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'Fresh Prince of Bel-Air' being rebooted as a drama with Will Smith as exec producer

• No Comments • Entertainment News

Chris Cuffaio/NBCU Photo Bank(LOS ANGELES) — The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air is getting flipped-turned-upside down. 

The Hollywood Reporter reports that the highly-celebrated family sitcom that made Will Smith a star is being adapted into a drama series, based on a viral YouTube trailer created by writer Morgan Cooper.

As a Fresh Prince super-fan and co-executive producer, Cooper reimagined the hit series as a serious drama that tells the story of a Philadelphia teenager adjusting to his new life with his rich family in Los Angeles. 

Cooper created and directed the four-minute trailer in March 2019.  It’s since racked up over five million views, and ultimately caught Will’s attention. 

The new series, titled Bel-Air, has reportedly been in the works for over a year with the show’s original executive producers, who include Smith, Quincy Jones, and Benny Medina, as well as the show’s creators, Andy and Susan Borowitz.

Multiple streaming outlets, including Peacock, Netflix, and HBO Max, are currently bidding on the potential series, which is a co-production between Smith’s Westbrook Studios and the show’s original producers Universal TV.

Produced by Jones and Warner Bros, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air ran from 1990-1996 on NBC. Smith became a  box office superstar after spending six seasons on the comedy series as the funny Philly street kid.

Smith virtually joined Alfonso Riberio, Tatyana Ali, Daphne Maxwell Reid, DJ Jazzy Jeff, and the rest of The Fresh Prince cast to pay respect to their late cast member James Avery, a.k.a. Uncle Phil, during a reunion special earlier this year. 

By Rachel George
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Morgan Wallen says fatherhood has "definitely changed the way I look at things"

• No Comments • Country Music News

ABC/Image Group LAMorgan Wallen surprised fans with the news that he became a dad last month, and the singer says the new role has “changed” him.

Morgan and his ex, KT Smith, welcomed son Indigo Wilder on July 11. In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, Morgan admits he’s a bit of a “wildcard,” but now has clarity, knowing that his actions have a ripple effect on his son. 

“It’s definitely changed the way I look at things,” he asserts. “I realize every decision I make now don’t just affect me, but it affects him too, so I’m trying to be a little bit more responsible.” 

The singer expands on this point, stating that he looks to his own father as a role model for how to treat both Indie and KT. 

“I had a really good example of a dad growing up. I really just want to be like my daddy. There was always a lot of sacrifices made for me and for my sister to make sure we were all happy,” Morgan explains. “He always gave me a good example of how to treat my mom.”

 He also makes it a point to visit Indie as much as possible.  

“I go see him as much as I can,” the singer adds. “He’s good, he’s healthy.” 

The “Up Down” hit maker is currently working on his upcoming sophomore album, sharing in the interview that his new material is more “mature” and “personal.”

By Cillea Houghton
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Downtown Chicago reopens for cleanup in wake of widespread looting

• No Comments • National News

iStock/MelpomenemBY: KARMA ALLEN

(WASHINGTON) — Downtown Chicago’s expressways and bridges reopened on Tuesday as business owners and emergency workers rushed to recover in the wake of widespread looting and violence.

City officials had placed the area on lockdown, restricting access to residents and business owners, following hours of looting and vandalism that damaged businesses and resulted in more than 100 arrests, according to police.

Thirteen officers were injured, including a sergeant who was attacked with a bottle, and at least two civilians were shot during the unrest after midnight Sunday, as hundreds overran the city’s upscale Magnificent Mile shopping district and surrounding areas with vandalism and violence, authorities said.

The travel restrictions lifted early Tuesday morning, but city officials said it would be a while for things to go back to normal with broken glass, trash and debris still strewn about the streets in some areas.

Much of the unrest happened along the Magnificent Mile, one of the city’s most-popular tourist attractions, where looters were seen stuffing vehicles with shopping bags full of stolen merchandise and store equipment.

