Natasha Rothwell gets a new lease on life in the upcoming Hulu comedy How to Die Alone, which will debut the first four episodes on Friday, Sept. 13; new episodes stream on Fridays.
The half-hour series follows Mel (played by Rothwell), a “broke, fat, Black JFK airport employee who’s never been in love and forgotten how to dream,” per the official synopsis, “until an accidental brush with death catapults her on a journey to finally take flight and start living by any means necessary.”
More from TVLineShark Week 2024: How to Watch the Annual TV Event Without CableElite Season 8:...
The half-hour series follows Mel (played by Rothwell), a “broke, fat, Black JFK airport employee who’s never been in love and forgotten how to dream,” per the official synopsis, “until an accidental brush with death catapults her on a journey to finally take flight and start living by any means necessary.”
More from TVLineShark Week 2024: How to Watch the Annual TV Event Without CableElite Season 8:...
- 7/5/2024
- by Keisha Hatchett
- TVLine.com
Jury Duty actor Rashida “Sheedz” Olayiwola is taking on a different kind of duty for this weekend’s BET Awards, where she serves as head writer.
Olayiwola was hired in recent months, and been working with a team to craft jokes for the show after spending two years as a staff writer for the awards, under producer Jesse Collins Entertainment. She is the second Black woman in the show’s history to hold the head writer position, following Nefetari Spencer in 2021.
Olayiwola was among the breakout stars of Jury Duty, in which she played officer Nikki Wilder, the bailiff in a fake trial in which everyone was an actor (save for an unsuspecting jury member named Ronald Gladden). She and her cast earned an Independent Spirit Award for the show. Olayiwola also has a role in Marvel Studios’ upcoming streaming series Ironheart. As a writer, she has worked on HBO’s South Side,...
Olayiwola was hired in recent months, and been working with a team to craft jokes for the show after spending two years as a staff writer for the awards, under producer Jesse Collins Entertainment. She is the second Black woman in the show’s history to hold the head writer position, following Nefetari Spencer in 2021.
Olayiwola was among the breakout stars of Jury Duty, in which she played officer Nikki Wilder, the bailiff in a fake trial in which everyone was an actor (save for an unsuspecting jury member named Ronald Gladden). She and her cast earned an Independent Spirit Award for the show. Olayiwola also has a role in Marvel Studios’ upcoming streaming series Ironheart. As a writer, she has worked on HBO’s South Side,...
- 6/26/2024
- by Aaron Couch
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Porsha Williams Guobadia is making her comeback to The Real Housewives of Atlanta and has also signed an overall scripted talent deal with NBCUniversal Entertainment.
Williams Guobadia has officially rejoined the cast following a two-season absence and will return for Season 16 on Bravo.
“I’m incredibly thankful for the vision and faith NBCUniversal has put in me to be a larger part of their family,” Williams Guobadia said in a statement. “I’m looking forward to being back on The Real Housewives of Atlanta, and showing the world my new world!”
The entrepreneur originally joined the show in Season 5 and left following Season 13. As part of her deal, Williams Guobadia will partner with NBCUniversal Entertainment for scripted project opportunities across the company’s broadcast and streaming properties.
“Porsha Williams Guobadia is a multi-hyphenate and we are fortunate to collaborate and tap into her creativity and passion through this partnership,” Rachel Smith,...
Williams Guobadia has officially rejoined the cast following a two-season absence and will return for Season 16 on Bravo.
“I’m incredibly thankful for the vision and faith NBCUniversal has put in me to be a larger part of their family,” Williams Guobadia said in a statement. “I’m looking forward to being back on The Real Housewives of Atlanta, and showing the world my new world!”
The entrepreneur originally joined the show in Season 5 and left following Season 13. As part of her deal, Williams Guobadia will partner with NBCUniversal Entertainment for scripted project opportunities across the company’s broadcast and streaming properties.
“Porsha Williams Guobadia is a multi-hyphenate and we are fortunate to collaborate and tap into her creativity and passion through this partnership,” Rachel Smith,...
- 2/13/2024
- by Armando Tinoco
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Rashida “Sheedz” Olayiwola, one of the stars of Disney+’s forthcoming Marvel miniseries Ironheart, has signed with Independent Artist Group for representation.
While details as to Olayiwola’s role are under wraps, she’s part of an ensemble led by Dominique Thorne, which also includes Anthony Ramos, Shakira Barrera, Alden Ehrenreich and more. The six-episode series created by Chinaka Hodge sees Thorne reprise her Black Panther: Wakanda Forever role of Riri Williams, a genius inventor out of MIT who has created the most advanced suit of armor since Iron Man’s.
An actress, writer and comedian, Olayiwola is best known for her role as Bailiff Nikki in Amazon Freevee’s singular comedy series Jury Duty from creators Eisenberg and Gene Stupnitsky, which went viral earlier this year and garnered three Emmy nominations including Outstanding Comedy Series. That show, of course, presents a fake jury trial, where all but one...
While details as to Olayiwola’s role are under wraps, she’s part of an ensemble led by Dominique Thorne, which also includes Anthony Ramos, Shakira Barrera, Alden Ehrenreich and more. The six-episode series created by Chinaka Hodge sees Thorne reprise her Black Panther: Wakanda Forever role of Riri Williams, a genius inventor out of MIT who has created the most advanced suit of armor since Iron Man’s.
An actress, writer and comedian, Olayiwola is best known for her role as Bailiff Nikki in Amazon Freevee’s singular comedy series Jury Duty from creators Eisenberg and Gene Stupnitsky, which went viral earlier this year and garnered three Emmy nominations including Outstanding Comedy Series. That show, of course, presents a fake jury trial, where all but one...
- 12/5/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Veteran entertainment lawyer and business strategist Jason Beekman has exited his role as VP and Head of Business & Legal Strategy at RadicalMedia to join director and former Imagine Documentaries showrunner Ryan Miller in co-founding new production company, Wise Child Studios.
Intended to marry the robust legal and business acumen of a larger studio with the distinguished creative vision and filmmaker-centric attention of a boutique shop, Wise Child will work with the industry’s best, from award winners to emerging talent, in the telling of thought-provoking and character-driven stories. The company is developing most of its projects from the ground up and will also handle post-production and sales for its titles.
Having already built a robust slate across scripted and non-fiction series, features, and podcasts, Wise Child’s projects in development include an investigative series with AMC; the feature doc Up the River about a 1972 concert at Sing Sing Prison,...
Intended to marry the robust legal and business acumen of a larger studio with the distinguished creative vision and filmmaker-centric attention of a boutique shop, Wise Child will work with the industry’s best, from award winners to emerging talent, in the telling of thought-provoking and character-driven stories. The company is developing most of its projects from the ground up and will also handle post-production and sales for its titles.
Having already built a robust slate across scripted and non-fiction series, features, and podcasts, Wise Child’s projects in development include an investigative series with AMC; the feature doc Up the River about a 1972 concert at Sing Sing Prison,...
- 11/15/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: There’s change at The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
A.D. Miles, who was previously head writer on the NBC show and also worked with Fallon on Late Night, is returning to the show as head writer.
Mason Steinberg, who was hired in the role last year, is exiting.
Paul Masella, who is the co-head writer and head monologue writer, remains in his position. Masella, who was also a writer on The Late Show with David Letterman and Saturday Night Live, has been writing for the NBC show since 2016.
Miles has a long history with Fallon; he was head writer of Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, which aired between 2009-2014, and then moved with the former SNL star to The Tonight Show, where he was head writer between 2014-2017. In all, he has written on more than 750 episodes of late-night television with the host.
He is probably best known...
A.D. Miles, who was previously head writer on the NBC show and also worked with Fallon on Late Night, is returning to the show as head writer.
Mason Steinberg, who was hired in the role last year, is exiting.
Paul Masella, who is the co-head writer and head monologue writer, remains in his position. Masella, who was also a writer on The Late Show with David Letterman and Saturday Night Live, has been writing for the NBC show since 2016.
Miles has a long history with Fallon; he was head writer of Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, which aired between 2009-2014, and then moved with the former SNL star to The Tonight Show, where he was head writer between 2014-2017. In all, he has written on more than 750 episodes of late-night television with the host.
He is probably best known...
- 10/24/2023
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Seven TV casting directors will reveal secrets behind their projects when they join Gold Derby’s special “Meet the Experts” Q&a event with 2023 Emmy Awards nominees. They will participate in two video discussions to premiere on Monday, August 14, at 4:00 p.m. Pt; 7:00 p.m. Et. We’ll have a one-on-one with our senior editor Denton Davidson and a roundtable chat with all of the group together.
