BILL VAUGHAN'S TASTY CLIPS: ABFF Honors to Celebrate Pierre, Gibbs and Altadena

The 7th American Black Film Festival announced that their upcoming ABFF Honors will celebrate and inspire action for the community of Altadena, paying tribute to its residents and their extraordinary contributions to Black history and culture.

The ceremony will also bestow the Hollywood Legacy Award to Marla Gibbs, the celebrated actress known for iconic roles on “The Jeffersons,” “227,” and who beyond acting served as an activist, entrepreneur, and founder of a theater and acting school in Los Angeles.

In addition, Aaron Pierre (“Rebel Ridge,” “The Underground Railroad,” “Mufasa: The Lion King”) will receive the Rising Star Award at the annual event recognizing excellence in the motion picture and television industry. The heartthrob will next be seen as superhero John Stewart in HBO Max’s “Lanterns” and in season four of Apple TV+’s “The Morning Show.”

Presented by Nice Crowd, the 2025 ABFF Honors, hosted by actress and comedian Zainab Johnson, will take place on Feb. 17 at the SLS hotel in Beverly Hills. Previously announced honorees include Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Giancarlo Esposito and Keke Palmer.

For more information, visit www.abffhonors.com.

TICKET WATCH (SIN CITY EDITION): “Love & Laughter” pairing Toni Braxton and Cedric The Entertainer returns to the Cosmopolitan Feb. 14 & 15, May 9 & 10, and July 11 & 12. Get your seats through Ticketmaster.

The Bruno Mars residency at Dolby Live at Park MGM will continue for seven more shows May 21, 24, 25, 28, 30 & 31, and June 2. Tickets go on sale Jan. 31 at Ticketmaster.

Lenny Kravitz is bringing Blue Electric Light back to Las Vegas’ Dolby Live at Park MGM this August 1–9. For more info, visit Ticketmaster or LennyKravitz.com.

SAY WHAT?!: “Martin Lawrence keeps saying he ain’t had no stroke. But every time he do an interview, he look like he had a stroke! Now why won’t somebody say something? Ain’t nothing wrong with having a stroke and getting better. What is he hiding it for?” – KATT WILLIAMS

CLIPPETTES: Robert Glasper’s Annual (Pre-Grammys) Jam (there will be special guests) is set for Jan. 31 at The Vermont Hollywood as songwriter and musician Jimmy Webb (“By the Time I Get to Phoenix”) begins a two-night stand at Catalina Bar & Grill …

The Honda Battle of the Bands kicks off Feb.1 at SoFi Stadium spotlighting Hampton University, Auburn University, North Carolina A&T, Univ. of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Southern University & A&M College, and Alabama A&M University. Hosted by Nick Cannon (“Drumline”) with a performance by GloRilla, the event will also hold a Black College Expo …

At night, Cory Henry & Friends throw a Grammy Jam at The Sun Rose, 9th Wonder Presents Fasss Auntie Lounge at the Melrose House, Jazz at Lincoln Center takes over the Luckman Fine Arts Complex, Grammy-winning ensemble Imani Winds are at Santa Monica’s Broad Stage, Seth MacFarlane and his Chamber Orchestra grace Vibrato Grill & Jazz, and Kate Hudson leads her band at the Troubadour …

Trevor Jackson (“Grown-ish”) performs at The Echo on Feb. 2 while Rickie Lee Jones is at The Coach House … ?

The Hollywood Improv hosts Monderays with DeRay Davis and more Feb. 3 …

Benjamin Booker plays the Lodge Room on Feb. 5, as Lakecia Benjamin & Phoenix start two nights at The Soraya in Northridge …

The Grammy Museum presents The Drop: Johnnyswim, consisting of husband-and-wife duo Abner Ramirez and Amanda Sudano Ramirez (who happens to be disco queen Donna Summer’s daughter), Feb. 6 to discuss their upcoming album, “When The War Is Over,” creative process, and more, with a special performance to follow …

Also that evening, Vibrato Grill & Jazz brings Tiffany Haddish’s Wild Adventure in which she takes audiences through decades of music starting in the 1920’s to current day infused with her comedy …?

Later, New York based comedian, writer and actor Nore Davis is “Healing Black History” at the Elysian Theater hosted by Kerry Coddett and featuring performances by Von Decaro and Jordan Temple …

In addition, The Ozomatli Experience, celebrating the group’s 30-year anniversary live at Studio 7, will be held every Thursday in February at Verse.

