News

Former First Lady Michelle Obama took the stage with her brother and co-host Craig Robinson for a live-taping of their hit podcast “Imo With Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson” at the 23rd annual Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival (Mvaaff). The hosts sat down to chat with Emmy-nominated “The White Lotus” actress Natasha Rothwell in a wide-ranging interview that revolved around her expansive career, why people always confuse her for Michelle Buteau and when we’ll finally see “Who Tf Did I Marry?” on the small screen.

“I had no aspirations for Hollywood,” Rothwell told Obama after she was asked about her unique career path. “I thought I was going to be a Broadway theater actor. I thought that Audra McDonald and I would be best friends. I went to college for acting, but I would write my auditions. So writing was a huge part of my process as well.

HollyShorts Film Festival is betting big on international expansion, with plans to launch in Dubai this December as the Oscar-qualifying short film showcase looks to establish footholds beyond its Hollywood home base.

The fest, which has spent two decades building cachet in the competitive short film space, will stage its first Middle Eastern edition Dec. 12-14, giving regional filmmakers a direct pipeline to Academy Awards consideration. HollyShorts holds Oscar-qualifying status across four categories, making it a coveted platform for emerging talent.

Co-founder Theo Dumont has enlisted industry veteran Jeff Pryor as strategic advisor for the Dubai launch. Pryor brings serious global event chops from his tenure as executive VP of corporate communications at MGM Studios, where he orchestrated James Bond premieres worldwide. More recently, as president of Priority PR, he’s executed splashy campaigns across multiple territories, including a buzzy Cannes “speed boat brunch” that reintroduced Miramax to the market.

In the dimension-hopping "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse," the mild-mannered Miles Morales (Shameik Moore) once again finds himself skipping between parallel universes. His inter-dimensional would-be girlfriend Gwen Stacy (Hailee Steinfeld), a.k.a. Spider-Woman, has alerted Miles to the existence of the Spider-Society, a massive cadre of hundreds of Spider-People, all gathered together from their respective parallel universes. Like in "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse," Miles meets unusual variants of himself, including the cold-hearted Spider-Man 2099 (Oscar Isaac), the broody Scarlet Spider (Andy Samberg), the excitable Spider-Man India (Karan Soni), and Jessica Drew, another Spider-Woman (Issa Rae).

Miles also meets the ultra-cool Spider-Punk, a black-vest-and-mohawk-sporting Spider-Man who is animated to look like a moving crumpled-up punk band flier. Spider-Punk is played by Daniel Kaluuya, and he beats people up with his electric guitar. Miles thinks that Spider-Punk is one of the coolest people he's ever met ... and he's not wrong. The character is pretty badass.

It was probably only a matter of time before we got word on a spin-off after the massive success of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and sequel Across the Spider-Verse, and Deadline is now reporting that a new animated feature focusing on Spider-Punk is in early development at Sony Pictures.

Introduced in Across the Spider-Verse as a close friend (possibe ex) of Spider-Gwen that Miles Morales was just a tad jealous of, Hobie Brown hails from Earth-138, and takes a more anarchistic and anti-establishment approach to superheroics than other Spidey variants.

Daniel Kaluuya, who voiced the character and is set to return for the final instalment in the trilogy, Beyond the Spider-Verse, is on board as a co-writer alongside Ajon Singh (Primetime). The Black Panther actor will almost certainly reprise the role for this spin-off, but nothing has been confirmed just yet.

We have previously heard that an animated Venom movie is also in the works,...

Issa Rae is being sued by three Los Angeles screenwriters who claim that the movie she produced, One of Them Days, is a rip-off of their movie.

Writers Tyrone Perry, Shon Oku and Joshua Isaacson filed the lawsuit against her company, ColorCreative, TriStar, Sony Pictures and screenwriter Syreeta Singleton on July 30, according to Complex.

They claim the film, which stars Keke Palmer and Sza, copies their 2020 script called One of Those Days, citing 29 similarities in plot structure, character arcs and overall tone.

Keep reading to find out more…

The trio claim they shared their screenplay outside of their group for the first time in 2023 when they gave it to Danny Hamouie. By April of the next year, they submitted the script to producers Roman Arabia and Xavier Charles, who declined. Xavier previously worked on Insecure for HBO, Issa‘s series.

Her production company announced One of Them Days soon after.

Issa Rae is getting dragged into court after three Los Angeles creatives say her movie “One of Them Days” is lifted from their original screenplay.

Writers Joshua Isaacson, Shon Oku and Tyrone Perry claim they penned a script back in 2020 called One of Those Days and registered the copyright. Fast forward to 2025, and they say Rae’s team dropped a flick with a nearly identical title and a storyline that hits way too close to home.

The trio filed their lawsuit on July 30, naming Issa Rae’s company Color Creative, Sony Pictures, TriStar and screenwriter Syreeta Singleton. They’re accusing them of copyright infringement, idea theft, and conversion—basically saying Rae and crew jacked their story and ran with it like it was theirs.

