Friday, December 19, 2025
Donate
Home Blog Page 1513

Kelly Ripa Skips Today’s Show as Michael Strahan Announces Exit: And He Won’t Be On Tomorrow

Roger Friedman
-
0
Kelly Ripa Skips Today’s Show as Michael Strahan Announces Exit: And He Won’t Be On Tomorrow

Kelly Ripa is conspicuously absent from today’s Live with Kelly and Michael. Apparently she wasn’t told in advance that Strahan was leaving for “Good Morning America” when it was announced yesterday. Saturday Night Live alum Ana Gasteyer is the surprise substitute host.

Strahan won’t be on tomorrow– which means Ripa is so mad she won’t appear with him on live TV.

Strahan had to announce his departure on air to Gasteyer this morning instead of Ripa. Usually, the camera would cut to exec producer Michael Gelman for some kind of reaction. Gelman, however, also is AWOL at least on camera, and there was zero mention of him.

For Kelly, the anger over Strahan’s exit has to be pretty intense. Remember, she’s never spoken again to Regis Philbin since he left the show five years ago. Ripa campaigned for Strahan when he was trying out for “Live”– he got the job over a lot of people including Seth Meyers. Now they all have to be on air together until the summer since Strahan doesn’t start on “GMA” until after Labor Day.

What is this all about? It’s about ABC and James Goldston and Ben Sherwood trumping Disney (also owned by ABC) and snatching Strahan. But Strahan isn’t stupid. He’s used “Live” as a stepping stone. Not only did he appear in the movie “Magic Mike XXL” this year, he’s also hosting a new syndicated version of “The $100,000 Pyramid.” It’s the first time “Pyramid” has been in prime time (10 episodes this summer on ABC). And Strahan is executive producer.

All of a sudden, “Live” is going to be very interesting if and when Ripa returns to the set. I don’t know how Michael Gelman lives through these things.

PS Anderson Cooper as Strahan’s replacement? Seems hard to pull off if Cooper’s going to stay at CNN and be a journalist. My guess: Neil Patrick Harris. He lives in New York, has kids, a family, could still do Broadway. He also has a fortune from “How I Married Your Mother.”

UPDATE At the end of this morning’s show, Strahan offered a lame olive branch to Ripa and Gelman, then announced he won’t be on the show tomorrow. I don’t think we’ll be seeing him until Monday at this point. Tomorrow’s show should be wild!

Exclusive: Bradley Cooper, Sienna Miller Likely Team Up for Broadway “Philadelphia Story”

Roger Friedman
-
0
Exclusive: Bradley Cooper, Sienna Miller Likely Team Up for Broadway “Philadelphia Story”

EXCLUSIVE The word is that the fall season, or perhaps next spring 2017, could bring a dynamic duo to Broadway.

And the word has reached us of a reading staged by the Roundabout Theater’s Scott Ellis of “The Philadelphia Story” with none other than Bradley Cooper and Sienna Miller.

The pair played husband and wife in Clint Eastwood’s “American Sniper” and then romantically interested chefs in “Burnt” both times on film.

But this would bring them each back to Broadway. Cooper recently had a hit run in “The Elephant Man.” Miller was in “After Miss Julie” in 2009, the wowed audiences last year as Sally Bowles for a six week run in “Cabaret.”

Miller would play madcap heiress Tracy Lord, of course, originally played by Katharine Hepburn. Cooper would be Dexter Haven, played by Cary Grant in the movie and by Joseph Cotten on stage with Hepburn.

“The Philadelphia Story” by Philip Barry was later turned into a musical, “Holiday,” revived many times. But the straight play only had its original run in 1939 with Hepburn and then a revival in 1980 with Blythe Danner and Frank Converse. (I saw the latter, not the former! And it was excellent.)

George Cukor directed the classic 1940 film, still one of the best movies ever made. The great story behind the film was that Hepburn bought the rights, put it on Broadway, and then got the movie produced. It revived her flagging career. She never looked back.

Cooper– who was born and grew up in Philly– and Miller (who is half American) would be perfect in a revival. Let’s hope it happens.

