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'Young Rock': Dwayne Johnson announces cast members for NBC show

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Steve Dietl/NBC(LOS ANGELES) — The main cast members for Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s autobiographical show Young Rock have been set. 

On Wednesday, Johnson unveiled the casting for his upcoming NBC comedy series on Instagram. Variety reports that Adrian Groulx will play the 10-year-old version of Johnson, while Bradley Constant will portray him at age 15 and Uli Latukefu stars as a young adult Johnson from ages 18-20.

Rounding out the cast are Joseph Lee Anderson of Harriet and S.W.A.T. fame, who will play Johnson’s father and former professional wrestler Rocky Johnson; Stacey Leilua as his mother, Ata Johnson; and Ana Tuisila as Lia Maivia, Johnson’s grandmother, who was a wrestling promoter. 

The series follows Johnson’s life story, chronicling such moments as being recruited on a scholarship to play football at the University of Miami to his career as a professional wrestler, among other life milestones. 

In the Instagram post, Johnson describes Young Rock as “a series based on my wild and unpredictable childhood and formative years growing up.”

He also reveals that production is already underway. The show is expected to premiere next year.

By Cillea Houghton 
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Jennifer Lopez to receive The People's Icon honor at the 2020 E! People's Choice Awards

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Nedim Vrabac(LOS ANGELES) — Many felt that Jennifer Lopez should have been nominated for an Oscar for her role in the movie Hustlers.  Well, now she’s getting an award that will reflect that achievement, as well as her talents as a show-stopping singer and dancer.

Jennifer will receive The People’s Icon award at the 2020 E! People’s Choice Awards, which will air November 15 at 9 p.m. ET/PT, live from Santa Monica, CA.  J-Lo is being honored for both her performance in Hustlers, as well as her Emmy-winning Super Bowl halftime performance with Shakira back in February.

“Jennifer Lopez has an unmatched global appeal and for more than two decades, has given us some of the most iconic, unforgettable performances of all time,” said E! News exec Jen Neal in a statement.  “For paving the way for artists around the world and single-handedly increasing Latinx representation in music, film, television, and fashion, we’re honoring Jennifer Lopez with ‘The People’s Icon of 2020.’”

Jennifer recently released two songs, “Pa’Ti” and “Lonely,” with Colombian singer Maluma. They’re from the soundtrack of the upcoming movie Marry Me, in which they both star.

And J-Lo’s 12-year-old daughter, Emme Muñiz, who sang with her mom at the Super Bowl, has just released her first book. It’s called Lord Help Me: Inspiring Prayers for Every Day.

By Andrea Dresdale
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Jane Fonda offers tips and tricks for aging well on a new installment of Reba McEntire’s podcast

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Courtesy of SpotifyOn the latest episode of her podcast, Living & Learning with Reba McEntire, Reba McEntire enlists none other than actor and activist Jane Fonda to share some tips on how to thrive while growing older.

During their conversation, the 82-year-old shared some personal stories about aging, including her discovery of how important it is to keep a positive mental outlook.

“When people tell me that I look good for my age, I know that a large part of that is because I am at peace. I feel good, you know?” Jane points out. “I feel proud of myself for having worked so hard to become what I am today. To become a better person, and to be able to forgive so many things.”

Of course, not all of her tips for aging well are quite so abstract.

“I use this lotion, it’s Uncle Buds hemp lotion with CBD, and it is cannabis, doesn’t make you high though, but it’s great for aches and pains,” Jane continues, also citing posture and exercise as two more important reasons why she’s feeling good well into her ‘80s.

“I didn’t realize this until I was old. I thought it was more important when you were younger to exercise a lot ‘cause it was more important to look good,” she continues. “Now it has nothing to do with how you look. It has to do with being able to pick up your grandchildren…being able to drive a car and look back over your shoulder while you’re backing up.”

Reba’s Living & Learning with Reba McEntire podcast is available on Spotify. The country superstar co-hosts the show with Melissa Peterman.

By Carena Liptak
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Dan + Shay, Maren Morris and more stars will perform at the 2020 CMT Music Awards

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Courtesy CMTCMT has announced its first round of performers at the 2020 CMT Music Awards.

Ashley McBryde, Kane Brown, Dan + Shay, Little Big Town, Luke Bryan and Maren Morris will all take the stage during the show, which happens October 21 at 8:00 p.m. ET. CMT unveiled its first batch of performers just days after sharing the full nominations list for the awards show.

All six of the performers that are confirmed to play the 2020 CMT Music Awards are also nominees. Ashley and Dan + Shay are two of the most-nominated artists at this year’s ceremony, with mentions in three categories each.

Kane, Little Big Town and Maren Morris each scored two nominations at the show. Kane is up for two separate videos in the Collaborative Video of the Year category, while Maren is nominated as a solo artist for Female Video of the Year and as a band mate in the Highwomen for Group Video of the Year.

Little Big Town joins her in the Group Video of the Year category, and is also in the running to win Video of the Year, the show’s most coveted honor. LBT will vie for that trophy alongside fellow performers Ashley McBryde and Dan + Shay.

Meanwhile, in addition to his performing duties, Luke is in the running for Male Video of the Year.

More performers and this year’s host will be announced at a later date. You can vote for your favorite artists in all categories now.

By Carena Liptak
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

'Riverdale,' 'Charmed' among shows halted due to lack of COVID-19 testing in Vancouver

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Dean Buscher/The CW — © 2020 The CW Network, LLC. All Rights Reserved.(VANCOUVER) — A number of U.S. TV series filming in Vancouver, Canada are halting production due to a lack of access to COVID-19 tests. 

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Riverdale, Supergirl and Charmed are among the U.S.-based shows currently filming in Canada, due to that country’s lower number of cases of COVID-19. But a shortage of COVID-19 tests available in the city have forced these series to halt production.

Other series affected by the testing shortage are The CW’s Charmed reboot and Nancy Drew, along with DC Legends of Tomorrow. 

However, studio executives have emphasized to the Reporter that the delay is not caused by staff members contracting the virus on set of these productions.

A Vancouver-based executive states that the lab they’ve been using to obtain 48-hour results has “assured” them that it’s working to meet the demands for the American productions’ sets.

By Cillea Houghton 
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.