ENTERTAINMENT NEWSBJune 14TH 2022
Tariji P Henson will be back on tap hosting this years BET Awards. The celebration of Black Excellence in music, film and TV and Sports is happening June 26th on the BET network. Diddy is getting the Lifetime Achievement Award. The Music mogul and Entrepreneur is responsible for the biggest names in music including the late Notorious B.I.G.and Mary J Blige. Previous winners include Whitney Houston, Prince, Anita Baker, Lionel Richie, New Editon Queen Latifah and Mary J Blige
Gospel Sensation Yolanda Adams is coming to Philadelphia for Gospel on Independance. Sunday June 26th at 7pm Independence National Park 5th and Market. It's all part of the Wawa Welcome American Festivities. Also featured the Wawa Welcome America Mass Choir and The Five Tenors.
The 75th Annual Tony Awards was a night full of great entertainment. Jennifer Hudson made history becoming the 17th person to Earn the title of EGOT.(She joins other EGOT’S (Whoopi Goldberg and John Legend) Jennifer Hudson was the producer of the Best Musical Winner ‘Strange Loop’ Jennifer has a Emmy for producing ‘Baby Yaga’. She won a Grammy Award for the ‘Color Purple musical, and she won a Oscar for supporting Actress for the movie ‘Dreamgirls’. This is a very exciting time for Hudson, her daytime talk show is launching in the Fall.
Other big winners during to Tony Awards were Actor Myles Frost who plays Michael Jackson in Mj The Musical Jaquina Kalukango won Best Actress in a musical for ‘paradise Square’. Phylicia Rashad won for Best Supporting Actress in a play for ‘Skeleton Crew’
At the Movies It’s ‘Lightyear. From the land of Toy Story, it is the adventures of Buzz Lightyear .Actor Chris Evans is voicing Buzz Lightyear. It’s another Inter galactic Adventure for Buzz with his new recruits and Robot Competition. KeKe Palmer is voicing the character of one of the recruits.
Comedienne Earthquake is in Philly for a Fathers Day show June 17th at the Academy of Music. Tommy Davidson, Bill Bellamy ,Turae and Tony Roberts are also on the bill.
Brian Mcknight Caesars Atlantic City June 17th
Tickets are on sale for Kevin Hart as he returns to Philly Friday Oct 7th It’s the Reality Check tour at the Wells Fargo Enter. Kevin Harts latest movie’ The Man from Toronto is coming to Netflix June 24th. Hart stars alongside Actor Woody Harrelson in this action comedy. The movie is about a mistaken identity with Hart finding himself with the world's deadliest assassin.
Tickets are also on sale for Kevin Hart in Atlantic City. He will be at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino July 8th and 9th.
Hart is also producing a new documentary about the history and impact of Black Comedians. Right to offend: The Black Comedy Evolution will air on the A&E Channel June 29th and 30th. The two part documentary will feature the greats Redd Foxx, Moms Mabley, Dick Gregory, Richard Pryor, Eddie Murphy, Whoopi Goldberg. The shows that made an impact ‘In Living color, Def Comedy Jam. Chris Rock, Dave Chappell, The Creators Key& Peele, Isa Rae, Tifanny Haddish, Amber Ruffin. Katt Williams, DL Hughley, Stevie Harvey Martin Lawrence, Bernie Mac, Tracey Morgan, and Sherri Shephard to name few.
Spiderman 'No Way Home 'is returning to Theaters with more fun scenes involving the Spider Guys Tom Holland, Andrew Garfield, and Toby Maguire.
Singer Billy Ocean is also coming to Philly. Ocean best known for the 80’s songs ‘Caribbean Queen’ and ‘Suddenly’ will be performing October 6th at the Live Casino
Comedian and Actress Luenell is one of the stars of the BET PLUS movie ‘Block Party’. The movie also stars John Amos and is streaming now on BET PLUS.
