Steve Pond's Blog, page 2037
December 18, 2019
How to Watch the House Vote on Impeachment of President Trump (Video)
The House of Representatives will vote Wednesday on whether or not to impeach President Donald Trump, likely between 1 p.m. PT/4 p.m. ET and 3 p.m. PT/6 p.m. ET.
Watch via NBC News livestream here. The major news networks all plan to air the vote live.
The House will make its decision based on two articles of impeachment, drafted by the House Judiciary Committee last week, which charge Trump with abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. It will hold a vote on each.
Also Read: House Judiciary Committee Approves Articles of Impeachment Against Trump
The voting concludes a months-long impeachment inquiry process into Trump’s dealings with Ukraine, which sought to determine whether he solicited foreign power for his own political gain. But through that process, the White House refused to cooperate with the impeachment inquiry and attempted to block witnesses from testifying, which the House concluded amounted to obstruction of Congress.
“Taken together, the articles charge that President Trump has placed his personal, political interests above our national security, our free and fair elections, and our system of checks and balances. He has engaged in a pattern of misconduct that will continue if left unchecked. Accordingly, President Trump should be impeached and removed from office,” the Judiciary Committee’s 658-page report said.
In a letter sent to Pelosi on Tuesday, Trump continued to assert that he did not do anything wrong and accused House Democrats of an “unprecedented and unconstitutional abuse of power.”
“It is a terrible thing you are doing, but you will have to live with it, not I!” Trump wrote.
Related stories from TheWrap:
Whoopi Goldberg to Meghan McCain During Impeachment Debate: 'Girl, Please Stop Talking'
House Judiciary Committee Approves Articles of Impeachment Against Trump
All 11 ‘Star Wars’ Movies Ranked, From ‘A New Hope’ to ‘Rise of Skywalker’
Disney promised a new “Star Wars” movie every year after it acquired Lucasfilm, and the saga keeps on keeping on with “Episode VIII: The Last Jedi.” But while many would call themselves “Star Wars” fans, even they will admit that the movies in the saga are by no means created equal.
In reverse order, here is a rundown of the best and worst that these films (not counting the cartoons, the Ewok spin-off or the infamous Holiday Special) have to offer.
Fox
11. “Episode I: The Phantom Menace”
We waited 16 years for George Lucas to return to this universe, and what did we get? Trade routes and political intrigue, blood tests for the Force, and perhaps worst of all, Jar Jar Binks. “Menace” isn’t terrible because it’s a kid’s movie; it’s terrible because it’s a terrible kids movie.
Highlight: The light-saber battle between Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson) and Darth Maul (Ray Park) – they’re the two most interesting characters the movie has to offer, so naturally both get killed off before the closing credits roll.
Worst Part: Any utterance of the word “Yippee!” whether by Jar Jar or by pre-pubescent Anakin Skywalker (Jake Lloyd).
Also Read: 'Star Wars': How the First 6 Films Performed at Box Office
Fox
10. “Episode II: Attack of the Clones”
A slight improvement over its predecessor, in the same way that a stubbed toe hurts less than a migraine. This installment introduces a hockey-haired Hayden Christensen as a petulant Anakin, smitten with Senator Amidala (Natalie Portman), despite her noting, “To me, you’ll always be that little boy on Tatooine” upon their reunion. Also, there are clones.
Highlight: The fight between Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) and Jango Fett (Temuera Morrison), which feels like a genuine clash of equals. Close second: Yoda’s lightsaber battle with Count Dooku (Christopher Lee).
Worst Part: Anakin woos his lady in a CG meadow that looks like the set of a toilet paper commercial. (No one can forget the immortal line, “I don’t like sand.”)
Also Read: First Reactions to 'Star Wars: the Last Jedi' Are In: 'I Can't Wait to See It Again'
9. “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story”: Jyn Erso (Felicity Jones) and a rag-tag group of rebels set out to steal the plans for the Death Star to prove that Jyn’s father Galen (Mads Mikkselsen) did indeed booby-trap that thermal port so that one day Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) can blow up the whole mama-jama. This first non-“Episode” movie in the series is less a film than a series of Easter eggs for hardcore fans to find and enjoy; the rest of us wound up less entertained.
Highlight: The climactic battle sequence, spotlighting the extraordinary combat skills of [SPOILER REDACTED], whose proficiency with The Force makes up for [SPOILER REDACTED].
