Comedy star Tracy Morgan has joined the ranks of entertainers honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
The former “Saturday Night Live” cast member and star of the hit television show “30 Rock” was honored Tuesday in a ceremony that took place next to the W Hollywood hotel on Hollywood Boulevard.
“When I as a poor kid growing up in the projects in Brooklyn I never dreamed of having a star on the Walk of Fame, but now I’m here, I have to tell you I feel pretty comfortable,” Morgan said to laughter from the crowd.
Fellow comedians Martin Lawrence and Jordan Peele, the co-creator of Morgan’s latest show “The Last O.G.,” were on hand to unveil the star.
During the ceremony, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce also proclaimed Tuesday as “Tracy Morgan Day” in Hollywood.
Morgan spent seven years on “SNL,” from 1996-2003 and then starred in his own television show “The Tracy Morgan Show” for one season.
Morgan began appearing on television in Lawrence’s show “Martin” in 1994.
THE AMERICAN BLACK FILM FESTIVAL (ABFF) ANNOUNCE THE FINALISTS IN THE 6th ANNUAL COMEDY WINGS COMPETITION
ABFF Ventures announced today their selection of finalists who will compete at the 6th annual Comedy WingsCompetition, presented by HBO, during the American Black Film Festival in Miami June 13-17.
Last night, nine comedians competed for a finalist position at The HaHa Comedy Club in North Hollywood, hosted by comedian Alex Thomas. Each finalist will receive an all-expense paid trip to Miami, with the opportunity to win a $5,000 cash prize and attend an informational meeting with HBO talent executives.
They were judged by accomplished artists and industry executives, including “Def Comedy Jam” producer Bob Sumner; television executive and producer Rikki Hughes; comedian and actor Affion Crockett; CAA Executive Jelani Johnson; Original Programming Manager at TBS Networks Olivia Morris; Producer Mark Adkins; Television Personality and Contributor at TMZ Loren Lorosa; ABFF Ventures CEO Jeff Friday and Director of U.S. Syndication Sales at Sony Pictures Television, Monique Kelley.
The Comedy Wings Competition is one of several platforms innovated by the ABFF that is designed to uncover talent and introduce them to a broader audience. ABFF has always participated in the cultivation of Black talent and has provided a stage over the years for dynamic performers such as Kevin Hart, Cedric the Entertainer, Craig Robinson, Tommy Davidson and Bill Bellamy.
“Comedy Wings is an extension of ABFF’s 22-year relationship with HBO, which also includes the HBO Short Film competition. Both of these platforms were created with the intent of introducing emerging talent to the entertainment industry at large,” says ABFF Ventures CEO, Jeff Friday.
“Since its inception, The Comedy Wings competition has been one of the highlights of the ABFF,” said Dennis Williams, Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs and Corporate Social Responsibility, HBO. “No examination of Black creativity would be complete without including the comedic tradition and the long legacy of humorists, who have provided insightful laughter and levity when people have needed it the most. HBO has long recognized, nurtured and tended to many of those comedic voices so we are eager to laugh with the talented performers we are sure to see on stage this year at the ABFF!”
This year’s five finalists are emerging comics from across the United States, with diverse styles and sensibilities.
See our complete list below:
Leighann Lord
Recently named one of the 35 Most Hilarious Comedians of Diversity, Leighann has been seen on Lifetime, AspireTV, Comedy Central, HBO’s Def Comedy All-Star Jam and ABC’s, The View. She’s performed for U. S. troops stationed in Europe, the South Pacific, and the Middle East. Leighann’s comedy album, I’ve Got Connections, is played heavily on Sirius satellite radio and she has been a radio/TV co-host on the Emmy-nominated Star Talk with Neil de Grasse Tyson. Leighann, a native New Yorker, is the author of several humor books including Dict Jokes and Real Women Do It Standing Up.
