Chris Rock has made a deal to develop to direct Another Round, based on the 2020 Thomas Vinterberg-directed black comedy that won the Oscar for Best International Feature Film as well as the BAFTA.
The film is an Appian Way and Makeready production for Fifth Season. Jennifer Davisson and Leonardo DiCaprio are producing for Appian Way, and Brad Weston and Collin Creighton are producing for Makeready. Stuart Bloomberg wrote a draft and they will now bring in a new writer to work with Rock.
Rock has made directing a priority, and adds this to a Universal-based adaptation of King: A Life, the Jonathan Eig book about Martin Luther King Jr., along with an untitled script Rock is writing that has Peter Rice producing.
Rock stamped himself as a director with chops with Top Five, which he also wrote and which became the biggest deal at the 2014 Toronto Film Festival where Paramount Pictures bought world rights. Rock also directed Head of State and I Think I Love My Wife. He’s also a four-time Emmy winner and three-time Grammy winner.
Scripted by Vinterberg and Tobias Lindholm, Denmark’s Another Round starred Mads Mikkelsen, Thomas Bo Larsen, Magnus Millang, and Lars Ranthe playing four high school teachers who conduct an experiment to maintain a constant level of inebriation throughout their workday. Restless and bored, they act on a theory that a certain alcohol level boosts creativity and happiness. Appian Way’s Michael Hampton will oversee the project.
Rock is repped by CAA and Untitled.
Source: Deadline
Affion Crockett (Wild ‘N Out, Black-ish) will produce and star in new comedy, A Hip Hop Story. The film also stars Cedric the Entertainer, Damaine Radcliff (Glory Road, Rambo: Last Blood), Jevin Smith, Damien Dante Wayans, Lil Rel Howery, Wayne Brady, Lil Mama, and Norm Nixon, Jr.
Directed by Radcliff, and written by Crockett, the film is about Hip Hop culture is in a crisis! A pioneer of the culture joins forces with a few of rap music’s elite performers to attempt to save Hip Hop and provides social commentary on the state of Hip Hop culture.
A Hip Hop Story is produced Crockett, Radcliff, Charlie Mack, and Talitha Watkins, and will be distributed by AMCi distribution (same division responsible for the Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour and Renaissance: A Film By Beyonce.
Crockett said, “A Hip Hop story is our love letter to the culture that shaped our lives. It’s a comedy with a message that encourages all of us to see our value.” Mack also adds, “A Hip Hop story is a wonderful journey over the span of 50 years, through the eyes of one of the forefathers of Hip Hop. The film explores where it came from and where the journey actually settles today. Enjoy A Hip Hop Story!”
The film will open the Danny Glover, Ja’Net DuBois, and Ayuko Babu 32nd annual Pan African Film Festival on February 7, 2024.
Source: Deadline
The Breakfast Club officially announced comedian Jess Hilarious as the newest co-host of the popular syndicated radio show on Monday (Jan. 29). Hilarious will be joining current stars, Radio Hall of Famers Charlamagne Tha God and DJ Envy as the third piece to their daily morning program.
“I’m very excited to have Jess Hilarious join The Breakfast Club. She is a force in her own right, an actress, comedian, podcaster and now, the co-host of The Breakfast Club,” said Thea Mitchem, iHeartMedia executive vice president of programming in a press release. “Jess was the standout choice to join Charlamagne and DJ Envy to build upon The Breakfast Club’s legacy of entertaining, informing, and enlightening the community.”
“I’m looking forward to joining forces with one of the largest media platforms,” said Hilarious. “I’m confident that taking the third seat at The Breakfast Club will show people that Jess Hilarious is not just comedy, but culture.”
Hilarious previously served as a guest host on occasion after The Breakfast Club began its search to replace former co-host Angela Yee. In August 2022, Yee announced that she was leaving The Breakfast Club to begin her daily show, Way Up With Angela Yee with iHeart Radio. Since her departure, The Breakfast Club has invited numerous guests to co-host alongside Charlamagne and DJ Envy, including Ray J, Nyla Simone and more. Hilarious will officially begin her responsibilities as the show’s third co-host next Monday (Feb. 5).
On weekdays, fans can listen to The Breakfast Club from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. ET on TheBreakfastClub.iheart.com, iHeartRadio.com , and the iHeartRadio app.
ATLANTA – Actor Jamie Foxx is back at work in Atlanta months after he suffered a mysterious medical condition that left the actor on a difficult road to recovery.
Foxx was photographed with Cameron Diaz working on a stunt on their upcoming Netflix movie “Back in Action.”
Information about Foxx’s condition has been limited. In December, Foxx made his first public speech since his hospitalization, admitting he was immobilized for a time.
