The F-word is very important to Carol Burnett.
That is, at 91 years old, with 25 Emmy nominations, two Peabodys and a Presidential Medal of Freedom, she’s only looking for one thing when it comes to work: fun.
“It’s my F-word. If it looks like it’s going to be fun, I want to do it,” she says.
Burnett has spent more than seven decades making people laugh. One of the best physical comedians of all time, she did it again as Norma Dellacorte in Apple TV+’s 2024 comedy “Palm Royale,” about a social climber (Kristen Wiig) desperate for her aunt-by-marriage’s inheritance. Burnett plays the conniving aunt.
In the first three episodes, Burnett didn’t even have lines, since her character was in a coma. However, being immobile couldn’t hold her back from stealing every scene.
It seems nothing could. In 1958, she landed her first gig, as a supporting comedian,...
That is, at 91 years old, with 25 Emmy nominations, two Peabodys and a Presidential Medal of Freedom, she’s only looking for one thing when it comes to work: fun.
“It’s my F-word. If it looks like it’s going to be fun, I want to do it,” she says.
Burnett has spent more than seven decades making people laugh. One of the best physical comedians of all time, she did it again as Norma Dellacorte in Apple TV+’s 2024 comedy “Palm Royale,” about a social climber (Kristen Wiig) desperate for her aunt-by-marriage’s inheritance. Burnett plays the conniving aunt.
In the first three episodes, Burnett didn’t even have lines, since her character was in a coma. However, being immobile couldn’t hold her back from stealing every scene.
It seems nothing could. In 1958, she landed her first gig, as a supporting comedian,...
- 10/23/2024
- by Emily Longeretta
- Variety Film + TV
Warner Bros. is bringing two cinematic classics to a new physical media transfer this Thanksgiving season. Blu-ray.com has announced the 4K Ultra-High Definition Blu-ray releases of Alfred Hitchcock‘s spy thriller North by Northwest and Mel Brooks‘ irreverent western satire Blazing Saddles. Both releases will be hitting retailers on November 19.
North by Northwest stars Cary Grant, Eva Marie Saint, James Mason, Jessie Royce Landis, and Leo G. Carroll. The description reads, “Cary Grant stars as an innocent man mistaken for a spy in one of director Alfred Hitchcock’s greatest thrillers. While leaving New York’s Plaza Hotel, advertising executive Roger Thornhill (Grant) has the misfortune of standing just as the name “George Kaplan” is paged–starting a lethal case of mistaken identity and a nonstop game of cat and mouse as he is pursued across North America by espionage agents trying to kill him–and by police who suspect him of murder.
North by Northwest stars Cary Grant, Eva Marie Saint, James Mason, Jessie Royce Landis, and Leo G. Carroll. The description reads, “Cary Grant stars as an innocent man mistaken for a spy in one of director Alfred Hitchcock’s greatest thrillers. While leaving New York’s Plaza Hotel, advertising executive Roger Thornhill (Grant) has the misfortune of standing just as the name “George Kaplan” is paged–starting a lethal case of mistaken identity and a nonstop game of cat and mouse as he is pursued across North America by espionage agents trying to kill him–and by police who suspect him of murder.
- 10/3/2024
- by EJ Tangonan
- JoBlo.com
Mel Brooks’ classic western comedy Blazing Saddles is getting a 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray release to mark its 50th anniversary. More here.
Mel Brooks’ much-loved and groundbreaking comedy favourite Blazing Saddles is arriving at its 50th birthday this year. And just as with other anniversary films this year such as North By Northwest and A Nightmare On Elm Street, Warner Bros appears to be pulling out the stops for a posh-looking 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray collector’s set.
The film hasn’t been on the 4K disc format before, so it’s enjoying a 4K remaster for a start. The set will always include a Blu-ray disc too, to carry across previous additional features too.
Then, the 50th anniversary set will come in Steelbook casing, and include an envelope with 10 art cards inside. There’s also a double-sided bookmark, a double-sided retro art card, three double-sided behind the scenes cards,...
Mel Brooks’ much-loved and groundbreaking comedy favourite Blazing Saddles is arriving at its 50th birthday this year. And just as with other anniversary films this year such as North By Northwest and A Nightmare On Elm Street, Warner Bros appears to be pulling out the stops for a posh-looking 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray collector’s set.
The film hasn’t been on the 4K disc format before, so it’s enjoying a 4K remaster for a start. The set will always include a Blu-ray disc too, to carry across previous additional features too.
Then, the 50th anniversary set will come in Steelbook casing, and include an envelope with 10 art cards inside. There’s also a double-sided bookmark, a double-sided retro art card, three double-sided behind the scenes cards,...
- 9/10/2024
- by Simon Brew
- Film Stories
Some actors are so good they can consistently draw attention without even trying. But Carol Burnett might be the only living legend who can literally steal scenes in her sleep. The 91-year-old actor just received her 23rd Primetime Emmy nomination for her supporting work in the satirical comedy “Palm Royale” — for playing a character who spends a good part of the season in a coma.
Created by Abe Sylvia and set in 1969, “Palm Royale” casts Burnett as Norma Dellacorte, a beloved and feared grand dame of Florida society who has been bedridden since a pulmonary episode. Her caretaker becomes Maxine Simmons-Dellacorte (played by fellow Emmy nominee Kristen Wiig), the wife of Norma’s nephew, but can only communicate her disdain through a series or groans and gibberish. Yet Burnett makes her limited capacities a master class in acting.
While that might sound difficult, Burnett dismisses such ideas. “It wasn’t a challenge at all,...
Created by Abe Sylvia and set in 1969, “Palm Royale” casts Burnett as Norma Dellacorte, a beloved and feared grand dame of Florida society who has been bedridden since a pulmonary episode. Her caretaker becomes Maxine Simmons-Dellacorte (played by fellow Emmy nominee Kristen Wiig), the wife of Norma’s nephew, but can only communicate her disdain through a series or groans and gibberish. Yet Burnett makes her limited capacities a master class in acting.
While that might sound difficult, Burnett dismisses such ideas. “It wasn’t a challenge at all,...
- 8/8/2024
- by Jenelle Riley
- Variety Film + TV
“A fart joke is easy.”
This may be, but executed by Mel Brooks, it can get a crowd going more than anything on view at this summer’s Paris Olympics. So was the case this past weekend at a 50th anniversary screening of his western comedy classic, “Blazing Saddles,” which played at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles and was followed by a Q&a with the 98 year-old filmmaker himself. Moderated by Brooksfilms producer Kevin Salter, Brooks dazzled and enraptured the audience with tidbits on the making of the film and stories from his colorful past. One such story involved his hard-to-believe Oscar win for his first film, “The Producers.”
“I didn’t have a speech because Stanley Kubrick was in the same category for ‘2001,’” Brooks said of being nominated for Best Original Screenplay. “There was a brilliant director called Pontecorvo who did ‘The Battle of Algiers,’ a great picture...
This may be, but executed by Mel Brooks, it can get a crowd going more than anything on view at this summer’s Paris Olympics. So was the case this past weekend at a 50th anniversary screening of his western comedy classic, “Blazing Saddles,” which played at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles and was followed by a Q&a with the 98 year-old filmmaker himself. Moderated by Brooksfilms producer Kevin Salter, Brooks dazzled and enraptured the audience with tidbits on the making of the film and stories from his colorful past. One such story involved his hard-to-believe Oscar win for his first film, “The Producers.”
“I didn’t have a speech because Stanley Kubrick was in the same category for ‘2001,’” Brooks said of being nominated for Best Original Screenplay. “There was a brilliant director called Pontecorvo who did ‘The Battle of Algiers,’ a great picture...
- 7/29/2024
- by Harrison Richlin
- Indiewire
“Oh baby, you are so talented,” exclaims Bart (Cleavon Little), the wily protagonist of Blazing Saddles. The first Black sheriff in the Old West town of Rock Ridge, Bart had to escape the genteel, devout, and very racist citizens by pulling a gun on himself and pretending that he is both his own captor and hostage. The ruse works, leading to Bart’s self-praise into the camera… he also acknowledges “they are so dumb.”
