Ash Santos to Star Opposite Kevin Hart & Wesley Snipes in Netflix’s Limited Series “True Story”

Ash Santos is telling a true story

The 27-year-old Puerto Rican and Dominican American actress has been cast in Netflix’s limited series True Story, starring Kevin Hart and Wesley Snipes.

Ash Santos

Written and executive produced by Narcos: Mexico executive producer Eric Newman, the project is produced by Hart’s HartBeat Production.

In addition to Santos, new cast additions include Tawny NewsomePaul AdelsteinWill Catlett, Chris DiamantopoulosBilly ZaneLauren London and John Ales.

Hart will play a version of himself in the fictional True Story, which centers on his character Kid and Kid’s older brother Carlton, played by Snipes. A tour stop in Kid’s hometown of Philadelphia becomes a matter of life and death for one of the world’s most famous comedians when the consequences of a lost evening with his wayward older brother threaten to destroy everything he’s built.

Santos will play Daphne, an outgoing young woman who joins Carlton and Kid at a VIP afterparty that continues to an eventful night.

Stephen Williams will direct and executive produce the first four episodes. Hanelle Culpepper will direct the final four episodes.

Santos’ previous credits include American Horror Story: Apocalypse and Wrapped Up In Christmas.

Roku Acquires Quibi’s Programming, Including Nicole Richie’s “Nikki Fre$h” Series

Nicole Richie is freshening up Roku

Roku has acquired the exclusive global distribution rights to the portfolio of Quibi’s programs, including the 39-year-old part-Mexican American actress & television personality’s series Nikki Fre$h.

Nicole Richie

In its biggest original programming foray to date, Roku’s acquisition covers most of the recently shuttered mobile-only streaming venture’s library, while some daily news shows aren’t part of the package.

A key draw for Roku is the talent, a roster including Richie, Idris Elba, Kevin Hart, Liam Hemsworth, Anna Kendrick, Chrissy Teigen and Lena Waithe.

The lineup includes titles like Most Dangerous Game, Dummy, Murder House Flip and the Reno 911 reboot, starring Carlos Alazraqui.

Financial terms weren’t disclosed, though the valuation is said to be less than $100 million, according to insiders. Roku shares rose 5% to $398.60 on the news. At one point early in the trading day, they reached $402.81, an all-time high.

The programming will be available for free starting later this year. Shows will have advertising, as they did on the $5-a-month Quibi service, and they’ll be housed on the Roku Channel. The hub for free and premium streaming channels, including 150-plus free live, linear offerings, has become a mainstay of the company’s strategy since Roku launched it in 2017. By the fourth quarter of 2020, it was being viewed by households representing an estimated 61.8 million people, the company said, double its reach at the end of 2019.

“The most creative and imaginative minds in Hollywood created groundbreaking content for Quibi that exceeded our expectations,” said Quibi Founder Jeffrey Katzenberg. “We are thrilled that these stories, from the surreal to the sublime, have found a new home on The Roku Channel.”

Bad Bunny to Star Opposite Brad Pitt in the Action Film “Bullet Train”

Bad Bunny is speeding into Hollywood like a bullet

The 26-year-old Puerto Rican Latin trap and reggaeton singer will star opposite Brad Pitt in action film Bullet Train.

Bad Bunny

The Latin Grammy winner and platinum-selling recording artist joins a cast that includes Joey King, Aaron Taylor Johnson, Brian Tyree Henry, Zazie Beetz, Michael Shannon, Logan Lerman, Masi Oka and Andrew Koji.

David Leitch will direct and also supervise the script, which will be written by Zak Olkewicz.

The film is based on the Japanese novel Maria Beetle by bestselling author Kotaro Isaka.

Plot details are vague, and it is unknown who Sanada will be playing.

Bad Bunny’s most recent album, El Ultimo Tour del Mundo debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart, becoming the first all-Spanish album to reach this position. This year, he was proclaimed the No. 1 artist globally on Spotify and the No. 1 Latin artist of 2020 by Billboard for second consecutive year.

Most recently, he released his single Dakiti with Jhay Cortez, which made history as the first Latin song to simultaneously reach #1 on the Billboard Global 200 and Billboard Global Excl. U.S. as well as on Spotify’s Top 200 and Apple Music’s Top 100: Global.

He’s set to make his acting debut in the Kevin Hart produced drama American Solestarring Pete Davidson, O’Shea Jackson Jr, Camila Mendes and Offset.

