A familiar face is back on the currently airing Season 6 of the Showtime drama "The Chi" at 8 p.m. Sundays.
The series also streams on Paramount+ with Showtime.
Baton Rouge native Lynn Whitfield (The Josephine Baker Story," "Greenleaf") plays Alicia, who IMDb.com describes as "an intimidating, old-money matriarch who will spare no expense to get what she wants."
Yes, "villian" fits the bill.
"The Chi," created and executive produced by Emmy winner Lena Waithe ("Twenties," "Master of None") is "a timely coming-of-age story centering on a group of residents on the south side of Chicago who become linked by coincidence but bonded by the need for connection and redemption," the series synopsis states.
Emmy- and NAACP Image award-winning Whitfield, in a recurring role, joins series regulars Jacob Latimore, Alex Hibbert, Yolonda Ross, Shamon Brown Jr., Michael V. Epps, Birgundi Baker, Luke James and Curtiss Cook.
Guest stars include Leon, Jill Marie Jones, Kandi Burruss, La La Anthony, Vic Mensa, Carolyn Michelle Smith, Jason Weaver, Iman Shumpert, Nia Jervier, L’lerrét Jazelle, Hannaha Hall, Ahmad Ferguson, Genesis Denise Hale, Joel Steingold, Judaéa Brown, Miriam A. Hyman, Tyla Abercrumbie, Tai Davis, Rolando Boyce and Tory O. Davis.
Oscar and Emmy winner Common ("Selma") is the executive producee. Shot entirely in its namesake city, "The Chi" is produced by 20th Television.
Here's what's in store for the new episode, "Tower of Terror," on Sunday: "Emmett struggles with his new normal. Roselyn stresses over her own safety. Victor weighs his political career and life with Fatima," the episode synopsis states. "Tiff makes progress with Alicia. The city is on edge for what lies ahead."
'The Chi' has been renewed for Season 7, the network announced in May.
'Smooth' singing
Less than a month after competing on Season 25 of NBC's "The Voice," Louisiana pals Karen Waldrup and Zoe Levert shared a stage again.
The occasion was Mandeville native Waldrup's tour stop at the Manship Theatre in Baton Rouge on Saturday night. With Waldrup and her band cranking up a little after 7:30 p.m., Levert watched from the wings as the headliner performed mostly her original songs, including the sultry "Slow and Easy," her Valentine's 2023 release, "The Night We Fell in Love," and the moving, patriotic "Normandy."
The packed house cheered as Landry, 37, called out New Orleans native Levert, 20, for a duet of the Chris Stapleton hit "Tennessee Whiskey."
Levert, who now lives in Baton Rouge, rejoined Waldrup later in the show to perform Jo Dee Messina's toe-tapping "Bye Bye." The tune from 1998 is special to Waldrup as it's the one she performed for her audition on "The Voice."
The pair threw flowers into the crowd at show's end.
Waldrup place fifth on "The Voice," while Levert advanced as far as the top 12.
Waldrup's tour returns to her homestate again on Saturday, June 29, for a 9:15 p.m. performance at the Slidell Heritage Festival.
Hall of Fame special
Nine Louisiana star athletes, including sports icons Drew Brees and Seimone Augustus, will join the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame on Saturday.
The induction ceremony, taking place at the Sports Hall of Fame museum in Natchitoches, will be live-streamed beginning at 6 p.m. on LPB’s YouTube channel, www.lpb.org/youtube and also at www.lpb.org.
Karen LeBlanc, LPB news anchor, and sportscaster Victor Howell will star coverage from the “purple carpet” as the honorees and other sports notables arrive for the event. The induction ceremony follows at 7 p.m.
“The 2024 induction class is full of names and faces that will be familiar to sports fans,” says Jason Viso, LPB’s director of programming. “LPB is happy to partner with the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame again on this incredible night.”
The 2024 induction class also includes:
- Perry Clark, college coach
- Daniel Cormier, MMA
- Wilbert Ellis, baseball
- Kevin Jackson, wrestling
- Kerry Joseph, football
- Frank Monica, prep coach
- Ray Sibille, horse racing
- Bobby Ardoin, sportswriter
- Ron Higgins, sportswriter
In addition, longtime Southland Conference commissioner Tom Burnett will be presented with the 2024 Dave Dixon Louisiana Sports Leadership Award.
The network will present highlights from the ceremony and a behind-the-scenes look during a two-hour special, "Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame: 2024 Celebration," at 7 p.m., July 11.