Natalie Cole Remembered at Nancy Davis’s MS Fundraiser by Eric Benet, David Foster

Leah Sydney
-
0
Natalie Cole Remembered at Nancy Davis’s MS Fundraiser by Eric Benet, David Foster

Natalie Cole might be gone, but she is definitely in the heart of her dear friend Nancy Davis, who held her 23rd annual “Race To Erase MS” fundraiser last week at the Beverly Hilton.

Davis–daughter of beloved Barbara and the late Marvin Davis (once the owner of both 20th Century Fox and the Beverly Hills Hotel)– continues to be the indefatigable force she is in fighting Multiple Sclerosis, which she was diagnosed with 24 years ago. She was told then to expect a bleak future to say the least. Nancy with the help of her powerhouse mother and the classiest lady in town Barbara Davis, started the fundraiser which supports Davis’s “Center Without Walls” program, which funds a network of doctors working towards the prevention and cure for MS.

The gala honored Carolyn Rafaelian, CEO of Alex and Ani, for her philanthropic work with “Charity by Design.” The evening started with the events’ famed silent auction, which celebs such as Ashley Tisdale, Loni Anderson, Tommy Chong, Carmen Electra, Diane Warren, Teri Garr, Cybil Shepard, Doug Flutie and more perused. Davis, after being introduced by LL Cool J– who described her as “unstoppable” — paid loving tribute to her close friend Natalie Cole, who was deeply involved in the cause over the years.

“My brilliant friend Natalie, her son Robby is here tonight, entertained [at this event] seven times over the years. She came to the meetings, and was a true champion. She was an unforgettable friend and we all miss her like crazy.”

“Mom” star Jaime Pressly took to the stage to start the silent auction. Before that she paid tribute to her good friend, “Sopranos” actress Jamie Lynn-Sigler, who recently revealed her own MS diagnosis. “Jamie’s sorry she can’t be here tonight, but because of the good medicine she’s working. She’s as good as she’s ever been.”

Randy Jackson introduced KISS, with the explanation that Paul Stanley would not be performing because of recent shoulder surgery, although he added he would be recovered in time to tour with KISS this summer.

Gene Simmons, Ace Frehley and Peter Criss ably rocked the house anyway. Jordan Smith, last year’s winner from “The Voice,” sang beautifully and ended his set with his winning song from the show, Queen’s “Somebody to Love.” The most poignant performance of the night was David Foster and Eric Benet’s tribute to Natalie.

Foster, who was the evening’s musical director, as he has been for most years, and Benet, who rightly criticized the Grammys this past year when they did not pay proper tribute to Natalie, flipped Natalie’s and Nat King Cole’s iconic “Unforgettable” around. Eric sang Nat’s part while Natalie was heard singing her part. The room literally went silent; the moment was breathtaking, poignant and heartbreaking.

Davis told the crowd that, “When we started there were no drugs on the market, no protocol, very little help. We just announced the FDA approval of the 13th drug on the market.” The evening ended with all the performers on stage singing, “Lean On Me.” Bravo Nancy Davis for your tireless work! Nancy is right, we all miss Natalie like crazy.

“Castle” Star Nathan Fillion on Stana Katic’s Ouster: Here’s Your Hat, What’s Your Hurry?

Roger Friedman
-
0
“Castle” Star Nathan Fillion on Stana Katic’s Ouster: Here’s Your Hat, What’s Your Hurry?

Nathan Fillion’s priceless Tweet today about his co-star Stana Katic can be summed up by an old adage: “here’s your hat. What’s your hurry?”

Or, as Ellen Pompeo said to Patrick Dempsey: “buh bye.”

I don’t think we’ll be seeing “Castle” reunions in 10 years.

Former soap opera actor Fillion might just as well have said: “i’ve got one life to live, and it’s without you.”

