Naomi Ludlow – The Hampton Script

An All That reunion on Wild ’N Out

23 Feb 201822 Feb 2018hamptonscriptLeave a comment

Naomi Ludlow | Arts & Entertainment Editor

Comedy stars from Nickelodeon’s All That will be reuniting on the new season of Wild ’N Out after 13 years of being off the air.

In recent posts on Instagram, cast members Kel Mitchell, Kenan Thompson, Lori Beth Denberg and Josh Server were posed together on the set of Wild ’N Out. All members were wearing black Wild ’N Out sweatshirts, meaning they will be on the same team. The reunion will come with nostalgia for all the ’90s kids who watched All That.

According to Complex Magazine, the cast reunited briefly to help promote Nickelodeon’s The Splat, a block programming series that replaced The ’90s Are All That.

Fans are excited for the cast’s official return to TV. Instagram comments read, “My childhood in one photo,” and “This is an important moment for me.”

All That cast member Kel Mitchell thanked Nick Cannon for coming up with the idea to bring the cast together once again, especially since Nick Cannon was once a member of the All That cast. It will be epic to see the stars reunite to battle it out through the games and rap battle.

Wild ’N Out is an improv-comedy battle where two teams go head to head to determine who is the funniest. Usually, the guest stars are captains of the opposing team. Rounds include many games, scenarios and songs where the teams have to conjure up an idea quickly.

Since the reboot of Wild ’N Out, Nick Cannon has repeatedly brought out some celebrity favorites such as Shaquille O’Neal, Migos and Zendaya.

The showing date for the All That cast reunion has not been released yet, so stay tuned to MTV.com for more details.

Hampton University Celebrates its 150th Founder’s Day

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Naomi Ludlow | Arts & Entertainment Editor

“Hampton University continues to sculpt and mold the hopes and dreams of many generations to come,” said keynote speaker Gen. Darrell Williams at HU’s 125th Founder’s Day celebration.

Last Sunday marked the 150^th anniversary of Gen. Samuel Armstrong founding of the institution.

Despite its founding 150 years ago, the university still cherishes its foundation and reasoning behind its founding.

HU alumnus Williams captured the extent of his experience at Hampton University within a few minutes. As the first in his family to go to college, Williams knew he was blessed to be able to live out his hopes and dreams.

During his tenure, he realized he was a part of something greater, and Hampton University will help him produce an even better version of himself.

Williams discussed the foundation for which Hampton University was founded upon the head, the heart, and the hands. Gen. Armstrong created a curriculum for students to receive traditional courses, but included the importance to balance those out with lessons that can be used in everyday life.

For the past 40 years Hampton University’s vision has been upheld under the guidance of President William R. Harvey. Under his direction Harvey ensures the student body, faculty, and staff understand the importance of legacy and leadership.

“President Harvey continues to push me to become my full potential. His speech at today’s event pulled out a new drive that wasn’t there before,” said Junior Adrienne Arnold, a nursing major from Chicago, Illinois.

Arnold shared her desire for bigger goals and Hampton University is giving her the opportunity.

Students say Harvey’s leadership and Hampton University’s legacy plays a huge role in the opportunities in their life.

Seeing HU pirate battalion Williams evoked his time as a pirate battalion. He understood their journey and reminded them of Hampton that their hard work will pay off. Williams concluded his speech by encouraging future generations to endure the vision of HU’s founder Gen. Samuel Armstrong.

Following his speech was a song by the Hampton University concert choir that restated the positivity and forward thinking that was conveyed in each speech.

Dr. Christine Darden and retired Army Lt. Col. Claude Vann III were recognized for their extraordinary work within the Hampton community with the Presidential Citizenship Award.

Hampton University’s founder’s day recognizes its rich history, legacy, the great individuals it produces, and the great individuals current students will become.

A recap of this event is available on the Hampton University website: http://www.hamptonu.edu

The New Wave: Migos’ Culture II is out now

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Naomi Ludlow | Arts & Entertainment Editor

Migos, Atlanta’s famous rap trio, has released their third studio album, Culture II.

This album includes 24 new songs that equates to an hour and 45 minutes of digital time. The group defines the title of the album as the wave for younger generations. Questions arise as to whether or not the sequel to its 2017 album will generate just as much accolades.

According to a review by Pitchfork, the Culture II album is half-geared toward “chart-friendly” hits, while the other half gives the authentic Migos vibe. Now, it’s up to the listeners to decide if it’s a hit or miss. Many have been awaiting this new album, but was it too much? Too overwhelming? Too rushed?

It looks like Takeoff has stolen the spotlight with this one. In an interview with the Breakfast Club, co-host Charlamagne tha God said, “YRN was Quavo’s album, Culture was Offset’s album and Culture II is Takeoff’s album.”

