“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.”
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.
Source: Deadline, Shadow & Act
BET Unveils ‘Boomerang’ Reboot, Don Cornelius Bio Series And More As They Unveil Original Programs
BET has ordered five new scripted series and six unscripted projects for the upcoming season. The slate includes a comedy remake inspired by the 1992 pic “Boomerang” and a look at the life of “Soul Train” maestro Don Cornelius.
BET unveiled its 2018-19 season programming slate on Tuesday amid the crush of cable upfront presentations this month. The Viacom cabler has vowed to boost the volume of original series by 21% over last year. BET Networks president Scott Mills emphasized the cabler’s “special connection with the African-American audience.”
During the past few years BET has faced increased competition for African-American audiences from OWN, TV One as well as Viacom’s own VH1. The original programming push is in keeping with Viacom’s larger strategy of focusing its cable resources on six core channels, of which BET is one.
“Creating powerful, engaging and provocative content has been BET Networks’ legacy for decades,” said Connie Orlando, Head of Programming, BET Networks. “With the increase in our original programming slate for 2019, we’re committed more than ever to telling the most compelling and authentic stories about the black experience.”
BET also has the sudser “Peachtree Place,” set among a group of 30-somethings in Atlanta, coming from producer Will Packer.
BET’s unscripted slate includes a docu-series “Ladies Night” that follows a contemporary tour of 1990s female soul and hip-hop stars En Vogue, Salt, Pepa, Spinderella and SWV. There’s also music competition series “The Next Big Thing,” steered by Swizz Beats and A&R veteran Tina Davis.
Here’s a rundown of BET’s new series orders:
SCRIPTED SERIES
AMERICAN SOUL – Inspired by the personal trials and professional successes of a young, ambitious and troubled impresario Don Cornelius. The drama series is an unflinching look at the entrepreneur, his Soul Train dancers, crew and musicians in an unforgiving Hollywood in the 1970’s – how they work, play, rise and fall against the backdrop of Soul Train — “the hippest trip in America” and one of the most predominant television shows for African-American culture. Produced by Jesse Collins Entertainment, AMERICAN SOUL is executive produced by Jesse Collins, Jonathan Prince, Devon Greggory and Tony Cornelius with Co-Executive Producer Andy Horne. Greggory and Prince, who created the series will also pen the pilot.
FORMAT: One-hour drama
NUMBER OF EPISODES: 10
THE ARCHER CONNECTION [WORKING TITLE] – The ten-episode half-hour series follows the life of tech genius Archer Grant, a young, black, iconoclastic mastermind who has developed Archer App – a software that measures the sexual chemistry between its user and anyone in the room. In launching the app and managing its rapid growth, Archer clumsily navigates between worlds – hipster Brooklyn, bloodthirsty Wall Street, underground hip-hop, innovative Silicon Valley – while trying to avoid the treacherous grip of capitalism and his own precarious sex addiction. THE ARCHER CONNECTION is co-executive produced and written by Chad Sanders.
FORMAT: FORMAT: Half-hour dramedy
NUMBER OF EPISODES: 10
BOOMERANG – BET and Paramount Television are partnering to reboot the 1992 American romantic comedy film BOOMERANG, in which a successful executive finds that his lifestyle choices have turned back on him when his new boss turns out to be a bigger deviant than he is. This updated version explores contemporary workplace dynamics, including the changing role of gender, office politics, relationships, and the conflicts between Generation X and Millennials.
FORMAT: Half-hour comedy
NUMBER OF EPISODES: 10
GAMES DIVAS PLAY – Based on the popular book by Angela Burt-Murray, this sultry new thriller takes viewers inside the high-stakes world of professional sports where everyone plays to win. With an ensemble cast of dynamic characters including an ambitious reporter, a millionaire basketball player, a desperate housewife, a scandalous groupie, and a murderous stalker, the series follows three women Nia, Vanessa and Laila and the men in their lives. In a ruthless battle for success, these women’s passions and motivations are seldom altruistic, but their life choices and drive will determine what it really takes to stay on top. GAMES DIVAS PLAY is executive produced by Tracey Edmonds of Edmonds Entertainment, Angela Burt-Murray and Vanessa Middleton, who also serves as showrunner for the series.
