Entertainment Television vet Kenan Thompson hosted the 74th annual Emmy Awards that aired last night. He went from a kid star on Nickelodeon, to a cast member on Saturday Nght Live, to now hosting the Emmys and recently he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. As a kid who used to watch him, from All That, Kenan & Kel,Good Burger, and Saturday Night Live; I am so proud of him!
Vulture Tv Insider Buzz feed NewsToday Show
Kenan also brought out our fav, his friend Kel Mitchell
People.com
Here’s a slight recap (of what we care about) of the winners from last night.
Sheryl Lee Ralph won for “Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy” for her role as Barbara Howard in Abbott Elementary.
Quinta Brunson won her FIRST Emmy for “Outstanding Writing For a Comedy Series” for the hilarious show Abbott Elementary.
Lee Jung-jae won his first Emmy for Lead Actor in a Drama Series for Squid Game.
Entertainment Weekly
Zendaya won her second Emmy for “Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series” for her role as Rue in Euphoria.
Credit: People
Julia Garner won her second Emmy for “Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series” for her role as Ruth Langmore in Ozark. She was also nominated for her role in Inventing Anna. Ms. Julia been on fire this year!!
credit: People
Jerrod Carmichael won his first Emmy for “Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special” for his special Jerrod Carmichael: Rothaniel.
Yahoo News
Lastly, Ms. Lizzo won her first Emmy for “Outstanding Competition Program” for Lizzo’s Watch Out for the Big Grrrls.
Who Magazine
Congratulations to all the winners. Who were you excited to see win? Who do you think should’ve won?
The Chi wrapped another great season this past weekend airing its season 5 finale. Each season never ceases to amaze its viewers. Each character’s storyline ended how some of us wanted it to end and not.
Emmett, Tiff and Kiesha
Credit: Alexis Renee Celebrity Myxer
In episode 1 Tiff, played by Hannaha Hall, made it clear that she didn’t want to be married to Emmett anymore, so she moved out and in with her supplier Rob, played by Iman Shumpert. For a mother to move in with a semi-random man with her child is impetuous. She jumped from one relationship to the next and it seems she did so out of hurt. Yes, Emmett cheated on Tiff for the duration of their relationship, but he was too late on getting his act together.
Alexis Renee Celebrity Myxer
Emmett, played by Jacob Latimore, gets closer to Kiesha, played by Birgundi Baker, on a deeper level this season. He’s had a past sexual relationship with her and to be exact, Season 1, episode 1 started out with them having sex and here we are 4 seasons later episode 1, he’s having wet dreams about her and essentially ends up being in a relationship with her.
Tiff grows jealous of Emmett being a better man to Kiesha than he was to her. It seems that Emmett needed just one more chance to prove himself to Tiff but she was over it (at the time). After throwing herself at Emmett and getting rejected, Tiff decided to kickback. In the end, they all come to an understanding and even attend EJ’s (Emmett & Tiff’s son) parent-teacher conference. What a happy ending!
TV Acute
Trigg
Alexis Renee Celebrity Myxer
Trigg, played by Luke James, went from being a street dude to a City Council Candidate. The season starts out with him setting up a proposal to his girlfriend Imani but she ended up standing him up due to a viral video coming out of him beating up the neighborhood nuisance Bakari.
MEAWW
With Bakari being misguided and being Ronnie’s killer in season 4, Trigg decides to take him in, with Shad persuading him. While running for council, Douda helps him get “the look” which included a fake girlfriend. While having the eye candy on his arm, he meets a transgender woman named Fatima, played by L’lerrét Jazelle. Trigg struggles with having a fake image but wants to keep his personal life with Fatima private until he wins the election. In the end, he confesses to the public that his image was a lie and that he has a new woman in his life. The supporters respect him for his honesty. Another happy ending story.
Shad
Chicago Tribune
Not only is Jason Weaver, played by Shad, a monumental actor in the industry, but the transition of his character is inspiring. He’s introduced to the show in Season 4 when he’s released from prison. He struggled with adjusting to society and even getting a job. In season 5, he works at the Non-Profit-ROCK and he even offers advice to the knuckleheads causing a disturbance in the community. To see him shine and even meet a woman that likes him for his genuine personality and reformed attitude is simply amazing. Go Shad!
