August 14, 2020 • No Comments • Entertainment News

Disney(NEW YORK) — If you never had a COVID-19 test, know that it calls for a cotton swab to be inserted into your nose until it reaches the back of your throat. While important, the test is, understandably, uncomfortable.

Broadway star Kristin Chenoweth did her duty on Thursday by demonstrating two things when it comes to getting a COVID-19 test. One, how easy it is to get one and, two, how one needs to behave while it’s being administerd. 

Still, that didn’t stop her from goofing off once the test was over and done with.

In a video posted Thursday, the actress is seen clutching a pillow that says “No Whining.”  As the doctor inserts the swab, the 52-year-old actress tries to keep her fidgeting to a minimum.  Chenoweth then immediately fires up her vocals once the swab is extracted and belts out an opera-worthy note in celebration and, perhaps, shock.

After taking a moment to rub her nose, the Wicked alum stands up and cheerily notes, “See, if I can do it, everybody, you can too!”

Chenoweth dutifully explained in the caption that “High notes are applicable in every situation.”  But, beyond sprinkling in some of her signature humor, she hopes that her video will help normalize testing.

“Got a precautionary #COVID19 test today,” the Pushing Daisies alum announced in hopes of inspiring others to help in the fight against the pandemic. “Look how quick and easy it is!”

Beyond it being a quick and easy process, Chenoweth also encouraged, “Protect others and get your tests, my loves!!”

By Megan Stone
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

August 14, 2020 • No Comments • Entertainment News

Bryan Lourd with daughter Billie Lourd — Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic(LOS ANGELES) — With theater chains just starting to re-open after months of the COVID-19 pandemic, many inside and outside of Hollywood are wondering what comes next. 

For one, super-agent Bryan Lourd, who represents A-list clients like Brad Pitt and George Clooney, and is the co-chairman of Creative Artists Agency, said the industry will get back on its feet.

“I believe it will come back,” Lourd said during the 44th Annual UCLA Entertainment Symposium, according to Deadline.

“…I think there will be a certain type of event movie with big global themes and dazzling, either movie stars or directors, who are the best of their day…and that will be reserved for four or five times a year for people.”

Obviously, that’s far fewer times than people used to go to the theater — and streaming is behind the change.

“I think behavioral patterns are permanently changed as a result of what we’ve all just been through and what we are going through now,” Lourd explained. “The ability to see almost anything you want in a quality way in your home, in a safe environment, when you want to, is unbeatable in so many ways.”

He believes that it will cause movie studios to “evolve” in regards to what they bring to theaters and when, still insisting, “I don’t think it is dead or gone.”

Despite the ease of streaming, Lourd insists moviegoers still miss the shared experience of the theater. “I think the first Friday night in the next six months or year, or three months, whenever it is [safe], will maybe be one of the biggest nights in movies, in the history of the business,” Lourd said. “I think that the audience is dormant and waiting, same thing with concerts, same thing with sports.”

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

August 14, 2020 • No Comments • Entertainment News

Araya Diaz/WireImage(LOS ANGELES) — Jennifer Aniston, Julia Roberts and Morgan Freeman will lead a star-studded charity table reading of the classic 1982 film Fast Times at Ridgemont High.

The fundraiser, called Feelin’ Alive, put together by comic Dane Cook, also stars Shia LaBeouf, Matthew McConaughey, Sean Penn and Henry Golding, and will benefit Penn’s nonprofit CORE, as well as REFORM Alliance — which was launched last year by a group including Jay-Z, Meek Mill, Robert Kraft and Michael Rubin.

Exactly which roles the actors will play remains a mystery, although Penn, 59, says he won’t be reprising his memorable role as surfer dude Jeff Spicoli, only hinting, “I’m very confident in the new guy.”

The actors’ parts will be revealed at the online event, taking place next Thursday.

Original Fast Times director Amy Heckerling and screenwriter Cameron Crowe will make a special introduction at the event. Crowe, referencing one of Spicoli’s famous line from the movie, says in a statement obtained by Deadline, “It is, as a great man once said, ‘totally awesome.’”

The original film also starred Phoebe Cates, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Judge Reinhold and Forest Whitaker.

Dane Cook Presents Feelin’ A-Live, will be available to view via Facebook Live and TikTok through CORE’s Facebook page, and will also stream on Live X Live.

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