Tamron Hall's new daytime talk show to debut on September 9, 2019

Tamron Hall's new daytime talk show, "Tamron Hall," will debut in syndicated markets on September 9, 2019.

Hall, a former Today and MSNBC anchor, developed "Tamron Hall" with Disney-ABC to focus on current events, human interest stories and celebrity interviews.

“Tamron will bring her abundant wit, style, intelligence and warmth to her show. She has the unparalleled breadth of experience to talk and listen to all sides and bring folks together," Executive Producer Bill Geddie said.

As a new mom, a newlywed, and a survivor who is proving you can accomplish anything at any age, Hall brings a refreshing, relatable, unpredictable, and unstoppable voice to television.

Find out more about Tanron's show and where to watch it in your area here: https://www.tamronhallshow.com/

Why I wanted to believe Jussie Smollet's story

BY George L. Cook III AfricanAmericanReports.Com.

Jussie Smollet claims to have been beaten, doused with bleach, and having a noose placed around his neck by two individuals shouting, "This is MAGA Country!" because he was both black and gay.

Initially I believed him. As a black man who grew up in the United States, I know that black man have been and are physically assaulted because of racism. As one who has LBGT family members and friends, I know too that others can be beaten or even killed because of their sexual orientation.

In plain English, I had no reason to doubt Smollet's story.

As more and more details emerged about the attack including details that the attack may have been staged that belief changed to a want to believe Smollet.

You see, it would have been horrible if Smollet had indeed been beaten, but it would be far worse if he were lying about the entire incident. If he were lying, it would make it that much harder for the next black or gay person assaulted to be taken seriously. That would endanger just not one person but millions.

Those who are genuinely racist will use Smollet's lies as a smokescreen to cover their violent deeds knowing a seed of doubt has now been planted in America's collective mind. Law enforcement may become more hesitant in believing the victims and start investigations that look more at the victims hat the alleged accusers.

Some conservatives are already using Smollet's alleged lies to attack the left and those who believed him. They will once again claim that racist attacks in the United States are isolated incidents and make it okay to question the victim's validity.

I still want to believe Jussie but in light of everything that's coming out, I no longer can. His story doesn't add up.

I don't know what Jussie Smollet was thinking or what he set out to do by lying about being attacked, but I do know that whatever his intentions he has only made things worse.

George L. Cook III AfricanAmericanReports.Com.

Geoffery Owens gets role on Tyler Perry's "The Haves and the Have Nots"

What a couple of weeks for former Cosby Show actor Geoffery Owens. Last week he who received an enormous amount of negative attention from some for working at a New Jersey Trader Joe’s to make ends meet.

This week media mogul Tyler Perry has come through on his offer of a TV show role for former Cosby show actor, Geoffery Owens.

Per The Hollywood Reporter:

Owens has accepted Perry's offer of a role on the OWN series The Haves and the Have Nots. He'll recur on the show's sixth season, appearing in 10 episodes, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed. The show is about to resume filming in Atlanta.

Steve Harvey's ratings tank after Trump meeting

Steve Harvey's ratings for his new talk show Steve have been tanking due to his meeting with Donald Trump in January.The comedian's black supporters criticized the meeting but Harvey failed to properly address the backlash, resulting in poor ratings for his programs.

Steve Harvey is attempting to save his new talk show by distancing himself from President Trump after his ratings took a hit due to fallout for taking a meeting with Trump in January.

The 60-year-old relaunched his daytime show when his previous program was set to be canceled because the host refused to sign his contract because he wasn't getting a raise and couldn't move his show to Los Angeles.

As a result, Harvey's talent agency decided to launch a new show, simply retitled Steve, for the comic based in Hollywood in an effort to keep the show going.

The retooled show premiered on September 5 after a few months of preparation, and both ratings and reviews for the program have been less than stellar.

Sources close to the production told DailyMail.com they believe the poor numbers reflect a fallout from Harvey's black audience after he met with Trump in January.

Now Harvey is turning on the president in a desperate bid to save his show, recently proclaiming on his radio show: 'Meeting with Donald Trump was the worst mistake of my life.'

