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Impact Network has set the launch date for its new free SVOD platform as well as its first scripted original series. Variety has learned that Impact TV+ will debut on April 10 with the premiere of the scripted series “Highly Favored.”

“Impact TV+ is more than just a new streaming platform—it’s the next evolution of Impact’s commitment to delivering compelling, culturally rich content for Black families,” said Royal W. Jackson, executive vice president of Impact Network and co-executive producer on “Highly Favored.” “With ‘Highly Favored’ leading the way, we’re building a destination that gives our audience more access to premium, values-based entertainment whenever and wherever they want.”

Impact Network fans will now be able to watch the network’s programming, including the six-episode series “Highly Favored,” across digital platforms. “Highly Favored” was first reported to be in the works at Impact Network in November 2024. New episodes will...

NeNe Leakes is apologizing for controversial comments she made at a comedy show over the weekend.

The Real Housewives of Atlanta star hosted the “Girls Night Out for Laughs” comedy event at the Paramount Theatre in Oakland, California, on Saturday. The event featured Loni Love, Tiffany Haddish, Adele Givens, Melanie Comarcho, Hope Flood and DJ Lucci.

While on stage, the reality star fired back at a heckler after reportedly being booed.

“I ain’t even gonna to tell you about the God d–n Uber driver. I hope he rape yo ass tonight when he take you home, bitch,” Leakes,...

Martin Lawrence is returning for another season of his stand-up comedy series "Martin Lawrence Presents 1st Amendment Stand-Up." The fifth season features a new host and a fresh line-up of comics.

Comedienne Sheryl Underwood will host the new season, filmed before a live audience at The Chicago Theater.

The show will feature rising and season comedy stars such as Sandra Bernhard, Jimmi "J.J." Walker, Roz G., D'Militant, Schruncho, Darren Carter, Pierre, Jay Phillips, Melanie Comarcho, Ian Edwards, Chocolate, Damon Williams, and Deon Cole, who will also serve as guest host for two episodes.

Lawrence and previous host Doug Williams, serve as executive produces.

Starz, an American premium cable network, announced yesterday that it will renew its longest running original series for a fifth season. In fact, Martin Lawrence Presents: 1st Amendment Stand Up is slated to premiere in October.

Moreover, in the fifth season, comedian Sheryl Underwood, the announced host, will replace Doug Williams, the original host. Moreover, she'll be accompanied by a line-up of new and seasoned comedians and Williams will keep serving as the show's executive producer.

Comedians scheduled to appear in the series include Deon Cole, who will also guest host two episodes, Sandra Bernhard, Jimmie “J.J.” Walker, Roz G, D’Militant, Scruncho, Darren Carter, Pierre, Jay Phillips, Melanie Comarcho, Ian Edwards, Chocolate and Damon Williams just to name a few.

Finally, performances for the fifth season will be taped from May 13 to 16 before a live audience at the Chicago Theatre.

Martin Lawrence Presents 1st Amendment Stand-Up will return to the Starz network for a fifth season, and will have a new host in Sheryl Underwood. Original host Doug Williams will continue to serve as executive producer of the show.

The show, said to be the network’s longest-running original series, is scheduled to premiere in October, later this year.

Performances for this, the 5th season, will tape May 13-16 in front of live audiences at the Chicago Theatre, with comedians scheduled to appear in the series including Deon Cole, Roz G, D’Militant, Scruncho, Darren Carter, Pierre, Jay Phillips, Melanie Comarcho, Ian Edwards, Chocolate and Damon Williams.

I’d be lying if I said I was familiar with every single one of these names.

Last year, before the start of the show’s 3rd (or was it 4th) season, I was asked to watch and review a set of preview...

By Lisa Horowitz

“Martin Lawrence Presents 1st Amendment Stand-Up” returns to Starz for a fifth season with new host Sheryl Underwood.

The show, Starz’ longest-running original series, is scheduled to premiere in October.

Performances for the fifth season will tape May 13-16 in front of a live audience at the Chicago Theatre.

Comedians scheduled to appear in the series include Deon Cole, who will guest host two episodes, Sandra Bernhard, Jimmie “J.J.” Walker, Roz G, D’Militant, Scruncho, Darren Carter, Pierre, Jay Phillips, Melanie Comarcho, Ian ...

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Here is a clip of comedian Melanie Comarcho's stand up comedy performance at The Shaq's Comedy All Stars produced by Codeblack Entertainment. You may have seen this performance on Showtime, and because this past weekend was the new taping of The Shaq's Comedy All Stars during the NBA All Star Weekend in Dallas, we decided to give you a blast from the very recent past. Enjoy, and stay tuned for our updates on this year's events!

Here are some pictures from our 1st Annual Christmas Comedy Show which was held at The Comedy Union. Special thanks to club owner Enss Mitchell for providing the venue. The Comedy Show was great as it featured performances by Rion Evans, Clayton thomas, Vincent O'Shana, Red Grant, Melanie Comarcho and Tony Rock. The show was hosted by Esau McGraw and there were jokes heard all around. The Party was one of the hottest in years! Stay tuned for our next event coming up soon!

After the very successful tapings for the Showtime network this past year with Shaq's Comedy All-Stars Produced by Codeblack Entertainment, (which featured Dl Hughley, Cedric The Entertainer, Melanie Comarcho, Red Grant, DeRay Davis, Kevin Hart, Aires Spears, and Rickey Smiley just to name a few) we just discovered that the Showtime network is about to make a more concentrated effort in the urban comedy space.

One case in point is the line up of the Laugh Out Loud comedy tapings this weekend which feature comedians Chris Spencer, Flo Roderiguez, Edwin San Juan, Russell Peters and Nema Williams (and several others who we have yet to discover). The tapings are to be held this weekend beginning on Friday at 10:30 Pm with Chris Spencer's taping at the El Portal Theater in Hollywood. Stay tuned right here for more details!

Questions or comments? Please email us [email protected]

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Just in case you haven't heard, comedians Luenell, Melanie Comarcho and Red Grant began their own tour titled More Hustlin', as they call it the sequel to Katt Williams Pimp Chronicles Tour. That tour was said to have collected over 80 million dollars in receipts and in DVD sales, and spawned many opportunities for all of those involved.

Several years ago all three were featured with Katt Williams as they toured across the country on the way a very successful tour. Anyway, on the way to their own tour, minus Katt (as he has retired from doing stand-up) the trio played the at the Laugh Factory in Long Beach. Pictured here is Melanie, Red and Luenell taking a break from the tour.

Questions or comments? Please email us at [email protected]...

This past weekend we were able to to catch up with Martin Lawrence at The Comedy Store in Hollywood as he performed in front of two sold out shows on Friday and Saturday nights. For the audience's reaction both nights it looks as if Lawrence is back and trying to get a feel to see if he may want to go out and get back on the comedy tour circuit. Who knows, maybe watching all of the comedians he has seen over the past couple of years on The Martin Lawrence 1st Amendment Show has gotten his juices flowing again.

Anyway, both nights comedian Melanie Comarcho opened for him and set the tone for the show with a hilarious set that gives us the idea that if a tour was set in motion there is a good chance Comarcho will probably go back out on tour with him. As it looks now,...