Category: Arts and Entertainment

This category is about arts and entertainment.

2018 BET Awards: 2 Chainz, Miguel, Big Sean and more added as performers

June 14, 2018

BET Awards

2 Chainz
2 Chainz at Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio, California, on April 16, 2017. (Photo by Greg Noire/Coachella)

The following is a press release from BET:

BET Networks, a unit of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIA.B sted NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), announced 2 Chainz, Big Sean, YG, Miguel, Daniel Caesar, Jay Rock, Yolanda Adams and SiR will join the star studded lineup of performers at the “BET Awards” 2018. In addition, leading entertainers Tyler Perry, Regina Hall, Amandla Stenberg, Tika Sumpter and Omari Hardwick join as presenters at the iconic annual show. Hosted by Jamie Foxx, the “BET Awards” 2018 will air LIVE on Sunday, June 24 at 8 pm ET from the Microsoft Theatre in Los Angeles, CA on BET.

As previously announced, “BET Awards” 2018 will feature performances by Nicki Minaj, Migos, Janelle Monáe, H.E.R., and Ella Mai, with presenters including T.I., Kevin Hart, LL COOL J, Chloe x Halle, Yvonne Orji, Bobby Brown, Trevor Jackson, Jason Mitchell, Mike Colter, Woody McClain, Jacob Latimore and Gabrielle Dennis. Dominating this year’s nominations is DJ Khaled with a total of 6 including ‘Video of the Year,’ two for ‘Best Collaboration,’ with Rihanna and Bryson Tiller for ‘Wild Thoughts,’ and with Jay-Z, Future and Beyoncé for ‘Top Off,’ ‘Album of the Year,’ and ‘Coca-Cola Viewers’ Choice.’ Kendrick Lamar follows with five nods including ‘Best Collaboration,’ with Rihanna for ‘Loyalty.,’ ‘Video of the Year,’ ‘Album of the Year,’ and ‘Coca-Cola Viewers’ Choice.’ Other leading nominees include Migos, nominated for four awards including ‘Best Group,’ and ‘Album of the Year,” and SZA, also nominated for four awards, including ‘Best Female R&B/Pop Artist’ and ‘Best New Artist.’

The “BET Awards” 2018 will premiere around the world on BET’s international networks. It will air in the UK on June 26th at 9:00PM BST, in Africa on June 26th at 8:00PM CAT, in France on June 26th at 9:00PM CEST and in South Korea on June 26th at 9:00PM KST. Internationally, fans in 100 countries can also stream the “BET Awards” 2018 live with BET Play, BET International’s subscription video on demand application. The iOS and Android app, which also features current and classic BET television series, documentaries, stand-up comedy and legendary musical performances, will carry a live feed of the red carpet and the Awards, and is available for download now in the iTunes and Google Play stores for $3.99 a month following a seven-day free trial.

Connie Orlando, Executive Vice-President, Head of Programming at BET will serve as Executive Producer for the “BET Awards” 2018 along with Jesse Collins, CEO of Jesse Collins Entertainment.

The “BET Awards” 2018 will take place along with the BET Experience at L.A. LIVE in Los Angeles from June 21-24, 2018. BET.com/betawards is the official site for the “BET Awards” and will have all the latest news and updates about this year’s show. VIP Packages for the 6thyear of the BET Experience weekend are better than ever and now on-sale. In addition to VIP amenities throughout the weekend and incredible seats for STAPLES Center shows, all levels of BETX VIP Packages offer guests the only opportunity to purchase tickets to the highly-anticipated BET Awards, broadcast live from Microsoft Theater. Full package amenities and pricing for the Diamond, Platinum, Gold Plus and Gold VIP Packages can be found by visiting BETExperience.com or by calling (877) 234-8425.

General tickets for the BET Experience at L.A. LIVE presented by Coca-Cola® are on sale now at http://www.axs.com/betexperience.

ABOUT BET NETWORKS

BET Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIA.B), is the nation’s leading provider of quality entertainment, music, news and public affairs television programming for the African-American audience. The primary BET channel reaches more than 90 million households and can be seen in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, the United Kingdom and sub-Saharan Africa. BET is the dominant African-American consumer brand with a diverse group of business extensions: BET.com, a leading Internet destination for Black entertainment, music, culture, and news; CENTRIC, a 24-hour entertainment network targeting the African-American Woman; BET Music Networks – BET Jams, BET Soul and BET Gospel; BET Home Entertainment; BET Live, BET’s growing festival business; BET Mobile, which provides ringtones, games and video content for wireless devices; and BET International, which operates BET around the globe.

ABOUT “BET AWARDS”

The “BET Awards” is one of the most watched award shows on cable television according to the Nielsen Company. The “BET Awards” franchise remains as the #1 program in cable TV history among African-Americans, and it is BET’s #1 telecast every year. It recognizes the triumphs and successes of artists, entertainers, and athletes in a variety of categories.

ABOUT JESSE COLLINS ENTERTAINMENT

Jesse Collins Entertainment (JCE) is a full service television and film production company founded by entertainment industry veteran Jesse Collins. For more than a decade, Collins has played an integral role in producing some of television’s most memorable moments in music entertainment. Collins has produced ground-breaking and award winning television programming including the BET Awards, the GRAMMY Awards, Soul Train Awards, BET Honors, UNCF An Evening of Stars, ABFF Awards and the BET Hip Hop Awards. Collins was an executive producer of the hit TV series, Real Husbands of Hollywood starring Kevin Hart, the critically-acclaimed The New Edition Story, a biopic on the boy band that aired as a 3-part mini-series on BET in January 2017 and posted record ratings for the network and attracted nearly 30 million viewers. He is also the executive producer of VH1 shows Dear Mama and Hip Hop Squares with Ice Cube.  He has appeared on the cover of Vibe magazine and has been featured in numerous publications including Ebony magazine. JCE will next produce The Bobby Brown Story.  The mini-series will pick up where The New Edition mini-series left off and chronicle the talented but troubled singer’s exit from the popular ’80s boy band through his solo success, his affair with Janet Jackson and tabloid-fodder marriage to pop icon Whitney Houston. Spanning 30 years of Brown’s life, the new project follows his story from the hard streets of Roxbury, where he turned to a life of drug dealing before being given the chance to prove himself as a solo artist.  The Bobby Brown Story also will be a story about redemption. Through sobriety, the singer learns to be a better man, husband and father — finding love again and remarrying in 2012. It will air on BET in September 2018.

Aloft Hotels and Universal Music Group launch Project: Aloft Star Tour

June 13, 2018

X Ambassadors

The following is a press release from Marriott International:

Aloft Hotels, Marriott International’s brand for music lovers and music makers, and Universal Music Group & Brands (UMGB), the brand strategy division of Universal Music Group (UMG), the world leader in music-based entertainment, today launched the 2018 edition of Aloft Hotels’ artist discovery competition Project: Aloft Star, and unveiled the first-ever Project: Aloft Star Tour, a five-city tour celebrating UMG’s emerging artists.

Starting today, musicians can enter for a chance to win a once-in-a-lifetime prize that includes1:

  • An opportunity to record a single at the legendary Capitol Studios in Hollywood
  • Mentoring from UMG’s executives which will include help selecting a song to record
  • 500,000 Rewards points2redeemable for Marriott International hotel stays and other rewards

This year’s Project: Aloft Star mentors, the X Ambassadors, will guide the three Project: Aloft Star finalists3 and help them prepare for their finale performance. “We were lucky to have so many wonderful mentors growing up,” said Sam Harris of X Ambassadors. “We’re thrilled to be working with Aloft Hotels to support emerging talent as this year’s Project: Aloft Star Mentor.”

The Project: Aloft Star contest and tour is part of Marriott International’s first-of-its-kind global partnership with UMG, which has evolved to include a focus on developing emerging talent.

“Aloft Hotels has always been the brand for music makers and music lovers, but now through our collaboration with UMG, we’re able to support emerging artists in a more meaningful way than ever before,” said Toni Stoeckl, Global Brand Leader, Aloft Hotels; and Vice President, Distinctive Select Brands for Marriott International. “The opportunity to record a single with one of UMG’s prestigious labels and receive dedicated mentoring from the best in the industry is very rare, and we’re so glad to be able to bring this to emerging talent all over the world.”

“Aloft Hotels is a terrific partner that shares our dedication to the artist community,” said Mike Tunnicliffe, head of UMGB. “At UMG, everything we do starts with our commitment to fostering emerging talent. This year’s Project: Aloft Star Tour not only promotes this competition but also provides our developing artists with an opportunity to reach new fans across the country. We’re thrilled to expand our relationship with Marriott International, and we continue to work together to build progressive long-term campaigns together.”

