Dave Chappelle has won his fifth Grammy for best comedy album and second in a row for What’s in a Name, a 40-minute Netflix special taken from a speech at his former high school, the Duke Ellington School of the Arts, where he defended his controversial 2021 special The Closer, which won the comedy album prize at the 2023 Grammys, and expressed support for freedom of expression.
With his win at the 2024 Grammys, Chappelle beat fellow nominees Wanda Sykes (I’m an Entertainer), Sarah Silverman (Someone You Love), this year’s Grammys host Trevor Noah (I Wish You Would), and Chris Rock, whose Selective Outrage live Netflix special featured Rock speaking out publicly about being slapped onstage by Will Smith at the 2022 Oscars. Chappelle wasn’t in attendance to accept the award, which was handed out during the premiere ceremony, where the majority of this year’s Grammys are given out, so presenter Rufus Wainwright accepted it on his behalf.
Chappelle’s What’s in a Name was quietly released on Netflix in July 2022 and was taken from a speech he gave at the school the month prior, which was intended to be a ceremony celebrating the renaming of the school’s theater for Chappelle. But instead, Chappelle said he wanted to “defer” the renaming to highlight “the nuance of art” and “my right, my freedom of artistic expression” and said he wanted the new name to be the Theater for Artistic Freedom and Expression.
“Rather than give this theater my name, I would like to give these students my message,” Chappelle said in his speech.
During the special, Chappelle defends The Closer, which sparked backlash for material focused on the transgender community, including Chappelle saying he’s on “team TERF”or “trans-exclusionary radical feminist” and aligning himself with J.K. Rowling, who has made a number of statements viewed as anti-trans. The special prompted a virtual walkout and public rally at Netflix’s offices as the streamer has continued to support Chappelle and the special.
The Closer also sparked criticism from current Duke Ellington students, when Chappelle initially returned to his alma mater in November 2021, when the renaming ceremony was set to take place. During that event, a number of students criticized The Closer, remarks Chappelle said “sincerely hurt me.”
“The more you say I can’t say something, the more urgent it is for me to say it,” Chappelle says in part during the Duke Ellington speech captured in What’s In a Name. “It has nothing to do with what you are saying I can’t say. It has everything to do with my freedom of artistic expression.”
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
SHOWTIME has picked up a second season of the critically acclaimed half-hour dramedy series DREAMING WHILST BLACK, which garnered industry praise for its inaugural season, including nominations from the 2024 Film Independent Spirit Awards and the NAACP Image Awards. Featuring returning star and BAFTA Award winning co-creator and co-writer Adjani Salmon (Chivalry), season two is expected to commence filming later this year in the UK. The season will premiere in the U.S. on streaming and on demand for Paramount+ for subscribers with the Paramount+ with SHOWTIME plan, on air on Paramount+ with SHOWTIME, and in the UK on BBC Three and iPlayer. The series is co-produced by Big Deal Films in creative collaboration with A24. A24 will also distribute the series globally.
Loosely inspired by real-life events, DREAMING WHILST BLACK season one tells the story of Kwabena (Salmon), an aspiring filmmaker stuck in a dead-end recruitment job who takes the first step toward achieving his dream. Along the way, he is quickly confronted with the tribulations of balancing finances, love, and his own sense of reality. The series was adapted from the web series and acclaimed Big Deal Films-produced BBC pilot of the same name, which earned Salmon the 2022 BAFTA for Emerging Talent: Fiction and Screen International Star of Tomorrow. The show and Salmon have secured additional award recognition within the UK, including The Royal Television Society’s 2022 Breakthrough Award win for Salmon and series nominations in the International Emmys and the Broadcast Awards.
“The response to DREAMING WHILST BLACK has been overwhelmingly loving, raucous and humbling,” said Salmon. “I’m blessed that we have a chance to entertain da peopledem again. Like season one, our goal is to end up being shared in the Aunties WhatsApp Groups.”
“DREAMING WHILST BLACK really resonated with BBC viewers who felt the warmth and humor radiating from Adjani Salmon’s brilliant comic creation” said Jon Petrie, Director of Comedy Commissioning at the BBC. “It was a no brainer for us to press go again on this multi-award winning series and we can’t wait to see more.”
“Adjani Salmon is a creative force whose authentic and complex storytelling in DREAMING WHILST BLACK has rightfully gained widespread acclaim,” said Nina L. Diaz, President of Content & Chief Creative Officer, SHOWTIME/MTV Entertainment Studios & Paramount Media Networks. “We are thrilled to greenlight a second season and work alongside our partners at A24 and Big Deal Films to further explore these rich and hilarious characters who have resonated so deeply with our audience on Paramount+ with SHOWTIME.”
