Starz Sets Date For ‘Survivor’s Remorse’ Season 4 Debut
Starz announced the highly-anticipated Season Four return of STARZ Original comedy series “Survivor’s Remorse” on Sunday, August 20th at 10PM ET/PT. The upcoming season of “Survivor’s Remorse” executive produced by Tom Werner, Maverick Carter, LeBron James, Mike O’Malley, Paul Wachter and Victor Levin will include ten half-hour episodes and include guest stars: Isaiah Washington, Vanessa Bell Calloway, Neal McDonough and DJ Khaled to name a few.
“Survivor’s Remorse” Season 3 averaged 3.0M viewers per episode among all reportable platforms, +30 percent vs. Season Two and +58 percent vs. Season One. The series is a top-6 scripted program on cable among African-American viewers and a top-4 weekend program on cable among African-American vieswers.*
In the upcoming Season Four of the Mike O’Malley-created comedy series, Cam Calloway thought he’d finally reached the top when he signed his massive contract to play basketball in Atlanta. But the higher you reach, the farther you have to fall. His success has impacted the lives of everyone in his life and that kind of change comes with unintended and far-reaching consequences. The past that he has been desperately trying to avoid comes rushing back with a vengeance and family secrets threaten to destroy everything he has worked so hard to achieve. Plus, Cam’s mom, Cassie Calloway, is dating the man who pays him to wear sneakers.
“Survivor’s Remorse” follows the life of Cam Calloway, played by Jessie T. Usher, a hard working, young basketball star who is thrust into the limelight after signing a multi-million dollar contract with a professional basketball team in Atlanta. Cam moves to Georgia with his cousin and confidant Reggie Vaughn, played by RonReaco Lee, to begin the journey to superstardom. The two confront the challenges of carrying needy family members who are along for the ride and their strong ties to the impoverished community where they were raised. Cam, Reggie and an unforgettable group of characters wrestle with the rewards and pitfalls of stardom, love and loyalty.
Returning alongside Usher and Lee are cast members Erica Ash as M-Chuck, the sister of Cam Calloway; Teyonah Parris as Reggie’s wife, Missy Vaughn; Tichina Arnold as Cassie Calloway, Cam’s mother; Robert Wu as Da Chen Bao Cassie’s boyfriend; and Meagan Tandy as Cam’s girlfriend, Allison Pierce.
No trailer yet; but Starz has released a trio of first look images from Season Four which are embedded above.
Mike O’Malley, Emmy-nominated actor for his role on “Glee,” serves as executive producer and showrunner for “Survivor’s Remorse.” Tom Werner, Chairman of the Boston Red Sox, and LeBron James executive produce with Maverick Carter, sports marketing executive and LeBron James’s business partner at SpringHill Entertainment; Paul Wachter, founder and Chief Executive Officer of Main Street Advisors, Victor Levin (“Mad Men,” “Mad About You”) and Hilton Smith (“Hung,” “Deadwood”).
Comedian Cortney Gee Set To Debut New Fictional Book Titled ‘One Hustle’!
We just discovered the news that comedian Cortney Gee is doing something different in the comedy world as he’s about to debut a fictional book on the comedy world titled One Hustle!
The brand new book will be available in paperback, Amazon’s Kindle, and Apple’siBooks on June 13th and will be published by Brown Girl Publishing, which is a subsidiary of Simon & Schuster.
The synopsis of the book is below;
“Everyday I’m hustling…..” Comedian Cameron B is a man with his back against the wall. The rent is due, his family needs food and bill collectors are blowing up his phone. Since his career is stalled, he’s faced with doing agricultural work to make ends meet….that is until fellow entertainer, Lance The Great throws him a lifeline – two grand and a proposal. The loan and the opportunity changes Cameron’s fortunes, but at what price? Living the life…. Now, Cameron doesn’t need to focus on his career. His side hustle has taken him from ashy to classy, where expensive cars and custom made clothes are the norm. And with the newfound wealth, a real monster is born. Soon, Cameron finds himself trying to juggle life as an entertainer, father, boyfriend to several, and criminal. He’s tugged in several different directions and the only things that really wins out are the many criminal pursuits he has and the red-headed sexy sidepiece he’s acquired. Set in mid-90’s Los Angeles, One Hustle is a witty, sexy, page-turning debut from real-life comedian, Cortney Gee. In pages packed with his trademark humor, Gee proves he’s a new voice you’ll want to add to your reading collection.
‘Kevin Hart Presents The Next Level’ Set To Premiere On Comedy Central
Kevin Hart’s superstar stamp of approval finds a group of fast-rising comedians in Kevin Hart Presents: The Next Level, premiering June 18 at 11:00 p.m. ET/PT on Comedy Central. The series spotlights seven comedians as they hit a coveted stand-up milestone: the televised half-hour special. Each episode spotlights a single performer, opening
The series spotlights seven comedians as they hit a coveted stand-up milestone: the televised half-hour special. Each episode spotlights a single performer, opening on an interview with Hart that leads into a special from the featured comedian.
