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Pop the champagne, Moulin Rouge! The Musical is on a world tour! Watch a first look at the cast of the new tour in action, including Verity Thompson as Satine, Nate Landskroner as Christian, Cameron Blakely as Harold Zidler, Kurt Kansley as Toulouse-Lautrec, James Bryers as The Duke, Kahlia Davis as Nini, Summer Priest as Arabia, Scott Sutcliffe as Baby Doll, Ellie Jane Grant as La Chocolat and Patrice Tipoki as Alternate Satine. The full cast is completed by Dominic Booth, Alisha Capon, Sol Childs, Áine Curran, Kamau Davis, Martin Dickinson, Barry Drummond, Jacob Fearey, Tosca Fischer, Tessa Fox, Johnny Galeandro, Leyton Holmes, Sayaka Kato, Jacob Kohli, Tyler Lotzof, Avigalle Mendoza, Carly Miles, Luchia Moss, Matt Powell, James Revell, Josh Rose, Samuel Routley, Nathan Saxon, Sorcha Stephenson and Frazer Woolcott. Enter a world of splendour and romance, of eye-popping excess, of glitz, grandeur, and glory! A world...

Without Tommy Morrison, Landman would not be a thing, and that is thanks in no small part to the show's star, Billy Bob Thornton. He carries himself like one would expect an oil fixer to, and looks the part. Series creator Taylor Sheridan told Deadline that Thornton was key to making the show work. Sheridan said that the actor looked the part because he "was from the world." He continued, "Maybe not the oil world, but he is from rural America. His family's from Texas. He feels true to this place." Thornton embodies everything Tommy is. "There’s a fierceness to him, a fearlessness as an actor that lends real weight to his words. He feels like someone who just won’t back down," he added. Sheridan revealed the inspiration behind casting the actor, saying:

"There’s a line that he says in Bad Santa that made an impression on me.

Actor-director collaborations are unlike any other in movies, and have more in common with a musician-conductor, or even a star athlete and coach. It involves people with different roles and skills who together elevate the entire production through their abilities (actor/musician/athlete), and leadership (director/conductor/coach). Some may go even further, and say the relationship between actor and director is almost like the instrument and its musician. But whichever way you characterize the actor-director relationship, there's no denying there have been many great ones in movie history. We're looking at the best ever.

I'm focusing on quality, not quantity, so while Bill Murray has been in almost every Wes Anderson movie, he's mostly been in small roles. I'm also looking at diversity of output, so while Steven Spielberg and Harrison Ford have made four movies together, all were "Indiana Jones" movies (though Ford famously turned Spielberg down for...

Marion Morrison belongs on the Mount Rushmore of movie stars from the Golden Age of Hollywood. Never heard of him? We bet you have. He went by John Wayne. The American Film Institute inexplicably put him at number 13 on their list of 100 Biggest Stars (what were they smoking and where can we get some?). Sure, we love Humphrey Bogart, Katharine Hepburn, and Cary Grant too, but you won't see their mugs at highway gas stations nationwide splattered on every sort of memorabilia you can imagine. John Wayne, and John Wayne alone, was more than a movie star. He was a symbol of the country he called home, with all of its greatness and contradictions. These roles are the reason why.

This is not "John Wayne's Best Movies," though naturally there's considerable overlap. Sure, these are great movies, but we're not ranking the film's overall quality. This is about Wayne's work.

From "The Searchers" to "Rio Bravo," John Wayne is known for starring in some of the greatest Westerns of all time. Along with Clint Eastwood, he's probably the actor who is most synonymous with the genre, and his filmography is littered with gems that have stood the test of time. That said, The Duke starred in a lot of flicks during his lengthy career, so it's only natural that some of them flew under the radar. This brings us to "Thunder Riders of the Golden West," a neo-Western with sci-fi elements.

"Thunder Riders of the Golden West," which was directed by Wayne's long-time friend Dave Burleson, was released in the 1980s -- years after The Duke's death in 1979. It tells the story of a group of truckers who go searching for gold on a site where some atomic bomb tests are taking place, with the explosions presumably inciting whatever sci-fi shenanigans go down.

Americans love their folk heroes and historical figures that seem larger than life and generate interest and veneration. In the 19th century, as the country was expanding its borders at the behest of manifest destiny, many were fascinated by Davy Crockett. Crockett, a frontiersman from Tennessee who not only had his own mythology attributed to him in his lifetime but also was elected to Congress, still captures the imagination today. Not surprisingly, Crockett has been brought to life in several movies, and in 1960, John Wayne, one of the screen’s biggest legends, portrayed the folk hero in The Alamo.

The Alamo, a film that not only featured John Wayne in the lead role, was also produced and directed by the actor. The Alamo is entertaining for its action, scale, and scope, but it was also rife with historical inaccuracies. The saga of the last stand at The Alamo ultimately serves...

