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In conversation with Brian Chanes,

Senior Director, Hollywood and Entertainment, Beverly Hills

Images courtesy of Heritage Auctions

by Chad Kennerk

If you haven’t read the thrillifying book The Ruby Slippers of Oz by Rhys Thomas, then you’re missing out on one of Hollywood’s most engaging mysteries. The book dives into the creation of the underground movie memorabilia scene as Thomas recounts his journey to uncovering just what happened to the iconic ruby slippers. How many were made for the film? How many still exist? Did MGM throw them in the incinerator, as Warner Bros. was doing with so many costumes and props in the late 60s? Or were they literally buried like unfortunate costumes from Rko? Thanks to careful storage, one existing pair of slippers is a darker burgundy colour than any other known pair.

Owner Michael Shaw toured his pair of ruby slippers around the country,...

by Chad Kennerk

Images courtesy of Ams Pictures.

The legendary 1939 film, and now, the stage and movie musical Wicked — based on Gregory Maguire’s novel — have added to the legacy of Frank L. Baum’s magical American tale and inspired generations to dream. The making of The Wizard of Oz is legend in its own right. Over the years, the desire to know more about the behind-the-scenes magic has unleashed a mountain of myths and misconceptions, along with some remarkable truths. Randy Schmidt is the writer and producer of the new documentary Mysteries of Oz: 85 Questions Answered. In celebration of the 85th anniversary of the 1939 film, this fast-paced documentary series counts down 85 questions tackling the lore and legacy of The Wizard of Oz.

Among the interviewees are Jane Lahr (daughter of actor Bert Lahr), Joey Luft (the son of Judy Garland), and Oz’s surviving cast members — former child actors Valerie Lee,...

NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” has now won an astonishing 101 Emmy Awards, breaking its own massive record from the 1976 ceremony through 2024. As it now heads into a 50th season in a few weeks, the variety series took six trophies at Saturday’s Creative Arts Emmys and has three more nominations at Sunday’s event. It also has two more opportunities at next week’s Primetime event (Bowen Yang for supporting actor and Variety Scripted Series). The next closest show in second place is “Game of Thrones” with 59 overall.

At Saturday’s ceremony, it triumphed for hairstyling, makeup, production design and lighting design. Technically, it was technical direction category that was the 100th victory. Liz Patrick then won the 101st Emmy for Best Variety Series Directing.

Over the past 15 years, “SNL” guest actor winners have included Jimmy Fallon, Eddie Murphy, Justin Timberlake and Dave Chappelle. Best Comedy Guest Actress winners have included Tina Fey,...

Exclusive: After a long journey across broadcast, cable and streaming, defying the odds multiple times, Nasim Pedrad’s praised coming-of-age comedy series Chad is coming to an end. A spokesperson for the Roku Chanel, which released Chad’s second season, confirmed to Deadline that the streamer will not be proceeding with future seasons.

Roku originally had committed to taking on the finished but unaired second season of Chad (along with Season 1 repeats), so a Season 3 was considered a long shot but a possibility. It is now not happening, officially ending the show’s wild ride.

Chad‘s origins date back more than eight years when SNL alumna Pedrad started developing the comedy for Fox. The broadcast network picked up the half-hour, starring Pedrad as teen Persian-American boy Chad Amani, to pilot in February 2016.

Fox eventually passed on the pilot, which means certain death for most projects, but Chad found a...

"The Eye Doesn't Lie" episode of Documentary Now! excellently parodies the serious documentary genre by finding humor in a grave scenario. The episode meticulously mirrors the Errol Morris documentary The Thin Blue Line, maintaining its innovative essence while infusing it with comedy. John Mulaney's true crime obsession and distinctive comedic style add depth and authenticity to the parody, allowing for a nuanced exploration of the genre.

Documentary Now! has emerged as a beacon of parody excellence in modern television, demonstrating an extraordinary commitment to detail and a unique vision for satire, and "The Eye Doesn't Lie" is no different. Created by Fred Armisen, Bill Hader, Seth Meyers, and Rhys Thomas, the show sets itself apart by choosing to parody documentaries that are inherently serious and devoid of comedic elements. This approach not only showcases the creators' deep appreciation and understanding of the documentary genre but also their skill in...

"Dronez: The Hunt for El Chignon" is a pitch-perfect parody of Vice Media's immersive and often sensationalized style of journalism, highlighting the absurdity and potential dangers of this approach. The episode replicates Vice's stylistic elements, from gritty camera work to edgy interviews, and satirizes the overzealous nature of Vice reporters more focused on the thrill of the chase than the broader context of their stories. Vice's reaction to the episode was surprisingly supportive, showcasing their ability to appreciate satire aimed at their own brand of journalism. Their response bridges the gap between satire and subject, demonstrating the importance of humor and self-reflection in navigating the media landscape.

Documentary Now! is a unique and inventive series that masterfully blends comedy with documentary filmmaking. Created by Bill Hader, Fred Armisen, Seth Meyers, and Rhys Thomas, the show is known for its sharp wit and remarkable ability to parody a wide range of documentary styles.

“For the most part, it is dramatic and fairly dark,” declares Alex Buono about the new limited category “Documentary Now!” has been moved to for the Emmy Awards. He continues, “There is a lot of murdery, dark, bleak storytelling in this category. I’m hoping there is room for a pretty silly absurdist comedy. His fellow showrunner Rhys Thomas adds, “We’re campaigning on a platform of joy, if you’re a fan of happiness you’ve got to vote for ‘Documentary Now!’” Watch the exclusive video interview above.

