Sunday, August 09, 2020

Jay Pharoah Hosts 'Nickelodeon’s Unfiltered' on Nick

JAY PHAROAH TO HOST NICKELODEON’S UNFILTERED,
PREMIERING SATURDAY, JULY 11, AT 8:30 P.M. (ET/PT)


Share it: @Nickelodeon #NickUnfiltered

HOLLYWOOD, Calif.—June 26, 2020—Comedian and actor Jay Pharoah (Saturday Night Live, 2 Minutes of Fame), will host Nickelodeon’s Unfiltered (previously Game Face). The remotely produced six-episode game show features panelists Darci Lynne and All That’s Lex Lumpkin and Gabrielle Nevaeh Green, who must guess the identities of virtually disguised celebrity guests. Nickelodeon’s Unfiltered premieres Saturday, July 11, at 8:30 p.m. (ET/PT) on Nickelodeon.

Said Pharoah, “As a person who likes to transform and play multiple characters, I always love a good disguise and I can’t wait to see which panelist will be able to figure out our guests’ identities. Nickelodeon’s Unfiltered is going to be an outrageously good time, and we have some big names and surprises that you really won’t want to miss!”


Each episode of Nickelodeon’s Unfiltered will feature celebrity guests whose true identities are hidden behind an animated 3D filter and voice changer, while the panel deciphers the mystery through rounds of Q&A, wacky trivia and hilarious game competitions. The first panelist to guess the star hiding behind the filter wins the round. Viewers can get in on the fun by downloading the show’s filters to transform into the same digital characters as their favorite celebrities.

Nickelodeon’s Unfiltered follows the success of the remotely produced series Group Chat with Annie and Jayden, hosted by Side Hustle co-stars Annie LeBlanc and Jayden Bartels.

Nickelodeon’s Unfiltered is executive produced by Pharoah and Shaina Farrow (Special Skills). Ben Pluimer (Legendary Dudas) also serves as executive producer. Production for Nickelodeon is overseen by Ashley Kaplan, Senior Vice President, Digital Studios; Luke Wahl, Vice President, Digital Studios; and Paul J Medford, Vice President, Unscripted Current Series.

Pharoah was a regular on Saturday Night Live for six seasons from 2010-16, where he was known for impressions of Barack Obama, Kanye West and others. His recent credits include feature films 2 Minutes of Fame and Bad Hair and the IMDB series Special Skills.

Nickelodeon, now in its 41st year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The brand includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, digital, location-based experiences, publishing and feature films. For more information or artwork, visit http://www.nickpress.com. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of ViacomCBS Inc. (Nasdaq: VIACA, VIAC).








Update (7/14) - YTV in Canada will premiere Unfiltered on Friday, July 17 at 7:00 p.m. (ET/PT)!

From IndyStar:

14-year-old Indiana 'All That' star is now on a Nickelodeon game show filmed at home

Fishers teenager Lex Lumpkin is working with one of his role models, “Saturday Night Live” alum Jay Pharoah, on new TV game show “Unfiltered.” But Lumpkin and Pharoah have yet to be in the same room together.

So far, episodes of "Unfiltered" have been made during the coronavirus pandemic, with on-camera participants recorded remotely. Pharoah serves as host for the show, and Lumpkin is one of three panelists who try to guess the identities of mystery celebrities.

Comedic actor Lumpkin, 14, can be seen in back-to-back shows that air Saturdays on Nickelodeon. "Unfiltered" debuted July 11 at 8:30 p.m. on the "SpongeBob SquarePants" network. New episodes of "All That," featuring Lumpkin in its ensemble cast, were recorded before the pandemic and air at 9 p.m. Saturdays.

Working from home is a new experience for Lumpkin, who moved to California after landing the "All That" job in 2019.

"It’s pretty weird," Lumpkin said of sitting between a camera and a green screen in his living room. "I’ve never really done anything like this before."

The former Hamilton Southeastern Intermediate & Junior High School student said it's helpful to have earpiece guidance from "Unfiltered" staff members.

"We’re actually learning how to run the equipment, which is another big part," Lumpkin said. "It’s definitely a learning curve and something we’ll have to get used to."

Lumpkin described the chance to work with master impressionist Pharoah as a dream come true. Among Pharoah's dozens of celebrity impressions, Barack Obama and Denzel Washington are two signature personalities who are in Lumpkin's repertoire, as well.

Lumpkin recalled "running around screaming" when he received an Instagram follow from Pharoah.

"He reposted my Denzel Washington sketch," Lumpkin said of an "All That" clip in which Washington supervises a Chuck E. Cheese-style restaurant.

