Hartbeat, the global media company creating entertainment at the intersection of comedy and culture, just announced the additions of Akon, Bryson Tiller, DJ Irie, and Saweetie as headlining performers for Hartbeat Weekend – the music and comedy celebration taking place Labor Day week at Resorts World in Las Vegas.
The newly added artists join an already stellar lineup featuring Kevin Hart, Lil Wayne, and Ludacris, with Akon and Bryson Tiller set to light up the stage poolside at AYU Dayclub, while Saweetie will electrify audiences Friday evening at Zouk Nightclub.
For a weekend filled with laughter, Hartbeat is excited to offer two complimentary comedy shows. On Friday, join us for LOL STAND-UP, a showcase of top comedians ranging from Hartbeat talent to local Vegas acts. Then, on Saturday, don’t miss Hot Mic, hosted by Comedian CP, featuring rapid-fire sets from both rising stars and big-league comedians like Yamaneika Saunders, Skillz Hudson, and Kendall Ward, recorded live for Kevin Hart’s LOL Radio, SiriusXM Channel 96.
Ahead of Hartbeat Weekend, Hartbeat will also be taking over Zouk Nightclub filming brand-new stand-up series, LOL Live. LOL Live will feature ten 30-minute, curated specials showcasing a diverse lineup of comedians, including Brandi Denise, Chico Bean, Chinedu Unaka, Daphnique Springs, Devon Walker, Justin Silva, Ken Flores, Lea’h Sampson, Malik B, and Sydnee Washington.
Hartbeat Weekend will also feature a series of live podcast tapings on Saturday, August 31, and Sunday, September 1. Highlights include the return of “Straight from the Hart” with the Plastic Cup Boyz (Joey Wells, Will ‘Spank’ Horton, Harry Ratchford, Wayne Brown, and Na’im Lynn) and the hit music podcast “One Song” with Diallo Riddle and Luxxury. Also joining this year’s podcast lineup are LOL! Radio’s latest additions, including “Petty Crimes” hosted by Griff Stark-Ennis and Ceara O’Sullivan, and “Off Topic with Yamaneika,” hosted by comedian Yamaneika Saunders with special guest George Wallace. All podcast tapings are free for attendees and will take place live from Hartbeat Lounge at Jalisco Underground inside Resorts World.
The beloved Gran Coramino Cup will be returning to the Eight Lounge in Resorts World. From Gran Coramino Tequila in partnership with Chilled Magazine, the one-of-a-kind bartender competition celebrates and shines a light on the hustlers of nightlife that often go under-appreciated. More information at GranCoramino.com/bartenders. Hartbeat also just announced their Hartbeat Ventures Private Cocktail and Dinner Party taking place on Thursday, August 29th. This upscale event will be held at Carversteak and is invite only.
On Sunday, Kevin Hart will close out the weekend of live stand-up comedy performances as he brings his “Acting My Age” tour to the Resorts World Theatre stage at 9 p.m. The show is produced by AEG Presents.
WHEN: LOL Live will take place Tuesday, August 27th – Wednesday, August 28, 2024. Hartbeat Weekend will take place Thursday, August 29 – Sunday, September 1, 2024
TUESDAY, AUGUST 27th
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28th
THURSDAY, AUGUST 29th
FRIDAY, AUGUST 30th
SATURDAY, AUGUST 31st
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 1st
WHERE: Across Resorts World Las Vegas venues including Zouk Nightclub, AYU Dayclub, Resorts World Theatre, and Jalisco Underground
TICKETS: For more information and tickets, please visit https://www.rwlasvegas.com/experiences/hartbeat-weekend/.
Megan Thee Stallion has been tapped to host the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards, set to take place Sept. 11.
This will mark Megan’s first-ever awards show hosting gig, coming on the heels of her five nominations at this year’s VMAs, including best collaboration with tourmate GloRilla and best hip-hop, the category she last won in 2020 for “Savage.” She has previously won two VMAs and three Grammys, among other accolades.
Megan is no stranger to hosting duties, though, having previously hosted Saturday Night Live and served as co-host for The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
Earlier this year, Megan released a new album, MEGAN, that includes collaborations with Victoria Monet, GloRilla, UGK, Big K.R.I.T., Kyle Richh and Yuki Chiba.
The 2024 VMAs will air live at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Wednesday, Sept. 11, from New York’s UBS Arena.