RSVP today to our entire ongoing contenders panel series by clicking here to book your free reservation. We’ll send you a reminder a few minutes before the start of the show.
Abbott Elementary (ABC)
Synopsis: Follows a group of teachers brought together in one of the worst public schools in the country, simply because they love teaching.
Bio: Wendy O’Brien is an Emmy winner for “Abbott Elementary” and is now nominated again for that show and “Weird: The Al Yankovic Story.
RSVP today to our entire ongoing contenders panel series by clicking here to book your free reservation. We’ll send you a reminder a few minutes before the start of the show.
Abbott Elementary (ABC)
Synopsis: Follows a group of teachers brought together in one of the worst public schools in the country, simply because they love teaching.
Bio: Wendy O’Brien is an Emmy winner for “Abbott Elementary” and is now nominated again for that show and “Weird: The Al Yankovic Story.
- 8/4/2023
- by Chris Beachum and Denton Davidson
- Gold Derby
Emmy-nominated Yvette Nicole Brown and Television Academy Chair Frank Scherma have been tapped to announce the nominees for the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards. The live virtual ceremony is slated for Wednesday, July 12 at 8:30 a.m. Pt/11:30 a.m. Et. It will stream live on Emmys.com/nominations.
“It’s been another transformational year in this platinum age of television that has delivered a diverse range of extraordinary programming,” said Scherma. “We are delighted to have Yvette help us celebrate our 75th anniversary as we honor the exceptional shows, innovators, storytellers and talent whose work has entertained and connected us this season.”
Actress, writer, producer and host Brown earned an Emmy nomination for her work on The Black Lady Sketch Show and is currently starring in Act Your Age on Bounce TV. She is best known for her roles on TV shows including Community, Drake & Josh and The Odd Couple.
“It’s been another transformational year in this platinum age of television that has delivered a diverse range of extraordinary programming,” said Scherma. “We are delighted to have Yvette help us celebrate our 75th anniversary as we honor the exceptional shows, innovators, storytellers and talent whose work has entertained and connected us this season.”
Actress, writer, producer and host Brown earned an Emmy nomination for her work on The Black Lady Sketch Show and is currently starring in Act Your Age on Bounce TV. She is best known for her roles on TV shows including Community, Drake & Josh and The Odd Couple.
- 7/7/2023
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Please Note: This forecast, assembled by The Hollywood Reporter’s awards columnist Scott Feinberg, reflects his best attempt to predict the behavior of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, not his personal preferences. He arrives at these standings by drawing upon consultations with voters and strategists, analysis of marketing and campaigns, results of awards that precede the Emmys and the history of the Emmys itself. There will be regular updates to reflect new developments.
*Best Drama Series*
Frontrunners
Succession (HBO/Max)
The White Lotus: Sicily (HBO/Max)
The Last of Us (HBO/Max)
Better Call Saul (AMC)
Yellowjackets (Showtime)
House of the Dragon (HBO/Max)
The Crown (Netflix)
The Diplomat (Netflix)
Major Threats
Andor (Disney+)
The Mandalorian (Disney+)
The Handmaid’s Tale (Hulu)
The Old Man (FX)
1923 (Paramount+)
Yellowstone (Paramount)
Possibilities
Bad Sisters (Apple TV+)
Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story (Netflix) — podcast [Shonda Rhimes]
The Boys (Amazon)
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power...
*Best Drama Series*
Frontrunners
Succession (HBO/Max)
The White Lotus: Sicily (HBO/Max)
The Last of Us (HBO/Max)
Better Call Saul (AMC)
Yellowjackets (Showtime)
House of the Dragon (HBO/Max)
The Crown (Netflix)
The Diplomat (Netflix)
Major Threats
Andor (Disney+)
The Mandalorian (Disney+)
The Handmaid’s Tale (Hulu)
The Old Man (FX)
1923 (Paramount+)
Yellowstone (Paramount)
Possibilities
Bad Sisters (Apple TV+)
Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story (Netflix) — podcast [Shonda Rhimes]
The Boys (Amazon)
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power...
- 6/24/2023
- by Scott Feinberg
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Please Note: This forecast, assembled by The Hollywood Reporter’s awards columnist Scott Feinberg, reflects his best attempt to predict the behavior of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, not his personal preferences. He arrives at these standings by drawing upon consultations with voters and strategists, analysis of marketing and campaigns, results of awards that precede the Emmys and the history of the Emmys itself. There will be regular updates to reflect new developments.
*Best Drama Series*
Frontrunners
Succession (HBO/Max)
The White Lotus: Sicily (HBO/Max)
The Last of Us (HBO/Max)
Better Call Saul (AMC)
The Crown (Netflix)
Yellowjackets (Showtime)
The Mandalorian (Disney+)
The Diplomat (Netflix)
Major Threats
House of the Dragon (HBO/Max)
Andor (Disney+)
The Handmaid’s Tale (Hulu)
The Old Man (FX)
1923 (Paramount+)
Yellowstone (Paramount)
Possibilities
Bad Sisters (Apple TV+)
Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story (Netflix) — podcast [Shonda Rhimes]
The Boys (Amazon)
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power...
*Best Drama Series*
Frontrunners
Succession (HBO/Max)
The White Lotus: Sicily (HBO/Max)
The Last of Us (HBO/Max)
Better Call Saul (AMC)
The Crown (Netflix)
Yellowjackets (Showtime)
The Mandalorian (Disney+)
The Diplomat (Netflix)
Major Threats
House of the Dragon (HBO/Max)
Andor (Disney+)
The Handmaid’s Tale (Hulu)
The Old Man (FX)
1923 (Paramount+)
Yellowstone (Paramount)
Possibilities
Bad Sisters (Apple TV+)
Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story (Netflix) — podcast [Shonda Rhimes]
The Boys (Amazon)
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power...
- 6/16/2023
- by Scott Feinberg
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Please Note: This forecast, assembled by The Hollywood Reporter’s awards columnist Scott Feinberg, reflects his best attempt to predict the behavior of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, not his personal preferences. He arrives at these standings by drawing upon consultations with voters and strategists, analysis of marketing and campaigns, results of awards that precede the Emmys and the history of the Emmys itself. There will be regular updates to reflect new developments.
*Best Drama Series*
Frontrunners
Succession (HBO/Max)
The White Lotus: Sicily (HBO/Max)
The Last of Us (HBO/Max)
Better Call Saul (AMC)
The Crown (Netflix)
Yellowjackets (Showtime)
The Mandalorian (Disney+)
The Diplomat (Netflix)
Major Threats
House of the Dragon (HBO/Max)
Andor (Disney+)
The Handmaid’s Tale (Hulu)
The Old Man (FX)
1923 (Paramount+)
Yellowstone (Paramount)
Bad Sisters (Apple TV+)
Possibilities
The Boys (Amazon)
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (Amazon)
Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story...
*Best Drama Series*
Frontrunners
Succession (HBO/Max)
The White Lotus: Sicily (HBO/Max)
The Last of Us (HBO/Max)
Better Call Saul (AMC)
The Crown (Netflix)
Yellowjackets (Showtime)
The Mandalorian (Disney+)
The Diplomat (Netflix)
Major Threats
House of the Dragon (HBO/Max)
Andor (Disney+)
The Handmaid’s Tale (Hulu)
The Old Man (FX)
1923 (Paramount+)
Yellowstone (Paramount)
Bad Sisters (Apple TV+)
Possibilities
The Boys (Amazon)
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (Amazon)
Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story...
- 6/8/2023
- by Scott Feinberg
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Please Note: This forecast, assembled by The Hollywood Reporter’s awards columnist Scott Feinberg, reflects his best attempt to predict the behavior of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, not his personal preferences. He arrives at these standings by drawing upon consultations with voters and strategists, analysis of marketing and campaigns, results of awards that precede the Emmys and the history of the Emmys itself. There will be regular updates to reflect new developments.
*Best Drama Series*
Frontrunners
Succession (HBO/Max)
The White Lotus: Sicily (HBO/Max)
The Last of Us (HBO/Max)
Better Call Saul (AMC)
The Crown (Netflix)
Yellowjackets (Showtime)
The Mandalorian (Disney+)
The Diplomat (Netflix)
Major Threats
House of the Dragon (HBO/Max)
The Handmaid’s Tale (Hulu)
1923 (Paramount+)
Yellowstone (Paramount)
Andor (Disney+)
The Old Man (FX)
The Boys (Amazon)
Bad Sisters (Apple TV+)
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (Amazon)
Possibilities
Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story...
