Posts Tagged: television news

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Open Post: Tyler Perry Promises Writers Rooms After Public Backlash

Photo by Marcus Ingram/Getty Images

Tyler Perry responded to the intense pressure from a writers union and television viewers who criticized him over his "writers room" comments.

Perry promised to give real writers more opportunities to work on future projects at his film and TV production studios in Atlanta, GA after facing backlash for preferring to write his own TV series.

The actor/producer/director has been heavily criticized for laying off writers because he allegedly didn't want to pay union fees.

He recently found himself at the center of controversy after trying to highlight his strong work ethic by revealing he does not have a writers room for dramas like The Have and the Have Nots, The Oval, and Sistas.

Critics say the lack of real writers at Perry's studios shows in the subpar quality of his TV projects.

In her editorial for Medium.com, titled "I Give Up on Tyler Perry," Morgan Jerkins said Perry's scripts depicting Black women have not evolved in 25 years.

Jerkins writes:

"I did not like A Fall from Grace... The older women were characterized as lonely and downtrodden as if these were justifiable reasons for the abuse they suffered."

In a recent interview, Perry revealed an incident early on in his career that led him to stop using a writing team.

Perry, 50, said screenwriters turned in scripts that required rewrites -- and the writers would get paid for each script rewrite. Perry implied that the writers - who were all Black - tried to take advantage of him.

"It's not that I don't want help," Perry explained on daytime talk show The View. "I had a really bad experience with a writers room once, and they were turning in scripts, and you know, you pay for these scripts and they turn them in, and the scripts are not right, then you have to rewrite them and you have to pay them again.

"And then the returned scripts, we'd put them on the air and the ratings would drop. So I said, 'Listen, my audience, I've been cultivating this for 25 years, they know how I'm speaking to them, they know specifically what I'm saying,' so I realized then that I needed to continue to just do what I do, and I don't mind."

However, following the backlash to his comments, Perry insists he will offer job opportunities for non-Tyler Perry projects to writers seeking to break into the industry.

"There will be other projects at the studio that are not Tyler Perry-labeled projects that have writers rooms and writers will get a chance," he promised.

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‘Ugly Betty’ Creator Silvio Horta Found Dead in Miami Hotel Room

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Photos by JC Olivera/Getty Images, Instagram

The producer who created the hit TV series "Ugly Betty" was found dead in a Miami hotel room on Tuesday. Police say Silvio Horta died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was 45.

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Photo by Wireimage.com

Despite his success, the openly homosexual producer had previously spoken about being unhappy due to the stress of his work, according to London's Daily Mail.

Ben Silverman acquired the rights to the Spanish-language hit "Yo Soy Betty La Fea" (I am Betty the Ugly One) in 2006. He hired Horta to adapt it to the small screen.

Silverman described the Cuban show-runner as "An incredible voice and talent and a rare person, a gay Cuban writer who hit the mainstream as a kid and never could quite keep up with his own success."

Ugly Betty star America Ferrera also paid tribute to Horta, whom she described as a "joy and light."

"I'm stunned and heartbroken to hear the devastating news of Ugly Betty creator, Silvio Horta's death," Ferrera, 35, wrote on Instagram.

"His talent and creativity brought me and so many others such joy and light. I'm thinking of his family and loved ones who must be in so much pain right now - and of the whole Ugly Betty family who feel this loss deeply.

"It's sad that he wasn't happy in his own skin," Silverman told USA Today.

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MTF Trans Actor Cast in ‘Saved by the Bell’ Revival

Photo by Rich Fury/Getty Images

Saved by the Bell fans have mixed reactions to the news that a cross-dresser has been cast in the reboot of their favorite high school situation comedy.

Actor Josie Totah, 18, plays the role of Lexi, who is described as a "sharp-tongued cheerleader and the most popular girl at Bayside High."

According to NBC News, Lexi is "both admired and feared by her fellow students."

The reboot TV series will follow a group of low-income, diverse and inclusive high school students who are transferred to Bayside High, courtesy of a program created by California Governor Zack Morris (Mark-Paul Gosselaar).

The reboot is produced by Mario Lopez and Elizabeth Berkeley, who will reprise their roles on the series.

Lopez, 46, has had a change of heart since expressing his disapproval of parents who allow their minor children to switch genders.

"My God if you're three-years-old and you're saying you're feeling a certain way you think you're a boy or a girl whatever the case may be... I just think it's dangerous as a parent to make that determination then, OK well then you're gonna be a boy or a girl," Lopez told Candace Owens in July.

"It's sort of alarming and my gosh, I just think about the repercussions later on," he said.

But the only repercussions were felt by Lopez, who quickly retracted his statements and apologized to the LGBT+ community amid a fierce public backlash.

Photo by Gary Gershoff/Getty Images

The 1990s television series starred teenage hunks Gosselaar (Zack) and Lopez (A.C. Slater). Gosselaar, 45, is pictured with his Mixed-ish co-star, Tika Sumpter, 39.

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Photo: NBC TV

The original series also starred Lark Voorhies (Lisa Turtle), Tiffani Thiessen (Kelly Kapowski) and Dustin Diamond (Screech) as privileged students at Bayside High School in Pacific Palisades, California. The original series premiere in 1989.

