Russell Simmons is "vehemently" denying claims of sexual misconduct.
The 60-year-old music mogul defended himself on Wednesday against a new New York Times piece, which includes allegations that he raped three women.
"I have never had a sexual encounter that was not consensual or lawful. Ever," an all-caps post on Instagram read.
This full statement followed:
"I vehemently deny all these allegations. These horrific accusations have shocked me to my core and all of my relations have been consensual.
I am blessed to have shared extraordinary relationships, whether through work or love, with many great women; and I have enormous respect for the women's movement worldwide and their struggle for respect, dignity, equality and power. I am devastated by any reason I may have given to anyone to say or think of me int he ways that are currently being described. In recent weeks, some former business, creative and romantic partners have aired grievances as claims I categorically...
The 60-year-old music mogul defended himself on Wednesday against a new New York Times piece, which includes allegations that he raped three women.
"I have never had a sexual encounter that was not consensual or lawful. Ever," an all-caps post on Instagram read.
This full statement followed:
"I vehemently deny all these allegations. These horrific accusations have shocked me to my core and all of my relations have been consensual.
I am blessed to have shared extraordinary relationships, whether through work or love, with many great women; and I have enormous respect for the women's movement worldwide and their struggle for respect, dignity, equality and power. I am devastated by any reason I may have given to anyone to say or think of me int he ways that are currently being described. In recent weeks, some former business, creative and romantic partners have aired grievances as claims I categorically...
- 12/14/2017
- Entertainment Tonight
HBO has given us an early Christmas present: Big Little Lies is officially returning for another season, TVLine has confirmed.
The hit miniseries’ story will continue with a seven-episode Season 2, with Nicole Kidman and Reese Witherspoon returning to star and executive-produce. Shailene Woodley, who starred alongside Kidman and Witherspoon in Season 1, is not confirmed to return, but a statement from HBO says that “most of the cast is expected to return, and negotiations are underway.”
RelatedBig Little Lies Eyes Spring 2018 Production Start for Season 2
David E. Kelley will return to write all seven episodes of the new season, with director Andrea Arnold (Transparent,...
The hit miniseries’ story will continue with a seven-episode Season 2, with Nicole Kidman and Reese Witherspoon returning to star and executive-produce. Shailene Woodley, who starred alongside Kidman and Witherspoon in Season 1, is not confirmed to return, but a statement from HBO says that “most of the cast is expected to return, and negotiations are underway.”
RelatedBig Little Lies Eyes Spring 2018 Production Start for Season 2
David E. Kelley will return to write all seven episodes of the new season, with director Andrea Arnold (Transparent,...
- 12/8/2017
- TVLine.com
Hollywood’s sexual harassment scandals have had an immediate effect on the industry — and on TV viewers as well. As networks and studios are confronted with allegations of misconduct and assault by their stars, producers, and even executives, heightened publicity has also prevented them from sweeping such news under the rug.
Instead, from morning to primetime, broadcast, cable and streaming services have been faced with making big moves on some of their biggest properties. In the $1 billion morning show competition, both NBC’s “Today” and CBS’ “This Morning” fired key anchors. Netflix’s and Amazon’s signature, award-winning dramas are expected to return without their lead stars. Paramount Network planned to launch by leveraging the Weinstein brand — but that strategy is dead. And FX must now rebuild its comedy brand without the producer who inspired much of it.
Here’s a continually updated roundup of TV productions that have been...
Instead, from morning to primetime, broadcast, cable and streaming services have been faced with making big moves on some of their biggest properties. In the $1 billion morning show competition, both NBC’s “Today” and CBS’ “This Morning” fired key anchors. Netflix’s and Amazon’s signature, award-winning dramas are expected to return without their lead stars. Paramount Network planned to launch by leveraging the Weinstein brand — but that strategy is dead. And FX must now rebuild its comedy brand without the producer who inspired much of it.
Here’s a continually updated roundup of TV productions that have been...
- 12/7/2017
- by Michael Schneider
- Indiewire
Viserion, Drogon, Rhaegal? You’ve (almost) officially got the coming year off.
