Open Thread

Variety reports: U.K. Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries has sharply criticized detractors of her plan to sell broadcaster Channel 4. The plan was decried by several leading media industry unions and filmmakers. In a strongly worded column in The Mail on Sunday, Dorries wrote that the reaction to her plan was “as predictable as it was inflammatory.” “Let’s dump the lazy, …

Variety reports: As the box office opens two films featuring high-octane speedsters this weekend, one has emerged a clear victor. Paramount’s “Sonic the Hedgehog 2” looks to top the charts this weekend with an impressive opening in the neighborhood of $67 million to $69 million, while Universal’s R-rated actioner “Ambulance” will likely fail to clear double digits. “Sonic” unleashed on …

Variety reports: “Dancing With the Stars” is moving to Disney Plus after airing for 30 seasons airing on ABC, Variety has confirmed. The show has received a two-season renewal at the Disney-owned streaming service for Seasons 31 and 32, with the new season to debut in the fall. “DWTS” will be the first live series to stream on Disney Plus. …

Deadline Hollywood reports: The Walt Disney Co. initially took heat for not taking a public position on Florida’s so-called “don’t say gay” bill — and now they are under fire for doing just that. Others studios, though, have largely steered clear of the furor in the Sunshine State. NBCUniversal, with its rival theme park presence in Orlando, has had no …

Deadline reports: Attorney General Merrick Garland is the latest attendee of last week’s Gridiron Dinner to test positive for Covid-19, in what may be an outbreak at a D.C. A-list gathering that draws cabinet members, media personalities and Capitol Hill lawmakers. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, who spoke at the event, and Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) and Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-TX) …

Variety reports: Bobby Rydell, the epitome of the early ’60s “teen idol,” who parlayed that fame into a starring role opposite Ann-Margret in the 1963 film “Bye Bye Birdie,” died today at age 79. The cause of death was pneumonia. Rydell’s fame as the epitome of an American teen pop star in the days just prior to rock’s British Invasion …

Variety reports: Lady Gaga took the stage at the 64th annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, performing “Love for Sale” and “Do I Love You” from her album “Love for Sale,” which she recorded with long-time friend and duet partner Tony Bennett. Bennett offered a videotaped introduction for his duet partner, offering a simple and sincere, “Hi everyone, please welcome Lady …

Variety reports: Estelle Harris, who memorably played George’s mother Estelle Costanza on “Seinfeld” and was the indelible voice of Mrs. Potato Head in the “Toy Story” franchise, died on April 2 of natural causes at 93 years old, her representative Michael Eisenstadt confirmed to Variety. Harris was best known for her distinctive voice and comedic timing, forever cemented by her …

Deadline Hollywood reports: Apple TV+ has revealed a glimpse of its highly-anticipated natural history series Prehistoric Planet ahead of its premiere on May 23. The week-long event, with one episode being released per day, will transport viewers 66 million years in the past to discover our world, including roaming dinosaurs and other inhabitants of ancient earth. The creative team behind …

Variety reports: Comedian Jerrod Carmichael — who is hosting “Saturday Night Live” on April 2 — has officially come out in his new HBO special, which premieres Friday night. “Rothaniel,” which was taped in February at the Blue Note Jazz Club in New York City, weaves stories of Carmichael’s family history in with his own coming out process. At times …

The Daily Mail reports: Alison Moyet was made an MBE by Anne, Princess Royal at Windsor Castle on Wednesday. The singer, 60, real name Geneviève Ballard, cut a stylish figure as she posed for pictures while holding her red lapel pin. It was announced Alison would receive an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours last year. She has now joined …

Variety reports: The Targaryens are returning to HBO. “House of the Dragon,” HBO’s first spin-off series of its record-breaking juggernaut “Game of Thrones,” will premiere on Aug. 21, the network announced Wednesday. HBO also revealed a new poster for the series and additional images from the show. Set two centuries before the events of “Game of Thrones,” the ten-episode prequel …

Deadline Hollywood reports: Elliot Page’s character Vanya Hargreeves will come out as transgender in the upcoming third season of Netflix’s The Umbrella Academy, and will be known as Viktor Hargreeves, Page revealed Tuesday on Twitter. “Meet Viktor Hargreeves,” Page wrote, along with a first-look photo. Based on the comic book series by Gerard Way, The Umbrella Academy revolves around a …

Variety reports: The organization behind the annual film awards show initially said it condemned violence without mentioning Smith by name, but now it is making its displeasure over the incident more explicit. “The Academy condemns the actions of Mr. Smith at last night’s show,” a spokesperson for the organization said. “We have officially started a formal review around the incident …

Variety reports: Lin-Manuel Miranda will not be present at the Academy Awards on Sunday evening. The creative composer has elected against attending the Oscars ceremony at the Dolby Theater “out of caution” after learning that his wife, Vanessa Nadal, has recently tested positive for COVID-19. The situation comes on the precipice of a potentially historic night for Miranda. The composer …

Deadline Hollywood reports: Diana the Musical, the much-mocked telling of the life story of Diana, Princess of Wales, has swept the board at this year’s Razzie Awards. The stage show, of which a filmed version was shown on Netflix, won five awards at this year’s Golden Raspberries, including worst picture, worst actress for Jeanna de Waal in the title role, …

Deadline Hollywood reports: JK Rowling responded to Vladimir Putin’s TV broadcast today in which the Russian president defended her as a victim of cancel culture and claimed the West was attempting to cancel his country. On Twitter, the Harry Potter author posted the below message in which she tried to distance herself from Putin, adding the hashtag #IStandWithUkraine. During a …

Variety reports: “The Batman” director Matt Reeves released a deleted scene from his superhero epic on Thursday featuring Robert Pattinson’s Caped Crusader facing off against his classic nemesis, the Joker, played by Barry Keoghan. The scene is available after visiting a website that mimics the word puzzles posed by the Riddler (Paul Dano) in the movie. As Reeves explained to …

People Magazine reports: Raven-Symoné and her Raven’s Home costars are protesting Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill. On Tuesday, the cast walked off the set of the popular Disney Channel series in response to the recently passed bill (HB 1557), which prohibits discussion about sexual orientation and gender identity in primary school classrooms. In a video shared on Instagram, Symoné, standing …

Deadline Hollywood reports: CBS will try again to launch a successful dating show by ordering to series The Real Love Boat, a reality competition series that’s inspired by the classic ’70s series that took place on Princess Cruises ships. The U.S. network and Australian Broadcaster Network 10 will jointly commission localized versions of the show that will bring “singles together …