Netflix to Release Animated Comedy Series “Captain Fall,” Featuring Lesley-Ann Brandt, This Summer

Lesley-Ann Brandt is headed to sea… 

Captain Fall, featuring the 41-year-old part-Spanish South African actress as part of the voice cast, will set sail on Netflix in the near future.

Lesley-Ann BrandtIn addition to Brandt, best known for her work on Lucifer, the new animated comedy series from Jon Iver Helgaker and Jonas Torgersen also features voiceover work from Jason Ritter, Christopher Meloni and Anthony Carrigan (Barry).

It will premiere on the streamer on July 28.

The comedy follows a wet-behind-the-ears, yet good-hearted sea captain who unwittingly finds himself at the helm of a smuggling ship for a terrible international cartel who’s using him as a fall guy in case the authorities ever catch up to them. It marks the first animated comedy for Helgaker and Torgersen.

Netflix will drop 10 episodes of the series that was developed and executive produced by Helgaker, Torgersen and Joel Trussell. Netflix ordered the series in 2020.

The voiceover cast also includes Alejandro Edda (Narcos: Mexico), Adam Devine and Trond Fausa.

Fred Armisen Joins Voice Cast of R-Rated Animated Film “Fixed” 

Fred Armisen is playing Fetch… Literally!

The 56-year-old half-Venezuelan American actor/comedian has joined the voice cast of Genndy Tartakovsky’s upcoming R-rated animated film Fixed.

Fred ArmisenIn addition to Armisen, who will portray Fetch, the voice cast also includes Adam DevineIdris Elba and Kathryn Hahn.

The film, which will be completed in September, is an adult comedy about Bull: an average dog who discovers he’s going to be neutered in the morning. As the gravity of this life-altering event sets in, Bull realizes he needs one last adventure with his pack of best friends as these are the last 24 hours with his balls.

New Line Cinema and Sony Pictures Animation are on board.

Fixed Movie“Some people might get uncomfortable,” said Tartakovsky. “In 2010, when I pitched it to Sony, we still needed a concept. Then, lightning struck. Right in that room, within five seconds, I went: ‘They find out one of their friends will get neutered!’ Everyone laughed and that was it,” he recalled.

“Back then, adult animation was all about The Simpsons, maybe Family Guy. Now, it’s much more popular and accepted.”

Still, the goal wasn’t to shock, he admits, but to make “a classic movie.”

“Like Lady and the Tramp or 101 Dalmatians, but rated R. If you can look past the balls and the buttholes, you will find a very sweet, charming, sincere story of friendship and romance.”

The film’s unique combination of naughty and nice has attracted Adam Devine, who will voice Bull, and Elba, who will take on his buddy Rocco.

They are joined by Bobby Moynihan (voicing Lucky), Beck Bennett (Sterling), River Gallo (Frankie) and Michelle Buteau (Molasses).

“When Kathryn decided to do it, she told us: ‘I want to be just like the guys. I don’t want to be the sweet girl in the background who doesn’t have any depth to her. Make her a little raunchier.’ Hiring her made this character come alive,” admitted producer Michelle Murdocca. Christian Roedel co-produces.

“I have been doing this for 30 years and when you find someone who knows comedic timing as a voice actor, it’s everything. It makes our job so much easier,” added Tartakovsky.

“Also, I like the voices to disappear. When Idris is doing Rocco, you may recognize him, but then you just settle in.”

Despite its contemporary humor, Fixed actually celebrates the glories of 2D hand-drawn animation.

“It has become a lost art. These days, everything is computer-generated. It was my dream to do this,” he says, calling it a love letter to Bugs Bunny or Tex Avery, or even 1950s Disney. Murdocca added:

“It became this homage. We were able to secure animators we never thought we would be able to get. That’s when it became very exciting.”

Still, Tartakovsky – who co-writes with Jon Vitti – also mentions The 40-Year-Old Virgin” and Knocked Up among his inspirations, especially when developing the “camaraderie” between the characters. As well as his own friends.

“One guy is loud, one nerdy, another one is, well, a little slower,” he howled.

“We have known each other since high school, so when we are making fun of each other, everything is exaggerated. These are caricatures of real people and then we adjusted them to be a little more real.”

At the end of the day, he just wants people to laugh.

