Philly’s own Rapper/Actress Eve has quite a life going, but just added something new. She has appeared in TV and movies. She’s had a solid gold music career. So what else would she like to do? How about join a daytime talk show, like The Talk. Eve has been guest co-hosting the show for the past few days with regulars Sharon Osborne, Sara Gilbert, Sheryl Underwood and Julie Chen. Now, CBS has made Eve permanent as she takes the slot Comedienne Aisha Tyler held before she joined the cast of CBS Criminal Minds full time. The Talk airs weekdays at 2pm on CBS.
Actor Terry Crews told Michael Strahan on Good Morning America he won’t be shammed and will continue to speak out. The actor came forward about being sexually assaulted at a Hollywood party and has accused powerful William Morris Agent Adam Venit. Venit didn’t work with Crews although he’s represented Eddie Murphy, Steve Martin, Sylvester Stallone and Diane Keaton. Crews was represented by the William Morris Agency at the time. Crews has since fired the agency and filed a police report and plans to sue Venit. Crews says Venit, who he doesn’t know or ever work with, grabbed his genitals at an industry party. William Morris has suspended Venit as they complete an internal investigation. For now, Crews is taking his case to the media. He says he’s never felt more emasculated or objectified and now understands how hard it is for women to come forward. The 49-year old actor, who co-stars on FOX's Brooklyn Nine Nine, asks how can he tell his children to come forward if they’re touched inappropriately if he doesn’t. At press time, no comment from the accused Adam Venit.
At press time, Kevin Hart and his wife Eniko Parrish are standing strong and enjoying the pregnancy life. The couple recently had a false alarm when it appeared Parrish was going into labor. Hart, who is readying his latest comedy tour, Irresponsible, bailed out on a radio interview to tend to Parrish. He later apologized after he made sure his priority, his family, were good. All are well and the wait continues for the baby boy the couple plan to name Kenzo. Wishing you, Eniko and the family well “Nephew.” (Smile)
Taraji P. Henson is a busy lady on both the small and big screen. Her hit drama Empire has rebounded in the ratings and is back on Wednesdays at 8pm on FOX. Now, Henson has lined up two new film projects to follow up her blockbuster Hidden Figures, which grossed $233 million at the box office. First up, she'll star in the action-thriller Proud Mary, which will reunite Color Purple Co-stars Danny Glover and Margaret Avery, and opens January 12th. Then there's the Tyler Perry psychological thriller Acrimony, co-starring Tika Sumpter (The Haves & Have Nots; Ride Along), opening March 30th. Henson is also set to start filming What Men Want. It’s a remake of the Mel Gibson hit comedy What Women Want, following what happens to the romantic life of someone given the power to read the minds of the opposite sex. Taraji P. Henson's What Men Want, co-produced by Henson and Will Packer, is scheduled to open January 2019.
In more Taraji P. Henson news, she is also getting a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame. The Oscar and Emmy nominee will receive her honor in 2018, and will also have her ceremony in the new year with fellow inductees RuPaul, May J. Bilge, Zoe Saldana, Weird Al Yankovic, Hamilton’s Lin-Manuel Miranda and the late Bernie Mac.
Actress and Activist Zendaya has lined up her next role. She’ll play Anita Hemmings in A White Lie. Hemmings was the first African American to graduate from Vasar, but to do so at that time Hemmings had to pass for white, which she did. Zendaya will also serve as a producer for A White Lie.
Legendary Actress Pam Grier has her sights set on her next project, Richard Pryor. Grier dated Pryor in the 1970’s and co-starred with him in 1977’s Greased Lighting. It was dramatic turn for the actor as he portrayed the first African American NASCAR Sprint Cup winner and Grier played his wife. Richard Pryor died in 2005 one of the world’s most celebrated comedians. There has been attempt after attempt to get his story told. Lee Daniels is also developing a Richard Pryor project as well. Perhaps Pam Grier’s unique experience with him could give her an edge.
