles, CA on BET.
An award-winning actor, musical artist, and renowned comedian, Jamie Foxx is one of Hollywood’s rare elite multi-faceted performers. Getting his start on the comedy circuit, Foxx burst into the mainstream with, “In Living Color” and “The Jamie Foxx Show.” He most recently appeared in Edgar Wright’s critically acclaimed, “Baby Driver,” alongside Ansel Elgort, and currently executive produces and hosts interactive game show, “Beat Shazam,” now in its second season. In November, Jamie will star in Lionsgate’s Robin Hood opposite Taron Egerton and Jamie Dornan. Foxx also recently wrapped production on his directorial debut, All-Star Weekend that he also wrote and stars in.
As previously announced, DJ Khaled dominates this year’s nominations with a total of 6 including ‘Video of the Year,’ two for ‘Best Collaboration,’ with Rihanna and Bryson Tiller for ‘Wild Thoughts,’ and with Jay-Z, Future and Beyoncé for ‘Top Off,’ ‘Album of the Year,’ and ‘Coca-Cola Viewer’s Choice.’ Kendrick Lamar follows with five nods including ‘Best Collaboration,’ with Rihanna for ‘Loyalty.,’ ‘Video of the Year,’ ‘Album of the Year,’ and ‘Coca-Cola Viewers’ Choice.’ Other leading nominees include Migos, nominated for four awards including ‘Best Group,’ and ‘Album of the Year,” and SZA, also nominated for four awards, including ‘Best Female R&B/Pop Artist’ and ‘Best New Artist.’
BET Networks recognizes artists, entertainers, and athletes across over 19 categories with the “BET Awards” 2018 nominations. The nominations are selected by BET’s Voting Academy, which is comprised of fans and an esteemed group of entertainment professionals in the fields of television, film, music, social media, digital marketing, sports journalism, public relations, and the creative arts.
The “BET Awards” 2018 will premiere around the world on BET’s international networks. It will air in the UK on June 26th at 9:00PM BST, in Africa on June 26th at 8:00PM CAT, in France on June 26th at 9:00PM CEST and in South Korea on June 26th at 9:00PM KST. Internationally, fans in 100 countries can also stream the “BET Awards” 2018 live with BET Play, BET International’s subscription video on demand application. The iOS and Android app, which also features current and classic BET television series, documentaries, stand-up comedy and legendary musical performances, will carry a live feed of the red carpet and the Awards, and is available for download now in the iTunes and Google Play stores for $3.99 a month following a seven-day free trial.
Connie Orlando, Executive Vice-President, Head of Programming at BET will serve as Executive Producer for the “BET Awards” 2018 along with Jesse Collins, CEO of Jesse Collins Entertainment.
Comedian Jon Laster Fired From Atlantic City Casino For Doing A Joke About Donald Trump!
According to comedian Jon Laster, one of the most traveled comedians across the country, he was recently fired from an Atlantic City Casino because he performed a Donald Trump joke on stage. According to his social media posts, he was booed on stage for performing the joke and was reprimanded. The reprimand escalated to him being taken off the gig for a week. It also has stirred up some drama from the Atlantic City Casino executives as we hear they are trying to make sure Laster never works there again. No word yet on what the actual joke was-yet.
More on this as the story develops.
Check out the post below;
Halle Berry Joins The Cast Of ‘John Wick: Chapter 3’!
Halle Berry, Anjelica Huston, Asia Kate Dillon, Mark Dacascos, and Jason Mantzoukas have joined the cast of “John Wick: Chapter 3.”
The film, starring Keanu Reeves, will bring back Laurence Fishburne, Ian McShane, and Lance Reddick. It will be released by Lionsgate’s Summit Entertainment label on May 17, 2019.
Reeves’ character returns with a $14 million price tag on his head and an army of bounty-hunting killers on his trail. After killing a member of the shadowy international assassin’s guild, the High Table, John Wick is excommunicado, but the world’s most ruthless hit men and women await his every turn.
“We’re thrilled to bring audiences the third installment of our hit ‘John Wick’ franchise with an exciting cast and world-class creative team,” said Lionsgate Motion Picture Group chairman Joe Drake. “This is our latest expansion of the ‘John Wick’ universe, which already spans film, television, gaming, and location-based entertainment.”
“John Wick: Chapter 3” will introduce Berry as “Sofia”; Huston as “The Director” and Dillon as “The Adjudicator” of the High Table; Dacascos as an assassin named “Zero;” and Mantzoukas as the “Tick Tock Man.” Also joining the cast are Yayan Ruhian and Cecep Arif Rahman, from “The Raid” franchise, as formidable professional killers that Wick has to face off against, as well as martial arts star Tiger Hu Chen from “Man of Tai Chi.”
Chad Stahelski is returning to direct, and Thunder Road Pictures’ Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee are producing in association with 87Eleven Productions. The franchise is based on an original screenplay by Derek Kolstad. “John Wick: Chapter 3” was written by Kolstad, Chris Collins & Marc Abrams, and Shay Hatten. The third film began principal photography in New York and will move production to Morocco later this year.
The franchise has been a success for the studio, hauling $260 million worldwide. Both films were directed by Chad Stahelski from scripts written by Derek Kolstad, with Reeves portraying a retired hitman seeking vengeance for the killing of his puppy — a gift from his late wife.
Both “John Wick” movies featured elaborate stunts and an impressive body count as Reeves fended off numerous gunmen out to do him in. The second film featured a “Matrix” reunion, with Fishburne starring. Reeves and Fishburne toplined all three “Matrix” films as Neo and Morpheus, respectively.
Source: Variety
R. Kelly Accused Of Sexual Assault And Infecting Woman With Herpes!
A woman filed a lawsuit Monday against R. Kelly, alleging that the singer sexually assaulted her, locked her in rooms to punish her for failing to please him and infected her with herpes.
Faith Rodgers alleges she was in a relationship with Kelly for less than a year, during which time he routinely abused her “mentally, sexually and verbally.” Rodgers alleges that Kelly would video-record her against her will “submitting to deviant and compromising sexual contact.”
“Defendant, R. Kelly, locked Plaintiff in secluded areas including rooms, studios and motor vehicles, for extended periods of time in order to punish Plaintiff for failing to please Defendant sexually and/or for perceived offenses and violations of his prescribed code of conduct,” the suit alleges.
The suit, filed in New York Supreme Court, states allegations of sexual battery, fraud and false imprisonment.
Rodgers, 20, met Kelly a year ago after a concert in San Antonio. They exchanged phone numbers, and Kelly later had her flown out to New York. During their first sexual encounter, Rodgers said she told Kelly she was “not ready to have sex,” but that he disregarded her and engaged in “non-permissive, painful and abusive sex.” Afterward, she alleges that he disparaged what he called her physical inadequacies and “lack of participation.”
She said she only learned later that Kelly had herpes, and that she had been infected.
Rodgers is scheduled to appear Tuesday on “CBS This Morning” to discuss the allegations, which were first leveled in a criminal complaint to Dallas police last month.
Kelly has faced repeated allegations of sexual misconduct, and has recently been targeted by the Time’s Up movement. Spotify has removed him from its playlists.
