The Best Of The Best- Who Is The Top 5 Comedians Of The Year?

It’s that time of the year again! Who’s is the best of the best? That’s the question we ask you, as we ask that you take the time to submit to us your TOP 5 COMEDIANS of the YEAR. This means anyone who you have seen do stand-up within the last year, whether it was on TV or in person. We also ask that you submit to us any of the TOP 5 Funniest PERFORMANCES that you have seen on FILM THIS PAST YEAR.

So cast your vote today and let’s get it in!

Questions or comments? Please email us at thehumormill.info@gmail.com

Last Comic Standing Back & Without Bill Bellamy!

We just discovered from our source over at NBC that word is going around the offices that NBC is about to change it's mind and bring back Last Comic Standing, which was orginally cancelled after its run last season. Last Comic Standing was on the air for six years and now word is they are about to get a seventh.

But for us that wasn’t the biggest news; we discovered that when they re-launch this upcoming season, they are not going to bring back host Bill Bellamy unfortunately. Word is they are making other changes on the show, and NBC feels that a new Host will bring back life to the show as they are planning on revamping the entire show. We also hear that they are looking for a surprise Host, someone like a Nick Cannon-type, who surprised the NBC Execs with the Hosting gig he is pulling over at America’s Got Talent. As of this writing, the new host has yet to be decided.

Questions or comments? Please email us at thehumormill.info@gmail.com

Bay Area Comedy Festival Back Again In Full Swing!

It's about that time again for the comedy festival season, and The Bay Area Black Comedy Competition & Festival is back again. The festival is the longest running urban comedy festival and was established in 1986 to provide a Bay Area-based showcase for comedians of color from all over the United States and across the world.

For over two decades the Competition has been at the vanguard of the Black/urban comedy movement, greatly contributing to the career development of many of its stars and the construction of many of its brick and mortar and 'clicks and mortar' venues. According to event founder and executive Producer Tony Spires, the Competition was born out of a need for, "Comedic Affirmative Action."

The Competition's ongoing mission is to create an environment which provides our comedians with equal access to empowering opportunities which enable them to demonstrate their unique talents to the entertainment industry and the general public and to raise worldwide conscientiousness of the validity and viability of the indigenous American art form known as Black Comedy. Through the years the BABCCF has emerged from its grassroots-based genesis to become the largest and longest-running live, urban comedy showcase in the country. Please join us as we take comedy to the next level. The Bay Area Black Comedy Competition & Festival, "Where the Laughter Never Ends!"

For more info on the festival check out http://www.blackcomedycompetition.com/cc09home.html

Is Chris Rock A Candidate For Replacing Conan On The Tonite Show?

About two weeks ago rumors started flying around the internet about a new replacement for Conan O'Brien over at NBC thanks to his very dismal numbers since his transition to The Tonight Show (it has lost 52 percent of its viewership since big red took over and the November ratings will be the show's lowest in 15 years).

The first big rumor we heard from our sources over at NBC Universal’s lot then was that NBC has their eyes on replacing him with none other than Jerry Seinfeld, who is on everyone’s wish list.

But as of several days ago we heard from a couple of other sources that NBC is already making plans for someone else if Seinfeld doesn’t agree to terms with the network- and it’s a long shot that he won’t agree because NBC loves Seinfeld and they want him bad. But just in case he doesn’t work out there is talks for someone else who can make just as big of a splash.

Who are the executives TALKING about trying to get? We hear it’s none other than comedian Chris Rock.

Here’s why that makes sense to us; Word has been out there for several years that Chris Rock has had thoughts about getting back into television since his days at HBO with the Chris Rock Show, and since Everybody Hates Chris is now over, Rock doesn’t have a TV vehicle on the air. Personally, it’s a stretch to see him doing this as it’s a grueling schedule, but it would not be too farfetched for Rock to do so.

Now we are not going to get too excited about this because we doubt Seinfeld will pass up the opportunity, but it would be great to see Rock in that famed seat, wouldn’t it? What do you think?

Questions or comments? Please email us at thehumormill.info@gmail.com

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Mo'Nique Seems To Be Shunning Press Again For Precious

Several weeks ago we would have told you that Mo’Nique was a “shoo-in’ to get an Academy Award nomination for her work in Precious, and she was going to walk away with the Award and be the 2nd African American comedic actress since Whoopi Goldberg’s performance in Ghost to do so for Best Supporting Actress. Now, after today’s news and rumors floating around we are not so sure of anything.

