VH1 GREENLIGHTS "HIP HOP SQUARES"
ICE CUBE TO EXECUTIVE PRODUCE NETWORK'S SPIN ON "HOLLYWOOD SQUARES" SET TO PREMIERE THIS FALL
JESSE COLLINS ENTERTAINMENT, CUBE VISION AND THE FIRM TO PRODUCE
(New York, NY) July 28, 2016 - VH1 is giving the classic game show "HOLLYWOOD SQUARES" a Hip Hop makeover with the help of Ice Cube and his Cube Vision production company in conjunction with Jesse Collins Entertainment and Jeff Kwatinetz's The Firm.
Slated for a Fall 2016 premiere, celebrity contestants will match wits and test their pop culture knowledge with the superstar squares, featuring the biggest names in hip hop, comedy and entertainment.
O'Shea Jackson aka "Ice Cube" is an iconic member of N.W.A., as well as a prominent producer, actor and filmmaker. Most recently, he starred in and produced BARBERSHOP: THE NEXT CUT and produced the Oscar nominated STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON. Entertainment industry veteran Jesse Collins ("BET Awards," "VH1's Dear Mama," "Real Husbands of Hollywood") will also executive produce the series.
According to Ice Cube: "'Hip Hop Squares' is going to be fun and spontaneous; unlike typical game shows, viewers should never know what's going to happen next. When VH1 asked us to join the producing team, we jumped aboard as we have had success with VH1, and we love their team, excitement and commitment to the show."
VH1 and Logo President Chris McCarthy goes on to say: "Ice Cube is one of the most prolific figures in Hip Hop history and American culture at large. We are thrilled to partner with him and CBS Distribution to reinvent one of America's most iconic game shows with 'Hip Hop Squares.'"
Scott Koondel, Executive Vice President and Chief Corporate Content Licensing Officer, CBS Corporation echoed: "We cannot imagine a more ideal talent than Ice Cube to take our great comedy format to new heights. Ice Cube's phenomenal personality and popularity are vital keys to making 'Hip Hop Squares' VH1's next big hit."
About Cube Vision
Cube Vision is a film and television production company, founded in 1998 by award winning actor, writer, producer and music legend Ice Cube. The company's debut film was Next Friday, the sequel to Cube's 1995 classic Friday, a film that he both wrote and starred in. Since then, Cube Vision has gone on to produce hit films such as Barbershop 1, 2 and The Next Cut, Are We There Yet, Ride Along 1, 2 - as well as the critically acclaimed documentary film Straight Outta LA for ESPN Film's 30 for 30 and the scripted series Are We There Yet for TBS. Most recently, Cube Vision produced the Oscar nominated film Straight Outta Compton, a biographical film inspired by the rise and fall of the world's most dangerous group N.W.A. - which grossed over $200 million worldwide and topped the US box office for 3 consecutive weeks. In total, Ice Cube and Cube Vision films have grossed over 1 billion dollars at the box office, making it one of the most successful independent production companies in Hollywood.
About Jesse Collins Entertainment
Jesse Collins Entertainment is a full service television and film production company founded by entertainment industry veteran Jesse Collins. For more than a decade, Collins has played an integral role in producing some of television's most memorable moments in music entertainment. Formerly Executive Producer/EVP of Cossette Productions, Collins has produced ground-breaking and award winning television programming including the BET Awards, the GRAMMY Awards, Soul Train Awards, BET Honors, UNCF An Evening of Stars, ABFF Awards, BET Hip Hop Awards and VH1's Dear Mama. Collins is also an executive producer of the hit TV series, Real Husbands of Hollywood starring Kevin Hart and the upcoming original miniseries based on the iconic music group New Edition that will debut in early 2017 and star Bryshere Y. Gray, Elijah Kelley and Luke James. He has worked with a myriad of superstar talent including Will Smith, Chris Rock, Jay-Z, Rihanna, Kanye West, Kendrick Lamar, Drake, Prince and Mariah Carey. Go to http://www.jessecollinsent.com/ for more information on the company.
About The Firm
Re-launched in 2015, The Firm produces film and television content across several networks and studios and also has robust operations in music and sports. The Firm's Film Division is producing such highly-anticipated projects as TRIBES OF PALOS VERDES starring Jennifer Garner and THE PALADIN. On the television side, The Firm has projects in development at nearly every major broadcast network, including five series on air this year with Haters Back Off (Netflix), Notorious (ABC), Salem (WGN), Royal Pains (USA) and Hip Hop Squares (VH1).
About CBS Television Distribution
CBS Television Distribution is the preeminent company in television syndication. CTD produces or distributes 10 first-run series and holds the largest distributed television library at 70,000 hours strong. Among CTD's critically-acclaimed programs are the #1 syndicated series Judge Judy; talk leader Dr. Phil; the #1 and #2 rated game shows "Wheel of Fortune" and "Jeopardy!"; the Emmy Award-winning talk shows "Rachael Ray" and "The Doctors;" the #1 and #2 newsmagazines "Entertainment Tonight" and "Inside Edition," along with "The Insider"; court show "Hot Bench"; and popular off-network product, including the "CSI," "NCIS" and "Star Trek" franchises, "Everybody Loves Raymond," "Frasier," "Criminal Minds," "Elementary," "The Good Wife," "Blue Bloods," "Hawaii Five-0," "Hot in Cleveland" and "Undercover Boss." In addition, CTD handles the domestic television distribution of CBS News, CBS Films and Showtime. CTD is a unit of CBS Corp.
About VH1
VH1 is the dominant pop culture brand for adults 18-34, creating their pop culture today while celebrating the pop culture of their past. VH1 is available in 93 million households in the U.S. VH1 also has an array of digital channels and services including the VH1 App, VH1.com and @VH1, the hub for all things music and pop culture. Fans may also access current and retro VH1 programming via the VH1 App, the network's three-in-one video, new form content and co-viewing app, available for free on iOS and Android platforms. VH1 is a unit of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), one of the world's leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms.
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