By Bill Vaughan
Entertainment Writer
“Bel-Air,” Peacock’s new one-hour drama series imagining the beloved sitcom “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” through a new lens premieres Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 13 on the streaming service.
Executive produced by that series’ star Will Smith, Quincy Jones and concept creator Morgan Cooper, the ensemble cast includes Cassandra Freeman (“The Last O.G.”), April Parker Jones (“If Loving You Is Wrong”), Coco Jones (“Vampires vs. the Bronx”), Duane Martin (“Real Husbands of Hollywood”), Karrueche Tran (“Claws”) and 23 year-old newcomer Jabari Banks as Will.
“With this dramatic reimagining, we wanted to create a show that stands on its own while honoring the spirit and innovation of the original series,” says Cooper whose viral trailer launched the reboot.
“Because ‘Bel-Air’ is a drama, we’re able to really peel back the layers of these characters and themes in a way that you simply couldn’t do 30 years ago in the half-hour sitcom format. We’re able to go have tough conversations that challenge perspectives. At its core, ‘Bel-Air’ is a celebration of the Black experience through the perspective of a family.”
The first three hour-long episodes will be available to view at launch with new episodes released weekly.
CAUSE WORTHY: Leon Bridges, currently nominated for two Grammys for Best Traditional R&B Performance and Best R&B Album for “Gold-Diggers Sound,” is the latest artist to join forces with Southern California-based HomeState, a Texas Kitchen, for their Band Taco Program.
His creation dubbed, “The Ft. Worth,” in homage to his beloved hometown, consists of spicy achiote chicken, bacon, pico de gallo, lettuce, tomatillo ranch, and pickled jalapenos on a flour tortilla — all at his urging.
The taco will be available at all four HomeState locations (East Hollywood, Highland Park, Pasadena and Playa Vista) for just $5 with $1.25 of every order donated to community organizations The Big Good and CASA/LA.
Bridges joins other Band Taco alums Questlove, Fitz & The Tantrums, Flea, Fred Armisen, and Norah Jones in the program that has generated more than $200,000 for community partners.
TASTY QUIP: “Most would think that getting acknowledgment from the Academy could mean you know, like a proverbial breathless race to the finish line. Like, there’s a last stretch, the last lap. But believe it or not, I think everything done before today now makes what we’ve done just a prequel. … I feel like now, it’s going to open it up, to be seen by even more eyes. And that was really the whole purpose of the film, to show how art and music can heal people, a moment of joy. This isn’t the end, this is literally the start.” – QUESTLOVE to The Wrap on his movie “Summer of Soul (…Or, When The Revolution Could Not Be Televised)” being Oscar nominated for Best Documentary Feature
CLIPPETTES: In addition to his Best Actor Oscar nomination for “King Richard,” Will Smith’s most excellent week continues with the announcement of him hosting Disney’s Plus’ “Pole To Pole,” a filmed journey from the South Pole to the North Pole …
NFL greats Jim Brown and Lawrence Taylor, rapper Mellow Man Ace and actor Columbus Short are reportedly confirmed for the Daughters of Legends Super Bowl Launch Event from 2 to 7 p.m. Feb. 11 at Sneakertopia (located inside the Howard Hughes Promenade) …
Later that evening, Shaquille O’Neal is bringing “Shaq’s Fun House” with Lil Wayne, Zedd, Diplo, DJ Irie, Myles O’Neal, a full-size carnival, open bar and a taste of L.A. to The Shrine; as Charlie Wilson with special guests Johnny Gill, Ralph Tresvant and K-Ci Hailey put on a show at the Microsoft Theater; Catch One presents Polo G; and Kodak Black raps at The Novo …
“Dear …,” an Apple TV Plus docuseries featuring celebrities reading fan letters, has been renewed for a second season with Viola Davis, Billy Porter, Jane Fonda, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Ava DuVernay, Sandra Oh and the late fashion icon André Leon Talley on tap …
Kenny Lattimore, Najee, Mariea Antoinette and her Soulful Orchestra with Althea Rene are set for a Valentine’s smooth jazz concert Feb. 12 at Long Beach’s Terrace Theater …
Also that night, Rolling Stone Live: Los Angeles with The Kid LAROI, Kaskade, Tinashe, Lil Jon, Iann Dior and more is at Academy in Hollywood; while The Lox, Sheek Louch, Jadakiss, Styles P, Too $hort and Twista are at the Saban Theatre …
A Michael Jackson big screen biopic is a go after a deal struck between the estate and Lionsgate. Graham King (“Bohemian Rhapsody”) is producing …
Valentine’s Day benefits the ladies with Mario crooning at The Novo (followed by Wale the next night); and R&B supergroups 112 & Next at The Saban …
Natalie Cole’s multi-platinum, seven-time Grammy-winning album “Unforgettable…With Love” is getting a 30th anniversary reissue by Craft Recordings. Featuring the smash virtual duet of the title track with her father Nat King Cole, the new version has remastered audio and two bonus tracks: “At Last” and “Cottage For Sale” …
Soul Rebels light up the Teragram Ballroom Feb. 17; while Gerald Clayton Sextet plays The Soraya …
Ahead of Global Movie Day on Feb. 12, Lawn Love ranked 2022’s Best Cities for Movie Lovers. New York ranked first followed by San Francisco, L.A., Torrance, Ontario, Riverside and Pasadena.