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Sofia Vergara in talks to replace Gabrielle Union on ‘America’s Got Talent’

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Sofia Vergara is in talks with NBC to replace Gabrielle Union, who was fired for making trouble on the set of America's Got Talent.

According to multiple reports, Vergara, 47, had a meeting with America's Got Talent bosses on Wednesday, Dec. 18.

Photo by Brian To/WENN.com

She didn't get off to a great start. Sources say the caliente Latina was 20 minutes late to the meeting. Vergara is reportedly also in talks with NBC to star in other projects including a show on Spanish language station Telemundo.

The Modern Family star will likely replace Union, 47, who complained about racism and sexism on the set of the talent competition show.

Union alleges staffers with Simon Cowell's Syco production company objected to her many wig changes and her clothing as "too black."

She also complained about a racist joke made by Jay Leno when he was a guest judge on the series.

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Jussie Smollett May Return for ‘Empire’ Finale Cliffhanger

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Photo: Fox TV

Jussie Smollett may return for Empire's finale cliffhanger as the soap opera musical comes to an end in early 2020.

According to WENN.com, the disgraced actor could return for the sixth and final season cliffhanger if the showrunner gets his way.

Jussie's potential return to Empire for the finale is "being discussed", the showrunner has revealed.

The 36-year-old actor played openly homosexual singer/songwriter Jamal Lyon on the series. He is pictured above in a scene from Empire season 5.

Jussie was written out of the final two episodes of season 5 after he was arrested in Chicago for filing a false police report alleging he was the victim of a hate crime perpetrated by Trump supporters.

Empire producer Brett Mahoney told TV Line that the effeminate actor could be making a comeback as the series draws to a close.

"It would be weird in my mind to end this family show and this family drama of which he was such a significant part of without seeing him," Mahoney said. "It's fair to say it's being discussed, but there's no plan as of yet to bring him back. There's been no decision made."

Jussie's former co-star Vivica A. Fox also suggested he could be returning to the series.

Speaking about creator Lee Daniels' decision to cut Jussie out of Empire, Vivica told Andy Cohen on Watch What Happens Live last month: "That was tough. He's family. He's always gonna be family. Love him to death. But there was just too much drama surrounding the circumstances."

Vivica added: "I love him. And who knows? Don't count him out. Y'all may see him."

When Andy asked "On Empire?", the screen star responded with a coy fluttering of her eyelashes.

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Meghan McCain speaks out after Whoopi Goldberg told her to shut up

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Screengrab: YouTube.com

Meghan McCain opened up after Whoopi Goldberg told her to shut up during Monday's episode of the daytime talk show The View.

The two co-hosts argued briefly about President Trump's impeachment process during Monday's episode when Whoopi, 64, snapped and told Meghan, "Girl, please stop talking. Stop talking right now!"

A stunned Meghan responded, "No problem. I won't talk for the rest of the show."

 

The tense exchange sparked heated debates on Twitter.com, as viewers took sides. Many said Whoopi was out of line to disrespect her co-host who has every right to her opinion.

Meghan took to Twitter.com to defend herself, saying:

"[Democrats] and [Republicans] alike need to confront the ugly truth: both parties are failing to be impartial jurors. I won't be quiet, even if the reality reflects poorly on the entire political establishment. I have a responsibly to speak for the 50% that feels media doesn't represent them."

She continued:

"Pointing out things that are true is part of my job even if it angers people and even if it's politically inconvenient."

She then tweeted a series of polls, noting that 50% of Americans want Trump impeached.

"Pretending half the country doesn't exist won't make them disappear. The culture war is real, and Americans who aren't part of the overwhelmingly anti-conservative media deserve to have their views represented."

On Tuesday morning, Meghan, 35, posted a GIF from the HBO series "Games of Thrones". She captioned the GIF "Good morning - to all the fellow conservative 'girls' who won't be quiet."

Meghan is the daughter of the late Senator John McCain, who was a vocal anti-Trump critic until his death in August 2018 at age 81.

Question: Did Whoopi have the right to silence her co-host?


 

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NBC Opens Investigation Into Simon Cowell After Meeting With Gabrielle Union

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Photos: Kevork Djansezian/Getty, Anthony Devlin/Getty

NBC has opened an investigation into racism and sexism allegations against America's Got Talent creator Simon Cowell, right.

The network tells Deadline.com they have a "deeper understanding of the facts" after meeting on Wednesday with Gabrielle Union, who was let go as a judge on the talent competition series.

Both NBC and Union called their 5-hour meeting "productive". Union, 47, asked for the meeting to hear her suggestions on improving the "toxic environment" on the set.

"The initial conversation was candid and productive," said the network. "While there will be a further investigation to get a deeper understanding of the facts, we are working with Gabrielle to come to a positive resolution."

Photo by Dave Benett/Getty Images

Deadline says NBC plans to investigate Union's allegations that Cowell is "acerbic and overlording" on the set.

"The next step in the process for NBC is to have an as yet undetermined independent investigator prioritize moving things forward," Deadline writes.

"The ball is in NBC's court to see if they can get Cowell to agree to make some changes to the way things are done on the show," an insider tells Deadline.