As previously announced, Katy Perry is set to receive this year’s Video Vanguard Award and will perform a medley of her hits. Other performers will include Benson Boone, Camila Cabello, Chappell Roan, GloRilla, Halsey, Lenny Kravitz, Lisa, Rauw Alejandro and Sabrina Carpenter.
Taylor Swift leads the nominees with a total of 10 noms, followed by Post Malone with nine; Ariana Grande, Eminem and Sabrina Carpenter with six apiece; Megan and SZA with five each; and Lisa, Olivia Rodrigo and Teddy Swims with four each. Fans can vote online in 15 gender-neutral categories through Aug. 30.
MTV said that, in observance of the 23rd anniversary of 9/11, MTV will again support the nonprofit 9/11 Day, which organizes the September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance, and Tuesday’s Children, which serves the families of 9/11.
The VMAs are executive produced by Bruce Gillmer and Den of Thieves co-founder Jesse Ignjatovic, with Barb Bialkowski as co-executive producer. Alicia Portugal and Jackie Barba are executives in charge of production, Wendy Plaut is executive in charge of celebrity talent, and Lisa Lauricella is music talent executive.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
Rush Hour 4 is reportedly being pitched to various studios in an attempt to get the project off the ground. The fourth installment in the franchise, starring Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan, could also mark controversial director Brett Ratner’s return to filmmaking.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, executives at Lionsgate held a meeting to discuss Rush Hour 4 in July 2024. While other franchises, such as John Wick, have experienced success with new additions, the problem with getting the action comedy off the ground is the potential involvement of Ratner, who directed the first three Rush Hour movies. Sources familiar with the talks said the filmmaker, who has been accused of sexual misconduct, was part of the pitch for the fourth installment.
Ratner, who faced multiple allegations of sexual misconduct and harassment in 2017, has denied the claims and was not charged for the alleged crimes. However, after getting dropped by his agency, the filmmaker has been absent from Hollywood for several years. Due to the controversy, Warner Bros. allowed Rush Hour 4 to be licensed elsewhere. Despite the freedom to house the project elsewhere, studios like Paramount and Sony passed on the film after hearing that Ratner would be involved.
Ratner had a thriving career in the ’90s and 2000s as a music video director and studio filmmaker, hitting it big with the first Rush Hour movie in 1998. He went on to direct the next two films in the series, which collectively made over $500 million at the domestic box office. However, after detailed accusations of sexual misconduct were leveled against him by six women, including Natasha Henstridge and Olivia Munn, no one wanted to work with him.
For Rush Hour 4 to move forward, it would need domestic and international distribution partners. Although the involved parties wouldn’t have ownership of the rights to the previous Rush Hour films, they would acquire a new installment in a well-established franchise, while Warner Bros. would receive a licensing fee. While Tucker and Chan have expressed interest in a fourth Rush Hour movie, their involvement has not been made official.
In 2019, the pair almost broke the internet after posting a photo together on Instagram, hinting at a reunion for a potential reunion for their characters Yan Naing Lee and James Carter. However, Chan’s management company, the JC Group, quickly debunked speculation. In Dec. 2022, Chan backtracked once more by confirming that Rush Hour 4 was in development. “We’re talking about Rush Hour 4 right now,” he said during an appearance at the Red Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter, CBR
MTV today announced that Caught in the Act: Unfaithful, hosted by TV legend Tami Roman, will premiere on Tuesday, September 17th at 9pm ET/PT. The fan-favorite series returns with jaw-dropping moments, captivating twists, and emotional confrontations that promise to keep viewers on the edge of their seats.
This season explores a new, unpredictable case each week, featuring clandestine rendezvous, shocking family betrayals, engagement entanglements, and salacious scandals. Alongside seasoned Relationship Expert Coach Ken and an elite investigation team, Tami Roman takes on the electrifying task of helping suspicious lovers expose their unfaithful partners. Each story delves into the complex dynamics of trust, deception, and the pursuit of truth, culminating in a pivotal choice: team up with the partner’s other lover or expose them both in a dramatic takedown.
Caught in the Act: Unfaithful is executive produced by Lashan Browning, Donna Edge-Rachell, Paris Bauldwin, Alissa Horowitz, Daniel Wiener, Jamail Shelton, and Rich Allen for Antoinette Media. Tami Roman also serves as Producer. Sitarah Pendelton-Eaglin and Jennifer Aguirre serve as Executive Producers with Supervising Producer Jarrad Galano for MTV. Sara Finney serves as Executive in Charge for MTV.
