The documentary “Outstanding: A Comedy Revolution” is set to premiere globally on June 18 on Netflix. The feature-length documentary, the first of its kind to address this topic, examines the history of queer stand-up comedy as — according to its logline — “an instrument for social change over the past five decades, actively reflecting and challenging cultural norms and values.”
The film combines stand-up performances and talking head interviews, as well as archival materials featuring LGBTQ+ comedians, and includes Lily Tomlin, Sandra Bernhard, Wanda Sykes, Suzy Izzard, Hannah Gadsby, Tig Notaro, Rosie O’Donnell, Margaret Cho, Bob The Drag Queen and Trixie Mattel.
Historians interviewed for the documentary include Dave Holmes, Roger Mason, Shar Jossell, Susan Stryker and Kate Aurthur, Variety‘s Editor-at-Large.
“Outstanding: A Comedy Revolution” is written and directed by Page Hurwitz. “I’m excited for the film to premiere, particularly at this time, because comedy has the power to unite, and...
The film combines stand-up performances and talking head interviews, as well as archival materials featuring LGBTQ+ comedians, and includes Lily Tomlin, Sandra Bernhard, Wanda Sykes, Suzy Izzard, Hannah Gadsby, Tig Notaro, Rosie O’Donnell, Margaret Cho, Bob The Drag Queen and Trixie Mattel.
Historians interviewed for the documentary include Dave Holmes, Roger Mason, Shar Jossell, Susan Stryker and Kate Aurthur, Variety‘s Editor-at-Large.
“Outstanding: A Comedy Revolution” is written and directed by Page Hurwitz. “I’m excited for the film to premiere, particularly at this time, because comedy has the power to unite, and...
- 4/17/2024
- by Selena Kuznikov
- Variety Film + TV
20th Century Fox wasn’t sure what it had in Star Wars, and apparently, neither did George Lucas. The director was building up his company, Lucasfilm, and unleashed his secret weapon: Charley Lippincott. He whipped people into a previously unknown frenzy by working the fans at science fiction and comics conventions. He saw to it DelRey had the novelization out months before the film, as well as three of the six-issue comics adaptation from Roy Thomas and Howard Chaykin at Marvel. These people were lined up for day one, and the word of the month spread so fast that it endured throughout the summer of 1977.
Before the Special came the finale from The Donny and Marie Show, which Donny discusses on the documentary.
As we learn in the wonderfully entertaining A Disturbance in the Force, a 90-minute documentary from directors Jeremy Coon and Steve Kozak, despite all his statements saying he had everything planned out,...
Before the Special came the finale from The Donny and Marie Show, which Donny discusses on the documentary.
As we learn in the wonderfully entertaining A Disturbance in the Force, a 90-minute documentary from directors Jeremy Coon and Steve Kozak, despite all his statements saying he had everything planned out,...
- 12/18/2023
- by Robert Greenberger
- Comicmix.com
Chicago – A long time ago (1978) in an America far far away, the one and only showing of the “Star Wars Holiday Special” took place on CBS-tv. Infamously miscast and difficult to watch, the history of the show is chronicled in a new doc “A Disturbance in the Force,” co-directed by Jeremy Coon and Steven Kozak.
Rating: 5.0/5.0
In 1977, “Star Wars” became a cultural phenomenon that single-handedly revitalized a stagnant film industry, and forever changed how films were sold, made, and marketed. On November 17th, 1978, CBS aired the two-hour “Star Wars Holiday Special” and was watched by 13 million people. It never re-aired and is considered one of the worst shows to ever be broadcast on national TV. “A Disturbance in the Force” co-directors Jeremy Coon and Steve Kozak combine celebrity insight – including Seth Green, Donny Osmond and Kevin Smith – archival/participant interviews and broadcast history perspective to understand why this show was created.
Rating: 5.0/5.0
In 1977, “Star Wars” became a cultural phenomenon that single-handedly revitalized a stagnant film industry, and forever changed how films were sold, made, and marketed. On November 17th, 1978, CBS aired the two-hour “Star Wars Holiday Special” and was watched by 13 million people. It never re-aired and is considered one of the worst shows to ever be broadcast on national TV. “A Disturbance in the Force” co-directors Jeremy Coon and Steve Kozak combine celebrity insight – including Seth Green, Donny Osmond and Kevin Smith – archival/participant interviews and broadcast history perspective to understand why this show was created.
- 12/4/2023
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Los Angeles — November 17, 2023 (Life Day) — September Club and Giant Pictures bring home A Disturbance In The Force on December 5 from a galaxy far far away to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the most infamous story in the history of Star Wars. The acclaimed documentary made its debut at the 2023 SXSW Film Festival and chronicles the making of the bizarre (and buried) Star Wars Holiday Special as well as a specific bygone era of 1970s event television. Discover the “hilarious secrets behind Star Wars’ iconically awful Holiday Special” (The Daily Beast) when A Disturbance In The Force arrives on digital platforms, DVD, and Blu-ray on December 5 via Giant Pictures.
From the filmmakers behind Napoleon Dynamite and Raiders! The Story Of The Greatest Fan Film Ever Made, comes A Disturbance In The Force, the documentary about the infamous Star Wars Holiday Special. In 1977, “Star Wars” became a cultural phenomenon that single-handedly revitalized a stagnant film industry,...
From the filmmakers behind Napoleon Dynamite and Raiders! The Story Of The Greatest Fan Film Ever Made, comes A Disturbance In The Force, the documentary about the infamous Star Wars Holiday Special. In 1977, “Star Wars” became a cultural phenomenon that single-handedly revitalized a stagnant film industry,...
- 11/20/2023
- by ComicMix Staff
- Comicmix.com
Why did George Lucas allow the Star Wars Holiday Special to take place? A Disturbance in the Force does a deep dive into the 1978 special watched by millions and then locked away in a vault, never to be screened again.
“After almost 45 years of being the butt of jokes, we had to unlock all the secrets behind the Holiday Special. Its influence on pop culture has only increased over the last two decades and, also, add the fact that it is a part of the Star Wars filmography – and a hidden one at that – only adds to its mystique. Now is finally the time after all these years to get answers about how the Holiday Special happened,” explained co-directors and producers Jeremy Coon and Steve Kozak.
A Disturbance in the Force features interviews with Seth Green, Weird Al Yankovic, Paul Scheer, Taran Killam, Patton Oswalt, and Donny Osmond. Plus, Gilbert Gottfried,...
“After almost 45 years of being the butt of jokes, we had to unlock all the secrets behind the Holiday Special. Its influence on pop culture has only increased over the last two decades and, also, add the fact that it is a part of the Star Wars filmography – and a hidden one at that – only adds to its mystique. Now is finally the time after all these years to get answers about how the Holiday Special happened,” explained co-directors and producers Jeremy Coon and Steve Kozak.
A Disturbance in the Force features interviews with Seth Green, Weird Al Yankovic, Paul Scheer, Taran Killam, Patton Oswalt, and Donny Osmond. Plus, Gilbert Gottfried,...
- 11/17/2023
- by Rebecca Murray
- Showbiz Junkies
The story behind the infamous Star Wars Holiday Special is the focus of the documentary A Disturbance in the Force, which — following its premiere at Sundance earlier this year — will head to streaming and DVD this December.
The ill-fated special, which aired Thanksgiving weekend in 1978, is now legend: Fresh off the success of Star Wars, George Lucas was talked into capitalizing on the craze in the form of a holiday-themed TV special, but what resulted was a “Life Day” celebration that hued closer to a Seventies variety show than The Mandalorian.