Lela Loren to Star Opposite Kevin Hart in Sony’s Action Comedy “Man From Toronto”

Lela Loren is Toronto bound.

The 40-year-old half-Mexican American actress has joined the cast of Sony’s action comedy Man From Toronto.

Lela Loren

The film stars Kevin Hart, Woody Harrelson and Kaley Cuoco.

The film centers around a case of mistaken identity after the world’s deadliest assassin, known as the “man from Toronto,” and a stranger, played by Hart, run into each other at an Airbnb. Chaos soon ensues as the assassin’s world comes crashing down on Hart.

Patrick Hughes is on board to helm. Robbie Fox and Chris Bremner wrote the script from a story he conceived with Jason Blumenthal.

The film is set to debut on September 21, 2021.

Loren will star on the third season of the Starz series American Gods from Neil Gaiman, which will start airing in January.

Most recently she starred opposite Anthony Mackie in Netflix’s second season of Altered Carbon. She also has the Halle Berry film Bruised, which Netflix just acquired at Toronto.

Fat Joe to Appear on the Upcoming “MDA Kevin Hart Kids Telethon”

Fat Joe’s got hart… And, he’s ready to share it with the world.

The 50-year-old Puerto Rican and Cuban American rapper, whose real name Joseph Antonio Cartagena, will take part in the MDA Kevin Hart Kids Telethon, the upcoming two-hour special hosted by Hart that reimagines the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s annual variety show fundraiser.

Fat-Joe

Fat Joe joins a lineup of talent additions that includes Don Cheadle, Common, Cindy Crawford, Whitney Cummings, Stephen Curry, Zachary Levi and Kelly Rowland.

The special, which will benefit the MDA and Help From the Hart Charity, streams live on Saturday from 8:00 – 10:00 p.m. ET on Hart’s LOL Network and its digital platforms YouTube and Pluto TV, as well as on TikTok, Triller and Twitch.

SiriusXM will air an encore of the show on its Laugh Out Loud Radio channel on October 26 at 4:00 pm ET and again the next day at 10:00 am ET.

The telethon will feature entertainment, comedy, musical performances and MDA’s Let’s Play For a Cure gaming elements, a gaming stream hosted by Zedd running simultaneously. A Telethon Showcase to celebrate the members of the neuromuscular community and hosted by Nancy O’Dell and Jann Carl will follow the two-hour main show. It will stream on the MDA’s Facebook page.

As a warmup, an MDA-hosted online auction on CharityBuzz featuring items from Serena Williams, Curry and others launches Friday at mda.org/telethon.

The latest talent additions to the lineup join previously announced guests including Garcelle Beauvais, Aloe Blacc, Jack Black, Usain Bolt, Bryan Cranston, Adam Devine, Josh Gad, Liz Gillies, Aldis Hodge, Edwin Hodge, Michael B. Jordan, DJ Khaled, Daniel Levy, Loni Love, Leslie Mann, Jillian Mercado, Robin Thicke, Gabrielle Union Wade and John David Washington.

Jonathan Krisel is directing.

 

Jencarlos Canela to Star Opposite Kevin Hart in the Action Comedy “Man From Toronto”

Jencarlos Canela is the Man of the moment…

The 32-year-old Cuban American actor-singer will join the ensemble cast of the Sony Pictures’ action comedy Man From Toronto, starring Kevin Hart and Woody Harrelson.

Jencarlos Canela

Kaley Cuoco and Melanie Liburd also star.

The film revolves around a case of mistaken identity after the world’s deadliest assassin, known as the “man from Toronto,” and a stranger, played by Hart, run into each other at an Airbnb. Chaos soon ensues as the assassin’s world comes crashing down on Hart.

Patrick Hughes, who directed Ryan Reynolds and Samuel L. Jackson’s 2017 action-comedy The Hitman’s Bodyguard, is on board to helm.

Robbie Fox and Chris Bremner wrote the script from a story he conceived with Jason Blumenthal.

The film will open in theaters on September 17, 2021.

Canela most recently starred in Netflix’s The Expanding Universe of Ashley Garcia. His other credits include NBC’s comedy Telenovela, starring Eva Longoria, The Grand Hotel, also starring Longoria, and the live musical The Passion, which aired on FOX.

George Lopez to Take Part in Comedy Fundraiser for Feeding America

George Lopez is helping to feed America

The 59-year-old Mexican American comedian and actor will take part in the Byron Allen-driven comedy fundraiser for Feeding America.

