Mariah Carey to Receive The Music Icon Award at This Year’s theGrio Awards

Posted on October 31, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Mariah Carey is set to earn another honor…

The 54-year-old half-Venezuelan American Grammy-winning singer will be among the honorees during this year’s Byron Allen Presents theGrio Awards special.

The awards show celebrates excellence in film, music, comedy, television, sports, philanthropy, business, fashion, social justice, environmental justice, education, and the cultural icons and innovators whose contributions positively impact America. The television special pays tribute to and amplifies the history makers, change agents and artists who define and influence our world, according to organizers.

Carey, who holds the record for the most Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles by a solo artist with 19, will be honored with The Music Icon Award.

Co-hosted by The Talk‘s Sheryl Underwood and comedian Roy Wood Jr., theGrio Awards will air on Saturday, November 25 from 8:00 – 10:00 pm on CBS and will stream live on Paramount+.

Other honorees include Denzel Washington (The Film Icon award), Eddie Murphy (The Icon award), Don Cheadle (Environmental Champion Icon award) and Misty Copeland (The Trailblazer Icon award).

The special also features musical performances by Boyz II Men, Jennifer Hudson, Coco Jones, Patti LaBelle and Smokey Robinson. Greg Phillinganes serves as musical director, and DJ Kiss is the D.J.

“I created ‘theGrio Awards’ to celebrate and amplify African-American excellence and the incredible champions from other communities who truly support us,” said Allen, Founder/Chairman/CEO of Allen Media Group. “As a child, strong, positive African-American icons such as Berry Gordy, Jr., Rosa Parks, Muhammad Ali and Martin Luther King, Jr. helped me see myself differently, and changed the trajectory of my life. Celebrating and amplifying iconic individuals is something we can never do enough of, especially for our children.”

Byron Allen Presents theGrio Awards is co-produced by Allen Media Group and Backhand Productions.

Felipe Esparza Signs with United Talent Agency for Global Representation

Posted on October 31, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Felipe Esparza has new representation…

United Talent Agency (UTA) has signed the 47-year-old Mexican stand-up comedian and actor for representation in all areas globally.

Rising to fame as the 2010 winner of NBC’s Last Comic Standing, Esparza’s most recent special was the dual-language Felipe Esparza: Bad Decisions, which debuted on Netflix to critical acclaim, in both English and Spanish, in 2020.

His special, Translate This, premiered on HBO in 2017 and continues to be available for streaming on all HBO platforms.

His first, 2012’s They’re Not Gonna Laugh At You, made its way to Netflix after debuting on Showtime.

Esparza has also appeared on series like NBC’s Superstore, Adult Swim’s The Eric Andre Show, Netflix’s Gentefied, and Cartoon Network’s Victor and Valentino.

His notable film credits include Guest House with Pauly Shore, 7th & Union with Omar Chaparro, Daddy Daughter Trip with Rob Schneider, You People with Eddie Murphy and Jonah Hill, and Blue Beetle with Xolo Maridueña and George Lopez.

The host of the weekly podcast What’s Up Fool?, which has consistently topped comedy podcast charts across platforms since its launch in 2014, Esparza is preparing his fourth special as he performs at theaters around the world, as part of his “Big Foo” tour.

Disney Releases Teaser Trailer for Rosario Dawson’s “Haunted Mansion”

Posted on March 4, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Rosario Dawson is ready to thrill…

Disney has released the teaser trailer for Haunted Mansion, its theme park attraction-turned-creepy comedy adventure film starring the 43-year-old Puerto Rican and Cuban American actress and activist.

Justin Simien directs a cast that includes LaKeith Stanfield, Tiffany Haddish, Owen Wilson, Danny DeVito, Dawson, Chase W. Dillon and Dan Levy, with Jamie Lee Curtis and Jared Leto. Kate Dippold wrote the script.

The plot centers on a woman (Dawson) and her son (Dillon) who enlist a motley crew of so-called spiritual experts to help rid their home of supernatural squatters.

