Chris Tucker planning Stand-Up Comedy Tour

By Mr. Hollywood
JR Staff Writer

In the 1990s, Chris Tucker rose to fame while on the Def Comedy Jam. Upon rising to become one of the top comedians on the Los Angeles comedy circuit. His success in Los Angeles led to Russell Simmons inviting him to perform on his comedy tour. Tucker soon became a regular on the Def Comedy Jam.

However, Chris Tucker's big break came when he landed the role of 'Smokey' in Ice Cube's 1995 film, Friday. Through his role on Friday, multiple roles opened up for Tucker. Soon, Chris Tucker became one of the biggest comedians in Hollywood. Tucker shocked fans when he turned down the role of 'Smokey' for Ice Cube's Next Friday.

In 2007, Chris Tucker agreed to perform in the third installment of the Rush Hour series. Tucker has maintained a low-profile in recent years. But, recently Tucker decided it was time to go back to his roots. Trying to land a comeback his own way, Chris Tucker is putting together his own stand-up comedy tour. Tickets for this tour go on sale on July 15, 2011.

Read the tour dates below:

August 19: Terrace Theater Long Beach, CA
August 20: Comerica Theatre Phoenix, AZ
September 2: Borgata Events Center Atlantic City, NJ
September 3: Palace Theatre Albany Albany, NY
September 4: NYCB Theatre at Westbury Westbury, NY
September 9: Shea's Performing Arts Center Buffalo, NY
September 10: Citi Wang Theatre Boston, MA
September 16: Chicago Theatre Chicago, IL
September 23: UNO Lakefront Arena New Orleans, LA
September 24: The Fillmore Miami Beach at Jackie Gleason Theater Miami, FL
September 30: Murat Theatre at Old National Center Indianapolis, IN
October 1: Fox Theatre Detroit, MI
October 7: DAR Constitution Hall Washington, DC
October 14: Verizon Wireless Theater Houston, TX
October 21: Paramount Theatre Seattle, WA
October 22: Sacramento Memorial Auditorium Sacramento, CA
November 25: Civic Theatre San Diego, CA
November 26: Paramount Theatre Oakland, CA

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Bow Wow talks Rappers in Movies

By The Film Critic
JR Staff Writer

At the age of 24, Bow Wow is a veteran in the entertainment industry. His career began in 2000, when he was signed to Jermaine Dupri's record label, So So Def Recordings. But, over the years, Bow Wow has expanded into other ventures.

Bow Wow was the head of his own label in 2005, but his primary role outside of rapping is acting. Early in his career, Bow Wow landed several movie roles. Following each role, Bow Wow looks for a new challenge.

When film studios first began casting rappers, they had them playing the typical rapper roles. Ice Cube was among the first rappers to ever successfully transition into serious acting. LL Cool J has also had a very successful acting career.

In a discussion about the movies, Bow Wow said he hates the rapper roles. He said each time he accepts a movie role, he is accepting a challenge. Bow Wow does not want to play the typical rapper in movies, instead he wants to play the role of a serious character. During the discussion, Bow Wow admitted he was asked about playing in Big Momma's House 3, but he turned it down.

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50 Cent adds DJ Pauly D to G-Unit roster

By The Music Scoop
JR Staff Writer

For years, 50 Cent tried to brand his entire company as the toughest of the tough. But, after making enemies out of 90% of the hip hop community and fans, 50 Cent has sharpened his business skills. The head of G-Unit Enterprises has been working hard to alter his image from a gangster to a businessman.

50 Cent has expanded his company to include the successful film company, Cheetah Vision Films. The new company has already produced over five films. Lionsgate Entertainment, the distributor for both Tyler Perry and Ice Cube, recently inked a $200 million deal with his company for three new projects.

Dominating the film industry, 50 Cent is not quite done with the music scene. 50 Cent has been said to be recording a new album and he expanded G-Unit Records to include G-Note Records. The sub-label already has a signed artist, Governor, a former act of Grand Hustle, T.I.'s label. 50 Cent is expanding all of his businesses in order to catch back up with Jay-Z and Diddy.

In an effort to make G-Unit Records more appealing to the mainstream, he has signed DJ Pauly D, one of the "Jersey Shore" stars, to his label. The rumor has been circulating for weeks and was recently confirmed by in-house G-Unit DJ, Whoo Kid. DJ Whoo Kid said 50 Cent is trying to make music for everyone in the future, so he is adding all types of artists to G-Unit Records.