George Lopez

The fundraiser will be held on Sunday, May 10 from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm ET, with NBCbroadcasting the show. 

In addition to Lopez, the program will include participation from Sebastian Maniscalco, JB SmooveJim GaffiganJudd Apatow, Jack BlackCedric the EntertainerWhitney CummingsJim GaffiganBrad GarrettWhoopi GoldbergKevin James, Sarah Silverman and Kenan Thompson.

Others taking part include Kevin HartChris RockAdam SandlerEddie MurphyBilly Crystal, Marlon WayansHowie MandelTiffany HaddishBrad GarrettTaraji P. HensonLouie AndersonMargaret Cho, Kenan ThompsonMarc MaronJon LovitzCaroline RheaByron AllenBilly Gardell, Tim MeadowsJamie KennedyBill Engvalland Sheryl Underwood.

Byron Allen’s Allen Media Group television production division Entertainment Studios and Funny or Die will be producing the live-streaming comedy event.

The fundraiser will support the hunger-relief organization Feeding America

Additionally, the event will livestream on the Allen Media Group TV networks Comedy.TV and The Weather Channel, as well as on the free streaming service app Local Now.

Pre-recorded comedy segments will be featured during the three-hour event. Committed to appearing are Hart, Sandler, Murphy, Rock, etc.

Allen, founder/chair/CEO of Entertainment Studios/Allen Media Group, said the benefit will help hungry people who are straining the resources of the nation’s food banks during the pandemic shutdown. 

“Laughter is often the best medicine, and we are extremely motivated to bring attention to issues of food insecurity, and to assist in providing meals to families across the country who are financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said Wednesday.

“The coronavirus pandemic and the economic downturn it has created is shining a light on the fragile nature of people’s household budgets,” said Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, CEO of Feeding America, a nationwide network of 200 food banks. “Millions more of our neighbors are turning to food banks for help and we cannot thank Byron Allen and Allen Media Group enough for their support to raise funds and awareness of our work.”

Josh Segarra to Star in NBC’s Comedy Pilot “Night School”

Josh Segarra is heading to night school…

The 33-year-old Puerto Rican actor will star as the male lead opposite Shanola Hampton in NBC’s multi-camera comedy pilot Night School, based on the hit 2018 Universal movie. 

Josh Segarra

The project hails from Marlonco-creator Christopher Moynihanand the film’s star-producer Kevin Hart, producer Will Packerand director Malcolm D. Lee.

Segarra was tapped for Night School as he just became available when Netflix canceled the RuPaul-starring dramedy series AJ and the Queen after one season.

Penned by Moynihan and directed by Phill Lewis, NBC’s Night School revolves around a unique mix of adults at a night school GEDprep class who unexpectedly bond over their shared experience and find themselves helping one another both inside and outside of the classroom.

Segarra will play Teddy Walker, a charming salesman. The role was played by Hart in the movie. Hampton plays the teacher, Carrie Dawes, portrayed by Tiffany Haddishin the film.

In addition to Hampton, Segarra joins previously cast Ian GomezCollette WolfeJames Earland Joe Massingill.

This marks Segarra’s return to NBC and Universal Televisionafter recurring on the network and studio’s drama series Chicago P.D. several years ago. The Orange Is the New Blackalum has been recurring on CW’s Arrow as Adrian Chase/Prometheus; on Comedy Central’s The Other Two as Lance, Brooke’s simple-minded ex-boyfriend; and on Fox’s holiday event series The Moodys

Tom Segura to Take Part in Netflix’s LA-Based Netflix is a Joke Fest

Tom Segurais bringing the jokes to the City of Angels…

The 40-year-old half-Peruvian American comedian is set to take part in Netflix’s Netflix is a Joke Fest, set for April 27-May 3 in Los Angeles.

Tom Segura

For one week, the streaming giant is partnering with Live Nationto bring more than 100 live shows and events to various venues in L.A. with recorded shows available on the platform later this year.

Netflix Is A Joke, Netflix’s comedy brand, will present the all-star fest that will include Segura, Cristela AlonzoAli Wong, Amy SchumerBill BurrDave Chappelle, David LettermanJamie FoxxJane Fonda and Lily Tomlin, Kevin HartMartin LawrenceSebastian Maniscalco, the cast of Schitt’s Creekand more.

The festival will include a special Latino-themed stand up showtitled Los Comediantes de Latinoamérica. The show will feature a who’s who of Latin American comedians. Special guests include Fabrizio Copano, Liss Pereira, Ricardo O’Farrill, and Ricardo Quevedo.