Tank & the Bangas performing at Aloft Austin Downtown during the 2018 South by Southwest by Southwest Conference and Festivals
Tank & the Bangas performing at Aloft Austin Downtown during the 2018 South by Southwest by Southwest Conference and Festivals (Photo courtesy of Marriott International, Inc.)

Project: Aloft Star Tour
To inspire emerging talent to enter this year’s competition, Aloft Hotels is taking some of UMG’s hottest breakthrough artists on the road, hitting some of the great music cities to host intimate music performances in the brand’s signature W XYZ® bars. The free performances will kick off with Years & Years in Philadelphia on June 23, and will continue in four other locations, including Tank & the Bangas in New Orleans on August 9 and BANNΞRS in Denver on October 17. At each tour stop, fans will be able to collect an exclusive custom memento poster featuring art created by New York designer and illustrator Sophia Chang. The final tour stop will be held in Austin on November 1where the Project: Aloft Star finalists will perform in front of a panel of industry judges that includes representatives from UMG and live music discovery platform Bandsintown, and a winner will be chosen.

Global Footprint
As a truly global hotel brand, concurrent competitions are also running with Aloft Hotels and UMG in the Middle East & Africa and Asia Pacific to find the next big music stars in these regions. As in the Americas, winners in these regions will have the opportunity to record a single with UMG and gain access to mentoring opportunities with UMG representatives. Each region will have their own local celebrity UMG mentors, including names such as Salim Merchant in India and Rachel Liang in Greater China. Aloft Hotels in Europe will also be launching an initiative under the Project: Aloft Star banner to support emerging artists later this year.

Loyalty Member Exclusive Moments
While the tour is open to everyone to join, the best way to experience it will be as a member of Marriott’s award-winning loyalty programs Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) and Marriott Rewards. Special member benefits will include an NYC preview concert and destination packages, all available for redemption with Starpoints and Marriott Rewards points through SPG Moments and Marriott Rewards Moments.

  • Skip the Line: All Marriott Rewards and SPG members will be able to skip the line to get first access to the tour events, ensuring no member misses out on seeing their favorite band or artist.
  • Artist Meet & Greets: All Marriott Rewards and SPG members will be able to attend members-only Meet & Greets with the artists following their performances.
  • Member Preview Concert: On June 14th SPG and Marriott Rewards members who redeemed the experience on either Moments platform will attend an intimate acoustic performance by BANNΞRS and VIP hang-out with X Ambassadors in New York City. The preview concert will give loyalty members a sneak peek at the programming expected during the Project: Aloft Star Tour, including festival-inspired food & tech-driven beverage concepts.
  • VIP Concert Packages featuring a two-night stay at one of the Aloft hotel stops on this year’s tour, artist merch and VIP talent meet and greet will be available for members on the Marriott Rewards Moments and SPG Moments platforms. Loyalty members may also redeem their Starpoints or Marriott Rewards points to attend a VIP experience at the Project: Aloft Star finale in Austin.

Aloft – the Hotel For Music Makers and Music Lovers
Aloft Hotels has been an incubator for emerging musical talent for a decade. All Aloft Hotels around the world host regular live music evenings in their W XYZ® bars with local up-and-coming talent as part of the brand’s Live At Aloft Hotels music program.

Aloft Hotels are in thriving music destinations, welcoming touring musicians with special discounted artist rates, the opportunity to use the W XYZ® bar as a performance space for free, and a musicians’ guide featuring everything from where to dine late-night after a gig, the best nearby affordable recording studio, where to purchase guitar strings, and more to hit the right note for each stay.

UMG and Marriott International Partnership
Since UMG and Marriott International first started working together in 2015, the global partnership has grown to encompass Marriott’s expanded portfolio and has come to life through concerts showcasing UMG’s premiere talent at Marriott properties across the globe, most recently at an emerging female-led artist showcase at Aloft Austin Downtown during the 2018 South by Southwest® (SXSW®) Conference and Festivals.

Project: Aloft Star Americas Contest Details

  • Starting June 12 until August 20, unsigned bands and artists across North America and in select countries in Latin America, are invited to upload up to two original songs (in video or audio format) along with a photo through alofthotels.com for consideration by a panel of judges from UMG, Aloft Hotels and live music discovery platform Bandsintown.
  • The panel will select three finalists to progress to Phase II of the competition where the finalists will receive a mentoring session from X Ambassadors.
  • From September 17 through October 22, fans and music lovers are encouraged to vote for their favorite of the artists.
  • All three finalists will perform at the Project: Aloft Star finale at Aloft Austin Downtown on November 1. The winner will then be chosen from a combination of the public vote and the panel of judges’ scores.

For full details about the competition in all four regions, to enter the competition, or to find out about the Project: Aloft Star tour and sign up for tickets, please visit www.alofthotels.com.

Entry Period: No purchase nec. 18+. Ends 8/20/18. For Rules visit alofthotels.com.

About Aloft Hotels
With more than 125 hotels now open in nearly 20 countries and territories around the world, Aloft Hotels, part of Marriott International, Inc., delivers a fresh approach to the traditional staid hotel landscape. For the ‘always on’ next generation of traveler, the Aloft brand offers a tech-forward, vibrant experience and a modern style that is different by design. Aloft is proud to participate in the industry’s award-winning loyalty program, Starwood Preferred Guest®. Members can now link accounts with Marriott Rewards®, which includes The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® at members.marriott.com for instant elite status matching and unlimited points transfer. For more information, please visit www.alofthotels.com and follow along on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

About Marriott International, Inc.
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, and encompasses a portfolio of more than 6,500 properties in 30 leading hotel brands spanning 127 countries and territories. Marriott operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts all around the world. The company also operates award-winning loyalty programs: Marriott Rewards®, which includes The Ritz-Carlton Rewards®, and Starwood Preferred Guest®. For more information, please visit our website at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com. In addition, connect with us on Facebook and @MarriottIntl on Twitter and Instagram.

About Universal Music Group
Universal Music Group (UMG) is the world leader in music-based entertainment, with a broad array of businesses engaged in recorded music, music publishing, merchandising and audiovisual content in more than 60 countries. Featuring the most comprehensive catalog of recordings and songs across every musical genre, UMG identifies and develops artists and produces and distributes the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful music in the world. Committed to artistry, innovation and entrepreneurship, UMG fosters the development of services, platforms and business models in order to broaden artistic and commercial opportunities for our artists and create new experiences for fans. Universal Music Group is a Vivendi company. Find out more at: http://www.universalmusic.com.

1 In the Americas – prizes in Europe, Middle East & Africa and Asia Pacific will vary.
2 In August 2018, you will be able to combine your Marriott Rewards account with your SPG account, so you’ll have one account with one member number, one profile, one log-in and one points balance, and you will be able to redeem points at any of our more than 6,500 hotels across 29 hotel brands.
3 In the Americas – Europe, Middle East & Africa and Asia Pacific will have different local mentors.

2018 Teen Choice Awards: first wave of nominations announced

June 13, 2018

Teen Choice Awards
Teen Choice Awards logo 2018
“Avengers: Infinity War” (Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios)

The following is a press release from Fox:

TEEN CHOICE 2018, the summer’s hottest LIVE show, is back with a brand-new wave of nominees.

“Avengers: Infinity War” leads the TEEN CHOICE 2018 film category with seven nominations, followed by “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” and “Black Panther” with six nods each. “The Greatest Showman,” “A Wrinkle in Time” and “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle” earned five nominations each. Leading the television category with five nods each are “Riverdale” and “Shadowhunters: The Mortal Instruments,” followed by “Stranger Things” and “The Flash,” with four nominations. Musical artists Cardi B, Drake, Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift top the music category with three nominations each. Host(s), performers, presenters and additional nominees will be announced soon.

Voting is officially open as of 9:00 AM PT today through Tuesday, June 19, at 9:00 AM PT via TeenChoice.com and Twitter. Fans are allowed 10 votes per category, per day, per platform user ID, for their favorite TEEN CHOICE 2018 Wave One nominees. Vote via Twitter by tweeting a category hashtag (please see below) with the nominee’s name (either @nominee, or if the nominee does not have a Twitter account, use #nominee). You may only vote for one TEEN CHOICE 2018 nominee per Tweet.

For voting rules and more information, visit fox.com/teen-choice/rules and FAQs at fox.com/teen-choice/faqs.

