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‘The Humans’ serves up a Thanksgiving feast full of family drama

November 23, 2021 by WDNY Radio

One new movie opening this week may get you in the mood for Thanksgiving — or just happy that you’re not stuck in this family.

The Humans stars Beanie Feldstein, Amy Schumer, Steven Yeun and Richard Jenkins in a tense, funny, and dark drama. Stephen Karam wrote and directed the film, based off his own play, and he tells ABC Audio why it’s a great movie to watch on Turkey Day.

“Because it’s not your family, the joy of, I think, the entertainment value of this story is that no matter how bad things get, it’s not your family, he explains. “So I feel safe recommending it at any moment, both before or after eating.”

Karam says the beauty of The Humans is that while people relate to different characters, they always identify with someone.

“Maybe some people are the mother and are likewise this daughter’s so spoiled, and some people are 25 going, ‘Oh my God, I feel similarly clinically insane when I go home and I become like a teenager again. Like, what is this insanity, I’m 25. I shouldn’t be doing this anymore,'” he explains.

Jenkins tells ABC Audio that the squabbling family at the center of it may not be that different from your own.

“They make horrible mistakes. They do, they say, mean things to each other,” he says. “But you know, I think if we saw a film of our own Thanksgiving dinner, we’d be a little surprised at, it may not be exactly what you think it is.”

The Humans opens Wednesday in theaters and on Showtime.

Bus crash in Bulgaria kills dozens, including children: Officials

November 23, 2021 by WDNY Radio

(MOSCOW) — At least 45 people, including a dozen children, were killed after a tourist bus from North Macedonia crashed and caught fire in Bulgaria early Tuesday, officials said.

The accident occurred on the Struma highway near the village of Bosnek in western Bulgaria at around 2 a.m. local time. Emergency teams rushed to the scene, where 45 people were confirmed dead, according to a statement from the Bulgarian Ministry of Interior.

Seven people who sustained injuries from the crash were transported to a hospital for treatment, the ministry said.

The bus, carrying 53 people, was heading back to North Macedonia’s capital, Skopje, after a tourist trip to Istanbul, Turkey, according to Monika Markovska, an official at the North Macedonian Embassy in Bulgaria’s capital, Sofia. The Bulgarian Ministry of Interior confirmed that the bus was registered in North Macedonia.

Most of those on board were Macedonian, apart from one Belgian national. Twelve children were among the dead, Markovska told ABC News.

The seven people who were hospitalized were admitted to Pirogov Hospital in Sofia.

The patients — four men and three women — suffered from burns and lacerations but were all in stable condition, Dr. Ljubo Topkov of Pirogov Hospital told ABC News.

The cause of the crash was unclear and is under investigation.

Traffic was stopped in both directions on the highway as first responders and investigators worked on scene.

The Macedonian travel agency that owns the bus, Besa Trans, did not respond to ABC News’ request for comment.

To lower gas prices, Biden authorizes release from US strategic oil reserve

November 23, 2021 by WDNY Radio

(WASHINGTON) — The White House said Tuesday that President Joe Biden will tap into the nation’s strategic oil reserve to help offset a surge in gasoline prices.

Biden, facing rising consumer discontent ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday, will make the formal announcement in remarks Tuesday afternoon, a senior administration official told ABC News.

Other countries, including China and India will release their own reserves in concert with the U.S. move, the White House said in a statement.

“Today, the President is announcing that the Department of Energy will make available releases of 50 million barrels of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to lower prices for Americans and address the mismatch between demand exiting the pandemic and supply,” the White House said.

It said Biden has been working with countries across the world to address the lack of supply as the world exits the pandemic.

“And, as a result of President Biden’s leadership and our diplomatic efforts, this release will be taken in parallel with other major energy consuming nations including China, India, Japan, Republic of Korea and the United Kingdom. This culminates weeks of consultations with countries around the world, and we are already seeing the effect of this work on oil prices. Over the last several weeks as reports of this work became public, oil prices are down nearly 10 percent,” the White House said.

