ABC Sets Premiere Date for New Season of “The View,” with Sunny Hostin, for September 3

Posted on August 28, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Sunny Hostin is preparing for her daytime television return…

ABC has set the premiere date of Season 28 of The View, featuring the 55-year-old half-Puerto Rican lawyer, journalist, author and television personality as a co-host, for Tuesday, September 3 at 11:00 am ET. 10:00 am PT/CT.

Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar, Ana Navarro, Sara Haines and Alyssa Farah Griffin will return alongside Hostin to debate the “Hot Topics” of the day.

ABC released a preview for the new season and teased the “big move” they announced earlier this month, as the show will have a studio in downtown Manhattan.

“The View’s on the move into a new big season on ABC,” says a promo for the show’s new season. “And get this, moving into a fabulous new home and studio too.”

Goldberg appears and says, “Y’all know we’re moving, right?”

The co-hosts start appearing with moving boxes, and Hostin says, “We’re moving downtown to the hottest new studio to match our hot topics.”

Navarro appears in the preview carrying a box with her dog Cha-Cha inside.

In full Behar mode, the longtime co-host says she will not be carrying the boxes in the teaser, adding, “Let Alyssa do it.”

Griffin shows up carrying two stacked boxes and says, “Sure! I’m used to heavy lifting; I’m a Republican on The View.”

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.

New Trailer Released for “The Color Purple,” Starring Colman Domingo

Posted on December 11, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Colman Domingo is under a purple haze…

Warner Bros. has released a new look at its upcoming Broadway musical adaptation of The Color People, starring the 54-year-old Belizean-Guatemalan American actor and social justice activist.

In addition to Domingo, who portrays Albert “Mister” Johnson, the musical film also stars Fantasia Barrino, Danielle Brooks, Taraji P. Henson, Corey Hawkins, H.E.R., Halle Bailey and Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor.

Directed by Blitz Bazawule, the film will open in theaters on December 25. Marcus Gardley, Alice Walker and Marsha Norman penned the screenplay.

The film is based on the Tony-winning musical from Norman, Brenda Lee, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray, which was based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning book by Alice Walker. It comes on the heels of a classic 1985 film adaptation from director Steven Spielberg and centers on Celie, a Black Southern woman who struggles to find her identity after suffering abuse from her father and others over the course of forty years.

The original Broadway musical debuted in 2005, scoring 11 Tony Award nominations in 2006 and Best Performance by an actress in a leading role for award for LaChanze in her role as Celie. The 2015 revival garnered four more Tony nominations and won for Best Revival of a Musical for Cynthia Erivo in her Broadway debut. The musical has also won Grammy and Emmy awards.

Spielberg directed and produced the 1985 adaptation of the Alice Walker novel, which received 11-time Oscar-nominations. The film scored Oprah Winfrey a Supporting Actress Oscar nomination, and Leading Actress Oscar nomination and Golden Globe Award for Whoopi Goldberg.

The Color Purple (2023) producers include Spielberg, Winfrey, Scott Sanders and Quincy Jones with executive producers Walker and Rebecca Walker.

Bleecker Street Acquires U.S. Distribution Rights to Bobby Cannavale’s Family Dramedy “Ezra”

Posted on November 7, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Bobby Cannavale’s latest project is headed to a U.S. theater near you…

Bleecker Street has acquired the U.S. rights to Ezra, the starry family dramedy starring the 53-year-old half-Cuban American Emmy-winning actor.

Hailing from actor-turned-director Tony Goldwyn, the film is coming off of its world premiere in the Special Presentations section of the Toronto Film Festival.

Starring Cannavale, Rose Byrne, Robert De Niro and newcomer William A. Fitzgerald, the film is slated for release in theaters in 2024.

Also starring Vera Farmiga, Rainn Wilson and Whoopi Goldberg, Ezra follows Max Brandel (Cannavale), a once successful late-night comedy writer turned less-successful stand-up comedian, who struggles through the failure of his career and marriage. After moving in with his father, Stan (De Niro), Max and his ex-wife Jenna (Byrne) remain at odds on how to best raise their autistic son, Ezra (Fitzgerald).

Described by Deadline as “a touching testament to the power of love, acceptance, and the challenges of parenthood,” the film was written by Tony Spiridakis, with William Horberg, Jon Kilik, Goldwyn and Spiridakis producing.

Marc Anthony Receives Humanitarian Award from Fashion Group International

Posted on October 19, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Marc Anthony is Fashion Group International’s humanitarian of the year…

During the organization’s “Night of Stars” at The Plaza Hotel in New York City, the 55-year-old Puerto Rican singer, songwriter, actor and philanthropist received the Humanitarian Award from his friend of 30 years Narciso Rodriguez.

