DL Hughley Prepares To Shoot New Comedy Special Titled ‘Contrarian’ For Netflix!
Comedian and radio show host DL Hughley is taking a quick timeout to shoot a new special! According to our sources, we hear that Hughley is preparing to shoot his new comedy special titled Contrarian, in Philadelphia at The Mariam Theater on May 11th for Netflix.
As you already know, Hughley is currently on tour with Cedric The Entertainer, George Lopez, and Eddie Griffin on The Comedy Get Down Tour (which also had a quick run on BET). While touring, Hughley also finds time to continue to be an author (his latest book is titled How Not To Get Shot which debuts June 6th) whiledoing a daily radio broadcast nationally on The DL Hughley Show. His new special Contrarian is his sixth comedy special.
More details soon.
Ryan Coogler Would Make A Female ‘Black Panther’ Spinoff
Ryan Coogler shattered a lot of records by directing “Black Panther,” the first comic-book movie led by a primarily black cast. But during a nearly two-hour talk at the Cannes Film Festival on Thursday afternoon, Coogler also revealed why it was important to break other studio-tentpole conventions.
When asked by moderator and critic Elvis Mitchell if the women of “Black Panther” were as important as the men, Coogler didn’t flinch. “I think you could argue they are more important,” he said.
Coogler went on to describe a stretch of the movie that is close to his heart (warning: minor spoilers ahead). “There’s a whole section of the film where T’Challa is out of the movie and you’re just following the women,” Coogler said about a scene where the titular hero (played by Chadwick Boseman) is left for dead and needs to be rescued. “That’s one of my favorite parts of the movie when I watched it, and I didn’t expect that.”
He explained how those scenes subverted his expectations. “That part of the movie you feel like you’re watching something fresh and new,” he said. “That part of it was exciting. We have these actresses who could easily carry their own movie,” he said, as he mentioned Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, and Letitia Wright. “Some of them have before. We were so fortunate. I would watch a movie with them!”
Would he ever do a spinoff with the ladies of “Black Panther”? “Oh man,” Coogler said. “That would be amazing if the opportunity came up. They did it in the comic-book version.”
Coogler recalled how Marvel first pitched “Black Panther” to him. “They said they wanted ‘Panther’ to feel like their James Bond, which I was excited about, because I love James Bond movies.” (He said his favorite film in the franchise is “Casino Royale.”)
“Once we realized the themes we wanted to explore, we watched different films,” Coogler continued. His list included “The Godfather,” for its relationship between fathers and sons. “Making a film about a guy who lives in a secretive country, his father dies, now he has to step into this position of power,” Coogler said. “‘The Godfather’ is one of the greatest films ever made on the same subject matter. I kind of realized the best way for me to look at ‘Black Panther’ is like a crime movie.”
He tried not to make that comparison too much. “You’re making a superhero movie. If you want to make it like ‘The Godfather,’ you sound scary. I was worried about people thinking we were aiming too high.”
Before production began, Coogler took his first trip to Africa. “I was in these Disney-approved hotels,” he said. “It felt like I was in San Francisco or something. The people who were working there seemed like my kind of people — people loading bags, the bellmen, the people working in the kitchen.”
It was crucial to him that the movie felt authentic to the continent. “We wanted the film to be an African film in all ways,” Coogler said. “Wakanda is what we could be. People call it a utopia. Some people call it a dream world or something to shoot for. The idea in Wakanda is everybody is allowed to have their fullest potential realized.”
Source: Variety
The New Jerrod Carmichael-Produced ‘Rel’ Comedy In Jeopardy!
Pilot season is in full swing with new series orders being announced each day.
Due to new developments at Fox, one comedy pilot that got early buzz may now get delayed until midseason.
Last week, it was announced that Fox was working to bring back ABC’s Last Man Standing, starring Tim Allen as a conservative husband and father. This movie was seemingly propelled by the success of the conservative Roseanne Barr on the reboot of her titular comedy series.
