BILL VAUGHAN’S TASTY CLIPS: Deitrick Haddon’s ‘The Fallen’ Rises on AllBlk

By Bill Vaughan

Entertainment Writer

Gospel artist Deitrick Haddon (“Sins of the Father,” “Preachers of LA”) is back behind and in front of the cameras for the world premiere of “The Fallen,” a faith-based dramatic film he is writer and director of, that streams beginning June 30 on AllBlk, the popular service for Black television and film from AMC Networks.

In this follow up to 2010’s “Blessed and Cursed,” the film picks up with praise and worship leader Dwight Hawkins (Haddon), finally on the verge of putting his long-deferred dreams back on track. But he learns things don’t go so easily without the holy spirit.

Grammy-nominated singer Major, singer Q Parker (112), comedian Jonathan Slocumb (“Tyler Perry’s Meet The Browns”), gospel artist B Slade, actor Jo él Quinn (“Sparkle”) and actor Brittany Lucio (“Everything but a Man,” “A House Divided”) round out the cast of the movie produced by Swirl Films, the leading independent film and TV production company based in Atlanta.

MOST HONORABLE: A new group of entertainment professionals in the categories of Motion Pictures, Television, Live Theatre/Live Performance, and Recording have been selected to receive stars on dates to be announced next year on the Hollywood Walk of Fame by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce.

Among the luminaries chosen from hundreds of nominations are Martin Lawrence (whose son is about to marry Eddie Murphy’s daughter), Garrett Morris, Ludacris, Charlie Wilson, Sheila E, Lenny Kravitz, Vince Vaughn, John Waters, Jon Favreau, Mindy Kaling, Ellen Pompeo, Marc Anthony, Lang Lang, Melba Moore, and posthumously Juanita Moore and Paul Walker.

AT THE MOVIES: Steve Carell, Taraji P. Henson, RZA, Michelle Yeoh, Lucy Lawless and Jean-Claude Van Damme may walk the red carpet for the Hollywood premiere of Universal Pictures’ “Minions: The Rise of Gru.” It kicks off at 11 a.m. June 25 at TCL Chinese Theatre.

Later that afternoon, the Pasadena Film Festival opens with “Lodo,” described as a moving bilingual story chronicling grief, family and the resiliency of the human spirit directed and co-written by the Telly Award-winning Argentinian and Mexican California native (co-founder of the Highland Park Independent Film Festival) Alessandro Gentile (“Schitt’s Creek”) at Laemmle Playhouse 7.

CLIPPETTES: Beyonce this week released “Break My Soul,” a house music dance single with Big Freedia from her new album “Renaissance” due July 29

Summer Walker, Ari Lennox, Saucy Santana, Joyce Wrice, Alex Vaughn and Doechii headline June 24 at Crypto.com Arena. A date that also has DJ Quik vs Rakim with special guest DJ Jazzy Jeff at The Novo; Journey at The Coach House; Howard “What Is Love” Jones at the Theatre at Ace Hotel; and the beginning of a couple of three-night stands for Countess Luann De Lesseps at the El Rey and Amanda Seales at Brea Improv. She also is spinning with Vikter Duplaix for Kiss ‘N Grind at the Belasco on June 25

Nipsey Hussle’s extraordinary legacy continues with the long-awaited opening of The Marathon (Collective), a premier THC and CBD retail store open daily at 7011 Canoga Ave. “This is something we always spoke about,” says Hussle’s brother, Samiel “Blacc Sam” Asghedom. “Nipsey, Fatts, Adam, and I had a goal to get a legitimate licensed store and have our brand in other stores across the state. We’re so honored to be able to fulfill the dream.”

D-Nice Presents Club Quarantine hosted by Kenny Burns with special guests Ne-Yo, Brandy, Nelly, Jadakiss, Mary Mary, Machel Montano, El DeBarge, Lil’ Mo and more on June 25 at Crypto.Com Arena

Also that evening, Sheléa sings at the Wallis Center; Big Boy hosts a comedy card with Mike Epps at The Novo; and both the Hollywood Bowl Jazz Festival (with new host Arsenio Hall) and Back To Basics at Garden Amp with Dilated Peoples, Tha Alkaholiks, Raekwon, KRS-One and more begin their two-night runs

Nick Cannon Presents MTV Wild ‘N Out Live June 26 at Crypto.Com Arena; while Latina USA: Live From L.A. with Maria Hinojosa, Danny Trejo and Marcella Arguello is happening at Theatre at Ace Hotel

Jazz Is Dead with Digable Planets will be held for two nights at the Lodge Room beginning June 28; with Norah Jones bringing her talents to The Greek on June 29

The estate of the late rapper/actor Tupac Shakur has opened a pop-up Southern eatery/exhibit called Powamekka Café at 800 W. Olympic Blvd through June 30.

