Erika Alexander (American Fiction, Living Single) has joined the cast of NBC‘s Untitled Tracy Morgan pilot from Tina Fey, Robert Carlock, and writer Sam Means.
Written by Carlock and Means, the new comedy stars Morgan as a disgraced former football player on a mission to rehabilitate his image.
Alexander will play Monica, Reggie’s (Morgan) childhood sweetheart from Brooklyn. She co-parents with him and still is his agent and business manager, even though they divorced years ago.
In addition to Alexander and Morgan, Daniel Radcliffe will star as Arthur Tobin, an award-winning filmmaker who moves into Reggie’s mansion to film an immersive documentary about the former star running back.
Carlock, Means and Morgan executive produce with Fey, Eric Gurian and David Miner. Rhys Thomas is the director and executive producer of the pilot. Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group, where Fey, Carlock and Means are under overall deals, produces with Little Stranger, Bevel Gears and 3 Arts.
SAG and Independent Spirit Award-nominated Alexander next co-stars in the newest season of Apple TV+’s Invasion. On film, she starred in Cord Jefferson’s award-season sweetheart American Fiction. In 2023, Alexander co-starred in the acclaimed film Earth Mama.
She is best known for her fan-favorite role of attorney Maxine Shaw in Yvette Lee Bowser’s beloved comedy series Living Single. Addition credits include Get Out, The Cosby Show, Black Lightning and Wu-Tang: An American Saga.
As co-founder of Color Farm Media and a board member of VoteRunLead, Alexander is on a mission to bring greater equity, inclusion and diverse representation to both media and electoral politics. Her company, Color Farm Media, self-described as the “Motown of film, TV and tech,” develops and produces scripted and unscripted content for film, television, streaming and podcast platforms.
She is repped by Greene Talent, Untitled Entertainment and Jackoway Austen Tyerman.
Source: Deadline
Steve Harvey – the Emmy-winning entertainer, author, and philanthropist known for series including “Judge Steve Harvey,” “Family Feud” and “The Steve Harvey Morning Show” – has signed on to use AI licensing and protection platform Vermillio to guard against deepfakes and other unauthorized use of his image.
“In today’s digital age, keeping up with the scammers using my likeness across all of the platforms is an impossible task,” Harvey said. “My primary concern is to make sure my fans don’t fall victim to these schemes. Partnering with Vermillio gives me the tools to both protect my personal brand and more importantly, my fans while embracing the future of AI the right way – with consent and control.”
Vermillio’s TraceID system monitors the internet and generative AI models for misuse of Harvey’s name, image, and likeness data. It’s also created to automatically remove unauthorized content and mitigate the impact of these scams.
Dan Neely, co-founder & CEO of Vermillio, noted that such misuse is “rampant,” with an estimated one million pieces of deepfake content created every minute. He related that Vermillio has opened a dialogue with SAG-AFTRA and other guilds, as well as talent agencies, management companies and talent.
Steve Harvey Global chief development officer Christel Sicé, facilitated the use of the Vermillio platform on behalf of SHG alongside CAA, with represents the entertainer.
“Steve Harvey’s partnership with Vermillio reflects a powerful vision for the future of talent and AI,” Neely said. “With TraceID, Steve is not only protecting his own legacy but also the wellbeing of his many fans. He’s leading the way in showing how the most beloved public figures can responsibly engage with AI.”
Source: Variety
The next Girls Trip may be moving, according to star Regina Hall. Screenwriter Tracy Oliver previously said she was writing Girls Trip 2 to send her quartet of women to Ghana, but Hall said recent revisions may relocate the sequel.
During a Zoom interview with UPI for her new movie O’Dessa, which will post next week, Hall gave a Girls Trip 2 update with more detail than she told Jennifer Hudson on her talk show last week.
“I heard that it may not be in Ghana actually,” Hall said. “They’ve since moved. I know Tracy and Kenya [Barris] are writing it.”
Oliver told UPI Afrochella inspired her to set the sequel in Ghana. Hall said the writers are still developing a girls trip to Africa, depending on which country is feasible for filming.
