“My whole life is backwards,” muses Steve Martin during the second “episode” of Morgan Neville’s Steve! (Martin) A Documentary in Two Pieces.
The point that Martin is making stems not from some Benjamin Button-style anomaly, but from his contention that he has gone from being riddled with anxiety in his 30s to achieving contentment and happiness in his 70s.
While I would posit that this isn’t all that remarkable — “Finding wisdom and peace with age” seems ideal and not unusual — there’s truth to Martin’s bigger point. Biopics and bio-docs tend to have familiar arcs that allow us to reconcile the contradictions of complicated lives; Martin’s biography has no such arc.
Neville’s approach, in the annoyingly titled documentary that I will henceforth only call Steve!, is to bifurcate Martin’s life.
The 98-minute “Then” looks at the origins of Martin’s comic style — a...
The point that Martin is making stems not from some Benjamin Button-style anomaly, but from his contention that he has gone from being riddled with anxiety in his 30s to achieving contentment and happiness in his 70s.
While I would posit that this isn’t all that remarkable — “Finding wisdom and peace with age” seems ideal and not unusual — there’s truth to Martin’s bigger point. Biopics and bio-docs tend to have familiar arcs that allow us to reconcile the contradictions of complicated lives; Martin’s biography has no such arc.
Neville’s approach, in the annoyingly titled documentary that I will henceforth only call Steve!, is to bifurcate Martin’s life.
The 98-minute “Then” looks at the origins of Martin’s comic style — a...
- 3/28/2024
- by Daniel Fienberg
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
One of the ghostwriter’s most valuable skills is getting their subjects to talk. So, when I gathered L.A.’s most successful ghostwriters at the Formosa Cafe to gossip, they knew all my tricks. In desperation, I went with the most transparent of all reporting techniques — buying them all fruity cocktails.
A reputation for discretion is not only how they get work, but how they avoid getting sued; they sign nondisclosure agreements for every memoir they write. But even if they revealed nothing scandalous about their famous clients — or at least nothing that couldn’t be discovered with a Google search — I learned a lot about the curious craft of ghostwriting and the types of personalities drawn to help famous people tell their life stories. Also, I learned why I am far too egotistical to do their job.
Sitting around the table were Neil Strauss (who has written memoirs for Rick Rubin,...
A reputation for discretion is not only how they get work, but how they avoid getting sued; they sign nondisclosure agreements for every memoir they write. But even if they revealed nothing scandalous about their famous clients — or at least nothing that couldn’t be discovered with a Google search — I learned a lot about the curious craft of ghostwriting and the types of personalities drawn to help famous people tell their life stories. Also, I learned why I am far too egotistical to do their job.
Sitting around the table were Neil Strauss (who has written memoirs for Rick Rubin,...
- 1/19/2024
- by Joel Stein
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Kelly Carlin, the screenwriter, producer and daughter of legendary comedian George Carlin, has sharply criticized the release of a comedy special that uses an artificial intelligence-generated version of her late father.
On Tuesday, an hourlong special, titled George Carlin: I’m Glad I’m Dead, appeared on the YouTube channel of Dudesy, a podcast hosted by Will Sasso and Chad Kultgen that mixes AI and comedy and is described as the “first of its kind media experiment.”
In the special, the AI George Carlin, using the comedian’s signature style and cadence, narrates commentary to AI-generated images and tackles thoroughly modern topics such as Elon Musk, Twitter, Tesla, streaming services and AI itself, subjects that came to mainstream prominence long after George Carlin died in 2008.
After news broke of the AI-generated George Carlin special, Kelly Carlin took to X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday to make clear the project had not...
On Tuesday, an hourlong special, titled George Carlin: I’m Glad I’m Dead, appeared on the YouTube channel of Dudesy, a podcast hosted by Will Sasso and Chad Kultgen that mixes AI and comedy and is described as the “first of its kind media experiment.”
In the special, the AI George Carlin, using the comedian’s signature style and cadence, narrates commentary to AI-generated images and tackles thoroughly modern topics such as Elon Musk, Twitter, Tesla, streaming services and AI itself, subjects that came to mainstream prominence long after George Carlin died in 2008.
After news broke of the AI-generated George Carlin special, Kelly Carlin took to X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday to make clear the project had not...
- 1/11/2024
- by Abid Rahman
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Son of a nutcracker! Has Will Ferrell’s instant-classic holiday flick been around two decades already? To celebrate Buddy the Elf and his wonder-filled 2003 New York City adventure that hit theaters on November 7, 2003, we’ve gathered a few fun facts about the film. Casting Also-rans Early on in Elf production, Saturday Night Live’s Chris Farley and Jim Carrey were very real possibilities for the lead. Also: Garry Shandling, that cotton-headed ninnymuggins, turned down the part of Buddy’s dad Walter that went to James Caan. And New Line Cinema really wanted Dawson’s Creek darling Katie Holmes as Gimbels elf Jovie, who was ultimately played by Zooey Deschanel. Big Apple Brief The production spent just 13 days actually shooting in NYC. Then it was off to Vancouver, where a hockey rink refroze into the North Pole and a mental institution doubled for Gimbels and other interiors. “One of the buildings, I think,...
- 12/9/2023
- TV Insider
It’s strangely appropriate that Rob Reiner’s new documentary, Albert Brooks: Defending My Life, is getting its film festival rollout at a moment when most of Brooks’ body of work as a writer-director is unavailable on any major streaming platform.
Maybe classics like Real Life, Lost in America and Defending Your Life will have streaming homes by the time HBO airs the documentary in November. But you know what will always be available? Finding Nemo. Brooks is justifiably revered in certain circles, but the decline of a popular monoculture since the 1970s, when his Saturday Night Live shorts and Johnny Carson appearances made his brand of irony-fueled wit pleasantly mainstream, means that for a larger audience, he’s a talking fish.
Albert Brooks: Defending My Life puts Brooks in proper context both for those who already adore him and for audiences sure to want more information on a legend who,...
Maybe classics like Real Life, Lost in America and Defending Your Life will have streaming homes by the time HBO airs the documentary in November. But you know what will always be available? Finding Nemo. Brooks is justifiably revered in certain circles, but the decline of a popular monoculture since the 1970s, when his Saturday Night Live shorts and Johnny Carson appearances made his brand of irony-fueled wit pleasantly mainstream, means that for a larger audience, he’s a talking fish.
Albert Brooks: Defending My Life puts Brooks in proper context both for those who already adore him and for audiences sure to want more information on a legend who,...
- 10/27/2023
- by Daniel Fienberg
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Just over a year ago, the leadership of Brillstein Entertainment Partners — a pioneering Hollywood company founded in 1969 by talent broker icon Bernie Brillstein, who managed names like Lorne Michaels, Garry Shandling, Brad Pitt, Nicolas Cage and Mike Myers — started thinking about strategic options for their business, including a sale.
The management and production firm had been led by co-CEOs Cynthia Pett and Jon Liebman since 2005, when the duo bought out the stake of executive Brad Grey and Brillstein-Grey dropped the latter name from the shingle. (Notably, the late Grey, who went on to become CEO of Paramount Pictures, took the backend interest in HBO’s The Sopranos, which had been produced by Brillstein, with him.)
Liebman, a New York entertainment attorney who joined Brillstein in 1998, says informal conversations were held in 2022 with Casey Wasserman, whose namesake company — which includes sports talent agents and a booking agency — has been on the acquisition hunt,...
The management and production firm had been led by co-CEOs Cynthia Pett and Jon Liebman since 2005, when the duo bought out the stake of executive Brad Grey and Brillstein-Grey dropped the latter name from the shingle. (Notably, the late Grey, who went on to become CEO of Paramount Pictures, took the backend interest in HBO’s The Sopranos, which had been produced by Brillstein, with him.)
Liebman, a New York entertainment attorney who joined Brillstein in 1998, says informal conversations were held in 2022 with Casey Wasserman, whose namesake company — which includes sports talent agents and a booking agency — has been on the acquisition hunt,...
