REEL TALK: Television and Movie Briefs (9/15-9/21/16)
Legendary Hip-Hop artist Michel’le breaks her silence in Lifetime biopic, “Surviving Compton: Dre, Suge & Michel’le”
Celebrated hip-hop recording artist Michel’le will speak up and speak out about the darker side of Compton hip-hop, as she narrates the Lifetime Original Movie, “Surviving Compton: Dre, Suge & Michel’le,” based on her life story. Premiering Saturday, October 15th at 8 pm, the biopic will show the first lady of Ruthless Records, who triumphed over a life riddled with abuse and adversity, is ready to share her story with the world. Produced for Lifetime by Sony Pictures Television and Thinkfactory Media, “Surviving Compton: Dre, Suge & Michel’le” stars Rhyon Nicole Brown (“Lincoln Heights”) as Michel’le, newcomer Curtis Hamilton as Dr. Dre and R. Marcos Taylor, who reprises his role as Suge Knight after having starred as the music executive in last year’s feature film, Straight Outta Compton. Jamie Kennedy (“Scream,” “Malibu’s Most Wanted”) also stars as music manager Jerry Heller. Discovered at a young age, the shy, squeaky-voiced Michel’le (Brown) was plucked straight from South Central, Los Angeles and catapulted into the spotlight while riding N.W.A.’s rocket ride of early success. Surrounded by industry visionaries from Eazy-E to Tupac Shakur, Michel’le quickly climbed the charts; but, her musical successes were soon overshadowed by betrayal and corruption. A nearly decade-long romance with the infamous Dr. Dre (Hamilton) pushed her into a life tarnished by alcohol, drugs and violence until her savior came in the unlikely form of Suge Knight (Taylor), co-founder of Death Row Records and Dre’s business partner. Friendship would turn into a courtly romance, but the union Michel’le thought they had did not end happily-ever-after. With children from both men and a career to protect, Michel’le’s voice became silenced by Compton’s biggest power players. Until now.
TLC renews Tyler Perry’s “Too Close to Home” for Second Season
Media Mogul Tyler Perry debuted his seventh television production “Too Close to Home” August 22 on TLC, the premiere propelled TLC to its highest-rated Monday in more than a year in all key women demos. On Twitter, TCLTH was the #3 drama series in primetime with #TooCloseToHome trending in the U.S. during its east coast premiere. The soap-drama reached 4.2 million viewers in its premiere airings across TLC and OWN. With the success of season one and going into their fifth episode on September 12, TLC has ordered a second season of its first scripted series, which is to premiere in 2017. The story of Anna, a young woman who comes face-to-face with her checkered past after an alleged affair with the president, captured viewers and the drama of her return home has helped broaden TLC’s audience and brought in new viewers at an even greater rate in its second week. “Our audience was ready for a move into the scripted space, and Too Close to Home has whet their appetite to see more. More twists, more heartbreak and certainly more of Tyler Perry’s notoriously dramatic writing,” said Nancy Daniels, President and General Manager, TLC. Coming up this season, Anna (Danielle Savre) must face the past that she so eagerly left behind, and her new reality may prove too much for her to handle. Back in Happy, Alabama, Anna reunites with her controlling mother, Jolene (Trisha Stahl); her sweet yet overburdened sister, Bonnie (Kelly Sullivan); and her drug-addicted sister, Shelby (Brooke Anne Smith). Although she’s left behind a mess in D.C., there are serious problems brewing in Happy, and Anna is quickly thrown into the drama. She also has to confront unfinished business with her high school sweetheart, Brody (Brock O’Hurn). Broken and battered, Anna must ultimately seek help and forgiveness from the same people she abandoned for a “better” life. Tyler Perry’s “Too Close to Home” airs Mondays at 9 pm on TLC.
Lifetime’s romantic comedy, “The 10th Date” features all-star cast with Kelly Rowland
Lifetime greenlights tv movie “The 10th Date” and will star singer and actress Kelly Rowland. Produced by Academy Award-Winning Producer Wendy Finerman (“Forest Gump” and “The Devil Wears Prada”) and written and directed by Nzingha Stewart (“With This Ring” and “UnReal”), the film follows four friends at different life stages in their search for love. The two-hour romantic comedy stars Meagan Good (“Think Like a Man Too”), Grammy nominee Keri Hilson, Kellee Stewart (“The Soul Man”), Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman (“UnReal”) with Emmy nominee, Cat Deeley (“So You Think You Can Dance”) and Brandon T. Jackson (“Tropic Thunder”). The movie centers around four friends, Gabby (Good), Nell (Stewart), Billie (Hilson) and Margot (Rowland) who balance their dating life alongside their career ambitions at an upscale website in Los Angeles, under the watchful eye of their editor, Maureen (Deeley). Inspired by the site’s relationship advice column to find “the one,” Gabby and Nell embark on their own journeys towards the elusive “10th date,” the Holy Grail in the dating world when women believe men are finally committed. As the ladies navigate the ups and downs of modern dating, romance, exes and friendships, they learn what they really want out of life and love. The film is in production and will continue to film through the middle of October in Los Angeles. “The 10th Date” is produced by SilverScreen Pictures Inc. with A+E Networks holding worldwide distribution rights. “The 10th Date” will premiere in 2017 on Lifetime.
Anthony Anderson to Host all-new comedy series on Animal Planet
Emmy-nominated actor and comedian Anthony Anderson has new television gig. The Black-ish star will host an all-new series, “Animal Review” (working title), a one-hour weekly comedy-variety series that will celebrate all the amazing ways animals have captivated our hearts, minds and funny bones, premiering in 2017. Produced by Comedy Dynamic executive producer Brian Volk-Weiss. The series was developed by Animal Planet’s Kurt Tondorf. Anderson, whose is the host of ABC’s game show, To Tell the Truth, will curate and comment on the funniest, most-shocking and emotional moments out there. The show will feature celebrities (and their pets) and animal experts (and their companions), while engaging viewers in new and ongoing conversations about animals as they pertain to pop culture, politics. Comedian correspondents will also provide a behind the scenes glimpse into some of the most talked about places we find our furry friends. Always fun and always entertaining, “Animal Review” is a show for all audiences and animal lovers of any age. “Some of my favorite TV moments have been watching iconic TV hosts like Johnny Carson and David Letterman interact with their animal guests. They are some truly classic unscripted moments that have made TV history,” Anderson said.
