Michael Blackson Pokes Fun At Kevin Hart Over Trophy Ceremony Rejection
Michael Blackson didn’t miss the opportunity to take a petty shot at Kevin Hart after seeing the Philly-born comic get rejected from joining the Eagles players for the Lombardi Trophy ceremony following their 41-33 victory over the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl on Sunday, February 4.
The very next day Blackson reposted a viral video clip of the moment Hart was stopped short of advancing to the stage set up in the middle of the U.S. Bank Stadium field. The snippet that Blackson used was labeled with text that read “Trying To Get Into VIP” – which he played off of in the way he worded the caption.
“When you thought just because you from Philly you can join in the festivities, get your narrow ass back here with us Z list Little n**ga,” Blackson wrote.
As a resident of Philadelphia since migrating to the United States from Ghana, Blackson was also in Minnesota for the big game. Judging by some of the photos and recordings he has uploaded to the internet, it doesn’t appear that the comedy peers ever crossed paths. Blackson did get a moment to snap a flick with Chris Long and his Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive end father Howie before the game.
Cedric The Entertainer Makes The World’s Greatest Man-wich For GQ
Comedian and actor Cedric The Entertainer stopped by the GQ offices to share a family secret of how to make a full blown sandwhich, which he calls a MAN-wich… Watch the video below:
Brandon Micheal Hall, Star Of ABC’s ‘The Mayor’ Tapped As Lead In CBS Pilot, ‘God Befriended Me’
Just a few days ago we reported that The Mayor‘s Brandon Micheal Hall is hot commodity for networks during pilot season.
Now, the reports have come to fruition as he’s been tapped as the lead for CBS’s potential procedural, God Befriended Me.
The series is from Warner Bros. Television and Greg Berlanti’s Berlanti Productions.
Its description: “God Befriended Me is described as a humorous, uplifting series, which explores questions of faith, existence, and science. It centers on Miles (Hall), an outspoken atheist whose life is turned upside down when he is “friended” by God on Facebook. Unwittingly, he becomes an agent of change in the lives and destinies of others around him.”
A relative newcomer, Hall earned rave reviews headlining The Mayor at ABC, which despite getting critical acclaim, is virtually canceled at the Mouse House. He also co-starred on TBS’ Search Party.
If ordered to series, this could make Hall one of only two black male leads on the network in many years, with the first being Jermaine Fowler on Superior Donuts. However, due tothe recent flack CBS has gotten for diversity, and their recent commitment to change for the better, this may be a movement for more diverse leads at the network.
Kevin Hart’s Digital Network Laugh Out Loud Headed To Canada
Hart’s Laugh Out Loud streaming service, a partnership with Lionsgate, will anchor Bell Media’s new Snackable TV.
Comedian Kevin Hart is taking his online comedy network, Laugh Out Loud, to Canada.
The Jumanji actor will see his LOL service, a partnership with Lionsgate, anchor a new free, ad-supported video streaming service, Snackable TV, launched in Canada by Bell Media. Hart and Lionsgate introduced the online comedy network in August 2017 stateside, and LOL is now expanding internationally with a slate of several comedies, unscripted series and licensed programs.
Snackable TV will launch north of the border with comedy brands from HBO, including its High Maintenance shortform series; Comedy Central; Just for Laughs; and the original Canadian comedyLetterkenny. Besides LOL, Bell Media has other premium U.S. TV brands like Showtime and Starz under its content umbrella via similar exclusive content deals.
Hart first announced his plans for LOL in March 2016. The service is run by his longtime business partner Jeff Clanagan.
“Today’s launch of SnackableTV represents an opportunity in the shortform content landscape in Canada, and our exciting new content partnerships provide for a healthy beginning in this growing new area,” Bell Media president Randy Lennox said in a statement.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
Teyonah Parris of ‘Survivor’s Remorse’ Fame To Star In New CBS Pilot Titled ‘Murder’
CREDIT: SAMANTHA NANDEZ/BFA/REX/SHUTTERSTOCK
Teyonah Parris has been cast in one of the lead roles in the CBS drama pilot “Murder.”
The series explores crime through the unique and often conflicting perspectives of cops and killers, witnesses and victims, friends and family. Shot like a true crime documentary, the series invites the audience inside the emotional journey of an investigation, allowing them to discern the truth and judge the suspects’ guilt or innocence for themselves.
