Entertainment News Friday April 8th, 2022
At the movies it’s the animated feature Sonic 2 featuring the voices of Idris Elba and Jim Carrey.
Also in theaters The thriller Ambulancestarring Jake Gylenhall and Yaya Abdul Mateen.
Rapper Kid Creole of Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five has been found guilty of First Deree Manslaughter in the 2017 stabbing death of a homeless man in New York City. The 62 year old Rapper will be sentenced in May.
Get ready for Viola Davis as former First Lady Michelle Obama in the showtime series The First Lady. What is it like being married to the most powerful head of state. Michelle Pfeifer is playing Betty Ford and Gillian Anderson is portraying Eleanor Roosevelt. The first lady series starts streaming on Showtime April 17th.
In the meantime Oprah Winfrey is doing a sit down interview with Oscar Winner Viola Davis for Netflix April 22.
Love and Country is a new documentary celebrating Black Artists and Country music is on Prime Video . The documentary will feature the new generation of Black Country Music Artists Jimmie Allen, Mickey Guyton and Blanco Brown. Joshua Kissis directed the special.
Steve Harveys latest TV Show Judge Steve Harvey has been renewed for a second season on ABC.
Easter Sunday April 17th it’s the VERZUZ Gospel battle between Mary Mary and BeBe and CeCe Winans.
Former President Barack Obama is coming to Netflix to host a new docuseries on National Parks. The 5 part series featuring the Former Commander in chief goes from Monteray Bay California to Kenya and all things in between. The series starts streaming April 13th.
They call me Magic is a new documentary coming to TV about Basketball Great Magic Johnson. The four part docuseries starts streaming on April 22nd. The series will focus on his career as an all time NBA Legend, as well as revealing he had HIV and how he helped changed the conversation. It will feature his life as a successful Entrepreneur and Community Activist.
Winning Time the Rise of the Lakers Dynasty has been renewed for a second season HBO.
We know Shaquille O’Neal for his Basketball skills but did you know he could cook. In his new cookbook Shaq’s family style :Championship Recipes for feeding Family and friends. He gives us 80 comfort food recipes for busy families.
The aftermath of the slap. Will Smith has resigned from the Academy saying he is ashamed of his actions regardingslapping Comedian and Actor Chris Rock. Smith felt Rock disrespected his wife Jada Pinkett Smith during his routine and went on stage and slapped him in the face and proceeded to cuss him out. The Academy has not yet punished him but they say action will happen soon. With Smith resigning from the Academy what does it mean? He will keep his Academy Award, he will still be invited to future events and he can still be nominated for films. Meanwhile a number of projects that he was involved in have been pushed to the backburner.
Eddie Murphy is in talks to do a movie Bio on The Godfather of Funk George Clinton. Clinton was the leader of the group Parliament Funkadelic. A Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. The movie will tell of humble beginnings in North Carolina to the formation of Parliament Funkadelic.
The Feud is over! After not speaking for 13 years Lee Daniels and Oscar Winner Monique have patched things up. Daniels was the force behind the movie Precious where Monique won an Academy award. During that time the feuding started with Daniels, Oprah Winfrey and Tyler Perry. They were the Producers of the movie and they had expectations of Monique with no monetary Help. Monique is a wife and Mother and she only got paid 50 Thousand Dollars. The ensuing feud against her and Hollywood Powerhouses resulted in a stalled career for Monique. Now Daniels is casting Monique in his latest project for Netflix ‘Demon House’. Monique will play a Social Worker who helps a Family thru a series of Exorcisms. The cast is amazing with Andra Day, Glenn Close, Caleb McLaughlin,and Anjanue Ellis.
Wanda Sykes is coming to Atlantic City . Saturday Oct. 8th at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. Tickets are on sale now.
Filming has wrapped up on the set of Black Panther Two Wakanda Forever. The movie was filmed in various locations including Boston, Atlanta and Puerto Rico. The movie is coming out in November.
The Devil you know is the new movie starring Omar Epps, Michael Ealy and Glynn Turman is in theaters .
Chris Rock is coming to Philly Sept 23 and 24th and 25th at the Met Philly Broad and Poplar
The Popular Netflix show Bridgerton is back. This time around the sex scenes have been toned down. The ratings have been incredible and there will be a season and a Bridgerton sequel based on the Younger Queen Charlotte who had African Heritage.
Lizzo has launched her reality show ‘Watch out for the Big Girls’ on Prime Video. Lizzo is looking for Big Girl dancers for an upcoming tour. Lizzo is also coming to SNL Saturday April 16th.