Celebrate this year’s top teen icons in television, music, film, sports, comedy and digital when the choicest, star-studded two-hour event airs LIVE from the Forum in Los Angeles, CA, on Sunday, Aug. 12 (8:00-10:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) on FOX.

 

Following are “Wave One” categories and nominees for TEEN CHOICE 2018:

MOVIES

Choice Action Movie (#ChoiceActionMovie)

“Avengers: Infinity War”

“Justice League”

“Maze Runner: The Death Cure”

“Pacific Rim: Uprising”

“Tomb Raider”

 

Choice Action Movie Actor (#ChoiceActionMovieActor)

Chris Evans – “Avengers: Infinity War”

Dylan O’Brien – “Maze Runner: The Death Cure”

Henry Cavill – “Justice League”

John Boyega – “Pacific Rim: Uprising”

Robert Downey Jr. – “Avengers: Infinity War”

Tom Holland – “Avengers: Infinity War”

 

Choice Action Movie Actress (#ChoiceActionMovieActress)

Alicia Vikander – “Tomb Raider”

Amy Adams – “Justice League”

Elizabeth Olsen – “Avengers: Infinity War”

Gal Gadot – “Justice League”

Scarlett Johansson – “Avengers: Infinity War”

Zoe Saldana – “Avengers: Infinity War”

 

Choice Sci-Fi Movie (#ChoiceSciFiMovie)

“Black Panther”

“Blade Runner 2049”

“Rampage”

“Ready Player One”

“Thor: Ragnarok”

 

Choice Sci-Fi Movie Actor (#ChoiceSciFiMovieActor)

Chadwick Boseman – “Black Panther”

Chris Hemsworth – “Thor: Ragnarok”

Dwayne Johnson – “Rampage”

Mark Ruffalo – “Thor: Ragnarok”

Ryan Gosling – “Blade Runner 2049”

Tye Sheridan – “Ready Player One”

 

Choice Sci-Fi Movie Actress (#ChoiceSciFiMovieActress)

Danai Gurira – “Black Panther”

Letitia Wright – “Black Panther”

Lupita Nyong’o – “Black Panther”

Naomie Harris – “Rampage”

Olivia Cooke – “Ready Player One”

Tessa Thompson – “Thor: Ragnarok”

 

Choice Fantasy Movie (#ChoiceFantasyMovie)

“A Wrinkle in Time”

“Coco”

“Peter Rabbit”

“Star Wars: The Last Jedi”

 

Choice Fantasy Movie Actor (#ChoiceFantasyMovieActor)

Anthony Gonzalez – “Coco”

Gael García Bernal – “Coco”

James Corden – “Peter Rabbit”

John Boyega – “Star Wars: The Last Jedi”

Mark Hamill – “Star Wars: The Last Jedi”

Oscar Isaac – “Star Wars: The Last Jedi”

 

Choice Fantasy Movie Actress (#ChoiceFantasyMovieActress)

Carrie Fisher – “Star Wars: The Last Jedi”

Daisy Ridley – “Star Wars: The Last Jedi”

Mindy Kaling – “A Wrinkle in Time”

Oprah Winfrey – “A Wrinkle in Time”

Reese Witherspoon – “A Wrinkle in Time”

Storm Reid – “A Wrinkle in Time”

 

Choice Drama Movie (#ChoiceDramaMovie)

“A Quiet Place”

“Midnight Sun”

“Murder on the Orient Express”

“The Greatest Showman”

“Truth or Dare”

“Wonder”

 

Choice Drama Movie Actor (#ChoiceDramaMovieActor)

Hugh Jackman – “The Greatest Showman”

Jacob Tremblay – “Wonder”

Leslie Odom Jr. – “Murder on the Orient Express”

Patrick Schwarzenegger – “Midnight Sun”

Timothée Chalamet – “Lady Bird”

Zac Efron – “The Greatest Showman”

 

Choice Drama Movie Actress (#ChoiceDramaMovieActress)

Bella Thorne – “Midnight Sun”

Daisy Ridley – “Murder on the Orient Express”

Julia Roberts – “Wonder”

Lucy Hale – “Truth or Dare”

Saoirse Ronan – “Lady Bird”

Zendaya – “The Greatest Showman”

 

Choice Comedy Movie (#ChoiceComedyMovie)

“Daddy’s Home 2”

“I Feel Pretty”

“Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle”

“Love, Simon”

“Overboard”

“Pitch Perfect 3”

 

Choice Comedy Movie Actor (#ChoiceComedyMovieActor)

Dwayne Johnson – “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle”

Eugenio Derbez – “Overboard”

Jack Black – “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle”

Kevin Hart – “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle”

Mark Wahlberg – “Daddy’s Home 2”

Will Ferrell – “Daddy’s Home 2”

 

Choice Comedy Movie Actress (#ChoiceComedyMovieActress)

Amy Schumer – “I Feel Pretty”

Anna Faris – “Overboard”

Anna Kendrick – “Pitch Perfect 3”

Hailee Steinfeld – “Pitch Perfect 3”

Karen Gillan – “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle”

Rebel Wilson – “Pitch Perfect 3”

 

TELEVISION

Choice Drama TV Show (#ChoiceDramaTVShow)

“Empire”

“Famous in Love”

“Riverdale”

“Star”

“The Fosters”

“This is Us”

 

Choice Drama TV Actor (#ChoiceDramaTVActor)

Cole Sprouse – “Riverdale”

Freddie Highmore – “The Good Doctor”

Jesse Williams – “Grey’s Anatomy”

Jussie Smollett – “Empire”

K.J. Apa – “Riverdale”

Sterling K. Brown – “This Is Us”

 

Choice Drama TV Actress (#ChoiceDramaTVActress)

Bella Thorne – “Famous in Love”

Camila Mendes – “Riverdale”

Chrissy Metz – “This Is Us”

Lili Reinhart – “Riverdale”

Maia Mitchell – “The Fosters”

Ryan Destiny – “Star”

 

Choice Sci-Fi/Fantasy TV Show (#ChoiceSciFiTVShow)

“iZombie”

“Shadowhunters: The Mortal Instruments”

“Stranger Things”

“Supernatural”

“The 100”

“The Originals”

 

Choice Sci-Fi/Fantasy TV Actor (#ChoiceSciFiTVActor)

Bob Morley – “The 100”

Dominic Sherwood – “Shadowhunters: The Mortal Instruments”

Finn Wolfhard – “Stranger Things”

Gaten Matarazzo – “Stranger Things”

Joseph Morgan – “The Originals”

Matthew Daddario – “Shadowhunters: The Mortal Instruments”

 

Choice Sci-Fi/Fantasy TV Actress (#ChoiceSciFiTVActress)

Eliza Taylor – “The 100”

Emeraude Toubia – “Shadowhunters: The Mortal Instruments”

Katherine McNamara – “Shadowhunters: The Mortal Instruments”

Lana Parrilla – “Once Upon a Time”

Millie Bobby Brown – “Stranger Things”

Rose McIver – “iZombie”

 

Choice Action TV Show (#ChoiceActionTVShow)

“Arrow”

“Gotham”

“Lethal Weapon”

“Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.”

“Supergirl”

“The Flash”

 

Choice Action TV Actor (#ChoiceActionTVActor)

Chris Wood – “Supergirl”

Damon Wayans – “Lethal Weapon”

David Mazouz – “Gotham”

Grant Gustin – “The Flash”

Lucas Till – “MacGyver”

Stephen Amell – “Arrow”

 

Choice Action TV Actress (#ChoiceActionTVActress)

Caity Lotz – “DC’s Legends of Tomorrow”

Candice Patton – “The Flash”

Chloe Bennet – “Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.”