Another source told People magazine that Cowell "Rubbed a lot of people the wrong way" on AGT. And he is "rarely told no."

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Is Julianne Hough avoiding Gabrielle Union amid ‘America’s Got Talent’ drama?

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Photos by WENN.com

Julianne Hough, right, is apparently avoiding former America's Got Talent judge Gabrielle Union after both women were let go from the show after hosting just one season.

According to Extra TV, Hough and her brother Derek were in NYC to attend the 87th Annual Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony Wednesday night.

Photo by FayesVision/WENN.com

Hough, who performed at the festivities, told "Extra" she and Union "have yet to speak" about the controversy surrounding Union's remarks.

Union reportedly met with NBC to hear her complaints on Wednesday, and she took to social media to say the 5-hour meeting was "productive".

Photo by Nicky Nelson/WENN.com

It was reported that Union's contract was not renewed after she complained about a "toxic culture" inside the NBC show. The network told "Extra" that the show "has a long history of inclusivity and diversity." They added, "NBC and the producers take any issues on set seriously."

Photo by FayesVision/WENN.com

A source told Variety.com that staffers with Simon Cowell's production company Syco pestered Union with notes about her ever-changing hair weave. The notes reportedly said her hair was "too black" for the show's audience.

Photo by Judy Eddy/WENN.com

But Hough, 31, told Extra TV that she is too busy to deal with the AGT drama. "We have been busy here promoting this 'Holidays with the Houghs' special," she explained, adding: "We will connect, for sure."

Photo by Nicky Nelson/WENN.com

Hough, pictured here with season 14 guest judge Queen Latifah, previously said she was "grateful" for her opportunity to be a judge on the talent competition show. Hough has not spoken publicly about the drama behind-the-scenes since the story broke.

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Lena Waithe: ‘I don’t f– with Jason Mitchell anymore’

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Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images

Writer and actress Lena Waithe is done working with former The Chi star Jason Mitchell. The 32-year-old actor was fired from the show amid sexual misconduct allegations.

Mitchell was cut from Waithe's TV drama and from the cast of Netflix movie Desperados amid claims of inappropriate behavior, which led to him being dropped by his talent agents and managers.

At first Waithe defended her friend, who proclaimed his innocence, insisting he did nothing wrong.

The Straight Outta Compton star issued a public apology and promised to undergo therapy and counseling.

Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images

While Waithe acknowledges Mitchell's efforts to improve his inappropriate behavior, she now insists her priority has to be ensuring the safety and well-being of her female cast and crew on set.

The male-identified lesbian says she can't see herself collaborating with Mitchell on any future projects.

"I'm for the people - I'm for black women. I'm a person who is all about supporting us and making sure we're good and we feel safe," she shared on New York radio show The Breakfast Club, according to WENN.com.

"I couldn't then have a whole conversation with you and then still be like, 'Oh yeah, if he (Mitchell) ever wanted some (work), it's all good.' To me, it's also about changing your behavior... I can't align myself with someone who's (faced misconduct allegations)."

Waithe, who tied the knot with her longtime girlfriend earlier this year, has since hired "intimacy coordinators" to mentally prepare actors for intimate sex scenes on every project she's involved in.

"For me, I feel like I've grown so much from it and I've evolved so much because of it," she explained.

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Outrage as Sara Lee deletes Instagram comments after ghey-themed SNL sketch

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YouTube.com

Saturday Night Live cast member Bowen Yang lashed out at the Sara Lee corporation for defending their brand from off-color, homosexual jokes after SNL aired a gay-themed sketch on Saturday, Nov. 16.

According to TVLine.com, the sexually charged sketch featured musical host Harry Styles, pictured right, as Dillan, a social media manager who was called into a meeting for posting "off-brand activity" on the Sara Lee company Instagram account.

The off-brand activity included sexually suggestive comments on a Nick Jonas post, including "Wreck me daddy" and "Destroy me king." There were also comments left by the @SaraLeeBread handle on a random Instagram user's account, including sexually suggestive emojis that imply Dillan wants to "get railed to death".

In one comment, Dillan tweeted:

"Feeling really depressed after threesome. What was supposed to be a fantasy ended up more rejection. Must get rid of toxic in community."

Another Dillan comment read:

"A little moody after being used. Why do guys freak out when I ask them to spit in my mouth? Need a real king that can handle. It's 8 am and have to go to hell job at sara lee. A little in my head after another threesome."

The SNL comedy sketch was inspired by the ongoing fan belief that Styles, 25, is a repressed homosexual who is trapped in the closet.

Styles, a former member of the British boy band One Direction, has repeatedly said he is not a homosexual, but he does claim to be gender fluid and trysexual.

After the sketch aired on SNL, Yang, who is openly homosexual, took to Twitter.com to apologize to Sara Lee for using their brand in his comedy sketch without permission.

"Me and prodigal son [Julio Torres] made Mz. @Harry_Styles say queer nonsense," he tweeted. "Very very very sorry to everyone at @SaraLeeDesserts."

That should have been the end of it. But Harry Styles' fans took to the @SaraLeeBread IG account and left 1,700+ mostly sexually suggestive comments, including "Wreck me daddy" and "Destroy me king."

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Understandably, the dessert corporation disabled the comment section on Instagram to protect their wholesome brand - which outraged Yang.