TASTY QUIP: “Chappelle, do you know what comes up when you Google your name, bro? That’s the legacy? Your legacy is a bunch of opinions on trans s***? It’s an odd hill to die on. And it’s like, hey, bro. Who the f*** are you? Who do you f***? What do you like to do? Childish jokes aside, it’s just kind of played. But he’s choosing to die on the hill. So, alright, let him.” – JERROD CARMICHAEL to GQ

TC ON TV: June 24 – “At Home With The Gils” (Prime Video): Follows the family of Brazilian music great Gilberto Gil on a retreat planning the creation of an unprecedented concert, which will bring together their many generations on stage for the first time. Expect controversial discussions such as racism in Brazil, the strong influence of Afro culture in society, along with the many songs that moved a country. “Loot” (Apple TV+): Maya Rudolph (“Saturday Night Live,” “Bridesmaids”) is executive producer and star of this 10-episode workplace comedy about a divorced billionaire finding new purpose through her charitable organization. With Ron Funches and Michaela Jaé Rodriguez (“Pose”). “Rise” (Disney+): The story of Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpos’ family from their emigrating from Nigeria to Greece, to their struggle to raise five children who would become members of the NBA. “Man From Toronto” (Netflix): Kevin Hart and Woody Harrelson team for this mistaken identity farce. “Friday Night Vibes” (TBS): Godfrey, Prof. Tananarive Due and Shekem are guests for the “Blade” trilogy. “Ridiculousness” (MTV): Jimmie Allen “The 49th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards” (CBS): “The Great American Recipe” (PBS): Alejandra Ramos hosts this new eight-part competition series with judges Tiffany Derry, Leah Cohen and Graham Elliot.

June 26 – “2022 BET Awards” (BET/BET Her/): Taraji P. Henson returns to host with performances by Lizzo, Babyface, Chance The Rapper, Latto, Ella Mai, Jack Harlow, Roddy Ricch, Chlöe, Joey Bada$$, Maverick City Music x Kirk Franklin and more for the ceremony honoring P. Diddy and HBCU Buzz founder Luke Lawal Jr., among others. “The Chi” (SHO): The highly anticipated fifth season is here. Season four ended as one of the network’s most-streamed series ever, averaging 4.2 million weekly viewers. “Citizen Ashe” (CNN): Explores the enduring legacy of tennis great and humanitarian Arthur Ashe, tracing his personal evolution from sports legend to global activist. “Westworld” (HBO): The Emmy-winning drama series with Jeffrey Wright, Tessa Thompson, Thandiwe Newton, Aaron Paul, Evan Rachel Wood and Ed Harris returns for its eight-episode fourth season. “College Hill: Celebrity Edition” (BET): In the reimagined new season, celebrities Nene Leakes, Ray J, Lamar Odom, Big Freedia, Stacey Dash, DreamDoll, India Love and Slim Thug will live together and enroll alongside students at Texas Southern University.

June 28 – “Only Murders In The Building” (Hulu): Steve Martin, Martin Short and Selena Gomez are back as podcasters now publicly implicated in a homicide. “The Future Of” (Netflix): With the help of industry experts, this innovative docuseries narrated by Jurnee Smollett, examines new and emerging technological trends to imagine revolutionary possibilities. “Christela Alonzo: Middle Classy” (Netflix): A follow up to her 2016 comedy special, “Lower Classy,” finds the comic sharing the joys of aging in her 40s, her first ever experience with a gyno, and the importance of family. “Kelly Clarkson” (Syn): The Black Fairly GodmotherNick Cannon Presents: Wild ‘N Out” (VH1): Coco JonesBobby Brown: Every Little Step” (A&E): “In Memory of Bobbi Kristina” “Endangered” (HBO): Chronicles a year in the life of four journalists living and working in democratic countries where freedom of the press has historically been considered a “given.” Yet, as online misinformation proliferates and world leaders brazenly denigrate the press, journalists are increasingly facing situations more typically encountered in war zones or autocratic states. “Origins of Hip-Hop” (A&E): Ice-T

June 29 – “Beauty” (Netflix): Written and co-produced by Lena Waithe, this film starring Aleyse Shannon, Niecy Nash, Giancarlo Esposito and Sharon Stone, follows a woman living with her family in 1980s New Jersey on the verge of becoming known worldwide as a singer. “The Upshaws” (Netflix): More episodes of the hilarious sitcom with Mike Epps, Kim Fields and Wanda Sykes. “Right To Offend: The Black Comedy Revolution” (A&E): A two-part documentary event exploring the progression of Black comedy and the comedians who have used pointed humor to expose, challenge and ridicule society’s injustices and to articulate the Black experience in America. Executive producers include Kevin Hart and Pookey Wigington of Chocolate Sundaes fame.

END QUOTE: “The more you say I can’t say something, the more urgent it is for me to say it.” – DAVE CHAPPELLE 

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.