He's thrilled: A teen from Fishers is starring in Nickelodeon's 'All That' remake

Before moving to California, Lumpkin portrayed the lead character in an Indiana Repertory Theatre production of "Stuart Little" and he appeared with Peyton Manning in a DirecTV commercial.

To mimic Washington's acting, Lumpkin studied "Training Day" – the R-rated film that earned Washington an Academy Award for portraying a corrupt Los Angeles police officer.

"My parents fast-forwarded through some parts," Lex said of TiJuan and Tommalisa Lumpkin. "They were very hesitant. But I said, 'Mom, Dad, it's for a sketch.' "

About 'Unfiltered'
The format of "Unfiltered" mixes elements of modern sensation "The Masked Singer" and "What's My Line," a game show that premiered 56 years before Lumpkin was born.

Lumpkin and fellow panelists Gabrielle Nevaeh Green (one of his "All That" cast mates) and Darci Lynne Farmer (a ventriloquist and "America's Got Talent" champion) pose yes-or-no questions to mystery celebrities. The guests' voices are altered and their faces are covered by graphic effects.

On the series premiere, Lumpkin made correct guesses for both celebrities: pro wrestler The Big Show and “Young Sheldon” star Iain Armitage.

“I’m pretty good at picking up clues,” Lumpkin said. “I am pretty up to date with pop culture.”

Lumpkin said he keeps up with trends on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. His profile name is “MrLexLumpkin” on all four social media platforms.

Acting on 'All That'
To land his spot on "All That," Lumpkin advanced through seven callbacks during the audition process.

"I had to bring back new characters each time,” Lumpkin said. “It was a lot of work, but it was worth it.”

The reboot of the '90s sketch show boasts strong connections to the original, thanks to Kenan Thompson and Kel Mitchell serving as executive producers.

Lumpkin said he values his predecessors' support and advice.

"I remember going over to Kel after one table read," Lumpkin said. "One of my characters wasn’t working for me. I asked, ‘How can I make this character pop? What can I do to make this character work?’

"He said, ‘Think about the background of the character. The way they talk, the way they walk, how they react to other characters and how other characters react to them.' "

Lumpkin portrayed a time-traveling science fair contestant in one of his standout "All That" performances, and original cast member Josh Server made a cameo appearance as the science teacher. Lumpkin recently hosted an Instagram Live conversation with Lisa Foiles, who acted on "All That" from 2002 to 2005.

Comedy stylings
Lumpkin performs a mix of celebrity impressions and original characters sometimes inspired by people he knows.

One of his characters, "Uncle Velvet," is an older gentleman who believes he's "smooth as a whistle" despite evidence to the contrary.

Counting "Saturday Night Live" cast members Pharoah and Thompson as mentors, Lumpkin said he might pursue a spot on the iconic NBC show in the future.

But he doesn't want to be restricted to one lane of entertainment. Lumpkin said he admires the career path of Jamie Foxx, who worked as a cast member of '90s sketch show "In Living Color" before winning an Oscar for his portrayal of Ray Charles and a Grammy Award for the song “Blame It.”

“Jamie Foxx is one person I look up to,” Lumpkin said. “Not only is he a comedian, he does impressions and he’s a musician. He’s also a really good actor.”

###

From TigerBeat:

EXCLUSIVE: GABRIELLE NEVAEH, DARCI LYNNE & LEX LUMPKIN REVEAL THEIR DREAM ‘UNFILTERED’ MYSTERY CELEBS

Get ready, get set, get unfiltered!

Nickelodeon’s latest and greatest gameshow “Unfiltered” brings the fun, tons of surprises, and some major OMG moments. Each episode, the show’s three panelists — “America’s Got Talent” winner Darci Lynne and Nickelodeon’s “All That” stars Gabrielle Nevaeh and Lex Lumpkin — must guess the true identity of a virtually disguised “Mystery Celeb” behind 3D face transforming, voice-changing filters, and more!

Oh, and did we mention the entire series was filmed from the comfort of their own homes?! We’re I-M-P-R-E-S-S-E-D! Keep scrolling to catch behind-the-scenes secrets from Darci, Gabrielle and Lex…

What’s been the easiest and hardest part about filming “Unfiltered” from home?

Darci: The funny thing about working remotely is that every time we film, we’re all learning new things. It’s such a new atmosphere! It’s fun having to learn about the tech things that go on in production.

Gabrielle: Filming at home is extremely different than being at the studio. Now, my parents and I have become the production team! It’s been an extraordinary family bonding experience because now we have to depend on each other to pull off our at-home production! My mom is usually in charge of hair and makeup, and my dad is lighting and tech support! I absolutely have a deeper appreciation for the people that do all of those things for a living, because it can get kind of tricky!

