“I can’t really wrap my head around this” — Norman Reedus and Greg Nicotero on last shooting day on ‘The Walking Dead’

Barry King/Getty Images

The Walking Dead executive producer Greg Nicotero took to social media with star Norman Reedus to reflect on Wednesday’s last shooting day of the series. 

The finale had been bumped a few days because Reedus suffered a concussion on the long-running show’s Georgia set on March 11.

“Here we are, 12 years,” Nicotero opens the video message.

“Last day,” adds Reedus, who plays fan favorite Daryl Dixon, about the show wrapping up it’s 11th and final season. He then says to Nicotero, “Love ya, buddy. Thank you for everything. It’s been a real joy.”

The special effects expert-turned-producer then asks Reedus with a laugh, “Dude, remember when we were babies and we started this show?”

Norman responds by saying, “I feel like my entire brain is short-circuiting right now. I can’t really wrap my head around this.”

Nicotero offers, “It’s hard. But 12 hours from now, the world’s gonna be a different place.”

To which Reedus quips, “Yeah, I’m gonna be on the bathroom floor with a martini, in tears,”

Fans needn’t mourn too hard over the series: There are five spin-offs in the works, including Isle of the Dead starring Jeffrey Dean Morgan‘s Negan and Lauren Cohan‘s Maggie, as well as an as-yet-untitled project centering on Reedus’ Daryl and Melissa McBride‘s Carol.

Also in play is a feature film focusing on the series’ original hero Rick Grimes, for which Andrew Lincoln will reprise his role.

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Laurence Fishburne, Sam Rockwell and Darren Criss talk ‘American Buffalo’ stage revival

Photo: Matt Murphy

“At any point in our lives, if we have encountered American Buffalo, most actors go, ‘When can I get my hands on that?'” Darren Criss tells ABC Audio. And after a two-year pandemic delay, he’s getting his turn — with Laurence Fishburne and Sam Rockwell in the much-anticipated revival of David Mamet’s American Buffalo, now playing at New York’s Circle in the Square Theatre.

The play focuses on the hardscrabble lives of three hustlers looking to secure their slice of the sometimes-broken American Dream: Donny, played by Fishburne; Teach, played by Rockwell; and Bobby, played by Criss. It features themes of loyalty, friendship, trust, suspicion…and lots of four-letter words.

“I think this play was the first play that kind of used this kind of language and explored this kind of world,” Fishburne says, reflecting on the original 1975 production. “As young actors here in New York, we were all excited about it and the chance to do it at some point.”

Over the years, the spotlight role of Teach has been played by Robert DuvallAl PacinoWilliam H. Macy, and, in the 1996 movie version, Dustin Hoffman. In 2022, all eyes are on Rockwell.

“I’m gonna go really ‘Don Knotts‘ on this one! I’m gonna go in the other direction!” Rockwell jokes with ABC Audio about his approach to the role. “We’ll see what happens you know? I’m bringing a mustache so far.”

Whatever his spin, director Neil Pepe says it’s bound to leave an impact, noting that Rockwell “has such an innate sense of what the character is, but also can grab the language and is kind of ferocious about going after it.” Pepe adds, “To have him in this role is just a gift.”  

American Buffalo is now playing for a limited engagement.

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

HBO releases new pics, says ‘Game of Thrones’ prequel ‘House of the Dragon’ debuts August 21

(L-R) Toussaint, Best — HBO/Ollie Upton

Winter isn’t coming, but dragons are. HBO tweeted that August 21 will be the debut date for its anticipated HBO Max Game of Thrones prequel, House of the Dragon.

Based on George R.R. Martin‘s Fire & Blood book, set hundreds of years before the events of Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon is a deep dive into the history of GoT‘s House Targaryen, ancestors of Game of Thrones‘ tragic heroine, Daenerys Targaryen, who was played by Emilia Clarke.

The show centers on a brutal familial civil war that erupted over control of the legendary Iron Throne.

To that end, HBO also revealed new photos of some of the cast in character, including: Emma D’Arcy as Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen; Matt Smith as Prince Daemon Targaryen; Olivie Cooke as Alicent Hightower; Rhys Ifans as Alicent’s father, Otto Hightower; Paddy Considine as King Viserys Targaryen; Steve Toussaint as Lord Corlys Velaryon; Eve Best as Princess Rhaenys Targaryen, and Fabien Frankel as Ser Criston Cole.

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Jared Leto talks ‘Morbius’ and Sinister Six rumors on ‘The Tonight Show’

NBC/Todd Owyoung

Jared Leto stars in Sony Pictures’ Spider-Man-adjacent action film Morbius, opening April 1, and during an appearance on Tuesday’s The Tonight Show, he talked about playing the titular character, and a possible connection to Marvel’s Sinister Six group of villains.