FORMAT: One-hour drama
NUMBER OF EPISODES: 10
PEACHTREE PLACE – Follows five 30-something year olds living in Atlanta as they try to build professional and personal lives they can be proud of, but find that being a real adult is easier said than done. Unresolved feelings from college are uncovered and secrets revealed, forcing these friends to finally deal with uncomfortable truths about love, sex and reluctantly, growing up. PEACHTREE PLACE is executive produced by Will Packer and co-executive produced by Sheila Duckworth and Felischa Marye, who also serves as a writer on the series.
FORMAT: Half-hour comedy
NUMBER OF EPISODES: 10
UNSCRIPTED SERIES
FINDING JUSTICE – From executive producers Dwayne Johnson, Dany Garcia and David Leepson, this compelling docuseries tells the powerful stories of heroes, leaders, advocates and change agents in African American communities across America as they uncover injustices and fight to bring healing and change. With the grit and edge of investigative journalism and the profound heart of a powerful documentary, each episode delivers a riveting look at the faces of change in Black America. FINDING JUSTICE is produced by Seven Bucks Productions and Leepson Bounds Entertainment.
FORMAT: Crime, Docuseries
NUMBER OF EPISODES: 6
DREAM TEAM – In the summer of 1992, a basketball team comprised of 11 future Hall of Famers showed up at the Olympics in Spain and changed the face of sports and global culture forever. DREAM TEAM is an intimate journey from the spark of an idea to the podium in Barcelona, examining an incomparable legacy that still resonates 25 years later. Based on acclaimed sports journalist Jack McCallum’s New York Times bestselling book that follows the 1992 U.S. Olympic Men’s Basketball team, the five-episode docuseries from BET and Paramount Television, will explore how a group of extraordinary and complex individuals became a team and how that team transcended sports. DREAM TEAM is directed and executive produced by Emmett and Brendan Malloy of Malloy Brothers Productions. Underground’s Trevor Engelson and Five All in The Fifth’s Douglas Banker also executive produce. McCallum will serve as a consultant for the series. The docuseries is created with the cooperation and support of USA Basketball and the NBA.
FORMAT: Limited series
NUMBER OF EPISODES: 5
THE NEXT BIG THING [WORKING TITLE] – This hybrid docu-music competition series highlights super-producer Swizz Beats, Tina Davis, music veteran A&R Exec (Def Jam, Empire), former manager of Chris Brown as we follow a league of powerhouse music icons, put up-and-coming artists through the ultimate development boot camp. After being coached and challenged on performance preparation, these artists must give the best performance of their career to land a deal with one of six major record labels. Produced by Releve Entertainment, the series is executive produced by Swizz Beats, Tina Davis and Holly Carter.
FORMAT: Music Competition
NUMBER OF EPISODES: 10
LADIES NIGHT – This new docuseries follows the personal and professional drama of the iconic 90’s girl groups En Vogue, Salt, Pepa, Spinderella and SWV as they embark on a national tour. With a run of shows across the US, these iconic artists must create, choreograph, and execute a night featuring all of their famous hits. With major money on the line, the OGs will need to put their pride to the side in order to launch something truly memorable. Produced by Entertainment One’s Tara Long, Mark Herwick, Madison Merritt serve as executive producers.
FORMAT: Docuseries
NUMBER OF EPISODES: 10
THE GRAND HUSTLE – From the streets to the boardroom, T.I. wrote the book on hustling and now he’s looking for the nation’s next big hustler to see who will come out on top. Set in the streets of Atlanta, these contestants use the city to prove they have what it takes to out-hustle the rest! In the end, T.I. will choose one person to be named King or Queen of the Hustle – landing a six-figure job working at one of T.I.’s companies. Produced by 51 Minds Entertainment, THE GRAND HUSTLE is executive produced by Christian Sarabia, Clifford “T.I.” Harris, Brian Sher, Vinnie Kaufman and Johnny Petillo. Petillo also serves as showrunner for the series.
FORMAT: Competition, Docuseries
NUMBER OF EPISODES: 12
THE HUSTLE: BROOKLYN – This new coming-of-age docuseries set in Brooklyn, follows a cast of young and sexy millennials with a balance of economic backgrounds, focusing on transitional moments of their lives. Produced by Entertainment One & Creature films, Tara Long of eOne and Mark Ford and Kevin Lopez serve as executive producers.
