July 31, 2020 • No Comments • Entertainment News

Courtesy ABC(LOS ANGELES) — Since filling hotel ballrooms or stadiums with screaming — and singing — hopefuls is no longer an option amid the COVID-19 pandemic, American Idol is taking its auditions on the road virtually for the spring 2021 edition of the show.

Starting August 10, the show will kick off its “Idol Across America” remote auditions, which will take place in all 50 states as well as Washington, D.C. for the first time ever.  To sign up for a chance to virtually audition for an American Idol producer, visit www.americanidol.com/auditions. 

All the details are there — you just need to be between the ages of 15 and 28. You’re allowed to audition during any date, regardless of where you actually live.  The show will use “custom-built Zoom technology” to hold the auditions.

Earlier this year, American Idol became the first reality competition series to air remotely, with contestants performing and judges Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan and Katy Perry commenting from their respective homes. Singer Just Sam was crowned the winner on May 17.

The audition dates are as follows:

Delaware, Florida and Ohio (Aug 10)
Louisiana, Missouri and Wisconsin (Aug 12)
Arizona, Oregon and Washington (Aug. 14)
Georgia, Maryland, Washington D.C. and Rhode Island (Aug 16)
Open Call Auditions (Aug 17)
Alabama, Arkansas and Kansas (Aug 18)
Idaho, New Mexico and Utah (Aug. 20)
Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Texas (Aug 22)
Michigan, Tennessee and Virginia (Aug 24)
Open Call Auditions (Aug 25)
Iowa, Mississippi and Oklahoma (Aug 26)
Illinois, Indiana and Minnesota (Aug 28)
Connecticut, New Jersey and New York (Aug 30)
Colorado, Montana, Nevada and Wyoming (Sep 1)
Maine, South Carolina and West Virginia (Sep 3)
Alaska, California and Hawaii (Sep 5)
Kentucky, New Hampshire and Pennsylvania (Sep 7)
Massachusetts, North Carolina and Vermont (Sep 9)

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

July 31, 2020 • No Comments • Entertainment News

ABC/Randy Holmes(LOS ANGELES) — Allegations of a toxic workplace at The Ellen DeGeneres Show have taken a celebrity turn, with an insider saying two famous guests were directed to “fawn over” the chat show host.

Page Six reports that the two guests, who remain anonymous, were told by producers to, “compliment Ellen, tell her what a big fan you are.”

The source who leaked the info said, “These guests were already fans of Ellen, big fans, but to be told you have to flatter her was really weird. You shouldn’t have to be told … If you do look at past interviews, most of the guests always gush over Ellen — whether they’re members of the public or her close friends.”

The paper was quick to point out that it wasn’t clear if Ellen insisted on the direction.

However, as WarnerMedia wraps up the investigation into the allegations of bullying and racial insensitivity on the show that was prompted by a Buzzfeed expose, one person who worked with Ellen came forward with his own experiences with the show.

Australian TV host Neil Breen worked with the Ellen staff in 2013, when the show shipped off to Australia. Breen claimed that Ellen’s crew were, “walking on eggshells” around her. He claims he was told, “No one is to talk to Ellen. You don’t talk to her, you don’t approach her, you don’t look at her.”

Former Ellen staffers who spoke with Buzzfeed blamed senior producers, and not necessarily Ellen herself, for the toxic work environment.

In an email obtained by ABC News, DeGeneres acknowledged the controversy surrounding the show, saying in part, “I am committed to ensuring this doesn’t happen again.”

For its part, WarnerMedia echoed the sentiment in a statement, announcing that staffing changes were in the offing.

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

July 31, 2020 • No Comments • Entertainment News

Getty Images for EIF & XQ(LOS ANGELES) — A group of Hollywood celebrities have compiled a short film series while in — and all about — quarantine.

July 31, 2020 • No Comments • Entertainment News

Gabriel Olsen/Getty Images(LOS ANGELES) — The late Naya Rivera will be featured in an upcoming episode of Netflix’s Sugar Rush, Deadline reports. 

The episode, which is believed to have been her final on-screen appearance before her tragic death, premieres on the platform today as part of the show’s third season. 

According to the outlet, the Glee alum filmed as a guest judge on the baking competition show back in February before the COVID-19-related shutdowns. She’s featured in the episode alongside the show’s host Hunter March and professional chef judges Candace Nelson and Adriano Zumbo. 

Rivera was found dead on July 13, five days after she went missing while on Lake Piru with her 4-year-old son, Josey Dorsey.

According to People, who obtained Rivera’s death certificate, the cause of death was cited as “drowning” and she was laid to rest on July 24 in Los Angeles at Forest Lawn Memorial Park. She was 33.

July 30, 2020 • No Comments • Entertainment News

Photo by FOX via Getty Images(LOS ANGELES) — While WarnerMedia completes an investigation into the accusations, Ellen DeGeneres wrote a letter to her staff regarding abuse allegations some of her self-titled show’s staff vented to Buzzfeed earlier this month. 

The Hollywood Reporter obtained the letter, in which DeGeneres apologizes to her staff.

While several high-ranking producers on the show were named in the complaints, Ellen herself was not. That doesn’t absolve her, she seems to say, since the show bears her name.

“As we’ve grown exponentially, I’ve not been able to stay on top of everything and relied on others to do their jobs as they knew I’d want them done,” she wrote. “Clearly some didn’t. That will now change and I’m committed to ensuring this does not happen again.”

The industry trade notes that heads will likely roll from the accusations of racial comments, bullying, and other elements that led to a toxic work environment for some. Executive producer Ed Glavin is one named by a source at the show, who noted, “Once he’s out, it will be like a new day.”  

Glavin and fellow executive producers Mary Connelly and Andy Lassner, had apologized after the Buzzfeed piece broke, noting in part, “We are truly heartbroken and sorry to learn that even one person in our production family has had a negative experience. It’s not who we are and not who we strive to be, and not the mission Ellen has set for us.”

For her part, DeGeneres’ apology letter to her crew said, “As someone who was judged and nearly lost everything for just being who I am, I truly understand and have deep compassion for those being looked at differently, or treated unfairly, not equal, or – worse – disregarded.”

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