Apple TV+ Renews Michaela Jaé Rodriguez’s “Loot” for Third Season

Michaela Jaé Rodriguez has more loot in her future…

Apple has renewed Loot, starring the 33-year-old half-Puerto Rican Golden Globe-winning actress and lead/executive producer Maya Rudolph, for a third season.

Michaela Jaé RodriguezThe cast was reportedly informed about the renewal about a month ago.

Season 3 will pick up after the Season 2 finale that saw Molly Wells (Rudolph) and her trusted and unhinged assistant Nicholas (Joel Kim Booster) board Molly’s private jet following her awkward exchange with her will-they, won’t-they colleague Arthur (Nat Faxon). Where will the PJ land? Season 3 will continue to follow the antics of the beloved group of misfits at The Wells Foundation.

In addition to Rudolph, Rordriguez, Booster and Faxon, the ensemble cast also includes

“We are thrilled to come back for a third season! We’re extremely fortunate to spend more time with our talented cast and crew,” said Rudolph and executive producer Danielle Renfrew Behrens of Banana Split. “Making this show with Apple TV+ has been a joy, and we can’t wait to reunite with our Loot family.”

Season 2 kicked off a year after Molly Wells (Rudolph) settles her very public divorce from tech billionaire John Novak (Adam Scott), and we find her thriving in her role as the head of her philanthropic organization, the Wells Foundation. Focused mainly on her charity work, Molly has sworn off any new relationships with men and embarks on a wellness journey. Fabulously single but not particularly independent, Molly keeps her trusty assistant Nicholas (Booster) by her side. He diligently caters to her every whim … and occasionally feeds her a kale smoothie spiked with gin.

Sofia Salinas (Rodriguez), the no-nonsense executive director of the Wells Foundation, continues to run things with compassionate efficiency, but her all-business ethos is thrown for a loop when she meets Molly’s charismatic architect friend Isaac (O-T Fagbenle). The bromance between Howard (Funches) and Nicholas also continues to flourish as they support each other in their endeavors both inside and outside the workplace. Meanwhile, Arthur (Faxon) has moved past his feelings for Molly and has adopted a new devil-may-care attitude on life, a change encapsulated by a very lame leather bracelet. The Wells Foundation team, including Rhonda (Meagen Fay) and Ainsley (Stephanie Styles), must pull together as co-workers and friends as Molly strives to publicly live up to her promise of giving away all of her vast fortune. Guest stars included Benjamin Bratt and Ana Gasteyer, among others.

“With each season, Loot continues to deliver joy, laughs and endearing characters for audiences around the world,” said Matt Cherniss, head of programming for Apple TV+. “We are excited to partner with Maya Rudolph, and the entire cast and creative team behind Loot, to create even more heartfelt moments with an ensemble of fan favorite characters in season three.”

Loot is created, written and executive produced by Yang and Hubbard. Rudolph serves as executive producer for Banana Split, along with her producing partner Renfrew Behrens, Dave Becky of 3 Arts and Natasha Lyonne.

Loot is produced for Apple by Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group.

Tony Rodriguez to Participate in Live Reading of Michael Ausiello’s Soap Opera “Beverly Hills”

Tony Rodriguez is preparing for a sudsy experience…

The Latino actor and longtime performer of the Upright Citizens Brigade Theaters in New York and Los Angeles will take part in a live reading of Beverly Hillsa soap opera written by TVLine founder and Spoiler Alert author Michael Ausiello when he was 13.

Tony RodriguezRodriguez, a voice actor on The Simpsons, is part of a cast that includes Ana GasteyerTony Hale, Dulé HillGillian Jacobs, Jim Rash and Sasheer Zamata.

Adding an element of surprise, the actors will get to read the script for the first time when they take the stage on July 16 at Los Angeles’ Hayworth Theater (aka Dynasty Typewriter).

Proceeds from the event, which will be live-streamed, will benefit The Trevor Project.

Per the description: “Back in the ‘80s, when Ausiello was a closeted gay pubescent living in small-town New Jersey, he penned 517 episodes of a daytime soap opera, titled Beverly Hills. Miraculously, he saved every handwritten script. The event on July 16, which has a roughly 80-minute running time, will center on a concentrated, self-contained story arc that found six of Beverly Hills’ most popular characters traveling overseas for a life-or-death adventure. Although some of Teenage Ausiello’s atrocious spelling has been cleaned up for this theatrical experience, the scenes will be performed exactly as they were written all those years ago. For better or worse.”

