National Geographic/Richard DuCree(LOS ANGELES) — Courtney B. Vance shares a rare side of himself in the upcoming anthology series Genius: Aretha. Vance, who plays Aretha Franklin’s father, C.L. Franklin, tells ABC Audio that channeling the “singing preacher” demanded a lot from him. “We’re gonna hear some singing from me, so I definitely had to flex the cords and get my lung capacity and my endurance …
Data shows spike in viewers for ‘The Crown’ after Harry and Meghan chat with Oprah
Courtesy Reelgood(LOS ANGELES) — Oprah Winfrey’s recent chat with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle did more than spark a response from the Queen. It also shook up The Crown — the Netflix show, that is. Analysis of viewing data from streaming service aggregator Reelgood showed that the Emmy-winning series saw its daily streaming spike to double its usual …
People would trust Arnold Schwarzenegger the most to lead world out of an alien invasion
Photo by CBS via Getty Images(LOS ANGELES) — When — or if — the aliens attack, there is one celebrity the world trusts most to act as the best leader. A recent poll from the U.K. found the majority would put their faith in Terminator star Arnold Schwarzenegger. British publication Express found that a poll of 2,000 Brits asked respondents to …
Cynthia Erivo tackles Aretha Franklin in ‘Genius: Aretha’
ABC/Rick Rowell(LOS ANGELES) — What made Aretha Franklin a genius? That topic is explored in the limited series Genius: Aretha, premiering Sunday night on National Geographic, and then the next day on Hulu. Emmy-winner Cynthia Erivo, who plays Franklin in the series, had some answers when she spoke to ABC Audio. “She didn’t read music…but was able to compose …
‘The Courier’ star Benedict Cumberbatch reveals what makes good spy
Roadside Attractions(LOS ANGELES) — From everyday business man to Cold War spy – that’s the character Benedict Cumberbatch plays in his new film The Courier, out Friday. It’s based on a remarkable true story, and Cumberbatch tells ABC Audio he was fascinated by the story of this man, Greville Wynne, who said “Yes” when his country came calling. “[It] doesn’t …
Now on Disney+: “The Falcon and The Winter Soldier”
Marvel Studios(LOS ANGELES) — Just two weeks after WandaVision wrapped on Disney+ comes today’s debut of the second Marvel Cinematic Universe spin-off, The Falcon and The Winter Soldier. The series — obviously centering on Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson/Falcon and Sebastian Stan’s Bucky Barnes, the formerly brainwashed assassin known as The Winter Soldier — takes place after the events of Avengers: Endgame. That …
Armie Hammer accuser comes forward; actor’s attorney counters by releasing alleged, graphic texts
Todd Williamson/E! Entertainment/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images(LOS ANGELES) — (NOTE CONTENT) The woman who first accused actor Armie Hammer of assault and who apparently leaked salacious DMs allegedly from him came forward Thursday — and now his attorney is firing back. The 24-year-old woman, who identified herself as Effie, flanked by attorney Gloria Allred at a press conference Thursday, accused Hammer of rape, saying, “I …
In her new book, Sharon Stone reveals how ‘Basic Instinct’ made her, and almost broke her
Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty Images(LOS ANGELES) — Vanity Fair has published an excerpt of Sharon Stone’s new memoir, The Beauty of Living Twice, in which she takes an unflinching look at Hollywood, her career, and that infamous scene in Basic Instinct. Calling herself a “nobody” in Hollywood before that film, she explains how hard she fought to get the role. …
‘The Falcon and The Winter Soldier”s two leads are their own special effect, says series writer Malcolm Spellman
Marvel Studios/Disney+(NEW YORK) — As a huge Marvel fan, being the head writer on The Falcon and The Winter Soldier was a dream come true for Malcolm Spellman. But to have the project center on Marvel movie frenemies — but real life buddies — Anthony Mackie and Sebastian Stan made it all the more sweet. The pair’s characters, Mackie’s Sam Wilson and …
Jennifer Garner reveals Mark Ruffalo almost quit ’13 Going on 30′
Christopher Polk/Getty Images for VH1(LOS ANGELES) — As it’s known today, 13 Going on 30 is a 2004 romantic fantasy that starred Jennifer Garner and Mark Ruffalo but it almost didn’t end up that way. During a recent interview with The Skimm, Garner revealed that her co-star considered dropping out of the project all because of that iconic “Thriller” dance scene he had …