WATCH: Steve Harvey Is Giving President Trump A Thumbs Up- In Only ONE Area
Source: Drew Angerer / Getty
Steve Harvey has made many questionable choices this year. The Internet is questioning if he fell into the sunken place.
After meeting with Donald Trump back in January, many people haven’t looked at the usually “woke” mogul the same. Today, he told TMZ that Trump kept his word with him about Housing and Urban Development. The host claims that he’s been working with Ben Carson and has plans to create housing for underprivileged people and to open centers around the country.
When asked how Trump is doing so far in other areas of his job, Steve laughed it off. As you may recall, he was recently under fire last month for saying that Black people need to put some respect on Donald Trump’s name.
Source: TMZ, Globalgrind
Charlie Murphy Laid To Rest Last Night In New Jersey
Los Angeles, Apr 20 (PTI) Celebrated comedian Charlie Murphy has been laid to rest and several big names from the fraternity paid their last respects.
Murphy was remembered by his family and friends including Dave Chappelle, George Lopez and Cedric the Entertainer, at a ceremony in New Jersey.
“Tonight we joined family and friends to pay tribute and lay to rest our brother the legendary #CharlieMurphy,” Cedric captioned a group photo on Instagram.
The picture also included Neal Brennan, Eddie Griffin, Affion Crockett, Donnell Rawlings and D L Hughley.
Donell Rawlings, put up a separate picture with a caption, “We love you charlie RIP keep doing it big.” Murphy, who was actor Eddie Murphy’s older brother, died in a New York City hospital on Apr 12 after suffering from a leukemia for a long time.
Donald Glover’s FX Series ‘Atlanta’ Named Peabody Award Winners
COURTESY OF FX/HBO APRIL 20, 2017 | 08:00AM PT
Donald Glover’s FX series “Atlanta” and Beyonce’s visual album “Lemonade” were among the seven entertainment winners announced Thursday by the Peabody Awards board of jurors.
Both projects were among the 60 previously announced finalists for the prestigious award, which are meant to represent the most compelling and empowering stories released in electronic media during 2016.
Peabody Award winners and finalists will be celebrated at a gala event on May 20 in New York. The event will be taped for a television special to air on both PBS and Fusion networks on June 2 at 9 p.m/8c. Rashida Jones, a previous Peabody winner for “Parks and Recreation” and current star of “Angie Tribeca,” will serve as host.
Documentary winners were announced on Tuesday. Winners in News, Radio/Podcast, Children’s Programming, Education, and Public Service will be revealed on April 25.
Read the full list of Entertainment winners below with descriptions by the board of jurors.
“Atlanta”
FX Productions (FX Networks)
Donald Glover’s enchanting series on the struggles of two young black men trying to make it in Atlanta’s rap scene blends vibrant character study and rich socio-political commentary in delivering a detailed and textured exploration of a Southern city.
“Better Things”
FX Productions (FX Networks)
Co-created by Pamela Adlon and Louis C.K., the result of this searingly funny and beautiful show is an at-times raw examination of the vicissitudes of working motherhood, crackling with feminist verve and energy, that consistently cuts new ground.
“Happy Valley”
BBC One (BBC One, Netflix)
A fresh take on the British crime drama that deals boldly and unflinchingly with the darkest human behavior while keeping its heart and even a tart sense of humor. Series creator Sally Wainwright has given us perhaps the greatest female lead on television today in Catherine Cawood, played by Sarah Lancashire in a stunning performance.
“Horace and Pete”
Pig Newton, Inc. (louisck.net)
A true original that melds contemporary politics and serialized storytelling with a throwback approach, “Horace and Pete” is a truly independent and groundbreaking demonstration of how quality television is expertly produced for the new media environment, all the while building upon decades of artistry and craft.
“Lemonade”
HBO Entertainment in association with Parkwood Entertainment (HBO)
“Lemonade” draws from the prolific literary, musical, cinematic, and aesthetic sensibilities of black cultural producers to create a rich tapestry of poetic innovation. The audacity of its reach and fierceness of its vision challenges our cultural imagination, while crafting a stunning and sublime masterpiece about the lives of women of color and the bonds of friendship seldom seen or heard in American popular culture.
