CBS has officially greenlit “The Gates,” a groundbreaking new daytime soap opera developed through the network’s partnership with the NAACP. The series, which will feature a predominantly Black cast, marks the first daytime soap in 35 years to center around a wealthy African American family. Set in an affluent gated community, “The Gates” will follow the trials and tribulations of a prosperous Black family residing there. While plot details remain under wraps, the soapy drama promises to bring a “new and fresh perspective” to the beloved daytime TV genre. Michele Val Jean, a Daytime Emmy winn ..read more

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, the wrestler turned Hollywood star, has dealt a blow to President Joe Biden, stating he will not repeat his endorsement from the 2020 election in Biden’s expected rematch against Donald Trump. Johnson, who backed Biden over Trump four years ago citing the former vice president’s “compassion, heart, drive and soul,” told Fox News in an interview , “Am I going to do that again this year? That answer’s no. I realize now going into this election, I will not do that.” Long the subject of speculation about his own political aspirations, Johnson reportedly fielded an appro ..read more

We already know Black women get the short end of the stick when it comes to roles in movies and TV shows. They’re generally an afterthought to most Hollywood execs, who cast them as sidekicks, best friends to the main character, a “Magical Negro” whose only purpose is to help the main white character discover their best selves, or some even more background-ish character – the one Black friend in a sea of white faces, the sassy, tell-it-like-it-is maid, co-worker, neighbor or acquaintance the white character meets when they need a good sassin’ up. But even within this lily-white matrix, soul s ..read more

Actor Jonathan Majors avoided jail time but saw his once-promising career hit another setback Monday when he was sentenced to probation for assaulting his ex-girlfriend in a high-profile case last year. The 34-year-old star of films like “Creed III” was ordered by a Manhattan judge to serve one year of probation and complete a 52-week batterer intervention program after being convicted in December of misdemeanor assault against Grace Jabbari. Judge Michael Gaffey also mandated that Majors continue with mental health therapy as part of his sentence for the March 2023 altercation, in which Jabb ..read more

Offering a list of “most promising Black movies” is kinda quirky. “Promising” is a word that suggests these movies are slightly under the radar and may very well be worth your investment of time and/or money. And that’s exactly what this list is. Because it’s not just listing those blockbuster flicks that get all the press. You may have heard of some of these. But I’m sure there are several you’ll be reading about for the first time right here. Additionally, this list doesn’t officially include movies, blockbusters or sleepers that have already been released this year… movies that may also de ..read more

Cord Jefferson used his Oscar speech for Best Adapted Screenplay for American Fiction to plead with Hollywood to take more risks on unconventional stories and filmmakers. After thanking the Academy and his team, the 40-year-old first-time director implored: “It’s a plea to acknowledge and recognize that there are so many people out there who want the opportunity that I was given.” Jefferson, who adapted the film from Percival Everett’s novel Erasure, pointed out the industry’s willingness to gamble on $200 million blockbusters. “Instead of making one $200 million movie, try making 20 $10 mill ..read more

Former talk show host Wendy Williams has spoken out publicly for the first time since revealing her diagnoses of aphasia and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). In a statement released on Friday, Williams expressed profound gratitude for the “immense love and kind words” she has received in response to sharing her health struggles. “Your response has been overwhelming,” Williams stated. “Let me say, wow!” While appreciating the outpouring of support, Williams notably did not provide any direct details about her current condition, treatment, or prognosis. However, she emphasized the importance of ..read more

Ziggy Marley and his family spent years looking for the right partners to make a biopic about his father, reggae legend Bob Marley. They wanted to ensure it would be authentic and respectful. “It was just a feeling,” Ziggy Marley said of getting his father’s life on screen in a recent interview with The Associated Press. “We explored it without knowing that we definitely wanted to do it because we needed to make sure that the people we did it with was the right people. People who respected what we wanted to do, the culture, the authenticity that we wanted.” The resulting film “Bob Marley: One ..read more

The official trailer was released for the upcoming Netflix biopic “Shirley,” starring Regina King as Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman elected to the U.S. Congress. The film follows Chisholm’s historic 1972 presidential campaign, where she became the first Black candidate to seek a major party’s nomination. In the trailer, King, as Chisholm says, “I don’t think I’m special, I just want to remind people what’s possible.” “Shirley” is written and directed by John Ridley, who won an Oscar for “12 Years a Slave” and created the Emmy-winning series “American Crime” which earned Regina King ..read more

Gen X folk, and maybe the younger members of the Baby Boomer crew, remember that when hip-hop was born it was attacked by er-body. Whitefolk en masse considered it trash, but so too did a lot of Blackfolk. Many believed hip-hop would be a fad that would disappear from the music scene as quickly and mysteriously as it appeared. For years several Black R&B radio stations, Houston’s Majic 102.1 FM included, literally promoted themselves as stations free of “rap.” Now, you can’t turn on “Majic” without hearing hip-hop from sun up to sun down. (L-R) Flavor Flav and Chuck D of Public Enemy perf ..read more