The key to understanding Conan O’Brien’s comedy is knowing that it comes from a point of kindness. Yes, I know in this age of comics punching down, this kind of compliment may leave you with a neon “Must Avoid!” sign flashing in your bleary eyes — but stay with me.
Here is an example. Early in the first episode of his new, four-episode Max travel show “Conan O’Brien Must Go,” Conan — who has earned the right to be referred to by his first name. See: Carson, Johnny — travels to Oslo, Norway. There, he pops in on Jarle, a Norwegian waif of a rapper that Conan had originally met on a segment of his “Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend” podcast. In the podcast video, Jarle’s hair was combed and he seemed coherent. Then Conan surprises him. Jarle comes to the door, and he’s maybe 110 pounds in a long sleeve T-shirt,...
Here is an example. Early in the first episode of his new, four-episode Max travel show “Conan O’Brien Must Go,” Conan — who has earned the right to be referred to by his first name. See: Carson, Johnny — travels to Oslo, Norway. There, he pops in on Jarle, a Norwegian waif of a rapper that Conan had originally met on a segment of his “Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend” podcast. In the podcast video, Jarle’s hair was combed and he seemed coherent. Then Conan surprises him. Jarle comes to the door, and he’s maybe 110 pounds in a long sleeve T-shirt,...
- 4/18/2024
- by Stephen Rodrick
- Variety Film + TV
When news of O.J. Simpson’s death broke last week, it wasn’t met with the normal outpouring of condolences and fond memories typically seen following a celebrity’s passing.
In a strange twist of fate, instead those feelings were directed at Simpson’s longtime antagonist, the late Norm Macdonald, whose years of savage jokes about Simpson instantly resurfaced, introducing his brutal brand of comedy to a whole new generation of fans.
“Here’s 10+ minutes of Norm Macdonald sh*tting on O.J. Simpson,” read one tweet, posted shortly after Simpson’s death was first reported. Featuring a supercut of Macdonald’s Simpson jokes, it’s been viewed nearly 5 million times. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
From 1994 to 1997, Macdonald held court as the anchor of SNL’s “Weekend Update,” where he was arguably the most polarizing comedian to ever sit behind the desk.
“I’m Norm Macdonald.
In a strange twist of fate, instead those feelings were directed at Simpson’s longtime antagonist, the late Norm Macdonald, whose years of savage jokes about Simpson instantly resurfaced, introducing his brutal brand of comedy to a whole new generation of fans.
“Here’s 10+ minutes of Norm Macdonald sh*tting on O.J. Simpson,” read one tweet, posted shortly after Simpson’s death was first reported. Featuring a supercut of Macdonald’s Simpson jokes, it’s been viewed nearly 5 million times. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
From 1994 to 1997, Macdonald held court as the anchor of SNL’s “Weekend Update,” where he was arguably the most polarizing comedian to ever sit behind the desk.
“I’m Norm Macdonald.
- 4/17/2024
- by Jennifer M. Wood
- LateNighter
Saturday Night Live‘s Weekend Update, which famously saw Norm Macdonald make O.J. Simpson the target of many a punchline from behind the desk some thirty years ago, marked the former football player’s death with a quite different tone.
“O.J. Simpson died this week at the age of 76 after a battle with prostate cancer–that was planted on him by the LAPD,” Michael Che joked.
Colin Jost then riffed on the Los Angeles Times erroneously writing “Trump” in place of “Simpson” when mentioning his 2017 release on parole from...
“O.J. Simpson died this week at the age of 76 after a battle with prostate cancer–that was planted on him by the LAPD,” Michael Che joked.
Colin Jost then riffed on the Los Angeles Times erroneously writing “Trump” in place of “Simpson” when mentioning his 2017 release on parole from...
- 4/14/2024
- by William Vaillancourt
- Rollingstone.com
With the passing of controversial pop culture figure O.J. Simpson this week, some of us could only think of one thing…Ok, maybe not just that. There was also the constant flaming of O.J. from Norm Macdonald during his tenure on Saturday Night Live, using his Weekend Update anchor duties to shred Simpson every single week. Unfortunately, his insistence on taking jabs at Simpson ultimately resulted in him being fired, as producer Don Ohlmeyer was good friends with Simpson.
Commenting on both the grip that the O.J. Simpson case had on the American public and Macdonald ripping it on Weekend Update, Conan O’Brien – who frequently had Norm on as a guest – told Jake Tapper, “It was a huge deal back then. Most notably…Norm Macdonald– one of my best guests of all time and one of the great comedians of all time – just told some of the most difficult,...
Commenting on both the grip that the O.J. Simpson case had on the American public and Macdonald ripping it on Weekend Update, Conan O’Brien – who frequently had Norm on as a guest – told Jake Tapper, “It was a huge deal back then. Most notably…Norm Macdonald– one of my best guests of all time and one of the great comedians of all time – just told some of the most difficult,...
- 4/13/2024
- by Mathew Plale
- JoBlo.com
The Internet Is Rediscovering Norm MacDonald’s Bold O.J. Simpson Jokes That Got Him Fired From ‘SNL’
There have been a lot of noteworthy responses to the news that O.J. Simpson died, but there’s one perspective some folks on the internet seem to want to hear the most: that of the late, great Norm MacDonald, who sacrificed his very job on Saturday Night Live in the relentless pursuit of a punchline about his belief in the former football star’s guilt. Of course, MacDonald is no longer here to offer any new words, having died in 2021. However, he said plenty while he was alive and on air about the double murder trial and eventual acquittal of Simpson, who was accused of murdering his wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ron Goldman. Highlights reels of MacDonald’s many, many “Weekend Update” jokes about Simpson on SNL have been going viral all over Twitter ever since the news first dropped. MacDonald was seated at the table for...
- 4/12/2024
- TV Insider
It’s a bit of an irony that just as NBC’s “Must-See TV” juggernaut took off in 1994, execs there found themselves right in the middle of a completely different kind of televised spectacle: The O.J. Simpson arrest, trial and eventual acquittal.
Not only was then-nbc West Coast president Don Ohlmeyer one of Simpson’s best friends, but just a month before the killings of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman — followed by Simpson’s white Ford Bronco flight from justice and arrest — NBC had passed on a pilot starring the ex-football-star.
“It was just a strange time to be there because of Don’s loyalty to O.J.,” recalled Preston Beckman, who was NBC’s head of scheduling at the time, and one of Ohlmeyer’s and NBC Entertainment president Warren Littlefield’s key lieutenants. Ohlmeyer would occasionally bring up Simpson during the network’s afternoon meetings in their Burbank offices,...
Not only was then-nbc West Coast president Don Ohlmeyer one of Simpson’s best friends, but just a month before the killings of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman — followed by Simpson’s white Ford Bronco flight from justice and arrest — NBC had passed on a pilot starring the ex-football-star.
“It was just a strange time to be there because of Don’s loyalty to O.J.,” recalled Preston Beckman, who was NBC’s head of scheduling at the time, and one of Ohlmeyer’s and NBC Entertainment president Warren Littlefield’s key lieutenants. Ohlmeyer would occasionally bring up Simpson during the network’s afternoon meetings in their Burbank offices,...
- 4/12/2024
- by Michael Schneider
- Variety Film + TV
Conan O’Brien appeared on CNN for an interview with Jake Tapper a few hours after news broke that O.J. Simpson had died. Making the press rounds in support of his new Max series “Conan O’Brien Must Go,” the comedian and former late-night host quipped “I never make a joke about someone the day they passed.” But O’Brien did reflect on the time when late-night shows had to cover O.J. Simpson’s murder trial.
“It was a huge deal back then. Most notably, he’s passed on, but Norm Macdonald,” O’Brien said. “One of my best guests of all time and one of the great comedians of all time. He did the most brilliant comedy of anybody during that period.”
Related: What happened to O.J. Simpson’s ‘Frogmen’ TV pilot and did NBC exec Don Ohlmeyer demote Saturday Night Live’s Norm Macdonald for his O.J.
“It was a huge deal back then. Most notably, he’s passed on, but Norm Macdonald,” O’Brien said. “One of my best guests of all time and one of the great comedians of all time. He did the most brilliant comedy of anybody during that period.”