Danielle Panabaker – “The Flash”

Emily Bett Rickards – “Arrow”

Melissa Benoist – “Supergirl”

 

Choice Comedy TV Show (#ChoiceComedyTVShow)

“Black-ish”

“Fuller House”

“Jane the Virgin”

“Modern Family”

“The Big Bang Theory”

“The Good Place”

 

Choice Comedy TV Actor (#ChoiceComedyTVActor)

Andy Samberg – “Brooklyn Nine-Nine”

Anthony Anderson – “Black-ish”

Elias Harger – “Fuller House”

Hudson Yang – “Fresh Off the Boat”

Jaime Camil – “Jane the Virgin”

Rico Rodriguez – “Modern Family”

 

Choice Comedy TV Actress (#ChoiceComedyTVActress)

America Ferrera – “Superstore”

Candace Cameron Bure – “Fuller House”

Gina Rodriguez – “Jane the Virgin”

Kristen Bell – “The Good Place”

Sarah Hyland – “Modern Family”

Yara Shahidi – “Black-ish,” “Grown-ish”

 

Choice Animated TV Show (#ChoiceAnimatedTVShow)

“Bob’s Burgers”

“Family Guy”

“Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir”

“Rick and Morty”

“Steven Universe”

“The Simpsons”

 

Choice Reality TV Show (#ChoiceRealityTVShow)

“Keeping Up with the Kardashians”

“Lip Sync Battle”

“MasterChef Junior”

“The Four: Battle for Stardom”

“The Voice”

“Total Divas”

 

Choice Throwback TV Show (#ChoiceThrowbackTVShow)

“Dawson’s Creek”

“Friends”

“Gossip Girl”

“One Tree Hill”

“That ’70s Show”

“The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air”

 

Choice TV Personality (#ChoiceTVPersonality)

Chrissy Teigen – “Lip Sync Battle”

Derek Hough – “World of Dance”

DJ Khaled – “The Four: Battle for Stardom”

Hailey Baldwin – “Drop the Mic”

Kelly Clarkson – “The Voice”

Meghan Trainor – “The Four: Battle for Stardom”

 

MUSIC

Choice Male Artist (#ChoiceMaleArtist)

Bruno Mars

Drake

Ed Sheeran

Louis Tomlinson

Niall Horan

Shawn Mendes

 

Choice Female Artist (#ChoiceFemaleArtist)

Ariana Grande

Camila Cabello

Cardi B

Demi Lovato

Dua Lipa

Taylor Swift

 

Choice Music Group (#ChoiceMusicGroup)

5 Seconds of Summer

Fifth Harmony

Florida Georgia Line

Maroon 5

Migos

Why Don’t We

 

Choice Country Artist (#ChoiceCountryArtist)

Blake Shelton

Carrie Underwood

Kane Brown

Kelsea Ballerini

Maren Morris

Thomas Rhett

 

Choice Electronic/Dance Artist (#ChoiceElectronicDanceArtist)

Calvin Harris

Marshmello

Martin Garrix

Steve Aoki

The Chainsmokers

Zedd

 

Choice Latin Artist (#ChoiceLatinArtist)

Becky G

CNCO

Daddy Yankee

J Balvin

Luis Fonsi

Maluma

 

Choice R&B/Hip-Hop Artist (#ChoiceRBHipHopArtist)

Cardi B

Childish Gambino

Drake

Khalid

Nicki Minaj

Post Malone

 

Choice Rock Artist (#ChoiceRockArtist)

Imagine Dragons

Panic! At the Disco

Paramore

Portugal. The Man

twenty one pilots

X Ambassadors

 

Choice Song: Female Artist (#ChoiceSongFemaleArtist)

Ariana Grande – “No Tears Left To Cry”

Camila Cabello (feat. Young Thug) – “Havana”

Demi Lovato – “Sorry Not Sorry”

Dua Lipa – “New Rules”

Halsey – “Bad at Love”

Taylor Swift – “Look What You Made Me Do”

 

Choice Song: Male Artist (#ChoiceSongMaleArtist)

Charlie Puth – “Attention”

Childish Gambino – “This Is America”

Drake – “God’s Plan”

Ed Sheeran – “Perfect”

Justin Timberlake (feat. Chris Stapleton) – “Say Something”

Kendrick Lamar (feat. Zacari) – “Love.”

 

Choice Song: Group (#ChoiceSongGroup)

5 Seconds of Summer – “Youngblood”

Imagine Dragons – “Whatever It Takes”

Maroon 5 – “Wait”

Panic! At the Disco – “Say Amen (Saturday Night)”

Portugal. The Man – “Feel It Still”

Why Don’t We – “Trust Fund Baby”

 

Choice Collaboration (#ChoiceCollaboration)

Bebe Rexha (feat. Florida Georgia Line) – “Meant to Be”

Bruno Mars (feat. Cardi B) – “Finesse (Remix)”

Taylor Swift (feat. Ed Sheeran & Future) – “End Game”

The Weeknd & Kendrick Lamar – “Pray for Me” (“Black Panther” soundtrack)

Zac Efron & Zendaya – “Rewrite the Stars” (“The Greatest Showman” soundtrack)

Zedd, Maren Morris & Grey – “The Middle”

 

OTHER

Choice Comedian (#ChoiceComedian)

Ellen DeGeneres

James Corden

Jimmy Fallon

Kevin Hart

Lilly Singh

The Dolan Twins

 

Choice Male Athlete (#ChoiceMaleAthlete)

Adam Rippon

J.J. Watt

LeBron James

Red Gerard

Shaun White

Stephen Curry

 

Choice Female Athlete (#ChoiceFemaleAthlete)

Chloe Kim

Lindsey Vonn

Mikaela Shiffrin

Mirai Nagasu

Serena Williams

U.S. Olympic Women’s Ice Hockey Team

TEEN CHOICE is executive-produced by Bob Bain and Audrey Morrissey. “Like” TEEN CHOICE 2018 on Facebook at facebook.com/TeenChoiceAwards. Follow the action on Twitter @TeenChoiceFox and join the discussion at #teenchoice. See photos and videos on Instagram by following @teenchoicefox.

Food Network sets premiere date for ‘Comfort Food Tour’ starring Mark Anderson and Ryan Fey

June 12, 2018

Ryan Fey and Mark Anderson
Ryan Fey and Mark Anderson (Photo by Claudio Beier/Food Network)

The following is a press release from Food Network:

This summer, longtime friends and passionate food lovers Mark Anderson and Ryan Fey, embark on the ultimate Comfort Food Tour to discover the most mouthwatering and soul satisfying dishes across the country. Eating their way from destination to destination, they will try it all from juicy burgers that drip down your arm, to homemade cheesy lasagna that makes you feel at home, to sweet-and-savory soul food that will make you want to lick your plate. Their hunt for the best comfort food kicks-off on Saturday, July 21 at 8 p.m. ET/PT, with a second new serving at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT and it’s guaranteed to taste like all the comforts of home.

“Audiences have come to trust Mark and Fey’s palates and abilities to discover the most outrageous and over the top dishes in the country, making them the perfect guides for this deliciously indulgent Comfort Food Tour,” said Courtney White, General Manager and Executive Vice President, Programming, Food Network and HGTV. “Their sense of humor and witty banter as they playfully poke fun at each other adds another layer of fun to this epic trip that is sure to entertain.”

On the premiere on Saturday, July 21st at 8pm ET/PT, it is all about ooey gooey delicious comfort foods as Mark and Fey head to Chicago for the epitome of Italian comfort – homemade cheesy lasagna. At Bacchanalia, a female family run restaurant, the duo learns the secret to making impossibly rich and creamy lasagna, without any ricotta cheese. Then, they end the meal on a high note with tiramisu filled with mascarpone custard. Next, they head south to Turnhouse Grill in Charlotte, North Carolina for perfect pork chops, made with homemade apple butter that adds a sweet complementary flavor to the dish. The sweetness continues with a sinful salted caramel apple bread pudding so good it will make you sing. To round out this trip, Mark and Fey meet up with Eddie Jackson at his outdoor eatery, The Rosehill Beer Garden in Cypress, Texas where he brings eclectic food trucks together serving up classic comfort foods with unique twists from around the globe.

Hungry for more, at 8:30pm ET/PT, Mark and Fey pay a visit to Ninfas, a smokin’ hot Tex-Mex joint in Houston that’s home to the very first fajita served in America. They agree this sizzling showstopper is worth its weight in gold. Then, it is a burger throw down at Moo and Brew in Charlotte, North Carolina. There the duo not only eats delicious burgers, but also makes their very own burger surprise that earns a spot on the menu. Completing the comfort food trifecta, they hit up Azucar, a one of a kind ice cream shop in Miami serving up mouthwatering rum soaked cake topped with homemade Cuban ice cream.

Fans can head to FoodNetwork.com/ComfortFoodTour for more info on all the spots Mark and Fey visit, and to check out insider photos from their adventures and exclusive bonus videos. Head to Food Network’s Facebook and Instagram pages to see clips of the gooiest, cheesiest and most-over-the-top dishes featured on Comfort Food Tour, and keep up with all the action using #ComfortFoodTour.