Jada and Darnell
Erica Vain
I LOVE Jada and Darnell. To hear the story of them being high school sweethearts; having a baby and drifting apart, to becoming friends again and lovers; is remarkable. If you remember in past seasons, Darnell, played by Rolando Boyce, has had many wives and many children; I’m sure it’ll get brought back up in the upcoming seasons. Jada, played by Yolanda Ross, was a cougar to a young man named Sway, not too far from Emmett’s age. Yes, it was nice of Sway to be by Jada’s side during her battle with cancer, but’s let face it, they were never going to last. He probably wanted children and she was probably done with children, hell she’s a grandmother to 3 boys. If Darnell wouldn’t come back into the picture, there would’ve been another reason for her and Sway breaking up. I’m here for the rekindled relationship/marriage between Jada and Darnell.
Jake and Jemma
The-now teenagers are halfway through high school and the topic of life after high school becomes a big topic of discussion, especially since Jemma, played by Judae’a Brown, is pregnant with Jake’s baby. Jemma initially wants to get rid of the baby but Jake, played by Michael Epps, wants to keep it because he never had a father growing up. Jemma eventually changes her mind and tells her father about the pregnancy and he supports her decision.
Side Note: I love Jemma and her father’s relationship. She’s so honest with him and unapologetic when it comes to her thoughts and feelings, and her father receives it so well.
Jemma takes an interest in Myesha’s, played by Genesis Denise Hale, rap career and wants to be her manager. Just when things were going great, Jemma loses her baby while at Myesha’s show due to gunshots and a fight caused by Bakari. After healing, Jemma decides to take a gap year after high school to manage Myesha’s rap career. Her father is on board if she is successful with it.
Wherever-I-Look
Douda
Distractify
Douda, played by Curtiss Cook, doesn’t know what he wants to do. Does he want to be a good guy and live a clean life with Tracy? Does he want to continue to live the street life and still have one foot in the door with the political
Kevin
Last but not least Kevin, played by Alex Hibbert. Kevin used to be an integral part of the show. He witnessed a murder, dealt with PTSD, shot a man, experienced his father dying, his mom got re-married AND his sister was kidnapped, abused, and had a baby. Lil Kev has been through a lot and with that, he smokes often and prefers to play video games. Playing video games is making him so much money that he wants to get emancipated and move out. Kevin says he feels trapped but it seems to viewers that he has plenty of freedom at this point since things in his home life have been lax.
Are we surprised that The Chi has been renewed for a 6th season? I’m not.
Let me know your thought on this season and who’s your favorite character?
HBO’s new show Rap Sh!t is a bop! It’s about two women with different personalities trying to make it as respectable rappers in Miami, Florida. The show was created by actress, producer, Golden Globe nominee & Emmy nominee, NAACP winner AND Insecure creator Issa Rae. (I had to give sis her flowers).
Here are some facts about the show:
1. The City Girls Are Co-Executive Producers
Rap Sh!t is loosely based on the lives of City Girls JT and Yung Miami. Being that the show is inspired by them, they are listed as co-executive producers on it, as well as their managers.
2. Mia is an artist in real life
Mia, played by KaMillion, is a Florida rapper in real life and goes by the name KaMillion
3. Duke is a St. Louis native
Duke, played by Jonica Booth is from Da Lou, woot woot! She is also know for starring season 12 of Bad Girls Club
Tell-Tale TB
4. Jay Ellis directed Episode 10 “Something For the Road“
Jay Ellis, who plays Lawrence in the show Insecure directed the last episode of the first season.
5. Recurring Insecure Characters
Issa blessed us with two rememberable characters from the Insecure series, Dro and Tasha. Dro, play by Sarunas Jackson, was Mollys side dude and married friend. Tasha, played by Dominique Perry, was Lawrence’s first fling after him and Issa broke up. In Rap Sh!t, she plays Mia’s shady friend who doesn’t like Shawna at all because she’s different; she has a semi-recurring role. Sarunas only appeared in the first episode for 2 minutes.