ATM machines were compromised, cash registers were stolen and at least one bank was broken into, police said.

The unrest came as a triple blow for businesses that are struggling to stay afloat amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Some business were targeted by looters earlier this summer in the wake of anti-racism and police brutality protests.

Lightfoot said this week’s criminal activity had nothing to do with “legitimate” organized protests and described it as “an assault on our city.” Lightfoot has repeatedly knocked down calls for federal intervention.

“Again, no, we do not need federal troops in Chicago, period, full stop,” Lightfoot told reporters Monday.

Black Lives Matter Chicago claimed those involved were actually protesting.

About 200 protesters gathered outside a police station in the South Loop Monday night for a “solidarity rally” for those arrested, noting that they had been protesting against police brutality.

Investigators acknowledged the unrest started after inaccurate reports online about an unarmed juvenile being shot by police in the Englewood area. The shooting victim was actually a 20-year-old man who allegedly opened fire on police while being chased, authorities said.

“The mayor clearly has not learned anything since May, and she would be wise to understand that the people will keep rising up until the [Chicago Police Department] is abolished and our Black communities are fully invested in,” Black Lives Matter Chicago said in a statement. “When protesters attack high-end retail stores that are owned by the wealthy and service the wealthy, that is not ‘our’ city and has never been meant for us.”

Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

New York Comic Con canceled; going virtual with "Metaverse"

• No Comments • Entertainment News

Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images for ReedPOP(NEW YORK) — Like San Diego Comic-Con before it, New York Comic Con — which last year attracted 250,000 fans to the Big Apple’s massive Jacob Javits Center — has been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Earlier in the day, a rep for the convention told ABC Audio that a Newsday article stating that the event was going to take place was “poorly researched” — and now we know why. 

In a brand-new statement from ReedPop, which runs the annual expo, as well as other pop culture conventions, fans were informed that doors won’t be opening this October. 

“While we’d much rather be giving you an update today on joining us at the Javits Center in October, it likely comes as no surprise that NYCC 2020’s physical event at the Javits will not be able to run as intended,” the statement read.

“We very sincerely appreciate your patience as we worked with the Javits and local officials to figure out what, if anything, could go on as planned this October.”

The convention will now be held virtually, via the new online portal New York Comic Con’s Metaverse, over the weekend of October 8-11.

“We are partnering with YouTube to bring to life four days of incredible content from the biggest studios, publishers and creators in the business,” ReedPop’s statement continued.

“This is your chance to interact with your favorite creators and celebrity guests, and most importantly, the opportunity to engage with other members of this vibrant community of ours.”

Incidentally, the Javits Center was pressed into service as a makeshift hospital while New York City was in its darkest days during the pandemic. However, after a pricey retrofit by the Army Corps of Engineers, it was shuttered after tending to just 1,000 patients.

By Stephen Iervolino
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Lindsay Ell hosting 24-hour livestream celebrating new album, 'heart theory'

• No Comments • Country Music News

BBR Music GroupLindsay Ell will ring in the arrival of her new album, heart theory, with a 24-hour livestream event this week.

Beginning on Thursday at 12 p.m. ET, Lindsay will host an all-day virtual event featuring performances, special guests and other surprises leading up to heart theory‘s release on Friday. 

Additionally, Lindsay is set to perform lead single “wAnt me back” on the Today show August 17 from the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. 

heart theory follows the seven stages of grief and features songs co-written by Kane Brown, Tyler Hubbard of Florida Georgia Line and Brandy Clark, the latter of whom helped Lindsay write “make you,” inspired by the singer’s experience of sexual assault when she was 13.

“If theory is the science of music, heart theory is the science of a heart,” Lindsay says in a statement. “I hope this road map can be a comfort if you need it, reassurance when you need to remember to believe in yourself or maybe just a glimpse into a memory that’s made you who you are.” 

heart theory is Lindsay’s sophomore album, following her 2017 debut, The Project.

By Cillea Houghton
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.