September 11, 2020 • No Comments • Entertainment News

Lisa Tomasetti/Courtesy QuiverDistribution(SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA) — Today, I Am Woman, the biopic of ’70s pop superstar Helen Reddy, arrives in theaters on demand across platforms including Amazon, iTunes, DirecTV and Dish. 

Australian actress Tilda Cobham-Hervey plays Helen from the age of 25 through 48 in the film, and she tells ABC Audio it was intimidating to have to play someone who is not only hugely famous, but who is still with us.

“She’s such an icon and she’s loved by so many people…and everyone has very personal experiences with her work,” Cobham-Hervey says of Reddy, a singer, actress and activist whose smash hit “I Am Woman” became an anthem for 1970s-era feminists.

 “It was very important to me to sort of do as much research as possible and find as many ways to sort of embody her as I could,” the actress, who didn’t actually sing in the film, adds.

 “Getting to study her…and try and mimic her sort of vocal quality and her physicality and, of course, copying those incredible performances…that was such a joy. But, yes, it’s a very daunting thing to step into.”

 Cobham-Hervey hopes young people who may not know Reddy hits like “I Am Woman,” “Angie Baby” and “Delta Dawn,” let alone her activism, will have their lives changed by the film — just as she did.

“Personally, I have been so inspired by learning about Helen, and it’s really pushed me to…take charge of my own life,” she gushes. “She’s so determined and driven…you can’t watch this movie, I think, and not come out catching a bit of her confidence.”

 “I think it’s incredibly important for young women to look back to all the women that came before us, that fought for the things that have made our lives possible,” she adds.

By Andrea Dresdale
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

September 11, 2020 • No Comments • Entertainment News

Ron Tom/NBCU Photo Bank(LOS ANGELES) — This is a story all about how The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air cast reunited for the sitcom’s 30th anniversary.

Will Smith shared photos of the one-time reunion special for HBO Max, which was recorded Thursday, exactly 30 years after the show’s September 10, 1990 premiere.

The reunion special, described as “a funny and heartfelt night full of music, dancing, and more special surprise guests,” is set to air around Thanksgiving, according to HBO Max.

The first photo, staged on a set recreating the Bank’s home, features Smith, 51, with the entire cast of series regulars: Tatyana Ali, who played Ashley; Karyn Parsons, who played Hilary; Joseph Marcell, who played Geoffrey, the family’s butler’ Daphne Maxwell Reid, aka Aunt Viv; and Alfonso Ribeiro, who played Carlton.  Also there is Smith’s rap partner, DJ Jazzy Jeff.

The one person missing, of course, is Uncle Phil himself, James Avery, who died in 2013 at the age of 68.

A second photo features Smith in what appears to be a lively chat with Janet Hubert, the original Aunt Viv. Hubert played the character for the first three seasons before Reid took over.

HBO Max says the the meeting is the first time Smith and Hubert spoke directly to one another in 27 years, sitting down for what’s described as “a candid conversation.”  The two have famously been at odds since Hubert’s departure from the show.

The Fresh Prince featured Smith playing a fictionalized version of himself, a teen from West Philadelphia sent to live with his rich Uncle Phil and Aunt Viv in their Bel Air, California mansion with their children — Hilary, Carlton, and Ashley.  It ran for six seasons and airing 148 episodes before it ended in 1996.

No word yet on when the reunion special will air on HBO Max.

By Carson Blackwelder
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

September 11, 2020 • No Comments • Entertainment News

Courtesy of Tubi/Lionsgate(NEW YORK) — If you’re a fan of The Hunger Games, the odds are in your favor this month. All four movies in the franchise are now available to watch for free on the streaming platform Tubi.

Josh Hutcherson, who starred as Peeta in the film opposite Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss, tells ABC Audio he’s proud of the films’ lasting impact, eight years after the first movie in the series was released.

“It’s great to be a part of a movie and a series that still resonates with an audience. I wish it didn’t because I wish things were better, you know, but I think that it has some powerful, important messages,” he tells ABC Audio.