Nearly 50 years after his final film, John Wayne remains one of the most beloved action stars in film history. His Golden Age performances won him the flattering nickname “The Duke,” and many of his titles are still beloved today. That said, with over 170 film credits, not all of his roles are necessarily good. Take, for instance, that time in the late 1960s, when Wayne swapped his acting role for a director’s chair. He teamed up with the much lesser-known Ray Kellog to create The Green Berets. On the surface, it’s far from unconventional. It’s a run-of-the-mill Vietnam War film released at the height of said conflict. Like many militaristic films, it had support from the United States government. It was even a box office hit, earning its studio over $20 million.

However, in reality, The Green Berets was a critical pariah. The esteemed Roger Ebert awarded the film...

‘The Duchess and Her Magical Kingdom’ is currently available to stream exclusively on Prime Video in the US at no additional cost with a Prime membership. With unrivaled access, the series follows The Duchess of Northumberland as she embarks on a huge project to create a unique whimsical wonderland at The Alnwick Garden near her family seat of Alnwick Castle, England’s second largest inhabited castle and home to The Duke and Duchess of Northumberland and their family.

Created by the Duchess over 25 years ago, The Alnwick Garden is a multi-award-winning attraction in its own right featuring one of the biggest treehouses in the world; the largest cherry orchard of its kind in the world and an extraordinary and unique Poison Garden filled with hundreds of toxic and narcotic plants, each one capable of killing.

This is a Duchess who does things differently! She only likes to build if it’s the biggest,...

On Sunday February 9 2025, PBS broadcasts Miss Scarlet on Masterpiece!

The Enchanted Mirror Season 5 Episode 5 Episode Summary

The upcoming episode of “Miss Scarlet on Masterpiece,” titled “The Enchanted Mirror,” promises to be an exciting addition to the series. Set against the backdrop of London’s vibrant theater scene, the episode revolves around the mysterious murder of one half of a renowned theater duo. This intriguing case draws Eliza Scarlet and Blake into a web of secrets and deception, testing their skills as detectives.

As Eliza and Blake delve deeper into the investigation, their professional partnership begins to grow. Viewers can expect to see their working relationship evolve, showcasing a blend of camaraderie and mutual respect. This development hints at a deeper connection, as both characters navigate the challenges of the case together. The chemistry between them is evident, and it seems that their friendship may be on the verge of blossoming.

Is Stuart Martin The New Contender Of James Bond Role? (Photo Credit – Instagram)

A new frontrunner has emerged in the race for the coveted role of James Bond, leaving both fans and industry insiders stunned. Stuart Martin, an actor known for his roles in Miss Scarlett & The Duke and Zack Snyder‘s Rebel Moon, has suddenly become a serious contender for the iconic 007 role, catching many by surprise.

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The Search For Daniel Craig’s Successor

While the search for Daniel Craig’s successor has been a long, ongoing process, familiar names like Henry Cavill, Tom Hardy, and Aaron Taylor-Johnson have been the main frontrunners until now. Martin’s potential casting would mark a notable shift in the franchise. He would become the first Scotsman to play the legendary spy since Sean Connery’s departure in 1983.

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On Sunday January 26 2025, PBS broadcasts Miss Scarlet on Masterpiece!

The Thames Reaper Season 5 Episode 3 Episode Summary

The upcoming episode of “Miss Scarlet on Masterpiece,” titled “The Thames Reaper,” promises to bring suspense and intrigue to the screen. This episode centers around a chilling serial killer known as the Thames Reaper, who has been terrorizing London. The killer’s method is particularly haunting, as they drown their victims in the dark waters of the River Thames. The atmosphere is sure to be tense as Eliza Scarlet finds herself in the midst of this harrowing situation.

As the episode unfolds, Eliza faces a challenging dilemma. She becomes entangled in a conflict between Fleet Street, the heart of London’s newspaper industry, and Scotland Yard, the city’s police force. This clash highlights the struggle between those who seek to report the truth and those who are tasked with maintaining order and justice.

Back in the 1980s, the buddy cop style of comedy and action blockbuster was a dominant force at the box office. Much of the appeal of this style of film was in teaming a stand-up comedian or tried-and-true comedy actor with a classically-trained "tough guy," basing a lot of the tension and laughs on the two characters butting heads. When director Martin Brest decided to make a similar style movie, this time about the tense banter between a bounty hunter and the man he has been hired to haul across the country, it seemed like he was following this formula by hiring comic-actor Charles Grodin and dramatic legend Robert De Niro.

However, much of the charm and surprise of Brest's 1988 movie Midnight Run comes from the fact that De Niro is just as in on the laughs as anyone else. His outstanding work in Midnight Run proved to audiences that...

