‘Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings’ star Simi Liu gets revenge on young critic: “I’m Shang-Chi b****!”

‘Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings’ star Simi Liu gets revenge on young critic: “I’m Shang-Chi b****!”
‘Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings’ star Simi Liu gets revenge on young critic: “I’m Shang-Chi b****!”
Will Heath/NBC

First-time Saturday Night Live host Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings‘ Simi Liu used his monologue to tout being “the show’s “first Chinese host on ‘SNL’…to be the fourth Chinese host,” and get a sweet revenge on a precocious young Marvel fan.

“I actually had a job dressing up as Spider-Man for kids’ birthday parties,” Liu recalled. “I’ll never forget this one birthday boy. His name was Trevor, and…let’s just say he was a real Trevor — kicking my shins and screaming, ‘You’re not Spider-Man!'”

“It will break your spirit, he continued. “But it also lit a fire under me. And I don’t know where he is now, but Trevor, if you’re watching, I just want to say you were right. I’m not Spider-Man. I’m Shang-Chi, b****.”

The show’s cold open featured Celily Strong‘s Jeanine Pirro praising recently acquitted Kyle Rittenhouse for “doing the bravest thing any American can do: protecting an empty used-car lot in someone else’s town.” 

Liu and SNL‘s Bowen Yang touted their various achievements such as “the first gay Asian cast member to mispronounce ‘boutique’” and “the first Asian man to deadpan on Splash Mountain.”

Elsewhere, Liu and cast member Ego Nwodim played contestants on “Republican or Not,” a game show hosted by Kenan Thompson that challenged them to to correctly guess the political leanings of various individuals based on deceptively simple statements.

parody of Target holiday adds featuring depictions of Thanksgiving dinner guests, from “your niece’s annoying new boyfriend” to “the uncle who takes the [backyard football] game too seriously.”

Staten Island native Pete Davidson was joined by Wu-Tang Clan‘s Method ManBig Wet and Mark Cohn for a parody of Cohn’s “Walking in Memphis, titled “Walking in Staten.”

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

American Music Awards 2021: The complete winners list

American Music Awards 2021: The complete winners list
American Music Awards 2021: The complete winners list
ABC

BTSMegan Thee Stallion and Doja Cat practically swept every category they were nominated in at the 2021 American Music Awards, hosted by Cardi B.  The celebration took place at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday night.

The voting power of BTS’ fans — the ARMY — went unmatched after the K-pop act dominated their respective categories: artist of the year, favorite pop song and favorite pop duo or group.

Doja took home three awards: collaboration of the year for “Kiss Me More ft. SZA,” favorite female R&B artist and favorite R&B album for Planet Her.

Meg also had a great night, despite pulling out of the show last minute for an undisclosed matter.  Her hotties secured her favorite trending song for “Body,” favorite female hip-hop artist and, for her debut Good News, favorite hip-hop album.

Taylor Swift, who also sat out this year’s award show, collected two trophies for favorite female pop artist and favorite pop album for evermore.

As for Olivia Rodrigo, who held the most nominations of the night, she excitedly accepted the trophy for new artist of the year.

Here’s the complete list of winners from this year’s ceremony:

ARTIST OF THE YEAR
BTS

NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Olivia Rodrigo

COLLABORATION OF THE YEAR
Doja Cat ft. SZA, “Kiss Me More”

FAVORITE TRENDING SONG
Megan Thee Stallion, “Body”

FAVORITE MUSIC VIDEO
Lil Nas X, “MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)”

FAVORITE MALE POP ARTIST
Ed Sheeran

FAVORITE FEMALE POP ARTIST
Taylor Swift

FAVORITE POP DUO OR GROUP
BTS

FAVORITE POP ALBUM
Taylor Swift, evermore

FAVORITE POP SONG
BTS, “Butter”

FAVORITE MALE COUNTRY ARTIST
Luke Bryan

FAVORITE FEMALE COUNTRY ARTIST
Carrie Underwood

FAVORITE COUNTRY DUO OR GROUP
Dan + Shay

FAVORITE COUNTRY ALBUM
Gabby Barrett, Goldmine

FAVORITE COUNTRY SONG
Gabby Barrett, “The Good Ones”

FAVORITE MALE HIP-HOP ARTIST
Drake

FAVORITE FEMALE HIP-HOP ARTIST
Megan Thee Stallion

FAVORITE HIP-HOP ALBUM
Megan Thee Stallion, Good News

FAVORITE HIP-HOP SONG
Cardi B, “Up”

FAVORITE MALE R&B ARTIST
The Weeknd

FAVORITE FEMALE R&B ARTIST
Doja Cat

FAVORITE R&B ALBUM
Doja Cat, Planet Her

FAVORITE R&B SONG
Silk Sonic (Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak), “Leave The Door Open”

FAVORITE MALE LATIN ARTIST
Bad Bunny

FAVORITE FEMALE LATIN ARTIST
Becky G

FAVORITE LATIN DUO OR GROUP
Banda MS de Sergio Lizárraga

FAVORITE LATIN ALBUM
Bad Bunny, EL ÚLTIMO TOUR DEL MUNDO

FAVORITE LATIN SONG
Kali Uchis, “telepatía”

FAVORITE ROCK ARTIST
Machine Gun Kelly

FAVORITE INSPIRATIONAL ARTIST
Carrie Underwood

FAVORITE GOSPEL ARTIST
Kanye West

FAVORITE DANCE/ELECTRONIC ARTIST
Marshmello

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

‘Ghostbusters: Afterlife’ scares up $4.5 million in Thursday night sneaks; scores 95% with audiences

‘Ghostbusters: Afterlife’ scares up .5 million in Thursday night sneaks; scores 95% with audiences
‘Ghostbusters: Afterlife’ scares up .5 million in Thursday night sneaks; scores 95% with audiences
Sony Pictures

Ghostbusters: Afterlife hit theaters starting Thursday evening, and the film is off to a strong start, scaring up $4.5 million from preview audiences. 

According to Deadline, that’s better than Sony Pictures had predicted. 

Moreover, the film, which is a true sequel to 1989’s Ghostbusters 2, is resonating with audiences, with a Rotten Tomatoes score of 95%. 

The comedy reunites the first two films’ original cast, save for Rick Moranis and the late Harold Ramis, who died in 2015; however, series co-star and co-creator Ramis’ memory lingers long over the new movie. In Afterlife, the grandkids of Harold’s character, Dr. Egon Spengler — played by Mckenna Grace and Finn Wolfhard — take up the family ghostbusting business.

Getting the cast together was key for fans — and important for Ernie Hudson, who reprises his role as Winston Zeddemore. Back in January, he told ABC Audio that he felt “blessed” to be back.

As he explained, “For me to be able to come in, work with a new cast, but also to be together with Bill Murray and Dan AykroydSigourney Weaver and Annie Potts, and realize that it’s been 35 years, but we’re all still doing what we love to do, yeah…I really feel blessed to have been a part of this franchise and what it means to people.”  

 

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Aniston hug it out to mark ‘The Morning Show”s second season finale

Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Aniston hug it out to mark ‘The Morning Show”s second season finale
Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Aniston hug it out to mark ‘The Morning Show”s second season finale
Apple TV+

The second season of the Emmy-nominated Apple TV+ series The Morning Show wrapped on Thursday, and to mark the finale, its producers/stars Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Aniston dropped some set shots. 

The pair posted photos from the day they wrapped the season, to commemorate the sophomore season’s end. 

“Goodbye for now to my @themorningshow family,” Aniston captioned her pics. “We made it. Crawled to the finish line…and I could not be prouder of each and every one of these extraordinary actors, a crew that you can only dream of, and directors that held my hand on quite a wild journey of emotions.”

She added, “Thank you guys for being part of the ride. That’s a wrap, baby!”

For her part, Reese captioned her pics in part, “Can’t believe tonight is already the FINALE!! So much gratitude to EVERY member of our cast & amazing crew for making all the magic happen!”

 

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Halle Berry becomes an “Icon,” King Richard opens, and more

Halle Berry becomes an “Icon,” King Richard opens, and more
Halle Berry becomes an “Icon,” King Richard opens, and more
Adrienne Raquel

Oscar winner Halle Berry is receiving another special honor, the People’s Icon award at the 2021 People’s Choice Awards. Cardi B, who co-executive produced the soundtrack of Halle’s new film, Bruised, will present the award.

“Halle Berry has broken down barriers, directed and starred in diverse roles that have paved the way for others in the industry,” says Jen Neal, executive vice president of NBCUniversal Entertainment Television. “In addition to her filmography accolades and trendsetting ethos, Berry is known for her philanthropic work with women, children and underserved communities. She is an icon of our time and for all these reasons and more, we are honored to present her with ‘The People’s Icon’ award.”

Bruised, which stars Halle and marks her directorial debut, is now in select theaters and arrives on Netflix November 24. The 2021 People’s Choice Awards will air on both NBC and E! on Tuesday, December 7 at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

In other news, King Richard, the film story of how Richard Williams groomed his daughters Venus and Serena to become tennis superstars, opens in theaters and streams on HBO Max on Friday. Serena has become the more famous sister, but she tells Entertainment Weekly her older sibling deserves credit for her success.

“There would be no Serena if there wasn’t a Venus,” Serena declares. “She was my hero and she still is my hero. She’ll do something and I’m like, ‘I’m doing that, too.'”

Lastly, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ceremony featuring honorees Jay-Z, LL Cool J and Tina Turner, airs Saturday at 8 p.m. ET on HBO and HBO Max. Then on Sunday, the second season of Starz’ Power Book II: Ghost, starring Michael Rainey Jr. and Mary J. Blige, debuts at 8 p.m. ET/ 7 p.m. Central.

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Ryan Reynolds on “bait” headline about him wanting to be James Bond: “I was not even remotely serious”

Ryan Reynolds on “bait” headline about him wanting to be James Bond: “I was not even remotely serious”
Ryan Reynolds on “bait” headline about him wanting to be James Bond: “I was not even remotely serious”
Netflix

Well, it was fun while it lasted.

Ryan Reynolds has thrown cold water on a headline in U.K. newspaper The Times of London that he wanted to play James Bond. 

“I hear they’re looking for a new Bond. Could you accept a Canadian sipping gin and tonic instead of a martini? If so, I’m interested,” said the film star and Aviation American Gin owner in the article

The Times ran with the headline that Deadpool wanted to slip into Daniel Craig‘s tux, but hours later, Reynolds took to social media to say not so fast. Or, as he responded on Twitter to a fan who endorsed the idea, “No no no.”

“I promise you I was not even remotely serious here,” Reynolds replied to The Times‘ tweet, adding the Mad Max: Fury Road GIF of Tom Hardy saying, “That’s bait.”

Well, at least that Reynolds fan can take comfort in watching Ryan in a James Bondian adventure, his latest film, Red Notice, on Netflix.

 

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Discovery+ launching documentary series ‘Johnny vs. Amber’

Discovery+ launching documentary series ‘Johnny vs. Amber’
Discovery+ launching documentary series ‘Johnny vs. Amber’
John Shearer/WireImage

Discovery has announced its creating a documentary series about one of Hollywood’s messiest divorces.

Johnny vs. Amber is a two-part series about the mega-hyped relationship, and eventual acrimonious split, of Johnny Depp and Amber Heard.

Each episode of the two-show series will see the situation from both sides. “Depp’s film will portray that he found himself married to a Machiavellian liar who would stop at nothing to protect her image,” Discovery says, “While Heard’s film explores how she married the man of her dreams only to see him turn into a violent drug-fuelled monster.”

The series will feature footage from the lawyers involved in the divorce, from people close to the pair, and from Depp and Heard’s own text exchanges. Viewers will also “examine extensive footage and audio recordings filmed by the couple themselves.”

Depp and Heard met on the set of 2011’s The Rum Diary, and married in Los Angeles in February 2015. They split a year later, and their divorce saw each star leveling abuse charges against each other.

Johnny vs. Amber will be available to watch on Discovery+ later this year.

Clare Laycock, head of entertainment at Discovery, said in a statement, “The series provides an in-depth insight into the epic battle that powered #JusticeforJohnnyDepp and #IStandWithYouAmberHeard fan campaigns and the very public High Court case that gripped us all.” 

Laycock called it a, “multi-layered story into something both engrossing and horrifying.”

 

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Weekend Watchlist: What’s new on streaming

Weekend Watchlist: What’s new on streaming
Weekend Watchlist: What’s new on streaming
“Tiger King 2” — Netflix

Ready, set, binge! Here are some of the new titles available to stream this weekend:

Netflix
Tiger King (Season 2): Learn new secrets and revelations about America’s most notorious big cat owners when the hit show Tiger King continues with its second season.

Tick, Tick…Boom!Lin-Manuel Miranda makes his directorial debut with his adaptation of tick, tick…BOOM!, an autobiographical musical about Jonathon Larson, the creator of Rent.

Cowboy BebopBased on the beloved anime, watch the new series Cowboy Bebop about bounty hunters outrunning the solar system’s most dangerous criminals.

Hulu
The Great (Season 2): Find out what happens when Catherine finally takes the Russian throne for her own in the second season of The Great.

HBOMax
King Richard: Experience the life of tennis patriarch Richard Williams in the new film about the man who raised two of the most gifted athletes of all time: Venus and Serena Williams.

The Sex Lives of College Girls: Follow four roommates as they live out their hormone-fueled lives in this new comedy series from Mindy Kaling.

Amazon Prime Video
The Wheel of Time: The fantasy series is based on the wildly popular novels by Robert Jordan.

Apple TV+
The Line: This four-part docuseries examines the case of U.S. Navy SEAL Eddie Gallagher, who “stood accused by his own platoon in the biggest war crimes trial in a generation.” 

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Scarlett Johansson’s back in the Marvel Studios family with “top secret” project following ‘Black Widow’ suit

Scarlett Johansson’s back in the Marvel Studios family with “top secret” project following ‘Black Widow’ suit
Scarlett Johansson’s back in the Marvel Studios family with “top secret” project following ‘Black Widow’ suit
ABC

It appears that Scarlett Johansson‘s post-lawsuit settlement statement about ABC’s parent company Disney wasn’t just the standard Hollywood make-nice.

At Thursday night’s star-packed American Cinematheque tribute to the actress at the Beverly Hilton, Marvel Studios head Kevin Feige revealed that Johansson is working on “another non-Black Widow-related top-secret Marvel Studios project with her as a producer.”

As previously reported, Johansson sued Marvel Studios’ parent company Disney over the decision to simultaneously release Black Widow on Disney+ and in theaters. She alleged the decision cut into the movie’s box office earnings potential, and therefore her bottom line as a producer. When the case was settled in September, ScarJo had said she was looking forward to “continuing our collaboration in years to come.”

On the red carpet Thursday evening, Johansson reflected to The Hollywood Reporter about the “surreal,” situation. “I feel mostly very fortunate that nobody will have to go through what I went through and that it’s made…a positive impact in the industry and hopefully for artists and creatives’ lives and livelihood,” she said.

At the event, Johansson was feted by many of her Marvel movie co-stars and director Jon Favreau, who praised her work ethic after he cast her in the Black Widow role. Jamie Lee Curtis and Scarlett’s twin brother, Hunter, also heaped on the love.

Chris Evans noted he’s known Scarlett for 20 years, saying she’s like his older sister, “even though I am technically older.”

He joked, “…there’s just no one else in the world that I would rather annoy. I don’t know what it is…I see her focusing trying to think about the day and I just want to start singing show tunes six inches from her face. I can’t help myself.”

 

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

From ‘Hawkeye’, to ‘Home Alone’, to ‘The Santa Clause’, Disney+ unwraps seasonal slate for the holidays

From ‘Hawkeye’, to ‘Home Alone’, to ‘The Santa Clause’, Disney+ unwraps seasonal slate for the holidays
From ‘Hawkeye’, to ‘Home Alone’, to ‘The Santa Clause’, Disney+ unwraps seasonal slate for the holidays
Marvel Studios

The days are getting shorter, but luckily as we head into the holidays, Disney+ already has a full slate of seasonal goodies for you to unwrap on those cold winter nights.

Have a movie night with friends and family with the newly released Home Sweet Home Alone, starring Archie YatesEllie KemperRob Delaney, and Aisling Bea, or spend a weekend binge watching all of The Simpsons’ Christmas specials.

Marvel Studios’ latest show Hawkeye debuts on November 24, with a decidedly “Christmas in New York” settling. Classics such as The Nightmare Before ChristmasHome Alone and The Santa Clause are also available to watch on Disney+, and there are even holiday-themed episodes of throwback shows like Kim Possible and Even Stevens to check out this season.

Disney is the parent company of ABC News.

Here’s the full list:

Movies and specials

‘Twas the Night
12 Dates of Christmas
A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa — premiering Nov. 19
Babes in Toyland
Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas
Christmas…Again?! — premiering Dec. 3
Cloud 9
Cool Runnings
Decorating Disney Holiday Magic’
Disney’s A Christmas Carol (2009)
Disney Channel Holiday House Party
Disney Channel’s Epic Holiday Showdown
Disney’s Fairytale Weddings: Holiday Magic
Duck the Halls: A Mickey Mouse Christmas Special — premiering Nov. 26
Ernest Saves Christmas — premiering Nov. 26
Frozen
Frozen 2
Full-Court Miracle
Good Luck Charlie: It’s Christmas!
High School Musical: The Musical: The Holiday Special
Home Alone
Home Alone 2
Home Alone 3
Home Alone 4 — premiering Dec. 17
Home Alone: The Holiday Heist — premiering Dec. 17
I’ll Be Home For Christmas
Ice Age — premiering Dec. 3
Ice Age: A Mammoth Christmas — premiering Nov. 26
Jingle All The Way
Jingle All The Way 2
Life Size 2
Mickey & Minnie Wish Upon a Christmas — premiering Dec. 10
Mickey’s Christmas Carol
Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas
Mickey’s Twice Upon a Christmas
Richie Rich’s Christmas Wish
Santa Buddies: The Legend of the Santa Paws
Santa Paws 2: The Santa Pups
Snow Buddies
Snowball Express
Snowglobe
The Christmas Star
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
The Disney Holiday Singalong
The Mistle-Tones
The Muppet Christmas Carol
The Nutcracker and the Four Realms
The Santa Clause
The Santa Clause 2
The Santa Clause 3
The Search for Santa Paws
The Ultimate Christmas Present
Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas
Togo
Toy Story: That Time Forgot
While You Were Sleeping
Winnie The Pooh: A Very Merry Pooh Year

Disney+ Originals premiering during the holiday season

Hawkeye — premiering Nov. 24
Arendelle Castle Yule Log: Cut Paper Edition — premiering Dec. 17
Godmothered
High School Musical: The Musical: The Holiday Special
Home Sweet Home Alone
LEGO Star Wars Holiday Special
Noelle
Once Upon a Snowman
Arendelle Castle Yule Log

Duck the Halls: A Mickey Mouse Christmas Special
From Our Family to Yours
Olaf’s Frozen Adventure
Once Upon a Snowman
Pluto’s Christmas Tree
Prep & Landing
Prep & Landing: Naughty vs. Nice
Prep & Landing: Operation Secret Santa
Puppy for Hanukkah — premiering Nov. 19
Santa’s Workshop
The Small One

The Simpsons Christmas episodes

“Bobby, It’s Cold Outside”
“Grift of the Magi”
“Holidays of Future Passed”
“I Won’t Be Home for Christmas”
“Kill Gil, Volumes I & II”
“Marge Be Not Proud”
“Miracle on Evergreen Terrace”
“She of Little Faith”
Simpsons Christmas Stories”
“Simpsons Roasting On An Open Fire”
“Skinner’s Sense of Snow”
“The Burns and the Bees”
“The Fight Before Christmas”
“The Nightmare After Krustmas”
‘”Tis the 30th Season”
“‘Tis The Fifteenth Season”
“White Christmas Blues”

 

 

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.