TV Archives

How Damon Wayans Getting Fired From SNL Lit His Future In Living Color

Between 1990 and 1992, Damon Wayans was one of the driving forces of In Living Color. Created by Damon's older brother, producer/writer/director Keenen Ivory Wayans, the sketch comedy show was an integral platform in the acting careers of Jim Carrey, Jamie Foxx, David Alan Grier, Tommy Davidson, and many others.... Read more

May 12, 2018 TV, TV/Film

Will Smith Tells The Crazy Story Of How He Became The Prince Of Bel-Air (Video)

The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air was a popular show, and it still is. For six seasons, Will Smith, Alfonso Ribeiro, James Avery, Karyn Parsons, Tatyana Ali, Joseph Marcell, and others entertained audiences with humor, family values, and a host of guest stars. The NBC series explains its premise in the... Read more

May 11, 2018 TV, TV/Film, Video

A New Video Shows The Insane Amount Of Work That Went Into Making SNL’s “A Kanye Place”

It's been a massive week for Donald Glover and his music alias, Childish Gambino. After a top-notch appearance as both host and musical guest for SNL over the weekend (May 5), Glover also released a single coupled with an incredibly powerful, intricately layered, and culturally significant music video for, "This Is... Read more

May 9, 2018 TV, TV/Film, Video

Donald Glover’s SNL Skit Shows What A Horror Show Kanye West Has Become (Video)

Since Kanye West returned to social media in recent weeks, it has become a 24-7 news cycle for those deeming it worthy of their attention. After a lengthy hiatus from interacting with the public, West returned to Twitter with philosophical quotes by mid-April. Gearing up for a long-awaited album, Heads... Read more

May 7, 2018 TV, TV/Film, Video

Watch The Cast Of Atlanta Pay Tribute To TLC’s “Creep” Music Video

In the latest episode of Atlanta, "Earn" (Donald Glover), "Paper Boi" (Brian Tyree Henry), and "Darius" (Lakeith Stanfield) sported silk, two-piece pajama sets throughout the show. While it did not make the final cut of the Hiro Murai-directed Season 2 episode titled "North Of The Border," the cast provided a... Read more

May 1, 2018 TV, TV/Film, Video

Brand Nubian’s Unsung Tells The Group’s Story In Full. Slow Down & Watch (Video)

Brand Nubian is one of the most influential Hip-Hop groups. In the eyes of many, they are also heavily underrated. Grand Puba, Lord Jamar, Sadat X, and DJ Alamo introduced a sound, style, and consciousness that became a formula for a new breed of Heads in the 1990s. Further, this... Read more

April 18, 2018 TV, TV/Film, Video

BET’s Executive Producer Explains What To Expect With The Bobby Brown Story (Video)

Jesse Collins is a television-industry veteran whose eponymous production company is responsible for several acclaimed BET programs including the network's Hip Hop Awards. He also features prominently in the production credits for the network's juggernaut 2017 biopic miniseries The New Edition Story, the historic nature of which led to his being named... Read more

April 2, 2018 TV, TV/Film, Video

Donald Glover’s Deadpool Script Takes Down Racism, Police Violence, Gossip & More

Donald Glover co-created the most-watched comedy on FX during its 23 years as a network. In addition to Atlanta, which is currently in the midst of broadcasting its second season, the Emmy and Golden Globe-winning Glover (and his TV partner/brother Stephen) were working on an animated Deadpool series for the... Read more

March 28, 2018 Lifestyle, News, TV, TV/Film

Will Smith & Jimmy Fallon Cover Classic Theme Songs In A Must-See TV Moment (Video)

DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince are responsible for one of the most popular, and regularly-quoted television series themes of all time. Throughout recent years, when Will Smith gets together with Jimmy Fallon on The Tonight Show, the two entertainers (often involving The Roots) come together to have some fun—and... Read more

March 23, 2018 TV, TV/Film, Video

Chance Explains How He & Kevin Hart Tackled Racism Differently On “SNL” (Audio)

Last November, Chance The Rapper used his time as host of Saturday Night Live to pen a couple of comedy sketches, including "Wayne Thanksgiving." In it, Chance and SNL cast members Leslie Jones, Keenan Thompson and Chris Redd play concerned members of the community upset with "Bruce Wayne" for being a bit too... Read more

