We remember Music Legend Thom Bell. The award-winning Songwriter, Producer and Arranger died last week at the age of 79. Bell along with Gamble and Huff and Linda Creed helped to create the Philly Sound of the 70’s. The songs from The Delfonics, The Spinners, The Stylistics, The O’Jays, Johnny Mathis, Elton John, Dionne Warwick, Blue Magic and Phyliss Hyman to name a few. Bell was a musical Genius; he may be gone but his music will never be forgotten.
We also remember Football Legend and Hall of Famer Franco Harris. Harris died last week at the age of 72. Harris was days away from getting his number retired from the Pittsburgh Steelers and the ceremony marking the 50th Anniversary of one of the greatest plays in NFL History the Immaculate Reception. Franco Harris was a Native of Mount Holly, New Jersey and a Penn State Alumni.
We also remember Actress Sonya Eddy. Eddie was best known for working on the Soap Opera General Hospital where she played Nurse Ephiphany Johnson. Eddy died from complications from a non-Emergency surgery. She was 55 years old.
Get ready for Chris Rock he’s coming to Netflix in March with a brand-new comedy special. Selective Outrage. Rock will be making History with this one for Netflix. He will be be for the first person and first Comedian to go live on a streaming Platform.
Idris Elba is also coming to Netflix. The Luther Series ‘The Fallen Sun’. Debuts in March.
Mary J Blige is planning for a big 2023. She will be back as Monet in Power Book 2 returning to Starz in March. She has a new children's book coming out in May and she’s in talks to host a talk show ‘The Wine down on BET.
Season 15 of Rupauls Drag Race is returning to MTV in January. 16 Queens are vying to be Americas Next Drag Superstar. Up for grabs 200 thousand dollars. The new season of Judges and Panelist include TS Madison. Araina Grande, Janelle Monae and Country Music Singer Maren Morris.
Congratulation to Adam Sandler the Popular Actor and Comedian is getting honored next March with the Mak Twain Award for Comedy. Past winners Include Richard Pryor, George Carlin, Robin Williams, Whoopi Goldberg, Eddie Murphy, Jon Stewart, Dave Chappelle and David Letterman
Singer Lizzo has a new documentary ‘Love Lizzo’ streaming on HBO MAX. She is also having a ‘Live Lizzo’ in concert on HBO MAX New Year's Eve.
The Nominations were announced for the 80th Annual Golden Globes Awards. The show is back after a year of controversy when the organizations was accused of Racism, Sexism and the fact that the Hollywood Foreign Press Association had no people of color voting on Movies and TV Projects. Congrats to Angela Bassett who received a nomination for Black Panther 2 Wakanda Forever. Oscar Winner Viola Davis for the Woman King. Singer Rihanna and Tems for the song ‘Lift me up’ from Black Panther 2 Wakanda Forever. The cast of Abott Elementary got nods for best comedy show, best Actress Quinta Brunson and best supporting nods for Janelle James Principal Ava Coleman, Sheryl Lee Ralph as Barbara Howard and Tyler James Williams as Gregory. There were also notable snubs, nothing for Will Smith and his great work in the movie Emancipation. The 80th Annual Golden Glebes Awards will air January 10th on NBC. Actor/Comedienne Jerrod Carmichael is hosting. The first African American to host the show. Eddie Murphy is getting the big honor for the night The Cecil B Demille award for lifetime achievement. Eddie Murphy is back with a new Netflix Movie. It’s a comedy ‘You People’ with Jonah Hill, Nia Long, Lauren London, Mike Epps, David Duchovny and Deon Cole. Kenya Barris (black-Ish) is directing. The movie starts streaming January 27th on NETFLIX.
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.
Singers Chaka Khan is coming to Atlantic City Saturday January 14th at the Tropicana Hotel and Casino.
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.
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 in 2023.
A big congratulations is also for Rihanna; she has just signed a multi-Million-dollar deal with Apple TV about her return to music. Rihanna will be headlining next year's Superbowl halftime shows.
BMF Black Mafia Family is returning to the Starz network January 6tth.this season will feature Leslie Jones, Monique, Snoop Dogand LaLa Anthony. The story is set in Detroit, the true story of Detroit brothers Demetrius and Terry Flenory who became powerful figures in a multi-state drug and money laundering organization.
