Entertainment News Friday Oct 15TH 2021
The Next VERZUS Music Battle will feature two rap legends Big Daddy Kane and KRS 1. Everything is happening Sunday October 17th in New York City.
Get ready for the ultimate Richard Pryor Collection! The comic legend passed away in 2005 but he remains the top comedy influencer today. Richard Pryor uncensored features 13 discs and 26 hours of raw uncensored Richard Pryor. Pryors widow Jennifer joined forces with Time Life to put together this collection which includes his short lived NBC Show, all four full length concert films, his late night TV appearances and the movie he produced and starred in JoJo Dancer.
The Charles Fuller play’ A Soldiers Story’recently won a Tony Award for best revival of a play and now a TV series based on the play is being produced by David Allen Grier, who also won a Tony award for his role in the Broadway revival.
Good Morning Americas Michael Strahan recently signed a multi million dollar contract extension to stay on the show.
Singer K Michelle is coming to Lifetime earlynext year with a documentary about her journey with plastic surgeries. My killer Body debuts in January.
Next years Superbowl halftime show will be paying homage to West Coast Rappers. Dr Dre, Kendrick Lamar, and Snoop Dog will be joined by Rapper Eminem and Singer Mary J Blige. The the Superbowl is set for Los Angeles Sunday Feb.13th and is being put together by Jay-Z and Pepsi.
Netflix is putting together a 5.4 million dollar scholarship in honor of the late Actor Chadwick Boseman at Howard University. Howard was Chadwicks alma mater and a theater department has been named in his honor. Chadwick starred in two Netflix films towards the end of his life Spike Lee’s ‘Da Five Bloods and ‘Ma Raineys Black Bottom.
At the movies this week it’s Actor Daniel Craig in his final James Bond role, ‘NoTime to Die’. The movie also stars LaShawna Lynch the new 007.
Congrats to actress Keisha Knight Pulliam (Rudy Cosby Show) she got married over the weekend to Actor Brad James
Jesse Palmer will be hosting The Bachelor realityshow. Palmer is a former winner.
The popular NBC Drama Law & Order is coming back after 11 and a half years. Rumor has it Actor Anthony Anderson may be rejoining the cast once his show Blackish ends on ABC.
The new 50 Cents drama Black Mafia Family has been renewed for a second season the Starz Network.
The Whitney Houston Estate is joining forces with MAC Cosmetics for a new makeup line called The Whitney Houston Collection. It’s coming out next year to coincide with the Whitney Houston Movie. ‘I Wanna Dance with Somebody. West Philly Native and Black Lightning star Nafessa Williams will be playing Houstons Longtime assistant and confidante Robyn Crawford.
Congratulations to Singer Ashanti show owns the masters to her recording and she is planning on re recording her first album.
The Next VERZUS Music Battle will feature two rap legends Big Daddy Kane and KRS 1. Everything is happening Sunday October 17th in New York City.
When will Wendy Williams returned to her talk show. Williams has been missing in action for weeks as she battles health and personal issues which landed her in the hospital. Williams is scheduled to return Oct. 18th and I am hearing if she doesn’t return she will be replaced by Nick Cannon who already has a talk show on Fox Stations.
After 22 years Natalie Morales has left the Today show and is now headed to the CBS Talk Show ‘The Talk’
Now Streaming on Netflixa documentary on famed Singer Ella Fizgerald. Just one of those things features rare footage of her life and career.
Tracey Morgan is returning with a new season The Last O.G. on TBS. Tiffany Haddish is not returning to the show. Haddish only signed on for three seasons and as the show enters its fourth season look for new additions including Philly Native Davine Joy Randolph (My name is Dolemite) Malik Yoba, Wood Harris,Anna Marie Horsford (Amen) and the Original Aunt Viv Actress Janet Hubert.
The Joyful noise celebration is coming to the Liacouras Center New Years Day January 1st. Marvin Sapp, Ricky Dillard and the new G, The Clark Sisters, Le’Andria Johnson, and Charles Jenkins. Tickets are on sale now.
