Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorThe BET Awards are officially a celebration of “Black excellence,” and Sunday night’s show featured blockbuster performances from Lizzo, Mariah Carey, Latto, Jack Harlow (who was joined by Brandy and Lil Wayne) and an elaborate tribute to Lifetime Achievement honoree Sean “Diddy” Combs that included an unannounced in-person speech from Kanye West.But for the second time in three years, the show coincided with galvanizing events in the United States: In 2020, it was George Floyd’s murder at the hands of Minneapolis police and the ensuing the Black Lives Matter protests, and this year it was the Supreme Court’s polarizing overturn of Roe v. Wade and the impending loss of a woman’s right to choose in many states in the country.
‘I May Destroy You’ Producer Taps ‘Stath Lets Flats’ Commissioner Jack Bayles as Head of Comedy
15.06.2022 - 11:25 / variety.com
Naman Ramachandran Various Artists Limited (VAL), the Emmy and BAFTA winning production company behind “I May Destroy You,” “Sally4Ever” and “Dead Pixels” has appointed Channel 4 commissioning editor Jack Bayles as head of comedy. London-based VAL was founded in 2017 by “Peep Show” co-creator Sam Bain and “Succession” showrunner Jesse Armstrong, together with producers and ex-Channel 4 commissioners, Phil Clarke and Roberto Troni.Reporting into Clarke and based in London and Brighton, Bayles will join from August and will be responsible for overseeing VAL’s comedy slate as well as developing new projects.
He previously produced Channel 4’s hit comedy “Catastrophe” with Sharon Horgan and Rob Delaney, and in 2017 was appointed commissioning editor for the channel, where he was responsible for BAFTA winning “Stath Lets Flats,” “Derry Girls,” Aisling Bea’s “This Way Up,” “Michell & Webb’s Back,” “The Curse” and “Hullraisers.” Bayles said: “Channel 4 comedy is a vital and precious voice in British comedy, and I’ve loved my time there. The team at VAL have a wonderful philosophy and have excelled with their productions so far.
I’m thrilled to be joining them at such an exciting time.”VAL MD Phil Clarke added: “I’m delighted that Jack is joining us as head of comedy after an illustrious career both as an award-winning producer and comedy commissioner. He is a fantastic addition to the creative team and we’re looking forward to the future.”VAL is currently in production on “Juice,” a six-part comedy series for the BBC, starring Mawaan Rizwan.
Mama June’s Daughter Lauryn ‘Pumpkin’ Shannon Introduces Her Newborn Twins With Husband Joshua Efird 1 Month After Giving Birth: Photos
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The Mediapro Studio, Hulu Japan Re-Team for Global Hit Series ‘The Head’ Season 2
Emiliano De Pablos Madrid-based The Mediapro Studio, one of Europe’s super-indies, is re-teaming with Hulu Japan to produce Season 2 of thriller “The Head,” the studio’s hit drama series whose Season 1 was broadcast in more than 90 countries.The English-language shoot has got underway in Tenerife, in Spain’s The Canary Islands, helmed by Jorge Dorado, who directed Season 1.“The Head” Season 2 boasts an extensive international cast led once again by John Lynch (“The Terror,” “The Fall”) and Katharine O’Donnelly (“Mary, Queen of Scots”).Joining them for Season 2, the series features Hovik Keuchkerian (“Money Heist,” “Riot Police”), Moe Dunford (“Texas Chainsaw Massacre”), Josefin Nelden (“The Restaurant”) and Olivia Morris (“Hotel Portofino”).
Nicole Kidman To Star & Produce Thriller Feature ‘Holland, Michigan’ At Amazon Studios; Mimi Cave Directing
EXCLUSIVE: Nicole Kidman is reteaming with Amazon Studios for the Mimi Cave directed thriller Holland, Michigan.
