BILL VAUGHAN'S TASTY CLIPS: Justin Simien Brings 'Hollywood Black' To MGM+

August 11 marks the MGM+ debut of the highly anticipated “Hollywood Black,” chronicling the history of cinema, but from a radically Black perspective.

The docuseries features interviews and in-depth conversations between its executive producer and director Justin Simien (“Dear White People”) and filmmakers, academics and historians, such as: Ryan Coogler, Ava DuVernay, Gina Prince-Bythewood, LaKeith Stanfield, Gabrielle Union, Forest Whitaker, and more.

“I was lucky enough to see The Wiz at a young age and fell in love with the artful and bold filmmaking that was about us,” Simien has said. “That was the beginning of my love for cinema and storytelling." 

At its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival, an engaging Q&A session afterwards garnered some comments of note.

Donald Bogle, author and historian shared, "When Justin reached out to opt my book, ‘Hollywood Black: The Stars, the Films, the Filmmakers,’ the reason I said ‘yes’ was because in our conversation, I realized he would capture the love necessary in sharing the history of Blacks in cinema which was important."

Emmy-winning writer, producer, and actor Lena Waithe who appears throughout ‘Hollywood Black’ as an interviewee spoke to the issue of ownership, saying, "The entertainment business is tough because most times you are selling your ideas and content to studios and you don't own your work. You have to be strategic and figure out how to make the business work for you like chess. It's hard but telling Black stories including Queer stories is needed and necessary."

When W. Kamau Bell, the stand-up comedian, director and producer behind the Emmy-winning docuseries “United Shades of America,” was asked about the way Gen Z audiences consume media and the decline in box office numbers, he said, "Gen Z will be fine. They might not be going to the theaters, but they are creating content and telling stories on social media platforms that connect with their community, and culture. Studios and companies just need to figure out how to lean in, bridge the gap, and monetize the audience."

New episodes of ‘Hollywood Black’ premiere Sundays on MGM+.

TICKET WATCH: The just announced R&B Forever Tour reuniting TGT (Tyrese, Ginuwine, and Tank) on a bill with Bell Biv Devoe is coming to the Intuit Dome on Oct. 4. Tickets go on sale to the public Aug. 9 for all dates at Ticketmaster.

RED CARPET WALK: John Cena, Awkwafina, and Simu Liu are expected Aug. 13 at TCL Chinese Theatre for the Hollywood premiere of their film “Jackpot!” The action comedy arrives on Prime Video two days later.  

CLIPPETTES: The Skirball Center presents Cameroonian-American singer-songwriter Vagabon on Aug. 9; while Seal is with Emily King at the Hollywood Bowl; Pancho Sanchez is at the Venice West; and the 35th Long Beach Jazz Festival begins three days at Marina Green Park with a lineup that includes Jeffrey Osborne, Kirk Whalum, Gerald Albright, Keiko Matsui, Brian Simpson, Tom Browne, October London, Jonathan Butler, Jeff Lorber, Jeanette Harris, Everette Harp and more …  

Levitt Pavilion Los Angeles Dub Club Presents The Wailing Souls and DJ Boss Harmony in a free concert on Aug. 10; as the Black Hollywood Education and Resource Center’s 26th Annual Reel Black Men Short Film Showcase is being held at the Directors Guild of America …

Also that evening, Jon Batiste comes to the Greek Theatre, Alanis Morrisette is at The Forum with special guests Joan Jett & the Blackhearts and Morgan Wade, YG & Doe Boy are at Anaheim’s House of Blues, and Margaret Cho & Friends perform at Largo …

The Hollywood Improv hosts Long Time No See with Arsenio Hall, Donnell Rawlings, and others on Aug. 11 …

Vince Vaughn gets his star on the Walk of Fame (6201 Hollywood Blvd., near Argyle) on Aug. 12 at 11:30 a.m.  The actor and producer’s new Apple TV+ series “Bad Monkey” with Jodie Turner-Smith, L. Scott Caldwell, Natalie Martinez and Michelle Monaghan, premieres two nights later on the streaming service …

On Aug. 13, the Grammy Museum mixes conversation with performance for An Evening with Brittany Howard.

Meanwhile, Inglewood’s Miracle Theater presents the Malik Books launch of Jay Ellis’ memoir “Did Everyone Have an Imaginary Friend (or Just Me)?: Adventures in Boyhood.” The author will be joined by his “Insecure” co-star Issa Rae to discuss before signings, photo ops and a Backstage After Party …

In addition, Olivia Rodrigo’s world tour comes to The Forum, and Kumail Nanjiani and Patton Oswalt headline Sunset Comedy Night at Catalina Bar and Grill ...

