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Was Chris Tucker’s First Friday Audition Was A Disaster? (Photo Credit – Instagram)

Chris Tucker almost fumbled the bag, big time. Before his breakout as Smokey in Friday, his first shot at the role was anything but smooth. In fact, casting director Kim Hardin didn’t sugarcoat it. “The first time he auditioned for me, he was horrible,” she recalled. Tucker was fresh off a comedy tour, unprepared, and hadn’t even read the script.

He didn’t know comedians could improvise during auditions, which caught him off guard. Most casting directors would’ve passed. As Hardin put it (via Complex), “Any other casting director may have been like, ‘You were horrible. Next!’” But she gave him another shot. And that second try? Pure fire.

Friday wasn’t just another comedy. It was Ice Cube and DJ Pooh’s response to movies like Boyz n the Hood. They wanted to...

Saturday Night Live host–and musical guest–Timothée Chalamet played the part of Benny, a barista-in-training who, instead of brainstorming some of the corny puns often seen on coffee shop chalk boards, channels stand-up routines on Def Comedy Jam.

The sketch begins, though, with a coffee shop colleague (Jane Wickline) making the quick decision to throw in the towel after not knowing the the difference between a latte and a cappuccino.

Raising her hand, Wickline answers confidently, “A cappuccino has the mozzarella on the bottom and the sauce on top.

Black Comedy in America this week examines the cultural phenomenon of Def Comedy Jam. The series looks at how Russell Simmons, already a major force in music with Def Jam Recordings, partnered with producer Stan Lathan to create an unprecedented platform for Black comedic voices. The episode explores their vision: to fuse the raw energy […]

Black Comedy in America: Def Comedy Jam...

In the second episode of Black Comedy in America, titled “Def Comedy Jam,” viewers will delve into the origins of a groundbreaking comedy franchise that has left a lasting mark on American culture. This episode airs on Tuesday, 22 October 2024, at 10:00 Pm on Vice. Hosted by Russell Simmons and Stan Lathan, the series showcases how they blended hip-hop sensibilities with innovative comedic voices, changing the landscape of comedy forever.

The episode will explore how Def Comedy Jam created a platform for rising stars and established comedians alike, giving them a stage to share their unique perspectives and humor. Viewers can expect to see clips from iconic performances that highlight the intersection of comedy and hip-hop culture. With insights from industry veterans, the episode reveals the behind-the-scenes efforts that made this franchise a cultural touchstone.

As the episode unfolds, audiences will gain a deeper appreciation for the voices that shaped Def...

Exclusive: UTA has signed comedian, actor, author, TV personality and award-winning radio host Rickey Smiley for representation.

Touring as a stand-up for more than 30 years, Smiley got his start on Def Comedy Jam and as a host of BET’s Comic View and continues to light up stages across the nation, hitting comedy clubs and theaters on his standalone tour, as well as all-star lineups like the Martin Lawrence-headlined “Lit Af” Tour and Lawrence’s upcoming “Y’all Know What It Is” Tour.

Previously putting out the comedy specials Comedy Central Presents: Rickey Smiley and Rickey Smiley: Open Casket Sharp, his next hour, directed by David Talbert and shot in Smiley’s hometown of Birmingham, Al, is due to launch later this year or early next.

A two-time Marconi award winner, Smiley is also known as the host of The Rickey Smiley Morning Show, the #1 syndicated urban radio program in the country,...

The current Best Variety Special Directing Emmy lineup features an abundance of heavy hitters, including reigning champ Hamish Hamilton, who finally triumphed on his seventh bid in this category for helming the “Super Bowl Lvii Halftime Show.” Having shared that victory with Jay-Z, he is now generally expected to achieve a solo win for his work on the 2024 Oscars ceremony.

Hamilton’s most imposing challengers are Stan Lathan (“Dave Chappelle: The Dreamer”) and Glenn Weiss (“76th Tony Awards”), each of whom has already beaten him at least once. Also in the mix are the directors of “Dick Van Dyke: 98 Years of Magic,” “Tig Notaro: Hello Again,” and “Trevor Noah: Where Was I,” all of whom are new to the category.

In order to determine just how likely Hamilton’s potential follow-up win is, let’s take a closer look at each nominee. Be sure to make your predictions in this...

“Star Trek: Starfleet Academy” is filling out its faculty.

Actor, comedian and writer Gina Yashere (“Bob Hearts Abishola”) has enrolled in the first season of the Paramount+ series as a recurring guest star, to play one of the instructors at the storied institution of higher learning.