According to court docs, the writers say they shared their screenplay with producer Danny Hamouie in late 2023, the first time anyone outside of the trio had ever seen the script.

The opera house at the Kennedy Center might be named after First Lady Melania Trump. Why? Ask these House Republicans.

On Tuesday, Republicans on the Appropriations Committee approved an amendment in the annual spending bill to rename the Opera House in the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts to “First Lady Melania Trump Opera House,” The Washington Post reports.

The Opera House is the second-largest theater at the Kennedy Center with 2,364 seats.

The renaming proposal was approved by the Republican-dominated panel 33-25 on Tuesday, and comes as the...

Former First Lady Michelle Obama will make a special appearance at the 23rd edition of the Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival (Mvaaff) next month.

On Aug. 9 at 4 p.m., Obama will take the stage with her brother and co-host Craig Robinson as they interview multi-hyphenate star Teyana Taylor in a live taping of their hit podcast “Imo With Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson.”

“We’re beyond honored to welcome back to our stage Michelle Obama and, for the first time, her brother Craig Robinson,” said Mvaaff founders Floyd & Stephanie Rance in a statement. “Their voices have inspired millions, and this intimate conversation will be a moment to remember.”

In 2022, Obama and her husband, former president Barack Obama, made a surprise appearance at the festival to support the Netflix documentary “Descendant,” which was produced by their Higher Ground company and served as that year’s opening night screening. “Imo...

On Friday July 18 2025, OWN broadcasts Sweet Life: Los Angeles!

The Group Chat Season 1 Episode 10 Episode Summary

The upcoming episode of “Sweet Life: Los Angeles,” titled “The Group Chat,” promises to be an engaging and thought-provoking installment. Set to air on OWN, this episode features a surprise welcome from Issa Rae, who is known for her impactful storytelling and connection to the cast. Her presence is sure to add an exciting layer to the discussions among the friends.

In “The Group Chat,” the friends come together to discuss various hot takes from the audience. This open dialogue allows them to reflect on their experiences and the challenges that come with sharing their lives on television. The episode explores the complexities of friendship and the pressures that arise from being in the public eye. Each friend brings their own perspective, making for a rich conversation filled with insights and emotions.

Additionally, the...

Mattel Studios is moving forward with a new Barbie film coming to theaters. The news comes two years after the company reached immense success with the release of Margot Robbie's Barbie.

Per Deadline, Illumination and Mattel Studios are teaming up to develop a new animated Barbie film. While there have been a variety of animated Barbie movies in the past, this will be the first time that one has ever been set for a theatrical release. Reportedly, Universal Pictures will distribute the new Barbie film. An exact release date has not yet been revealed.

No other details are known about the project other than that it will be animated. There are no voice actors or filmmakers yet attached to the project, and it's also unclear if it will be connected to the Robbie-led film. The live-action Barbie certainly showed how lucrative the brand can be on the big screen,...

Netflix Users Take Note — Barbie’s Time On The Platform Is Running Out ( Photo Credit – Netflix )

Barbie is on her way out of Netflix this July. The wildly popular 2023 film, which pulled in over $1.4 billion globally, is getting removed from the platform’s US catalogue on the 15th. Yes! That’s right! The pink-filled blockbuster from Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach, starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, is making its exit soon as per Unilad.

What Is Barbie About?

The story follows a stereotypical Barbie (Margot Robbie) living in Barbieland, a matriarchal utopia where Barbies thrive in elite roles while Kens, especially “Beach Ken,” exist only to seek Barbie’s attention. When Barbie begins experiencing human flaws like cellulite, flat feet, and existential dread, she is advised by Weird Barbie to find the child playing with her in the real world. Barbie journeys there with a stowaway Ken.

In Los Angeles,...

The HollyShorts Film Festival is pulling out all the stops for its 21st edition, assembling a powerhouse lineup featuring global music icon Stormzy, the late Michael Madsen, Viola Davis, Stephen Fry, Idris Elba, Letitia Wright and a host of other A-list talent.

Running Aug. 7-17 at the Tcl Chinese Theatres in Los Angeles, the festival will also stream globally via Bitpix, showcasing films selected from a record 7,000 submissions worldwide.

Stormzy stars in Academy Award winner Aneil Karia’s “Big Man,” while Viola Davis takes center stage as narrator of Emmai Alaquiva’s documentary “The Ebony Canal: The Story of Black Infant Health.” Idris Elba stars in the west coast premiere of “Victory,” the cinematic visual album from hip-hop icon Slick Rick, also featuring Nas and Giggs and directed by Meji Alabi. Stephen Fry stars alongside Miriam Margolyes in Lee Knight’s “A Friend of Dorothy.”

Among other marquee entries, Madsen...

The 23rd edition of the Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival (Mvaaff) will feature special appearances by A-list talent, including Courtney B. Vance, Debbie Allen, Dwyane Wade and Issa Rae, who will travel to the Vineyard with exciting new projects and to engage in captivating culture-focused discussions, dubbed Color of Conversations.

