Hilarious!-Kevin Hart Drops F-Bomb, Tries To Crash Super Bowl Stage
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Kevin Hart
The Philadelphia fan celebrated on Sunday night, making an impromptu appearance on ‘NFL GameDay’ and becoming a viral moment of the night after being denied on stage for post-game celebrations.
Bradley Cooper wasn’t the only one celebrating the Philadelphia Eagles’ Super Bowl victory over the New England Patriots on Sunday night.
Eagles fan Kevin Hart, another Philadelphia native, was seen during the presentation of the Vince Lombardi trophy speaking to security as the trophy was being carried up to the podium. It’s unclear what they were discussing.
Eagles fan Kevin Hart, another Philadelphia native, was seen during the presentation of the Vince Lombardi trophy speaking to security as the trophy was being carried up to the podium. It’s unclear what they were discussing.
Later, he popped up on NFL Network’s NFL GameDay, where he noted that he had “started the celebration early” by drinking and even dropped the F-bomb.
His biggest moment of the night, however, came when the movie star tried to join the trophy celebrations on the field after the Eagles defeated the Patriots — but was denied. As Eagles players were heading on stage to accept the Vince Lombardi Trophy, Hart was seen on camera being denied access by a security guard.
After the footage had gone viral, an admittedly tipsy Hart took to social media to offer an explanation.
“To all the kids out there I just want to say — don’t drink,” he began. “When alcohol is in your system you do dumb stuff. Me trying to go on stage with the trophy was definitely in the top two stupidest things I’ve ever done but who cares? The Eagles won the Super Bowl!”
He continued, “Yeah I’m still a little tipsy, but the world can kiss my ass. My wife was the first one to say ‘babe don’t go up there.’ … It didn’t work out good.”
He said the guard told him, “Kevin Hart, I know who you are but you can’t be up here.”
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
WATCH: New ‘Mission: Impossible-Fallout’ Trailer From Tom Cruise!
The best intentions often come back to haunt you. MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – FALLOUT finds Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and his IMF team (Alec Baldwin, Simon Pegg, Ving Rhames) along with some familiar allies (Rebecca Ferguson, Michelle Monaghan) in a race against time after a mission gone wrong. Henry Cavill, Angela Bassett, and Vanessa Kirby also join the dynamic cast with filmmaker Christopher McQuarrie returning to the helm.
Dwayne Johnson Presents New Athletic Competition Show ‘Titan Games’ Airing On NBC
NBC has partnered with Dwayne Johnson and Dany Garcia to produce a new large-scale physical competition series “The Titan Games,” which will feature Johnson.
The 10-episode series from Universal Television Alternative Studio (“World of Dance”), A. Smith & Co. Productions (“American Ninja Warrior”) and Seven Bucks Productions (“Rock the Troops”) will offer everyday people the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to compete in epic head-to-head challenges designed to test mind, body and heart.
Inspired by Johnson’s desire to motivate global audiences to reach their potential for greatness, the competition welcomes men and women who are strong enough to believe in themselves and simultaneously confident enough to test their own abilities by taking on physical challenges of epic proportions. “The Titan Games” will not only test the competitors’ physical strength, but also their mental and emotional endurance. Taking place in a thrilling arena, determination will be rewarded as a new breed of heroes will emerge.
The announcement was made today by Paul Telegdy, President, Alternative and Reality Group, NBC Entertainment and Meredith Ahr, President, Universal Television Alternative Studio.
“Dwayne’s passion and drive for excellence, coupled with his inherent knowledge of all things physical, make him uniquely qualified to partner with us for “‘The Titan Games,’” Telegdy said.
Added Ahr: “As master of ceremonies, Dwayne’s contagious and uplifting energy will motivate and inspire our competitors as they get their own moments in the sun and unearth their inner champions.”
“We wanted to create a new kind of athletic competition unlike anything ever attempted before,” said Johnson, co-founder of Seven Bucks Productions. “‘The Titan Games’ will challenge competitors to succeed in ways no one thought possible while entertaining the whole world at the same time.”
