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Essence Atkins said the opportunity to star in CBS’ new sitcom “Poppa’s House” alongside Damon Wayans Sr. completed her nearly 30-year-long career working with the iconic Wayans family.

“It was Damon. I never worked with Senior before; I worked with [Damon Wayans] Junior on ‘Dance Flick.’ I had worked with basically with the entire [first] generation,” Atkins told TheWrap of her decision to sign on for the series. “Like, everybody but Damon, who is iconic and amazing and has done such incredible pioneering work in the realm of comedy, and so I just felt like he was my last frontier in this family. I was like, ‘I got to work with Damon.'”

Atkins stars in “Poppa’s House” as Dr. Ivy Reed, a driven and confident psychologist who joins veteran radio host Poppa (Wayans) as his new co-lead in an effort to boost his show’s dwindling ratings.

“Dr. Ivy is, she is all heart,...

It’s been 12 years since we got the last “Friday” movie with the Christmas-set “Friday After Next,” but Ice Cube — star, writer, and producer of the popular film series — isn’t giving up hope on at least one more installment.

Speaking with Flavor Flav for his SirusXM show “Flavor of the Week,” Cube even announced that a fourth film may finally be in development.

“We’re working on it. We finally got some traction with Warner Bros.,” Cube said. “They have new leadership, my man Mike De Luca, who used to be at New Line when I first started, when I first did the first ‘Friday’ and ‘Players Club’ and ‘All About the Benjamins.’ Mike De Luca was there. So, now he’s running Warner Bros. And him and my man Michael Gruber was like, ‘Yo, what the fuck is going on with ‘Friday’? Man, let’s get this shit back online.

Actor, producer, platinum-selling recording artist and Grammy Lifetime Achievement award-winner Ice Cube has been pushing to get a fourth chapter in his beloved comedy franchise “Friday” off the ground for years. In a recent conversation with hip-hop legend and timepiece advocate Flavor Flav on the “Flavor of the Week” SiriusXM show, he shared hopes that audiences may get a chance to revisit the storyline.

“We finally got some traction with Warner Bros,” Cube said. “They have new leadership, my man Mike DeLuca, who used to be at New Line when I first started, when I first did the first ‘Friday’ and ‘Players Club’ and ‘All About the Benjamins’. Mike DeLuca was there. So, now he’s running Warner Bros. And him and my man [agent] Michael Gruber was like, ‘Yo, what the f–k is going on with ‘Friday’? Man, let’s get this sh– back online.”

The first “Friday,” co-written...

It may be Monday, but there’s some hopeful news for fans of Friday — Ice Cube‘s popular comedy series that put Chris Tucker on the map with the original, as well as Mike Epps in its two sequels. The long-awaited fourth entry in the series, slated to be called Last Friday, was held up for a long time due to Warner Bros.’ control over the rights. Back in 2022, Cube explained, “I don’t know. Warner Bros. is weird right now. I don’t know what they’re doing. They don’t know what they’re doing. We’d love to have it back. I think it’s going be close to a time when we get it back. So, we’ll either wait for that time, or we’ll keep trying to convince them that they need to let us control the movie. It’s my movie, but they have distribution control.

It might be nearly 25 years later, but luckily for Ice Cube, there’s always another Friday around the corner.

The N.W.A. alum recently shared an update on the long-awaited fourth installment of the Friday franchise more than 20 years after the last sequel was released, as he develops a follow-up with Warner Bros.

“We’re working on it. We finally got some traction with Warner Bros,” Ice Cube told Flavor Flav on his SiriusXM show Flavor of the Week. “They have new leadership, my man Mike DeLuca, who used to be at New Line when I first started, when I first did the first Friday and Players Club and All About the Benjamins. Mike DeLuca was there.

“So, now he’s running Warner Bros. And him and my man Michael Gruber was like, ‘Yo, what the fuck is going on with Friday? Man, let’s get this shit back online,'” he added.

Every time Lil Rel Howery watches his new Disney+ film “Dashing Through the Snow,” he gets “emotional” seeing a Black Santa.

“Because, it’s like, you see Black Santa – [Chris “Ludacris” Bridges” and I] were talking about this earlier – when you see the end of the movie, like, every time I see the end of it, and I’m like, ‘Is it weird because it’s me?’ But, I always get emotional,” Howery, who plays Santa “Nick” Claus in the film, told TheWrap. “Like, wow, just to see Santa fly through the air. That’s a Black Santa. He’s waving. It’s just a beautiful thing because we don’t see that often. I’m actually very honored and cannot wait to see how children react to this because I do think it’s so very special what we did with the representation.”