“Comedy is the hardest thing, always, but in animation, you create it from nothing. It’s why I got into it. I could draw a little stick figure running, my friends would look over my shoulder and laugh. It’s such an amazing illusion,” he admitted.

“We have four layers of humor here: The raunchy stuff, the physicality, some character humor and dog owner humor. We don’t talk about pop culture; we don’t make fun of the Kardashians. It’s only within this one world.”

The world that includes such places like “The Hump House,” where Bull and his friends end up as well. But it’s nothing compared to the film’s explosive ending, which – teased Tartakovsky – is “raunchy, very sexual but also very heartfelt.”

“Most studios would go: ‘Maybe we make the film, but you can’t have that scene.’ But it defines this movie! I said I wasn’t doing the film without it and luckily, we found the right partners,” he said.

“Doing kids television for most of my career, I have a boundary. I will hit it, but I will never cross it. For this movie, everything had to be over that boundary.”

Tubi Renews La La Anthony’s Adult Animated Comedy “The Freak Brothers” for Second Season

La La Anthony has more Freak moments in her future…

Tubi has given a Season 2 renewal to The Freak Brothers, featuring the 39-year-old television personality, author, businesswoman, producer and actress, for premiere in December.

La La AnthonyThe streaming service has ordered eight episodes of the adult animated comedy – its first animated original series – based on Gilbert Shelton’s cult classic underground comic.

In addition to Anthony, its all-star voice cast includes Woody Harrelson, John GoodmanPete DavidsonTiffany Haddish, Adam Devine, Blake Anderson, Andrea Savage and rapper ScHoolboy Q. They are all returning for the second season.

The series’ renewal follows strong viewership for season 1, which the streamer says delivered nearly twice as many viewers as the No. 2 series on the platform in its first seven weeks (November 14-January 3).

Based on Shelton’s The Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers, the series chronicles the escapades of a trio of stoner anti-establishment characters and their cat who wake up from a 50-year nap after smoking a magical strain of weed in 1969, and must adjust to life with a new family in present-day San Francisco.

“We’re excited to bring back our favorite trio of Freaks – and their trippy pet Kitty – for another wild season,” said Adam Lewinson, Chief Content Officer, Tubi. “The Freak Brothers has received overwhelming reception since its debut in November and has been a key driver in our growing adult comedy offering, cementing Tubi as a destination for adult animation.”

Produced by WTG Enterprises and distributed by LionsgateThe Freak Brothers is executive produced by Courtney Solomon and Mark Canton, along with showrunners Alan Cohen and Alan Freedland.

“We’re thrilled to embark on another even more freaky trip with Adam Lewinson, Rachel Koehler and the fantastic teams at Tubi, Fox and Lionsgate. And we’re most excited for our fans to twist one up and enjoy Season Two,” said EP Solomon.

Critiquing the Establishment, while satirizing counterculture at the same time, Shelton’s comics sold more than 45 million copies in 16 languages. Starburns Industries and Pure Imagination Studios, the studios behind Rick & Morty and The Simpsons: Brick Like Me, handled the animation for Season One.

“We’re pleased to continue our ‘trip’ with Fox and Tubi on a hilarious second season of The Freak Brothers,” said Lionsgate President of Domestic Television Distribution Ryan Lowerre. “With a fresh and inventive spin for their second season, Freewheelin’ Franklin, Fat Freddy, Phineas T. Phreakers and Kitty are ready to continue to grow the show’s audience.”

La La Anthony Joins Voice Cast of Animated Series “The Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers”

La La Anthony is freak-ing out…

The 38-year-old Puerto Rican actress has joined the voice cast of The Freak Brothers animated series adaptation.

La La Anthony

The series, based on The Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers, the 1960s underground cult comic created by Gilbert Shelton, follows three stoner characters who, after smoking a magical strain of weed in 1969, are transported 50 years into the future to 2020 bringing their ’60s San Francisco attitude to the modern world.

Woody Harrelson voices laid-back Freewheelin’ Franklin Freek, John Goodman voices man-child Fat Freddy Freekowtski, and Pete Davidson voices paranoid Phineas T. Phreakers.

Tiffany Haddish also features as Kitty, alongside Adam Devine and Blake Anderson, who play Chuck and Charlie, a couple of weed savants always looking for the next side-hustle with hearts of gold hidden beneath their unwashed exteriors.