Social Media Star Actor and Comedian Kountry Wayne has landed his first TV show. Wayne is cohosting the video show ‘I Love Us with Kim Whitley . The show is streaming now on BET PLUS.
Chris Rock and Dave Chappelle are teaming up to do a comedy show in London. Both Comediennes have had to deal with onstage violence . Rock with the Will Smith Slap and Chappelle getting attacked on stage by a fan. The show is happening Labor Day Weekend.
Now speaking of Labor Day weekend Singer Jazmine Sullivan is returning as one of the headliners on the Made InAmerica tour on The Ben Franklin Parkway.
The movie HUSTLE that was filmed in Philly last year is streaming on NETFLIX .. 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.
Jennifer Lopez has a new documentary about her life coming to Netflix June 14th. Second Half will show Lopez as a proud Latina woman, a mother, artists who is using her voice for a greater purpose during the second half of her life.
June Singer Lionel Richie is coming to Atlantic City. Tickets are on sale now for the show Friday 24th at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. For more info go to hardrockatlanticcity.com
Oscar winner Halle Berry is teaming up with Mark Wahlberg for the thriller ‘Our man from Jersey’ Wahlberg plays a construction worker who gets caught up with super spies and ex agents helping his high school sweetheart Berry. The movie is filming now in New Jersey.
Actor Anthony Anderson is leaving the TV Show Law and Order. The show was recently renewed for another season but Anderson Opted out.
Pepsi will no longer be the sponsor of the Superbowl Halftime Show. To sponsor the show it costs between 25-50 Million dollar. Pepsi says it’s going in another direction with the NFL .For the past few years Pepsi has hosted some of the biggest music acts in the world including Bruno Mars, Coldplay, Beyonce, Katy Perry, Justin Timberlake, Mary J Blige, Jennifer Lopez, and Shakira to name a few.
Jason Derulo and Ava Max are doing a concert on the Parkway for the 30th Anniversary of Wawa Welcome America on the 4th of July. Get ready for 16 days of family fun, music, parades and Fireworks. Yolanda is currently starring in the BET Plus Series Kingdom Business.
The Ojay's are also coming to the area. On July 4th they are doing a free concert on Camdens Waterfront followed by Fireworks.
Check out the Lineup for Summer Season at The Dell Music Center
Thursday July 7th Gladys Knight, Kenny Lattimore, and Hip Hop Violinist Damien Escobar
Thursday July 24th Anthony Hamilton, Raheem Devaughn, Levelle
Thursday July 21st Neyo
Sunday July 24th The Whispers, The Legendary Bluenotes, The Dramatics featuring LJ Reynolds, and The Intruders
Thursday July 28th The Isley Brothers and Kelly Price
Thursday August 4th Kem, Tamia
Thursday August 11th Charlie Wilson Carol Riddick
Thursday August 18th Dru Hill, Brownstown, Silk, Next
Sunday August 21st Fantasia and Stokely
Thursday Aug 25th Babyface and After 7
Sunday August 28th Lady B’s Basement Party Big Daddy Kane, KRS One, Slick Rick, Uncle Luke, DJ Kool, Kid N Play, The Alumni
Saturday September 3rd Patty Jacksons Party in the Park with Stephanie Mills, Freddie Jackson, Tony! Toni! Tone!
You can purchase tickets at ticketmaster.com or the Dell Box Office 33rd and Ridge.
Brian McKnight The Queen Wilmington Delaware June 16th
Brian Mcknight Caesars Atlantic City June 17th
Ashanti Live Casino July 8th
Gerald Alston and the Manhattans Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Atlantic City July 14th
PJ Morton at the Filmore Saturday July 30th
Johnny Gill and Ralph Tresvant Friday Sept 16 at Caesars Atlantic City
The Commodores and War will be in concert Saturday Nov. 19th at The Hard Rock Casino in Atlantic City.
