The N Premieres Its First Sketch Comedy Special The Brandon T. Jackson Show Friday, November 24 At 9:00 P.M. (ET)
Special Includes Celebrity Guests Wayne Brady, Chris Brown and Sinbad with Musical Performance by Nelly Furtado

NEW YORK, Oct. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Brandon T. Jackson is a true-to-life "son of a preacher man," who's delivering his hometown Detroit humor to teens across America in his very first sketch comedy special, The Brandon T. Jackson Show. The N, the nighttime network for teens, premieres the new half-hour special Friday, November 24 at 9:00 p.m. (ET).

Nothing is off limits for Jackson, the 20-year-old comedic wunderkind, grabbing from today's outrageous headlines of celebrity fodder to politically incorrect humor with mock skits of Angelina Jolie and Osama Bin Laden. The Brandon T. Jackson Show is co-created and executive produced by Jackson and Emmy Award-winning comedian Wayne Brady who also stars in the special. The special also features celebrity guests Chris Brown and Sinbad, as well as a musical performance by Nelly Furtado.

"The Brandon T. Jackson Show features a unique brand of sketch comedy that is sure to be a hit with our teen viewers," said Sarah Tomassi Lindman, Vice President, Production and Programming, The N. "The filter through which Brandon views the world, combined with his irreverence and quick wit makes for a great half-hour of comedy."

The special includes the following four sketch comedy skits written and performed by Jackson and Brady:

Adoption Idol -- How does Angelina Jolie decide on a new sibling for Maddox, Zahara and Shiloh Nouvelle? Well, she holds an Adoption Idol competition of course! Baby Brandon and the rest of the Jackson cast partake in an "American Idol" type competition to see who can join the ever growing Jolie-Pitt family.

Game Unit -- Every hot rapper today has a sneaker deal so why shouldn't the original gangster, Game Unit be any different? Brandon plays a rap star that showcases his new line of shoe wear -- The Game Unit 2000. Game Unit spreads the word to his legion of fans that the sneaker "is not just a shoe ... it's a way of life."

Sweet 16 -- You are cordially invited into the cave dwellings of fictional character, Reggie Bin Laden (Brandon Jackson), one of the many children of terrorist leader Osama Bin Laden (Wayne Brady). Reggie's turning 16 on a mock episode of the famed MTV reality series My Super Sweet 16, and he's determined that his birthday be the underground party of the year. R&B artist Chris Brown makes a cameo appearance.

Possessed By a Pimp -- After realizing they've purchased their dream home over an ancient pimp burial ground, a family of three quickly discover that their son (portrayed by Jackson) has become possessed by the spirit of a Detroit pimp.

While growing up in Detroit, Jackson found school to be dull and unbearable, but comedy provided him the perfect outlet to get through it. This self-titled "class clown" honed his comedy skills by performing in talent shows at youth nights at his father's church. By the time Jackson was teenager, his career as a stand-up comic evolved from local school shows to community projects such as the Motor City Youth Festival. Jackson continued on his road to success when his internship at local Detroit radio station led to a guest-host position its rival station. As his following grew, so did his hunger for stand-up comedy. Soon Jackson was working side-by-side with many of today's top comedians, including Chris Tucker and Wayne Brady, and delivered side-splitting performances at New York City's legendary Showtime at the Apollo and BET's Comic View. He quickly made the transition from stand-up comedian to Hollywood actor when he was cast in his first major movie role as Bow Wow's former best friend "Junior" in the motion picture Roll Bounce.

In the past year, Jackson launched and hosted the Teens of Comedy Tour (featuring Lil JJ and presented by BET) and served as host on singer Chris Brown's 30-city U.S. Tour. Jackson's upcoming projects include a starring role in the indie film Cuttin the Mustard and a character role opposite Rob Schnieder in Big Stan. A national tour is currently in the works for his comedy show featuring other talented young comedians and musicians. One of seven siblings, Jackson draws upon his comedy from his childhood experiences in the inner city and credits his sense of humor to his dad, Bishop Wayne T. Jackson (his mother also serves as the Pastor of their church). Jackson counts comedians Sinbad, Martin Lawrence and Chris Rock as his source of inspiration and much of his comedy touches upon politics, the ups and downs of being young, dating and God. He aspires to be the funniest man in America -- without cursing -- and hopes to reshape the world of comedy into one that inspires, teaches and uplifts people.

