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.
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.
Garth Brooks at the 51st Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on November 8, 2017 (Photo courtesy of ABC/Image Group LA)
Miranda Lambert at the 51st Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on November 8, 2017 (Photo courtesy of ABC/Image Group LA)
Chris Stapleton at the 51st Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on November 8, 2017 (Photo courtesy of ABC/Image Group LA)
Garth Brooks, Miranda Lambert and Chris Stapleton were among the winners at the 51st Annual CMA Awards, which took place at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on November 8, 2017. Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood hosted the show for the 10th year. ABC had the U.S. telecast of the show, which is a production of the Country Music Association.
Brooks took the prize for Entertainer of the Year, making it the sixth time he has won this prize at the CMA Awards. He is the most-awarded artist in this CMA Awards category. Lambert was named Female Vocalist of the Year. Stapleton won two awards: Male Vocalist of the Year and Album of the Year (for “From a Room: Volume 1”). All three artists performed on the show.
Other 2017 CMA Awards performers included Brothers Osborne, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Lambert, Little Big Town, Old Dominion, Jon Pardi, Chris Stapleton, Thomas Rhett, Underwood and Alan Jackson.
Winners of the 51st Annual CMA Awards were determined in a final round of voting by eligible CMA members. Ballots were tabulated by the professional services organization Deloitte & Touche LLP. Robert Deaton was the executive producer and Gary Halvorson was the director of the awards telecast.
Here is the complete list of winners and nominees for the 51st Annual CMA Awards:
** = winner
Entertainer of the Year
Garth Brooks**
Luke Bryan
Eric Church
Chris Stapleton
Keith Urban
Male Vocalist of the Year
Dierks Bentley
Eric Church
Thomas Rhett Chris Stapleton**
Keith Urban
Female Vocalist of the Year
Kelsea Ballerini Miranda Lambert**
Reba McEntire
Maren Morris
Carrie Underwood
Vocal Group of the Year
Lady Antebellum Little Big Town**
Old Dominion
Rascal Flatts
Zac Brown Band
Vocal Duo of the Year
Brothers Osborne**
Dan + Shay
Florida Georgia Line
LoCash
Maddie & Tae
New Artist of the Year
Lauren Alaina
Luke Combs
Old Dominion Jon Pardi**
Brett Young
Musician of the Year
Jerry Douglas (dobro)
Paul Franklin (steel guitar)
Dann Huff (guitar) Mac McAnally (guitar)**
Derek Wells (guitar)
Album of the Year
Little Big Town – “The Breaker”
Lady Antebellum – “Heart Break”
Jason Isbell – “The Nashville Sound”
Miranda Lambert – “The Weight of These Wings” Chris Stapleton – “From A Room: Volume 1″**
Single of the Year
Little Big Town – “Better Man ”
Sam Hunt – “Body Like a Back Road”
Jon Pardi – “Dirt on My Boots”
Miranda Lambert – “Tin Man” Keith Urban – “Blue Ain’t Your Color”**
Song of the Year
Taylor Swift – “Better Man”**
Clint Lagerberg, Hillary Lindsey, Steven Lee Olsen – “Blue Ain’t Your Color”
Zach Crowell, Sam Hunt, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne – “Body Like a Back Road”
Rhett Akins, Jesse Frasure, Ashley Gorley – “Dirt on My Boots”
Jack Ingram, Miranda Lambert, Jon Randall – “Tin Man”
Vocal Event of the Year
Thomas Rhett and Maren Morris – “Craving You” Willie Nelson and Glen Campbell – “Funny How Time Slips Away”**
Eric Church and Rhiannon Giddens – “Kill a Word”
Kenny Chesney and P!nk – “Setting the World on Fire”
Tim McGraw and Faith Hill – “Speak to a Girl”
Video of the Year
Brothers Osborne – “It Ain’t My Fault”**
Little Big Town – “Better Man”
Keith Urban – “Blue Ain’t Your Color”
Thomas Rhett featuring Maren Morris – “Craving You”
Miranda Lambert – “Vice”
The National Dog Show Presented by Purina (Photo courtesy of NBC)
The following is a press release from NBC:
NBC will present the 16th anniversary edition of the beloved holiday special “The National Dog Show Presented by Purina®” on Thanksgiving Day (noon-2 p.m. in all time zones), Nov. 23, following the telecast of NBC’s “Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.”
“The National Dog Show Presented by Purina®” celebrates man’s best friend and is hosted by award-winning actor, author and Broadway star John O’Hurley (“Seinfeld,” “Dancing with the Stars”). Expert analysis is offered by David Frei, an American Kennel Club-licensed judge and, along with O’Hurley, co-host of USA Network’s “Beverly Hills Dog Show Presented by Purina.” NBC’s Mary Carillo will report from the benching area and inside the show ring, while Tara Lipinski and Johnny Weir offer a behind-the-scenes look at the show as reporters and digital contributors.