*Best Drama Series*
Frontrunners
Succession (HBO/Max)
The White Lotus: Sicily (HBO/Max)
The Last of Us (HBO/Max)
Better Call Saul (AMC)
The Crown (Netflix)
Yellowjackets (Showtime)
The Mandalorian (Disney+)
The Diplomat (Netflix)
Major Threats
House of the Dragon (HBO/Max)
The Handmaid’s Tale (Hulu)
1923 (Paramount+)
Yellowstone (Paramount)
Andor (Disney+)
The Old Man (FX)
The Boys (Amazon)
Bad Sisters (Apple TV+)
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (Amazon)
Possibilities
Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story...
- 6/2/2023
- by Scott Feinberg
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Exclusive: Conrad Ricamora (How To Get Away With Murder), KeiLyn Durrel Jones (The Other Two) and Jocko Sims (New Amsterdam) are set as series regulars opposite Natasha Rothwell in How To Die Alone, an original comedy from Onyx Collective for Hulu. Additionally, Bashir Salahuddin (South Side) will recur in the eight-episode series, which is written, starring and co-showrun by Rothwell via her overall deal with ABC Signature and Onyx Collective.
How to Die Alone follows Melissa (Rothwell), a fat, Black neurotic who’s never been in love. After a comical brush with death, she refuses to settle for anything less than the life she wants, catapulting her on a journey to becoming “100% that bitch” in real life by any means necessary.
Ricamora will play Rory. Self-involved, boy-crazy, love-starved Rory is Mel’s well-meaning best friend. Rory loves to have a good time at all costs and is blind to his...
How to Die Alone follows Melissa (Rothwell), a fat, Black neurotic who’s never been in love. After a comical brush with death, she refuses to settle for anything less than the life she wants, catapulting her on a journey to becoming “100% that bitch” in real life by any means necessary.
Ricamora will play Rory. Self-involved, boy-crazy, love-starved Rory is Mel’s well-meaning best friend. Rory loves to have a good time at all costs and is blind to his...
- 2/23/2023
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
As Black History Month runs throughout February, television will celebrate Black voices, icons and stories across entertainment, politics, sports and more.
Throughout February, audiences will be able to keep up with Hulu’s year-long initiative in spotlighting Black stories and storytellers on the platform’s “Black Stories Always” hub. In addition to new series and season premieres, from “Wu-Tang: An American Saga” to “The 1619 Project,” the platform will continue to stream new episodes of “Abbott Elementary” and “Grown-ish,” and feature classic titles from Black storytellers including “Living Single” and “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.”
BET will honor Black History Month with a programming schedule that features new unscripted series, including “Black Icons — Past, Present, Future” and “America In Black” as well as the 54th NAACP Image Awards telecast on Feb. 25.
Read a full list of programming to look out for this Black History Month below. (More titles will be added throughout the month.
Throughout February, audiences will be able to keep up with Hulu’s year-long initiative in spotlighting Black stories and storytellers on the platform’s “Black Stories Always” hub. In addition to new series and season premieres, from “Wu-Tang: An American Saga” to “The 1619 Project,” the platform will continue to stream new episodes of “Abbott Elementary” and “Grown-ish,” and feature classic titles from Black storytellers including “Living Single” and “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.”
BET will honor Black History Month with a programming schedule that features new unscripted series, including “Black Icons — Past, Present, Future” and “America In Black” as well as the 54th NAACP Image Awards telecast on Feb. 25.
Read a full list of programming to look out for this Black History Month below. (More titles will be added throughout the month.
- 2/3/2023
- by Charna Flam and Julia MacCary
- Variety Film + TV
It feels just like last month we were complimenting Hulu on its true crime offerings. Well, with its list of new releases for February 2023, Hulu is staying in the true crime lane. Suppose that’ll happen when you push back the release date of a series or two.
February sees the arrival of three notable true crime series on Hulu. Taiwan Crime Stories premieres on Feb. 1 and presents four true tales from Taiwan’s criminal “dark underbelly.” That will be followed by ABC News Studios’ Killing County on Feb. 3. That three-episode series ponders the question “what happens when police kill?” The most interesting true crime offering premieres on Feb. 9. That’s when Stolen Youth: Inside the Cult at Sarah Lawrence College shares its four-episode saga of Larry Ray and the young college students he victimized.
As far as non true crime offerings go, the third and final season of Hulu...
February sees the arrival of three notable true crime series on Hulu. Taiwan Crime Stories premieres on Feb. 1 and presents four true tales from Taiwan’s criminal “dark underbelly.” That will be followed by ABC News Studios’ Killing County on Feb. 3. That three-episode series ponders the question “what happens when police kill?” The most interesting true crime offering premieres on Feb. 9. That’s when Stolen Youth: Inside the Cult at Sarah Lawrence College shares its four-episode saga of Larry Ray and the young college students he victimized.
As far as non true crime offerings go, the third and final season of Hulu...
- 2/1/2023
- by Alec Bojalad
- Den of Geek
Looking for something to watch this week? Showbiz Cheat Sheet has details on what’s coming to your favorite streaming platforms this week including Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, HBO Max, and Prime Video. Find out what new shows you can watch in the last week of January 2023.
Pamela Anderson in ‘Pamela, a love story’ | Netflix Pamela Anderson’s documentary comes out on Netflix this week
On Jan. 31, fans will finally get to hear Pamela Anderson’s side of the story in her Netflix documentary Pamela, a love story. The streamer describes the film as “an intimate and humanizing portrait of one of the world’s most famous blonde bombshells.”
Pamela, a love story follows Anderson’s life and career trajectory from small-town girl to international sex symbol, actress, activist, and doting mother. It will also touch on the popular Hulu series Pam & Tommy, which Anderson has never seen.
Here’s...
Pamela Anderson in ‘Pamela, a love story’ | Netflix Pamela Anderson’s documentary comes out on Netflix this week
On Jan. 31, fans will finally get to hear Pamela Anderson’s side of the story in her Netflix documentary Pamela, a love story. The streamer describes the film as “an intimate and humanizing portrait of one of the world’s most famous blonde bombshells.”
Pamela, a love story follows Anderson’s life and career trajectory from small-town girl to international sex symbol, actress, activist, and doting mother. It will also touch on the popular Hulu series Pam & Tommy, which Anderson has never seen.
Here’s...
- 1/30/2023
- by Lauren Anderson
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Chicago – One the brightest comedies set in Chicago is “South Side,” created by Bashir Salahuddin and Diallo Riddle. The series began on Comedy Central and moved to HBO Max, and Season Three began streaming on December 8th, 2022, with the same free-wheeling and hilarious misadventures of Simon and Kareme.
The two lead characters (portrayed by Bashir’s brother Sultan Salahuddin and Kareme Young) are stuck in a dead end job with a rental company in the Englewood neighborhood of Chicago, and are constantly coming up with entrepreneurial “opportunities” to get their piece of the American dream. Both creators of the show also have roles, most prominently Bashir as Cpd Officer Goodnight, with Diallo Riddle portraying Chicago Alderman Allen Gayle.
Season 3 of ‘South Side’
Photo credit: HBO Max
Diallo Riddle is a writer, producer, actor and DJ who broke through as a scribe on “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.” From that launching...
The two lead characters (portrayed by Bashir’s brother Sultan Salahuddin and Kareme Young) are stuck in a dead end job with a rental company in the Englewood neighborhood of Chicago, and are constantly coming up with entrepreneurial “opportunities” to get their piece of the American dream. Both creators of the show also have roles, most prominently Bashir as Cpd Officer Goodnight, with Diallo Riddle portraying Chicago Alderman Allen Gayle.
Season 3 of ‘South Side’
Photo credit: HBO Max
Diallo Riddle is a writer, producer, actor and DJ who broke through as a scribe on “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.” From that launching...
- 12/26/2022
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Exclusive: Rashida “Sheedz” Olayiwola (South Side) has joined the cast of the Marvel Studios Disney+ series Ironheart in an undisclosed role, Deadline has learned.
Marvel reps declined to comment.
The six-episode series created by Chinaka Hodge will star Dominique Thorne as Marvel character Riri Williams, a genius inventor and creator of the most advanced suit of armor since Iron Man. Previously announced cast also includes Anthony Ramos, Shakira Barrera, Manny Montana, Alden Ehrenreich, Regan Aliyah, Shea Couleé, and Zoe Terakes.
Sam Bailey and Angela Barnes are directing, with Ryan Coogler’s Proximity among the production entities. Coogler, Ironheart head writer Chinaka Hodge, Zinzi Coogler, and Sev Ohanian serve as executive producers alongside Marvel Studios’ Kevin Feige, Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Brad Winderbaum, and Zoie Nagelhout.