SEEEmmys shocker: ‘Documentary Now’ forced out of variety categories, into limited series categories [Exclusive]

“Documentary Now!” is an IFC and AMC+ comedy show, under the guise of a series featuring acclaimed documentaries. Dame Helen Mirren introduces each feature, which is a mockumentary parodying a real-life documentary. It means each episode has a distinct shooting style and story. The series was created by Fred Armisen,...

The Peabody Awards announced on Thursday the nominees in the entertainment, arts, children’s/youth, podcast/radio, interactive/immersive and public service categories, celebrating stories released in broadcasting and streaming media during 2022. The nominees in documentary and news categories were announced on April 11.

Among the entertainment nominees are Emmy winners Abbott Elementary, Atlanta, Bob’s Burgers and We’re Here, along with new series like Andor, Bad Sisters, Mo, Pachinko and Somebody Somewhere.

Shari Frilot has also been named the winner of the first annual Visionary Award, which honors an individual whose groundbreaking body of work has shaped the forms, the creators and the field of boundary-pushing interactive storytelling. Frilot is the senior programmer of the Sundance Film Festival & Chief Curator of New Frontier at Sundance, where she established the Sundance Online Film Festival in 2001 and introduced cinematic installations and performances to the festival’s Frontier section, before founding the New Frontier.

 Marvel Studios live-action Original TV series "Hawkeye", follows crime-fighting archer 'Clint Barton' aka 'Hawkeye' (Jeremy Renner) and his protégé 'Kate Bishop' (Hailee Steinfeld), now streaming on Disney+:

"...Disney+ and Marvel Studios invite you on an unexpected holiday getaway with 'Hawkeye', a new series set in post-blip New York City. Former 'Avenger Clint Barton' has a seemingly simple mission: get back to his family for Christmas. Possible?  "Maybe with the help of 'Kate Bishop', a 22-year-old archer with dreams of becoming a superhero  The two are forced to work together when a presence from Barton's past threatens to derail far more than the festive spirit.   "Starring Jeremy Renner as 'Clint Barton'/'Hawkeye' and Hailee Steinfeld as 'Kate Bishop', 'Hawkeye' also features Vera Farmiga, Fra Fee, Tony Dalton, Zahn McClarnon, Brian d'Arcy James and Alaqua Cox as 'Maya Lopez'. Helmed by Rhys Thomas...

 Marvel Studios live-action Original TV series "Hawkeye", follows crime-fighter 'Clint Barton' aka 'Hawkeye' (Jeremy Renner) and his protégé 'Kate Bishop' (Hailee Steinfeld), now streaming on Disney+:

"...Disney+ and Marvel Studios invite you on an unexpected holiday getaway with 'Hawkeye', a new series set in post-blip New York City. Former 'Avenger Clint Barton' has a seemingly simple mission: get back to his family for Christmas. Possible?  "Maybe with the help of 'Kate Bishop', a 22-year-old archer with dreams of becoming a superhero  The two are forced to work together when a presence from Barton's past threatens to derail far more than the festive spirit.   "Starring Jeremy Renner as 'Clint Barton'/'Hawkeye' and Hailee Steinfeld as 'Kate Bishop', 'Hawkeye' also features Vera Farmiga, Fra Fee, Tony Dalton, Zahn McClarnon, Brian d'Arcy James and Alaqua Cox as 'Maya Lopez'. Helmed by Rhys Thomas and directing duo Bert and Bertie,...

Exclusive: Oscar and Emmy Award-nominee Alex Buono (Documentary Now!, Russian Doll) has been tapped as producing director and will direct the pilot of Peacock’s Based on a True Story from Craig Rosenberg.

The dark comedy, starring Kaley Cuoco and Chris Messina, follows a realtor, a plumber, and a former tennis star whose lives unexpectedly collide, exposing America’s obsession with true crime, murder, and the slow-close toilet seat.

Messina portrays Nathan, the washed-up tennis star husband of realtor Ava Bartlett (Cuoco).

Rosenberg will serve as writer, showrunner, and executive producer of the series. Jason Bateman and Michael Costigan will executive produce for their banner Aggregate Films; Roxie Rodriguez and Melissa Blake serve as co-executive producers for Aggregate. The series will be produced by UCP, a division of Universal Studio Group.

Buono is best known for directing the Emmy-nominated comedy series Documentary Now!, starring Bill Hader and Fred Armisen. Buono...

The BAFTA has revealed nominations for its Children and Young People Awards, which are returning for the first time in three years.

The BBC’s “Dodger” and “The Snail and the Whale” lead with three nominations each, followed by two nominations for “The Amazing World of Gumball,” “Jamie Johnson,” “JoJo & Gran Gran” and “Silverpoint.”

The ceremony will take place in London on Nov. 27, where 14 categories will be awarded in recognition of craft, performance, and games. All awards are voted on by BAFTA’s membership of children’s industry professionals. The ceremony will be hosted by TV and radio presenter Lindsey Russell.

Faraz Osman, chair of the BAFTA Children and Young People Committee, said: “It is a real joy to bring together the industry and celebrate the creativity and craft behind its recent output, especially after the pandemic, where children’s programming played a monumental role in family support. Through the...

For over half a century, Documentary Now! has gifted us with the finest in cinema verité, introducing generations upon generations of documentarians to viewers around the nation. Who can forget when D.A. Pennebaker first unveiled his groundbreaking Dylan doc Dont Look Back on the show in the early spring of 1967, right before he brought it to the hippies and headcases on Haight Street? Or the controversy that occurred when the series defied its sponsors’ wishes and broadcast Barbara Kopple’s Harlan County U.S.A. in 1976? (It would win the...