“DREAMING WHILST BLACK season one struck a chord with audiences all over, offering a dose of relatable chaos, hard truths and laughs in between,” said executive producer Dhanny Joshi of Big Deal Films. “We couldn’t be more excited to go again and give the people what they want – a second season.”
Co-produced by UK-based indie Big Deal Films and A24, Dhanny Joshi and Thomas Stogdon return to executive produce for Big Deal Films, along with Salmon. Nicola Gregory serves as producer. The original web series was co-written by Salmon and Ali Hughes and was created by Adjani Salmon, Max Evans, Laura de Sousa Seixas and Natasha Jatania of 4 Quarters Films.
Netflix is teasing the new film Back in Action.
The streaming service shared a first-look photo for the action comedy Thursday featuring Jamie Foxx and Cameron Diaz.
Back in Action is written by Seth Gordon and Brendan O’Brian and directed by Gordon.
Foxx and Diaz play former spies who are dragged back into the world of espionage when their cover is blown, years after giving up life in the CIA to start a family.
The photo shows Foxx and Diaz’s characters posing and wearing formal wear after a fight in an elevator.
Kyle Chandler, Glenn Close, Andrew Scott, and Jamie Demetriou also star.
Foxx was spotted back on the Back in Action set in Atlanta in January in the wake of his health scare.
The actor was hospitalized for an undisclosed “medical complication” in April 2023 and addressed his “tough” health battle at a Critics Choice Association event in December.
Back in Action will premiere on Netflix in 2024.
In addition, Netflix announced Wednesday that The Jamie Foxx Show, a sitcom starring Foxx that aired from 1996 to 2001, will start streaming March 1.
Khaby Lame, the Senegalese-born Italian influencer who is the most-followed content creator on TikTok, is set to make his feature film debut playing a food delivery rider who is recruited by the CIA in an action-comedy that will take him around the world.
The English-language spy comedy working-titled “00Khaby” – and set in Italy, the U.S., Monte Carlo, Dubai and France’s Côte d’Azur, among other locations – will see Lame playing a JustEat rider who, after intersecting with a dissident scientist, is recruited by the CIA as bait to mislead enemy secret services. “While he runs away from arms traffickers and steals DNA samples, the clumsy secret agent must also deal with his jealous Italian Chinese girlfriend and her annoying little brother,” reads the film’s synopsis. “But in the end, thanks to a mix of cunning, luck and his unshakeable optimism, he will be able to foil no less than World War III.”
The spy spoof that will bring Lame – who has 162 million followers on TikTok – to the big screen is being produced by Marco Belardi, who shepherded “Perfect Strangers,” Italy’s megahit concept dramedy that’s been remade in a dozen countries around the world. The “00Khaby” screenplay is being penned by Italian writers Nicola Guaglianone and Roberto Marchionni (aka Menotti), who co-wrote hit offbeat Italian superhero movie “They Call Me Jeeg.”
Belardi is headed to Los Angeles this week with Lame and the “00Khaby” screenplay “looking to mount an international production,” the producer said. Belardi added that he is in advanced talks with at least one prominent international director.
Meanwhile, Lame will be attending the Grammy Awards on Feb. 4 — possibly among the celebs handing out an award there — and will also be visibly present at the Super Bowl on Feb. 12 as part of a marketing campaign. In the U.S., Lame is also going to be honing his acting skills and perfecting his English.
“Acting has always been my dream, but I don’t want to improvise,” Lame said in a statement, adding: “This is why I am ready to delve deeper into my acting and English studies to perform at my best in this film.” Lame also pointed out that he is doing lots of physical training because “as I asked Marco Belardi, I don’t want to be replaced by a stuntman in the action scenes.”
Lame revealed that next month in L.A. he will meet a Hollywood star “whom I have always respected and I will certainly get some advice on how to move in front of the camera.” That star is believed to be Will Smith who, according to sources, has booked Lame to perform a cameo in an unspecified upcoming film.
The 23-year-old is a former factory worker in Italy who, after being laid off from his job in March 2020, launched a TikTok channel in which he performed absurdly comic skits that went wildly viral. In one, he simply unpeeled a banana with his hands in response to a video of a banana skin being intricately sliced off with a chef’s clever knife. His comedy bits rely on facial expressions and body language and often don’t involve speaking so that the humor is understood universally.