Worst Part: The fact that the film prioritizes plot details over character — especially since the existence of “Episode IV” assures that we already know how this one ends.
Also Read: 'Solo: A Star Wars Story' First Reactions Are In: 'Donald Glover Continues to Be Perfect'
8. “Solo: A Star Wars Story”
Meet young Han (Alden Ehrenreich), who goes AWOL from the Empire and joins up with a band of thieves led by Beckett (Woody Harrelson) on adventures that will bring him face to face with a gambler named Lando Calrissian (Donald Glover), not to mention a friendly Wookiee.
Highlight: It runs a little longer than it should, but there’s a heist on a mountainous, elevated railroad that provides the film with some much-needed adrenaline.
Worst Part: We don’t learn anything about Han or Lando we didn’t already know — but hey, look at that gleaming new Millennium Falcon!
Photo credit: Walt Disney Studios
7. “Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker“
It all leads to this, and “this” is director J.J. Abrams very calculatedly giving the audience what it wants without the artistry to fool us into thinking that he’s doing anything else. The results are like a McDonald’s meal, fulfilling your immediate craving but feeling ultimately unsatisfying.
Highlight: The surprise return of [SPOILER REDACTED] to offer much-needed advice to [SPOILER REDACTED].
Worst Part: A plot twist that undoes what was, to me, one of the best ideas of “The Last Jedi,” all in the name of fan service.
Fox
6. “Episode VI: Return of the Jedi”: Han Solo (Harrison Ford) is unfrozen from carbonite, Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) is briefly enslaved by Jabba the Hutt (and forced to wear the infamous metal bikini), and Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) resists the temptations of the Dark Side and brings his dad, Darth Vader, around to defeat the sinister Emperor Palpatine. If only so much time weren’t spent with those cutesy Ewoks, whose annoying presence presages the juvenile tone of the prequels.
Highlight: The speeder chase through the forests of Endor, one of the most breathtakingly exciting sequences in the entire saga.
Worst Part: The Empire seems a little less threatening when they have such a hard time standing up to a bunch of teddy bears with ropes and pulleys.
Also Read: 24 Actors You Probably Didn't Know Were in 'Star Wars' Movies (Photos)
5. “Episode III: Revenge of the Sith”
Anakin completes his journey toward becoming Darth Vader as the Empire succeeds in its hostile takeover of the Republic. Christensen remains as pouty as ever, but there are moments in “Sith” that support the notion that if Lucas had made just this one prequel rather than three, we wouldn’t think so poorly of his return to this galaxy far, far away.
Highlight: Anakin faces off with Obi-Wan for a final confrontation that leaves that younger man beaten and dismembered. Also, the “unmasking” of Chancellor Palpatine as “The Phantom Menace” by a phalanx of Jedi who are made short work of (including Samuel L. Jackson‘s Mace Windu) by the evil Sith Lord.
Worst Part: A reconstructed Anakin bellows, “Nooooooooo!!!!!” when he awakens in his Darth Vader armor, in a ham-fisted homage to/ripoff of Boris Karloff in James Whale’s “Frankenstein.”
Also Read: What the Hell Is It About 'Star Wars' That Makes Us All Crazy? (Commentary)
Disney
4. “Episode VII: The Force Awakens”
The first of the post-Lucas adventures sees director and co-writer J.J. Abrams connecting some familiar faces from the previous films to a new set of fascinating characters, both good and evil. The film bears more than a few structural resemblances to “A New Hope,” but it’s no less thrilling for its moments of familiarity. If George Lucas cribbed from serials, Errol Flynn and Akira Kurosawa, Abrams pulls ideas from George Lucas.
Highlight: Either when General (formerly Princess) Leia is reunited with Han Solo or when Rey (Daisy Ridley) realizes her destiny.
Worst Part: R2-D2 spends too much of the movie in sleep mode, becoming fully present only at a plot-convenient moment late in the story.
3. “Episode VIII: The Last Jedi”
After Ewoks, a disappointing prequel trilogy, and an entertaining rehash of the original movie, the eighth entry in the franchise brings energy and passion, mixing all the thrills and excitement of the best of these movies with genuine character depth and surprising sacrifices. It’s with “The Last Jedi” that the new-school movies start to come into their own.
Highlight: When [SPOILER] battles [SPOILER] and then [SPOILER] [SPOILER] [SPOILER].
Worst Part: Most of the scenes in which Rose (Kelly Marie Tran) is thrust into the middle of the action for seemingly no reason than to make us love a new character.