A comedy series that parodies various documentaries is already a niche idea for a TV show, but for the makers of “Documentary Now!,” leaning into the specific is part of the fun – and part of what makes the show such a fan-favorite for its small but devoted fanbase.

“The good news is, I think we always make them knowing that it will be someone’s favorite,” executive producer, co-creator and writer Seth Meyers told TheWrap in an interview tied to Season 4. “And that is so true of the Agnes Varda [episode]. Like I think for some people, it might be a little bit denser to get into and it’s in French, but it’s gonna be for the people – and again, you’re leaving a lot of money on the table when you don’t go after Varda fans – but they’re gonna be blown away that this much care...

It may be sacrilege to say this: but I’d rather watch Cate Blanchett in a “Documentary Now!” episode than conducting the Berlin Phil while harassing young female virtuosos in the hysteria-tinged arthouse Oscar bait “Tár.”

Among the double Oscar winner’s finest roles was her take last season on the self-serious Serbian conceptual artist Marina Abramovich in the breathlessly hilarious “Waiting for the Artist.” Now, in the new Season 4 (or “Season 53” as the producers tease) premiering Oct. 19 on IFC, Blanchett returns. She plays a forlorn, bespectacled village hairdresser in a riff on beauty-themed docs, “Two Hairdressers in Bagglyport,” opposite “Succession’s” eat-her-young matriarch Lady Caroline Collingwood (Harriet Walter).

Perhaps it all comes down to taste, but I can’t imagine Blanchett better than the wildly freeing, reality-rooted comic performances to which she fully commits here. “Carol?” Not hardly.

The series is the brainchild of Bill Hader, Fred Armisen, Seth Meyers and Rhys Thomas.

Maybe take these “historical” stories with a grain of salt.

Oscar winner Helen Mirren returns as the host for Season 53 of IFC’s “Documentary Now!” series, premiering October 19 on IFC and AMC+. “Stories that dare to tell the truth have never been more crucial to our culture,” Mirren says in the trailer. “Now, more than ever, the world needs ‘Documentary Now!'”

The “true” series will parody famed documentaries “The September Issue,” “Burden of Dreams,” “3 Salons at the Seaside,” “When We Were Kings,” “Gleaners and I,” and “Beaches of Agnes” across its six-episode season. A special sneak peek at the mock “My Octopus Teacher” entry stars “Fleabag” fan-favorite Jamie Demetriou as a filmmaker who “who forms a deep, emotional, and financially taxing relationship with a monkey” and gets shirtless in a moment of passion. Titled “My Monkey Grifter,” the spoof spans true crime and bestiality.

Oscar winner Cate Blanchett, “Succession” star Nicholas Braun,...

In 2015, pals Fred Armisen, Bill Hader, Seth Meyers, and Rhys Thomas got together with IFC to create “Documentary Now!,” a mockumentary TV series that spoofs celebrated docs through film history. The show was an immediate hit, and now it heads into its fourth season, ready to premiere on IFC/AMC+ next month.

Read More: The 70 Most Anticipated TV Shows & Mini-Series Of 2022

The highly anticipated “53rd season,” as IFC christens it in its press release, boasts six new documentary-inspired episodes from a diverse all-star cast and crew.

Continue reading ‘Documentary Now!’ Season 4: The Mockumentary Series Returns On IFC/AMC+ On October 19 at The Playlist.

Neil Jordan’s ‘Marlowe’: Liam Neeson And Diane Kruger Feature To Debut At San Sebastian

The Official Selection of the San Sebastian Festival will close with the world premiere of Marlowe, the latest film by Irish filmmaker Neil Jordan. The film will debut on September 24 at the Kursaal Auditorium with the film’s stars Liam Neeson and Diane Kruger in attendance. Based on the novel The Black Eyed Blonde by John Banville, the film is set in 1930s Los Angeles and follows private eye Philip Marlowe (Neeson) as he receives a commission to find the missing lover of a beautiful heiress. The film is produced by Alan Moloney, Gary Levinsohn, Mark Fasano, Billy Hines, Philip Kim, and Patrick Hibler. Shot in Barcelona and Dublin, the film is a co-production between Parallel Films, Hills Productions, and Davis Films, with support from Fís Éireann / Screen Ireland.

ITV Studios France Names New...

“Dodger,” the high-octane family drama based on Charles Dickens’ “Oliver Twist,” is set to return to the BBC for three specials.

Production has just wrapped in Bristol on the three one-off episodes, which include a Christmas-themed offering, with Christopher Eccleston (“Doctor Who”) returning as Fagin and Billy Jenkins (“Peaky Blinders”) returning as the eponymous child pickpocket.

Also returning for high jinks in Victorian London are Ellie-May Sheridan (“Call The Midwife”), Aabay Ali, Connor Curren, Mila Lieu, David Threlfall (“Shameless”), Alex Kingston (“Doctor Who”), Rhys Thomas (“The Fast Show”), Javone Prince (“No Time To Die”), Lucy Montgomery (“Disenchantment”), Saira Choudhry (“Life”), James Fleet (“Vicar of Dibley”), Lenny Rush (“A Christmas Carol”) and Sam C Wilson (“Hanna”).

They are joined by newcomers to the series Anita Dobson (“EastEnders”), Robert Lindsay (“My Family”), Mark Benton (“Waterloo Road”), Rufus Jones (“Home”), Matthew Holness (“Garth Marenghi’s Darkplace”) and Jane Horrocks (“Absolutely Fabulous”).