In a domino effect, Last Man Standing‘s probable pickup led to boosting the chances of Cool Kids, a retirement home comedy led by Vicki Lawrence, which also stars David Alan Grier. Fox sees this as a companion to Last Man Standing on the schedule (Note: As of publishing, Last Man Standing has not officially been picked up yet).
And because of this, the early comedy frontrunners, Rel and Dan the Weatherman,according to Deadline, are still be in contention at the network, but may be held until the midseason.
The potential series Rel would reunited Jerrod Carmichael and Lil Rel Howery, with Carmichael EP-ing and Howery toplining the series.
Sinbad (in what would be his first series regular role in over 20 years), Jordan L. Jones, Jessica “Jess Hilarious” Moore also star. It revolves around a “prideful, self-made success who lives by the code to ‘always believe in yourself and great things will come,’ who finds that attitude put to the test when he learns his wife is having an affair with his own barber. He tries to rebuild his life post-divorce as a long-distance single father on the South Side of Chicago who is on a quest for love, respect and a new barber.” Howery is writing the script and Carmichael is an EP. Mike Scully is the would-be showrunner.
Source: Shadow & Act
Spotify Removes R. Kelly’s Music From Its Playlists!
Spotify is removing R. Kelly’s music from its editorial and algorithmic playlists as part of its updated policy toward hate content and hateful conduct, the company announced today.
“We are removing R. Kelly’s music from all Spotify owned and operated playlists and algorithmic recommendations such as Discover Weekly,” the company said in a statement. “His music will still be available on the service, but Spotify will not actively promote it. We don’t censor content because of an artist’s or creator’s behavior, but we want our editorial decisions – what we choose to program – to reflect our values. When an artist or creator does something that is especially harmful or hateful, it may affect the ways we work with or support that artist or creator.”
The company acknowledged that Kelly is the only artist thus far to be affected by the policy. Last August Spotify removed white supremacist content from its content.
In announcing the policy (read it here), the company said: “To help us identify hate content, we have partnered with rights advocacy groups, including The Southern Poverty Law Center, The Anti-Defamation League, Color Of Change, Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ), GLAAD, Muslim Advocates, and the International Network Against Cyber Hate. We also built an internal content monitoring tool, ‘Spotify AudioWatch,’ which identifies content on our platform that has been flagged as hate content on specific international registers. And we listen to our users – if you think something is hate content, please let us know and we will review it carefully against our policy.”
Over the past 25 years, Kelly has been hit with multiple accusations of sexual misconduct against young and underaged women. Among others, these range from child-pornography charges (for which he was acquitted in 2008, despite a videotape that prosecutors claim shows him urinating on and having sex with a 13-year-old girl) to more recent allegations that he is running an “abusive sex cult” in which he “controls every aspect of [several women’s] lives.” Kelly has denied all of the charges. He has continued to tour and record and remains on the active roster of RCA Records, although he hasn’t released an album since 2016.
Yet WOC, the women of color branch within the #TimesUp movement, recently joined the #MuteRKelly online campaign and targeted him as their next subject after Bill Cosby’s conviction, and there are signs that the allegations are becoming too much for many people to continue to support him.
Last week his manager, publicist and entertainment attorney all confirmed they are no longer working with him (although he already has a new publicist and apparently new management) who is attempting to characterize the #TimesUp statements as “a greedy, conscious and malicious conspiracy to demean him.” John Legend, Ava DuVernay and many other celebrities have spoken out against him; several concerts, including one this weekend in his hometown of Chicago, have been cancelled due to public outcry and petitions; and RCA labelmate Jack Antonoff of Bleachers said he’s asked the company many times to drop Kelly.
Last week a veteran music-business attorney told Variety that it’s possible RCA, which has declined all comment on Kelly in recent months except for confirming to Variety in December that he is still on the label’s roster, may be allowing its contract with the singer to lapse.
