BILL VAUGHAN’S TASTY CLIPS: Stars align for NBC’s ‘Roll Up Your Sleeves’

By Bill Vaughan

Entertainment Writer

Sterling K. Brown (“This Is Us”), Jennifer Hudson, Eva Longoria, Demi Lovato, Matthew McConaughey and Kumail Nanjiani are just some of the stars tapped for NBC’s “Roll Up Your Sleeves” April 18 at 7 p.m.

Presented by Walgreens and created by ATTN: in partnership with Civic Nation’s Made to Save initiative, the hour-long special aims to educate viewers, raise awareness and dispel concerns surrounding the COVID-19 vaccines, all with the goal of increasing vaccination rates to put an end to the pandemic.

President Joe Biden will appear during the hour to speak directly to the American public about the importance of getting the COVID-19 vaccine when available to beat the pandemic, protect loved ones and continue the road to recovery.

Former President Barack Obama also will appear alongside NBA legends Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal to remind audiences that getting the COVID-19 vaccine is a crucial step for Americans to return to the activities they love.

Former first lady Michelle Obama also will be featured in the special alongside friends Jennifer Lopez, Lin-Manuel Miranda and Faith Hill.

Hosted by Russell Wilson and Ciara, the broadcast will also spotlight comedy from Billy Crystal, Wanda Sykes and Ken Jeong.

For more information on “Roll Up Your Sleeves” visit www.nbcumv.com.

WEED DAY: Snoop Dogg is ushering in the holiday by hosting Weedmaps’ second 4/20 event, “Even Higher Together” with co-headliners A$AP Rocky and Jhené Aiko.   

The free virtual event (weedmaps.com/wm-420) for adults 21 and older in the U.S., Canada and Mexico will ring in 4:20 across all U.S. continental time zones and include a variety of never-before-seen performances, including Wiz Khalifa hosting a cypher featuring Taylor Gang members and more, with beats supplied by world-renowned producer The Alchemist.

Additionally, Mike Tyson, Too $hort and Jaleel White will get together with celebrity chef Nikki Steward, as she cooks up the perfect 4/20 brunch.

To highlight the importance of criminal justice reform, deincarceration, and equity in cannabis for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities, WM TEAL (Together for Equity, Access & Legalization) and Last Prisoner Project will bring together activists who have been previously incarcerated for cannabis crimes, as well as M-1 of dead prez, for the Last Prisoner Project Justice Session, moderated by rapper and activist Talib Kweli.

“Anything celebrating cannabis and the culture around it, you know I gotta be there,” said Snoop. “Cannabis brings people together and Weedmaps is doing just that. I’m also dropping my new album, ‘From Tha Streets 2 Tha Suites’ on 4/20, to give my fans a little something to smoke to on this holiday, ya dig?”

Other activities that day include the world’s largest virtual smoke sesh with Cypress Hill Live From The Roxy (nocapshows.com); and rap stars Method Man and Redman firing up their hits later for the Verzuz How High 4/20 Special on IG and Triller.

CLIPPETTES: Prior to his death last week, work was completed on an HBO documentary called “Don’t Try to Understand: A Year in the Life of Earl ‘DMX’ Simmons” and a new album for Def Jam Records and Ruff Ryders is to be released soon … 

Ziggy Marley and his band will perform two sets paying tribute to his father Bob Marley‘s reggae legacy during a live drive-in concert on April 17 at the Ventura County Fairgrounds. Tickets for the “safe, in-your-car, outdoor in the round” event with a visual light show, multi-media entertainment and video screens are available at ConcertsInYourCar.com

Grammy and Stellar Award-winning artist Kierra Sheard-Kelly releases her new memoir, “Big, Bold, and Beautiful: Owning the Woman God Made You to Be” (Zondervan) this week. Additionally, the deluxe version of her chart-topping album, “Kierra” is now available

Dave Koz: Cruisin’ On A Sunday Afternoon brings Keiko Matsui, Eric Darius, Adam Hawley, Chris Walker, Vincent Ingala and radio host Pat Prescott together online April 18.  Get your tickets at davekoz.com

Margaret Cho, Michelle Kwan, Padma Lakshmi, Lucy Liu, Olivia Munn, Lea Salonga and more unite for #AAPI Women Strong: Organizing Beyond a Hashtag on April 21. The virtual fundraiser (bit.ly/aapiwomenstrong) supports Asian American and Pacific Islander women and girls in the U.S. and programs aiding the community to #StopAsianHate

Terri Lyne Carrington, Albert “Tootie” Heath, Henry Threadgill and Phil Schaap will be honored as 2021 National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Masters in a special free online-only concert hosted by Dee Dee Bridgewater and Delroy Lindo; with performances and appearances by Wynton Marsalis, Jason Marsalis, Dianne Reeves, Lizz Wright, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Jon Faddis, Jason Moran, James Mtume and more. Watch online April 22 at 5 p.m. at arts.gov and sfjazz.org