The Kimmel Center Cultural Campus has announced their line up for the upcoming 2022-2023 season. The list of shows include The Tina Turner musical, The Lion King, Moulin Rouge, The Musical Six, A Soldiers Play, Annie, Cats, and Jersey Boys. Also The Merriam Theater has a name Change thanks to big donation from one of their sponsors The Merriam Theater will now be known as The Miller Theater.
Get Ready for the Mike Epps comedy special on Netflix it’s called ‘Indiana Mike.
The Color Purple Movie Musical has added some new cast members Singer Ciara, Actor Lou Gossett Jr, David Allen Grier, Gospel Music Singer Tamela Mann Actor/Comedian Deon Cole and just added acclaimed Actress Anjanue Ellis. Fantasia is starring in the role made famous by Whoopi Goldberg ‘Celie. Tariji P Henson, Danielle Brooks , Philly Native Coleman Domingo playing the role of Mister made famous by Actor Danny Glover. Also in the cast Corey Hawkins Singers H.E.R. and Halle Bailey. The movie is being produced by Oprah Winfrey, Quincy Jones, and Steven Spielberg and being directed by Blitz Bazawule. The movie is coming out December 2023.
Now Speaking of Taiji P Henson congratulations are going out to the Actress who has just signed an overall deal with BET Studios. Henson and her production company will be doing projects with Paramount Plus, Showtime,CBS and BET Plus.
The BET Network is renewing the Tyler Perry Shows ‘The Oval and Sistas.
The Kentucky Derby is May 7th and Janet Jackson and New Edition are doing concerts as part of the festivities.
Filming has started on the Best Man TV series. The Best Man The Final Chapters will be a 10 part limited Series on The Peacock Network. Malcolm Lee is back as Director with Dana Lynn North from Insecure producing . All of the original casts members are back including Nia Long, Morris Chestnut, Terrance Howard, Taye Diggs, Sanaa Lathan, Melisa Desousa,Harold Perrineu to name a few. The first Best Man came out in 1999..the second one Best Man Holiday came out in 2013. Filming is happening in North Jersey and is due out at the end of the year or early 2023.
Now Speaking of Morris Chestnut congrats to the Actor who just got a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Get ready for the Bob Marley story. Bob Marley died in 1981 at the age of 36 from Cancer. Marley was a pioneer of Reggae, ska and Rock Reggae. Actor Kingsley Ben Adir who played Malcolm X in the movie One Night in Miami is playing the Reggae Great. The movie is being directed by Renaldo Marcus Green who directed the movie ‘King Richard. Marley left behind a legacy of music including the classics ‘Could you be loved, One Love, Jammin, to name a few. Marley was an artist and activist. The movie is being supported by the Marley Family and it’s coming out January 12th, 2024.
Ellen Degeneres is rapping up her 19th season on Thursday May 26. Degeneres is lining up Superstars as she says goodbye including Former First Lady Michelle Obama, Tennis sensation Serena Williams, Adam Levine (Maroon 5) David Letterman and Zac Efron to name a few. She is also giving her staff bonuses totaling a million dollars.
Anita Baker is expanding her Las Vegas residency to include the dates May 20th, 21st and 25th.
Singer Lionel Richie is coming to Atlantic City. Tickets are on sale now for the show Friday June 24th at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. For more info go to hardrockatlanticcity.com
Matthew Knowles (Beyonces dad) has sold his world music entertainment for 275 million dollars. Knowles is planning Documentaries, Scripted Shows, and a feature film based on his life grooming Beyonce for Superstardom. Knowles has over ten thousand hours of footage of the Knowles family in the music industry and never before seen images, videos and music.
The Met Gala Fashions biggest night is returning May 2nd. This years theme ‘In America:An Anthology of fashion. Oscar Winner Regina King Actors Ryan Reynolds and his wife Blake Lively and Broadways Lin Manuel Miranda are serving as co-chairs of the event.
Leslie Jones of SNL fame is joining the cast of BMF. The 50 Cent show on STARZ will feature Jones as a Federal Agent. The show is inspired by rhe true story of two Detroit brothers who ruled the drug scene in the 80’s.
The Batman movie starring Robert Pattinson and Zoe Kravitz is coming to HBO MAX in late April.
Congrats to the Hit ABC Show ‘Abbott Elementary. The hit show has been renewed for a second season. The show created by West Philly Native Quinta is a great show. I love this show. Janelle James plays Principal Coleman, the cat also includes Tyler James Williams (Everybody Hates Chris) Sheryl Lee Ralph plays Barbara Howard. The cast also includes Lisa Ann Walter, Chris Perfetti and William Stanford Davis as Mr. Johnson.
