After nearly a decade as head of scripted television for MGM, Steve Stark is leaving the studio’s executive ranks. The news comes a year after MGM’s Worldwide Television Group, run by Chairman Mark Burnett, last extended Stark with a new contract in conjunction with him being named President of a new label, MGM/UA Television.
“MGM has confirmed President of MGM/UA Television Steve Stark will be exiting his role,” the company said in a statement to Deadline. “The studio plans to announcing more details in the coming days.”
Stark is returning to producing, transitioning to an exclusive production deal with MGM/UA Television.
Over the past nine and a half years, Stark, a respected and well-liked executive, grew MGM’s scripted footprint with the award-winning series The Handmaid’s Tale and Fargo, as well as Vikings, Get Shorty, Condor, Four Weddings and a Funeral and Perpetual Grace Ltd, among others.
“MGM has confirmed President of MGM/UA Television Steve Stark will be exiting his role,” the company said in a statement to Deadline. “The studio plans to announcing more details in the coming days.”
Stark is returning to producing, transitioning to an exclusive production deal with MGM/UA Television.
Over the past nine and a half years, Stark, a respected and well-liked executive, grew MGM’s scripted footprint with the award-winning series The Handmaid’s Tale and Fargo, as well as Vikings, Get Shorty, Condor, Four Weddings and a Funeral and Perpetual Grace Ltd, among others.
- 3/10/2021
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
As Christmas nears, Netflix will ring in this holiday season with new Kris Kringle-themed films including “A Cinderella Story: Christmas Wish,” “Home for Christmas” and “A Family Reunion Christmas.”
Tiffany Haddish, meanwhile, will be celebrating Hanukkah with her newest stand-up special “Black Mitzvah,” in which she shares how she’s embracing her roots after discovering her father’s Eritrean-Jewish heritage.
Kevin Hart’s new special also hits Netflix this month. His docu-series “Don’t F**k This Up” will highlight his Oscar hosting controversy, as well as his daily life.
Acclaimed movies like Noah Baumbach’s “Marriage Story” with Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver, along with “Two Popes,” are also joining the streamer in December. On the TV front, Season 2 of “You” starring Penn Badgley arrives on Netflix just after Christmas.
View the complete list below:
Dec. 1
Dead Kids
A Cinderella Story: Christmas Wish
The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl...
Tiffany Haddish, meanwhile, will be celebrating Hanukkah with her newest stand-up special “Black Mitzvah,” in which she shares how she’s embracing her roots after discovering her father’s Eritrean-Jewish heritage.
Kevin Hart’s new special also hits Netflix this month. His docu-series “Don’t F**k This Up” will highlight his Oscar hosting controversy, as well as his daily life.
Acclaimed movies like Noah Baumbach’s “Marriage Story” with Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver, along with “Two Popes,” are also joining the streamer in December. On the TV front, Season 2 of “You” starring Penn Badgley arrives on Netflix just after Christmas.
View the complete list below:
Dec. 1
Dead Kids
A Cinderella Story: Christmas Wish
The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl...
- 12/1/2019
- by BreAnna Bell
- Variety Film + TV
Jennifer Hills is back! Forty years after 1978’s I Spit On Your Grave shocked the world with its story of a beautiful career woman assaulted and left for dead, and her notorious revenge on those responsible, cinema’s most lethal lady vengeance returns in the most anticipated sequel of all time. Reuniting star Camille Keaton and original director Meir Zarchi, I Spit On Your Grave: Deja Vu sends now successful writer Jennifer Hills hurtling back to where it all began – to face the wrath of the families of those she murdered. Kidnapped along with her daughter Christy ( Jamie Bernadette), it’s a tense game of hunt – or be hunted – against a ruthless gang of degenerates overseen by a violently unhinged matriarch Becky, (Maria Olsen).
Meir Zarchi delivers the next explosive saga in the most controversial tale of an eye-for-an-eye ever committed to celluloid. Some grudges refuse to be buried… I Spit On Your Grave: Deja Vu...
Meir Zarchi delivers the next explosive saga in the most controversial tale of an eye-for-an-eye ever committed to celluloid. Some grudges refuse to be buried… I Spit On Your Grave: Deja Vu...
- 3/7/2019
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
No one is more thankful for a Donald Trump presidency than Saturday Night Live after its slew of Primetime Emmy wins.
The sketch show now has a total of 66 Emmy trophies after this year's six trophies. Kate McKinnon broke the show's major acting category curse last year, but a tumultuous year of
...
