Pope Francis to Bring Together Comedians From Around the World for Special Vatican Gathering

Posted on June 12, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Pope Francis is embracing the funny…

The 87-year-old Argentine head of the Catholic Church, bishop of Rome and sovereign of the Vatican City State is set to meet with Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Fallon, Chris Rock and other comedians from around the world on Friday for a special meeting.

According to the Vatican’s news site, the meeting “promises to be a moment of meaningful intercultural dialogue and sharing of joy and hope.”

Those on the guest list also include Jim Gaffigan, Whoopi Goldberg, Tig Notaro and Conan O’Brien.

Also on the list of James Martin, the Jesuit priest who was dubbed the chaplain of The Colbert Report.

Other comedians from Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, France, Germany, Mexico, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, Ireland and Italy will be in attendance.

In total, more than 100 guests are on the list for the papal audience.

Ian Hislop and Stephen Merchant are guests from the UK.

The Vatican noted that in an interview with an Italian TV channel, the pope said that he “prays daily in the words of St. Thomas More, asking the Lord to grant him a sense of humor.”

The meeting was organized by the Vatican’s Dicastery for Culture and Education and Dicastery for Communication, and will take place at the Apostolic Palace.

The Vatican wants to “celebrate the beauty of human diversity” and “promote a message of peace, love and solidarity,” per the Vatican’s news site.

Netflix Releases Trailer for Fred Armisen’s “The Mitchells vs. The Machines”

Posted on April 3, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Fred Armisen is ready for a “robot apocalypse”…

Netflix has released the new trailer for The Mitchells vs. The Machines, featuring the 54-year-old half-Venezuelan American actor/comedian.

The animated film centers on a quirky, dysfunctional but loving clan’s together time that becomes a battle to save the planet. And if these folks are the last hope for humankind, well maybe the inanimates have the upper metal hand.

When Katie Mitchell (Abbi Jacobson), a creative outsider, is accepted into the film school of her dreams, her plans to meet “her people” at college are upended when her nature-loving dad Rick (Danny McBride) determines the whole family should drive Katie to school together and bond as a family one last time. Maya Rudolph voices the mom, and Michael Rianda is the kid brother.

Directed by Mike Rianda from a script he wrote with Jeff Rowe, the film’s voice cast includes Eric Andre, Armisen, Beck Bennett, Chrissy Teigen, John Legend, Charlyne Yi, Blake Griffin, Conan O’Brien, Sasheer Zamata, Elle Mills, Alex Hirsch, Jay Pharoah, Doug the Pug and Olivia Colman as Pal.

Sony Pictures sold worldwide rights to the animated feature to Netflix in January, after it had bounced around the release calendar during the pandemic.

Netflix will debut it as a streaming-only film on April 30.

Fox Brings Special Trump-Inspired Boots on Conan O’Brien’s “Made in Mexico” Episode of His TBS Late-Night Show

Posted on March 1, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

Vicente Fox is giving Donald Trump the boot…

One year after the 74-year-old former president of Mexico told the then-presidential candidate, in an interview with Fusion’s Jorge Ramos, “I’m not going to pay for that f*cking wall,” Fox taped another such message to Trump via Conan O’Brien’s upcoming “Made in Mexico” episode of his TBS late-night show.

In January, the always-on-point Fox tweeted to Trump, “When will you understand that I am not paying for that f*cken wall. Be clear with US taxpayers. They will pay for it.”

And, to make sure his position was perfectly clear, Fox also presented O’Brien with a pair of boots on which were decorated the words “No F*cking Wall.”

Turning to the camera, Fox told Trump, “Don’t mess around with us … because if you look for it, you’re going to find it.”

“President Fox, I appreciate that you keep talking to Trump, but I think he switched channels very early in this program,” the host quipped.

In a previously released clip of Wednesday night’s “Conan Without Borders: Made in Mexico” special, O’Brien held a Border Wall Pledge Drive to collect cash to build the wall.

O’Brien announced in January that he was heading back to the eye of a political storm for his next road trip. The announcement came just hours after the current president of Mexico cancelled plans to meet with newly sworn in President Trump, after Trump signed an executive order expediting construction of the wall and again insisted Mexico is going to pay for it.

Juanes to Perform at This Year’s Nobel Peace Prize Concert

Posted on November 21, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Juanes is spreading the Peace for a third time…

The 44-year-old Colombian superstar is set to perform at the 23rd annual Nobel Peace Prize concert in Oslo, Norway, on December 11, joining a star-studded lineup including Sting, Halsey and Icona Pop.

The event is set to take place at Oslo’s Telenor Arena and will be hosted by Conan O’Brien.

“Advocating that all people have a right to live in peace has long been a cornerstone of my music and the work of our foundation, so I’ve been flattered to participate in past Nobel concerts recognizing global leaders pursuing peace across our world,” Juanes said in a statement. “With this year’s award recognizing the efforts of President Santos to bring a lasting peace to my own nation, I am beyond honored to be asked to perform at the ceremony in Oslo once again this year.”