Related: What happened to O.J. Simpson’s ‘Frogmen’ TV pilot and did NBC exec Don Ohlmeyer demote Saturday Night Live’s Norm Macdonald for his O.J.
- 4/12/2024
- by Zack Sharf
- Variety Film + TV
O.J. Simpson was on everyone’s mind today after his death, and Conan O’Brien took the opportunity to salute his late friend, comic Norm Macdonald, who continued doing Simpson jokes on Saturday Night Live even after being warned by NBC higher-ups to knock it off.
Sitting Thursday with CNN’s Jake Tapper to promote his new show, Conan O’Brien Must Go, the former Late Night host remembered Macdonald for doing “some of the most brilliant comedy of anybody during that whole period.”
It eventually led to his firing by NBC head Don Ohlmeyer in 1998. O’Brien explained that “The head of the network at the time was tight with O.J.”
O’Brien praised Macdonald as “one of my best guests of all-time,” and “one of the great comedians of all-time.”
Macdonald anchored SNL‘s “Weekend Update” segment for the 20th season, which ran during the Simpson trial. He insisted Simpson was guilty,...
Sitting Thursday with CNN’s Jake Tapper to promote his new show, Conan O’Brien Must Go, the former Late Night host remembered Macdonald for doing “some of the most brilliant comedy of anybody during that whole period.”
It eventually led to his firing by NBC head Don Ohlmeyer in 1998. O’Brien explained that “The head of the network at the time was tight with O.J.”
O’Brien praised Macdonald as “one of my best guests of all-time,” and “one of the great comedians of all-time.”
Macdonald anchored SNL‘s “Weekend Update” segment for the 20th season, which ran during the Simpson trial. He insisted Simpson was guilty,...
- 4/12/2024
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
Over its half-century run, Saturday Night Live has inevitably booked some problematic hosts, including Andrew Dice Clay, (misogynist humor); Rudy Giuliani (illegal campaign activities); Robert Blake (tried for murder); Elon Musk (general insufferability and dalliance with neo Nazis) and Donald Trump (attempted overthow of the US government.)
And then there’s O.J. Simpson, who hosted in 1978, toward the end of his record-setting football career, and went on to be very credibly accused of double murder.
Though erased forever from the list of prospective return hosts, Simpson managed to make almost innumerable later appearances on the show, when Norm Macdonald used his position as anchor of “Weekend Update” to pound on Simpson mercilessly for being a vicious murderer (despite his subsequent acquittal).
According to Norm, his quest for humor (and justice) wound up getting him fired from the show. He said the late NBC West Coast President, Don Ohlmeyer, who...
And then there’s O.J. Simpson, who hosted in 1978, toward the end of his record-setting football career, and went on to be very credibly accused of double murder.
Though erased forever from the list of prospective return hosts, Simpson managed to make almost innumerable later appearances on the show, when Norm Macdonald used his position as anchor of “Weekend Update” to pound on Simpson mercilessly for being a vicious murderer (despite his subsequent acquittal).
According to Norm, his quest for humor (and justice) wound up getting him fired from the show. He said the late NBC West Coast President, Don Ohlmeyer, who...
- 4/12/2024
- by Bill Carter
- LateNighter
There was nothing inherently funny about the late O.J. Simpson‘s nearly yearlong trial on two murder charges. His ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend Ron Goldman had been brutally stabbed to death, and the prosecution was arguing that Simpson’s history of domestic abuse in his marriage had culminated in this act of deadly violence.
But Simpson’s celebrity as a football and movie star, his high-powered “Dream Team” of lawyers, the bizarre Ford Bronco chase before his arrest, and the sense that Los Angeles could once more...
But Simpson’s celebrity as a football and movie star, his high-powered “Dream Team” of lawyers, the bizarre Ford Bronco chase before his arrest, and the sense that Los Angeles could once more...
- 4/11/2024
- by Miles Klee
- Rollingstone.com
A lot of stand-up comedians have bad nights, but only a select few get leaked to mainstream media and prove to be TMZ fodder. But that’s just what happened to Nick Swardson at a recent gig, showing up on stage inebriated to the point that he couldn’t go on with his act and was escorted off stage.
In clips that surfaced online, Nick Swardson is seen repeatedly saying, “Here we go” and referring to Jason Statham in The Beekeeper, teasing an impression that never quite materialized in the way Swardson probably intended. This was quickly greeted with boos and walk-outs. At one point he asks, “Do you want me to finish this or no?” Tickets buyers did not, to which Swardson sloppily responded, “But what if… I finish this?” He was not allowed to finish his set, being taken off stage around 20 minutes in. At this point, a stage manager told the crowd,...
In clips that surfaced online, Nick Swardson is seen repeatedly saying, “Here we go” and referring to Jason Statham in The Beekeeper, teasing an impression that never quite materialized in the way Swardson probably intended. This was quickly greeted with boos and walk-outs. At one point he asks, “Do you want me to finish this or no?” Tickets buyers did not, to which Swardson sloppily responded, “But what if… I finish this?” He was not allowed to finish his set, being taken off stage around 20 minutes in. At this point, a stage manager told the crowd,...
- 3/6/2024
- by Mathew Plale
- JoBlo.com
When you think of Ashlee Simpson, there’s probably only one image that comes to mind: her lip-syncing snafu on SNL, in which she went to perform her second song of the night, only for the playback to trigger her first song, “Pieces of Me”. She had been caught going full Milli Vanilli. And to get herself out of the situation, Simpson basically la-la’d her way off stage while doing a jig, leaving her band behind to “play”. Twenty years after the incident, Simpson is remembering the moment as a life lesson. But this may not be the case for others who also made some serious bonehead moves on SNL…
It’s extremely rare for musical guests on SNL to go through gaffes of Ashlee Simpson’s magnitude: musicians like Elvis Costello would instead raise intentional hell by playing whatever song he wanted, while Sinead O’Connor used her moment to send a message.
It’s extremely rare for musical guests on SNL to go through gaffes of Ashlee Simpson’s magnitude: musicians like Elvis Costello would instead raise intentional hell by playing whatever song he wanted, while Sinead O’Connor used her moment to send a message.
- 2/21/2024
- by Mathew Plale
- JoBlo.com
If you didn't know Quentin Tarantino hosted "Saturday Night Live" in the 1990s, and had to guess when he took the Studio 8H stage, your best options would be early 1995 (when the zeitgeisty "Pulp Fiction" was speeding toward an Academy Awards showdown with "Forrest Gump"), early 1996 (to promote "From Dusk till Dawn") or late 1997/early 1998 (in support of "Jackie Brown"). None of these would be correct.
No, the brash indie filmmaking sensation guested on November 11, 1995, with nothing to promote but himself. This might seem peculiar now, but it made perfect sense at the time because, after the Oscars, Tarantino was hitting the talk show circuit harder than Don Rickles. Could you blame him? He'd skyrocketed from know-it-all video store clerk to generational filmmaking genius. The problem here was that Tarantino knew he was a genius before critics and fans started telling him so. As a result, he felt free to...
No, the brash indie filmmaking sensation guested on November 11, 1995, with nothing to promote but himself. This might seem peculiar now, but it made perfect sense at the time because, after the Oscars, Tarantino was hitting the talk show circuit harder than Don Rickles. Could you blame him? He'd skyrocketed from know-it-all video store clerk to generational filmmaking genius. The problem here was that Tarantino knew he was a genius before critics and fans started telling him so. As a result, he felt free to...
- 2/19/2024
- by Jeremy Smith
- Slash Film
Death has taken many forms in media over the decades — from a Norm MacDonald-voiced Grim Reaper in Family Guy to an anthropologically-minded Brad Pitt in Meet Joe Black — but no depiction is quite like in Tuesday. For the first trailer of the upcoming film, Julia Louis-Dreyfus has the ominous fate appear in the form of a shape-shifting, gravelly-voiced talking parrot.
“Madam, you need to say goodbye to your daughter,” Death warns Louis-Dreyfus.
The latest film from A24 is shaping up to be a tear-jerking drama as Lola Petticrew plays...
