Paramount+ has released the first teaser to their upcoming The Game reboot.
As previously noted, the 10-episode series will now take place in Las Vegas and will star many of the original cast members in their original roles. This includes Wendy Raquel Robinson as sports agent Tasha Mack, Hosea Chanchez as former star quarterback Malik Wright, and Pooch Hall as former footballer Derwin Davis. The new series is said to center on a “modern-day examination of Black culture through the prism of pro football.” Executive produced by Mara Brock Akil, The Game launches on Paramount+ Thursday, November 11.
In other news, Jennifer Hudson, Halle Berry, Barry Jenkins and Anthony Anderson are among the honorees at this year’s Critics Choice Association’s Celebration of Black Cinema & Television. The annual event, which celebrates achievements in television and Black filmmaking, will take place on Monday, December 6 in Los Angeles. Berry will receive the Career Achievement Award; Hudson will be honored with the Actress Award for Film for her portrayal of Aretha Franklin in Respect; Jenkins will receive the Director Award for Television for his critically acclaimed Amazon series The Underground Railroad; and Anderson will take home the Producer Award for Television for his work on the ABC series black-ish, grown-ish and mixed-ish. Other honorees will be announced at a later date.
And finally, actors and real-life brothers Shamier Anderson and Stephan James are taking their talents behind the camera. According to Variety, the two have inked a first-look deal with Boat Rocker Studios. The deal comes ahead of Anderson and James starring in the company’s upcoming series Invasion and Beacon 23, respectively. The two will develop and produce original television projects via their Bay Mills Studios production banner.
NEW YORK) — The United States has been facing a COVID-19 surge as the more contagious delta variant continues to spread.
More than 703,000 Americans have died from COVID-19 while over 4.8 million people have died from the disease worldwide, according to real-time data compiled by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University.
Just 65.5% of Americans ages 12 and up are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, according to data from the CDC.
Latest headlines:
-Sandra Lindsay, 1st to get vaccine in US, to get booster shot
-Francis Collins to step down as director of the National Institutes of Health
-J&J submits booster request to FDA
Here’s how the news is developing. All times Eastern.
Oct 05, 3:24 pm
Forecasters predict falling cases, hospitalizations, deaths
Forecasts used by the CDC predict falling cases, hospitalizations and deaths in the coming weeks in the U.S.
The COVID-19 Forecast Hub’s ensemble forecast predicts 22,686 people in the U.S. will die over the next two weeks. If that happens, it would mark more than 4,400 fewer deaths than in the previous two weeks.
ABC News’ Brian Hartman
Oct 05, 2:44 pm
Sandra Lindsay, 1st to get vaccine in US, to get booster shot
New York nurse Sandra Lindsay, the first person in the U.S. to get a COVID-19 vaccine outside a clinical trial, plans to get her Pfizer booster dose Wednesday at Long Island Jewish Medical Center in New York.
Other health care workers who also got their first shots in December are planning to join her in getting boosters on Wednesday.
Oct 05, 2:24 pm
Extremists likely to target health care sector as vaccine mandates spread
The Department of Homeland Security this week issued an intel notice warning that extremists, including white supremacists and other would-be domestic terrorists, are likely to “threaten violence or plot against healthcare personnel, facilities, and public officials in response to renewed and expanding COVID-19 mitigation measures.”
The document, distributed Monday to U.S. law enforcement and government agencies and obtained by ABC News, noted that anti-vaccine messaging will likely increase as vaccine mandates spread.
The notice warns that some of the misinformation and disinformation now circulating is being pushed and promoted by Russia, China and Iran as a means of sowing anger and discord in the U.S.
ABC News’ Josh Margolin
Oct 05, 12:32 pm
76% of 12+ population has at least 1 vaccine dose
Seventy-six percent of Americans ages 12 and above have had at least one vaccine dose, White House COVID-19 data director Cyrus Shahpar said Tuesday.
Now 65% of the total U.S. population has had at least one dose, he said.
If you’re a “Sucker” for popcorn, then you’ll love The Jonas Brothers‘ new business venture.
