The 26-year-old Latinx artist and social justice advocate will star in Queens of the Dead, a new horror comedy directed by Tina Romero, the daughter of legendary director George A. Romero.
Matos will star alongside Katy O’Brian, Margaret Cho, Brigette Lundy-Paine, Cheyenne Jackson, Nina West, Jaquel Spivey, Quincy Dunn-Baker, Becca Blackwell, Shaunette Renée Wilson, Dominique Jackson, Riki Lindhome and Eve Lindley in the film.
Co-written by Erin Judge and Tina Romero, the film pays tribute to the zombies from the elder Romero’s classic zombie films with a fresh, contemporary and queer twist, promising to offer a genre-smashing, glam-gore thrill ride through the zombie apocalypse.
From Vanishing Angle, the film follows an eclectic group of drag queens, club kids, and frenemies who must put aside their personal dramas and use their unique skills to combat the brain-thirsty undead when a zombie apocalypse breaks out during their drag show in Brooklyn.
George A. Romero, often referred to as the “Godfather of Zombies,” revolutionized the horror genre with his groundbreaking films Night of the Living Dead and Dawn of the Dead, with his work influencing countless filmmakers and becoming a cornerstone of modern horror.
Following George’s 2017 passing, Tina Romero looks to carry the torch with a talent-rich film loaded with practical effects, jump scares, laughs, and lumbering zombies amassing on the streets of Brooklyn. Given its focus on the historically disenfranchised LGBTQ+ population, the film should fit in naturally with George A. Romero’s oeuvre, which used a zombie apocalypse to examine social injustice, among many other themes.
“This is the cast of my wildest dreams. In a movie about survival, you gotta love and root for the survival crew,” said Romero in a statement about the project. “Every single person in this ensemble brings such a special and specific flavor -both on and off screen. The result is truly a magic sauce.”
Matos’ previous credits include Fire Island and Fantasmas.
The Puerto Rican actress will star in the Night Kitchen Films and Phillm Productions’ dark comedy Evilou.
Alvarez will star opposite Margaret Cho and DJ Qualls in the project.
This is the feature directorial debut of Andrew Zappin, who also penned the script.
Production is now underway in Los Angeles with the film slated for release in 2024 with North American and international rights still available.
Evilou is a dark comedy love story about Lou Vile (Qualls) – a bitter, shock-jock podcaster who has devoted his life to waging war on love. When he falls for a charming single-mother (Álvarez), Lou decides to undergo a personality-altering medical procedure in a desperate attempt to win her affection. Cho joins the cast as the hip and enlightened boss at Earwig Media, Lou’s dream job that rejects him before his life-changing procedure.
“Andrew Zappin has written an incredibly unique and refreshing script that captures the absurdity of the human condition” says producer David J. Phillips, “and we’re delighted that the incredibly underrated DJ Qualls is the film’s lead. Coupling his talent with the rooted emotional range of Marisé Álvarez and now the comedic genius of Margaret Cho puts us in perfect position to bring Andrew’s fun and thought-provoking script to its full potential.”
Alvarez’s previous credits include Obi-Wan Kenobi, The Resort and Che: Part One.
HBO Max will premiere the second season of The Flight Attendant, featuring the 57-year-old Puerto Rican actress and activist, on April 21 with two episodes.
The eight-episode season continues with two new episodes on April 28, followed by one episode weekly, concluding May 26.
In Season 2, Cassie Bowden (Kaley Cuoco) returns with a fresh start in Los Angeles. She’s sober and moonlighting as a CIA asset in her spare time. But when an overseas assignment leads her to inadvertently witness a murder, she becomes entangled in another international intrigue.
The season filmed in Los Angeles, Berlin and Reykjavik.
Returning series regulars also include Perez, Zosia Mamet, Griffin Matthews and Deniz Akdeniz. T.R. Knight, Yasha Jackson, and Audrey Grace Marshall are returning recurring guest stars.
