Paramount+

Ziwe Talk Show Shelved After Two Seasons

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Ziwe Fumudoh, known professionally just as Ziwe, burst onto the scene in 2017 with her social media series, Baited with Ziwe. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she took her show from YouTube and began hosting it on Instagram Live. Since then, she has amassed nearly 600,000 Instagram followers, becoming one of social media’s favorite it girls. Her fashion and lifestyle content garnered widespread support, and in May 2021, her self-titled Showtime talk show debuted. Ziwe interviewed a number of guests, asking quirky questions in her standard lighthearted interview style. Sadly, Showtime announced this week that the network had parted ways with the late-night talk show.

The series only got two seasons, and with each episode becoming more hilariously awkward, it appeared Ziwe had a promising future with Showtime. Vulture TV called her interview style the “art of discomfort.” During her tenure with the network, she sat down with a laundry list of guests, including politician Andrew Yang and comedian Hannibal Buress. On March 23rd, the 31-year-old shared a screen grab from her show but has not posted much on social media since. It’s unclear if she knew the end of her series was near. 

Ziwe Appeared To Have A Promising Career With Showtime

The cancellation stunned fans, and while Ziwe did not confirm anything, a change in Showtime’s leadership could be to blame. Showtime CEO David Nevins left the company last year. Since then, Chris McCarthy, president and CEO of Paramount Media Networks has rebranded the network. This is how Paramount+ With Showtime came about in early 2023. It appears Showcase pushed Ziwe’s cable show to the waist side. Some fans across social media have even blamed the cancellation on racism. In place of Ziwe, the network has ordered Mandy Patinkin’s comedy series, Seasoned.

Fans are now threatening to boycott the network and the streaming platform. Some blame fellow fans for failing to support the series. As one Twitter user wrote, people “never ONCE turned the actually show on.” Ziwe is the latest urban-style show to be canceled. Desus & Mero was scrapped after four seasons last year, shortly after the duo announced they were splitting up after years of establishing their comedic rise. Luckily, Ziwe has other endeavors lined up, such as the release of her new book, The Book of Ziwe. The influencer will likely be fine.

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Kendrick Lamar & “South Park” Creators’ New Movie Gets More Details

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Of all the ways in which the greatest rapper of our generation could’ve broken into the film industry, this couldn’t have been on many people’s Bingo card. Kendrick Lamar and “South Park” creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker are producing a live-action comedy movie together, which just got some new details about it. While there’s no release date yet, Deadline reported the news last January that they’ll make the film for Paramount Pictures alongside Lamar’s creative partner Dave Free. Now, Above The Line reports that Parker will direct the flick. Shooting was supposed to begin last spring but faced conflicts with Parker and Stone’s schedules.

However, hopes are high that they’ll begin shooting this year. Of course, many reacted negatively to this news, but only time will tell whether this is something truly great or a throwaway venture. Still, it’s Kendrick Lamar we’re talking about, and his most divisive projects have proven to cause a lot of meaningful conversation regardless. Perhaps “South Park” was one of the inspiration points for “Cartoons and Cereal,” and if he’s passionate about it, odds are that it’ll be an unencumbered vision.

Kendrick Lamar’s Movie With “South Park” Creators Slowly Unveils

On that note, maybe it isn’t so weird that Kung Fu Kenny tapped in with the Book of Mormon creators. After all, through ownership of a tech company, they provided the deep fake technology for Kendrick’s “The Heart Part 5.” As far as other collaborators involved, Emmy Award-winning writer Vernon Chatman will handle script duties. Moreover, it’s not the first time he’ll work with a rapper, as he collaborated with Killer Mike and Snoop Dogg in the past.

Meanwhile, what really caused doubt in this project is the film’s outlined plot. “The film will depict the past and present coming to a head when a young black man who is interning as a slave reenactor at a living history museum discovers that his white girlfriend’s ancestors once owned his,” the description reads. While it sounds potentially insensitive and crude, it undeniably relates to a lot of concepts the Compton rapper spoke on before, especially on Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers. As such, it’s exciting to see him venture into risky territory yet again, and hopefully it actually results in something compelling and meaningful, whether in comedic or dramatic terms. Regardless, come back to HNHH for the latest updates on this story and more news on Kendrick Lamar.

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Kenan Thompson & Kel Mitchell Confirm “Good Burger 2”

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Kenan Thompson and Kel Mitchell have confirmed that a sequel to their 1997 comedy, Good Burger, is in the works at Paramount+. They made the announcement during an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Friday night. Mitchell and Thompson previously reunited for a Good Burger sketch on The Tonight Show in 2015. The new film will begin production in May and debut on Paramount+ later in 2023.