“Madam, you need to say goodbye to your daughter,” Death warns Louis-Dreyfus.
The latest film from A24 is shaping up to be a tear-jerking drama as Lola Petticrew plays...
- 1/26/2024
- by Ethan Millman
- Rollingstone.com
Dave Chappelle: The Dreamer, the comic’s seventh stand-up special for Netflix, opens with a quote about the nature of success by Henry David Thoreau before capturing the comic in stark black-and-white, moving through the crowd in slow-mo (cigarette in hand, naturally) to Radiohead’s “Daydreaming,” like a championship boxer before a fight. We’re at the Lincoln Theatre in Chappelle’s hometown of Washington, D.C., the very place where he filmed his first stand-up special, Killin’ Them Softly, 24 years ago. Quite a lot’s changed since then,...
- 12/31/2023
- by Marlow Stern
- Rollingstone.com
Adam Sandler first introduced “The Chanukah Song” in 1994 during the “Weekend Update” segment on “Saturday Night Live.” Although he penned the holiday tune himself, Sandler revealed in an interview with Access Hollywood that Roseanne Barr — who was hosting that week — almost performed the song on the late-night show.
“They were talking about Roseanne singing it,” Sandler recalled. “And she was nice enough to say ‘no, let Adam do that, that’s his, he wrote it, that’s his song.'”
During the “Weekend Update” segment with Norm Macdonald in 1994, Sandler explained that he wrote “The Chanukah Song” after noticing the lack of music about Hanukkah.
“Put on your yarmulke. Here comes Hanukkah. So much funukah. To celebrate Hanukkah,” Sandler sang. “Hanukkah is the festival of lights. Instead of one day of presents, we have eight crazy nights.”
Sandler then listed several celebrities who are Jewish, including David Lee Roth, James Caan,...
“They were talking about Roseanne singing it,” Sandler recalled. “And she was nice enough to say ‘no, let Adam do that, that’s his, he wrote it, that’s his song.'”
During the “Weekend Update” segment with Norm Macdonald in 1994, Sandler explained that he wrote “The Chanukah Song” after noticing the lack of music about Hanukkah.
“Put on your yarmulke. Here comes Hanukkah. So much funukah. To celebrate Hanukkah,” Sandler sang. “Hanukkah is the festival of lights. Instead of one day of presents, we have eight crazy nights.”
Sandler then listed several celebrities who are Jewish, including David Lee Roth, James Caan,...
- 11/21/2023
- by Michaela Zee
- Variety Film + TV
"Friends" was one of the most popular shows on television from the mid '90s into the early 2000s. Running for 10 seasons, and a total of 236 episodes, the series turned every single one of its main cast members into television superstars, and some of them even went on to have very lucrative film careers. When you're at the top of the TV ratings charts, there's one privilege that is truly an honor: hosting "Saturday Night Live."
"Saturday Night Live" is not only a late night staple, but it's a comedy institution. And since "Friends" was all the rage, almost everyone got to take the stage in Studio 8H and host an episode of "SNL." Though Matt Le Blanc never graced the "SNL" stage as host, Courteney Cox was first of the "Friends" cast to get the gig in April 1995, and David Schwimmer followed in October 1995. Lisa Kudrow hosted a year...
"Saturday Night Live" is not only a late night staple, but it's a comedy institution. And since "Friends" was all the rage, almost everyone got to take the stage in Studio 8H and host an episode of "SNL." Though Matt Le Blanc never graced the "SNL" stage as host, Courteney Cox was first of the "Friends" cast to get the gig in April 1995, and David Schwimmer followed in October 1995. Lisa Kudrow hosted a year...
- 10/29/2023
- by Ethan Anderton
- Slash Film
Exclusive: Netflix on Thursday morning unveiled Improv: 60 and Still Standing, a comedy special celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Improv comedy clubs, which will premiere globally on the streamer November 7th.
For six decades, The Improv has stood as a trailblazer in the realm of live comedy, serving as one of the primary platforms for both up-and-coming and veteran comedians. In honor of its anniversary, 10 globally acclaimed comedians will light up the stage in Hollywood for a special evening at The Improv, alongside never-before-seen archival footage from today’s household names.
The comics dropping in for short sets include Anjelah Johnson-Reyes, Bert Kreischer, Craig Robinson, Deon Cole, Fortune Feimster, Jeff Dunham, Kevin Nealon, Mark Normand, Jo Koy, and Whitney Cummings. Among those featured in rare archival footage, who arrived at The Improv as “young newcomers,” per Improv CEO Robert Hartmann, and emerged as “major stars,” are Adam Sandler, Jerry Seinfeld,...
For six decades, The Improv has stood as a trailblazer in the realm of live comedy, serving as one of the primary platforms for both up-and-coming and veteran comedians. In honor of its anniversary, 10 globally acclaimed comedians will light up the stage in Hollywood for a special evening at The Improv, alongside never-before-seen archival footage from today’s household names.
The comics dropping in for short sets include Anjelah Johnson-Reyes, Bert Kreischer, Craig Robinson, Deon Cole, Fortune Feimster, Jeff Dunham, Kevin Nealon, Mark Normand, Jo Koy, and Whitney Cummings. Among those featured in rare archival footage, who arrived at The Improv as “young newcomers,” per Improv CEO Robert Hartmann, and emerged as “major stars,” are Adam Sandler, Jerry Seinfeld,...
- 10/12/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
While Sylvester Stallone’s latest sequel Expend4bles may have been a letdown for the Italian Stallion, Awfully Good Movies is putting on a headband and spandex for John Travolta in the 1983 Stallone-directed sequel to 1977’s Saturday Night Fever: Staying Alive!
After Stallone and Travolta both shot to stardom in the 70s with their respective Oscar-nominated roles of Philly boxer Rocky Balboa and Brooklyn dancer Tony Manero, the two decided to combine their underdog powers for a Saturday Night Fever sequel where Tony trades in the disco floor for the Broadway stage, with Stallone rewriting and directing in the wake of Rocky III’s phenomenal success and providing a “sly” cameo as himself. And while the follow-up would end up as one of the year’s biggest moneymakers, audiences and critics deemed it to be a campy downgrade from the gritty predecessor, as Tony’s Broadway breakout is threatened by...
After Stallone and Travolta both shot to stardom in the 70s with their respective Oscar-nominated roles of Philly boxer Rocky Balboa and Brooklyn dancer Tony Manero, the two decided to combine their underdog powers for a Saturday Night Fever sequel where Tony trades in the disco floor for the Broadway stage, with Stallone rewriting and directing in the wake of Rocky III’s phenomenal success and providing a “sly” cameo as himself. And while the follow-up would end up as one of the year’s biggest moneymakers, audiences and critics deemed it to be a campy downgrade from the gritty predecessor, as Tony’s Broadway breakout is threatened by...
- 10/3/2023
- by Jesse Shade
- JoBlo.com
After announcing late Wednesday afternoon that “Real Time” will start producing new episodes without writers amid the ongoing strike, Bill Maher received harsh criticism not only from members of the the Writers Guild of America and their supporters, but also from the guild itself.
WGA West, which Maher belongs to, said in a statement that the decision to resume the show “while his guild is on strike” is “disappointing,” and urged him to “honor more than the ‘spirit of the strike,'” referencing a quote from Maher’s announcement earlier Wednesday.
Maher, the guild statement continued, “is obligated to follow the strike rules and not perform any writing service.” And confirming the guild intends to picket the show, WGA added “It is difficult to imagine how @RealTimers can go forward without a violation of WGA strike rules taking place.”
Bill Maher’s decision to go back on the air while...
WGA West, which Maher belongs to, said in a statement that the decision to resume the show “while his guild is on strike” is “disappointing,” and urged him to “honor more than the ‘spirit of the strike,'” referencing a quote from Maher’s announcement earlier Wednesday.
Maher, the guild statement continued, “is obligated to follow the strike rules and not perform any writing service.” And confirming the guild intends to picket the show, WGA added “It is difficult to imagine how @RealTimers can go forward without a violation of WGA strike rules taking place.”
