Entertainment

24 veteran Elisha Cuthbert plays a mom who loses her teen daughter to the mysteries of the basement of a supernatural old Irish mansion in the new thriller The Cellar.

Based on writer-director Brendan Muldowney‘s award-winning short The Ten Steps, the film hits theaters and starts streaming on the Shudder app today.

Cuthbert’s character handles marketing for social media influencer teenagers, but as the film begins, it’s apparent that she’s disconnected from her own daughter, Ellie.

“[My character lives] sort of this distracted lifestyle that we’re all so used to now, and…sort of losing sight of your children sometimes,” Elisha explains. “And so when you see my character…and her daughter at the start of the film…it’s a sort of very tumultuous relationship…which makes…losing her even more difficult.”

The film was shot in an actual creepy mansion in Roscommon, Ireland. “It ended up becoming another character in the film,” the actress notes.

“Being at the same location really felt like it had its own presence in the film. That is undeniable,” she teases.

Speaking of scary, ABC Audio wanted to know what Elisha thought about her former co-star Paul Dano, from 2004’s The Girl Next Door, and his freaking out fans and critics in The Batman.

“To see him play the Riddler, I mean, his career has just been so stellar, and yeah, he’s a brilliant actor,” Elisha says.

She adds, “And even when we were doing The Girl Next Door, I mean, he was so charming and so fun to work with. All those guys were. That movie was such a great experience…and it’s one of those sort of cult things now. But yeah, love Paul!”

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Netflix has scooped up the rights to the action comedy The Man from Toronto, starring Kevin Hart and Woody Harrelson. The Sony Pictures film, which also stars Kaley Cuoco and Ellen Barkin, has Harrelson’s titular master assassin mistaken for Hart in an Airbnb mix-up. Deadline reports that the film was supposed to hit theaters on August 12, but will now debut on the streaming service later this year…

Who is Michael Davies? That’s the answer to the question, “Who will be the next executive producer of Jeopardy!?” Davies posted a message Thursday to confirm he’s taking the place of Mike Richards, whose short stint as host last year was derailed by controversial blog posts he’d made. “I am both honored and humbled by the faith the studio and the staff have put in me,” Davies said in part, and he thanked “everyone in the Jeopardy! community for your phenomenal support.” Davies is a veteran of unscripted shows, including Bravo’s Watch What Happens Live…

Oscar winner Susan Sarandon has joined the cast of the Warner Bros. DC Comics adaptation Blue Beetle. According to The Wrap, Sarandon will play Victoria Kord, a villainous new character developed for the movie; the publication noted that Sharon Stone was once in talks for the part. Cobra Kai star Xolo Maridueña will star as Jamie Reyes, aka the hero Blue Beetle. He’ll be the first lead Latino actor in a DC property when the film comes out in August of 2023…

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Out today, on The Roku Channel, Swimming with Sharks — starring Diane Kruger and Kiernan Shipka — is a drama about the dark side of Hollywood and how an assistant flips the script on an abusive boss. They say art often imitates real life, so just how accurate is the show’s depiction of Hollywood?

“Look, it’s like the Devil Wears Prada, you know, Meryl Streep‘s character is so terrible. But is everybody in the fashion world like that? No. So is everyone in Hollywood like Joyce Holt? No. Right? But is she the most fun to play and watch on TV? Probably,” says Kruger. “Do we really want to see a show about the nicest producer out there? I don’t think so.”

Unlike the original 1994 film, which Kruger admittedly did not watch, this new version is female-led, which is what drew her to the role.

“I think what’s unique about the show and what drew me to it is that now it’s 2022 and we’re women in these positions of power finally, right, to a certain extent anyways. And what that means for us, you know, in terms of wanting it all, wanting a family, wanting a happy home life…how to navigate our newfound power,” the actress explains.

Overall, Hollywood has made strides in the almost 30 years since the original SWS, which is something Shipka has noticed as well.

“The truth is that I’ve always been very protected and really kind of lucky in the circumstances that I’ve been in growing up and working in this town. But I think things are absolutely changing and absolutely improving,” she shares. “And I think, if anything, more things are just being talked about now and addressed.”