It’s not the first time Juanes has performed at a Nobel Peace Prize concert: The “Fuego” singer performed in 2005 and 2007 for laureates Mohamed ElBaradei and Al Gore.

“Juanes is an old and dear friend to the Nobel Peace Prize Concert, and we are delighted that he will be back on stage this year,” said Olav Njølstad, director of Norway’s The Nobel Institute. “Besides being a brilliant musician he is devoted to charitable work and a strong supporter of the peace process in his home country Colombia. Together with his fabulous band and dancers Juanes will certainly ignite the audience and inject a lot of positive energy into the concert.”

This year’s honorees include Colombia’s president Juan Manuel Santos and Bob Dylan — who became the first musician to earn the Nobel Prize in literature.

Louis C.K. to Appear on TBS’ “Conan” Show in New York

Posted on October 25, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Louis C.K. is joining Conan O’Brien in the Big Apple…

The 49-year-old Mexican American comedian/actor is booked for TBS late-night show Conan’s first trip to New York City since 2011.

Louis C.K. joins a guest roster that includes Tracy Morgan and Ryan Reynolds.

The week of shows airing October 31-November 3 also includes comedian Rory Scovel and rap group the Sugarhill Gang. Taped at Harlem’s Apollo Theater, the week of episodes will kick off Conan’s seventh year on TBS.

Here is the preliminary schedule for Conan in NYC, with additional guests and musical performances to be announced soon:

Monday, Oct. 31: Musical guest The Sugarhill Gang
Tuesday, Nov. 1: Louis C.K.
Wednesday, Nov. 2: Ryan Reynolds and Rory Scovel
Thursday, Nov. 3: Tracy Morgan

In addition to the nightly shows, Team Coco will be live-streaming on Instagram and Snapchat every day from inside the Apollo Theater, providing a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the shows.

Conan in NYC marks the show’s sixth out-of-the-studio trip in the past 18 months and its second excursion to New York.

Previous trips have taken O’Brien overseas to South Korea, Armenia and the U.S. Air Force Base in Doha, Qatar, where he was accompanied by First Lady Michelle Obama.

In spring 2015, O’Brien made headlines as the first American late-night host to shoot in Cuba in more than 50 years. Across its eight seasons on TBS, the Los Angeles-based Conan has broadcast from Chicago, Dallas, Atlanta and, for the past two years, San Diego during Comic-Con International.

Leto Wins Best On-Screen Transformation at the MTV Movie Awards

Posted on April 14, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Jared Leto is the ultimate transformer…

The 42-year-old part-Spanish actor/singer took home the prize for Best On-Screen Transformation at the 2014 MTV Movie Awards, which were handed out Sunday at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles.

Leto won the award for his gender-bending performance in Dallas Buyers Club, a role for which he also earned an Oscar earlier this year.

“The Academy is really prestigious but this is unique because everybody has the right to vote and you get people from all over the world that chime in and say whatever you want to say so it means a lot,” said Leto backstage of his win. “It’s nice to be able to get up on stage and to thank people directly.”

Earlier this year, Leto offered insight into his critically-acclaimed role in “Making Rayon Real,” a featurette about the character Rayon, a male-to-female transgender character addicted to drugs and dying of AIDS.

But Leto wasn’t the only Latino to win an award…

Howie Dorough and his Backstreet Boys band mates, as well as Jay Baruchel, Seth Rogen and Craig Robinson, won the Best Musical Moment for their performance in This is the End.

In the scene, the 40-year-old half-Puerto Rican boy-bander and his Backstreet Boys reunite in heaven to perform “Everybody” with signature boy band moves and flair for this unforgettable apocalyptic ending.

Conan O’Brien hosted the event, which aired live on MTV.

Here’s the complete this of winners, as voted by fans:

MOVIE OF THE YEAR
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

BEST FIGHT 
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug – Orlando Bloom and Evangeline Lilly vs. Orcs

BEST FEMALE PERFORMANCE 
Jennifer Lawrence – The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

BEST MALE PERFORMANCE 
Josh Hutcherson – The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

BEST KISS
Emma Roberts, Jennifer Aniston and Will Poulter – We’re the Millers

BEST SHIRTLESS PERFORMANCE
Zac Efron – That Awkward Moment

BEST VILLAIN
Mila Kunis – Oz The Great and Powerful

BEST COMEDIC PERFORMANCE
Jonah Hill – The Wolf of Wall Street

BEST ON-SCREEN TRANSFORMATION
Jared Leto – Dallas Buyers Club

BREAKTHROUGH PERFORMANCE 
Will Poulter – We’re the Millers

BEST SCARED-AS-S**T PERFORMANCE 
Brad Pitt – World War Z

BEST ON-SCREEN DUO
Vin Diesel and Paul Walker – Fast & Furious 6

#WTF MOMENT 
Leonardo DiCaprio – The Wolf of Wall Street
Leonardo DiCaprio’s iconic portrayal of excessive Wall Street player Jordan Belfort takes a turn for the insane when he takes his Lamborghini for a spin.

