News

Steve Harvey and Bernie Mac were once thick as thieves, two comedy kings ruling the stage, cracking jokes, and making audiences laugh so hard they needed a chiropractor. Back in the early 2000s, their careers were skyrocketing.

Harvey had his talk shows and sitcoms, while Mac was bringing the house down with his stand-up and his iconic role in The Bernie Mac Show. Together, they had cemented their legendary status with The Original Kings of Comedy film, proving that no stage was big enough for their comedic genius.

A still from The Original Kings of Comedy | Credits: Paramount Pictures

But somewhere along the way, the laughter stopped, and the friendship faded. And if you’re wondering why, let’s just say Hollywood and George Clooney’s Ocean’s Eleven had a little something to do with it. Grab some popcorn because this story is about to get juicy.

Ocean’s Eleven started...

Sean “Diddy” Combs has become a very big topic of conversation in recent days in the worst ways possible. Amid his recent arrest and mountains of allegations, ranging from s*x trafficking to physical abuse, and even s*xual assault. While there isn’t any official source to back many of these claims, there are enough dots to connect that have fans convinced about his alleged wrongdoings.

P. Diddy in a still from Revolt TV | Credit: YouTube

Despite this, there are still those who believe that the rapper is innocent to a certain degree. With some taking the route of conspiracy, several theories have been coming out about why Combs could have been ‘framed’.

Recently, the rapper’s close friend, Ed Lover, has spoken along similar lines, blaming a liquor company for setting up Combs’ downfall.

Diddy vs. Diageo

On top of being a rapper, Diddy also owns a brand of alcoholic beverages called,...

The other day, one of our writers sat down with Mario Van Peebles to talk about his upcoming spiritual sequel to Posse, Outlaw Posse. In the pretty awesome conversation, we asked Mario about what we consider a pretty underrated movie of his, Gunmen. This 1994 action flick paired him with Christopher Lambert, with an all-star cast that included Denis Leary as the film’s villain, Patrick Stewart, and nineties dream girl Brenda Bakke, as well as 90s rappers like Big Daddy Kane, Eric B, Rakim, Doctor Dre and Ed Lover – who all played themselves. It’s a tough movie to find these days, but Peebles had fond memories of what they were trying to accomplish with it.

“Gunmen tips a hat to The Good, The Bad and the Ugly. My character, Christophe’s character, and the other character have a piece of the puzzle as to where the cachet of gold is.

As we say goodbye to January and look forward to February, now is a great time to be a subscriber to Peacock as not only is the NBCUniversal streaming service home to great movies and buzzy originals, but it also is offering collections of films and TV series to celebrate the month. For Valentine’s Day, Peacock has more than 30 new titles, including “Dear John,” “Bros”, “Girls Trip,” “Pride and Prejudice,” “Sleepless in Seattle,” and “The Wedding Date.” The NBCU streamer will also honor Black History Month by featuring new classics like “Bel-Air,” “The Best Man: The Final Chapters,” and “Nope,” as well as timeless favorites like “A Raisin in the Sun,” “Sanford & Son,” and “Good Times.”

Peacock will also host a large swath of sporting events from multiple WWE Premium Live Events to the Six Nations Rubgy Tournament, Big Ten Men’s and Women’s basketball, and more.

Plot: A three-part documentary series chronicling the iconic forefathers of hip-hop, Run Dmc. This unique series will take you back to the 1980s, when Joseph “Rev Run” Simmons, Darryl “Dmc” McDaniels, and Jason “Jam Master Jay” Mizell cultivated a one-of-a-kind sound that took not only Queens, but the world, by storm.

Review: In college, a professor made us watch Ken Burns’ series Jazz. At first, I rolled my eyes at the prospect of watching an eighteen-hour documentary about one genre of music. I was shocked when I became engrossed by the series and began appreciating jazz as never before. Few documentaries can harness an entire genre in such a way, but the new three-part series Kings From Queens: The Run Dmc Story manages to encapsulate the origin of rap by focusing on one of the most legendary duos to ever perform. With direct participation from Joseph Simmons and Daryl McDaniels,...

As usual, in the world of entertainment news, there are always irons in the fire.