In honor of (RED)’s 15th anniversary, Mavin Records has released “Dance (RED) Save Lives” Vol. III,” a new Afrobeats-inspired album curated by the legendary producer Don Jazzy and musical artist Aluna, featuring tracks by hitmakers including Fela Kuti, Felix Da Housecat and Virgil Abloh. Proceeds from the stream and downloads benefit efforts to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on life-saving HIV/AIDS programs in sub-Saharan Africa

Kevin Hart’s upcoming film “The Man From Toronto” with Woody Harrelson has been scheduled for release next Jan. 14 by Sony Pictures.  The coveted Martin Luther King weekend date has been lucky for the comic actor who scored big in previous years with “Ride Along” and “Ride Along 2.”

TC ON TV: April 16 – “Piano Y Mujer” (HBO): Five Latin music divas (Colombia’s Goyo, Puerto Rico’s Kany Garcia, Venezuela’s Nella, Spain’s Natalia Jimenez and Venezuelan American Evaluna Montane) perform a special concert with virtuoso pianist Arthur Hanlon in Miami. “Own Spotlight” (OWN): Viola Davis chats with Oprah Winfrey. “Doing The Most with Phoebe Robinson” (Comedy): “Gabrielle Union Does A Wine Tasting”

April 17 – “Envy: A Seven Deadly Sins Story” (Lifetime): Rose Rollins, Serayah, Clifton Powell, Da Brat, DC Young Fly, Gregory Alan Williams, Hosea Chanchez, Kandi Burruss and Ann Nesby star in the second film in the series produced by TD Jakes and Shaun Robinson.

April 18 – “56th Academy of Country Music Awards” (CBS): Breakout star Mickey Guyton co-hosts. “Luis Miguel – The Series” (Netflix): Dramatizing the life story of Mexican superstar singer who has captivated audiences in Latin America and beyond for decades. “2021 Fangoria Chainsaw Awards” (Shudder): Jamie Lee Curtis, Keith David and author Tananarive Due are among the presenters recognizing outstanding achievement in horror film and television. “Unsung” (TV1): Mystikal  “Uncensored” (TV1): Remy Ma

April 19 – “The Parker Andersons” and “Amelia Parker” (BYU): Two new interconnected series telling the story of a “blended” family.  “AfroPoP: The Ultimate Cultural Exchange” (World): Yaba Blay’s “Professional Black Girl” brings the stories of singer Tarriona “Tank” Ball of the acclaimed group Tank and the Bangas, Mardi Gras Indian Queen Tahj Williams, media personality and wedding planner Fresh Johnson, and more.

April 20 – “Set the Record Straight: The Jam Master Jay Case” (Hulu): A documentary about the 2002 murder of Run-DMC DJ Jason Mizell. “Chopped 420” (Disc+): Host Ron Funches presides over talented chefs tasked with creating ganja-infused dishes that must buzz and wow a panel of recurring judges. “Live With Kelly & Ryan” (ABC): Andra Day, DJ L.L.A.M.A with Ne-Yo & Carmen DeLeon  Nick Cannon Presents: Wild ‘N Out” (VH1) MC Lyte, Rapsody, Fabo, 24KGoldn

April 21 – “Snowfall” (FX): Franklin’s family fractures and Teddy makes a difficult decision in the season finale directed by Carl Seaton (“Of Boys and Men”).

April 22 – “Bigger” (BET+): A second season of producer Will Packer’s sitcom following a wild and crazy group of Black 30-somethings. “Restaurant Recovery” (Disc+): “Nelly To The Rescue” “The Film Independent Spirit Awards” (IFC): Melissa Villasenor (“SNL”) hosts and “Judas and the Black Messiah” director Shaka King is Honorary Chair of the ceremony boasting Chadwick Boseman, Nicole Beharie, Riz Ahmed, Youn Yuh-jung, Steven Yeun, Rob Morgan, Frances McDormand and Yeri Han as nominees.

TASTY QUIP: “At this moment in time, the nation is coming to terms with its history and is attempting to eliminate vestiges of institutional racism to achieve true racial justice. We cannot in good conscience provide economic support to a government that enacts regressive voting laws that are designed to restrict voter access. The new Georgia voting laws are reminiscent of voting impediments that were passed at the end of Reconstruction to prevent many Americans from voting. Regrettably, we feel compelled to move our film production work from Georgia to another state.” – WILL SMITH & ANTOINE FUQUA on moving the filming of their slave escape drama “Emancipation” to another state to be determined.

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.