In advance of the much-anticipated expanded season of THE CHI, SHOWTIME has released the official trailer and key art for its hit drama series returning this summer. After reaching a series high in streaming last season, the first eight episodes of the extended 16-episode sixth season will stream weekly on the Paramount+ with SHOWTIME plan beginning Friday, August 4, with the season premiere debuting on linear Sunday, August 6 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME.
Created and executive produced by Emmy(R) winner Lena Waithe under her Hillman Grad banner (Twenties, Master of None) and executive produced by Academy Award(R) and Emmy winner Common (Selma), THE CHI is a timely coming-of-age story centering on a group of residents on the South Side of Chicago who become linked by coincidence but bonded by the need for connection and redemption. Produced entirely in its namesake city, THE CHI is produced by 20th Television.
This season, life in THE CHI reverberates between the highest highs and lowest lows. Big dreams are finally realized but at a cost and everyone will be tested in unimaginable ways as they calculate the risks and rewards of their next big move. Emmett (Jacob Latimore) and Kiesha’s (Birgundi Baker) blissful blended union is tested by his insatiable drive to expand Smokey’s and a new perilous partnership, while Kiesha finally races toward a rewarding new career. Douda (Curtiss Cook) deals with the fallout of Q’s murder and its effect on the shifting loyalty of his inner circle. Victor’s (Luke James) bold declaration of love for both his new girlfriend and his beloved community will impact his political ambitions. Happily married Jada (Yolonda Ross) mentors Emmett and her besties as they navigate relationships. Kevin (Alex Hibbert) is becoming a brilliant master gamer but struggles with the youthful pitfalls of early independence. Jake (Michael V. Epps) launches a new business, and Papa (Shamon Brown Jr.) falls for an older woman while questioning his faith. What will become of their pursuits will be revealed over the course of this season’s sixteen jaw-dropping episodes.
Season six cast includes Jacob Latimore, Alex Hibbert, Yolonda Ross, Shamon Brown Jr., Michael V. Epps, Birgundi Baker, Luke James and Curtiss Cook. Emmy winner Lynn Whitfield joins Kandi Burruss, Vic Mensa, Carolyn Michelle Smith, Jason Weaver, Iman Shumpert, Nia Jervier, L’lerrét Jazelle, Hannaha Hall, Ahmad Ferguson, Genesis Denise Hale, Joel Steingold, Judae’a Brown, Miriam A. Hyman, Tyla Abercrumbie, Tai Davis, Rolando Boyce and Tory O. Davis as guest stars for the new season.
Along with Waithe and Common, the series is executive produced by Justin Hillian, Jewel Coronel, Aaron Kaplan, Derek Dudley and Shelby Stone of ID8 Multimedia, Rick Famuyiwa, and Rishi Rajani, CEO of Hillman Grad. Hillian and Coronel also serve as co-showrunners for season six. Co-executive producers include Naomi Funabashi, who oversees for Hillman Grad, Sylvia Carrasco, and Resheida Brady. Producers Deondray Gossfield and Quincy LeNear Gossfield are set to direct multiple episodes in season six.
Hulu has revealed a first look at upcoming Original series “The Other Black Girl,” from Onyx Collective, based on Zakiya Dalila Harris’ best selling novel.
The series will premiere all 10 episodes on September 13, only on Hulu.
SYNOPSIS: Nella, an editorial assistant, is tired of being the only Black girl at her company, so she’s excited when Hazel is hired. But as Hazel’s star begins to rise, Nella spirals out and discovers something sinister is going on at the company.
The series stars Sinclair Daniel, Ashleigh Murray, Brittany Adebumola, Hunter Parrish, Bellamy Young, Eric McCormack, and Garcelle Beauvais.
Based on Zakiya Dalila Harris’ best-selling novel, The Other Black Girl is executive produced by Rashida Jones, Adam Fishbach, Zakiya Dalila Harris, Jordan Reddout, Gus Hickey, Tara Duncan, and Temple Hill’s Marty Bowen and Wyck Godfrey. Jordan Reddout and Gus Hickey also serve as co-showrunners.
