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Posts published in “Entertainment”

A Review Of Suzan-Lori Parks-Directed Production of “Topdog/Underdog”

By goodblacknews on September 24, 2012
Brandon J. Dirden, left, and Jason Dirden in “Topdog/Underdog.” The actors are brothers both in real life and in the play, in Red Bank. (T. Charles Erickson)

There is a gunshot in “Topdog/Underdog,” the shining first production of Two River Theater Company’s 2012-13 season.  Maybe you don’t expect it because of all the comedy. Maybe you do expect it because the gun has been too visible onstage not to play an important role. I was pretty sure I knew what lay ahead, but it was still a shock. Cheers to Jason Dirden, the shooter, and to Suzan-Lori Parks, the playwright, who also directed.

A Review Of Suzan-Lori Parks-Directed Production of "Topdog/Underdog"

By goodblacknews on September 24, 2012
Brandon J. Dirden, left, and Jason Dirden in “Topdog/Underdog.” The actors are brothers both in real life and in the play, in Red Bank. (T. Charles Erickson)
There is a gunshot in “Topdog/Underdog,” the shining first production of Two River Theater Company’s 2012-13 season.  Maybe you don’t expect it because of all the comedy. Maybe you do expect it because the gun has been too visible onstage not to play an important role. I was pretty sure I knew what lay ahead, but it was still a shock. Cheers to Jason Dirden, the shooter, and to Suzan-Lori Parks, the playwright, who also directed.

Bounce TV Celebrates 1st Birthday, Grows to 80% Of African-American Homes

By goodblacknews on September 24, 2012

 Bounce TV Celebrates First Birthday; Nation’s First-Ever Broadcast Television Network for African Americans Founded By Martin Luther King III, Ambassador Andrew Young

ATLANTA, Sept. 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — Bounce TV (www.bouncetv.com) — The nation’s first-ever broadcast television network designed for African-American audiences — will turn one on Sept. 26 and its first year on-the-air has been overwhelmingly successful, with accelerated growth and expansion among station groups and distribution, advertisers and viewers alike.

Zimbabwean Director Mark Tonderai Helms Horror Film ‘House at the End of the Street’

By goodblacknews on September 21, 2012
Mark Tonderai goes over a scene with star Jennifer Lawrence in Relativity Media's thriller 'House at the End of the Street.' © 2011 HATES, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Photo Credit: Albert Camicioli

Mark Tonderai goes over a scene with star Jennifer Lawrence in Relativity Media’s thriller ‘House at the End of the Street.’ © 2011 HATES, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Photo Credit: Albert Camicioli

House at the End of the Street hits theaters today just as Halloween season approaches.
The horror film, which stars Jennifer Lawrence of The Hunger Games fame, tells the story of a mother and daughter who move to a new neighborhood only to learn that a young girl killed her parents in the house next to them. Lawrence, who plays the daughter,  Elissa, becomes friends with the surviving son and finds that the mystery has only begun to unfold. Oscar nominee Elisabeth Shue stars alongside Lawrence as her mother Sarah.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wphg2Rx9RQY&w=560&h=315]
The director behind the psychological thriller is Mark Tonderai. He first made his debut as a director in 2008 with another horror film called Hush, which received a lot of praise and was nominated for a British Independent Film Award.

Oprah’s OWN Network Delivers Best Series Debut Ratings Ever

By goodblacknews on September 18, 2012

 

Iyanla Vanzant and Oprah Winfrey on OWN's 'Super Soul Sunday'

Iyanla Vanzant and Oprah Winfrey on OWN’s ‘Super Soul Sunday’

Oprah Winfrey’s OWN Network has been hitting highs recently, and this past weekend was no exception.  OWN’s new series Iyanla: Fix My Life featuring Evelyn Lozada, had a two-night premiere, Saturday and Sunday, and is the network’s highest rated series debut ever, ranking number 2 in all of cable when it aired Saturday night.  Season 2 of Welcome to Sweetie Pie’s premiered Sunday night and was the highest rated episode in the series history, ranking in the top 5 of all cable series during the time period.

SNL’s New Obama: Jay Pharoah Debuts Impression In Season 38 Opener (VIDEO)

By goodblacknews on September 17, 2012

http://www.hulu.com/watch/401527

Comedian and “Saturday Night Live” regular Jay Pharoah debuted his POTUS impression on Saturday night’s SNL season premiere, replacing Fred Armisen in the role.  In the opening sketch, Pharaoh’s Obama reminded voters that while he may have his flaws, the alternative — a Mitt Romney presidency — would be far worse.  Jason Sudeikis reprised his awkward-rich-guy impersonation of Romney and Taran Killam rocked a Wisconsin accent to play arithmetic-challenged running mate Paul Ryan.  Watch the clip above, courtesy of NBC.

SNL's New Obama: Jay Pharoah Debuts Impression In Season 38 Opener (VIDEO)

By goodblacknews on September 17, 2012

http://www.hulu.com/watch/401527
Comedian and “Saturday Night Live” regular Jay Pharoah debuted his POTUS impression on Saturday night’s SNL season premiere, replacing Fred Armisen in the role.  In the opening sketch, Pharaoh’s Obama reminded voters that while he may have his flaws, the alternative — a Mitt Romney presidency — would be far worse.  Jason Sudeikis reprised his awkward-rich-guy impersonation of Romney and Taran Killam rocked a Wisconsin accent to play arithmetic-challenged running mate Paul Ryan.  Watch the clip above, courtesy of NBC.

Nicki Minaj Joins “American Idol” As A Judge

By goodblacknews on September 16, 2012
Rapper/singer Nicki Minaj arrives at the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards at Staples Center on September 6, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images)

Rapper/singer Nicki Minaj arrives at the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards at Staples Center on September 6, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images)

NEW YORK (AP) — The “American Idol” judges’ panel is now complete with the naming of singer-rapper Nicki Minaj and country crooner Keith Urban.  The Fox network officially tapped the pair with an announcement Sunday, just hours before the first round of judging for next season was due to begin in New York.

The announcement also settles the status of Randy Jackson. He will stay put as the sole remaining original “Idol” judge, scotching rumors of a different role for him on the popular talent competition.

This trio joins newcomer Mariah Carey on a judges panel now expanded to four members from its previous three.  They fill vacancies left by Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez, who announced their exits in July.  “American Idol” returns for its 12th season in January.

Nicki Minaj Joins "American Idol" As A Judge

By goodblacknews on September 16, 2012
Rapper/singer Nicki Minaj arrives at the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards at Staples Center on September 6, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images)

Rapper/singer Nicki Minaj arrives at the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards at Staples Center on September 6, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images)

NEW YORK (AP) — The “American Idol” judges’ panel is now complete with the naming of singer-rapper Nicki Minaj and country crooner Keith Urban.  The Fox network officially tapped the pair with an announcement Sunday, just hours before the first round of judging for next season was due to begin in New York.

The announcement also settles the status of Randy Jackson. He will stay put as the sole remaining original “Idol” judge, scotching rumors of a different role for him on the popular talent competition.
This trio joins newcomer Mariah Carey on a judges panel now expanded to four members from its previous three.  They fill vacancies left by Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez, who announced their exits in July.  “American Idol” returns for its 12th season in January.

GBN Quote Of The Day

By goodblacknews on September 14, 2012

“If you think nobody cares if you’re alive, try missing a couple of car payments.”
–Flip Wilson, Emmy and Grammy Award-winning comedian