.
This is going to be the year of Actress KeKe Palmer. Her movie ‘ALICE’ with Common is a must see. A slave who runs away and she lands in the year 1973. She learns who she is and goes back in time seeking revenge against her slave master. The movie opens in theaters March 17th. Palmer is also starring in the Jordan Peele Thriller ‘NOPE’ with Oscar Winner Daniel Kaluyaa.
Gabrielle Union is teaming up with Zach Braff for a remake of the movie Cheaper by the Dozen. The movie about a blended family of 12 streaming now on Disney Plus.
In addition to hosting a portion of The Academy Awards Actress Regina Hall has a new movie out called ‘Master’ it is streaming on Prime Video .
Power Book 4 The story of Tommy. Has been renewed for a second season. Actor Joseph Sikora plays Tommy Eagan.
Dwayne The Rock Johnson is having a busy movie year. DC Super Pets with Kevin Hart opens in July and this October he is starring in Black Adam.
Saturday May 7th The Mothers Day Music Festival with Keith Sweat, After 7, Tank, Brownstone, Tamia and Destinee Marie at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City.
Sunday May 8th Mothers Day SundayRussell Thompkins Jr and the new Stylistics, Bloodstone,The Legendary Bluenotes, The Intruders and Angela Burton in concert at Caesars in Atlantic City.
Tom Cruise returns to the big screen May 27th with Top Gun 2 Top Gun Maverick. It’s been 35 years since the original Top Gun. Former Insecure star Jay Ellis who played Lawrence also stars along with Actress Jennifer Connelly, Jon Ham and Ed Harris.
Will Smith and Michael B Jordan will be teaming up for the movie sequeal to Smiths hit 2007 movie ‘I Am Legend.
Essence Magazine is gearing up for this years Essence Fest June 30-July 3rd. The city of New Orleans is once again the host of the event. Headliners include Janet Jackson, Nicki Minaj, Jazmine Sullivan, Kevin Hart, New Edition, The Isley Brothers, Summer Walker, The Roots and D-Nice and friends
The popular Starz series P-Valley is returning in June after a two year hiatus.
Comedian Earthquake latest Comedy special is now streaming on Netflix.
Kevin Hart and Dwayne The Rock go animated this Summer in the movie DC Superpets. In other Kevin Hart news he is going on a joint comedy tour with Chris Rock for the month of July.
A new documentary on the life of the Godfather of Soul James Brown. The four part docuseries ‘I got Soul is coming out next year 2023 to coincide with his 90thBirthday. The Docuseries is being produced by Rock and Roll Legend Mick Jagger and Questlove of the Roots and the Tonight Show.
Singer Patti Labelle is working on a Holiday Movie for Lifetime Patti is teaming up with Actress Keisha Knight Pulliam. Whoopi Goldberg is producing the movie.
Basketball Legend Dr J Julius Erving is producing a basketball documentary on Rucker Park in New York. Rucker Park is where the legends cut their teeth on the court Walt Clyde Frazier, Wilt Chamberlain, Willis Reed, Earl The Pearl Monroe, Joe The Destroyer Hammon to name a few.
The Oscar Nominated Musical West Side Story is now streaming on Disney Plus.
A Journal for Jordan starring Michael B Jordan and Chantee Adams is now streaming. Denzel Washington directed this movie, a true story of a Soldier who died in combat. He was expecting his first child when he was killed in combat but he left behind a Journal for his son about life and love. He never had a chance to watch his son grow up but the journals that he wrote would go to become a bestselling book and movie. Check it out it is available for rent and streaming.
We know Tamron Hall from her popular daytime talk show and now we can watch her on Court TV. Hall is the host of the new show ‘Someone They Knew’. The show examines crimes and the people connected to it.
Kandi Burris has launched her new Bravo Show Kandi and the gang on Bravo. The show features her husband Todd, her mom and Aunts at their restaurant in Atlanta ‘The Old Lady Gang. The show airs on Sunday Nights.
HBO has a new drama series ‘Winning Time; The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty’. The show is based on the rise of the LA Lakers dynasty in the 80’s. The series will focus on the Superstars of that era Magic Johnson, Norm Nixon and Kareem Abdul Jabbar.
Mary J Blige is coming to Lifetime to be the Executive Producer of a movie based on one of her biggest hits ‘Real Love’
Coming this Summer to BET a documentary based on Irv Gotti and his record label Murder Inc. In the 90’s Gotti headed up the biggest record label with acts such as Ashanti and JaRule.
Tyler Perry is back with Madea, this time on Netflix. Madea’s Homecoming is streaming now.