Bart’s broad shenanigans match not only the stupidity of the townspeople but also the tone of the Mel Brooks classic. Written by Brooks and a host of co-writers (including an uncredited Richard Pryor), Blazing Saddles combines Looney Tunes humor with biting social commentary, and a genuine love of the Hollywood Western, making for a movie at once eternal and immediate.
Little, Brooks, and all the writers contributed to the success of Blazing Saddles. But holding...
Bart’s broad shenanigans match not only the stupidity of the townspeople but also the tone of the Mel Brooks classic. Written by Brooks and a host of co-writers (including an uncredited Richard Pryor), Blazing Saddles combines Looney Tunes humor with biting social commentary, and a genuine love of the Hollywood Western, making for a movie at once eternal and immediate.
Little, Brooks, and all the writers contributed to the success of Blazing Saddles. But holding...
- 6/20/2024
- by David Crow
- Den of Geek
You couldn't make "Blazing Saddles" today.
For one, it's already 12:30, and you haven't eaten lunch yet. Then you said you'd take that pile of old clothes to the Goodwill, and also swing by the pharmacy to pick up your dad's ear medicine. By then, it would already be about 2:30 or 3pm. There just wouldn't be enough time to make "Blazing Saddles."
When Mel Brooks made "Blazing Saddles" in 1974, however, he had plenty of time. He also had access to a brilliant script, a wonderful cast of comedic geniuses, and a healthy willingness to rip apart every halcyon tradition associated with the American Western. "Blazing Saddles" spoofed Westerns to within an inch of their lives, examining the horrid racism that the genre tends to overlook or even romanticize.
"Blazing Saddles" is a comedy about racism but never makes light of it, putting all the racism into the mouths of...
For one, it's already 12:30, and you haven't eaten lunch yet. Then you said you'd take that pile of old clothes to the Goodwill, and also swing by the pharmacy to pick up your dad's ear medicine. By then, it would already be about 2:30 or 3pm. There just wouldn't be enough time to make "Blazing Saddles."
When Mel Brooks made "Blazing Saddles" in 1974, however, he had plenty of time. He also had access to a brilliant script, a wonderful cast of comedic geniuses, and a healthy willingness to rip apart every halcyon tradition associated with the American Western. "Blazing Saddles" spoofed Westerns to within an inch of their lives, examining the horrid racism that the genre tends to overlook or even romanticize.
"Blazing Saddles" is a comedy about racism but never makes light of it, putting all the racism into the mouths of...
- 6/18/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Apple TV+’s “Palm Royale” is packed heels to highlights with legendary actresses, but Carol Burnett wants to add at least one more when they’re back for Season 2.
In an exclusive interview ahead of the 2024 IndieWire Honors — which took place on June 6 at Citizen News in Hollywood and saw the beloved comedienne winning the Vanguard Award for a lifetime of achievements in television — Burnett revealed that her old scene partner Vicki Lawrence not only watched but “loved” creator Abe Sylvia’s sparkling ‘60s satire about well-to-do Palm Beach.
“I wish they could find something for [Vicki] on the show,” said Burnett, who guest starred as the larger-than-life Norma Dellacorte in “Palm Royale” Season 1. “I’m going to ask Abe if there’s a part that might come up because that would be fun to have Vicki on. That would really be something. And not just a mercy booking. That’s not what I mean.
In an exclusive interview ahead of the 2024 IndieWire Honors — which took place on June 6 at Citizen News in Hollywood and saw the beloved comedienne winning the Vanguard Award for a lifetime of achievements in television — Burnett revealed that her old scene partner Vicki Lawrence not only watched but “loved” creator Abe Sylvia’s sparkling ‘60s satire about well-to-do Palm Beach.
“I wish they could find something for [Vicki] on the show,” said Burnett, who guest starred as the larger-than-life Norma Dellacorte in “Palm Royale” Season 1. “I’m going to ask Abe if there’s a part that might come up because that would be fun to have Vicki on. That would really be something. And not just a mercy booking. That’s not what I mean.
- 6/14/2024
- by Alison Foreman
- Indiewire
On June 6, the 2024 IndieWire Honors ceremony will celebrate thirteen creators and stars responsible for some of the most stellar work of the TV season. Curated and selected by IndieWire’s editorial team, this event is a new edition of its IndieWire Honors event focused entirely on television. In the days leading up to the event, IndieWire is showcasing their work with new interviews and tributes from their peers.
Ahead, “Palm Royale” executive producer and star Laura Dern tells IndieWire about the extraordinary experience of working with Vanguard Award winner Carol Burnett.
As told to Alison Foreman. The following has been edited and condensed for clarity.
When you have the privilege of being raised by extraordinary people and being raised in the business and meeting your heroes — then you get to meet your ultimate hero and you work with them, and they’re not just everything you dreamt of but they...
Ahead, “Palm Royale” executive producer and star Laura Dern tells IndieWire about the extraordinary experience of working with Vanguard Award winner Carol Burnett.
As told to Alison Foreman. The following has been edited and condensed for clarity.
When you have the privilege of being raised by extraordinary people and being raised in the business and meeting your heroes — then you get to meet your ultimate hero and you work with them, and they’re not just everything you dreamt of but they...
- 6/3/2024
- by Laura Dern
- Indiewire
With its scathing social satire, raunchy humor and frequent use of the controversial N-word, “Blazing Saddles” got mixed reviews upon its release February 7, 1974. Nonetheless, it galloped to the top of the box office and earned three Oscar nominations, and set new standards for comedy films with its irreverence, spoofs and just plain silliness. Some reviewers did get the joke from the beginning, including Roger Ebert, who awarded it four out of four stars, saying it’s “a crazed grab bag of a movie that does everything to keep us laughing except hit us over the head with a rubber chicken.” On its 50th anniversary, we look back at how “Blazing Saddles” has endured as one of the greatest and most beloved comedies of all time.
It all started when Mel Brooks bought the film rights to a story titled “Tex-x” (changed so it wouldn’t be mistaken for an X-rated...
It all started when Mel Brooks bought the film rights to a story titled “Tex-x” (changed so it wouldn’t be mistaken for an X-rated...
- 2/7/2024
- by Susan Pennington
- Gold Derby
Norby Walters, a music agent who worked with Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, Marvin Gaye, Kool & the Gang and Public Enemy before gaining renown in Hollywood for his annual “Night of 100 Stars” Oscar party and weekly poker game, has died. He was 91.
Walters died Dec. 10 of natural causes at an assisted living facility in Burbank, his son, producer Gary Michael Walters (Whiplash), told The Hollywood Reporter.
Walters hosted his first Oscar night gala in 1990 and the last in 2017, most often inside the Beverly Hilton’s Crystal Ballroom. Among those who attended were Shirley Jones, Robert Forster, Charles Bronson, Patricia Neal, Richard Dreyfuss, Eva Marie Saint, Martin Landau, Louis Gossett Jr., J.K. Simmons, Cliff Robertson, Red Buttons, Jon Voight and Allison Janney.
Walters for years also presided over a weekly poker game at his West Hollywood high-rise condo. The low-stakes $2 game was, his son said, “designed to be a place where actors could kibbutz,...
Walters died Dec. 10 of natural causes at an assisted living facility in Burbank, his son, producer Gary Michael Walters (Whiplash), told The Hollywood Reporter.
Walters hosted his first Oscar night gala in 1990 and the last in 2017, most often inside the Beverly Hilton’s Crystal Ballroom. Among those who attended were Shirley Jones, Robert Forster, Charles Bronson, Patricia Neal, Richard Dreyfuss, Eva Marie Saint, Martin Landau, Louis Gossett Jr., J.K. Simmons, Cliff Robertson, Red Buttons, Jon Voight and Allison Janney.
Walters for years also presided over a weekly poker game at his West Hollywood high-rise condo. The low-stakes $2 game was, his son said, “designed to be a place where actors could kibbutz,...