Turns out the brothers have been enjoying a unique backstage snack for years: popcorn dressed up with a special blend of seasonings. The popcorn is the invention of Rob Garbowsky — the father of Greg Garbowsky, a current member of JoBros’ management team — and back in 2011, Nick Jonas convinced Rob to start making it for them and their crew.
The popcorn quickly became everyone’s favorite snack, and now, JoBros have partnered with the food and beverage company The Naked Market to make it available to you. Rob’s Backstage Popcorn is now for sale at EatRobs.com; it costs $19.99 for four bags.
“All three of us are thrilled to bring Rob’s Backstage Popcorn to the world, and we truly mean that – from busy moms juggling multiple things at once, to the on-the-go college student looking for a quick bite, we couldn’t be more excited to finally share Rob’s Backstage Popcorn with everyone,” says Nick in a statement.
The Rock & Roll Hall of Famers have announced two new eight-performance engagements of their “An Intimate Evening with Santana: Greatest Hits Live” show, running from January 26 through February 6 and from May 18 to May 29.
Tickets for all of Santana‘s new performances go on sale to the general public this Saturday, October 9, at 10 a.m. local time via House of Blues.com/Santana, MandalayBay.com and Ticketmaster.com, or by calling 800-745-3000.
Citi card members can buy pre-sale tickets starting Wednesday, October 6, at 10 a.m. PT; visit CitiPrivatePass.com for more information. The House of Blues and Live Nation pre-sales will begin Thursday, October 7, at 10 a.m. PT.
Part of the money from the tickets sold for Santana’s Las Vegas shows will benefit the Milagro Foundation, the charity Carlos co-founded that helps young people in impoverished communities around the world. Some of the proceeds also will be donated to the House of Blues’ Music Forward Foundation, which uses music to help young people develop life skills.
The band also has two other previously announced eight-show stands this year at the House of Blues Las Vegas that are scheduled from November 3 to November 14 and from December 1 to December 12. Visit Santana.com to check out the group’s full schedule.
As previously reported, Santana’s latest studio album, the star-studded Blessing and Miracles, will be released on October 15. The band recently debuted a lyric video for one of the tracks, a cover of the Procol Harum classic “Whiter Shade of Pale” featuring vocals by Steve Winwood.
Ed Sheeran will be this year’s “Mega Mentor” on The Voice as the show moves from the Battle Rounds to the Knockout Rounds.
During the Knockouts, each team’s contestants will compete against each other in pairs, each singing their own song. Ed will work with all the contestants and help them choose songs and make performance decisions that play to their strengths. The contestant’s coaches will then choose which one stays and which one goes.
Ed’s run on The Voice starts Monday, October 25, conveniently just days before the release of his new album =(Equals), which arrives October 29.
Mark Schafer/CBS 2021 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved
When CBS’ drama FBI: Most Wanted ended last season, there was a tense situation in the home of Julian McMahon‘s Special Agent Jess LaCroix. His daughter Tali was inside with Jess’ new girlfriend Sarah, both at the mercy of Sarah’s gun-toting ex-husband — and then producers cut away with the sound of gunshots, and left viewers hanging as to who might have been killed.
The season premiere just revealed Jess managed to kill Sarah’s abusive ex in front of Jess’ loved ones.
“Oh, man, what a cliffhanger!” McMahon exclaimed to ABC Audio.
“You know, I was surprised because a lot of the time with these types of shows, they like to kind of end things…by end of season. …And the fact that they gave us the opportunity to create such a kind of dynamic cliffhanger at one that, you know, you can’t stop thinking about until it’s resolved, was just a real kind of cool idea, I thought — as agonizing as it is for a lot of us!”
He explains that this season deals with the “aftermath” of his loved ones witnessing the killing. “We certainly start the season with it not being all hunky dory,” McMahon hints.
His FBI duties aside, ABC Audio wanted to know if in this age of reboots, would McMahon ever return to another popular show in which he starred — Nip/Tuck — if the six-series FX show that ended in 2010 was revisited?
“I loved that character, man!” McMahon enthuses. “I’m not sure I can ever say no to Christian Troy.”
