Chris Rock is gearing up to examine the life of Martin Luther King Jr. The actor and comedian is in final negotiations to direct and produce a biopic of the late civil rights icon, we have confirmed.
Universal Studios is behind the project and has optioned the rights to Jonathan Eig’s biography, King: A Life, which debuted to acclaim in May. It went on to earn a National Book Award nomination, and drew upon newly unearthed FBI information on King, with the book described by its publisher Farrar, Straus and Giroux as an “intimate portrayal of King as a courageous but emotionally troubled individual who demanded peaceful protest while grappling with his own frailties and a government that hunted him.”
Steven Spielberg will executive produce the project via his Amblin Partners, with Kristie Macosko Krieger producing.
Rock previously directed and starred in the TIFF favorite Top Five (2014). He also directed Head of State (2003) and I Think I Love My Wife (2007). He is onscreen this year in George C. Wolfe’s civil rights biopic Rustin, starring Colman Domingo. In March, he launched the Netflix live stand-up special Chris Rock: Selective Outrage, while last year, he appeared in the ensemble cast of David O’Russell’s Amsterdam. He has his animated comedy Everybody Still Hates in the works for Paramount+ and Comedy Central.
Rock is repped by CAA, Untitled Entertainment, Yorn Levine, and Vision PR.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
Roy Wood Jr. has formally announced his plans to leave The Daily Show.
The comedian and correspondent for the Comedy Central series revealed his plans to leave the show amid its search for a new host in an interview with NPR published on Thursday. The decision to leave, according Wood, was based on the demand of the correspondent’s role on his schedule and attention, as well as a disinterest in continuing in the position while “waiting for someone else to take the top job,” according to NPR.
“I can’t come up with [what] Plan B is while still working with Plan A,” Wood said. “The job of correspondent … it’s not really one where you can juggle multiple things. [And] I think eight years is a good run.”
The comedian and actor said that he isn’t sure how seriously he is being considered for the top spot, which is still being decided following Noah’s departure last year. But he indicated he would still consider staying with the show if offered the host position.
“If you’re offered the chance to host The Daily Show at any point in your life … you have to stop for a second and consider that,” he said. “The next question becomes, ‘What does The Daily Show look like in 2024? And what does late night look like in 2024?’”
In a statement to NPR regarding Wood’s planned departure, a spokesperson for The Daily Show thanked him for his time with the show, adding that the series “can’t wait to see what he does next.”
“Roy Wood Jr. is a comedic genius and beloved teammate,” the statement continued. “His insights and hilarity helped us make sense of the 2016 election, the pandemic, and countless hours of Fox News.”
When asked about the show’s statement, Wood told NPR, “What could they really say?” before adding, “[They’re] not going to give me the job just to keep me.”
While previously speaking about his decision to stay with the show, Wood — who joined the late-night series in September 2015 the same day as Noah debuted as host — told The Daily Beast’s The Last Laugh podcast in October 2022 that his choice to stay with the series under a new host “would depend on the host.”
“It would depend on the creative direction of the show. What are you trying to do? How do I fit into that? And does that creative direction fit my comedic skill sets and give me an opportunity to show who I am?”
Wood’s announcement comes as the search for a new host approaches a year, following Noah’s surprise announcement on Sept. 29, 2022, that he would be departing the show after seven years. It was a decision the former Daily Show host jokingly and reflectively attributed to a conversation with Wood at the time.
Wood’s own week in the hosting chair during April had largely been met with positive reviews, after the show’s entire correspondents team, along with Chelsea Handler, Wanda Sykes, Kal Penn, John Leguizamo and more took turns running the desk. As was his headlining make-turn as host of the White House Correspondents Dinner that same month.
His name would once again be top of mind for industry members and fans of The Daily Show following the news that the late-night series would be continuing its search for a permanent host amid another round of guest hosts. That news followed a story in The New Yorker alleging The Daily Show host candidate and former correspondent Hasan Minhaj, reportedly a top contender for the spot, had exaggerated and in some cases made up autobiographical details of his comedy.