20th Century Fox
2. “Episode IV: A New Hope”
Or, to those of us old enough to have seen the film upon its original release in 1977, simply “Star Wars.” Lucas’ original space-spanning saga has become such an iconic American movie that it’s joined the ranks of “The Wizard of Oz” — nearly every moment, camera set-up or line of dialogue has been quoted, referenced or lampooned by another movie over the years.
Highlight: Who can choose? I’m a big fan of Luke and Han manning the turret gun in the Millennium Falcon as Chewbacca evades the Empire’s TIE fighters, but if you prefer the escape from the garbage disposal or Darth Vader’s hands-free strangulation of Admiral Motti (Richard LeParmentier), you’re not wrong either.
Worst Part: Princess Leia’s British accent and Luke’s nasal whining indicate that Lucas hadn’t quite yet pinned down the specifics of these characters.
Also Read: 9 Ways 'Star Wars: The Last Jedi' Could Fix 'The Force Awakens'
Fox
1. “Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back”
Having created these worlds in the previous movie, Lucas (working with screenwriters Lawrence Kasdan and Leigh Brackett and director Irvin Kershner) could let these characters and their relationships grow richer and more interesting, while simultaneously ratcheting up the stakes and the excitement. Here’s a sequel that enhances its predecessor rather than attempting simply to re-create it.
Highlight: Again, so much to choose from, whether it’s the AT-AT walkers on Hoth, Han Solo’s evasion of the Imperial fleet via an asteroid field or Luke’s apprenticeship under Jedi Master Yoda (voiced by Frank Oz).
Worst Part: I was 13 years old in 1980, and that cliffhanger ending — with the knowledge that the next sequel was a full three years away — really stung. (Not to mention that guy carrying an ice cream maker during the evacuation of Bespin.)
Related stories from TheWrap:
First Reactions to 'Star Wars: the Last Jedi' Are In: 'I Can't Wait to See It Again'
30 Actors You Probably Didn't Know Were in 'Star Wars' Movies (Photos)
What the Hell Is It About 'Star Wars' That Makes Us All Crazy? (Commentary)
JJ Abrams Reveals Why He Really Returned to Direct 'Star Wars Episode IX'
Carrie Fisher's Beloved Dog, Gary, Will Appear in 'Star Wars: The Last Jedi' (Photo)
‘Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker’ Film Review: Final Chapter Delivers the Goods, But It’s Slick and a Little Soulless
As assured, calculated and predictable as a railroad timetable, “Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker” brings the trilogy of trilogies into the station with precision, hitting moments of grandeur and betrayal with brutal efficacy in a galaxy far, far away.
For many audiences — “Star Wars” devotees and dilettantes alike — director J.J. Abrams’ singular devotion to delivering unto them exactly what they came for will be enough. Alliances are forged and betrayed, planets are destroyed and destinies are fulfilled, all set to the irresistible sweep of John Williams’ legendary score.
But like the saga’s many acolytes who struggle to meet the expectations of their teachers, Abrams never quite manages the alchemy of his own mentor, maestro of manipulation Steven Spielberg. In Spielberg’s best work, even when we know exactly what’s coming, or when we in the audience know we’re being played, there’s still a delight in having our buttons pushed so masterfully.
Watch Video: 'Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker' Trailer - Rey and Kylo Ren's Final Battle Begins
Abrams certainly knows how to manipulate, but when he does it, you can see the strings. How much or little you enjoy “The Rise of Skywalker” will rely almost entirely on whether or not you mind that every laugh and tear and jolt feels like it’s coming right off a spreadsheet.
It has become forbidden for reviews to discuss the plot of films like this in any detail, so suffice it to say that an ancient evil resurfaces, forcing rebel leaders Rey (Daisy Ridley), Finn (John Boyega) and Poe (Oscar Isaac) to do a lot of going to The Place to get The Thing so they can fight The Guy. Along the way, Rey will continue to grapple with Kylo Ren (Adam Driver), the guy she literally can’t get out of her head.
Fans will be relieved to know that there’s no new Death Star this time around, but Rey is still seeking her place in the universe, even as she’s pulled toward both the light and the dark, much in the same way as her father figure Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) was in the middle trilogy. And since the ninth chapter of a nine-chapter story isn’t unlike the series finale of a TV show, many of the franchise’s venerable players pop up for one last goodbye before they head over to the cast party.
