D.L. Hughley Returns To Host 2004 Trumpet Awards

Comedian D.L. Hughley will host Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.'s 2004 TRUMPET AWARDS ceremony, to be held at the Omni Hotel Grand Ballroom in Atlanta Monday, Jan. 26, at 6 p.m. Turner Broadcasting’s flagship entertainment network TBS Superstation will celebrate Black History Month by presenting coverage of the event Saturday, Feb. 21, at 7 p.m. (ET/PT). The TRUMPET AWARDS honor African-American achievers in fields as diverse as law, politics and entertainment.

Hughley, who also hosted last year’s TRUMPET AWARDS ceremony, is well known to television viewers for his leading role in the hit UPN sitcom The Hughleys, now in syndication. This year, he made a splash on the big screen, with roles in the blockbuster movie Scary Movie 3 and the independent comedy Chasing Papi. Hughley can next be seen co-starring in the upcoming comedy Soul Plane which is scheduled for release in May 2004.

Hughley’s show business break came when he was chosen as the first host of BET's Comic View, which showcased talented black comedians. He recently appeared with fellow comedians Steve Harvey, Cedric the Entertainer and Bernie Mac on the Kings of Comedy Tour, one of the highest-grossing comedy tours ever. The tour resulted in filmmaker Spike Lee's hit film The Original Kings of Comedy.

Hughley’s HBO comedy special, D.L. Hughley: Going Home, taped in Charlotte, N.C., became an instant audience favorite and was nominated for an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Variety Series/Special. His performance was also nominated for an Image Award.

Previously announced honorees for the 2004 TRUMPET AWARDS include former South African President Nelson Mandela; actress Angela Bassett; musician, songwriter, actor and entrepreneur Isaac Hayes; singer, actress and minister Della Reese; hip-hop legend and business tycoon Russell Simmons; businessman Don Barden; physician and philanthropist Dr. Anthony Pollard; Elektra Records music label executive Sylvia Rhone; political and women’s rights advocate Dr. C. Delores Tucker; and legal advocate and Federal District Court Judge Horace T. Ward. In addition, producer, director and political and social activist Norman Lear will receive the Humanitarian Award, while music prodigy Jordan Adams will receive the Young STAR Award.

Xernona Clayton, the creative force behind the TRUMPET AWARDS since 1993, will once again serve as executive producer for the event. Returning for the second year as executive producers are Geovanni Brewer and Jeff Fischgrund (Soul Train Music Awards, World Stunt Awards) of Black & White TV, Inc. Emmy-winning director Ron De Moraes (2002 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony, 9th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards) will direct the event, which will feature production design by Emmy-winning designer Steve Bass (2001 Emmy Awards, 2002 Winter Olympics Medals Plaza and Ceremonies).

TBS Superstation is Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.’s flagship entertainment network and America’s first ad-supported cable network. Currently basic cable’s #1 network among adults 18-34 in total day, TBS Superstation is home to the Non-Stop Comedy Block, featuring hot contemporary comedies like Seinfeld and Friends; high-profile original series, such as Ripley’s Believe It or Not! and the reality-competition series House Rules; blockbuster movies; hosted movie showcases; and thrilling sports from the worlds of Major League Baseball and Pac 10 and Big 12 college football.

Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company, is a major producer of news and entertainment product around the world and the leading provider of programming for the basic cable industry.