###

FOOD NETWORK (www.foodnetwork.com) is a unique lifestyle network, website and magazine that connects viewers to the power and joy of food. The network strives to be viewers’ best friend in food and is committed to leading by teaching, inspiring, empowering and entertaining through its talent and expertise. Food Network is distributed to nearly 100 million U.S. households and draws over 46 million unique web users monthly. Since launching in 2009, Food Network Magazine’s rate base has grown 13 times and is the No. 2 best-selling monthly magazine on the newsstand, with 13.5 million readers. Food Network is owned by Discovery, Inc., a global leader in real life entertainment whose portfolio also includes Discovery Channel, HGTV, TLC, Investigation Discovery, and OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network.

 

2018 Tony Awards: ‘The Band’s Visit’ wins big with 10 prizes

June 10, 2018

by Carla Hay

Tony Awards logo

Tony Shalhoub of "The Band's Visit"
Tony Shalhoub of “The Band’s Visit” (Photo courtesy of The Tony Awards/CBS)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_M–DnSF84

The following is a press release from the Tony Awards:

“The Band’s Visit” was the top winner by getting 10 of the 11 Tony Awards for which it was nominated, including Best Musical, at the 72nd Annual Antoinette Perry “Tony” Awards, which were presented at New York City’s Radio City Music Hall on June 10, 2018. CBS had the U.S. telecast of the show. The 2018 Tony Awards are presented by The Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing.  The show was hosted by Sara Bareilles and Josh Groban.

“Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Parts One and Two” won six of its 10 Tony nominations, including Best Play. Other multiple Tony winners included the revival of “Angels in America” (which won three Tonys),  “Edward Albee’s Three Tall Women (two Tonys) and “Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Carousel” (two wins).

Meanwhile, “Mean Girls” and “SpongeBob SquarePants: The Musical” went into the ceremony with the most nominations (12 each) but were virtually shut out of winning. “SpongeBob Square Pants: The Musical” only won one Tony Award (for Best Scenic Design of a Musical), while “Mean Girls” failed to win any Tonys.

Legitimate theatrical productions opening in any of the 41 eligible Broadway theatres during the current season were considered for Tony nominations. The 2017/2018 eligibility season began April 28, 2017 and ended April 26, 2018.

John Leguizamo and Bruce Springsteen each received a Special Tony Award. Springsteen, playing piano, did a rare TV performance with the “My Hometown” selection from his “Springsteen on Broadway” production.

Andrew Lloyd Webber and Chita Rivera each recevied  2018 Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre will be presented to Andrew Lloyd Webber and Chita Rivera.  The 2018 Tony Honors for Excellence in the Theatre were presented to New York Times culture photographer Sara Krulwich, costume beader Bessie Nelson and the Ernest Winzer Cleaners.  The Isabelle  Stevenson Tony Award was presented to Executive Vice President of the Nederlander Organization, Nick Scandalios. The 2018 Regional Theatre Tony Award was presented to the La MaMa E.T.C. in New York City.

Presenters included Uzo Aduba, Christine Baranski, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Melissa Benoist, Erich Bergen, Rachel Bloom, Matt Bomer, Rachel Brosnahan, Tituss Burgess, Claire Danes, Jeff Daniels, Robert De Niro, Brandon Victor Dixon, Christopher Jackson, Billy Joel, Patti LuPone, Tatiana Maslany, Katharine McPhee, Matthew Morrison, Leslie Odom, Jr., Kelli O’Hara, Jim Parsons, Zachary Quinto, Bernadette Peters, Andrew Rannells, Kerry Washington, Ming-Na Wen, Marisa Jaret Winokur; Tony Nominees Tina Fey, John Leguizamo and Amy Schumer as well as Tony Award Lifetime Achievement recipients Webber and Rivera.

Although some of the speeches had a political tone (such as “Angels in America” Tony winner Tony Kushner urging U.S. citizens to vote in this year’s elections), the most provocative statement of the evening came from presenter De Niro before he introduced Springsteen’s performance. In a profanity-filled exclamation, De Niro yelled while raising his fists in the air, “Fuck Trump!” among other things that were mostly bleeped out of the broadcast. His comments got by roaring cheers from the audience.

Earlier in the evening, several students from Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida performed “Seasons of Love” from “Rent” and received a standing ovation in one of the most emotional parts of the ceremony. The school’s theater teacher Melody Herzfeld received this year’s Tony Award for Excellence in Theatre Education. Herzfeld protected several students by hiding with them in a room during the mass shooting that took place there on February 14.

Here is the complete list of winners and nominees for the 2018 Tony Awards:

*=winner

Best Musical
“The Band’s Visit”*
“Frozen”
“Mean Girls”
“SpongeBob SquarePants: The Musical”

Best Play
“The Children”
“Farinelli and The King”
“Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Parts One and Two”*
“Junk”
“Latin History for Morons”

Best Revival of a Play
“Angels in America”*
“Eugene O’Neill’s The Iceman Cometh”
“Lobby Hero”
“Travesties”

Best Revival of a Musical
“My Fair Lady”
“Once on This Island”*
“Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Carousel”

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play
Andrew Garfield, “Angels in America”*
Tom Hollander, “Travesties”
Jamie Parker, “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Parts One and Two”
Mark Rylance, “Farinelli and The King”
Denzel Washington, “Eugene O’Neill’s The Iceman Cometh”

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play
Glenda Jackson, “Edward Albee’s Three Tall Women”*
Condola Rashad, “Saint Joan”
Lauren Ridloff, “Children of a Lesser God”
Amy Schumer, “Meteor Shower”

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical
Harry Hadden-Paton, “My Fair Lady”
Joshua Henry, “Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Carousel”
Tony Shalhoub, “The Band’s Visit”*
Ethan Slater, “SpongeBob SquarePants: The Musical”

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical
Lauren Ambrose, “My Fair Lady”
Hailey Kilgore, “Once on This Island”
LaChanze, “Summer: The Donna Summer Musical”
Katrina Lenk, “The Band’s Visit”*
Taylor Louderman, “Mean Girls”
Jessie Mueller, “Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Carousel”

Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play
Anthony Boyle, “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Parts One and Two”
Michael Cera, “Lobby Hero”
Brian Tyree Henry, “Lobby Hero”
Nathan Lane, “Angels in America”*
David Morse, “Eugene O’Neill’s The Iceman Cometh”

Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play
Susan Brown, “Angels in America”
Noma Dumezweni, “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Parts One and Two”
Deborah Findlay, “The Children”
Denise Gough, “Angels in America”
Laurie Metcalf, “Edward Albee’s Three Tall Women”*

Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical
Norbert Leo Butz, “My Fair Lady”
Alexander Gemignani, “Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Carousel”
Grey Henson, “Mean Girls”
Gavin Lee, “SpongeBob SquarePants: The Musical”
Ari’el Stachel, “The Band’s Visit”*

Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical
Ariana DeBose, “Summer: The Donna Summer Musical”
Renée Fleming, “Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Carousel”
Lindsay Mendez, “Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Carousel”*
Ashley Park, “Mean Girls”
Diana Rigg, “My Fair Lady”

Best Direction of a Play
Marianne Elliott, “Angels in America”
Joe Mantello, “Edward Albee’s Three Tall Women”
Patrick Marber, “Travesties”
John Tiffany, “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Parts One and Two”*
George C. Wolfe, “Eugene O’Neill’s The Iceman Cometh”

Best Direction of a Musical
Michael Arden, “Once On This Island”
David Cromer, “The Band’s Visit”*
Tina Landau, “SpongeBob SquarePants: The Musical”
Casey Nicholaw, “Mean Girls”
Bartlett Sher, “My Fair Lady”

Best Book of a Musical
Itamar Moses, “The Band’s Visit”*
Jennifer Lee, “Frozen”
Tina Fey, “Mean Girls”
Kyle Jarrow, “SpongeBob SquarePants: The Musical”

Best Original Score
“Angels in America” (Music: Adrian Sutton)
“The Band’s Visit” (Music & Lyrics: David Yazbek)*
“Frozen” (Music & Lyrics: Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez)
“Mean Girls” (Music: Jeff Richmond. Lyrics: Nell Benjamin.)
“SpongeBob SquarePants: The Musical” (Music & Lyrics: Yolanda Adams, Steven Tyler & Joe Perry of Aerosmith, Sara Bareilles, Jonathan Coulton, Alex Ebert of Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, The Flaming Lips, Lady Antebellum, Cyndi Lauper & Rob Hyman, John Legend, Panic! at the Disco, Plain White T’s, They Might Be Giants, T.I., Domani & Lil’C)

Best Scenic Design of a Play
Miriam Buether, “Edward Albee’s Three Tall Women”
Jonathan Fensom, “Farinelli and The King”
Christine Jones, “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Parts One and Two”*
Santo Loquasto, “Eugene O’Neill’s The Iceman Cometh”
Ian MacNeil and Edward Pierce, “Angels in America”

