By Bill Vaughan
Entertainment Writer
As we leave a tumultuous year to step into 2026, it is time once again to recognize those things that brought us joy with the hope that it has or will do the same for others. We hereby present the TASTY CLIPS Faves of 2025 …
MOVIES: “Sinners” (A masterpiece that remains in the minds of viewers during awards season despite being released in April); “The Life of Chuck” (A touching piece of cinema that begs for multiple viewings to unlock its many secrets and pleasures); “One Battle After Another” (So timely and relevant with a pacing akin to pure jazz. It will also be up for many awards.); “40 Acres” (Black Canadian writer/director R.T. Thorne’s debut feature offers a fascinating look at a potential post-apocalyptic reality anchored by a lead turn from the remarkable Danielle Deadwyler); “F1” (Brad Pitt, Damson Idris and Javier Bardem shine in a fast-paced racing epic that is this year’s “Top Gun: Maverick”); “Weapons” (The second best horror mystery of the year); “Highest 2 Lowest” (Another acting master class by Denzel Washington. With all of its cultural references including a final musical performance from Eddie Palmieri, Spike Lee showed that he still has it).
Also: “Sarah’s Oil,” “The Amateur,” “The Accountant 2,” “Predator: Killer of Killers,” and “Caught Stealing.”
DOCUMENTARIES: Questlove was the man with “Sly Lives!: The Burden of Black Genuis” (about Sly Stone) and “Ladies and Gentlemen… 50 Years of SNL Music” (opening with a museum worthy must-see montage on the one); Raoul Peck’s “Orwell: 2+2=5;” Ken Burns’ “The American Revolution;” “Katrina: Come Hell and High Water;” and “Sunday’s Best” (about newspaper columnist turned variety host Ed Sullivan’s efforts to break television’s color barrier.
TV: “American Primeval,” “The White Lotus,” “Paradise,” “Your Friends and Neighbors,” “1923,” “The Last of Us,” “Alien: Earth,” “The Gilded Age,” “Smoke” (Jurnee Smollett sizzled with this performance), “Dave Chappelle: The Unstoppable…,” and the terrifying “It: Welcome To Derry.”
CONCERTS: Beyoncé (who was just named by Forbes as the fifth musician billionaire) and her gargantuan Cowboy Carter Tour; The Queens Tour (Gladys Knight, Stephanie Mills, Patti LaBelle, Chaka Khan); Kool and the Gang (proving they can still ‘Get Down On It’ in a rare full lead set at SC’s Celebrate Anderson) and Jennifer Holliday (in great voice on the eve of her 65th birthday at SC’s Harbison Theater).
THEATER: “44 The Musical” (Caught up with this funky, energetic gem during its Off-Broadway run. The entire cast is on point including T.J. Wilkins’ Barack Obama, but it is Chad Doreck’s Joe Biden that steals the show in a star-making turn that is laughter inducing. See it when it comes nearby!
DINING: Must give props this year to restauranteur Marcus Samuelsson, whose empire has spawned some wonderful culturally rich refuges in big cities. Spent the Fourth of July at Atlanta’s Marcus B&G where head chef Gary Caldwell was grilling and whipping up a luscious banana pudding and celebrated Christmas at the newly expanded Red Rooster Harlem where all the traditional dishes were being served along with the sounds of a jamming reggae band!
BEST ITALIAN: The Scotto’s Charleston outpost Pelato BEST INDIAN (and value): Asheville’s Chai Pani BEST PIZZERIA: The NY Times got this right! Charlotte’s Black-owned Bird Pizzeria is worth the wait and don’t leave without ordering the outstanding Kale Caesar Salad. BEST JAMAICAN: Jasmine’s Caribbean Cuisine (NYC) BEST BRUNCH: Nobu Atlanta for their Sunday Sushi spread BEST SANDWICH: The Johnny Chow at Savannah’s Zunzibar BEST SPLURGE: Le Café Louis Vuitton NYC BEST BAR: Sunshine’s Beach Bar & Grill (Nevis) BEST HAPPY HOUR: Tommy Bahama Marlin Bar (Various Locations)
AT THE MOVIES: Opening Jan. 2 in theaters nationwide is “The Dutchman,” a modern adaptation of Amiri Baraka’s 1964 Obie Award winning play, from Los Angeles-based producer, writer and director Andre Gaines.
Starring André Holland (“The Knick,” “Selma”) as a successful but troubled Black businessman who encounters a seductive but sinister white stranger (played by Kate Mara), the film with Zazie Beetz, Aldis Hodge and Stephen McKinley Henderson attempts to brings a contemporary edge to the original, exploring themes of race and identity in America.