A&E celebrates the art of barbeque this summer with the new unscripted series “Kings of BBQ” following Emmy(R)-nominated actor, producer and comedian Anthony Anderson (“black-ish”) and renowned actor, producer, and comedian Cedric The Entertainer (“The Neighborhood”) as they embark on a cross country barbeque adventure to learn all they can about the best techniques, flavors, and traditions while also working to launch their own brand, AC Barbeque. Produced by Propagate in association with A Bird And A Bear Entertainment and Just a Kid From Compton, “Kings of BBQ” premieres Saturday, August 12th at 9pm ET/PT.
In each one-hour episode, “Kings of BBQ” will follow Cedric and Anthony as they meet with barbeque chefs, pitmasters and everyday experts who share their knowledge and secrets of the trade, highlighting Black Excellence in the industry along the way. With the launch of AC Barbeque in stores nation-wide, Cedric and Anthony aim to take grilling to the next level with their signature flair and laugh-out-loud antics. The duo will do it all to master barbeque in all its glory and create a business that honors its legacy and flavors. The friends will travel to the Memphis in May BBQ festival, fire up the grill to feed the LA Rams, stop by backyard cookouts, and return to their hometowns for inspiration from friends and family.
Friends for years, Cedric and Anthony bonded over their shared love of barbeque and the unique history that surrounds it. Hailing from St. Louis, MO and Compton, CA, both Cedric and Anthony grew up with their own variations on the craft. Partnering on AC Barbeque, the friends combine their individual experiences, knowledge from experts in the field, and enthusiasm for the artform together to create a brand that has everything the home cook needs for a barbeque feast anywhere.
“Kings of BBQ” is produced by Propagate for A&E Network. Executive producers for Propagate are Ben Silverman, Howard T. Owens, Drew Buckley, Linh Le, and Rebecca Graham Forde. Executive producers for A Bird And A Bear Entertainment are Cedric The Entertainer and Eric C. Rhone. Executive producers for Just a Kid From Compton are Anthony Anderson and Brian Dobbins. Elaine Frontain Bryant and Brad Holcman serve as executive producers for A&E Network.
Follow along at @AETV and join the conversation using #KingsofBBQ
The series will be available on demand and to stream on the A&E App and aetv.com
Synopsis: Killing It is a comedy about class, capitalism, and one man’s quest to achieve the American Dream. But first, he has to overcome vicious criminals, nature run wild, and worst of all, corporate America. Starring Craig Robison as Craig, Claudia O’Doherty as Jillian, Rell Battle as Isiah, Scott MacArthur as Brock, and Stephanie Nogueras as Camille.
Series Produced by Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group Season 2 of the Original Comedy Series Will Premiere Exclusively On Peacock August 17, 2023.
SHOWTIME announced yesterday that ALL UP IN THE BIZ, directed by Sacha Jenkins (WU-TANG CLAN: OF MICS AND MEN, Louis Armstrong’s Black and Blues) will premiere Friday, August 11, streaming on Paramount+ with SHOWTIME before making its on-air debut that same day at 9 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME. The documentary feature, which premiered at Tribeca Festival(R) last month, is the definitive story of late, great rapper Biz Markie, who is best known for his mega hit “Just a Friend.” Featuring never before seen footage, musical interludes, animation, puppetry, and interviews with Biz Markie and other prominent figures in hip hop – from Fat Joe to Nick Cannon to Tracy Morgan – ALL UP IN THE BIZ is a heartwarming portrait of how one underdog’s dreams – fortified by an unwavering determination and a wicked sense of humor – would come true inside the world of hip hop and far beyond. The film traces how Markie created a lane for himself in hip hop while also helping his friends, many of whom (Rakim, Big Daddy Kane, De La Soul, E.P.M.D.) would become legends in their own right.
