Look at you: You made it to Friday! Before you slay the weekend away, check out the news you need to know:
Jill Scott and Michelle Buteau have been cast as two of the three leads in a First Wives Club TV reboot. Hailing from Girls Trip writer Tracy Oliver, the 10-episode series is based on the 1996 dramedy of the same name and will follow Ari, Bree (Buteau) and Hazel (Scott) who find strength within sisterhood as their marriages fall apart. Filming is scheduled to begin in New York City this fall for a 2019 premiere. (Deadline)
EA Sports has apologized to Colin Kaepernick for removing his name from the Madden 19 soundtrack. According to fans, the former NFL player’s name was scrubbed from YG’s new single, “Big Bank,” specifically in Big Sean’s verse. “We made an unfortunate mistake with our Madden NFL soundtrack,” Madden 19 makers said. “Members of our team misunderstood the fact that while we don’t have rights to include Colin Kaepernick in the game, this doesn’t affect soundtracks.” (EA Sports)
Jeopardy host Alex Trebek has suggested a Black woman to replace him in the event that he doesn’t renew his contract in two years. Laura Coates, a former civil rights attorney who now hosts SiriusXM radio show The Laura Coates Show, tweeted how “incredibly honored & humbled” over being recognized by the beloved game show entertainer. (The Root)
Fans ready to dance the night away at Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s On The Run II tour stop in New Jersey were forced to evacuate after a severe thunderstorm threatened the show. Fans were asked to leave and seek shelter after weather services issued a tornado warning. Fortunately, shortly after the storm passed the show went on. (Pix11)
Start-up company GirlCodeLA has received a $150,000 donation from YG to help young female coders. The Stay Dangerous rapper. He also gave out Beats By Dre headphones during a mentoring session. “With my donation, I hope they’ll be able to expand their reach of future female coders and programmers. I want to make sure I’m doing my part.” (Billboard)
Game of Thrones actor Raleigh Ritchie—real name Jacob Anderson—has returned with new music, releasing his latest single “Time in a Tree.” The track comes after his 2016 debut You’re A Man Now, Boy and last year’s EP Mind the Gap. Anderson, who has been busy filming the HBO hit series along with J.J. Abrams-produced Overlord, is expected to release his sophomore album in 2019. (SoundCloud)
