November 11, 2020 • No Comments • Entertainment News

ABC/Craig Sjodin(LOS ANGELES) — On Tuesday’s episode of The Bachelorette, Tayshia Adams, a fan favorite from past seasons of The Bachelor and Bachelor in Paradise, finally arrived at the villa… and she had company.

The episode opened with Tayshia meeting the 16 remaining men for the first time, but just as they were getting to know each other, host Chris Harrison pulled her away to announce that “everything is about to change.”

Another limo then pulled up and dropped off four new guys: Spencer, a 30-year-old Water treatment engineer from La Jolla, California; Montel, a 30-year-old Boston-based gym owner; another Massachusetts resident, Peter, a 32-year-old real estate agent from Framingham; and 25-year-old Noah, a registered travel nurse from Tulsa.

Spencer’s opening line to the men, “Which one of you guys scared off Clare?” didn’t go over well with the guys, and they became all the angrier when he immediately pulled Tayshia aside for some one-on-one time. She felt differently, and gave him the first impression rose.

The first group date went to Blake, Riley, Zac, Jordan, Noah, Peter, Kenny, Jay, Eazy and Spencer, who joined Tayshia poolside before being divided into two teams to compete in a game of “splashball” while wearing tiny speedos.  The winners earned more time with Tayshia while the losers were sent back to the villa.

The competition was intense, especially between Riley and Spencer, the latter of whom ended up with a bloody lip. The pain was worth it though, as Spencer — along with Noah, Zac, Kenny and Eazy — were victorious in the end. Eazy scored a double win by also walking away with the group date rose.

Meanwhile, Jason continued to struggle with his feelings for Clare and announced that he was going home.

A one-on-one date went to Brandan, who, while excited about the chance to deepen his connection with Tayshia, worried that his prior failed marriage might ruin his chances with her. He was relieved to learn that she, too, went through a divorce, which allowed them to bond over their shared pasts. He not only earned the date rose, but Tayshia even gushed to the camera that she could see herself marrying the 30-year-old roofer from Milford, Massachusetts.

The episode also featured Clare Crawley and Dale Moss sitting down with Harrison for their first interview since getting engaged, where they discussed their whirlwind romance that shocked Bachelor Nation.  The two also cleared the air regarding several rumors swirling around them.

The biggest the two shot down was the report that the two contacted each other prior to filming.

“One hundred percent no,” said Clare. “And I can whole heartedly attest to this on my dad’s grave, there was never ever a single ounce of contact, communication through friends through outlets, through telephone, through any sort of source, through anything.”

Dale echoed Clare’s comments, adding that he didn’t even ask for her number until they left to go home.

The Bachelorette returns Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.

November 10, 2020 • No Comments • Entertainment News

ABC News/Steve Iervolino(NEW YORK) — (NOTE LANGUAGE) The world of entertainment is mourning this weekend’s loss of beloved Jeopardy! host Alex Trebek, and one of them is Family Guy voice star Johnny Brennan, also known to millions of fans as Johnny B from the platinum-selling prank call Jerky Boys albums.

Brennan — who calls Trebek “a terrific guy” — tells ABC Audio he and Trebek became friends from afar after the game show host got wind of “Testing for Jeopardy!“, one of the classic calls from the fourth Jerky Boys album. 

Brennan had taken an ad out in the paper pretending to be a casting agent for game shows, and he hit comedy gold when a caller responded that he wanted to be on Jeopardy!

As Brennan’s hot-tempered character, Frank Rizzo, purportedly preps the wannabe contestant with a series of nonsensical questions, he warns him that if, “you can’t whip out answers…” Mr. Trebek, “during a commercial break is liable to “punch your f***ing mouth loose.” 

Brennan laughed to ABC Audio that he loved the idea of turning the affable host “into a tough guy” behind the scenes of the show — and apparently Trebek himself liked it, too.

“We had gotten word back when I did that call…that he absolutely loved it,” Brennan said.  “I have an 8×10 [autographed picture] and it says, “To Frank, can’t wait till you come on the show,’ and then it says something like ‘I’m going to I’m going to punch your f***ing mouth loose,’ And it’s hilarious. And it’s signed ‘Alex Trebek.'”

Since then, the Jerky Boys have appeared as Double Jeopardy! questions “many times” over the years, Brennan said proudly,” describing the honor as “very cool. Very cool.” 

The long-awaited fifth Jerky Boys album comes out November 27. 

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

November 10, 2020 • No Comments • Entertainment News

Julien’s Auctions(LOS ANGELES) — What better way to celebrate your fandom of the late, great Sean Connery than to own one of the most iconic props in movie history: the famed Walther PPK pistol he wielded in his first James Bond film, Dr. No.

