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Posts published in “TV”

CBS Sports All-Female Sports Show “We Need to Talk” Debuts Successfully; Expected to Air More Episodes this Spring

By goodblacknews on January 4, 2015
Meet the women of TV’s first all-female sports talk show
The women of “We Need to Talk”: Standing (back row, from left): Allie LaForce, Summer Sanders, Amy Trask, Lesley Visser, Andrea Kremer, Tracy Wolfson. Seated: (from left): Dara Torres, Dana Jacobson, Swin Cash, Laila Ali, Katrina Adams and Lisa Leslie.

In late September of this year, CBS Sports Network taped the inaugural episode of We Need To Talk, which marked the channel’s first-ever nationally televised all-female sports show.
Having already aired on December 27, 2014, the year-end special edition marked the broadcast debut of the show that features panelists Swin Cash, Laila Ali, Amy Trask, Tracy Wolfson and Dana Jacobson. The program, which bookended the network’s coverage of the Sun Bowl (Arizona State v. Duke), found New York Liberty’s Swin Cash going behind-the-scenes with the Golden State Warriors. She also interviewed the team’s new head coach, former Chicago Bulls shooting guard, Steve Kerr.
We Need To Talk made an impact when the program’s inaugural episode focused on the Ray Rice domestic violence scandal, and three of the show’s hosts shared similar war stories with their audience. From WNBA great Lisa Leslie’s brave admission that she’d been abused by a former fiance to Olympic swimmer Dara Torres shared her own painful story, We Need To Talk immediately became a relatable place for female sports fans of all ages.
“Because the big topic we were prepping for was domestic violence, and the statistic for women who are abused was proven on our first show,” says Allie LaForce, a CBS Sports sideline reporter and one of the contributors to CBS’s first all-sports show hosted completely by women. With these famous and notable women taking center stage, We Need To Talk tackles intriguing and diverse topics including domestic violence, concussions and advising awkward dudes on how to talk sports with the ladies.
In addition to Cash, Leslie, LaForce, Ali and the other aforementioned female hosts, Leslie Visser, Summer Sanders, Andrea Kremer and former Oakland Raider’s CEO Amy Trask will round out the group.
Behind the camera, We Need To Talk is led by Emmy Award-winning coordinating producers Emilie Deutsch and Suzanne Smith, the latter who is the only woman currently producing or directing NFL games. With the show wrapping its first season, there’s no doubt that audiences will be clamoring for a second helping of this diverse and influential sports show. It is expected to return to its CBS Sports cable home in the spring with brand new episodes.
article by Kevin L. Clark via blackenterprise.com

R.I.P. ESPN Sportscenter Anchor Stuart Scott

By goodblacknews on January 4, 2015
ESPN Stuart Scott

Stuart Scott, one of ESPN’s best-known “SportsCenter” anchors, died Sunday at a hospital in the Hartford, Conn., area after a seven-year battle with cancer. He was 49.  Scott, who joined the sports giant in 1993 for the launch of ESPN2, was diagnosed with cancer in November 2007 and dealt with recurring bouts of the disease.

In addition to hosting “SportsCenter,” Scott covered numerous events and specials over his 21-year career with ESPN and ABC Sports. His most famous catchphrases — “Booyah!” and “As cool as the other side of the pillow” — have become part of pop culture; Scott was even parodied on “Saturday Night Live.”
“ESPN and everyone in the sports world have lost a true friend and a uniquely inspirational figure in Stuart Scott,” ESPN president John Skipper said in a statement. “Who engages in mixed martial arts training in the midst of chemotherapy treatments? Who leaves a hospital procedure to return to the set? His energetic and unwavering devotion to his family and to his work while fighting the battle of his life left us in awe, and he leaves a void that can never be replaced.”
At this year’s ESPY Awards in July, Scott was presented with the Jimmy V Perseverance Award, named after college basketball coach and ESPN sportscaster Jim Valvano (who died of cancer in 1993). In Scott’s acceptance speech, he said about his two daughters: “Taelor and Sydni, I love you guys more than I will ever be able to express. You two are my heartbeat. I am standing on this stage here tonight because of you.”
During his ESPYs speech, Scott explained how he approached his fight against cancer. “I said, I’m not losing. I’m still here. I’m fighting. I’m not losing,” he said. “But I’ve got to amend that. When you die, that does not mean that you lose to cancer. You beat cancer by how you live, why you live, and the manner in which you live. So live. Live. Fight like hell.”