Wood told NPR that the report about Minhaj being considered a top pick, which was published by Variety, also played a role in his consideration of his future on The Daily Show, while adding he still believed Minhaj was a strong choice despite The New Yorker piece.
“I think Hasan checks a lot of boxes that the network would want and people would want,” Wood said. “Hasan’s young, he’s global and he has the political I.Q.”
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
Actor Chris Tucker has resolved his lawsuit involving nearly $10 million in unpaid taxes.
According to Bloomberg, earlier this week, the “Rush Hour” star agreed to pay the IRS $3.58 million plus interest to cover unpaid federal income tax liabilities from 2002, 2006, 2008, and 2010. The government initially aimed to collect $9.68 million.
Tucker’s financial troubles date back over a decade. In 2014, the veteran entertainer settled a $14 million debt with the IRS after a lien was placed on one of his properties. Reps for the actor cited “poor accounting and business management.”
Seven years later, the actor faced financial difficulties again when the government sued him to recover back taxes from years when he filed his taxes late.
In 2010, 2011, and 2016, Tucker initiated discussions with the IRS regarding an installment payment plan. Under the proposed arrangement, he was expected to make payments ranging from $25,000 to $50,000 over ten years.
However, the agreement fell apart after it was determined that he couldn’t settle the debt within the specified timeframe the agency is allowed to collect taxes for a given year.
Legal documents further revealed that Tucker failed to make payments during this period despite possessing “sufficient equity and cash to fully pay the taxes.”
Source:BET
The 49th season of “Saturday Night Live” will premiere Oct. 14 with Pete Davidson returning to Studio 8H for his hosting debut. Davidson is currently on a stand-up tour throughout the U.S. and Canada.
Ice Spice will perform as “SNL” musical guest for the first time. Her music has reached more than 4 billion global streams in the past year and she was named Best New Artist at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards.
Bad Bunny will do double duty on Oct. 21 for his “SNL” hosting debut and second musical guest appearance. The Grammy Award-winning artist’s fourth studio album, “Un Verano Sin Ti,” broke the record earlier this year as the most streamed album ever on Spotify.
Chloe Troast joins the cast as a featured player. The entire cast from last season returns.
In addition to the broadcast on NBC, “SNL” streams live on Peacock (11:30 p.m. ET/8:30 p.m. PT). Stream every season of “SNL” now on Peacock.
“Saturday Night Live” is produced in association with Broadway Video. The creator and executive producer is Lorne Michaels.
Hartbeat, the global, multi-platform entertainment company founded by Kevin Hart, in collaboration with SiriusXM, has exclusively released late comedian Bernie Mac’s first-ever solo full-length stand-up album. Bernie Mac: Tapes From A King is a collection of never-before-heard stand-up from the early days of Bernie Mac’s legendary career. Originally recorded on VHS for Bernie to review his material after shows, these remastered recordings provide a unique window into the creative process of a comedy legend.
Bernie Mac: Tapes From A King is produced by Hartbeat in collaboration with NBW Studios and Rhonda R. McCullough, Bernie Mac’s beloved wife of 31 years.
Beginning today, October 5th at 6pm ET, Bernie Mac: Tapes From A King will be available exclusively for SiriusXM subscribers on Kevin Hart’s Laugh Out Loud Radio for (1) one month, and will then be released widely across all streaming platforms. Repeat airings will occur on October 6th at 9am, 2pm, and 8pm ET; October 7th at 11am, 3pm, and 7pm ET; and October 8th at 6am, 12pm, 6pm and 9pm ET.
Comedian and actress Zainab Johnson will debut her first Amazon Original comedy special, Zainab Johnson: Hijabs Off, on Prime Video on October 24, 2023. From Prime Video’s fan-favorite series Upload, which is set to premiere Season Three on October 20, Johnson is a gifted and daring comedian who effortlessly blends relatable stories, sharp wit, and thought-provoking social commentary into her unique style of stand-up comedy. Her debut special explores her identity as a Black female Muslim, having 12 siblings, and growing up in Harlem.
