10. Not Another Teen Movie (2001)
Tired of the repetitive teen rom-coms of the 1990s, director Joel Gallen decided to make his own — and arguably, one of the best by far. In perhaps the most classic teen movie tale, a popular high-school jock gets challenged by his friends to turn a shy and bullied girl into a prom queen… And hopelessly falls in love with her.
You can watch Not Another Teen Movie on Hulu, Netflix, and Prime Video.
9. Scary Movie (2000)
A very similar thought occurred to Keenen Ivory Wayans, the director of Scary Movie who pumped his flick full with the most popular horror cliches of the 1990s — and still produced a greatly entertaining film. A group of teenagers who accidentally killed a man is haunted by a mysterious mumbling killer who picks them off one by one.
You can watch Scary Movie on Max, Hulu, Netflix, and Prime Video.
8. This Is Spinal Tap...
Tired of the repetitive teen rom-coms of the 1990s, director Joel Gallen decided to make his own — and arguably, one of the best by far. In perhaps the most classic teen movie tale, a popular high-school jock gets challenged by his friends to turn a shy and bullied girl into a prom queen… And hopelessly falls in love with her.
You can watch Not Another Teen Movie on Hulu, Netflix, and Prime Video.
9. Scary Movie (2000)
A very similar thought occurred to Keenen Ivory Wayans, the director of Scary Movie who pumped his flick full with the most popular horror cliches of the 1990s — and still produced a greatly entertaining film. A group of teenagers who accidentally killed a man is haunted by a mysterious mumbling killer who picks them off one by one.
You can watch Scary Movie on Max, Hulu, Netflix, and Prime Video.
8. This Is Spinal Tap...
- 4/27/2024
- by dean-black@startefacts.com (Dean Black)
- STartefacts.com
It was announced two weeks ago that Paramount is resurrecting the Scary Movie spoof franchise with a brand new reboot movie, which will likely arrive in theaters next year.
The new movie, a joint venture between Paramount and Miramax that will technically be the sixth installment in the franchise, is expected to go into production this coming Fall.
We don’t yet know who will be writing, directing or starring in the Scary Movie reboot, but two actors in particular have already expressed an interest in joining the franchise.
The first is Melissa Barrera, who can currently be seen in theaters in Radio Silence’s bloody horror movie Abigail. Barrera is of course also the star of Scream and Scream VI, which kind of makes her a perfect candidate to lampoon herself in a Scary Movie reboot.
“I always loved those movies,” Melissa Barrera tells the website Inverse. “When I saw it announced,...
The new movie, a joint venture between Paramount and Miramax that will technically be the sixth installment in the franchise, is expected to go into production this coming Fall.
We don’t yet know who will be writing, directing or starring in the Scary Movie reboot, but two actors in particular have already expressed an interest in joining the franchise.
The first is Melissa Barrera, who can currently be seen in theaters in Radio Silence’s bloody horror movie Abigail. Barrera is of course also the star of Scream and Scream VI, which kind of makes her a perfect candidate to lampoon herself in a Scary Movie reboot.
“I always loved those movies,” Melissa Barrera tells the website Inverse. “When I saw it announced,...
- 4/24/2024
- by John Squires
- bloody-disgusting.com
The 'Scary Movie' franchise is being revived.Paramount Pictures announced that a sixth installment in the horror parody franchise is in development at CinemaCon on Thursday (11.04.24).Neal H. Moritz – known for his work on the 'Sonic the Hedgehog' and 'Fast and Furious' films – will be producing the new picture but it is not known if cast regulars including Anna Faris and Regina Hall are to return.The series was developed by Keenen Ivory Wayans, Shawn Wayans and Marlon Wayans with the latter pair starring in the first two films.The original 'Scary Movie' hit cinemas in 2000 and parodied horror flicks including 'Scream' and 'I Know What You Did Last Summer'. Four sequels would follow that poked fun at the likes of 'Saw' and 'The Ring'.Interest in the franchise had declined by the time 'Scary Movie 5...
- 4/12/2024
- by Joe Graber
- Bang Showbiz
Over ten years since the forgettable Scary Movie 5, we’re now getting Scary Movie 6, which is arriving in 2025. More here.
Infamously taking the original title intended for the first Scream film, the spoof Scary Movie arrived in cinemas all the way back in the summer of 2000, and promptly outgrossed the film that it was basically taking the piss out of. Along with its first sequel, that arrived a year later, it was directed by Keenan Ivory Wayans, and the modestly-costed films returned sizeable profits.
Not that they were much cop after the first film. David Zucker took over for Scary Movie 3 and Scary Movie 4, in 2003 and 2006 respectively, and both in truth veer on the ‘best forgotten’ side. It took seven more years before we got Scary Movie 5, with Malcolm D Lee this time directing, and the quality of that film seemed to have driven the franchise into the ground for good.
Infamously taking the original title intended for the first Scream film, the spoof Scary Movie arrived in cinemas all the way back in the summer of 2000, and promptly outgrossed the film that it was basically taking the piss out of. Along with its first sequel, that arrived a year later, it was directed by Keenan Ivory Wayans, and the modestly-costed films returned sizeable profits.
Not that they were much cop after the first film. David Zucker took over for Scary Movie 3 and Scary Movie 4, in 2003 and 2006 respectively, and both in truth veer on the ‘best forgotten’ side. It took seven more years before we got Scary Movie 5, with Malcolm D Lee this time directing, and the quality of that film seemed to have driven the franchise into the ground for good.
- 4/12/2024
- by Simon Brew
- Film Stories
The Scary Movie franchise — which parodied popular horror films like Scream and The Ring — is getting a reboot.
The horror-comedy spoof series began with the titular Scary Movie in 2000, and now, it’ll be resurrected by Paramount Pictures and Fast & Furious producer Neil H. Morris. Per Variety, Paramount is also partnering on the film with Miramax, the studio behind the original Scary Movie franchise.
The new film is slated to go into production in the fall of 2024, and will land in theaters in 2025. The original series spawned five films, four of which starred Anna Faris and Regina Hall. The first two films were directed by Keenan Ivory Wayans, with spoof-titan David Zucker directing the third and fourth installments. The final Scary Movie film arrived in 2013 — meaning the new reboot will have 11 years-worth of popular horror films to parody.
Scary Movie Franchise Getting Reboot From Paramount
Paolo Ragusa...
The horror-comedy spoof series began with the titular Scary Movie in 2000, and now, it’ll be resurrected by Paramount Pictures and Fast & Furious producer Neil H. Morris. Per Variety, Paramount is also partnering on the film with Miramax, the studio behind the original Scary Movie franchise.
The new film is slated to go into production in the fall of 2024, and will land in theaters in 2025. The original series spawned five films, four of which starred Anna Faris and Regina Hall. The first two films were directed by Keenan Ivory Wayans, with spoof-titan David Zucker directing the third and fourth installments. The final Scary Movie film arrived in 2013 — meaning the new reboot will have 11 years-worth of popular horror films to parody.
Scary Movie Franchise Getting Reboot From Paramount
Paolo Ragusa...
- 4/11/2024
- by Paolo Ragusa
- Consequence - Film News
Eleven years have gone by since the release of a new entry in the Scary Movie horror parody series – but the franchise isn’t going to remain dormant for much longer. Deadline reports that the Miramax label at Paramount, which is now operating under new boss Jonathan Glickman, has given the greenlight to a new Scary Movie sequel, with the plan being to get the film into theatres sometime in 2025. If any writers or a director are attached to the project, they weren’t named in this announcement.
Directed by In Living Color creator Keenen Ivory Wayans from a screenplay written by a bunch of people, the first Scary Movie was released by Dimension Films back in 2000. Scary Movie 2 was released in 2001, and the Wayans remained at the head of the creative team for that one. Keenen Ivory Wayans directed it from a screenplay credited to Shawn Wayans, Marlon Wayans,...
Directed by In Living Color creator Keenen Ivory Wayans from a screenplay written by a bunch of people, the first Scary Movie was released by Dimension Films back in 2000. Scary Movie 2 was released in 2001, and the Wayans remained at the head of the creative team for that one. Keenen Ivory Wayans directed it from a screenplay credited to Shawn Wayans, Marlon Wayans,...
- 4/11/2024
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
With the Scream franchise back in theaters and the horror genre continuing to kick ass at the box office, you knew it was only a matter of time before the Scary Movie saga returned.
Variety reports this afternoon that Paramount is resurrecting the Scary Movie franchise with a brand new reboot movie, which will likely arrive in theaters in 2025.
Variety notes in their report, “Paramount Pictures announced that it is partnering with “Fast and Furious” mega-producer Neal H. Moritz to resurrect the dormant franchise. Scary Movie is going into production in the fall of 2024, and should hit theaters in 2025.”
