Mattel has unveiled a stunning new addition to its Barbie Signature Tribute Collection: a doll honoring legendary dancer, actress, director, and producer Debbie Allen. The tribute celebrates Allen’s groundbreaking career and enduring influence in the arts, particularly her iconic role as Lydia Grant in the 1980s hit series Fame.
The Debbie Allen Barbie captures the essence of her Fame character with dazzling detail—complete with a pink off-the-shoulder top, gold belt, legwarmers, and vibrant purple fringe pants. The doll’s look pays homage to Allen’s fierce choreography and commanding presence that inspired a generation of performers. “As a little girl growing up in Houston, Texas, I never imagined this moment,” Allen shared on Instagram. “To now see a Barbie that reflects my journey, my joy, and my dreams. May every child see themselves and know they can be anything”.
Allen’s career spans decades and disciplines—from winning a Golden Globe for Fame to directing and producing hit shows like Grey’s Anatomy. She’s also a tireless advocate for arts education, founding the Debbie Allen Dance Academy to nurture young talent. The Barbie Tribute Collection celebrates visionaries who’ve shaped culture, and Allen’s inclusion marks a powerful moment of recognition for Black women in entertainment.
With this tribute doll, Mattel not only honors Debbie Allen’s legacy but also inspires future generations to dream big, dance boldly, and remember her name.
Comedy star Katt Williams has officially added “Dr.” to his name, receiving an honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters from Miles College, a historically Black college in Fairfield, Alabama. The ceremony, held on October 18, 2025, recognized Williams’ cultural contributions, philanthropic efforts, and his growing role as a creative force in the entertainment industry.
Miles College President Bobbie Knight presented the honor, stating, “It’s because of you and what you have done, and we just want to show you how much we appreciate you and recognize you for the work you have done”. Williams, known for his razor-sharp wit and unapologetic style, accepted the degree with characteristic flair, telling the crowd, “In a very short period of time, no one could deserve this more than me. It was going to take a mighty fine institution to recognize that”.
The honorary doctorate capped off a week of high-level engagement between Williams and the college, including the announcement of a new partnership that will connect Miles College students with real-world opportunities at Williams’ upcoming film studio in Anniston, Alabama. The studio, located on land purchased at the former Fort McClellan military base, is part of Williams’ broader vision to empower young creatives and build a legacy akin to Tyler Perry’s success in Atlanta.
With this honor, Katt Williams not only celebrates his storied career but also plants seeds for future generations of Black artists and innovators. From comedy stages to college campuses, his influence continues to expand—proving that laughter, leadership, and legacy can go hand in hand.
In this episode of Box Seats (where comedy and sports meet), we are discussing the Game 7 that happens tonight between the Seattle Mariners and the Toronto Blue Jays for a trip to the World Series!
Plus we talk about the major shockers that happened over the weekend in the NFL and more!
All of that and we discuss the hottest topics in sports!
This episode stars comedian Howie Bell, Maurice Smith, and Damien Jones!
#NBAPlayoffs #NFL #NBA #NBATrades #comedy #comedygrind #NFLTrades #NFLRumors #NFLFreeagency #NewYorkGiants #NewYorkJets #TheClevelandBrowns #TheSteelers #TheRams #Eagles #TheChiefs #Dak #DakPrescott #DallasCowboys #Eagles #PhiladelphiaEagles #philly #Cowboys
Hip-hop royalty is about to collide with animated TV.
Rap icons Ice-T, Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, and Arabian Prince are collaborating with producer Ambitious Entertainment for a gritty animated action series, titled Tehk City.
The show is billed as a “high-octane animated neo-noir” that “unfolds in a brutal, near-future penal colony where every choice is life or death, chaos reigns and only the ruthless survive.”
The series is based on aesthetics from Tommy The Animator, who is co-creator alongside rapper-actor Ice-T. The pair are attached as producers and exec producers alongside Dre, Snoop, and Arabian Prince, who was a founder member of N.W.A. Industry veterans Ken Corben, Kirk Shaw, and Thomas Vitale are also producers and EPs. Rusty Cundeiff is also a producer, and Robert Rippberger is another EP.
“I just wanted to bring something new to animation that’s never been seen before, coming from the mind of a black creator out of the projects of the Upper West Side of Manhattan,” said Ice-T.
“Tehk City is one of those rare projects that came together through the collaboration of an exceptional team,” added Ambitious Entertainment’s Shaw, whose credits include The Hurt Locker and Blood Ties. “We’re creating a world only animation could capture, where morality is a luxury and the visual style is as fierce as the story itself.”
Ambitious is looking at a multi-platform release for Tehk City next year, with discussions underway with domestic and international distributors and streamers.