While Black actors have had roles where they...

Eddie Murphy has always been open about the respect he has for late comic Richard Pryor. But Murphy’s admiration for Pryor might’ve grown even more after Pryor defended him against two other comic legends.

Richard Pryor told these comic veterans to apologize to Eddie Murphy for their behavior Eddie Murphy | Matt Winkelmeyer/FilmMagic

Murphy and Pryor even met a couple of times. One of the fondest memories the Nutty Professor star had of Pryor was when the comic came to his defense. Back in his much younger days, Murphy was on the cusp of his career breakthrough. He recalled doing standup at The Comedy Store in the 80s, sharing the same building with comedians Paul Mooney and John Witherspoon.

“I was like first-year SNL and I was killing, and I was like, ‘They’re giving me the light?’ I was only up for 10 minutes,’” Murphy said on Late Night with Seth Meyers.

Exclusive: Authentic Talent & Literary Management on Tuesday announced its hiring of manager Christina Shams, a veteran of the comedy world who counts Matt Rife, Mary Lynn Rajskub, Paul Elia, and Jeffrey Jay amongst her clients.

In her new role at Authentic, which will also have her producing, Shams will continue to pursue her passion for scaling the careers of multi-hyphenate artists. She’ll also oversee strategic touring growth for the Authentic comedy department, while enhancing digital opportunities for clients, and will be based out of the company’s Los Angeles office.

Related Story Monica Villarreal Joins Anonymous Content As Manager & Producer Related Story Mohammed Ali Joins Authentic Talent & Literary Management Related Story ICM & Authentic Talent & Lit Management Sign 'Catch The Fair One' Boxer, Actress & Writer Kali Reis

Shams has solidified her reputation as a stand-up touring specialist, with the ability to foster a wide net of opportunities for stand-ups,...

If you're looking to pinpoint the greatest year in hip-hop, it's going to start with a one, followed by a nine, another nine, and end with a number no higher than five. The genre that grew out of Bronx house parties thrown by sonic pioneers like DJ Kool Herc, and survived the faddish exploitation of the early and mid-1980s had finally come of age. Obviously, there were groundbreaking LPs released prior to the '90s, but it wasn't until we entered the final decade of the millennium that explorers like Hank Shocklee, Dr. Dre, DJ Premier, and Prince Paul refined their sounds to bring hard-hitting East Coast beats and blunted West Coast G-funk grooves to the ears of audiophiles across the country.

Hollywood was listening. They weren't necessarily getting it, but they were listening. Mid-'80s films like "Breakin'," "Beat Street" and "Krush Groove" captured the excitement of the...

The original 1990 House Party was no masterpiece, but it featured infectious energy, enjoyable hijinks, two appealing leads in Christopher Reid and Christopher Martin (better known as the hip-hop duo “Kid ‘n Play”), and a very talented supporting cast including Robin Harris, Martin Lawrence, Tisha Campbell and John Witherspoon among others. The landmark teen comedy went on to spawn four sequels (the less said about, the better) and has now been given, in the words of director Calmatic, “a remix, not a remake.” The problem is that this remixed House Party is one to which audiences will regret accepting the invitation.

This film’s party doesn’t take place in any old house, but rather a palatial L.A. mansion belonging to LeBron James. Apparently not learning the lesson taught by Space Jam: A New Legacy that, as an actor, James makes a great basketball player, screenwriters Jamal Olori and Stephen Glover...

Ice Cube is getting heated with Warner Bros.

The N.W.A. rapper turned filmmaker slammed the production company for stalling two “Friday” sequels. Ice Cube wrote and starred in the original 1995 film and penned follow-ups “Next Friday” (2000) and “Friday After Next” (2002). A fourth film, “Last Friday,” was confirmed in 2020; however, more franchise installments are now on the back burner, according to Ice Cube.

“I don’t know. Warner Brothers is weird right now. I don’t know what they’re doing, they don’t know what they’re doing,” Ice Cube said during the “Hotboxin’ With Mike Tyson” podcast. “We’d love to have [the rights] back. I think it’s going to be close to a time when we can get it back. So we’ll either wait for that time, or we’ll keep trying to convince them that they need to let us control the movie.”

Ice Cube added of Warner Bros.

Most fans of the original comedy classic "Friday" and its subsequent sequels might assume that star Ice Cube actually stepped behind the camera to direct one, if not all, of the entries in his beloved neighborhood stoner trilogy. But in fact, he didn't direct a single installment in the franchise. Ice Cube did try his hand at directing in the late '90s with "Players Club," a story about a single mother who turns to the underworld of exotic dance to make ends meet.