She joins Holly Hunter, who leads the series as the captain and chancellor of Starfleet Academy, as well as Kerrice Brooks, Bella Shepard, George Hawkins, Karim Diané and Zoë Steiner as new cadets. Paul Giamatti will also recur as the main villain of the season.

According to the official logline, the show “introduces viewers to a young group of cadets who come together to pursue a common dream of hope and optimism. Under the watchful and demanding eyes of their instructors, they discover what it takes to become Starfleet officers as they navigate blossoming friendships, explosive rivalries, first loves and a new enemy that...

Bob Hearts Abishola co-creator and star Gina Yashere has joined the cast of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy in a recurring role.

Yashere will play an Academy instructor in the Paramount+ series. She joins previously announced cast Holly Hunter, Kerrice Brooks, Bella Shepard, George Hawkins, Karim Diané, Zoë Steiner and Paul Giamatti.

Production is set to begin next month.

Star Trek: Starfleet Academy introduces viewers to a young group of cadets who come together to pursue a common dream of hope and optimism. Under the watchful and demanding eyes of their instructors, they discover what it takes to become Starfleet officers as they navigate blossoming friendships, explosive rivalries, first loves and a new enemy that threatens both the Academy and the Federation itself.

Kurtzman and Noga Landau serve as co-showrunners and executive produce the series alongside EPs Gaia Violo, Aaron Baiers, Olatunde Osunsanmi, Jenny Lumet, Rod Roddenberry, Trevor Roth, Frank Siracusa and John Weber.

“Comedy is what takes us away from all the pain and all the hurt and all the turmoil that goes on in life. It takes us away from that, even if only for a brief second, a brief moment.” Maybe you wouldn’t expect this level of depth from a man who’s made a career of being silly. Something else you might not expect? Even 30 years into his comedy career, he was still possessed by a nervous energy before getting on the stage for his 2016 special. So much of what has made Martin Lawrence successful is his ability to channel that nervous energy into something great and, more importantly, something funny.

But what drives that energy? For Martin, it may be the very pain, hurt, and turmoil he’s trying to help us escape. Despite his success, Martin’s life has been marked by challenges, from a difficult childhood to high-profile controversies.

We won’t bury the lede. Yes, it goes there.

Will Smith was not quite a full-blown, A-list movie star when mega-producer Jerry Bruckheimer cast him in a buddy-cop action movie in 1995. He was still better known as the Fresh Prince than King of the Summer Blockbusters; compared to his costar Martin Lawrence, who was a few years into his run hosting Def Comedy Jam and had been killing it on his own popular sitcom Martin, Smith was arguably the bigger gamble in terms of placing asses in seats. Independence...

The Upshaws cast has turned what could have been just another sitcom into one of Netflix's most popular comedy shows. Created by Regina Y. Hicks and Wanda Sykes, The Upshaws tells the story of an unconventional family. Mike Epps and Kim Fields are Bennie and Regina Upshaw, a married couple who have three kids of their own and one other who is Bennie's son from another woman. With Sykes also appearing in the Netflix series as Regina's sister, the family has to deal with various personal and professional problems while trying to make their family work.

The actors in The Upshaws all come into the series with a varied history in the movie and TV industry. Some of the actors have a history both in sitcoms and in the comedy genre and others are fresh to the scene with very little experience behind them. The series released its first...

Before deciding on comedy as his true calling, Martin Lawrence seriously considered a career as a professional boxer, even becoming a Golden Gloves contender. He credits that pugilistic discipline for equipping him with the resilience and tenacity necessary to survive in the entertainment industry.

“Boxing gave me the training, the consistency and, most importantly, the focus,” Lawrence tells Variety. “To study your craft, to want to be good at your craft and to be excellent at it — you can reach them at heights and just be the best that you could be.”

Lawrence went the distance and then some in his 30-plus-year career in stand-up comedy, television and film. He’ll celebrate those accomplishments April 20 with one of the industry’s most iconic honors: a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The tribute wasn’t a prize he’d always had his eye on, but he admits it’s...

The cast of "Saturday Night Live" might be full of comedians with an improv background, but if there's one thing showrunner Lorne Michaels doesn't like it's... well, improv. If you've ever been lucky enough to visit studio 8H and see how things work behind-the-scenes, it's not all joking around. In fact, it's quite intense, with the production crew racing around on-stage between sketches to prep the next setup. All of which is overseen by Michaels who has been running the show since 1975 (except for a brief hiatus in the early '80s).

