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Posts published in “TV”

Tyra Banks to Produce Television Comedy for ABC

By goodblacknews on October 15, 2012

Tyra Banks ABC Comedy FiveheadEXCLUSIVE: America’s Next Top Model executive producer/star Tyra Banks is making her first foray into scripted series with Fivehead, a single-camera comedy for ABC based on her teen years. Banks is co-creating/executive producing Fivehead withKenya Barris (Fox’s I Hate My Teenage Daughter), a childhood friend and longtime business partner with whom Banks also co-created America’s Next Top Model, now in its 19th cycle.

Fivehead, produced by ABC Studios, chronicles the impressionable teenage years of Banks in the halls of her high school and at home, focusing on her family and the long journey that took Banks from awkward teen to one of the world’s most recognizable supermodels. “In high school, if you have glasses, you’re a ‘four eyes’, if you have braces, you’re a ‘metal mouth’ but if you had my forehead? You’re a FIVEHEAD,” said Banks.
Barris and Banks will co-create together the characters and the story for Fivehead, and Barris will write the script. The two first met when they were 6-year-olds and attended school together, which gives Barris a first-hand account of the very times Banks and he will be reminiscing about in Fivehead. “To be able to witness her career was wild, but to be able to watch Tyra grow up was nothing short of nutty,” said Barris. “I am blown away by the opportunity to tell not just a great story but a story that I remember so fondly.” Banks is repped by WME. Barris is repped by Paradigm and Principato-Young.
article by Nellie Andreeva via deadline.com

South Africa Crowns Its First Black "Idol"

By goodblacknews on October 10, 2012

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JtRl1UBESI&w=560&h=315]
Idols SA first launched in 2002, and eight seasons later, the South African television show, based on the popular British show Pop Idol (the inspiration for the U.S.’ American Idol), finally crowned its first black winner.
Khaya Mthethwa (pronounced KYE-yam-TET-wa), 25, went home with the top honors and a prize package of 1 million South African rand ($114,000 in U.S. dollars) and a recording contract with Universal Music South Africa.

South Africa Crowns Its First Black “Idol”

By goodblacknews on October 10, 2012

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JtRl1UBESI&w=560&h=315]

Idols SA first launched in 2002, and eight seasons later, the South African television show, based on the popular British show Pop Idol (the inspiration for the U.S.’ American Idol), finally crowned its first black winner.

Khaya Mthethwa (pronounced KYE-yam-TET-wa), 25, went home with the top honors and a prize package of 1 million South African rand ($114,000 in U.S. dollars) and a recording contract with Universal Music South Africa.

BET Scores Makeover Show With Celebrity Trainer Jeanette Jenkins

By goodblacknews on October 7, 2012

She’s trimmed, toned and tamed the abs of Hollywood’s elite. When the hottest names in entertainment need fitness fix, she’s the first personal trainer they dial. With a client roster that includes Kelly Rowland, Queen Latifah, Kimora Lee Simmons, Serena Williams, Paula Patton-Thicke, Chrisette Michele and many other A-list celebrities, celebrity fitness trainer Jeanette Jenkins has been around the block … and has the sweat to prove it.
Stepping down from a high-profile career and into the trenches of modern-day black American health, Jenkins has recently secured her own “makeover” show on the BET network. A move that’s a win-win for both “The Hollywood Trainer” and the television network who’s content has previously lacked in quality programming.

The show will feature Jenkins whipping everyday people into shape, helping them surpass their fitness hurdles and fears, and transform their lives from head to toe. “I’m going to have a few celebrity drop-ins every once in a while, but this show is really about the people. Showing them how they can change their lives with just what they have in their own homes and in their own environments,” Jenkins explained in an article on Uptown magazine.