Along with Emmy Award winner and comedian Wayne Brady, both actors co- created, starred and executive produced the half-hour special. Brady recently wrapped the independent film I'm Perfect and the romantic comedy Crossover with Anthony Mackie and Sydney Timiia Poitier. Last fall he finished a run on the Broadway production of Chicago.

Robert Teitel and George Tillman Jr. serve as executive producers for The Brandon T. Jackson Show. Teitel and Tillman have teamed up as executive producer and writer for hit films and television adaptations including Soul Food, Men of Honor, Barbershop, Barbershop 2: Back in Business, Beauty Shop and Roll Bounce. Their production company, State Street Pictures, has many films currently in development, including: College, Stephon's Corner, Champions and The Interrogator.

The N, the nighttime network for teens, is a programming arm of MTV Networks and is currently available in 52 million households via cable, digital cable and satellite television. The N's mission is to be the authentic voice for teens and help them figure out their lives with relevant, topical programming on-air and online at the network's web site http://www.the-n.com/. The N airs everyday from 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. (ET). The N and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom International Inc.

RP NEWS TODAY

Laugh at him now

A former class clown returns home to host Teens of Comedy

By Kara G. Morrison / The Detroit News

Brandon T. Jackson is proud to say he was the class clown at West Bloomfield High School. And he's quickly turned that role into a Hollywood career.

This week, the 19-year-old comedian and actor is back in his hometown, kicking off a planned 20-city comedy tour.

You've heard of the Kings of Comedy and even the Queens of Comedy. Jackson is the host and producer of the Teens of Comedy, taking the stage at Detroit's Music Hall on Saturday.

"I was definitely a teen of comedy coming up," Jackson says from his family's historic mansion in Detroit's Palmer Woods. He's now living in Los Angeles and is fresh from his film debut as Junior (Bow Wow's best friend) in the film "Roll Bounce," which is still doing some big box office in theaters.

"I got out of a lot of situations with my wittiness," he says.

Among them, a potential fistfight in sixth grade, not to mention punishments for a few skipped classes.

Jackson moved to L.A. after high school in 2001 and was cast as an extra in several films, including "Ali," "Bowling for Columbine" and Eminem's "8 Mile." But it was his performance at New York City's Showtime at the Apollo and BET's "Comic View" that secured him a supporting role in "Roll Bounce."

Jackson is the son of Bishop Wayne T. Jackson of Great Faith Ministries International Church in Detroit and preacher Beverly Y. Jackson. You can safely bet the topic of growing up with preachers as parents will get some stage time on Saturday. He does, however, give props to the Bishop for his sense of humor.

"My dad's really funny," he says.

Saturday's audience can also expect a bit on Jackson's brief stint at being home-schooled and growing up in both Detroit and the suburbs (his family -- he's the fifth of seven kids -- still divides time between homes in Detroit and West Bloomfield Township). Other than that, he's not giving up too much material.

"I'm very physical with my comedy," he explains, then hints at another riff on popular drugs like Ritalin that keep kids in line.

"I was on Ritalin for two weeks," he says. "They need to get back to old-fashioned whuppins."

The Saturday show also features four other young, up-and-coming comedians: Lil J.J., Cory Fernandez, Isiah Kelly and Juan Garcia. They plan to help teach teens how to use wit and laughter to resolve conflicts. But mostly, Jackson wants to get everyone laughing.

"It's a family show that everyone can come out to," he says.

detnews.com

 

By Wilson Morales

How excited are you to be in this film?

Brandon T. Jackson: I'm very happy. There aren't that many movies that come along like this and working with Bow Wow was amazing. I'm taking it all in. It's my first big one, so I'm really happy about.

What role do you play?

