September 15, 2020 • No Comments • Entertainment News

ABC/Eric McCandless(LOS ANGELES) — Dancing with the Stars returned with a mighty roar on Monday and a fresh array of hopefuls competing for the coveted Mirrorball trophy.  With a new season came some changes to the familiar ballroom, complete with a new face at the judge’s table, Derek Hough filling in for Len Goodman — who is unable to travel out of London –and, of course, Tyra Banks making her flashy debut as the show’s newest host.

Also, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, there was no live audience to help usher in the season — a first in series’ history.

Monday’s most anticipated moment came when Tiger King star Carole Baskin stepped onto the ballroom floor, pretty in pink with her signature flower crown, alongside pro dancer Pasha Pashkov.  While many wondered if the big cat lover would turn into this season’s top dog, Baskin did her best to keep up doing the Paso Doble to Survivor’s “Eye of the Tiger,” but she fell to the bottom of the pack with a disappointing score of 11/30.

Meanwhile, a team effort from actresses Skai Jackson and Justina Machado set the bar for the season as the two successfully asserted themselves as the acts to beat.  Both ladies closed out the first night sharing first place with a high score of 21/30.

Jackson, who is also the youngest star to ever compete on DWTS, Tangoed to the top thanks to the expert guidance from her dance partner — current Mirrorball champ Alan Bersten.  The Disney Channel star shined on the ballroom with her fiery routine to Nicki Minaj’s “Super Bass.”  

One Day at a Time actress Machado made sure to bring the heat (and her SAG award) for her first performance alongside dance partner Sasha Farber.  Her impressive hip shaking allowed her to Cha Cha her way to the top as she demanded “Respect” while dancing to Aretha Franklin.

Still, several other competitors made sure to let Machado and Jackson know to not get too cozy in first place.   Catfish host Nev Schulman stunned with his classy and breezy Foxtrot to Frank Sinatra’s “The Way You Look Tonight” — earning rave reviews from all three judges. He, alongside former Bachelorette Kaitlyn Bristowe, elbowed their way into second place, both scoring a well-deserved 20/30.

In addition, Monica Aldama — head coach on the Netflix hit CHEER — showed that she not only can dominate the mat, but can also tear up the dance floor with her energetic Foxtrot to Rascall Flatts’ “My Wish,” finishing in third with a noteworthy 19/30.

Dancing with the Stars returns next Tuesday, September 22, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.  Scores from Monday night will be combined with Tuesday’s scores before the series announces its first elimination.

Here are the current standings:

Tied for first:
Skai Jackson, Disney Channel star, with Alan Bersten — 21/30
Justina Machado, One Day at a Time star, with Sasha Farber — 21/30

Nev Schulman, host of Catfish, with Jenna Johnson — 20/30
Kaitlyn Bristowe, former star of The Bachelorette star, with Artem Chigvintsev — 20/30
Monica Aldama, head coach on Netflix’s CHEER, with Val Chmerkovskiy — 19/30
Johnny Weir, Olympic figure skater, with Britt Stewart –18/30
Anne Heche, TV and film actress, with Keo Motsepe — 18/30
Jeannie Mai, host of The Real, with Brandon Armstrong  — 18/30 
AJ McLean, member of Backstreet Boys, with Cheryl Burke — 18/30
Jesse Metcalfe, actor, with Sharna Burgess — 18/30
Vernon Davis, Super Bowl champion, with Peta Murgatroyd — 17/30
Nelly, Grammy Award-winning rapper, with Daniella Karagach — 16/30
Chrishell Stause, Netflix’s Selling Sunset star, with Gleb Savchenko — 12/30

Lowest score:
Carole Baskin, Big Cat Rescue owner and star of Tiger King, with Pasha Pashkov — 11/30

September 14, 2020 • No Comments • Entertainment News

Elizabeth Morris/HBO(LOS ANGELES) — Jonathan Majors, one of the breakout stars from HBO’s critically acclaimed series Lovecraft Country, is reportedly headed to the Marvel Cinematic Universe in a major way.

According to Deadline, Majors in being eyed for a lead role in the upcoming Ant-Man 3, where he is “likely to play” the super-villain Kang the Conqueror.

In the comic books, Kang is a time-traveling entity who fights with many of the Avengers, including Thor and Spider-Man.

Sources tell Deadline that although there could be a twist with how the character is featured in future films, Majors “is likely to be one of the main villains in the next installment in the franchise.”