Read More >...
The sketch show now has a total of 66 Emmy trophies after this year's six trophies. Kate McKinnon broke the show's major acting category curse last year, but a tumultuous year of
...
Read More >...
- 9/18/2017
- by Megan Vick
- TVGuide - Breaking News
The wife of Harry Potter actor Jim Tavaré gave fans a health update on Facebook Thursday following her husband’s car accident that left him with multiple injuries, including a broken neck.
Laura, the actor’s wife, wrote that he was “moved to a less critical ward” after spending 15 days in intensive care.
“He’s awake and doing really well,” she wrote. “He says ‘Sorry my hands can’t type, but thanks guys for all the well wishes. You are all so kind. I’m looking forward to getting out of here, but not looking forward to the medical bills.
Laura, the actor’s wife, wrote that he was “moved to a less critical ward” after spending 15 days in intensive care.
“He’s awake and doing really well,” she wrote. “He says ‘Sorry my hands can’t type, but thanks guys for all the well wishes. You are all so kind. I’m looking forward to getting out of here, but not looking forward to the medical bills.
- 3/17/2017
- by Alexia Fernandez
- PEOPLE.com
Pete Davidson‘s return to Saturday Night Live included skewering of President Donald Trump‘s administration as well as some good news about his sex life since getting sober.
The sketch show’s “resident young person” joined the “Weekend Update” hosts after taking some time off to get sober. Davidson, 23, poked some fun at himself while giving his “First Impressions” of Trump defenders such as House Speaker Paul Ryan.
“All the Republicans wanted Paul Ryan to come up with something to replace Obamacare, and now that he did, everybody hates it,” the comic says. “I know what this is like because for years,...
The sketch show’s “resident young person” joined the “Weekend Update” hosts after taking some time off to get sober. Davidson, 23, poked some fun at himself while giving his “First Impressions” of Trump defenders such as House Speaker Paul Ryan.
“All the Republicans wanted Paul Ryan to come up with something to replace Obamacare, and now that he did, everybody hates it,” the comic says. “I know what this is like because for years,...
- 3/12/2017
- by Stephanie Petit
- PEOPLE.com
Actor suffers serious injuries in head-on collision.
British actor, writer and stand-up comedian Jim Tavaré is in intensive car after he suffered a broken neck and punctured lung in a car crash.
54-year-old Tavaré played Tom the Innkeeper in Harry Potter And The Prisoner of Azkaban and also co-wrote and starred in the Bafta-winning ITV series The Sketch Show.
His wife Laura posted a photo of him in hospital on Facebook, writing: “This is Laura here. Now that his family have been informed, Jim has asked me to let you all know that he was involved in a serious car accident yesterday, a head-on collision.
“He’s currently in ICU intensive care. He has 15 broken ribs, fractures in both breastbones, a punctured lung, multiple breaks in his right leg, and a broken neck.
“He’s had 2 blood transfusions so far and is about to go in for his first surgery.
“This is for...
British actor, writer and stand-up comedian Jim Tavaré is in intensive car after he suffered a broken neck and punctured lung in a car crash.
54-year-old Tavaré played Tom the Innkeeper in Harry Potter And The Prisoner of Azkaban and also co-wrote and starred in the Bafta-winning ITV series The Sketch Show.
His wife Laura posted a photo of him in hospital on Facebook, writing: “This is Laura here. Now that his family have been informed, Jim has asked me to let you all know that he was involved in a serious car accident yesterday, a head-on collision.
“He’s currently in ICU intensive care. He has 15 broken ribs, fractures in both breastbones, a punctured lung, multiple breaks in his right leg, and a broken neck.
“He’s had 2 blood transfusions so far and is about to go in for his first surgery.
“This is for...
- 3/9/2017
- by orlando.parfitt@screendaily.com (Orlando Parfitt)
- ScreenDaily
Adult Swim has canceled Million Dollar Extreme Presents: World Peace, a show which has been accused of promoting racism, sexism and bigotry, Splitsider reports.
The sketch show was canceled after one season, airing just six episodes over the summer. Created by Sam Hyde, Charls Carroll and Nick Rochefort, the show immediately garnered criticism for controversial sketches – including one where Hyde wore blackface – while some of its promotional material featured language that seemed to nod to the white nationalist movement known as "Alt-Right."
Per Buzzfeed, an Mde press release stated the...