T. Murph
T. Murph is an Internationally known comedian who has been featured on nationally syndicated shows Chicago Fire, Key & Peele, the 2014 Reboot of BET’s ComicView, and Get Shorty on Epix. In 2017, Murph was a 2nd City Breakout Comic, STANDUp NBC finalist and has headlined shows in Dubai, Punta Cana, and Jamaica! T. Murph has built an undeniable following across the country touring hundreds of colleges and performing for thousands of students. When he’s not on tour you can catch him hosting his monthly Show “FADED by T Murph” in Chicago! Rita Brent
Rita Brent is an up-and-coming Comedienne based in Jackson, Mississippi. In 2013, Rita made a sharp career turn and responded to, what she believes was the voice of God, urging her to do stand-up comedy. Since then, she has been fully committed to the craft and finding a place for her voice in the industry. In 2016, she was the opening act for the late and legendary, Dick Gregory. She also met Rickey Smiley in 2016 and he took her under his wings as a mentee and tours with him often as an opening act on the “Rickey Smiley and Friends Tour.”
Blaq Ron
NBC “Stand Up For Diversity” regional finalist and Dallas, TX native Ron Dailey, more commonly known as “Blaq Ron,” is rapidly burning up the underground comedy scene at a gasoline infused pace! Regaled as one of Texas’ hottest young comedians, the “Malcolm X of Comedy” has certainly hit the ground running. His observational humor quickly gained the attention of the local club promoters and comedy competition judges, which propelled him to feature and tour with comedians Dick Gregory, Robert Powell, Lil Rel Howery, Arlen “Griff” Griffin, Rob Stapleton, Rodney Perry, Joe Torry, Shuckey Duckey, and dozens more.
Kris Atkins
With his quick-witted style of deadpan along with his southern vernacular and twang to match; comedian/writer/actor Kris Atkins often leaves audiences doubled over gasping for air. Kris is the epitome of the old saying “big things come in small packages”. He is considered an observational comedian with experience performing for churches, schools, corporations, arenas, and comedy clubs (Improv, Jokes n Notes, Comedy Store, Caroline’s, Gotham, etc.) all around the nation.
The Comedy Wings Competition is one of several platforms innovated by the ABFF, designed to uncover talent and introduce them to a broader audience. To purchase passes, tickets for events, panels and screenings at the 2018 American Black Film Festival, log on to http://www.abff.com/festival-passes/.
Join the conversation on social media by logging on to ABFF’s multiple social media platforms:
Twitter @ABFF
Facebook American Black Film Festival
Instagram @AmericanBlackFilmFestival
YouTube American Black Film Festival
Hashtags #ABFF2018; #WeAreABFF
Website www.ABFF.com
Sponsors for the 2018 American Black Film Festival are HBO® (Founding and Presenting Sponsor); Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (Host and Presenting Sponsor); TV One, Cadillac, Comcast NBCUniversal (Presenting Sponsors); BET, Turner (Premier Sponsors); American Airlines, Codeblack Films, The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), Verizon (Official Sponsors); Gentleman Jack, LOL Networks, and truTV (Supporting Sponsors); and SAGIndie, Walter Kaitz Foundation (Industry Partners).
Is Eddie Murphy’s ‘Boomerang’ Coming To TV As A Series On BET?
According to our sources, there is a lot of talk over at BET for the Eddie Muphy film Boomerang to come to television as a new sitcom!
Our sources are telling us- even though its hard to confirm just yet-that BET is trying to convert Boomerang into a revamped sitcom, along the lines of the infamous film following Eddie Murphy’s playboy character Marcus, and Halle Berry’s character, Angela.
Boomerang, directed by Reggie Hudlin, is about a cocky ad executive, Marcus (Murphy) who has a reputation as a ladies’ man. However, Marcus gets a taste of his own medicine when a merger finds him working under the beautiful Jacqueline (Robin Givens), who has a similarly cavalier attitude about romance. Marcus and Jacqueline become involved, but he is put off by her noncommittal approach to their relationship. Meanwhile, Marcus also begins to develop feelings for the pretty Angela (Halle Berry), who is more thoughtful than Jacqueline.