Peyton Reed, who directed the first two Ant-Man installments, is also set to direct the upcoming feature.

This is the latest project for Majors, who previously starred in Spike Lee’s Netflix film, Da 5 Bloods. He will will also lead Netflix’s Black Western, The Harder They Fall. 

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

September 14, 2020 • No Comments • Entertainment News

Television Critics Association Watchmen and Schitt’s Creek were the most-winning shows at the 2020 TCA Awards, which were held virtually this year amid the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The Television Critics Association hosted its 36th annual awards show online today, honoring TV’s top talent across the U.S. and Canada. The winners were selected by a jury of more than 250 professional TV critics and journalists in North America.     

The night’s biggest winner was HBO’s Watchmen, which was named Program of the Year, Outstanding New Program and Outstanding Achievement In Movie, Miniseries, or Special, while lead actress Regina King was awarded Individual Achievement In Drama for her performance as Angela Abar. 

Pop TV’s beloved breakout hit Schitt’s Creek was the second most-decorated show with a pair of wins in the categories of Outstanding Achievement in Comedy and Individual Achievement In Comedy for co-star Catherine O’Hara. 

A Black Lady Sketch Show, created by and starring Robin Thede, was named Outstanding Achievement in Sketch/Variety Shows, while buzz-worthy programs The Last Dance, the documentary about Michael Jordan’s life and career, and critically-acclaimed Netflix reality show Cheer earned Outstanding Achievement in News and Information and Outstanding Achievement in Reality Programming, respectively. 

Other winning shows include Molly of Denali and Succession. 

Longtime Jeopardy! host Alex Trebek was the night’s Career Achievement Honoree, and Star Trek took home the Heritage Award. 

By Cillea Houghton
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

September 14, 2020 • No Comments • Entertainment News

Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Netflix(NEW YORK) — Jerry Seinfeld and U.S. Senator Charles Schumer are banding together in support of live venues.

WABC reports that the legendary comedian and New York senator took the stage at Gotham Comedy Club in Manhattan last night, both wearing masks, to call for federal relief for live venues impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Schumer stood in support of the Save Our Stages Act, a piece of legislation he’s co-signed that was introduced by U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and John Cornyn that, if passed through Congress, could provide grants of up to $12 million to the operators, producers, promoters and talent reps of live venues.  

“It makes the city exciting to walk down the street and know right inside that door some people are on stage and doing things,” Seinfeld professed on stage. “It gives the city energy and and electricity and it’s more than just a business, it is the spark of our culture.”   

The comedian’s statement follows an op-ed he penned for The New York Times last month called “So You Think New York is ‘Dead.’ (It’s not)” speaking to the city’s resilience.

The Save Our Stages Act is also supported by the National Independent Venue Association, which generated a letter to Congress in June asking for support for independent venues across the country, with a range of prominent figures singing the letter including Seinfeld, Amy Schumer, Lady Gaga, Whoopi Goldberg, Carol Burnett, Billy Joel and many others.  

By Cillea Houghton
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

September 14, 2020 • No Comments • Entertainment News

Ralph Bavaro/NBC(NEW YORK) — New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Monday that the 2020 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will be pre-taped, without an audience present, and air on TV on Thanksgiving Day.

Following a similar staged-and-recorded model used for the Macy’s Fourth of July fireworks this summer, viewers will still be able to watch the giant balloons, street performers and an appearance from Santa, all from the comfort of their homes.

“New York City is always proud to join Macy’s to ring in the holiday season with New Yorkers and viewers around the world. We’ve worked closely with the Macy’s team on a safe and creative plan this year, and we look forward to keeping this tradition going on Thanksgiving Day,” de Blasio said in a statement.

Macy’s added in their own statement that safety is the “number one priority” and has put together a “comprehensive health and wellness plan” working in accordance with the CDC and local health guidelines.

Some of the measures included in the plan are reducing the number of participants by 75% and dividing them between two days of filming. Performers will be required to wear face coverings and other PPE, as well as be “appropriately socially distanced” while performing. 

Additionally, the massive floats will not be operated by the typical team of 80-100 people, Macy’s instead using special vehicles that will tow the floats.

The parade will also not be following its normal 2.5 mile route, rather staging certain elements of the parade from Herald Square in Manhattan.

Children under the age of 18 will not be allowed to participate, with out-of-state marching band performances deferred to 2021.

The 94th annual parade will air on November 26 from 9 a.m. to noon local time. 

By Cillea Houghton
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.