2018 Golden Globe Awards: Seth Meyers named as host

November 22, 2017

Seth Meyers
Seth Meyers (Photo by Lloyd Bishop/NBC)

The following is an announcement from the Hollywood Foreign Press Association:

And we have a host: Seth Meyers will serve as MC of the 75th Golden Globe Awards ceremony. The host of NBC’s “Late Night with Seth Meyers will step into a role that in recent years has been Tina Fey’s and Amy Poehler’s, Ricky Gervais’ and most recently Jimmy Fallon’s.

“The Hollywood Foreign Press Association is excited to have Seth Meyers host the 75th Annual Golden Globe Awards”, said HFPA President Meher Tatna. “With his natural comedic wit and innate ability to charm audiences, Seth will help us carry on the celebratory tradition of recognizing the best in television and film at the Party of the Year.”

The writer-comedian is a 12-year veteran of “Saturday Night Live,” both in the writers’ room and behind the desk of “Weekend Update”.

The one-time “SNL” head writer (he succeeded fellow Globes host, Tina Fey, in that capacity) is also no stranger to awards shows, having done the honors for the 2010 ESPY awards and for the Prime Time Emmys in 2014. Now he will take on Globes duties in our Diamond Jubilee edition.

The 75thAnnual Golden Globe Awards presentation will take place on Sunday, Jan. 7, 2018. The ceremony will air on NBC live coast-to-coast at 8 p.m. ET. Nominations will be announced Monday, Dec. 11, 2017.

David Cassidy dead at 67 after being diagnosed with dementia

November 21, 2017

by John Larson

Singer/actor David Cassidy has died at the age of 67.  He  passed away on November 21, 2017, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where he had been hospitalized for organ failure. Earlier this year, Cassidy announced that he was diagnosed with dementia and would stop performing. Cassidy, a former teen idol, first rose to fame in the early 1970s as the star of the musical sitcom “The Partridge Family,” which also starred Shirley Jones, his stepmother at the time. Cassidy is best known for the Partridge Family hit “I Think I Love You.” According to a Cassidy family statement published by the Associated Press: “David died surrounded by those he loved, with joy in his heart and free from the pain that had gripped him for so long, Thank you for the abundance and support you have shown him these many years.”

Cassidy came from a showbiz family. His father was actor Jack Cassidy. David’s half-brother Shaun Cassidy was briefly a teen  idol in the late 1970s as an actor and singer. David’s daughter Katie is an actress.

Although he starred in well-received productions on Broadway and in Las Vegas, David was never able to recapture the success that he had in the 1970s. His career in subsequent years was an up-and-down rollercoaster of attempted comebacks and deliberate efforts to shed his past image as a teen idol. A self-admitted alcoholic, David was arrested multiple times for DUI. He was married and divorced three times, with his last marriage ending in 2014. David Cassidy is survived by his daughter Katie and son Beau.

2018 Film Independent Spirit Awards: ‘Call Me By Your Name’ leads with the most nominations

November 21, 2017

With six nominations, the coming-of-age drama “Call Me By Your Name” is the leading contender at the 33rd annual Film Independent Spirit Awards, which will take place in Santa Monica, California, on March 3, 2018. IFC will have a live telecast of the show, which will be hosted or the second year in a row by Nick Kroll and John Mulaney. The Spirit Awards honor independently financed films that were released in U.S. cinemas the previous year.

“Get Out” and “Good Time” received five nominations each, while “Lady Bird” and “The Rider” garnered four nominations each.

Here is the complete list of nominees for the 2018 Spirit Awards:

BEST FEATURE

(Award given to the producer)

Call Me By Your Name
PRODUCERS: Peter Spears, Luca Guadagnino, Emilie Georges, Rodgrigo Teixeira, Marco Morabito, James Ivory, Howard Rosenman

The Florida Project
PRODUCERS: Sean Baker, Chris Bergoch, Kevin Chinoy, Andrew Duncan, Alex Saks, Francesca Silvestri, Shih-Ching Tsou

Get Out
PRODUCERS: Jason Blum, Edward H. Hamm Jr., Sean McKittrick, Jordan Peele

Lady Bird
PRODUCERS: Eli Bush, Evelyn O’Neill, Scott Rudin

The Rider
PRODUCERS: Mollye Asher, Bert Hamelinck, Sacha Harroche, Chloé Zhao

BEST FIRST FEATURE

(Award given to the producer and director)

Columbus
DIRECTOR: Kogonada
PRODUCERS: Danielle Renfrew Behrens, Aaron Boyd, Giulia Caruso, Ki Jin Kim, Andrew Miano, Chris Weitz

Ingrid Goes West
DIRECTOR: Matt Spicer
PRODUCERS: Jared Goldman, Adam Mirels, Robert Mirels, Aubrey Plaza, Tim White, Trevor White

Menashe
DIRECTOR: Joshua Z. Weinstein
PRODUCERS: Yoni Brook, Traci Carlson, Daniel Finkelman, Alex Lipschultz

Oh Lucy!
DIRECTOR: Atsuko Hirayanagi
PRODUCERS: Jessica Elbaum, Yukie Kito, Han West

Patti Cake$
DIRECTOR: Geremy Jasper
PRODUCERS: Chris Columbus, Michael Gottwald, Dan Janvey, Daniela Taplin Lundberg, Noah Stahl, Rodrigo Teixeira

BEST DIRECTOR

Sean Baker, The Florida Project
Jonas Carpignano, A Ciambra
Luca Guadagnino, Call Me by Your Name
Jordan Peele, Get Out
Benny Safdie, Josh Safdie, Good Time
Chloé Zhao, The Rider

BEST SCREENPLAY

Greta Gerwig, Lady Bird
Azazel Jacobs, The Lovers
Martin McDonagh, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Jordan Peele, Get Out
Mike White, Beatriz at Dinner