“For 16 years, the ‘National Dog Show Presented by Purina®’ has been at the forefront of the purebred dog world,” said O’Hurley. “I’m proud to be a part of a legacy that not only celebrates such a rich history of dog breeds, but also being part of a tradition that entertains everyone from 4 to 94.”
NBC will present an encore of this year’s “National Dog Show Presented by Purina®” on Saturday, Nov. 25 (8-10 p.m. ET/PT).
Last year, 4-year-old Greyhound Gia was named Best in Show from among the seven group winners. She won over the crowd with her impressively slim and athletic build, beautiful grey coat and outstanding showmanship.
Last year’s broadcast set new records for its 15-year run on NBC, reaching more than 22 million total viewers. An established family holiday tradition, the broadcast is part of a five-hour block of family programming and will showcase more than 2,000 purebred canines competing for the title of Best in Show. Unlike traditional dog show coverage, the Kennel Club of Philadelphia’s National Dog Show offers the country’s 65 million pet-owning households an afternoon of family-friendly activities, facilitated by the open format of the esteemed event. As one of the only remaining “benched” dog shows, all of the competing breeds are on display for the visiting public.
To continue the family fun, NBC Sports Network (NBCSN) will present a Thanksgiving Day marathon (beginning 5 p.m. ET/2 p.m. PT) of “The National Dog Show Presented by Purina®,” featuring all five Best in Show winners from 2012-16.
In celebration of Thanksgiving and the National Dog Show, Purina is inviting pet owners across the country to share what makes their pet the best, using #DogThanking and tag @Purina. From Nov. 16-26, for every unique post shared on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram that includes @purina and #dogthanking, Purina will donate $1 (up to $50,000) to GreaterGood.org, an organization which helps provide relief for people and pets in areas affecting by hurricanes, including Florida, Texas and Puerto Rico.
For more information on the “National Dog Show Presented by Purina®,” visit: http://www.nationaldogshow.com
Breed descriptions and more information can be found at http://nds.nationaldogshow.com/event-info-groups.php
Please follow us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/NBC and on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/NBC
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade (Photo courtesy of NBCUniversal)
The following is a press release from NBC:
This Thanksgiving, a magical march returns to the streets of New York City and to homes across the U.S. as the 91st Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade® kicks off the holiday season with its signature spectacle of wonder. On Thursday, Nov. 23 (9 a.m.-noon in all time zones), the streets of Manhattan will come alive at the sound of “Let’s Have a Parade!” Matt Lauer, Savannah Guthrie and Al Roker of NBC’s “Today” will host the broadcast. Telemundo will simulcast the parade in Spanish, with the event hosted by Carlos Ponce, Jessica Carrillo and Karim Mendiburu.
Ready to spread holiday cheer, the annual procession is sure to delight more than 3.5 million spectators and more than 50 million viewers nationwide with its traditional merriment. Since the first march in 1924, the Macy’s Parade has captivated audiences and become synonymous with the start of the holiday season. For the 91st edition, the line-up will feature 17 giant character balloons; 28 legacy balloons, balloonicles, balloonheads and trycaloons; 26 floats; 1,100 cheerleaders and dancers; more than 1,000 clowns; 12 marching bands; and 6 performance groups.
The star power on parade will once again feature some of the nation’s most riveting performers. Taking to the streets of New York City on board one of Macy’s signature floating stages and thrilling the nation with their performances at Herald Square will be 98 Degrees, Lauren Alaina, Cam, Sabrina Carpenter, Andra Day & Common, Sara Evans, Jimmy Fallon & The Roots, Flo Rida, Goo Goo Dolls, Kat Graham, Andy Grammer, Angelica Hale, Olivia Holt, Nicky Jam, Wyclef Jean, Bravo’s Top Chef stars Padma Lakshmi & Tom Colicchio, Dustin Lynch, Miss America 2018 Cara Mund, Leslie Odom Jr. and the cast & Muppets of Sesame Street, Bebe Rexha, Smokey Robinson, Jojo Siwa and more.
On 34th Street, Broadway’s best shows will take a star turn in front of Macy’s famed flagship with special performances from the casts of “Anastasia,” “Dear Evan Hansen,” “Once On This Island” and “SpongeBob SquarePants – The Broadway Musical.” In addition, the show-stopping Radio City Rockettes® will bring their signature high-kicking magic to Herald Square.
“The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is one of our great holiday traditions and we’re thrilled to be able to once again bring the pageantry and spectacle to viewers across the country,” said Doug Vaughan, Executive Vice President, Special Programs and Late Night, NBC Entertainment. “We can’t wait to see all the balloons, floats and high-end entertainment that have become such an integral part of this wonderful event.”
“For more than 90 years, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has signaled the start of the holiday season for millions of families. We are thrilled to once again come together as a nation to give this gift of joy and wonder to all,” said Susan Tercero, group vice-president of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. She added, “Our incredible team has planned a fantastic spectacle featuring an amazing line-up of giant character balloons, floats of fantasy, the nation’s best marching bands and performance groups, a dazzling array of musical artists, all coming together to herald the arrival of the one-and-only Santa Claus.”