TASTY QUIP: “Our show is in no way a moral tale to teach people how to live their life or what they should be doing. If anything, the feeling behind ‘Euphoria,’ or whatever we have always been trying to do with it, is to hopefully help people feel a little bit less alone in their experience and their pain. And maybe feel like they’re not the only one going through or dealing with what they’re dealing with.” – ZENDAYA to Entertainment Weekly on criticisms that her HBO show glorifies youth drug use
TC ON TV: Feb. 11 – “Marry Me” (Peacock): Jennifer Lopez is executive producer, star and songwriter (with Latin music star Maluma who makes his acting debut) of this modern love story premiering in theaters and exclusively on the streaming service. Owen Wilson, Sarah Silverman and Michelle Buteau co-star. “Inventing Anna” (Netflix): A new series from Shonda Rhimes with Laverne Cox in the cast. “Lady You Shot Me: Life and Death of Sam Cooke” (Ovation): Uncovers the mystery surrounding the demise of the soul icon at the age of 33. “Everything’s Gonna Be All White” (SHO): A provocative new three-part docuseries exploring the history of race in America from the perspective of people of color. Directed by Emmy nominee Sacha Jenkins (“Bitchin’: The Sound and Fury of Rick James”).
Feb. 12 – “Profiled: The Black Man: Black Men Are Dangerous” (Disc+): A four-part docuseries from executive producer Tina Knowles-Lawson examining the origins of the widespread stereotypes that have permeated society and impacted the lives of Black men in America for centuries. “Line Sisters” (Lifetime): The wonderfully cast LeToya Luckett, Kierra Sheard-Kelly, Ta’Rhonda Jones and Drew Sidora are sorority members reuniting at a Black Greek Weekend celebration in this new movie.
Feb. 13 – “Puppy Bowl XVIII” (Disc+/Animal): Snoop Dogg and Martha Stewart host and coach opposing teams of adoptable canines. “Super Bowl LVI” (NBC): Among the spots to look for are first looks at Jordan Peele’s “Nope” and Prime Video’s “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.” Snoop, Dr. Dre, Kendrick Lamar, Mary J. Blige and Eminem make hip-hop history at halftime. “We Need To Talk About Cosby” (SHO): Part 3 covers the success of “The Cosby Show” and how Bill’s persona warps from America’s Dad into America’s Angry Grandpa.
Feb. 14 – “Ali Wong: Don Wong” (Netflix): In her third Netflix stand-up special, the comic reveals her wildest fantasies, the challenges of monogamy and how she really feels about single people. “One Thousand Years of Slavery – The Untold Story” (Smithsonian): “Black Market” (Vice): Guest host Rosie Perez closes the second season with “Thirst Trap.”
Feb. 15 – “Luda Can’t Cook” (Disc+): Chris “Ludacris” Bridges gets a helping hand from some of the world’s greatest chefs. “Finding Your Roots” (PBS): Henry Louis Gates Jr. helps John Leguizamo and Lena Waithe retrace the paths of their ancestors. “Chopped” (Food): “Black History Month Celebration” requires four chefs to use ingredients one would find in an African-American household. “American Experience” (PBS): “The American Diplomat” recounts how three Black diplomats broke racial barriers at the U.S. State Department during the Cold War.
Feb. 16 – “jeen-yuhs: A Kanye Trilogy” (Netflix): A docuseries on the early years of Kanye West’s career, filmed over two decades, opens with “Act 1 (Vision).”
END QUOTE: “If you love me… you love all of me. You don’t get to pick and choose. We should be unconditionally loving of one another, starting with being unconditionally loving to ourselves. Take a moment today and think about the conditions we cling to. Free yourself in love. You deserve it.” – LIZZO on Twitter
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.
