Entertainment

Ahead of Thursday’s trailer release, Warner Bros.’ new interactive teaser for the fourth Matrix movie plays on the choice Keanu Reeves‘ Thomas Anderson/Neo made in the original film. 

At TheChoiceIsYoursWhatIsTheMatrix.com, you’re presented with two choices: a red pill or a blue pill. As in the movie, each offers a different path. The blue pill allows one to stay asleep in what they think is the real world, while the red tells you the horrible truth: that “real life” is a simulation created by machines to pacify a human race enslaved in the actual world.

Choose either pill, and complete with the drizzling of digital green code the original films made famous, you’re presented with snippets of the upcoming film, and scenes of Reeves’ return to the blockbuster franchise. Each pill unlocks different shots from the movie.

Creepily, both choices are personalized with whatever time you happen to choose them: for example, click on the blue pill at 2:47 p.m., and the voice-overs you hear will reflect that exact time. 

The blue pill greets you with a voice-over from co-star Neil Patrick Harris that states, “Do you remember how you got here? You’ve lost your capacity to discern reality from fiction. What’s real is here and now. 2:47 p.m. Anything else is just your mind playing tricks on you.” He adds, “We don’t want anyone to get hurt, do we?” 

Conversely, the red pill lets you hear from co-star Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, who tells you, “Right now, you believe it’s 2:47 p.m. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. It could be this is the first day of the rest of your life. But if you want it, you have to fight for it.”

The Matrix Resurrections debuts December 22.

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

F9: The Fast Saga will be available on home video on September 21, and as Cardi B reflects on her small role in the blockbuster — which has grossed over $600 million worldwide — she remembers she was intimidated by the franchise star, Vin Diesel.

“I was scared,” the “Rumors” rapper admits in a behind the scenes video, according to People. “But he’s so nice, so dope, he makes you feel so comfortable.” After filming wrapped, Vin praised Cardi, saying, “I really am proud of you.”

Cardi portrayed Leysa, who appeared as a fake officer to save Diesel’s character, Dominic Toretto, when he was arrested in the U.K. As he sat in the back of an Interpol truck, she revealed herself as someone from his past, and told Dom she’d “still be stealing gas” in the Dominican Republic if it weren’t for him, referencing the beginning of 2009’s fourth film in the franchise, Fast & Furious.

“When I was doing this character, I felt so gangster, says the Grammy winner. “I love it.”

Also in the video, director Justin Lin reveals how he chose Cardi for the film. “I remember getting a call saying, ‘Hey, Cardi B is a fan,’ and saying, ‘OK great, we’re going to do the expected cameo but turn it on its head.'”

In December 2019, Diesel announced Cardi was cast in F9 in an Instagram video. As they sat together outside of a trailer, Cardi said, “I ain’t gonna front. This gonna be the best one.”

Cardi, who gave birth to her second child, a son, on September 4, has five nominations for Sunday’s MTV VMAs.”WAP” with Megan Thee Stallion, is up for Video of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Hip-Hop and Best Collaboration. “Rumors” with Lizzo, is nominated for Song of the Summer.

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Doogie Howser is coming back to entertain a new generation.  Doogie Kamealoha, M.D. debuts today on Disney+, a reboot of the popular ABC series that starred Neil Patrick Harris.

This time around, the show follows 17-year-old Peyton Elizabeth Lee as the precocious teenage doctor, and the setting has moved from Los Angeles to Honolulu, Hawaii.

“I grew up watching the show, I always loved it,” writer Kourtney Kang told ABC Audio, explaining the show’s new look and locale. “And I also grew up always wishing there was a show that looked like my family. I was born in Hawaii. My dad’s Korean. My mom’s an Irish Catholic girl from Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, and there was never a family that looked like mine.”

So, when she heard that Disney+ was reviving her childhood hero, Kang jumped right on it, saying she was inspired to create “the show that I’ve always wanted to make.” She also admits she made the show because she wanted to give her three daughters the chance to see themselves represented on screen.

“I love the idea that they’re going to grow up with watching a Doogie show,” she said, “but it’s a girl at the center and not just a girl, a mixed-race girl from Hawaii and sort of see that different perspective.”

As for star Peyton Elizabeth Lee, she’s excited because her parents were fans of the original series.

“When I got the audition for it, my parents were very excited because they watched the show,” she dished, adding that their enthusiasm inspired her to binge the medical drama.  

Doogie Howser ran for four seasons between 1989 to 1993 on ABC, winning three Emmy Awards.

Disney is the parent company of ABC News.

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Emmy-winner Bob Odenkirk is back on the set of Better Call Saul after suffering a “small heart attack” in July.