“With ‘The Titan Games,’ we wanted to create a platform that would allow competitors of the highest caliber to be tested on multiple levels, to grow, to battle for success and ultimately be given their moment in the spotlight,” said Garcia, co-founder of Seven Bucks Productions. “We have found the perfect collaborators in NBC, Universal Television Alternative Studio and A. Smith & Co. Productions to bring this all to life.”
“The Titan Games’ will not only be an athletic spectacle, but will intertwine compelling storylines with new heroes that viewers will fall in love with,” said Arthur Smith, CEO of A. Smith & Co. Productions. “We’re looking forward to working with our long-time collaborators at NBC and teaming up with the one and only Dwayne Johnson and Seven Bucks Productions team to bring this unparalleled television series to life.”
In each episode, competitors from across America will step inside an electrifying arena and put themselves to the ultimate test by facing one of six reigning Titans. They will battle their opponents in remarkable feats that will require both mental stamina and physical strength. If a contender can defeat one of the existing Titans, they will take their place as a member of the elite Titan group. However, winning is just the start in this arena. Once one becomes a Titan, they will need to be victorious every week to remain at the top. The season finale will end with an epic battle where the Titans compete against one another in hopes to become the last male and female standing.
The nationwide search has begun. If you’re motivated, athletic and willing to push yourself beyond your limits, you could have the opportunity of a lifetime, courtesy of Dwayne Johnson. For those who think they have what it takes, visit nbc.com/Titans
“The Titan Games” is produced by A. Smith & Co. Productions in association with Universal Television Alternative Studio and Seven Bucks Productions. Dwayne Johnson, Arthur Smith, Dany Garcia, Hiram Garcia, Brian Gewirtz and Toby Gorman will serve as executive producers for the series.
Jordan Peele Wins First-Time Feature Director Guild Award For ‘Get Out’
Guillermo del Toro has won the Directors Guild of America’s top feature award for the fantasy drama “The Shape of Water.”
He won the award over Greta Gerwig (“Lady Bird”), Martin McDonagh (Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri”), Christopher Nolan (“Dunkirk”) and Jordan Peele (“Get Out”).
“Inclusion is necessary if for no other reason than we’re not hearing all the stories that need to be heard,” he said in his acceptance speech at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.
It’s the fourth time in recent years that a Mexican director has won the DGA award. Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu won the trophies for “Birdman” and “The Revenant” and Alfonso Cuaron won for “Gravity.” Last year, Damien Chazelle won for “La La Land.”
The DGA award is one of the top indicators of Oscar sentiment with all but seven of the DGA winners since 1948 going on to take the best director Oscar. The last divergence came in 2013 when Ben Affleck won the DGA award for “Argo” even though he did not receive an Oscar nomination.
Del Toro’s story of love between a mute cleaning woman and a captured acquatic creature has now won the Golden Globe for best director and the Producers Guild’s Darryl Zanuck Award for top feature film. He’s nominated for three Academy Awards for Best Picture, Best Director and Best Original Screenplay.
Del Toro was inspired to make “The Shape of Water” after seeing “The Creature from the Black Lagoon” as a 6-year-old. He spoke backstage of the importance of fable in current society, adding, “Fable allows you to fabricate fabulous creatures that are not of this world.”
“The Handmaid’s Tale,” “Veep” and “Big Little Lies” won the major TV awards. Reed Morano won for top drama series for the “Offred” episode of Hulu’s “The Handmaid’s Tale,” after the dystopian series won eight Emmys.
It was Morano’s first DGA win. “I want to thank my kids Casey and Fletcher, because I’m a mom first and a director second,” she said.
Jean-Marc Vallee won the award for movies for television and miniseries award for “Big Little Lies,” after the HBO series won eight Emmys. It was Vallee’s first DGA Award.