BEST FIRST SCREENPLAY

Kris Avedisian, Kyle Espeleta (story by), Jesse Wakeman (story by), Donald Cried
Emily V. Gordon, Kumail Nanjiani, The Big Sick
Ingrid Jungermann, Women Who Kill
Kogonada, Columbus
David Smith, Matt Spicer, Ingrid Goes West

JOHN CASSAVETES AWARD

(Award given to the best feature made for under $500,000; given to the writer, director and producer)

Dayveon
WRITER/DIRECTOR/PRODUCER: Amman Abbasi
WRITER: Steven Reneau
PRODUCERS: Lachion Buckingham, Alexander Uhlmann

A Ghost Story
WRITER/DIRECTOR: David Lowery
PRODUCERS: Adam Donaghey, Toby Halbrooks, James M. Johnston

Life and Nothing More
WRITER/DIRECTOR: Antonio Méndez Esparza
PRODUCERS: Amadeo Hernández Bueno, Alvaro Portanet Hernández, Pedro Hernández Santos

Most Beautiful Island
WRITER/DIRECTOR/PRODUCER: Ana Asensio
PRODUCERS: Larry Fessenden, Noah Greenberg, Chadd Harbold, Jenn Wexler

The Transfiguration
WRITER/DIRECTOR: Michael O’Shea
PRODUCER: Susan Leber

BEST MALE LEAD

Harris Dickinson, Beach Rats
Timothée Chalamet, Call Me by Your Name
Daniel Kaluuya, Get Out
Robert Pattinson, Good Time
James Franco, The Disaster Artist

BEST FEMALE LEAD

Salma Hayek, Beatriz at Dinner
Frances McDormand, Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri
Margot Robbie, I, Tonya
Saoirse Ronan, Lady Bird
Regina Williams, Life and Nothing More
Shinobu Terajima, Oh Lucy!

BEST SUPPORTING MALE

Nnamdi Asomugha, Crown Heights
Armie Hammer, Call Me by Your Name
Barry Keoghan, The Killing of a Sacred Deer
Sam Rockwell, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Benny Safdie, Good Time

BEST SUPPORTING FEMALE

Holly Hunter, The Big Sick
Allison Janney, I, Tonya
Laurie Metcalf, Lady Bird
Lois Smith, Marjorie Prime
Taliah Lennice Webster, Good Time

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY

Thimios Bakatakis, The Killing of a Sacred Deer
Elisha Christian, Columbus
Hélène Louvart, Beach Rats
Sayombhu Mukdeeprom, Call Me by Your Name
Joshua James Richards, The Rider

BEST EDITING

Ronald Bronstein, Benny Safdie, Good Time
Walter Fasano, Call Me by Your Name
Alex O’Flinn, The Rider
Gregory Plotkin, Get Out
Tatiana S. Riegel, I, Tonya

BEST INTERNATIONAL FILM

BPM (Beats Per Minute) (France)
DIRECTOR: Robin Campillo

A Fantastic Woman (Chile)
DIRECTOR: Sebastián Lelio

I Am Not a Witch (UK)
DIRECTOR: Rungano Nyoni

Lady MacBeth (UK)
DIRECTOR: William Oldroyd

Loveless (Russia)
DIRECTOR: Andrey Zvyagintsev

BEST DOCUMENTARY

(Award given to the director and producer)

The Departure
DIRECTOR/PRODUCER: Lana Wilson

Faces Places
DIRECTORS: Agnés Varda, JR
PRODUCER: Rosalie Varda

Last Men in Aleppo
DIRECTOR: Feras Fayyad
PRODUCERS: Kareem Abeed, Steen Jespersen, Stefan Kloos

Motherland
DIRECTOR/PRODUCER: Ramona S. Diaz
PRODUCER: Rey Cuerdo

Quest
DIRECTOR: Jonathan Olshefski
PRODUCER: Sabrina Schmidt Gordon

ROBERT ALTMAN AWARD

(Award given to one film’s director, casting director and ensemble cast)

Mudbound
DIRECTOR: Dee Rees
CASTING DIRECTORS: Billy Hopkins, Ashley Ingram
ENSEMBLE CAST: Jonathan Banks, Mary J. Blige, Jason Clarke, Garrett Hedlund, Jason Mitchell, Rob Morgan, Carey Mulligan

JEEP TRUER THAN FICTION AWARD

(The Truer Than Fiction Award, now in its 23rd year, is presented to an emerging director of non-fiction features who has not yet received significant recognition. The award includes a $25,000 unrestricted grant sponsored by the Jeep brand.) 

The Cage Fighter
DIRECTOR: Jeff Unay

Distant Constellation         
DIRECTOR: Shevaun Mizrahi

Quest
DIRECTOR: Jonathan Olshefski

KIEHL’S SOMEONE TO WATCH AWARD

(The Someone to Watch Award, now in its 24th year, recognizes a talented filmmaker of singular vision who has not yet received appropriate recognition. The award includes a $25,000 unrestricted grant sponsored by Kiehl’s Since 1851.)

Dayveon
DIRECTOR: Amman Abbasi

Gook          
DIRECTOR: Justin Chon

Super Dark Times  
DIRECTOR: Kevin Phillips

PIAGET PRODUCERS AWARD

(The Producers Award, now in its 21st year, honors emerging producers who, despite highly limited resources demonstrate the creativity, tenacity and vision required to produce quality, independent films. The award includes a $25,000 unrestricted grant sponsored by Piaget.)

Giulia Caruso & Ki Jin Kim
Ben LeClair
Summer Shelton

AMERICAN AIRLINES BONNIE AWARD

(Bonnie Tiburzi Caputo joined American Airlines in 1973 at age 24, becoming the first female pilot to fly for a major U.S. airline. In her honor, the inaugural Bonnie Award will recognize a mid-career female director with a $50,000 unrestricted grant, sponsored by American Airlines.)