Abrams and co-writer Chris Terrio introduce some new characters — including Keri Russell as a woman from Poe’s criminal past and Naomi Ackie (Hulu’s “The Bisexual”) as a freedom fighter — as well as a new droid, but for all their actual involvement in the story, they seem to be there mostly for the action figures and to seed new storylines in future movies. (We probably won’t see Richard E. Grant again as one of Kylo Ren’s generals, but it’s his most satisfying villain since his wild turn in the underrated “Hudson Hawk.”)
The screenplay also undoes what was, for me, one of the best ideas of “The Last Jedi,” in what would appear to be a pandering piece of fan service — although in this movie, it’s hardly alone in that regard.
Watch Video: 'Star Wars': Josh Gad Enlists 'The Mandalorian' Cast, Celebrities to Pry Plot Secrets From Daisy Ridley
“The Rise of Skywalker” is, without a doubt, a well-oiled machine, zipping us from deserts to cliffs to the most wave-tossed ocean you’ve ever seen without a single green-screen seam showing. I don’t want to know how much or how little of the late Carrie Fisher’s appearance as General Leia Organa was actually filmed by the actress – I assume it’s mostly post-production wizardry – but the character manages to remain just outside of the uncanny valley. It’s probably more an indication of the script than of the talented players that two of the movie’s most moving moments belong to Chewbacca (Joonas Suotamo) and C-3PO (Anthony Daniels).
Rest assured that there’s nothing in this final “Star Wars” that would prompt the eye-rolls or the snickers of Episodes I-III; Abrams is too savvy a studio player for those kinds of shenanigans. But his slick delivery of a sterling, shiny example of what Martin Scorsese would call “not cinema” feels momentarily satisfying but ultimately unfulfilling. It’s a somewhat soulless delivery system of catharsis, but Disney and Abrams are banking on the delivery itself to be enough.
Related stories from TheWrap:
Will Baby Yoda Be in 'Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker'?
Palpatine Engages Kylo Ren in New 'Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker' Clip (Video)
'Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker': Disney Warns Movie Theaters of Epilepsy Risks
Disney Screens 'Rise of Skywalker' Early for Dying 'Star Wars' Fan
December 17, 2019
‘Cats': How Jennifer Hudson’s ‘Memory’ Compares to Broadway’s Best (Video)
Jennifer Hudson performed “Memory” from the upcoming “Cats” film on the finale of “The Voice” Tuesday night, but how does her version compare to Broadway’s best?
No one can question Hudson’s power — she won an Oscar in part to her rousing rendition of “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going” from 2006’s “Dreamgirls.”
The version she performed on Tuesday is abridged, so we’ll have to wait until Dec. 20 to compare it to the big-screen version.
Here are the Top 10 performances of “Memory” from “Cats”:
Viral sensation Susan Boyle returned to the show that made her famous — “Britain’s Got Talent” — to perform once again. She rushes through the phrasing of the climax and drops a few notes, but this isn’t bad for a reality TV contestant.
Like Boyle, Leona Lewis rose to fame on a British reality TV competition — winning “The X-Factor” in 2006. She’s a bit shaky at the start and her vocal power is noticeably a notch below those ahead of her on this list, but this is still a beautiful performance. She definitely lives up to Grizabella’s “Glamour Cat” moniker.
The third reality TV show contestant on our list (she appeared on the WB series “Popstars” before becoming prancing around as a Pussycat Doll), Nicole Scherzinger may surprise you with her sensitive rendition. It’s by no means flawless, but her commitment is admirable.
The pop superstar recorded this version in 1987 when she was still a teenager. Celine reportedly didn’t even know English at the time, which makes this performance even more remarkable. It’s a little heavy on the hysterics and full of riffs, but that’s signature Celine.
Salonga, who is best known for her roles in “Miss Saigon,” “Les Miserables,” and the singing voice of Mulan in the Disney animated film, may seem too sweet for this song. But she’s a vocal powerhouse and technically nearly pitch-perfect.
What’s most impressive about this performance — aside from the great vocal and acting — is that Parris performed this during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade outside in cold temperatures.
The “American Idol”-alum turned Oscar-winner has unquestionable power and richness. She plays with the phrasing to draw out the emotion in each note.
Headley, who won the Best Actress Tony in 2000 for her performance in “Aida,” shows incredible range, from the smokey low notes to the control in the climax.
