According to Comedy Central, special guests featured in the new 13 episode season of Futurama include Larry Bird, Dan Castellaneta, Sarah Silverman, George Takei, Adam West and Burt Ward. And of course the show’s original voice cast will be back in place.
“I’m very proud of the upcoming season. If this is indeed the end of Futurama, it’s a fantastic finish to a good, long run,” said creator and Executive Producer Matt Groening.
“Having the opportunity to bring Futurama back for 52 episodes over these last four years has been a thrill for all of us at COMEDY CENTRAL. The upcoming season promises to be the best final season of Futurama yet,” said Dave Bernath, EVP Program Strategy & Multi Programming.
The documentary Good Ol’ Freda has been snatched up by Magnolia Pictures for release in North America. The film, directed by Ryan White (Pelada), tells the story of Freda Kelly, the lifelong secretary to The Beatles. Magnolia’s aiming to get the documentary, which premiered at the SXSW Film Festival, into theaters later this year.
“Freda Kelly is a truly remarkable woman, and Good Ol’ Freda is a treasure trove and delight for fans of The Beatles, from casual to die-hard,” stated Magnolia President Eamonn Bowles. “Ryan White has done us all a great service in telling her story.”
“The dignity and devotion with which Freda has lived her life inspired me to make this film,” said director Ryan White. “I am so thrilled to partner with Magnolia and the amazing team there; they are the perfect company to get Freda’s long untold story out to audiences on a wider scale.”
The Plot:
Freda Kelly was just a shy Liverpudlian teenager when she was asked to work for a local band hoping to make it big. As The Beatles’ devoted secretary and friend, Freda was there with unfaltering loyalty and dedication as history unfolded, witnessing the evolution – advances and setbacks, breakthroughs and challenges – of the greatest band in history. In Good Ol’ Freda, she tells her story for the first time in 50 years. One of few films with the support of the living Beatles and featuring original Beatles music, the film offers an insider perspective on the beloved band that changed the music industry.
Don’t mess with The Dude! The Big Lebowski‘s just been named the best bowling movie of all time by GoBowling.com. The bowling industry’s official website has revealed the list of the five greatest bowling movies of all time (I had no idea there were actually five good bowling movies), with The Big Lebowski‘s continuing popularity helping to propel it to the top spot.
“With more than 71 million people taking to the lanes each year, making bowling the nation’s #1 participatory sport, it’s no wonder that bowling has carved out a niche within pop culture, particularly in the film industry,” stated Frank DeSocio, President of Strike Ten Entertainment. “Beginning with Racing with the Moon and soaring to new heights with The Big Lebowski, bowling is a favorite backdrop in some of the most popular movies from the past three decades. We wanted to celebrate and pay homage to the movies that continue to generate excitement for the sport of bowling.”
And now without further ado, here are the five best bowling movies according to people who really know the leisure activity/sport. All wording describing the reasons behind these five films making the cut is courtesy of GoBowling.com:
1. The Big Lebowski (1998) – The Coen Brothers’ flick has amassed a passionate fan following with its ensemble cast of bowling buddies Jeff Bridges, John Goodman and Steve Buscemi, providing iconic one-liners and popularizing White Russians and bowling leagues.
2. Kingpin (1996) – This close second featured memorable performances from Woody Harrelson and Randy Quaid, but it was Bill Murray as Ernie McCracken who stole the show with one of the most famous poses to appear in sports movies.
3. Racing with the Moon (1984) – An 80’s cult classic that features two of the most popular celebrities of today – Sean Penn and Nicholas Cage – as two friends who work in a bowling alley.
4. The Flintstones (1994) – Fred and Barney paved the way as members of the first bowling league in this early 90’s classic featuring a Stone-Aged John Goodman.
5. Grease 2 (1982) – The bowling center served as the local hangout for Michael and Stephanie, and was also the birthplace of the classic hit, “We’re Gonna Score Tonight,” while also serving as one of Michelle Pfeiffer’s first major motion pictures.
Episode #12: “The Vic Allen Dinner”
Debut: SUNDAY, MAY 5 (10:00-10:30 p.m. ET/PT)
Other HBO playdates: May 5 (midnight), 7 (12:30 a.m.), 8 (9:30 p.m.) and 9 (10:30 p.m.)
HBO2 playdates: May 6 (8:30 p.m.), 7 (11:00 p.m.), 8 (11:40 p.m.) and 11 (4:15 p.m., 8:30 p.m.)
Selina (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) is rankled when the White House releases an unflattering photo of her. Mike (Matt Walsh) and Kent (Gary Cole) bond over sailing; Jonah (Timothy C. Simons) gets an executive parking space; Sue (Sufe Bradshaw) has a job interview. Selina takes steps to keep her staff happy as they prepare for her appearance at the Vic Allen dinner.
