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'Nomadland', 'Minari' head most diverse BAFTA nominees list ever

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L-R – McDormand, Zhao on “Nomadland’ set – © 2020 20th Century Studios(LONDON) — The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) on Tuesday revealed what represents its most diverse list of nominees ever on Tuesday, including a record number of female directors. 

The list includes Lee Isaac Chung and Chloé Zhao, up for helming the dramas Minari and Nomadland, respectively. The later, which is paving its way to Oscars season with a host of trophies, also nabbed a Best Film nod and a nomination for Frances McDormand in the Leading Actress category. Alfre Woodard is also nominated in that category for role in Clemency. 

Sound of Metal‘s Riz Ahmed and The Father‘s Anthony Hopkins are up for Best Actor, along with Chadwick Boseman, posthumously for Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. 

The 2021 BAFTAs take place the weekend of April 10-11.  View the full list of nominees here.

By George Costantino
Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Sharon Osbourne defends Piers Morgan's criticism of Meghan Markle

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Andrew Eccles/CBS via Getty Images(LOS ANGELES) — Sharon Osbourne is taking Piers Morgan’s side following his criticism of Meghan Markle’s bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey, resulting in his storming off the set of Good Morning Britain on Tuesday.

“I am with you. I stand by you. People forget that you’re paid for your opinion and that you’re just speaking your truth,” Osbourne tweeted later that day.

The host of CBS’ The Talk and her husband, Ozzy Osbourne, have been friends with Morgan for years and even opened up to him in an exclusive interview about the legendary rocker’s diagnosis with Parkinson’s disease.

The Good Morning Britain co-host on Tuesday dismissed Meghan’s claims about her own mental health, declaring in part, “I don’t believe a word she says, Meghan Markle.  I wouldn’t believe her if she read me a weather report.”

Morgan, who joined the show in 2015, went on to announce on Tuesday he was leaving Good Morning Britain, of which the British television network ITV confirmed later that day.

By George Costantino
Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

China re-release could let 'Avatar' unseat 'Avengers: Endgame' for all-time box office crown

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“Avengers: Endgame” – Marvel Studios(LOS ANGELES) — In 2019, Avengers: Endgame bested Avatar‘s 10-year-old record as the highest-grossing movie of all time — but Avengers‘ high water mark might soon be ranked second to James Cameron’s sci-fi film.

The Marvel Studios film made more than $2.797 billion at the global box office during its run, putting it over the top by around $7 million bucks from the all-time box office champ.

But a surprise announcement that theaters in China will begin re-screening Avatar in both IMAX and 3D starting Friday could make up that deficit and allow it to regain the crown, The Hollywood Reporter explains.

The trade explains Chinese moviegoers have a particular nostalgia for Cameron’s film — which was a massive hit in the Middle Kingdom. Four sequels of Avatar are in various levels of production.

Marvel Studios and 20th Century Fox, which produced Avatar, are owned by Disney, the parent company of ABC News.

By Stephen Iervolino
Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Queen Latifah's 'The Equalizer' series gets second-season renewal after only four episodes

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Courtesy of CBS Communications(LOS ANGELES) — Queen Latifah will get to keep kicking butt. After only four episodes, CBS announced on Tuesday that they’ve renewed Latifah’s The Equalizer series for a second season.

According to the network, the show is television’s number-one scripted series in the key demos, averaging 14.6 million viewers. Its premiere on Super Bowl Sunday, February 7, was the most-watched debut of the 2020-2021 season, delivering 23.8 million viewers. It also scored the best viewer and demo numbers for any entertainment program since the 2020 Academy Awards on February 9.

Led by Latifah, who also serves as a producer, The Equalizer follows the star as an “enigmatic figure” who uses her extensive skills to help those with nowhere else to turn.”  The show has been described as “new take” on the character first played by Edward Woodard in the 1980s CBS TV series, and most recently portrayed by Denzel Washington in two Antoine Fuqua-directed and produced films.

Although currently on hiatus until March 28, new episodes of The Equalizer air Sunday nights on CBS. 

By Candice Williams
Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Jesse Tyler Ferguson jokes he and his husband are raising their son gay "until he decides he's straight"

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PG/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images(LOS ANGELES) — Modern Family alum Jesse Tyler Ferguson and husband Justin Mikita are finding fatherhood agrees with them, even as they’re working to figure it out.

During a virtual hang out on The Ellen Degeneres Show, Jesse spoke of parenting their eight-month-old son, Beckett Mercer. “We’re still figuring out his personality… It’s a new person in your life, and just like anyone new that comes into your life, you’ve gotta figure out if you like them. It takes a little bit of time,” Ferguson joked to DeGeneres.

“No, I really do like him, he’s a really good boy,” Ferguson said, adding that he’d “wanted to be a dad for a really long time.” 

Ferguson explained that the boy is being fed a steady diet of the actor’s favorite music –show tunes — and that his first taste of music was Britney Spears, in the car ride home from the hospital. 

“So we’re raising him gay until he decides he’s straight,” Ferguson said to laughs.

“Justin and I were saying, he’s absolutely going to be such a straight kid,” he said with a laugh. “Who knows,” the actor-turned cookbook author admitted, noting he and his husband said they’d love to see Beckett play football someday, but that they’lll love him whatever he turns out to be.

Ferguson also admitted that Taylor Swift sent them the “nicest” baby clothes for Beckett, so much so that they’re still “stuffing his sausage legs” into the clothes, which he’s grown out of, but which they can’t part with because Taylor sent them.

By Stephen Iervolino
Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.