The Macy’s Parade is always a unique multi-level, magical march that provides spectators with different experiences, whether they watch it on television with friends and family or scout the perfect spot on the route to watch it unfold live. To give fans another unique viewing opportunity, Macy’s, along with NBCUniversal and Verizon will once again take viewers closer to the magic via up close and personal views of the event through a 360-degree livestream of the parade on Verizon’s YouTube page. The stream, found at www.youtube.com/verizon, will be synced with the start of the Parade.
FLYING ICONS
Taking flight on Turkey Day will be the Parade’s signature giant character helium balloons. Since their introduction in 1927, these giants of the sky have featured some of the world’s most beloved characters. This year four giant characters will debut, including Olaf from Disney’s “Frozen,” Illumination presents Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch, Jett from Super Wings™ and PAW Patrol®.
The balloon line-up will also feature the return of Harold the Baseball Player, a legacy Macy’s character prominently featured in Twentieth Century Fox’s iconic holiday film classic “Miracle on 34th Street.” In celebration of the film’s 70th anniversary, the Harold heritage balloon has been recreated for this year’s Parade, painted in hues of black, white and grey, to look exactly as it did on-screen during a memorable scene in the 1947 film. In addition to Harold, the famed spokesduck, the Aflac Duck, will debut as an all-new balloonicle (a Macy’s Parade innovation of hybrid cold-air balloon and vehicle) and is sure to have fans quacking with joy and laughter down the route.
Returning giant balloon characters include Angry Birds’ Red; Charlie Brown; Diary of a Wimpy Kid®; Sinclair’s Dino®; the Elf on the Shelf®; Hello Kitty®; Ice Age’s Scrat and His Acorn; Pikachu™; Pillsbury Doughboy™; Red Mighty Morphin Power Ranger; Ronald McDonald®; SpongeBob SquarePants; and DreamWorks’ Trolls.
THE STAGE FOR ENTERTAINMENT
Floating down the route this Thanksgiving, the Parade’s signature floats transport spectators to worlds of wonder. Designed and created by the incredible artists of Macy’s Parade Studio, which include carpenters, painters, animators, sculptors, metal fabricators, scenic/costume designers and electricians, this year’s line-up of floats sets an unparalleled stage for entertainment. The painstaking process of creating a Macy’s Parade float is both a creative and technical endeavor. Macy’s Parade floats are often three-stories tall and several lanes of traffic wide, but must collapse to no more than 12½-feet tall and 8-feet wide in order to travel safely from the New Jersey home of the Parade Studio, to the Manhattan starting line via the Lincoln Tunnel each Thanksgiving eve. These creations are not only works of art, but also engineering marvels.
This year five new floats will debut including Everyone’s Favorite Bake Shop by Entenmann’s® (Sara Evans), Harvest in the Valley by Green Giant® (Lauren Alaina), Parade Day Mischief by Sour Patch Kids® Candy (Nicky Jam), Shimmer and Shine by Nickelodeon (Jojo Siwa) and Universal Playground by Sprout® (Angelica Hale). A special float by Delta Air Lines will also debut to commemorate the season of togetherness with the perfect gift of song, as more than 125 Macy’s employees gather to form a one-of-a-kind cross-generational choir aboard the Macy’s Singing Christmas Tree.
The returning float roster includes 1-2-3 Sesame Street by Sesame Street (Leslie Odom Jr. and the cast and Muppets of “Sesame Street“); The Aloha Spirit by King’s Hawaiian (Goo Goo Dolls), Big Apple by N.Y. Daily News (Bebe Rexha); Big City Cheer! by Spirit of America Productions (Miss America 2018 Cara Mund); Building a Better World by Girl Scouts of the USA (Andra Day and Common); The Colonel’s Road Trip to NYC by Kentucky Fried Chicken (Dustin Lynch); The Cranberry Cooperative by Ocean Spray®; Deck the Halls by Balsam Hill® (Olivia Holt); Discover Adventure! by Build-A-Bear (Sabrina Carpenter); Frozen Fall Fun by Discover®/NHL (Wyclef Jean) and NHL Hockey Hall of Famers Ray Bourque & Bryan Trottier); Fun House by Krazy Glue® (Flo Rida); Heartwarming Holiday Countdown by Hallmark Channel (98 Degrees); It’s All Rock & Roll by Gibson Brands (Jimmy Fallon & The Roots); Mount Rushmore’s American Pride by South Dakota Department of Tourism (Smokey Robinson); On The Roll Again by Homewood Suites by Hilton® (Andy Grammer); Santa’s Sleigh; Snoopy’s Doghouse by Peanuts Worldwide; Stirrin’ Up Sweet Sensations by Domino® Sugar (Cam); Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles by Nickelodeon (Kat Graham); and Tom Turkey featuring Bravo’s Top Chef (Padma Lakshmi, Tom Colicchio).
