Entertainment Report Friday October 8th
We lost a lot of notable people this week. We remember Philly Native and Tony Award Winning Playwright Charles Fuller. He's best known for his play A Soldiers Play which was made into the movie A Solidies Story. Fuller won many awards for his work and he has a mural in his honor at 1631 W. Girard Avenue. He recently won a Tony Award for the best stage revival in 2020 for A Soldiers play. Fuller was 83 he leaves behind a wife and son and host of great grandchildren and grandchildren.
Country music Legend Loretta Lynn also passed away this week. Lynn was best known as the Coal Miners Daughter she was 90 years old.
Rapper Coolio died last week at the age of 59. Coolio had the 1995 hit Gangsters Paradise. The song was sampled from Stevie Wonders Past time paradise.
We also lost Gospel Legend Keith ‘Wonderboy Johnson” Johnson was a Gospel singer and Songwriter best known for the songs Be Right and Let go and Let God. The Gospel Legend was 50 years old.
Chris Rock is returning to the big screen this Fall in the movie ‘Amsterdam’ . Amersterdam also stars John David Washington, Christian Bale, Margot Robbie,and Oscar Winners Robert De Niro and Rami Malik. The movie about three friends who uncover an outrageous murder plot is set in the 30’s and it comes out October 7th.
Marlon Wayans is teaming up with Kelly Rowland (Destinys Child) for the Netflix Halloween movie ‘The curse of Bridge Hollow. The movie is about parents who discover their daughter has the power to make Halloween decorations come alive. streaming starts on October 14th.
Rapper Fat Joe who had success with his 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 Rapper is also hosting this year's BET Hip Hop Awards on October.4th. Dave Chappelle is also producing his on his first Comedy special and later this Fall he is releasing a book about his life called ‘The Book of Jose’.
Vegan Lifestyle Maven Tabitha Brown has a new Vegan Cookbook ‘ Cooking from the spirit.
Get Ready for DC Comics Black Adam. Dwayne The Rock Johnson is playing Black Adam, the hero we never knew we needed. Aldis Hodge plays Hawkman. Black Adam opens in theaters Oct 21.
New Jack City The Stage play is coming to Philly . The stage play is based on the 1991 Movie that starred Wesley Snipes. This time around it’s Rapper/Actor Big Daddy Kane, Treach ‘Naughty by Nature’ , Flex Alexander and Actor Allen Payne returns as Gee-Money. The play is happening at The Met Broad and Poplar.
Former First Lady Michelle Obama is coming out with a new book this fall. ‘The Light we carry’ is the follow-up to her Bestselling Book ‘Becoming’ which sold 17 million copies worldwide. She’s coming to the Met Broad and Poplar Friday November 18 and 19th
Mary J Blige is returning to the area Saturday October 29th with her Good Morning Gorgeous Tour. The show also features Queen Naiija and Ella Mai. It's happening at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City.
Singer Rihanna will be the main act in Superbowl 23. Apple music is now the official sponsor of the halftime show for Superbowl Sunday.
Beyonce will be going on tour next Summer. She will be doing stadiums supporting her Renaissance album.
Actor Comedian Chris Redd is the latest performer to leave Saturday Night Live. He says his time on the show was fun but he’s ready to branch out and his first comedy special is debuting in December on HBO. Now speaking of Saturday Night Live Rapper Megan Thee Stallion is set to host and Perform on October 15th.
Rapper Chuck D of Public Enemy has sold his Songwriting Catalog Over 300 songs from 1987 to 2012. Classics such as Bring the Noise, Fight the Power and Welcome to the Terror Dome. Rapper Future has reportedly also sold the rights to his music catalog.
Congratulations to Star Jones. For many years Jones was a host on The View. Jones is returning to TV 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. Jenkins is also expecting her child with Lattimore.
Singer Ledisi stars in the Movie ‘Remember Me where she plays Mahalia Jackson. The movie is streaming now on HULU.
Neicy Nash is every where,she is one of the stars of the NETFLIX true life Horror story ‘Dahmer ‘ based on serial Killer Jeffrey Dahmer. She is also starring in the ABC drama Rookie Feds which airs Tuesday nights at 10pm.
