We just discovered the news from several sources that TBS has renewed Tracy Morgan and Tiffany Haddish’s show, The Last OG.
The Last OG stars Tracy Morgan as Tray, an ex-con released from a 15-year prison stint to a changed and unfamiliar world and Tiffany Haddish stars as his ex-girlfriend.
We also hear that Search Party has been renewed too.
Search Party follows a group of privileged, self-absorbed twenty-somethings covering up a murder and stars John Early andAlia Shawkat.
Jamie Foxx To Host ‘Off Script’ Hollywood-Themed Digital Interview Series
Jamie Foxx has signed on to host Off Script, a new eight-part digital series produced by Grey Goose (Iconoclasts), JASH (Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Late Show with Letterman) and The Sunshine Company.
In Off Script, Foxx interviews Hollywood A-listers about the iconic moments that shaped their careers. Jeremy Renner, Sarah Silverman, Benicio del Toro, Vince Vaughn, and Denzel Washington are among the guests confirmed to appear so far. Actors sit down with Foxx in a custom-built and luxury fitted trailer to discuss the movies they love, films that influenced them, and what drove them to become actors
Off Script will be distributed online this spring via Thrillist and Now This social pages, including Facebook and YouTube, as well as on Huffington Post and Yahoo.
Foxx is host and executive producer of Beat Shazam game show which premieres its second season May 29 on Fox. He’ll also be seen in a starring role in Robin Hood for Lionsgate opposite Taron Egerton and Jamie Dornan, set for release on November 21.
On This Day In Comedy… In 1999 ‘The Boondocks’ Made Its National Syndicated Debut
On this day in comedy on April 19, 1999, The Boondocks made its national syndicated debut
The original syndicated comic strip was created by animator, Aaron McGruder. It began as a daily for the online music site Hitlist.com in 1996 and then on The Diamondback. The latter paid McGruder $30 per strip; a boost from the usual compensation of $13. The high wages weren’t the problem with The Diamondback. They omitted running the strip and refused to run an apology after making it look as though it was McGruder’s fault. So, he pulled The Boondocks from The Diamondback in 1997, the same year it made its first appearance monthly in the hip hop magazine, The Source. It wasn’t long before the popular strip was scooped up by Universal Press Syndicate and became a coast-to-coast hit. Satirizing popular culture and racism The Boondocks is seen from a black point of view.
The strip was plagued with controversy. McGruder was unyielding in his attacks on black culture and many of its absurdities. Targets such as BET music videos, Whitney Houston’s drug problems, Larry elder, Cuba Gooding, Jr. and politicians were ripe for ridicule. McGruder spared no none. The chief protagonist was the character of Huey, a pint-sized radical in a little boy’s body. He was too young to have learned how to bite his tongue. He and his brother Riley were moved out of South Side Chicago to a neighborhood surrounded by white folks. They’re with their World War II veteran grandfather who thinks Huey is too militant and Riley is too materialistic (he wants to be a gangsta). They live next to an interracial couple and their mixed and mixed up daughter, Jazmine, who likes Huey. There’s a standard issue friend of Huey’s named Michael who’s just as crazy as Huey, but with a dash of humor. Rounding out the principle characters is Uncle ruckus, a blatant Uncle Tom who hates everything Black (including himself) and loves everything white (including Ronald Reagan). The teachers and the principal have a similar dilemma – they love white but fear black and rely on old stereotypes (some from Blaxploitation flicks) to figure out how to handle the two Black brothers.
During its run, other artists helped illustrate The Boondocks to keep things on schedule as McGruder’s schedule became more and more crammed with commitments, but he always had his hand in the final product. Nevertheless, internal battles came to a head when McGruder put the strip on a six-month hiatus, so he could work on the TV version. The Boondocks premiered as a fully animated cartoon on Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim in late 2005. McGruder made his announcement in early 2006 about th temporary suspension. Well, after seeing some papers run provided reruns and others opting to move onto other strips, Universal Press cut their losses and informed papers that they shouldn’t count on a timely return and they canceled The Boondocks September 25, 2006.
On This Day In Comedy… In 2013 ‘Cheech & Chong’s Animated Movie’ Made Its Theatrical Debut
On this day in comedy on April 18, 2013, Cheech & Chong’s Animated Movie made its theatrical debut, distributed by 20th Century Fox
This cartoon version of legendary stoner comedians Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong was directed by Branden and Eric D. Chambers. The full-length film was written by Cheech and Chong and starred their voices. It was released on Blue Ray five days later and is their only film on that format.
Cheech & Chong’s Animated Movie is a collection of their famous album routines in animated form. Classics such as Sgt. Stedanko, Afghanistan, Earache My Eye, Ralph & Herbie, Trippin’ in Court, Acapulco Gold, Dave’s Not Here, Sister Mary Elephant, Let’s Make a Dope Deal and others all get the drawn-up treatment. Tying them all together is a cartoon body crab desperately trying to get high off Tommy Chong’s THC ridden scalp.