So Yong Kim
Lynn Shelton
Chloé Zhao

Jeffrey Tambor scandal: Emmy-winning actor quits ‘Transparent’ after being accused of sexual misconduct

November 20, 2017

Jeffrey Tambor as Maura Pfefferman in "Transparent"
Jeffrey Tambor as Maura Pfefferman in “Transparent” (Photo courtesy of Amazon Studios)

by Colleen McGregor

Emmy-winning actor Jeffrey Tambor has quit Amazon Studios’ comedy series “Transparent” after being accused of sexual harassment.  On “Transparent,”Tambor played Maura Pfefferman, a transgender divorced mother whose family is dealing with her trans identity. It is believed the show will go on without Tambor, but it has not yet been announced how the Maura Pfefferman character will be written off of the show. “Transparent’s” fourth season is supposed to premiere in 2018. Tambor, who is 73, won several awards for his role on “Transparent,” including an Emmy, a Golden Globe, a Screen Actors Guild Award and a Critics’ Choice Award. He has three sons and a daughter with his wife Kasia and multiple daughters from previous relationships.

The first allegations against Tambor came to light on November 8, 2017, when his former assistant Van Barnes posted a private message on her Facebook page, where she wrote that the actor “repeatedly propositioned her, made lewd comments, groped her and threatened to sue her if she spoke up.”

Tambor then issued a statement saying, “I am deeply sorry if any action of mine was ever misinterpreted by anyone as being sexually aggressive or if I ever offended or hurt anyone. But the fact is, for all my flaws, I am not a predator and the idea that someone might see me in that way is more distressing than I can express.”

On November 16, 2017, transgender actress Trace Lysette accused Tambor of being “sexually aggressive” with her by rubbing up against her without her consent and making lewd comments while they were working together in 2015. On November 19, 2017, Tambor announced that he was quitting “Transparent.”

This is the second major sexual-harassment scandal to hit Amazon Studios in as many months. In October 2017, Roy Price was forced to resign as head of Amazon Studios after it was made public that, in 2015, he made unwanted sexual advances on a female producer of the Amazon series “The Man in the High Castle.” Price also allegedly had other troubling incidents involving female Amazon employees that led to his departure.

The downfall of movie mogul Harvey Weinstein  in October 2017 seems to have had a domino effect in business and politics, as more men in powerful positions are being publicly accused of sexual misconduct. Since the Weinstein scandal (in which the Miramax Films/The Weinstein Company co-founder was accused of sexual assaulting and raping several women), other high-profile people have have lost their jobs and/or have had their careers ruined by allegations of sexual misconduct. Those in the entertainment or media industry whose reputations have been forever tarnished include actor Kevin Spacey, comedian Louis C.K. and TV journalist Charlie Rose. In most cases, they have issued public apologies but said they thought these sexual encounters were consensual.

Golden Globes 75th Anniversary Special: premiere date and hosts announced

November 20, 2017

Eric McCormack and Debra Messing
Eric McCormack and Debra Messing  (Photo by: Heidi Gutman/NBCUniversal)

The following is a press release from NBC:

NBC, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) and dick clark productions (dcp) are teaming up for the “Golden Globes 75th Anniversary Special,” set to air Wednesday, Dec. 13 at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

The two-hour special will be hosted by Eric McCormack and Debra Messing, who have a combined 13 Golden Globe nominations between them and star in NBC’s critically acclaimed revival of “Will & Grace,” which currently ranks as NBC’s most-watched primetime comedy in the last 12 years.

The program will showcase the best moments spanning 75 years of the Golden Globes, featuring the biggest film and TV stars, red carpet highlights and fashion throughout the years. The special will also feature new and exclusive interviews with Amy Adams, Jake Gyllenhaal, Christine Lahti, Nicole Kidman, Julia Roberts, Jacob Tremblay, Kate Winslet, Brad Goreski and more. Celebrating the nonstop glamour, humor, heartfelt speeches and classic moments from Hollywood’s party of the year, the “Golden Globes 75th Anniversary Special” will also include comedic highlights from past hosts and presenters and a countdown of the best Golden Globe Award-winning movies of all time, as selected by members of the HFPA.

The “Golden Globes 75th Anniversary Special” is produced by dcp in association with the HFPA.

The HFPA and dcp will present the 75th Annual Golden Globe Awards on Sunday, Jan. 7, 2018. The ceremony will air on NBC live coast-to-coast at 8 p.m. ET. Nominations will be announced Monday, Dec. 11.

About the Hollywood Foreign Press Association

Founded in the 1940s during World War II, the HFPA was originally comprised of a handful of L.A.-based overseas journalists who sought to bridge the international community with Hollywood, and to provide distraction from the hardships of war through film. More than seventy years later, members of the HFPA represent 56 countries with a combined readership of 250 million in some of the world’s most respected publications. Each year, the organization holds the third most watched awards show on television, the Golden Globe® Awards, which has enabled the organization to donate more than $25 million to entertainment-related charities and scholarship programs. For more information, please visit www.GoldenGlobes.com and follow us on Twitter (@GoldenGlobes) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/GoldenGlobes).

About dick clark productions

dick clark productions (dcp) is the world’s largest producer and proprietor of televised live event entertainment programming with the “Academy of Country Music Awards,” “American Music Awards,” “Billboard Music Awards,” “Golden Globe Awards,” “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest,” “Hollywood Film Awards” and the “Streamy Awards.” Weekly television programming includes “So You Think You Can Dance” from 19 Entertainment and dcp. dcp also owns one of the world’s most unique and extensive entertainment archive libraries with over 60 years of award-winning shows, historic programs, specials, performances and legendary programming. For additional information, visit www.dickclark.com.

2017 American Music Awards: Bruno Mars wins big, Diana Ross gets Lifetime Achievement Award

November 19, 2017

by Carla Hay

AMAs logo

Diana Ross at the 2017 American Music Awards at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, on November 19, 2017.
Diana Ross at the 2017 American Music Awards at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, on November 19, 2017. (Photo courtesy of ABC/Image Group LA)

With six awards, pop star Bruno Mars was the biggest winner at the 45th American Music Awards (AMAs), which took place on November 19, 2017, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. Mars was the top nominee going into the ceremony (he had eight nominations), but he did not attend the show. Instead, he sent a video message that was played after he was named Artist of the Year. ABC had the U.S. telecast of the show, which was hosted by “Black-ish” star Tracee Ellis Ross.