- 9/18/2023
- by Erik Hayden
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
“I would say ‘Veep’ absolutely put us on a path toward this project,” reflects Peter Huyck on how the Emmy-winning HBO political satire starring Julia Louis-Dreyfus led him and his creative partner Alex Gregory to their subsequent project, the HBO limited series “White House Plumbers.” Together, the duo created, executive produced, and wrote all five episodes of this retelling of Watergate, which was brought to them by David Bernad. He thought there was a “Coen brothers dark comedy” in the material and wanted the “Veep” writers to offer a “new take” on the infamous D.C. scandal. Watch our exclusive video interview above.
Gregory points not only to “Veep,” but also to that show’s creator Armando Iannucci and his film “The Death of Stalin” as a major source of inspiration. “That was a horrific episode about a genocidal maniac, and it’s one of the funniest movies I’ve ever seen,...
Gregory points not only to “Veep,” but also to that show’s creator Armando Iannucci and his film “The Death of Stalin” as a major source of inspiration. “That was a horrific episode about a genocidal maniac, and it’s one of the funniest movies I’ve ever seen,...
- 6/7/2023
- by David Buchanan
- Gold Derby
It was a night of firsts, lasts and an upset win as TV’s finest gathered together to celebrate the 45th Primetime Emmy Awards on ABC on September 19, 1993. Even the host made history — in more ways than one. Read on for our Emmys flashback 30 years ago to 1993.
For the first time ever, the ceremony was hosted solely by a female — who was also, ironically, the unluckiest actress in Emmy history. Up for her 13th Emmy nomination that evening, Angela Lansbury guided the ceremony with her usual grace. Lansbury passed away in 2022, with the record of most Best Drama Actress bids as well as the record for most overall nominations without a win at 18. However, she wasn’t the only one nominated at this ceremony who has never won despite numerous nominations, or the only one to lay claim to an unfortunate record.
After a stellar year in 1992, reigning Best Drama...
For the first time ever, the ceremony was hosted solely by a female — who was also, ironically, the unluckiest actress in Emmy history. Up for her 13th Emmy nomination that evening, Angela Lansbury guided the ceremony with her usual grace. Lansbury passed away in 2022, with the record of most Best Drama Actress bids as well as the record for most overall nominations without a win at 18. However, she wasn’t the only one nominated at this ceremony who has never won despite numerous nominations, or the only one to lay claim to an unfortunate record.
After a stellar year in 1992, reigning Best Drama...
- 5/3/2023
- by Susan Pennington
- Gold Derby
It was clear the days of the Big Four networks dominating the Emmys were slowly coming to an end 20 years ago; however, despite cable networks starting to gain momentum (with two receiving their first major wins), NBC and CBS still made a strong showing at the 55th Emmy Awards on September 21, 2003. HBO came into the night with a strong 53 major nominations, while NBC had 38 and CBS had 28; in the end, HBO and CBS tied with eight majors awards each and NBC trailed with six. Garry Shandling opened the event with a comedic monologue, while numerous presenters, including Ellen DeGeneres, George Lopez, Conan O’Brien, Martin Short and Wanda Sykes, carried the rest of the show without a host. Read on for our Emmys flashback 20 years ago to 2003.
HBO claimed two spots in the Best Drama category, for “The Sopranos” and “Six Feet Under,” but NBC was the victor, with “The West Wing...
HBO claimed two spots in the Best Drama category, for “The Sopranos” and “Six Feet Under,” but NBC was the victor, with “The West Wing...
- 4/10/2023
- by Susan Pennington
- Gold Derby
All 7 seasons of the NBC comedy 30 Rock are available to binge on Hulu. Tina Fey created the show inspired by her experiences on Saturday Night Live, though the world of Tgs was wilder than SNL. 30 Rock was both a Hollywood industry satire and a universally relatable workplace comedy with career and dating foibles.
L-r: Tina Fey, Jack McBrayer, and Alec Baldwin | Ali Goldstein/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images
So, if you’ve burned through all seven seasons of 30 Rock you may be looking for something new to watch. Showbiz Cheat Sheet is here to help. Here are seven more shows you can watch if you like 30 Rock.
If you like ‘30 Rock,’ ‘Studio 60’ was the dramatic version of it
When 30 Rock premiered on NBC in 2006, it wasn’t the only show about the backstage workings of a variety show. Aaron Sorkin created Studio 60...
L-r: Tina Fey, Jack McBrayer, and Alec Baldwin | Ali Goldstein/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images
So, if you’ve burned through all seven seasons of 30 Rock you may be looking for something new to watch. Showbiz Cheat Sheet is here to help. Here are seven more shows you can watch if you like 30 Rock.
If you like ‘30 Rock,’ ‘Studio 60’ was the dramatic version of it
When 30 Rock premiered on NBC in 2006, it wasn’t the only show about the backstage workings of a variety show. Aaron Sorkin created Studio 60...
- 3/29/2023
- by Fred Topel
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Succession is back for its fourth and final season. That means only 10 more chances to hear the memorable theme song, which got Showbiz Cheat Sheet thinking. HBO has quite a track record of memorable theme songs. They date back to linear TV, before skipping the credits was even an option, but even so, these are so good you wouldn’t want to skip them anyway.
Brian Cox | Macall Polay/HBO
Here are the 7 best theme songs to HBO original shows we thought of. Succession is on the list and its final season airs Sundays at 9 p.m. on HBO.
‘The Larry Sanders Show’ theme song was better than real late night talk shows
Garry Shandling’s showbiz spoof The Larry Sanders Show got everything right about the industry. Shandling played a late night talk show host and the satire showed how fake everything was both on the stage and behind the scenes.
Brian Cox | Macall Polay/HBO
Here are the 7 best theme songs to HBO original shows we thought of. Succession is on the list and its final season airs Sundays at 9 p.m. on HBO.
‘The Larry Sanders Show’ theme song was better than real late night talk shows
Garry Shandling’s showbiz spoof The Larry Sanders Show got everything right about the industry. Shandling played a late night talk show host and the satire showed how fake everything was both on the stage and behind the scenes.
- 3/26/2023
- by Fred Topel
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Hal Dresner, a veteran writer for film and television who is credited for the memorable line, “What we have here is a failure to communicate” in the film Cool Hand Luke, died Friday in Medford, Oregon of cancer. He was 85 and his death was confirmed by his family.
Dresner had a long career as a writer and producer, working on The Harvey Korman Show, The Eiger Sanction, CBS Summer Playhouse, Mash, and more.
Born in June 1937 in New York City, he graduated from the University of Florida and moved to Los Angeles to pursue screenwriting.
He was also the author of The Man Who Wrote Dirty Books, a comic novel.
He was a mentor to Garry Shandling and Richard Lewis, according to a family friend.
Survivors include his daughter, Amy Paloma Dresner and his sister, Rea Dresner of Pennsylvania. No memorial has been planned.
Dresner had a long career as a writer and producer, working on The Harvey Korman Show, The Eiger Sanction, CBS Summer Playhouse, Mash, and more.
Born in June 1937 in New York City, he graduated from the University of Florida and moved to Los Angeles to pursue screenwriting.
He was also the author of The Man Who Wrote Dirty Books, a comic novel.
He was a mentor to Garry Shandling and Richard Lewis, according to a family friend.
Survivors include his daughter, Amy Paloma Dresner and his sister, Rea Dresner of Pennsylvania. No memorial has been planned.
- 3/18/2023
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
The investigative docuseries "The New York Times Presents" has examined some of the most high-profile stories in news and pop culture since its debut in 2019, ranging from Janet Jackson's Super Bowl wardrobe malfunction to the conservatorship of Britney Spears. The latest installment in the series, "Sin Eater: The Crimes of Anthony Pellicano," dives into the gritty work of "Hollywood Fixer" Anthony Pellicano, a private investigator that worked for some of Hollywood's top lawyers, musicians, comedians, actors, and more from the 1980s to the early 2000s.
Pellicano's unorthodox and often ruthless methods ultimately led to his downfall. In 2006, he was formally out of the business when he was arrested on charges of conspiring to wiretap and blackmail. After a trial that exposed his covert operation, he was sentenced to 15 years in prison in 2008.