DRUM ROLL, PLEASE …
Marching bands are a central piece of the Thanksgiving delights, bringing national excitement and hometown pride to the streets of the Big Apple, not to mention the musical beat to the holiday revelry. Twelve performance ensembles will take up the call of the baton and march down the streets of Manhattan. This year’s bands include Colony High School (Palmer, Alaska), Davis High School (Kaysville, Utah), Rosemount High School (Rosemount, Minn.), West Harrison High School (Gulfport, Miss.), Rockford High School (Rockford, Mich.), Ohio University (Athens, Ohio), Nation Ford High School (Fort Mill, S.C.), Trumbull High School (Trumbull, Conn.), Prairie View A&M University (Prairie View, Texas), the United States Air Force Band and Honor Guard, Macy’s Great American Marching Band (United States) and the NYPD Marching Band (New York, NY).
Specialty Parade entertainment always promises a unique, exciting, and sometimes humorous look at the nation’s finest performance groups. Returning to the line-up this year are the dancers and cheerleaders of Spirit of America Dance Stars and Spirit of America Cheer. These groups combined feature more than 1,000 of the nation’s very best performers recruited from small towns and big cities. Days before Thanksgiving, they will gather for the first time in NYC, ahead of their once-in-a-lifetime national spotlight. Adding to the dance floor revelry will be 34th & Phunk, a special group commissioned and produced by Macy’s with organizers from the United States Tournament of Dance. Choreographed by the legendary artist Willdabeast Adams and acclaimed dancer Janelle Ginestra, 34th & Phunk will be a one-of-a-kind hip-hop dance crew featuring performers of all ages and from all walks of life, who have a passion for dance and precision movement. Bringing a Broadway flair to the spectacle will be the talented kids of Camp Broadway, who this year have auditioned and selected dancers/singers from military bases around the nation, and who will pay tribute to America with their performance. Rounding out the performance group list are the zany Red Hot Mamas (Post Falls, Idaho) who will deliver their signature humorous take on the holiday season, along with the whimsical stars of the Big Apple Circus (New York, NY).
INTERACTIVE FUN
This year the magic of Macy’s iconic balloons and Parade artistry will head south for the winter to give fans an up close and personal experience for the holidays. Starting on Saturday, Nov. 18, Universal Orlando Resort’s destination-wide Holidays celebration begins, featuring the all-new “Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s.” This one-of-a-kind experience is where merry and mayhem mesh to create a fantastic treat for park guests that features more than 15 incredibly detailed floats, colorful stilt-walkers and characters, and a specially created cast of all new Macy’s balloons that you can’t see anywhere else. Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s will run daily from Nov. 18 through Jan. 6.
The 91st Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will begin at 9 a.m. from 77th Street and Central Park West. The procession will march to Columbus Circle, turn onto Central Park South and march down 6th Avenue/Avenue of the Americas. At 34th Street, the Parade will make its final turn west and end at 7th Avenue in front of Macy’s Herald Square. “A Holiday Treat for Children Everywhere” has been the guiding motto of this annual tradition for more than nine decades and is the mandate that continues to this day.
Please note: All talent, performances, elements and information included are subject to change.
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.
Kevin Spacey (Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images)
Netflix has suspended production of “House of Cards” following allegations that the show’s star Kevin Spacey (who is also an executive producer of “House of Cards”) made a sexual advance on actor Anthony Rapp in 1986, when Rapp was 14 and Spacey was 26. Rapp detailed the story in article published by Buzzfeed on October 29, 2017.
Spacey then issued this statement on his Twitter account on October 30, 2017:
“I have a lot of respect and admiration for Anthony Rapp as an actor. I’m beyond horrified to hear his story. I honestly do not remember the encounter, it would have been over 30 years ago. But if I did behave as he describes, I owe him the sincerest apology for what would have been deeply inappropriate drunken behavior, and I am sorry for the feelings he describes having carried with him all these years.
“This story has encouraged me to address other things about my life. I know that there are stories out there about me and that some have been fuelled by the fact that I have been so protective of my privacy. As those closest to me know, in my life I have had relationships with both men and women. I have loved and had romantic encounters with men throughout my life, and I choose now to live as a gay man. I want to deal with this honestly and openly and that starts with examining my own behavior.”
Kevin Spacey (pictured at left) as President Frank Underwood at a “House of Cards” promotional appearance in Washington, D.C., on May 22, 2017. (Photo by Pete Souza)
On October 30, 2017, after Spacey released that statement, Netflix announced that “House of Cards” would end with the show’s sixth season that was set to premiere in 2018. The show’s fifth season premiered on May 30, 2017. Netflix claimed that the cancellation of “House of Cards” had already been planned before the scandal. But suspending production in the midst of filming the show’s sixth season indicates that the “House of Cards” could end sooner than expected. Netflix and “House of Cards” production company Media Rights Capital issued a joint statement saying that production of “House of Cards” was halted “until further notice, to give us time to review the current situation and to address any concerns of our cast and crew.”
