Songs, Movies & Moments: September 2021
A Look at Entertainment
by T.J. Moore –
Peacock’s “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” drama series reboot has cast newcomer Jabari Banks in the lead role, according to Variety.
Banks will play the role of Will, who was played by Will Smith in the original ’90s sitcom. Banks was informed by Smith himself that he had landed the part.
Banks and Smith have some eerie similarities. Banks currently lives in West Philadelphia while Smith is a native. Banks and Smith both graduated from University of the Arts. Like Smith, Banks is a songwriter, rapper, and actor.
The reboot, officially titled “Bel-Air,” is based on the viral video by Morgan Cooper, which reimagined the sitcom as a drama series. Peacock gave the show a two-season order back in September 2020.
Set in modern-day America, “Bel-Air” is a one-hour dramatic version of the sitcom that leans into Will’s journey from West Philadelphia to Bel-Air.
Cooper is set to serve as co-writer, director, and executive producer.
Good Morning America hosts Robin Roberts and George Stephanopoulos are at odds over an ABC lawsuit, according to the Daily Beast. The report states that sources at ABC have told the Daily Beast that a lawsuit claiming former GMA senior executive producer Michael Corn allegedly sexually assaulted multiple women at the network. One of the women was a producer who works closely with Stephanopoulos on the popular morning show. Corn and the network are fighting the allegations.
The beef between the hosts comes from Roberts insisting that Stephanopoulos did nothing to help the producer who alleged the assault after she informed him of it. On a team-wide call, Roberts allegedly said, “If this happened to someone on my team, I would have burned the place down.” The statement was told to Stephanopoulos who was self-isolating after his daughter was diagnosed with Covid. Sources said that the comment made Stephanopoulous livid. Roberts is also describe as being “incensed” about the network’s stance on the lawsuit.
All Rise may get a revival soon.
According to Deadline, OWN is in talks to pick up the canceled CBS legal drama for a third season. OWN’s parent Discovery is merging with WarnerMedia, the parent of Warner Bros. TV, and the production studio that produced All Rise.
Deadline reports, “Sources close to the situation caution that the conversations, while progressing, are complex and have not reached the final stage yet.”
The options on the show’s cast expired at the end of June. In hopes and anticipation of a potential pickup and revival, Warner has entered negotiations with show lead Simone Missick, Wilson Bethel, Jessica Camacho, and J. Alex Brinson.
WarnerMedia Kids and Family and Cartoon Network is bringing Jaleel White’s Steve Urkel character back for an upcoming animated holiday special.
WarnerMedia Kids and Family recently announced the launch of ACME Night, the company’s self-proclaimed “ultimate entertainment destination for families. Every Sunday starting on Sept.19. ACME night will include a lineup of series and specials. One of which is Did I do That to the Holidays? A Steve Urkel Story.
The special will follow the beloved and iconic character as he tries to save the holiday season. White, who played the character throughout the ’90s on Family Matters, will reprise the role as a voiceover.
According to the description: “The holiday season has arrived, and Steve Urkel already ruined the local celebration by humiliating a shopping mall Santa. In his attempt to make things right, Steve creates an invention that only make things worse. Steve must find the real Santa to see if he can help the city rediscover the holiday spirit.”
The Urkle holiday special will be written and executive produced by Wyatt Cenac. Bryan Newton from Rick and Morty will serve as supervising director.
