I Could Eat – Part 1, the first installment of a new two-part comedy special from Lavell Crawford, is set to premiere across platforms via Comedy Dynamics tomorrow, debuting in album form on Friday, October 25.
In Part 1, the trailer for which you can view above, Crawford contemplates how My 600 Pound Life could go for 15 seasons and he’s still underweight, the kind of racist you have to be to not take a free holiday, and explosive consequences in a Taco Bell bathroom.
Brian Volk-Weiss directed the special and exec produced alongside Crawford, Cisco Henson, and Justin Edbrooke. The launch date for I Could Eat – Part 2 has not yet been disclosed.
Stated Volk-Weiss, who’s the CEO of both Nacelle Company and subsidiary Comedy Dynamics, “Lavell is one of those comedians that makes you laugh until your belly hurts. This new two-part special is some of his best work!”
Crawford rose to fame on NBC’s Last Comic Standing before going on to release the half-hour special, Comedy Central Presents: Lavell Crawford, along with others like Can a Brother Get Some Love, Home for the Holidays, New Look, Same Funny!, the Grammy-nominated The Comedy Vaccine, and THEE Lavell Crawford.
Crawford is also known for turns on series like Breaking Bad and its spinoff Better Call Saul, along with films like Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates and The Ridiculous Six. Additional credits include Shaquille O’Neal Presents: All Star Comedy Jam, Russell Simmons’ Def Comedy Jam, Showtime at the Apollo, Martin Lawrence’s 1st Amendment Stand Up, Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen, Steve Harvey’s Big Time Challenge, Comedy Central’s Premium Blend, Motown Live and BET’s Comic View.
The comic is repped by CAA and Brecheen Feldman Breimer.
Source: Deadline
A piece of wrestling memorabilia is the focus of the new action-comedy movie Raging Midlife.
Level 33 Entertainment has acquired North American rights to the feature from director Rob Taylor (Evil Cult). Taylor and Nic Costa penned the script, and the pair star alongside Paula Abdul, Eddie Griffin, and Star Trek mainstay Walter Koenig.
Level 33 is eyeing a release in early 2025 following the film’s forthcoming premiere at the Austin Film Festival on Oct. 26. The trailer can be seen below.
Raging Midlife follows two friends who are obsessed with a 1980s wrestler named Raging Abraham Lincoln and set out to acquire his tank top. Their plan takes a turn when a grieving daughter outbids them for the item to fulfill her dad’s dying wish.
Matt Zak, Bryna Smith, Darielle Mason, Motch O Mann and Judy Levitt round out the cast. Costa produces the film that counts Luke Haigh and Joe Costa as executive producers.
“We are excited to embark on this exciting journey with Level 33 Entertainment and look forward to sharing the laughter and tears of this 20+ year odyssey with audiences across the U.S. and Canada,” Nic Costa says in a statement.
Adds Level 33 Entertainment chief Andreas Olavarria, “The terrific filmmakers and cast of Raging Midlife deliver a hilariously entertaining ride full of ’80s nostalgia. We can’t wait to share this action-packed film with audiences across North America!”
The deal for Raging Midlife was negotiated for the filmmakers by Stuart Arbury, Sean Pope and Tiffany Boyle with Ramo Law. Olavarria handled the deal for Level 33 Entertainment.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
“BET Hip Hop Awards” 2024 transformed Las Vegas into the biggest night for hip hop, with Kendrick Lamar dominating the night, taking home eight awards, including Hip Hop Artist of the Year, Lyricist of the Year, and Song of the Year for his smash hit “Not Like Us.” Metro Boomin and Future took home three “BET Hip Hop Awards” 2024 wins, while The Alchemist secured two wins.
The show delivered an unforgettable night, honoring the year’s best in hip-hop and paying homage to the club anthems that shaped a generation. Host and hip-hop legend Fat Joe kicked off the show with his classic hit “Make it Rain,” setting the tone for a night of nonstop energy.
Bossman DLow welcomed the audience to the shark tank, hyping the crowd with his viral hit “Shake Dat A** (Twerk Song)” and closing his set with the high-energy anthem “Get In With Me.”
Moments later, Memphis rap icon Juicy J stormed the stage to perform his banger “SOMN,” and surprised the audience by bringing out 2 Chainz to join his performance. They sent the energy through the roof of Drai’s Beachclub & Nightclub with their fan-favorite “Bandz Make Her Dance.”