The season also stars new series regulars Mo McRae, Callie Hernandez, and JJ Soria, as well as new recurring guest stars Alanna Ubach, Cheryl Hines, Jessie Ennis, Mae Martin, Margaret Cho, Santiago Cabrera, Sharon Stone and Shohreh Aghdashloo.
The Flight Attendant is developed by showrunner Steve Yockey, who serves as executive producer alongside co-showrunner and executive producer Natalie Chaidez. Greg Berlanti, Cuoco, Sarah Schechter, David Madden, Suzanne McCormack, and Silver Tree are executive producers. Jess Meyer is co-executive producer and Bonnie Munoz is producer.
The series is produced by Warner Bros. Television, Cuoco’s Yes, Norman Productions, and Berlanti Productions. Season one was based on the novel of the same name by New York Times bestselling author Chris Bohjalian.
The 46-year-old Puerto Rican and Mexican American actress will appear on Season 2 of HBO Max’s critically acclaimed series The Flight Attendantas a recurring guest star.
Ubach will appear in the new season—which is currently in production—alongside returning series regulars Kaley Cuoco, Zosia Mamet, Griffin Matthews, Deniz Akdeniz and Rosie Perez; new series regulars Mo McRae, Callie Hernandez and JJ Soria; returning recurring guest stars T.R. Knight, Yasha Jackson and Audrey Grace Marshall; and new recurring guest stars Cheryl Hines, Jessie Ennis, Mae Martin, Margaret Cho, Santiago Cabrera and Shohreh Aghdashloo.
The Max Original, based on Chris Bohjalian’s 2018 novel of the same name, centers on Cassie Bowden (Cuoco), a reckless flight attendant with an alcohol problem who in Season 1, wakes up in the wrong hotel, in the wrong bed, with a dead man—and no idea what happened.
Season 2 finds Cassie living her best sober life in Los Angeles while moonlighting as a CIA asset in her spare time. But when an overseas assignment leads her to inadvertently witness a murder, she becomes entangled in another international brouhaha.
Ubach will play Carol Atkinson, also known as Black Market Carol, a perfectly groomed, icy flight attendant who is not a fan of Cassie.
Ubach is best known for her work in the Legally Blondefilms, along with her turn as Mamá Imelda in Disney/Pixar’s Coco, and as Jo Hernandez-Frumpkis in the Bravo series Girlfriends’ Guide to Divorce.
She recurs opposite Kate Beckinsale on the Paramount+ series Guilty Party, and will return for the sophomore seasons of Disney+’s Monsters at Work, HBO’s Euphoria, and Hulu’s Crossing Swords.
The actress has also appeared in Netflix’s Maya and the Three, Fox’s Filthy Rich, FX’s Snowfall,AMC’sDietland,Amazon’s Hand of God, Showtime’s Californicationand HBO’s Hung, among others.
Additional film credits include Bombshell, Gloria Bell,To the Bone, Bad Teacher, Rango,Waiting… and its sequel Still Waiting… and Clockwatchers.
Juan Pablo Di Pace is ready to take your call… all for a great cause.
Project Angel Food will be holding a special telethon this Saturday, June 27, with the 40-year-old Argentinian actor/singer and Fuller House scene-stealer set to man the phones.
The Lead With Love: Project Angel FoodEmergency Telethon will air from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm PT on KTLA 5in Los Angeles and stream live on the channel’s website and on the Project Angel Food page.
The goal is to raise $500,000 to support Project Angel Food’s COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund, set up for increased needs due to the coronavirus. In the past two months, the organization has gone from serving 1,600 people a day, to serving 2,000 people a day.
Along with a mix of in-studio and virtual appearances, the telethon will include a live phone bank where callers can talk to celebrity guests, including Di Pace, Jonathan Adams, Joely Fisher, Rachel Lindsay, Peter Porte, Charlie Carver, Lawrence Zarian, Sasha Roiz and Lauren Tom.