Before watching "Sin Eater: The Crimes of Anthony Pellicano," which hit FX and Hulu on March 10, here...
Pellicano's unorthodox and often ruthless methods ultimately led to his downfall. In 2006, he was formally out of the business when he was arrested on charges of conspiring to wiretap and blackmail. After a trial that exposed his covert operation, he was sentenced to 15 years in prison in 2008.
Before watching "Sin Eater: The Crimes of Anthony Pellicano," which hit FX and Hulu on March 10, here...
- 3/10/2023
- by Alicia Geigel
- Popsugar.com
With the Community movie coming to Peacock it’s a good time to revisit the six seasons before the movie. When you graduate from the series like the study group graduated Greendale, you may want more. Here are some other shows that offer their own kind of surreal, self-referential live-action comedy if you liked Community.
L-r: Joel McHale, Alison Brie, Yvette Nicole Brown, and Gillian Jacobs | Justin Lubin/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images If you liked ‘Community’ you may have ‘Scrubs’ to thank
The medical comedy Scrubs predates Community on NBC. Narrated by new resident J.D. (Zach Braff), Scrubs could break the fourth wall at any time within J.D.’s head. These included fantasy sequences, which isn’t how Community broke the fourth wall, but allowed Scrubs to get surreal.
Scrubs did have its own movie within Sacred Heart Hospital though. J.D. was writing a horror script called Dr.
L-r: Joel McHale, Alison Brie, Yvette Nicole Brown, and Gillian Jacobs | Justin Lubin/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images If you liked ‘Community’ you may have ‘Scrubs’ to thank
The medical comedy Scrubs predates Community on NBC. Narrated by new resident J.D. (Zach Braff), Scrubs could break the fourth wall at any time within J.D.’s head. These included fantasy sequences, which isn’t how Community broke the fourth wall, but allowed Scrubs to get surreal.
Scrubs did have its own movie within Sacred Heart Hospital though. J.D. was writing a horror script called Dr.
- 3/7/2023
- by Fred Topel
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
What does it mean to be "real" in entertainment anymore? Reality television has been massively popular for some time now, but it follows a script or is heavily edited to tell a specific story. Many are quick to point out that professional wrestling is "fake," but you wouldn't go to the theater and call a production of a Shakespeare play or "Phantom of the Opera" on Broadway "fake." Even movies that are presented as "true crime" or "biopics" end up only being inspired by true events.
Or does "real" refer to the emotions that the audience feels as a result of watching a story unfold? Is there realness in various forms of art because those that consume it take something away from the experience that makes them feel seen or that they can then apply to their own lives?
These are pretty deep questions and concepts to explore in an...
Or does "real" refer to the emotions that the audience feels as a result of watching a story unfold? Is there realness in various forms of art because those that consume it take something away from the experience that makes them feel seen or that they can then apply to their own lives?
These are pretty deep questions and concepts to explore in an...
- 12/19/2022
- by Ben F. Silverio
- Slash Film
It's pretty common knowledge among film and comedy fans that Judd Apatow got his start as a stand-up comic alongside his good friend -- and one-time roommate -- Adam Sandler. In fact, Apatow has recently gotten back to the stand-up grind, with ... mixed results. But these days, he's mostly known for his writing, directing ,and producing, to the point where his style of comedy essentially became its own genre for about a decade.
Still, Apatow has been behind the camera for some of this century's most enduring comedies, like "The 40-Year-Old Virgin" and "Knocked Up." But directing wasn't always in the cards. In fact, it wasn't until he was writing for Garry Shandling on "The Larry Sanders Show" that anyone could have predicted his future would be in directing. And we mean that literally, since yes, someone predicted it. That's because during the filming of an episode of that series,...
Still, Apatow has been behind the camera for some of this century's most enduring comedies, like "The 40-Year-Old Virgin" and "Knocked Up." But directing wasn't always in the cards. In fact, it wasn't until he was writing for Garry Shandling on "The Larry Sanders Show" that anyone could have predicted his future would be in directing. And we mean that literally, since yes, someone predicted it. That's because during the filming of an episode of that series,...
- 12/8/2022
- by Jeff Kelly
- Slash Film
As a film critic, I don’t watch much television. There simply isn’t time, what with all the new movies opening each week. As for the critics and columnists who cover television, I don’t know how they do it. How do these people — folks like Michael Ausiello, editor-in-chief of TVLine (owned by Variety parent company Pmc) and author of “Spoiler Alert: The Hero Dies” — manage to keep up with the sheer volume of new shows on TV, much less nurse a partner through a terminal battle with Stage 4 neuroendocrine cancer?
It’s a dream job, albeit a demanding one, for a boob tube-obsessed soul like Ausiello, though it was his private life that inspired his best piece of writing — and by extension, “The Big Sick” director Michael Showalter’s latest laugh-a-little/cry-a-little rom-com, based on Ausiello’s 2017 memoir. In “Spoiler Alert,” the writer’s big-screen avatar (embodied by...
It’s a dream job, albeit a demanding one, for a boob tube-obsessed soul like Ausiello, though it was his private life that inspired his best piece of writing — and by extension, “The Big Sick” director Michael Showalter’s latest laugh-a-little/cry-a-little rom-com, based on Ausiello’s 2017 memoir. In “Spoiler Alert,” the writer’s big-screen avatar (embodied by...
- 11/28/2022
- by Peter Debruge
- Variety Film + TV
When news of Angela Lansbury’s death broke on Tuesday, less than a week before her 97th birthday, a major link to the entertainment world of the past was severed. A legend of the stage, television, and cinema, the London-born Lansbury’s career began in 1944 with the George Cukor-directed thriller “Gaslight” starring Charles Boyer, Ingrid Bergman, and Joseph Cotton. Revolutionary theater work followed, including the first Broadway production of “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street,” and then, of course, the 264 episodes of “Murder, She Wrote.”
Over the years she had three Academy Award nominations for Best Supporting Actress and was presented with an Honorary Oscar in 2013. She won five competitive Tony Awards and received a Lifetime Achievement award in 2020. She was nominated for 18 Primetime Emmys, but never nabbed the statue, and also was nominated for one Grammy, for the “Beauty and the Beast” soundtrack.
Many notables were...
Over the years she had three Academy Award nominations for Best Supporting Actress and was presented with an Honorary Oscar in 2013. She won five competitive Tony Awards and received a Lifetime Achievement award in 2020. She was nominated for 18 Primetime Emmys, but never nabbed the statue, and also was nominated for one Grammy, for the “Beauty and the Beast” soundtrack.
Many notables were...
- 10/12/2022
- by Jordan Hoffman
- Gold Derby
Hey, Kenan Thompson: Before you step foot on the Emmys stage this year you may want to take a look back at Ellen DeGeneres‘ two times hosting the ceremony in 2001 and 2005. Why? Because she just topped our readers’ list as their favorite Emmys host of this century. See the complete poll results below.
The talk show queen is one of just two women to serve as solo ringleader of TV’s biggest night throughout the past two decades, the other being Jane Lynch in 2011. DeGeneres’ inaugural gig was quite memorable (watch above), as it was postponed twice due to the 9/11 attacks and then the war in Afghanistan. She struck the perfect tone throughout the evening when it finally aired on November 4, 2001, with one of her iconic lines being, “What would bug the Taliban more than seeing a gay woman in a suit surrounded by Jews?”
See 2022 Emmy nominations: Complete...
The talk show queen is one of just two women to serve as solo ringleader of TV’s biggest night throughout the past two decades, the other being Jane Lynch in 2011. DeGeneres’ inaugural gig was quite memorable (watch above), as it was postponed twice due to the 9/11 attacks and then the war in Afghanistan. She struck the perfect tone throughout the evening when it finally aired on November 4, 2001, with one of her iconic lines being, “What would bug the Taliban more than seeing a gay woman in a suit surrounded by Jews?”
See 2022 Emmy nominations: Complete...
