Courtesy photo
By Bill Vaughan
Entertainment Editor
Legendary actress and activist Pam Grier has partnered with Free TV Networks to cultivate and curate her own FAST Channel. Pam Grier’s Soul Flix, airing now across platforms including The Roku Channel and Plex.tv, celebrating the powerful heroes of Black cinema.
“I could not be more pleased with my Free TV Networks partnership,” said Grier celebrated for her many roles in films such as “Foxy Brown,” “Coffy,” “Sheba, Baby” and “Jackie Brown.” “It builds upon my life’s work to support all independent women and fans of Black cinema. These films don’t just entertain — they inspire, empower and tell stories that need to be heard.
“As someone who’s lived through this journey and fought to bring strong characters to life, I’m thrilled to shine the spotlight on the brilliance and resilience of our community. Pam Grier’s Soul Flix is a celebration of our legacy.”
PASSING THE TORCH: With news that Amazon has taken full creative control of the storied James Bond franchise, the company’s owner Jeff Bezos took to social media platform X to ask his followers who they would like to see next as the super spy.
Could this mean the many fans long hoping for Idris Elba to take the role will get some satisfaction? How about has a chance? How about fellow Black Brit heartthrobs Regé-Jean Page (“Bridgerton”) or Aaron Pierre (“Rebel Ridge“)?
At press time, Henry Cavill (“The Witcher,” “Man of Steel”) was the frontrunner with 54.3% of the vote, with Elba following with 17.2%. Michael Fassbender (“The Agency”) and Tom Hardy (“Venom”) also are earning support.
TICKET WATCH: Remaining members of Wu-Tang Clan including RZA, GZA, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Method Man, Inspectah Deck, U-God, Masta Killa, and Cappadonna, along with Ol’ Dirty Bastard’s son Young Dirty Bastard will assemble for one last time to tour.
Wu-Tang Forever: The Final Chamber with Run The Jewels opening will kick off in Baltimore June 6, with a June 22 date at LA’s Crypto.com Arena before ending in Philadelphia July 18. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. local time Feb. 28 via thewutangclan.com/tour/
REFLECTIONS: “A smile comes to my face when I think that with ‘Nightly News,’ and ‘Dateline,’ I have now anchored two of the most successful and iconic television news programs in broadcast history. As a 20-year-old radio reporter on the police beat chasing breaking news around San Francisco, I could never have imagined my career path would unfold in the way it has. What an amazing ride.” — NBC’s LESTER HOLT upon announcing he will be stepping down from the news desk in June.
JOINING THE ANCESTORS: My aunt used to regale us with stories about her fellow teacher in the Washington, D.C. school system – ROBERTA FLACK. The public at large got to know her as a pianist with clear-as-a-bell vocals who ruled the airwaves with hits “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face,” “Killing Me Softly (With His Song);” duets with Donny Hathaway including “Where Is The Love,” and “Back Together Again,” and Peabo Bryson (“Tonight, I Celebrate My Love”); and so much more. Unable to sing reportedly by ALS for years, the Grammy winner died this week at the age of 88.
Also transitioning: JERRY “THE ICE MAN” BUTLER (former lead singer of The Impressions), GWEN McCRAE (“Rockin’ Chair,” “Keep The Fire Burning”), and CHRIS JASPER (cousin and keyboardist for The Isley Bros.).
OSCARS MUSINGS: “I found it interesting. Interesting that I wouldn’t be allowed to be disappointed at an outcome where I thought I was deserving. I love applauding people. But in that moment … I have put in: put in the time, put in good work over time. I didn’t think that was a gift. I thought it was a given.” – ANGELA BASSETT (“Wakanda Forever”) to Town & Country on losing the 2023 Best Supporting Actress award to Jamie Lee Curtis (“Everything Everywhere All at Once”)
CLIPPETTES: Ayo Edebiri (“The Bear”) is in talks to write and star with Daniel Kaluuya (who also is producer) in a live-action movie based on the children’s show character “Barney” …
Cymande performs at The Bellwether Feb. 28 while the Billy Childs Quartet is booked at Catalina Bar and Grill for two nights.
Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam celebrate 40 years of music with a show March 1 with special guests The Jets, Color Me Badd, Evelyn “Champagne” King, Montell Jordan, Rob Base, and the Original Mary Jane Girls (Maxi & Cheri) …
Also that evening, Mary J. Blige’s The For My Fans Tour with Ne-Yo & Mario stops at Intuit Dome, Too $hort is at the Saban Theatre, Delfeayo Marsalis & The Uptown Jazz Orchestra play Vibrato Grill & Jazz, and Honey Cone performs their hits at Catalina Bar and Grill …
Kamasi Washington, Terrace Martin & Friends gather for a fire relief benefit March 3 at The Miracle Theater, while Heart & Squeeze are at Crypto.com Arena, Lady Blackbird at the Troubadour, the James Brandon Lewis Trio at Zebulon Café, DeRay Davis at the Hollywood Improv, and Suki Waterhouse at The Roxy for a three-night engagement …
Amoeba Hollywood hosts a free in-store performance and album signing by Aloe Blacc on March 4 at 5 p.m. …
The Hammer Museum screens Pamela Bright-Moon’s “Respect My Crown: The Rise of African American Women in California Politics” on March 6 at 7:30 p.m. Delving into the worlds of politics, community activism, organized labor and the judicial system, the film features interviews with 34 remarkable trailblazers, including L.A. County Supervisor Holly Mitchell, L.A. Mayor Karen Bass, California Secretary of State Shirley Weber and more.
OSCARS MUSINGS II: “I hope this year someone stands next to me. This year, I hope it happens because I’m tired of occupying that space alone.” – HALLE BERRY, the Academy Awards sole Black Best Actress winner, on Trevor Noah’s “What Now?” podcast
TC ON TV: Feb. 28 – “Wrong Place, Wrong Time” (Tubi): Alimi Ballard (“Queen of the South”), Apryle Jones and Obba Babatundé star in this murder mystery. “The View” (ABC): Ariana DeBose guest co-hosts. “Tamron Hall” (Syn): Political analyst and attorney Bakari Sellars and his wife, entrepreneur and blogger Ellen Rucker Sellars join the Tam Fam with their twins, Stokley & Sadie, and the unimaginable story of Sadie undergoing a liver transplant at just 8 months old. “Today 3rd Hour” (NBC): A visit to New Orleans for a taste with chefs Edgar “Dook” Chase IV, Zoe Chase, Toya Boudy and Alon Shaya. “The Sherri Shepherd Show” (Syn): Gabrielle Union, Omarion “The Jennifer Hudson Show” (Syn): Dr. Tiara Moore, founder of Black in Marine Science.
March 1 – “Have I Got News For You” (CNN): Rep. Jasmine Crockett
March 2 – “Sunday Today” (NBC): Angela Bassett “The Oscars” (ABC/Hulu): Acting nominees Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande from “Wicked” have been tapped as performers along with Doja Cat, Blackpink’s Lisa, Queen Latifah and Raye.
March 4 – “Paradise” (Hulu): The first gripping season ends with a renewal granted last week. “With Love, Meghan” (Netflix): Meghan, Duchess of Sussex invites friends and famous guests to a beautiful California estate, where she shares cooking, gardening and hosting tips. “Daredevil: Born Again” (Disney+): In this continuation of the Marvel Netflix series, Charlie Cox reprises his role of Matt Murdock, the blind lawyer with enhanced abilities that allows him to become a masked crime fighter in New York. Also back are Vincent D’Onofrio as “The Kingpin” Wilson Fisk and Jon Bernthal as “The Punisher” Frank Castle. “The View” (ABC): Questlove
March 5 – “The View” (ABC): Porsha Williams (“Real Housewives of Atlanta”) “Kelly Clarkson” (Syn): Smokey Robinson, Simone Ashley (“Bridgerton”)
March 6 – “Lil Kev” (BET+): Inspired by the childhood and comedy of its executive producer and star Kevin Hart, this animated show takes a humorous, satirical, and sometimes politically subversive approach to real-life issues going on in the Black community…with no subject off limits. Featuring the voices of Hart, Wanda Sykes, Deon Cole, Jess Hilarious, Patricia “Ms. Pat” Williams, Affion Crockett, Anjelah Johnson-Reyes, Cree Summer and Gerald “Slink” Johnson. “Beauty In Black” (Netflix): More of Tyler Perry’s stripper drama with an ensemble cast of Amber Reign Smith (“The Oval”), Debbi Morgan, Richard Lawson and Charles Malik Whitfield. “Live with Kelly & Mark” (ABC): RuPaul “Grey’s Anatomy” (ABC/Hulu): The venerable hospital drama returns for its 21st season spring premiere.
END QUOTE: “What I think is the question when you are in the midst of a crisis, and specifically a crisis of democracy: How do you resist when fascism isn’t just coming, it’s already here? What, if anything, can you do about it? For one thing, you can try to learn from history, from what people in this situation, in countries around the world and in America, have done before. As my friend Rachel Maddow always says, History is here to help.” – JOY-ANN REID on the final edition of MSNBC’s “The ReidOut”
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.
