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In Brief: Keanu may do dark comedy ‘Outcome’, and more

April 6, 2023 by WDNY Radio

Showtime has canceled comedian Ziwe Fumudoh‘s late-night talk show, Ziwe, after two seasons and given a six-episode series order to Mandy Patinkin’s Seasoned, according to Variety. Ziwe featured interviews, musical numbers and sketches. Season 2 guests included Drew Barrymore, Blake Griffin and Emily Ratajkowski. Seasoned, featuring Patinkin and his wife Kathryn Grody, is based on the couple’s off-screen relationship. It follows “the delightfully tumultuous relationship and life of a successful, gregarious, deeply committed, slightly insane married couple played by Patinkin and Grody,” per the outlet, which also reports Angela Bassett and Courtney B. Vance’s upcoming Heist 88 has been moved from Paramount+ to Showtime…

Hulu on Wednesday dropped the trailer for season 2 of Taste the Nation with Padma Lakshmi. The show features the Top Chef host hitting the road to visit and cook with chefs in immigrant communities across the U.S.A. Per the streamer, “Over borscht, cornbread, pasteles and more, Padma uncovers the roots and relationship between our food, our humanity and our history — ultimately uncovering stories that challenge notions of identity, belonging, and what it means to be American.” Taste the Nation season 2 premieres May 5 on Hulu…

A week after its series debut, The Big Door Prize, has gotten an early season 2 renewal, Apple TV+ announced on Wednesday. Based on M.O. Walsh’s novel of the same name, the comedy, starring Christopher O’Dowd and Gabrielle Dennis, tells the story of a small town that is forever changed when a mysterious machine appears in the general store, promising to reveal each resident’s true life potential. The Big Door Prize also stars Ally Maki, Josh Segarra, Damon Gupton, Crystal Fox, Djouliet Amara and Sammy Fourlas…

The Bold Type and Mad Men alum Sam Page has joined the cast of ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy in a recurring role, according to Variety. He’ll play Sam Sutton, “an Air Force pilot who is seriously injured in a base-jumping accident. Although he’s coping with trauma, he somehow maintains his sense of humor and charm,” per the network. Page will make his first appearance during the May 4 episode, titled “Come Fly With Me”…

John Wick: Chapter 4‘s Keanu Reeves is in talks to star in Outcome, the Apple Studios dark comedy co-written and directed by Jonah Hill, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Reeves would play Reef, “a damaged Hollywood star who must dive into the dark depths of his past to confront his demons and make amends after he is extorted with a mysterious video clip from his past,” per THR. Hill and Apple Original Films are also developing a Grateful Dead biopic in which he’ll star and co-produce with Martin Scorsese, who’s also been tapped to direct as well…

BTS star Suga’s documentary, ‘Road to D-Day’, to hit Disney+ April 21

April 6, 2023 by WDNY Radio

We now have more information on the latest BTS content from Disney+, this time featuring Suga.

SUGA: Road to D-Day, will find the 30-year-old rapper heading out on a musical journey that takes him “around the world from Seoul to Tokyo, Las Vegas and beyond in search of musical inspiration for his upcoming album D-DAY,” per the streamer.

The revealing documentary will give fans a glimpse of Suga at his most vulnerable — opening up about writer’s block with other musicians, and digging deep into his most traumatic memories to come up with lyrics for several of his latest songs. We’ll also get to see exclusive live clips of songs on Suga’s D-DAY album.

SUGA: Road to D-Day premieres April 21 on Disney+.

Disney is the parent company of ABC News.

RHCP’s Anthony Kiedis starring in upcoming animated ‘Hellicious’ comic book adaptation

April 6, 2023 by WDNY Radio

Red Hot Chili Peppers frontman Anthony Kiedis is set to star in a new animated show based on the comic book series Hellicious, Variety reports.

The project is currently in development with TBS, with Kiedis also set to be an executive producer.

Kiedis plays the character Briggy Bundy, a “rock-goth icon” who finds himself in Hell after his soul is stolen by Cherry, the “precocious 7-year-old granddaughter” of the one–and-only Devil.

A premiere date for Hellicious has yet to be announced.

Kiedis already has several acting credits to his name, including a role in 1991’s Point Break. He’ll have a long way to go to match the filmography of Peppers bandmate Flea, who’s been in movies such as Back to the Future II and III, The Big Lebowski and last year’s Babylon.

In addition to making his way onto your TV, Kiedis has been traveling the U.S. on RHCP’s current U.S. tour supporting the band’s two 2022 albums, Unlimited Love and Return of the Dream Canteen. The outing continues Thursday, April 6, in Fargo, North Dakota.

Leslie Jones says upcoming memoir helped her realize “that I actually worked my a** off”

April 6, 2023 by WDNY Radio

Comedian Leslie Jones typically displays her sense of humor, but in her upcoming memoir, she’ll be digging a bit deeper. Set to release in September, Leslie F******* Jones will see her open up about her life journey and the “moments that equal up to what became Leslie Jones.”

Leslie tells People that writing her memoir was a “very therapeutic” experience in which she learned “that I actually worked my a** off” to get where she is today.

“I would find myself telling a story and I would be like, ‘Holy s***. Yeah, I remember. How did you make it through that?’ … And then you go, ‘Oh, damn. I actually put in the work to be where I am right now,'” she says. “So I think I learned the trials and tribulations, how much I’ve triumphed, how much I’ve changed, how much I’ve grown. Just a lot of things. A lot of self-realizations.”

Though she’s been in the entertainment industry for decades, Leslie has chosen to focus on her memoir simply because she has the time.

“I think this was a good time, because it’s a nice break before I have to get busy again. … So I also wanted to do it while I did still remember everything,” she explains.

She hopes that when people read her story, they learn that “she didn’t just fall into comedy. She had to work for that s***.”

“I want people to learn that if you have an inspiration and a desire to do something, that’s f****** great, but you got to work,” Leslie adds.

Leslie F****** Jones will be released on September 19.

Rod Stewart & Penny Lancaster donate teapot to help children born with cleft

April 6, 2023 by WDNY Radio

Rod Stewart and wife Penny Lancaster have donated a white and gold teapot to raise money for a very good cause.

The pair shared on Instagram that they’ve signed their “favourite teapot” and donated it to Smile Train UK’s celebri-TEA auction, with money raised helping “children born with cleft around the world,” according to Smile Train.

As of Wednesday, the highest bid was over $850. The auction ends Sunday.

The auction is part of the organization’s #BigSmileTeaParty fundraiser, which asks folks to help raise money by either donating the cost of a cup of tea or hosting a tea party with family and friends. Rod notes the money “will change a child’s life forever.”

The tea pot auction is live now, but unfortunately items cannot be sent to the U.S. In addition to the teapot from Rod and Penny, there are teapots from the likes of Dame Helen Mirren, Dame Joanna Lumley and more.

A year after her album dropped, Lizzy McAlpine’s career has gone through the “Ceiling”

April 6, 2023 by WDNY Radio

One year ago — April 8, 2022 — Lizzy McAlpine released her second album, five seconds flat. But it’s only in the past few months that one track on the album, “Ceilings,” has become a hit after blowing up on TikTok.

“Pretty much everything has changed,” she tells ABC Audio. “It’s just kind of been going up at a steady increase.” She laughs, “Every time I leave my house, I usually get recognized, and I got to be on Fallon and I’m about to go on my headline tour. It’s just all very exciting.”

“Ceilings” wasn’t a single — it’s barely included in the short film Lizzy made to go with the album. But she thinks she knows why fans gravitate toward the song, which describes daydreaming about a relationship that’s ended.

“I try to write about the feelings that maybe are a little harder to put into words,” she explains. “And I think this song is an example of that. It’s, like, a very specific feeling that’s pretty universal, and I think people just haven’t had the words to express it, or they … see themselves in the song.”

But Lizzy still doesn’t know who started the “Ceilings” TikTok trend, in which people lip-synch to a sped-up version, sometimes while running dramatically, often while wearing long, flowing gowns.

“I just remember scrolling on my ‘For You’ page and just seeing the sound pop up a bunch,” she recalls. “Whoever created the sped-up sound, shout out to you. Because I think that really kick-started it.”

And one particular video made her realize just how big the song has gotten.

“Victoria Justice did the trend on TikTok,” Lizzy laughs. “And that’s crazy, because she was the first concert that I ever went to. So it was pretty full circle!”

Carly Pearce’s mom cried when she saw the “What He Didn’t Do” video

April 6, 2023 by WDNY Radio

It’s no secret that Carly Pearce shares a close relationship with her mom, Jackie. That’s why the floodgates opened when Carly’s mom first saw the emotional music video for her daughter’s single “What He Didn’t Do.”

“I played it for her, and I thought that she would really love it just because it’s so beautiful,” Carly recalls. “And she started crying when it was over, and she told me that she didn’t like it. And I asked her why, and she said because it’s too real of what happened. And I was kind of like, ‘That’s great, Mom. That’s exactly what I was lookin’ for. Thank you.'”

“But as a mother,” Carly adds, “I think she knew what I was trying to convey throughout the video, and I think it took her to a real emotional place of knowing that I really did feel like I was drowning.”

“What He Didn’t Do” served as the final single from Carly’s latest album, 29: Written In Stone. The song reached the top of the country charts last month and earned Carly her fourth number one hit.

Nils Lofgren on the “long-distance collaboration” that became Crazy Horse’s ‘All Roads Lead Home’

April 6, 2023 by WDNY Radio

The members of Crazy Horse — Ralph Molina, Billy Talbot and Nils Lofgren — recently released the new album All Roads Lead Home. It features each band member contributing three original songs, which they recorded separately during the pandemic. But just because they weren’t physically together doesn’t mean they weren’t working together on the final product.

“It was kind of a long-distance collaboration, but a collaboration nonetheless,” Lofgren tells ABC Audio. “We listened to a lot of songs. I’d give them advice … and vice versa.”

He noted they “stayed in it with each other, but we worked in our own home environment and kind of carried it to an ending where we all picked our favorite three and came up with this great compilation.”

In addition to the three songs from each band member, Neil Young contributes the live bonus track “Song of the Seasons,” which originally appeared on the album Barn, also featuring Crazy Horse. Young also played a big role in the trio’s decision to change up their plans to make All Roads Lead Home a double album.

“Ralphie asked Neil to give us a bonus track and Neil said, ‘Yeah, I can do that. But instead of a double album, why don’t you pick your best songs, take my bonus track and do a great 10-song vinyl, just keep it lean and mean,’” Lofgren explains. “And that’s what we wound up doing.”

Considering the album came out during the COVID-19 pandemic, Lofgren thinks the title, which Talbot came up with, is beautiful. He adds of the record, “This was another labor of love, and music that allowed us to do something to actually share.”

Reese Witherspoon and Tom Brady not dating, their reps say

April 6, 2023 by WDNY Radio

Reese Witherspoon and Tom Brady are not dating, say reps for the Morning Show actress and legendary quarterback.

Witherspoon’s rep tells Entertainment Tonight, the rumors are “completely false,” while Brady’s rep said the same to multiple outlets.

Reese, 47, took to Instagram on March 24, to share a joint statement from herself and ex-husband Jim Toth announcing their split, which came days before their 12th anniversary on March 26.

“We have some personal news to share,” the statement began. “It is with a great deal of care and consideration that we have made the difficult decision to divorce. We have enjoyed so many wonderful years together and are moving forward with deep love, kindness, and mutual respect for everything we have created together.”

“Our biggest priority is our son and our entire family as we navigate this next chapter,” the statement continued. “These matters are never easy and are extremely personal. We truly appreciate everyone’s respect for our family’s privacy at this time.”

Witherspoon and Toth married in 2011 and share 10-year-old son Tennessee.

Prior to Toth, Witherspoon was married to her Cruel Intentions co-star Ryan Phillippe from 1999 to 2008. She and Phillippe share two children, daughter Ava, 23, and son Deacon, 19.

Brady, meanwhile is focusing on his children — daughter, Vivian, 9, and son, Benjamin, 13 — who he shares ex-wife Gisele Bündchen. The couple finalized their divorce in 2022. Brady also shares 15-year-old son John with ex Bridget Moynahan.

North Carolina State Representative flips parties, gives Republicans supermajority

April 5, 2023 by WDNY Radio

(RALEIGH, N.C.) — North Carolina state Rep.Tricia Cotham announced Wednesday she is switching parties, giving Republicans the supermajority needed to override vetoes from Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper.

The freshman state representative, who said she was “welcomed with open arms by my [new Republican] colleagues,” attributed the switch to Democrats’ restrictions on the votes she cast.

“It became very clear to me early on in January that you better vote in line with everything Governor Cooper tells you to do,” Cotham said. “From signing on to bills, to he wanted to pick your seat on the House floor, to your committee requests … I will not be controlled by anyone.”

Former Democratic consultant and current Duke University Prof. Pope “Mac” McCorkle says Cotham’s switch is poised to give Republicans the power they need to implement many aspects of their agenda.

“Her becoming a Republican means by literally a party-line vote, all the commissions can be changed, all of that,” McCorkle said. “So that’s where I think it’s real power.”

One of the largest issues impacting North Carolina state politics this year is state legislature redistricting — a process that started more than 18 months ago. Republicans are expected to present a new legislature map in the coming months.

McCorkle says Cotham’s flip will not impact the redistricting debates because the maps only need the approval of the legislature.

“The governor does not a have a veto, so [Republicans] will already be able to pass the maps they want,” McCorkle said.

Cotham’s unexpected move comes during a time of political tension in the hotly contested swing state, where both chambers of the General Assembly are Republican-controlled even as a Democrat holds the governorship.

“Things are so tight, even when the Republicans have a super majority they’re afraid of losing it,” McCorkle said. He went on later to say “Everything is just frought with this incredible tension. But this just goes beyond the pale that a liberal legislator has flipped.”

North Carolina Democratic Party Chairwoman Anderson Clayton called on Cotham to resign, according to ABC’s Raleigh affiliate.

Her seat in the 112th district covers the eastern Charlotte suburbs, an area that voted heavily for President Joe Biden in 2020.

Cotham has a liberal record on some major issues, including abortion rights and state assistance programs. But one issue where she may stray from her former Democratic colleagues is school choice. Recent social media posts show her support for parents opting to use vouchers and send their children to schools outside their public school district — a stance normally held by Republicans.

North Carolina House members serve two-year terms, meaning Cotham’s district will have its next election in November of 2024. There is no process for recalling lawmakers under North Carolina state law.

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