Category: Catch It!

March 10, 2011

BBC’s “Being Human” airs Saturdays at 9 p.m.

You know that I’m a fan of the BBC’s original series “Being Human”… even more so than SyFy’s watered down version.

Needless to say, I believe that the viewer should come to their own conclusions given all of the episodes.

If you’re interested in seeing what all of the buzz is about, the BBC’s “Being Human” will be showing their fourth episode this Saturday at 9 p.m. on BBC America.

You’ll have a chance to check in because there’s only been a showing of three episodes so far, and if you catch up with those episodes OnDemand or through the BBC’s smart programming (which always precedes the new episode with one or two of the previous ones), I know you’ll be hooked.

The U.K. has been hitting the ball out of the park for the past couple of years, specifically in regards to casting opportunities for Blacks in film and television. Maybe it’s the fact that they embraced the abolitionist movement and eradicated slavery in the British Empire more than 30 years before the United States (with the notable exceptions “of the Territories in the Possession of the East India Company,” the “Island of Ceylon,” and “the Island of Saint Helena“). Then again, I could be wrong…

“Being Human” is in its third season and, so far, this season doesn’t disappoint.

Episode 4 turns up the heat on the monster lair and finds the werewolf couple Nina and George in the very real possibility of having puppies, while the sexy vampire Mitchell and the permanently nice and ethereal ghost Annie (played by Lenora Crichlow) see how far their mutual crush can go.

Be sure to catch the re-airing of Episode 3 before the premiere of Episode 4. In Episode 3 an indignant drunk zombie named Sasha (“Like the Beyonce album…”) chases Annie all the way home and the monsters have to make a decision of letting in her decomposing body or leaving her on the lawn until she (ahem) cools off.

The zombie episode is pure “Being Human” with its cheeky references to pop culture, soccer wives and the club scene. (Yes, Sasha tries in vain to keep up her looks and doesn’t disappoint when she drops it like it’s hot on the dance floor way into her decomposition…)

Catch the BBC’s “Being Human” on Saturday, March 12, 2011, at 9 p.m., and be sure to check in early to see a re-airing of last week’s “Sasha” episode.

September 7, 2010

Kennedy Center Honors Oprah

The 33rd Annual Kennedy Center Honors will honor talk show queen, actress, and media mogul Oprah Winfrey on December 5, 2010!

Ms. Winfrey will end her talk show in 2011, and is re-focusing her empire building on media and her own television network named (you got it) OWN, the Oprah Winfrey Network.

[picappgallerysingle id="9082218"]According to CNN.com’s Marquee Blog:

“For more than 25 years, Oprah Winfrey has established one of the most innovative careers in the entertainment world, with distinctive accomplishments in television and film,” the Kennedy Center’s Chairman David M. Rubenstein said in a statement.

Oprah has accomplished what many have tried, but many have not achieved. She’s an accomplished actress (remember “The Color Purple,” “Beloved” and “The Women of Brewster Place”?), producer with her own production company, television executive and media magazine (“O Magazine”).

Many have compared her to Martha Stewart, but Martha Stewart can’t act.

Ms. Winfrey will get her due alongside such luminaries as dancer and Tony Award-winning choreographer (“FELA!” and “Spring Awakening”) Bill T. Jones (brother of San Francisco performing artist Rhodessa Jones), and others.

Gala will be broadcast on CBS on December 28, 2010 at 9:00-11:00 p.m., ET/PT

August 14, 2010

Tyra’s Casting for Cycle 16 of America’s Next Top Model – DEADLINE Aug. 18th!

Okay, ladies. Get your photographs and attitudes on because media mogul Tyra Banks is casting for Cycle 16 of “America’s Next Top Model”!

If you ever watch the show, you know that it can be inspirational… or a big hot steaming pile of mess. Either way, it’s always fun and entertaining!

According to Tyra:

“Here’s what I need from you. You need to be:

* 18 – 27 years old

* a U.S. Citizen

* Apply by Midnight on August 18th!”

December 6, 2009

Janelle Monae makes an appearance at MTV’s Woodie Awards

ATLien Janelle Monae has been rocking the scene lately making a number of appearances at such underground events as New York’s Afro-Punk Festival, and elsewhere.

