By Bill Vaughan
Entertainment Writer
The 44th president of the United States, Barack Obama, added another stop during his Florida campaigning for his former Vice President Joe Biden.
This one was in Miami to meet with NBA champion LeBron James and his business partner/entrepreneur Maverick Carter for a conversation at “The Shop”
The HBO series customarily features the two chopping it up with some of the biggest names in sports, culture, politics, music and entertainment.
James and Carter launched More Than A Vote earlier this year in June in the aftermath of the unjust murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. The coalition of Black athletes and artists is focused on educating, energizing, and protecting Black voters and fighting the lies and systemic, racist voter suppression that stands in the way of Black voices being heard at the ballot box.
The group’s efforts also include converting sports venues into voting locations, recruiting more than 40,000 poll workers in Black communities, combating misinformation that targets Black voters, and mobilizing Black voters to make a plan to vote with compelling content.
The episode, produced under COVID-19 guidelines, debuts Oct. 30 on HBO and will be available to stream on HBO Max.
In addition, “The Shop: Uninterrupted” will be available for free viewing for non-HBO subscribers from Oct. 31 at 7 a.m. through Nov. 28 at www.HBO.com, YouTube.com/HBO, HBOMax.com and YouTube.com/HBOMax.
Obama says he came “to talk about the NBA bubble, the racial justice movement, and what’s at stake over these next seven days.”
And adds …
“Do not give up your power. Make a plan to vote: http://morethanavote.org/gameplan.”
ARTIVISM: Musician Big Freedia, writer Roxane Gay, actors Erika Alexander and Gabourey Sidibe and other Black notables are teaming up with Black Public Media for the social media campaign BE HEARD! to help engage the African-American community around important issues for the upcoming election.
Composed of video vignettes featuring conversations between Big Freedia and Gay (on policing), Alexander and comedian Brian Babylon (on voting), Sidibe and Ohio State Sen. Nina Turner (on reparations), and political commentators Jehmu Greene and Shermichael Singleton (on the importance of using political action to create change), the campaign is running on social media platforms Facebook, Tik Tok, Instagram, Twitter and on the BPM website at beheard.blackpublicmedia.org through Nov. 3.
CLIPPETTES: Busta Rhymes hit Instagram to announce that Kendrick Lamar, Mary J Blige, Mariah Carey, Chris Rock, Rakim, Pete Rock, Bell Biv Devoe, Q-Tip, Rick Ross, Anderson .Paak, Rapsody, Old Dirty Bastard and Minister Louis Farrakhan will all be heard on his 10th studio album, “Extinction Level Event 2: The Wrath of God,” out now …
Jazz reedman Kamasi Washington performs his score for the Michelle Obama documentary “Becoming” with his band on episode 6 of the LA Phil’s Sound/Stage streaming Oct. 30–Nov. 5 at www.soundstage.laphil.com/ …
Monica and Jordin Sparks have joined forces with Dolly Parton, Sara Evans and breast cancer survivor Rita Wilson for new song “Pink,” benefiting Susan G. Komen For The Cure …
The Halloween weekend episode of Saturday Night with Marcus Miller & Friends will deliver a monstrous mix of rock, funk, Latin, rhythm, blues and reggae courtesy of his all-star Saturday Night Band (featuring Patrice Rushen, Paul Jackson Jr., Eric Marienthal and Munyungo Jackson) jamming with the iconic band War on Oct. 31. For tickets and info, visit: saturdaynightwithmarcusmiller.com …
“New York Undercover,” the hip hot Fox drama that ran for five seasons in the 1990s, is reportedly close to getting a reboot courtesy of Peacock with original stars Malik Yoba and Lauren Velez on board …
Robert Hooks, Ted Lange, Ernie Hudson, Nobuko Miyamoto and Woodie King Jr. are among the celebs set for Inner City Short Film Festival & Award Show honoring C. Bernard “Jack” Jackson Nov. 4 at 6 p.m. FilmFreeway.com/InnerCityShortFilmFestival/tickets is your entry …
Ava DuVernay’s romantic anthology series “Cherish The Day” has been renewed for a second season by OWN. The initial story starred Xosha Roquemore, Alano Miller and Cicely Tyson in another award-worthy performance …
USC Visions & Voices Presents: An Evening With Chuck D of Public Enemy Nov. 5 at 6 p.m. Visit visionsandvoices.usc.edu/ to RSVP your free tickets …
“black-ish” creator Kenya Barris is next in line to tackle a Richard Pryor biopic. He’ll write, direct and produce the film on the life story previously eyed by Eddie Murphy, Chris Rock, Lee Daniels, Mike Epps, Marlon Wayans, Eddie Griffin and Nick Cannon.
