(L to R) Jessica Chastain and Octavia Spencer in ‘The Help’. Photo: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.
Preview:
Jessica Chastain and Octavia Spencer will co-star in new holiday comedy ‘Deck the Y’alls’.
Wanda Sykes is also in the cast.
The movie is scheduled to shoot next year.
2011 drama ‘The Help’ certainly –– pun entirely intended and apologized for –– helped boost the careers of Jessica Chastain and Octavia Spencer, since both were nominated for Oscars and Spencer took home the Best Supporting Actress trophy.
They’ve been looking to collaborate again since then for years and have now found the project in the shape of ‘Deck the Y’alls’, a new Christmas-set comedy.
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It’s relatively early days for this one, with no director in place –– with a shoot planned for next year and Wanda Sykes also aboard to bring her comic stylings to the movie –– we’d expect it to be set up quickly.
(L to R) Jessica Chastain and Octavia Spencer in ‘The Help’. Photo: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.
The new movie, written by ‘Girls Trip’ scribe Tracy Oliver alongside Stefanie Williams, follows a New York baker named Rachel Stein (Chastain), who falls for Beau, a younger Southern gentleman, and heads to Charleston, South Carolina to spend Christmas with his family.
But over-protective matriarch Gladys Gibbes (Spencer) is a celebrity chef who clashes with Rachel.
What else is happening with Jessica Chastain?
Jessica Chastain in ‘The Savant,’, coming soon to Apple TV+.
There has been less entertaining news for the actor/producer, who saw the release of her Apple TV+ series ‘The Savant’ put on indefinite hold just three days before it was due to hit the streaming service.
The show, which stars Chastain, follows an undercover investigator known as “The Savant” who infiltrates online hate groups to stop domestic extremists before they act. Apple is seemingly worried about the series causing political blowback.
This was Apple’s statement on the delay:
“After careful consideration, we have made the decision to postpone ‘The Savant’. We appreciate your understanding and look forward to releasing the series at a future date.”
For her part, Chastain hit Instagram to explain that she’s “not aligned” with the decision to pause the show’s release…
The movie has the backing of Sandbox Studios, as well as Spencer’s ORIT Entertainment, Chastain’s Freckle Films and Sony Music Vision. According to Variety’s report, the producers are seeking distribution, so we’ll likely find out the release date once a partner is secured.
(L to R) Octavia Spencer and Jessica Chastain in ‘The Help’. Photo: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.
(L to R) Amy Schumer, Wanda Sykes and Regina Hall host the live ABC telecast of the 94th Oscars® at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood in Los Angeles, CA, on Sunday, March 27, 2022. Photo credit: Blaine Ohigashi / A.M.P.A.S.
Award season 2022 has officially come to an end with the conclusion of the 94th Academy Awards. The Oscars have been handed out, and we are going to breakdown all the winners and shocking moments of the night.
It began with Tennis legends Venus and Serena Williams introducing a performance of the Oscar nominated song “Be Alive” from ‘King Richard,’ performed by Beyonce on the Compton tennis courts where the Williams sisters grew up.
After the performance, hosts Amy Schumer, Wanda Sykes and Regina Hall took the stage to begin the show with a seemingly impromptu introduction by DJ Khaled. The three performers gave a short group monologue before Schumer gave a hilarious solo stand-up routine making fun of the stars in the audience.
(L to R) Al Pacino, Francis Ford Coppola and Robert De Niro onstage during the 50th anniversary tribute of “The Godfather” at the live ABC telecast of the 94th Oscars® at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood in Los Angeles, CA, on Sunday, March 27, 2022. Photo credit: Blaine Ohigashi / A.M.P.A.S.
However, the most awkward moment of the night came when Chris Rock was introducing Best Documentary Feature. The comedian did a few minutes of stand up, roasting the crowd. But when he poked fun at actress Jada Pinkett Smith’s career, her husband Will Smith stormed the stage and punched Rock in the face!
The Oscar nominated actor clearly wasn’t amused by the comedian’s joke, and about 30 seconds of an angry shouting match between the two performers was aired without audio. When the audio resumed, a startled Rock concluded by saying, “That was the greatest night in the history of television.’
94th Oscars® nominee Will Smith at the 94th Oscars® at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood in Los Angeles, CA, on Sunday, March 27, 2022. Photo credit: Blaine Ohigashi / A.M.P.A.S.
In the artisan categories, ‘Dune’ was the big winner taking home Best Film Editing, Production Design, Sound, and Cinematography.