Olayiwola is a comedian, writer, and actress who is currently a staff writer on the HBO Max series South Side. Upcoming projects include the new...
Marvel reps declined to comment.
The six-episode series created by Chinaka Hodge will star Dominique Thorne as Marvel character Riri Williams, a genius inventor and creator of the most advanced suit of armor since Iron Man. Previously announced cast also includes Anthony Ramos, Shakira Barrera, Manny Montana, Alden Ehrenreich, Regan Aliyah, Shea Couleé, and Zoe Terakes.
Sam Bailey and Angela Barnes are directing, with Ryan Coogler’s Proximity among the production entities. Coogler, Ironheart head writer Chinaka Hodge, Zinzi Coogler, and Sev Ohanian serve as executive producers alongside Marvel Studios’ Kevin Feige, Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Brad Winderbaum, and Zoie Nagelhout.
Olayiwola is a comedian, writer, and actress who is currently a staff writer on the HBO Max series South Side. Upcoming projects include the new...
- 9/14/2022
- by Rosy Cordero
- Deadline Film + TV
IFC variety comedy series “Sherman’s Showcase” is returning for a second season on the network along with AMC+ on October 26, and the full guest lineup has been announced, headlined by Egot winner and series executive producer John Legend and “Insecure” and “Rap Sh!t” creator Issa Rae. IFC announced the news on Wednesday during AMC Networks’ day at the TV Critics Assn. press tour.
New guests on the show include Ace Vane, Demi Adejuyigbe, Desi Banks, Jerome Benton, Michael Blackson, Heidy De La Rosa, Chris Hardwick, Emily Kinney, Ted Lange, Laci Mosley, Rashida Olayiwola “Sheedz,” Dewayne Perkins, Jay Pharoah, Rae, Chance The Rapper, Amanda Seales, Kent Shocknek, Paul F. Tompkins and Porsha Williams. Returning guest stars to the series include Eliza Coupe, Morris Day, Rob Haze, Legend, Nigel Lythgoe, Vic Mensa, Tawny Newsome, Xosha Roquemore, Chandra Russell, Zuri Salahuddin and Bresha Webb.
The variety series comes from co-creators Bashir Salahuddin and Diallo Riddle,...
New guests on the show include Ace Vane, Demi Adejuyigbe, Desi Banks, Jerome Benton, Michael Blackson, Heidy De La Rosa, Chris Hardwick, Emily Kinney, Ted Lange, Laci Mosley, Rashida Olayiwola “Sheedz,” Dewayne Perkins, Jay Pharoah, Rae, Chance The Rapper, Amanda Seales, Kent Shocknek, Paul F. Tompkins and Porsha Williams. Returning guest stars to the series include Eliza Coupe, Morris Day, Rob Haze, Legend, Nigel Lythgoe, Vic Mensa, Tawny Newsome, Xosha Roquemore, Chandra Russell, Zuri Salahuddin and Bresha Webb.
The variety series comes from co-creators Bashir Salahuddin and Diallo Riddle,...
- 8/10/2022
- by EJ Panaligan
- Variety Film + TV
Superstore vet Lauren Ash is trading big box stores for the newsroom: The actress has joined ABC’s midseason comedy Not Dead Yet, which stars Gina Rodriguez as Nell Stevens, a self-described disaster who takes a job writing obituaries.
Per our sister site Deadline, Ash will play the series-regular role of Lexi, who is the daughter of a wealthy newspaper owner and recently appointed editor. She is described as comedically out of touch with how normal people live, thanks to her upbringing in the rarefied world of boarding schools and private planes.
More from TVLineTVLine Items: Wilds Vet's New Series,...
Per our sister site Deadline, Ash will play the series-regular role of Lexi, who is the daughter of a wealthy newspaper owner and recently appointed editor. She is described as comedically out of touch with how normal people live, thanks to her upbringing in the rarefied world of boarding schools and private planes.
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- 8/10/2022
- by Vlada Gelman
- TVLine.com
Click here to read the full article.
Tatiana Maslany’s next TV role will be a world away from her current one.
The Emmy winner and She-Hulk: Attorney at Law star has joined AMC Networks’ drama Invitation to a Bonfire. She’ll also be an executive producer of the series, which is inspired by the codependent marriage of Lolita novelist Vladimir Nabokov and his wife, Vera.
The announcement was one of several AMC Networks made during its time at the Television Critics Association press tour Wednesday. The company has also named a new showrunner for its series Dark Winds and set a guest lineup for season two of IFC’s Sherman’s Showcase.
Invitation to a Bonfire is set at a girls boarding school in the 1930s. It follows Zoya (Freya Mavor), a young Russian immigrant and groundskeeper at the school, who’s drawn into a lethal love triangle with the...
Tatiana Maslany’s next TV role will be a world away from her current one.
The Emmy winner and She-Hulk: Attorney at Law star has joined AMC Networks’ drama Invitation to a Bonfire. She’ll also be an executive producer of the series, which is inspired by the codependent marriage of Lolita novelist Vladimir Nabokov and his wife, Vera.
The announcement was one of several AMC Networks made during its time at the Television Critics Association press tour Wednesday. The company has also named a new showrunner for its series Dark Winds and set a guest lineup for season two of IFC’s Sherman’s Showcase.
Invitation to a Bonfire is set at a girls boarding school in the 1930s. It follows Zoya (Freya Mavor), a young Russian immigrant and groundskeeper at the school, who’s drawn into a lethal love triangle with the...
- 8/10/2022
- by Rick Porter
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Click here to read the full article.
Marlon Wayans and the minds behind South Side and Sherman’s Showcase are teaming up at Starz.
The premium cable outlet is developing a comedy series called Book of Marlon, inspired by Wayans’ life and career. Wayans and his producing partner Rick Alvarez will write the pilot episode with Diallo Riddle and Bashir Salahuddin, co-creators of HBO Max’s South Side (with Sultan Salahuddin) and IFC/AMC’s Sherman’s Showcase. (Riddle also co-starred in Wayans’ 2016-17 NBC comedy Marlon.)
“We are beyond thrilled to develop this sophisticated and hilarious series with Marlon, Diallo, Bashir and Rick, who each bring their own level of artistry and authenticity to everything they touch,” said Kathryn Busby, president original programming at Starz. “I’ve long admired Diallo’s and Bashir’s work, and I’m excited to be working on a project as special as this with the...
Marlon Wayans and the minds behind South Side and Sherman’s Showcase are teaming up at Starz.
The premium cable outlet is developing a comedy series called Book of Marlon, inspired by Wayans’ life and career. Wayans and his producing partner Rick Alvarez will write the pilot episode with Diallo Riddle and Bashir Salahuddin, co-creators of HBO Max’s South Side (with Sultan Salahuddin) and IFC/AMC’s Sherman’s Showcase. (Riddle also co-starred in Wayans’ 2016-17 NBC comedy Marlon.)
“We are beyond thrilled to develop this sophisticated and hilarious series with Marlon, Diallo, Bashir and Rick, who each bring their own level of artistry and authenticity to everything they touch,” said Kathryn Busby, president original programming at Starz. “I’ve long admired Diallo’s and Bashir’s work, and I’m excited to be working on a project as special as this with the...
- 8/9/2022
- by Rick Porter
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Art will imitate life very, very closely for Marlon Wayans, who is set to lead an autobiographical comedy series now in development at Starz.
Wayans will star in, co-write and executive-produce Book of Marlon, a half-hour project inspired by the comedian’s life and career. He’ll play a fictionalized version of himself, “exploring his professional life as a comedian and actor, as well as his personal life as he attempts to reconcile being a good person and loving father with being Marlon,” the official synopsis reads. (The project was initially in development at HBO Max.)
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Wayans will star in, co-write and executive-produce Book of Marlon, a half-hour project inspired by the comedian’s life and career. He’ll play a fictionalized version of himself, “exploring his professional life as a comedian and actor, as well as his personal life as he attempts to reconcile being a good person and loving father with being Marlon,” the official synopsis reads. (The project was initially in development at HBO Max.)
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- 8/9/2022
- by Rebecca Iannucci
- TVLine.com
Marlon Wayans is moving his semi-autobiographical comedy series “Book of Marlon” to Starz.
The premium cabler has put the show into development after it was previously set up at HBO Max. It was originally set up at HBO Max in 2020 as part of an overall deal Wayans had signed there.