“But I do know it is in Africa which is a continent so that doesn’t narrow it down a lot,” Hall said. “I do know that it’s somewhere in Africa. It probably has a lot to do with where they’ll set the infrastructure up which makes me think South Africa. That’s my feeling.”
2017’s Girls Trip starred Hall, Tiffany Haddish, Jada Pinkett and Queen Latifah as four friends traveling to New Orleans. Their raunchy comic adventure challenges, but ultimately heals, their friendships.
The original film opened at No. 2 behind Dunkirk with $30.4 million on its way to grossing over $115 million in the United States and Canada.
Source: UPI
“And Just Like That” star Nicole Ari Parker has landed a recurring role in the HBO’s DC Studios drama series “Lanterns” as John Stewart’s mother Bernadette.
The series follows Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler) and John Stewart (Aaron Pierre), two members of the Green Lantern Corps, an intergalactic team charged with defending a specific realm of the cosmos from evil through the use of rings that bestow an array of superhuman powers.
The official character description for Bernadette reads, “Formidable and tenacious, Bernadette refuses to give up, no matter how insurmountable the odds. At her core, she’s a fiercely protective mother who has worked her entire life to ensure that she and her family will not be passed over.”
HBO officially picked up “Lanterns,” the first live-action series created expressly for DC Studios under co-chairmen/co-CEOs James Gunn and Peter Safran, in June. The series was given an eight-episode, straight-to-series order by HBO, with Chris Mundy (“True Detective: Night Country,” “Ozark”) serving as showrunner and exec producer.
The cast also includes Kelly Macdonald, Garret Dillahunt, Poorna Jagannathan and Ulrich Thomsen as Green Lantern villain Sinestro.
HBO has yet to announce a premiere date for “Lanterns.”
Jordan was first portrayed by Ryan Reynolds in the 2011 “Green Lantern” movie; Stewart, a military veteran, is among DC’s first Black superheroes. Nathan Fillion will play a different Green Lantern member, Guy Gardner, in Gunn’s feature “Superman,” which is set to hit theaters in July.
Parker can next be seen in the third season of the Max series “And Just Like That,” which will debut later this year. She is represented by JME Management, The Lede Company and attorneys Matthew Johnson and Samantha Wainaina of Johnson Shapiro, Slewett & Kole.
Source: Variety
HBO has released the official trailer for season two of the original drama series THE LAST OF US during a panel at South by Southwest (SXSW(R)) featuring Pedro Pascal, Bella Ramsey, Kaitlyn Dever, Isabela Merced, Gabriel Luna, Young Mazino, Craig Mazin, and Neil Druckmann. The seven-episode second season debuts SUNDAY, APRIL 13 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT on HBO and will be available to stream on Max. New episodes will debut subsequent Sundays.
· Season 2 logline: Five years after the events of the first season, Joel and Ellie are drawn into conflict with each other and a world even more dangerous and unpredictable than the one they left behind.
· Season 2 cast: Season two returning cast includes Pedro Pascal as Joel, Bella Ramsey as Ellie, Gabriel Luna as Tommy, and Rutina Wesley as Maria. Previously announced new cast includes Kaitlyn Dever as Abby, Isabela Merced as Dina, Young Mazino as Jesse, Ariela Barer as Mel, Tati Gabrielle as Nora, Spencer Lord as Owen, Danny Ramirez as Manny, and Jeffrey Wright as Isaac. Catherine O’Hara also guest stars.
· Season 2 credits: THE LAST OF US, based on the acclaimed video game franchise developed by Naughty Dog for the PlayStation(R) consoles, is written and executive produced by Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann. The series is a co-production with Sony Pictures Television and is also executive produced by Carolyn Strauss, Jacqueline Lesko, Cecil O’Connor, Asad Qizilbash, Carter Swan, and Evan Wells; with writer/co-executive producer Halley Gross. Production companies: PlayStation Productions, Word Games, Mighty Mint, and Naughty Dog.