Dave Chappelles latest comedy special ‘The Closer is now streaming on Netflix
Will Smith is coming home! Monday November 8th it’s Will Smith and Friends at The Met Broad and Poplar. Will is launching his book tour in his home of Philadelphia. In his book Will he talks about his life, and career and his very unconventional marriage with Jada Pinkett Smith. The couple married in 1997 and have two children Jaden 23, and Willow 20. In the latest edition of GQ Magazine Smith opens up like never before. Smith is also launching a new six part series on Disney Plus called Welcome to Earth where he travels the world.
Issa Rae is the cover girl for the latest edition of Self Magazineand she’s returning with the 5th and final season of Insecure on HBO. Also coming this monthis season 11 of the Larry David comedy ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’. Both Shows return October 24th.
Sundays on STARZ It’s Rapper 50 Cents new show BMF Black Mafia Family starring Russell Hornsby. The new Series is about the biggest drug dealers in Detroit in the 80’s and it’s already been renewed for a second season
It’s been 15 years and now the Fugees are reuniting. They are going on a 12 city tour celebrating the 25th Anniversary of their album ‘The Scre. Pras, Lauryn Hill and Wyclef Jean back together again.
Janet Jacksons latest Documentary is coming to Lifetime early 2022. Janets has been working on this project for the past 5 years as she gives an up close and personal look at her life. She is also reteaming with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis for a new album. I hear she’s doing a collaboration with Earth Wind and Fire.
Mark your Calendar for Saturday November 6th It’s Maze Featuring Frankie Beverly , The Isley Bros and Joe in concert at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. Tickets are on sale now.
Netflix debuts the latest documentary about the friendship between Muhammad Ali and Malcolm . The relationship between the Teacher and the Boxing champ ‘Blood Brothers is streaming now. Another documentary coming out about Muhammad Ali is the Ken Burns Documentary ‘Muhammad Ali’. Burns documentary on PBS stations and it examines Ali and his life with Race, Religion and Activism.
The Matrix 4 Ressurrection with Keanu Reeves hits theatres Dec 21st . Lawrence Fishburne will not be back as Morpheus. He is being replaced by Actor YaYa Abdul Mateen the 2nd who starred in the latest CandyMan movie.
Dancing with the Stars with Host Tyra Banks is back with a new season on Mondayon ABC. Dancers this season include The Bachelors Matt James, Olympic Gold Medalist Suni Lee, Kenya Moore Real Housewives of Atlanta, Peloton instructor Cody Rigsby, Country Singer Jimmie Allen, WWE Superstar The Miz and Teen Sensation JoJo Siwa.
Omar Epps and Michael Ealy are joining forces for the movie ‘The Devil You Know’. The movie also stars Glyn Turman and former football player Vaughn Hebron. The movie is about family, morality and Brotherhood.
The All black western ‘The Harder they Fall’ with Idris Elba, Johnathan Majors and Regina King started streaming on NETFLIX November 3rd. Also Check out King on the cover of Vanity Fair magazine.
Also coming to NETFLIX and streaming now is the movie ‘The Guilty’ Starring Jake Gyllenhall and directed by Antoine Fugua ‘Training Day’
The new Lee Daniels drama ‘Our Kind of People’ with Morris Chestnut, Joe Morton, YaYa Decosta and Lance Gross has debuted on Fox it airs Tuesday nights at 9PM on FOX. Daniels also has another show on ABC THE all Black Version of The Wonder Years Wednesday nights 8:30 on 6ABC
Actress Lashawna Lynch is joining forces with Viola Davis for the movie ‘The Woman King’. The movie set in the 18th and 19th centuries in Africa is about the General of an all female military unit for enemies that attacked them. Lynch is going to be the new 007 movie in the next James Bond ‘No Time To Die’ opening in theaters October 8th. Lynch was also in the Captain Marvel Movie with Brie Larson. Recent Tony Winner for the Broadway musical ‘Tina’ Adrienne Warren and Actor John Boyega have also been added to the cast.