What are we talking about? Well, according to numerous reports and sources, MoNique has decided to skip the New York Film Critics Awards next month, which is a great press opportunity for every actor associated with any film right before Awards season and during voting season. It is also a pivotal stop for those trying to win ANY award during award season because those NY Critics have a lot of “pull” and more towards the votes that are cast. Anyway, the group was going to give her an award for her excellent work in Precious, and now director Lee Daniels will accept on her behalf.

Why is Mo’Nique not going? Well, maybe it’s because she lives in Atlanta and has no one to look out for her brand new twins, and maybe it will take her away from her new day-time job, which is hosting her TV show on BET. We are not sure. Maybe she doesn’t feel the trip is going to help her financially.

Here are the facts that we do know; word went around the industry that Mo'Nique wouldn’t do publicity for the movie Precious unless she was paid. According to sources she demanded cash in envelopes, not just for her makeup artists and stylists, but for herself. For some reason, she thought these were paid appearances. Everyone from Oprah Winfrey to Lee Daniels tried to set her straight. But she missed the Cannes, Toronto and New York Film Festivals because of it and also she’s also gone through several publicists. We also know that Mo'Nique doesn’t have that many SERIOUS acting credits under her belt, but she does have some comedies. But how many of those comedies are going to lead her to an Oscar? Before Precious, 2005’s films Shadowboxer and Domino was her last real serious roles.

Anyway, Mo’Nique stated on her show for folks to see her performance on the film and to judge her on that alone. Too bad Academy voters don’t think like this.

We think that snubbing the NYFCC is a plan she should reconsider. We feel she doesn’t understand that she’s already won this award and that this isn’t the same as doing publicity.

Another thing worth mentioning here is that several years ago Eddie Murphy was a considered a slam dunk for the 2006 Best Supporting Actor role as James “Thunder” Early in Dreamgirls, but then the film Norbit was released during the voting season and it is believed that the Academy voters shunned Murphy because of all of the negative press he was getting from African American Women who despised his role in that film. The press reported that fact repeatedly during that time.

This brings up the question; do Academy voters listen to the press? We think so. What do you think?

Questions or comments? Please email us at thehumormill.info@gmail.com

Katt Williams Being Sued By Former Employee!

We just discovered that there is more bad news on the horizon for comedian Katt Williams. Not only is he facing criminal charges in the city of Atlanta that was previously reported, but now there is an ex-employee who's taking him to court.

As previously reported Katt was arrested in November and then involved in an incident in a Georgia Walmart a month later leading many to believe he was in jail once again- which we later discovered was false.

But with these recent allegations, he's now finding himself the target of a $232,000 lawsuit by his former assistant. The woman, named Jacqueline Guitterez claims that Kattpack Investments, Inc. (company owned and operated by Katt Williams) did not pay her for her services while working with Williams.

According to court documents obtained by TMZ, Gutierrez had to pay for all her own expenses during the ten months she worked with Williams. She is seeking $32,000 in out-of pocket expenses, nearly $60,000 in hotel expenses as well as other charges adding up to the $232,000 total.Stay tuned for more as this story develops!

Questions or comments? Please email us at thehumormill.info@gmail.com

Headshot of Katt Williams by Naoe Pix

Free's Mom Dies After Long Battle With Cancer

Today we have more sad news to report; Marie "Free" Wright, known to the world as the original host of BET’s 106 and Park, lost her mother earlier this week after a very long battle with breast cancer. Sissy Wright had been battling the breast cancer battle for several years and most recently it looked as if the tide would turn in her favor but sadly to say it didn’t.

We hear at Humor Mill Magazine want to send out our deepest condolences to the Wright family as we have known them for many, many years. You will all be in our prayers.

Questions or comments? Please email us at thehumormill.info@gmail.com

Ghostbusters 3 Confirmed And Moving Forward!

As we previously reported several months back it was officially confirmed by Director Ivan Reitman on the red carpet of the new Avatar film yesterday; Ghostbusters 3 is moving forward.

