Photo Credit: Patty Jackson
Black Lightning has been renewed for a second season. The superhero Tuesday night drama on the CW has been a hit and fit right into the other comic book turned action series on the network. It’s produced by Mara Brock Akil and Salim Akil, the husband-wife writing/producing/directing team behind the movie Jumping The Broom and the TV shows Being Mary Jane, Girlfriends and The Game. Black Lightning stars Cress Williams (Living Single), China Anne McClain (Tyler Perry’s House Of Payne) and Philly’s own Nafessa Williams, and airs Tuesday nights at 9pm on The CW.
WDAS presents our Second Annual Sista Strut Breast Cancer Walk taking place Saturday, June 16th 2018 at XFINITY Live! Philadelphia, 201 North 17th Street. All the registration info and details are on the wdasfm.com page.
Comedian Dave Chappelle is being sued……by the guy who allegedly through a banana peel at him?!!!! What?!! Yes! Christian Englander filed his suit over a 2015 incident when he says, in court papers, he threw a banana peel on stage at Chappelle while the comedian was performing. Englander claims there was nothing racial about it, but did it after being upset by something Chappelle said. Englander was actually charged with disturbing the peace and with battery for the act. It didn’t go to trial because Chappelle didn’t want to cooperate in the prosecution. Englander now claims when he was being removed from Chappelle’s comedy show, the bodyguard roughed him up by hitting him twice. Now Englander is suing. At press time, no word from Chappelle. Wonder if the funnyman can press those charges again? Hmmmmmmmmmm!
Jennifer Lopez’s cop drama, Shades Of Blue, will come to an end this summer. The NBC drama co-stars Ray Liotta and follows Lopez’s character, “Harlee Santos,” a single mom and member of a tight-knit crew of Brooklyn detectives. The show had been airing mid-season and will return for its final run this summer. Shades Of Blue’s third season begins Sunday, June 17th at 10pm on NBC.
We remember Winnie Mandela. Though surrounded by controversy, she was often referred to as the Mother Of South Africa. An anti-apartheid activist for decades, Mandela was often on the frontline in the battle to liberate South Africa. Winnie married anti-apartheid’s most famous champion, and future South Africa President, the late Nelson Mandela in 1958. And throughout his decades’ long prison sentence for his anti-apartheid activities, Winnie stayed married to Nelson, but she also became even more active in the movement. As the years went by, Winnie became caught up with the most controversial and radical members of the freedom movement. Later, her security detail was even accused of kidnapping and murder. Nelson Mandela was released from prison in 1990, but he and Winnie would separate two years later. The Mandelas divorced was finalized in 1996 while Nelson was serving his five years as South Africa’s president. After years of being dogged by criminal allegations and affiliations, Winnie was convicted of fraud and theft. Later, the theft charges and most of the fraud charges were overturned by a judge who handed Winnie a suspended sentence. Winnie returned to politics, even serving on the African National Congress, from which she, at one point, was forced to step down previously. Winnie Mandela suffered from complications related to diabetes and died in Johannesburg at the age of 81.
We remember TV Writer/Producer Steven Bochco. He was considered a pioneer who upped the ante and brought the modern TV drama up to date with its no-holds-barred look at society. Whether it was Hill Street Blues gritty take at policing in the city or L.A. Law’s mix of glossy, rich cases with hard hitting social issues, Bochco, as head writer, guided these shows on the small screen. Early in his career, he as a story editor wrote an episode of Peter Falk’s Columbo that was directed by Steven Spielberg. Spielberg and Bochco remained close ever since, and Falk put Bochco on the map by thanking him at the Emmy Awards when Columbo won. Bochco reached his peak with an exclusive deal with the ABC network that resulted in his most successful series, NYPD Blue (1993-2005). Blair Underwood, who at 21 co-starred in L.A. Law for seven seasons and later was cast as the lead in Bochco’s hospital drama City Of Angles with Gabrielle Union and Hill Harper, said Bochco taught him the value of drive, vision, work ethic and an irreverent sense of humor. Steven Bochco was 74-years old.
Congratulations to Tyrese and his wife Samantha. The couple is expecting their first child, a daughter. The singer/actor has a ten-year old daughter, Shayla, from his first marriage.
Congrats to Villanova! The Wildcats won their second NCAA Basketball Championship in a row. With the Eagles Superbowl victory and the 76ers in the playoffs, Philadelphia is getting used to the smell of victory and a good parade too!
Uncle Russ says he saved the dets. Simmons claims in court papers that Jennifer Jarosik, a woman currently suing him for sexual assault, sent him affection text messages and even nude pictures after the rape and assault she alleges. He also says they had a casual relationship with multiple sexual encounters over the years. 60-year old Simmons legal team is on it and say accuser Jarosik is only looking for a payout after hearing women who suffered real abuse were being financially compensated. The papers also state that Jarosik has untreated mental issues. Simmons has been accused by over a dozen women of sexual misconduct and has denied wrongdoing in each instance.
After powerful profiles of Shirley Caesar, Deborah Cox, Philly’s own Blue Magic, Silk, Trick Daddy and The Boys, UnSung is back on this Sunday, April 8th at 9pm with Singer/Songwriter Avant.
Black Panther Star Chadwick Boseman will host Saturday Night Live with Musical Guest Cardi B, pregnant or not, this Saturday, April 7th. Cardi B will stay in New York to co-host The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, first time in Tonight Show history for a co-host. Meanwhile, Chadwick Boseman is now a part of the fourth highest grossing movie of all time as Black Panther has taken in over $1.2 billion worldwide.