By the time you read, this Serena Williams may already be Mrs. Alexis Ohanian. Word is this top secret wedding is so tight, the guests are not allowed to use social media. Guests also have no idea where everything is taking place. They’re being shuttled all over New Orleans for rehearsal dinners and then a different place for other events. The guests spotted on the street include Eva Longoria, Actor Colton Hayes Williams, Actors Boris Kodjoe and Nicole Ari Parker and Serena’s championship winning sister Venus. Williams got engaged last December to Businessman and Reddit Co-Founder Alexis Ohanian. The couple welcomed their first child, daughter Alexis Olympia, in September.
Speaking of weddings, guess who ran off and got married? It’s Jordan Sparks. That’s right the former American Idol champ made it official with Dana Isaiah, an aspiring model. The newlyweds flew off to Hawaii to make it official. They are also expecting their first child. Congratulations!
Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman, Jason Momoa as Aquaman and Ray Fisher as Cyborg will all appear in DC comics big screen adaption of Justice League opening in theaters this Friday. Meanwhile, Godot’s Wonder Woman II will be released February 2019 as the sequel to the first installment, which took in a record $3 billion at the worldwide summer box office.
The O’Jays’ Eric Nolan has a new project and will be in the Philadelphia area for Thanksgiving Weekend. He’s new single is called On My Way. Friday, November 24th Nolan will be at Big Scott’s All Black Holiday Party at The Crowne Plaza in Cherry Hill. On Saturday, November 25th, Nolan will be performing at Kelsey’s in Atlantic City. Two shows at 7p and 10pm. On Sunday, November 26th, Nolan will be visiting the steppers at Treasures on Germantown Avenue.
Get Out…..for Best Comedy? That’s right. The surprise hit of the year Get Out, which is actually a horror-thriller, was a huge hit taking in over $250 million at the box office. It was co-produced, written and directed by Comedian/Actor Jordan Peele. The movie starred Daniel Kaluuya and Allison Williams as an interracial couple who experience a nightmare when she takes him home to meet her family. Peele says there’s not one joke in the movie, and its serious theme is born out of his perspective as a black man. So why is the studio going the comedy route? It’s to avoid putting the film up against the leads and the films with the bigger PR/publicity momentum in the drama category. The thought was Get Out stands a better chance in the comedy category. Go figure? The Golden Globe nominations will be announced Monday, December 11th and the award show will air Sunday, January 7th on NBC.
Actress Jennifer Lewis from Black-ish is on a book tour. Her book is called The Mother Of Black Hollywood and is topping the bestsellers lists. She talks about her career and struggles with bi-polar disorder to lift the topic of mental illness front and center particularly for the African American community. Lewis’ book title is a tongue-in-cheek reference to all the moms she’s played on the big and small screens from the Tina Turner story to Black-ish. The Mother Of Black Hollywood is available now.
Congresswoman Maxine Waters and Actor Kofi Siriboe (Girls Trip; Queen Sugar) are sharing the December/January cover of Essence magazine’s Year in Review: Everyone Who Gave Us Life.
Colin Kaepernick is on the cover of G.Q. as Citizen Of The Year. Kaepernick, who critics have said has been blackballed from the NFL because of his protest of police brutality, wants to take back the message. He insisted on a photo shoot in Harlem with its residents’ children and at the same location the Nation Of Islam led a march against the war in Vietnam with Muhammad Ali. He also insisted G.Q. use black designers for the extensive wardrobe changes. Kaepernick says his kneeling at the flag during the national anthem was not about anything other than protesting police brutality and racism.
Kendrick Lamar is sharing the cover of Forbes magazine’s 30 Under 30. Lamar is being billed as Hip Hop’s $80 million conscience.
People Magazine has picked The Voice’s Country Singing sensation Blake Shelton as its Sexiest Man Of The Year, but featured in honorable mentions are Actors Sterling K. Brown and Idris Elba.
