Jerry Herman’s musical “Hello, Dolly!” dominated the 18th Tony Awards which took place at the New York Hilton on May 24, 1964. “Hello, Dolly!” entered the ceremony with 11 nominations and walked out with ten awards including best musical, best actress for Carol Channing, original score for Herman and for Gower Champion’s choreography and direction.
Other musicals in contention for multiple awards that year were “High Spirits,” based on Noel Coward’s classic comedy “Blithe Spirit,” “Funny Girl,” which transformed Barbra Streisand into a Broadway superstar, and “110 in the Shade,” based on the straight play “The Rainmaker.”
Bert Lahr, best known as the Cowardly Lion in the 1939 classic “The Wizard of Oz,” won lead actor in a musical for “Foxy,” based on Ben Jonson’s “Volpone.” The musical was not a hit closed after 72 performances. Also nominated in the category was Bob Fosse for a short-lived revival of Rodgers and Hart’s “Pal Joey.
Other musicals in contention for multiple awards that year were “High Spirits,” based on Noel Coward’s classic comedy “Blithe Spirit,” “Funny Girl,” which transformed Barbra Streisand into a Broadway superstar, and “110 in the Shade,” based on the straight play “The Rainmaker.”
Bert Lahr, best known as the Cowardly Lion in the 1939 classic “The Wizard of Oz,” won lead actor in a musical for “Foxy,” based on Ben Jonson’s “Volpone.” The musical was not a hit closed after 72 performances. Also nominated in the category was Bob Fosse for a short-lived revival of Rodgers and Hart’s “Pal Joey.
- 5/15/2024
- by Susan King
- Gold Derby
The original 1964 Broadway production of "Hello, Dolly!" was considered a showcase for its star, Carol Channing, and little else. At the time, critics were not entirely kind, saying the show had "unnecessary vulgar and frenzied touches," and that they "wouldn't say that Jerry Herman's score is memorable." Despite the middling reviews, "Hello, Dolly!" won 10 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Leading Actress (for Channing), Best Direction, Best Choreography, and Best Original Score.
The mid-'60s were a weirdly fraught time for major Hollywood musicals, as the genre provided some of the era's biggest hits, but also some of its biggest bombs. In 1964, Disney had a big hit with "Mary Poppins" and Warner Bros. made bank with "My Fair Lady," so musicals were suddenly on the rise. In 1965, Fox released "The Sound of Music," adapted from the stage production by Rodgers and Hammerstein, and it proved to be one of...
The mid-'60s were a weirdly fraught time for major Hollywood musicals, as the genre provided some of the era's biggest hits, but also some of its biggest bombs. In 1964, Disney had a big hit with "Mary Poppins" and Warner Bros. made bank with "My Fair Lady," so musicals were suddenly on the rise. In 1965, Fox released "The Sound of Music," adapted from the stage production by Rodgers and Hammerstein, and it proved to be one of...
- 5/5/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
With the 96th Academy Awards in the history books, it’s time to become obsessed over the 77th Tony Awards. Nominations are April 30th with the awards set to air on CBS on June 16 from Lincoln Center. Among the contenders for Tony nominations are many musicals based on movies including “Back to the Future,’ “The Notebook,” “Water for Elephants” and “The Outsiders”: high profile revivals such as Ibsen’s “An Enemy of the People” with Jeremy Strong; “Cabaret” with Oscar-winner Eddie Redmayne and the Who’s “Tommy”; imports from London and transfers from off-Broadway.
Do you remember the Tony landscape 50 years ago? The 28th annual honors took place April 21, 1974, at the Shubert Theater and aired on ABC. And to say it was a star-studded affair is something of an understatement. Robert Preston, Peter Falk, Cicely Tyson, Florence Henderson hosted; presenters included Al Pacino –-let’s hope he had better...
Do you remember the Tony landscape 50 years ago? The 28th annual honors took place April 21, 1974, at the Shubert Theater and aired on ABC. And to say it was a star-studded affair is something of an understatement. Robert Preston, Peter Falk, Cicely Tyson, Florence Henderson hosted; presenters included Al Pacino –-let’s hope he had better...
- 3/14/2024
- by Susan King
- Gold Derby
Update, with new opening date: Producers of Gerard Alessandrini’s Forbidden Broadway on Broadway: Merrily We Stole a Song have moved up the preview and opening dates by two weeks, with previews now beginning on July 15 ahead of an official opening on August 5 at the Hayes Theatre. The limited engagement runs through November 1.
Alessandrini’s longtime Off Broadway satirical revue Forbidden Broadway will make its long-in-coming Broadway debut with the full title of the new iteration called Forbidden Broadway on Broadway: Merrily We Stole a Song
The cast and the rest of the creative team will be announced later. In addition to a five-person cast including the onstage pianist, weekly guest stars will appear throughout the engagement.
Alessandrini, who first staged the revue in 1982 at New York’s 130-seat Palsson’s Supper Club, said in a statement today, “I’d never have believed that Forbidden Broadway would end up on...
Alessandrini’s longtime Off Broadway satirical revue Forbidden Broadway will make its long-in-coming Broadway debut with the full title of the new iteration called Forbidden Broadway on Broadway: Merrily We Stole a Song
The cast and the rest of the creative team will be announced later. In addition to a five-person cast including the onstage pianist, weekly guest stars will appear throughout the engagement.
Alessandrini, who first staged the revue in 1982 at New York’s 130-seat Palsson’s Supper Club, said in a statement today, “I’d never have believed that Forbidden Broadway would end up on...
- 2/29/2024
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Has any entertainment scripted project ever featured more Oscar winners? Tour our special Valentine’s Day photo gallery to see which 33 Academy Awards champs made appearances on the very popular Aaron Spelling show “The Love Boat.”
For one full decade of 1977 to 1987, ABC could count on its comedy/drama series “The Love Boat” to bring in millions of audience members on Saturday nights. The show would have multiple story arcs (often three for a one-hour episode) with five to 10 celebrity guest stars each time. Some arcs were playing out for laughs, others for romance and the remainder could take on tough issues. The show airs daily on the Decades network and on Sunday afternoons for Me-tv. You can also stream every episode on Paramount+.
Regular cast members would either take command of some segments or be in the backseat on others. The charming actors throughout the decade were Gavin MacLeod...
For one full decade of 1977 to 1987, ABC could count on its comedy/drama series “The Love Boat” to bring in millions of audience members on Saturday nights. The show would have multiple story arcs (often three for a one-hour episode) with five to 10 celebrity guest stars each time. Some arcs were playing out for laughs, others for romance and the remainder could take on tough issues. The show airs daily on the Decades network and on Sunday afternoons for Me-tv. You can also stream every episode on Paramount+.
Regular cast members would either take command of some segments or be in the backseat on others. The charming actors throughout the decade were Gavin MacLeod...
- 2/13/2024
- by Chris Beachum
- Gold Derby
Film historians, critics and cineastes have heralded 1939 as the greatest year for Hollywood films. It was the year that saw the release of such classics as “Gone with the Wind,” “Stagecoach,” “Love Affair,” “The Wizard of Oz,” “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington,” “Young Mr. Lincoln” and “Wuthering Heights.” That’s just the tip of the iceberg
But what about Broadway? A case can be made for 1964, which saw the debuts of three musicals that became classics: “Fiddler on the Roof,” “Funny Girl” and “Hello, Dolly!”
Broadway was changing in the 1960s. Oscar Hammerstein II died in 1960; Irving Berlin’s last show was the disappointing 1962 “Mr. President”; and Cole Porter, who died in 1964, hadn’t had a musical on Broadway since the 1950s. Sixty years ago, a group of young talented composers and lyricists were the toast of the Great White Way.
Like Jerry Herman. He was all of 30 when “Milk...
But what about Broadway? A case can be made for 1964, which saw the debuts of three musicals that became classics: “Fiddler on the Roof,” “Funny Girl” and “Hello, Dolly!”
Broadway was changing in the 1960s. Oscar Hammerstein II died in 1960; Irving Berlin’s last show was the disappointing 1962 “Mr. President”; and Cole Porter, who died in 1964, hadn’t had a musical on Broadway since the 1950s. Sixty years ago, a group of young talented composers and lyricists were the toast of the Great White Way.
Like Jerry Herman. He was all of 30 when “Milk...