Comedians leveling up include James Davis (Hood Adjacent), Ray Grady, Spank Horton, B.T. Kingsley, Vincent Oshana, Taneshia “Just Nesh” Rice, and Mario Tory.
WATCH: New Teaser For ‘Rickey Smiley For Real’ As It Returns To TV One
SILVER SPRING, MD – June 6, 2017 – Rickey Smiley For Real returns to TV One with a hilarious fourth season of laughs, drama and teachable moments on Tuesday, June 13 at 8 p.m. ET. This season the show covers the changing dynamics as Rickey Smiley works to balance a family of growing, opinionated young adults while expanding his entertainment empire by directing a sitcom and creating/hosting a game show. Various relationships will be revealed and tested throughout the season.
When Rickey learns that D’essence is working at a hookah club instead of attending college, he quickly intervenes and moves her from Miami to Atlanta. Under his watch and support, her new job will be to find employment and get back in school. However, Rickey is unaware that his decision will only move D’essence closer to her “situationship” with Cornbread, Da Brat’s artist. Does this budding couple stand a chance or will father and manager put their unified foot down?
Radio show producer Beyoncé is pregnant and Gary has made it his mission to be her helpmate throughout the pregnancy. While his talk show is being shopped around, Gary volunteers to attend parenting classes and help plan a baby shower for the mom-to-be. However, all this baby talk is starting to impede on Gary’s friendship with Juicy, and she is not happy about it.
The family is growing up and beginning to go in different directions, so they dedicate time to put family first and make enjoyable moments together. Craig is quickly maturing. He has a new girlfriend, is preparing for prom and graduation, and lastly, heading to the Navy. Malik is busy at school and doesn’t get much time to spend with his siblings, so the family makes time to have fun together. When Aaryn comes to visit from Columbia everyone is excited to see her, but it’s the male companion that she wants to introduce to Rickey that catches everyone by surprise! Meanwhile, Brandon and Beonka will decide if they are going to take their relationship to the next level and get a place together. Is marriage next for them?
This season Da Brat has made it her mission to give back to incarcerated women and document her prison experience. She finds joy in speaking with women behind bars to encourage them to make a life change for a better future.
Meanwhile, Rickey is still looking for love. His good friend, Ed Lover, convinces Rickey to work with a professional matchmaker. Unfortunately, everyone wants to have a say in what type of woman will be best for the busy comedian.
Rickey Smiley For Real Season 3 reached 8.6 million unique viewers in its premiere cycle. The third season overall, posted +18% gains among P25-54 vs. its premiere season.
Rickey Smiley For Real is produced by Bobbcat Films for TV One with Rickey Smiley and Roger M. Bobb as executive producers and Angi Bones and Shante Paige as co-executive producers. For TV One, Lamar Chase is executive-in-charge of production, Robyn Greene Arrington is vice president of original programming and production, and D’Angela Proctor is head of original programming and production.
After each episode, check out Gary with Da Tea’s behind-the-scenes insights on the network’s YouTube Channel and website at www.tvone.tv. Viewers can also join the conversation by connecting via social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook
Russell Simmons’ All Def Digital Partners With Jason Zeldes To Release ‘Romeo Is Bleeding’
All Def Digital and Russell Simmons have partnered with award-winning editor Jason Zeldes to executive produce Zeldes’ documentary feature directorial debut “Romeo Is Bleeding,” which explores the power of spoken word poetry to save and elevate youth, in one of the most violent suburbs of the country.
With Donté Clark’s evocative and stirring street poetry serving as a backdrop, “Romeo is Bleeding” captures the community tensions, violence and heartbreak that haunt neighborhoods like Richmond, California across the country (and around the world). As Donté leads a cast of high school students in an effort to mount a fresh adaptation of “Romeo and Juliet,” the film uses the Bard’s classic to delve deeper into the contemporary socio-economic issues that drive the violence in their city. As the play comes together on the stage, real life begins to parallel the Shakespearean tragedy. Pushed to his limits, Donté must decide if he is capable of being the leader that Richmond’s youth wants and needs him to be.
The Film Collaborative will release the award-winning documentary in select theatres beginning July 28.
The announcement was jointly made today by Sanjay Sharma, President and CEO of All Def Digital, and Romeo is Bleedingproducer Michael Klein of Circadian Pictures.