Crowned “The Clown Prince of Hip Hop,” Markie was a beatbox wiz who was known for his comical rhymes and generally whimsical ways. A native of Long Island, Markie’s gift swiftly propelled him through hip hop history; he would inspire rap icons like Rakim and Big Daddy Kane in the process. The ride had a few bumps (like the groundbreaking sampling lawsuit he was wrapped up in) but in the end, Biz Markie was recognized as the actual personification of hip hop. ALL UP IN THE BIZ chronicles Markie’s extraordinary tale, from humble beginnings, often living with a foster family after the death of his mother, to pop culture ubiquity, and ultimately speaks to how an individual can chart their own destiny and shape the future of a culture.
“Biz Markie is the pure essence of hip hop. He believed in, he lived it, he harnessed its powers,” said Jenkins. “Most people don’t know that he used those powers to power up some of the culture’s greatest poets and then some. I was fortunate to meet with Biz when he was alive so to have the opportunity to bring him back to life now that he isn’t here… it’s a special film.”
Jenkins is a New York-based writer, filmmaker and musician who came of age during hip hop’s golden era. ALL UP IN THE BIZ marks the fifth project from Jenkins for SHOWTIME, having previously directed WU-TANG CLAN: OF MICS AND MEN, BITCHIN’: THE SOUND AND FURY OF RICK JAMES, BURN MOTHERF*CKER, BURN!, and WORD IS BOND. Last year he directed the feature Louis Armstrong’s Black and Blues.
ALL UP IN THE BIZ is directed, co-written and executive produced by Jenkins. The film was also produced by Andre Wilkins and Djali Brown-Cepeda. Executive producers are Tara Hall, Vinnie Malhotra, Doug Banker, Kerry Gordy, Ashley Garrett, and Peter Bittenbender for Mass Appeal.
Jamie Foxx is celebrating the present as he continues to recover from his April medical emergency.
Three months after his daughter Corinne Foxx revealed that her dad had “experienced a medical complication,” a source tells PEOPLE that the actor “has been working really hard these last couple of months to get back to normal and has greatly improved since he first got to the facility.”
The source also reveals that Foxx, 55, recently had a party “to celebrate being better.” It was held at the Chicago rehabilitation facility he has been going to, says the source.
“He is still doing some outpatient rehab though,” they add.
Foxx suffered a medical complication on April 11 while filming the Netflix movie Back in Action in Atlanta. His daughter Corinne, 29, shared at the time that “due to quick action and great care,” Foxx was “on his way to recovery” at that point.
A month later, Corinne gave an update, saying the Oscar winner “has been out of the hospital for weeks, recuperating.”
Corinne added at the time as she thanked her dad’s fans and followers for their support, “In fact, he was playing pickleball yesterday.”
Foxx was spotted doing just that last week, appearing in good spirits as he and a companion faced off in a doubles match against two opponents.
He was also recently spotted at Topgolf in the Naperville suburb of Chicago on the evening of July 8 and, the following day, cruising on a boat down the Chicago River.
On July 10, Foxx even bounded out of an SUV to return a woman’s lost purse. That afternoon, Terri “Quenni” Glenn and her sisters were riding in a pedicab after leaving Chicago’s Bean sculpture when they suddenly saw a black SUV driving behind them honking its horn, she told PEOPLE.
When the SUV pulled up next to them, the back door opened and Foxx emerged holding her bag, which she had placed on the floor of the open-air pedicab and apparently had fallen out through the side when the pedicab turned a corner, recalled Glenn, 54.
“I wanted to ask Jamie where he found the purse,” she told PEOPLE with a laugh. “I didn’t even know it fell out.”
“I said, ‘Jamie! Jamie!’ ” Glenn recalled. “I said, ‘Are you feeling good?’ and he said, ‘I’m feeling good.’ “
As he was getting back into the SUV, Glenn thanked him and he said, “You’re welcome, baby,” she remembered.
By Jen Juneau and Marisa Sullivan/ People.com
Paramount+ just announced that MIXTAPE, a new documentary exploring how the creation of mixtapes launched hip hop into mainstream culture, will premiere exclusively on the service Tuesday, August 1 in the U.S. and Canada and Wednesday, August 2 in the U.K., Australia, Latin America, and Brazil, with further international markets to follow later in the year.
