After a long hiatus, due in large part to the pandemic, The Morning Show returns for season two this Friday.
The critically acclaimed, Emmy-winning Apple TV+ drama starring Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon, launched two years ago and goes behind the scenes of a network morning news program. While the first season had its own themes, director and executive producer Mimi Leder tells ABC Audio season two adds a lot more on top.
“Season one was about the fallout and the repercussions of the Me Too movement, season two is about identity,” she reveals. “We pose a lot of questions we don’t necessarily answer about race, sexuality and cancel culture.”
Leder also dishes that the upcoming 10 episode season will incorporate the COVID-19 pandemic, adding, “COVID lingers in the background of our show, like a storm coming. You know how the news largely missed it.”
Speaking of the pandemic, like the rest of the entertainment industry, production for The Morning Show was shut down at one point, which Leder says made them “reevaluate” some things.
“We were shooting for 13 days when we shut down on March 12th, and basically had to reevaluate what we were, what was our story,” she explains. “We’re a news show, we had to really mirror what was happening right under our feet.”
Season two of The Morning Show premieres Friday, with the remaining episodes being released every Friday thereafter.
Kevin Mazur/MTV VMAs 2021/Getty Images for MTV/ViacomCBS
Dave Grohl appears on the cover of the latest issue of Rolling Stone, revealing a number of interesting tidbits about the Foo Fighters frontman’s past, present and future.
For one, Grohl shares that he’s playing drums on an upcoming Miley Cyrus song.
“I was going to [producer] Greg Kurstin‘s studio to deliver him a snare drum for his kid,” Grohl recalls. “He’s like, ‘Do you have five minutes? I’m trying to program drums on this new Miley Cyrus song, but I suck. Can you just, like, do a couple takes?’ So I think I’m on a new Miley Cyrus record!”
An appearance on a Miley tune would mark his second collaboration with a major pop star of late — he also drummed on a song off Halsey‘s new album, which was produced by Nine Inch Nails‘ Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross.
Nirvana and Kurt Cobain pop up throughout the interview, given the upcoming 30th anniversary of Nevermind. Speaking about Cobain, Grohl explains how his late band mate inspired the 2011 Foos song “Walk.”
“It kind of comes from the day after Kurt died,” Grohl says. “Waking up that morning and realizing, ‘Oh, s***, he’s not here anymore. I am. Like, I get to wake up and he doesn’t’…That was a big revelation to me.”
As for Foo Fighters, Rolling Stone reports that they have “vague ideas” about the direction of their next record to follow this year’s Medicine at Midnight, though nothing’s been written yet.
“Every album that we’ve made is a response to the one we made before,” Grohl says. “So now there are whispers of making an insane prog-rock record.”
This Saturday, The Zombies will return to London’s famed Abbey Road Studios, where the British Invasion legends recorded their classic 1968 album Odessey and Oracle, to play a special concert that will be streamed live worldwide.
The show, which will begin at 3 p.m. ET, will be viewable at the Veeps.com streaming platform.
Zombies frontman Colin Blunstone tells ABC Audio that the band will be playing in Abbey Road’s historic Studio Two, where The Beatles did most of their recording.
Regarding the set The Zombies have planned, Blunstone says, “We’re gonna be playing many hits, but lots of deep cuts too, and five new songs. And three of those songs, we’ll have strings with us.”
The Rock & Roll Hall of Famer adds, “[I]t’s gonna to be really exciting. Obviously, we’ve never done anything like this before.”
The new tunes are part of an upcoming album that the group is recording. Colin also notes that the band will be playing about four songs from Odessey and Oracle, which was recorded mostly in Abbey Road’s Studio Three.
Odessey and Oracle was the last album made by The Zombies’ original lineup, and the band actually broke up before its release. The album includes the group’s signature tune “Time of the Season.”
Following the streaming concert, Blunstone and Zombies co-founder, keyboardist Rod Argent, will take part in a remote Q&A with acclaimed rock journalist David Fricke. The band mates also will take questions from members of the virtual audience, including some surprise celebrity guests.
Tickets to watch the concert cost $20, while tickets offering both the show and the Q&A are priced at $35. More expensive bundles that include a T-shirt and/or a poster also are available. Tickets and bundles can be purchased at Veeps.com.
(LOS ANGELES) — As Californians head to the polls to decide on whether they want to recall Gov. Gavin Newsom, and if so, who to replace him with, preliminary data is showing positives for the incumbent.