“National Treasure”
The Forge (Channel 4)
A dark and timely examination of sexual abuse at the hands of privileged celebrity, “National Treasure” is an engrossing series that explores the loyalty of family and friends during crisis, the impact of sexual abuse on victims, and the legal system itself. As in real life, there’s no neat ending in this dramatic rendering of one man’s choices and the collateral damage he creates.
“VEEP”
HBO Entertainment (HBO)
A rare show blessed with a perfectly cast ensemble, including the comedic genius of Julia Louis-Dreyfus, VEEP is a workplace comedy that not only captures the zeitgeist of the current bizarre political moment but transcends its own form to deliver a sobering message, with sharp dialogue, street savvy—and lots of laughs.
Source: Variety
Aisha Tyler To Be Honored By The Newport Beach Film Festival
There are multi-hyphenates and then there’s Aisha Tyler – stand-up comedian, talk-show host, actress, author, producer, writer and director. She’s a series regular on CBS drama “Criminal Minds,” voices Lana Kane on “Archer” and hosts CBS’ “The Talk” and CW’s “Whose Line Is It Anyway?”
As a director, Tyler’s short “Ar Scáth le Chéile” debuted at the Newport Beach Film Festival in 2016, and her first feature film, the action-thriller “Axis,” releases this month. A strong supporter of the Wounded Warrior fund and a best-selling author (“Self-Inflicted Wounds: Heartwarming Tales of Epic Humiliation”), this summer she’s also debuting a line of bottled premium cocktails under the brand Courage+Stone.
Tyler’s first big break was hosting E! Entertainment’s “Talk Soup,” followed by a character arc on “Friends.” She co-starred with Jennifer Love Hewitt in CBS’ “Ghost Whisperer,” had roles on “CSI” and “24,” and her feature film credits include “Bedtime Stories,” “Death Sentence” and “Santa Clause III.” “I’m currently writing and developing several film and TV projects with an eye towards directing a second feature,” Tyler says. “I’ve still got a lot of creative goals left to attack.”
Source: Variety
‘Underground’s Aisha Hinds Boards ‘Godzilla: King Of The Monsters’!
Photo by Ashley Nguyen
Aisha Hinds has signed on to co-star in Legendary/ Warner Bros’ upcoming sequel Godzilla: King Of The Monsters, with Michael Dougherty at the helm. The actress, who is getting positive reviews for her turn as Harriet Tubman on WGN America’s Underground, joins Stranger Things break-out star Millie Bobby Brown, Vera Farmiga, Kyle Chandler, Ken Watanabe and O’Shea Jackson Jr.
Plot details remain underwraps on the film, which Dougherty co-wrote with Zach Shields. WB is releasing it in theaters March 22, 2019. The first installment in the Legendary/WB monster universe, Kong: Skull Island, pulled in $61M in its opening weekend.
In addition to Underground, Hinds can currently be seen in Fox’s event series Shots Fired and recently co-starred opposite Bryan Cranston and Anthony Mackie in the HBO biopic All The Way. She’s repped by Greene & Associates Talent Agency and attorney Jeff Bernstein.
Source: Deadline
On This Day In Comedy… In 1965 Comedian, Actor, Writer, Producer, And Director, Chris Rock Was Born!
On This day in comedy on February 7, 1965 Comedian, Actor, Writer, Producer, and Director Christopher Julius “Chris” Rock III was born Andrews, South Carolina!
Known universally as one of the premier comedians of his generation and voted #5 on Comedy Central’s list of the 100 Greatest Standup Comedians of All Time, Chris Rock’s road in comedy was paved with boulders. After putting up with enough bullying he dropped out of high school, got his GED and hit the work force in the lucrative fast food industry. He found that not to be a good fit. There had to be something better and because he now prized education he applied its principles in his future vocation. One of Chris Rock’s methods of developing an act is to bring his jokes on stage written down in a legal pad and try out each one before an unsuspecting and involuntary Guinea pig audience. It’s that kind of brashness, perseverance and hard work that established him in the many mediums of comedy: film, television, animation, documentaries and theater, but no matter where he used his comedic skills, standup was always the cornerstone of what made Rock so popular. His brand was unapologetic, insightful, bold, opinionated and above all – the unabashed truth.