The company is known for working with HKCorp to produce the comedy 15 Minutes, which marked the feature directorial debut of actor and social media star Adam Rose.
Source: Deadline
Comedian Katt Williams on Friday announced The Golden Age Tour, a new tour kicking off in Ontario, CA, on January 23, which will see him headlining arenas across North America.
Featuring all-new material, the tour will be produced by North American Entertainment Group. Tickets will be available starting with presales on Monday, October 20, at 10 a.m. local time. The general on sale begins Wednesday, October 22, at 10 a.m. local time on Ticketmaster. View Williams’ new set of dates below.
With a career spanning over 20 years, Williams is a well-respected veteran comic, having developed a career marked with thousands of sold-out arenas, an expansive list of starring roles on the small screen, and memorable performances in major box office hits. First performing stand-up as a teenager, he quickly developed a unique performing style that combines articulate and sharp dialogue rooted in conversations reflecting the American political landscape. By 1999, he had cultivated a loyal fan base and was performing on some of the most notable comedy stages across the nation.
Williams has released numerous specials, including The Pimp Chronicles, It’s Pimpin’ Pimpin’, Katt Williams: Pimpadelic, American Hustle, Priceless: Afterlife, Kattpacalypse, Katt Williams: Great America, and Katt Williams: World War III. His last special, Katt Williams: Woke Foke, debuted live as part of Netflix Is a Joke Fest, becoming the most-watched Netflix comedy special of 2024, with over 13.1 million views to date.
In 2002, Williams made his onscreen debut as a guest star on NYPD Blue and subsequently landed his first feature film role in Friday After Next. His filmography also includes Father Figures, Norbit, Scary Movie V, Epic Movie, Bastards, The House Next Door: Meet the Blacks 2, Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore, The Boondocks, Wild ‘n Out, and a guest role in the critically acclaimed series Atlanta, which earned him an Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series.
Williams is repped by CAA.
Jan 23 – Ontario, CA – Toyota Arena
Jan 24 – Palm Springs, CA – Acrisure Arena
Jan 30 – Fresno, CA – Save Mart Center
Jan 31 – Phoenix, AZ – Mortgage Matchup Center
Feb 6 – Little Rock, AR – Simmons Bank Arena
Feb 7 – New Orleans, LA – Smoothie King Center
Feb 13 – Raleigh, NC – Lenovo Center
Feb 14 – Atlanta, GA – State Farm Arena
Feb 15 – Washington, D.C. – Capital One Arena
Feb 21 – Macon, GA – Macon Coliseum
Feb 27 – Orlando, FL – Addition Financial Arena
Mar 6 – Memphis, TN – FedEx Forum
Mar 13 – Fort Worth, TX – Dickies Arena
Mar 14 – Houston, TX – Toyota Arena*
Mar 27 – Tampa, FL – Amalie Arena
Apr 3 – Dayton, OH – Nutter Center
Apr 10 – Greenville, SC – Bon Secours Wellness Arena
Apr 24 – Philadelphia, PA – The Liacouras Center
May 1 – Omaha, NE – Baxter Arena
May 2 – Chicago, IL – United Center
*Tickets for this performance will be available to purchase at http://www.toyotacenter.com
Source: Deadline
In this episode of Box Seats (where comedy and sports meet), we discuss the news of Westbrook joining a new team- the Sacramento Kings-and what that means, plus we take a look at some of the NBA teams from around the league after some of the pre-season games.
We also talk about some of the trade rumors in the NFL, and more of the hottest topics in sports!
This episode features comedians Howie Bell, Maurice Smith, and Damien Jones!
#NBAPlayoffs #NFL #NBA #NBATrades #comedy #comedygrind #NFLTrades #NFLRumors #NFLFreeagency #NewYorkGiants #NewYorkJets #TheClevelandBrowns #TheSteelers #TheRams #Eagles #TheChiefs #Dak #DakPrescott #DallasCowboys #Eagles #PhiladelphiaEagles #philly #Cowboys
Actor Jamie Foxx will not see charges filed in the case involving an alleged glass attack during his birthday celebration last December.
The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office has officially declined to move forward with the case, citing a lack of evidence.
Foxx, 56, was celebrating his birthday at the upscale Mr. Chow restaurant in Beverly Hills on December 13, 2024, when he was reportedly struck in the face by a heavy glass. The impact left him with a cut that required stitches.
Police responded to a call that night for a possible assault with a deadly weapon.
However, according to a statement later released by the Beverly Hills Police Department, the report of a deadly weapon was found to be “unfounded.”
According to NBC, the department instead referred to the event as a “physical altercation between parties.”
Nathan Hochman, the L.A. County District Attorney, reviewed the case after an investigation by the Beverly Hills Police.