March 21, 2018 Audio, Lifestyle, TV, TV/Film

Snoop Dogg Tells Martin Lawrence How Much His Show Meant To Hip-Hop (Video)

Martin Lawrence is the latest guest on Snoop Dogg's GGN show. The two longtime friends enjoy a half-hour discussion about The Mack and the African American College Alliance clothing brand while revisiting some of Lawrence's films. A majority of the chat is devoted to Martin, Lawrence's 1990s FOX series. Notably, Snoop Dogg... Read more

March 20, 2018 TV, TV/Film, Video

Jamie Foxx, Migos, & Drake Take 1 Hip Trip Back To Soul Train (Video)

Drake already made one of 2018's best music videos. One month ago, the Toronto superstar gave away just under a million dollars in the "God's Plan" visual. That spirited moment featured some real tears from everyday workin' folks getting a helping hand from the OVO leader. Now, Drake assists Migos... Read more

March 19, 2018 TV, TV/Film, Video

Luke Cage Season 2 Episodes Are Titled After Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth Songs

Fans of Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth now have more incentive to watch the upcoming season of Luke Cage. Viewers of the Marvel series know that its soundtrack is heavily inspired by 1980s and 1990s Hip-Hop. Launching June 22, all of Season 2's episodes are titled after Pete Rock &... Read more

March 7, 2018 TV, TV/Film

DJ Jazzy Jeff Explains Why Chance The Rapper Would Be A Great New Fresh Prince (Video)

The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air broadcast its 148th and final episode on May 20, 1996. At that time, Will Smith was 27 years old and progressing into film for what has proven to be an incredible entertainment career. The MC-turned-actor from West Philadelphia, Pennsylvania had won two Grammy Awards. He... Read more

March 2, 2018 TV, TV/Film, Video

Donald Glover Reveals How He’s Hacked The Real Life Matrix

Donald Glover is at the top of his game. The 34-year-old acts, produces, raps, sings, directs, does stand-up, plays instruments, and sometimes DJs. All of those gifts appear to be converging at a career pinnacle for the artist also known to his fans as "Childish Gambino." In the last year,... Read more

February 27, 2018 Lifestyle, TV, TV/Film

This Fast-Paced Documentary On 1977 NYC Shows Hip-Hop’s Playground (Video)

From The Get Down to The Deuce, 1970s New York City has become a recent beacon of pop culture inspiration. At the time, the Big Apple seemed defined by countercultures. Within the five boroughs, politics, sex, crime, and the fight for equal rights would help shape critical advancements in music,... Read more

February 18, 2018 Throwback, TV, TV/Film, Video

Chris Rock Admits Addiction & Infidelity In A Stand-Up Special That’s Just Released (Video)

Overnight, Chris Rock released Tamborine. The Netflix-backed stand-up special is Rock's first long-form Comedy project since 2008's Kill The Messenger. This release came without announcement, six weeks after two specials from Dave Chappelle. In his latest special, Rock admits marriage infidelity, as well as the damaging effects of his pornography... Read more

February 14, 2018 TV, TV/Film, Video

JAY-Z Explains How Saving His Marriage Set A Bigger Example (Video)

In several hours, JAY-Z will learn if he is the winner of his first "Album Of The Year," "Record Of The Year," and/or "Song Of The Year" awards at tonight's Grammy's. 4:44, "Story Of O.J.," and the title track are the vehicles that earned Shawn Carter his nominations. Aside from... Read more

January 28, 2018 TV, TV/Film, Video

15 Years Ago Chappelle’s Show Made Its Debut & Changed The Comedy Game (Video)

Just three weeks ago, Dave Chappelle helped fans ring in 2018 with two new stand-up comedy specials, Equanimity, and The Bird Revelation. These were the third and fourth 2017 Netflix specials for the superstar in a full-on return to the stage, screen, and the public eye. This week (January 22)... Read more

January 25, 2018 Do Remember, TV, TV/Film, Video

Get Out, Jordan Peele & Daniel Kaluuya Receive Oscar Nominations (Video)

The 90th Academy Awards will broadcast live on Sunday, March 4 from Hollywood, California's Dolby Theater. Given this morning's (January 23) nominations announcing, Oscar night promises to be exciting, especially for fans of Jordan Peele's Get Out. The thriller examining inter-race relations behind closed doors is up for four Oscar... Read more

