By Bill Vaughan
Entertainment Writer
On the heels of last year’s popular “Lust” and “Envy” movies seen by more than 9.4 million viewers in their airings, Lifetime has again teamed with executive producer Bishop T.D. Jakes for two more “Seven Deadly Sins Anthology” movie installments.
Based on the series of books by Victoria Christopher Murray, “Wrath: A Seven Deadly Sins Story,” premieres April 16 at 8 p.m.
The film stars Michelle Williams (Destiny’s Child) as a single lawyer who entangles with a handsome attorney (Antonio Cupo) whose affection turns to obsession. Suspicious actions and dangerous threats lead her to confide in her mother (portrayed by Tina Knowles-Lawson) and a former childhood boyfriend (Romeo Miller). But in the end, she learns that she will have to fight to save herself.
The next chapter, “Greed: A Seven Deadly Sins Story,” airs April 23 at 8 p.m. with headliner Monique Coleman (“A Christmas Dance Reunion”) as an interior designer who had it all — a career, loving family and friends, and a good man in her life (Nathan Witte).
That is until meeting a handsome benefactor and entrepreneur (Eric Benét) and his fabulously wealthy aunt (LisaRaye McCoy). Of course, steamy trouble ensues.
Both films boast Jakes, Derrick Williams (“Black Nativity”) and Shaun Robinson, best known for hosting “Access Hollywood” and “90 Day Fiancé,” as executive producers.
FESTIVAL FILE: For a 10th year, YouTube will livestream portions of the famed Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival (April 15-17, April 22–24).
Expect performances by cutting edge acts Big Sean, Black Coffee, City Girls, Daniel Caesar, Harry Styles, Japanese Breakfast, Lil Baby, Snoh Aalegra, Billie Eilish, Giveon, Ari Lennox, Doja Cat, Run The Jewels, Yola, The Weeknd and many more.
The 30th Pan African Film & Arts Festival (April 19-May 1) announced the 44 films that are nominated in its prestigious juried competition.
“This year’s film roster (www.paff.org) reflects the times we are in,” said General Manager Asantewe Olatunji. “Many focus on social justice issues such as gender equality, police and community relations, and the changing lifestyle norms. Of course, several of the PAFF 2022 films focus on our well-known and sometimes obscure sheroes and heroes whose stories told by their own people give a new perspective of history and view of our world.”
CLIPPETTES: Maxwell: The Night Tour 2022 with Anthony Hamilton and Joe hits The Forum April 15. Also that evening, Un-Restricted Live with D Smoke, Kenneth Whalum, Mackenzie and Black Nile is being held at Vermont Hollywood; and Jamaican “TrapHouseJazz” artist Masego performs at The Glass House Concert Hall …
Whoopi Goldberg is taking some time off from ABC’s “The View” in order to portray Bird Woman in a Prime Video adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s “Anansi Boys,” shooting in Scotland. She joins a cast of Delroy Lindo, CCH Pounder, L. Scott Caldwell and Fiona Shaw (“Killing Eve”) …
Musician, singer-songwriter, producer Steve Lacy (a member of the Grammy-nominated R&B band, The Internet) goes solo April 20 at The Novo …
The timeless Marla Gibbs (“227,” “The Jeffersons”) just wrapped a horror comedy movie called “Spirit Halloween” with Christopher Lloyd (The “Back To The Future” trilogy) to be released in October …
Acid jazz band The Greyboy All Stars play Venice West April 21; as Koffee with Arya Starr are at The Novo …
“Dancing With The Stars” has been renewed for two more seasons — only it will move from ABC to Disney +.
TASTY QUIP: “Sometimes it’s a burden. Why can’t I just come in and be light and airy like everybody else? Why do I have to educate? But I do. And that’s what comes with being a Black woman.” – GARCELLE BEAUVAIS on being a pioneering member of Bravo’s “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” to The Cut
TC ON TV: April 15 – “Roar” (AppleTV+): A woman-driven anthology series featuring an all-star cast including Nicole Kidman, who also executive produces; Cynthia Erivo and Issa Rae. “Swimming With Sharks” (Roku): The dark side of the Hollywood studio system is on display in the series with Kiernan Shipka (“Mad Men”), Diane Kruger and Erika Alexander. “Friday Night Vibes” (TBS): Michael Ealy, Darrell Blocker and Project Q-Madin visit for a double feature of “Barbershop” and “Barbershop 2: Back In Business.” “Killer Design” (LMN): Jackée Harry is featured in this thriller. “La Madrina: The Savage Life of Lorine Padilla” (SHO): A beloved South Bronx matriarch and former “First Lady” of the Savage Skulls gang struggles to remain visible in a rapidly gentrifying community she helped rebuild in the 1980s. “Great Performances” (PBS): “NOW HEAR THIS: Florence Price and the American Migration” follows the trail of one of America’s first recognized Black female composers and piano virtuosos and how West African music and European hymns inspired nearly all American popular music.