In the half-hour show, Wayans would play a fictionalized version of himself, exploring his professional life as a comedian and actor, as well as his personal life as he attempts to reconcile being a good person and loving father with being Marlon. Wayans will star in the series in addition to co-writing and executive producing. As with the original HBO Max iteration, Rick Alvarez will also co-writer and executive produce. Now, though, Diallo Riddle and Bashir Salahuddin have come onboard to co-write and serve as co-showrunners and executive producers. Riddle previously worked with Wayans on the latter’s NBC series “Marlon,...
The premium cabler has put the show into development after it was previously set up at HBO Max. It was originally set up at HBO Max in 2020 as part of an overall deal Wayans had signed there.
In the half-hour show, Wayans would play a fictionalized version of himself, exploring his professional life as a comedian and actor, as well as his personal life as he attempts to reconcile being a good person and loving father with being Marlon. Wayans will star in the series in addition to co-writing and executive producing. As with the original HBO Max iteration, Rick Alvarez will also co-writer and executive produce. Now, though, Diallo Riddle and Bashir Salahuddin have come onboard to co-write and serve as co-showrunners and executive producers. Riddle previously worked with Wayans on the latter’s NBC series “Marlon,...
- 8/9/2022
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
Sarah Goldberg is moving from the Los Angeles of Barry to an intercontinental comedy at IFC.
Goldberg, an Emmy nominee for season two of Barry, and Susan Stanley have scored a green light at IFC for a dark comedy series titled Sisters. The two, long-time friends former classmates at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts, will star in and write the six-episode series. They’ll play women from Canada and Ireland who discover they’re half sisters and set out on a road trip to find their alcoholic father. The series will air on the IFC cable channel and stream on Sundance Now.
“We are thrilled to be making Sisters, a character-driven comedic drama about how the absence of a parent in childhood can affect life in your thirties, and the macabre humour that can come with trauma,” Goldberg and Stanley said in a statement.
Sarah Goldberg is moving from the Los Angeles of Barry to an intercontinental comedy at IFC.
Goldberg, an Emmy nominee for season two of Barry, and Susan Stanley have scored a green light at IFC for a dark comedy series titled Sisters. The two, long-time friends former classmates at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts, will star in and write the six-episode series. They’ll play women from Canada and Ireland who discover they’re half sisters and set out on a road trip to find their alcoholic father. The series will air on the IFC cable channel and stream on Sundance Now.
“We are thrilled to be making Sisters, a character-driven comedic drama about how the absence of a parent in childhood can affect life in your thirties, and the macabre humour that can come with trauma,” Goldberg and Stanley said in a statement.
- 6/8/2022
- by Rick Porter
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Exclusive: Gus Van Sant (Good Will Hunting), Lenny Kravitz (Lee Daniels’ The Butler), Beverly D’Angelo (Violent Night), Colleen Camp (Back on the Strip) and Gavin Rossdale (The Bling Ring) have signed on to star alongside Vito Schnabel in the dark comedy The Trainer, which Tony Kaye (American History X) is directing from Schnabel and Jeff Solomon’s script.
The film currently in production, after nearly a decade in development, is based on an original story by Schnabel. It unfolds over eight days of sleep-deprived chaos and follows Jack (Schnabel), a down-on-his-luck fitness expert living with his mother in Los Angeles, who takes a maniacal swing at fame and fortune, trying to realize his version of the American dream.
Julia Fox, Steven Van Zandt, Taylour Paige, Stephen Dorff, John McEnroe, Gina Gershon, Luka Sabbat, Soo Joo Park, Brock O’Hurn, Bella Thorne, Laird Hamilton and Duke Nicholson are also set to star.
The film currently in production, after nearly a decade in development, is based on an original story by Schnabel. It unfolds over eight days of sleep-deprived chaos and follows Jack (Schnabel), a down-on-his-luck fitness expert living with his mother in Los Angeles, who takes a maniacal swing at fame and fortune, trying to realize his version of the American dream.
Julia Fox, Steven Van Zandt, Taylour Paige, Stephen Dorff, John McEnroe, Gina Gershon, Luka Sabbat, Soo Joo Park, Brock O’Hurn, Bella Thorne, Laird Hamilton and Duke Nicholson are also set to star.
- 5/4/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Ne-Yo (Step Up: High Water) has signed on to star alongside his real-life aunt Kym Whitley (Twenties) and niece Tyler Kay Whitley (The Game) in the indie romantic comedy The Pact, from writer-director Robert Mychal Patrick Butler (Life Ain’t Like The Movies).
The film follows best friends Jessie (Tyler Kay Whitley) and Brandon, who made a pact in college to get married on their 30th birthday, should they both be single at the time. After Brandon gets dumped by his longtime girlfriend Amanda (Grace Aubry) on the eve of his 30th, he heads to Vegas with Jessie, marrying her after a night of drunken shenanigans. Back home, confronted with the fallout of their decision, Jessie has to deal with a new relationship and her upset Aunt Porsha (Kym Whitley), who found out her favorite niece has gotten married on social media. She’s at the same time tasked by her manager,...
The film follows best friends Jessie (Tyler Kay Whitley) and Brandon, who made a pact in college to get married on their 30th birthday, should they both be single at the time. After Brandon gets dumped by his longtime girlfriend Amanda (Grace Aubry) on the eve of his 30th, he heads to Vegas with Jessie, marrying her after a night of drunken shenanigans. Back home, confronted with the fallout of their decision, Jessie has to deal with a new relationship and her upset Aunt Porsha (Kym Whitley), who found out her favorite niece has gotten married on social media. She’s at the same time tasked by her manager,...
- 4/14/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
The Butthole Surfers, one of the bands that influenced some of the biggest rock bands of the 90s including Nirvana and Red Hot Chili Peppers, are getting their own deep dive.
A feature documentary about the band, which was lampooned on The Simpsons and Beavis and Butthead and appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman, is currently in the works from director Tom Stern.
Stern is a writer, director, producer and showrunner, whose credits include Netflix’s The Toys That Made Us and Kevin Hart’s Guide to Black History.
The Butthole Surfers Movie will tell the story of the Texas-based band that featured members including singer Gibby Haynes, guitarist Paul Leary and drummer King Coffey. The band hs released eight studio albums since they formed in 1981 including Locust Abortion Technician, Hairway to Steven and the Capitol Records-released Electriclarryland, which spawned a surprising hit single with the song Pepper.
A feature documentary about the band, which was lampooned on The Simpsons and Beavis and Butthead and appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman, is currently in the works from director Tom Stern.
Stern is a writer, director, producer and showrunner, whose credits include Netflix’s The Toys That Made Us and Kevin Hart’s Guide to Black History.
The Butthole Surfers Movie will tell the story of the Texas-based band that featured members including singer Gibby Haynes, guitarist Paul Leary and drummer King Coffey. The band hs released eight studio albums since they formed in 1981 including Locust Abortion Technician, Hairway to Steven and the Capitol Records-released Electriclarryland, which spawned a surprising hit single with the song Pepper.
- 12/10/2021
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Progress continues to be incremental in front of and behind television cameras in Hollywood. An October 2021 UCLA Television Diversity study examined 461 scripted television shows airing or streaming during the 2019-20 season. It revealed that only 32.1 percent of scripted broadcast network shows, 28.1 percent on cable TV, and 26.8 percent on streaming platforms, featured majority non-white casts. Each category saw an increase of roughly 2-3 percent over the previous season. In summary, despite popular claims of a “renaissance” for Bipoc creatives in Hollywood (especially for African Americans), there’s still much work to be done on the matter of inclusion in all job areas.
As their study states, the Bipoc group is not proportionately represented to their share of the U.S. population, even though audience interest in programming with talent that represents the nation’s diversity, continues to increase.
When Bipoc narratives are controlled by non-bipoc creatives, character story lines may lack authenticity,...
As their study states, the Bipoc group is not proportionately represented to their share of the U.S. population, even though audience interest in programming with talent that represents the nation’s diversity, continues to increase.
When Bipoc narratives are controlled by non-bipoc creatives, character story lines may lack authenticity,...
- 11/22/2021
- by Tambay Obenson
- Indiewire
Chicago – One the brightest comedies set in Chicago is “South Side,” created by Bashir Salahuddin and Diallo Riddle. The pair moved the show from Comedy Central to HBO Max, and Season Two dropped for streaming on November 11th, 2021, with the same free-wheeling and hilarious misadventures of Simon and Kareme.
The duo (portrayed by Bashir’s brother Sultan Salahuddin and Kareme Young) are stuck in a dead end job with a rental company in the Englewood neighborhood of Chicago, and are constantly coming up with entrepreneurial “opportunities” to get their piece of the American dream. Both creators of the show also have roles, most prominently Bashir as Cpd Officer Goodnight.
