Lo, the enduring miracle of the film awards year. Just when things begin to look hopeless—and it was looking pretty bleak a month ago—intriguing, maybe even watchable, prospects suddenly sprout. The movies are like Osiris, that old Egyptian resurrection god: You just can’t keep ‘em down.
As August arrives, more than a few adult viewers, unattuned to the ongoing fantasy-and-animation boom, are now peeking around the corner at Saturday Night, Jason Reitman’s Saturday Night Live origins story. The film was scheduled last week by Columbia Pictures for release on Oct. 11—the 49th anniversary of NBC’s first SNL broadcast, back in 1975.
As historical moments go, that may or may not impress the film Academy’s growing body of foreign-based Oscar voters. But for the domestic crowd, especially those in upper age brackets, the birth of an American comedy phenomenon, still alive some five decades later, is compelling.
As August arrives, more than a few adult viewers, unattuned to the ongoing fantasy-and-animation boom, are now peeking around the corner at Saturday Night, Jason Reitman’s Saturday Night Live origins story. The film was scheduled last week by Columbia Pictures for release on Oct. 11—the 49th anniversary of NBC’s first SNL broadcast, back in 1975.
As historical moments go, that may or may not impress the film Academy’s growing body of foreign-based Oscar voters. But for the domestic crowd, especially those in upper age brackets, the birth of an American comedy phenomenon, still alive some five decades later, is compelling.
- 8/4/2024
- by Michael Cieply
- Deadline Film + TV
"Lego Disney Princess: The Castle Quest" is an animated crossover TV special developed by Lego in collaboration with the 'Disney Princess' franchise, starring Jodi Benson, Noni Rose, Mandy Moore, Auli'i Cravalho, Katherine Von Till, Richard White, Jim Cummings, Corey Burton, Jo Anne Worley, Roland Rubio and Barrett Leddy, now streaming on Disney+:
"...'Tiana', 'Moana', 'Snow White', 'Rapunzel' and 'Ariel' are off on an adventure as they are each unexpectedly transported to a mysterious castle.
"Shortly after arriving, they soon discover that 'Gaston' has hatched an evil plan to take over all their kingdoms. The Princess characters must work together to solve challenges hidden deep within the castle walls and try to save their kingdoms. Will bravery, quick-thinking and teamwork prevail?..."
Click the images to enlarge...
"...'Tiana', 'Moana', 'Snow White', 'Rapunzel' and 'Ariel' are off on an adventure as they are each unexpectedly transported to a mysterious castle.
"Shortly after arriving, they soon discover that 'Gaston' has hatched an evil plan to take over all their kingdoms. The Princess characters must work together to solve challenges hidden deep within the castle walls and try to save their kingdoms. Will bravery, quick-thinking and teamwork prevail?..."
Click the images to enlarge...
- 8/24/2023
- by Unknown
- SneakPeek
"Lego Disney Princess: The Castle Quest", is a new animated TV special from 'Disney Princess' and the 'Lego Group', directed by Michael D. Black, streaming August 18, 2023 on Disney+:
".. 'Tiana', 'Moana', 'Snow White', 'Rapunzel' and 'Ariel' are off on an adventure as they are each unexpectedly transported to a mysterious castle. Shortly after arriving, they soon discover that 'Gaston' has hatched an evil plan to take over all their kingdoms! The 'Princess' characters must work together to solve challenges hidden deep within the castle walls and try to save their kingdoms from Gaston. Will bravery, quick-thinking, and teamwork prevail?..."
Cast includes Jodi Benson, Auli'i Cravalho, Mandy Moore, Anika Noni Rose, Katie Von Till, Richard White, Joanne Worley, Corey Burton and Jim Cummings as 'King Triton'.
Click the images to enlarge...
".. 'Tiana', 'Moana', 'Snow White', 'Rapunzel' and 'Ariel' are off on an adventure as they are each unexpectedly transported to a mysterious castle. Shortly after arriving, they soon discover that 'Gaston' has hatched an evil plan to take over all their kingdoms! The 'Princess' characters must work together to solve challenges hidden deep within the castle walls and try to save their kingdoms from Gaston. Will bravery, quick-thinking, and teamwork prevail?..."
Cast includes Jodi Benson, Auli'i Cravalho, Mandy Moore, Anika Noni Rose, Katie Von Till, Richard White, Joanne Worley, Corey Burton and Jim Cummings as 'King Triton'.
Click the images to enlarge...
- 8/8/2023
- by Unknown
- SneakPeek
Perry Cross, who served as Johnny Carson’s first producer on The Tonight Show before he exited to run an ABC program hosted by Jerry Lewis that came and went after 13 episodes, has died. He was 95.
Cross died March 9 of kidney cancer at a hospital in Los Angeles, his son, Larry Cross, told The Hollywood Reporter.
Cross started out producing Ernie Kovacs’ CBS weekday morning show in 1952 and also worked on The Red Skelton Hour, Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-In, The Dinah Shore Chevy Show, The Soupy Sales Show, Life With Linkletter, The Garry Moore Show and several Jonathan Winters live specials during his career.
Cross had been producing The Tonight Show in the immediate aftermath of host Jack Paar’s departure on March 30, 1962, guiding the NBC program in Hollywood and New York that featured guest hosts for six months until Carson took over.
NBC wanted Cross to be Carson’s producer,...
Cross died March 9 of kidney cancer at a hospital in Los Angeles, his son, Larry Cross, told The Hollywood Reporter.
Cross started out producing Ernie Kovacs’ CBS weekday morning show in 1952 and also worked on The Red Skelton Hour, Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-In, The Dinah Shore Chevy Show, The Soupy Sales Show, Life With Linkletter, The Garry Moore Show and several Jonathan Winters live specials during his career.
Cross had been producing The Tonight Show in the immediate aftermath of host Jack Paar’s departure on March 30, 1962, guiding the NBC program in Hollywood and New York that featured guest hosts for six months until Carson took over.
NBC wanted Cross to be Carson’s producer,...
- 4/4/2023
- by Mike Barnes
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Betty Sturm, who played a follower of Timothy Carey’s cult leader in the infamous Frank Zappa-scored The World’s Greatest Sinner, died Sunday of Alzheimer’s disease at her home in Clinton, New Jersey, her son, William Winckler, announced. She was 89.
Carey wrote, directed, produced and starred as an insurance salesman who transforms himself into the dictatorial God Hilliard in The World’s Greatest Sinner (1962). The film has rarely been seen in theaters and is perhaps best known for its Zappa connection. Martin Scorsese is said to be a fan.