- 2/1/2024
- by Susan King
- Gold Derby
John Legend named his favorite Beatles song and he made a good choice. His explanation, however, was awful. He said a certain Beatles song stuck out to him because it was adapted into a movie. That movie was so terrible George Harrison publicly attacked it.
John Legend’s favorite Beatles song is from ‘Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’
During a 2009 interview with Cleveland.com, Legend was asked to name his favorite song by The Beatles. He picked the title track from Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. While that tune isn’t as acclaimed as “Yesterday” or “Strawberry Fields Forever,” it boasts a catchy hard-rock riff and some of the Fab Four’s trademarked British humor.
“That sticks out because of the movie,” Legend said. “Everything they did … incredible talent, man. It’s just amazing how great they were, how they influenced our culture, and how the music still stands up today.
John Legend’s favorite Beatles song is from ‘Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’
During a 2009 interview with Cleveland.com, Legend was asked to name his favorite song by The Beatles. He picked the title track from Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. While that tune isn’t as acclaimed as “Yesterday” or “Strawberry Fields Forever,” it boasts a catchy hard-rock riff and some of the Fab Four’s trademarked British humor.
“That sticks out because of the movie,” Legend said. “Everything they did … incredible talent, man. It’s just amazing how great they were, how they influenced our culture, and how the music still stands up today.
- 1/18/2024
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Roald Dahl's novel "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" was first published in 1963, and has been a perennial classroom favorite ever since. The story tells the tale of an impoverished, Dickensian moppet named Charlie who wins a sweepstakes held by the chocolate factory in his town. The chocolate factory, overseen by an eccentric recluse named Willy Wonka, produced sweets with eerie, magical powers; multi-flavored chewing gum caused its chewer to expand into a massive blueberry. That sort of thing. Of all the children who won Willy Wonka's sweepstakes, only Charlie survived the tour. Well, the other kids survived, but definitely the worse for wear.
Dahl's book was first adapted to a feature film in 1971, but that was only the first adaptation of many. The BBC adapted the book into a radio drama in 1983, and Zx Spectrum adapted it into a video game in 1985. There was a second video game...
Dahl's book was first adapted to a feature film in 1971, but that was only the first adaptation of many. The BBC adapted the book into a radio drama in 1983, and Zx Spectrum adapted it into a video game in 1985. There was a second video game...
- 1/14/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
In 1964 Barbra Streisand became a star when she opened the original Broadway production of “Funny Girl” as real-life actress, singer and comedian Fanny Brice. Despite rave reviews, she ended up losing the Tony for Best Actress in a Musical to Carol Channing for “Hello, Dolly!” But in 1968 Babs made her motion picture debut in a film adaptation of “Funny Girl” directed by William Wyler, reprising her role as Fanny. She went on to win the Oscar for Best Actress (famously in a tie with Katharine Hepburn for “The Lion in Winter”). In 1970 Eileen Heckart was Tony nominated for her featured performance as Mrs. Baker in “Butterflies are Free,” but lost to her co-star Blythe Danner. But in 1972 Heckart reprised her role in a film adaptation, which won her an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress.
SEERay Richmond: Oprah discusses taking her ‘The Color Purple’ journey full circle following Thursday night world...
SEERay Richmond: Oprah discusses taking her ‘The Color Purple’ journey full circle following Thursday night world...
- 11/29/2023
- by Jeffrey Kare
- Gold Derby
Exclusive: The Crown’s Imelda Staunton will lead a revival of the classic Jerry Herman-Michael Stewart Broadway musical Hello, Dolly! into the Andrew Lloyd Webber-owned London Palladium next summer.
Echoing words in composer and lyricist Herman’s titular number, the show’s producer Michael Harrison observed that “it’s so nice to have Imelda back on stage where she belongs.”
Directed by Dominic Cooke, the production — with Staunton playing matchmaker Dolly Levi — will begin performances at the Palladium on July 6 for a strictly limited 10-week season ending September 14.
The Palladium, designed by Frank Matcham, opened on a site close to Oxford Circus in 1910, the year King Edward VII died. It was to become a favorite venue of the Royal Family, often hosting the annual Royal Variety Show in the presence of the late Queen Elizabeth II, great-granddaughter of Edward VII.
Related: 2023 Premiere Dates For New & Returning Series On Broadcast,...
Echoing words in composer and lyricist Herman’s titular number, the show’s producer Michael Harrison observed that “it’s so nice to have Imelda back on stage where she belongs.”
Directed by Dominic Cooke, the production — with Staunton playing matchmaker Dolly Levi — will begin performances at the Palladium on July 6 for a strictly limited 10-week season ending September 14.
The Palladium, designed by Frank Matcham, opened on a site close to Oxford Circus in 1910, the year King Edward VII died. It was to become a favorite venue of the Royal Family, often hosting the annual Royal Variety Show in the presence of the late Queen Elizabeth II, great-granddaughter of Edward VII.
Related: 2023 Premiere Dates For New & Returning Series On Broadcast,...
- 11/1/2023
- by Baz Bamigboye
- Deadline Film + TV
Nipples, sharks and police protests: Inside the madness and mishaps of the Super Bowl half-time show
In just 12 seconds of fast-cut posing, strafed with stadium lights, Rihanna got more pulses racing than a full three hours of American football. The teaser clip posted online from rehearsals for Ri-Ri’s forthcoming half-time show at the Super Bowl Lvii might not have revealed much about her plans, beyond the likelihood of her performing in an outfit from the limited-edition Game Day collection from her own Savage X Fenty fashion line. But for her fans, this was last-second-touchdown stuff: the 2023 Super Bowl will mark her first live performance since the Grammys in 2018 and, considering the half-time show’s claim on the title of biggest pop show on Earth, it’s expected to be a comeback drop-kicked clean out of the park.
After all, over the past 30 years the half-time show has become renowned as the year’s greatest miniature musical extravaganza, the 12-minute stadium show-cum-Olympic Opening Ceremony you can construct in just six minutes.
After all, over the past 30 years the half-time show has become renowned as the year’s greatest miniature musical extravaganza, the 12-minute stadium show-cum-Olympic Opening Ceremony you can construct in just six minutes.
- 2/11/2023
- by Mark Beaumont
- The Independent - Music
Carole Cook, “Sixteen Candles” actress, Broadway star and longtime collaborator and friend of Lucille Ball, has died. She was 98. Cook’s rep, Robert Malcolm, confirmed the sad news to Et on Wednesday, revealing that Cook died three days shy of her 99th birthday.
“She was one of my favourites. She passed away from heart failure today. She was in the hospital. She came home last week. Her birthday would have been Saturday. She would have been 99. She died peacefully, and her husband was there,” Malcolm shared.
“She was a wonderfully gifted and outrageous woman. She could say the dirtiest things and you would never be offended,” he added. “She was a lovely, lovely person. She was an incredibly talented woman and loved what she did.”
Cook came to Hollywood in 1959 from Texas, getting her start on an episode of Ball’s “Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse”. Born Mildred Frances Cook, Ball convinced...
“She was one of my favourites. She passed away from heart failure today. She was in the hospital. She came home last week. Her birthday would have been Saturday. She would have been 99. She died peacefully, and her husband was there,” Malcolm shared.
“She was a wonderfully gifted and outrageous woman. She could say the dirtiest things and you would never be offended,” he added. “She was a lovely, lovely person. She was an incredibly talented woman and loved what she did.”
Cook came to Hollywood in 1959 from Texas, getting her start on an episode of Ball’s “Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse”. Born Mildred Frances Cook, Ball convinced...
- 1/12/2023
- by Becca Longmire
- ET Canada
The famed star of stage and screen, Carole Cook, has died of heart failure at the age of 98. Born Mildred Francis Cook, the actor was given the stage name Carole by her longtime friend and mentor Lucille Ball and it stuck for her entire 60-year career.
Starting in the late 1950s, Cook was a staple on television, appearing on shows like "U.S. Marshalls," "The Lucy Show," "The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis," "McMillan & Wife," "Maude," "Baretta," "Charlie's Angels," "Kojak," "The Love Boat," "Murder, She Wrote," "Grey's Anatomy," and "Dynasty," to name but a small sampling of her credits list.
She was almost as prolific on the stage as she was on television, appearing in a ton of big-name shows. She notably was the second actor to fill in for the role of Dolly Levi in "Hello, Dolly!" after Carol Channing and appeared in shows on and off Broadway...
