Tag Archives: Comedy Central

A Tribute To Bernie Mac Debuts February 19 on Comedy Central

An Original King of Comedy is set to be saluted when the World Premiere of “‘I Ain’t Scared Of You’ A Tribute To Bernie Mac” debuts on Comedy Central Sunday, February 19 at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.

One of the brightest and most influential comics to ever walk onto a stage is honored with a documentary that is as unpredictable as the man himself.  “‘I Ain’t Scared Of You’ A Tribute To Bernie Mac” follows the development of Mac’s unique performance style and his rise to fame.  A tireless perfectionist, Mac’s comedy began in small backroom comedy clubs in Chicago and grew to break through barriers making him an iconic figure in the entertainment world.  The tribute unearths early footage and never-before-seen performances in addition to his better-known work, including the Kings of Comedy Tour, “The Bernie Mac Show” and several of his feature films, along with fascinating behind-the-scenes memories.

Bernie Mac, who passed away in 2008, won over the audience with his very first appearance on “Def Comedy Jam,“ when he took the microphone and exclaimed to the crowd “I Ain’t Scared of You!”  It was his sharp-tongued humor, mastered in the streets of Chicago, that had people rolling in the aisles, but it was Mac’s sly smile and warm wit that kept them coming back.

“‘I Ain’t Scared Of You’ A Tribute To Bernie Mac” features exclusive interviews with his co-stars, colleagues, friends and family including Anthony Anderson, Tom Arnold, Angela Bassett, Bill Bellamy, Cedric the Entertainer, Don Cheadle, Cameron Diaz, Mike Epps, Andy Garcia, D.L. Hughley, Warren Hutcherson, Samuel L. Jackson, Ali LeRoi, Rhonda McCullough, Je’Niece McCullough, Carl Reiner, Chris Rock, Zoe Saldana, Kellita Smith, Steven Soderbergh, Joe Torry and Camille Winbush.

Bernie’s beloved and dedicated widow, Rhonda McCullough, played a huge role in the inception and production of “‘I Ain’t Scared Of You’ A Tribute To Bernie Mac.”  Rhonda McCullough supplied footage and told the story of her life with Mac: how they met, how she always supported him and how strongly they loved one another.  Mac’s daughter, Je’Niece McCullough, conducted many of the interviews in the special with each story contributing to the picture of Mac as an exceptional artist, father and friend.

“‘I Ain’t Scared of You’ A Tribute to Bernie Mac” was directed by comedy film maker Robert Small (“Back from Hell: A Tribute to Sam Kinison“) and executive produced by Al Hassas, Rhonda McCullough, and Small.

Mac’s legacy lives on through the Bernie Mac Foundation.  Mac founded the foundation in 2007 to bring awareness to Sarcoidosis and to support research of the disease.  The foundation was a true passion project for Mac, who was diagnosed with Sarcoidosis when he was 28 years old.  More information on the foundation can be found on www.berniemacfoundation.org.  A portion of the proceeds of the DVD sales of “‘I Ain’t Scared Of You’ A Tribute To Bernie Mac” will benefit The Bernie Mac Foundation.

 

Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele Come to Comedy Central With New Series Key & Peele

Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele make their mark on Comedy Central with the new half-hour sketch comedy show “Key & Peele,” debuting on Tuesday, January 31 at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT, following the fourth season premiere of “Tosh.0.”  Key and Peele are best known for their impressive ability to do improv, conjure up original characters and celebrity impressions.

In this new series, these fresh, relevant comedic actor-writers, used to being on the outside looking in, will examine life in a provocative and irreverent way, through a combination of filmed sketches and live stage segments.  Whether it’s satirizing the President, spoofing Nazis, or ordering up some soul food, “Key & Peele” will showcase their chemistry, camaraderie and unique point of view, born from their shared background and experiences growing up biracial in a not quite post-racial world.

