The HBO Original documentary "Earth, Wind & Fire" (To Be Celestial vs. "That's The Weight Of The World"), produced and directed by Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson ("Summer of Soul"), debuts June 7 at 9 p.m. (ET/PT) on HBO and will be available to stream on HBO Max.

Acclaimed producer, director, and musician Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson, tells the story of the legendary nine-time Grammy(R) Award-winning band Earth, Wind & Fire, tracing their genesis through late founding member Maurice White, chronicling their evolution, highs and lows, and relevance from the 1970s into the present day while exploring the deep philosophical and spiritual meaning behind their message and music.

Drawing from the band's rich visual, audio, and written archives, including never-before-seen footage, the film plays like an experiential kaleidoscope of images, colors, and music, transporting viewers to the vibrancy of live performances that have electrified fans past and present.

Through candid interviews with band members, colleagues, family, and high-profile fans, the film traces the childhood that would forge White's worldview and reflects the singular influence of his music on generations of artists, such as Prince and Stevie Wonder, as well as its resurgence through sampling and collaborations with today's hip-hop artists.

Exploring the band's evolution from jazz to soul, R&B, Afro-funk, disco, and beyond, the film details how White strove to weave his spiritual, metaphysical, and astrological passions into the band's genre-spanning songwriting and increasingly theatrical live shows in an effort to unite a wide and diverse audience. Constantly reinventing and adapting to the changing times, White pushed the limits of creativity and theatricality, occasionally at the expense of personal relationships, but always in service to his elaborate showmanship and the music.

"Earth, Wind & Fire (To Be Celestial vs. That's The Weight Of The World") is a loving celebration of a complex artist, the enduring legacy of an iconic sound that spans decades, and a joyful tribute to the band's far-reaching cultural impact.

Featured Participants: Band members Philip Bailey, Verdine White, and Ralph Johnson are joined by musicians, managers, authors, former band members, and family members, as well as notables the band has influenced, including President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, Stevie Wonder, Lionel Richie, H.E.R., and Flea.

MORE ABOUT HBO DOCUMENTARY FILMS:

HBO Documentary Films presents "Earth, Wind & Fire (To Be Celestial vs. That's The Weight of the World") is a Questlove Jawn. The film from Fifth Season is produced by RadicalMedia, Two One Five Entertainment, Broken Halo Entertainment, and Word Is Bond in association with Sony Music Vision.

Directed and produced by Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson; producers, Dave Sirulnick, Samantha Grogin, KB White, and Arron Saxe; executive producers, Jon Kamen, Cheo Hodari Coker, Karla Zambrano, Zarah Zohlman, Shawn Gee, Tariq "Black Thought" Trotter, and Amos Newman. For HBO: executive producers, Nancy Abraham, Lisa Heller, and Sara Rodriguez.

IN OTHER TV NEWS:

BET GREENLIGHTS "LOT PATROL," MOCKUMENTARY COMEDY SERIES:

BET announced the greenlight of Manny Halley Productions'"Lot Patrol," a new original comedy series. The series offers a laugh-out-loud look at Hollywood from a perspective the industry rarely lets you see.

A mismatched squad of eccentric security guards patrols the chaotic backlot of a major Hollywood studio, where they wrangle unhinged actors, rogue crew members, and their own wildly dysfunctional personal lives.

Shot in a sharp-witted mockumentary style, "Lot Patrol" blends absurd encounters, razor-sharp urban humor, and unexpectedly heartfelt moments, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the industry through the eyes of those barely holding it together.

"Lot Patrol" shines a light on the people behind the scenes who keep Hollywood running, told with humor, heart, and a bit of chaos," said Halley. "It's a fresh, culturally rooted take on the industry, and we're excited to partner with BET to bring this story to life."

The comedy stars DeRay Davis ("21 Jump Street"), Carl Anthony Payne, ("Martin" ), Tamera Kissen ("White Men Can't Jump" and "House Party"), Darius McCrary ("Family Matters" and "Transformers"), and Skeet Carter, TK Kirkland, Alex Thomas, Nick Nervies, Dawn Raven, Iyana Halley, and G Thang. Erik White directs, with Ernest L. Dancy and Manny Halley serving as chief writers.

Together, they bring to life a comedy series rooted in BET's pillars of community, culture, and connection, finding all three in the most unlikely crew: underpaid dreamers, washed-up has-beens, and borderline con artists just trying to hold it together on the world's most chaotic lot.

ABOUT BET MEDIA GROUP:

The BET Media Group, a unit of Paramount, a Skydance Corporation is the world's largest media company rooted in community, culture, and connection for the Black community. For over four decades, BET has served as a trusted home for Black audiences, amplifying authentic stories, elevating Black voices, and creating spaces where culture thrives and community comes together.

Through a powerful portfolio of brands - including BET, BET Her, BET Studios, and VH1--along with FAST channels such as BET Tyler Perry Comedy, BET Tyler Perry Drama, BET Comedy Movies, BET Cinema, BET Classics, BET Visionaries, BET Throwbacks, and BET Pluto, BET connects audiences across cable, digital, live events, studios, and global platforms.

Together, these platforms deliver culturally resonant content that reflects the depth, creativity, and impact of the Black experience.

For more information, visit www.bet.com and follow @BET on social platforms. For additional announcements, visit paramountpressexpress.com/bet/.

ABOUT IMANI MEDIA GROUP:

Imani Media Group, founded by Manny Halley, is a Los Angeles-based entertainment company encompassing film and television production, music management, and culturally relevant storytelling. The company distributes its content through its Faith Media Distribution arm and leverages strategic partnerships to develop and deliver projects across streaming, television, and theatrical platforms.

Editor's Note: Information used in this article obtained by HBO and BET.