The opening shot of the trailer and some hat(box)-tips inside the house will be familiar to all who have been to Disneyland, and the comic-fright balance seems right especially thanks to the vibe put out by Stanfield and Wilson, with Roy Orbison’s “House Without Windows” playing in the background.

Simien introduced the film originally last summer at Comic-Con, where fans saw a fuller trailer for the film based on the ride that debuted at Disneyland in 1969 with characters including Madame Leota, the skeletal Bride and the cloaked Hatbox Ghost. Eddie Murphy starred in a 2003 movie version.

“For me, there was something about that ride I felt was there in the [new] script,” said Simien, who worked at Disneyland one summer and said Haunted Mansion was his favorite ride. “It was funny and full of interesting characters, but with a dark edge to it. I just related to it. It felt I knew how to make it. I love New Orleans and I felt I had a responsibility here to make sure all the little Easter eggs are there.”

Haunted Mansion will hit theaters on July 28.

Anjelah Johnson-Reyes to Star in Prime Video’s Holiday Comedy “Candy Cane Lane”

Posted on February 12, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Anjelah Johnson-Reyes is getting into the Christmas holiday season way early…

The 40-year-old half-Mexican American actress and comedian has joined the cast of Prime Video’s holiday comedy Candy Cane Lane.

Johnson-Reyes is among a list of new cast additions that includes Ken Marino and D.C. Young Fly.

They join previously announced cast members Eddie Murphy, Tracee Ellis Ross, Jillian Bell, Genneya Walton, Madison Thomas, Thaddeus J. Mixson, Robin Thede, Chris Redd and Danielle Pinnock.

Reginald Hudlin directs off a script by Kelly Younger, inspired by his own childhood holiday experiences.

Story details are being kept under wraps.

The movie is shooting in Los Angeles and a part of the California Film & Television Tax Credit Program. The film will stream on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide and marks the first film falling under Murphy’s three-picture and first-look film deal with Amazon Studios.

Johnson-Reyes has six comedy specials streaming on various platforms. Additionally, she has guest starred on shows like Life & Beth, Superstore, The Shield, Ugly Betty and Curb Your Enthusiasm.

Her film credits include Enough Said, Our Family Wedding, and Alvin And The Chipmunks: The Squeakquel.

La La Anthony to Star Opposite Jonah Hill in New Untitled Netflix Comedy Film

Posted on October 29, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

La La Anthony is preparing to bring the funny…

The 39-year-old Puerto Rican television personality, author, businesswoman, producer and actress has been cast in a new untitled Netflix comedy starring Jonah Hill, with Kenya Barris directing.

Anthony is among a list of new cast additions that includes Travis Bennett, Andrea Savage, Rhea Perlman and Deon Cole.

They join an ensemble that already includes Lauren London, Eddie Murphy, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Sam Jay, Molly Gordon, David Duchovny and Nia Long.

The film follows a new couple (Hill and London) and their families, who find themselves examining modern love and family dynamics amidst clashing cultures, societal expectations and generational differences.

Anthony’s previous credits include Two Can Play That Game, You Got Served, Think Like a Man and Think Like a Man 2.

George Lopez to Take Part in Comedy Fundraiser for Feeding America

Posted on May 3, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

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.

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 Smoove, Jim Gaffigan, Judd Apatow, Jack Black, Cedric the Entertainer, Whitney Cummings, Jim Gaffigan, Brad Garrett, Whoopi Goldberg, Kevin James, Sarah Silverman and Kenan Thompson.

Others taking part include Kevin Hart, Chris Rock, Adam Sandler, Eddie Murphy, Billy Crystal, Marlon Wayans, Howie Mandel, Tiffany Haddish, Brad Garrett, Taraji P. Henson, Louie Anderson, Margaret Cho, Kenan Thompson, Marc Maron, Jon Lovitz, Caroline Rhea, Byron Allen, Billy Gardell, Tim Meadows, Jamie Kennedy, Bill 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.”