Mike Colter Nabs Luke Cage Role in Upcoming Marvel/Netflix Series "A.K.A. Jessica Jones"

By goodblacknews on December 28, 2014

Screen Shot 2014-12-28 at 3.33.44 PM
According to Marvel Studios, Mike Colter has signed on to play Luke Cage in the upcoming Netflix series, “A.K.A. Jessica Jones,” starring Krysten Ritter, in 2015.
The all-new 13-episode series will follow private investigator Jessica Jones who encounters the enigmatic Luke Cage, during the course of an investigation in New York City. Cage is described as a man whose past has secrets that will dramatically alter Jessica in ways she could never have imagined. After a tragic ending to her short-lived super hero stint, Jessica Jones is rebuilding her personal life and career as a detective who gets pulled into cases involving people with extraordinary abilities in New York City.
“Mike embodies the strength, edge and depth of Luke Cage,” said Executive Producer/Showrunner Melissa Rosenberg. “We’re excited to have him bring this iconic Marvel character to life.”
“Fans have longed to see Luke Cage and in Mike we’ve found the perfect actor,” said Jeph Loeb, Executive Producer/Marvel’s Head of Television. “Viewers will get to meet Luke Cage in ‘Marvel’s A.K.A. Jessica Jones,’ and experience why he is such an important super hero in the Marvel mythos.”
Colter, who has appeared in the critically-acclaimed television series “The Good Wife” and “American Horror Story: Coven”,  is currently starring in the XBox original series “Halo: Nightfall” as Jameson Locke.
“Marvel’s A.K.A. Jessica Jones” is produced by Marvel Television in association with ABC Studios for Netflix.
article by Lori Lakin Hutcherson (follow @lakinhutcherson)

Oprah Winfrey's OWN Announces a Month-Long Celebration Honoring Civil Rights Legends

By goodblacknews on December 21, 2014
Oprah Winfrey and
OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network recently announced a month-long celebration in January honoring civil rights legends who paved the way as we approach the 50th anniversary of the historic Selma to Montgomery marches led by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
The network will air the star-studded television event Oprah Winfrey Presents: Legends Who Paved The Way (Sunday, January 18 at 9 p.m. ET/PT) where Oprah Winfrey hosts a gala of events honoring some of the legendary men and extraordinary women of the civil rights movement, the arts and entertainment who made history and redefined what was possible for us all. Honorees include Ambassador Andrew Young, Berry Gordy, Rev. C.T. Vivian, Diane Nash, Dick Gregory, Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr., Congressman John Lewis, Rev. Joseph Lowery, Juanita Jones Abernathy, Julian Bond, Marian Wright Edelman, Myrlie Evers-Williams, Quincy Jones, Sidney Poitier and Harry Belafonte.
On January 4 at 9 p.m. ET/PT, Oprah sits down for a special episode of her popular series Oprah Prime celebrating the life of Dr. King and the Selma marches 50 years later. The episode features an in-depth conversation with the star of the upcoming film Selma, acclaimed actor David Oyelowo who portrays Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., along with the film’s award-winning director Ava DuVernay. The episode will also feature stories of those who were impacted by the march and their reflections today on that time in American history.
The month of special programming begins on New Year’s Day as NBC News correspondent Tamron Hall hosts Race on The Oprah Winfrey Show with Tamron Hall (Thursday, January 1 at 10 p.m. ET/PT) which highlights those trailblazing Oprah show episodes that elicited shocking audience responses and sparked opportunities for growth towards greater connection, empathy and healing.
Other special programming airing throughout the month include special episodes of Oprah: Where Are They Now? (Thursday, January 1 at 9 p.m. ET/PT) which spotlights memorable civil rights newsmakers and Oprah’s Master Class (Sunday, January 4 at 10 p.m. ET/PT) featuring powerful firsthand accounts from iconic “masters” such as Berry Gordy, Cicely Tyson, Dr. Maya Angelou, Diahann Carroll and many more.
In addition, the world television premiere of the OWN original documentary Light Girls will air on Monday, January 19 at 9 p.m. ET/PT featuring an in-depth look into colorism and the untold stories of lighter-skinned women around the globe. The documentary features interviews with notable celebrities including Russell Simmons, Soledad O’Brien, Diahann Carroll, india.arie, Iyanla Vanzant, Michaela Angela Davis, Kym Whitley, Salli Richardson-Whitfield and more.