MIXTAPE is the story of hip hop refusing to take no for an answer. Before radio play, the internet, and social media, there were mixtapes. DJs were tastemakers, trendsetters and creators of the sound that became the biggest musical genre on the planet. The importance of mixtapes goes well beyond the tapes themselves. Mixtapes were a form of currency and a signifier that someone was “in the know” and had their ear to the streets. The culture was too strong to be stopped, and the artists were too talented to be ignored – so they turned the sub-culture into the mainstream, and made hip hop what it is today.
“Hip-Hop is 50 years old and I can’t think of a better way to celebrate its journey and contextualize its evolution than through the story of the mixtape. Every voice in this film played a critical role, especially the DJs who, as KRS-ONE says beautifully in the film, risked everything to ‘bring us the music’,” said Omar Acosta, director of MIXTAPE. Producer Tony Touch added “it’s an honor to be involved in this film and to help tell the real story of the mixtape, its origins, its impact, and its on-going relevance for the culture.”
The documentary features 2 Chainz, A$AP Rocky, Dante Ross, DJ Bobbito, DJ Clue, DJ Drama, DJ Enuff, DJ Green Lantern, DJ Jazzy Joyce, DJ Kay Slay, DJ Khaled, DJ S&S, DJ Scratch, DJ Stretch Armstrong, DJ Whoo Kid, Doo Wop, Fabolous, Fat Joe, Funkmaster Flex, The Game, Grandmaster Caz, Jadakiss, James Cruz, Jeezy, Kid Capri, Kool DJ Red Alert, KRS-One, Lil Wayne, Mark Ronson, Mike Tyson, N.O.R.E., Ron G, Shaq, Tommy Hilfiger, Tony Touch, Trouble, Tuma Basa and more.
MIXTAPE is produced by MTV Entertainment Studios, Mercury Studios and Saboteur Media in association with Def Jam Recordings. David Kennedy, Tony Touch, Nick Quested and Daniel Seliger serve as producers with executive producers Paul Rosenberg and Barak Moffit. The film is directed and produced by Omar Acosta (Stretch and Bobbito: Radio That Changed Lives). The Def Tape, the official soundtrack to MIXTAPE, is set for an August release via Def Jam Recordings.
It’s the day before her big day, and I had the wonderful opportunity to speak with stand-up comedian/actress Michelle Buteau of the new Netflix Series ‘Survival of the Thickest’ airing Thursday, July 13. Not only is Buteau the lead in the series, but she’s also the Co-Producer and Executive Producer. The show is inspired by her book of essays, which is quite an amazing memoir also titled ‘Survival of the Thickest’ published in 2020 by Simon & Schuster.
I was curious to know how Michelle was feeling, with it being so close to the release date and she began to share “I’m overwhelmed, you know there’s not even a word to describe how I’m feeling because I’ve never had my own show come out. So, I can’t even describe what I’ve never been through!” She went on to share her excitement of getting to this point! After all, it’s not every day a girl has a chance to live out her dream and passion in such an incredible way!
Michelle went on to tell me her book was taken from real interactions and occurrences in her life. She said “when I wrote the book it was just meant to be short stories and essays of some of my most wild, most favorite, and my most painful moments in my life that didn’t necessarily fit into stand-up. But I really wanted to share it.” She said “you know, I’m not a TV executive and I didn’t write this book to get it on TV. My aim wasn’t to try and get it renewed for another season. I just wrote the book to take something I always wanted to do off my bucket list!” While Buteau had no intention or expectations of her stories being turned into a show, she knocked it out of the park!
She spoke highly of Danielle Sanchez-Witzel, co-producer and showrunner who saw something in her book and thought that it should be made into a show for TV. She was flattered and blown away by the mere suggestion of it.
I told Michelle I was so incredibly impressed with the show, that I had already watched the series twice. While it may not have been her intent to create a show, she had done so in an amazing fashion. It was so moving to see how humbled she was receiving accolades for her work. Her energy was infectious! ‘Survival of the Thickest‘ is done well – it’s thought out and the true stories resonate because they’re relevant.