Source: Variety
Cedric The Entertainer And Damon Wayans Jr. Comedy Pilots Get Series Orders At CBS
CBS is showing more determination to diversify its roster by signing off on two pilot-to-series orders on multicamera comedies starring Cedric the Entertainer and Damon Wayans Jr., as reported by multiple trade publications.
The first series, Welcome to the Neighborhoodstars Cedric, Josh Lawson (House of Lies), Marcel Spears (The Mayor) and Sheaun McKinney (Snowfall). As we reported in March, the series will center around Lawson’s character Dave, “the nicest guy in the Midwest, who moves his family into a tough neighborhood in Los Angeles, where not everyone appreciates his extreme neighborliness.” Tichina Arnold (Survivor’s Remorse) will play Loretta, one of Dave’s new neighbors. She’s married to Calvin (Cedric) and is the mother of Malcolm and Marty (Spears and McKinney). Dreama Walker and Hank Greenspan round out the cast. Welcome to the Neighborhood is produced by Kapital Entertainment, directed by James Burrows and written by Jim Reynolds (The Big Bang Theory).
The second pilot, currently untitled, stars Wayans and is executive produced by Ben Winston, executive producer of The Late Late Show with James Corden. Wayans’ attachment to the project is suspected to be the biggest talent deal of this year’s pilot season. The series focuses on the time Wayans lived with One Direction’s Harry Styles, who has signed on to executive produce. According to Deadline, the show isn’t based on any real experiences or people from Wayans and Styles’ lives.
As we’ve reported, the synopsis for the series follows a couple, Peter and Claire, who “are tired of their mundane life and start to reconnect with their younger, cooler selves when an emerging pop star, who is drawn to their super-normal suburban life, moves in.” Wayans will play Peter, the business manager for young music star Cooper, played by Australian actor Felix Mallard. Amber Stevens West (The Carmichael Show) has signed on to play Peter’s wife, Claire.
Source: Shadow & Act
Sony Sets An Official Released Date For ‘Bad Boys For Life’!
Sony has given an Oct. 18, 2019, release date to the Mr. Rogers drama “You Are My Friend,” with Tom Hanks attached, and set “Bad Boys for Life” to open on Jan. 17, 2020.
“Bad Boys for Life” is the third film in the action comedy franchise, with Martin Lawrence and Will Smith as detectives in the Miami Police Department, Marcus Burnett and Mike Lowrey. The filmmaking team of Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah is expected to direct “Bad Boys For Life,” with Jerry Bruckheimer back as producer.
The original “Bad Boys” grossed $144 million in worldwide box office and was the first major feature film hit for both Lawrence and Smith. 2003’s “Bad Boys II” generated $273 million worldwide. “Bad Boys for Life” will open during the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend.
“Diary of a Teenage Girl” director Marielle Heller is helming “You Are My Friend” from a script by Micah Fitzerman-Blue and Noah Harpster. The film is inspired by a real-life friendship between Fred Rogers and award-winning journalist Tom Junod. In the story, a cynical journalist begrudgingly accepts an assignment to write a profile piece on the beloved icon and finds his perspective on life transformed.
Big Beach Films is producing with Marc Turtletaub and Peter Saraf producing for the company alongside Youree Henley (“The Beguiled”). Leah Holzer of Big Beach will executive produce, along with Fitzerman-Blue and Harpster. The project originated from a true story developed by Fitzerman-Blue and Harpster, first appearing on the Black List in 2013.
Source: Variety
WATCH: Teaser Trailer-First Look At The New ‘Predator’ Relaunch!
“Tell me about the mission – did you see anything unusual?” Hmm, there’s a loaded question, and a nice set-up for this first teaser trailer for Shane Black’s The Predator.
Here’s what we know from the logline for what’s being called a “reinvention” of the series (based on characters created by Jim Thomas & John Thomas): “From the outer reaches of space to the small-town streets of suburbia, the hunt comes home in Shane Black’s explosive reinvention of the Predator series. Now, the universe’s most lethal hunters are stronger, smarter and deadlier than ever before, having genetically upgraded themselves with DNA from other species. When a young boy accidentally triggers their return to Earth, only a ragtag crew of ex-soldiers and a disgruntled science teacher can prevent the end of the human race.”
