After making history as the first black female stand-up comedian to host “Saturday Night Live,” Tiffany Haddish is looking to continue to stay busy by landing lead roles in New Line’s “The Kitchen” and Universal’s “The Temp.”
Haddish is in talks to join the ensemble of “The Kitchen,” which is the directorial debut for “Straight Outta Compton” screenwriter Andrea Berloff, who is also writing the script.
The film is based on the comic book series by Ollie Masters and Ming Doyle for Vertigo from DC Entertainment. The series has gained a cult following since debuting in 2014 to critical acclaim. The Irish mafia story is set in Hell’s Kitchen, N.Y., in the 1970s. When the FBI comes in and does a sweep of the mob, several men are arrested. Their wives end up taking over and running the business much more viciously than the men ever did.
Michael De Luca is producing.
She is also attached to star in “The Temp,” which is set to be produced by Will Packer, who also produced the hit comedy “Girls Trip” featuring Haddish’s breakout performance.
Universal acquired the original pitch for “The Temp” from Dana Fox, who will also write the female-driven comedy. Fox will produce alongside Packer who will produce through his Universal-based Will Packer Productions. Will Packer Productions’ James Lopez will also produce and Haddish will serve as executive producer.
VP of production Sara Scott and creative executive Christine Sun will oversee production for Universal.
It’s unknown which film would shoot first, though it would seem that “The Kitchen” is further along in the development process.
Haddish’s other upcoming projects include starring alongside Tracy Morgan in TBS’ “The Last OG,” which will be released in 2018; she recently wrapped production on Universal’s “Night School” opposite Kevin Hart. She also has “Limited Partners” in development with Paramount, which she will star in and serve as an executive producer on the project as well.
Outside of her film and TV projects, she is also set to release her book “The Last Black Unicorn,” which comes out Dec. 5, and just announced 2018 dates for her new stand-up tour “She Ready.”
She is repped by Principato Young, APA, Gordon Bobb and Lily Tillers, and Dell, Shaw, Moonves FIRM. Fox is repped by UTA and Myman Greenspan Fineman Fox Rosenberg & Light, LLP. Packer is repped by CAA and Ziffren Brittenham LLP.
Source: Variety
If you like to laugh you’re in luck because truTV just announced its forthcoming premiere of a new comedy show starring Cipha Sounds titled, Laff Mobb’s Laff Tracks. The series will host a bevy of new comedic talent in each half-hour episode.
Initially, the series was launched as a part of truTV’s Rachel Dratch’s Late Night Snack, which was a part of the network’s short-form comedy series. In the new program, each episode will consist of Cipha’s rotation of comedians who will perform knee-slapping comedy skits. As each episode ends, the famed DJ/comedian will introduce the “Joke of the Night,” where one last comic will take over.
“I feel honored and privileged to be the host of this incredible show,” Cipha said in a press release. “To work with the legend Bob Sumner is a dream come true. We are really going to REMIX the way you watch comedy!!!”
The new program will reportedly feature Davell Taylor, Tony Baker, Chaunte Wayans, Trey Elliot, Daniel Weingarten, Mike Troy, Alycia Cooper, Tyree Elaine, Reyna Amay, and more.
In addition to hosting the show, Cipha also serves as its co-executive producer. Laff Mobb’s Laff Tracks will premiere on January 3 at 11:00 p,m. EST.
Source: VIBE
Owen Wilson (“The Grand Budapest Hotel,” “Zoolander 2”) and Ed Helms (“The Hangover” films, “We’re the Millers”) star in the Alcon Entertainment comedy “Father Figures,” marking the directorial debut of veteran cinematographer Lawrence Sher (“The Hangover” films).
Wilson and Helms are Kyle and Peter Reynolds, brothers whose eccentric mother raised them to believe their father had died when they were young. When they discover this to be a lie, they set out together to find their real father, and end up learning more about their mother than they probably ever wanted to know. The film also stars J.K. Simmons (“Whiplash”), comedian Katt Williams, NFL Hall of Fame quarterback-turned-actor Terry Bradshaw, Ving Rhames (the “Mission Impossible” films), Harry Shearer (“The Simpsons”), and Oscar nominee June Squibb (“Nebraska”), with Oscar winner Christopher Walken (“The Deer Hunter”), and Oscar nominee Glenn Close (“Albert Nobbs,” “Guardians of the Galaxy”) as the twins’ mother.
Sher directed from a screenplay by Justin Malen (“Office Christmas Party”). The film was produced by Academy Award nominee Ivan Reitman (“Up in the Air”), Ali Bell (“Draft Day”), and Academy Award nominees Broderick Johnson and Andrew A. Kosove (“The Blindside”). Serving as executive producers were Tom Pollock, Scott Parish, Chris Cowles, Chris Fenton, and Timothy M. Bourne.