- 8/23/2022
- by Marcus James Dixon
- Gold Derby
Hosts for the annual Emmy Awards ceremonies throughout the 21st Century have almost always been comedians. For the most part, they bring just the right tone of roasting the nominees and celebrating the previous TV season. With a four-way rotation of ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC, the host selection also typically comes from that network’s stable of talent. Scroll through our photo gallery above (or click here for direct access) to take a tour of the past two decades of all the hosts, good and bad. Then be sure to vote in our poll below to tell us who’s your favorite Emmys host since the year 2000. (Note that there were no hosts for Fox’s ceremonies in 2019 and 2003.)
The century began with the late, great Garry Shandling hosting the 2000 ceremony for Fox (he later returned in 2004). His first stint parodied “Survivor,” which had premiered that summer, with a...
The century began with the late, great Garry Shandling hosting the 2000 ceremony for Fox (he later returned in 2004). His first stint parodied “Survivor,” which had premiered that summer, with a...
- 8/16/2022
- by Marcus James Dixon
- Gold Derby
In earlier sitcom eras, the stage personas of seasoned real-world stand-up comics made for reliable main characters, but rarely were they actually performing jokes professionally onstage. Only later would supporting characters dip into the standup arena — think “Full House’s” Dave Coulier or “Facts of Life’s” Geri Jewell — until finally Jerry Seinfeld and Garry Shandling took their funnymen and, to varying degrees, their craft, center stage on “Seinfeld” and “The Larry Sanders Show.”
Today, however, two widely admired, multi-Emmy-nominated comedies — “Hacks,” set in contemporary times, and “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” at the midcentury dawn of a new style of comedy — are taking deep, hyper-detailed and subtly nuanced dives into the stand- up world, both looking uniquely thorough a female lens.
Ironically, both series are headlined by actors known for their stage, film and TV work without any stand-up background — Jean Smart as Deborah Vance on “Hacks,” Rachel Brosnahan as...
Today, however, two widely admired, multi-Emmy-nominated comedies — “Hacks,” set in contemporary times, and “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” at the midcentury dawn of a new style of comedy — are taking deep, hyper-detailed and subtly nuanced dives into the stand- up world, both looking uniquely thorough a female lens.
Ironically, both series are headlined by actors known for their stage, film and TV work without any stand-up background — Jean Smart as Deborah Vance on “Hacks,” Rachel Brosnahan as...
- 8/14/2022
- by Scott Huver
- Variety Film + TV
Comedian George Carlin never won an Emmy during his illustrious career, but an HBO documentary about him may help make up for that oversight.
George Carlin’s American Dream, directed by Judd Apatow and Michael Bonfiglio earned an impressive five nominations today, including Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Special and directing honors for Apatow and Bonfiglio.
“It’s just very exciting to be recognized,” Bonfiglio told Deadline on a joint FaceTime call with Apatow. “There’s so much incredible work that came out this year. And it’s just cool that people are really connecting with George and his words and his story.”
Apatow added, “I think when you start a project like this, you really want to do right by the subject. We were all very intent on making something that was worthy of George. So it just makes me happy and gratified that so many people are learning about...
George Carlin’s American Dream, directed by Judd Apatow and Michael Bonfiglio earned an impressive five nominations today, including Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Special and directing honors for Apatow and Bonfiglio.
“It’s just very exciting to be recognized,” Bonfiglio told Deadline on a joint FaceTime call with Apatow. “There’s so much incredible work that came out this year. And it’s just cool that people are really connecting with George and his words and his story.”
Apatow added, “I think when you start a project like this, you really want to do right by the subject. We were all very intent on making something that was worthy of George. So it just makes me happy and gratified that so many people are learning about...
- 7/12/2022
- by Matthew Carey
- Deadline Film + TV
It was the last year to date that the Big Four Networks won the major 14 Emmy Awards — Best Comedy and Drama Series, Lead and Supporting Actor and Actress in Comedy and Drama, and Writing and Directing for Comedy and Drama. However, the love was spread across several different series, and HBO was well-represented among the movie and miniseries categories. Bryant Gumbel hosted the 49th Primetime Emmy Awards on CBS on September 14, 1997. Read on for our Emmys flashback 25 years ago to 1997.
“Frasier” became the first series to hold on to its title as Best Comedy Series for four consecutive years; “Hill Street Blues” had achieved this record on the drama side in 1984. Also nominated in this category was “The Larry Sanders Show,” which earned the unfortunate distinction of being the comedy series with most nominations and no wins at 16. While “Frasier” also took home the Best Directing Comedy statue, the other...
“Frasier” became the first series to hold on to its title as Best Comedy Series for four consecutive years; “Hill Street Blues” had achieved this record on the drama side in 1984. Also nominated in this category was “The Larry Sanders Show,” which earned the unfortunate distinction of being the comedy series with most nominations and no wins at 16. While “Frasier” also took home the Best Directing Comedy statue, the other...
- 7/7/2022
- by Susan Pennington
- Gold Derby
The comedy pilot “Belated” from creator Peter Tolan and starring Kal Penn is not moving forward at FX, Variety has learned exclusively from sources.
The half-hour series was meant to follow an unexpected intergenerational friendship between Sachin (Penn), a recently out man in his 40s, and Clay (Kaden Kearney), a 17-year-old trans teen, as Sachin and his ex-wife and children attempt to find their new normal. Along with Penn and Kearney, the pilot starred Ellie Taylor, Amir Bageria, and EaeMya ThynGi.
FX did not immediately respond to Variety‘s request for comment.
Tolan wrote, directed, and executive produced the “Belated” pilot. Nick Alford of Cloudland also executive produced. FX Productions was the studio. Variety exclusively reported the pilot had been set up at the basic cabler back in October 2021.
The pilot would have brought Tolan back into the FX fold. He previously co-created the hit FX series “Rescue Me” with Denis Leary.
The half-hour series was meant to follow an unexpected intergenerational friendship between Sachin (Penn), a recently out man in his 40s, and Clay (Kaden Kearney), a 17-year-old trans teen, as Sachin and his ex-wife and children attempt to find their new normal. Along with Penn and Kearney, the pilot starred Ellie Taylor, Amir Bageria, and EaeMya ThynGi.
FX did not immediately respond to Variety‘s request for comment.
Tolan wrote, directed, and executive produced the “Belated” pilot. Nick Alford of Cloudland also executive produced. FX Productions was the studio. Variety exclusively reported the pilot had been set up at the basic cabler back in October 2021.
The pilot would have brought Tolan back into the FX fold. He previously co-created the hit FX series “Rescue Me” with Denis Leary.
- 6/3/2022
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
The first mainstream film to tackle the pandemic appears to take aim at actors’ vanity. The director, star and cast members explain why they might actually be heroes
At the start of the pandemic, Judd Apatow slacked. Two-hour strolls, then home for Schitt’s Creek and Ted Lasso. “In my mind, I had tons of downtime. But lately I’ve realised I must have been in full lunatic-workaholic mode. Because I wrote a book and made a documentary and made this movie, all within a very short amount of time. Which sounds to me like a nervous breakdown that had some productivity to it.”
He grins down the line from Los Angeles, 54 now and at the exact physical intersection of Seth Rogen and Garry Shandling. “This movie” is The Bubble, a meta comedy about a group of film stars holed up in Cliveden House hotel, Berkshire, in late 2020 to make a dino franchise flick.
At the start of the pandemic, Judd Apatow slacked. Two-hour strolls, then home for Schitt’s Creek and Ted Lasso. “In my mind, I had tons of downtime. But lately I’ve realised I must have been in full lunatic-workaholic mode. Because I wrote a book and made a documentary and made this movie, all within a very short amount of time. Which sounds to me like a nervous breakdown that had some productivity to it.”
He grins down the line from Los Angeles, 54 now and at the exact physical intersection of Seth Rogen and Garry Shandling. “This movie” is The Bubble, a meta comedy about a group of film stars holed up in Cliveden House hotel, Berkshire, in late 2020 to make a dino franchise flick.
- 3/25/2022
- by Catherine Shoard
- The Guardian - Film News
FX has added four new cast members to Peter Tolan’s upcoming comedy pilot “Belated.”