Aside from an ESPN episode of "30 for 30" about the Oakland Raiders' move to Los Angles in 1982, "Players Club" is the only directing credit for Cube, who prefers to share the limelight with other directors. This is especially true with the "Friday" series where the rap mogul liked hiring first-time directors. Telling SPLICEDwire in an interview conducted right when "Friday After Next" was being released,...

Mike Epps' big Hollywood break came when he starred alongside Ice Cube in the 2000 stoner comedy "Next Friday," the sequel to 1995's "Friday." From there, the actor gained roles in many hit films and released a number of comedy specials. "It was a miraculous leap," Epps told Hollywood.com of his "Next Friday" role in 1999, a month before the movie hit theaters.

In the first "Friday," Craig (Ice Cube) gets fired from his job on his day off for allegedly stealing boxes. This leaves his schedule wide open to try weed for the first time with friend and pothead, Smokey (Chris Tucker), which gets them in hot water with drug dealer Big Worm (Faizon Love). At the end of the movie, Craig does the whole neighborhood a favor and knocks out the local bully, Deebo (Tommy "Tiny" Lister Jr.). 

The premise for "Next Friday" borrows from "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air...

If you’re wondering why Ice Cube’s comedy franchise, Friday, hasn’t gotten a reunion in this era of legacy sequels, you’re not the only one. It definitely wasn’t due to a lack of trying, with series mastermind Ice Cube explaining that he’s written not one – but two – scripts for a new Friday movie. The problem is that both were rejected by Warner Bros, who hold the rights to the franchise.

Ice Cube revealed his issues with WB during an appearance on the Drink Champs Podcast (excerpted by Billboard), recorded while the rapper appeared at L.L. Cool J’s Rock the Bells Festival.

The first of the two screenplays entered around Cube’s Mike and his sidekick, Mike Epps’ Da Da going to jail for selling weed. “After they rejected it, they had all these movies about going to jail. So I was like, ‘Man,...

Are you looking to watch stoner comedy series that will make you laugh and get you high on humor? Then look no further than the “Friday” film series. It is one of the most popular and well-known comedy film franchises created by Ice Cube and DJ Pooh.

The series follows the characters of Craig Jones (Ice Cube) and Smokey (Chris Tucker) as they navigate their way through the challenges and tribulations of life in South Central Los Angeles. The first “Friday” movie was released in 1995 and was an instant hit with audiences.

It was followed by two sequels, “Friday After Next” and “Last Friday.” The movies are known for their humor, heart, and message of hope. They have resonated with audiences of all ages and backgrounds, making them some of the most successful films.

If you are looking to watch “Friday” movies, you’ll want to check out this blog...

Click here to read the full article.

Eddie Murphy’s first entry in the romantic-comedy genre was Boomerang, released by Paramount Pictures on July 1, 1992 — and which will be reissued on Blu-ray for the first time June 28.

Murphy, who became a top name of the 1980s with franchises like 48 Hours and Beverly Hills Cop, hatched an idea of himself as a ladies’ man who meets his match. The star then connected with Barry Blaustein and David Sheffield, two writers he’d met at Saturday Night Live who worked with him on Coming to America (1988), to pitch a movie in the vein of Alfie and Annie Hall.

Boomerang focused on Marcus (Murphy), an affluent, womanizing advertising exec who has the tables turned on him after he falls hard for his new boss (Robin Givens). Helmed by Reginald Hudlin, who’d made his directorial debut with the 1990 comedy House Party, Boomerang featured a predominantly Black cast,...

Whatever happened to that bizarre 21 Jump Street and Men in Black crossover? Here are the details of the failed event film.

“Cast your mind back to the ancient dystopian days of 2016, reader, and you may recall that at one point, Sony planned to have its hilarious Jump Street reboot series cross over with Men in Black. Flash forward 6 years, and the film Mib 23, which would’ve also effectively served as 23 Jump Street, has sadly not happened. So what was the deal with that?”

Read more at Gizmodo

On what planet is Luke Skywalker’s Jedi Academy located, you may ask? Maybe these details will clue you in.

“Luke Skywalker’s story is now about filling in the blanks. We’ve seen him born, we’ve seen him pass on, and now we need to see the gaps in his resume. One of the most mysterious absences is the period...

The Boondocks is not being revived after all. HBO Max has cancelled its plans for the return of the animated series after giving the revival a two-season order of 24 episodes in September 2019.

Cedric Yarbrough, a voice actor from the original series, said the following, per Deadline:

“I hate to say this…right now the show is not coming back. We’ve been wanting to do the show and Sony and its…they decided they’re going to pull the plug. Hopefully one day we’ll be able to revisit it…I wish the show was coming back.”