Byron Pitts to Replace Dan Abrams on "Nightline" Anchor Team

By goodblacknews on December 18, 2014
Byron Pitts Replace Dan Abrams on
ABC News has tapped chief national correspondent Byron Pitts to replace Dan Abrams as one of “Nightline’s” three co-anchors.
Abrams will remain the Alphabet’s chief legal analyst, but ABC News president James Goldston said in a memo issued Thursday that Abrams intends to return to full-time work on his Abrams Media Network digital business. Pitts has been chief national correspondent since 2013.
“Byron is a truly passionate storyteller and deep thinker about the critical issues of our time, as his work from Soweto to Ferguson makes clear,” Goldston wrote.
article by Cynthia Littleton via Variety.com

Musician and Improvisational Comedian Reggie Watts named "Late Late Show" Bandleader

By goodblacknews on December 15, 2014
The new “Late Late Show with James Corden” has tapped musician and comedian Reggie Watts as its bandleader.  Watts — who is known for his improvised musical sets — currently serves in that role on the IFC series “Comedy Bang! Bang!” and has also appeared on “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon,” “Conan” and the Web’s “Funny or Die.”
CBS’ “Late Late Show” has pushed back its premiere date to March 23, two weeks later than previously announced. The 12:37 a.m. talker will now debut following the network’s opening-weekend coverage of the 2015 NCAA men’s basketball tournament.

Reggie Watts is an internationally renowned vocalist, beatboxer, musician, comedian and improviser known for his musical sets that are created on the spot, using only his voice and looping peddles.  In 2010, he was featured as a “Hot Comedian” in Rolling Stone’s Hot issue, as “Best New Comedian” in SPIN Magazine, and featured in GQ’s Man of the Year issue, also in 2010.
article by Andrea Morabito via nypost.com

Shonda Rhimes Receives Sherry Lansing Leadership Award at Hollywood Reporter’s Women in Entertainment Breakfast

By goodblacknews on December 12, 2014

Shonda Rhimes attends The Hollywood Reporter’s 23rd Annual Women In Entertainment Breakfast at Milk Studios on Dec. 10. (Valerie Macon / Getty Images Entertainment)

Shonda Rhimes is a visionary writer and producer whose successful shows — her creations Grey’s Anatomy and Scandal, and How to Get Away With Murder, which Rhimes executive produces — have changed the representation of women, LGBT people, and people of color on television. And on Wednesday, she accepted the Sherry Lansing Leadership Award at the annual Hollywood Reporter’s Women in Entertainment Breakfast.

The event was packed with powerful executives, actors, and previous honorees. Tony Goldwyn, who plays Fitz on Scandal, began Rhimes’ introduction — and gave way to a video message from first lady Michelle Obama, who called Rhimes “a friend.” (She also confessed to being a Scandal addict.)
Rhimes took the podium to a standing ovation and delivered a moving speech in which she paid tribute to the women who went before her and cleared the way for her to create groundbreaking television.
Here is her speech in full:

“When my publicist called to tell me that I was receiving this honor, I screwed up my face and I said, ‘Are you sure? Me?’ And he said, ‘Yes.’ And I said, ‘Why?’ And then I said, ‘No really, WHY?’