Today, we offer you a first look at Life & Beth Season 2, a joyous hello from Firehouse 118, a cancellation, and a prequel.

Keep reading the Fanatic Feed to get the latest entertainment news!

Hulu released the trailer for the upcoming second season of Life & Beth, created by and starring Amy Schumer. On Life & Beth Season 1, Beth found love. Now, she needs to nurture it and see it through.

As Beth and John’s relationship grows more serious, Beth begins to examine the possibilities of marriage and having a family as she and John seek answers to their communication problems.

Is Beth’s traumatic history with men and people she trusted from her youth destined to repeat itself?

And what is triggering her fears?

Beth does her best to keep her relationships alive...

Mark Howard James, better known as the celebrated hip-hop DJ and producer the 45 King, who helped craft hits for Jay-Z, Eminem, and many more, died on Thursday. He was 62.

DJ Premier first announced James’ death on Instagram, noting his death came three days after his 62nd birthday. Paul Martinez, a spokesperson for the producer, confirmed James’ death to Rolling Stone but did not specify a cause.

“His sound was unlike any other from his heavy drums and his horns were so distinct on every production,” Premier wrote. “His vinyl releases...

With the October debut of a new Transformers series as part of Skybound's Energon Universe, now is a great time to look back at the rich history of Transformers comics. Ranging across many publishers, authors, and reboots, Transformers stories are notable for taking characters and concepts from previous iterations and giving them fresh spins in modern stories. This creates an evolving lore of great depth despite originating as nothing more than advertising for toys.

From action packed slugfests to dystopian drama, Transformers comics often contain multiple genres within one long story. With varied artists and passionate authors, at their best Transformers comics are metaphors for the human world of the reader. Metaphors conveyed through talking trucks who carry big guns and punch fighter jets in the face.

Target: 2006 by Simon Furman, Jeff Anderson, Ron Smith, and Geoff Senior

Simon Furman’s 1980s run on Transformers for Marvel UK became iconic...

Rap and hip-hop’s biggest names are ready for the stage of Essence Festival of Culture, and Hulu is bringing you all three nights of the action. From June 30 through July 2, the platform will stream Essence Fest Primetime, three nights of musical performances and more live from the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. Watch each night of the five-hour live show with festival headliners Ms. Lauryn Hill, Missy Elliott, and Megan Thee Stallion, as well as additional performances from Doug E. Fresh, Ludacris, Eve, Salt-n-Pepa, Big Boi, and more. Hulu will livestream Essence Fest Primetime on June 30, July 1, and July 2 at 8 p.m. Et. You can watch with a 30-Day Free Trial of Hulu.

How to Watch 2023 Essence Festival When: Friday, June 30, 2023 at 8:00 Pm Edt Where: Hulu Stream: Watch with a 30-Day Free Trial of Hulu. 30-Day Free Trial$7.99+ / month hulu.com About 2023 Essence Festival

Following its success first-year run,...

The 2023 Essence Festival of Culture kicks off this week in New Orleans, and fans who can’t make it to the three-day event can sit back at home to watch live performances from this year’s concert headliners including Lauryn Hill, Megan Thee Stallion, and Missy Elliott. Here’s everything you need to know to watch the Essence Fest livestream at home this year, including how to stream the annual event for free.

The answer: Watch Essence Fest with a Hulu free trial.

When Is the 2023 Essence Fest? Headliners, Schedule...

The Transformers are broken down into two major factions, Autobots and Decepticons, and as cool as the names sound, they have always been almost excessively simplistic. However, Idw Publishings’ run with Transformers actually gave an answer to the true meaning of Autobots, revealing it came from a major insult.

Before the Great War the term Autobot was not widely used, as most transformers were simply known as Cybertronians. The symbol of the Autobots was created six million years prior by Onyx Prime to represent the alliance of the ancient Primes - the powerful leaders of the Transformers - and as such it became a universal symbol for all Cybertronions, not any specific faction. In fact, the term was mostly used in association with the force of Sentinel, the Transformer in charge of the security for the Cybertronian Senate. He was also their secret enforcer, imtimidating or killing anyone who disagreed with their rule.