Rapper Fat Joe who had success with the social show and filling in for the Wendy Williams Show is now getting his own show on the STARZ Network. The Fat Joe Show.
The popular movie ‘Ghostbusters' is now being made into a new animated show on NETFLIX.
The HULU Streaming network is presenting the Mike Tyson Miniseries Mike in August. The 8 part miniseries starts streaming August 25th.Mike Tyson has not approved this project. Actor Trevante Rhodes will be playing the controversial Boxer. Actor Harvey Keitel is playing his Manager Cus D’mato. Actor Russell Hornsby is playing Promoter Don King.
Get Ready for DC Comics Black Adam. Dwayne The Rock Johnson is playing Black Adam, the hero we never knew we needed. Actor Aldis Hodge is playing Hawkman.
Boxer Mike Tyson is returning to Acting. Tyson is teaming Oscar Winner Sean Penn for the Thriller ‘Black Flies’. The movie is about NYC’ Paramedics and the toll the job takes on their lives. Tyson is playing a superior officer. Tyson is no stranger to the big screen he is best known for his role in the Hangover Movie.
CNN Films and HBO MAX are joining forces for the life story of Little Richard. Richard was the Architect of Rock and Roll. The film Little Richard I Am Everything will show the highs and lows of his career. Richard died in 2020 at the age of 87.
The Bravo Network is working on a new reality show featuring the 90’s Girl Groups Xscape and SWV. The multi part reality show will debut next year. In the meantime, SWV’s life story is coming to the Lifetime Channel next year.
The Angela Bassett first Responders Drama 9-1-1 has been renewed for a sixth season
Here’s an update on some of your favorite TV Shows. Recently cancelled shows include The Fox Show ‘One of Us starring Morris Chestnut. The NBC Comedy The Kenan show starring Kenan Thompson. The ABC Show ‘Queens starring Eve and Brandy has also been cancelled.
Shows coming back for a second season include the ABC Show The Wonder Years a reboot of the 80’s classic featuring an All black Cast. A lot of people thought the show would be in danger because of the firing of Shows Show Runne rand Director Fred Savage. Savage who starred in the original ‘Wonder Years was fired from the show because of inappropriate behavior.
NBC has also renewed the shows Law & Order and Law & Order Organized Crime
Congratulations to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees class of 2022. This years class includes Lionel Richie, Producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Harry Belafonte, Country Great Dolly Parton, Rapper Eminem, Rocker Pat Benatar, The Eurythmics, Duran Duran, and Carly Simon. The Ceremony takes place in Clevland this November.
Singer/Actress Janelle Monae will be producing and starring in a movie about Josephine Baker. The Iconic Singer and Freedom Fighter helped to fight the Nazis during World War Two.
HBO is making a documentary about the STAX music label founded by Al Bell. The documentary will focus on the stars of the label including Otis Redding,Sam & Dave, Booker T’s and The MG’s The Emotions, Isaac Hayes and the Stape Singers.
Get ready for the return of the YO MTV Raps. Back in the 80’s and early 90’s the show was hosted by Fab Five Freddy and then Ed Lover and Dr. Dre. This time around for the Paramount Plus Reboot the hosts are DJ Diamond Kuts from Power 99fm radio and Conceited.
Late night Talk Show Host James Carden of the late late show is leaving the show after 9 years on CBS. He is leaving next May. His You tube channel has over 27 miller Subscribers and his popular Carpool Karaoke has over 10 billion views.
KeKe Palmer has been tapped to be a Judge on the HBO MAX Show Legendary about Ball Room Dancers. She Replaces Megan Thee Stallion. Keke Palmer will be hosting a reboot of the of the Game show Password on NBC. Jimmy Fallon will be producing.
Singer Kelly Rowland of Destinys Child is now an Author. She just released her first Childrens book ‘Always with you, Always with me. Rowland is also teaming up with Omari Hardwick , Marsai Martin(Blackish) and Soap Opera Star Rome Flynn for the comedy movie ‘Football Fantasy. Marsai Martin plays a teen who discovers her dad a famous football player is being controlled by a video game.
