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“OWN Spotlight: They Call Me Dad”  is an inspirational one-hour special that celebrates Black Fatherhood and the special bond dads have with their children, giving viewers exclusive access to a group of famous black fathers away from the spotlight and doing the most admirable thing imaginable – being a loving dad.

Through a series of deeply personal profiles, the special follows five celebrity Black fathers from diverse backgrounds, in their homes and unguarded, as they showcase the joys, fears, and fulfillment that being a dad brings while also shifting the narratives for a more accurate representation of Black fatherhood. From braiding hair to coaching sports teams to difficult conversations about how to deal with law enforcement, viewers will get to see parenthood from a father’s perspective.

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The special will feature the renowned spiritual leader and author Bishop T.D. Jakes; two-time Super Bowl champion Malcolm Jenkins, DJ and social media phenom, D-Nice, Grammy Award-winning recording artist Anthony Hamilton and Grammy Award-winning gospel recording artist Kirk Franklin, as they each showcase their unique parenting styles and explore the different roles that a father plays in his childrens’ lives as they grow up from hero and mentor to provider and protector. Additional guests include Meagan Good, Laila Ali and Sarah Jakes Roberts.

The special is executive produced by Oji Singletary and Critical Content.

About OWN Spotlight

“OWN Spotlight” presentations tackle issues and concerns facing Black lives. The programs feature candid and in-depth conversations that create real dialogue to inspire systematic change. Previous programs include the two-night special “Where Do We Go From Here?” that simulcast across the Discovery family of networks featuring Oprah and Black thought leaders discussing the current state of racism America; “Oprah and 100 Black Fathers” sharing the urgency of having “the talk” with their children and the dreams they have for the future of their families; “COVID-19: The Deadly Impact on Black America” that investigated the disproportionate impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Black communities; “Oprah At Home with Lupita Nyong’o and Cynthia Erivo,” which examined colorism in Hollywood; “Oprah and Alicia Keys – The Interview” discussing Alicia Keys’ new memoir “More Myself;” “When They See Us Now” featuring Oprah in conversation with award-winning filmmaker Ava DuVernay and the cast from the acclaimed series “When They See Us” along with real men formerly known as the Central Park Five; and the follow-up documentary from D. Channsin Berry “Dark Girls 2” exploring the prejudices darker-skinned women face around the world.

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Television & Radio

Donald Faison Cast as “Professor Utonium” in Live Action “Power Puff Girls!”

Donald Faison has found his latest role as “Professor Utonium,” the creator/father of “The Power Puff Girls” in The CW’s forthcoming live action series, “Power Puff.”

“Power Puff” will show the girls as disillusioned twentysomethings, resentful of having spent their childhoods fighting crime. However, new threats to the world may force them once again to band together.

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3 months ago

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March 31, 2021

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donald faison professor utonium power puff

Donald Faison has found his latest role as “Professor Utonium,” the creator/father of “The Power Puff Girls” in The CW’s forthcoming live action series, “Power Puff.”

“Power Puff” will show the girls as disillusioned twentysomethings, resentful of having spent their childhoods fighting crime. However, new threats to the world may force them once again to band together.

donald faison professor utonium power puff

Donald Faison is best known for his comedic performances in hit series like Clueless and Scrubs. His casting comes as a surprise to many, especially since Professor Utonium is literally a square-jawed Caucasian man. In “Power Puff” Faison’s Utonium will be middle aged, and although very proud of his girls, desperately trying his best to repair his relationships with his now adult daughters.

professor utonium

Professor Utonium using “sugar, spice, and everthing nice”

As you may recall, from the original cartoon series from the nineties brought to fame on Cartoon Network, Professor Utonium accidentally created The Power Puff Girls–Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup–when he accidentally mixed in the mysterious substance, “Chemical X,”while mixing in “sugar, spice, and everything nice” to create “the perfect little girl.” The Professor then took to raising the girls as well as being their mentor.

The reception of Faison’s casting has been met with mixed responses on social media; with some fans praising the news and others already trashing the show:

Alongside Faison’s casting, it was announced earlier this month that Chloe Bennet, Dove Cameron, and Yana Perrault will take on the roles of Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup, respectively. There is currently no word on casting for other characters in the series like The Mayor, Miss Bellum, Mojo JoJo, Fuzzy Lumpkins, Him, Princess, or The Rowdy Ruff Boys.

“Power Puff” marks one of the few superhero series on The CW not connected to its famous interconnected series based on DC Comics superheroes known collectively as “The Arrowverse” (Superman & Lois, Supergirl, The Flash, Batwoman, Black Lightning, DC’s The Legends of Tomorrow, and Stargirl) The new series will premiere this upcoming Fall on The CW.

