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'The West Wing' cast reuniting for staged reading to benefit When We All Vote charity

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NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images(LOS ANGELES) — Rob Lowe, Dulé Hill, Allison Janney, Janel Moloney, Richard Schiff, Bradley Whitford and Martin Sheen will reprise their West Wing roles for a special event benefiting former first lady Michelle Obama’s When We All Vote organization. 

The former co-stars of the multiple Emmy-winning political drama will reunite for the first time in 17 years at Los Angeles’ Orpheum Theatre in early October for a filmed, staged reading of the episode “Hartsfield’s Landing,” which centers in part on 42 votes being counted in a key New Hampshire town’s election.

The West Wing creator Aaron Sorkin will also write new material for the event, dubbed A West Wing Special to Benefit When We All Vote.

The special will air later this year on HBO Max. 

Sorkin said in a statement: “[fellow executive producer Thomas Schlamme] and I are incredibly excited to be getting The West Wing cast back together for this staged reading and to support When We All Vote in their efforts to get all of us involved in this election.”

Sarah Aubrey, HBO Max head of original content, noted, “…[W]e are excited to revisit this legendary series and offer our passionate fans something that is substantial, meaningful and unforgettable, while also promoting an important message for our time.”

She adds, “Combined with WarnerMedia’s donation to When We All Vote, this special not only entertains, but also help ensure the organization can carry forth its mission to increase voter participation in every election.”

Mrs. Obama will reportedly record a special message as part of the event, which also promises to feature special guests from the worlds of entertainment and public service.

The non-profit When We All Vote is dedicated to “bringing together citizens, institutions, brands, and organizations to increase participation in every election.”

By Stephen Iervolino
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Midland releasing live album of Palomino Club concert

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Big Machine RecordsMidland has committed their live show from the famed Palomino Club to vinyl for Record Store Day. 

The one-night-only concert, titled Midland’s LIVE at the Palomino, was recorded at the famed country music club in Los Angeles in October 2019, where the likes of Merle HaggardBob Dylan and Willie Nelson graced the stage before closing its doors in 1995. 

The 17-song set features performances of “Drinkin’ Problem,” “Cheatin’ Songs,” “Mr. Lonely” and others, straight from the Palomino stage. 

The LP, which boasts an original illustration of the beloved club on the cover, will be available in select stores on August 29, the first of three RSD drop dates. 

This coming Friday night, the Midland LIVE at the Palomino concert special will stream on the Record Store Day Facebook page at 8 p.m. ET. 

LIVE at the Palomino follows the ACM Award-winning group’s sophomore album, Let it Roll, released last August

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

Usain Bolt tests positive for COVID-19, shares video of self-isolation

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Salih Zeki Fazlioglu/Anadolu Agency via Getty ImagesBy MEGAN STONE and HAYLEY FITZPATRICK, ABC News

(NEW YORK) — Olympic athlete Usain Bolt has tested positive for COVID-19.

Jamaica’s health ministry confirmed the 34-year-old’s positive test result on Monday after the athlete shared a video saying he is isolating at home following his test.

“I saw on social media it said I’m confirmed of COVID-19. I did a test on Saturday to leave cause I work,” Bolt explained in a video, posted Monday morning. “Trying to be responsible, so I’m going to stay in and stay away from my friends.”

The eight-time Olympic gold medalist said he is “having no symptoms” and that he is simply “going to quarantine myself and wait on the confirmation to see what is the protocol.”

Bolt, who celebrated his 34th birthday during a party with friends last week — days before receiving his positive COVID-19 results — said he was going to reach out to attendees of the gathering to notify them of his results.

“I’m going to call my friends and tell them that anyone who come in contact with me, just to be safe,” he said in the video, adding that he will spend his quarantine taking it easy as he awaits his results. “Stay safe out there,” he briskly concluded.

During a virtual press conference on Monday evening, Andrew Holness, the prime minister of Jamaica, said Bolt has been formally notified of his positive results by the authorities.

There are currently 1,612 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Jamaica, according to data compiled by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University. There have been 16 deaths from the novel coronavirus pandemic in Jamaica.

On Monday, Jamaica’s ministry of health and wellness said there had been 83 new positive cases in the country in the last 24 hours.

During a press conference, it was also announced that gatherings with more than 20 people will not be permitted and specific communities will have adjusted curfew restrictions.

Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Jimmy Kimmel-hosted 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire' resumes production on season two

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ABC/Eric McCandless(LOS ANGELES) — ABC’s Who Wants to be a Millionaire reboot, hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, returned to production on its second season, following the COVID-19 production shutdown in March, according to Deadline.

As with all shows returning to production, Millionaire is shooting in Los Angeles with a minimal crew and without an audience, while following rigorous health and safety protocols that adhere to all state and local requirements as well as union and industry guidelines for production.

Who Wants to be a Millionaire was one of the last non-scripted shows to finish production, before the COVID-19 pause, according to to the entertainment website, shooting eight episodes the weekend of March 14 without an audience.

The show’s first season featured celebrity guests — including Modern Family’s Eric Stonestreet, The Last Man on Earth’s Will Forte, Flipped‘s Kaitlin Olson and CNN’s Anderson Cooper — playing for charity.  They were handed a new “Ask the Host” lifeline to make up for the lack of an audience.

Season two will reportedly feature frontline workers and others severely affected by COVID-19.

Who Wants to Be a Millionaire joins other non-scripted ABC series — including Ultimate SurferCard SharksSupermarket Sweep and The Bachelorette — that have resumed production.

 By George Costantino  
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Chris Stapleton may have new music coming in November

No Comments Country Music News

ABC/Image Group LAChris Stapleton appears to have a new project on the horizon. 

On Monday, the Grammy-winning singer stirred fans’ suspicions by wiping his Instagram account clean, leaving behind only a mysterious video that appears to point to a new song or album.

The video calls on the natural elements of earth, wind and fire to help tease the new project. The clip opens with Stapleton’s silhouette cast against a bonfire as music plays, including an exuberant gospel choir singing a steady note that builds throughout the video as images flit past, including butterflies, wild horses and a bird taking flight.

It appears Chris’ wife and creative collaborator Morgane is also involved with the project: as we see a quick snap of the couple performing together, along with Chris shredding on guitar in the studio.

The video ends where it began as Chris places his signature cowboy hat on his head in front of the fire before the date “11.13.20” flashes on the screen.

The powerhouse singer’s last album was From A Room: Volume 2, released in 2017, which includes his most recent solo single, “Millionaire,” which peaked at number two on the Billboard Country Airplay chart. 

Stapleton’s most recent work includes collaborations with Ed Sheeran and Bruno Mars on “Blow,” and with Pink on her song “Love Me Anyway,” both of which were released last year. 

Chris was supposed to be on the road with his All-American Road Show this year, but that outing has been rescheduled for 2021.

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