In the major award categories there were no real surprises at all. Ariana DeBose won Best Supporting Actress for her role in ‘West Side Story,’ and Troy Kotsur won Best Supporting Actor for his performance in ‘CODA.’ As predicted, Jane Campion won Best Director for her work on ‘The Power of the Dog.’
Ariana DeBose accepts the Oscar® for Actress in a Supporting Role during the live ABC telecast of the 94th Oscars® at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood in Los Angeles, CA, on Sunday, March 27, 2022. Photo credit: Blaine Ohigashi / A.M.P.A.S.
After his confrontation with Rock, Will Smith won (as expected) the Best Actor Oscar for his performance in ‘King Richard.’ In his tearful speech, Smith talked about protecting his family and apologized to the Academy, likely for his interaction with Rock. He also joked that life imitates art, implying that his behavior earlier in the evening mirrors the character he just received an award for portraying.
The ceremony ended with Oscar winners Lady Gaga and Liza Minnelli presenting Best Picture to ‘CODA,’ which in a tight race pulled out the win over ‘The Power of the Dog.’
Philippe Rousselet and Patrick Wachsberger accept the Oscar® for Best Picture for “CODA” during the live ABC telecast of the 94th Oscars® at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood in Los Angeles, CA, on Sunday, March 27, 2022. Photo credit: Blaine Ohigashi / A.M.P.A.S.
You can read a full list of the winners below:
BEST PICTURE
‘Belfast’ ‘CODA’ – Winner
‘Don’t Look Up’
‘Drive My Car’
‘Dune’
‘King Richard’
‘Licorice Pizza’
‘Nightmare Alley’
‘The Power of the Dog’
‘West Side Story’
ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Jessie Buckley, ‘The Lost Daughter’ Ariana DeBose, ‘West Side Story’ – Winner
Judi Dench, ‘Belfast’
Kirsten Dunst, ‘The Power of the Dog’
Aunjanue Ellis, ‘King Richard’
ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Ciaran Hinds, ‘Belfast’ Troy Kotsur, ‘CODA’ – Winner
Jesse Plemons, ‘The Power of the Dog’
J.K. Simmons, ‘Being the Ricardos’
Kodi Smit-McPhee, ‘The Power of the Dog’
ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
Javier Bardem, ‘Being the Ricardos’
Benedict Cumberbatch, ‘The Power of the Dog’
Andrew Garfield, ‘tick, Tick… Boom!’ Will Smith, ‘King Richard’ – Winner
Denzel Washington, ‘The Tragedy of Macbeth’
ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE
Jessica Chastain, ‘The Eyes of Tammy Faye’ – Winner
Olivia Colman, ‘The Lost Daughter’
Penelope Cruz, ‘Parallel Mothers’
Nicole Kidman, ‘Being the Ricardos’
Kristen Stewart, ‘Spencer’
BEST DIRECTOR
Kenneth Branagh, ‘Belfast’
Ryusuke Hamaguchi, ‘Drive My Car’
Paul Thomas Anderson, ‘Licorice Pizza’ Jane Campion, ‘The Power of the Dog’ – Winner
Steven Spielberg, ‘West Side Story’
ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
‘CODA’ – Winner
‘Drive My Car’
‘Dune’
‘The Lost Daughter’
‘The Power of the Dog’
ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
‘Belfast’ – Winner
‘Don’t Look Up’
‘King Richard’
‘Licorice Pizza’
‘The Worst Person in the World’
INTERNATIONAL FEATURE FILM
‘Drive My Car’ – Winner
‘Flee’
‘The Hand of God’
‘Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom’
‘The Worst Person in the World’
DOCUMENTARY (SHORT)
‘Audible’
‘Lead Me Home’ ‘The Queen of Basketball’ – Winner
‘Three Songs for Benazir’
‘When We Were Bullies’
DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
‘Ascension’
‘Attica’
‘Flee’ ‘Summer of Soul’ – Winner
‘Writing with Fire’
ORIGINAL SONG
‘King Richard’
‘Encanto’
‘Belfast’ ‘No Time to Die’ – Winner
‘Four Good Days’
ANIMATED FEATURE FILM
‘Encanto’ – Winner
‘Flee’
‘Luca’
‘The Mitchells vs. The Machine’
‘Raya and the Last Dragon’
PRODUCTION DESIGN
‘Dune’ – Winner
‘Nightmare Alley’
‘The Power of the Dog’
‘The Tragedy of Macbeth’
‘West Side Story’
CINEMATOGRAPHY
‘Dune’ – Winner
‘Nightmare Alley’
‘The Power of the Dog’
‘The Tragedy of Macbeth’
‘West Side Story’
(L to R) Wanda Sykes, Regina Hall, and Amy Schumer to Host the 2022 Academy Awards.
