On This Day In Comedy… In 1999 Eddie Murphy’s ‘Life’ Was Released!
On This Day in comedy on April 13, 1999, Lifewas released by Universal Pictures
Starring Eddie Murphy and Martin Lawrence, Life is the second time the duo worked together, and the last time Murphy did an R-rated film. The film dealt with two mismatched men thrown together by bad circumstances. Joined by perception they’re both accused of murder when they’re in the wrong place (a back alley) at the wrong time (after a man is killed) and get pinned with a crime that gets them sentenced to life in prison in the South; meaning a life of hard labor.
The story of Murphy and Lawrence is told by an old inmate (Obba Babatunde), who spent many of those years with them. He weaves the tale about how they were reluctant allies trying to initially get out through court appeal. That is until Lawrence tries to gain his freedom without including Murphy, who Lawrence views as a component to drag him down. Before entering prison, Lawrence was on his way to get a job working for a reputable bank. Murphy was a small-time hustler. For his betrayal Lawrence loses his girl (Sanaa Lathan) on the outside trying to help him. She leaves him for the lawyer working on his appeal. So, life it is. That’s when Lawrence decides to join Murphy in his schemes to escape through not-so-legal methods.
The years pass slowly. During their stay the pair meet various inmates who die one by one over the years including prison staff (Nick Cassavetes, Erik Begnal, Brent Jennings). The survivors grow old together, through escape attempt after attempt, punishment after getting caught after punishment. Then one day they are old enough to be assigned to work for a local big shot (Ned Beatty) as domestic help in his home. All is well until the bigshot goes hunting with another visiting bigshot, who turns out to be the murderer responsible for their incarceration. A confrontation occurs, and the old murderer is killed by the bigshot in defense of his workers. A pact is established between the three. The bigshot would release them the next day, but he died, and it was back to prison for them.
As the story is told two young inmates (Heavy D, Bonz Malone) are burying two bodies. They think it must be Lawrence and Murphy who reportedly were burned up in a prison fire. The old narrator smiles knowingly. That’s because those two old rascals (90 years old each) had escaped and the final scene has them taking in a live game at Yankee Stadium after so many years of denial from such a basic treat. Now we all smiled.
Life was directed by Ted Demme and written by Robert Ramsey & Matthew Stone. The cast consisted of comedians: Bernie Mac, Guy Torry, Miguel A. Nunez, Jr., Anthony Anderson; actors: Bokeem Woodbine, Clarence Williams III, Michael Taliferro and Barry Shababa Henley as well as musical legend, Rick James.
Life received mixed reviews and was considered a box office failure. On a budget of $80 million Life grossed $75,576,029 worldwide. Regardless it was nominated for a NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Motion Picture, an Academy Award for Best Makeup and won a BMI Film & TV Award for Most Performed Song from a Film.
On This Day In Comedy… In 1968 Comedian, Actor, Writer, And Producer Orlando Jones Was Born!
On this day in comedy on April 10, 1968, Comedian, Actor, Writer, Producer, Orlando Jones was born in Mobile, Alabama
After getting turned onto entertaining by playing a werewolf in a haunted house in high school, Orlando Jones graduated and got serious. He and fellow comedian, Michael Fechter formed a successful production company, Homeboy’s Productions and Marketing, with Michael Jordan being one of their clients. From there Jones got a writing gig for NBC’s A Different World and a small part on the sitcom as well. He next formed a relationship with the new Fox network. Jones wrote for Roc, appeared on Herman’s Head and co-produced The Sinbad Show. Though audiences might best remember him as one of the original cast members on Fox’s sketch comedy show, MADtv.
With limited sketch comedy experience, Jones relied heavily on his comedy writing and producing skills to cement his stature. He created memorable characters (Dexter St. Croix, Reverend LaMont Nixon Fatback) and provided spot-on impressions (Danny DeVito, Eddie Griffin, Ice Cube). After two seasons he left to do movies and racked up an impressive resume of comedies as well as dramas (In Harm’s Way, Sour Grapes, Woo, Office Space, Magnolia, Drumline, The Replacements, Bedazzled, Double Take, Biker Boyz, The Chicago 8 and more).
Despite big screen achievements, Orlando Jones never strayed far from television. A series of commercials for 7 Up put Jones on the national map for over two years and he took advantage of it. He hosted an HBO special, got his own talk show, guest starred on popular sitcoms (The Bernie Mac Show, Girlfriends, Everybody Hates Chris) and had a leading role on an ABC crime drama. He’s appeared in documentaries (Looking for Lenny), done voice-over work for cartoons (The Boondocks, Yuletide in the ‘hood, Father of the Pride, The Adventures of Chico & Guapo, King of the Hill) and performs stand-up nationwide.