Join the conversation using #MTVUnfaithful, and follow along on X, Instagram, and TikTok. Catch up with full episodes of Caught In The Act: Unfaithful on MTV Video On Demand.
CNN is adding an array of humor specialists to its broad gallery of journalistic experts.
Amber Ruffin and Michael Ian Black have been named to serve as captains on the Warner Bros. Discovery-backed outlet’s new Saturday-night series “Have I Got News For You.” The ten-episode run of the series, best known in its original incarnation on the BBC, launches Saturday, September 14, at 9 p.m. Roy Wood Jr. is the host.
“It is an honor to get to work with comedy favorites Michael Ian Black and Roy Wood Jr,” said Ruffin, in a statement. “It is our hope that this show will take people from saying, “This is CNN.” to “THIS is CNN!?!?””
“I’m thrilled to be joining Roy Wood Jr. and Amber Ruffin as ‘Have I Got News For You’s” DEI hire,” said Black, in a statement. “I’m looking forward to spreading as much disinformation as possible on America’s most trusted news network – my main focus has been, and will continue to be, pleasing my handlers in the Kremlin.
“Have I Got News For You” has been made available by the BBC since 1990, and typically showcases two teams talking about various news stories on the week. The U.K. show has been so scrutinized that it has been brought to court for utterances of various panelists about news subjects.
The series joins rebroadcasts of Bill Maher’s HBO roundtable program, “Real Time.” CNN has hopes of branching out into news-driven comedy, according to Amy Entelis, CNN’s executive vice president of talent and content, who told Variety of such plans in a May interview. Weekend viewers might like a break from the intensity of the news week with programs about lifestyle or “have a laugh about something and maybe be able to connect to a personality who wouldn’t necessarily be anchoring a show on CNN or even an original series,” she said. “We will be exploring that going forward.”
Ruffin first came to notice as a writer and contributor to NBC’s “Late Night with Seth Meyers” — the first Black woman to write for a U.S. late-night broadcast talk program. She hosted her own program on NBC’s Peacock streaming hub and, more recently, penned the revised book for Broadway’s current revival of “The Wiz.”
Black is an actor, writer, and comedian who began his career with the sketch comedy troupe The State. He co-created several television shows, including “Viva Variety,” “Stella,” and “Michael & Michael Have Issues.” He has starred in series including “Ed” and “The Jim Gaffigan Show ” and appeared in films including “This Is 40.” He has also hosted game shows and led podcasts.
Source: Variety
Comedy Central announced an impressive voice cast for the reimagined adult animated series, “Everybody Still Hates Chris,” including Chris Rock, Terry Crews, and Tichina Arnold. Also joining the new series are Tim Johnson Jr., Ozioma Akagha, Terrence Little Gardenhigh, and Gunnar Sizemore. Produced by CBS Studios; Chris Rock Enterprises; and 3 Arts Entertainment, the new half-hour animated series will premiere on Comedy Central later this year.
“I’m very excited to introduce the world to another funny side of my childhood,” said Star and Executive Producer Chris Rock.
“I wanted this job to get free tickets to a Chris Rock stand-up show, but we ended up making something we’re proud of that is true to the original series we all loved,” said Sanjay Shah, series Showrunner and Executive Producer.
“Everybody Still Hates Chris” will feature Chris Rock (“Rustin,” “Fargo”) as “Adult Chris,” narrating stories inspired by his experience growing up as a skinny nerd in a large working-class family in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn, during the late 1980s. Terry Crews (“America’s Got Talent”) will voice “Julius,” Chris’ father who is a gentle giant with a relentless work ethic, and cheap. He grew up dirt poor, so he knows the cost of everything down to the penny. He works two jobs to support the family, and on his days off, he takes on a third job. Tichina Arnold (“The Neighborhood”) will voice “Rochelle,” Chris’ mother who is smart, strong-willed, and has a nurturing spirit, but she can also be hot-headed, especially when it comes to her kids. She tolerates zero nonsense, so she quits more jobs in a month than most people do in a lifetime.
In addition to the cast of the original series “Everybody Hates Chris,” Tim Johnson Jr. (“Saturdays”) will voice “Young Chris,” a nerd who wants to be cool but he’s outshined by his younger brother, tortured by his little sister, and foiled by his cheapskate dad; Ozioma Akagha (“DELILAH”) will voice “Tonya,” Chris’ feisty baby sister, with the face of an angel and the heart of a demon, who gets along with her middle brother Drew but leaps at any chance to get Chris in trouble; Terrence Little Gardenhigh (“Danger Force”) will voice “Drew,” the golden child of the family who is the epitome of Black Excellence: handsome, athletic, a ladies man, taller and cooler than his older brother Chris; and Gunnar Sizemore (“Kung Fu Panda”) will voice “Greg,” Chris’s only friend at school who is girl-obsessed, status conscious and raised by a single dad.