Scheduled performers include Annie Lennox, Kristin Chenoweth and Kelly Clarkson, with Eric McCormack, Sheryl Lee Ralph and Jessica Holmes hosting.
Other performers include Cee Lo Green, Deborah Cox and Billy Idol, and the event will include appearances by Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, Elton John, Jamie Lee Curtis, Sharon Stone, Marie Osmond, Zachary Levi, Pauley Perrette, Marianne Williamson, John Goodman, Valerie Bertinelli, Marlee Matlin, Olivia Newton-John, Kelly Osbourne, Margaret Cho, Charo, Danny Trejo, Matt Bomer,Cheryl Tiegs, Tyler Henry, Carson Kressley,Eileen Davidson, Chrissy Metz, Sandra Lee, Lisa Rinna, Harry Hamlin, Jimmy Smits, Victoria Principal, Yvette Nicole Brown, Loni Love, Chaz Dean, Sasha Alexander, Ron Cey and Josh Flagg.
The event is being presented by City National Bank, and executive producer is Brad Bessey. Lisa Foxx will serve as announcer and auctioneer Gabriel Butu will be the money man.
Founded in 1989 during the AIDS crisis, Project Angel Food medically tailored meals to people with life-threatening illnesses, including those who are at high risk for COVID-19.
“This event will blend the best nostalgic elements from the Jerry Lewis Telethon with the modern virtual fundraisers of today,” Project Angel Food executive director Richard Ayoub said in a statement.
Click here for more information on the event and learn how to donate.
The 59-year-old Mexican American comedian and actor will take part in the Byron Allen-driven comedy fundraiser for Feeding America.
The fundraiser will be held on Sunday, May 10 from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm ET, with NBCbroadcasting the show.
In addition to Lopez, the program will include participation from Sebastian Maniscalco, JB Smoove, Jim Gaffigan, Judd Apatow, Jack Black, Cedric the Entertainer, Whitney Cummings, Jim Gaffigan, Brad Garrett, Whoopi Goldberg, Kevin James, Sarah Silverman and Kenan Thompson.
Others taking part include Kevin Hart, Chris Rock, Adam Sandler, Eddie Murphy, Billy Crystal, Marlon Wayans, Howie Mandel, Tiffany Haddish, Brad Garrett, Taraji P. Henson, Louie Anderson, Margaret Cho, Kenan Thompson, Marc Maron, Jon Lovitz, Caroline Rhea, Byron Allen, Billy Gardell, Tim Meadows, Jamie Kennedy, Bill Engvalland Sheryl Underwood.
Byron Allen’s Allen Media Group television production division Entertainment Studios and Funny or Die will be producing the live-streaming comedy event.
The fundraiser will support the hunger-relief organization Feeding America.
Additionally, the event will livestream on the Allen Media Group TV networks Comedy.TV and The Weather Channel, as well as on the free streaming service app Local Now.
Pre-recorded comedy segments will be featured during the three-hour event. Committed to appearing are Hart, Sandler, Murphy, Rock, etc.
Allen, founder/chair/CEO of Entertainment Studios/Allen Media Group, said the benefit will help hungry people who are straining the resources of the nation’s food banks during the pandemic shutdown.
“Laughter is often the best medicine, and we are extremely motivated to bring attention to issues of food insecurity, and to assist in providing meals to families across the country who are financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said Wednesday.
“The coronavirus pandemic and the economic downturn it has created is shining a light on the fragile nature of people’s household budgets,” said Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, CEO of Feeding America, a nationwide network of 200 food banks. “Millions more of our neighbors are turning to food banks for help and we cannot thank Byron Allen and Allen Media Group enough for their support to raise funds and awareness of our work.”
Tom Segurais bringing the jokes to the City of Angels…
The 40-year-old half-Peruvian American comedian is set to take part in Netflix’s Netflix is a Joke Fest, set forApril 27-May 3 in Los Angeles.
For one week, the streaming giant is partnering with Live Nationto bring more than 100 live shows and events to various venues in L.A. with recorded shows available on the platform later this year.