Just 3 in 10 California voters say Newsom’s pandemic control measures are too strict, countering a key argument in the recall drive against him. And 6 in 10 in preliminary exit poll results rate the Republican Party unfavorably — a challenge for those seeking to unseat the incumbent Democrat.
Still, other preliminary results in the recall election exit poll are less incumbent-friendly: Six in 10 voters call the cost of living in their area “unmanageable,” and the electorate divides evenly in rating the state’s economy positively or negatively, 49-48%.
Helpfully for Newsom — if it holds in later data — 54% of voters in preliminary results say he’s in touch with their concerns. More, 69%, support the state’s student mask mandate. And 63% side with Newsom in seeing vaccination as more of a public health responsibility than a personal choice.
More call the pandemic the state’s top issue than pick any of four other issues offered in the exit poll. Notably, just 24% say the pandemic is getting worse in the state; a plurality of voters, 39%, say it’s improving, with the rest saying it’s staying the same.
While economic discontent can be challenging for incumbents, it’s far from a replay of the recall of Gov. Gray Davis in 2003. Then, a vast 83% rated the state’s economy negatively; accordingly, 71% disapproved of Davis’ performance as governor, clearing the way for Arnold Schwarzenegger to take his seat.
A further difference — to the extent it holds in subsequent data — may be most crucial of all: Democrats outnumber Republicans in these preliminary results by 17 percentage points, 43-26% (with the rest independents and others.) That looks more like the electorate in Newsom’s 2018 election as governor, 46-23%, Democrat-Republican, and less like 2003, a virtually even 39-38%.
In another measure of partisan preferences, more voters see the Democratic Party favorably rather than unfavorably, by 52-43%. While an underwhelming expression of support in itself, that compares with a broadly negative view of the Republican Party, 32-63%, favorable-unfavorable.
In part reflecting those views of the parties, 55% of voters in these preliminary data say they’d be “concerned” or “scared” if Newsom were removed, dividing about evenly between those two options. Fewer, 40%, would be “excited” or “optimistic.”
Approvals
The exit poll asks Newsom’s job approval rating, a result that’s embargoed for release until after the polls close tonight at 8 p.m. Pacific time. In available data, a recent pre-election poll by the Public Policy Institute of California found that 53% of likely voters approved of his work in office. While only mildly positive, that’s a far cry from Davis’ approval in the 2003 recall, a dismal 27%.
For his part, President Joe Biden — who campaigned with Newsom on Monday — has a 56% approval rating in these preliminary results. Biden won the state in 2020 with 63% support, versus 34% for former President Donald Trump. In results so far, 55% say they voted for Biden a year ago, and 32% for Trump.
By contrast, 34% express a favorable opinion of Newsom’s leading challenger, Republican Larry Elder, while 49% see him unfavorably. That makes Elder less of a draw than Schwarzenegger 18 years ago; he had a 50-45% favorable-unfavorable rating.
The California recall election exit poll is being conducted with a mix of telephone interviews with early and absentee voters and in-person interviews with Election Day voters at a sample of polling places today. Results so far, as noted, are preliminary, and can change as additional data come in throughout the night.
COVID-19 pandemic
While pandemic-related attitudes may boost Newsom, so does Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data. California is third-lowest nationally in per-capita weekly COVID-19 cases, tied for the second-lowest death rate and one of only three states plus the District of Columbia to have less than a high level of community transmission. Eighty-four percent of adults in the state have received at least one dose of a vaccine, ranking it in the top-10 states nationally.
That said, the pandemic is hardly the only issue facing California. Preliminarily, 31% cite it as the most important issue among five offered, compared with homelessness, 22%; the economy, 16%; wildfires, 14%; and crime, 8%.
On an additional issue not included in the top-issue list, 60% call climate change a very serious problem for the state and 19% call it somewhat serious. Just 17% don’t think it’s serious.
Voting
Eighty percent of voters in these preliminary results cast their ballot in advance of Election Day, mostly by mail rather than at a drop-off location. Majorities in the preliminary exit poll results report voting by mail across partisan lines — 85% of Democrats, 72% of independents and 62% of Republicans.
If follows that late campaigning can’t have made much of a difference: Eighty-seven percent of voters say they made their choice more than two weeks ago; indeed, 7 in 10 say they decided before August.
Latinos
Notably among groups, Hispanic/Latino voters make up a quarter of the turnout in these early results. That compares with 31% in the 2020 presidential election, but surpasses this group’s share of the electorate in previous midterms in data since 1994 and in the 2003 recall contest alike.