CBS announced that its long-running hit comedy series THE NEIGHBORHOOD will return for an eighth and final season, to broadcast during the 2025-2026 television season on the Network, and available to stream on Paramount+.
“The brilliant cast and creative team at THE NEIGHBORHOOD led by the incomparable Cedric the Entertainer have brought levity, laughter and poignant storylines to Monday nights for seven incredible seasons,” said Amy Reisenbach, president of CBS Entertainment. “THE NEIGHBORHOOD is a strong ratings performer for CBS and one of the top comedies on TV. We believe the show’s loyal fans deserve a proper farewell season full of the trademark humor and heartfelt moments that are synonymous with the series.”
This season, THE NEIGHBORHOOD is delivering 6.4 million viewers with 35-day multiplatform viewing.
Cedric the Entertainer, Max Greenfield, Beth Behrs, Tichina Arnold, Sheaun McKinney, Marcel Spears and Skye Townsend star in THE NEIGHBORHOOD. Bill Martin, Mike Schiff, Aaron Kaplan, Wendi Trilling, Cedric the Entertainer and Eric Rhone serve as executive producers. THE NEIGHBORHOOD is produced by CBS Studios.
Ahead of today’s global premiere of “The Studio” as the 2025 SXSW Film & TV Festival’s Opening Night TV Premiere, Apple TV+ dropped the trailer for the upcoming comedy series starring Seth Rogen, who also serves as co-creator, writer, director and executive producer alongside Emmy Award nominee Evan Goldberg. Starring Rogen and a star-studded ensemble cast with A-list cameos in every episode, the 10-episode comedy will premiere globally on Wednesday, March 26, 2025 with the first two episodes, followed by one episode every Wednesday through May 21, 2025.
In “The Studio,” Seth Rogen stars as Matt Remick, the newly appointed head of embattled Continental Studios. As movies struggle to stay alive and relevant, Matt and his core team of infighting executives battle their own insecurities as they wrangle narcissistic artists and craven corporate overlords in the ever-elusive pursuit of making great films. With their power suits masking their never-ending sense of panic, every party, set visit, casting decision, marketing meeting and award show presents them with an opportunity for glittering success or career-ending catastrophe. As someone who eats, sleeps and breathes movies, it’s the job Matt’s been pursuing his whole life, and it may very well destroy him. Rogen stars alongside a star-studded ensemble cast that also includes Emmy, SAG and Golden Globe Award winner Catherine O’Hara, Emmy Award nominee Kathryn Hahn, Ike Barinholtz and Chase Sui Wonders. Academy Award nominee and Emmy Award winner Bryan Cranston, Keyla Monterroso Mejia and Dewayne Perkins will appear as major recurring guest stars.
Hailing from Lionsgate Television, “The Studio” is created by multi-Emmy Award winners Peter Huyck and Alex Gregory along with Rogen, Goldberg and Frida Perez. Point Grey Pictures’ James Weaver, Alex McAtee and Josh Fagen also serve as executive producers alongside Rogen and Goldberg.
Apple TV+ offers premium, compelling drama and comedy series, feature films, groundbreaking documentaries and kids and family entertainment, and is available to watch across all of a user’s favorite screens. After its launch on November 1, 2019, Apple TV+ became the first all-original streaming service to launch around the world and has premiered more original hits and received more award recognitions faster than any other streaming service in its debut. To date, Apple Original films, documentaries and series have earned 553 wins and 2,561 award nominations and counting, including multi-Emmy Award-winning comedy “Ted Lasso” and historic Oscar Best Picture winner “CODA.”
Henry Winkler, Sexyy Red, Ty Dolla $ign, and Ski Mask the Slump God have joined “Rolling Loud,” an R-rated hip-hop comedy starring Owen Wilson and Matt Rife.
Named after the world’s largest hip-hop festival, “Rolling Loud” is inspired by the true story of an overprotective father (Wilson) who, in an effort to be a cool and favorable Dad, sneaks his 13-year-old son (Convery) into a music fest, setting off a chaotic adventure with his reckless co-worker (Rife) and a quirky festival volunteer (Christine Ko). Together, they navigate wild crowds, security and family dynamics.
