Adriana M. Barraza/WENN.com

It’s that time of year again! What time you ask? Why, awards season of course. While most of the awards ceremonies for all of the big movies and critically acclaimed television shows of the year won’t take place until early 2013, nominations are already moving out and about for everything from the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards, to as of this week, the Golden Globes. And while there were a lot of great performances by sistas and brothas of color this year, only three black people picked up nominations for their work. But then again, three is better than none.

Our main man Denzel Washington was nominated for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role for his performance in Flight, where he played an airline captain struggling with alcohol addiction. I actually saw this film in theaters and man…everybody did an outstanding job on the acting tip (big ups to John Goodman), but Denzel was amazing as usual. Another nominated face we love is Alfre Woodard, who picked up a nomination for her role as Ouiser in the Steel Magnolias remake for Lifetime. I was pretty surprised to hear about her receiving Golden Globe love, especially since people really didn’t talk about this TV movie like that after it aired, but nonetheless, we’re proud of her! *Also, the uber-talented Don Cheadle was nominated for his role on the show, House of Lies. I haven’t actually had the chance to check the series out on Showtime, but Cheadle never ceases to amaze me with his awesomeness. On a side note, both Woodard and Washington picked up SAG nominations for their roles in these movies as well.

But that’s about it folks. A big missing piece from the pack that we thought would have grabbed a nomination include Kerry Washington for her work in Scandal. I know the show isn’t a mainstream dream like that, but it has a strong following and Kerry is amazing on the series. Plus, for a Shonda Rhimes show, I’m a bit surprised it’s not getting the kind of love it deserves from the Golden Globes like shows like Grey’s received. It’s hard out here for these shows with black female leads…

Are you excited about these nominations? Have you seen Flight and the Steel Magnolias TV movie?

Source: Blackfilm.com

Lifetime just might be on to something. On Sunday night when the network aired the world premiere of the all-black “Steel Magnolias” remake, the film made history, becoming Lifetime’s third most-watched original telecast ever.

The flick, starring Jill Scott, Queen Latifah, Alfre Woodard, Phylicia Rashad, Condola Rashad, and Adepero Oduye brought in a record 6.5 million viewers. Interestingly, this is the best film debut since Lifetime aired the Fantasia Barino Story “Life is Not a Fairy Tale” in 2006. “Steel Magnolias” also became the number one cable movie among total viewers since 2007. In other words, this movie was a big deal.

This weekend, Lifetime aired another African American interest movie, the “Abducted: The Carlina White Story,” featuring Keke Palmer and Sherri Shepherd which also brought in high numbers, averaging 4.1 million total viewers. Rob Sharenow, Executive Vice President of Programming for Lifetime Networks said in a statement:

“We couldn’t be happier with the great response Steel Magnolias and Abducted: The Carlina White Story received from viewers this weekend. These incredible numbers speak to the powerful stories and performances delivered by amazing casts and the strong production teams behind each movie. We are very proud to have partnered with them on these very special films.”

The Lifetime junkie in me definitely hopes this means the network will start showing more African American stories. Did you catch “Steel Magnolias” or “The Carlina White Story” this weekend? What did you think?

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At the end of last week, Anderson Cooper had a few ladies from the cast of the all-black “Steel Magnolias” remake on his show and though most of the segment was about the movie, Anderson also had a bit of a one-on-one with Queen Latifah to ask about all the projects she’s working on. The Queen is rumored to be wanted as a replacement judge for Sharon Osbourne on “America’s Got Talent,” which prompted Andy Cohen and Anderson to ask Queen Latifah how she feels about these reality competition shows, and more importantly the amped up beef that’s brewing between Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj on “American Idol.” When Anderson asked whether she’s #TeamNicki or #TeamMariah, Queen Latifah said this:

“I would definitely not take sides in ignorance, but that’s really not about them. At the end of the day they are both blessed to be in the position that they are….but Mariah? C’mon now. We’re talking about a hundred million right there. You gotta respect your elders to a point. That’s a grand diva, but I love Nicki too.”

Unfortunately, I think support for grand diva Mariah Carey is starting to dwindle just a bit, as she appears to be milking this situation for all it’s worth, calling in to “The View” to tell Barbara Walters Nicki Minaj threatened to shoot her and now she’s beefed up her security. Sigh.

Thankfully, the ladies of “Steel Magnolias” can prove drama doesn’t always have to unfold when multiple women are on-set together. After the one-on-one with Queen, Anderson also chatted with Jill Scott, Phylicia Rashad, and Alfre Woodard about their Lifetime original movie and they were all smiles. By the way, did you catch the remake premiere last night? Check out the clip from their appearance on Anderson’s talk show here.

What do you think about Queen Latifah’s respect your elder’s response?

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DJDM/WENN.com

You know, celebrities seem to take the place of any real news these days. So its no wonder that whenever you see that one particular star, you want to turn the channel if you’re watching tv, turn the page if you’re reading or turn the radio down if you’re listening. The thing is, sometimes we don’t even know why we don’t like the person…they just rub us the wrong way!

