Hearst Media Production Group said it entered into a development deal with actress, comedian and author Tiffany Haddish.

The plan is to produce two unscripted series. One is about successful women in romantic relationships with homeless men. The other features psychotherapist Elliott Connie, who recently released a new book, The Solution-Focused Brief Therapy Diamond.

Haddish will executive produce both shows.

The deal will expand Hearst Media Production Group’s content portfolio. 

“Tiffany is one of the most dynamic and relatable voices in comedy,” said Angelica Rosas McDaniel, HMPG executive VP and general manager, entertainment. “We’re thrilled to collaborate with her as we expand HMPG’s general market offerings and develop these authentic, inclusive and engaging stories we are committed to telling.”

Haddish has more than 100 movie TV and streaming credits. She appeared in the 2017 comedy Girls Trip, hosted Tiffany Haddish Presents: They Ready on Netflix and was the first Black female standup comedian to host Saturday Night Live.

“I partnered with HMPG on these projects to make a difference in people’s lives,” Haddish said. “I’ve been unhoused before and I know how hard it is to get back on your feet. I also knew that my situation didn’t define me, nor did it make me believe that I was unworthy or unlovable.  Everyone deserves a chance at love and a happy home.  That’s why I’m making this show.  I want to use my platform to help others who are going through what I went through and give hope to those who need it most. Let’s do this! She Ready!”

The Afterparty, a mix of murder-mystery and comedy, premieres on Apple TV Plus Friday (January 28). Chris Miller and Phil Lord are behind the series, which has eight episodes. Three are available on premiere day. 

Tiffany Haddish, Sam Richardson, Zoë Chao, Ben Schwartz, Ike Barinholtz and Ilana Glazer are in the cast. 

Created and directed by Miller, who is also showrunner, The Afterparty is centered on a murder-mystery at a high school reunion. “Each episode explores a different character’s account of the fateful evening in question, all through the lens of popular film genres and unique visuals to match the storyteller’s perspective,” according to Apple TV Plus. 

Miller executive produces along with Lord through the pair’s production banner, Lord Miller. Anthony King is also an exec producer. 

Miller and Lord have also worked on the films Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and The Lego Movie.

TriStar TV and Sony Pictures Television produce the series. 

The pilot is available for free on YouTube. ■ 

 TBS June 18 will debut its “Friday Night Vibes” weekly block of diverse theatrical movies interspersed with original comedy segments, celebrity interviews and musical performances that are reflective and inclusive of Black culture. 

“Friday Night Vibes,” hosted by Tiffany Haddish and co-hosted by Deon Cole, will debut with feature films Creed and Creed 2, while in-studio celebrity guests Snoop Dogg and Tina Knowles Lawson discuss issues and topics surrounding the films as well as Father’s Day and Juneteenth, according to the network.

I recently spoke to TBS EVP, head of unscripted Corie Henson about the “Friday Night Vibes” concept as well as its appeal to viewers. An edited version of the interview appears below.

Picture This: What do you see as the biggest audience driver of “Friday Night Vibes” -- the movies or the original programming segments? 

Corie Henson: People will definitely come for the films but I also believe that Tiffany will bring her own audience. We're hoping to get a foothold in the public conversation and be topical. We've only shot the first episode, but once we really get into the rhythm I think we'll be able to reflect on and talk about stuff that's going on in the real world. I don't think any of us envisioned this as a talk show -- the vibe is very different and much looser than a traditional talk show. They're bite-size pieces of content woven throughout the film, but I do think people will come to see what she and her guests are talking about. Sometimes it’ll be driven by the content of the movie -- for example in the first episode, the movies are Creed and Creed 2, so Tiffany is talking to guest Snoop Dogg about her top three boxing knockouts of all time. Our second guest, Tina Knowles talks about Juneteenth -- she happens to be from Galveston where Juneteenth was originated. So there’s information and fun in a discussion that I think it's very fluid and very spontaneous.

PT: You mention Tiffany Haddish. What does she bring to the table?

CH: First of all, she brings energy and crazy comedic chops. I think what’s most interesting is that she has a warmth and a curiosity … she’s interested in learning. We put hosts into a lot of different shows and many of them come from TV, film or sports where they're used to people asking them questions. The hardest thing to find in a great host is someone who listens and is genuinely curious about what the other person has to say, and she does that. When her name came up in conjunction with this project, I couldn’t think of anyone better for the role.

PT: What are your expectations and goals for "Friday Night Vibes?"

CH: Ideally we would like to bring in some new audiences that we weren't necessarily focused on programming for. I think there are a lot of diverse voices across all of TBS both in front of and behind the camera, but I don't know that we'd ever planted our flag on a show or a night. Certainly this is going to be a place and a destination that celebrates diverse voices. Honestly this one is not about the ratings -- I hope people come and I think people will come to see Tiffany and to hear what she has to say. The win for us is introducing new viewers to the network, having conversations that you're not really hearing from other places and delivering on that commitment to the audience.

PT: If successful, can you see the “Friday Night Vibes” franchise serving as a springboard to new and original content?

CH: I wouldn’t count that out. I would love to have a show that nests perfectly in that evening. Right now we’re focusing on the movies as the tentpole of the evening to build around, but I would love to use it as a way to launch a new show if that show speaks to the audience.

TBS has partnered with Tiffany Haddish to offer a weekly Friday-night package of movies with diverse and inclusive themes, the network announced during WarnerMedia's upfront presentation Wednesday. 

Friday Night Vibes, hosted by Haddish, will debut June 18 and will feature comedy, action and culturally significant films that are inclusive of diverse voices, said the network. The movie block will launch with boxing-themed action films Creed and Creed 2.