“I can’t believe it’s been a little over 25 years since great customer service was born at Good Burger!” Thompson said in a statement. “Being a part of something so many generations of people have come to love has made me so proud and now to be back where it all began working on the sequel is surreal! Love performing with my brother Kel and can’t wait to show the fans what these characters have been up to since we last saw them.”

Kenan Thompson & Kel Mitchell In Character For “Good Burger”

Kel Mitchell and Kenan Thompson publicity portrait for the film ‘Good Burger’, 1997. (Photo by Paramount/Getty Images)

The official logline of the film explains that Thompson’s character, Dexter Reed, is “down on his luck after another one of his inventions fails. Ed (Mitchell) welcomes Dex back to Good Burger with open arms and gives him his old job back. With a new crew working at Good Burger, Dex devises a plan to get back on his feet but unfortunately puts the fate of Good Burger at risk once again.”

Mitchell said of the opportunity: “Ed is one of those timeless characters that has brought so much joy and laughter to fans, and it’s such a beautiful blessing to still be doing it after all these years. It’s super awesome to come back and continue the stories of Dex, Ed and Good Burger for both the people who grew up watching and their kids.”

The co-writers of the original film, Kevin Kopelow and Heath Seifert, will serve as both writers and executive producers on the sequel. Phil Traill will direct. Be on the lookout for Good Burger 2 to stream on Paramount+ later this year.

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Diddy Shares Interest in Buying Majority Stake of BET as Paramount Explores Sale

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Sean 'Diddy' Combs Rebrands Combs Enterprises to Combs Global as Business Portfolio Expands

Diddy is throwing his hat in the ring for ownership of BET. According to Variety, Diddy is the latest mogul, joining Tyler Perry and Byron Allen, wanting to buy a majority stake of BET Media Group, which Paramount Global is looking to sell.

BET Media Group includes BET, BET+, VH1, and BET’s production team, BET Studios.

A source detailed that Diddy is “exploring the opportunity to purchase BET as a part of his strategy to build a Black-owned global media powerhouse.”

Diddy is not yet in conversation with the network for purchasing, as negotiation talks have not opened with anyone.

Combs currently owns Revolt, which he created in 2013 and now reaches over 80 million households, with his digital arm having a larger reach.

Diddy reportedly desires to see BET once again being a Black-owned brand, which is “better for the business, for the culture and for building wealth in the Black community.”

The Wall Street Journal notes the possible sale is to enhance the Paramount + streaming service. “The decision to consider selling a majority stake of the assets, which cater primarily to Black audiences, is part of the entertainment giant’s effort to shore up resources to bolster its flagship Paramount+ streaming service and its advertiser-supported free streaming platform Pluto TV, some of the people said.”

Variety says that Perry is seeking to buy the network. The majority of the content that is available on BET and the BET+ streaming service is produced by Tyler Perry, who presently holds a minority ownership in the BET Network. The relationship between Perry and BET dates back to his debut feature, Diary Of A Mad Black Woman, which was co-financed by the network in 2005. In 2017, Perry and Paramount signed a long-term agreement that included a TV deal that started in 2020.

According to the same source, businessman, and television producer Byron Allen was reportedly considering purchasing BET from Paramount. Allen is “interested in owning BET, and he will be pursuing the acquisition of the network,” according to a spokesperson for him.

The post Diddy Shares Interest in Buying Majority Stake of BET as Paramount Explores Sale appeared first on The Source.

Sanaa Lathan Releases Trailer For Directorial Debut “On The Come Up”

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on the come up

Actress Sanaa Lathan revealed the first trailer for her directorial debut Paramount’s adaptation “On The Come Up,” an adaptation of Angie Thomas’s New York Times bestselling novel of the same name, on Sunday (June 26) during the 2022 BET Awards. Coming soon to Paramount Plus, the network describes the coming-of-age film as “a love letter to hip hop.” The 30-second teaser follows the journey of film protagonist Bri — played by Jamila C Gray — as she pursues her aspirations in battle rap. Watch the teaser trailer below.

