Television
Please Don’t Destroy Helps Lizzo Pen New Song ‘Horny Zookeeper’ on ‘SNL’
“Special” wasn’t the only new song Lizzo debuted on SNL this weekend. With late-night comedy trio Please Don’t Destroy’s assistance, the singer overcame a bout of writer’s block and brought “Horny Zookeeper” to life. In a writing night sketch, Saturday night’s (Feb. 16) host and musical guest sat down for a hilarious meeting with Ben Marshall, John Higgins and Martin Herlihy. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news “I mean, two new songs?” she said with a laugh. “I don’t have those … I’m not joking.” “I got writer’s block. Can you write me a new song? I’m gonna need you to write me a new song. New song now, b—-. Go,” demanded Lizzo. “I need y’all to write a Black woman anthem,” she clarified, before everyone in the room realized that really was...
‘American Idol’ Judges Give Nicolina Bozzo a Standing Ovation for Her Emotional Take on Sia
American Idol contestant Nicolina Bozzo delivered yet another show-stopping performance Sunday (April 10), only solidifying her place in the Top 24. The Canadian vocalist, who received mentorship from country star Jimmie Allen, powered through Sia‘s “Elastic Heart.” After her performance, which took place at Disney’s Aulani resort in Hawai’i, Bozzo received a standing ovation from the judges who were once again mesmerized by her vocal prowess and star quality. “I’ve always thought that you were one of — if not the best — singer in the competition. You always deliver,” said Luke Bryan. “We’re outside, we’re not getting sound necessarily like we would in a big theater, but you really, really delivered all of the emotions. It was one of those I could really sit back and enjoy the quality...
Whoopi Says Will Smith Will “Be Fine” After Oscars Slap
HipHopWired Featured Video Source: Ron Galella, Ltd. / Getty Whoopi Goldberg hasn’t been afraid to weigh in on the Oscars controversy involving Chris Rock and Will Smith, but she feels Smith will be okay in the long run. In the opening discussion on Monday’s (April 4th) episode of The View, the panel spoke about the recently publicized developments that Netflix and Sony have put film projects starring the King Richard actor on hold. This was reportedly in response to Smith slapping Rock after the comedian made a joke about his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith at the Academy Awards a week ago. Related Stories “Some of Will Smith’s future projects are in question. The question is does he have a path back? Yes, of course, he does,” Goldberg said to open up the discussion with her co-hosts, chuckling....
Ol’ Dirty Bastard Documentary On The Way Via A&E Network
HipHopWired Featured Video Source: Al Pereira / Getty The story of one of Rap’s most memorable MC’s is about to be told. A&E has confirmed they are working on an Ol’ Dirty Bastard documentary. As per Complex a prime time film on the late great has been finally green lit. On Thursday, March 31 the network announced that they have signed on to formally chronical the life and career of the Wu-Tang Clan member. While other projects have been released prior this is the first ever to be blessed by his estate. Additionally, the doc is set to feature some never seen before footage shot by his widow Icelene Jones. Tentatively titled Biography: Ol’ Dirty Bastard, the film will be co-directed by the father and son team of Sam Pollard (Black Art: In The Absence of Light) and Jason Pollard (Ge...
Will Smith And Chris Rock’s Tense History Explained
HipHopWired Featured Video Source: Will Smith Chris Rock Fight Oscars / Will Smith Chris Rock Fight Oscars Long before the 2022 Oscar slap that was heard around the world echoed from Will Smith’s hand on Chris Rock’s cheekbone there was tension brewing between the two black entertainment stars. 2009 – Chris Rock produces Good Hair [embedded content] Chris Rock’s dig at Will’s wife Jada Pickett-Smith wasn’t his first on the Oscar stage but it may very well be his last. Will and Chris’ entanglement goes back years. 2016 – Chris Rock comes for Jada during the Oscars the first time [embedded content] In 2016, when the comedian was last a host for the Academy Awards he directed some jokes toward the Smiths for boycotting that year’s show over Will not being nominated for his film “Concussi...
How Atlantic Records Plans to Promote 56 Songs From ‘American Song Contest’
The 56 artists competing in the inaugural edition of NBC’s American Song Contest – which debuted Monday (March 21) evening — will have their songs released by Atlantic Records, the legendary American label that has been home to iconic artists such as Aretha Franklin, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young and Ed Sheeran. Billboard spoke with Atlantic Records president, West Coast, Kevin Weaver about the label’s involvement with the competition and plans for the season. How did Atlantic Records become the label for the American Song Contest? Ben Silverman and Audrey Morrissey are both really good friends of mine. Ben propagated the deal to bring the format to the U.S. I talked to Ben very early on and then I saw the press announcements that NBC picked up the show and then they hired Audrey ...
