In January, black-ish begins its final season on ABC. The network was hoping to keep the ish brand going with Jenifer Lewis and Laurence Fishburne starring in old-ish.
Since the possible spinoff was announced, we haven’t heard anything about it. Today, we found why. Lewis announced that the show is not moving forward because of COVID-19. So after this Spring, there will only be one ish left on the air, and it is grown-ish on Freeform. mixed-ish only lasted two seasons before getting cancelled by ABC in the Spring.
When it comes to Lewis, she already booked her next gig. She will be starring in I Love This For You on Showtime.
If ever there was a Christmas that we needed Dolly Parton to be everywhere, it is this one. Netflix is streaming an original movie that stars the legendary angel. An Angel is what she plays in Christmas on the Square. Along with being the star on top of the tree, she wrote 14 original songs for the holiday musical.
Regina Fuller (Christine Baranski) grew up in the small town that her father owned. Now that he passed away, the Scrooge has decided to sell it. Forcing everyone out of the homes and businesses on Christmas Eve. People like her best friend Margeline (Jenifer Lewis) and her ex-boyfriend Carl (Treat Williams). Obviously, the townspeople don’t want to leave, so Pastor Christian (Josh Segarra) organizes a rally to resist Regina.
Is there anything that anyone can do to change her mind and the mean woman she became? Angel (Dolly Parton) is hoping that Regina can become the woman she was before something happened that changed her. That secret is why she left her home and became the evil businesswoman who puts money before friendship.
Christmas on the Square is directed by Debbie Allen. She brings her dance style to life with Parton’s song, thus creating several magical performances.
Talking about performances, it is nice to see Lewis and Williams return to the musical roots. I have had a crush on Williams since I was a little girl and saw him in Hair. I have been waiting years for him to sing again, and great things come to those who wait.
If 2020 is getting to you, then let this musical bring a smile to your face. I can’t stop smiling since I saw it. It is hard not to smile when you combine Christmas, music, and Dolly Parton in one joyous movie.
Dolly Parton has become a television movie staple over the last few Christmases. She has had telemovies on NBC, Hallmark, and Netflix. This year’s present is called Christmas on the Square. The musical will debut November 22nd on Netflix, and it stars the lovable legend as an Angel, Christine Baranski as a Scrooge, Treat Williams as her ex-sweetheart, and Jenifer Lewis as her friend.
While it is not a Christmas Carol per se, it has some similarities to the Mark Twain classic, and that is OK. “A rich and nasty woman, Regina Fuller, returns to her small hometown after her father’s death to evict everyone and sell the land to a mall developer – right before Christmas. However, after listening to stories of the local townsfolk, reconnecting with an old love, and accepting the guidance of an actual angel, Regina starts to have a change of heart. This is the story about family, love, and how a small town’s Christmas spirit can warm even the coldest of hearts.”
The holiday film includes 14 original songs from Miss Dolly. Debbie Allen choreographed the dance numbers.
Between this movie and Dolly’s Christmas album, the season is going to be so bright with joy that even 2020 cannot put it out. Well, unless 2020 gives Santa Claus COVID-19 and kills him. Which, at this rate, would not totally surprise me.
As sad as I will be about old Saint Nick going to the big North Pole in the sky, I will still be full of happiness because I will be watching Christmas on the Square over and over and over again. How can you watch anything from Dolly and not feel happy after it is over?
On October 4th, black-ish is getting a one-hour special on ABC. One of the two political based episodes will be animated.
Today, the network released the first look at the cartoonish versions of the Johnsons. They really captureed Tracee Ellis Ross, Lawrence Fishburne, Yara Shahidi, Marcus Scribner, Miles Brown, and Marsai Martin. However, I cannot say the same for Anthony Anderson and Jenifer Lewis. I don’t know how those figures are supposed to be, but they are not Dre and his mother, Ruby.
Hopefully, they will look better when their animated characters are actually animated, and not just standing there.
Anthony Anderson’s kicks are as much of a character on Blackish as his role Dre. Therefore, when they show filmed its 100th episode yesterday, they got a cake shaped like an Air Jordan to celebrate.
Deon Cole, Miles Brown, Yara Shahidi, Marcus Scribner, Marsai Martin, Anderson, Tracee Ellis Ross, Laurence Fishburne, Jenifer Lewis, Peter Mackenzie and Jeff Meacham could not wait to cut into that cake. Hopefully, it tastes better than Dre’s sneakers after a game of hoops!
Blackish’s fifth season begins airing on ABC October 16th. The 100th episode will air sometime after that.