This year’s “Hip Hop Awards” went beyond music, using the stage to empower the culture to vote. Congressman Rep. Steven Horsford (D-NV) made a powerful appearance, sharing the importance of voting to protect our rights and urging the community to make their voices heard.
Adding even more excitement, viral sensation 310babii turned up the crowd with his dynamic performance of “Soak City (Do It),” paired with “Rock Your Hips” and “Pink Whitney.”
“BET Hip Hop Awards” 2022 I Am Hip Hop honoree Trina performed her classics “Da Baddest B***h,” “Look Back at Me,” and “Nann,” closing with “Pull Over.” The crowd roared with surprise when she brought out Yung Miami, representing the 305 in an unforgettable Miami moment.
Soulja Boy transported the crowd back to 2007 with his smash hit “Crank That (Soulja Boy),” with the audience enthusiastically joining in on the song’s classic dance. Not stopping there, he brought out fellow Atlanta native Roscoe Dash for a high-energy performance of their mega-hit “All The Way Turnt Up,” adding to the night’s nostalgia. October BET Amplified artist Flau’Jae also made her “BET Hip Hop Awards” debut on the Nissan Amplified Stage performing “Legendary Flows” and “Came Out A Beast.”
Award-winning recording artist and actor Teyana Taylor joined Afropop princess Tyla to grace the stage and present the “I Am Hip Hop” award to GRAMMY® Award-winning artist Travis Scott, recognizing his immense contributions to hip hop. Travis, known for hits “FE!N” and “Goosebumps,” expressed gratitude to his team as he accepted the award.
During the breaks, DJ Holiday kept the party going, paying tribute to the late Rich Homie Quan with his classic “Type of Way.” The crowd erupted in celebration as DJ Holiday followed up with the timeless culture anthem “Swag Surf,” with the entire room swaying left to right.
Multiplatinum Bay Area legend E-40 leveled up the excitement, performing his hits “Snap Yo Fingers,” “I Don’t F***k with You,” and “Tell Me When to Go.”
Newcomer Big Boogie ignited the stage and crowd by bringing out GloRilla to perform their hit single “BOP”.
2 Chainz returned to the stage to give a show-stopping finale, performing his hit tracks “Birthday Song,” “I Luv Dem Strippers,” and “I’m Different,” sending the audience into a frenzy.
The full list of winners “BET Hip Hop Awards” 2024 winners are:
I AM HIP HOP HONOREE
TRAVIS SCOTT
BEST HIP HOP VIDEO
KENDRICK LAMAR – NOT LIKE US
BEST COLLABORATION
METRO BOOMIN, FUTURE, KENDRICK LAMAR – LIKE THAT
BEST DUO OR GROUP
FUTURE & METRO BOOMIN
LYRICIST OF THE YEAR
KENDRICK LAMAR
VIDEO DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR
DAVE FREE & KENDRICK LAMAR
SONG OF THE YEAR
KENDRICK LAMAR – NOT LIKE US
HIP HOP ALBUM OF THE YEAR
NICKI MINAJ – PINK FRIDAY 2
HIP HOP ARTIST OF THE YEAR
KENDRICK LAMAR
BEST LIVE PERFORMER
MISSY ELLIOTT
BEST BREAKTHROUGH HIP HOP ARTIST
SEXYY RED
HUSTLER OF THE YEAR
50 CENT
SWEET 16: BEST FEATURED VERSE
KENDRICK LAMAR – LIKE THAT (FUTURE, METRO BOOMIN & KENDRICK LAMAR)
IMPACT TRACK
KENDRICK LAMAR – NOT LIKE US
PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
THE ALCHEMIST
DJ OF THE YEAR
THE ALCHEMIST
BEST HIP HOP PLATFORM
CLUB SHAY SHAY
BEST INTERNATIONAL FLOW
GHETTS (UK)
Chief Keef, a pioneer in the inception and rise of drill music, is getting his own documentary, its being reported. Kenya Barris‘ Khalabo Ink Society is partnering with Lyrical Lemonade and Cole Bennett to chronicle the Chicago native’s trajectory.