Alongside previously announced series lead Kal Penn, the pilot will also star Ellie Taylor, Kaden Kearney, Amir Bageria (“Degrassi: The Next Class” “Grand Army”), and EaeMya ThynGi.
The half-hour series follows an unexpected intergenerational friendship between Sachin (Penn), a recently out man in his 40s, and Clay (Kearney), a 17-year-old trans teen, as Sachin and his ex-wife (Taylor) and children (Bageria and ThynGi) attempt to find their new normal.
Tolan will write, direct, and executive produce the “Belated” pilot. Nick Alford of Cloudland will also executive produce. FX Productions is the studio. Variety exclusively reported the pilot had been set up at the basic cabler back in October 2021.
Taylor is repped by Sophie Chapman Talent and UTA. Kearney is repped by Professional Artists and Billy Miller Management. Bageria is repped by Vanderwerff Talent, Atlas Artists and Yorn,...
Alongside previously announced series lead Kal Penn, the pilot will also star Ellie Taylor, Kaden Kearney, Amir Bageria (“Degrassi: The Next Class” “Grand Army”), and EaeMya ThynGi.
The half-hour series follows an unexpected intergenerational friendship between Sachin (Penn), a recently out man in his 40s, and Clay (Kearney), a 17-year-old trans teen, as Sachin and his ex-wife (Taylor) and children (Bageria and ThynGi) attempt to find their new normal.
Tolan will write, direct, and executive produce the “Belated” pilot. Nick Alford of Cloudland will also executive produce. FX Productions is the studio. Variety exclusively reported the pilot had been set up at the basic cabler back in October 2021.
Taylor is repped by Sophie Chapman Talent and UTA. Kearney is repped by Professional Artists and Billy Miller Management. Bageria is repped by Vanderwerff Talent, Atlas Artists and Yorn,...
- 2/1/2022
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Casting director and producer Don Phillips, who helped launch the careers of such actors as Sean Penn, Matthew McConaughey and Mary Steenburgen, passed away on Thanksgiving Day from natural causes. He would have turned 81 on Dec. 21.
Phillips received his first break when he landed an entry-level job in the casting department of filmmaker Otto Preminger’s 1971 movie Such Good Friends. Impressed by Phillips, Preminger took an ad in Variety and Backstage to praise the novice’s work on the film.
The acknowledgement led to Phillips getting hired to do extras casting on Sidney Lumet’s Serpico starring Al Pacino with his job subsequently expanding to casting the entire film. Lumet then tapped him as casting director on his next film, Dog Day Afternoon, also starring Pacino. Phillips is credited with holding out for actor John Cazale to be cast opposite Pacino as Sal.
Phillips went on to cast the cult...
Phillips received his first break when he landed an entry-level job in the casting department of filmmaker Otto Preminger’s 1971 movie Such Good Friends. Impressed by Phillips, Preminger took an ad in Variety and Backstage to praise the novice’s work on the film.
The acknowledgement led to Phillips getting hired to do extras casting on Sidney Lumet’s Serpico starring Al Pacino with his job subsequently expanding to casting the entire film. Lumet then tapped him as casting director on his next film, Dog Day Afternoon, also starring Pacino. Phillips is credited with holding out for actor John Cazale to be cast opposite Pacino as Sal.
Phillips went on to cast the cult...
- 11/27/2021
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
FX has ordered a new comedy pilot from Peter Tolan, Variety has learned exclusively.
Titled “Belated,” the half-hour project is about an unexpected intergenerational friendship between Owen, a recently out man in his 40s, and Clay, a 17-year-old trans teen, as Owen and his ex-wife and children attempt to find their new normal. Tolan will write, direct, and executive produce the pilot via The Cloudland Company. Nick Alford of Cloudland will also executive produce. FX Productions will produce.
The pilot brings Tolan back into the FX fold. He previously co-created the hit FX series “Rescue Me” with Denis Leary. The show, in which Leary also starred as New York firefighter Tommy Gavin, ran for seven seasons and 93 episodes at the cabler. Tolan received three Emmy nominations for his work on the series, including one for directing the pilot.
Tolan is also known for his work on “The Larry Sanders Show,...
Titled “Belated,” the half-hour project is about an unexpected intergenerational friendship between Owen, a recently out man in his 40s, and Clay, a 17-year-old trans teen, as Owen and his ex-wife and children attempt to find their new normal. Tolan will write, direct, and executive produce the pilot via The Cloudland Company. Nick Alford of Cloudland will also executive produce. FX Productions will produce.
The pilot brings Tolan back into the FX fold. He previously co-created the hit FX series “Rescue Me” with Denis Leary. The show, in which Leary also starred as New York firefighter Tommy Gavin, ran for seven seasons and 93 episodes at the cabler. Tolan received three Emmy nominations for his work on the series, including one for directing the pilot.
Tolan is also known for his work on “The Larry Sanders Show,...
- 10/27/2021
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Amanda Peet has been a staple on television screens since the mid-1990s, most recently seen as the eponymous character in “Dirty John: The Betty Broderick Story.” But for the first time in her career, she has stepped behind the scenes to co-create and run a series. “The Chair,” bowing Aug. 20 on Netflix, stars Sandra Oh as Ji-Yoon, the titular head of a small university’s English department, while Jay Duplass is Bill, a grieving professor who comes under fire for an offensive gesture caught on camera. Their relationship is complicated not only by her becoming the boss, but also by calls for his cancelation.
“The Chair” deals in some themes that we’re seeing play out in a number of industries right now, including entertainment — from agism to people of color being undervalued at work to calls for a person’s cancelation. You have such a history in this industry,...
“The Chair” deals in some themes that we’re seeing play out in a number of industries right now, including entertainment — from agism to people of color being undervalued at work to calls for a person’s cancelation. You have such a history in this industry,...
- 8/20/2021
- by Danielle Turchiano
- Variety Film + TV
Screenwriter Ed Solomon joins hosts Josh Olson and Joe Dante to discuss a few of his favorite movies.
Show Notes: Movies Referenced In This Episode
Bill And Ted’s Excellent Adventure (1989) – Alex Kirschenbaum’s Bill & Ted character power rankings
Bill And Ted’s Bogus Journey (1991)
Bill And Ted Face The Music (2020)
Men In Black (1997)
The French Connection (1971) – Dennis Lehane’s trailer commentary, Mark Pellington’s trailer commentary, Randy Fuller’s wine pairings
No Sudden Move (2021)
A Night At The Opera (1935) – Allan Arkush’s trailer commentary
Mosaic (2018)
Take The Money And Run (1969)
Bananas (1971) – Robert Weide’s trailer commentary
Sleeper (1973)
Love And Death (1975)
Annie Hall (1977) – Robert Weide’s trailer commentary
Manhattan (1979)
And Now For Something Completely Different… (1971) – Brian Trenchard-Smith’s trailer commentary
Blazing Saddles (1974) – John Landis’s trailer commentary, Dennis Cozzalio’s Blazing Saddles Thanksgiving
Klute (1971) – Katt Shea’s trailer commentary, Charlie Largent’s Criterion Blu-ray review
The Parallax View (1974) – Karyn Kusama’s trailer commentary,...
Show Notes: Movies Referenced In This Episode
Bill And Ted’s Excellent Adventure (1989) – Alex Kirschenbaum’s Bill & Ted character power rankings
Bill And Ted’s Bogus Journey (1991)
Bill And Ted Face The Music (2020)
Men In Black (1997)
The French Connection (1971) – Dennis Lehane’s trailer commentary, Mark Pellington’s trailer commentary, Randy Fuller’s wine pairings
No Sudden Move (2021)
A Night At The Opera (1935) – Allan Arkush’s trailer commentary
Mosaic (2018)
Take The Money And Run (1969)
Bananas (1971) – Robert Weide’s trailer commentary
Sleeper (1973)
Love And Death (1975)
Annie Hall (1977) – Robert Weide’s trailer commentary
Manhattan (1979)
And Now For Something Completely Different… (1971) – Brian Trenchard-Smith’s trailer commentary
Blazing Saddles (1974) – John Landis’s trailer commentary, Dennis Cozzalio’s Blazing Saddles Thanksgiving
Klute (1971) – Katt Shea’s trailer commentary, Charlie Largent’s Criterion Blu-ray review
The Parallax View (1974) – Karyn Kusama’s trailer commentary,...