The ill-fated special, which aired Thanksgiving weekend in 1978, is now legend: Fresh off the success of Star Wars, George Lucas was talked into capitalizing on the craze in the form of a holiday-themed TV special, but what resulted was a “Life Day” celebration that hued closer to a Seventies variety show than The Mandalorian.
- 11/17/2023
- by Daniel Kreps
- Rollingstone.com
Star Wars fans will truly get to feel A Disturbance in the Force when a documentary about the infamous Star Wars Holiday Special — which debuted 45 years ago today, on CBS — is released.
Having premiered back in March at the SXSW Film Festival, A Disturbance in the Force will be released on digital and Blu-ray on Tuesday, Dec. 5, our sister site Variety reports. The 86-minute docu will also play in select theaters across the U.S. ahead of its digital release.
More from TVLineThe Late Ray Stevenson Was Terrific on Disney+'s Ahsoka Series - But Now His Role Should Be...
Having premiered back in March at the SXSW Film Festival, A Disturbance in the Force will be released on digital and Blu-ray on Tuesday, Dec. 5, our sister site Variety reports. The 86-minute docu will also play in select theaters across the U.S. ahead of its digital release.
More from TVLineThe Late Ray Stevenson Was Terrific on Disney+'s Ahsoka Series - But Now His Role Should Be...
- 11/17/2023
- by Matt Webb Mitovich
- TVLine.com
Zack Snyder’s “Rebel Moon - Part One” Trailer Gets Debut
Netflix wrapped up this year’s virtual Geeked Week with the debut of the official trailer for Zack Snyder’s “Rebel Moon - Part One: A Child of Fire.”
The epic space opera is centered on Kora, a stranger with a mysterious past who crash lands on a moon in the furthest reaches of the universe and begins a new life among the peaceful settlement of farmers. But soon, she becomes their only hope for survival against the tyrannical Regent Balisarius and the Imperium army.
Watch the trailer for “Rebel Moon - Part One: A Child of Fire” below:
Sofia Boutella leads the cast also made up of Djimon Hounsou, Charlie Hunnam, Michiel Huisman, Staz Nair, Doona Bae, Ray Fisher, Cleopatra Coleman, E. Duffy, Anthony Hopkins, Jena Malone, Ed Skrein, Fra Fee, Ingvar Sigurdsson, Stuart Martin, Corey Stoll, Cary Elwes,...
Netflix wrapped up this year’s virtual Geeked Week with the debut of the official trailer for Zack Snyder’s “Rebel Moon - Part One: A Child of Fire.”
The epic space opera is centered on Kora, a stranger with a mysterious past who crash lands on a moon in the furthest reaches of the universe and begins a new life among the peaceful settlement of farmers. But soon, she becomes their only hope for survival against the tyrannical Regent Balisarius and the Imperium army.
Watch the trailer for “Rebel Moon - Part One: A Child of Fire” below:
Sofia Boutella leads the cast also made up of Djimon Hounsou, Charlie Hunnam, Michiel Huisman, Staz Nair, Doona Bae, Ray Fisher, Cleopatra Coleman, E. Duffy, Anthony Hopkins, Jena Malone, Ed Skrein, Fra Fee, Ingvar Sigurdsson, Stuart Martin, Corey Stoll, Cary Elwes,...
- 11/15/2023
- by Ashley Steves
- The Streamable
The question asked back in the ’80s and ’90s was never, “Have you seen The Star Wars Holiday Special?” It was always, “Have you heard of The Star Wars Holiday Special?”
We’re talking about a 1978 air date, after all. Someone must have owned a Vcr, since bootleg copies of the maligned variety show do exist on the Internet (George Lucas has vehemently denounced the project and even Disney has refused to release a “clean” copy beyond putting the animated segment “The Story of the Faithful Wookiee” on Disney+.) But its existence was akin to legend back then. Just knowing was enough to be cool with details being learned rather than experienced.
So it’s shocking that it’s taken until 2023 to finally receive a “definitive” look at its creation and eventual lambasting. Jeremy Coon and Steve Kozak’s A Disturbance in the Force thus seems almost like a miracle...
We’re talking about a 1978 air date, after all. Someone must have owned a Vcr, since bootleg copies of the maligned variety show do exist on the Internet (George Lucas has vehemently denounced the project and even Disney has refused to release a “clean” copy beyond putting the animated segment “The Story of the Faithful Wookiee” on Disney+.) But its existence was akin to legend back then. Just knowing was enough to be cool with details being learned rather than experienced.
So it’s shocking that it’s taken until 2023 to finally receive a “definitive” look at its creation and eventual lambasting. Jeremy Coon and Steve Kozak’s A Disturbance in the Force thus seems almost like a miracle...
- 7/30/2023
- by Jared Mobarak
- The Film Stage
Just as the Coca-Cola company, after smudging a perfect product in 1985 with the New Coke, brought that product back and called it Coca-Cola Classic, the 95th Academy Awards telecast made a game attempt to rectify the mishaps of the past few years — the ratings slippage, the pared-down-like-a-skeleton-in-a-train-station 2021 edition, the debacle of The Slap — by bringing back something that we might call Oscar Classic. It was safe, it was familiar, it was tasteful, it was reassuring. It didn’t rock the boat, it didn’t overstay its welcome, and it left you feeling that the world’s preeminent awards show, all doom-saying punditry to the contrary, is still, on balance, a very good thing.
It was clear that the evening would be ruled by a certain traditional spirit as soon as you heard Jimmy Kimmel’s opening monologue, which featured a mild reference to The Slap and one joke that got...
It was clear that the evening would be ruled by a certain traditional spirit as soon as you heard Jimmy Kimmel’s opening monologue, which featured a mild reference to The Slap and one joke that got...
- 3/13/2023
- by Owen Gleiberman
- Variety Film + TV
A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, there was Star Wars… and only Star Wars. Oh, you could buy a novelization of George Lucas’ cosmic saga of good and evil, as well as a Marvel Comics’ adaptation of the film that kept the post-Death Star story going in… some very singular ways. (Pour one out for the giant green space-rabbit Jaxxon T. Tumperakki.) Eventually, there were toys — so, so many toys — as well as soundtrack albums, coffee-table books of concept art, and loads of other merchandise. But...
- 3/12/2023
- by David Fear
- Rollingstone.com
There are few if any pieces of "Star Wars" lore quite as infamous as that of the elusive "Star Wars Holiday Special." The made-for-tv special, produced at the height of the franchise's initial wave of popularity after "A New Hope" hit theaters, was created with the cooperation of George Lucas and aired on CBS. But it aired once and only once, gaining a reputation as notoriously terrible -- so much so that Lucas did his best to wipe its memory from the face of the Earth. Now, a pair of filmmakers have chronicled the journey of the train wreck that is the "Star Wars Holiday Special" in a new documentary titled "A Disturbance in the Force."
The documentary is making its premiere at SXSW in Austin, Texas this week after years of development. It features interviews with many, many people involved, as well as noted fans of a galaxy far,...
The documentary is making its premiere at SXSW in Austin, Texas this week after years of development. It features interviews with many, many people involved, as well as noted fans of a galaxy far,...
- 3/12/2023
- by Ryan Scott
- Slash Film
There are times when you look back at pop culture phenomena and can’t resist the urge to ask: Can you believe this actually happened? Tackling a notorious fiasco in one of the galaxy’s most popular franchises, Jeremy Coon and Steve Kozak’s amusing and exhaustive documentary ”A Disturbance in the Force” unpacks 1978’s “Star Wars Holiday Special.”
You don’t have to be an obsessive “Star Wars” fan to enjoy this behind-the-scenes look at how the special — which premiered Nov. 17, 1978 on CBS, and has never been re-run on any broadcast or cable outlet — came to exist. To be sure, the fans will appreciate it a lot more than casual viewers. But it’s also an irresistible hoot for anyone with fond memories of star-studded 1970s musical/variety TV specials — a specific type of highly popular general audience entertainment that, truth to tell, very often showcased more campy excess...
You don’t have to be an obsessive “Star Wars” fan to enjoy this behind-the-scenes look at how the special — which premiered Nov. 17, 1978 on CBS, and has never been re-run on any broadcast or cable outlet — came to exist. To be sure, the fans will appreciate it a lot more than casual viewers. But it’s also an irresistible hoot for anyone with fond memories of star-studded 1970s musical/variety TV specials — a specific type of highly popular general audience entertainment that, truth to tell, very often showcased more campy excess...
- 3/12/2023
- by Joe Leydon
- Variety Film + TV
“Star Wars” could stand to come off its high horse a little bit. Other than the recent “Andor,” which actually did break new ground, the franchise has become stunningly obsessed with itself, regurgitating obscure lore, planting callbacks and cameos everywhere, and generally living in the past.
One of the bits of “Star Wars” arcana that especially pops up? The “Star Wars Holiday Special,” the 1978 CBS catastrophe that’s the ultimate example of exploiting franchise IP into oblivion. The definitive “so bad it’s good” fetish object, the two-hour special introduced Boba Fett as a character to the saga and continues to influence stories to this day — the prong-like rifle sometimes used by Mando on “The Mandalorian” came from the special — even as George Lucas and Lucasfilm famously suppressed it. Lucasfilm even produced its own “Lego Star Wars Holiday Special” in 2020.
The most shocking thing about Jeremy Coon and Steve Kozak...
One of the bits of “Star Wars” arcana that especially pops up? The “Star Wars Holiday Special,” the 1978 CBS catastrophe that’s the ultimate example of exploiting franchise IP into oblivion. The definitive “so bad it’s good” fetish object, the two-hour special introduced Boba Fett as a character to the saga and continues to influence stories to this day — the prong-like rifle sometimes used by Mando on “The Mandalorian” came from the special — even as George Lucas and Lucasfilm famously suppressed it. Lucasfilm even produced its own “Lego Star Wars Holiday Special” in 2020.
The most shocking thing about Jeremy Coon and Steve Kozak...
- 3/12/2023
- by Christian Blauvelt
- Indiewire
If you’re a Gen X or “geriatric” millennial Star Wars fanatic, you probably have a story related to the contortions you had to go through to get your hands on the notorious only-aired-once 1978 Star Wars Holiday Special.
Freshman year. My college roommate Andrew brought back a bootleg tape — there has never been a legitimate release — given to him by a guy who knew a guy at his regular comic shop. We watched with breathless anticipation that turned to quizzical horror — a generational rite of passage.
Today, you can go to YouTube and take your pick from among several Star Wars Holiday Special uploads, at least one of which has remained up for seven years and has 3.6 million views. So much for taboo. So much for resourcefulness. So much for magic.
Jeremy Coon and Steve Kozak’s new documentary A Disturbance in the Force captures a lot of what was...
Freshman year. My college roommate Andrew brought back a bootleg tape — there has never been a legitimate release — given to him by a guy who knew a guy at his regular comic shop. We watched with breathless anticipation that turned to quizzical horror — a generational rite of passage.
Today, you can go to YouTube and take your pick from among several Star Wars Holiday Special uploads, at least one of which has remained up for seven years and has 3.6 million views. So much for taboo. So much for resourcefulness. So much for magic.
Jeremy Coon and Steve Kozak’s new documentary A Disturbance in the Force captures a lot of what was...
- 3/12/2023
- by Daniel Fienberg
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Get ready for the unbelievable, untold story of... how and why did the "Holiday Special" get made. Yes, that bizarre, disastrous, infamous Star Wars Holiday Special from 1978. A Disturbance in the Force is a nerdy documentary premiering at the 2023 SXSW Film Festival this month in the Documentary Spotlight section. Produced by mega Star Wars nerd Kyle Newman, the film is an investigation into the infamous Star Wars Holiday Special telling the behind-the-scenes story of how it got made. Featuring appearances by Seth Green, Weird Al Yankovic, Paul Scheer, Taran Killam, Gilbert Gottfried, Bonnie Burton, Bruce Vilanch, and Steve Binder. "Travel back to a galaxy far, far away — the infamous Star Wars Holiday Special. Dive into the mystery of how it happened and why 45 years later it has become, much to the chagrin of George Lucas, the ultimate cult classic among Star Wars fans." This sounds like it'll be a blast...
- 3/2/2023
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
It’s the much talked about Christmas special that you’re not allowed to talk about. It’s interesting to think that right after the cinema-changing release of 1977’s Star Wars, the immediate follow-up would be a dud. And I’m not talking about The Empire Strikes Back. In 1978, to capitalize on the success of the smash hit from George Lucas, director of such films as Thx 1138 and American Graffiti, there was a TV Christmas special that brought in all the stars of the movie. That special became the first big misstep of the franchise that was so bad that George Lucas won’t even speak about it.
The Hollywood Reporter has the details on a new documentary that goes behind the scenes of the much-maligned TV program, including a teaser trailer. A Disturbance in the Force is a new film from Jeremy Coon and Steve Kozak that is...
The Hollywood Reporter has the details on a new documentary that goes behind the scenes of the much-maligned TV program, including a teaser trailer. A Disturbance in the Force is a new film from Jeremy Coon and Steve Kozak that is...
- 3/2/2023
- by EJ Tangonan
- JoBlo.com
It is downright impossible for many of us to imagine a world without "Star Wars," but people who were born before 1977 did, indeed, live in that world. However, there is simply the world before George Lucas changed it with his brilliant sci-fi masterpiece, and the world after. The world after was unbelievably hungry for more, and that resulted in one of the most infamous trainwrecks in history known as "The Star Wars Holiday Special." Now, a new documentary is going to uncover the secrets behind this infamous disaster.
"A Disturbance in the Force" is directed by Jeremy Coon and Steve Kozak, with the filmmakers doing a deep dive to discover just how this special -- which aired once and only once -- managed to come about in the first place. The doc is set to premiere at SXSW in Austin, Texas, next week but, for now, we've got a trailer...
"A Disturbance in the Force" is directed by Jeremy Coon and Steve Kozak, with the filmmakers doing a deep dive to discover just how this special -- which aired once and only once -- managed to come about in the first place. The doc is set to premiere at SXSW in Austin, Texas, next week but, for now, we've got a trailer...
- 3/2/2023
- by Ryan Scott
- Slash Film
There was a disturbance in the Force on Nov. 17, 1978. Eighteen months after Star Wars became a phenomenon, CBS aired the Star Wars Holiday Special, one of the more infamous chapters in the franchise’s lore. Now, a new documentary seeks to explain what really happened.
The Hollywood Reporter has the trailer for Disturbance in the Force, ahead of the doc’s debut at South by Southwest on March 11.
The Star Wars Holiday Special, seen by 13 million people, starred the original cast and centered on Han Solo (Harrison Ford) and Chewbacca (Peter Mayhew) flying to the Wookiee home planet to celebrate a holiday called Life Day.
The special was so reviled that it never aired again and was denounced by Star Wars creator George Lucas, who was only minimally involved. As he said a year later at an Australian convention, “If I had the time and a sledgehammer, I would track...
The Hollywood Reporter has the trailer for Disturbance in the Force, ahead of the doc’s debut at South by Southwest on March 11.
The Star Wars Holiday Special, seen by 13 million people, starred the original cast and centered on Han Solo (Harrison Ford) and Chewbacca (Peter Mayhew) flying to the Wookiee home planet to celebrate a holiday called Life Day.
The special was so reviled that it never aired again and was denounced by Star Wars creator George Lucas, who was only minimally involved. As he said a year later at an Australian convention, “If I had the time and a sledgehammer, I would track...
- 3/2/2023
- by Aaron Couch
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
“Commitment to Life,” a new documentary about the early days of the fight against HIV/AIDS in Los Angeles, will have its world premiere next month at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival. Until then, Variety has the exclusive first look at the doc.
In the clip above, Elizabeth Taylor is featured speaking at the first Commitment to Life gala in 1985. It was the first major fundraiser for AIDS Project Los Angeles (Apla).
“All we can do at this point is help our friends who have AIDS and the only way can do that is by doing what you’re doing by giving — giving by support, money and love,” the late Hollywood legend said before a packed audience. The event also included appearances by Cher, Stevie Wonder, Sammy Davis Jr., Carol Burnett, Burt Reynolds, Cindy Lauper, Rod Stewart and Jane Seymour.
“That evening was amazing because all of these big...
In the clip above, Elizabeth Taylor is featured speaking at the first Commitment to Life gala in 1985. It was the first major fundraiser for AIDS Project Los Angeles (Apla).
“All we can do at this point is help our friends who have AIDS and the only way can do that is by doing what you’re doing by giving — giving by support, money and love,” the late Hollywood legend said before a packed audience. The event also included appearances by Cher, Stevie Wonder, Sammy Davis Jr., Carol Burnett, Burt Reynolds, Cindy Lauper, Rod Stewart and Jane Seymour.
“That evening was amazing because all of these big...
- 1/20/2023
- by Marc Malkin
- Variety Film + TV
I’m not gonna lie, there’s been a lot of debate around here about what the best Christmas specials are and why. In fact, sometimes it’s gotten downright nasty around the office – and by “office,” of course I mean each of our homes, because that’s just how we roll. You can understand how heated discussion like this can get, because even a Jew like me has his favorites. See, even though I was Jewish, my family had Christmas trees and discussion about Santa Claus coming down the chimney and chestnuts roasting and the singing of carols off-key, because we basically secretly (or not so secretly) wanted to be Christian so we wouldn’t have to pretend to be just as happy celebrating Hanukkah and getting socks and coloring books as gifts while all the goyum seemed to be having the greatest time of their lives and so...
- 12/22/2022
- by Ray Richmond
- Gold Derby
Chicago – Ten years ago, an Independent film was released in Chicago, co-written and co-directed by Richard Knight Jr., an entertainment fixture in the Windy City. “Scrooge & Marley” offered a bit more than the previous versions of the familiar “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens, it was the first to filter the story through same sex coupling and LGBTQ+ themes. A new staged version of the film, complete with the featured songs, will be presented at Chicago’s Center on Halsted on December 12th, 2022, at 7pm. It’s a Free event, register for tickets by clicking Scrooge & Marley.
The 10th Anniversary DVD edition of “Scrooge & Marley” has also been released by Dark Star Pictures, with special features and cast interviews, as well as a new digital download available. Click here for The Trailer.
Scrooge & Marley
Photo credit: Dark Star Pictures
Ben Scrooge (David Pevsner) – he doesn’t like his given name...
The 10th Anniversary DVD edition of “Scrooge & Marley” has also been released by Dark Star Pictures, with special features and cast interviews, as well as a new digital download available. Click here for The Trailer.
Scrooge & Marley
Photo credit: Dark Star Pictures
Ben Scrooge (David Pevsner) – he doesn’t like his given name...
- 12/11/2022
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Whether you’re chilling out before a costume party or working late at the lab (Halloween is a Monday this year), October 31 practically screams, “Watch something!”
Yes, there are myriad seasonal activities to be enjoyed away from the ghastly glow of your screens: be it bobbing for apples, carving jack-o-lanterns, summoning the undead, or an overpriced rideshare. But few experiences are as instantly and totally transporting as the ones provided by our go-to movies and TV shows. That’s why so many of us insist on sneaking in annual viewings of our favorites between social events and trick-or-treaters. No matter how scary busy our schedules may get, making time for the Halloween tales we cherish feels in some small way important.
Maybe you’re putting on your makeup to the familiar beats of “Beetlejuice” or working from home with “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” to keep you company.
Yes, there are myriad seasonal activities to be enjoyed away from the ghastly glow of your screens: be it bobbing for apples, carving jack-o-lanterns, summoning the undead, or an overpriced rideshare. But few experiences are as instantly and totally transporting as the ones provided by our go-to movies and TV shows. That’s why so many of us insist on sneaking in annual viewings of our favorites between social events and trick-or-treaters. No matter how scary busy our schedules may get, making time for the Halloween tales we cherish feels in some small way important.
Maybe you’re putting on your makeup to the familiar beats of “Beetlejuice” or working from home with “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” to keep you company.
- 10/31/2022
- by Alison Foreman
- Indiewire
Popular stand-up comic Judy Tenuta, known to her fans as “The Love Goddess” and “Aphrodite of the Accordion,” died of ovarian cancer on Thursday afternoon in Los Angeles. She was 72.
Known for her acerbic humor, expletive-laden jokes, raspy voice and accordion, she was among the performers who fueled the popularity of live comedy in clubs, including the Comedy Store in Los Angeles, Laff Stop in Houston and Caroline’s in New York City.
Tenuta co-starred with Bruce Vilanch in the indie “Sister Mary,” and had small roles in “Gibsonburg” and Hillary and Haley Duff’s “Material Girls.” Her TV work included appearances in “General Hospital,” “Ned’s Declassified School Survival Guide” and “Corey in the House.” In addition to playing minor characters on “The Weird Al Show,” she was a regular in Al Yankovic’s comedy shorts and music videos.
On stage, she appeared in “The Vagina Monologues” and “Menopause the Musical” both in L.
Known for her acerbic humor, expletive-laden jokes, raspy voice and accordion, she was among the performers who fueled the popularity of live comedy in clubs, including the Comedy Store in Los Angeles, Laff Stop in Houston and Caroline’s in New York City.
Tenuta co-starred with Bruce Vilanch in the indie “Sister Mary,” and had small roles in “Gibsonburg” and Hillary and Haley Duff’s “Material Girls.” Her TV work included appearances in “General Hospital,” “Ned’s Declassified School Survival Guide” and “Corey in the House.” In addition to playing minor characters on “The Weird Al Show,” she was a regular in Al Yankovic’s comedy shorts and music videos.
On stage, she appeared in “The Vagina Monologues” and “Menopause the Musical” both in L.
- 10/6/2022
- by Maane Khatchatourian
- Variety Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
Judy Tenuta, the eclectic comedienne known as “The Love Goddess” and “Aphrodite of the Accordion” to her legions of fans, has died. She was 72.
Tenuta died Thursday at her home Studio City after a battle with stage 4 ovarian cancer, publicist Harlan Boll announced.
During her first solo stand-up performance, Tenuta shocked audiences by dressing up as the Virgin Mary, and after being encouraged by her friends to incorporate an accordion into her routine — an instrument her mother, a fan of Lawrence Welk, encouraged her to learn — she developed the character into the wisecracking “Love Goddess.”
Tenuta soon introduced the public to such other exaggerated, campy and offbeat personas as “The Petite Flower,” “Fashion-Plate Saint,” “Queen of Candy-Pants,” “Princess of Panty Shields,” “Empress of Elvis Impersonators” and “Buffer of Foreheads.”
Like “The Love Goddess” and “Aphrodite of the Accordion,” these characters sported an array...
Judy Tenuta, the eclectic comedienne known as “The Love Goddess” and “Aphrodite of the Accordion” to her legions of fans, has died. She was 72.
Tenuta died Thursday at her home Studio City after a battle with stage 4 ovarian cancer, publicist Harlan Boll announced.
During her first solo stand-up performance, Tenuta shocked audiences by dressing up as the Virgin Mary, and after being encouraged by her friends to incorporate an accordion into her routine — an instrument her mother, a fan of Lawrence Welk, encouraged her to learn — she developed the character into the wisecracking “Love Goddess.”
Tenuta soon introduced the public to such other exaggerated, campy and offbeat personas as “The Petite Flower,” “Fashion-Plate Saint,” “Queen of Candy-Pants,” “Princess of Panty Shields,” “Empress of Elvis Impersonators” and “Buffer of Foreheads.”
Like “The Love Goddess” and “Aphrodite of the Accordion,” these characters sported an array...
- 10/6/2022
- by Mike Barnes
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Richard Simmons at the Friend Movement Campaign Benefit Concert held in the El Rey Theatre. Pic credit: ©ImageCollect.com/Kevan Brooks/AdMedia
Richard Simmons speaks out after six years of silence following a documentary about his disappearance from public life.
The fitness legend has not been in the public eye since 2014 and has been a subject of public fascination.
In March 2016, speculation began that Simmons was being held hostage by his housekeeper, which he denied.
Due to his relative silence, he was the subject of the Missing Richard Simmons podcast, and now the TMZ documentary, What Really Happened to Richard Simmons, which premiered on August 22 on Fox and Hulu.
The 74-year-old was subject to bizarre rumors that he was undergoing gender reassignment, which led to a lawsuit against several publications.
In 2020, during the Covid-19 pandemic, Simmons began posting old videos on his YouTube channel after six years to help people...
Richard Simmons speaks out after six years of silence following a documentary about his disappearance from public life.
The fitness legend has not been in the public eye since 2014 and has been a subject of public fascination.
In March 2016, speculation began that Simmons was being held hostage by his housekeeper, which he denied.
Due to his relative silence, he was the subject of the Missing Richard Simmons podcast, and now the TMZ documentary, What Really Happened to Richard Simmons, which premiered on August 22 on Fox and Hulu.
The 74-year-old was subject to bizarre rumors that he was undergoing gender reassignment, which led to a lawsuit against several publications.
In 2020, during the Covid-19 pandemic, Simmons began posting old videos on his YouTube channel after six years to help people...
- 8/27/2022
- by Frank Yemi
- Monsters and Critics
Fitness legend Richard Simmons hasn’t been seen in public since February 2014. His notable absence has become the subject of the Missing Richard Simmons podcast, and now the TMZ documentary What Really Happened to Richard Simmons, which premiered August 22 on Fox. Fellow fitness star Suzanne Somers, writer Bruce Vilanch, Dr. Phil, and more were interviewed for the 45-minute documentary, which claims to have found the truth about Simmons’ whereabouts. The majority of the documentary analyzes Simmons’ past interviews, combing through footage from the peak of his fame — conventions, TV appearances, fan interactions in public, the works. Much of what the documentary broke down was information Simmons publicly shared. The doc uses these clips to establish the distinguishable difference between his public persona and private life. Simmons’ interviews detailed the bullying he suffered in his childhood, his relationship with food, and the emotional responsibility he ...
- 8/23/2022
- TV Insider
As the 2021 Oscars prepare to go hostless for the third year in a row, Whoopi Goldberg shares what it takes to emcee the biggest night in movies.
The 1991 best supporting actress Oscar winner has also hosted the Academy Awards four times, making history as the first (and still only) Black woman to emcee the broadcast solo in 1994 and hosting again in 1996, 1999 and 2002.
“I had a great time,” Goldberg tells Variety of her experiences hosting the show. “The critics didn’t love me, but I never cared much what the critics thought as long as people had a good time.”
So, what is the key to successfully managing the gig?
“Whoever the host is has to love the movies, because they have to keep you engaged,” Goldberg explains. “They have to be talking to you as the show has a break, and talk about what’s happening or what’s coming next.
The 1991 best supporting actress Oscar winner has also hosted the Academy Awards four times, making history as the first (and still only) Black woman to emcee the broadcast solo in 1994 and hosting again in 1996, 1999 and 2002.
“I had a great time,” Goldberg tells Variety of her experiences hosting the show. “The critics didn’t love me, but I never cared much what the critics thought as long as people had a good time.”
So, what is the key to successfully managing the gig?
“Whoever the host is has to love the movies, because they have to keep you engaged,” Goldberg explains. “They have to be talking to you as the show has a break, and talk about what’s happening or what’s coming next.
- 4/22/2021
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
Welcome to this week’s Aew: Dynamite review, right here on Nerdly. I’m Nathan Favel and we have Christian Cage’s return to the ring. I…what the… Paul Lynde: I’m 1000 feet tall! Rip Taylor: I’m bigger than you asshole! Me: Oh no! It’s…Lynde versus Taylor! Pl: Bitch! Rt: Whore! Rt & Pl: Skank! Me: They’re evenly matched! What’re we gonna d…oh God. Charles Nelson Reilly: Queens! Hahmraufrahum! Bruce Vilanch: Sluts! Leslie Howard: Tramps! Me: It’s…the sissy titans! Mecha-Tom Cruise: I’m not gay! Rt: That’s such bull-s–t! Ladeedadeedadadaaaaaaa!!!!!!!! M-tc: Shut up! Me: Well, while that S–t happens, let’s get to Dynamite.
Match #1: Christian Cage def. Frankie Kazarian The following is courtesy of allelitewrestling.com:
They locked up with a collar and elbow tie-up, feeling each other out. Cage...
Match #1: Christian Cage def. Frankie Kazarian The following is courtesy of allelitewrestling.com:
They locked up with a collar and elbow tie-up, feeling each other out. Cage...
- 4/2/2021
- by Nathan Favel
- Nerdly
Reese Witherspoon and Hello Sunshine’s president of TV and film, Lauren Neustadter, will be honored as producers of the year next month at The Caucus for Producers, Writers & Directors’ 2021 Caucus Awards.
The Caucus also announced on Monday morning that Gail Katz, who is a professor of cinematic arts at USC as well as the Mary Pickford Endowed Chair and faculty chair of the School of Cinematic Arts, will receive the educator of the year award.
Previously announced honorees include Aaron Sorkin, director Susanne Bier, “Black-ish” star and emerging producer Marsai Martin and Vin Di Bona. Presenters include Caucus co-chair Robert Papazian, Nicole Kidman, Universal Filmed Entertainment Group chairman Donna Langley and “America’s Funniest Home Videos” host Alfonso Ribeiro.
Hosted by “Grey’s Anatomy” actor James Pickets Jr., the evening will also include the presentation of the Humanitarian Award to community leaders and philanthropists Jeanne and her late husband Tom Townsend.
The Caucus also announced on Monday morning that Gail Katz, who is a professor of cinematic arts at USC as well as the Mary Pickford Endowed Chair and faculty chair of the School of Cinematic Arts, will receive the educator of the year award.
Previously announced honorees include Aaron Sorkin, director Susanne Bier, “Black-ish” star and emerging producer Marsai Martin and Vin Di Bona. Presenters include Caucus co-chair Robert Papazian, Nicole Kidman, Universal Filmed Entertainment Group chairman Donna Langley and “America’s Funniest Home Videos” host Alfonso Ribeiro.
Hosted by “Grey’s Anatomy” actor James Pickets Jr., the evening will also include the presentation of the Humanitarian Award to community leaders and philanthropists Jeanne and her late husband Tom Townsend.
- 2/8/2021
- by Marc Malkin
- Variety Film + TV
Stars in the House continues tonight 8pm with the New Works Virtual Festival with Marc Kudisch, Miguel Cervantes, Shuler Hensley, Michael Leon-Wooley, Brenda Braxton, Andy Karl, Orfeh, Ted Louis Levy, Glenn Morshower, Megan Cavanagh, Joely Fisher, Marsha Mason, Adam Jacobs, John Rubinstein, Judy Kuhn, Liz Larsen, Stuart Pankin, George Wendt, Vincent Rodriguez III, Bruce Vilanch, Leigh Ann Larkin, Carmen Cusack and Christina Bianco.
- 12/4/2020
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
RuPaul’s Drag Race UK winner The Vivienne is traveling across the pond to the U.S. to embark on an adventure in her new series The Vivienne Takes Hollywood.
The new World of Wonder six-part series will feature UK’s very first Drag Superstar The Vivienne as she makes her first music video. Along the way she will be joined by different celebrity co-pilots including Tony-award winning singer Marissa Jaret Winokur, comedian and motivational speaker Daniel Franzese, Hollywood legend Bruce Vilanch, world-renowned choreographer Mark Kanemura, local drag expert Chester Lockhart, and special guest Chad Michaels.
More from Deadline'RuPaul's Drag Race' Sashays Back To The BBC For A Second Season'RuPaul's Drag Race' Sets Live Show In Las Vegas'RuPaul's Drag Race' Producer World of Wonder Hires Discovery, Own & Rolling Stone Execs
The series is set to debut on April 9 on BBC3 in the UK and will air concurrently in the U.S.
The new World of Wonder six-part series will feature UK’s very first Drag Superstar The Vivienne as she makes her first music video. Along the way she will be joined by different celebrity co-pilots including Tony-award winning singer Marissa Jaret Winokur, comedian and motivational speaker Daniel Franzese, Hollywood legend Bruce Vilanch, world-renowned choreographer Mark Kanemura, local drag expert Chester Lockhart, and special guest Chad Michaels.
More from Deadline'RuPaul's Drag Race' Sashays Back To The BBC For A Second Season'RuPaul's Drag Race' Sets Live Show In Las Vegas'RuPaul's Drag Race' Producer World of Wonder Hires Discovery, Own & Rolling Stone Execs
The series is set to debut on April 9 on BBC3 in the UK and will air concurrently in the U.S.
- 3/24/2020
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
This week’s edition of the Hero Nation Index features a look at the glorious present and the odious past of Lucasfilm’s live-action Star Wars storytelling on television.
Meet Baby Yoda: The Mandolorian spearheaded the massive launch of Disney+ but the new franchise’s Mvp performance for Disney’s Lucasfilm doesn’t end there. The series will deliver a major retail boom for the holidays by introducing the too-cute-to-resist toy of the holiday season. The little green guy has been dubbed “Baby Yoda” by fans because, well, he looks like Yoda and he’s a baby, but the little sweet pea’s true identity is actually a bit of a mystery. Is he Yoda’s child? Or perhaps a clone or regenerated version of the dead Jedi Master? Or (most likely of all) a young member of Yoda’s still-mysterious race? Time will tell but, judging by the reaction of Star Wars fans,...
Meet Baby Yoda: The Mandolorian spearheaded the massive launch of Disney+ but the new franchise’s Mvp performance for Disney’s Lucasfilm doesn’t end there. The series will deliver a major retail boom for the holidays by introducing the too-cute-to-resist toy of the holiday season. The little green guy has been dubbed “Baby Yoda” by fans because, well, he looks like Yoda and he’s a baby, but the little sweet pea’s true identity is actually a bit of a mystery. Is he Yoda’s child? Or perhaps a clone or regenerated version of the dead Jedi Master? Or (most likely of all) a young member of Yoda’s still-mysterious race? Time will tell but, judging by the reaction of Star Wars fans,...
- 11/19/2019
- by Geoff Boucher
- Deadline Film + TV
On Saturday, September 21, the Los Angeles Lgbt Center celebrated its momentous 50th anniversary and five decades of the fight for Lgbt equality with two star-studded celebrations on one magical evening.
Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda
Credit/Copyright: Presley Ann/Getty Images
The festivities kicked off with the Gold Anniversary Vanguard Celebration, an elegant dinner among friends and supporters, followed by a star-studded Hearts of Gold concert and multimedia show starring Sia, Rufus Wainwright, Lily Tomlin, Jane Fonda, Queer Eye’s Karamo Brown & Bobby Berk, Melissa Etheridge, and more at the iconic Greek Theatre saluting a half-century of struggles and historic victories of the Center and the entire Lgbt community.
The A-list entertainment at Hearts of Gold included performers Sia (Pop Icon), Rufus Wainwright (Singer-Songwriter/Composer), Ty Herndon (Country Artist), Jenifer Lewis, Valentina, Thelma Houston (Singer/Actor) and surprise performer Melissa Etheridge. Evening’s presenters included Lily Tomlin, Jane Fonda, Kathy Griffin...
Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda
Credit/Copyright: Presley Ann/Getty Images
The festivities kicked off with the Gold Anniversary Vanguard Celebration, an elegant dinner among friends and supporters, followed by a star-studded Hearts of Gold concert and multimedia show starring Sia, Rufus Wainwright, Lily Tomlin, Jane Fonda, Queer Eye’s Karamo Brown & Bobby Berk, Melissa Etheridge, and more at the iconic Greek Theatre saluting a half-century of struggles and historic victories of the Center and the entire Lgbt community.
The A-list entertainment at Hearts of Gold included performers Sia (Pop Icon), Rufus Wainwright (Singer-Songwriter/Composer), Ty Herndon (Country Artist), Jenifer Lewis, Valentina, Thelma Houston (Singer/Actor) and surprise performer Melissa Etheridge. Evening’s presenters included Lily Tomlin, Jane Fonda, Kathy Griffin...
- 9/25/2019
- Look to the Stars
The City of West Hollywood is supersizing its Lgbtq Pride this year with 40 days of events and activities, culminating in the La Pride Parade down Santa Monica Boulevard on June 9 and continuing through June 30. To kick things off, a staged reading of Patricia Loughrey's documentary-style play Dear Harvey — about Harvey Milk, California's first openly gay elected official — will be held at WeHo City Council Chambers on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. It's free to attend. Among the castmembers are RuPaul's Drag Race star Gia Gunn and Bruce Vilanch, the Emmy-winning comedy writer and La ...
- 5/21/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
But be careful what you wish for, all you who have longed for a hostless Oscars after Kevin Hart dropped out in December — and the Academy failed to line up a replacement.
After all, the last Academy Awards show that didn’t have a host, the 61st Oscars in 1989, is widely considered the worst Oscars ever. No, the lack of a host didn’t really have much to do with the show’s multitudinous failures. And no, this year’s producer, Donna Gigliotti, and co-producer and director, Glenn Weiss, aren’t likely to make the kind of mistakes that Allan Carr made back then.
But looking at that show, it’s hard not to think that a steady hand at the helm would have helped.
Also Read: Who Should Host the Oscars Now? Hollywood Offers Suggestions
If you remember that 1989 show, you probably don’t remember it as the Oscars...
After all, the last Academy Awards show that didn’t have a host, the 61st Oscars in 1989, is widely considered the worst Oscars ever. No, the lack of a host didn’t really have much to do with the show’s multitudinous failures. And no, this year’s producer, Donna Gigliotti, and co-producer and director, Glenn Weiss, aren’t likely to make the kind of mistakes that Allan Carr made back then.
But looking at that show, it’s hard not to think that a steady hand at the helm would have helped.
Also Read: Who Should Host the Oscars Now? Hollywood Offers Suggestions
If you remember that 1989 show, you probably don’t remember it as the Oscars...
- 2/22/2019
- by Steve Pond
- The Wrap
Bruce Vilanch is an interesting character in the sense that looking at him you might not think he would be famous for doing much more than existing behind the scenes, but he has been a public figure for a while now. His sense of humor and wit have managed to carry him for a long ways in the business at this point and there’s no doubt he can hold his own when it comes to what people think of him or might have to say. That alone is kind of impressive since in the world as we know it today
10 Things You Didn’t Know about Bruce Vilanch...
10 Things You Didn’t Know about Bruce Vilanch...
- 11/14/2018
- by Tom
- TVovermind.com
A Sign of the Times, a new musical featuring the songs of Petula Clark and multiple hit-makers of the 1960s, will join the Delaware Theater Company's 40th Anniversary Season, from November 28 - December 23. Featuring a book by legendary comedy writer and six-time Emmy Award-winner Bruce Vilanch, based on an original story by Richard Robin, the show is directed by Gabriel Barre Amazing Grace with choreography by JoAnn M. Hunter School of Rock. The production will star Broadway notables Chilina Kennedy Beautiful, Drew Seeley Jersey Boys, Crystal Lucas-Perry Lincoln Center's Bull In A China Shop, and Ryan Silverman The Phantom of the Opera. Complete casting will be announced at a later date. Opening night is set for December 4.
- 7/16/2018
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
Super Deluxe is developing “Silver Foxes,” a new gay comedy series from “The Golden Girls” collaborators Stan Zimmerman and James Berg, Variety reported. The duo has previously written and/or produced for “Roseanne” and “Gilmore Girls,” in addition to creating the Lifetime series “Rita Rocks” in 2008. George Takei, Leslie Jordan, Cheri Oteri, and Bruce Vilanch all participated in early readings of the script.
The series is inspired by the 2011 documentary “Gen Silent,” which exposed the discrimination Lgbtq seniors experience in nursing homes. The half-hour, single camera series follows two older gay men and a younger twink who rescue a friend from a closeted life at a homophobic assisted living facility. They bring him back to their mid-century Palm Springs home for a life of friends and fabulousness.
“Every one of us is getting older,” said Zimmerman. “Especially with gays and lesbians and transgender [people], we create our own families—and that...
The series is inspired by the 2011 documentary “Gen Silent,” which exposed the discrimination Lgbtq seniors experience in nursing homes. The half-hour, single camera series follows two older gay men and a younger twink who rescue a friend from a closeted life at a homophobic assisted living facility. They bring him back to their mid-century Palm Springs home for a life of friends and fabulousness.
“Every one of us is getting older,” said Zimmerman. “Especially with gays and lesbians and transgender [people], we create our own families—and that...
- 3/27/2018
- by Jude Dry
- Indiewire
January 23rd doesn’t feature a ton of new genre titles making their way to Blu-ray and DVD, but there are a few films that cult film fans should definitely get excited for, including newly remastered versions of Dario Argento’s Opera and Attack of the Killer Tomatoes, and the Director’s Cut of Red Krokodil. Several recent movies are also coming home too, including Jigsaw, The Killing of A Sacred Deer and Geostrom, and Paramount has put together 4K releases of both Cloverfield and 10 Cloverfield Lane as well.
Attack of the Killer Tomatoes: Special Edition (Mvd Rewind Collection, Blu/DVD Combo)
UFOs! Bigfoot! Communists! The government has swiftly dealt with many a crisis... But can it survive the diabolical Attack Of The Killer Tomatoes? Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the supermarket, you're face to face with terror so bold, so frightening it...
Attack of the Killer Tomatoes: Special Edition (Mvd Rewind Collection, Blu/DVD Combo)
UFOs! Bigfoot! Communists! The government has swiftly dealt with many a crisis... But can it survive the diabolical Attack Of The Killer Tomatoes? Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the supermarket, you're face to face with terror so bold, so frightening it...
- 1/23/2018
- by Heather Wixson
- DailyDead
By Lee Pfeiffer
It's that time of year when everyone thinks of those timeless holiday songs, movies and classic TV series- but some are cursed to remember the infamous "Star Wars Holiday Special" that was unleashed on an unsuspecting public in 1978. Designed to make a quick buck from exploiting the recent, unexpected success of "Star Wars", the show is regarded today as an Ed Wood-like achievement in that it's so patently awful in every respect that it has to be said it's uproariously entertaining, albeit in an unintended way. Don't blame young George Lucas, who had yet to emerge as a Force himself in Hollywood. Lucas was initially enthused about the concept but his involvement was very limited, as he was already at work on "The Empire Strikes Back". He would later denounce the show at every mention and once said he wished every trace of it could be obliterated from the planet.
It's that time of year when everyone thinks of those timeless holiday songs, movies and classic TV series- but some are cursed to remember the infamous "Star Wars Holiday Special" that was unleashed on an unsuspecting public in 1978. Designed to make a quick buck from exploiting the recent, unexpected success of "Star Wars", the show is regarded today as an Ed Wood-like achievement in that it's so patently awful in every respect that it has to be said it's uproariously entertaining, albeit in an unintended way. Don't blame young George Lucas, who had yet to emerge as a Force himself in Hollywood. Lucas was initially enthused about the concept but his involvement was very limited, as he was already at work on "The Empire Strikes Back". He would later denounce the show at every mention and once said he wished every trace of it could be obliterated from the planet.
- 12/23/2017
- by nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro)
- Cinemaretro.com
A camping trip takes a turn into unsettling territory in the new film Desolation, which comes out this week and is teased in a new batch of images in today's Horror Highlights. We also have a December contest from our friends at Comet TV, the trailer for the new horror film The Bone Box, and details on the star-studded cast of Surge of Power: The Stuff of Heroes.
New Stills from Desolation: IFC Midnight will release Desolation in select theaters and on VOD and digital platforms on December 15th, including special Q&A screenings:
"New York City
Special Advance Screening on Thursday, December 14, at 9pm at the IFC Center with Q&A with editor Alexander Frasse, producer Kim Patton, associate producer Ned Donovan, and composer Marcus Bagala. Tickets available here: http://www.ifccenter.com/films/desolation/
L.A.
Opening Night Q&A on Friday, December 15 (9:05pm show), with director Sam Patton,...
New Stills from Desolation: IFC Midnight will release Desolation in select theaters and on VOD and digital platforms on December 15th, including special Q&A screenings:
"New York City
Special Advance Screening on Thursday, December 14, at 9pm at the IFC Center with Q&A with editor Alexander Frasse, producer Kim Patton, associate producer Ned Donovan, and composer Marcus Bagala. Tickets available here: http://www.ifccenter.com/films/desolation/
L.A.
Opening Night Q&A on Friday, December 15 (9:05pm show), with director Sam Patton,...
- 12/14/2017
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
Wigs & Wishes will present “One Night with the Stars” on Dec. 4, 2017 in New York City at Madison Square Garden.
The Garden Theater holds 5700 seats. Tickets can be purchased at Ticketmaster. Ticket prices range from $66 to $1,006 for VIP seating that includes celebrity meet and greet, swag bag and seating in the first three rows.
Click here for a short video about Wigs & Wishes.
The all-star Broadway, TV, pop and film star line-up for “One Night with the Stars” includes performances by Jordin Sparks, Betty Buckley, Noah Galvin, Mandy Gonzalez, Sal Valentinetti, James Maslow, Lillias White, Lainie Kazan, Anthony Rapp, Jon Jon Briones, Jenn Gambatese, Sharon Catherine Brown, Telly Leung, Tom Bergeron, Bruce Vilanch, and a Special All-Star Performance created by Nappytabs. “One Night with the Stars” is directed by Billy Blanks Jr. who has been the performance director at the newly renovated Wall Street Theater in Norwalk, Ct for the past year.
The Garden Theater holds 5700 seats. Tickets can be purchased at Ticketmaster. Ticket prices range from $66 to $1,006 for VIP seating that includes celebrity meet and greet, swag bag and seating in the first three rows.
Click here for a short video about Wigs & Wishes.
The all-star Broadway, TV, pop and film star line-up for “One Night with the Stars” includes performances by Jordin Sparks, Betty Buckley, Noah Galvin, Mandy Gonzalez, Sal Valentinetti, James Maslow, Lillias White, Lainie Kazan, Anthony Rapp, Jon Jon Briones, Jenn Gambatese, Sharon Catherine Brown, Telly Leung, Tom Bergeron, Bruce Vilanch, and a Special All-Star Performance created by Nappytabs. “One Night with the Stars” is directed by Billy Blanks Jr. who has been the performance director at the newly renovated Wall Street Theater in Norwalk, Ct for the past year.
- 11/20/2017
- Look to the Stars
The Meshuganutcracker! Comes to Cinemas for One Night Only; Bruce Vilanch to Appear During Screening
Presented by Fathom Events, in partnership with Guggenheim Entertainment, The MeshugaNutcracker will be shown in U.S. cinemas for one night on Tuesday, December 19 at 700 p.m. local time. During this screening, Emmy Award-winning and Broadway star Bruce Vilanch will appear on screen as a special guest.
- 10/9/2017
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles star Josh Flagg is getting ready to tie the knot!
“I am very excited. You’re only supposed get married once, so you better appreciate it while you’re doing it,” Flagg told Et exclusively on Tuesday.
The Bravo star and his fiancé, Bobby Boyd, will tie the knot on Sept. 9 at the Beverly Hills Hotel. “I have a lot of family history at the hotel. My grandparents were regular customers of the hotel and I learned to love it when I was a young child,” Flagg revealed to Et.
Exclusive: ‘Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles’ Is Back With Fan-Favorite Madison Hildebrand -- Watch the Trailer!
The reality realtor popped the question to Boyd in Paris last July, with an epic flash mob routine at the Four Seasons Hotel George V. The adorable moment aired on an episode of Mdlla earlier this year.
"Only once in a lifetime, do you have...
“I am very excited. You’re only supposed get married once, so you better appreciate it while you’re doing it,” Flagg told Et exclusively on Tuesday.
The Bravo star and his fiancé, Bobby Boyd, will tie the knot on Sept. 9 at the Beverly Hills Hotel. “I have a lot of family history at the hotel. My grandparents were regular customers of the hotel and I learned to love it when I was a young child,” Flagg revealed to Et.
Exclusive: ‘Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles’ Is Back With Fan-Favorite Madison Hildebrand -- Watch the Trailer!
The reality realtor popped the question to Boyd in Paris last July, with an epic flash mob routine at the Four Seasons Hotel George V. The adorable moment aired on an episode of Mdlla earlier this year.
"Only once in a lifetime, do you have...
- 8/16/2017
- Entertainment Tonight
While Carrie Fisher is best known for her work in front of the camera, she was also a celebrated writer of books and films. The late Star Wars actress and icon, who died at age 60 on Dec. 27 after a heart attack, was even responsible for writing a few key funny one-liners for Oscar hosts and accidentally covering them in glitter.
According to veteran comedian and comedy writer Bruce Vilanch, who hired Fisher to be a part of his Oscar writing teams, she had several great ideas that were too good to air, like Princess Leia singing a Joni Mitchell song...
According to veteran comedian and comedy writer Bruce Vilanch, who hired Fisher to be a part of his Oscar writing teams, she had several great ideas that were too good to air, like Princess Leia singing a Joni Mitchell song...
- 1/6/2017
- by Kara Warner
- PEOPLE.com
Musical sensation “Hamilton” is revered for its inclusiveness — but that diversity doesn’t extend to age or body type, longtime show business player Bruce Vilanch said. The stage and screen writer recently visited “Hamilton” creator Lin-Manuel Miranda when the newly-minted Hollywood darling was performing the show’s title role. Vilanch wasn’t shy in pitching himself for the part of the villainous King George — a role previously held by actor Jonathan Groff. “I went back and saw Lin-Manuel and I said, ‘I want to play the King. One costume, three songs that are all the same and no stairs to climb?...
- 12/31/2016
- by Matt Donnelly
- The Wrap
“Would you look at Lumpy! He’s sure grown, huh? And I think his voice is changing!”
George Lucas and his intergalactic entourage don’t stand a chance when St. Louis Shakespeare’s The Magic Smoking Monkey Theatre takes them on in December. The uber-talented Smoking Monkeys adapt a cult film (or TV show) into an onstage farce once a year. Plan 9 From Outer Space, Reefer Madness, Glen Or Glenda, The Star Wars Trilogy, The Abominable Dr. Phibes, Stupefy!: The 90-minute Harry Potter, and last year’s Mad Max – Live! have all been the victims of sidesplitting, Pythonesque parody courtesy of The Smoking Monkeys. This time these lunatic thespians are calling their show The Making Of The Star Wars Holiday Special! – A Magic Smoking Monkey Theatre 20th Anniversary Special!
And rumor has it that Charles Bronson will be making an appearance hawking Mandom Cologne!!! It doesn’t get any better than that!
George Lucas and his intergalactic entourage don’t stand a chance when St. Louis Shakespeare’s The Magic Smoking Monkey Theatre takes them on in December. The uber-talented Smoking Monkeys adapt a cult film (or TV show) into an onstage farce once a year. Plan 9 From Outer Space, Reefer Madness, Glen Or Glenda, The Star Wars Trilogy, The Abominable Dr. Phibes, Stupefy!: The 90-minute Harry Potter, and last year’s Mad Max – Live! have all been the victims of sidesplitting, Pythonesque parody courtesy of The Smoking Monkeys. This time these lunatic thespians are calling their show The Making Of The Star Wars Holiday Special! – A Magic Smoking Monkey Theatre 20th Anniversary Special!
And rumor has it that Charles Bronson will be making an appearance hawking Mandom Cologne!!! It doesn’t get any better than that!
- 11/18/2016
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
The Society of Voice Arts and Sciences held its second annual Voice Arts Awards in Los Angeles on Nov. 15. The gala honored voiceover actors, creative directors, and advertisers in a number of different outlets including audiobook narration, video gaming, casting, animation, movie trailers, radio, and television. Comedy writer Bruce Vilanch also gave a comedic tribute to William Shatner during the ceremony, who was presented with the highest honor of the night: the Voice Arts Icon Award. “The 2015 Voice Arts Awards ceremony was full of excitement, and the recognition that was given to the leading talents in voiceover gathered from around the world —both the nominees and winners—was well deserved and long overdue,” said CEO of the Society of Voice Arts and Sciences and Backstage columnist Rudy Gaskins. Presenter Ed Loh also announced that starting in 2016, the Voice Arts Awards will include special categories for automotive-related voiceover. The new categories...
- 11/30/2015
- backstage.com
Bruce Vilanch has a fun game for moviegoers going to see "Into the Woods" this holiday weekend ... it's called find the black people -- and apparently, it ain't easy. Vilanch was heading out of Arclight in Hollywood and pointed out ... the movie is ethnically challenged.Bruce muses ... you'd think no black people get lost in the woods -- except two women who appear in the background.Guess that means not many people in the movie die.
- 12/26/2014
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.