Undoubtedly the most famous hero of the Transformers universe, the leader of the Autobots called Optimus Prime has long been a fan-favorite character and a staple of the franchise. As one of the saga’s central characters, Prime’s ongoing story from his origin to his death has always been central to Cybertronian lore. But there is more to Optimus Prime’s origin story than meets the eye.

For as long as fans can remember, Optimus Prime has led his fellow Autobots into battle against the evil forces of the Decepticons. On more than one occasion, he’s sacrificed everything to ensure that the ideals of freedom and justice are enjoyed by all sentient beings. But the 2011 “Chaos Theory” story arc within the pages of Idw Publishing's The Transformers #22-23 totally changes the way fans may view Optimus Prime, with a surprising figure – his iconic foe, Megatron – actually serving...

Even the most casual Transformers' fan knows the name Optimus Prime, but one comic from Idw Publishing shows fans that none of those famous names last through the ages and that for a new generation of bots born after the Great War, there is only one name that stands the test of time.

The reveal is a true surprise, both for fans and for Rodimus Prime in this post-apocalyptic story about the final battle of the Transformers. Idw Publishing's Last Bot Standing is a four-issue comic series that coincides with the end of Idw’s ownership of the rights to the Transformers franchise. It tells the story of Rodimus Prime, Aka Hot Rod, who finds himself hiding on the world of Donnokt long after the end of the Great War between Autobots and Decepticons. The universe has been depleted of resources due to the endless war, and most of the...

The return of “Yo! MTV Raps” now has a premiere date.

The reimagined global iteration of the MTV hip-hop series will premiere on Paramount+ on Tuesday, May 24, the streamer announced Monday. In addition, Paramount+ released the official trailer, key art and lineup of featured guests.

Produced by MTV Entertainment Studios, “Yo! MTV Raps” is a comprehensive deep dive into the current state of hip hop. “Yo! MTV Raps” was created by Peter Dougherty and Ted Demme, and launched in 1988 — originally hosted by Fab 5 Freddy, and later by Doctor Dre and Ed Lover. The series ran until 1995.

The new iteration of the show will feature hosted segments from Conceited and DJ Diamond Kuts, live performances, cyphers and lifestyle content. Featured guests include Freddie Gibbs on May 24, Latto on May 31, Saba on June 7, Jid on June 14, Shenseea on June 21, Tee Grizzley on June 28, Idk on July 5 and Trina on July 12.

Fans will...

Rapper Black Rob, best known for his affiliation with P. Diddy’s Bad Boy Records, died on Saturday. He was 51.

TMZ reported the news, with Rob’s fellow MCs Mark Curry and DJ Self taking to social media to back it up.

At present, the cause of death has not been released. However, it is known that he had been battling kidney failure, and had also suffered a series of strokes, going back to 2015. Recently, he was hospitalized in Atlanta, although he was subsequently discharged.

Born Robert Ross, Black Rob grew up in East Harlem, beginning to rap before reaching his teenage years. At age 22, he began performing with his first rap group, the Schizophrenics, under the stage name “Bacardi Rob.”

It was in 1996 that Rob got involved with the Bad Boy label, appearing on a remix to 112’s “Come See Me.” The rapper would remain with Bad Boy...

Andre Brown was leaving his sister’s house on Memorial Day when he misjudged the location of a railing and fell down a flight of stairs. A friend jumped over the railing to prevent the 56-year-old from hitting his head. While Brown damaged his right ankle, he laughed off the unfortunate slip as just another embarrassing moment.

Yet the accident would kickstart a dangerous new phase of his life. A doctor who was treating his ankle noticed an infection forming and told Brown to go to the hospital. “The infection...

Andre Harrell, the music executive who launched Uptown Records and helped usher in a new era of hip-hop flavored soul and R&b, was laid to rest on Saturday (May 23) at George Washington Cemetery in Paramus, NJ. The funeral followed a celebration of his life at Vander Plaat-Caggiano Funeral Home in Fair Lawn, NJ. Harrell died on May 7 from heart disease-related issues.

Among the attendees were artists Mariah Carey and Mary J. Blige, comedian Chris Rock and executives L.A. Reid and Lyor Cohen, according to local reports.

Participants included musical performers Jodeci and gospel icons BeBe and CeCe Winans. Remarks were made by Tracy Maitland, Cohen, Mark Siegel, Rock, Blige and the Rev. Al Sharpton in addition to Harrell’s son Gianni Credle-Harrell.