And I made him call and ask for some written reason why I was getting this award. Because I really and truly was worried that there might have been some kind of mistake.
I want to pause for a beat here to say that I don’t say these things to be self- deprecating and humble. I am not a self-deprecating, humble person. I think I’m a pretty fantastic badass. But I also think that The Hollywood Reporter Sherry Lansing Award is extraordinary — as is Sherry Lansing herself. So… no, really, WHY?
They sent a written reason why I was getting this award. It said many nice things, but the main thing that it was said was that I was getting the award in recognition of my breaking through the industry’s glass ceiling as a woman and an African-American.
Well. I call my publicist back. Because I just don’t know about this. I mean, I’m concerned now.

"Selma" Earns 4 Golden Globe Nominations; Viola Davis, Don Cheadle Also Honored

By goodblacknews on December 11, 2014

selma-movie
Film and television awards season continued ramping up as the nominations for the 72nd Annual Golden Globe Awards were announced this morning.

David Oyelowo as Martin Luther King Jr. in "Selma"; director Ava DuVernay (insert)
David Oyelowo as Martin Luther King Jr. in “Selma”; director Ava DuVernay (insert)

Martin Luther King Jr. biopic “Selma” scored big with nominations not only for Best Motion Picture – Drama, Best Original Song (“Glory” by John Legend and Common) and Best Actor (David Oyelowo), but also with the first Golden Globe nomination for an African American female director, Ava DuVernay.
“Annie” star Quvenzanhé Wallis earned a nod in the Best Actress – Comedy or Musical category and in  television, Viola Davis was honored with a nom in the Best Actress in a Television Series – Drama for her starring role in “How To Get Away With Murder.”  Don Cheadle was recognized in the Best Actor in a Television Series – Comedy or Musical for his work in “House of Lies” and Uzo Aduba received a nod for her supporting work in “Orange is the New Black.”
The Golden Globes, hosted for the second year by Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, will take place Jan. 11 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel and air live on NBC at 8pm EST.
Below is the full list of nominations:
BEST MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA
BOYHOOD
IFC Productions and Detour Filmproduction; IFC Films
FOXCATCHER
Annapurna Pictures; Sony Pictures Classics
THE IMITATION GAME
Black Bear Pictures; The Weinstein Company
SELMA
Paramount Pictures and Pathé; Paramount Pictures
THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING
Working Title Films; Focus Features

Viola Davis, Cicely Tyson, Uzo Aduba Nominated for 2015 Screen Actors Guild Awards

By goodblacknews on December 10, 2014

2014 SAG nominees Viola Davis (l), Cicely Tyson (c) and Uzo Aduba (r)
2014 SAG nominees Viola Davis (l), Cicely Tyson (c) and Uzo Aduba (r)

The Screen Actors Guild (SAG) announced the nominees for the 21st Annual SAG Awards today.  Among those honored were industry veteran Cicely Tyson, who earned a nod in the “Best Female Actor in a Television movie or Miniseries” category for her work in “A Trip to Bountiful.” (In 2013, the same role on Broadway earned Tyson a Tony Award for Best Actress.)
Viola Davis was recognized with a nomination in the Female Actor in a Drama Series category for ABC’s “How To Get Away With Murder” and “Orange Is The New Black”‘s Uzo Abuda garnered a nod for Female Actor in a Comedy Series.
The SAG Awards will air live Jan. 25 at 5 p.m. PST on TBS and TNT from the Shrine Exposition Hall in Los Angeles.  The full list of nominees follows below:

Carlton Wins! Alfonso Ribeiro Voted Champion of "Dancing With The Stars", Takes Home Mirror Ball Trophy

By goodblacknews on November 26, 2014
New champion: Alfonso Ribeiro held the mirror ball trophy up high on Tuesday night after winning the 19th season of Dancing With The Stars

He has been doing The Carlton for more than 20 years and Alfonso Ribeiro can now add a more prestigious dance title to his resume.  The 43-year-old actor wept with joy as he and partner Witney Carson were crowned champions last night of the19th season of ABC’s “Dancing With The Stars.”

After hugging Witney during rapturous applause from the studio audience, an emotional Alfonso said: ‘I cannot believe this. I’ve wanted it forever. My god, I don’t even know what to say.’

His dance partner said: “He’s one of the most hard working people I’ve ever met.”  Turning to the “Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air” star, Carson added: “You deserve it.”

article via dailymail.co.uk