Notorious Trailer and More AB News!

Other BassettHound-Worthy Media

• Angela Bassett proves shes an Obama Girl in Denver at [Youtube.com]
• Invisible Woman shows us another side of "Meeting the Browns" at [Invisible Cinema]
• Rappers get respectful while driving Ms. Bassett at [Youtube.com]

Paging Dr. Bassett

(ER's Season 15 Cast )

Actually it will be Dr. Cate Banfield, but nevertheless we all know where the BassettHounds will be Thursday nights thanks to the new addition to the long running TV series ER. For its 15th and final season, Angela will join the cast as ‘The boss, the queen and the chief of the ER’ as she puts it, but the BassettHounds already knew that would be the case.

With this being Angela's first full time TV series role, we are excited but still wanted to know what to expect. ER Executive Producer David Zabel says, "Angela's got such huge energy, so much passion, force and strength, For years we've said, 'Wouldn't it be great for Angela Bassett to come in and kick asses?' And so far, she's exceeded my expectations more than my expectations have ever been exceeded before."

To add another first, Courtney will join his wife on set as her on screen husband Russell Banfield. Although the two have worked together on two other projects including a stage play, this is the first time they will appear on screen together. Personally, this is a cherry on top to be able to see the chemistry these two will have on screen.

Tune in Thursday nights to NBC and watch as the acting queen takes over the ER. You can catch up on ER and find more information about season 15 including a scan of Angela's TV Guide feature at [ERheadquarters.com]

The BassettHounds Tribute Bernie Mac

Personally Bernie Mac was my all-time favorite comedian. His sense of ironic humor, comedic timing, and the use of the word muthaf*cka always kept me laughing. I'm sure hes doing the same in heaven. Forever in our hearts, we'll miss you Bernie. This is for you...

Gospel Hill Trailer

Wayne Barrow and Diddy talk "Notorious"

In this clip the producer of Notorious, Wayne Barrow, answers questions from fans via the set in NYC. Of course I had to ask a question about Angie B and Wayne actually gets right to it in the beginning of the video. He also tells us about how he met B.I.G. and how Voletta Wallace always had Angela Bassett in mind to play her in the film.

Go and ask Wayne a question too at his blog: [NotoriousBlog.net]

Diddy is impressed...

Next we've got Diddy (more appropriately, Puff Daddy) telling MTV how impressed he is with Derek Luke, who plays Puff in the movie. Diddy (who is also a producer for the film) reveals that the movie will put emphasis on Biggie's mom and her influence on the real Biggie Smalls. Which translates to us BassettHounds as more Angela! Read more...

"It's rare that you get a movie made about you when you're still relevant, but [they] took on the challenge," Combs said of the cast, adding that he was especially impressed with actor Derek Luke, who is playing Diddy. "People asked me years ago who you'd want to play me, and I said Derek Luke ... so it was just destined. I got to see him do his thing, and it was scary for me. I had to leave, 'cause he was acting just like me."

But as much as the film is about music, about the story of one man's journey from Brooklyn to the penthouse, it's more about Biggie's mother, Combs asserted. Voletta Wallace, who lives in the New Jersey house her son owned, will be played in the film by Oscar nominee Angela Bassett.

"It's not my movie," Combs said. "A lot of people don't know this, but it's not my movie. It's Miss Wallace's movie. It's from a mother's perspective. I'm just there as support."
[MTV.com]

"Notorious" is scheduled for a January 16th, 2009 release!

AB Movie Photos: Notorious and Gospel Hill!

Thanks to [BuzzFoto.com] for snapping these pics of Angela Bassett shooting a scene in "Notorious" on Monday. Angela plays Voletta Wallace who is attending her son's funeral.

Wayne Barrow, producer of Notorious, provided this video of the cast and crew of the film!

About 1:47 in the video you can check out Angie B on the set of Notorious with Voletta Wallace herself!




Gospel Hill

Gospel Hill is still waiting to be released in the US later this year but the film's production company, 6 Sales, has some exclusive photos of Angela and the cast at their site: [6sales.es] You can see more photos of Angela and the cast (including Nia Long, Samuel L. Jackson, Danny Glover, Julia Stiles, and Giancarlo Esposito) and a seriously gripping teaser clip from the movie via their website.