The All-stars of HipHop are coming to Atlantic City. Sunday January 15th at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. KRS ONE, Mase, Redan, Method Man, Beanie Segal, Philly Freeway, Jada Kiss and The Lox.
Philly’s Own Quinta Brunson is gracing the cover of Cosmopolitan Magazine. The creator of Abbott Elementary is having a spectacular year. Abbott Elementary is leading to nominations for the Critics Choice Awards. Abott Elementary is up for Best TV Show, Best Actress and Best Supporting Actor and Actress. The Critics Choice Awards are airing January 15th on the CW Network.
It’s Lori Harvey on the latest cover of Essence Magazine. Steve Harveys daughter says she is living her life on her own terms. Earlier this year her relationship ended with Actor Michael B Jordan she is now dating British Actor Damson Idris who stars as Franklin Saint.
For the first time in her career Supermodel Iman is on the cover of British Vogue at the age of 67.
2023 is going to be quite the year for Singer/Actress Mary Blige. She returns as Monet is the STARZ Show ‘PowerBook 2’ in March. Her Childrens book ‘Mary Can comes out in May and she is developing a talk show with BET called ‘The Winedown.
We know Singer Adele for her amazing voice but now she is opening up about her business side. Adele is working on a line of perfume and Lingerie.
The Lifetime Network is returning with more on R Kelly. Surviving R Kelly The Final Chapters will air on Lifetime Jan 2nd and 3rd.
Singer Ledisi is playing Gladys Knight in the movie ‘Spinning Gold the story of Neil Bogart who founded Casablanca Records. In the 70’s Casablanca Records was the most successful independent Label of its time with Acts such as Donna Summer, Parliament Funkadelix, The rock band KISS, The Village People, and Bill Withers.
The Best Man continues. The Best Man: The final Chapters is airing on PEACOCK TV . 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.
Top Gun Maverick is streaming on Paramount Plus.
Glass Onion A Knives Out Mystery is streaming on NETFLIX . The mystery Thriller Who Dun nit stars Daniel Craig, Janelle Monae, Leslie Odom Jr, Edward Norton, Kate Hudson and Dave Bautista.
There's a new Whitney Houston movie in theaters ‘ 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 concert scene is hearing up! Get ready for the Legacy tour with New Edition Ralph, Ronnie, Ricky, Mike and Johnny Girl. Saturday March 18th at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. Special Guests Keith Sweat, Guy (Teddy Riley and Damien and Aaron Hall) and Singer Tank
Singer SZA is coming to the Wells Fargo Center Thursday March 2ND.
Sommore is coming to Trenton with the Royal Comedy Tour 2023 at the Cure Insecure January 28th. Bruce Bruce, Lavell, Crawford, Turae, Joe Clair, Dominque
Janet Jackson is going back on tour this time with Rapper/Actor Ludacris Saturday May 20th at the Hard Rock Casino in Atlantic City.
Congrats to Director Ava Duvernay she is the First black featured on the Pint of Ben and Jerrys Ice Cream. Lights Carmel Action is a mixture of Vanilla Ice Cream, Salted Carmel, Graham Cracker Swirls and pieces of Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough.
Nephew Tommy from The Steve Harvey Morning show returns on January 7th to the OWN Network with a new season of the dating show ‘Ready to Love’.
The Godfather of Harlem with Forest Whitaker returns for a 3rd season on the EPIX/MGMPLUS Channel January 15th, 2023.
Congrats to Oscar Winner Octavia Spencer, she just got a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. You can check her out with Will Ferrell and Ryan Reynolds in the holiday movie ‘Spirited on Apple TV Plus and next month on January 20 she is teaming up with Gabrielle Union for ‘Truth be told on Apple TV Plus. Spencer plays a Investigative Reporter who is also a Podcaster.
Get ready for another ‘Rush Hour movie. Rush Hour 4 will be back after 10 years with original Stars Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker.
The 59th Annual NAACP Image awards are set for February 25th on BET.
The TV Series ‘The Game with Wendy Raquel Robinson is streaming now on Paramount Plus.
The new Avatar movie ‘The Way of Water is in theaters now.
Jill Scott is coming to Philly! It's the 23rd anniversary of Who is Jill Scott/ Words and music Volume 1. Jill is doing two shows at the Met Broad and Poplar March 16th and 18 and 19. Tickets are on sale now.
