BILL VAUGHAN’S TASTY CLIPS: Ava DuVernay opens doors with NBC’s ‘Home Sweet Home’

By Bill Vaughan

Entertainment Writer

Emmy-winning and Academy Award-nominated executive producer Ava DuVernay has created a new unscripted family social experiment series with the hope of giving a look at what it is like to walk a mile in another person’s shoes.

“Home Sweet Home,” debuting Oct. 15 on NBC, will follow two families from different backgrounds (in this episode Black lesbian mothers and an Orthodox Greek household) as they exchange homes for a week and then reunite to share lessons learned during their eye-opening experiences. 

“I am not much of a ‘reality’ television viewer, if I can be honest with you,” DuVernay said. “Let’s just say, it’s not really been my cup of tea. Then the pandemic hit and I found myself walking through my neighborhood wondering how my neighbors live. What is their routine? What’s in their refrigerator? What are their beliefs? 

“Cut to me pitching a show to NBC, filming during the pandemic and now, it’s coming to your television set,” she added. “A show that we tried to make with no second takes, no do-overs, no confessional closets, less seams. 

“My hope is that audiences will find perspective and appreciation for not only the 18 families featured, but with their neighbors in real life. Here’s to some positivity. Less chaos. More connection. That’s good tea.” 

BATTLEGROUND: Verzuz, the virtual music site known for memorable face offs, will pit hip hop legends KRS-One and Big Daddy Kane against each other Oct. 17 in a show from Brooklyn’s Barclay Center. The night prior Verzuz will feature dancehall star Super Cat Live In Concert to inaugurate their new ICONZ series. 

RED CARPET WALK: The next big thing in superhero movies premieres Oct. 18 as Marvel Studios’ “Eternals” is shown at the El Capitan Theatre. Salma Hayek, Angelina Jolie, Brian Tyree Henry, Kumail Nanjiani, Kit Harrington and more are expected to arrive between 5 and 6:30 p.m.  

SOON COME: The dynamic pairing of Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak has already spawned the hit singles “Leave The Door Open” and “Skate.” Now a Nov. 12 release date has been announced for their debut album “An Evening With Silk Sonic, featuring Bootsy Collins as special guest host. 

CLIPPETTES: Civil rights attorney and radio host Areva Martin is the ambassador of the 14th Leimert Park Village Book Fair Oct. 16 with highlights including special guest Nikki Giovanni in conversation with Miki Turner at 11 a.m. For details, visit: www.leimertparkbookfair.com 

That evening, legendary techno DJ Carl Cox makes his long-awaited return to The Row DTLA; comic actor Hasan Minhaj brings The King’s Jester Tour to the Microsoft Theater; Arturo O’Farrill and the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra jam at The Soraya in Northridge; and Tinashe’s The 333 Tour lands at The Observatory in advance of her date the following evening at The Novo with Rei Ami … 

The United Nations World Food Programme, one of the leaders in the global fight against hunger, has named Canadian recording artist The Weeknd as a goodwill ambassador. The performer born Abel Tesfaye has donated more than $3 million to various organizations in the past year, including $1 million to Ethiopian relief efforts  

Four-time Grammy winning recording artist Deniece Williams presents Hallelujah Sunday Brunch at The Bourbon Room on Oct. 17 with special guests Bishop Noel Jones’ City of Refuge Church Spirit of David Choir under the direction of producer extraordinaire Patrick Bolton. Guests must be fully vaccinated or show a negative Covid test within 48 hours

Blair Underwood (who can currently be seen as Vernon Jordan in FX’s “Impeachment: American Crime Story”) is returning to the role that launched his career as ABC moves ahead with a rebooted version of “L.A. Law” which ran on NBC from 1986 through 1994    

Oct. 20 is the day a few celebrity authors are talking to the people. Up first, Barnes & Noble presents the incomparable Billy Porter to virtually discuss his memoir “Unprotected” with singer, songwriter, actor (most recently in “The Many Saints of Newark”) and author of “Failing Up,” Leslie Odom Jr. at 4 p.m. with tickets at Eventbrite 

Later at The Wiltern, Jamie Foxx shares stories from his new book, “Act Like You Got Some Sense,” a title inspired by his beloved and fierce grandmother. Tickets are available through LiveNation  

Steve Harvey has reached an agreement with Premiere Networks to continue “The Steve Harvey Morning Show” along with developing new programs and charitable events

Erykah Badu, with special guests Steve Lacy & Dos Negros, headlines at the Hollywood Bowl on Oct. 21; while J. Cole’s The Off-Season Tour hits the Forum with 21 Savage and Morray; Phoebe Bridgers at the Greek Theatre and gospel rapper Andy Mineo at the Fonda Theatre.  