And over his time shepherding NBC's legendary sketch show, Michaels has learned that any attempt to go off-script could throw his finely tuned machine into chaos. In fact, if a performer dares to indulge their improv sensibilities, it could well spell the end of their "SNL" career, such as when Damon Wayans decided to play a straight-man...

Amazon Prime Video has popped off with plenty of new content for March 2023 with original shows and some great catches for films to stream. “Top Gun: Maverick” will arrive March 24, and Jordan Peele’s “Nope” before that on March 21. For those anticipating “Creed III,” the first two films starring and directed by Michael B. Jordan will become available at the beginning of March along with all of the “Rocky” films as well as “Cinderella Man” for the broader boxing buff community. A theatrical release from 2022, “The Silent Twins,” starring Letitia Wright and Tamara Lawrence arrives March 7.

Friday March 3 will see “Daisy Jones & The Six” rock the world when the band’s epic limited series comes out. Riley Keough, Sam Claflin, Suki Waterhouse, and more will bring Taylor Jenkins Reid’s best-selling novel to life. Other shows to look forward to on the streamer are Donald Glover’s horror series...

With its list of new releases for March 2023, Amazon Prime Video might be rolling out its most impressive monthly lineup yet.

We know that sounds like something straight out of a press release but in this case, it’s actually true! Prime Video, bless it, has some excellent original titles like The Boys and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, but its monthly release updates have often been less inspiring than its TV peers. That’s certainly not the case with March 2023 though.

Prime Video gets its streaming party started early by premiering the first three episodes of Daisy Jones & The Six on March 3. This series, based on a book of the same name, tells the fictional Behind the Music-esque story of an equally fictional band. Then, on March 17, Amazon’s partnership with Donald Glover bears its first fruit with the series about obsessive fandom called Swarm. Reggie Jackson documentary Reggie premieres...

If there’s one thing celebrities love, it’s insisting that they’re just like you. Usually, those comments are met with eyerolls, but when Mo Gilligan tells you he’s a normal guy, I for one believe him. He may rarely be off our TV screens, but the stand-up comedian counteracts the glitz and glamour, the live TV and awards’ shows, by gardening and scoping out deals in his local Sainsbury’s. “I’m very much into really mundane, core normality things because there’s things I do in my life that I don’t want to normalise yet,” he tells me.

You can’t blame Gilligan for being overwhelmed by his success. In a few years, the 34-year-old has gone from stand-up comic (performing under the name Mo the Comedian) and social media star to a Bafta-winning presenter. Looking for entertainment on a Friday night? He’s hosting...

Roy Wood Jr. will be this year’s featured entertainer at the White House Correspondents’ Association’s annual dinner on April 29.

The Daily Show correspondent has a standup special, Imperfect Messenger, streaming on Paramount+.

The gig is a high profile assignment — drawing attention across cable news networks and countless clips on social media — but it’s also one of the most challenging. The entertainer typically follows the president on stage, in the cavernous Washington Hilton ballroom packed with almost 3,000 guests.

“Roy Wood Jr. brings a journalistic eye to his comedy. He’s hilarious — but also makes sure his audiences are thinking as they laugh,” Tamara Keith, the Whca president and White House correspondent for NPR, said in a statement.

“My aim for this year’s dinner is to lift up the importance of a free and independent press to a functioning democracy, so I am thrilled to be able to...

David A. Arnold, a respected stand-up comedian, actor, television writer and producer on shows like “Fuller House,” died suddenly on Wednesday. He was 54.

“It is with great sadness that we confirm the untimely passing of our husband, father, brother and friend, David A. Arnold. David passed away peacefully today in his home and doctors have ruled the cause of death due to natural causes. Please keep our family in prayer and respect our privacy at this time, as we are all shocked and devastated by this loss,” his family said in a statement.

“Our closely knit comedy community mourns the loss of one of the greatest to ever do it. He was admired by his peers, respected by other veterans, and revered by the burgeoning comedians that he mentored. He will me deeply missed, especially by his comedy fraternity,” Arnold’s best friend, Chris Spencer said in a separate statement.

John Irwin has produced dozens of stand-up comedy specials for stars including Norm Macdonald, John Mulaney, Hannah Gadsby and Adam Sandler.