Game of Thrones won’t air any episodes in 2018 — and will instead premiere its final season in 2019 — got even more backup Wednesday when star Sophie Turner said as much in an interview with our sister site Variety.
“Game of Thrones comes out in 2019,” the actress said when discussing release of her upcoming work, including the film X-Men: Dark Phoenix.
Turner’s comments are just the latest in a growing pile of evidence that the wait for the fantasy series’ return will be longer than expected. HBO programming president...
Game of Thrones won’t air any episodes in 2018 — and will instead premiere its final season in 2019 — got even more backup Wednesday when star Sophie Turner said as much in an interview with our sister site Variety.
“Game of Thrones comes out in 2019,” the actress said when discussing release of her upcoming work, including the film X-Men: Dark Phoenix.
Turner’s comments are just the latest in a growing pile of evidence that the wait for the fantasy series’ return will be longer than expected. HBO programming president...
- 12/7/2017
- TVLine.com
Another one bites the dust. Deadline reports Russell Simmons has been removed from the upcoming HBO TV show All Def Comedy amid allegations of sexual assault.Simmons has had a long-standing relationship with HBO since the network first debuted his series Def Comedy Jam in 1992. Like that show, All Def Comedy features well-known and up-and-coming stand-up comedians such as Deon Cole, DeRay Davis, Gary Owen, Alex Babbitt, Jess Hilarious, and Kelly Kellz.Read More…...
- 12/2/2017
- by TVSeriesFinale.com
- TVSeriesFinale.com
Russell Simmons production company held an emergency meeting hours after he stepped down amid sexual assault allegations, because his move came at the worst possible time. Sources at Simmons' All Def Digital tell us staffers were called together Thursday morning. The company's "All Def Comedy Live" premieres Friday night on HBO, and we're told comedians and producers were given strict instructions on how to deal with questions about Russell leaving and the claims against him.
- 12/1/2017
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
HBO is distancing itself from Russell Simmons in light of the sexual assault allegations surrounding the music mogul.
Simmons is an executive producer of the network’s new All Def Comedy stand-up series, but his name and presence will now be removed from the show, according to our sister site Deadline.
“HBO will be airing All Def Comedy as planned,” the network said in a statement. “However, Russell Simmons will not appear in the new series, and we will be removing his name from the show moving forward. The series is a platform for promising and upcoming comedians, and we...
Simmons is an executive producer of the network’s new All Def Comedy stand-up series, but his name and presence will now be removed from the show, according to our sister site Deadline.
“HBO will be airing All Def Comedy as planned,” the network said in a statement. “However, Russell Simmons will not appear in the new series, and we will be removing his name from the show moving forward. The series is a platform for promising and upcoming comedians, and we...
- 11/30/2017
- TVLine.com
Russell Simmons’ name has been removed from HBO’s “All Def Comedy” following a new accusation of sexual assault from screenwriter Jenny Lumet. “HBO will be airing ‘All Def Comedy’ as planned,” the network said in a statement. “However, Russell Simmons will not appear in the new series and we will be removing his name from the show moving forward. “The series is a platform for promising and upcoming comedians and we do not want to deprive them of an opportunity to showcase their talents to a national audience,” the network continued. “We have no other projects with Russell Simmons.
- 11/30/2017
- by Reid Nakamura
- The Wrap
HBO, which has had a long-standing relationship with Russell Simmons, is distancing itself from the discarded mogul after he has been hit by sexual assault allegations. “HBO will be airing All Def Comedy as planned,” the network said in a statement to Deadline. “However, Russell Simmons will not appear in the new series and we will be removing his name from the show moving forward. The series is a platform for promising and upcoming comedians and we do not want to…...
- 11/30/2017
- Deadline TV
Russell Simmons is stepping down.
In response to a new allegation of past sexual misconduct by writer Jenny Lumet (Rachel Getting Married, The Mummy), the 60-year-old music mogul penned a letter announcing he will remove himself from Def Jam Recordings, as well as a Los Angeles yoga studio he founded.