The sketch show was canceled after one season, airing just six episodes over the summer. Created by Sam Hyde, Charls Carroll and Nick Rochefort, the show immediately garnered criticism for controversial sketches – including one where Hyde wore blackface – while some of its promotional material featured language that seemed to nod to the white nationalist movement known as "Alt-Right."
Per Buzzfeed, an Mde press release stated the...
- 12/6/2016
- Rollingstone.com
Six of the world’s biggest Vine stars are slated to hit the road for a comedy tour dubbed Team Internet Live. The sketch show, which is being produced in the vein SNL and Mad TV, will also feature digital shorts and musical acts. It kicks off on Oct. 2 in Los Angeles.
Team Internet Live is being produced by Collab -- a digital studio that reps creators on Vine, YouTube, and beyond. Featured performers -- who count a combined 30 million followers across all social platforms -- include Darius Benson, David Lopez, J. Cyrus, Manon Mathews, Ry Doon, and Vincent Marcus.
While the cast members got their start on Vine, each has since branched out to other platforms and projects. Benson, for instance, appeared on CBS’ The Amazing Race, while Mathews will appear in YouTube Red’s Single By 30 as well as Comedy Central’s Broad City. Cyrus, noted for...
Team Internet Live is being produced by Collab -- a digital studio that reps creators on Vine, YouTube, and beyond. Featured performers -- who count a combined 30 million followers across all social platforms -- include Darius Benson, David Lopez, J. Cyrus, Manon Mathews, Ry Doon, and Vincent Marcus.
While the cast members got their start on Vine, each has since branched out to other platforms and projects. Benson, for instance, appeared on CBS’ The Amazing Race, while Mathews will appear in YouTube Red’s Single By 30 as well as Comedy Central’s Broad City. Cyrus, noted for...
- 9/20/2016
- by Geoff Weiss
- Tubefilter.com
Donald Trump: Decisive, successful, outsider-y. And somehow strangely attractive to white racists, according to Saturday Night Live.The sketch show joked about the appeal of the Gop presidential frontrunner on this weekend's episode, by tossing a bunch of its cast in a fake campaign ad, where between their daily racist lives of book-burning and fear-mongering they talked soothingly of Trump's "winning" style. Trump has recently faced some controversy for the manner in which he disavowed an endorsement from David Duke, a former grand wizard of the Klu Klux Klan; and January polling data showed that nearly 20 percent of his...
- 3/6/2016
- by Adam Carlson, @acarlson91
- PEOPLE.com
Saturday Night Live let Hollywood have it this week following the second year in a row zero African Americans were nominated for an Oscar in any of the acting categories. The sketch show got its point across in a roundabout way by mocking the lack of diversity at an important awards show with the fictional “Screen Guild Awards.” Only white actors with tiny roles were nominated in the leading role category for predominantly black films. From just a voice heard over the phone to a white guy accidently walking into the frame, the sketch really turned the screws
read more...
read more...
- 1/24/2016
- by Ryan Parker
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Chicago – Finding the adult button and hitting “on” is becoming more of a challenge as the tech generation morphs into their thirtysomething era. Comedian Nick Kroll (“Kroll Show,” “The League”) ponders this situation in the new film “Adult Beginners,” a primer on growing up and moving on.
Kroll portrays Jake, a entrepreneur whose new tech gadget goes bust. Left with no life and no income, he moves back in with his sister (Rose Byrne) and brother-in-law (Bobby Cannavale). There is a twist – Jake’s nephew Teddy needs a daytime caregiver, and Nick is now available. As he takes on his new duties, he begins to understand that life has different angles, especially when it comes to raising children.
Nick Kroll Portrays Jake in ‘Adult Beginners’
Photo credit: Radius-twc
Nick Kroll is a multi-tasker. After graduating from college in 2001, he began his career as a stand-up and in improvisation groups, and...
Kroll portrays Jake, a entrepreneur whose new tech gadget goes bust. Left with no life and no income, he moves back in with his sister (Rose Byrne) and brother-in-law (Bobby Cannavale). There is a twist – Jake’s nephew Teddy needs a daytime caregiver, and Nick is now available. As he takes on his new duties, he begins to understand that life has different angles, especially when it comes to raising children.
Nick Kroll Portrays Jake in ‘Adult Beginners’
Photo credit: Radius-twc
Nick Kroll is a multi-tasker. After graduating from college in 2001, he began his career as a stand-up and in improvisation groups, and...
- 4/24/2015
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Gurinder Chadha’s hit film Bend It Like Beckham is being readied for the West End stage and following a host of auditions and workshops, the cast for the highly anticipated stage version Bend It Like Beckham the Musical has been formally announced.