The voices of Regina King, John Witherspoon, Gary Anthony Williams, and Jill Talley were also featured in the series. The original ran for 55 episodes and four seasons between 2005 and 2014.

The revival would have followed “the adventures of self-proclaimed 'Civil Rights Legend'...

Huey and Riley Freeman will not make their return to screen. The Boondocks reboot series is no longer a go at HBO Max, Deadline can confirm.

In 2019, HBO Max had given a two-season, 24-episode order to the beloved satire animated series from creator Aaron McGruder and Sony Pictures Animation. The series was set to launch in fall 2020 with a 50-minute special.

HBO Max’s new Boondocks would have followed the adventures of self-proclaimed “Civil Rights Legend” Robert “Granddad” Freeman, and his two rambunctious grandsons Huey and Riley. The family has recently moved to an idyllic community in suburban Maryland only to see it taken over by the tyrannical Uncle Ruckus and his bizarre neo-fascist regime. Life under Ruckus turns out to be an everyday struggle to survive.

Sony is currently evaluating other options for the project, sources said.

The Boondocks revival was taken out to the marketplace in Spring 2019 and...

Anthony “Aj” Johnson, a comedian and actor best known for his parts in “Friday” and “House Party,” has died, representatives for Johnson confirmed to TheWrap Monday. He was 55.

According to Johnson’s reps, the actor — who played addict and thief Ezal in “Friday” and E.Z.E. in “House Party” — died earlier this month. His cause of death has not yet been released.

“Our Bh Talent family is saddened about the loss of an amazing iconic legend in comedy, our client and friend Anthony ‘Aj’ Johnson,” Johnson’s spokespeople said in a statement to TheWrap. “We are praying for all those that were touched by his comedy, acting, but most of all his life. We are especially praying for his beloved Wife, Children, Siblings and Manager. Please give them the time they need to process and grieve such a huge loss.”

Per TMZ, Johnson’s nephew said the actor “was...

Many TV legends and contributors were included for the “In Memoriam” segment on Sunday’s Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony for ABC. But producers are always forced to omit some of the 100+ insiders who died since the last ceremony. Who was left out of the group that was honored?

With dozens of television veterans having died since last year’s mid-September ceremony, people certainly included were these six TV Academy Hall of Fame members:

Diahann Carroll

Leonard Goldberg (executive at 20th Century Fox and ABC; producer of “Charlie’s Angels” and more)

Jim Lehrer (anchor/reporter of “MacNeil/Lehrer NewsHour)

Regis Philbin

Carl Reiner

Fred Silverman

SEECelebrity Deaths 2020: In Memoriam Gallery

Even though he wasn’t known for his TV work, blockbuster film actor Chadwick Boseman was featured in the final slot. NBA Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant was not mentioned, even though the event was being held in the Staples Center.

For Sunday’s Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony on ABC, producers will have the always difficult task of assembling a memoriam segment. Even though the event hosted by Jimmy Kimmel will be virtual, it’s a certainty they will include the popular “In Memoriam” on the show.

With over 100 television veterans having died since last year’s mid-September ceremony, those expected to be honored would include such TV legends and TV Academy Hall of Fame members:

Diahann Carroll

Leonard Goldberg (executive at 20th Century Fox and ABC; producer of “Charlie’s Angels” and more)

Jim Lehrer (anchor/reporter of “MacNeil/Lehrer NewsHour)

Regis Philbin

Carl Reiner

Fred Silverman

SEECelebrity Deaths 2020: In Memoriam Gallery

Even though they weren’t known for their TV work, it’s very likely NBA Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant and blockbuster film actor Chadwick Boseman will be honored. Also among the dozens most likely included since they...

Black filmmakers, creators and actors have, for years, worked to portray the gamut of black fatherhood on screen and dispel societal prejudices of the no good, or absentee black father. Here’s a list of just some of the best representations of black fatherhood and father figures on the big screen.

Furious Styles (“Boyz n the Hood”) Laurence Fishburne held nothing back, and dropped some serious knowledge as Furious Styles, the father of Cuba Gooding Jr.’s Tre in “Boyz n the Hood.” Whether it was preaching about gentrification and the plight of the crack epidemic or talking Tre down from making seeking revenge with a gun, Furious did whatever necessary to ensure his son became a man growing up in the Crenshaw ghetto of Los Angeles.

Mr. Jones (“Friday”) The late, great John Witherspoon was known mostly for his exaggerated hilarity — plenty of which unfolds in “Friday” — but as Mr.