I asked her what it means to have a series that addresses diversity and being inclusive, but in a way that is very intentional and genuine? She said it was so important that she had people that were represented from other communities because she wanted it to be authentic. It needed to look like you would expect New York to look, having the representation of the different ethnicities and different backgrounds. It was essential to have the LGBTQ+ community in the storyline. She mentioned, “every family has someone who is gay; whether it be that uncle who comes to Thanksgiving dinner every Thanksgiving and he’s single, but they don’t talk about why.” Michelle wanted to address issues that we might not talk about, she wanted to make certain everyone was represented in the storyline. I believe she did that very well.
I asked her what it was like working with fellow comedian Tone Bell and Tasha Smith, who is a comedian and actress? She said she loves to work with comedians; just being able to have that creative energy and feeding off the back-and-forth dialogue is everything! She spoke of comedians Liza Treyger (who plays Jade, her quirky roommate) and Usama Siddiquee (who plays the guy with the family-owned store). She was happy creating a space for them to get an opportunity to be seen. Her concern was that many who work as stand-up comedians in the underground scene in New York, may get just $100 a night/per gig. But they’re really doing their thing, so they deserve for people to see who they were.
I wanted to know what she was hoping the audience would take away from the series and she said “LOVE!” She emphasized the importance of people identifying with love and whatever that love is to them. It could be love of relationships, friendships, self-love and self-realization. She wanted people to identify with what is true to them. Michelle wanted to convey that loving one’s self is essential. Her hope is that someone watching, who is not sure of themselves; whether it be binary, non-binary, transgender, black and brown, white; will have that self-love. They will feel empowered. Michelle went on to share whatever clothes you want to wear to make you feel good about yourself, wear it and be passionate about who you are. We are better when we love ourselves, whatever size we are, whatever background we come from. LOVE is the takeaway!
I can honestly say, I could feel the love in this series. I could tell that the love for these relationships and these characters were fully supported and intentional.
By Bernadette Holder
LOS ANGELES (AP) — LeBron James will play another season for the Los Angeles Lakers.
The 38-year-old superstar announced his intentions on stage at The ESPYS on Wednesday night after accepting the record-breaking performance award for becoming the NBA’s career scoring leader.
At the end of last season, in which he surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s mark, James had said he wasn’t sure if he would be back.
“In that moment I’m asking myself if I can still play without cheating the game. Can I give everything to the game still? The truth is I’ve been asking myself this question at the end of the season for a couple years now. I just never openly talked about it,” James said.
“I don’t care how many more points I score or what I can and cannot do on the floor. The real question for me is can I play without cheating this game? The day I can’t give the game everything on the floor is the day I’ll be done. Lucky for you guys that day is not today.”
The crowd at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood let out a huge cheer.
“So yeah, I still got something left,” James said. “A lot left.”
He was presented his trophy by wife Savannah, sons Bronny and Bryce and daughter Zhuri. In her introductory remarks, Savannah said, “I think LeBron James is the baddest …”
She began to say an expletive but cut herself off as Zhuri exclaimed, “Mom!”
James later returned and was joined by Chris Paul and Dwyane Wade to honor Carmelo Anthony, who recently retired after a 19-year career.
Earlier, Chicago White Sox reliever Liam Hendriks told the audience that he pitched much of the 2022 season with non-Hodgkin lymphoma before being diagnosed with an advanced stage of the disease.
He accepted the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance. The 34-year-old Australian was declared cancer-free in late April and returned to the mound a month later.
“That was an eye-opener. I didn’t feel too many symptoms but I had some lumps around. It just shows you the power of the mind. When you don’t think anything’s wrong and you believe that you can do anything, you can do anything,” Hendriks said.
“I was throwing 100 miles per hour while going through Stage 4 lymphoma and then coming back after doing eight rounds of chemotherapy and four rounds of immunotherapy and was able to get out there and throw 96 miles per hour. That isn’t physically who I am. That’s all this, that’s all mental.”
The U.S. women’s soccer team was honored with the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage for its fight to receive equal pay. The players sued U.S. Soccer in 2019 and last year reached agreement on a deal that splits men’s and women’s pay equally.