MORE: ICYMI: Sanaa Lathan To Co-Star & Direct “On the Come Up” With Method Man and Mike Epps

The film will see the 16-year-old phenom explore the world of battle rap and eclipse her in controversy as she chases her destiny of living up to her famous father. The film’s full synopsis from Paramount+ reads:

“Bri (Jamila C. Gray), a young Black girl, attempts to take the battle rap scene by storm in order to do right by the legacy of her father—a rapper whose career was cut short by gang violence—and to help her family climb out of poverty. But when her first hit song goes viral for all the wrong reasons, she finds herself torn between the authenticity that got her this far and the false gangsta role that the industry wants to impose upon her. Based on the New York Times #1 best-selling YA novel by Angie Thomas (who also penned ‘The Hate U Give’), ‘On The Come Up’ is punctuated by the comedic talents of Mike Epps, hip hop heroes like Method Man and Lil Yachty, and the lyrical prowess of Rapsody.”

MORE: ‘The Best Man’ Original Cast Returns for Limited TV Series Ordered By Peacock

Joining Lathan’s directorial debut is a stacked cast of buzzing actors and rap stars, including Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Lil Yachty, Method Man, Mike Epps, GaTa (a.k.a. Davionte Ganter), Miles Gutierrez-Riley, Titus Makin Jr., and Michael Anthony Cooper Jr. Set to stream exclusively on Paramount+, the film’s release date is yet-to-be-announced.

In other news, Sanaa Lathan is set to star alongside returning cast members Taye Diggs, Morris Chestnutt, Terrence Howard and Regina Hall in the Peacock-ordered limited-series The Best Man: The Final Chapters, written and directed by Malcolm D. Lee.

The post Sanaa Lathan Releases Trailer For Directorial Debut “On The Come Up” appeared first on The Source.

‘Yo! MTV Raps’ Co-host Conceited Details His Journey to Reviving the Classic Hip-Hop Series

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YOMTVRAPS Conceited 02212022 AJ 00318 R

Yo! MTV Raps officially returns on Tuesday, May 24, with new co-hosts Conceited and DJ Diamond Kuts.

According to Conceited, he has campaigned for the show’s revival since he was cast in the reboot of Nick Cannon’s Wild N’ Out almost a decade ago. As one of the show’s most coveted cast members, the Brooklyn native was first noticed by Cannon after making waves as a battle rapper.

Con says that Cannon, a big fan of battle rap, reached out to him via Twitter to tell him about the show’s revival.

“So he (Nick Cannon) hits me on Twitter,” starts Conceited. “He’s like, ‘yo, I’m bringing Wild N’ Out, and I want you to be a part of it. I’ve always wanted to be on Wild N’ Out as well.”

After an audition, which Con believes was lackluster, he received a call a few weeks later confirming his casting to the hit MTV show.

While Conceited’s Wild N’ Out popularity became a catalyst for new ventures, Reginald Sergile’s humble beginnings began in Brooklyn.

He split his youth between New York City and Florida. While in the South, he noticed the amount of Tri-State natives that migrated to Florida. Although true, the style of living was a complete culture shock.

“Here in New York City, people move at a much faster pace and you have that New York attitude. You rep your borough to the fullest,” he says. “If you go anywhere else, you already have a confidence boost being from here. It’s like a fashion show here in New York too.”

Conceited claims Brooklyn as NYC’s most fashionable borough, although Harlem natives would contest that sentiment.

He became confident in his lyrical ability at the age of 19 after a few years of making his name for himself in battle rap. Once his notoriety grew on the east coast, he took his talents to Da Jungle in Stockton, CA. Later, his battle was featured on WorldStarHipHop, after they initially denied him, and the rest was history.

Conceited quickly became one of the most viewed battle rappers on the internet. His witty bars, dominant punchlines, and his signature “slow it down, I just dissed you” catchphrase attributed to his viewership.

Since his first appearance on Wild N’ Out, Conceited flawlessly shined, especially during the “wildstyle” battles.

After years of campaigning for the revival of Yo! MTV Raps, Conceited manifestation would come into fruition when he was contacted to become the show’s new co-host.

“As far as the process, I did not have to audition,” he says. “I get on a Zoom call about the show, and they tell me that they are auditioning DJs for a chemistry test for a co-host.

No one else stood a chance once the chem test was done with DJ Diamond Kuts. Conceited notes that Diamond Kuts was a no-brainer given her extensive experience. The duo’s chemistry was the bonus.

YOMTVRAPS Conceited and DJ 02212022 AJ 01150 R 1

Conceited’s journey from Da Jungle Battle Raps to hosting Yo! MTV Raps exemplifies his diverse talent as a personality.

Be sure to check out Yo! MTV Raps every Tuesday from May 24 through July 12 exclusively on Paramount+. Featured guests include Freddie Gibbs, Latto, Saba, J.I.D, Shenseea, Tee Grizzley, IDK, and Trina.

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