- 12/21/2023
- by Mike Barnes and Borys Kit
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Plot: Behind the scenes of the infamous Star Wars Holiday Special.
Review: Young people today have no idea how hard it was to see the Star Wars Holiday Special in the days before the internet. I remember only being aware of the Holiday Special in the mid-nineties thanks to the occasional mention in Starlog or Sci-Fi Universe. In about 1996, some friends and I attended a Star Wars Convention in Montreal, and the big attraction was that they would be screening the Holiday Special in full on someone’s bootleg tape. My pals and I were so excited, but after all the years of reading about it and dreaming of what it could be like, we walked out after ten minutes. Nine minutes of unsubtitled Wookie was enough to turn us off, and to this day, I don’t think I’ve ever actually sat through the whole thing.
The fact...
Review: Young people today have no idea how hard it was to see the Star Wars Holiday Special in the days before the internet. I remember only being aware of the Holiday Special in the mid-nineties thanks to the occasional mention in Starlog or Sci-Fi Universe. In about 1996, some friends and I attended a Star Wars Convention in Montreal, and the big attraction was that they would be screening the Holiday Special in full on someone’s bootleg tape. My pals and I were so excited, but after all the years of reading about it and dreaming of what it could be like, we walked out after ten minutes. Nine minutes of unsubtitled Wookie was enough to turn us off, and to this day, I don’t think I’ve ever actually sat through the whole thing.
The fact...
- 12/7/2023
- by Chris Bumbray
- JoBlo.com
"Star Wars" fans of a certain age sat through it on television. Younger fans had to hunt for it on the Internet. It was the debut of Boba Fett, and there was an excruciatingly long Wookiee domestic scene without any dialogue but plenty of grunts and groans. Yes, friends, I'm talking about the "Star Wars Holiday Special." Carrie Fisher sings while high as a kite, Mark Hamill wears an astonishing amount of makeup, and Harrison Ford is clearly unhappy to be there.
It's full of all sorts of weirdness, like Chewbacca's (Peter Mayhew) wife Malla watching a cooking show while her hairy paws cook food without gloves (eww), and Chewie's father Itchy watches soft porn in the form of a VR recording of a singing Diahann Carroll. His kid Lumpy watches some sort of variety show acrobats ... it's a mess.
It wasn't just a disaster to watch. It was actually...
It's full of all sorts of weirdness, like Chewbacca's (Peter Mayhew) wife Malla watching a cooking show while her hairy paws cook food without gloves (eww), and Chewie's father Itchy watches soft porn in the form of a VR recording of a singing Diahann Carroll. His kid Lumpy watches some sort of variety show acrobats ... it's a mess.
It wasn't just a disaster to watch. It was actually...
- 11/27/2023
- by Jenna Busch
- Slash Film
Star Wars fans will truly get to feel A Disturbance in the Force when a documentary about the infamous Star Wars Holiday Special — which debuted 45 years ago today, on CBS — is released.
Having premiered back in March at the SXSW Film Festival, A Disturbance in the Force will be released on digital and Blu-ray on Tuesday, Dec. 5, our sister site Variety reports. The 86-minute docu will also play in select theaters across the U.S. ahead of its digital release.
More from TVLineThe Late Ray Stevenson Was Terrific on Disney+'s Ahsoka Series - But Now His Role Should Be...
Having premiered back in March at the SXSW Film Festival, A Disturbance in the Force will be released on digital and Blu-ray on Tuesday, Dec. 5, our sister site Variety reports. The 86-minute docu will also play in select theaters across the U.S. ahead of its digital release.
More from TVLineThe Late Ray Stevenson Was Terrific on Disney+'s Ahsoka Series - But Now His Role Should Be...
- 11/17/2023
- by Matt Webb Mitovich
- TVLine.com
If you thought The Phantom Menace was bad, A Disturbance in the Force uncovers what went on to allow such a cultural monstrosity to exist
If there is an event more synonymous with the folly of man than the Star Wars Holiday Special then no one has yet discovered it. The two-hour, 1978 TV show, which sent Mark Hamill’s Luke Skywalker, Harrison Ford’s Han Solo and Carrie Fisher’s Princess Leia to Kashyyyk (the home planet of the Wookiees) for something called “Life Day” is notoriously one of the most execrable pieces of entertainment ever committed to film. It has never been re-broadcast, and George Lucas once said he would have personally destroyed each and every bootleg copy if given the chance.
The costumes are cheap, the makeup even cheaper (Hamill has so much caked on he might as well have just stepped off the stage after playing a...
If there is an event more synonymous with the folly of man than the Star Wars Holiday Special then no one has yet discovered it. The two-hour, 1978 TV show, which sent Mark Hamill’s Luke Skywalker, Harrison Ford’s Han Solo and Carrie Fisher’s Princess Leia to Kashyyyk (the home planet of the Wookiees) for something called “Life Day” is notoriously one of the most execrable pieces of entertainment ever committed to film. It has never been re-broadcast, and George Lucas once said he would have personally destroyed each and every bootleg copy if given the chance.
The costumes are cheap, the makeup even cheaper (Hamill has so much caked on he might as well have just stepped off the stage after playing a...
- 11/17/2023
- by Ben Child
- The Guardian - Film News
Since its debut on CBS on September 11, 1967, there was something distinctively special about "The Carol Burnett Show." This sketch comedy series spanned 279 episodes during its initial run, featuring acclaimed performances and comedic skits that were witty, sharp, and heavy on detail. Every actor who was a part of the show slipped into the shoes of a variety of characters that still remain memorable, including Carol Burnett's Charwoman (her signature role), and her parody of silent-film actress Nora Desmond. Some sketches were parodies of classic films such as "Gone With The Wind" or "Sunset Boulevard," while others mimicked soap opera structures or commercial spoofs.
By 1977, the popularity of the show had spiked, leading to some of the outstanding sketches being re-edited into standalone programs compiled in "Carol Burnett and Friends," which mashed the best skits into half-hour episodes. While the show relied on guest stars such as Jim Nabors and...
By 1977, the popularity of the show had spiked, leading to some of the outstanding sketches being re-edited into standalone programs compiled in "Carol Burnett and Friends," which mashed the best skits into half-hour episodes. While the show relied on guest stars such as Jim Nabors and...
- 10/24/2023
- by Debopriyaa Dutta
- Slash Film
1957 was a big year for David McCallum, the respected Glasgow-born actor known for “The Man From U.N.C.L.E.,” “The Great Escape” and his 20-year run on “NCIS” as quirky pathologist Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard.
From the Oct. 23, 1957, edition of weekly Variety
The actor, who died Sept. 25 at the age of 90, logged six mentions in Variety that year, starting with a review in the March 20 edition of weekly that listed him in the cast of the British “crime meller” (aka crime melodrama) “The Secret Place.” From then on, McCallum was a staple in our pages, boarding movies, TV shows and legit stages in the U.S. and U.K. He never stopped working.
Wedding announcement for David McCallum and Jill Ireland from the May 22, 1957, edition of weekly Variety
1957 was also the year McCallum married actor Jill Ireland in London, an event commemorated with a wedding announcement in the May 22, 1957, edition of weekly.
From the Oct. 23, 1957, edition of weekly Variety
The actor, who died Sept. 25 at the age of 90, logged six mentions in Variety that year, starting with a review in the March 20 edition of weekly that listed him in the cast of the British “crime meller” (aka crime melodrama) “The Secret Place.” From then on, McCallum was a staple in our pages, boarding movies, TV shows and legit stages in the U.S. and U.K. He never stopped working.
Wedding announcement for David McCallum and Jill Ireland from the May 22, 1957, edition of weekly Variety
1957 was also the year McCallum married actor Jill Ireland in London, an event commemorated with a wedding announcement in the May 22, 1957, edition of weekly.
- 9/29/2023
- by Cynthia Littleton
- Variety Film + TV
Paramount+ is starting September with a bang with hundreds of new film titles joining its library, from comedies like “Blazing Saddles” and “The Big Lebowski,” to award-winning dramas like “Schindler's List” and “Forrest Gump” and sci-fi thrillers like “Terminator 2” and “Annihilation.”
