Jamie Foxx is formalizing his relationship with the almost-namesake broadcast network where he has two current series.
Fox Entertainment Studios, Fox’s studio and production arm, has signed a first-look deal with the Oscar winner and his Foxxhole Productions. Under the multi-year deal, Foxx will develop and executive produce both scripted and unscripted series projects; Fox Entertainment Studios will get the first look at any scripted series and will have exclusive rights to Foxx’s projects and producing services on unscripted shows.
Foxx and the network already have a relationship: He hosts (alongside is daughter Corinne) and executive produces Fox’s music game show Beat Shazam and is an executive producer of the drama Alert: Missing Persons Unit, which begins its third season on March 25.
“We are ready and excited to kick-start this very promising new creative partnership with Jamie as we build on Fox’s longtime association with him — initiated by our CEO Rob Wade and network president Michael Thorn,” said Fernando Szew, president and head of Fox Entertainment Studios. “Jamie is a renowned multifaceted talent, so as a studio, we want to support his tremendous creativity with access to the full scope of our genres, formats and brands. ogether we will deliver unexpected, unforgettable content to audiences everywhere. At Fox Entertainment Studios we are expanding our reach and portfolio, and this is a keystone creative partnership as we build.”
Foxx’s recent producing credits also include Fox’s We Are Family, The Burial, Luther: Never Too Much and the forthcoming Apple TV+ documentary Number One on the Call Sheet. He is repped by CAA, LBI Entertainment, Johnson Shapiro and Rogers & Cowan PMK.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
George Lopez is getting into the unscripted business.
The comedian, who is currently starring in the third season of NBC’s Lopez vs. Lopez, has partnered with Truly Original, the production company behind series such as The Real Housewives of Atlanta and Ink Master, to develop a number of unscripted projects.
The first is a feature documentary about Charlie Murphy, the brother of Eddie Murphy. Darkness: The Charlie Murphy Story will tell the story of the comedian, who died in 2017 from leukemia at the age of 57.
Charlie Murphy was a cast member and writer on Chappelle’s Show and for BET’s mockumentary series Comedy Get Down, where he traveled with Lopez on their 2017 stand-up comedy tour.
The doc, which is currently in production, is produced by Truly Original, Richard Murphy, who was Charlie Murphy’s cousin and former manager, George Lopez, and Salvador Vasquez.
The second project is described as a competitive and comedy-driven reality series.
It marks the latest partnership for Banijay-owned Truly Original, which recently struck an overall deal with The Cinemart, the company behind Netflix’s American Murder: Gabby Petito and Murdaugh Murders: A Southern Scandal docs as well as Hulu’s Fyre Fraud.
Truly Original also produces shows including Summer House, Winter House and The Last Cowboy with executive producer Taylor Sheridan.
The move comes after Lopez, who also starred in DC Comics’ Blue Beetle, revealed last year that he was retiring from stand-up specials.
Lopez said, “Charlie Murphy was so much fun to be around, I’ve never laughed so hard, and I want everyone to see what I saw.”
“There are a ton of reasons why we wanted to team up with George on these unscripted projects, and they all come down to this: there’s nothing he can’t do,” added Weinstock and Hersh. “Beyond his renowned comedy chops, George is a seasoned producer whose star power and longevity offer a vantage point that’s rare in our business. We’re delighted to be working together and excited about the projects we’re developing.”
Truly Original EVP and Head of Development Chachi Senior added, “It all really began with Charlie and this documentary passion project that brought us together with Rich, Sal and George. Collectively, our entire team sees a big future for George in unscripted and we’re thrilled to be working together.”
Source; Deadline
Tracy Morgan and Tina Fey are teaming up for a single-camera comedy pilot at NBC — and no, this story is not a reprint from the 2005-06 development season about 30 Rock.
Morgan is set to star in a show from writers Sam Means (30 Rock, Girls5Eva) and Robert Carlock (also a 30 Rock alum) in which he plays a disgraced former football player on a mission to rehabilitate his image. Fey, Carlock, Means, and Morgan are all executive producing.