“Back to work on Better Call Saul!,” the actor captioned a tweeted photo of himself in the makeup chair. “So happy to be here and living this specific life surrounded by such good people.”

He also added of the woman in the picture with him, “BTW this is makeup pro Cheri Montesanto making me not ugly for shooting!”

Odenkirk was rushed to the hospital July 27 when he collapsed on the set while shooting the sixth and final season of his AMC series in New Mexico. The incident led to a viral outpouring of support on social media from friends and fans.

A few days after the incident, the 58-year-old actor tweeted that he had “a small heart attack,” caused by a blockage that was remedied without surgery. On August 7, Odenkirk tweeted he was “doing great,” adding, “I’ve had my very own ‘It’s a wonderful life’ week of people insisting I make the world slightly better.”

The actor thanked fans for the support, quipping, “I love everyone right now but let’s keep expectations reasonable!”

Back to work on Better Call Saul! So happy to be here and living this specific life surrounded by such good people. BTW this is makeup pro Cheri Montesanto making me not ugly for shooting! pic.twitter.com/lTAfPg7dDp

— Mr. Bob Odenkirk (@mrbobodenkirk) September 8, 2021

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Oscar winners Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence head up an all-star cast in Netflix’s new apocalyptic dark comedy Don’t Look Up, the teaser for which just dropped.

The teaser intercuts DiCaprio’s rumpled astronomer character hyperventilating in a bathroom, as the world gets chaotic thanks to a planet-killing comet hurtling towards Earth. 

“You’re breathing is stressing me out!” Jonah Hill later says, apparently as an aide in the Oval Office.

“This will affect the entire planet!’ protests DiCaprio. 

“I know, but it’s, like, so stressful,” Hill says, mocking him breathlessly. 

Lawrence’s character also tries to convince the president, played by Meryl Streep: “There’s a comet heading directly towards Earth.”

Streep replies skeptically, “Do you know how many ‘The world is ending’ meetings we’ve had over the past two years?”

Hill’s character agrees: “Drought, war, famine, hole in the ozone, it’s sooo boring.”

The snippet also shows an apparent attempt to avert disaster with a slew of ballistic missiles headed towards space, escorted by a space shuttle with Ron Perlman in the cockpit.

Directed and written by The Big Short Oscar-winner Adam McKay — the guy also behind Step Brothers and the Anchorman movies — Don’t Look Up also stars Timothée Chalamet, Michael Chiklis, Ariana Grande, Tyler Perry, and Oscar winners Mark Rylance and Cate Blanchett.

The film, no doubt a metaphor for real-life climate catastrophe from environmentalists DiCaprio and McKay, hits Netflix on December 24.

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

After weeks of reports and rumors, Kylie Jenner confirmed late Tuesday that she and her partner, Travis Scott, are adding another bundle of joy to their growing family.

Taking to Instagram, the beauty mogul shared an adorable video announcing her pregnancy — which starts with her rushing to Scott to reveal the good news.  This will be the second child for Kylie, 24, and Scott, 30.

Other highlights from the video reel include their three-year-old daughter, Stormi, accompanying her parents to a checkup appointment and the little one telling her grandma, Kris Jenner, the wonderful news.

“You’re pregnant?,” the momager exclaimed while flipping through photos of the ultrasound, “This is one of the happiest days of my life!”

Stormi appears to be ecstatic that she’s about to become a big sister, with the video also showing the toddler dancing around and excitedly listening to her soon-to-be sibling’s heartbeat.

The video ends with Stormi wrapping her arms around Kylie and planting a sweet kiss on her mother’s stomach before sweetly telling the camera, “Baby.”

Kylie’s family expressed their joy in the comment section, with sister Kourtney Kardashian gushing, “Crying this is so beautiful my blessed angel sister.”

“Crying all over again [heart eyes, red heart and praying hands emojis] what a special and amazing Blessing and gift God has given you,” Kris commented.

Also taking to Instagram to congratulate their sibling well was Kim and Khloe Kardashian as well as Kendall Jenner.  

It is unknown how far along Kylie is into her pregnancy and when the baby is due.

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Kylie ?? (@kyliejenner)

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Back to the ballroom! Dancing with the Stars returns for season 30 on September 20, and ABC’s Good Morning America just revealed which celebrities will compete for the coveted Mirror Ball trophy.

Celebs taking part in the series’ milestone season include Olivia Jade — the social media influencer daughter of Massimo Giannulli and Lori Loughlin, who were both jailed as part of the Varsity Blues college cheating scandal — as well as Spice Girl Melanie ‘Mel C’ Chisholm, Real Housewives of Atlanta star Kenya Moore, country singer Jimmie Allen and talk show host Amanda Kloots.