The Rock, Gal Gadot and Ryan Reynolds are joining forces as the worlds most dangerous criminals in the movie ’Red Notice’ coming to Netflix November 12th.
The movie ‘Vacation Friends with Jon Cena, Yvonne Orji and Lil Rel Howery broke records when it debuted on HULU a few weeks ago. The success of the movie is leading to a sequel with the cast called ‘Honeymoon Friends.
Good news for Singer Anita Baker and her Friends. Baker now owns all the masters to her music. She has signed a deal with Spotify for streaming and she is putting together a boxed set of her albums.
Stevie Wonder is working on his first Album in 16 years. Drummer Sheila E is joining him on the project. Wonder is also joining Sir Elton John on his new project ‘The Lockdown Sessions’
Iyanla van Zandt is joiningthe podcast world. The R spot is coming early next year.
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.
The movie ‘Respect’ starring Jennifer Hudson is now available on Demand and to rent. ‘Respect’ about the life of Aretha Franklin also stars Marlon Wayans, Forest Whitaker and Mary J Blige.
Singer Her is also coming to The Met October 23rd and she’s set to make her acting debut in the movie musical ‘The Color Purple’ . She’s playing the character Squeak made famous by Actress Rae Dawn Chong. Actor Corey Hawkins(Straight out of Compton) is playing Harpo. Oprah Winfrey and Steven Spielberg are producing the movie which is coming out December 2023.
Zales Jewelers is going to be the exclusive retailer for the Serena Williams Jewelry line. The Tennis Sensation is excited about her line with prices ranging from 129 dollars to 10 Thousand dollars.
NBC is gearing up for Annie Live. Newcomer Celina Smith is playing Annie. Tariji P Henson, Harry Connick Jr and Titus Burgess also star. Annie Live debuts Dec. 2nd on NBC.
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.
The Legendary Freda Payne is ready to tell all. The 78 year old Singer best known for her song ‘band of Gold’ says she is holding nothing back as she spills the beans on her her short lived marriage to singer Gregory Abbott and her relationship with the late Edmund Sylvers. The Former lead Singer of the Sylvers family. Who died in 2004. The book is coming out in October. Payne has a new album out now ‘let there be Love’
Get ready for Spiderman No Way Home, the movie hits theaters Dec. 17th. The trailer is hot! Spiderman (Tom Holland) is back with Zendaya, Jacob Batalon who plays his best friend Ned. Jamie Foxx is returning as Electro. Dr. Strange (Benedict Cumberpatch) has joined the cast to help Spiderman. The villains Green Goblin and Doctor Ock also return.
Kevin Hart has signed on to do a Netflix movie ‘Me Time’ with Mark Wahlberg. The movie is abouttwo best friends who haven’t seen each other in years and they reunite for a wild weekend. Actress Regina Hall has also signed on for the project.
Marlon Wayans is coming to Netflix with a Halloween movie. Wayans is going to star in and produce a Halloween adventure film. The movie is about a teenage girl who releases a spirit that makes Halloween decorations come alive and she gets her dad (Wayans) to help her contain the spirit. Marlon is known for those ‘Scary Movies’ . He is currently starring in the movie ‘Respect’ about Aretha Franklin with Jennifer Hudson and he has a new comedy special streaming on HBO MAX. ‘You Know What Time it is’
Comedienne Pat Williams AKA Ms Pat has a new streaming on BET PLUS. Imagine if Roseanne was Black and you get the idea of this very differentbut very funny TV Comedy show. Phillys own Lee Daniels is the shows Executive Producer.
Oscar Winner Halle Berry has a new movie coming out on Netflix November24th . She directs and Stars in the movie ‘Bruised where she plays a disgraced MMS Fighter. Berry has another project coming in 2022 the movie ‘Moonfall’a disaster film about the Moon attacking Earth.
The new Michael B Jordan movie ‘A Journal for Jordan opens in theaters in December . Denzel Washington directed the movie about an Iraq soldier who writes a journal for his son. Based on a true story, the soldier died when his son was 7 months old. Actress Chaunte Adams who played Roxanne Chante is the Netflix movie Roxanne Shante plays the soldiers wife who saved the journals for her son and turned it into a book.