Herbie Hancock reunites with all of the original players from the essential “Head Hunters” recording for the first time since 1973. Harvey Mason, Bennie Maupin, and Bill Summers, plus bassist Marcus Miller, who fills in for the late Paul Jackson sit in with the legendary keyboardist Aug. 14 at the Hollywood Bowl …

Also, crossover platinum selling country artist Shaboozey (whose album “Where I’ve Been, Isn’t Where I’m Going” with the smash hit “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” has topped the charts) visits the Grammy Museum on Aug. 14 to talk about his rising career, “Cowboy Carter” collaboration with Beyoncé, and more before performing …  

For some laughs that night, Chaunté Wayans hosts Sydney Castillo and Daphnique Springs at The Nitecap …

Galactic hits The Bellwether on Aug. 15, as Schoolboy Q is at The Roxy, and Alice Smith’s residency continues at The Peppermint Club …

From Aug. 15 – 24, the Pace Gallery presents the first exhibition dedicated to photographer, filmmaker, composer, and writer, Gordon Parks’ work to be mounted in LA since a 2019 presentation of his Flávio da Silva series at the Getty. The show gathers some 40 photographs spanning four decades of his career, from the early 1940s to the mid-1980s.

TASTY QUIP: “The story of Ferguson is the story of America. It’s important to tell this story now with my friend [retired lead task force officer, Capt.] Ron Johnson because, with the benefit of 10 years, we can see the lessons learned [from the tragic police killing of unarmed 18-year-old Michael Brown Jr.], the progress made and the road ahead with more clarity. This is Ron’s elegy.” – CEDRIC THE ENTERTAINER on Deborah Riley Draper’s “13 Days in Ferguson,” premiering Aug. 9 on CBS/Paramount+. On Aug. 12, Ced will be hosting his 11th Annual Celebrity Golf Classic at The Saticoy Club in Somis, CA. Celebs confirmed for the charity event include Anthony Anderson, Byron Scott, Smokey Robinson, Eric Dickerson, David Justice, Dondre Whitfield, Willie Gault, Marcellus Wiley, and many more.

TC ON TV: Aug. 9 – “The Instigators” (Apple TV+): A new “buddy” movie with Matt Damon and Casey Affleck. “The Bikeriders” (Peacock): Jodie Comer, Austin Butler, and Tom Hardy star in this throwback story of a motorcycle club descending into a dangerous underworld of violence. “Diners, Drive-ins & Dives” (Food): “Triple D Nation: African and Asian Eats” “The Braxtons” (WE): To celebrate their return, the network is premiering this new series reuniting the family after the loss of their beloved sister, Traci without commercial interruption.

“Wiggin’ Out with Tokyo Stylez” (WE): Follows the famed hairstylist to the stars as she takes center stage, creating iconic custom wigs for high-profile celebrity clients such as tonight’s guests: Cardi B and Trina Braxton.

Aug. 10 – “Robbin” (Tubi): Chris Stokes (“The Stepmother” trilogy) directs this revenge drama starring Serayah (“Empire”).

“Miss Cleo: Her Rise and Fall” (Lifetime): The story of Youree Harris who shot to fame in the late 1990's and early 2000's with the Psychic Readers Network. Tim Reid directs with a cast including Robin "The Lady of Rage" Allen, Daphne Maxwell Reid, Cocoa Brown and Towanda Braxton.

Aug. 11 – “Olympics Closing Ceremony” (NBC): It is rumored Tom Cruise is going to participate in a skydiving handoff stunt to the LA 2028 Games. “Raising Fame” (TV1): Kevin Durant

Aug. 12 – “Nick Cannon Presents: Wild ‘N Out” (VH1): Gille Da King, Flau’jae

Aug. 13 – “Celebrity Family Feud” (ABC): Our guy Flavor Flav vs. Bobby Lee

“A Boston (R)Evolution” (PBS): Executive produced by Emmy-winning Bostonian Uzo Aduba and Peabody Award-winning filmmaker Sam Pollard, and directed by Emmy-nominated filmmaker Daphne McWilliams, this feature documentary examines one of America’s most racially complicated cities as it confronts not only its past but also its future. When Kim Janey, a black woman who was bussed as a child to hostile neighborhoods, is catapulted to Acting Mayor, she breaks a 200-year history of white men in the city's top seat. Boston's traditional old school politics are further challenged when the top candidates in the historic 2021 mayoral race are four non-white women.

Aug. 14 – “In The Arena: Serena Williams” (ESPN+): “Exodus” explores the icon’s 2015 return after a 14-year boycott to Indian Wells, a tournament in Southern California that holds painful memories for her and her family.

“Daughters” (Netflix): Get your tissues! This doc on the creation of a D.C. area dance reuniting girls with their incarcerated dads touches souls. “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire” (ABC): Zach Braff & Donald Faison “House of Payne” (BET): An amazing eleventh season. “Assisted Living” (BET): The David Mann, J. Anthony Brown and Tamela Mann sitcom is back.

Aug. 15 – “Bel-Air” (Hulu): “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” actor Joseph Martell (who played Banks valet Geoffrey in the original series) guest-stars this third season of the spinoff, along with Marlon Wayans.

END QUOTE: “If you cannot find peace within yourself, you will never find it anywhere else.” – MARVIN GAYE

As featured in the Los Angeles Wave and Independent, Tasty Clips is one of the leading entertainment columns in the nation, serving more than one million monthly readers. Bill Vaughan may be reached at tastyclips@yahoo.com, via X (FKA Twitter) @tastyclips, or Instagram @tasty_clips.