By Bill Vaughan
Entertainment Writer
Two-time Emmy Award–nominated actor, producer, comedian, pastor and author Kel Mitchell’s powerful devotional book “Blessed Mode” hit shelves and online retailers this week.
The entertainer best known from starring in Nickelodeon shows “Kenan & Kel,” “All That,” and the film “Good Burger,” takes readers on an inspiring 90-day challenge focusing on the blessings received when total faith and trust is placed in God.
Mitchell is no stranger to faith as he has been serving as a youth pastor at Spirit Food Christian Center and often counsels young people on a weekly basis across the country, encouraging them to love God and follow their dreams.
“As you read through the pages of ‘Blessed Mode,’ you will learn that in every emotional wall there is a blessed way out,” said Mitchell, who also is executive producer of the “All That” reboot and host of CBS Saturday morning animal-oriented shows “Tails of Valor” and “Best Friends Furever.”
“You will be breaking through these walls widening that crack of light a little bit, day by day, so you can discover God’s blessings on you.
“I hope this book can inspire others to embrace their blessings and find strength spiritually, mentally and physically. Life is a beautiful blessing giving to us by God! I cannot wait to show the world this side of me and how to activate ‘Blessed Mode.’
TICKET WATCH: Get ready for a splendid evening of R&B hits as The Culture Tour featuring New Edition, Charlie Wilson and Jodeci, rolls into 28 cities including a March 20 date in L.A. at the Crypto.Com Arena. Tickets go on sale Dec. 17 at axs.com.
CLIPPETTES: CeCe Winans, experiencing a remarkable year after being named Billboard’s Top Gospel Female Artist and receiving three 2022 Grammy nominations, is giving a holiday concert Dec. 17 at the Walt Disney Concert Hall. Joining her is The Kingdom Choir, the London gospel group that has been wowing audiences for over 20 years, and who made a worldwide splash at the wedding of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry …
Also that evening, Black Pumas perform at the YouTube Theater; DJ Quik & Special Guests are at the Vermont Hollywood; reggae legend Don Carlos is at Echoplex; Thievery Corporation’s The Outernational Tour arrives at The Wiltern; and Jose Feliciano wishes you “Feliz Navidad” at the Saban Theatre …
Snoop Dogg is teaming with Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson to develop the story of the former’s 1983 murder trial into a series. “A Moment In Time: Murder Was The Case” is earmarked for Starz …
Spike Lee presents his new book “Spike” from 2 to 4 p.m. on Dec. 18 at Malik Books in Westfield Culver City Mall. Admission to the event is $50 and includes a signed copy …
Later that evening, Stevie Wonder’s House Full of Toys Concert commences at the Microsoft Theater and Marc Anthony sings at The Forum …
Six-time Grammy winner Dr. Dre took to Instagram to announce he “just finished recording an album with Marsha Ambrosius [the former lead vocalist of Floetry]. ‘Casablanco’ I had a blast!! This is some of my best work!!” …
Soulful Sundays Live hosted by TVOne’s “Unsung” Tyrone DuBose presents El DeBarge, Switch and DW3 on Dec. 19 at the Globe Theatre; while over at the Belasco Theater, Eric Bellinger & Friends (perhaps including Amber Riley) hold a holiday jam …
Wilmer Valderrama (“NCIS”) is planning to star in a TV series reboot of “Zorro,” placing the iconic hero in Pueblo de Los Angeles …
Jazz keyboardist David Benoit plays The Coach House Dec. 23 as Suga Free performs at LA Santa OC …
John Legend is working on a modern movie musical update of “The Phantom Of The Opera” to be set in New Orleans. His collaborators include CEO of The Recording Academy Harvey Mason Jr. and Mike Jackson.
TC ON TV: Dec. 17 – “Swan Song” (AppleTV+): Mahershala Ali is producer and star of this powerful drama with the premise of deciding whether your clone should continue your life. “Mother/Android” (Hulu): Chloe Grace Moretz and Algee Smith portray an expecting couple in this futuristic sci-fi film. “With Love” (Amazon): A romantic comedy following the Diaz family as they navigate the highs and lows of love during a different holiday throughout the year. “Live With Kelly & Ryan” (ABC): Method Man, Shaggy “Friday Night Vibes” (TBS): Niecy Nash and Ricky Smiley “The 89th Annual Hollywood Christmas Parade” (CW): Sheryl Underwood is the grand marshal for this year’s event covered by Montel Williams, Erik Estrada, Dean Cain and Laura McKenzie. “Chillin Island” (HBO): New York City natives and rap personalities Alec “Despot” Reinstein, Ashok “Dap” Kondabolu and Aleksey “Lakutis” Weintraub invite their music industry friends (like Young Thug, Lil Yachty and Killer Mike) to join them at the edge of nature.