But the streamer isn’t stopping there, with even more TV series (including Paramount+ originals and exclusives) and sports available throughout the month on the Paramount+ Essential plan and even more titles on the Paramount+ with Showtime.
Check out The Streamable’s picks for the top five titles arriving to the streamer this month!
30-Day Free Trial $5.99+ / month paramountplus.com
For a Limited Time, Get 1 Month of Paramount+ With Code: Lioness
What are the 5 Best Shows and Movies Coming to Paramount+ in September 2023? “Blazing Saddles” | Friday, Sept. 1
Return to Rock Ridge with Mel Brooks’ fourth-wall-breaking classic that will leave you anything but tired. The satirical Western-black comedy follows...
But the streamer isn’t stopping there, with even more TV series (including Paramount+ originals and exclusives) and sports available throughout the month on the Paramount+ Essential plan and even more titles on the Paramount+ with Showtime.
Check out The Streamable’s picks for the top five titles arriving to the streamer this month!
30-Day Free Trial $5.99+ / month paramountplus.com
For a Limited Time, Get 1 Month of Paramount+ With Code: Lioness
What are the 5 Best Shows and Movies Coming to Paramount+ in September 2023? “Blazing Saddles” | Friday, Sept. 1
Return to Rock Ridge with Mel Brooks’ fourth-wall-breaking classic that will leave you anything but tired. The satirical Western-black comedy follows...
- 8/29/2023
- by Ashley Steves
- The Streamable
The question asked back in the ’80s and ’90s was never, “Have you seen The Star Wars Holiday Special?” It was always, “Have you heard of The Star Wars Holiday Special?”
We’re talking about a 1978 air date, after all. Someone must have owned a Vcr, since bootleg copies of the maligned variety show do exist on the Internet (George Lucas has vehemently denounced the project and even Disney has refused to release a “clean” copy beyond putting the animated segment “The Story of the Faithful Wookiee” on Disney+.) But its existence was akin to legend back then. Just knowing was enough to be cool with details being learned rather than experienced.
So it’s shocking that it’s taken until 2023 to finally receive a “definitive” look at its creation and eventual lambasting. Jeremy Coon and Steve Kozak’s A Disturbance in the Force thus seems almost like a miracle...
We’re talking about a 1978 air date, after all. Someone must have owned a Vcr, since bootleg copies of the maligned variety show do exist on the Internet (George Lucas has vehemently denounced the project and even Disney has refused to release a “clean” copy beyond putting the animated segment “The Story of the Faithful Wookiee” on Disney+.) But its existence was akin to legend back then. Just knowing was enough to be cool with details being learned rather than experienced.
So it’s shocking that it’s taken until 2023 to finally receive a “definitive” look at its creation and eventual lambasting. Jeremy Coon and Steve Kozak’s A Disturbance in the Force thus seems almost like a miracle...
- 7/30/2023
- by Jared Mobarak
- The Film Stage
You’d think CBS would have jumped at the chance to snag Carol Burnett’s “90 Years of Laughter + Love” birthday special. Not only did the comedy legend’s variety show run on the network for 11 seasons, but so did its 50th anniversary special in 2017.
“We first went to CBS, but they passed,” Burnett told me at an FYC event for the birthday special. “I did my show with them and all my specials, so naturally we went to them.”
Fortunately, NBC bought the special, and it went on to score an impressive 7.6 million viewers. It’s now favored to pick up an Emmy nomination. “NBC couldn’t have been greater,” she said. “They’ve been so supportive right from the get-go.”
A rep for CBS declined to comment.
The guest list for the special, which premiered April 26, included Julie Andrews, Cher, Katy Perry, Kristin Chenoweth, Billy Porter, Jane Lynch, Bernadette Peters,...
“We first went to CBS, but they passed,” Burnett told me at an FYC event for the birthday special. “I did my show with them and all my specials, so naturally we went to them.”
Fortunately, NBC bought the special, and it went on to score an impressive 7.6 million viewers. It’s now favored to pick up an Emmy nomination. “NBC couldn’t have been greater,” she said. “They’ve been so supportive right from the get-go.”
A rep for CBS declined to comment.
The guest list for the special, which premiered April 26, included Julie Andrews, Cher, Katy Perry, Kristin Chenoweth, Billy Porter, Jane Lynch, Bernadette Peters,...
- 5/31/2023
- by Marc Malkin
- Variety Film + TV
As Carol Burnett turns 90, she bristles at the idea of looking back at her legacy. She’s not one to watch old episodes of her iconic “The Carol Burnett Show,” for example. “I’m not like Norma Desmond,” she quips, referring to the fading star in “Sunset Boulevard.” “The only time I do it is if I have to for a reason.”
In this case, NBC gave her a good one. The network is set to air “Carol Burnett: 90 Years of Laughter + Love” on April 26, and the special features both new performances and clips from Burnett’s storied career. And it gave Burnett a chance to reminisce with old friends — and new.
“It’s exactly what I wanted,” Burnett said. “I didn’t want a birthday party with cake and balloons and confetti and all of that. What I wanted was to have an entertaining show. And that’s what we got.
In this case, NBC gave her a good one. The network is set to air “Carol Burnett: 90 Years of Laughter + Love” on April 26, and the special features both new performances and clips from Burnett’s storied career. And it gave Burnett a chance to reminisce with old friends — and new.
“It’s exactly what I wanted,” Burnett said. “I didn’t want a birthday party with cake and balloons and confetti and all of that. What I wanted was to have an entertaining show. And that’s what we got.
- 4/26/2023
- by Michael Schneider
- Variety Film + TV
Chris McKay's new horror/comedy "Renfield" has a whimsical premise: it seems that when Count Dracula was vanquished at the end of Tod Browning's famed 1931 feature film "Dracula," he wasn't quite dead. His weaselly assistant Renfield, played in 1931 by the incomparable Dwight Frye, absconded with Dracula's remains and went into hiding. Renfield, now immortal and made powerful by eating bugs, stalked the night to find victims for his still-barely-alive vampire master. Dracula would drink blood, slowly grow back from the brink, and eventually be a whole monster once again. Once empowered, however, Dracula would go a little hog wild and being drinking the blood of nobles willy-nilly. This would inspire another round of attacks, Dracula would be vanquished once again, and the cycle would repeat.
"Renfield" catches up with Dracula (Nicolas Cage) and Renfield (Nicholas Hoult) in the modern day while Dracula is in one of his recovery periods.
"Renfield" catches up with Dracula (Nicolas Cage) and Renfield (Nicholas Hoult) in the modern day while Dracula is in one of his recovery periods.
- 4/22/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Carol Burnett has always made the audience her priority. Over 11 seasons of her landmark variety show, she indulged fans in countless Tarzan yells, never reshot a sketch when one of her co-stars cracked up and prided herself on getting The Carol Burnett Show‘s weekly crowds (and its staff) out of the studio in time for dinner. Naturally, during the recent taping of the upcoming NBC special Carol Burnett: 90 Years of Laughter + Love, she avoided the trappings of a clip show. And she kept things moving. “It’s a two-hour show, and we were done in about two-and-a-half,” she says of her early birthday party — filmed in front of a live audience. “I want people to feel like they’re seeing a Broadway show, not sitting around waiting for scenery or costume changes.”
As she turns 90 on April 26, the day her special drops, Burnett’s love of comedy...
As she turns 90 on April 26, the day her special drops, Burnett’s love of comedy...
- 4/13/2023
- by Mikey O'Connell
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Alec Guinness, George Lucas in The Making of Star Wars Image: Screenshot/YouTube Every Star Wars fan has a favorite Disney+ TV series, including titles like Andor and The Mandalorian, and nearly every fan has a “least favorite” to show hate-watch (we’re looking at you The Book Of Boba Fett...