“I’ve been through something. I’ve been through some things. You know, it’s crazy, I couldn’t do that six months ago. I couldn’t actually walk,” Foxx said after he received the Vanguard Award at the Celebration of Cinema & Television: Honoring Black, Latino and AAPI Achievements put on by The Critics Choice Association.
“It feels good to be here. I cherish every single minute now. It’s different … I wouldn’t wish what I went through on my worst enemy,” he admitted. “‘Cause it’s tough … when it’s almost over.”
The actor joked that he “saw the tunnel.”
Another source told People that Foxx now “looks and feels fantastic.”
Netflix has not released any release date for “Back in Action.”
The cancellations continue at Max.
The Warner Bros. Discovery-backed streamer has canceled Rap Sh!t, the scripted comedy series created by Issa Rae and starring Aida Osman, after a two-season run.
“We are extremely grateful to Issa Rae for creating Rap Sh!t, a one-of-a-kind comedy with compelling social commentary that reached viewers in a way only Issa’s talents can accomplish,” a Max spokesperson said in a statement. “A huge thank you to Issa, showrunner Syreeta Singleton and the teams at Hoorae and 3 Arts Entertainment for introducing us to Shawna and Mia, a duo whose journey fans have been invested in and who they have continued to root for through everything. We’ll never get Seduce and Scheme out of our heads and we wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Osman starred as Shawna Clark, a struggling rapper who works at a hotel. The cast also included KaMillion as Mia, a fellow rapper and single mother who worked multiple jobs to support her family, as well as Jonica Booth, Devon Terrell, RJ Cyler, and Daniel Augustin.
Season two was originally poised to launch in August but was pushed back to November as a result of the SAG-AFTRA strike as Max looked to keep a steady flow of programming as both the performers and writers work stoppages threatened the larger pipeline. The delay also allowed the cast and creatives to promote the show after both strikes concluded. Season two wrapped Dec. 21.
Rap Sh!t is certified fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, with a 100 percent score among critics. Viewers, however, aren’t as high on the comedy as the show sits with a 65 percent rating.
Rap Sh!t becomes the latest scripted series to be canceled recently at Max, joining Julia and Our Flag Means Death, both of which were also axed after two seasons. Max’s scripted roster includes the recently renewed Chuck Lorre comedy Bookie, awards darling Hacks, DC’s Peacemaker, And Just Like That, Tokyo Vice and the upcoming originals Duster, The Girls on the Bus and The Penguin.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
Netflix is ready to debut its scripted comedy featuring rapper Vince Staples.
The Vince Staples Show, which was created by Staples, Ian Edelman, and Maurice Williams and EPed by Kenya Barris, will premiere on February 15.
The comedy was first announced in 2022.
Set in Long Beach, CA, the fictional series is loosely inspired by Staples’ life. Here’s the official logline: Who’s Vince Staples? Well, that’s a tricky question. He’s kind of famous, but he’s not. He’s kind of rich, but he’s not. He’s also kind of a criminal. But he’s…not? Follow him on his daily adventures, where anything that can go wrong usually does.
The show is executive produced by Staples, Barris (Khalabo Ink Society), Corey Smyth, Edelman (Edelgang), Williams, and William Stefan Smith.
Staples has released four studio albums, Summertime 06, Big Fish Theory, FM! and his self-titled album in July 2021. When the project was first announced, Netflix Head of Comedy Tracey Pakosta said, “It’s our mission to work with the best artists in the world. Vince has already established himself as one of the most talented young musicians today and we’re really excited about how his sensibility – and sense of humor – will translate into a unique comedy series.”
Katt Williams is working on a posthumous 2Pac album, featuring Cardi B and other artists.
In a new episode of Suge Knight‘s Collect Call podcast, the comedian opened up about his plans in music. Knight asked Williams about his upcoming Pac LP that he’s been secretly working on. “What you got going on with some of those unreleased [tracks] with ‘Pac, sh*t, you got me excited. The different people you said you’re gonna put on there,” Suge said on his prison show. “I don’t wanna let the cat out the bag, but it’s unbelievable.”
Katt expressed that there would only be eight features on the project. The controversial figure explained that he wanted to keep the work limited to “only the best of the best.” Suge then interjected, wondering about a collaboration with Cardi for the LP. “I heard Cardi B on the project with you, is that true?” “Absolutely,” Katt responded.
The Death Row icon gave Cardi her flowers and compared the Bronx native to the late legend. “I always say she’s the female version of 2Pac,” Knight said, admiring the rapper. Katt then responded glowingly, saying, “She’s going to mix with him nicely. Everybody that’s on it is a piece of him, in a way.”