Tiffany Haddish's hot streak continues as she signs up for two new movie projects. The actress/comedienne will join the feature The Kitchen, a big screen adaption of the comic book series. Haddish is also set to reunite with her Girls Trip Producer Will Packer for the movie The Temp, which Haddish will co-executive produce. Both films are in development and creating shooting schedules. 2017 is Haddish's year. Her summer blockbuster Girls Trip, with Queen Latifah, Regina Hall and Jada Pinkett Smith, is available on DVD after becoming the first comedy of 2017 to gross over $100 million. Haddish also won raves after her hosting Saturday Night Live. Some folks questioned her becoming the first African American comedienne to ever host in the show's almost 43 years on the air. But that's a fact because even though Cicely Tyson, Halle Berry and Maya Rudolph have all hosted, they're not stand up comedians. Meanwhile, Chance The Rapper and Musical Guest Eminem will appear this Saturday, November 18th at 11:30pm on NBC.
Actress Wendy Raquel Robinson (The Game; The Steve Harvey Show) hosts The Gospel Superfest on Sunday, November 19th at 7pm on TV One.
It's The Boss and The Ross on The American Music Awards (AMA’s) this Sunday. Emmy nominated Actress Tracee Ellis Ross of ABC's Blackish will host The 2017 American Music Awards this Sunday on ABC. Ross' mom, the legendary Diana Ross, will be honored with the AMA’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Diana Ross has hosted the show herself back to back, the last time being exactly 30 years ago. Also, there'll be a tribute to Whitney Houston and the 25th anniversary of the movie and soundtrack to The Bodyguard. In 1992, The Bodyguard starred Kevin Costner and Houston, and took in over $400 million at the box office. Christina Aguilera will lead the tribute. Also, Arista/Legacy Records has released the tribute album Whitney Houston: I Wish You Love, More From The Bodyguard, which is available now. Meanwhile, Bruno Mars, Drake and The Weeknd are among the top nominees. The American Music Awards with Host Tracee Ellis Ross airs this Sunday, November 19th at 8pm on ABC.
Speaking of Tracee Ellis Ross, her hit sitcom Black-ish, co-starring Anthony Anderson, airs on Tuesdays at 9pm on ABC. Now Ross has her own line clothing line. She's collaborated with JC Penny and launched Tracee Ellis Ross For JC Penny #TER4JCP. Ross says her launching this line is based on her mom's influence on her fashion sense, and that it's in the genes. The collection is available now online and at JC Penny Stores.
Erykah Badu hosts The 2017 Soul Train Awards. Solange and Bruno Mars lead the nominees with Solange at 7 and Bruno with 6. Other nominees include Beyonce, Charlie Wilson, Khalid, Cardi B, Childish Gambino and Mary J. Blige. Toni Braxton and SWV will both receive The Legend Awards. The 2017 Soul Train Awards will air Sunday, November 26th on BET.
Larenz Tate (Love Jones; Dead Presidents) and Erica Ash (The Real Husbands Of Hollywood) will host The 2018 Trumpet Awards, the celebration of African American achievement and history in society, airing Sunday, February 11th at 9pm on Bounce TV.
Oscar winner Angela Bassett, Peter Krause (Sports Night; Parenthood) and Connie Britton (Spin City; Friday Night Lights) will head up the show 911. The new medical drama will revolve around ambulance driving rescue workers. 911 is scheduled for a January premiere on FOX. Meanwhile, look for Bassett in Marvel Comics big screen adaption of Black Panther, with Chadwick Boseman, to be released February 16th.
Denzel’s movie pushed back! The two-time Oscar winner has a new movie called Roman J. Israel, Esq. He plays a lawyer who’s an advocate for the people, but his throwback style is something between a militant and Don Cornelius on the 1970’s edition of Soul Train. When “Israel” wins, he lets others take the credit. Colin Farrell and Carmen Ejogo co-star. Roman J. Israel, Esq. opens Thanksgiving.