- 4/11/2023
- by Ray Greene
- avclub.com
A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, there was Star Wars… and only Star Wars. Oh, you could buy a novelization of George Lucas’ cosmic saga of good and evil, as well as a Marvel Comics’ adaptation of the film that kept the post-Death Star story going in… some very singular ways. (Pour one out for the giant green space-rabbit Jaxxon T. Tumperakki.) Eventually, there were toys — so, so many toys — as well as soundtrack albums, coffee-table books of concept art, and loads of other merchandise. But...
- 3/12/2023
- by David Fear
- Rollingstone.com
There are times when you look back at pop culture phenomena and can’t resist the urge to ask: Can you believe this actually happened? Tackling a notorious fiasco in one of the galaxy’s most popular franchises, Jeremy Coon and Steve Kozak’s amusing and exhaustive documentary ”A Disturbance in the Force” unpacks 1978’s “Star Wars Holiday Special.”
You don’t have to be an obsessive “Star Wars” fan to enjoy this behind-the-scenes look at how the special — which premiered Nov. 17, 1978 on CBS, and has never been re-run on any broadcast or cable outlet — came to exist. To be sure, the fans will appreciate it a lot more than casual viewers. But it’s also an irresistible hoot for anyone with fond memories of star-studded 1970s musical/variety TV specials — a specific type of highly popular general audience entertainment that, truth to tell, very often showcased more campy excess...
You don’t have to be an obsessive “Star Wars” fan to enjoy this behind-the-scenes look at how the special — which premiered Nov. 17, 1978 on CBS, and has never been re-run on any broadcast or cable outlet — came to exist. To be sure, the fans will appreciate it a lot more than casual viewers. But it’s also an irresistible hoot for anyone with fond memories of star-studded 1970s musical/variety TV specials — a specific type of highly popular general audience entertainment that, truth to tell, very often showcased more campy excess...
- 3/12/2023
- by Joe Leydon
- Variety Film + TV
If you’re a Gen X or “geriatric” millennial Star Wars fanatic, you probably have a story related to the contortions you had to go through to get your hands on the notorious only-aired-once 1978 Star Wars Holiday Special.
Freshman year. My college roommate Andrew brought back a bootleg tape — there has never been a legitimate release — given to him by a guy who knew a guy at his regular comic shop. We watched with breathless anticipation that turned to quizzical horror — a generational rite of passage.
Today, you can go to YouTube and take your pick from among several Star Wars Holiday Special uploads, at least one of which has remained up for seven years and has 3.6 million views. So much for taboo. So much for resourcefulness. So much for magic.
Jeremy Coon and Steve Kozak’s new documentary A Disturbance in the Force captures a lot of what was...
Freshman year. My college roommate Andrew brought back a bootleg tape — there has never been a legitimate release — given to him by a guy who knew a guy at his regular comic shop. We watched with breathless anticipation that turned to quizzical horror — a generational rite of passage.
Today, you can go to YouTube and take your pick from among several Star Wars Holiday Special uploads, at least one of which has remained up for seven years and has 3.6 million views. So much for taboo. So much for resourcefulness. So much for magic.
Jeremy Coon and Steve Kozak’s new documentary A Disturbance in the Force captures a lot of what was...
- 3/12/2023
- by Daniel Fienberg
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
As the American treasure himself says in the opening credits, Mel Brooks is a hero to some, and merely a legend to others. He broke ground in irreverent social commentary with Blazing Saddles, and rewired the knobs in the monster’s brain for Young Frankenstein. Brooks’ Hulu TV-sketch-series-masquerading-as-a-film-sequel throws more jokes at the viewer than almost any comedy in the History of The World, Part II. Not all of them land squarely, though the ricochets inflict sufficient comic collateral damage.
There is a lot we can learn from an anthology sketch series. All of which is graded on a curveball. Like History of the World, Part I, the series is made up of short gags, like Marco Polo’s (Jake Johnson) impromptu gift-exchange on his first trip to China, longer one-off sequences, and a few continuing stories. The eight-episode series is Brooks’ first creative project since composing the score to...
There is a lot we can learn from an anthology sketch series. All of which is graded on a curveball. Like History of the World, Part I, the series is made up of short gags, like Marco Polo’s (Jake Johnson) impromptu gift-exchange on his first trip to China, longer one-off sequences, and a few continuing stories. The eight-episode series is Brooks’ first creative project since composing the score to...
- 3/6/2023
- by Alec Bojalad
- Den of Geek
Carol Burnett is 89 years young, and for her 90th birthday this spring, NBC is going all-out with a two-hour primetime special featuring a cavalcade of stars. "Carol Burnett: 90 Years of Laughter + Love," will include musical and comedy tributes, Vulture reports, airing the night of Burnett's real birthday in April and also streaming on Peacock. Among other big names, the guest list includes more than one "Saturday Night Live" alum, which is only appropriate given how much of a sketch-comedy pioneer Burnett was on "The Carol Burnett Show."
Cher, Steve Carell, Bill Hader, Jane Lynch, Katy Perry, Amy Poehler, and Kristen Wiig are just some of the names who will be on hand to perform for "Carol Burnett: 90 Years of Laughter + Love." Julie Andrews, Ellen Degeneres, Laura Dern, Susan Lucci, Marisa Tomei, Lily Tomlin, and Sofia Vergara are also among those slated to appear as guests. Burnett's old "Carol Burnett Show" costar,...
Cher, Steve Carell, Bill Hader, Jane Lynch, Katy Perry, Amy Poehler, and Kristen Wiig are just some of the names who will be on hand to perform for "Carol Burnett: 90 Years of Laughter + Love." Julie Andrews, Ellen Degeneres, Laura Dern, Susan Lucci, Marisa Tomei, Lily Tomlin, and Sofia Vergara are also among those slated to appear as guests. Burnett's old "Carol Burnett Show" costar,...
- 1/27/2023
- by Joshua Meyer
- Slash Film
If you've never watched the 1981 Mel Brooks film "The History of the World, Part I," now is the time to do it. All these years later, a sequel series, "The History of the World, Part II," is hitting Hulu in March. Even if you haven't seen it, you've definitely heard people quote it, from the Torquemada musical number in The Spanish Inquisition segment to lines like, "It's good to be the king," and the "No, no, yes" song from Madeline Kahn. I feel pretty confident when I say that it's one of the funniest movies of all time, and I'm hardly alone in that sentiment.
"History of the World, Part I" is irreverent and absolutely stupid in the most wonderful way, and even after dozens of viewings, I still giggle to myself about parts of it whenever they cross my mind. Not only did Brooks write, direct, and star as Moses,...
"History of the World, Part I" is irreverent and absolutely stupid in the most wonderful way, and even after dozens of viewings, I still giggle to myself about parts of it whenever they cross my mind. Not only did Brooks write, direct, and star as Moses,...
- 1/18/2023
- by Jenna Busch
- Slash Film
It’s good to be a Hulu subscriber because Mel Brooks‘ History of the World, Part II series is finally ready to rewrite the past for laughs and scrutiny. Hulu shared a gallery of images from the original comedy series on Wednesday, featuring images of Nick Kroll, Wanda Sykes, and Ike Barinholtz occupying various historical points for the sketch-style presentation.
According to Hulu’s official description, “After waiting over 40 years, there is finally a sequel to the seminal Mel Brooks film, History of the World, Part I, with each episode featuring a variety of sketches that take us through different periods of human history.”
The series stars Mel Brooks, Wanda Sykes, Nick Kroll, and Ike Barinholtz. Gary Nguyen, David Stassen, Dove Cameron, Pamela Adlon, and Johnny Knoxville also appear throughout the series.
Last year, The Ankler reported that Brooks’ History of the World, Part II series could feature a who’s who of Hollywood royalty,...
According to Hulu’s official description, “After waiting over 40 years, there is finally a sequel to the seminal Mel Brooks film, History of the World, Part I, with each episode featuring a variety of sketches that take us through different periods of human history.”