“Dodger” will air...

TIFF just announced a whole lot more movies for this year’s festival.

On Wednesday, the festival shared the slate of documentaries that will be screened in September, including the world premiere of the documentary “In Her Hands”, executive produced by Hillary and Chelsea Clinton.

Read More: TIFF To Honour ‘Empire Of Light’ Director Sam Mendes With Ebert Director Award

The film is directed by Tamana Ayazi and Oscar nominee Marcel Mettelsiefen, and is about Afghan politician Zarifa Ghafari, who became the youngest woman to serve as mayor of an Afghan city at age 26.

“This was filmed last year,” TIFF’s chief documentary programmer Thom Powers told Deadline. “Monday was the [first] anniversary of the Taliban’s retaking of Afghanistan. And that is the backdrop for this film.”

The film, which was produced through the Clintons’ banner Hidden Light, is one of two projects premiering at the festival involving the former...

The Toronto Intl. Film Festival’s Docs program gets underway Sept. 8 and will feature 22 nonfiction films — a hefty 57 increase from last year’s lineup, which was cut back to 14 due to Covid.

Notable titles include Oscar winner Laura Poitras’ “All the Beauty and the Bloodshed,” which is pictured above and making its Canadian premiere following a world premiere at the Venice Film Festival; “Blackfish” director Gabriela Cowperthwaite’s latest docu “The Grab” and veteran filmmaker’s Werner Herzog’s “Theatre of Thought.”

Sacha Jenkins’s “Armstrong’s Black & Blues” will serve as TIFF Docs’ opening film.

Thom Powers, lead TIFF documentary programmer, winnowed the list of 22 from 700 submissions. While constructing this year’s program, Powers noticed various themes emerge across submissions, one being being the act of resistance.

“Cowperthwaite’s “The Grab,” which she has been making for seven years under a lot of secrecy, follows journalist Nathan Halverson as...

New films from Werner Herzog, Laura Poitras, Cristian Mungiu and Jerzy Skolimowski have been added to the lineup of the 2022 Toronto International film Festival, TIFF organizers announced on Wednesday.

The new films are in the TIFF Docs and Contemporary World Cinema sections and together will make up almost 75 additions to the lineup of the festival, which will run from Sept. 8-18.

The TIFF Docs section will open with the world premiere of Sacha Jenkins’ “Louis Armstrong’s Black & Blues.” Other films in the section include Herzog’s “Theatre of Thought,” which examines new research into the brain; Poitras’ “All the Beauty and the Bloodshed,” about artist Nan Goldin and her campaign to get museums to reject the patronage of the Purdue Pharma-owning Sackler family; and “In Her Hands,” Tamana Ayazi and Marcel Mettelsiefen’s film about Zarifa Ghafari, the youngest woman mayor in Afghanistan as the Taliban returned to power in that country.

Click here to read the full article.

The Toronto Film Festival has announced new titles for its TIFF Docs and Contemporary World Cinema sections.

The TIFF Docs section will open with the previously announced Sacha Jenkins’ Louis Armstrong’s Black & Blues, and there’s a North American premiere for Laura Poitras’ opioid epidemic doc All the Beauty and the Bloodshed from Participant.

The festival will also feature newly-added world bows for Cine-Guerrilas: Scenes from the Labudovic Reels, by director Mila Rurajlic; Documentary Now!, by Alex Buono, Rhys Thomas and Micah Gardner; Sam Soko and Lauren DeFilippo’s Free Money, about a Kenyan village being given a universal basic income by an American organization; The Grab, from Blackfish director Gabriela Cowperthwaite; and Stephanie Johnes’ Maya and the Wave.

Other documentary first looks headed to Toronto include Mark Fletcher’s Patrick and the Whale; Sinead O’Shea’s Pray for our Sinners; Self-Portrait as a Coffee Pot,...

Includes new work from Blackfish director Gabriela Cowperthwaite, Werner Herzog and Klaus Hӓrӧ.

New work from Blackfish director Gabriela Cowperthwaite, Werner Herzog and Klaus Hӓrӧ are among TIFF Docs and Contemporary World Cinema line-ups announced on Wednesday (August 17).

In TIFF Docs, Cowperthwaite’s The Grab exposes the systematic acquisition of food and water resources by international governments and private companies. Herzog returns to the fray with Theatre Of Thought, in which he explores the cutting edge of brain research.

The selection includes Mark Fletcher’s nature documentary Patrick And The Whale (pictured) and opens with Sacha Jenkins’ Louis Armstrong’s Black & Blues.

As of the 2021 ceremonies, NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” has now won 92 Emmy Awards, breaking its own record of 84 from 2020. The variety series took seven trophies last September at the Creative Arts Emmys and one more for Best Variety Sketch Series at the Primetime event. The next closest show in second place is “Game of Thrones” with 59 overall.

Will the 47th season of “SNL” push the program up to 100 all-time victories? The series has nine nominations for the 2022 ceremonies:

Best Variety Sketch Series

Best Comedy Supporting Actress – Kate McKinnon

Best Comedy Supporting Actor – Bowen Yang

Best Comedy Guest Actor – Jerrod Carmichael

Best Variety Series Directing

Best Music Direction

Best Production Design

Best Sound Mixing

Best Variety Series Writing

Two victories in 2021 were in the comedy guest categories, the second ones for both Dave Chappelle and Maya Rudolph hosting “SNL.” Chappelle was triumphant as Best Comedy Guest Actor. Over the past 13 years,...

Documentary Now! is back on IFC and it is set to premiere Season 53 on Wednesday, October 19 at 10 p.m. Et with two new episodes. The titles of the two-part season premiere are “Soldier of Illusion,” written by John Mulaney, and “Trouver Frisson,” which plays tribute to the Agnès Varda films.

Alexander Skarsgard (Big Little Lies), Nicholas Braun (Succession), and August Diehl (Inglorious Bastards) star in the premiere episode titled “Soldier of Illusion,” which was inspired by the Werner Herzog-focused documentary Burden of Dreams. Skarsgard plays a visionary German filmmaker in the 1980s who tries to will his magnum opus into existence while working in the remote, punishing conditions of the Russian Ular mountains.

Deb Hiett returns as narrator in the episode that also stars Kevin Bishop (The Tracey Ullman Show), Gana Bayarsaikhan (Wonder Woman), Matthias Rimpler (Ludzie i Bogowie), and Fred Armisen (SNL).

The second episode of the premiere...

Alexander Skarsgård, Nicholas Braun, French actor Liliane Rovère and others have joined the cast for Season 53 of “Documentary Now!,” IFC announced Friday. The channel also released a first look teaser as well as final details for two new episodes to round out the season.

Known for paying homage to the world of documentaries, “Documentary Now!” Season 53 will debut with on Wednesday, Oct. 19 at 10 p.m. on IFC and on AMC+ the same day. New episodes will debut weekly on Wednesdays.

The two-part season premiere episode “Soldier of Illusion,” written by John Mulaney and starring Skarsgård, Braun and August Diehl, was inspired by the Werner Herzog-focused documentary “Burden of Dreams.” Set in the early 1980s, the episode follows a visionary German filmmaker (Skarsgård) as he tries to will his magnum opus into existence while working in the remote, punishing conditions of the Russian Ular mountains. Kevin Bishop, Gana Bayarsaikhan, Matthias Rimpler,...

Taran Killam as Benedict A. Juniper, John Mulaney as Simon Sawyer – Documentary Now! _ Season 3, Episode 3 – Photo Credit: Rhys Thomas/IFC IFC today released a first look teaser and final details from the highly anticipated 53rd season of Documentary Now!. The two-part season premiere episode, “Soldier of Illusion,” written by John Mulaney, and “Trouver Frisson,” paying tribute to the films of Agnes Varda, join previously announced episodes “Two Hairdressers in Bagglyport,” “How They Threw Rocks” and “My Monkey Grifter” to round out the season. Known for lovingly paying homage to the world of documentaries, Documentary Now! Season 53 will debut with a two-episode premiere on Wednesday, October 19 at 10 Pm on IFC, and on AMC+ the same day. New episodes to debut weekly on Wednesdays. The upcoming season of the critically acclaimed comedy, co-created by Fred Armisen, Bill Hader, Seth Meyers and Rhys Thomas, executive produced by Lorne Michaels and produced by Broadway Video,...

IFC is giving viewers their first look at the highly-anticipated 53rd season of Documentary Now! with an all-new trailer. Really the show’s fourth season, as Season 53 plays into the satirical nature of the Documentary Now! concept, the two-part premiere taking place Wednesday, October 19 includes the episodes “Soldier of Illusion,” written by John Mulaney, and “Trouver Frisson,” which pays tribute to the films of Agnes Varda. The installments join previously announced episodes “Two Hairdressers in Bagglyport,” “How They Threw Rocks,” and “My Monkey Grifter” to round out the season. Documentary Now! is known for lovingly paying homage to the world of documentaries with the help of celebrity performers. Co-created by Fred Armisen, Bill Hader, Seth Meyers, and Rhys Thomas, Documentary Now! is executive produced by Lorne Michaels and produced by Broadway Video. (Credit: IFC) In “Soldier of Illusion,” Alexander Skarsgård, Nicholas Braun, and August Diehl star in the episode inspired...

Marvel Studios live-action Emmy nominated Original Series "Hawkeye", picks up from the feature "Avengers: Endgame", following champion archer, crime-fighter 'Clint Barton' aka 'Hawkeye' (Jeremy Renner) and his protégé 'Kate Bishop' (Hailee Steinfeld), now streaming on Disney+:

"...Disney+ and Marvel Studios invite you on an unexpected holiday getaway with 'Hawkeye', a new series set in post-blip New York City. Former 'Avenger Clint Barton' has a seemingly simple mission: get back to his family for Christmas. Possible?  "Maybe with the help of 'Kate Bishop', a 22-year-old archer with dreams of becoming a superhero  The two are forced to work together when a presence from Barton's past threatens to derail far more than the festive spirit.   "Starring Jeremy Renner as 'Clint Barton'/'Hawkeye' and Hailee Steinfeld as 'Kate Bishop', 'Hawkeye' also features Vera Farmiga, Fra Fee, Tony Dalton, Zahn McClarnon, Brian d'Arcy James and Alaqua Cox as 'Maya Lopez'.

The first round of casting for the next season of Documentary Now! is complete.

Cate Blanchett, Jamie Demetriou, Trystan Gravelle, Jonathan Pryce, John Rhys-Davies and Harriet Walter, with singer Tom Jones join the comedy series.

Created by Bill Hader, Fred Armisen, Seth Meyers and Rhys Thomas, and hosted by Dame Helen Mirren is known for lovingly paying homage to the world of documentaries, six all-new episodes of Documentary Now! Season 53 is set to air on IFC and AMC+ in the Fall of 2022. The show is produced by Lorne Michaels and Broadway Video.

The synopsis of three episodes are out and here is the breakdown:

Two Hairdressers in Bagglyport will star Cate Blanchett and Harriet Walter who pay homage to fashion documentaries 3 Salons at the Seaside and The September Issue, the episode is a fly-on-the-wall portrait of a hair salon owner (Walter) and her staff (Blanchett...

IFC has announced the first round of casting for the “53rd season” (not really 53rd season) of “Documentary Now!,” headlined by Cate Blanchett, Jamie Demetriou, Trystan Gravelle, Jonathan Pryce, John Rhys-Davies and Harriet Walter. Tom Jones is also joining the original comedy series.

The newly announced cast will be a part of the three previously announced episodes for the upcoming season, all of which are written by co-creator Seth Meyers.

Blanchett and Walter will star in “Two Hairdressers in Bagglyport,” a portrait of a hair salon owner and her staff in the small coastal village of Bagglyport as they prepare their yearly stylebook. Co-creator Fred Armisen will star as well in the homage to fashion documentaries “3 Salons at the Seaside” and “The September Issue.”

The episode “How They Threw Rocks” will feature Welsh actors Gravelle, Pryce and Rhys-Davies and Welsh singer Jones. In the vein of “When We Were Kings” and other explorations of sport,...

We're wigging out over this casting news! Cate Blanchett is set to join season four of the IFC and AMC series Documentary Now!, co-created by Fred Armisen, Bill Hader, Seth Meyers and Rhys Thomas. Blanchett will star opposite Killing Eve's Harriet Waller in the episode "Two Hairdressers in Bagglyport," a comedic take on the documentaries 3 Salons at the Seaside and The September Issue. Waller will play a salon owner, with Blanchett playing her employee, as they prepare for their yearly look-book. And fans of the emotional documentary My Octopus Teacher will notice some similarities in the episode "My Monkey Grifter," starring The...

IFC today released the first round of casting for “Documentary Now!” Season 4 which includes Cate Blanchett, Jamie Demetriou, Trystan Gravelle (“Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power”), Jonathan Pryce, John Rhys-Davies and Harriet Walter as well as musical artist Tom Jones.

The all new six-episode season will begin airing on IFC and AMC+ later this fall. Blanchett previously guest starred in the Season 2 episode “Waiting for the Artist.”

Co-created by Fred Armisen, Bill Hader, Seth Meyers and Rhys Thomas, and hosted by Helen Mirren, the series is executive produced by Lorne Michaels and produced by Broadway Video. The announced cast toplines the three previously announced episodes from the upcoming season written by Meyers.

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“Two Hairdressers in Bagglyport” will star Blanchett and Walter as it pays homage to fashion documentaries “3 Salons at the Seaside” and “The September Issue.” The episode is...

Two-time Academy Award winner Cate Blanchett — who previously starred in Documentary Now!‘s Season 3 outing, “Waiting for the Artist” — is ready for an encore, in one of the half-dozen episodes premiering this fall on IFC and AMC+.

Co-created by Fred Armisen, Bill Hader, Seth Meyers and Rhys Thomas, and hosted by Dame Helen Mirren, Documentary Now “lovingly” pays homage to the world of documentaries. The three previously announced episodes from the upcoming “Season 53,” all written by Meyers, are as follows:

More from TVLineTVLine Items: Constance Zimmer Joins Big Sky, Mayans M.C. Premiere and MoreKevin Kline and Cate Blanchett to Star in Disclaimer,...

The Brady organization against gun violence is calling on Hollywood writers, directors and producers to examine onscreen gun violence and depictions of gun safety, asking the creative community to sign a pledge that’s already garnered more than 200 signatures of such names as Judd Apatow, Shonda Rhimes, Damon Lindelof and Jimmy Kimmel and the writers of Jimmy Kimmel Live!

The pledge, while noting that the “responsibility lies with lax gun laws supported by those politicians more afraid of losing power than saving lives,” acknowledges that “America’s storytellers” have the power to “effect change.”

“Cultural attitudes toward smoking, drunk driving, seatbelts and marriage equality have all evolved due in large part to movies’ and TV’s influence. It’s time to take on gun safety,” the Brady pledge states, and goes on to ask writers, directors and producers to, whenever possible, to:

Use creativity “to model responsible gun ownership and...

The knee-slapping quips and archery antics of Clint Barton and Kate Bishop in the MCU’s “Hawkeye” series have been submitted for Emmy attention in the comedy categories, instead of the presumed limited series field. With the switch in categories, all signs indicate that a potential second season of the Hawkeye superhero saga is in the future for Disney+, though no official announcement has been made.

In addition to seeking love for outstanding comedy series, stars Jeremy Renner and Hailee Steinfeld will angle for lead actor and lead actress consideration. In the supporting categories, Disney has submitted Vincent D’Onofrio, Fra Free, Tony Dalton, Alaqua Cox, Florence Pugh and Vera Farmiga.

Read more: Variety’s Awards Circuit Emmys Predictions Hub

The MCU has its hands full this television awards season. Variety exclusively reported “Loki” would be submitted in the drama categories, while “Moon Knight” will now fly solo in the limited series realm.

"Robotech," which was the American adaptation of three unrelated Japanese anime TV series edited into one, aired in the United States back in 1985. Though I was more of a "Battle of the Planets" sort of kid, I was certainly aware of it. In the series, an alien ship crashed on Earth, and humans used the technology to create giant mecha to battle an looming alien invasion. Though there were failed attempts to make a film version of the anime before, a new attempt has just nabbed a director. According to Deadline, Rhys Thomas, who directed three of the six episodes of Marvel's Disney+ series "Hawkeye," will...

The post Robotech Movie Coming From Hawkeye Director Rhys Thomas appeared first on /Film.

Exclusive: After helping steer the ship as the main director on Marvel’s Hawkeye series, Rhys Thomas has been set to direct Mark Canton and Gianni Nunnari’s Robotech for Sony Pictures. The film is currently in development with the script by Marcum & Holloway with a rewrite by Brian Gatewood and Alessandro Tanaka. Harmony Gold also is involved.

Based on the popular ’80s anime TV series, Robotech is set in a time when Earth has developed giant robots from the technology of an alien spacecraft that crashed on a South Pacific island and now is using that technology to fight off an impending alien invasion.

Thomas is flying high after directing and executive producing the Disney+ Marvel series Hawkeye, with Jeremy Renner reprising his Avengers role. Thomas also is highly regarded in the comedy world for his work on Saturday Night Live and the Emmy-nominated IFC series Documentary Now!, which he co-created with Fred Armisen,...

Take a look at actress Hailee Steinfeld, aka 'Kate Bishop' in Marvel Studios live-action Original Series "Hawkeye", as a laser-scanned 1/6th scale action figure from Hot Toys:

"..,in “Hawkeye’, ‘Clint Barton' has a seemingly simple mission: get back to his family for Christmas. Possible? "Maybe with the help of 'Kate Bishop', a 22-year-old archer with dreams of becoming a superhero.

"The two are forced to work together when a presence from Barton's past threatens to derail far more than the festive spirit. Starring Jeremy Renner as 'Clint Barton'/'Hawkeye' and Steinfeld as 'Kate Bishop', 'Hawkeye' also features Vera Farmiga, Fra Fee, Tony Dalton, Zahn McClarnon, Brian d'Arcy James and Alaqua Cox as 'Maya Lopez'.

Directed by Rhys Thomas and directing duo Bert and Bertie, "Hawkeye" is now streaming on Disney+.

Click the images to enlarge...

BBC family comedy “Dodger,” which launched on children’s channel Cbbc and migrated to the flagship BBC One channel, has gotten an official soundtrack release.

Universal International Studios and Back Lot Music released the official soundtrack, which features original music written by Joel Cadbury and Will Harper. You can stream the soundtrack now via all major global digital streaming platforms. The BBC series is inspired by Charles Dickens’ “Oliver Twist,” and takes place before the events of the classic novel and proposes a backstory for The Artful Dodger and Fagin’s gang in 1830s Victorian London.

“Dodger” is written by Rhys Thomas and Lucy Montgomery, with Charlie Higson guest writing an episode. Thomas directs alongside Hildegard Ryan. Executive producers include Thomas and Montgomery. Mark Freeland is executive producer for Universal International Studios.

Said Thomas: “The music Joel and Will composed for ‘Dodger’ is more than just a soundtrack. It’s...

Take a look at actress Hailee Steinfeld, aka 'Kate Bishop' in Marvel Studios live-action Original Series "Hawkeye", posing for "Cosmopolitan" magazine, wearing Stella McCartney and Cartier, photographed by Ellen von Unwerth:

"...Disney+ and Marvel Studios invite you on an unexpected holiday getaway with 'Hawkeye'...  "...a new series set in New York City.  "Former 'Avenger Clint Barton' has a seemingly simple mission: get back to his family for Christmas. Possible?  "Maybe with the help of 'Kate Bishop', a 22-year-old archer with dreams of becoming a superhero.  

"The two are forced to work together when a presence from Barton's past threatens to derail far more than the festive spirit.   Starring Jeremy Renner as 'Clint Barton'/'Hawkeye' and Steinfeld as 'Kate Bishop', 'Hawkeye' also features Vera Farmiga, Fra Fee, Tony Dalton, Zahn McClarnon, Brian d'Arcy James and Alaqua Cox as 'Maya Lopez'. Helmed...

The beloved mockumentary series Documentary Now! is back! The show, created by funnymen Fred Armisen, Bill Hader, Seth Meyers, and Rhys Thomas, is currently in production on what it’s billing as Season 53, which will premiere later this year on IFC and AMC+. Hosted by Dame Helen Mirren, the series will continue to pay comic homage to “the world of documentaries” with six brand-new episodes. “My Monkey Grifter,” inspired by the hit documentary My Octopus Teacher, will similarly follow a filmmaker “who forms a deep, emotional, and financially taxing relationship with a monkey who may have ulterior motives,” reads one description. “Paying homage to fashion documentaries 3 Salons at the Seaside and The September Issue, Two Hairdressers in Bagglyport is a fly-on-the-wall portrait of a hair salon owner and her staff in the small coastal village of Bagglyport as they prepare their yearly stylebook,” states another synopsis. #DocumentaryNow season 53 episode title reveal.

“Documentary Now!” has unveiled the first details of its upcoming fourth season (or 53rd according to the show).

While the new season of the IFC comedy series does not have a premiere date, it is expected to air on IFC and AMC Plus in 2022. The new season will consist of six episodes and is currently in production.

Documentaries to be featured in the upcoming season include:

· Paying homage to fashion documentaries “3 Salons at the Seaside” and “The September Issue,” “Two Hairdressers in Bagglyport” is a fly-on-the-wall portrait of a hair salon owner and her staff in the small coastal village of Bagglyport as they prepare their yearly stylebook.

