The Humor Mill Magazine Year End Issue

Volume 3 Issue 16 Dec 28, 2008 – Jan 3, 2009

From Stand Stand-up From -up To A New Film, Film, Wayans Wayans’’ New Bright!

Future Looks Bright!

Staff Founder / Publisher Frank Holder Chief Financial Officer Kevin Layne Editor-At- Large Sacre Wills Layout, Design & Graphic Art Editor Bernadette Holder PresidentTelevision Division Ray Murphy, Jr. TV Segment Producer Harlan Endelman Sr. Fashion Editor Melinda Brown Columnists Tony Spires David Arnold Jackie Fabulous Rodney Perry Joey Wells Publicist Jackie Thomas Movie Reviews Aarona Browning PhotographersThis Issue Tim Alexander Allen Zaki Patrick McKenzie Frank Holder Kevin Campbell Dr. Billy Ingram Tomoko Gary Askew Head ShotsWire Image Photos

The content of this Magazine is copy written (2007-’08) by The Humor Mill Magazine, DBA Holder Publishing, LLC. and may not be reprinted or retransmitted or reproduced without proper credit given to its origin.

www.humormillmag.com http://humormillmag.blogspot.com www.youtube.com/TheHumorMilll www.myspace.com/humormillcomedynewsletter

Credits Special Thanks This Issue Damon Wayans, Jr. Cecy Galvan Joe Torry Porscha Coleman Tim Alexander Allen Zaki Marc Littlejohn Zsanaé Davis Rodney Perry Janell Barrett Brian McKnight Level 3 In Hollywood Beverly Hills Rent-A-Car Joey Wells Tony Spires Patrick McKenzie

Damon Wayans, Jr. Photo Shoot

Photographer – Patrick McKenzie Stylist- Marc Littlejohn Assisted by Reese Hutchings & Fatuma Location- Level 3 in Hollywood

Joe Torry Photo Shoot

Photographer- Allen Zaki Photo Asst.- Claudia DeRubeis Stylist- Eric Manie’r Model- Porscha Coleman Make-Up Artist- Porscha Coleman Location- Bar Delux in Los Angeles

Magazine Digitized By Digipageit.com

Leather jacket~ Live Mechanics / Shirt~ Kanji Pants ~Pelle Pelle / Shades~ Penguin Bracelet~Eleven11 / Shoes~ PF Flyers

Contents Comedy Year In Review

What a year in comedy! This issue we go back to take a look at all of the events of the past year, from all of the deaths that shocked the industry, to the latest rumors and industry moves. Those would include such reader favorites as Eddie Murphy (and all of the gossip from his camp that started out the year including the “Love Ceremony” to the very quick break-up with Tracey Edmonds, to the latest news about Katt Williams, The Wayans Family, DL Hughley’s new TV gig, the new show from Arsenio Hall, the rebirth of Comic View, Cedric The Entertainer’s moves for TV, film, Broadway, and Directing, Chris Rock’s return to the stage, Mike Epps jump into TV and his film projects, Chris Tucker, Whoopi, Tracey Morgan, and many, many, more. We even take a look at some comedians who took it to another level this year by jumping into film and garnering some television projects. As we said, what a year in comedy!

Damon Wayans Jr~ The Future!

Jacket, Shirt, Tie ~ Domenico Vacca of Beverly Hills /Pant ~Pelle Pelle Hat ~ Ariane on Melrose / Ring ~ Ricardo Basta / Belt by Eleven 11

In an exclusive interview with comedian Damon Wayans, Jr. we discuss his new film he’s about to drop, plus his quick rise in the industry, including topics such as his name being mentioned a lot in the industry as the next star to watch for. We also chop it up with Wayans about other things, such as his family name (of course- how could we not?), the pressure he might feel about growing up under the Wayans’ name, and what it means to him. We also ask him about his stand-up experiences, what it’s been like so far, and what he intends to accomplish most, if it is stand up or film.

Most importantly, is stand-up a meansto-an end for him? Or is he just going “through-the-motions” because he can?

Or does he lean on his last name when the times get tough? All of those questions get answered in this exclusive interview with Wayans, as he opens up and let’s us in. After all, his future in the industry is in his hands.

Departments Humor Mail

As usual, here are some of the letters and emails we have gotten from you in the last couple of weeks. Take a look at some of the reader’s thoughts and see if some of them mirror your own.

Music Spotlight Brian McKnight

We catch up with Brian McKnight as he discusses all the new things going on in his career; from being a Morning Show Radio Jock to launching his own Late Night Talk show, to even being a contestant on the new Celebrity Apprentice.

Star Spotlight~ Yvette Nicole Brown

Photographer: Patrick McKenzie

There is another comedic actress on the horizon who is capturing the hearts of Hollywood and that is Yvette Nicole Brown. Brown has been in so many TV shows (including the kids favorite of Drake and Josh) and now is launching her career in films, she is sure to be the next star to watch for!

PHOTOS Of The YEAR~ Comedian Sommore during her photo shoot for her Cover feature in Los Angeles.

Departments Comedian Of The Week~ Reginald Ballard

With the explosion he made on the first season of Martin Lawrence’s hot show Martin as Brah Man, how can we forget him? Ballard made that character so lovable then that the show producers had to bring him back for several episodes. Get this; he wasn’t even a comedic actor and everything that the fans came to love happened by mistake! We discover all of those things in this article and how Ballard made the leap from dramatic acting to stand-up comedy and what he is doing today.

Style With…

Joe Torry

We are sure you recognize the name of Joe Torry from him holdin’ it down as one of the original Hosts of Def Comedy Jam to some of his hit films like Poetic Justice and House Party 3. Well, we give you a different look at Joe as he is accompanied by Porscha Coleman, the singer, actress, and model.

New Year’s Resolutions

By Zsanaé Davis Our newest writer takes a look at what everyone does at the change of the New Year- making New Year’s Resolutions. What are yoursand are you gonna keep them this year?

Comedian Joe Torry & model Porscha Coleman featured in our Style With… section.

All Photos: Allen Zaki

Departments Better Next Year

By Tony Spires The Comedy Doctor

Our featured columnist the Comedy Doctor takes a look at the year past and as always gives us something to chew on for the upcoming year. Plus he steps his game up with a poem that is a must read, especially for all of you who are fans of the Comedy Doctor!

Movie Review

By Aarona Browning

Our writer decides to give us a look at the best of the year; from the best in film, to the best in acting for both male and female.

Agree to disagree with her selections? You have to read it and tell us your thoughts, especially since it’s now Awards Season.

A Fraction Of The Rock

By Vanessa Fraction

Our former columnist Tony Rock steps aside and now there is a new writer in town! As we said before, there is Dear Abby and now there is our very own writer, Vanessa Fraction- who dishes out advice- with her very own comedic style. Ready for so inyour-face advice? Here it is, but its not for the weak hearted or for folks who are not ready for a comedian’s point of view.

Now That Barack Is In Charge

By Darryl Littleton

Another article this week from book author, comedian Darryl Littleton. The article is from his upcoming book titled Now That Barack Is In Charge, a very insightful look into the next.

PHOTOS Of The YEAR~ Actor Kel Mitchell during his photo shoot for his cover feature in Los Angeles.

Photographer: Patrick McKenzie

Editor’s Page To All Of Our Readers,

Photo: Tim Alexander

What a year it has been! We all know the biggest news for the year, and we all are sitting on the edge of our seats just waiting for that day when Barak Obama is standing in front of MILLIONS of people (thousands will be in attendance, millions will watch on TV) just to see the day that will change history forever.

As Barak said in his campaign, CHANGE is what we got; just look at the past year in Hollywood. We had some of the biggest names in entertainment pass away suddenly and we even had some people climb to heights we didn’t think they were capable and some fall just as quick. We had some companies fold and some prosper. We had some more CHANGE as we struggled through a strike that stifled Hollywood, and we are bracing ourselves for another possible strike. With that CHANGE we witnessed Hollywood take a step back because they got hit in the pocketbook also, which was something many thought they would never see. With that one word “CHANGE” there was many things that happened in the past year that was so memorable, many people will cherish it forever.

What does the forecast for 2009 look like? No one knows, except one thing is certain; what we think we will see will not happen and what is most unexpected is sure to happen. This will be the year for many break throughs and break ups but lets hope all of the change will keep us in control for another CHANGE that will have a sunny forecast.

Frank Holder Publisher Humor Mill Magazine PHOTOS Of The YEAR~ Comedic actor and writer Chris Spencer during his photo shoot for his cover feature in Los Angeles.

Mail To The Humor Mill Magazine; Great choice for having Tony Roberts on your cover! I was wondering when someone was gonna recognize his talent! That cat had me crakin’ up when I saw him on Def Comedy Jam a couple of years ago! Then I saw him again on DCJ and I just knew that he was the next Chris Tucker. Well, I don’t see any films from him or anything yet, but I am still sure he is next. At least your magazine recognizes true talent when you see it, even though it seems that Hollywood hasn’t gotten up to speed yet. Keep up the great work! Your magazine is by far one of the best out there!

Bill Hardy Lubbock, TX Ed. NOTE: Don’t worry. If you read the article we had on Tony, you will see that he is next up to bat for a couple of feature films. He’s got several that will put him on the map and if he gets that comedy play off the ground shortly he will be that superstar that you predicted.

Photo: Tim Alexander

Humor Mill: Ok, that H-A H-A joke had me in stitches, and even though I couldn’t remember his name, thanks for bringing him up so I can get to know Tony Roberts better.

Frank Spencer Anaheim, CA

PHOTOS Of The YEAR~ Actor Keith David during his photo shoot for his cover feature in Los Angeles.