Harrell played a key role in launching the careers of P. Diddy, Blige, Teddy Riley, Heavy D, Jodeci and many others, which made a television tribute on Bet,...

Tony Sokol Oct 23, 2019

Travel Channel lets the stars talk about supernatural encounters on Famously Afraid.

Stranger Things star Jake Busey got a personal glimpse at the upside down. R.J. Mitte of Breaking Bad experienced a horror greater than learning meth-kingpin Heisenberg was his father. Aubrey O’Day of Danity Kane encountered a creature as terrifying as Donald Trump Junior. Steve Guttenberg endured terror greater than all the Police Academy movies combined. Celebrities will share paranormal encounters on the upcoming Travel Channel series Famously Afraid. The new series premieres Tuesday, Nov. 5 at 10 p.m.

"Hollywood is no stranger to stories of the unexplained being played out on the big screen," reads the press statement. "But behind the scenes, some celebrities experience encounters with the unknown that are all too real. From haunted houses to real UFO sightings, to demonic possessions and beyond, these stories show that even celebrities can get spooked.

Comedy Central, the #1 brand in comedy, today announced a new late night series with David Spade; the return of Crank Yankers; a second season order for new, hit scripted series The Other Two; the first look at new scripted comedy South Side; and scripted projects in development with Naomi Ekperigin, Matteo Laneand Samantha Irby.

The announcements come on the heels of Comedy Central’s seventh consecutive quarter of year-over-year share growth. While Comedy Central remains the #1 full-day cable entertainment network with people 18-34, in 2018 the brand recorded its highest-rated year among women 18-49 since 2014, up +13% from the previous year. To start 2019, The Daily Show with Trevor Noah is the highest-rated late night series across all of TV among men 18-34.

More information on Comedy Central’s announcements from the TCA Winter Press Tour are included below:

Comedy icon David Spade will lead a new 11:30 p.m. series featuring his...

Comedy Central showed off its first look of this summer’s scripted comedy series South Side which is set around the Chicago working class neighborhood of Englewood. The creators of the show today at TCA exclaimed how they want the neighborhood to tells its own story with its astronomers and teachers. The series features local Chicagoans, both in front of and behind the camera, who provide an authentic look at the neighborhood.

South Side follows two friends who just graduated community college with big dreams, but who are stuck at Rent-t-Own, a retail-rental crossroads where the South Side’s vast ensemble of characters come together.

South Side is written by Bashir Salahuddin (Glow) and Diallo Riddle (Marlon). Salahuddin, Riddle, and Michael Blieden – all Late Night with Jimmy Fallon alumni – are executive producers. Bashir Salahuddin and Riddle star in the series, alongside Sultan Salahuddin and Chandra Russell. Guest stars this season include Lil Rel Howery,...

Yo! MTV Raps will go international in 2019 as the network announced plans to bring a “special, limited edition” version of the groundbreaking hip-hop show to MTV’s offshoots in Europe, Southeast Asia and Africa.

A U.K. edition of Yo! MTV Raps will debut on September 25th, with versions centered on the rap scene in Germany, Southeast Asia and Africa to follow in 2019. Each edition will enjoy a 20-episode run, with the potential for a longer series order, Variety reports.

“Our reimagined Yo! MTV Raps series will celebrate all aspects...

In the Cut is coming back soon. Today, Bounce TV announced season three of the TV show will premiere next week.The sitcom stars Dorien Wilson as "Jay Weaver, an accomplished entrepreneur and barbershop owner who is kept on his toes by Cheryl, played by Smith (The Bernie Mac Show, The First Family), the co-owner of the beauty salon next store and his love interest." The cast also includes Ken Lawson and John Marshall Jones. Guest stars for season three include Tamar Braxton, Ed Lover, DC Young Fly, Cocoa Brown, Nephue Tommy, Marques Houston, and Earthquake.Read More…...