Broadway: “Shuffle Along” Producers Ask to Be Excused from Awards: “Not Ready”

Roger Friedman
-
0
Broadway: “Shuffle Along” Producers Ask to Be Excused from Awards: “Not Ready”

“Shuffle Along” was not included in today’s Outer Critics Circle nominations. That’s because producer Scott Rudin told the group the multi million dollar musical directed by George C. Wolfe is not ready. The show opens on April 28th, in 9 days.

The Drama Desk was told the same thing, for “Shuffle Along” not be included in their awards too.

Basically no nominators have seen the musical starring Audra McDonald, Brian Stokes Mitchell, and Billy Porter.

The show “locks” on April 25th for press, and opens three days later. The Tony voters will have just a couple of days to see it and decide what to do.

“Shuffle Along” certainly wasn’t ready when I saw it on April 1st. It lacked a cohesive second act and an actual ending. The show’s whole point was delivered in Act 1.

A week later, on April 8, nothing had changed according to observers. It’s been ten days since then. Maybe there have been a lot of improvements. But the show I saw, and was seen on April 8th, ran three hours including a 15 minute intermission.

On top of that, Audra McDonald will leave the show after six weeks. She had already agreed to perform “Lady Day at the Emerson Bar and Grill” in London for three months. Who’s going to replace her for ticket buyers? That’s a tough job.

Not being ready on April 19th for awards nominations is like saying My dog ate my homework. This doesn’t bode well for what is otherwise a buoyant celebration of Eubie Blake’s famed 1921 musical.

The OCC voted “Hamilton” Best Musical last year when it was off Broadway, so the show wasn’t eligible again.

The complete list of 2015-16 Outer Critics Circle Asards Nominations follows.

OUTSTANDING NEW BROADWAY PLAY

Eclipsed

The Father

The Humans

King Charles III

Therese Raquin

OUTSTANDING NEW BROADWAY MUSICAL

American Psycho the Musical

Bright Star

On Your Feet!

Tuck Everlasting the Musical

Waitress

OUTSTANDING NEW OFF-BROADWAY PLAY

The Christians

Familiar

Gloria

Hold On to Me Darling

The Legend of Georgia McBride

OUTSTANDING NEW OFF-BROADWAY MUSICAL

Cagney

Daddy Long Legs

Dear Evan Hansen

Lazarus

Southern Comfort

OUTSTANDING BOOK OF A MUSICAL (Broadway or Off-Broadway)

Bright Star

Daddy Long Legs

Dear Evan Hansen

Lazarus

On Your Feet!

OUTSTANDING NEW SCORE (Broadway or Off-Broadway)

American Psycho the Musical

Bright Star

Daddy Long Legs

Dear Evan Hansen

Waitress

OUTSTANDING REVIVAL OF A PLAY (Broadway or Off-Broadway)

Blackbird

The Crucible

Fool for Love

Long Day’s Journey Into Night

A View From the Bridge

OUTSTANDING REVIVAL OF A MUSICAL (Broadway or Off-Broadway)

The Color Purple the Musical

Dames at Sea

Fiddler on the Roof

She Loves Me

Spring Awakening

OUTSTANDING DIRECTOR OF A PLAY

Evan Cabnet Gloria

Mike Donahue The Legend of Georgia McBride

Rupert Goold King Charles III

Joe Mantello The Humans

Ivo van Hove A View From the Bridge

OUTSTANDING DIRECTOR OF A MUSICAL

Michael Arden Spring Awakening

Walter Bobbie Bright Star

Scott Ellis She Loves Me

Rupert Goold American Psycho the Musical

Michael Greif Dear Evan Hansen

OUTSTANDING CHOREOGRAPHER

Joshua Bergasse Cagney

Spencer Liff Spring Awakening

Josh Rhodes Bright Star

Randy Skinner Dames at Sea

Sergio Trujillo On Your Feet!

OUTSTANDING SET DESIGN (Play or Musical)

Beowulf Boritt Therese Raquin

David Korins Misery

Mimi Lien John

David Rockwell She Loves Me

Walt Spangler Tuck Everlasting the Musical

OUTSTANDING COSTUME DESIGN (Play or Musical)

ESosa On Your Feet!