Lex: The easiest part about filming “Unfiltered” remotely has been that everything required in the past to shoot a scene has been carved down significantly. Now, it’s just a small camera, a teleprompter kit, a mic, my parents and some lights. This is also the hardest part about filming remotely. We are operating in a “do the best you can” environment and not one of us really knows what we’re doing!

What’s one thing you think fans would be surprised to know goes on behind the scenes of a series like this?

Darci: I think one thing fans would be surprised about production is how many things are “makeshift.” For example, we couldn’t find a chair high enough for me, so we had to stack a bunch of pillows on top of a chair so I fit right in the frame!

Gabrielle: My favorite part of filming from the comfort of my house has to be that we don’t have to wear “work pants.” I usually wear pajama pants with a normal top and jacket and viewers would never know the difference, which I think is super funny!

Lex: My mom is wardrobe and makeup and she holds her breath to see how it all looks on camera when the next episode airs. My dad is literally having to work and make sure that the technology is working properly before we shoot. It’s different, challenging, and extremely exciting!

Were there any surprising moments while filming that completely made you LOL?

Darci: Things do get a little chaotic while filming sometimes. One day I was filming, and my parents and brothers were sitting off to the side trying to figure out who the mystery celeb was alongside me. I would hear them brainstorming and tossing out names, almost giving it away!

Gabrielle: Yes! I remember we were filming an episode, and I got really into it. I was just screaming “Who is it?! Who is it?!” and one of our neighbors screamed back “Just tell her who it is already!” That was such a funny moment, I felt like it was straight out of a movie.

Lex: Yes, one moment that was particularly funny to me was when my mom spilled one of the props all over the floor while trying to help me adjust my lapel microphone right before we went live. The contents of the prop went everywhere! I’d share more specifics, but that show hasn’t aired yet!

Which celebrity would you totally fangirl (or fanboy!) over if they made an appearance as the Mystery Celeb?

Darci: I would totally hard-core fangirl if Millie Bobby Brown was one of the mystery guests on the show. I’ve always looked up to her and have been inspired by her. She is insanely talented in her work, and her acting skills are out of this world. I just love the way she presents herself and I think she’d be the coolest person to talk to!

Gabrielle: Well, I’ve already had one fangirl moment. We had Asher Angel on the show a couple of weeks ago and I was totally blushing. Someone else that I would absolutely love to have on the show would probably be Zendaya or Tracee Ellis Ross. I’ve looked up to both of them for a really long time and I would freak out if they were one of our guests! I also really admire Yara Shahidi and how she uses her platform to promote social change and inspire others to leave a positive mark on the world!

Lex: It is so hard to choose just one Mystery Celeb because there are many people I look up to and wish to see on the show! If I had to choose a few, Jay-Z, Jamie Foxx and Tyler Perry would be my choices. They inspire me and all three of them have noted achievements. They are pioneers and have paved the way for many!

###

From J-14:

Exclusive: Cast Of Nickelodeon’s ‘Unfiltered’ Spills Behind-The-Scenes Secrets From On Set Of New Show

If it isn’t already, get ready for Nickelodeon’s new show, Unfiltered, to become your new obsession, you guys! Yep, J-14 got a chance to chat with the cast about the series, and they spilled so many behind-the-scenes secrets and stories from on set!

For those who don’t know, the show, which follows panelists Darci Lynne, Lex Lumpkin and Gabrielle Nevaeh Green as they try to guess the identities of virtually-disguised celebrity guests, premiered on July 11, 2020. Hosted by Jay Pharoah, each episode features a secret star whose true identities are hidden behind an animated 3D filter and voice changer. The judges have to decipher the mystery through rounds of questions, wacky trivia and hilarious game competitions. The first panelist to guess the star hiding behind the filter wins! New episodes of the show air on Saturdays at 8:30 P.M. (EST/PST) on Nickelodeon.

J-14: Tell us about Nickelodeon’s Unfiltered? What’s it about? What can fans expect?

Darci Lynne: Unfiltered is a game show on Nickelodeon where us panelists including me, Gabrielle Nevaeh Green and Lex Lumpkin get to ask rapid-fire questions and unravel clues to figure out who the mystery celebrity behind the filter is! Fans can expect a variety of funny filters, along with Jay Pharoah’s crazy impressions, and being on the edge of their seat the whole show!

Lex Lumpkin: Nickelodeon’s Unfiltered is a remotely produced game show hosted by Jay Pharoah. The show features panelists Darci Lynne, Gabrielle Nevaeh Green and I. It’s a lot of fun because we get to guess the identities of virtually disguised celebrity guests. Fans can expect to get in on the fun by guessing who’s behind the filter as well. They will also get a chance to see some of their favorite stars interacting with us from their own living rooms.