’Southside,’ Co-Created by Diallo Riddle (inset on wall)
Photo credit: HBO Max
Diallo Riddle is a writer, producer, actor and DJ who broke through as a writer on “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.” From that launching pad he worked on several series,...
The duo (portrayed by Bashir’s brother Sultan Salahuddin and Kareme Young) are stuck in a dead end job with a rental company in the Englewood neighborhood of Chicago, and are constantly coming up with entrepreneurial “opportunities” to get their piece of the American dream. Both creators of the show also have roles, most prominently Bashir as Cpd Officer Goodnight.
’Southside,’ Co-Created by Diallo Riddle (inset on wall)
Photo credit: HBO Max
Diallo Riddle is a writer, producer, actor and DJ who broke through as a writer on “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.” From that launching pad he worked on several series,...
- 11/17/2021
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
‘South Side’ Review: Chicago-Set Comedy Returns for a Season 2 with Dreams Even Bigger than the City
The season finale of the first season of “South Side” closed with a few friends in a basement, floating away into deep space. It would have been a bittersweet ending for the then-Comedy Central show if it had stopped there, a parting reminder of how big this collection of mismatched employees could go. Fortunately, after a two year hiatus, “South Side” is back — this time as an HBO Max original — and it’s not afraid to keep going galactic whenever it decides to.
Most of “South Side” still revolves around the employees of “Rent-t-Own,” a store that loans out everything from end tables to TVs to household appliances. In their downtime at work, Simon (Sultan Salahuddin) and Kareme (Kareme Young) are usually deep into some plan that will be their ticket to a new job, better conditions at their current one, or (as is the case with the show...
Most of “South Side” still revolves around the employees of “Rent-t-Own,” a store that loans out everything from end tables to TVs to household appliances. In their downtime at work, Simon (Sultan Salahuddin) and Kareme (Kareme Young) are usually deep into some plan that will be their ticket to a new job, better conditions at their current one, or (as is the case with the show...
- 11/11/2021
- by Steve Greene
- Indiewire
Former AMC Networks, Disney and Regency TV exec Pete Aronson has been named head of development and production at J30 Studios, the new company founded by “Sherman’s Showcase” and “South Side” creators and stars Bashir Salahuddin and Diallo Riddle.
Aronson was most recently exec VP, programming and production at AMC Networks’ IFC, overseeing series such as “Portlandia,” “Documentary Now!,” “Sherman’s Showcase,” “Brockmire,” “Stan Against Evil,” “Year of the Rabbit,” “Maron” and the Film Independent Spirit Awards.
Aronson already worked with Salahuddin and Riddle on “Sherman’s Showcase,” and Aronson was an exec producer on the recent one-hour special “Sherman’s Showcase Black History Month Spectacular”; he’ll continue to serve as EP on the show’s upcoming Season 2. Aronson will also serve as an exec producer with Riddle and Salahuddin on series made under their Warner Bros. TV overall deal.
“I have known and worked with the guys for over a...
Aronson was most recently exec VP, programming and production at AMC Networks’ IFC, overseeing series such as “Portlandia,” “Documentary Now!,” “Sherman’s Showcase,” “Brockmire,” “Stan Against Evil,” “Year of the Rabbit,” “Maron” and the Film Independent Spirit Awards.
Aronson already worked with Salahuddin and Riddle on “Sherman’s Showcase,” and Aronson was an exec producer on the recent one-hour special “Sherman’s Showcase Black History Month Spectacular”; he’ll continue to serve as EP on the show’s upcoming Season 2. Aronson will also serve as an exec producer with Riddle and Salahuddin on series made under their Warner Bros. TV overall deal.
“I have known and worked with the guys for over a...
- 11/2/2021
- by Michael Schneider
- Variety Film + TV
Grown-ish‘s Francia Raisa, Tom Ainsley (Versailles), Tien Tran (Space Force) and Suraj Sharma (God Friended Me) are set as leads opposite Hilary Duff in How I Met Your Father, Hulu’s straight-to-series spinoff to long-running CBS comedy How I Met Your Mother.
Created and written by Isaac Aptaker and Elizabeth Berger, How I Met Your Father is set in the near future, with Sophie (Duff) telling her son the story of how she met his father, much like Josh Radnor (and Bob Saget’s) Ted Mosby did in the original series. The story starts in 2021 as where Sophie and her close-knit group of friends are in the midst of figuring out who they are, what they want out of life and how to fall in love in the age of dating apps and limitless options.
Raisa will play Valentina, Sophie’s (Duff) roommate. She’s an aspiring stylist and Sophie’s great friend.
Created and written by Isaac Aptaker and Elizabeth Berger, How I Met Your Father is set in the near future, with Sophie (Duff) telling her son the story of how she met his father, much like Josh Radnor (and Bob Saget’s) Ted Mosby did in the original series. The story starts in 2021 as where Sophie and her close-knit group of friends are in the midst of figuring out who they are, what they want out of life and how to fall in love in the age of dating apps and limitless options.
Raisa will play Valentina, Sophie’s (Duff) roommate. She’s an aspiring stylist and Sophie’s great friend.
- 8/10/2021
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
An October 2020 UCLA Hollywood Diversity study — which focused on broadcast, cable and streaming programming for the previous two television seasons — reported that, when it comes to racial diversity in television industry jobs, while Black, indigenous, and other people of color (Bipoc) creatives continue to make incremental gains, positions at the highest ranks and behind the camera still elude them. The group is not represented proportionately to their share of the U.S. population overall, even though audiences continue to show interest in programming with talent that represents the nation’s diversity.
The analysis found that the greatest racial disparities are in behind-the-camera jobs such as a show’s creator, director, and writer: Among digital programs, just 10.3 percent of show creators were Bipoc; in broadcast, 10.7 percent; and for cable, 14.7 percent.
White men still dominate these positions, as well as high-level TV executive jobs. As of 2020, chair/CEO positions were overwhelmingly held...
The analysis found that the greatest racial disparities are in behind-the-camera jobs such as a show’s creator, director, and writer: Among digital programs, just 10.3 percent of show creators were Bipoc; in broadcast, 10.7 percent; and for cable, 14.7 percent.
White men still dominate these positions, as well as high-level TV executive jobs. As of 2020, chair/CEO positions were overwhelmingly held...
- 7/27/2021
- by Tambay Obenson
- Indiewire
Exclusive: Nickelodeon has rounded out the cast for That Girl Lay Lay, its new live-action comedy series starring teen hip-hop artist Alaya “That Girl Lay Lay” High, slated to premiere later this year.
Joining High are Gabrielle Nevaeh Green as Sadie; Peyton Perrine III (Funny Married Stuff) as Sadie’s brother, Marky; Tiffany Daniels as Sadie’s mom, Trish; Thomas Hobson as Sadie’s dad, Bryce; and Caleb Brown as Lay Lay and Sadie’s classmate, Jeremy.
Created by David A. Arnold, in That Girl Lay Lay, phone avatar Lay Lay is the perfect hype girl and best friend that anyone could ever want from their personal affirmation app. Struggling to make her mark at school and needing a best friend to talk to,...
Joining High are Gabrielle Nevaeh Green as Sadie; Peyton Perrine III (Funny Married Stuff) as Sadie’s brother, Marky; Tiffany Daniels as Sadie’s mom, Trish; Thomas Hobson as Sadie’s dad, Bryce; and Caleb Brown as Lay Lay and Sadie’s classmate, Jeremy.
Created by David A. Arnold, in That Girl Lay Lay, phone avatar Lay Lay is the perfect hype girl and best friend that anyone could ever want from their personal affirmation app. Struggling to make her mark at school and needing a best friend to talk to,...
- 7/2/2021
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Some of Hollywood’s Harvard veterans are helping out scribes from their alma mater find their voices and perhaps become Tinseltown’s future.
Harvardwood today announced the winners of its Writers Competition winners and Most Staffable TV List (see the full list below)
The 18-year old program aims to connect talented scribes from the venerable Ivy League college with studios, networks and agencies. To that end, this year sees industry leaders working as one-on-one mentors with the aspiring and varied writers, who also receive cash prizes. “Harvardwood has strived to support new voices in the industry, and we are proud to see those efforts reflected in our competition winners,” program President Allison Kiessling told Deadline Thursday, noting that many of this year’s winners come from underrepresented communities.
Among the 2021 mentors are Harvard alum 20th Century Fox TV boss Carolyn Cassidy, Sherman’s Showcase’s Diallo Riddle, and Veep and...