In addition, the fest will feature STAND OUT: An LGBTQ+ Celebration,putting the spotlight on LGBTQ+ comedic talent including Bianca del RioWanda Sykes, Alan CarrHannah GadsbyMargaret ChoRosie O’Donnelland Sandra Bernhard.

The fest will close on May 3 with the very first The Hall,a first-of-its-kind hall of fame honoring the greats of stand-up comedy. Dave Chappelle, Kevin HartChris RockBilly CrystalWhoopi GoldbergJerry SeinfeldSarah Silverman, Wanda Sykes and others will pay homage to and induct comedy legends George CarlinRichard Pryor,Joan Riversand Robin Williamsinto The Hall. The Hall will be taped at the Ace Theaterin L.A. and stream in May.

The Hallwill have a physical home in a newly designed wing of the National Comedy Centerin Jamestown, New York.

“It’s our honor to transform LA for one week into the funniest place on earth,” said Ted Sarandos, Netflix Chief Content Officer. “This festival is a unique celebration of the art of comedy, and the role it plays in reflecting our lives and defining culture. It’s a chance for comedy lovers to come together and see their favorite artists as well as discover new ones, and for us to be able to share the electricity and excitement of the festival in Los Angeles with Netflix members around the world.”

The festival will take place across over 20 venues in L.A. including the Hollywood Bowl, Greek Theatre, Hollywood Palladium, The Largo and others.

Read the complete list of live and recorded events and shows below.

THE THEATRE AT ACE HOTEL
The Hall: Honoring the Greats of Stand-Up (recorded) 
The best comedians of today honoring the greatest stand-up comedians of all-time. With appearances by Dave Chappelle, Kevin Hart, Chris Rock, Billy Crystal, Whoopi Goldberg, Jerry Seinfeld, Sarah Silverman, & Wanda Sykes.

THE HOLLYWOOD BOWL
Chappelle’s
An evening of music and comedy featuring Dave Chappelle and very special guests.

THE GREEK
STAND OUT: An LGBTQ+ celebration at The Greek Theatre (recorded) 
A Historic Celebration of the best in LGBTQ+ Comedy. Legends, headliners, and top emerging talent will share the same stage at The Greek Theatre for an unforgettable and unprecedented stand-up event with special guests and musical performances.  Headliners include Alan Carr, Hannah Gadsby, Margaret Cho, Rosie O’Donnell, Sandra Bernhard and Wanda Sykes. Presenters include Demi Lovato, Graham Norton, Lily Tomlin, Ruby Rose. Featuring Bianca Del Rio, Fortune Feimster, Gina Yashere, Guy Branum, James Adomian, Joel Kim Booster, Judy Gold, Lea DeLaria, Mae Martin, Marsha Warfield, Matteo Lane, Patti Harrison, Rhea Butcher, Sam Jay, Scott Thompson, Solomon Georgio, Trixie Mattel and more. STAND OUT is produced by Page Hurwitz and Wanda Sykes for Push It Productions.

THE FONDA
That’s My Time with David Letterman (recorded)
Legendary late-night host David Letterman returns to his roots to showcase some of today’s finest stand up comedians to perform and then join him for a one-of-a-kind interview.

THE PALLADIUM
Netflix Is A Joke at The Palladium Hosted by Jamie Foxx (recorded)
Megastar and Oscar-winner Jamie Foxx hosts this loaded lineup featuring some of his favorite comedians!

Netflix Is A Joke at The Palladium Hosted by Amy Schumer (recorded)
Movie star and powerhouse standup Amy Schumer hosts this epic night filled with some of Netflix’s hottest comedians!

Netflix Is A Joke at The Palladium Hosted by Martin Lawrence (recorded)
From Def Comedy Jam 25, superstar comedian Martin Lawrence returns to Netflix to host an evening of heavy hitting stand-up.

Netflix Is A Joke at The Palladium Hosted by Jane Fonda & Lily Tomlin (recorded)
Comedy icons and Grace & Frankie stars Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin host an evening of top notch stand-up from an all-lady lineup.

