Home

TTR News Center

'WandaVision' debuts today on Disney+

• No Comments • Entertainment News

Marvel Studios/Disney+(LOS ANGELES) — The Marvel Cinematic Universe makes its official first foray to the small screen today with the debut of WandaVision. The series stars big screen MCU heroes Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch, played by Elizabeth Olsen, and her onscreen android love interest Vision, played by Paul Bettany, and drops them into classic sitcom settings a la the Dick Van Dyke Show, Betwitched, and The Brady Bunch. 

However, there’s something darker afoot to explain why the pair find themselves in the suburban TV bliss that only American TV could create. 

Bettany tells ABC News, “Two super powered beings have been dropped into a idyllic black and white 1950s…sitcom…until Vision begins to think, ‘It’s got to be something wrong here.'”

There is indeed, but Marvel Studios is playing those twists very close to the vest.

Bettany adds, “My hope for the show is that it’s going to be incredibly satisfying for…dyed-in-the-wool Marvel fans, because they’re going to get to see the Marvel universe in a whole new light.”

For her part, Olsen tells ABC News that even hardcore fans will be surprised. “I think the DNA through and through in our show is 100% Marvel. I believe the way we are unraveling a story about these two characters is completely unique, and unlike what we’re used to.”

For Olsen, who like Bettany shows off some solid comic chops in the show, she says she adored the sets as the couple finds themselves hurtling from decade to decade. “I mean, I had more wigs in this one show than I have had in all of my Marvel movies combined,” she laughs. “It was the attention to detail in all Marvel movies is just pretty spectacular.” 

Disney is the parent company of ABC News.

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

Joanne Rogers, widow of Mister Rogers, dies at 92

• No Comments • Entertainment News

Jeff Swensen/Getty Images for “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” Pittsburgh Special Screening(LOS ANGELES) — Joanne Byrd Rogers, the beloved wife of the late TV personality Fred Rogers, has died at 92.

Fred Rogers Productions delivered the heartbreaking news of Joanne’s passing in a social media post Thursday.

“Fred Rogers Production is deeply saddened by the passing of Joanne Rogers,” the organization shared on Facebook and Twitter. “Joanne was a brilliant and accomplished musician, a wonderful advocate for the arts, and a dear friend to everyone in our organization.”

“We extend our heartfelt condolences to Joanne’s family and the thousands of people who had the privilege of knowing and loving her,” it added.

For 50 years, Joanne was married to Fred Rogers, the iconic TV personality behind the popular children’s TV show Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood from 1968 to 2001.

The couple, who married in 1952, met at Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida, where Joanne was studying music on a scholarship and Fred had transferred to from Dartmouth College. The two bonded over their love of music.

“Music meant a lot to both of us,” she said during an interview with TEDxPittsburghWomen in 2019. “We had that in common and we talked often of, ‘How do people live without music?’”

After her husband lost his battle to stomach cancer at 74 in 2003, Joanne continued to keep his legacy alive by sharing his messages of kindness and by serving as the honorary chair of the advisory council for the Fred M. Rogers Center for Early Learning and Children’s Media.

Joanne was also the chair emerita of the board of directors of Fred Rogers Productions, which was founded by her husband in 1971 and was aimed to create media for children. It was initially founded as Family Communications, Inc.

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

'Saved by the Bell' star Dustin Diamond has Stage 4 cancer

• No Comments • Entertainment News

Noel Vasquez/Getty Images(LOS ANGELES) — Dustin Diamond, best-known for playing lovable nerd Samuel “Screech” Powers on the 1990s TV series Saved by the Bell, has received a Stage 4 cancer diagnosis, his rep tells Entertainment Weekly.

The 44-year-old actor, who was hospitalized in Florida over the weekend, will remain there “for awhile” as he undergoes tests and will release a statement after a formal diagnosis has been made, according to the rep.

“He’s undergoing chemo so he will be there at least another week and then we will figure out when he gets to come home,” the rep continues.  “By next week, we’ll have a much better understanding of the severity of his condition and what treatments he will need so that he’s comfortable.”

Diamond is feeling “fine” today though he was not doing so great when he was admitted to the hospital, adds the rep.  “He was fading in and out, feeling sleepy and tired.  On top of all this he also has shingles, so he’s been in a lot of pain.”

Another rep for the actor tells EW that Diamond’s medical problems began with “a huge lump on his throat.”

Diamond played Screech for close to 13 years, from the flagship Saved by the Bell series, through its final incarnation, Saved by the Bell: The New Class.

By George Costantino
Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Liam Neeson praises 'The Marksman''s touching immigration story: "It's a film full of heart"

• No Comments • Entertainment News

Courtesy of Open Road(NEW YORK) — Liam Neeson found a project “full of heart” when he signed on to the Robert Lorenz-directed action thriller The Marksman.

In the film, Neeson plays Jim Hanson, an ex-marine turned rancher, who does “have a particular set of skills” — when it comes to protecting his ranch. Neeson tells ABC Audio that besides the “finely written script,” he was drawn to the relevancy of the project. 

“It deals with the border question, which has been in the headlines and newspapers here for the past three or four years,” he says. “You know, 495 children unaccounted for, split from their families, which is just appalling.”

Neeson explains that in his role as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, he receives “facts and figures and statistics,” about border crossings and family separations. The actor says that the film — which follows his character as he decides to help an immigrant family being hunted by the Mexican cartel — was an opportunity to share another perspective of an important story.  

“To get the chance to tell a story with that as the basis — illegal border crossings — I just thought it was a fine script,” Neeson says.  “And yes, it’s a kind of modern-day Western. Yes, it’s a kind of a road movie. But it’s a film full of heart.”

The Marksman, also starring Katheryn Winnick, Jacob Perez, and Juan Pablo Raba, is available in select theaters on Friday.

By Candice Williams
Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Tyler Perry to receive Oscar for his humanitarian efforts

• No Comments • Entertainment News

Steve Iervolino/ABC News(LOS ANGELES) — The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) announced Thursday that its Board of Governors voted to present the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award to actor, filmmaker, writer, producer, and philanthropist Tyler Perry in recognition of his charity efforts. 

The Board of Governors also announced that the Motion Picture & Television Fund (MPTF) will also be so honored this year.

“There has been such widespread generosity in our industry that limiting the Hersholt Humanitarian Award to one recipient, this year in particular, was impossible. So, we are breaking with tradition and giving two awards to honor that spirit,” said Academy President David Rubin in a statement. 

He declared, “Tyler’s cultural influence extends far beyond his work as a filmmaker,” adding, “He has quietly and steadily focused on humanitarian and social justice causes from the beginning of his career, caring for people who are most often ignored.”

Perry’s 330-acre studio in Atlanta employs hundreds and was one of the first production houses to get back to work last July, after adopting rigorous COVID-19 safety protocols.

Regarding the MPTF, Rubin declared it “has gone above and beyond to help our community. The sheer number of individuals and families — from every corner of our industry’s workforce — aided during the pandemic and over the last 100 years is nothing short of extraordinary.”

The Oscar statuettes will be presented at the 93rd Academy Awards telecast, which airs live on ABC and broadcast outlets worldwide on Sunday, April 25, 2021.

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