REELZ Announces I Love Lucy, Gilligan's Island Unknown Story Specials; The Proud Family Revival Premieres Feb. 23 on Disney+

Thursday, January 20, 2022

REELZ Announces I Love Lucy, Gilligan's Island Unknown Story Specials; The Proud Family Revival Premieres Feb. 23 on Disney+

REELZ announced its February 2022 lineup with new original stories every weekend of the month about towering rockers Jon Bon Jovi, Alice Cooper and KISS stars Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, the hits that made Whitesnake, the band breakups of Iron Maiden and Judas Priest and looks at beloved shows I Love Lucy and Gilligan's Island. February 2022 premieres are anchored by the previously announced original documentary America's Deadliest Rock Concert: The Guest List. On Saturday, February 26 it's the premiere of The Unknown Story new original specials with back-to-back stories about the legendary sitcoms I Love Lucy and Gilligan's Island revealing the brilliant talent and timeless comedy that made both shows popular for generations of fans. First at 8pm ET/ 5pm PT it's I Love Lucy: The Unknown Story about the six seasons of unforgettable moments that made this TV show a massive hit with stars Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz reinventing television along the way to create a show that is still adored and imitated decades later. Then at 9pm ET/ 6pm PT it's Gilligan's Island: The Unknown Story with the incredible story of how exactly a show about seven shipwrecked castaways that no network wanted to air became one of the most recognizable TV shows in the world. And when Gilligan's Island came to an abrupt end find out why that was both a blessing and curse to its stars and how passionate fandom played a role in changing the fates of the castaways.

The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder

Disney+ announced the February 23 premiere date for The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder, the highly-anticipated revival of the groundbreaking Disney Channel series, The Proud Family. Featuring an all-star celebrity cast, new episodes will debut Wednesdays on the streaming platform. Lauded television and film composer, songwriter and producer Kurt Farquhar, who wrote and composed The Proud Family theme song, returns as series songwriter and composer for The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder. Preserving the lyrics and melody of the iconic and beloved original theme song, Farquhar reimagined a contemporary version for the revival, performed by rising R&B star Joyce Wrice.

The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder will pick up the story of its central character, Penny Proud, and include her madcap family: parents Oscar and Trudy, twin siblings BeBe and CeCe, and grandmother Suga Mama (and Puff!). Of course, it would not be "The Proud Family" without Penny's loyal crew Dijonay Jones, LaCienega Boulevardez and Zoey Howzer, among others. Cast members reprising their roles from the original series are: Kyla Pratt as Penny Proud, Tommy Davidson as Oscar Proud, Paula Jai Parker as Trudy Proud, JoMarie Payton as Suga Mama, Cedric the Entertainer as Uncle Bobby, Karen Malina White as Dijonay Jones, Soleil Moon Frye as Zoey Howzer, Alisa Reyes as LaCienega Boulevardez, Carlos Mencia as Felix Boulevardez, Maria Canals-Barrera as Sunset Boulevardez, Alvaro Gutierrez as Papi, Raquel Lee Bolleau as Nubia Gross, Marcus T. Paulk as Myron, Aldis Hodge as Frankie, Aries Spears as Wizard Kelly, Cree Summer as Peabo, Patricia Belcher as Principal Hightower and Kevin Michael Richardson as Dr. Payne.

Recurring new voices are: Keke Palmer as Maya Leibowitz-Jenkins, Billy Porter and Zachary Quinto as Randall and Barry Leibowitz-Jenkins, rapper Artist "A Boogie" Dubose as Francis "KG" Leibowitz-Jenkins, EJ Johnson as Michael Collins, Asante Blackk as Kareem, Bresha Webb as CeCe, and Aiden Dodson as BeBe. Guest cast includes: Lizzo, Lil Nas X, Chance the Rapper, Normani, Leslie Odom Jr, Tiffany Haddish, Lena Waithe, Anthony Anderson, Gabrielle Union, Debbie Allen, James Pickens Jr., Courtney B. Vance, Jane Lynch, Marsai Martin, Jaden Smith, Glynn Turman, Lamorne Morris, Brenda Song, Tina Knowles, Eva Longoria, Holly Robinson Peete, Al Roker, Bretman Rock, Gabby Douglas, Laurie Hernandez, Dominique Dawes, Daniel "Desus Nice" Baker, D.C. Young Fly, Kid Capri, Art Evans, Arturo Castro, Ashton Sanders, Dominique Fishback, Jeremy O. Harris, Karrie Martin, Logan Browning and Princess Nokia.