Looking to return to a more normal state of affairs for this year’s Oscar ceremony, 2022 producer Will Packer has decided to return to having a host. Or in this case, three, as Amy Schumer, Wanda Sykes, and Regina Hall will take the job.
Packer, who has produced movies including ‘Girls Trip’ (which starred Hall), ‘Think Like A Man’, ‘Ride Along’ and many more, is the primary producer for this year’s show, and according to Variety, he’d been considering different options for hosts, including rotating between different pairs of presenters each hour of the ceremony. He has, apparently, now decided on just the three.
While even the single-host format isn’t a guarantee of quality, the multiple host idea has been fraught with problems (everyone remembers James Franco and Anne Hathaway), so you must wonder what the current trio will bring to the ceremony.
The actresses, who are not normally known for presenting, do at least have a lot of stand-up experience (Sykes and Schumer), and long, healthy acting resumes (Hall particularly), but the big challenge comes when you must be both funny and keep the show moving at a decent speed (so it doesn’t end up as 17 hours). Hopefully they’ll have the chance to write some of their own material, too.
While there had been some chatter about Tom Holland being asked to host, Variety has heard that Jon Hamm was a recent contender, but dropped out at the weekend. As of right now, the choice is still technically a rumor, but we can expect a formal announcement on Tuesday’s ‘Good Morning America’.
Jon Hamm Receiving an Emmy for his work on ‘Mad Men.’
Following 2021’s pandemic-impacted ceremony at Los Angeles’ Union Station, this year’s event will be back at the Dolby Theater in Hollywood and at full capacity. There has been some controversy over the Academy’s decision to require negative Covid tests over vaccine proof, especially given the Academy itself insists its employees are vaccinated.
And that’s not the only difference this year. The Oscars are going the public vote route in a big way, looking to engage audiences (especially given last year’s lackluster viewing figures). In a move that sounds more American Idol than Academy awards, we’ll all get a chance to vote in a couple of categories outside of the main ballot.
You can vote for your “Favorite Movie” and “Movie Cheer moment” on twitter using the hashtags #OscarsFanFavorite, #OscarsCheerMoment and #Sweepstakes, or at the Academy Website. You’ll be entered into the sweepstakes, which offer a chance to attend next year’s event and win other prizes.
The streaming service announced Tuesday that it has ordered “The Upshaws,” starring Wanda Sykes and Mike Epps. They’re also set to executive produce, with Sykes serving as co-showrunner alongside Regina Hicks on top of that.
The series will center on a working-class African American family living in Indiana. They’ll be “struggling to make it work and make it right without the blueprints to do it,” according to Netflix. The streamer hasn’t revealed character details yet, so it’s unclear just how Sykes and Epps will fit into this fictional family.
Netflix’s previously landed Sykes’s comedy special, “Wanda Skyes: Not Normal”; it premiered on the service in May. Her TV work includes roles on “The New Adventures of Old Christine” and “Black-ish,” among other series. Meanwhile, Epps starred in two Resident evil films and has appeared in series such as “Uncle Buck” and “Survivor’s Remorse.”
Sykes, Epps, and Hicks will executive produce “The Upshaws” with Dan Spilo, Page Hurwitz, and Niles Kirchner.
Wanda Sykes will be streaming on your screens soon. The comedian has signed a deal with Netflix for an hourlong standup comedy special to premiere sometime in 2019.
This will be Sykes’ first special on Netflix and her fifth overall following 2003’s “Wanda Sykes: Tongue Untied,” 2006’s “Wanda Sykes: Sick and Tired,” 2009’s “I’ma Be Me,” and 2016’s “What Happened… Ms Sykes.”
The most recent special caused a bit of drama with Netflix. In January, Sykes spoke out in support of Mo’Nique, who had criticized Netflix for racial and gender bias for offering her less money for a comedy special than Amy Schumer and Dave Chappelle.
Sykes revealed that Netflix offered her even less than MoNiqu’es deal for her 2016 special and thus, took it to Epix.
.@moworldwide, thank you for speaking out. @netflix offered me less than half of your $500k. I was offended but found another home. #EPIX
It seems Netflix made a more attractive offer this time.
Sykes has been acting in supporting and guest roles on television shows like “Blackish” and “Broad City.” She also served as head writer on “Roseanne,” but publicly quit over Roseanne Barr’s racist comments (which then subsequently got the show canceled and then spun off without the star).