Many “Cats” purists debate who is the best among the Top 2. Paige delivers a riveting performance, filled with emotion and vulnerability. Pay close attention to her eyes. Another fun fact, Susan Boyle said Paige was her musical inspiration.
This is not only the best performance of “Memory,” it’s one of the best performances at the Tony Awards ever. You might want to turn your volume down because you’ll be blown away by her power. Her Grizabella is almost regal.
Related stories from TheWrap:
Taylor Swift Releases Original Song From 'Cats' With Andrew Lloyd Webber (Video)
Stephen Colbert Can’t Listen to Trump Brag About His Election Win Anymore (Video)
On the eve of the House of Representative’s impeachment vote, President Donald Trump sent a scathing letter to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi. In it, Trump called the impeachment process an “illegal partisan attempted coup” and continued to deny any wrongdoing with his dealings with Ukraine. Trump also accused Pelosi and Democrats of trying to overturn the will of the American people, once again referencing his 2016 electoral college win. And Stephen Colbert can’t take it anymore.
Colbert read from Trump’s letter on Tuesday night, which he prefaced as “a disorienting mishmash of dry legal languaged mixed in with Trump’s signature angry word smoothies.”
“Everyone, you included, knows what is really happening,” the late-night host read, channeling Trump. “Your chosen candidate lost the election in 2016, in an Electoral College landslide (306-227), and you and your party have never recovered from this defeat.”
Also Read: Bill Maher Offers New Definition of 'Trump Derangement Syndrome' (Video)
The electoral college victory is one of the few wins Trump can boast about; his administration has been mired with resignations and criminal investigations, and now he himself may be impeached.
“My God is there anywhere, any occasion he won’t brag about his electoral college win?” Colbert implored.
He then held up a condolence card that read “I’m so sorry for your loss. Almost as bad as Hillary’s loss to me (306-227).”
For the record, Trump lost the popular vote by 2.87 million voters. Watch Colbert’s clip below.
TONIGHT: Trump sends Speaker Pelosi a very angry letter! #LSSC pic.twitter.com/6H4Vo9ESWS
— The Late Show (@colbertlateshow) December 18, 2019
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Colbert Suggests a New GOP Mascot in Light of Party's Impeachment Stance (Video)
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Adam Driver Walks Off NPR’s ‘Fresh Air’ to Avoid Listening to Himself Act and Sing
“Marriage Story” actor Adam Driver walked out of a taping of NPR’s “Fresh Air” with host Terry Gross earlier this month after a clip of him singing from the Netflix film was played during his interview.
“We don’t really understand why he left,” the program’s executive producer Danny Miller said in a statement. “We were looking forward to the interview — Terry thinks he’s a terrific actor, he was a great guest when he was on (“Fresh Air”) in 2015 — so we were disappointed that we didn’t have a new interview to share with our listeners about ‘Marriage Story.'”
The clip that was played comes late in the Netflix movie when Driver’s character sings Stephen Sondheim’s “Being Alive” in a karaoke bar.
Also Read: 'Marriage Story,' 'Chernobyl' Lead 2020 Golden Globes Nominations
Ironically, Driver had told “Fresh Air” about his apprehension hearing himself back in 2015. “Yeah, no, I’ve watched myself or listened to myself before, then always hate it,” Driver said at the time. “And then wish I could change it, but you can’t. And I think I have, like, a tendency to try to make things better or drive myself and the other people around me crazy with the things I wanted to change or I wish I could change.”
Knowing this, Driver was invited to remove his headphones while the “Marriage Story” clip played and then an engineer would cue the actor when it was over to continue the interview.
“But this time around, after the clip concluded we were informed by our engineer in NY that he had walked out of the studio, and then left the building,” Miller added. “We still don’t understand why Adam Driver chose to leave the interview at that point.”
Back in October, Driver told New York magazine about similar situations: He hid in the green room during a screening of “BlacKkKlansman” and got nauseous during the “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” premiere.
The actor has had a busy promotional tour schedule between November’s “The Report” on Amazon, “Marriage Story” on Netflix and Disney’s “Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker,” which opens Friday.
Driver did attend the premiere of “Rise of Skywalker” on Tuesday night in Hollywood and even took the stage with his co-stars. No word on whether he stayed in the audience during the screening.
The Daily Beast was first to report the story.