Starting in the late 1950s, Cook was a staple on television, appearing on shows like "U.S. Marshalls," "The Lucy Show," "The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis," "McMillan & Wife," "Maude," "Baretta," "Charlie's Angels," "Kojak," "The Love Boat," "Murder, She Wrote," "Grey's Anatomy," and "Dynasty," to name but a small sampling of her credits list.
She was almost as prolific on the stage as she was on television, appearing in a ton of big-name shows. She notably was the second actor to fill in for the role of Dolly Levi in "Hello, Dolly!" after Carol Channing and appeared in shows on and off Broadway...
- 1/12/2023
- by Eric Vespe
- Slash Film
Carole Cook, a veteran stage and screen actor who was a protégé of Lucille Ball, has died in Beverly Hills, Calif., of heart failure. She was 98.
Cook was known for her guest roles on “The Lucy Show” from 1963-68 and “Here’s Lucy” from 1969-74. She began her acting career in 1959 when Ball requested she appear in an episode of “Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse” titled, “The Desilu Revue.”
In films, Cook was known for her role as Molly Ringwald’s Grandma Helen in the 1984 John Hughes rom-com, “Sixteen Candles.” She also appeared in “The Incredible Mr. Limpet,” “Palm Springs Weekend,” “American Gigolo,” “The Gauntlet,” “Grandview, U.S.A.,” “Summer Lovers” and “A Very Sordid Wedding.”
In addition to her television work with Ball, Cook guest starred on “The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis,” “U.S. Marshal,” “Daniel Boone,” “My World and Welcome to It,” “That Girl,” “Baretta,” “Starsky and Hutch,” “Charlie’s Angels,...
Cook was known for her guest roles on “The Lucy Show” from 1963-68 and “Here’s Lucy” from 1969-74. She began her acting career in 1959 when Ball requested she appear in an episode of “Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse” titled, “The Desilu Revue.”
In films, Cook was known for her role as Molly Ringwald’s Grandma Helen in the 1984 John Hughes rom-com, “Sixteen Candles.” She also appeared in “The Incredible Mr. Limpet,” “Palm Springs Weekend,” “American Gigolo,” “The Gauntlet,” “Grandview, U.S.A.,” “Summer Lovers” and “A Very Sordid Wedding.”
In addition to her television work with Ball, Cook guest starred on “The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis,” “U.S. Marshal,” “Daniel Boone,” “My World and Welcome to It,” “That Girl,” “Baretta,” “Starsky and Hutch,” “Charlie’s Angels,...
- 1/12/2023
- by Michaela Zee
- Variety Film + TV
Carole Cook, who used a career boost from Lucille Ball to build a career that included three turns on Broadway and roles in Sixteen Candles and The Incredible Mr. Limpet, has died. She was 98.
Cook died of heart failure on Wednesday, three days shy of her birthday, in Beverly Hills, her husband, actor Tom Troupe, announced.
On television, Cook showed up as the ex-wife of Walter Findlay (Bill Macy) on Maude, as the bar owner of the cop hangout Stella’s on Kojak, as madam Cora Van Husen on Dynasty and as Donna La Mar, the girlfriend of Charlie Cagney (Dick O’Neill), on Cagney & Lacey.
The fun-loving Texan came to Hollywood at Ball’s behest and appeared on a 1959 episode of the comedienne’s Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse. Ball convinced her to change her first name from Mildred to Carole in honor of the actress she most admired, Carole Lombard.
Cook...
Cook died of heart failure on Wednesday, three days shy of her birthday, in Beverly Hills, her husband, actor Tom Troupe, announced.
On television, Cook showed up as the ex-wife of Walter Findlay (Bill Macy) on Maude, as the bar owner of the cop hangout Stella’s on Kojak, as madam Cora Van Husen on Dynasty and as Donna La Mar, the girlfriend of Charlie Cagney (Dick O’Neill), on Cagney & Lacey.
The fun-loving Texan came to Hollywood at Ball’s behest and appeared on a 1959 episode of the comedienne’s Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse. Ball convinced her to change her first name from Mildred to Carole in honor of the actress she most admired, Carole Lombard.
Cook...
- 1/11/2023
- by Mike Barnes
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Alan Copeland, the songwriter, Grammy-winning arranger and ultra-smooth vocalist known for his many years with The Modernaires and performances on Your Hit Parade and The Red Skelton Hour, has died. He was 96.
Copeland died Dec. 28 in an assisted living facility in Sonora, California, his friend Bob Lehmann told The Hollywood Reporter.
As recently as this fall, Copeland was still singing and playing keyboards in a quartet called Now You Hazz Jazz. “It was his dream to play in a small group until the last curtain, that’s how he termed it,” said Lehmann, the drummer.
Copeland wrote or co-wrote songs including “Make Love to Me” — Jo Stafford’s version made it to No. 1 on the Billboard chart in 1954 — “Too Young to Know,” “High Society,” “This Must Be the Place, “Darling, Darling, Darling” and “While the Vesper Bells Were Ringing.”
After taking arranging lessons from Henry Mancini, he arranged vocals for...
Copeland died Dec. 28 in an assisted living facility in Sonora, California, his friend Bob Lehmann told The Hollywood Reporter.
As recently as this fall, Copeland was still singing and playing keyboards in a quartet called Now You Hazz Jazz. “It was his dream to play in a small group until the last curtain, that’s how he termed it,” said Lehmann, the drummer.
Copeland wrote or co-wrote songs including “Make Love to Me” — Jo Stafford’s version made it to No. 1 on the Billboard chart in 1954 — “Too Young to Know,” “High Society,” “This Must Be the Place, “Darling, Darling, Darling” and “While the Vesper Bells Were Ringing.”
After taking arranging lessons from Henry Mancini, he arranged vocals for...
- 1/7/2023
- by Mike Barnes
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
On Nov. 25, 1992, Disney released an animated film that would go on to become one of its all-time most beloved classics, “Aladdin”.
Retelling the “Arabian Nights” tale of the “street rat” who discovered a tarnished lamp that had imprisoned a genie — played to hilarious perfection by the late Robin Williams — “Aladdin” went on to become one of Disney’s biggest hits and continues to entertain new generations of children.
Read More: Robin Williams’ Grandson Is Learning About Him Through ‘Aladdin’
In honour of the film’s 30th anniversary, check out these 10 facts about the film that you may not have known.
1. In a possible nod to “Pinocchio”, Aladdin has a “tell” whenever he tells a lie: the feather in his turban falls in his face whenever he fibs.
2. Steven Spielberg, who was filming “Schindler’s List” at that time, regularly called Williams to speak with the cast and crew in order to...
Retelling the “Arabian Nights” tale of the “street rat” who discovered a tarnished lamp that had imprisoned a genie — played to hilarious perfection by the late Robin Williams — “Aladdin” went on to become one of Disney’s biggest hits and continues to entertain new generations of children.
Read More: Robin Williams’ Grandson Is Learning About Him Through ‘Aladdin’
In honour of the film’s 30th anniversary, check out these 10 facts about the film that you may not have known.
1. In a possible nod to “Pinocchio”, Aladdin has a “tell” whenever he tells a lie: the feather in his turban falls in his face whenever he fibs.
2. Steven Spielberg, who was filming “Schindler’s List” at that time, regularly called Williams to speak with the cast and crew in order to...
- 11/25/2022
- by Brent Furdyk
- ET Canada
I’ve been covering the Tony Awards for years but I had never stepped foot inside of Broadway’s biggest celebration until this year. When offered the last minute opportunity to attend the 75th Annual Tony Awards, I leapt at the chance to experience the awards show first hand. Here’s what it looks like to get ready for the big event with barely any notice, and what its like to sit inside Radio City Music Hall.
My invite came just a day before the telecast and so I hurriedly arranged a trip to the barber and began piecing together an outfit. Then horror struck on the day of the Tonys: I couldn’t find my black dress shoes anywhere. Did I leave them in the hotel on my last trip? Did I accidentally put them in the bag of clothes I donated to Goodwill? Who knows, but it was already 3pm.
My invite came just a day before the telecast and so I hurriedly arranged a trip to the barber and began piecing together an outfit. Then horror struck on the day of the Tonys: I couldn’t find my black dress shoes anywhere. Did I leave them in the hotel on my last trip? Did I accidentally put them in the bag of clothes I donated to Goodwill? Who knows, but it was already 3pm.