Netflix Is A Joke, Netflix’s comedy brand, will present the all-star fest that will include Segura, Cristela Alonzo, Ali Wong, Amy Schumer, Bill Burr, Dave Chappelle, David Letterman, Jamie Foxx, Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin, Kevin Hart, Martin Lawrence, Sebastian Maniscalco, the cast of Schitt’s Creekand more.
The festival will include a special Latino-themed stand up showtitled Los Comediantes de Latinoamérica. The show will feature a who’s who of Latin American comedians. Special guests include Fabrizio Copano, Liss Pereira, Ricardo O’Farrill, and Ricardo Quevedo.
In addition, the fest will feature STAND OUT: An LGBTQ+ Celebration,putting the spotlight on LGBTQ+ comedic talent including Bianca del Rio, Wanda Sykes, Alan Carr, Hannah Gadsby, Margaret Cho, Rosie O’Donnelland Sandra Bernhard.
The fest will close on May 3 with the very first The Hall,a first-of-its-kind hall of fame honoring the greats of stand-up comedy. Dave Chappelle, Kevin Hart, Chris Rock, Billy Crystal, Whoopi Goldberg, Jerry Seinfeld, Sarah Silverman, Wanda Sykes and others will pay homage to and induct comedy legends George Carlin, Richard Pryor,Joan Riversand Robin Williamsinto The Hall. The Hall will be taped at the Ace Theaterin L.A. and stream in May.
The Hallwill have a physical home in a newly designed wing of the National Comedy Centerin Jamestown, New York.
“It’s our honor to transform LA for one week into the funniest place on earth,” said Ted Sarandos, Netflix Chief Content Officer. “This festival is a unique celebration of the art of comedy, and the role it plays in reflecting our lives and defining culture. It’s a chance for comedy lovers to come together and see their favorite artists as well as discover new ones, and for us to be able to share the electricity and excitement of the festival in Los Angeles with Netflix members around the world.”
The festival will take place across over 20 venues in L.A. including the Hollywood Bowl, Greek Theatre, Hollywood Palladium, The Largo and others.
Read the complete list of live and recorded events and shows below.
THE THEATRE AT ACE HOTEL The Hall: Honoring the Greats of Stand-Up (recorded) The best comedians of today honoring the greatest stand-up comedians of all-time. With appearances by Dave Chappelle, Kevin Hart, Chris Rock, Billy Crystal, Whoopi Goldberg, Jerry Seinfeld, Sarah Silverman, & Wanda Sykes.
THE HOLLYWOOD BOWL Chappelle’s An evening of music and comedy featuring Dave Chappelle and very special guests.
THE GREEK STAND OUT: An LGBTQ+ celebration at The Greek Theatre (recorded) A Historic Celebration of the best in LGBTQ+ Comedy. Legends, headliners, and top emerging talent will share the same stage at The Greek Theatre for an unforgettable and unprecedented stand-up event with special guests and musical performances. Headliners include Alan Carr, Hannah Gadsby, Margaret Cho, Rosie O’Donnell, Sandra Bernhard and Wanda Sykes. Presenters include Demi Lovato, Graham Norton, Lily Tomlin, Ruby Rose. Featuring Bianca Del Rio, Fortune Feimster, Gina Yashere, Guy Branum, James Adomian, Joel Kim Booster, Judy Gold, Lea DeLaria, Mae Martin, Marsha Warfield, Matteo Lane, Patti Harrison, Rhea Butcher, Sam Jay, Scott Thompson, Solomon Georgio, Trixie Mattel and more. STAND OUT is produced by Page Hurwitz and Wanda Sykes for Push It Productions.
THE FONDA That’s My Time with David Letterman (recorded) Legendary late-night host David Letterman returns to his roots to showcase some of today’s finest stand up comedians to perform and then join him for a one-of-a-kind interview.