January 23, 2018 News, TV, TV/Film

The 1st Look At Death Row Series Shows Suge Strong-Arming Eazy-E To Get Dre (Video)

The Death Row Chronicles is an upcoming six-part series on one of music's most successful and most controversial record labels. Airing on BET February 20 (beginning with part one and two), a two-minute video trailer released, featuring commentary from some of the people closest to Death Row Records' former CEO... Read more

January 16, 2018 TV, TV/Film, Video

Donald Glover’s “Atlanta” Returns In March. Here Is The Latest Trailer (Video)

UPDATE #2: A second trailer to Atlanta Season 2 (aka "Robbin Season") has been released to the public by FX. This one stars Donald Glover. The 30-second music-bedded video shows "Earnest 'Earn' Marks" falling into several different environments, alluding to the season ahead: heavy rotation pic.twitter.com/Rcl9xadwjl — AtlantaFX (@AtlantaFX) January... Read more

January 15, 2018 TV, TV/Film, Video

Lena Waithe Is The First Black Woman To Win An Emmy For Comedy Writing (Video)

"TV teaches you how to dream," Lena Waithe said in her recent interview with The Breakfast Club. The Chicagoan actor and writer just made television history as the first Black woman to win an Emmy for comedy writing, for her work on the "Thanksgiving" episode of Master of None. Now... Read more

January 13, 2018 TV

Nas & The National Symphony Are Taking Illmatic From QB To The Kennedy Center (Video)

Back in 1994, Nas' debut Illmatic peaked at #12 on the charts. The commercial performance was highly respectable for an emerging Rap artist, but Hip-Hop Heads who heard and loved the album knew those 10 songs meant so much more than any chart, music review, or record store display could... Read more

January 12, 2018 News, TV, TV/Film, Video

Bruno Mars’ Fly Video Is A Throwback Dedication To In Living Color

Few Pop superstars are as nostalgic as Bruno Mars. "Locked Out Of Heaven" called back to Sting and The Police. His Mark Ronson 2016 "Record Of The Year" collaboration "Uptown Funk" channeled Morris Day & The Time. In an interview with Zane Lowe, Bruno traced the Electro-Funk of "24K Magic"... Read more

January 4, 2018 The Bridge, TV, TV/Film, Video

What’s Better Than 1 New Dave Chappelle Comedy Special? Two. Here’s A Preview (Video)

For the last several weeks, there has been high anticipation for the release of Dave Chappelle's upcoming standup comedy special. Titled "Equanimity," the show is slated to premiere on Netflix on New Year's Eve. Earlier in the week, Chappelle released the first clip from the special. Now, it turns out... Read more

December 22, 2017 TV

Insecure’s Issa Rae Is Set To Produce 2 New, Very Different Shows (Video)

Fresh from the announcement of a Golden Globe nomination for her star-turn in Insecure, Issa Rae is on track to co-executive produce two new shows for HBO. Teaming up with Emmy-winning, ex-Daily Show Travon Free, Him Or Her will tell the story of a bisexual Black man navigating the dating scene and... Read more

December 21, 2017 Lifestyle, TV, TV/Film

Joe Budden Provides A Timeline Of Events For Why He Left Everyday Struggle (Audio)

In 2017, Joe Budden added a new column to his extensive resumé: talk show host. The veteran Jersey City, New Jersey MC and Slaughterhouse member had expanded his music career to reality television and podcasts in the last decade. Teaming with Complex journalist Nadeska Alexis and prominent social media influencer... Read more

December 20, 2017 Audio, News, TV, TV/Film

Debra Lee Is Stepping Away From Running BET After Leading For More Than A Decade

Since 2005, Debra L. Lee has served as the Chairman & CEO of BET Networks. While, one of the most powerful Black women in all of media will retain both of her current titles, today (December 14), it has been announced that Lee is stepping away from her day-to-day duties... Read more

December 14, 2017 TV, TV/Film

Michael Che Becomes SNL’s First Head Writer Of Color

Saturday Night Live is a television mainstay dating back to 1975. In those 42 years, NBC's sketch comedy show has catapulted the careers of Eddie Murphy, Chris Rock, Bill Murray, Tina Fey, Will Ferrell, and countless others. This week, it was announced that Lorne Michaels' show has appointed its first... Read more