Former Eagle Quarterback Michael Vick is working on a docuseries about Black Quarterbacks.
The Wiz is coming back to Broadway in 2024. Comedienne and Writer Amber Ruffin will be giving the show an updated twist.
Singer Ashanti is ready to tell all in a new Docuseries. Ashanti says so much has been said about her and now it’s for her to tell her story.
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.
Will Smith is back! His new movie ‘Emancipation' is streaming now on Apple TV plus on December 9th. Smith gives a commanding performance as Peter the slave who fights to escape and reunite with his family. This is based on a true story about the slave Peter who joined the army and doctors saw how brutalized he was. That photograph was taken and was seen around the world, and the world witnessed the brutality against slaves in the US in 1863.
Congrats to Tyler Perry he has signed a 4-picture deal with Amazon pictures.
Singer Brandy is returning as Cinderella in the Disney plus series The Descendents.
The life story of Singer Keisha Cole is being made into a movie for Lifetime. Filming starts next year.
The family of Sinbad is speaking about the stroke he suffered two years ago. The Comedienne is learning how to walk again, and his family has started a go fund e to help him with his medical bills and he is thankful for all prayers.
THE 65TH Annual Grammy Awards are happening Feb. 5th on CBS. Trevor Noah is hosting the show. Beyonce is leading to pack with nominations. She’s got 9 for Rennaissance. Rapper Kendrick Lamar has 8 nods, Singer Adele has 7 for her album ‘30. Beyonce is the most decorated Female in Grammy History. Also up for awards Mary J Blige for Good Morning Gorgeous, Lizzo , Harry Styles and Bad Bunny. Up for record and song of the year is Beyonce's ‘Break Your Soul, Singer Muni Long is up for Best New Artists. Also, congrats to area natives Adam Blackstone and Jazmine Sullivan, who were also nominated for Grammy Awards. Many wonders will the night be a rematch of Beyonce and Adele . In 2017 Adele swept the Grammys against Beyonce's ‘Lemonade album.
The Viola Davis movie ‘The Woman King is available on Video on Demand.
The Comedy ‘football Fantasy is now streaming on Paramount Plus. Actress and Former Blackish Star Marsai Martin stars and produced the movie about a girl he can control her father's action on the football field. Omari Hardwick is playing her day. The movie also stars Kelly Rowland and Rome Flynn.
Now he’s leaving his late night Show the Daily Show. Trevor Noah will be embarking on a 40-city tour. He has a new comedy special streaming now on NETFLIX ‘I Wish you would’. A series of hosts are lined up to fill in on The Daily Show including Wanda Sykes, Chelsea Handler,DL Hughley, Marlon Wayans, John Leguizamo, Al Franken, Kal Pen, Sarah Silverman and Leslie Jones. A new host for the show will be named next Summer.
2023 is going to be a huge year for Oscar Winner and Comedian Monique. Her NETFLIX comedy special is coming ‘My name is Monique and her Lee Daniels movie ‘The Deliverance.
Anita Baker is coming to Atlantic City next year. Tickets are on sale now for her show Friday November 23rd 2023 at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City. Babyface will be her special musical guest. Baker is also releasing new music next year.
Get ready for Snoop Dog the Movie. A movie is in the works about the popular Rapper, who burst on the scene in 1992 with Dr Dre’s The Chronic LP.
Get ready for the return of the ABC Show The Wonder Years. The reboot of the popular show from the 90’s now features an all-black cast. Special guests stars for next Summers return include Patti Labelle, Wayne Brady, Titus Burguss and Donald Faison from Scrubs.
Former Boxers Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield are teaming up for a new project involving cannabis. Remember years ago when Tyson bit Holyfield ear off, well now the two are going to selling Cannabis Ears.
Black Panther 2 Wakanda Forever broke records around the world taking in over 330 million dollars. The movie starring Letittia Wright, Angela Bassett, Lupita Y’ongo and Winston Duke was incredible and a great tribute to the late Actor Chadwick Boseman T ‘Challa. There will be Black Panther 3.
