Mo’Nique Congratulates Tiffany Haddish on Her Netflix Deal
Mo’Nique has been getting a lot of attention for her public boycott of Netflix after she claims that they offered her $500K in light of giving Amy Schumer, Chris Rock, and Dave Chappelle millions for their comedy shows. When a fan pointed out that “If @TiffanyHaddish gets a multimillion @netflix deal at the level of @amyschumer it’s because @moworldwide stood up.”
Tiffany responded to the fan, writing, “I already got a deal and I signed it way before she said a thing and its not legend money but its enough to take care of my family for min.”
Mo’Nique caught wind of the situation and made it clear that she was nothing but happy for Tiffany’s deal. She wrote, “You’ve done nothing wrong my sister. You KEEP SHINING! I am proud of you. You keep doing what your doing. You are making it better for the next ones. Luv u 2 life.”
On This Day In Comedy… In 1970 Actress, Model, Producer, Niecy Nash Was Born
On this day in comedy on February 23, 1970, Actress, Model, Producer, Carol Denise “Niecy” Nash (Carol Denise Ensley) was born in Palmdale, California
Many performers shy away from the label ‘role model’. Others become them by example. After the shooting death of her younger brother in 1993, her mother founded M.A.V. I. S. (Mothers Against Violence in Schools) and Nash became its most outspoken spokesperson; informing the public about the dangers of violence on campus. That level of commitment permeates her work as well.
Nash began her career in films. The maiden voyage was 1995’s Boys on the Side in a small virtually uncredited role; the character had no name, just a description. That didn’t happen again. In 1999 she was in Cookie’s Fortune, Guess Who in 2005, Code Name: The Cleaner in 2007, Not Easily Broken in 2009, G-Force in 2009 and Trust Me in 2013.
Niecy Nash was also extremely active on television. From 2003-2010 she hosted Clean House on the Style Network. For her tenure of excellence, she won an Emmy. However, most viewers got a load of Nash when she gained notoriety on the Comedy Central sitcom, Reno 911 playing sassy Deputy Raineesha Williams from 2003 to 2009. In 2007 the show was shot as a feature-length film, Reno 911!: Miami.
Before during and after her run on Reno 911!, Nash guest starred on Reba, Girlfriends, One on One, Half & Half, That’s So Raven, My Name is Earl, Monk, and others. From 2003 – 2005 Nash had recurring roles on The Bernie Mac Show as Mac’s sister, Benita and she co-starred with Jerry O’Connell on the Fox sitcom, Do Not Disturb in 2008. She had her own reality show, Leave It to Niecy, about her new family in 2011, a recurring role on Fox as a doctor on The Mindy Project and in 2015 she was Andre Braugher’s sister on the Fox comedy, Brooklyn Nine-Nine.
Niecy Nash’s detail to craft did not go unnoticed. She received multiple acting award nominations for the part of nurse Denise “DiDi” Ortley in Getting On airing on HBO from 2013-2015. Beginning in 2012 she co-starred with Cedric the Entertainer on The Soul Man, a spin-off from the popular AMC sitcom, Hot in Cleveland. Her role as Cedric’s wife has been universally applauded, but Nash has also received acclaim for her rare dramatic performances. In the role of civil rights activist Richie Jean Jackson in 2014’s Selma she got raves. She also received good reviews for her recurring role on the CBS series, City of Angels.
The multi-faceted Nash was also no stranger to animation. She was Mama Robin in Here Comes Peter Cottontail: The Movie (2005). She portrayed Cookie Freeman on The Boondocks and Fatso’s Mama on Minoriteam in 2006. She lent her voice for the character of Mrs. Boots on the animated series, Slacker Cats on ABC Family and voiced Lorraine on American Dad from 2007-2013. Nash was heard as Miss Yelp in Horton Hears a Who! (2008), Janet on The Cleveland Show (2010) and Gloria on The LeBrons in 2011. She honestly would’ve done more, but there are only 24 hours in a day.