The career of Chris Rock began in 1984 when he took the stage at New York’s Catch a Rising Star. It wasn’t long before he got his big break in 1985. It was in his first film – Crush Groove, playing “Person Standing Next to Phone during Fight in Club”. That didn’t do much for his career (nor did a Miami Vice guest starring role or a stand-up set on Uptown Comedy Express), but when Eddie Murphy caught his act one night Rock got his real big break. Murphy took Rock under his wing and got him a credited part in Beverly Hills Cop II. Rock did his first concert film (Comedy’s Dirtiest Dozen), some more films (I’m Gonna Git You Sucka, New Jack City, Boomerang) a documentary (Who is Chris Rock?) and his first comedy album (Born Suspect). He was a cast member on Saturday Night Live, but he didn’t find that to be a great fit so he moved from NBC to Fox to be a player on In Living Color, but then it got cancelled. So, Rock made his own vehicle, CB4, a parody of the rap scene. It was not a success with the critics and Rock fell into a slump. Hollywood obviously didn’t know what to do with him during this period (The Immortals, Panther, Beverly Hills Ninja, Sgt. Bilko). He’d even considered quitting. Then he stopped agonizing over what he wasn’t getting and went back to his first love – stand-up.
In 1996 Chris Rock was a commentator of the Presidential campaign for Comedy Central’s Politically Correct. He was nominated for an Emmy for that coverage. It blended man on the street inquisitiveness with current event savvy. Rock was a hit and what happened next catapulted him into another league. Bring the Pain on HBO was one of their top comedy specials winning Rock two Emmys and putting him in the fast lane. You know you’re hot when you get animated (he played Lil Penny, Penny Hardaway’s alter ego for a Nike campaign). After the year of Rock he did more HBO specials and albums (Bigger & Blacker, Roll With The New, Never Scared, Big Ass Jokes, Kill the Messenger), hosted award shows (MTV Video Music Awards, BET Awards), wrote a book (Rock This), did films (Dogma, Lethal Weapon 4, Nurse Betty, Grown Ups, The Longest Yard, Bad Company, Death at a Funeral), television (The Chris Rock Show), animation (Madagascar series, Osmosis Jones, King of the Hill, Bee Movie) music videos (Red Hot Chili Peppers, Big Daddy Kane, Johnny Cash) and more Chris Rock films (Down to Earth, Pootie Tang, Head of State, I Think I Love My Wife, Good Hair (his doc about hair) Top Five).
Rock defied odds. In 2005 when he hosted the 77th Academy Awards he lambasted the hallowed ceremony, the stars and the entire notion of the presentation. Despite this and the fact many members of the Academy were supremely offended he was invited to host again in 2016. His high school experiences were adapted into the successful sitcom, Everybody Hates Chris (he executive produced and narrated). Rock produced Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell and The Hughleys. In 2011 he was nominated for a Drama League Award for his acting on Broadway in the play, The Motherfucker with the Hat. Rock has done the documentaries of others (Comedian, Torrance Rises, The N-Word, The Aristocrats), guest starred on sitcoms (The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Martin, The Bernie Mac Show), popped up in cameos in multiple motion pictures (Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, Paparazzi, You Don’t Mess with the Zohan) and directed, Amy Schumer: Live at the Apollo.
Chris Rock has been nominated for 19 major awards and won 8, including 3 Grammys, 2 Primetime Emmys. A Kid’s Choice Award and a Black Reel Award.
On This Day In Comedy… In 1957 Comedian, Director, Actor, Writer, And Producer Robert Townsend Was Born!
On this day in comedy on February 6, 1957 Comedian, Director, Actor, Writer, and Producer, Robert Townsend was born in Chicago, Illinois!