Natalie Dew will play football crazy Jess with Lauren Samuels as Jules, a player with the Harriers, a local women’s football team, and Jamie Campbell Bower as their coach Joe. The three young leads will be supported by some familiar faces, including comedian Ronni Ancona who plays Paula, Jules’s Mum, with Jamal Andréas as Jess’ good friend Tony.
Preeya Kalidas who appeared in the original film as one of the cousins, will take on the role of Pinky, Jess’ sister and Tony Jayawardena andNatasha Jayetileke take on the all important roles of her parents, Mr and Mrs Bhamra.
Jess needs extra time. She is facing...
Natalie Dew will play football crazy Jess with Lauren Samuels as Jules, a player with the Harriers, a local women’s football team, and Jamie Campbell Bower as their coach Joe. The three young leads will be supported by some familiar faces, including comedian Ronni Ancona who plays Paula, Jules’s Mum, with Jamal Andréas as Jess’ good friend Tony.
Preeya Kalidas who appeared in the original film as one of the cousins, will take on the role of Pinky, Jess’ sister and Tony Jayawardena andNatasha Jayetileke take on the all important roles of her parents, Mr and Mrs Bhamra.
Jess needs extra time. She is facing...
- 1/13/2015
- by Press Releases
- Bollyspice
Sure, those of us who celebrate Hanukkah get eight crazy nights of lighting the menorah, presents and parental guilt, but you know what we don't get? Literally hundreds of songs, television specials, or commercials about our December (sometimes November) holiday. Also, Christmas trees.
We're all for Santa Claus and Christmas miracles, but sometimes Jewish kids just want to feel the pop culture love too. Luckily, we've been given that gift on a few occasions. Put on your yarmulkes -- it's time to celebrate the eight best times Maccabees got a little love on TV.
1. The O.C.
All hail the greatest holiday of all: Chrismukkah! For four glorious seasons, we swooned over Seth Ezekiel Cohen's inventive day and the mad joy with which he celebrated it. Seth and his best friend/adopted brother Ryan Atwood never had to choose between celebrating Christmas or Hanukkah, and Jesus and Moses were always on their side to save them from...
We're all for Santa Claus and Christmas miracles, but sometimes Jewish kids just want to feel the pop culture love too. Luckily, we've been given that gift on a few occasions. Put on your yarmulkes -- it's time to celebrate the eight best times Maccabees got a little love on TV.
1. The O.C.
All hail the greatest holiday of all: Chrismukkah! For four glorious seasons, we swooned over Seth Ezekiel Cohen's inventive day and the mad joy with which he celebrated it. Seth and his best friend/adopted brother Ryan Atwood never had to choose between celebrating Christmas or Hanukkah, and Jesus and Moses were always on their side to save them from...
- 12/16/2014
- Entertainment Tonight
Kevin Eldon has confirmed that his BBC Two comedy It's Kevin won't be returning for a second series.
The sketch show debuted last year and received a positive reaction from critics and viewers.
Asked by Digital Spy whether the show would be coming back, Eldon said: "No," before joking: "Write to the BBC and ask them and demand!"
On whether he would have wanted to do a second series, Eldon said: "Yes. Because you find your way on the first series, and then if you get a second series you know what went wrong and what went right and you capitalise.
"But if you aren't given the chance, obviously you can't do that. But never mind."
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the BBC told Digital Spy this afternoon (December 11) that it was "unlikely" It's Kevin would return, adding: "But Kevin is a major talent for the BBC and we look forward...
The sketch show debuted last year and received a positive reaction from critics and viewers.
Asked by Digital Spy whether the show would be coming back, Eldon said: "No," before joking: "Write to the BBC and ask them and demand!"
On whether he would have wanted to do a second series, Eldon said: "Yes. Because you find your way on the first series, and then if you get a second series you know what went wrong and what went right and you capitalise.
"But if you aren't given the chance, obviously you can't do that. But never mind."
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the BBC told Digital Spy this afternoon (December 11) that it was "unlikely" It's Kevin would return, adding: "But Kevin is a major talent for the BBC and we look forward...
- 12/11/2014
- Digital Spy
There’ll be plenty of time to celebrate what the Emmys got right (see the full list of nominees here) and to argue about what they got wrong—but this is not the place for that. Instead, we’re taking a step back to discuss weird bits of trivia about the award show’s less starry categories. You know, the stuff that’s really important. Such as:
– “Twin Bed” got an Emmy nomination: Yes, the SNL tune officially known as “Home for the Holidays (Twin Bed)” is competing against Key & Peele’s take on Les Mis, “Merroway Cove” from Disney Channel...