“Veep” took the award for best comedy series award for the “Chiclet” episode directed by Beth McCarthy-Miller. It was McCarthy-Miller’s fourth DGA win and her 12th nomination.
Peele won the first-time feature director award. evoking a standing ovation from the audience. He won the award over Geremy Jasper (“Patti Cake$”), William Oldroyd (“Lady Macbeth”), Taylor Sheridan (“Wind River”) and Aaron Sorkin (“Molly’s Game”).
“Get Out,” a horror-comedy that explores race relations in modern-day America, grossed more than $250 million on a $4.5 million budget.
“This has been the best year of my life, hands down,” he said. “My wife and I have had a baby. I’ve had to balance that with the knowledge that this has not been a good year for our country.”
Matthew Heineman won the documentary award for “City of Ghosts,” his film about the Syrian media activist group Raqqa Is Being Slaughtered Silently. It was the second DGA win for Heineman, who won the category in 2015 for “Cartel Land.”
Judd Apatow hosted the show. DGA President Thomas Schlamme opened the ceremonies Saturday night. Referring to his work on “The West Wing,” he said, “I will continue to model myself after the fictitious president,” he said.
Schlamme emphasized the guild’s commitment to opposing sexual harassment, saying, “This is not just a fight by women for women. They didn’t create this problem. It’s a fight for everyone for a better world for everyone.
“What’s clear is our decades-long fight to ensure the inclusion of women and people of color in the director’s chair,” he added.
Apatow offered several well-received jibes at Harvey Weinstein, saying, “What Harvey Weinstein ruined was robes. If I wear one now, my wife says ‘ewww.’”
Niki Caro won the first award of the evening in children’s programs for Netflix’s “Anne with an E” for the “Your Will Shall Decide Your Destiny” episode.
Glenn Weiss won the Variety/Talk/News/Sports – Specials category for the 89th Annual Academy Awards, made memorable by the mistaken presentation of the Best Picture Oscar to “La La Land” rather than “Moonlight.” Weiss thanked the members of his crew for dealing with the mistake quickly and his teachers for instructing him in dealing with stressful situations.
“It’s not just about how to direct but how to react when there’s pressure,” he added.
Don Roy King won the variety/talk — regularly scheduled program category for the “Saturday Night Live” segment hosted by Jimmy Fallon. It was his third DGA award.
Brian Smith won the DGA Award for reality programs for “MasterChef” for the “Vegas Deluxe & Oyster Shucks” episode.
WINNERS OF THE 70TH DGA AWARDS
FIRST-TIME FEATURE FILM DIRECTOR
Jordan Peele, “Get Out”
(Universal Pictures)
Peele’s Directorial Team:
Unit Production Managers: Marcei A. Brown, Rick A. Osako (Fairhope Unit)
First Assistant Director: Gerard DiNardi
Second Assistant Directors: Ram Paul Silbey, Marc Newland (Fairhope Unit), Jack McKenna (New York Unit)
Second Second Assistant Director: Maggie Ballard
Location Manager: Kurt Enger (New York Unit)
del Toro’s Directorial Team:
Unit Production Manager: J. Miles Dale
Production Manager: Dennis Chapman
First Assistant Director: Pierre Henry
Second Assistant Director: Tyler Delben
DOCUMENTARY
MATTHEW HEINEMAN
City of Ghosts
(Amazon Studios)
DRAMA SERIES
REED MORANO
The Handmaid’s Tale, “Offred”
(Hulu)
Ms. Morano’s Directorial Team:
Unit Production Manager: Joe Boccia
COMEDY SERIES
BETH McCARTHYMILLER
Veep, “Chicklet”
(HBO)
Ms. McCarthyMiller’s Directorial Team:
Unit Production Manager: David Hyman
