The Voice finalist Kris Thomas has debuted his first music video in support of his upcoming EP. The Memphis soul singer’s “Balloons” video was directed by Molly Secours and shows off Thomas’ gorgeous voice which won over The Voice coach Shakira as well as the show’s audience when he initially took to The Voice stage to taken on Whitney Houston’s “Saving All My Love for You.”
Commenting on his first single from the new album, Thomas said, “‘Balloons’ is a song all about the love and power of friendship. I’m so proud of this video. We put a lot of hard work, heart and soul into it and I feel it was a good choice considering it’s how I really feel about lots of people in my life.”
Las year's Carry Forward Awards (Photo Courtesy of the Wounded Warriors Project)
In recognition of James Gandolfini‘s years of support, the Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) has named a Carry Forward Award in his honor. Per the official announcement, the “James Gandolfini Award recognizes his spirit, respect, and support for wounded service members by honoring an individual in the public eye who exemplifies the values of WWP just as he did.”
The recipient of this year’s award will be announced on October 10, 2013.
The Wounded Warriors Project says The Sopranos star was a “passionate advocate” of their organization. “We were deeply saddened at his unexpected passing in June, and take pride in honoring him as the namesake of our award to recognize outstanding character in service to warriors and families,” stated Steve Nardizzi, executive director of Wounded Warrior Project. “What better way to keep his spirit alive than remembering him each year through this award. For his support of those military men and women coming home, and for his immeasurable contributions to WWP behind the scenes, we will remain forever grateful.”
Gandolfini was so supportive of the men and women who served in the military that he executive produced two documentaries that allowed service members a chance to tell their stories.
For more info, visit carryforwardawards.org.
Details on the Wounded Warrior Project:
The mission of Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) is to honor and empower Wounded Warriors. WWP’s purpose is to raise awareness and to enlist the public’s aid for the needs of injured service members, to help injured servicemen and women aid and assist each other, and to provide unique, direct programs and services to meet their needs. WWP is a national, nonpartisan organization headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida.
Big Brother will be returning to CBS for another summer as the network just confirmed the reality show has been renewed for season 16 set to air next summer. Season 15 will conclude with a special 90-minute edition on September 18 (after the premiere of Survivor) in which the three remaining houseguests will compete for the $500,000 prize.
The network has also renewed the companion series Big Brother: After Dark for a second season on TVGN.
Unlike other reality shows, Big Brother actually increased its viewership over the previous year. Big Brother season 15 has been averaging 7.29 million viewers and recently aired its 500th episode.
If you’re a Britney Spears fan, this will come as exciting news. For the rest of the world…not so much. Ms. Spears has revealed via Twitter the artwork for her upcoming single “Work B**ch” arriving on September 16, 2013 at 6pm ET on iHeartRadio followed by a release on iTunes a few hours later.
Spears also released the lengthy list of co-writers on the song via Instagram. Six, yes six, people are credited with writing the single which leads us to ask the question: Why did it take six people to write one song? Spears didn’t tweet or provide an answer to that question via Instagram. Along with Spears, the “Work B**ch” writers are Sebastian Ingrosso, William Adams (aka will.i.am), Otto Jettman, Anthony Preston, and Ruth-Anne Cunningham.
The Weinstein Company has unveiled the trailer for One Chance, based on the true story of Paul Potts’ rise to fame on Britain’s Got Talent. Starring James Corden (as Potts), Julie Walters, Mackenzie Crook, Colm Meaney, Jemima Rooper, and Alexandra Roach, One Chance was directed by The Devil Wears Prada helmer David Frankel.
The Plot:
One Chance is the remarkable and inspirational true story of Paul Potts, a shy, bullied shop assistant by day and an amateur opera singer by night. Paul became an instant YouTube phenomenon after being chosen by Simon Cowell for Britain’s Got Talent. Wowing audiences worldwide with his phenomenal voice, Paul went on to win ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ and the hearts of millions.
Jimmy Fallon buys jokes on the street, leading to yellow jumpsuit-wearing illegal joke writing in Joking Bad – a Breaking Bad parody. Appearing in the Late Night with Jimmy Fallon sketch are Bob Odenkirk, Colin Quinn, The Roots, Steve Higgins, and A.D. Miles. Even Aaron Paul and Bryan Cranston pop up as audience members who aren’t into Fallon’s performance.
Matchbox Twenty’s Rob Thomas will be performing at Atlantic City’s Borgata Casino on January 17, 18, and 19, 2014 as a fundraiser for his non-profit organization Sidewalk Angels Foundation. Created by Rob and Marisol Thomas, part of the mission of the Sidewalk Angels Foundation is to support no-kill animal shelters and animal rescue organizations.
