Essence Atkins & Tetona Jackson To Star In Wayans’ Family Comedy Pilot At CBS

EXCLUSIVE: Rob Corddry is set as a lead opposite Terry Crews and Ryan Michelle Bathé in JumpStart, CBS’ multi-camera comedy pilot based on Robb Armstrong’s long-running comic strip, from Aaron Kaplan’s Kapital Entertainment, Wendi Trilling’s TrillTV and CBS Studios. He rounds out the series regular cast of the pilot, which Glynn Turman has joined as a guest star in a recurring role.

post-COVID theatrical gambit, “Air,” tells the mostly untold story of how Nike convinced a promising NBA rookie named Michael Jordan to sign with them over the market-dominating likes of Addidas and Converse. Directed by Ben Affleck and starring Matt Damon alongside a packed ensemble cast, the film also stars Viola Davis, Chris Tucker, Jason Bateman, Marlon Wayans and Chris Messina and has debuted to mostly rapturous reviews and early-bird Oscar buzz.It’s also the feature screenwriting debut of 25-year-old Alex Convery.

Marlons Wayans is opening up about his grief.During an appearance on , the actor discusses his role in the acclaimed new film,, where he plays George Raveling, one of Michael Jordan's coaches at the 1984 Olympics, in the film about how Nike signed the superstar to a groundbreaking shoe deal.When asked how life informs his work, Marlon shares how his own pain motivates him to help heal others through laughter. «In my life right now, I have so much stuff that can be depressing. I lost my mom recently, I lost my dad three days ago.

The Daily Show used to have a white host?

Despite discovering that his father, Howell Wayans, had just died, comedian Marlon Wayans reportedly performed a comedy set in Los Angeles on Friday night.

Brian Steinberg Senior TV Editor Al Franken spent nine years as a U.S. Senator from Minnesota, and it all finally paid off in recent weeks when he logged a stint as a guest host on “The Daily Show.” Franken turned in some robust impressions of Charles Schumer, Mitch McConnell and Susan Collins during one sketch on the Comedy Central program that suggested he was taking some pretty interesting notes when he served in that chamber. “I didn’t give them a heads up,” Franken says in a recent interview, after his run. “I served wth those people. Some I could do. I’m not one othose impressionists who can do everyone. I do who I can do.” While Franken is one of a number of noted hosts who have helped the show keep spinning after the depature last year of Trevor Noah, you might say he has been training for such an appearance for much of his professional life. Franken made some famous appearances on the long-running “Weekend Update” segment of “Saturday Night Live,” and, after a few stints on the show as a writer and performer, tried his hand at other exploits. He led comedic coverage of the the run-up to the 1992 presidential election for Comedy Central, presaging efforts to do so by Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert. He later became a progressive radio host for Air America. In recent months, he has been doing a comedy tour around the nation.

The Wayans family is in mourning. The patriarch, Howell Wayans, has died. He was 86.

A post shared by Marlon Wayans (@marlonwayans)“Thank you Pop for being an example of a man to all your boys. I pray all young Black boys can grow up to be a man like you,” Marlon wrote. “Baby boy loves you.

Marlons Wayans, one of Howell's 10 famous children, took to Instagram on Saturday and announced the tragic news while also paying tribute to his late father. Marlon recalled a story from his childhood, when he asked his father what he wanted to be when he grew up.«He simply said 'I wanted to be a man,'» Wayans wrote in his caption.

Rebecca Rubin Film and Media Reporter As it rolls the dice at the weekend box office, “Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves” is aiming to emerge victorious over last weekend’s champion “John Wick: Chapter 4.” A natural 20 isn’t guaranteed, but Paramount and eOne’s adaptation of the popular role-playing game is hoping to collect $30 million to $40 million from 3,850 North American locations. It’ll be a close race for first place between that and the fourth “John Wick,” which topped the box office with $73.5 million and looks to add about $36 million in its sophomore outing. Internationally, “Dungeons & Dragons” is opening in 58 markets, where it’s aiming for $25 million or more.

Paramount and Hasbro eOne with the greatest of intentions have created an extremely fun, broad-audience appealing feature take on the classic roleplaying game, entitled Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, which already is 90% certified fresh on Rotten Tomatoes –not an easy feat with a genre movie of this caliber– and 94% with moviegoers.

Ben Affleck shared his excitement at the world premiere of his latest film ‘Air,’ alongside his longtime friend and collaborator Matt Damon. The Hollywood star gave an emotional speech, revealing to the audience that this is an incredible achievement as director, producer, and actor.