In 2009 Niecy Nash won a Gracie Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for Reno 911! In 2010 she won the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Special Class Special
On This Day In Comedy… In 1984 Comedian, Host, And Actor Trevor Noah Was Born
On this day in comedy on February 20, 1984, Comedian, Host, Actor, Trevor Noah was born in Johannesburg, South Africa
Initially known in America as Jon Stewart’s successor on The Daily Show, Noah has always carried more weight than most. When his Swiss/German father and Xhosa/Jewish mother ended their illegal relationship due to apartheid (she was jailed, and he moved back to Switzerland), Noah was raised by his mother and grandmother. That is until his mother married, got divorced and then was shot in the face by her jealous ex for getting engaged to another man. Noah was also threatened with death and moved from Johannesburg to Los Angeles, California in 2011.
Prior to relocating Noah had made his mark in Africa where themes of race were basic to his material. He broke onto the public scene at the age of 18 in 2002 starring on the South African soap opera, Isidingo. He hosted his own radio show (Noah’s Ark) on YFM, a leading youth radio station; hosted an educational show on SABC2; a gossip show and a sports show on SABC 1 and a dating show called The Amazing Date. Noah hosted the South Africa Film and Television Awards, The Axe Sweet Life (a reality competition show), his own show, Tonight with Trevor Noah and he was a spokesperson for one of the largest cellular providers in South Africa, Cell C. He’s performed all over South Africa, toured with Gabriel Iglesias and taped multiple standup comedy specials. He was the first South African comedian to perform stand up on The Tonight Show in 2012 and the first to appear on The Late Show with David Letterman in 2013. He’s been the subject of a documentary, a Roast Master on Comedy Central and a recurring contributor on The Daily Show.
So, when Comedy Central announced Jon Stewart’s replacement in March 2015 they were confident the seasoned Trevor Noah was ready. Yet despite the fact the takeover wasn’t going to happen until September, the internet was abuzz about how Stewart was irreplaceable and that this guy Noah had no right to be in a successor conversation. Haters trolled YouTube looking for incriminating evidence to support their case and he had some. They uncovered several jokes of his that did not work. Social media was aghast. A comedian who has bombed before. Unheard of! He was called anti-Jewish even though he is part Jewish, but fortunately the network ignored the firestorm and Noah made his debut. His self-described politically progressive style fit right into The Daily Show mindset. Though it took a moment for the audience to get used to the new host, Noah drew his crowd to him and the long running signature program kept bringing in viewers. So much for irreplaceability.
Trevor Noah speaks more than a half-dozen languages fluently and has won the 2012 South African Comic’s Choice Comic of the Year Award and the 2015 MTV Africa Music Award for Personality of the Year.
On This Day In Comedy… In 2011 ‘Big Momma’s House 3: Like Father, Like Son’ Was Released
On this day in comedy on February 18, 2011 Big Momma’s House 3: Like Father, Like Son was released by 20th Century Fox
Martin Lawrence once again plays FBI agent, Malcolm Turner in this sequel to the sequel to the original. This time out Lawrence has to go undercover as an old woman to protect his stepson, who saw a murder. Naturally, the step-son (Brandon T. Jackson) has to dress up like a female too and they hide out in an all-girls school. The stepson falls for one of the girls. One of the workers (Faizon Love) falls for Big Momma. They blow their covers. The gang of killers catch up to them and just as they are about to kill the duo somebody (in this case Love) come in just in the nick of time to save the day. Yay!
Big Momma’s House 3 was critically panned. There was more than one Razzie Award nomination. However, on the upside, Faizon Love’s performance was heralded, and the film was shot for less than the two previous offerings from the franchise. This was due to being shot in Georgia and Lawrence taking less money.
Budgeted at $32 million, Big Momma’s House 3 grossed $83,915,414 worldwide.
Tisha Campbell-Martin To Star In New ABC Drama Pilot On Black Police Officer Sisters
Tisha Campbell-Martin has been cast in a series regular role for an upcoming ABC drama pilot
The project, based from ABC Studios is from Pam Veasey, Robin Roberts and Regina King.
