Volume 4 Issue 2 Feb 9 – Feb 15, 2009
Williams Talks About His New Albums & His Hollywood Comeback
Kevin Hart’s Wife Torrei Joins The World Of Stand-Up
Staff
Founder / Publisher Frank Holder Chief Financial Officer Kevin Layne Chief Operations Officer Brien Kelly, Esq. Editor-At- Large Sacre Wills Layout, Design & Graphic Art Editor Bernadette Holder PresidentTelevision Division Ray Murphy, Jr. TV Segment Producer Harlan Endelman Sr. Fashion Editor Melinda Brown Photo Editor Allen Zaki Columnists Tony Spires Vanessa Fraction Lamont Ferrell Joey Wells Movie Reviews Aarona Browning PhotographersThis Issue Allen Zaki Frank Holder Naoe Head ShotsWire Image Photos The content of this Magazine is copy written (2007-’08) by The Humor Mill Magazine, DBA Holder Publishing, LLC. and may not be reprinted or retransmitted or reproduced without proper credit given to its origin.
www.humormillmag.com http://humormillmag.blogspot.com www.youtube.com/TheHumorMilll www.myspace.com/humormillcomedynewsletter
Credits
Special Thanks This Issue Kevin Hart Torrei Hart Christopher Williams Red Grant Tiffany Haddish Chris Spencer Bill Bellamy Allen Zaki Naoe Andre Bell
Hart Family Photo Shoot
Photographer – Allen Zaki Wardrobe Stylist: TLOV (KintÊ and Judi) Makeup: Lindsey Rivera
Christopher Williams Photo Shoot Photography By Naoe Model: Nikki Love
Shante Broadus Photo Shoot Photographer: Allen Zaki Makeup & Hair: Artilia
Contents
Comedy News
More news this week has Cedric The Entertainer, Eddie Murphy, Chris Rock, Chris Tucker all in the spotlight. Plus there is more news from the new Urban version of the Ocean’s 11 film and much more hits the news this week
Urban Hollywood
More news from The Sundance Film Festival this past week, and we even have some news from Nick Cannon’s new TV gig, plus Denzel Washington’s new film and more. There is even a new comedy film that is going to drop that should have debuted a little while ago
Hart To Hart; Comedy’s 1st Family
We all know about the rising success of comedian and star Kevin Hart. But what we didn’t know was that the wife of Hart has jumped into the comedy game too! This officially makes the Hart Family Comedy’s 1st Family, and the only couple in comedy history to both be doing stand up. We decided to sit down and ask the Husband what he thinks about the Wife trying out her hand in comedy and what the future lies in Torrei trying her hand in it while trying to raise a family.
Departments Humor Mail
As usual, here are some of the letters and emails we have gotten from you in the last couple of weeks. Take a look at some of the reader’s thoughts and see if some of them mirror your own.
Star Spotlight~ Keshia Knight Pulliam Starting out as a child actor has not stopped this week’s star Keshia Knight Pulliam, everyone’s favorite little Rudy from The Cosby Show. Well, now all grown up and taking on some serious roles, Pulliam is sure to turn some heads. We take a look at this actress and what is in the future for her as we examine what little Rudy has been up to.
Departments Comedian Of The Week~ Tiffany Haddish
Tiffany Haddish had a choice right after foster care; she could go to counseling or do standup comedy. As we all know now, Haddish chose to do comedy. After exploding on Def Comedy Jam, she has been all of the talk in comedy as one of the brightest futures, from a possible spot on Saturday Night Live to some comedy films.
Style With… Christopher WilliamsNot A New Jack By Peppur Chambers
This week we give you a look at a star re-born, Christopher Williams. Here is a quick look at Williams (most famously known for his role in New Jack City and his song I’m Dreaming), as we discover what he has in store, including his new albums and his stint in the gospel comedy industry, and some possible new film projects.
What’s Wrong With A Little Intimidation
Singer and actor Christopher Williams during our photo shoot in Hollywood.
By Joey Wells When there is room for improvement on your end, what would you do for a spark? Photo: Photography By Naoe
Departments
I Hear You Knockin’
By Tony Spires The Comedy Doctor
Our featured columnist and the founder of The Bay Area Black Comedy Competition & Comedy Festival gives us some more food for thought. This week, in the passing of the festival, the question is, who’s next?
Movie Reviews
This week we review the latest installment of the Friday the 13th films as they re-launch the franchise, and we also review the comedy film He’s Just Not That Into You. As we usually do, we check and see if the film is really worth the money. You know how we do!
A Fraction Of Love By Vanessa Fraction
Our new columnist gives you her version of Dear Abby with a Sista point-of-view. All of the answers are as they should be; real talk! Check out this week’s questions to the Fraction Of Love!
Now That Barack Is In Charge!
Photographer: Frank Holder
By Darryl Littleton
Another article this week from book author, comedian Darryl Littleton. Check out his new and latest chapter here!
Comedian Cedric The Entertainer performing a solo at Bobby Brown’s Birthday Bash / Kevin Hart’s DVD Release Party Of I’m A Grown Ass Man at RNB Live in Hollywood
Mail To The Readers; Earlier in the past week we posted the story of the death of Rodney Winfield. Some of the stories were so touching we felt we had to publish some of them.
Much love and respect, Dexter Smiles
Photo: Frank Holder
Rodney Winfield was truly one of my favorite comedians of all times, the others being Redd Foxx and Richard Pryor. Rodney came back to Los Angeles in the early 90’s. He came to the Townhouse in Ladera Heights on comedy night. He told the door man that he heard there was a comedy competition that night and he came to win it. The doorman looked at me and said who is he? I responded I don't know but he came to win the competition and we both laughed! Later on that night when he went on stage we both laughed with him and we have not stopped laughing to this day. People often ask me who is the funniest Comedian right now and I always said Mr. Rodney Winfield. They say who is that and I would say if you had seen he before you would not ask that question. Rodney, I truly thank you for the knowledge that you gave me whenever you were around. You made it easy to talk to you. You are the funniest comedian that I have ever graced the stage with. I feel very blessed to have had the opportunity to have met and have performed with you. You will be sorely missed in the comedy world. For the last time CHOP, CHOP!
Comedian Chris Spencer and Mikki Howard at Bobby Brown’s Birthday Bash / Kevin Hart’s DVD Release Party Of I’m A Grown Little Man at RNB Live in Hollywood.
Photo: Frank Holder Comedians Jay Phillips, Grady and Darryl White before their performances at The Steve Imes comedy showcase at the Improv in Hollywood.
Editor’s Page To All Of Our Readers,
Frank Holder Publisher Humor Mill Magazine
Photo: Frank Holder
In the never ending world of comedy, there is always something going on. When I started this magazine over 4 years ago, I never thought that there would be so much to tell, and so many stories in the comedy world. But then again, when I started this venture I didn’t expect to be where I am today. This did NOT start out as a magazine venture, it really started out as an email blast to keep the comics in-the-know. I digress; the comedy world always has stories, you just have to know where to look. This issue, a story was right there in front of us, and we jumped at the opportunity to get it right, and first! The Hart Family, a Husband and Wife, both doing stand-up! Now that is a story! So, without any more delay, let’s get on with the issue! Enjoy, and check out Family of the 1st comedyThe Hart Family! Comedian Red Grant before his performance at Big Spike’s Mo ‘Betta Mondays at The Improv in Hollywood.