Stars: Denise Richards, Julia Faye West, Mike Tyson, John Witherspoon, Charles Fleischer, Kate Orsini, Loren Lester, Candace Kita, Greg Lindsay, Shelli Boone, John R. Colley, Ben Begley | Written by Steven Jay Bernheim, Schuyler Brumley,Chris Cobb, Gabby Gruen, Greg Lindsay, Allan Murray, John-Paul Panelli, Chandler Patton | Directed by Steven Jay Bernheim

Did you ever wonder what Denise Richards had been up to since she kissed that other lady in that swimming pool, back when I was a teenage boy? No, neither had I, but she is in Reality Queen! As is a little bit of Mike Tyson and, weirdly Charles Fleischer, who played as Roger Rabbit, back when I was a boy-boy.

Reviewing terrible films is usually really easy, you have got lots of punchy material, you can go for the throat and rip a bad film to pieces, it is usually really fun to write such a review, even...

The Academy Awards paid tribute to many famous faces who passed on over the last year with its In Memoriam segment on Sunday night, but at least three notable names were omitted from the list: Luke Perry, Sid Haig, Tim Conway and Cameron Boyce.

Recently deceased legends Kobe Bryant, who died Jan. 26, and Kirk Douglas, who passed on Feb. 5, did make it into the 2020 Oscars’ slideshow honoring the deceased, which was accompanied by Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell’s performance of The Beatles’ “Yesterday” at the Dolby Theater.

Other noteworthy stars in the 92nd Annual Academy Awards In Memoriam segment included Doris Day, John Singleton, Peter Mayhew, Agnes Varda, D. A. Pennebaker, Peter Fonda, Diahann Caroll, Rip Torn, Robert Forster and John Witherspoon, among many more. You can watch the tribute via the video above.

Also Read: Oscars 2020 Winners: The Complete List

The Academy did not immediately respond to TheWrap...

For Sunday’s Oscars 2020 ceremony on ABC, producers had a difficult decision of which film industry people would make the cut and who would unfortunately be left out of the “In Memoriam.” For the segment, for the song “Yesterday” performed by Grammy champ Billie Eilish.

Visit our own Gold Derby memoriam gallery for the year of 2019 and the just launched gallery for 2020.

SEE2020 Oscars: Full list of winners (and losers) at the 92nd Academy Awards

Over 100 people in the film industry, many of them academy members, have passed away in the past 12 months. Here is a list of the some of the names included in the tribute:

Danny Aiello (actor)

Jim Alexander (sound)

Bibi Andersson (actor)

Ben Barenholtz (executive)

Kobe Bryant (producer)

Diahann Carroll (actor)

Seymour Cassel (actor)

William J. Creber (production designer)

Doris Day (actress)

Stanley Donen (director)

Kirk Douglas (actor/producer)

Robert Evans (executive)

Peter Fonda (actor)

Robert Forster (actor)

Harriet Frank,...

One of the most significant additions to the Academy Awards ceremony around 30 years ago has been the In Memoriam segment. Producers find the perfect blend of music, photos and clips for the short annual presentation.

Which of the past Oscar winners and nominees from many different branches will be featured this Sunday, February 9, on the Oscars 2020 ceremony for ABC? Some of the most likely to be included will be acting nominees Danny Aiello, Diahann Carroll, Doris Day, Kirk Douglas, Peter Fonda, Robert Forster, Sylvia Miles, Michael J. Pollard and Rip Torn. How about major creatives such as Stanley Donen, Robert Evans, Buck Henry, Andre Previn and John Singleton?

Visit our own Gold Derby memoriam gallery for the year of 2019 and the just launched gallery for 2020.

SEEWho is Performing at the Oscars 2020?: Full List of Presenters and Performers

Over 100 people in the film industry, many of them academy members, have...

Luke Perry, Cameron Boyce and Kristoff St. John were among the more than three dozen late stars and members of the entertainment industry whose lives were honored at the 2020 Screen Actors Guild Awards on Sunday.

Presented by Sterling K. Brown, the tribute featured footage and photos of 90210 star Perry, who died from a stroke at age 52 on March 4; Descendants lead Boyce, who died after suffering a seizure due to epilepsy at age 20 on July 6; and Young and the Restless fan favorite St. John, who died because of heart disease at age 52 on Feb. 3.

“Although their passing leaves an emptiness in our hearts,...

Sunday’s telecast of the 2020 Screen Actors Guild Awards will feature a special In Memoriam segment devoted to many of the actors and actresses who have died since last year’s ceremony in late January. Sure to be among those saluted include Oscar-nominated actresses Diahann Carroll and Doris Day, plus nominated “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” actor Luke Perry. Visit our own Gold Derby memoriam gallery for the year of 2019.