In the wake of the Harvey Weinstein scandal, the abrupt suspension of “House of Cards” could mean the beginning of serious career damage for Spacey, who has won several major awards, including two Oscars, three Screen Actors Guild Awards, one Golden Globe Award and one Tony Award. Spacey hosted the Tony Awards in 2017, but it’s highly unlikely he will ever be offered that kind of job again. Several high-profile organizations are already distancing themselves from Spacey, and more backlash can occur if more people come out against him accusing Spacey of sexual misconduct. If allegations come out against Spacey that he actually raped anyone (as Weinstein is accused of doing), then the damage to his career will be permanent.
November 8, 2017 UPDATE: After several other men (including “House of Cards” employees) came forward with stories about Spacey sexually harassing or abusing them, Netflix and Media Rights Capital announced that they have completely severed ties with Spacey. In addition, Creative Artists Agency and publicist Staci Wolfe of Polaris PR have dropped Spacey from their client rosters and will no longer represent him. Spacey has also been removed from the movie “All the Money in the World,” and has been replaced by Christopher Plummer. The AFI Fest premiere of “All the Money in the World” (which was set for November 16, 2017) has been cancelled. According to Sony Pictures Entertainment, despite the abruptly scheduled reshoots and re-edits required for the movie, “All the Money in the World” is still set to be released in December 2017.
December 5, 2017 UPDATE: Netflix has announced that the sixth and final season of “House of Cards” will be filmed with Robin Wright (who plays Claire Underwood, Frank Underwood’s wife) as the star. It has not been announced yet how the Frank Underwood character will be written out of the show.
The following is a press release from the National Football League:
Global superstar Justin Timberlake will headline the Pepsi Super Bowl LII Halftime Show on NBC at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minnesota on Sunday, Feb. 4, 2018, it was confirmed tonight.
A multi-talented actor and musician, Timberlake has won ten Grammys and numerous other awards. Born in Memphis, Tennessee, he rapidly became a highly respected musician, winning two Grammys for his debut solo album, “Justified.” He’s been recognized for a range of performances, including Best Male Pop Vocal Performance, Best Pop Vocal Album, Best Dance Recording and Best Music Video. Timberlake was most recently nominated for an Academy Award® for the song “Can’t Stop the Feeling!” from the film “Trolls” for which he won his 10th Grammy.
A gifted actor, Timberlake has appeared in diverse films including: Alpha Dog, Black Snake Moan, Shrek The Third and The Social Network. He has also won four Emmys for his appearances on “Saturday Night Live.’ Timberlake is a co-star of the upcoming film Wonder Wheel, which opens later this year.
This will be Timberlake’s third time performing on the Super Bowl Halftime stage, giving him the distinction of having the most appearances by an individual entertainer. He previously performed at Super Bowls XXXV (with &NSYNC, Britney Spears and Aerosmith) and XXXVIII (with Janet Jackson).
his announcement is just the beginning. Leading up to Super Bowl LII, fans may visit Pepsi.com for behind-the-scenes looks into Timberlake’s journey to the Pepsi Super Bowl LII Halftime Show, as well as other surprises along the way.
Timberlake joins an esteemed list of recent halftime acts including Lady Gaga, Coldplay, Beyoncé, Katy Perry, Bruno Mars, Madonna, The Who, Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Prince, the Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, U2 and more.
The Pepsi Super Bowl Halftime Show is the most-watched musical event of the year. Last year’s show was the most-watched musical event of all-time across all platforms and the most-watched Super Bowl Halftime performance in history through broadcast and digital channels, reaching more than 150 million unique people, garnering more than 80 million views and totaling 260 million minutes watched. Super Bowl LII and Halftime Show will be broadcast by NBC from U.S. Bank Stadium in Minnesota.
Super Bowl LII marks Pepsi’s sixth year as title sponsor of the Super Bowl Halftime Show and 16th year as an NFL partner. Pepsi and the NFL have teamed again to provide fans with a halftime experience worthy of pop-culture’s biggest stage.
The Pepsi Super Bowl LII Halftime Show is an NFL Network Production and will be executive produced by Ricky Kirshner and directed by Hamish Hamilton.
Visit Pepsi.com leading up to Super Bowl LII to see what this historic Halftime Show has in store for fans. For more information about Super Bowl LII, visit SuperBowl.com.
“Fashion Police” hosts Brad Goreski, Giuliana Rancic, Melissa Rivers and Margaret Cho (Photo by Brandon Hickman/E! Entertainment)
The following is a press release from E!
After more than two decades of countless laughs and unforgettable moments, E!’s iconic comedy franchise, produced by Wilshire Studios, will sign off to “Joan Rangers” one last time when “Fashion Police: The Farewell” series finale special airs Monday, November 27 at 8:00p ET/PT. Helmed by the legendary comedian and series co-creator Joan Rivers since its inception in 1995, “Fashion Police” forever changed the pop culture conversation – covering every major award show and fashion event through the lens of its signature opinionated, relatable and self-deprecating comedic commentary. Following Joan’s passing in 2014, the franchise continued with the blessing of her daughter and executive producer on the show since launch, Melissa Rivers, who became a co-host in 2015. The current panel also includes Giuliana Rancic, Brad Goreski, NeNe Leakes, and Margaret Cho. Over the past 20 years, the show has welcomed some of the most notable celebrities from the worlds of fashion, entertainment and sports, ranging from Gigi Hadid and Nicki Minaj to Laila Ali and Martha Stewart, who have joined the “Fashion Police” to share some laughs and discuss their favorite fashion hits and misses.