Irwin Entertainment, which he founded in 2004, is currently up for an Emmy for Netflix’s “Norm Macdonald: Nothing Special” and was previously nominated for Netflix’s “Hannah Gadsby: Douglas.”

Irwin got his start popping popcorn for “Saturday Night Live” honcho Lorne Michaels in 1990, the year that Adam Sandler, Chris Farley, David Spade and Chris Rock joined the show. Those connections helped form the foundation of his own comedy career as an in-demand producer. So, he has a lot of experience getting the best out of talent in live productions.

“I’ve really learned over the years, there is an art to it,” Irwin told TheWrap for this week’s Office With a View. “You’re creating a real environment. You want that perfect vibe for both the audience and the comic,...

“The Upshaws” is a funny and relatable show about an American family trying to navigate life and complex relationships. Though it’s set in modern times, the show harkens back to the good old days of ‘90s sitcom TV. The first season was popular among Netflix viewers in 2021, and many people are looking forward to new episodes this year.

Here’s all the latest news and information we have about “The Upshaws,” its cast members, and season two details.

What Is “The Upshaws” About?

“The Upshaws” is a Netflix original series about a working-class Black family in Indiana. Regina and Bennie Upshaw are the heads of the family and have three children: Bernard Jr., Aaliyah, and Maya. Bennie also has a son, Kelvin Upshaw, with another woman, Tasha Lewis. Wanda Sykes and Regina Y. Hicks created the sitcom to show a modern family dealing with everyday struggles as they work...

If you missed having an Oscars hosts for the past three years, you’ll just love the 94th Academy Awards. The 2022 edition of these kudos will have not one, not two, but three hosts emceeing the ABC broadcast on March 27. Comedy legend Wanda Sykes will be joined by Regina Hall and Amy Schumer for the proceedings, making it the first time in Oscars history that three funny ladies have graced the stage together. In this article, we’ll fill you in on everything to know about Oscars host Wanda Sykes before the ceremony begins at 8 p.m. Et/5 p.m. Pt on Sunday night.

Who is Wanda Sykes?

Born in Virginia on March 7, 1964, Sykes moved to Maryland when she was eight years old. After graduating college, she worked as a contracting specialist at the National Security Agency, which lasted about five years. In her early 20s, Sykes started a stand-up comedy career in Washington,...

Sheryl Underwood will remain as a cohost of The Talk with a new multi-year deal to include future seasons 13, 14 and 15. The show is currently in Season 12.

Underwood and CBS Studios, which produces The Talk, have also entered into a new two-year first look deal.

Underwood joined The Talk in September 2011, its second season. She earned a Daytime Emmy Award with her fellow hosts in 2017.

A former stand-up comic, Underwood appeared on HBO’s Def Comedy Jam.

Variety broke the story.

CBS is doubling down on its commitment to Sheryl Underwood, the Emmy-winning host of “The Talk.”

Underwood has inked a multi-year deal to remain on the panel of the daytime talk series through Season 15 (“The Talk” is currently in its 12th season), plus she’s entered into a new two-year first-look deal with CBS Studios.

“‘The Talk’ will forever be my home; I have no intentions of going anywhere, but while I have this platform and while I have access to the audience, I want to be as integral in the success of the corporation of CBS as I possibly can,” Underwood tells Variety of expanding her relationship with the network. “I want to be able to create content — not just for me to star in, but for other people to get the same opportunity and go on the same journey, especially women and stand-up comics.”

Underwood joined “The Talk...

Exclusive: Bill Bellamy, the actor and stand-up comic best known for his cult comedy classic How to Be a Player, has signed with Buchwald for representation.

Bellamy hosts and exec produces the TV One series Bill Bellamy’s Who Got Jokes?, currently in its fourth season, which has over the years featured appearances from such rising comedians as Tiffany Haddish, Lil Rey Howery and Karlous Miller.

Bellamy recently finished shooting a role in Chris Spencer’s Back on the Strip, opposite Haddish, J.B. Smoove and Wesley Snipes, and was recently seen as the lead in the BET+ film A Rich Christmas, starring prior to that in Universal Pictures’ Kindergarten Cop 2 and The Bounce Back opposite Shemar Moore.

He’s also appeared on the TV side in such series as TV Land’s Hot in Cleveland, HBO’s hit comedy Insecure and Netflix’s Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.