Briana Scurry, goalkeeper for the national team from 1994-2008, saluted the 1985 team.
“They are the foundation of this entire community of giants,” she said.
The Buffalo Bills training staff received the Pat Tillman Award for Service, honored for saving the life of safety Damar Hamlin, who went into cardiac arrest at a game in Cincinnati in January.
The staff was greeted by a standing ovation. They huddled around Hamlin on stage, hugging him and patting his back. With his back to the audience, Hamlin bent his head and appeared to break down. He has since recovered and plans to play this fall.
“Damar, first and foremost, thank you for staying alive, brother,” said Nate Breske, head trainer for the Bills.
“We’re not used to having the spotlight on us. We were just doing our job, but the idea of service is definitely something that is engrained in our profession and that we take great pride in,” he told the audience.
Breske urged support for funding for automated external defibrillators and CPR training, especially in underserved communities, as well as for athletic trainers in youth sports.
“Learn CPR and how to use an AED because they save lives,” he said.
Patrick Mahomes was honored as best men’s sports athlete, while skier Mikaela Shiffrin received the women’s sports honor.
The Kansas City Chiefs quarterback has won two Super Bowls in his five seasons and was named MVP of the game each time, including this past February. He turns 28 in September.
“It was an incredible season. There was many ups, many downs,” Mahomes said. “I appreciate my teammates, my coaches, the guys that are here. I go back to camp next Tuesday, so this is a great award. But we’re going to do this thing again, we’re going to keep this thing rolling.”
Shiffrin won her 87th World Cup race in March, breaking the mark set by Ingemar Stenmark for the most such wins by any skier. She went on to win an 88th Cup race, as well as the overall season title.
“This season was absolutely incredible and there was a lot of talk about records and it got me thinking, why is a record actually important?” Shiffrin said. “I just feel like it’s not important to break records or re-set records. It’s important to set the tone for the next generation, to inspire them.”
Sports talk host Pat McAfee handled the opening monologue in his first major public appearance since joining ESPN in May.
The show didn’t have its usual celebrity host as a result of the Hollywood writers strike. McAfee offered a series of hints that comedian Kevin Hart had been set for the gig but that Hart instead chose to support the Writers Guild of America.
An ESPN spokeswoman said a production team worked with presenters on their introductory remarks. The usual pre-taped comedy sketches were absent.
Source: BY BETH HARRIS, Associated Press
LOS ANGELES — HBO dominated Wednesday morning’s Emmy nominations, with the elite trio of ” Succession,” “The White Lotus” and “The Last of Us” combining for a whopping 74, but the dominant theme darkening the scene is the ongoing writers strike and the looming possibility that actors may join them in as little as a day.
“Succession” and its deeply dysfunctional dynasty of one-percenters led all Emmy nominees in its fourth and final season with 27, including best drama, which it has won two of the past three years. It got three nominations for best actor in a drama, with Brian Cox, Jeremy Strong and Kieran Culkin all getting nods for playing men of the Roy clan, and Sarah Snook getting a best actress nomination. It also got four nominations for best-supporting actor in a drama.
The cursed vacationers at a Sicilian resort from the second season of “The White Lotus” truly dominated the supporting categories, however, landing five nominations for best supporting actress in a drama — including nods for Jennifer Coolidge and Aubrey Plaza — and four more for best-supporting actor.
Bella Ramsey and Pedro Pascal, the duo on a fungus-filled quest in ” The Last of Us,” each got lead acting nominations. The show, based on a popular Playstation video game, was second behind “Succession” with 24 nominations. “The White Lotus” had 23.
” Ted Lasso ” was tops among comedies with 21 nominations, including best comedy series and best actor for Jason Sudeikis. The Apple TV+ series won both awards for each of its first two seasons, but its threepeat prospects depend on whether Emmy voters favor other contenders like “The Bear” or “Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.”
The nominations suggested that HBO — which got the most overall nominations by far with 127 — can still dominate even as streaming-only outlets have taken over so much of elite TV. The distinction is increasingly blurred, however, with a huge segment of viewers watching “Succession” and the cable channel’s other offerings on the streaming service now known as Max.
