By Bill Vaughan
Entertainment Writer
It is the movie families and friends are sure to pack theaters for on Christmas Day, and the Oprah Winfrey Network is heralding the opening with an all-new star-studded special “OWN Celebrates The New Color Purple” premiering Dec. 10 at 10 p.m.
In this one-hour exclusive event, Oprah Winfrey goes behind the scenes of the movie’s new musical adaptation, giving audiences an intimate look at the cast, characters and story that has become a cultural phenomenon.
Interviews with “The Color Purple” leading actors, including Taraji P. Henson, Danielle Brooks, Colman Domingo, Corey Hawkins, H.E.R. and Fantasia Barrino, who stars as Celie, reveal what went into playing some of the film’s most iconic roles.
Additionally, visionary director Blitz Bazawule, acclaimed screenwriter Marcus Gardley, award-winning choreographer Fatima Robinson and celebrated costume designer Francine Jamison-Tanchuck share stories on how they each uniquely reimagined the film.
Oprah, who also serves as a producer on the new version, candidly reflects on her role as Sofia in the epic 1985 film, how it changed her life and the rich history and relevance of the story’s themes in today’s world. The must-see special also includes exclusive conversations between Oprah and legendary filmmaker Steven Spielberg and “The Color Purple” author, Alice Walker.
Many are renting out movie theaters for Christmas parties, so check your local listings in advance to reserve your place at this cinema event.
RED CARPET WALK: Timothée Chalamet, Keegan-Michael Key, Natasha Rothwell (“Insecure”), Rowan Atkinson (“Mr. Bean”), Olivia Colman and more are expected at the Hollywood premiere of the prequel “Wonka” on Dec. 10 at Westwood’s Regency Bruin Theatre.
TASTY QUIP: “So many fear getting older. That’s understandable. Things just aren’t the same anymore. Our bodies. Our energy. Our minds. But I gotta say, my mind is FIERCER THAN EVER. Wise, baby. I think we have to look at aging and these big milestone years like, ‘I GET to be that age.” – TYRA BANKS upon turning 50
CLIPPETTES: Home for the Holidays with Peabo Bryson, Oleta Adams, The 5th Dimension, and Haley Reinhart comes Dec. 8 at the Cerritos Center; on a night that also has Samara Joy’s A Joyful Holiday Tour featuring the McLendon Family at the Granada Theatre, Adam Blackstone at The Sun Rose, Danny Brown at Hollywood Forever Cemetery and the Steve Gadd Band kicking off three nights at Catalina Bar & Grill …
Vanessa Bell Armstrong is a special guest cast member of Don B. Welch’s hit comedy gospel play “Let The Church Roll On!” at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre on Dec. 9, as The Brian McKnight 4: Season’s Greetings is happening at The Novo, and jazz/hip hop group Butcher Brown play the Lodge Room …
SiriusXM has announced that Grammy Award-winning reggae star Shaggy is getting his own channel to be called “Shaggy’s Boombastic Radio.” In addition, R&B singer Jody Watley is curating a holiday special to begin airing Dec. 10 on The Groove channel …
Also on that date, the legendary Gladys Knight continues her farewell tour at La Mirada Theater, while Grammy-nominated vocal group Kings Return harmonize at Ventura Missionary Church …
The Norm Lewis Christmas Show comes to Catalina Bar & Grill Dec. 12 for two nights …
Victoria Monét will talk about her latest Grammy nominated Best R&B album “Jaguar II” with producer D’Mile in a conversation moderated by Jimmy Jam at the Grammy Museum on Dec. 13 …
Additionally that evening, Simu Liu (“Barbie,” “Marvel’s Shang-Chi”) sings at The Hotel Café, Whisky A Go Go welcomes Kool Keith, The Echo hosts modern R&B artist Leon Thomas, and The Novo presents Moneybagg Yo, Luh Tyler, and YTB Fatt …
Rappers Raekwon and Ghostface Killah headline at The Novo on Dec. 14, while Lil TJay is at the Palladium, and Allan Harris croons at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center.
This is your chance to bid on Dr. Dre & Snoop Dogg signed one-of-a-kind Air Force 1’s, and personal memorabilia from Jon Batiste, Big Daddy Kane, Paul Russell and more as the ASCAP Foundation runs its third annual benefit Holiday Auction through Dec. 14. Visit ascapfoundation.org/auction23 to get involved.
TASTY QUIP: “Throughout the years I was able to travel the world, win many awards, applause and praise but I realized something that’s in the Bible: For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” – Reggaeton star DADDY YANKEE upon announcing his retirement from performing
TC ON TV: Dec. 8 – “Leave The World Behind” (Netflix): Starring Julia Roberts, Mahershala Ali and Ethan Hawke, the apocalyptic thriller written and directed by Sam Esmail (“Mr. Robot”) and executive produced by Barack and Michelle Obama, tells the story of two families brought together by an unexplained phenomenon. “Merry Little Batman” (Prime): Damian Wayne, son of the superhero, is left home alone to stop The Joker from ruining Christmas in this short. “Blood Vessel” (Netflix): A Nigerian thriller about six people in peril after fleeing a town devastated by oil pollution on a mysterious ship. “Tamron Hall” (Syn): Vanessa Williams “Magic In Mistletoe” (Hallmark): Lyndie Greenwood (“Star,” “Sleepy Hollow”) stars. “A Very Demi Holiday Special” (Roku): With Demi Lovato, Tiffany Haddish and JoJo.