Best Scenic Design of a Musical
Dane Laffrey, “Once On This Island”
Scott Pask, “The Band’s Visit”
Scott Pask, Finn Ross & Adam Young, “Mean Girls”
Michael Yeargan, “My Fair Lady”
David Zinn, “SpongeBob SquarePants: The Musical”*

Best Costume Design of a Play
Jonathan Fensom, “Farinelli and The King”
Nicky Gillibrand, “Angels in America”
Katrina Lindsay, “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Parts One and Two”*
Ann Roth, “Edward Albee’s Three Tall Women”
Ann Roth, “Eugene O’Neill’s The Iceman Cometh”

Best Costume Design of a Musical
Gregg Barnes, “Mean Girls”
Clint Ramos, “Once On This Island”
Ann Roth, “Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Carousel”
David Zinn, “SpongeBob SquarePants: The Musical”
Catherine Zuber, “My Fair Lady”*

Best Lighting Design of a Play
Neil Austin, “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Parts One and Two”*
Paule Constable, “Angels in America”
Jules Fisher + Peggy Eisenhauer, “Eugene O’Neill’s The Iceman Cometh”
Paul Russell, “Farinelli and The King”
Ben Stanton, “Junk”

Best Lighting Design of a Musical
Kevin Adams, “SpongeBob SquarePants: The Musical”
Jules Fisher + Peggy Eisenhauer, “Once On This Island”
Donald Holder, “My Fair Lady”
Brian MacDevitt, “Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Carousel”
Tyler Micoleau, “The Band’s Visit”*

Best Sound Design of a Play
Adam Cork, “Travesties”
Ian Dickinson for Autograph, “Angels in America”
Gareth Fry, “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Parts One and Two”*
Tom Gibbons, “1984”
Dan Moses Schreier, “Eugene O’Neill’s The Iceman Cometh”

Best Sound Design of a Musical
Kai Harada, “The Band’s Visit”*
Peter Hylenski, “Once On This Island”
Scott Lehrer, “Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Carousel”
Brian Ronan, “Mean Girls”
Walter Trarbach and Mike Dobson, “SpongeBob SquarePants: The Musical”

Best Choreography
Christopher Gattelli, “My Fair Lady”
Christopher Gattelli, “SpongeBob SquarePants: The Musical”
Steven Hoggett, “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Parts One and Two”
Casey Nicholaw, “Mean Girls”
Justin Peck, “Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Carousel”*

Best Orchestrations
John Clancy, “Mean Girls”
Tom Kitt, “SpongeBob SquarePants: The Musical”
Annmarie Milazzo & Michael Starobin, “Once On This Island”
Jamshied Sharifi, “The Band’s Visit”*
Jonathan Tunick, “Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Carousel

Tony Nominations and Wins by Production

Mean Girls – 12 nominations, 0 wins

SpongeBob SquarePants: The Musical – 12 nominations, 1 win

Angels in America – 11 nominations, 3 wins

The Band’s Visit – 11 nominations, 10 wins

Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Carousel – 11 nominations, 2 wins

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Parts One and Two – 10 nominations, 6 wins

My Fair Lady – 10 nominations, 1 win

Eugene O’Neill’s The Iceman Cometh – 8 nominations, 0 wins

Once On This Island – 8 nominations, 1 win

Edward Albee’s Three Tall Women – 6 nominations, 2 wins

Farinelli and The King – 5 nominations, 0 wins

Travesties – 4 nominations, 0 wins

Frozen – 3 nominations, 0 wins

Lobby Hero – 3 nominations, 0 wins

The Children – 2 nominations, 0 wins

Junk – 2 nominations, 0 wins

Summer: The Donna Summer Musical – 2 nominations, 0 wins

Children of a Lesser God – 1 nomination, 0 wins

Latin History for Morons – 1 nomination, 0 wins

Meteor Shower – 1 nomination, 0 wins

1984 – 1 nomination, 0 wins

Saint Joan – 1 nomination, 0 wins

Anthony Bourdain commits suicide; celebrity chef and TV host was 61

June 8, 2018

by Kathy Patterson

Anthony Bourdain
Anthony Bourdain (Photo courtesy of CNN)

Anthony Bourdain, the celebrity chef who hosted CNN’s Emmy-winning food/travel series “Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown,” was found dead of suicide by hanging in a hotel room in Strasbourg, France, on June 8, 2018. He was 61 and would have turned 62 on June 25, 2018. According to CNN, Bourdain was in France to film an episode of “Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown.” Celebrity chef Eric Ripert, a friend of Bourdain’s who frequently appeared on the show, found Bourdain unresponsive in the hotel room.

CNN issued this statement: “It is with extraordinary sadness we can confirm the death of our friend and colleague, Anthony Bourdain. His love of great adventure, new friends, fine food and drink and the remarkable stories of the world made him a unique storyteller. His talents never ceased to amaze us and we will miss him very much. Our thoughts and prayers are with his daughter and family at this incredibly difficult time.”

Born and raised in New York City, Bourdain graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in 1978, and he made his mark in the culinary world in the 1980s and 1990s as an executive chef at Manhattan restaurants Supper Club, One Fifth Avenue and Sullivan’s. In 1998, he became executive chef at Brasserie Les Halles, another upscale Manhattan restaurant. Bourdain was also an author of several books, most notably his 2000 memoir “Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly.” In his memoirs and in interviews, Bourdain spoke openly about using illegal drugs during most of his career.

“Anthony Bourdain Parts Unknown” launched in April 2013 and has since earned five Emmy Awards. Its 10th season premiered in October 2017. Bourdain described the season as the “strangest, wildest, most creative season yet.”

Before hosting “Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown,” Bourdain  hosted three other culinary-based shows: “A Cook’s Tour” (which was on the Food Network from 2002 to 2003); “Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations” (which was on Travel Channel from 2005 to 2012); and “The Layover” (which was on Travel Channel from 2011 to 2013).

In the last year of his life, Bourdain was an outspoken supporter of the #MeToo movement. Bourdain’s girlfriend was actress/filmmaker Asia Argento, who is one of the women who has accused Harvey Weinstein of raping her. Argento frequently traveled with Bourdain and was often seen on “Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown.”

Bourdain was married and divorced twice. His first marriage to his high-school sweetheart Nancy Putkoski lasted from 1985 to 2005. He was married to restaurant manager-turned-martial-artist Ottavia Busia from 2007 to 2016. Bourdain and Busia have a daughter named Ariane, who was born in 2007.

2018 Electronic Entertainment Expo: E3 Coliseum celebrity appearances include Jack Black, Elijah Wood, Darren Aronofsky

June 7, 2018

The following is a press release from Entertainment Software Association:

E3 2018, the world’s most powerful industry showcase for new video game titles and technology, will be held June 12-14 at the Los Angeles Convention Center (LACC). For the second year, E3 will open its doors to gamers, giving them access to the show floor and E3 Coliseum.

Coming off the success of its inaugural year in 2017, E3 Coliseum 2018 expands to three full days of panels and presentations from the most compelling, creative voices in entertainment to celebrate how video games shape popular culture. This mainstage event is produced by Geoff Keighley (The Game Awards) and being held at The Novo at L.A. Live, a short walk from the LACC.

This year’s lineup features in-depth panels from the biggest games debuting at E3 2018, as well as speakers from popular culture who have been influenced by video games. Special guests include filmmaker Darren Aronofsky, actor Jack Black, magician Penn Jillette, Westworld creators Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy, Avengers: Infinity War director Joe Russo, and actor Elijah Wood. Game creators and studios include Hideo Kojima in conversation with director Jordan Vogt-Roberts, Bethesda Game Studios’ Todd Howard, Xbox’s Phil Spencer, veteran game writer/director Amy Hennig, Epic Games’ Worldwide Creative Director Donald Mustard (Fortnite), and many more. Some of the biggest game franchises in the world will address fans with in-depth presentations on projects such as Call of Duty: Black Ops IIII, Marvel’s SPIDER-MAN, The Last Of Us Part II, Blizzard’s World of Warcraft, and even more games that will be revealed for the first time as part of E3 2018.

E3 Coliseum is open to all E3 2018 badge holders on a first come, first served basis. Fans can line up outside The Novo at L.A. Live beginning on Tuesday, June 12 at 7 a.m. Pacific.

E3 Coliseum and Facebook are giving the global video game community the chance to watch and ask questions during select panels. Fans can visit Facebook.com/E3Expo during E3 Coliseum to watch on Facebook Live and submit questions.