Knight then threw a shot at Eminem as the conversation came to a close. He brought up Pac’s posthumous Loyal To The Game, which Em produced in 2004. Suge referred to it as the only Pac album that “flopped.”
As the 2Pac album discussions died down, the pair of men then shifted their attention to Jada Pinkett Smith. Katt recalled a moment when she coined the nickname “Katt Pac.” “That’s the homegirl,” Knight answered. “She ain’t as crazy as people think she is. She made Will [Smith].” “And [she] can make another one,” Williams responded “And [she] saved that ni**a’s life in the industry. Queen Beard, the one.”
Listen to the full interview below.
Source: VIBE
At the 2023 Emmy Awards, a night especially dedicated to celebrating the history of television, Quinta Brunson’s early win evoked a milestone set more than 40 years ago.
After earning the statuette for comedy series writing last year, the Abbott Elementary star won for best actress in a comedy series. The first and heretofore only Black winner in the category was Isabel Sanford, winning for her role in Norman Lear’s classic The Jeffersons in 1981.
Brunson’s win also puts her in the company of Tina Fey and Phoebe Waller-Bridge as Emmy-winning actresses who created and wrote for their own shows. She is the first Black woman to do so; Issa Rae was three times in the running for the feat, but Insecure ended before she could secure a win.
Brunson was also nominated this year for comedy guest actress (the win went to Judith Light for Poker Face) and as an executive producer for best comedy series nominee Abbott Elementary.
“I am so happy to be able to live my dream and act out comedy,” said a flustered and somewhat hoarse Brunson, her voice cracking. “I love my mom, my dad, my sisters, my brothers, my entire family so much. I love my husband. I love my cast. I love Abbott Elementary. Thank you so much.”
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
The cast of Martin came together on stage during the 2024 Emmy Awards and together comically called out their lack of golden statuettes. On Monday night (Jan. 15) Martin Lawrence, Tisha Campbell, Tichina Arnold, and Carl Anthony Payne II reunited on a replica Martin set to present one of the evening’s awards. A photo of Thomas Mikal Ford who also starred in the series was visible in the nostalgic moment. Ford passed away in 2016 after suffering a ruptured aneurysm in his abdomen.
Leading up to the winner reveal, the cast joked about being in attendance to accept a long-awaited Emmy Award of its own.
“No, no Carl — we’re not winning an Emmy tonight. Please sit your butt down,” exclaimed Campbell after her costar claimed to have an acceptance speech ready.
Arnold added, “We’re presenting an award not being presented with one, knucklehead,” as Campbell continued, “We should’ve won an Emmy during our run.”
As host Anthony Anderson confirmed the group was not to receive awards, Lawrence shared gratitude for the moment, despite the lack of wins for Martin.
“It’s all good. I’m just excited to be here on the Emmys stage,” detailed the Bad Boys franchise star.
After the comedic display, Lawrence moved to the podium to present the award for Lead Actor in a Comedy Series, which went to Jeremy Allen White for his work in The Bear.
The cast of Martin previously reunited in 2022 for a televised special reflecting on the series. This was not the only fictional family reunion to take place at the 75th annual Emmy Awards. All in the Family, Grey’s Anatomy, Game of Thrones, and more all received a special highlight during the ceremony.
“It was really about, how can we celebrate 75 years of television differently?” the show’s executive producer Jesse Collins told the Associated Press per ABC News.
“We just tried to pick ones that we felt like we could successfully pay tribute to,” Collins added. “We have a pretty vast array of comedies and procedural dramas and talk shows, just trying to touch all the different areas.”
Watch the cast of Martin reunite at the 2024 Emmy Award ceremony above.
The 2024 Primetime Emmy Awards were handed out in Los Angeles on Monday night, honoring the best in television. “Black-ish” star Anthony Anderson hosted the ceremony for the first time.
“Succession” led the way with 27 nominations for its fourth and final season and brought home six Emmys Monday night, including the coveted award for outstanding drama series for the third time. Actors Matthew Macfayden, Sarah Snook and Kieran Culkin received Emmys for their performances on the show.
FX’s “The Bear” was also honored with six Emmys, including best comedy series, and Netflix’s “Beef” earned five, including outstanding limited or anthology series.
The Emmys, which were broadcast live on Fox following the red carpet ceremony, honored TV shows and specials that aired from June 1, 2022 to May 31, 2023. The 75th annual ceremony was initially set to take place in September but was postponed due to the dual writers’ and actors’ strikes that began in May and July, respectively.
Below is the full list of winners and nominees.
The Emmy Awards in Creative Arts categories were awarded at a separate ceremony on Jan. 7; see the complete list of those winners here.