By Bill Vaughan
Entertainment Writer
TBS has chosen this celebratory weekend to launch “Friday Night Vibes,” a new 52-week movie destination that spotlights feel-good comedies, action-packed blockbusters and culturally significant storytelling inclusive of diverse voices.
Host Tiffany Haddish (“The Last O.G.,” “Girls Trip”) and co-host Deon Cole (“Black-ish,” “Grown-ish”) welcome Snoop Dogg and Tina Knowles Lawson as their first in-studio guests for the premiere episode that also includes a double feature of “Creed” and “Creed 2.”
The Doggfather will give a hilarious play-by-play of the top knockouts of all time; while Knowles Lawson discusses her friendship with Haddish, all things Juneteenth and its Texas roots, as well as sharing her secrets, along with Snoop, on how to have a successful marriage.
There also will be a moment to celebrate dads for Father’s Day.
The program described as “ground zero for those who love movies, Black culture, music and hanging out at the beauty salon and barbershop;” is executive produced by Reginald Hudlin (“Academy Awards,” “House Party,” “Django Unchained”).
COME TOGETHER: Grammy-nominated R&B artist Robert Randolph, through his foundation, is spearheading Juneteenth Unityfest, a national livestream event June 19 with the purpose of bringing together people of all backgrounds in a day of unity to commemorate and celebrate Juneteenth and Black culture with musical performances, inspiring remarks, films, comedy, storytelling and appearances by civic leaders and influencers.
Amanda Seales and JB Smoove will host with performances by Earth, Wind & Fire, Nile Rodgers & Chic, India.Arie, Darius Rucker, Dave Matthews, Ledisi, Black Pumas, Aloe Blacc, Bebe Winans, Michael Franti, Judith Hill, Keb’ Mo’, Greg Phillinganes and The Soul Rebels, to name a few.
Also appearing are Aisha Tyler, Billy Porter, Jon Hamm, Craig Robinson, Jesse Williams, Phylicia Rashad, Van Jones, Levar Burton, Wayne Brady and many more.
It kicks off at 2 p.m. at www.juneteenthunityfest.com.
SHIP AHOY: The Tom Joyner Foundation’s “Fantastic Voyage” cruise is setting sail again in November with Usher, Alicia Keys, Brandy, Busta Rhymes, Ruben Studdard and more performing for “the ultimate party with a purpose” benefiting historically Black colleges and universities. Stops will include St. Maarten, St. Kitts and San Juan, Puerto Rico.
CLIPPETTES: Universal.’s “F9: The Fast Saga” is having its Hollywood Premiere on June 18 with Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, Ludacris, Tyrese Gibson, Charlize Theron, Helen Mirren and John Cena expected to walk the red carpet of TCL Chinese Theatre …
Also that day, quadruple platinum rapper Young M.A hits the stage of the Wiltern Livestream Series with rewatch until June 21. Tickets are at https://youngma.veeps.com/ …
Diana Ross announced that she is releasing her first new music in 15 years this week with the single “Thank You.” It is one of 14 tracks from an upcoming album which she plans to support with an overseas tour in 2022 …
As the final stop of their 33-city tour, actor Hill Harper and his partner Najah Roberts are bringing TheBlackWallStreet.com “Digital Financial Revolution National Charitable Tour” to San Pedro from 5 to 7 p.m. June 19 at Cabrillo Youth Sports Center …
Later, join Grammy-winning soul man Anthony Hamilton for a virtual live-stream concert. Tickets and bundles including encore, group meet & greet, and more are available at sessionslive.com/anthonyhamilton/tickets …
Superadio Networks and AURN Inspirational Network will celebrate Father’s Day with a special broadcast of the nationally syndicated Marvin Sapp Radio Show. Joining the Dove, Stellar and Grammy Award-winning bishop in the two-hour music program are special guests Kirk Franklin, James Fortune, Dr. Bobby Jones, Hezekiah Walker, Earnest Pugh and more …
John Legend‘s Get Lifted production company is developing a Bernie Mac biopic with the blessings of the late comic actor’s estate. Mac’s daughter Je’Niece McCullough told TMZ she would prefer Aldis Hodge (“City On The Hill,” “One Night In Miami”) to play “The Mac Man” …
The creators and cast of Amazon’s “Bosch,” including star Titus Welliver, Jamie Hector and Amy Aquino discuss the hit series’ final season and upcoming IMDb TV spinoff series virtually at 6 p.m. June 21. It is free with RSVP at kpcc.ticketleap.com/bosch-airtalk/ …
Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson’s filmmaking debut, “Summer Of Soul,” compiling footage from 1969’s Harlem Cultural Festival, is having a free advanced screening June 22. Register at cinema.usc.edu/events/event.cfm?id=60018 to see the documentary featuring never-before-seen concert performances by Stevie Wonder, Nina Simone, Sly & the Family Stone, Gladys Knight & the Pips, Ray Barretto, Abbey Lincoln, Max Roach and others …
A memorial service for comedy legend Paul Mooney is set for June 23 at the Roosevelt Hotel’s ballroom with reported contributions from Chris Tucker, Tim Reid, J. Anthony Brown, Marla Gibbs, David Letterman and many more …
Shakespeare Center LA’s next production — a virtual online graphic novel version of “Macbeth” starring Emmy Award-winning actor Keith David — streams six times only with talk back after each performance June 24–27. David will next head to Broadway to appear in “Thoughts of A Colored Man” by Keenan Scott II.