“Scary Movie is also being made as part of the Paramount’s first look partnership with Miramax, the studio behind the film franchise. Miramax will fully finance the production, with Paramount handling distribution,” Variety further details in today’s report.
Directed by Keenen Ivory Wayans, the first Scary Movie was released...
Variety reports this afternoon that Paramount is resurrecting the Scary Movie franchise with a brand new reboot movie, which will likely arrive in theaters in 2025.
Variety notes in their report, “Paramount Pictures announced that it is partnering with “Fast and Furious” mega-producer Neal H. Moritz to resurrect the dormant franchise. Scary Movie is going into production in the fall of 2024, and should hit theaters in 2025.”
“Scary Movie is also being made as part of the Paramount’s first look partnership with Miramax, the studio behind the film franchise. Miramax will fully finance the production, with Paramount handling distribution,” Variety further details in today’s report.
Directed by Keenen Ivory Wayans, the first Scary Movie was released...
- 4/11/2024
- by John Squires
- bloody-disgusting.com
The Miramax label at Paramount under new boss Jonathan Glickman is getting back into the Scary Movie business with a new movie that will go into production this year for theatrical release in 2025.
This news was made official before Paramount’s CinemaCon presentation this Am.
Dimension Films, a former genre label of Miramax, originally released the Scary Movie comedies during the early aughts grossing north of $896M through five movies.
The original movie was directed by Keenan Ivory Wayans, and co-written by his brothers Shawn Wayans and Marlon Wayans as well as Buddy Johnson. The Scream and horror movie comedy satire in the spirit of Airplane! launched Anna Faris into stardom, opening to $42.3M and in July of 2000, and finaling at $157M domestic, and $278M global.
This news was made official before Paramount’s CinemaCon presentation this Am.
Dimension Films, a former genre label of Miramax, originally released the Scary Movie comedies during the early aughts grossing north of $896M through five movies.
The original movie was directed by Keenan Ivory Wayans, and co-written by his brothers Shawn Wayans and Marlon Wayans as well as Buddy Johnson. The Scream and horror movie comedy satire in the spirit of Airplane! launched Anna Faris into stardom, opening to $42.3M and in July of 2000, and finaling at $157M domestic, and $278M global.
- 4/11/2024
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
While innovations in technology have made it easier than ever to make a movie, it has become harder than ever to receive significant financial backing. Doubly hard when one is a director of an underrepresented background.
Black Americans have been a part of the film industry since the beginning, over a century ago, but one could argue that there were not any Black film directors given enough of a platform to become a household name until the 1990s. Though a diverse set of directors were able to breakthrough from that time through the aughts, the shift in focus toward solely blockbuster filmmaking has left many Black filmmakers out to dry.
In recent years, quite a few Black directors have seen a greater level of support and reverence, from “Get Out” director Jordan Peele to “Black Panther” director Ryan Coogler, “Moonlight” director Barry Jenkins to “Selma” director Ava DuVernay. And every...
Black Americans have been a part of the film industry since the beginning, over a century ago, but one could argue that there were not any Black film directors given enough of a platform to become a household name until the 1990s. Though a diverse set of directors were able to breakthrough from that time through the aughts, the shift in focus toward solely blockbuster filmmaking has left many Black filmmakers out to dry.
In recent years, quite a few Black directors have seen a greater level of support and reverence, from “Get Out” director Jordan Peele to “Black Panther” director Ryan Coogler, “Moonlight” director Barry Jenkins to “Selma” director Ava DuVernay. And every...
- 2/1/2024
- by Marcus Jones
- Indiewire
Fun trivia: one of the working titles for Wes Craven's 1996 slasher satire "Scream" was "Scary Movie." Filmmaker Keenan Ivory Wayans got wind of this trivia, and decided in 2000 to make a film called "Scary Movie" intended to satirize the popularity of "Scream." The late 1990s were a curious time in popular culture, as there weren't too many dominant horror trends. Popular music was beginning to comment on its own self-awareness (see: "Flagpole Sitta") and irony became ironic. Self-reflection went from a healthy Socratic exercise into a loop of eternal recurrence. By 2000, we became so busy commenting on our own commentaries, that it was hard to see where we started. This is where "Scary Movie" dropped in.
Make no mistake, "Scary Movie" is unfunny, as are its many sequels. They're cheap, homophobic, and vulgar. Wayans took his model from spoof filmmakers like Zucker/Abrahams/Zucker, but aimed to make something...
Make no mistake, "Scary Movie" is unfunny, as are its many sequels. They're cheap, homophobic, and vulgar. Wayans took his model from spoof filmmakers like Zucker/Abrahams/Zucker, but aimed to make something...
- 1/31/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Roy Wood Jr. confirmed his fans’ lip-reading skills on Monday after Emmy Award audiences caught him mouthing what appeared to be a plea from stage for a new Daily Show host.
Trevor Noah famously left The Daily Show in December 2022, but the Emmys delay means the Television Academy is only now honoring the 2022-23 TV season. In that time, The Daily Show has yet to name a permanent replacement, rotating through guest-hosts instead since this time last year. Early on in that process, Wood, a correspondent for the entirety of Noah’s run, was seen as a viable contender for the role, but he ultimately exited the show in October, once it was clear that the search would drag on — and on.
At the Emmy Awards on Monday, Noah’s iteration of The Daily Show won best variety talk series, beating out The Late Show With Steven Colbert, Late Night With Seth Meyers,...
Trevor Noah famously left The Daily Show in December 2022, but the Emmys delay means the Television Academy is only now honoring the 2022-23 TV season. In that time, The Daily Show has yet to name a permanent replacement, rotating through guest-hosts instead since this time last year. Early on in that process, Wood, a correspondent for the entirety of Noah’s run, was seen as a viable contender for the role, but he ultimately exited the show in October, once it was clear that the search would drag on — and on.
At the Emmy Awards on Monday, Noah’s iteration of The Daily Show won best variety talk series, beating out The Late Show With Steven Colbert, Late Night With Seth Meyers,...
- 1/16/2024
- by Zoe G Phillips and Mikey O'Connell
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Trevor Noah’s Final ‘Daily Show’ Season Grabs Variety Talk Series Emmy: “We Got Rid of John Oliver!”
The Daily Show With Trevor Noah took home the Emmy Award for best variety talk series on Monday, the first win for the show since Jon Stewart’s final year as host. As it happens, 2023 was also Noah’s final year as host of the Comedy Central show.
“This story has been so long, so crazy, so wonderful,” Noah said in accepting the award. “Thank you so much to the team and the person I always thank, the crazy genius, Jon Stewart. Thank you for calling me up and asking me to come join you on this crazy journey.”
Noah also joked about breaking the win streak of HBO’s Last Week Tonight With John Oliver in the variety talk category. A rules change this year moved Last Week Tonight into the scripted variety category (which it also won), clearing the path for a new winner in the talk category...
“This story has been so long, so crazy, so wonderful,” Noah said in accepting the award. “Thank you so much to the team and the person I always thank, the crazy genius, Jon Stewart. Thank you for calling me up and asking me to come join you on this crazy journey.”
Noah also joked about breaking the win streak of HBO’s Last Week Tonight With John Oliver in the variety talk category. A rules change this year moved Last Week Tonight into the scripted variety category (which it also won), clearing the path for a new winner in the talk category...
- 1/16/2024
- by Rick Porter
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The episode of Wtf Happened to This Horror Movie? covering Eye See You was Written by Mike Holtz, Narrated by Travis Hopson, Edited by Juan Jimenez, Produced by Andrew Hatfield and John Fallon, and Executive Produced by Berge Garabedian.
If you’re like me and so many other nineties kids, you may remember Eye See You (watch it Here) as that Sylvester Stallone film you saw late in his career sitting on the shelves at your local Blockbuster or Hollywood Video featuring Sly pointing a gun in a snowy landscape looking just as surprised as you to be there with such little fanfare. Stallone belongs on the “Guaranteed to have in-stock or you get a free rental” Holy shit package wall of the video store or at the very least in an interesting role among an all-star cast like he’d been in with Cop Land a few years previous.
If you’re like me and so many other nineties kids, you may remember Eye See You (watch it Here) as that Sylvester Stallone film you saw late in his career sitting on the shelves at your local Blockbuster or Hollywood Video featuring Sly pointing a gun in a snowy landscape looking just as surprised as you to be there with such little fanfare. Stallone belongs on the “Guaranteed to have in-stock or you get a free rental” Holy shit package wall of the video store or at the very least in an interesting role among an all-star cast like he’d been in with Cop Land a few years previous.
- 1/1/2024
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
Is it time to play Vanessa Carlton’s “A Thousand Miles” for White Chicks 2? What Marlon and Shawn Wayans have said about the possibility of filming a sequel to the 2004 comedy turned early-aughts classic. Plus, who among their co-stars is eager for a White Chicks 2, and where the future of the Wayans brothers’ comedy stands today.
