July 23, 2020 • No Comments • Entertainment News

AMC/Jace Downs(LOS ANGELES) — AMC scored a major victory on Wednesday in its battle with The Walking Dead co-creator, Robert Kirkman over profits from the series.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Daniel J. Buckley ruled AMC was entitled to define “modified adjusted gross receipts” under the terms of its contracts with profit participants, according to Variety.

The suit, filed in 2017 by Kirkman and three of the show’s producers alleged that AMC used corporate accounting and deals among its various related companies to avoid payouts on profit sharing and licensing agreements.

An earlier suit, brought by co-creator Frank Darabont, who was fired as an executive producer during The Walking Dead‘s second season seeks $280 million in payments.  That case, filed in 2013, is set to go to trial next year, according to the industry trade.

AMC’s lead attorney, Orin Snyder, applauded the ruling in a statement obtained by Variety, writing in part, “Today’s decision is a total victory for AMC.  The judge found in AMC’s favor on all seven issues that were presented at trial and confirmed that AMC honored its contracts and paid Mr. Kirkman and the other plaintiffs what they were owed.”

“We are now turning our attention to the trial in New York — which involves very similar claims by CAA and Frank Darabont — secure in the knowledge that the first court to hold a trial on these issues ruled completely in AMC’s favor.”

The Los Angeles case will hear the remaining issues, unless the parties can resolve their dispute out of court.

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

July 23, 2020 • No Comments • Entertainment News

ABC/Eric McCandless

(LOS ANGELES) — Demi Lovato is “Confident” she has found the one. Early Thursday morning, the 27-year-old singer revealed the exciting news that she and Max Ehrich are engaged.

In an heartfelt announcement, Lovato shared their series of romantic engagement photos of them kissing, grinning and holding hands at the beach.  She also showed off her impressive and gorgeous diamond ring.

“When I was a little girl, my birth dad always called me his “little partner” – something that might’ve sounded strange without his southern cowboy like accent. To me it made perfect sense,” the Grammy nominee began. “And today that word makes perfect sense again but today I’m officially going to be someone else’s partner.”

“I knew I loved you the moment I met you,” Lovato gushed. “It was something I can’t describe to anyone who hasn’t experienced it firsthand but luckily you did too.”

The “Anyone” singer proved she couldn’t be any happier to be spending the rest of her life with the man she adores.

“I’ve never felt so unconditionally loved by someone in my life (other than my parents) flaws and all,” Lovato furthered. “You never pressure me to be anything other than myself. And you make me want to be the best version of myself.”

Saying that she is “honored to accept your hand in marriage,” she attested that she loves Ehrich “more than a caption could express.”

“I’m ecstatic to start a family and life with you. I love you forever my baby. My partner,” She adorably concluded.  “Here’s to our future!!!!”

Lovato hasn’t shied away from her feelings about the Young and the Restless actor since they were first romantically linked in March, declaring that he makes her “really REALLY happy,” when they went Instagram official in May.

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

July 22, 2020 • No Comments • Entertainment News

ABC/Todd Wawrychuk(LOS ANGELES) — Last week, one current and 10 former and current staffers of The Ellen DeGeneres Show came forward to Buzzfeed to claim the show’s sunny personality hides some major on-set clouds. 

The staffers claimed they tolerated racist comments and other elements of a toxic work environment from senior producers and other higher-ranking staffers while working on the show. 

Now, Us magazine claims current staff members are “loving” that the dirty laundry is being aired. “They’ve been calling and texting each other about the story,” claims a source connected with the show. “They’re loving that the truth — which has been an open secret for years in the industry — is finally receiving more interest.”

In response to the Buzzfeed piece, Ellen executive producers Ed Glavin, Mary Connelly and Andy Lassner issued a joint statement to BuzzFeed, which read in part, “Over the course of nearly two decades, 3,000 episodes, and employing over 1,000 staff members, we have strived to create an open, safe, and inclusive work environment. 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.”

It continued, “For the record, the day to day responsibility of the Ellen show is completely on us. We…realize, as many in the world are learning, that we need to do better, are committed to do better, and we will do better.”

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

July 22, 2020 • No Comments • Entertainment News

Lars Niki/Getty Images for New York Women in Film & Television(NEW YORK) — This fall, Wendy Williams returns to daytime television from her purple chair in her New York studio.

On Tuesday, Wendy announced that The Wendy Williams Show will resume in-studio production for the show’s 12th season, which begins September 21.

“I can’t wait to get back to all of you and to my amazing staff and crew,” Wendy wrote on Instagram. “I’m so excited to bring you silly, funny, glamour, and hopefully brighten your day during these crazy times that we’re all living in…even if for just an hour. I miss you and can’t wait to get back in my purple chair and show you what we did to the set. I love you for watching!”

The Wendy Williams Show shut down in March with other film and TV productions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Wendy’s show, like many, has foregone live audiences and begun filming from remote locations or at home. In May, Variety reported Wendy was taking an indefinite hiatus from the show due to complications related to her Graves’ disease. 

The show’s return is cautiously being planned around New York’s Phase 4 reopening plans for film and television production, marking the first announcement for any daytime talk show to resume in-studio. 

As for late-night television, Jimmy Fallon and The Tonight Show last week resumed production at its New York studio for the first time in four months, beginning July 13 with remote guests New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and actress Charlize Theron. With no audience, Fallon attempted to put on a “normal” show, with his backup band The Roots and crew members wearing face shields and masks.

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

July 22, 2020 • No Comments • Entertainment News

ABC/Mitch Haaseth(LOS ANGELES) — The final episode of Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. airs in a few weeks, but Wednesday night’s episode marks the directorial debut of Elizabeth Henstridge, who stars as Jemma Simmons on the ABC sci-fi adventure.

Tonight, the S.H.I.E.L.D. team’s caught in a time loop, repeating the same actions over and over.  As they try to prevent their own destruction, only two characters are aware of what’s happening: Daisy and Coulson. 

“I think it’s a big deal for them to give somebody new an episode,” Henstridge tells ABC Audio about stepping behind the camera. “And it’s a very complicated show…so I think I really had to prove that I was serious about it.”

“They gave me an episode that has Daisy and Coulson at the center,” she laughs. “And I think they just knew  I would absolutely love that!”

And the time loop episode was especially challenging, Hentsridge explains.

“How do you make a scene interesting when we’ve kind of seen [it] five times already?…How do you keep the audience engaged?” she says. “[T]here was definitely a lot of a lot of planning!”

This episode has a lot of humor but also a lot of heartbreak — and a few hints about the ultimate fate of our heroes.

“This final season has felt like a love letter to the fans…and I think the writers have done an amazing job,” says Henstridge, revealing that she loves the final episode and feels the fans will, too.

And here’s some good news: We’ll soon see fan favorite Leopold Fitz, who’s been absent the entire season.

“We’ll…soon hear from Fitz directly about where the heck he’s been, what’s going on and how serious the situation is,” promises Henstridge. 

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. airs at 8 p.m. ET Wednesday on ABC.

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