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'The Falcon and The Winter Soldier''s two leads are their own special effect, says series writer Malcolm Spellman

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Marvel Studios/Disney+(NEW YORK) — As a huge Marvel fan, being the head writer on The Falcon and The Winter Soldier was a dream come true for Malcolm Spellman. But to have the project center on Marvel movie frenemies — but real life buddies — Anthony Mackie and Sebastian Stan made it all the more sweet. 

The pair’s characters, Mackie’s Sam Wilson and Stan’s Bucky Barnes — the latter the formerly brainwashed assassin The Winter Soldier — were both friends of Captain America’s Steve Rogers in the MCU, and their competition over that led to some huge laughs onscreen in Captain America: Civil War.

In the Disney+ series, Mackie and Stan’s chemistry shines again, and for Spellman, it was easy to capture that magic.

“Everybody knows that moment in Civil War: ‘Can you move your seat up?’ ‘No.” Spellman recites. “It is crazy that in 14 seconds the entire planet Earth knew they could carry a movie or a series.”

He enthuses, “Literally, for us, it was the same thing, whatever it is that those two guys have: it was a cheat code, you know, what I’m saying? Because you could spend 42 million dollars on a set piece or you could put those two [characters] in therapy together and it’s going to be just as valuable.”  

See for yourself when Marvel Studios’ The Falcon and The Winter Soldier debuts on Disney+ Friday. 

Disney is the parent company of Marvel and ABC News.

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

Shania Twain says her Elton John collab is among her “favorite things I’ve ever done”

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CBS via Getty ImagesShania Twain reviews some of the most memorable duets of her career on a new episode of her Apple Music show Home Now, and at the top of the list is a team-up with none other than pop legend Elton John.

“Elton John is an artist that I grew up listening to, and learning how to write songs from. I would study his songs, and he’s a remarkable musician,” Shania explains, describing Elton as “one of my big, big, big heroes.”

The pair first teamed up in 1999 for “Amneris’ Letter,” from the 2000 Broadway musical Aida, the music for which was written by Elton. Performing the song brought out some stage jitters, Shania admits.

“It was quite high in my range, so…I was a little nervous to attempt it,” the singer remembers. However, she adds that Elton made her feel at ease.

“He’s just so friendly and very supportive. So anyway, I gave it a go, and it’s one of the favorite things that I’ve ever done,” Shania continues. “So I recorded the song with him onstage. He’s playing piano, and of course the song is from Aida Broadway soundtrack, and it was a very special moment for me.”

During that same 1999 Miami show, the pair performed two power ballads from each of their catalogues: Shania’s “You’re Still the One” and Elton’s “Something About the Way You Look Tonight.”


By Carena Liptak
Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

“If You Change Your Mind”: Hunter Hayes takes cues from R&B in his swanky new song and video

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LP Entertainment1920s-era glamour, rooftop views and cozy conversations by the fire: Those are just a few of the vibes Hunter Hayes gives off in the music video for his newest song, “If You Change Your Mind.”

The singer wanted the music video to be “Gatsby-esque,” he tells CMT, who premiered the clip. That lavish decor is an appropriate visual accompaniment for the song’s “grand moments of orchestral elements, paired with its secret moments of vulnerability,” Hunter says.

Sultry and R&B-inflected, “If You Change Your Mind” is a flirty ode to a love interest who’s leaving. Though the relationship may be over, Hunter’s holding the door open for his ex, making it clear that he’s ready for round two anytime.

The new song follows Hunter’s January single, “The One That Got Away.” Both songs will be included on the track list of Red Sky (Part II), Hunter’s upcoming fifth studio album.


By Carena Liptak
Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Jay Leno explains why his comedy never centers around the "obvious joke"

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Shannon Finney/Getty Images(LOS ANGELES) — (NOTE LANGUAGE) Tenured late night host Jay Leno is enjoying cars more than comedy these days, but that doesn’t stop him from revealing the secret of his success.

Appearing Wednesday on the Ask Iliza Anything podcast, Leno, 70, explained why his comedy never revolves around “the obvious joke.”

“It’s the same rule I used when I was working clubs and I would talk to the audience. If there’s a big fat guy in the audience and he’s heckling me; I make fun of his tie, or something else,” explained the former Tonight Show host. “I’m not there to kill a guy, I’m just there to have fun with the guy.”

Leno reflected on a time where he did allow his comedy to go too far, which happened after a “road rage incident” where a man gave him the finger as the two were sitting in traffic.  

The Jay Leno’s Garage star admits he did go for the obvious, mocking the man’s appearance and lack of a love live, which caused the driver to start sobbing.

Leno said he “felt so bad” for what he did, adding his words “literally stabbed the guy in the heart,” so he made things right. 

After making the man pull over, Leno learned from their chat that the man had a daughter who loved Taylor Swift, so the comedian extended an olive branch by inviting the man and his family to the late night show to meet Swift back stage.

Leno said that turned everything around and reflected, “It’s easier to be nice. It’s too much trouble to be a [jerk.]”

The Emmy winner also expressed that comedians rarely fail because of a lack of talent, saying they sink their own ship when they treat others poorly or let bad habits or bitterness rule their life.

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

Jennifer Garner reveals Mark Ruffalo almost quit '13 Going on 30'

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Christopher Polk/Getty Images for VH1(LOS ANGELES) — As it’s known today, 13 Going on 30 is a 2004 romantic fantasy that starred Jennifer Garner and Mark Ruffalo but it almost didn’t end up that way.

During a recent interview with The Skimm, Garner revealed that her co-star considered dropping out of the project all because of that iconic “Thriller” dance scene he had to learn. 

“We started to learn the dance. Our first rehearsal, I think it was Mark and Judy [Greer], and Judy and I were both dancers growing up and poor Mark didn’t know that,” the actress shared. “And he came in and he hated the rehearsal process so much he almost dropped out of the movie.”

Obviously, we know that Mark stuck with it and, as it turns out, the scene is Garner’s favorite memory from 13 Going on 30. 

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