Bill Maher’s decision to go back on the air while...
- 9/14/2023
- by Ross A. Lincoln
- The Wrap
A fresh-faced comedian walks through New York after having woken up and feeding his fish. He's got a nearly beatific smile on his face as he's wished good luck and almost instantly told by those same people (with sarcastic tones) that there's no pressure, because he's been chosen to replace one of the most beloved comedians to ever grace the small screen. He's tall, lanky, with a shock of red hair, and he's just barely reached the age of 30. Everyone from John Tesh to Tom Brokaw to passers-by give him some version of these remarks ("Ya better be as good as Letterman!"), and he takes them all in good stride. He walks into 30 Rockefeller Center, gets ready for his first TV hosting gig, taking over the "Late Night" show on NBC at 12:35 am. He walks into his dressing room, where he proceeds to attempt hanging himself. It's only when...
- 9/12/2023
- by Josh Spiegel
- Slash Film
Vice TV has set the premiere date and released the trailer for “Dark Side of Comedy” Season 2, its “Dark Side” spinoff series that explores the behind-the-scenes stories of iconic comedians.
Season 2 subjects include Robin Williams, Sam Kinison, Joan Rivers, Carlos Mencia, Phil Hartman, Tracy Morgan, the sitcom “Family Matters,” Ellen DeGeneres, Norm MacDonald and Gilda Radner.
“Dark Side of Comedy” Season 2 is narrated by Dave Foley with commentators including Pauly Shore, Marc Maron, Tiffany Haddish, Pamela Aldon, Sally Jesse Raphael, Mike Binder and Rolanda Watts.
In the Season 2 trailer, Binder says Williams was “running with a lot of really scary figures — and Robin himself was kind of a scary figure for a while.” Haddish says Rivers “was a hustler,” and describes her as “mean as hell.” And Watts describes an experience where DeGeneres “sat there as if we weren’t even there.”
Per Vice TV’s description for the new installment: “‘Dark Side of Comedy,...
Season 2 subjects include Robin Williams, Sam Kinison, Joan Rivers, Carlos Mencia, Phil Hartman, Tracy Morgan, the sitcom “Family Matters,” Ellen DeGeneres, Norm MacDonald and Gilda Radner.
“Dark Side of Comedy” Season 2 is narrated by Dave Foley with commentators including Pauly Shore, Marc Maron, Tiffany Haddish, Pamela Aldon, Sally Jesse Raphael, Mike Binder and Rolanda Watts.
In the Season 2 trailer, Binder says Williams was “running with a lot of really scary figures — and Robin himself was kind of a scary figure for a while.” Haddish says Rivers “was a hustler,” and describes her as “mean as hell.” And Watts describes an experience where DeGeneres “sat there as if we weren’t even there.”
Per Vice TV’s description for the new installment: “‘Dark Side of Comedy,...
- 8/22/2023
- by Jennifer Maas
- Variety Film + TV
Netflix announced on Monday that A Woman’s Prayer, the first-ever comedy special from actor and comedian Kountry Wayne, will premiere on the platform September 19th.
Filmed at the Warner Theatre in Washington, D.C., the special has the rising star comic meditate on everything from fatherhood to gender dynamics and faith. It’s directed by Jeff Tomsic, who in addition to the 2018 feature comedy Tag and shows like Idiotsitter, has helmed specials for everyone from Bert Kreischer to Steve Rannazzisi (Breaking Dad), Kurt Metzger (White Precious) and the late Norm Macdonald (the 3x Emmy-nominated Nothing Special).
Wayne, Tomsic, and Matthew Vaughan of Rotten Science served as executive producers.
One of the most in-demand touring comedians in the country, Wayne is currently out on the road for his “Help Is On The Way” tour...
Filmed at the Warner Theatre in Washington, D.C., the special has the rising star comic meditate on everything from fatherhood to gender dynamics and faith. It’s directed by Jeff Tomsic, who in addition to the 2018 feature comedy Tag and shows like Idiotsitter, has helmed specials for everyone from Bert Kreischer to Steve Rannazzisi (Breaking Dad), Kurt Metzger (White Precious) and the late Norm Macdonald (the 3x Emmy-nominated Nothing Special).
Wayne, Tomsic, and Matthew Vaughan of Rotten Science served as executive producers.
One of the most in-demand touring comedians in the country, Wayne is currently out on the road for his “Help Is On The Way” tour...
- 8/22/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Ray Liotta received a posthumous Emmy nomination for his role as Big Jim Keene in Dennis Lehane’s “Black Bird,” the Apple TV+ true crime series based on the real life of serial killer Larry Hall.
Liotta was nominated for best supporting actor in a limited series alongside his costar Paul Water Hauser, Richard Jenkins , Murray Bartlett, Joseph Lee, Young Mazino and Jesse Plemons..
Liotta joins the small list of actors who have received posthumous Primetime Emmy nominations, including last year’s nomination of Chadwick Boseman (“What If…?”), Norm MacDonald (“Nothing Special”) and Jessica Walters (“Archer”) and the previous nominations of Carrie Fisher (“Catastrophe”), Audrey Hepburn (“Gardens of the World With Audrey Hepburn”), Anthony Bourdain (Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown”) and Fred Willard (“Modern Family”).
Liotta starred in “Black Bird” opposite Taron Egerton as his character’s son, Jimmy Keene, and Paul Walter Hauser as the infamous Larry Hall. The cast...
Liotta was nominated for best supporting actor in a limited series alongside his costar Paul Water Hauser, Richard Jenkins , Murray Bartlett, Joseph Lee, Young Mazino and Jesse Plemons..
Liotta joins the small list of actors who have received posthumous Primetime Emmy nominations, including last year’s nomination of Chadwick Boseman (“What If…?”), Norm MacDonald (“Nothing Special”) and Jessica Walters (“Archer”) and the previous nominations of Carrie Fisher (“Catastrophe”), Audrey Hepburn (“Gardens of the World With Audrey Hepburn”), Anthony Bourdain (Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown”) and Fred Willard (“Modern Family”).
Liotta starred in “Black Bird” opposite Taron Egerton as his character’s son, Jimmy Keene, and Paul Walter Hauser as the infamous Larry Hall. The cast...
- 7/12/2023
- by Sophia Scorziello
- Variety Film + TV
In Hollywood it only takes one role to turn you into an icon, and one moment to take it all away. Long before cancel culture was a phrase, one iconic celebrity had a meltdown of epic proportions that helped usher in the age of the viral video. As many TV stars have found out, life after a hugely successful show can be quite tough for some. With Julia Louis-Dreyfus winning countless Emmy’s, Jason Alexander returning to his stage roots and Jerry Seinfeld continuing his legendary stand up career, its time we find out what happened to the other member of Seinfeld’s iconic cast: Wtf Happened to Michael Richards? Ya know… Kramer!
But as always we must begin at the beginning and the beginning began on his birthday July 24, 1949 in Culver City, California. After starting on the stand up circuit in 1979, Richards career would take off when he was...
But as always we must begin at the beginning and the beginning began on his birthday July 24, 1949 in Culver City, California. After starting on the stand up circuit in 1979, Richards career would take off when he was...
- 7/7/2023
- by Brad Hamerly
- JoBlo.com
Amid the pending fate of its co-parent company Vice Media Group, Vice TV is focusing on its latest season of “Dark Side of the Ring,” and Vice Studios-produced projects recently launched on other platforms, including “American Gladiators” on ESPN, “Bama Rush” at Max, and “100 Days to Indy” at the CW network.
It’s also looking to the future, ordering second seasons of “Dark Side of Comedy” and “Sex Before the Internet” and greenlighting new series “Dark Side of the 2000s” for its own cable channel, in addition to moving Vice web series “One Star Reviews” to linear.
As Vice’s president of global TV, Morgan Hertzan, put it, the Vice TV network — which is part owned by A+E Networks — is “very, very busy” right now.
“The parts of the business that I oversee are doing really well,” Hertzan told Variety. “And I have to say, our partners through...
It’s also looking to the future, ordering second seasons of “Dark Side of Comedy” and “Sex Before the Internet” and greenlighting new series “Dark Side of the 2000s” for its own cable channel, in addition to moving Vice web series “One Star Reviews” to linear.
