Comedy Jamming

Shaq adds “film producer” to his resume.

by J.Gamble

Shaquille O’Neal has been an athletic trailblazer in many areas of entertainment over the years. He has dropped albums and classic hip-hop joints, featuring raps finest. He has done movies and even chases down suspects as a sheriff if he sees fit. Oh yeah, and he wins NBA Championships in the meantime and in-between time.

Last season wasn’t a typical Shaq year. Phoenix failed to make the playoffs. And he kept a pretty low profile, except for the flash of dance he gave us poppin’ and lockin’ with the Jabberwockees during NBA All-Star weekend. The Shaq-CP3 give-n-go between the legs of Dwight Howard was tough too. No doubt.

When you’ve been an All-Star 15 times and the most dominant force of your era, sometimes you can get bored. Last season, Shaq seemed bored.

Well hooray for Hollywood. It seems ya boy is back in full swing now. Not only is Shaq switching teams to set off 2010, the Big Diesel is moving behind the camera, and according to AllHipHop, into a producer’s role with Codeblack’s DVD release of The All-Star Comedy Jam series. The first installment of Shaquille O’Neal and Jeff Clanagan’s All-Star Comedy Jam series will be released on DVD on September 8.

“I am excited to partner with a veteran like Jeff Clanagan and I am thrilled to be venturing into the comedy and television world,” Shaq said of the DVD’s release in a statement. Part of Shaq’s excitement also stems from the opportunity to lend his name and talents to a rare black-owned media enterprise.

O’Neal produced the 88-minute DVD in conjunction with Clanagan’s Codeblack Entertainment, one of the first modern African-American owned, new media and entertainment companies.

The comedy series, which was originally filmed live in Phoenix before the All-Star Game, features standup routines by host Cedric The Entertainer, Tommy Davidson, Aries Spears, Kevin Hart and DeRay Davis.

The All Star Comedy Jam DVD features guest appearances from comedian Katt Williams, Hip-Hop couple Nelly and Ashanti, and backstage commentary from all of the comedians.

It is another shrewd business move by the marketing genius, icon, charismatic ghetto philosopher, institution and affluent-entity that is Shaq. As the big man’s career winds down, it seems he is speeding up his assault on the entertainment world. Shaq is making sure that he stays relevant long after his playing days are over.