Lamothe’s Black Out to Premiere on BET

The Jerry Lamothe (Nora’s Hair Salon) movie Black Out will premiere on BET on February 1st, 2008 at 8 P.M. The film, which Lamothe also wrote, chronicles the 2003 blackout and how it changed the lives of estranged neighbors.

Making the Band 4 Premieres Tonight on MTV

Diddy’s phenomenal creation Making the Band is back for another installment.

Part 4 and season 2 to be exact. Speaking with Cristina Kinon, the rapper and music impressario revealed that some of the members of his reality show have started romancing each other to his dismay:

“Because they’re on the same label, I didn’t expect that there would be some romance involved. But there are definitely some hookups. That’s not something I want, because I don’t know how long it will last and I know that they have to be on tour together.”

 Oh, and gone is Diddy the tyrant.

“They’ve gotten much more comfortable with me. It’s important to show that side of me also. Once they get signed to the label and I get to know them, there is that side that we do become friends.”

Aw.

[Pic Credit: Mark Mann/MTV]

Comedy Central Releases Flavor Flav DVD

Flavor Flav’s reign as a reality show king may have clocked out its course, but the folks at Comedy Central are making sure that the rapper turned reality television phenomenon gets his proper due—at least on DVD.

 

“The Comedy Central Roast of Flavor Flav” arrives in stores on February 12th and will be available on the comedy network’s online site. Think you’ll good off with just the taped version? Comedy Central made certain to include “extras” on the DVD version including nearly an hour of additional celebrity red carpet interviews, a Flav backstage tour and, oh, plenty of Flav-clock-cam bonus footage.

Run’s House Vanessa Simmons to Star in Hip-Hop Play

Seen Vanessa Simmons on the reality show “Run’s House” and on “One Life to Live” and want to see more of the daughter of hip hop mogul? Starting January 31st, you will get your chance via  “The Actor’s Rap” the hip hop play in J. Kyle Manzay’s parody about rappers-turned actors.

Vanessa will be making her off-Broadway debut alongside many radio personalities Michael Shawn (Hot 97 Morning Show), Déjà vu (Power 105.1),  and Ann Tripp (WBLS The Steve Harvey Morning Show).

Vanessa chose her words carefully when giving her view on the play and about the whole rappers-turning-to-actors controversy:

“I think that it’s good that people are giving rappers the opportunity to be film stars, but at the same time I feel that because of a name, real hard working actors miss out on great parts where they know they can deliver.”

[Source]

Tony Rock Has New Show on TV ONE

It was only a matter of time before Tony Rock would get his own show. The actor who’s played Dirk Black on the Will Smith-produced “All of Us” finally has it in the form of TV One’s new original weekly series The Funny Spot hosted by the comedian.

The show is set to showcase talent of up-and-coming comedians, but also has other objectives. Says Rock:

“We’re also doing something a little different by providing viewers with a glimpse of the total comedy experience, not just what they normally see on stage. The backstage moments give viewers an authentic perspective of how comics interact, what challenges we face before going on, and how we feel after appearing on stage.”

The show will premiere on TV One starting tonight from 10-11 PM ET.

BET, TV ONE Could Use a Newscast

Deborah Tang is gone, but many are still lamenting the loss of the woman many rightfully credit as the Mother of Black Newscast.  As the one-time BET vice president of News, Tang led a revolution not just at the cable station, but one that rang across the entire nation.

Writing in the Washington Post, the prominent African-American critic Courtland Malloy wrote:

“Turn on the television news these days and you’ll see history being made. A charismatic black man and a savvy white woman are running neck and neck to become the Democratic nominee for president. But despite the rich racial and gender implications of Barack Obama’s and Hillary Clinton’s candidacies, you won’t see much in the way of news analysis by African Americans — men or women.

Many are quick to point out that since Tavis Smiley’s ousting after the Viacom takeover of BET, the station’s programming is music-focused. But BET’s nemesis TV One is equally sans  newscast. Which brings one to ask: what gives? Are the cable networks’ heads afraid of starting a black-focused newscast? Who’s there to fear? Potential investors maybe? The Black Family Channel went kaput last year; are other non-conglomerate networks afraid of a similar fate? Are they afraid of rousing the ire of advertisers?

