Kevin Hart will serve as the first-ever on-court emcee of the ‘2025 NBA All-Star Game’ Feb. 16 from San Francisco. Hart will be joined by the NBA All Stars and the TNT basketball crew consisting of Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal, Candace Parker and Kenny “The Jet” Smith.
Courtesy photo
By Bill Vaughan
Entertainment Writer
The 2025 NBA All-Star Weekend, an event esteemed journalist and ESPN “Pardon The Interruption” star Michael Wilborn once endearingly dubbed “Black Thanksgiving,” is upon us with special programming debuting on a variety of networks and streamers.
The “2025 NBA All-Star Celebrity Game” (ESPN/Disney+) is set for Feb. 14 at Oakland Arena with teams coached by area sports legends Barry Bonds and Jerry Rice. Mickey Guyton, Kai Cenat, Baron Davis, Matt Barnes, Druskii, Terrell Owens, MGM+ “Godfather of Harlem” addition Rome Flynn, and Shaboozey are among those suiting up.
That will be followed by the “2025 NBA Rising Stars” game on TNT/TRUTV, which returns to host “2025 NBA All-Star Saturday Night” for the Skills Challenge, 3-Point Contest and Slam Dunk Contest.
Comedy superstar Kevin Hart will serve as the first-ever on-court emcee of the “2025 NBA All-Star Game” (TNT/TBS/TRU/MAX) Feb. 16 at Chase Center — home of the Golden State Warriors. He’ll be hyping the festivities alongside Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal, Candace Parker and Kenny “The Jet” Smith.
Expect performances by H.E.R., Raphael Saddiq, Too $hort, Saweetie, E-40, En Vogue, Flo Rida and DJ Cassidy before the premiere of “Foul Play with Anthony Davis” showing athletes how to succeed at pranking.
With the only surviving VHS copy of the secret scrimmage and recollections from those involved, “We Beat The Dream Team” (HBO/MAX) reveals the little-known story of a how a group of college basketball players including Grant Hill, Penny Hardaway, Chris Webber and Jamal Mashburn actually defeated the first Olympic pro assemblage of Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan and the rest of the legendary squad on their way to the 1992 games in Barcelona, Spain. It premieres Feb. 17.
Barack Obama is an executive producer of “Court of Gold” (Netflix), an unfiltered, insider look at Team USA, France, Serbia and Canada as they gear up and battle for gold in Paris’ 2024 Olympic Games. The film debuting Feb. 18 features Steph Curry, Kevin Durant and Victor Wembanyama.
The week ends with the Feb. 20 unveiling of “Memes & Nightmares” (Hulu/Andscape) from executive producers LeBron James and Maverick Carter. The insightful satirical film dives into the vibrant world of NBA Twitter.
Hosts Josiah Johnson (aka King Josiah) and Jamel Johnson (no relation!) along with guests J.R. Smith, Flavor Flav, Jalen Rose, Metta World Peace, Gilbert Arenas, Matt Barnes, Jemele Hill, Darius Miles and The Kid Mero unravel the culture that has turned basketball into a 24/7 cultural phenomenon.
TICKET WATCH: Fresh off two Grammy wins in the same week as his groundbreaking performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner” at the 2025 Super Bowl, multi-Grammy and Academy Award winner Jon Batiste is launching a limited run Maestro Tour showcasing his singular artistry and musical storytelling. Tickets for his May 19 date at Walt Disney Concert Hall go on sale Feb. 14 at 10 a.m. and can be purchased online at laphil.com, or by phone at 323-850-2000.
CLIPPETTES: Valentine’s Day is for music lovers with Charlie Wilson, Stephanie Mills and Howard Hewett at the Peacock Theater; and Hearts Of Soul featuring The Chi-Lites, Barbara Mason, Ready for the World, The Emotions, The Intruders, Blue Magic, Dazz Band, The Moments and more at Toyota Arena (before moving the next night to Long Beach’s Terrace Theater) …
Also, Brian McKnight is at the Morongo Casino, The Pharcyde and Cut Chemist at The Venice West, Kurt Elling celebrates Weather Report’s Peter Erskine and The Yellowjackets at Soka Performing Arts Center, and Tyler, The Creator, Lil Yachty and Paris Texas come to Crypto.com Arena (with additional shows Feb. 15, 18, 20) …
The 10th Annual Dre Day LA will be held at Echoplex Feb. 15 as Grammy Award-winning drummer and producer Terri Lyne Carrington presents “We Insist! Max Roach’s Freedom Now Suite” at Santa Monica’s BroadStage …
Wow! That was fast! Academy Award Best Picture nominee “Nickel Boys” and that Keke Palmer/SZA comedy “One of Them Days” are now available at home on demand for $19.99 …
On Feb. 20, The Mark Taper Auditorium hosts “The 1619 Project: A Visual Experience with Nikole Hannah-Jones” featuring the Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author in conversation about “The 1619 Projectbook” showcasing newly commissioned artists including the great Carrie Mae Weems, and archival images …
Also, Chucho Valdés: Irakere 50 recreates the legendary Afro-Cuban jazz band with fellow original member Arturo Sandoval and Cimafunk at The Soraya, Kook Keith and MC Homeless bring their ‘Punk Rap Tour’ to the Paramount, the comedy of Josh Johnson hits the Wilshire Ebell, and The Ozomatli Experience continues at Verse …
TASTY QUIP: “The revolution ‘bout to be televised. You picked the right time, but the wrong guy.” – KENDRICK LAMAR beginning his headlining halftime show at Super Bowl LXI
TC ON TV: Feb. 14 – “Good Morning America” (ABC): Montell Jordan, director Julius Onah (“Captain America: Brave New World”) “CBS Mornings” (CBS): Christina Funke Tegbe, founder and CEO of skincare line 54 Thrones. “Kelly Clarkson” (Syn): Chiwetel Ejiofor; Mariah & Raheem DeVaughn “Saturday Night Live: SNL50: The Homecoming Concert” (Peacock): Jimmy Fallon hosts with performances by Bad Bunny, Bonnie Raitt, Brittany Howard, David Byrne, DEVO, Jelly Roll, Lady Gaga, Post Malone, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, The B-52s, The Roots and more. “Move When the Spirit Says Move: The Legacy of Dorothy Foreman Cotton” (Aspire): The story of the civil rights leader who was the only woman on the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. ‘s executive staff.