Dec. 9 – “Lights, Camera, Take Action! Caring for Hollywood’s Crews” (KTLA): Yvette Nicole Brown and Tom Bergeron return as producing hosts for this telethon with Jeff Bridges, Darren Criss, Colin Farrell, Jason George, Clark Gregg, Lalah Hathaway, Jodie Foster, Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, Leslie Odom Jr., Phil Rosenthal, John Stamos, Wilmer Valderrama, Ming-Na Wen and more taking calls. “Byron Allen Presents Funny You Should Ask” (CBS): With Sheryl Underwood, Whitney Cummings, Vivica A. Fox, Billy Gardell, Jon Lovitz, Jeff Ross, and others. “A Christmas of Yes” (OWN): Rhonda Baraka directs this tale of a suddenly unemployed woman who is urged to say yes to everything she’s said no to in the past. “Saturday Night Live” (NBC): Adam Driver hosts with musical guest Olivia Rodrigo.
Dec. 10 – “Yes, Chef! Christmas” (Lifetime): Tia Mowry is the lead in this confection produced by and co-starring “Cake Boss” Buddy Valastro. “A Grammy Salute To 50 Years of Hip Hop” (CBS): A two-hour tribute special featuring exclusive performances from Black Thought, Bun B, Common, De La Soul, Jermaine Dupri, J.J. Fad, Talib Kweli, The Lady Of Rage, LL Cool J, Monie Love, The Pharcyde, Queen Latifah, Questlove, Rakim, Remy Ma, Uncle Luke, Yo-Yo, T.I., Too $hort, Latto, Big Daddy Kane, GloRilla, Juvenile, Cypress Hill, Jeezy, DJ Quik, MC Lyte, Roxanne Shanté, Warren G, YG, Digable Planets, Arrested Development, Spinderella, the reunion of the Fresh Prince & DJ Jazzy Jeff and more.
Dec. 11 – “Big Brother Reindeer Games” (CBS): Frankie Grande, Britney Haynes and Danielle Reyes return to the game as mischievous elves to usher in the hit reality show’s first holiday special with new rules and a cast of BB legends. “Murder In Boston: Roots, Rampage, and Reckoning” (HBO): Chronicles the complex history of race-based hostilities in the city, which exploded with the desegregation of schools and the Garrity busing ruling of 1974. The series explores the enduring, painful toll the Stuart case has had on the families involved, on Boston race relations, and how a community can be brutalized in a rush to justice. “The Daily Show” (Comedy): Kal Penn is the guest host this week.
Dec. 12 – “Kevin Hart & Chris Rock: Headliners Only” (Netflix): Offers an unparalleled, behind-the-scenes look at the superstar comics’ friendship and careers. “The Masked Singer: Holiday Sing-Along” (Fox): Featuring surprise performances from Season 10 contestants, the series’ alumni and carolers Nick Cannon, Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg, Ken Jeong, Robin Thicke and Nicole Scherzinger.
Dec. 13 – “TMZ No BS” (Tubi): Bad Bunny “Celebrity Family Feud” (ABC): Billy Porter vs. Rosie O’Donnell “Celebrity Wheel of Fortune” (ABC): Lil Rel Howery, Paula Abdul
Dec. 14 – “Christmas Rescue” (BET+): Robin Givens is the writer and star of this movie with Mario Van Peebles and Raven Goodwin (“Being Mary Jane”). “Favorite Son Christmas” (BET+): For this one, Givens directs Serayah (“Empire”) and Lisa Arrindell (“Saints & Sinners”) in this story of a failing church hoping to reunite their estranged gospel group. “The View” (ABC): The Christmas show with Tracee Ellis Ross and Darlene Love. “Heaven Down Here” (HMC): Inspired by country music vocalist Mickey Guyton‘s song of the same name, this film tells the story of four disparate people who find themselves stranded in a local diner on Christmas Eve when a snowstorm hits the town. With Tina Lifford (“Queen Sugar”), Krystal Joy Brown (“Power Book III: Raising Kanan”) and Phylicia Rashad.
END QUOTE: “I cherish every single minute now. It’s different. It’s different. I wouldn’t wish what I went through on my worst enemy because it’s tough when it’s almost over … when you see the tunnel. I saw the tunnel — I didn’t see the light.” – JAMIE FOXX reflecting on his recent illness at the Critics Choice Association’s Celebration of Cinema and Television: Honoring Black, Latino and AAPI Achievements
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.