The cast of the reading also includes Mitch Silpa and newcomer Tristan Michael Brown, who will portray teenage Ausiello.

The performance will be co-directed by Ausiello and LA theater vet Tom DeTrinis and produced by Ausiello and Patrick Cotnoir.

Founded in 1998, The Trevor Project, headquartered in West Hollywood, CA, is a nonprofit suicide prevention organization that provides 24/7 crisis support services, research, and advocacy for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning youth.

Jenna Ortega To Serve as Presenter at This Week’s Golden Globes Awards Show

Jenna Ortega is preparing for an extra golden night…

The 20-year-old Puerto Rican and Mexican American actress will serve as a presenter at this year’s Golden Globes awards ceremony.

Jenna OrtegaOrtega, who is a first-time nominee this year for her starring role in Netflix’s Wednesday, was among the latest list of presenters announced today.

But she isn’t the only Latinx talent to be added to the presenter’s list.

Harvey Guillén, who rose to acclaim in What We Do in The Shadows, and former Golden Globe-nominee Salma Hayek Pinault will also take the stage.

Other newly announced presenters include Jennifer Hudson, Claire Danes, Cole Hauser, Henry Golding, Hilary Swank, Glen Powell, Jay Ellis, Jennifer Coolidge, Letitia Wright, Mo Brings Plenty and Regina Hall.

Also participating on the telecast will be Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy, offering a special message of peace which will be introduced by actor Sean Penn.

They join the previously announced presenters, which include Ana De Armas, Ana Gasteyer, Colman Domingo, Michaela Jaé Rodriguez, Natasha Lyonne, Niecy Nash-Betts, Quentin Tarantino, Jamie Lee Curtis, Tracy Morgan and Nicole Byer.

The Golden Globes are set to air live coast-to-coast on January. 10 from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. PT/8:00-11:00 pm ET on NBC and streaming on Peacock.

Jerrod Carmichael will host the ceremony, which will held at the Globes’ usual home, the Grand Ballroom of the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills. Calif.

Eddie Murphy will be the recipient of the 2023 Cecil B. DeMille Award. Ryan Murphy will receive the Carol Burnett Award.

Ana de Armas Among First Presenters Announced for Upcoming Golden Globe Awards

Ana de Armas is pretty for her golden hour…

The first string of presenters for the 80th Golden Globe Awards have been announced, with the 34-year-old Cuban and Spanish actress among those set to take the stage.

Ana de Armasde Armas, who previously earned a Golden Globe nod for her breakout role in Knives Out, is up for Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama this year for her performance as Marilyn Monroe in Blonde.

Michaela Jaé Rodriguez will also present at this year’s awards show.

The 31-year-old part-Puerto Rican actress made history when she won the Golden Globe for Best Actress – Television Series Drama, becoming the first transgender actor to win a Golden Globe in the history of the awards.

Colman Domingo has also made the presenters list…

The 52-year-old Belizean-Guatemalan American actor and social justice activist is an Emmy Award winner for his performance on HBO’s Euphoria.

Others set to present Ana Gasteyer, Billy Porter, Jamie Lee CurtisNatasha Lyonne, Nicole Byer, Niecy Nash-Betts, Quentin Tarantino and Tracy Morgan.

As the Hollywood Foreign Press Association looks to get back on its feet after weathering diversity controversies, it has been buzzed that personal reps wouldn’t allow their clients to get back on stage. However, as the HFPA has expanded its ranks with journalists of color, it appears that the industry is pivoting in its attitude toward the organization.

Jerrod Carmichael will host the ceremony airing live coast-to-coast on January 10 from 5-8 p.m. PT/8-11 p.m. ET on NBC and streaming on Peacock.

Produced by dick clark productions and Jesse Collins Entertainment in association with the HFPA, the Golden Globe Awards are viewed in more than 210 territories worldwide. Helen Hoehne is president of the HFPA. Jesse Collins and Dionne Harmon will serve as executive producers.

Mario Lopez to Co-Host This Year’s Rose Parade

Everything’s comin’ up roses for Mario Lopez.

The 49-year-old Mexican American actor/television personality will co-host NBC’s live broadcast of the 134th Rose Parade with Ana Gasteyer.

Mario LopezLopez, who returns as co-host for the second consecutive year, and American Auto star Gasteyer will lead the network’s coverage of the annual event from 11:30-1:00 pm ET (8:30-10:00 am PT) on Monday, January 2 in Pasadena, CA.

The parade will also be livestreamed on Peacock.

This will be NBC’s 96th year broadcasting the Rose Parade, beginning on radio in 1927 and then televising the annual event beginning in 1954.

