Washington, DC - Business mogul, Walter Latham, President, Latham Entertainment, widely regarded as the most successful comedy production company in the world; and who, himself, is credited with launching the careers of several Award-winning actors and comedians, including Tyler Perry, Steve Harvey, Mo'Nique, and the late Bernie Mac, will be launching Walter Latham's "King of Comedy" Channel on YouTube beginning Spring, 2012.

Latham joins Jay-Z, Shaquille O'Neal, Barry Diller, Pharrell Williams, Ashton Kutcher, Amy Poehler, Deepak Chopra, and other well-known personalities and content producers from TV, film, music, news, and sports, as well as some of the most innovative new media companies in the world, in launching new advertising supported channels for YouTube's worldwide audience.

On October 28, 2011, when YouTube announced plans to bring more than one hundred new original channels created specifically for today's connected viewer's to its platform and announced its content partners, Latham's channel was described as being "the premier platform for original, cutting edge, urban comedy programming. "

Latham, one of the youngest, most innovative and creative producers and promoters of our time, has been so enormously successful in his trendsetting and groundbreaking ventures, that he is oftentimes referred to as "The King of Comedy." The Wall Street Journal once wrote, "Mr. Latham has been able to succeed in an industry that is rapidly leaving behind individual promoters like him."

"My partnership with YouTube is definitely going to play a large role in redefining urban entertainment as we know it," says Latham, " I'm excited about the new channel and the challenges that will come along with it as we introduce urban comedy to programming."

Walter Latham is a history maker.

In 1997, Latham launched the "Kings of Comedy" tour, which featured triple headlining acts: Steve Harvey, Cedric "The Entertainer" and the late, Bernie Mac. Latham later added comedian D.L. Hughley to the lineup. The tour grossed more than $40 million in its two year run and consistently sold out arenas seating 10,000 or more, even selling-out Atlanta's Georgia Dome. USA Today described it as being, "the top grossing comedy tour in US history."

So successful was the "Kings of Comedy" tour, that Mr. Latham decided to capture the experience of the live tour on film. Directed by Spike Lee and produced by Walter Latham, and MTV Films, the "Original Kings of Comedy" grossed $37 million during its run at the box office and was nominated for an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Motion Picture. The accompanying soundtrack, released on Universal Records, was nominated for a Grammy for Best Spoken Album.

In 2000, Latham launched the "Queens of Comedy" tour featuring Miss Laura Hayes, Adele Givens, Sommore and Mo'Nique. In addition to performing before sold out audiences, the quartet appeared in a "Queens of Comedy" Sho

T.I. and Tiny took time out on Tuesday (Sept 21) to take their mind off their legal matters only to have them thrown back in their face.

The couple attended Uptown Comedy Club in Atlanta to check out D.L. Hughley, but when the comedian found out they were in attendance, he spent most of his set cracking on the two.

The couple was arrested on September 1st on the Sunset Strip after police stopped them for making an illegal U-turn. Both were found to have ecstasy pills on them.

In addition, T.I. failed two drug tests the next day with traces of codeine found in his system.

T.I. is facing three years in prison.

According to people in attendance, T.I. and Tiny took no offense to D.L.'s jokes and even signed autographs after the show was over

D.L. Hughley

NBC is piloting a game show hosted by actor-comedian D.L. Hughley, teaming with ITV Studios on a program called "Who's Bluffing Who?"

In the show, contestants try to bluff their way into winning a half-million dollars. The project is created and executive produced by Jeff Apploff, who executive produced "Don't Forget the Lyrics."

For each episode, seven contestants will use their knowledge and deceptive talents -- and even steal one another's money -- in order to advance in the game as they are gradually reduced to a single winner.

ITV Studios ("Hell's Kitchen," "Celebrity Fit Club") and NBC will co-produce the pilot, which is one of a couple of truth-spotting game shows in the works. ABC is piloting Mark Burnett's "Trust Me, I'm a Game Show Host," where contestants try to spot which of two hosts are lying.

One of "The Original Kings of Comedy," Hughley was the star of the ABC sitcom "The Hughleys" and was recently a correspondent for "The Jay Leno Show." He's repped by ICM.



Source: James Hibberd, TH

Shaq

"Shaquille O'Neal Presents: All Star Comedy Jam" will premiere on Showtime Saturday, Dec. 5th at 11pm. The all-star comedy line-up includes host D.L. Hughley and features comics Earthquake, Lavell Crawford, Melanie Comarcho, and Arnez J. Directed by Leslie Small, this night of comedy was filmed in front of a live audience at South Beach's prestigious Jackie Gleason Theater during the American Black Film Festival.

"All Star Comedy Jam" is a Showtime series of specials, produced by Codeblack Entertainment and executive produced by Shaquille O'Neal, that features some of today's hottest urban comics. The first installment, shot in Phoenix the night before the 2009 NBA All-Star Game with hosts Shaquille O'Neal and headliner Cedric "The Entertainer," aired on Showtime in June 2009 with a corresponding DVD release in September.

"We have been thrilled with the success of the first All Star Comedy Jam and are pleased to announce the next installment of the special," said Clanagan. "This franchise is committed to showcasing the legends of the comedy business while giving an opportunity for up-and-coming comedians to shine."

A third installment of the franchise will be filmed at the 2010 NBA All-Star Game in Dallas with an airdate later in the year.

The DVD of "Shaquille O'Neal Presents: All Star Comedy Jam" will be available on February 2, 2010

Announcement follows D.L. Hughley's demise at CNN

Television has suffered a sudden hemorrhage of black men. Within days of D.L. Hughley's CNN show being cancelled, Comedy Central announced Tuesday that David Alan Grier's "Chocolate News" has also been given a pink slip.

Grier did not mention the sketch comedy series Monday night during the video package that introduced his debut on "Dancing With the Stars." [Scroll down to watch clip.]

With the cancellation of two African American males commenting...click to continue reading

The David Alan Grier BVConnect

The D.L. Hughley BVConnect