Leto plays the titular character in Morbius, whose attempt to cure himself, and humanity, of a deadly disease gives Dr. Michael Morbius all the powers of a vampire. The Thirty Second’s to Mars frontman told Fallon he was honored to be the first to bring the character to life.

“This is, like, the first time I’ve ever starred in a big Marvel movie like this and I’m incredibly excited,” he said. “It’s the first time that Morbius has ever been on the screen, so that was a big honor to get asked to bring this character to life.”

Leto says he’s had a fascination with vampires dating back to his childhood, thanks to his grandmother. “I saw the original Dracula because of her,” he recalls. “I was up late at night…I was sleeping on the floor, which you do when you’re a kid…and she let me stay up and watch the originalDracula with her and that’s when I fell in love with vampires.”

Fallon then pulled out a picture of Leto at the Spider-Man: No Way Home premiere, in which he was wearing a chain with the numeral “6,” and pressed Jared on a possible appearance by Morbius as part of the Sinister Six supervillains squad in a future Marvel film, many of whom we’ve already seen in past Spider-Man films.

A poker-faced Leto replied, “It was actually meant to be a nine, it just got flipped.”

Leto can currently be seen starring opposite Anne Hathaway in Apple TV+’s WeCrashed.

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Samuel L. Jackson, John David Washington, Danielle Brooks to star in Broadway play, ‘The Piano Lesson’

ABC

The late August Wilson‘s Pulitzer Prize-winning drama, The Piano Lesson will return to Broadway in September and award-winning actors Samuel L. Jackson, John David Washington and Danielle Brooks are set to star.

The groundbreaking play, which debuted over 30 years ago in 1990, will be directed by actress and Tony Award nominee Latanya Richardson Jackson, marking the first time ever, an August Wilson play will be led by a woman.

“August Wilson dedicated his life and devoted his talent to dramatizing our stories and our experience,” Richardson Jackson said. “The Piano Lesson is one of his most enduring, profound and consequential masterpieces, and I am reveling in this opportunity to present it to Broadway audiences for the first time since its premiere.”

As the fourth play as part of Wilson’s seminal American Century Cycle, the drama follows a brother and sister who “are locked in a war over the fate of a family heirloom: a piano carved with the faces of their ancestors.”

Producers Brian Anthony Moreland (Thoughts of a Colored Man) Sonia Friedman (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child) and Tom Kirdahy (Hadestown) said, “This production is coming back to Broadway at such an exciting time for our industry as we work to rebuild – and who better than Mr. Wilson to help us.”

Performances begin Sept. 19, at the St. James Theatre.

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Bruce Willis “stepping away” from his career following aphasia diagnosis

Jim Spellman/WireImage

On her Instagram, Rumer Willis revealed that her father, Bruce Willis is “stepping away” from the limelight, following the diagnosis of a condition that can rob someone of their ability to communicate.

“To Bruce’s amazing supporters, as a family we wanted to share that our beloved Bruce has been experiencing some health issues and has recently been diagnosed with aphasia, which is impacting his cognitive abilities,” began the message, which was posted with a picture of the 67-year-old Die Hard series star in a bath robe, smirking with a towel on his head.

“As a result of this and with much consideration Bruce is stepping away from the career that has meant so much to him,” Rumer explained.

“This is a really challenging time for our family and we are so appreciative of your continued love, compassion and support. We are moving through this as a strong family unit, and wanted to bring his fans in because we know how much he means to you, as you do to him,” the message continued.

“As Bruce always says, ‘Live it up’ and together we plan to do just that,” Rumer said.

Rumer’s post was signed off with “love” from herself, as well as her mom and Bruce’s ex-wife Demi Moore, her sisters Scout and Tallulah, and Mabel and Evelyn, Bruce’s young daughters with his model wife Emma Heming Willis.

According to the Mayo Clinic, “Aphasia typically occurs suddenly after a stroke or a head injury. But it can also come on gradually from a slow-growing brain tumor or a disease that causes progressive, permanent damage (degenerative). The severity of aphasia depends on a number of conditions, including the cause and the extent of the brain damage.”

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Elliot Page’s ‘Umbrella Academy’ character to come out as transgender in season 3

ABC

They say art often imitates life, and that’s the case when it comes to Elliot Page and his Umbrella Academy character.

Elliot, who came out as transgender in December 2020, starred as Vanya Hargreeves in the Netflix series, and on Tuesday, it was revealed that his character will reflect that change, with his character transitioning to Viktor.

Alongside a screen grab of Elliot from the upcoming third season of the series about a family of misfit superheroes, the actor wrote, “Meet Viktor Hargreeves.”

Netflix retweeted the post, adding, “Welcome to the family, Viktor — we’re so happy you’re here.”

Umbrella Academy also stars Tom Hopper, David Castañeda, Emmy Raver-Lampman, Robert Sheehan and Aidan Gallagher. Season three hits Netflix June 22.

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

“Miss You Pal”: John Stamos shares video message from Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins

Rich Fury/Getty Images

(NOTE LANGUAGE) Like millions of Foo Fighters fans, John Stamos is mourning the loss of drummer Taylor Hawkins, who was found dead in a Bogota, Colombia, hotel room last Friday night.

Stamos posted to Instagram a video from Hawkins in which he ribs his fellow drummer for taking a spot in a commercial from him. 

“Stamos is a good buddy of mine,” Hawkins says in the clip. “He’s a great drummer…he’s a great dude, all that stuff.”

“But I am a little upset with him, actually,” Hawkins continues. “I have to be honest with you because I was supposed to do that GEICO commercial. You know that GEICO commercial where he flips, flips the stick. That was mine. Originally that was mine.”

He adds, “But they decided to go with Stamos because he’s better looking. But I am the best stick flipper around, sorry Stamos,” he continued. “I got this. It goes me, Tommy Lee, Stamos.”

For his part, the Full House star and part time Beach Boys drummer commented, “Yes, Taylor you are the best stick flipper and I miss you pal!”, adding “#gonetoof***ingsoon”.

Dave Grohl announced Tuesday that his band was cancelling the remainder of their tour “in light of the staggering loss of our brother Taylor Hawkins.” According to Variety, Sunday’s Grammys will include a tribute to Hawkins.

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Slap survey: 63% say they’ll tune into the Oscars next year just because of Will Smith incident

ABC

It has been shown that Will Smith‘s slapping Chris Rock goosed the ratings of last Sunday night’s Oscars by some 600,000 viewers, so the results of a new survey about the show may not come as a surprise.

A OnePoll survey of 1,000 American viewers revealed 63% plan to tune in next year just because of the slap.

Nearly 1 in 10 of respondents say they only tuned in after they heard about the incident — meaning, they witnessed Smith tearfully accepting his Best Actor trophy for King Richard, to a standing ovation. 

Not surprisingly, Smith’s attack on Rock was listed as the “most shocking” moment in Oscars history, with 35% of those polled attesting to that. 

The slap far outpaced other jaw droppers, like when La La Land was accidentally announced as Best Picture instead of Moonlight in 2018 (19%); Kevin Hart fired as host for old tweets (18%); and Marlon Brando sending Sacheen Littlefeather to decline the Best Actor award in 1973 (17%).

For 17%, Ellen DeGeneres snapping a selfie with celebrities was listed as a shocking moment as well, as was John Travolta puzzlingly pronouncing Idina Menzel‘s name as “Adele Dazeem.”

The slap was even deemed far more shocking than 1974’s infamous onstage Oscars “streaker” incident — that came in at 16%. 

Survey questions, methodology and results have not been verified or endorsed by ABC News or The Walt Disney Company.

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

“Shocked and stunned” and “still triggered” Amy Schumer unpacks Oscars slap

ABC

One of Sunday night’s Oscars hosts, Amy Schumer, has broken her silence about the so-called “slap heard ’round the world.”

“Still triggered and traumatized,” she said on Instagram. “I love my friend @chrisrock and believe he handled it like a pro. Stayed up there and gave an Oscar to his friend @questlove and the whole thing was so disturbing.”

Schumer continued, “So much pain in @willsmith.”

The stand-up and actress added, “I’m still in shock and stunned and sad. Im proud of myself and my cohosts. But yeah. Waiting for this sickening feeling to go away from what we all witnessed.”

In case you’ve been under a rock for the past 48 hours, Will Smith stormed the stage, slapped, and then cursed Chris Rock after he took a swipe at Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett-Smith, likening her close-cropped hair to Demi Moore‘s Navy SEAL bald cut in G.I. Jane. Pinkett-Smith shaved her head because she suffers from hair loss as a result of alopecia.

After the incident, Smith tearfully collected his Best Actor trophy for King Richard.  

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences said Monday it “condemns the actions of Mr. Smith at last night’s show.” The organization further announced it has “officially started a formal review around the incident and will explore further action and consequences in accordance with our Bylaws, Standards of Conduct and California law.”

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.