Small Screen: ‘Black-ish’ Producers Reunite On New Project; BET Has Three New Programs Slated For October Al Harrington Has Died
Baratunde Thurston - Amanda Edwards
Broadcast: Some of the producers behind the popular show Black-ish, have reunited as executive producers on an adaptation of Baratunde Thurston's best-selling memoir entitled How to Be Black. Courtney Lilly, Laurence Fishburne, and Helen Sugland developing the animated program at ABC because their time on Black-ish has come to an end. ‘Thurston and Lilly will write the script for How to Be Black, which focuses on the community and family that raised a young Baratunde in the Washington, D.C., of the 1980s. Should the show make it to series, it would be ABC’s first primetime animated comedy since the short-lived The Goode Family in 2009.’
Joanne Reyneke - BET Africa
Cable: BET has announced a whole bunch of new/renewed programs scheduled for the October slate. Starting off the list is the second season of BET Africa's first South African produced sitcom Black Tax. The show follows Thuli a successful, young, professional black woman who grapples with "black tax" that is experienced by a loss of middle-class African families. Next up is the 5th season of the profile talk show Behind the Story. ‘According to BET the unannounced host of the 5th season of Behind the Story will do profile interviews with various different artists and celebrities as they open up over the struggles and successes of their careers, personal lives, and the headline stories that surround them.’ Finally, the 7 Deadly Sins (7 short films discussing the 7 deadly sins from a new director’s perspective each time). Senior vice president and general manager for ViacomCBS Networks Africa said this in a statement: "We are thrilled to continue our commitment in elevating local storytelling and talent through authentic and engaging entertainment. The past two years have been game-changing for the channel. The channel’s upcoming content slate features the very best in black culture entertainment from comedy to drama, mystery, and intrigue. I'm so proud of our vision of realizing local and international content productions that resonate with audiences and celebrate black excellence."
Mayans M.C., FX’s successful spinoff series of the network’s motorcycle drama Sons of Anarchy, has just upped three characters to series regulars for its upcoming fourth season. Frankie Loyal, Joseph Lucero, and Vincent Vargas, who play Hank Loza, Neron “Creeper” Vargas, and Gilly Lopez, have been bumped up after their characters got developed storylines toward the end of season three. ‘The show follows a motley crew of Latino men who found a family in the motorcycle club charter Santo Padre on the California and Mexico border. While the story is about the M.C., it also features powerful female characters that are bold and powerful in their own right.’ It will be airing on FX in 2022.
Korean drama series Idol: The Coup has just found a new producer. An Asian-American talent management firm, Transparent Arts, will climb aboard the 12-episode drama about a failing K-pop girl group called Cotton Candy. ‘The band has just months left on its contract and must face the reality that its dreams may never come to fruition. The members decide to leave on their own terms, showing the realistic side of what being in the industry is like, but also an important message about mental health.’ No Jung-Chan is directing the project with Jung Yoo-Jung penning the script. The cast includes Hani (Exid), Exy (WJSN), Solbin (Laboum), Kim Jiwon (RedSquare), and Han So-eun as Cotton Candy members; and Jung Woong-in, Kwak Si-yang, and Kim Min-kyu.
Streaming: Netflix has announced a free new plan in Kenya. Now users are able to watch as much as a quarter of the video streaming service, without ads. This check-mate of a move challenges rivals like MultiChoice's Showmax to keep up. Currently only Kenya has this feature and that Netflix has nothing else in motion in regard to its free plan to share at this time."At Netflix, we want everyone to be able to enjoy the suspense of Blood & Water, the romance of Bridgerton, and the adventure of Army of the Dead. Now we're giving audiences in Kenya the chance to experience these stories for themselves - completely free of charge. If you've never watched Netflix before this is a great way to experience our service. We hope it's a great match and that many of the people who try our free plan love Netflix so much that over time they upgrade to a full, paid subscription so you can enjoy our full catalogue on your TV or laptop as well."
Apple Tv+ has a new series getting ready to premiere entitled Acapulco. Actor and star of this series, Eugenio Derbez shares his heartwarming Latino story on October 8th. He had this to say about the project: “This is a coming of age story and it’s very inspiring. This is the story of Máximo Gallardo who is in his 20s and his dreams come true when he gets the job of a lifetime at the hottest resort in Acapulco. He quickly realizes that not all that glitters is gold; the job is far more complicated than he ever imagined. In order to succeed, he must learn to navigate the demanding clientele, a very mercurial mentor, and complicated home life—all while not losing his way and not giving in to temptations.” You can watch the trailer above.
Al Harrington - PBS
Industry: Canal+ Group, out of France, has increased its 12% stake in South Africa's MultiChoice Group to 15%. MultiChoice had this to say, "As a publicly held company, MultiChoice regularly engages with its strategic partners and maintains an open dialogue with the investment community. The group’s policy is not to comment on its individual shareholders nor on its interactions with them. It remains committed to acting in the best interests of all shareholders and to create sustainable long-term shareholder value" MultiChoice went on to say.
Disney’s former casting executive, Ayo Davis, has been promoted to the president of Disney Branded Television and will be taking over the reins from Gary Marsh after 33 years. She will be in charge of childrens and family programming. Davis and Marsh will work together through the end of the year until the transition takes place. According to Disney, ‘her new role will be to oversee Disney Branded TV programming, strategy, development, current, production, casting and business affairs for scripted, unscripted and animation fare for Disney+ as well as Disney Channel, Disney XD and Disney Junior. Since serving as exec vp creative development and strategy at the division, she has developed projects including From the Desk of Zoe Washington (with exec producer Kerry Washington); Sal & Gabi Break the Universe (from Eva Longoria) and House of Secrets, from Chris Columbus. Davis will continue to work closely with Disney’s various studios, including 20th Television and ABC Signature.’
Hawaii Five-0 legend, Al Harrington has died at 85 years old in Honolulu as a result of complications from a stroke. The Samoan-American actor was in the original series and the reboot. His wife Rosa said this in a statement: “I have had the honor of loving Al, whom I called ‘Harrington’ for 20-years we were an inseparable team; best friends and he was my regal Polynesian King. Al embodied the purest, life-giving values of aloha and began each day with a smile.” Harrington appeared frequently on other television programs, ‘with roles on The Jeffersons, Magnum, PI, Jake and the Fatman, Scrubs, and many others. His film credits include The Homecoming of Jimmy Whitecloud, Forrest Gump and White Fang 2.’