To The Humor Mill Magazine; I am one of the biggest fans of this man that I know of, and it truly breaks my heart that he's going through this ruff time in his life; however, " Must Jesus bare the cross alone and all the world go free, no there's a cross for everyone and there's a cross for me." right now I feel he's baring his cross.. God bless him and definitely his children and all those that love him deeply... I will keep him in my prayers, as it does appear in his posture through the interview he's suffering.. Gloria Harvey Address Unknown Humor Mill Magazine; Caught in the middle. Speedy, Jamie and Johnny Mac are my fam....but I have known Katt for 15 years as well. He's not that bad of a guy, but he has always had a chip on his shoulder, like everyone is against him. I think it motivated him to get to the top and unfortunately what helped motivate him may be his eventual undoing in the business!
Photo: Frank Holder
Bigodub Address Unknown Ed NOTE: Personally we can’t say for certain what will make anyone fall in this game, but as you saw in the interview and read, Katt is a little bothered by all of these folks. Mike Epps performing on stage at The Comedy Store during the Trippin’ On Tuesdays Comedy Show now hosted by Joe Clair in Hollywood.
Mail The Humor Mill: This is all really unfortunate, however it started who said what, it's just sad to me. Comedy has always been a little dog-eat-dog, but this is another level. But good job Humor Mill Magazine keeping us all informed. Signed, Tilan Address Unknown Humor Mill Magazine; Now, I'm really lost... I thought when he said he was "retired from stand-up" that was limited to the touring the US stuff. I did not know it would not include ANY work related to Comedy Central as in producing a show, writing a show's material, and/or starring in a show that could be seen on CC. CC is not solely dedicated to stand-up only, is it?? I'm not a regular CC watcher as you may be able to tell, so help me. Lady Di Address Unknown Humor Mill: Photo: Frank Holder
As I am sure you know now, Comedy Central is not only dedicated to stand up comedy, but they also have skits and shows. Anyway, we are not sure what Katt is really retiring from anyway because there is still $50 Million on the table.
Comedians Beth Payne and Melanie Comarcho backstage at The Comedy Store during the Trippin’ On Tuesdays Comedy Show now hosted by Joe Clair in Hollywood.
PIERRE The Comedian Atlanta
Photo: Frank Holder
Humor Mill Magazine; Wow… How sad, I was just asking about him the other day. I'ma really miss this man. I was lucky enough to get a chance to spend many private times with him. When I first came to Hollywood he would let me tag along with him from gig to gig (Rodney didn't have a car, I know he was using me for a ride cause I had a car (LOL) but I didn't care). The knowledge of the game I was receiving was well worth it. This man showed me how to always be ready to perform. Rodney was ready at a drop of a dime to perform, no praying, getting your head together, no going over notes, etc., just to "call my name". I wanted to be like him so much, that I started acting like him on stage and had to distance myself from him before I became him… LOL! Four years ago I flew him to AZ for a show and while driving back to his hotel after the show we had a heart-to-heart talk and I realized truly how deep this man was. I'll always cherish the things he told me that night. When people would ask me who my favorite comic is/was I would always say Rodney Winfield. Many times they would say "who?" and that in it's self is a shame, because anyone who knows Urban comedy SHOULD know Rodney. Ask any Black comic about Rodney and see the smile that comes across their face. Thanks for the memories Rodney.
Singer Bobby Brown and Ricky Bell performing at Bobby Brown’s Birthday Bash / Kevin Hart’s DVD Release Party Of I’m A Grown Ass Man at RNB Live in Hollywood
Mail The Humor Mill Magazine; One of St Louis favorite comics amongst comics and fans alike. He was really a great guy in person and on stage. He talked to young comics and told them like it was. Sometimes if you caught him right, he would tell you a thing or two about the industry. A legend and an icon in his own right. God Bless Him, Longhorn The Comedian Humor Mill Magazine: Rest In Peace Rodney... We will truly miss our link from Def Jam to the Old Guard. Take your rest Rayzor Florida Thanks for those that wrote in. Rodney will be greatly missed. For more info on his services check out the next couple of pages.
Photo: Frank Holder
CORRECTIONS FROM LAST ISSUE! There were too many to name, but thanks to your letter we know about all of them! Besides the minor typos we had, there we really too many to name. ☺ Hey, what can we say? We are doing the best that we can, especially without a full time Editor! Anyway, If you want to send us an email about the articles or your thoughts, all you have to do is send us an email to info@humormillmag.com for all of your comments. Some of these emails and other correspondence may be printed right here in these pages!
Comedian Bill Bellamy on stage at Bobby Brown’s Birthday Bash / Kevin Hart’s DVD Release Party Of I’m A Grown Ass Man at RNB Live in Hollywood.
L-R: Eddie Murphy, Chris Tucker, Cedric the Entertainer & Chris Rock As we previously reported several months ago and in our year end issue, the black version of Ocean’s 11 is looking like its coming to the big screen, as it’s tentatively titled The Trump Heist. We discovered today that the films producers are moving one step closer to making this film a reality. We hear that the film’s producers are preparing to make offers to stars Eddie Murphy, Chris Tucker, Chris Rock, Cedric The Entertainer, Dave Chappelle and Mike Epps just to name a few. We also hear that Director Brett Ratner is still attached to the film and preparations are for this film to start preproduction at the end of the summer with hopes for the film to be out early next year.
L-R: Cedric the Entertainer, George Lopez & Regina Hall
Speaking of Cedric the Entertainer, we discovered from Ced that his TV show he has been developing has finally landed on TV, AND his film with George Lopez is finally under way also. We hear that ABC has moved forward on his TV show titled The Law, which is a new comedy pilot that features Ced as its star and executive producer. The Law revolves around reserve police officers for the LAPD who balance their full-time off-duty lives with the excitement of being weekend cops. It should be noted that this is not the show that Ced filmed last pilot season for ABC that also starred Regina Hall. That show never made its broadcast debut. The film that stars Ced and Lopez, yet to be titled, is about two warring fathers dealing with their children who fell in love and the conflicts that come about from two families with different nationalities and are about to marry. That film should get underway by the end of the year for MGM.
Photo: Frank Holder
Comedians Bill Bellamy, Chris Spencer and Kevin Hart at Bobby Brown’s Birthday Bash / Kevin Hart’s DVD Release Party Of I’m A Grown Little Man at RNB Live in Hollywood
Eddie Murphy
Melanie Brown
Eddie Murphy is back in the news again this week; this time reports have surfaced that the British newspaper The Daily Mail, is reporting that Murphy has been ordered to pay a total of £7 million in child support to Melanie "Scary Spice" Brown for their daughter, Angel Iris. According to the paper, Murphy must pay over £35,000 per month to Brown until the 22-month-old girl reaches age 18 - a total of about £7million altogether. Word has also leaked that Murphy has also reportedly agreed to see Angel Iris for the first time. After the birth of the child, Murphy had originally questioned whether or not the child was his, but DNA testing ultimately proved his paternity.
L-R: Chris Rock, Kevin James, Adam Sandler, Rob Scheider & David Spade Actor and comedian Chris Rock is back in another new comedy film with some old friends. We hear that Rock may co-star alongside Kevin James, Adam Sandler, Rob Schneider and David Spade in an untitled comedy for Columbia Pictures. According to published reports, the actors are all in negotiations to join the project, which is aiming for a summer release under director and Sandler collaborator Dennis Dugan (of You Don't Mess With the Zohan fame). The story follows five best friends from high school who reunite 30 years later on a Fourth of July weekend. Rock and Sandler's relationship dates back to their days as cast members on NBC’s Saturday Night Live, where Schneider, Spade and Wolf also jump-started their careers. Sandler and Rock also top-lined the 2005 remake of The Longest Yard.