BEST MUSICAL MOMENT 
Backstreet Boys, Jay Baruchel, Seth Rogen and Craig Robinson –This is the End
Spoiler alert! Backstreet Boys reunite in heaven to perform “Everybody” with signature boy band moves and flair for this unforgettable apocalyptic ending

BEST CAMEO PERFORMANCE 
Rihanna – This is the End

BEST HERO 
Henry Cavill as Clark Kent –Man of Steel

Louis C.K. Releases His Film Directorial Debut “Tomorrow Night”

Posted on January 30, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Louis C.K. is offering his fans a blast from his filmmaking past…

The 46-year-old Mexican American comedian and actor has just released his feature film directorial debut Tomorrow Night online, some sixteen years after its Sundance Film Festival premiere.

Louis C.K. wrote and directed the black and white 16mm dark comedy, about a photo shop owner obsessed with ice cream, and took it to festivals back in 1998.

But according to C.K., distributors didn’t step up to the plate and the movie sat fading into obscurity in his storage locker.

That’s all changed now though…

Louis C.K. has made Tomorrow Night available for download for $5. The film stars comedians Robert Smigel, Chuck Sklar, Rick Shapiro, Heather Morgan, Nick Diapolo, and Joseph Dolphin and features a number of future comedy stars in small roles including Amy Poehler, J.B. Smoove, Steve Carell, Wanda Sykes, and Conan O’Brien.

Louis C.K. recently hit the promo circuit and stopped by The Daily Show with friend Jon Stewart, who lent Louis C.K. money to make the movie years ago as did Chris Rock, Denis Leary, Spike Feresten and Brett Butler.

He also notably put out his 2011 comedy special Live at the Beacon Theater on his own website for $5 a pop, trusting fans not to pirate it, and took in $1M with the self-release strategy.

Lovato Performs Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas” for the Obamas

Posted on December 22, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

Demi Lovato isn’t afraid to tackle Mariah Carey’s music this holiday season…

During TNT‘s Christmas in Washington special, which aired Friday night, the 20-year-old part-Mexican singer/actress and The X Factor judge performed Carey’s classic “All I Want for Christmas” with President Obama and the First Family in the front row.

Late-night talk show host Conan O’Brien served as host of the telecast, which was taped in Washington D.C.’s National Building Museum.

Additional performers included former American Idol winner Scotty McCreery, who recently released an album of holiday music, as well as Smash star Megan Hilty and former The Voice finalist Chris Mann.

Lovato to Perform on TNT’s “Christmas in Washington” Special

Posted on November 29, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

Demi Lovato will be spending Christmas in our nation’s capital…

The 20-year-old half-Mexican singer and The X Factor judge, who will be performing in VH1’s annual Divas concert, will headline the annual Christmas in Washington special airing December 21 on TNT, along with “Gangnam Style” sensation PSY and the Supreme Diana Ross.

Late-night talk show host Conan O’Brien will host the telecast, which will be taped in Washington D.C.’s National Building Museum, for the second consecutive year.

Additional performers include former American Idol winner Scotty McCreery, who recently released an album of holiday music, as well as Smash star Megan Hilty and former The Voice finalist Chris Mann.

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama will attend.

This is the 14th year TNT will be broadcasting Christmas in Washington to benefit the Children’s National Medical Center.

Lopez Vows to Return to Television…

Posted on October 18, 2011 by Tom Castaneda

George Lopez could be heading back to television in the near future…

The Mexican American stand-up comedian/actor, who was recently named Carnival Cruises’ “curator of comedy,” is determined to launch a brand new family-oriented sitcom where he’d star as the father and husband.

It may sound similar to “George Lopez,” the Imagen Award-winning syndicated TV series that aired on ABC from 2002 to 2007 and made the 50-year-old Lopez a household name. But he tells The Associated Press the yet-to-titled show “will be the opposite” of that history-making sitcom, which featured a nearly all-Latino cast.

Lopez, who often parodies his Mexican heritage and upbringing, says the new show, which he hopes to get on the air by next fall, won’t include a grandmother figure—like the one he verbally sparred with on “George Lopez.”

But that’s not all… Lopez plans to star in his third live HBO stand-up special next year. His last special, “Tall, Dark, & Chicano,” aired in 2009.

The exciting news comes just two months after TBS cancelled his groundbreaking late-night show “Lopez Tonight,” after viewership declined heavily in its second year. Lopez, who credits the drop to losing his 11 p.m. ET time slot to Conan O’Brien, said it’s unfortunate his show was axed because there aren’t many minority hosts on late-night television.

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