The series stars Mel Brooks, Wanda Sykes, Nick Kroll, and Ike Barinholtz. Gary Nguyen, David Stassen, Dove Cameron, Pamela Adlon, and Johnny Knoxville also appear throughout the series.
Last year, The Ankler reported that Brooks’ History of the World, Part II series could feature a who’s who of Hollywood royalty,...
- 1/4/2023
- by Steve Seigh
- JoBlo.com
I’m not gonna lie, there’s been a lot of debate around here about what the best Christmas specials are and why. In fact, sometimes it’s gotten downright nasty around the office – and by “office,” of course I mean each of our homes, because that’s just how we roll. You can understand how heated discussion like this can get, because even a Jew like me has his favorites. See, even though I was Jewish, my family had Christmas trees and discussion about Santa Claus coming down the chimney and chestnuts roasting and the singing of carols off-key, because we basically secretly (or not so secretly) wanted to be Christian so we wouldn’t have to pretend to be just as happy celebrating Hanukkah and getting socks and coloring books as gifts while all the goyum seemed to be having the greatest time of their lives and so...
- 12/22/2022
- by Ray Richmond
- Gold Derby
As a member of the legendary writing staff of NBC's "Your Show of Shows" in the 1950s, Mel Brooks played a key role in pushing the formal boundaries of television comedy, so it stands to reason that he would be equally adventurous behind the lens of a film camera. Taking his cues from such pioneering entertainments as Orson Welles' "Citizen Kane" and H.C. Potter's "Hellzapoppin'," Brooks played broadly to viewers, occasionally breaking the fourth wall to get them involved in the front. He does this multiple times in "Blazing Saddles:" in one instance, he has Harvey Korman's Hedley Lamarr pause his direct-to-camera scheming to ponder to the audience, "Why am I asking you?" There's also the moment where the film's climactic melee crashes into the set of a Busby Berkeley musical, prompting Slim Pickens to blurt out "P*** on you, I'm working for Mel Brooks" before...
- 12/6/2022
- by Jeremy Smith
- Slash Film
An entire generation was scarred on November 17th, 1978, a date that will live in infamy. That was the Friday evening that CBS pre-empted two hours of its regularly scheduled programming to bring you the following special: A holiday-themed variety show set in the universe of…Star Wars. The following year, George Lucas’ repurposing of spare sci-fi/war movie parts into the most impactful cosmic saga of the 20th century had become pop culture manna. A sequel would still be two years away. People were so hungry for Star Wars-related...
- 11/23/2022
- by David Fear
- Rollingstone.com
One of the most celebrated acting Emmy nominations in recent years was that of “Better Call Saul” cast member Rhea Seehorn in 2022. Her first of two Best Drama Supporting Actress bids for the series was especially well-received because she earned it after her portrayal of Kim Wexler had been ignored by the TV academy five times. Scroll through our photo gallery below to learn more about this and the other 25 instances of specific TV character performances that finally merited Emmy bids after six or more years.
Including Seehorn, 11 actors were first nominated for their respective shows’ sixth seasons, and the other 15 were forced to wait up to 12 years for their initial mentions. Among those who came close to this distinction by first being recognized five seasons into their performances are Tom Bosley (“Happy Days”), Mike Farrell (“M*A*S*H”), Mariska Hargitay (“Law & Order: Special Victims Unit”), and Suzanne Pleshette...
Including Seehorn, 11 actors were first nominated for their respective shows’ sixth seasons, and the other 15 were forced to wait up to 12 years for their initial mentions. Among those who came close to this distinction by first being recognized five seasons into their performances are Tom Bosley (“Happy Days”), Mike Farrell (“M*A*S*H”), Mariska Hargitay (“Law & Order: Special Victims Unit”), and Suzanne Pleshette...
- 7/29/2022
- by Matthew Stewart
- Gold Derby
One of the most celebrated acting Emmy nominations in recent years was that of “Better Call Saul” cast member Rhea Seehorn in 2022. Her first of two Best Drama Supporting Actress bids for the series was especially well-received because she earned it after her portrayal of Kim Wexler had been ignored by the TV academy five times. Scroll through our photo gallery below to learn more about this and the other 25 instances of specific TV character performances that finally merited Emmy bids after six or more years.
Including Seehorn, 11 actors were first nominated for their respective shows’ sixth seasons, and the other 15 were forced to wait up to 12 years for their initial mentions. Among those who came close to this distinction by first being recognized five seasons into their performances are Tom Bosley (“Happy Days”), Mike Farrell (“M*A*S*H”), Mariska Hargitay (“Law & Order: Special Victims Unit”), and Suzanne Pleshette...
Including Seehorn, 11 actors were first nominated for their respective shows’ sixth seasons, and the other 15 were forced to wait up to 12 years for their initial mentions. Among those who came close to this distinction by first being recognized five seasons into their performances are Tom Bosley (“Happy Days”), Mike Farrell (“M*A*S*H”), Mariska Hargitay (“Law & Order: Special Victims Unit”), and Suzanne Pleshette...
- 7/29/2022
- by Matthew Stewart
- Gold Derby
Gregory Itzin, who played the U.S. president in Fox’s hit series 24, died today due to complications during an emergency surgery. He was 74.
His death was announced by his son, the actor Wilke Itzin.
According to a family statement, Itzin suffered a major heart attack while onstage performing Shakespeare, as Falstaff, in 2015, and “came back only to continue to thrive in theatre, film and tv.”
“It is with an incredibly heavy heart to announce that my father Gregory Martin Itzin has passed on,” Wilke Itzin wrote on Instagram. (See the full post below).
“My friend Greg Itzin passed away today,” Cassar wrote on Twitter. “He was one of the most talented actors I had the honor to work with but more than that he was an all around great guy. He’ll be missed by his 24 family who had nothing but love & respect for him. You made your mark,...
His death was announced by his son, the actor Wilke Itzin.
According to a family statement, Itzin suffered a major heart attack while onstage performing Shakespeare, as Falstaff, in 2015, and “came back only to continue to thrive in theatre, film and tv.”
“It is with an incredibly heavy heart to announce that my father Gregory Martin Itzin has passed on,” Wilke Itzin wrote on Instagram. (See the full post below).
“My friend Greg Itzin passed away today,” Cassar wrote on Twitter. “He was one of the most talented actors I had the honor to work with but more than that he was an all around great guy. He’ll be missed by his 24 family who had nothing but love & respect for him. You made your mark,...
- 7/8/2022
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Looking for something to watch over the holidays? Decades has you covered through the end of the year with two special marathons celebrating the classic series Carol Burnett and Friends and Rod Serling’s The Twilight Zone. Starting on Christmas Day, fans can tune in to the festive A Christmas Carol binge of Carol Burnett and Friends, better known as The Carol Burnett Show, and celebrate with a lineup of classic guest stars, such as Betty White, Dick Van Dyke, Cher, and more. Also starring Vicki Lawrence, Harvey Korman, Lyle Waggoner, and Tim Conway, the show made history as the first comedy-variety series hosted by a woman and ran for 11 seasons from 1967-1978. The marathon will run back-to-back episodes through December 27. Decades To ring in the new year, Decades will celebrate with its fourth annual A Toast to Twilight marathon airing New Year’s Eve through January 3. Viewers can tune...
- 12/14/2021
- TV Insider
The 1981 Mel Brooks film History of the World, Part I was never meant to have a sequel, but Deadline has confirmed Brooks’ high jinks across history will continue as part of an eight-episode variety series at Hulu. The writers room for History of the World, Part II will begin this month, and production will commence in spring 2022.
“I can’t wait to once more tell the real truth about all the phony baloney stories the world has been conned into believing are History!” Brooks, who will write and executive produce, said in a statement.
The big-screen original parodies various moments in history from the Roman Empire and Stone Age to the Old Testament and the French Revolution, among other periods. It starred Brooks, Dom DeLuise, Madeline Kahn, Harvey Korman, Gregory Hines, Cloris Leachman, Mary-Margaret Humes and Sid Ceasar.
Part II will also be executive produced by Nick Kroll, Wanda Sykes,...