First Assistant Director: Dale Stern
Second Assistant Director: Jeff Rosenberg
Second Second Assistant Director: Yarden Levo
Additional Second Assistant Director: Chalis Romero
MOVIES FOR TELEVISION AND MINISERIES
JEANMARC VALLÉE
Big Little Lies
(HBO)
Mr. Vallée’s Directorial Team:
Unit Production Managers: Barbara A. Hall, G.D. Fienberg
First Assistant Director: David Ticotin
Second Assistant Director: Christine Danahy
Second Second Assistant Director: Bob Riley
Additional Second Assistant Directors: Bryan Landrine, Rob Burgess, Allison Rushton, Mallory Squeo
VARIETY/TALK/NEWS/SPORTS – SPECIALS
GLENN WEISS
The 89th Annual Academy Awards
(ABC)
Mr. Weiss’s Directorial Team:
Associate Directors: Ken Diego, Eve Adair, Susan Kopensky, Lori Margules, Robin Mishkin Abrams, Michael Polito
Stage Managers: Gary Natoli, Rita Cossette, Dave Cove, John Esposito, Valdez Flagg, Chris Hines, Alissa Levisohn Hoyo, Arthur Lewis, Roxanne Lozano, Ron Paul, Tammy Raab, Jason Seligman, Jackie Stathis, Cheryl TeetzelMoore, Debbie Williams, Ari Woog
Associate Directors: Michael Mancini, Michael Poole, Bob Caminiti
Stage Managers: Gena Rositano, Chris Kelly
REALITY PROGRAMS
BRIAN SMITH
MasterChef, “Vegas Deluxe & Oyster Shucks”
(FOX)
Mr. Smith’s Directorial Team:
Associate Director: Anna Moulaison
Stage Managers: Drew Lewandowski, Brady Hess
CHILDREN’S PROGRAMS
NIKI CARO
Anne with an E, “Your Will Shall Decide Your Destiny”
(Netflix)
COMMERCIALS
MARTIN de THURAH
(Epoch Films)
Festival, StubHub – Goodby Silverstein
First Assistant Director: Charles Conner
Machines, StubHub – Goodby Silverstein
First Assistant Director: Charles Conner
MadWorld, WealthSimple – WealthSimple In House
First Assistant Director: Jey Wada
Second Assistant Director: Curtis Smith
Source: Variety
Netflix And Team Mo’Nique Emails Show Mo’Nique Telling The Truth
After reports emerged that actress-comedian Mo’Nique was actually offered $3M from Netflix rather than the low-ball amount of $500K, social media lit up in a frenzy. Mo’Nique and her husband-manager Sidney Hicks both claimed the offer was never in the millions and promised to provide proof. Some obtained emails between Netflix and Hicks shows the dialog..
Monique and Hicks came on this writer’s show, “Real Talk with Rashad Richey,” and gave an hour-long in-depth interview about Netflix and what they call hypocrisy in the negotiations. Emails obtained clearly show Netflix was not interested in offering anything above $500K, contrary to some reports.
Source: Rolling Out
WATCH: Regina Hall & Samuel L. Jackson On The Set For The New “Shaft” Reboot
Watch Kevin Frazier of Entertainment Tonight and HipHollywood as he had a little fun with Regina Hall and Samuel L. Jackson on the set of the “Shaft” reboot. Check it out!
SOurce: HipHollywood
Finesse Mitchell On Life After ‘SNL’ And Making Comedy With Trump: ‘I Wasn’t Smiling Anymore’
Approximately 1,500 miles from the DC Improv, Finesse Mitchell’s wife is eating birthday cake on FaceTime. She’s in Austin, having spent the holidays in Atlanta with the former Saturday Night Live performer and his family. Now she’s preparing to celebrate her birthday without him; her party is tonight. He’s with me.
It’s shortly before the New Year, and Mitchell is wrapping up his 2017 with a four-night stint at this comedy club. DC Improv is tucked away slightly outside DuPont Circle, less than a mile from the historic Strivers’ Section, which once counted Langston Hughes and Frederick Douglass among its many prominent African-American residents. Today the neighborhood’s largely gentrified.