The project is the first formal pilot order NBC has handed out this season, though it has a handful of other shows in development.
The NBC pilot is the second show Morgan has committed to recently. He’s also starring in Crutch, a spinoff of CBS’ The Neighborhood that will run on Paramount+. Should the NBC pilot go to series, his deal will allow him to star in both shows.
Universal Television, where Fey, Carlock, and Means all have overall deals, is producing the currently untitled pilot. Along with those three, Morgan, Eric Gurian, and David Miner also executive produce. Rhys Thomas (Saturday Night Live) will direct and exec-produce the pilot.
NBC has renewed two of its four current comedies, Happy’s Place and St. Denis Medical, for the 2025-26 season. The network has yet to decide on the futures of Night Court and Lopez vs. Lopez.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
Regina Hall teased sequels for Scary Movie and Girls Trip when she stopped by The Jennifer Hudson Show on Tuesday.
Hall, 54, portrayed Brenda in Scary Movie, which opened in 2000.
“It was easy because nobody thought it was gonna be a hit,” Hall said when Hudson asked what it was like working on the film.
When Hudson asked if there would be a sequel, Hall said, “That is what the ghosts are telling me.
She added that she heard “they’re writing something,” but she does not have the details.
“I don’t know what Brenda’s doing 25 years later,” she said.
Hudson then brought up the 2017 movie Girls Trip, which also starred Queen Latifah and Jada Pinkett Smith.
“So do you think we’ll get a sequel?” Hudson asked.
“That’s what I keep reading on the internet,” Hall responded, adding that she believes it.
Hall is also set to star in O’Dessa, which lands on Hulu on March 13.
Source: UPI, The Jennifer Hudson Show
Prepare for an epic journey with Soul Beach Music Festival Hosted by St. Maarten, announcing global superstars Charlie Wilson, Muni Long, and Cedric the Entertainer set to deliver luminous performances Memorial Day Weekend, May 21-26, 2025. Charlie Wilson is an “Icon,” but this does not truly describe the musical powerhouse whose vocal prowess began as a founding member and lead singer of the legendary GAP Band (“You Dropped the Bomb on Me,” “Outstanding,” “Party Train,” and “Burn Rubber on Me.”). As a solo artist, Wilson has topped the R&B charts with 13 number-one singles, garnered 13 GRAMMY® nominations, has a New York Times and Washington Post best-selling memoir, “I Am Charlie Wilson,” received a BET Lifetime Achievement Award, a Soul Train Icon Award, a Soul Train Certified Soul Award, and an NAACP Music Makes a Difference Award. Muni Long, GRAMMY® Award-winning singer, musician, songwriter, and entrepreneur, has resonated with fans for over a decade. “Hrs & Hrs” was named Best R&B Performance at the 65th Annual GRAMMY® Awards in 2023 from Long’s third album, Public Displays of Affection: The Album. Subsequently, Long earned a second GRAMMY® for her performance of “Made For Me” live on BET from her fourth album, Revenge. She returned less than two weeks after the ceremony to drop another undeniable hit single, “Slow Grind,” and is already making waves in the music scene. Cedric the Entertainer, American actor, comedian, and game show host, has solidified his status as one of the world’s premier performers on the stage, in film, and on television. Currently, Cedric is starring in and executive producing the CBS Television hit comedy “The Neighborhood” and co-headlining “Love & Laughter,” a residency tour, live at The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. His versatile film work spans genres from memorable performances in comedies such as the hit “Barbershop” franchise and “Johnson Family Vacation” to “The Original Kings of Comedy” concert film. With his smooth delivery, larger-than-life personality, and razor-sharp wit, Cedric knows how to turn any moment into pure comedy gold and will keep the Comedy Night audience in non-stop laughter from start to finish! Rhythm meets merriment at the esteemed Jocelyn Arndell Festival Village, where the main stage is set for starlit concerts. Pack your bags and bring your crew because all roads, waves, and airways lead to the Soul Beach Music Festival Hosted by St. Maarten! This Memorial Day weekend, join thousands of globe-trotting festival goers and cultural enthusiasts for an electrifying weekend of music, comedy, and nonstop celebration.
