Paul Drinkwater/NBC(NEW YORK) — Despite losing the live audience, the ability to film live and the convenience of doing bits while standing next to another person due to social distancing, Saturday Night Live made its grand return over the weekend and tapped Tom Hanks as its host. Using well-placed sound effects, like clapping and cheering, Hanks kicked off the SNL revival by cracking jokes at his …
Delayed ‘Friends’ reunion special won’t help launch HBO’s streaming service
Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.(LOS ANGELES) — Could they BE any more disappointed? HBO executives who were planning to christen the pay channel’s new streaming service HBO Max with the Friends reunion special now cannot, according to Variety. It’s not a surprise considering the much-hyped return of Chandler, Joey, Ross, Monica, Phoebe, and Rachel was part of Hollywood’s COVID-related …
Netflix is betting $100,000 if the cast DOESN’T hook up on its “dating show” ‘Too Hot to Handle’
iStock/cdwheatley(NEW YORK) — (NOTE CONTENT) While reality show casts and hook-ups go back to The Real World, Netflix is betting a hundred thousand bucks that the sexy singles on its new show keep their hands to themselves. That’s the twist of Too Hot Too Handle, its new “experiment” that plops willing and able hotties from all over the world on …
Star-studded ‘Disney Family Singalong’ special to benefit COVID-19 Feeding America charity
Disney(LOS ANGELES) — Josh Gad, Michael Buble, and other celebs are among the stars taking part in The Disney Family Singalong, a new hour-long special airing next week. The TV event, hosted by Ryan Seacrest, will feature celebrities and their families as they sing their favorite Disney songs from home. On-screen lyrics will be included so everyone …
Jerry Seinfeld returning to Netflix with ’23 Hours to Kill’ stand-up special
Netflix(NEW YORK) — It looks like we’re all still going to be self-isolating this time next month. The good news: Netflix has just given us something to look forward to. The streamer will will release the latest Jerry Seinfeld stand-up special on May 5, called Jerry Seinfeld: 23 Hours to Kill. The hour-long special was filmed at the historic …
Music legend Kenny Rogers dies at age 81
Kenny Rogers in 1982; Luciano Viti/Getty Images(NEW YORK) — Kenny Rogers, one of a handful of singers who achieved country music and pop music success in nearly equal measure with hits like “The Gambler” and the Dolly Parton duet “Islands in the Stream,” has died at age 81. “The Rogers family is sad to announce …
Netflix creates $100 million relief fund for COVID-19-devastated entertainment industry
Netflix(LOS ANGELES) — It’s no secret that Hollywood celebs are stuck at home with nothing to do, given their social media updates amid the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak. But shuttered theaters and stopped productions are devastating to those working behind the scenes. Now Netflix is pitching in to help. The streaming giant has created a massive …
Kristen Bell and her kids dance from afar, for quarantined dad Dax Shepard
ABC/Jeff Niera(LOS ANGELES) — Kristen Bell, and her kids with Dax Shepard — 5-year-old Delta and her nearly-7-year-old big sister, Lincoln — entertained the actor from afar as he’s self-quarantining following some travel. The trio wanted to keep the self-isolated actor’s spirits up, so they danced for him in the apartment’s courtyard. Bell posted their fancy footwork to her Instagram. “To be cautious, I asked …
Jameela Jamil talks “empowering” Disney Junior series ‘Mira, Royal Detective’
Disney Junior(NEW YORK) — Looking for a way to entertain and educate your kids during this time of COVID-19 self-quarantine? Look no further than Disney Junior’s new show, Mira, Royal Detective. The animated series, inspired by the culture and customs of India, follows Mira, a young girl who’s appointed to the role of royal detective …
Djimon Hounsou discusses his comic book origins and why playing the “bad guy” is “great fun”
©2020 Paramount Pictures. All Right Reserved.(NEW YORK) — Djimon Hounsou is one of the stars of the now delayed suspense-thriller A Quiet Place II, which had its March 20 release date pushed back until later in the year. While Hounsou’s latest feature may not be available in theaters until after the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic calms down, the …