In the 2012 making-of documentary Making Sinner, Sturm was interviewed by Romeo Carey, Timothy Carey’s son. She explained that because of The World’s Greatest Sinner‘s yearlong shooting schedule and a financial dispute, she did not return for one last scene, so an extra stepped in for her to play a saxophone.
Raised in Spain and Germany,...
Carey wrote, directed, produced and starred as an insurance salesman who transforms himself into the dictatorial God Hilliard in The World’s Greatest Sinner (1962). The film has rarely been seen in theaters and is perhaps best known for its Zappa connection. Martin Scorsese is said to be a fan.
In the 2012 making-of documentary Making Sinner, Sturm was interviewed by Romeo Carey, Timothy Carey’s son. She explained that because of The World’s Greatest Sinner‘s yearlong shooting schedule and a financial dispute, she did not return for one last scene, so an extra stepped in for her to play a saxophone.
Raised in Spain and Germany,...
- 1/23/2023
- by Mike Barnes
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Michelle Yeoh has joined the star-studded cast of Jon M. Chu’s “Wicked,” TheWrap has confirmed.
The “Everything Everywhere All At Once” star will play the headmistress of Crage Hall at Shiz University and the Wizard’s colleague Madame Morrible. The character originates from Gregory Maguire’s “Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West,” on which the Broadway musical is based.
The film will see Yeoh reunite with her “Crazy Rich Asians” director Chu, who joined the project along with Ariana Grande as Glinda and Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba in Nov. 2021. More recently, Jeff Goldblum signed on to play The Wizard and “Bridgerton” star Jonathan Bailey was cast as Fiyero.
Tony Award-winner Carole Shelley first played Madame Morrible on Broadway. Other notable peformers who have taken on the role include Rue McClanahan, Jayne Houdyshell, Rondi Reed, JoAnne Worley, Liz McCartney, Patty Duke and Carol Kane.
The “Everything Everywhere All At Once” star will play the headmistress of Crage Hall at Shiz University and the Wizard’s colleague Madame Morrible. The character originates from Gregory Maguire’s “Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West,” on which the Broadway musical is based.
The film will see Yeoh reunite with her “Crazy Rich Asians” director Chu, who joined the project along with Ariana Grande as Glinda and Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba in Nov. 2021. More recently, Jeff Goldblum signed on to play The Wizard and “Bridgerton” star Jonathan Bailey was cast as Fiyero.
Tony Award-winner Carole Shelley first played Madame Morrible on Broadway. Other notable peformers who have taken on the role include Rue McClanahan, Jayne Houdyshell, Rondi Reed, JoAnne Worley, Liz McCartney, Patty Duke and Carol Kane.
- 12/8/2022
- by Harper Lambert
- The Wrap
Arte Johnson, who won an Emmy for his memorable work on Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In and worked in TV and film for nearly half a century, died early Wednesday at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles, his family said announced. He was 90 and had battled bladder and prostate cancer for the past three years.
Johnson earned three consecutive Emmy noms for Laugh-In from 1969-71, winning the first year. He was part of the politically tinged NBC sketch series’ main cast from its launch in January 1968 until 1971, playing myriad characters in the show that launched the careers of such stars as Lily Tomlin, Goldie Hawn, Eileen Brennan, Henry Gibson, Jo Anne Worley and many others.
Among his most popular characters was Wolfgang, a cigarette-smoking German soldier who believed that World War II was still ongoing, as he scouted the show while hidden behind bushes. He would then invariably comment on the preceding sketch...
Johnson earned three consecutive Emmy noms for Laugh-In from 1969-71, winning the first year. He was part of the politically tinged NBC sketch series’ main cast from its launch in January 1968 until 1971, playing myriad characters in the show that launched the careers of such stars as Lily Tomlin, Goldie Hawn, Eileen Brennan, Henry Gibson, Jo Anne Worley and many others.
Among his most popular characters was Wolfgang, a cigarette-smoking German soldier who believed that World War II was still ongoing, as he scouted the show while hidden behind bushes. He would then invariably comment on the preceding sketch...
- 7/3/2019
- by Erik Pedersen
- Deadline Film + TV
When “Laugh-In” debuted on NBC in 1967, creator George Schlatter could have very well gotten away with murder. The network didn’t often understand what the producer was trying to accomplish with his quick comedic snippets, his fresh-faced cast who often stumbled over their lines (which were sometimes purposely transposed on the teleprompter), or his ragtag group of oddball writers, which included a political science professor, a 16-year-old, and a young Lorne Michaels. But the Peacock was willing to experiment in order to sock it to CBS juggernaut “I Love Lucy” in the competing timeslot.
A year and a Richard Nixon appearance later, and “Laugh-In” became the place that every star and aspiring comedic yearned to be. From Orson Welles, Michael Cain and Kirk Douglas, to Cher and Flip Wilson, a wide-range of personalities popped up in various capacities, including in the famed Cocktail Parties or on the larger-than-life Joke Wall.
A year and a Richard Nixon appearance later, and “Laugh-In” became the place that every star and aspiring comedic yearned to be. From Orson Welles, Michael Cain and Kirk Douglas, to Cher and Flip Wilson, a wide-range of personalities popped up in various capacities, including in the famed Cocktail Parties or on the larger-than-life Joke Wall.
- 5/13/2019
- by Amber Dowling
- Variety Film + TV
Netflix has announced a new special Still Laugh-In: The Stars Celebrate, a 50th anniversary tribute to the sketch comedy program Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In (1968-1973).
Hosted by original Laugh-In cast member Lily Tomlin and filmed at Los Angeles’ Dolby Theater, the special will feature appearances by Billy Crystal, Tiffany Haddish, Neil Patrick Harris, Taye Diggs, Michael Douglas, Chelsea Handler, Jay Leno, Rita Moreno, Rita Wilson, Jo Anne Worley, Snoop Dogg, Maria Bamford, Margaret Cho, Jameela Jamil and more.
“The special, which was taped at Hollywood’s Dolby Theater, is filled...
Hosted by original Laugh-In cast member Lily Tomlin and filmed at Los Angeles’ Dolby Theater, the special will feature appearances by Billy Crystal, Tiffany Haddish, Neil Patrick Harris, Taye Diggs, Michael Douglas, Chelsea Handler, Jay Leno, Rita Moreno, Rita Wilson, Jo Anne Worley, Snoop Dogg, Maria Bamford, Margaret Cho, Jameela Jamil and more.