"Sara Lee disabling and deleting IG comments," he tweeted. "Wow they really could have been THE bread for f*gs."

A Sara Lee spokesperson responded to the criticism, saying:

"We didn't participate in creating the skit and its content doesn't align with Sara Lee Bread's brand. But, we all know SNL pushes the envelope for laughs and we are taking it in stride."

The spokesperson's statement - that SNL's homosexual "content doesn't align with Sara Lee Bread's brand" further angered the LGBT+ community.

Because homosexuality is rooted in narcissism, some homosexuals respond out of anger when asked to respect the opinions of others.

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In Case You Missed It: Tyler Perry’s The Oval, Episode 4

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BET.com

Enough viewers tuned in to Tyler Perry's The Oval to give the new series its best television ratings since the White House soap opera premiered last month.

The Oval stars Ed Quinn as U.S. President Hunter Franklin; and actress Kron Moore stars as his bitter, long-suffering wife, Victoria Franklin. They're dysfunctional family includes Paige Hurd as daughter Gayle Franklin, and Daniel Croix Henderson as son Jason Franklin.

According to TV By the Numbers, The Oval bounced back from 0.2 to 0.3 in the coveted adults 18-49 demographic, while Tyler Perry's Sistas rose above its 0.2 to reach 0.3.

Nearly 1 million viewers tuned in to Wednesday's episode of The Oval. While Sistas drew 852 pairs of eyeballs this week.

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YouTube.com/BET

In Wednesday's episode of The Oval, titled "Rats Can Smell Poison," Richard (Javon Johnson) and his son Barry (Vaughn W. Hebron) struggle over Barry's gun. The gun goes off and a stray bullet hits an innocent bystander. Barry and Richard leave the scene just as a woman begins screaming.

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Lilly's husband, Donald (Lodric D. Collins) confronts creepy Secret Service agent Kyle (Brad Benedict), who has a crush on him. Donald orders Kyle to leave his home, and he tells Kyle he will reassign him to another detail once he gets back to the White House.

The president's creepy son, Jason, has his eye on Jean, one of the White House's pretty maids. As Jean cleans a spot on the rug, a naked Jason strolls across the hallway behind her.

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Jean complains to White House staff supervisor Priscilla (Taja V. Simpson), who reassigns her to another section of the White House.

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Victoria notices Gayle is missing from the breakfast table and she instructs Priscilla to go fetch her from her bedroom. Victoria gives Priscilla permission to enter Gayle's bedroom. Priscilla walks into Gayle's bedroom and interrupts her taking naked selfies.

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Gayle rudely orders Priscilla out of her room and gets dressed for breakfast. During breakfast, Ed reassures Gayle he will take care of Barry, whom Gayle accused of trying to rape her in episode 1.

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Ed fires Richard for allowing his son, Barry, to enter the White House without authorization. But Victoria orders Gayle to tell Ed the truth - that Barry never touched her. Gayle admits as much.

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YouTube.com/BET

Later, we see Bobby (Travis Cure), the sexy airport stalker who was shot twice by Lilly (Ciera Payton), waking up on an operating table in the basement of Lilly and Donald's home.

Apparently Bobby knows creepy Kyle, who kisses him on the lips as he awakens after passing out from the pain of surgery without anesthesia.

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YouTube.com/BET

Bobby angrily threatens Kyle for kissing him. After Bobby is sexually harassed by Kyle, Bobby convinces Kyle to unlock his handcuffs and let him leave the house.

Miraculously, after having undergone surgery to remove the bullets from his chest and gut, Bobby is able to get up from the operating table and walk out of the room, like nothing happened.

Donald's granddaughter. Callie (LondonRose Sellars) is still missing, after having been kidnapped by her mentally unstable mother, Ruth, with the help of cult members.

Barry and his mother, Nancy (Ptosha Storey), finally go to the police department to report the child missing. But they are informed by the detective that Ruth was killed. The episode ends with little Callie still missing.
 

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Alicia Keys will return to host 2020 Grammy Awards

Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Alicia Keys will host the 62nd annual Grammy Awards, set to take place at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020.

Keys, 38, also hosted the 2019 Grammy Awards. Jack Sussman, Executive VP of music and live specials at CBS Entertainment, called Alicia "the ultimate musically credible MC and talent who brings everything you’d want to hosting big event television."

Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Alicia, winner of 15 Grammy awards, says she didn't hesitate to accept the honor.

"At first, I did think last year was a one-time thing, but when the opportunity came back around, there was no question about returning as host of the Grammy Awards. Last year was such a powerful experience for me. Not only did I feel the love in the room, but I felt it from around the world, and it confirmed the healing and unifying power of music."

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Photos by SGranitz/WireImage, Instagram.com

Skeptics griped that the mother of two sacrificed her youngest son, Genesis, 4, to curry favor with liberal Hollywood.

Alicia posted an Instagram video in which she complained that Genesis worries about being bullied if he paints his nails in rainbow colors.

Many viewers thought Genesis was simply too young to make such a life-altering decision, and that Alicia encouraged him to explore his sexuality to appease Hollywood liberals.