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'Marriage Story' Dominates Gotham Awards 2019: The Complete Winners List
‘The Voice’ Season 17 Finale: And the Winner Is… (Video)
(Spoiler alert: Stop reading right now if you do not want to know who won Season 17 of “The Voice.” But also, why did you click on this story?)
NBC’s “The Voice” crowned a Season 17 winner on Tuesday — congrats to Jake Hoot of Team Kelly!
Ricky Duran was runner up. Katie Kaden finished in third, while Rose Short finished in fourth.
For the first time in seven seasons, all four coaches had a shot at this one.
Watch Jake’s winning moment above and coach Kelly Clarkson’s reaction.
Below are bios for each of the Final Four singers.
Also Read: NBCUniversal Unveils Steve Burke's Retirement Date, Jeff Shell's Succession Timing
Jake Hoot (Team Kelly)
Age: 30
Hometown: Corpus Christi, Texas / Dominican Republic
Resident: Cookeville, Tenn.
Jake was born in Texas, but his parents are missionaries and relocated the family to the Dominican Republic when he was 9. While living there he began singing and playing guitar while also becoming fluent in Spanish. At 20, he moved to Tennessee where he began gigging and attended Tennessee Tech University as a walk-on football player. Jake later got married and now has a 4-year-old daughter. After getting divorced, Jake is a newly single dad and hopes to start anew by making his daughter proud on “The Voice.”
Katie Kadan (Team Legend)
Age: 38
Hometown: Chicago, Ill.
Resident: Chicago, Ill.
Katie was surrounded by music from a young age and joined Chicago’s All God’s Children’s Choir when she was 10. She spent the next decade singing in church and choirs, but never had the confidence to perform on her own. Katie taught music on the side, but always felt something was missing. At 30, she did an open mic and was floored by the positive response, so she started booking gigs and slowly began to accept herself. For the past seven years, Katie has been more spirited than ever while singing professionally in Chicago’s blues community and hopes to spread her message of body positivity.
Also Read: Steve Burke's NBCUniversal Legacy - and How Jeff Shell's Style Matches Up
Rose Short (Team Gwen)
Age: 34
Hometown: Killeen, Texas
Resident: Killeen, Texas
Rose started singing when she was 5 years old in Germany, where her father was stationed with the military. Growing up, she often performed at community events on the base. Her family eventually moved to Texas where she became involved in choir and theater. She always loved music, but after school she needed a job that paid the bills so she took a position at a male maximum-security prison. Rose worked as a corrections officer for eight years, but ultimately quit to focus on music again. Rose is currently a full-time musician, writing and performing her own music.
Ricky Duran (Team Blake)
Age: 29
Hometown: Worcester, Mass.
Resident: Austin, Texas
Ricky inherited his love of music from his father, who was a musician with another full-time job to support the family. At 6 years old, Ricky’s father taught him guitar and they played in a band together throughout Ricky’s high school years. Ricky went on to attend Berklee College of Music and form his own band while his father acted as their manager. Shortly after graduation, Ricky’s father tragically took his own life, but encouraged him to keep doing what he loved. Earlier this year, Ricky lost his mother to breast cancer. Ricky has dedicated his life to music to carry on his father’s legacy and comes to “The Voice” to make his parents proud.
More to come…
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‘Empire’ Boss on Lucious and Cookie’s Dire Midseason Cliffhanger, His Plans for Series Finale
(Warning: This post contains spoilers for Tuesday’s midseason finale of the sixth and final season of “Empire.”)
“Empire” ended the first half of its sixth and final season Tuesday with a physical fight between Cookie (Taraji P. Henson) and Lucious (Terrence Howard) over his unwillingness to sign their divorce papers because he says he still loves her. The fight only came to an end because “White Tracy” (Amanda Detmer) stormed in and pointed a gun at the Lyons.
While the Fox hip-hop drama’s showrunner, Brett Mahoney, wouldn’t tell TheWrap if White Tracy is going to pull the trigger — and who she might hit if she does — when the show returns in the spring, he did tell us the situation with Cookie and Lucious just before Tracy puts their lives in jeopardy does “set up clearly what we’re talking about for the back half of the season.”
“It’s about the couple, about the Lyon family, and yes they may have love for one another — but is that enough to keep them together?” he told us. “And then also, you have these outside factors that impose upon the family. So can they a) stand together to fight these outside factors, which is key to the Empire and Lyon family’s legacy, always? And then also, can they stand together, do they have enough love that will overcome their internal struggles and battles as well? And I think that story, what we’re going to see as we build towards our series finale is, is there enough love to keep this family together? And will they come together to fight outside obstacles?”