Mail The Humor Mill: I have been going to see Tony Roberts for years in New York, and as far as I am concerned he is already a star up here. That show he does with his boys Wil, Capone and Rob Stapleton is one of the funniest comedy shows since Kings of Comedy. The rest of the country is just catching up to what we already know, Tony Roberts is FIRE right now!

Unknown Brooklyn, NY Ed NOTE: We know all about the Top Dogs of Comedy that feature the comedians you mentioned. That’s one of the reasons we had to get Tony Roberts.

Humor Mill:

Ed. NOTE: Nuff Said!

Photo: Frank Holder

Why is it that Hollywood can never step up and just give some talented people a chance? Why do that have to always wait until a comedian makes a film a ton of money before they take that chance? Look at Chris Tucker; before Friday and Rush Hour he was a regular comedian, but after those films made a ton of money then they decided that he should get a shot. I guess we are gonna have to keep going through that with comedians like Tony Roberts, who is clearly EXTREMELY talented, and can carry a film better than most of the comedians that they are using now.

UNKNOWN

PHOTOS Of The YEAR~ Comedic actor Katt Williams performing on stage in Long Beach during an on stage performance.

Mail The Humor Mill:

Photo: Frank Holder

I was at the latest tapping of Def Comedy Jam and I remember watching Tony Roberts very well. He was very funny and he has lots of potential. My only problem with seeing his performance on HBO was that Def Comedy Jam cut some of his routine.

But hey, I am still a fan of comedy so I aint mad. Thanks for the article on Roberts as I will keep a watchful eye on his career as I am a big fan, and I wish him well. Please tell him to post a website up o his fans can follow his progress.

Thanks!

Kim Coles Baltimore, MD Ed NOTE: We will pass on the message!

PHOTOS Of The YEAR~ Comedian Esau McGraw at the Comedy Store in Hollywood.

Comedian Sebastian Maniscalco behind the scenes at the Chocolate Sundaes Comedy Show at the Laugh Factory inVanessa Of The Comedians Tommy Chunn, Comedians Red Grant, Just PHOTOS Jay, Joe Torry, andYEAR~ Smokey at the taping of the new season of Photo: KevinofCampbell.

Fraction and Hollywood.

Bobo Lamb at the taping the new season of Comic View: One Mic Stand Hosted by Kevin Hart, in Hollywood. Photo: Frank Holder.

Photo: Kevin Campbell Comic View: One Mic Stand in Hollywood.

Mail The Humor Mill Magazine; I am the biggest Eric Benet fan on the planet, and I was extremely surprised to read your article about him. I thought it was a great interview and very insightful on where he is in his career.

Thanks for shedding the light and please keep me posted on ANYTHING he does!

Angie Altwell Virginia Beach, VA Ed. NOTE: Uh, okay.

To The Humor Mill; After seeing Eric Benet perform several times over the years, that interview gave me the ability to understand why he is more passionate about some of his songs versus others. I have seen him and always wondered where some of that passion comes from, and when you hear how the idea come about from your favorite artist it is never how you imagined it would be.

Thanks to Eric for doing the interview and opening up, as it clearly sounded like he has some serious plans in the future!

The Sexiest EB Fan Atlanta, GA

PHOTOS Of The YEAR~

Photo: Kevin Campbell

Comedian David Arnold behind the scenes at the taping of the new season of Comic View: One Mic Stand in Hollywood.

Mail The Humor Mill Magazine; That Tyler Perry article I read on how Perry is using his writers shook me to the core. I am shocked that I haven’t seen those types of interviews anywhere else! Is Perry making that much money that new outlets are not covering this story?

Or is there a big scandal going on? I would sure hope that you are not making any of this up! As an aspiring writer I want to know the truth.

A Concerned Tyler Perry Fan Atlanta, GA Atlanta, GA Ed. NOTE: We did NOT in any way or shape make any of the news up.

That interview was with a writer and from his perspective on how he has been treated during all of that fiasco.

Does Perry have that much money?

Yes, he does, but the story has leaked to several other outlets. It’s not just publicized the way it could be; not enough scandal. Just another writer not getting paid. Welcome to Hollywood.

Photo: Frank Holder

CORRECTIONS FROM LAST ISSUE! There were too many to name, but thanks to your letter we know about all of them! Besides the minor typos we had, there we really too many to name. ☺ Hey, what can we say? We are doing the best that we can, especially without a full time Editor!

Anyway, If you want to send us an email about the articles or your thoughts, all you have to do is send us an email to info@humormillmag.com for all of your comments. Some of these emails and other correspondence may be printed right here in these pages!

PHOTOS Of The YEAR~

Comedian Bill Bellamy warming up the crowd during a taping of Bill Bellamy’s Who’s Got Jokes in Hollywood.

In this past year, the biggest news that shocked the world of comedy was the loss of three great men who made their mark on the world. We lost Bernard Jeffrey McCullough (known as Bernie Mac), Rudy Ray Moore (Rudolph Frank Moore known as Dolemite) and George Denis Patrick Carlin (or just plain ole’ George Carlin). Mac passed away on August 9th at Chicago's Northwestern Memorial Hospital from complications due to pneumonia. Dolemite died in Akron, Ohio on October 19th at the age of 81 from complications of diabetes, and Carlin passed away in California of heart failure at the age of 71 on June 22nd. In the late Bernie Mac news, the FOX Network had plans to bring Mac back to television with a new show titled Starting Under. As of this writing, we recently discovered that the network is seeking a replacement and plans on bringing it for next season. Already cast in the show; actors Ken Davitian, Andrea Parker, Silvana Arias, and Shelly Desai.

Tracey Edmonds & Eddie Murphy

Bernard Jeffrey McCullough “Bernie Mac”

George Carlin

Rudy Ray Moore Our next story focuses on comedic actor Eddie Murphy, who had a very interesting year. At the beginning of the year we were reeling in the news that Murphy had whisked off to a private island off of Bora Bora on December 28th with then fiancée Tracey Edmonds to swap vows, only to hear immediately after that the whole ceremony (or should we say the "spiritual ceremony") was called off. Apparently there was a conflict at the ceremony between the two families and Murphy called of the ceremony hours later.

Meanwhile, while this was going on his career did not stall one bit. Rumors flew all year of certain films he was to be attached to do, films such as a third film in the Nutty Professor franchise, a remake of the classic film The Incredible Shrinking Man, Beverly Hills Cop 4, Gotham (the third film in the Batman franchise) The Trump Heist (a black version of the very popular Ocean’s 11), and another project yet to be titled that was to star Chris Tucker.

As of this writing Murphy is ONLY attached to The Incredible Shrinking Man which is currently in pre-production. Murphy released a film this year titled Meet Dave, and he filmed A Thousand Words. The film Meet Dave was probably one of his worst opening weekends of any of his films ever released.

Murphy must have sensed that was coming, as it was one of his only films he ever did that he did not show up for the Red Carpet, as he was very unsatisfied with the marketing campaign for the film. Also, Murphy was featured in a documentary filmed about his career for the A&E Network that was broadcast a couple of months ago with tons of highlights, including some interesting news about the moves he made early on in his career. Finally there was the mention to the TV tabloid show EXTRA where Murphy claims that he is retiring from films and is about to go back to stand-up.

Photography: JSquared Photography

Pictures Of The Year~ Pictured here is comedic actor Miguel A. Nunez Jr. For a cover shoot.

This year we were shocked to learn that Black Entertainment Television wanted to jump back into the comedy scene, and by doing so revived a known brand that they created back in the early 90’s. The show was Comic View :One Mic Stand and was hosted by comedian Kevin Hart. Produced by DuBoise Entertainment (of Keyshia Cole :The Way It Is fame), One Mic Stand was a re-launch and was over hauled. The show became a 30-minute daily show, instead of an hour long show that featured 2 comedians per show and closed by a live band.

Kevin Hart Coming off a hot year, DL Hughley kept his heat on into 2008, after the successful run on NBC’s Studio 60 On The Sunset Strip, the newest Host of Def Comedy Jam and his several stints on HBO’s Real Time With Bill Mayer. Hughley was the latest to Host the BET Awards ’08 and surprised many people as he landed his own groundbreaking show on CNN (a network not known for this type of show) titled D.L. Hughley Breaks the News, a show that is for an engaging and nonconventional take on American life from Hughley’s point of view.

D.L. Hughley

Cedric the Entertainer

This past year was also pretty big for comedic actor Cedric The Entertainer, as he made strides in film and television, and also made moves behind the scenes as he kept himself extremely busy. First, at the beginning of the year Ced filmed a pilot for television to be aired this past fall (which never did) for ABC, but due to complications the show never made it to the air. But with the impeding actor’s strike, the show might become a mid-season replacement for an undisclosed network. Ced was also working with a studio to fast track a film with comedian George Lopez, and stated to us that the re-make of the Rodney Dangerfield film Back To School that had him playing the lead role is officially of the table due to some inner works with the respective studios and financing. It didn’t stop there for Ced; he joined the Broadway revival of David Mamet's play titled American Buffalo, and filmed All's Faire in Love, released Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins, Street Kings, Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa, and Cadillac Records. As we said previously Ced also got behind the scenes for his new production company, Bird And A Bear Productions, as he was the Executive Producer, Director, and starred in the film Chicago Polanski Jones to be released early in 2009.

George Lopez

Charlotte Burley

Photography: Tim Alexander

Pictures Of The Year~ Pictured here is R&B artist Terrell Carter during a fashion shoot.