The trailer gives a hint about how the boy “triggers” the invasion. As costumed trick-or-treaters walk the suburban streets on Halloween, the boy opens a package that contains what appears to be a toy space ship. As the kid (Jacob Tremblay) plays with the mini-replica, we see the real thing heading our way.
As for the answer to that opening question – did the ex-soldier (Boyd Holbrook) see anything unusual on his latest space trip – the response (“Like an alien, you mean?)” confirms at least a little of what we (and a few characters) already know. Oh, and the creatures are attempting hybridization, which doesn’t sound good at all.
The Predator, from 20th Century Fox, was co-written by director Black with Fred Dekker, and features Holbrook, Tremblay, Trevante Rhodes, Keegan-Michael Key, Olivia Munn, Sterling K. Brown, Alfie Allen, Thomas Jane, Augusto Aguilera, Jake Busey and Yvonne Strahovski. It’s produced by John Davis.
Check out the teaser above. The Predator hits theaters September 14.
Laugh Out Loud Network and Just For Laughs Present Eat My Shorts!, A Competition in Search of the Funniest Short Films
Laugh Out Loud, the comedy brand and multi-platform network created by Kevin Hart and global content leader Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF.A, LGF.B), and Just For Laughs ComedyPROannounce the return of Laugh Out Loud Presents: Just For Laughs Eat My Shorts!, a competition in search of the funniest short films.
Starting today, a diverse pool of filmmakers is invited to review submission guidelines posted on the Just For Laughs ComedyPRO website and then follow the instructions to submit their work by way of FilmFreeway.
The deadline for submissions is May 31, 2018.
“Laugh Out Loud is committed to elevating the next generation of comedic filmmakers and their films,” says Amber Rasberry, Laugh Out Loud’s Executive Director of Production and Development. “We are excited to partner again with Just For Laughs, the world’s biggest comedy festival, to bring our audience fresh new content from emerging talent.”
“Just For Laughs is proud to welcome back Laugh Out Loud for a second year of Eat My Shorts!,” says Paul Ronca, Just For Laugh’s Director of Industry & Special Events Programming and Strategic Partner Development. “The Just For Laughs Festival has long been a place for young creators to showcase their talents. We’re especially excited to introduce the next generation of diverse filmmakers to both audience and industry executives attending the festival.”
Winners of last year’s inaugural competition, Marina Squerciati and Patrick Webb, were awarded a development deal for their film Special Skills: Episode 3 Hot Tea.
This year, 10 films will be selected by a team of Just For Laughs and Laugh Out Loud programming experts to stream on the Laugh Out Loud website and app beginning Wednesday, June 27, 2018. Laugh Out Loud viewers can then vote for their favorites with the top five films screening at the Just For Laughs Festival. The winning filmmaker(s) will be announced at the screening on Thursday, July 26, 2018 and will receive a $7,000 USD development deal with Laugh Out Loud.
SUBMISSION CRITERIA:
Films must speak to a diverse, multicultural, millennial audience and should not exceed 15 minutes in length (including credits). All types of comedy genres will be accepted. Films not in English must include subtitles. Films that have played other festivals are eligible, but submitted films cannot be publicly available online (private links on YouTube or Vimeo are acceptable).
Laugh Out Loud launched in August 2017 as a multi-platform network and streaming video service offering original scripted and unscripted comedy series, stand-up specials, licensed programming and live broadcasts. Its app quickly rose to the top of the iTunes app charts with more than 500,000 downloads in the first 30 days. Laugh Out Loud’s social network has also experienced rapid growth, recently surpassing 1 million subscribers on YouTube and counting more than 4.7 million followers on Facebook.