“The U.S. Department of Energy will make available releases of 50 million barrels from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve in two ways: 32 million barrels will be an exchange over the next several months, releasing oil that will eventually return to the Strategic Petroleum Reserve in the years ahead. The exchange is a tool matched to today’s specific economic environment, where markets expect future oil prices to be lower than they are today, and helps provide relief to Americans immediately and bridge to that period of expected lower oil prices. The exchange also automatically provides for re-stocking of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve over time to meet future needs,” the statement said.

Experts said Americans will see a quick drop in prices almost immediately. But the larger impact won’t hit for about two weeks, when gas stations across the nation lower prices.

A senior administration official, citing a low global supply of oil that is contributing to driving up fuel costs, said the decision has been made to ease costs on everyday American consumers as pressures between demand and the easing of the pandemic create unique conditions.

“We think that this is an immediate challenge that we face as we are exiting the global pandemic and supply has not kept up,” the official told reporters Tuesday morning. “We think that this is exactly suited to that.”

ABC’s Sarah Kolinovsky and Jordyn Phelps contributed to this report.

Biden to announce that US will tap into strategic oil reserves, official says

November 23, 2021 by WDNY Radio

(WASHINGTON) — U.S. President Joe Biden is expected to announce Tuesday that the country will tap into strategic oil reserves to help offset a surge in gasoline prices, a senior administration official told ABC News.

The move will be formally announced by the White House on Tuesday morning before Biden addresses it in a speech scheduled for the afternoon, according to the official.

Experts said Americans will see a quick drop in prices almost immediately. But the larger impact won’t hit for about two weeks, when gas stations across the nation lower prices.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

Mariah Carey planning “gritty” adaptation of her memoir, new Christmas book

November 23, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Mariah Carey is all about Christmas right now, but she’s already thinking ahead to what she wants to do in 2022 — like making a movie out of her best-selling memoir The Meaning of Mariah Carey.

Speaking to Extra, Mariah says, “I’m working on some really exciting stuff for next year, the adaptation of my memoir with Lee Daniels…We need it to be gritty. It’s not gonna be…sweet…it’s a very real situation.” Lee directed Mariah in the acclaimed movies Precious and The Butler.

Mariah says she’s also “working on another Christmas book,” but adds, “We’ll talk about that next year.” In 2015, Mariah put out a children’s book based on her signature tune “All I Want for Christmas Is You.”

As for the holidays this year, Mariah’s AppleTV+ special Mariah’s Christmas: The Magic Continues streams on December 3. On it, you’ll see her sing her new holiday song “Fall In Love at Christmas,” featuring Khalid and Kirk Franklin, and she tells Extra that she’s also performing a new version of Darlene Love‘s classic “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home).”

But first, let’s get through Thanksgiving. Mariah tells Extra that she’s cooking “greens” for Thanksgiving dinner, bragging, “I’ve been heralded for my greens.”

Mary J. Blige admits she’s uncomfortable with her sex scenes in ‘Power Book II: Ghost ‘

November 23, 2021 by WDNY Radio

After 15 years of marriage, Mary J. Blige endured a bitter divorce from Kendu Issacs that was finalized in June 2018. Now, as she enjoys the single life as a singer and actress, she admits that her sex scenes in Power Book II: Ghost are difficult.

The Queen of Hip Hop Soul stars in the series as crime-family queen Monét Tejada, whose husband Lorenzo is serving a prison sentence.

“My most challenging scenes period are just those love scenes. Having to kiss strange people, just — I hate it,” Blige tells Essence. “But, we’re acting…I just have to remove Mary out of it because I hate strange people that I don’t know touching me and kissing me. So I have to really ACT. Or it’s going to look like this cringes.”

Before joining the cast of Power Book II: Ghost, the second season of which debuted Sunday, Mary proved her acting talent with her Oscar-nominated role for Best Supporting Actress as Florence Jackson in 2017’s Mudbound. She was also nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song for “Mighty River” from the film. Mary also portrayed famed singer Dinah Washington in the Aretha Franklin biopic Respect, starring Jennifer Hudson.

