Selena Gomez Among Talent Named as Presenters for Upcoming Primetime Emmy Awards

Posted on September 9, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Selena Gomez has a date with Emmy…

The Television Academy and ABC have announced the talent lineup slated to appear on the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards hosted by Eugene Levy and Dan Levy, with the 32-year-old Mexican American signer/songwriter and actress making the list.

Others on the lengthy roster include Gael Garcia Bernal, John Leguizamo, Diego Luna, Taylor Zakhar Perez, Martin Sheen, Jimmy Smits and George Lopez..

The 76th Emmy Awards, produced by Jesse Collins Entertainment, will broadcast live on ABC Sunday, September 15, 8:00 pm ET/5:00 pm PT from the Peacock Theater at L.A.

Here’s the talent list so far:

Christine Baranski — Nominee, Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Drama Series
Kathy Bates
Meredith Baxter
Candice Bergen
Gael Garcia Bernal
Matt Bomer — Nominee, Outstanding Actor In A Limited or Anthology Series or Movie
Zach Braff
Connie Britton
Nicola Coughlan
Billy Crystal
Viola Davis
Giancarlo Esposito
Colin Farrell
Jesse Tyler Ferguson
Lily Gladstone — Nominee, Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie
Selena Gomez — Nominee, Outstanding Actress In A Comedy Series
Dulé Hill
Ron Howard
Brendan Hunt
Joshua Jackson
Allison Janney
Don Johnson
Mindy Kaling
Jimmy Kimmel — Nominee, Outstanding Talk Series, Outstanding Writing For a Variety Special, Outstanding Variety Special Live (Winner)
Padma Lakshmi
Greta Lee — Nominee, Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Drama Series
John Leguizamo
George Lopez
Diego Luna
Jane Lynch — Nominee, Outstanding Host for a Game Show
Steve Martin — Nominee, Outstanding Actor In A Comedy Series
Nava Mau — Nominee, Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Limited Or Anthology Series or Movie
Reba McEntire
Janel Moloney
Ebon Moss-Bachrach — Nominee, Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Comedy Series
Niecy Nash-Betts
Taylor Zakhar Perez
Mekhi Phifer
Melissa Peterman
Da’Vine Joy Randolph — Nominee, Outstanding Guest Actress In A Comedy Series
Sam Richardson
Maya Rudolph
Richard Schiff
Martin Sheen
Martin Short — Nominee, Outstanding Actor In A Comedy Series
Jean Smart — Nominee, Outstanding Actress In A Comedy Series
Jimmy Smits
Antony Starr
Gina Torres
Dick Van Dyke
Susan Kelechi Watson
Damon Wayans
Kristen Wiig — Nominee, Outstanding Actress In A Comedy Series
Henry Winkler
Bowen Yang
Steven Yeun

In addition, there will be special appearances from Olympic gold medalist swimmer Caeleb Dressel and Olympic bronze medal-winning rugby player Ilona Maher.

Jimmy Smits to Take Part in This Year’s Stand Up To Cancer SU2C Fundraising Special

Posted on August 7, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Jimmy Smits is taking a stand (up)…

The 68-year-old half-Puerto Rican actor will take part in this year’s Stand Up To Cancer SU2C fundraising special that’s set to air on Saturday, August 19 at 8:00 pm ET.

In addition to Smits, best known for his roles on L.A. Law, NYPD Blue and The West Wing, other celebrities making a special appearance during the show include Elizabeth Banks, Jessica Biel, Don Cheadle, Katie Couric, Danai Gurira, Tony Hale, Ken Jeong, Maria Menounos, Julianne Moore, Tig Notaro, Eric Stonestreet and Justin Timberlake.

A special montage of comedic skits from past shows will feature Jack Black, Ben Falcone, Zach Galifianakis, Brad Garrett, Bill Hader, Jon Hamm, Kevin Hart, Ed Helms, Melissa McCarthy, and Matthew McConaughey.

The televised special will also feature past musical performances from the likes of Brittany Howard, Simone Ledward Boseman, and The Who.

The one-hour televised celebration entitled “How It Started, How It’s Going” will recognize SU2C’s impact and progress over the last 15 years.

