Watch Two-Hour Premiere of OWN’s ‘Delilah’ on Tuesday, March 9 at 9 PM!

Hello World,

OWN “Greenleaf” creator Craig Wright’s new series “Delilah” starts on Tuesday, March at 9 p.m. on OWN! The first episode, which is two hours is entitled “Everything to Everybody. “Wright serves as executive producer along with Charles Randolph-Wright and Oprah Winfrey.

Below is the synopsis of Delilah:

Delilah left a demanding white-shoe law firm a decade ago and hung up her own shingle so she could make raising her kids her number one priority. Now she takes on cases the big firms ignore and finds herself, more often than not, going head-to-head with the powerful and privileged as she fights for the disenfranchised. In addition to raising her two kids, Maia and Marcus, Delilah also cares for her young nephew Dion; manages her relationship with her frustrating ex; and to top it all off, she’s about to go up against her best friend Tamara in court for the first time. Delilah has always represented the underdogs. Tamara has always represented the wealthy and powerful. But this case is different: this time, Delilah’s most cherished friendship is on the line, and there are lives at stake. But Delilah does what she always does – she seeks justice for those who need it most. The series is produced by Warner Bros. Television and Harpo Films and filmed in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Maahra Hill  (“Black-ish,” “How to Get Away With Murder”) stars as Delilah Connolly, a headstrong, highly principled lawyer living in Charlotte, North Carolina.  Jill Marie Jones (“Girlfriends”) stars as Tamara Grayson, Delilah’s confidante and best friend; Susan Heyward (“Orange is the New Black”), who portrays Demetria Barnes, Delilah’s newly hired, fearless, and ambitious associate; and Ozioma Akagha (Marvel’s “Runaways”), who plays Delilah’s unfailingly sunny secretary, Harper Conant.

“It’s an honor to work for Ms. Winfrey and OWN and to serve the network’s devoted fans. ‘Delilah’ continues the work we started on ‘Greenleaf,’ namely, bringing untold stories and fresh perspectives to our audience,” said Craig Wright, creator/executive producer.

Wright is currently developing a spinoff of “Greenleaf” for OWN. Wright served as writer and producer on “Lost” and “Six Feet Under,” and was supervising producer on the long-running series “Brothers and Sisters.” He was Emmy-nominated for his writing on “Six Feet Under,” and received three WGA Award nominations, winning the Dramatic Series award in 2004 for “Lost.” In addition, Wright was executive producer and writer for “Tyrant” and “Rush,” and was consulting producer on “United States of Tara.”

From what I’ve read, “Delilah” may incorporate some element of faith. After all, Delilah is a biblical name. However, faith will not be the central theme of the show as it was in “Greenleaf.” Still I plan to watch because I’m a fan of Craig Wright’s writing. I found out more about his writing when I interviewed him last year. If you have yet to read that interview, click HERE.

Any thoughts?

 

 

OWN ‘Greenleaf’s’ Uncle Mac aka GregAlan Williams Returns to TV in Lifetime Movie ‘Envy’ & More Book To Film News!

Hello World,

I didn’t want to admit it, but now that OWN’s Greenleaf has ended, I must admit that Uncle Mac, as evil and depraved as he was, was my favorite character. And unless I’ve somehow missed it, I haven’t seen GregAlan Williams, the actor who masterfully portrayed Uncle Mac, on television since. (Aside: if you missed my interview of GregAlan Williams, check it out HERE.)

But he’s coming back to television via Lifetime! GregAlan Williams will portray Elijah in the upcoming Lifetime movie Envy, which is based on the novel of the same name by my sorority sister novelist Victoria Christopher Murray! Her novels Lust, Greed and Wrath will also be made into Lifetime movies! The air date for Envy hasn’t been announced yet, but you know I will keep you in the loop! Below is the synopsis for Envy followed by Victoria’s FB post about Envy below…

A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.

Gabrielle Wilson has the perfect life: a Beverly Hills mansion, a loving family, and a massively successful PR firm. When her father admits that an affair he had years before resulted in a daughter, Gabrielle is shocked, but is actually happy. Could this be the sister she has been praying for all her life?

Keisha Jones’s life is a struggle. Her late mother worked on the streets, and school was its own nightmare. When Gabrielle offers to fly Keisha out of Arkansas to meet the family, Keisha instantly agrees. But Gabrielle doesn’t realize that Keisha has known about the Wilsons for years. Keisha is determined to have everything she has always envied, and nothing can stand in her way.