Harvey faced tremendous backlash from his TV and radio fans when he paid a visit to Trump Tower in New York City to meet with Donald Trump in January

African-Americans were outraged by the images of Harvey being chummy with the then-President Elect and many called for boycotts against the comic.

Harvey was dismissive and defiant despite the backlash and lashed out at fans for challenging his decision.

The source said: 'This is the moment his brand took a hit. He had been through a few scandals before - the divorces, the Miss Universe Pageant and the Asian joke gone bad - but he had never faced the wrath of his core audience before, middle-aged African Americans.

'And unfortunately for Steve, he was too arrogant to realize the weight of his mistake and never made amends to his loyal followers for it.'

Since then, the ratings for Harvey's game show Family Feud took a dip and the audience for his variety show Little Big Shots dropped almost by half.

But it wasn't until the ratings for his revamped talk show started suffering did Harvey acknowledge his glaring Trump error.

Read more: Steve Harvey's ratings tank after Trump meeting

Donald Glover takes home two Emmy Awards for Atlanta

By George L. Cook III African American Reports

Actor, director, writer, producer, (and singer) Donald Glover had a very good night at the 69th Annual Emmy Awards.

The multi-talented creator of the TV show "Atlanta", which airs on the FX Network took home two Emmy Awards.

Glover won the category Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series making him the first African American to do so for directing a comedy.

But making Emmy Award history was not enough for Glover,he also won the category of Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series.

Congratulations to Donald Glover and what seems to be a bright future.

The life story of Malcolm X to become a TV series

Manning Marable’s Pulitzer Prize-winning biography, Malcolm X: A Life Of Reinvention, is being adapted as a television series by Critical Content and writer David Matthews (Boardwalk Empire, Tyrant).

Matthews will pen the adaptation with Critical Content’s Tom Forman, Andrew Marcus, and Ray Ricord executive producing. Dr. Leith Mullings and Michael Tyner will serve as producers and consultants.

Malcolm X: A Life of Reinvention is considered the definitive history of Malcolm X’s life, revealing previously unknown details of Malcolm X’s evolution into an internationally recognized black leader. The series dramatizes the singular life of a great international African-American hero, one whose story continues to inspire the world.

The creative team is currently in discussions with filmmakers to join the project. Also planned is a subsequent documentary on the ongoing legacy of Malcolm X.

Critical Content is represented by WME. Matthews is represented by WME and Anonymous Content. UTA represented the Marable Estate in the deal on behalf of The Cheney Agency. [SOURCE: DEADLINE]

Check out the book the TV series will be based on.

HARDCOVER----- PAPERBACK------- KINDLE

HBO statement on #NoConfederate

There has been controversy around HBO's upcoming show Confederate since it was announced. During last nights airing on Game of Thrones #NoConfederate began trending. The hashtag is part of a campaign to get HBO to cancel the show before it even airs.The campaign was organized by April Reign, the activist behind #OscarsSoWhite.

This Sunday at 9pm ET, during @GameOfThrones, we ask you to stand with us. We want to send a message to @hbo using hashtag #NoConfederate.

— April (@ReignOfApril) July 28, 2017

Many are upset because Confederate is a show that will chronicle events leading to the "Third American Civil War". It takes place in an alternate timeline, where the southern states have successfully seceded from the Union, giving rise to a nation in which slavery remains legal and has evolved into a modern institution.

HBO has released the following statement on #NoConfederate:

“We have great respect for the dialogue and concern being expressed around ‘Confederate.’ We have faith that Nichelle, Dan, David and Malcolm will approach the subject with care and sensitivity. The project is currently in its infancy so we hope that people will reserve judgment until there is something to see.”

‘True Blood’ Star Nelsan Ellis Dead At 39

Nelsan Ellis, who played sassy short-order cook Lafayette Reynolds on HBO's True Blood, has died at 39 of complications from heart failure.

His manager, Emily Gerson Saines, confirmed his death on Saturday to USA TODAY.

"He was a great talent, and his words and presence will be forever missed," she said in a statement.

While he also had roles on CBS' Elementary and worked in films like The Help, Secretariat, the James Brown biopic Get On and The Soloist, to fans of True Blood, he will always be Lafayette.

The Illinois-born actor so impressed the producers and fans of the HBO supernatural drama with his performance that the TV version of Lafayette escaped the early death the character was dealt in Charlaine Harris' books.