Host Charlotte Burley Photographer- Tim Alexander Stylist: Tim Alexander

Katt Williams

No one had a more roller coaster year than comedian Katt Williams. At the beginning of the year Williams was dealing with the news of his performance in Chicago where it was reported that he gave money away to the audience because he bombed during a performance at the Arie Crown Theater on New Year’s Eve. Williams offered to refund the entire audience and to give away free CD’s of his new upcoming album. Williams then continued his tour as he booked tons of dates across the country and released the film First Sunday. Williams then concluded his It's Pimpin' Pimpin' comedy tour which racked in over $17 million in tickets sales, and was working on a new deal to have a show and special on Comedy Central.

When we interviewed him in February he spoke to us about his potential deal, which was around the same time he performed at The Laugh Factory and started giving away cash to the audience. Then there were the strange events that caught us all off guard; there was the missed performance at the 2008 Comedy Festival in Las Vegas due to “fatigue”, a missed Conan O'Brien appearance and, most recently, a visit by police and hospitalization. We heard from Williams' representatives and they stated that his health issues were the result of a very brutal touring schedule that consisted of 300 shows. Then he was arrested on weapons charges hours before he was scheduled to appear at a Carnegie Hall concert performance in New York just hours before show time. The police pulled him over in midtown Manhattan for driving a car without license plates. He was arrested after a search of the vehicle turned up a handgun, authorities said. Williams was released on bail just in time to make his show as part of the annual New York Comedy Festival. As of this writing, Williams is scheduled to be in Detroit at the end of December and to back in the comedy saddle.

L-R: Chris Tucker, Jackie Chan, Eddie Murphy, Chris Rock, Dave Chappelle & Mike Epps

Chris Tucker, probably to most political comedic actor as he continues to dedicate his career to helping bring attention to African poverty and hunger issues in America, bought little attention to himself as he made very minimal moves in the entertainment industry. There was quite a buzz early in the year when Rush Hour 3 was released on DVD that Tucker was retiring. Then immediately after that news broke, MTV reported that Tucker and Jackie Chan were hoping to film another project together, along the lines of the Rush Hour franchise, but ultimately that deal never got worked out. News also surfaced that Tucker and Director Brett Ratner (the director of the Rush Hour franchise) were reteaming again for another project, a story of Frank Sinatra's valet to the big screen. The film is the adaptation of George Jacobs' memoir Mr. S: My Life With Frank Sinatra. Tucker is slated to play Jacobs, who revealed details about Sinatra's romances with Marilyn Monroe and pin-up Jeanne Carmen in his expose. Finally, who can forget the vicious rumor that is still going around Hollywood that Tucker will join Eddie Murphy, Chris Rock, Dave Chappelle, and Mike Epps in the film The Trump Heist (a black version of the very popular Ocean’s 11). As of this writing, Tucker has not retired, and is still attached to Mr. S: My Life With Frank Sinatra.

PHOTOS Of The YEAR~ Comedic Actress Melanie Comarcho during her photo shoot for her cover feature in Los Angeles.

Photograph: Tim Alexander

Damon Wayans

Comedian Damon Wayans is making a comeback to television for ABC, but with a completely different look. Shedding his fatherly image that we know him from in his very popular show My Wife And Kids, Wayans joined the cast this past year of comedy titled Never Better, a show that we hear revolves around a recovering alcoholic who's determined to be a good husband and father despite his many missteps. Wayans will also Executive Produce, and he plans to launch another show that he will be behind the scenes in and maybe star. Wayans also jumped into a new internet venture with YouTube.com as he launched his new venture WayOutTV.com (a sketch comedy channel) that serves as an outlet for up-and-coming writers, directors, producers, actors and musical talent by showcasing sketch videos and allowing undiscovered talent and fans to respond directly. The website showcases fresh sketch comedy videos produced by Wayans featuring aspiring young comedians handpicked by Wayans himself.

Currently Wayans is gathering his thoughts for a new book called titled Unperformed about his years in the industry and more.

L-R: Marlon, Shawn, Damon & Keenan Wayans

L: Damien Wayans & Marlon Wayans The news from the Wayans family doesn’t stop with Damon Wayans. His brother Marlon Wayans has signed on to star in the upcoming live action film G.I. Joe: Rise OF The Cobra and the new film Dance Flick, a dance parody. Dance Flick also stars Damon Wayans Jr, and features a cameo by Keenan Ivory Wayans and is directed by his nephew Damien Wayans. Shawn Wayans finished writing and producing his urban version of HBO’s Entourage titled The Life and Times of Marcus Felony Brown. Also, collectively The Wayans Brothers stated that there will be a Munsters remake and, as of this writing, they are almost close to finalizing the deal. Shawn and the team behind Scary Movie and Little Man are currently finalizing work on their third draft of the script.

PHOTOS Of The YEAR~ Actor Gary Sturgis (of Daddy’s Little Girls fame) during his photo shoot for his fashion feature in Los Angeles.

Photograph by Tim Alexander

Kanye West

Jamie Foxx

Timbaland

Robert Downey, Jr.

It might have seemed like it was a quite year for actor, comedian and singer Jamie Foxx, but 2009 is gearing up to bring all the attention focused right back at him. First, Foxx spent most of the year in the lab recording his third album titled Intuition which dropped December 16th, and features Kanye West, T.I., along with contributions from Timbaland, Ne-Yo, Sean Garrett, and Salaam Remi. Foxx also filmed The Soloist, opposite Robert Downey Jr. That film was supposed to be released last month so it could be considered for an Academy Award as the Execs felt Foxx put in another Oscar worthy performance, but due to complications the film’s release date was pushed back to early next year. He also ventured into television with his first reality show titled From Gs to Gents, which was a makeover show that centered on a group of men who were put through social makeovers in the hopes of turning them into gentlemen. Foxx is currently in pre-production in his new film Law Abiding Citizen, a psychological thriller that Frank Darabont is directing, as he will be opposite Gerard Butler (of 300 fame).

Mike Epps Ice Cube

Will Smith

Comedic actor Mike Epps is quickly gaining steam as being the hottest comedic actor in entertainment, as he has several projects in film and television that will solidify him in both. First Epps began the year as the comedic relief in the Martin Lawrence film Welcome Home, Roscoe Jenkins while he was set to begin filming the Richard Pryor biopic as Pryor. We just discovered recently that he must have been dropped from the film as Eddie Murphy is now reading the script to take on the lead role. And who can forget his funny stint in the Bernie Mac/Samuel L Jackson film Soul Men? Anyway, Epps also filmed another comedy with Ice Cube titled Janky Promoters and began production on his own sketch comedy show titled Mike Epps Comedy Mix Tapes. His sketch show has yet to find a network.

Meanwhile, Epps also filmed Next Day Air that also stars Donald Faison, Mos Def, Wood Harris and Lauren London and was rumored to be in several other films, including The Trump Heist.

Epps even snuck in a quick cameo in the Will Smith film Hancock, but you had to watch all of the credits to see that performance.

PHOTOS Of The YEAR~

Photograph: Phil Sanchez

Comedic Actor and Host of Comic View: One Mic Stand Kevin Hart during his photo shoot for his cover feature in Los Angeles.

Chris Rock

Another comedian who stayed extremely busy this past year was comedic actor Chris Rock, who stayed in front of and behind the cameras. Rock first released several films, such as the Adam Sandler film You Don't Mess with the Zohan and he also voiced Marty the Zebra in Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa.

Also, Rock has been in pre-production in the new film Death at a Funeral, which will be a re-make of the very popular British film. We can’t forget his TV project Everybody Hates Chris that he continued to work on, and his other film that just recently got submitted to the Sundance Film Festival titled Good Hair, which is a look at the very popular Hair industry. What about his standup you ask? Well Rock began the year on his comedy tour overseas as he was preparing and eventually filmed Chris Rock: Kill The Messenger for HBO. The performance was filmed from three different performances, at South Africa's Carnival City Casino, New York's legendary Apollo Theatre and the Carling Apollo Hammersmith in London where he set a Guinness World Record by playing to crowds of 15,900 at Greenwich's O2 venue, marking the largest audience for a stand-up comedy performance in British history.

Mariah Carey & Nick Cannon After another year of swirling so-called engagements to a couple of women, we discovered that actor, comedian and R&B singer Nick Cannon ended another rumor by really stepping up to the plate in a whirlwind romance that caught everyone off guard. Cannon had been linked to Victoria’s Secret model Selita Ebanks, they had an engagement party and just like that it was over. BUT the news then immediately popped up that Cannon was engaged to R&B singer Mariah Carey, and just when that news was swirling around they got married! The interesting thing is this news caught the entire industry off guard because everything happened within a couple of months. Also, after four seasons of MTV’s Nick Cannon Presents: Wild 'N Out, it looks as if Cannon is done with that and focusing more on his film career as he filmed and released several films this year such as Ball Don't Lie, Day of the Dead, American Son, and The Killing Room. Cannon currently has several projects in pre-production and a couple of other projects in development.

Selita Ebanks & Nick Cannon

PHOTOS Of The YEAR~ Comedic Actor and Entertainment Studios Founder / CEO Byron Allen during his photo shoot for his cover feature in Los Angeles.

Photograph by Gary Askew

Tracy Morgan

Comedic actor Tracy Morgan also gained notoriety this year as he started out the year -and finished it- with several hit projects under his belt. Early in 2008 he released the breakout film role that many people thought would put him on another level, and that film was First Sunday with Ice Cube and Katt Williams. Morgan immediately followed that up with several other projects titled Superhero: The Movie, Deep In The Valley, and Nailed. Morgan also booked the Sci-Fi Channel’s stunt-reality series Scare Tactics as the new host while continuing his appearances on NBC’s 30 Rock. Morgan even jumped into several animation projects titled Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs and the highly anticipated Walt Disney film titled GForce also starring Nicolas Cage. Morgan is even entering in the world of being behind the scenes, as he is about to star in and Produce the comedy film Freshman Roommates via his new production company titled Street Life.