Taye Diggs is coming to HULU with a matchmaking show helping women in their 40’s find love with Younger Men. The show is streaming now.h
The Jordan Peele Movie N.O.P.E. is streaming on the Peacock Network. The movie will also have a companion piece a documentary on the making of the movie which starred Oscar Winner Daniel Kalluya and Keke Palmer.
Netflix has a new documentary streaming now about the 60’s and 70’s Black movie scene. The Documentary is called Is that Black Enough.
Jimmy Kimmel will be back for a third time hosting the Academy Awards. The 95th Annual Academy Awards are happening March 12th.
Actor Omar Epps (Love and Basketball, Juice, Raising Kanaan) has released his first book. NUBIA: The Awakening. The book is about three teens living in a futuristic New York after a storm destroys their African Homeland.
Oscar Winner Daniel Kaluuya is lending his voice to Spiderman Across the Spider verse. Kaluuya is voicing the character Spider punk. Also featured in the animated movie Issa Rae who plays Spiderwoman and Actor Oscar Isaac is playing Spiderman 2099. The animated movie hits theaters June 2nd 2023.
Singer Kem is coming to Atlantic City March 4th with Ledisi and Musiq Soulchild at the Hard Rock Casino
Patti Labelle will be in concert at Caesars in Atlantic City March 4th, 2022
The Mike Epps, Wanda Sykes Netflix comedy The Upshaw's has been renewed for a third season.
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 is available now on demand and streaming..
The Apple TV Documentary Black and Blues. Is streaming now. The Documentary explores the life of Louis Armstrong the Founding Father of Jazz. The Documentary will feature never before seen footage of Armstrong.
The trailer has been released for the Marvel Movie ‘Ant Man and the Wasp Quantumania. Pau Rudd returns as Antman alongside Michelle Pheiffer and Michael Douglass. We will also see Johnathan Majors when he makes his debut as Kang The Conqueror. The movie opens in theaters February 17th 2023.
Have you checked out the HULU Show ‘Reasonable Doubt. Kerry Washington is the Executive Producer of this series about young defense Attorneys in Los Angeles. The show stars Actress Emayatzy Corinealdi as Jax Stewart. She's fierce, determined, unconventional with a complicated personal life and hectic work life. Pauletta Washington plays her mom ‘Mama Lu. The cast is incredible Michael Ealy, McKinley Freeman, Sean Patrick Thomas, and Tim Jo. New episodes air every Tuesday night at 10pm on HULU. And the show has also been added to the lineup at ABC.
Talk Show Host Sherri Sheperd is joining the cast of the Amazon series ‘Harlem. Also joining the show which stars Meagan Goode, is former basketball star Rick Fox, Countess Vaughn from The Parkers and Lil Rel Howery.
Actress Zoe Saldana is starring in the NETFLIX love story series From Scratch. The series is about a woman who finds true love in Italy. It is streaming now.
Get ready for Hair Tales streaming on Hulu and the OWN Network. The Hair Tales is a docuseries that features Oprah Winfrey, Issa Rae, Marsai Martin, State Rep Ayanna Presley, Chloe Bailey, State Rep Ayanna Presley. The conversation is about black Women and Hair. Tracee Ellis Ross is the Executive Producer of the Docuseries.
Michael B Jordan is making his directorial debut in Creed 3. The movie opens in theaters next year on March 3rd. The Rocky saga continues without Sylvester Stallone. In Creed 3 Michael B Jordan faces off against Johnathan Majors who plays Anderson Dame. Majors is also featured on the cover of Mens Health Magazine.
Vegan Lifestyle Maven Tabitha Brown has a new Vegan Cookbook ‘ Cooking from the spirit.
Singer Sade is back in the studio working on a new album. Hopefully it will be released next year.
Jada Pinkett Smith is ready to tell all in a new Memoir due out next year. The book is due out next Fall. The book will detail her marriage to Will Smith, Battles with depression, her personal rediscovery and a celebration of Authentic Female Power.
Get ready for more of the Wayans Family. Damon Wayans Sr and Damon Wayan Jr. The Father and Son are teaming up for a new comedy show on CBS.
Beyonce will also be going on tour next Summer. She will be doing stadiums supporting her Renaissance album.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 is being directed by Blitz Bazawule. The movie is coming out December 2023.Grammy Winner Jon Batiste has also recently joined the cast.
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.
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 and on Youtube Patty Jackson