– “Twin Bed” got an Emmy nomination: Yes, the SNL tune officially known as “Home for the Holidays (Twin Bed)” is competing against Key & Peele’s take on Les Mis, “Merroway Cove” from Disney Channel...
- 7/10/2014
- by Jackson McHenry
- EW.com - PopWatch
Digital Spy has an exclusive clip of the Young Dreams gals from Cardinal Burns, ahead of the series two finale tonight (May 28).
The second run of the show, written and performed by Seb Cardinal and Dustin Demri-Burns, will conclude with a double bill from 10.30pm on Channel 4.
The sketch show transferred from E4 to Channel 4 for its second series, making it the first programme to do so in over ten years.
In a recent interview with Digital Spy, Cardinal and Demri-Burns discussed the 'promotion', as well as the sitcom that they are working on.
The pair have also recently announced details of their first UK tour - they will play 30 dates from September 8, beginning at London's Soho Theatre.
In 2012, they received three British Comedy Awards nominations, winning Best Sketch Show. They were also nominated for a BAFTA and the Rose d'Or award for comedy in 2013.
The second run of the show, written and performed by Seb Cardinal and Dustin Demri-Burns, will conclude with a double bill from 10.30pm on Channel 4.
The sketch show transferred from E4 to Channel 4 for its second series, making it the first programme to do so in over ten years.
In a recent interview with Digital Spy, Cardinal and Demri-Burns discussed the 'promotion', as well as the sitcom that they are working on.
The pair have also recently announced details of their first UK tour - they will play 30 dates from September 8, beginning at London's Soho Theatre.
In 2012, they received three British Comedy Awards nominations, winning Best Sketch Show. They were also nominated for a BAFTA and the Rose d'Or award for comedy in 2013.
- 5/28/2014
- Digital Spy
TV news and notes:
- Sundance will premiere Season 2 of its critically acclaimed drama "Rectify" on June 19. The new season will have freed death-row inmate Daniel (Aden Young) becoming more engaged with the outside world and even allowing himself to think about the future. It will also delve more deeply into the lives of people affected by Daniel's return.
- Comedy Central has renewed "Kroll Show" for a third season. The sketch show starring and created by Nick Kroll has been averaging 1.1 million viewers in overnight ratings for Season 2; there's no word yet on when Season 3 will premiere.
- The cast of "Constantine" continues to grow. The new members of the NBC pilot include former "Lost" star Harold Perrineau, "True Blood" alum Lucy Griffiths and "True Detective's" Charles Halford. Griffiths will play Liv, the daughter of one of Constantine's deceased friends who becomes targeted by demons. Constantine saves...
- Sundance will premiere Season 2 of its critically acclaimed drama "Rectify" on June 19. The new season will have freed death-row inmate Daniel (Aden Young) becoming more engaged with the outside world and even allowing himself to think about the future. It will also delve more deeply into the lives of people affected by Daniel's return.
- Comedy Central has renewed "Kroll Show" for a third season. The sketch show starring and created by Nick Kroll has been averaging 1.1 million viewers in overnight ratings for Season 2; there's no word yet on when Season 3 will premiere.
- The cast of "Constantine" continues to grow. The new members of the NBC pilot include former "Lost" star Harold Perrineau, "True Blood" alum Lucy Griffiths and "True Detective's" Charles Halford. Griffiths will play Liv, the daughter of one of Constantine's deceased friends who becomes targeted by demons. Constantine saves...
- 3/6/2014
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Zap2It - From Inside the Box
Goodness Gracious Me is to return for a one-off special on BBC Two.
The sketch show is to be filmed as part of the channel's upcoming 50th anniversary celebrations.
Sanjeev Bhaskar, Kulvinder Ghir, Meera Syal and Nina Wadia will all return for the special episode.
The original series ran from 1998 to 2001, having started as a Radio 4 show in 1996. Its last airing was the 2001 special 'Back Where They Came From'.
The BBC said in a statement: "To celebrate 50 years of comedy on BBC Two the original cast of the award-winning Goodness Gracious Me are back for a special one off edition of the ground-breaking British Asian sketch show featuring new characters alongside some favourites from the original series in a wealth of brand new sketches."
The special will be filmed in front of a live audience at Teddington Studios on March 22.
The cast members most recently came together for Radio 4 series The Reunion,...
The sketch show is to be filmed as part of the channel's upcoming 50th anniversary celebrations.
Sanjeev Bhaskar, Kulvinder Ghir, Meera Syal and Nina Wadia will all return for the special episode.
The original series ran from 1998 to 2001, having started as a Radio 4 show in 1996. Its last airing was the 2001 special 'Back Where They Came From'.
The BBC said in a statement: "To celebrate 50 years of comedy on BBC Two the original cast of the award-winning Goodness Gracious Me are back for a special one off edition of the ground-breaking British Asian sketch show featuring new characters alongside some favourites from the original series in a wealth of brand new sketches."
The special will be filmed in front of a live audience at Teddington Studios on March 22.
The cast members most recently came together for Radio 4 series The Reunion,...
- 3/6/2014
- Digital Spy
Saturday Night Live has been under fire since they announced a new group of players earlier this year – none of whom was a black female. The sketch show appears to have taken the criticism to heart and is proactively looking to fill the void in their cast.
Black Female To Join SNL
On Monday night, Saturday Night Live held a special audition to cast a black female performer. There were seven or eight who were called in to try for a spot after weeks of auditions thinned out the competition. By January, one of the women is expected to make her debut.
“All told we’ve seen about 25 people,” SNL executive producer Lorne Michaels told The New York Times. “A lot of the people we saw are really good. Hopefully we’ll come out of the process well.”
Lorne, who claims to have set January 2014 as a deadline to add...
Black Female To Join SNL
On Monday night, Saturday Night Live held a special audition to cast a black female performer. There were seven or eight who were called in to try for a spot after weeks of auditions thinned out the competition. By January, one of the women is expected to make her debut.
“All told we’ve seen about 25 people,” SNL executive producer Lorne Michaels told The New York Times. “A lot of the people we saw are really good. Hopefully we’ll come out of the process well.”
Lorne, who claims to have set January 2014 as a deadline to add...
- 12/13/2013
- Uinterview
Comedian, actor, writer and director who came to prominence in satirical TV sketch show Not the Nine O'Clock News
Mel Smith was once upstaged by a talking gorilla. He was playing a zoologist in a sketch on his hit comedy show Not the Nine O'Clock News and the gorilla suit contained Rowan Atkinson. "When I caught Gerald in 68 he was completely wild," said Smith. "Wild?" retorted the gorilla. "I was absolutely livid!"
If the gorilla had the best line, Smith had the more expressive countenance, mugging with a deadpan virtuosity rarely seen since Oliver Hardy in his pomp. That face – as hangdog as his childhood hero Tony Hancock's – made Smith, who has died of a heart attack aged 60, one of the most recognisable of postwar British comedians.
Smith's face was only part of his fortune. He was a writer and editor of some of the most redoubtable British TV...
Mel Smith was once upstaged by a talking gorilla. He was playing a zoologist in a sketch on his hit comedy show Not the Nine O'Clock News and the gorilla suit contained Rowan Atkinson. "When I caught Gerald in 68 he was completely wild," said Smith. "Wild?" retorted the gorilla. "I was absolutely livid!"
If the gorilla had the best line, Smith had the more expressive countenance, mugging with a deadpan virtuosity rarely seen since Oliver Hardy in his pomp. That face – as hangdog as his childhood hero Tony Hancock's – made Smith, who has died of a heart attack aged 60, one of the most recognisable of postwar British comedians.
Smith's face was only part of his fortune. He was a writer and editor of some of the most redoubtable British TV...
- 7/21/2013
- by Stuart Jeffries
- The Guardian - Film News
I really can’t wait to see whether Louis C.K. makes an episode of Louie about hosting Saturday Night Live. The sketch show itself was fine if uneven this week, careening between dizzying highs (the cold open; that “Lincoln as Louis” short), terrifying lows (basically everything post-Update), and creamy middles (Weekend Update’s guests, with one possible exception). Behind the scenes, though, things must have been a lot more interesting — how did the cast and writers manage to compose and rehearse 90 minutes of new material despite Monday’s devastating hurricane? For that matter, how did the crew manage to build...
- 11/4/2012
- by Hillary Busis
- EW.com - PopWatch
Now in primetime…it’s Saturday Night Live!
Tonight, the first of NBC’s two “Weekend Update” Thursday specials airs. Anchor Seth Meyers and other SNL favorites will go head-to-head with Stewart/Colbert and the other late-night comedians for immediate, timely jokes. The sketch show couldn’t have picked a better time to launch its special, given Mitt Romney’s now-infamous “47 percent” comments, Clint Eastwood’s new habit of chatting with an empty chair, the Innocence of Muslims movie, and recent Tim Kaine comments.
NBC released a video asking Meyers what to expect tonight. He teased that Bill Hader and...
Tonight, the first of NBC’s two “Weekend Update” Thursday specials airs. Anchor Seth Meyers and other SNL favorites will go head-to-head with Stewart/Colbert and the other late-night comedians for immediate, timely jokes. The sketch show couldn’t have picked a better time to launch its special, given Mitt Romney’s now-infamous “47 percent” comments, Clint Eastwood’s new habit of chatting with an empty chair, the Innocence of Muslims movie, and recent Tim Kaine comments.
NBC released a video asking Meyers what to expect tonight. He teased that Bill Hader and...
- 9/20/2012
- by Erin Strecker
- EW.com - PopWatch
Politics is my passion, and I particularly love comedy and satirical news programmes that breathe new life into current events.
One of my favorites is Saturday Night Live, the long-running comedy sketch program which airs on NBC in the U.S. President Obama, Vice President Biden and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi are amongst those politicians who have been 'profiled' on the show, and the candidates of the current presidential election continue to be featured on a weekly basis, with Republican Mitt Romney perhaps facing the harshest criticism.
Romney is often portrayed as a bland politician willing to tell his audience what they literally want to hear. Continuous impressions of this nature reinforce Romney's inability to inform voters of his core beliefs, and over time, I believe this could seriously damage Romney's campaign for the presidency.
In the UK there is no parallel show to SNL, although Have I Got News For You...
One of my favorites is Saturday Night Live, the long-running comedy sketch program which airs on NBC in the U.S. President Obama, Vice President Biden and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi are amongst those politicians who have been 'profiled' on the show, and the candidates of the current presidential election continue to be featured on a weekly basis, with Republican Mitt Romney perhaps facing the harshest criticism.
Romney is often portrayed as a bland politician willing to tell his audience what they literally want to hear. Continuous impressions of this nature reinforce Romney's inability to inform voters of his core beliefs, and over time, I believe this could seriously damage Romney's campaign for the presidency.
In the UK there is no parallel show to SNL, although Have I Got News For You...
- 5/1/2012
- by Laura Dunn
- Aol TV.
Yesterday IFC announced that Portlandia would be renewed for a third season. The sketch show is written by and stars the unlikely comedy duo of Saturday Night Live's Fred Armisen and occasional Sleater-Kinney guitarist Carrie Brownstein. The third season is set to air in January, 2013.
Read more on Portlandia’s “Dream of the ’90′s” to continue for a third season...
Read more on Portlandia’s “Dream of the ’90′s” to continue for a third season...
- 3/21/2012
- by Rachel Fox
- GordonandtheWhale
SNL sure has no problem keeping up with the Kardashians. The sketch show aired a hilarious spoof of the widely viewed actual Kardashian Christmas card, released early last week, though the message wasn't quite the same.
Khloe thanks Kim for making a sex tape with Ray-J. Kim sat on Reggie Bush's lap. And they have a very diverse holiday greeting for all.
Playing the Kardashians: Vanessa Bayer, Abby Elliott and Nasim Pedrad.
Watch:...
Khloe thanks Kim for making a sex tape with Ray-J. Kim sat on Reggie Bush's lap. And they have a very diverse holiday greeting for all.
Playing the Kardashians: Vanessa Bayer, Abby Elliott and Nasim Pedrad.
Watch:...
- 12/19/2010
- by Jordan Zakarin
- Huffington Post
SNL's Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein of Sleater-Kinney/Wild Flag have been working together for a while. They do digital shorts under the name ThunderAnt, and appeared in a video for the St. Vincent song "Laughing With A Mouth Full Of Blood." Now, this January, the two bring their comedy stylings to the IFC show Portlandia. And it looks exciting. The sketch show has some fun with the people of Portland, Or, and anyone who has ever visited or lived in the city knows that the characters in the show aren't far off to what you actually find in the city. There are New Age-bookstore owners, Freegans, and a restaurant that has personal files on the chickens they serve. Brownstein and Armisen take on the many parts in the show, but Portlandia will also feature guests throughout the season, including Kyle MacLachlan, Jason Sudeikis, and [...]...
- 12/16/2010
- Nerve
E4 has confirmed that School Of Comedy will return for a second season next month. The sketch show features a number of young cast members such as Son of Rambow star Will Poulter. Returning characters include a cockney taxi driver, the White Van Men, movie executives Karl and Marv and the Museum Perv. Meanwhile, E4 announced that new sketches will focus on a pair of 1970s policemen, the mother of a mafia family, a businessman from the 1980s and Hector The Lookalike, who puts on a number of guises from Idi Amin to Gary Glitter. The show's producer (more)...
- 8/12/2010
- by By Catriona Wightman
- Digital Spy
That Mitchell And Webb Look returned to just over 1.8m viewers on Tuesday evening, according to overnight audience figures. The sketch show, which features Peep Show's Robert Webb and David Mitchell, was watched by 1.83m (8.1%) on BBC Two between 9pm and 9.30pm. Also on BBC Two, a repeat of Top Gear took 2.09m (9.8%) in the 8pm hour, before comedy panel show Shooting Stars brought in 1.54m (6.7%) between 9.30pm and 10pm. Sitcom Miranda secured 1.01m (5%) for the channel from 10pm, up 150k week-on-week. Holby City averaged 5.51m (25.9%) on BBC One in the 8pm hour, and it was followed by the second part of new drama The Silence, which brought in 4.52m (19.7%) from 9pm, down 190k on last night's debut episode. Piers Morgan On Monte Carlo took 2.29m (10.8%) on ITV1 from 8pm, after which The Bill averaged 2.43m (10.6%) (more)...
- 7/14/2010
- by By Andrew Laughlin
- Digital Spy
Bosses of Thank God You're Here have admitted that they are unsure if the show has a future on Australian television. The sketch show, which moved from Channel Seven to Ten in 2008, will not be broadcast in 2010 and may not even return to TV screens next year. Producer Santo Cilauro told the Herald Sun: "I just don't know. Nothing's ever definite with us. We do make decisions at the last moment. Our heads (more)...
- 6/14/2010
- by By Rebecca Davies
- Digital Spy
Pop sensation Justin Bieber makes his moves on Tina Fey for a good laugh. In a new promo video for the upcoming episode of "Saturday Night Live", the "Baby" singer compliments the "30 Rock" star for looking hotter in person, prompting her to joke about their 23-year age difference.
"Justin, I'm at least five years older than you," Tina says before adding, "just go with it." The sketch show's alum also makes use of the short video to announce her role as a host for this Saturday, April 10 episode as well as introducing the Canadian singer as the musical guest.
Justin has recently confirmed that he will be doing some skits when visiting the show in addition to performing. On Thursday, April 8, the pop sensation tweeted that he has done some rehearsals with the cast. "Amazing day...at SNL rehearsing with the crew... Doing some skits..kinda wild that I'm here,...
"Justin, I'm at least five years older than you," Tina says before adding, "just go with it." The sketch show's alum also makes use of the short video to announce her role as a host for this Saturday, April 10 episode as well as introducing the Canadian singer as the musical guest.
Justin has recently confirmed that he will be doing some skits when visiting the show in addition to performing. On Thursday, April 8, the pop sensation tweeted that he has done some rehearsals with the cast. "Amazing day...at SNL rehearsing with the crew... Doing some skits..kinda wild that I'm here,...
- 4/10/2010
- by celebrity-mania.com
- Celebrity Mania
Fox has given a pilot presentation order to a fast-paced sketch comedy from Kelsey Grammer's Grammnet Prods. Tentatively titled The Sketch Show, the project will be a U.S. version of the British series, which premiered in 2001 on ITV and earned a BAFTA TV award for best comedy last year. The show was brought to Grammnet by Brit Dan Patterson, co-creator of Channel 4's long-running improv sketch comedy Whose Line Is It Anyway? which successfully crossed the Atlantic via ABC.
- 12/17/2003
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
TORONTO -- U.S. TV fare leads the nominations for the Banff Rockie Awards, unveiled Tuesday. Stateside producers and broadcasters earned 18 noms in the annual competition of international TV programming, followed by their British counterparts with 15. As in past years, the Anglo-American contingent was most evident in the comedy category, in which the British series Coupling and The Sketch Show will vie for top honors with Larry David's HBO program Curb Your Enthusiasm and Carsey-Werner-Mandabach's That '70s Show. HBO series dominated the continuing series competition, with Oz, Six Feet Under and The Sopranos going up against another U.S. series, Warner Bros. Television's The West Wing, and the British series Spooks. New this year is U.S. programming's presence in niche categories, in which Canadian and European producers traditionally have fared best.
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