April 7, 2021 • No Comments • Entertainment News

FX(NEW YORK) — FX’s new documentary Hysterical pulls back the curtain on what it’s like to be a woman in stand-up comedy. Spoiler alert: It’s not easy.

Double standards, sexual harassment, rejection, trauma — these self-described comedy “warriors” have dealt with it all in order to pursue their passion.

Comedian Jessica Kirson, who executive produced and appears in the doc, tells ABC Audio she hopes that by watching this film, people get a glimpse into the struggle.

“I wanted people to know how hard it is and like that we really are warriors,” she says. “That we’ve been through so much, and to get to this level and to do what we’ve done is very rare. It’s hard enough to be a comedian, but it’s 10 times harder to be a female comedian.”

Since the #MeToo movement and spurred on by this documentary, Kirson says she’s seen a real sisterhood forming among women in comedy where they lift each other up and aid in each others’ success.

“It’s just amazing that we’re all already talking,” she says. “‘Let’s go on more Instagram Lives. Let’s do Clubhouse together.’ Like there’s just so many text exchanges going on on my phone.”

And the attitudes of the audience have shifted as well.

“A lot of my straight white male comic friends will say, now, ‘My god, when I go on stage, I feel like they’re against me right away. I feel like I’m the bad guy,’” Kirson says. “I’m like, hello, I’ve been dealing with that for 22 years!”

But, she adds, “The audiences are more with us now than they ever were.” 

Hysterical – which also includes appearances from Margaret Cho, Sherri Shepherd, Nikki Glaser, Rachel Feinstein and more — is streaming now, exclusively on FX on Hulu.

By Andrea Tuccillo
Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

April 7, 2021 • No Comments • Entertainment News

Marvel Studios(LOS ANGELES) — According to the Marvel movies, Sebastian Stan’s brainwashed Bucky Barnes can be activated to become the merciless assassin The Winter Soldier if he hears a string of 10 trigger words. 

For the record, they’re the Russian words for “longing,” “rusted,” “seventeen,” “daybreak,” “furnace,” “nine,” “benign,” “homecoming,” “one,” and “freight car.”

In real life, Stan explains, those also are the most common words fans say if they happen to spot him.

“It happens quite often,” the Marvel movie actor-turned The Falcon and The Winter Soldier star confesses to BBC Radio, laughing. “It happens at coffee shops. It happens a lot. And it’s always very funny. It’s an honorable thing I guess.”

Stan adds, “You do have to sometimes look at people in the face and say, ‘No, I will not become The Winter Soldier when you say that. You can keep saying it, and maybe you should say it, maybe that’s a moment we both need to have together, now, here. But nothing crazy will happen.'”

The fourth episode of The Falcon and The Winter Soldier drops Friday on Disney+. 

Marvel Studios is owned by Disney, parent company of ABC News.

By Stephen Iervolino
Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

April 7, 2021 • No Comments • Entertainment News

ABC/Lou Rocco(LOS ANGELES) — Caitlyn Jenner is reportedly eyeing a run for California governor, as the state’s current governor faces a recall election.

Axios spoke to three sources close to the Olympic gold medalist, who all claimed Jenner is thinking about jumping into politics.

Jenner, 71, is a Republican and previously supported former President Donald Trump — and she is allegedly getting pointers from GOP strategist and fundraiser Caroline Wren.

The two reportedly crossed paths at American Unity Fund, a GOP-backed nonprofit that addresses LGBT issues.

It also should be noted that Wren helped organize the rally on January 6, where attendees later walked toward the U.S. Capitol and broke into the building.

Should the Keeping up with the Kardashians star jump into the gubernatorial election, it would make California’s fall election interesting to watch.  Already, three other Republicans have lined themselves up to go toe to toe with Newsom at the polls.

Current CA Governor Gavin Newsom has been criticized by the GOP for his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, taxation and immigration.

This also could set the stage for a 2003 election repeat, when California’s then-Governor Gray Davis — a Democrat — lost his recall election against Arnold Schwarzenegger, a Republican.

Representatives for both Jenner and Wren have denied requests for comment.

By Megan Stone
Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.