Written by Simon Blackwell & Armando Iannucci; directed by Chris Addison.
Episode #13: “Helsinki”
Debut: SUNDAY, MAY 12 (10:00-10:30 p.m.)
Other HBO playdates: May 12 (midnight), 14 (12:30 a.m.), 15 (9:30 p.m.) and 16 (10:30 p.m.)
HBO2 playdates: May 13 (8:30 p.m.), 14 (11:00 p.m.), 15 (11:30 p.m.) and 18 (3:30 p.m., 8:30 p.m.)
Selina and her staff head to Helsinki to finalize a trade agreement, but worry whether about whether she will be received warmly in Europe. Dan (Reid Scott) calls Mike for advice on charming the press, and Mike leans on Jonah for help. Kent and Ben (Kevin Dunn) argue over how to deal with new intel.
Teleplay by Ian Martin; story by Armando Iannucci & Ian Martin; directed by Becky Martin.
Episode #14: “Andrew”
Debut: SUNDAY, MAY 19 (10:00-10:30 p.m.)
Other HBO playdates: May 19 (midnight), 21 (12:30 a.m.), 22 (9:30 p.m.) and 23 (10:30 p.m.)
HBO2 playdates: May 20 (8:30 p.m.), 21 (11:00 p.m.), 22 (11:40 p.m.) and 25 (4:15 p.m., 8:30 p.m.)
After an unexpected hitch shuts down her budget negotiation with the majority leader, Selina moves the talks to Catherine’s (Sarah Sutherland) 21st birthday bash. Meanwhile, Amy (Anna Chlumsky) and Gary fret over how Selina will handle seeing her ex-husband Andrew (David Pasquesi) at the party; Mike fields press inquiries on Selina’s role in the Uzbek hostage crisis.
Teleplay by Tony Roche; story by Armando Iannucci & Tony Roche; directed by Christopher Morris.
The second soundtrack album from ABC’s popular series Nashville will arrive in stores on May 7, 2013 courtesy of Big Machine Records. The Music of Nashville (Season I, Volume 2) will feature new music from Connie Britton (Rayna Jaymes), Hayden Panettiere (Juliette Barnes), Charles Esten (Deacon Claybourne), Jonathan Jackson (Avery Barkley), Clare Bowen (Scarlett O’Connor), Sam Palladio (Gunnar Scott) and Stella Sisters Lennon and Maisy Stella, (Maddie & Daphne Conrad).
According to ABC, there have been nearly 2 million digital downloads of Volume 1 sold thus far – so releasing a Volume 2 was pretty much a no-brainer.
THE MUSIC OF NASHVILLE (SEASON I, VOLUME 2) TRACK LIST
1. Fade Into You
Performed by Sam Palladio, Clare Bowen
Written by Matt Jenkins, Shane McAnally, Trevor Rosen
2. Ho Hey
Performed by Lennon Stella, Maisy Stella
Written by Jeremy Fraites, Wesley Schultz
3. Gun for a Mouth
Performed by Sam Palladio
Written by David Poe
4. We Are Water
Performed by Hayden Panettiere
Written by Patty Griffin
5. Looking for a Place to Shine
Performed by Clare Bowen
Written by Natalie Hemby, Angela Lauer
6. Stronger Than Me
Performed by Connie Britton
Written by Sarah Buxton, Kate York
7. Bitter Memory
Performed by Connie Britton
Written by Lucinda Williams
8. Let There Be Lonely
Performed by Jonathan Jackson
Written by Laura Rogers, Lydia Rogers, Gordie Sampson
9. Hypnotizing
Performed by Hayden Panettiere
Written by Cary Barlowe, Steve Robson, Caitlyn Smith
10. I Will Fall (Studio Version)
Performed by Clare Bowen, Sam Palladio
Written by Tyler James, Kate York
11. Nothing in This World Will Ever Break My Heart Again
Performed by Hayden Panettiere
Written by Sarah Buxton, Kate York
Carey Mulligan and Leonardo DiCaprio in ‘The Great Gatsby’ (Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures)
Warner Bros is kicking the ad campaign for The Great Gatsby into high gear, showing off two new clips for the dramatic film hitting theaters on May 10, 2013. Directed by Baz Luhrmann and arriving in 3D (as well as regular 2D for those of us who hate those annoying glasses), The Great Gatsby stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire, Joel Edgerton, and Carey Mulligan.