Founded in 2002 by Floyd and Stephanie Rance, the annual Mvaaff supports African American filmmakers by screening, promoting and celebrating feature films, documentaries and shorts from around the world. The festival runs Aug. 1-9 in Oak Bluffs, Mass., on the campus of the Martha’s Vineyard Performing Arts Center (Mvpac) and the Vineyard Lounge.

On Aug. 5, Vance will present the Black Storytellers Panel alongside Keith David and Bassett Vance Productions’ president Lynnette Ramirez. The discussion is designed to give attendees a behind-the-scenes understanding of the content creation process and how to maintain cultural resonance and relatability while building collaborative and profitable businesses.

The excitement builds as “Sweet Life: Los Angeles” gears up for its Season 1 Episode 10, titled “The Group Chat.” This episode promises to be a memorable one, airing on Friday, July 18, 2025, at 9:00 Pm on OWN. Fans can expect a surprise welcome from the talented Issa Rae, setting the stage for an engaging discussion among the friends.

In this episode, the group comes together to dive into the hot takes from their audience. The friends will reflect on the drama that comes with sharing their lives on television. Viewers will see how the spotlight affects their relationships and the way they communicate with each other. It’s a chance for them to open up about the challenges they face while navigating fame and friendship.

Additionally, the episode will explore the theme of accountability. The friends will confront each other about their actions and decisions, leading to heartfelt conversations. This moment of...

In February 2025, YouTube turned 20. The video site has gone through a lot over the past two decades, including an acquisition, an earnings glow-up, and multiple generations of star creators. In our 20 Years of YouTube series, we’ll examine the uploads, trends, and influencers that have defined the world’s favorite video site — one year at a time. Click here for a full archive of the series.

We are now halfway through this project, equidistant from YouTube’s inception and the current year. And in many ways, 2015 was the inflection point that separated the creator community’s past from its present.

As PewDiePie brought viewership and subscriber numbers to unprecedented heights, channels like DisneyCollectorBR signaled a shift to nameless, faceless content that is still occurring today. In 2015, multi-channel networks were starting to merge with the media corporations that acquired them, the number of active creators was skyrocketing, and a humble lip-sync app called musical.

Who Am I?

My name is Scott Brown, founder and CEO of Second Rodeo, and I have been telling stories on YouTube since it was a dating site. For the past 15 years, I have built my career, serving as a producer, writer and director for some of the biggest names in the industry. I’ve crashed a train with MrBeast, launched The Rock’s YouTube channel, and directed an Emmy-nominated series with Larry King. But through all the stunts, shows, and subscribers, I’ve been waiting for one thing to finally break through online: scripted storytelling.

That moment has arrived.

But let’s take a look at how we got here.

Your Web TV History Lesson

Half of you may not remember Web TV but I certainly do–the halcyon days of 2008. Simpler times. I had just graduated from USC with a degree in screenwriting. Just in time for the writer’s strike that year.

The Netflix era of "Black Mirror" constantly makes headlines for its star-studded cast. The biggest celebrity cameo in an episode was probably Miley Cyrus' semi-meta role in season 5, but perhaps the most surprising celebrities to show up were the ones best known for being funny. Season 7 featured Rashida Jones of "Parks and Recreation" fame, Chris O'Dowd from "The It Crowd," Cristin Milioti from "How I Met Your Mother," Awkwafina from "Nora From Queens," Issa Rae from "Insecure," and so on. A show that's known for being bleak and serious is now routinely being led by actors known for their sitcom shenanigans. 

It's a big shift from the early Channel 4 seasons of "Black Mirror," where the lead actors were always best known for their previous dramatic roles. Some of this change is the natural result of "Black Mirror" becoming a hit show with near limitless casting options, but part of it's...

This Fourth of July, musician Ben Folds has released a brand-new album recorded live at the sold-out Concert Hall of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. The show took place before Trump seized the Center and Folds resigned from his leadership position there in protest.

The album, Ben Folds Live with the National Symphony Orchestra, features both Ben Folds classics and new music in collaboration with the National Symphony Orchestra conducted by Steven Reineke. Regina Spektor and Tall Heights appear as guests, and...

While Netflix is adding new content to its library this July, the giant streaming platform is also removing a bunch of well-loved series, but don’t worry—you still have time to binge-watch them all! We’ve compiled all the shows departing from the streaming site with their removal dates for your reference.

The summer season is usually the best time to catch up on your favorite series, but most of these disappear from the site without any warning due to licensing deals expiring. It’s not only shows from other networks that are getting chopped off from Netflix; some of their original shows are going, too!

Television Series Leaving Netflix This July 2025 July 1st

Loudermilk (Seasons 1-3)

Ron Livingston in Loudermilk / Credits: Primary Wave Entertainment

Fans were devastated that Loudermilk was not renewed for a fourth season, and, while it found a new home on Netflix, it was short-lived.

Aziza Scott is the latest actor to join “Italianna,” Universal Pictures and Will Packer Productions’ upcoming romantic comedy starring Halle Bailey and Regé-Jean Page.