Lumet alleges in a guest column for The Hollywood Reporter, that in 1991, when she was 24 years old, Simmons offered her a ride home from a restaurant. She explains that she and Simmons had a generally friendly relationship since meeting in 1987, claiming he "lightly" pursued her, though she turned him down, adding it was "never a big deal."
However, upon accepting the ride in 1991, Lumet alleges that changed. Lumet claims that Simmons twice said "no" when she asked the driver to take her to her apartment, who instead allegedly drove the two to Simmons' place. Lumet claims that there, Simmons made a non-consensual sexual advance to her, further...
In response to a new allegation of past sexual misconduct by writer Jenny Lumet (Rachel Getting Married, The Mummy), the 60-year-old music mogul penned a letter announcing he will remove himself from Def Jam Recordings, as well as a Los Angeles yoga studio he founded.
Lumet alleges in a guest column for The Hollywood Reporter, that in 1991, when she was 24 years old, Simmons offered her a ride home from a restaurant. She explains that she and Simmons had a generally friendly relationship since meeting in 1987, claiming he "lightly" pursued her, though she turned him down, adding it was "never a big deal."
However, upon accepting the ride in 1991, Lumet alleges that changed. Lumet claims that Simmons twice said "no" when she asked the driver to take her to her apartment, who instead allegedly drove the two to Simmons' place. Lumet claims that there, Simmons made a non-consensual sexual advance to her, further...
- 11/30/2017
- Entertainment Tonight
Some say that December is the perfect time to catch up on a bevy of great TV for the year. While there are plenty of shows vying for your precious remaining 2017 hours, that certainly isn’t stopping networks of all kinds from trying to strike gold with a hit before the calendar turns.
Read More: Our 20 Favorite New TV Characters of 2017
Admittedly, this month’s selection is slimmer than usual (someone has to make room for all the holiday specials!), but there’s still enough to highlight for our monthly roundup of new shows. (Wondering if you’re all caught up with the big shows from the past few months? Our August, September, October, and November previews are here to help guide you.)
“All Def Comedy” (December 1, HBO)
“All Def Comedy” made its HBO debut last year as a late-fall special, but Tony Rock is back to host an...
Read More: Our 20 Favorite New TV Characters of 2017
Admittedly, this month’s selection is slimmer than usual (someone has to make room for all the holiday specials!), but there’s still enough to highlight for our monthly roundup of new shows. (Wondering if you’re all caught up with the big shows from the past few months? Our August, September, October, and November previews are here to help guide you.)
“All Def Comedy” (December 1, HBO)
“All Def Comedy” made its HBO debut last year as a late-fall special, but Tony Rock is back to host an...
- 11/30/2017
- by Steve Greene
- Indiewire
Dave Chappelle, Steve Harvey, Cedric the Entertainer, Martin Lawrence, Kevin Hart, Tracy Morgan and Adele Givens are among the famous comedians in Def Comedy Jam 25. The special, out on Netflix September 26th, celebrates the 25th anniversary of the Def Comedy Jam series, which nurtured the careers of numerous black comics.
"All you millennials may be asking, what the hell is Def Comedy Jam?" Cedric the Entertainer said. "That's why we hate you little motherfuckers. Y'all don't know shit."
Def Comedy Jam, produced by legendary music executive Russell Simmons, originally aired...
"All you millennials may be asking, what the hell is Def Comedy Jam?" Cedric the Entertainer said. "That's why we hate you little motherfuckers. Y'all don't know shit."
Def Comedy Jam, produced by legendary music executive Russell Simmons, originally aired...
- 9/21/2017
- Rollingstone.com
Even though HBO and Russell Simmons are back in business with a new comedy series, Simmons will celebrate the 25th anniversary of his old HBO show, “Def Comedy Jam,” at rival Netflix instead.
Netflix announced Thursday that it would premiere “Def Comedy Jam 25” this fall. Performers include Bill Bellamy, Cedric the Entertainer, Dave Chappelle, Mike Epps, Adele Givens, Eddie Griffin, Tiffany Haddish, Kevin Hart, Steve Harvey, D.L. Hughley, Kid Capri, Martin Lawrence, Tracy Morgan, Craig Robinson, Jb Smoove, Sommore and Joe Torry.