When ABC Audio noted few people ever said no to the womanizing plastic surgeon he played, McMahon said with a laugh, “Yeah! That was the problem!”
FBI: Most Wanted returns tonight at 10 p.m. on CBS.
Boosie Badazz is in trouble once again as he’s been kicked off the Legendz of the Streetz tour headlined by Rick Ross, Jeezy, Gucci Mane and 2 Chainz.
During the second show on the tour, Friday night in Atlanta, a fight broke out on stage while Boosie was performing his second song, according to HotNewHipHop.com. The “Wipe Me Down” rapper’s set abruptly ended and he was rushed off stage.
He did not perform on the next show on the tour, Saturday night in Greensboro, NC. Boosie tweeted, “THIS IS THE MOVE THEY PULLING OFF ON THE TOUR SO U CANT GET REFUNDS.”
Last week, Badazz was suspended from Instagram and he claims it was because he asked Drake to promote his new biopic titled, My Struggle.
After being kicked off the tour, Boosie promoted his appearance on Twitter at a party Sunday night at the Euphoria nightclub in Baltimore. A man is in critical condition after a large fight and shooting at the event, according to the Baltimore Sun.
Baltimore police said officers on foot patrol around 1:38 a.m. Monday heard gunshots and found a car with numerous bullet holes and a shattered window. The shooting victim, a 27-year-old man, was shot in the upper body and head.
Anyone with information is asked to call police at 410-396-2422 or Metro Crime Stoppers at 866-7-LOCKUP.
The next stop on the Legendz of the Streetz tour, which also features special guests Fabolous, Lil Kim, and Trina, will be Friday night in New Orleans, The tour is scheduled to wrap up October 22 in Memphis.
Hey now, Steve Harwell is still the lead singer of Smash Mouth.
Fans who attended the “All Star” group’s recent concerts were surprised to see Harwell absent from behind the mic and replaced by a new vocalist, leading to speculation that the founding frontman was no longer in the band. However, a rep for Smash Mouth tells TMZ that isn’t the case.
The rep explains that Harwell took a brief leave of absence from Smash Mouth due to his ongoing cardiomyopathy heart condition, which he’s had since 2015. Issues with his heart previously landed Harwell in the hospital in 2017.
The unidentified fill-in singer, who is only described as “someone the band knows,” was recruited to handle vocal duties in place of Harwell on merely a temporary basis, the rep adds. Harwell is set to return to the stage with Smash Mouth this Thursday in Jackson, Mississippi.
(NEW YORK) — A North Carolina school board voted Monday to make masks optional for students and staff indoors, even as 430 students are under quarantine.
The Harnett County School Board voted 4 to 1 for the optional mask policy Monday and it takes effect Tuesday.
Prior to Tuesday, masks were mandatory in the school district, which has more than 19,600 students.
The board also voted to pass an amended quarantine policy allowing students exposed to COVID-19 who haven’t tested positive to return after seven days instead of 10 days. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that those who are unvaccinated should quarantine at home for 14 days after exposure. However, 10-day or seven-day quarantines are acceptable if combined with testing and a negative test result.
According to the school district’s COVID-19 dashboard, as of Monday there are 53 positive virus cases among students and 13 among staff. Further, seven staff and 430 students are currently under quarantine.
The school district has not responded to ABC News’ request for comment.
Mask mandates in schools have been an ongoing heated debate as more than 48 million children under the age of 12 are still ineligible to be vaccinated.
Pediatrician Dr. Lori Langdon spoke at the boarding meeting, saying: “Your students are my patients. I want you to remember that not all students in Harnett County are healthy … Some of them live in homes with immunocompromised parents and grandparents.”
“Our concern is that if we don’t have a mask mandate, we’re just going to be on the countdown back to virtual school and that’s not what any of us want,” she added. “My mask protects you and your mask protects me from you.”
Local residents shared their opinions both for and against the mask during the virtual meeting Monday night.
Parent Gina Carucci said during the meeting, “Obviously this is very political. Masks and virus has nothing to do with the virus, it has to do with complying with the government.”
“You’re taking away their freedom of speech, their freedom to talk to their friends, their freedom to show their smiles,” she said. “These children … it should be their choice.”