She will star in the pilot for an untitled drama that has been in development on “the lives of five African-American sisters, all officers in the NYPD, as they face the challenges of their high-risk jobs while juggling the responsibilities of marriage, motherhood and family.” It is based on the real-life story of the Holmes sisters, who Roberts covered for GMA.
Campbell-Martin joins Amirah Vann, the first sister who was cast. Veasey writes the pilot and King directs.
Her character is Sergeant Anise Kendrick-Morrison, “a witty, tough, and outspoken Patrol Officer with a sharp sense of humor. She is immensely proud of her family, especially her four sisters who are all in the NYPD. The first to join the force, she proudly patrols her own childhood neighborhood in Queens.”
This marks another ABC series for Campbell-Martin. She was a series regular on Dr. Ken for its two-season run from 2015-2017 and starred on the network’s My Wife and Kids from 2001-2005. Of course, she is most known for starring in the sitcom, Martin, from 1992-97. There have been talks of a Martin reboot as of recent, thatCampbell-Martin has all but confirmed. But if picked up to series, she would certainly be busy with this project.
Source: Shadow & Act
Is A ‘Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’ Reboot In the Works — Featuring A Princess?
Just as with rumors of a Martin reboot, a The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air reboot have been running rampant as of recent, led by Will Smith.
Smith fueled speculation by posting cartoon versions of the Fresh Prince characters created by fans on Instagram.
Around this same time, TMZ reported that the company that owns the rights to ‘Fresh Prince’ just applied to trademark a bunch of new merch, including toys, action figures and kids’ games.
Now, TMZ is reporting that the company is trademarking a lot more! They are wanting to lock down rights to “Fresh Princess” for a television program and what the tabloid refers to as “virtually every other media platform.” They are also wanting “Fresh Princess merch including bags, backpacks, animal collars and, of course, lots of clothing and footwear.
Because the initial trademarks they wanted were for toys, and taking into account this new information, does this mean a The Fresh Princess of Bel-Air animated series?
We can only guess, but for now, speculation will continue to run wild.
Source: Shadow & Act
Rashida Jones To Write Script For New ‘9 To 5’ Comedic Reboot
When you look at the 1980 comedy 9 to 5 and ask what has changed from the male chauvinist premise of that film, the #MeToo movement proves the answer is, absolutely nothing. What better timing for a new version of that hit, especially when original stars Dolly Parton, Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin are eager for a reprise?
Jones
REX/Shutterstock
2oth Century Fox is in the early stages of a new version that would focus on three young women dealing with sexism and chauvinism in the workplace, who turn to the original trio for help in navigating and getting even with the course male higher-ups. Sources said that there are early talks for creator Pat Resnick to team with a young writer — actress-scribe Rashida Jones is the one they want — to find a handle that can make the concept relevant to a young comedy audience. The film will be produced by Shawn Levy, Resnick and Jonathan Baruch of Rain Management Group.
The actresses starred with Dabney Coleman, who played a sexist, narcissistic, lying bigot boss. The three play secretaries who watch themselves passed over for promotions, and their ideas stolen in a culture of rampant sexual harassment. After the boss blackmails one of the women (played by Parton) into sleeping with him, she instead shows up with her cohorts. They kidnap the boss and keep him tied up as the uncover his embezzlement scheme and a way to cash in.
The film was a huge hit, fueled by Parton’s theme song that was one of the biggest hit records of the decade. 9 to 5 was turned into a 2009 Broadway musical.
Jones is repped by UTA, Resnick with ICM Partners and Rain Management Group.
Source: Deadline
Morris Chestnut And Jennifer Carpenter To Star In NBC Pilot ‘The Enemy Within’!
Dexter and Limitless alumna Jennifer Carpenter and former Rosewood star Morris Chestnut are set as the female and male leads in NBC drama pilot The Enemy Within, from Gotham executive producer Ken Woodruff, NBC executive-turned-producer Vernon Sanders and Universal TV.
Having both been leads of series before and having both been pursued for pilots this season, I hear The Enemy Within landed the duo in premium, high-end deals.