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John Travolta shared an Instagram tribute to his late son Jett to mark what would’ve been his 30th birthday on April 13.

“My dearest Jetty, I miss you more than words can say,” John wrote, alongside a photograph of him and Jett. “I think about you everyday. Happy Birthday. Love, your Dad.”

Jett died in January 2009 at the age of 16 after suffering a seizure at the family’s vacation home in the Bahamas. John Travolta’s attorney at the time said Jett “had seizures in the past.”

John and late wife Kelly Preston‘s second child, Ella, 22, commented on her father’s tribute, “Happy Birthday Jetty, we love you so much.” Travolta’s post was also flooded with love and support from friends and fans.

John often shares tributes to Jett and discusses his impact during interviews.

During a 2021 appearance on Hart to Heart, Kevin Hart‘s talk show, the Grease actor discussed how he has spoken about death with his youngest child, 11-year-old Benjamin.

“He said to me once, ‘Because mom passed away, I’m afraid you’re going to,'” the actor recalled about Benjamin to Hart. “I said, ‘Well, it’s a very different thing.’ And I went through the differences about my longevity and her limited life.”

He said he then told his youngest, “You know, Ben, you always love the truth, and I’m gonna tell you the truth about life. Nobody knows when they’re gonna go or when they’re gonna stay…your brother left at 16 — too young. Your mother left at 57 — that was too young. But who’s to say?”

John concluded by telling Ben, “So let’s look at life…it’s part of life, you see? You don’t know exactly. You just do your best at trying to live the longest you can.”

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Following her split from her second husband, Karl Cook, Kaley Cuoco is done walking down the aisle.

The Flight Attendant Emmy nominee and former The Big Bang Theory star tells Glamour plainly, “I will never get married again,” once her divorce to Cook is finalized.

She added, for effect, “Absolutely not. You can literally put that on the cover.”

Incidentally, the magazine didn’t, choosing instead for a stunning cover shot of the actress, with the headline “Kaley Cuoco Isn’t Holding Back.”

Kaley explains, “I would love to have a long-lasting relationship or a partnership,” but says a third marriage is out of the question.

The actress was hitched to Cook in June of 2018. She filed for divorce in Los Angeles Superior Court in September of last year.

Kaley was previously married to tennis player Ryan Sweeting from 2013 to 2016.

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— Georgia State University will present Chris “Ludacris” Bridges with an honorary Bachelor of Science in Music Management degree on May 4. Ludacris took classes at Georgia State in the early 90s before signing with Def Jam Records.

“We are proud that Chris Bridges got his start at Georgia State,” said University President M. Brian Blake. “He has gone on to become a cultural and philanthropic icon, representing Atlanta and giving back in many ways.”

The “Stand Up” rapper will be honored for his contributions as a mentor to students of the university’s Creative Media Industries Institute.

“Georgia State helped me get my start and I am so honored and excited to share this milestone with the world,” Ludacris said. 

— Taraji P. Henson will serve as the commencement speaker for the 2022 graduating class at her alma mater, Howard University. The HBCU announced the news on Thursday, sharing the sentiment that they are excited to welcome Henson “back home.” 

“Ms. Henson exemplifies the University tenets of excellence in truth and service,” reads a university statement. “We could not be more excited to have her join us in celebrating the graduating Class of 2022.”

The award-winning actress is a 1995 graduate of what is now Howard University’s Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts.

“Returning to Howard always feels like coming home, and I cannot wait to share this incredible moment with Howard students as they prepare to take the next step in their journeys to success,” Henson said.

— Cardi B made her return to social media this week, most likely because of her new song dropping on Friday.

As previously reported, the rapper deactivated her Twitter and Instagram accounts after an intense back-and-forth with fans, who were upset that she didn’t attend the 2022 Grammy Awards.

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Ryan Reynolds did something special for his pal, and Wrexham Football Club co-chair, Rob McElhenney‘s birthday Thursday: He dedicated a stadium urinal to him.

On a short video shot in one of the loos at the historic Racecourse Ground in Wales, where teams have played footy since 1877, Reynolds waited for someone to emerge from a stall — without washing his hands, the Deadpool star noticed — to officially snip a very tiny ribbon over the urinal.

The fixture had been marked off with a small brass plaque, on which the Always Sunny and Mythic Quest co-creator’s face had been etched.

“With love from Wrexham AFC, Paid for by Ryan Reynolds,” a close-up on the plaque reveals.

Popping a bottle of champagne, the notorious prankster smiles, “Congratulations, Rob.”

The pair’s adventure in buying the club will be seen on the FX reality show Welcome to Wrexham later this year.

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Fans of the Canadian comedy troupe The Kids in the Hall had a long time to wait, but the boys are back for a long-anticipated season 6.

“Sorry it took 27 years,” cast member Scott Thompson posted on Twitter.

Dave Foley, Kevin McDonald, Bruce McCulloch, Mark McKinney and Thompson appear in a new NSFW trailer to the forthcoming series, bound for Amazon Prime.

The coming attraction begins with the troupe literally being exhumed from a mass grave, with a tombstone marking their old show’s final resting place since 1995. “Guys, I knew we should have cryogenically frozen our bodies!” McCulloch gripes.

“The curse is over and the Kids are back,” notes McKinney, playing a television exec in another scene.

“Who’s financing this time?” Foley asks, “The Devil again?

“Well, sort of,” McKinney intones. “Amazon.”

Foley, again in character, notes the execs are seeking, “a funny show, but one that’s free from targets, topical topics, alarming edginess or unsettling settings” — all of which are featured in the trailer.

The new season of The Kids in the Hall debuts May 13 on Amazon Prime.

(Video contains uncensored profanity.)

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Brooke Burke, who hosted Dancing with the Stars from 2010-2013, seems to think the show has lost its way, and she appears to lay some of the blame for that at current host Tyra Banks‘ size 12 heel-wearing feet.

During a video chat with the Behind the Velvet Rope podcast, Burke explained, “It’s tough. It’s a live show. And I know those live tapings are a struggle, you know, behind the scenes.”

She adds of Banks, “You know, she’s a diva. And everybody knows that she’s a diva. There’s nothing wrong with that. And…I’m not saying anything bad about her. Be a diva. It’s not the place to be a diva.”

Burke continues, “You know, your pros are the diva. Your winner. Your perfect-10 score dancer who’s never done it. That defines diva in the ballroom. So, you know, I just think it wasn’t embraced.”

Saying Banks is “great in a shining role,” Burke backhands, “You are just not the star as the host. Like, it is just not about you as the host. Right?”

Tyra succeeded longtime hosts Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews as both emcee and executive producer of the long-running show in 2010, for season 29. Of that, Brooke commented, “I think it was a tough transition.”

It was recently announced that DWTS was moving to Disney+ for seasons 31 and 32, beginning this fall.

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Jersey Shore‘s Angelina Pivarnick says she isn’t doing well amid her split from Chris Larangeira.

In an Instagram Story, the reality star shared video of herself in a hospital bed, and wrote, “In the hospital. Please whomever [sic] is calling me and texting me to respond. I’m not doing well at all.”

“I need to get better. My health comes before everything,” she added.

In a later Story Angelina explained, “My immune systems [sic] been super low from all the stress I’ve endured the past couple of months. I wish this pain on no one in this entire world. I hope this too shall pass and I hope brighter days are ahead of me. Stress is definitely a killer.”

Although the MTV star is admittedly going through a rough time at the moment, she shared that she’s leaning on her faith to get her through.

“God has me that’s all that matters. There’s a light at the end of the tunnel. Soon enough I will see the light. i’m just waiting to see it,” Angelina expressed.

“I have been keeping prayers and god closer than ever and i know he’s got big plans for me. I love you god, she added, along with an animated emoji that read: “God keeps every promise.”

Angelina, 35, and Chris, 42, wed in November 2019. Angelina filed for divorce in January 2021 but the case was dismissed eight months later after they reconciled. Most recently, Chris filed to divorce in January of this year.

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