Image Source: Getty / Kelly Balch / Earl Gibson III / Alexander Tamargo

If there's one thing Guy Torry, DeRay Davis, and Kym Whitley have in common, it's their passion for comedy. Phat Tuesdays founder Torry brought together the greatest in their craft at The Comedy Store on Sunset Boulevard as a chain reaction to the 1992 LA riots. The legacy continues in the new Amazon Prime Video series "Phat Tuesdays." Torry, Davis, and Whitley tell Popsugar about everything from the magic of Black audiences to their memories of the late comedian Bob Saget. We also asked them their least-favorite question: who are your favorite comics, from the giants of the '90s to up-and-comers?

"This is the question I hate the most because it's too many," Torry explains. DeRay and Whitley explain that many Black comics don't get the exposure they deserve. "It's so frustrating," Whitley says, specifically referencing Black women not given opportunities.

Even if you’ve never heard of Phat Tuesdays, a night at The Comedy Store in Hollywood where various Black comedians got a chance to shine and get discovered, many of the names that graced the stage are well-known.

Stars such as Cedric the Entertainer, Nick Cannon, Tiffany Haddish, Chris Tucker, Dave Chappelle and more got their big breaks on that night, thanks to comedian and founder Guy Torry, who created a showcase for rising Black comedy stars back in the 1990s. His journey to The Comedy Store and all the good, bad and ugly that happened afterward is fascinatingly...

In his first series regular role since 2014, Martin Lawrence has signed on to star in the English-language adaptation of the acclaimed Israeli Hot original series “Nehama,” from Topic Studios.

The series tells the story of a happily married father of five (Lawrence) who quits his suffocating job in tech to chase his original love of stand-up comedy. When his wife suddenly dies, he must decide whether he should pursue his dream and risk losing his kids — who are lost without their mother. Described as “hilarious, intelligent, and raw,” the series examines what it means “to seek pleasure and find comfort in the face of tragedy and tackles the timeless challenge of ‘wanting to have it all’ from a uniquely male perspective, with some twists along the way.”

Lawrence takes on the lead role in the soon-to-be titled dark comedy and will produce through his production company, RunTelDat Entertainment, alongside 24 Drafts Studio and Topic Studios,...

Comedian Anthony “Aj” Johnson was remembered Monday by the writers of his movie “Friday,” Ice Cube and DJ Pooh.

Shortly after news of Johnson’s death broke, Ice Cube called the late actor a “naturally funny dude who was straight outta Compton at the same time.” He added that he wished he could have brought back Johnson’s “Friday” character, Ezal, for the upcoming sequel film “Last Friday.”

Writer DJ Pooh said in a tweet, “Rest easy Aj,” while also sharing a Gif of Johnson running down the street with stolen merch in his arms, as seen in “Friday.”

Other stars also paid their respects to the late comedian, who, according to his reps, died earlier this month. No cause of death was revealed.

In addition to appearing in “Friday” in 1995, Johnson got his big break with the role of E.Z.E. in 1990’s “House Party.” His other notable...

Anthony “Aj” Johnson, a comedian and actor best known for his parts in “Friday” and “House Party,” has died, representatives for Johnson confirmed to TheWrap Monday. He was 55.

According to Johnson’s reps, the actor — who played addict and thief Ezal in “Friday” and E.Z.E. in “House Party” — died earlier this month. His cause of death has not yet been released.

“Our Bh Talent family is saddened about the loss of an amazing iconic legend in comedy, our client and friend Anthony ‘Aj’ Johnson,” Johnson’s spokespeople said in a statement to TheWrap. “We are praying for all those that were touched by his comedy, acting, but most of all his life. We are especially praying for his beloved Wife, Children, Siblings and Manager. Please give them the time they need to process and grieve such a huge loss.”

Per TMZ, Johnson’s nephew said the actor “was...

Comedian Bill Bellamy discussed his inventing of the iconic phrase 'booty call' during an appearance on this week's episode of People in the '90s, saying he wished he had trademarked it. The term entered the lexicon when he was on HBO's Def Comedy Jam.

"At the time I wasn't thinking of it like that," said Bellamy. "I was just thinking of my joke. I didn't realize the phrase would catch on to become, like you said, a normal word that people know what it is now. Booty Call was just a clever way to say you're trying to get a girl to come by. But who knew that everybody was going to lock in on it? I probably right now would be on a spaceship if I trademarked it. I mean, I'd be out there with Elon Musk somewhere," Bellamy joked.

Asked why he thought the phrase was instantly in our vernacular,...