“We started this movement in 2008 to save lives and it is remarkable to see that in 15 years our scientists have accomplished this goal through breakthrough research that intercepts and treats cancer in ways we never thought possible,” said Katie Couric, SU2C co-founder. “There is more work to do to cure cancer and every dollar counts; we will not stop until we make every cancer patient a long-term survivor.”

The biennial special will air simultaneously on more than 50 participating media platforms across the United States and Canada, including all four major broadcast networks in the U.S. Broadcasters carrying the show are donating one hour of simultaneous commercial-free prime time. The telecast will also be available on-demand on several streaming platforms.

“Our telecast is a powerful tribute that demonstrates the importance of standing together to save lives,” said Russell Chew, president and CEO of SU2C. “Everyone plays a critical role in this goal, and we are so grateful for the support of the entertainment community, the broadcast networks, our generous donors, and the incredible researchers who work tirelessly to develop new cancer treatments.” Chew added, “100% of public donations to SU2C support innovative cancer research and vital awareness programs.”

Lana Parrilla to Appear on Season 2 of Netflix’s “The Lincoln Lawyer”

Posted on October 26, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Lana Parrilla is lawyering up…

The 45-year-old half-Puerto Rican actress has joined the cast of Netflix’s hit series The Lincoln Lawyer for Season 2 in a recurring role.

She will play Lisa Trammell, a beloved chef and community advocate struggling to keep her restaurant afloat as a predatory real estate developer threatens the neighborhood around her.

Based on the series of bestselling novels by Michael Connelly, The Lincoln Lawyer follows the redemption of Mickey Haller (Manuel Garcia-Rulfo), a Los Angeles attorney who regains much of what he lost due to addiction with hard work and hustle. His success is also thanks to his devoted supporters: his ex-wives Maggie (Neve Campbell) and Lorna (Becki Newton), his driver and unofficial sponsor Izzy (Jazz Raycole), and the best investigator in town—and Lorna’s newly minted fiancé—Cisco (Angus Sampson).

The 10-episode second season will be based on the fourth book in The Lincoln Lawyer series by Connelly, The Fifth Witness.

Season 2 will be executive-produced by co-showrunners Ted Humphrey and Dailyn Rodriguez; as well as Connelly, David E. Kelley, Ross Fineman, Barry Jossen and Tana Jamieson. The series is produced by A+E Studios for Netflix.

Parrilla is best known for her portrayal of the Evil Queen/Regina Mills in ABC’s Once Upon a Time across the show’s seven seasons. Most recently she starred as Rita Castillo in Marc Cherry’s dark dramedy Why Women Kill. She’s also appeared in various hit shows including Spin City, NYPD Blue, Six Feet Under, 24, Lost and The Shield.

Her film credits include 2000’s Very Mean Men alongside Matthew Modine and Ben Gazzara, as well as 2020’s The Tax Collector opposite Jimmy Smits and George Lopez.

Elizabeth Rodriguez to Star Opposite Jimmy Smits in CBS’ Police Drama Pilot “East New York”

Posted on March 24, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Elizabeth Rodriguez is hittin’ the beat…

The 41-year-old Puerto Rican actress and former Orange is the New Black star will star opposite Jimmy Smits and Amanda Warren in the CBS police drama pilot East New York.

Co-written by William Finkelstein and Mike Flynn and directed by Mike Robin, the project centers on Regina Haywood (Warren), the newly promoted deputy inspector of East New York, an impoverished, working-class neighborhood at the eastern edge of Brooklyn. She leads a diverse group of officers and detectives, some of whom are reluctant to deploy her creative methods of serving and protecting during the midst of social upheaval and the early seeds of gentrification.

Rodriguez will portray Crystal Morales, an intuitive detective who is not easily intimidated. She closely guards her private life, making her an object of endless speculation.

In addition to Warren and Smits, they join previously announced series regulars Ruben Santiago-Hudson, Richard Kind, Lavel Schley and Olivia Luccardi.

Warner Bros. Television is the studio.

Rodriguez played Aleida Diaz on Netflix’s Orange Is the New Black, for which she received three consecutive SAG Awards. She was a series regular on AMC’s Fear the Walking Dead, NBC’s Prime Suspect and Cinemax’s Blanco.

Rodriguez most recently completed a starring role in the feature film Allswell, which she also co-wrote and co-produced.