The Plot:
The Great Gatsby follows Fitzgerald-like, would-be writer Nick Carraway as he leaves the Midwest and comes to New York City in the spring of 1922, an era of loosening morals, glittering jazz, bootleg kings, and sky-rocketing stocks. Chasing his own American Dream, Nick lands next door to a mysterious, party-giving millionaire, Jay Gatsby, and across the bay from his cousin, Daisy, and her philandering, blue-blooded husband, Tom Buchanan.
It is thus that Nick is drawn into the captivating world of the super-rich, their illusions, loves and deceits. As Nick bears witness, within and without of the world he inhabits, he pens a tale of impossible love, incorruptible dreams and high-octane tragedy, and holds a mirror to our own modern times and struggles.
The 2013 CinemaCon in Las Vegas kicked off its lineup of studio presentations with Paramount Pictures debuting footage from its upcoming slate of releases. On hand to discuss one of Paramount’s most anticipated 2013 releases – Star Trek Into Darkness – were Damon Lindelof and actors Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Alice Eve, and John Cho. The Star Trek group discussed why it was the right decision to make this Star Trek entry in 3D, the characters and their growth, working with JJ Abrams, and what it’s like to be a part of this iconic sci-fi franchise.
The Plot:
In the wake of a shocking act of terror from within their own organization, the crew of The Enterprise is called back home to Earth. In defiance of regulations and with a personal score to settle, Captain Kirk leads his crew on a manhunt to capture an unstoppable force of destruction and bring those responsible to justice.
As our heroes are propelled into an epic chess game of life and death, love will be challenged, friendships will be torn apart, and sacrifices must be made for the only family Kirk has left: his crew.
Straight No Chaser will kick off their “Under The Influence North American Tour” on October 16, 2013 in Columbia, MO. The group’s three-month-long tour is in support of the release of Under the Influence dropping in stores on May 7th.
Straight No Chaser’s upcoming album includes collaborations with Phil Collins, Stevie Wonder, Elton John, Dolly Parton, Rob Thomas, Seal, and Jason Mraz.
Presale tickets will go on sale to members of the Straight No Chaser Fan Club starting on April 22nd at 4:00pm ET. The general public can purchase tickets beginning April 30th. For more info on tickets, visit sncmusic.com/tour.
Straight No Chaser Tour 2013
MAY
9 – New Brunswick, NJ at State Theatre
10 – York, PA at Stand-Capitol Performing Arts Center
11 – Sewell, NJ at TD Bank Arts Center
12 – Allentown, PA at Miller Symphony Hall*
JUNE
21 – Hampton Beach, NH at Hampton Beach Ballroom Casino
22 – Chautauqua, NY at Chautauqua Institution
23 – Portsmouth, VA at nTelos Wireless Pavilion
28 – Atlanta, GA at Chastain Park Amphitheater
29 – Manteo, NC at Roanoke Island Festival Park
30 – Vienna, VA at Filene Center at Wolftrap
AUGUST
15 – San Diego, CA at Humphrey’s by the Bay
16 – Modesto, CA at Gallo Center for the Arts
17 – Saratoga, CA at Mountain Winery
SEPTEMBER
26 – Las Vegas, NV at The Pearl Theater at the Palms Casino Resort
27 – Las Vegas, NV at The Pearl Theater at the Palms Casino Resort
28 – Las Vegas, NV at The Pearl Theater at the Palms Casino Resort*
OCTOBER
16 – Columbia, MO at Missouri Theatre
17 – Ames, IA at Stephens Auditorium
18 – Davenport, IA at RiverCentre Adler Theatre
19 – Omaha, NE at Omaha Music Hall
20 – Sioux City, IA at Sioux City Orpheum
22 – Billings, MT at Alberta Blair Theater
23 – Casper, WY at Casper Events Center
24 – Loveland, CO at Budweiser Events Center
25 – Colorado Springs, CO at Pikes Peak Center
26 – Denver, CO at Ellie Caulkins Opera House
27 – El Paso, TX at Plaza Theatre
29 – Odessa, TX at Wagner Noel Performing Arts Center
30 – San Antonio, TX at Majestic Theatre
NOVEMBER
1 – Houston, TX at Bayou Theatre
2 – Dallas, TX at McFarlin Auditorium
3 – Kansas City, MO at AMC at Midland Theatre
7 – Nashville, TN at Ryman Auditorium
8 – Dayton, OH at Schuster Performing Arts Center
9 – Normal, IL at Braden Auditorium
10 – Louisville, KY at Kentucky Center
11 – Bowling Green, KY at Southern Kentucky Performing Arts Center
13 – Memphis, TN at Cannon Center
14 – Knoxville, TN at Civic Auditorium
15 – Roanoke, VA at Roanoke Performing Arts Center
16 – Chattanooga, TN at Memorial Auditorium
17 – Richmond, VA at Carpenter Theatre