Bill Bellamy
Speaking of comedy specials, it’s that time of year again for the comedy shows to gear up for the new upcoming season. Up first is the new 4th season of Bill Bellamy’s Who’s Got Jokes. Unlike last year where the show went to Germany, this year the show is set to hit Atlanta, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Los Angeles, and have the finals in Las Vegas. As of this writing the show is currently preparing to hold auditions and, of course, will be aired on TV One with host Bill Bellamy still holding down the reins.
Photo: Frank Holder
Comedian Kym Whitley and actor Wendell Pierce (of HBO’s The Wire fame) at Tom Joyner’s Foundation Celebration during Grammy week in Los Angeles.
Marlon Wayans
Adewale AkinnuoyeAgbaje Sienna Miller
As we reported several times in the past couple of months, its now time for you to get ready to see Marlon Wayans reinvent himself in his latest film- as an action super star. Wayans is about to star in the new film G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra, as the character Ripcord. Directed by Stephen Sommers, the film also stars Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje as Heavy Duty, Christopher Eccleston as Destro, Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Cobra Commander, Byung Hun Lee as Storm Shadow, Sienna Miller as The Baroness, Rachel Nichols as Scarlett, Ray Park as Snake Eyes, Said Taghmaoui as Breaker, Channing Tatum as Duke, and Dennis Quaid as General Hawk. The story follows the elite G.I. Joe team as they use the latest in next-generation spy and military equipment to fight the corrupt arms dealer Destro and the growing threat of the mysterious Cobra organization, which is intent on plunging the world into chaos. The film is set to be released on August 7th.
Channing Tatum Dennis Quaid
L-R: Red Grant, Snoop Dogg, Alex Thomas & Rickey Harris
We want to send out a huge CONGRATULATIONS to comedian Red Grant and his wife Noell as they introduced a new baby girl named Payton Queenie Grant on Super Bowl Sunday. So while everyone was watching the Steelers and the Cardinals, The Grants were delivering a healthy baby that came in to this world at 6 lbs., 5 ounces. Speaking of Red, he has a new stand up comedy special coming up titled Comedy Special Presents Red Grant which will air on Friday Feb. 20th, and he is writing and producing the new MTV sketch variety comedy show from Snoop Doggy Dogg titled Dogg After Dark with other writers and producers Alex Thomas and Rickey Harris. As we reported earlier this past week Snoop's new show is premiering on Feb. 17th at 9 p.m., as he will host the weekly show. MTV plans to run the show for seven consecutive Tuesdays.
Photo: Frank Holder
Comedians Cedric The Entertainer and Bill Bellamy performing at Bobby Brown’s Birthday Bash / Kevin Hart’s DVD Release Party Of I’m A Grown Little Man at RNB Live in Hollywood
When we interviewed Kevin Hart for this issue, his special to be aired on Comedy Central was still a week away. Well, now the special, titled I’m A Grown Little Man, debuted at number one, and was one of the highest rated stand-up comedy specials for the network. We want to wish Hart CONGRATULTIONS for his special and the unbelievable numbers that it generated, which is now available on DVD at Wal-Mart or Best Buy. For more on Hart, check out the featured story. Kevin Hart Speaking of CONGRATULATIONS, we want to say the same to comedian Tiffany Haddish as she was recently cast in the new pilot for NBC TV titled In The Motherhood starring Megan Mullally (of Will & Grace fame) and Cheryl Hines. In The Motherhood is about a thirty-something woman who tries to raise her teenage daughter while also taking care of her mother. We also hear that Haddish is getting a good look from the Producers of Saturday Night Live and might also get in another new pilot for NBC. Stay tuned!
Rodney Winfield
Tiffany Haddish
Megan Mullaly
As we reported last week, It has been confirmed to us that veteran comedian and actor Rodney Winfield has passed away today due to complications with his kidneys. No word yet on exactly what sort of ailment he had, but it has been confirmed that he passed away. Winfiled was probably best known for his performance in Talking Dirty After Dark and Dead Presidents. Winfield was 76 years old. The services for Rodney Winfield will be held at the Ronald L. Jones Funeral Chapels located at 2161 East Fair Ave., Saint Louis, MO 63136. Any more info or interested in sending some flowers to the family please call 314-383-2332. As of this writing the arrangements of the burial date are pending.
We also discovered this week that actress Stacey Dash has landed her self a TV role as she will join the CW comedy, The Game as a recurring cast member. Word is her character is coming on the show to cause a little turbulence, as she also hangs around the athletes and conducts several interviews. As her attraction the character escalates things look like they will get real touchy. Word is Dash's character makes her debut sometime in March and as of right now, it's uncertain as to whether she'll return if The Game is optioned for another season.
Stacey Dash
Photo: Frank Holder Chico Benymon (of Half & Half fame) performing a few songs from his new album at The Aqua Lounge in Hollywood.
L-R: Viola Davis, Jamie Foxx & Gerard Butler
In her first booking since being nominated for an Oscar, actress Viola Davis has been cast alongside Jamie Foxx and Gerard Butler in the psychological thriller Law Abiding Citizen. Directed by F. Gary Gray, the film focuses on a man (Butler) who, 10 years after his wife and daughter are brutally murdered, returns to exact justice from the assistant district attorney (Foxx) who prosecuted the case against their killers. His vengeance threatens not only the man who allowed mercy to supersede justice, but also the system and the city that made it so. Also joining the cast are Regina Hall, Leslie Bibb, Colm Meaney and Bruce McGill. The film is expected to debut in theatres in 2010.
L-R: Oprah Winfrey, Tyler Perry, Mo’Nique
Another story we reported last week is that it is being reported studio Lionsgate has acquired Sundance Film Festival winner Push: Based on the Novel by Sapphire. We hear that Oprah Winfrey and Tyler Perry will team up to help promote the film through their respective film companies, Harpo Films and 34th Street Films. The film titled Push, directed by Lee Daniels (of Monster’s Ball fame) from an adapted script by Damien Paul, became only the third film in Sundance history to win the Grand Jury Prize and the Audience Awards in the U.S. Dramatic Competition last month. The film stars comedian Mo’Nique, newcomer Gabourey “Gabby” Sidibe, Paula Patton, Mariah Carey and Lenny Kravitz. Push revolves around an overweight, illiterate AfricanAmerican teen in Harlem who is about to give birth to her second child when she is accepted into an alternative school. Carmelo Anthony
Mike Tyson
We also learned this week that NBA Superstar Carmelo Anthony is jumping into the world of films and entertainment. His first venture is a documentary film about former Heavyweight champion Mike Tyson. The film titled Tyson is a James Toback's (of 1999’s feature Black and White fame) revelatory close-up look at the tumultuous life of the former heavyweight champ. Although straightforward in format, the film capitalizes on an obviously intense connection between filmmaker and subject with psychological insight and emotional power. Sports fans will get their fill, but the pic's sensitivity to its exceedingly complicated subject opens up broader commercial horizons in theatrical, TV and home video worldwide.
Photo: Frank Holder
Comedians Affion Crockett and Cedric The Entertainer at Bobby Brown’s Birthday Bash / Kevin Hart’s DVD Release Party Of I’m A Grown Little Man at RNB Live in Hollywood
L-R: Nick Cannon, Sharon Osbourne, Piers Morgan & David Hasselhoff Comedian and actor Nick Cannon has done it again; he has changed from a comedian, to a singer, TV Show Producer, to an actor, to now a show host. Cannon has recently locked down the new gig, jumping from his network home at MTV, to NBC as host of NBC's top-rated series America's Got Talent when the talentcompetition returns next summer. America's Got Talent will be hosted by Cannon and continue to be presided over by celebrity judges Sharon Osbourne, Piers Morgan and David Hasselhoff. The series has brought the variety format back to the forefront of American culture by showcasing performers from across the country. For the fourth season, the show will travel to at least nine major cities to find talent of all kinds singers, dancers, contortionists, comedians, jugglers, magicians and everything in between. They will all strut and perform on-stage hoping to win America's hearts -and the $1 million prize.