He adds, “And now that is going to be available for free, more access and more people can see it. Not saying it’s going to change the world or inspire revolution of any sorts, but it’s empowering and it makes you realize that there is power in numbers and in the people.”

Not only do the film’s themes of rising up against oppression still resonate, but a lot of people found a newfound connection to Peeta, a baker’s son, while in quarantine — including Hutcherson himself.

“Well, first of all, I think everyone that I know was making bread during the quarantine,” he laughs. “I tried twice and one was like super spongy and then the other was like super crumbly. I just gave up…I wish I were Katniss, but I think the truth is I feel more like a Peeta.”

By Andrea Tuccillo
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

September 11, 2020 • No Comments • Entertainment News

Kevin Winter/Getty Images(LOS ANGELES) — Wipeout, the hilariously extreme obstacle course competition series is coming back to TBS.  This time, Trainwreck star John Cena alongside Nailed It host Nicole Byer will be serving up a healthy side of biting commentary as a new crop of competitors scramble across the field.

“I couldn’t be more excited for what’s in store for this radically absurd show that has its own fair share of legendary faceplants,” gushed Cena. 

Meanwhile, Byer says the show’s revival comes at the perfect time because “now more than ever we need a ton of fun and laughs and there’s nothing funnier than people falling over giant red balls.”

Cena and Byer will be joined by former Patriots cheerleader-turned-actress Camille Kostek, who will be in the trenches as the “Host in the Field” to track each competitor’s progress.

Beyond the new set of faces, TBS has completely reimagined the show’s formula.  “The re-imagined series will feature new twists and elements that will push contestants’ athleticism, approach, and determination to even greater extremes, all while delivering some wildly epic fails,” the official press release boasts.

But, the show is keeping some of the show’s signature elements, such as the dastardly big balls, which are “returning with a vengeance.”

Wipeout will challenge competitors with “a jaw-dropping, multi-stage obstacle course” across three rounds, plus throw them the curveball of trying to make it past the courses’ perilous decision points, which are “designed to further challenge the stamina of the competitors and deliver even more hilarious and surprising wipeouts.”

Casting for competitors is currently underway and Southern California residents are encouraged to apply at www.wipeoutcasting.com.

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

September 11, 2020 • No Comments • Entertainment News

Colin Bentley/The CW — © 2020 The CW Network, LLC. All Rights Reserved.(LOS ANGELES) — Hard to believe that after 15 intense seasons, Supernatural is almost over.  The longstanding CW drama marked its last day of filming and the series’ stars were understandably choked up over saying goodbye.

Jensen Ackles, Jared Padalecki and Misha Collins, who star as Dean and Sam Winchester and Castiel, respectively, took to social media to thank fans for supporting the show for nearly two decades.

Ackles broke fans’ hearts on Thursday morning as he headed into his last day of filming and penned an emotional letter bidding farewell to his home since 2005.  “Today is the final day of a 15 year journey. One that has changed my life forever,” he remarked. “What a ride it has been. And what a run.”

Ackles previously revealed that he will be taking home his favorite prop of the series — the coveted 1967 black Chevy Impala named Baby that’s been a part of the show since the first episode.

Padalecki also shared his thoughts on Supernatural coming to an end as he made his last drive to work on Thursday, admitting to fans, “Obviously, my head is spinning and my emotions are stratospheric, but there’s still a bit of time left on the clock.”

As for Collins, he kept his farewell brief, writing on Thursday, “You’ve changed my life in so many ways and you changed the world for the better.  Fight on.”

Other stars reacted to seeing the beloved supernatural drama come to an end, with Felicia Day, who played Charlie, admitting, “Didn’t know I’d feel so many feelings today from so far away.”   Jim Beaver (Bobby Singer) revealed that he felt “Deep feelings. Very deep,” over the final day of filming.

Supernatural first premiered on the CW — then the WB — on September 13, 2005.  The final episode is slated to air on November 19.

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