Lifetime Television

From TMZ

The woman who produced the disgustingly sappy tearjerker, “Steel Magnolias” is suing over the upcoming Lifetime TV remake of the film — claiming she’s not getting the credit or the cash she deserves.

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Anybody else excited about the Steel Magnolias remake? Initially, I wasn’t, being that I’m not a fan of remakes, especially ones of really, really good movies. But I’m always down to support the sistahs! Especially Queen La. Latifah, who is a producer for the Lifetime remake, has released promotional pictures of all the ladies dolled up. The movie is set to debut on the Lifetime Network on October 7, and stars not only Queen Latifah (as M’Lynn), but Alfre Woodard (as Ouiser), Phylicia Rashad (as Clairee), Jill Scott (as Truvy), Condola Rashad, Phylicia’s daughter (as Shelby) and Adepero Oduye, of Pariah fame (as Annelle). Check them out:

That hair on Queen = FRESH. She looks like she stepped straight out of a CoverGirl ad.

As pretty as that blue dress is on Alfre, she looks stunning in this gold gown.

Work Adepero! And the hair is looking wonderful as well. Can a sistah get some product recommendations please?

Both Phylicia and Condola look beautiful. And Condola is her father’s twin (Ahmad Rashad)!

Heeeeeey Jilly, girl! Looking good!

So are you excited about the remake? Will you be tuning in?

*Photos courtesy of Gossipwelove.com and Mylifetime.com.

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Source: chicagofabulousblog.com

The all-black “Steel Magnolias” movie remake is coming right along. The film idea was first announced in October and already there’s a trailer for the made-for-TV movie, which means the feature-length flick shouldn’t be too far behind.

The film, which is set in Louisiana, will air on Lifetime and stars Executive Producer Queen Latifah as M’Lynn, Alfre Woodard as Ouiser, Phylicia Rashad as Clairee, Jill Scott as Truvy, Adepero Oduye as Annelle, and Condola Rashad as Shelby. As for male co-stars, Lance Gross, Tory Kittles and Michael Beasley all have parts in the remake as well.

I don’t remember much from the original but according to other sites some of the scenes and lines in the trailer should be recognizable from the 1989 film. Either way, this looks like a good one to watch from my view. Check out the trailer and tell us what you think.

Will you watch?

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

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Source: Broadway Stars

Back in October we found out that Lifetime was planning a remake of the classic movie “Steel Magnolias” but with an all-black cast and most of you were less than enthused. But now that we know who will actually be staring in this new project let’s see if that makes a difference.

According to Deadline.com, Queen Latifah will take the lead role in the new casting, and she’s surrounded by some pretty high-quality star power. In addition to the Queen’s role as M’Lynn Eatonton, originally played by Sally Field in the 1989 original, the remaining cast is as follows: Ouiser (Alfre Woodard), Clairee (Phylicia Rashad), Truvy (Jill Scott), Annelle (Adepero Oduye) and Shelby (Condola Rashad).

The Sony Pictures production will follow the six Louisiana women’s lives through their ups and downs as they gather at Truvy’s beauty shop to contemplate the mysteries of life, death, husbands, children, and all the other things women congregate together to talk about. And even if audiences aren’t so thrilled about the remake, Lifetime certainly is. President and general manager Nancy Dubuc had this to say:

“The caliber of talent associated with this film is astounding and falls in line with our strategy to make Lifetime a first stop for the industry’s best both in front of and behind the camera.

“Queen Latifah, Phylicia, Alfre, Jill, Adepero and Condola are some of the most celebrated women in music, film, television and stage — and we could not be more thrilled and honored for them to bring Robert Harling’s poignant story about the strength of women to a whole new generation.”

So, what do you think? Can this cast pull it off or were there other actresses you hoped to see in the remake?

Brande Victorian is a blogger and culture writer in New York City. Follower her on Twitter at @be_vic.

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An interesting remake is in the works. Lifetime, in conjunction with Broadway director Kenny Leon and producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, is bringing back the 1989 classic “Steel Magnolias” with an all-black cast.

The movie is about the bond between women living in the same parish in Louisiana as they go through different life experiences — pregnancy, marriage, death of a loved one, health risks, etc.  The original movie featured an ensemble cast of highly regarded actresses: Sally Field, Dolly Parton, Shirley MacLaine, Daryl Hannah, Olympia Dukakis, and Julia Roberts.

Since the upcoming remake featuring black actresses will still be set in Louisiana, perhaps the directors can throw a little Creole flavor in the mix — I’m seeing Lynn Whitfield and Jurnee Smollett from “Eve’s Bayou.” Since Leon already worked with Phylicia Rashad when he directed “A Raisin in the Sun” in 2004, I hope he’ll make her a part of this as well. I have a feeling the movie could end up as a cross between the original film and Tyler Perry’s interpretation of “For Colored Girls,” but without the poetic style. Maybe “The Women of Brewster Place” would be a better comparison. Either way, as a Lifetime junkie, I’m pretty excited about this.

What black actresses would you like to see fill these roles?