This past year Comedy Central did what it always does best; it debuted another show on the cutting edge. The show titled David Alan Grier's Chocolate News which stars comedic actor David Alan Grier, bringing him back to television. Grier’s show, is a fake magazine show hosted and executive produced by Grier. Of course Grier didn’t leave his roots in film, as joined his friends the Wayans Brothers in the new film Dance Flick and is currently lending his voice to the new film Hoodwinked 2: Hood vs. Evil scheduled to drop in the Spring.

David Allen Grier

Speaking of comedy on television, this past year comedy did very well for several networks, and one of the networks was the Starz Entertainment Network. This year they ordered and broadcast the new fourth season of Martin Lawrence Presents 1st Amendment Stand-up, (three were on Starz) hosted by Doug Williams and Executive Produced By Martin Lawrence and Williams.

Williams also made other moves for himself as he filmed Domestic Doug for broadcast television and two films, Lean Like a Cholo: The Movie and My Girlfriend's Back, both of which will be released in 2009 Martin Lawrence

Doug Williams

PHOTOS Of The YEAR~

Comedian Ocean Glapion and actress/model Mika Michelle during a fashion shoot in Hollywood.

Photographer: Patrick McKenzie

Tony Rock

D. L. Hughley Arsenio Hall

Another network jumped into the fold this year, and one of the priorities that had was to feature some African American comedy. The newest network was MyNetworkTV and one of the shows they ordered was a sketch comedy series that featured comedian Tony Rock, titled The Tony Rock Project. They also had plans to bring back Arsenio Hall for a late-night show but the plans for that seems to fall apart. It seemed that due to DL Hughley’s new late night talk show on CNN titled D.L. Hughley Breaks the News seemed to give the Execs at the network cold feet, but they did green light another show for Arsenio titled The World's Funniest Moments, which is a collection of YouTube-like videos. The show was designed to catch the eye of someone idly surfing through the channels.

L-R: Dannon Green, Joe Clair, Alex Thomas, Chris Spencer & Esau McGraw

Speaking of Tony Rock, not only did he secure his show on MyNetworkTV titled The Tony Rock Project and had it hit broadcast television this year, but he began the year with his other show on TV One titled The Funny Spot which showcased talent of up-and-coming comedians doing what they do best - stand up- along with a seated questions-and-answers session from the audience titled On The Spot. Some of the comedians showcased were Dannon Green, Corey Holcomb, Retha Jones, Joe Clair, Rudy Rush, Alex Thomas, Franklyn Ajaye, Chris Spencer, Michael Colyar, Esau McGraw, David Arnold and Rodney Perry. Meanwhile Rock continued to book several hundred show dates across the country and has met with several other networks for other potential projects.

PHOTOS Of The YEAR~ Actor Lance Gross during his photo shoot for his cover feature in Los Angeles.

Photograph by Tomoko

During our interview this year with comedic actor Kevin Hart we discovered that he was tapped as the new host of BET's Comic View: One Mic Stand. We also see what a year for Hart, as he was in the film Meet Dave with Eddie Murphy, and he shot a new reality show in conjunction with his Hosting gig, which would be also aired on BET. It’s titled I Ain't Scared and is a reality-based comedy that follows him as he takes on tasks that are stereotypically not popular with AfricanAmericans. Hart also joined the cast of Comedy Central's Krod Mandoon and the Flaming Sword of Fire and the upcoming Screen Gems film Not Easily Broken.

Kevin Hart In other Eddie news, comedian/actor Eddie Griffin this year expanded from films to television with his new show from VH1, which included six episode docu-series that shows how deals with the pressure of supporting eight kids, two ex-wives, four baby mamas and an entourage of family and friends. The show is a large extended family that makes this comedian's life complete. The problem: they're also bleeding him dry and he's in danger of going broke. The TV show, titled Eddie Griffin: Going for Broke is premiering Monday, January 26th, and this 30-minute docuseries will give viewers an intimate look into Eddie's struggle to support himself and a rather large and complicated extended family. In fact, his generosity and sense of responsibility are what put him in a financial nose dive. We also heard the rumors this past year that had Griffin set to appear in the film Undercover Brother 2, the follow up to the comedy film Undercover Brother. As of this writing, production has been pushed back to an undisclosed date. Griffin currently wrapped production on his film Bunyan and Babe an animated film (he extends his voice to Babe The Blue Ox) and he is in pre-production in 62 Pickup.

Whoppi Goldberg

Eddie Griffin

Besides her hosting gig of ABC’s The View, comedic actress and star Whoopi Goldberg still managed to keep herself busy this past year. Besides lending her voice as several characters this year in projects such as Snow Buddies and Descendants, Whoopi also got a chance to re-visit one of her strong suits; hosting an awards program. Whoopi hosted the 62nd Annual Tony Awards again on June 15th that was broadcast live on CBS from Radio City Music Hall.

Not a stretch for her as she has hosted The Academy Awards several times, the GLAAD Awards, The Essence Awards, The American Comedy Awards and Comic Relief for HBO, just to name a few. Goldberg also hit Broadway in the show Xanadu for a six-week summer run that began July 29th as she played the role of Caliope. After that Whoopi even had time to film a NBC holiday special titled Letters to Santa — A Muppets Christmas. Oh yeah, she even ventured into an on-line production recently creating and starring in a new science fiction mini-series that will be broadcast only online titled Stream to debut on January 15th on Fearnet.com. The six five-minute weekly installments will follow Goldberg's character coming to terms with her fears.

Photograph by JSquared Photography

PHOTOS Of The YEAR~ Ex-NBA Player Talk Show Host and actor John Salley during his photo shoot for his cover in Los Angeles.

Martin Lawrence

Kym Whitley

RavenSymoné

Comedic actress Kym Whitley had another great year as she started with the Martin Lawrence and RavenSymoné family film titled College Road Trip. Whitley then got a chance to show a side of her that not many people are open to showing; she exposed herself to the world as she looked for a love connection (with cameras rolling) as she set sail on a singles-only escapade aboard Tom Joyner's 2008 Fantastic Voyage cruise this past spring. The network TV One chronicled the entire adventure for the show and titled the show Cruisin’ for Love with Kym Whitley. While doing that, Whitley had time to collect a couple of more film roles under her belt this past year, as she starred in The Hustle, Black Dynamite, Something Like a Business and finally the film Group Sex. Whitley, never satisfied with her accomplishments recently added Radio Show Host to her resume, as she stepped in for Tom Joyner while on vacation during the holiday break as the Morning Show Host on his syndicated program.

You just gotta continue to love comedian Bill Bellamy as he continues to keep it movin’ on television on 2 SHOWS. Of course, there is his hosting gig on NBC’s Last Comic Standing, and there is his show, Bill Bellamy’s Who’s Got Jokes on TV One. Both shows continue to maintain there audience, and with several interesting twists, they both always seem to find the next batch of undiscovered talent.

Bill Bellamy

One of the saddest news stories of the year was after 14 seasons, the FOX Network had to pull the plug on the sketch variety show Mad TV. But word is producers--which include Quincy Jones--are looking into ways to keep the show alive maybe on another network. So, maybe in the upcoming year it may surface somewhere else.

Quincy Jones

PHOTOSOf OfThe TheYEAR~ YEAR~ PHOTOS ComedicActor ActorEddie EddieMurphy Murphy Comedic outside The Comedy Store afterThe The outside The Comedy Store after NewTrippin’ Trippin’On OnTuesdays Tuesdays(with (withthe the New newHost HostChris ChrisSpencer) Spencer)ininLos Los new Angeles.

Angeles.

Photograph: Frank Holder

Kel MItchell

Comedian, actor and R&B singer Kel Mitchell also had a great year, as his career continues to move upward. This past year Mitchell starred, produced and wrote the film Chicago Polanski Jones, which is comedian Cedric The Entertainer’s Directorial debut, and also filmed several other projects titled Don't Touch If You Ain't Prayed 2, Nite Tales: The Movie, See Dick Run and Caught on Tape. Plus there is a animation project that Mitchell plans on debuting next year, and an R&B album. We hear that Mitchell has also begun to write the follow up to the film Chicago Polanski Jones. The film is tentatively titled Chicago Polanski Jones 2. Mitchell is also about to film a movie with Director Preston Whitmore (of This Christmas fame) titled 1100, and there is the film No Warning that is expected to drop next year also.

A comedian who surely looks like he is going to have a break out year in the film industry is comedian DeRay Davis, as he filmed several films this past year. Davis starred in the film Semi-Pro with actor/comedian Will Ferrell and he also filmed the latest Eddie Murphy film titled Nowhereland. Films also to be released this year that also star Davis includes My Girlfriend's Back, 3 of Us and Frankenhood. This is not including the rumor that has been floating around of a couple of other productions that Davis has, including a stand-up special.

DeRay Davis

Rickey Smiley

Cedric the Entertainer

Mo’Nique

Comedy on the radio also broke records this past year along the syndication borders, as some shows witnessed major inclines in their ratings, while others received a very quick decline. For example The Rickey Smiley Show, which features comedian Rickey Smiley and includes co-hosts Ebony Steele and “The Nutz” (Gary with the T, Headkrack, Sista Sondra, Rock T and Special K, began the year in 9 separate markets, quickly jumped into over 30 Markets, while the comedic actress Mo’Nique who has her own radio show titled The Mo'Nique Show, (a program from Syndication One) began the year with great numbers in many markets, lost several major markets-including Los Angeles’ KDAY as the year and the poor economy dragged on.

