By Ron Wynn NASHVILLE, TN — Two of Hollywood’s hottest performers are teamed in an upcoming Netflix film, and the trailer for it has just been released. “Malcolm & Marie” co-stars John David Washington and Zendaya and is the latest effort of “Euphoria” creator Sam Levinson. The new trailer can now be viewed on the Shadow and Act website. It is being billed as a “romantic drama.” The plot follows what happens when a filmmaker (Washington) and his girlfriend (Zendaya) return home following a celebratory movie premiere as he awaits what’s sure to be imminent critical and financial success. The…
Author: Ron Wynn
By Ron Wynn NASHVILLE, TN — Stephen A. Smith has thrived on ESPN by not being afraid to express himself in a vigorous, outspoken fashion. His daily morning show “First Take” remains both one of the network’s most popular and most controversial. But this week Smith is entering new territory, the world of streaming television as his new program “Stephen A’s World” launches on ESPN Plus. “You can already see me pontificating or debating, being very demonstrative, bringing some news to the question” on his regular show, Smith said Monday in an interview for Variety. “There is going to be…
By Ron Wynn NASHVILLE, TN — Last week’s column on Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores and the controversy raised by some prison reform advocates over his involvement with Secururs Technologies brought a response from Daniel Whelan, a representative of his investment company Platinum Equity. We’re always glad our columns and articles are widely read, and are giving them space to present their responses in full. First, they wanted our readers to know the NBA has weighed in on the question of whether Gores should divest his interest in the Pistons. Here is their response: “We understand Worth Rises’ passion for…
By Ron Wynn Now that they’ve managed to give all their fans heart attacks in the process of winning the AFC South for the first time since 2008, the Tennessee Titans turn their attention to the Baltimore Ravens this weekend as part of the NFL’s two-day, wild card tripleheader. They survived blowing a second half double-digit lead and outlasted the Houston Texans 41-38 Sunday to clinch the title and a home playoff game. It will be a continuation of a tense rivalry that once featured Eddie George going against Ray Lewis, Ed Reed and company. Now the Titans are facing…
By Ron Wynn NASHVILLE, TN — There will be lots of scrutiny focused on the results of the 2021 Grammys for multiple reasons. One will be its new host, comedian and “The Daily Show” host Trevor Noah. He’ll be center stage when the show airs Jan. 31 at 7 p.m. CST on CBS (locally WTVF-5). But more importantly, many are wondering whether it will be another night of snubs for vocalist/actress Beyonce. Her “Black Parade” dominated news when the nominations were announced, as it received nine. But many wondering if 2021 will be a repeat of 2017. That year Beyonce’s…
By Ron Wynn NASHVILLE, TN — BET is one of several new channels that are joining offerings available via the Hulu + Live TV bundle for the first time starting this year. It’s another sign of how much the streaming wars are heating up on the networks. Others joining the live package as part of a deal Hulu has reached with Viacom CBS includes Comedy Central and Paramount Network. It also includes continued carriage of CBS, CBS Sports Network, Pop TV, Smithsonian Channel and The CW. Premium cable channel Showtime also remains available as an add-on for Hulu live TV…
By Ron Wynn NASHVILLE, TN — The Nashville Predators haven’t had a home game since March and haven’t faced any opponent since their highly disappointing loss to the Arizona Coyotes last season in the NHL playoffs. But they will start preparing for what’s going to be a most unusual season Jan. 3. While the NHL is calling it the 2020-21 season, it’s being played totally from January until May. The season has been reduced from 82 games to 56, and the league has been realigned to get around problems with the Canadian franchises called by COVID-19 travel restrictions between the…
The NBA has long considered itself the most progressive league among American team sports. So when it finds itself in a dilemma over a social justice issue folks tend to take a much tougher, more critical look at what is happening. But in a current case involving Detroit Pistons majority owner Tom Gores, things aren’t quite so simple. It seems he ha taken steps both publicly and privately to signal his support for organizations and causes that fit the league’s profile, most notably Black Lives Matter. However Gores’ public statements are viewed as hollow by prison reform advocates. They instead…
By Ron Wynn NASHVILLE, TN — The Tennessee Titans face a team that once dominated the AFC South, but is now in disarray in the Houston Texans Sunday as the regular season concludes. The Texans season has been a disaster, one that saw them fire Bill O’Brien as head coach/general manager Oct. 5. Romeo Crennel has filled in as interim head coach, but it doesn’t seem he’s going to get a serious shot at the top spot. The Texans recently interviewed former Indianapolis Colts and Detroit Lions head coach Jim Caldwell, and they’ve also interviewed former Cincinnati Bengals head coach…
By Ron Wynn NASHVILLE, TN — Jamie Foxx has enjoyed a great amount of notoriety and fame, as well as winning both an Oscar and a Grammy. But he feels his latest role as the principal voice in Disney’s “Soul” is a career highlight. He told Variety last week it was vital for him to be himself in any role, and to be an advocate for positive Black images. “In my career, I’ve never had to apologize for being Black,” Foxx said. “I was on ‘In Living Color’ — I had a Black boss [Keenan Ivory Wayans, who Foxx touts…