Howard University Alumnus Chadwick Boseman To Deliver 2018 Commencement Address
Howard University President, Dr. Wayne A. I. Frederick, announced today that actor and alumnus Chadwick Boseman will deliver the keynote address during Howard University’s 150th Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, May 12, 2018. Mr. Boseman will address members of the Class of 2018 and their families, University trustees, officers, faculty, staff, and alumni. Howard University will confer upon Mr. Boseman the University’s highest honor, an honorary degree, Doctor of Humane Letters.
“It is an incredible honor and privilege for the Howard University community to welcome back home one of its native sons, Chadwick Boseman, to deliver the 2018 commencement address,” said Howard University President, Dr. Wayne A. I. Frederick. “He has played some of the most iconic African Americans that have transformed history, including Jackie Robinson, James Brown and Howard’s own Thurgood Marshall. His recent role in the blockbuster film “Black Panther” reminds us of the excellence found in the African diaspora and how places like Howard are hidden, untapped gems producing the next generation of scientists, engineers and doctors. Mr. Boseman exemplifies the monumental heights and levels Howard graduates can achieve by using the skills and knowledge they acquired at the university.”
“I’m excited to return to the Mecca in celebration of the achievements of our illustrious students,” said Boseman. “Let’s listen, learn and build with one another.”
A native of South Carolina, Chadwick Boseman graduated from Howard University and attended the British American Dramatic Academy at Oxford, after which he began his career as an actor, director and writer. Boseman can currently be seen starring as T’Challa/Black Panther in the worldwide phenomenon Marvel Studios’ “Black Panther.” He made his debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as the African superhero in Marvel Studios’ “Captain America: Civil War,” in May 2016. He will reprise the role again for Marvel Studios’ “Avengers: Infinity War” later this month. Boseman’s breakout performance came in 2013 when he received rave reviews for his portrayal of the legendary Jackie Robinson in Warner Bros’ “42” opposite Harrison Ford. Boseman received the 2014 CinemaCon Male Star of Tomorrow Award, was named one of the Top 10 Best Movie Performances of 2014 by Time Magazine and was awarded a Virtuous Award from the Santa Barbara International Film Festival for his portrayal of James Brown in Universal Pictures’ “Get on Up.”
He previously starred in the title role of Open Road Films’ “Marshall” alongside Josh Gad. The film tells the story of Thurgood Marshall, the first African American Supreme Court Justice, as he battles through one of his career-defining cases as the Chief Counsel to the NAACP. His other feature film credits include: the revenge thriller “Message from the King,” Summit Entertainment’s “Draft Day” opposite Kevin Costner, independent psychological post-war drama “The Kill Hole” and Gary Fleders’ drama “The Express.”
Boseman and his writing partner, Logan Coles, a fellow Howard alum, have written the script for Universal Pictures’ “Expatriate,” an international thriller set around a 1970s plane hijacking. Oscar-winning director Barry Jenkins(Moonlight) has recently signed on to direct the project, in which Boseman will star.
“We are extremely pleased that Chadwick Boseman has accepted our invitation to address the class of 2018,” said HowardUniversity Board of Trustees Chair Stacey J. Mobley, Esq. “His words as one who has walked the same halls as our graduates will truly resonate and inspire them to reach for the stars.”
Howard University’s graduate programs in business, education, engineering and social work increased in the annual national rankings by U.S. News and World Report’s “Best Graduate Schools” listing. The College of Engineering and Architecture increased the to the top 12 percent of engineering colleges in the nation with a No. 132 ranking, a 66-point increase over the past three years. The Howard UniversitySchool of Social Work ranked No. 30, up eight spots from last year, moving the program within the top 15 percent of programs in the nation. Howard’s School of Business ranked No. 78, following a rank of No. 92 in 2017. The School of Education moved up to number 105, up 15 places from last year’s ranking.
‘Seven Seconds,’ Starring Regina King, Canceled At Netflix
Time has run out for Netflix’s Seven Seconds.
Less than two months after the streaming giant premiered the drama from The Killing showrunner Veena Sud starring Regina King, the series from producers Fox 21 has been canceled.