“This is a powerful and provocative film that could not be more timely, or timeless. It carries a critical message about the power of the written – and spoken – word to save and transform individuals and communities,” said Simmons. “As funding for the arts, the youth, and community services continues to get slashed, Romeo Is Bleeding and its star show us the importance of the arts in our lives and how one person can make a huge difference in even the most hardened of communities.” Simmons, known widely as the founder of iconic hip hop brands such as Def Jam Records and Phat Farm, also brought spoken word to the forefront of artistic culture through nearly a decade of Def Poetry Jam on HBO. He also received a Tony Award for Brave New Voices, a spoken word inspired play on Broadway.
“When I met Donté, I knew this would be the story, subject and mission behind my first film. His personal story and his ability to take a timeless tale and transform it into a tool to teach and redeem a group of kids was profoundly inspirational, and necessary in a time when communities are hurting, tensions are rising, and hope seems fleeting,” said Zeldes.
“While we see conflict and division throughout the country, communities grappling with gun violence and a nation struggling with proper policing methods, Donté reminds us that there’s hope in the power of art and the importance of creating safe spaces for healthy expression in every community. He shows us that the story doesn’t have to end with tragedy,” said Michael Klein.
“Romeo is Bleeding is an important project for ALL DEF as we have been quietly building a spoken word platform, ALL DEF POETRY, that highlights spoken word poets and artists every day and has been featured in outlets from PBS to Teen Vogue,” said Sharma. “We see a renewed interest in the art form everywhere, as a therapeutic tool in school counseling on the one hand, and as a driving force behind lyricism in hip hop from Chance the Rapper to Kendrick Lamar on the other. The project extends our mission of being a voice to the voiceless, helping elevate Donté’s personal journey, work and poetry, as well as RAW Talent and the RYSE Center in Richmond which help youth every day turn to the arts for solace.”
“Romeo Is Bleeding” has won a number of awards at high profile film festivals including Audience Award for Best Documentary Feature at the San Francisco International Film Festival, Audience Award Best Documentary at the Aspen Film Fest, Best Documentary Feature at the Napa Valley Film Festival and many more.
In addition to its theatrical release, “Romeo is Bleeding” will also be available via VOD as well as DVD and BluRay on August 1st.
Source: Shadow And Act
Kerry Washington Lands In New Universal Comedy With Eva Longoria Titled ‘24-7’
Universal has acquired 24-7, a pitch by Baltimore-based screenwriter Sarah Rothschild that will be developed as a star pairing of Eva Longoria and Kerry Washington. The actresses will produce what is described as a workplace comedy, Longoria through her UnbeliEVAble Entertainment banner and Washington through her Simpson Street banner. UnbeliEVAble’s Ben Spector also will produce.
Rothschild is a writer on Love, Unscripted for Awesomeness TV; the Universal comedy The Gauntlet; and The Dog Walker, which has Alison Eastwood attached to direct. The writer is represented by Verve and attorney Kim Stenton.
Longoria is with CAA and Brillstein Entertainment Group and Washington with CAA, Washington Square Films and attorney Gretchen Rush.
Longoria most recently was seen in Ricardo de Montreuil’s Lowriders as well as the BBC Two miniseries Decline and Fall, an adaptation of Evelyn Waugh’s classic social satire. Simpson Street is developing feature films based on the books The City of Saints and Thieves with Will Packer and Universal; The Perfect Mother, which is set up at TriStar; and The Mothers at Warner Bros.
VP Production Sara Scott will oversee development on 24-7 for Universal. VP Will Rack will oversee development for UnbeliEVAble, and VP Pilar Savone for Simpson Street.
Source: Deadline
New Comedy Series Coming To ESPN Starring Jalen Rose Titled ‘Jalen vs. Everybody’
“Jalen vs. Everybody”
ABC passed on the comedy pilot, “Jalen vs. Everybody,” starring former NBA player Jalen Rose starring in what would’ve been his very own TV series, playing a single father struggling to juggle his career responsibilities with the challenges of raising children.
Veteran TV and film actresses Anna Maria Horsford and Marla Gibbs were also cast in the pilot, playing Rose’s mother and grandmother, respectively. And Kelly Jenrette was cast to play Denise, Jalen’s ex, and the mother of their two girls, Samantha and Natalie, who live with her mostly, though they visit their dad regularly.
“Jalen vs. Everybody” was created by Nahnatchka Khan, creator/executive producer of ABC’s family comedy “Fresh Off the Boat,” and the series’ executive producer Jake Kasdan.
And while ABC didn’t pick up the project to series, the pilot episode will air as a special on ABC’s sister network ESPN (both are owned by Disney), Tuesday, June 6, at 7:30 p.m. ET.
A promo clip for is embedded below:
On This Day In Comedy… In 1980 ‘Sanford’ Premiered On NBC!
On this day in comedy on March 15, 1980, Sanford premiered on NBC
Redd Foxx left his hit NBC show, “Sanford & Son” in 1977 and went to ABC to do a variety show that only lasted 4 months. Since they were in the basement in network ratings, NBC jumped at the chance to get Foxx back in the role of Feed G. Sanford and so Sanford was born. It aired minus Demond Wilson (who refused to return) and lasted two shortened seasons. The show was a mid-season replacement in the 1979-80 season and the 1980-81 season.