A ‘White Chicks 2’ sequel isn’t officially in the works
Sorry, White Chicks fans. The story of brothers Marcus (Marlon Wayans) and Kevin Copeland (Shawn Wayans) memorably going undercover as white women to investigate socialites’ kidnappings isn’t continuing. At least, not right now.
Marlon and Shawn, who wrote and starred in the film together along with their brother, Keenen Ivory Wayans as co-writer and director, have both discussed the possibility of a sequel over the years. However, today, one isn’t in development or production at Sony, the movie studio that owns the rights to the original.
A ‘White Chicks 2’ sequel isn’t officially in the works
Sorry, White Chicks fans. The story of brothers Marcus (Marlon Wayans) and Kevin Copeland (Shawn Wayans) memorably going undercover as white women to investigate socialites’ kidnappings isn’t continuing. At least, not right now.
Marlon and Shawn, who wrote and starred in the film together along with their brother, Keenen Ivory Wayans as co-writer and director, have both discussed the possibility of a sequel over the years. However, today, one isn’t in development or production at Sony, the movie studio that owns the rights to the original.
- 10/7/2023
- by Mandi Kerr
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Shelley Smith, who starred with Martin Short on ABC sitcom The Associates, has died. She was 70 and her death from cardiac arrest came on Aug. 8.
Smith died at Hollywood Presbyterian Hospital, according to her husband of 18 years, actor Michael Maguire.
“I’m sorry I have not updated everyone sooner,” Maguire said in his post. “My dear, sweet angel Shelly Smith passed peacefully yesterday at 2:20 Pm. Her children, Nicky and Miranda Nathan and I were at her side and holding her hand and kissing her head and singing to her and telling her how much we loved her. Also, with us was Grant Stevens, my great great friend, who gave up himself to help us, understand the process of dying, and guided us through it with so much class and dignity! We owe him a tremendous debt!
“Shelley lived an incredible life! We are all heartbroken, but we are also...
Smith died at Hollywood Presbyterian Hospital, according to her husband of 18 years, actor Michael Maguire.
“I’m sorry I have not updated everyone sooner,” Maguire said in his post. “My dear, sweet angel Shelly Smith passed peacefully yesterday at 2:20 Pm. Her children, Nicky and Miranda Nathan and I were at her side and holding her hand and kissing her head and singing to her and telling her how much we loved her. Also, with us was Grant Stevens, my great great friend, who gave up himself to help us, understand the process of dying, and guided us through it with so much class and dignity! We owe him a tremendous debt!
“Shelley lived an incredible life! We are all heartbroken, but we are also...
- 8/12/2023
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
Shelley Smith, the statuesque super model who starred alongside Martin Short on a sitcom and was a regular on game shows like The $10,000 Pyramid before she launched an egg-donor program to assist infertile couples, has died. She was 70.
Smith died Tuesday at Hollywood Presbyterian Hospital, her husband of 18 years, actor Michael Maguire, tearfully announced on social media. She had been in a coma after experiencing cardiac arrest three days earlier, and her health had deteriorated in the past year, he said.
On the 1979-80 ABC comedy The Associates, a sequel of sorts to The Paper Chase from creators James L. Brooks, Ed. Weinberger, Stan Daniels and Charlie Hauck, Smith played a sharp, upper-class Bostonian who works at a Wall Street law firm.
The show, which also featured Short, Joe Regalbuto, Alley Mills and Wilfrid Hyde-White — with whom she graced the cover of TV Guide in November 1979 — lasted just 13 episodes.
The 5-foot-9 Smith then played Capt.
Smith died Tuesday at Hollywood Presbyterian Hospital, her husband of 18 years, actor Michael Maguire, tearfully announced on social media. She had been in a coma after experiencing cardiac arrest three days earlier, and her health had deteriorated in the past year, he said.
On the 1979-80 ABC comedy The Associates, a sequel of sorts to The Paper Chase from creators James L. Brooks, Ed. Weinberger, Stan Daniels and Charlie Hauck, Smith played a sharp, upper-class Bostonian who works at a Wall Street law firm.
The show, which also featured Short, Joe Regalbuto, Alley Mills and Wilfrid Hyde-White — with whom she graced the cover of TV Guide in November 1979 — lasted just 13 episodes.
The 5-foot-9 Smith then played Capt.
- 8/12/2023
- by Mike Barnes
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
What would Hollywood be without a good ole Blaxploitation film? And now that “They Cloned Tyrone” has hit Netflix screens, conversations about the Blaxploitation movies that crawled so that “They Cloned Tyrone” could pimp walk have come to the forefront.
Juel Taylor’s film welcomes watchers to The Glen, a normal, everyday neighborhood where its predominately Black residents live out their lives shopping, going to church and enjoying the fruits of their labor. However, beneath the surface, but right in front of their eyes, the government is executing a plot to keep the community in an endless cycle of unhealthy behavior that ultimately blocks them from mental and financial wellness.
Like many Blaxploitation films, “They Cloned Tyrone” creatively calls out and highlights the systemic issues Black community faces while also celebrating Black culture and Black people’s perseverance.
When “They Cloned Tyrone” hit Netflix, people online began discussing the films that influenced it,...
Juel Taylor’s film welcomes watchers to The Glen, a normal, everyday neighborhood where its predominately Black residents live out their lives shopping, going to church and enjoying the fruits of their labor. However, beneath the surface, but right in front of their eyes, the government is executing a plot to keep the community in an endless cycle of unhealthy behavior that ultimately blocks them from mental and financial wellness.
Like many Blaxploitation films, “They Cloned Tyrone” creatively calls out and highlights the systemic issues Black community faces while also celebrating Black culture and Black people’s perseverance.
When “They Cloned Tyrone” hit Netflix, people online began discussing the films that influenced it,...
- 8/3/2023
- by Raquel "Rocky" Harris
- The Wrap
Lin-Manuel Miranda wants to keep directing movies, but don’t look for him to mount any large-scale spectacles.
“My responsibility as a filmmaker — and I really hope to make more movies — is to make the weird little musicals that no one else can get made,” he told Rosie Perez during an appearance Tuesday at the Tribeca Festival. His 2021 debut as a director, tick … tick … Boom!, was “a really nice size for me,” the Hamilton creator said. “I really love working with actors. I really love unlocking musical storytelling, and that’s the fun part.”
Miranda maintained he “would never” attempt something as lavish as Wicked, the forthcoming Universal adaptation of the long-running Broadway show. Jon M. Chu, a friend as well as the director of the film adaptation of Miranda’s In The Heights, “is going to do something amazing, and I can’t wait to see it,” he said.
“My responsibility as a filmmaker — and I really hope to make more movies — is to make the weird little musicals that no one else can get made,” he told Rosie Perez during an appearance Tuesday at the Tribeca Festival. His 2021 debut as a director, tick … tick … Boom!, was “a really nice size for me,” the Hamilton creator said. “I really love working with actors. I really love unlocking musical storytelling, and that’s the fun part.”
Miranda maintained he “would never” attempt something as lavish as Wicked, the forthcoming Universal adaptation of the long-running Broadway show. Jon M. Chu, a friend as well as the director of the film adaptation of Miranda’s In The Heights, “is going to do something amazing, and I can’t wait to see it,” he said.
- 6/14/2023
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
Ruth Carter doesn’t need the prefix “costume designer” in front of her name; she is a household name. Carter made Oscar history when she became the first Black woman ever to win two Oscars, thanks to her work on the “Black Panther” films.
With credits that include “Selma,” “Malcolm X,” “Coming 2 America” and being Spike Lee’s go-to, Carter has stories to tell. In her new book, “The Art of Ruth E. Carter,” she shares those stories. The book covers three decades of work and some of her 72 credits.
Carter spoke with Variety about the book, her first time working in TV and on the “Seinfeld” pilot, as well as the most expensive costume she ever worked on.
We’ve been talking about the book for a while, how does it feel to have it out now?
I didn’t realize I was birthing a baby. I was...
With credits that include “Selma,” “Malcolm X,” “Coming 2 America” and being Spike Lee’s go-to, Carter has stories to tell. In her new book, “The Art of Ruth E. Carter,” she shares those stories. The book covers three decades of work and some of her 72 credits.
Carter spoke with Variety about the book, her first time working in TV and on the “Seinfeld” pilot, as well as the most expensive costume she ever worked on.
We’ve been talking about the book for a while, how does it feel to have it out now?
I didn’t realize I was birthing a baby. I was...
- 6/7/2023
- by Jazz Tangcay
- Variety Film + TV
After years of paying the bills with commercial gigs and extra work, by the mid ’80s, Robert Townsend was making a decent living performing in comedy clubs and appearing in small roles in big movies like “A Soldier’s Story,” “American Flyers,” and Walter Hill’s action-musical extravaganza “Streets of Fire.” Most of his auditions, however, were still for stereotypical roles as pimps, slaves, and gangbangers; his agent told him that Hollywood only made one decent Black film a year, and “A Soldier’s Story” was it for 1984.