“‘Fashion Police’ has been a red carpet mainstay for over two decades that has been emulated across the entertainment landscape,” said Adam Stotsky, President, E! “Joan’s beloved no-holds-barred style fueled the franchise’s clever approach to fashion and comedy, and we are incredibly proud of its long-running success. We are also especially grateful to Melissa, as well as Giuliana, Brad, Nene, Margaret and the entire ‘Fashion Police’ team, who have continued to deliver the laughs and make this iconic franchise truly one of a kind.”
“Thank you to E! for having the vision to see the potential of ‘Fashion Police’ which changed both the entertainment and fashion industries,” said Melissa Rivers. “I am truly proud to be part of this legacy.”
Hosted by executive producer Melissa Rivers, and co-hosts Giuliana Rancic, Brad Goreski, NeNe Leakes, and Margaret Cho, the network will commemorate the franchise with “Fashion Police: The Farewell,” a look back at the show’s most memorable moments from many famous faces who have stopped by the set and the outrageous fashion debates that ensued. Viewers can also expect some of the funniest, most jaw-dropping jokes and fan favorite segments such as “Bitch Stole My Look,” “Guess Me From Behind,” and “Starlet or Streetwalker,” and a slew of surprise celebrity guests will join in the celebration of the comedy series that revolutionized the fashion world. The special will take viewers behind the scenes with insider scoop from the cast and crew and reveal never-before-seen footage from the groundbreaking series – including an unaired 80’s themed episode with Joan and the gang.
As the global, multi-platform destination for all things pop culture, E! will continue to deliver an unparalleled red carpet experience and the first analysis of all the fashion with its signature fun, opinionated and hilarious style and pop culture commentary for the 2018 red carpet season, including “Live from the Red Carpet” and across the brand’s comprehensive digital and social platforms. In addition, “E! News Look Book” returns to review the style evolution of today’s hottest names in pop culture and fashion, and to count down the red carpet looks of some of Hollywood’s most famous faces.
“Joan Rangers” can share their favorite “Fashion Police” memories on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook using the hashtag #FashionPolice.
“Fashion Police” is produced by Wilshire Studios. Melissa Rivers, Lisa Bacon and Gary Snegaroff are executive producers.
Here’s a look back at some “Fashion Police’ photos of Joan Rivers:
Joan Rivers “Fashion Police” photo shoot in 2013 (Photo by Brian Bowen Smith/E!)
Joan Rivers 2013 “Fashion Police” photo shoot in 2013 (Photo by Brian Bowen Smith/E!)
Joan Rivers “Fashion Police” photo shoot in 2012 (Photo by Timothy White/E!)
The following is a press release from the Country Music Association (CMA) and ABC:
Excitement continues to build as the first round of performers are announced for “The 51st Annual CMA Awards,” hosted for the 10th year by Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood, and airing live from Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Wednesday, November 8, 2017 (8:00-11:00 p.m. EST).
Fans will enjoy special performances by CMA Awards nominees Garth Brooks, Brothers Osborne, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Old Dominion, Jon Pardi, Chris Stapleton, Thomas Rhett and Underwood. Alan Jackson, 2017 Country Music Hall of Fame Inductee and 16-time CMA Award winner, will also take center stage during Country Music’s Biggest Night.
Reigning Entertainer of the Year Brooks returns this year with his 12th career nomination for CMA Entertainer of the Year, a title he has won five times (1991, 1992, 1997, 1998, 2016). He is the most awarded artist in this category.
Current CMA Vocal Duo Brothers Osborne received their first Music Video nod for “It Ain’t My Fault” and will once again vie for Vocal Duo, their third nomination in the category.
Bryan is a two-time consecutive Entertainer of the Year (2014, 2015), returning to compete for his fifth nomination in the category. He has garnered 15 CMA Award nominations since 2010.
Up for three nominations this year, Church is a three-time CMA Award winner with 25 total career nods. He returns this year with recognition in the Entertainer of the Year category, in addition to Musical Event and his sixth consecutive nomination for Male Vocalist.
With five nominations under her belt this year, Lambert tops the list of finalists with nods in the Single and Song of the Year categories for “Tin Man,” Album with “The Weight of These Wings,” Music Video of the Year for “Vice,” and her 11th nomination for Female Vocalist, a category she has won six times consecutively (2010-2015). She has a career total of 44 CMA Award nominations and is the most awarded female in CMA Awards history, nabbing 12 trophies since 2010.
Little Big Town claims four nominations this year including Vocal Group, Album for The Breaker, and Single and Music Video for “Better Man.” They are seven-time CMA Award winners with a career total of 26 CMA Award nominations.
Old Dominion receives their second nominations in both Vocal Group and New Artist of the Year, securing four career CMA Award nods.
