NICOLE ARI PARKER LANDS STARRING ROLE IN NEW ABC COMEDY 'NEVER BETTER' WITH DAMON WAYANS.

Actress Nicole Ari Parker says goodbye (for now) to her temporary home in Atlanta, Georgia and hello again to the land of Hollywood. Parker has scored a starring role alongside actor/comedian Damon Wayans in the new ABC comedy Never Better which is slated to hit the air in the fall, according to the Hollywood Reporter. Never Better stars Wayans as Keith, a recovering alcoholic who's trying to be a better husband and father to his family. Parker, last seen opposite Martin Lawrence in Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins, will play the wife of Wayans' character.
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NICK AT NITE LOVES THEMSELVES SOME 'EVERYBODY HATES CHRIS'; STICOM SOARS INTO SYNDICATION.

The award-winning family comedy series, Everybody Hates Chris from co-creator and narrator Chris Rock, will join the Nick At Nite line-up in fall, 2009, according to Cyma Zarghami, President of Nickelodeon/MTVN Kids and Family Group. "Following in the success we've had with George Lopez and Home Improvement, this show has all the makings to be our next big hit for kids and parents on Nick At Nite," Zarghami said. "Chris Rock is a comedic genius hugely popular with adults, and he's created a great kid-centric character and story that will be relevant to both our kid and adult audience. It's a great addition for us." Beginning September 2009, Nick At Nite will become the exclusive basic cable home to the half-hour series which stars Tyler James Williams as Chris, Terry Crews as Julius, Tichina Arnold as Rochelle, Tequan Richmond as Drew, Imani Hakim as Tonya and Vincent Martella as Greg.

"Nick At Nite is one of my family's favorite TV networks," said Chris Rock. "I am thrilled that this series, which reflects my childhood growing up in Brooklyn, is coming to the number-one home for great family comedies."

The deal with CBS Television Distribution includes a four-year license period for a minimum of four seasons (80 episodes). The hit series is currently in production on season four, which is included as part of the overall deal. Moreover, the show has also been cleared to run in off-network broadcast syndication for fall 2009, with 52% of the country covered and deals signed with stations from the Fox, CBS, Cox Television and Weigel Broadcasting station groups. Estimates valued the nonexclusive Nick deal at $450,000 per episode, including two minutes of national barter for the first three years of the four-year deal.
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WORD AROUND THE WEB: ACTOR BRYTON McCLURE TO EXIT 'Y&R' IN APRIL 2008.

Bryton McClure who plays 'Devon Hamilton', the adopted son of 'Neil (played by Kristoff St. John) & Drucilla Winters' (played by Victoria Rowell), will leave The Young & the Restless when his contract expires in April (2008). McClure, who some of you may remember as 'Lil Richie' from one of the longest running Black sitcoms in television history, Family Matters, says one of the reasons why he will not renew his contract is because he wants to go to college. Can't knock the dude for wanting to elevate his academic goals, bless his heart. Although the 21-year-old won an Daytime Emmy for Younger Actor in a Drama Series earlier this year, as far as his character is concerned, he hasn't had any strong and/or interesting storylines since his character lost his hearing while being named as a suspect, along with 'Drucilla', in 'Carmen's' murder.

I truly dig this dude's talent. And I ain't gon lie, I literally cried after when 'Devon' adoption was finalized. But I was fire-engine-red-hot when the writers possessed the absolute gall to incorporate a storyline that involved 'Devon' developing romantic feelings for his adopted sister, 'Lily.' Now, that shit put the lid on the jar for me!

I felt a lil better once they finally gave 'Devon' a 'romantic interest' (played by Fresh Prince of Bel Air star Tatyana Ali). But still, they should've given him more. All it takes is a stroke of a pen. I mean really! He was only in 2 episodes in October. Kay's maid, 'Esther' has gotten more screen time than him.

What sort of impact McClure's departure will cause for the only Black family in daytime soaps is anyone's guess. Victoria Rowell is gone...for now...and there's no telling if and or when she will ever return to Y&R. And there's no word on if McClure's character will be recast.

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TYLER PERRY WANTS US TO GIVE 'HOUSE OF PAYNE' ANOTHER CHANCE; SAYS SHOW IS GETTING MUCH BETTER.

First and foremost, Tyler Perry wants fans who stuck with his TBS sitcom House of Payne to let their friends know that the show has gotten much better, and to please give it another try when it begins reruns this week. "This is the last week of all new episodes of House of Payne," Perry tells fans in his latest e-mail. "This week there will be three episodes that will air back-to-back and then the show goes into reruns until December."

He adds: "And may I ask this to all of the people that gave up on the show early on and now have come back to it and are loving it (and I know that you're back because the ratings are amazing!) Could you just pass on to others how much the show has grown and how good it is now? Could you do it for me? I know it was rough in the beginning but its getting better and better. A lot happens in these last three episodes so check it out if you can."

Well, Tyler, I'll tell you this: you add Lamman Rucker (CLICK HERE to read more news on LAMMAN RUCKER ON BLACKCELEBRITYMEN.BLOGSPOT.COM!)to the cast and I will watch House of Payne every week. Fair exchange, no robbery, brother! LOL!

Perry's e-mail also addressed a situation in Buffalo, NY where a woman was scammed by someone posing as the entertainment mogul. The fake Tyler Perry tricked her into entering a bogus writing contest and eventually bilked her out of $1,700. Perry explains: "I listened to the story and was heartbroken because someone posing as me told this woman that she had won a writing contest and that I was sending several limos to pick her and her family up and I was going on BET to announce that she had won and I was going to use her script as my next play. I was reading the message board later and I saw a message from one of the woman's family members so I called her. She was distraught--apparently this person who was online told her that she had to send $1,700.00 for airfare and hotel accommodations. This is what I'm talking about with people posing as me online. I DO NOT HAVE A MYSPACE PAGE, OR ANY OTHER WEBSITE OTHER THAN TYLERPERRY.COM. Please pass that on."

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