Diana Ross and Tracee Ellis Ross (center) at the 2017 American Music Awards at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, on November 19, 2017. (Photo courtesy of ABC/Image Group LA)

Diana Ross (who is Ellis Ross’ mother) received the Lifetime Achievement Award. Ross performed a medley of her hits: “I’m Coming Out,” “Take Me Higher,” “Ease on Down the Road,” “The Best Years Of My Life” and “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.” While accepting the awards, she was joined on stage by her children, grandchildren and Motown founder Berry Gordy, who is the father of Ross’ eldest child, Rhonda Ross.

Other highlights included Christina Aguilera paying tribute to Whitney Houston and the 25th anniversary of “The Bodyguard” soundtrack with a medley of the soundtrack’s biggest hits: “I Will Always Love You,” “I’m Every Woman,” “I Have Nothing” and “Run To You.”

Pink & Kelly Clarkson opened the show with a duet of “Everybody Hurts.” Clarkson and Pink later performed separately, with Pink doing a high-flying performance of “Beautiful Trauma” from the side of a Los Angeles skyscraper. And getting the most screams from teenage girls was Korean boy band BTS, which made its U.S. live TV performance debut at the 2017 American Music Awards.

Unique collaborations included Selena Gomez making her world television performance debut of “Wolves” with Marshmello. Other team-ups on stage were Alessia Cara and Zedd; Imagine Dragons and Khalid; Hailee Steinfeld and Alesso featuring Florida Georgia Line and Watt; Bebe Rexha featuring Florida Georgia Line; and Macklemore and Skylar Grey.

The show’s other performers were AMA winners Lady Gaga (who sang live from her concert in Detroit), Shawn Mendes and Niall Horan. Demi Lovato, Nick Jonas and Portugal. The Man also performed on the show.

Presenters included KJ Apa, Chadwick Boseman, Sabrina Carpenter, The Chainsmokers, Ciara, Mark Cuban, Viola Davis, Jenna Dewan-Tatum, Billy Eichner, Ansel Elgort, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Jamie Foxx, G-Eazy, Kat Graham, Kathryn Hahn, Chris Hardwick, Justin Hartley, Daymond John, DJ Khaled, Heidi Klum, Kevin O’Leary, Jared Leto, Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin, Camila Mendes, Chrissy Metz, Julia Michaels, Lea Michele, Madelaine Petsch, Lili Reinhart, Kelly Rowland, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Yara Shahidi, Lilly Singh, and Sadie Sink.

The American Music Awards winners are voted entirely by fans, except for the Lifetime Achievement Award, whose winner is chosen in advance by the show’s producers.

Here are the nominees and winners of the 2017 American Music Awards:

*** = winner

  • Bruno Mars***
  • The Chainsmokers
  • Drake
  • Kendrick Lamar
  • Ed Sheeran
  • James Arthur
  • Niall Horan***
  • Julia Michaels
  • Post Malone
  • Rae Sremmurd
  • The Chainsmokers featuring Halsey “Closer”
  • DJ Khaled featuring Justin Bieber, Quavo, Chance the Rapper and Lil Wayne “I’m the One”
  • Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee featuring Justin Bieber “Despacito”***
  • Maroon 5 featuring Kendrick Lamar “Don’t Wanna Know”
  • The Weeknd featuring Daft Punk “Starboy”
  • Garth Brooks
  • Coldplay***
  • U2
  • Bruno Mars “That’s What I Like”***
  • Luis Fonsi featuring Daddy Yankee “Despacito”
  • Ed Sheeran “Shape of You”
  • Bruno Mars***
  • Drake
  • Ed Sheeran
  • Alessia Cara
  • Lady Gaga***
  • Rihanna
  • The Chainsmokers
  • Coldplay
  • Imagine Dragons***
  • Bruno Mars “24K Magic”***
  • Drake “More Life”
  • The Weeknd “Starboy”
  • The Chainsmokers featuring Halsey “Closer”
  • Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee featuring Justin Bieber “Despacito”***
  • Ed Sheeran “Shape of You”
  • Sam Hunt
  • Thomas Rhett
  • Keith Urban***
  • Miranda Lambert
  • Maren Morris
  • Carrie Underwood***
  • Florida Georgia Line
  • Little Big Town***
  • Old Dominion
  • Jason Aldean “They Don’t Know”
  • Chris Stapleton “From A Room: Volume 1”
  • Keith Urban “Ripcord”***
  • Sam Hunt “Body Like A Back Road”
  • Jon Pardi “Dirt On My Boots”
  • Keith Urban “Blue Ain’t Your Color”***
  • Drake***
  • Kendrick Lamar
  • Migos
  • Drake “More Life”
  • Kendrick Lamar “DAMN.”***
  • Migos “Culture”
  • DJ Khaled featuring Justin Bieber, Quavo, Chance the Rapper and Lil Wayne “I’m the One”
  • Kendrick Lamar “HUMBLE.”***
  • Rae Sremmurd featuring Gucci Mane “Black Beatles”
  • Bruno Mars***
  • Childish Gambino
  • The Weeknd
  • Beyoncé***
  • Kehlani
  • Rihanna
  • Bruno Mars “24K Magic”***
  • Childish Gambino “Awaken, My Love!”
  • The Weeknd “Starboy”
  • Bruno Mars “That’s What I Like”***
  • Khalid “Location”
  • The Weeknd “Starboy”
  • Imagine Dragons
  • Linkin Park***
  • twenty one pilots
  • Bruno Mars
  • Shawn Mendes***
  • Ed Sheeran
  • Daddy Yankee
  • Luis Fonsi
  • Shakira***
  • Lauren Daigle***
  • MercyMe
  • Chris Tomlin
  • The Chainsmokers***
  • DJ Snake
  • Calvin Harris
  • Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2: Awesome Mix Vol. 2
  • Moana***
  • Trolls

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT
Diana Ross

‘The Four: Battle for Stardom’ names judges Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, DJ Khaled, Meghan Trainor and Charlie Walk

November 17, 2017

The following is a press release from Fox:

Grammy® Award-winning musician, record producer and songwriter Sean “Diddy” Combs, record-producing hitmaker DJ Khaled, Grammy-winning recording artist and songwriter Meghan Trainor and record label executive Charlie Walk have joined the panel of experts on Fox’s new singing competition series, “The Four: Battle for Stardom.” The six-episode event premieres Thursday, January 4, 2018 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on Fox.

