In a clever teaser, HBO has revealed that Curb Your Enthusiasm is returning for its 11th season on Oct. 24.
The snippet starts with what looks like the earth from space, as the opening of Strauss‘ “Also Sprach Zarathustra” — commonly known as the 2001: A Space Odyssey theme — begins.
“The world has changed…” a title card reads.
However, as the “sun” rises against the globe, it’s revealed it’s actually the famously bald head of series star and Seinfeld co-creator Larry David.
“…He hasn’t,” the screen then reads, as the orchestral song transitions to the Curb Your Enthusiasm theme.
The Emmy-winning series will kick off Season 11 at 10:40 p.m. Eastern time on 10/24, before transitioning to 10:30 p.m. on subsequent Sundays.
As previously reported, the upcoming season was shot under strict COVID protocols in part to satisfy out and proud germophobe David.
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, executive producer Jeff Schaffer previously explained, “We started writing Curb before COVID, and then when COVID happened we had to change some things.”
He explained, “We…made the decision to set the new season in a post-COVID world.”
Schaffer added, “COVID is in the rearview mirror, but it happened. And Larry [the character] has opinions on all of it.” He also commented, “I can’t tell you which characters got COVID, but I can definitely tell you that we do examine peoples’ behavior during the COVID era.”
(NEW YORK) — The parents and stepparents of slain travel blogger Gabby Petito not only asked on Tuesday for the public to help authorities locate Brian Laundrie, who has been named a person of interest in their daughter’s homicide, but also assist in helping other families find their missing loved ones.
“I want to ask people to help all of the people that are missing and need help,” Petito’s father, Joe Petito, said during a news conference at the office of the family’s lawyer in Long Island, New York. “It’s on all of you, everyone in this room, to do that and if you don’t do that for other people who are missing, that’s a shame because it’s not just Gabby that deserves that.”
Joe Petito joined his wife, Tara Petito, Gabby’s mother, Nicole Schmidt, her husband, Jim Schmidt, at the news conference in showing tattoos they each got Monday night to honor their daughter.
The parents each had the words “Let it Be” tattooed on their right forearms like one their daughter had. They also had tattoos on their left arms of flowers and the word “Believe” they said their daughter designed.
“I wanted to have her with me all the time,” Nicole Schmidt said of why she got the tattoos. “I feel that this helps that.”
Nicole Schmidt said she has been deeply moved by letters and messages her family received from people worldwide, touched by her daughter’s zeal for life and travel, and heartbroken by her death.
“I just hope that people are inspired by her,” the mother said. “It’s hard to put into words, but it means a lot to me that she’s touched so many. I’m so proud for her and we’re going to keep that light going and help a lot of people if we can.”
Rich Stafford, a lawyer for the family, said the parents have complete faith in the FBI to achieve justice for their daughter. However, he said the FBI has asked the family to refrain from speaking publicly about Laundrie and their relationship with his family.
“Justice for Gabby is that we see justice for her homicide,” Stafford said.
He also had a message for Laundrie if he was listening.
“Brian, we’re asking you to turn yourself into the FBI or the nearest law enforcement agency,” Stafford said.
Stafford declined to answer questions concerning Laundrie’s parents. Law enforcement officials have said they were uncooperative in their search for Petito after her family reported her missing on Sept. 11.
“The Laundries did not help us find Gabby. They are sure not going to help us find Brian,” Stafford said.
The Laundrie family issued a statement Monday evening through their attorney reiterating they do not know of their son’s whereabouts.
“They are concerned about Brian and hope the FBI can locate him,” the statement reads.
In response to a question from ABC News on whether the parents are bothered that the FBI has yet to name Laundrie as a suspect in their daughter’s death, Stafford would only say, “The parents are 100% happy with the FBI. They’ve been with us at every single step of the way.”
Jim Schmidt said the family has yet to bring their daughter’s remains back to New York from Wyoming, where they were recovered on Sept. 19 in the Bridger-Teton National Forest. He said the FBI and law enforcement agencies working on the homicide investigation in Wyoming asked the family if they could hold on to their daughter’s remains.
“We want to make sure that no matter what, we do not impede their investigation in any way,” Schmidt said. “We wanted her home immediately but we understand their position and we know that she’s safe with them.”
On Sunday, hundreds of friends, family, and strangers, some from as far away as California and Florida, attended a funeral for the 22-year-old woman near the Long Island town where she was raised.
The parents also spoke of the Gabby Petito Foundation they have established to assist other families going through the turmoil of having a loved one missing.