In 2008, she was featured in Interview Magazine as an up-and-comer. However, most folks may recognize her –in a less alien appearance– from fellow ATLiens OutKast’s movie IDLEWILD, even appearing on the soundtrack. Like creative, independent funkstresses before her, Miss Janelle has run across a lot of stereotypes that try to impede her progress as an artist. According to her Interview Magazine feature, she states, ““It’s unfortunate that a lot of people think African-American female artists are monolithically R&B this-or-that …I don’t have to do anything by default.”
In 2009, was re-imagined and reworked to her current persona as a renegade alien who’s in love with an earthling on her creative album “Metropolis.” The incredibly lush orchestration of Ms. Monae’s music are a wonderful accompaniment to her lilting, bird-like vocals that are reminiscent of Edith Piaf and Marilyn McCoo, all wrapped up in one funky, Mothership package! On Friday, December 4, 2009, Miss Janelle appeared on MTV’s (literally) hot mess of an award show, the Woodies. Nominees –which included Ms. Monae– were selected by college students, who are the barometers of cool.
Not only was Ms. Monae nominated, but she even let her funky android out to present one of the awards!

MTV Shows

Miss Janelle isn’t finished, and her epic album has more to go! Also, check out her label Wondaland Arts Society.

Interview Magazine – http://www.interviewmagazine.com/music/janelle-monae/
Janelle Monae’s Official Site – http://www.jmonae.com/

November 24, 2009

Janet Jackson’s American Music Awards After Party

Miss Jackson –Janet, if you’re nasty– is back! After the stunning and untimely passing of her closest brother, Michael “King of Pop” Jackson, she’s been the sane and professional face of the Jackson Family.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fi_wtNT2uo&feature=player_embedded[/youtube]

Her performance at the MTV Video Music Awards stunned audience members who may have forgotten why she reigned the top of the charts and dance floor for many years, and proved herself as a consummate professional.

Many have tried to dethrone her while her rival Madonna gets skinnier and crazier, only to become Lady Gaga. Miss Janet is an incredible performer with real women curves, and a talent that leaves Britney-wannabes in the dust.

Well, Miss Jackson threw herself an “I’m Back!” party after the American Music Awards called “The Number Ones.”

Check out the blinding bling and beauty of some of the best performers and actors around today!

November 19, 2009

Oprah Winfrey Show will end in 2011

According to the New York Times, media mogul, producer, actress and talkshow host queen Oprah Winfrey will end her talkshow on September 9, 2011… which is a blip in the media world timeline.

Other contenders have been rumored to want her crown, including recent guest, Ellen DeGeneres.

Who should inherit the queen’s crown? IBWFF has some ideas…

Tyra Banks

Pros: Miss Tyra is becoming a media mogul in her own right. Transforming her career from cheesecake modeling in Victoria’s Secret catalogs, Ms. Banks has expanded her empire with such shows as the hit CW series “America’s Next Top Model,” and her own talkshow, “The Tyra Banks Show.” She’s got the connections, the younger generation’s attention, and the humor and congeniality to attract top rate guests. Cons: She has to prove she’s got serious mettle to attract world leaders and other movers and shakers beyond entertainment.

Whoopi Goldberg

Pros: Miss Whoopi has done an excellent job of replacing Rosie O’Donnell from “The View.” Ms. Goldberg came on as a co-host at a time when “The View” was faltering after Meredith Vieira’s and Star Jones’ abrupt departures from the show, and the remaining and new co-hosts were balkanizing into camps. “The View” made a few stumbles, and balanced out Whoopi with the frothy commentary of Sheri Shephard, but Whoopi’s thoughtful viewpoints and humor catapulted “The View” back into the daytime television big leagues. Cons: Miss Whoopi is very opinionated, and if she wants to grow into Oprah’s shoes, she’ll have be willing to bend for the sake of the viewers.

Ricki Lake

Ricki has proved her mettle with insightful, and sometimes, bawdy daytime talk show hosting skills. She’s appealing to younger viewers, and is approachable to older ones. Cons: She’s not big with older women, who make up the bulk of Miss Oprah’s audience and viewership.

Gayle King

Ms. King is a stalwart Oprah supporter and has learned much at the queen’s feet. Both she and queen Winfrey are bestfriends, and they know each other like a book. Gayle –an impeccable journalist in her own right– has taken on O Magazine, and pushed its readership past Martha Stewart. From her brief appearances on Oprah’s show, Gayle is likable, approachable, sophisticated, and knows how to probe for answers. She also knows what older, younger, and middle-aged women want from their news and entertainment. Cons: She’s Ms. Winfrey’s bestfriend. Viewers may unfairly expect her to carry the Winfrey mantle and refuse to accept new directions in a talkshow.

Maybe you’re the next talkshow queen…!

November 10, 2009

Wanda Sykes Kicks Off Her New Show on Fox

On November 7, 2009, comedienne Wanda Sykes kicked off a brand new, late-night talk show which aired on Saturday night. It’s aptly named “The Wanda Sykes Show.” Sykes show replaces the long running “MadTV” and the short-lived talkshow “The Spike Ferestein Show.”