The 2014 Atlantic City concerts will mark the third year in a row the Grammy winner has performed at the venue. The concerts take place in a smaller, more intimate setting and allow fans a chance to hear Thomas perform songs spanning his entire career. Tickets are now on sale to fan club and become available to the general public on September 13 at 10am ET.
For ticket information, visit robthomasmusic.com.
More on the Sidewalk Angels Foundation:
The Sidewalk Angels Foundation, established by Rob and Marisol Thomas, is a New York-based not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing critically needed funds and support to grassroots groups across the country. It is the primary supporter and sponsor of a number of no-kill animal shelters and animal rescues, reflecting the passion of the foundation’s co-founders to fight for the rights and fair treatment of those with no voice. Additionally, the foundation also supports a myriad of other causes, from childhood health and wellness to the fight against homelessness.
The Sidewalk Angels Foundation functions like an umbrella organization that provides funds and resources to smaller local and regional entities that are doing vital work. The world can move so fast that those in need are often passed by. From animals that have been abandoned and abused to those who are destitute, homeless, or cannot afford proper medical — these are universal problems that Sidewalk Angels Foundation, through its efforts encourages people to address locally.
Sorry to admit this but I’ve never heard of the All-American High School Film Festival. It’s apparently a new festival created by filmmaker Andrew Jenks (World of Jenks) and is designed as an outlet for high school students to show off their talent via short films. And while it’s in its inaugural year, the festival’s attracted big names to serve as judges, including Diablo Cody (Juno), Dylan McDermott (Hostages), Morgan Spurlock (One Direction: This Is Us), Edward Burns (Saving Private Ryan), Kristen Stewart (The Twilight Saga), Henry Winkler (Arrested Development), Danny Rose (Scrubs) and Carlton Cuse (Lost).
Jenks and the festival have just announced the festival’s opening film will be the new Romeo & Juliet adaptation by writer Julian Fellowes (Downton Abbey) and director Carlo Carlei. The cast is led by Douglas Booth and Hailee Steinfeld and includes Damian Lewis, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Ed Westwick, Stellan Skarsgard, and Paul Giamatti.
The All-American High School Film Festival will be held at the AMC Empire in New York and will run October 4-6, 2013. Commenting on the festival, Jenks said, “I had no idea that High School students were capable of such amazing work. Simply put: these films blew me away! The future of filmmaking is bright. I am thrilled that the festival will connect talented students with valuable resources.”
For more info on the festival, visit hsfilmfest.com.
Carson Daly, Hoda Kotb and Kathie Lee Gifford appear on NBC News' "Today" show (Photo by Peter Kramer/NBC)Today‘s launching a brand new digital studio called the Orange Room and Carson Daly, host of The Voice, will be hosting the new “first-of-its-kind digital studio.” According to the NBC News press release, this new Orange Room is designed to connect with audiences on a whole new level. The Orange Room and a newly redesigned Today set will premiere on September 16, 2013.
“’The Orange Room’” is where the newsroom meets the living room. In this space, we will evolve the way news is gathered and delivered by creating a direct and meaningful relationship with our Today audience on any platform,” stated Today show Executive Producer Don Nash. “Carson is the perfect fit for this exciting new role. He’s passionate about being on the forefront of new media, and has distinguished himself as a socially savvy broadcaster with a unique ability to engage audiences.”
Daly will continue as the host of The Voice in addition to his new Today show duties. “For over a decade now, NBC has allowed me to grow and delve further into live broadcasting and producing, and I am so grateful for these opportunities,” said Carson. “I’m thrilled to be joining the talented team at Today.”
Details on the Orange Room [Per NBC]:
Situated directly within the new Studio 1A, the Orange Room is the nexus point between the Today audience and the show, embracing the many ways that viewers seek out and share news across all media and allowing the show and its fans to connect in a variety of new ways. In a casual, lounge-like setting, the Orange Room will also be a hub of emerging technology, equipped for everything from social media hangouts, to extended live-stream interviews with Today guests, analysis of real-time social data and reactions from the web, as well as the home for Today’s original digital franchises.
Julia Roberts and Meryl Streep lead a star-studded cast that includes Ewan McGregor, Chris Cooper, Margot Martindale, Julianne Nicholson and Benedict Cumberbatch in August: Osage County. Directed by John Wells and based on Tracy Letts’ play, The Weinstein Company will be opening the much-anticipated film in theaters on December 25, 2013.
The Plot:
August: Osage County tells the dark, hilarious and deeply touching story of the strong-willed women of the Weston family, whose lives have diverged until a family crisis brings them back to the Midwest house they grew up in, and to the dysfunctional woman who raised them.
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