Denzel Washington
Tom Cruise
This past week the Hollywood trades reported that industry heavyweights Denzel Washington and Tom Cruise are about to collaborate on their first film together. Word is Washington is in talks to star opposite Cruise in film The Matarese Circle for MGM Films. Word is the duo will play two bitter enemy spies who, after spending two decades trying to kill one another, find themselves in the crosshairs of the Matarese, a powerful group at the root of a conspiracy. David Cronenberg directs this adaptation of the thriller by author Robert Ludlum (of The Bourne Identity fame), while Michael Brandt and Derek Haas (of Wanted fame) adapted the script which contemporizes the original Cold War premise. The film is expected to be released in 2010.
The New Boss Lady, Shante Broadus. The wife of Snoop Doggy Dogg is about to mark her mark on the world with her new clothing line (Coco Ri) and her new management company. Stay tuned for all of her new ventures in the next couple of months, and in the meantime you can catch her on E!’s Fatherhood with the family.
Photo: Allen Zaki
Mos Def
Donald Faison Mike Epps
Wood Harris
Many thanks go to Summit Productions as we have learned that they picked up worldwide rights to Mos Def's upcoming film Next Day Air. The action comedy was previously at Paramount, but the studio opted not to release it as part of a larger decision to orient its slate toward bigger tent-pole pictures. The film looked as if it was headed towards DVD distribution only. With stars Mike Epps, Donald Faison, Wood Harris and Mos Def in the film, it centers on an illicit package that ends up at the wrong apartment, setting off a set of comedic chain reactions. Summit will release the film domestically in May.
Loretta Devine
Charity Wakefield
Hugh Bonneville
TV producer David E. Kelley apparently loves him some Loretta Devine. The actress, who co-starred on his FOX series Boston Public from 2000-2004, has just been cast in his new NBC comedy-drama Legally Mad. According to the trades, the pilot centers on Brady Hamm (Charity Wakefield), a twenty-something woman who takes a job at a law firm run by her father (Hugh Bonneville). Devine will play Jeanette, an attorney at the firm who's constantly on the verge of a nervous breakdown. The actress most recently appeared on Eli Stone. In addition to her role on Boston Public, she had guest appearances on Kelley's Ally McBeal and Boston Legal.
Photo: Frank Holder Rappers-turned actors Sticky Fingas and Darren Miller (from the upcoming Star Trek film) at Bobby Brown’s Birthday Bash / Kevin Hart’s DVD Release Party Of I’m A Grown Little Man at RNB Live in Hollywood
Comedian Cedric The Entertainer during his performance on stage took our camera and took this picture! This was at Bobby Brown’s Birthday Bash / Kevin Hart’s DVD Release Party Of I’m A Grown Little Man at RNB Live in Hollywood
Comedian Cedric The Entertainer during his performance on stage took our camera and took this picture! This was at Bobby Brown’s Birthday Bash / Kevin Hart’s DVD Release Party Of I’m A Grown Little Man at RNB Live in Hollywood
The comedy industry is always a never-ending story. There is always something to talk about, you just have to know where to look. Sometimes, there are stories right under our noses, and if we move too fast, we can go right past it. Take this week’s story for instance; we discovered that after several months of trying her hand at standup comedy Torrei Hart decided one day to jump up on stage to do her set in front of a live audience. Her husband, Kevin Hart, an accomplished comedian and actor, who has several projects out that you know including his new Comedy Central Special titled I’m A Grown Little Man, had no idea that she was going on stage. He wasn’t even there. He found out about it after she performed. Torrei Hart, wife of Kevin, mother of his children, changed the comedy game that night. Little did she know that by gracing that stage and by now pursuing a career in comedy, Mr. and Mrs. Hart became the first family of stand up comedy in history. Never has there been a stand-up comedy couple that both are vying for careers in comedy. There has been a comedy couple in sketch, but never for stand up. So, we had to sit down the new first family in comedy and ask them about their new found comedy family, and what it must be like with both of them on stage. Especially since Kevin has been talking about his wife on stage for years, we are sure you has a lot to say now that she can get on the stage also. Here is a portion of the interview. Humor Mill Magazine: For all of those out there who don’t know, Torrei, you started doing comedy a couple of months ago? Torrei Hart: I started in August 2008. HM: What has it been like since you started in comedy. TH: It has been good, I like it. HM: Tell us about your first comedy stand up performance. What made you decide that you wanted to go up on stage? TH: Wow, let me see. Actually, The first time I ever went on stage I was kinda pushed on stage. I went down there (the comedy club)… I knew I wanted to do it but I froze up when I got down there, and the person I went down there with (my cousin) was telling me, “you know you are already down here, you are gonna do it”, and so at the last minute I said to myself, I am gonna do it. I kinda froze up a little bit because I didn’t expect Tony Rock to be in the open mic audience, Damon Wayans Jr., was in the audience, and another comic, Ocean… They are all pretty big comics that are in the circuit. So I just froze up because I saw them in the audience, and I saw that I have to perform my first time in front of these guys. So I said f*ck it, I’m just gonna do it, and I did it. And it was great. I kinda felt like I had an orgasm on stage. I wanted to do it and keep doing it ever since.
HM: Kevin, you are shaking your head. When she first stepped out on stage how were you feeling, especially when your wife decided to tell you that she wanted to do stand up comedy? What were your thoughts? Kevin Hart: I wasn’t here, she called me and told me. My thought are ‘that’s good”. If you are doing something that you want to do, do it. As long as you are gonna be serious about it, go and do it. As long as you are serious, that’s good, and productive, can’t knock anyone from being productive. HM: How do you feel about- not only her doing stand up comedy, but now having two people in the household about to be entertainers? KH: I don’t have a feeling about it, if that what she wants to do I support her that’s my wife, I will support her. It’s not about being entertainers, its about both of us being adults, and being serious about what you are doing, you should do it. There is no feeling, that won’t be in this household. We want to do something, we support something in what we do. That’s what you are supposed to do. HM: Torrei, Kevin’s on stage often and he talks about his household and what goes on with his wife as part of his routine. What are your thoughts about Kevin doing his routine about you on stage, and his- your child on stage? How do you feel about that? TH: I like it. I don’t have a problem with it. ’Cause he used to call me crazy. You know what? Honestly, he used to call me crazy when he would do a routine and talk in a third person and really, him talking about me on stage really got me wanting to get on stage, and giving my point of view. I just felt like after some of his shows people would come up to me as say things like “Torrei, is that really you?” and I would say, “to a certain extent it is”, but I wanted to get up there and let people know who I am, because I felt like I knew myself better than he was saying that on stage. So I would say hearing him talk about me kinda of made me want to get on stage, too. It definitely motivated me to want to get on stage too. HM: Now is the motivation to get on stage for people to want to see your side of what Kevin’s talking about or is it really more of a routine? TH: At first I would say yes. At first when I first started I would definitely say yes, but when I got up there and really started liking it, and loving it, like now, I am thinking “where can I get on stage tonight?”… ’Cause I just want to be on stage. So that was the main focus of it when I first started but now I don’t want to stop doing it. HM: Kevin, this has never happened before in the history of comedy. Never has there ever been a husband and wife who both do stand up comedy, so what has been the reception of the other comics? Have they been supportive of your wife and to you about you both being on stage or have been trying to talk to you and say “Kev, maybe you should try and tell her not to do it.” KH: What you have to understand is its not a comedy “team”. When you are doing stand up comedy its about what you are doing. Stand-up comedy is about being an individual, and that what great about doing stand up comedy. You can be yourself and nobody can tell you what to do. So with her going on stage the comics are not supporting me and her, like I said she is an individual, she is a grown woman she wants to do this for her. She’s not doing it for me. Its real important for people to understand that, she has gotta do something on her own and not attach herself to what I am doing. But with their support, if they are supporting me, then they are supporting me and if they are supporting my wife, then they are supporting my wife… To see the rest of this interview please visit http://www.humormillmag.com!