ENVY filming has wrapped! LUST begins today and I’ll share that cast soon!
And yes, they will do GREED and WRATH next,…

Posted by Victoria Christopher Murray on Friday, December 4, 2020

 

Tiffany L. Warren

And in other book to film news, novelist Tiffany L. Warren, who graciously allowed me to interview her for my first book, will see her book The Favorite Son on BET in 2021! Jonathan McReynolds and Anthony Evans Jr. are among the stars who will be in the film. Below is the synopsis of The Favorite Son followed by two of her jubilant posts about the upcoming movie!

Do family, faith–and fame–go together?

They’re handsome, smart, and musically gifted. Brothers Camden and Blaine Wilson have put their talents together and founded a gospel group. The quieter one, Camden is the songwriter, while charismatic Blaine is the performer. At first, their Reverend father is against the idea–until Blaine, his favorite, wows the congregation at a church revival. Sure enough, once the reverend witnesses their effect on the crowd he wants them there every Sunday. But he may have set the stage for trouble. . .

As the group’s popularity grows, so do the groupies–and promiscuous Blaine is more than happy to share his love. Gigs across the country, meetings with music execs, a chance to sign with a major label, and a sexy new band member bring new connections–and dangerous new temptations. Soon, a slew of rumors and a shocking betrayal threaten to destroy the group–and the brothers’ relationship. But one event is going to rock their world forever. Do they have enough faith, forgiveness, and brotherly love left to find harmony once more?…

Meet the Wilsons! Blaine, Camden, Pastor B.C., First Lady and Dawn. Yes, gospel fans, that is Jonathan McReynolds!!!!!…

Posted by Tiffany L. Warren on Saturday, December 12, 2020

And another one! Anthony Evans Jr. is Royce London in Favorite Son! #booktofilm #BET #dreamcometrue

Posted by Tiffany L. Warren on Tuesday, December 15, 2020

Exciting news for these two authors! I’m so happy for them 🙂

Any thoughts?

CeCe Winans Participates in Trump Coronavirus Ad Campaign, Denies Participation is ‘Political’

Should CeCe Winans Be Cancelled?

Hello World,

Gospel music great CeCe Winans, auntie of Deborah Joy Winans, who portrayed “Charity” on OWN’s Greenleaf, is in a lot of trouble according to the online cancel culture authorities. According to POLITICO,

The health department is moving quickly on a highly unusual advertising campaign to “defeat despair” about the coronavirus, a $300 million-plus effort that was shaped by a political appointee close to President Donald Trump and executed in part by close allies of the official, using taxpayer funds.

The ad blitz, described in some budget documents as the “Covid-19 immediate surge public advertising and awareness campaign,” is expected to lean heavily on video interviews between administration officials and celebrities, who will discuss aspects of the coronavirus outbreak and address the Trump administration’s response to the crisis, according to six individuals with knowledge of the campaign who described its workings to POLITICO.

The health department is moving quickly on a highly unusual advertising campaign to “defeat despair” about the coronavirus, a $300 million-plus effort that was shaped by a political appointee close to President Donald Trump and executed in part by close allies of the official, using taxpayer funds.

The ad blitz, described in some budget documents as the “Covid-19 immediate surge public advertising and awareness campaign,” is expected to lean heavily on video interviews between administration officials and celebrities, who will discuss aspects of the coronavirus outbreak and address the Trump administration’s response to the crisis, according to six individuals with knowledge of the campaign who described its workings to POLITICO.

Read the rest of the article HERE.

Well, CeCe is one of those celebrities and Black Twitter is not amused…Here is one I discovered from The Grio

The backlash was so much that CeCe had to respond. Below is what she had to say…

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A quick urgent message!

A post shared by CeCe Winans (@cecewinans) on

Although CeCe says her involvement is the Trump ad campaign is not “political,” journalist Roland Martin says otherwise…

How do I feel about it? First of all, I don’t believe in cancel culture. The cancel culture seems to be comprised of online bullies who don’t have the capacity to interpret nuanced issues. That being said, in this highly politicized time, darn near everything is political at this point. I understand what CeCe is saying about trying to spread the facts about COVID-19 to stop the spread of the virus itself. In fact, both her brother BeBe, their mother and another brother suffered from the virus!

But on the other hand, the president, himself, is sending a mixed message about the pandemic and has been from the beginning. So you’ve got these celebrities talking about a wearing a mask as a part of this ad campaign that is funded by the government while the head of the government is saying one thing while doing another. I feel for Surgeon General Dr. Jerome M. Adams and Dr. Fauci who I believe are trying to stop the spread, but at the same time, the overall administration is not functioning as one unit.

So should CeCe be cancelled? No, BUT the nuances influencing this ad campaign should be considered…Read the POLITICO article because the nuances influencing this campaign are fully explained…

Any thoughts?