Angela Bassett in Gospel Hill

In other Angie B News... Despite growing controversy, Danny Glover plans to shoot and direct the historic biopic Toussaint, in Venezuela this summer/fall 2008 using nearly $20 million from Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. Don Cheadle and Angela Bassett are to star as Toussaint and Suzanne L'Ouverture. [source]

Angela joins TV's ER

Angela Bassett, who gained critical acclaim for her portrayal of Tina Turner, will become a regular in the upcoming final series of the long-running show, ER.

The Hollywood Reporter says Bassett will "play a nurse with a troubled past whose arrival causes a storm" and "promises to shake County General's ER to the core".

Bassett's character will make her entrance in episode two (of the 19 episodes planned for the final season), returning to Chicago after working in Indonesia as a tsunami relief worker.

Executive producer John Wells said: "Angela is a wonderfully talented actress whom I've long hoped to work with."

Source:[HollywoodReporter.com]

From Simonique: Angela's done TV before but its been a TV movie here (The Rosa Parks Story) or a guest star role there (Alias). ER is AB history, it marks the very first time Angela is to be a regular cast member in an entire season on a television show. BassettHounds, you know what that means: our Thursday nights are booked! (smile)

Angela has a solid example of success in television right at home with her husband, Courtney B. Vance, who was a regular on Law & Order: Criminal Intent for 5 seasons.

Right now ER stars Mekhi Phifer and airs every Thursday at 10pm. And according to her character's description, it sounds like Angie is going to bring the drama, like we know she can, every week with Mekhi and the cast. Visit [NBC.com] for more ER!


In other Angie B News...
Filming for The Notorious B.I.G. Movie is reportedly wrapping this month in NYC. Heres what Angela had to say about playing Biggie's Mama in the movie:

What did you think when Voletta Wallace asked you to portray her in 'Notorious'?

Angela Bassett: I was yeah mortified (laughs). No it was a great complement, a great complement and scary because you want to do it justice and she has this accent that she doesn't think she has (laughs). To work on that is so it's scary, and unreal.

How familiar were you with Biggie Smalls?

Angela Bassett: A little bit not, I saw documentaries and 'I love it when you call me big papa'. I was into that song but not the whole discography but that's alright because [his mother] said she wasn't familiar with all he was doing, all that was his world out there.

Plan to see Angela in "Notorious" come January 16th, 2009

Beanie Sigel's Love Letter to Angela

Broad Street Bully Beanie Sigel shows Angela Bassett some Thug Passion:

By the time this reaches you, I pray it finds you in the best of health–physically, spiritually and mentally. It’s been a while since I’ve seen your beautiful face, and although we haven’t met, I feel as though I’ve known you forever. So allow me to apologize if I’ve affected you by addressing you so personally in the opening of my letter. That merely wasn’t my intent.

I’d like to thank you for being by my side in times of hardship. Some unfortunate events that occured in my life forces me to reside in a residential facility a few years back. You see, while inside the barbed-wire stockade, I found relief in your beautiful face and bright smile, which gave space and lit up the dim gray walls it was posted on in the small cell I was confined in.

I’d often find myself staring at your picture and letting my imagination run free, falling asleep escaping the concrete walls that barricade me. I’d dream that I took you on the perfect date, out of this world. We’d take a magic carpet ride through the sky, then go roller-skating around the rings of Saturn. We’d sit on on the edge of a crescent moon and pitch stars into the Milky Way. There I would propose to you and offer the sun as an engagement ring. We would make love on a bed of clouds, fall fast asleep, then slowly drift back to Earth.

In closing, it’d be real special to have the chance to meet you. I know love wouldn’t have anything to do with it, and I’m sure that your groove is intact. :) It’d be a dream come true.

Until I close my eyes and we meet again, stay as beautiful as you are.

Soft words from a hardened heart,

Beanie Sigel

P.S. To Whom It May Concern: If this letter does not meet its intended destination, please send it to heaven, because it was meant for an angel.

Simonique's 2 Cents:

I thought this was actually a really sweet letter (if only a little cliche) that Beanie felt compelled to write after being inspired by Angela in a positive way. Its no different from D.L. Hughley who confesses his love for Angie whenever he has the chance. I didnt find it weird or surprising in the least bit, Angela is a stunner you know. Laurence Fishburne, Forest Whitaker, and Rick Fox would definitely agree, all 3 men showed to support Ang at her Star ceremony last month.  

Although Wow Jones speculated at his site, that either Beanie or Angela's publicist came up with this to promote their respective projects. I have to say, (as a PR major and BassettHound) in the 20 plus years Angela has been a working actress in Hollywood she has never fabricated stories for a PR gain. Beanie Sigel just really loves him some Angie B! And hes not the only one!