“Honestly, he used to call me crazy when he would do a routine and talk in a third person and really, him talking about me on stage really got me wanting to get on stage, and giving my point of view… But I wanted to get up there and let people know who I am, because I felt like I knew myself better than he was saying that on stage… It definitely motivated me to want to get on stage too.”
Who will be the next Queen of Comedy? Who will even be really worthy to be called the next Queen? As a matter of fact, aren’t you sick and tired of hearing that phrase every time a black woman of comedy graces the stage? Some of those shoes are really too hard to fill and the bar was set really high for the next batch of comedians, but there are a few who can step to the plate and say they are ready to take that claim. One person we can say who might be worthy is comedian Tiffany Haddish who turned many heads when she graced the stage of HBO’s Def Comedy Jam last season, as she caught many by surprise because of her looks and comedy. For Hollywood, that’s a great combination. If you ask Haddish, she is used to her looks and the response she gets, but she wants more than that; a career in comedy is what she craves. Years ago, Tiffany Haddish was spiraling out of control and on a path of self destruction because of living in foster care and having extremely low self esteem. But one day, she heard an angelic revelation from the mouth of her social worker; either get into comedy or you are going to be headed down a road of self ruin. Coming from a social worker who she knew while in her foster care home in South Central Los Angeles, Haddish decided to give comedy a shot, and to her astonishment it was love at first sight. After turning heads at Def Comedy Jam, and after ripping many stages across the country with her unique style in sketch comedy she has the eye of Hollywood. The Hollywood execs saw immediate potential in her and she has been able to land not only comedic gigs as has graced the stages of Bill Bellamy's Who's Got Jokes for TV One, and also on Comedy Central's Reality Bites but she has also landed some acting roles as well, appearing in such diverse projects as the comedy film Meet the Spartans and the Lifetime drama Racing for Time. In Racing for Time she played a lead role opposite Charles Dutton. Currently, she is appearing opposite Ice Cube and Mike Epps in the new comedy film Janky Promoters and is making her network TV debut on NBC’s In The Motherhood. But her road doesn’t even stop there; as of this writing she is getting a serious look at being a regular cast member on NBC’s Saturday Night Live, as that show is looking for a consistent role for someone to play Michelle Obama for their upcoming sketches. Well, with all of that success and an extremely bright future things look really good for Haddish. We got a chance to speak to her about all of her past projects and what she has upcoming. To hear a complete interview, please click here to listen; http://humormill.podhoster.com
Photo: Frank Holder Mike Epps performing on stage at The Comedy Store during the Trippin’ On Tuesdays Comedy Show now hosted by Joe Clair in Hollywood.
This week’s star spotlight focuses on actress Keshia Knight Pulliam. This actress started her career at age three on the PBS show Sesame Street, but she is probably best known worldwide as Rudy Huxtable from the NBC sitcom The Cosby Show. Since the show, she has been able to accomplish many things. In 2001, she graduated from Spelman College, and continued her television career as she also won the celebrity editions of Weakest Link and Fear Factor. Keshia was born on April 9, 1979, in Newark, N.J. A native of New Jersey, actress Keshia Knight Pulliam first rocketed into the national spotlight -- and won the hearts of many a devoted '80s television viewer -- as Rudy Huxtable, the spunky, pint-sized youngest daughter of Dr. Cliff Huxtable (played by actor Bill Cosby), on The Cosby Show. Initially brought in at the age of five (in 1984), Knight Pulliam imparted the series with a "cuteness" factor that laudably waned somewhat as the program wore on and the actress herself aged (though producers eventually brought in Raven-Symone to fill the gap). By the fall of 1992, in fact -- when Cosby wrapped -- Knight Pulliam had reached her teens. Over the course of the series run, she received an Emmy nod for Best Supporting Actress at age six, and qualified at the time as the youngest actress to be nominated for an Emmy in history. During Cosby, Knight Pulliam also essayed occasional feature roles; among other accomplishments, she headlined at several tele-movies, including the period holiday drama The Little Match Girl, the Mark Twain update A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court, and Debbie Allen's musical version of -Pollyanna, Polly, as well as its sequel, Polly: Comin' Home! After The Cosby Show wrapped, Knight Pulliam attended Spelman College in Atlanta, then achieved a second wind in her career as a reality television star, on programs including a celebrity installment of Fear Factor, Celebrity Mole: Yucatan, and a TV child stars episode of The Weakest Link. Most recently, she is in starring role in Tyler Perry's Madea Goes to Jail, as Candy, a locked-up prostitute befriended by the sardonic, hell-raising Madea.
With their new web series, You’re Joking, Right?, sitcom writers LaMont Ferrell and Marc Alexander might have the funniest show on TV that’s not on TV.
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If necessity is the mother of invention, then the new smash hit sitcom, You're Joking, Right?, is the hilarious love child of veteran TV writer/producer/comic/actor Lamont Ferrell and his Marc Alexander and LaMont Ferrell at long time friend and writer, Marc Alexander. The Q&A for their pilot screening at Raleigh two Philadelphia area natives found that after ten Studios years of banging their heads against the titanium door of Hollywood, waiting to create a show that reflected their experiences and comic sensibilities, they asked themselves a question, "Why not?" Why not hurdle, circumvent, and altogether ignore the show biz protocol that said that you had to be way up inside the sitcom system for years before you might get a chance to create your own show? Why not indeed? So, the two sat down, figured out who to call, who to cast, and how much it was going to cost, and did the damn thing. We sat down with the two for an in depth interview about what it takes to create your own sitcom, what feedback they received when the screened the finished product, and what's next for their show. Before this project what other TV writing experience did you have? LF: I have been a TV comedy writer for over a dozen years now. I moved to L.A. from Philadelphia in the mid-nineties to pursue a stand-up comedy and comedy writing career. I have written and produced for Robert Townsend's Parenthood. Moesha, Girlfriends, Nick Cannon's sketch show Short Circuits, Tyler Perry's House of Payne, and many others. MA: I moved out here in nineteen ninety eight from Philadelphia right in time for El Nino. But since I have been here, I have written for several magazines, I have had two scripts optioned, I was in development with another script with Latham Entertainment on the Paramount lot, and I wrote the "Oh Brother" episode of Under One Roof starring Flavor Flav. What is You're Joking, Right? about? LF: You're Joking, Right? is a series we created that is loosely based on my life as a sitcom writer who has a wife and two children. In real life I have a three year old boy, but in the show I gave myself a nineteen year old daughter for some added comedy. We’re a family who go through the ups and downs of having the patriarch be a writer in the entertainment industry as he struggles to juggle his Hollywood and family lives. Unlike some other shows about Hollywood on television such as Curb Your Enthusiasm and Entourage, our show is from a middle class perspective. What was the driving force for you to create your own series? LF: After writing for sitcoms for so long and actually having the good fortune to sell a few pilots over the years, we are in a position, with technology, to be able to create our own series. Usually we would have to trying to sell a pilot to a network and wait for them to decide if they want to shoot it or not. That happened to me last year with a pilot I sold. It didn’t get shot and it just sat on the shelf. But, nowadays with technology you can shoot a pilot for not a lot of money. So, we got some money together, cast it, and used our experience in writing TV to create something that we were passionate about. In my opinion TV today is not good.