BTJ: I play Junior and he's the loud mouth. He's a funny guy and always has something to say about something, but at the same time, he has heart and he's a leader too. He's sort leads in a certain way and he's next Bow Wow's character as far as pushing the guys to move on to the next level in life as well as gets them to prepare for the skate-off at the end of the film. At first Junior was the leader, but X is the better skater, so he became the leader of the crew.

How did you get the role?

BTJ: Well, I'm a stand-up comic and I got discovered at the Laugh Factory doing 3 minutes of comedy. I started in church back in Detroit and when I moved to LA right out of high school, a lady from Creative Artist came up to me and said, "Hey, have you ever heard of Brad Pitt?" and I said yes. She said that they represented him and for me to call her the next day. Well, I called her and she sent me on auditions and I met Monica Swann, the casting director of "Fat Albert", who also cast "Roll Bounce" and she thought I would be good for the role of Junior. So then we just kept going and kept working and kept auditioning and landed the role.

At the Urbanworld Film Festival, where "Roll Bounce" was first shown to the public, Malcolm D. Lee had referred to you as the next Chris Tucker. Do you think that was a big statement to make at the early stage of your career?

BTJ: It is pretty big, but I can grow that. I definitely would like to have the success that Chris has had, and that's a nice compliment, but I'm Brandon T. Jackson. My whole movement is different. It's up to what the people think, but he's definitely one of my mentors and an inspiration in my life. He and Nick Cannon are both inspirations, but I have my own little movement. I'm bringing stand-up to the film people and my generation and that's what I'm doing. To do that, the whole Class Clown Tour that I'm putting together, which is like the Kings is Comedy, is going to be so big and it's a whole different market that I'm trying to bring to the world. Comedians that are young and can do stand-up comedy and I want the world to see it. I've been living this since I was 13 and that what's I'm really working on, right now, my tour. They can see who I am. I'm a little bit like Will Smith and a little bit like Chris Tucker. I'm urban and suburban, and that's cool. My dad's a pastor and I grew up in church. The church is in the city but I lived in the suburbs and so I'm diverse in both ways.

Is this your first film and if so, how did you go into in terms of the acting?

BTJ: I went into it trying to be the funniest that I can be. This is my first big. I did a film called "Nikita Blues" back when I was in 9th grade. It was an independent film, but this is my first big one. I went into the role knowing that I would have to work hard and I watched a lot of 70s tapes. With some of my jokes, I tried to do it in the way that people spoke in the 70s with the "Hey man". "Cooley High" took place in the 60s, but it was filmed in the 70s, and you still had the reference, and then there was "Good Times" with JJ and "What's Happening" and all that sort of stuff. I watched a lot of films and shows and saw how they delivered the jokes.

Did it takes some time for you to get your acting together when working with those who have more experience than you?

BTJ: Well, I wasn't too bad. I'm very quick. One thing you have to learn about being a comedian is how to be quick to learn things and you train to be in awkward situations and I was like, as long as I can be funny in any situation, they will like it. So I tried to be the best at that and the acting kicked in.

How was working with Bow Wow?

BTJ: It was great. Bow Wow is amazing. He's an amazing actor and an amazing performer and I think he's one of the key performers of our time and you can tell him I said that.

What did you learn from Malcolm as a director?

BTJ: I learned that he has a great vision, but what is sad about this film is that they are marketing it as a black movie. The sad thing is that it's an all around good movie. It's just not a black movie where they put it in the corners of every little black show and say, "Ok, you all go see the movie". Malcolm has a vision for everybody. His vision isn't just for one person or one type of group and that's what come across in the film; that everybody can go see it, and that everybody can love the movie, and you know what, hopefully it opens big first weekend, but if doesn't, it will leave the box office with big numbers because the word of mouth is growing to spread how good this movie is.

Have you seen it with fans to get their reaction?

BTJ: They love it, and I heard them say it without me there.

As a comedian, what did you get from working with Mike Epps and Charlie Murphy?

BTJ: I can wait to be like that; to be better like them. It's all good. I can't wait to be at that level. Mike and Charlie have been in the game so long, that I'm just learning from them.

