The forthcoming untitled comedy feature from director Nicholas Stoller is continuing to expand its cast alongside leads Will Ferrell and Zac Efron.
Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Michael Peña have joined the Amazon MGM Studios movie that includes previously announced castmembers Regina Hall, Jimmy Tatro and Billy Eichner. Helming the film from his own script, Stoller reunites with the studio behind his recent feature You’re Cordially Invited that starred Ferrell and Reese Witherspoon.
Previously known as Judgment Day, Stoller’s new movie focuses on a young convict (Efron) who gets out of prison and takes an unscripted TV courtroom hostage, as he is convinced that the judge (Ferrell) delivered a ruling that destroyed his life. Details regarding the roles for Chopra Jonas and Peña are being kept under wraps.
Producers include Ferrell, Jessica Elbaum, and Alex Brown for Gloria Sanchez Productions and Stoller for Stoller Global Solutions.
Chopra Jonas’ forthcoming films include such Amazon MGM titles The Bluff from director Frank E. Flowers and Heads of State starring John Cena and Idris Elba. She previously starred with Richard Madden in the studio’s action series Citadel. Chopra Jonas’ banner Purple Pebble Pictures has a first-look film and television deal with Amazon MGM.
Peña stars opposite Jason Statham in A Working Man, which is currently in theaters, and has recent credits in Amazon MGM’s A Million Miles Away and the Paramount+ series Landman. His next projects include Peacock’s All Her Fault and the Gore Verbanski-helmed Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die.
Chopra Jonas is represented by UTA, Anjula Acharia, Dana Supnick-Guidoni, and Grubman Shire. Peña is repped by CAA, Entertainment 360 and SGSBC.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
Bounce TV has renewed its hit comedy “Mind Your Business,” and the NAACP Image Award nominated series will return for a second season on June 7 at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT.
“Mind Your Business” is the story of the Williams family, which is in the business of celebrating some of life’s most significant occasions with its event and party space in Chicago. However, when it comes to their own family affairs, there seems to be a bigger need for referees than DJs. Columbus Short (“Scandal,” “Stomp the Yard”), Drew Sidora (“The Real Housewives of Atlanta,” “That’s So Raven”) and Emmy-Award winner Rolonda Watts (“Rolonda”) lead the ensemble cast.
In the second season, the Williams family is back with more twists, surprises and plenty of laugh-out-loud moments. Jordan takes matters into her own hands to protect her parents’ relationship, while Aaliyah moving in with Mia leads to unexpected chaos. Alfonso and Kim navigate a series of bizarre situations, while the family deals with surprising revelations that shake up their dynamics. With old secrets resurfacing, budding romances and new family tensions, the Williams crew must find a way to stick together through all the chaos – proving that no matter how wild things get, they always have each other’s backs.
“Mind Your Business” also features Caryn Ward Ross (“Fame,” “Monogamy,” “Patterns of Attraction”), Brely Evans (“Ambitions,” “Being Mary Jane,” “The Man in 3B”), Bryce Xavier (“A Bennett Song Holiday,” “Stay Tuned: The Movie,” “Total Eclipse”) and Chloe Elise Ellis (“Borrasca,” “Footprints,” “Three Stories Up”). The series is produced by Harvest Studios and executive produced by Bentley Kyle Evans (“Martin,” “The Jamie Foxx Show.”)
“The Williams family entertained millions in its debut season, and now the family is back for more,” said Adam Harman, senior vice president of programming, Scripps Networks. “Viewers will be in store for another hilarious topsy-turvy journey in season two.”
The first two episodes of “Mind Your Business” last summer reached more than 2 million households over the course of premiere weekend telecasts – an all-time high for a Bounce original series.
Ice Cube has reached a deal to write and star in a new “Friday” movie for Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema. The new feature, which is titled “Last Friday,” will mark the fourth entry in the comedy series — and the first in over 20 years, following up “Friday After Next” in 2002.
New Line president and CCO Richard Brener shared that a deal had been reached with Ice Cube to develop “Last Friday” in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter. Variety has confirmed the news.