One Instagram user wrote:

"Whatever happened to tonka trucks and baseball bats etc for a 4yr old. Dear Parents it's time to do better. We are who God created boy, girl, man and woman and we can't change that and it's definitely not up for debate."

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Open Post: Donald Trump wants to host another Apprentice TV series

Photo by Mike Pont/FilmMagic

President Donald Trump is looking ahead to the day he leaves office - whether he is impeached or he completes his 2nd term.

Feeling nostalgic, Trump recently bragged about his reality TV competition show Apprentice, saying the show was "the greatest thing reality television has ever seen," according to the Daily Beast blog.

Sources told the Daily Beast Trump wants to host another Apprentice series when he leaves office, and he has been in talks with producer Mark Burnett about a "politics-themed" reality TV show.

"There have been several discussions between Burnett and Trump about 'The Apprentice: White House,'" according to the Beast's sources. "It is something Burnett thinks could be a money-spinner and Trump is very keen on doing."

The Apprentice was one of America's most popular reality TV shows over its fifteen season run on NBC. Trump was the show's host for 14 seasons. The show, which was billed as "The Ultimate Job Interview", was featured in various formats including a Celebrity Apprentice.

Contestants on Celebrity Apprentice included Vivica A. Fox, Kenya Moore, Keshia Knight Pulliam, Terrell Owens, Porsha Williams, Lil Jon, Arsenio Hall, La Toya Jackson, and more.
 

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In Case You Missed It: Power, Episode 10 Recap of Midseason Finale

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Bravo TV

Everyone is buzzing about episode 10 of Starz's Power, which aired on Sunday, Nov. 3. In the midseason finale, titled "No One Can Stop Me", Ghost (Omari Hardwick) is shot by an unknown assailant in his nightclub Truth.

Fans were left debating if Ghost is really dead and who shot him. Some even wondered if his shooting was a dream sequence.

There are seven likely suspects, with one of them firing the shot that sent Ghost tumbling off a balcony - to his untimely death?

Courtney Kemp, Power's creator and executive producer told TV Guide, "We set up very early there were only two ways this was going to play out.

According to TV Guide, in the final moments of the finale, Ghost tells Tariq to turn himself in for murder; pisses off Tasha (Naturi Naughton) again; humiliates Rashad Tate (Larenz Tate), and infuriates Saxe (Shane Johnson), Paz (Elizabeth Rodriguez), and of course Tommy (Joseph Sikora).

Any one of them could have pulled the trigger. The mystery of who shot Ghost will play out over the final five episodes of Power.
 

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‘Watchmen’ Star Regina King Reacts to Critics Who Say the Show is Nothing Like the Comic Series

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HBO

Regina King is disappointed by fans criticizing her new HBO series "Watchmen" because it's nothing like the original comic book series.

The award-winning actress stars as a wife, a detective and a masked vigilante known as Sister Night who takes out her revenge on racists.

In the popular 12 issue DC Comics series, published from 1986 to 1987 and based in New York City, the non-traditional superheroes were depicted as everyday people with more than their share of anxieties and insecurities.

The iconic comic book inspired television shows, films and books. HBO's new series "Watchmen" picks up in 2019 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Viewers are disturbed over the fact that the series is so politicized and strays from the original comic book.

For example, the show opens with a reconstruction of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre - when a white mob attacked and killed hundreds of black residents in the Greenwood neighborhood of Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Adriana M. Barraza/WENN.com

Regina wants critics of the show to explain what makes them so uncomfortable about HBO's current political adaptation of the novel.

"With some people, I wonder if it's one of two things: were you truly a fan of the graphic novel? Because if you were, you'd realize there was a political story in there," King told Digital Spy. "And two, did it feel less political for you because you, as a white man right now, watching this, it's making you uncomfortable? Which one is it? A combination of both?"

Sheri Determan/WENN.com

Fearing that the series will be canceled, King urged viewers to "keep watching", explaining: "I would like for (viewers) to reserve their judgment until they get to the ninth episode. From there, then express what you feel. But please let your expression be truly what you feel.

"I won't be satisfied with an answer that says, 'I don't like it because it wasn't anything like the graphic novel.' That wasn't the intention," she added. "I need you to dig a little deeper to tell me what it was that made you feel uncomfortable. I feel that that's very fair... Now, tell me why you feel uncomfortable?"
 

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‘Tyler Perry’s The Oval’ Scores Strong Ratings on BET, But Twitter HATED It; Tyler Holding Casting Calls for New Show ‘Bruh’

Prince Williams/Wireimage

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Tyler Perry's much-criticized nighttime soap opera "Tyler Perry's The Oval" grabbed strong ratings for BET Network on Thursday night.

Prince Williams/Wireimage

According to Deadline.com, "Tyler Perry's The Oval" and "Tyler Perry's Sistas" both kicked off with strong ratings for BET Network Thursday.

More than 1 million viewers tuned in to watch "Tyler Perry's The Oval" on BET at 9 PM, despite the terrible reviews on social media.

The White House drama did better than other scripted series that debuted on BET this year, including American Soul (864,000) and Boomerang (587,000), according to Deadline.com.

"Tyler Perry's The Oval" totaled 1.5 million views across BET, BET Her and VH1 in both time slots.