Lame’s first foray as an entertainment personality outside the TikTok space was being a juror last year on “Italia’s Got Talent,” which plays on Disney+. He also became a character in the battle-royale video empire “Fortnite” and has close ties to the fashion world thanks to a multi-year partnership with clothing brand Hugo Boss.
Source: Variety
Affion Crockett is paying homage to hip-hop through a comedic lens with his upcoming movie, A Hip Hop Story. The comedian, known for his stand-up comedy, hilarious impressions, and Wild N Out appearances, plans to take audiences on a journey that looks at hip-hop’s past, present, and future. The film is scheduled for release on February 23, 2024. No doubt, it promises to bring laughter, social commentary, and a unique perspective on the evolution of Hip Hop over the last five decades.
Directed by Damaine Radcliff and written by Crockett himself, A Hip Hop Story revolves around the premise that the Hip Hop culture is in a state of crisis. A pioneer of the culture joins forces with some of rap music’s elite performers to attempt to save Hip Hop. At a time when social media trends have overshadowed the music itself, A Hip Hop Story aims to address the genre’s evolution.
The first trailer for A Hip Hop Story sets the stage for a musical comedy extravaganza. Affion Crockett takes on the challenge of parodying iconic figures such as Kanye West, JAY-Z, Eminem, Snoop Dogg, Biggie, Diddy, Run-DMC, Russell Simmons, Salt-N-Pepa, Joe Budden, and Chris Rock. Moreover, the trailer showcases Crockett’s versatility as he portrays multiple characters. One, in particular, includes a spoof of Russell Simmons as the founder of “Def Man Recordings”, a nod to the iconic Def Jam label created by Simmons and Rick Rubin.
The film boasts an impressive ensemble cast, led by Affion Crockett. Moreover, it will also include appearances from Cedric the Entertainer, Damaine Radcliff, Jevin Smith, Damien Dante Wayans, Lil Rel Howery, Wayne Brady, Lil Mama, and Norm Nixon, Jr. Each member of the cast brings their unique flair to the characters, contributing to the humor and authenticity of the film.
AMCi distribution will distribute A Hip Hop Story. That same division is responsible for major projects such as Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour and Renaissance: A Film By Beyonce. This strategic partnership undoubtedly ensures that the film reaches a wide audience, leveraging the distribution company’s expertise in bringing entertainment to the masses.
In the words of Affion Crockett, A Hip Hop Story is a love letter to the culture that shaped lives and communities. In addition to the comedic elements, the film carries a message that encourages audiences to reflect on the value of Hip Hop and its impact over the past 50 years. As producer Charlie Mack describes it, the movie takes viewers on a wonderful journey through the evolution of Hip Hop, exploring its roots and settling on its current path.
Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F has a release date. The Netflix movie will be the fourth installment in the Beverly Hills Cop franchise, which previously existed as a trilogy that was released between 1984 and 1994. Eddie Murphy will be reprising his iconic role as Axel Foley, a Detroit police officer who became a fish out of water when transplanted to Beverly Hills. The movie sees him reunite with Judge Reinhold as Billy Rosewood (who appeared in all three movies) and John Ashton as John Taggart (whose most recent appearance was in 1987’s Beverly Hills Cop Ii).
Netflix has now unveiled the official release date for the upcoming Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F. The long-awaited sequel is set to premiere on the streaming service on July 3. This means that the movie will debut just over a month after the 30th anniversary of the release of Beverly Hills Cop III and five months shy of the overall franchise’s 40th anniversary.
Martin Lawrence and Shannon Sharpe chatted with “Extra’s” Melvin Robert on the golf course as they filmed their Super Bowl LVIII spot for Oikos. The guys dished on the commercial, the big game, and their excitement for Usher’s Halftime Show.
Martin also talked “Bad Boys 4” and teased that fans will be “surprised”! Plus, he shared why he doesn’t think a “Martin” reboot would ever happen.
Watch the interview below;
Taraji P. Henson (The Color Purple, Hidden Figures) has joined the cast of Peacock‘s limited series Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist in the series regular role of Vivian Thomas, a savvy businesswoman and Chicken Man’s (Kevin Hart) mistress.
The series reunites Henson with Hart who have collaborated on multiple projects including the films Think Like a Man and Not Easily Broken. Additionally, Fight Night also brings Henson back together with Terrence Howard and Craig Brewer, with whom she collaborated on Hustle & Flow and Empire, among other projects.
Set in Atlanta, Fight Night tells the infamous story of how an armed robbery during the night of Muhammad Ali’s historic 1970 comeback fight changed not only one man’s life but an entire city’s destiny.
