CBS and the NAACP have struck up a multi-year partnership to develop and produce scripted, unscripted and documentary TV projects highlighting the Black experience for broadcast, cable and streaming.
As part of the pact, creative leaders from CBS Television Studios will work with the civil rights organization to establish a team of executives and infrastructure to acquire, develop and produce the new programming. It also includes a commitment to developing content for CBS Television Network, and allows for programming to be sold to third-party platforms.
The goal is to expand the number of diverse voices who will, in turn, tell more inclusive stories, in order to increase the visibility of Black artists across the industry.
“In this moment of national awakening, the time has never been better to further tell stories of the African American experience,” said Derrick Johnson, president and CEO of the NAACP. “Programming and content have the power to shape perspectives and drive conversations around critical issues. This partnership with CBS allows us to bring compelling and important content to a broad audience.”
“An important way to diversify and grow our storytelling is to expand our horizons beyond the traditional studio-producer system,” said George Cheeks, president and CEO of CBS Entertainment Group. “There is no better partner than the NAACP – the preeminent civil rights organization in our country – to help us find, develop and tell these inclusive stories. “At the same time, this is a strategic opportunity for CBS to build upon as well as re-imagine our pipeline for existing and emerging creative talent.”
10 Stars Who Just Need an Emmy to EGOT, From Elton John to Stephen Sondheim (Photos)
The EGOT -- an acronym for Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony -- is among the greatest and most elusive honors in entertainment. These stars are (or were) close to achieving it based on competitive awards.
Elton John, composer and musician (1947-)
Grammy: Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group, "That's What Friends Are For" (1986); Best Instrumental Composition, "Basque" (1991); Best Male Pop Vocal Performance, "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" (1994); Best Male Pop Vocal Performance, "Candle in the Wind" (1997); Best Show Album, "Aida" (2000)
Oscar: Best Original Son, "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" from "The Lion King" (1994)
Tony: Best Score, "Aida" (2000)
Joel Grey, actor (1932 - ) Grammy (2): Best Musical Theater Album, "Cabaret" (1968) and "Chicago" (1998) Oscar: Supporting Actor, "Cabaret" (1972) Tony: Featured Actor in a Musical, "Cabaret" (1967)
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Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, composers (both 1985 - )
Grammy: Best Musical Theater Album, "Dear Evan Hansen" (2018)
Oscar: Best Original Song, "La La Land" (2017)
Tony: Best Original Score, "Dear Evan Hansen" (2017)
Stephen Sondheim, composer and lyricist (1930-2021) Grammy: Best Show Album, "Company" (1970); Best Show Album, "A Little Night Music" (1973); Song of the Year, "Send in the Clowns" (1975); Best Show Album, "Sweeney Todd" (1979); Best Show Album, "Sunday in the Park With George" (1984); Best Cast Show Album, "Into the Woods" (1988); Best Show Album, "Passion" (1994); Oscar: Best Original Song, "Sooner Or Later (I Always Get My Man)" from "Dick Tracy" (1990) Tony: Best Musical, "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum," (1963); Best Score and Best Lyrics, "Company" (1971); Best Score, "Follies" (1972); Best Score, "A Little Night Music" (1973); Best Score, "Sweeney Todd" (1979); Best Score, "Into the Woods" (1988); Best Score, "Passion" (1994)
Henry Fonda, actor (1905-82)
Grammy: Best Spoken Word Album, "Great Documents" (1977)
Oscar: Best Actor, "On Golden Pond" (1981)
Tony: Best Actor, "Mister Roberts" (1948); Best Actor, "Clarence Darrow" (1975)
Oscar Hammerstein II, lyricist and producer (1895-1960)
Grammy: Best Original Cast Album, "The Sound of Music" (1960)
Oscar: Best Original Song, "The Last Time I Saw Paris" from "Lady Be Good" (1941); "It Might As Well Be Spring" from "State Fair" (1945)
Tony: Three awards for "South Pacific" (1950); Best Musical, "The King and I" (1952); Best Musical, "The Sound of Music" (1960)
Alan Jay Lerner, lyricist and writer (1918-86)
Grammy: Best Original Cast Album, "On a Clear Day" (1965)
Oscar: Best Original Screenplay, "An American in Paris" (1951); Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Original Song, "Gigi" (1958)
Tony: Best Musical, "My Fair Lady" (1957); Best Original Score, "Gigi" (1974)
Frank Loesser, composer (1910-69)
Grammy: Best Cast Album, "How to Succeed..." (1961)
Oscar: Best Song, "Baby, It's Cold Outside" from "Neptune's Daughter" (1949)
Tony: Best Musical, "Guys and Dolls" (1951); Best Musical, "How to Succeed..." (1962)
Jule Styne, composer and songwriter (1905-94)
Grammy: Best Cast Album, "Funny Girl" (1964)
Oscar: Best Song, "Three Coins in the Fountain" (1954)
Tony: Best Musical and Best Score, "Hallelujah Baby" (1968)
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A select group of entertainers can round out their trophy cases with a competitive win from the Television Academy
The EGOT -- an acronym for Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony -- is among the greatest and most elusive honors in entertainment. These stars are (or were) close to achieving it based on competitive awards.