“The special, which was taped at Hollywood’s Dolby Theater, is filled...
- 4/19/2019
- by Claire Shaffer
- Rollingstone.com
The Snatch Game hit the high seas on Thursday’s episode of RuPaul’s Drag Race, which ended with the season’s fiercest lip sync battle yet — and a dramatic ruling from Mama Ru. But first…
Inspired by the release of RuPaul’s new book GuRu — available online or wherever fine literature is sold — this week’s mini challenge required the remaining eight queens to pitch their own books to Mama Ru, complete with a cover shoot. The winning book ended up being Silky Nutmeg Ganache’s Eat It: Chronicles of the Buffet, foreshadowing a very successful evening for Yvie Oddly’s apparent nemesis.
Inspired by the release of RuPaul’s new book GuRu — available online or wherever fine literature is sold — this week’s mini challenge required the remaining eight queens to pitch their own books to Mama Ru, complete with a cover shoot. The winning book ended up being Silky Nutmeg Ganache’s Eat It: Chronicles of the Buffet, foreshadowing a very successful evening for Yvie Oddly’s apparent nemesis.
- 4/19/2019
- TVLine.com
Mary Willard, playwright, TV writer and wife of four-time Emmy nominee Fred Willard, has died at the age of 71.
Willard died on July 13, but news of her death was recently made public.
Champion is the one word that comes to mind when remembering Mary Willard and she wasn’t just Fred Willard’s best cheerleader, but she also mentored and nurtured a number of creative comedic writers and actors through the Willards’ Los Angeles-based comedy sketch group The Mohos over the last two-plus decades (which anecdotally I was a part of some years ago).
‘Let’s put on a show’ was an unofficial mantra, and within less than two-weeks time, the troupe would pull wigs out of the closet and brush up pages for performances at the Io West and The Bang Theater and even as far as the Inland Empire. Those trying out sketches at Mohos had the opportunity...
Willard died on July 13, but news of her death was recently made public.
Champion is the one word that comes to mind when remembering Mary Willard and she wasn’t just Fred Willard’s best cheerleader, but she also mentored and nurtured a number of creative comedic writers and actors through the Willards’ Los Angeles-based comedy sketch group The Mohos over the last two-plus decades (which anecdotally I was a part of some years ago).
‘Let’s put on a show’ was an unofficial mantra, and within less than two-weeks time, the troupe would pull wigs out of the closet and brush up pages for performances at the Io West and The Bang Theater and even as far as the Inland Empire. Those trying out sketches at Mohos had the opportunity...
- 9/6/2018
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Roger Perry, the veteran character actor who guest-starred on a memorable episode of the original Star Trek and portrayed Eastland headmaster Charles Parker on The Facts of Life, has died. He was 85.
Perry died Thursday night at his home in Indian Wells, California, after a battle with prostate cancer, his daughter, Dana Perry McNerney, told The Hollywood Reporter.
Survivors also include his wife since 2002, actress Joyce Bulifant, perhaps best known for playing the wife of Murray Slaughter (Gavin MacLeod) on The Mary Tyler Moore Show. Perry was previously married to Laugh-In star Jo Anne Worley from 1975 until their divorce in ...
Perry died Thursday night at his home in Indian Wells, California, after a battle with prostate cancer, his daughter, Dana Perry McNerney, told The Hollywood Reporter.
Survivors also include his wife since 2002, actress Joyce Bulifant, perhaps best known for playing the wife of Murray Slaughter (Gavin MacLeod) on The Mary Tyler Moore Show. Perry was previously married to Laugh-In star Jo Anne Worley from 1975 until their divorce in ...
- 7/13/2018
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Roger Perry, the veteran character actor who guest-starred on a memorable episode of the original Star Trek and portrayed Eastland headmaster Charles Parker on The Facts of Life, has died. He was 85.
Perry died Thursday night at his home in Indian Wells, California, after a battle with prostate cancer, his daughter, Dana Perry McNerney, told The Hollywood Reporter.
Survivors also include his wife since 2002, actress Joyce Bulifant, perhaps best known for playing the wife of Murray Slaughter (Gavin MacLeod) on The Mary Tyler Moore Show. Perry was previously married to Laugh-In star Jo Anne Worley from 1975 until their divorce in ...
Perry died Thursday night at his home in Indian Wells, California, after a battle with prostate cancer, his daughter, Dana Perry McNerney, told The Hollywood Reporter.
Survivors also include his wife since 2002, actress Joyce Bulifant, perhaps best known for playing the wife of Murray Slaughter (Gavin MacLeod) on The Mary Tyler Moore Show. Perry was previously married to Laugh-In star Jo Anne Worley from 1975 until their divorce in ...
- 7/13/2018
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
For George Schlatter, the creator of Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In, there was a key moment when the Classic TV comedy sketch series had gone from an oddity to cultural phenomenon: Sammy Davis, Jr., an old friend, was making a guest appearance on the show. They were joking around with comedy bits involving a judge, when, according to George, Sammy came up with the phrase, "Here come da judge!", which would lead into a sketch about the banter between a defendant and a judge dressed in black robe and oversized wig (becoming a national catchphrase in the process). "We taped 'Here Come Da Judge' at two in the morning," says George exclusively. "It was so funny that we put it on the next show. Suddenly people were walking down the hall saying, 'Here come da judge.' The show went on that Monday night, and Tuesday or Wedneday morning when the Supreme Court came into the courtroom,...
- 5/14/2018
- by Ed Gross
- Closer Weekly
With this beloved music and with the best visuals money can buy, you’d think it would be hard for Disney to screw up their live-action remake of Beauty And The Beast, yet they only get it about half right. I’ll skip the plot recap and get straight to my gripes. All three leads are wrong, the worst offender being Emma Watson as Belle. Ms Watson is pretty but c’mon, she’s not Belle pretty! At 27 she’s too old for the part and her face has a natural frown (some call it ‘Resting Bitch Face’, but I would never dream of using such a sexist term). Her singing voice is passable, but I found her hard to fall in love with and harder to buy into the budding romance between Belle and Beast. She’s all wrong, and so is Luke Evans as Gaston. Evans has the...