Mary knows that her Power Book II character Monét is hard, and for the new season, she hopes that viewers see her softer side.

“Just [excited for fans] to see the twists and turns. Monét has like a little human side, she’s not just all monster,” the nine-time Grammy winner says. “She actually is always ready to cheat and all that stuff is going on. She’s a little messy.”

Jack Antonoff criticizes “herbs who sell crap” in celebrating Taylor Swift’s “All Too Well” hitting number one

November 23, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Jack Antonoff has no time for people who want to unnecessarily shorten songs.

That much is clear in the Bleachers frontman’s reaction to Taylor Swift‘s new version of her beloved song “All Too Well” debuting at number one on the Billboard Hot 100.

“All Too Well” is included on Red (Taylor’s Version), a newly re-recorded edition of her 2012 album, Red. The updated collection also features a 10-minute version of “All Too Well,” which Antonoff co-produced alongside Swift. Billboard combined the data for both Taylor’s Version recordings of “All Too Well” in determining its Hot 100 position.

In a tweet celebrating the news, Antonoff writes, “Wild to be a part of a 10 minute number 1!”

He adds, “The takeaway of a 10 minute song hitting number 1 is to not accept the narrative that people have no attention spans. That idea is created by herbs who sell crap. Long live the audience who wants it ALL. I love you.”

“All Too Well” is now officially the longest song to ever hit number one on the Hot 100, besting Don McClean‘s eight-minute, 37-second “American Pie.”

“So happy and extra grateful”: Thomas Rhett, Brett Young and Carly Pearce reflect on Thanksgiving traditions

November 23, 2021 by WDNY Radio

When it comes to celebrating Thanksgiving, each country star has their own traditions. For Thomas Rhett, Brett Young and Carly Pearce, those traditions vary from favorite foods to reflecting on meaningful milestones.

Each year, Thomas happily takes on the task of prepping the turkey, turning the job into a countrified experience with a grill and beer in hand.

“When it comes to Thanksgiving, I am the turkey guy. I love to smoke food. I love to stand by the grill with a cold beer for hours upon end watching a brisket smoke, doing ribs,” he explains. “Around Thanksgiving, I am the guy that does the turkeys, and it is a job that I love to do.”

While Thomas enjoys taking on the turkey, Brett is adamant about the one popular food dish he is not a fan of: cranberry sauce. The hit singer recalls a humorous memory growing up in California of how his grandmother, Bonnie, was particular about “massaging” the can of cranberry sauce.

“I’ll never forget one Thanksgiving, she perfectly got it out onto the plate, and then my dad was giving the blessing, and my uncle Scott started smooshing it up. My grandma interrupted the prayer because he was ruining the perfect can-shaped cranberry,” he shares. “I hate that. Fruit on meat never works for me. So cranberry sauce never makes it on my Thanksgiving plate, ever.”

Though food is a mainstay for Thomas and Brett, this year, label mate Carly is counting her blessings when it comes to the success she’s achieved, from releasing the critically acclaimed album 29: Written in Stone to winning Female Vocalist for the first time at the CMA Awards.

“So many of my dreams have come true this past year in a way that I never thought could actually happen, especially in one calendar year,” she expresses. “I think I’m just going into this holiday season feeling so happy and extra grateful just for where I’m at in my life.”

Dion raves about new album ‘Stomping Ground,’ featuring “the greatest guitar players on the planet”

November 23, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Dion DiMucci has just released his new studio album, Stomping Ground, the doo-wop and rock ‘n’ roll great’s second star-studded collaborative project in just over a year.

A follow-up to 2020’s Blues with Friends, this record includes contributions from Eric Clapton, Bruce Springsteen and wife Patti Scialfa, ZZ Top‘s Billy Gibbons, Mark Knopfler, Peter Frampton, Boz Scaggs, Rickie Lee Jones and more.

Dion tells ABC Audio that he had a lot of fun working on Stomping Ground, and he couldn’t be happier with the project.

“I’m writing some of the best songs in my life, singing better than ever, the way I express stuff,” he maintains. “I have more confidence than ever, and I have these great tracks with the greatest guitar players on the planet on them, and making music with great artists and friends, and making friends with this music.”