- 6/15/2022
- by Sam Eckmann
- Gold Derby
What do the 25th and 75th Tony Awards have in common? The landmark Stephen Sondheim/George Furth musical “Company,” Angela Lansbury and the beloved tuner “The Music Man.”
The gender-bender revival of “Company” is considered the front-runner for the Tony for Best Musical Revival as well as featured actress for Broadway legend Patti LuPone who brings down the house with “Ladies Who Lunch.” Elaine Stritch originated the LuPone’s character of Joanne; her rendition of “Ladies Who Lunch” is considered one of the indelible show-stopping numbers in Broadway history. Stritch was considered a shoo-in for lead actress but lost to Helen Gallagher for the revival of -the 1920s musical “No, No Nanette.” Go figure. Gallagher was good, but she wasn’t as great as Stritch.
The original “Company” waltzed into the Tony Awards — which took place at the Palace Theatre on March 28, 1971 — with a whopping 14 nominations and won six including Best Musical,...
The gender-bender revival of “Company” is considered the front-runner for the Tony for Best Musical Revival as well as featured actress for Broadway legend Patti LuPone who brings down the house with “Ladies Who Lunch.” Elaine Stritch originated the LuPone’s character of Joanne; her rendition of “Ladies Who Lunch” is considered one of the indelible show-stopping numbers in Broadway history. Stritch was considered a shoo-in for lead actress but lost to Helen Gallagher for the revival of -the 1920s musical “No, No Nanette.” Go figure. Gallagher was good, but she wasn’t as great as Stritch.
The original “Company” waltzed into the Tony Awards — which took place at the Palace Theatre on March 28, 1971 — with a whopping 14 nominations and won six including Best Musical,...
- 6/1/2022
- by Susan King
- Gold Derby
It has been recorded in previous Drag Race reviews how I believe that a musical challenge on the opening episode is the perfect way to open any season! On regular seasons of Drag Race, these lyric writing challenges give the queens an opportunity to introduce themselves to the audience which is especially important for early eliminations. For the first episode of all winners Drag Race All-Stars, the queens had to write, record and perform an original verse to Ru Paul’s song “Legends” that matched the prestige of the extremely successful queens involved. This song was the perfect opportunity for the queens to reintroduce themselves to the viewers (as one of them competed just over twelve years ago) but also allowed them to inject their performance with bucket loads of personality that reminds everyone why they won their original seasons! The track itself is available on Spotify and has been...
- 5/31/2022
- by Rhys Payne
- Nerdly
George Shapiro, the deeply respected talent manager, producer and co-founder of Shapiro/West & Associates, died Thursday evening of natural causes at his home in Beverly Hills. He was 91.
Along with his partner and childhood friend Howard West, Shapiro was personal manager to comedy greats Jerry Seinfeld, Andy Kaufman and Carl Reiner, among others. He and West would go on to executive produce Seinfeld, one of the top comedy series of all time.
Born in New York, Shapiro spent summers during his teenage years as a lifeguard at the Tamiment Resort in the Poconos, where he met performers like Dick Shawn, Pat Carroll and Carol Burnett, singer Barbara Cook, and choreographer Herb Ross. That’s when he also got to know talent agents.
“These guys came up … I didn’t even know what an agent was, but they came to see the show, to talk to the girls, talk to the comedians,...
Along with his partner and childhood friend Howard West, Shapiro was personal manager to comedy greats Jerry Seinfeld, Andy Kaufman and Carl Reiner, among others. He and West would go on to executive produce Seinfeld, one of the top comedy series of all time.
Born in New York, Shapiro spent summers during his teenage years as a lifeguard at the Tamiment Resort in the Poconos, where he met performers like Dick Shawn, Pat Carroll and Carol Burnett, singer Barbara Cook, and choreographer Herb Ross. That’s when he also got to know talent agents.
“These guys came up … I didn’t even know what an agent was, but they came to see the show, to talk to the girls, talk to the comedians,...
- 5/28/2022
- by Lynette Rice
- Deadline Film + TV
For all those people who have been dying to hear the music that makes you dance once again on a Broadway stage, “Funny Girl” has finally returned after a 58-year absence. Beanie Feldstein steps into the role of performer Fanny Brice, which made Barbra Streisand a sensation decades ago. Ramin Karimloo is her gambling love interest Nicky Arnstein, and Jane Lynch her mother. Boasting a classic score by Jule Styne and Bob Merrill, this production features Harvey Fierstein’s revisions to Isobel Lennart’s original book, and Michael Mayer‘s direction. “Funny Girl” opened at the August Wilson Theatre on April 24.
With such high expectations for the long-awaited return of this musical theatre favorite, it would have been hard for any production to hit the mark, and most critics think this “Funny Girl” missed. In one of the positive notices, Mark Kennedy (Associated Press) calls Feldstein’s interpretation of Brice “earthy,...
With such high expectations for the long-awaited return of this musical theatre favorite, it would have been hard for any production to hit the mark, and most critics think this “Funny Girl” missed. In one of the positive notices, Mark Kennedy (Associated Press) calls Feldstein’s interpretation of Brice “earthy,...
- 4/27/2022
- by David Buchanan
- Gold Derby
Barbra Streisand was all of 21 when she opened on Broadway in 1964 in the role that made her one of the greatest stars: Fanny Brice in the musical “Funny Girl.” And on her 80th birthday April 24, Jonah Hill’s baby sister Beanie Feldstein stars in Streisand’s signature role in the first rialto revival of the bio-musical.
In commemoration of Brice, Streisand and Feldstein here are some fun facts, tidbits and trivia about the musical.
Who was Fanny Brice?
Brice, who was born in 1891, was just 18 when she made her Broadway debut in “Ziegfeld Follies of 1910.” She headlined a series of shows for the next quarter-century with the last being “Ziegfeld Follies of 1936.” She made her film debut in 1928’s “My Man,” appeared as herself in 1936’s “The Great Ziegfeld” and made her last screen appearance in 1945’s “Ziegfeld Follies.” She was best known for playing a mischievous little girl named Baby Snooks.
In commemoration of Brice, Streisand and Feldstein here are some fun facts, tidbits and trivia about the musical.
Who was Fanny Brice?
Brice, who was born in 1891, was just 18 when she made her Broadway debut in “Ziegfeld Follies of 1910.” She headlined a series of shows for the next quarter-century with the last being “Ziegfeld Follies of 1936.” She made her film debut in 1928’s “My Man,” appeared as herself in 1936’s “The Great Ziegfeld” and made her last screen appearance in 1945’s “Ziegfeld Follies.” She was best known for playing a mischievous little girl named Baby Snooks.
- 4/23/2022
- by Susan King
- Gold Derby
In this year’s Tony Awards race for Best Actress in a Musical, there are three classic roles that have been nominated before, but haven’t won: Bobbie in “Company,” Caroline Thibodeaux in “Caroline, or Change,” and Fanny Brice in “Funny Girl.” Can any of them finally prevail this time?
See‘Hangmen’ could finally earn Martin McDonagh a long awaited Tony Award for Best Play
As of this writing Sharon D. Clarke is the front-runner according to the combined predictions of Gold Derby users with 9/2 odds. In “Caroline, or Change,” she played Caroline Thibodeaux, a 39-year-old African-American maid and a single mother of four working for a middle-class Jewish family in Louisiana back in 1963. For the original Broadway production back in 2004, Tonya Pinkins was the odds-on favorite to win Best Actress in a Musical for her performance as the title character. In what was considered to be a hotly contested race that year,...
See‘Hangmen’ could finally earn Martin McDonagh a long awaited Tony Award for Best Play
As of this writing Sharon D. Clarke is the front-runner according to the combined predictions of Gold Derby users with 9/2 odds. In “Caroline, or Change,” she played Caroline Thibodeaux, a 39-year-old African-American maid and a single mother of four working for a middle-class Jewish family in Louisiana back in 1963. For the original Broadway production back in 2004, Tonya Pinkins was the odds-on favorite to win Best Actress in a Musical for her performance as the title character. In what was considered to be a hotly contested race that year,...
- 4/14/2022
- by Jeffrey Kare
- Gold Derby
By this time next year, it’s possible that Beanie Feldstein could be three-quarters of the way to completing her Egot.