Personal/Candid Angela B Interview

Its only once in a blue moon when I get to read an Angela Bassett interview that really leaves me a little bit wiser about the acting Queen. Angie's always got something profound and enlightening to say, but its hard to find an interviewer who asks the right questions that really get "the queen to speak."


Chris Yandek is one of those interviewers that are seemingly born inquisitive. He is a journalist way too young to be so good at what he does and way too talented not be on some Entertainment show informing us of the latest celebrity news. When I read his recent interview with our girl, Ang, I was more than awed by his ability to pose questions that not only made her think but were questions that us BassettHounds would love to know. From her new Star, to her new movie, from politics to plastic surgery. I've never heard an AB interview quite like this one. So of course I was happy to chat with Chris about the interview that he says he'll never forget with a woman who we all can admire. Here is his commentary on how the interview came to be:

Chris Yandek on Preparing for Angie B!

I am 22 years old and have been interviewing people since I was 15. It's been 7.5 years and over 500 interviews by now, but Angela Bassett left me something I will never forget.

On Thursday March 20th I was sitting at a computer in one of my classes at the University of Florida. I am a junior majoring in Telecommunications of course. I had received an email from one of my favorite publicists. She told me tomorrow she was running a media tour with Angela Bassett for her latest movie Meet The Browns and asked me if I'd like one of the interview times. I wrote back and said absolutely. Trying hard not to cheer I left my class and thought about the interview.

The evening before the interview I prepared and thought about the social issues I could talk about with her the following morning. I had never been scared or intimidated to ask somebody about anything. I knew I had to include talk of black churches in America, talk about Obama's campaign, and talked about her aging gracefully. As I tell her in the interview, she looks damn good and way younger than her age of 49. Finally at around midnight I did a news search and found out she had just gotten her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. I had my interview direction and knew I would make the most of my time.

The next morning I sat up as I always do and waited for the call. She arrived early and asked again where the interview was going. I promised I'd get it out there and she accepted that. We did a quick sound check and the interview started at around 10:20 AM EST my time and 7:20 AM PST her time. The difference between this and other interviews is that it felt more personal. I felt like she was a friend I knew and someone I respected. I could also tell she valued my originality and my ability to not ask the same things she's heard over and over again. It was more a conversation with a friend and I wasn't afraid of her and she was very comfortable with me.

I think it's important to talk about a star's movie, project, but they also enjoy talking about personal and social issues as well. I always have believed it's important to get some things that are new and real out of every interview subject. It's how I try to stand out as a media personality besides being compelling.

As the interview ended I said my goodbye and I was shaking a little bit. The legends of the business leave you with something you never forget. I encourage anyone who is a fan of hers or entertainment in general to check it out. There aren't many like her. I look forward to the day when I can meet my fellow Floridian in person and tell her thanks for an amazing interview and story that I will carry with me the rest of my life. If only every interview could be as personal, inspiring, and real as that one, but I give my all in everything I do.

Chris

You can listen to the entire interview via Chris's site [CYInterview.com]

Angela Receives Her Star

The Bassetthounds are always boasting of Angela's radiance on and off screen. Therefore we were more than proud on March 20th as Angela's star shined through when she received the 2,358th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

"Who would have thought that a little girl in pigtails from St. Petersburg, Florida, would grow up to find herself gazing at a star with her name on it, on the Hollywood Walk of Fame? This day is so, so special to me."

Along with this being a well deserved honor, the praise she received from Forest Whitaker, Rick Fox and Laurence Fishburne (who opened with a leap of happiness) caused Angela to become emotional on her big day. “Do you ever have one of those days? When you wake up and the sun wasn't quite shining but then it bursts through the clouds and its glorious. When you smile out at people and every face you see smiles back at you? All you can say is hallelujah!"

Forest Whitaker described Angela as "a powerful artist, a beautiful person, a mother, a wife, a friend who illuminates my life".

The twins were in attendance on their Mom's big day and nearly stole the show!

Giving thanks to fans, artists, friends and family including Courtney, Bronwyn and Slater who were there to share the unveiling, Angela expressed how honored and humbled she was. "I would like to thank all of you fans who have supported me in a steadfast, loving and respectful manner always. I am a fan of you."

We at Angie B News can only echo what was expressed by Laurence Fishburne, "Thanks for sharing your gift with the world."

Congratulations Angela!