Frustrated by the lack of opportunities, Townsend and Keenan Ivory Wayans created their own by co-writing the movie industry satire “Hollywood Shuffle,” which Townsend directed and self-financed on savings and credit cards. The 1987 comedy —now part of the Criterion Collection — stands alongside “Stranger Than Paradise,” “She’s Gotta Have It,” and “sex, lies, and videotape” as a touchstone of the ’80s independent film movement, and...
Frustrated by the lack of opportunities, Townsend and Keenan Ivory Wayans created their own by co-writing the movie industry satire “Hollywood Shuffle,” which Townsend directed and self-financed on savings and credit cards. The 1987 comedy —now part of the Criterion Collection — stands alongside “Stranger Than Paradise,” “She’s Gotta Have It,” and “sex, lies, and videotape” as a touchstone of the ’80s independent film movement, and...
- 3/2/2023
- by Jim Hemphill
- Indiewire
Robert Townsend looks back on his debut film, "Hollywood Shuffle," with a major sense of fondness. By all accounts, it was a struggle to get off the ground — Townsend notoriously maxed out a handful of credit cards to fund the two-and-a-half-year shoot, and the story itself was born from Townsend's frustrating beginnings as a Black actor. But he quickly decided to take that frustration and spin it into an opportunity. "We were just being bad boys and just having fun," Townsend says now of the experience. "I just felt it was funny. I felt like we wanted to say something."
The intervening years have definitely been kind to Townsend, and to the film he co-wrote with Keenen Ivory Wayans. The duo's scathing critiques take on a new form in a series of sharp, ingenious comedy sketches. From a Siskel & Ebert-style chat show to a remix of classic noirs like "The Maltese Falcon,...
The intervening years have definitely been kind to Townsend, and to the film he co-wrote with Keenen Ivory Wayans. The duo's scathing critiques take on a new form in a series of sharp, ingenious comedy sketches. From a Siskel & Ebert-style chat show to a remix of classic noirs like "The Maltese Falcon,...
- 2/28/2023
- by Lyvie Scott
- Slash Film
Image Source: Getty / Alberto E. Rodriguez
The Wayans family might be taking over our TV screens again, this time in a new potential series at CBS. On Oct. 10, Deadline exclusively reported that dream duo Damon Wayans, 62, and his son Damon Wayans Jr., 40, are set to star in an untitled father-son comedy at the network, which now has an official pilot order, per a Feb. 8 update.
According to the outlet, the multicamera sitcom "revolves around legendary talk radio host and happily divorced 'Poppa' (Wayans), who has to drag his grown son (Wayans Jr.), who has all his charm and none of his drive, kicking and screaming into adulthood before he turns 40." It'll be executive produced by the comedy pair, along with former "Last Man Standing" executive producer Kevin Hench, and cowritten by Wayans.
The yet-to-be-titled series marks Wayans's return to network comedy following his wildly successful sitcom "My Wife and Kids.
The Wayans family might be taking over our TV screens again, this time in a new potential series at CBS. On Oct. 10, Deadline exclusively reported that dream duo Damon Wayans, 62, and his son Damon Wayans Jr., 40, are set to star in an untitled father-son comedy at the network, which now has an official pilot order, per a Feb. 8 update.
According to the outlet, the multicamera sitcom "revolves around legendary talk radio host and happily divorced 'Poppa' (Wayans), who has to drag his grown son (Wayans Jr.), who has all his charm and none of his drive, kicking and screaming into adulthood before he turns 40." It'll be executive produced by the comedy pair, along with former "Last Man Standing" executive producer Kevin Hench, and cowritten by Wayans.
The yet-to-be-titled series marks Wayans's return to network comedy following his wildly successful sitcom "My Wife and Kids.
- 2/9/2023
- by Njera Perkins
- Popsugar.com
There have been many classic movie comedies over the years featuring Black stars, ranging from Eddie Murphy's Coming to America to Whoopi Goldberg's Sister Act. Those films are among the many that resonated with Black audiences even though they were directed by white filmmakers. Despite that, Hollywood has also had a long tradition of Black directors creating movies aimed specifically at Black audiences; trailblazer Oscar Micheaux, in fact, is regarded as the first major Black filmmaker, directing and producing more than 40 so-called "race films" between 1919 and 1948.
These days, as Hollywood executives increasingly come to realize the importance of Black directors telling Black stories, there's been an ever-growing number of Black directors engaging in big-screen filmmaking, a trend that has been evident not just in dramas but in comedies as well. In fact, some of the most beloved comedies with predominantly Black casts featured Black directors at the helm. For the full picture,...
These days, as Hollywood executives increasingly come to realize the importance of Black directors telling Black stories, there's been an ever-growing number of Black directors engaging in big-screen filmmaking, a trend that has been evident not just in dramas but in comedies as well. In fact, some of the most beloved comedies with predominantly Black casts featured Black directors at the helm. For the full picture,...
- 1/25/2023
- by Brent Furdyk
- Slash Film
As his industry comedy Hollywood Shuffle turns 35 and is inducted into the Criterion collection, the multi-hyphenate talks the struggle to make a low-budget indie
Robert Townsend moved to Los Angeles in the early 80s, determined to become a Hollywood star. And though he had quickly emerged as a draw on the standup circuit, the Chicago native struggled to reckon with the structural racism he encountered while auditioning for bit parts on film and TV – the vast majority of them ham-fisted stereotypes, from snitch to slave.
Before long, Townsend’s casting call stories – some of them humiliating, most of them hilariously tone deaf – became too overwhelming for his regular postmortems with Keenen Ivory Wayans, who was going through the exact same thing.
Robert Townsend moved to Los Angeles in the early 80s, determined to become a Hollywood star. And though he had quickly emerged as a draw on the standup circuit, the Chicago native struggled to reckon with the structural racism he encountered while auditioning for bit parts on film and TV – the vast majority of them ham-fisted stereotypes, from snitch to slave.
Before long, Townsend’s casting call stories – some of them humiliating, most of them hilariously tone deaf – became too overwhelming for his regular postmortems with Keenen Ivory Wayans, who was going through the exact same thing.
- 11/29/2022
- by Andrew Lawrence
- The Guardian - Film News
Two all new celebrities in disguise took to “The Masked Singer” stage for “Fright Night” on Wednesday, November 23, singing their hearts out and coming for Snowstorm’s crown. After giving a soulful rendition of “Devil With the Blue Dress On” by Mitch Ryder & the Detroit Wheels, Sir Bug a Boo advanced to the evening’s Battle Royale, only to be bested by Snowstorm after singing “Somebody’s Watching Me” by Rockwell. The entire panel consisting of Robin Thicke, Jenny McCarthy, Ken Jeong and Nicole Scherzinger failed to correctly guess Grammy-winning swinger-songwriter Ray Parker Jr. was behind the mask.
“I saw it last year when y’all thought I was Bobby Brown,” Parker Jr. told Nick Cannon during his unmasked interview. “They put my head on the character and I was like, ‘What the heck is that?'” To his friends, family and fans watching at home, the accomplished musician said,...
“I saw it last year when y’all thought I was Bobby Brown,” Parker Jr. told Nick Cannon during his unmasked interview. “They put my head on the character and I was like, ‘What the heck is that?'” To his friends, family and fans watching at home, the accomplished musician said,...
- 11/27/2022
- by Denton Davidson
- Gold Derby
Spoiler Alert: Do not read ahead if you have not watched the Season 8, episode 9, of “The Masked Singer,” “Fright Night,” which aired Nov. 23 on Fox.
Perhaps “The Masked Singer” judges are finally figuring out that this year’s episodic themes frequently reference the week’s new disguised celebrity contestants. This Wednesday’s episode was dubbed “Fright Night,” so who ya gonna call? “Ghostbusters” singer Ray Parker, Jr., of course. And who might also lurk on stage? “Exorcist” star Linda Blair.
That’s right, for the episode’s reveals, Parker, Jr., and Blair were the next stars to be unmasked.
Blair, as the Scarecrow, stunned host Nick Cannon and the audience by volunteering to unmask and let the other two contestants duke it out to move on to next week. “I love this show so much,” she said. “I came to share how much I love you and what you all...
Perhaps “The Masked Singer” judges are finally figuring out that this year’s episodic themes frequently reference the week’s new disguised celebrity contestants. This Wednesday’s episode was dubbed “Fright Night,” so who ya gonna call? “Ghostbusters” singer Ray Parker, Jr., of course. And who might also lurk on stage? “Exorcist” star Linda Blair.
That’s right, for the episode’s reveals, Parker, Jr., and Blair were the next stars to be unmasked.