The temperature is below freezing, and Mitchell is wearing a pair of designer jeans with zippers and rips on each pant leg that can’t be very insulating. Regardless, he bounds on stage to Chris Brown’s “Pills & Automobiles,” instantly hooking the crowd. It’s an energetic and upbeat way to kickstart a set, as well as trumpet the year’s end. (The song’s post-chorus: “I’m just trying to change your life.”)
The previous 12 months saw its share of ebb and flow for Mitchell. He continues to tour while adjusting to fatherhood—he and his wife have a 2-year-old daughter with another baby on the way. “Professionally, I had a few downs,” he concedes, referencing the cancellation of the Showtime series he starred in, Roadies, in addition to his aborted HBO comedy, Brothers in Atlanta. “I went into the year, like ‘I’m on Showtime and HBO, baby! This is the year!’ So it’s kind of weird, even when you win, sometimes that rug can still be snatched.”
SNL, where Mitchell spent three seasons as a cast member in the mid-aughts, is probably the best place to be conditioned for the mercurial nature of show business. In an era dominated by heavyweights such as Tina Fey and Jimmy Fallon, Mitchell nevertheless succeeded with characters such as Starkisha and his bits on Weekend Update. (His Update segment on baby names is in league with the desk monologues once performed by Eddie Murphy or Chris Rock.) Given the show’s inherent competition, battling to ensure sketches not only make it to dress, then air—and are funny—can be a slog. Looking back, he offers: “I don’t know if I kind of gave up and quit on myself and let that attitude come out on the show. But I wasn’t smiling anymore, or trying to break the code to win. I was just like, ‘I’m drowning’ and I think they could sense that.”
The fear of being pigeonholed by the show’s monumental legacy, and the boxes placed on its performers, also looms. “There are people who didn’t make SNL—Tiffany Haddish auditioned, Bresha Webb auditioned—these girls are kicking ass in TV and film right now. And some of them are like, ‘I’m so glad I didn’t get it.’ Because you’re so limited in what you can do.”
As a comic, Mitchell is buoyant, a consummate emcee who can rattle off a pitch-perfect Morgan Freeman from The Shawshank Redemption. With me, he’s just as quick, but also thoughtful and reflective. Given the past year’s often-bewildering news cycle, it’s easy to understand. Controversy and outrage lingers over the death of black Americans at the hands of law enforcement. Mitchell’s neighbor-state, Alabama, has just narrowly refused sending Roy Moore to the Senate. “The bar’s been set so low that even someone accused of pedophilia, by his own community, could [have] helped govern and set laws for our country,” he laments.
Beyond SNL, the year’s various political and cultural touchstones have cast their own shadow on the night. If the general public greeted 2017’s horrors with a collective sigh, Mitchell appears to still be wrestling with it.
“2017, what a fucking helluva year. Nothing surprises me anymore,” he concludes. “As much as we claim to love the country, the hypocrisy just chokes you. It forces you to eat it.”
Mitchell’s a member of several unique clubs. He played football for the national champion University of Miami Hurricanes, where his teammates included Warren Sapp and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. He is one of a handful of athletes to successfully shift into mainstream comedy. It’s Terry Crews, him, Johnson and that’s about it. Maybe Terry Bradshaw.
Even in 2018, he is still one of the few black cast members to join SNL, though he’s encouraged by the show’s recent strides: “I’m very proud of Lorne. I mean, hell, SNL is almost In Living Color right now. It’s never been this diverse.”
Here’s one final category: Mitchell is one of only 13 cast members who appeared in the April 3, 2004, episode of Saturday Night Live when Trump made his hosting debut.
“He was a cool guy, a nice guy,” recalls Mitchell. “And he did a good job.”
Mitchell and Trump starred together in a sketch about Jayson Williams, the New Jersey Nets star who accidentally shot and killed his limo driver. When it was cut before air (“It wasn’t in good taste, but it was funny”), Trump expressed disappointment.