Jimmy Smits to Star in CBS’ Cop Series Pilot “East New York”

Posted on March 23, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Jimmy Smits is officially on the beat…

The 66-year-old half-Puerto Rican actor and NYPD Blue alum has been cast as the male lead opposite Amanda Warren in CBS’ hourlong cop-series pilot East New York.

Smits will play three-star Chief John Suarez, whose experience, commanding presence and strong moral center helps oversee the melding of communities and the precincts that serve them.

The Emmy-winning actor has a personal connection to the project. Born in Brooklyn, Smits grew up around the East New York section of the borough and went to school there. Additionally, East New York reunites Smits with Finkelstein, with whom he worked on NYPD Blue, and with Robin, who was a director-producer on the Smits-starring series, NYPD Blue and L.A. Law.

Warner Bros. Television is the studio.

Smits, who won an Emmy for L.A. Law, recently was recently seen in the feature adaptation of In the Heights. His series credits also include Sons of Anarchy and Dexter.

Warner Bros. to Release Anthony Ramos’ “In The Heights” on June 11

Posted on March 20, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Anthony Ramos’ moment in the heights to happen a week earlier…

Warner Bros.’ has announced plans to release the Jon M. Chu-directed feature musical In The Heights, starring the 29-year-old Puerto Rican actor/singer on June 11, a week earlier than previously scheduled.

The movie, the feature adaptation of Lin-Manuel Miranda and Quiara Alegría Hudes’ Tony Award-winning musical, recently dropped a new trailer.

In the Heights is set in the titular Latinx community of New York City’s bustling Washington Heights. When the neighborhood’s charismatic local bodega owner, and the film’s humble narrator, finally decides to fulfill his dream of going to the island his parents called home, his departure will change his beloved block forever.

In the Heights stars Ramos, Corey Hawkins, Leslie Grace, Melissa Barrera, Olga Merediz, Daphne Rubin-Vega, Gregory Diaz IV, Stephanie Beatriz, Dascha Polanco and icon Jimmy Smits.

The film was originally scheduled to be released last summer before COVID-19 pushed it to this year.

Juan Pablo Di Pace to Take Part in Project Angel Food’s COVID-19 Emergency Telethon, ‘Lead With Love’

Posted on June 23, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Juan Pablo Di Pace is ready to take your call… all for a great cause.

Project Angel Food will be holding a special telethon this Saturday, June 27, with the 40-year-old Argentinian actor/singer and Fuller House scene-stealer set to man the phones.

The Lead With Love: Project Angel Food Emergency Telethon will air from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm PT on KTLA 5in Los Angeles and stream live on the channel’s website and on the Project Angel Food page.

The goal is to raise $500,000 to support Project Angel Food’s COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund, set up for increased needs due to the coronavirus. In the past two months, the organization has gone from serving 1,600 people a day, to serving 2,000 people a day.

Along with a mix of in-studio and virtual appearances, the telethon will include a live phone bank where callers can talk to celebrity guests, including Di Pace, Jonathan Adams, Joely Fisher, Rachel Lindsay, Peter Porte, Charlie Carver, Lawrence Zarian, Sasha Roiz and Lauren Tom.

Scheduled performers include Annie Lennox, Kristin Chenoweth and Kelly Clarkson, with Eric McCormack, Sheryl Lee Ralph and Jessica Holmes hosting.

Other performers include Cee Lo Green, Deborah Cox and Billy Idol, and the event will include appearances by Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, Elton John, Jamie Lee Curtis, Sharon Stone, Marie Osmond, Zachary Levi, Pauley Perrette, Marianne Williamson, John Goodman, Valerie Bertinelli, Marlee Matlin, Olivia Newton-John, Kelly Osbourne, Margaret Cho, Charo, Danny Trejo, Matt Bomer,Cheryl Tiegs, Tyler Henry, Carson Kressley,Eileen Davidson, Chrissy Metz, Sandra Lee, Lisa Rinna, Harry Hamlin, Jimmy Smits, Victoria Principal, Yvette Nicole Brown, Loni Love, Chaz Dean, Sasha Alexander, Ron Cey and Josh Flagg.

The event is being presented by City National Bank, and executive producer is Brad Bessey. Lisa Foxx will serve as announcer and auctioneer Gabriel Butu will be the money man.