The anthological drama explored race in America through a story involving the hit-and-run of an African-American teenager by a white Jersey City cop (Beau Knapp) and the crime’s subsequent cover-up by the mostly white police force. It premiered Feb. 23 on Netflix to mixed reviews. (In his review, THR’s Daniel Fienberg called Seven Seconds a “well-acted wallow in murder and misery.”)
While Netflix, like other streamers, does not release viewership information, the drama has a 77 percent rating among critics and an 84 percent score among those who watched the series.
“We loved working with Veena Sud, Regina King and the cast and crew of Seven Seconds. Together they created a compelling, timely and relevant crime drama. The first season is a complete, stand-alone story that we are proud to feature on Netflix for years to come,” said Cindy Holland, vp originals at Netflix.
In nterview with THR, Fox 21 Television Studios president Bert Salke said his hope was for Seven Seconds to run for additional seasons, featuring old characters returning along with new faces in an anthology format as the series would remain rooted in Jersey City.
“This I think in our mind can go on for four or five [seasons], even more,” Salke said at the time. “Each year will be a chapter … in the book about that city and what’s going on in the struggle to survive in urban America today.”
Netflix, meanwhile, will submit Seven Seconds as a limited series drama for Emmy consideration.
The decision to cancel Seven Seconds comes as Netflix continues to refine its roster of scripted programming amid an $8 billion spending budget. The streamer recently axed comedy Everything Sucks after one season; and dropped Chuck Lorre’s pot comedy Disjointed after its initial two-season order. Seven Seconds joins a roster of one-and-done shows on Netflix that also includes Girlboss, Gypsy and The Get Down.
Seven Seconds was Sud’s follow-up to The Killing, which was famously canceled twice before being revived the first time on AMC and a second and final time on Netflix.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
“The Four: Battle for Stardom” Returns To FOX Thursday, June 7th
Season Two of the hit music competition series THE FOUR: BATTLE FOR STARDOM premieres Thursday, June 7 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. Grammy® Award-winning musician, record producer and songwriter Sean “Diddy” Combs; super producer DJ Khaled; and Grammy® Award-winning recording artist and songwriter Meghan Trainor will return as panelists, alongside Grammy® Award-winning, multi-Platinum solo artist Fergie as host.
Last season, Evvie McKinney, from Memphis, TN, was crowned the first-ever champion and received the ultimate prize: career mentorship by the panel of experts. McKinney currently is in the studio, recording her first single, under the guidance of the panel. Once the single is released, she will be featured as an iHeartRadio “On The Verge” artist. Season Two will introduce an entirely new group of “vocal gladiators” who will BATTLE FOR STARDOM.
Season One of THE FOUR: BATTLE FOR STARDOM was FOX’s highest-rated new unscripted series in nearly four years, both among Adults 18-49 and Total Viewers. Additionally, THE FOUR: BATTLE FOR STARDOM was the No. 1 most social new TV series this season with 5.5 million total social interactions.
THE FOUR: BATTLE FOR STARDOM was created by Armoza Formats and is produced by ITV Entertainment in association with Armoza Formats. David George, Adam Sher, David Eilenberg, Becca Walker, David Friedman, Avi Armoza, Nehama Cohen and Moshiko Cohen are executive producers. Additionally, Sean “Diddy” Combs serves as a producer on the series. “Like” THE FOUR: BATTLE FOR STARDOM on Facebook at TheFourOnFox. Follow the series on Twitter TheFourOnFox and join the discussion using #TheFour. See photos and videos on Instagram by following TheFourOnFox.
Is ‘Superior Donuts’ About To Be Canceled By CBS?
CBS announced Wednesday that is has renewed 11 more of its current series.
The new renewals are: “Blue Bloods,” “Bull,” “Hawaii Five-O,” “Madam Secretary,” “MacGyver,” “NCIS: Los Angeles,” “NCIS: New Orleans,” “Survivor,” “The Amazing Race,” “48 Hours,” and “60 Minutes.”
That brings CBS up to 17 renewed shows total, having previously renewed “The Big Bang Theory,” “Young Sheldon,” “Mom,” “NCIS,” “SEAL Team,” and “SWAT.” The network has therefore renewed their entire Tuesday and Friday night lineups at this point.
Noticeably absent are any of CBS’ Monday shows, specifically “Kevin Can Wait,” “Man With a Plan,” “Superior Donuts,” and “Scorpion,” with the long-running drama series “Criminal Minds” also not yet renewed. Freshman comedies “9JKL” and “Living Biblically” are also awaiting official word on second seasons, though both of those shows have not been stellar ratings performers. “Life in Pieces,” currently in its third season, has not yet been renewed as well.