Zainab Johnson is a stand-up comedian, actress, and writer. Johnson’s comedy is based on her unique point of view, which was shaped growing up in Harlem as one of 13 children in a Black Muslim family. After getting a degree in education and math and taking a job as a teacher, she quickly learned that she had a different calling. Johnson is currently a series regular on the Amazon Original hit series Upload from Greg Daniels, she is one of the hosts for Netflix’s show 100 Humans, and starred as Dr. Hanniel in the brilliantly written web series Avant-Guardians. She made her first late-night stand-up appearance on NBC’s Late Night with Seth Meyers, had breakout appearances on HBO’s All Def Comedy, NBC’s Last Comic Standing, and has performed at the Just For Laughs (JFL) Comedy Festival in Montreal, first as a “New Face of Comedy,” then as one of “Variety’s Top 10 Comics to Watch,” and, most recently, on the longest-running JFL show, “Just for the Culture.” She is a regular at The Comedy Store, The Improv, and Laugh Factory.
Zainab Johnson: Hijabs Off is produced by Amazon Studios and All Things Comedy. Johnson and Mike Bertolina serve as executive producers.
A new take on the classic Hollywood Squares game show is headed to VH1. The network has teamed with Jesse Collins Entertainment and Kevin Hart’s Hartbeat on Celebrity Squares, a modern twist on the classic format featuring Black pop culture trivia.
Hosted by actor and comedian DC Young Fly, “the series will bring cultural icons together for 20 fun and spontaneous half-hour episodes,” per VH1. Celebrity guests include Babyface, Bobby Brown, Tiffany Haddish, Kirk Franklin, Bresha Webb, Luenell, Taye Diggs, and more. Celebrity Squares premieres at 8 p.m. Tuesday, October 17, on VH1.
Celebrity Squares will bring two contestants together to play Tic-Tac-Toe, banking cash, and prizes along the way. The player with the most money in their bank at the end of the game will move on to the bonus round for a chance to win a $10,000 cash prize.
“We’re thrilled to announce our partnership with Hartbeat and Jesse Collins Entertainment for this exciting new project,” said Tiffany Lea Williams, EVP Unscripted Programming and Development of BET. “This show offers a fresh interpretation of the iconic Hollywood Squares format, with a focus on celebrating black pop culture. With DC Young Fly’s laugh-out-loud humor, it promises to deliver a fun and exhilarating viewing experience. We look forward to bringing it to our audience.”
“DC Young Fly is an extraordinary comedian and we are thrilled to team up with him once again to lead this project,” stated Bryan Smiley, Chief Content Officer of Hartbeat. “We look forward to continuing our partnership with BET and Jesse Collins Entertainment as we bring an exciting, fresh spin to this iconic game show format.”
“It was a pleasure to work with Hartbeat, BET and DC Young Fly again,” said Dionne Harmon, President, Jesse Collins Entertainment. “We hope the audience enjoys watching this series as much as we enjoyed making it.”
Additional celebrity guests include: Affion Crockett, Alesha Renee, Amanda Seales, Amin Joseph, Ashley Darby, B Simone, Big Freedia, Bobby Lytes, Brandee Evans, Brian Jordan Jr., Carl Anthony Payne, Chico Bean, Christian Keyes, Crystal Hayslett, D-Nice, Deon Cole, Desi Banks, Devale Ellis, Earthquake, Eva Marcille, Evelyn Lozada, Flau’Jae Johnson, Funny Marco, Jasmin Brown, Jason Lee, Jess Hilarious, Kamillion, K Michelle, Karlous Miller, Karrueche, Kel Mitchell, Kendra G, Keshia Knight-Pulliam, Kevin Frazier, Kevonstage, KJ Smith, Kym Whitley, Lance Gross, Lil Duval, Lil Fizz, Loni Love, Malcolm Barrett, Mark Tallman, Marlo Hampton, Moniece, Na’im Lynn, Nene Leaks, Niena Drake, Pretty Vee, Princess Love, Ray J, Safaree, Saucy Santana, Skyh Black, Shay Johnson, Sinqua Walls, Spice, Spice Adams, Sukihana, Tamar Braxton, Tami Roman, Terrance J, Tisha Campbell, Tommy Davidson, Yandy Smith-Harris and Zellswag.