Fun Fact, Dominique and Sarunas have a beauty baby girl together in real life!
Credit: Married Celebs
6. Shawna READ the Industry
Shawna, played by Aida Oscan, was a conscious rapper but in order to “win” she dummied down her raps and appearance to her seen in the industry.
In episode 3, when her and Mia were talking at the bar of the Plymouth hotel, she explained that there’s a formula when you’re a female artist in the industry, which get your body done, make a song about it, then people will start caring about your music. She added that everyone looks the same and every female rapper’s success is tied to a man that wants to have sex with them. She brought up the point that Biggie made Lil Kim his side chick then tossed her; then Big Fendi did it to Nicki.
I’m hoping this gets picked up for a second season because it shows the perspective of a female artist trying to come up in the industry.
Young and talented child star Mariah Bozeman graced the screen with Amy Adams and Anthony Mackie in the Netflix suspenseful thriller The Woman in the Window. The film tells the story of Anna Fox (played by Amy Adams), an agoraphobic child psychologist who becomes fascinated with watching the world through the windows of her New York City brownstone. She takes an interest in a new family–the Russells, who have moved in across the street; a husband, wife, and teenage son who appear to have very intense relationships. Anna’s life is turned upside down when she believes she witnessed a brutal crime. The film is based on the best-selling novel by A. J. Finn; shocking secrets are revealed and nothing and no one is what they seem. Acclaimed director Joe Wright expands his palette and is also known for such beloved and critically-acclaimed dramas as Atonement, Pride & Prejudice, and The Soloist excels in this taut thriller space.
I was able to chat with Mariah Bozeman about her role in the film, her audition process and more. Check out the interview below!
DG: What role did you play in the film?
Mariah Bozeman: I play Olivia Fox, the daughter of Anna and Ed Fox. Amy and Anthony are both amazing actors. We had fun joking on set and I learned so much from them.
DG: How did you prepare for the role and what was the audition process like?
Mariah Bozeman: I really learned about Olivia’s character and her relationship with her parents before I taped. I filmed my self-tape with my agent Jenny, then I received a callback, which I had to go to New York for. I was able to do a table read with the entire cast, which was great and very helpful. When I returned to Chicago, I had to wait another week before finding out that I got the role…I was so excited!
DG: That’s good! It seems like you prepared very well for the role. With his film being a thriller, were you a little frightened or intimidated?
Mariah Bozeman: I’m not really a huge fan of scary movies and thrillers, but being that I read the entire script before filming Woman in the Window, there were no surprises for me. Knowing what was going to happen each step of the way, took away the fear factor. I actually became less afraid of scary movies after going through the entire process.
DG: That is great that the film helped take that fear away from you. Being that you are young and already starring in films with greats like Amy Adams and Anthony Mackie, how did you get your start in acting?
Mariah Bozeman: My cousin Marcus Martin was studying film. He always believed that I would be an actress. Unfortunately, he passed away when I was 5. I waited a couple of years before I began acting again. I did theater camp and booked a commercial for a director’s website and I was hooked from that moment on.
DG: I’m sorry to hear about the loss of your cousin. I’m sure he motivated you and continues to motivate you in spirit.
Speaking of motivating and inspiration, are there any child actors that you look up to?
Mariah Bozeman: Yes! I think that Marsai Martin is great! I also love Storm Reid, Zendaya; they’re all so amazing and talented.
DG: Yes, when I think of child actors, I also think of those great ladies.
The Netflix film comes out tomorrow, Friday May 14 and it is a must-see. It will keep you on the edge of your seat!
Judas and the Black Messiah tells the story of Fred Hampton (played by Daniel Kaluuya), the Deputy Chairman of the Illinois Chicago Black Panther Party and the “placed” comrade and informant William O’Neal (played by LaKeith Stanfield). To “other” races and officials, Hampton looked like a threat and terrorist but to black people, he was a man looking for social change. He, along with the Black Panther Party, believed in fighting back and holding the police accountable. Even though slavery had “ended” in 1865, Black people could not vote equally until 1965 and don’t get me started on black women.