Production on “Rolling Loud” is underway in Atlanta. The film is written, directed and produced by American High CEO Jeremy Garelick, who helmed Adam Sandler’s “Murder Mystery 2.” UTA Independent Film Group is representing worldwide rights to the film, which is set for release in 2026.
Winkler is the three-time Emmy winning actor and star of “Happy Days” and “Barry.” Sexyy Red, Ty Dolla $ign and Ski Mask the Slump God are hip-hop artists. A bio for Winkler claims he is “working on a rap album that is expected to drop in 2029,” but only time will tell if that’s true.
“Rolling Loud” is executive produced by Ryan Kroft and Michael Rapino for Live Nation Productions, Pasquale Rotella of Insomniac, and Matt Zingler and Tariq Cherif of Rolling Loud. Garelick and Will Phelps produce for American High, as well as Stella Bulochnikov for Pat Solitano Productions. Rife and Christina Shams are also executive producers. Casting executives are Mary Vernieu and Findley Davidson for Betty Mae, Inc.
Sexyy Redd and Ski Mask the Slump God are set to perform at Rolling Loud California, which will take place March 15 and 16 at Hollywood Park with headliners A$AP Rocky, Playboi Carti and Peso Pluma.
Source: Variety
D’Wayne Wiggins, a founding member of the R&B group Tony! Toni! Toné!, has died at the age of 64.
In a statement posted to social media, his family said that he died earlier this morning, surrounded by his family. He had been battling bladder cancer over the past year, and earlier this week, Tony! Toni! Toné! spoke out about concerns for his health.
“D’Wayne’s life was incomparable, and his music and service impacted millions around the world, including in his hometown of Oakland, California,” said the Wiggins family. “He was a guitarist, producer, composer, philanthropist, mentor and founding member of Tony! Toni! Tone! He was deeply passionate about providing artist development and mentorship to emerging young musicians, helping to shape the early careers of many.
“For now, we ask that you continue to respect our privacy. We mourn with you, and are deeply grateful for your love and support.”
Born and raised in Oakland, CA, Wiggins embraced his love of music at the age of 11, when he first picked up the guitar. In 1986, he formed Tony! Toni! Toné! with his brother Raphael Saadiq and their cousin Christian Riley, serving as lead vocalist and guitarist for the group. They released their first album “Who?” in 1988, but hit their mainstream stride in 1993 with their third album “Sons of Soul,” which spawned the hits “Anniversary” and “(Lay Your Head on My) Pillow.” Before disbanding in 1996, the trio established itself as one of the pillars of the New Jack Swing movement, earning five No. 1 singles on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.
As a solo musician, Wiggins released his debut album “Eyes Never Lie” in 2000, featuring guest appearances from Carlos Santana and Darius Rucker. He launched Grass Roots Entertainment, helping to nurture the careers of Destiny’s Child and Keyshia Cole, and worked with Alicia Keys on her Grammy-nominated 2003 album “The Diary of Alicia Keys” to produce “If I Was Your Woman”/”Walk on By.” On that same album, Tony! Toni! Toné! appeared on “Diary” without Saadiq.
Over the years, he had been an innovative figure in hyphy, a Bay Area hip-hop subgenre punctuated by high-energy beats and rhymes. He worked with artists and groups including Too Short, the Team, Mac Mal, Spice 1, and Casual.
Tony! Toni! Toné! most recently embarked on their “Just Me and You” reunion tour in 2023. They did not allow cell phones or recordings at the shows, but Saadiq told Variety last month that footage from the trek will be used in an upcoming documentary about his career.
Source: Variety
In this episode, we ask the comedians what were there top 5 best sports moments ALL TIME!
Plus we talk about all of the updated news happening in and around the NFL, NBA, and more!
Watch the latest episode above! Featuring comedians Rodney Perry and Daniel Dugar!