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There aren’t a lot of funny shows on television and we felt that we could do a better show than what’s out there right now. MA: Shooting your own pilot and ultimately your own series seems like the only way to get your vision out there to the masses. Traditional ways of getting a show on TV don’t seem to be available to certain people these days but with technology you can get around that and not have to answer to anybody. Why broadcast the series on the Internet? LF: In the past you would shoot a movie or short film and you could only show it to your friends and family and maybe screen it in your neighborhood and that was it. But now with the Internet you can have millions of people watch your show. You can get feedback from it, sell DVDs of it and get advertising for it. You can actually make a living if you put out a good enough product. You can cut out the middle man and go directly to the masses. You can be your own NBC or CBS. We decided for creative control that was the best option for us. Believe me, I would love to get this on regular TV and we do have some interest, but if we build an audience on the Internet, Hollywood will come to us. MA: When you’re talking about entertainment, you’re talking about media, and availability you’re talking about the Internet. The cool thing about the Internet is that our show will be there for the whole world instead of just to whomever has the channel that it’s on. Who's starring in it? LF: Wow, we have a stellar cast, one that we are very proud of. There’s myself who’s a member of SAG and will also be on the Super Bowl Sunday episode of The Office. My wife is played by Devika Parikh who’s probably been in fifty different sitcoms and commercials over the years as well as a recurring role on The West Wing. She’s a very pretty, talented, and funny actress. She was the first person I thought of when we wanted to cast someone for my wife. My real life son Shane plays my son on the show. He’s only three and he does a really good job. He’s very, very funny as you will see. We have Mercedeh Allen, a fine young actress out of Los Angeles who plays my daughter. She’s been in a lot of different projects. Most recently she was on a HBO movie with Master P. Mercedeh is an up and coming actress that you should watch out for. MA: We also have the very talented David Arnold who is a brilliant stand-up comedian, actor, and writer/producer. David hosted a show on TV One last year called, Black Men Revealed. David also has produced several DVDs of his short films and he hosts the Chocolate Sunday’s comedy night at the Laugh Factory in Hollywood. David plays Lamont’s best friend and neighbor by the same name. David’s wife is played by Iva La Shawn, who is a talented actress/comedian who was in the movie, The Wash with Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre. Eric Schwartz plays Lamont’s agent on the show. Eric is a talent comedian who has performed on Showtime and is known for his Internet rap parodies. LF: We also have other talented and funny people such as the very pretty Mariann Gavelo, comedian Dannon Green, comedian Lisa Holly and Corey La’Shawn D’Markus who were in the pilot episode. My real wife, Gwendolyn, makes a cameo also. The cast was great and we look forward to working with them on future episodes.
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What is the pilot episode about? LF: When creating the pilot episode we had a lot of ideas and so many things that we wanted to talk about. The pilot episode is called, “Double Standard” and is about my wife Gwendolyn who decides that she wants to have a passion party at our house. I’m taken aback by this because women they have passions parties where they talk about their sex lives and what they are getting or not getting at home from their boyfriends and husbands. But, as men we cannot have parties where we sit around and complain about our wives and play with fake breasts and asses. We would be called perverts! Anyway, it’s called Double Standard and it’s a very funny episode. I understand you had a screening at Raleigh Studios, what was the response? LF: We wanted to screen it for the public to get an idea about what people liked and didn’t like. We gave them a questionnaire to fill out for their opinions and I must say it went really, really well. LA turned out for us in the rain that night. We had two screenings and there was a line to get in the theater. People really liked it, in fact they loved it. I got emails the next day from people who said they were still laughing about it and best of all they could relate to it. That’s the best thing for me is that people could relate to it. I think when people watch TV they want to feel like that’s funny and that could happen to me or to somebody I know. When you have to suspend belief too much, people get bored with it. We shot it single camera and it looks great! It looks like it could be your neighborhood or your house and the cast looks and sound like people you interact with. The one email I remember is one I got from a young lady who said that she needed that and couldn’t wait to watch it again. She said that we needed to share it with the world. MA: The response I remember is that people laughed at all the spots we thought they would laugh at. That was the most gratifying thing for me. The most important thing about a sitcom is that you laugh and people laughed. Another great response the show got was that it wasn’t predictable. Predictability to me is bad television. Lastly, regarding the response to the show, people said they appreciated seeing a sitcom with a diverse cast because that is missing from regular TV. What's next for the series? LF: This is just the beginning. We are not rich and we know that there are lots of costs involved, but we are going to continue shooting episodes. We are going to shoot a second and a third and a fourth and so on. We’re going to put it out there for the world to see. Hopefully through the response to the show, some network executive will want to put it on the air. Through my agent we already have some meetings set up around town. So what’s next for the series is it’s going to debut on the Internet on Valentine’s Day. So everybody can go to www.justjokesentertainment.com on February 14th and fall in love with the funniest show on TV that’s not on TV. Like I said, it’s just the beginning. MA: With this show the sky’s the limit. We have plans for the show but you never know where things will go. The show is very funny and nobody knows what this can lead to. Stay tuned.
Friday The 13th Horror Cast: Jared Padalecki, Danielle Panabaker, Amanda Righetti, Travis Van Winkle, Aaron Yoo Directed By: Marcus Nispel For anyone who has lived under a rock for the last 25 plus years, there is a new re-make in town of the cult classic Friday the 13th. Unlike the original film where the killer was a woman avenging the death of her son, this series starts out with Jason Vorrhes right out the gate. (As we all know, Jason made his infamous debut in the end of the first original, and started slashing from that point on). Anyway the new film has young friends Whitney (Amanda Righetti), Mike (Nick Mennell), Richie (Ben Feldman), Amanda (America Olivio), and Wade (Jonathan Sadowski) end up missing in the woods near the abandoned Camp Crystal Lake (made famous by the original 1980 film), after allowing their curiosity to get
the better of them and visiting the site where a psychopathic killer resides. Six weeks later, Trent (Travis Van Winkle) invites friends Jenna (Danielle Panabaker), Bree (Julianna Guill), Chewie (Aaron Yoo), Chelsea (Willa Ford), Lawrence (Arlen Escarpta), and Nolan (Ryan Hansen) to his father's cabin on Crystal Lake for a weekend of sex, booze, pot smoking, and water skiing. However their seemingly fun weekend soon escalates into a nightmare after lone traveler Clay (Jared Padalecki) shows up looking for his missing sister Whitney. The police have searched with no luck, and Clay is now searching alone. Local citizens have advised Clay not to go into those woods, because anyone who shows up missing is already dead, and he is wasting his time. During his search, one of the students, Jenna, decides to help Clay find his sister, and they go into the woods. They find the abandoned Camp Crystal Lake and search the dilapidated camp house for any signs of his sister. They soon find themselves face to hockey-mask with evil reborn, re-imagined, and rebooted, and his name is Jason Vorhees (Derek Mears). Is it worth going to see? Well, it’s never going to be up for an Oscar, but it definitely revived the series. Slashing is back.