Sher’s behind-the-scenes team included director of photography John Lindley (“St. Vincent”), production designer Stephen H. Carter (art director, “Birdman”), editor Dana E. Glauberman (“Draft Day”), and two-time Oscar nominated costume designer Julie Weiss (“Frida,” “Twelve Monkeys”). The music was composed by Rob Simonsen (“Foxcatcher”).
“Father Figures” will open in theaters on December 22, 2017. An Alcon Entertainment presentation, a Montecito Picture Company Production, “Father Figures” will be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment company. This film has been rated R for language and sexual references throughout.
According to a report, back in 20011, the Beverly Hills police department investigated Russell Simmons, along with producer Brett Ratner for alleged sexual battery. However, prosecutors declined to press charges in the case, citing insufficient evidence and the alleged victim has not been identified.
According to police records, a 29-year-old woman came into the department to file a report at 4:45 a.m. on the morning of Nov. 3, 2001. She alleged that two men held her against her will and that both touched her unlawfully, according to police.
She alleged that the incident occurred between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m. that morning at a home in the 1200 block of Benedict Canyon Drive. Ratner’s home is on the same block.
Simmons has responded, saying,
This is an important and critical time for the empowerment of women and men who have been harassed. I have been a public figure for all of my adult life. And when you are in that arena over decades, you can find yourself in a position where you are vulnerable and susceptible to claims that are untrue.
Last week, Warner Bros. forced Ratner to vacate his office on the studio’s Burbank lot after the L.A. Times reported that six women had accused him of sexual misconduct.
Source: The Jasmine Brand
SHOWTIME announced that Golden Globe winner and Emmy® nominee Kevin Bacon (The Following, Mystic River) and Screen Actors Guild award winner Aldis Hodge (Underground) will star in the network’s new one-hour drama pilot CITY ON A HILL. The project will be executive produced by Academy Award® winners Ben Affleck and Matt Damon and Emmy nominee Jennifer Todd (Jason Bourne, Memento) for Pearl Street Films, written and executive produced by Chuck MacLean (Boston Strangler), and directed and executive produced by Michael Cuesta (Homeland, American Assassin). Produced by SHOWTIME, CITY ON A HILL is based on an original idea by Affleck and MacLean. James Mangold (Logan, Walk The Line) will also serve as executive producer. Bacon will serve as co-executive producer. Production will begin in Boston later this year. The announcement was made today by David Nevins, President and CEO of Showtime Networks Inc.
In the early 90s, Boston was rife with violent criminals emboldened by local law enforcement agencies in which corruption and racism was the norm, and then it all suddenly changed. CITY ON A HILL is a fictional account of what was called the “Boston Miracle.” The change agent is District Attorney “Decourcy Ward” (Hodge) who comes from Brooklyn and forms an unlikely alliance with a corrupt yet venerated FBI veteran, “Jackie Rhodes” (Bacon), who is deeply invested in maintaining the status quo. Together they take on a family of armored car robbers from Charlestown in a case that grows to encompass and eventually upend Boston’s city-wide criminal justice system.
“Kevin Bacon radiates intelligence and mystery with every role he plays,” Nevins said. “He is a gifted, mesmerizing actor who will be the perfect partner and foil to Aldis Hodge, one of Hollywood’s rising talents and someone primed to stand at the center of this powerful drama.”
A star for more than three decades since his breakout roles in Diner and Footloose, Bacon won Golden Globe and SAG honors for his lead role in the television movie Taking Chance, and was also nominated for a Golden Globe for his supporting role in The River Wild and a SAG Award for Murder in the First. He has received three other SAG Award nominations with the ensembles ofFrost/Nixon, Mystic River and Apollo 13. More recently, Bacon has starred in the television series I Love Dick and The Following. His many credits also include A Few Good Men, JFK and The Big Picture.
In addition to winning a SAG Award with the ensemble of Hidden Figures, Hodge was nominated for SAG honors with the cast of Straight Outta Compton. His additional film credits include Jack Reacher: Never Go Back, The East, A Good Day to Die Hard, Die Hard with a Vengeance, Bed of Roses, The Stone House, Edmond, The Lady Killer, Big Momma’s House and Magic Camp. Hodge has also starred or recurred in numerous television series, including Underground, Leverage, Black Mirror, Turn: Washington’s Spies, Medal of Honor, CSI, Supernatural, Friday Night Lights, Girlfriends, The Walking Dead, Bones, ER, Cold Case, Charmed, Boston Public and American Dreams. He is currently in production in the lead role on the feature film The Brian Banks Story directed by Tom Shadyac.