- 3/17/2017
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Paging the Unknown Comic. ABC has ordered a reboot of The Gong Show TV series, from Will Arnett, who is executive producing for his Electric Avenue Productions.Created and produced by Chuck Barris, the original version of The Gong Show premiered on NBC in 1976 and ran through 1978. It also aired in first-run syndication from 1976 to 1980 and 1988 to 1989. Barris hosted the amateur talent competition both on NBC, and in syndication, from 1977 to 1980.Frequent celebrity guests panelists on the original series included: Trixie Dejonge, Jaye P. Morgan, Gary Owens, Jamie Farr, Arte Johnson, Rip Taylor, Phyllis Diller, Anson Williams, Jo Anne Worley, and Rex Reed.Read More…...
- 10/4/2016
- by TVSeriesFinale.com
- TVSeriesFinale.com
It has come to my attention that you might not watch "RuPaul's Drag Race." Hear this: "RuPaul's Drag Race" is the only reality competition that feels fresh, fun, and outrageous every single week. The only one! All other reality shows are tired. They are weak and loveless, like the smile lines on Ryan Seacrest's face. You must watch "RuPaul's Drag Race" if you want to love reality TV again, and last night's season seven premiere proved we're going to get plenty to adore again. Here's the entire premiere episode. Watch and consider the following five reasons for sticking around this year. Get More: RuPaul's Drag Race Full Episodes, RuPaul, Logo TV 1. Ginger Minj will be serving up delectable one-liners. One fact of life is that not all drag queens are hilarious. Sometimes they prefer to be just pretty or fashionable or glamorous. That's fine and all, but comedy...
- 3/3/2015
- by Louis Virtel
- Hitfix
If you’ve paid attention to my urgent, poetic recaps of American Idol, you know we’ve arrived at my favorite time of year: the live(-ish) semifinal where a couple dozen singers with edgy haircuts and/or edgy midriff-baring tops (or both, if you’re edgy-edgy Marrialle Sellars) beg you to dial things on their behalf. It’s the esteemed Top 30 round — or as I’ve long called it, The “How Can This Be The Best Of The Best When Everybody Was Forgettable, Nervous, and Named Something Stupid?” Round. My favorite.
But I didn’t count such a stupid gimmick creeping its way into the festivities. Though 15 women qualified to perform on Tuesday’s show, only 10 would be allowed on air thanks to a mysterious prescreening round where Harry Connick Jr, Jennifer Lopez, and Paul McCartney Disguised As Sheryl Crow In The “Soak Up the Sun” Video (a.k.
But I didn’t count such a stupid gimmick creeping its way into the festivities. Though 15 women qualified to perform on Tuesday’s show, only 10 would be allowed on air thanks to a mysterious prescreening round where Harry Connick Jr, Jennifer Lopez, and Paul McCartney Disguised As Sheryl Crow In The “Soak Up the Sun” Video (a.k.
- 2/19/2014
- by Louis Virtel
- The Backlot
Cue those patriotic trumpets! CBS is developing an update of Love, American Style, the anthology series that originally aired as part of ABC’s Friday night lineup in the ’70s.
Deadline reports that the project will veer away from the show’s original format, which worked from 1969 to 1974. Instead, the new script from Jana Sinyor (Being Erica) and Aaron Martin (The Best Years) will follow four different couples who are connected through their complicated relationships. This is only a script deal; the network still has to order it to pilot before even considering it for its fall 2014 lineup.There have...
Deadline reports that the project will veer away from the show’s original format, which worked from 1969 to 1974. Instead, the new script from Jana Sinyor (Being Erica) and Aaron Martin (The Best Years) will follow four different couples who are connected through their complicated relationships. This is only a script deal; the network still has to order it to pilot before even considering it for its fall 2014 lineup.There have...
- 8/26/2013
- by Lynette Rice
- EW - Inside TV
Bww TV Los Angeles Correspondents Michael Sterling and Jerry Evans were back on the red carpet speaking to the stars last week for the official L.A. opening of Sister Act at Hollywood's historic Pantages Theatre. Among the many celebrities in attendance, Sterling chatted with Robert Townsend, Shoshana Bean, Ruta Lee, Jo Anne Worley, Jaden Betts, Kate Linder, Dmitry Chaplin So You Think You Can Dance, Jonathan Buckley Host of the new NBC reality series Siberia, and Sister Act's Ta'Rea Campbell Book of Mormon, Lion King who stars as Deloris Van Cartier. Check out the video below...
- 7/16/2013
- by Michael Sterling and Jerry Evans
- BroadwayWorld.com
Based on the hit DreamWorks film and the true story that inspired it, the high-flying Broadway musical Catch Me If You Can officially opened its run March 12 - 24, 2013 at Hollywood's Pantages Theatre. Broadway World's own Michael Sterling and Jerry Evans of the Jle Media Group were on hand to chat with the stars at the glamorous red carpet event. Celebrity guests included Max Ehrich, Ruta Lee, Jo Anne Worley, Bruce Vilanch, Anna Trebunskaya, Davis Gaines, Linda Hart, Raphael Sabarge, Charlene Tilton and Ed Ames among others. Check out the video below...
- 3/20/2013
- by Michael Sterling and Jerry Evans
- BroadwayWorld.com
Every year we hear from the Oscar cynics. "Marisa Tomei for My Cousin Vinny?" they clamor. "Ingrid Bergman in Murder on the Orient Express?" they ask. "Ugh, Renee Zellweger in Cold Mountain?" they huff, ending with a self-satisfied moan. Yes, the Oscars routinely reward the wrong people, but there's a bigger problem at hand: We need to criticize bad Oscar decisions even when it means disagreeing with conventional wisdom and not looking cool. It's a hard job, but I'd rather be right than a run-of-the-mill hater.
Since I already posted my list of the 5 All-Time Best Supporting Actress-winning performances, I thought I'd update my ranks with another Supporting Actress rundown. This time it's a whinier mission: Let's point out five winners who are never called out for their undeserving performances. Rest easy, Mira Sorvino. This time we're going after the titans.
5. Melissa Leo in The Fighter
Melissa Leo was blistering...
Since I already posted my list of the 5 All-Time Best Supporting Actress-winning performances, I thought I'd update my ranks with another Supporting Actress rundown. This time it's a whinier mission: Let's point out five winners who are never called out for their undeserving performances. Rest easy, Mira Sorvino. This time we're going after the titans.
5. Melissa Leo in The Fighter
Melissa Leo was blistering...