Parris will star as Det. Ayana Lake, a rising star in the NYPD whose keen intellect and quick, analytic mind are the keys to her success. But when she’s partnered with instinctive, intuitive Det. Jack Garrity, styles and personalities sometimes clash.
Parris is known for her roles in films like Spike Lee’s “Chiraq” and Justin Simien’s “Dear White People. She has also appeared in hit TV shows like AMC’s “Mad Men,” Fox’s “Empire,” and Starz’ “Survivors’ Remorse.”
Parris is repped by APA and Vanguard Management Group.
“Lethal Weapon” vet Amanda Green will write and executive produce “Murder.” Dan Lin will also serve as executive producer, with Lindsey Liberatore serving as co-executive producer. Lin Pictures will produce in association with Warner Bros. Television and CBS Television Studios. Variety reported exclusively on the project’s development in September.
Source: Variety
Why Jermaine Fowler Was Compelled to Write His First Episode of ‘Superior Donuts’
CREDIT: MONTY BRINTON
“Superior Donuts” star Jermaine Fowler wrote the episode of the CBS sitcom airing this week, with the comedian telling Variety that his desire to write the episode was born out of a simple feeling: frustration.
In the episode, Fowler’s character Franco is upset by Fawz (Maz Jobrani) and his willingness to exploit Black History Month to make a buck. So Franco invites Wheels Langdon (Bill Cobbs), a former Negro League baseball player, to the donut shop to share his unsung story.
“I was passionate about it,” Fowler said. “I wrote it out of frustration. I grew up watching people and companies commercialize Black History Month. I watched old McDonald’s commercials and they’d blacken up the commercials for 28 days then go back to normal in March. It got annoying to me… I also grew up around a lot of black folks who were bitter and cynical, to the point they couldn’t really appreciate the milestones we’d accomplished. It’s not their fault, they’d just been disenfranchised to the point that they just didn’t see a light at the end of the tunnel. It happens. I wanted to write an episode where I got to voice those frustrations in a comedic way. I’m glad I got to write this episode. It means a lot to me.”
“The main thing I wanted to express is that not every black person thinks the same,” he continued. “We’re all different, just as people. One thing we all agree on most of the time is the struggle of course, but how we get there and how we deal with it, that’s all different. So this episode is kind of like that to me. I wanted to write an older black character who — something got taken away from him at a very young age and he stopped giving a f–k. And Franco, who’s this young black millennial, he still gives a f–k. He’s expecting something from this older guy. He thought he’d be one thing and it turns out he’s something else. That fault is actually my character’s. He wanted something from this guy and so he didn’t open his heart and mind to accept him… So because of that, he shuts this guy off. And that’s one of the problems we have in this country. Just because someone has a different opinion than you, a different upbringing than you, a different perspective than you, people shut them out without trying to see where they’re coming from.”
Fowler, who in addition to starring in and executive producing “Superior Donuts” also performs stand up comedy, said he would like to try his hand at directing an episode of the series now that he has a writing credit under his belt.
“There are certain angles we haven’t really explored with this show yet,” he said. “There are certain intricacies that we haven’t explored with certain characters. I just know if I were to direct an episode it would be different. It’d be weird, but it’d be fun, and hilarious and it would go pretty deep. That’s not to say I haven’t enjoyed working with all the directors who have been on the show, like Betsy Thomas and Jimmy Burrows, Phill Lewis, and Victor Gonzalez. I’ve learned so much just watching them work that I think I’d love to try my hand at it. I just know the show so well and how far it can go.”
“Superior Donuts” is unique among CBS’ programming. The network is frequently criticized for its lack of diversity, with Fowler being the first black lead on a CBS sitcom in a decade. But Fowler and the show frequently tackle serious topics like race, police violence, and gentrification in comedic ways. He hopes that will inspire the next generation to not simply accept the status quo.
“Hopefully, young kids of color who are used to watching CBS’ current broadcasting, are going to watch ‘Superior Donuts’ and aspire to disrupt what society has projected as normal. CBS garners a predominately older white audience and by having a show like ‘Superior Donuts’ on their weekly programming it distorts what people are used to seeing in a positive way. It’s a show I think was necessary.”
The Fowler-penned episode of “Superior Donuts” airs Feb. 5 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on CBS.
Source: Variety
Hilarious!-Kevin Hart Drops F-Bomb, Tries To Crash Super Bowl Stage
Getty Images
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