Blair, as the Scarecrow, stunned host Nick Cannon and the audience by volunteering to unmask and let the other two contestants duke it out to move on to next week. “I love this show so much,” she said. “I came to share how much I love you and what you all...
- 11/24/2022
- by Michael Schneider
- Variety Film + TV
Budd Friedman, comedy club pioneer and founder of the original Improv comedy club, has died. He was 90. Friedman died Saturday of heart failure at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, his wife, Alix, told The Hollywood Reporter.
Friedman founded the original Improv in New York City in 1963, giving early career breaks to comedians and acting superstars like Jay Leno, Bette Midler, Richard Pryor and more.
He opened his second location in Hollywood in 1975, just three years after Johnny Carson moved “The Tonight Show” from New York to Los Angeles, marking the brand’s first expansion. Friedman and his partner, Mark Lonow, would go on to open 22 Improvs across 12 states before selling the company in February 2018 to Levity Entertainment Group.
His comedy clubs also helped provide a platform for superstars like Adam Sandler, Richard Lewis, Dick Cavett, David Steinberg, Steve Landesberg, David Brenner, Lily Tomlin, Freddie Prinze, Gabe Kaplan, Chris Rock,...
Friedman founded the original Improv in New York City in 1963, giving early career breaks to comedians and acting superstars like Jay Leno, Bette Midler, Richard Pryor and more.
He opened his second location in Hollywood in 1975, just three years after Johnny Carson moved “The Tonight Show” from New York to Los Angeles, marking the brand’s first expansion. Friedman and his partner, Mark Lonow, would go on to open 22 Improvs across 12 states before selling the company in February 2018 to Levity Entertainment Group.
His comedy clubs also helped provide a platform for superstars like Adam Sandler, Richard Lewis, Dick Cavett, David Steinberg, Steve Landesberg, David Brenner, Lily Tomlin, Freddie Prinze, Gabe Kaplan, Chris Rock,...
- 11/13/2022
- by Brent Furdyk
- ET Canada
Budd Friedman, the Broadway producer who founded The Improv comedy club franchise and kickstarted the careers of some of Hollywood’s biggest comic voices, died of heart failure Saturday in Los Angeles. He was 90 years old.
“The comedy world lost a giant today,” the Hollywood Improv wrote in a statement Saturday evening. “In 1963 he changed the world of comedy by creating the first comedy club for the masses to come together in laughter. In 1963 he changed the world. He went global. He was a pioneer. He was a gentleman. He was a luminary.”
The comedy world lost a giant today.
In 1963 he changed the world of comedy by creating the first comedy club for the masses to come together in laughter.
In 1963 he changed the world.
He went global.
He was a pioneer.
He was a gentleman.
He was a luminary. pic.twitter.com/l1pA38AGww
— Hollywood Improv (@HollywoodImprov...
“The comedy world lost a giant today,” the Hollywood Improv wrote in a statement Saturday evening. “In 1963 he changed the world of comedy by creating the first comedy club for the masses to come together in laughter. In 1963 he changed the world. He went global. He was a pioneer. He was a gentleman. He was a luminary.”
The comedy world lost a giant today.
In 1963 he changed the world of comedy by creating the first comedy club for the masses to come together in laughter.
In 1963 he changed the world.
He went global.
He was a pioneer.
He was a gentleman.
He was a luminary. pic.twitter.com/l1pA38AGww
— Hollywood Improv (@HollywoodImprov...
- 11/13/2022
- by Katie Reul
- Variety Film + TV
Budd Friedman, the comedy club pioneer who founded the original Improv in New York in 1963 and gave early career breaks to the likes of Jay Leno, Robert Klein, Bette Midler, Richard Pryor and Andy Kaufman, has died. He was 90.
Friedman died Saturday of heart failure at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, his wife, Alix, told The Hollywood Reporter.
Three years after Johnny Carson and The Tonight Show departed Manhattan for Burbank, Friedman opened a Hollywood outpost of the Improv on Melrose Avenue in 1975 in his first expansion of the brand.
There were 22 Improvs across 12 states in February 2018 when Friedman and partner Mark Lonow sold the company to Levity Entertainment Group, whose investors included Irving Azoff.
At his flagship New York hotspot, located at West 44th Street and Ninth Avenue in Hell’s Kitchen, Friedman also employed Rodney Dangerfield as an Mc, Elayne Boosler...
Friedman died Saturday of heart failure at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, his wife, Alix, told The Hollywood Reporter.
Three years after Johnny Carson and The Tonight Show departed Manhattan for Burbank, Friedman opened a Hollywood outpost of the Improv on Melrose Avenue in 1975 in his first expansion of the brand.
There were 22 Improvs across 12 states in February 2018 when Friedman and partner Mark Lonow sold the company to Levity Entertainment Group, whose investors included Irving Azoff.
At his flagship New York hotspot, located at West 44th Street and Ninth Avenue in Hell’s Kitchen, Friedman also employed Rodney Dangerfield as an Mc, Elayne Boosler...
- 11/13/2022
- by Mike Barnes
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
A story about Jim Carrey might make him sound like a cheesy 1980s infomercial psychic telling you to "visualize it, dream it, attain it." But how Jim Carrey-esque of him, after all. Carrey exploded onto the scene in 1994 with "Ace Ventura: Pet Detective." But he'd been plugging away at comedy since the 1970s — first with standup and then small movie roles throughout the 1980s. His profile began to grow with a starring role on Fox's sketch show "In Living Color."
In 1994, Morgan Creek Entertainment put down 450,000 on a lottery ticket with Carrey as the lead in "Ace Ventura: Pet Detective." It was a gamble, as some thought Carrey's over-the-top style might not work. Spoiler alert: It did.
Morgan Creek Entertainment cashed in their lotto ticket to the tune of 100 million at the box office, and Carrey became a bona fide Hollywood A-lister. He had a string of hits including "The Mask...
In 1994, Morgan Creek Entertainment put down 450,000 on a lottery ticket with Carrey as the lead in "Ace Ventura: Pet Detective." It was a gamble, as some thought Carrey's over-the-top style might not work. Spoiler alert: It did.
Morgan Creek Entertainment cashed in their lotto ticket to the tune of 100 million at the box office, and Carrey became a bona fide Hollywood A-lister. He had a string of hits including "The Mask...
- 11/7/2022
- by Travis Yates
- Slash Film
Marlon Wayans and the entire Wayans clan have always made films that push the limits of what is considered “decent” to get a laugh. Well before their time on “In Living Color,” Keenan Ivory Wayans was shocking people with the cult classic comedy, “I’m Gonna Git You Sucka.” And of course, years later, Shawn and Marlon Wayans continued to push the boundaries with “White Chicks,” a film that many point to as an example of a hit feature that has not really held up over the years due to its misogynistic and racial humor.
Continue reading Marlon Wayans Defends Controversial Comedy ‘White Chicks’: “I Ain’t Listening To This Damn Generation” at The Playlist.
Continue reading Marlon Wayans Defends Controversial Comedy ‘White Chicks’: “I Ain’t Listening To This Damn Generation” at The Playlist.
- 10/25/2022
- by Charles Barfield
- The Playlist
Marlon Wayans is ready to walk “A Thousand Miles” to defend his 2004 film “White Chicks.”
The controversial comedy starred Wayans and his brother Shawn Wayans as two FBI agents who go undercover as white women to stop a kidnapping. Wayans’ brother Keenan Ivory Wayans directed the film.
Looking back on the jokes and white face premise that is now viewed by some as inappropriate, Wayans slammed the concept of cancel culture in comedies.
“I don’t know what planet we’re on, where you think people don’t need laughter, and that people need to be censored and canceled,” Wayans told Buzzfeed. “If a joke is gonna get me canceled, thank you for doing me that favor.”
He continued, “It’s sad that society is in this place where we can’t laugh anymore. I ain’t listening to this damn generation. I ain’t listening to these folks: These scared-ass people,...
The controversial comedy starred Wayans and his brother Shawn Wayans as two FBI agents who go undercover as white women to stop a kidnapping. Wayans’ brother Keenan Ivory Wayans directed the film.
Looking back on the jokes and white face premise that is now viewed by some as inappropriate, Wayans slammed the concept of cancel culture in comedies.
“I don’t know what planet we’re on, where you think people don’t need laughter, and that people need to be censored and canceled,” Wayans told Buzzfeed. “If a joke is gonna get me canceled, thank you for doing me that favor.”
He continued, “It’s sad that society is in this place where we can’t laugh anymore. I ain’t listening to this damn generation. I ain’t listening to these folks: These scared-ass people,...
- 10/25/2022
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Marlon Wayans is pushing back on political correctness and said that he will not change his comedy style to survive in this day and age and appease the current generation.
In a recent interview, Wayans was asked if a movie like 2004’s White Chicks could “thrive” and not fall into “cancel culture.”