“We can’t let her name be taken in vain. We need positive stuff,” said Joe Petito. “Anything we can do to bring that up and help people, that’s what we want.”
(WASHINGTON) — U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said Tuesday that if Congress doesn’t raise the debt ceiling by the deadline it would be a ‘calamity.’
Testifying before the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs alongside Federal Reserve System Chairman Jerome Powell, Yellen said the U.S. would hit its debt limit in less than three weeks, on Oct. 18.
“This would be a manufactured crisis we had imposed on this country, which has been going through a very difficult period and is on the road to recovery,” she said. “This would be a self-inflicted wound of enormous proportions.”
The United States has never defaulted on its debt. Congress has voted 80 times to raise or suspend the debt limit since 1960.
Yellen has previously laid out the consequences to lawmakers of missing the deadline. She has said nearly 50 million seniors could temporarily stop receiving Social Security checks, troops could go unpaid and millions of families who receive the monthly child tax credit could experience delays. A default could also trigger a spike in interest rates and result in a steep drop in stock prices and other financial turmoil, reversing the current economic recovery into a recession, with billions of dollars of growth and millions of jobs lost.
Yellen painted a grim picture again Tuesday.
Even if Congress increases the debt limit but does so too close to the deadline, it could cause economic fallout, Yellen said.
“Furthermore, we know from previous debt limit impasses that waiting until the last minute can cause serious harm to business and consumer confidence, raise borrowing costs for taxpayers and negatively impact the credit rating of the United States for years to come. Failure to act promptly could also result in substantial disruptions to financial markets, as heightened uncertainty can exacerbate volatility and erode investor confidence,” Yellen outlined in a letter to congressional leadership.
Yellen also reiterated that raising the debt limit has nothing to do with future government spending — a point some Republicans have tried to push as reason for not supporting a debt-limit hike as Democrats on the Hill scramble to try to pass both a bipartisan infrastructure bill and a larger social spending package.
“I want to see that the debt ceiling is raised. I believe that it would be catastrophic not to do so. But I equally believe that deficits have been under both Democratic and Republican administrations, it’s important to recognize that, and that means paying the bills for those deficits is a shared responsibility,” Yellen testified.
ABC News’ Congressional Correspondent Rachel Scott contributed to this report.
(ORLANDO, Fla.) — Family members of Miya Marcano said they’re holding out hope the 19-year-old woman missing since Friday will be found safe.
Caili Sue, a cousin of Marcano, spoke to reporters in Orlando on Tuesday as she and other relatives put up posters with Marcano’s photo and searched the woods near her apartment.
“I’m determined, and I’m still very hopeful we’re going find her,” Sue said.
Marcano, a Valencia College student, was last seen at approximately 5 p.m. on Friday at the Arden Villas apartments in Orlando, where she lived and worked, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.
Armando Manuel Caballero also worked in the building as a maintenance employee and had expressed interest in Marcano, but she rebuffed his advances, police said.
Sue told reporters that Caballero, 27, was constantly texting Marcano, and that he “made her uncomfortable.”
Investigators said Caballero’s job included use of a key fob to access apartments, and his was used at Marcano’s unit just before her disappearance. Family who entered Marcano’s apartment after she went missing discovered broken jewelry on dirty floors and a messy bed, Sue said.
“It looked like there was a struggle because of the dirt and jewelry on the ground,” she continued. “The family is very meticulous with cleaning and keeping their place clean, so bed unmade and things scattered was odd.”
Caballero, identified as a person of interest in the case, was found dead on Monday from an apparent suicide, authorities said.
“I was really angry,” Sue said, “because if he knew anything, he took that information with him and could have given us a lead.”
Sue and other relatives said they urging anyone who may have any information to call the police. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office said anyone with details can call them at 407-836-4357.
Issa Rae is sharing rare details about her personal life in the September issue of Self magazine.
Rae, who recently tied the knot to longtime boyfriend Louis Diame over the summer, says married life is treating her well.
“I’m extremely happy,” she shares.
While Rae is clearly enjoying being a wife, the Insecure creator and star — who admits she’s definitely a “workaholic” — says she’s not yet ready to add mother to her priority list.
“I like my life, I like this selfishness, and I know that I have a window,” she explains. “Women, Black women especially — unless you’re Viola Davis or Angela Bassett — you have a window when people are going to want to continue to see you and see what you can do. Then there are so many limitations placed upon you, and that does keep me up.”