After honing his skills at Chicago’s X Bag Theatre; The Experimental Black Actors Guild and at Second City, Townsend got his start in comedy at The Improv. He moved to New York to further his education with the Negro Ensemble Company. Then following a string of small stereotypical parts (Cooley High, Monkey Hustle, American Flyers, Streets of Fire, Ratboy) and finding rare fulfillment as an actor (he did A Soldier’s Story with a predominantly black cast and was chest-fallen when he discovered that might be the only one he would make in his entire career) Townsend co-wrote (with Keenen Ivory Wayans) and directed Hollywood Shuffle. This parody of how it is for minority talent in Tinsel Town put the struggling entertainer on the map. The film, financed with Townsend’s own funds from acting and his credit cards, was a low budget risk and major box office success. A star was born.
Robert Townsend’s initial success allowed him to pursue an aggressive agenda of black projects. He directed Eddie Murphy’s Raw. He did Robert Townsend and His Partners in Crime for HBO featuring unsung comedians at the time such as Paul Mooney, Franklyn Ajaye, Robin Harris and Damon Wayans, to name a few. Townsend co-starred with Denzel Washington in The Mighty Quinn. His next theatrical release was The Five Heartbeats, an enduring musical focusing on the trials and tribulations of a fictional 60s R&B singing group. He made Meteor Man; about a black super hero with limited powers. He returned to television with his own variety show on Fox, Townsend Television and a few seasons later he created his own sitcom for the WB; The Parent ‘Hood. He directed B*A*P*S with Halle Berry, Carmen: A Hip Hopera with Beyoncé and 10,000 Black Men Named George; also, Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy; a documentary on the history of black comedy, Livin’ for Love: The Natalie Cole Story, Holiday Heart, Bill Cosby 77 and others.
Robert Townsend won the Cable ACE Award for Robert Townsend and His Partners in Crime and he was the Programming Director for the now defunct Black Family Channel.
On This Day In Comedy… In 1961 Comedian And Actor Tim Meadows Born!
On this day in comedy on February 5, 1961 Comedian and Actor, Timothy “Tim” Meadows born Highland Park, MI!
A student of radio and television in college, Meadows got started in improvisational comedy at the Soup Kitchen Saloon and in show business performing in The Second City troupe. Chris Farley was also a member; which was Meadows first contact with his destiny. A short time later he became a cast member on NBCs long running hit sketch show, Saturday Night Live and went on to be its longest running cast member for a record 9 seasons (until Darrell Hammond broke that record years later). Meadows played a lot of characters: Michael Jackson, O. J. Simpson, Erykah Badu, Tiger Woods and Oprah Winfrey, but it was his signature persona that got made into a film.
The Ladies Man was extremely popular on a sketch show like SNL. In the theater, it bombed. Even though the character of Leon Phelps: a horny radio talk show host prone to say whatever inappropriate thing he wants seemed a natural for audiences always on the hunt for shock value, this flick didn’t jolt them enough. Regardless, it was but a minor setback for Meadows. He’d made a lot of friends at Saturday Night Live over the years and they showed it by keeping their alumni buddy working. He made appearances in Mean Girls (a Tina Fey film), The Coneheads (Dan Aykroyd, Jane Curtin, and Larraine Newman), It’s Pat (Julia Sweeney), Wayne’s World 2 (Mike Myers), The Benchwarmers (Rob Schneider), Trainwreck (Bill Hader) and Grown Ups 1 & 2 (Adam Sandler).
Meadows let friends pay him any time to perform, but he also worked for others. No need to feel bad for the guy because over his career Meadows was a regular on The Michael Richards Show, Lil Bush, The Bill Engvall Show, Glory Dance, and Mr. Box Office. He co-starred on the NBC sitcom, Marry Me. He appeared in Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story. Meadows had recurring roles on Help Me Help You, Living with Fran, The New Adventures of Old Christine, The Life & Times of Tim, Suburgatory and Bob’s Burgers. He’d pop up on The Colbert Report and guest starred on One on One, Everybody Hates Chris, The Office, Reba, According to Jim, Lovespring International, Funny or Die Presents, 30 Rock, The Venture Bros, Comedy Bang! Bang!, The Goldbergs and The Spoils Before Dying.
