September 9, 2020 • No Comments • Entertainment News

ABC/Scott Kirkland(LOS ANGELES) — The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced today that it’s instituting new standards that will allow for more representation and inclusivity when considering films for Oscar nominations, including the esteemed Best Picture category.

In an effort to establish “equitable representation on and off screen,” according to a statement, Academy governors DeVon Franklin and Jim Gianopulos led a task force that designed the inclusivity standards, using the British Film Institute Diversity Standards as inspiration, in addition to consulting longtime partner the Producers Guild of America. 

The new Academy Inclusion Standards form requires that at least one lead or significant supporting actor must be from an underrepresented group — such as Asian, Hispanic, Black, Native American or Middle Eastern, among others — in order to be considered for a Best Picture nomination.
 
Another standard states that 30 percent of the ensemble cast must represent at least two underrepresented groups — including women, a racial or ethnic group, LGBTQ+ and those with disabilities — while an additional standard requires a film’s main plot line to be centered around one of these groups.

“The aperture must widen to reflect our diverse global population in both the creation of motion pictures and in the audiences who connect with them. The Academy is committed to playing a vital role in helping make this a reality,” says Academy President David Rubin and Academy CEO Dawn Hudson in a joint statement.  “We believe these inclusion standards will be a catalyst for long-lasting, essential change in our industry.”

Though submitting an Academy Inclusion Standards form is required for the 2022 and 2023 Oscar ceremonies for Best Picture consideration, these standards will not be required for eligibility for Best Picture until the 2024 Oscars.

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

September 9, 2020 • No Comments • Entertainment News

Rich Fury/Getty Images(LAS VEGAS) — Wedding bells are ringing for Lily Allen and Stranger Things star David Harbour, who reportedly tied the knot in an intimate and secret Las Vegas wedding on Labor Day.

While the celebrity couple has yet to publicly confirm their nuptials, E! News obtained public records pertaining to the September 7 ceremony that confirms that they are now husband and wife.

Rumors ignited on Tuesday that Allen, 35, and Harbour, 45, were gearing up for a trip down the aisle after reports surfaced of the two obtaining a marriage license on September 6.

However, true to the couple’s notoriously private dating life, they managed to outfox everyone — including their sleuthing superfans — and keep their ceremony a complete secret from the public eye.

Allen first hinted that she was engaged back in May when she uploaded a mirror selfie that showed off a dazzling piece on her ring finger, but she failed to mention it in her caption. 

When a fan tried to squeezing more information out of her, Allen cheekily commented “First rule of engagement club….” — a direct reference to the movie Fight Club.  For those who haven’t seen the movie, the quote goes, “The first rule of Fight Club is you do not talk about Fight Club.”

Allen and Harbour first sparked dating rumors last summer but didn’t publicly confirm their relationship until they walked the red carpet together at the 2020 SAG Awards in January.

Prior to wedding Harbour, the “Smile” singer was previously married to Sam Cooper from 2010 to 2015 and welcomed two daughters, Marnie Rose and Ethel.  

It appears both Marnie and Ethel adore Harbour, as seen by photos of the new family’s most recent vacation in Croatia and subsequent goofing around in Las Vegas.

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

September 9, 2020 • No Comments • Entertainment News

ABC/Mike Rosenthal(LOS ANGELES) — Production has resumed for Grey’s Anatomy, which is now working hard at filming its seventeenth season.  Ellen Pompeo, who stars as Dr. Meredith Grey, shared a glance of what it looked like returning to the set after COVID-19 forced the season to wrap up early.

“First time back in my scrubs,” the actress captioned the Tuesday selfie of her and co-star Richard Flood — who plays Dr. Cormac Hayes — wearing N95 surgical masks and signature navy scrubs.

Flood was promoted from a recurring to a main character for the upcoming season.

And while returning to work was a celebratory occasion for both Flood and Pompeo, the 50-year-old actress acknowledged that her experiences of playing a doctor on television pales in comparison to what doctors and nurses wrestled with throughout the pandemic.

“Since we shut down filming 7000 healthcare workers have died from Covid,” the actress noted as she continued to honor those who continue to brave the front lines.  

Production on Grey‘s sixteenth season was suspended mid-March.

“I dedicate my season 17 to all who have fallen and to everyone of you who by the grace of God is still standing,” continued Pompeo. “This season is for you with humility and a bit of humor to get us through and endless amounts of gratitude.”

It was previously confirmed that season 17 of Grey’s Anatomy will address the ongoing pandemic in a new storyline. 

While Pompeo did not disclose how the long running medical drama plans to tackle the ongoing global health crisis, she did express, “I hope we do you proud.”

It is unknown at this time when Grey’s Anatomy will return to ABC.

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

September 9, 2020 • No Comments • Entertainment News

ABC/Craig Sjodin(LOS ANGELES) — ABC is developing a fourth addition to the black-ish franchise, according to The Hollywood Reporter. 

The spinoff, reportedly titled old-ish, would center on Earl “Pops” Johnson and Ruby Johnson — played on the flagship series by Laurence Fishburne and Jenifer Lewis — who try and give their marriage a second chance. 

Black-ish creator Kenya Barris will serve as a writer, and co-executive produce the project with Fishburne and black-ish star Anthony Edwards. 

Along with black-ish, ABC also currently airs the comedy series mixed-ish, which tells the story of Tracee Ellis Ross’ character, Rainbow Johnson, and Freeform currently airs the spinoff series grown-ish, which focuses on Yara Shahidi’s character, Zoey, as she goes to college.

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

September 9, 2020 • No Comments • Entertainment News

Disney Channel/Image Group LA(LOS ANGELES) — The Biggest Loser alum Jillian Michaels has a stern message for fans worried about the COVID-19 pandemic: if you don’t want to get sick, don’t go to a public gym until the virus is completely under control.

The celebrity fitness trainer on Tuesday announced that she has tested positive for the novel coronavirus and, not only that, she contracted the illness after she worked out with a friend.

Speaking with Fox Buisness, Michaels bluntly stated, “All I can tell you is if you are afraid of getting COVID, a public gym is probably a place where you will get it.”  There, she expanded as to why she’s suddenly telling people to stay away from the workout equipment.

She explained that her friend, who does her hair and makeup, had no idea she was carrying the virus because she was asymptomatic and that their one hour workout was all it took for her to unknowingly spread it.

Michaels added that she also became an asymptomatic carrier, which brought her to her next point about practicing all health and safety guidelines, which includes wearing a mask.

The Body Revolution star staunchly defended wearing masks, saying that not wearing one contributed to her contracting the virus. “If you’re not in a mask and that person is not in a mask, and they have COVID and have no idea…anticipate that you will likely get it in an environment like that,” Michaels cautioned. 

Michaels also acknowledged that she’s lucky to have only experienced the lesser symptoms attributed to the virus, adding, “I’m fortunate to have gone into it being healthy and I was able to get on the other side of it pretty quick. But, not everyone is that lucky as we know.”

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