The premiere episode features Key and Peele as two browbeaten husbands who lie to each other in a game of one-upmanship, which leads into shorts that parody Lil’ Wayne rapping from jail about how he’s the baddest motherf*&ker around, but is constantly getting stabbed by the other much tougher inmates; an Obama sketch where Peele impersonates the President and Key plays his “anger translator” to show that Obama does lose his cool at times; and “Gideon’s Kitchen” a reality cooking competition where the head chef is impossible to read.

Keegan-Michael Key was a member of Second City Detroit’s main stage cast as well as the Second City Chicago the e.t.c. theatre, where he wrote and performed shows “Holy War,” “Batman!” and “Curious George Goes to War“ for which he won several Joseph Jefferson Awards (which honor excellence in Chicago theater). While still in Chicago, Keegan was hired as a regular on Fox’s “MADtv,” which he starred in for six seasons.  He dazzled the audience with original characters including Coach Hines, Eugene Struthers and Jovan Muskatelle; and his celebrity impressions including Dennis Rodman and Snoop Dogg.  Additionally, Keegan recurred as the ‘Theoretical Criminal’ on Comedy Central’s “RENO 911!” and was a series regular on CBS’s “Gary Unmarried” playing Jay Mohr’s best friend ‘Curtis.’  His guest star credits include NBC’s “ER“ and “Love Bites,” Adult Swim’s “Children’s Hospital,” and FX’s “The League.”

A former “MADtv” alum, Jordan Peele was a series regular for five seasons.  There he impressed the audience with original characters including Dontel LaMontrose, Noodles the Krumper and Melvin Dufrane; and celebrity impressions including Montel Williams, Forest Whittaker, President Obama and Morgan Freeman.  In 2008, Jordan received an Emmy® nomination for his music video “Sad Fitty Cent.”  Jordan presently recurs as ‘Dr. Brian’ on Adult Swim’s “Children’s Hospital” and has appeared on Comedy Central’s “RENO 911!” and “Chocolate News,” and NBC’s “Love Bites.”

 

Key & Peele January 2012
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Get Into the Ruckus with Premiere Episodes of “Russell Simmons Presents The Ruckus”

JB Smoove brings the Ruckus to the stage as he reunites with Russell Simmons to host “Russell Simmons Presents The Ruckus.”  The six half-hour episode series kicks off with two back-to-back episodes on Thursday, January 26 at 10:00 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. ET/PT on Comedy Central.

Simmons and Stan Lathan, the duo that created the genre-defining comedy show “Def Comedy Jam” and the previous Comedy Central hit “Russell Simmons Presents Stand-Up At El Rey,” have once again joined forces for the stand-up series “Russell Simmons Presents The Ruckus.”  Each episode features the ever-talented Smoove and new material from a mix of rising stars and long time favorite comics, with music by DJ Cassidy.  As a new added bonus, viewers will also see Smoove at his best – performing in filmed sketches woven into each episode.  Other comics appearing in the series filmed at the Edison Ballroom in New York City include: David Arnold, Mike Britt, Capone, Dov Davidoff, Nore Davis, Earthquake, Ian Edwards, Damn Fool, Kareem Green, Tiffany Haddish, Leslie Jones, Damien Lemon, Tony Roberts, Tony Rock, Owen Smith, Chris Spencer, Rob Stapleton, and Wil Sylvince.

Executive producers are Simmons and Lathan, Lathan directed the series, Colored TV produced the series and JoAnn Grigioni is the Executive In Charge Of Production for Comedy Central.

cc.com/ruckus will be the digital home for “Russell Simmons Presents The Ruckus.”  The site will feature previews from upcoming episodes, highlights and sketches from past episodes as well as an exclusive digital series of video interviews of the cast members hosted by Tony Rock.  cc.com/ruckus will be the go-to-guide for information on Smoove, all of the featured comics and the series.

Previously, Smoove was the host of “Russell Simmons Presents Stand-Up at the El Rey” and on Saturday, January 21 Smoove’s first one-hour Comedy Central original stand-up special, “JB Smoove: That’s How I Dooz It” will premiere at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.  He has also expanded his comedy footprint with the launch of www.TheRuckus.com, a comedy based website focused on original and branded comedy content.