Gabrielle Nevaeh Green: Unfiltered is Nickelodeon’s newest game show that features three panelists, including myself, that have to figure out who the mystery celebrity is behind the face filter through a series of questions and clues! In addition, we also have an amazing host, Jay Pharoah, who always brings the laughs! When watching the show, fans can expect lots of surprises, fun, and excitement!

J-14: Has it been hard for you to guess the stars? Or do you find it easy?

Darci: For me it’s really different every show! Sometimes I’ll get it from earlier clues, or I won’t get it until the more obvious clues at the end. Then there the times I was so lost I had to guess while completely not knowing!

Lex: Guessing the stars can be tricky. In some cases it’s been easy, but in others it has been difficult. The first week I won both challenges but the second week I lost one. The trick is all in the types of questions we ask to gain clues.

Gabrielle: I would say a little bit of both, but it really depends on who the person is. I tend to be pretty good when it comes to musicians and actors, but I do not watch a lot of sports, so athletes are a little trickier to decipher!

J-14: What types of questions do you like to ask to help identify the secret celebrity guest?

Darci: The type of questions we ask really apply to the clues we get to see because usually the clues get our brains working more!

Lex: I will ask a variety of questions to help identify the secret celebrity guest. If I get to go first or second, I will typically ask if it’s a male or female to try to narrow down their profession. I also like to ask open-ended questions to get them to talk more. Sometimes we can get extra clues when we get them to talk more about themselves. [insert evil laugh here!]

Gabrielle: I love asking the basic questions. Once I find out what the person does for a living, how old they are, and where they are from, I can hunt them down a little easier!

J-14: Can you share some funny behind-the-scenes moments or stories from filming remotely?

Darci: With having to film everything at our own home with complicated technology there’s bound to be “makeshift” equipment! The chair I was using to film had a back on it and you could see it, so we got a shorter chair, but we had to stack like four pillows on it for me to be tall enough!

Lex: There are many behind-the-scenes moments from filming remotely. My parents are basically tech support now that we are filming from home so you can just imagine some of the pit falls there. Once we had to have a bowl of candy ready to go for a recording, and between the three of us, all my props including the candy separation was not ready. In an effort to hurry candy fell all over the floor. It was a mess and I had to continue the recording stepping on candy.

Gabrielle: Since we are filming from home, there are times that I can get a little carried away. One time during filming, I was screaming at the monitor “Who is it?” and my neighbor shouted back “Just tell her already!” I don’t think that would’ve happened at the studio!

J-14: Do you and the other panelists get along when cameras stopped rolling?

Darci: Me and the other panelists were already friends because we filmed stuff together before! So, we were all so, so excited to be doing this show with each other. It is such a blast!

Lex: When the cameras stop rolling, we absolutely get along. It’s like a party. Darci, Gabrielle and I are good friends and Jay is freakin’ fire. He keeps us laughing while we wait and we all tease and joke with each other which is my favorite part.

Gabrielle: We love each other! Lex and I work together on All That and we have a brother and sister relationship. We can crack jokes on each other and just have a good time! Darci and I are always joking around and ranking on each other, but in a fun way! We have been really good friends ever since Darci made her first appearance on All That!

J-14: Is there any competitiveness going on on set between you and the other panelists?

Darci: Of course, we have to be competitive but in a playful way! We all definitely want to guess it right in the end, but I wouldn’t call any of us cutthroat!

Lex: There is always some friendly competition going on on the set. I grew up playing competitive football and basketball, so you know I’m always looking for the W. The girls are pretty formidable components and they are really smart, so I have to stay on my “A” game with them.

Gabrielle: We are all a little competitive but it’s all just for fun! It is actually kind of hard because there have been times where we’ve wanted to help each other out because we’re such good buds but we can’t because it’s against the rules!

J-14: Who has been the most successful in figuring out the celebrity guests?

Darci: I think we all have been equally successful! We all have stronger efforts in different parts of the game in my opinion!

Lex: It’s still early in the season so I’d have to say we all have been pretty successful in figuring out the celebrity guests so far. But if you’re asking that I narrow it down as best I can, I’d have to say ME!

Gabrielle: Of course, I’d like to say me but I feel like we’ve all been pretty good at figuring out the mystery celebrities! It can be a little tricky at times, but that’s all a part of the fun!

###

More Nick: Nickelodeon’s Nick News Returns With Kids, Race and Unity: A Nick News Special, Hosted by Global Superstar Alicia Keys!

Originally published: Friday, June 26, 2020 at 18:58 BST.

Additional source: The Hollywood Reporter.
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