Jenkins is currently soliciting participants for the show who are serious about making changes in their health and want to work towards getting the fit body they’ve always desired. As the founder and president of The Hollywood Trainer Weight-Loss Plan, which promises to teach people how to make healthy living a habit in 21 days, the Bikini Boot Camp and a DVD collection focused on blasting abs, in which she partnered with Kelly Rowland, there’s no doubt that Jenkins new makeover show will inspire people to get moving.
article by Sherrell Dorsey via frugivore.com

Howard University Announces New Ph.D. Program in Communications

By goodblacknews on October 5, 2012


The Board of Trustees at Howard University is moving forward with plans to create a new PhD program in Communications.  The university is also working to develop two new undergraduate programs as well.  The program is designed to help the students at Howard University compete in the changing landscape of American media.   The programs will begin taking students in the fall of 2013.
A Committee of the Future chaired by Dr. Bishetta Merritt, professor and chair of the department of Radio, Television and Film, helped to organize the plan.  The university also used the skills of a panel put together for the express purpose of laying out a strategy for the programs.
article via blackbluedog.com

Tracee Ellis Ross Launches New Website With Focus On Fashion, Health and Well-Being

By goodblacknews on October 2, 2012

“Girlfriends” and “Reed Between The Lines” actress and style icon Tracee Ellis Ross launched traceeellisross.com on Monday, offering a digital outlet for her fashion, beauty, health-consciou, humorous and inspirational posts.  The site, which is part of the Women’s Influencer Network, is chic and well-designed, with its clean-meets-modern layout.  The site also seamlessly loops in all of the actress’ social media profiles (twitter, facebook, instagram, pinterest) for easy shareability.  Check it out by clicking the link above.
article by Lori Lakin Hutcherson

Rihanna and Oprah Top Forbes’ List Of Hollywood’s Highest-Paid Women

By goodblacknews on October 2, 2012

Singer Rihanna and media mogul Oprah Winfrey have topped Forbes‘ list of Hollywood’s highest-paid women for 2012. Out of a short list of only ten high-powered ladies in entertainment, Oprah landed at the number-one position with her take of $165 million for the period ranging from May 2011- 2012. Britney Spears came in second by earning $58 million. Rihanna’s take for 2012 was $53 million, from her album sales, endorsement deals, and touring revenues. Yet, it was close in the upper echelons of this ranking, with Britney Spears being followed closely by Taylor Swift, who landed at number three with her $57 million dollar income. Ellen Degeneres tied with Rihanna, earning $53 million as well through her television deals.

Shonda Rhimes Sells Dramedy and Comedy Projects To ABC

By goodblacknews on October 1, 2012

shonda rhimes

Deadline.com reported today that “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Private Practice” creator/Executive Producer Shonda Rhimes is expanding the reach of her Shondaland banner into half-hour comedy and hour-long dramedy at ABC.  Rhimes and her producing partner, Betsy Beers, have set up “I Hate L.A. Dudes,” written by “The Misadventures Of An Awkward Black Girl” creator and star Issa Rae and “The Mix,” by John Hoffman (“Igor”).  For more details, click here: Shonda Rhimes’ Sells Talk Show Dramedy & Comedy Project To ABC.

article by Lori Lakin Hutcherson

 

“Young Justice” Producer Puts Black Superheroes Front and Center

By goodblacknews on September 30, 2012


When Greg Weisman and Brandon Vietti pitched the idea of an animated series about a group of superhero sidekicks, you could practically feel fan boys and girls around the world give them the collective side eye.   They needn’t have worried as Weisman was a seasoned pro; he created the 90′s cartoon classic “Gargoyles”  as well as writing for “Kim Possible” and “Spectacular Spider Man.”  Two years later, Weisman  is having the last laugh as “Young Justice” has quickly become the hottest property on Cartoon Network.

CBS Plans Whitney Houston Tribute With Usher, Jennifer Hudson and Celine Dion

By goodblacknews on September 28, 2012
Singer Monica performs a tribute to Whitney Houston during BET Awards 12, at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on July 1, 2012. UPI/Jim Ruymen 

Celine Dion, Jennifer Hudson and Usher are to lead the lineup of performers for a Whitney Houston tribute to tape in Los Angeles next month, CBS announced.  Houston accidentally drowned in a hotel bathtub last February after using drugs shortly before she was to attend the Grammy Awards ceremony. She was 48.