Hankering for a new Shonda Rhimes legal drama?

You’re in luck!

Soaring towards ABC as part of its 2017/2018 is ‘For the People’, a ‘Law & Order’ style series packed with scandal, murder, crime, corruption, lies, and deception.

You’d like to see a teaser?

Press play…

A premiere date for the series, which follows the lives of new lawyers battling the aforementioned evils within the New York City judicial system, is yet to be set.

Want more from Shondaland?

Click here to learn about ‘Scandal’s forthcoming final season and here for details on its sister series ‘How To Get Away with Murder’.

Your thoughts?

It’s been two years since Mo’Nique‘s “blackball” drama hit headlines.

For those that need a refresher, the actress went public with claims that she was blacklisted in Hollywood after butting heads with director Lee Daniels.

At the time, both publicly clashed over the validity of their accounts with little resolve taking place thereafter.

During a comedy gig last night, the Oscar winner re-ignited the flames by taking direct aim at Daniels as well Tyler Perry and Oprah Winfrey.

See what we mean below. Be warned though, expletives feature…

A post shared by yeahimfamous (@yeahimfamous) on May 13, 2017 at 6:27pm PDT

Sigh.

Here at TGJ we have already expressed our varying views on the matter, but one thing that is certain is that candidness in the manner she expressed above definitely comes at a price. A hefty one.

Your thoughts?

All roads lead to June 25th for the hugely anticipated return of STARZ hit original series, ‘Power.’

Kicking off its season 4 with a must-see bang, the Courtney A. Kemp-created show’s comeback will pick up exactly where season 3’s highly rated cliffhanger ended with James “Ghost” Patrick (Omari Hardwick), Angela Valdes, Tommy, and the rest of the gang.

Curious to see how the show will launch episode 1 of its 10-episode fourth season? Click below to watch:

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Is Mariah Carey returning to the talent show arena as a judge?

According to reports from the British press, the answer could very well be yes.

Several sources claim the former vocal wonder is in talks to join judging panel of The X Factor UK. 

If indeed true, the role would see Mimi star alongside Simon Cowell and Louis Walsh on the ITV1 hit. The 47-year-old would allegedly be replacing Nicole Scherzinger who is reportedly in contention for a role in the movie adaptation of ‘Wicked.’

When approached for comment, a spokesperson for the show offered the following in regard to Mimi:

“No formal decision has yet been made regarding the full judging panel for The X Factor 2017.”

The show wouldn’t be Mariah’s first foray into the realm of reality singing competitions. After all, who could forget the star’s ill-fated turn on ‘American Idol’ with Nicki Minaj?

As for the validity of her ‘X Factor’ recruitment? We’re skeptical. She commanded a colossal fee for American Idol, something ‘X Factor’ – in a smaller market – wouldn’t be able to match.

Still, Mimi is full of surprises these days, is on her business hustle proper, and could do with the show as a promotional platform. So who knows.

Your thoughts?

Welcome to Retro Rewind, the TGJ original feature launched to celebrate TV and cinema’s brightest moments.

Today, almost twenty years after its arrival, we revisit the stellar African-American movie ‘Eve’s Bayou‘.

In it, Jurnee Smollett, Samuel L. Jackson, Meagan Good, Diahann Carroll and Lynn Whitfield pull viewers through a maze of magic, memory and murder to tell the story of a young girl who places a curse on her father when she discovers his involvement in something sinister.

However, all may not be as it seems.

‘Eve’s Bayou’ below…

The movie stood tall as the directorial debut of the director Kasi Lemmons and earned $14 million at the box office following its release on November 7th 1997.

The New York Times had this to say about it, and Jackson’s performance, following its release:

Every element of the film — from the turbulent, stormy performances to the rich cinematography (which includes black-and-white computer-enhanced dream sequences) to the setting itself, in which the thick layers of hanging moss over muddy water seem to drip with sexual intrigue and secrecy — merges to create an atmosphere of extraordinary erotic tension and anxiety.

 

Mr. Jackson has never played a character quite this avid. And in a performance that requires him to infuse the role of perfect father and dream lover with a demonic charge, Mr. Jackson makes Louis at once irresistibly lovable and slightly terrifying.

Your thoughts?

Despite being “hit or miss” on the critical front, Lifetime’s biographical films – especially those dedicated to some of music’s most noted acts (Whitney Houston, Toni Braxton, Aaliyah, etc.) – are generally ratings winners. But, after hitting a sour note with viewers thanks to the ill-received Britney Spears biopic from earlier this year, the women’s network is looking to get back on track with a biopic in honor of King of Pop Michael Jackson. 

Titled ‘Searching for Neverland,’ the film comes as an adaptation of the best-seller “Remember the Time: Protecting Michael Jackson in His Final Days.”  Said to be “told through the eyes of Jackson’s trusted bodyguards Bill Whitfield and Javon Beard,” the flick – set to premiere on Memorial Day (May 29) – will chronicle MJ’s last two years of life.

Get into the trailer inside:

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‘Real Housewives Of Atlanta’ star Kenya Moore stopped by The Breakfast Club today and dished out shade in abundance.

Ever candid, the former Miss USA dug into foes Phaedra Parks and Porsha Williams for their role in the explosive lie-gate saga that played out on the show’s four-part finale.

Moore, who was at the popular Power 105.1 show to plug her new hair-care line, also tugged at Kim Zolciak – who she confirmed is back for the show’s upcoming 10th season.

Peep the hilarious interview below…

Kenya remains a polarzing as ever, but entertaining nonetheless.

Click here to check out out recent interview with her.

Your thoughts?