There is definitely enough toxic and passionate love between Cookie and Lucious, which has been a central plot point to the entire series, possibly too much, as it comes to a head in this episode, when he refuses to sign those papers.
“I don’t think he’s being selfish, I think he truly loves her,” Mahoney said. “And I think in the last season and a half, he thinks he’s done everything right in terms of, she said that she wants him to be a better man and to correct his path. And he feels he’s been along the ride for that. And he’s had a couple of slip-ups. But he still feels he’s done right by her and he cannot understand why she can’t see that and why she won’t be with him.”
“And then for her, she recognizes that they love each other and she recognizes that she loves him, she just doesn’t know if it’s healthy and she particularly doesn’t know if it’s healthy for her,” he continued. “She’s on this journey with her therapy where she’s trying to make everything right in her life, and she just doesn’t know if he fits into that. So I think they both have a ‘right’ on their side, which makes it even more difficult for both of them.”
Mahoney previously told TheWrap we’d find out the answer in Episode 11 to the “whodunit” regarding the gunman who shoots Lucious in the flash-forward that we first saw in the season premiere, which is the first episode to air when the show returns next spring. And he is still sticking with that story: “That’s true, you can hold me to it, in the midseason premiere you will see who is holding that gun that shoots Lucious and you will see who is responsible for bombing Cookie’s car.”
In terms of where the show ends, Mahoney says he has a “good idea” of how the Lyons go out — but it isn’t set in stone yet.
“It’s something that we’ve been discussing with the network and the studio and also with [co-creators] Lee Daniels and Danny Strong,” he said. “Everyone is weighing in with how they’d like to see the series end. So we have had some great creative workshops in terms of mapping it out. So yeah, I have a good idea of how it all ends.”
Readers can find what Mahoney told TheWrap regarding Jussie Smollett’s possible return as Jamal for the “Empire” series finale here.
“Empire” will return next spring on Fox.
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An 'Empire' Collapses: Just How Far Once-Mighty Fox Drama Has Fallen in Ratings | PRO Insight
‘Survivor’ to Add ‘On-Site Professional,’ ‘Third-Party Expert’ and a New Rule in Response to Dan Spilo Removal
CBS and the “Survivor” producers have released a lengthy statement promising changes to the game and production following contestant Dan Spilo’s Season 39 removal.
Among the changes will be a new in-game rule and better pre-production orientation, the parties said. Future “Survivor” seasons not already in the can (so, Season 41 and beyond), will also have “another on-site professional to provide a confidential means of reporting any concerns,” according to the statement, as well as “a third-party expert in the field to review, evolve or add to these new policies and procedures going forward.”
Below is the full statement by CBS and “Survivor” producers. The underlining emphasis is theirs, not TheWrap’s.
Also Read: Dan Spilo Speaks Out About 'Survivor' Ejection: 'I Am Deeply Sorry'
Season 39 of “Survivor” has been unprecedented for all of us, with important social issues and inappropriate individual behavior intersecting with game play in complex ways that we’ve never seen before. During the course of the production, we listened to the players intently, investigated responsibly and responded accordingly, including taking the unprecedented step of removing a player from the game.
At the same time, we are responsible for the final outcome of this season. We recognize there are things we could have done differently, and we are determined to do better going forward.
“Survivor” has a 20-year track record of a strong support system on locations and after production. It is also a show that continues to evolve, as we respond to what we learn from every new situation and every player. We will take the important lessons we learned from this season and adopt new protocols and procedures for future seasons, to ensure that the events that occurred this season are not repeated.
For Season 40, which has already filmed, the show added to its pre-production cast orientation specific guidelines regarding personal space, inappropriate behavior, and how to report these issues.
For Seasons 41 and beyond, the producers are reviewing all elements of the show to further support appropriate interaction, including how the players live during, as well as after they are eliminated from, the competition.
The show will also take additional steps to enhance procedures for training, reporting of issues and prohibited forms of game play. The new measures to further support a safe environment include but are not limited to the following:
The production will add another on-site professional to provide a confidential means of reporting any concerns, so that the production can address them promptly apart from the game. The full range of reporting processes will be communicated clearly to the players during pre-production orientation. The new executive will add to a support system that already makes mental health providers available to players on location and after they leave the island.