"A great talent gone too soon," Harris lamented on Twitter. "Such a shock."

True Blood marked Ellis' second HBO project. He also appeared in 2005's Emmy-winning Warm Springs, in which his character tended to the polio-stricken Franklin Delano Roosevelt (Kenneth Branagh).

The network issued a statement noting, "Nelsan was a long-time member of the HBO family whose groundbreaking portrayal of Lafayette will be remembered fondly within the overall legacy of True Blood. Nelsan will be dearly missed by his fans and all of us at HBO."

[SOURCE: USATODAY]

‘Underground’ Canceled By WGN America After 2 Seasons

WGN America is officially out of the high-end original scripted series business. As expected, the cable network today cancelled acclaimed drama Underground after two seasons. It follows the recent cancellation of fellow drama Outsiders as WGN America is changing its programming course, while its parent Tribune is preparing for its acquisition by Sinclair.

“As WGN America evolves and broadens the scope and scale of its portfolio of series, we recently announced that resources will be reallocated to a new strategy to increase our relevance within the rapidly changing television landscape. This move is designed to deliver additional value for our advertising and distribution partners and offer viewers more original content across our air,” Tribune Media President and CEO Peter Kern said. “Despite Underground being a terrific and important series, it no longer fits with our new direction and we have reached the difficult decision not to renew it for a third season. We are tremendously proud of this landmark series that captured the zeitgeist and made an impact on television in a way never before seen on the medium. We thank the incomparable creators Misha Green and Joe Pokaski and the great John Legend, along with the talented creative team and cast who brought the unsung American heroes of the Underground Railroad to life. We are grateful to the loyal fans of Underground and our partners at Sony Pictures Television. It is our hope that this remarkable show finds another home and continues its stories of courage, determination and freedom.”

[SOURCE: DEADLINE]

Fox News anchor Kelly Wright discusses suing network for racism

Fox News anchor Kelly Wright is the latest on-air personality to sue the network. This afternoon, Wright joined a racial-discrimination case filed last month in Bronx Supreme Court against Fox News, its parent company 21st Century Fox, general counsel Dianne Brandi, and former comptroller Judith Slater. Watch Wright explain why he joined the lawsuit below.

Meet CW's latest superhero ‘Black Lightning'

The CW has had great success with its superhero shows which include Arrow, The Flash, Supergirl, and Legends of Tomorrow. the network is now adding a new African American hero to its lineup and he's called Black Lighting!

The CW has released the first photo of Cress Williams in costume as the titular hero in “Black Lightning,” the DC comic book drama pilot.

Based on the comics of the same name, the series will follow Jefferson Pierce (Williams), who hung up the suit and his secret identity years ago. But with a daughter hell-bent on justice and a star student being recruited by a local gang, he’ll be pulled back into the fight as the wanted vigilante and DC legend — Black Lightning.

The superhero’s suit is designed by Laura Jean Shannon.

The husband-and-wife team of Mara Brock Akil and Salim Akil wrote the pilot, which comes from Warner Bros. TV and will be executive produced by the Akils along with Greg Berlanti and Sarah Schechter.

“I knew way too much about the world as a young boy growing up in Richmond, California,” Salim Akil said in a statement. “I was no stranger to violence, death, hopelessness or the feeling that no one cared about what was happening in my life. Comics were a great way for me to escape. I was about 13 when ‘Black Lightning’ was created, and finally there was a Black Super Hero that gave a damn about our neighborhood and our lives. Resurrecting him at a time in our society when a sense of hope is lacking… ‘Black Lightning’ will be that hope. And in updating the suit, it will signal to a new generation that it’s time to harness and release our power, and become our own Super Heroes.”

Created by writer Tony Isabella and artist Trevor Von Eeden, Jefferson Pierce is one of the first major African American superheroes to appear in DC Comics. The character debuted in 1977 in a self-titled series that ran for 11 issues.

Four other DC comic book adaptation series already exist on The CW, “Arrow,” “The Flash,” “Legends of Tomorrow” and “Supergirl,” all executive produced by Berlanti as well, though it’s unclear at this point if “Black Lightning” would join the so-called “Arrowverse” or exist in its own world.