But viewers were brutal on Twitter.com. Many say they love and appreciate Tyler Perry for employing Black actors and crews, but they would not watch the series again.

"Just because Tyler Perry is a black doesn't mean he should get a pass for putting out mediocre TV shows. Like wtf is this?" wrote one viewer.

Another viewer tweeted: "Omg this new Tyler Perry show the oval is terrible".

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"Tyler Perry's Sistas" fared much better than 'The Oval' on social media. Some viewers said they would tune in again to watch "Tyler Perry's Sistas" next week.

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Meanwhile, Tyler is casting for a new series called "Bruh". According to Project Casting, the Tyler Perry Studio is holding open casting calls for "fresh faces" to appear in the new TV production.

Casting directors are now casting actors, models, and talent to work on scenes filming on Tuesday, October 29th in Atlanta. They are looking for all races, ages 21-40. The pay is $80 per diem (8 hours a day).

guest

Photo: WENN.com

Tyler Perry has a type, so if you are a Black male who is too effeminate or too masculine, you will probably be rejected.

Tyler, who was raised by his mother's very strict boyfriend, does not cast manly he-men in his shows. He prefers delicate, cute, handsome chocolate and light skinned males with strong arms and tight butts.

Look at Tyler's past movies and TV shows to get a better idea of the type of men he is looking for.

Those interested can email a resume, headshot, and information to submissions.sca@gmail.com.

Question: Did you watch Tyler Perry's The Oval? Will you tune in again next week?

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Tyler Perry’s ‘The Haves and The Have Nots’ Returns With a Vengeance to Oprah’s OWN Network

John Sciulli/Getty Images

Tyler Perry's hit TV series "The Haves and the Have Nots" was not canceled by Oprah. There was some talk amongst Black women that their favorite nighttime soap opera, "The Haves and The Have Nots" was abruptly canceled by Oprah.

AdMedia / Splash News

Many women complained that Oprah often axes Black-oriented TV shows without warning her viewers. But the Oprah Winfrey Network announced today the return of its hit scripted Tyler
Perry drama "The Haves and the Have Nots," which premieres its seventh season on Tuesday, January 7 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT.

The popular series comes back with a vengeance as the Cryer, Harrington and Young families fight for their very existence. "The Haves and the Have Nots" is the #1 original cable series among African-American Women total viewers. It is also among the Top 5 original scripted series on ad-supported cable.

Season 7 of "The Haves and the Have Nots" brings even more havoc than ever
before with revenge, heartbreak, betrayal, death and destruction touching the lives
of every character.

Scott Legato/Getty Images

"The Haves and the Have Nots" stars Renee Lawless (Katheryn Cryer) pictured left; Crystal R. Fox (Hannah Young) pictured center; John Schneider (Jim Cryer) pictured right; Tika Sumpter (Candace
Young), Angela Robinson (Veronica Harrington), Peter Parros (David Harrington), Tyler Lepley (Benny Young), Gavin Houston (Jeffrey Harrington) and Aaron O'Connell (Wyatt Cryer).

From Tyler Perry Studios, "The Haves and the Have Nots" is written, directed and executive produced by Tyler Perry.

Perry says his nighttime soap operas are inspired by the war of the sexes between the Carrington and the Colby families in ABC's TV series Dynasty (1981-1989).

"I'm such a fan of Aaron Spelling and what he did with Dynasty, Dallas and all of those things back in the '80s, so to have this moment to do this it's really, really exciting," Perry told Deadline.com.

For a sneak peek of season seven of "The Haves and the Have Nots" click here: Oprah.com/HAHNSeason7Trailer

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Tyler Perry: ‘The Oval is not about politics, it’s about following the maids and butlers home’

Marcus Ingram/Getty Images

Tyler Perry is defending his new BET drama "The Oval" from critics who say the series is a rip off of "Scandal" and other successful TV soap operas.

Perry said The Oval was inspired by the war of the sexes between the Carrington and the Colby families in ABC's TV series Dynasty (1981-1989).

"I'm such a fan of Aaron Spelling and what he did with Dynasty, Dallas and all of those things back in the '80s, so to have this moment to do this it's really, really exciting," Perry told Deadline.com.

Perry, who recently launched his grand new TV and film studio in Atlanta, says The Oval is less about politics and more about the private sex lives of the people who make the White House hum.

"The Oval is not a political show. It’s a story of an interracial couple in the White House. It’s about following them upstairs to the residence, following the Secret Service home, following the maids and the butlers home. It's a powerful, fun thing for me. I've really, really enjoyed it."

AdMedia / Splash News

The 50-year-old Virgo suggested he parted ways with Oprah's OWN Network because she limited his budget and stifled his creativity.

"Well, the first time I ever did a TV drama was writing for Oprah and writing for the OWN Network with a very, very tiny budget, so I had to learn quickly then."

He also touched on reports that he refuses to hire writers because he wants all the credit for himself.

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"I love being on set with my crews, sitting there getting things done. I love writing 24 episodes in two weeks. I love shooting a season in 2 1/2 weeks. I just love the challenge of it all. For me, I want to get in there and fight. So, if you tried to take me out of this thing it's like taking somebody out of the game, who's played for a long time. It's like a quarterback who doesn't want to retire. That's where I am with it. I just love it."