Changes are coming to CBS This Morning with Gayle King. Former NFL Player Nate Burleson and host of NFL today is joining her for mornings as the show moves to Times Square right across from Good Morning America with Robin, George and Michael Strahan.
Great News for Mike Epps his Netflix show ‘The Upshaws’ with Wanda Sykes and Kim Fields has been renewed for a second season. The second season will include a longer season. In other Mike Epps news he’s getting a chance to play his idol Richard Pryor in an HBO movie about the Los Angeles Lakers. He is also doing a new comedy special for Netflix.
Actress Angela Basset is now one of the highest paid Actresses on TV. She just signed a new deal with the Fox911 show. She is getting 450 thousand dollars per episode.
The month of November is going to a very exciting movie on November 19th It’s Will Smith in the movie ‘King Richard’ about the father of Tennis Sensations Venus and Serena Williams. The movie will be in theaters and on HBO MAX.
November 24th Lady Gaga and Adam Driver light up the big screen in the movie ‘House of Gucci’. The movie is based on the 1995 murder of Maurizio Gucci played by Driver. Maurizio as set up for by his wife Patrizia played by LadyGaga.Patrizia served 18 years in prison for the murder of her husband .
The new book about Singer Aaliyah Baby Girl is out in bookstores. Aaliyah died in 2001 at the age of 22. Aaliyah died in a plane accident in the Bahamas. Aaliyah is best known for the songs ‘Rock The Boat’ and Back and Forth. The book raises many questions about her death and did she have to die.
Get ready for the return of The Exorcist. The 1973 Cult Classic that starred Linda Blair and Ellen Burston is getting a revamp this time starring Tony Award Winning Actor Leslie Odom Jr. from Hamilton Fame. Odom is a man who seeks out Ellyn Burston who is 88 now,to help him with his daughter who is possessed.
The man who started it all for Motown Berry Gordy is honored in December with a Kennedy Center Honor. Gordy 91 is in good company with Bette Midler and Joni Mitchell. The ceremony is taking place December 5th on CBS.
Director Jordan Peele who brought us the movies ‘Us’ and ‘Get Out’ is back to scare us again in his new movie ‘Nope’ starring Oscar Winner Daniel Kaluua and Keke Palmer. The movie is coming out July 22nd 2022.
Oscar Winner Viola Davis is set to all about her life. Her book ‘Finding Me’ will talk about her career, marriage and motherhood.
Actress Nicole Ari Parker has been added to the cast of the HBO MAX reboot of Sex and the City. She is playing a documentary Filmmaker. The reboot launches in December on HBO MAX.
Here’s the scoop on some shows debuting this Fall on ABC. Rapper/Actress Eve teams up with Singer Brandy and NaturiNaughton (Power) for the ABC Show Queens. The show about 90’s hip hop superstars making a comeback will air on Tuesday Nights ,debuting Oct.19 at 10PM. Lee Daniels is heading up the reboot of ‘The Wonder Years’ that will air on Wednesday nights on ABC. And Actress Comedian Leslie Jones returns with Supermarket Sweeps.
The First Wives Club has been renewed for a third season on BET PLUS. Jill Scott, Ryan Michelle Bathe, and Michelle Bathe are back with a new season of fun and Laughs.
New Edition is Back! Yes Ronnie, Bobby, Ricky Mike, Ralph and Johnny! All six of the guys are putting aside their differences to get back together. They are signed to a new agency and a tour is planned across the country and they will be starting a Residency in Las Vegas.
Shonda Rhimes recently renewed her contract with Netflix. The new deal is worth 300 million dollars. Rhimes who created many hit shows for the ABC Network including Greys Anatomy and Scandal created Bridgerton for Netflix and the show became an instant hit around the world.