“I can’t wait to once more tell the real truth about all the phony baloney stories the world has been conned into believing are History!” Brooks, who will write and executive produce, said in a statement.
The big-screen original parodies various moments in history from the Roman Empire and Stone Age to the Old Testament and the French Revolution, among other periods. It starred Brooks, Dom DeLuise, Madeline Kahn, Harvey Korman, Gregory Hines, Cloris Leachman, Mary-Margaret Humes and Sid Ceasar.
Part II will also be executive produced by Nick Kroll, Wanda Sykes,...
- 10/18/2021
- by Rosy Cordero
- Deadline Film + TV
“History of the World, Part I” is finally getting a Part II, with Hulu ordering a variety series followup to the classic Mel Brooks comedy film, Variety has learned exclusively.
“History of the World, Part II” is described as a sequel to the 1981 film. The film was made up of segments set during different periods of world history. Among those was the Stone Age, Ancient Rome, and the French Revolution. Like most of Brooks’ work, it also featured musical numbers, including one about the Spanish Inquisition and, of course, “Jews in Space.”
Brooks is a writer and executive producer on the series along with Nick Kroll, Wanda Sykes, Ike Barinholtz, David Stassen and Kevin Salter. There is no word yet on which world events the series will cover. Hulu has ordered eight episodes of the show. The writers room is beginning in October with production slated to begin in Spring...
“History of the World, Part II” is described as a sequel to the 1981 film. The film was made up of segments set during different periods of world history. Among those was the Stone Age, Ancient Rome, and the French Revolution. Like most of Brooks’ work, it also featured musical numbers, including one about the Spanish Inquisition and, of course, “Jews in Space.”
Brooks is a writer and executive producer on the series along with Nick Kroll, Wanda Sykes, Ike Barinholtz, David Stassen and Kevin Salter. There is no word yet on which world events the series will cover. Hulu has ordered eight episodes of the show. The writers room is beginning in October with production slated to begin in Spring...
- 10/18/2021
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Welcome to this week’s Aew: Dynamite, right here on Nerdly. I’m Nathan Favel and we’re here with Carol Burnett to take part in one of her Q&As. Carol Burnett: Thanks pork-pie. Okay, you right there. Amanda: Did Harvey Korman really bite Ruth Buzzi? Carol: Uh huh! By accident, of course. He thought she was beef jerky. You over there. Carl: Hi. Carol: Hi. What’s your name, handsome? Carl: Carl. Carol: Carl. Boy, you’re a hunk. What’s your question? Carl: Who’d win in a fight…you or Lucille Ball? Carol: Lucille would Desi Arnez my ass, unless she made a crack about my teeth…then she’d fly to the f–kin’ moon! I’ve got a question for you. Are you single? No? Hmm. Is your wife allergic to poison? Yeah? Tell me more later. Okay. You, right over there. David Schultz: Shut up,...
- 9/17/2021
- by Nathan Favel
- Nerdly
Disney is adding a tidal wave of “Star Wars” content to its streaming site, Disney+, and some of the upcoming films hint at a possible revival of George Lucas’ infamous “Star Wars Holiday Special” movie.
Until now, the “Star Wars Holiday Special” has been locked away, viewable mainly via unauthorized youTube uploads in all its insane, horrible late-70s glory. But in April, one of the few parts of the special that isn’t considered a historic embarrassment — the animated short that introduced Boba Fett to the “Star Wars” universe, “The Story of the Faithful Wookie” — will begin streaming on Disney+.
It’s just one of the long-unexploited “Star Wars” spinoff projects coming to Disney+ beginning April 2. Others include the 1984 live-action movie “Caravan of Courage: An Ewok Adventure,” the animated limited series “Star Wars: Ewoks” from 1985 and animated shorts from Gennedy Tartakovsky’s “Star Wars: Clone Wars” series. Disney+ will...
Until now, the “Star Wars Holiday Special” has been locked away, viewable mainly via unauthorized youTube uploads in all its insane, horrible late-70s glory. But in April, one of the few parts of the special that isn’t considered a historic embarrassment — the animated short that introduced Boba Fett to the “Star Wars” universe, “The Story of the Faithful Wookie” — will begin streaming on Disney+.
It’s just one of the long-unexploited “Star Wars” spinoff projects coming to Disney+ beginning April 2. Others include the 1984 live-action movie “Caravan of Courage: An Ewok Adventure,” the animated limited series “Star Wars: Ewoks” from 1985 and animated shorts from Gennedy Tartakovsky’s “Star Wars: Clone Wars” series. Disney+ will...
- 3/16/2021
- by Samson Amore
- The Wrap
Award-winning actress Cloris Leachman’s work ethic and versatility were only exceeded by her love of basking in the showbiz spotlight. The legacy she leaves her fans after dying this week at the age of 94 is immense, as is her share of trophies that she earned over the course of her career that continued up to 2020.
Her path to fame started when she was a Miss America contestant in 1946 as Miss Illinois. That led to a scholarship under Elia Kazan at the Actors Studio in New York City. She would make her film debut in Robert Aldrich’s disturbing film noir in which private eye Mike Hammer gives a lift to Leachman’s hitchhiker Christina, who has escaped a mental hospital wearing only a trench coat. She is duly tortured to death by a gang of men and her demise haunts the rest of the movie.
She paid her dues...
Her path to fame started when she was a Miss America contestant in 1946 as Miss Illinois. That led to a scholarship under Elia Kazan at the Actors Studio in New York City. She would make her film debut in Robert Aldrich’s disturbing film noir in which private eye Mike Hammer gives a lift to Leachman’s hitchhiker Christina, who has escaped a mental hospital wearing only a trench coat. She is duly tortured to death by a gang of men and her demise haunts the rest of the movie.
She paid her dues...
- 1/28/2021
- by Susan Wloszczyna
- Gold Derby
Before we begin this exercise in nostalgia gone awry, two things of note. I only watched The Star Wars Holiday Special for the first time, and am writing this review, as a stretch goal for The George Lucas Talk Show‘s fundraiser for Feeding America. And this review will contain spoilers for the Mandalorian Season Two finale, which I wrote about here.
I saw two phony Luke Skywalkers this month, even if both were kind of the real thing.
The first imposter Luke was in the Mandalorian finale, where he...
I saw two phony Luke Skywalkers this month, even if both were kind of the real thing.
The first imposter Luke was in the Mandalorian finale, where he...
- 12/30/2020
- by Alan Sepinwall
- Rollingstone.com
The Lego Star Wars Holiday Special looks to simultaneously celebrate and lampoon the concept of holiday specials—specifically those notoriously tied to the Star Wars franchise—this November. However, the Disney+ designated event has been revealed to feature some returning cinematic alumni for its voice cast.
The voice cast lineup for the special reveals that Kelly Marie Tran will return to voice her Sequel Trilogy role as Rose Tico, joined by trilogy-crossing veterans Billy Dee Williams as Lando Calrissian and Anthony Daniels as C-3Po. Additionally, fans of the contemporary animated sphere of the franchise should be pleased to learn that it will be represented firmly with alumni from Star Wars: The Clone Wars with Matt Lanter (Anakin Skywalker), Tom Kane (Yoda and Qui-Gon Jinn), James Arnold Taylor (Obi-Wan Kenobi) and Dee Bradley Baker (Clone Troopers). As Josh Rimes, director of animation development at Lucasfilm, expresses of the cast in...
The voice cast lineup for the special reveals that Kelly Marie Tran will return to voice her Sequel Trilogy role as Rose Tico, joined by trilogy-crossing veterans Billy Dee Williams as Lando Calrissian and Anthony Daniels as C-3Po. Additionally, fans of the contemporary animated sphere of the franchise should be pleased to learn that it will be represented firmly with alumni from Star Wars: The Clone Wars with Matt Lanter (Anakin Skywalker), Tom Kane (Yoda and Qui-Gon Jinn), James Arnold Taylor (Obi-Wan Kenobi) and Dee Bradley Baker (Clone Troopers). As Josh Rimes, director of animation development at Lucasfilm, expresses of the cast in...
