Max has renewed its sports book series Bookie, featuring the 50-year-old Cuban & Chilean American actor and former Loststar, for a second season.
The renewal comes two weeks after the season one finale of the show, which stars Sebastian Maniscalco.
From Chuck Lorre and Nick Bakay, the series follows bookie Danny (Maniscalco) as he and his partner, former NFL star Ray (Omar Dorsey), romp around Los Angeles trying to keep their illegal sports betting operation in play.
The series premiered on November 30.
Season 2 presumably will show whether Danny can win back the affections of his wife Sandra, played by Andrea Anders, after his Super Bowl win seems to have torn them apart, as well as Ray dealing with the fallout of his mother’s wedding, which saw the groom seemingly die at the alter.
Produced by Warner Bros. Television, Bookie also stars Vanessa Ferlito as Danny’s side-hustling sister Lorraine, Garcia as reluctantly reformed drug dealer turned soccer expert Hector and Maxim Swinton as Sandra’s ten year old son.
Charlie Sheen also reunited with Lorre for a few appearances.
“The collaboration between Chuck and Sebastian has proven to be a winning hand and we’re looking forward to continuing the story with this incredibly talented cast and crew,” says Amy Gravitt, executive vice president, HBO Programming, Head of HBO & Max Comedy Series.
Channing Dungey, chairman, Warner Bros. Television Group added, “There’s no doubt that Chuck and Nick’s Bookie won big this season as they took us on a hilarious ride into the underbelly of illegal sports gambling, featuring a cast led by another dynamic duo: Sebastian Maniscalco and Omar J. Dorsey. I’m looking forward to watching more of their antics in Season 2. Congratulations to the entire cast and crew, and thanks to our partners at Max.”
Cardi B is preparing for a rockin’ New Year’s Eve.
Only five days before it airs, has added the 31-year-old half-Dominican American Grammy-winning rap superstar and hip-hop legend LL Cool J to its lineup.
The “Up” singer will appear poolside from Fontainebleau MiamiBeach, while her “WAP” collaborator Megan Thee Stallion was previously on the bill.
Meanwhile, Brooklyn-raised rap icon LL Cool J will perform in Times Square just before midnight.
New Year’s Rockin’ Eve is also introducing a new vertical of comedic show segments with Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias, Matt Friend, Ms. Pat and Sebastian Maniscalco adding commentary on the past year.
Ryan Seacrest returns as host of the ABC and Dick Clark Productions live show with co-host Rita Ora leading the festivities from New York’s Times Square with artists Megan Thee Stallion, Jelly Roll, Sabrina Carpenter and Tyla.
Jeannie Mai will lead the Hollywood festivities, with Aqua, Doechii, Ellie Goulding, Green Day, Janelle Monáe, Loud Luxury x Two Friends with Bebe Rexha, Ludacris, Nile Rodgers & CHIC, Paul Russell, Reneé Rapp with Coco Jones and Thirty Seconds to Mars to perform in California.
New Year’s Rockin’ Eve will once again feature a Spanish language countdown with Dayanara Torres returning as co-host from Puerto Rico’s Convention Center.
The 57-year-old part-Spanish actor and former Two and a Half Men star will reunite with Chuck Lorre on the Max comedy series How To Be a Bookie, according to Deadline.com.
Sheen is set for a recurring role in the single-camera comedy headlined by Sebastian Maniscalco, which hails from Two and a Half Men studio Warner Bros. Television where Lorre is based.
Reps for Max and WBTV declined comment.
The project is part of a television comeback for Sheen, who is also attached to star in the dramedy project Ramble Onfrom Doug Ellin.
Sheen and Lorre’s eight-year collaboration on one of the most successful comedy series of the past two decades, CBS’ Two and a Half Men, starring Sheen and co-created and executive produced by Lorre, came to an abrupt end in the spring of 2011 when Sheen’s public meltdown and verbal attacks on Lorre led to his firing, triggering a $100 million lawsuit against Lorre and WBTV, which was eventually settled.
Since then, Sheen had taken responsibility for his actions and had expressed regret over his Two and a Half Men exit and an intent to make amends with the top comedy showrunner. That has now happened, resulting in the duo’s collaboration on How To Be a Bookie.
In How To Be a Bookie, co-written by Lorre and Nick Bakay, a veteran bookie (Maniscalco) struggles to survive the impending legalization of sports gambling, increasingly unstable clients, family, co-workers, and a lifestyle that bounces him around every corner of Los Angeles high and low.
Omar J. Dorsey, Jorge Garcia, Andrea Anders, Vanessa Ferlito and Maxim Swinton also star.
Lorre, who is directing the first episode, executive produces through his Chuck Lorre Productions and its overall deal with WBTV alongside Bakay, Maniscalco, Judi Marmel and Andy Tennant, who is directing multiple episodes.
The series is currently in production.
Sheen earned four Emmy nominations for his starring role on Two and a Half Men. Following the end of the multi-camera series, he headlined another sitcom, Anger Management, which aired 100 episodes on FX, and guest starred on ABC’sThe Goldbergs.