“I think they’re needed. I don’t know what planet we’re on, where you think people don’t need laughter, and that people need to be censored and canceled. If a joke is gonna get me canceled, thank you for doing me that favor,” he told Buzzfeed. “It’s sad that society is in this place where we can’t laugh anymore. I ain’t listening to this damn generation.”
White Chicks is a comedy directed by Keenan Ivory Wayans about two Black FBI agents, played by Wayans and his brother Shawn, who go undercover as...
In a recent interview, Wayans was asked if a movie like 2004’s White Chicks could “thrive” and not fall into “cancel culture.”
“I think they’re needed. I don’t know what planet we’re on, where you think people don’t need laughter, and that people need to be censored and canceled. If a joke is gonna get me canceled, thank you for doing me that favor,” he told Buzzfeed. “It’s sad that society is in this place where we can’t laugh anymore. I ain’t listening to this damn generation.”
White Chicks is a comedy directed by Keenan Ivory Wayans about two Black FBI agents, played by Wayans and his brother Shawn, who go undercover as...
- 10/24/2022
- by Armando Tinoco
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Kevin Daniels (The Big Leap), Academy Award-nominee Mickey Rourke (The Wrestler), and Vivica A. Fox (Independence Day) has signed on to star in the spoof-comedy Not Another Church Movie from Monty the Dog Productions. Others set for the film include Kyla Pratt (Call Me Kat), Lamorne Morris (New Girl), Tisha Campbell (House Party) and Jasmine Guy (Harlem).
Not Another Church Movie is billed as a wild ride through the fabulous world of Taylor Pherry (Daniels), an ambitious young man given a holy mission from God Himself: to tell his family’s stories and inspire his community. His only concern? His family and community. What he doesn’t know is that the Devil (Rourke) has plans of his own.
Johnny Mack (Wild ‘N Out) and City on a Hill actor James Michael Cummings are directing from Mack’s script. Cummings, Jim Cardwell, and Paul Saleba are producing, with Valerie McCaffrey serving as executive producer.
Not Another Church Movie is billed as a wild ride through the fabulous world of Taylor Pherry (Daniels), an ambitious young man given a holy mission from God Himself: to tell his family’s stories and inspire his community. His only concern? His family and community. What he doesn’t know is that the Devil (Rourke) has plans of his own.
Johnny Mack (Wild ‘N Out) and City on a Hill actor James Michael Cummings are directing from Mack’s script. Cummings, Jim Cardwell, and Paul Saleba are producing, with Valerie McCaffrey serving as executive producer.
- 7/18/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Has there ever been a star like Jennifer Lopez? Never. What a long, weird, wonderful career she’s built — a whole new genre of celebrity, a one-woman paradigm shift in pop culture. She’s done it all. A little song, a little dance, a lot of movies, some romance.
The world’s most famous Latina. The world’s most famous Gen-Xer. A one-woman assault on cultural clichés. A gangster. A hustler. J.Lo’s career has been packed with glorious highs and a few hilariously disastrous lows, just because that’s how legends roll.
The world’s most famous Latina. The world’s most famous Gen-Xer. A one-woman assault on cultural clichés. A gangster. A hustler. J.Lo’s career has been packed with glorious highs and a few hilariously disastrous lows, just because that’s how legends roll.
- 2/10/2022
- by Rob Sheffield
- Rollingstone.com
Updated with WGA West statements: John Bowman, an Emmy-winning SNL writer, Martin series -cocreator and producer who also led the WGA’s negotiating committee during the 2007-08 strike, has died. His son Johnny Bowman said his father died suddenly on New Year’s Eve at home in California.
Watch a clip of Bowman addressing WGA picketers in November 2007 below.
A three-time Emmy nominee, Bowman is known for writing on In Living Color, co-creating the ’90 sitcom Martin and writing for Saturday Night Live. He won a writing Emmy for the latter in 1989, shared with Mike Myers, Keenen Ivory Wayans, Al Franken, Conan O’Brien, Bob Odenkirk, Lorne Michaels, Phil Hartman and others.
Two years later in 1990, Bowman became one of the first white writers on the groundbreaking Fox sketch-comedy show In Living Color, created by Wayans.
Exec producer Bowman and Martin Lawrence created Martin, which aired for five season on Fox from...
Watch a clip of Bowman addressing WGA picketers in November 2007 below.
A three-time Emmy nominee, Bowman is known for writing on In Living Color, co-creating the ’90 sitcom Martin and writing for Saturday Night Live. He won a writing Emmy for the latter in 1989, shared with Mike Myers, Keenen Ivory Wayans, Al Franken, Conan O’Brien, Bob Odenkirk, Lorne Michaels, Phil Hartman and others.
Two years later in 1990, Bowman became one of the first white writers on the groundbreaking Fox sketch-comedy show In Living Color, created by Wayans.
Exec producer Bowman and Martin Lawrence created Martin, which aired for five season on Fox from...
- 1/4/2022
- by Valerie Complex
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Actor, stand-up comedian and bestselling author Damon Wayans has signed with CAA.
The four-time Emmy nominee starred just last night opposite Kevin Hart in ABC’s live staging of Diff’rent Strokes, as part of its Emmy-winning series, Live in Front of a Studio Audience. He played Willis Jackson, the role originated by Todd Bridges.
Wayans is best known for his work as the co-creator and writer of the Emmy-winning sketch series In Living Color, in which he also starred alongside family members including Keenen Ivory Wayans, Kim Wayans, Shawn Wayans and Marlon Wayans, as well as assorted comedy legends, including Jim Carrey, David Alan Grier and Jamie Foxx. He most recently starred as Roger Murtaugh in Fox’s Lethal Weapon series, also co-creating, exec producing and starring in the ABC comedy My Wife and Kids.
Wayans has appeared on the film side in Spike Lee’s Bamboozled, Nick Castle’s hit comedy Major Payne,...
The four-time Emmy nominee starred just last night opposite Kevin Hart in ABC’s live staging of Diff’rent Strokes, as part of its Emmy-winning series, Live in Front of a Studio Audience. He played Willis Jackson, the role originated by Todd Bridges.
Wayans is best known for his work as the co-creator and writer of the Emmy-winning sketch series In Living Color, in which he also starred alongside family members including Keenen Ivory Wayans, Kim Wayans, Shawn Wayans and Marlon Wayans, as well as assorted comedy legends, including Jim Carrey, David Alan Grier and Jamie Foxx. He most recently starred as Roger Murtaugh in Fox’s Lethal Weapon series, also co-creating, exec producing and starring in the ABC comedy My Wife and Kids.
Wayans has appeared on the film side in Spike Lee’s Bamboozled, Nick Castle’s hit comedy Major Payne,...
- 12/8/2021
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
The Last O.G. will rise again, but with some big changes.
Per The Hollywood Reporter, Tiffany Haddish does not have a contract to return, and is bowing out after a three-season run.
The beloved series is also changing showrunners. Owen Smith (Black-ish) becomes the show's fourth showrunner, replacing Keenen Ivory Wayans.
Wayans previously replaced Saladin Patterson, who stepped in for creator John Carcieri in season two.
"The Last O.G. has become more powerfully poignant with each season while always remaining incredibly funny,” said Sam Linsky and Adrienne O’Riain, co-heads of scripted original programming at TBS, TNT and TruTV.
"Tracy Morgan embraces the world with his humor while Owen Smith tackles real-life conversations head-on through hilarity. We can’t wait to see where they take us in season four."
The series stars Morgan as an ex-con who carves a new path after being released from a sint in prison.
TBS says...
Per The Hollywood Reporter, Tiffany Haddish does not have a contract to return, and is bowing out after a three-season run.
The beloved series is also changing showrunners. Owen Smith (Black-ish) becomes the show's fourth showrunner, replacing Keenen Ivory Wayans.
Wayans previously replaced Saladin Patterson, who stepped in for creator John Carcieri in season two.
"The Last O.G. has become more powerfully poignant with each season while always remaining incredibly funny,” said Sam Linsky and Adrienne O’Riain, co-heads of scripted original programming at TBS, TNT and TruTV.
"Tracy Morgan embraces the world with his humor while Owen Smith tackles real-life conversations head-on through hilarity. We can’t wait to see where they take us in season four."
The series stars Morgan as an ex-con who carves a new path after being released from a sint in prison.
TBS says...
- 10/15/2020
- by Paul Dailly
- TVfanatic
TBS is bringing The Last O.G. back for a fourth season, but leading man Tracy Morgan may be going it alone.
The cabler announced Thursday that it has renewed the Jordan Peele-EP’d comedy series for Season 4, but co-lead Tiffany Haddish‘s name is conspicuously missing from the accompanying press release. When asked about the actress being Mia in the announcement, a source close to the show would only say, “Season 4 is still in development.” A TBS rep declined comment.
More from TVLineJohn Cena and Nicole Byer Tapped to Host Wipeout Revival at TBSTiffany Haddish Explains Her Explosive...