The 26th annual ceremony will be live on TNT and TBS on Sunday, January 19, at 8:00 p.m. Et; 5:00 p.m. Pt. The SAG life achievement award will be presented to Robert De Niro.

SEE2020 SAG Awards nominations: Full list of Screen Actors Guild Awards nominees

Over 100 people in SAG/AFTRA have passed away in the past 12 months. Which of the following 50+ names will also be featured in the televised tribute?

Julie Adams

Danny Aiello

Jed Allan

Bibi Andersson...

Let’s just say Ice Cube and the Powers That Be at New Line Cinema aren’t seeing eye-to-eye following the death of John Witherspoon in October.

Witherspoon was all set to appear in Ice Cube’s long-gestating sequel – tentatively titled Last Friday – though without any tangible progress (something that Cube blames squarely on the “dumbass people at New Line Cinema”), the fourth Friday film was essentially left to languish in development limbo.

Sadly, Witherspoon passed away before he was given one last chance to reprise the role of Mr. Jones (Aka “Pops”) in Last Friday, and it’s fair to say that Ice Cube isn’t happy. As for the movie itself, it’s seemingly been sent back to the drawing board, given that the original script submitted to New Line was “full of Mr. Jones,” according to Ice Cube.

Responding to one curious fan on Twitter, the N.

Ice Cube has never been one to back down against authority. In fact, his introduction and diffusion into popular culture through N.W.A. was based almost entirely on that rebellious attitude. And in the decades since his time with the infamous rap group came to a close, the performer’s still refused to keep his mouth shut when he’s mad. And boy is he mad about Last Friday.

The rapper/actor has been trying to get a fourth Friday movie off the ground for quite some time now. And as recently as last June, Ice Cube still expressed hope in releasing the sequel by 2020. Since then, unfortunately, one of the series’ pinnacle stars, John Witherspoon, passed away from coronary heart disease.

Speaking at his funeral, Ice Cube took the opportunity to voice his frustrations – specifically targeting the folks at New Line Cinema – apologizing to Witherspoon for not being...

On Tuesday, actor and comedian John Witherspoon, also known as ‘Pops,’ has passed away in his home at the age of 77. The news was confirmed by his family in a statement on social media. “It is with deep sadness we have to tweet this, but our husband and father John Witherspoon has passed away. […]

The post Comedian John Witherspoon, ‘Wayans Bros.’ Star, Dies At 77 appeared first on uInterview.

Ian Somerhalder just can’t get enough of vampires. The “Vampire Diaries” star has a new vampire show called “V Wars,” and it’s premiering Dec. 5 on Netflix.

The streaming service teased the first glimpse of the vampire-licious series just in time for Halloween on Wednesday. You can see them all below.

Based on Jonathan Maberry’s best-selling books, Somerhalder stars not as a vampire this time, but as Dr. Luther Swann, whose attempts to understand the breakout of this “mysterious disease” that turns his best friend into a bloodthirsty creature.

Also Read: John Witherspoon, Prolific Character Actor and 'Friday' Star, Dies at 77

Here’s the show’s official logline, per Netflix: Dr. Luther Swann (Ian Somerhalder) enters a world of untold horror when a mysterious disease transforms his best friend, Michael Fayne (Adrian Holmes), into a murderous predator who feeds on other humans. As the disease spreads and more people are transformed,...

Playwright, screenwriter and Oscar-nominee Bernard Slade has died at the age of 89 in his Beverly Hills home due to complications from Lewy body dementia, according to Broadway World.

Slade is known for creating “The Partridge Family” television series in 1970, and for writing the Broadway show “Same Time, Next Year” in 1975. He later adapted the play into a feature film and wrote the screenplay for the feature film version in 1978. The story follows a man and a woman in separate marriages who have a one-night affair and end up meeting in the same place every year on the anniversary of that night.

Also Read: John Witherspoon, Prolific Character Actor and 'Friday' Star, Dies at 77

Slade also wrote for television shows from the late 1950s through the early 1970s, such as “Encounter,” which he also acted in, as well as “Playdate,” “Love on a Rooftop,” “Bewitched,” and “The Flying Nun.” He is...

Days before he passed away, John Witherspoon appeared on Dl Hughley’s radio show to explain why he’s still drawing crowds and working in this business. “Try to be as funny as you can as that character. You can’t be an old dude trying to act young, talking hip hop. I don’t know hip hop. I don’t even know how to turn my phone off.” Witherspoon stayed true to his characters no matter whom he played or how old he got, and the audience resonated with that. Here are some of the great character actor’s finest moments on screen.