TASTY QUIP: “… The dark skin. The dark skin meant the most to me. And obviously, no shade to any shades. But [I thought about] the girls who would see me dressed up like that and change their lives, off that one thing.” – COCO JONES to Bustle on what her ‘Bel-Air’ character (Hillary Banks) meant to her
TC ON TV: Jan. 1 – “Dick Clark’s Primetime New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2026” (ABC): The largest lineup and longest telecast in the show’s more than 50-year history continues live from New York City, Puerto Rico and for the first time, Chicago. Superstar performers include Diana Ross, 50 Cent, Mariah Carey, Pitbull, Chance the Rapper, Ciara, DJ Cassidy‘s Pass the Mic Live! Starring Busta Rhymes, T.I. & Wyclef Jean, Leon Thomas, Lil Jon, and more. “Second Chance Love” (Hallmark+): Hosted by real life lovers Chilli of TLC fame and Matthew Lawrence (“Boy Meets World”), this new series gives five couples, ranging from their 30s to 70s and who dated 5 to 40 years ago, a second chance to reconnect with the one who got away against the backdrop of a romantic Italian resort. “The 137th Rose Parade” (ABC/NBC/Peacock): With a theme of “The Magic in Teamwork” recognizing the collective effort following the devastating Pasadena fires, this year’s grand marshal is Lakers legend and Hall of Famer Magic Johnson. “Good Morning America” (ABC): Robin Roberts and Shonda Rhimes celebrate 20 Years of Shondaland. “2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony” (ABC):
Jan. 2 – “CBS Mornings” (CBS): Cardi B, Sabrina Carpenter, Olivia Dean, Kaytranada, YUNGBLUD, Lola Young “Live With Kelly & Mark” (ABC): Tyler Perry
Jan. 4 – “The 31st Annual Critics Choice Awards” (E!/USA): Chelsea Handler hosts for a fourth consecutive time with presenters to include Ava DuVernay, Colman Domingo, Diego Luna, EJAE, Jeff Goldblum, Jessica Williams, Quinta Brunson and Regina Hall. “Celebrity IOU” (HGTV): “Eva Longoria Is Desperate To Design”
Jan. 6 – “Finding Your Roots” (PBS): Professor Henry Louis “Skip” Gates Jr. opens his 12th season of genetic unveilings with actors Darren Criss (“Glee”) and America Ferrera (“Barbie”). “Will Trent” (ABC): The fourth season begins five months after the attack on the GBI where we will learn if Sonja Sohn’s Amanda Wagner is alive. “Wildcard Kitchen” (Food): A third season of Eric Adjepong inviting fellow top chefs to bring $5,000 of their own money and play his culinary card game.
Jan. 7 – “Bruce Springsteen: Nebraska Live” (Hulu): “The Boss” performs songs from ins 1982 album in an intimate soundstage setting. “The Ms. Pat Show” (BET+): Emmy-nominated comedian Patricia Wiliams is back for a fifth season of this adult family sitcom. “Marcello Hernández: American Boy” (Netflix): The “Saturday Night Live” star presents his first stand-up special. “Hollywood Squares” (CBS): Anthony Anderson, Leslie Jones, Lil Rel Howery, Tiffany Haddish, Glenn Close, Padma Lakshmi, RuPaul and others. “The Masked Singer” (Fox): The Nick Cannon-hosted show is back with five head-to-head performances and a double unmasking. “Abbott Elementary” (ABC): Resuming from winter break at their new temporary school: an abandoned mall. “Sistas” (BET) The Tyler Perry series is back for a landmark 10th season. “Weathered After The LA Firestorm” (PBS): Follows residents and fire leaders uniting to make LA a model for recovery – and a blueprint for communities facing future disasters. “Shark Tank” (ABC): Michael Strahan returns as a Guest Shark for an episode asking would the NFL legend use a portable relief bottle in public?
Jan. 8 – “His & Hers” (Netflix): Tessa Thompson is executive producer and star of this limited series about two estranged spouses — one a detective, the other a news reporter — who vie to solve a murder in which each believes the other is a prime suspect. With Jon Bernthal, Crystal Fox and Pablo Schreiber. “9-1-1” (ABC): Hen (Aisha Hinds) finds her attempts at keeping her mysterious health issues private are starting to impact more than just her physical well-being. “Grey’s Anatomy” (ABC): TV’s longest running medical drama remains on life support for its 22nd season winter premiere.
END QUOTE: “Some will hate you, pretend they love you now; then behind they try to eliminate you; but who Jah bless, no one curse; Thank God we’re past the worse; hypocrites and parasites will come up and take a bite; and if your night should turn to day; a lot of people would run away; and who the cap fit, let them wear it; who the cap fit, let them wear it.” – ROBERT NESTA MARLEY
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.