Like most dedicated entertainers, when not in front of the camera Tim Meadows returns to his roots and continues to perform improv on stages all over the world.
On This Day In Comedy… In 1983 Comedian, Actor, Writer, Hannibal Buress Was Born
On this day in comedy on February 4, 1983 Comedian, Actor, and Writer Hannibal Buress was born in Chicago, IL!
It can be said that Buress is not the corporate type. When he wrote for old school network NBCs Saturday Night Live in 2009, he left in 2010. That same year he got a job writing for the NBC sitcom, 30 Rock and quit after 6 months. He seemed to work better with the looser constrictions of cable which became evident by his relationship with Comedy Central. He appeared on The Awkward Comedy Show special for them. He did stand-up on Live at Gotham and John Oliver’s New York Stand-Up Show. Buress released his second album, (His first was My Name is Hannibal from 2010) Animal Furnace in 2012. Comedy Central did it as a special and he did an hour-long comedy special for them called Hannibal Buress Live from Chicago in 2014. He’s on the series Broad City, co-host The Eric Andre Show and has his own show Why? With Hannibal Buress. All on Comedy Central.
This is not to say Buress is exclusive to Comedy Central. He has also been seen on Louie and Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell (FX), Lopez Tonight and Conan (TBS), Late Show with David Letterman and The Late, Late Show with Craig Ferguson (CBS), Jimmy Kimmel Live! (ABC), The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and Late Night with Jimmy Fallon (NBC) and Russell Howard’s Good News (BBC).
However, what put Buress on the map for many non-comedy aficionados was his bit about Bill Cosby that went viral after being in his set for six months. The routine about the legendary comic dubbed “America’s Dad” and his past rape allegations in the face of his better than thou posture took on a life all its own as woman after woman emerged to either reiterate claims of drugging and sexual abuse or level never-before-leveled claims against the iconic comedian. It was a media circus and Buress was at the center of the controversy. But being a stand-up comedian meant Hannibal Buress had the distinct advantage of dissecting the situation on stage and incorporate in as part of the act that got him into that vortex in the first place.
Hannibal Buress has won Chicago’s Funniest Person Award (2007), the Best Performance in a Host Stand-Up/Sketch Comedy Program Series (2011) and the American Comedy Award (2012).
On This Day In Comedy… In 2009 ‘Diary Of A Tired Black Man’ Was Released!
On this day in comedy on February 3, 2009 Diary of a Tired Black Man was released!
This independent film was the brainchild of talented writer/director, Tim Alexander. Using a documentary style Alexander tells his story of a black man in a long term relationship who finally grows tired of the constant drama and seeks happiness by making his exit. However, he finds out that leaving a drama-filled relationship does not end the drama. For instance, when he comes to his former opulent home to pick up his daughter for his visitation he is ridiculed by his ex-wife’s girlfriends for being a weak ni**a. He must remind them that in the 7 years he and his wife were together he never messed with white women and he is the one who bought the house and all the furniture in it and pays his alimony on time. So, he is not a weak man. He is a tired one. Then he points out that the complaint they all have is that all black men are weak yet none of them have any man.
Alexander’s mixing of comedy, drama and interviews makes for an interesting film. The theme is familiar, but seldom has it been played out so frankly and universally. The problems this man faced are not exclusive to black men and not exclusive to just men. There are many tired women of all races coming home to dysfunctional pairings and a film like this can wake up all viewers to cut your losses and seek happiness before it’s too late.
Diary of a Tired Black Man stars Jimmy Jean-Louis as James, the tired black man. Paula Lema plays is wife who is prone to go off and runs him off. The film also features Natasha M. Dixon, Kimmarie Johnson and Alexander as himself.
Los Angeles, Apr 20 (PTI) Celebrated comedian Charlie Murphy has been laid to rest and several big names from the fraternity paid their last respects.