- 7/6/2021
- by Kris Millsap
- Trailers from Hell
Mark Harris has written two remarkable books, both about important moments in Hollywood history. The first, “Pictures at a Revolution,” dealt with the Oscar race of 1967 and how that year’s Best Picture nominees represented the past, present and future of the industry. Then there was 2014’s “Five Came Back,” about the A-list directors who left their careers behind to take part in WWII — and how their work changed upon their return.
Now, Harris has written almost 600 pages about one man only, and it may be the best biography of an artist in a very long time. That man is performer-turned-director Mike Nichols, the winner of one Oscar, two Emmys and eight Tony Awards. “In the last two books, I had the luxury of going back and forth between main characters,” said Harris, who titled his work “Mike Nichols: A Life.” “In this one, I had no one else to cut to.
Now, Harris has written almost 600 pages about one man only, and it may be the best biography of an artist in a very long time. That man is performer-turned-director Mike Nichols, the winner of one Oscar, two Emmys and eight Tony Awards. “In the last two books, I had the luxury of going back and forth between main characters,” said Harris, who titled his work “Mike Nichols: A Life.” “In this one, I had no one else to cut to.
- 1/28/2021
- by Michele Willens
- The Wrap
ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel returns to host the Emmy Awards later this month on September 20. It marks his third time as the emcee but will be markedly different since he will be in the Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles while all of the nominees will be virtual from around the world.
Is Kimmel the best Primetime Emmys host from the 21st Century? Or did you like someone else better? Take our new poll at the bottom of this article and let us know who was the greatest among the solo hosts.
SEEGold Derby editors: Jimmy Kimmel as Emmys host is ‘some sense of normalcy in these uncertain times’ [Watch]
Stephen Colbert (2017)
Ellen DeGeneres
Jimmy Fallon (2010)
Neil Patrick Harris
Jimmy Kimmel
Jane Lynch (2011)
Seth Meyers (2014)
Conan O’Brien
Andy Samberg (2015)
Ryan Seacrest (2007)
Garry Shandling
Predict the 2020 Emmy winners now; change through September 20
Make your predictions at Gold Derby now. Download our free...
Is Kimmel the best Primetime Emmys host from the 21st Century? Or did you like someone else better? Take our new poll at the bottom of this article and let us know who was the greatest among the solo hosts.
SEEGold Derby editors: Jimmy Kimmel as Emmys host is ‘some sense of normalcy in these uncertain times’ [Watch]
Stephen Colbert (2017)
Ellen DeGeneres
Jimmy Fallon (2010)
Neil Patrick Harris
Jimmy Kimmel
Jane Lynch (2011)
Seth Meyers (2014)
Conan O’Brien
Andy Samberg (2015)
Ryan Seacrest (2007)
Garry Shandling
Predict the 2020 Emmy winners now; change through September 20
Make your predictions at Gold Derby now. Download our free...
- 9/9/2020
- by Chris Beachum
- Gold Derby
It’s hard to believe that it’s been 20 years since the beginning of this millennium, but it has indeed been two decades since our worries about Y2K were over, and our world had not yet been impacted by the tragic events of September 11, 2001. In the year in-between these historical events, “Mission Impossible 2,” “Gladiator” and “Cast Away” ruled the big screen, while on the small screen now-classic comedies drew us to our TV sets each week, the popularity of cable television was becoming a huge influence on the medium, we rooted for a beloved TV star with a surprising challenge and a new series dominated the 52nd Primetime Emmy Awards on September 10, 2000.
Garry Shandling hosted the event in which “The West Wing” dominated as the big winner, with record-breaking wins in its freshman season. Winning its first of four consecutive Emmys for Best Drama Series, the presidential drama beat out established favorites “ER,...
Garry Shandling hosted the event in which “The West Wing” dominated as the big winner, with record-breaking wins in its freshman season. Winning its first of four consecutive Emmys for Best Drama Series, the presidential drama beat out established favorites “ER,...
- 9/1/2020
- by Susan Pennington
- Gold Derby
Back in June, Judd Apatow revealed he was working on a documentary about legendary comedian George Carlin. Now we have official word on what Apatow and company are cooking up: a two-part documentary headed to HBO reuniting the key creative team behind HBO’s The Zen Diaries of Garry Shandling, which Apatow also directed. The Carlin […]
The post Judd Apatow’s George Carlin Documentary Heads to HBO, Will Be Two Parts appeared first on /Film.
The post Judd Apatow’s George Carlin Documentary Heads to HBO, Will Be Two Parts appeared first on /Film.
- 8/10/2020
- by Chris Evangelista
- Slash Film
Exclusive: HBO is teaming with Knocked Up creator Judd Apatow to make a two-part documentary on legendary U.S. comedian George Carlin, with UK outfit Rise Films producing alongside Apatow Productions.
HBO Documentary Films has commissioned Apatow and his longtime collaborator Michael Bonfiglio to direct the films, which will feature interviews with Carlin’s family and friends, material from his stand-up specials and TV appearances, as well as material from his personal archive.
Born in New York City in 1937, Carlin became renowned for his razor-sharp observational comedic style on language, politics, religion and the world. He filmed the first of his 14 HBO stand-up specials in 1977 and appeared on The Tonight Show more than 130 times. As well as filling comedy venues, he also wrote a number of books, which sharpened his credentials as a social critic. Carlin died in 2008 at age 71.
Apatow has talked about the project previously, though he did...
HBO Documentary Films has commissioned Apatow and his longtime collaborator Michael Bonfiglio to direct the films, which will feature interviews with Carlin’s family and friends, material from his stand-up specials and TV appearances, as well as material from his personal archive.
Born in New York City in 1937, Carlin became renowned for his razor-sharp observational comedic style on language, politics, religion and the world. He filmed the first of his 14 HBO stand-up specials in 1977 and appeared on The Tonight Show more than 130 times. As well as filling comedy venues, he also wrote a number of books, which sharpened his credentials as a social critic. Carlin died in 2008 at age 71.
Apatow has talked about the project previously, though he did...
- 8/10/2020
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
Judd Apatow is best known for directing R-rated comedies like The 40-Year Old Virgin, Knocked Up, and Trainwreck. But his passion for comedy also extends into the world of stand-up. Not only has he taken the stage himself plenty of times throughout his career, but he shined a light on the late Garry Shandling with an […]
The post Judd Apatow Working on a Documentary About Legendary Comedian George Carlin appeared first on /Film.
The post Judd Apatow Working on a Documentary About Legendary Comedian George Carlin appeared first on /Film.
- 6/9/2020
- by Ethan Anderton
- Slash Film
This year marks the 20th anniversary of Allison Janney winning her first (of seven!) Emmy Awards. The future Oscar winner was part of “The West Wing” sweep at the 52nd Emmys, which took place September 10, 2000 in ABC’s ceremony hosted by Garry Shandling. Heading into the ceremony many awards pundits thought HBO’s “The Sopranos” would prevail after being bested the previous year by ABC’s “The Practice.” However, it was yet another victory for broadcast networks as NBC’s political drama triumphed for what would be a record-tying run of four consecutive wins. (“The Sopranos” would have to wait until 2004 to finally be named TV’s Best Drama Series.) Watch Janney’s Emmys flashback video above.
See 2020 Emmy Best Drama Series Predictions
Clutching her trophy at the podium, Janney proclaimed, “I’m standing here for one reason, because of the sheer inspiration I’ve received from watching other actresses over my life,...
See 2020 Emmy Best Drama Series Predictions
Clutching her trophy at the podium, Janney proclaimed, “I’m standing here for one reason, because of the sheer inspiration I’ve received from watching other actresses over my life,...
- 6/6/2020
- by Marcus James Dixon
- Gold Derby
Exclusive: Longtime The Simpsons executive producer/showrunner Al Jean has signed with the Gersh Agency. This represents the highest-profile new writer signing since Gersh earlier this year became the first major full-service talent agency to sign a franchise agreement with the WGA.