Previously announced additions to the cast include Olympian Suni Lee, the Team USA gymnast fresh off winning gold in Tokyo, and YouTuber JoJo Siwa, who will make history as the first celeb to be paired with a pro of the same sex.

The cast also includes Bling Empire star Christine Chiu, Emmy-nominated The Office actress Melora Hardin, The Karate Kid and Cobra Kai actor Martin Kove, professional wrestler Mike “The Miz” Mizanin, Peloton cycling director Cody Rigsby, Beverly Hills 90210 actor Brian Austin Green, and NBA star Iman Shumpert.

America will find out which pros the celebs have been paired with for their DWTS journey during the season 30 premiere.

The judging panel for this landmark season consists of Len Goodman, Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli and former DWTS pro Derek Hough. Tyra Banks returns as host and executive producer, having joined the show last season as the first Black female host, and solo host, in franchise history.

Here’s the full celebrity cast: 

Country singer Jimmie Allen
Spice Girl Melanie
Christine Chiu — Bling Empire
Brian Austin Green — Beverly Hills, 90210
Melora Hardin — The Office
Social media star Olivia Jade
Matt James — The Bachelor
Amanda Kloots — The Talk
Martin Kove — Cobra Kai
Gold medal Olympian Suni Lee
WWE Superstar Mike “The Miz” Mizanin
Kenya Moore — The Real Housewives of Atlanta
Peloton star instructor Cody Rigsby
NBA star Iman Shumpert
Pop star JoJo Siwa

Professional dancers:

Brandon Armstrong
Lindsay Arnold
Alan Bersten
Sharna Burgess
Cheryl Burke
Witney Carson
Artem Chigvintsev
Val Chmerkovskiy
Sasha Farber
Jenna Johnson
Daniella Karagach
Pasha Pashkov
Gleb Savchenko
Emma Slater
Britt Stewart

Dancing with the Stars kicks off season 30 on Monday, Sept. 20 at 8 p.m. on ABC.

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Blue’s Clues turned 25 on Tuesday and, to celebrate, Steve Burns returned to share a sweet message to the show’s original fans, who are now full grown.

Steve donned the familiar green-striped polo to speak directly to those who once watched him find clues with the playful puppy named Blue.

“Hi, you got a second?,” he started the sentimental clip that was shared on Nick Jr.’s Twitter. “You remember how when we were younger we used to run around and hang out with Blue and find clues and talk to Mr. Salt and freak out about the mail and do all the fun stuff?”

“And then one day, I was like, ‘Oh hey, guess what? Big news, I’m leaving’… And we didn’t see each other for a really long time,” Steve continued. “Can we just talk about that?”

Burns left the series in 2002 and handed the reins over to his “brother,” Joe, played by Donovan Patton. Steve explained how thankful he is to have gone to college because it allowed him to achieve “many of the things that I wanted to do!”

He then told his fans how proud he is of their growth.

“Look at all you have done and all you have accomplished,” he praised. “We started out with clues and now it’s what? Student loans, and jobs, and families…and some of that has been kind of hard.”

“I really couldn’t have done all of that without your help,” Steve declared, noting that he’s still inspired by his time on the Nick Jr. show. “I guess I just wanted to say that after all these years I never forgot you… Ever. And I’m super glad we’re still friends.”

The video has amassed over 16.6 million views and over one million likes as of Wednesday morning.

So about that time Steve went off to college… #BluesClues25 pic.twitter.com/O8NOM2eRjy

— Nick Jr. (@nickjr) September 7, 2021

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

TikTok stars don’t get any bigger than Charli D’Amelio. The teen is the most followed person on the social media platform and she and her sister, Dixie, are the focus of the new Hulu docuseries The D’Amelio Show, which they hope shows a different side of the family.

So, what made Charli let the cameras into her family’s home? She tells ABC Audio, “I feel like it was important to not only me, but the whole family to lead the narrative.  Everyone has been telling us who we are, has been telling the world who we are, and we’ve never really been able to tell our story from our perspective and our truth…it’s important for us to really show the ins and outs of, we have no idea how to do this and we’re just trying to figure it out.”

The series follows Charli, 17, and her 20-year-old sister Dixie as they navigate their newfound fame — and the hate that comes with it.

“If we’re going to do this and we’re going to get the negative sides of it, then let’s get the full experience of the positives and every new thing that we get to try, a new opportunity, a new fun activity that we get to do,” she explains. “Like, what’s the point of not doing it? They’re going to hate no matter what.”

However, that’s not going to stop the TikTok stars from posting about their lives, according to Dixie, who says, “This isn’t going to last forever and we know that.  So why should we stop ourselves from enjoying the moment?”

“It’s when people stop hating, you should be worried.  That’s kind of how I think we’ve both been feeling recently,” she adds. 

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.