First-time nominee Pardi vies for two categories with nominations for New Artist of the Year and Single for “Dirt On My Boots,” which he co-produced. He receives one nomination for Single of the Year, but can receive an additional trophy as producer.
Stapleton is a five-time CMA Award winner nominated for Entertainer of the Year, Male Vocalist, and Album for “From A Room: Volume 1.” He receives one nomination for Album but can receive an additional trophy as producer. This is his third consecutive nomination for Male Vocalist, which he has won the past two years. He was also nominated for Entertainer of the Year last year and won Album for “Traveller” in 2015. He is an 11-time CMA Award nominee.
Thomas Rhett receives first-time nominations in three categories – Musical Event and Music Video for “Craving You,” featuring Maren Morris, and Male Vocalist. He took home his first CMA Award last year, securing Single of the Year with “Die A Happy Man.”
With six CMA Awards to her name, co-host Underwood returns to vie for Female Vocalist, a category she has won four times (2006-2008, 2016) and nominated for consecutively since 2006.
With 81 career nominations, Jackson is the second most nominated artist in CMA Awards history. This year marks Jackson’s 24th CMA Awards performance since debuting in 1990 with “Chasin’ That Neon Rainbow.” He will receive Country Music’s highest honor, induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame, on Sunday, Oct. 22, during the official Medallion Ceremony at the CMA Theater.
Winners of “The 51st Annual CMA Awards” will be determined in a final round of voting by eligible CMA members. The third and final ballot closes Wednesday, Oct. 25 (6:00 p.m. CST). Ballots will be tabulated by the professional services organization Deloitte & Touche LLP.
“The 51st Annual CMA Awards” is a production of the Country Music Association. Robert Deaton is the executive producer and Gary Halvorson is the director.
The following is a press release from Dick Clark Productions:
The 2017 American Music Awards will mark the 45th anniversary of the legendary music awards show that has brought fans the biggest musical superstars and most compelling live performances over the last four decades. As the kick-off to this year’s highly anticipated show, international music sensation Ciara today announced six categories from the 2017 American Music Awards nominees live on ABC’s “Good Morning America,” followed by a full reveal of all nominees via Facebook Live on the American Music Awards and Billboard pages.
The 2017 American Music Awards will broadcast live from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday, November 19, 2017 at 8:00pm ET on ABC. The American Music Awards, the world’s largest fan-voted awards show, is where music enthusiasts watch their favorite artists and pop culture icons come together to honor idols, newcomers and record-breakers in the contemporary music scene. From Pop and Rock, to Country, Hip Hop and beyond, this year’s show will celebrate 45 years of the best moments in music with appearances by today’s brightest stars and live performances from the biggest names in music.
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. Justin Bieber, Daddy Yankee and Luis Fonsi received four nominations each. Additionally, Keith Urban earned three nominations.
The Artist of the Year nominees are Bruno Mars, The Chainsmokers, Drake, Kendrick Lamar and Ed Sheeran. Voting for Artist of the Year opened today and will close on Thursday, November 16 at 8:59:59pm PT. Voting for all other editorial categories closes on Monday, November 13 at 8:59:59am PT.
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 American Music Awards winners are voted entirely by fans. Voting opened today in all categories except New Artist of the Year presented by T-Mobile and Collaboration of the Year presented by Xfinity, which will both open on Wednesday, November 1.
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 below. Fans can vote for all other awards once per day, per voting platform.
Posting a tweet on Twitter that includes the nominee’s name or Twitter handle, the category name and #AMAs within the tweet
2017 AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS TOP NOMINATED ARTISTS CHART FACTS:
Celebrated musician BrunoMars’ third full-length studio album, 24KMagic, debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 chart, granting the performer his third top 10 effort. The album spun off a trio of top 40-charting hits on the Billboard Hot 100, so far: “24K Magic,” “That’s What I Like” and “Versace On the Floor.” In 2017, “That’s What I Like” became Mars’ seventh No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, following his previous leaders “Uptown Funk!” (Mark Ronson featuring Mars), “When I Was Your Man,” “Locked Out of Heaven,” “Grenade,” “Just the Way You Are” and “Nothin’ On You” (B.o.B featuring Mars).
Debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart in December of 2016, The Weeknd’s Starboy album marked his second straight No. 1, following 2015’s Beauty Behind the Madness. Starboy yielded a No. 1 Billboard Hot 100 hit with its title track, as well as a No. 4 smash with “I Feel It Coming.” Both tracks feature Daft Punk. All 18 songs from Starboy charted on the Billboard Hot 100.
R&B singer Drake’s MoreLife was his seventh straight album to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart. MoreLife became the first album to earn over 375 million on-demand U.S. audio streams of its tracks in a single week, according to Nielsen Music. The album set the record in the week ending March 24. Drake wrapped a record 431 consecutive weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 in August, which dates back to his first appearance in 2009. The streak is the longest among all artists in Hot 100 history. Drake placed a record 24 titles on the Hot 100 at once, on the chart dated April 8, 2017. Drake linked 51 straight weeks in the Hot 100’s top 10, the longest streak by a male act. His run began on Oct. 3, 2015 with “Hotline Bling” and ended on Sept. 24, 2016, when “One Dance” fell from the tier. Drake has placed a record 157 songs on the Billboard Hot 100 in his career.