“Narcos” is one of the most listened-to songs on the album. The song starts with a Latin guitar and “arriba” ad-lib. Although it’s out of Migos’ comfort zone, it still has the Migos sound.

Other fan favorites are “Walk It Talk It,” featuring Drake, “Notice Me” and “Stir Fry.” Some songs on the album have a different sound, but the lyrical consistency of the Migos is still there. The album could rack up award nominations this year.

The group’s last album, Culture, got Migos nominated for two Grammys. The three were nominated for Best Rap Album and Best Rap Performance for “Bad and Boujee.”

Migos has gotten bigger in recent years and doesn’t plan on stopping anytime soon. The group already has more songs recorded and on the way. Migos also has other projects in the works with other artists. Quavo is working with 21 Savage, while Takeoff is collaborating with Lil Yachty.

Not only does Migos incorporate the new wave for this generation, but the group also pays homage to those who came before. The trio says they look up to rap legends such as Wu-tang Clan and Jay-Z.

With catchy songs and memorable ad-libs, Migos is slowly but surely becoming a household name. If you want to hear more from Migos, Culture II is now available on Apple Music. YRN and Culture are available as well.

#MeToo: From Twitter to TV

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Naomi Ludlow | Arts & Entertainment Editor

Most people think the #MeToo movement started with Twitter, but it’s been going strong for more than 10 years. This movement went from the community to Twitter and now to television.

PBS is producing a five-part series with 30-minute episodes debuting Feb. 2. This show will enhance the conversation of sexual harassment by not only talking about instances, but also how we got this far and how to create something positive from this issue.

According to a news release, “Topics to be explored include the impact of popular culture on women in the workplace, how race and class factor into the discussion, how men can be engaged in the discussion, and, ultimately, how we begin to chart a path forward.” Zainab Salbi, humanitarian and founder of Women for Women International, will host this series.

For decades, women had been encouraged to keep their encounters with sexual harassment under wraps. It was such a taboo topic that it was usually not even discussed.

In recent months, women who were brave enough to share their stories resulted in the #MeToo movement.

Just a couple of weeks ago, celebrities stood in solidarity during the Golden Globe Awards. Attendees wore black and some wore pins saying “Time’s Up.” “Time’s Up” is a legal defense fund to support those affected by sexual assault and harassment.

Some of Hollywood’s big-name stars on the red carpet included Oprah Winfrey, Anthony Anderson and Insecure’s Issa Rae and Yvonne Orjion. Tracee Ellis Ross, Kerry Washington, Jurnee Smollett-Bell, Lena Waithe, Laverne Cox and Angela Robinson took the stage at the NAACP Image Awards to spread the words, “Stand by us, stand for us, stand with us.”

With any issue, there must be some sort of solution. Talking about it is only one part of it.

“The voices from women should be heard because they are often overlooked,” said Najae Williams, a Hampton University junior nursing major and psychology minor from Chicago. “Many people discredit what they say because it’s not common for women to speak about their personal issues.”

Encouraging the dialogue is a crucial step. However, it shouldn’t stop there. To become more engaged in this topic, tune in to PBS on Feb. 2.

Tiffany Haddish takes on SNL

17 Nov 201716 Nov 2017hamptonscriptLeave a comment

Naomi Ludlow | Arts & Entertainment Editor

Tiffany Haddish is the first African-American comedienne to host the show Saturday Night Live in its 42 seasons.

Haddish got personal in her opening monologue. She discussed her experience in foster care and how that steered her onto the path of comedy. With the help of her counselor, Haddish discovered that her talent could save her from her troubled ways.

Early on, Haddish received advice from some of the greatest comedians, specifically Richard Pryor. She told The Los Angeles Times that Pryor encouraged her to have more fun on stage. “I took that philosophy with me and I do that in everything I do,” said Haddish.

Haddish made her way to television starting with the OWN series If Loving You Is Wrong. Later, she starred as the role opposite of David Allen Grier in NBC’s The Carmichael Show. However, Haddish’s break-out role was in the 2017 film Girls Trip, starring Queen Latifah, Jada Pinkett Smith and Regina Hall.

Sophomore Lashae Alexander said, “Tiffany Haddish was hilarious in Girls Trip. She was the life of the party and I’m sure she reminded everyone of that one friend within any circle.”

On Saturday Night Live, Haddish addressed the topic of sexual harassment, an issue that has been relevant in news within the last few weeks. A few big shots in Hollywood have recently addressed allegations about them sexually harassing individuals years ago.

Haddish gave a “Tiff Tip” to men involved in sexual misconduct. The comedienne said, “If you have your ‘thing thing’ out and she still has on her clothes, then you’re wrong.” Like any SNL host, Haddish successfully addressed relevant issues while still maintaining a sense of humor. The sketches throughout the show all touched on the controversial topic as well.