Last year Feldstein starred as Monica Lewinsky on the FX anthology series, “Impeachment: American Crime Story.” Portraying the intern whose affair with President Bill Clinton led to the titular disciplinary process puts her right in the middle of the upcoming Emmy race for Best Movie/Limited Actress. But getting the nomination will be no easy task in an immensely crowded field as she’s currently in 14th place in our Emmy odds.
See‘Take Me Out’ reviews: ‘Provocative’ revival poised to hit home run at Tony Awards
Among the many other notable names looking to get nominated are Margaret Qualley (“Maid”), Amanda Seyfried (“The Dropout”), Claire Foy (“A Very British Scandal”), Jessica Chastain (“Scenes from a Marriage”), Lily James (“Pam and Tommy”), Renee Zellweger (“The Thing About Pam”), the...
Last year Feldstein starred as Monica Lewinsky on the FX anthology series, “Impeachment: American Crime Story.” Portraying the intern whose affair with President Bill Clinton led to the titular disciplinary process puts her right in the middle of the upcoming Emmy race for Best Movie/Limited Actress. But getting the nomination will be no easy task in an immensely crowded field as she’s currently in 14th place in our Emmy odds.
See‘Take Me Out’ reviews: ‘Provocative’ revival poised to hit home run at Tony Awards
Among the many other notable names looking to get nominated are Margaret Qualley (“Maid”), Amanda Seyfried (“The Dropout”), Claire Foy (“A Very British Scandal”), Jessica Chastain (“Scenes from a Marriage”), Lily James (“Pam and Tommy”), Renee Zellweger (“The Thing About Pam”), the...
- 4/8/2022
- by Charles Bright
- Gold Derby
Has any entertainment scripted project ever featured more Oscar winners? Can you name all of them? Tour our special Valentine’s Day photo gallery to see which 32 Academy Awards champs made appearances sailing on the very popular Aaron Spelling show “The Love Boat.”
For one full decade of 1977 to 1987, ABC could count on its comedy/drama series “The Love Boat” to bring in millions of audience members on Saturday nights. The show would have multiple story arcs (often three for a one-hour episode) with five to 10 celebrity guest stars each time. Some arcs were playing out for laughs, others for romance and the remainder could take on tough issues. The show airs daily on the Decades network and on Sunday afternoons for Me-tv. You can also stream every episode on Paramount+.
SEE25 most passionate TV couples ever, ranked
Regular cast members would either take command of some segments or be in the backseat on others.
For one full decade of 1977 to 1987, ABC could count on its comedy/drama series “The Love Boat” to bring in millions of audience members on Saturday nights. The show would have multiple story arcs (often three for a one-hour episode) with five to 10 celebrity guest stars each time. Some arcs were playing out for laughs, others for romance and the remainder could take on tough issues. The show airs daily on the Decades network and on Sunday afternoons for Me-tv. You can also stream every episode on Paramount+.
SEE25 most passionate TV couples ever, ranked
Regular cast members would either take command of some segments or be in the backseat on others.
- 2/13/2022
- by Chris Beachum
- Gold Derby
Marionette Land is an intimate portrait into the wonderful world of charismatic puppeteer Robert Brock and his magical marionette theatre. Watch the Trailer:
Winner of Best Documentary at the 2021 Omaha Film Festival, “Marionette Land” will take you behind the curtain of the Lancaster Marionette Theatre and its eccentric owner Robert Brock, who lives above the tiny theatre with his 85-year-old mother, Mary Lou.
Brock has created his own world where he is in total control. He adapts and performs classic family shows like Peter Pan and Wizard of Oz but at the age of sixty-two he decides to bring back his grown-up cabaret show, “Divas and Dames.” The grown-up show features Brock dressing up and performing as Judy Garland, Liza Minnelli, Carol Channing, and other famous Hollywood stars of the past alongside a few marionettes.
The film chronicles Brock’s unique relationship with his mother and the revival of his...
Winner of Best Documentary at the 2021 Omaha Film Festival, “Marionette Land” will take you behind the curtain of the Lancaster Marionette Theatre and its eccentric owner Robert Brock, who lives above the tiny theatre with his 85-year-old mother, Mary Lou.
Brock has created his own world where he is in total control. He adapts and performs classic family shows like Peter Pan and Wizard of Oz but at the age of sixty-two he decides to bring back his grown-up cabaret show, “Divas and Dames.” The grown-up show features Brock dressing up and performing as Judy Garland, Liza Minnelli, Carol Channing, and other famous Hollywood stars of the past alongside a few marionettes.
The film chronicles Brock’s unique relationship with his mother and the revival of his...
- 12/14/2021
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Peter Palmer, who originated the title character in Broadway’s 1956 musical Li’l Abner and then reprised the role for the 1959 film adaptation, died Tuesday. He was 90.
His death was announced on Facebook by his son Steven Palmer, who noted that the actor died one day after his 90th birthday. No cause was given.
“As a family we knew this was coming and that’s why we had such a wonderful celebration of his birthday this weekend,” Steven Palmer wrote. “He enjoyed being celebrated by his children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews and friends and extended family. Gonna miss you, Pops.”
Palmer, who majored in music while playing football in the early 1950s for the Big Ten champs University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and routinely performed the National Anthem at games, was cast as Broadway’s naïve, muscle-bound hero of Dogpatch after producers saw him sing on The Ed Sullivan Show.
The Li’l Abner musical,...
His death was announced on Facebook by his son Steven Palmer, who noted that the actor died one day after his 90th birthday. No cause was given.
“As a family we knew this was coming and that’s why we had such a wonderful celebration of his birthday this weekend,” Steven Palmer wrote. “He enjoyed being celebrated by his children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews and friends and extended family. Gonna miss you, Pops.”
Palmer, who majored in music while playing football in the early 1950s for the Big Ten champs University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and routinely performed the National Anthem at games, was cast as Broadway’s naïve, muscle-bound hero of Dogpatch after producers saw him sing on The Ed Sullivan Show.
The Li’l Abner musical,...
- 9/22/2021
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 6 has been loaded with jaw-dropping twists and controversial eliminations. This week? Not so much.
With Jan freshly booted from the competition and Trinity K. Bonet now declaring herself the frontrunner, the remaining six queens were invited to play Snatch Game of Love, a pale imitation of the flagship series’ beloved Snatch Game. (Seriously, do people enjoy this? Sound off in the comments section below. Together, we can make it stop!)
More from TVLineSouth Park Gets 4-Season Renewal at Comedy Central -- Plus, 14 (!) Movies Ordered at Paramount+Criminal Minds Shocker: Paget Brewster Says Revival Is...
With Jan freshly booted from the competition and Trinity K. Bonet now declaring herself the frontrunner, the remaining six queens were invited to play Snatch Game of Love, a pale imitation of the flagship series’ beloved Snatch Game. (Seriously, do people enjoy this? Sound off in the comments section below. Together, we can make it stop!)
More from TVLineSouth Park Gets 4-Season Renewal at Comedy Central -- Plus, 14 (!) Movies Ordered at Paramount+Criminal Minds Shocker: Paget Brewster Says Revival Is...
- 8/6/2021
- by Andy Swift
- TVLine.com
Paul Huntley, the celebrated wigmaker for film, stage and television who provided Dustin Hoffman with the coif that transformed the actor into Tootsie and did the same decades later for when Santino Fontana originated the role in a Broadway musical, died this morning at his London home following a short illness. He was 89.
His death was announced in a post today on his Instagram page.
During his more than five-decade career, he helped give the felines of Cats their sheen, topped Patti LuPone’s Evita with the now famous blonde bun and styled the signature black and white job Glenn Close wore as Cruella de Vil in 101 Dalmations.
Huntley, who moved back to his native London recently from his longtime Manhattan home, retired earlier this year when Broadway’s Covid pandemic shutdown halted his professional opportunities, and after becoming bedridden following a fall at his Upper West Side home. His...
His death was announced in a post today on his Instagram page.
During his more than five-decade career, he helped give the felines of Cats their sheen, topped Patti LuPone’s Evita with the now famous blonde bun and styled the signature black and white job Glenn Close wore as Cruella de Vil in 101 Dalmations.
Huntley, who moved back to his native London recently from his longtime Manhattan home, retired earlier this year when Broadway’s Covid pandemic shutdown halted his professional opportunities, and after becoming bedridden following a fall at his Upper West Side home. His...