“Hollywood Shuffle” (1987) – One of Witherspoon’s first, most memorable movie roles was as Eddie Murphy’s boss in “Hollywood Shuffle,” about a struggling actor working at a hot dog stand who can’t get a break because of his skin color. But this ain’t no ordinary hot dog stand,...

The actor and comedian John Witherspoon has died at the age of 77. He is perhaps most recognised for his portrayal of the father figure to Ice Cube in three Friday films as well as his character Pops in The Wayans Bros television series. Marlon Wayans posted on Instagram following his death: 'I’m sad. Broken. Hurt ... yet extremely grateful to God that I got to spend five years of my life working with one of the funniest sweetest wisest humblest loving men.'

John Witherspoon, Friday actor and comedian, dies aged 77...

Hollywood is mourning the loss of John Witherspoon.

After news broke that the Friday actor and comedian died Tuesday night at age 77, celebrities recalled their fondest memories of Witherspoon on social media and shared the impact he had on the entertainment industry.

Witherspoon’s TV son on The Wayans Bros, Marlon Wayans, shared a throwback photo of the two with his brother, Shawn Wayans, and wrote, “I’m sad. Broken. Hurt.. yet extremely grateful to God that i got to spend 5 years of my life working with one of the funniest sweetest wisest humblest loving man @johnnywitherspoon you were my...

Tributes are flooding in for “Hollywood Shuffle” and “Friday” actor John Witherspoon following news of his death on Tuesday at age 77.

“It is with deep sadness we have to tweet this, but our husband & father John Witherspoon has passed away. He was a Legend in the entertainment industry, and a father figure to all who watched him over the years. We love you “Pops” always & forever,” Witherspoon’s family said in a statement announcing his passing at his Sherman Oaks, Calif., home.

Friends, co-stars and famous fans were quick to share their fondest memories of the legendary actor and comedian, expressing sadness over the loss.

Also Read: John Witherspoon, Prolific Character Actor and 'Friday' Star, Dies at 77

“I’m devastated over the passing of John Witherspoon,” Ice Cube wrote. “Life won’t be as funny without him.”

The actor’s son, J.D. Witherspoon tweeted his favorite photos of his father:...

Refresh for updates Tributes to John Witherspoon continued throughout the night after news broke that the actor and comedian had passed. “Rip my brother,” tweeted David Alan Grier. “You will be missed.” Chance the Rapper called him “the definition of an icon.”

Witherspoon died suddenly at the age of 77, prompting an outpouring of grief, love and memories on social media.

“I’m devastated over the passing of John Witherspoon,” wrote Ice Cube above a photo with Witherspoon. “Life won’t be as funny without him.”

Witherspoon was probably best known for his role as Ice Cube’s grumpy dad Willie Jones in Ice Cube’s hit Friday comedy feature franchise.

“My dad, my grandpa, my comedic inspiration! I love you Spoons! Rest In Paradise,” wrote Regina King, who co-starred with Witherspoon on the animated series The Boondocks. She played siblings Huey and Riley on the show, while Witherspoon voiced their grandfather and legal guardian.

John Witherspoon — the versatile actor and comedian known for his turns in movies like Friday and House Party and The Wayans Bros. sitcom — died Tuesday. He was 77.

Witherspoon’s family confirmed the actor’s death on his Twitter account, writing, “It is with deep sadness we have to tweet this, but our husband & father John Witherspoon has passed away. He was a Legend in the entertainment industry, and a father figure to all who watched him over the years. We love you ‘Pops’ always & forever.” A cause of death was not given.

A bit of sad news to report this morning. Comedian and actor John Witherspoon has passed away at the age of 77. Witherspoon's family reported the news earlier this morning on Twitter. It is with deep sadness we have to tweet this, but our husband & father John Witherspoon has passed away. He was a Legend in the entertainment industry, and a father figure to all who watched him over…...

Hollywood stars and public figures took to social media to pay tribute to actor and comedian John Witherspoon, who died Tuesday. He was 77.

The comic actor was known for starring in the cult Friday franchise as well as his long stint on The Wayans Bros. and The Tracy Morgan Show.

Witherspoon's son John David shared an emotional post on Twitter on his father's death, along with photos of the two from his childhood to recent years. "So...my Dad died today & honestly I’m not sure how to feel. I’m sad, but I’m also happy 4 ...

Hollywood stars and public figures took to social media to pay tribute to actor and comedian John Witherspoon, who died Tuesday. He was 77.

The comic actor was known for starring in the cult Friday franchise as well as his long stint on The Wayans Bros. and The Tracy Morgan Show.