Ice Cube has been open about his plans to make another “Friday” movie, though his agreement with Warner to star and direct marks a significant development in the project. In June 2024, the rapper and actor shared that there was “traction” for “Last Friday” at the studio among its co-chief Michael De Luca, speaking with Flavor Flav on his SiriusXM show “Flavor of the Week.” De Luca and Pamela Abdy took over the studio’s film division in 2022.
“They have new leadership: my man Mike De Luca, who used to be at New Line when I first started, when I first did the first ‘Friday’ and ‘Players Club’ and ‘All About the Benjamins.’ Mike De Luca was there,” Ice Cube said at the time.
Ice Cube starred in all three “Friday” entries, “Friday” (1995), “Next Friday” (2000) and “Friday After Next” (2002). He also co-wrote the first entry with DJ Pooh and has solo screenplay credits on the two sequels. All three “Friday” movies were developed by New Line, which was run by De Luca at the time of the original trilogy’s production. Warner Bros. later went on to purchase New Line, giving Warner Bros. control of “Friday” franchise rights.
Source: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter
Chocolate Droppa walked into the office with a laser focus and a clear mission. He didn’t ask for much during soundcheck, just a preview of beats from The Band of Brothas and a shot of espresso. He was about to do something that had never been done at Tiny Desk before — freestyle an entire set “off the dome.”
It’s been over nine years since Droppa dropped his debut mixtape, which featured heavy hitters like Migos, Big Sean, Nick Jonas, and more. “Every time I see people,” the rapper shares during his set, “the first thing they say is ‘Droppa where you been? When you gonna give us more?’ ” Well, the answer is now. Those who aren’t hip may recognize the emcee as his alter-ego, Kevin Hart, who’s become a household name in comedy and acting. But this unscripted set proves that Chocolate Droppa’s rap game is equally entertaining. There’s really no need to compare him to any other performer you’ve seen, because as Droppa puts it himself, he’s “not them.”
SET LIST
MUSICIANS
TINY DESK TEAM
Kendrick Lamar‘s forthcoming feature from South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone will take a bit longer to squabble up into theaters.
The untitled Paramount Pictures comedy is now set for theatrical release on March 20, 2026, after having previously been scheduled for July 4 of this year. The news comes ahead of Paramount’s CinemaCon presentation later this week, after the movie was teased at last year’s event.
Plot details have not yet been revealed for the project that filmed last year with a script from Vernon Chatman. Lamar and Dave Free serve as producers through their company PGLang, while Stone and Parker produce for Park County.
The film’s team have schedules this year that would have made promotion a challenge. Lamar kicks off a co-headlining concert tour with SZA next month, while Stone and Parker have been busy with South Park responsibilities.
At last year’s CinemaCon, Paramount film chief Brian Robbins praised the movie for “one of the funniest and most original scripts we’ve ever read.”
Stone and Parker are known for creating the Comedy Central animated series South Park, which aired its 26th season in 2023 and spawned a 1999 theatrical feature, South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut. The pair are also behind the 2004 movie Team America: World Police and co-wrote the Tony-winning Broadway musical The Book of Mormon.
Lamar continues to be one of the most in-demand music stars following such high-profile moments as leading this year’s Super Bowl halftime show. His accolades include the Pulitzer Prize for Music, an Emmy Award, and 22 Grammys.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
We got a chance to interview comedian, actor, and producer Barry Brewer who gave us some insights on his journey and how he has been able to continue to push on his journey in Hollywood!
Check out the very insightful interview as Brewer opened up about a lot of things that he has learned in all of his years in entertainment.
Check out the interview below:
This year’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner will go forward without a featured entertainer.
White House Correspondents’ Association president Eugene Daniels told members Saturday that the organization has opted to cancel comedian Amber Ruffin’s scheduled performance at this year’s gala, which is set to be held April 26.
“At this consequential moment for journalism, I want to ensure the focus is not on the politics of division but entirely on awarding our colleagues for their outstanding work and providing scholarship and mentorship to the next generation of journalists,” Daniels wrote in a note to WHCA members.
Members of the White House team have expressed criticism of the decision to pick Ruffin as the performer and suggested that organizations should rethink sponsoring the event. Daniels however said that the decision of the WHCA board was “unanimous,” and that the decision has been in the works for a few weeks as part of a “re-envisioning of our dinner tradition for this year.”