The move comes after Barr sparked outrage by tweeting a racially-charged remark about Jarrett, former advisor to President Barack Obama, that referenced “Planet of the Apes” and the Muslim Brotherhood.
After coming under fire, Barr apologized, saying it was a bad joke, and also indicated she would delete her Twitter account:
I apologize to Valerie Jarrett and to all Americans. I am truly sorry for making a bad joke about her politics and her looks. I should have known better. Forgive me-my joke was in bad taste.
Many are calling for ABC to cancel the show and stop giving Barr a platform for her views:
Hey @ABC, Roseanne Barr compared Valerie Jarrett to an ape. There is no apology she can make that justifies @ABC turning a blind eye to this bigotry by airing another second of her show.
Even in the Age of Trump, there are red lines that can never be crossed. This is one.
Sykes’ departure would be the second major exit from the show’s staff; last week, Whitney Cummings stepped down as co-showrunner, citing scheduling conflicts.
Just about every voice actor involved in the “Ice Age” films is a famous face. But are they a famous voice, especially among the animated film franchise’s littlest fans?
Moviefone posed the question to several of the headliners of the fifth filmic installment, “Ice Age: Collision Course,” with some surprising responses. Just what happens when parents bring their children up and introduce the actor as their animated role?
“It can go either way,” laughs Ray Romano, who plays the mammoth Manny. “Because it could be confusing to the kid. They say, ‘This is Manny!’ and the kids are like, ‘That’s not Manny. It sounds like him … What have you done with him?’ Or it can be that joy that you see in their lives. So it’s cool, either way.”
“I think what’s cool is parents are as excited as the kids,” says Queen Latifah, who voices Manny’s wife, Ellie. “So even if they have to really take their time and explain how this whole thing works to the kids, because the kids are like, ‘Huh?’ they get excited because their parents are, but they haven’t quite connected what that means. It’s nice to do something that parents love as much as the kids.”
“It usually goes bad for me,” admitted John Leguizamo, the voice of the sloth, Sid. “Because Sid is a cute character, and then they see me, and the kids are horrified. And I warn the dads. The dads are, ‘Come on, show them the voice.’ I go ‘Dude, it’s not going to go well. It’s happened before. I do the voice and the kids get freaked out.’ ‘Come on, John. Come on. He’s a little guy!’ ‘Okay, alright. [as Sid] ‘Hi, little guy–‘ and the kid’s like, ‘Oh sh*t!’”
“They can’t understand how that voice from this face goes into that little Sid,” he laughs. “It doesn’t work. It throws them off.”
“It usually happens in airports,” explains Wanda Sykes, the voice of Sid’s grandmother, Granny. “‘Oh, Wanda, my daughter loves [Granny], can you take a picture with her?’ ‘Sure.’ The moment could end right there, right? Yeah, take the picture, but she has to say ‘This is Granny.’ And the little girl’s looking at her like, ‘This is Granny?’ ‘Say a Granny thing!’ I’m like, ‘Precious… Now I feel bad, like, ‘Why did you do this…?”
“You’re ruining the franchise for them,” Leguizamo advises. “Just let them keep their fantasy intact!”
While the Paleolithic franchise is expected to continue to rule at the Ice Age: A Mammoth Christmas” and this year’s Easter special “Ice Age: The Great Egg-Scapade.”
“I’m hoping that there will be a TV series in our future, but that remains to be seen,” says Forte. “And I would love to do more shorts … If there is any free time to get a short in there, I would definitely push for one. As far as who the shorts would be, I’d love Crash and Eddie to have a short. I’d love to spinoff something for the new characters. But that all is just in my mind at the moment.”
“Ice Age: Collision Course” opens everywhere Friday, July 22nd.
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There have been tons of TV shows headlined by stand-up comics over the years, but not all of them can be hits like “Seinfeld,” “Ellen,” “Martin,” “Roseanne,” or “Everybody Goes Raymond.” For every stand-up sitcom success story, there are some short-lived programs that fell by the wayside. They aren’t sitcoms, but two shows starring comedians air on FX tomorrow — Louis C.K.’s beloved “Louie” heads into its fifth season and the Billy Crystal vehicle “The Comedians” makes its debut. Will the comedy legend’s TV return stand the test of time? Even the most talented and popular comics couldn’t make some of these shows last. Take a look at 7 comedian-starring sitcoms you (probably) forgot about.
“Roseanne” after the show’s star, 
Just about every voice actor involved in the “