January 8, 2021 • No Comments • Entertainment News

Jeopardy! Productions/Sony Pictures Television(LOS ANGELES) — As Alex Trebek’s last recorded episode of Jeopardy! airs tonight, the show’s executive producer, Mike Richards, is opening up about the game show host’s final days on set.

Trebek, who continued working throughout his lengthy battle with pancreatic cancer, recorded his final episode of Jeopardy! just 10 days before his death on November 8.

“I didn’t know how much pain he was in, but obviously he was battling,” Richards said on Good Morning America on Friday.  “For me, it was just emotional that he was there back at his lectern doing what he loved to do. And and that’s what was so special about it.”

“He didn’t know it was going to be his last show, the contestants didn’t know, we didn’t know,” Richards continued. “He signs off and says, ‘We’ll see you next time,’ so you’ll see a man at the peak of his powers.”

The last time Trebek addressed viewers directly was in the opening message that aired Monday evening. In it, the game show host urged viewers to show compassion during the ongoing pandemic.

“Open up your hands, and open up your heart to those still suffering with COVID-19,” he told viewers. “…We’re trying to build a gentler kinder society and if we all pitch in just a little bit — we’ll get there.”

Richards said the crew didn’t know that message was coming. “I think he was trying to lift us up as bad as he felt he was there with that speech, trying to lift us up,” he shared.

Starting next week, Jeopardy! all-time champ Ken Jennings will be one of several guest hosts who will take over “for the foreseeable future,” according to a statement Richards tweeted in late November.

By Good Morning America
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

January 8, 2021 • No Comments • Entertainment News

Apple TV+(NEW YORK) — Today, the first three episodes of the anticipated second season of Peabody Award-winning original comedy Dickinson drop on Apple TV+.

The show takes a “fresh” look at rebellious American poet Emily Dickinson, played by star — and producer — Hailee Steinfeld. 

The singer and Oscar-nominated actress tells ABC Audio what it’s like working double-duty on the series, which uses popular music and a modern sensibility to put a new spin on the groundbreaking writer’s life. 

“It’s been a ride!” she smiles.

“Every little five minute break I’ve had is literally on phone calls or respond to emails, which, you know, I like, now, it’s cool…”

Hailee laughed when asked about what a larger level of commitment it takes to produce a show she’s also starring in. “It definitely is,” admitting, “I might not have known that in its entirety before I got into it.”

The actress said, “I knew I wanted to obviously be involved as an actor when I read these scripts, it felt so different and so fresh and unique. The idea of being a part of this show in more than one way and in helping it come together…I couldn’t…have thought of a better first project to experience this [producer] role on.”

The second season of the show deals with Emily’s newfound fame as a poet, something her conservative family doesn’t take well.

Getting a second season — and the news a third season was greenlit even before the sophomore season debuted — was freeing, Hailee says. “It’s been a really fun character…for me just to sort of…sink my teeth into.”

She adds, “It’s a blast.”

Returning for the new season are ensemble cast members including Jane Krakowski, Toby Huss and rapper Wiz Khalifa, who returns as “Death.”

By Stephen Iervolino
Copyright © 2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.

January 8, 2021 • No Comments • Entertainment News

ABC/Randy Holmes(LOS ANGELES) — Johnny Depp’s home was the target of an alleged burglary but thanks to a trusty alarm system, neighbors and authorities, the suspect was nabbed.

TMZ reports that law enforcement sources say that a potentially homeless woman broke into the Pirates of the Caribbean star’s Hollywood Hills home over the weekend, triggering the alarm system which alerted the cops. 

The woman then fled the scene before officers arrived, according to the outlet, but she didn’t make it very far as she was found nearby. Turns out, it seems this wasn’t the woman’s first break-in and they were able to connect her to another recent burglary. 

Depp was not home at the time of the intrusion and it is unclear if anything was taken from his residence. The investigation is ongoing.

By Danielle Long
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.