Exclusive: Tribeca and Comedy Dynamics are reteaming for a slate of 10 stand-up comedy specials to be filmed at the Tribeca Film Festival, which runs June 9-20 in New York City.

The two entities partnered up in early 2020 to produce original stand-up comedy specials that were slated to be filmed at the annual fest. But after Covid restrictions took hold nationwide, they pivoted and evolved the indoor festival into an outdoor comedy drive-in set across the country at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. Tribeca x Comedy Dynamics Drive-In featured hourlong comedy sets from Ester Steinberg, Dave Helem, Erica Rhodes and Daniel Webb — the first set of drive-in comedy specials filmed in the midst of the pandemic.

Produced by Tribeca and Comedy Dynamics and directed by the latter’s founder and CEO, Brian Volk-Weiss, this month’s slate of specials is part of Tribeca’s expansion into new storytelling platforms and its...

It’s no secret that the U.K. has lost some of its most talented to seemingly greener pastures in Hollywood, especially black British performers, for whom there’s a scarcity of opportunity back home. The so-called black British invasion has been well-documented and scrutinized over the years, so much that veteran actor Lenny Henry warned British broadcasters in 2014, that Britain was “haemorrhaging” black talent to the States. Comedian, writer, and actress Gina Yashere is a case in point.

The 46-year-old, who was born in London to Nigerian parents, has officially put down roots in America, where she’s been since 2007, first in New York City, and currently in Los Angeles. And with hit freshman CBS series “Bob Hearts Abishola,” she’s occupying more primetime TV space than she ever could in the U.K., where she established herself as a successful stand up comic. But she was unsatisfied, and...

Bill Bellamy has joined the cast of Madam Cj Walker, a four-part limited series starring and executive produced by Oscar winner Octavia Spencer and executive produced by LeBron James. It’s slated for premiere in 2020.

Written by Janine Sherman Barrois, Elle Johnson and Nicole Jefferson Asher, Madam Cj Walker tells the untold, culturally important, and highly relevant story of black hair care pioneer and mogul Madam Cj Walker (Spencer) and how she overcame hostile turn-of-the-century America, epic rivalries, tumultuous marriages and family challenges to become America’s first black, self-made female millionaire.

Bellamy will play Sweetness, a smart, savvy numbers banker who gets inspired by Madam Walker’s success and angles for a way to get in good with her – by any means necessary.

In addition to Spencer, Bellamy joins previously announced Tiffany Haddish, Carmen Ejogo, Blair Underwood, Garrett Morris and Kevin Carroll.

Madam Cj Walker...

Tiffany Haddish’s curated stand-up comedy special, featuring six comedians personally chosen by the Girls Trip star, will begin streaming globally on Netflix next month, the streamer announced today.

The actress and comedian will host Tiffany Haddish Presents: They Ready, with each half-hour episode executive produced by Haddish, Wanda Sykes and Page Hurwitz. You can watch Haddish’s date announcement below.

The collection of specials features comics Chaunté Wayans (50 Shades of Black), April Macie (Snoop Dogg’s Bad Girls of Comedy), Tracey Ashley (The Last O.G.), Aida Rodriguez (Last Comic Standing), Flame Monroe (Def Comedy Jam) and Marlo Williams (Bet’s ComicView).

Haddish shares a history with each of the six comedians after working together in the stand-up scene or on television. She believes the industry often excludes women, people of color, and Lgbtq performers and as such wants to put this diverse group of comedians in the spotlight.

Tiffany...

Comedy Central struck a new development deal with comedian and actor Roy Wood Jr. that encompasses a “first-look” relationship as well as a few other projects at the Viacom-owned media outlet.

Wood, who has appeared on the network’s flagship “Daily Show” since 2015, will begin production on a pilot, “Jefferson Country: Probation,” in his hometown of Birmingham, Alabama, in May. Comedy Central has committed to produce and air a one-hour stand up special featuring Wood, his third with the outlet. And he will write and star in an original digital series for Comedy Central.

“Roy is the ultimate multi-hyphenate. His top-notch skills as a stand-up comic, performer, writer and producer continue to amaze us – and he does it all while being one of the kindest humans in the business,” said Sarah Babineau and Jonas Larsen, executive vice presidents and co-heads of talent and development at Comedy Central, in a prepared statement.