“At the after party, he gave me his business card and told me to call him if I needed anything. I did and he called me back. We caught up and he said he gave me a shout out in his new book.” Alongside fellow SNLer and Trump impressionist Darrell Hammond, Mitchell is mentioned in Trump’s 2005 bestseller, Think Like a Billionaire: Everything You Need to Know About Success, Real Estate, and Life. Page 151.
Mitchell does not mince words about this point: the man who hosted Saturday Night Live, joking about Jayson Williams, is not the same person as the current occupant in the Oval Office. To Mitchell, there’s “two different Trumps… which makes me question: who was the guy I met at SNL?” It’s a fair point; the charismatic, larger-than-life television personality feels worlds away from the ugly xenophobia and culture wars of the current presidency.
Mitchell—who considers himself an independent who could have voted for John Kasich or Bernie Sanders during the last presidential election—has seen Trump twice since their 2004 overlap, including on the SNL40 red carpet. Though he’s been on a first-name basis with the president, his feelings on Trump’s first term are unequivocal: “Being a black dude, we just had one of the roughest years ever, that transition from Barack’s last year to Trump’s first year. We took a bad turn.”
Following Trump’s meteoric political rise, the show has come under increased scrutiny for its previously cozy relationship and initial softball approach to the 45th president. Mitchell is more tactful, calling Alec Baldwin’s portrayal of Trump “phenomenal.”
Apart from Baldwin, SNL’s recent Trump takedowns have mostly stemmed from current Weekend Update anchor and co-head writer Michael Che. The sometimes-caustic comic earns plaudits from his SNL predecessor, and for a few reasons. During his time on the show, Mitchell aspired to become the first black Weekend Update anchor. “That never happened. Now it has.”
“If you’re only used to one style of SNL, you’re going to say ‘Oh, he’s too brash’ or just ‘too bold.’ I’m glad Lorne is letting him get up there and say ‘You little bitch’ [about Trump.] Shit like that. I think it’s funny.” He pauses: “It’s needed.”
More than 40 percent of Americans make New Year’s resolutions. For Mitchell, his 2018 plans are already underway. He will co-host a new Facebook game show, Last State Standing. Next up: shooting a comedy special, possibly in the first quarter of the year. Then pilot season in February, with the goal to book another Showtime and HBO show.
Mitchell’s opening act is nearly done. In a few moments, he will be on stage, riffing about family life, the club scene… and Trump. He gets himself a drink.
Written by Andy Hodlund/The Daily Beast
Tisha Campbell Reunites With Martin Lawrence And Ends Dispute!
It looks like Martin Lawrence and Tisha Campbell-Martin have resolved their issues with one another. On Thursday, the actress made a semi-public appearance with him, along with Tichina Arnold in Burbank, CA. The photo op further confirms that fans will see the cast of ‘Martin’ reunite again. Martin posted a photo of the trio writing,
In the words of Ice Cube, today was a good day With @tishacampbellmartin & @tichinaarnold
For years, it seemed highly unlikely that there would ever be a reunion. Back in 1997, Tisha, who played one of the leads, sued the comedian. She accused her co-star of waging an obsessive campaign of physical and emotional abuse against her, so volatile and unpredictable that she feared for her life. She charged Lawrence with “repeated and escalating” sexual harassment, sexual battery and violent threats. Martin denied the allegations.
Last week, Martin’s fiance Robert revealed that a Martin reboot may be in the works. She wrote on social media,
Got word from my fiancé that my favorite show may be coming back..
Martin responded, leaving an eyeball emoji.
Martin aired for five seasons on Fox from August 27, 1992 to May 1, 1997. The show was one of the network’s highest-rated shows during the sitcom’s run. The series starred Martin Lawrence, who was also one of the creators of the series, along with Tisha Campbell, Carl Anthony Payne II, Thomas Mikal Ford and Tichina Arnold.
Source: The Jasmine Brand
On This Day In Comedy… In 1938 Comedic Actor Sherman Hemsley Was Born!