More details soon!
Freestyle Fridays Are Back On BET!
Freestyle Fridays are back on BET! BET Networks is seeking out the best undiscovered MCs from around the world in the ultimate video-upload contest #FreestyleFridayBET, hosted for the first time at YouTube Space facilities around the world. Staying true to its roots from 106 & PARK, the contest challenges amateur MCs from across the globe to show off their best rhymes!
To qualify for entry rappers will need to first subscribe to the BET Networks’ YouTube channel and second, post a video of themselves rapping that is tagged with the #FreestyleFridayBET hashtag. For more information about this once-in-a-lifetime contest go to BET.com/freestylefridaybet.
In a non-stop livestream face-off at the YouTube Space studios in four major cities (New York, Toronto, London and Los Angeles) rappers will pick from three beats at random to show off their lyrical skills in 60 seconds or less. The top ten finalists from each city will be selected by an esteemed group of radio DJs from across the nation. The rapper that receives the most #1 rankings from the DJs will be the official winner of the #FreestyleFridayBET competition in their city. From there, the four winning finalists from each city will be flown to LA to take part in a rap battle that will be judged by a panel of celebrity judges at the Fan Fest main stage at the BET Experience 2018 and the winner of this battle will be the opening act for the BET Experience hip hop show at the STAPLES Center on June 23, 2018.
Check out the official #FreeStyleFridayBET cities and dates for the livestreams below:
New York—Friday, March 30 – Hosted by Sirius XM radio personality & rapper Torae
Toronto—Friday, April 27
London—Friday, May 18
Los Angeles—Friday, June 15
All of the content captured in the livestream will live in a 30-minute companion series that will include performances, contestant interviews, behind the scenes content and more. Additionally, bonus content of the top best and worst contestant videos will round out this rapper’s delight extravaganza. All video will be available first on the BET Networks’ YouTube channel.
WATCH: Comedy Sketch By Tony T Roberts Titled ‘Stomach Is The New T*itty’!
Dramady Moon Productions and R5Photography present comedian Tony T Roberts in a comedy sketch titled STOMACH IS THE NEW TITTY.
The comedy sketch is produced by Terrel Cotton. WATCH and SHARE!
Common, Grouplove, Taye Diggs, Sanaa Lathan Headline New Ozy Fest!
OZY Media, the daily information source for important stories told nowhere else, today announces the third annual OZY FEST. Extended to two days this year, the festival will take place Saturday, July 21, and Sunday, July 22, 2018, at Rumsey Playfield in New York City’s Central Park. A limited number of presale tickets are available now at OZY.com/ozyfest. OZY FEST is presented in partnership with Volvo Cars.
Described by The New York Times as “part music festival, part TED talk, part food fair,” and by CNBC as “New York’s answer to SXSW, “ OZY FEST features world-class entertainers, innovators, esteemed thought leaders, artists and some of the world’s best food. This year’s lineup includes musicians Common and Grouplove; performers Taye Diggs, Sanaa Lathan and Laverne Cox; comedians Chelsea Handler, Hasan Minhaj and Michelle Wolf; authors Malcolm Gladwell, Steven Pinker, Roxane Gay and Salman Rushdie; celebrity chefs Marcus Samuelsson and Roy Choi; Jemele Hill (ESPN), Scott Rogowsky (HQ), Martha Stewart and more to be announced.
“OZY FEST is a massive party that descends upon New York City, bringing together the most diverse group of performers, thinkers, chefs and entertainers for an unprecedented exchange of ideas and the most fun you’ll have all year” says Carlos Watson, OZY co-founder and CEO. “This year we’re giving you double the fun, taking over Central Park for two days of laugh-out-loud comedy, delicious food and the hottest music. You don’t want to miss it!”