When PBS' Miss Scarlet returned for its fifth season in early 2025, it was quite different from its predecessors, but will the cozy detective series discover a season 6? The British-American co-production was developed for the small screen by Rachel New, and follows Eliza Scarlet (Kate Phillips) who takes up her late father's detective agency in the 1880s. Determined to crack cases and defy the strict social norms of the Victorian Era, Eliza teams up with an old friend from Scotland Yard to put her keen eye to the biggest mysteries of the day.

Originally called Miss Scarlet and the Duke, the show was forever changed when Stuart Martin's William "Duke" Wellington departed the show after season 4. This necessitated a name change going into season 5, and the introduction of a brand-new cast member (played by Tom Durant-Pritchard) to team up with Eliza. Unfortunately, Durant-Pritchard's Inspector Blake is hardly as genial as...

On Sunday January 12 2025, PBS broadcasts Miss Scarlet on Masterpiece!

The Rival Season 5 Episode 1 Episode Summary

The upcoming episode of “Miss Scarlet on Masterpiece,” titled “The Rival,” promises to bring tension and intrigue to the screen. Set in the bustling backdrop of Victorian London, this episode introduces Di Alexander Blake, a new character who arrives at Scotland Yard with a firm approach to crime-solving. His arrival shakes things up, particularly for Eliza Scarlet, the determined private detective who has made a name for herself.

In “The Rival,” viewers will see Di Blake take charge of a case involving a missing lord who stands accused of murder. His strong stance against using private detectives puts Eliza in a difficult position. She finds herself being kicked off the case, which is a significant setback for her. This conflict sets the stage for a battle of wits, as Eliza must find a way to...

Stuart Martin won't be returning as The Duke for Miss Scarlet and The Duke Season 5, leaving some fans to question why and who will replace him.

Scottish actor Martin has been co-leading the way in Miss Scarlet and The Duke since it began, taking his final leading role in the cast of Season 4.

Why Isn't The Duke in Miss Scarlet Season 5? Read full article on The Direct.

Hollywood doesn't forgive. One moment you're on top, then you're not. In some instances, though, the downslide shouldn't surprise anyone, as all it takes is a string of rotten performances or a mega box office bomb to blacklist a star from the industry. Still, how do you explain the actors who disappear from showbiz after a major breakout role then? That's where it gets interesting and complicated.

Even though the world of glitz and glamor appeals to the outside audience, it isn't always as remarkable for the people on the inside. Success comes in different shapes and forms for others, and that's okay because life would be boring otherwise. In some instances, actors lose interest in Hollywood and all it has to offer. It could be that they wanted to experience a slice of normality, or grew sick and tired of playing political games to secure parts, so they choose another path to take.

The TV show Yellowstone has been a huge success since it premiered in 2018 with 44 award nominations and eight wins, including “Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series” at the Golden Globes for Kevin Costner’s performance. The legendary actor, whose career spans over four decades, stars as John Dutton, a widowed patriarch who oversees the largest ranch in the United States—an empire that has been in his family's possession for six generations.

Costner has been no stranger to the Western genre. He played Lieutenant Dunbar in the cult classic Dances With Wolves from 1990, which he also directed, as well as Open Range (2003) and Horizon: An American Saga, a Western epic containing three films, with the final one currently in production. The Western era has inspired countless movies and TV shows over the years, but newer productions seem to lack the depth old classics possess, and Kevin Costner...

Born Marion Robert Morrison, John Wayne is one of the greatest movie stars from Hollywood's Golden Era. Known to many as "the Duke," Wayne had a fifty-year career working in motion pictures, starting from the waning years of the silent era and concluding during the middle of the New Hollywood movement. A prolific workhorse, Wayne amassed 184 acting credits in his career, which includes 90 Westerns and over 30 war films, the two genres Wayne is most associated with.

Throughout his career, Wayne faced criticisms of being a great movie star, but not necessarily a great actor. Performances in movies such as Red River, The Searchers, and The Shootist demonstrated Wayne's expanded range as an actor, proving many of his most adamant critics wrong. Twice nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role, Wayne won the award for his performance in True Grit. One of the most beloved and profitable stars of his era,...

The Star Wars films contain dozens of notable cameos. Some are subtle, while others are far more obvious (Jack Black and Lizzo in The Mandalorian). But one secret cameo may rule them all: legendary western star John Wayne was in Star Wars: A New Hope, released in 1977.

You'd be forgiven for never noticing his brief appearance in the film, especially considering most fans didn't know for years that the cameo even existed. The whole thing might've been forever forgotten if not for legendary sound designer Ben Burtt, whose credits include the original Star Wars trilogy, E.T., Raiders of the Lost Ark, and Blade Runner. Speaking with Star Wars Blog years ago, Burtt revealed that the character Garindan, played by Sadie Eddon in A New Hope, is actually voiced by none other than The Duke himself, John Wayne.