An official music video has debuted for “She’s Fire,” Carlos Santana‘s new collaboration with acclaimed songwriter Diane Warren and hit-making rapper G-Eazy.
In the clip, G-Eazy meets an alluring women in a bar and she proceeds to do a sexy dance for him that sets the rapper and the entire watering hole on fire.
Carlos also appears in separate scenes, playing his guitar on a tropical beach. As he delivers an incendiary solo, Santana to is engulfed in flames. In addition, Warren makes a cameo in the clip as one of the bar’s patrons. You can watch the video at Santana’s official YouTube channel.
“She’s Fire” is featured on Warren’s debut album, The Cave Sessions Vol. 1, which was released in August. The track also will appear on Santana’s forthcoming studio effort, Blessings and Miracles, which is due out on October 15. The latter album also includes Carlos’ recently released new collaborative single with Matchbox Twenty‘s Rob Thomas, “Move.”
After starring in the record-setting Fast & Furious franchise, Ludacris has now been inspired by one of his four children to produce an animated TV series.
The three-time Grammy winner named the show Karma’s World, after his 10-year-old daughter, and released the theme song, “Welcome to Karma’s World.”
‘I’m so proud of Karma’s World, which was inspired by my oldest daughter Karma. It’s about a girl who wants to bring positivity to the world through her music, and each episode draws on real-life situations faced by kids today,” Ludacris says in a statement.
Karma’s World follows Karma Grant, an aspiring rapper. “We see Karma use her voice to help her family, friends and community, demonstrating the power young people have to create change,” Luda continues. “I truly believe that every single person on this earth has the power to change the world for the better – just like Karma.”
He goes on: “It is important to me that kids and families around the world will identify with Karma’s World, and my goal for the show is to help spread positivity, inspire self confidence in our children, and bring the world together through music.”
The show will premiere on October 15 on Netflix and a soundtrack album will be released on the same date.
The “Money Maker” rapper celebrated his 44th birthday on September 11, and posted a series of photos and videos on vacation in exotic locations. As he swam alone in an ocean, he commented on Instagram, “People Say it’s Lonely At The Top, But I For Damn Sure LOVE The View #virgoseason.”
Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Comedy Central
(NOTE LANGUAGE) The news of the death of stand-up comedian and legendary Saturday Night Live “Weekend Update” anchor Norm Macdonald sent shockwaves through the comic community Tuesday, with many turning to social media to mourn him.
Macdonald, who was a member of the sketch show’s cast from 1993 to 1998, died after a private, years-long battle with cancer. He was 61.
Here are some of the first celebrities to comment:
David Letterman, who once called Norm his all-time favorite guest, tweeted, “In every important way, in the world of stand-up, Norm was the best. An opinion shared by me and all peers. Always up to something, never certain, until his matter-of-fact delivery leveled you.”
Conan O’Brien: “I am absolutely devastated about Norm Macdonald. Norm had the most unique comedic voice I have ever encountered and he was so relentlessly and uncompromisingly funny. I will never laugh that hard again. I’m so sad for all of us today.”
Jon Stewart: “No one could make you break like Norm Macdonald. Hilarious and unique. F*** cancer.”
Seth Rogen: “Oh f***. I was a huge fan of Norm Macdonald and I essentially ripped off his delivery when I first started acting. I would stay up specifically to watch him on talk shows. He was the funniest guest of all time. We lost a comedy giant today. One of the the all time greats. RIP.”
Gilbert Gottfriedposted a photo of himself with Norm and fellow comics Jeff Ross and Macdonald’s Dirty Work director and comedian Bob Saget. “This photo was taken after I was a guest on Norm’s show,” Gottfried wrote. “At dinner, the laughs just continued nonstop. He will be missed. RIP Norm Macdonald.”
Seth MacFarlane: “To so many people in comedy, me included, there was nobody funnier than Norm Macdonald. You always hoped he would hang around after the work was done, just so you could hear his stories and get a laugh. So hilarious and so generous with his personality. I’m gonna miss him.”
Whitney Cummingsposted a video of Macdonald at the Comedy Central Roast of Bob Saget, along with the message, “Norm is the pinnacle of bravery and originality.”
Ken Jeong: “In such a divisive time even among comedians, we can all agree Norm MacDonald was the best. Rest In Peace.”
Tom Green: “Words can’t describe how saddened I am to hear of the passing of my friend.”
John Stamos: “Usually when you see a celebrity trending, you check it out because you’re afraid they may have died. You click their name and most of the time it’s something innocuous. Not this time sadly, #RIPNormMacdonald.”