Scott, who is best known for roles in TV shows like “Home Before Dark,” “The Fosters” and “Insecure,” most recently delivered a standout turn in “One of Them Days,” the hit buddy comedy movie starring Keke Palmer and Sza. In the movie, produced by Issa Rae, Palmer and Sza play best friends in a race against the clock to deliver their rent money, with Scott’s Berniece as one of their most menacing, yet hilarious, hurdles.

Now, Scott brings her comedic chops to “Italianna,” appearing alongside Bailey, Page and Marco Calvani. Directed by Kat Coiro from a screenplay by Ryan Engle, the film is based on an original idea by Ryan and Kristin Engle. Plot details, including Scott’s role, are being kept under wraps. “Italianna...

We're almost halfway through 2025, and it's been a great year for Netflix shows so far. New shows like Running Point, Ransom Canyon, and The Waterfront have become new fan-favorites, while the likes of Ginny & Georgia and Squid Game have returned with their latest seasons. There's still so much to look forward to this year, with Wednesday, Stranger Things, and more still set to premiere.

Beyond the Netflix original series we can't stop binge-watching, the streamer has also been steadily adding small-screen hits throughout the year that have been getting a second life. Younger became a hit on Netflix earlier this year, while shows like Animal Kingdom, Blindspot, and The Royals have recently begun streaming and striking a cord as audiences rediscover past favorites.

In July 2025, there are even more great TV shows becoming available to stream on Netflix, perhaps the biggest drop of the year so far. Time-tested television titles like the CBS sitcom Mom,...

California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s aim to boost the state’s film and television tax incentives program to $750 million annually is on the legislative precipice of coming true, but for the Issa Rae-produced One of These Days sequel, a biopic of infamous Hollywood madam Heidi Fleiss, a mystery Netflix project, the Ang Lee-helmed Gold Mountain and 44 other films, tax credit day has already arrived.

In total, with the Netflix feature snagging $20 million alone, the allocation in the latest round of funding for 48 projects announced Monday totals about $96 million. Perhaps reflecting the changing finances and geographical realities of the industry, 43 of those 48 projects are independent films, with many working with budgets of $10 million or less.

The wear and tear of Donald Trump’s erratic tariffs policies aside, as Texas hikes its incentive program to $150 million a year, Canadian provinces put more on the continental table and New York having...

Forty-eight features, including a new Ang Lee project and a sequel to One Of Them Days, have been approved for California tax credits in the latest round of approvals by the California Film Commission (Cfc).

The projects are expected to generate a total of $664m in spending throughout the state, according to the Cfc, including more than $302 million in wages for California workers.

More than half of the films are set to be shot in the Los Angeles area, where the film industry is struggling to recover from the 2023 actors and writers strikes and this year’s wildfires.

Among the...

Netflix has been awarded a $20 million subsidy from the California film and TV tax credit program for an untitled film, the largest award out of 48 film projects in the latest round.

The California Film Commission approved funding for five studio films and 43 independent features, totaling $94 million in tax credits. Among the other studio films are a sequel to “One of Them Days,” a Sony/TriStar film produced by Issa Rae, which will receive $8 million.

Another Sony film, also untitled, will receive $9.4 million; Warner Bros. will receive $6.9 million for “Blow Up the Chat,” a comedy from “Curb Your Enthusiasm” alum Jeff Schaffer; and 20th Century will get $4.5 million for “Bell.” The full list is on the commission’s website.

Several adjustments to the state program are set to kick in on July 1. Among them, the tax credits on studio films will become refundable over a five-year period. In the past, major...

Hot on the heels of a series of pushes to increase film and television production in Los Angeles, the California Film Commission has announced 48 new productions that will film in the state thanks of its tax credit program — among them 43 independent features and projects from the likes of Ang Lee and Issa Rae. The announcement was the ninth such of the 2024-25 fiscal year.

“California didn’t earn its role as the heart of the entertainment world by accident — it was built over generations by skilled workers and creative talent pushing boundaries,” Gov. Gavin Newsom said. “Today’s awards help ensure this legacy continues, keeping cameras rolling here at home, supporting thousands of crew members behind the scenes and boosting local economies that depend on a strong film and television industry.”

The commission said that the projects will collectively generate $664 million in economic activity for the Golden State and employ roughly 6,500 workers,...

ColorCreative, the management and production company co-founded by Issa Rae, Deniese Davis and Talitha Watkins, is launching the third year of its Find Your People Program.

Designed to elevate emerging creative voices, Fypp aims to nurture talent, foster community and expand access to the entertainment industry, with partners including Canva, Michael Jordan and Jordan Brand Black Community Commitment, Mac/Viva Glam, Ghetto Film School and Pop Culture Collaborative.

The program is inspired by Stanford Business School’s Interpersonal Dynamics course, preparing participants to lead with confidence in high-stakes creative environments. Returning as executive producer and producing mentor is Bronwyn Cornelius, whose work on 2019’s Clemency earned the Sundance Grand Jury Prize.