The film, directed by Bennett and produced by Barris and Khalabo’s Jeremy Allen, will capture Keef’s rise, hiatus, and recent return to the city. It will examine Chicago’s influence on Keef’s life and career, as well as his impact on the city’s music scene and beyond.
Other notable players in the untitled documentary include Lyrical Lemonade’s Jake Millan and Krista Worby, who will executive produce the project alongside Khalabo Ink Society’s Emilie Geneve and Idris Dykes. Keef previously had a documentary titled “The Story of Sosa: The Movie” in the works at Apple Music in 2017, though the film never materialized.
Throughout his career, Barris has created TV shows including “Black-ish” and its two spinoffs, “Grown-ish” and “Mixed-ish,” and has key credits on films including 2017’s “Girls Trip,” 2021’s “Coming 2 America” and last year’s “White Men Can’t Jump” remake.
Bennett first made his name as a music video director for Chicago artists like Vic Mensa and King Louie, and continued on to lens visuals for Eminem and Juice Wrld. He released his debut album “All Is Yellow” earlier this year through a partnership with his Lyrical Lemonade shingle and Def Jam.
Barris and Khalabo Ink Society are represented by WME, Artists First and attorney Gregg Gellman at Morris Yorn. Cole and Lyrical Lemonade are represented by WME, and legal counsel John Ingram, Esq & Demian Tschirn, Esq for GGSSC LLP.
Source: Variety
New York, NY (October 15, 2024) – In a historic collaboration, Shaquille O’Neal’s legendary Shaq’s All Star Comedy Jam returns to NBA All-Star weekend and is being brought to life by three Black-owned entertainment powerhouses: The Black Promoters Collective, Shaq’s Jersey Legends Productions, and Hartbeat, Kevin Hart’s global entertainment company. This unique partnership, a testament to the power and influence of Black-owned businesses, sets the stage at the Paramount Theatre in Oakland, CA on Friday, February 14, 2025.
Hosted by the iconic Bill Bellamy, the event will feature a star-studded lineup of comedy heavyweights, including Gary Owen, DC Young Fly, Michael Blackson, Cocoa Brown, Oakland’s own Lewis Belt, and the legendary DJ Spinderella, who will be spinning live to keep the energy high throughout the night. This star-studded lineup promises a night of laughter and entertainment like no other.
Tickets are available for purchase via Ticketmaster and blackpromoterscollective.com.
The Black Promoters Collective, Jersey Legends Productions, and Hartbeat share a history of furthering Black excellence in entertainment, making this event a landmark in showcasing the power of Black companies collaborating to deliver culturally relevant live experiences. As industry leaders, all companies are committed to amplifying Black voices and ensuring representation in all areas of entertainment.
Shaquille O’Neal states, “The Shaq’s All-Star Comedy Jam brand has established itself as a must-attend event for both All-Star weekend and Super Bowl weekend over the past 16 years. I’m excited to have The Black Promoters Collective and Hart Beat Entertainment joining me to carry on this tradition!”
“Combining forces with Jersey Legends Productions and Hartbeat makes for a powerful partnership to elevate Shaq’s All-Star Comedy Jam to new heights.” BPC President Shelby Joyner exclaims, “We aim to expand the brand’s reach by bringing it into Black Promoters Collective’s dynamic portfolio of festivals and live music events, creating fresh opportunities to showcase the comedy jam across multiple platforms and connect with even broader audiences.”
“The Shaq’s All Star Comedy Jam franchise has been a cornerstone of the comedy scene since its inception, delivering numerous sold-out shows and giving a national platform to diverse up-and-coming comedians who are now considered to be legends,” said Hartbeat’s President Jeff Clanagan. “Hartbeat is beyond thrilled to continue and expand this iconic franchise alongside Shaq and Jersey Legends, and have Black Promoters Collective on board to bring this next rendition to life.”
Initially launched in 2009 as a collaboration between Shaquille and Hartbeat President Jeff Clanagan, Shaq’s All Star Comedy Jam is known for being the national stage to comedy’s heaviest hitters and up-and-coming comedians. Delivering unforgettable, high-energy comedy shows nationwide, the event has become a go-to experience for comedy lovers. Audiences can expect a night full of raw, unfiltered laughs as these seasoned comedians light up the stage with their unique styles of humor.