As Vice’s president of global TV, Morgan Hertzan, put it, the Vice TV network — which is part owned by A+E Networks — is “very, very busy” right now.
“The parts of the business that I oversee are doing really well,” Hertzan told Variety. “And I have to say, our partners through...
- 6/12/2023
- by Jennifer Maas
- Variety Film + TV
The summer movie season of 1998 actually began twelve months previously. While the Jurassic Park sequel The Lost World was still marauding around the multiplexes, a teaser trailer suddenly appeared showing a group of schoolchildren in a museum staring up in awe at the skeleton of a Tyrannosaurus Rex. Suddenly a gigantic lizard’s foot crashes through the ceiling and crushes the T-Rex as if it were an ant. Guess who’s coming to town…
Sony TriStar
Kicking off a marketing campaign like that, a full year before Godzilla rose up from the depths was pretty much unprecedented back in 1997. It signalled the arrival of the age of internet marketing. You could even download the trailer to watch at home if you didn’t mind waiting eleven hours for the privilege.
After months of hype, Godzilla finally arrived on Memorial Day. It was Roland Emmerich’s first movie since reinventing the...
Sony TriStar
Kicking off a marketing campaign like that, a full year before Godzilla rose up from the depths was pretty much unprecedented back in 1997. It signalled the arrival of the age of internet marketing. You could even download the trailer to watch at home if you didn’t mind waiting eleven hours for the privilege.
After months of hype, Godzilla finally arrived on Memorial Day. It was Roland Emmerich’s first movie since reinventing the...
- 6/9/2023
- by Cai Ross
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
For further proof that Elon Musk’s approach to verification on Twitter can change on a whim, some top users on the social platform with significant followings — including stars who have died — were reverified over the weekend with no explanation from the company.
The reverification comes after Twitter mass removed blue verification check marks from legacy users on April 20, impacting a whole slew of public figures — including Kim Kardashian and the Pope — and journalists without the badge. That same day, however, Musk claimed he was personally paying for three users — LeBron James, Stephen King and William Shatner — to retain their verification.
At the time, a source close to James told The Hollywood Reporter that the NBA star had received an email from Twitter offering a comped subscription, but James had never responded to it to accept the subscription.
By Sunday, the platform appeared to reverse course, adding the blue check...
The reverification comes after Twitter mass removed blue verification check marks from legacy users on April 20, impacting a whole slew of public figures — including Kim Kardashian and the Pope — and journalists without the badge. That same day, however, Musk claimed he was personally paying for three users — LeBron James, Stephen King and William Shatner — to retain their verification.
At the time, a source close to James told The Hollywood Reporter that the NBA star had received an email from Twitter offering a comped subscription, but James had never responded to it to accept the subscription.
By Sunday, the platform appeared to reverse course, adding the blue check...
- 4/23/2023
- by J. Clara Chan
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
New Delhi, April 23 (Ians) Twitter’s blue tick saga has taken an interesting turn after celebrities who are no more, including late Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput, late Hollywood actor Chadwick Boseman and late American singer Chester Bennington, got their blue tick restored.
A statement explaining the restoration of the service for the celebrities who passed away said that the “account is verified because they are subscribed to Twitter Blue and verified their phone number”. However, it is not clear who paid for the service.
The last activity seen on Rajput and Bennington’s Twitter account was in 2019 and 2017 respectively.
Sushant, who featured in Bollywood movies like ‘M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story’ and ‘Chhichhore’, was found hanging in his Mumbai flat on June 14, 2020. He died at the age of 34.
Chadwick, who starred in the movie ‘Black Panther’, died in August 2020 after a battle with colon cancer. He passed away at the age of 43.
Chester,...
A statement explaining the restoration of the service for the celebrities who passed away said that the “account is verified because they are subscribed to Twitter Blue and verified their phone number”. However, it is not clear who paid for the service.
The last activity seen on Rajput and Bennington’s Twitter account was in 2019 and 2017 respectively.
Sushant, who featured in Bollywood movies like ‘M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story’ and ‘Chhichhore’, was found hanging in his Mumbai flat on June 14, 2020. He died at the age of 34.
Chadwick, who starred in the movie ‘Black Panther’, died in August 2020 after a battle with colon cancer. He passed away at the age of 43.
Chester,...
- 4/23/2023
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
Television is a competitive industry, and the fact that some series have been running for so long means something. Whether it’s children’s entertainment or daytime dramas, plenty of iconic examples of series have stayed on our television screens for decades. From soap operas to late-night comedy programs, these 10 TV shows in America stand out as having had incredible longevity – longer runs than any other program ever seen.
Related: Top 10 Best TV Series of All Time, Ranked by Viewers
Some casting changes were made along the way, others lasting through cultural shifts and disruptions within media outlets like never before witnessed. Regardless of these factors, their success has earned them an impressive spot among history’s longest-standing fixtures in American television programming.
Longest Running TV Shows of All Time All My Children (1970 – 2013) 43 years One Life to Live (1968 – 2013) 48 years Saturday Night Live (1975 – Present) 48 years The Young and the Restless (1973 – Present...
Related: Top 10 Best TV Series of All Time, Ranked by Viewers
Some casting changes were made along the way, others lasting through cultural shifts and disruptions within media outlets like never before witnessed. Regardless of these factors, their success has earned them an impressive spot among history’s longest-standing fixtures in American television programming.
Longest Running TV Shows of All Time All My Children (1970 – 2013) 43 years One Life to Live (1968 – 2013) 48 years Saturday Night Live (1975 – Present) 48 years The Young and the Restless (1973 – Present...
- 4/15/2023
- by Buddy TV
- buddytv.com
The first episode of "Saturday Night Live" to feature its now-famous "Celebrity Jeopardy!" sketch aired on December 7, 1996. The episode's guest host, Martin Short, played Jerry Lewis. Norm McDonald played Burt Reynolds. Most notoriously, Darren Hammond played Sean Connery. The central gag of "Celebrity Jeopardy!" is that the celebrities are all kind of dumb, to the point that they don't seem to perceive that they are on a game show. Alex Trebek (Will Farrell) can barely mask his annoyance with their outward idiocy. "Celebrity Jeopardy!" also gained a lot of traction in allowing SNL's guest hosts to do their worst celebrity impersonations. Tobey Maguire, for instance, doesn't look or sound very much like Keanu Reeves, nor does Jimmy Fallon resemble Hilary Swank, but they ere impersonated anyway. In one notable twist, Tom Hanks played himself, only he was a version of himself that was too dumb to get his hand out of a pickle jar.
- 3/13/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
It's no secret that Christian Bale takes his roles seriously. So seriously, that he'll commit to massive weight changes to help get into character — a practice he said he's finished with as of 2019. The actor famously shed almost all his body fat to play the sleep-deprived 121-pound protagonist of "The Machinist" before bulking up to 240 pounds to take on the role of the Dark Knight in 2005's "Batman Begins." Since then he's fluctuated in weight with every role he's taken. Bale once again packed on the pounds to play Dick Cheney in 2018's "Vice," then immediately dropped 40 pounds to play British racing driver Ken Miles in "Ford v Ferrari" — prompting his co-star Matt Damon to praise his "monk-like discipline."
And his commitment to roles extends beyond weight fluctuations. For 2022's "Amsterdam," Bale became a bit of a stalker after seeing a man on the street whose movements he wanted to...
And his commitment to roles extends beyond weight fluctuations. For 2022's "Amsterdam," Bale became a bit of a stalker after seeing a man on the street whose movements he wanted to...
- 3/12/2023
- by Joe Roberts
- Slash Film
There are a few moments on Saturday Night Live that make the audience gasp. Sinead O’Connor tearing a picture of the Pope was one. Fortunately, most of those get cut before they go live. Still, Saturday Night Live records the dress rehearsals and some of those sketches have appeared since. Longtime SNL Head Writer Jim Downey remembers a Norm Macdonald Weekend Update joke that was so shocking, they used the sound of the audience gasping in live shows later.