“As the date nears, I will share more details of the plans in place to honor journalistic excellence and a robust, independent media covering the most powerful office in the world,” he wrote.
The WHCA is at odds with the White House over a few issues, including a decision to bar the Associated Press from certain news events and a move to take direct control over the White House press pool.
The WHCA annual dinner serves as the organization’s major fundraising event and a means to give scholarships to deserving students. In the past it has also played host to biting political commentary from guest entertainers, a list that has includes the likes of Bob Hope, Ed Sullivan, Jay Leno, Jon Stewart, Conan O’Brien, Stephen Colbert and others. Colin Jost hosted the 2024 edition.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
Paul Rodriguez, a longtime comedian known for movies like “Tortilla Soup” and “Rat Race,” was arrested on Friday for alleged possession of narcotics, according to police.
He was arrested at around 7:30 p.m. when officers conducted a traffic stop of a car near Victory Boulevard and Lamer Street, according to the Burbank Police Department. They say that Rodriguez was a passenger of the car.
“During the investigation, narcotics were located,” said a statement from BPD. “Mr. Rodriguez was arrested and booked at Burbank Police Jail for possession of narcotics.”
He was released with a citation and ordered to appear in court on April 25, police said.
Rodriguez, 70, is best known for his stand-up comedy and acting career. He has starred in a number of comedy movies like “A Million to Juan,” “Born in East L.A.,” and “Beverly Hills Chihuahua.” He is also a part-owner of the Laugh Factory in Hollywood, where he is well-regarded for his charity work that includes serving holiday meals to people in need.
Source: CBS News
In this episode, we discuss the infamous Pat McAfee interview with LeBron James and the repercussions with First Take and Stephen A Smith.
Plus, we talk about our thoughts on the career leading up to these moments and more!
This episode features comedians Marc Howard and Daniel Dugar!
The sequel series to “A Different World” is moving forward at Netflix, with the streamer giving out one of the only pilot orders in its history for the comedy project.
According to sources, the plan is shoot the pilot at the beginning of the summer to get a better sense of the show’s tone and of the chemistry among the ensemble cast. No cast members have been locked in at the time of this publishing.
An individual with knowledge of the situation says that Netflix does not plan to engage in a traditional pilot season like the broadcast networks, in which shows are competing for a limited number of slots.
Reps for Netflix declined to comment.
Netflix has eschewed a traditional pilot process for most of its history, only announcing their first ever pilot order in 2023. The streamer has instead focused on straight-to-series orders or script-to-series deals for their shows. But Netflix also previously said that it would never have ads on the service only to begin offering an ad-supported tier in November 2022.
Skipping the shooting of a pilot is a big financial gamble. While a show may sound good on paper, a myriad of factors can lead to the idea not transferring well enough to the screen to justify a full series order. And with Hollywood increasingly focusing on the bottom line in the wake of the Peak TV era of excess, committing to shooting an entire season off the bat across the board could look less and less appealing.
Even if Netflix is willing to engage in a shooting pilots to a limited degree, it could have widespread repercussions throughout the industry. After all, the broadcast networks and other outlets have largely been influenced by Netflix’s willingness to pick up shows directly. Whereas dozens of pilots would be duking it out for the broadcast networks in years past, not even 10 pilots are currently in the works across the Big Four.
The followup to “A Different World” was first reported to be in development in August 2024. As reported at that time, the new series would return to Hillman College, a fictional historically Black university, and follow the daughter of original series characters Whitley and Dwayne.
Felicia Pride serves as writer, executive producer, and showrunner on the project. Debbie Allen, Mandy Summers, Tom Werner, Gina Prince-Bythewood and Reggie Bythewood also serve as executive producers. Werner produced the original show via The Carsey-Werner Company, while Allen also produced and directed the bulk of the original’s 144 episodes. Sources say she would also direct the new pilot.
“A Different World” began as a spinoff of “The Cosby Show” and followed Denise Huxtable (Lisa Bonet) as she attends Hillman. But after Bonet departed the series following its first season, the focus shifted to characters played by Jasmine Guy, Kadeem Hardison, Dawnn Lewis, Glynn Turman, Cory Tyler, Lou Myers, Darryl M. Bell, Cree Summer, and Charnele Brown.
Sources; Variety