Melissa Villaseñor to Appear in Saturday Night Live’s Second At-Home Episode

Posted on April 23, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Melissa Villaseñor will be bringing the laughs once again from the comfort of her home…

Saturday Night Live will air its second at-home episode on April 25, featuring the 32-year-old Mexican American comedian/actress.

The episode was announced Thursday on the show’s Twitter feed, accompanied by a video of the cast joining in a video conference call.

Saturday’s edition of the show will be the second one produced remotely, with cast members all filming sketches from their homes.

The first, which aired April 11, pulled in SNL‘s second-best same day ratings of the season, trailing only the Eddie Murphy-hosted installment in December.

Tom Hanksserved as the nominal host for the episode, introducing the show from his kitchen and returning to wrap up the episode. He didn’t take part in any sketches.

Chris Martinwas the musical guest, performing in front of a hand-drawn backdrop mimicking the SNL stage.

No host or musical guest information for Saturday’s edition was available at publication time.

Melissa Villaseñor to Guest Star on Jerry Seinfeld’s “Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee”

Posted on July 3, 2019 by Tom Castaneda

Melissa Villaseñor is ready to ride shotgun…

The 31-year-old actress, stand-up comedian, impressionist and Saturday Night Live cast member is set to guest star on the new season of Jerry Seinfeld’s Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee.

The series, created and executive produced by Seinfeld, features vintage cars, funny conversations and a lot of caffeine as Jerry picks up each guest in a special car.

In addition to Villaseñor, SNL’s first Latina cast member, other guest stars for the new season include Martin Short, Ricky Gervais, Matthew Broderick, Eddie Murphy, Jamie Foxx, Sebastian Maniscalco, Mario Joyner, Bridget Everettand Barry Marder.

Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee Season 11 premieres July 19 on Netflix.

Louis C.K. Added to the Lineup for SiriusXM Comedy Greats

Posted on July 30, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Louis C.K. will be hitting the radiowaves…

The 47-year-old Mexican American comedian and actor has been added to the lineup for SiriusXM Comedy Greats, a new channel from the satellite radio company that will broadcast comedy 24/7 for the first time, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

In addition to Louis C.K., who recently earned six Emmy nominations, Jerry Seinfeld, Lewis Black, Amy Schumer, George Carlin, Ellen DeGeneres, Kevin Hart, Bill Maher, Eddie Murphy, Richard Pryor and Joan Rivers are also noted as some of more than a hundred notable comics of past and present that will be showcased on air.

The new channel will also feature regular countdown takeovers, hosted by guests like Bill Burr, Jim Gaffigan and Ed Helms, who will discuss their personal favorites and professional influences.

Additionally, Dan Akyroyd, Adam Carolla, Cedric the Entertainer, Bill Hader, George Lopez, Howie Mandel, Marc Maron and Russell Brand will share vignette-like stories about comedians who have changed their lives.

SiriusXM Comedy Greats will launch Aug. 13, with a special hosted by Jim Norton, in which he counts down the top 50 comedy greats of all time (selected by listeners and the SiriusXM comedy team). It’s available on channel 94, as well as online, on demand and through the SiriusXM app.

Lopez to Serve as a Presenter at This Year’s Academy Awards Ceremony

Posted on February 13, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Jennifer Lopez has a date with Oscar…

The 45-year-old Puerto Rican actress, singer and American Idol judge has been added to the list of presenters for this year’s Academy Awards show.

Lopez, rose to acclaim after starring in Selena, has more than 25 films to her credit.

She joins a roster that includes the following new additons: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Chris Evans, Dakota Johnson, Chloë Grace Moretz, Eddie Murphy and Margot Robbie.

Previously announced presenters include Zoë Saldaña and Jared Leto.

Neil Patrick Harris hosts the 87th ceremony, which will air live on ABC on Sunday, February 22, from the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.

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