Wanda joins a surge of talkshows that are cropping up to possibly be front runners –or at least contenders– to replace talkshow queen Oprah Winfrey. Whether Ms. Sykes leaves her current role on “The New Adventures of Old Christine,” or just keeps a minimal recurring role, is left to be determined.

Like her predecessor Ellen DeGeneris, Syke’s talkshow comes within a year of her coming out as a lesbian. The show doesn’t avoid the topic, and Ms. Sykes actually refers to her “wife” in her opening skit. Hopefully, this will be a new opportunity for Ms. Syke’s career, and we wish her the best of luck!

Are you interested in being in the studio audience?

You can be a member of “The Wanda Sykes Show”‘s studio audience! Shows are available for the following dates:

Fri November 13, 2009 6:00 PM
Fri November 20, 2009 6:00 PM
Fri November 27, 2009 6:00 PM
Fri December 4, 2009 6:00 PM

Go to http://www.ocatv.com/shows/show/274 to apply! (Just click the date of your choice.)

November 4, 2009

Sesame Street’s 40th Anniversary

If you’re younger than 45 years old, then PBS perennial “Sesame Street” is probably a huge part of your youth. “Sesame Street” was a huge change from

19th Annual NAACP Theatre Awards — Sesame Street alumna Tatyana Ali

baby-boomer children shows in that: 1) It was set in the inner-city, and not the suburbs; 2) children of every hue were represented; and 3) the neighbors on “Sesame Street” looked like the integrated neighborhoods that most post-integration Americans were looking for.

http://www.norwalkplus.com/nwk/information/nwsnwk/uploads/1/Sonia_Manzano_cr_James_Kriegsman.jpg — Sonia Manzano

Sesame Workshop's 7th Annual Benefit Gala — Sesame Street alumnus Roscoe Orman

“Sesame Street” was also one of the first children’s shows to feature African American, Puerto Rican, and Caribbean kids and adults in the 1970′s who weren’t junkies, living in violence-plagued communities, or cracking jokes about “honkies.” People on this show actually spoke to one another, shared front stoops, and sang happy songs that anyone was welcomed to sing with them.

So here’s those vanguard neighbors who helped to usher in Elmo, Takalani, and others who brightened our day… especially the ever hopeful and sensitive Big Bird!

October 30, 2009

T-Boz shares her battle with brain tumor

90′s girl-group TLC saw success throughout the 90′s and early-00′s, until problems with their management, inter-group disagreements, and the untimely death of Lisa “Left-Eye” Lopez, broke the group apart. TLC tried valiantly to get the group back together with a fleeting UPN reality series called “R U the Girl?” which was supposed to find a replacement for former member Lopez.

Watch CBS News Videos Online

During the entire career of TLC, very few people –outside of fans– knew of Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins’ battle with a life-threatening illness, specifically, Sickle Cell Anemia. She overcame doctors’ predictions which included she would never have a child (she did), and that she wouldn’t live past 30 years old (she’s 39).

It was her most recent battle that stunned morning show viewers. Tionne had been battling a benign, but possibly devastating, brain tumor that could have left her severely impaired.

T-Boz shared her story with Harry Smith on CBS’s Early Show, and how her experience with Sickle Cell Anemia made her more proactive about her health and treatment.

An inspiring story, and one that all women –especially African American women– should hear. When it comes to your health, know who really cares about your recovery, and who’s just treating you like a statistic. Another lesson is to be an informed patient. Watch her interview and find out more on The Early Show.

September 25, 2009

Eve et al. rocks the VH1 Hip Hop Honors and what not

The VH1 Hip Hop Honors was taped at the Brooklyn Academy of Music on Wednesday, September 23, 2009. The show will air on Tuesday, October 13, 2009 (ET). This year’s show is the sixth installment in the one of the most brilliant and creative awards show on cable television.

VH1 TV Shows | Music Videos | Celebrity Photos | News & Gossip

Hip hop luminaries were out and about, especially since this year’s honors will celebrate the 25th year of Def Jam Records and include many current and previous stars from the label.

Stars scheduled to perform include: Eminem, Young Jeezy, Rick Ross, Fabolous, Ludacris, DMX, Mary J. Blige, Redman, The Roots, Method Man, ONYX, Public Enemy, Warren G, Kid Rock, Chris Rock, Jimmy Fallon, Brett Ratner, Trey Songz, Ja Rule, Gym Class Heroes, and Scarface.