Board member Vivian Bennett was the lone member to vote against making masks optional.
“I think the best interest for the people of this county is for there to be masks,” she said before the vote. “My neighbor died, and her sister is taking care of her daughter. She says that she wears a mask every minute, even sleeps in one … I could never vote to think that I might hurt some of the people that I know and don’t know in this county.”
The move by Harnett County Schools comes as a slew of other school districts have imposed mask requirements for students and staff, at times in defiance of state -level bans on mask mandates.
Vaccinations for students will likely be the next frontier of debates. In California, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Friday a state requirement for COVID-19 vaccines for all school children between 12 to 17 once the U.S. Food and Drug Administration grants full approval of the vaccine for that age group.
(NEW YORK) — A request to grant George Floyd a full posthumous pardon is headed to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk after a public defender alleged Floyd was framed in a 2004 drug bust by a former Houston police detective now indicted on murder charges.
In a letter sent Monday to Floyd’s one-time public defender Allison Mathis, the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles wrote it has “completed their consideration of your client’s application requesting a Full Pardon and have voted to recommend clemency.”
The board forwarded its recommendation to Abbott for final disposition. Abbott has not said whether he will grant the pardon.
Mathis filed the request in April, writing in the petition that a “pardon is being sought because it is just and right to clear a conviction that is not supported by evidence.”
Floyd was arrested on Feb. 5, 2004, by then-Houston undercover narcotics detective Gerald Goines, who alleged Floyd provided a second suspect .03 grams of crack cocaine to sell, according to the petition. The man Floyd allegedly gave the drugs to turned out to be a police informant who sold the drugs to Goines as part of a sting operation and was not arrested or identified, according to the petition.
Floyd eventually pleaded guilty to a drug charge and was sentenced to 10 months in state jail, authorities said.
In August 2019, Goines was charged with two counts of murder related to a botched narcotics raid at a home in southeast Houston. Goines’ police colleague, Steven Bryant, pleaded guilty in June to federal charges of falsifying records and interfering with a government investigation in an attempt to help Goines cover up an illegally obtained “no-knock” warrant on the Houston home of Rhogena Nicholas and her husband, Dennis Tuttle.
During the Jan. 28, 2019, raid, a shootout erupted in which Nicholas, Tuttle and their dog were killed and four police officers, including Goines, were shot and wounded.
In announcing the indictments of Goines and Bryant, Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg alleged that Goines made “numerous false statements” in the affidavit presented to the judge who signed the ‘no-knock” warrant.
The scandal prompted the Harris County District Attorney to review at least 1,400 criminal cases tied to Goines.
Ogg released a statement on Monday supporting the Board of Pardons and Paroles’ recommendation to grant Floyd clemency.
“We lament the loss of former Houstonian George Floyd and hope that his family finds comfort in Monday’s decision by the Texas State Board of Pardons and Paroles to recommend clemency for a 2004 conviction,” Ogg’s statement reads.
Mathis also praised the board’s decision.
“A man was set up by a corrupt police officer intent on securing arrests rather than pursuing justice,” Mathis said in a statement. “No matter what your political affiliation is, no matter who that man was in his life or in his death, that is not something we should stand for in the United States or in Texas.”
Ben Crump, an attorney for the Floyd family, urged Abbott to grant the full pardon.
“This drug charge, which led to George Floyd’s conviction based on false evidence, helped to unravel his life,” Crump said in a statement. “Similarly, tens of thousands of Black lives are ruined by a criminal justice system that uses the war on drugs to target Black people, force them into felony pleas, incarcerate them, take away their voting rights, and destroy their families.”
Floyd died on May 25, 2020, as the result of injuries suffered when police in Minneapolis attempted to arrest him on suspicion of using a phony $20 bill to buy cigarettes. Former police officer Derek Chauvin, who pressed his knee into the back of Floyd’s neck for more than nine minutes as the 46-year-old Black man lost consciousness after repeatedly claiming of not being able to breathe, was convicted in April of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.
Chauvin was sentenced to 22 1/2 years in prison. Three other police officers charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder and aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter are scheduled to go on trial next year.