She continues, “I want to do as much as I can while I still can. I know it’s not the proper mentality to think that kids will slow you down, but I do feel that way.”
In addition to family life, Rae is also focusing on the fifth and final season of her hit HBO series Insecure. Rae says after an amazing run, she’s ready for the next chapter in her career.
“I’m definitely ready to let it go,” she said about the show ending. “I knew that I wanted to end it after five seasons. And I feel like I’m really proud of this season that we’re shooting now. It’s so much fun, and it’s made me appreciate the show in a different way.”
The fifth and final season of Insecure premieres Sunday, October 24 at 10 p.m. ET. As previously reported, Rae is expected to return, along with Yvonne Orji, Jay Ellis, Natasha Rothwell, Amanda Seales and Courtney Taylor.
(NEW YORK) — The unions representing American and Southwest airlines pilots are asking lawmakers and the White House for an exemption or an alternative to the federal mandate requiring companies with more than 100 people to get vaccinated.
Roughly 30% of American Airlines pilots are not vaccinated, according to the Allied Pilots Association, the union representing American’s 14,000 pilots. Southwest’s pilot union could not say how many of its members were unvaccinated.
“Some of APA’s members are unable to undergo vaccination for documented medical reasons, while others are reluctant to get vaccinated based upon concerns about the potential for career-ending side effects,” union president, Captain Eric Ferguson wrote in a letter to more than 15 people at the DOT, White House, and Congress.
Commercial airline pilots adhere to strict medical requirements and some pilots fear vaccine side effects like blood clots or heart problems could prevent them from maintaining a medical clearance, thus ending their careers as pilots.
The CDC reports there have been more than 200 million doses of vaccine administered already in the U.S. and serious safety problems are very uncommon.
Most side effects from COVID vaccines are mild and temporary and include things like soreness at the injection site or fatigue, headaches, chills and nausea. These side effects usually go away within a day or two.
There have been rare adverse events of blood clots — about 7 per million vaccinated women between 18 and 49 — with the J&J vaccine. Women in that age range may want to select a different vaccine.
There have been a small number of temporary heart problems associated with Pfizer and Moderna vaccines for young men. These reports are rare and the known and potential benefits of COVID-19 vaccination outweigh the known and potential risks of getting COVID — which include myocarditis or pericarditis.
The union representing Southwest’s pilot’s echoed American’s request to the federal government, saying in a statement: “Our pilots have shouldered an elevated risk of illness from the start of the pandemic, including well before the vaccines became available. And we are hopeful that our contributions are recognized and accounted for as we seek approval of an alternate means of compliance and an operationally feasible implementation period.”
Both unions say the 60-day-timeline for the requirement to get vaccinated could have a significant impact on holiday travel if pilots who choose not to get vaccinated are forced off the job.
“We are also concerned that the Executive Order’s anticipated 60-day implementation period for mandatory vaccinations could result in labor shortages and create serious operational problems for American Airlines and its peers. Airlines generate a substantial portion of their annual revenue during the holiday period, with a great many travelers depending on us to get them to their destinations. Our nation’s airlines, and the traveling public, cannot afford significant service disruptions due to labor shortages,” Ferguson wrote in the letter.
Meanwhile, United Airlines says 98.5% of its employees are now vaccinated after the company mandated the shot. At least seven United employees are suing the company to avoid getting the vaccine.
Delta Air Lines will soon charge unvaccinated employees $200 more per month for health insurance. The company says at least 82% of its employees are vaccinated.
Since live music is back, Billboard‘s Boxscore Charts, which rank the highest-grossing and highest-attended concerts of the week, is about to make its return. In advance of that, the publication has taken a look at which acts did the best over the summer on the road…and the winner is Bruno Mars.
Over June, July and August, Bruno raked in nearly $19.3 million, but you may not have noticed, because he only did 12 shows: 10 at the MGM Park Theater in Las Vegas and two at the MGM National Harbor in Maryland. Bruno played for some 59,000 fans, and because the average ticket price was a whopping $325, he came out on top in terms of total gross.
In fact, Billboard notes that Bruno’s MGM residency has now out-grossed Lady Gaga‘s MGM residency: She’s made $53.9 million, while Bruno’s made $56.2 million. However, Gaga may catch up, since she’s going to start a run of new shows on October 14.
Other acts that did well on the road over the summer, according to Billboard: Dead & Company, Usher, Zac Brown Band, Billy Joel, James Taylor, The Eagles, Dave Chappelle and Foo Fighters.