Bill Bellamy (Def Comedy Jam) is set as a series regular in Nana, a multi-cam/hybrid ABC pilot starring and co-executive produced by Sons of Anarchy alum Katey Sagal. The project also hails from writer Lon Zimmet, Ted Melfi and Kimberly Quinn’s Goldenlight Films, Alcon Entertainment, 20th Century Fox TV and ABC Studios.

Written by Zimmet and directed by Andy Ackerman, Nana centers on Alex, an obsessive dad who, after the death of his wife, is forced to invite his brash and bawdy mother-in-law – Nana (Sagal) – into his home to help raise the two granddaughters she barely knows.

Bellamy will play Burke, Alex’s enthusiastic co-worker. This firefighter isn’t the brightest bulb, but he’s a great pal and sounding board for Alex. He was so eager to rescue a cat in a tree and get a taste of some “real action” that he accidentally crashed into another engine at the scene.

Conor McGregor needs to cut out the bad language ... because Kids Are Watching -- so says Khabib Nurmagomedov.  The Ufc star tells TMZ Sports he got fed up with all the curse words Conor was dropping at their nasty press conference on Thursday ... and says they need to be better role models!  "This is what I don't like when too much people cursing," Khabib said ... "Too many young guys like follow us ... I don't want...

Netflix continues to pad its stand-up comedy roster with a Tiffany Haddish special. The hourlong show will tape early next year and bow worldwide later in 2019.

She is just the latest big-name comic to get a Netflix special as the streamer continues to roll out performances by the likes of Dave Chappelle, Jerry Seinfeld, Ellen DeGeneres, Chris Rock and Kevin James along with the special Def Comedy Jam 25.

“Tiffany Haddish is a force,” said Lisa Nishimura, VP Original Documentary and Comedy at Netflix. “Hilariously funny, brash and self-effacing, she’s an incredible artist who is winning over audiences while breaking barriers, and we are tremendously proud that she will showcase her formidable talent on Netflix.”

The streaming service locked up Haddish’s voice talents in February, announcing that she will star in the toon series Tuca & Bertie. Ali Wong, whose own Netflix stand-up special bowed in May, co-stars in the series.

Tracy Morgan’s potential star power was immediately apparent to comedy kingmaker (and soon to become one of Morgan’s closest collaborators) Lorne Michaels back in 1996 when the comedian first auditioned for “Saturday Night Live.”

“You’re looking for something that on a certain level you haven’t seen before, and also at the same time something you have seen before,” says Michaels, who has countless times before and since gone through the process of sussing out just who might one day fit within the stellar firmament of comedic giants “SNL” has launched. “You could just tell on the most fundamental level that he was funny.”

Morgan is now set to receive his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame April 10, two decades after he rose to fame on the NBC sketch comedy series.

For Morgan, whose television experience was largely limited to appearances on the stand-up stage and a...

The temperature is finally warming up in NYC and comedy performances are popping up everywhere. With so many options to choose from, Backstage is here to give you our tops picks for comedic performances and casting calls for the month of April. PERFORMANCESLulu Krause, a comedic multihyphenate, has been performing as Louisa since 2014, impressing crowds as a faded Broadway siren still tearing up the theater stages. Accompanied by pianist Frank Spitznagel, Louisa can be heard performing a number of classic Broadway songs, all of which are improvised off of audience suggestion. (Tickets: $10) Corey Holcomb, a staple of 1990s Chicago comedy, is making his way to NYC. Featuring material about relationships, Holcomb is known for his own shows as well as his appearances on “Def Comedy Jam,” “Last Comic Standing,” and “Comic View.” Currently heard on his radio show “The Corey Holcomb 5150 Show,” now’s your chance to see the comedian in person.

Warner Bros. has brought on rising comedic superstar Tiffany Haddish to voice a new lead role in Lego Movie 2. While no details about the character Haddish is voicing have been given, she becomes the first new cast member to come aboard, joining several voice actors from the first movie. This is also the latest high-profile role for Haddish, who has been landing numerous big roles after her breakout role in last summer's R-rated comedy Girls Trip, alongside Jada Pinkett Smith, Queen Latifah and Regina Hall.

Haddish will be joined by returning The Lego Movie voice stars Chris Pratt (Emmet Brickowski), Elizabeth Banks (Wyldstyle), Will Arnett (Batman), Channing Tatum (Superman) and Jonah Hill (Green Lantern). There is no indication yet as to whether other The Lego Movie voice actors like Alison Brie (Princess Unikitty), Charlie Day (Spaceman Benny), Morgan Freeman (Vitruvius) or others will be returning for this sequel. No story details have been uncovered yet,...