Cox, 77, got his best actor in a drama nod despite appearing in fewer than half of this season’s “Succession” episodes, though as the Roy family patriarch he loomed just as large over the episodes he didn’t appear in. A win would be his first for the role, though he won an Emmy for best-supporting actor in a TV movie in 2001.
Strong won in 2020 for playing “eldest boy” Kendall Roy. Culkin got his first nomination for best actor after two previous nominations in the supporting category.
Actors joining movie and television writers on strike would further shut down the industry and be the first time since 1960 that two Hollywood unions were simultaneously striking. While show and film releases will continue, work on upcoming projects will cease — as would actors’ interviews and appearances to promote the projects.
The possibility of an industry debilitated by strikes could dampen any joy for the new nominees, and could put the damper on the ceremony scheduled for Sept. 18 on the Fox network.
Sheryl Lee Ralph, who provided the emotional high point of last year’s ceremony with her half-sung victory speech for her best-supporting actor Emmy in “Abbott Elementary,” said she is a “puddle of emotions” after getting nominated again amid the strife.
“Change is hard. Change is difficult. And in the midst of once again of a great moment in my life, I am surrounded by a difficult moment,” Ralph told The Associated Press. “This is a fight for artistry, this is not a fight to make people rich.”
The nominations were announced by “Community” star Yvette Nicole Brown and Television Academy CEO Frank Scherma, who referenced the labor disputes before at the top of Wednesday’s livestream.
“We hope the ongoing guild negotiations can come to an equitable and swift resolution,” Scherma said.
But the announcements, while low-key, proceeded as though a show will go on in the fall.
It was not a strong year for Emmy diversity, with the lead categories dominated by shows with largely white ensembles. Pascal, the first Latino nominated as lead actor in a drama in more than two decades, was the only minority nominee in any of the drama series categories.
Representation was stronger in the comedy categories, where Jenna Ortega of Netflix’s “Wednesday” was nominated for best actress. The Black actors of ABC’s “Abbott Elementary” were again a high point for Emmy diversity, and for the otherwise largely absent broadcast networks. Creator Quinta Brunson was nominated for best actress, while Ralph and Janelle James were nominated for best supporting actress, as was Ayo Edebiri for “The Bear.”
That FX series showed some of the Emmys’ quirks with its 13 nominations. It appeared in the comedy categories despite its half-hour episodes having more drama than some of the drama nominees. And the awards’ eligibility calendar means it got the nominations for its first season, even after many viewers have seen – and largely loved – its second, bringing buzz that probably helped it.
Speaking of quirks, the genre-defying “Jury Duty” rode its cult status to four nominations for streamer Amazon Freevee. A faux reality show for most of its cast and a reality show for one man, it was nominated for best comedy series and best supporting actor in a comedy for James Marsden.
Netflix led streamers with 103 nominations, but its showing was meager in many of the top categories. “The Crown” received its nearly annual deference for best drama and, along with Ortega, Christina Applegate was nominated for best supporting actress in a comedy for the third and final season of Netflix’s “Dead to Me.” Applegate, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2021, has said the role may be her last.
Netflix fared better in the limited series category, where “Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story” and “Beef” managed 13 nominations apiece.
More than a year after his death, Ray Liotta, was nominated for best supporting actor in a limited series or TV movie for “Black Bird” on Apple TV+.
The “Star Wars” galaxy made a surprisingly forceful showing for Disney+, with three television adaptations — “Andor,” “The Mandalorian” and “Obi-Wan Kenobi” — earning a combined 22 nominations. “The Mandalorian” received the most recognition with nine nominations in craft categories like stunt performance and costumes, but the series based on Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi’s exile years will compete for best limited series and “Andor” is among the drama series nominees.
The most famous “Star Wars” alum was among those snubbed, however, as Harrison Ford failed to get his first Emmy nomination. Some had expected his name to be called for his acting on the “Yellowstone” prequel “1923″ or the Apple TV+ comedy “Shrinking.”
Source: Andrew Dalton, Associated Press