Witherspoon's son John David shared an emotional post on Twitter on his father's death, along with photos of the two from his childhood to recent years. "So...my Dad died today & honestly I’m not sure how to feel. I’m sad, but I’m also happy 4 ...

Fans are mourning the death of John Witherspoon. The comedic actor passed away in his home at the age of 77 on Tuesday. His family confirmed the news in a statement on social media. "It is with deep sadness we have to tweet this, but our husband and father John Witherspoon has passed away," the statement read. "He was a Legend in the entertainment industry, and a father figure to all who watched him over the years. We love you 'Pops' always and forever." Witherspoon is survived by his wife, Angela, and his two sons, Alexander and Jd. "We are all in shock, please give us a minute for a moment in privacy and we will celebrate his life and his work together," a family...

Comedian John Witherspoon, best known to TV audiences for his role as John “Pops” Williams on The WB’s 1990s sitcom The Wayans Bros., has died at the age of 77.

Witherspoon’s family confirmed his passing on Tuesday, but did not disclose a cause of death.

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“It is with deep sadness we have to tweet this, but our husband and father John Witherspoon has passed away,...

The versatile actor and comic, who played Ice Cube’s father in the comedy franchise, has died in Los Angeles

Actor-comedian John Witherspoon, who memorably played Ice Cube’s father in the Friday films, has died. He was 77. His manager Alex Goodman confirmed that Witherspoon died in Los Angeles. No cause of death was released.

The actor had a prolific career, co-starring in three Friday films, appearing on The Wayans Bros television series and voicing the grandfather in The Boondocks animated series. His film roles included Vampire in Brooklyn and Boomerang, and he was a frequent guest on Late Show with David Letterman.

John Witherspoon, the veteran actor and comedian best known for his roles in “Friday,” “House Party” and “Boomerang,” died on Tuesday. He was 77.

“It is with deep sadness we have to tweet this, but our husband & father John Witherspoon has passed away,” his family announced on Twitter. “He was a Legend in the entertainment industry, and a father figure to all who watched him over the years. We love you “Pops” always & forever.”

Witherspoon appeared in several films and TV shows throughout his hilarious career, often playing over-the-top characters such as Willie Jones, the father of Ice Cube’s Craig in “Friday.” He reprised his role in the next two films, “Next Friday” and “Friday After Next.”

Born in Detroit, Witherspoon was a frequent collaborator of the Wayans Brothers (“Little Man”) and Eddie Murphy, co-starring in several ’90s films opposite Murphy such as “Boomerang,” “Vampire in Brooklyn,” and “Dr. Doolittle...

Actor and comedian John Witherspoon, known to many for his role in the Friday films, has died. He was 77.

Late Tuesday night, Witherspoon’s family revealed the news in a statement posted on his Twitter account.

“It is with deep sadness we have to tweet this, but our husband and father John Witherspoon has passed away,” the tweet read, which was accompanied by a photo of Witherspoon smiling widely.

“He was a legend in the entertainment industry, and a father figure to all who watched him over the years. We love you ‘Pops’ always & forever,” the statement concluded.

Witherspoon died...

It is with great sadness that we have learned that actor/comedian John Witherspoon has passed away at the age of 77. Witherspoon was best-known for his work in the films “Friday” and “Black Jesus”, however, he has appeared in countless additional film and television projects throughout the course of his career. While Witherspoon’s official cause of death has not yet been revealed, it has been reported that the actor died suddenly (and unexpectedly) in his home. In a statement to Deadline.com, Witherspoon’s family says, “It is with deepest sorrow that we can confirm our beloved husband and father, John Witherspoon, one of the hardest working men in show business, died today at his home in Sherman Oaks at the age of 77. He is survived by his wife Angela, and his sons Jd, Alexander, and a large family. We are all in shock, please give us a minute...

John Witherspoon, a prolific character actor best known for a run of comedic turns in acclaimed films and cult classics like “Hollywood Shuffle” and the “Friday” franchise, died Tuesday in his Sherman Oaks, California, home. He was 77.

“It is with deep sadness we have to tweet this, but our husband & father John Witherspoon has passed away. He was a Legend in the entertainment industry, and a father figure to all who watched him over the years. We love you “Pops” always & forever,” Witherspoon’s family said in a statement posted to his Twitter account.

Born John Weatherspoon in Detroit (he changed his name to Witherspoon later) in 1942, he began his career in the 1960s, performing as an actor, comedian and occasional model. He made his television debut in 1970 on an episode of “Barnaby Jones,” and later in the decade appeared on episodes of “Good Times,” “What’s Happening!!” and “The Incredible Hulk,...