“This show is going to disrupt the world of competition television and will revolutionize the format,” said Combs. “It took the right show and network to bring me back in the game. We plan on being the best talent show out there, taking it to that next level and making history again. This series is about pure competition, fighting for your survival. Do you want to win? Do you want to be great? We’re giving fans a genuine look at what it takes to make it to the top and stay there – surrounding these up-and-coming artists with the best, turning them into the next generation of stars.”

“I’m proud to announce that I will be participating in one of the most important, if not the most important events on television and pop culture,” said DJ Khaled. “It’s a one-of-a-kind experience that will showcase the best of the new generation of musical geniuses. When you come from where I come from, you know just how hard it is to turn your dreams into a reality. It’s a long road to the journey of success. I’ve spent my career discovering amazing talent and working with the biggest icons from every corner of the globe and now I’m bringing my one-of-a-kind approach to Fox. I immediately jumped at the opportunity when I realized Fox shared the same vision as me, and that’s to be the best!!! If you think you have what it takes to become the next icon, trust me, DJ Khaled is the one that will let you know. So be prepared for a new era of television. All I know is how to win…more!!! Fox x DJ Khaled…be ready!!!”

“When Fox asked me to be a part of this new series, without hesitation, my answer was…YES!,” said Trainor. “I know firsthand what it’s like to be thrown into the music industry head first, as an artist and a songwriter. I also know what it takes to hang on for the ride. I’m so humbled to help discover new talent with this amazing panel of experts.”

“What lies at the heart of the music business is ‘talent,’” said Walk. “Discovering and developing talent remains the most important, consistent driver of my home, Republic Records, and now FOX’s “The Four: Battle for Stardom.” I’m thrilled to be joining this incredible panel of my longtime friends, Sean, Khaled and Meghan, to help make the difference on a platform that’s truly committed to identifying and breaking the next generation of superstars. We will guide them, advise them, and be with them every step of the way on their journey, starting on the most transparent stage in television.”

“Diddy, DJ Khaled, Meghan and Charlie are giants in the music space,” said Rob Wade, President, Alternative Entertainment and Specials, Fox Broadcasting Company. “They understand what an artist needs to break through – from killer music and style to innovative marketing and social media. This is a show like no other and we can’t wait to get started.”

“The Four: Battle for Stardom” begins where the other shows end: With the best. These four top-notch artists, spanning all music genres, will fight each week to defend their coveted seats on the show, as determined newcomers challenge them and try to knock them out of the competition. The singer who is the last standing at the end of the competition will earn the ultimate prize: the panel of industry experts becomes key players on the winner’s team. This elite group of starmakers will guide the winner’s career to help make him or her a breakout star. To audition for “The Four: Battle for Stardom,” please visit thefourmusic.com.

As part of the grand prize, the winner will be named an iHeartRadio “On The Verge” artist. iHeartRadio’s On The Verge program provides artists with unparalleled national reach through on-air radio exposure, as well as digital and social support across iHeartMedia’s powerful range of music and entertainment platforms. FOX also has teamed up with iHeartMedia to support auditions, assist in the search for talent and boost the careers of artists throughout the run of the competition.

Sean “Diddy” Combs, AKA Puff Daddy, started his career as the director of A&R at Uptown Records, where he was integral in launching the careers of Mary J. Blige and Jodeci. He later started his own label, Bad Boy Records, which has fostered talent that includes Mariah Carey, Method Man, Boyz II Men, Lil’ Kim and more. Combs’ solo music career began in 1997 with his first single, “Can’t Nobody Hold Me Down,” which shot to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, quickly followed by a No. 1 debut album that has gone Platinum seven times. Over the course of his career, he has earned three Grammy Awards and ASCAP’s Songwriter of the Year honor. Combs also has become an established actor and executive producer in both film and television. He starred in the 2008 telefilm “A Raisin in the Sun,” for which he won an NAACP Award for Best Actor; he was an executive producer and featured personality on the 2002 unscripted music series “Making the Band 2”; and he executive-produced the Academy Award-winning documentary “Undefeated” and the Academy Award-nominated “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom.” Combs continues to apply the same drive and entrepreneurial spirit to his philanthropic work and political activism, most recently leading the response to the water crisis in Flint, MI, by pledging one million bottles of his AQUAhydrate water, along with long-term assistance to the area. He has supported organizations including the National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE), the Boys & Girls Club and others that create opportunities for young people. He also has served on the board of the Hip Hop Action Network and rallied millions of young people to register to vote during the 2008 election, through his Vote or Die project.