“Fypp is our commitment to building a stronger, more inclusive creative industry,” Watkins said in a statement. “We’re not just discovering the next wave of storytellers — we’re preparing them to lead with vision, resilience and impact.”

Ahead of year three’s kickoff,...

Keke Palmer appeared on The Tonight Show to perform a medley of tracks, including “125 Degrees” and “Off Script.” The singer was backed by house band the Roots, as well as several dancers, as she showcased the songs, which off her new LP, Just Keke.

The album, out today, is the third full-length effort from the singer and actress. Her last album, Big Boss, dropped in 2023.

“Just Keke isn’t just an album — it’s my real life,” Palmer explained on Instagram. “Since So Uncool I have tried to preform the...

Friendships on TV often feel larger than life, but some shows nail the messy, authentic bonds that mirror our own. These series capture the laughter, fights, and quiet support that define real connections, without leaning on clichés.

We’ve ranked 10 TV shows that shine for their grounded portrayals of friendship, from heartfelt to unforgettable. Here’s why these stories resonate with anyone who’s ever had a true friend.

10. New Girl (2011-2018) 20th Century Fox Television

Jess and her quirky loftmates bumble through life’s chaos, from breakups to career flops. Zooey Deschanel’s charm and the ensemble’s banter feel like a real friend group’s vibe.

Their petty spats and fierce loyalty hit home. We laugh at their antics while rooting for their bond.

9. Atlanta (2016-2022) FX Productions

Earn, Paper Boi, and Darius navigate Atlanta’s music scene with a mix of hustle and absurdity. Donald Glover’s...

ColorCreative, the management and production co-founded by actress and writer Issa Rae, is planning to significantly expand its business, backed by the investment firm HarbourView Equity Partners.

Rae is set to announce the strategic partnership at the Cannes Lions Festival Tuesday.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but the companies say that ColorCreative has global ambitions, and will use the investment to “expand its talent representation and production capabilities while also accelerating the creation and ownership of original content.” ColorCreative also says that it doubled its revenue from 2023 to 2024 despite the ongoing industry headwinds.

“We built ColorCreative to be a home for visionary talent and distinct, multifaceted stories,” said Issa Rae. “Partnering with HarbourView allows us to dream even bigger, while staying true to our mission of helming and supporting the kinds of projects that made us fall in love with storytelling.”

ColorCreative was founded in 2014 by Issa Rae,...

Issa Rae and will.i.am are among the bold names set to share their expertise and insights at this year’s Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity.

HarbourView Equity Partners, an investment firm focused on opportunities in the music, sports, media and entertainment sectors, is convening them and other creators and entrepreneurs for a three-day program of curated conversations running June 17-19, that it says will focus on “business, culture and connection.”

Music star will.i.am is the founder and CEO of Fyi.AI, the company behind the Fyi app, which describes itself as “the first productivity tool designed to serve creatives first. He will appear in the “Shifter(s) Series” event, produced by Winston Baker and The Shift Studios.

Actress, writer, and producer Rae is attending as co-founder of ColorCreative, the management and production company she co-founded with Deniese Davis and Talitha Watkins. ColorCreative’s mission is “to empower...

Natasha Rothwell is seeking a friend for the end of the world.

A beloved and fiery social media presence, the writer-actor-producer-showrunner hit a professional high this year with a triumphant return to HBO’s “The White Lotus.” She reprises her role as Belinda Lindsey, a masseuse trying to move on from the broken Season 1 promises of Jennifer Coolidge’s flaky heiress. But in real life, she confesses to Sterling K. Brown that she’s been researching underground doomsday vaults, given the state of global politics.

It’s the perfect topic for Brown, a three-time Emmy winner for projects like “The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story” and “This Is Us.” Teaming again with creator Dan Fogelman on Hulu’s streaming hit “Paradise,” Brown plays a Secret Service agent living in a city-sized bunker beneath a mountain in Colorado after a catastrophe on Earth. He’s investigating the murder of the U.

Four episodes, four takes, one 13-year-old discovery.

With the April premiere of Adolescence, Netflix is poised for a three-peat — for the third year in a row, the streamer has launched a limited series in the spring that has gone on to dominate the awards conversation.

Like Beef and Baby Reindeer before it, Adolescence has soared from debut to awards on unparalleled highs of widespread viewership (it’s now the #3 most watched Netflix series of all time) and critical acclaim (a near-perfect Rotten Tomatoes score of 99 percent).

The drama, which chronicles the investigation of a teenager who’s accused of murdering a classmate, immediately grabbed the No. 1 slot in Gold Derby’s predictions charts; as of this writing, stars Stephen Graham (who also cocreated and cowrote), Erin Doherty, and wunderkind teenager Owen Cooper (making his acting debut) are also at the top of their respective categories. The technical prowess of the...

A One of Them Days sequel is currently in the works!

Variety reports that a sequel is in early development from producer Issa Rae, with both stars – Keke Palmer and Sza – expected to return!