Celebrity Squares is executive produced by Kevin Hart, Bryan Smiley, and Thai Randolph for Hartbeat and Jesse Collins, Dionne Harmon, Madison Merritt, and Elaine Metaxas for Jesse Collins Entertainment. Nile Evans serves as showrunner. Tiffany Lea Williams, Angela Aguilera, Mimi Blanchard and Raye Dowell serve as executives for BET.
DC Young Fly recently starred in the New Line/SpringHill feature House Party. Upcoming he can be seen in a supporting role in the Amazon film Candy Cane Lane opposite Eddie Murphy, set to be released at the end of the year. He is repped by Innovative Artists and Fox Rothschild.
Source: Deadline
VH1’s can’t-miss-hit series “Basketball Wives: LA” and newly crowned flagship “Basketball Wives: Orlando” – are set to return with back-to-back premieres on Monday, October 9 starting at 9 PM ET/PT on VH1.
“Basketball Wives” returns for its 11th season with new and returning cast members. After a season hiatus, original cast member Evelyn Lozada returns to the court, rejoining the all-star lineup of MVPs Jackie Christie, Jennifer Williams, and Brooke Bailey, along with a guest appearance from executive producer Shaunie Henderson. New to the roster are Brittany Renner, Vanessa Rider, Jac’Eil Duckworth and Clayanna Warthen.
As successful businesswomen, philanthropists, and moms, the “Basketball Wives: LA” cast continues to evolve and face challenges head-on as they journey through sisterhood, growth, and adversity. Tensions run high as the veterans take the newbies under their wings – but will they throw them a lifeline or shade? With the fate of the sisterhood hanging in the balance, the new ladies are out to prove that they’re not to be underestimated. Get ready to be on the edge of your seat as friendships are tested, tea is spilled, and lines are crossed on the 11th season of “Basketball Wives: LA.”
The ladies of the new “Basketball Wives: Orlando” are playing the game their way. The new starting lineup includes Ashley Snell, Danielle Miller, Lyndzie Marble, Mackenzie Hyatt, Mehgan James, Morgan Bledsoe, Mulan Hernandez, Nique Brown, and Nikki Nicole. These young, ambitious entrepreneurs, socialites, entertainers, and philanthropists are here to make a name for themselves by any means necessary. From lavish lifestyles to personal triumphs and tribulations, “Basketball Wives: Orlando” will give viewers an unfiltered and compelling glimpse into the extraordinary lives of nine resilient women as they confront love, rivalry, and the ever-present spotlight.
The “Basketball Wives” season warms up on Monday, October 2 at 9 PM ET/PT on VH1 with the “Basketball Wives: All-Star Moments” special! Join OG hosts Shaunie Henderson and Evelyn Lozada as they take a trip down memory lane, highlighting the most fun, dramatic, laugh-out-loud, and unforgettable moments throughout the series. Together, they’ll guide viewers through the series’ most talked-about and fan-favorite moments of seasons past while also giving their own personal reflections, insights, and even some new, never-before-heard tea!
“We’re excited to renew Basketball Wives for its 11th season with an all-star cast while expanding the franchise with the new dynamic ladies of Basketball Wives: Orlando for its debut season,” said Tiffany Lea Williams, Executive Vice President of BET Unscripted Programming, BET Media Group. “We are thrilled to partner with Truly Original, Shed Media and This Way Out Media on what will for sure be an unforgettable season and showcase diverse women as they evolve and traverse through their personal and professional journeys. We can’t wait to share these special moments with our loyal Basketball Wives fans and new viewers.”