DJ Khaled is a major force in the music industry. He is a music producer, a 2017 Grammy Award-nominated recording artist and New York Times best-selling author. Known as the “Anthem King” and commonly referred to as the “Quincy Jones of Hip Hop & R&B,” Khaled has made dozens of chart-topping hit records, featuring JAY Z, Kanye West, Drake, Chris Brown, Ludacris, T.I., French Montana, Future, Big Sean, Rick Ross, John Legend, Nicki Minaj and Lil Wayne, among others. In the past 12 months, he has captivated millions of fans globally by the use of social media and has been coined the “King of Snapchat.” In 2006, he launched innovative label deals and started We The Best Music Group. His 2010 hit song, “All I Do is Win,” went 3x Platinum, sold more than three million singles and crossed over all music genres to become a mainstream hit, solidifying him as a force to be reckoned with. That same year he also released “I’m On One,” feat. Drake, Rick Ross and Lil Wayne. Khaled went on to release the hit single “No New Friends,” featuring Drake, Lil Wayne and Rick Ross, which reached gold status and has sold more than 500,000 singles worldwide. He has sold more than 15 million singles in his career. Khaled also is committed to pro-social initiatives and is the first social media ambassador of Bono’s Project Red, as well as the national spokesperson for Get Schooled.

Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Meghan Trainor is one of pop’s most reliable hit-makers, known for her powerhouse voice, indelible melodies and relatable lyrics that encourage self-acceptance and empowerment. Since her 9x-Platinum breakthrough single, “All About That Bass,” in 2014, the 23-year-old Massachusetts native has charted seven multi-Platinum singles, released two critically acclaimed studio albums – 2015’s “Title” and 2016’s “Thank You” – sold out three headline tours, written multi-Platinum hits for top pop and country artists, including Jennifer Lopez, Fifth Harmony and Rascal Flatts, and received countless industry awards and nominations worldwide. Trainor is currently in the studio finishing up her highly anticipated third studio album.

Charlie Walk, President of The Republic Group, continues to redefine the role of a record executive in a rapidly changing business. In addition to overseeing and integrating the company’s marketing, promotion and media departments, Walk also actively seeks, signs and develops new talent. He’s driven over 50 Billboard No. 1 hits. His vision and hands-on guidance have been crucial to the rise of new, generation-defining superstars The Weeknd, Lorde and Ariana Grande. He also spearheads promotion partnerships for Big Machine Label Group (Taylor Swift), Cash Money Records (Drake, Nicki Minaj) and Island Records (Shawn Mendes, Demi Lovato, Nick Jonas). He personally signed Hailee Steinfeld and co-created Joe Jonas’ new band, DNCE, to multi-Platinum status. Walk also encouraged powerhouse songwriter Julia Michaels to make the leap to becoming an artist and – after signing her to Republic – has helped her to become the biggest breakout star of 2017, with over six million singles sold to date. Before joining Republic Records as Executive Vice President in 2013, Walk spent more than 15 years at Columbia Records, fostering the careers of Destiny’s Child, Beyoncé, John Mayer, New Kids on the Block, The Fugees and John Legend, to name a few. At the end of 2005, he transitioned to President of Epic Records, where he steered the release of Shakira’s triple-Platinum-selling “Hips Don’t Lie,” which remains the ninth-most-downloaded song in music history. During his time at the label, Walk also helped break Sean Kingston, The Fray and Sara Bareilles. A longtime philanthropist and cultural leader, Walk serves on the board of Phoenix House, a nonprofit drug and alcohol rehabilitation organization; City of Hope, a cancer research and treatment center; and the Board of Councilors of the University of Southern California’s Iovine and Young Academy for Arts, Technology and the Business of Innovation.

“The Four: Battle for Stardom” was created by Armoza Formats and is produced by ITV Entertainment in association with Armoza Formats. David George, Adam Sher, David Eilenberg, Becca Walker, David Friedman, Avi Armoza, Moshiko Cohen and Elwin Viztelly de Groot are executive producers. Additionally, Sean “Diddy” Combs will serve as a producer on the series. “Like” THE FOUR: BATTLE FOR STARDOM on Facebook at facebook.com/TheFourOnFox. Follow the series on Twitter @TheFourOnFox and join the conversation using #TheFour. Check out photos and videos on Instagram @TheFourOnFox.

ABOUT ITV ENTERTAINMENT

ITV Entertainment, part of the ITV America group, is one of the largest international producers for the U.S. market and a major force in acquiring, developing and producing entertainment programming for U.S. networks. ITV Entertainment has a wide slate of series with major networks and syndicators, including HELL’S KITCHEN (FOX); “The First 48” (A&E); “The Job Interview” (CNBC); “Four Weddings” (TLC); “Big Star Little Star” (USA); “Help My Yelp” (Food); and the new “Queer Eye” (Netflix), as well as upcoming series and specials for Nickelodeon and A&E, among others.

ABOUT ARMOZA FORMATS

Established in 2005, Armoza Formats has become a key player in the international content market, rapidly growing to be one of the top independent creators and distributors of global content. Taking the best of Israeli and international creative talent, Armoza Formats spearheads the emergence of compelling content in today’s dynamic market. Our mission is to meet the challenges of the fast-changing media industry with creative broadcast solutions. With over 90 formats in our catalogue and productions across the globe, Armoza Formats has a proven track record of success across all genres – from spectacular primetime entertainment show “I Can Do That!,” now licensed in over 20 countries, to hit game show “Still Standing,” with 5,000 episodes globally, and docu-reality format “Connected,” on air in over 10 territories. Our partners are comprised of broadcasters and production companies across the globe, including FOX, NBC USA, BBC, ITV, Channel 4 UK, TVA Canada, TF1 France, RTL Germany, HBO, TV2 Norway, RAI Italy, Globo Brazil, Azteca Mexico and ZEE TV India.

ABOUT IHEARTMEDIA

With over a quarter of a billion monthly listeners in the U.S. and over 122 million social followers, iHeartMedia has the largest national reach of any radio or television outlet in America. As the leader in multiplatform connections, it also serves over 150 local markets through 858 owned radio stations, and the company’s radio stations and content can be heard on AM/FM, HD digital radio, satellite radio, on the Internet at iHeartRadio.com and on the company’s radio station websites, on the iHeartRadio mobile app, in enhanced auto dashes, on tablets, wearables and smartphones, and on gaming consoles. iHeartRadio, iHeartMedia’s digital radio platform, is the fastest growing digital audio service in the U.S. and offers users thousands of live radio stations, personalized custom artist stations created by just one song or seed artist and the top podcasts and personalities. With over 1.4 billion downloads, iHeartRadio reached 100 million registered users faster than any other radio or digital music service. iHeartMedia’s platforms include radio broadcasting, online, mobile, digital and social media, podcasts, personalities and influencers, live concerts and events, syndication, music research services and independent media representation. iHeartMedia is a division of iHeartMedia, Inc. (PINK: IHRT). Visit iHeartMedia.com for more company information.