Just For Laughs ComedyPRO is the de facto event for the comedy industry, bringing together top talent and executives for four days of networking and deal-making. The event runs from July 25 – 28, 2018 at the Hyatt Regency Montreal, part of the 36th annual Just for Laughs Festival, which takes place July 11 – 29, 2018 in Montreal, Canada.
About Laugh Out Loud Network: Laugh Out Loud is a comedy brand and multi-platform network founded by the world’s top comedian Kevin Hart, in partnership with Lionsgate. Through his streaming video service Hart delivers his vision for the future of comedy: social, mobile, multicultural and seriously funny. From stand-up legends to globally-recognized digital influencers, Hart and LOL curate comedy’s boldest voices to produce original scripted and unscripted series, stand-up specials, live broadcasts and special events. Hart brings the groundbreaking social-first strategy that earned him 100 million+ followers to Laugh Out Loud, with one core mission: keep the world laughing. Dope Comedy. Delivered Daily. Always On. Always Loud. Directly from Kevin Hart and his hand-picked crew of comedic rockstars.
About Just For Laughs Group:
Founded in 1983, the Just For Laughs Group concentrates on three major focal points: festivals (in Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver and Sydney); television production and stand-up specials, most notably Gags, seen in 135 countries and on 95 airlines; and live shows, including Canadian tour dates for Jerry Seinfeld, Jim Gaffigan, Bill Burr, Kevin Hart, Jimmy Carr, Danny Bhoy, and North American dates for John Cleese & Eric Idle and Family Guy Live! to name a few. The Montreal Just For Laughs Festival, which celebrates its 36th edition in 2018, is the world’s largest and most prestigious comedy event, welcoming more than 2 million people each summer. The Group has offices in Montreal, Paris, Los Angeles, Toronto, and London.
About Just For Laughs ComedyPRO: Just For Laughs ComedyPRO is a unique, annual global gathering of the biggest players in the comedy industry. The event takes place during the peak industry/media/performer dates of the Just For Laughs Festival. You simply cannot get any closer to the people who truly make comedy happen than at Just For Laughs ComedyPRO! Registrants for this one-of-a-kind, four-day industry experience gain exclusive access to some of the most sought-after events in all of comedy, including keynotes, panels, ‘In Conversation’ sessions, industry luncheons, cocktail parties, and exclusive live performances from comedy’s buzziest podcast hosts.
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Stand Up Spotlight: This Episode Features Comedian Vincent Oshana!
For this new episode of our stand up spotlight, we feature comedian and actor Vincent Oshana, who has been featured on Russell Simmon’s Def Comedy Jam, and on Comedy Central, on the Half-Hour Special ‘THE NEXT LEVEL’ Presented by Kevin Hart.
Check out the video below;
Winston Duke And Lupita Nyong’o In New Jordan Peele Movie Titled ‘Us’
Winston Duke, Lupita Nyong’o and Elisabeth Moss are in various stages of talks to star in Jordan Peele’s latest movie project, the newly titled Us, for Universal Pictures.
The project is Peele’s first feature since Get Out, the little horror movie that became a pop culture phenomenon and Oscar-winner.
Peele is once again directing from his own script. He is also producing via his Monkeypaw Productions alongside Jason Blum and Sean McKittrick. Also producing is Monkeypaw’s Ian Cooper.
Uni has already dated the movie for March 15, 2019.
Details are being kept deep in suburbia but it is said to center on two couples, one white, one black. If deals make, Duke and Nyong’o would play one couple. Moss would play part of the other couple.
Nyong’o, who won an Oscar for her work on Twelve Years a Slave, was last seen in Marvel’s Black Panther. She is set to star opposite Viola Davis in TriStar’s The Woman King and is attached to star in the feature adaptation of Trevor Noah’s best-selling humor biography.
Duke appeared on a handful of television shows such as Person of Interest and Modern Family before landing the role of M’Baku in Panther. The character, both fierce and funny, was one of the breakout from the movie that grossed $1.3 billion. He also appeared in Avenger: Infinity War.