Sunday drama “Instinct” and Saturday drama “Ransom” are also awaiting second season orders. “Instinct” sagged in the ratings after NCAA basketball ended, but has since bounced back. “Ransom,” meanwhile, has sunk even lower in the ratings for its second season, but the show is a Canadian-Hungarian co-production, making it a relatively low cost acquisition for CBS.
Freshman comedy “Me, Myself, and I” was previously pulled from the CBS schedule, while freshman “Wisdom of the Crowd” was not picked up beyond its original 13 episode order.
Leslie Jones Lands In New Film ‘Baby Nurse’ With Lorne Michaels Productions As He Launches New Universal Deal
Universal Pictures has made a first-look production deal with Lorne Michaels and his Broadway Video banner. Michaels — already ensconced at NBC as the long-running producer of Saturday Night Live, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and Late Night with Seth Meyers — extends that deal, and on the movie side, he moves from a long-term deal with Paramount Pictures.
Michaels and the studio come right out of the gate with the Universal comedy Baby Nurse, from a script written by Austin Winsberg that will star Saturday Night Live cohorts Leslie Jones and Colin Jost. Jones will play a special agent assigned to the most humbling undercover role in the history of the FBI. Michaels will produce and the exec producer will be Jost, the SNL head writer and Weekend Update co-host.
Michaels and his longtime collaborator Erin David will oversee the film division. The first look was made by Universal president of production Peter Cramer.
“Lorne Michaels is already such a vital part of the NBCUniversal family, so we are thrilled to formalize our long-standing relationship with him on the film side of his company,” said Cramer. “We look forward to collaborating with Lorne and his fantastic team as he continues his unparalleled run of success in producing quality, all-audience entertainment.”
Michaels’ endless credits include IFC’s Documentary Now!, Peabody Award-winning Portlandia and Emmy- and Golden Globe-winning 30 Rock. On the feature side, the comedies anchored by SNL castmembers and alumni include Mean Girls, Baby Mama, Wayne’s World, Tommy Boy and Three Amigos, the latter of which he produced and co-wrote with Steve Martin and Randy Newman. Saturday Night Live is still thriving in its 43rd season.
Source: Deadline
OWN Announces Two New Series From Producer Will Packer
OWN has announced two new series from prolific hit-maker Will Packer (“Girls Trip,” “Straight Outta Compton,” “Ride Along,” “Roots”) and his Will Packer Media banner: the soapy new drama series “Ambitions” from global content leader Lionsgate and the unscripted dating series “Ready to Love.” Packer will serve as executive producer for both series. The new shows mark the first television series to be created under Packer’s first-look deal with the network.
The announcement comes as OWN’s momentum and diversified programming slate continues to grow. The network recently delivered its highest rated first quarter in four years in the network’s key W25-54 demo with year-over-year gains of +6% in W25-54, +15% in African American women and +5% in total viewers. In addition, year-to-date OWN is the #1 cable network for African American women in primetime.
“Will is a creative powerhouse who knows what audiences want,” said Erik Logan, president of OWN. “He has an insightful approach to relationships and a keen eye for great storytelling that resonates with viewers across the board. We can’t wait to bring these two new series to our viewers.”
“Partnering with OWN to bring ‘Ambitions’ and ‘Ready to Love’ to their fast-growing lineup of critically acclaimed series is a win-win scenario,” said Will Packer, CEO and founder of Will Packer Media. “OWN has been on an incredible streak with its recent slate, and we’re looking forward to extending the network’s primetime success with these new shows created specifically with the OWN audience in mind.”
“Ambitions” (working title) is a multigenerational family saga centered around one woman who, having recently relocated and intent on revitalizing her marriage, finds herself going head to head with some of the most powerful and deceitful players in the city. “Ambitions” will begin production later this year and will debut on OWN in 2019. The new series will be produced for OWN by Will Packer Media in association with Lionsgate/Debmar-Mercury. Will Packer is executive producer. Will Packer Media’s Sheila Ducksworth also serves as executive producer and writer Jamey Giddens serves as co-executive producer.
“Ready to Love” (working title), which begins production in Atlanta this spring, will join OWN’s popular Saturday night unscripted programming lineup later this year. The dating series will focus on successful men and women of all shapes, sizes and shades, each of whom is looking for lasting love. A unique twist on a typical dating show, “Ready to Love” will specifically bring the perspective of men to the forefront. It will present a unique opportunity to see what men say about dating, when women aren’t around. “Ready to Love” will be produced by Will Packer Media and Lighthearted Entertainment. Will Packer is executive producer. Will Packer Media’s Kelly Smith and Lighthearted’s Rob LaPlante and Jeff Spangler will also executive produce.