The cabler announced Thursday that it has renewed the Jordan Peele-EP’d comedy series for Season 4, but co-lead Tiffany Haddish‘s name is conspicuously missing from the accompanying press release. When asked about the actress being Mia in the announcement, a source close to the show would only say, “Season 4 is still in development.” A TBS rep declined comment.
More from TVLineJohn Cena and Nicole Byer Tapped to Host Wipeout Revival at TBSTiffany Haddish Explains Her Explosive...
- 10/15/2020
- by Michael Ausiello
- TVLine.com
Tracy Morgan’s The Last O.G. will be back for a fourth season. TBS has renewed the critically acclaimed comedy series, with writer, comedian and producer Owen Smith (Black-ish) to serve as showrunner for the new season. Smith takes over from Season 3 showrunner Keenen Ivory Wayans, who followed Season 2 showrunner Saladin K. Patterson and series co-creator John Carcieri in Season 1.
Missing from TBS’ announcement is female lead Tiffany Haddish. Since Season 1, when Haddish broke out with her starring turn on Girls Trip, there had been rumors that she would leave the show. TBS today would not address the actress’ future on The O.G. amid speculation that she would not be returning for Season r.
Co-created and executive-produced by Oscar-winner Jordan Peele, The Last O.G. follows Tray (Morgan), an ex-con who is shocked to see just how much the world has changed when he is released from a 15-year prison stint.
Missing from TBS’ announcement is female lead Tiffany Haddish. Since Season 1, when Haddish broke out with her starring turn on Girls Trip, there had been rumors that she would leave the show. TBS today would not address the actress’ future on The O.G. amid speculation that she would not be returning for Season r.
Co-created and executive-produced by Oscar-winner Jordan Peele, The Last O.G. follows Tray (Morgan), an ex-con who is shocked to see just how much the world has changed when he is released from a 15-year prison stint.
- 10/15/2020
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
“The Last O.G.” isn’t done yet.
TBS has renewed the Tracy Morgan comedy for a fourth season, however, it will be moving forward without star Tiffany Haddish who is exiting the series, according to sources. News of the renewal comes around five months after season 3 aired the last of its 10 episodes.
Of note is that the show is changing showrunner for the fourth time in four seasons. Owen Smith, whose previous credits include “Black-ish” and “Survivor’s Remorse,” is taking over from Keenen Ivory Wayans for the forthcoming season. Wayans took over last year from season 2 showrunner Saladin K. Patterson, who himself assumed showrunning duties from season 1 showrunner and series co-creator John Carcieri.
“Last O.G.,” co-created and exec produced by Jordan Peele, is a Brooklyn-centric which centers around Tray (Morgan), an ex-con who is shocked to see just how much the world has changed when he is released from a 15-year prison stint.
TBS has renewed the Tracy Morgan comedy for a fourth season, however, it will be moving forward without star Tiffany Haddish who is exiting the series, according to sources. News of the renewal comes around five months after season 3 aired the last of its 10 episodes.
Of note is that the show is changing showrunner for the fourth time in four seasons. Owen Smith, whose previous credits include “Black-ish” and “Survivor’s Remorse,” is taking over from Keenen Ivory Wayans for the forthcoming season. Wayans took over last year from season 2 showrunner Saladin K. Patterson, who himself assumed showrunning duties from season 1 showrunner and series co-creator John Carcieri.
“Last O.G.,” co-created and exec produced by Jordan Peele, is a Brooklyn-centric which centers around Tray (Morgan), an ex-con who is shocked to see just how much the world has changed when he is released from a 15-year prison stint.
- 10/15/2020
- by Will Thorne
- Variety Film + TV
What's your favorite scary horror-parody movie? Chances are it's Scary Movie, the comedy written by and starring Shawn Wayans and Marlon Wayans and directed by Keenen Ivory Wayans that became the surprise hit no one saw coming when it hit theaters 20 years ago. Made for just $19 million, Scary Movie, which parodied hit slasher films like Scream and I Know What You Did Last Summer, went on to make $278 million at the box office, breaking the record at the time for highest gross for a movie helmed by a Black director, helping to launch the careers of stars Anna Faris and Regina Hall, and spawning four sequels. In honor of the hit film's 20th anniversary, we're revealing some...
- 7/7/2020
- E! Online
It was only a matter of time before the most powerful brothers in Hollywood got into business together. In the late ’90s, “Scary Movie,” a comedy that satirized slasher-killer movies, brought three of the Wayans brothers — Marlon, Shawn and Keenen Ivory — to the doorstep of Dimension Films, the boutique horror studio run by Bob and Harvey Weinstein.
According to Marlon, making “Scary Movie” with the Weinsteins for a summer 2000 release was indeed a frightening experience. And not just because he was abruptly fired from making the third movie in the franchise, “Scary Movie 3,” on a holiday.
“[The Weinstein’s are] not the best or the kindest people to be in business with,” Marlon Wayans tells Variety. “They’re very much an evil regime, I guess. They do what they want to do how they do it — and it can be rude and quite disrespectful. We couldn’t come to terms on the deal.
According to Marlon, making “Scary Movie” with the Weinsteins for a summer 2000 release was indeed a frightening experience. And not just because he was abruptly fired from making the third movie in the franchise, “Scary Movie 3,” on a holiday.
“[The Weinstein’s are] not the best or the kindest people to be in business with,” Marlon Wayans tells Variety. “They’re very much an evil regime, I guess. They do what they want to do how they do it — and it can be rude and quite disrespectful. We couldn’t come to terms on the deal.
- 7/7/2020
- by Mackenzie Nichols
- Variety Film + TV
In today’s TV news roundup, BBC America and AMC announced “Killing Eve’s” Season 3 premiere date, and Netflix and Mattel Television announced the voice cast for its upcoming anime series “Masters of the Universe: Revelation.”
Casting
Netflix and Mattel Television have announced the cast for the upcoming anime series “Masters of the Universe: Revelation.” A reboot of the original series featuring He-Man, Skeltor, Teela and other characters, the program’s extensive voice cast includes Mark Hamill, Lena Headey, Chris Wood, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Liam Cunningham, Stephen Root, Diedrich Bader, Griffin Newman, Tiffany Smith, Henry Rollins, Alan Oppenheimer and more. Adam Bonnett, Christopher Keenan and Rob David serve as executive producers.
The pilot for Amazon’s series adaptation of “A League of their Own” has announced its cast. D’Arcy Carden (“The Good Place”) will lead a cast that also includes Abbi Jacobson, Chanté Adams, Gbemisola Ikumelo, Kelly McCormack, Roberta Colindrez,...
Casting
Netflix and Mattel Television have announced the cast for the upcoming anime series “Masters of the Universe: Revelation.” A reboot of the original series featuring He-Man, Skeltor, Teela and other characters, the program’s extensive voice cast includes Mark Hamill, Lena Headey, Chris Wood, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Liam Cunningham, Stephen Root, Diedrich Bader, Griffin Newman, Tiffany Smith, Henry Rollins, Alan Oppenheimer and more. Adam Bonnett, Christopher Keenan and Rob David serve as executive producers.
The pilot for Amazon’s series adaptation of “A League of their Own” has announced its cast. D’Arcy Carden (“The Good Place”) will lead a cast that also includes Abbi Jacobson, Chanté Adams, Gbemisola Ikumelo, Kelly McCormack, Roberta Colindrez,...
- 2/15/2020
- by J. Kim Murphy
- Variety Film + TV
TBS has slotted Tuesday, April 7 for the season three premiere of its hit sitcom The Last O.G., starring Tracy Morgan and Tiffany Haddish.
Co-created and executive produced by Oscar winner Jordan Peele, The Last O.G. has ranked as cable’s #1 sitcom since its 2018 launch.
In season 3, after serving his time at the halfway house and having his food truck go up in flames, Tray (Morgan) is forced into finding a new place to live, and new forms of income. He lands in gentrified Brooklyn with a host of colorful, hipster neighbors, where he begins to give “hood legend” walking tours of the city that is forever changing around him. Meanwhile, Tray’s ex-girlfriend Shay (Haddish) is presented with the business opportunity of a lifetime, which could mean big changes for the whole family. You can watch a teaser trailer above.
Ryan Gaul, Allen Maldonado, Taylor Mosby, Dante Hoagland, Bresha Webb,...
Co-created and executive produced by Oscar winner Jordan Peele, The Last O.G. has ranked as cable’s #1 sitcom since its 2018 launch.
In season 3, after serving his time at the halfway house and having his food truck go up in flames, Tray (Morgan) is forced into finding a new place to live, and new forms of income. He lands in gentrified Brooklyn with a host of colorful, hipster neighbors, where he begins to give “hood legend” walking tours of the city that is forever changing around him. Meanwhile, Tray’s ex-girlfriend Shay (Haddish) is presented with the business opportunity of a lifetime, which could mean big changes for the whole family. You can watch a teaser trailer above.