On This Day In Comedy… In 1965 Comedian And Actor Martin Lawrence Was Born
On this day in comedy on April 16, 1965, Comedian, Actor, Martin Fitzgerald Lawrence was born in Frankfurt, West Germany
Martin Lawrence almost became a boxer. He was a Mid-Atlantic Golden Gloves contender and was eyeing a professional career until an eye injury put a stop to those plans. His plan B turned out to be suitable for some of those same principles he’d learned in boxing and it wasn’t long before Lawrence knocked out some obstacles and chalked up an impressive record.
He found his gym in New York at the Improv. His first big bout was on the CBS competition show, Star Search. He fought his way to a title bout, but he was robbed. Didn’t matter. He got a good look and landed a part on the ABC rebooted sitcom, What’s Happening Now!! After it was canceled he played journeyman comedian/actor until he got another break in Spike Lee’s big screen smash hit Do the Right Thing. Lawrence was now in demand. He appeared in House Party (which became a franchise), Talkin’ Dirty After Dark and Boomerang.
Lawrence really showed what he could do when he was selected to host Def Comedy Jam on HBO. It was an instant hit and Lawrence was now TV’s latest champ. He not only defended his title week after week he went into another division when he got his own self-titled sitcom which was a giant hit on Fox. Lawrence followed in the tradition of playing multiple roles in a project. He did it on Martin, performing as his female neighbor, Shanaynay and other assorted characters. While doing the sitcom, Lawrence wrote, starred in and directed A Thin Line Between Love and Hate.
When Martin ended Lawrence went back to the big screen in a string of hits: Nothing to Lose, Bad Boys (another franchise) Life, Blue Streak, Big Momma’s House (also became a franchise), Wild Hogs, Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins and Death at a Funeral. In 2014 Lawrence partnered with another TV standard bearer, Kelsey Grammer on the show Partners.
Despite his early brand of raunch (he’s banned from life from appearing on Saturday Night Live after making over the top remarks about female genitalia and hygiene) he’s done family content. Lawrence did the voice of an animated character in Open Season and starred in Disney’s College Road Trip.
Martin Lawrence has released two stand up albums and several specials. A multiple acting award nominee, Lawrence has won two NAACP Image awards and a BET Icon Award.
On This Day In Comedy… In 1990 ‘In Living Color’ Premiered On FOX!
On this day in comedy on April 15, 1990, In Living Color premiered on Fox
The relationship between Fox network and the Wayans family started off fine. Following his back-to-back box office successes of Hollywood Shuffle and I’m Gonna Git You Sucka, Keenen Ivory Wayans was approached to do a show for the network. He said he wanted to create a variety sketch comedy show. They said fine. He said he wanted black cast members. They said fine. Then when the show blew up based on the formula set up by Keenen and his co-creator, brother, Daman Wayans, Fox wanted to step in and run the creative side and to the Wayans that wasn’t fine.
In Living Color was a golden goose for Fox. Kicking off with a quick snappy welcome from Keenen the show featured the Fly Girls, a group of house dancers choreographed by Rosie Perez and that was a springboard for the careers of Jennifer Lopez and Carrie Anne Inaba. The sketches showcased the talents of Damon Wayans, David Alan Grier, Jim Carrey, Kim Wayans, Tommy Davidson, Kim Coles, Shawn & Marlon Wayans, Kelly Coffield and T’Keyah Crystal Keymah. Jamie Foxx came on the third season. An amazing cast which created indelible characters such as Homey D. Clown, a fully made up circus dweller with a nasty attitude; The Homeboys Shopping Network, two thieves selling boosted goods on public access TV; Ugly Wanda, Jamie Foxx as a disgusting chick; Venus D’Milo, Jim Carrey as a disgusting chick; Fire Marshal Bill, Jim Carrey as a disgusting fire marshal with the catchphrase, “Lemme show ya something” and Men on Film, two flamboyantly gay movie critics.
Wayans dream of a variety show had to include musical acts. There were plenty. Live performances were rendered by Queen Latifah, Monie Love, Public Enemy, Kris Kross, Eazy-E, Tupac, Mary J. Blige,3rd Bass, Father MC, En Vogue, Us3, Gang Starr, MC Lyte, Onyx, Arrested Development, Leaders of the New School and Jodeci. There were guest stars and recurring players: Rodney Dangerfield, Chris Rock, Marc Wilmore, Barry Bond, James Brown, Peter Marshall, Ed O’Neill, Reggie McFadden, Sherman Hemsley and Biz Markie. The show also had powerhouses behind the scenes: a solid comedy writing headed up by Paul Mooney and Heavy D and the Boyz performed the opening theme.
From the very first show, In Living Color was praised for its rawness, inventiveness and edgy point of view. For two seasons it enjoyed immense popularity and public adoration. That’s about the time the tampering comes in and Fox was no different. With a proven winner in their laps they decided to stand up for their right to do the show their way. Big mistake. In those latter seasons executive interference was too much for the Wayans and they walked. The once brilliant television landmark went off the air on May 19, 1994.
Over its five-season run, in Living Color amassed 2 Image Awards (Outstanding Variety Series. Outstanding Comedy Series), a PGA Most Promising Producer in T0elevision (Keenen Ivory Wayans), A People’s Choice Award, a Primetime Emmy and a TV Land Award for Groundbreaking Show.
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.