October 28th marks the Apple TV Documentary Black and Blues. The Documentary explores the life of Louis Armstrong the Founding Father of Jazz. The Documentary will feature never before seen footage of Armstrong.
The Golden Globe awards will be returning to NBC in January.
Actress Zoe Saldana will be starring in the NETFLIX love story series From Scratch. The series is about a woman who finds true love in Italy. Streaming starts on October 21st.
The Best Man: The Final Chapters is coming to Peacock December 22. The series continues the story of The Best Man movie with all the original stars coming back Morris Chestnut, Nia Long, Sanaa Lathan, Taye Diggs, Terrance Howard and Regina Hall.
Black P anther 2: Wakanda Forever hits theaters November 11th. Angela Bassett, Leititia Wright and Winston Duke return as the story is told about life after T’Challa. The death of Actor Chadwick Boseman could have stopped the franchise, but Marvel has decided to move forward and there will be a new Black Panther .Will it be Actress Leitiia Wright who played T’Challa’s sister Shuri? The movie will also have a new Villain, Actor Tenoch Huerta who plays Namor . The movie is long I hear the running time is 2 hours and 41 minutes.
Tyler Perrys latest Netflix Project ‘A Jazzmans Blues was 30 years in the making. The romantic drama about a forbidden romance spans the period 1937 to 1987. Written and directed by Tyler Perry, Debbie Allen did the Choreography and Terrance Blanchard did the music. The movie is streaming on Netflix .
Actress Sanaa Lathan is making her directorial debut in the Paramount Plus movie ‘On the Come up’. The movie stars Lathan, Method Man, Mike Epps and Da’vine Joy Randolph. The movie is about a 16-year-old girl (Jamila C. Gray) and her dream to take the battle rap scene by storm. The movie isstreaming on Paramount Plus.
The Emmy winning Comedy Show Abott Elementary is back for a second season on ABC. Wednesday nights at 9pm.
Maxwell is coming to Philly He is bringing his Night Tour to Philly as part of the WDASFM Holiday Jam. Friday December 2 at the Met Broad and Poplar. Singer Leela James is also on the bill as well as Philly Native Comedian Skeet Carter.
Samuel L Jackson will be back as Superspy Nick Fury in the new Marvel Series ‘Secret Invasion 'on Disney Plus. The show debuts next year. Jackson is currently starring on Broadway in the August Wilson play ‘The Piano Lessons. The play is being directed by his wife Latonya Richardson Jackson and stars John David Washington and Actress Danielle Brooks.
News Anchor Don Lemon will be moving from evenings to Mornings later this Fall on CNN to start up a new morning show.
There's a new Whitney Houston movie coming out Dec. 23rd . ‘ I wanna dance with somebody stars Naomi Ackie as Whitney. The movie will focus on the great voice and talent of Houston. West Philly Native Nafessa Williams is playing her longtime friend Robin.
The Proud Family Louder and Prouder is coming back next year on Disney Plus with a new season.
The long-awaited Tupac Docuseries ‘Dear Mama is coming-out on the FX Channel next year. The 5-part docuseries directed by Allen Hughes is the story of the relationship Tupac had with his mom.
Comedian and Former Host of The Real Talk show Loni Love is showing off a fresh look. She recently lost 37 pounds.
He’s known for acting and comedy but now he’s fixing homes. Mike Epps and his wife are coming to HGTV with a new show ‘buying Back the Block’ The show premieres Next Spring on HGTV. Epps says he and his wife have been buying property and fixing houses for a couple of years.
Media Maven Roland Martin is back with a new book ‘White Fear: How the Browning of America is making white people lose their minds. In the book Martin addresses the shaping of American Democracy and when people of color vote they make a difference.
Actress Jennifer Lewis is also back with a new book’ Walking in my joy: In these streets. The 65-year-old Actress and Singer is affectionately known as the Mother of Black Hollywood.
Michael Jacksons ‘Thriller is 40 years old and to celebrate the Michael Jackson estate is releasing the original masterpiece in a special 40th Anniversary package on November 18th. Thriller was the biggest selling album of all time and the winner of 8 Grammy Awards.
Get ready for a Broadway musical about the life of Boxing Great Muhammad Ali. The Musical has the approval of widow Lonnie and may be out by late 2024.