The ill-fated incarnation centered round Fred and his new partner, Cal (Dennis Burkley), a Southern white guy with a big heart and gut who Lamont had worked with on the Alaska Pipeline and who he sent to stay with Fred. Aunt Esther and Rollo were still around, but that was the only magic left from the first time we met Fred Sanford.
The show was yanked and retooled, showing back up with Rollo and many of the other new characters. This retooled version was scrapped faster than some of the junk in Sanford’s yard. Sanford went off the air July 10, 1981.
On This Day In Comedy… In 1966 Actress Elise Neal Was Born!
On this day in comedy on March 14, 1966 Actress, Elise Neal was born in Memphis, Tennessee
Neal had formal training as a ballet dancer, but an unrelated injury plunged her into musical theater, where she found success touring once she left college. Her ease of manner jettisoned her into commercials and a relocation to Los Angeles, California, where she got busy. Neal danced in music videos (Chubb Rock’s “Just the Two of Us”, Father MC’s “Lisa Baby”, Black Sheep’s “Strobelight Honey”, Dannii Minogue’s “This Is It”), worked on a soap opera (Loving), primetime series (Hangin With Mr. Cooper, SeaQuest 2032), guest starred on sitcoms (Family Matters, Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Living Single, The Steve Harvey Show, The Wayans Bros.) and appeared in films (Malcolm X, How to Be a Player, Money Talks, Rosewood).
The role that put Neal on the comedy radar was that of Yvonne Hughley, on the D L Hughley sitcom The Hughleys. This was a show that traveled; starting on ABC; where it did a two-season tenure, it was moved to UPN for its final two seasons. While playing straight lady to Hughley’s punchman, Neal appeared in the motion pictures Scream 2, Restaurant, Mission to Mars, Brian’s Song and Paid in Full. She was also featured in Aretha Franklin’s “A Rose is Still a Rose” video.
Once The Hughleys ceased production, Elise Neal branched off into recording and producing. Her production company received a development deal with Mandalay Bay Entertainment to provide a variety of projects including fitness and lifestyle programming as well as musical content. Her soundtrack single, “I’m Down Baby” came from her 2007 film, 4 Life. Other films included K-Ville with Anthony Anderson, Ransom Games, Playas Ball, and Hustle & Flow. She did the sitcoms, Belle, The Soul Man, the Real Husbands of Hollywood and the reality show, Hollywood Divas on TV One.
Neal has been nominated for three NAACP Image Awards, a Screen Actor Guild Award, a Black Reel Award and she won as part of Best Cast for Hustle & Flow at the Young Hollywood Awards.
On This Day In Comedy… Comedienne And Actress Luenell Campbell (AKA Luenell) Was Born!
On this day in comedy on March 12, 1959 Comedienne and Actress, Luenell Campbell (“Luenell”) was born in Tolette, Arkansas
Luenell cut her comedy teeth in Oakland, California in clubs like The End Zone and Sweet Jimmies. During the Black Comedy Boom of the early 90s she was seen on local cable station, KSBT on Soul Beat, an interview show and received standup television exposure with hilarious appearances on BET’s Comic View. She toured internationally entertaining troops and domestically cracking up audiences from coast to coast.
National notoriety was gained when Luenell toured twice with Katt Williams, the latter being the third largest comedy tour of 2006 (behind Larry the Cable Guy and Dane Cook). She was also featured in the concert film of that tour, American Hustle. Her breakthrough film role had her mistaken for the real thing and not an actress. That too real for the audience part was as girlfriend to Sacha Baron Cohen in the smash hit, Borat. However, there were other films: So I Married an Axe Murderer (1993), The Rock (1996), Never Die Alone (2004), Spring Breakdown (2009), All About Steve (2009), Head Case (2009), Hey Luenell (2009 TV movie), 35 and Ticking (2011) and Budz House (2011).
Luenell has the distinction of being seen in 3 films that made it to #1 at the box office. The year was 2012 and the movies were Think Like a Man, the animated Hotel Transylvania (where she was heard) and Taken 2, with old tough guy, Liam Neeson. That same year she also appeared in That’s My Boy, C’Mon Man and Mac & Devin Go to High School.
Television has also been a friend to Luenell. She had roles in Nash Bridges, The Tracy Morgan Show, The Tony Rock Project, Californication, The Boondocks, Laugh Out Loud Comedy Festival, Funny or Die Presents, the Middle, Breaking In, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia and Comedy Underground.
Luenell has toured extensively as a top headliner and appeared prominently on Snoop Dog’s Bad Girls of Comedy and Stand up In Stilettos.
“Jalen vs. Everybody”