Keep reading to find out more…

In addition, the original film’s creative team is also expected to come back.

The first movie, written by Syreeta Singleton and directed by Lawrence Lamont, follows “best friends and roommates Dreux (Palmer) and Alyssa (Sza) are about to have One of Them Days. When they discover Alyssa’s boyfriend has blown their rent money, the duo finds themselves going to extremes in a comical race against the clock to avoid eviction and keep their friendship intact.”

One of Them Days starring movie debuted in theaters in January and had a successful run for an R-rated female-led comedy, earning $51.8 million at the box office. It also earned critical claim, currently holding a Certified Fresh,...

Things are looking up for One of Them Days.

A sequel is in early development for the original comedy movie that Sony Pictures released earlier this year. Stars Keke Palmer and Sza are expected to return, as is the film’s creative team.

Lawrence Lamont helmed the TriStar Pictures feature from a script by Syreeta Singleton. It hit theaters in January and surpassed $50 million at the global box office.

Lil Rel Howery, Janelle James, Keyla Monterroso Mejia, Maude Apatow, Katt Williams, Joshua Neal, Aziza Scott, Patrick Cage and Amin Joseph also starred in the first film.

One of Them Days centers on best friends and roommates Dreux (Palmer) and Alyssa (Sza), who learn that Alyssa’s boyfriend has squandered their rent money. The pals must scramble to avoid eviction in a race against the clock, while also striving to keep their friendship intact.

Producers included Issa Rae and Sara Diya Rastogi for Hoorae,...

Following the breakout success of “One of Them Days” earlier this year, TriStar Pictures is in early development on a sequel to the hit comedy, The Wrap has learned.

Emmy-winning actress and musician Keke Palmer and multiple Grammy award-winning singer-songwriter Sza are expected to return for the sequel, along with the film’s original creative team including writer Syreeta Singleton, director Lawrence Lamont and producers Issa Rae and Deniese Davis.

“One of Them Days” was a standout hit, grossing over $50 million worldwide at the box office after its January 2025 release — a remarkable feat for a mid-budget comedy and a clear testament to its cultural impact. The film earned critical acclaim, boasting a stellar 94% fresh rating and a glowing 90% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.

In his review of the film, The Wrap’s Matt Goldberg wrote: “Once upon a time, you could make a movie about a mismatched couple of friends...

It’s about to be another “One of Them Days,” as a sequel to the hit comedy starring Keke Palmer and Sza and produced by Issa Rae is in early development at TriStar Pictures.

Palmer and Sza are expected to return for the new movie, along with the film’s original creative team, but plot details are still being kept under wraps.

Directed by Lawrence Lamont in his feature debut and from a script written by Syreeta Singleton, “One of Them Days” was a breakout hit at the box office, grossing over $50 million worldwide after its January release — a particularly strong number for an R-rated mid-budget comedy. The critically acclaimed movie (with a stellar 94% rating on Rotten Tomatoes) was also a standout on Netflix, where it spent three weeks on the streamer’s top 10 list.

The film follows best friends and roommates Dreux (Palmer) and Alyssa (Sza) as they race...

The Og dating reality series, Love Island UK, is back for another sizzling summer in Mallorca with 12 new Islanders on a quest for love.

Hulu has set Thursday, June 12, as the premiere date for Season 12 of the Maya Jama-hosted series. Viewers can watch the drama unfold in the villa this summer and see who can find their soulmate.

This years Islanders includes a payroll specialist (Meg), a flight attendant (Helena), a marketing professional (Shakira), a motivational speaker (Sophie), a musical theater performer (Megan), a wealth manager (Alima), a water operative (Kyle), a semi-professional soccer player and gold trader (Harry), a construction project manager (Blu), a personal trainer (Dejon), a landscape gardener (Tommy), and a private hire taxi driver (Ben).

Related: Kyle Ashman Dumped From ‘Love Island UK’ Before Entering The Villa & Ahead Of Season 12 Premiere

The 2025 summer season of Love Island UK marks the dating series’ 10th anniversary, and...

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Adults is a comedy series created by Ben Kronengold and Rebecca Shaw. The FX series is set in Queens, New York City, and it revolves around a group of friends living together as they struggle with the responsibilities of adulthood and romantic relationships. Adults stars Malik Elassal, Lucy Freyer, Jack Innanen, Amita Rao, and Owen Thiele. So, if you loved the hilarious comedy, coming-of-age theme, and relatable characters in FX’s Adults, here are some similar shows you should check out next.

Broad City Credit – Comedy Central

Broad City is a comedy series created by Ilana Glazer and Abbi Jacobson. The Comedy Central series is set in New York City, and it follows best friends Abbi Abrams and Ilana Wexler as they struggle with their day-to-day life in the city. Broad City stars Jacobson, Glazer, Hannibal Buress, Paul W. Downs,...

Look, we all know that you can spend a minimum of 30 minutes scrolling through streamers to find something to watch, and a maximum of, well, too long. So, let’s try and narrow that down for you.

