Shortly after ABC’s Dancing with the Stars announced it will return for its 30th season on September 20, Carrie Ann Inaba confirmed that she’ll be returning as well — alongside fellow judges Len Goodman, Bruno Tonioli and Derek Hough.
“Hey guys, I’m walking my dog, Lola. Anyway, just wanted to say, did you hear the news? Dancing With the Stars, September 20, it’s official. We’re back!” Inaba, 53, shared in a video posted her Instagram Stories on Thursday. “Get your glitter on, pull your disco balls out, warm up your back.”
“I can’t wait,” she continued. “Let’s bring on the dancing!”
Carrie Ann also promised to have some news about her future on CBS’ The Talk.
“I noticed a lot of you are asking about The Talk, if I’m coming back and what’s happening there,” Inaba said in another series of videos. “I should have some news soon about what’s going on with my future at The Talk.”
She also congratulated Jerry O’Connell, who was announced Wednesday as the show’s permanent new co-host, joining Sheryl Underwood, Amanda Kloots and Elaine Welteroth.
In April, Inaba announced that she would be taking “a leave of absence” from The Talk “…to focus on my well-being.”
A new documentary out today looks at the life and death of chef and travel show host Anthony Bourdain, who died by suicide in 2018. The film Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain is from Oscar winning director Morgan Neville, who talked to ABC Audio about why he wanted to explore Bourdain’s life.
“Because I felt like he was a fellow traveler with me,” he explains, adding that, in a way, he felt Bourdain was a documentary filmmaker just like himself.
“He was somebody who was trying to share people’s stories and humanize them and be an advocate for curiosity and open mindedness,” Neville shares.
The director admits that losing Bourdain was sad for him — not just because of losing him as a person, but also because of losing him as “a voice in our culture,” which seems to echo how others felt as well. Neville says he was often greeted with “a heavy sigh” after revealing that he was working on the documentary.
But, he hopes the film “can at least make you see [Bourdain] as a full dimensional, complex and flawed human…maybe that was kind of the goal is like this is a real person who’s got great strengths and weaknesses. And sometimes those are the same things in him.”
Neville also hopes that after watching Roadrunner, audiences realize that “it doesn’t matter if you seemingly have everything, pain is pain and there’s no way around it.”
“And I think understanding that these are humans, that we shouldn’t put them on pedestals and that we really should have love and understanding, because the more you put somebody on a pedestal, the harder it is for them to ask for help,” Neville concludes.
Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain is in theaters now.
Reality competition shows have become popular primetime television entertainment over the past decade. Sandwich King star Jeff Mauro says he knows why those shows are a recipe for success.
Mauro explained to ABC Audio how Food Network series such as Chopped — or his own, Kitchen Crash — became staples on the network he’s called home for decades.
“People love to be critics and judges in their home,” the chef said, noting how American watchers have transitioned from passive to active spectators. “It’s so funny how people are, like, ‘What you made wasn’t good! You didn’t deserve to win that!’ Without ever having a bite of it. It’s crazy where you can kind of judge somebody… via your couch.”
Mauro added that reality competition shows create an experience for the audience, which includes “living vicariously through… the judges” to gain a sense of how everything tastes.
The chef, who’s a paid spokesperson of gourmet dog food Caesar’s Bestie Bowls, says the transition is fueled by the audience’s love to watch food being made.
“We love to see people really dip into their resources to create something really special. That — with the help of unbelievable crews and cameramen and descriptive judges — you can almost taste it from home,” he said.
Speaking of spectators, Mauro noted of another popular form of entertainment taking over social media — reaction videos. “Nothing’s safe from commentary these days,” he chuckled, admitting online critics have even used him as fodder.
Recalling Kalen Allen‘s viral reaction to the “bougie” mac & cheese made on his other show, The Kitchen, Mauro praised the “funny” and “wonderful” video.
“[He] introduced us to millions more people,” Mauro explained, and revealed that he learned something very important from Kalen’s brutally honest feedback: “I would never make that [mac & cheese] again!”
Actor and successful investor Ashton Kutcher apparently had the dough to go to space aboard one of Richard Branson‘s Virgin Galactic flight to space, but his wife, Mila Kunis, scrubbed his launch.
Kutcher revealed to the business channel Cheddar in an on-camera interview, “When I got married and had kids, my wife basically encouraged that it was not a smart family decision to be heading into space when we have young children. So I ended up selling my ticket back to Virgin Galactic, and I was supposed to be on the next flight. But I will not be on the next flight.”
The former That ’70s Show star then added defiantly, “But, at some point, I’m going to space.”
Apparently, Kutcher listened to Kunis this time, but, thankfully, not when the actress told her husband that she thought some of Kutcher’s earliest investments — Bitcoin, Airbnb and Uber — — weren’t worth backing.
As Kunis explained during a recent appearance on Stephen Colbert‘s The Late Show, “He is also really smart at knowing that, sometimes, you shouldn’t listen to your wife.”
The Four Good Days star told Colbert that she initially thought Bitcoin was “a horrible idea,” and said of a then-fledgling Uber, “You’re going to put me in a car with a stranger? What is wrong with you?”
Kunis then confessed, “I’ve never been happier to be wrong,”
Ashton considered her input, but invested anyway — and that paid off big time. It’s no wonder he could afford the reportedly $250,000-a-seat flight.
Actor and investor @aplusk says he was supposed to be on the next Virgin Galactic flight, but sold his ticket to space. 🚀 Don’t miss the full interview on Cheddar at 3:20 p.m. ET. https://t.co/fi07qhm3FEpic.twitter.com/HVMei8mnrZ
Fresh from its 20 Emmy nominations earlier this week, the Apple TV+ comedy Ted Lasso leads the pack with five nominations for this year’s Television Critics Association (TCA) awards.
Jason Sudeikis‘ series is in good company: Disney+’s Emmy leader WandaVision, along with HBO’s Emmy nominees Mare of Easttown, Hacks, and I Will Destroy You all earned four TCA nominations each.
Other shows recognized by the Television Academy this week were also represented in the TCA’s nominations, including The Flight Attendant, The Mandalorian, and Pose.
Like last year, the pandemic means no actual event will be held for the winners to gather their gold; instead, they’ll be notified at a later date.
Here are the nominees for the 37th Annual Television Critics Association Awards:
INDIVIDUAL ACHIEVEMENT IN DRAMA
Michaela Coel, I May Destroy You – HBO
Ethan Hawke, The Good Lord Bird – Showtime
Thuso Mbedu, The Underground Railroad – Amazon
Elizabeth Olsen, WandaVision – Disney+
Mj Rodriguez, Pose – FX
Omar Sy, Lupin – Netflix
Anya Taylor-Joy, The Queen’s Gambit – Netflix
Kate Winslet, Mare of Easttown – HBO
INDIVIDUAL ACHIEVEMENT IN COMEDY
Bo Burnham, Bo Burnham: Inside – Netflix
Kaley Cuoco, The Flight Attendant – HBO Max
Maya Erskine, Pen15 – Hulu
Renee Elise Goldsberry, Girls5Eva – Peacock
Charlotte Nicdao, Mythic Quest – Apple TV+
Jean Smart, Hacks – HBO Max
Jason Sudeikis, Ted Lasso – Apple TV+
Hannah Waddingham, Ted Lasso – Apple TV+
OUTSTANDING NEW PROGRAM
Bridgerton – Netflix The Flight Attendant – HBO Max Hacks – HBO Max I May Destroy You – HBO Mare of Easttown – HBO P-Valley – Starz Ted Lasso – Apple TV+ WandaVision – Disney+
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN MOVIES, MINISERIES OR SPECIALS
Bo Burnham: Inside – Netflix The Good Lord Bird – Showtime I May Destroy You – HBO It’s a Sin – HBO Max Mare of Easttown – HBO The Queen’s Gambit – Netflix The Underground Railroad – Amazon WandaVision – Disney+
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN DRAMA
Bridgerton – Netflix The Crown – Netflix For All Mankind – Apple TV+ The Handmaid’s Tale – Hulu Lovecraft Country – HBO The Mandalorian – Disney+ Pose – FX P-Valley – Starz
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN COMEDY
The Flight Attendant – HBO Max Girls5Eva – Peacock Hacks – HBO Max Mythic Quest – Apple TV+ Pen15 – Hulu Superstore – NBC Ted Lasso – Apple TV+ Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist – NBC
PROGRAM OF THE YEAR
Bridgerton – Netflix Hacks – HBO Max I May Destroy You – HBO Mare of Easttown – HBO The Queen’s Gambit – Netflix Ted Lasso – Apple TV+ The Underground Railroad – Amazon WandaVision – Disney+
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN VARIETY, TALK OR SKETCH
The Amber Ruffin Show – Peacock A Black Lady Sketch Show – HBO The Daily Show with Trevor Noah – Comedy Central Desus & Mero – Showtime Last Week Tonight with John Oliver – HBO Late Night with Seth Meyers – NBC The Late Show with Stephen Colbert – CBS Saturday Night Live – NBC Ziwe – Showtime
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN NEWS AND INFORMATION
Allen v. Farrow – HBO City So Real – NatGeo Framing Britney Spears – FX/FX On Hulu Frontline – PBS I’ll Be Gone in the Dark – HBO Oprah with Meghan and Harry: A CBS Primetime Special – CBS The Rachel Maddow Show – MSNBC 60 Minutes – CBS
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN REALITY
Couples Therapy – Showtime Deaf U – Netflix The Great Pottery Throw Down – HBO Max Legendary – HBO Max Nailed It! Double Trouble – Netflix The Real World Homecoming: New York – Paramount+ Taste the Nation – Hulu Top Chef: Portland – Bravo
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN YOUTH PROGRAMMING
The Baby-Sitters Club – Netflix Bluey – Disney Jr. Donkey Hodie – PBS Kids Emily’s Wonder Lab – Netflix Odd Squad – PBS Kids Sesame Street – HBO Waffles + Mochi – Netflix Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum – PBS Kids
The first teaser trailer to 50 Cent‘s new Starz drama BMF has been released.
Inspired by the Black Mafia Family — also known as the B.M.F. — the new series will premiere on Sunday, September 26, at 9 p.m. ET. It will then move to its regular time slot at 8 p.m. ET. on Sunday, October 3. As previously reported, BMF follows the real-life story of brothers Demetrius “Big Meech” Flenory and Terry “Southwest T” Flenory, who “rose from the decaying streets of southwest Detroit in the late 1980s and gave birth to one of the most influential crime families in the country.” The series stars Demetrius “Lil Meech” Flenory Jr., Russell Hornsby, Snoop Dogg, La La Anthony and Serayah, among others.
In other news, Grammy Award-winning producer and artist DJ Khaled has been tapped to join the celebrity judging panel for season two of TBS’ Go-Big Show. He joins Rosario Dawson, Jennifer Nettles and Cody Rhodes on the panel. The extreme talent-competition series, hosted by Bert Kreischer, features “some of the most extreme and death defying acts from around the country” as they battle to impress the judges and advance toward the finale’s ultimate $100,000 prize. Production on season two of Go-Big Show begins in August.
Finally, Hulu’s Wu-Tang: An American Saga has set their season-two premiere date. The new season will launch on September 8 with three new episodes, followed by an additional episode every Wednesday. Created and written by Wu-Tang Clan leader RZA, the series follows the group’s formation and examines how Bobby Diggs, better known as RZA, took his vision for the group and made it a success. Wu-Tang: An American Saga stars Shameik Moore, Ashton Sanders, Erika Alexanderand Joey Bada$$, among others.
Stand-up comic and actor Gabriel Iglesiastook to social media to tell fans that although he’s been vaccinated, he tested positive for COVID-19.
In a video post accompany a message that reads “Announcement I didn’t want to make on my bday,” Iglesias, known to his fans as Fluffy, said, “I made sure I that I got tested by two different types of tests,” adding he has started to show some signs of symptoms, including body aches and chills.
“Other than that, I feel pretty good. I give credit to being vaccinated for getting me through this,” he said, in a voice more muted than usual.
The comic noted that he has to isolate, forcing him to cancel his five remaining shows at the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts in San Antonio, and explained that he will “go back to work” when he gets three negative tests. Tickets will be refunded, the venue has announced.
“It’s not the way I wanted to spend my birthday, but I’m alive, and I have cake. I can’t taste it or smell it, but I have it,” Iglesias quipped, adding, “Wish me luck,” before thanking his fans.
Iglesias can currently be heard in the Disney+ show Monsters at Work.
Robert Downey Jr. will appear in a small-screen project for the first time since his short stint on Saturday Night Live, playing multiple characters in an HBO series adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize-winning book The Sympathizer.
Viet Thanh Nguyen‘s book centers on a half-French, half-Vietnamese communist double agent during the final days of the Vietnam War and afterward, after he settles in the United States.
Deadline, which broke the news, says legendary Oldboy director Park Chan-wook will direct the series. The project will be produced by Team Downey, the company that the Marvel movie veteran runs with his wife, producer Susan Downey.
According to the trade, Downey Jr. will play several characters, including an American congressman, a CIA agent and a Hollywood director. In a statement, Downey said, “Adapting Mr. Nguyen’s important and masterful work requires a visionary team. With…Park at the helm, I expect this to be a creative producing adventure for Susan, me and Team Downey, and a stimulating process for myself in playing these complex supporting roles.”
The series will reportedly feature a predominantly Southeast Asian cast.
Iliza Shlesinger‘s new movie, Good on Paper, is not only based on her real-life dating horror story — it’s also a commentary on women being vilified for having standards.
In the Netflix comedy, Iliza’s character, Andrea Singer, meets a seemingly decent man that she’s neither physically nor sexually attracted to, but she succumbs to the pressure to “give him a chance.” She learns soon after their relationship is built on a web of his lies.
Shlesinger tells ABC Audio that society frowns upon women who turn down prospective suitors.
“It’s easy to vilify women because our voices have been so underrepresented… It’s easy to make us into the enemy,” she said. “Women are supposed to be grateful and we’re supposed to just like whatever we’re given.”
Shlesinger continued, “Only in our society do we say to women, ‘Give him a chance, he’s nice to you.’ You never hear a mother say to her son, ‘Give this hideous girl a chance. I know you find her repulsive, but if you could just put your mouth on hers…’ It’s a power dynamic.”
The stand-up comic also delved into why women are sometimes deemed “picky.”
“It’s code for — God forbid — a woman knows what she wants. It’s just an attempt to make women doubt themselves,” Shlesinger expressed, noting that cultural mentality emphasizes the so-called “societal shelf-life women are told that they have.”
Good on Paper is a prime example of Shlesinger’s comedy, which tackles hot-button relationship issues while conducting “some real sociological digging.”
“I believe whatever you go through, you can make fun of,” she explained. “It all comes from an analytical place. But, more importantly, it comes from a funny place because — if it’s not funny, it’s just a TED talk.”
(NOTE LANGUAGE) Chrissy Teigen is offering up her honest thoughts about being cancelled. The media personality fell from grace after it was discovered she sent messages urging a then-teenaged Courtney Stodden to kill themselves.
The Cravings author released an extensive apology last month, but the fallout continued with Teigen losing endorsement deals, television opportunities and — overall — saw her brand tarnished.
Since then, the former model remained silent on social media, but on Wednesday, she addressed fans for the first time on Instagram and discussed what she’s learned in “Cancel club.”
“I don’t really know what to say here,” Teigen began, “just feels so weird to pretend nothing happened in this online world but feel like utter s*** in real life. Going outside sucks and doesn’t feel right, being at home alone with my mind makes my depressed head race.”
“I feel lost and need to find my place again, I need to snap out of this,” she continued. “I desperately wanna communicate with you guys instead of pretending everything is okay.”
Teigen, who is the wife of singer John Legend, added, “Cancel club is a fascinating thing and I have learned a [whole] lot.” She said the important takeaway is that she fully understands she had “clearly done something wrong.”
“It just sucks. There is no winning,” the Bring the Funny alum admitted. “I just needed an honest moment with you because I’m just…tired of being sick with myself all day. I don’t even know if it’s good to say any of this.”
Expressing concern that her latest admission will be “brutally picked apart,” Teigen said she can no longer remain silent.
She concluded, “If you or someone you know has also been cancelled please let me know if there is a cancel club reunion because I could use some time off my couch!”