Bruno Mars has shot his performance at the legendary Apollo Theater in Harlem for his upcoming TV special. The special will be a mix of performances and interviews. The 31-year old, five-time Grammy winner has already released a picture of his performing on top of the legendary Apollo marquee. Bruno Mars: 24K Magic Live at the Apollo will air Wednesday, November 29th on CBS.
Lance Gross (House Of Payne; Our Family Wedding; Star) has a new talk show. The show is actually streaming online at Essence.com. The legendary magazine teamed up with Gross for the series I Turn My Camera On. The title is a play on words because Gross is also a professional photographer. The series has featured interviews with actors such as Michael B. Jordan and Omari Hardwick, Actress Simone Missick and Singer/Actress Kelly Rowland and viral web sensation and Actor/Comedian King Bach. I Turn My Camera On with host Lance Gross is streaming on Essence.com
Check out who’s coming to town:
Friday, November 24th – Kirk Franklin in concert at The Tower Theater, Upper Darby, Pa. For tickets and information venue.thetowerphilly.com.
Saturday, November 25th - Mariah Carey’s Christmas Show is coming to the Borgata in Atlantic City. Tickets and more information at WWW.THEBORGATA.COM!
Friday, December 1st – Sinbad comedy show at The Keswick Theater in Glenside, Pa. and for more information log onto keswicktheatre.com
Friday, December 1st – Jay-Z at The Wells Fargo Center. For tickets or for more information log onto wellsfargocenterphilly.com.
Saturday, December 9th – Fantasia Christmas Holiday concert at the Fillmore Philly, 29 East Allen Street and for more information log onto thefillmorephilly.com/venue
Tuesday, December 12th – A Soulful Christmas featuring local Philadelphia praise dancers and youth, combined and mass choirs and honoree Gospel Legend Lady Tramaine Hawkins at Verizon Hall in the Kimmel Center, Broad & Spruce Streets. For tickets and information log onto kimmelcenter.org
Sunday, December 17th – Damien Escobar in concert at The Keswick Theater in Glenside, Pa. and for more information log onto keswicktheatre.com
Tuesday, December 19th – The Great Xscape Tour starring Xscape, Monica and Tamar Braxton at The Liacouras Center, Broad & Montgomery. Tix are on sale Friday, October 13th 2017 and for more information log onto Liacourascenter.com/events.
Thursday, December 30th – Maze Featuring Frankie Beverly in concert at The Tower Theater, Upper Darby, Pa. For tickets and information venue.thetowerphilly.com.
Saturday, January 13th – Babyface at The Tropicana in Atlantic City. For tickets or for more information log onto Tropicana.net
Sunday, January 14th – The All-Stars Of Hip Hop starring Nelly, Ja Rule, KRS1, Redman & Method Man, Fatman Scoop and Three Times Dope at The Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. For tickets and information log onto ppshows.com.
Friday, February 2nd – Tavis Smiley Presents Death Of A King: A Theatrical Experience. A live multi-media presentation based on Smiley’s best seller Death of A King: The Real Story of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Final Year at the Merriam Theater, 250 South Broad Street, between Locust and Manning Streets. For tickets and information log onto kimmelcenter.org
February, Friday, the 16th and Saturday, 17th – Mary J. Blige in concert at the Borgata in Atlantic City. Tickets and more information at WWW.THEBORGATA.COM!
Sunday, February 18th – The Soul Jam At The Tropicana in Atlantic City.
Saturday, February 24th – Katt Williams in concert at The Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. For tickets and information log onto boardwalkhall.com/events.
Friday, March 9th – Keith Sweat in concert at The Liacouras Center, Broad & Montgomery. Tix are on sale Friday, October 13th 2017 and for more information log onto Liacourascenter.com/events.
Thursday, April 5th – Patti LaBelle in concert at The Academy Of Music, 240 South Broad Street, between Locust and Manning Streets. For tickets and information log onto kimmelcenter.org
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.