Do you want to continue to do films?

BTJ: Yes, that's the only way.

What are some of your favorite films?

BTJ: I love Rush Hour. I love Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Animal House, Back to the Future. I love a lot of films. I really loved Made with Vince Vaughn, and my new favorite is The Wedding Crashers. That's pretty funny. Believe it or not, I like Underclassman with Nick Cannon. I see what's he trying to do and I hope I can catch on to his vision. He will be another performer of our times.

How often do you skate?

BTJ: It was cool being on skates. It was really grueling to wake up in the morning and put on skates and that's annoying, but it was also cool because we had to do it. I was on skates for three months.

How often did you fall down?

BTJ: Not that often. At times, they would yell, "Cut", and let my double do some scenes.

What's next for you?

BTJ: I'm working on my own TV show with the N channel, Noggin, and I have something popping MTV as well.

Why should anyone see "Roll Bounce"?

BTJ: It's a fun movie. It's an African American film that's good and fun and showing us in a good light with family and not a bunch of violence. It's good film and you will have a good time watching it.

Jackson will star alongside teen sensation Bow Wow, who stars as X in the 1970s era roller-skating movie, which is scheduled for release on Sept. 23. Jackson depicts X's best friend, Junior.

"This [breakthrough] is something I always prayed for," Jackson told "Charisma" magazine in the September issue, out now. The full article on Jackson can be found in the magazine.

"I [would pray], 'God, if You are going to use me, use me in entertainment, for Your glory,'" he added.

Jackson's father, Bishop Wayne T. Jackson of Detroit's Great Faith Ministries International (GFMI), has the church interceding for his son, and he sent one of the ministry's young leaders to Los Angeles to be his son's prayer partner and Bible study leader.

Although the PG-13 film will stir up more hoots than hallelujahs, Jackson's performance could position him for bigger roles and greater influence. All part of the plan, says the young actor, who once wanted to follow his father's footsteps into the pulpit. Now he wants to preach "in a different way" and be a transforming force in Hollywood.

According to the Internet Movie Database (IMD), Jackson held the title of "class clown" and grew his passion for comedy and acting by doing talent shows and performing at youth nights at GFMI. Jackson, who has seven siblings, credits getting his sense of humor to his father.

His drive to become the funniest young comedian took him to Hollywood, where he was cast as an extra in several movies, including "Ali" (2001), "Bowling for Columbine" (2002), and "8 Mile" (2002).

After his comedic performances at New York City's Showtime at the Apollo and BET's "Comic View," Jackson was cast in "Roll Bounce," which was made by the producers of "Barbershop" and "Soul Food," IMD said.

To subscribe to "Charisma" magazine, go to http://www.strang.com/offer/cm-j4lnow.htm.

www.streamingfaith.com

On Wednesday, June 22nd, the opening night of the Urbanworld Film Festival started with roller skaters performing on the streets of Harlem followed with the WORLD PREMIERE of ROLL BOUNCE, directed by Malcolm D. Lee. The screening took place at the Magic Johnson Theater in Harlem, NYC, located at 300 W 125th St, entrance on 124th Street and 8th Avenue

In attendance were Director Malcolm D. Lee, Bow Wow, Charlie Murphy, Brandon T. Jackson,

Set at the height of the roller disco era, when “jam skating” was born, the film combines the retro thrills of 70s dance and music with the moving story of a family trying to find a way to roll through hard times to a better future. Filled with classic soul tunes, outrageous skating moves and the unforgettable romance of the “couples skate,” ROLL BOUNCE is an infectiously fun trip into a world where when the lights went low and the music came up, you could roll in to anything.

It all begins with Xavier Smith (Bow Wow), also known as X, a young roller wiz who, along with his crew, once ruled supreme at their South Side of Chicago rink, the Palisades Gardens. But when the doors of their favorite hangout close, it marks the end of an era and the beginning of another that sees the boys venturing into completely foreign territory: the North Side’s swanky Sweetwater Roller Rink, with its sleek, well-to-do roller-boys and gorgeous girls in short-shorts.