· In the vein “When We Were Kings” and other great explorations of sport, “How They Threw Rocks” chronicles the Welsh sport of Craig Maes, also known as “Field Rock”, and the iconic 1974 bout dubbed “The Melon vs. The Felon.”

· Drawing inspiration from “My Octopus Teacher,...

IFC has unveiled details for the latest chapter of its cult-favorite, spoof series Documentary Now!, created by Fred Armisen, Bill Hader, Seth Meyers and Rhys Thomas.

After nearly three years since news of Season 4 dropped, IFC shared that the Emmy-nominated Documentary Now! will return in 2022 on both IFC and AMC. Hosted by Dame Helen Mirren and known for lovingly paying homage to the world of documentaries, Documentary Now! and its in-show “fifty-third” season returns with six new episodes and is currently in production. Among the documentaries getting new comedic spins in Season 4 are the Oscar-winning docs When We Were Kings and My Octopus Teacher.

In the vein When We Were Kings and other great explorations of sport, Documentary Now!’s “How They Threw Rocks” will chronicle the Welsh sport of Craig Maes, also known as “Field Rock”, and the iconic 1974 bout dubbed “The Melon vs. The Felon.”

Drawing inspiration from My Octopus Teacher,...

After three years of static, “Documentary Now!” fans can rejoice: the Emmy-nominated docu-comedy series is returning for a fourth season to IFC and AMC+ sometime this year.

Dame Helen Mirren resumes her hosting duties for six brand-new episodes of the show, which parodies a wide range of classics and lesser-known gems of the documentary genre.

Details on three of the six titles have been announced, with more to come. “Two Hairdressers in Bagglyport,” an homage to fashion documentaries “3 Salons at the Seaside” and “The September Issue,” profiles a hair salon owner and her staff in the small coastal village of Bagglyport as they prepare their yearly stylebook.

Next up is “How They Threw Rocks,” which draws inspiration from “When We Were Kings” along with other exploratory sports epics. The episode chronicles the Welsh sport of Craig Maes, also known as “Field Rock”, and the iconic 1974 bout dubbed “The Melon vs.

Actress Hailee Steinfeld, aka 'Kate Bishop' in Marvel Studios "Hawkeye", poses for "Cosmopolitan" magazine, wearing Stella McCartney and Cartier, photographed by Ellen von Unwerth:

"...Disney+ and Marvel Studios invite you on an unexpected holiday getaway with 'Hawkeye'...  "...a new series set in New York City.  "Former 'Avenger Clint Barton' has a seemingly simple mission: get back to his family for Christmas. Possible?  "Maybe with the help of 'Kate Bishop', a 22-year-old archer with dreams of becoming a superhero.  

"The two are forced to work together when a presence from Barton's past threatens to derail far more than the festive spirit.   Starring Jeremy Renner as 'Clint Barton'/'Hawkeye' and Steinfeld as 'Kate Bishop', 'Hawkeye' also features Vera Farmiga, Fra Fee, Tony Dalton, Zahn McClarnon, Brian d'Arcy James and Alaqua Cox as 'Maya Lopez'. Helmed by Rhys Thomas and directing duo Bert and Bertie,...

Exclusive: Universal International Studios Exec Mark Freeland is hoping his upcoming Cbbc Oliver Twist spin-off Dodger can land as a rare, traditional family hit, while he revealed plans for “another epic idea with family appeal.”

The first five episodes of Dodger, which stars Christopher Eccleston as Fagin and Shameless star David Threlfall as the Chief of Police, will land on VoD player BBC iPlayer on Sunday and the first ep will premiere on the Cbbc channel at 5.30Pm.

Inspired by The Goonies, Dodger features 10 self-contained 45-minute episodes, mostly shot with a hand-held camera and each of which involves a cast of children plus the adult stars undertaking adventures that invariably end in the main character avoiding getting caught.

Speaking exclusively to Deadline, Freeland, a former high-level BBC exec, said UK family drama has become few and far between, citing rare hits such as BBC One comedy Ghosts, which is made...

NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” has now won 92 Emmy Awards, breaking its own record of 84 from 2020. The variety series took seven trophies at last weekend’s Creative Arts Emmys and one more for Best Variety Sketch Series at Sunday’s Primetime event. The next closest show in second place is “Game of Thrones” with 59 overall.

Two victories from a week ago were in the comedy guest categories, the second ones for both Dave Chappelle and Maya Rudolph hosting “SNL.” Chappelle was triumphant as Best Comedy Guest Actor. Over the past 12 years, other “SNL” guest actors to win have been Jimmy Fallon, Eddie Murphy and Justin Timberlake (see full list below). Rudolph won for playing Senator Kamala Harris and for hosting as Best Comedy Guest Actress. It was her second straight win, joining Tina Fey, Fey and Amy Poehler, Tiffany Haddish, Melissa McCarthy and Betty White.

SEE2021 Primetime Emmy winners list...

Hawkeye Trailer — Disney+‘s Hawkeye (2021) TV mini-series trailer has been released. Cast and crew Hawkeye stars Jeremy Renner, Hailee Steinfeld, Vera Farmiga, Fra Fee, Alaqua Cox, Tony Dalton, Zahn McClarnon, Florence Pugh, and Brian d’Arcy James. Bert and Bertie (Amber Finlayson and Katie Ellwood) each directed an episode of Hawkeye. Rhys Thomas directed three [...]

Continue reading: Hawkeye (2021) TV Mini-series Trailer: Jeremy Renner & Hailee Steinfeld Team Up for the Holidays [Disney+]...