19 – Pensacola, FL at Saenger Theater
20 – Jacksonville, FL at Florida Theater
21 – Melbourne, FL at King Center
22 – Gainesville, FL at University of Florida
23 – Clearwater, FL at Ruth Eckerd Hall
24 – Durham, NC at Durham Performing Arts Center
29 – Grand Rapids, MI at Devos Performance Hall
30 – Chicago, IL at The Chicago Theatre*
DECEMBER
1 – Detroit, MI at Fox Theatre
5 – Montreal, QC at Place des Arts – Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier
6 – Reading, PA at Reading Eagle Theatre at the Sovereign Center
7 – Hershey, PA at Hershey Theatre*
8 – Uncasville, CT at Mohegan Sun
10 – Boston, MA at Wang Theatre
11 – Pittsburgh, PA at Benedum Theatre
12 – Baltimore, MD at Meyerhoff Symphony Hall
13 – Cincinnati, OH at Aronoff Center for the Arts
14 – Cleveland, OH at Palace Theatre*
15 – St. Louis, MO at Fox Theatre
17 – Milwaukee, WI at Milwaukee Riverside Theater
18 – Ft. Wayne, IN at Embassy Theatre
19 – South Bend, IN at Morris Performing Arts Center
20 – Evansville, IN at The Centre
21 – Indianapolis, IN at Murat Theatre at Old National Centre*
22 – Indianapolis, IN at Murat Theatre at Old National Centre*
HBO has acquired the TV and home video rights to Moms Mabley: I Got Somethin’ to Tell You. The documentary which marks actress Whoopi Goldberg’s directorial debut was executive produced by Goldberg, Tom Leonardis and George Schlatter. HBO Documentary Films President Sheila Nevins announced the pick up and revealed the feature-length documentary will air on HBO later this year.
“What could be better than Whoopi bringing Moms to HBO?,” asked Nevins. “We’ve always known how special Moms was, and I can’t think of a better marriage.”
“Moms Mabley has been a huge inspiration to me and so many others, but not a lot of folks outside of the comedy world know about her legacy,” said Goldberg. “There are a lot of us who wouldn’t be working today without pioneers like her. HBO gave me my first break on TV, so it’s only fitting that Moms has a home there now.”
The Plot: Breaking racial and sexual boundaries as a pioneering comic talent, the African-American stand-up comedienne Jackie “Moms” Mabley has long been an icon in the comedy world. In Moms Mabley: I Got Somethin’ to Tell You, Goldberg explores Mabley’s legacy through recently unearthed photography, rediscovered performance footage and the words of numerous celebrated comedians, entertainers and historians, including Eddie Murphy, Joan Rivers, Sidney Poitier, Kathy Griffin, Harry Belafonte, Bill Cosby, Quincy Jones, Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara.
Mabley tackled topics such as gender, sex and racism, making her one of the first triple X-rated comedians on the comedy circuit. Once billed as “The Funniest Woman in the World,” she performed on stage and in television and film up until her death in 1975. A true passion project for Goldberg, Moms Mabley: I Got Somethin’ to Tell You shows Mabley’s historical significance and profound influence as a performer vastly ahead of her time.
Oscar nominee Hailee Steinfeld wowed audiences in 2010’s True Grit, holding her own in a breakthrough performance opposite Jeff Bridges. Since then, Steinfeld’s been very picky about choosing film roles. Among the projects she’ll be seen in this year on the big screen are the sci-fi movie Ender’s Game and Romeo and Juliet with Douglas Booth.
Before picking up the Female Star of Tomorrow Award at the 2013 CinemaCon at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Steinfeld talked about those two upcoming films. In our interview, Steinfeld discusses the appeal of Ender’s Game, sci-fi films, and playing Juliet in Romeo and Juliet.
The documentary Good Ol’ Freda has been snatched up by Magnolia Pictures for release in North America. The film, directed by Ryan White (Pelada), tells the story of Freda Kelly, the lifelong secretary to The Beatles. Magnolia’s aiming to get the documentary, which premiered at the SXSW Film Festival, into theaters later this year.
The second soundtrack album from ABC’s popular series Nashville will arrive in stores on May 7, 2013 courtesy of Big Machine Records. The Music of Nashville (Season I, Volume 2) will feature new music from Connie Britton (Rayna Jaymes), Hayden Panettiere (Juliette Barnes), Charles Esten (Deacon Claybourne), Jonathan Jackson (Avery Barkley), Clare Bowen (Scarlett O’Connor), Sam Palladio (Gunnar Scott) and Stella Sisters Lennon and Maisy Stella, (Maddie & Daphne Conrad).