- 10/15/2020
- by Joseph Baxter
- Den of Geek
This mid-‘sixties black comedy from the mischievous George Axelrod defines and dissects ‘crazy California culture’ just as West Coasters were being slandered as godless weird-oh hedonists. It’s partly a sarcastic put-down, citing anecdotal extremes like drive-in churches (how 2020 can you get?), perverse youth encounter groups and mindless beach party movies. But Axelrod’s paints indelible images of maladjusted women of three age groups: Tuesday Weld, Lola Albright and Ruth Gordon. Where Roddy McDowall fits in is anybody’s guess — he’s meant to glue the satire together and instead turns it into a big Question Mark.
Lord Love a Duck
Blu-ray
Kl Studio Classics
1966 / B&w / 1:85 widescreen / 105 min. / Street Date September 22, 2020 / available through Kino Lorber / 24.95
Starring: Roddy McDowall, Tuesday Weld, Lola Albright, Martin West, Ruth Gordon, Harvey Korman, Sarah Marshall, Lynn Carey, Donald Murphy, Max Showalter, Joseph Mell, Dan Frazer, Martine Bartlett, Jo Collins, Judith Loomis, Gay Gordon,...
Lord Love a Duck
Blu-ray
Kl Studio Classics
1966 / B&w / 1:85 widescreen / 105 min. / Street Date September 22, 2020 / available through Kino Lorber / 24.95
Starring: Roddy McDowall, Tuesday Weld, Lola Albright, Martin West, Ruth Gordon, Harvey Korman, Sarah Marshall, Lynn Carey, Donald Murphy, Max Showalter, Joseph Mell, Dan Frazer, Martine Bartlett, Jo Collins, Judith Loomis, Gay Gordon,...
- 9/22/2020
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
There is great news afoot, and you might not even know it.
ShoutFactory TV has worked together with Carol Burnett to get the full series of The Carol Burnett Show ready for streaming, and you can now watch every episode that was ever made.
A celebration is in order, and to help with that, we had a chance to chat with Vicki Lawrence about the release and so much more.
If you're unfamiliar with Vicki Lawrence, well, shame on you! But even if her name isn't familiar, I can guarantee you've seen her work.
She began starring on The Carol Burnett Show at 18. She was hired after a letter she sent during her senior year of high school prompted Carol to visit Vicki on the evening she participated in the Miss Fireball pageant because their similarity was uncanny.
Best known for her roles as Burnett's sister Chrissie and Thelma Harper...
ShoutFactory TV has worked together with Carol Burnett to get the full series of The Carol Burnett Show ready for streaming, and you can now watch every episode that was ever made.
A celebration is in order, and to help with that, we had a chance to chat with Vicki Lawrence about the release and so much more.
If you're unfamiliar with Vicki Lawrence, well, shame on you! But even if her name isn't familiar, I can guarantee you've seen her work.
She began starring on The Carol Burnett Show at 18. She was hired after a letter she sent during her senior year of high school prompted Carol to visit Vicki on the evening she participated in the Miss Fireball pageant because their similarity was uncanny.
Best known for her roles as Burnett's sister Chrissie and Thelma Harper...
- 6/4/2020
- by Carissa Pavlica
- TVfanatic
Roger Beatty, the five-time Emmy-winning writer of “The Carol Burnett Show,” died April 6 in his Palm Desert, California, home after losing his battle with prostate cancer. He was 87.
The Southern California native and former Coast Guard began his television career at CBS in 1956 on “The Bing Crosby Show,” which led to work on the network’s other variety shows, including “The Red Skelton Show” and “The Danny Kaye Show,” and eventually landing as an associate producer on “The Carol Burnett Show” in 1968.
There he wrote comedy sketches for Burnett and her team which included Tim Conway, Harvey Korman, Vicki Lawrence and Lyle Waggoner, through the show’s last season in 1978. During his stay, he won five Emmy Awards for his comedic writing.
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When “The Carol Burnett Show” ended, Burnett’s costars brought Beatty along...
The Southern California native and former Coast Guard began his television career at CBS in 1956 on “The Bing Crosby Show,” which led to work on the network’s other variety shows, including “The Red Skelton Show” and “The Danny Kaye Show,” and eventually landing as an associate producer on “The Carol Burnett Show” in 1968.
There he wrote comedy sketches for Burnett and her team which included Tim Conway, Harvey Korman, Vicki Lawrence and Lyle Waggoner, through the show’s last season in 1978. During his stay, he won five Emmy Awards for his comedic writing.
Also Read: Ranjit Chowdhry, 'The Office' and 'Prison Break' Actor, Dies at 64
When “The Carol Burnett Show” ended, Burnett’s costars brought Beatty along...
- 4/18/2020
- by Rosemary Rossi
- The Wrap
Roger Beatty, a veteran writer who won five Emmy Awards for his work on The Carol Burnett Show has died at age 87, a family rep confirmed to Deadline today.
Beatty passed away on April 6, at his home in Palm Desert after battling prostate cancer.
More from DeadlineJohn Callahan Dies: 'All My Children' Star Was 66Lyle Waggoner Dies: 'Carol Burnett Show' & 'Wonder Woman Actor Was 84Jason Davis Dies: 'Recess' Voice Actor Was 35
He was born in Los Angeles in 1933, and grew up in nearby Eagle Rock. After serving three years in the U.S. Coast Guard, he decided to focus on a career in show business.
Beatty got his start in television in 1956 on The Bing Crosby Show. The up-and-coming writer later worked his way through programs taped at CBS Television City, including The Red Skelton Show and The Danny Kaye Show, before joining The Carol Burnett Show...
Beatty passed away on April 6, at his home in Palm Desert after battling prostate cancer.
More from DeadlineJohn Callahan Dies: 'All My Children' Star Was 66Lyle Waggoner Dies: 'Carol Burnett Show' & 'Wonder Woman Actor Was 84Jason Davis Dies: 'Recess' Voice Actor Was 35
He was born in Los Angeles in 1933, and grew up in nearby Eagle Rock. After serving three years in the U.S. Coast Guard, he decided to focus on a career in show business.
Beatty got his start in television in 1956 on The Bing Crosby Show. The up-and-coming writer later worked his way through programs taped at CBS Television City, including The Red Skelton Show and The Danny Kaye Show, before joining The Carol Burnett Show...
- 4/18/2020
- by Anita Bennett
- Deadline Film + TV
Lyle Waggoner, the 1960s and ’70s heartthrob known for his work on The Carol Burnett Show and TV’s Wonder Woman and later founded the set trailer business Star Waggons, has died peacefully Tuesday at his home after battling an illness, according to TMZ, which was first to report his death. He was 84.
In 1965, Waggoner tested for the title role in the 20th Century Fox/ABC series Batman but lost the job to Adam West. Instead, he landed a guest role on the Western series Gunsmoke in 1966.
More from DeadlineNotable Hollywood & Entertainment Industry Deaths In 2020: Photo GalleryTim Conway Dies: 'Carol Burnett Show' & 'McHale's Navy' Standout Was 85Cbs Lands Digital Multicast Rights To 'The Carol Burnett Show'
A year later, he began a seven-year stint on The Carol Burnett Show, first as an announcer. Producers later began to incorporate him into the show as a comedy sketch partner...
In 1965, Waggoner tested for the title role in the 20th Century Fox/ABC series Batman but lost the job to Adam West. Instead, he landed a guest role on the Western series Gunsmoke in 1966.
More from DeadlineNotable Hollywood & Entertainment Industry Deaths In 2020: Photo GalleryTim Conway Dies: 'Carol Burnett Show' & 'McHale's Navy' Standout Was 85Cbs Lands Digital Multicast Rights To 'The Carol Burnett Show'
A year later, he began a seven-year stint on The Carol Burnett Show, first as an announcer. Producers later began to incorporate him into the show as a comedy sketch partner...
- 3/17/2020
- by Denise Petski and Erik Pedersen
- Deadline Film + TV
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