Norm Macdonald | Mary Ellen Matthews/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images
Downey was a guest on Dana Carvey and David Spade’s Fly on the Wall podcast on May 11. Reminiscing about the good old days of Saturday Night Live, Downey shared the Macdonald joke that never made it to air, but the reaction to which lived on.
Norm Macdonald went too far with this ‘Saturday Night Live...
Norm Macdonald | Mary Ellen Matthews/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images
Downey was a guest on Dana Carvey and David Spade’s Fly on the Wall podcast on May 11. Reminiscing about the good old days of Saturday Night Live, Downey shared the Macdonald joke that never made it to air, but the reaction to which lived on.
Norm Macdonald went too far with this ‘Saturday Night Live...
- 2/28/2023
- by Fred Topel
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Actor and comedian Chris Farley really didn't need too much extra help to act totally unhinged, but he apparently used the power of caffeine to fuel at least one of his famously funny improv performances. In the 1995 Adam Sandler film "Billy Madison," Farley plays an elementary school bus driver who gets completely fed up with the rambunctious kids on his bus after one of them hits him in the back of the head with a sandwich while he's driving; he's a huffing, puffing rage machine. In an interview with Yahoo Entertainment celebrating the movie's 25th anniversary, director Tamra Davis recalled how Farley had used espresso to get to the level of intensity he wanted, but that it was also a little scary in the moment for the director.
Farley was one of the most popular comedic actors of the 1990s. Though his tragic death in 1997 cut his career and life far too short.
Farley was one of the most popular comedic actors of the 1990s. Though his tragic death in 1997 cut his career and life far too short.
- 1/6/2023
- by Danielle Ryan
- Slash Film
Oftentimes it wasn't what Chris Farley did that made him so funny, but rather how he did it. Such is the case for a one-off "Saturday Night Live" skit that never made it past the dress rehearsal of a 1994 episode. In the skit, "Weekend Update" correspondent Jerry Sozio offers an editorial about something that occurred "in the supermarket the other day."
The audience never finds out exactly what happened to Sozio in the supermarket because he laughs so hard about it, he just keeps repeating himself over and over, trying to get it out. If the bit feels like something Farley might have done himself, that's because it was. According to one of Farley's "SNL" co-stars, the entire bit was inspired by a classic Farley backstage gag that he'd break out all the time.
Although it never made it to air, it is not uncommon for axed sketches from the...
The audience never finds out exactly what happened to Sozio in the supermarket because he laughs so hard about it, he just keeps repeating himself over and over, trying to get it out. If the bit feels like something Farley might have done himself, that's because it was. According to one of Farley's "SNL" co-stars, the entire bit was inspired by a classic Farley backstage gag that he'd break out all the time.
Although it never made it to air, it is not uncommon for axed sketches from the...
- 1/2/2023
- by Travis Yates
- Slash Film
Forget presents and festive cheer -- for many, the real gift of Christmas is that it allows us some precious downtime to revisit a few familiar festive faves. There's just something oddly soothing about knowing that, during the period between Christmas and New Year's when time slows to a crawl and we all collectively lose track of what day it is, the only thing we're actually expected to do is chill out, get comfy, and rewatch seasonal classics that we've all seen countless times before.
That said, what if you're craving something new to add to your annual Christmas rotation? After all, December can't always be about "Home Alone" and "The Muppet Christmas Carol." Sometimes you need to mix it up with something new and unexpected. If this sounds like you, then perhaps it's time you turned your attention to a Christmas movie or special that's gone underappreciated since its debut.
That said, what if you're craving something new to add to your annual Christmas rotation? After all, December can't always be about "Home Alone" and "The Muppet Christmas Carol." Sometimes you need to mix it up with something new and unexpected. If this sounds like you, then perhaps it's time you turned your attention to a Christmas movie or special that's gone underappreciated since its debut.
- 12/12/2022
- by Simon Bland
- Slash Film
The Critics Choice TV Awards nominations for television were announced this morning, and the chart-topping showing by “Abbott Elementary” demonstrated that you don’t need cable or streaming freedom in order to thrive. In fact, you also don’t even need to be alive, as was made clear by the posthumous noms of Leslie Jordan (Fox’s “Call Me Kat”) for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series, Ray Liotta (Apple TV+’s “Black Bird”) for Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Made-For-tv Movie, and Norm Macdonald (Netflix’s “Norm Macdonald: Nothing Special”) for Comedy Special. Being deceased and still getting nominated is quite the feat, you’ve got to admit. Convincing enough voters to support someone despite their current inability to breathe, I mean, that’s impressive, arguably even more so than overcoming the limitations of broadcast network primetime.
But let’s focus on the latter for a moment,...
But let’s focus on the latter for a moment,...
- 12/7/2022
- by Ray Richmond
- Gold Derby
Emmy-winning ABC comedy “Abbott Elementary” led the nomination pack for the 28th Annual Critics Choice Awards, nabbing six overall — including best comedy series and acting nods for stars Quinta Brunson, Janelle James, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Chris Perfetti and Tyler James Williams.
Announced on Tuesday morning by the Critics Choice Association, this year’s Critics Choice TV nominations were also led on the drama side by the final season of AMC’s “Better Call Saul.” The series received five noms, including best drama series and acting nods for stars Bob Odenkirk, Rhea Seehorn, Giancarlo Esposito and Carol Burnett.
Other series leading the pack included “Gaslit” (Starz), “Reservation Dogs” (FX), and “The Good Fight” (Paramount+), tied with four nominations each. Like the SAG Awards, this year the Cca categorized “The White Lotus” as a drama series, leading star Jennifer Coolidge to be nominated for drama supporting actress.
Other notable mentions include posthumous...
Announced on Tuesday morning by the Critics Choice Association, this year’s Critics Choice TV nominations were also led on the drama side by the final season of AMC’s “Better Call Saul.” The series received five noms, including best drama series and acting nods for stars Bob Odenkirk, Rhea Seehorn, Giancarlo Esposito and Carol Burnett.
Other series leading the pack included “Gaslit” (Starz), “Reservation Dogs” (FX), and “The Good Fight” (Paramount+), tied with four nominations each. Like the SAG Awards, this year the Cca categorized “The White Lotus” as a drama series, leading star Jennifer Coolidge to be nominated for drama supporting actress.
Other notable mentions include posthumous...
- 12/6/2022
- by Michael Schneider
- Variety Film + TV
Famous pornographic actor Harry Reems nearly starred in Grease, alongside John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John.
The late porn star – real name Herbert Streicher and best known for his role in the 1972 adult film Deep Throat – was initially hired for the role of Coach Calhoun, who aids Travolta’s Danny Zuko in his quest to join a sports team to impress Sandy (Newton-John).
“Allan [Carr, the producer] wanted to have the porn star Harry Reems play that part,” director Randal Kleiser revealed on a recent episode of The Hollywood Reporter’s It Happened in Hollywood podcast.
“He actually hired him, and then the studio said, ‘No, no, no. You can’t do that.’ And so they had to fire him,” he added.
After pressure from the studio forced them to drop Reems, comedian Sid Caesar ended up assuming the role as the fan-favourite Rydell High faculty member.
Kleiser further explained that Reems was “devastated...
The late porn star – real name Herbert Streicher and best known for his role in the 1972 adult film Deep Throat – was initially hired for the role of Coach Calhoun, who aids Travolta’s Danny Zuko in his quest to join a sports team to impress Sandy (Newton-John).
“Allan [Carr, the producer] wanted to have the porn star Harry Reems play that part,” director Randal Kleiser revealed on a recent episode of The Hollywood Reporter’s It Happened in Hollywood podcast.
“He actually hired him, and then the studio said, ‘No, no, no. You can’t do that.’ And so they had to fire him,” he added.
After pressure from the studio forced them to drop Reems, comedian Sid Caesar ended up assuming the role as the fan-favourite Rydell High faculty member.
Kleiser further explained that Reems was “devastated...
- 10/25/2022
- by Inga Parkel
- The Independent - Film
Let’s Make A Deal host Wayne Brady — who’s currently competing for the Mirror Ball Trophy on Dancing with the Stars — will host the 2022 American Music Awards. The ceremony will air live Sunday, November 20 on ABC and stream the next day on Hulu.