- 1/30/2013
- by virtel
- The Backlot
Among the over 300 individuals who gathered this week to honor the late PR Icon, Dale Olson, with an exhibit at the Hollywood Museum and former offices of make-up wizard, Max Factor, included Ruta Lee, Valerie Harper, Garry Marshall, George Schlatter, JoAnne Worley, Kate Linder, Jackie Joseph, Patricia Barry, Ann Jeffreys, Barbra Van Orden, Theodore Bikel, Ilene Graff, Ben Lanzarone, Leonard Maltin, Renee Taylor, Karen Sharpe-Kramer, Martin Wiviott, Hunter and Stan Frieberg. Scroll below for photos from the event.
- 9/29/2012
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
The memorial on Sept. 20 at the Hollywood Museum for Dale Olson, who died Aug. 9 at 78, was – like Olson himself – a relic from a kinder, gentler Hollywood. It had aspects that don’t happen often. For example, how often does a 98 year-old sing (and do it well) at a remembrance? The afternoon affair began with remarks from John Bowab to the crowd of roughly 300, including Valerie Harper, Garry Marshall, George Schlatter and JoAnne Worley, that filled the museum’s fourth floor. “Wouldn’t Dale love this? It’s a sold-out house,” said Bowab. “And if
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- 9/21/2012
- by Bill Higgins
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Shoshana Bean joins the cast of A Magical Night On Broadway at The Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa in Rancho Mirage tonight, September 8 at 800 pm. A Magical Night On Broadway is a fully-staged and costumed tribute to the American musical theatre starring stage, film and television personality JoAnne Worley and featuring music from some of Broadways most celebrated musicals including Chicago, Wicked, Hairspray, A Chorus Line, The Lion King and more. Joining Worley are Bean and Broadway and television star Rex Smith, Tony-nominated actress Jonelle Allen, Terron Brooks and Carol Channings American Glee Club a young song and dance group representing Americas public schools, along with a few surprise guests. The show is directed by David Green with musical direction by Stephen Smith.
- 9/8/2012
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
Shoshana Bean joins the cast of A Magical Night On Broadway at The Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa in Rancho Mirage on Saturday, September 8 at 800 pm. A Magical Night On Broadway is a fully-staged and costumed tribute to the American musical theatre starring stage, film and television personality JoAnne Worley and featuring music from some of Broadways most celebrated musicals including Chicago, Wicked, Hairspray, A Chorus Line, The Lion King and more. Joining Worley are Bean and Broadway and television star Rex Smith, Tony-nominated actress Jonelle Allen, Terron Brooks and Carol Channings American Glee Club a young song and dance group representing Americas public schools, along with a few surprise guests. The show is directed by David Green with musical direction by Stephen Smith.
- 8/31/2012
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
Time for an anomaly in the "Best Movies Ever?" canon: I'm not saying I completely adore the 1970 gay ensemble curio The Boys in the Band, but I am saying it's essential. It's also bizarre, provocative, embarrassing, really senseless, and sometimes totally funny. Since its release, the movie has been so discussed, ballyhooed, and reviled that you can never what quite tell what its official reputation is. It's a movie that's more often referenced than seen (at least nowadays, unless you caught the "making of" documentary that came out last year), and the thing is, you should really see it. Because I'm willing to bet there's a large percentage of gay dudes today who can't even imagine what being gay in the New York of the late '60s looked or sounded like. Even if this movie's pat, often self-loathing characters don't pierce the heart of that reality, it's nice to...
- 7/10/2012
- by virtel
- The Backlot
James Goldman and Stephen Sondheims Follies, which was just nominated for eight Tony Awards, opened on May 9 at the Center Theatre GroupAhmanson Theatre. Performances of the exclusive Los Angeles engagement of the Kennedy Centers critically acclaimed Broadway production of Follies will continue through June 9, 2012. Check out the video below for footage from the production, Follies' opening night red carpet, and interviews with stars Matthew Morrison, Robert Wuhl, Kevin Chamberlin, Angela Bassett, Annie Potts, Elaine Paige, Jan Maxwell, Victoria Clark, Danny Burstein, Ron Raines and Jo Anne Worley...
- 5/15/2012
- by Stage Tube
- BroadwayWorld.com
To an entire generation, Dick Clark, who passed away today at the age of 82, was America's Oldest Teenager, rocking and rolling on "American Bandstand." I am not part of this generation. To people my age, yes, "Bandstand" was still on, but his duties as the host of "25,000 Pyramid" (and, to a lesser extent, the co-host of "TV's Bloopers and Practical Jokes") were much more exciting. For those who have never seen "Pyramid," it was your typical "celebrity teamed with a normal Joe," clue and answer game -- but what made it great was Clark's knack for upstaging his celebrity guests who just lost for his or her non celebrity teammate in the Winner's Circle. (I wouldn't go as far to use the word that Grantland's Bill Simmons did, but, yeah, things could get tense. Then again, wouldn't we all do the same thing?) Here are five of our favorite Dick Clark...
- 4/19/2012
- by The Huffington Post
- Huffington Post
To an entire generation, Dick Clark, who passed away today at the age of 82, was America's Oldest Teenager, rocking and rolling on "American Bandstand." I am not part of this generation. To people my age, yes, "Bandstand" was still on, but his duties as the host of "25,000 Pyramid" (and, to a lesser extent, the co-host of "TV's Bloopers and Practical Jokes") were much more exciting. For those who have never seen "Pyramid," it was your typical "celebrity teamed with a normal Joe," clue and answer game -- but what made it great was Clark's knack for upstaging his celebrity guests who just lost for his or her non celebrity teammate in the Winner's Circle. (I wouldn't go as far to use the word that Grantland's Bill Simmons did, but, yeah, things could get tense. Then again, wouldn't we all do the same thing?) Here are five of our favorite Dick Clark...
- 4/18/2012
- by The Huffington Post
- Aol TV.
American Idol is hyped as a showcase for great vocalists who could be hitmakers. That's dishonest. American Idol, most of the time, is a showcase for hot people who want your attention. And I confess: Some of them deserve it! Today I'm counting down the ten hottest dudes ever to take the Idol stage, and I'm offering pictorial proof too! Warm up your vocal cords and prepare to sing out in ecstasy, y'all.
10. Mario Vasquez
Ok, let's make a pact: If we forget the unnerving, deeply troubling scandal that erupted around season four Top 24 competitor Mario Vazquez (which forced him to drop out of the competition), we can simply admire his boyish, sweet looks like a nicely blended oil painting. His cover of "I Love Music" is deeply underrated, by the way. Listen to that. Not the creepy other stuff.
9. Adam Lambert
I find American Idol's most famously gay hollerer's getup cool and fun,...