Most panels from E3 Coliseum will be streamed on Twitch, E3’s official streaming partner, as well as Mixer.com, Twitter, and YouTube. Select panels will also streamed on official PlayStation channels.

The full lineup and schedule is available online here. The event hours are as follows:

  • Tuesday, June 12: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
    • Featuring: Westworld series creators Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy, Elijah Wood, Hideo Kojima, Jack Black, and more
  • Wednesday, June 13: 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.
    • Featuring: Camilla Luddington, Joe Russo, and more
  • Thursday, June 14: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
    • Featuring: Darren Aronofsky and more

SOURCE Entertainment Software Association

2018 CMT Music Awards: Blake Shelton is the top winner

June 6, 2018

The following is a press release from CMT:

The loudest night in country music kicked it up a notch as the biggest stars in the genre and beyond took on Nashville for the “2018 CMT Music Awards.” In a night of firsts, Blake Shelton won his first-ever Video of the Year Award for “I’ll Name The Dogs;” Little Big Town hosted for the first-time; and Darius Rucker, Dierks Bentley, Florida Georgia Line, Kelly Clarkson, Little BigTown, Sam Hunt and Backstreet Boys seized the moment to debut new music for the first-time anywhere. A slew of new artists walked away with their first buckles, including Dan + Shay (Duo Video of the Year), Carly Pearce(Breakthrough Video of the Year), Kane Brown (Collaborative Video of the Year with Lauren Alaina), Backstreet Boys (CMT Performance of the Year with Florida Georgia Line) and Ludacris (Female Video of the Year with Carrie Underwood). Carly Pearce and Kane Brown won the first awards  of their careers. Carrie Underwood’s win for “Female Video of the Year” extends her record for most “CMT Music Awards” wins with a grand total of 18.

The show kicked off with a star-studded tongue-in-cheek sendup that has the royal family in Nashville to escape the prying paparazzi, only to find themselves engulfed in the bachelorette party capital of the country. The sketch featured Kelly Ripa, Ryan Seacrest, hosts Little Big Town, Blake Shelton, Kelsea Ballerini, Midland, Dustin Lynch, Jake Owen, Jon Pardi, Trace Adkins, Darius Rucker (as the Queen, no less), and Florida Georgia Line as Princes William and Harry.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqBl2Or3cG0

Little Big Town got the crowd jumping with their first-ever live performance of the danceable “Summer Fever” surrounded by large gold orbs, while Blake Shelton took to the rooftop of his new restaurant, Ole Red, in downtown Nashville for an intimate performance of his hit “Turnin’ Me On.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNdKDEeE6Do

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqaHsLCpmuE

Bordered by a dramatic white curtain, Jason Aldean delivered a stirring rendition of his hit “Drowns the Whiskey,” while Kelsea Ballerini offered a beautiful twist on love with her hit, “I Hate Love Songs.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkuBGRp7jO0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8c5Gra87Ps

Dierks Bentley and Brothers Osborne shared the stage surrounded by fire for a hard-rocking version of Bentley’s single, “Burning Man.” Luke Bryan performed his summer anthem “Sunrise, Sunburn, Sunset” aptly at dusk on the crowd-filled outdoor stage.

Florida Georgia Line turned the Bridgestone Arena into a cozy backyard get-together with the first-ever-live performance of their new single “Simple,” while Carrie Underwood dazzled the audience with her soaring power ballad “Cry Pretty.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpHbBLPiyMg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQ9difnqsYM

Sam Hunt roamed the streets Nashville’s famed Broadway before taking the outdoor stage in front of thousands of country music fans and fireworks for first-ever-performance of “Downtown’s Dead,” while Dan & Shay, in their first-ever CMT Music Awards appearance, delivered a sobering sweeping rendition of their smash, “Tequila.”

Chris Stapleton’s unmistakably powerful voice boomed through the streets of downtown Nashville for a priceless performance of “Millionaire,” while pop royalty Backstreet Boys got the entire house dancing with an electric first-time-ever performance of their new single, “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart,” proving that great music transcends genres.

Accompanied by an all-female choir, Kelly Clarkson made her CMT Music Awards debut by reclaiming the classic “American Woman” as a fiery female-empowerment anthem from the forthcoming series “American Woman,” starring Alicia Silverstone, Mena Suvari and Jennifer Bartles, premiering tomorrow night, Thursday, June 7 at 10pm ET/PT on Paramount Network.

The evening concluded with a bang as Darius Rucker and The Troublemakers – Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan and Charles Kelley – turned the Bridgestone Arena into a local honky tonk with their first-ever-live performance of the seminal Drivin’ N Cryin’ classic, “Straight To Hell.”

Furthering its commitment to new artists, CMT’s Ram side-stage featured performances of CMT Next Women of Music artists Carly Pearce and Lindsay Ell, as well as CMT Listen Up Artists DevinDawson, LANCO and Russell Dickerson.

The A-list roster of presenters from music, television and film includes Backstreet Boys, Brett Young, Bobby Bones, Carly Pearce,Chrissy Metz (“This Is Us”), Cody Alan (Radio and TV Personality), Courtney Force (NHRA racing), Dustin Lynch, Garrett Hedlund (“Mudbound,” “Country Strong”), Hoda Kotb (“NBC’s TODAY”), Joel McHale (“The Joel McHale Show”), Jon Pardi, Kaitlin Doubleday (“Nashville”), Katie Cook (TV personality), Keith Urban, Lauren Alaina, Leon Bridges, Lennon Stella (“Nashville”), Lindsey Vonn (US Ski Team), Luke Combs, Maisy Stella (“Nashville”), P.K. Subban (Nashville Predators), RaeLynn, Rascal Flatts and Sugarland.

Here are the nominees and winners of the 2018 CMT Music Awards

*=winner

VIDEO OF THE YEAR 
Best video of the year; awarded to the artist (male, female, group/duo or collaboration). Final nominees announced the morning of the show, with final voting held on social media during the live telecast.

  • Bebe Rexha featuring Florida Georgia Line –“Meant To Be”
  • Blake Shelton – “I’ll Name The Dogs”*
  • Brett Young – “Mercy”
  • Brothers Osborne – “It Ain’t My Fault”
  • Carrie Underwood feat.Ludacris – “The Champion”
  • Dan + Shay – “Tequila”
  • Jason Aldean – “You Make It Easy”
  • Justin Timberlake featuring Chris Stapleton – “Say Something”
  • Kane Brown featuring Lauren Alaina – “What Ifs”
  • Kelsea Ballerini – “Legends”
  • Luke Combs – “When It Rains It Pours”
  • Thomas Rhett – “Marry Me”

MALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video by a male artist; awarded to the artist

  • Blake Shelton –“I’ll Name The Dogs”*
  • Dustin Lynch – “Small Town Boy”
  • Jason Aldean – “You Make It Easy”
  • Jon Pardi – “Heartache on the Dance Floor”
  • Luke Bryan – “Light It Up”
  • Thomas Rhett – “Marry  Me”

FEMALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video by a female artist; awarded to the artist

  • Carly Pearce – “Every Little Thing”
  • Carrie Underwood featuring Ludacris – “The Champion”*
  • Kelsea Ballerini – “Legends”
  • Lauren Alaina – “Doin’ Fine”
  • Maren Morris – “I Could Use a Love Song”
  • Miranda Lambert – “Tin Man” From 2017 ACM Awards

DUO VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video by a duo; awarded to the artists

  • Big & Rich – “California”
  • Brothers Osborne – “It Ain’t My Fault”
  • Dan + Shay – “Tequila”*
  • Florida Georgia Line – “Smooth”
  • High Valley – “She’s With Me”
  • Tim McGraw & Faith Hill – “Speak to a Girl”

GROUP VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video by a group; awarded to the artists

  • Lady Antebellum – “You Look Good”
  • LANco – “Greatest Love Story”
  • Little Big Town – “When Someone Stops Loving You”*
  • Midland – “Make a Little”
  • Old Dominion – “No Such Thing as a Broken Heart”
  • Rascal Flatts – “Yours If You Want It”
  • Zac Brown Band – “My Old Man”

BREAKTHROUGH VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video from an artist’s major breakthrough album; awarded to the artist (male, female or group/duo)

  • Carly Pearce – “Every Little Thing”*
  • Danielle Bradbery – “Sway”
  • Devin Dawson – “All on Me”
  • LANco – “Greatest Love Story”
  • Russell Dickerson – “Yours”
  • Walker Hayes – “You Broke Up With Me”