Former Arizona congresswoman and gun violence survivor and prevention advocate Gabby Giffords will serve as the 2023 Grand Marshal of the parade, which is themed “Turning the Corner.”

The parade begins with a B-2 Spirit flyover and features floral covered floats, performers, marching bands, equestrian teams and more.

The Rose Parade is produced by LX.TV, a production unit of the NBC Owned Television Stations.

Lopez, a two-time Emmy winner, is host of Access Hollywood and Access Daily with Mario & KitHe’s known for his starring role on the hit teen series Saved By the Bell and appeared and produced two seasons of the Saved By The Bell reboot for NBC’s Peacock. Lopez, who is under an overall development deal with NBCUniversal, recently appeared on NBC’s This is Us and CW’s Jane the Virgin.

Nunez to Star in TBS’ Ensemble Alien Abduction Comedy Pilot “The Group”

Oscar Nunez is a Father figure…

The 56-year-old Cuban actor and former The Office star will star in TBS’ ensemble alien abduction comedy pilot The Group (working title) from The Office creator Greg Daniels.

Oscar Nunez

Former Daily Show correspondent and writer Wyatt Cenac will play Wyatt Jones, a serious journalist in the town of Beacon who is pulled into covering the alien abductions that have been occurring.

Nunez will play hip priest Father Doug, who manages the community room rentals at Our Lady of Sorrows in Beacon.

Former Saturday Night Live alum Ana Gasteyer is playing Gina Morrison, a disgraced, though, competent therapist who runs a support group for alien abductees while working part time at a home furnishing chain store.

Alice Wetterlund will portray Kelly Grady, a goofy attractive girl who works as a temp and perpetually dates jerks.

As Gerry Johnson, Luka Jones is a social dropout and tollbooth worker who knows a lot about aliens.

Tracee Chimo is set to portray Chelsea Healey, a high-strung soul in the body of a housewife who is masking something much darker.

Da’Vine Joy Randolph’s Yvonne Watson is the best door-to-door cosmetic salesperson on the Eastern seaboard in The Group.

Marylouise Burke portrays Margaret Flood, the sex-crazed retiree in Beacon’s retirement community.

Armisen to Appear on the “Saturday Night Live” 40th Anniversary Special

Fred Armisen is coming home, so to speak…

The 48-year-old half-Venezuelan actor, who currently stars on IFC’s recently renewed Portlandia series, has been added to the list of guests for Saturday Night Live‘s SNL 40th Anniversary Special on Sunday.

Fred Armisen

Armisen, who was a cast member on the long-running NBC late-night sketch comedy series from 2002 until 2013, had quite a number of memorable characters and impersonations during his run, including President Barack Obama, Garth (of Garth and Kat), Steve Jobs, Liberace and Prince.

The special will be expanded to 3 1/2 hours to accommodate the growing roster of guest stars, including SNL icon Billy Crystal; Bradley Cooper and Edward Norton; singer Miley Cyrus; and ex-castmembers Kevin Nealon, Ana Gasteyer, Colin Quinn, Joe Piscopo, Tim Meadows and Will Forte.

The SNL 40th Anniversary Special will air from 8:00 – 11:30 pm ET/PT on Sunday, February 15 on NBC.

Here’s the full list of guests set for the special:

Fred Armisen
Dan Aykroyd
Alec Baldwin
Jim Carrey
Dana Carvey
Chevy Chase
Dane Cook
Bradley Cooper
Billy Crystal
Jane Curtin
Miley Cyrus
Robert De Niro
Jimmy Fallon
Will Ferrell
Tina Fey
James Franco
Will Forte
Zach Galifianakis
Ana Gasteyer
Bill Hader
Jon Hamm
Tom Hanks
Derek Jeter
Norm Macdonald
Peyton Manning
Steve Martin
Melissa McCarthy
Paul McCartney
Tim Meadows
Seth Meyers
Garrett Morris
Eddie Murphy
Bill Murray
Mike Myers
Kevin Nealon
Laraine Newman
Jack Nicholson
Edward Norton
Joe Piscopo
Amy Poehler
Colin Quinn
Chris Rock
Paul Rudd
Maya Rudolph
Andy Samberg
Adam Sandler
Jerry Seinfeld
Molly Shannon
Martin Short
Paul Simon
David Spade
Emma Stone
Jason Sudeikis
Taylor Swift
Justin Timberlake
Christopher Walken
Kerry Washington
Kanye West
Betty White
Kristen Wiig