November 27, 2017 UPDATE: Fergie has been named host of “The Four.” According to several published reports, the former Black Eyed Peas singer had been one of the final candidates to be a judge on the show, but Meghan Trainor was chosen instead.

2017 American Music Awards: Kelly Clarkson and Pink team up to open the show

November 16, 2017

American Music Awards AMAs logo

The following is a press release from Dick Clark Productions and ABC:

dick clark productions and ABC today announced that multi-platinum music superstars Kelly Clarkson and P!NK will perform together for the very first time to open the “2017 American Music Awards,” which will broadcast live from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday, November 19, 2017 at 8:00pm ET on ABC.

As previously announced, music legend Diana Ross will also take the stage for a rare performance at the “2017 American Music Awards” and will be honored with the “American Music Award for Lifetime Achievement.” Christina Aguilera will pay tribute to Whitney Houston and music from “The Bodyguard” with a performance in honor of the film’s 25th anniversary, which falls on the same week as the awards ceremony. Other previously announced performers include BTS, Alessia Cara & Zedd, Kelly Clarkson, Selena Gomez, Niall Horan, Imagine Dragons & Khalid, Nick Jonas, Lady Gaga, Demi Lovato, Shawn Mendes, P!NK, Portugal. The Man, and Hailee Steinfeld & Alesso ft. Florida Georgia Line & watt. Additionally, Bebe Rexha will combine with Florida Georgia Line to treat American Music Awards fans to an encore performance for Xfinity TV customers, which will be available following the show on Xfinity On Demand.

Nominations for the “2017 American Music Awards” were announced last month. Bruno Mars leads with eight nominations, including Artist of the Year, Video of the Year, and Favorite Male Artist – Pop/Rock. The Chainsmokers, Drake, Kendrick Lamar, Ed Sheeran and The Weeknd tied with five nominations each, while Justin Bieber, Daddy Yankee and Luis Fonsi received four nominations each. Additionally, Keith Urban earned three nominations, and Rihanna and Halsey earned two nominations each.

The American Music Awards winners are voted entirely by fans. Voting is now closed in all categories other than Artist of the Year, New Artist of the Year presented by T-Mobile and Collaboration of the Year presented by Xfinity. Fans are able to vote for these awards using the following methods:

  • Via web at billboard.com/amas and theamas.com/vote
  • Posting a tweet on Twitter that includes the nominee’s name or Twitter handle, the category name and #AMAs within the tweet

For New Artist of the Year presented by T-Mobile and Collaboration of the Year presented by Xfinity, fans can vote for each award 100 times per day, per voting platform in one or both of the ways above. For Artist of the Year, fans may vote once per day, per voting platform.

The Artist of the Year nominees are Bruno Mars, The Chainsmokers, Drake, Kendrick Lamar and Ed Sheeran. Voting for Artist of the Year will close on Thursday, November 16 at 8:59:59pm PT. Voting for New Artist of the Year presented by T-Mobile and Collaboration of the Year presented by Xfinity will close on Sunday, November 19 at 5:59:59pm PT, one hour into the live broadcast.

American Music Awards nominees are based on key fan interactions as reflected in Billboard Magazine and on Billboard.com, including album and digital song sales, radio airplay, streaming, social activity and touring. These measurements are tracked by Billboard and its data partners, including Nielsen Music and Next Big Sound. The eligibility period for the “2017 American Music Awards” was September 9, 2016 to September 14, 2017.

Sponsors for the “2017 American Music Awards” include Comcast’s Xfinity, Security Benefit and T-Mobile. Media partners include Cumulus Media/Westwood One and Music Choice.

The “2017 American Music Awards” is produced by dick clark productions. Allen Shapiro and Mike Mahan are Executive Producers. Larry Klein, Barry Adelman and Mark Bracco are Producers.

For the latest American Music Awards news, exclusive content and more, be sure to follow the AMAs on social and join the conversation by using the official hashtag for the show, #AMAs.

Facebook: Facebook.com/AMAs

Twitter: @AMAs

Instagram: @AMAs

Snapchat: TheAMAs

Tumblr: amas.tumblr.com

Tickets are now on sale at www.axs.com.

About the American Music Awards

The American Music Awards, the world’s largest fan-voted award show, features performances from today’s hottest artists and presents fan-voted awards in the music genres of Pop/Rock, Alternative Rock, Country, Rap/Hip-Hop, Soul/R&B, Adult Contemporary, Contemporary Inspirational, Latin, EDM and Soundtrack, and the categories of Artist of the Year, New Artist of the Year presented by T-Mobile, Collaboration of the Year presented by Xfinity, Tour of The Year and Video of the Year. The American Music Awards pays tribute to today’s most influential and iconic artists.  The show is produced by dick clark productions and is seen in more than 200 countries around the world. For more information, visit www.theamas.com, www.dickclark.com or abc.go.com/shows/american-music-awards.

About dick clark productions

dick clark productions (dcp) is the world’s largest producer and proprietor of televised live event entertainment programming with the “Academy of Country Music Awards,” “American Music Awards,” “Billboard Music Awards,” “Golden Globe Awards,” “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest,” “Hollywood Film Awards” and the “Streamy Awards.” Weekly television programming includes “So You Think You Can Dance” from 19 Entertainment and dcp. dcp also owns one of the world’s most unique and extensive entertainment archive libraries with over 60 years of award-winning shows, historic programs, specials, performances and legendary programming. For additional information, visit www.dickclark.com.