Written and executive produced by Woodruff and directed by Mark Pellington, The Enemy Within is a character-driven investigative thriller set in the world of counterintelligence. It focuses on former CIA agent Erica Wolfe (Carpenter), the most notorious traitor in modern history and most hated woman in America, who is brought out of a federal supermax prison by the FBI to help stop some of the most dangerous acts of espionage threatening the United States today.
Carpenter’s Wolfe is a highly intelligent codebreaker who learned her craft from her father and disclosed highly sensitive information to a former Russian intelligence agent. Chestnut will play Will Keaton, an FBI counter-intelligence agent who had brought down the traitor Erica Wolfe and whose fiancee had been murdered as a result of Wolfe’s activities.
.Carpenter is known for her roles as Debra Morgan on Showtime’s Dexter and Rebecca Harris on CBS’ Limitless. She was most recently be seen in S. Craig Zahler’s Brawl In Cell Block 99. She is repped by WME, Untitled Entertainment and Jackoway Tyerman
Chestnut starred in the title role of Fox’s Rosewood and most recently did a season-long stint on the upcoming second season of Amazon’s Goliath. He also is known for his series regular role as Dr. Prentiss in the last two seasons of Showtime’s Nurse Jackie. He is repped by WME and Link Entertainment.
Source: Deadline
HBO’s ‘Fahrenheit 451’ New Film Starring Michael B. Jordan Releases New Trailer
HBO released its first look at “Fahrenheit 451,” starring Michael B. Jordan and Michael Shannon.
Based on Ray Bradbury’s 1953 dystopian novel of the same name, the film follows a futuristic American society where books are burned to censor and destroy knowledge.
“By the time you guys grow up, there won’t be one book left,” Jordan’s character Guy Montag, a “fireman” in charge of burning the novels who struggles with his role of erasing history, says in the clip before an auditorium of children.
“A little knowledge is a dangerous thing — news, facts, memoirs, internet of old. Burn it,” Shannon, who plays Jordan’s captain, says in the trailer. “We are not born equal, so we must be made equal by the fire.”
Directed by Ramin Bahrani, the film also stars Sofia Boutella, Lilly Singh, Laura Harrier, and Martin Donovan. Jordan served as an executive producer on the project, producing through his Outlier Productions. Other executive producers are Sarah Green of Brace Cove Productions, Alan Gasmer, Peter Jaysen, and Noruz Films’ Bahrani, who co-wrote with Amir Naderi. David Coatsworth is a producer.
This is not the first time Bradbury’s story has been adapted, as it was previously made into a 1966 British film, a 1979 play, a 1984 video game, and a collection of short stories by the author, titled “A Pleasure to Burn.”
“Fahrenheit 451” will be released on HBO in May.
Gina Rodriguez To Star In And Produce New Netflix Comedy Titled ‘Someone Great’!
Gina Rodriguez will produce and star in Netflix’s romantic comedy “Someone Great.”
Jennifer Kaytin Robinson will direct from her own script, marking her feature directorial debut.
The producers are Paul Feig and Jessie Henderson of Feigco, Anthony Bregman and Peter Cron of Likely Story, and Rodriguez through her I Can and I Will Productions. Feigco’s Dan Magnante, Likely Story’s Stefanie Azpiazu. and Robinson are executive producing. Emily Gipson of I Can and I Will is co-producing.
“Someone Great” centers on a woman who experiences a tough break-up and seeks adventure in New York City with her two best friends before moving across the country for her dream job. The production is eyeing an April start date.
Rodriguez has won a Golden Globe and has been nominated three times for her work as Jane Villanueva in The CW comedy-drama “Jane the Virgin,” which is now in its fourth season. She can currently be seen on the big screen opposite Natalie Portman in “Annihilation.”
Rodriguez is also the voice of Carmen Sandiego in the upcoming Netflix revival, which is set to premiere in 2019. Her other credits include “Filly Brown,” “The Bold and the Beautiful,” and “Deepwater Horizon.”
Robinson was the creator of the MTV show “Sweet/Vicious.” Rodriguez is repped by CAA and Jackoway Tyerman Wertheimer.