- 7/9/2021
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
I don’t care what anyone says, I don’t believe that it was the other queens on Ru Paul’s Drag Race All-Stars 6 that sent Silky Nutmeg Gnache home last week but instead it was the fans. After her original season, Silky received horrendous amounts of hate from the fans as they thought she was loud and obnoxious and while I wasn’t the best Silky fan during season 11, Nobody Ever deserves that level of hatred. When she returned to All-Stars she wanted to show a better side of herself and prove she’s not as overwhelming as everyone thinks she is, so she took a back seat in the challenge and that’s what got her sent home! I was also excited to see how much Silky had stepped up her drag, outfits etc., as she did make some questionable choices during her first season but it is...
- 7/9/2021
- by Rhys Payne
- Nerdly
We’re pretty sure that the queen eliminated from Episode 4 of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 6 was kidding when she cursed out her fellow contestants as she sashayed away — but that doesn’t mean she wasn’t seething.
Let’s start by getting last week’s leftover drama out of the way: Fresh off Silky Nutmeg Ganache’s sad-but-deserved elimination, the remaining queens convened in the Werk Room to reveal whose lipstick they chose — and it was shockingly close. The final tally showed six votes for Silky, barely edging out A’keria C. Davenport’s four. Eureka, Ginger Minj and...
Let’s start by getting last week’s leftover drama out of the way: Fresh off Silky Nutmeg Ganache’s sad-but-deserved elimination, the remaining queens convened in the Werk Room to reveal whose lipstick they chose — and it was shockingly close. The final tally showed six votes for Silky, barely edging out A’keria C. Davenport’s four. Eureka, Ginger Minj and...
- 7/9/2021
- by Andy Swift
- TVLine.com
This week on the 6th season of “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars,” the music of RuPaul Charles takes center stage when the queens remix her songs in style of iconic Super Bowl Halftime performers. The challenge, designed to test how the girls pick up choreography and commit to a performance, determines one top queen and two bottom queens for the week. The top queen lip synchs against a secret assassin for the chance to choose which of the two on the bottom should be eliminated.
In episode 1, Yara Sofia went head-to-head against Coco Montrese, but lost, and the safe queens’ choice for elimination, Serena, was sent home. In episode 2, Queen of the North and Canada’s Drag Race judge Brooke Lynn Hytes tied with challenge winner Ra’Jah O’Hara in the lip sync, and both held the lipsticks that signaled Jiggly’s elimination. Then at the end of episode...
In episode 1, Yara Sofia went head-to-head against Coco Montrese, but lost, and the safe queens’ choice for elimination, Serena, was sent home. In episode 2, Queen of the North and Canada’s Drag Race judge Brooke Lynn Hytes tied with challenge winner Ra’Jah O’Hara in the lip sync, and both held the lipsticks that signaled Jiggly’s elimination. Then at the end of episode...
- 7/9/2021
- by John Benutty
- Gold Derby
Welcome to this week’s Impact Wrestling review, right here on Nerdly. I’m Nathan Favel and we have the fallout from Violent By Design becoming the Tag Champions last week. It’s times like this that I’m reminded of the story of Stukanga Gaitoo. Stukanga Gaitoo was a farmer’s hand in ancient Mesopotamia, when the wind was dry and hot and cracked you across the back like a frayed whip. Stukanga loved the farmer’s daughter, but could not afford to marry her. So, when the moon rose upon the cusp of night, Stukanga returned to the farm and stole the wheat from the fields. Stukanga then sold the wheat to the rich merchant Makolinga. Makolinga bought it for half of what it was worth and made Stukanga very wealthy. Stukanga returned and lied about who had stole the wheat…and said that Makolinga had stolen the wheat.
- 5/28/2021
- by Nathan Favel
- Nerdly
Category is: Streaming queen realness.
Season 6 of “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars” will premiere on Paramount Plus on June 24, the streamer announced on Wednesday, along with the official announcement of the season’s cast of competing queens.
Last year, ViacomCBS initially announced that Season 5 of “All Stars” would premiere on the company’s subscriber-based pay cable network Showtime, but then reversed its decision three months later, putting the season back on VH1 in the wake of the pandemic — and a wave of criticism by fans frustrated at having to pay for Showtime to see the series. This year, however, ViacomCBS didn’t flinch; the company is sticking to its previously announced plans to premiere “All Stars” on the subscriber-based Paramount Plus, part of a larger strategy to double down on reality offerings on the streamer.
In that vein, Paramount Plus also announced that “Queen of the Universe,” the singing competition...
Season 6 of “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars” will premiere on Paramount Plus on June 24, the streamer announced on Wednesday, along with the official announcement of the season’s cast of competing queens.
Last year, ViacomCBS initially announced that Season 5 of “All Stars” would premiere on the company’s subscriber-based pay cable network Showtime, but then reversed its decision three months later, putting the season back on VH1 in the wake of the pandemic — and a wave of criticism by fans frustrated at having to pay for Showtime to see the series. This year, however, ViacomCBS didn’t flinch; the company is sticking to its previously announced plans to premiere “All Stars” on the subscriber-based Paramount Plus, part of a larger strategy to double down on reality offerings on the streamer.
In that vein, Paramount Plus also announced that “Queen of the Universe,” the singing competition...
- 5/26/2021
- by Adam B. Vary
- Variety Film + TV
With a longer Oscar season than ever before, the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences had even more people to remember in the annual In Memoriam segment. But inevitably, there are complaints on social media that some people were omitted. This year, nether “Arrested Development” star Jessica Walter nor “Glee” star Naya Rivera was included, both of whom had careers primarily on television. Walter, however, was a Golden Globe nominee for “Play Misty for Me” and had many other film roles. Walter was included on the Academy’s In Memoriam website, while Rivera was not.
Those who were not included in previous years, such as Luke Perry and Cameron Boyce in 2020, also worked more often in television. In 2019, Carol Channing and Stanley Donen were among those omitted from the segment. This past year, several actors, musicians and craftspeople died of Covid-19, such as Broadway actor Nick Cordero and composer and musician Adam Schlesinger,...
Those who were not included in previous years, such as Luke Perry and Cameron Boyce in 2020, also worked more often in television. In 2019, Carol Channing and Stanley Donen were among those omitted from the segment. This past year, several actors, musicians and craftspeople died of Covid-19, such as Broadway actor Nick Cordero and composer and musician Adam Schlesinger,...
- 4/26/2021
- by Pat Saperstein
- Variety Film + TV
With the need for content at a premium, it’s not just enough to stick to the shows you know. Television has a rich history going back decades, though you might not know it considering how much of it is — or, more often than not, isn’t — available to stream. But with so much time on our hands, it’s worthwhile to seek out the shows made before the rise of the Peak TV streaming era that you can actually access. Prepare to laugh, cry, and scratch your head with some of the best classic TV shows available right now:
Note: “Classic” in this sense is defined as within the last 30 years. Hate to tell you, fellow millennials, but our television has officially gone retro.
[Editor’s Note: The below piece was originally published on March 24, 2020. It has been expanded as of March 15, 2021.]
All in the Family (1971-1979)
This Norman Lear-created series remains one of the most provocative shows from the the 1970s. The series starred Carroll O’Connor...
Note: “Classic” in this sense is defined as within the last 30 years. Hate to tell you, fellow millennials, but our television has officially gone retro.
[Editor’s Note: The below piece was originally published on March 24, 2020. It has been expanded as of March 15, 2021.]
All in the Family (1971-1979)
This Norman Lear-created series remains one of the most provocative shows from the the 1970s. The series starred Carroll O’Connor...
- 3/15/2021
- by Kristen Lopez
- Indiewire
Has any entertainment scripted project ever featured more Oscar winners? Tour our special Valentine’s Day photo gallery to see which 32 Academy Awards champs made appearances on the very popular Aaron Spelling show “The Love Boat.”
For one full decade of 1977 to 1987, ABC could count on its comedy/drama series “The Love Boat” to bring in millions of audience members on Saturday nights. The show would have multiple story arcs (often three for a one-hour episode) with five to 10 celebrity guest stars each time. Some arcs were playing out for laughs, others for romance and the remainder could take on tough issues.
SEE25 most passionate TV couples ever, ranked
Regular cast members would either take command of some segments or be in the backseat on others. The charming actors throughout the decade were Gavin MacLeod (Captain Merrill Stubing), Bernie Kopell (Dr. Adam Bricker), Lauren Tewes (Cruise Director Julie McCoy), Ted Lange...