“The return of the Soul Beach Music Festival is a significant milestone for St. Maarten, reinforcing our island’s status as a premier destination. This festival not only boosts economic growth and supports local businesses but also brings together visitors and residents for a safe, vibrant celebration of culture and entertainment—especially at a time when hotel occupancy hovers around 50-60%. Hosting Soul Beach’s 30th anniversary, 29 years after its inception right here in St. Maarten, is both nostalgic and meaningful. Its comeback couldn’t be more timely, offering a much-needed boost to our tourism and economy,” – stated Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport & Telecommunication, Grisha Heyliger-Marten.
The friendly island of St. Maarten is a paradise with a pulse, where golden beaches, electric blue waters, and endless sunshine welcome jetsetters to an unparalleled playground. This island doesn’t just keep up with the wonders of the world – it creates its own magic, blending laid-back luxury with high-energy adventure. Nestled in the southern half of the island it shares with French overseas territory Saint Martin, St. Maarten’s oasis is a blend of immersive experiences sure to lift your spirit! Whether you’re indulging in world-class cuisine, exploring breathtaking landscapes, diving into thrilling water sports, or discovering hidden artistic gems, St. Maarten is a playground for music lovers and adventure seekers alike. This magnetic and multicultural Caribbean treasure invites curious travelers to glow up and rediscover their zest for life. By day, festival revelers will soak up curated happenings from land to sea, including shopping sprees in Philipsburg, gastronomic nirvana, and beach parties synced to international audiences via a live radio remote broadcast. By night, music and comedy concerts culminate with partygoers swaying to soul-stirring soundwaves from celebrity guest DJs spinning with the stars (DJ Envy, Co-host on iHeart Media’s nationally syndicated “The Breakfast Club”). Soul Beach Music Festival, Hosted by St. Maarten, is a bucket-list getaway like no other.
“I’m especially thrilled to return to our roots – the place where this incredible festival first began and home to the inaugural Sinbad Soul Music Festival. Charlie Wilson embodies multi-generational greatness, while Muni Long represents the bright future ahead. Blending the seasoned with the new creates an enduring and everlasting experience. This year is both a nostalgic tribute to our past and an inspiring glimpse into the future for our many newbies. All of this is fueled by the beauty and energy that is St Maarten. Join us for unforgettable performances, incredible food, and most importantly, to make every experience count,” said Mark Adkins, CEO & Executive Producer of Soul Beach Festival.
For information about ticket sales, accommodations, and the latest updates, sign up for CLUB SOUL BEACH by visiting http://www.soulbeach.com. Join the social community @SoulBeachMusic on Instagram and Facebook.
Mike Epps just confirmed something fans have been waiting for since 2002.
While sitting down with The Breakfast Club to promote his new comedy tour, the actor and comedian revealed that the fourth installment of the Friday film franchise has finally been green-lit after Charlamagne Tha God asked if he and Ice Cube have talked about Last Friday yet.
“He called me the other day, said we just finished the deal,” Epps said before giving the West Coast legend his flowers. “So, we doing the last Friday, man. And big shout-out to Cube; that’s another brother that has put so many brothers on, man, and don’t really get the props for it. Put me, Chris Tucker, Bernie Mac, I mean name ’em. This dude gave dudes opportunities.”
While he hasn’t seen a script for the film yet, Epps promises to continue Friday‘s legacy of introducing new comics to a wider audience. “I haven’t seen the script, but I’m pretty sure it’s good,” he said. “And we’re gonna bring in the new comics. We’re gonna put the DC Young Flys and all of them in with the OGs. It’s going to be a good a– time.”
He also remained hopeful that Chris Tucker will be on board this time around, as the actor and comedian has been hesitant to reprise his iconic role as Smokey over the years. “People still love Chris Tucker, he’s still Smokey,” Epps said. “He laid it down, he positioned me to do it. So Chris, if you’re listening, we need you, baby boy. Come on back.”