The two new series join OWN’s primetime programming slate including the popular dramas “Queen Sugar,” “Greenleaf,” “The Haves and the Have Nots,” and “If Loving You is Wrong” – four of the top eight original scripted series on ad-supported cable in 2017 for women 25-54; the hit sitcom “The Paynes,” the upcoming dramedy “Love Is__” premiering this summer, and the successful Saturday night unscripted series “Iyanla: Fix My Life,” “The Book of John Gray,” “Welcome to Sweetie Pie’s” and “Black Love.” In addition, the network’s new drama series from Academy Award winner Tarell Alvin McCraney (“Moonlight”) will go into production this summer.
Kanye West Is Writing a Philosophy ‘Book’ On Twitter In Real-Time
In addition to his music, fashion and media empire, Kanye West announced on Twitter Wednesday that he writing a philosophy book on the social media site in real time.
“No publisher or publicist will tell me what to put where or how many pages to write. This is not a financial opportunity this is an innate need to be expressive,” West tweeted. “I will work on this ‘book’ when I feel it. When We sit still in the mornings We get hit with so many ideas and so many things We want to express. When I read this tweet to myself I didn’t like how much I used the word I so I changed the I’s to We’s.”
KANYE WEST
✔@kanyewest
oh by the way this is my book that I’m writing in real time. No publisher or publicist will tell me what to put where or how many pages to write. This is not a financial opportunity this is an innate need to be expressive.
I will work on this “book” when I feel it. When We sit still in the mornings We get hit with so many ideas and so many things We want to express. When I read this tweet to myself I didn’t like how much I used the word I so I changed the I’s to We’s.
Then West, who recently returned to Twitter, gave his followers life guidance through a series of tweets. Among the advice included, “when you first wake up don’t hop right on the phone or the internet or even speak to anyone for even up to an hour if possible,” along with preaching for his fans not to follow crowds and to stop lying.
“Be here now. Be in the moment. The now is the greatest moment of our lives and it just keeps getting better. The bad parts the boring parts the parts with high anxiety. Embrace every moment for its greatness. This is life. This is the greatest movie we will ever see,” West added.
The artist recently announced he was writing a book called “Break the Simulation” about art and spirituality with his interior designer, Axel Vervoordt. He said the book would focus on why society loves photographs. It’s unclear if this Twitter project is a part of that book or is a separate piece.
This is not the first time West has worked on a project in real-time, as he revised his most recent “The Life of Pablo” album twice after it was released.
After recently splitting with longtime managerIzvor “Izzy” Zivkovic, West is rumored to be working on new music and has been spotted in Wyoming with possible collaborators Drake, Travis Scott, Nas and Kid Cudi. West’s Yeezy Season Six line launches this spring and his collaboration with Adidas, Yeezy 500 sneakers, is set to hit stores this month.
Source: Variety
Gabrielle Union Inks First-Look Deal With Sony Pictures Television
With an upcoming television show, a new cover spread in Ebony, and a new movie headed to theaters later this spring, actress Gabrielle Union can add a first-look deal in the bag she keeps on securing.
According to Deadline, the actress, who executive producers and stars in a Bad Boys TV spinoff pilot at NBC, has secured a first look deal with Sony Pictures TV. Under this two-year contract, Union ‘s production company, I’ll Have Another, will develop digital, broadcast and cable projects for Sony TV.
“I am so excited to be back in business with my old Bad Boys family and to have the opportunity to take it a step further and develop projects under the Sony Pictures Television banner is truly an honor,” said Union of her new deal. “There is an obvious feeling of change happening in Hollywood and I feel very fortunate to now have the opportunity to create necessary projects that are reflective of those changes.”
As her first order of business, the actress has appointed her publicist, Holly Shakoor Fleischer, as Head of Development for her new deal. Union, on the hand, is no stranger to the behind-the-scenes portion of the film and television business. The Bring It On actress has served as executive producer for her own starring vehicle, the BET drama Being Mary Jane, while also being an outspoken advocate for inclusion of African-Americans both on and off-screen. She will be honored with the CinemaCon Breakthrough Producer of the Year Award later this month.
Union also has the thriller Breaking In, set to hit theaters on May 11th.