April 16 – “CBS Saturday Morning” (CBS): Grammy Award-winning young blues sensation Christone “Kingfish” Ingram makes his national television performance debut. “Man Of God” (Netflix): An African drama about a man trying to forsake his harsh religious upbringing to live his own life. “Saturday Night Live” (NBC): Lizzo
April 17 – “The Equalizer” (CBS): Stephen Bishop (“Being Mary Jane”) guest stars as the ex-husband of Queen Latifah’s McCall character. “The First Lady” (SHO): A 10-episode series starring Viola Davis as former first lady Michelle Obama; Michelle Pfeiffer as Betty Ford; and Gillian Anderson (“The X-Files”) as Eleanor Roosevelt. Jayme Lawson (who embodies Myrlie Evers in the upcoming biopic “Till”) is young Michelle, Regina Taylor her mom Marian Shields Robinson, and O-T Fagbenle (“The Handmaid’s Tale”) is Barack Obama. “Unsung” (TV1): “The Decades 90s” “Uncensored” (TV1): Erica Campbell
April 18 – “The Batman” (HBO Max): The global blockbuster starring Robert Pattinson, Zoë Kravitz and Jeffrey Wright makes its streaming debut. “Black Magic Live: Stripped” (AllBlk): Explores the challenges the popular Las Vegas male dance show faced including an attempted takeover by Vivica A. Fox. “All American” (CW): Directed by Michael Schulz (“Car Wash,” “Cooley High”). “The Neighborhood” (CBS): Tommy Davidson and Phil Morris guest star. “Better Call Saul” (AMC): Giancarlo Esposito’s Gus shines in this sixth and final season that teases appearances by “Breaking Bad” stars Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul. “Celebrity IOU” (HGTV): Tiffany Haddish returns the love.
April 19 – “Wendy” (Syn): Sherri Shepherd returns to guest host this week. “Finding Your Roots” (PBS): Henry Louis Gates Jr. journeys with André Leon Talley in the season finale taped before his death. “black-ish” (ABC): Comes to an end with “Homegoing” in which Pops (Laurence Fishburne) and Ruby (Jenifer Lewis) prepare to move away, and Dre (Anthony Anderson) and Bow (Tracee Ellis Ross) consider if they should make a big life change as well. Olympian Simone Biles guest stars. “Mayans M.C.” (FX): The “Sons of Anarchy” spin-off rides again for a fourth season. “To Tell The Truth” (ABC): Arsenio Hall
April 20 – “Cypress Hill: Insane In The Brain” (SHO): Through the intimate lens of photographer and director Estevan Oriol, comes a smoke-filled journey across the lives and careers of the groundbreaking, genre-defying Hip Hop group. “The Real World Homecoming” (Para+): Reuniting the New Orleans cast for better or worse. “So Dumb It’s Criminal” (Peacock): Snoop Dogg hosts this series about stupid lawbreakers. “Freddie Mercury: The Final Act” (CW): Spotlights the Queen lead singer and how, after his death from AIDS, the group staged one of the biggest concerts in history to celebrate his life and challenge the prejudices around HIV/AIDS. Footage includes performances by Elton John, George Michael, David Bowie, Annie Lennox, and more. “We Need To Talk About America” (Fuse): A diverse panel of first-generation and bicultural comedians including Chinedu Unaka (“Insecure”), Tim Chantarangsu (“Wild N’ Out”) and Zainab Johnson (“Upload”) share their sharp witted, honest reactions to this country’s foibles.
April 21 – “Marlon Wayans Presents: The Headliners” (HBO Max): Up-and-coming comics D.C. Ervin, Tony Baker, Sydney Castillo, Esau McGraw and niece Chaunté Wayans are showcased in a program taped live at the Belasco Theatre. “Girl In The Yellow Jumper,” “The Eve” (AllBlk): The streamer premieres to films from Uganda and Nigeria respectively. “Top Chef” (Bravo): “Restaurant Wars” “Atlanta” (FX): From the description for “White Fashion,” written and directed by Ibra Ake: [We’ve] definitely seen this before on a better show. They’re always stealing ideas. But the fashion industry gotta be exposed #streetwear.
END QUOTE: “I was taught by my family to love yourself, to love your skin, to live unapologetically in your Blackness and your African-ness.” – DAMSON IDRIS (star of FX’s “Snowfall”) to the Hollywood Reporter
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.