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Reese Witherspoon: ‘There’s not a woman in the world who hasn’t been sexually harassed by a man’

WENN/Mega

Reese Witherspoon says it's impossible for women to avoid sexual harassment because it's been so "normalized".

The 43-year-old Legally Blonde star is producing and starring in the new Apple TV+ series The Morning Show, about a female morning show anchor whose longtime male co-host is fired over numerous allegations of sexual misconduct in the workplace.

The plot line hit close to home for Reese, as she confessed to Radio Times magazine that she has experienced sexual harassment first-hand.

"I don't think there's a woman in the world who hasn't. I've been doing this for 30 years; it was very normalized when I first started," she said in reference to the infamous casting couch environment in Hollywood.

"It was almost a condition of employment to look the other way about comments, or even things that were more egregious. That's why (The Morning Show) is really interesting - it addresses the systemic abuse of power. How did it get so out of hand?"

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The Academy Award winner is pictured with her 20-year-old daughter Ava Phillippe. She also has a 16-year-old son, Deacon Phillippe, with her first husband, Ryan Phillippe, and a son named Tennessee with her current husband, Jim Toth.

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‘Clueless’ Reboot Focuses On Grown Up Dionne (Stacey Dash)

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Clueless is getting a reboot. The 1995 comedy cult classic about two spoiled, filthy rich, but clueless teenagers, will focus on a grown up Dionne Davenport (played by Stacey Dash).

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ABC via Getty Images

Interest in the film spiked after Dash was arrested on a domestic violence charge in Florida earlier this month. The charge was eventually dropped. Dash later said the violence was a "normal" part of her married life.

Paramount Pictures/WENN.com

The original Clueless focused on Alicia Silverstone (center) who played the naive Cher. Dash (left) played her equally clueless rich BFF, Dionne. Brittany Murphy (right) played Tai.

According to published reports, the new show will take place in high school after Cher graduated and moved on with her life. The series will be set to the soundtrack of a Lizzo music video.

Silverstone will not reprise her role in the TV show.
 

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Open Post: La La Anthony is tired of you saying she can’t act: ‘Can you do better?’

WENN/Avalon

La La Anthony responded to social media followers who insist she can't act her way out of a paper bag.

The 40-year-old's character, Lakeisha Grant, was killed off in the recent episode of the Starz scripted TV series Power.

During an appearance on Power 105's The Breakfast Club, La La talked about getting her head blown off by co-star Naturi Naughton, who plays Tasha St. Patrick.

"If you're going to leave a show, then you want to leave a show with a bang, literally," she said. "You want people to talk about it. You don't just want to disappear, and nobody cares about it. I feel like this is a moment people will always talk about."

But La La's tone changed when discussing fans hating on her acting.

She challenged her haters to do better, saying:

"You got to be worried when people aren't talking. My thing is that… I'm doing it. So, if I couldn't do it, then why am I doing it? If you can do it better then why you not getting the [acting] jobs I'm getting?"

She also talked about her new role on Lena Waith's The Chi.

"These people aren't just giving me jobs because I'm me. They can hire anyone. They're giving me jobs because I go in there and I put the work in. And I also bring a following with me. I have almost 10 million followers on Instagram. People watch what I do. What's the point of having these great shows if nobody's watching them? You want people to watch. So, If you can do it better then you bring your 10 million followers and you do what I do."

WENN/Avalon

La La said she didn't allow her 12-year-old son, Kiyan, to watch the series but she was comfortable letting him watch her die in the last episode.
 

 

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Black Women Draaag ‘Tyler Perry’s The Oval’ (Trailer)

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YouTube.com

Execs at Tyler Perry Studios and BET are nervous about the terrible online reviews of Tyler's new scripted BET drama The Oval.

The Oval stars Ed Quinn as Hunter Franklin, the newly-elected Democratic president of the United States, who moves his family into the White House.

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YouTube.com

Hunter, who is white, frequently locks horns with his handsome wife, Victoria Franklin (played by newcomer Kron Moore). Victoria, who is Black, violently objects to Hunter screwing his side pieces in the Oval Office.

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YouTube.com

To further complicate Victoria's life, the couple's biracial teenage daughter, Gayle (Paige Hurd) is a shameless slut who takes after her daddy. At least she prefers Black eye candy.

At issue for most Black women is Kron's portrayal of Victoria as the typical angry Black b*tch (a common theme in Tyler's TV shows and movies).

It isn't clear what direction Tyler is taking The Oval in, but his female fans aren't willing to go along for the ride.

Fans want to support the 50-year-old Virgo, who owns the biggest Black-owned independent film studio in America. But Black women are growing tied of supporting a Black man who constantly portrays them in a negative light.

"I love Tyler Perry but I am looking for a different type of product from him," wrote one disgusted YouTube viewer.

Another annoyed viewer wrote, "What are you saying about black people that even in the White House, it's just sex and ratchetness. [sic] Wish this was a little more thought provoking, like hitting current events. Especially in an election year. Pass."

A third viewer wrote: "Another over-the-top, ridiculous fantasy melodrama from Tyler Perry. No thanks."

A male viewer wrote: "Another bedwench show trying to force race mixing".