He's Just Not That Into You Comedy | Drama | Romance Cast: Ginnifer Goodwin, Jennifer Aniston, Jennifer Connelly, Scarlett Johansson Kevin Connolly, Bradley Cooper, Justin Long, Ben Affleck, Drew Barrymore Directed By: Ken Kwapis Since the age of 5, Gigi has been told that when men act like jerks, it means they like her. Years later, Gigi is now struggling to find true love while shifting through men who are simply not interested. After her latest date, Conor (Kevin Connolly), has failed to call her, Gigi visits a bar he said he frequented in order to see him. There, she is approached by Alex (Justin Long), a friend of Conor's who works at the bar. Gigi claims she is waiting for Connor, since she needs to return a dentist's pen to him. However, Alex quickly sees through her lie, claiming Connor's dentist is his father. Gigi admits that Connor is not expecting her, and explains her confusion over his lack of response. Alex tells her that Connor isn't interested, and then takes it upon himself to explain the "signs" to Gigi. And that’s just the beginning of this film that has lots of characters who intertwine with one another as the film evolves. If you are a fan of love films, this is definitely a film for you.
QUESTION: SHOULD BLACKS CHANGE THEIR EATING HABITS AROUND NON-BLACKS? For years America has controlled the diet of blacks. From table scraps to government issued, artery clogging cheese and the like, the food ingested by African-Americans was decidedly inferior to that of the majority of the population. We grubbed on anything available and when we got in public many of us shied away from the sustenance that had for long sustained us. Few would be seen dining out and ordering stereotypical cuisine. Though you wanted a big, slab of watermelon, perhaps honeydew was your politically correct choice. The stigma of being ‘too black’ was too much. You’d look around a restaurant or café to see if any of the other patrons were partaking. If the visual surveyed came up with no melon gobblers, honey dew it was, or maybe a slice of cantaloupe. Meanwhile your mouth is watering for just that type of melon. See, I’ll admit it – I like watermelon. I see nothing wrong with saying I enjoy a natural fruit from the Earth. It’s here for all to enjoy and I intend to as often as possible. I feel the same way about steak, lobster, tacos and shrimp fried rice. So what type of stereotype does that make me? The sideway glances of the disapproving caused indigestion. How are you supposed to gorge freely when a neighboring table harbors those who mean to demean your choice of meal? Sometimes it’s even the servers themselves; asking you to repeat the order and then mumbling and walking off like nobody has ever requested that item before. If it’s on the menu what’s the problem? Could it be that even the establishment stocking the questionable, ethnic cuisine is ashamed of its past? Where did all this come from? For decades blacks had little choice of their eating habits so when eating out we tend to experiment, not for the sake of experimentation, but to show the world we know how to eat. Don’t have to consume lesser food when better is ours for the asking. Like sporting the flashiest jewelry, blacks have long given way to vanity, in clothing, vehicles and yes, even food. And I’m talking about at soul food places. I’ m not referring to the lone outlet from the now defunct chain known as Sambo’s. I’m talking about the buildings where down home cooking is it’s byproduct, you’ve still got those who want to get the most ‘American’ plate on their table. Diversity of eating has never been the strong point of the black race. I have personally traveled to Europe and Asia with brothers who refuse to eat anything but McDonald’s and Burger King. They don’t want to try any native dishes. No Japanese, British, Korean or German food is going to enter their systems unless it’s the only thing there is to eat and then many of them would rather wait until they see those golden arches. These guys are locked into a downtrodden mentality. I’m not saying you’re got to ingest raw fish, but you can at least try it out before rebuking. There’s a comfort zone, that once ingrained is damned near impossible to shake. Some of us even front with our friends when they come by after school. Or our mother’s served up some’ fancy’ grub we’d never before eaten, but now our house guest was somehow worthy of a full day of preparation. This was for the benefit
of gossip. “Go tell ‘your’ mama how we do it around here. Food for Less, my ass – we shop at Ralph’s.” Extra money spent for the sake of impressing people who in most cases didn’t give a damn about you. And this practice continues. There’s nothing blacks like to impress more than other blacks. This is an inner race war that’s gone on since one group stared out into the fields at the other group and made them feel inferior. “Yoohoo – look what we’re eating!” The munchies of the house slave were seemingly more delectable than that of his field mate. At least it appeared that way as the houser dangled whatever morsel was in his possession and lowered it into his open and waiting mouth, tongue extended for the first initial taste. Ummmm, yummy – a gizzard. Dismantle the mechanisms of your mind that hark back to this mentality. Stop trying to live a dream you never laid down for and dwell in your own land of nod. Next time you open your pie hole in a restaurant, stuff into it whatever your heart desires. I don’t care if it’s yak brain and squid intestine. If you want to eat it, eat it. Ain’t nobody watching and if they are – watch on! This is what I like. I say that since Barack Obama is now the top dog we as a people need to grow up when it comes to eating. Barack eats whatever he wants – why not the rest of us? Eliminate the black test that says we must all consume a certain type of meal or we’re a discredit to the race. Get real! At the end of the day we’re all going to die of something and if it’s a piping hot plate of salamander – so be it. I say that from now on when you look at a menu that says “American”, make sure they offer these tasty treats or it’s not truly American and they’re perpetrating. Honey Ham, Fried Chicken, Smothered Pork Chops, Collard greens, Kale, Watermelon, Kool-Aid, Sock-it-to-me Cake, Sweet Potato Pie, Black Eyed Peas, Hog Head Cheese, Cow Brains, Hog Maws, Hot water Corn Bread, Sweet Tea, Cornish Hen, Yams, Okra, Peach Cobbler, Grape Soda, Pig Ears, Pig Snout Pig Lips, Boiled Pickle Eggs, Pickled Pigs Feet, Chittlins (not chitterlings) If you don’t find these things on the menu – demand them. You’re part of the new consciousness. You’re the example your children and grand-children and great-grandchildren will follow. You want them to cower when they see a menu? Forget that! Eat what your palette dictates and relish it to the hilt. Don’t let this opportunity to convert the public’s taste buds slip past. Put what you want to in your stomach and remember - smiling while you’re pushing your culinary weight around is optional. So embrace your new found power. You’re a food pioneer. Now or Later lovers unite!