[SOURCE: SF GATE]

The One Problem with BET's The New Edition Story

By George L. Cook III African American Reports.

I know I usually cover more serious topics but a little fun every once and awhile never hurt anyone. I really enjoyed BET's The New Edition Story but there was just one thing that was really frustrating every 5 to 7 minutes...

Star Trek: Discovery casts Sonequa Martin-Green as lead

Sonequa Martin-Green, well known to genre fans for her role on AMC’s mega-hit The Walking Dead, has been cast as the lead of Star Trek: Discovery, sources tell EW.

The casting ends meticulous search to find the ideal actress to anchor the eagerly anticipated new CBS All Access drama. Martin-Green will play a lieutenant commander on the Discovery. (CBS Television Studios had no comment.)

Martin-Green is will continue to serve as a series regular on AMC’s zombie drama, where she has played the tough pragmatic survivor Sasha Williams since season 3.

[SOURCE]

Issa Rae nominated for Golden Globe Award

Congratulations to Issa Rae. The creator and star of the HBO show "Insecure" has been nominated for a Golden Globe Award in the Best Actress in a Television Program - Comedy.

Rae faces some steep competition from others including Tracee Ellis Ross (Black-ish). Here is the full list of nominees;

Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy:

Rachel Bloom – “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend”
Julia Louis-Dreyfus – “Veep”
Sarah Jessica Parker – “Divorce”
Issa Rae – “Insecure”
Gina Rodriguez – “Jane the Virgin”
Tracee Ellis Ross – “Black-ish”



This is Rae's first nomination and she posted the following tweet after hearing about not only her nomination but of the nomination of other African Americans.

How I feel today seeing all these mela-nominations. Thank you everybody!https://t.co/WAztH68h08

— Issa Rae (@IssaRae) December 12, 2016

Bounce TV to bring back 'Cosby Show' reruns

Reruns of "The Cosby Show" are returning to television, even as the comedian's sexual assault trial looms next year.

Bounce TV announced in social media posts that it will resume airing reruns of the 1980s sitcom on Dec. 19. Atlanta-based Bounce, programmed for black audiences, says it takes the allegations against Cosby "seriously," but says its research shows African-Americans "see a distinction between Bill Cosby, the man, and the iconic TV character Cliff Huxtable."

The announcement has drawn criticism from some, including Judd Apatow. The director and producer tweeted Tuesday, "Presenting a violent rapist to viewers like he is a lovable dad is inappropriate."

In July 2015, Bounce pulled reruns of the comedian's CBS sitcom "Cosby." Other networks - including TV Land and Centric - dropped "The Cosby Show" after the sexual assault allegations began in 2014.

[SOURCE]

Melissa Harris-Perry joins BET News as special correspondent

Former MSNBC host Melissa Harris-Perry has found her new gig.

Harris-Perry will join BET News as a special correspondent, the network confirmed in a tweet on Monday. First up on her schedule is co-anchoring the network's coverage of the Democratic and Republican National Conventions this month, alongside BET News correspondent Marc Lamont Hill. The network will air a wrap special after the GOP convention on Sunday, July 24.

[SOURCE]

Shonda Rimes responds to petition to fire Jesse Williams from Grey's Anatomy

Jesse Williams' great speech at the BET Awards last week led to a Change.org petition asking for him to be fired from Grey's Anatomy. The petition, created on Friday, gained more than 5,000 signatures within four days.

Erin Smith, the creator of the petition writes:

Jesse Williams spewed a racist, hate speech against law enforcement and white people at the BET awards. If this was a white person making the same speech about an African American, they would have been fired and globally chastised, as they should be, but there has been no consequences to Williams' actions. There's been no companies making a stand against his racist remarks and no swift action condemning his negative attitude. Why was Burke's character fired from Grey's Anatomy after his inappropriate homophobic slur, but nothing for Jesse Williams? Why the one-way street? Why the support for a hater? Why the hypocrisy? #AllLivesMatter All humans bleed the same color. #EqualConsequences4RacistBehavior

Grey's Anatomy creator, Shonda Rimes Twitter response to the petition was short and sweet:

Um, people? Boo don't need a petition. #shondalandrules

— shonda rhimes (@shondarhimes) July 5, 2016

Common to Star in ‘Black Samurai’ TV Series

Common is set to star in a television adaptation of “Black Samurai,” Variety has learned exclusively.