Tucker seemed open to coming back to the film franchise that made him a star when talking with Big Tigger last year, ultimately putting the onus on studio executives. “It’s studios, and they gotta want to do it, and then it’s producers and all that stuff,” Tucker said. “It’s a lot that goes with it.”
The Friday franchise started with the original film starring Ice Cube and Tucker in 1995 followed by two Tucker-free sequels: 2000’s Next Friday and 2002’s Friday After Next.
You can watch the full conversation with Epps below.
Source: Billboard
We had a chance to catch up with comedian and actor Finesse Mitchell, who is one of the very few African American comedians to ever get a chance to be a cast member of NBC’s Saturday Night Live.
With that being said, we discovered that Finesse attended the SNL50 event that happened last weekend, and we wanted to catch up with him to give us a behind-the-scenes look at what happened and how much we may have missed that wasn’t broadcast.
Check out the interview below;
In this episode of Box Seats, we talk about the prospect of picking our best starting 5 in the NBA that we would pick for our proposed teams. We give you the reasons why we think they would dominate!
We talk about Luka’s revenge game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, plus the idea of who will be moved in the NFL that would shock the world!
All of that and more! Watch the episode above! The episode stars comedians Dave Anderson and Maurice Smith.
Today, Apple TV+ revealed the trailer for the highly anticipated two-part documentary film event “Number One on the Call Sheet,” premiering on Friday, March 28. With unprecedented access and candid interviews, “Number One on the Call Sheet” takes us on an intimate journey with some of Hollywood’s most extraordinary leading Black men and women as they shine a light on the joys and challenges of being a Black actor, share breakthrough moments, discuss blueprints for success and honor legends, while recognizing the next generation’s enormous potential.
Emmy Award-winning and Academy Award-nominated Angela Bassett shares, “‘Number One on the Call Sheet’ celebrates the grit, strength and brilliance of those who came before us, while uplifting the next generation. It’s an honor to pay homage to the legends, and shine a light on the limitless possibilities ahead for Black and brown talent.”
Academy Award-winnning director Reginald Hudlin says of “Black Leading Men in Hollywood,” “‘Number One on the Call Sheet’ is the honest testimony of successful people who overcame all types of obstacles to make their dreams come true. It doesn’t matter what business you’re in, learning about their mindset, their grit, their unique definitions of success will be inspirational to every viewer. I can’t wait for the world to see it.”
NAACP Image Award-winning director Shola Lynch of “Black Leading Women in Hollywood” adds, “It’s an honor to direct this story that captures a singular generation of Black leading actresses. We don’t have this kind of collective testimonial from any period of film history. It made me determined to create a vision that is bigger than the sum of the parts to honor and reflect their individual journeys and a collective truth. I want the audience to experience what it was like to be in the room and in conversation with unvarnished ambition, excellence and beauty and to feel their awe, joy, frustration, love and triumph. I have truly been surprised how much their stories transcend celebrity and have meaning for us mere mortals. I can only hope the audience feels the same.”
“Number One on the Call Sheet: Black Leading Men in Hollywood” and “Number One on the Call Sheet: Black Leading Women in Hollywood” deliver an in-depth look at some of Hollywood’s biggest stars as they reveal their journeys to game-changing leading roles. The films are produced for Apple by Jamie Foxx, Kevin Hart, Datari Turner and Dan Cogan. Foxx produces through his Foxxhole Productions with Turner. Hart produces through Hartbeat and Cogan produces through Story Syndicate.
Directed by Hudlin, executive producers for “Number One on the Call Sheet: Black Leading Men in Hollywood” include Hudlin, Byron Phillips, Diana E. Williams, Bryan Smiley, Candice Wilson Cherry, Liz Garbus and Mala Chapple. With Foxx and Hart lending their voices to the documentary, contributors also include John Boyega, Don Cheadle, Morris Chestnut, Ice Cube, Taye Diggs, Idris Elba, Laurence Fishburne, Morgan Freeman, Dwayne Johnson, Michael B. Jordan, Daniel Kaluuya, Martin Lawrence, Eddie Murphy, Will Smith, Denzel Washington and Marlon Wayans. These titans of the screen open up about historic firsts, the true role of a lead actor, the art of sustained success and dominating the global box office. Additional insights are shared by industry insiders Reuben Cannon, Nina Shaw, Matthew Johnson, Robi Reed and Quentin Tarantino.