OZY FEST is something you experience — not something you just attend. OZY FEST 2017 attracted over 5,000 guests who engaged with art, opened their minds to technology, politics and provocative speakers, tasted inventive foods and partied to live music, all in one place. Past headliners have included Vice President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden, Samantha Bee, Mark Cuban, Issa Rae, Jason Derulo, Katie Couric, Sen. Cory Booker, Jeb Bush, Eddie Huang and many more.
Tickets to OZY FEST 2018 are available for limited purchase starting on Sunday, April 8. For a limited time, general admission tickets are $75 for one day, $98 for two days, and VIP passes are $200 for one day, $244 for two days. The VIP experience includes premier-reserve seating, celebrity meet & greets, and complimentary gourmet food and drinks.
“The Quad” has been canceled at BET less than a week after the show’s second season finale, a spokesperson for the network stated.
Anika Noni Rose starred in the drama series as Dr. Eva Fletcher, the new president of the fictional Georgia A&M University. The historically black college struggled in Season 2, with Fletcher struggling to raise money for the nearly bankrupt institution. If she failed, the school would be forced to join Georgia’s largest, public and predominantly white university in order to keep its doors open.
In addition to Rose, the series stars Ruben Santiago-Hudson as Cecil Diamond, Peyton Alex Smith as Cedric Hobbs, Jazz Raycole as Sydney Fletcher, Zoe Renee as Noni Williams, Jake Allyn as Bojohn Folsom, Michelle DeFraites as Madison Kelly, and Sean Blakemore as Coach Eugene Hardwick. The series was created by Felicia D. Henderson and Rob Hardy, who served as executive producers. Henderson also served as showrunner.
On This Day In Comedy… In 1979 Comedic Actress Keshia Knight Pulliam Was Born
On this day in comedy on April 9, 1979, Actress, Keshia Knight Pulliam was born in Newark, New Jersey, 1979
Pulliam began her career at the age of nine months. She was featured in a Johnson & Johnson national print ad for baby products. At the age of three she appeared on Sesame Street in the challenging role of “Keshia”. However, she is best known as Rudy Huxtable, the baby girl on NBC’s smash hit 80’s sitcom, The Cosby Show from 1984-1992. During that fruitful period, she made her big screen debut in The Last Dragon in 1985 and in 1986 Pulliam became the youngest actress ever nominated for an Emmy Award for her work on The Cosby Show.
Keshia Knight Pulliam was not just relegated to being known only as little Rudy. She appeared in commercials and guest starred on other television shows. She was seen in the films, Polly, Polly Comin Home, Beauty Shop (with Queen Latifah) and Madea Goes to Jail. In 2002 she won the celebrity version of Fear Factor. She was big on winning celebrity versions of shows because she won the celebrity version of The Weakest Link, too. She’s done music videos (Chingy’s “One Call Away” and Tank’s “Can’t Make You Love Me”) and plays (Donald Gray’s The Man of Her Dreams). In 2007 Pulliam returned as a regular TV star in Tyler Perry’s House of Payne playing the part of Miranda Lucas-Payne.
In VH1’s list of the 100 Greatest Kid Stars, Pulliam ranks #19 and she has three NAACP Image Awards (House of Payne) for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series.
On This Day In Comedy… In 1998 ‘The Players Club’ Was Released By New Line Cinema
On this day in comedy on April 8, 1998, The Players Club was released by New Line Cinema
Ice Cube made his directorial debut in this comedy starring LisaRaye, Bernie Mac, Faizon Love, Jamie Foxx, Terrance Howard, Charlie Murphy, Alex Thomas, A. J. Johnson, Dick Anthony Williams, Monica Calhoun, Tiny Lister, Adele Givens, Michael Clarke Duncan and John Amos.
The story is centered on LisaRaye, who narrates. She tells how as a young, single-mother-to-be she had a put-your-foot down argument with her father and moved out of the house. She subsequently got a job as a shoe store employee barely making ends meets. Then she meets up with a couple of girls who set her straight. Why be that sexy and not get paid for it? She needs to be stripping.