The 49-year-old Chilean and Cuban American actor and comedian will star opposite Sebastian Maniscalco in HBO Max’s original comedy series How To Be A Bookie, from Chuck Lorre and Warner Bros. Television.
Garcia, who rose to acclaim on ABC’s Lost, is among a list of new cast additions that includes Omar J. Dorsey, Andrea Anders and Vanessa Ferlito.
Co-written by Lorre and Nick Bakay, in How To Be A Bookie, veteran bookie Danny (Maniscalco) struggles to survive the impending legalization of sports gambling, increasingly unstable clients, family, co-workers, and a lifestyle that bounces him around every corner of Los Angeles, high and low.
Garcia will portray Hector. A weed dealer whose business cratered when pot became legal, Hector is a cautionary tale for Danny and Ray as they watch sports betting go legit, state by state. Now reduced to driving for Lyft and none too pleased about it, Hector makes himself an invaluable, if occasionally volatile asset to the operation.
Lorre and Bakay will serve as executive producers along with Maniscalco and Judi Marmel. Warner Bros. Television, where Lorre and his Chuck Lorre Productions are under an overall deal, is the studio.
Garcia is known for his roles as Jerry Ortega on Hawaii Five-Oand as Hugo ‘Hurley’ Reyes on Lost. On the big screen he can currently be seen in The Munstersdirected by Rob Zombie.
Anya Taylor-Joy is preparing for her next royal excursion…
Illumination and Nintendo have announced the powerhouse voice cast for their upcoming Super Mario Bros. animated film, which includes the 25-year-old Argentine American actress.
Taylor-Joy, who earned an Emmy nomination for her performance in Queen’s Gambit, will star as Princess Peach in the film, which will hit cinemas on December 21, 2022.
Playing the fraternal, mushroom digesting plumbers and squashers of turtles are Chris Pratt as Mario and Charlie Day as Luigi.
Playing bad guy Bowser is Jack Black, Keegan-Michael Key as Toad, Seth Rogen as Donkey Kong, Fred Armisen as Cranky Kong, Kevin Michael Richardson as Kamek, and stand-up comedian Sebastian Maniscalco as Spike.
“Each voice actor was cast for their ability to capture the unique spirit of their character,” reads the release.
The co-financed feature between Universal and Nintendo will be directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic, who previously collaborated on the animated series Teen Titans Go!and the film Teen Titans Go! To the Movies.
The film’s screenplay will be written by Matthew Fogel, whose credits include The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Partand the upcoming Illumination feature Minions: The Rise of Gru.
Future offshore release dates will be announced.
“Mario and Luigi are two of the most beloved heroes in all of popular culture, and we are honored to have the unique opportunity to work so closely with Shigeru Miyamoto and the widely imaginative team at Nintendo to bring these characters to life in an animated movie, unlike any film Illumination has made to date,” said Chris Meledandri who is also an outside director of Nintendo.
“We are collaborating with Chris and his experienced team to not just create a character licensed film, but a new piece of entertainment which brings Super Mario Bros. to life on the screen, and allows everyone to enjoy whether or not they know about the game. The production so far is constructive and going very well, and both parties are learning a lot from each other. We humbly ask that fans wait just a little longer for the premiere, and we hope they look forward to seeing the unique characters from Super Mario Bros. on the big screen,” said Miyamoto.
Super Mario Bros. is a huge franchise play for Universal and Illumination. Already, there’s a Super Mario Bros. land open at the Universal Japan theme park with others under construction at Universal Hollywood and Universal Orlando.
The movie has been a long awaited revival for fans. There was a live action movie in 1993 starring Bob Hoskins as Mario and John Leguizamo as Luigi and Dennis Hopper as baddie King Koopa. There was also in the late 1980s The Super Mario Bros. Super Show! animated series which starred Captain Lou Albano as the voice of Mario and Danny Wells as the voice of Luigi.
Mario Brothers was designed by Shigeru Miyamoto and Gunpei Yokoi, Nintendo’s chief engineer in 1983. Super Mario Bros. the subseries, was launched in 1985. It is the best-selling video game franchise of all time, with more than 758.06 million copies of games sold, including 388.92 million for the Super Mario games alone.
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 31-year-old actress, stand-up comedian, impressionist and Saturday Night Live cast member is set to guest star on the new season of Jerry Seinfeld’s Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee.
The series, created and executive produced by Seinfeld, features vintage cars, funny conversations and a lot of caffeine as Jerry picks up each guest in a special car.
In addition to Villaseñor, SNL’s first Latina cast member, other guest stars for the new season include Martin Short, Ricky Gervais, Matthew Broderick, Eddie Murphy, Jamie Foxx, Sebastian Maniscalco, Mario Joyner, Bridget Everettand Barry Marder.
Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee Season 11 premieres July 19 on Netflix.
The renewal comes two weeks after the season one finale of the show, which stars Sebastian Maniscalco.