“Everybody Hates Chris,” Chris Rock’s autobiographical, critically-acclaimed family series, ran for four seasons on UPN then the CW from 2005 – 2009. The series won a NAACP Image Award for its writing in 2007 and was also nominated for a Golden Globe and several Emmy Awards. All four seasons of the original series are available to stream on Paramount+.
“Everybody Still Hates Chris” is produced by CBS’ Eye Animation Productions, CBS Studios’ animation arm. Alongside Chris Rock of Chris Rock Enterprises, showrunner Sanjay Shah (“Central Park”); Ali LeRoi; and Michael Rotenberg and Dave Becky of 3 Arts Entertainment will executive produce. Titmouse (“Big Mouth”) serves as the animation studio for the series with Chris Prynoski, Shannon Prynoski, Antonio Canobbio and Ben Kalina serving as executive producers.
In 2016, it was announced that Jamie Foxx was set to make his directorial debut with the controversial comedy entitled All-Star Weekend. The film was about the NBA’s annual All-Star Weekend event, centered around NBA superstars LeBron James and Steph Curry. For unknown reasons, the film was never released.
On Saturday (August 11), the 56-year-old entertainer unveiled the trailer for the shelved film to his 17.3 million Instagram followers. In 2022, Foxx told various media outlets that the film would not be released until “people go back to laughing again” as he felt “people might be too sensitive” for the film.
All-Star Weekend focuses on two basketball fans, played by Foxx and Jeremy Piven, who embark on a road trip to attend the NBA All-Star Game. They encounter eccentric characters as they travel, leading to a series of controversial and comedic situations. The film also stars Robert Downey Jr, Gerald Bulter, Snoop Dogg, Eva Longoria, DJ Khaled, Benicio De Toro, and Foxx’s daughter Corinne Foxx.
The film was set to be released on Front Row Center Films and was financed by Sijma Equity Group. The film is produced by Chuck Pacheco, Deon Taylor, and Butch Kaplan.
In the Instagram Story, Foxx teased that the film could be released in 2025. According to Jamie Foxx, the 2016 “Cancel Culture” era was responsible for the film’s refusal to be released. Since recovering from illness in 2023, Foxx has returned to acting with nine films in production and plans to return to stand-up comedy.
Foxx coincidentally shared the unreleased trailer after LeBron James and Steph Curry helped Team USA win gold at this year’s Paris Olympics. LeBron performed amazingly throughout the games, but Curry secured the victory against France with a series of great scoring drives in the final minutes.
Quinta Brunson is turning her attention to the movies and will produce, co-write, and star in a comedy feature for Universal called “Par for the Course” that will see the “Abbott Elementary” star act alongside Stephanie Hsu.
While this isn’t Brunson’s first film acting role, its her first screenplay and major starring role. She’ll be writing the script alongside Justin Tan, who is also a writer on “Abbott Elementary,” and Tan will direct the film as his feature directorial debut.
Seth Rogen‘s Point Grey Pictures will also produce the comedy alongside Brunson, and it’s a mini reunion between the two after Brunson had a part in Rogen’s “An American Pickle.” Alex McAtee is set to produce on behalf of Point Grey under its first-look deal with Universal Pictures. Brunson is producing on behalf of her production banner Fifth Chance.
Plot details for “Par for the Course” are being kept under wraps, but the film is based on an original idea from Brunson.
“I’m so excited to be working with Point Grey and Universal on ‘Par for the Course.’ This is a comedy close to my heart, and who better to do it with than some of the best producers in the game,” Brunson said in a statement. “I’ve known Seth, Evan, James, and Alex for a while and I’m happy to finally work on a project together. Justin Tan is my long-term comedy partner and collaborator, and we are thrilled to have the chance to work together on a film. Stephanie is a talent we are so fortunate to unite with, I can’t wait to see what we can do together on screen.”
“We’re so thrilled at the opportunity to get to work with Quinta,” Rogen said. “She’s one of our most incredible comedic voices working today, and it’s such an honor to get to work alongside her and watch what she brings to this project.