As it was reported earlier today by the trades on Wednesday morning, Dexter Darden will star as the legendary boxer in the limited series. In addition to Henson, Darden, Hart, and Howard, Samuel L. Jackson also stars.
Fight Night is created and written by Shaye Ogbonna based on the eponymous podcast from iHeartPodcasts, Doghouse Pictures and Will Packer Media. Ogbonna and Jason Horwitch serve as showrunners; they exec produce alongside Hart, Bryan Smiley and Mike Stein for Hart’s Hartbeat, Packer and Sabrina Wind for Will Packer Media, Conal Byrne, Will Pearson and Carrie Lieberman for iHeartPodcasts, Jeff Keating and Lars Jacobson. Hartbeat’s Tiffany Brown and Studio 43’s Kenny Burns will co-executive produce. The series comes from Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group.
Henson is coming off a busy award season promoting the highly lauded film The Color Purple, an adaptation of the Tony-winning Broadway musical, which is itself an adaptation of Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel. She reprised the role of Shug Avery to much acclaim.
She is also best known for her breakout performance in the 2005 musical drama feature Hustle & Flow, written and directed by Brewer, and for her portrayal of Cookie Lyon on the Fox series Empire. Additional credits across TV and film also include Minions: The Rise of Gru, Annie Live!, Think Like a Man, Smokin’ Aces and What Men Want, among many other titles.
Henson is represented by CAA, M88, and Johnson Shapiro Slewett & Kole.
Apple TV+ has booked a return flight for its drama series Hijack.
The tech behemoth’s streaming service has ordered a second season of the thriller starring and executive-produced by Idris Elba. Details on the story for season two are being kept under wraps, but Elba will reprise his role as Sam Nelson — a corporate negotiator who in the first season used his skills to bring about a resolution to the hijacking of a flight on which he was a passenger.
“I was floored by the overwhelming audience response after season one,” Elba said in a statement. “It’s top secret what new situation unfolds for Sam Nelson, but I can assure you we will bring the high octane back!”
Hijack, which concluded its seven-episode first season in August, drew solid viewership for Apple TV+, becoming the second series on the platform (after Ted Lasso) to earn a spot on Nielsen’s weekly top 10 streaming chart. Reviews were generally favorable as well, with The Hollywood Reporter critic Angie Han noting that co-creators George Kay and Jim Field Smith “keep the tension at a delicious thrum.”
“Global audiences were on tenterhooks watching Idris’s riveting performance in Hijack, and we’re thrilled to be working again with [producers] 60Forty and Idiotlamp on an equally compelling season two,” said Jay Hunt, creative director Europe for Apple TV+.
Kay and Field Smith (who’s also the lead director on the series) will executive produce season two via their Idiotlamp Productions. Elba also exec produces along with 60Forty’s Jamie Laurenson, Hakan Kousetta and Tom Nash.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
Black Hollywood treasure Garrett Morris is set to be recognized by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce with his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
The ceremony will take place on Feb. 1 at 11:30 a.m. PT, which also happens to be his 87th birthday.
“Garrett Morris is a true entertainment icon and is ready for Prime Time on the Walk of Fame!” said Ana Martinez, producer of the Hollywood Walk of Fame, in a statement. Director-producer Oz Scott and actress Tichina Arnold will be the guest speakers during Morris’ celebration.
Morris is a Juilliard-trained artist and performed with the Harry Belafonte Singers for a decade while also branching out into acting. He boasts appearances in Broadway and off-Broadway musicals including “Porgy and Bess,” “Show Boat,” “Ain’t Supposed To Die A Natural Death,” and “The Great White Hope.”
He’s also known for his performances on The Wayans Bros., Martin, The Jamie Foxx Show, The Jeffersons, Scandal, All Of Us, Grand Crew, Self-Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker, most recently, 2 Broke Girls, and for being one of the original Saturday Night Live stars.
Under the segment, “News for the Hard of Hearing,” Morris’ spot-on, hilarious impersonations of Idi Amin, James Brown, Sammy Davis, Jr., Bob Marley, and Muhammad Ali made him beloved by generations of viewers..
Artistry aside, the New Orleans native is also an activist who played a pivotal role in desegregating the Actor’s Equity. He was also part of the Black Arts Theater movement alongside poet-playwright Amiri Baraka.
Morris, who now owns and operates the Los Angeles Blues and Comedy Club, was previously recognized in 2007 by the former mayor of L.A. Antonio Villaraigosa for his work and contributions to the Black community.