This now falls in line to the other reports and so-called verbal “slips” by the cast including Dan Aykroyd and Signourney Weaver, who will both be joining the cast of Bill Murray, Harold Ramis and Ernie Hudson.

We hear that the story is moving forward with the cast and a new script while the Producers intend to bring back the old characters, they also intend to introduce new characters to the team, basically a “new generation” stated Aykroyd. He also stated that he would like to see an influx of some new characters join the team, and they may be female members, and two actresses he likes in particular are Alyssa Milano and Eliza Dushku.

The producers are also looking for one more comedian to join the team, someone new, and as we were told “fresh to the scene in the world of comedy.” That person is to be a counter-part to Ernie Hudson’s character, and maybe several more team members, as it looks like the new film will be almost ‘Star Trek-ish’, in a sense were there will be an Academy for cadets to learn how to be the next generation of Ghostbusters, as they learn how to use the neuron splitter and the inter-planet interceptor - new tools that will enable the cadets to slip from dimension to dimension.

Anyway we are left with the thought that there is going to be several new African-American comedian/actors that may be joining the cast, but no word yet on who the part is intended for.

Questions or comments? Please email us at thehumormill.info@gmail.com

Michael Blackson On Humor Mill TV!

We caught up with comedian Michael Blackson outside of The Comedy Store during Martin Lawrence's first comedy performance show in over six years. Lots of folks came out and here is just one of the folks we caught up with. Blackson gave us some insight on his upcoming projects and his new film! Check out the interview!

As usual, we are out and about in the world of comedy and this is what we got a chance to see in the past week. Enjoy!

Black Dynamite Gets Animated!

We just discovered that the comedy action film Black Dynamite, the blaxploitation spoof that was released earlier this year, is about to jump into the animation world as it is going to the Cartoon Network. We also discovered the film has been keeping up its pace of world-wide acclaim as it’s receiving standing ovations in cities such as the Czech Republic just to name a few.

Black Dynamite (played by actor Michael Jai White), is a muscular and brash former CIA agent with a license to kill, is shaken out of his semi-retirement when his estranged brother is murdered. In response, Black Dynamite unleashes a violent war on drugs to achieve his dream of getting smack off the streets thus making the hood safe again for "an afternoon stroll." His goal, meshing extremely violent means for a surprisingly delicate end, embodies a production that crackles with humor.

Screenwriter, film producer and star Michael Jai White plays the throwback hero Black Dynamite, who beds the ladies and beats the bad guys, with effortless charisma and charm. With his constantly stern expression as he recites one-liners as he creates a hero as hilarious as he is physically imposing.

Anyway, if you missed the film you missed one of the best comedies of the year. But don’t take our word for it; just follow the Awards the film has garnered around the world, as it most recently won its fourth Award this past weekend at an Italian Film Festival titled the Noir Festival. We can’t forget it won the Seattle International Film Festival Golden Space Needle for best film, and several other festivals this past year, all starting from its premiere at the very famous Sundance Film Festival that started the accolades for the film worldwide.

Now after receiving all of this world wide acclaim we hear that there is a strong possibility that the film will have a sequel, but there has been no deal done on that- yet.

Questions or comments? Please email us at thehumormill.info@gmail.com

Precious Makes It Mark As Award Season Begins

Award season has officially begun, and to absolutely no one’s surprise the film Precious has taken center stage as the film to watch. Yesterday as the nominations for the 67th Golden Globes were announced, it was pretty clear that The Hollywood Foreign Press Assn. recognized that the film was definitely deserving of a nomination, and decided to give it two. First, new comer actress Gabourey Sidibe, star of the film Precious was nominated in the Best Actress category for a dramatic performance, and for Best Supporting actress, comedian Mo’Nique received a nomination.

Philip Berk, President of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association®, announced updated timetable for The 67th Annual Golden Globe Awards to be broadcast in HD Sunday, January 17, 2010 from 5-8 PM (PST) and 8-11 PM (EST) live coast to coast from The Beverly Hilton on NBC.

Questions or comments? Please email us at Thehumormill.info@gmail.com

Kevin Hart Interview On Humor Mill TV!

We caught up with Kevin Hart as he discusses a couple of his projects, and well, him just being Kevin. Check out this hilarious interview!