Related Story American Music Awards Nominations: Bad Bunny Leads Field With Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, Drake Right Behind Related Story Golden Globes Returning To NBC In 2023 On One-Year Deal Related Story 'Dancing With The Stars' Announces Season 31 Cast, Including First Ever Drag Queen Plus Selma Blair, Cheryl Ladd & More
“I’m ecstatic and honored to host this year’s AMAs. As a musician and music lover, it’s amazing to be part of a night where music fans make their voices heard!” said Brady in a statement. “It’s a big show, so I’m bringing it all…The funny, the music and the moves!”
“Wayne Brady...
Related Story American Music Awards Nominations: Bad Bunny Leads Field With Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, Drake Right Behind Related Story Golden Globes Returning To NBC In 2023 On One-Year Deal Related Story 'Dancing With The Stars' Announces Season 31 Cast, Including First Ever Drag Queen Plus Selma Blair, Cheryl Ladd & More
“I’m ecstatic and honored to host this year’s AMAs. As a musician and music lover, it’s amazing to be part of a night where music fans make their voices heard!” said Brady in a statement. “It’s a big show, so I’m bringing it all…The funny, the music and the moves!”
“Wayne Brady...
- 10/24/2022
- by Lynette Rice
- Deadline Film + TV
Brooks Arthur, the Grammy-winning record producer, engineer and music supervisor behind films such as “The Karate Kid,” died on Oct. 9. He was 86.
Arthur was a highly respected producer who engineered hits such as Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline” and Van Morrison’s “Brown Eyed Girl,” on which he sang backup. He reached the high point of his producing career with Janis Ian’s Grammy-winning 1975 debut album “Between the Lines,” which hit No. 1 on the Billboard album chart.
Throughout his career, Arthur worked with artists including the Grateful Dead, Art Garfunkel, Burt Bacharach, Dusty Springfield, Liza Minnelli and Peggy Lee, and he gathered 20 Grammy nominations — including three wins — as well as an Oscar nod for “Glory of Love” from “The Karate Kid II.”
Arthur began a 29-year relationship with Adam Sandler after producing his Grammy-nominated comedy hit “The Chanukah Song.” He went on to produce all of Sandler’s comedy albums...
Arthur was a highly respected producer who engineered hits such as Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline” and Van Morrison’s “Brown Eyed Girl,” on which he sang backup. He reached the high point of his producing career with Janis Ian’s Grammy-winning 1975 debut album “Between the Lines,” which hit No. 1 on the Billboard album chart.
Throughout his career, Arthur worked with artists including the Grateful Dead, Art Garfunkel, Burt Bacharach, Dusty Springfield, Liza Minnelli and Peggy Lee, and he gathered 20 Grammy nominations — including three wins — as well as an Oscar nod for “Glory of Love” from “The Karate Kid II.”
Arthur began a 29-year relationship with Adam Sandler after producing his Grammy-nominated comedy hit “The Chanukah Song.” He went on to produce all of Sandler’s comedy albums...
- 10/11/2022
- by Ethan Shanfeld and Roy Trakin
- Variety Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
As Lorne Michaels tells it, Saturday Night Live’s most significant cast shakeup in a generation is a product of the pandemic.
In interviews after the Emmy Awards and with The New York Times, Michaels noted that in normal times, the likes of Kate McKinnon, Aidy Bryant and Pete Davidson might have left SNL in 2020 or 2021 to pursue other work.
“The pandemic had put us in this position where no one could really leave because there were no jobs,” Michaels told the Times, echoing his post-Emmys comments that there “was no place to go” for long-serving cast members who might otherwise have left beforehand.
Regardless of the cause, Saturday’s 48th season opener will be the first show after one of the largest cast shake-ups in its history. The show did a near-total overhaul prior to the 1985-86 season, and a similar one...
As Lorne Michaels tells it, Saturday Night Live’s most significant cast shakeup in a generation is a product of the pandemic.
In interviews after the Emmy Awards and with The New York Times, Michaels noted that in normal times, the likes of Kate McKinnon, Aidy Bryant and Pete Davidson might have left SNL in 2020 or 2021 to pursue other work.
“The pandemic had put us in this position where no one could really leave because there were no jobs,” Michaels told the Times, echoing his post-Emmys comments that there “was no place to go” for long-serving cast members who might otherwise have left beforehand.
Regardless of the cause, Saturday’s 48th season opener will be the first show after one of the largest cast shake-ups in its history. The show did a near-total overhaul prior to the 1985-86 season, and a similar one...
- 9/30/2022
- by Rick Porter
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Anne Rice's rich world of the "Vampire Chronicles" has barely been scratched. This might seem strange given how often the 1994 adaptation "Interview With The Vampire" is still considered a queer cult classic. However, it's important to understand that that film did everything but acknowledge in words the absolutely messed up love story between Lestat de Lioncourt and Louis de Pointe du Lac. It was the early 1990s after all, and in the immortal words of Norm MacDonald, it was just not gay enough.
If you thought that the queerbait gods or stuffy AMC executives would have this "are they aren't they" dynamic repeat once again in the series adaptation of "Interview With The Vampire," think again. It finally turns all of the book and movie's subtext into actual text, making it arguably the queerest show currently on television right now. Of course, that's not all it centers around — several years after first encountering him,...
If you thought that the queerbait gods or stuffy AMC executives would have this "are they aren't they" dynamic repeat once again in the series adaptation of "Interview With The Vampire," think again. It finally turns all of the book and movie's subtext into actual text, making it arguably the queerest show currently on television right now. Of course, that's not all it centers around — several years after first encountering him,...
- 9/22/2022
- by Erin Brady
- Slash Film
Olivia Newton-John’s publicist is speaking out against the snub during the In Memoriam segment of the 2022 Emmys.
The late actress featured in such TV series as “Sordid Lives: The Series”, “Bette”, “Murphy Brown” and “Ned and Stacey” but still wasn’t included in the tribute.
John Legend sang “Pieces” while the ceremony honoured stars such as Betty White, Bob Saget, Sidney Poitier, and James Caan.
Read More: Coldplay Joined By Natalie Imbruglia For ‘Summer Nights’ Cover In Olivia Newton-John Tribute
Despite not featuring the late actress in the telecast, the Emmys did include her on the online In Memoriam page.
Reacting to the news, her publicist Michael Caprio told TMZ that the family were still grieving the loss and didn’t want to comment, but he was “very disappointed” by the exclusion personally.
He felt it was especially egregious given her extensive TV career.
Fans were outraged at the...
The late actress featured in such TV series as “Sordid Lives: The Series”, “Bette”, “Murphy Brown” and “Ned and Stacey” but still wasn’t included in the tribute.
John Legend sang “Pieces” while the ceremony honoured stars such as Betty White, Bob Saget, Sidney Poitier, and James Caan.
Read More: Coldplay Joined By Natalie Imbruglia For ‘Summer Nights’ Cover In Olivia Newton-John Tribute
Despite not featuring the late actress in the telecast, the Emmys did include her on the online In Memoriam page.
Reacting to the news, her publicist Michael Caprio told TMZ that the family were still grieving the loss and didn’t want to comment, but he was “very disappointed” by the exclusion personally.
He felt it was especially egregious given her extensive TV career.
Fans were outraged at the...
- 9/15/2022
- by Becca Longmire
- ET Canada
Following the smashing success of "Independence Day," Will Smith was red hot. The former "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" star had successfully undergone the transformation from television star to film star, a hurdle many fail to overcome. Smith's next big project was "Men in Black," a sci-fi adventure film loosely based on the comic book series by Lowell Cunningham. Smith was to be the handsome but slightly out of his element leading man who would play alongside a more austere veteran actor. That co-star turned out to be Tommy Lee Jones.
At first glance, the combination of Smith and Jones seems like it could have been a slightly combustible one. Tommy Lee Jones is a serious, soft-spoken professional who had been known to have issues with co-stars. While Jones was working with Jim Carrey on 1995's "Batman Forever," Carrey reportedly said Jones told him to his face that he hated him.