FORMAT: Docuseries
NUMBER OF EPISODES: 10
Brandon T. Jackson Launches Coffee Cafe Franchise In Atlanta!
We discovered the news today that comedian and actor Brandon T. Jackson is in final stages of launching a coffee franchise out of Atlanta, titled Kingdon Cafe And Vegan.
According to Jackson, it’s not a competition with everything that’s happening to Starbucks, as this plan has been in the works for over 2 years. As a matter of fact, this coffee shop franchise is the complete opposite; “its built on equality and support”. Again, Jackson states, “This is not a boycott of Starbucks, it’s just us trying to launch a business. We want your support Starbucks. We are a black-owned business. Starbucks, support us if you really love us, and teach us, and watch us grow.”
Jackson also stated that the new shops are launching in Atlanta because “Martin Luther King lived there and its exactly what MLK stood for; equality, economically, and support.”
The timing of the news of this launch couldn’t have come at an inopportune time as the nation is still reeling from the arrests of 2 African American patrons in a Philadelphia Starbucks who was arrested after an employee called the police on them after they were asked to leave, as they didn’t purchase anything. Starbucks was immediately engulfed in a serious backlash and boycott on Monday morning that swiftly had the CEO of Starbucks Kevin Johnson address the situation apologizing for the arrests.
Meanwhile, Jackson had been working on the launching of Kingdom Cafe And Vegan for two years and as he stated the launch of this franchise “happening or not”. The new coffee shops are planning on expanding quickly as their plans are building the community and giving back. After all, its all about “The Kingdom”.
For more news on the launch and more visit http://kingdomcafeandvegan.com/
Idris Elba Lands In New Comedy Project And Star In Netflix Series Titled ‘Turn Up Charlie’
Netflix has ordered a comedy series starring Idris Elba called “Turn Up Charlie,” sources stated..
Co-created by Elba and TV producer Gary Reich, the series follows Charlie (Elba), a struggling DJ and eternal bachelor, who’s given a final chance at success when he reluctantly becomes a manny to his famous best friend’s problem-child daughter. Netflix has ordered an eight-episode first season of the half-hour series. Production will begin this May in the U.K.
Elba and Reich will executive produce along with Tristram Shapeero. Shapeero will also direct the series with Matt Lipsey. Laura Neal, Femi Oyeniran, and Victoria Asare-Archer serve as writers with Georgia Lester also serving as writer as well as supervising producer. Martin Joyce and Ana Garanito are co-executive producers. Gill Isles will serve as producer. The series will be co-produced by Reich’s Brown Eyed Boy Productions and Elba’s Green Door Pictures.
This marks the second comedy series Elba has created. He also created and stars in the current Sky One series “In the Long Run,” playing a Sierra Leonean immigrant living with his family in London circa 1985 that is loosely based on Elba’s own life. Elba’s best known TV role is his time spent as Stringer Bell on the hit HBO series “The Wire.” His other TV credits include his starring role in the U.K. police drama “Luther,” the mini-series “Guerrilla,” and guest arcs on shows like “The Big C” and “The Office.” On the film side, he is known for his appearances in the “Thor” franchise and other Marvel films, “Pacific Rim,” “Star Trek: Beyond,” and “Beasts of No Nation.”
Elba is also an accomplished DJ, having performed at festivals like Snowbombing, Glastonbury, Creamfields, and Elrow London. He was also a resident at Hi Ibiza across the summer season, performing with the Mambo Brothers.
He is repped by WME in the U.S. and The Artists Partnership in the U.K.
Source: Variety
Cosby’s Star Witness Claims Accuser Spoke Of Framing Famed Comic
Marguerite Jackson, an academic adviser at Temple University, took the witness stand after a judge overruled prosecutors and said she could tell her story to the jury.
The chief accuser at Bill Cosby’s sexual assault retrial talked about framing a celebrity before going to police with her allegations in 2005, a key defense witness testified Wednesday as the TV star’s lawyers began putting on their case.
Marguerite Jackson, an academic adviser at Temple University, took the witness stand after a judge overruled prosecutors and said she could tell her story to the jury.
Jackson said Andrea Constand spoke of the plot while they were rooming together on a road trip to Rhode Island with the Temple University women’s basketball team, where Constand was working as operations director.