Jane Greenwood Bright Star

Katrina Lindsay American Psycho the Musical

Jeff Mahshie She Loves Me

Tom Scutt King Charles III

OUTSTANDING LIGHTING DESIGN (Play or Musical)
Donald Holder She Loves Me

Natasha Katz Long Day’s Journey Into Night

Kenneth Posner On Your Feet!

Ben Stanton Spring Awakening

Justin Townsend American Psycho the Musical

OUTSTANDING PROJECTION DESIGN (Play or Musical)
Lucy MacKinnon Spring Awakening

Peter Nigrini Grounded

Peter Nigrini Dear Evan Hansen

Finn Ross American Psycho the Musical

Tal Yarden Lazarus

OUTSTANDING ACTOR IN A PLAY

Reed Birney The Humans

Gabriel Byrne Long Day’s Journey Into Night

Frank Langella The Father

Mark Strong A View From the Bridge

Ben Whishaw The Crucible

OUTSTANDING ACTRESS IN A PLAY

Jayne Houdyshell The Humans

Jessica Lange Long Day’s Journey Into Night

Lupita Nyong’o Eclipsed

Nicola Walker A View From the Bridge

Michelle Williams Blackbird

OUTSTANDING ACTOR IN A MUSICAL

Alex Brightman School of Rock the Musical

Danny Burstein Fiddler on the Roof

Robert Creighton Cagney

Ben Platt Dear Evan Hansen

Benjamin Walker American Psycho the Musical

OUTSTANDING ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL

Laura Benanti She Loves Me

Carmen Cusack Bright Star

Cynthia Erivo The Color Purple the Musical

Jessie Mueller Waitress

Ana Villafañe On Your Feet!

OUTSTANDING FEATURED ACTOR IN A PLAY

Sanjit De Silva Dry Powder

Matt McGrath The Legend of Georgia McBride

Jim Norton The Crucible

Robert Sella Sylvia

Michael Shannon Long Day’s Journey Into Night

OUTSTANDING FEATURED ACTRESS IN A PLAY

Pascale Armand Eclipsed

Zainab Jah Eclipsed

Judith Light Therese Raquin

Saycon Sengbloh Eclipsed

Myra Lucretia Taylor Familiar

OUTSTANDING FEATURED ACTOR IN A MUSICAL

Nicholas Barasch She Loves Me

Roger Bart Disaster!

Michael Esper Lazarus

Christopher Fitzgerald Waitress

Terrence Mann Tuck Everlasting the Musical

OUTSTANDING FEATURED ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL

Danielle Brooks The Color Purple the Musical

Andrea Burns On Your Feet!

Sophia Anne Caruso Lazarus

Jane Krakowski She Loves Me

Helene Yorke American Psycho the Musical

OUTSTANDING SOLO PERFORMANCE

Mike Birbiglia Thank God For Jokes

Kathleen Chalfant Rose

Anne Hathaway Grounded

James Lecesne The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey

Daphne Rubin-Vega Empanada Loca

JOHN GASSNER AWARD

(Presented for an American play, preferably by a new playwright)

Lindsey Ferrentino Ugly Lies the Bone

Lauren Gunderson I and You

Martyna Majok Ironbound

Marco Ramirez The Royale

Anna Ziegler Boy

SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

James Houghton Signature Theater Company

New “Spider Man” Movie Starts Shooting in June, with Peter Parker Still in High School

Roger Friedman
-
0
New “Spider Man” Movie Starts Shooting in June, with Peter Parker Still in High School

EXCLUSIVE “Spider Man: Homecoming” starts shooting in June and wraps in October. Jon Watts’s film will open on July 7, 2017.

From the sounds of a new casting call, however, it does seem like Peter Parker– played by British actor Tom Holland, now 19– will still be in high school. The “Homecoming” of the title is probably the big end of the year dance.

There’s already some confusion, too. All the trade and fanboy sites announced Tony Revolori as Manuel Nguyen, Peter’s nemesis and villain. But “Manuel” is still being cast, so Revolori may not be playing that role after all. And Manuel is described as “uber-nerd, endearing and funny.” Doesn’t sound like a villain.