December 14, 2017 TV, TV/Film

Justin Timberlake Will Perform At The Super Bowl In The Worst Year He Could Have Chosen

On February 1, 2004, Justin Timberlake was part of arguably the most memorable, and certainly the most controversial Super Bowl halftime concert. In the middle of the halves of battle between the New England Patriots and Carolina Panthers, the fledgling solo star (two years removed from NSYNC) shared the stage... Read more

October 23, 2017 News, TV, TV/Film

John Amos Reveals He Was Fired From Good Times For Trying To Make It More Authentic (Video)

At a crucial point in American television, Good Times presented one of the first beloved Black TV fathers (along with Redd Foxx's "Fred Sanford") in John Amos' groundbreaking portrayal of "James Evans." Along with his co-star wife "Florida Evans" (played by the late Esther Rolle), they were the first Black nuclear... Read more

October 12, 2017 TV, TV/Film, Video

Black Thought Is A Triple Threat. He Acts As Well As He Raps.

"I feel like whether acting or making music or visual arts or fashion, I feel like you're sort of using the same muscles, with emphasis on different elements at different times," Black Thought tells Ambrosia For Heads. It's the day after his birthday, and the man who always seems to introduce... Read more

October 12, 2017 Exclusive, Interview, TV, TV/Film

Method Man Details The Life Experiences That Influenced His Complicated Role On The Deuce

For 13 episodes of The Wire, Wu-Tang Clan's Method Man played Melvin "Cheese" Wagstaff. Well into a career that included film and television roles, "Cheese" showed Meth build on his portrayal of a Baltimore drug dealer over multiple seasons. He is back at work with The Wire's creator, executive producers, and many... Read more

October 10, 2017 Exclusive, Interview, TV, TV/Film

Jordan Peele Is Executive Producing A Series About The Real Life Hunting Of Nazis

Earlier this month, it was reported that Jordan Peele and Spike Lee are teaming up for a film adaptation of a real-life Black infiltrator of the Ku Klux Klan. As Black Klansmen is headed to production, the Get Out director and Key and Peele co-creator has landed another project that also... Read more

September 21, 2017 TV, TV/Film

Trick Daddy, Trina, Silkk The Shocker, and Xscape Pay Tribute To Jermaine Dupri & Master P (Video)

Last night (September 18), VH1's Hip Hop Honors saluted the "game-changers" of the 1990s. Celebrating a decade remembered for bringing the music of southern cities like Atlanta, New Orleans, and Memphis to the mainstream, it fit that Hip Hop Honors paid tribute to Jermaine Dupri and Master P. Not only... Read more

September 19, 2017 TV, TV/Film, Video

Donald Glover Becomes The First Black Director To Win An Emmy For Directing Comedy Series (Video)

At last night's Emmy Awards, Donald Glover made history and made a point. Known to the musical world as Childish Gambino, the actor, writer, director, and comedian won two trophies for his show Atlanta. Glover won for his directing in a comedy series (the first Black director to do so),... Read more

September 18, 2017 News, TV, TV/Film, Video

2017’s Hip Hop Honors Will Salute Martin Lawrence

For more than a decade, VH1's Hip Hop Honors has been a stage that honors key contributors to the music and culture. Launched in 2004, honorees include founder DJ Kool Herc, Big Daddy Kane, Beastie Boys, Salt N Pepa, Wu-Tang Clan, Slick Rick, and A Tribe Called Quest, among many... Read more

September 8, 2017 Fresh, News, TV, TV/Film

Kid From Kid N Play Impersonates Colin Kaepernick For Jason Whitlock (Video)

Fox Sports 1 host and sports commentator Jason Whitlock is known for his polarizing takes about the Black Lives Matter movement and the ongoing discourse regarding the embattled NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick. On Tuesday (September 5) during the network's show Speak For Yourself, Whitlock discussed the still-unsigned QB. During this,... Read more

September 7, 2017 Lifestyle, TV, TV/Film, Video

Strong Arm Steady’s Krondon Moves To Acting For DC Comics’ “Black Lightning” Role

A decade ago, Krondon and his group Strong Arm Steady were signed to Talib Kweli's Blacksmith imprint at Warner Bros. In the 10 years since, the Los Angeles, California veteran and S.A.S. teamed with Madlib for In Search Of Stoney Jackson, and has followed with projects with Statik Selektah and... Read more

