C. Smith/WENN.com

From ESSENCE

Showtime’s hit series House of Lies has earned much attention since it debuted in 2012. Now in its second season, the clever comedy about an over-the-top consultant, played by Best Comedy Actor Golden Globe winner Don Cheadle, continues to up the ante with guest stars. Nia Long is among the selected actors to appear on the series this season and we hear her upcoming episode may raise some eyebrows.

Nia talks about her character, Tamara:

“The very first time you meet her, she talks about how she’s been out of the game raising children. She’s a wife. And coming back into the game she wants to have some sort of integrity for herself. When you look at the characters on House of Lies, they are all very twisted. They are not what they seem. They’re back stabbing. They’re just ugly people, not nice people. They go for theirs.  I think Tamara’s approach to things isn’t that way. She has a different way of getting what she wants.”

On what it’s like working with Don Cheadle:

AH-MAZ-ING! He is probably my new favorite person right now. At first I was so intimidated and nervous and I never get that way. I don’t know what it was about him. I don’t know what it was that made me feel that way. I think it was me coming on to a show that’s already established. I’ve seen almost everything he’s done. I’ve always wanted to work with him. I really like him because he stays under the radar and does great work. He doesn’t care about the fanfare or the fame.

Don’t you just love her? It’ll be great to see her back to work.  You can read the full interview on Essence.

Do you watch House of Lies?

Source: 50facesofnigeria.com

The images of black people on television may start to change after all now that Pearlena Igbokwe will have something to do with it, on one channel at least. The veteran program executive has left Showtime after 20 years to join NBC as its new Executive Vice President of Drama Development.

Igbokwe will oversee the development of all of NBC’s dramas and report to NBC Entertainment president Jennifer Salke who said in a press release:

“Pearlena has forged an impressive track record over her successful career that has earned her the admiration of the creative community. She will bring a unique perspective to development that will help us reach our goal of once again making NBC the home of some of the best and most respected dramas on television.”

Robert Greenblatt, Chairman of NBC Entertainment,whom Igbokwe worked with for seven years at Showtime also sung her praises:

“Pearlena is hands-down one of the best creative executives I’ve ever worked with and I’m thrilled she is coming to NBC,” he said. “She will be instrumental in reinvigorating our drama slate and making the network a haven for the top creative people in our business.”

“Nurse Jackie” and “The Big C” are just two of the major network successes under Igbokwe’s belt. She was also instrumental in creating the “Soul Food” series and developed the pilot for the new upcoming Showtime series “Masters of Sex” starring Michael Sheen. Much is definitely expected of her as she fills the shoes left by Laura Lancaster and no doubt feels the pressure as the network struggles to develop a break-out drama with any longevity. Hopefully Igbokwe is up to task and will bring some black talent along for the ride as well.

Brande Victorian is the news and operations editor for madamenoire.com. Follow her on twitter @Be_Vic.

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I’m all about diversity. There is something about watching a movie or television show without people that look like me (BLACK) that makes me a little bit confused. Even worse, sometimes I lose my concentration. I still get upset that they could only find like two black people to pop up in New York during the entire series that was Friends. So just like we have black publications, movies, books and more, a lot of black people, like myself, wind up watching black television shows, both scripted, or reality-based, both out of trying to be supportive, and to see other people that look like me. However, there are a wealth of shows with say, maybe one or two black (or zero) people out of a whole cast that make it possible for people to ignore the discrepancies, and just watch good television. Here’s a few that due to great scripts and some awesome acting,  always stand out for the good. Note, they’re all scripted (death to reality TV!):

Welterweight fighter Floyd Mayweather, with a 41-0 record, returns to the ring tonight, Saturday September 17^th for the first time in 16 months and is expected to make at least $40 million – whether he wins or loses. Wow!

The 34 year old boxer is a true business man in the sense of building his empire and getting paid for every part of the broadcasted fight. Want a hot dog at the fight? Mayweather is going to get paid from that. Want a T-shirt? That’s Mayweather money.  His unique business model is the first in entertainment and sport history, read how he does it here…