By Bill Vaughan
Entertainment Writer
After telling the world he was through playing the character, Tyler Perry has resurrected everyone’s favorite character for “A Madea Homecoming,” the newest film in the franchise set to debut Feb. 25 on Netflix.
Writer-director-producer Perry stars in the movie that centers around Madea’s great-grandson’s college graduation, though the celebratory moment hits a halt as hidden secrets and family drama threaten to destroy the happy homecoming.
The film features all stars of the franchise, including Tamela Mann (Cora), David Mann (Mr. Brown), Cassi Davis Patton (Aunt Bam) as well as a guest appearance from iconic Irish actor Brendan O’Carroll, who matches Madea’s comedic prowess as Agnes Brown.
The 11 previous films in the Madea universe have grossed over $1 billion at the North American box office.
This continues Perry’s work with Netflix following last year’s release of “A Fall From Grace,” which was seen by 39 million households in its first month.
He is also writing, directing, and producing “A Jazzman’s Blues” for Netflix. Starring Joshua Boone and Solea Pfeiffer, the film unravels 40 years of secrets and lies in a tale of forbidden love and family drama soundtracked by juke joint blues in the deep South.
TICKET WATCH: After two years, reclusive R&B star Anita Baker is returning to the site of her first Las Vegas residency, The Venetian, for shows May 28 and 29; and June 1, 3 and 4. Tickets go on sale March 1 at Ticketmaster.
TASTY QUIP: “People are hearing her name in a way that they have not heard it before, and she deserves that. There are so many Ms. Oracenes in the world who are all in the stands, cheering on, and no one knows the full measure of who they are, what they are and how they figure into the world that we live in. I just felt that this was my shot to speak from Ms. Oracene and to speak for those other women like her.” – AUNJANUE ELLIS (nominated for a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her portrayal of Oracene Price, the mother of Venus & Serena Williams, in “King Richard”) to The Envelope
CLIPPETTES: Jazmine Sullivan: The Heaux Tales Tour hits the Hollywood Palladium on Feb. 25; as Bad Bunny’s El Ultimo Tour Del Mundo lands for two nights at The Forum; and Jack Keller’s Ethereal Cereal presents The Music of Roy Ayers at the Odyssey …
According to the New York Post, Beyoncé is making moves to produce a remake of “Imitation of Life” to star Zendaya. The race drama, based on Fannie Hurst’s best-seller, was first made into a 1934 film with Claudette Colbert and Louise Beavers; later updated in 1959 with Lana Turner, Juanita Moore, Sandra Dee and Mahalia Jackson …
Spend An Evening with Los Lobos, Feb. 26 at Soka Performing Arts Center; while the Stylistics, Peaches & Herb and Blue Magic bring soul to the Saban; and Fitz and the Tantrums rock Anaheim’s House of Blues …
As forecasted by many, distributor Debmar-Mercury has canceled “The Wendy Williams Show,” as the host continues the road to health. Its daytime time slots will be filled by a new talker led by Sherri Shepherd (“The View”) …
Legendary jazz keyboardist/composer Herbie Hancock tickles the ivories at the Walt Disney Concert Hall on Feb. 27 …
Laughs galore are served Feb. 28 for Monderays with DeRay Davis at the Hollywood Improv …
The Regent Theater presents The Session Live: Wendy Melvoin (of The Revolution) – “Let’s Go Crazy” to kick off the month March 1.
TASTY QUIP: “I don’t know it all, and I don’t pretend to. This season was brilliant. It was a real learning curve for me as a producer because I had the opportunity to ask questions that I didn’t ask before and understand that it’s not just about me. It’s about this whole picture. Going forward, I hope to produce more because my calling is to create opportunities. So, I’m really happy I was given the opportunity to produce.” – DAMSON IDRIS (who plays Franklin Saint on FX’s “Snowfall”) to BallerAlert.com on his new role entering the series’ fifth season and “staying true to series creator John Singleton’s vision”
TC ON TV: Feb. 25 – “No Exit” (Hulu): Havana Rose Liu makes her feature film leading role debut in this thriller with Danny Ramirez (“The Falcon and the Winter Soldier”) and Dennis Haysbert (“24”). “Everything’s Gonna Be All White” (SHO): “White Noize” closes the first season with a deep dive into the perpetuation of racist, classist, xenophobic and misogynistic depictions of how they see us vs. how we see us, from blackface to blackfishing and King Kong to Mandingo tropes.