The ladies of hip hop were out in their finest, including the first-lady of Ruff Ryders, Eve. This show will sure to be a blast… as usual. And I’m sure no one will be grabbing the mic from anyone at this event.

Find out more at VH1′s Hip Hop Honors.

September 14, 2009

The 2009 MTV VMAs take a hard left to crazy town

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If anyone missed MTV’s Video Music Awards, it was just as squirrely and nutty as 2009 has been, so far. For some reason, people are acting as if the planets are aligned, or if the sky is turning red with blood… and the VMAs didn’t disappoint in the fruitcake department.

Remember When MTV Told Billie Jean to Beat It?

Always a beacon of cutting edge, rock n’ roll antics, the VMAs finally paid tribute to Michael Jackson beyond the past press stunts. (And, lest we forget, they originally refused to play any videos from Michael Jackson’s “Off the Wall” album
because MTV thought of themselves as a “rock” station, and MJ was just a little too r&b… I guess the “M” in MTV wasn’t for Music.) As usual, Michael’s little sister –and closest sibling– classed up the awards show with an amazing virtual “dance off” from their J-Pop, hyper-stylized duet video “Scream.”

Where Are the 12 Year Old Dancers?

Aside from Russell Brand’s randy and risque hosting, the show took a decidedly Fellini-esque turn into BET territory with their tepid, oddly lip-synched performances –though Pink was good– and straight to the bizarre antics of nominee Kanye “I am the walrus, goo goo g’joob g’goo goo g’joob” West. (I’d show you a video in this section, but MTV –i.e., the Anti-Christ Justice League– only wants you to view the outburst on their site and 500 more times in their reruns.)

Wu-Tang is for the Children

When singer Taylor Swift (no, I have no clue who she is other than hearing her name fifty times on each TMZ show) won a Moon Man for Best Female Video Award, she graciously came on stage to accept her award and to give her speech.

Well, Mr. West pulled an O.D.B (“Wu-Tang is for the children”) and bum

rushed her speech with a rant about how Beyonce “Rump Shaker” Knowles-Z should have won for “Single Ladies.” Um, either way, just why?

Poor Taylor stood their stunned and humiliated. Again, lest we forget, this is not Kanye’s first go-round on the crazy carousel, nor his first time taking us with him.

Crazy ass Kanye West takes the microphone from Taylor Swift and speaks onstage during the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards at Radio City Music Hall on September 13, 2009 in New York City

Does no one remember the 2006 MTV Europe Awards when Kanye felt he should’ve won the award because, you know, he spent, “…(O)ver a million dollars”?

Aside from all that, he and Janet actually made the awards show worth watching, and his date was Grace Jones cool sexy. He did 2009 proud…

Catch it 500 more times on MTV: www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/2009/

August 17, 2009

“Reno!911″ Canceled

The hilarious improv show “Reno!911″ won’t be returning next season to the Comedy Central Channel!

Series creators Thomas Lennon and Robert Ben Garant announced the cancellation to fans via Twitter and Facebook. One of the few comedy shows to make the transition from small screen to big screen (“Reno!911: Miami”), “Reno!911″ has survived through consistent writing, improvisation and a team of comedians who worked seamlessly together on screen.

RENO 911!

Preventing Pregnancy

www.comedycentral.com

Joe Lo Truglio

Funny Cop Videos

Comedy fans have been rallying against Comedy Central’s latest programming moves toward reruns, bad comedy movies and frat-boy college humor that can be found on any network or cable station. A Facebook page was created just to protest the cancellation, and can be found at: Save Reno 911.

“Reno!911″ also kept a core cast that included actress and comedian Niecy Nash, and Cedric Yarbrough, another gifted comedian who has doubled his appearances by appearing on the Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim cartoon, “The Boondocks.”

Fans and cast members were shocked. In a Reno Gazette Journal interview, co-creator Thomas Lennon, who plays the short-shorts wearing Lt. Dangle, states “I think our ratings have been fine. They were neither like stratospherically great, nor were they bad. . . . So, I can’t really give a reason why, nor did the network give me a reason why we were cancelled.”

Some fans are sending Comedy Central emails and letters protesting the cancellation. If you’d like to voice your opinion, you can contact Comedy Central online, or sign one of the petitions.

August 11, 2009

Gabrielle Union Will Produce Telepic for Lifetime

Actress Gabrielle Union is taking on a new role…executive producer. Following other Black actresses who are commanding a presence in film, media and television, Ms. Union has signed on with Lifetime to produce a telepic named “The Vow,” by author Denene Miller , along with co-producers Tracey Edmonds and Sheila Duckworth. Screenwriter Nzingha Stewart will translate the film to television. Sisters are finding it better to do it themselves!