The Live Action version of Pinocchio is now streaming on Disney Plus. Oscar Winner Tom Hanks is playing Geppetto the Toy Maker who dreams of ason and Cynthis Erivo is playing to Blue Fairy.
Get Ready for Queen Latifah in the Netflix Thriller ‘End of the Road’. The movie is streaming on Netflix . In the thriller Latifah plays a widow who needs to get away, so she takes her family on a getaway across the country. Along the way she encounters some violent people in a small town. Ludacris plays her brother and Actor Beau Bridges plays her brother.
Maverick City Music and Kirk Franklin are coming to Philly. Saturday November 5th at The Wells Fargo Center. Maverick City Music is a community of song writing worshippers.
Axel Foley is back! Filming has started on Beverly Hills Cop 4. Eddie Murphy is back as Detective Axel Foley. The film will debut on Netflix next year. The first Beverly Hills cop came out in 1984.
The Dionne Warwick story is coming to CNN. Don’t make me over debuts January 1st. And after the CNN debut will move to HBO MAX. The documentary will feature her life, Legacy and Music Career in her own words. The documentary will feature Smokey Robinson,Stevie Wonder, Berry Gordy, Elton John and Burt Bacharach.
It’s Kevin Hart, Mark Wahlberg and Regina Hall in the Netflix Movie ‘Me Time’ is streaming on Netflix
Get ready for the documentary on Songstress Roberta Flack. Flack is going to be the subject of the PBS American Masters Series in January of 2023.
Rapper/Producer Dr Dre reveals he almost died last year when he had a brain aneurysm. Dre admitted when he saw himself surrounded by family he thought it was over for him. Dre also revealed his next project will be the Life Story of Marvin Gaye. The Soul Singer was killed by his father in 1984 at the age of 44. Gaye recorded some of the greatest songs ever and he dubbed the Prince of Motown.
Controversial Sportscaster Stephen A Smith is known for telling it like it is and now he is ready to tell all in a new book ‘Straight Shooter: A Memoir of Second Chances and First Takes. The book is coming out next year.
It’s Sisters Chloe and Halle on the latest edition of Essence Magazine. The Actresses and Singers who started out as protégés of Beyonce are gearing up for a big year next year. Chloe with her singing career and Halle with two big projects coming out The ABC Live Version of the ‘Little Mermaid’ where she is making history playing Ariel and her appearance in The Color Purple Movie Musical which is coming out December of 2023.
Knives Out 2: Glass Onion is the follow up to the first Mystery Thriller. This time around Daniel Craig is back with Janelle Monae, Leslie Odum Jr, Edward Norton, Jada Pinkett Smith, Dave Bautista, Kate Hudson and Madelyn Cline. Knives out is coming to Netflix in December.
Top Gun Maverick is now the 6th biggest Domestic Movie. Maverick stars Tom Cruise and is now available to rent and Own, and features 110 minutes of Bonus material.
Oscar Winner Viola Davis is coming to the Hunger Games. In this role Davis is playing the villain, the Head game maker. Filming will start soon on the 10th installment of The Hunger Games The Ballad of Snowbirds and Snakes.
Rupauls’s Drag Race has been renewed for a 15th season on VH1
Oscar Winner Jamie Foxx teams up with Rapper Snoop Dog tracking down Vampires in the Netflix Movie ‘Dayshift’. The movie is streaming now. Another movie streaming now is ‘A League of their Own’ It’s a remake of the 1992 movie that Penny Marshall Directed with Geena Davis and Madonna. Tom Hanks had the famous line ‘There’s no crying in Baseball. This 8-episode series stars Actress Chauntee Andrews (Roxanne Shante, A Journal for Jordan) it’s about a female softball team in the 1940’s.
Get ready for the ultimate documentary about the La Lakers. The Basketball Dynasty had all the stars Magic Johnson, Kareem Abul Jabbar, Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant, Lebron James. The Coaches Pat Riley and Phil Jackson. The Owner Jerry Buss and his daughter Jeanine. Legacy The True Story of the LA Lakers is streaming on Hulu . The 10-episode docuseries is being directed by (Antoine Fuqua) (Training Day)
Check out Keke Palmer she is the new host of the Jimmy Fallon game show ‘Password. She is also the cover girl for the latest edition of Womens Health magazine.