The episode featured a sketch connecting politics and the sexual misconduct allegations. Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore discussed the possibility of losing his seat due to allegations of sexual relations with a 14-year-old girl.

Not only was there a political connection in the sketches, but also a personal connection to an upcoming Haddish project. The sketch The Last Black Unicorn shares the name of Haddish’s book that will be released next month. Be on the lookout for this project if you want life tips from Haddish or simply want to know more about her.

Haddish will return to the big screen in an upcoming film called Night School, with Kevin Hart. Haddish is also said to be starring in a new sitcom with Tracy Morgan.

Roseanne is making a rosy return

3 Nov 20172 Nov 2017hamptonscriptLeave a comment

Naomi Ludlow | Arts & Entertainment Editor

The 1990s hit sitcom “Roseanne” is back with an even bigger bang. Actress Sara Gilbert, who played Darlene, proposed the idea to the cast members back in March. Hesitant that the stars wouldn’t be up for it, Gilbert held back on her plans. Once actor John Goodman, who played Dan Conner, had an appearance on The Talk and discussed the show, Gilbert knew the sitcom could have a chance at being a hit once again. When she spoke to Goodman, she was reassured that the show would be highly anticipated. Gilbert will be the executive producer of this revival.

“Roseanne” brought the reality of the working class to television. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Gilbert said, “That’s a voice that’s not been spoken for enough in this country and we feel hopefully that we can be a uniting force in that way.” She hopes that members of the working class audience will be able to relate to the show and see the family as a reflection of them.

As for what’s to come in the reboot, the cast and producers want to leave the audience in suspense. One question that was answered concerned the role and well-being of Dan. In the original series finale, Dan Conner died of a heart attack, but in the revival he will be alive and well. Goodman is excited to make his return to the screen as this character. These actors are looking at this reboot as a “magical” experience. People who grew up watching the show are anticipating its comeback. Fans have expressed their excitement on social media, some saying that their “TV mom” is back, and others saying it was the best show for them while growing up.

You can expect to see many familiar faces along with some new ones, as the storyline has been altered. Roseanne Barr (Roseanne), John Goodman (Dan), Laurie Metcalf (Jackie), Sara Gilbert (Darlene), Lecy Goranson (Becky) and Michael Fishman (DJ) will be back in 2018. Shameless’ Emma Kenney will make her way to the show. We don’t know what to expect besides tons of comedic relief throughout the season. The cast and production team are hopeful that Roseanne will have a successful revival and that the audience will still love it.

The cast has been uploading behind the scenes pictures that can be found on the Roseanne ABC Instagram page and ABC.com.

The eight-episode reboot was announced back in May and the production began in October. Roseanne will return to television screens in 2018 on ABC.

A trip into the life of Jhene Aiko

3 Nov 20172 Nov 2017hamptonscriptLeave a comment

Naomi Ludlow | Arts & Entertainment Editor

Jhene Aiko has released a 22-track LP entitled Trip. The songs on this album discuss Aiko grieving the loss of her brother, Miyagi. She experiences a rollercoaster of emotions and turns to drugs to cope with the pain. In the album, she opens up with her fans about her experimentations and some addictions to LSD, marijuana, cocaine, Adderall, and mushrooms. Despite her mention of drug use, she brings reality to the situation by explaining the many ways in which people attempt to deal with a loss, such as replacement and even suicide. Aiko discusses the importance of her journey to understand that some individuals simply cannot be replaced.

Trip is only one part of a multimedia project comprising of an album, a short film, and a book of poetry. Jhene Aiko refers to this project as a MAP (Movie, Album, Poetry). She introduces a character, Penny, who is supposed to be her purest form. On an Instagram post she explained, “In [my brother’s] presence, I was confident and always so sure. I was Penny. Since that day, I have been incomplete, losing all direction and sense of self.” Aiko describes her desires to get back to who she was before her brother passed, and the album reflects just that.

In 90 minutes, she tells us of her journey of wanting to find the love she felt from her brother. Along the way, she tried to find this love in other men. In the song “Moments” feat. Big Sean, the lyrics are “My mama said love is the answer/ So when I call, you better answer…No substitutes, you’re the one and only/ Please take away the stress I don’t need.” Jhene Aiko falls in love with men thinking they can fulfill what her brother gave her, but she ends up heartbroken and stuck.

She moves on to the next vice and subliminally mentions suicide. In the song “Jukai,” she talks about her wanting to be alone with her brother, but she isn’t successful.

Eventually, she turns to the happiness her daughter gives her and wanting to the best mother she can.

Their mommy-daughter duet entitled “Sing to Me” is a gear switch in not only Jhene’s life, the album as a whole. Her focus shifts to the joy of being a mother.

“Sing to Me” is followed by “Ascension” feat. Brandy, and serves as her prayer for liberation. She ends the album with “Trip” which depicts the physical trips she takes when feeling low.

