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A new production at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe is the world’s first ever “found footage horror” stage show. The Dare Witch Project, running August 2 to August 24 at the Voodoo Rooms, brings the horror film genre’s signature style—where footage is presented as if discovered after the events—into live theatre for the first time.

The show parodies the 1999 cult film The Blair Witch Project, which famously convinced some audiences that its story was real thanks to a ground-breaking viral marketing campaign.

The Dare Witch Project begins as a work-in-progress screening of a horror documentary and quickly descends into a living nightmare, as the on-screen threat escapes into the real world. Packed with late 1990s and early 2000s nostalgia, this one-man show combines vintage camcorder footage, live performance, and psychological illusion in a fourth-wall-breaking immersive experience.

Meet The Show’s Makers

The show’s creators, neurodivergent siblings Charlotte...

The Lord of the Rings genius Peter Jackson wasn’t exactly itching to join the The Rings of Power bandwagon. You’d think he’d be all in for another Middle-earth adventure, right? Nah, not really. Jackson had one very specific condition before he’d even consider getting involved.

Peter Jackson. | Image by Mike Walen, licenced under Cca-by-sa-3.0 via Wikimedia Commons.

Spoiler alert: that condition wasn’t met, and Jackson gracefully bowed out. Turns out, even the king of Middle-earth has his limits.

Peter Jackson’s hypnotic wish: Watching The Rings of Power with fresh eyes The Orc family in The Rings of Power Season 2 | Credits: Amazon MGM

Peter Jackson had one condition for being part of The Rings of Power: he needed a clean slate to watch it as a fan. The legendary director, who brought J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings to life, once joked about...

While The Simpsons left one early-season staple unmentioned for years, season 36 brought back this classic gag in the darkest way possible. The Simpsons season 37’s renewal has not yet been announced, but the long-running show certainly isn't afraid of taking risks despite its uncertain future. The Simpsons may never age but the series itself has undergone some big changes in recent years, moving from gag-centric writing to more character-focused plots and undertaking risky experiments when it comes to the show’s storytelling style. Season 36’s first few outings proved that this approach is paying off handsomely.

Related The Simpsons' Latest Holiday Special Highlights A Perfect Comedic Duo The Show Rarely Pairs Together

The Simpsons season 36's holiday special pairs off two characters who are make a perfect duo, it's hard to believe the show hasn't done this before.

From an episode that barely featured any of the Simpsons other than Lisa to an ambitious,...

Warning: This article contains Spoilers for The Simpsons season 36's "O C'Mon All Ye Faithful"

Although Pamela Hayden’s role as Milhouse came to an end early in The Simpsons season 36, the show’s double-sized holiday special offered her version of the character a perfect send-off. Pamela Hayden’s The Simpsons characters crop up throughout the show’s 36 seasons, but one of them looms larger than the rest within the show’s history. Hayden played Bart’s best friend, Milhouse, since the series began. Her work made the character one of the show’s most memorable supporting stars, but The Simpsons season 37 won’t feature any appearances from Milhouse due to Hayden’s retirement in November 2024.

Related The Simpsons Season 36 Just Made A Sad Family Revelation About Marge

The Simpsons season 36 episode 8 was a lighthearted, cartoony outing, but the episode secretly referenced a tragic turn of events in Marge's family.

Longtime “The Simpsons” writer Carolyn Omine was dealt a few personal setbacks the past few years, as both her father and sister died — while she was also facing the professional uncertainty that came with the Hollywood strikes.

As Omine faced these hard moments, she found escape in watching videos of English mentalist and illusionist Derren Brown. The clips of Brown show him playing pranks on people — not in a mean-spirited way, but rather to explore human behavior. “There was something very moving about them,” Omine says. “Something that sort of reflected the just the beauty of what human beings are.”

When the strikes ended, “The Simpsons” found itself on an accelerated timetable to produce its first-ever original episode for Disney+, a Christmas-themed special that premiered Dec. 17.

“We were, like, six months behind,” she says. “And normally, I would probably just not have done an episode that year, because I had...

Everyone knows it's been a long time since "The Simpsons" was good. The golden age of this unbelievably long-running series is a distant memory at this point, and enough has been said about the show's lack of quality in the modern age that I'll just leave it there. What's interesting is that now and then we get signs of life from the body of this animated series, which otherwise seemed to have long since flatlined. In 2023, for example, this very site proclaimed that "The Simpsons" is still good after seasons 33 and 34 suggested the quality was improving somewhat. Now, we have "The Simpsons: O C'mon All Ye Faithful," a Christmas special that celebrates the show's 35th anniversary and does so well enough to have gone over nicely with fans and, according to the Disney+ charts, streaming audiences in general.

The latest "Simpsons" Christmas special is not only a throwback to a classic Ned Flanders episode,...

Warning: This article contains Spoilers for The Simpsons season 36's special “O C’Mon All Ye Faithful."

Although it has been 24 years since the episode originally aired, The Simpsons season 36’s Christmas special managed to fix one of the show’s biggest mistakes ever with its Flanders storyline. The Simpsons rarely kills off characters, as the show usually only does so when there is a behind-the-scenes justification for this. One of The Simpsons season 36’s big changes to the show’s status quo is its increasingly high body count but, even then, the show has only killed off two minor characters in its first 11 episodes. This still represents a huge change from its usual approach.

Related The Simpsons Season 37: Will It Happen? Everything We Know

The animated sitcom, The Simpsons, has become a bona fide pop culture icon in its nearly 40 years on the air, but will it be...

Warning: This article contains Spoilers for The Simpsons season 36's special “O C’Mon All Ye Faithful."

While The Simpsons season 36’s holiday special sees a pair of Springfield residents finally join forces for a shared mission, this plot will have viewers wondering how the show never relied on the duo until now. The Simpsons season 37’s renewal has not yet been announced, but viewers hoping to see the show expand its horizons need not wait to tune in. From Vulture to YouTube creator SuperEyePatchWolf, critics across the Internet have spent 2023 and 2024 drawing attention to the long-running show’s creative renaissance. As surprising as it may sound, The Simpsons is good again.

Related The Simpsons Season 36 Just Made A Sad Family Revelation About Marge

The Simpsons season 36 episode 8 was a lighthearted, cartoony outing, but the episode secretly referenced a tragic turn of events in Marge's family.

Although the Simpsons never age,...

Warning: This article contains Spoilers for The Simpsons season 36's special “O C’Mon All Ye Faithful."

While The Simpsons season 36’s Christmas special “O C’Mon All Ye Faithful” is an entirely original effort, the double-sized special features a slew of clever references to the show’s earlier holiday specials. The Simpsons season 37’s renewal may not have been announced yet, but the series isn’t resting on its laurels by any metric. Despite its longevity, the show has managed to effectively reinvent itself since its critical nadir around season 33 with character-focused storylines that prioritize emotional resonance over zany comedy. This has resulted in viewers and critics arguing that The Simpsons is enjoying a renaissance.

Related All 9 The Simpsons Characters Played By Pamela Hayden, Milhouse's Voice Actor

Milhouse's voice actor Pamela Hayden recently announced her retirement from The Simpsons, but Bart's best friend isn't her only memorable character.

“The Simpsons” and Christmas just go together.

There have been so many Christmas-themed episodes in the history of the series that there’s an entire collection dedicated to them on Disney+.

And there’s a new Christmas-themed “Simpsons” special for this year. That’s right – “O C’mon All Ye Faithful” is the first double-sized episode and it is, of course, built around the holidays., comes to Springfield to film a documentary – “A Derren Brown Christmas.” After Homer (Dan Castellaneta) admits to being a lousy gift-giver, Brown tries to hypnotize him but it backfires and Homer imagines himself to be Santa Claus. (Ralph Wiggum is his elf sidekick.) When Homer is outed as a fraud, it leads to a spiritual crisis in Ned Flanders (Harry Shearer). It is both very funny and surprisingly emotional.

Who made “The Simpsons: O C’mon All Ye Faithful?”

Both halves were written by Carolyn Omine,...

The Simpsons Christmas Special is a wonderful episode filled with all the humor that makes the show great, and a distinct holiday-themed story with clever narrative framing. Upholding their long-standing tradition to release special themed episodes around the holidays, The Simpsons went big for 2024 with an incredible story that delivers on all fronts. From a festive arc to exciting celebrity guests, The Simpsons nailed their 2024 Christmas special.

The Simpsons is a long-running animated TV series created by Matt Groening that satirically follows a working-class family in the misfit city of Springfield.

Release Date December 17, 1989Genres Animation, ComedyFranchise(s) The SimpsonsNetwork FOXCast Pamela Hayden, Dan Castellaneta, Harry Shearer, Hank Azaria, Tress MacNeille, Julie Kavner, Yeardley Smith, Nancy CartwrightSeasons 36Showrunner Al Jean See at HuluSee at Disney+See at Disney+See at Disney+See at Disney+See at Disney+See at fuboTVSee at Sky GoSee at AmazonSee at AmazonSee at VUDUSee at...

The Simpsons: O C’mon All Ye Faithful is here!

The highly anticipated Christmas episode of The Simpsons just hit streaming on Tuesday, December 17.

The double-episode holiday special will only be available to watch exclusively on Disney+.

Keep reading to find out more…

Disney+ has 35 seasons of The Simpsons, The Simpsons Movie and more than 10 shorts featuring the Simpsons family.

Derren Brown guest stars in this year’s holiday special, and Patti Labelle and Pentatonix will provide musical performances.

Pamela Hayden, who primarily voices Milhouse VanHouten and Rod Flanders, returns in The Simpsons Disney+ Christmas special as well!

You can expect her back as the beloved characters, and they have big moments in the episodes. The Simpsons writer Carolyn Omine revealed to ComicBook.com that “because we’re showing them out of order, there are a few more performances left” for Pamela‘s time in the series.

Here’s a plot...

The ‘Simpsons’ are back with a brand-new holiday special, ‘O C’mon All Ye Faithful,’ which premieres tomorrow, December 17, exclusively on Disney+.

This festive episode marks a big milestone, arriving exactly 35 years after the show’s very first Christmas special aired on December 17, 1989. To celebrate, the special will include exciting musical performances by legendary singer Patti Labelle and the popular a cappella group Pentatonix, along with a guest appearance from illusionist Derren Brown.

Fans can catch the trailer for the special below and get ready for more laughs, holiday cheer, and classic ‘Simpsons’ fun.

You can check out the exclusive clip from the upcoming special:

The 36th season of ‘The Simpsons’ started on Fox on September 29, 2024. It’s the second season from a two-season order by Fox and is produced by Gracie Films and 20th Television Animation. Matt Selman is the main showrunner for this season. It’s currently ongoing.

A double dose of holiday cheer, infused with a dash of psychological manipulation courtesy of British mentalist Derren Brown, arrives in Springfield this December with “O C’mon All Ye Faithful,” a new Simpsons special premiering on Disney+ on Monday, Dec. 17. Marking the 35th anniversary of the series’ inaugural Christmas episode, “Simpsons Roasting on an […]

Springfield Gets Hypnotized for the Holidays in New ‘Simpsons’ Special...

“The Simpsons: O C’mon All Ye Faithful” is the Season 36, double-length 10th and 11th episode of “The Simpsons” animated TV series, streaming December 17, 2024 on Disney+:

“…famous Brit mentalist, ‘Derren Brown’, comes to ‘Springfield’ using psychological tricks…

“…and showmanship to raise the town’s holiday spirit.

“But when ‘Homer’ gets hypnotized and mistakenly believes he is ‘Santa Claus’…

“…it sets off a chain-reaction…

“…and causes everyone to question what they believe is a ‘miracle’…”

Click the images to enlarge...

Live, from New York, it’s an anniversary documentary!

SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night will premiere with all four episodes on Peacock on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025.

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The documentary, which coincides with the 50th anniversary of Saturday Night Live, promises unprecedented access to the show’s archives and talent, and “new insights into the show’s rich history, pulling back the curtain on everything from...

The trailer for The Simpsons’ newest holiday special, "O C’mon All Ye Faithful," has been released, celebrating 35 years since the animated series' first Christmas episode. The double-length episode will feature guest stars Derren Brown, Patti Labelle, and Pentatonix, delivering festive cheer exclusively on Disney+.

Disney+ unveiled the trailer for "O C’mon All Ye Faithful," teasing a hilarious holiday misadventure where Homer is made to believe he's Santa Claus. In addition, it was confirmed that the premiere date is December 17 on Disney+. Watch the trailer below:

Source: Disney+...

Today, Disney+ revealed the trailer for The Simpsons holiday special “O C’mon All Ye Faithful,” which will premiere December 17 exclusively on Disney+. Derren Brown guest stars in the holiday special.

The Christmas-themed double episode is launching timed to the 35th anniversary of The Simpsons original Christmas special, which aired on December 17, 1989. The trailer for the upcoming Disney+ exclusive special was also revealed.

In The Simpsons holiday special, famed British mentalist Derren Brown comes to Springfield and uses psychological tricks and showmanship to raise the town’s Christmas spirit. When Homer gets hypnotized and mistakenly believes he is Santa Claus, it sets off a cheery chain-reaction and causes everyone to question what they believe and to explore the meaning of “miracle.”

Featuring musical performances by Patti Labelle and Pentatonix, this special double episode marks the 35th anniversary of the original Christmas special from The Simpsons (“Simpsons Roasting on an Open...

British mentalist Derren Brown, a "psychological illusionist" who often works to debunk people who claim to have supernatural abilities, will guest star on the long-running American animated sitcom The Simpsons in December 2024 in what many call one of the most substantial guest appearances in the show's history. It's all part of a two-part Christmas special celebrating the series' 35th year.

In the special, Brown plays himself, and hypnotizes Homer, which leads to the dim-witted dad becoming convinced he's the real Santa Claus. A writer on the series, Carolyn Omine, told The Independent: "In terms of lines and screen time, it is probably one of the largest guest starring roles we’ve ever had, and [Brown] is fantastic, charming and very funny in the episode."

In the same Independent interview, Brown said that guesting on The Simpsons was "the best thing that’s happened in my life so far," adding:

I...

Time Out London’s Love Thy Neighbourhood podcast is to be sponsored by Freenow for a second season. The podcast sees Time Out London editor Joe Mackertich invite famous Londoners to show him around their favourite part of the city and share their tales and anecdotes about the spots they love. Season one featured Derren Brown in Hoxton, Bimini in Bankside, Sophie Duker in Dalston and many more.

Derren Brown is back on Audible with a third series of his acclaimed Bootcamp for… series. This time, in Derren Brown’s Boot Camp for Emotion, he takes a closer look at emotion and how they play a very powerful role in everything we think, everything we say and everything we do. In the eight-part series, Derren is joined by top behavioural scientists and diverse experts.

Oscar nominees Lesley Manville (Phantom Thread, Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris) and Ciarán Hinds (Belfast, Tinker Tailer Soldier Spy) are teaming up for Midwinter Break, the debut feature of Olivier-winning British theater director Polly Findlay.

The prestige project is heading to the Marche du Film in Cannes, with Protagonist Pictures handling worldwide sales.

Adapted from the novel by BAFTA nominee Bernard MacLaverty (Lamb) and written by Nick Payne (The Last Letter from Your Lover, We Live in Time) Midwinter Break follows Stella and Gerry, a long-time married couple who reach a crossroads in their relationship when they take a trip to Amsterdam.

The film is produced by BAFTA Award-winner Guy Heeley, whose previous credits include the Steven Knight’s Tom Hardy-starring Locke; Joe Wright’s Cyrano, starring Peter Dinklage; and Stephen Daldry’s lockdown comedy-drama Together, starring James McAvoy and Sharon Horgan. The project was developed with Film4, who will executive produce and co-finance.

Josh Brolin has posed nude to emphasise a point regarding a new project he’s currently filming.

The Avengers: Endgame actor is currently shooting season 2 of TV series Outer Range, in which he plays a Wyoming rancher fighting to keep his land.

Brolin wants fans to know that the new episodes will “take things in a different direction”, and to highlight this, he posted a photo on Instagram showing him wearing no clothes whatsoever – save for a necklace and a cowboy hat.

Outer Range season two had a showrunner overhaul when creator Brian Watkins stepped down following the show’s renewal in October. Charles Murray, whose credits include Sons of Anarchy and Luke Cage, is now overseeing the show.

“Prepping for a scene for Outer Range season 2,” Brolin, 55, captioned the nude photo.

He added: “We are taking things in a different direction now. It’s a shifting world and we...

Derren Brown fans have called the illusionist’s latest show “absolutely beautiful” after he dedicated it to his late father.

Showman, which premiered on stage last year and was screened on Channel 4 on Sunday night (23 April), saw Brown, 52, tell numerous anecdotes about his father, who died at the height of the Covid pandemic.

Brown said he felt “guilty” for the fact that he could not give his father a “proper send-off”.

Talking about sentimental items he had found around his father’s house, he said: “It was the weirdest thing because they just suddenly looked like tat, they just looked like stuff you’d find in the back of a junk shop.

“It was like they had no meaning at all, and yet they were so meaningful, they sort of became more and less significant than they had been before. It really struck me that the right sort of...

Strictly Come Dancing fans are heartbroken following the announcement that Len Goodman has died at age 78.

The former ballroom dancer was the head judge on the BBC One programme from its launch in 2003 until his departure in 2016.

He also served the same role on the American equivalent, Dancing with the Stars, from its 2005 premiere to 2022.

Since the news of Goodman’s death was announced on Monday (24 April), tributes have poured in from fans and friends, including his former Strictly co-worker Craig Revel Horwood.

Across both series, Goodman was highly respected by his colleagues and loved by viewers. Here are se-ven! of his best moments.

“Pickle me walnuts”

Goodman was known for his colourful turns of phrase when describing performances that particularly entertained him.

In 2007, he was particularly moved by a ballroom dance performed by eventual winner (and later judge) Alesha Dixon and professional dancer Matthew Cutler.

“If you don’t get four 10s for that,...

Freddie Flintoff has been spotted in public for the first time since his Top Gear crash.

The former cricketer was photographed with his wife four months after he was involved in an accident while filming an episode ofthe BBC show in December.

Flintoff was spotted wearing sunglasses and a bucket hat sitting in the passenger seat of his car. His wife, Rachel Wools Flintoff, was driving.

The photographs were obtained and published by The Sun.

An onlooker told the publication that the athlete was “reading something on his phone and stayed in the car while Rachael popped into a shop”.

They added: “It was good to see him out and about in public, and apparently doing well after what he has been through.”

Flintoff was airlifted to hospital on 13 December last year after crashing while filming a car review at Dunsfold Park Aerodrome, home of the Top Gear test track.

Jennifer Grey has divulged why she did not reprise her role on Friends.

The Dirty Dancing star played Mindy in the hit sitcom. Mindy is Rachel’s (Jennifer Aniston) former best friend and maid of honour, who ended up marrying her fiancé Barry (Mitchell Whitfield).

Grey starred in only one episode of Friends in 1995, titled “The One With The Evil Orthodontist”.

During an interview with MediaVillage, Grey disclosed why she did not play the character again despite having been excited about the role initially.

“When I did it, I had such bad anxiety because they kept changing the script,” she explained.

“It’s very hard to be a guest star because you’re not a part of it, and you’re really trying to figure it all out.”

The actor continued: “They were trying to figure out what the character was, what the scene was, and it was changing, and changing,...

Ian McKellen, David Mitchell, and Neil Gaiman are among the celebrities to have had their “blue ticks” reinstated on Twitter.

It has only been days since stars including Ricky Gervais and Richard Osman were reacting to having their Twitter “blue ticks” removed and already many of them have had the verification badge restored.

Earlier this week, Twitter CEO Elon Musk finally removed the “legacy verified” marks on celebrity accounts. Even high-profile artists such as Beyoncé had their ticks revoked.

Users now have to pay a monthly fee in order to be “verified” on the social media platform.

Days later, on Sunday (23 April), many celebrities were confused to see that their ticks had, in fact, been reinstated.

Many rushed to Twitter to clarify that they had not paid for the blue tick.

“My Blue Tick has reappeared,” wrote Gervais, who initially mocked the move. “I can only assume this is a...

Derren Brown’s five-star spectacle Showman will be screened on television for the first time on Sunday night (23 April).

When the illusionist’s show hit the London stage last year, it was described by critics as “mind-blowing” and “sobering”.

The content of Showman remains top secret, but to mark the broadcast, we listened back on Brown’s fascinating 2019 interview on Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs. Here are five intriguing things we learnt…

The liquid latex anecdote

Brown told a bizarre story about using liquid latex years ago when he was living in a house share. “I put some of this latex on my eye just a little bit one morning because it looked like special effects makeup, it looked like, you know, I’d hurt my eye,” he said.

“I went down to breakfast and I loved the attention and when friends asked, ‘What did you do to your eye?...

Derren Brown’s five-star spectacle Showman will be screened on television for the first time on Sunday night (23 April).

When the illusionist’s show hit the London stage last year, it was described by critics as “mind-blowing” and “sobering”.

The content of Showman remains top secret, but to mark the broadcast, we listened back on Brown’s fascinating 2019 interview on Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs. Here are five intriguing things we learnt…

The liquid latex anecdote

Brown told a bizarre story about using liquid latex years ago when he was living in a house share. “I put some of this latex on my eye just a little bit one morning because it looked like special effects makeup, it looked like, you know, I’d hurt my eye,” he said.

“I went down to breakfast and I loved the attention and when friends asked, ‘What did you do to your eye?...

Exclusive: In a competitive situation, Sherlock producer Hartswood Films has won the rights to adapt Cold War magic thriller The Warlock Effect into a TV series.

The debut novel, about a magician who flees Nazi Germany and is lured into espionage, was written by Jeremy Dyson and Andy Nyman, creators of the Ghost Stories theatre production.

Hartswood optioned The Warlock Effect from publisher Hodder & Stoughton, fending off rival bids from seven other production companies.

The book, released on Thursday, centers on Ludvik Weinschenk, a boy who escapes tyranny in Germany to become the most famous magician in 1950s Britain under the stage name Louis Warlock.

His talent for deception attracts the attention of the British secret service and he is thrown into the world of espionage on a mission across Europe.

Sue Vertue, Steven Moffat, and Brian Minchin will Executive Produce for Hartswood Films with Dyson and Nyman writing and...

Psychological illusion specialist Derren Brown is returning to U.K. broadcaster Channel 4 for the first time in three years with “Showman,” his recent, interactive one-man live stage show.

Brown, who has a long relationship with the broadcaster, was on Channel 4 in 2020 with the special “Derren Brown, 20 Years of Mind Control: Live.”

“Showman” is billed as Brown’s most personal and emotional show to date, centering on themes of how life’s difficulties bring people together, and living life attentively. Half a million people were taken through the journey of the show in theaters across the U.K. It concluded a 14-week run at London’s Apollo Theatre earlier this month.

Brown said: “It’s had the best response of any show I’ve done. It’s lovely to know, and I’ve been very touched to read and hear people’s responses to it so far – it’s a...

Benjamin Caron applies Derren Brown experience to direct stylish swindler yarn set in Manhattan with Julianne Moore and John Lithgow leading the way

Movies about confidence-trickery put a spin on the old rule about playing poker: look around the table and if you can’t see the chump … then it’s you. Watch a film about swindlers and you may well think you can see the person who’s being conned. But the film’s entire narrative procedure, and its pleasure, rely on you, the audience, repeatedly submitting to being played, even while in theory you are the one with the wised-up crook’s-eye-view of what is going on.

Screenwriters Brian Gatewood and Alessandro Tanaka have had big successes in the world of comedy and satire; now they have crafted this delectably enjoyable caper about fraudsters and Manhattan’s super-rich. It’s a little like something by David Mamet – though...

Director Benjamin Caron says that he was “yearning to flex a different muscle” and go from the “historical period drama” that is The Crown to the thrills and spills of Andor and on to the delicious deceit at the heart of his accomplished first feature film Sharper, starring Julianne Moore, Sebastian Stan, John Lithgow, Justice Smith and Briana Middleton, giving a star-in-the-making performance.

Related Story ‘Sharper’ Review: Julianne Moore & Sebastian Stan In A Deliciously Twisty New York Noir Full Of Secrets And Lies Related Story Ben Foster, Justice Smith, Katherine Waterston & Maria Bakalova Set For 'Floodplain' Thriller From Topic Studios – EFM Related Story Gaspar Noé's 'Irréversible: Straight Cut' In Theaters, Distributor "Extremely Aware This Is An Extremely Tough Film" – Specialty Preview

His excitement over Sharper, which is highly praised in a review by my Deadline colleague Pete Hammond, is palpable when we meet for a cuppa tea, which he prepares,...

It’s a tricky proposition to talk to director Benjamin Caron about his new movie “Sharper.” Not because it doesn’t elicit conversation — there is so much in the wickedly smart thriller to discuss, from the plot that keeps you guessing to the fantastic cast, to Caron himself, who never expected to be a film director. But the movie, opening in U.S. theaters this weekend before hitting Apple TV+ and U.K. theaters on Feb. 17, is best experienced when one goes in knowing as little as possible.

Suffice to say that the script, by Brian Gatewood and Alessandro Tanaka, centers on a group of individuals in New York City who may or may not be conning one another at any given time. The film is divided into sections that give the audience time to get to know all the different characters — from young lovers Sandra and Tom (Briana Middleton...

When I ask people if they’re watching The Traitors on BBC One, there are only ever two answers. I either get an unbothered, indifferent shrug. Or a fervent hand reaches out and grabs mine, the person’s eyes widen and they whisper, “I. Am. Addicted.”

The Beeb’s new game show will conclude tonight with a dramatic final. The Traitors, essentially a televised 12-part game of Wink Wink Murder, has been something of a sleeper hit, but those in the know agree that it’s delivered some of the best telly of the year. Fronted by Claudia Winkleman wearing knitwear so snug it increasingly looks like it might smother her entire face, it puts a group of strangers in a castle and divides them into “faithfuls” and “traitors”. No one knows who the traitors are; each night the motley crew collectively vote to “banish” the person they are suspicious of,...

When I ask people if they’re watching The Traitors on BBC One, there are only ever two answers. I either get an unbothered, indifferent shrug. Or a fervent hand reaches out and grabs mine, the person’s eyes widen and they whisper, “I. Am. Addicted.”

The Beeb’s new game show will conclude tonight with a dramatic final. The Traitors, essentially a televised 12-part game of Wink Wink Murder, has been something of a sleeper hit, but those in the know agree that it’s delivered some of the best telly of the year. Fronted by Claudia Winkleman wearing knitwear so snug it increasingly looks like it might smother her entire face, it puts a group of strangers in a castle and divides them into “faithfuls” and “traitors”. No one knows who the traitors are; each night the motley crew collectively vote to “banish” the person they are suspicious of,...

A producer of the new Prime Video Lord of the Rings adaptation The Rings of Power have revealed the “number one rule” they followed making it.

Rings of Power debuts on the streaming service in September, and has already made headlines for its recordbreaking budget.

The series is set centuries before the events of Peter Jackson’s Oscar-winning Lord of the Rings trilogy.

Executive producer Ja Bayona spoke about the series in a new interview with SFX magazine.

“When you read [Lord of the Rings author Jrr] Tolkien’s books, you can tell how much he appreciates beauty, so the show is full of beauty,” he explained.

“Tolkien is inherently optimistic, warm and emotional,” he continued. “This is a man who went through some of the darkest things in human history and he didn’t come out of that and write a despairing, awful story.

“[Tolkien] wrote a story about hope,...

A producer of the new Prime Video Lord of the Rings adaptation The Rings of Power have revealed the “number one rule” they followed making it.

Rings of Power debuts on the streaming service in September, and has already made headlines for its recordbreaking budget.

The series is set centuries before the events of Peter Jackson’s Oscar-winning Lord of the Rings trilogy.

Executive producer Ja Bayona spoke about the series in a new interview with SFX magazine.

“When you read [Lord of the Rings author Jrr] Tolkien’s books, you can tell how much he appreciates beauty, so the show is full of beauty,” he explained.

“Tolkien is inherently optimistic, warm and emotional,” he continued. “This is a man who went through some of the darkest things in human history and he didn’t come out of that and write a despairing, awful story.

“[Tolkien] wrote a story about hope,...

After six blockbuster Tolkien movies, Jackson wants Derren Brown to wipe his memory of Middle-earth? It’s a boneheaded quest

Amazon’s new Lord of the Rings project needs to be a success. By some degree the most expensive television series ever made, it will arrive at an incredibly perilous time for the platform. People have too many streaming options and not enough money, and if Lord of the Rings fails to bring in a decent number of subscribers, it might spell curtains for Amazon Prime Video.

Luckily, though, the world’s greatest authority when it comes to adapting Jrr Tolkien texts to screen is still around. Peter Jackson has not only made six Tolkien movies at this point – winning 17 Oscars and taking almost 6bn at the box office in the process – he also stands at the cutting edge of visual effects and entertainment-based AI. If you were going to...

Peter Jackson wanted to cast a spell of sorts to forget his years-long involvement in bringing J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings” novels to the big screen.

Jackson “seriously considered” undergoing hypnosis to watch his Academy Award-winning trilogy films like a regular fan without being immersed in the viewing experience as a director.

“When we did ‘The Lord of the Rings’ movies I always felt I was the unlucky person who never got to see [them] as a coming-out-of-the-blue film,” the director explained during The Hollywood Reporter’s Awards Chatter podcast. “By the time there were screening I was immersed in it for five or six years. It was such a loss for me not [to] be able to see them like everyone else.”

He continued, “I actually did seriously consider going to some hypnotherapy guy to hypnotize me to make me forget about the films and the work I...

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There was a time when Peter Jackson wanted to forget everything about The Lord of the Rings.

The filmmaker told The Hollywood Reporter‘s Awards Chatter podcast this week that he “seriously considered” using hypnosis to try and forget all his work on his Oscar-winning films, and for a good reason: He wanted to watch them like a regular fan and enjoy a single unspoiled viewing experience.

“When we did the Lord of the Rings movies, I always felt I was the unlucky person who never got to see [them] as a coming-out-of-the-blue film,” Jackson says. “By the time they were screening, I was immersed in it for five or six years. It was such a loss for me not be able to see them like everyone else. I actually did seriously consider going to some hypnotherapy guy to hypnotize me to make me...

[This post originally appeared as part of Recommendation Machine, IndieWire’s daily TV picks feature.]

Where to Watch “Insiders”: Netflix

At one point in “Insiders,” there’s a montage of people being told they’re being put through into the next “round” of a reality show casting process. Nearly every one of them asks if they can give a hug or kiss to the producer giving them the good news. (They only get handshakes.) It’s a sustained burst of happiness and relief from a group of individuals who don’t even realize that the show they think they’re auditioning for is well under way.

That’s the main hook for “Insiders,” a series that puts a dozen people through the paces of a “training” period, ostensibly to see which of them is cut out for being on a show that none of them know will never actually come. Instead, the minimalist practice living space that they...

Adam Adler, creator of global hit format The Cube, has joined ITV Studios non-scripted label Potato as creative director, as the label is rolled in with Adler’s former employer Gameface.

ITV Studios-backed Gameface’s IP including ITV format The Void and Britain’s Brightest Family will integrate with The Chase producer Potato’s roster, with Adler joining Potato creative directors Martin Scott and Phil Mount and reporting into Managing Director Michael Kelpie. Gameface is one of three subsidiary labels of Itvs-backed Cats on the Roof, with Crook Productions and Second Act Productions also set to close.

During his stint as Creative Director of Objective Productions, Adler created The Cube, which has sold to multiple territories including TBS in the US with Dwayne Wade hosting and was recently rebooted by ITV. He also created BBC1’s The Reflex and is a former Channel 4 Commissioning Editor, where he oversaw Derren Brown’s The Heist,...

BritBox, the BBC and ITV’s joint-venture streamer, has acquired ITV’s John Simm drama Grace for the U.S. and Canada. The service will premiere the drama on April 27.

Told as two feature-length episodes, Grace is an adaptation of Peter James’ Roy Grace crime novels from Endeavour creator Russell Lewis. It is a co-production between Jekyll & Hyde producer Tall Story Pictures, Second Act Productions, and Derren Brown’s Vaudeville Productions.

It is based on James’ first two Roy Grace books Dead Simple and Looking Good Dead, which introduce Brighton-based Detective Superintendent Roy Grace, a hard-working police officer who has given his life to the job.

The drama opens with Grace’s career at rock bottom. He’s fixated by the disappearance of his wife, Sandy, which haunts his thoughts. He’s in the last chance saloon running inquiries into long-forgotten cold cases with little prospect of success. Following another...

“Hamilton” director Thomas Kail and Jennifer Todd have signed an overall deal with 20th Century Fox Television, a division of Disney Television Studios.

As part of the multi-year pact, which began in February, Kail and Todd have formed a new television company that will develop for all platforms under Kail’s Old 320 Sycamore banner.

Per 20th Century Fox TV, “The deal covers the pairs’ development of television projects only; Kail will separately produce films under his Old 320 Sycamore Pictures banner and Kate Sullivan will continue to serve as head of development for both companies with Kelly Applegate serving as creative executive. Todd will continue producing films under her own banner, Jennifer Todd Pictures, which has a first-look feature deal with MGM. Brittany Hapner will continue to oversee projects for Jennifer Todd Pictures, and will work for both entities.”

Also Read: 'Hamilton' Drives 79% Spike in Disney+ Downloads

“I was...

Exclusive: Doctor Who and The Catch star John Simm is to star in an adaptation of Peter James’ Roy Grace crime novels from Endeavour creator Russell Lewis for ITV.

The British commercial broadcaster has ordered Grace, a co-production between Jekyll & Hyde producer Tall Story Pictures, Second Act Productions, which produced ITV’s The Nightly Show and Derren Brown’s Vaudeville Productions.

The series will comprise two feature-length episodes and will be based on James’ first two Roy Grace books Dead Simple and Looking Good Dead, which introduce Brighton-based Detective Superintendent Roy Grace, a hard-working police officer who has given his life to the job.

Simm, who also starred in HBO’s first Game of Thrones prequel pilot, will play the tenacious detective.

The drama opens with Grace’s career at rock bottom. He’s fixated by the disappearance of his wife, Sandy, which haunts his thoughts. He’s in the...

John Krasinski treated his wife, actress Emily Blunt, to a special date night on Broadway!

The actor, 40, shared a photo of himself and Blunt, 36, on Instagram with illusionist Derren Brown on Thursday night after catching Brown’s Broadway show Secret.

“Oh my Lordy! Just had my mind Blown by the one and only @derrenbrown tonight!” Krasinski wrote in the caption. “If you’re in NYC and want to see one of the greatest shows ever…This is the one!”

Brown, 48, also shared a photo of the trio on his Instagram account, writing, “I am meeting the most extraordinary people who come and see the show.

Hollywood's favorite couple has graced us with a rare glimpse into their private lives. On Thursday night, John Krasinski and Emily Blunt stepped out in New York City to see Derren Brown's Broadway show Secret. The Jack Ryan star posted about the illusionist's show on Instagram, sharing a intimate date night selfie with his wife while he was at it. Posing backstage with Brown himself, the Office alum and Mary Poppins Returns star are all smiles as they cuddle up for the cute snap. "Oh my Lordy! Just had my mind Blown by the one and only @derrenbrown tonight!" Krasinski wrote. "If you're in NYC and want to...

A record-setting farewell performance of To Kill a Mockingbird‘s original Jeff Daniels-fronted cast, along with three rockers — Tina Turner, Alanis Morissette and David Byrne — brought in a combined $4,584,598 at the box office, a hefty slice of Broadway’s 34-production total gross of $31,122,601 for the week ending November 3.

That all-shows total is down about 8% from the previous week, at least in part due to some opening-night comps, and for Hamilton a couple lower-priced good-cause performances (more about that below).

First, though, Mockingbird. Already the highest-grossing American play in Broadway history — as you most likely know by now — the Aaron Sorkin adaptation of Harper Lee’s novel broke its own weekly gross record at the Shubert Theatre for the 10th time since opening last fall, pushing its total gross past the $100 million mark.

But the week ending Nov. 3 was another milestone for play: Sunday night’s performance was the final for the original cast,...