News

Because “lists for people to argue about on social media” are more financially dependable than “journalism,” The New York Times recently published their list of the “Top 100 Best Movies of the 21st Century” — or, at least they published numbers 100 through 81. They’re going to drag this thing out for as long as humanly possible, à la Adrien Brody’s Oscar speech.

The paper reached out to “more than 500 influential directors, actors and other notable names in Hollywood” to vote on “the best films released since Jan. 1, 2000.” That means that 2000’s Dude Where’s My Car is 100 percent eligible and could still crack the top 80.

They’re also letting readers create their own ballots, which obviously won’t be counted towards the same list, but it’s nice to feel included, isn’t it?

The roster of notable filmmakers that contributed to the list includes big names like Bong Joon Ho,...

This week on RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars Season 10, the third bracket of six returning queens competed in their second of three episodes, a performance challenge as two groups of dueling country trios. In last week's first challenge, Daya Betty and Ginger Minj came out on top in the Wicked-themed design challenge, providing themselves an early points lead in the path to the second round. Acid Betty, Alyssa Hunter, Cynthia Lee Fontaine, and Denali all entered the second challenge hoping to close the gap with the early leaders.

Read on for our recap of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars Season 10, Episode 8, titled "Stagecooch," which began streaming Friday, June 20 at 12 a.m. Pt on Paramount+.

In the "Tournament of All Stars" overall, 18 queens compete in a preliminary round of three episodes as three brackets of six, a semifinals round of the top-scoring three from each bracket, and then a finals to...

Marty Callner, director of dozens of classic MTV-era music videos as well as numerous comedy specials and creator of HBO’s Hard Knocks, has peacefully passed away at his home in Malibu. He died on March 17 of natural causes and surrounded by loved ones, according to his son, Jazz. He was 78.

Callner is a 12-time Emmy nominee and two-time CableACE Award winner. He has also been nominated for three DGA Awards and one MTV Music Video Award.

His career as a director of music videos started with Twisted Sister’s “We’re Not Going to Take it,” followed by Pat Benatar’s “We Belong,” both of which saw near-constant play on MTV in their heyday.

What followed were hundreds more, including Cher’s “If I Could Turn Back Time,” a slew of Aerosmith hits including “Cryin’,” “Crazy”, “Amazing,” “Livin’ on the Edge,” “Sweet Emotion,” “Dude Looks Like A Lady” and “Love in an Elevator.

The 97th Academy Awards were held on Sunday night, i.e., the Super Bowl for movie fans. That comparison might sting a little for ABC, which probably wishes it could achieve Super Bowl ratings numbers for the Oscars, especially following Hulu's glitchy livestream, which likely contributed to a decrease in viewers for the first time in four years.

According to Variety, the 2025 Oscars attracted 18.1 million viewers to watchAnora claim Best Picture of the year, down 7% from the 19.5 million people who tuned in for the 2024 ceremony. Given that ratings for the awards ceremony have seen much lower lows, this is a respectable number, but it may be a sign that some of the films, beyond box-office behemoth Wicked, weren't sampled by casual moviegoers and mostly appealed to more dedicated cinephiles.

Related2025's Academy Awards Were One of the Best in Years

The 97th Academy Awards did not mock the nominees...

Will Conan O'Brien host the Academy Awards again? The question has been on everyone's lips since his performance during last night's ceremony. Thankfully, Walt Disney TV's Rob Mills, the executive VP of unscripted and alternative entertainment in charge of these things, has some thoughts on the matter, too. And in a new interview with Variety, the executive lays out his thoughts on that, some of the night's biggest jokes, and more.

Though hardly confirmation of anything that may or may not happen in the future, Mills put the ball directly in O'Brien's court when it comes to hosting the award show again, confirming to the outlet that ABC's parent company was deeply satisfied with the job the comedian did. Considering how thankless it can be to host an awards show (just ask all the other folks who have hosted award shows), it's a huge compliment to O'Brien's ability to appeal...

Chris Rock is playing coy about hosting the Academy Awards again. The former host — who was involved in one of the most memorable moments in Oscars history when he was slapped by Will Smith onstage — remained vague when asked whether or not he would tackle the role taken on by Conan O'Brien in this year's ceremony.

Considering all that he had to endure not only during the 2022 Oscars, but the fallout after the fact, it's not surprising that the Fargo star was hesitant to commit to returning. But given that Rock was all about "forgiveness" when E! News asked him about it at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party, we could absolutely see a world where he comes back and hosts the show again. But if you want to know exactly what he had to say about the matter, keep reading below!

RelatedChris Rock Faces Humorous Threat from Another Round Director...

Everyone's favorite canoe-paddler and gigglepuss extraordinaire, Nick Offerman, has been confirmed as the official Show Announcer for this year's Academy Awards ceremony. The Parks and Recreation funnyman will join host Conan O'Brien in show duties that are sure to bring the funny to this year's Oscars. And he's not the only famous face (or voice) to be newly confirmed to present or join the broadcast of the 97th installment of cinematic accolades.

The news was confirmed on Wednesday by The Hollywood Reporter while speaking with executive producer and showrunner Raj Kapoor and executive producer Katy Mullan. The event will be the first time the Emmy Award-winning performer has attended the ceremony.

Also planning to work that night are Oprah Winfrey, Selena Gomez, Ben Stiller, Willem Dafoe, Goldie Hawn, Sterling K. Brown, Joe Alwyn, Lily-Rose Depp, Ana de Armas, and Connie Nielsen — all of whom have been confirmed as presenters at the awards.

Jules Feiffer, the provocative satirist, cartoonist, playwright and 1960s counterculturist who wrote the screenplays for Mike Nichols’ classic Carnal Knowledge and Robert Altman’s Popeye, has died. He was 95.

A Pulitzer Prize winner, Feiffer died Jan. 17 at his home in Upstate New York of congestive heart failure, his wife, Jz Holden, told The Washington Post.

The Bronx native joined such luminaries as Samuel Beckett, Sam Shepard, John Lennon and Robert Benton in contributing material to the bawdy 1969 Broadway musical revue Oh! Calcutta!, and he earned a Tony nomination for best play in 1976 for Knock, Knock. Starring Judd Hirsch, it was “a wild spree of jokes, pratfalls, word games, collapsing scenery, falling bodies and burlesque sight gags,” according to The New York Times.

In 1967, his original comedy Little Murders made its Broadway bow with a cast that included Barbara Cook, Elliott Gould and David Steinberg, and Feiffer wrote the screenplay for...

BritBox Signs UK Programs From Sphere Abacus

Best-of-British streamer BritBox has bought a package of programs from Sphere Abacus, the UK-based sales house making its debut at MIPCOM in its current guise. Package contains Travels With Agatha Christie with Sir David Suchet from Soho Studios and Two Rivers Media. Suchet is currently on the ground with Sphere Abacus in Cannes, as our report earlier today noted. Also acquired by BritBox are Jon and Lucy’s Odd Couples, The Murder of Sandra Rivett, Breaking Dad: Britain’s Unlikeliest Drug Dealer, Agatha Christie: 100 Years of Poirot and Miss Marple (aka Agatha Christie: 100 Years of Suspense), Diana: The Interview That Shook the World and Susan Hill’s The Small Hand: A Ghost Story (1 x 94’) produced by Awesome and Two Rivers Media. BritBox takes rights for the U.S. and Canada.

Beta Sets Globo Co-Pro ‘Discipline

Germany’s Beta Film and Brazilian...

When Bridesmaids director Paul Feig was an up-and-coming stand-up comic, getting a chance — any chance — to perform at the Improv was a big deal. But some nights were easier to get on stage than others. “I got sabotaged by Robin Williams a couple of times when I finally got to be a performer at The Improv,” he said.

Sabotaged by Robin Williams? What was he doing, throwing spitballs during Feig’s set? Nothing that nefarious, Feig told Jesse Tyler Ferguson on the Dinner’s on Me podcast. As a comedian early in his career, Feig rarely got stage time until later in the evening. “I remember once it was my time to get up, and there was a full audience,” he said. “I was so excited, and they come up like, ‘Oh, Robin just wants to get up and do a quick set first.’”

Uh-oh. “Robin Williams” and “quick set...

John Candy was one of the most beloved comedians of the 1980s and 1990s who had plenty of incredibly underrated movies that didnt get enough love. While the late actor died tragically young at age 43, this was not before leaving the world with some of the most iconic comedic performances ever put to the screen in classics like Planes, Trains and Automobiles and Uncle Buck. However, for every legendary Candy performance, there was another hidden gem that, despite being equally hilarious, failed to gain the same lasting legacy as his best-known work.

The best John Candy movies included acclaimed collaborations with comedy greats like Steve Martin, Bill Murray, and Mel Brooks, although lesser-known releases also paired him with the likes of Tom Hanks, Dan Aykroyd, and Richard Pryor. While some underrated movies suffered from lackluster screenplays, Candys vulnerable sincerity and likable comedic charm helped elevate them into solid comedies. There...

Warning: This article contains spoilers for Netflix's Kaos.

The soundtrack of Kaos mixes together contemporary genres with classical music, mirroring the dark comedic, contemporary take on Ancient Greek myths. Kaos is a hilarious, raunchy story that follows three humans who learn theyre destined to fulfill a prophecy that will bring down the Greek gods. The unhinged story thrives partly because it incorporates all the darkest and most twisted parts of Greek mythology but approaches them with a sense of humor. The narrator, Prometheus, helps set the sardonic tone for the series. However, another aspect of the show that contributes to its success is the soundtrack.

The episodes of the Netflix comedy show are packed with songs that shape the tone for the audience. The music that plays with each character in Kaos also reflects their personality. Scenes with Dionysus include eclectic music popular in the LGBTQ+ community. Zeus leans...

RuPaul’s Drag Race revealed a shocking twist in an exclusive first look at Friday’s All Stars show.

The competition has only three episodes left, but the game is about to get hot when Mama Ru arrives in the Werk Room to announce this week’s maxi challenge with a plot twist that leaves the queens burning up.

The show gets spooky for contestants when Mama Ru unveils a horror-themed maxi challenge, Rosemary’s Baby Shower The Rusical. He then explains the all-singing and dancing psychological thriller is about New Yorkers willing to sell their souls for a decent apartment.

The queens will be pushed to their limits by musical composer David Steinberg and the scariest vocal coach from hell, RuPaul’s lifelong best friend, Michelle Visage. The queens will take the stage and slay with killer choreographer, Miguel Serat.

This week’s guest judge will be the singer, songwriter,...

“RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars” continued its 9th season on Friday, July 5 with the ninth episode featuring returning queens from seasons past. Making their way back into the Werk Room for the second time are Angeria Paris VanMichaels (season 14), Gottmik (season 13), Jorgeous (season 14), Nina West (season 11), and Plastique Tiara (season 11). Three queens are returning for the third time: Roxxxy Andrews (season 5 and All Stars 2), Shannel (season 1 and All Stars 1), and Vanessa Vanjie Mateo (seasons 10 and 11).

In addition to their chance at the coveted crown, this season the queens are competing to have a $200,000 contribution, provided by The Palette Fund, to a charity of their choice. Series judges RuPaul Charles and Michelle Visage will be joined on the dais by friends and series regulars Carson Kressley, Ts Madison, and Ross Mathews as well as a rotating cast of guest judges to help determine episodic winners and their choice for “next drag superstar.

Alan Scarfe, the classically trained British Canadian actor known for his turns as bad guys in Double Impact and Lethal Weapon III and as Dr. Bradley Talmadge on the Upn sci-fi series Seven Days, has died. He was 77.

Scarfe died April 28 of colon cancer at his home in Longueuil, Quebec, his family announced.

Survivors include his son, actor Jonathan Scarfe (ER, Raising the Bar, Hell on Wheels, Van Helsing).

Born in England and raised in Vancouver, Scarfe portrayed the Romulans Tokath and Admiral Mendak on episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation in 1991 and 1993 and was another alien, the powerful Magistrate Augris, on a 1995 installment of Star Trek: Voyager.

“Science fiction on film and television, especially if you are playing some kind of alien character with fantastic make-up, is great for actors with a strong stage background,” he said in a 2007 interview. “The productions need that kind of size and intensity of performance.

“Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour” writer and performer David Steinberg pays tribute to Tom Smothers, who died Dec. 26 at age 86.

I met Tommy (and Dick) Smothers when we were performing at the Hungry I in San Francisco in the late 1960s. I did standup, and Tommy immediately wanted me to be on the show they were creating because I was a different kind of comedian — like they were. I had done a sermon, which was something I had developed at Second City. Tom and Dick, Tom especially, couldn’t get over the uniqueness of it. “Let’s put it on the air!” he said.

The second time Tommy asked me to come on the show, I did one of my sermons.

“Moses takes the shoes off his feet, approaches the burning bush, burns his feet. God goes “Aha! Third one today!” Moses swore. We are not sure what he said. There...

Tom Smothers, who with his younger brother Dick changed the face of comedy with their musical humor and The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, died Tuesday in Santa Rosa, California, following a cancer battle. The news was announced by the National Comedy Center, on behalf of Smothers’ family. He was 86.

Tom and Dick Smothers started out as folk musicians in the early ’60s, and soon discovered that, while they were not good enough to be professional musicians, the act worked if they mixed in comedy.

Dick Smothers said in a statement, “Tom was not only the loving older brother that everyone would want in their life, he was a one-of-a-kind creative partner. I am forever grateful to have spent a lifetime together with him, on and off stage, for over 60 years. Our relationship was like a good marriage – the longer we were together, the more we loved and respected one another.

Tom Smothers, one half of the Smothers Brothers musical comedy duo, died on Dec. 26 in Santa Rosa, Calif. due to cancer. He was 86.

Smothers’ younger brother and co-star of “Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour” Dick Smothers announced that Tom died at home with his family.

Dick Smothers said in a statement, “Tom was not only the loving older brother that everyone would want in their life, he was a one-of-a-kind creative partner. I am forever grateful to have spent a lifetime together with him, on and off stage, for over 60 years. Our relationship was like a good marriage — the longer we were together, the more we loved and respected one another. We were truly blessed.”

Tom and Dick Smothers were known for their musical comedy act in which they performed folk songs on acoustic guitar and double bass, respectively, and bantered together. Elder brother Tom was known for his signature line,...

Tom Smothers, the countercultural comedy icon admired for the 1960s variety program he created and hosted with his younger brother, Dick, and for the tenacity he displayed in frequent clashes with CBS censors, has died. He was 86.

Smothers died Tuesday at his home in Santa Rosa, California, after a battle with cancer, his brother announced in a statement shared with The Hollywood Reporter by the National Comedy Center.

“Tom was not only the loving older brother that everyone would want in their life, he was a one-of-a-kind creative partner,” Dick, 84, said. “I am forever grateful to have spent a lifetime together with him, on and off stage, for over 60 years. Our relationship was like a good marriage — the longer we were together, the more we loved and respected one another. We were truly blessed.”

The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour ran from February 1967 until April 1969, when the pair were fired after...

After 12 seasons and a staggering 24 years on the air, Larry David’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm” will finally bid farewell. What began as a mock, behind-the-scenes look at a fictional David putting together a new comedy special blossomed into one of the most enduring and outrageous series of all time. Although neither David nor his character would want to be sentimental, to commemorate the announcement of its imminent series finale, revisit the dozens of awards nominations it received for its first 11 seasons.

Though he would likely never describe himself as an actor, David has a long list of nominations for his acclaimed, exaggerated performance as himself. The lovable curmudgeon earned six Emmy bids for Comedy Actor in 2003, 2004, 2006, 2010, 2012 and 2018. He also racked up three Golden Globes noms in 2003, 2005 and 2006 and three SAG bids in 2006, 2010 and 2018, which demonstrates how different awards bodies have been receptive to his hilarious portrayal of his so-called “social...

Larry Charles’ résumé is all over the place. As a writer, he penned some of Seinfeld’s most memorable episodes (see: “The Library”). As a TV director, he skewered his industry with Curb Your Enthusiasm and Entourage. As a filmmaker, he embraced mockumentary with Borat and Brüno. But his latest entry, by his own admission, might be his most unhinged to date. He just released Dicks: The Musical, a hard-r spoof of The Parent Trap featuring telepathic sewer creatures, a disembodied CGI vagina and Megan Thee Stallion walking men on leashes like dogs. “I don’t have a legacy or body of work or anything like that, so I don’t think about stuff like that,” the Dicks director explained on the eve of its Oct. 6 theatrical launch. “I never know what I’m doing next.”

Charles is about as unassuming as a comedy icon can be, having spent four...

A group of top showrunners met today to discuss the WGA strike – a day after it emerged the studios told writer/producers were not excused from producing duties during the labor action.

The meeting was held at the WGA Theater in Beverly Hills with the likes of Damon Lindelof, Shawn Ryan, Steve Levitan, Justin Spitzer, David E. Kelley, Bill Lawrence and David Steinberg in attendance.

It comes after the majority of studios, including Warner Bros. Discovery, Disney and Paramount sent out letters to showrunners, telling them to continue to produce.

“Those studio emails have had the opposite intended effect now,” one showrunner who attended today’s gathering told Deadline. “Now we are more united, more convinced than ever that there is no non-writing aspect of what we do.”

“Scary times but writers are united,” said another who attended.

Showrunners have warned that everything they do is writing and many have...

Budd Friedman, comedy club pioneer and founder of the original Improv comedy club, has died. He was 90. Friedman died Saturday of heart failure at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, his wife, Alix, told The Hollywood Reporter.

Friedman founded the original Improv in New York City in 1963, giving early career breaks to comedians and acting superstars like Jay Leno, Bette Midler, Richard Pryor and more.

He opened his second location in Hollywood in 1975, just three years after Johnny Carson moved “The Tonight Show” from New York to Los Angeles, marking the brand’s first expansion. Friedman and his partner, Mark Lonow, would go on to open 22 Improvs across 12 states before selling the company in February 2018 to Levity Entertainment Group.

His comedy clubs also helped provide a platform for superstars like Adam Sandler, Richard Lewis, Dick Cavett, David Steinberg, Steve Landesberg, David Brenner, Lily Tomlin, Freddie Prinze, Gabe Kaplan, Chris Rock,...

Budd Friedman, the Broadway producer who founded The Improv comedy club franchise and kickstarted the careers of some of Hollywood’s biggest comic voices, died of heart failure Saturday in Los Angeles. He was 90 years old.

“The comedy world lost a giant today,” the Hollywood Improv wrote in a statement Saturday evening. “In 1963 he changed the world of comedy by creating the first comedy club for the masses to come together in laughter. In 1963 he changed the world. He went global. He was a pioneer. He was a gentleman. He was a luminary.”

The comedy world lost a giant today.

In 1963 he changed the world of comedy by creating the first comedy club for the masses to come together in laughter.

In 1963 he changed the world.

He went global.

He was a pioneer.

He was a gentleman.

He was a luminary. pic.twitter.com/l1pA38AGww

— Hollywood Improv (@HollywoodImprov...

Budd Friedman, the comedy club pioneer who founded the original Improv in New York in 1963 and gave early career breaks to the likes of Jay Leno, Robert Klein, Bette Midler, Richard Pryor and Andy Kaufman, has died. He was 90.

Friedman died Saturday of heart failure at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, his wife, Alix, told The Hollywood Reporter.

Three years after Johnny Carson and The Tonight Show departed Manhattan for Burbank, Friedman opened a Hollywood outpost of the Improv on Melrose Avenue in 1975 in his first expansion of the brand.

There were 22 Improvs across 12 states in February 2018 when Friedman and partner Mark Lonow sold the company to Levity Entertainment Group, whose investors included Irving Azoff.

At his flagship New York hotspot, located at West 44th Street and Ninth Avenue in Hell’s Kitchen, Friedman also employed Rodney Dangerfield as an Mc, Elayne Boosler...

Nrdc (Natural Resources Defense Council) will host its fifth fundraising event, “Night of Comedy” in New York presented in partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery.

The evening will bring incredible talent together in support of Nrdc’s ongoing work to fight climate change and protect public health, while offering comic relief during these challenging times.

Nrdc’s “Night of Comedy” will pay special tribute to Nrdc Honorary Trustee and Night of Comedy Founder, Anna Scott Carter, for her tremendous service on behalf of Nrdc and its mission to safeguard the earth and the natural systems on which all life depends.

The evening’s line-up will include renowned comedians Seth Meyers and Mike Birbiglia, Michael Che, Chloe Fineman, Nick Kroll and Hasan Minhaj.

Night of Comedy founder Anna Scott Carter & Graydon Carter are joined by David & Pam Zaslav as National Co-Chairs. Other co-chairs include Judd Apatow and Leslie Mann, Claire Bernard, Jimmy and Jane Buffett,...

Nrdc (Natural Resources Defense Council) will host its fifth fundraising event, “Night of Comedy”, on Tuesday, September 20, 2022, at Cipriani South Street, Casa Cipriani in New York.

The evening will pay special tribute to Nrdc Honorary Trustee and Night of Comedy Founder, Anna Scott Carter, for her tremendous service on behalf of Nrdc and its mission.

“Anna Scott Carter has helped shape a better future for us all,” said Manish Bapna, president and CEO of Nrdc. “She has dedicated much of her life to developing bold and creative strategies to broaden environmental awareness and bring about change. Her innovation and commitment to protecting our planet are only matched by the overwhelming warmth, joy, and generosity she brings to the table every day. We are fortunate to have her as part of our Nrdc family.”

Presented in partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery, the evening’s line-up will include renowned comedians Seth Meyers and Hasan Minhaj,...

Earlier this week, Nrdc (Natural Resources Defense Council) hosted its first-ever Los Angeles fundraising comedy event, “Night of Comedy” at NeueHouse Hollywood.

Julia Louis-Dreyfus accepts an award onstage during the Nrdc Night of Comedy Benefit

Credit/Copyright: Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Nrdc

The evening honored Emmy Award-winning actor, comedian, producer and Nrdc Trustee Julia Louis Dreyfus for her extraordinary commitment and service to the planet.

Presented in partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery, the evening’s line-up included renowned comedians Nicole Byer, Pete Holmes, Leslie Jones, Nick Kroll and Tig Notaro, all of whom came together in support of Nrdc’s on-going work to fight climate change and protect public health. The evening helped to raise awareness for the need to keep fighting for our future—but offer welcome comic relief during these challenging times. Other notable guests included Tony Hale, Baratunde Thurston, Mitch Glazer, Kelly Lynch, Brian Grazer, among others.

Nrdc (Natural Resources Defense Council) will host its fundraising comedy event, “Night of Comedy” in Los Angeles for the first time, on Tuesday, June 7, 2022 at NeueHouse Hollywood.

The evening will honor Emmy Award-winning actor, comedian, producer and Nrdc Trustee Julia Louis-Dreyfus for her extraordinary commitment and service to the planet.

“In this critical year for climate progress—the support of these comedy all-stars is more important than ever,” said Manish Bapna, president and CEO of Nrdc (Natural Resources Defense Council). “Julia is an extraordinary advocate for the planet, using her voice to raise awareness about the gravity of climate change and providing hope by highlighting solutions. She is a cherished part of the Nrdc family, and we are honored to work together to build a cleaner, healthier and more just world.”

Presented in partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery, the evening’s line-up will include renowned comedians Chelsea Handler, Leslie Jones,...

Refresh for updates… Friends, colleagues and fans have been quick to react to the news of beloved comedian and actor Gilbert Gottfried’s death today at 67.

“Rip Gilbert. Opening for Gilbert Gottfried at Carolines and Princeton Catch was one of the great thrills of my early stand up life,” wrote Jon Stewart. “He could leave you gasping for breath…just indescribably unusually hilarious…Damn.”

Hollywood & Media Deaths In 2022: Photo Gallery

“The most underrated comedian of all time, a wonderful friend, husband & father,” said comedian and director David Steinberg in a statement. “I will miss you. The world just got a lot less funny.”

“Nobody was funnier than @RealGilbert on a roll,” wrote comedian and filmmaker Judd Apatow. “He could put you into convulsive hysterics. He was also the sweetest man.”

“Gilbert Gottfried made me laugh at times when laughter did not come easily. What a gift,” wrote Seinfeld‘s Jason Alexander.

Johnny Brown, the actor, comedian and singer best known for his role as superintendent Nathan Bookman on the popular 70s sitcom “Good Times,” died Wednesday. He was 84 years old.

Brown’s death was confirmed by his daughter, Broadway actress Sharon Catherine Brown, through a post shared on her Instagram. No further details on Brown’s death are available at this time.

“He was literally snatched out of our lives. It’s not real for us yet,” Sharon Catherine Brown wrote. “So there will be more to say but not now. Dad was the absolute best. We love him so very much.”

Prior to his sitcom stardom, Brown was a seasoned entertainment veteran, regularly performing in nightclub acts with his future wife, June Russell. Early in his career he dabbled in recording music, releasing the single “Walkin’, Talkin’, Kissin’ Doll” for Columbia Records in 1961 and “You’re Too Much in Love...

Refresh for updates… Tributes are pouring in for Oscar-winning actor, director, civil rights activist and humanitarian Sidney Poitier, who has died at age 94.

“For over 80 years, Sidney and I laughed, cried and made as much mischief as we could,” said Harry Belafonte in a statement (the two met in the mid-1940s while working at The American Negro Theatre in New York City). “He was truly my brother and partner in trying to make this world a little better. He certainly made mine a whole lot better.”

In a statement to Deadline, Denzel Washington said, “It was a privilege to call Sidney Poitier my friend. He was a gentle man and opened doors for all of us that had been closed for years. God bless him and his family.”

Sidney Poitier: A Groundbreaking Career In Pictures

Westworld actor Jeffrey Wright was among the first to share his thoughts on Poitier’s passing.

Sidney Poitier, the trailblazing and iconic Black actor, director, civil rights activist and humanitarian, has died, the Bahamian Minister of Foreign Affairs announced Friday.

Details of his death were not immediately available.

The first Black actor to win the Academy Award for Best Actor — for 1964’s Lilies of the Field — Poitier was towering figure in Hollywood and beyond, starring in such classics as A Raisin in the Sun, Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, In the Heat of the Night and To Sir With Love, to name a select few, while taking on a global profile for his unceasing calls for civil rights, racial equality and human dignity.

Offscreen, Poitier’s work and support for civil rights in the 1960s put him at the forefront of the movement and made him one of its most prominent public faces. He attended, along with his lifelong friend Harry Belafonte, the 1963 March on Washington,...

Tiffany Haddish has joined the National Comedy Center’s advisory board of the directors. She fills the seat formerly held by the late Carl Reiner.

The announcement coincides with Lucille Ball’s 110th birthday. The center is located in Ball’s hometown of Jamestown, New York.

“Comedy is a true art form — its artists deserve to be celebrated and its creative work needs to be preserved,” Haddish said on Friday morning. “I’m truly honored to be part of the National Comedy Center. Lucille Ball was an extraordinary influence on my career and my work, so to help bring her vision for this cultural institution to life is a dream come true for me.”

Lewis Black, founding chair of the advisory board, said, “On behalf of the entire advisory board, it’s a thrill to have Tiffany Haddish join us. With Tiffany’s participation, we become a more vital resource...

Phish have issued a statement urging their fans get vaccinated and wear a mask when social distancing isn’t possible during the band’s upcoming summer tour.

The band’s statement arrived Wednesday, July 28th, just hours before playing their first show since February 2020 — practically a lifetime for a band that tours regularly each year. That first show, however, also happens to be at the Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville, Arkansas, a state that’s been among the hardest hit by the latest coronavirus surge.

“[T]he best thing you can...

Public Relations firm Stan Rosenfield & Associates has rebranded itself as Rmg (Rosenfield Media Group), effective Oct. 1.

The re-branding comes seven-and-a-half years after Zach Rosenfield joined PR entertainment industry vet Stan Rosenfield and expanded the company’s reach beyond talent representation to include producers, production companies, content creators, sports based ventures and corporations. The rebranding also recognizes the evolving executive structure since Zach Rosenfield joined the company, as well as the rise of Katie Feldman within the talent division and Ethan Friedman with company’s client base of producers and production companies.

Rmg is also providing consulting services for companies and institutions looking to create relationships within the entertainment industry; their first client in this space is Inc. 5000 company, Belay. Rmg has hired Amanda Sprague to oversee the firm’s corporate strategies, and work closely with Zach Rosenfield and Friedman on the day-to-day representations of the firm’s entertainment and business based clients.

Though everybody knows Larry David as the face of and genius behind HBO’s miraculously long-enduring comedy “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” few may realize the outsized importance of David’s right-hand man Jeff Schaffer. Co-creator of “The League” and this season’s “Dave,” Schaffer began working on “Curb” 15 years ago, and now serves as a writer, director, and executive producer of the Emmy-winning series. The latter role has landed Schaffer four Emmy nominations, but a bid for his work as director has proved elusive.

For the series’ tenth season, which found David’s curmudgeon opening a coffee shop purely out of spite and facing claims of sexual harassment, Schaffer might have his best chance yet at earning a rightful nomination for directing. Compared to last year, when “Curb” was on hiatus, the competition has winnowed: “Fleabag” has wrapped, so reigning champ Harry Bradbeer will not defend his title, and “Barry” is sitting this Emmy cycle out,...

Fred Willard, best known for his roles in Best in Show, This Is Spinal Tap, Everybody Loves Raymond, and Modern Family, died of natural causes at the age of 86, according to Variety.

“It is with a heavy heart that I share the news my father passed away very peacefully last night at the fantastic age of 86 years old,” his daughter Hope Willard tweeted on Saturday. “He kept moving, working and making us happy until the very end. We loved him so very much! We will miss him forever.”

Willard first came into national consciousness as the sidekick to Martin Mull’s host on the nightly Fernwood 2 Night. He is well known as part of the revolving troupe of actors – including Michael McKean, Harry Shearer, Catherine O’Hara and Eugene Levy – assembled by director Christopher Guest.

“How lucky that we all got to enjoy Fred Willard’s gifts,” Guest’s wife,...

Robin Williams' comedic legacy will live on on YouTube.

The estate of the iconic comedian -- who took his own life in 2014 -- has launched a YouTube channel that will house clips from Williams’ classic stand-up routines. The channel will also feature interviews with Williams' friends and family, with new videos uploaded every week through the month of June, Insider reports -- meaning that quarantined fans should be able to find something to keep them busy laughing for the next couple months.

Six videos are already live, including two clips from a 2002 set dubbed Robin Williams Live On Broadway, as well as an interview with fellow comedian Lewis Black and a conversation with Williams’ former manager, David Steinberg. The two-week-old venture, appropriately dubbed Robin Williams Official YouTube Chanel, was created to commemorate the Oscar winner by direct marketing company Time Life and the Robin Williams Estate. The videos also promote...

We could all use a good laugh right about now. And Robin Williams delivers quite a few on his new Youtube channel curated by Time Life. The legendary comedian and actor left us several years ago, but his timeless humor will forever live on in our hearts and our screens in this time of need. For April Fools' Day, laughter really is the best medicine.

This new Youtube channel will be the official digital home for Robin Williams and his classic stand-up. There will be sketches, exclusive extras and some surprises. The channel is launching with five clips. Then a new clip will debut each and every week. You can take a look at the introduction trailer below.

While Robin Williams started performing stand-up comedy in the mid-'70s, most of America first fell in love with him as the na&#239ve and hilarious alien from the planet Ork in Mork & Mindy.

Netflix is bringing out its stable of comedians for the first ever Netflix Is a Joke Festival, which will be held in Los Angeles from April 27 – May 3. Among the comedians that will appear are Ali Wong, Amy Schumer, Bill Burr, Dave Chappelle, David Letterman, Jamie Foxx, Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin, Kevin Hart and Martin Lawrence.

“It’s our honor to transform La for one week into the funniest place on earth,” Netflix chief content officer Ted Sarandos said. “This festival is a unique celebration of the art of comedy, and the role it plays in reflecting our lives and defining culture. It’s a chance for comedy lovers to come together and see their favorite artists as well as discover new ones, and for us to be able to share the electricity and excitement of the festival in Los Angeles with Netflix members around the world.”

Also Read: Netflix...

Get ready to laugh, Los Angeles: Netflix’s comedy brand, Netflix Is a Joke, will host a week-long comedy festival starting in April.

Entitled “Netflix Is a Joke Fest,” the festival will take place across over 20 venues in Los Angeles, including the Hollywood Bowl, Greek Theatre, Hollywood Palladium and The Largo, between April 27 and May 3. Produced by Netflix in association with Live Nation, it will feature some of the best in today’s standup performing, as well as paying homage to comedy legends.

Some of the performers taking part are Dave Chapelle, Martin Lawrence, David Letterman, Ali Wong, Wanda Sykes, Amy Schumer, Pete Davidson, Kevin Hart and more.

But more importantly for the festival, Netflix is also partnering with Comedy Gives Back, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to create a safety net for comedians in need with mental health, medical and financial crisis support. During the festival, Comedy Gives...

Netflix is about to serve a flood of funny in Los Angeles with its Netflix is a Joke Fest, set for April 27-May 3. For one week, the streaming giant is partnering with Live Nation to bring over 100 live shows and events to various venues in L.A. with recorded shows available on the platform later this year.

Netflix Is A Joke, Netflix’s comedy brand, will present the all-star fest that will include Ali Wong, Amy Schumer, Bill Burr, Dave Chappelle, David Letterman, Jamie Foxx, Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin, Kevin Hart, Martin Lawrence, Sebastian Maniscalco, the cast of Schitt’s Creek and more.

In addition, the fest will feature Stand Out: An Lgbtq+ Celebration, putting the spotlight on Lgbtq+ comedic talent including Wanda Sykes Alan Carr, Hannah Gadsby, Margaret Cho, Rosie O’Donnell and Sandra Bernhard.

The fest will close on May 3 with the very first The Hall, a first-of-its-kind hall...

Today, there are loads of resources scattered around the web that can help newbie streamers establish themselves on platforms like YouTube, Twitch, and Facebook. But when StoneMountain64 (aka David Steinberg) launched his YouTube channel and started building the foundations of his content career back in 2011, he had zero help navigating the still relatively new digital space. He had to figure out everything from the very basics, like what camera and screen recording software worked best for making gaming content, to the complicated stuff, like paying self-employment tax and negotiating brand deals, with no guidance.

Visit Tubefilter for more great stories.

Tony Sokol Nov 29, 2019

Hey, you missed a spot. Martin Scorsese's The Irishman paints over some interrelated mob hits.

This article contains small The Irishman spoilers.

You have to have some knowledge of mob history to appreciate segments of The Irishman. Director Martin Scorsese is telling a very long history, based on an exhaustive book, I Heard You Paint Houses by author Charles Brandt. The biography details Frank Sheeran, played by Robert De Niro in the film, confessing to killing about 30 people. So Scorsese can be pardoned for skimming past key points, especially where Sheeran isn’t even part of a contract.

For example, Scorsese shows us a shooting in Columbus Circle. The film notes how significant the event is, but doesn’t present a full background, making it look like Joseph Colombo was killed by the African American shooter. He wasn’t. This is a necessary cut; the movie...

Tiffany Haddish and Billy Crystal will star together in the Astute Films’ comedy Here Today, a project that the latter Saturday Night Live alum will co-write and direct.

Here Today is billed as a May/September romantic comedy – but without the romance. Crystal plays veteran comedy writer Charlie Berns, who is slowly but surely losing his grip on reality. He befriends a talented young New York street singer Emma Paige played by Haddish and they form an unlikely, touching friendship that defies the generation gap aside and redefines the meaning of love and trust.

Here Today marks Crystal’s eighth time directing and his third on a feature film following Mr. Saturday Night and Forget Paris, in which he also starred. Crystal directed the HBO film 61*, starring Barry Pepper and Thomas Jane in 2001 which earned him an Emmy and Director’s Guild Nomination as Best Director for a film made for television.

Netflix has partnered with comedy producer and director Marty Callner and Funny Business, Inc. for a stand-up comic tribute show entitled “The Hall: Honoring the Greats of Stand-Up,” the streamer announced Thursday.

The special will be executive produced by Callner and Randall Gladstein, partners in Funny Business, Inc., and manager/producer David Steinberg. The induction ceremony will be available on Netflix in 2020.

“Stand-up comedy is more than funny jokes — these artists shape our culture, teach us, and challenge us about the world and ourselves,” said Ted Sarandos, chief content officer, Netflix, in a statement. “We’re honored to partner with Marty, Randall, David, and everyone at the National Comedy Center as we celebrate the greats in this field, create a space for comedy lovers to come together, and share the induction ceremony with Netflix members everywhere.”

Previously, Callner directed HBO’s first ever stand-up special “An Evening with Robert Klein,...

A new show that will honor some of stand-up comedy’s legendary performers will bow on Netflix next year and feature the first inductees into a new stand-up Hall of Fame.

The show will be titled The Hall: Honoring The Greats Of Stand-Up and will be available in 2020 on Netflix, executive produced by Marty Callner and Randall Gladstein, partners in Funny Business, Inc., and manager/producer David Steinberg. The induction ceremony for the new Stand-Up Hall will be held in Los Angeles.

The Hall of Fame itself will become a permanent part of the National Comedy Center in Jamestown, New York.

“Stand-up comedy is more than funny jokes — these artists shape our culture, teach us, and challenge us about the world and ourselves,” said Ted Sarandos, chief content officer, Netflix. “We’re honored to partner with Marty, Randall, David, and everyone at the National Comedy Center as we celebrate the greats in this field,...

Netflix is extending its stand-up comedy brand with a ceremony honoring some of the legends of the form.

In conjunction with producer and director Marty Callner and his Funny Business Inc., the streamer in 2020 will air a special called The Hall: Honoring the Greats of Stand-Up. The inaugural hall of fame induction ceremony will be held in Los Angeles, and the hall will have a physical home in a new wing of the National Comedy Center in Jamestown, New York — the hometown of comedy legend Lucille Ball.

Callner, Funny Business partner Randall Gladstein and David Steinberg, the longtime manager ...

Colleagues and former co-stars of Tim Conway came forward to pay tribute the “Carol Burnett Show” and “McHale’s Navy” star following his death on Tuesday at age 85.

“I’m heartbroken,” Burnett said in a statement to CNN. “He was one in a million, not only as a brilliant comedian but as a loving human being. I cherish the times we had together both on the screen and off. He’ll be in my heart forever.”

“The man was pure comedy. Riotously funny,” writer and producer Judd Apatow tweeted. “I finally got to see him work when he guest starred on The Larry Sanders show and he was all I dreamed he would be. As kind as he was funny. He will be missed.”

Also Read: Tim Conway, 'Carol Burnett Show' and 'SpongeBob SquarePants' Star, Dies at 85

The Emmy-winning actor died Tuesday morning in Los Angeles, and his...