Dec. 18 – “My Dream Kitchen” (Disc+): Carla Hall “Where Hearts Lie” (Fox Soul): A movie thriller with Malik Yoba and Clifton Powell. “The Kings of Napa” (OWN): A preview special introducing the new drama from acclaimed writer and executive producer Janine Sherman Barrois (“Self-Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker”) premiering Jan. 11. It centers on an African-American-owned California vineyard with a cast led by Isiah Whitlock, Jr. (“The Wire,” “Da 5 Bloods”).
Dec. 19 – “1883” (Paramount+): This “Yellowstone” prequel spinoff tells the story of America’s Western expansion with a cast featuring Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Sam Elliott, Billy Bob Thornton, Graham Greene and Tom Hanks. “Patti LaBelle’s Holiday Party” (TV1): With special guest Tamar Braxton. “Claws” (TNT): The fourth and final season of the adventures of the ladies of Florida’s Nail Artisans salon kicks off with a two-hour premiere.
Dec. 20 – “Miracles Across 125th Street” (VH1): Nick Cannon is executive producer, writer, director and star of this movie about a Harlem rapper who returns to his family’s church on Christmas Eve after battling a drug addiction. The all-star cast includes Akon, Bobb’e J. Thompson, Chrisette Michele, DC Young Fly, Fred Hammond, Jim Jones, Kierra Sheard-Kelly, Lil Kim, Luenell Campbell, Marsha Warfield, Teyana Taylor and Tommy Davidson. “Reopening Night” (HBO): A documentary following the multi-cultural cast, crew and staff of the New York’s Public Theater as they prepare to mount an adaptation of Shakespeare’s “Merry Wives” while dealing with the threat of COVID-19.
Dec. 21 – “Being The Ricardos” (Amazon): Aaron Sorkin’s movie goes inside the relationship of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz (portrayed here by Nicole Kidman and Javier Bardem). “Fantasy Island” (Fox): The reboot starring the luminous duo of Roslyn Sanchez and Kiara Barnes returns for a two-hour holiday special in paradise. “Song & Story” (OWN): A new collection of movies inspired by seminal songs known as anthems for womanhood. The first in the series, “Amazing Grace” starring Bresha Webb (“Run The World”), Getenesh Berhe (“Cinema Of Sleep”) and Gospel singer/actress Karen Clark Sheard, shines a light on the themes of challenge and triumph that ring true in the hymn.
Dec. 22 – “The Matrix Resurrections (HBO): Keanu Reeves is back as Neo in the fourth film no one saw coming. Hot actor Yahya Abdul-Mateen II (“Candyman,” “Aquaman,” “Watchmen”) takes over the role of Morpheus from Lawrence Fishburne. “Berlin Live” (Ovation): Morcheeba “The Masked Singer Christmas Singalong” (Fox): A two-hour special with never-before-seen holiday performances, laugh-out-loud bloopers and behind the scenes footage. “The 44th Annual Kennedy Center Honors” (CBS): David Letterman hosts the ceremony recognizing the lives and contributions of Berry Gordy, Justino Díaz, Lorne Michaels, Bette Midler and Joni Mitchell.
Dec. 23 – “Yearly Departed” (Amazon): Yvonne Orji (“Insecure”) hosts this comedic farewell to 2021. “A Closer Look” (AllBlk): Anthony Hamilton “TMZ’s Merry Elfin’ Christmas: Bye Bye 2021!” (Fox): NeNe Leakes, Howie Mandel and other celebrities take over TMZ and hash out their top stories of the year.
END QUOTE: “Jussie [Smollett] faces possible prison time and Amy Cooper, the woman who called the police and lied about the Black man that was bird watching in Central Park was trying to attack her, leading to the potential arrest of the man where in the history of Black men in custody could have led to his death!! Amy Cooper got off with public service. We will see the outcome of this for this Black man. Will he get the same compassion as Amy Cooper? I am not condoning what Mr. Smollett was found guilty of. I am just asking will he get the same compassion and understanding of knowingly lying to police. Kyle Rittenhouse walked free after killing two people because the jury had compassion?” – TINA KNOWLES on IG
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.