After watching a TV news report about a celebrity who had been accused of sexual assault, Jackson said Constand told her: “Oh, wow, something similar happened to me.” Constand said she never reported the assault because her assailant was a “high-profile person” and she knew she couldn’t prove it, Jackson testified.
Jackson said she encouraged Constand to report it. She told jurors that Constand then switched gears, saying, “No, it didn’t, but I could say it did. I could say it happened, get that money. I could quit my job. I could go back to school. I could open up a business.”
Jackson said the conversation happened Feb. 1, 2004, a few weeks after Constand says Cosby drugged and molested her at his suburban Philadelphia home. The defense hoped Jackson’s testimony would bolster Cosby’s efforts to show Constand fabricated the allegations against him to extort a big civil settlement. Cosby paid Jackson nearly $3.4 million in 2006.
Constand testified Monday she didn’t “recall ever having a conversation with” Jackson.
Prosecutors wound down their case earlier Wednesday, introducing the comedian’s explosive testimony about giving Quaaludes to women before sex — an old admission that’s taken on new significance after a half-dozen women testified that Cosby drugged and violated them.
A police detective read a transcript of the 2005 testimony as prosecutors saved for the very end of their case Cosby’s own words about using the 1970s party drug “the same as a person would say, ‘Have a drink.'”
Cosby, now 80, is being retried on charges he drugged and molested Constand at his suburban Philadelphia home. He says their encounter was consensual.
Cosby was deposed in 2005 and 2006 after Constand filed suit against him. The deposition was hidden from public view until 2015, when the Associated Press petitioned to have it unsealed, leading prosecutors to reopen the criminal case.
Jurors at Cosby’s first trial last year also heard excerpts from the deposition but deadlocked on sexual assault charges.
In a transcript read to the jury Wednesday, the Cosby Show star said he obtained seven prescriptions for Quaaludes from his doctor in Los Angeles in the 1970s, ostensibly for a sore back, but added he didn’t use them himself because they made him tired.
“Quaaludes happen to be the drug that kids, young people were using to party with, and there were times when I wanted to have them just in case,” Cosby testified, according to the transcript.
The sedative was banned in the U.S. in 1982, the same year one of the women who testified, Janice Baker-Kinney, alleges Cosby knocked her out with pills she suspected to be Quaaludes and then raped her.
Cosby’s lawyers sought Wednesday to minimize the importance of his Quaaludes testimony. Defense attorney Kathleen Bliss underscored that most of that testimony pertained to the 1970s, and a police detective acknowledged during cross-examination that authorities didn’t find Quaaludes in a search of Cosby’s home after Constand went to police.
Prosecutors also unleashed other passages from Cosby’s graphic deposition, including his accounts of purported sexual encounters with Constand and how he apologized to her mother a year later for being “a dirty old man with a young girl.”
They used another of Cosby’s statements, one he gave to police in 2005, to show how he described the encounter for which he is facing aggravated indecent assault charges that could send him to prison for years.
Cosby said he gave Constand one and a half tablets of the cold and allergy medicine Benadryl to help her relax, then fondled her breasts and genitals, according to a police transcript that jurors heard Tuesday.
He said Constand never told him to stop.
Constand said Cosby knocked her out with the pills and then sexually assaulted her, penetrating her with his fingers and guiding her hand to his penis.
Before jurors began hearing Cosby’s testimony about Quaaludes, prosecutors on Wednesday called to the witness stand Judith Regan, who published Cosby accuser Janice Dickinson’s memoir.
Regan testified the model told her she was drugged and raped by Cosby and was insistent that the story be included in her 2002 memoir, No Lifeguard on Duty. She told jurors that Dickinson was upset the company’s legal department wouldn’t let them print such an explosive story without a corroborating witness.
Dickinson testified last week that Cosby raped her at a Lake Tahoe, Nevada, hotel in 1982 while she was immobilized after taking a blue pill he claimed would help her with menstrual cramps.
The book contained a highly sanitized version of the encounter, with no sex at all.
Regan testified that she believed Dickinson’s allegations were credible, but that her account was “modified to deal with this issue without any legal problems.”
Regan said in a sworn statement to prosecutors that she felt she had a duty to publish the truth. On the stand, she explained: “The truth in this case, with this particular incident, was something that we required her to remove from the book.”
The Associated Press doesn’t typically identify people who say they’re victims of sexual assault unless they grant permission, which Constand and Dickinson have done.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