Fred Hampton wanted unity and equally; he also wasn’t no dummy when it came to politics. During this time, the 1960’s, Dr. Martin Luther King has been assassinated and everyone knew the government had something to do with it. Fred was a threat to the police and even the government because he was fearless, direct but not a terrorist. The FBI hated him so much that they assassinated him, with the help of William O’Neal—a black man who was facing felony charges and wanted out.
Informant, snitch, backstabber O’Neal was a car thief amongst other things. When he got caught stealing a car, the FBI—specifically Roy Mitchell offered him a deal. The deal was to get close to Fred Hampton, report back all his findings to Mitchell, in exchange for money and no prison time. O’Neal did just that and that included telling the were abouts of Hampton, drawing up floor plans of the Chicago Headquarters and even Hampton’s home. When O’Neal gave pushback to Mitchell, he was reminded that he is facing prison time and if he runs, he will be found.
O’Neal went as far as drugging Hampton the day he was assassinated because he knew that he was going to get killed and he wanted Hampton to not feel his death. On the night of December 4, 1969, the Cook County police raided Fred Hampton’s apartment, injuring several other members and shooting Hampton twice in the head. His fiancée Deborah Johnson was 9 months pregnant at the time with his son and was just feet away from his assassination.
O’Neal was interviewed in 1990 explaining why and how he became an informant and disloyal “member” to the Black Panther Party. The interview aired on April 13, 1989; he committed suicide by walking into traffic on January 15, 1990.
Kaluuya and Stanfield played these roles well compared to the actual footage of Fred Hampton and William O’Neal. Both actors have a great range of acting jobs. LaKeith playing a romance role in The Photograph; or a free-spirit spacey friend in the FX show Atlanta, or a proper black guy in the sunken place in Get Out. Daniel playing a regular guy trying to escape white people in GetOut; or a Marvel character who serves as the King’s right hand man in Black Panther.
Overall, the film was informative and a history lesson. If you don’t know the truth about Fred Hampton and had any misconceptions, I’m sure they are clear now. Witnesses, including Deborah Johnson can attest to his bravery and leadership. What are your thoughts on the film?
Nate Parker did it again. He wrote and directed yet another great film–American Skin. Like Birth of a Nation, Nate Parker premiered American Skin at a film festival in 2019 and it was released over the weekend on Apple TV.
This film portrayed the story of Lincoln Jefferson, a black man and father who was wrongly pulled over by the police with his son. The officer asked for his license, insurance and registration; asked if he lived in the neighborhood where he was coming from. The officer told Linc that his insurance was expired and proceeded to ask him if he was on parole or had any warrants–not relevant to him being pulled over but that’ll be addressed later. The officer asked him to get out the car and he complied. As he was doing so, his son Kajani was getting his phone out to start recording. The second officer felt threatened and told him to put his phone away and get out the car.. Kajani did get out the car but did not put his phone away. He proceeded to get out of the officer’s way and he was shot and killed in front of his father, Linc.
A little background information on Kajani, he was a non-troubled teenager. He started attending a better school due to his father getting them a pass due to him getting a job at the school. Kajani learns that you can resist arrest from police officer but what Linc had to teach him is that it only applied to people who aren’t black. Kajani didn’t understand but he heard his father .
A year later, a few college students hear about this story and decided to reach out to Linc to do a documentary. While they are following Linc and his family around, a verdict is finally reached and the officer is found not guilty and is able to return to work. Linc being a hurt father and a black man wants his pain to be felt amongst others, so he kidnaps the police captain of the department and rallies up some close family and friends to hold the police department hostage with workers and officers inside, including the one who killed his son.
