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Bryan Cranston reveals he had COVID-19 and films himself donating his plasma

• No Comments • Entertainment News

ABC(LOS ANGELES) — Bryan Cranston is loudly asking the public to take the COVID-19 pandemic seriously after disclosing his personal battle with the virus.

The Breaking Bad star revealed on Thursday that, even though he abided by all the proper social distancing guidelines, he still caught the novel coronavirus.

“I was pretty strict in adhering to the protocols and still… I contracted the virus,” Cranston penned in the lengthy caption of his video PSA.  “Yep. it sounds daunting now that over 150,000 Americans are dead because of it.”

Thankfully, the 64-year-old actor admitted he was “one of the lucky ones” because he suffered from “Mild symptoms.”  In a banner that played beneath his video, he revealed,  “My symptoms were a slight headache, tightness of chest and I lost all taste and smell!”

The six-time Emmy winner, who says he caught the virus “early,” cautioned that “The symptoms show up differently for everyone it seems.”

“Keep wearing the damn mask, keep washing your hands, and stay socially distant,” Cranston lectured. “We can prevail – but ONLY if we follow the rules together.”

In addition to beating the coronavirus, the Malcolm in the Middle alum documented himself donating his plasma, which has COVID-19 antibodies, to the UCLA Blood and Platelet Center in order to help others beat the illness. 

Cranston seemed to have fun poking fun at the doctor drawing his blood before settling down to watch old movies to pass the time because “The whole process takes an hour.”

When the process was finished, the actor donated 840ml of plasma.  He then vowed to donate more as soon as he’s able.

Cranston hoped his video would inspire those who know they battled COVID-19 to consider donating their plasma, as well.  “Be well – Stay well,” he concluded.

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

Report: Michael Jackson wanted to play Professor Xavier in the first 'X-Men'

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The cast of ‘X-Men’ in 2000 — Scott Gries/Getty Images(LOS ANGELES) — In a wide-ranging, Hollywood Reporter oral history about the making of the groundbreaking 2000 movie X-Men — complete with backstage drama, lawsuits, and sexual abuse allegations against director Bryan Singer — was buried an interesting nugget: Michael Jackson tried to get himself to play Professor Xavier in the film. 

The role of the powerful mutant eventually went to Patrick Stewart, who already bore a striking resemblance to the comic book character he eventually played throughout the series. 

The trade notes that 20th Century Fox “never seriously considered” the late King of Pop for the part, but explains that the superstar — who at that moment was “already in the thick” of his own sex abuse allegations — lobbied hard for himself. 

Producer Lauren Shuler Donner recalls the star walking into studio offices wearing sunglasses and refusing to shake hands. “I said to him, ‘Do you know Xavier is an older white guy?'” Shuler Donner recalls. “And Michael said, ‘Oh yeah. You know, I can wear makeup.'”

As proof, the trade notes, Jackson reportedly presented the studio execs with a short film Ghosts, “in which the pop star morphed into a 60-something white mayor railing against a well-meaning performer who entertains local children with magic tricks.”

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

Alan Parker, Oscar nominated director of 'Mississippi Burning' and 'Midnight Express', dead at 76

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Parker in 2003 — Jean Baptiste Lacroix/WireImage(LONDON) — Alan Parker, the British writer-director behind movies including Fame, Bugsy Malone, and Mississippi Burning died Friday after a lengthy illness, according to The Hollywood Reporter. 

He was 76.

A versatile filmmaker, Parker was known for moving fluidly through various genres — from the Civil Rights struggle-themed Mississippi Burning through lighter, more musical-oriented movies including 1980’s Fame, 1982’s mind-bending Pink Floyd: The Wall, the beloved 1991 film The Commitments, and Madonna’s big screen adaptation of Evita in 1996. 

Parker was nominated for a Best Film and Best Director Academy Awards for Mississippi Burning and for Oliver Stone‘s 1978 locked-up-abroad drug drama Midnight Express.

Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

“Bad Mother Trucker”: Eric Church’s new tune is a rootsy ode to tough-as-nails women

• No Comments • Country Music News

EMI Music NashvilleEric Church surprised fans with a new song this week, dropping his gritty and soulful “Bad Mother Trucker.”

The song celebrates all the tough-as-nails ladies who can outpace any man they meet. Eric’s lyrics speak from the perspective of a female trucker’s son whose mama taught him everything he knows about respecting women.

“She is hell on wheels where the road meets the rubber / A real gear jammer, a white line wonder / Yeah, you only get one, and I wouldn’t want another / ‘Cause mama was a bad mother trucker,” he sings in the chorus.

In addition to the woman he sings about in the lyrics, Eric enlisted another “Bad Mother Trucker” to help him record the song. The country superstar’s longtime backup vocalist turned songwriting and duet partner Joanna Cotten, provides soulful vocal harmony throughout the song.

“Bad Mother Trucker” follows Eric’s latest single, “Stick That in Your Country Song.”

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

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eI_O7cVx5ao&w=640&h=360]

Cardinals v. Brewers game postponed due to coronavirus cases

• No Comments • Sports News

Pete Van Vleet/iStockBy MORGAN WINSOR and EMILY SHAPIRO, ABC News

(MILWAUKEE) — The St. Louis Cardinals have postponed their game against the Milwaukee Brewers Friday after two positive coronavirus tests were reported within the Cardinals organization.

The league said the game has been rescheduled as part of a traditional doubleheader on Sunday, Aug. 2 at 1:10 p.m. (CT).

The two teams were expected to play Friday in Milwaukee at 2:10 p.m. local time.

Six of the Major League Baseball’s 30 teams will not be playing Friday because of coronavirus cases. That is 20% of the league.

Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.