Shaq’s All Star Comedy Jam Host and performers include:
Bill Bellamy, a comedy legend and fan favorite, will host the night and ensure the crowd is entertained between sets. His quick wit and ability to connect with audiences have made him one of the most respected voices in stand-up and kept him in the spotlight for years.
Gary Owen’s down-to-earth and relatable humor has made him a staple on the comedy circuit. With multiple comedy specials and film appearances under his belt, Gary’s sharp comedic timing and infectious energy are sure to leave the audience in stitches.
DC Young Fly joins the lineup with his signature brand of high-energy comedy. A breakout star of Wild’ N Out and co-host of the hit podcast 85 South, DC’s lively and unpredictable performances make him one of the most exciting comedians to watch today.
Michael Blackson, affectionately known as the “African King of Comedy,” brings his internationally renowned comedic flair to the stage. His larger-than-life personality and unforgettable punchlines have made him a fan favorite in films, television, and stand-up. Blackson’s set will surely deliver a fresh and hilarious perspective that will have the audience laughing out loud.
With her bold and unapologetic style, Cocoa Brown is set to bring her “grown and evolved” humor to the All Star Comedy Jam stage. Known for her work on Tyler Perry’s The Single Mom’s Club and 9-1-1, Cocoa’s comedy seamlessly blends real-life experiences with sharp observations, making her an undeniable crowd-pleaser.
The comedian was accused of violence toward Angelina Triplett-Hill back in 2014.
On Tuesday (Oct. 15), VIBE revealed that Katt Williams won a huge legal victory in a 2016 lawsuit. Judge Christina Snyder threw out a $1.7 million judgment filed against the comedian by former assistant Angelina Triplett-Hill. According to the publication, there were no documented hospital records or police reports to support the case.
According to Triplett-Hill’s accusation, Williams assaulted the plaintiff on a California film set in 2014. In documents shared by Daily Mail, Triplett-Hill claimed she ended up on the receiving end of verbal abuse from Williams after taking a phone call. Things allegedly turned physical when the Friday After Next star struck Triplett-Hill multiple times, which she said resulted in her hitting the ground and becoming unconscious. While the exact date isn’t clear, VIBE added that the former assistant accused Williams of failing to respond and was eventually awarded $1.7 million after a motion for default was filed.
“Katt said he did nothing wrong and would never pay the woman a cent. He accepted the risks and understood that the plaintiff would try to play on sympathy at trial to ask for even more money,” said Williams’ attorney, Jeremiah Reynolds, in a statement. “At trial, we argued that the plaintiff had created a false narrative of working for Katt as his assistant and faked the incident. The plaintiff tried to play on the jurors’ emotions, supposed ‘power imbalances,’ and did everything she could to try to bring in irrelevant and prejudicial evidence about Katt. Judge Snyder excluded it all.”
At the top of the year, Williams made headlines thanks to an explosive interview on Shannon Sharpe’s “Club Shay Shay” podcast. During the conversation, he called out several of his comedic peers, including Kevin Hart, Michael Blackson, Cedric the Entertainer, and Tiffany Haddish. Others, including Mo’Nique and Bernie Mac’s daughter, Je’Niece McCullough, expressed support for Williams following the episode.
Source: Revolt, VIBE
Beloved Atlanta radio personality Wanda Smith has passed away on Saturday (Oct. 12), a day after her 58th birthday.
Rick Caffey, Senior Vice President and Market Manager for V-103, confirmed her death with condolences on the station’s Instagram account.
“Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the loss of our cherished Wanda Smith, who brought so much joy to V-103 and the Atlanta community. Our deepest prayers and condolences go out to her family,” he captioned a photo of her smiling.
In addition to her radio career, Smith also added acting to her resume with Tyler Perry’s Madea Goes to Jail and Madea’s Witness Protection films. She also was widely known as a comedian with contributions to shows like HBO’s Def Comedy Jam and BET’s Comicview.
Staying true to her ATL hometown, she was also a regular performer at the Atlanta Comedy Theater.
Wanda Smith is survived by her husband, LaMorris Sellers, and their three children. Her cause of her death has not been disclosed.
The Humor Mill sends condolences to Wanda Smith’s loved ones.
Source: VIBE
Pack your bags, because we’re headed to the Sunshine State. HBO’s new late-night comedy series It’s Florida, Man premieres October 18.