For those who may not remember, Garindan (also known as Long Snoot...

It is that time of year again when everyone, everywhere, is getting their holiday day cards ready to send out, and Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are no different.

As Monsters and Critics reported, Prince Harry and Meghan’s card was sent out last year without photographs of their children included.

Prince Harry and Meghan have two young children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, and they keep them out of photographs as much as possible.

Fans love to see glimpses of them or their cousins across the pond, Prince William and Kate Middleton’s children.

Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis are in the news more often than their cousins, but seeing how they have grown is still a delight.

This year, Prince Harry and Meghan have decided to share a photo of Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet in their photomontage of a Christmas/Holiday Card.

Prince Harry and...

With John Wayne's unfortunately passing in 1979, the 1970s proved the final chapter in his storied and tenured acting career that saw him rise to be the most iconic Western actor in history. Wayne's filmography in this decade both cemented and boosted his legendary status, portraying different roles in various genres that defined his career and made him a household name across the world. His characters and films explored many Western cultural themes such as loyalty, justice, courage, and revenge that have become trademarks of his work throughout the years.

It's incredible to think that Wayne was still evolving and progressing as an actor, even into his late 60s, with nuanced roles in films like Rio Lobo and The Cowboys. Whether portraying a rugged Civil War veteran on a mission or a hardened mentor, passing down his wisdom and tales to a younger group, the 1970s felt like a year...

Western movies have shaped American cinema since its earliest days, and no star looms larger over the genre than John Wayne. With a career spanning over 50 years and more than 80 Westerns, Wayne boasts a rewatchable filmography can seem daunting to modern viewers looking for a starting point. While his performances often carried similar traits including his distinctive drawl, 9-minute fist fights, and unwavering moral code each film offered something unique that helped define Wayne's career and the Western genre.

Certain films are perfect entry points for those exploring Wayne's extensive Western catalog. They combine accessible storytelling with the iconic elements that made The Duke a Hollywood legend. These movies showcase Wayne's evolution as an actor and the Western genre's ability to tackle complex themes, all while delivering compelling entertainment. From breakthrough roles to some of his most underrated, these films perfectly introduce John Wayne's Wild West.

Big Jake Wayne Adapts...

10 Celebrities Who Started as Background Actors - Main Image

The journey to stardom is not an easy one. While some celebrities are fortunate enough to be born into the business, others must work tirelessly to climb the ladder of success.

In fact, many of today's most famous stars began their careers as extras in television shows or movies, often just passing by as vague silhouettes in the background—so unrecognizable that you might be surprised to learn they were ever there.

Every actor has a story to tell, many of which come from humble beginnings that can be truly inspiring.

After all, nobody starts at the top, and becoming a great actor doesn’t happen overnight. With that in mind, here are ten celebrities who started as background actors, and their journeys might just surprise you.

1. Brad Pitt

Many may know Brad Pitt as Hollywood royalty, but his journey to stardom began much more modestly.

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Brothers is an action heist comedy adventure series directed by Max Barbakow from a screenplay by Macon Blair. The 2024 film follows the story of two twin criminal brothers and while one is trying to reform the other is trying to pull him in on a dangerous heist. With legal troubles, gunfights, and family drama they must reconcile their differences before they lose out on the score of a lifetime. Brothers stars Josh Brolin and Peter Dinklage in the lead roles with Glenn Close, Brendan Fraser, Marisa Tomei, Jennifer Landon, M. Emmet Walsh, and Taylour Paige starring in supporting roles. So, if you loved the hilarious comedy, dangerous thrills, and compelling characters in Brothers here are some similar movies you should check out next.

Logan Lucky (Netflix & Rent on Prime Video) Credit – Bleecker Street

Logan Lucky is a...

Miss Scarlet has a return date, albeit without the Duke. The PBS British mystery series will return for its fifth season in January with a new title and a new leading man.

Tom Durant Pritchard is joining Kate Phillips, Evan McCabe, Cathy Belton, Felix Scott, Paul Bazely, Simon Ludders, and Tim Chipping for season five of the Masterpiece series set in the Victorian era. The story revolves around Eliza Scarlet (Phillips) as she takes over her dad’s detective agency following his death. The show's first four seasons feature her partnering with gruff Scotland Yard inspector William Wellington (Stuart Martin), aka"The Duke."Read More…...

Miss Scarlet and The Duke followed the adventures of Eliza Scarlet (Kate Phillips) as she took over her late father's detective agency. Left almost without money and trying to break into the male-dominated industry operating under her father's name, Stuart Martin's William Wellington (aka The Duke) had been Eliza's support system for the first four seasons. However, the upcoming season will see Eliza proceed with her quest without her Duke, as the period crime drama has later been renamed to simply Miss Scarlet following Martin's departure from the show. Even so, Eliza won't be concluding her operations anytime soon, as the premiere date for the fifth season has been revealed accompanied by first-look images per TVLine.