Halle Berry‘s long-awaited ‘Kidnap’ has finally secured a new release date.

After spending two years in limbo because of financial issues caused by its parent studio Relativity, the thriller will arrive on August 4th.

Industry insiders fear that the serially-delayed release may not fare as well as it should because of its pushback.

Fortunately, the project is said to have tested quite well among African American audiences and is now being backed by a newly-formed distribution company named Aviron Pictures built by David Dinerstein, formerly of Paramount Classics and Fox Searchlight.

Unfamiliar with its plot?

A single mother named Karla McCoy (Halle Berry) lives a perfect life with her young son Frankie (Sage Correa). One day, upon entering a local park, Karla sees her son suddenly being abducted out of the blue by a kidnapper. To save Frankie from being taken, Karla goes out on a mission to demand people in the city to help rescue her son.

Source.

Your thoughts?

‘Scandal’ is back!

Following a longer than planned hiatus (to accommodate Kerry Washington‘s pregnancy), the show picks up right where it left off – with fireworks!

Forming a central part of the revived TGIT (Thank God It’s Thursday) block of programming, the political drama promises (and is already delivering) many a twist and turn for its sixth season. Election, anyone?!

Watch a sneak peek preview of episodes 15 and 16 (its finale) below…

Your thoughts?

[Photo credit: ABC]

Ever since the return of ‘American Idol’ was confirmed, original winner Kelly Clarkson had been touted as a strong favorite to join the new judging panel.

Well, that won’t be happening anytime soon because she’s just been announced as a coach on rival show ‘The Voice.’

In a statement issued moments ago, NBC confirmed Clarkson will appear alongside Adam Levine and Blake Shelton on season 14 of the talent search. A fourth coach will be unveiled soon.

Speaking on her appointment, the multi-time Grammy winner said:

“I’m so excited to join The Voice at NBC. We’ve gone back and forth about a role as a coach for years, but the timing hasn’t been right until now. I have always loved appearing on the show as an adviser or performer and established an amazing relationship with the network during my Christmas special. I can’t wait to turn my chair and see the faces of up-and-coming artists and provide them with the help and support they’ve needed to break into the industry. Watch out Shelton, I’m comin’ to win!!”

Paul Telegdy, president, alternative and reality group, NBC Entertainment added:

“Kelly has been a part of ‘The Voice’ family for many years as an adviser and performer. We are thrilled she has chosen to join us as a coach to mentor the next generation through our unique vocal boot camp. Every time Kelly Clarkson sings you are reminded what an incredible voice really is. We are looking forward to the sound of Kelly Clarkson on The Voice.”

Just yesterday, Jennifer Hudson was revealed as a coach on the 13th season – which airs this September. She will join Levine and Shelton as well as Miley Cyrus.

Clarkson’s run will air in early 2018.

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Talk of Clarkson and ‘American Idol’ seemed too widespread to be false. Which leads us to believe she was in negotiations with both shows. If indeed the case, it seems as though NBC pulled out all the stops to secure her as it prepares to go head-to-head with Idol on ABC.

Your thoughts?

Whether it’s his skills on the field, dance moves, or boys trips with Trey Songz, Odell Beckham Jr has never been against sharing.

Hence, it’s little surprise that his latest ink job has been chronicled on Instagram.

The New York Giants star playfully poses in the snap above as he’s tattooed on his hips and derrière.

It goes without saying that this definitely has tongues wagging; but ultimately we wouldn’t be seeing this if he didn’t want us to.

Do you OBJ, do you.

Your thoughts?

Season 9 of the ‘Real Housewives Of Atlanta’ has come to an end and so too has Phaedra Parks‘ stint with the popular Bravo show.

As widely seen, the attorney/philanthropist/mortician got caught in a “mega-watt lie” pertaining former friend Kandi Burruss and Porsha Williams.

Her mute response as the drama unfolded confused many, but according to Parks sources close to Parks editing was the reason for this. Because, she did indeed point the finger at someone.

Page Six explains:

“Phaedra tried to blame producers for manipulating the scenario, and it was cut from the reunion show. They’re not allowed to break the ‘fourth wall’ and talk about production. It may not have been entirely Phaedra’s fault, but she has to take the fall,” the source said.

A Parks source said there was “a producer who told her the drug and rape story, which she repeated to another cast member. It snowballed. The editing was not kind to her.”

A Bravo rep said, “Production is not involved.”

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This does make a lot of sense. After all, had they let that breaking of the fourth-wall air, it would have compromised the “real” in “reality” and dented the credibility of the show overall. No way would that have been allowed to happen, hence why Phaedra (in her uncharacteristic silence) seemed almost resolute to being the sacrificial lamb.

However, it still doesn’t explain why she’d repeat the alleged production whisper as first-hand info to a fellow cast-mate and supposed friend Porsha. Like as much as we rode for Phae, that aspect of the narrative is inexcusable.

It figures then why the rest of the cast apparently rallied together to demand she not be brought back – something creator Andy Cohen and Bravo higher ups reportedly decided anyway immediately after the reunion. With word on the curb being that not only was the nature of the lie problematic at a network level, it saw Phae break a “morality clause” that forbids any comments that could be considered as libel.

Still, we don’t anticipate this being the last we’ve seen of Ms. Parks on the show.

She’ll no doubt need to let the dust settle, new dramas play out, and change occur in her real life. But when the time is right, it’s entirely plausible that she’ll be reintegrated into the mix. There’s too many juicy avenues to explore on that front, namely her life after the chaos, mending her relationship with the ladies, and her romantic liaisons.

Just our two cents. What are…

Your thoughts?