On this day in comedy on February 1, 1938, Actor, Sherman Alexander Hemsley was born in South Philadelphia
Upon leaving the Air Force after a four-year hitch, Hemsley attended the Academy of Dramatic Arts in Philadelphia at night and worked for the Post Office during the day. He even kept his day job when he moved to New York and spent his evenings acting. One night on his thespian route (he was in Purlie), Hemsley was spotted by TV producer, Norman Lear. The hitmaker wanted Hemsley for the role of George Jefferson, a neighbor of Archie Bunker’s on the CBS groundbreaking sitcom All in the Family. Hemsley was leery about leaving Broadway so Lear told him the part was his when his theater commitment was over. Two years later Hemsley took him up on his offer.
The Jeffersons became a spin-off of All in the Family and ran for 11 seasons and 253 episodes. The character of George Jefferson, an upwardly mobile black bigot who made his fortune in the dry-cleaning business was a persona America had never seen before and they couldn’t get enough. Along with Isabel Sanford, Frank Cover, Marla Gibbs, Roxie Roker and Paul Benedict, the sitcom lived beyond its broadcast tenure. Cast members; especially Hemsley and Sanford, reprised their roles on many other sitcoms in guest starring capacities as well as personal appearances at conventions.
Once The Jeffersons officially shut down production Hemsley bounced to the next show. This one had him playing a church deacon and co-starred Clifton Davis. Amen ran on NBC for five seasons and after that Helmsley took on the voice of a dinosaur in ABCs live action puppet show, Dinosaurs. That series ran for four seasons and after his trifecta Sherman Hemsley retired from television. He’d released two albums during his run; one a jazz LP and the other a collection of R&B tunes. So with a career full of achievements, Sherman Hemsley spent the rest of his day’s guest starring, doing commercials and making cameos.
On July 24, 2012, Sherman Hemsley died from a cancerous lung at his home in El Paso, Texas. That same year he was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame.
Lena Waithe Of ‘The CHI’ And ‘Ready Player One’ Fame Confirmed To Present At ABFF Honors!
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – February 1, 2018 – The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) Honors is excited to announce that Lena Waithe (The CHI, Ready Player One) is confirmed to present at the annual ceremony held at The Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles on Sunday, February 25th, hosted by comedian and actor Cedric the Entertainer.
The awards show celebrates individuals of African descent who have made distinguished contributions to American culture through their work, and salutes the year’s best movies and television shows. ABFF Honors was created by American Black Film Festival founder Jeff Friday, to promote camaraderie and a spirit of mutual appreciation among multicultural artists in Hollywood.
This year’s show will honor legendary actor Billy Dee Williams with the “Hollywood Legacy Award;” actor Omari Hardwick with the “Distinguished ABFF Alumni Award;” actress and comedian Tiffany Haddish with the “Rising Star Award” and writer and director Ava DuVernay with the “Industry Visionary Award.”
The honorees will join an illustrious group of past ABFF Honors recipients, including actors Denzel Washington, Regina King, Don Cheadle, Diahann Carroll, Queen Latifah, Issa Rae, Terrence Howard and filmmakers and producers Ryan Coogler, F. Gary Gray and Will Packer.
The many high-profile presenters and guests who have attended are Viola Davis, Kerry Washington, Robert Downey Jr., Jamie Foxx, Ice Cube, Cecily Tyson, Lee Daniels, Anthony Anderson, Regina Hall, Taye Diggs, Octavia Spencer, KeKe Palmer, Nia Long, Morris Chestnut, Omari Hardwick and Pharrell Williams, among others.
The event is executive produced by ABFF Ventures founder Jeff Friday, in association with de Passe Jones Entertainment.
The 2018 ABFF Honors sponsors are BET Networks (Presenting Sponsor), AT&T and Cadillac (Red Carpet Sponsors) and American Airlines (Official Airline Sponsor) and CAA, Facebook, HBO, Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) and Prudential (Corporate Diversity Sponsors).