Wearing his signature shades, Anthony was honored for his foundation Maestro Cares, which has helped more than 10,000 children in 13 countries with orphanages, counseling, scholarships and other education-driven programs.

He vowed that as of next year he and his foundation would entrust a scholarship program for the next generation of designers. That will be set up through a partnership with Fashion Group International (FGI).

Acknowledging how every person in the room has a team of people behind them, Anthony said, “They’re not nameless to us. They’re faceless to the world. We can stand up here and accept such an honor, but there are so many people behind us,” he said. “Appreciate those people who made us, who we are, right? On behalf of everyone who has made my life what it is today, I want to thank you. And I want to urge everybody here that is as privileged as I am to wake up and thank them.”

Meanwhile, fashion critic Cathy Horyn handed the Fashion Stars Award to Proenza Schouler’s Lazaro Hernandez, who praised her respected and educated opinion before mentioning the “simple, but brutal” New York Times headline for their second show: “Proenza Schouler Separates in Search of a Collection.”

Explaining that Horyn was right, Hernandez said, “You knew we were better than that even before we knew it ourselves.” Still going strong 20 years later with cofounder Jack McCollough, he thanked Horyn for her honesty and willingness to talk through big ideas season after season, “has made us better designers, more nuanced and mature.”

Other honorees included Whoopi Goldberg, who received the American Icon Award; Dennis Basso, the Lifetime Achievement Award winner; and Antoine Phillips, the Agent of Change Award.

Ana Navarro Returning as Co-Host for Upcoming 27th Season of ABC’s “The View”

Posted on August 15, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Ana Navarro isn’t changing her View…

The View will begin its 27th season next month with all of last season’s co-hosts returning, including the 51-year-old Nicaraguan-American political strategist, commentator and television personality.

Navarro became a contributor on the ABC daytime talk show from July 2013 to August 2018. She joined the series as a weekly guest co-host on November 2, 2018, and was named a permanent co-host of The View on August 4, 2022.

She received Daytime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Informative Talk Show Host in 2020 and 2022.

Navarro will be joined moderator Whoopi Goldberg and fellow co-hosts Joy Behar, Afro-Latina lawyer Sunny Hostin, Sara Haines and Alyssa Farah Griffin.

The status quo contrasts to last season, when Navarro and Griffin joined the show as regular co-hosts, after the departure of Meghan McCain in 2021. Past seasons also have seen a number of changes to the regular lineup.

The show, which has ranked top among daytime talk shows, debuted in 1997, and has become a fixture on the circuit for entertainers, politicians and authors, and is expected to focus on the 2024 presidential race in the coming season and the next. Both Joe Biden and Donald Trump have made multiple appearances on the show, but each before they took office.

Navarro previously worked as a Republican political strategist before joining the regular cast of the show. She has been an outspoken critic of Trump.

First Look Photo Released of Bobby Cannavale & Robert De Niro Comedy “Inappropriate Behaviour”

Posted on October 30, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

It’s an inappropriate time for Bobby Cannavale.

Mister Smith Entertainment has released a first look image of new comedy Inappropriate Behaviour, starring the 52-year-old half-Cuban American Emmy-winning actor and Robert De Niro.

Currently in production, the film follows Max Bernal (Cannavale), a once-successful late-night comedy writer turned not-so-successful stand-up comic, who moves in with his father (De Niro), having recently blown up his career and marriage. When he and his ex-wife Jenna (played by Cannavale’s real-life partner, Rose Byrne) find themselves at odds with how to address the needs of their 11-year-old autistic son Ezra (Fitzgerald), Max decides to kidnap his child and take him on a cross-country odyssey.

Directed by Tony Goldwyn, the film also stars Vera Farmiga, Rainn Wilson and Whoopi Goldberg.

Tony Spiridakis wrote the screenplay.

“We are thrilled with the response we’ve seen to this remarkable, heartwarming story from our international partners so far and excited to collaborate with them to bring Inappropriate Behavior to audiences around the world,” says Mister Smith Entertainment’s founder and CEO David Garrett.

Signature Entertainment Acquires UK/Irish Rights to Bobby Cannavale’s Road-Trip Comedy “Inappropriate Behavior”

Posted on October 8, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Bobby Cannavale’s inappropriate project will be headed to the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Signature Entertainment has acquired UK and Irish rights to the 52-year-old’s road-trip comedy Inappropriate Behavior from Mister Smith Entertainment.

The film also stars Rose Byrne, Robert De Niro, Vera Farmiga, Rainn Wilson, Whoopi Goldberg and William Fitzgerald.