Feb. 15 – “Trapped In The Spotlight” (Lifetime): Monique Coleman and Melyssa Ford star in this drama about a canceled R&B singer and her estranged co-star who is kidnapped by a psychotic music producer. “Have I Got News For You” (CNN): A second season of the topical game with Roy Wood Jr. and Amber Ruffin. “Saturday Night Live” (NBC): A re-airing of the first-ever episode which originally aired on Oct. 11, 1975, hosted by George Carlin with musical guests Billy Preston and East Orange, New Jersey homie Janis Ian, comedian Andy Kaufman and a Muppets sketch.
Feb. 16 – “Saturday Night Live: SNL50: The Anniversary Special” (NBC/Peacock): A three-hour special promising Eddie Murphy, Chris Rock, Tracy Morgan, Garrett Morris, Ayo Edebiri, Dave Chappelle, Martin Short, Paul McCartney, Paul Simon, Pedro Pascal, Quinta Brunson, Kenan Thompson, Maya Rudolph, Steve Martin, Tom Hanks and Woody Harrelson. “Trial & Error: Why Did O.J. Win” (Court TV): Marking 30 years since the opening statements of what came to be dubbed “The Trial of the Century,” this seven-part original limited series takes a deep dive into the infamous double murder trial of O.J. Simpson. “The White Lotus” (HBO): Natasha Rothwell (“How to Die Alone”) returns as spa manager Belinda for this third season set in Thailand. “The Equalizer” (CBS): Carl Seaton (“Snowfall“) directs the fifth season winter premiere of the Queen Latifah series.
Feb. 17 – “On TV: A Black History Month Special” (CBS): Hosted by Kevin Frazier and Nischelle Turner of “Entertainment Tonight,” the hour is spent shining a spotlight on network stars including Wayne Brady (celebrating 15 years of hosting “Let’s Make A Deal”), Morris Chestnut and Wendell Pierce; along with a look at historic milestones and trailblazers such as: Isabel Sanford, Cicely Tyson, Sidney Poitier, pioneering network news correspondents Harold Walker and Michele Clark, and that first interracial kiss on “Star Trek.”
Feb. 18 – “George Lopez: Muy Católico” (Prime): The comic brings his reflections on aging, Latino family dynamics and cultural quirks in his final stand-up special. “The View” (ABC): Producer Will Packer “Chopped” (Food): “Soul Food Showdown” “Great Migrations: A People on the Move” (PBS): The season finale tells the story of African and Caribbean immigrants in the United States, examining their profound impact on American culture and what it means to be Black in America.
Feb. 19 – “The View” (ABC): Rep. Jasmine Crockett “Live with Kelly & Mark” (ABC): Linsey Davis (“ABC News Live Prime”), The War and Treaty perform. “Hollywood Squares” (CBS): Tichina Arnold, Tony Gonzalez, Aida Rodriguez, Yvette Nicole Brown, Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias, Sam Jay and more.
Feb. 20 – “Zero Day” (Netflix): Robert De Niro stars in his first TV series for television as a former U.S. president called out of retirement to find the source of a deadly cyberattack. With the impressive cast of Angela Bassett, Clark Gregg, Connie Britton, Dan Stevens, Jesse Plemons, Matthew Modine and McKinley Belcher III.
END QUOTE: “I feel like it’s just as important for Black kids to see a Black Captain America as it is for white kids to see a Black Captain America. Growing up my favorite hero was green. So it wasn’t about race or anything, it was about him being a good guy trying to do the right thing. It’s very important for kids of all races to be able to watch and have someone to look up to no matter what they look like, and see that that package comes with a good human being as opposed to what they’ve been perceived as by everyone else.” – ANTHONY MACKIE (“Captain America: Brave New World” opening in theaters Feb. 13) to CineGeek
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 attastyclips@yahoo.com, via Twitter @tastyclips, or Instagram @tasty_clips.