Love and Hip Hop Atlanta star Karlie Redd says she and new partner Ceaser from Black Ink Crew are in a “celibate” relationship — and that they don’t have sex. Karlie dished on the new couple’s relationship during a chat on The Ed Lover Show. She said: “It’s a celibate relationship. We haven’t had sex. I don’t sell a bit, I don’t sell a lot…I don’t sell anything.” She agreed that they did “sleep together, eat together and pray together”, but just no sex. She added: “According to him he’s not celibate, but I’m not having sex with him so to...read more...

[[tmz:video id="0_lohwmuhs"]] Angie Stone thinks VH1 was flat out wrong for leaving "The Sequence" out of its ceremony celebrating women in hip-hop ... saying her group helped pave the way for countless others.  Stone was out in Atlanta this week with Ed Lover and she let it all out ... saying her 80's girl rap group was anything but a one hit wonder. It's interesting ... Angie says she was at the ceremony in the audience and still got the snub.

Peter Dougherty, a TV executive credited with bringing hip-hop to MTV as the co-creator of Yo! MTV Raps, passed away October 12th following a heart attack at his home in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York, The New York Times reports. Dougherty was 59.

Dougherty was working in the on-air promotions department of MTV in the mid-Eighties when he suggested that the still-growing music network create a program that focused on hip-hop culture. Dougherty was a staple of New York's downtown scene, befriending artists like Beastie Boys and Rick Rubin. "He knew everybody, everybody knew him,...

TruTV’s first-ever sketch comedy series “Friends of the People” is getting a whole bushel of guest stars for the second half of its inaugural season, a list that TheWrap has learned exclusively. Upcoming guests include “In Living Color’s” David Alan Grier (pictured above), “Double Dare” host Marc Summers, the New York Giants’ Jay Bromley, pro wrestlers Mick Foley and X-Pac, “Cash Cab” host Ben Bailey and comedian Jim Norton. Ellen Cleghorne (“SNL”), Rachel Dratch (“SNL”), Butterbean (boxer), Ed Lover (radio personality) and Doug E. Doug (rapper) will also make appearances. Also Read: 'Saved by the Bell' Spoof Follows...

First Tosh ... now Ed Lover is accusing Espn of ripping off a signature bit -- with the former "Yo! MTV Raps" host telling TMZ Sports He originated the famous "C'mon Man" segment ... but Espn says he's full of crap.Lover -- who used to host a popular radio show in NY -- says one of his signature segments was called "C'mon Son" ... where he'd call out celebs who screwed up and scream, "C'mon son!""I...

Ed Lover is giving MTV a major "C'mon Son" ... telling us there will never be a "Yo! MTV Raps" again because he refuses to go back to being "owned" by a network.Ed, of course, co-hosted the groundbreaking show with Dr. Dre in the '80s and '90s -- but when we asked about a reunion last night in NYC ... he unloaded on his former employer and made the gig sound like it was slavery.

The "Psych" remake episode, "Cloudy ... With a Chance of Improvement," was a huge treat for long-time fans of the show. It took a so-so Season 1 episode and spruced up the plot a bit, plus brought back a cavalcade of "Psych" guest stars and fun references.

The Jackson Hale murder is still at the core of the episode, but this time, instead of a jealous production assistant, the murderer is a morning show anchor who thinks gigolo Jackson is sleeping with his wife -- and wannabe-weatherman Ruben Leonard gets caught in the crossfire.

There was a lot to spy for the eagle-eyed fan and we've compiled a list for you (which may not even be complete), but if you'd prefer to figure it all out for yourself without help, skip the "Eye Spy" section at the bottom.

Thoughts & Tidbits

The nods to Shawn and Juliet's relationship as it stands now were great,...

How did we come up with our chart? By tallying the votes of our pop writers – and here's what they plumped for

Tim Jonze

Albums

John Wizards – John Wizards

Disclosure – Settle

Paramore – Paramore

Hebronix – Unreal

Kanye West – Yeezus

Christopher Owens – Lysandre

Julia Holter – Loud City Song

Daft Punk – Random Access Memories

Sky Ferreira – Night Time, My Time

British Sea Power – From The Sea To The Land Beyond

Tracks

Julia Holter – Hello Stranger

Miguel and Mariah Carey – #Beautiful

Drake – Hold On, We're Going Home

Sky Ferreira – You're Not the One

Justin Timberlake – Suit and Tie

Jeffrey Lewis – Wwprd

Paramore – Still Into You

Disclosure feat. AlunaGeorge – White Noise

The 1975 – Chocolate

Stylo G – Soundbwoy

Tom Hughes

Albums

15-60-75 The Numbers Band – Jimmy Bell's Still in Town

Meat Wave – Meat Wave

The Drones – I See Seaweed 4

White Fence – Live in San Francisco

Ooga Boogas – Ooga Boogas

Superchunk – I Hate Music

Bits of...