At first glance, the combination of Smith and Jones seems like it could have been a slightly combustible one. Tommy Lee Jones is a serious, soft-spoken professional who had been known to have issues with co-stars. While Jones was working with Jim Carrey on 1995's "Batman Forever," Carrey reportedly said Jones told him to his face that he hated him.
- 9/14/2022
- by Matt Rainis
- Slash Film
Jennifer Coolidge left reporters lost for words when they asked a question about her dating life.
After The White Lotus star took the Emmys 2022 stage on Monday (12 September) evening to claim her award for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, she went backstage for press interviews.
Speaking to Access, the 61-year-old actor was asked: “If you could shoot your shot with anybody, who would it be?”
With a straight face, Coolidge answered: “Well, I was very excited about somebody – I can’t say their name – but I found out today he’s dead.”
The two stunned interviewers reacted awkwardly with an audible, “Oh”.
Since being shared on Twitter, the clip has gone viral, with adoring fans praising Coolidge for her “iconic” remark.
“She embodies humour. She doesn’t even have to try,” one tweeted.
Iconic. https://t.co/TaSvjPL7dM
— Pj. (@pjscaggs) September 13, 2022
“The delivery of that line. She is a genius,...
After The White Lotus star took the Emmys 2022 stage on Monday (12 September) evening to claim her award for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, she went backstage for press interviews.
Speaking to Access, the 61-year-old actor was asked: “If you could shoot your shot with anybody, who would it be?”
With a straight face, Coolidge answered: “Well, I was very excited about somebody – I can’t say their name – but I found out today he’s dead.”
The two stunned interviewers reacted awkwardly with an audible, “Oh”.
Since being shared on Twitter, the clip has gone viral, with adoring fans praising Coolidge for her “iconic” remark.
“She embodies humour. She doesn’t even have to try,” one tweeted.
Iconic. https://t.co/TaSvjPL7dM
— Pj. (@pjscaggs) September 13, 2022
“The delivery of that line. She is a genius,...
- 9/13/2022
- by Inga Parkel
- The Independent - TV
Kelly Rizzo has said her “heart broke all over again” while watching the Emmys 2022 pay tribute to her late husband, comedian Bob Saget.
The Full House star died in January of this year from accidental head trauma. He was 65.
During Monday (12 September) night’s awards show, the evening honoured Saget, Betty White, and Sidney Poitier, among others, in its In Memoriam section – which honours notable TV figures who have died since the previous year’s ceremony.
Reacting to the touching moment, Rizzo shared the Emmys clip on her Instagram story, writing: “I’ve been a wreck all day waiting for this. My heart broke all over again.
“But I know he’d be proud for this recognition. This is still so damn weird and surreal.”
The late comedian’s wife has previously been open on Instagram about her grieving process.
Six months after Saget’s death, Rizzo shared that she...
The Full House star died in January of this year from accidental head trauma. He was 65.
During Monday (12 September) night’s awards show, the evening honoured Saget, Betty White, and Sidney Poitier, among others, in its In Memoriam section – which honours notable TV figures who have died since the previous year’s ceremony.
Reacting to the touching moment, Rizzo shared the Emmys clip on her Instagram story, writing: “I’ve been a wreck all day waiting for this. My heart broke all over again.
“But I know he’d be proud for this recognition. This is still so damn weird and surreal.”
The late comedian’s wife has previously been open on Instagram about her grieving process.
Six months after Saget’s death, Rizzo shared that she...
- 9/13/2022
- by Inga Parkel
- The Independent - TV
Fans were surprised by Olivia Newton-John and Norm Macdonald’s absence from the Emmys 2022’s In Memoriam segment.
The Australian actor and singer, best known for her leading role as Sandy in Grease, died in August of this year from breast cancer. She was 73.
While Newton-John was mostly a film actor, she appeared in a number of television shows, including Australian singing series Kommotion, 1993’s drama series Snowy River: The McGregor Saga, and the one-season 2008 show Sordid Lives: The Series.
Meanwhile, viewers were confused by Canadian comedian Norm Macdonald’s absence from the night’s tributes.
However, the Saturday Night Live alum passed away in 2021 and was honoured during last year’s award ceremony. This year he received three posthumous nominations for his Netflix special Nothing Special, which was partly why fans were shocked not to see him in the in memorial segment – unaware that he was celebrated last year.
The Australian actor and singer, best known for her leading role as Sandy in Grease, died in August of this year from breast cancer. She was 73.
While Newton-John was mostly a film actor, she appeared in a number of television shows, including Australian singing series Kommotion, 1993’s drama series Snowy River: The McGregor Saga, and the one-season 2008 show Sordid Lives: The Series.
Meanwhile, viewers were confused by Canadian comedian Norm Macdonald’s absence from the night’s tributes.
However, the Saturday Night Live alum passed away in 2021 and was honoured during last year’s award ceremony. This year he received three posthumous nominations for his Netflix special Nothing Special, which was partly why fans were shocked not to see him in the in memorial segment – unaware that he was celebrated last year.
- 9/13/2022
- by Inga Parkel
- The Independent - TV
The 2022 Emmys saw TV stars from around the world gather at the Microsft Theater in Los Angeles to celebrate the best in television.
While there were a handful of repeat champions and first-time winners during Monday (12 September) night’s ceremony, there were certainly a number of snubs and surprises as well.
Christina Ricci misses out to Julia Garner
After Julia Garner won her third Emmy for Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for her role in Ozark, fans were quick to suggest that Yellowjacket’s Christina Ricci was robbed of the category’s win.
Succession does well – but not as well as it could have
Meanwhile, Succession’s Matthew Macfadyen was a pleasant surprise, scoring his first Emmy win as Supporting Actor in a Drama Series. The British actor prevailed over co-stars Nicholas Braun and Kieran Culkin, The Morning Show’s Billy Crudup, and Squid Games’ Park Hae-soo.
However, the HBO family drama,...
While there were a handful of repeat champions and first-time winners during Monday (12 September) night’s ceremony, there were certainly a number of snubs and surprises as well.
Christina Ricci misses out to Julia Garner
After Julia Garner won her third Emmy for Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for her role in Ozark, fans were quick to suggest that Yellowjacket’s Christina Ricci was robbed of the category’s win.
Succession does well – but not as well as it could have
Meanwhile, Succession’s Matthew Macfadyen was a pleasant surprise, scoring his first Emmy win as Supporting Actor in a Drama Series. The British actor prevailed over co-stars Nicholas Braun and Kieran Culkin, The Morning Show’s Billy Crudup, and Squid Games’ Park Hae-soo.
However, the HBO family drama,...
- 9/13/2022
- by Inga Parkel
- The Independent - TV
Successionwriter Jesse Armstrong drew audible winces from the crowd at the 2022 Emmys ceremony on Monday night (12 September) with his comments about King Charles III.
The British screenwriter made the remarks while accepting the award for Outstanding Drama Series for his ferocious dynasty show, Succession.
“Big week for successions,” he said on stage. “New King in the UK, this for us. Evidently a little bit more voting for us than Prince Charles. I’m not saying we’re more legitimate in our position than he is, we’ll leave that to other people.”
Armstrong’s words were met with uncomfortable sounds from the audience at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, with Succession star Brian Cox, who was also on stage, chiming in with the advice: “Keep it royalist! Keep it royalist!”
Following the death of the Queen, aged 96, last week, Charles III automatically succeeded the throne, at the age of 73. In his first speech,...
The British screenwriter made the remarks while accepting the award for Outstanding Drama Series for his ferocious dynasty show, Succession.
“Big week for successions,” he said on stage. “New King in the UK, this for us. Evidently a little bit more voting for us than Prince Charles. I’m not saying we’re more legitimate in our position than he is, we’ll leave that to other people.”
Armstrong’s words were met with uncomfortable sounds from the audience at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, with Succession star Brian Cox, who was also on stage, chiming in with the advice: “Keep it royalist! Keep it royalist!”
Following the death of the Queen, aged 96, last week, Charles III automatically succeeded the throne, at the age of 73. In his first speech,...
- 9/13/2022
- by Ellie Harrison
- The Independent - TV
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.