Get ready for Price increases on Hulu and Disney Plus. The prices are going from 7.99 to 10.99
Judge Greg Mathis is returning to Court TV. The show ‘Court Night Live’ will air on the A&E network.
The hit 90’s TV Show Everybody hates Chris starring Tyler James Williams (Abbott Elementary) is coming back this time as an animated series. Everybody still hates Chris will air on the Paramount Streaming channel and Comedy Plus. Chris Rock will return as the shows Narrator and Exec Producer. The show will focus on Chris Rocks teenage years.
Congrats John Legend and Chrissy Tiegen they are expecting their 4th Child. Two years ago they lost their youngest son Jack.
GMA Anchor Robin Roberts will be returning for a second season for her Emmy Award Winning Disney Plus talk show ‘Turning the Tables.
Singer H.E.R. will be playing Belle in the ABC live Version of Beauty and The Beast. It’s the 30th Anniversary of Beauty and The Beast and H.E.R. a five-time Grammy winner is making first as the first Black Black/Filipino woman to play this role .H.E.R. is also playing the role of Squeaky in the Color Purple Movie Musical coming out December of 2023. Beauty and The Beast Live is airing Dec. 15th on ABC.
Get ready for another Halloween movie. Jamie Lee Curtis is back as Laurie once again battling Michael Myers. Halloween Ends is coming out this fall. The Halloween franchise started in 1978.
The Kennedy Center Honors are happening in December. This year's Honorees include The Empress of Sul Gladys Knight, Actor George Clooney, The Rock group U2 and Inspirational Singer Amy Grant.
Eddie Murphy starts filming his latest Prime Video movie Candy Cane Lane early next year. It’s a comedy from the producers of his 80’s hit Boomerang. Reginald Hudlin is directing.
Oscar Winner and Host of The View Whoopi Goldberg has produced a movie about Emmitt Till. The 14year old teenager who was murdered by a white mob after he was accused of whistling at a white woman. This happened in 1955 and the movie focuses on his Mom Mamie Till Mobley who fought for Justice after his murder. Mamie insisted on having an open casket so she could show the world what had happened to her son . That moment was a galvanizing moment that helped to create the civil rights movement. Goldberg also co-stars in the movie as his grandmother. Till Opens in theaters nationwide Oct. 28th
The 2023 Grammy Awards are set for Feb.5th on CBS. This will be the 65th Annual Grammy Awards. The nominations will be announced in November.
How do you top your Oscar Nominated Documentary Summer of Soul. If your Questlove from The Roots and The Tonight Show You Pick Sly Stone of Sly and the Family Stone as your next subject. Many say that Sly was before his time. He is 79 years old and he lives as a recluse in San Francisco. Sly and the Family Stone had a slew of hits in the late 60’s and early 70’s ‘Hot fun in the Summertime, ‘Everyday People’ and other classic songs. In the meantime, Quest Love is also working on another project. 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.
The Best Man continues. The Best Man: The final Chapters will be airing on PEACOCK TV Streaming starts Dec. 22nd. All of your favorites will be back! Harper, Robyn ,Jordan, Lance, Shelby, Candace and Murch. Malcolm Lee is directing, and the stars are returning Morris Chestnut, Nia Long, Taye Diggs, Regina Hall, Terrance Howard, Sanaa Lathan, Harold Perrineau. The First Best Man came out in 2006. The Best Man Holiday came out in 2013.
Actress Cameron Diaz is coming out of retirement to star in a new action-comedy film with Jamie Foxx. Filming is starting soon on ‘Back in Action’ a Netflix film.
Smokey Robinson is coming to Philly. He’s doing a show at the Met Broad and Poplar Saturday November 26th
Congratulations to Martin Lawrence, Garrett Morris, Sheila E, Melba Moore, Marc Anthony, Lenny Kravitz, Rapper Ludacris, Country Superstar Blake Shelton, Charlie Wilson, The Jonas Brothers they are just of starts getting a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. They are all part of the class of 2023.
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.
The Commodores and War will be in concert Saturday Nov. 19th at The Hard Rock Casino in Atlantic City.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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..
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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 Jackson-Wdasfm and YOUTUBE under Patty Jackson