10. Mario Vasquez
Ok, let's make a pact: If we forget the unnerving, deeply troubling scandal that erupted around season four Top 24 competitor Mario Vazquez (which forced him to drop out of the competition), we can simply admire his boyish, sweet looks like a nicely blended oil painting. His cover of "I Love Music" is deeply underrated, by the way. Listen to that. Not the creepy other stuff.
9. Adam Lambert
I find American Idol's most famously gay hollerer's getup cool and fun,...
- 3/14/2012
- by virtel
- The Backlot
The life story of legendary performer and Carol Channing (“Hello Dolly”) is as colorful as the lipstick on her big, bright smile. Carol Channing: Larger Than Life captures the magic and vivacity of the 90-year-old icon—both onstage and off...past and present. The film is both an intimate love story and a rarefied journey inside Broadway’s most glamorous era. It is, above all, a look at an inspiring, incomparable and always entertaining American legend. Directed and co-written by Dori Berinstein (ShowBusiness: The Road to Broadway, Gotta Dance), a three-time Tony Award-winning Broadway producer. Starring Carol Channing, Harry Kullijian, Loni Anderson, Mary Jo Catlett, Marge Champion, Tyne Daly, Phyllis Diller, Betty Garrett, Tippi Hedren, Jerry Herman, Angela Lansbury, Rich Little, Bob Mackie, Jimmy Nederlander Sr., Debbie Reynolds, Chita Rivera, Harvey Sabinson, George Schlatter, Richard Skipper, Lily Tomlin, Tommy Tune, Bruce Vilanch, Barbara Walters and JoAnne Worley. Carol Channing is...
- 2/3/2012
- by Dave Campbell
- SmellsLikeScreenSpirit
Lily Tomlin, Joanne Worley, Carole Cook, Bruce Vilanch along with filmmaker and multi Tony-winning Director and Producer, Dori Berinstein all gathered on one stage to salute a star, an icon and a legend - Ms. Carol Channing. On Wednesday night, the Paley Center featured these incredible talents as well as gathering many more in the audience for the Los Angeles premiere screening of Carol Channing Larger Than Life. The panel members, who also appear in the critically acclaimed documentary, gathered with other friends, colleagues and fans of the woman who has been dubbed, and deservingly so, The First Lady of Musical Theatre. Seen among those in attendance were a who's who of Tony, Oscar, Emmy amp Golden Globe award winners including George Chakiris, Charles Fox, Davis Gaines, Ilene Graff, Tippi Hedren, Michael Learned, Kate Linder, Julie Newmar, Connie Stevens, Ruta Lee, Rose Marie, Richard Skipper, Barbara Van Orden, Dee Wallace and co-producer,...
- 1/23/2012
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
Ben Foster, Contraband According to Deadline.com, this four-day Martin Luther King holiday weekend the North American box office could reach $165 million — or up about 4% compared to last year. Considering the disappointing returns in late 2011, a modest increase is good news indeed for the jittery Hollywood studios. Helping things out are the Mark Wahlberg crime thriller Contraband, which earned an estimated $9 million on Friday and may reach $30 million by Monday evening. Box Office Mojo was expecting the film to bring in only $18.5 million. Anyhow, if those early estimates are correct, that's a solid start for a movie that reportedly cost $25 million (not including marketing/distribution expenses). A remake of Óskar Jónasson's 2008 Icelandic hit Reykjavik-Rotterdam, Contraband was directed by Baltasar Kormákur, the original film's star-producer. In addition to Wahlberg Contraband features Kate Beckinsale, Giovanni Ribisi, Diego Luna, Ben Foster, Lukas Haas, Caleb Landry Jones, and J.K. Simmons. Disney's 3D-ification of...
- 1/14/2012
- by Zac Gille
- Alt Film Guide
Beauty And The Beast returns to the big screen on January 13, 2012 in Disney Digital 3D., introducing a whole new generation to Belle (voice of Paige O.Hara), the Beast (voice of Robby Benson) and the castle.s enchanted staff.a teapot, a candelabra and a mantel clock.
Be the first to see Walt Disney Animation Studios. magical classic Beauty And The Beast on the big screen in St. Louis on Saturday, January 7th at 10Am.
Official Rules:
1. You Must Be In The St. Louis Area The Day Of The Screening.
2. Fill Out Your Name And E-mail Address Below. Real First Name Required.
3. Answer The Following Question: The film was nominated for six Academy Awards®. What two Oscars did it eventually win?
Winners Will Be Chosen Through A Random Drawing Of Qualifying Contestants. No Purchase Necessary. Passes Will Not Be Substituted Or Exchanged. Duplicate Tickets Will Not Be Accepted
Walt Disney...
Be the first to see Walt Disney Animation Studios. magical classic Beauty And The Beast on the big screen in St. Louis on Saturday, January 7th at 10Am.
Official Rules:
1. You Must Be In The St. Louis Area The Day Of The Screening.
2. Fill Out Your Name And E-mail Address Below. Real First Name Required.
3. Answer The Following Question: The film was nominated for six Academy Awards®. What two Oscars did it eventually win?
Winners Will Be Chosen Through A Random Drawing Of Qualifying Contestants. No Purchase Necessary. Passes Will Not Be Substituted Or Exchanged. Duplicate Tickets Will Not Be Accepted
Walt Disney...
- 12/29/2011
- by Movie Geeks
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Los Angeles — Alan Sues, who brought his flamboyant and over-the-top comic persona to the hit television show "Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In" in the 1960s and 1970s, has died, a close friend said Sunday night.
Sues died of cardiac arrest on Thursday at his home in West Hollywood, Michael Gregg Michaud, a friend since 1975, told The Associated Press.
"He was sitting in a recliner watching TV with his dachshund Doris who he loved in his lap," Michaud said.
Sues had various health problems in the last several years, but the death came as a shock to friends, Michaud said. He was 85.
A native Californian who moved to New York in 1952, Sues began his career as a serious actor and in 1953 appeared in director Elia Kazan's "Tea and Sympathy" on Broadway.
But he would be remembered for his wild comic characters.
They included "Big Al," an effeminate sportscaster, and "Uncle Al the Kiddies Pal,...
Sues died of cardiac arrest on Thursday at his home in West Hollywood, Michael Gregg Michaud, a friend since 1975, told The Associated Press.
"He was sitting in a recliner watching TV with his dachshund Doris who he loved in his lap," Michaud said.
Sues had various health problems in the last several years, but the death came as a shock to friends, Michaud said. He was 85.
A native Californian who moved to New York in 1952, Sues began his career as a serious actor and in 1953 appeared in director Elia Kazan's "Tea and Sympathy" on Broadway.
But he would be remembered for his wild comic characters.
They included "Big Al," an effeminate sportscaster, and "Uncle Al the Kiddies Pal,...
- 12/5/2011
- by AP
- Huffington Post
Larry stoops to his lowest level yet in ignoring the feelings of his loyal assistant, slandering his dermatologist, implying that his best friend Jeff has had an affair, and then getting into a cupboard war.
Larry David gets everything he had coming to him in last night’s July 31 episode. First, he makes the big mistake of dating the comely hostess Heidi at his favorite lunchtime restaurant, which is five minutes from his office.
Bad idea, his good friend Richard warns him — “I sh*t where I ate all over Beverly Hills and I’m down to four restaurants.”
It’s completely obvious that Larry’s new love affair is in trouble when he shows off Heidi’s text to Jeff and points out the annoying smiley face that she signs off with.
Later, in the midst of a make out session with Heidi, Larry can’t help himself from bringing it up.
Larry David gets everything he had coming to him in last night’s July 31 episode. First, he makes the big mistake of dating the comely hostess Heidi at his favorite lunchtime restaurant, which is five minutes from his office.
Bad idea, his good friend Richard warns him — “I sh*t where I ate all over Beverly Hills and I’m down to four restaurants.”
It’s completely obvious that Larry’s new love affair is in trouble when he shows off Heidi’s text to Jeff and points out the annoying smiley face that she signs off with.
Later, in the midst of a make out session with Heidi, Larry can’t help himself from bringing it up.
- 8/1/2011
- by Bonnie Fuller
- HollywoodLife
Curb Your Enthusiasm will return for its eighth season on July 10. The HBO comedy that stars Larry David will feature appearances by series veterans Bob Einstein, Richard Lewis, Rosie O’Donnell, J.B. Smoove and Wanda Sykes, as well as Jonathan Ames, Bill Buckner, Rebecca Creskoff, Gary Cole, Michael J. Fox, Ana Gasteyer, Ricky Gervais, Michael Gross, Harry Hamlin, Larry Miller, Robert Smigel, Aida Turturro, Mookie Wilson and Jo Anne Worley.
HBO produced 10 episodes in all for the eighth season.
HBO produced 10 episodes in all for the eighth season.
- 6/15/2011
- by Lynette Rice
- EW - Inside TV
As but a supplement to the awesome features and original reporting TVLine has coming your way this week, here are 29 shows you might want to keep on your radar.
Monday, April 11
8/7c | House (Fox) | While House delves into Thirteen’s prison secret during a road trip, the team back home treats a hoarder with a secret (and his secret has a secret!).
8 pm | Chuck (NBC) | Chuck tries to save Vivian from an assassin; Mary tries to keep Ellie from digging into her father’s past.
8 pm | The Secret Life of the American Teenager (ABC Family) | Ben pops the question. (Shouldn...
Monday, April 11
8/7c | House (Fox) | While House delves into Thirteen’s prison secret during a road trip, the team back home treats a hoarder with a secret (and his secret has a secret!).
8 pm | Chuck (NBC) | Chuck tries to save Vivian from an assassin; Mary tries to keep Ellie from digging into her father’s past.
8 pm | The Secret Life of the American Teenager (ABC Family) | Ben pops the question. (Shouldn...
- 4/11/2011
- by Matt Webb Mitovich
- TVLine.com
This is no Laugh-In matter.
Loopy Jo Anne Worley, 73, most famous for her wacky quips on Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In, will play a pet psychic on the April 14 episode of Bones. Jo Anne will appear alongside another legendary creature, the mythical Latin American goat-sucking chupacabra.
The episode finds Booth (David Boreanaz) and Brennan (Emily Deschanel) investigating the death of a mythbuster television host who is thought to have been offed by the creature...
Read More >...
Loopy Jo Anne Worley, 73, most famous for her wacky quips on Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In, will play a pet psychic on the April 14 episode of Bones. Jo Anne will appear alongside another legendary creature, the mythical Latin American goat-sucking chupacabra.
The episode finds Booth (David Boreanaz) and Brennan (Emily Deschanel) investigating the death of a mythbuster television host who is thought to have been offed by the creature...
Read More >...
- 3/24/2011
- by William Keck
- TVGuide - Breaking News
Hamsterdam, MD - News at 4:20. As part of the celebration for the upcoming season of Weeds, Glick University polled over 4,000 Americans about what TV News personalities they wanted to see get high during a broadcast.
Naturally there were ground rules including the disqualifications of news organizations that contain notorious on air potheads. This meant no votes were collected for the cast of The Daily Show, Colbert Report and Fox and Friends. You think Steve Doocey is sober? Hard to think that any of those folks have eyes that aren’t pied 24-7.
10, Bill O’Reilly (Fox News) had a lot of folks who reacted that it’d be like, “Dude, I’m getting high with dad.” Of course this initial elation is cut down with the horrifying fact of “Dude, I’m getting high with dad and it’s just not someone I need to party with.”
Rick Sanchez...
Naturally there were ground rules including the disqualifications of news organizations that contain notorious on air potheads. This meant no votes were collected for the cast of The Daily Show, Colbert Report and Fox and Friends. You think Steve Doocey is sober? Hard to think that any of those folks have eyes that aren’t pied 24-7.
10, Bill O’Reilly (Fox News) had a lot of folks who reacted that it’d be like, “Dude, I’m getting high with dad.” Of course this initial elation is cut down with the horrifying fact of “Dude, I’m getting high with dad and it’s just not someone I need to party with.”
Rick Sanchez...
- 7/23/2010
- by UncaScroogeMcD
Photo by Pop Culture Passionistas, 2010
Tonight we had one of the most unique experiences two people could have at the theater when we saw Mr. Rip Taylor's one man show It Ain't All Confetti.
We know the Prince of Pandemonium as the confetti throwing comedian who used to make our mother laugh so hard she jiggled uncontrollably with tears welling up in her eyes. We loved the Master of Mayhem, too, as he galavanted around the stage on The Mike Douglas Show.
Taylor kicked off Confetti with a barrage of classically silly one-liners ("I was reading the obituaries and everybody died in alphabetical order today"). And then launched into a string of prop jokes (including a honking shoe horn) that made our sides ache.