American Idol has returned to ABC on Sunday. Luke Bryan, Katy Perry, and Lionel Richie are back as Judges and Ryan Seacrest as host. This year the show will be bringing in alum and past winners as guest mentors to the contestants. Now speaking of Lionel Richie he’s going to be honored in May with The Gershwin Prize for Popular song. The ceremony will air on May 17th on PBS. Past winners include Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson and Sir Paul McCartney.
Actor Anthony Anderson is back in the fold with Law and Order on NBC.
The new season of the FX show ‘Snowfall’ has started starring Damson Idris as Franklin Saint.
Football Great Tom Brady is going into acting. The recently future Hall of Famer will be producing and starring in a road trip comedy #80ForBrady will also star acting legends Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Rita Moreno and Sally Field.
Congrats to Fox 29’s Bill Anderson and his new show The Pulse. The show airs Monday evenings at 6;30
The Proud family is back’ Louder and Prouder’ is now streaming on Disney Plus.
After 30 years we are finally getting a Martin reunion. Martin Lawrence is back with Tisha Campbell, Tichina Arnold and Actor Carl Anthony Payne. Actor Thomas Ford who played Tommy died in 2016. The Reunion special will feature a tribute to Actor Tommy Ford. It will be hosted by Affion Crockett and will air on BET Plus later this year.
The movie HUSTLE that was filmed in Philly last year is coming to NETFLIX June 10th. The movie stars Adam Sandler and Queen Latifah. Sandler plays a washed up talent scout who sees a second chance at turning his life and career around when he discovers a basketball phenom overseas.
The BillBoard music awards are returning to Las Vegas Sunday May 15th.
Filming will be starting later this year on a new Star Trek movie featuring the cast of 2009 Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto and Zoe Saldana.
The Whitney estate is planning on releasing a Live album and a gospel album this year. The Whitney Houston movie is scheduled for late 2023.
Tickets are on sale now for the Roots Picnic a two day event at the Mann June 4-5. The lineup is incredible with Mary J Blige performing with The Roots. Jazmine Sullivan, Musiq Soulchild, Kirk Franklin, Country music Sensation Mickey Guyton, Wiz Kid, Summer Walker and Keisha Cole to name a few. This is a standing concert which means no seats and it is happening Rain or Shine.
Tickets are also on sale for Kevin Hart. For the first time in four years he is doing a comedy tour. He will be at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino July 8th and 9th.
The revival of The Fresh Prince of Bel Air has launched on The Peacock Network. The show has come back as a drama. 10 one hour episodes with Actor Jabari Banks playing the role made famous by Will Smith.
The Kanye west Documentary ’JEEN YUHS’ is out in theaters and on Netflix. The Kanye trilogy will show never before seen footage, going back 20 years in his life and career the highs and the lows.
The life story of Michael Jackson is coming to the big screen with the approval of the Michael Jackson estate. A Broadway musical based on the King of Pops is currently on Broadway.
Congratulations to Singer Rihanna she and her boyfriend Rapper A$AP Rocky are expecting their first child later this Spring and a wedding after the baby is born.
The Real Husbands of Hollywood are back! Kevin Hart and Crew are Back after six Years. JB Smoove, Nelly, Nick Cannon, Boris Kodje, Duane Martin and Singer Robin Thicke. The Real Husbands of Hollywood More Kevin, More Problems is on BET PLUS.
Odunde the world famous African Festival is returning Sunday June 12th at 23rd and South.
All the Queens men the male stripper show starring Eva Marcille has been renewed on BET Plus.
Actor Jason Mamoa will be playing the new villain in Fast and Furious 10. The movie produced by Vin Diesel is coming out May 2023 with the crew of Tyrese , Ludacris and Michelle Rodriquez all returning.
A documentary based on the Philly Sound is in the works focusing on Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff and Thom Bell.
Whose going into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame class of 2022. This years nominees include Lionel Richie, Dionne Warwick, Rapper Eminem, A Tribe called Quest, Pat Benatar, Carly Simon, and Kate Bush to name a few. You can vote now at rockhalloffameawards.com
Rapper Ice T has been named the new face of Honey Nut Cheerios.
Over 16 million viewers tuned in to Lifetime and the A&E network to hear Janet Jackson tell her story in her recent documentary. Janet says the favorite part of the documentary for her was the scenes with her family. Close to 17 million people viewed the documentary.
The Documentary ‘Race’ based on NASCAR Driver Bubba Wallace is streaming on Netflix .