“This show was created to establish a platform for self-expression and freedom across every choice that life presents,” said Executive Producer Shaunie Henderson. “Life is a constant state of change and evolution, and I am excited for viewers to reconnect with the cast members as they continue to journey and evolve through life.”
“Basketball Wives” is produced by Truly Original and Shed Media. Shaunie Henderson also serves as an executive producer. From Truly Original, the executive producers are Steven Weinstock, Glenda Hersh, Lauren Eskelin, Julie “Bob” Lombardi, Ronica Wydner, Jamail Shelton, and Katie Sole. For VH1, Tiffany Lea Williams, Angela Aguilera, and Mimi Blanchard serve as executive producers.
“Basketball Wives: Orlando” is produced by This Way Out Media and Shed Media. Shaunie Henderson also serves as an executive producer. From This Way Out Media, the Executive Producers are Mark Seliga, Sean Rankine, Yessica Garcia, and Melanie Collier Lodge. For VH1, Tiffany Lea Williams, Angela Aguilera, and Mimi Blanchard serve as Executive Producers.
Join the conversation using #BasketballWives and #BasketballWivesOrlando. Follow the official “Basketball Wives” accounts on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube. Catch up on the previous seasons of VH1’s “Basketball Wives” on Paramount+, Pluto TV, the official series page, and the VH1 App.
BET, a unit of Paramount Global is set to launch its new judge series, “MS. PAT SETTLES IT,” with back-to-back half-hour episodes premiering on Wednesday, October 18 at 10 pm ET/PT. Patricia “Ms. Pat” Williams (comedian, author, radio host, and star of Emmy-nominated series “The Ms. Pat Show”), renowned for her sharp wit on the stand-up stage, takes “center bench” as the boldest, funniest, and most genuine judge in any courtroom! “MS. PAT SETTLES IT” is the first unscripted project originating from Ms. Pat’s overall deal with BET.
On “MS. PAT SETTLES IT,” Ms. Pat assembles a jury comprised of her closest friends, family members, and guest stars to tackle real cases where genuine relationships hang in the balance. While she may not boast a legal degree, Ms. Pat possesses a unique ability to deliver candid, humorous, and heartfelt judgments every time.
In her courtroom, each case revolves around family and relationship dynamics. Viewers will witness everyday people grappling with real-life problems who willingly accept Ms. Pat’s verdict as binding. Each case traverses the fine line between intense drama and uproarious comedy, mirroring Ms. Pat’s own life experiences. The “Jury of Her Peers” will preside over a wide array of cases, encompassing financial disputes, romantic entanglements, roommate quarrels, neighborly conflicts, and a myriad of other issues. Ms. Pat and her jury are on a mission to set things right. Although real cash settlements are at stake, the core of every case is an underlying issue that has driven the litigants to their breaking points.
The show boasts a lineup of celebrity guest jurors, including Ray J, DeRay Davis, Carmen Barton, Jordan E. Cooper, Jasmine Luv, and more.
“MS. PAT SETTLES IT” is executive produced by Ms. Pat. Sallyann Salsano, Dave Hamilton, Ebony McClain, and Frank Miccolis also serve as executive producers for 495 Productions. Tiffany Lea Williams, Angela Aguilera, Kelly Gould and Ashley Taylor serve as executives for BET.
Fasten your seat belts and get ready for take-off because Luenell goes all in for her first-ever Netflix stand-up special, Chappelle’s Home Team – Luenell: Town Business. Commanding the stage from her hometown in Oakland, California, Luenell exposes all of the absurdities of air travel, the importance of keeping the window shade up, and why she has appointed herself the unofficial air marshal of the skies. Town Business is executive produced by Dave Chappelle and will premiere globally on Netflix September 26th.
Watch the trailer above.