Many of the other parts being cast right now include an English teacher, principal, physics teacher and of course, a newscaster. After five Spider Man movies, a musical, a TV series, and 40 years of reading comics, I feel like I know Peter Parker’s high school life better than I know my own. It’s hoped that “Homecoming” will be different, somehow.

TV: Stana Katic Ousted from ABC’s “Castle” As Network, Producers Ponder Killing Character

Roger Friedman
-
0
TV: Stana Katic Ousted from ABC’s “Castle” As Network, Producers Ponder Killing Character

OK, this is downright weird. Stana Katic is beautiful and smart. She’s the only reason I’ve ever looked at an episode of “Castle,” usually in reruns. Okay. I also like Susan Sullivan a lot.

But Katic’s chemistry with Nathan Fillion gave the show a “Moonlighting” feel. Guess what? Cybill Shepherd and Bruce Willis hated each other. And we knew it the whole time the show was on the air.

Evidently, Katic and Fillion are not fond of each other either. So yesterday ABC announced that if they renew the show for a 9th season, Katic won’t return. Last year they signed her to a one year deal. Deal is up now. Her character, Beckett, may get killed so they can retool the show as “Archie Bunker’s Place.” In that show, they killed off Edith Bunker so Carroll O’Connor could go on a few seasons more.

It was a bust. And this will be too? Does anyone want to see Beckett killed next month, and have Castle move with his his family and friends to a new location? No, I didn’t think so.

Katic knew this was coming. She’s got four movies in the can according to the IMDB. She’s already made the transition off the show. She’s all set.

But really, more years of “Castle”? Eight is enough. Let this thing die already.

Golden Globes Announce Changes To Curtail Some Members’ Conspicuous Hollywood Swinging

Roger Friedman
-
0
Golden Globes Announce Changes To Curtail Some Members’ Conspicuous Hollywood Swinging

Ouch! It’s a new world at the Hollywood Foreign Press. Rule changes announced today will cut back severely on the conspicuous partying and junketeering of some of the more, uh, sociable members.

The Globes announced they will take place on January 8th– a week earlier than usual. And now there’s no campaigning or carrying on between nominations announced– usually a month earlier– and the awards day.

That will be a big change for certain members of the HFPA who love a good canape and a glass of white wine. Now the studios won’t be able to wine and dine them during that crucial month long period– which is also during the Christmas holiday time.

Academy voters, however, will be able to feel the benefit of studio largesse until mid January, when Oscar nominations are announced.

The other biggest change will be dramas actually being in the Drama category. Musicals and comedies will adhere strictly to those real words. A few jokes or a little music will no longer push a drama into the latter category because the studio thinks it can win that way as a strategy.

The HFPA continues to struggle with change, to be taken seriously. They’re making progress.


Here are the areas rule changes:

Defining the drama/comedy distinction
Defining “original score” and specifying who should receive that award
Specifying who should receive the screenplay award
Providing procedures for determining whether motion pictures meet the “foreign language” requirements
Changing the foreign language motion picture eligibility period to a 15-month period to coincide with the Academy’s eligibility period
Specifying that qualifying motion picture screenings may not be held at HFPA offices
Changing the requirement of screeners (in addition to screenings) for foreign language motion pictures to a strong recommendation
Revising the distinction between motion picture and television categories to recognize the development of pay-per-view television series
Including a reference to “special” Golden Globe awards (already provided for in the bylaws)
Providing more details on the reminders list process and specifying our use of the 2/3 rule to overturn a studio’s category submission
Providing for a blackout period when studios and publicists may not lobby HFPA members about award classification issues
Allowing for advance determinations of categories upon request in August each year
Including the rule against inviting members to events with nominees during the period after the nominations are announced
Providing rules for advertisements referring to the Golden Globes

Broadway: “Hamilton” Wins Pulitzer Prize for Drama, Lin-Miranda Manuel “Grateful”

Roger Friedman
-
0
Broadway: “Hamilton” Wins Pulitzer Prize for Drama, Lin-Miranda Manuel “Grateful”

The best of this year’s Pulitzer Prizes goes to “Hamilton,” the genius of a musical by Lin-Miranda Manuel. When he heard the news, he immediately Tweeted: “Grateful” for 140 characters. “Hamilton” will also win the Tony Award for Best Musical and all the other awards it’s eligible for. It’s a rare piece that actually feels like art, and needs to be publicly rewarded.