TASTY QUIP: “When did we get to a point where life was supposed to be perfect? Where people were supposed to operate perfectly all the time? I don’t understand. I don’t expect perfection from my kids. I don’t expect it from my wife, friends, employees. Because, last I checked, the only way you grow up is from f—ing up. I don’t know a kid who hasn’t f—ed up or done some dumb s—.” – KEVIN HART, while promoting his now streaming new Netflix film “Fatherhood,” to The Sunday Times
TC ON TV: June 18 – “Tamron Hall” (Syn): Laila Ali, Draze, Desus Nice & The Kid Mero “Wendy Williams” (Syn): Reggae artists Spice, Sean Paul & Shaggy perform “Go Down Deh.” “Shakura S’Aida” (Ovation): The eclectic jazz and blues vocalist is presented in concert from the Rhino Jazz Festival 2014. “Variety’s Actors on Actors” (PBS SoCal): Chris Rock, Pedro Pascal (“The Mandalorian”) and Regé-Jean Page (“Bridgerton”) are among the participants this season. “Rise Again: Tulsa And The Red Summer” (NGC): Directed and produced by Dawn Porter (“John Lewis: Good Trouble”), a new feature documentary shedding light on the 1921 massacre through the reporting of award-winning Washington Post journalist and Oklahoma native DeNeen Brown. Trevor Noah Presents Josh Johnson: # (Hashtag)” (Comedy): “The Daily Show” writer gets a stand-up special.
June 19 – “6th Annual Black Music Honors” (KABC/Bounce): Celebrating Angie Stone, Ginuwine and Ramsey Lewis; with performers including Cece Winans, Montell Jordan, Jacquees, After 7, Syleena Johnson, Pleasure P, Stokley, Avery*Sunshine, J. Moss, Q Parker, Bahamadia, Chrisette Michele and Mumu Fresh. “Revolt Town Hall” (VICE): Presents spoken word and original musical pieces from Earthgang, Tristan Mack Wilds, Van Lathan, Tiara Thomas and Kiana Ledé. “BET Her Presents: Queen Collective” (BET): Showing four new shorts from women of color. “Fight the Power: The Movements That Changed America” (History): Narrated by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
June 20 – “Evil” (Paramount+): The supernatural series starring Mike Colter (“Luke Cage”) moves to this streaming service. “Bad Dad Rehab: The Next Session” (TV1): Lamman Rucker (“Greenleaf”), Blue Kimble (“P-Valley”) and Big Daddy Kane lead the cast of this movie sequel. “Celebrity Family Feud” (ABC): “Mayans M.C.” cast vs. OneRepublic “We Got Love: Iman & Teyana” (E!): The unfiltered new docu-series follows Teyana Taylor and Iman Shumpert as they take the world by storm, all while juggling music, fashion, business and family.
June 21 – “Good Morning America” (ABC): Halle Bailey (of Chloe x Halle fame and Disney’s upcoming live-action “The Little Mermaid”) makes her solo concert debut. “Independent Lens” (PBS): Zeshawn Ali and Aman Ali’s “Two Gods,” an intimate documentary following a Muslim casket maker and ritual body washer in East Orange, New Jersey, as he takes two young men under his wing to teach them how to live better lives.
June 22 – “This Is Pop” (Netflix): T-Pain, Boyz II Men, Chuck D and more tell their side of pop’s story. “David Makes Man” (OWN): Season two finds David in his 30s (played by Kwame Patterson from “The Wire”), a rising businessman facing an opportunity that will change him and his community forever.
June 24 – “The Good Fight” (Paramount+): The legal drama will say goodbye this season to original cast members Delroy Lindo and Cush Jumbo. “Sisters On Track” (Netflix): Three track star sisters face obstacles in life and in competition as they pursue Junior Olympic dreams. “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars” (Paramount+): Fan favorites return to vie for a cash prize of $100,000. “Fear Of A Black Quarterback” (Vice): A two-hour special examining the position’s barriers. “Reunion Road Trip” (E!): The cast of “A Different World” gets back together.
TASTY QUIP: “We’re not all going to live in a perfect kumbaya society. But we can make it better by working and by reaching out and by assuming the best in each other. And if enough of us do that, we move that boulder up the hill.” – Former President BARACK OBAMA to Michael Strahan on ABC’s “Juneteenth: Together We Triumph” premiering June 18.
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.