Another one bites the dust. Deadline reports Russell Simmons has been removed from the upcoming HBO TV show All Def Comedy amid allegations of sexual assault.Simmons has had a long-standing relationship with HBO since the network first debuted his series Def Comedy Jam in 1992. Like that show, All Def Comedy features well-known and up-and-coming stand-up comedians such as Deon Cole, DeRay Davis, Gary Owen, Alex Babbitt, Jess Hilarious, and Kelly Kellz.Read More…...

HBO is distancing itself from Russell Simmons in light of the sexual assault allegations surrounding the music mogul.

Simmons is an executive producer of the network’s new All Def Comedy stand-up series, but his name and presence will now be removed from the show, according to our sister site Deadline.

“HBO will be airing All Def Comedy as planned,” the network said in a statement. “However, Russell Simmons will not appear in the new series, and we will be removing his name from the show moving forward. The series is a platform for promising and upcoming comedians, and we...

In a new teaser, Netflix announced on Friday that Dave Chappelle will be releasing “Equanimity,” his third comedy special with the streaming site, on Dec. 31. Eight months have passed since the first two of Chappelle’s three promised Netflix specials have been released, which include “Deep in the Heart of Texas” and “The Age of Spin.” He also appeared in the “Def Comedy Jam” 25th anniversary special for Netflix earlier this year.

Read More:Jon Stewart Takes Aim at Donald Trump and White Supremacists During Surprise Stand-Up Appearance With Dave Chappelle

Most recently, the “Netflix is a Joke” social channel has taken over the ad campaigns, spiking the “Equanimity” teaser with whimsy appeal geared towards the streaming mogul. If anything, it makes one thing abundantly clear: Dave Chappelle and “Stranger Things” make the greatest pair since tomato juice and tabasco.

Chappelle appeared in the official “Netflix is a Joke” campaign alongside comedians Jerry Seinfeld,...

Dave Chappelle has slated his next Netflix stand-up special, the streamer announced on Friday. “Dave Chappelle: Equanimity” will premiere this New Year’s Eve, Sunday Dec. 31, 2017. The announcement was made with a teaser video inserting Chappelle into a scene from Netflix’s hit sci-fi series “Stranger Things.” This marks the comedian’s third stand-up special for Netflix this year, following “The Age of Spin: Dave Chappelle Live at the Hollywood Palladium” and “Deep in the Heart of Texas: Dave Chappelle Live at Austin City Limits,” both of which premiered in March. Also Read: Netflix to Bring Back 'Def Comedy Jam...

Dave Chappelle and D.L. Hughley Discuss Being Black in America in New Def Comedy Jam 25 Clip...

In the opening salvo for Netflix's must-see Def Jam 25, Cedric the Entertainer -- on stage alongside heavyweights Sheryl Underwood, Steve Harvey and Dave Chappelle -- delivers one of the production's many killer lines.

"Some of you millennials might be asking, 'What the hell is Def Comedy Jam,'" he

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Even though Def Comedy Jam is responsible for launching the careers of some of the biggest names in comedy, it hardly ever gets the respect it deserves. Even though it’s a common link between people like Dave Chappelle, Martin Lawrence, Bernie Mac and Kevin Hart, the comedy world doesn’t give it the same adoration as…

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“All comedy roads today, lead to Def Comedy Jam.”

Dave Chappelle, Steve Harvey, Martin Lawrence, D.L. Hughley and more of comedy’s heavy hitters reunited for a special night of laughs for Def Comedy Jam 25, a new special which began streaming on Netflix on Tuesday.

The comedy celebration was filmed at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, on Sept. 9, and pays tribute to the comedians behind a show “responsible for more stolen cable than any other television,” as Chappelle joked.

Chappelle, Harvey, Sheryl Underwood and Cedric the Entertainer kick off the 80-minute special playing as a comedy collision of self-deprecation and social topics like racism and police brutality, a sprinkle of politics (President Donald Trump comes up more than once) and tons of laughs, with appearances from Tracy Morgan, Katt Williams, Craig Robinson, Bill Bellamy, Mike Epps, Tiffany Haddish and many more.

Exclusive: Sheryl Underwood Reflects on Humble Beginnings as a Comedian: 'We Didn't Have a...

Dave Chappelle, Steve Harvey, More Star in Trailer for Def Comedy Jam 25 , Streaming on Netflix...