2016 Pulitzer Prize winners

JOURNALISM

Public Service: The Associated Press

Breaking News Reporting: The Los Angeles Times

Investigative Reporting: Leonora LaPeter Anton and Anthony Cormier of the Tampa Bay News and Michael Braga of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune

Explanatory Reporting: T. Christian Miller of ProPublica and Ken Armstrong of the Marshall Project

Local Reporting: Tampa Bay Times

National Reporting: The Washington Post

International Reporting: Alissa J. Rubin of The New York Times

Feature Writing: Kathryn Schulz of The New Yorker

Commentary: Farah Stockman of the Boston Globe

Criticism: Emily Nussbaum of The New Yorker

Editorial Writing: John Hackworth of Sun Newspapers, Charlotte Harbor, Florida

Editorial Cartooning: Jack Ohman of The Sacramento Bee

Breaking News Photography: Mauricio Lima, Sergey Ponomarev, Tyler Hicks, Daniel Etter of the New York Times; and the photography staff of Thomson Reuters

Feature Photography: Jessica Rinaldi of the Boston Globe

LETTERS, DRAMA & MUSIC

Fiction: Viet Thanh Nguyen for The Sympathizer

Drama: Lin-Manuel Miranda for Hamilton

History: T.J. Stiles for Custer’s Trials: A Life on the Frontier of a New America

Biography or Autobiography: William Finnegan for Barbarian Days: A Surfing Life

Poetry: Peter Balakian for Ozone Journal

General Non-Fiction: Joby Warrick for Black Flags: The Rise of ISIS

Music: Henry Threadgill for In for a Penny, In for a Pound

“Good Wife” Creator Admits Will Gardner Was Killed Off Because Josh Charles Wanted Out

Roger Friedman
-
0
“Good Wife” Creator Admits Will Gardner Was Killed Off Because Josh Charles Wanted Out

There was a lot going on at last night’s screening of “The Good Wife” with cast and crew. The big news came when the show’s co-creator Robert King (with wife Michelle) admitted why Will Gardner was shot dead in season 5.

julianna1“I always knew someone would die during the telling of the story,” said King. “But when they told me Josh Charles didn’t want to renew his contact, I said, F— him. He’s the one.”

And that’s how these things work, you know. The Kings were joined by Julianna Margulies, Cush Jumbo, and Matt Czuchry for a Q&A after the screening of the episode that aired later last night.

The actors were asked which other character they’d like to play on the show. Margulies, who plays the lead, Alicia Florrick, responded with “Eli Gold.” That’s the character played by Alan Cummings.

Margulies just wrapped the last episode. She told me: “Kerry Washington said I should just take long vacation now.” Margulies added: “I told my agents I don’t want to see anything for a while. I want people to miss me a little.” In other words, she’s not jumping right back into a new series or a movie.

The Kings, meantime, are three episodes into shooting a new show for CBS called “Brain Damage,” a spoof about politicians in Washington, DC. Aaron Tveit, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, and Tony Shalhoub star. King told me the show is about people who’ve had their brains damaged by bugs. Hmmmm…

Other news: it seems like despite being dead, Will Gardner– aka Josh Charles– will make a ghostly appearance in the final episode. And it did seem as though Alicia will end up with Jason (Jeffrey Dean Morgan). Actress Cush Jumbo did say, “Everyone should feel satisfied” by the ending.

inside photo by Paula Schwartz c2016 Showbiz411

1...1,5121,5131,514...2,323Page 1,513 of 2,323

Hollywood to the Hudson

Company

Trending

Categories

© Showbiz411.com