The TV project, currently in development, is based on Marc Olden’s 1974 book series, which inspired the 1977 film of the same name. Wu-Tang Clan’s RZA is attached as an exec producer.

Producers are currently shopping the project. Once a network is attached, the search for a writer and director will begin. With Common attached to star, the hot project is already garnering much interest.

“Black Samurai” follows the story of Robert Sand (played by Common) who is rescued by a Japanese samurai master and trained for seven years. After suffering from vicious racism in the military, and seeing his teacher and fellow samurai killed before his eyes by terrorists, Robert Sand becomes a killing machine, out to destroy the corrupt powers who had taken the lives of his friends.

Read more: Common to Star in ‘Black Samurai’ TV Series

Re-Imagining of Roots will air on several channels

History Channels Roots re-imagining premieres on May 30 at 8 PM EST/9 CST . It will air simultaneously on the channels History, A&E and Lifetime over four consecutive nights.

Roots Trailer

The four-night, eight-hour event series developed by HISTORY, from A+E Studios, is a historical portrait of American slavery recounting the journey of one family and their will to survive and ultimately carry on their legacy despite hardship.

The stellar cast includes Academy Award® winners Forest Whitaker ("Fiddler") and Anna Paquin ("Nancy Holt"); Academy Award® nominee and Emmy Award® winner Laurence Fishburne ("Alex Haley"); Golden Globe Award® winning and Emmy Award® nominated actor Jonathan Rhys Meyers ("Tom Lea"); Tony Award® winner Anika Noni Rose ("Kizzy"); Grammy Award® winner Tip "T.I." Harris ("Cyrus"); Chad L. Coleman ("Mingo"); Emayatzy Corinealdi ("Belle"); Matthew Goode ("Dr. William Waller"); Derek Luke ("Silla Ba Dibba"); Mekhi Phifer ("Jerusalem"); James Purefoy ("John Waller"); Erica Tazel ("Matilda") and introduces Regé-Jean Page ("Chicken George") and Malachi Kirby ("Kunta Kinte").

"'Roots' will allow new audiences to experience this epic family saga with a new vision that is both inspiring and tremendously entertaining," said Buccieri. "We are proud that HISTORY will be able to bring new life to this powerful story that remains as important today as it did when the original 'Roots' first premiered."

"Nearly 40 years ago I had the privilege to be a part of an epic television event that started an important conversation in America," said LeVar Burton, Co-Executive Producer. "I am incredibly proud to be a part of this new retelling and start the dialogue again, at a time when it is needed more than ever."

"Roots" is an A+E Studios production in association with Marc Toberoff and The Wolper Organization, the company that produced the original "Roots." Will Packer, Marc Toberoff, Mark Wolper, Lawrence Konner, Mark Rosenthal and Barry Jossen serve as executive producers. LeVar Burton and Korin D. Huggins are co-executive producers. Questlove is executive music producer. "Roots" is directed by Phillip Noyce, Mario Van Peebles, Thomas Carter and Bruce Beresford. Arturo Interian and Michael Stiller serve as Executives in Charge of Production for HISTORY. A+E Networks handles international distribution for "Roots".

Wendell Pierce withdraws as Rutgers-Newark graduation speaker

Rutgers-Newark is switching commencement speakers after its original honoree was arrested over the weekend, campus officials said Monday.

Wendell Pierce, star of HBO's "The Wire," was arrested Saturday and charged with battery after a fight at an Atlanta hotel just days before he was scheduled to pick up an honorary degree and serve as Rutgers-Newark's commencement speaker.

"This morning Rutgers University- Newark was informed by actor and humanitarian Wendell Pierce that in order to assure that commencement 2016 will be a celebration of the accomplishments of our students free of distractions, he is declining to join us and consequently must decline the conferral of an honorary degree," Rutgers officials said in a statement.

Pierce will be replaced by journalist Soledad O'Brien, Rutgers officials said. O'Brien will deliver the commencement address to Rutgers-Newark students at Wednesday's ceremony at the Prudential Center in Newark.

[SOURCE]