Entertainment

Wendy Williams is giving her fans a much-needed update on her ongoing health battle.

In a statement issued on Monday, Williams said she’s ready to go back to her duties as host “as soon as” the doctors give her the green light.

“HOW YOU DOIN’? I MISS YOU ALL! As everyone knows, my health has been a hot topic,” Williams’ statement reads. “I’m making progress but it’s just one of those things that’s taking longer than we expected.”

She continues, “I’m a woman of a certain age, and I know enough to listen to my doctors and will return to my purple chair as soon as we all agree I’m ready. I want to thank all of my staff and our guest hosts for stepping up and stepping in while I can’t be there.”

Williams then thanks her show’s production company, Debmar-Mercury, and the local affiliates “for being so understanding and supportive” while she recovers. She also thanks her “fans,” whom she says “are everything.”

“I have heard your prayers and comments and feel all the love!,” Williams writes, before adding that she’s “doing everything… to get back to work.”

“But right now Wendy has to focus on Wendy. I love you for watching,” she adds.

As previously reported, Williams has been absent from her show since it was originally expected to return on September 20 for the start of the 13th season. Her return was delayed due to ongoing health issues, which included testing positive for a breakthrough case of COVID-19. Since then, numerous guest hosts have filled in for her, including Sherri Shepherd, Leah Remini, Michael Rapaport and Jerry Springer.

 

 

 

 

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Fortune Feimster was about to embark on a new stage in her stand-up career in 2020, when the COVID pandemic hit. 

The former co-star of Chelsea Lately explains, “It was jarring because I had just finished my Netflix special, Sweet and Salty. It had just come out. We put up a whole new tour. We had, like six months of shows sell out immediately. It was this huge like celebratory feeling of like, ‘Oh my gosh, I’m making this big jump to theaters, and going from like being so busy’ to — nothing.”

She laughs, “You certainly don’t realize what a workaholic you are — especially in my case — you know, until I had to stop…And once I…I stopped being antsy and I let myself just chill, those ideas and jokes just started coming to me like in a way that I haven’t experienced in so long. I wrote a whole new hour in a couple of months.”

Some of that material is now on the road, in 2 Sweet 2 Salty, Fortune’s new nationwide tour. 

ABC Audio wondered if she’s finding her line of work tougher in the days of cancel culture. However, she steers away from social commentary in her stand-up. “I want to make people laugh, my stuff is very silly. I want people to leave my show feeling better than when they got there,” she replies.

And one thing that’s got Fortune feeling pretty good lately is the relationship that blossomed between her Chelsea Lately co-stars Chelsea Handler and comic Jo Koi. “[I]nstead of her yelling at him now she’s kissing on him, so, times you know…it’s come full circle. They just had to tease each other all these years to finally start smooching,” Fortune says with a laugh.

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Tony Award winner James Corden has starred in the big-screen adaptations of the musicals Into the Woods, and, notoriously, CATS, but it seems some people have had enough. 

His Late Late Show’s “Carpool Karaoke” and “Crosswalk: The Musical” segments may go viral, but so has a Change.org petition that was just created to keep the chat show host from a appearing in a big-screen version of Wicked, which will star Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo. 

“James Corden in no way shape or form should be in or near the production of Wicked the movie. that’s pretty much it,” the petition explains.

The petition organizers are looking for 50,000 signatures, and they’re getting close: Nearly 40,000 had signed as of mid-afternoon Monday.

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Sarah Jessica Parker did not hold back when sharing her thoughts about the criticism she and her Sex and the City co-stars have received about their aging looks.

Speaking recently to Vogue, the 56-year-old actress declared, “There’s so much misogynist chatter in response to us that would never. Happen. About. A. Man.”

“‘Gray hair, gray hair, gray hair. Does she have gray hair?’ I’m sitting with Andy Cohen and he has a full head of gray hair, and he’s exquisite. Why is it okay for him? I don’t know what to tell you people! Especially on social media,” she continued. “Everyone has something to say.”

Some frequent comments Parker highlighted were “She has too many wrinkles” and, interestingly, “She doesn’t have enough wrinkles.”

Says Parker, “It almost feels as if people don’t want us to be perfectly okay with where we are, as if they almost enjoy us being pained by who we are today, whether we choose to age naturally and not look perfect, or whether you do something if that makes you feel better.”

“I know what I look like. I have no choice,” she remarked, “What am I going to do about it? Stop aging? Disappear?”

Sex and the City producer Michael Patrick King, who’s co-producing the HBO Sex and the City continuation And Just Like That…, also shared his contempt for the beauty double standard.

“Wow, so it’s either you’re 35, or you’re retired and living in Florida. There’s a missing chapter here,” he quipped, and stressed the SATC revival is important because it showcases a cast of women who are predominately in their 50s — something he says is uncommon in television.

The 10-episode And Just Like That… premieres in December 2021 on HBO Max.

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Maria Shriver is sticking up for her son-in-law Chris Pratt, commenting on that post about his new baby that caused such a flap online. 

Pratt was flamed online last week for a sweet post to his wife, in which he thanked her for giving him a “gorgeous healthy daughter” that some read into that as a dig against Faris, as their child was born premature, and because of that, suffered health complications.  

“I want to remind you today what a good man you are,” responded Shriver, the mom of Pratt’s wife, Katherine Schwarzenegger, who’s the daughter of Shriver and Arnold Schwarzenegger. 

Shriver, 66, mentioned both of Pratt’s children: 8-year-old Jack, from his marriage to ex Anna Faris, and his baby daughter with Katherine, Lyla.

“What a great father you are to Jack and Lyla, what a great husband you are to Katherine [and] what a great son in law you are to me and what a great sense of humor you have!!” said Shriver. “I love you Chris, keep being your wonderful self, rise above the noise. Your kids love [you] your family loves you [and] your wife loves you. What a beautiful life, I’m proud of you xo.”

While not addressing the situation directly, Pratt took to Instagram on Friday in a series of Stories to say he was feeling “depressed,” but found some peace in running in nature and listening to praise music.

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Ahead of Friday’s two-year anniversary of the launch of Disney+, dubbed Disney+ Day, the streaming service from ABC News’ parent company has announced a week-long celebration.

From November 12 through November 14, more than 200 AMC Theatres will celebrate with four daily surprise screenings of fan-favorite movies, for just $5 a ticket, at participating AMC locations.

ShopDisney will provide free shipping in the U.S. and Europe from November 12 to November 14 to subscribers of Disney+, and will offer all-new branded merch, from shows like Star Wars: The Bad Batch, Loki and more. 

To boot, Disney and VeVe, have just launched a series of NFTs featuring beloved and iconic characters from some of its fan-favorite properties, including Star Wars, Marvel Studios, The Simpsons and others. 

Also just announced are the following titles coming to the streaming service on Disney+ Day, including: 

• The Making of Happier than Ever: A Love Letter to Los Angeles about Billie Eilish’s recent Disney+ cinematic concert experience
• Marvel Assembled: The Making of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
• Marvel Studios Legends: Hawkeye, an episode that revisits all of Hawkeye’s epic moments from the MCU in preparation for the upcoming Disney+ Original Series
• 2007’s live-action/animated musical fantasy romantic comedy film Enchanted, starring Amy Adams and Patrick Dempsey

As previously reported, Friday will also see the launch of a slew of new titles on Disney+, including Shang-Chi, Jungle Cruise, Home Sweet Home Alone, Olaf Presents, The Simpsons in Plusaversary, Under the Helmet: The Legacy of Boba Fett, and Marvel Studios’ 2021 Disney+ Day Special.

On Friday at 9:00am Eastern time, fans can check out sneak peeks of upcoming Disney+ movies and series from the worlds of Pixar, Disney, Star Wars, Marvel and more.

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To help excite and encourage children about getting the COVID-19 vaccine, Sesame Street‘s Big Bird announced that he just got the shot and is feeling great about it.

“I got the COVID-19 vaccine today!,” Big Bird tweeted over the weekend, breaking a months-long hiatus on the social media site. “My wing is feeling a little sore, but it’ll give my body an extra protective boost that keeps me and others healthy.”

The beloved character also revealed something he recently found out, which is “I’ve been getting vaccines since I was a little bird. I had no idea!”

Big Bird’s vaccination announcement received an unexpected shout-out from President Joe Biden, who responded, “Good on ya, @BigBird. Getting vaccinated is the best way to keep your whole neighborhood safe.”

Several happy parents also commended Big Bird, saying his words eased their children’s worries about their upcoming vaccination appointments.

While the character has been entertaining kids for decades, Big Bird is technically six years old, which makes him eligible for the Pfizer vaccine.  The vaccine was authorized last week to be given to kids ages five to 11 by the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

For those who may be puzzled why the Sesame Street character has joined the ongoing conversation about pediatric vaccinations, Big Bird has, historically, been the go-to Muppet on vaccine PSAs. In 1972, he spoke about the importance of getting the measles vaccine, according to a resurfaced video shared by Muppet Wiki. 

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Vin Diesel extended an olive branch to Dwayne Johnson on Sunday, explaining why the latter needs to star in the final Fast and Furious movie.

Taking to Instagram, the actor wrote an impassioned post declaring that the best way to give the beloved franchise a satisfactory conclusion is for Johnson to return as Luke Hobbs. Sharing a photo of the two dressed as their franchise characters, Diesel urged, “My little brother Dwayne… the time has come. The world awaits the finale of Fast 10.”

Noting that his children call the former WWE star ‘Uncle Dwayne,” the actor continued, “The time has come. Legacy awaits. I told you years ago that I was going to fulfill my promise to Pablo. I swore that we would reach and manifest the best Fast in the finale that is 10!”

Diesel affectionately referred to the late Paul Walker as “Pablo.” Walker played Brian O’Connor before his untimely death in 2013.

“I say this out of love… but you must show up, do not leave the franchise idle you have a very important role to play,” Vin pressed. “Hobbs can’t be played by no other. I hope that you rise to the occasion and fulfill your destiny.”

Johnson starred as Hobbs since 2011’s Fast Five through 2017’s The Fate of the Furious.  He also starred in the 2019 cinematic spinoff Hobbs & Shaw.

While The Rock has yet to respond to Diesel’s invitation, he did previously state in a July interview with The Hollywood Reporter that he has no interest in revisiting the role.

“I wish them well on Fast 9. And I wish them the best of luck on Fast 10 and Fast 11 and the rest of the Fast & Furious movies they do that will be without me,” he said at the time.

 

 

 

 

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(SPOILERS AHEAD) Marvel Studios’ Eternals is now in theaters, and there’s both a mid-credit scene and an after-credits stinger — but the latter left many fans scratching their heads. 

Until now. 

While it had previously been spoiled that Harry Styles officially entered the MCU as Eros in the mid-credits scene, exactly who was in the last clip was less clear.

The scene shows Kit Harington‘s Dane Whitman admiring a powerful family heirloom, the Ebony Blade, signaling his MCU future as the Avenger Black Knight. But he’s startled by an off-camera voice that warns, “Sure you’re ready for that, Mr. Whitman?”

The scene is reminiscent of Samuel L. Jackson‘s surprise appearance as Nick Fury at the end of 2008’s Iron Man, but sharp-eared fans knew the voice wasn’t Sam’s. 

As it turns out, it belongs to two-time Oscar winner Mahershala Ali.

Director Chloé Zhao revealed to the website Fandom, “That was the voice of one of my favorite superheroes, Mr. Blade himself. Blade, Blade, Blade, yeah!”

It had been previously been revealed that Ali would be playing the Daywalker in a reboot of the franchise, picking up the stake from Wesley Snipes, who starred in three Blade films in 1998, 2002, and 2004.

According to Fandom, the “really cool” secret was even kept from Harington himself, who was fed the line on set by someone else.

“Chloé texted me about that a couple of weeks ago and it sort of blew my mind,” the Game of Thrones vet admitted. “I didn’t know that that would be the case, so it’s pretty exciting for me.”

Black Knight and Blade had worked together in a 2008-9 team-up in the pages of Marvel Comics.

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Marvel’s Eternals topped the weekend box office, debuting with an estimated $71 million in the U.S., despite tepid reviews.

Director Chloé Zhao‘s film, which boasts a large ensemble cast including Angelina Jolie, Salma Hayek, Gemma Chan, Richard Madden, Kumail Nanjiani, Lia McHugh, Brian Tyree Henry, Barry Keoghan, Don Lee, Harish Patel and Kit Harington, hauled in $161.7 million globally over the weekend — the second-largest worldwide debut of 2021, behind F9: The Fast Saga’s $163 million.

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Dune dropped to second place after spending two weeks at number one. The futuristic adventure, also available to stream on HBO Max, delivered an estimated $7.6 million, bringing its domestic total gross to $83.9 million. Dune added an estimated $246.5 million overseas, bringing its combined worldwide tally to $330.4 million.

Third place went to No Time to Die, which grabbed an estimated $6.2 million in its fifth week of release. The latest James Bond film has now earned $143.2 million domestically and $524.3 million abroad for a combined worldwide total of $667.5 million.

Venom: Let There Be Carnage pulled up at number four, delivering an estimated $4.5 million in its sixth week of release. Its domestic tally now stands at $197 million and $227.6 million overseas, bringing its global box-office total to $424.6 million.

Rounding out the top five is the animated feature Ron’s Gone Wrong, earning an estimated $3.6 million in its third week in theaters.

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