For one full decade of 1977 to 1987, ABC could count on its comedy/drama series “The Love Boat” to bring in millions of audience members on Saturday nights. The show would have multiple story arcs (often three for a one-hour episode) with five to 10 celebrity guest stars each time. Some arcs were playing out for laughs, others for romance and the remainder could take on tough issues.
SEE25 most passionate TV couples ever, ranked
Regular cast members would either take command of some segments or be in the backseat on others. The charming actors throughout the decade were Gavin MacLeod (Captain Merrill Stubing), Bernie Kopell (Dr. Adam Bricker), Lauren Tewes (Cruise Director Julie McCoy), Ted Lange...
- 2/14/2021
- by Chris Beachum
- Gold Derby
by Cláudio Alves
Carol Channing was a force of nature. The actress electrified the Broadway stages, originating such famous roles as Lorelei in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and the titular character in Hello, Dolly!, but the husky-voiced sensation with a mega-wat smile went on to find success in front of cameras too. Whether acting or just being herself, there's effervescent energy to Channing's screen presence, a frenetic joy that made her both a camp icon and an entertainment powerhouse whose fame persists to this day, long after her heyday and even her death. Throughout her legendary career, Channing won four Tony Awards, a place in the Grammy Hall of Fame, a Golden Globe, and even an Oscar nomination. Since we're all a bit Oscar-obsessed around here, the star's centennial celebration feels like a good time to reminisce about that achievement, its inherent weirdness, and wacky charm…...
Carol Channing was a force of nature. The actress electrified the Broadway stages, originating such famous roles as Lorelei in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and the titular character in Hello, Dolly!, but the husky-voiced sensation with a mega-wat smile went on to find success in front of cameras too. Whether acting or just being herself, there's effervescent energy to Channing's screen presence, a frenetic joy that made her both a camp icon and an entertainment powerhouse whose fame persists to this day, long after her heyday and even her death. Throughout her legendary career, Channing won four Tony Awards, a place in the Grammy Hall of Fame, a Golden Globe, and even an Oscar nomination. Since we're all a bit Oscar-obsessed around here, the star's centennial celebration feels like a good time to reminisce about that achievement, its inherent weirdness, and wacky charm…...
- 2/1/2021
- by Cláudio Alves
- FilmExperience
Before we begin this exercise in nostalgia gone awry, two things of note. I only watched The Star Wars Holiday Special for the first time, and am writing this review, as a stretch goal for The George Lucas Talk Show‘s fundraiser for Feeding America. And this review will contain spoilers for the Mandalorian Season Two finale, which I wrote about here.
I saw two phony Luke Skywalkers this month, even if both were kind of the real thing.
The first imposter Luke was in the Mandalorian finale, where he...
I saw two phony Luke Skywalkers this month, even if both were kind of the real thing.
The first imposter Luke was in the Mandalorian finale, where he...
- 12/30/2020
- by Alan Sepinwall
- Rollingstone.com
K.T. Oslin, a multiplatinum country singer-songwriter who won three Grammys including one for her breakout single “’80s Ladies,” died today. She was 78. She had been battling Parkinson’s disease and living in an assisted care facility for several years and recently was diagnosed with Covid-19. No official cause of death was announced.
Oslin was a rare female late bloomer in the country music industry. She finally hit in 1987 with the top 10 country tune “’80s Ladies.” She was 45 and had made her first record 23 years earlier. Oslin also had the chart-topping country smashes “Do Ya” and “I’ll Always Come Back,” all of which were from her RCA album ’80s Ladies. That disc topped Billboard Country LPs chart and peaked at No. 68 on the pop albums chart.
She followed up with another platinum LP, 1988’s This Woman, which featured the country chart-topper “Hold Me” and No. 2 hit “Hey Bobby,” and the...
Oslin was a rare female late bloomer in the country music industry. She finally hit in 1987 with the top 10 country tune “’80s Ladies.” She was 45 and had made her first record 23 years earlier. Oslin also had the chart-topping country smashes “Do Ya” and “I’ll Always Come Back,” all of which were from her RCA album ’80s Ladies. That disc topped Billboard Country LPs chart and peaked at No. 68 on the pop albums chart.
She followed up with another platinum LP, 1988’s This Woman, which featured the country chart-topper “Hold Me” and No. 2 hit “Hey Bobby,” and the...
- 12/21/2020
- by Erik Pedersen
- Deadline Film + TV
How the 1940s standard “Happiness Is a Thing Called Joe” failed to be adapted into a Joe Biden campaign song until now is a mystery, but Cher recognized the obvious pairing of classic song and candidate and has recorded her rewrite of the tune, which was originally sung by Ethel Waters in the 1943 film “Cabin in the Sky.”
The song, with music by Harold Arlen and lyrics by E.Y. Harburg, was nominated for an Oscar after Waters sang it in the Black-themed Vincente Minnelli film. Many of the original lyrics would not do — Waters refers to “little Joe” in the film version, which sounds more like a nickname Donald Trump would apply to the candidate than something they’d want in a campaign anthem. So that reference gets changed to “president Joe” in Cher’s version, among other alterations.
Cher introduced the song Sunday night in closing “I Will Vote,...
The song, with music by Harold Arlen and lyrics by E.Y. Harburg, was nominated for an Oscar after Waters sang it in the Black-themed Vincente Minnelli film. Many of the original lyrics would not do — Waters refers to “little Joe” in the film version, which sounds more like a nickname Donald Trump would apply to the candidate than something they’d want in a campaign anthem. So that reference gets changed to “president Joe” in Cher’s version, among other alterations.
Cher introduced the song Sunday night in closing “I Will Vote,...
- 10/26/2020
- by Chris Willman
- Variety Film + TV
Jerry Zeitman, a onetime agent who represented George Burns & Gracie Allen, Shirley MacLaine, Fred Astaire and Frank Sinatra, died Thursday of natural causes in Los Angeles, his daughter Debbie Zeitman said. He was 90.
Zeitman also repped Gene Kelly, Tony Curtis, Carol Channing, Rod Serling, Jerry Lewis, Ron Howard and Kristy McNichol, among others, and worked with companies like David Wolper Productions.
As the head of Jerome M. Zeitman Productions, he produced films including Damnation Alley (1977), Just You and Me, Kid (1979) and How to Beat the High Cost of Living (1980) before returning to the agency business with The Agency....
Zeitman also repped Gene Kelly, Tony Curtis, Carol Channing, Rod Serling, Jerry Lewis, Ron Howard and Kristy McNichol, among others, and worked with companies like David Wolper Productions.
As the head of Jerome M. Zeitman Productions, he produced films including Damnation Alley (1977), Just You and Me, Kid (1979) and How to Beat the High Cost of Living (1980) before returning to the agency business with The Agency....
- 9/22/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Jerry Zeitman, a onetime agent who represented George Burns & Gracie Allen, Shirley MacLaine, Fred Astaire and Frank Sinatra, died Thursday of natural causes in Los Angeles, his daughter Debbie Zeitman said. He was 90.
Zeitman also repped Gene Kelly, Tony Curtis, Carol Channing, Rod Serling, Jerry Lewis, Ron Howard and Kristy McNichol, among others, and worked with companies like David Wolper Productions.
As the head of Jerome M. Zeitman Productions, he produced films including Damnation Alley (1977), Just You and Me, Kid (1979) and How to Beat the High Cost of Living (1980) before returning to the agency business with The Agency....
Zeitman also repped Gene Kelly, Tony Curtis, Carol Channing, Rod Serling, Jerry Lewis, Ron Howard and Kristy McNichol, among others, and worked with companies like David Wolper Productions.
As the head of Jerome M. Zeitman Productions, he produced films including Damnation Alley (1977), Just You and Me, Kid (1979) and How to Beat the High Cost of Living (1980) before returning to the agency business with The Agency....
- 9/22/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Welcome to this week’s Impact Wrestling review, right here on Nerdly. I’m Nathan Favel and papa has a brand new bag…Ow!!!!! I Hurt My Damn Leg On The Table Leg!!! Well, we’ve got a new World Champion and his name is…Carol Channing? Carol Channing: Up yours, young man! Nathan: Well Carol, are you ready to take us through the show? Carol Channing: Kiss my ass, you son of a b*tch!