Linc decided to hold a trial of his own by selecting the jury as inmates at the jail, which is a jury that doesn’t consist of “peers” like a normal trial would have, along with other non-officer hostages. The hostage officers watched the process and gave their input of what goes on situations like this, race and black people in general. The trial starts with officer Randall recalling the night of the murder. He states that he and his partner saw Linc’s car speeding down the street and that’s what prompted them to pull him and son over. Officer Randall says he didn’t clock them but he used to judgement to pull them over. While Linc was asked to get out the car, Kajani started recording the incident on his phone; Randall states that since Kajani didn’t stop recording, he pulled him out of the car and even was prompted to kill him.
The “trial” got intense when the officers started to talk freely about “getting the bad guys” and the statistics of black on black crimes being more crucial then black people getting killed by the police, which IS NOT relevant to the case. A police officer killed an unarmed teenager. PERIOD. Randall claims that if the insurance was not expired, then he would have let them go, but when Linc wanted to get an the updated insurance card from the glove compartment, Randall and his partner wouldn’t let him. After much antagonizing, Randall says he profiled Linc and Kajani because they were in a nice area with a beat up car. This is a normal act for officers–profiling.
The jury deliberated and found Officer Randall guilty of murder. Instead of being sentenced, Linc decided that the consequences would be shooting him. The room was in a frenzy as Linc aimed the gun at Randall, and when he pulled the trigger, no shot was let out. It was an experiment to show Randall what his life has been like since the killing of his son, waiting on a jury to determine Randall’s faith and just the overall anxiety of it. Luckily, all of this was still captured on film by the college students. Once it was done, Linc decided to let everyone go and even walk out with Randall.
While walking out, Randall announced that Linc was unarmed and to not shoot but the SWAT team decided to shoot him anyway. Partial moral of the story: being unarmed will still get you killed. Another unfortunate reality is the reports of situations like this. The news claimed that Linc had PTSD, dealing with Islamic extremists, and that he possibly committed suicide—then went on to a sports segment to talk about a black basketball player. There was no sensibility at all and it is the harsh reality of America, being American and having black American Skin.
Jazmine Sullivan is a talented soul that is often overlooked because she doesn’t put out music as often…until now. She released her fourth album on Friday January 8 and it was everything–from honest to controversal to acceptance.
The album title is exactly what the songs are about, hoe tales & hoes escapades. The skits are the best parts of the album. Jazmine starts the song off with an intro of a night not memorable–drinking too much and going home with a random guy. It goes into woman explaining that men can’t handle women who own up to their shit and that women who do have the same reckless behavior as them. The perfect transition was “Pick Up Your Feelings.” Men seem to feel a kind of way when you “pull a you on you,” meaning you pulled a move that they normally would do, but you pull their move on them. Women have been taking back the control, men aren’t the only ones who can be “hoes” and have sex with whomever they want.
The next tale/skit was from singer Ari Lennox who bowed down to a man because he had good dick. She was willing to submit and accept unacceptable behavior all because he “put it down” in the bedroom; which transitions into the next song “Put It Down”. The record explains that you’ll do anything for a man because it has good dick, from giving him money to paying his rent, to tricking off on him period. Jazmine brought our good sis Ari in for “On it.” It’s about sitting on it and spitting on “it;” I’ll let y’all figure out what IT is, but the track was the BEST one on the album.
Another interesting tale/ skit was addressed and that was tricking; women tricking to get what they want even from their husband or a guy they are just having sex with. That song transitions into “Pricetags.”
“Rashida’s Tale” leads into a beautiful transition to “Lost Ones” which is about losing someone you loved and it being your fault. You want the individual back but you know it’s a lose cause.
Everyone can relate to “The Other Side”— working hard, never getting a break and wanting to be on the other side, the side of financial freedom. That may entail meeting a millionaire or a rapper who can buy you a booty, diamonds, cars, etc, but overall just wanting to live a life free of worrying about money.
The last track featuring H.E.R. titled “Girl Like Me” is about wanting to be enough for a man and hope that he doesn’t cheat. Instead, men cheat with hoes and in the end, the hoes be winning. Knowing that, it makes women want to turn into a “hoe” and leave their good girl behavior in the past, because their good girl ways doesn’t get them anywhere but cheated on.
Our sis Jazmine did THAT on this album and if she wasn’t on people’s radar before, she is now.
Danii Gold 