This work is truly eye-opening. Jhene exposes a vulnerable side to her that she has been hiding throughout her career. In the end, fans can understand the true beauty of it all as they witness the growth and courage she displays through her journey.

Trip the movie is now available on JheneisPenny.com and 2fish, the poetry book, will be available this fall. To get the full Jhene Aiko experience, be sure to check out all parts of this work. Aiko will also begin her Trip tour on Nov. 14. Check out her Instagram to see if she will be stopping in a city near you.

TV fans thirsty for drama turn to ABC on Thursdays

20 Oct 201720 Oct 2017hamptonscriptLeave a comment

Naomi Ludlow | Arts & Entertainment Editor

TV producer Shonda Rhimes, who last week became the third black woman named to the Television Hall of Fame, is back at it again with her most anticipated “Thank God It’s Thursday” lineup yet.

The “T.G.I.T.” hit shows include “Grey’s Anatomy” (in its 14th season), “Scandal” (seventh and final season) and “How to Get Away with Murder” (fourth season). The new seasons premiered Sept. 29, so if you missed them, you still have a chance to catch up.

Channing Dungey, the entertainment president at ABC, explained to reporters at The Hollywood Reporter why Rhimes and the network decided to end the political drama “Scandal.”

Dungey noted that Rhimes – who joined Oprah Winfrey and Diahann Carroll in the Hall, according to Essence.com – had always envisioned a seven-season drama. The “Scandal” season was already planned out, but due to recent political issues, it had to be rewritten. Apparently, the show was going to relate too closely to modern reality.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the production staff did not want the show to seem as if it was mimicking real life scenarios.

One Hampton University student responded to the series ending in an unexpected way.

“All good things come to an end, so it is better for the show to leave on high note rather than [to] have it still dragging on,” said Angelique Brown, a junior from Long Island, N.Y.

She further explained that Rhimes knows how to leave audiences wanting more instead of having people question why the show is still on.

In the interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Rhimes mentioned that she only expected “Grey’s Anatomy” to be seven seasons as well. As the show goes into its 14th season, viewers are still sitting on the edge of their seats, waiting to see more.

“It is the only show that makes me emotional,” said Amaiyah Beverly, a senior psychology major from Washington, D.C. “I really feel for the characters. I cannot wait for the next season.”

Rhimes has had a long run with the network and has created hit shows along the way. She coined her own term, “T.G.I.T.,” to promote her Thursday night shows.

It is rumored that Rhimes is going to add another show to the lineup – a Romeo and Juliet drama called “Still Star-Crossed.”

With the outcomes of her previous shows, will this show be just as successful?

It’s a mystery. But viewers can expect drama, love and even more drama from Rhimes’ current shows.

Happy Death Day Review

6 Oct 20175 Oct 2017hamptonscriptLeave a comment

Naomi Ludlow | Arts & Entertainment Editor

Happy Death Day is the 2017 horror rendition of the 1993 movie Groundhog Day with a
bit of a twist.

The new film, which was watched by 200 Hampton University Students during a private
screening at the Virginia Air and Space Center this past week, takes reliving the same day over again to another level.

College student Tree Gelbman, played by Jessica Rothe, awakes to an unordinary
birthday celebration. Someone wants to mark this as her last day on Earth. Tree is obligated to find her killer before they find her. With a list of suspects, she sets out every day with a new plan on discovering who is after her.

Israel Broussard stars as Carter. Tree leans on Carter throughout her journey of
discovering what is happening to her, leading to an intense attachment. Carter unknowingly becomes Tree’s confidant, for he is essential in her decision-making process. Their relationship normalizes the life of a college student and made the film relatable to the audience.

The space center theater was filled with excitement, laughter and frustration as Tree faced each day.

Hampton junior strategic communications major Ludwidg Louizaire, from Miami, said the movie was “a bit frustrating at first because I was not sure what was going to happen, but it all tied together pretty well.”

It was important that the audience did not get lost in the repetitiveness of the storyline,
and that they instead remained engaged throughout the movie. Students were impressed with the unexpected twists and turns of the story.

Once the movie surpassed understanding the characters and the storyline, it grasped my
attention even more. Tree’s never-ending journey was enticing as each day she developed a more intricate plan. I was intrigued by the way the writers captured the same scene while still altering the essence of it each time it was repeated.

In a Skype interview with Rothe, she said, “We kind of got to map out the progression of
the script and how Tree’s journey escalates.”

The cast of the movie was successful in creating the suspense that any horror film needs.
Also, the lighting gradually darkened as the story progressed, making the scene more intense.

These elements worked together seamlessly to give the audience a full Blumhouse–
home of hit thrillers Get Out and Split–experience. There are common themes of horror, comic relief and subliminal messages that are present in each movie.

If you loved either of those movies, be sure to go see “Happy Death Day” when it premieres Oct. 13.