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Ian McKellen feels "euphoric" after receiving COVID-19 vaccine

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David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images(LONDON) — Ian McKellen is thankful and overjoyed that he was able to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

According to UK’s The Mirror, the 81-year-old English actor was among the first eligible groups of people to receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine on Wednesday and he couldn’t be more excited. 

“It’s a very special day, I feel euphoric,” he reportedly said. 

After receiving the injection at the Arts Research Centre, Queen Mary University Hospital, the X-Men and Lord of the Rings actor also recommended that others do their “bit for society” and get the vaccine as well. 

“Anyone who has lived as long as I have is alive because they have had previous vaccinations, the take up amongst the older generation will be 100% – it ought to be – because you’re having it not just for yourself but for people who you are close to – you’re doing your bit for society,” McKellen said. 

“Of course, it’s painless… it’s convenient, and getting in touch and meeting [United Kingdom National Health Service] staff and saying thank you to them for how hard they’ve been working is a bonus,” he added. “I would have no hesitation in recommending it to anyone. I feel very lucky to have had the vaccine.”

The Pfizer vaccine comes in two doses, with the second administered 21 days after the first. At that time, McKellen hopes to be able to skip the social distancing and go in for a hug. 

“Next time I come, well no, six days after I next come I’m going to give them all a big hug – is that allowed? I don’t know,” he said. 

By Danielle Long
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Whoopi Goldberg defends Tom Cruise's 'Mission Impossible 7' tirade

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Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images, Leon Bennett/Getty Images(NEW YORK) — Whoopi Goldberg has come to Tom Cruise’s defense after reportedly blowing his top on the set of Mission: Impossible 7 after catching a pair of employees breaking COVID-19 safety procedures.

British publication The Sun obtained a recording of Cruise purportedly tearing into the workers who were allegedly standing too close to each other by a computer monitor.

“You know, some people don’t understand why he would get so angry,” Goldberg said on Wednesday’s episode of The View, adding, “I get it.”

“You can get a new camera operator…You can get a new sound man. but you can’t get another Tom Cruise….if he’s looking over and he can see you not doing what you’re supposed to be doing, it’s kind of like a little bit of a middle finger, in my opinion.”

The majority of Goldberg’s The View co-hosts agreed, including Joy Behar, who believed Cruise “was completely justified in doing that.”

Sunny Hostin, pointed out that the safety violation “probably warrants his rage, his anger, his disappointment.”

Sara Haines was the only dissenting voice, saying, “Only a Tom Cruise on a set could get away with that — You should never speak to grown adults like the way he just did.”

Cruise, who is also a producer on the film, threatened on the profanity-laced recording, “If I see you do it again, you’re f****** gone.”

“I’m on the phone with every f***** studio at night, insurance companies, producers, and they’re looking at us and using us to make their movies,” he continued.

When the crew members attempted to apologize, Cruise snapped, “You can tell it to the people that are losing their f****** homes because our industry is shut down.”

Mission: Impossible 7 is set for release on November 19, 2021.

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

Season 2 of 'Disney Gallery: The Mandalorian' blasts off on Disney+ on December 25

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Disney+(NEW YORK) — Star Wars fans will have a present from Disney+ under the tree this year: the streaming service has announced that the second season of Disney Gallery: The Mandalorian, will debut on December 25. 

The Gallery series is a deep dive behind the scenes of the hit show, featuring sneak peeks of the tech, the tools, and the talent that brings creator Jon Favreau’s Emmy nominated show to life. The first installment featured interviews with episode director and star Taika Waititi, as well as Favreau, co-producer Dave Filoni, and Deborah Chow, who is calling the shots on the just-announced Obi-Wan Kenobi series on the streaming service. Season one’s Gallery also included chats with director Bryce Dallas Howard, Rick Famuyiwa, and the cast, including Pedro Pascal, Carl Weathers, and Emmy nominee Giancarlo Esposito. 

The second installment of the documentary series covers, logically, the show’s surprise-filled second season, which wraps up this Friday. 

Disney is the parent company of ABC News.

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

'Christmas Chronicles 2' star Jahzir Bruno shares the "best part" of the Christmas holiday

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Joseph Lederer/Netflix(LOS ANGELES) — Eleven-year-old Jahzir Bruno is taking a well-deserved break for the holidays.

The young actor starred in two major films this year: Witches, alongside Octavia Spencer and Anne Hathaway; and Christmas Chronicles 2with Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn. Bruno tells ABC Audio that after a busy work season he’s ready to relax and celebrate the holiday with his family.

“We all have this huge breakfast at my grandmother’s house,” he says of his Christmas tradition. “We all eat, we have a good time, and then we open our gifts after. We do that every Christmas.”

For the ambitious preteen, Christmas doesn’t just mean racking up the presents. Bruno says after “a lot of hard work and dedication” to his craft, he’s just glad to take a break and be around those he loves.

“Well to me, it’s just gathering with your family and seeing like the happiness and joy on their faces,” he says.

“That’s just the best part for me, to be honest,” he smiles. 

Witches is available to stream on HBO Max; Christmas Chronicles 2 is now available on Netflix.

By Candice Williams
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

I'm not giving up my…shop: 'Hamilton' creator Lin-Manuel Miranda celebrating small businesses amid COVID-19

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ABC/Rick Rowell(NEW YORK) — With small businesses struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic, now’s the best time to show your support, Lin-Manuel Miranda tells ABC Audio. 

The Grammy, Emmy, and Tony–winning Hamilton creator has teamed up with American Express as part of its Share Joy — Shop Small campaign.

While his collaboration started in November with the company’s eleventh-annual Small Business Saturday, it’s more important than ever right now. 

“Particularly in [the] big holiday seasons, I think it’s really about realizing that your your neighborhood is as strong as its local businesses, and putting your hard-earned money back into your community.”

Miranda adds, “I know it’s tempting when you’ve got a website that lets you buy something in one click, but I swear that [local] business is online like everyone…like just give it two clicks and find that local place where you can get what you’re looking for.”

Lin-Manuel says his family has luckily been healthy amid the pandemic, and he admits he’s lucky, too, “to have the privilege to be able to hole up.” Still, “it’s been an adjustment,” he admits.

He says the “silver lining” has been to watch the bond between his two sons, the oldest of whom, Sebastian, is six, and taking virtual classes.

“[M]y two-year-old [is] basically so advanced because he’s basically going to school with his older brother,” Miranda says.  “He’s in that phase where he’s just like a little baby duck behind his older brother.”

He adds of little Francisco, “I think he’s going to be reading really fast because his brother is just learning to read. He is competitive and he wants to learn everything.”

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