BET Networks is bringing one of America’s hottest party games to colorful life with the announcement of the new game show series, “BLACK CARD REVOKED.” Based on the party game of the same name, the nostalgia-filled show will test players’ knowledge of the nuances of the African American perspective – from pop culture milestones and entertainment moments to historical facts and politics. Actor and comedian Tony Rock will host the series, bringing his signature quick-witted style to the game play and challenging the contestants. Production will kick off in Los Angeles later this month, and the twelve-episode series will premiere Wednesday, January 10, 2018 at 10 P.M. ET/PT on BET.
Since its creation by Cards For All People in 2015, Black Card Revoked has set social media on fire and quickly become a fixture at home parties. Although the African American experience is far from monolithic, the game is a lighthearted nod to the shared commonalities of Black life in America. If you know the answer to questions like “How many fights did the Fresh Prince get into before his mom got scared?”, your metaphorical ‘Black Card’ will stay intact (“1 little fight,” of course). But if you’ve never seen The Color Purple or Friday, you might get your card snatched!
As a witty celebration of African American life, “BLACK CARD REVOKED” will appeal to all lovers of Black culture, bringing together viewers from diverse walks of life for a fun night of laughter and spirited debate. Each 30-minute episode will feature three (3) teams – each with a celebrity and contestant partner – answering questions about universal pop culture and historical moments, viewed through the African American lens. The teams will square off and put their figurative ‘Black Cards’ on the line for a chance to win up to $10,000.
“BLACK CARD REVOKED” was brought to BET by David A. Hurwitz, who will serve as Executive Producer for Alternative Productions, Inc. under his Bill’s Market & Television Productions banner. The original creators of the popular party game, Latesha Williams and Jay Bobo, will serve as Co-Executive Producers.
For more information about “BLACK CARD REVOKED,” please visit BET.com; and join the conversation on social media using the hashtag #BlackCardRevoked.
Tiffany Haddish made Saturday Night Live history last night by becoming the first black female stand-up comic to host the show in its 43 seasons – unpack that statistic for a moment – and she grabbed the chance with the room-working skills and confidence of the star she knows she is. Anyone who didn’t see Girls Trip now knows, too.
After a disappointing cold open, Haddish pumped big energy into the show – and the season – that’d been short on it.
She got the introductions out of the way quickly and winningly, mentioning that blockbuster summer hit while wondering where her cut of the profit was. “I googled myself – it said I’m worth $2 million! What do I need to do to get this money? Fake my own death? Tupac this sh*t and move to Tyler Perry Island?”
Then she backtracked for some deep bio. “I grew up in foster care,” she said. “So I want to thank anyone who paid taxes between 1990 and 1999.” Living in group homes with mostly black and Hispanic kids wasn’t an easy thing come 11:30 on Saturday nights, she said.
“Trying to convince them that Dana Carvey was just as funny as Damon Wayans was a problem. I got stabbed twice, in a bunk bud.”
Haddish went topical twice – perfunctory on Trump’s hair, better on sexual harassment. Her “Tiff Tip” to men: “If you got your thing-thing out and she got all her clothes on YOU’RE WRONG.”
Haddish and her monologue were at their best though when her stage persona melded a new-to-this-glitz sense of wonder and am-who-I-am brashness. She recalled Kevin Hart (her costar in the upcoming Night School) being impressed by her Instagram photos from Thailand, China, Japan, Florida, San Francisco and Los Angeles. Or rather, by the fact she’d visited them all in one day, a false assumption made because she was wearing the same dress in all of the pictures.
The gorgeous, hugging white dress she had on last night – a $4,000 Alexander McQueen – had already walked a red carpet with her (“Taboo!”), and would be seen again, she warned, before show’s end. (It was, as Haddish glided through Weekend Update just to show it off).
She would, she promised, even wear it to church, then broke out in a joyous and well-earned praise and worship dance.
Watch the monologue above.
As always, the rest of the show was hit and miss, including the host’s sketches. Her most memorable character probably was Boo Boo Jeffries, a fighter in a Mortal Kombat-type game who’s all fierce bluster but no fists.
She played Cardi B in one of the show’s impression-filled faux-audition reels, this time around for Lion King, with Leslie Jones’ Oprah, Cecily Strong’s Lin-Manuel Miranda and Alex Moffat’s Kit Harington, among others. The show’s done this routine before, and better.
And then there were some later-in-the-show fillers with, as usual, more quirk than laughs. I liked the “The Last Black Unicorn” best, wouldn’t argue about it. Take a look and decide for yourself:
Source: Deadline