Feb. 26 – “The Weeknd x The Dawn Experience” (Prime Video): An immersive music special expanding his album “Dawn FM” into “a purgatory otherworld where live performance, theater, and performance art collide for a night out at the club.” “Profiled: The Black Man” (Disc+): “Black Men Devalue Black Women” “Freedom On The Range” (INSP): A docudrama on the contributions of African American cowboys. “53rd Annual NAACP Image Awards” (BET): The winners have been announced each night leading into tonight’s telecast. Tune in to celebrate them; the evening’s presenters including Morgan Freeman, Issa Rae, Kerry Washington and LL Cool J; and a performance by Mary J. Blige. “DJ Cassidy’s Pass The Mic: BET After Party 2022” (BET): His surprise guests will include Shaggy, Super Cat, Maxi Priest, Barrington Levy, Ini Kamoze, Junior Reid, Sister Nancy and Patra among the 21 who have transformed Reggae culture on a global scale.
Feb. 27 – “American Idol” (ABC): Lionel Richie and his fellow judges return for a fifth season on ABC and historic 20th season overall. “The Equalizer” (CBS): It’s a “Set It Off” reunion as Jada Pinkett Smith guest stars as a master thief teaming with McCall (Queen Latifah) to recover a valuable painting stolen from a Black family during the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. “Killing Eve” (BBCA): A fourth and final season of the award-winning drama series starring Jodie Comer and Sandra Oh begins with two back-to-back episodes. “28th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards” (TBS/TNT): “Hamilton” alums Daveed Diggs, Lin-Manuel Miranda and Leslie Odom Jr. are confirmed to open. “Tournament of Champions III” (Food/Disc+): Guy Fieri’s supersized iconic culinary competition is back with two-hour long episodes and 32 of the country’s most talented chefs going head-to-head. “Unsung” (TV1): The 16th season opens with back-to-back episodes on The Decades 70s and 80s. “Underground Railroad: The Secret History” (Science): “Setting Sail For Freedom” marks the end of this series. “Earthquake: Legendary” (Netflix): The first of four stand-up specials that Dave Chappelle will host and produce headlining his comic friends as part of his new deal with the streamer.
Feb. 28 – “One Thousand Years of Slavery” (Smith): “Reckoning” closes the four-part docuseries from Angela Bassett and Courtney B. Vance.
March 1 – “Dua Lipa: Elevating” (Fuse+): Presents the story of the pop phenomenon. “The Larry David Story” (HBO): “American Jewboy” opens this two-part series on the “Curb Your Enthusiasm” star. “The Move Bombing: Deadly Standoff” (Reelz): About the shocking incidents between Philadelphia-based Black liberation group MOVE and the city’s police department that culminated in a tragic fatal siege by authorities that resulted in the deaths of 11 people and the burning of 65 homes.
March 2 – “Jeen-Yuhs: A Kanye Trilogy” (Netflix): The last portion of the affecting docuseries is released. “Live with Kelly & Ryan” (ABC): Omari Hardwick “Nick Cannon Presents: Wild ‘N Out” (VH1): Wyclef Jean, Tommy Davidson, Darius Miles, Mariah The Scientist
March 3 – “Our Flag Means Death” (HBO Max): Taika Waititi is executive producer, director and portrays Blackbeard in this original pirate comedy series created by David Jenkins. Leslie Jones and Fred Armisen are featured players. “Star Trek: Picard” (Para+): Whoopi Goldberg reprises her role as alien Guinan for the second season. “Ellen” (Syn): Mickey Guyton hosts with guest Jimmie Allen. “Top Chef” (Bravo): Houston is the home of the show’s 19th season. Tasty Clips has eyes on Ashleigh Shanti, the Hampton University grad who was named a 2020 finalist for James Beard “Rising Star Chef of the Year” award during her tenure as Chef de Cuisine at Asheville, NC’s Benne on Eagle. She is currently chef and creator of the area’s Good Hot Fish. “My Killer Body with K. Michelle” (Lifetime): “Mom Bod Gone Wrong” “Fast Foodies” (Tru): Reggie Watts
END QUOTE: “In difficult times, we often have the feeling of being stuck in a cold winter. A winter that seems endless. But despair is not good counsel, while hope is.” – TINA TURNER to Madame magazine
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.