Harvardwood today announced the winners of its Writers Competition winners and Most Staffable TV List (see the full list below)
The 18-year old program aims to connect talented scribes from the venerable Ivy League college with studios, networks and agencies. To that end, this year sees industry leaders working as one-on-one mentors with the aspiring and varied writers, who also receive cash prizes. “Harvardwood has strived to support new voices in the industry, and we are proud to see those efforts reflected in our competition winners,” program President Allison Kiessling told Deadline Thursday, noting that many of this year’s winners come from underrepresented communities.
Among the 2021 mentors are Harvard alum 20th Century Fox TV boss Carolyn Cassidy, Sherman’s Showcase’s Diallo Riddle, and Veep and...
- 5/20/2021
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: SeriesFest and Shondaland have reunited to highlight a new generation of directors with the return of the Women Directing Mentorship competition.
First launched in 2018, the Women Directing Mentorship is a competition designed to discover aspiring female directors with a unique voice and provide them a launchpad for their career. The mentorship supplies the selected director with an opportunity to shadow an episodic director on a Shondaland-produced series. The winner will also receive a $5,000 stipend to use during the duration of their membership.
Rachel Myers, the recipient of the inaugural mentorship shadowed director Tessa Blake on Episode 306, “Ice Ice Baby” of the Shondaland series, Station 19. Season two winner, Tamika Miller will be on-set once pandemic restrictions are lifted. Submissions to enter are open now until September 14, 2021 via http://www.seriesfest.com . The recipient will be announced in December 2021.
“We are thrilled to continue these initiatives with the support of our incredible partners and mentors.
First launched in 2018, the Women Directing Mentorship is a competition designed to discover aspiring female directors with a unique voice and provide them a launchpad for their career. The mentorship supplies the selected director with an opportunity to shadow an episodic director on a Shondaland-produced series. The winner will also receive a $5,000 stipend to use during the duration of their membership.
Rachel Myers, the recipient of the inaugural mentorship shadowed director Tessa Blake on Episode 306, “Ice Ice Baby” of the Shondaland series, Station 19. Season two winner, Tamika Miller will be on-set once pandemic restrictions are lifted. Submissions to enter are open now until September 14, 2021 via http://www.seriesfest.com . The recipient will be announced in December 2021.
“We are thrilled to continue these initiatives with the support of our incredible partners and mentors.
- 5/12/2021
- by Alexandra Del Rosario
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Devere Rogers has been cast as a series regular opposite Patti LuPone and Erinn Hayes in Ok Boomer, a multi-camera comedy pilot from creator Todd Linden, the late Jamie Tarses’ Fanfare and Sony Pictures TV.
Written by Linden and to be directed by Victor Gonzalez, Ok Boomer centers on Barbara (LuPone), a self-centered boomer who shows up at her estranged daughter Sarah’s (Hayes) house hoping to live off the family’s money, but forms an unexpected bond with her progressive granddaughter who’s quick to challenge her on their differing views — of which there are plenty.
Rogers will play Russell, the youngest of Barbara’s (LuPone) children and half-brother to Sarah (Hayes) from an affair Barbara had with his dad.
2020-21 HBO Max Pilots & Series Orders
The project’s executive producers includes Vanessa McCarthy,...
Written by Linden and to be directed by Victor Gonzalez, Ok Boomer centers on Barbara (LuPone), a self-centered boomer who shows up at her estranged daughter Sarah’s (Hayes) house hoping to live off the family’s money, but forms an unexpected bond with her progressive granddaughter who’s quick to challenge her on their differing views — of which there are plenty.
Rogers will play Russell, the youngest of Barbara’s (LuPone) children and half-brother to Sarah (Hayes) from an affair Barbara had with his dad.
2020-21 HBO Max Pilots & Series Orders
The project’s executive producers includes Vanessa McCarthy,...
- 3/15/2021
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
In just eight years, John Legend and Mike Jackson (with partner Ty Stiklorius) have won a slew of awards for content from their Get Lifted Film Co. This week, they will be gifted another accessory thanks to the Critics Choice Association which is honoring Legend and Jackson with The Producers Award during the 3rd annual Celebration of Black Cinema.
Tuesday’s ceremony follows another banner year for Get Lifted. The company’s recent releases include Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey, the documentary Giving Voice, the docu-series Atlanta’s Missing and Murdered: The Lost Children, the comedy series Sherman’s Showcase and the competition showcase Rhythm ...
Tuesday’s ceremony follows another banner year for Get Lifted. The company’s recent releases include Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey, the documentary Giving Voice, the docu-series Atlanta’s Missing and Murdered: The Lost Children, the comedy series Sherman’s Showcase and the competition showcase Rhythm ...
In just eight years, John Legend and Mike Jackson (with partner Ty Stiklorius) have won a slew of awards for content from their Get Lifted Film Co. This week, they will be gifted another accessory thanks to the Critics Choice Association which is honoring Legend and Jackson with The Producers Award during the 3rd annual Celebration of Black Cinema.
Tuesday’s ceremony follows another banner year for Get Lifted. The company’s recent releases include Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey, the documentary Giving Voice, the docu-series Atlanta’s Missing and Murdered: The Lost Children, the comedy series Sherman’s Showcase and the competition showcase Rhythm ...
Tuesday’s ceremony follows another banner year for Get Lifted. The company’s recent releases include Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey, the documentary Giving Voice, the docu-series Atlanta’s Missing and Murdered: The Lost Children, the comedy series Sherman’s Showcase and the competition showcase Rhythm ...
ViacomCBS’ 2021 Showcase is going virtual this year — and they have set the producing team for the annual event that highlights diverse talent in the industry. Tess Paras will executive produce and direct while Tien Tran will serve as executive produce and return as head writer. Frank Garcia-Hejl joins as producer and associate director and rounding out the team is Tyler Davis who will serve as producer and associate head writer. This year’s group of performers and event date will be announced at a later date.
Showcase has developed into a hybrid comedy show with Broadway-worthy live performances and original, creative writing. The show is attended by senior-level executives, showrunners and casting directors from ViacomCBS properties, as well as other networks and talent agents/managers from across the entertainment industry. Alumni of the Showcase include Emmy Award winners Kate McKinnon and Tiffany Haddish as well as Diona Reasonover (NCIS), Justin Hires...
Showcase has developed into a hybrid comedy show with Broadway-worthy live performances and original, creative writing. The show is attended by senior-level executives, showrunners and casting directors from ViacomCBS properties, as well as other networks and talent agents/managers from across the entertainment industry. Alumni of the Showcase include Emmy Award winners Kate McKinnon and Tiffany Haddish as well as Diona Reasonover (NCIS), Justin Hires...
- 1/13/2021
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: CBS is developing a single-camera comedy about foster parents and children from feature writers Chris Hazzard and Michael Fontana.
The network has put the half-hour Foster Friends into development with You and Gossip Girl producer Alloy Entertainment in association with Warner Bros Television producing.
The show follows three foster-parent couples who team to adopt a sibling set of five children, resulting in three very different sets of parents trying to raise one group of kids.
The comedy was inspired by Hazzard’s experience as a foster parent.
Hazzard and Fontana will write and exec produce, with Leslie Morgenstein and Gina Girolamo also exec producing.
The writing duo recently wrote Lionsgate’s musical comedy Under Cover starring Zachary Levi and Cole Sprouse. Their original feature comedy Adulting was just set up at Sony with Studio 8 producing, and Amazon Studios recently optioned the rights to Ex-Mas, their feature comedy pitch...
The network has put the half-hour Foster Friends into development with You and Gossip Girl producer Alloy Entertainment in association with Warner Bros Television producing.
The show follows three foster-parent couples who team to adopt a sibling set of five children, resulting in three very different sets of parents trying to raise one group of kids.
The comedy was inspired by Hazzard’s experience as a foster parent.
Hazzard and Fontana will write and exec produce, with Leslie Morgenstein and Gina Girolamo also exec producing.
The writing duo recently wrote Lionsgate’s musical comedy Under Cover starring Zachary Levi and Cole Sprouse. Their original feature comedy Adulting was just set up at Sony with Studio 8 producing, and Amazon Studios recently optioned the rights to Ex-Mas, their feature comedy pitch...
- 11/30/2020
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Diallo Riddle and Bashir Salahuddin, creators of Sherman’s Showcase and South Side, are developing a doo-wop college comedy for CBS.
CBS has put into development the untitled multi-camera comedy from the pair and given them a put pilot commitment.
The project marks the first broadcast sale since they struck an overall deal with Warner Bros Television, which will produce.
The comedy follows a group of Black college students from blue collar backgrounds as they adjust to the culture shock of the Ivy League. Wanting to feel more ‘at home’ at the college, they find family by forming a doo-wop group.