TASTY QUIP: “"The claims are completely false, but I still hear about them occasionally. Dave Chappelle made it funny, though, and I appreciate that. He kept it civil, which I really respect. It was nice to see him mention me, even if it was tied to that ridiculous rumor. I just wish it had been about something better. Still, he made me look good, so I can’t complain” – REGINALD VelJOHNSON (“Family Matters”) to the Hollywood Reporter on being the butt of the comic’s “Saturday Night Live” P. Diddy jokes

TC ON TV: Jan. 31 – “Vietnam: The War That Changed America” (Apple TV+): Ethan Hawke narrates this six-part documentary series featuring the epic true stories of the men and women who served through rare archival footage and moving reunions.

“Happy Anniversary” (Tubi): A young woman assumes three identities to prey upon the men who did her wrong in their youth. “Jenna & Friends” (NBC): Ciara co-hosts. “Drew Barrymore” (Syn): Lil Rel Howery & Pete Davidson (“Dog Man”) “Tamron Hall” (Syn): Carmelo Anthony “Sherri” (Syn): Master P, Jazz Smollett “Inside The 67th Annual Grammy Awards” (CBS): Nischelle Turner (“Entertainment Tonight”) hosts this behind-the-scenes look at “Music’s Biggest Night.”

Feb. 1 – “Can You Feel The Beat” The Lisa Lisa Story” (Lifetime): Singer and actress Lisa Velez, who rose to fame in the 80s supergroup Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam, executive produces and stars as her mother in this fully authorized biopic. With Jearnest Corchado as Lisa Lisa, Bre Z (“All American”) and Angie Martinez. “Kobe: The Making of a Legend” (CNN): Part 2 picks up in 2003, when Kobe Bryant's world is rocked by an allegation of sexual assault against a 19-year-old hotel employee, drawing intense media scrutiny. In the aftermath, he channels his emotions into the Black Mamba alter ego.

Feb. 2 – “The 67th Annual Grammy Awards” (CBS): Trevor Noah returns to host for a 4th time with this year’s performers to include Billie Eilish, Doechii, Shakira, Raye, Sabrina Carpenter, Charli XCX, and Teddy Swims, with Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, Bruno Mars, Lady Gaga (debuting a new single), a Quincy Jones tribute led by Stevie Wonder and Herbie Hancock, and perhaps a Beatles reunion of Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr on tap.

Feb. 3 – “The Great American Baking Show: Celebrity Big Game” (Roku): With current footballers DK Metcalf, Arik Armstead and Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez.

Feb. 4 – “Tamron Hall” (Syn): Chanel Iman “Finding Your Roots: (PBS): Henry Louis Gates, Jr. explores the family trees of humanitarian celebrity chefs José Andrés & Sean Sherman. “Great Migrations: A People on the Move” (PBS): Streets Paved in Gold” explores the second wave (1940-1970), highlighting how Northern and Western Black communities matured through migration and transformed the cultural and political power of Black America.

Feb. 5 – “Live with Kelly & Mark” (ABC): Anthony Mackie ("Captain America: Brave New World") “Kelly Clarkson” (Syn): Damon Wayans, Damon Wayans Jr., Olivia Holt “Celebrity Jeopardy” (ABC): Natalie Morales, Corbin Blue

“Life Interrupted: Isabella Strahan’s Fight Against Cancer” (ABC): Follows the daughter of "Good Morning America" co-anchor Michael Strahan, and her recent cancer battle from her diagnosis of medulloblastoma, a common fast-growing malignant brain tumor, in Oct. of 2023, to her treatment, recovery and recent return to college cancer-free.

Feb. 6 – “Clean Slate” (Prime): This heartfelt Norman Lear production follows George Wallace as an old-school Alabama car wash owner whose "son" returns after 17 years as a proud trans woman (Laverne Cox). With Telma Hopkins (“Family Matters”). “The View” (ABC): Ariana DeBose, Karamo Brown “Kelly Clarkson” (Syn): Big Sean

END QUOTE: ““Even at the end of my weight loss journey, I'm not going to be considered thin, by any means. I will still be considered morbidly obese on the BMI, and little bros on the internet are still going to call me big backed. But I will be happy. And I am happy! Let this be a reminder that you can do anything you set your mind to. Now, I guess it's time to set new goals." – LIZZO on shedding 100lbs

As featured in the Los Angeles Wave and Independent, Tasty Clips is one of the leading entertainment columns in the nation, serving more than one million monthly readers. Bill Vaughan may be reached at [email protected], via X (FKA Twitter) @tastyclips, or Instagram @tasty_clips.