Get ready for the return of House Party. HBO MAX is bringing back the popular movie that starred Kid n Play, Martin Lawrence, The late Comedian Robin Harris and Tisha Campbell. Actor/Comedian Bill Bellamy is going to be in the HBO MAX Reboot.
Jada Pinkett Smith has signed to be in the Netflix movie Knives out 2. The murder mystery will also star Daniel Craug who is best known as James Bond. Singer Janelle Monae, Leslie Odom Jr. and Kate Hudson also round out the cast. The movie is coming out in 2022.
Production has stated on Black Panther 2:Wakanda Forever. Ryan Coogler is back at the helm as Director. The original cast is reportedly back and filming is happening in Atlanta Georgia .Coogler said it is going to be very emotional with the passing of Chadwick Boseman but they areto make a movie that will honor him and make him proud. British Actress Actress Michaela Coel from the HBO Series I may destroy you has been added to the cast. Black Panther 2: Wakanda Forever is due in theaters July 8th 2022.
Actors Danny Glover and Samuel L Jackson will be given Honorary Oscars at next years Academy Awards in March.
Tracee Ellis Ross is teaming up with The OWN Network and HULU for the Documentary ‘The Hair Tales’. The documentary will focus on black women Hair and Identity.
Check out some of the Stars getting a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2022.Michael B Jordan, DJ Khaled, The Black EYE Peas, The late Rapper Nipsey Hustle, Actress Regina King, Tessa Thompson, Holly Robinson Peete, Kenan Thompson,Tracee Ellis Ross, George Clinton,Singer Ashanti , Martha Reeves and Michael Strahan to name a few.
Madea is back! In his new deal with ‘Netflix’ Tyler Perry is bringing the popular character back in a new movie ‘A Madea Homecoming’. The movie is coming to Netflix next year.
Actor Johnathan Majors will play the opponent of Adonis Creed in the movie Creed 3. Michael B Jordan is back as Adonis he is starring and directing Creed 3. Majors is best known for his roles in HBO’s Lovecraft Country, Da Five Bloods, The Last Black Man in San Francisco. Majors is a busy guy he’s also playing King The Conqueror in the marvel movie Antman and the wasps and he’s also appearing in the Netflix Western The Harder They Fall.
Tiffany Haddish has announced to produce and star in a movie based on Olympic Great Florence Grifffith Joyner. Joyner was the darling of the Olympics in track and Field. Her death at 38 years old in 1998 shocked the world. Haddish says she grew up idolizing Joyner and that it’s an honor to do this movie. Haddish is also doing a follow up to the best selling book The Last Black Unicorn. I hear she is being offered Millions to talk about her career in Hollywood.
Kelly Clarkson will be getting the coveted time left by Ellen Degeneres when she leaves her show next year.
Billy Porter the Tony and Emmy Winner is opening up about his private life. The openly Gay star of the FX series Pose recently revealed his battle with HIV. Porter has living with HIV for the past 15 years and he says he kept quiet about because he felt ashamed.Porter is now opening up he has a NETFLIX documentary coming out this Fall and a book coming out in late December.
The ABC Network has announced the Upcoming Fall Lineup. Shows not returning are Blackish and Mixish. Blackish will end next year during the midseason it’s 8th season.News show coming to ABC include ‘Abbott Elemtary’ starring Philadelphia Native Quinta Brunson. Brunson is the creator of the show set at a Philadelphia Public School. Abbott Elementary also stars Tyler James Williams (Everybody Hates Chris) and Actress Sheryl Lee Ralph. Another new show coming is Queens starring Phillys own Eve, Brandy and Naturi Naughton. The show focuses on a girl group that was big 20 years ago and they hit the road to rekindle their careers. Is the magic still there. The show debuts on ABC October 19th.
Rapper Lil Kim is ready to tell all. The Queen Bee is the name of the book and it comes out Nov. 2nd. Kim says she is going to reveal the real story of Kimberly Denise Jones. The hidden moments of her reign. She was the side chick to Biggie, the only female in Junior Mafia. In 1996 she released ‘Hardcore’ . In her nearly 30 year career she was a trailblazer with the colorful wigs.
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