Byron Allen Movies
Comedian Byron Allen was born in Detroit, MI, in 1961. After growing up in California, he began perfecting his stand-up act in the Los Angeles area, garnering a significant following. By 1979, the 18 year old landed a gig as a host on the NBC series Real People, and he quickly became a popular on-air personality. He would consistently appear on talk shows over the coming years, while he continued to be a hit in the realm of stand-up comedy. Allen also stepped behind the camera on several occasions, producing and executive producing a number of projects, including the popular stand-up series Comics Unleashed. ~ Cammila Albertson, All Movie Guide
- 2008
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Byron Allen showcased numerous popular stand-up comedians as host of the program Comics Unleashed. This release compiles some of the best sets recorded on the show including routines by Dane Cook, Howie Mandel, Margaret Cho, Katt Williams, and Brad Garrett. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- David Brenner, Margaret Cho, (more)
- 2006
Officially titled Byron Allen Presents Comics Unleashed, this daily, half-hour syndicated series was both produced and hosted by comedian and veteran talk show emcee Byron Allen. In each episode, a panel of famous stand-up comics sat down and discussed their craft with a live audience, throwing in pungent observations about everyday issues both relevant and trivial. Among Allen's guests were such seasoned funsters as Dane Cook, Howie Mandel, George Wallace, David Brenner, Jon Lovitz, Kevin Pollak and Pauly Shore. Making its syndication bow on September 25, 2006, Comics Unleashed was picked up for a two-year run by most of its markets, which included cities covered by the Sinclair and Clear-Channel station groups. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Studio mogul Joe Roth returns to his roots as a director with this romantic comedy co-written by Billy Crystal and starring Roth's longtime friend Julia Roberts. Crystal stars as Lee, a studio publicist desperately trying to keep several facts secret from reporters during a high-profile motion picture's press junket. Among the developments that Lee is trying to obscure from view: the film's eccentric director (Christopher Walken) has essentially hijacked the $87 million movie and isn't allowing anyone to view it. Also, the film's high-profile, real-life married co-stars Gwen Harrison (Catherine Zeta-Jones) and Eddie Thomas (John Cusack) have acrimoniously split since filming (over Gwen's adulterous affair with Latin lover Hector (Hank Azaria). Lee has led the press to believe that reconciliation is imminent, when in fact Gwen hates Eddie more than ever. Lee's secret weapon in his campaign of misinformation is Gwen's long-abused sister Kiki (Julia Roberts), who works as the pampered star's personal assistant while secretly pining for Eddie, who might just notice Kiki now that she's lost 60 pounds. America's Sweethearts co-stars Alan Arkin, Seth Green, and Stanley Tucci. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Julia Roberts, Billy Crystal, (more)
- 1991
This biographical drama, based on the late actress's autobiography, chronicles her attempts to rescue her drug addicted son while simultaneously trying to overcome her life-threatening cancer. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1988
Dismissed as "annoyingly awful" by the critic at TV Guide, Case Closed has its moments of value now and again. Co-writer and co-producer Byron Allen stars as a hip black cop, assigned to solve a puzzling series of murders. Straight-laced white cop Charles Durning is dragged out of retirement to lend Allen a hand. The mismatched pair doesn't get along at first, but we'll bet the ranch that they're palsy-walsy before fade-out time. Filmed on location in Atlanta, this spotty "action comedy" was first telecast on April 19, 1988. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Charles Durning, Byron Allen, (more)