Phat Tuesday The Era of Hip Hop and Comedy has started streaming on Prime Video . The 3 part documentary is directed by Reginald Hudlin. Comedian Guy Torrie takes a look back at African American Comedians during the time of the late 80’s and 90’s .How did the comics of the era get started during that time. Steve Harvey, Cedric The Entertainer, Dave Chappelle, JB Smoove, Tiffany Haddish and Chris Rock to name a few.
Get ready for the Bobby Brown Documentary May 30th and May 31st. the two night 4 hour documentary will air on the A&E Network. Followed by a new 12 part docuseries ‘Being Bobby Brown’. The documentary will feature Usher, Jermaine Dupri, Keith Sweat,Babyface, members of New Edition family and friends. Despite an amazing career, Brown has suffered great losses with the death of Whitney Houston and the losing two children Bobbi Kris and Bobby Brown Jr,
Producer/Director Lee Daniels is gearing up for his first horror movie. In a new 65 million dollar Netflix deal Daniels is putting together a movie he is calling Exorcism Thriller. The movie will star Singer Andra Day, Glenn Close, Octavia Spencer, Anjanue Ellis and Caleb McLaughlin from the Netflix series ‘Stranger Things’. Filming starts late this Spring. The movie is about a woman who discovers all of her children are posessed. This is based on a true story.
Filming has started in Atlanta on Creed 3. Michael B Jordan is starring and directing the movie which is due in theaters around Thanksgiving . Tessa Thompson and Phylicia Rashad will be back in their roles and Actor Johnathan Majors will play the villain boxer going up against Adonis played by Jordan.
.The FX Show The Godfather of Harlem starring Forest Whitaker has been renewed for a 3rd Season.
Jada Pinkett Smith is set to star in the Netflix movie ‘Redd Zone’. The movie is about a single mom who helps her sons deal with the murder of their friend. She later takes in their friends and at one time she had 17 young men living under her roof. All of the men ended up in college and for made it into the NFL. The movie is being directed by Oscar Winner Matthew Cherry who directed the animated short ‘Hair Story’.
The popular Netflix movie ‘Red Notice’ will be back with two sequels being filmed back to back with stars Dwayne The Rock Johnson , Ryan Reynolds and Gal Gadot returning in their roles.
Congratulations to Star Jones. For many years Jones was a host on The View. Jones is returning to TV in September as the new Host of Divorce Court on Fox. Judge Faith Jenkins is leaving Divorce court to focus on her new show ‘Killer Relationships’ airing Sunday Nights on The Oxygen Channel.Judge Jenkins who is married to singer Kenny Lattimore says she is very excited about her venture.
Congrats to Philly Native Egypt Sherrod and her husband Mike. The brand new show ‘Married to Real Estate’ has launched on HGTV.
Kel Mitchell is back! In the 90’s Mitchell was a part of the Nickelodeon show ‘All That’ and teaming up with Keenan Thompson in the show Keenan and Kel and the movie Good Burger. Mitchell the father of four is now a Pastor and he has just released his first book. The book is a daily devotional ‘Blessed Mode 90 days to develop your Faith.
Darryl McDaniels DMC of Run DMC has released his first childrens book ‘Darryl’s Dream’ about a shy 3rd grader trying to find his voice.
Jimmy Fallon of Tonight show fame has a new show on NBC. The show called ‘That’s My Jam’ has already been renewed for a second season,and it features celebrities competing in musical and dance inspired games. The variety show will also feature Philly Natives Musician Adam Blackstone and DJ Aktive.
Get ready for Judge Steve Harvey. Steve Harvey is playing the Judge and Jury is his new show Tuesday nights on ABC. Also on ABC It’s Abbott Elementary. The comedy stars West Philly Native Quinta Brunson, Sheryl Lee Ralph and Tyler James Williams.
Rapper Big Daddy Kane is putting together a documentary for Netflix Paragraghs Manifest. Kane is going to be joined by fellow Rappers Snoop Dog, J Cole, Eminem, and Jay Z
Devon Franklin and gospel sensation Kirk Franklin are joining forces for a new gospel drama on BET plus called ‘Kingdom Business’ . The 8 episode series will focus on the Gospel Music Industry thru the lenses of Faith, Love and Music. Gospel Legend Yolanda Adams is set to Star.
Eddie Murphy will be teaming up with Actor Jonah Hill in a new movie by Kenya Barris. The comedy is about Clashing culturesand generational differences.
If you would like more info please email me at PattyJackson@iHeartMedia.com or check me out with my midday reports at 10:30am, 12:30pm and 2:30pm during the day on 105.3 Wdasfm. Or join me on Social Media Twitter:Mspattyjackson Instagram Wdaspatty and Facebook Patty