“Russell Simmons’ Def Comedy Jam” aired on HBO from 1992 to 1997 and briefly returned in 2006. The show helped turn some of the stand-ups mentioned above into stars. Simmons, Stan Lathan, Sandy Wernick and Jesse Collins are executive producers of “Def Comedy Jam 25.”
Netflix has been aggressive in the comedy space, aggressively acquiring an entire docket of stand-up specials.
Here’s a teaser trailer for the special:
The return of “Def Comedy Jam,...
Netflix announced Thursday that it would premiere “Def Comedy Jam 25” this fall. Performers include Bill Bellamy, Cedric the Entertainer, Dave Chappelle, Mike Epps, Adele Givens, Eddie Griffin, Tiffany Haddish, Kevin Hart, Steve Harvey, D.L. Hughley, Kid Capri, Martin Lawrence, Tracy Morgan, Craig Robinson, Jb Smoove, Sommore and Joe Torry.
“Russell Simmons’ Def Comedy Jam” aired on HBO from 1992 to 1997 and briefly returned in 2006. The show helped turn some of the stand-ups mentioned above into stars. Simmons, Stan Lathan, Sandy Wernick and Jesse Collins are executive producers of “Def Comedy Jam 25.”
Netflix has been aggressive in the comedy space, aggressively acquiring an entire docket of stand-up specials.
Here’s a teaser trailer for the special:
The return of “Def Comedy Jam,...
- 8/24/2017
- by Michael Schneider
- Indiewire
Russell Simmons Def Jam was a big hit back in the 90s. This show was aired on HBO from 1992 to 1997 and it featured some of the biggest names in comedy during that era. Comedians such as Dave Chappelle, Mike Epps, Bill Bellamy and D.L. Hughley were featured on the show. Russell Simmons created this program to give black comedians a format for their talent. Def Comedy Jam turned out to be one of the best media outlets for top rated comedians of that era. Russell Simmons also made the “All Def Comedy Special” which aired back in November
What We Know about HBO’s “All Def Comedy” Series...
What We Know about HBO’s “All Def Comedy” Series...
- 8/2/2017
- by Steve Miller
- TVovermind.com
HBO is expanding their comedy lineup. Today, the network announced they've ordered a TV series based on Russell Simmons' All Def Comedy special.The comedy show will "be hosted by Tony Rock (“All of Us,” “The Tony Rock Project,” “Apollo Live”), and feature stand-up performances in a variety of styles, spotlighting up-and-coming comics discovered at All Def Digital’s live weekly comedy showcase and special, and its online video platform to discover the best emerging comics, as well as “Def Comedy” veterans."Read More…...
- 7/29/2017
- by TVSeriesFinale.com
- TVSeriesFinale.com
HBO has picked up Russell Simmons’ All Def Comedy stand-up series for a six-episode season that will kick of in December, the network said today. The order comes after HBO aired an All Def Comedy one-off special in November, part of Simmons’ overall first-look deal with the premium cabler. The shows will be taped October 10-11 at the Avalon Theatre in Los Angeles and hosted by Tony Rock. Like Simmons and HBO’s original Def Comedy Jam, the series will feature stand-up…...
- 7/28/2017
- Deadline TV
He launched a host of today’s comedy superstars in the ’90s on the HBO series “Russell Simmons’ Def Comedy Jam.” Now, Russell Simmons returns to the network for “All Def Comedy,” debuting Saturday, November 12 (10:00-11:00 p.m. Et/Pt), exclusively on… Continue Reading →...
- 10/14/2016
- by shadowandact
- ShadowAndAct
Russell Simmons, who launched the careers of several comedy legends in the ’90s on HBO’s Def Comedy Jam, is returning with All Def Comedy stand-up special on Saturday, November 12. Airing at 10 Pm exclusively on HBO, the special is part of Russell’s overall deal with the premium cabler. It’s based on All Def Comedy Live, a weekly comedy experience produced by All Def Digital (Add), Simmons' cross-platform media company. The special will also be available on HBO2 on…...
- 10/14/2016
- Deadline TV
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