THE PALLADIUM Netflix Is A Joke at The Palladium Hosted by Jamie Foxx (recorded) Megastar and Oscar-winner Jamie Foxx hosts this loaded lineup featuring some of his favorite comedians!
Netflix Is A Joke at The Palladium Hosted by Amy Schumer (recorded) Movie star and powerhouse standup Amy Schumer hosts this epic night filled with some of Netflix’s hottest comedians!
Netflix Is A Joke at The Palladium Hosted by Martin Lawrence (recorded) From Def Comedy Jam 25, superstar comedian Martin Lawrence returns to Netflix to host an evening of heavy hitting stand-up.
Netflix Is A Joke at The Palladium Hosted by Jane Fonda & Lily Tomlin (recorded) Comedy icons and Grace & Frankie stars Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin host an evening of top notch stand-up from an all-lady lineup.
THE WILTERN
Sebastian Maniscalcolive
Ali Wong: The Milk and MoneyTourlive
2 Bears, 1 Cave with Tom Segura & Bert Kreischer live podcast
The Degenerates Live Hosted by Jim Jefferies
The Degenerates is BACK and it’s LIVE. You loved the first two seasons of this no-holds-barred comedy show featuring the hottest rising stars of comedy. Now this crude and lewd show is hitting LA for a special Live edition hosted by Jim Jefferies featuring Big Jay Oakersen, Christina P, Ms. Pat, Robert Kelly and more.
Ronny Chieng live
Park Na-rae live
Ken Jeong live
Chelsea Handler live
THE ORPHEUM
Kevin Hart in Conversation – A moderated Q&A session with comedy superstar and business mogul Kevin Hart.
Iliza Shlesinger The Forever Tour
Schitt’s Creek: The Farewell Tour with Dan Levy, Eugene Levy, Catherine O’Hara, Annie Murphy , Noah Reid, Emily Hampshire. Join Schitt’s Creek cast members for a live, interactive evening that promises to be fun and insightful while giving fans an insider’s look into the making of the series.
Jack Whitehall live
WILSHIRE EBELL
Mike Birbiglia live
Congratulations with Chris D’Elia live podcast
Michelle Wolf live
Middleditch & Schwartz improv live
PALACE
Norm Macdonald live
THE AVALON
Pete Davidson & Best Friends (recorded)
Pete Davidson and his friends are doing stand-up comedy for you and your friends.
Los Comediantes de Latinoamérica(recorded)
Los Comediantes de Latinoamérica is a loaded stand up show featuring a who’s who of Latin American comedians. Special guests include Fabrizio Copano, Liss Pereira, Ricardo O’Farrill, and Ricardo Quevedo.
The India All Star Show hosted by Vir Das (recorded)
The India All Star Show is jam packed with the best stand up comedians from India featuring performances in both Hindi and English. Special guests include: Aditi Mittal, Amit Tandon, Kanan Gill, Kaneez Surka, Kenny Sebastian, Prashasti Singh, and Sumukhi Suresh.
REGENT
Marlon Wayans live
Russell Howard live
Deon Cole live
Christina Pazsitzky live
Vir Das live
LARGO
Jacqueline Novak Get On Your Knees live
Jenny Slate live
Katherine Ryan live
Tom Papa & Fortune Feimster live
Whitney Cummings & Friends live
DYNASTY TYPEWRITER
Cristela Alonzo live
Taylor Tomlinson live
Catherine Cohen live
London Hughes live
Mo Gilligan live
The Endless Honeymoon with Moshe Kasher & Natasha Leggero live podcast
COMEDY UNION
The Arsenio Hall Comedy Showcase (recorded for SiriusXM)
Arsenio Hall presents a lineup of the funniest comedians in LA at the legendary Comedy Union.