Marc Malkin Senior Film Awards, Events & Lifestyle Editor It’s been more than 25 years since Ben Affleck became the youngest Oscar winner for best original screenplay for “Good Will Hunting,” which he co-wrote and starred in with Matt Damon. Isn’t it time for a sequel? Not so much. Damon laughed when revealing that Affleck was recently approached for a follow-up movie. “Someone just tried to pitch Ben ‘Good Will Hunting 2,’” Damon told me Monday at the premiere of “Air” in Los Angeles. “I shit you not — that happened. He told me today. He was like, ‘You’re not going to believe what I heard.’ This was a flat-out sequel. I don’t get it.”

The “Air” premiere was a family affair.

Viola Davis is making us green with envy with her incredible look at the L.A. premiere of AIR!

Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez were a picture perfect pair as they cute couple walked the red carpet at the premiere of Affleck's new movie, Affleck and Lopez were all smiles as they posed for photos outside the Regency Village Theatre in West Hollywood on Monday, were they sweetly cozied up on the carpet.Lopez stunned, as usual, in a gorgeous gown with a semi-sheer beige top glimmering with silver beaded embellishments and a neon green skirt.Affleck, meanwhile, looked dapper in a dark navy blue suit with matching tie and light blue button-down, and dark brown dress shoes.Affleck spoke with ET's Kevin Frazier at the premiere, and praised his wife for the guidance she gave them during the filming of «She's brilliant,» Affleck marveled, «and [she] helps me in every conceivable way.»Affleck — who stars in, as well as directed and produced the project -- previously opened up to about how Lopez helped him and co-producer Matt Damon with the story.«She is incredibly knowledgeable about the way fashion evolves through the culture as a confluence of music, sports, entertainment and dance,» Affleck explained in an Interview that came out earlier this month.Speaking with ET on Monday, Affleck shared, «This whole process really has been a collaboration with this entire cast, the crew, the group of people. You have to be open to, as far as I'm concerned, all the good ideas you can possibly get.

Trevor Noah’s exit in December, including Lewis Black, Roy Wood Jr. and Desi Lydic.Wood will kick things off, hosting during the week of April 3. After Wood, the following will serve as guest-hosts: Black and Ronny Chieng are also slated to guest host, thought their dates are yet to be announced.The news comes as John Leguizamo is set to wrap up the first round of celebrity guest hosts next week.

Brian Steinberg Senior TV Editor The correspondents who help keep Comedy Central’s “Daily Show” running will each get their own moment in the spotlight. The late-night program, which has relied on celebrity guest such as Leslie Jones and Sarah Silverman in the wake of the departure of Trevor Noah last year, will now give its correspondents a crack at leading the program over the next few weeks. Ronny Chieng, Michael Kosta, Desi Lydic, Dulcé Sloan, Roy Wood Jr., Lewis Black and Jordan Klepper will all get a chance to host the program between the week of April 3 and the week of May 8, Comedy Central announced Friday. Roy Wood Jr. will start the rotation during the week of April 3, followed by Jordan Klepper the week of April 17. Desi Lydic will host the program the week of April 24 ,and Dulce Sloan will anchor the series the week of May 1. Michael Kosta will lead during the week of May 8. Ronny Chieng and Lewis Black have not been assigned weeks as of yet.

EXCLUSIVE: The Daily Show has been ticking along nicely with its phalanx of guest hosts including Chelsea Handler, Leslie Jones and Kal Penn.

Joe Otterson TV Reporter Essence Atkins and Tetona Jackson have signed on to star in the untitled CBS comedy pilot starring Damon Wayans and Damon Wayans Jr., Variety has learned. In addition, Andy Ackerman has signed on to direct the pilot. The multi-cam pilot was first announced at CBS in February. Per the official logline, “Legendary talk radio host and happily divorced ‘Poppa’ (Wayans) has his point of view challenged at work when a new female co-host (Atkins) is hired, and at home where he finds himself still parenting his adult son (Wayans Jr.), a brilliant dreamer who is trying to pursue his passion while being a responsible father and husband.” Atkins character is named Dr. Ivy Reed. She is further described as “intelligent, savvy, and bold” and hosts the radio show “Ask Dr. Reed,” where she gives “helpful advice to listeners with a modern approach on life” before she is brought in as Poppa’s new co-host.