PHOTOS Of The YEAR~ Actor Comedian Martin Lawrence inside Big Spike’s Mo Betta Mondays Hosted By DeRay Davis at the Improv in Los Angeles.

Photograph: Frank Holder

Photograph: Frank Holder

PHOTOS Of The YEAR~ Comedic actor Damon Wayans and comedic actor/director Robert Townsend backstage at the Katt Williams concert in Los Angeles.

Photograph: Dr. Billy Ingram for GotItLikeThatPhotography.com

PHOTOS Of The YEAR~ Sean “P-Diddy’ Combs receives his Star on stage for The Hollywood Walk Of Fame In Hollywood.

The life of becoming a comedian in today’s society looks grand, especially if you have someone in your family who has already laid out the path to success. It looks like the life most people want; the Hollywood life- being on stage and being in films, and more. To some people it almost looks like the life of being an athlete because there is wealth, and more money they one can imagine. And being the son of someone who has already laid that path looks like it can almost be just as great but minus all of the hark work, and possibly even more fun.

As in most things in life, looks are deceiving. Damon Wayans Jr. started out at a very early age in the industry, but the pressure he felt as a youngster most people don’t even think about until early adult life.

With a family name to uphold and starting out as a comedian, Damon did NOT want to be the ONLY Wayans member who was known to not be funny, especially in a long line of names of some very funny people. Damon worked extremely hard at his stand up, and even wrote some comedy while further pursuing his crafts of acting and writing. Performing in clubs across the country gave him the confidence to eventually drop the pseudonym Kyle Green and eventually use his real name. Damon built on that and grew in his acting and comedy and appeared performing alongside his father in the Showtime television series, The Underground and also served as a writer the series. He also wrote, directed and starred in a series of innovative internet-based comedy sketches for Way-Out TV a website launched in 2007 by his father. In 2008 Damon Jr. was featured on HBO’s Def Comedy Jam and since then he recently completed his first major film which is dance movie spoof produced, written and directed by the Wayans family. We got a chance to talk to Damon about all of the pressure of living as a member of that very famous family, and what life is like now as his new film is about to drop titled Dance Flick, the new film from Paramount set to be released August 14th. Here is a portion of the interview; Humor Mill: This week we have a comedian on the line who sometimes likes to go by the name of Kyle Green, but most of the time goes by his real name, Damon Wayans Jr. Damon, how are you doing brother?

Damon Wayans Jr.; what’s up man?

HM: First question I want to ask is when you started to do comedy, why did you use the name Kyle Green?

DW: It was basically a name I used to avoid pressure and to help me get familiar with doing stand up, and you know, the judgment. So I took my middle name and my Grandma’s maiden name and I mixed it. And that’s Kyle Green.

HM: When you first started doing stand up, you mentioned there was pressure. Was there pressure from outside or were you worried about the expectations of what the general audience was going to be as obviously being a Junior stepping up on stage?

DM: I think it was a little bit of both. There was pressure on myself and, you know, to this day, I get the judgment as soon as I get on stage. Now I use my real name, but to this day, every time I go on stage people are like “Hmmm” and crosses their arms, and I can tell. Eventually they cross their arms as if to say “I wanna see what this little n*gga’s got”.

Jacket & Shirt~ Live Mechanics Pant ~ Pelle Pelle Watch~ One 01 Bracelet ~ Eleven 11 Shoes ~ PF Flyers

“I feel without stand up, you are not funny. Every comedian that was great at comedic acting was grounded in stand up first. And if you notice the farther they get away from the stage the less funny they get.�

“I enjoyed it, (performing on Def Comedy Jam) I felt I did pretty good, and I felt I can only grow from there. Now I have been getting more opportunities to show people my stand up. I have been touring a little bit…It’s just been going well.”

Leather jacket Shirt by Live Mechanics / Ppant by Pelle Pelle / Watch by One 01

HM: What was the decision that made you decide to drop the name Kyle Green and say let me just use my real name?

DW: Oh because I wasn’t bad at it and I kept growing. So I decided to why not just use my name. Actually, Aires Spears was the one who told me “Why don’t you use your name?” And I told him and he said “Dude you are funny you should use it”, and I said “oh, thanks buddy!” so, I started it.

HM: Ok, let’s get back to you getting started and next thing you know you are on Def Comedy Jam. Of course everybody’s expectations are up before you got on stage, and now, what has life been like right after you got off that stage, and after everyone has seen your comedy style?

DW: I have been received very well.

People really enjoyed it. I enjoyed it, I felt I did pretty good, and I felt I can only grow from there. Now I have been getting more opportunities to show people my stand up. I have been touring a little bit…It’s just been going well.

HM: For those who don’t know, you are also in your first feature film as the lead in a film titled Dance Flick. Where you ever using stand up comedy as a means to an end or do you truly love doing stand up?

DW: I truly love doing stand-up. Stand up is definitely…Stand up; I feel without stand up, you are not funny. Every comedian that was great at comedic acting was grounded in stand up first. And if you notice the farther they get away from the stage the less funny they get. That’s just my opinion, I don’t know if it’s true. Stand up gets you that immediate… You get either get judged, or you get praised, so you always know what’s funny or what’s not and when you are not on stage you are kinda removed.

Hear the complete interview with Damon here: http://humormill.podhoster.com/

PHOTOS Of The YEAR~ Comedian Charlie Murphy and Singer Johnny Gill at the Improv after Murphy’s performance in Irvine, CA.

Photograph: Frank Holder

PHOTOS Of The YEAR ~ Comedian Rickey Smiley at the Red Carpet Premiere for the new film First Sunday in Hollywood.

Photograph: Frank Holder

PHOTOS Of The Year~ Comedian Deon Cole outside The Chocolate Sundaes Comedy Show in Hollywood.

Photograph: Frank Holder

This issue we decided to give you a special treat in terms of stand-up comedy performances so we decided to contact comedian Reginald Ballard. As many of you may already have guessed from the picture Ballard is "Bruh-man from the fifth flo'" (he would often hold up four fingers when sayin this) in the sitcom, Martin. We wanted to interview him to discuss what he has been up to since that show. We were sure that many of his fans from Martin probably missed him in other shows such as Veronica Mars, The Bernie Mac Show, The Parkers, Sister, Sister, and the short-lived show, Crumbs. We caught up with Ballard and wanted to chat with him about his career and how he stumbled into comedy from dramatic acting. Here is a portion of the interview.

Humor Mill: The Humor Mill Comedy and Entertainment News, this week as usual, we have one of the greatest comedians to chat with us, probably known best as Brother Man from the hit TV Show Martin, that starred Martin Lawrence. Reggie how are you doing?

Reginald Ballard: Wsup!!! I’m chillin’ brotha, happy to be seen, and happy to see a whole new year. It’s alright man! Looking at Star Trek and they were looking at people and using their cell phones, we are now just catching up to their age right there.

HM: My first question for you is what got you started in comedy?

RB: What got me started in comedy is Jay Anthony Brown. He used to warm up the audience for the Martin Show and he used to hook us up. He wanted me to go down to his club in Houston to bring up his acts and I did it for him. I bought up the acts and after that someone saw me in the audience and I started doing the comedy and it just took off after that. That’s how it got started. But I majored in theater, I started acting before I started doing comedy. So I did things way before I did Martin so that’s how it was.

HM: So after the time that you have been on Martin, have you found out that comedy is not as easy as you might have thought it was even though you started in theater first?

RB: Well, you know what? It’s not easy, but at the same time when you do it so long it becomes easy.

It becomes almost like second nature because you know you have a talent to make people laugh. You come out and you just go with the flow. I think the difficult part is waiting in the back, waiting to go on stage. You wanna hit the mic. It’s like how they say “ I would rather be on the front lines than on the back lines because the front lines is where all the action is.” The back line is where you are worried about what is going on in the front line. So when you are back there waiting and you see someone out there bombing, that’s the hard part. (Laughs!) I would rather be out there bombing then to be in the back listening to someone bomb.

HM: Every since your days on the Martin Show people, really haven’t seen you as much as they had on the Martin Lawrence show, was that by choice? Did you decide to step back and take a look at the comedy thing or what?

RB: Oh no, I have been doing a lot of show that I would say that “we” don’t really watch.

Hear the complete interview with Reginald Ballard click here: http://humormill.podhoster.com/

Photograph: Frank Holder

PHOTOS Of The YEAR~ Actresses Tisha Campbell-Martin and Tichina Arnold backstage at the Katt Williams concert in Los Angeles.

PHOTOS Of The YEAR~ Comedian Mike Epps after his performance at The Chocolate Sundaes Comedy Show at The Laugh Factory in Hollywood.

Photograph: Frank Holder

Photograph: Frank Holder

PHOTOS Of The YEAR~ Actress Sanaa Lathan and Taraji P. Henson at the Lincoln Lounge Off The Red Carpet at The Sofitel Hotel during the American Black Film Festival in Hollywood.

If you are a fan of R&B music, chances are you know our featured musician Brian McKnight as one of the most soulful singers of his time, dropping over 11 albums during the course of his career. With his many fans across the globe McKnight has grown musically over the course of his career with those albums and with the tours, so you would think that he was as content as any other musician who has climbed the musical charts, dropped many albums, and became a Grammy nominated singer, songwriter, arranger, and producer.