IMPROV
Whindersson Nunes & Friends live
They Ready Live live
Luenell live
IMPROV LAB AND IMPROV LAB
Janelle James & Friends live
Trevor Wilson live
Pat live
LAUGH FACTORY
Best of Canada live
THE ROOSEVELT HOTEL
Tim Dillon live
Chad Goes Deep “Going Deep” live podcast
THE BELASCO
Felipe Esparza live
DETAILS FORTHCOMING
Bumping Mics with Jeff Ross & Dave Attell Season 2 (recorded)
Best buds Jeff Ross and Dave Attell are bringing their uncut savagery for an all new season of Bumping Mics. Inviting friends and special guests from all over comedy to hang, riff and roast one another. No mic will go un-bumped.
The 45-year-old Puerto Rican actor and gay rights activist will executive produce Apple’s new docuseries Visible: Out On Television to its growing slate of original series on Apple TV+.
The five-part television event shines a spotlight on how the LGBTQ movement shaped television and comes from Emmy-nominated filmmakers Ryan White and Jessica Hargrave.
Visible: Out on Televisioninvestigates the importance of television as a medium that has shaped the American conscience, and how the LGBTQ movement influenced what we watch on TV.
Each hour-long episode will explore themes like invisibility, homophobia, the evolution of the LGBTQ character, and coming out in the television industry.
The docuseries includes archival footage as well as interviews with key players from the movement and the screen.
Visible will feature Janet Mock, Margaret Cho, Asia Kate Dillon, Neil Patrick Harris and Lena Waithe as narrators. It will also include never-before-seen interviews with Ellen DeGeneres, Oprah Winfrey, Anderson Cooper, Billy Porter, Rachel Maddow, Don Lemon, Sara Ramirez, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, among others in the community.
In addition to Cruz, the docuseries will be executive produced by Wanda Sykes.
Visible: Out On Television willdebut on February 14, 2020, exclusively on Apple TV+.
Cruz is known for playing Rickie Vasquez on My So-Called Life, and Angel in the Broadway tour production of Rent. His other credits include Star Trek: Discovery, Noah’s Arc, and Party of Five.
The Puerto Rican actress/writer will be part of the inaugural slate for female-focused podcast network Earios.
Delgado’s podcast is entitled The Alarmist. The Good Placeactress sits down with a guest to analyze and scrutinize history’s greatest disasters, from the sinking of the Titanic to the break-up of The Beatles, to find out what went wrong and who is to blame.
Delgado’s podcast joins a roster that includes projects by Love creator Lesley Arfin, Margaret Choand Glow’sKimmy Gatewood
Earios was set up by former UTAand WME comedy agent Priyanka Mattoo, who also ran Electric Dynamitewith Jack Black, Maria Blasucciand Amanda Lund.
Last year, the company successfully raised money through a Kickstartercampaign and secured enough to launch 12 shows this year. It has also partnered with podcast company Acastto launch the slate, which will launch three shows at the start of July and will run new shows every couple of weeks.
It’s designed to produce female-fronted podcasts after Lund and Blasucci, who previously hosted their own independent shows, failed to find podcast companies run by women even though over 30% of shows are hosted or co-hosted by women and women make up half of podcast listeners.
The 44-year-old Puerto Rican and Brazilian American broadcast journalist, the Today Show West Coast anchor and an NBC News correspondent, will appear on this season of NBC’s Hollywood Game Night.
Hosted by Glee star Jane Lynch, this game night show brings regular people face-to-face with celebrities.
In addition to Morales, this season’s famous contestants include Sterling K. Brown, Chrissy Metz, Justin Hartley from This Is Us, Ben Feldman from Superstore, plus Michael Bolton, NE-YO, Mike Colter, Margaret Cho, Gabby Douglas, Taye Diggs, and RuPaul.
Hollywood Game Night will premiere on Monday, August 7 at 10 pm ET.
Matos will star alongside Katy O’Brian, Margaret Cho, Brigette Lundy-Paine, Cheyenne Jackson, Nina West, Jaquel Spivey, Quincy Dunn-Baker, Becca Blackwell, Shaunette Renée Wilson, Dominique Jackson, Riki Lindhome and Eve Lindley in the film.