With reviews like these BET execs are reportedly considering revamping a couple of troublesome episodes before the series debuts next Wednesday, Oct. 23.

An insider who attended a recent screening of The Oval in Atlanta whispered to Sandrarose.com, "Girl, you could hear a pin drop in the room when the preview ended."

Question: Ladies, do you plan to watch The Oval?
 

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‘mixed-ish’ tops ‘black-ish’ in television debut

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ABC TV

ABC's new scripted series "mixed-ish" got off to a good start in its television premiere on September 24, 2019. The series, about mixed race children who strive to fit in with their Black counterparts, is a spin-off of ABC's black-ish.

mixed-ish topped black-ish in the TV ratings with a 0.8 rating and 4 million viewers. black-ish, which follows mixed-ish at 9:30 p.m., dipped slightly with a 0.8 and 3.52 million viewers.

mixed-ish is the brainchild of black-ish star and executive producer Tracee Ellis Ross, the 46-year-old biracial daughter of R&B icon Diana Ross and her ex-husband Robert Silberstein.

Ross plays Bow, short for Rainbow, on black-ish. Newcomer Arica Himmel plays 12-year-old Bow on mixed-ish.

In the third episode of mixed-ish, titled "Let Your Hair Down," young Bow struggles with her decision to keep her natural curls or straighten her hair with a relaxer to fit in easier with the Black girls at school.

Adriana M. Barraza/WENN.com

In a recent interview with TV Guide, Ross says she wanted to do an episode on her loosely curled hair.

"I always say I could chronicle my journey of self-acceptance through my journey with my hair," Ross told TV Guide via phone.

"There is a breadth of story, a narrative, in black women and our hair — and that specific part of that community that is mixed women and what that means as you navigate two different cultures, both in your household and out in the world. I knew that when mixed-ish got picked up and we knew what was happening, I was really strong about the fact that we needed to do [a hair episode] and do it early on in the season. It's one of those stories that is so specifically of the mixed experience."

Bow's younger brother, Johan (Ethan Childress), also has issues with his hair that isn't tightly coiled enough to have the same haircut as his favorite Black rappers, and too textured to style like the popular white kids in school.

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Byron Allen Buys 11 More TV Stations for $290M

Brian To/WENN.com

Byron Allen expanded his media holdings by purchasing 11 more television stations for $290 million, according to Variety.com.

The deal with Atlanta-based USA Television brings the 58-year-old's investments this year in small- and mid-sized market TV stations to $455 million, according to Variety.

Byron Allen's rags-to-riches story is inspiring. He started out as a comedian when he was 14, and made his debut on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson when he was 18.

Unlike most comedians who retire broke or burned out on drugs, the former stand-up comic became a television producer, philanthropist, and the founder of his own production company, Entertainment Studios.

Allen rustled feathers in Hollywood when he filed a $20 million racial discrimination lawsuit against cable giants Comcast Corp. and Time Warner Cable in 2015.

The Supreme Court agreed to hear the case in June 2019.

The billionaire, who was born under the Taurus zodiac sign, acquired the television assets of The Weather Channel for approximately $300 million in March 2018.

WENN/Avalon

In 2019, Allen announced the launch of THE WEATHER CHANNEL ESPANOL. Also in 2019, he partnered with Sinclair Broadcast Group to acquire Fox Sports Networks, which The Walt Disney Company was forced to sell as a condition of its purchasing 21st Century Fox.

Allen and his wife, TV producer Jennifer Lucas share three children.

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Beyonce plays the piano and shares private moments with kids, Blue Ivy, Sir and Rumi

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ABC

Beyonce shared private moments at home with her children, daughter Blue Ivy and 2-year-old twins Sir and Rumi, in a new documentary "Making the Gift" which aired on Monday, Sept. 16 on ABC.

In the documentary, Beyonce took fans behind the scenes as she recorded her album, The Lion King: The Gift, which was not well received by her fans who expected better from the superstar.

The 39-year-old burlesque singer also shared private home videos of her and husband, Jay-Z, interacting with their three children. Jay-Z reportedly has two grown sons from previous relationships.

In the video, Blue Ivy, 7, sang a sweet version of her and mommy's song "Brown Skin Girl," that sent social media into a frenzy.

Question: Did you watch the ABC special? How was it?
 

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Page Six: The Wendy Williams Show ‘Not Coming Back’

Alessio Botticelli/GC Images

On Monday Wendy Williams tearfully announced her popular daytime talk show was renewed through 2022. The TV personality, who has had her share of heartbreaks this year, was clearly relieved to finally get the news off her chest.

"I got through the whole show without shedding a tear," she said before making her big announcement.

"The Wendy Show has been renewed through 2022!"

But even though Wendy's show was renewed, Page Six reports the show will definitely be cancelled after the 2022 season.

Page Six claims The Wendy Show's producer Debmar-Mercury "likely" renewed the show because there was nothing else to air in its time slot.

"They don't have anyone strong enough to replace her. They were back into a corner," an inside source told Page Six. "She will surely not be coming back beyond the two-season renewal. This will be her swan song."

Wendy had her share of problems in 2019. She filed for divorce from her cheating husband, Kevin Hunter, after he fathered a baby girl with his longtime mistress, Sharina Hudson.