TASTY QUIP: “I feel like Dave freed the slaves. The comedians, they were slaves to PC culture and he just, you know, as an artist, he’s Van Gogh. Cut his ear off. He’s trying to tell us it’s OK.” – DAMON WAYANS to TMZ on Chappelle’s stand-up special “The Closer” now on Netflix

TC ON TV: Oct. 15 – “Karma’s World” (Netflix): Chris “Ludacris” Bridges is the creator and executive producer of this animated series about a lyrically gifted middle schooler. He adds his voice along with Danielle Brooks, Dascha Polanco, Dawnn Lewis, Tiffany Haddish and more. “Halloween Kills” (Peacock): A final chapter to the smash 2018 reboot of the franchise starring Jamie Lee Curtis. “Tamron Hall” (Syn): Amanda Gorman and Tyra Banks “Friday Night Vibes” (TBS): Tichina Arnold and producer/director Reginald Hudlin sit in for the double feature of “Suicide Squad” and ”Hancock.” “Ready To Love” (OWN): The show changes locales this season to find if Washington, D.C. singles are ready to mingle. “Passion Play: Russell Westbrook” (SHO): Chronicling the life and career of the dynamic NBA baller as he begins playing for his hometown L.A. Lakers. 

Oct. 16 – “Saturday Night Live” (NBC): Rami Malek (“Mr. Robot”) hosts with musical guest Young Thug

Oct. 17 – “Grace Notes” (BYU): Lecrae and Natalie Grant  “Calling For Love” (UP): Tajh Bellow (“General Hospital”) stars in this romantic comedy. “The Fight That Never Ends” (Lifetime): Allen Payne and Robert Ri’chard are featured in this South-Central L.A. set film directed by Preston A. Whitmore II (“This Christmas”).  “Uncensored” (TV1): Raven-Symone  “The Walking Dead: World Beyond” (AMC): Aisha Tyler directs. “Desus & Mero” (SHO): The loquacious duo is back with a reggaeton themed show.

Oct. 18 – “Howie Mandel & Friends: Don’t Sneeze on Me” (CW): The comic returns to the stand-up stage in this gala, presented for the first time in L.A. by Just for Laughs, with Sherri Shepherd, Dulcé Sloan, Preacher Lawson, Robin Tran, Patton Oswalt and others. 

Oct. 19 – “Games People Play” (BET): The second season of the one-hour drama based on the popular book by Angela Burt-Murray premieres with the talented ensemble cast of Karrueche Tran, Lauren London, Sarunas J. Jackson, Parker McKenna Posey, Jackie Long, Vanessa Bell Calloway, Vanessa Simmons, Shaun Robinson, Cynthia Bailey and Leon. “Queens” (ABC): Starring Eve, Naturi Naughton, Nadine Velazquez and Brandy, this drama series follows a fractured girl group living in the shadows of their once prominent hip-hop dynasty reuniting in their 40s. Directed by Tim Story (“Ride Along,” “Think Like A Man”).

Oct. 20 – “Night Teeth” (Netflix): Jorge Lendeborg Jr. (“Bumblebee“) stars as a college student who runs afoul of a pair of vampires (Megan Fox, Lucy Fry). “Onyx Family Dinner” (YouTube): This new Kids & Families series executive produced by Keith Brown gathers the multi-generational family around the table for fun and insightful conversation. “Live w/ Kelly & Ryan” (ABC): Sisqo “The Canvas: Los Angeles” (Fuse): Guadalupe Rosales ”Twenties After-Show with B. Scott” (BET): Iman Shumpert and Jess Hilarious 

Oct. 21 – “The Next Thing You Eat” (Hulu): From chef David Chang and Academy Award-winning documentary filmmaker Morgan Neville (“20 Feet From Stardom”) comes a six-episode docuseries that explores the way we’ll eat in the future. “A Closer Look” (AllBlk): Trina “Snoop and Martha’s Very Tasty Halloween” (Peacock): A competition special hosted by Snoop Dogg and Martha Stewart featuring talented bakers who face off in a delectable full-sensory showdown. “Red Table Talk: The Estefans” (Facebook Watch): Gloria Estefan, her daughter Emily Estefan, and her niece Lili Estefan bring their own opinions and life experiences to the iconic Red Table. “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (NBC): The venerable series reaches its landmark 500th episode!  

TASTY QUIP: “When you open the door, your job is to open the door and jam it open for other people to come in. I encourage everyone in any kind of position of power to give people opportunities, to show that they can do what they do. Give them the time to shine, give them a moment because that’s all it really takes — and allow them to network and meet other people and be in spaces and rooms and get paid.” – ZENDAYA upon accepting the Crystal Award at the 2021 Women In Film Honors

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.