Ryan Gaul, Allen Maldonado, Taylor Mosby, Dante Hoagland, Bresha Webb,...
- 2/14/2020
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
The 2020 Sundance Film Festival has broken a record weeks before it begins: Of the 16 films in Dramatic Competition, seven tell stories primarily about the lives of black characters: “The 40-Year-Old Version,” “Charm City Kings,” “Farewell Amor,” “Miss Juneteenth,” “Nine Days,” “Sylvie’s Love” and “Zola.”
Surveying the last 30 years of Sundance, there’s usually been at least one in-competition film with black leads. In 1992 and 1989, there was one black film in competition, while 1993 had two. But prior to 2020, there had never been more than five.
Black filmmakers saw a renaissance in the late ’80s and early ’90s, a period that introduced Spike Lee, Wendell B. Harris Jr, Robert Townsend, Keenen Ivory Wayans, Julie Dash, Matty Rich, the Hudlin Brothers, Leslie Harris, and others. Some of their films premiered and competed at Sundance, but even then they never composed a significant presence.
Between 1989 and 1993, a total of 10 films with black leads...
Surveying the last 30 years of Sundance, there’s usually been at least one in-competition film with black leads. In 1992 and 1989, there was one black film in competition, while 1993 had two. But prior to 2020, there had never been more than five.
Black filmmakers saw a renaissance in the late ’80s and early ’90s, a period that introduced Spike Lee, Wendell B. Harris Jr, Robert Townsend, Keenen Ivory Wayans, Julie Dash, Matty Rich, the Hudlin Brothers, Leslie Harris, and others. Some of their films premiered and competed at Sundance, but even then they never composed a significant presence.
Between 1989 and 1993, a total of 10 films with black leads...
- 12/5/2019
- by Tambay Obenson
- Indiewire
Ruth E. Carter made history when she became the first African-American to win the Academy Award for Outstanding Costume Design add this year for “Black Panther.” Recently, she’s reteamed with Eddie Murphy on Netflix’s “Dolemite Is My Name” (they previously collaborated on “Daddy Day Care,” “I Spy” and “Dr. Dolittle 2”), for which where she created more than over 75 costume changes for the star Murphy alone.
Similarly, on Martin Scorsese’s “The Irishman,” Oscar-winning costume designer Sandy Powell produced over 102 changes for star Robert De Niro in Martin Scorsese’s “The Irishman.” She teamed up with co-designer Christopher Peterson to tackle the mammoth task of costuming the epic.
Powell and Carter both got their start as costume designers in the ‘80s. They met at the Paley Center to converse about their inspirations growing up, their start in the industry, working in the changing world of costume design, misconceptions...
Similarly, on Martin Scorsese’s “The Irishman,” Oscar-winning costume designer Sandy Powell produced over 102 changes for star Robert De Niro in Martin Scorsese’s “The Irishman.” She teamed up with co-designer Christopher Peterson to tackle the mammoth task of costuming the epic.
Powell and Carter both got their start as costume designers in the ‘80s. They met at the Paley Center to converse about their inspirations growing up, their start in the industry, working in the changing world of costume design, misconceptions...
- 11/27/2019
- by Jazz Tangcay
- Variety Film + TV
The Television Academy is handing out Creative Arts Emmys this weekend at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.
The two-day ceremony, on September 14 and 15, honors artistic and technical achievement in a variety of television genres, guest performances in weekly series, as well as exceptional work in the animation, reality and documentary categories.
Deadline will have extensive coverage, including updating lists of all the winners. The ceremony gets underway both nights at 5 p.m. Pt.
As previously reported, presenters include Will Arnett (BoJack Horseman), Marsha Stephanie Blake (When They See Us), Neil Patrick Harris (A Series of Unfortunate Events), Peter MacNicol (Veep), Robin Thede (A Black Lady Sketch Show), Patton Oswalt (An Emmy for Megan), Jane Seymour (The Kominsky Method), Maggie Siff (Billions),and Shameik Moore (Wu-Tang: An American Saga), just to name a few.
There will also be an In Living Color cast reunion on Sunday, with Keenen Ivory Wayans,...
The two-day ceremony, on September 14 and 15, honors artistic and technical achievement in a variety of television genres, guest performances in weekly series, as well as exceptional work in the animation, reality and documentary categories.
Deadline will have extensive coverage, including updating lists of all the winners. The ceremony gets underway both nights at 5 p.m. Pt.
As previously reported, presenters include Will Arnett (BoJack Horseman), Marsha Stephanie Blake (When They See Us), Neil Patrick Harris (A Series of Unfortunate Events), Peter MacNicol (Veep), Robin Thede (A Black Lady Sketch Show), Patton Oswalt (An Emmy for Megan), Jane Seymour (The Kominsky Method), Maggie Siff (Billions),and Shameik Moore (Wu-Tang: An American Saga), just to name a few.
There will also be an In Living Color cast reunion on Sunday, with Keenen Ivory Wayans,...
- 9/14/2019
- by Anita Bennett
- Deadline Film + TV
Updated, 9:07 Am: The Television Academy today announced the first group of presenters for the two-night 2019 Creative Arts Emmys ceremonies. Here they are:
Night 1 on Saturday, September 14: Will Arnett (BoJack Horseman), Marsha Stephanie Blake (When They See Us), W. Kamau Bell (United Shades of America), Kate Chastain (Below Deck), Terry Crews (America’s Got Talent), Seth Green (Robot Chicken), Mandy Hansen (Deadliest Catch), Carrie Ann Inaba (Dancing with the Stars), Nick Kroll (Big Mouth), Lee Rosbach (Below Deck), Nicole Scherzinger (The Masked Singer), Julio Torres (Los Espookys), Robin Thede (A Black Lady Sketch Show) and Necar Zadegan (Documentary Now!).
Night 2 on Sunday, September 15: Maude Apatow (Euphoria), Ryan Michelle Bathe (First Wives Club), Rocky Carroll (NCIS), Ryan Eggold (New Amsterdam), Jared Harris (Chernobyl), Neil Patrick Harris (A Series of Unfortunate Events), Natasha Lyonne (Russian Doll), Peter MacNicol (Veep), Shameik Moore (Wu-Tang: An American Saga), Olivia Munn (The Rook), Patton Oswalt...
Night 1 on Saturday, September 14: Will Arnett (BoJack Horseman), Marsha Stephanie Blake (When They See Us), W. Kamau Bell (United Shades of America), Kate Chastain (Below Deck), Terry Crews (America’s Got Talent), Seth Green (Robot Chicken), Mandy Hansen (Deadliest Catch), Carrie Ann Inaba (Dancing with the Stars), Nick Kroll (Big Mouth), Lee Rosbach (Below Deck), Nicole Scherzinger (The Masked Singer), Julio Torres (Los Espookys), Robin Thede (A Black Lady Sketch Show) and Necar Zadegan (Documentary Now!).
Night 2 on Sunday, September 15: Maude Apatow (Euphoria), Ryan Michelle Bathe (First Wives Club), Rocky Carroll (NCIS), Ryan Eggold (New Amsterdam), Jared Harris (Chernobyl), Neil Patrick Harris (A Series of Unfortunate Events), Natasha Lyonne (Russian Doll), Peter MacNicol (Veep), Shameik Moore (Wu-Tang: An American Saga), Olivia Munn (The Rook), Patton Oswalt...
- 9/5/2019
- by Erik Pedersen
- Deadline Film + TV
Every week, IndieWire asks a select handful of TV critics two questions and publishes the results on Tuesday.
This week’s question: What show was the hardest show for you to say goodbye to as a critic? Why?
Emily VanDerWerff (@tvoti), Vox
Like so many critics who came up professionally in the 2000s, I came up parallel to the rise and reign of ABC’s “Lost.” It was a show that sometimes infuriated me and sometimes annoyed me but always, always engaged me. Through most of the show’s run, I was scrambling to gain a toehold in the industry, but for its final season, I recapped the show for the Los Angeles Times and devoted everything I had to it. I know there were questionable decisions made in that final season, but bidding it farewell also felt like bidding farewell to a part of my life, and I have...
This week’s question: What show was the hardest show for you to say goodbye to as a critic? Why?
Emily VanDerWerff (@tvoti), Vox
Like so many critics who came up professionally in the 2000s, I came up parallel to the rise and reign of ABC’s “Lost.” It was a show that sometimes infuriated me and sometimes annoyed me but always, always engaged me. Through most of the show’s run, I was scrambling to gain a toehold in the industry, but for its final season, I recapped the show for the Los Angeles Times and devoted everything I had to it. I know there were questionable decisions made in that final season, but bidding it farewell also felt like bidding farewell to a part of my life, and I have...
- 8/7/2019
- by Hanh Nguyen
- Indiewire
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