That doesn’t even begin to tell the story of what Brian McKnight is all about. This is where our story begins.

McKnight, not satisfied with singing to pay his bills, started exploring other opportunities a couple of years ago when he decided to become a reporter on the syndicated gossip show EXTRA. What the Producers of EXTRA didn’t realize at that time was that they were opening up the door to a person who was looking for something else, and yearning to keep the excitement going in his career. Fast forward several years later, McKnight has become a Radio Jock, (on Los Angeles radio on The WAVE), a late night talk show host (The Brian McKnight Show launching on ABC this fall) and now a contestant on NBC’s The Apprentice. We got a chance to chat with McKnight during his very busy schedule to discuss all of the new changes in his career. Here is a portion of the interview.

Humor Mill: This week we have Mr. Brian McKnight on the phone, a singer, an actor and now a talk show host along with being a radio show host. Brian, you are working on a lot of accolades over there! And I just discovered that you are on the new Celebrity Apprentice. How are you feeling right about now?

Brian McKnight: Tired! (Laughs!) The thing is, these days you have to have your fingers in a lot of different pies.

Music, not being what it used to be as far as what you can do career-wise, you have to do a lot of different things.

Over the last couple of years I have just branched out to a lot of different things; I’ve diversified.

HM: Looking back and sitting down, when I prepare to do an interview I look over people’s careers and never have I ever seen nor interviewed a singer who decides “You know, not only do I want to sing, I want to act, I want to host”… My question to you is when along the lines of your journey did you decide that I want to “diversify”?

BM: I always knew that I did not want to just continue to tour and just make records the rest of my life. What I wanted to do was to figure out what other opportunities on the horizon. So when I worked at EXTRA for a minute and I learned how to interview people and really when I did that it wasn’t so I can necessarily one day have my own show but as I got into it…One day I was doing the Grammys, I was doing all these different things for them I said “you know what? I am actually okay with this. And people want to open up to me. “That was one side of this, the radio thing kinda just happened. The people out here at The WAVE (Los Angeles based Radio Station) were looking for a new Morning Show Host, and I dove into that and two years later we had that Morning Show in the top 5, which had never happened for that station. Now I am branching out, I have been syndicated through ABC Radio, and that show starts on the 26th. When opportunities present themselves, you either say “no” or you dive into them, and I am the kinda person who, if I’m gonna do something, I’m gonna give it everything I’ve got.

HM: Unbelievable! I heard through a “little birdie” that you are making plans for a late night talk show. How did all of that stuff happen?

BM: Well, by the same token through EXTRA and through all those things that I did for them for the last few years… When Arsenio left the air, it seemed to me that there was a big void at night time for a lot of different people that wouldn’t get a shot at some of the different shows. Although those shows are very good, I think that they tend to skew a different way. I think that there is a big space there for someone to come in and have something different for our people that are looking for something on the entertainment side at that time of night, and that where I come in.

For more on this conversation please…

Photograph: Frank Holder

PHOTOS Of The Year~ Comedic actor Cedric The Entertainer and comedian Iva La’Shawn at the taping of Comic View: One Mic Stand in Hollywood.

Photograph: Frank Holder

PHOTOS Of The Year~ Actress/Singer Jennifer Hudson at the Red Carpet Premiere of The Secret Life Of Bees in Hollywood.

PHOTOS Of The Year~ Singer and Actress Jill Scott performing with her band at the Pre-BET Awards Ceremony Hosted By Debra Lee at Vibiana’s in Los Angeles.

Photograph: Frank Holder

PHOTOS Of The Year~ Comedian Capone after his performance at the taping of the new season of Comic View: One Mic Stand Hosted

by Kevin Hart, in Hollywood.

Photograph: Frank Holder

PHOTOS Of The YEAR~ Comedian Michael Blackson backstage at The Laugh Factory during The Chocolate Sundaes Comedy Show in Hollywood.

Photograph: Frank Holder

Our featured Star Spotlight this week shines on comedic actress Yvette Nicole Brown, probably best known for her recurring role as movie theater manager named Helen Dubois in the Nickelodeon TV show Drake & Josh. This East Cleveland, Ohio natvie has one of the brightest stars shining in Hollywood right now as she looks like to have been tapped as the “nest one”. We got a chance to chat with here about her career and a couple of other projects she has. Here is a portion of the interview; Humor Mill: This week we are interviewing an actress /comedic actress, Ms. Yvette Nicole Brown. Ms. Brown, how are you doing today?

Yvette Nicole Brown: I’m doing great Frank, how are you?

HM: First question I have to ask you, is when you started out earlier in your career was it a decision that you made to say I definitely want to become an actress and go the comedy route or was it a conscious decision to say you know let me just act and see whatever I get I get?

YNB: You know what? I actually started out as a singer so I wasn’t even thinking about acting when I got in the business.

When I did make the decision to be an actor, I just wanted to make people laugh so I think I decided the comedy route was better for me, but now that I’ve done it I feel like I want to try drama so the drama side is starting to come to the forefront as well but yeah making people laugh was really big in my world so that was my goal.

HM: When the transition came when you were singing in the acting came was it that decision that basically was what I was acting let me just act or let me just do what I can do is basically what I was saying?

YNB: You know what is so funny when you first start out acting you just take whatever they give you pretty much and what came my way were comedic things that started in commercials and there’s a lot of comedy in commercials so I think it wasn’t a conscious decision to go down comedy’s route but that seem to be the thing that wanted me and so you kind of go to where your wanted so that’s kind of why I ended up doing comedy first I think. Hear the complete interview with Yvette here: http://humormill.podhoster.com/

Photograph: Frank Holder

PHOTOS Of The YEAR~ Actors Hassan Johnson and Don Cheadle at the Coco Cubana Club celebrating Cheadle’s birthday in Hollywood.

Photograph: Frank Holder

PHOTOS Of The YEAR~ Comedian/Actor Jay Phillips and Hip Hop Artist Kanye West inside Big Spike’s Mo Betta Mondays Hosted By DeRay Davis at the Improv in Los Angeles.

Photograph: Frank Holder

PHOTOS Of The YEAR~ Singer Eric BenĂŠt performing Live at The House Of Blues in Hollywood.

Photograph: Frank Holder

PHOTOS Of The YEAR~ Comedic actress Kim Coles and Carl Anthony Payne backstage at the taping of Bill Bellamy’s Who’s Got Jokes? in Hollywood.

Photograph: Frank Holder

PHOTOS Of The YEAR~ Actress Malinda Williams arriving on the Red Carpet at The BET Awards After Party at the Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood.

2008 came and is almost over. So I put together my selection of film favorites for this year.

Best Family Film: Has to go to Kung Fu Panda voiced by Jack Black, Dustin Hoffman & Angelina Jolie. Po the panda (Jack Black) idolizes the Furious Five & loathes his family's buisness. When he decides to follow his dreams and believe in himself, he turns a twist of fate into a legacy. It's a great message for kids...unlike The R. Kelly verdict.

Best Action Film: I am torn between The Dark Knight, with Iron Man running a close second. The Joker, played by Heath Ledger was the best villain I've seen in a long while. He upstaged everyone in the film and made it a summer blockbuster must-see. Iron Man also had sick action with an engaging storyline. Tony Stark (Robert Downey, Jr.) is a child prodigy who resides over the largest weapon company in the world. After a brush with death, he begins a crusade to use his scientific genius to fight evil. It was an amazing performance from Robert Downey, Jr. In fact, Robert Downey Jr. killed every film he was in this year... see Bobby Brown you don't have to let drugs slow you down.

Best Comedy Film: If you ask me Zack & Miri Make a Porno was the most hysterical & fearless comedy of this year. I haven't laughed that hard since the first time I saw Half Baked (1998). Zack (Seth Rogen) & Miri (Elizabeth Banks) are 20-year platonic friends who are desperately in need of fast cash. Once their power is cut off in midst of a harsh winter, they see the fabulous porn world as their only saving grace. Just the things the characters had the nerve to say, put the film at the top of my list. This was the film Mike Myers was trying to make with the awful Love Guru.

Best Ensemble Film: This of course belongs to Sex & the City! It was the most awaited film since the end of the popular TV series in 2004. Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda were back and women across the country rushed to theaters, organized girls-nite-out parties and made it a #1 film for several weeks. It went down as the fifth highest grossing rated R movie in history. In fact, the only downside to the film was the increase of women who wanted to live above their means trying to keep up with characters in the film. If Jimmy Choo is gonna come in between paying your rent -just say NO. Best Actor: I got to give it to Will Smith this year. At first I thought about Robert Downey, Jr. but Will has him beat since 2008 officially marked Will Smith as being the highest paid actor in Hollywood. We started into 2008 on the tail of I Am Legend (2007). Then in time for the summer blockbuster wave he hit us with Hancock. Now as we close out the year, once again Will doesn't leave us empty-handed with Seven Pounds, which is already generating some Oscar buzz. He went from a Fresh Prince of Bel-Air to the Freshest Box-office cash King- period!

Best Actress: Surprisingly, my pick is someone who has surely paid her dues, but may be just getting her credit, Taraji P. Henson stood out to me this year. After a game-changing role in Talk to Me (2007), Taraji played in Tyler Perry's The Family that Preys and the year-ending masterpiece The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. While Benjamin Button is getting her an Oscar nod, she is already promoting for her next film to premiere in January, T.D. Jake's, Not Easily Broken (2009). As if that wasn't enough she is in production for 2 additional upcoming films in 2009 Once Fallen and Hurricane Season. So beat that Nia Long...wherever you may be.

PHOTOS Of The YEAR~ Comedian Rodman outside at The Improv in Hollywood.