LisaRaye reluctantly gets into the stripping game, working at the Players Club and pulling in undeclared cash. It’s all good until her younger cousin gets a job stripping. This relative is soon doing more than stripping. She’s getting drunk and doing private parties. LisaRaye knows how wild those private parties can be from personal experience and tries to warn her cousin, who doesn’t want to hear it. She’s going where the money is. All the while the club owner, (Bernie Mac) has his own problems. He owes $60,000 to a gangster and his time is up. He’s beat up and thrown into the trunk of his car. If two crooked cops hadn’t shown up and arrested him that would’ve been it. Once Mac is out of jail retribution takes place on both sides.
During all the club drama, LisaRaye seeks some normalcy by dating the DJ. She discovers that her cousin has been tricked into doing a private party thinking there would be other strippers there. It turns out she is the only stripper and she ends up beaten and raped by the guest of honor who was told she was “that” kind of girl. LisaRaye and the DJ (Jamie Foxx) go to see her and then proceed to the club where Foxx holds a gun on the two strippers who got LisaRaye’s cousin ambushed while LisaRaye fights one of them furiously. After beating her down and quitting, LisaRaye knocks the other in the jaw as she and Foxx exit. Their timing is perfect, because just then the gangster and his henchmen shoot up the club and destroy it.
The epilogue is that the cousin gets a job at the shoe store then moves back home to live with her mother. LisaRaye and Foxx are a happy couple (He’s a top DJ on the radio station and she’s a reporter). Bernie Mac was killed by the gangsters. The two strippers that got beat down go work at a new strip club and Bernie’s henchmen go to Freaknik.
On a budget of $5 million, The Players Club grossed $23,047,939 domestically and $213,546 internationally for a worldwide box office take of $23,261,485.
On This Day In Comedy… In 1995 ‘Bad Boys’ Was Released By Columbia Pictures
On this day in comedy on April 7, 1995, Bad Boys was released by Columbia Pictures
Starring Will Smith and Martin Lawrence, this buddy flick is Michael Bay’s directorial debut. The story centers around two narcotic detectives in Miami, Florida on a case. After $100 million of their seized heroin is stolen from the police vault Internal Affairs suspects it was an inside job and the narcotics division has a week to recover the missing drugs or they’re going to be shut down. Smith enlists one of his informants (Karen Alexander) to see what she can find out on the streets about a recent big robbery Alexander and her friend, (Tea Leoni) pose as escorts for a baller’s party. Things go south, and Alexander and the baller are killed. Leoni manages to escape but will only tell her tale to Smith. Unfortunately, he’s away when she calls into the station, but Lawrence is there and the police captain (Joe Pantoliano) talks him into impersonating Smith (since Leoni never met him) so she will cooperate. Lawrence does, and they meet up.
The conflict arises because Lawrence is married to a jealous wife (aren’t they all) and must now live Smith’s life for a while until they can bust the thieves. Smith returns to find out he now has to live Lawrence’s life. The problem is Smith is a happy bachelor with all kinds of women stopping through; women Lawrence must kick out, so he can continue his investigation and stay faithful to his wife. Needless to say, Smith is not happy living at Lawrence’s house. Meanwhile, the thieves realize Leoni saw the murder and now they’re after her. The chase is on, but after a series of near-death experiences and multiple gunfights the criminals are killed, order is restored and Lawrence cuffs Smith and Leoni up together, so he can go explain to his wife why he’s been running around with a white woman.
Bad Boys was produced by Don Simpson and Jerry Bruckheimer. It featured the talents of Theresa Randle, John Salley, Michael Imperioli and Marg Helgenberger. Originally it was written for Jon Lovitz and Dana Carvey. Then once the script was retooled, Arsenio Hall was approached to play the Will Smith role. Hall later admitted turning down that part was the worse career mistake he ever made.
Though it received mixed reviews, Bad Boys was a commercial success. On a budget of $19 million it made $65,807,024 domestically and $75,600,000 internationally for a worldwide box office gross of $141,407,024.