John Wayne was a humbled man early in the 1960s. His passion project, "The Alamo," had fallen well short of box office expectations in 1961. An epic Western about the siege of the basement-less San Antonio mission, Wayne directed the film and took its failure personally. He didn't need a hit; even at his lowest point in the 1970s, a Wayne picture at a certain budget level was an automatic greenlight. Still, Wayne was a prideful man who actively tended to his legacy; he was mindful of his fan base, and sought their approval. So Wayne came charging out of his corner in 1962, and knocked out every last naysayer with Howard Hawks' "Hatari!," "How the West Was Won," "The Longest Day" and John Ford's "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance."

The Ford movie could've been Wayne's Western swan song, but a rifle-toting Wayne astride a horse still held commercial appeal,...

One of the all-time most venerated Hollywood directors, Howard Hawks was a master at making movies in every genre under the sun. Whether helming the classic gangster film Scarface, the iconic musical Gentleman Prefer Blondes, the landmark film noir The Big Sleep, or the influential screwball comedy Bringing Up Baby, Hawks had a preternatural understanding of telling stories on the big screen. Of course, his biggest cinematic contributions may reside in the Western film genre.

After making Red River with John Wayne in 1948, Hawks continued working with The Duke throughout their careers. Yet, the glaring similarities between the 1959 Western Rio Bravo and the 1966 Western El Dorado have raised the question among cinephiles are the two movies the same? Did Hawks and Wayne deliberately remake their previous movie or were the story parallels coincidental? To find answers, a side-by-side comparison between them bears closer attention.

Rio Bravo Where to Watchstreamrentbuy

Not...

Ah, the fall. In the words of the great philosopher Calvin, "Bugs are dying by the truckload! Ha ha ha! Good riddance to 'em all!" We've still a few weeks left of summer on the calendar, but the days are already getting shorter and dead, crunchy leaves have suddenly begun turning up in my backyard. More relevant to this discussion, it's that time of year when Netflix's original slate typically becomes a whole lot more interesting. This is when the streamer starts rolling out the awards season hopefuls it acquired at film festivals earlier in the year, along with some of its more niche genre films and TV series.

Whatever you flavor is -- whether you're in the mood to traumatize yourself by viewing Studio Ghibli's harrowing animated masterpiece "Grave of the Fireflies" or hate-watch the second half of "Emily in Paris" season 4 or the new season of...

The animated series “Solar Opposites” has brought significant alterations both behind the scenes and within its storyline for the fifth season on Hulu. The show, which centers around an alien family stuck on Earth, has introduced a new voice actor for a principal character and revived an important villain from earlier episodes.

British actor Dan Stevens, known for starring roles in “Downton Abbey” and “Beauty and the Beast,” now voices the character of Korvo, one of the main aliens. This replaces the previous voice actor Justin Roiland, who co-created the show but lost his job after facing domestic violence charges in 2020. Stevens said he’s enthusiastic about the new part in an interview, expressing his passion for voice acting in adult animation projects.

A key subplot in the series follows miniature humans inhabiting a self-contained world inside a terrarium made by one of the aliens. This “Wall” story arc saw the return of The Duke,...

The return of The Duke in Solar Opposites season 5 sets up a major storyline for season 6's The Wall saga. Terry's Make-Alive ray brings back not just The Duke, but potentially all dead characters from The Wall. The Duke's comeback could either make him a hero or a villain in Cherie's rule over The Backyard.

Solar Opposites season 5 is now here, and the end of Hulu's newest batch of episodes just brought back season 1's biggest villain from The Wall. While Solar Opposites is most known for its wacky sci-fi adventures that center on the titular family of aliens, the series also has a lot of other storylines, such as the epic The Wall saga. This tragic storyline has continued throughout all five seasons of The Wall, but things may have just gotten worse for Solar Opposites' miniature The Wall inhabitants, as the show's most fearsome...

Terry and Korvo are loving life on Earth in the Solar Opposites season 5 trailer, with bolder character arcs and surprises ahead. The Duke's unexpected return shakes up The Wall storyline, hinting at a sci-fi twist in the upcoming season on Hulu. In addition to the trailer, Hulu announced that Solar Opposites season 6 is already in development.

Terry and Korvo are back on Earth and happier than ever in the Solar Opposites season 5 trailer. Co-created by Mike McMahan and showrun by him and Josh Bycel, the Hulu animated comedy show revolves around the titular alien family adjusting to their new lives on Earth after the destruction of their planet, frequently conflicting with humanity through their various technology. Led by Dan Stevens, Thomas Middleditch, Sean Giambrone and Mary Mack, Solar Opposites has proven a steady hit for Hulu across its first four seasons.

A few months after the show's Valentine's Day special,...

Exclusive: Netflix has found the actor set to play President Garfield’s daughter in upcoming biographical series Death By Lightning produced by Game of Thrones creators David Benioff and D.B. Weiss.

British up-and-comer Laura Marcus (The Serpent Queen) will portray Mollie Garfield opposite Michael Shannon, who leads as the 20th Potus.

The series from Mike Makowsky (Bad Education), which is being EP’d by Game of Thrones and 3 Body Problem‘s Benioff and Weiss via their overall deal with Netflix, tells the stranger-than-fiction true story of Garfield’s assassination by Charles Guiteau (Matthew Macfadyen).

Garfield was President in 1881 and was assassinated later that year, having previously served nine terms as a Congressman. He was elected as a Senator but declined this when he became President, despite having not sought the office. He was shot by Guiteau, who felt he had played a major role in Garfield’s election. The...

The season premiere of “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” scored 3.71 million viewers on July 10, making it the most-watched telecast of the night among broadcasters.

Hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, “Millionaire” is celebrating its 25th anniversary. The show, returning for the first time in several years (and marking the return of a studio audience after two seasons without one due to Covid-19) opened with John Mulaney and Nick Kroll paired for one segment, and Kenan Thompson and Kel Mitchell and paired for the other. The episode outperformed its most recent season finale in 2021 by 28% in total viewers, and stood as the night’s top entertainment telecast in adults ages 18 to 49 (0.44 rating).

After three days of time-shifted viewing, the premiere remained the top program of the night in L+3 (0.47 rating).

In other TV news:

Programming

“Hop,” the whimsical preschool series about an empathetic frog and his quirky friends from “Arthur” creator Marc Brown,...

John Wayne co-helmed his goriest Western, Big Jake, due to director George Sherman's ill health. Big Jake marked John Wayne's final time working with Maureen O'Hara and featured his sons Patrick Wayne and Ethan as his on-screen family. Due to disliking violent films, Wayne insisted humor balance the violence in Big Jake, which turned out to be a mistake.

John Wayne made arguably his bloodiest Western in 1971, and the film is even more interesting when a certain making of detail is taken into account. John Wayne fronted 80 Westerns during his career and was still cranking them out at a steady pace during the 1970s. Despite the genre being in decline, most of the actor's output from this era like The Cowboys or Wayne's only sequel Rooster Cogburn turned a profit. Unfortunately, most of his final films like Howard Hawk's Rio Lobo are underwhelming, and the star was starting to show his age.

The Royal Ascot is Britain’s annual horseracing festival and a significant event for the royal family. It has been a staple in the summer social calendar of the royals since 1711 when Queen Anne established the annual race meeting.

Members Of The Royal Family Are Allowed In The Royal Enclosure

It is a five-day event and England’s equivalent to the Kentucky Derby, except it is more formal, proper, and prestigious. The opening day of the Royal Ascot this year was June 18th.

Each day of racing starts with the Royal procession from Windsor Castle, where the King, Queen, and accompanying members of the royal family come to the track in horse-drawn carriages.

Members of the royal family are allowed in the Royal Enclosure, established in 1822, when the area was explicitly reserved for the family and guests of King George IV to see the first running of the gold cup.

The Rocky movies are pretty synonymous with cinema. You’ve got every kind of movie you could want, the intimate Academy Award-winning underdog original and its closely knit sequel, the fun and cheesy spectacles of Rocky III and Rocky IV, the misguided attempt to recapture its roots with Rocky V, and the old war horse, broken down, one-last-fight inspiration of Rocky Balboa. The story behind the first movie is as engaging as the movie itself, which is why it will be the subject of a new movie from Peter Farrelly called I Play Rocky.

Blu-ray.com has unveiled that Warner Bros. Home Entertainment will now be releasing the Rocky series, sans Creed spin-offs, with the new 4K Ultra HD Rocky: Ultimate Knockout Collection. The set will encompass all versions of the commercially released films in Uhd, which includes both the theatrical version of Rocky IV and the recut Rocky Vs.

Penelope Featherington is revealed as Lady Whistledown early in Bridgerton season 1, diverging from the books. The show chose to reveal Lady Whistledown earlier to resolve season 1's biggest question and pay off audience investment. The early reveal impact is seen in future seasons, with Penelope becoming more central and sympathetic to viewers.

Netflix's Bridgerton, based on the romance novels by Julia Quinn, reveals Lady Whistledowns identity much earlier than the books. Each of Quinn's eight books focuses on a different Bridgerton sibling. While all eight alphabetically named Bridgerton siblings appear in season 1 of Bridgerton, the season is primarily based on the first book in the Bridgerton series, The Duke and I, which tells the story of Daphne Bridgerton and Simon, Duke of Hastings. The Netflix show, of course, diverges from The Duke and I in several ways, but one of the biggest moments in the season isnt in the first book.

Warning! Spoilers about the Bridgerton book series ahead.

The Bridgerton book series follows the Bridgerton siblings on their quest for love from 1813 to 1827. Each book details a different sibling's journey towards love, with unique obstacles and character growth. Some Bridgerton books are action-packed and filled with romance and scandal, making them rank higher than other Bridgerton books.

Netflixs Bridgerton famously adapts the book series of the same name by Julia Quinn here are the eight books, ranked worst to best. Following the Bridgerton family from 1813 to 1827, Julia Quinns Bridgerton book series tells the story of the Bridgerton siblings looking for love like Violet and Edmunds relationship taught them to instead of just marrying to take their place in society. Each Bridgerton book follows a different sibling and their intended, detailing their individual growth as characters and their often tumultuous love story. Bridgertons first book was released in 2000, with the last...

Prime Video has released the first photos from My Lady Jane, the quick-witted romantic new series set in an alt-fantasy Tudor world. The series will premiere exclusively on Prime Video on Thursday, June 27, in more than 240 countries and territories around the world.

Inspired by the best-selling book, My Lady Jane is a radical retelling of English royal history, in which King Henry VIII’s son Edward does not die of tuberculosis, Lady Jane Grey is not beheaded, and neither is her rascal of a husband, Guildford.

At the center of this rollicking new series is the brilliant and headstrong Jane, who is unexpectedly crowned queen overnight and finds herself the target of nefarious villains coming for the crown (and her head)… My Lady Jane is an epic tale of true love and high adventure, where the damsel in distress saves herself, her true love, and then the Kingdom.

The cast...

The Western genre is one of the most popular in film history, and has been since the early days of silent cinema. However, Western films first began to emerge in earnest towards the middle of the 20th century thanks to the popularity of well-known movie stars who became synonymous with the genre. Gary Cooper, Walter Brennan, Glenn Ford, James Garner, and Alan Ladd all had their fans, but no actors came to dominate the genre quite like John Wayne. Following the breakthrough success of 1939’s Stagecoach, Wayne paved a career path forward in which he nearly exclusively starred in gunslinger movies. Wayne’s popularity grew so immense that his name alone was enough to generate enthusiasm for an upcoming project; however, Wayne’s nickname “The Duke” can be traced to a running joke from his childhood.

A new trailer for Rebel Moon — Part Two: The Scargiver has just been released.

Following the unveiling of the film's official poster, the new trailer was released by Netflix on Monday. The trailer hints at the action-packed nature of the sequel with new footage of intense battle scenes. The Scargiver isn't set to start streaming on Netflix until April 19, but viewers can get an early look by watching the new trailer below.

Related 'We Know the Goal': Zack Snyder Wants to Expand the Rebel Moon Universe Zack Snyder's plans for the Rebel Moon's universe are bigger than the two films announced.

“It’s a war film, 100 percent,” Snyder recently teased of The Scargiver, per Empire. “It’s got way more action than the first movie, very intense and crazy action. It’s absolutely an emotional rollercoaster you’re going to be on with these cats. We discover the backstories of our heroes,...

Talented actors bring Miss Scarlet and The Duke to life with engaging mysteries, stunning costumes, and captivating characters. Set in Victorian London, the series follows Eliza Scarlet and Di William as they solve crimes, with season 5 in development. The supporting cast includes familiar faces like Kate Phillips and Stuart Martin, adding depth to the thrilling British detective show.

The Miss Scarlet and The Duke cast is one of the stand-out aspects of PBS's period crime drama series, as the talented actors have appeared in various projects ranging from critically acclaimed shows to big-budget movies. Set in Victorian London, Miss Scarlet and The Duke follows Eliza Scarlet (Kate Phillips) who decides to oversee her father's detective agency after his untimely death. With the help of her unlikely, yet charming partner, Detective Inspector William "The Duke" Wellington of Scotland Yard (Stuart Martin), the pair set out to solve crimes in their city.

Believe it or not, there was a time when The Duke was just plain old John Wayne, a struggling actor who was trying to make it. He was, like every fledgling actor, just a person trying to get themselves a job. They might have their preferences, but a check is a check. Wayne's status as a Western icon was not yet cemented, and he had yet to become a household name. His cinematic identity was more malleable because nobody really knew who he was, and the studios hadn't really decided on it yet anyway. This is where things get a little strange. Hot off the heels of The Big Trail, his first big feature, John Wayne and Marguerite Churchill reunited for the 1931 romantic comedy Girls Demand Excitement. The film is surprisingly out of character for Wayne — in fact, he hated the film so much, it almost made him quit acting.