Anthony voices Gretchen, a social-advocate lawyer who is the more idealistic and compassionate younger sister of Harper.

Lionsgate has partnered with WTG Enterprises, which owns the IP of the comic

“I have been into cartoons and animation for as long as I can remember and have dreamed of having the opportunity to voice an animated series,” says Anthony. “And to share the screen with some of the greatest comedians of our time is amazing. I’m excited to be a part of this project and can’t wait for fans to see the show.”

Anthony’s previous credits include Two Can Play That GameYou Got ServedThink Like a Man and Think Like a Man 2.

Fat Joe to Appear on the Upcoming “MDA Kevin Hart Kids Telethon”

Fat Joe’s got hart… And, he’s ready to share it with the world.

The 50-year-old Puerto Rican and Cuban American rapper, whose real name Joseph Antonio Cartagena, will take part in the MDA Kevin Hart Kids Telethon, the upcoming two-hour special hosted by Hart that reimagines the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s annual variety show fundraiser.

Fat-Joe

Fat Joe joins a lineup of talent additions that includes Don Cheadle, Common, Cindy Crawford, Whitney Cummings, Stephen Curry, Zachary Levi and Kelly Rowland.

The special, which will benefit the MDA and Help From the Hart Charity, streams live on Saturday from 8:00 – 10:00 p.m. ET on Hart’s LOL Network and its digital platforms YouTube and Pluto TV, as well as on TikTok, Triller and Twitch.

SiriusXM will air an encore of the show on its Laugh Out Loud Radio channel on October 26 at 4:00 pm ET and again the next day at 10:00 am ET.

The telethon will feature entertainment, comedy, musical performances and MDA’s Let’s Play For a Cure gaming elements, a gaming stream hosted by Zedd running simultaneously. A Telethon Showcase to celebrate the members of the neuromuscular community and hosted by Nancy O’Dell and Jann Carl will follow the two-hour main show. It will stream on the MDA’s Facebook page.

As a warmup, an MDA-hosted online auction on CharityBuzz featuring items from Serena Williams, Curry and others launches Friday at mda.org/telethon.

The latest talent additions to the lineup join previously announced guests including Garcelle Beauvais, Aloe Blacc, Jack Black, Usain Bolt, Bryan Cranston, Adam Devine, Josh Gad, Liz Gillies, Aldis Hodge, Edwin Hodge, Michael B. Jordan, DJ Khaled, Daniel Levy, Loni Love, Leslie Mann, Jillian Mercado, Robin Thicke, Gabrielle Union Wade and John David Washington.

Jonathan Krisel is directing.

 

Cabello to Perform with Pitbull & J Balvin at the MTV Movie & TV Awards

Camila Cabello is ready to take the stage…

The 20-year-old Cuban singer and former Fifth Harmony member will join Pitbull and J Balvin as performers for the 2017 MTV Movie & TV Awards on May 7.

Camila Cabello

The trio will perform their hit collaboration “Hey Ma,” which appears on the soundtrack to The Fate of the Furious.

The Fast & Furious franchise will receive the Generation Award at this year’s event, which, for the first time, will combine kudos for both the big and small screen.

Comedian Adam Devine will host the show live from the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles.

Since 1992, the Generation Award has honored artists for their body of work, with past recipients including Will Smith, Reese Witherspoon, Robert Downey Jr., Mark Wahlberg, Sandra BullockJamie Foxx, Johnny Depp, Ben StillerAdam Sandler, Mike Myers, Tom Cruise and Jim Carrey.

Vin Diesel and Michelle Rodriguez will accept the Generation Award on behalf of the Fast crew.

The Spanish-language version of “Hey Ma” debuted at No. 5 on Billboard‘s Hot Latin Songs chart dated April 1.

Rodriguez & Her Fast & Furious Co-Stars to Receive Generation Award at the MTV Movie & TV Awards

It’s a new generation for Michelle Rodriguez

The 38-year-old Puerto Rican and Dominican American actress and her fellow Fast & Furious franchise co-stars will receive the Generation Award at this year’s MTV Movie & TV Awards on May 7, marking the first time the award show will give the honor to a film franchise rather than an individual actor.

Michelle Rodriguez

Fast & Furious star and producer Vin Diesel will accept the award alongside his co-stars Rodriguez, who portrays Letty in the franchise, Tyrese Gibson and Jordan Brewster.