TC ON TV: Oct. 30 – “His House” (Netflix): Wunmi Mosaku (“Lovecraft Country”) and Sope Dirisu (“Gangs of London,” “His Dark Materials”) in Remi Weekes’ social horror film. “The Mandalorian” (DISNEY+): Pedro Pascal, Carl Weathers, Giancarlo Esposito, Gina Carano, Clancy Brown and Baby Yoda for this eight-episode second season of the “Star Wars” western. “Somebody Feed Phil” (Netflix): World traveling foodie and sitcom producer Phil Rosenthal visits San Francisco, the Mississippi Delta, Rio De Janeiro, Hawaii and Singapore for the fourth season taped before the pandemic. “The Real” (Syn): Angela Bassett “Jazz at Lincoln Center Presents” (PBS): “A Swingin’ Sesame Street Celebration” “The Tonight Show” (NBC): Stacey Abrams and Busta Rhymes featuring Anderson .Paak
Oct. 31 – “Iyanla: Fix My Life” (OWN): “Love & Hip Hop: Miami” star Shay Johnson (who we first met as “Buckeey” on Flavor Flav’s “Flavor of Love”) gets help from motivational guru Iyanla Vanzant in the two-hour season premiere.
Nov. 1 – “Uncensored: (TV1): “Best of Scandals” compiles highlights from sit-downs with Nene Leakes, Charlamagne Tha God, Lil Rel, Lamar Odom, K. Michelle, Tami Roman, LisaRaye McCoy, D.L. Hughley, Naturi Naughton and more. “Holiday Wars” (Food): Host Raven-Symoné is joined by judges Shinmin Li and Erin Acevedo for a battle of cake and sugar artist teams. “Race In America: Our Votes Count” (Bravo/E!): The network stars and celebs discuss the issues in a 90-minute special hosted by Nina Parker.
Nov. 2 – “With Drawn Arms” (Starz): A compelling new documentary that uncovers the legacy of Olympian Tommie Smith who, after winning the gold medal at the 1968 Summer Olympics, stunned the world by thrusting his fist in the air during the playing of the national anthem in silent protest against racial inequality. Eight years in the making, the film features interviews with prominent activists including actor Jesse Williams (“Grey’s Anatomy,” “Power”), sports analyst Jemele Hill, soccer gold medalist Megan Rapinoe and the late U.S. Rep. John Lewis. “Dancing With The Stars” (ABC): Will Nelly survive double elimination night? Regardless, the Grammy award-winning hip hop superstar reunites with country music heavyweights Florida Georgia Line for his new single “Lil Bit” setting the stage for his upcoming country-influenced EP “The Heartland.” “Saturday Night Live: The 2020 SNL Election Special” (NBC): A collection of fan favorite sketches from over the years is shown.
Nov. 3 – “The Clock Is Ticking” (Freeform IG): Executive producer and host Yara Shahidi shares some tips on what to bring to be prepared to vote, including her “grown-ish” inspired playlist and what she packs in her bag for the trip to her polling place.
Nov. 4 – “black-ish” (ABC): Dre and Junior butt heads over the most effective way to protest in the age of social media in this episode directed by Fred Savage.
Nov. 5 – “Operation Christmas Drop” (Netflix): Kat Graham (“The Vampire Diaries”) and Alexander Ludwig (“Vikings”) star in a tale inspired by a real Yuletide tradition. “Braxton Family Values” (WE): This seventh season is under fire from Tamar Braxton who is calling the show out for sensationalizing her suicide attempt earlier this year.
TASTY QUIP: “Here’s what is wrong for me. If you want people to stop bitching about stuff, then do something about it. You want people to stop saying ‘Hey, stop shooting us,’ then stop shooting us! You want to understand what’s going on in the Black community, ask the white folks that are marching with all these Black Lives Matter kids, ’cause they’re saying, ‘We get it, why don’t you?’” – WHOOPI GOLDBERG’s words for White House senior advisor Jared Kushner on “The View”
As featured in the Los Angeles Wave and Independent, Tasty Clips is one of the leading entertainment columns in the nation, serving nearly one million weekly readers. Bill Vaughan may be reached at tastyclips@yahoo.com, via Twitter @tastyclips, or Instagram @tasty_clips.