Directed by Lynch, executive producers for “Number One on the Call Sheet: Black Leading Women in Hollywood” include Angela Bassett, Halle Berry, Viola Davis, Whoopi Goldberg, Hudlin, Mishka Brown, Nanette Nelms, Smiley, Wilson Cherry, Garbus, Chapple and Mark Monroe. With Bassett, Berry, Davis and Goldberg lending their voices to the documentary, additional contributors include Cynthia Erivo, Vivica A. Fox, Meagan Good, Tiffany Haddish, Taraji P. Henson, Nia Long, Ruth Negga, Gabourey Sidibe, Jurnee Smollett, Octavia Spencer, Tessa Thompson, Gabrielle Union and Alfre Woodard. Cinematic legends discuss their big breaks, navigating Hollywood’s star system with grace and determination, and creating their own opportunities and seats at the table.
“Number One on the Call Sheet” joins the award-winning slate of Apple Original documentary films, including Hudlin’s Critics Choice Documentary and NAACP Image Award-winning “Sidney,” honoring the legendary Sidney Poitier and his legacy as an iconic actor, filmmaker and activist; Emmy and Critics’ Choice Documentary Award-winning “STILL: A Michael J. Fox Movie,” recounting Fox’s extraordinary story in his own words; Emmy Award-nominated “Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me,” a uniquely raw and intimate documentary spanning her six-year journey into a new light; Emmy Award-nominated and PGA Award-winning “STEVE! (martin) a documentary in 2 pieces,” featuring acclaimed writer, producer, director, actor and comedian Steve Martin; the Emmy Award-nominated “Billie Eilish: The World’s A Little Blurry”; and the recently announced untitled feature on rock icons Fleetwood Mac, among many others.
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 been honored with 553 wins and 2,557 award nominations and counting, including multi-Emmy Award-winning comedy “Ted Lasso” and historic Oscar Best Picture winner “CODA.”
Shrek 5 has landed a star that may make other franchises green with envy.
Zendaya has joined the venerable animated film series as the daughter of Shrek (Mike Myers) and Fiona (Cameron Diaz). She also joins Eddie Murphy, the voice of Donkey.
Zendaya is one of the most in-demand stars working today, with her upcoming schedule including Dune: Messiah, Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, the fourth Spider-Man movie and Euphoria season three. Last year, she starred in Challengers, the well-regarded tennis drama from Luca Guadagnino, as well as Dune: Part Two. Her presence in Shrek 5 gives extra vibrancy to the 25-year-old franchise and could help bring new audiences to the fold.
The feature has a Dec. 23, 2026, release date from Universal and DreamWorks Animation and is the first in the main series since 2010’s Shrek Forever After.
Shrek veterans Walt Dohrn and Conrad Vernon direct, along with Minions: The Rise of Gru co-director Brad Ableson. Dohrn cut his teeth on the franchise as a writer on Shrek 2 and Shrek the Third, and as head of story on Shrek Forever After, a film in which he voiced Rumplestilskin. Vernon directed Shrek 2, Madagascar 2 and voices Gingerbread Man (aka Gingy).
Shrek Forever After producer Gina Shay and Illumination CEO Chris Meledandri are producing the new film.
The Shrek franchise launched with the Oscar-winning 2001 feature that centered on an ogre named Shrek, who falls for Fiona, the princess of Far Far Away who has been cursed, trapped in the body of an ogre. Donkey provided comic relief, pathos, and friendship to Shrek, with the film praised for its humorous twist on fairy-tale tropes.
In addition to the main Shrek movies, it also spawned two Puss in Boots spinoffs, starring Antonio Banderas, which all propelled the franchise to becoming the second biggest in animation history, with $2.9 billion globally.
Zendaya is repped by CAA Monster Talent Management and Granderson Des Rochers.