Photograph: Frank Holder

Photograph: Frank Holder

PHOTOS Of The YEAR~ Comedic actor DeRay Davis inside Big Spike’s Mo Betta Mondays Hosted By Davis at the Improv in Los Angeles.

Photograph: Frank Holder

PHOTOS Of The YEAR~ Hip hop artist Nelly and R&B Star Ashanti at the Pre-BET Awards Ceremony Hosted By Debra Lee at Vibiana’s in Los Angeles.

To A Fraction OF The Rock; I am glad you took over for Tony Rock for this column. I loved reading your advice, but before I get into why I am writing I want you to give it to me straight as I am in a real life dilemma; I promised to be there for my boo, who went to jail for three years. While he was away I did the best that I could do to be supportive, and I didn’t mess around on him at all, until this year and he is about to get out. Then I met someone and everything changed. I tried the best that I could to wait, and before I knew it I had sex with this other guy. Now I am falling for this new man and my boo is getting out and I don’t know what to do. I love my boo but I am really falling in love with this new guy. Please help a sista out!

Signed, Love Jones Baltimore, MD Dear Love Jones, It's kind of admirable to say you'll do your boo's time with him. It's nice to be supportive, put a lil' money on his books, visits and such. But to devote yourself for 3 years?? I think sometimes we bite off more than we can chew. You promised to be true and your intentions were good. But life happens!! When life happens and it affects others it's up to us to let them know. Not for approval but to allow them the opportunity to prepare (especially if your boo's "home plan" was with you) People can change in three years, and the truth is, your feeling more connected to someone else might've happened anyway - whether your boo was in or out. Your decision should be based upon what's best for you at this time in your life. It may not be easy, but I think it would be better to get the truth out while there's still distance, bars, and armed guards between you two. Please consider this, you may be sacrificing a real relationship with someone that's in the NOW who is in tune with who you are today for a fantasy relationship based on guilt and a three year promise.

To A Fraction OF The Rock; LOL! I had to holla, cause you sure laid it on thick! So baby girl I had to write cause I wanted your advice and you seem to tell the truth. I met a woman at a club a couple of months ago and we hit it off in the club. Things looked straight and we took our heat to the men’s room and I had to do what I do! Anyway, since then, I don’t seem to trust her when ever she hits the clubs without me. Now I know I am true playa for real, but every now and then I doubt myself.

Should I trust her when she goes out, cause I don’t want to have no drama!

Tru Playa Brooklyn, NY Dear Tru Playa Sounds like she put it on you and you might not want anyone else to "luck up" on your "pot of gold". But I guarantee, Playa, that "treasure's" been found before! ....And what might you be doing while your girl's out clubbing? If you're at home, I would suggest you rent an old playa classic THE MACK! Playa's code: “If your woman choose another man, you step off.” My advice is to take it for what it is. Don't look so far into it. You take this kinda sh*t day by day. Let's not forget how this “toilet” love affair began. A bathroom rendezvous is not one I would think to build a lasting relationship from... Come on is that the story you want to share with your kids on how you met their mother?

Fraction Of The Rock, Maybe you can answer this question for me. Why is it when you hit a club and dance with a woman some of them have no problem with the contact dancing but will not let you use your hands? I don’t understand that one. But I am happy! I would rather have that type of contact then using my hands any day!

UNKNOWN First of all I'm very glad to hear that you're happy and can respect the boundaries women set on the dance floor.

Anything else, I would've taken you for a borderline rapist.

Photograph: Frank Holder

PHOTOS Of The YEAR~ Comedic actor Shawn Wayans backstage at Trippin’ On Tuesdays hosted by Chris Spencer at The Comedy Store after the tribute to Bernie Mac in Hollywood.

PHOTOS Of The YEAR~ Rapper Lil Kim arriving on the Red Carpet at The BET Awards After Party at the Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood.

Photograph: Frank Holder

Photograph: Frank Holder

PHOTOS Of The Year Actress Kenya Moore arriving on the Red Carpet at The BET Awards After Party at the Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood.

PHOTOS Of The YEAR~ Actress/Model Eva Marcell at the Pre-BET Awards Ceremony Hosted By Debra Lee at Vibiana’s in Los Angeles.

Photograph: Frank Holder

PHOTOS Of The Year ~ Comedian B-Phlat after her performance taping of the new season of Comic View: One Mic Stand in Hollywood.

Photograph: Kevin Campbell

Photograph: Kevin Campbell

PHOTOS Of The Year~ Comedian Jasper Redd at the taping of Comic View: One Mic Stand in Hollywood.

Photograph: Frank Holder

PHOTOS Of The YEAR~ Comedian Tony Rock backstage at The Laugh Factory taking a break during his hosting duties during The Chocolate Sundaes Comedy Show in Hollywood.

CHAPTER I It All Sounds the Same QUESTION: NOW THAT BARACK IS PRESIDENT IS IT OKAY TO SAY THE WORD NIGGER IN PUBLIC? I wish I had a dollar for every time the word nigger was said when Barack Obama was announced the winner of the presidential election. I’d be able to pay off the deficit singlehandedly. Rednecks, malcontents and ignoramuses from all over were up in arms at having to follow a black man’s lead and thus this most despicable of words flew off their lips like water flies off a body shaking dog who’d just been soaked by his owner’s garden hose. Surely not all the nigger utterers were racists, and I’m sure many had never even considered using this hateful epithet in polite company, but at that moment of realization kicked in with the only sound that summed up their full throttle frustration – niiiiig - ger.

The anger that bubble up upon discovering that George W. Bush and John McCain had ruined the power role monopoly for an entire race must’ve increased the suicide rate and caused hearts to flutter pitta pad. I’m sure paramedics worked overtime and emergency units stayed fully staffed until the storm blew over. How could it have happened? Had their forefathers been alive they’d bludgeon the whole lot of them with wet 2 X 4s. They’d spent a lot of time rigging the system against this kind of thing going down; stacked judicial and juries, usury laws, literacy tests and rezoning whenever things got scary. C’mon, the Republicans should have been a cinch to win – an old man with previous heart conditions and an empty-headed running mate who had more than a passing chance of taking over the highest office in the land – as soon as she found out what she was supposed to do with it. The only answer had to be – members of the majority race became traitors.

Now if you ask most folks, they’ll tell you they have no qualms with the dream of Martin Luther King Jr. Little black kids playing in harmony with little white kids in a colorblind society would b great – as long as they’re dead and buried before such a nightmare occurs. These same people are all down for equality as long as it doesn’t affect them directly. In other words, don’t move next door and don’t become their boss. Barack is now their real boss so you know the “niggers” were running rampant. And in a way you can’t blame them. What other taboo word can you say to a black person and throw their world into a tailspin? Most African - Americans will laugh loudly in your mug if you use antiquated insults such as, coon, jungle bunny, spearchucker or darkie. So basically racists, no matter how temporary, had no choice.

Some can still recall that there used to be a time that the public use of the ‘N’ word would cause eye brows to raise. Older blacks would wince in embarrassment. Years of painful, hateful memories hurled like a smack in the face in their presence.

The problem for them is now this word is no longer reserved for angry Anglos, but by young blacks as a term of endearment. These AARP members don’t recall love when they heard it in public. Their memories skirt to attack dogs, fire hoses and a ranting mob. So to hear it coming from the mouth of a kinsman irks them to no end.

You’ll get the clearing of the phlegm filled throats and an increase to their already furrowed brows.

Sometimes an over-the-hill ancient warrior might attempt schooling the offender - only to get cursed out or worse (i.e. shot). So for the most part those bothered by this display of unbridled verbal freedom kept their mouths shut and their teeth in them.

As a baby-boomer I’ve wrestled with my feelings regarding public outing of the word. I can’t recall the number of times I’ve called and been called that word by my buddies. He said it at play, over a meal and just kicking it around drinking or watching television. We never saw anything wrong because we were using the culturally acceptable version with the ‘a’ attached and replacing the ‘er’. It was an inside thing and black thing – nobody else would understand. That’s probably why we never included anybody else in our private thing. If a Latin or Caucasian cohort was within earshot they didn’t get an ear load of nigga.

It wasn’t preplanned or mapped out – just blackflex (a learned minority reaction to circumstances in America). In turn they didn’t bandy about with terms of affection such as ‘redneck’ and ‘cracker’ when we were in their midst. I’ve never heard the phrase, “You’re my honky” in my life.

Well, the elders, unlike that younger generation elders never understand, don’t make the distinction of “er” VS “a”. When their wrinkled ears catch the phrase, whether in music, TV or at the Laundromat – they can’t deal. The NAACP buried the word, but nobody seems to have invited anybody born after 1959 to the funeral. They sling it like politicians sling bullshit. It’s all over the place and the older folks don’t appreciate it.

I’m sure it wasn’t the two verbal tones that upset them as much as how it was presented. The word by itself is no worse than any other and actually has a certain lyrical quality to it. It’s forceful, concise and when said with the ferocity for which it was originally intended, it slices like a razor. No doubt about it – the word was concocted by somebody who knew a thing or two about humans and how to insult them.

The N-word has caused fights, killings, maiming and heated discussions. So what makes us think this word will be changed now that Barack Obama is the president? It’s simple - your leader is one. That right there is hard to swallow for most people. How are you going to knowingly follow someone you consider a threat, a lazy individual, and a drain on society? You can’t! Your common sense and brain won’t allow it. Nobody tags behind someone they don’t respect. So continually referring to your president as nigger is something most folks, white or otherwise; is not prepared to do. Thus, the word will take on new meaning for them as well.