PBS has renewed Miss Scarlet and The Duke for a fifth season, but the upcoming season will be without one of its stars -- Stuart Martin, aka The Duke. Due to the actor's exit, the Masterpiece series will be retitled Miss Scarlet.

Starring Martin, Kate Phillips, Ansu Kabia, Andrew Gower, and Kevin Doyle, the series follows Eliza Scarlet (Phillips) after she is left penniless when her father dies in 1882 in London. She takes over her dad's detective agency alone while working under his name. She struggles to build her reputation and frequently calls on her lifelong friend, gruff Scottland Yard detective William Wellington (Martin)

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Miss Scarlet and The Duke are out; Miss Scarlet is in. PBS has announced major changes to the period piece as it renews the series for Season 5. Stuart Martin, who plays the titular William “The Duke” Wellington, is leaving the series, and from this point on, it will be titled Miss Scarlet. Kate Phillips will remain in her leading role of Eliza Scarlet. Miss Scarlet and The Duke follows Eliza Scarlet, Victorian London’s first-ever female detective, who spars (and sparks) with Scotland Yard Detective Inspector William Wellington, aka The Duke. Eliza is a headstrong woman, and William is her childhood friend turned professional competition. Season 4 of the series premiered on January 7 on PBS. In it, Eliza took over the business Nash & Sons. Meanwhile, her will-they-won’t-they dynamic with the Duke came to a head. By Season 4 Episode 4, their relationship had changed forever. The Season 4 finale aired on February 11. Martin...

John Wayne's career extended beyond Western films, with a notable focus on war movies aligning with the wars of his time. Some war films had political agendas, controversies, while others earned awards and acclaim, despite some box office flops. Key war movies in Wayne's repertoire include Operation Pacific, Sands of Iwo Jima, and The Longest Day, each with unique strengths and legacies.

Actor John Wayne has gone down in history as an icon of the Western genre, however, The Duke was known for more than just his cowboy movies, and in fact, Wayne made a number of popular war movies. Though Wayne's career started all the way back in the 1920s as a prop boy and extra, he had his breakthrough in the 1940s and 1950s. In that time, Wayne starred in many Western movies, but his war movie career began as well. Wayne's war movies typically aligned with the wars of the time,...

The new Netflix series The Gentlemen from Guy Ritchie has an official full-length trailer and character posters!

The new series sees Eddie Horniman (Theo James) unexpectedly inherit his father’s sizable country estate – only to discover it’s part of a cannabis empire. Moreover, a host of unsavory characters from Britain’s criminal underworld want a piece of the operation. Determined to extricate his family from their clutches, Eddie tries to play the gangsters at their own game. However, as he gets sucked into the world of criminality, he begins to find a taste for it.

If you don’t know, the series is based on Guy‘s 2019 film of the same name. That film starred Matthew McConaughey and Charlie Hunnam.

Keep reading to find out more…

The series stars Vinnie Jones, Joely Richardson, Kaya Scodelario, Daniel Ings, Giancarlo Esposito, Peter Serafinowicz, and Max Beesley.

The show will debut on March 7, 2024.

Watch the trailer below,...

The stars of the upcoming live-action Avatar: The Last Airbender series are stepping out for the premiere of their new Netflix show!

Leading young stars Kiawentiio, Gordon Cormier, Ian Ousley and Dallas Liu showed off their fashion on the gold carpet at The Egyptian Theatre Hollywood on Thursday evening (February 15) in Los Angeles.

The four stars of the show were joined by many of their co-stars, including Paul Sun-Hyung Lee, Daniel Dae Kim, Elizabeth Yu, Ken Leung, and many more!

Keep reading to find out more…

Avatar: The Last Airbender is a live-action reimagining of the popular Nickelodeon animated series, which follows Aang, the young Avatar, as he learns to master the four elements to restore balance to a world threatened by the terrifying Fire Nation.

The upcoming new series is set to debut Next Thursday, February 22nd on Netflix. Check out the trailer here!

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Quick Links The Freedom Fighters Bring Nuance June the Bounty Hunter is an Enigma Avatar Kyoshi is Crucial Representation The Cave of Two Lovers Offers Historical Significance Guru Pathik is an Unnecessary Mystery Koh the Face Stealer Expands the Fantastical Worldbuilding Aang's Childhood at the Southern Air Temple is Important Backstory Zuko and Azula's Mother Ursa is the Show's Biggest Unsolved Mystery The Story of Hama Highlights the Fire Nation's Destruction The Order of the White Lotus Society Needs to No Longer Be a Secret

Avatar: The Last Airbender is a beloved animated series that will receive a live-action adaptation, set to be released on Netflix in February 2024. Adapting a popular show is risky business, but many fans have high hopes that the live-action Atla can be Netflix's next big hit as long as the streaming service does the story justice.

One important aspect of a successful adaptation is honoring...