The recent Brian Wilson documentary Brian Wilson: Long Promised Road, which got its world premiere in June at New York City’s Tribeca Film Festival, will get its theatrical release and will debut on video-on-demand in November.
Long Promised Road features the legendary Beach Boys member discussing his life and music with Rolling Stone editor Jason Fine as the two drive around Los Angeles visiting sites of significance to Wilson and his famous band.
The film also includes interviews with various other music artists who have worked with or were inspired by Brian, including Bruce Springsteen, Elton John, founding Beach Boys singer/guitarist Al Jardine, producer/musician Don Was, pop star Nick Jonas, My Morning Jacket frontman Jim James, Jakob Dylan and Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins.
In addition, the documentary features concert and in-studio footage, and includes a new song titled “Right Where I Belong” that Brian co-wrote and recorded with Jim James specifically for the movie.
“As a lifelong fan, I knew this film would have to take some risks to give us insight into Brian’s complex world,” says Long Promised Road director Brent Wilson — no relation to Brian.
According to Deadline, the Screen Media company, which acquired the distribution rights for Long Promised Road, is planning an Oscar campaign that it hopes will include securing a best original song nomination for “Right Where I Belong.”
Meanwhile, Wilson recently announced plans to release a new instrumental album titled At My Piano that features solo piano versions of many classic Beach Boys songs. The album is due out on November 19, and can be pre-ordered now.
“God Only Knows”
“In My Room”
“Don’t Worry Baby”
“California Girls”
“The Warmth of the Sun”
“Wouldn’t It Be Nice”
“You Still Believe in Me”
“I Just Wasn’t Made for These Times”
“Sketches of Smile”
“Surf’s Up”
“Friends”
“Till I Die”
“Love and Mercy”
“Mt. Vernon Farewell”
“Good Vibrations”
After serving time over her involvement in the Varsity Blues college cheating scandal, ABC Audio has confirmed Lori Loughlin is returning to TV, on the series When Hope Calls.
The show is a spin-off of the Hallmark Channel’s When Calls the Heart, on which Loughlin starred for six seasons before being abruptly written off when the network cut ties with her over the scandal.
For When Hope Calls‘ second season, Loughlin will reprise her role in the period drama as Abigail Stanton, a widow and cafe-owner who becomes a small-town mayor in 1910 Canada.
The show, formerly on Hallmark Channel, will air on the GAC Family network — formerly known as Great American Country. The two-part premiere titled When Hope Calls: A Country Christmas debuts Saturday, December 18.
Loughlin and her husband Mossimo Giannulli pleaded guilty in May of 2020 to playing a role in the college admissions cheating scheme by paying $500,000 to get their two daughters into the University of Southern California as crew recruits, when neither child participated in the sport.
Both were sentenced to prison on conspiracy charges.
Loughlin pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud, and was released from prison at the end of December of this year after serving two months behind bars.
Netflix has released the official trailer to their highly-anticipated Black Western, The Harder They Fall.
The star-studded film, which includes Idris Elba, Jonathan Majors, Lakeith Stanfield, Regina King, Zazie Beetz and Delroy Lindo, follows Majors as outlaw Nat Love, a man set on revenge after he learns that the man who killed his parents is being released from prison. Nat then reunites with his old gang to track down his enemy. As previously reported, The Harder They Fall will be the directorial debut of singer-songwriter Jeymes Samuel. It will also be produced by rapper Jay-Z, who will write and produce original music for the film with Samuel. The Harder They Fall hits select theaters October 22 and on Netflix November 3.
In other news, 2 Dope Queens‘ star Phoebe Robinson has landed her first-ever solo stand-up special, Phoebe Robinson: Sorry Harriet Tubman. Premiering on HBO Max on Thursday, October 14, the new special will feature Robinson’s unique brand of comedic commentary as she discusses therapy, interracial dating, reparations, hanging out with Michelle Obama, and more. The first trailer to the special is now available.
Finally, Tony Award winner Adrienne Warren, the powerhouse behind the Tina musical, and Olivier Award-winning actress Sheila Atim, have joined the cast of The Woman King, The Hollywood Reporter has learned. As previously noted, the film is inspired by real events that took place in the powerful African state of Dahomey in the 18th and 19th centuries. It centers on Nanisca, the general of an all-female military unit called the Amazons, and her daughter, Nawi, and their fight against the French and neighboring tribes who work to enslave their people. Directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, the film also stars Viola Davis, Thuso Mbedu, and John Boyega.