2017 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade: Gwen Stefani, Patti LaBelle added to lineup

November 16, 2017

Gwen Stefani
Gwen Stefani (Photo by Randy Holmes)

The following is a press release from NBC:

The 91st Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade® is adding additional star power as NBC and Macy’s join to kick off the holiday season with a star-studded line-up of performers in the nation’s favorite spectacle, set for Nov. 23 at 9 a.m. in all time zones.

Joining the parade lineup will be international superstar Gwen Stefani, who is set to perform “White Christmas.” Also on board this year is the incomparable Patti LaBelle, who will take to the streets on The Cranberry Cooperative by Ocean Spray® float.

With more than 3.5 million spectators lining the route and more than 45 million viewers tuned in nationwide, the streets of Manhattan will come alive with a host of special performances from stars of music, film, TV and the stage.

In addition to Stefani and LaBelle joining the festivities, a host of stars will be showcased “Dancing in the Streets” at various locations across the country in anticipation of the parade as part of the NBC opening broadcast. Featured stars include Harry Connick Jr., Whoopi Goldberg, Steve Harvey, Jane Krakowski, Gaten Matarazzo, Chrissy Metz, John O’Hurley, Martha Stewart and Thalía, who will dance and sing in the out-of-this-world kick-off to the pomp and pageantry.

As the restyled song unfolds, the show arrives at Herald Square opening atop Macy’s famed red star mark on 34th Street, where host of groups will join the impromptu party including the Radio City Rockettes®, as well as dancers for The Teen Company and Malloy/CAP21; among other parade participants.

Rounding out the lineup of stars will be the Parade’s signature elements. The 91st march of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will also feature 17 giant character balloons; 28 legacy balloons, balloonicles, balloonheads and trycaloons; 26 floats; 1100 cheerleaders and dancers; more than 1000 clowns; 12 marching bands and 6 performance groups.

One of the nation’s biggest and most anticipated holiday celebrations, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will be hosted by the “Today” anchors Matt Lauer, Savannah Guthrie and Al Roker. Telemundo will simulcast the parade in Spanish with the event hosted by stars Carlos Ponce, Jessica Carrillo and Karim Mendiburu.

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade broadcast is produced by the Emmy Award-winning Brad Lachman Productions. Brad Lachman serves as executive producer, Bill Bracken will co-executive produce and Ryan Polito directs.

For more information on the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, please visit www.macys.com/parade or call the Parade hotline at 212-494-4495. Follow @macys on various social networks and join the conversation using #MacysParade.

For more information on the broadcast, visit http://www.nbc.com/macys-thanksgiving-day-parade and www.nbcumv.com. Please follow @NBC on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

 

Louis C.K. scandal: Comedian admits he sexually harassed women; his career is ruined as he loses lucrative business deals

November 10, 2017

by Colleen McGregor

Louis C.K. and Pamela Adlon
Louis C.K. and Pamela Adlon at the Tribeca TV Festival’s sneak peek of “Better Things” Season 2 at Cinepolis Chelsea in New York City on September 22, 2017. (Photo by Ben Gabbe/Getty Images)

Emmy-winning comedian Louis C.K. has admitted that “those stories are true” that he committed sexual misconduct by asking several women (who were co-workers or colleagues) if he could masturbate or expose his penis in front of them. In a statement issued on November 10, 2017, Louis C.K. (whose real name is Louis Székely) expressed regret that he abused his power, and said he was remorseful that his actions hurt the women he mistreated, his friends, loved ones and other people. The allegations were first reported in a New York Times article (published on November 9, 2017) that detailed experiences from five women who said that Louis C.K. sexually propositioned them by showing them his penis without their consent and/or asked if he could masturbate in front of them.

After the New York Times article was published, the backlash against Louis C.K. was swift and severe: FX, HBO and Netflix have all issued statements saying that they will not work with him anymore. The Orchard, the distributor of his film “I Love You, Daddy,” cancelled the movie’s New York City premiere (which was scheduled to take place on November 9, 2017), and has decided not to release the movie. (In the movie, which was written and directed by Louis C.K., one of the characters in the movie has a penchant for masturbating in front of people.) In addition, several public appearances from Louis C.K. have been cancelled.

The 50-year-old entertainer is known for his raunchy stand-up comedy routine, in which he often talks about sex and sometimes mentions that his addiction to porn caused problems in his marriage. Louis C.K. and artist Alix Bailey got divorced in 2008, after 13 years of marriage. The former spouses have two daughters together.

Louis C.K. is among the growing list of celebrities whose reputations and careers have been ruined in 2017, after several people went to the media to accuse them of sexual harassment and other sexual misconduct. Entertainment mogul Harvey Weinstein, actor Kevin Spacey and filmmaker Brett Ratner are just three examples of those who have been accused of committing physical sexual assault in addition to verbal harassment. Weinstein and Ratner have denied any sexual contact that was non-consensual. Spacey made an apology to his first public accuser (actor Anthony Rapp, who told BuzzFeed his story), but Spacey claimed to not remember making any sexual advances on Rapp, who said he was 14 when a 26-year-old Spacey tried to have sex with him in 1986. Weinstein and Spacey have issued public statements saying that they are seeking treatment for their harmful actions that led to these problems. It remains to be seen if there will be any criminal charges or lawsuits filed against the accused as a result of the accusers going public.

Actress/writer/producer Pamela Adlon, who worked with Louis C.K. on the FX comedy shows “Louie” and “Better Things,” issued this statement on November 10, 2017: “Hi. I’m here. I have to say something. It’s so important. My family and I are devastated and in shock after the admission of abhorrent behavior by my friend and partner, Louis C.K. I feel deep sorrow and empathy for the women who have come forward. I am asking for privacy at this time for myself and my family. I am processing and grieving and hope to say more as soon as I am able.”

Although FX has cut ties with Louis C.K. and his Pig Newton production company, which co-created “Better Things,” the show has not yet been taken off of the network’s schedule.

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