The non-firing prop from the 1962 film is the highlight of Julien’s upcoming “Icons and Idols” auction, taking place on December 3.

Connery died in the Bahamas on October 31, 2020 at the age of 90.

According to the auction house, “In the cinematic debut of the character of James Bond, Connery uses this hero weapon throughout the film and helped to establish and define the character that has been featured in books, films, and other media for the past nearly six decades.” 

Martin Nolan, executive director of Julien’s Auctions, says of the piece, “The silhouette of 007 holding this gun would go on to become the James Bond franchise’s most iconic image and one of the most recognizable pop culture references of all time.”

The weapon is estimated to sell for $100K-$200K, so best of luck raising funds at the baccarat tables.

Bond’s pistol isn’t the only prop up for grabs, however: Fans can bid on nearly 600 auction items. Included are props from Pulp Fiction — like the syringe used to bring Uma Thurman’s Mia Wallace back to life after a heroin overdose — as well as Arnold Schwarzenegger’s bullet-ridden motorcycle jacket from Terminator 2: Judgement Day, and a black eye patch worn by John Wayne in his Academy Award-winning role as Rooster Cogburn in 1969 Western classic True Grit.

The bidding will take place at Julien’s Beverly Hills flagship location, and also online at JuliensLive.com.

November 10, 2020 • No Comments • Entertainment News

“Tough As Nails” – Monty Brinton/CBS 2020 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved. (LOS ANGELES) — Emmy-winning shows like The Amazing Race and Survivor are about to get a much-needed infusion of color.

CBS has vowed to increase its inclusion of Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) for all of its reality shows by 50%, beginning in the 2021-2022 broadcast season.

“The reality TV genre is an area that’s especially underrepresented, and needs to be more inclusive across development, casting, production and all phases of storytelling,” George Cheeks, president and chief executive officer for the CBS Entertainment Group, said in a statement.

What’s more, the network is also increasing the number of BIPOC producers creating or co-creating shows by at least 25%, CBS announced.

Cheeks added, “As we strive to improve all of these creative aspects, the commitments announced…are important first steps in sourcing new voices to create content and further expanding the diversity in our unscripted programming, as well as on our Network.”

In July, CBS unveiled plans to increase diversity both on and behind-the-screen for its scripted series as well. The network set a targeted boost for BIPOC writers and new show creators of at least 25%.  It also promised its shows’ writers’ rooms would be staffed “with a minimum of 40% BIPOC representation beginning with the 2021-2022 broadcast season,” with the numbers jumping to 50% in the following programming year.

Last summer, the network announced that the producers and staff of its police and legal dramas like Blue Bloods and S.W.A.T. would receive consultation via an agreement with the police reform group 21CP Solutions.

November 10, 2020 • No Comments • Entertainment News

Paul Archuleta/FilmMagic(LOS ANGELES) — Actor Wentworth Miller has taken a stand, and for fans of Prison Break, that means they won’t see him return as Michael Scofield in a rumored sixth season of the Fox drama.

In an Instagram post, the 48-year-old actor, who came out in 2013, said, “I’m out. Of PB. Officially.”

Addressing online harassment he’d received in the past, which at the time left him “suicidal”, the actor explained his decision wasn’t born because of “static on social media (although that has centered the issue).” He noted, “I just don’t want to play straight characters. Their stories have been told (and told).”

Miller explained, “If you were a fan of the show, hoping for additional seasons… I understand this is disappointing. I’m sorry…If you’re hot and bothered [because] you fell in love with a fictional straight man played by a real gay one… That’s your work,” he added.

Some of Miller’s co-stars were quick to champion the decision, including his on-screen brother, Dominic Purcell. “It was fun mate,” he commented. “What a ride it was. Fully support and understand your reasoning. Glad you have made this decision for you health and your truth.” He added, “love ya brother.”

The Walking Dead and Prison Break vet Sarah Wayne Callies, who played Miller’s onscreen love interest, Dr. Sara Tancredi, posted on Instagram: “with gratitude for all the work we did together, & with deep love, i’m voicing my support for that choice.”

She also expressed, “to all the fans, know this: the cast of prison break is a queer friendly space. we stand with — and among — our friends & family in the LGBTQ+ community with full throated support for their rights and artistic work. all the time. always.”

Centering on Miller’s character’s plot to spring his wrongly accused brother from the pokey, Prison Break aired for four seasons on Fox from 2005 to 2009, and was followed by a made-for-TV film revisiting the characters called The Final Break. The success of that led to a fifth season of the show on Fox in 2016, and another season reportedly in the works.

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