I’m trying to think of something to write that would be heart drenching, or gut busting funny, but nothing is coming to mind. But then I was watching a news clip about some kid who had shot up some school. He had got the gun without his parent’s knowledge. Now this is what I don’t agree with on this occasion, they are thinking about charging the parents. Now the gun was locked up, the kid went and found the gun. My question is when did kids stop being scared of their parents? In our house I knew where all the guns were. My Aunt Momma had four guns in our house, and I knew where each one of them was located. Oops, I almost forgot, my Great Grandmother had two guns of her own. She kept one in her purse, and one she sat on in her wheelchair, just in case she couldn’t get to her purse. The women in my family were so gangster! I remember hearing lots of stories about my uncles getting shot at and shot. The one story that stuck with me was the one about my uncle getting shot in his foot, by one of my aunts. She said she shot him in his foot so that every time he put his foot down he would think of her. What’s crazy about that story is that my uncle stayed with her. You got one time to shoot Joey Wells! The guns were not just intended for their husbands. All of my aunts believed in that old Negro saying, “I bought you in this world, and I’ll take you out!” One day my Aunt was giving me one of those parent talks that no child wants to hear. You know the one I’m talking about. They are talking, you are looking right at them, but you have tuned way out. You have no idea what they are talking about. Apparently she could feel that energy. So as she continued to talk, I continued to space out, she walked over to the couch, reached underneath the pillow, and pulled out a BIG ASS GUN. Some of you ask why I called it that. Well, when you are 10 and somebody pulls out a BIG ASS GUN, that’s what you call it. Plus that’s what I had heard her call it one night when somebody came knocking at our door after midnight, asking if they could use our phone. My aunt cracked the door, and said, “You better get off my porch before I take out my BIG ASS GUN.” She took it out and waved it, and pointed it at the man. I guess he didn’t need to use the phone that bad after all, because he took off running. She placed the BIG ASS GUN on the coffee table in front of me. She never acknowledged the BIG ASS GUN. She just continued to tell me why I was gonna start paying attention in class, and that I was gonna change my whole attitude. She told me that I was gonna stop talking back to the teachers and that the next time she caught me taking a piss outside, she was gonna give me some “act right”. By this time I’m really confused, because she had walked away, but continued to talk. I’m now fixated on the BIG ASS GUN, and trying to do everything I can, not to become a statistic in this ring of victims to these old Annie Oakley chicks. After she finished talking, she calmly walked back into the living room, picked up the BIG ASS GUN, and placed it back in the couch. She turned toward me, and in the most loving voice asked me, “Do I make my self clear sweetheart?” All I could say was yes maam. She then proceeded to kiss me on my forehead, and walk back into the kitchen. She then poked her head back into the living room and said in the most loving voice, “don’t let me catch you ever playing with my BIG ASS GUN.” That was all she ever said to me about guns, and I never touched them. All it took was that little intimidation that was mixed with love, which caused me to never play with guns
Story By Peppur Chambers
After all these years, what do you think Sidney Poitier does with his Golden Oscar? I’m speculating, but he probably dusts it off from timeto-time and simply enjoys it. This is what you need to do with smooth R&B 90’s star, Christopher Williams, who’s single "I'm Dreamin'" (1991), from the New Jack City soundtrack, became #1 on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks charts and went Gold. Christopher Williams, still looking as stunning as ever, is enjoying himself these days with the new release of two albums, one of which is gospel. While you wait to consume what will certainly be his latest hits, it’s time to polish off the Gold. Pull out your double strand gold chain, get thyself to Youtube, type in “Christopher Williams” and pour yourself an ice-cold GLASS of OE (Old English beer). No need to sip from the 40 ounce while noddin’ your head to “Come Go With Me” or “Every Little Thing” (both ’93); you’ve grown up, and so have your tastes, so it’s absolutely OK to allow yourself to remember what’s really good with style! Contemporary soul singer Williams actually emerged on the scene in the late eighties on Geffen records with the release of his 1987 debut “CW”. Notable hits like "Promises, Promises" (1989), "Talk to Myself" (1989) and later, "Every Little Thing U Do" (1993,) had us doin’ that New Jack swing.
Singer/Actor - Christopher Williams Photograpraphy By Naoe
Today, Christopher, born Troy Christopher Williams, also awaits the release of a new film, “Pure Shooter” which stars Lynn Whitfield. This sultry-voiced entertainer is no stranger to acting: he has appeared in TV and Film (remember him as Kareem Akbar, one of Nino Brown’s assistants in New Jack City?). Christopher also starred or co-starred in several successful off Broadway Gospel comedy theatre productions including “A Good Man is Hard to Find”, “A House is Not a Home”, and “The Man He Used To Be”. Williams played a main character in the stage play “Men Cry In The Dark” written by Michael Baisden and played alongside actors Allen Payne and Richard Roundtree. Sure, hit-making artists come and go, but thankfully, your gold never goes out of style and neither has Christopher Williams! By Peppur Chambers peppur@hotmail.com www.brownbetties.com
Having been in comedy for over 23 years, I feel very connected to many of its players, the art form itself and in some ways, although I’m a little hesitant to claim it, to the industry. I spend a considerable amount of time contemplating the myriad “come and go” fads in comedy, the more solidly founded trends and even the occasional phenomenon. What has me the most perplexed (and always does, without fail) is, who’s next? Where will the next big thing in Black Comedy come from? Will they be male of female? Will they emerge from a tour like The Kings and/or Queens Of Comedy? Will they breakout from a hot movie and blow up like Chris Tucker and Mike Epps? Or will they change the game in the awe-inspiring, meteoric fashion of Katt Williams? Nobody ever knows. Sure, the prognosticators and pontificators will always predict the future of this business-as they do all businesses. Believe me, it’s not because they know something we don’t know. They’re essentially studying trends the same way everybody else does it. Basically, they guess. I’m deeper in this game than most but in the foreseeable future, when it comes to our next comedian, my lips are sealed and my eyes are open. Okay, you got me. My lips aren’t really sealed but I’m reserving comment until more facts come in. When was the last time the industry has really seen the next cat coming? Did experts see Richard Pryor or Redd Foxx making their moves on America before they were famous? Who predicted that Flip Wilson, Bill Cosby and finally the controversial Pryor would have their own variety shows on network TV virtually a few years after the Civil Rights Act and Voting Rights Act were written into law? Can you imagine? It was because they were the best at what they did and they were the most “upwardly mobile.” We loved them because they spoke for us. They were “us.” I’ve seen what happens when “the industry” chooses a comedian (or actor), props them up and tries to manipulate us into anointing them with the highly coveted title of “the next one,” the heir-apparent. People from inside the industry but outside our community throw the often talented but “homogenized” act to us, the Black Comedy consumer, like fresh meat to lions with no appetites. It’d be like me ordering a rib-eye steak and getting a veggie plate for dinner, instead. It’s not going down like that. They obviously didn’t get the memo. We don’t respond very well to things or people being forced down our throats. The manufactured comic may survive the backlash, only to re-emerge a few years later as a TV commercial actor (no diss intended) or even as the go-toblack-guy (but largely unknown to us) in mainstream projects. Some times they go back to the lab and start all over from scratch.
Other times they can’t get over the shock of those finicky lions and just fade away into obscurity. In any case, that’s not the formula for discovering or creating, “who got next.” My philosophy has always been that the only real stars in Black Comedy are the ones that we the people create ourselves. The stars I’m talking about are the up and coming hood and ghetto superstars in the making, who cultivate smarts and business acumen along with talent and rise to national notoriety and eventually legitimate stardom. They’re the ones who fans already know deserve the nextlevel shot. They finally catch that break that they were more than ready for and then they ride the wave to their destiny. Last weekend I spoke to a very large group of comedians at The Bay Area Black Comedy Competition & Festival. I told them simply, “We’re looking for the next one. I don’t know from what ranks he or she will come from. All I know is, most likely, they’re already among us-working hard perfecting their acts in clubs, small bars, churches and coffee shops. They know what they’ve got-even if we can’t see it yet.” I can hear them. They’re on the other side of the door of opportunity, knocking. But they can’t come in unless we first invite them in. And historically, we won’t let them in until we’re ready for the next one. Are we ready? Thanks to all of you for reading the column. It’s my pleasure to share these insights with my people. It’s food for thought. If you can’t chew it, don’t swallow it. May God bless you all abundantly. Until next time, be safe, be smart, be successful, be thankful. One Love, for real. Holla at your Doctor! -#Tony Spires is a filmmaker, event producer, personal manager, poet, musician, award-winning playwright, acclaimed director and columnist for The Humor Mill Magazine. He is also co-founder of Full Vision Arts Foundation. Known as The Comedy Doctor in comedy circles, he is perhaps best known as the founder of the nationally reputed Bay Area Black Comedy Competition & Festival and as writer/director/producer of the acclaimed feature film, “Tears Of A Clown” now available on DVD. Email Tony at: ComedyDoctor@BlackComedyCompetition.com. Visit his youth Arts Organization at: http://www.FullVisionArts.org.