Since 1992, the Generation Award has honored talent with a body of work throughout their career that speaks directly to the MTV audience. Past recipients include Will Smith, Reese Witherspoon, Robert Downey Jr., Mark Wahlberg, Sandra Bullock, Jamie Foxx, Johnny Depp, Ben Stiller, Adam Sandler, Mike Myers, Tom Cruise and Jim Carrey.

MTV will air marathons of the first three Fast & Furious films this weekend. They’ll feature a trivia game hosted by stars Diesel and Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, offering social engagers a chance to win a trip to attend the MTV Movie & TV Awards.

The 2017 MTV Movie & TV Awards will be hosted by actor and comedian Adam Devine, with the telecast airing live on Sunday, May 7, at 8:00 pm EST from the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles.

Trejo to Participate in This Year’s Red Nose Day Special on NBC

It’s a Rudolph-like moment for Danny Trejo

The 72-year-old Mexican American actor, best known for portraying villains and anti-heroes, has signed on for NBC’s Red Nose Day Special.

Danny Trejo

The fundraiser, which aims to help lift kids out of poverty, will be broadcast live on May 26 from 9:00 – 11:oo pm ET on NBC.

The special, hosted by Craig Ferguson, features comedy, musical performances and short films that shed light on children in need here at home and around the world.

Also scheduled to make an appearance on the special are Chiwetel Ejiofor, Tony Hale, Iwan Rheon, Sterling K. Brown, Yvette Nicole Brown, Margot Robbie, Jane Lynch, Connie Britton, Jay Pharaoh, Mayim BialikEllen DeGeneres, Jack Black, Paul Rudd, Julianne Moore, Liam Neeson, Sarah Silverman, Tracy Morgan, Key & Peele, Anna Kendrick, Seth Rogen, Zac Efron and Ellie Kemper, along with Kristen Bell, Emma Watson, Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, Rose Byrne, Blake Griffin, Emma Thompson, Chloë Grace Moretz, Steve Buscemi, Adam Devine and Ron Funches. Additional talent will be announced at a later date.

Created by Oscar nominee and Emmy-winning writer-director Richard Curtis, the idea of Red Nose Day was built upon the foundation that mass media and celebrities can help raise money and awareness of poverty to save and change millions of lives.

Red Nose Day has raised more than $1 billion globally in the last 25 years, and in the UK has become a cultural phenomenon where people across the country come together to have fun, raise money and change lives.

Red Nose Day launched in the U.S. in 2015, and raised more than $23 million, with the money now at work in all 50 states and 15 countries internationally through programs to keep children and young people safe, healthy and educated.

Trailer Released for Plaza’s Comedy “Mike & Dave Need Wedding Dates”

Aubrey Plaza con’t lose…

The latest trailer has been released for Mike & Dave Need Wedding Dates, the comedy starring the 31-uear-old half-Puerto Rican actress, Adam Devine, Zac Efron and Anna Kendrick.

Mike & Dave Need Wedding Dates

The film centers on the Stangle brothers Mike (DeVine) and Dave (Efron), who frequently ruin family events with their dangerous antics. In order to prevent them from ruining their sister’s upcoming wedding in Hawaii, their parents mandate that they attend the wedding with dates. Their appearance on The Wendy Williams Show to advertise themselves catches the attention of Tatiana (Plaza) and Alice (Kendrick). After pretending to be civilized and respectable, Tatiana and Alice secure Mike and Dave as their respective dates. However, when they get to Hawaii, Mike and Dave find that their dates are much more wild and unhinged than they anticipated.

Jake Szymanski directs the film from a script by the Neighbors duo of Andrew Jay Cohen and Brendan O’Brien.

The film from 20th Century Fox opens in theaters on July 8.

Plaza to Star in the Comedy “Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates”

It’s wedding bells for Aubrey Plaza

The 30-year-old half-Puerto Rican actress/comedian will star in the Fox comedy Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates.

Aubrey Plaza

Toplined by Plaza, Zac Efron, Adam Devine and Anna Kendrick, the film revolves around two hard-partying and immature brothers who place an online ad to find plus-ones for a wedding, finding dates who out-party and out-immature them.

The film, which begins shooting this summer in Hawaii, will be directed by Jake Szymanski. The script was written by Andrew Cohen and Brendan Obrien.