Then the show took a dramatic turn. Rip took off his toupe and exposed both the dark and illuminating moments of his life story. He...
Tonight we had one of the most unique experiences two people could have at the theater when we saw Mr. Rip Taylor's one man show It Ain't All Confetti.
We know the Prince of Pandemonium as the confetti throwing comedian who used to make our mother laugh so hard she jiggled uncontrollably with tears welling up in her eyes. We loved the Master of Mayhem, too, as he galavanted around the stage on The Mike Douglas Show.
Taylor kicked off Confetti with a barrage of classically silly one-liners ("I was reading the obituaries and everybody died in alphabetical order today"). And then launched into a string of prop jokes (including a honking shoe horn) that made our sides ache.
Then the show took a dramatic turn. Rip took off his toupe and exposed both the dark and illuminating moments of his life story. He...
- 5/25/2010
- by Pop Culture Passionistas
- popculturepassionistas
Adam Lambert, the glitteriest American Idol runner-up I ever did see, is returning to the show April 13 to mentor contestants for an as-yet-unspecified theme. The speculation begins now! Is it Rock Week? Queen Week? Shiny Men Week? Diplomatically Ignore Danny Gokey Week? What about Vague Jo Anne Worley Resemblance Week? Whatever it is -- I can't believe what Katie Stevens tried to do with it. [MTV]...
- 4/6/2010
- Movieline
This week at the Pop Culture Club the plan was to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Monty Python’s Flying Circus. Or was it? In my endless masochistic desire to get us to objectively rejudge our nostalgic favorites (Vacation? Yes. Meatballs? No), I wanted to see whether the Python TV series still held up. After all, comedy has had 40 years of evolution since we first heard the word "It's..."; putting aside how ingenious you might have found the show when you first discovered it, you have to concede the possibility that it could all seem very slow, flat, or dated by now.
- 10/22/2009
- by Josh Wolk
- EW.com - PopWatch
Sept. 6: Comedian JoAnne Worley is 72. Country singer David Allan Coe is 70. Country singer Mel McDaniel is 67. Singer-bassist Roger Waters (Pink Floyd) is 66. Actress Swoosie Kurtz is 65. Comedian-actress Jane Curtin is 62. Country singer Buddy Miller is 57. Country drummer Joe Smyth of Sawyer Brown is 52. Actor-comedian Jeff Foxworthy is 51. Actor-comedian Michael Winslow ("Police Academy") is 51. Guitarist Pal Waaktaar of A-ha is 48. Country singer Mark Chesnutt is 46. Actress Rosie Perez is 45. Singer Macy Gray is 42. Singer CeCe Peniston is 40. Singer Darryl Anthony (Az Yet) is 40. Singer Dolores O'Riordan (The Cranberries) is 38. Actor Dylan Bruno ("Numb3ers") is 37. Actress Anika Noni Rose ("Dreamgirls") is 37. Actor Justin Whalin ("Lois and Clark") is 35. Singer Nina Persson (The Cardigans) is 35. Actress Naomie Harris ("Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest") is 33. Rapper Noreaga is 32. Rapper Foxy Brown is 31.Sept. 7: Jazz saxophonist Sonny Rollins is 79. Singer...
- 9/2/2009
- Filmicafe
Friends and colleagues including Bruce Vilanch, Valarie Pettiford, Rachel York, Rita McKenzie, Carole Cook, Thom Troupe, Kathryn Jootsen, Lily Tomlin, Florence Henderson, Donna Mills, Jackie Joseph, Channing Chase, Tippi Hedren, JoAnne Worley, Kate Linder and the Los Angeles cast of Rent among others were more than thrilled to turn out for this special engagement of "The First 80 Years are the Hardest," that marked Carol Channing's return to the stage after her accident last year that forced her, for the very first time in her 70 year career, to cancel all scheduled performances.
- 3/7/2009
- BroadwayWorld.com
U.S. TV Comedian Dick Martin Dies
American comedian-turned-director Dick Martin has passed away at the age of 86.
He died early Saturday evening surrounded by family and friends, after suffering from respiratory complications at a hospital in Santa Monica, California, according to the star's spokesperson Barry Greenberg.
Martin enjoyed a career spanning 40 years, but was perhaps best known for his role as co-host of the hit 1960s TV series Rowan And Martin's Laugh-In.
The variety show debuted in January 1968, winning over both audiences and critics and topping the Nielsen TV ratings charts for two years. The show, which featured song-and-dance segments and stand-up banter between Rowan and Martin, helped launch the careers of several young actors and comedians, including Goldie Hawn, Lily Tomlin, Ruth Buzzi, Arte Johnson, Henry Gibson and Jo Anne Worley.
Hollywood stars John Wayne and Kirk Douglas, as well as then-presidential hopeful Richard Nixon, also made brief appearances on the show before it was cancelled in 1973.
Martin later moved on to directing, following the advice of fellow comic and actor Bob Newhart. He quickly established himself as one of Hollywood's most hard-working TV directors, working on episodes of Newhart, In The Heat Of The Night, Archie Bunker's Place and Family Ties.
Martin is survived by his wife Dolly Read and two sons from his first marriage to Peggy Connelly: actor Richard Martin and Cary Martin. At his request, there will be no funeral.
He died early Saturday evening surrounded by family and friends, after suffering from respiratory complications at a hospital in Santa Monica, California, according to the star's spokesperson Barry Greenberg.
Martin enjoyed a career spanning 40 years, but was perhaps best known for his role as co-host of the hit 1960s TV series Rowan And Martin's Laugh-In.
The variety show debuted in January 1968, winning over both audiences and critics and topping the Nielsen TV ratings charts for two years. The show, which featured song-and-dance segments and stand-up banter between Rowan and Martin, helped launch the careers of several young actors and comedians, including Goldie Hawn, Lily Tomlin, Ruth Buzzi, Arte Johnson, Henry Gibson and Jo Anne Worley.
Hollywood stars John Wayne and Kirk Douglas, as well as then-presidential hopeful Richard Nixon, also made brief appearances on the show before it was cancelled in 1973.
Martin later moved on to directing, following the advice of fellow comic and actor Bob Newhart. He quickly established himself as one of Hollywood's most hard-working TV directors, working on episodes of Newhart, In The Heat Of The Night, Archie Bunker's Place and Family Ties.
Martin is survived by his wife Dolly Read and two sons from his first marriage to Peggy Connelly: actor Richard Martin and Cary Martin. At his request, there will be no funeral.
- 5/25/2008
- WENN
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