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Bow Wow and Ice Cube team up for New Sitcom

By TV Insider
JR Staff Writer

Years ago, Bow Wow announced he was going to be starring in a television sitcom. During this time, The WB was still trying to attract a larger audience. Initially, the sitcom was intended to begin airing in 2003. Bow Wow rapped of the television program on "Fresh Az Imiz."

Before the sitcom, which was tentatively titled "Bow" could broadcast, The WB merged with UPN to become The CW. The merger left many black sitcoms out in the cold. Tyler Perry soon came to the rescue with his partnership with TBS. He provided the hit sitcom, "House of Payne" and later "Meet the Browns."

Ice Cube has also been a major success in the film industry and he partnered with Perry's partners. The result of these deals was his own sitcom deal with TBS. Currently, "Are We There, Yet?" is sandwiched between Tyler Perry's sitcoms and is a ratings hit, itself. Ice Cube has built a solid relationship with Bow Wow, as he has had roles in two major films produced by Cube.

After hitting it off, Ice Cube and Bow Wow have decided to take things to a higher level. The two rappers intend to launch a new sitcom, likely to air on TBS. As is currently stands, the show has no title, but the contracts have been signed. Writers are currently being selected for the new series. Jermaine Dupri has been selected to provide music for the show. While no theme has been announced, Bow Wow did hint towards his mentor, Dupri, providing music the way Quincy Jones did for "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air."

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Terry Crews returns to BET tonight

By TV Insider
JR Staff Writer

In many ways, Terry Crews has become a modern day Bill Cosby, as he is the new father of black America. Bill Cosby was the ultimate dad for black children during "The Cosby Show" era. Terry Crews rose to fame as a part of "Everybody Hates Chris." When the show was cancelled by The CW, BET picked up the show in syndication.

Following the cancellation of "Everybody Hates Chris," Terry Crews began working hard. Despite being incredibly rich, Crews found himself without a job like the rest of America. But, he became extremely popular through the show. Ice Cube hired him to star in his sitcom, "Are We There, Yet?"

As Terry Crews prepared to embark on the next phase of his career, he landed a deal with BET. The network wanted to capture Crews' life outside of the spotlight. While he played a father on screen, he is just as devoted behind the camera. While he worked to keep his family living the good life, BET wanted to show how Terry Crews was keeping things together.

While "The Family Crews" was off the air, the family grew and now Terry Crews is back for a second season with the family. The second season of "The Family Crews" will premiere tonight on BET.

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"Are We There Yet?" battled bullies in Last Night's Episodes

By TV Insider
JR Staff Writer

Ice Cube's career has taken a turn he did not envision during his NWA days. He has shown that some gangsters can grow up. Now, Cube is viewed as a positive role model for the young men in the black community. His positive movies are one of the main reasons for this.

Another reason Ice Cube's image has been viewed as positive is because of his partnership with TBS. It was nearly two years ago, when Cube premiered his sitcom, "Are We There Yet?," on the network and it has become a tremendous success. Ice Cube wanted to use the family sitcom to touch on some of the issues that effect families of all races and he touched on a major topic last night.

Bullying is a problem, regardless of where people live of what they look like. In the first of two new episodes of "Are We There Yet?" on TBS, the episode dealt with bullying. Troy, the youngest child, has a friend who provoked the neighborhood bully. Most of the episode is spent with Troy building up the courage to help out a friend in need. Initially, Troy appeared as if he was going to leave his friend hanging, but he decided he would help him out in the end. Troy ends up standing up to the bully and helping out his friend, all at the same time, before the end of the episode.

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Toccara Jones to star in Donald Trump's dating show

By TV Maverick
JR Staff Writer

Last year, Donald Trump partnered with TV One for the hit reality television series, "The Ultimate Merger." The show was a ratings success with appearances from Al B. Sure. Omarosa, a former contestant on Trump's "The Apprentice," found love off camera and is unwilling to do a second season.

Toccara Jones rose to fame after her participation on "America's Next Top Model." Despite not winning the contest, Jones built a strong male following. She carried this following with her to the VH1 series, "Celebrity Fit Club." After her appearance on "Fit Club," her career began to really take off.

Since her time on TV, Toccara has landed modeling gigs and a job with BET. In many ways, her loss on "America's Next Top Model" was actually an even bigger win. Toccara Jones recently guest-starred on Ice Cube's hit TBS series, "Are We There Yet?" Following her appearance in Vogue, in 2008, things have been rather quiet from Toccara Jones.

Now, Toccara Jones' career has received the ultimate boost since Donald Trump has asked her to star in another season of his "The Ultimate Merger." Despite her time with BET, Jones will be working for rival network, TV One.