Read Also: TNT, TBS To Show Max Originals in Low-Ad 'Front Row' Windows

Along with the movies, Friday Night Vibes will feature celebrity interviews and musical performances, with Haddish guiding viewers through special behind-the-scenes moments and authentic conversation. Friday Night Vibes will be executive produced by Reginald Hudlin, Phil Gurin and Byron Phillips.

In other WarnerMedia upfront news, WarnerMedia has renewed TBS’ competition series Wipeout and comedy series Chad, as well as truTV’s Fast Foodies.

• TNT will debut the fifth season of Animal Kingdom on July 11 while TBS premieres the third season of Miracle Workers: Oregon Trail on July 13.

• TruTV will debut the ninth season of Impractical Jokers on July 8, a week after the network debuts two specials based on the comedy series — Impractical Jokers Awards Show and Impractical Jokers: The Movie. The network will also premiere Backyard Bar Wars beginning July 8.

Read Also: Batman, Superman Series Coming to HBO Max and Cartoon Network

Kids Say the Darndest Things premieres on CBS May 5. Tiffany Haddish hosts. 

“The reimagined Kids Say the Darndest Things showcases Tiffany Haddish’s unparalleled comedy talents, using her singular voice, humor and life perspective to interact with real kids from across the country in an honest, unpredictable and hilarious way,” said CBS.

Segments include “Show and Tell” and “Tiffany’s Life Lessons.”

The show honors its history with the weekly “Linkletter Vault” segment, a salute to original host Art Linkletter. Bill Cosby hosted a later version of the program. 

Haddish had hosted one season of Kids Say the Darndest Things on ABC. 

Kids Say the Darndest Things is produced by CBS Studios in association with Anvil 1893 Entertainment and She Ready Productions. Eric Schotz, Tiffany Haddish, Bellamie Blackstone and Ruth Rivin are executive producers.

Apple TV Plus will look to ring in the holidays this Friday (Dec. 4)  with a new special featuring legendary recording artist Mariah Carey.

The special, Mariah Carey's Magical Christmas Special, will features Carey as she embarks to help Santa solve a world face with a holiday cheer crisis, according to the streaming service. 

The special will feature musical and dance performances along with animation, said Apple TV Plus. The special will also feature appearances from from Tiffany Haddish, Billy Eichner, Ariana Grande, Jennifer Hudson, Snoop Dogg, Jermaine Dupri, Misty Copeland and Mykal-Michelle Harris, along with a special appearance by Carey’s nine-year-old twins, son Moroccan and daughter Monroe.

The first week of December will feature the return of several veteran series including Emmy winning show The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, as well as a sequel of Showtime drama series The L Word.

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel will debut its third season Dec. 6 on Prime Video with actress Rachel Brosnahan and Tony Shalhoub reprising their Emmy-winning roles.

Other shows returning this week include Netflix’s Fuller House for its fifth and final season (Dec. 6) and History's Vikings for its sixth and final season (Dec. 4).

On the new series front, Showtime will resurrect its drama series The L Word for a new series run. The Dec. 8 premiere of The L Word: Generation Q will feature Jennifer Beals, Katherine Moennig (pictured) and Leisha Hailey reprising their roles from the original series, which ran on Showtime from 2004-2009. 

Below are video trailers and premiere dates for several shows debuting this week on cable networks and streaming services (for some videos, viewer discretion is advised):

Dec. 2 -- Garth Brooks: The Road I’m On (documentary) -- A&E

Dec. 3 -- 24/7: Kelly Slater (documentary) -- HBO

Dec. 3 -- Tiffany Haddish: Black Mitzvah (comedy special) -- Netflix

Dec. 4 -- Toast of London (comedy) -- IFC

Dec. 5 -- Tell Me A Story (returning series) -- CBS All Access

Dec. 5 -- V Wars (sci-fi) -- Netflix

Dec. 6 -- Astronomy Club (sketch comedy) -- Netflix

Dec. 6 -- The Confession Killer (miniseries) -- Netflix

Dec. 6 -- Reprisal (drama) -- Hulu

Dec. 6 -- Truth Be Told (drama) -- Apple TV+

Dec. 8 -- Work In Progress (comedy) -- Showtime

YouTube will now offer its original programming fare on an ad-supported basis, marking a major switch from its premium-based distribution strategy, the streaming service said during its Newfront presentation Thursday night.

YouTube said that it will roll out several new shows focused on music learning and personalities that will be ad-supported, including the new season of Cobra Kai -- the reboot series based on The Karate Kid film franchise -- that has been renewed for a third season, said network officials.

The first two seasons of Cobra Kai will also be moved to an ad supported platform beginning this fall, according to the service. Those seasons were initially offered as part of the YouTube Premium subscription service.

“For today's viewers, primetime is personal and our content resonates so strongly due to the diversity and richness of our unmatched library and platform capabilities,” said Chief Business Officer Robert Kyncl in a statement. “While every other media company is building a paywall, we are headed in the opposite direction and now have more opportunities than ever to partner with advertisers and share our critically- acclaimed originals with our global audience.”

Among the new shows being developed for YouTube include BookTube, Could You Survive the Movies, Retro Tech, Show Me The Evidence and The School of Life. The company also announced new projects with Justin Bieber and Tiffany Haddish.

Returning series include Kevin Hart: What The Fit, said the company.

TBS will bring back its comedy series The Last O.G. for a second season on April 2, the network said Tuesday.

The sophomore campaign of the series, which stars Tracy Morgan and Tiffany Haddish, will also feature such guest stars as Method Man, Rev. Run, Anna Maria Horsford and Joshua Rivera.

The series is executive produced by Morgan, Jordan Peele, Eric and Kim Tannenbaum, Saladin Patterson and Joel Zadak.