If you’re here, that means you’ve at least decided on the genre of film you want to watch, and you want something feel-good. It also likely means that you’re specifically looking for something on Prime Video. Still, that leaves a whole lot of options. But we went scrolling for you, and have some suggestions.

Here are the seven best feel-good movies streaming on Prime Video right now.

“Legally Blonde” (MGM Distribution Co.) 1. Legally Blonde (2001)

A friendly reminder, “Legally Blonde” is the story of a young woman who gets into Harvard to prove her seriousness to the man she loves, and upon being rejected, stays out of spite, becomes a star student,...

Issa Rae is driving toward her next feature project.

The Emmy-nominated actress is set to produce and star in director Ninian Doff’s comedic thriller Good People, Bad Things. MRC is financing the movie that counts Rae’s Hoorae banner and Present Company Inc. as producers.

Good People, Bad Things focuses on Rae as a stressed-out woman who finds herself lost in an apparently infinite parking garage and soon realizes she is not alone. The film marks Rae’s third MRC project following 2020’s The Lovebirds and 2023’s American Fiction.

Doff is helming the movie from his own script. His previous credits include the horror-comedy feature Get Duked! and the Grammy-nominated video for the Chemical Brothers’ “We’ve Got to Try.”

Producers for Good People, Bad Things include Rae, Laura Tunstall, Stephanie Wilcox and Montrel McKay. Executive producing is Sara Rastogi for Hoorae, along with Michelle Craig and Piero Frescobaldi.

Emmy and Golden Globe nominee Issa Rae is set to star in and produce comedic thriller Good People, Bad Things from Get Duked! filmmaker Ninian Doff, per Deadline.

Rae stars as “an overwhelmed woman who gets lost in a seemingly infinite parking garage and soon discovers she is not alone.”

It’s that intriguing liminal tidbit about the setting, combined with Doff’s attachment, that suggests another fun genre-bender on the way.

Get Duked! won the Audience Award in the Midnighters section of SXSW before debuting on Prime Video, which is still available to stream, and was nominated for Best Debut Director at the British Independent Film Awards.

I wrote in my review for Doff’s debut that it’s “a silly stoner comedy about teen delinquents bumbling their way across the Highlands contains every bit of the stupidity and hijinks you’d expect. All with major style. What you don’t expect going in,...

Last July, inside an impeccably decorated Mid-Century modern home built on a Sunset Gower Studios, stood Mara Brok Akil. The acclaimed writer behind Girlfriends, The Game and Being Mary Jane was talking to a director on Forever, her latest show for Netflix, while a couple of yards away, a group of writers sitting at video village was watching the interaction on the monitors.

But the writers weren’t working on Forever.

The group was from a cohort of Akil’s Writer’s Colony, a residency program that was established in 2021. They were chosen to participate in Akil’s inaugural Shadow Program, which brings graduates from the writer’s residency to set to follow Akil from budget meetings to conversations with the art department and everywhere in between. The ultimate goal is to have the writers witness everything it takes to run a television set.

As filming in Los Angeles has lessened and budgets have tightened,...

Exclusive: MRC is set to finance Good People, Bad Things, a new comedic thriller produced by and starring Emmy and Golden Globe nominee Issa Rae (Insecure).

Written and directed by Scottish filmmaker Ninian Doff (Get Duked!), the film follows an overwhelmed woman (Rae) who gets lost in a seemingly infinite parking garage and soon discovers she is not alone. The project will be Rae’s third with the studio, following Cord Jefferson’s recent Oscar winner American Fiction and Netflix comedy The Lovebirds.

Laura Tunstall and Stephanie Wilcox will produce under their and Doff’s new banner Present Company Inc., along with Rae and Montrel McKay for Hoorae. Hoorae’s Sara Rastogi is exec producing alongside Michelle Craig and Piero Frescobaldi.

Best known for creating and starring in HBO’s Emmy-winning and Golden Globe-nominated comedy Insecure, Rae has most recently been seen starring opposite Emma Corrin and Awkwafina in “Hotel Reverie,...

The Issa Rae-produced reality series Sweet Life: Los Angeles is getting new life on OWN.

Deadline confirmed that OWN also shot some original footage with the cast members that will be cut into the episodes. We hear each episode will have between 5 to 7 minutes of new cast commentary.

Sweet Life: Los Angeles premiered on HBO Max in 2021 and ran for two seasons for a total of 20 episodes. The logline for the series describes it as a “unique look at what it means to be young, Black, ambitious, and in constant pursuit of one’s dreams. Exploring themes of loyalty, legacy and love, this coming-of-age series follows a group of longtime friends in South Los Angeles as they navigate the relatable, chaotic mid-20s moments at the quarter-life mark and propel each other into adulthood success.”

The show starred Amanda Scott, Briana Jones, Cheryl Des Vignes, Jerrold Smith II, Jordan Bentley,...

Exclusive: ColorCreative has signed Japanese actress and model Yuka Kouri for management.