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Toccara Jones guest stars on "Are We There Yet?"

By TV Maverick
JR Staff Writer

When TBS agreed to bring "Are We There Yet?" back for a second season, Ice Cube promised to go all out. The show is anchored by two stars, Essence Atkins and Terry Crews. But, in the second season, Ice Cube wanted more high-profile guests.

Last week, "Are We There Yet?" featured a guest appearance from Charlie Murphy. During an appearance on ESPN, the show's star, Terry Crews, said many big names would appear during the season. Without dropping many names, Crews invited some of ESPN's people to stop by.

In an effort to compete with Tyler Perry's sitcoms, Ice Cube may bring in people from ESPN. It would go well with the show seeing how Crews' 'Nick' is a sportscaster. The new season is bringing in high ratings. Still, Tyler Perry's sitcoms are the highest-rated shows on cable television.

On last night's episode, "Are We There Yet?" featured guest appearances from Sandy 'Pepa' Denton and former reality star, Toccara Jones. Pepa played as one of Nick's co-workers, while Toccara Jones played as one of Suzzane's friends' cousin. Before she fell out of the public eye, Toccara Jones said she wanted to land some scripted roles in television shows and movies. Her appearance on "Are We There Yet?" is one of her first scripted appearances.

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Terry Crews returns for Second Season of "Are We There Yet?"

By TV Maverick
JR Staff Writer

Only a few years ago, there was outrage over the lack of black faces on television. Tyler Perry created new avenues for black sitcoms with TBS. Perry has contributed two hit sitcoms for the network, the highly successful "House of Payne" and "Meet the Browns."

Towards the end of 2009, Ice Cube got in on the action and he created his first sitcom, "Are We There Yet?" The show follows his film series, but with new characters. Fresh off his role as 'Julius' on the hit series, "Everybody Hates Chris," Terry Crews became dad.

Terry Crews has become a surrogate father to the black community, due to a lack of role models. In the 1980s and early 1990s, Bill Cosby served a similar role. Crews played on "Everybody Hates Chris" as the stingy father from 2005 until 2009.

Now, he has found a new role as the free-hearted stepfather on "Are We There Yet?" Terry Crews' stock has continued to rise since his small role on Ice Cube's Friday After Next as Damien. Damien was the replacement for DeeBo, who did not return for a third installment of Friday. Since that time, Terry Crews has risen the ranks to become one of the new faces of the new string of black sitcoms on television.

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Ice Cube's "Are We There Yet?" sitcom flops

Watching the success Tyler Perry has had using his film following to create hit sitcoms, Ice Cube decided to use the same playbook. Long before Perry became the movie giant he is, Ice Cube was the film creator the black community turned to. Ever since the first Friday film, Ice Cube has been hailed as a comedic genius.

Initially known to the world as a "gangsta rapper," Ice Cube crossed over into the mainstream. First, he would play roles in many gangster films. Usually, Cube was the character considered rough around the edges. But, slowly Hollywood realized how marketable Ice Cube was.

Not much time passed before Ice Cube was the one creating the films. Over the years, he has written many films which are family friendly. His most-notable child-friendly film was 2005's Are We There Yet? Playing opposite of Nia Long, Ice Cube vys for her attention.

After the two begin dating, Long's character reveals to Ice Cube's character that she is the mother of two children. Upon revealing her children to him, Ice Cube is forced to take them on a road trip. Fearing he is trying to take their mother, the children rebel against Cube. But, during the trip, they discover he is actually a good guy. The film would be a success and Ice Cube soon made plans of doing a sequel. He began writing the sequel, Are We Done Yet?.

In the second film, Ice Cube has stepped into the role of father and the children love him. Now as the father of two children, he decides to take the family out on a roadtrip. Much like the last time, the mother cannot come and Ice Cube has to handle the children alone. The sequel would also be very successful and the idea to continue the film came. Feeling as if there would only be a matter of time before people got tired of the films, Ice Cube decided to adapt the films into a sitcom.

Last summer, Ice Cube pitched his idea to TBS and they set him up with a deal similar to the one offered to filmmaker, Tyler Perry three years earlier. Currently, Ice Cube's sitcom airs on Wednesdays, right between the Perry sitcoms. Being placed in between the highest-rated programs in cable history brought a rather large audience to the series premiere of "Are We There Yet?" With the audience there, it was up to the sitcom to perform properly. Despite starring fan favorites, Terry Crews and Essence Atkins, the show failed.