Singer Monica is coming to Philly. She’s doing a show July 30th at the Met Broad and Poplar.
Judge Greg Mathis and his family are coming to reality TV. Mathis family matters is premiering in June of the E! Network. The Judge may rule the courtroom but at home he is just Dad. The show will feature Judge Mathis his wife Linda and their four grown children.
Spiderman across the Spider verse the animated adventures of Myles Morales is getting a new release date. The movie is now coming out June 2,2023. Issa Rae will be voicing the character of Jessica Dew Spiderwoman.
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 has also launched a new shapewear line called ‘Yitty’ and a new music project ‘About Damn Time launched has launched and she’s coming to Philly Sept. 29th at the Wells Fargo Center.
Former President Barack Obama is hosting 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 is streaming now on Netflix.
After 16 years The ABC Network is dropping their once popular Dancing Reality Show ‘Dancing with the Starz. The show is moving to Disney Plus . the show hosted by Tyra Banks is being replaced with Monday Night Football.
The life of Gospel Star Marvin Sapp is being made into a movie by TV One +
Captain Marvel is coming to the Fast and Furious franchise. Actress Brie Larsen is coming to Fast and Furious 10 along with Vin Diesel, Jason Mamoa and Charlize Theron. The movie opens May 2023.
Larry David says there will be 12th season of his hit HBO Comedy show Curb Your Enthusiasm feature Actor/Comedian JB Smoove.
Actor Sinqua Walls (Power, Resort to Love) will be starring in the reboot to the 1992 movie ‘White Men Can’t Jump. Woody Harrelson and Wesley Snipes starred in the original. Rapper Jack Harlow will play the role made famous by Harrelson.
Keke Palmer will be hosting a reboot of the of the Game show Password on NBC. Jimmy Fallon will be producing.
The Life story of Sammy Davis Jr is coming to HULU. The eight episode series will be produced by Lee Daniels. In Black and White The Life of Sammy Davis jr will feature his life from a vaudeville child star to one of the most famous African American Entertainers during the 50’s and 60’s. Actor Eiljah Kelly best known as playing Ricky Bell from the BET New Edition series is playing Sammy Davis Jr. The series will cover the moments in his life from the car crash that made him lose his eye, the controversial affairs with his white co-stars, converting to Judaism , Being a part of the famous Rat Pack with Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. His involvement with politics from the Kennedys to Nixon. The series will also deal with his battles involving Drugs and Alcohol.
Author Alice Walker (The Color Purple) has written her life story in her latest book ‘Gathering Blossoms under Fire. For the first time ever Walker gives her readers a peak into her private world.
Issa Rae has joined the cast of the Barbie Movie with Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, Will Ferrell and Simu Limu. Filming is happening now in the UK.
Singer Maxwell is doing a Las Vegas residency at The Wynn Casino July 27th, 29th and .
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.
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.
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.
Chris Rock is coming to Philly Sept 23 and 24th and 25th at the Met Philly Broad and Poplar
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.Grammy Winner Jon Batiste has also recently joined the cast.
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.
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.
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 the true story of two Detroit brothers who ruled the drug scene in the 80’s.
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.
Steve Harveys show ‘Judge Steve Harvey has also been renewed for a second season.
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.
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
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 90th Birthday. 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.
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. The show was recently renewed for a second season.
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.
The Proud family is back’ Louder and Prouder’ is now streaming on Disney Plus. The show was recently renewed for a second season.
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 ‘I wanna Dance with Somebody’ is scheduled for late 2023.
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 show has already been renewed for a second season.
Rapper Ice T has been named the new face of Honey Nut Cheerios.
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.
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.
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.
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
Eddie Murphy will be teaming up with Actor Jonah Hill in a new movie by Kenya Barris. The comedy is about Clashing cultures and generational differences.