Brunson is a two-time Emmy winner for her work as both a writer and actress on “Abbott Elementary,” the ABC sitcom that recently completed its third season.
Hsu is an Oscar nominee for the Best Picture winner “Everything Everywhere All at Once” and is known for her work on “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” and the comedy “Joy Ride,” among others. This year she appeared in “The Fall Guy” also for Universal and Focus Features’ “Didi,” and she’ll lend her voice to another Universal and DreamWorks animated film, the upcoming “The Wild Robot.”
Senior Executive Vice President of Production Development Erik Baiers and Creative Executive Jacqueline Garell will oversee the project on behalf of the Studio.
Brunson is represented by CAA, Strig Artist Management, attorneys Lily G. Tillers and Nina Shaw at Del Shaw Moonves Tanaka Finkelstein Lezcano Bobb & Dang, and Persona PR. Tan is represented by CAA, Strig Artist Management, and Authentic Talent + Literary Management. Hsu is represented by CAA and Shelter PR.
Source: IndieWire
Nick Cannon Presents Wild ‘N Out, the iconic comedy show that has launched careers of Kevin Hart, DC Young Fly, and Katt Williams, is celebrating 20 years with its “Final Lap Tour” this fall.
According to the news release, the tour will feature a blend of Wild ‘N Out all-stars from past and present, dynamic musical performances, and fan-favorite interactive games. It offers fans the chance to relive some of the show’s most memorable moments and see their favorite stars perform live.
For two decades, Wild ‘N Out has been a cultural phenomenon, shaping comedy and entertainment worldwide. This tour celebrates its legacy, bringing the show’s signature improvisational comedy and high-energy games to life on stages across the country.
“Wild ‘N Out has been a labor of love for the past 20 years,” said Cannon. “We’ve created a platform for so many talented individuals, and it’s been incredible to watch them flourish. This final lap is our way of celebrating the legacy of the show and thanking the fans who have supported us along the way.”
“This Final Lap Tour is going to be epic!” said Rip Micheals, Wild ‘N Out cast member and tour creator. “Expect to see your favorite Wild ‘N Out family members back on stage, with past greats going head-to-head with the new legends of comedy. We’re pulling out all the stops to make this the most unforgettable tour yet.”
The “Wild ‘N Out Live: The Final Lap Tour” promises an unforgettable night of laughter and surprises. Wild ‘N Out cast members from past and present will be engaging audiences with hilarious improv games and freestyle battles. Per the release, the tour will host musical performances by some of today’s hottest artists, alongside interactive audience games allowing fans to participate in the show’s iconic challenges.
For the latest details on the tour visit www.wildnoutlivetour.com.
Tour Dates and Cities:
Additional cities and dates forthcoming. Tour dates and venues are subject to change.
A filmed version of Usher‘s latest concert tour is moving and grooving to the big screen in the fall.
“Usher: Rendezvous in Paris” will arrive in movie theaters on Sept. 12 for a limited theatrical run. It’s expected to play in approximately 2,000 locations across the globe.
The concert film “incorporates the essence of his landmark cultural phenomenon Vegas residencies into a seductive French touch confession,” according to a press release. Captured during Paris Fashion Week at La Seine Musicale and directed by Anthony Mandler, “Rendezvous in Paris” features Usher performing chart-topping hits like “Yeah,” “My Boo” and “Love In This Club” and gives audiences a glimpse inside his life beyond the stage.
“Paris was a special experience for me as an entertainer and for my fans,” Usher said in a statement. “I hope those who weren’t able to make it in person get to experience how special it was. As for those of you who were, I hope you experience the show and see what it takes to get there through a different lens.”
The concert film will be released in the U.S. and globally by Trafalgar Releasing, in partnership with AMC Theatres Distribution. AMC and Odeon will provide core marketing support for the film in the U.S. and international markets. This marks AMC’s latest foray into distribution following the release of “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour” and “Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé.” AMC’s chairman Adam Aron has previously said he expects that AMC will unveil “two to three” concert films a year and recently expanded the company’s distribution team, underscoring its commitment to releasing its own movies.
“For 30 years, Usher has captivated and entertained audiences through his music and concerts. Just a few months ago, he drew rave reviews for his stunning performance in front of 129 million people during the Super Bowl Half Time Show,” Aron said in a statement. “Bringing his unparalleled concert experience to movie theaters for his fans around the world is a perfect fit for AMC Theatres Distribution.”
Source: Variety