Rapper and song-writer Kendrick Lamar earned his first Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 hit as a lead act with “Humble.” in 2017. He scored his second No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 with DAMN., which had the best first-sales week of his career (353,000 copies sold in its first week, according to Nielsen Music). Lamar was the first artist of 2017 to post two concurrent titles in the Hot 100’s top five with “Humble.” and “DNA.” on May 6.
Ed Sheeran scored his first Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 in 2017 with “Shape of You,” which debuted at No. 1 and reigned for 12 weeks. “Shape of You” broke the record for the most time spent in the Billboard Hot 100’s top 10: 33 weeks. Sheeran became the first artist to debut two titles in the Billboard Hot 100’s top 10 simultaneously, with “Shape of You” and “Castle on the Hill.” Sheeran earned his second Billboard 200 No. 1 album with ÷ (Divide). Upon its No. 1 debut on the Billboard 200, ÷ (Divide) generated 13 simultaneous entries on the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart.
Music duo of Drew Taggart and Andrew Pall, The Chainsmokers, charted three songs in the Billboard Hot 100’s top 10 in the past year, including the chart-topping “Closer,” featuring Halsey. “Closer” became just the 17th song in the Hot 100’s history to spend at least 12 weeks at No. 1. “Closer” spent 27 weeks at No. 1 on Hot Dance/Electronic Songs, breaking the 26-week record previously held by Avicii’s “Wake Me Up!” The Chainsmokers earned three No. 1 hits on the Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart over the past year: “Closer,” “Paris” and “Something Just Like This,” with Coldplay. Their debut full-length set Memories…Do Not Open opened at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. It was the first No. 1 for a dance/electronic album in three-and-a-half years.
Pop superstar Justin Bieber joined Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee on the No. 1 Billboard Hot 100 hit “Despacito.” It tied the record for the longest run at No. 1 — 16 weeks. With “Despacito,” Bieber jumped to his first No. 1 on Billboard‘s Hot Latin Songs chart. Bieber banked his first No. 1 on both the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and Hot Rap Songs charts as featured on DJ Khaled’s all-star “I’m the One.” Bieber became the first artist ever to tally new No. 1s on the Billboard Hot 100 in back-to-back weeks, with “I’m the One” and “Despacito” (on charts May 20 and 27). Bieber has spent more than three years cumulatively at No. 1 on Billboard‘s Social 50 chart, easily the most among all acts since the list’s inception at the start of the decade.
Daddy Yankee claimed his first No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 with “Despacito” (Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee featuring Justin Bieber), which tied the record for most weeks spent at No. 1: 16 weeks. “Despacito” spent 16 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 – tying the record for the longest run at No. 1 in the chart’s history. He has tallied more than 50 hits on the Hot Latin Songs chart, including top 40-charting singles in the past year like “Hula Hoop” and “La Rompe Corazones,” with Ozuna.
Puerto Rican singer-songwriter Luis Fonsi’s “Despacito,” with Daddy Yankee and featuring Justin Bieber, spent 16 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 – tying the record for the longest run at No. 1 in the chart’s history. “Despacito” marked Fonsi’s third hit on the Hot 100, but he’s been charting hits on the Hot Latin Songs chart since 1998, where he’s notched 30 hits. Overall, on Hot Latin Songs, Fonsi has collected 11 top 10 hits, seven of which reached No. 1 (including “Despacito”).
Premier country musician Keith Urban’s “The Fighter,” featuring Carrie Underwood, marked the former’s 38th straight top 10 on the Hot Country Songs chart. Urban’s hit “Blue Ain’t Your Color” topped Hot Country Songs for 12 weeks from Nov. 19, 2016 – Feb. 4, 2017. His latest album, 2016’s Ripcord, became his fifth Top Country Albums No. 1 and sixth top 10 on the Billboard 200. “The Fighter” reached No. 40 on Billboard’s Adult Pop Songs airplay chart, his first hit on the chart since 2009’s “Kiss a Girl.” Further, the crossover track climbed to No. 15 on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary chart.
Pop superstar Rihanna notched her 60th hit on the Billboard Hot 100 with “Wild Thoughts” (DJ Khaled featuring Rihanna and Bryson Tiller). “Wild Thoughts” became the diva’s 31st top 10 hit on the Hot 100 and seventh No. 1 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. She added three new No. 1s on the Rhythmic Songs airplay chart in the past year: “Too Good” (Drake featuring Rihanna), “Loyalty.” (Kendrick Lamar featuring Rihanna) and “Wild Thoughts.”
Sponsors for the 2017 American Music Awards include Comcast’s Xfinity 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.
Below please find the full list of nominations for the 2017 American Music Awards®:
