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☆ 'Great British Bake Off' co-host Matt Lucas to leave the series
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-06 | by ( Dan Heching | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —After three shows and 51 episodes of the delectable “Great British Bake Off” on BBC and Netflix, Matt Lucas is “cheerfully passing the baguette on” as co-host of the competition series. In a tweet on Tuesday, Lucas wrote that “Bake Off” has been “a delicious experience,” but that it’s become clear that he can no longer present on the show “alongside all my other projects.”He extended thanks to his co-host Noel Fielding and the crew, along with the “wonderful bakers for welcoming me into the tent.”He concluded by saying, “I wish whoever takes over all the very best and I can’t wait to tune in to the next series without already knowing who won!”The official account for the show tweeted in response to Lucas’ post, “We loved having Matt Lucas brighten up our Tent for the last three years, especially when laughter and smiles were so much in need. We appreciate everything he’s done for Bake Off, from working in Covid bubbles to supporting the bakers. It’s been a pleasure”. “Bake Off” personalities Paul Hollywood and Dame Prue also tweeted their appreciation for Lucas, who acted as co-host on “The Great British Baking Show” since 2020, as well as spinoff series “The Great British Baking Show: Holidays,” “The Great British Bake Off: An Extra Slice,” and “The Great Celebrity Bake Off for SU2C.”No announcement has yet been made regarding who will replace Lucas in upcoming seasons in the “Bake Off” universe.

☆ 'The Daily Show' reveals Chelsea Handler, Leslie Jones and John Leguizamo will guest host
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-06 | by ( Dan Heching | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —The end of an era is fast approaching at Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show,” and the network has announced at least the first phase of plans for what’s to come next. Following longtime host Trevor Noah’s imminent departure, the network shared this week that comedy legends including Al Franken, Chelsea Handler, D. L. Hughley, Leslie Jones, John Leguizamo, Hasan Minhaj, Kal Penn, Sarah Silverman, Wanda Sykes and Marlon Wayans will fill in as host of the late-night show starting Tuesday, January 17th, as part of its “next chapter”. Courtesy Comedy CentralNoah’s final show is set to air this Thursday. The network has yet to announced whether guest hosts will revolve indefinitely or if a permanent, individual host will be named soon. “The Daily Show” airs weeknights at 11:00 p.m. ET/PT on Comedy Central and is available the following morning on Paramount+.

☆ Gabourey Sidibe reveals she’s been secretly married for over a year
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-05 | by ( Dan Heching | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —It turns out that Gabourey Sidibe has been even busier than previously thought since the beginning of the pandemic. Not only did the Oscar-nominated actress get engaged, she also secretly got married well over a year ago. “Here’s an example of how much I don’t like them: I’m actually married. Frankel posted a series of pictures of the couple showing off their rings to his Instagram also on Monday, writing, “SURPRISE! “Nobody I would rather raise cats with and be in bed by a smooth 8pm with.

CNN —Actress Kirstie Alley has died after a brief battle with cancer, her children True and Lillie Parker announced on her social media. “We are sad to inform you that our incredible, fierce and loving mother has passed away after a battle with cancer, only recently discovered,” the statement read. “As iconic as she was on screen, she was an even more amazing mother and grandmother.”Ted Danson and Kirstie Alley in 'Cheers.' Donovan Daughtry, a representative for Alley, also confirmed to CNN via email that the actress has died. John Travolta, who costarred with Alley in 1989’s “Look Who’s Talking” as well as the sequel in 1992, wrote on Instagram, “Kirstie was one of the most special relationships I’ve ever had.

☆ Ben Affleck says Netflix's 'assembly line' approach to making quality films is
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-04 | by ( Dan Heching | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Ben Affleck is sounding off on how movies are being made in today’s age of Netflix and other streaming platforms, which offer an ever-expanding glut of content. “[Netflix’s head of original films] Scott Stuber is a really talented, smart guy who I really like…but it’s an impossible job,” he added. There aren’t enough – you just can’t do it.”Affleck acknowledged that “there’s (a) bigger audience for action movies than there is for small dramas. As seen in Variety, Artists Equity already has a first project in production – a yet-to-be-titled drama about the beginnings of Nike’s incredibly popular Air Jordan sneaker brand. Written and directed by Affleck, the film stars Damon as the executive who landed the endorsement deal for the shoe with Chicago Bulls superstar Michael Jordan.

☆ George Clooney has a simple strategy for staying out of trouble as a public figure
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-04 | by ( Dan Heching | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —George Clooney has a surefire way for staying out of trouble as a public figure in the age of social media: stay off of it. Ethan Hawke, who directed Clooney in a voice role as Newman in this year’s HBO documentary “The Last Movie Stars,” observed that it’s no surprise he’s getting such a prestigious honor. “It’s interesting that he’s getting the Kennedy Center Honors this year because Newman got it too. “The default mode really doesn’t lead you to a place of thinking about fairness, or defending people who can’t defend themselves. That’s rare.”Clooney will be featured as part of the Kennedy Center Honors on December 28 at 8 p.m. on CBS.

☆ Keke Palmer reveals baby bump as part of her ‘Saturday Night Live’ opening monologue
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-04 | by ( Dan Heching | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —Some people like singing their good news from the rooftops, but in Keke Palmer’s case, it was done on live television in front of millions of viewers. The actress and comedian hosted “Saturday Night Live” this weekend, and during her opening monologue, revealed she is pregnant with her first child. “I am!” she continued, whipping open her coat to reveal her bare baby bump underneath. “Let the check clear, and then we can get to the damn baby shower,” she joked. Palmer hosted the long-running NBC comedy sketch show alongside musical guest Sza.

CNN —Bob McGrath, an original cast member of the beloved children’s program “Sesame Street,” has died, according to statements from his family and Sesame Workshop shared on social media. Our father Bob McGrath, passed away today. The Sesame Workshop paid tribute to McGrath’s nearly five decades on the show in a thread on Twitter. “A founding cast member, Bob embodied the melodies of Sesame Street like no one else, and his performances brought joy and wonder to generations of children around the world,” the statement read in part. “Sesame Street” cast member Alan Muraoka paid tribute to his “role model.”“Words cannot begin to express what Bob meant to me: a role model, a mentor, a friend.

☆ Kanye West’s Twitter account has been suspended after Elon Musk says it violated rule against incitement to violence
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-02 | by ( Rob Mclean | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN business —Kanye West’s Twitter account was suspended early Friday morning after Elon Musk said it violated the platform’s rules on inciting violence. Despite that, he again violated our rule against incitement to violence. Account will be suspended,” Musk tweeted in a reply. This is not the first time West has run afoul of Twitter. In October, before Musk completed the deal to buy the social media platform, Twitter locked West’s account over an antisemitic tweet.

☆ ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’ trailer drops with great tunes and a Rocket backstory
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-01 | by ( Dan Heching | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —After a very long wait, the closing chapter to the “Guardians of the Galaxy” trilogy is almost here. Rocket, in particular, is seen a bunch in the trailer, including in a flashback scene when he’s a wee space-raccoon, promising viewers some welcome backstory. But as always, the interplanetary action is set to great throwback tunes, this time one in particular: “In the Meantime” by Spacehog, from 1994. Since “Endgame” and before that, “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.

☆ Joe Pesci says playing Harry in the ‘Home Alone’ films came with some ‘serious’ pain
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-30 | by ( Dan Heching | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —They say artists have to be willing to do anything for their art, and for Joe Pesci, that includes setting his head on fire. “It was a nice change of pace to do that particular type of slapstick comedy,” Pesci said of making the first two “Home Alone” films in the email interview, published on Tuesday. In the uber-successful franchise, Pesci played one half a bungling thief duo (alongside Daniel Stern) who is continually one-upped by a clever kid played by Macaulay Culkin. He acknowledged that the movies “were a more physical type of comedy, therefore, a little more demanding.”One example – when Pesci’s character Harry walks unsuspectingly into a booby trap laid by Culkin’s Kevin, leading to a fiery finish. (Pesci did not clarify during which film he sustained his injury.)

☆ The small but mighty love for ‘Willow’ that led to a shiny new series
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-29 | by ( Dan Heching | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

It’s a refreshing turn against recent trends that a cult classic without the sizable built-in fanbase of, say, a “Star Wars” or Marvel property would receive the fancy reboot treatment. “You could be walking around a convention floor, and in a sea of Harley Quinns, you’ll spot a Willow,” Delaney observed. High hopesThe arrival of the new 8-episode series comes with high hopes from the small but mighty fanbase. Bob Dolman, who wrote the screenplay for the original film, also acted as supervising producer on the first episode. Kilmer’s ex-wife Joanne Whalley, who he met on the original film, will be back in the series as warrior Sorsha.

☆ Netflix updates the laughs for a new decade in teaser for ‘That ’70s Show’ sequel series
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-29 | by ( Dan Heching | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —Same old basement, same old Formans but a brand new decade. Instead, “That ’90s Show” features Callie Haverda as granddaughter Leia Forman, along with other up-and-coming stars Ashley Aufderheide, Maxwell Donovan, Mace Coronel, Reyn Doi, Sam Morelos and Andrea Anders. The teaser features the gallivanting kids being told not to dance by Red, before they zone out in a smoky haze (some things never change) and are later kicked out of the house – but not without getting delicious brownies from Kitty. The new show was created by “‘70s Show” creators Bonnie and Terry Turner, this time with their daughter Lindsey Turner, along with showrunner/executive producer Gregg Mettler. “That ’90s Show” will premiere on Netflix on January 19, 2023.

☆ Helena Bonham Carter voices support for JK Rowling and Johnny Depp
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-28 | by ( Dan Heching | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Helena Bonham Carter is coming to the defense of two fellow members of the “Harry Potter” universe. Addressing the controversy around views Rowling has expressed that have been criticized by some as transphobic, Bonham Carter called the backlash “horrendous.”“I think she has been hounded,” she said. “Everybody carries their own history of trauma and forms their opinions from that trauma, and you have to respect where people come from and their pain,” Bonham Carter said. “People will jump on the bandwagon because it’s the trend and to be the poster girl for it,” Bonham Carter told the Times of Heard and the #MeToo movement. It has become quite hysterical and there’s a kind of witch hunt and a lack of understanding.”CNN has reached out to representatives for Bonham Carter, Depp and Rowling for comment.

☆ Emma Corrin resuscitates the debate over gender neutral awards categories
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-27 | by ( Dan Heching | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Awards season has barely begun, and one of the stars of streaming’s most decorated shows is weighing in on the debate over whether legacy awards shows such as the Oscars, Emmys and BAFTAs should fuse their gendered acting categories to avoid a binary system. Now, “it’s difficult for me at the moment trying to justify in my head being non-binary and being nominated in female categories,” they said. Around the same time as Dillon’s exchange with the Academy, MTV announced they were doing away with gendered categories for its MTV Movie and TV Awards. The Grammys also got rid of gender-based categories in 2011, as part of a large-scale overhaul of the legacy music awards event. Other awards to more recently update their categories to exclude a gender binary include the Spirit Awards and the Canadian Screen Awards, both of which made the change this year.

☆ Tom Holland would be a great Zorro, according to Antonio Banderas
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-27 | by ( Dan Heching | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —In the age of reboots, revivals and prequels, Antonio Banderas is sharing thoughts on who would make a great choice to follow in his masked footsteps as the legendary Zorro. The actor, who played the swashbuckling hero in 1998’s “The Mask of Zorro” and sequel “The Legend of Zorro” in 2005, said his “Uncharted” costar Tom Holland would be a perfect fit for the role, in a video interview published Saturday with Comicbook.com. “He’s so energetic and fun,” Banderas said of Holland. “He’s got this spark, too.”The “Zorro” films, which were directed by Martin Campbell, costarred Catherine Zeta-Jones. While the “Zorro” franchise currently has no solid projects in development, Banderas is currently doing press for another sequel, the upcoming DreamWorks animated movie “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish.”In that film, Banderas again voices the debonair feline character he originated in the “Shrek” movies, following 2011’s feature-length “Puss in Boots.”

☆ 'Aladdin' turns 30: Alan Menken on the journey of an animated classic
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-24 | by ( Dan Heching | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

To mark the occasion, eight-time Oscar-winning composer Alan Menken, who nabbed two statuettes for his work on the movie, spoke with CNN about his memories from the making of the prescient classic. Alan Menken, composer: “Aladdin” was started almost simultaneously with “(The Little) Mermaid.” While we were still working on “Mermaid,” we had started “Aladdin,” had a whole take on it and it was shelved. We’re winking at everything and making fun.” We were making fun of a genre, but making fun of a genre clearly can bleed over to making fun of a people. Alan Menken, seen here this month, spoke to CNN about his memories of working on the animated 'Aladdin.' Alan Menken, lower right, with Ron Clements and John Musker and behind the scenes on 'Aladdin' in 1992.

CNN Business —Adidas will begin an investigation into allegations of misconduct against Kanye West, with whom the company had a partnership that it ended in October. In a statement released Thursday, Adidas said “it is currently not clear whether the accusations made in an anonymous letter are true. “I think Adidas felt like cause everyone was ganging up on me that they had the right to just take my designs,” West told a small crowd. In the video, West did not apologize for his antisemitic remarks but seemed to try to distance himself from any “hate group.”“I have no association to any hate group,” West said as he closed his remarks in prayer. In 2016, Adidas expanded its relationship with the rapper, calling it “the most significant partnership ever created between a non-athlete and an athletic brand.”West doesn’t currently have an attorney or publicist representing him in this matter.

☆ ‘Love Actually’ cast to reunite for 20th anniversary TV special
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-22 | by ( Dan Heching | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —One of the most beloved modern Christmas classics is turning 20 next year, and to mark the occasion, cast members from the landmark 2003 romantic comedy “Love Actually” are reuniting for a TV special to air on ABC next week, the network announced Tuesday. Hugh Grant, Laura Linney, Emma Thompson, Bill Nighy and Thomas Brodie-Sangster are taking part in the special, along with the film’s writer-director Richard Curtis. The new reunion is not the first time the actors from “Love Actually” – who also include Keira Knightley, Liam Neeson and Colin Firth – have come together again. In 2017, a short sequel to the film was produced for NBC in honor of Red Nose Day, a charity for children in need created by Curtis. “The Laughter & Secrets of ‘Love Actually’: 20 Years Later – A Diane Sawyer Special” airs Nov. 29 at 8 p.m.

☆ James Cameron almost didn’t choose Leonardo DiCaprio or Kate Winslet to star in ‘Titanic’
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-22 | by ( Dan Heching | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —James Cameron is sharing some surprising details from the making of his blockbuster hit “Titanic,” which celebrates 25 years of being released next month. In a new video interview with GQ, the iconic director revealed that he almost didn’t end up casting Leonardo DiCaprio or Kate Winslet – his two romantic leads whose careers as major Hollywood movie stars were cemented by the landmark Oscar-winning film. “He came in, he thought it was another meeting to meet Kate,” Cameron described. Cameron remembered how the actor “lit up” and “became Jack,” creating electric chemistry with Winslet later seen plainly in the film itself. “Titanic” sailed into theaters on December 19, 1997 and eventually went on to win 11 Academy Awards, including best director for Cameron.

☆ Brandy is back as Cinderella in new ‘Descendants’ movie for Disney+
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-21 | by ( Dan Heching | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —Twenty-five years after she first played the role of Cinderella, Brandy is stepping into her glass slippers again. The singer and actress will reprise her role as the fairytale heroine, first seen in the 1997 television movie “Cinderella,” in a new installment of the “Descendants” franchise for Disney+, the Mouse House announced Monday. The first three films, which included “Descendants 2” from 2017, starred Dove Cameron, Booboo Stewart and the late Cameron Boyce. Brandy starred in the Emmy Award-winning late-90s retelling of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Cinderella,” opposite Whitney Houston as the Fairy Godmother, for ABC’s Wonderful World of Disney. Disney also announced Monday that “Descendants” fan favorite Melanie Paxson will reprise her role as the Fairy Godmother from the previous “Descendants” movies for “The Pocketwatch.”A release date for the film has not yet been announced.

☆ American Music Awards 2022: See the winners list
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-20 | by ( Dan Heching | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —The 50th American Music Awards are taking place on Sunday night at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. Elton John, first nominated for an AMA in 1974, is now regarded as the longest-recognized artist in the awards show’s history. Taylor Swift led the pack with three AMA wins ahead of broadcast, including best female country artist. Below is a list of nominees for this year’s American Music Awards. The list will be updated with winners in bold throughout the broadcast, along with the winners from non-televised categories.

☆ Chris Hemsworth receives ‘strong indication’ of a genetic predisposition to Alzheimer’s disease while filming new show
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-17 | by ( Dan Heching | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Chris Hemsworth embarked on a personal and physically demanding journey for his new series “Limitless” that ultimately led to a sobering discovery. Most of us, we like to avoid speaking about death in the hope that we’ll somehow avoid it,” he told Vanity Fair. “I think that’s my favorite episode. “Doing an episode on death and facing your own mortality made me go, ‘Oh God, I’m not ready to go yet,’” he later added. “I want to sit and be in this space with a greater sense of stillness and gratitude.

☆ Brendan Fraser explains why he won't be attending the Golden Globes
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-16 | by ( Dan Heching | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Brendan Fraser, who has garnered considerable awards buzz for his starring turn in next month’s “The Whale,” says he does not plan on attending the next Golden Globes ceremony, citing his “history” with the organization in a new interview. Fraser added to GQ about his decision: “My mother didn’t raise a hypocrite. Despite the organization’s attempts to address the controversy and other ethics concerns, NBC severed broadcast ties with the organization, pending the group’s efforts to enact “meaningful reform.”The 2022 Golden Globes were not aired on television. Maybe time will tell if they’re going to…I don’t know what they’re going to do,” he told GQ this week. “I don’t know.”Following an overwhelmingly positive reception during film festival season, Fraser is considered a shoe-in for a best actor Oscar nomination.

☆ The director of Will Smith's new movie about slavery hopes audiences can look beyond the infamous #OscarsSlap
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-15 | by ( Dan Heching | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —After the Academy Awards earlier this year, movie watchers and industry insiders alike have wondered what Will Smith’s now-infamous, on-air slapping of Chris Rock will mean for the “King Richard” actor’s career, as well as his future Oscars chances. Now, ahead of the release of Smith’s new film “Emancipation,” director Antoine Fuqua is opening up about all that speculation, and his wish that audiences will instead focus on the searing narrative at the heart of the movie, namely the historic struggle against slavery in America. Four hundred years of slavery is bigger than one moment,” Fuqua told Vanity Fair in an interview published on Tuesday about the film, in which Smith plays a character named Peter, a man who escapes from slavery. The character was inspired by a historical figure commonly referred to as “Whipped Peter,” who was featured in graphic 1863 photos that depicted the brutality of slavery. Director Antoine Fuqua, seen here posing during a photocall on the set of the film "Equalizer 3" on October 19, 2022, directed Will Smith in the soon-to-be-released film "Emancipation."

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