Most of the jokes were considered to be corny and the laugh track was said to be a little over the top. The same criticisms were intially made about Tyler Perry's TBS sitcoms and it has become one of the highest-rated sitcoms in the history of cable television.

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Ice Cube takes his Act to TBS

Outside of rap music, Ice Cube proved that he was able to make it. In a matter of years, Cube was able to transform himself from an offensive rap figure into the most marketable hip hopper in history. Early in the 1990s, Cube proved that he was a great actor with his acclaimed role in Boyz n da Hood.

Following his performance in that film, Ice Cube began writing and other behind-the-scenes roles in major films. Finally, Cube was able to become PG with his Are We There, Yet? films. It has been since that time that Ice Cube has become "safe." He was considered one of the top black filmmakers.

However, Tyler Perry emerged the same year that Are We There, Yet came out. At a rapid pace, Perry adapted his popular plays into films. These films have become major hits within the black community. By himself, Perry had become what the black community wanted BET to be.

Tyler Perry's takeover was complete before the end of 2007, when he landed a multimillion dollar deal with cable network, TBS to begin broadcasting original sitcoms for the network. The sitcoms ended up bringing a full return to the investment that TBS made. More important than all of the rest, Tyler Perry has become one of the richest men in America because of the deal. While Ice Cube remains very happy for Perry, in the back of his mind, he knows that should be him in that position.

Instead of going on a smear campaign against Tyler Perry, Ice Cube has worked out a deal with TBS that is identical to the one that Perry struck four years ago. The first project in this new partnership will be the sitcom version of the hit films Are We There, Yet? and Are We Done, Yet? Stepping back, Cube will only guest star in the series with Terry Crews becoming the father. Essence Atkins will play the role of the mother and Cube will serve as the executive producer.

"Are We There, Yet?" will premiere on June 2, 2010 at 9:00 pm on TBS.

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Essence Atkins returns to Television on “Are We There, Yet?”

The last time that Essence Atkins was seen as a regular on a television show was four years ago in 2006. At the time, she portrayed the smart-mouthed, witty, half-sister Dee Dee Thorne on the hit UPN series, “Half & Half.” While the show was a hit, UPN was overhauled during the summer of 2006 and most of their black sitcoms were lost in the crossfire.

Slowly, cable network, TBS, has been working to fill this void. During the same summer, they signed a multimillion dollar deal with Tyler Perry that landed them his two sitcoms. Along with his hits, “House of Payne” and “Meet the Browns,” TBS has the rights to any other sitcom that Tyler Perry may decide to create. Last summer, they landed a similar deal with Ice Cube.

Long before Tyler Perry built his film empire, Ice Cube had built his. However, because he has a rap career on the side, Cube never thought of creating a television program out of his movies. But, after watching Tyler Perry, Ice Cube turned his Are We There, Yet? film series into a sitcom. The show was announced last year, but will debut next month.

Essence Atkins has fallen off since “Half & Half.” In the time since the cancellation of the sitcom, she has made her living in low-budget films. Most people had forgotten about her, but needing a sassy star, Ice Cube reached out. Because the reruns of “Half & Half” have aired since 2008 and because the films she starred in are beginning to air, Atkins has been on a comeback.

The comeback will be complete on June 2, 2010, when “Are We There, Yet?” premieres.

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Ice Cube may do another "Friday" film

It has been eight years since the last Friday film. The last film was titled Friday After Next. Unlike the first two films, the production and quality was obviously cheaper. While a few of the performers in the original film returned, most of the supporting cast was replaced. This included the role of "Deebo."

Because of all of the replacements and Deebo being replaced by Damien, portrayed by Terry Crews, the film was panned. Even the second film, Next Friday, was not as acclaimed as the original film. Following the 1995 film, Friday, Chris Tucker refused to come back to portray the role of Smokey.

For the following films, Mike Epps stepped in as DayDay, the cousin of Ice Cube's Craig. In 2007, Cube spoke of the possibility of creating another Friday film. He said that he had been speaking with some people and it could be coming. However, Ice Cube said that the only way that it could happen was if Tucker returned.

Obviously, Chris Tucker did not return for the 2007 film because the 2007 film never happened. Instead, Cube decided to create a new film series. Now, with demand for another Friday still high, Ice Cube is trying to make it happen once again. He has reached out to the same people and his condition is that Chris Tucker returns. For this film, he wants to unite DayDay and Smokey for the first time. In Next Friday, it is alluded to that the two do actually know each other despite not having any screen time together.

Because Chris Tucker announced himself as born again, it may be harder than ever to get him to return and play the role of Smokey.

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