JMEnternational/JMEnternational for BRIT Awards/Getty Images
As previously reported, Taylor Swift thrilled the staff of a bar and a restaurant in Belfast, Northern Ireland, when she unexpectedly dropped in last week. But it turns out she also thrilled the musician who happened to be performing in the bar that night.
Twenty-two-year-old singer Tiernán Heffron, who performs every Friday night at The Tipsy Bird, a cocktail bar in Belfast, says he but couldn’t believe it when Taylor walked in.
“My heart was beating so fast. I just went for it and I had her up singing and dancing…she was having a blast,” Heffron tells the BBC.
And that’s not all: Heffron shares that Taylor “came up to me in the middle of it with a big smile and said, ‘You’re so good — how can I follow you?'” When Heffron explained that he works at a school for special needs but has been working on music on the side, she asked to take a selfie with him.
“She tipped me for playing, told me she enjoyed my music and said, ‘You deserve this,'” Heffron gushed. She also left him with some wise words.
“She said, ‘Right now, you’re putting in your 10,000 hours: This is not your first gig, you’re confident and you’re going to do great,'” Heffron revealed.
Of course, Heffron now has the best publicity of all: A photo of himself with Taylor, plus a personal recommendation from the superstar.
As previously reported, Taylor was in Belfast to support her boyfriend Joe Alwyn, who’s filming a new Hulu TV series there.
Record Store Day has announced the list of exclusive vinyl discs that will be released this year for its annual Black Friday event, scheduled for November 26.
Among the limited-edition pieces that will be available are releases from Daryl Hall & John Oates, Aerosmith, U2, Fleetwood Mac and Carole King.
Hall & Oates’ release is Fall in Philadelphia: The Definitive Demos 1968-71, a collection of early recordings the duo made before their debut album came out. The LP is pressed on orange vinyl.
Aerosmith’s Black Friday offering is 1971: The Road Starts Here, featuring previously unheard early recordings of the band playing several songs in their rehearsal room, including “Dream On.” It’s available on vinyl and cassette.
U2 is issuing a four-track EP celebrating the 40th anniversary of its popular tune, “Gloria.” The disc, which is pressed on yellow vinyl, features the studio version of the song, plus three live renditions recorded in three different decades.
Fleetwood Mac is offering a two-LP set titled Alternate Live, a 14-track collection featuring performances of various songs taken from the band’s deluxe reissues of Rumours, Tusk and Mirage.
King is issuing In Concert — Live at The BBC 1971, which features the lauded singer/songwriter performing songs from her landmark album Tapestry, including a guest appearance by James Taylor.
Other artists issuing 2021 Black Friday releases include Bee Gees, Ray Charles, Leonard Cohen, Sam Cooke, Alice Cooper, David Crosby & Graham Nash, The Kinks‘ Dave Davies, Dire Straits, ZZ Top‘s Billy Gibbons, The Jimi Hendrix Experience, The Jackson 5, Modern English, Night Ranger, Poison, Lou Reed, Todd Rundgren, The Shangri-Las, Dusty Springfield, The Staple Singers, Stray Cats, The Clash‘s Joe Strummer, Tammi Terrell and Heart‘s Nancy Wilson.
For the full list of releases and participating stores, visit RecordStoreDay.com.
Cynthia Erivo and Andy Serkis have been added to the cast of Idris Elba‘s upcoming Netflix film Luther, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.
Directed by Emmy nominee Jamie Payne, the film is described as “an epic continuation of the Luther saga,” which originally aired on BBC for five season between 2010 and 2019. It followed Elba as DCI John Luther, a homicide detective who was often drawn into “the darkness of the crimes” that he investigated. Details on casting and a release date for Luther has yet to be announced.
In other news, Deadline has learned that Apple TV+ has given a December 17 release date to their Mahershala Ali-led futuristic drama, Swan Song. The film, which also stars Naomie Harris, Glenn Close, Awkwafina and Adam Beach, follows Ali as a husband and father who is “presented with the risky chance of surviving a terminal illness.” Swan Song marks the producing debut of Ali, who is a two-time Oscar winner.
Finally, HBO Max has given an October 28 release date for the second season Love Life. Executive-produced by William Jackson Harper, the new season follows Harper as Marcus Watkins, a man emerging from a years-long relationship with the woman he thought was his soul mate. As previously reported, Greenleaf alum Keith David recently joined the second-season cast to take on the role of the narrator.