Kouri is best known for her role of Kiku in the Emmy-winning FX series Shōgun, based on the novel by James Clavell, which is heading into its second season. Her character in the show, set in feudal Japan, is the highest-ranking courtesan in Izu, who is skilled in ways known only to the select few men who can afford her.

“Yuka imbues her portrayal of ‘Kiku’ with profound emotional resonance, embodying a woman governed by duty yet unmistakably alive with feeling,” said Raj Raghavan, Co-Head of Talent at ColorCreative. “We are thrilled to welcome her to the ColorCreative family, and we look forward to guiding her toward new opportunities in international film and television.”

Kouri’s other U.S. acting credits include Tokyo Vice (Max) and Invasion (Apple TV+). Currently, she plays Karen in the Fuji TV series Heart Attack,...

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The most romantic season of the year is finally here, and as the temperature cools down, Netflix has the perfect way to bring the heat. We are talking about its collection of spicy romantic comedy movies featuring salacious scenes and a lot of hilarious comedy. So, here are the best R-rated romantic comedy movies on Netflix you should check out right now.

Trainwreck Credit – Universal Pictures

Trainwreck is a romantic sex comedy film directed by Judd Apatow from a screenplay by Amy Schumer. The 2015 film follows Amy Townsend, a promiscuous and free-spirited young woman working as a magazine writer. When she is tasked with writing about a prominent orthopaedic surgeon named Aaron Conners, she finds herself attracted to him despite her fear of relationships. Trainwreck stars Schumer, Bill Hader, Brie Larson, Colin Quinn, John Cena, Tilda Swinton, and LeBron James.

Most fans of The White Lotus believe we’ll see Natasha Rothwell’s Belinda again. But if the character’s Season 3 exit sailing off into the Thai sunset with her son, Zion (Nicholas Duvernay), $5 million richer is the last we see of the spa manager, it’s a well-deserved happy ending for both the fan favorite and the actress who plays her.

Rothwell earned an Emmy nomination for the HBO series' first season, which ended with the death of Hawaii-based Belinda’s dream to open her own spa after investor Tanya (Jennifer Coolidge) pulled out. Rothwell watched Sicily-set Season 2 as a fan, and knew that Tanya had died trying to escape a hit orchestrated by her husband, Greg (Jon Gries). When she binged creator Mike White’s scripts for Season 3, and read that Belinda’s exchange program was complicated by her recognizing resort restaurant patron "Gary" as Greg, Rothwell couldn't...

Calling for “freedom from partisan interference in programming,” administrative staffers at the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts have gone public with a push to unionize following an overhaul of the tony institution by Pres. Donald Trump’s administration.

The staffers announced their organizing drive on Thursday, revealing they are working with the United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (Uaw). Organizers say they filed a petition on Thursday afternoon for an election at the National Labor Relations Board in order to get the process underway.

Organizers are attempting to include between 130 to 170 employees in the bargaining unit, including staffers in programming, education, marketing and development departments in addition to administrative workers at the Washington National Opera and National Symphony Orchestra. According to the group, about 60 percent of these workers have signed union authorization cards.

“We demand transparent and consistent terms for hiring and firing, a return to ethical norms,...

Exclusive: Hilary Duff has signed with CAA for representation.

Duff, who began her career as the titular lead of Disney Channel’s Lizzie McGuire, recently produced and starred as the lead of the Hulu series How I Met Your Father, and previously starred in Darren Star’s critically acclaimed series Younger.

Her feature film credits include The Lizzie McGuire Movie, Agent Cody Banks, A Cinderella Story, as well as Cheaper by the Dozen and its sequel Cheaper by the Dozen 2.

She also has a prolific singing career, breaking into the Top 40 music charts with the singles “So Yesterday” and “Come Clean.” Her first three studio albums – Metamorphosis, Hilary Duff and Dignity — have sold a collective 15 million copies worldwide.

Duff’s most recent album, Breathe In Breathe Out from 2015 debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard World Albums chart.

She is also the founder of Blessings in a Backpack, which helps inner-city...

The Hollywood Reporter landed 58 nominations for the 67th SoCal Journalism Awards, including best website and three journalist of the year finalists.

For THR, Gary Baum was nominated for best print journalist (over 50,000 circulation), James Hibberd is up for best online journalist tied to an organization, and Mesfin Fekadu will compete for best entertainment journalist.

In addition, THR’s critics — Daniel Fienberg, Jon Frosch, Lovia Gyarkye, Angie Han and David Rooney — all received nominations.

The Los Angeles Press Club, which hands out the awards, said more than 2,500 entries were submitted this year, breaking last year’s record.

The winners will be announced June 22 at the SoCal Journalism Awards Gala, taking place at the Millennium Biltmore hotel in downtown Los Angeles.

Here are all of The Hollywood Reporter noms. See the full list of this year’s finalists.

Journalist Of The Year

Print Journalist (Over 50,000 Circulation)

Gary Baum

Online Journalist, Tied to...