Clapton lent his guitar talents to a song called “If You Wanna Rock ‘n’ Roll.” Dion says that when it came time for Eric to record his part, “he said…’I’m gonna play this standing up like I’m playing for 20,000 people.’ And he did, man. He walked in the studio and did this thing, and I tell you, it sounded like he was 19 years old.”

Springsteen and Scialfa, who also appeared on Blues with Friends, are featured on the new song titled “Angel in the Alleyways,” with Patti singing and Bruce contributing harmonica and tremolo guitar. Dion says Springsteen told him that Scialfa was responsible for “the whole arrangement” of the tracks they recorded.

Gibbons, another Blues with Friends contributor, plays guitar on the tune tune “My Stomping Ground.”

Dion says of Billy, “His guitar playing is so simple and recognizable…and so potent.”

Here’s the full Stomping Ground track list:

“Take It Back” — with Joe Bonamassa
“Hey Diddle Diddle ” — with G.E. Smith
“Dancing Girl ” — with Mark Knopfler
“If You Wanna Rock ‘n’ Roll” — with Eric Clapton
“There Was a Time ” — with Peter Frampton
“Cryin’ Shame ” — with Sonny Landreth
“The Night Is Young ” — with Joe Menza and Wayne Hood
“That’s What The Doctor Said ” — with Steve Conn
“My Stomping Ground ” — with Billy Gibbons
“Angel in the Alleyways ” — with Patti Scialfa and Bruce Springsteen
“I’ve Got to Get to You ” — with Boz Scaggs, Joe Menza and Mike Menza
“Red House ” — with Keb’ Mo’
“I Got My Eyes on You Baby ” — with Marcia Ball and Jimmy Vivino
“I’ve Been Watching ” — with Rickie Lee Jones and Wayne Hood

Iman Shumpert becomes first NBA star in history to win ‘Dancing with the Stars’

November 23, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Iman Shumpert is this year’s champion of Dancing with the Stars, taking home the Mirror Ball Trophy on Monday night’s season finale. Iman’s victory is historical, as he is now the first NBA player to ever compete in the DWTS finals…and win it all!

His pro dance partner, Daniella Karagach, praised Iman’s tremendous improvement over the past season, noting that he was one of the few competitors who never danced “a day in [his] life” and but worked hard to defy all expectations by making it into the finale.

Iman says his status as this season’s underdog fueled his desire to come out on top, and lead to him performing never-before-seen stunts on the ballroom floor with perfect execution.

Aside from a glittering new trophy, he ended his DWTS journey with two perfect scores for his foxtrot/cha-cha fusion, which saw judge Bruno Tonioli declare him the “king of the ballroom,” and for his Chicago-themed freestyle that was deemed one of the best in show’s history.

JoJo Siwa, who also made history by becoming the first contestant to compete with a same-sex partner, came in second. Peloton instructor Cody Rigsby ended the season in third and The Talk co-host Amanda Kloots took fourth place.

The finale also saw a small change at the judges’ table. After Derek Hough tested positive with a breakthrough case of COVID-19 last week, his sister and a former DWTS pro dancer, Julianne Hough, rose to the occasion to fill in for her big brother.

Julianne enjoyed doling out advice and praise to the competitors because, as she said, “I’m so excited to be here in person, so I don’t have to yell at the TV anymore!”

That wasn’t the only welcome return to the ballroom. Spice Girls‘ Melanie C belted out an emotional rendition of the girl group’s pop ballad, “2 Become 1,” as the show revisited some of the season’s most memorable and tear-jerking moments.

Country star Jimmie Allen also took the floor to help bring the season to a close, performing his hit “Good Times Roll.”

While another year of Dancing with the Stars may be over, fans can relive the magic of season 30 when the cast hits the road on a nationwide tour, which kicks off January 7, 2022 in Richmond, Virginia. Jimmie, Amanda and last year’s champion, Bachelorette star Kaitlyn Bristowe, will also be part of the fun.

Tickets are on sale now on the official live tour website.

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