‘The Daily Show’: Dulcé Sloan & Josh Johnson Launch Comedy Central Series’ Latest Podcast
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‘Sweet Magnolias” Caroline Lagerfelt Joins Jessica Chastain, Anne Hathaway in ‘Mothers’ Instinct’ (EXCLUSIVE)
K.J. Yossman Caroline Lagerfelt (“Sweet Magnolias”) has boarded Jessica Chastain and Anne Hathaway feature “Mothers’ Instinct,” Variety can exclusively reveal.Lagerfelt will play Chastain’s mother-in-law in the psychological thriller, which tells the story of two women living next door to each other in an idyllic neighborhood in the 1960s.
‘I May Destroy You’ Indie Various Artists Limited Hires Channel 4 Commissioner Jack Bayles As Head Of Comedy
I May Destroy You and Sally4Ever producer Various Artists Limited (VAL) has hired Channel 4 Commissioning Editor Jack Bayles as its first Head of Comedy.
Josh Charles, Anders Danielsen Lie Set to Join Jessica Chastain, Anne Hathaway in ‘Mothers’ Instinct’
K.J. Yossman Josh Charles (“The Good Wife”) and Anders Danielsen Lie (“Bergman Island”) are set to join Jessica Chastain and Anne Hathaway in “Mothers’ Instinct.”The film, which is based on Barbara Abel’s novel “Derrière la Haine,” tells the story of Alice (Chastain) and Celine (Hathaway), two best friends and mothers living an outwardly idyllic life a stone’s throw from each other in 1960s America.
Lea Michele Met Darren Criss’ Daughter Ahead of 2022 Tony Awards Reunion: He Was ‘Born’ to Be a Dad
Glee’s next generation! Lea Michele has met Darren Criss‘ daughter, Bluesy Belle, and she couldn’t be happier to watch her former costar’s journey into fatherhood.
World-Leading Drama School Apologizes To ‘I May Destroy You’ Creator Michaela Coel & Star Paapa Essiedu For “Appalling & Unacceptable” Racism
One of the world’s leading drama schools has apologized to I May Destroy You creator Michaela Coel and star Paapa Essiedu for “appalling and unacceptable racist comments” 10 years ago.
Billy Eichner, Mae Martin Slam Netflix in LGBTQ Comedy Special for Streamer: ‘I’m Not Talking About Florida, I’m Talking About Dave Chappelle’
Selome Hailu Billy Eichner and Mae Martin have called out Netflix’s support of Dave Chappelle’s jokes about queer and trans people — in a comedy special released by Netflix itself.Both comedians appear in “Stand Out: An LGBTQ Celebration,” which debuted on June 9 after being taped at Netflix Is a Joke Fest in May. The event, hosted by Eichner, was the largest-ever gathering of LGBTQ+ comics in one stand-up special, according to Netflix.“We all know how backwards and dangerous the ‘Don’t Say Gay’ laws are,” Eichner says in the special. “Queer people, and especially trans people, are under legislative attack in this country.
‘Live At The Moth Club’: Steve Coogan’s Baby Cow Behind UKTV Comedy Series Featuring ‘What We Do In The Shadows’, ‘Stath Lets Flats’ Stars
EXCLUSIVE: Steve Coogan’s Baby Cow is forging Live at the Moth Club for UKTV, a comedy series from the legendary East London venue featuring major UK comedy stars such as Stath Lets Flats creator Jamie Demetriou and What We Do In The Shadows star Natasia Demetriou.
Molly-Mae Hague rocks £700 pool sliders as she leaves four hour business meeting in Manchester
Style influencer Molly-Mae Hague turned heads as she strolled through Manchester after a four hour business meeting with her management team. The creative director for the global fashion brand PrettyLittleThing showcased her new beachy waves hairstyle for the summer.
Pearl Jam announce Johnny Marr, October Drift and more as BST Hyde Park support
Pearl Jam have announced a number of new additions to their BST Hyde Park shows next month.The gigs on July 8 and 9 will be the band’s biggest ever London shows. Pearl Jam were originally due to headline BST Hyde Park in 2021 alongside Duran Duran but the event was cancelled as a result of the COVID pandemic.Newly announced support acts for the shows include October Drift, Fatherson, LIFE and Daytime TV on July 8.