Taraji P. Henson Among List of Celebrities Criticizing Jussie Smollett’s Punishment
HipHopWired Featured Video Source: Jeff Schear / Getty Days after a judge sentenced former Empire actor Jussie Smollett to 150 days in jail for staging a hate crime, his television mom and real-life friend, Taraji P. Henson, is speaking out, calling for his release. According to reports, Taraji P. Henson joined several other celebrities in calling the punishment excessive. Though Smollett maintained his innocence, he was found guilty last year of filing a false police report and was convicted of five counts of disorderly conduct. Related Stories Taking to social media to stand in solidarity with Smollett, who is currently in Chicago’s Cook County Jail, posting a stark black and white message with the hashtag #FreeJussie and a full-throated call for his release, writing: “I am not here...
SXSW: Anne Hathaway and Jared Leto Hit the Red Carpet for ‘WeCrashed’ Premiere
“Jared, it’s so nice to meet you,” Anne Hathaway says to her co-star Jared Leto, as if they were meeting for the first time. The Oscar winners were on stage at the Paramount Theater at the South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas, to present the premiere of their new limited series, WeCrashed, the story of charismatic WeWork cofounder Adam Neumann and his wife, Rebekah Neumann, who propelled the co-working start-up to a global value of $47 billion before it all came tumbling down. Hathaway’s line was playing off the fact that Leto reportedly stayed deep in character while filming and that she didn’t properly “meet” the actor until after production concluded Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news “He just became Adam Neuman...
EXCLUSIVE: Stevie J Keeps “Everything Fly” And Real In TV One’s ‘Uncensored’
HipHopWired Featured Video Source: Courtesy / TV One Acclaimed producer, songwriter, and popular television personality Stevie J is the subject of the latest episode of the TVOne series Uncensored and sat down for an exclusive interview before the episode’s premiere. Via TVOne’s Uncensored series, which gives celebrities and entertainers the chance to talk about their lives and careers in an unfettered fashion, begins its new season, the next episode is sure to get social media and everyone else talking with veteran R&B and Hip-Hop producer Stevie J in the chair. Related Stories If you mention Stevie J to anyone these days whether they’re tapped into entertainment or not, there will be some recognition. His career as a producer is undeniable, having won a Grammy Award as part of S...
‘Euphoria’ Synchs Drive Streaming Gains ‘Unlike Any Other TV Show’
Since its debut in 2018, HBO’s high school drama Euphoria has been a sensation, but when the show came back for its long awaited second season on Jan. 9, 2022, it reached new heights — and helped a handful of hits experience a second spike of popularity along the way. With a viewership doubling over the first three episodes, as Variety reported in February, Euphoria‘s new season quickly became an important vehicle for massive streaming bumps of older tracks. For the show’s music — which pivots from Thelonius Monk or Judy Garland to Lil Xan and 100 Gecs’ Laura Les within a single hour-long episode, all curated by music supervisor Jen Malone and featuring an original score by producer-artist Labrinth — there was a measurable spike in listenership after each episode aired for nearly every s...
Charli XCX Duets With Oscar Isaac as Singing Meatballs in Weird ‘SNL’ Sketch
After three “incredible” dates, everything goes strangely wrong in the most offbeat sketch from SNL Saturday night (March 5). A woman (Sarah Sherman) is getting closer to her new romantic interest (Chris Redd) when their chemistry is derailed by a bunch of singing meatballs that are secretly all over the woman’s body — singing meatballs with the faces of the episode’s host, Oscar Isaac, as well as cast members Aidy Bryant, Kenan Thompson, Bowen Yang and more. “We are little meatball men, singing our little meatball song/ Join us please and sing along,” they sing in an unexpected little ditty during the pre-taped sketch. Explore See latest videos, charts and news Mid-breakup, Redd’s character — overwhelmed by the bizarre body meatballs — asks, “I’m sorry. Is there a piano in your armpit?” T...
Keyshia Cole “Has A Lot To Say” On Season Premiere of TV One’s ‘Uncensored’
HipHopWired Featured Video Source: TV One / TV One The widely popular television series Uncensored, which allows viewers to witness their favorite celebrity figures talk candidly about their careers and their lives, opens up it latest season on Sunday, March 6, with the dynamic Keyshia Cole. The season premiere of TV One’s compelling series is focused on the singer/songwriter, actress, and television producer who has built a career with her soulful stylings and engaging lyrics. Growing up in Oakland, California, Cole’s talent was apparent from an early age. She would catch the attention of rap superstar MC Hammer, and later on, she would get to work with the late Tupac Shakur who would ask her to do a verse for one of his songs before his tragic death. Her debut album in 2005, The Way It I...