The show will enhance its pre-production orientation with new anti-harassment, unconscious bias and sensitivity training for cast, producers and production crew on location.
A new rule will be implemented stating unwelcome physical contact, sexual harassment and impermissible biases cannot be brought into the competition and will not be permitted as part of gameplay. This will be covered in the cast orientation for each season, along with clear instructions on how to report violations.
The show will also partner with a third-party expert in the field to review, evolve or add to these new policies and procedures going forward.
In addition, CBS Entertainment will develop appropriate enhanced policies and procedures equivalent to the new “Survivor” measures and adapt them for the network’s other reality programming going forward.
Also Read: CBS Hit With Gender Discrimination Suit by '60 Minutes' Producer
Spilo issued an apology earlier Tues.
“I am deeply sorry for how my actions affected Kellee [Kim] during the taping of this season of Survivor,” he wrote in a statement to People. “After apologizing at the tribal council when I first learned that Kellee still felt uncomfortable, I want to make sure I do so again, clearly and unambiguously.”
“I truly regret that anyone was made to feel uncomfortable by my behavior,” he continued. “In my life, I have always tried to treat others with decency, integrity and kindness. I can only hope that my actions in the future can help me to make amends and show me to be the kind of father, husband, colleague and friend that I always aim to be.”
Also Read: Ex-CBS Studios Exec Fired for Making Inappropriate Comments Blames 'Unfair' CNN Report
Spilo, a talent manager, is the first “Survivor” contestant ever to be ejected from the show before being eliminated. A title card at the end of Wednesday’s “Survivor” episode read: “Dan was removed from the game after a report of another incident, which happened off-camera and did not involve a player.”
According to People, Spilo is accused of touching a female crew member’s leg, though he says that the contact was accidental in an attempt to gain balance as he boarded the boat. Following the incident, producers made the decision to eject him from the show.
The boat incident was not the first time Spilo had received complaints about his behavior, which included accusations of inappropriate touching from other contestants during this season. On day 22 of the competition, 14 days before he was ejected, he was given an official warning from the show to stop, according to EW.
Related stories from TheWrap:
'Survivor': Hollywood Manager Dan Spilo Becomes 1st Player Ever Ejected After 'Off-Camera' Incident
Reality TV Exec Who Launched 'Survivor' Sues CBS for Wrongful Termination, Discrimination
'Survivor' Producer Banijay Group Buys 'Big Brother' Creator Endemol Shine for $2.2 Billion
Morfydd Clark Joins Amazon’s ‘Lord of the Rings’ Series as a Young Galadriel
Morfydd Clark has joined Amazon’s “Lord of the Rings” series, TheWrap has learned.
The casting was first reported by Variety. A source with knowledge of the project confirmed to TheWrap that Clark will play a younger version of Galadriel. Amazon declined to comment.
Galadriel was portrayed by Cate Blanchett in Peter Jackson’s film series. Galadriel is one of the most powerful figures in J.RR.’s Tolkien’s Middle Earth. An elf of unsurpassed beauty and wisdom, she is the possessor of Nenya, one of the Elven rings of power.
The upcoming project has already been renewed for a second season. The production is set to take a four-to-five month hiatus after filming the first two episodes of Season 1, during which time showrunners J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay and the show’s writing team will begin mapping out the story for Season 2.
Also Read: Amazon's 'Lord of the Rings' Series Gets Early Season 2 Renewal
The newly extended Season 1 hiatus will span until the end of the winter season in New Zealand, where the show is filmed.
The series, which remains untitled, is set in the same Middle-Earth setting of the Oscar-winning film franchise and will take place in the period before the events of the first film, “The Fellowship of the Ring.” The show’s cast includes “Game of Thrones” alum Joseph Mawle, Maxim Baldry and Markella Kavenagh.
Amazon first acquired the rights to adapt “The Lord of the Rings” for streaming back in 2017, a deal which included a multi-season commitment and the potential for an additional spinoff series.
As previously announced, “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom” director J.A. Bayona has signed on to direct the first two episodes of the big-budget series, also serving as an executive producer alongside Payne and McKay, as well as his producing partner Belén Atienza.
Clark currently starring in HBO’s “His Dark Materials” opposite Lin-Manuel Miranda, Ruth Wilson and James McAvoy.
Related stories from TheWrap:
'Game of Thrones' Alum Joseph Mawle Joins Amazon's 'Lord of the Rings' Series
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