September 7, 2017 News, TV, TV/Film

Nas Details What Made Biggie One Of The Greatest To Ever Touch The Mic (Video)

Nas and The Notorious B.I.G. were both friends and rivals. With a complicated history—one of legend, the two artists tragically never were able to share a song—despite plans for a "Gimme The Loot (Remix)" in 1994-1995. Looking at the life and work of his man, Nas gives it up for... Read more

September 6, 2017 TV, TV/Film, Video

50 Cent Claims Responsibility For “Power” Episode Leak

Hip-Hop has a long history of artists bootlegging their own material. During his frustrations with former label Death Row Records, Tha Dogg Pound's Daz Dillinger sold a number of independent albums of material from Tha Row vaults, including Tupac recordings. Rapper Blu threw copies of his No York album into... Read more

August 16, 2017 News, TV, TV/Film

The Roots & Bilal Give A Stunningly Powerful Performance With A Full Orchestra (Video)

Late last month, The Roots and Bilal released "It Ain't Fair." The Detroit soundtrack single is jarring, as it applies to racial and social injustice in 1967, as well as in 2017. The song and its message are not going away. This partial Soulquarians reunion is bigger than just one... Read more

August 8, 2017 TV, TV/Film, Video

A New Biggie Documentary Features Unreleased Footage And Nas & JAY-Z Rapping His Lyrics (Video)

In less than one month, the Biggie: The Life of Notorious B.I.G. documentary will air on television. This is the first doc authorized by the rapper's estate, and contains never before released audio of Biggie talking. It will feature Biggie's wife Faith Evans, his mother Voletta Wallace, his right-hand man... Read more

August 7, 2017 TV, TV/Film, Video

9th Wonder Compares The Impact Of Kendrick’s DAMN To P.E.’s It Takes A Nation (Video)

9th Wonder's introduction to the Hip-Hop industry (by way of Little Brother's The Listening) is not even 15 years old. However, in that time, the producer/DJ/professor has become a powerful voice in the music and culture. Like his discography, 9th has been an advocate for the songs, albums, and musicians he... Read more

August 2, 2017 TV, TV/Film, Video

Def Comedy Jam Is Coming Back & Soon

Twenty-five years ago Russell Simmons' Def Comedy Jam became a leading platform for standup comedy. Bernie Mac, Mike Epps, Chris Tucker and Dave Chappelle used the HBO series to build audiences, and take crucial steps to Hollywood careers. Martin Lawrence and D.L. Hughley were among show hosts during its original... Read more

July 30, 2017 Lifestyle, News, TV, TV/Film

Black Thought & Questlove’s “Rap Yearbook” Documentary Will Discuss Key Rap Songs (Video)

Earlier this week, The Roots and fellow Soulquarians member Bilal reunited for "It Ain't Fair." The song is a focal point of the upcoming film Detroit, and while Black Thought raps, the sound and message applies to the real life events of 1967 as well as 2017. The Roots Release... Read more

July 30, 2017 News, TV, TV/Film, Video

Video Music Box Was The 1st Rap City & Ralph McDaniels Was The Mayor (Video)

Today (July 15), "Uncle" Ralph McDaniels will resume his longstanding post as one of the hosts at the Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival. As he has done in four different decades, Ralph finds Hip-Hop culture in the flesh and transmits his excitement, passion, and belief onto the masses. A DJ, college student,... Read more

July 15, 2017 Exclusive, Food for Thought, TBD, TV, Video

Snoop Dogg May Receive An Emmy Award Before Getting A Grammy

After 18 nominations, Snoop Dogg has never received a Grammy award in his 25-year music career. Tha Doggfather, whose trophy case does boast an American Music Award and a BET Award, may soon earn an Emmy. The Grammys Are Making Changes To Do Better By Rap. Now Maybe Snoop &... Read more

July 13, 2017 Fresh, News, TV

Jimmy Iovine Reveals He Was Behind Suge Knight Bailing Tupac Out Of Jail

In October of 1995, Tupac Shakur signed with Death Row Records. Reportedly inking his deal on a napkin, Pac joined Dr. Dre and Suge Knight's reigning and equally notorious record label. In that transaction, Shakur was able to post bail and leave Clinton Correctional Facility. In a matter of days,... Read more

July 11, 2017 News, Throwback, TV, TV/Film