 

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Jordan Fisher Cast as “Bart Allen/Impulse” in The CW’s “The Flash!”

The CW’s hit series, “The Flash” has cast Jordan Fisher as “Bart Allen” in their latest season coinciding with the series’ 150th episode anniversary.

Bartholomew “Bart” Allen, in the television series, is the son of Barry Allen/The Flash (Grant Gustin) and Iris West-Allen (Candice Patton). Like his father he is a speedster, but hails from the future, fighting crime alongside The Flash as “Impulse.”

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3 months ago

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March 31, 2021

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jordan fisher cast as bart allen impulse

The CW’s hit series, “The Flash” has cast Jordan Fisher as “Bart Allen” in their latest season coinciding with the series’ 150th episode anniversary.

Bartholomew “Bart” Allen, in the television series, is the son of Barry Allen/The Flash (Grant Gustin) and Iris West-Allen (Candice Patton). Like his father he is a speedster, but hails from the future, fighting crime alongside The Flash as “Impulse.”

jordan fisher cast as bart allen impulse

The Flash (Barry Allen) and Iris West-Allen

Bart’s appearance marks the second of The Flash’s future children to visit them in the past; the first being Nora Allen, their daughter in Season 6 of the series. Actor Jordan Fisher is best known for his roles in “Grease: Live,” To All The Boys I’ve Ever Loved: P.S. I Still Love You,” and Disney’s “Teen Beach Movie.” This also marks the first time an African-American has portrayed the character.

In the comics, however, Bart is not The Flash’s son, but his grandson, being the son of Meloni Thawn and Don Allen, the latter being The Flash’s son and one of The Tornado Twins, twin speedsters with powers similar to their father’s. Bart grows up to become the second Kid Flash and the fourth Flash  There is currently no word on why The CW’s version of the character does not have the same origins.

jordan fisher

Jordan Fisher

Fan response to Fisher’s casting has been largely positive, however:

Jordan Fisher’s casting only confirms The CW’s commitment to inclusivity and diversity, as it found itself re-examining its policies and show castings following issues on “Riverdale.”

As you may recall, the show was riddled with accusations of racism by Riverdale actress, Vanessa Morgan, for its mishandling of Black characters by writing them off, paying them less than their White co-stars, and making Black characters “sidekicks.” The network responded adding more Black characters to various shows and will try not underutilize black characters or portray them as criminals.

The air date for Jordan Fisher’s debut as “Bart Allen/Impulse” has yet to be announced.

 

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“Batwoman” Reportedly Canceled After Season 3, Javicia Leslie To Return

The days of Gotham City’s “Scarlet Knight,” are numbered. It is being reported The CW’s “Batwoman” is being canceled after its third upcoming season.

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3 months ago

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March 18, 2021

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batwoman javicia leslie

The days of Gotham City’s “Scarlet Knight,” are numbered. It is being reported The CW’s “Batwoman” is being canceled after its third upcoming season.

batwoman ruby rose and javicia leslie

Ruby Rose as “Batwoman” and Javicia Leslie

“Batwoman,” as you may recall initially starred Ruby Rose as “Kate Kane,” making history as television’s first lesbian led superhero series. It entailed Batwoman taking on her demented twin sister, Alice, as she attempts to destroy Gotham City. However, in a surprise move, Ruby resigned after the first season of the series, and was subsequently replaced with African-American actress, Javicia Leslie as “Ryan Wilder.”

Although fans and the public have largely embraced Javicia as the new Batwoman, the ratings for the second series have been abysmal. Many blame Ruby’s departure and the recasting of the role with a Black actress instead of another Caucasian one as the lead.

Javicia leslie as batwoman

Reaction to the cancellation news has been mixed with some fans outraged. “Not only did League take away Lux’s BA Animations from me today but I’m finding out [The] CW wants to cancel Batwoman after  S3 [Season 3] too???? What the actual f**k? How do they expect me to live without Alice?”@ENTIR3HEARTS tweeted. While others felt the show’s cancellation is overdue. @itisrealz tweeted “Showing men of color in a negative light is not bad at all, they’re being treated like any other white villain character and not made to feel special or cringey unlike ‘Batwoman’ that thinks Black people are something special when they’re just humans.”

Despite the series’ impending demise, sources are reporting this will not be the end of Javicia Leslie as the famed vigilante, instead she will make appearances in other surviving “CWverse” shows (a network of other intertwined superhero based series on The CW, creating a television “multiverse” similar to the Marvel Cinematic Universe).

Currently, neither The CW or any member of the Batwoman cast have released any official statement on the cancellation reports on the series.

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