Born February 6, 1955 in Chicago, Illinois, Robert Townsend first became famous for writing, producing, and directing the 1987 independent feature film Hollywood Shuffle, a satire based on the hardships and obstacles that black actors undergo in movie industry, which he famously funded with credit cards. His next feature, The Five Heartbeats (1991), was a nostalgic look back at male R&B groups of the 1960s. Townsend also had success in television with his award-winning Partners In Crime variety shows for HBO as well as his 1995-1999 WB sitcom The Parent ‘Hood. To learn more about Townsend’s life and career, click here, and enjoy The Five Heartbeats trailer below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZFdQmmDS5c
article by Lori Lakin Hutcherson
Posts tagged as “comedy”
TV One premieres its new comedy series “Belle’s,” with two back-to-back episodes tonight at 10pm (Eastern). Starring Keith David as “William ‘Big Bill’ Cooper,” the show focuses on the life and times of a widower who owns and operates an upscale family soul food restaurant his wife Belle left for him.
But life is a bit complicated because he’s got two demanding, headstrong daughters. Dealing with the girls is almost as controversial as balancing between his sensible business path and his prima donna ambitions. While things at times get a little hectic and out of control, his tween daughter, Pam, manages to keep a cool head and balance in the family.
10:00 PM ET – “One Big Family” – In the series premiere of Belle’s, Jill (Elise Neal) rents out the entire restaurant to the Crawford family for their annual family reunion. Just as the Coopers get ready to celebrate their sudden windfall, Big Bill (Keith David) is tormented when he discovers the Crawfords’ once owned his wife’s family during slavery. Cameron Mathison (“All My Children”) and Steven Williams (“21 Jumpstreet”) guest star.
10:30 PM ET – “Birthday Party” – Pam’s (Nadja Alaya) 12th birthday party could be a complete bust unless her grandfather agrees to a romantic weekend with a woman from his past. Will Big Bill give in? Vivica A. Fox guest stars in the sultry role of Ms. Newbie.
article by Brittney M. Walker via eurweb.com
The Office developer/executive producer Greg Daniels has set up a comedy at NBC starringThe Office regular Craig Robinson and written by the show’s supervising producer Owen Ellickson. The untitled project centers on a talented musician (Robinson) with rough edges who adjusts to his new life as a music teacher in a big-city middle school, where he encounters teacher politics and the temptations of single moms. The comedy hails from Universal TV, Daniels’ Deedle Dee Prods and 3 Arts Entertainment. Ellickson, Daniels, Deedle Dee’s Tracy Katsky and 3 Arts’ Howard Klein and Mark Schulman executive produce, with Robinson serving as producer.
article by Nellie Andreeva via deadline.com
The Office developer/executive producer Greg Daniels has set up a comedy at NBC starringThe Office regular Craig Robinson and written by the show’s supervising producer Owen Ellickson. The untitled project centers on a talented musician (Robinson) with rough edges who adjusts to his new life as a music teacher in a big-city middle school, where he encounters teacher politics and the temptations of single moms. The comedy hails from Universal TV, Daniels’ Deedle Dee Prods and 3 Arts Entertainment. Ellickson, Daniels, Deedle Dee’s Tracy Katsky and 3 Arts’ Howard Klein and Mark Schulman executive produce, with Robinson serving as producer.
article by Nellie Andreeva via deadline.com
EXCLUSIVE: 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
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
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
Kelly Rowland is back flexing her acting skills with a new role in an original BET pilot “What Would Dylan Do.”
Executive produced by Warren Hutcherson (‘The Bernie Mac Show,” “Men Of A Certain Age”) and Julian Breece (of the web series “Buppies”), the show will feature the singer as an “L.A.-based struggling relationship blogger” named Dylan, who lives with the girls while attempting to get her life together.
Also set to star in the show is Brandon Scott of “Grey’s Anatomy,” as Dylan’s ex-fiancée.
If the show is picked up, it will join BET’s fall line-up with “The Game,” Gabrielle Union’s “Being Middle of Nowhere,” and Larenz Tate’s “Gun Hill.”
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.
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.
“If you think nobody cares if you’re alive, try missing a couple of car payments.”
–Flip Wilson, Emmy and Grammy Award-winning comedian