Jean has been on Fox’s The Simpsons since the 1989 pilot and, with brief breaks in the 1990s, for the iconic comedy’s 21-season run to date. He has been a sole showrunner since Season 13.
With The Simpsons, Jean has shared nine Animation Program Emmy Awards and a Peabody Award. He also was co-writer and producer on The Simpsons Movie, which grossed over $500 million worldwide, and on The Simpsons-themed Oscar-nominated animated short film The Longest Daycare.
In addition to his work on The Simpsons, Jean co-created series The Critic and Teen Angel and worked on It’s Garry Shandling’s Show. He also co-wrote Funny or Die’s SNL Presidential Reunion Video,...
Jean has been on Fox’s The Simpsons since the 1989 pilot and, with brief breaks in the 1990s, for the iconic comedy’s 21-season run to date. He has been a sole showrunner since Season 13.
With The Simpsons, Jean has shared nine Animation Program Emmy Awards and a Peabody Award. He also was co-writer and producer on The Simpsons Movie, which grossed over $500 million worldwide, and on The Simpsons-themed Oscar-nominated animated short film The Longest Daycare.
In addition to his work on The Simpsons, Jean co-created series The Critic and Teen Angel and worked on It’s Garry Shandling’s Show. He also co-wrote Funny or Die’s SNL Presidential Reunion Video,...
- 4/30/2020
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Saul Turteltaub, the prolific writer and producer who worked on “The Carol Burnett Show,” “Sanford and Son,” “That Girl,” and “What’s Happening!!” died Thursday of natural causes. He was 87.
Director Howard Murray, who worked closely with Turteltaub, confirmed the news on social media. “Just heard that one of my favorite people on the planet has died. Saul Turtletaub along with his partner Bernie Orenstein created some of the funniest sitcoms ever to grace television,” he wrote. “But that’s only a small part of his legacy. Saul was by any measure, a mensch among mensches.”
During Turteltaub’s career, he garnered three Emmy nominations, including one for the first season of “The Carol Burnett Show,” which shot the comic into stardom. He was also responsible for jumpstarting the careers of countless actors including George Clooney, Richard Pryor, Dana Carvey, Nathan Lane, Garry Shandling and Meg Ryan.
Over the course of his 50-year career,...
Director Howard Murray, who worked closely with Turteltaub, confirmed the news on social media. “Just heard that one of my favorite people on the planet has died. Saul Turtletaub along with his partner Bernie Orenstein created some of the funniest sitcoms ever to grace television,” he wrote. “But that’s only a small part of his legacy. Saul was by any measure, a mensch among mensches.”
During Turteltaub’s career, he garnered three Emmy nominations, including one for the first season of “The Carol Burnett Show,” which shot the comic into stardom. He was also responsible for jumpstarting the careers of countless actors including George Clooney, Richard Pryor, Dana Carvey, Nathan Lane, Garry Shandling and Meg Ryan.
Over the course of his 50-year career,...
- 4/13/2020
- by Mackenzie Nichols
- Variety Film + TV
Jamie Foxx, Tiffany Haddish, Jessica Kirson, Ricky Gervais and others appear in the trailer for This Is Stand-Up, a new documentary premiering April 12th on Comedy Central.
Directed and produced by Paul Toogood, the film will examine the life and art of stand-up comedy. “I was funny right out the womb,” Foxx says at the beginning of the clip. “The doctor goes, ‘Oh, this motherfucker’s funny!'”
“Being onstage, it’s like being next to God,” Haddish adds.
The trailer notes that stand-up is the starting point for any...
Directed and produced by Paul Toogood, the film will examine the life and art of stand-up comedy. “I was funny right out the womb,” Foxx says at the beginning of the clip. “The doctor goes, ‘Oh, this motherfucker’s funny!'”
“Being onstage, it’s like being next to God,” Haddish adds.
The trailer notes that stand-up is the starting point for any...
- 4/7/2020
- by Angie Martoccio
- Rollingstone.com
Just in time as Americans — and much of the world — settle indoors in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, “Black Monday” star Paul Scheer has some TV series suggestions to check out.
For the inaugural episode of Variety’s “My Guilty Pleasure,” Scheer sat down with Variety senior editor Michael Schneider to reveal his (1) TV guilty pleasure; (2) the “deep cut” show you probably haven’t heard of but he recommends; and (3) his “show-mate” — in other words, the TV series he couldn’t live without.
Of course, as “Black Monday” returns for Season 2 on Sunday, March 15, it’s also a good time to catch up on the Showtime comedy. Don Cheadle, Regina Hall, Andrew Rannells and Scheer lead the cast of “Black Monday,” an irreverent take on a group of misfit Wall Street traders who help trigger the 1987 stock market crash. (Did we mention it’s now also inadvertently timely?)
The...
For the inaugural episode of Variety’s “My Guilty Pleasure,” Scheer sat down with Variety senior editor Michael Schneider to reveal his (1) TV guilty pleasure; (2) the “deep cut” show you probably haven’t heard of but he recommends; and (3) his “show-mate” — in other words, the TV series he couldn’t live without.
Of course, as “Black Monday” returns for Season 2 on Sunday, March 15, it’s also a good time to catch up on the Showtime comedy. Don Cheadle, Regina Hall, Andrew Rannells and Scheer lead the cast of “Black Monday,” an irreverent take on a group of misfit Wall Street traders who help trigger the 1987 stock market crash. (Did we mention it’s now also inadvertently timely?)
The...
- 3/14/2020
- by Michael Schneider
- Variety Film + TV
World Mental Health Day is being spotlighted by two public service initiatives by HBO and Comedy Central, both designed to bring awareness to the health condition and remove the stigma of seeking treatment.
Comedy Central, in partnership with Mental Health First Aid (Mhfa), a program of the National Council for Behavioral Health, today premiered its Be The Difference public service announcement (PSA) featuring Jeff Ross, Matteo Lane and Yamaneika Saunders.
The spot is the initial step in Comedy Central’s first long-term social impact campaign that will focus on driving culture change on mental health. Working with its launch partners, Comedy Central will integrate the campaign across all brand platforms, including linear series, social content and live events, with the goal of making emotional health as important as physical health.
The Be The Difference PSA begins airing today on Comedy Central’s linear channel and will air throughout the month of October.
Comedy Central, in partnership with Mental Health First Aid (Mhfa), a program of the National Council for Behavioral Health, today premiered its Be The Difference public service announcement (PSA) featuring Jeff Ross, Matteo Lane and Yamaneika Saunders.
The spot is the initial step in Comedy Central’s first long-term social impact campaign that will focus on driving culture change on mental health. Working with its launch partners, Comedy Central will integrate the campaign across all brand platforms, including linear series, social content and live events, with the goal of making emotional health as important as physical health.
The Be The Difference PSA begins airing today on Comedy Central’s linear channel and will air throughout the month of October.
- 10/10/2019
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
More and more these days, actors are moving behind the camera to write, direct and produce their own TV shows, so it’s fitting that this year’s Emmy front-runners for Best Comedy Writing and Best Comedy Directing are both doing double or triple duty as the stars of their shows. Phoebe Waller-Bridge is tipped to win the writing award for the second season premiere of “Fleabag,” while Bill Hader is out front for directing the “Barry” episode “Ronny/Lily.”
Hader already won an Emmy in 2018 for his lead performance in “Barry,” but he lost all his behind-the-scenes nominations. This year, however, he gets leading odds of 37/10 to win as a director based on the combined predictions of thousands of Gold Derby users. That includes 15 out of 30 Expert journalists we’ve surveyed from major media outlets and 8 out of 11 Editors who cover awards year-round for Gold Derby. He’d join...
Hader already won an Emmy in 2018 for his lead performance in “Barry,” but he lost all his behind-the-scenes nominations. This year, however, he gets leading odds of 37/10 to win as a director based on the combined predictions of thousands of Gold Derby users. That includes 15 out of 30 Expert journalists we’ve surveyed from major media outlets and 8 out of 11 Editors who cover awards year-round for Gold Derby. He’d join...