Riddle and Salahuddin, in fact, met as undergraduates at Harvard University, where they became friends as members of a singing group called Brothers. They will write and exec produce.
It is the latest series for the pair, which recently scored a second season for Chicago-based comedy South Side, with...
CBS has put into development the untitled multi-camera comedy from the pair and given them a put pilot commitment.
The project marks the first broadcast sale since they struck an overall deal with Warner Bros Television, which will produce.
The comedy follows a group of Black college students from blue collar backgrounds as they adjust to the culture shock of the Ivy League. Wanting to feel more ‘at home’ at the college, they find family by forming a doo-wop group.
Riddle and Salahuddin, in fact, met as undergraduates at Harvard University, where they became friends as members of a singing group called Brothers. They will write and exec produce.
It is the latest series for the pair, which recently scored a second season for Chicago-based comedy South Side, with...
- 11/12/2020
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Bashir Salahuddin and Diallo Riddle, creators of Sherman’s Showcase and South Side, have closed an overall deal with Warner Bros TV.
The pair have signed a multi-year deal with the studio and have ambitions to create, develop and produce TV projects in a wide range of genres from animation to superhero series. They are keen to work in all areas including broadcast network television and streaming.
This comes after a good run that saw their musical variety show Sherman’s Showcase picked up for a second season to air on both AMC and IFC, and a second season of Chicago-based comedy South Side. The latter’s first season aired on Comedy Central but it has now moved to HBO Max for its second season.
The pair got their break on NBC’s Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, where they wrote sketches including Slow Jam the News with Barack Obama and...
The pair have signed a multi-year deal with the studio and have ambitions to create, develop and produce TV projects in a wide range of genres from animation to superhero series. They are keen to work in all areas including broadcast network television and streaming.
This comes after a good run that saw their musical variety show Sherman’s Showcase picked up for a second season to air on both AMC and IFC, and a second season of Chicago-based comedy South Side. The latter’s first season aired on Comedy Central but it has now moved to HBO Max for its second season.
The pair got their break on NBC’s Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, where they wrote sketches including Slow Jam the News with Barack Obama and...
- 9/10/2020
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
HBO’s A Black Lady Sketch Show has entered the Emmy race but the sketch category has been decimated to only three nominees.
Robin Thede’s comedy has been nominated in the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Variety Sketch Series category alongside Saturday Night Live and Drunk History.
It comes as the Emmy rule change means that categories with less than 20 submissions have a sliding scale between zero and four nominations.
While it might increase A Black Lady Sketch Show’s chances against regular winner SNL, it is a blow for shows such as Sherman’s Showcase, At Home With Amy Sedaris, Alternatino with Arturo Castro, The Iliza Shlesinger Sketch Show, Crank Yankers and Astronomy Club.
Two of last year’s nominees, Hulu’s I Love You, America with Sarah Silverman and Showtime’s Who Is America? were no longer eligible. The streamer cancelled Silverman’s show in January 2019, while it...
Robin Thede’s comedy has been nominated in the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Variety Sketch Series category alongside Saturday Night Live and Drunk History.
It comes as the Emmy rule change means that categories with less than 20 submissions have a sliding scale between zero and four nominations.
While it might increase A Black Lady Sketch Show’s chances against regular winner SNL, it is a blow for shows such as Sherman’s Showcase, At Home With Amy Sedaris, Alternatino with Arturo Castro, The Iliza Shlesinger Sketch Show, Crank Yankers and Astronomy Club.
Two of last year’s nominees, Hulu’s I Love You, America with Sarah Silverman and Showtime’s Who Is America? were no longer eligible. The streamer cancelled Silverman’s show in January 2019, while it...
- 7/28/2020
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Some of the best jokes are the ones so undeniable, so elemental, that anyone who hears or sees them gets them immediately. Others feel like secrets that, if you happen to have whatever decoder ring that unlocks the punchline, make them that much more satisfying.
“Sherman’s Showcase” has plenty of both. The IFC series, which premiered last summer, imagines a fictional variety show with a rich, wild, and self-contained six-decade history. Co-creators Bashir Salahuddin and Diallo Riddle play longtime host Sherman McDaniels and longtime producer/announcer Dutch Shepherd, the two men at the center of this show-within-a-show that blends performance and parody in a blissful way.
Because “Sherman’s Showcase” is riffing on the real-life shows from throughout TV history and riding on a neverending wave of pop culture setups, each episode is part of one of the most densely packed comedies around. Again, some of those jokes are undeniable. And...
“Sherman’s Showcase” has plenty of both. The IFC series, which premiered last summer, imagines a fictional variety show with a rich, wild, and self-contained six-decade history. Co-creators Bashir Salahuddin and Diallo Riddle play longtime host Sherman McDaniels and longtime producer/announcer Dutch Shepherd, the two men at the center of this show-within-a-show that blends performance and parody in a blissful way.
Because “Sherman’s Showcase” is riffing on the real-life shows from throughout TV history and riding on a neverending wave of pop culture setups, each episode is part of one of the most densely packed comedies around. Again, some of those jokes are undeniable. And...
- 7/13/2020
- by Steve Greene
- Indiewire
Bashir Salahuddin is truly a creative genius. As a well-rounded triple threat, he has found success as an actor, comedian, and writer. With almost 20 years of experience in the industry, Bashir has built up an impressive portfolio that includes a wide variety of projects. Some of the highlights of his career include writing for Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and The Last O.G. Most notably, however, he has co-created two series of his own: South Side and Sherman’s Showcase. His ability to think outside of the box definitely hasn’t gone unnoticed. Now that Sherman’s Showcase has been officially renewed
10 Things You Didn’t Know about Bashir Salahuddin...
10 Things You Didn’t Know about Bashir Salahuddin...
- 7/12/2020
- by Camille Moore
- TVovermind.com
The seeds of what would eventually become “Sherman’s Showcase” had been sitting inside the minds of Bashir Salahuddin and Diallo Riddle for well over 10 years. For them, the idea of satirizing a variety show was a no-brainer. “We do all these different things because the rubric of a variety show allows it. The reason we picked the variety show is because for years we’ve been obsessed with them,” says Salahuddin in our recent webchat (watch the video above). Riddle, who co-created the project elaborated that part of the idea also came about after they had performed silly songs on Jimmy Fallon’s show. “We were like, ‘Let’s see if we can do a show where we can do this all the time.’ And IFC was like, ‘We don’t know about all the time, but how about eight episodes?’
“Sherman’s Showcase” centers on the fictitious, titular program that...
“Sherman’s Showcase” centers on the fictitious, titular program that...
- 7/3/2020
- by Charles Bright
- Gold Derby
When Tiffany Daniels made her first on screen appearance on 2007, she had a very minor role in an episode of Cold Case. At the time, having a long lasting career in the entertainment industry seemed like nothing more than a dream. However, nearly 15 years later, Tiffany is still going strong and her resume has gotten pretty impressive. Throughout her career, she has made appearances in dozens of shows including Grace and Frankie, Criminal Minds, and NCIS. One of her most recent roles has been in the IFC series, Sherman’s Showcase, which has recently been renewers for a second
10 Things You Didn’t Know about Tiffany Daniels...
10 Things You Didn’t Know about Tiffany Daniels...
- 6/27/2020
- by Camille Moore
- TVovermind.com
“Comedy 100% changes things,” says Kenya Barris, the creator and star of Netflix’s #blackAF. He is discussing whether the art of laughter can bring about a meaningful societal shift in light of the May killing of George Floyd and the subsequent protests against police brutality.
Barris, who also created ABC family comedy Black-ish, says that television comedy can help people “take the medicine with a spoonful of sugar.”
#blackAF, which also stars Rashida Jones as Barris’ wife, explores the meaning of being Black and successful and raising kids in America. The eight-part scripted series—Barris’ first scripted series since signing a major overall deal with Netflix—launched on the streaming service in April. It has started an interesting conversation online about race and class.
Barris says on both Black-ish and #blackAF that he was inspired by Richard Pryor to “pull the curtain back” and show, “white America, Black America, and...
Barris, who also created ABC family comedy Black-ish, says that television comedy can help people “take the medicine with a spoonful of sugar.”
#blackAF, which also stars Rashida Jones as Barris’ wife, explores the meaning of being Black and successful and raising kids in America. The eight-part scripted series—Barris’ first scripted series since signing a major overall deal with Netflix—launched on the streaming service in April. It has started an interesting conversation online about race and class.
Barris says on both Black-ish and #blackAF that he was inspired by Richard Pryor to “pull the curtain back” and show, “white America, Black America, and...
- 6/25/2020
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
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