Inappropriate Behavior, which is currently in production, follows Max Bernal (Cannavale), a once-successful late-night comedy writer turned not-so-successful stand-up comic, who moves in with his father (De Niro), having recently blown up his career and marriage. When he and his ex-wife Jenna (played by Cannavale’s real-life partner, Byrne) find themselves at odds with how to address the needs of their 11-year-old autistic son Ezra (Fitzgerald), Max decides to kidnap his child and take him on a cross-country odyssey.

The comedy is directed by Tony Goldwyn from a Tony Spiridakis screenplay.

The deal was negotiated between Signature Entertainment’s Director of Acquisitions and Development, Elizabeth Williams, and Mister Smith CEO David Garrett.

Signature plan to release the film in 2023.

Williams said: “Inappropriate Behavior completely charmed us when we read the script and we cannot wait to see it brought to life, especially with such a stellar cast. Audiences are going to love the smart comedy and heart-warming moments throughout. We look forward to releasing this feel-good film in the UK & Ireland next year.”

Garrett added: “We are delighted to have Signature as our UK partner on this film. It is a story which combines both heart and humour and has a stellar cast which will bring out the very best from the writing.”

Bobby Cannavale to Star in Tony Goldwyn’s Feature “Inappropriate Behavior”

Posted on September 15, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Bobby Cannavale is cashing in on his behavior…

The 52-year-old half-Cuban American Emmy-winning actor has joined the all-star cast of Tony Goldwyn’s feature Inappropriate Behavior.

Cannavale will star alongside Robert De Niro, Rose Byrne, Vera Farmiga, Rainn Wilson, Whoopi Goldberg and William Fitzgerald in the film.

The film, in which Goldwyn also appears, follows Max Bernal (Cannavale), a formerly successful late-night comedy writer turned not-so-successful stand-up comic, and his brilliant, complicated 11-year-old son Ezra (Fitzgerald), who is autistic. Having recently blown up both his career and his marriage, Max is now living with his father, Stan (De Niro). Max, profoundly at odds with his ex-wife Jenna (Byrne) about how to address their son’s needs, decides to kidnap Ezra and take him on a cross-country odyssey, with hilariously disastrous results.

Tony Spiridakis scripted the film, going into production this month, which is being co-financed and produced by Closer Media and Wayfarer Studios, as the former company’s first feature.

“Tony Spiridakis is a spectrum father, and he wrote a script whose lived-in truth, humor and grace are evident on every page,” said Closer Media. “Tony Goldwyn has always been drawn to great material, as an actor, producer and filmmaker, going all the way back to our days working together on Ghost at Paramount. Seeing this story that celebrates neurodivergence come together with this amazing cast and team makes us feel incredibly fortunate and thrilled to be making this as our first film at Closer Media.”

“After hearing the initial idea, Wayfarer Studios felt strongly connected to it,” added Wayfarer Studios’ President, Jamey Heath. “We have a duty to ensure everyone feels they are represented in storytelling, and this unique story showcases those who are differently abled. These stories are crucial to the growth and acceptance of all people and having the opportunity to reach global audiences with this film speaks to our core mission, and we are incredibly proud to partner with Closer Media, who share our same vision.”

ABC’s “The View” Officially Names Ana Navarro a Permanent Co-Host

Posted on August 4, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Ana Navarro is making things permanent…

The 50-year-old Nicaraguan political strategist and commentator has been named as a permanent co-host on the ABC’s daytime talk show The View, alongside fellow new co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin.

Navarro, who has been a contributor to the show since 2015 and a guest co-host since 2018, will now become a permanent co-host. Navarro will continue to commute from Coral Gables, FL.

Farah Griffin will fill the conservative seat on the Hot Topics table.

With the additions, The View panel will now consist of six seats.

Co-host Whoopi Goldberg called the announcement of Navarro as a co-host “long overdue.”

Navarro called it a “huge, enormous” privilege to be “part of a 25 year institution,” and “whether people like it or not, whether some people acknowledge it or not, it is the relevance and the importance and the platform that The View represents.”

She talked of emigrating from Nicaragua as a political refugee when she was 8 years old, and said that when someone with that background “gets the opportunity and the chance to have a platform, you grab it with both hands and you run with it.”

Executive producer Brian Teta told ABC News that “we promised to take a little time to fill the seat and we have found the right match and a welcome addition to the show with Alyssa. She is willing to share her unique political experience and brings a strong conservative perspective while holding her own in tough debates with her co-hosts and guests on both sides of the aisle.”

Navarro, Teta said, “is a strong independent thinker with savvy insight, not to mention that she is whip-smart and fiercely funny. We are very happy to officially welcome her as a co-host.”

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