- 9/20/2019
- by Daniel Montgomery
- Gold Derby
If it worked for the Oscars, it’ll work for the Emmys.
That, at least, seems to be the reasoning behind the decision not to have a host for Sunday’s 71st Primetime Emmy Awards. Seven months after a hostless Academy Awards show garnered positive reviews and saw an uptick in ratings, the Emmys will go the same route and hope for a similar result.
Speaking to the Television Critics Association in August, Fox Entertainment CEO Charlie Collier admitted that the network, the show producers and the Television Academy considered the Oscars show in making their decision – but, he said, the real reason was to have more time to celebrate the shows that are competing for Emmys for the last time this year, including “Game of Thrones,” “Veep,” “The Big Bang Theory” and “Empire.”
Also Read: Emmy Predictions: 'Game of Thrones' Will Win Big, But What Else?
“What...
That, at least, seems to be the reasoning behind the decision not to have a host for Sunday’s 71st Primetime Emmy Awards. Seven months after a hostless Academy Awards show garnered positive reviews and saw an uptick in ratings, the Emmys will go the same route and hope for a similar result.
Speaking to the Television Critics Association in August, Fox Entertainment CEO Charlie Collier admitted that the network, the show producers and the Television Academy considered the Oscars show in making their decision – but, he said, the real reason was to have more time to celebrate the shows that are competing for Emmys for the last time this year, including “Game of Thrones,” “Veep,” “The Big Bang Theory” and “Empire.”
Also Read: Emmy Predictions: 'Game of Thrones' Will Win Big, But What Else?
“What...
- 9/18/2019
- by Steve Pond
- The Wrap
We're really counting down the days until fall television resumes now, right?
With a United States holiday before us calling out the unofficial beginning of autumn, that means a lot of offbeat TV recommendations.
Sunday, September 1
7/6c ABC is taking the night to preview their fall lineup. If you've forgotten what that might look like, here is a link to the ABC fall schedule.
ABC Fall Schedule
We're super excited for new series Emergence starring Alison Tolman as a woman protecting a young girl after a mysterious accident.
Aliens? Hey, we'd be up for that, and the poster sure leans into the idea.
Also debuting on ABC this fall is Stumptown starring Cobie Smulders. She plays a sharp-witted Army vet who becomes a private eye.
We're intrigued about The Rookie's return with the departure of Afton Williamson as well as the return of A Million Little Things with the...
With a United States holiday before us calling out the unofficial beginning of autumn, that means a lot of offbeat TV recommendations.
Sunday, September 1
7/6c ABC is taking the night to preview their fall lineup. If you've forgotten what that might look like, here is a link to the ABC fall schedule.
ABC Fall Schedule
We're super excited for new series Emergence starring Alison Tolman as a woman protecting a young girl after a mysterious accident.
Aliens? Hey, we'd be up for that, and the poster sure leans into the idea.
Also debuting on ABC this fall is Stumptown starring Cobie Smulders. She plays a sharp-witted Army vet who becomes a private eye.
We're intrigued about The Rookie's return with the departure of Afton Williamson as well as the return of A Million Little Things with the...
- 8/30/2019
- by Carissa Pavlica
- TVfanatic
The 71st Primetime Emmy Awards will not have a host next month, Fox Entertainment CEO Charlie Collier announced Wednesday at the Television Critics Association summer press tour.
“We’ve been working hard at the Emmys and the Emmys will not have a host this year,” Collier told reporters, explaining that the decision was born out of the desire to honor the long-running hits that have ended or are ending this year.
“It’s our job to assess how to elevate the program … and what’s interesting about this year is how many amazing shows we’re saying goodbye to: ‘Game of Thrones,’ ‘Empire,’ ‘Veep,’ ‘The Big Bang Theory.’ This is new to me,” he continued. “I’ve never worked on the Emmys before. You have to look at tradeoffs. If you have host and opening number, that’s 15 minutes you don’t have to celebrate the shows. … Our production team...
“We’ve been working hard at the Emmys and the Emmys will not have a host this year,” Collier told reporters, explaining that the decision was born out of the desire to honor the long-running hits that have ended or are ending this year.
“It’s our job to assess how to elevate the program … and what’s interesting about this year is how many amazing shows we’re saying goodbye to: ‘Game of Thrones,’ ‘Empire,’ ‘Veep,’ ‘The Big Bang Theory.’ This is new to me,” he continued. “I’ve never worked on the Emmys before. You have to look at tradeoffs. If you have host and opening number, that’s 15 minutes you don’t have to celebrate the shows. … Our production team...
- 8/7/2019
- by Joyce Eng
- Gold Derby
Judd Apatow will edit and pen the introduction for the upcoming It’s Garry Shandling’s Book, an “intimate and fascinating” portrait of the late stand-up comic and Larry Sanders Show star.
Apatow, who has long considered Shandling his show business mentor, will gather Shandling’s own journal entries, photographs and essays for It’s Garry Shandling’s Book, due out November 12th via Random House.
An extension of the Apatow-produced documentary The Zen Diaries of Garry Shandling, It’s Garry Shandling’s Book – a spin on the comedian’s...
Apatow, who has long considered Shandling his show business mentor, will gather Shandling’s own journal entries, photographs and essays for It’s Garry Shandling’s Book, due out November 12th via Random House.
An extension of the Apatow-produced documentary The Zen Diaries of Garry Shandling, It’s Garry Shandling’s Book – a spin on the comedian’s...
- 8/1/2019
- by Daniel Kreps
- Rollingstone.com
When I moved to L.A. in 2006 as an aspiring comedy writer, there were three invites I coveted. But even if I could meet Simpsons co-creator Sam Simon, I couldn't afford his poker game. And I was too unathletic to play in Garry Shandling's basketball game. But I could eat pizza, and I could watch a movie. Which left Sunday Movie Nights at Phil Rosenthal's.
Seven years later, I was writing a sitcom pilot for Brian Grazer, and we were looking for a supervising producer. We met Rosenthal, the creator of Everybody Loves Raymond. He didn't sign ...
Seven years later, I was writing a sitcom pilot for Brian Grazer, and we were looking for a supervising producer. We met Rosenthal, the creator of Everybody Loves Raymond. He didn't sign ...
- 7/24/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
When I moved to L.A. in 2006 as an aspiring comedy writer, there were three invites I coveted. But even if I could meet Simpsons co-creator Sam Simon, I couldn't afford his poker game. And I was too unathletic to play in Garry Shandling's basketball game. But I could eat pizza, and I could watch a movie. Which left Sunday Movie Nights at Phil Rosenthal's.
Seven years later, I was writing a sitcom pilot for Brian Grazer, and we were looking for a supervising producer. We met Rosenthal, the creator of Everybody Loves Raymond. He didn't sign ...
Seven years later, I was writing a sitcom pilot for Brian Grazer, and we were looking for a supervising producer. We met Rosenthal, the creator of Everybody Loves Raymond. He didn't sign ...
- 7/24/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The late Rip Torn, who died July 9 at 88, had a career that included decade-spanning stage work, an Oscar-nominated performance in the film “Cross Creek,” and later turns in movies as wide-ranging as “Men in Black” and “Marie Antoinette.” But to legions of viewers, he’s best remembered as Artie, perhaps the one moral major character on HBO’s “The Larry Sanders Show.” The Emmy-winning performance was perhaps the best representation of Torn’s unusual blend of toughness and tender sentimentality, a turn that was as often profane as it was unexpectedly moving.
“The Larry Sanders Show” was a depiction of a world that was slipping away from its characters — Larry, played by the late Garry Shandling, is a would-be Johnny Carson figure, a network late-night host whose only real comic edge comes out when his talk show wraps for the night, as he berates himself. The chat show is buffeted...
“The Larry Sanders Show” was a depiction of a world that was slipping away from its characters — Larry, played by the late Garry Shandling, is a would-be Johnny Carson figure, a network late-night host whose only real comic edge comes out when his talk show wraps for the night, as he berates himself. The chat show is buffeted...
- 7/10/2019
- by Daniel D'Addario
- Variety Film + TV
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