Founded in 1989 during the AIDS crisis, Project Angel Food medically tailored meals to people with life-threatening illnesses, including those who are at high risk for COVID-19.

“This event will blend the best nostalgic elements from the Jerry Lewis Telethon with the modern virtual fundraisers of today,” Project Angel Food executive director Richard Ayoub said in a statement.

Click here for more information on the event and learn how to donate.

NBC Orders Six Additional Scripts of Jimmy Smits’ Legal Drama “Bluff City Law”

Posted on August 10, 2019 by Tom Castaneda

There’s more bluff in Jimmy Smits’ future…

NBC has ordered six additional scripts for its new legal drama Bluff City Law starring the 64-year-old half-Puerto Rican actor.

Bluff City Law, from The Brave creator Dean Georgaris and producer David Janollari, has an initial order for 10 episodes, three less than the standard 13-episode broadcast pickups, as networks continue to tinker with order sizes to accommodate their scheduling needs.

Co-created by Georgaris and Michael Aguilar and written by Georgaris, Bluff City Lawis a character-driven drama that follows the lawyers of an elite Memphis firm that specializes in the most controversial landmark civil rights cases.

Led by legendary lawyer Elijah Strait (Smits) and his brilliant daughter, Sydney Keller (Caitlin McGee), they take on the toughest David-and-Goliath cases while navigating their complicated relationship.

It’s Smits’ return to the legal drama… He previously starred in L.A. Law.

NBC Picks Up Jimmy Smits’ Legal Drama “Bluff City Law” to Series

Posted on May 7, 2019 by Tom Castaneda

Jimmy Smits is Bluffingit all the way back to a television near you…

NBC has picked up to series the Memphis legal drama Bluff City Law, starring the 63-year-old Puerto Rican actor.

The project hails from The Brave creator Dean Georgaris and producer David Janollari;

Co-created by Georgaris and Michael Aguilar and written by Georgaris, Bluff City Law is a character-driven drama, about which you can find more if you visit website, that follows the lawyers of an elite Memphis firm that specializes in the most controversial landmark civil rights cases. Led by legendary lawyer Elijah Strait (Smits) and his brilliant daughter, Sydney Keller (Caitlin McGee), they take on the toughest David-and-Goliath cases while navigating their complicated relationship.

This marks Smits’ return to NBC and the legal drama arena. He has starred in three previous NBC series: legal dramas L.A. Law and Outlaw as well as White Housedrama The West Wing.

Launching a new hit legal drama series has been a priority for NBC. Recent attempts included the Chicago Justice spinoff from the Chicago franchise.

In addition to Smits and McGee, the cast includes Scott Shepherd, Barry Sloane, Michael Luwoye, MaameYaa Boafo, Stony Blydenand Jayne Atkinson.

Georgaris will write and executive produce. Aguliar and Janollari will executive produce.

Bluff City Lawis produced by Universal Televisionin association with David Janollari Entertainment.

Netflix to Premiere Part II of Guardiola’s “The Get Down” in April

Posted on February 26, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

Herizen F. Guardiola is ready to get down all over again…

Netflix has set an April 7 return date for The Get Down Part II, the follow-up to the premiere season of the Baz Luhrmann and Stephen Adly Guirgis hip-hop musical drama starring the 20-year-old half-Cuban American actress.

“Gonna take our music from minor to major league,” says a voice-over on the new clip announcing the return date. Set in the late-1970s South Bronx and focusing on six gifted kids at the forefront of the hip-hop musical revolution, The Get Down premiered last August with six episodes and a cast including Jimmy Smits, Justice Smith, Shameik Moore, Skylan Brooks, Jaden Smith, T.J. Brown Jr. and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II.

Part II is set in 1978, a year after the events of the debut season. With disco reigning supreme, a new, as-yet-unnamed genre is burgeoning, with young lovers Books (Justice Smith) and Mylene (Guardiola) caught up in the “looming cultural revolution,” as Netflix puts it. “Amidst the backdrop of a bankrupt New York City, ruthless gangsters and money-hungry record label bosses, they discover it’s only their creativity and love that will carry them through – and that they’ll sacrifice everything for their music, and each other,” says Netflix.

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