What a great first half of season six it has been for Psych.

In the following edition of our TV Fanatic Midseason Report Card, lead series critic Chandel Charles evaluates the episode from this fall/winter and looks ahead to 2012...

Psych February Return Promo

Best Episode: "Last Night Gus." Penned by the ever-talented and hilarious Andy Berman, this episode was everything a Psych-O could ask for. From the appearance of the entire cast (including Buzz and Woody) to the back story behind the demise of the Blueberry, this homage to The Hangover almost put the former to shame.

Worst Episode: "The Tau of Gus." As much as the cult theme was funny, it was completely overshadowed by Gus' ridiculous romantic pursuit of a hippy. I was a little disappointed in him.

Best Guest Star: William Shatner ("In for a Penny"). Even with a big name and big talent, Shatner...

James Roday and Dule Hill are already well into season 6 on Psych, which so far has featured many classic shenanigans between psychic detective Shawn Spencer and his partner Chest Rockwell. Oh wait, I meant Sh’Dynasty, spelled with a coma-to-the-top (that’s God’s comma). Actually it’s both, and neither.

Over the course of six years on the beloved USA buddy-cop show, the crime fighting duo have burned through a host of fake names and catch phrases. And, if this exclusive clip is any indication, that’s not about to change any time soon.

So far this season we...

Psych made its best pitch this week. It swung for the fences. It threw a few curveballs at the audience. Point being: the episode was centered on baseball and featured a trip of fun guest stars.

Below, staff writer Chandel Charles has gathered a new quartet of fans - Kathy, William, Sarah Ann and Jamie - for another Round Table discussion, as they break down the latest antics from Shawn, Gus and company...

-------------------------------------------

What was your favorite moment/quote from the episode and why?

Chandel: Shawn and Henry arguing over his call at the game. It's been a while since we've these two engage in an all-out shouting match, but what made it even funnier was that Gus and Juliet were watching and providing commentary. It was a pretty entertaining way to begin an episode.

Kathy: When both Shawn and Gus were dressed as Sammy the Seabird! Gus is...

Want to be witness history when President-elect Barack Obama is officially sworn in Jan. 20? Join the club! Washington, D.C., officials predict 1.5 million visitors will descend for the swearing-in, parade and dozens of balls and celebrity-filled parties. Here, for the truly committed, are tips for getting in on the action: . Roll with Oprah! If you're in O's entourage, you're in luck: word is the Obama's mega-supporter is planning a star-studded fete at the Kennedy Center on inauguration night. Winfrey told radio host Ed Lover on Election Day she had been planning her look for months. "I got me a board...

Beyoncé is in awe of Justin Timberlake after he played one of her backup dancers on Saturday Night Live last weekend. "I still can't believe he did that. He was incredible," Beyoncé, 27, said on Power 105.1's The Ed Lover Show. "We rehearsed it two times. He picked up the choreography. He has this photographic memory. He could probably kill it if he wanted to." Timberlake, in a black leotard and high heels, danced to "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)," one of the tracks off Beyoncé's new album, I Am … Sasha Fierce. The singer said she is ready for...

Where will Oprah be tonight when our next president is elected? The mega-star told all during a radio interview this morning! Oprah told Power 105.1's Ed Lover that she’ll be on hand for Barack Obama's post-election rally tonight in Chicago's Grant Park. She said her close pal Gayle King is flying in to join her. Lady O also dished on the dress she’d wear to Obama's inaugural ball, if he is elected prez: "I've been working out to get in it," she said. "Every time something else happens in the poles Stedman says, 'Get your dress ready. Do you need the ironing board?'"

[Read full story on The Insider]...