COLLABORATIVE VIDEO OF THE YEAR

Best video from a collaboration; awarded to the artists

  • Bebe Rexha featuring Florida Georgia Line – “Meant To Be”
  • Carrie Underwood featuring Ludacris – “The Champion”
  • Cole Swindell featuring Dierks Bentley – “Flatliner”
  • Justin Timberlake featuring Chris Stapleton – “Say Something”
  • Kane Brown featuring Lauren Alaina – “What Ifs”*
  • Thomas Rhett featuring Maren Morris – “Craving You”

CMT PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR

Musical performance on a television show, series or variety special on CMT; awarded to the artist (individual, group or duo)

  • From 2017 CMT Artists of the Year: Andra Day, Common, Little Big Town, Lee Ann Womack and Danielle Bradbery – “Stand Up For Something”
  • From CMT Crossroads: Backstreet Boys and Florida Georgia Line – “Everybody”*
  • From 2017 CMT Music Awards: Charles Kelley, Jason Aldean, Darius Rucker and Derek Trucks – “Midnight Rider”
  • From CMT Crossroads: Earth, Wind & Fire and Lady Antebellum – “September”
  • From 2017 CMT Artists of the Year: Jason Aldean, Keith Urban, Chris Stapleton and Little Big Town – “I Won’t Back Down”
  • From 2017 CMT Music Awards: Keith Urban featuring Carrie Underwood – “The Fighter”

About CMT

CMT is the leading authority on country music and lifestyle, offering a mix of original series, music events and specials. CMT is everywhere its fans are including two cable channels (CMT and the 24-hour music channel, CMT Music), radio (CMT Radio), digital (CMT App, CMT.com) and social (CMT on Facebook, CMT on Instagram and CMT on Twitter). CMT is a unit of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB).

Cooking Channel premiere ‘Carnival Kings’ and ‘Seaside Snacks & Shacks’ in July 2018

June 6, 2018

Cooking Channel logo

The following are excerpts from Cooking Channel press releases:

Fearlessly innovative artist and Michelin-starred chef Richie Farina is hitting the road in search of cutting-edge culinary competition in “Carnival Kings,” looking for adversaries at the biggest “carnival” in the country. Richie has 24 hours to come up with his own take of each fair’s famous dish before a head-to-head cook-off judged by real fairgoers decides whose version is better. Fasten your seatbelts for fierce competition, hilarious smack talk and most of all, a mind-blowing variety of deliciously decadent carnival cuisine.
  • Premiering Thursday, July 12 at 9pmET/6pmPT – “Duck, Duck…Sliders”
Richie Farina hits the road in search of innovative culinary competitions, and he’s found one at the Pima County Fair outside Tucson, Arizona. He takes on Dominic Palmieri’s Duck Sliders with Flaming Hot Cheetos and Caramel Apple Slaw. Richie has just 24 hours to come up with his own version of Dominic’s crazy concoction before a head-to-head cook-off, judged by fairgoers, decides the winner.
  • Premiering Thursday, July 19 at 9pmET/6pmPT – “We All Scream for Ice Cream! And Waffles!”
Richie Farina hits the road in search of cutting-edge culinary competition, and he’s found it at the Great American Foodie Fest in Las Vegas, Nevada. He takes on Adam Terry of Waffle Love and his fluffy, ice cream-covered Dulce de Liege Waffle. Richie has just 24 hours to come up with his version of Adam’s decadent dessert before fairgoers pick a winner in a head-to-head cook-off.
  • Premiering Thursday, July 26 at 9pmET/6pmPT – “It’s Nacho Business, Dude”
Richie Farina hits the road in search of cutting-edge culinary competition, and he finds it at the Pima County Fair outside Tucson, Arizona. He takes on Nate Janousek of Texas Steak Out and his deep-fried carnival twist on nachos supreme. Richie has just 24 hours to come up with his own version of Nate’s insane nachos before a head-to-head cook-off, judged by fairgoers, decides the winner.
Online, watch exclusive videos of crazy carnival food, including duck-fat funnel cake.

In some places people wait all year long to dig into the local dishes served up in beach towns and on waterfronts across the country, and this summer Sabin Lomac is on a mission to find the best bites and seasonal standouts on “Seaside Snacks & Shacks,” premiering on Thursday, July 19 at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m/ PT. As a native of the coast of Maine and as a chef and co-owner of one of the most popular lobster roll restaurants in the country, Sabin is an expert on seafood, and now he is diving into some of the most unforgettable dishes along the shores. From crab cake and bacon grilled cheese sandwiches to creamy clam chowder with puffer pork skin, Sabin will sink his teeth into all the delicious dishes making waves.

“As a seafood entrepreneur who made a big splash by taking his local beach food truck national, Sabin Lomac knows how to spot delicious seaside staples and coastal spots doing it right,” said Courtney White, General Manager and Executive Vice President, Programming, Food Network and HGTV. “With his expertise and enthusiastic charm, Sabin is the perfect travel guide to share a taste of summer with viewers.”

Throughout the six half-hour episodes, Sabin hits the coasts of California and the Carolinas, the sands of New England, and south Florida, and the shores of the Gulf Coast and Lake Michigan in search of the most memorable and mouthwatering meals.

On the premiere, Sabin lands at Lulu’s, a high-class dive run by Jimmy Buffet’s sister, Lucy. There, he gets a taste of their Fried Green Tomato Pimento Cheese Burger that melts in your mouth, and a signature southern staple – gumbo. Next, Sabin heads straight for Lucy Bell’s on South Carolina’s Daufuskie Island, famous for a decadent deviled blue crab and a show-stopping southern fried chicken. Next Sabin heads west to Barrio Dogg, a hotdog stand that brings the heat to San Diego, famous for its Chili Con Carne Dog that packs a three-meat punch, and for its five alarm Bombero Dog topped with seven salsas, each one hotter than the next. He saves the most bananas place for last – Sugar and Spice on Balboa Island, California, serving sweet and decadent frozen bananas. After enjoying the original dipped in chocolate and rainbow sprinkles and the famous PB&J frozen banana, Sabin creates his own specialty flavor.

For exclusive videos, a list of seaside snacks and shacks Sabin dives into as well as recipes for sea-inspired bites, visit CookingChannelTV.com/SeasideSnacks. Fans can also share their favorite social media, and vote for their favorite dish using #SeasideSnacks.

# # #

COOKING CHANNEL (www.cookingchanneltv.com) is an entertainment brand dedicated to today’s passionate food lover. For food people, by food people, Cooking Channel is the answer to a growing hunger for more content devoted to food and cooking in every dimension from global cuisines to international travel, history and unconventional how-to’s. Cooking Channel is owned by Discovery, Inc., a global leader in real life entertainment whose portfolio also includes Discovery Channel, HGTV, Food Network, TLC, Investigation Discovery, and OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network.

Ayesha Curry’s ‘Family Food Fight’ show set to air on ABC

June 6, 2018

Ayesha Curry
Ayesha Curry (Photo by Mark Bourdillion/ABC)

ABC announced today that the network has picked up the culinary competition series “Family Food Fight,” based on Australia’s hit format. Hosted by restaurateur, food maven and NY Times best-selling cookbook author Ayesha Curry, the eight-episode competition series will feature eight families from across the country sharing a common kitchen and a common goal: to claim the title of America’s No. 1 Food Family.

Family teams will pull out their best culinary moves in the kitchen, serving up authentic family dishes and drama. Tapping into each family’s uniquely diverse cultural heritage, along with their countless culinary influences, “Family Food Fight” will take homestyle cooking to a new level as family recipes rich in tradition and shared over generations are put on display. Rather than five-star restaurant cuisine, the show will focus on relatable, yet aspirational, home-cooked meals, inspiring budding home cooks across the nation to don their aprons and get into the kitchen together.

With a mix of fast-paced cooking fun, heaping helpings of good humor and healthy rivalries, everyone will cook their hearts out as they strive to impress a panel of culinary experts including host and judge, Curry. Despite everyone’s delectable dishes, only one family will claim the coveted title of America’s No. 1 Food Family and take home the $100,000 prize. An airdate and additional judges to be announced at a later date.

For information on how you can appear on the show, visit familyfoodfightcasting.com.

Produced by Endemol Shine North America, “Family Food Fight” was created by Endemol Shine Australia with Nine in Australia and was recently renewed for a second season. Curry, Robert Flutie and Shab Azma are serving as executive producers through Yardie Girl Productions; and DJ Nurre, Georgie Hurford-Jones and Faye Stapleton are serving as executive producers for Endemol Shine North America.

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