Bill Condon Talks Pryor Pic at Columbia
Bill Condon is in discussions with Columbia Pictures and Happy Madison for a deal that would allow him to direct his Richard Pryor film — with Marlon Wayans playing the legendary standup comedian —...
View ArticleChris Rock Thinks Today’s Comedians Aren’t Bringing the Funny
Today's comedians need to step up their game, according to Chris Rock. Compared to greats like George Carlin, Richard Pryor and Bill Cosby, they just aren't bringing the funny. When they do, the...
View ArticleMark Travis, Producer of Richard Pryor Hit Concert Film, Dies at 61
J. Mark Travis of Calabasas, who co-produced and released the hit concert film "Richard Pryor: Live in Concert" along with many other independent projects, has died. He was 61. Travis produced...
View ArticleRichard Pryor Doc Gets Air Date From Showtime (Video)
Showtime will be airing “Richard Pryor: Omit the Logic” on Friday, May 31 as part of the cable channel’s documentary series, Sho Focus, TheWrap confirms. Directed by Marina Zenovich (“Roman Polanski:...
View ArticleFolk Singer, Woodstock Star Richie Havens Dead at 72
Folk singer Richie Havens, whose rousing opening set kicked off the Woodstock festival and film, died Monday at his home in Jersey City, N.J., from a heart attack. He was 72. Known for his intense and...
View ArticleHow I Winnowed 5,000 Reviews Down to Fit Into One Book on Film Criticism
“Rainer on Film: Thirty Years of Film Writing in a Turbulent and Transformative Era” is the name of my book — and therein lies the rub. Thirty years. How did I go about deciding what goes in? After...
View ArticleBill Cosby to Jon Stewart: Stop Swearing (Video)
Bill Cosby wants to wash Jon Stewart‘s mouth out with soap. Appearing on Tuesday’s edition of “The Daily Show” to promote his first stand-up special in three decades, “Far From Finished,” Cosby was in...
View ArticleShowtime’s David Nevins Gets Promoted, Signs On Through 2018
David Nevins has been promoted to the newly-created role of President of Showtime Networks Inc., and has signed a new deal with the company through 2018. Nevins joined Showtime in 2010 as president of...
View ArticleNAB: Tom Green, Criss Angel and Norm MacDonald Pimp NewTek’s TriCaster, How...
Tom Green, Criss Angel and Norm MacDonald talked about the importance of monetizing their web exploits at the “Broadcasts Minds” panel at the NAB Show in Las Vegas on Wednesday morning. The panelists...
View Article‘Arsenio Hall Show’ Stand-Up Guest Paul Mooney Drops N-Word (Video)
Veteran comedian Paul Mooney stunned some “Arsenio Hall Show” audience members on Monday night when he called a man watching his act a “bald-headed” N-word. TMZ reports that the performance was plenty...
View ArticleMaya Angelou on Screen: 8 Powerful TV and Film Appearances (Photos)
Author and activist Maya Angelou also had a thriving side career on screen. Though an icon, she remained contemporary throughout her life by working with the comedians and artists of her day, from...
View ArticleWatch Maya Angelou’s Devastating Monologue for Richard Pryor’s Special (Video)
Maya Angelou loved comedians. Though best known for her earnest writing, she always stressed the importance of comedy, and talked with comedians like Chris Rock, Dave Chappelle and Richard Pryor about...
View Article‘Saturday Night Live’ Celebrates Season 40 With Airings of Iconic Episodes
For those who claim present-day “Saturday Night Live” is not as good as the old days, “SNL Vintage” may be right up your alley. NBC will run old, iconic episodes of the sketch comedy show as the...
View ArticleRichard Pryor’s Wife Blasts Bill Cosby: He’s ‘Just a F–king Hypocrite
Jennifer Lee Pryor, wife of deceased comedian Richard Pryor, over the weekend blasted Bill Cosby, who stands accused of raping, drugging or sexually assaulting over 30 women. “Richard was dirty on the...
View ArticleEddie Murphy in Talks to Play Richard Pryor’s Father in Lee Daniels’ Biopic
Eddie Murphy is in talks to join the cast of Lee Daniels‘ untitled biopic of comedian Richard Pryor, an individual with knowledge of the project told TheWrap. Murphy will play Pryor’s father, LeRoy...
View ArticleKevin Hart Slams Haters, Defends His Marketing Skills: ‘Do We See the Level...
Kevin Hart is crushing it lately. You know it, he knows it and his fellow comedians definitely know it. With a red-hot movie career, it’s no surprise that Hart has found himself in the crosshairs as...
View ArticleNew Yorker Defends Lena Dunham’s Controversial ‘Dog or Jewish Boyfriend?’...
Lena Dunham came under fire on Friday for an article published in the New Yorker that Jewish groups are calling “tasteless” and “offensive,” but the magazine is defending its choice to run it. “The...
View Article‘The Wiz’ Live Musical Special Ordered by NBC
NBC is going forward with “The Wiz” as its next live musical production. The show will be executive produced by Craig Zadan and Neil Meron with Cirque du Soleil, whose new stage theatrical division...
View ArticleWhy Keegan-Michael Key Is Not Just Another Funny Face
This story first appeared in the “Down to the Wire” issue of TheWrap’s Emmy magazine. As Keegan-Michael Key headed to a gig on April 25, he was worried. He’d just had a couple of rehearsals for a bit...
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