Despite reports that a suspect had been identified, Hochman declined to file criminal charges, telling NBC4 LA that the case lacked the evidence needed to move forward.
TMZ previously reported that tensions rose at the restaurant after someone at another table allegedly pointed a laser that projected an image of male genitals onto Foxx’s table.
Foxx was dining with a large group, including his daughters, when he reportedly confronted the individuals responsible. It was during that exchange that a glass was allegedly thrown, striking him in the face.
Though police believed they had the person responsible, the case stalled due to the absence of solid proof, such as surveillance footage or reliable witness accounts.
Beverly Hills Police declined to comment further on the matter.
Following the incident, Foxx took to social media to share a message with fans. “The devil is a lie. Can’t win here… thank you to everybody that pray and check on me… when your light is shining bright… they try to bring you darkness… but they don’t know that you’re built for it,” he wrote.
Ego Nwodim has landed her first show following her exit from Saturday Night Live.
The stand-up comedian will perform at Lincoln Center Theater’s Claire Tow Theater in New York City. The show will run from November 19 through November 23, with tickets going on sale on October 20 at 10 a.m. ET.
Nwodim’s show will be part of The Comedy Series programming, which will also feature Vir Das, Jerrod Carmichael, and Sam Jay. The series is described as “a chance for these artists to test boundaries, shape new material, and explore the space between humor and truth.”
“No two performances will be the same—because the creative process isn’t a straight line, and neither is this show. It’s comedy that’s evolving before your eyes,” reads the press release.
Although Nwodim was expected to return to SNL Season 51, she announced her exit from the NBC late-night show after being part of the cast for seven seasons.
“The hardest part of a great party is knowing when to say goodnight,” she wrote in an Instagram post confirming her departure. “But after seven unforgettable seasons, I have decided to leave SNL. I am immensely grateful to Lorne [Michaels] for the opportunity, to my castmates, the writers, and the crew for their brilliance, support, and friendship. Week after week on that stage taught me more than I could have ever imagined, and I will carry those memories, and that laughter, with me always.”
Source: Deadline
Are you ready to rumble? Because the cast of the upcoming drama Fight for ’84 certainly is. Oscar-winning Jamie Foxx will lead the film as the new coach of the US Olympic Boxing team. After the original team is tragically killed in a plane crash in 1980, Foxx’s character must rebuild the squad from scratch. Fight for ’84 — helmed by Narcos and Griselda director Andrés Baiz —follows the group on their journey to sports history.
“Teaming up with Jamie Foxx is incredibly exciting,” Baiz says. “He’s an exceptional actor with unmatched range and brings realness and depth you can’t fake. As a star and producer, he brings passion and truth to the role. I’m eager to learn from him and, through honest direction, help him tap into something raw and deeply personal.”
With production now underway in New Jersey, Foxx is joined by Malachi Beasley and newly announced co-stars, including Shea Whigham, Dan Perrault, Will Chase, and many more. So, who else is on the team? Keep reading for a full list of the Fight for ’84 cast.
The Fight for ’84 cast is:
Come back to The Humor Mill to learn more about the Fight for ’84 team, as the story develops.
The music world is mourning the loss of one of its most influential voices. D’Angelo, the Grammy-winning singer, songwriter, and producer who helped define the neo-soul movement, died on October 14, 2025, at the age of 51 after a prolonged battle with pancreatic cancer.
Born Michael Eugene Archer, D’Angelo rose to prominence in the mid-1990s with his debut album Brown Sugar, which fused classic soul with hip-hop and R&B in a way that felt both timeless and revolutionary. His follow-up, Voodoo, cemented his status as a genre-defying artist, with the sultry single “Untitled (How Does It Feel)” becoming an instant classic—praised for its raw emotion, stripped-down production, and unforgettable music video.
D’Angelo’s artistry was marked by vulnerability, spiritual depth, and a refusal to conform to industry expectations. He won multiple Grammy Awards, including Best R&B Album and Best Male R&B Vocal Performance, and was widely credited with inspiring a generation of artists, including Maxwell, Erykah Badu, and Frank Ocean.
His family released a heartfelt statement: “The shining star of our family has dimmed his light for us in this life. After a prolonged and courageous battle with cancer, we are heartbroken to announce that Michael D’Angelo Archer… has been called home”.
Tributes from across the entertainment world have poured in. Jamie Foxx called him “anointed” and “one of one,” praising his flawless voice and unforgettable style. D’Angelo’s daughter, Imani Archer, shared a touching photo of the two together, honoring her father’s legacy with a quiet moment of remembrance.
D’Angelo’s passing marks the end of an era, but his music—rich with soul, truth, and innovation—will continue to resonate for generations. As fans revisit his catalog, they’ll find not just songs, but sonic portraits of a man who gave everything to his art.