 THE WILTERN

  • Sebastian Maniscalcolive
  • Ali Wong: The Milk and MoneyTourlive
  • 2 Bears, 1 Cave with Tom Segura & Bert Kreischer live podcast
  • The Degenerates Live Hosted by Jim Jefferies
  •  The Degenerates is BACK and it’s LIVE. You loved the first two seasons of this no-holds-barred comedy show featuring the hottest rising stars of comedy. Now this crude and lewd show is hitting LA for a special Live edition hosted by Jim Jefferies featuring Big Jay Oakersen, Christina P, Ms. Pat, Robert Kelly and more.
  • Ronny Chieng live
  • Park Na-rae live
  • Ken Jeong live
  • Chelsea Handler live

THE ORPHEUM

  • Kevin Hart in Conversation – A moderated Q&A session with comedy superstar and business mogul Kevin Hart.
  • Iliza Shlesinger The Forever Tour
  • Schitt’s Creek: The Farewell Tour with Dan Levy, Eugene Levy, Catherine O’Hara, Annie Murphy , Noah Reid, Emily Hampshire. Join Schitt’s Creek cast members for a live, interactive evening that promises to be fun and insightful while giving fans an insider’s look into the making of the series.
  • Jack Whitehall live

WILSHIRE EBELL

  • Mike Birbiglia live
  • Congratulations with Chris D’Elia live podcast
  • Michelle Wolf live
  • Middleditch & Schwartz improv live

PALACE

  • Norm Macdonald live

THE AVALON

  • Pete Davidson & Best Friends (recorded)
  • Pete Davidson and his friends are doing stand-up comedy for you and your friends.
  • Los Comediantes de Latinoamérica(recorded)
  • Los Comediantes de Latinoamérica is a loaded stand up show featuring a who’s who of Latin American comedians. Special guests include Fabrizio Copano, Liss Pereira, Ricardo O’Farrill, and Ricardo Quevedo.
  • The India All Star Show hosted by Vir Das (recorded)
  • The India All Star Show is jam packed with the best stand up comedians from India featuring performances in both Hindi and English. Special guests include: Aditi Mittal, Amit Tandon, Kanan Gill, Kaneez Surka, Kenny Sebastian, Prashasti Singh, and Sumukhi Suresh. 

REGENT

  • Marlon Wayans live
  • Russell Howard live
  • Deon Cole live
  • Christina Pazsitzky live
  • Vir Das live

LARGO

  • Jacqueline Novak Get On Your Knees live
  • Jenny Slate live
  • Katherine Ryan live
  • Tom Papa & Fortune Feimster live
  • Whitney Cummings & Friends live

DYNASTY TYPEWRITER

  • Cristela Alonzo live
  • Taylor Tomlinson live
  • Catherine Cohen live
  • London Hughes live
  • Mo Gilligan live
  • The Endless Honeymoon with Moshe Kasher & Natasha Leggero live podcast

COMEDY UNION

  • The Arsenio Hall Comedy Showcase (recorded for SiriusXM)
  • Arsenio Hall presents a lineup of the funniest comedians in LA at the legendary Comedy Union.

IMPROV

  • Whindersson Nunes & Friends live
  • They Ready Live live
  • Luenell live

IMPROV LAB AND IMPROV LAB

  • Janelle James & Friends live
  • Trevor Wilson live
  • Pat live

LAUGH FACTORY

  • Best of Canada live

THE ROOSEVELT HOTEL

  • Tim Dillon live
  • Chad Goes Deep “Going Deep” live podcast

THE BELASCO

  • Felipe Esparza live

DETAILS FORTHCOMING

  • Bumping Mics with Jeff Ross & Dave Attell Season 2 (recorded)
  • Best buds Jeff Ross and Dave Attell are bringing their uncut savagery for an all new season of Bumping Mics. Inviting friends and special guests from all over comedy to hang, riff and roast one another. No mic will go un-bumped.

Aunty Donna live sketch

Dania Ramirez to Star in Sony’s “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle” Sequel

Dania Ramirez is headed for the jungle…

The 39-year-old Dominican actress and former Devious Maidsstar has landed a role in Sony’s sequel to Jumanji: Welcome to the Junglewhich is being directed and co-written by Jake Kasdan.

Dania Ramirez

Ramirez joins a cast that includes members Dwayne JohnsonJack BlackKevin HartKaren Gillanand Nick Jonas, as well as new additions AwkwafinaDanny DeVitoand Danny Glover

Plot details are being kept under wraps. 

In addition to her lead role on Lifetime’sDevious Maids, Ramirez previously starred on television in ABC’s Once Upon a Timeand NBC’s Heroes.

Her film credits include X-Men: The Last Stand and Premium Rush.