Rihanna is usually mum about her relationship with Chris Brown, but during a recent radio interview the songstress coyly hinted at her connection with the "Take You Down" singer. When asked directly how her relationship with Brown, 19, is going during a recent visit to New York's Power 105.1's The Ed Lover Show, Rihanna, 20, replied: "We are great actually. We have been friends for three years now." Not satisfied with the friendship remark, Lover further pressed Rihanna who is touring with Kanye West, on the topic. "Friends? But there are pictures of you kissy kiss," he said, which prompted Rihanna to...

NEW YORK -- Al Pacino, who co-starred with Robert De Niro in Heat, will lend his support to this year's Tribeca Film Festival, founded by De Niro with his partner Jane Rosenthal. On May 8, Pacino will host "An Evening of Chinese Coffee and Conversation With Al Pacino," which will feature a special screening of the actor's directing effort Chinese Coffee and a discussion of the film, Pacino's career and his ongoing artistic interests. Pacino will additionally host another event as part of the TFF's Family Festival: On May 10, local high school students who are aspiring actors will gather with Pacino to view his Looking for Richard and participate in a discussion with the star. The TFF also said this week that rap mogul Damon Dash's latest directing effort, Death of a Dynasty, will make its world premiere May 7. A satirical feature about the world of hip-hop, Death stars Dash and his offscreen partner in Roc-a-Fella Records, rapper Jay-Z, along with Rashida Jones and Devon Aoki and cameos by Chloe Sevigny, Jamie Lynn-Sigler, Lorraine Bracco, Carson Daly, Denise Rich, Walt Frazier, Ed Lover, Dr. Dre, Flavor Flav, Peter Sarsgaard and Run-D.M.C.'s Daryl McDaniels and the late Jam Master Jay. The TFF runs May 3-11.

A surprisingly tame hip-hop road comedy that will serve as little more than a feature-length trailer for its no-doubt best- selling soundtrack, Millicent Shelton's debut feature is notable mainly for the number of personalities from the worlds of hip-hop, rap and stand-up comedy it can stuff into one movie.

Lacking wit, pacing and originality, this Dimension Films release, produced by the Hudlin brothers, will fall off quickly.

Based on the experiences of its writer-director, "Ride" chronicles a chaotic bus trip from New York to Miami by a group of inner-city kids hired to appear in the latest video by superstar Freddy B (Luther Campbell from 2 Live Crew). They are being chaperoned by Leta Evans Melissa De Sousa), a young, aspiring director working as an intern for Freddy's self-absorbed music video supervisor (Downtown Julie Brown).

Expecting a fun road trip, the children are dismayed to discover that they are being ferried on a ramshackle bus that hasn't been overhauled since it belonged to Wilson Pickett. It isn't long before numerous complications develop, including a burgeoning romantic relationship between beautiful Leta and a charismatic activist (Malik Yoba). Adding more adventure, the bus is being tailed by a couple comic outlaws: Bird (Dartanyan Edmonds) and his girlfriend Peaches (the Lady of Rage), who is so tough she pees standing up.

Other eccentric characters abound, including a pair of buffoonish bus drivers (Cedric the Entertainer, John Witherspoon) and a less-than-talented, racially mixed rap duo (Reuben Asher, Guy Torry).

Shelton manages to create some fun with her comically exaggerated character types, but "Ride" lacks truly funny situations or dialogue and substitutes frenzied slapstick for anything meaningful. The main value is in watching many performers go over the top and spotting the cameos by figures such as Snoop Doggy Dogg, Dr. Dre, Ed Lover, Fred Williamson, Redman and others.

RIDE

Dimension Films

Director-screenplay: Millicent Shelton

Producers: Reginald Hudlin, Warrington Hudlin

Executive producers: Bob Weinstein,

Harvey Weinstein, Cary Granat

Co-producer: S. Bryan Hickox

Editor: Earl Watson

Director of photography: Frank Byers

Original score: Dunn Pearson Jr.

Color/stereo

Cast:

Poppa: Malik Yoba

Leta: Melissa De Sousa

Roscoe: John Witherspoon

Geronimo: Fredro Starr

Bo: Cedric the Entertainer

Brotha X: Sticky Fingaz

Tuesday: Kellie Williams

Charity: Idalis De Leon

Running time - 90 minutes

MPAA rating: R...