See, now that Barack is in charge, the N-word can be viewed as what it really is – a word. Just as his victory erased a painful page in American history and the book most blacks had written in their heads that this day would never come, that win should also erase the stigma of the word and free it up to die or survive on it’s own merit.

Nigger was utilized by whites to destroy self esteem, but honestly how many times lately have you been accosted by a white person brandishing the word for all to hear? Nigga is used by blacks…Latinos, whites and even Asians and Middle Easterners, and usually by their young. Youth has it in their music and have supplanted the shiftlessness with a colorblindness that allows any race to be a nigga. In the post-Barack era we must once and for all acknowledge that it’s no longer just a word for black people anymore.

I personally got tired of monitoring the word so I started calling all my friends (of all races) ‘nigger”.

Oh, I kept the ‘er’ to see their reaction. Not surprisingly – they didn’t like it. They requested I call them ‘nigga’ and I asked what’s the difference. They gave me the usual argument so I decided not to use it at all anymore. Now I simply call them by their names.

Joe Torry

Men’s Vest - Eric Manieŕ Clothing

This featured comedic actor needs no introduction, as he has ripped the stage for years, and that’s Joe Torry. We all remember Torry as one of the early Hosts of HBO’s Def Comedy Jam and he exploded on the scene and has been commanding the stage ever since.

Comedian-Joe Torry Featured Model ~ Porsche Coleman All Photos: Photographer Allen Zaki

Linen Shirt & Boots- Eric Manieŕ Clothing

After exploding on stage, Torry also exploded on the Hollywood scene landing several roles in such films as Strictly Business, House Party 3 and his most memorable role as Chicago in the film Poetic Justice that also starred Janet Jackson and TuPac. These days Torry is still doing films and still hitting the stage.

First, let start by wishing everyone a Happy New Year! Please note: when saying "Happy New Year" please drop the "s". Where did that come from? "Happy New Year's"? The "s" makes the "Year" possessive and it's just wrong!

The New Year is the time when everyone reflects on the past year, thinking about what went right and/or wrong, then coming up with ways of becoming a better person - the infamous New Year’s resolution. But how long does the euphoric sense of wanting to be a better person last? It’s only 12 days into 2009, how many of you have already abandoned your quest to lose weight, quit smoking, get a better job, get a better education, live on a budget, etc…? Better yet, how many times have you set the same fleeting resolutions? Only 8% of people who set New Year’s resolutions actually succeed.

So what’s the secret that those 8% know which the majority of us don’t? They set realistic goals based on their current status. One can’t vow to never eat sugar again knowing that it has been an integral part of their diet for years, or say you’ll lose 30 pounds in 30 days when it probably took 30 weeks to gain the extra load. In past years I would set some very high expectations for myself, to only be let down at the first sign of weakness or defeat which resulted in scrapping the resolution all together. It’s been said that insanity is doing the same things, yet expecting different results. So how about we start doing something different – holding ourselves accountable for where we are in life, own how you got there and be responsible for where it takes us. All too often we cling to our excuses and cliché's as justification not to be or do better. One of the most common is that women are emotional creatures. Biologically that is correct, however, does that allow women to act a damn fool anytime they please and not be help accountable for her actions and consequences of such? And yes, you heard that from another woman! We are what we think.

It's time for us to step up our game, rise above our shortcomings and be better. 2009 is indeed the year for change with our first black President taking oath in a matter of days our excuses, whining and crutches should be left in 2008. Don’t set resolutions; just do your personal best.

Zsanaé Davis can be contacted at | www.facebook.com/people/Zsanae-Davis/594526003 www.climbinc.org www.myspace.com/zsanae

PHOTOS Of The Year~ Actor & R&B singer Keith Robinson (of Dreamgirls fame) performing at R&B Live located at Club Cinespace in Hollywood.

Photograph: Frank Holder

Photograph: Kevin Campbell

PHOTOS Of The YEAR~ Comedian Eric Blake backstage at The Laugh Factory during The Chocolate Sundaes Comedy Show in Hollywood.

PHOTOS Of The Year~ Comedians Rodney Perry and Carmen Barton during the Chocolate Sundaes Comedy Show at the Laugh Factory in Hollywood.

Photograph: Frank Holder

PHOTOS Of The YEAR~ Actress Vanessa Williams at the official After Party during the American Black Film Festival in Hollywood.

Photograph: Kevin Campbell

Photograph: Frank Holder

PHOTOS Of The YEAR~ Actor Boris Kodjoe arriving on the Red Carpet at The BET Awards After Party at the Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood.

Photograph: Frank Holder

PHOTOS Of The Year~ Comedians Goldie and Sydney Castillo at the taping of Comic View: One Mic Stand in Hollywood.

Photograph: Frank Holder

PHOTOS Of The YEAR~ Comedian Buddy Lewis backstage at The Laugh Factory during The Chocolate Sundaes Comedy Show in Hollywood.

Photograph: Frank Holder

PHOTOS Of The YEAR~ Comedic actor Affion Crockett backstage at Trippin’ On Tuesdays hosted by Chris Spencer at The Comedy Store after the tribute to Bernie Mac in Hollywood.

Photograph: Frank Holder

PHOTOS Of The Year~ Comedians Grady and TuRae Gordon at the taping of Comic View: One Mic Stand in Hollywood.

Photograph: Kevin Campbell

PHOTOS Of The Year~ Comedian Kenny Johnson at the taping of Comic View: One Mic Stand in Hollywood.

Photograph: Kevin Campbell

PHOTOS Of The Year~ Comedian Tyshon Barrett backstage at the taping of Comic View: One Mic Stand in Hollywood.

Okay, so 2008 wasn’t your year, after all. I know. It sure felt like it was going to be the one, didn’t it? I mean, about a year ago, all the signs seemed to be pointing in your direction, didn’t they? Not to say that you didn’t pick your spots and “do your thing” on more than a few occasions this year. You were on TV three times. And then there’s that true test of growing popularity; people are starting to recognize you on the street… from TV shows that you didn’t even tape.

You signed with an agent this year. You’ve met some very influential people and it looks like they all dig you. You had some exceptional auditions. You killed at any number of industry showcases.

You even had a couple of very promising producer meetings where you got to pitch your ideas to “real industry players.” You know you’ve never been more ready to blow. You could’ve sworn you were at least about to bubble. You would’ve put money on it. I’m sure some folks did just that. And that’s cool.

Anyone who knows me knows that I believe in myself. I also believe in harnessing that belief and investing in myself. I make plans and then I do all that I can to see those plans fully implemented.

I try not to leave things to chance. I plan, pray and work hard. Crazy things can and often will still happen. “Lady Luck,” makes her own friends and God keeps his schedule secret.

With every fiber of my being I feel that my best years are ahead of me, don’t you? And why wouldn’t the best be yet to come? I have a history of independence and positive results in this business. I’ve had some exceptional years. Many of those were awe-inspiring. I’ve endured a few unforgettably mediocre years, as well. But regardless of what happened this year, by the grace of God, I’ll show up ready for work next year-ready to show and prove and improve. And by God’s grace, every year, I’ll get better.

I hereby proclaim, “2009 (and every year thereafter) will be my year.” Not because, looking forward, one year is better than another. It isn’t. Not because I have a crystal ball and can see my future. I can’t. 2009 will be my year because I have people in my life who love me. There are people whom I love. I’m at the top of my game and still getting better. I’m planning to succeednot just hoping that I do so.

2009 will be my year because with all I’ve got, I will strive to be a better, more faithful child of God, a better, more conscientious human being, a more patient teacher and a more gracious student. If I accomplish those goals in any year, I’d have to count it as a win. Everything else will come easily. At the same time, I’m keeping my dukes up, ‘cause I know even with all the good things coming my way, it’s still gonna’ be treacherous getting it and keeping it!

THIS YEAR (a new years poem)

With God’s Grace, It’ll be different this year, I’ll act without fear, Cling fast to what’s dear, Keep all my thoughts clear, Keep a pad and pen near, As I chill with a beer, As I advance from the rear, As I reach the next tier, As I sharpen my ear, As I upgrade my gear, As I make sure I hear, As I shed my last tear, As I look in the mirror, It’ll be on and crackin’ I’ll make up my mind, Leave negativity behind, Get my thoughts off rewind, As I look for a sign, As I keep what I find, Get out of this bind, As I come out of the blind, Relax as I dine, As I love my own kind, As I cross every line, As I stay on the grind, As I savor the pine, Enjoy the fruit of the vine, As I claim what’s mine, I’m still cleaning my nine, ‘Cause fools still trip from time to time, But I won’t dwell on it, I choose to be positive. © Anthony D. Spires aka Phruishun Thanks to all of you for reading the column. It’s my pleasure to share these insights with my people. It’s food for thought. If you can’t chew it, don’t swallow it. May God bless you all abundantly. Until next year, be safe, be smart, be successful, be thankful. One Love, for real. Merry Christmas! Happy New Year! Holla at your Doctor!

-#Tony Spires is a filmmaker, event producer, personal manager, poet, musician, award-winning playwright, acclaimed director and columnist for The Humor Mill Magazine. He is also co-founder of Full Vision Arts Foundation.

Known as The Comedy Doctor in comedy circles, he is perhaps best known as the founder of the nationally reputed Bay Area Black Comedy Competition & Festival and as writer/director/producer of the acclaimed feature film, “Tears Of A Clown” now available on DVD. Email Tony at: ComedyDoctor@BlackComedyCompetition.com.

Visit his youth Arts Organization at: http://www.FullVisionArts.org.

Photographer: Patrick McKenzie