Match #1: Chris Bey def. Willie Mack – X-Division Championship Match The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
After Chris Bey won the X-Division Championship last Saturday at Slammiversary, Willie Mack receives his rematch tonight on Impact! Bey springboards to the outside but Willie catches him in mid-air, slamming him to the floor. Willie hits a standing Moonsault in the early going. Willie attempts a Stunner but Bey fights it off. Willie connects with a big forearm instead.
Match #1: Chris Bey def. Willie Mack – X-Division Championship Match The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:
After Chris Bey won the X-Division Championship last Saturday at Slammiversary, Willie Mack receives his rematch tonight on Impact! Bey springboards to the outside but Willie catches him in mid-air, slamming him to the floor. Willie hits a standing Moonsault in the early going. Willie attempts a Stunner but Bey fights it off. Willie connects with a big forearm instead.
- 7/22/2020
- by Nathan Favel
- Nerdly
Welcome to this week’s All Elite Wrestling: Dark review, right here on Nerdly. I’m Nathan Favel and “I’m Not In Love, But I Called You Up, Just To See If Things Are Goin’ Well”, because you’re getting a Brand New Submarine!!!!!!! Brian Cage defends the Ftw World Title against Brian Pillman Jr., so don’t ask about that Daredevil TV show, because it bored me (fight scenes kicked ass though).
Match #1: The Nightmare Sisters (Allie and Brandi Rhodes with Dustin Rhodes) def. Diamante and Rache Chanel
My Opinion: 2.3 out of 5 – This was a weak match that saw Diamante kicks some ass and Allie followed along right behind her. There’s some-thing here with Rache, but she doesn’t have enough immediate talent to be on TV yet. That being said, Rache has a weird, 1996 Booker T stance that she has when she fights that she...
Match #1: The Nightmare Sisters (Allie and Brandi Rhodes with Dustin Rhodes) def. Diamante and Rache Chanel
My Opinion: 2.3 out of 5 – This was a weak match that saw Diamante kicks some ass and Allie followed along right behind her. There’s some-thing here with Rache, but she doesn’t have enough immediate talent to be on TV yet. That being said, Rache has a weird, 1996 Booker T stance that she has when she fights that she...
- 7/17/2020
- by Nathan Favel
- Nerdly
“It’s about armor,” says Kevin Cahoon of his performance as drag performer Bobby Barnes in “Glow.” Cahoon was a new addition to the cast for Season 3, and frequently stole the show thanks to a complicated portrayal of a gay man trying to succeed in Las Vegas of 1986. Watch the exclusive video interview above.
Though Bobby is confident and joyous on stage, Cahoon suggests that “he’s putting on a good face.” In the 80’s Barnes would have to face rampant homophobia in the Vegas club scene and face the looming threat of the AIDS crisis. “He’s a survivor,” declares Cahoon, “he’s going to do what he had to do. And if that means putting on a happy face, and putting on that armor, and putting up that shield, that’s what he was going to have to do.”
See Betty Gilpin Interview: ‘Glow’
The actor did plenty...
Though Bobby is confident and joyous on stage, Cahoon suggests that “he’s putting on a good face.” In the 80’s Barnes would have to face rampant homophobia in the Vegas club scene and face the looming threat of the AIDS crisis. “He’s a survivor,” declares Cahoon, “he’s going to do what he had to do. And if that means putting on a happy face, and putting on that armor, and putting up that shield, that’s what he was going to have to do.”
See Betty Gilpin Interview: ‘Glow’
The actor did plenty...
- 5/27/2020
- by Sam Eckmann
- Gold Derby
Throughout 2020, we will continue to update this photo gallery with major celebrity deaths from film, television, theater and music.
The year has included the losses of honorary Oscar recipient Kirk Douglas, Oscar winner and NBA legend Kobe Bryant, Oscar-nominated writer and director Buck Henry, Oscar nominees Max von Sydow and Stuart Whitman, “Monty Python” co-founder Terry Jones, TV Hall of Fame journalist Jim Lehrer, Emmy winners John Karlen, James Lipton and Gene Reynolds, plus Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member and Rush drummer Neil Peart.
Our previous gallery from 2019 featured many names, including Oscar winner Andre Previn, Oscar nominees Doris Day, Diahann Carroll, Albert Finney, Peter Fonda, Robert Forster and John Singleton, Emmy winners Tim Conway and Rip Torn, Tony Awards champ Hal Prince, comedian and actor Bob Einstein, TV producer and writer John Falsey, actress Carol Channing, actress Katherine Helmond, actor Luke Perry, singer James Ingram and Daytime Emmy winner Kristoff St. John.
The year has included the losses of honorary Oscar recipient Kirk Douglas, Oscar winner and NBA legend Kobe Bryant, Oscar-nominated writer and director Buck Henry, Oscar nominees Max von Sydow and Stuart Whitman, “Monty Python” co-founder Terry Jones, TV Hall of Fame journalist Jim Lehrer, Emmy winners John Karlen, James Lipton and Gene Reynolds, plus Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member and Rush drummer Neil Peart.
Our previous gallery from 2019 featured many names, including Oscar winner Andre Previn, Oscar nominees Doris Day, Diahann Carroll, Albert Finney, Peter Fonda, Robert Forster and John Singleton, Emmy winners Tim Conway and Rip Torn, Tony Awards champ Hal Prince, comedian and actor Bob Einstein, TV producer and writer John Falsey, actress Carol Channing, actress Katherine Helmond, actor Luke Perry, singer James Ingram and Daytime Emmy winner Kristoff St. John.
- 3/18/2020
- by Chris Beachum
- Gold Derby
Updated with Academy statement: The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has responded to complaints about the exclusion of some entertainment figures from its annual In Memoriam segment on Sunday’s Oscar telecast.
“The Academy receives hundreds of requests to include loved ones and industry colleagues in the Oscars In Memoriam segment,” the organization said in a statement obtained by Deadline. “An executive committee representing every branch considers the list and makes selections for the telecast based on limited available time. All of the submissions are included on Oscar.com and will remain on the site throughout the year.”
Previously: Kobe Bryant led off the Oscar telecast’s In Memoriam segment and Kirk Douglas was the last film personality it honored.
The annual portion late in the show, introduced this time by Steven Spielberg and accompanied by a rendition of “Yesterday” by Grammy winner Billie Eilish, appeared to avoid major controversy.
“The Academy receives hundreds of requests to include loved ones and industry colleagues in the Oscars In Memoriam segment,” the organization said in a statement obtained by Deadline. “An executive committee representing every branch considers the list and makes selections for the telecast based on limited available time. All of the submissions are included on Oscar.com and will remain on the site throughout the year.”
Previously: Kobe Bryant led off the Oscar telecast’s In Memoriam segment and Kirk Douglas was the last film personality it honored.
The annual portion late in the show, introduced this time by Steven Spielberg and accompanied by a rendition of “Yesterday” by Grammy winner Billie Eilish, appeared to avoid major controversy.
- 2/11/2020
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
Kirk Douglas will be included in the “in memoriam” section of this year’s Academy Awards. His death on Wednesday at the age of 103 led to an outpouring of tributes across Hollywood.
It also resulted in some last minute edits to the “in memoriam” package, which had been completed, but was edited to include the screen icon. It’s unclear if the Oscars will have any additional tributes to one of the last members of Hollywood’s golden age.
Given Douglas’ stature in the industry, it’s unsurprising that the Academy has modified the “in memoriam” section to include the actor. However, in the past, the organization has faced blowback for failing to include major filmmakers and performers in its list of the departed. In 2019, the Oscars were criticized for ignoring “Singin’ in the Rain” director Stanley Donen, Oscar-nominee Sondra Locke, and Oscar-nominee Carol Channing in the “in memoriam” reel.
It also resulted in some last minute edits to the “in memoriam” package, which had been completed, but was edited to include the screen icon. It’s unclear if the Oscars will have any additional tributes to one of the last members of Hollywood’s golden age.
Given Douglas’ stature in the industry, it’s unsurprising that the Academy has modified the “in memoriam” section to include the actor. However, in the past, the organization has faced blowback for failing to include major filmmakers and performers in its list of the departed. In 2019, the Oscars were criticized for ignoring “Singin’ in the Rain” director Stanley Donen, Oscar-nominee Sondra Locke, and Oscar-nominee Carol Channing in the “in memoriam” reel.
- 2/6/2020
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
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