Mary J. Blige is currently slaying on the cover of the new March issue of Ebony magazine as the cover story Hail Queen saluting her history making career, new projects and reclaiming her power.
Black-ish alum and Grownish Actress and Activist Yara Shahidi is on the cover of Essence magazine’s April issue. The now 18-year old actress enjoys popularity and acclaim, but feels a deeper social commitment, even putting Harvard off for a year to focus on her career and activism. Essence magazine with Yara Shahidi is available now.
Essence magazine released the Essence Music Festival schedule and lineup for 2018. The festivities return to New Orleans July 5th through the 8th. Performers include Janet Jackson, Jilly from Philly Jill Scott, Philly’s own The Roots, Snoop Dogg, Erykah Badu, Teddy Riley’s New Jack Swing Experience (Wreckx-N-Effect, Blackstreet and Guy), Idris Elba, Fantasia, Miguel and Mary J. Blige with more acts to be announced. All the details are on Essence.com
Emmy winning Writer/Actress Lena Waithe is really stepping in high company. She’s co-starring in Steven Spielberg’s Ready Player One which came in number one this past weekend taking in over $40 million. The movie is a story set in 2045 dealing with reality and virtual reality and a race to dominate the virtual world. Waithe plays the masculine and feminine part-human (named Helen), part-machine (named Aech). Spielberg didn’t find Waithe through an audition. He was so impressed by footage he saw of her, that she basically had the part. Ready Player One is in theaters now, and Waithe is on the cover of Vanity Fair’s April 2018 edition as a game changer.
Halle Berry and Daniel Craig will team up on the big screen for Kings. The movie is based on the L.A. riots of 1992 following the not guilty verdict for the officers caught on videotape beating the late motorist Rodney King. Berry will play a mom of eight children. Kings will be in theaters April 27th.
The hit Power has gotten some good news from its cable network Starz. The award winning drama starring Omari Hardwick, Joseph Sikora, Naturi Naughton, Lela Loren and, the show’s co-executive producer, Curtis 50 Cent Jackson, was renewed for a six season. 50 Cent is set to direct in that season, but first comes the faith season. And, the fifth season premiere of Power will be Sunday, July 1st at 9pm on Starz.
Check out who’s coming to town:
This Friday, April 6th - The Isley Brothers in concert at the Xcite Center inside Parx Casino. For tickets and information log onto parxcasino.com
Wednesday, April 11th – Eric B & Rakim in concert at The TLA on South Street between 3rd and 4th and for tickets and information log onto ticketmaster.com.
Friday, April 13th – The Philly Spring Jam starring Ginuwine, Tank, Brandy, Teddy Riley & Guy and 112 at the Liacouras Center and for more information log onto Liacourascenter.com/events.
Saturday, April 28th – Ruben Studdard in concert: Always & Forever, An Evening Of Luther Vandross. The concert will be at The Keswick Theater in Glenside, Pa. and for tickets and information log onto keswicktheatre.com/events/all
Friday, May 11th – The 10th Anniversary Of Platinum Shows’ Mother’s Day Music Festival begins with the Friday concert starring Singers Joe and Stokley (from Mint Condition) kick things off Friday, May 11th at Caesar’s Palace in Atlantic City. For Ticket information log onto ppshows.com.
Saturday, May 12th – The 10th Anniversary Of Platinum Shows’ Mother’s Day Music Festival with the Saturday concert starring Maxwell, Gladys Knight and Vivian Green at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. For Ticket information log onto ppshows.com.
Sunday, May 13th – The 10th Anniversary Of Platinum Shows’ Mother’s Day Music Festival concludes with the Sunday concert starring The Whispers/ L.J. Reynolds & The Dramatics/ The Intruders at The Tropicana in Atlantic City. For Ticket information log onto ppshows.com.
Saturday, May 26th – Philly’s own Hall & Oates present The 2nd Annual HoagieNation Festival with Train/ Tommy Conwell & The Young Rumblers/ Fitz & The Tantrums/ Down North/ Beano French and more. It all takes place at Festival Pier on Penns Landing in Philly. For tickets and information visit hoagienation.com
Saturday, May 26th – The Irresponsible Tour starring Kevin Hart at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City.
Saturday, May 26th - It’s The Sounds Of Philadelphia starring Russell Thompkins, Jr. & The New Stylistics, The Delfonics & Harold Melvin's Blue Notes at the Xcite Center inside Parx Casino. For tickets and information log onto parxcasino.com
Saturday, June 2nd - The 11th Annual Roots Picnic with host Dave Chappelle. Scheduled to perform with The Roots are 2 Chainz, DVSN, Fabalous, Jadakiss, Rapsody and Brandy, just to name a few. It all takes place at Festival Pier on Penns Landing in Philly. For passes and information log onto rootspicnic.com/philly.
Saturday, July 21st Cedric The Entertainer comedy show at The Sugar House Casino. For tickets and information log onto sugarhouseentertainment.com
Monday, July 30th – Jay-Z & Beyoncé: 2018 On The Run 2 Tour at Lincoln Financial Field in South Philadelphia. For tickets and information log onto ticketmaster.com.
Saturday, August 25th – Smokey Robinson in concert at the Mann Center For The Performing Arts, 52nd Street & Parkside Avenue. For more information log on to manncenter.org
Wednesday & Thursday, September 19th and 20th – Bruno Mars and Cardi B on Thee 24K Magic North American Concert Tour at the Wells Fargo Center. For tickets and information log onto wellsfargocenterphilly.com.
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.