BET Honors Taping Tonight in DC

BET Honors, BET’s first ever award show honoring the achievements of African-American celebrities will be taping tonight in DC  and will be broadcasted on the network on Friday February 21st at 8 P.M. ET/PT.

In mid-2007, the network came under fire from critics who blamed it for perpertuating negative images and stereotypes of blacks. But CEO Debra Lee is optimistic and had this to say about the awards show:

“We are thrilled to present the first-ever BET HONORS and pay tribute to the thinkers, trailblazers and trendsetters whose accomplishments serve as inspirations for current and future generations. Each of these remarkable individuals has made significant contributions to the Black community and American culture overall, and BET Networks is proud to recognize them through this very special, new tentpole event. We’ve done a number of significant shows in other cities, but what better place to honor these individuals than in our home city of Washington, D.C.”

Among the presenters for the night: Stevie Wonder, John Legend, Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, Wyclef Jean, Danny Glover, Kerry Washington, Vivica A. Fox and Hill Harper. Honorees include=Alicia Keys (Entertainment Award), Tyra Banks (Media Award), Dr. Cornel West, University Professor in the Center for African American Studies (Award for Education), Richard Parsons (Corporate Citizen Award), The Honorable Maxine Waters (Public Service Award) and CEO Janice Bryant Howroyd (Entrepreneur Award).

Tyson and Tyra in a Runway Reality Rumble?

Hers is called “America’s Next Top Model”, a consistent ratings winner. His? A bit of a newcomer on the block with a commanding title “Make Me a Supermodel”, airing on Bravo. But supermodel Tyson Beckford doesn’t see any competition in Tyra Banks’s “America’s Next Top Model” or its originator.

 ”Tyra? Are you joking? I’m the only male supermodel there is, the only one who can make a supermodel. Do you think Tyra can just call up Naomi Campbell and ask her to teach these kids how to walk the runway? Please! You know Tyra and Naomi aren’t cool like that right? And we’re in New York, Tyra’s in L.A. Nothing’s going on in L.A. [My models] will go on go-sees, be doing what it takes where the action is, in New York. Please!”

About the Niki Taylor casting, Mr. Supermodel had this to say:

 ”I wouldn’t work with a TV person. I needed another supermodel [as his co-host] and I had to be in charge of my wardrobe — I’ve got to look like people expect me to look. I’m the only male supermodel out there — not everyone knows Marcus Schenkenberg.”

Schenken who? Don’t know him either Ty. And about whether ANTM will be outdone by MMASM remains to be seen. The ratings will bring on the verdict.

[Source]

Laila Ali Joins CBS News Show

Starting January 11th, you’ll be seeing a new face on CBS’s “The Early Show”, that of of the daugther of boxing legend Muhammad Ali, and a boxing talent in her own right, Laila Ali.

 According to CBS, Ali brings a lot to the table:

“She has been a dedicated educator and author in areas of heath and fitness. She has a spiritual side, while being a fearless competitor.”

Ali has shown herself as a versatile talent to say the least. She’s strutted her stuff on “American Gladiators” and “Dancing with the Stars”.

[Source]

Queen Latifah To Host People’s Choice Awards

Dana Owens, better known as Queen Latifah, will be hosting the 34th installment of the People’s Choice Awards. This will mark her second consecutive year as host. Latifah is a good sport, and says she hosts award show, but with one condition:

“As long as people don’t try to make me out to be a comedian. I’m definitely not that. I’m a person with a sense of humor, but there’s a difference. I can’t be in someone else’s lane driving the way they drive, but I go for things I feel I can pull off, and it usually works. They know what they’re getting when they get me.”

The Queen is also up for Best Leading Lady in an Horror Film (for her role as Motormouth in Hairpray) on the awards show which will be televised tonight at 9 P.M. on CBS.  [Source]