Drawing inspiration from those wild “Florida Man” news stories we’ve all read, the premium cable channel’s new series will see a rotating cast of actors and comedians playfully reenact a series of true stories, as told by real-life Florida residents. Among the more than two dozen stars set to appear are Saturday Night Live’s Ego Nwodim, Anna Faris, Randall Park, Jake Johnson, Jon Gries, Sam Richardson, Juliette Lewis, and Simon Rex.
Per HBO, the show’s six-episode first season will cover a number of diverse topics, from mermaids to witches and extreme fantasies to feral bunnies.
In addition to its long-running late-night shows hosted by Bill Maher and John Oliver, HBO has long legacy of quirky late-night comedy fare that includes shows like The Kids in the Hall and Mr. Show With Bob and David. More recent years have seen entries like Los Espookys, High Maintenance, Fantasmas, and A Black Lady Sketch Show air in the channel’s Friday night 11 p.m. time slot.
It’s Florida, Man is created and executive produced by Mark Herwick for Range Studios, along with Jeff Tomsic (who also directs). Danny McBride (The Righteous Gemstones) and Brandon James co-executive produce for Rough House Pictures; Bryan Storkel serves as showrunner and co-executive producer.
The show premieres Friday, October 18 at 11:00 p.m. ET/PT on HBO. New episodes will air weekly and will be available to stream on Max.
The series follows new recruit John Stewart and Lantern legend Hal Jordan, two intergalactic cops drawn into a dark, earth-based mystery as they investigate a murder in the American heartland.
A New Series Produced by HBO in association with Warner Bros. Television and DC Studios
The series follows new recruit John Stewart and Lantern legend Hal Jordan, two intergalactic cops drawn into a dark, earth-based mystery as they investigate a murder in the American heartland.
Aaron currently stars as the lead in Jeremy Saulnier’s “Rebel Ridge” which debuted on Netflix on September 6th and was the #1 title worldwide on Netflix for three weeks in a row. In December, Aaron will take on the titular role of Mufasa in Barry Jenkins’ animated “Lion King” prequel for Disney.
Aaron was most recently seen leading the NatGeo series “Genius: MLK/X,” as civil rights leader Malcolm X, Garth Davis’ “Foe” alongside Paul Mescal and Saoirse Ronan, Clement Virgo’s “Brother” and Barry Jenkins’ award-winning limited series “The Underground Railroad.” Aaron is currently filming “The Morning Show.”
He is represented by WME, Anonymous Content, Hamilton Hodell, Sloane Offer Weber Dern, and Narrative.
Director Michael Bay is in talks to direct Will Smith in the Netflix action film titled Fast and Loose.
Fast and Loose focuses on a crime boss who loses his memory after an attack and gradually learns that he was leading a double life as a CIA agent. Jon Hoeber, Erich Hoeber, Chris Bremner, and Eric Pearson worked on the screenplay.
The movie has been in the works since before Smith’s infamous slap of Chris Rock at the 2022 Oscars ceremony. THR previously reported that David Leitch had exited the project the week before the fated Academy Awards telecast to start work on The Fall Guy, the Ryan Gosling-Emily Blunt action-comedy feature that Universal released in May.
Producers for Fast and Loose include Leitch and Kelly McCormick for 87North, along with Smith. Robert Simonds and Noah Fogelson serve as executive producers for STXfilms.
Bay previously directed Smith in the 1995 action-comedy Bad Boys and its 2003 sequel. Smith and Martin Lawrence most recently played their characters from the franchise in its latest sequel, Bad Boys: Ride or Die, which Sony released in theaters in June. That movie helped revive Smith’s standing as an in-demand film star following the Oscars fallout.
Shortly after the release of Bad Boys: Ride or Die, which surpassed $400 million at the global box office, THR reported that Smith was in talks to star in Sony’s sci-fi feature Resistor. At the time, a director was not yet attached to the project that was set to adapt author Daniel Suarez’s 2014 novel Influx.
Other recent titles for Smith include 2022’s Emancipation and 2021’s King Richard, with the latter landing the star his first Oscar.
Bay’s most recent project as director was the 2022 Universal movie Ambulance, starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II. Also known for his work on the Transformers franchise, Bay previously helmed Netflix’s Ryan Reynolds-led action flick 6 Underground that hit the streamer in 2019.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter