Whether you love the idea of another Superman movie or not, it’s tough to knock the casting of Henry Cavill as the Man of Steel in Man of Steel. Just watch this 30-second TV spot if you doubt the man has the looks to pull off the part. And based on what we’ve seen of his performances in The Tudors and Immortals, it would seem he has the chops to handle the iconic superhero role.
Coming to theaters on June 14, 2013, the cast also includes Amy Adams, Diane Lane, Kevin Costner, Laurence Fishburne, Russell Crowe, Michael Shannon, and Christopher Meloni.
The Plot:
A young boy learns that he has extraordinary powers and is not of this Earth. As a young man, he journeys to discover where he came from and what he was sent here to do. But the hero in him must emerge if he is to save the world from annihilation and become the symbol of hope for all mankind.
Kendall Jenner, Rob Kardashian, Scott Disick, Kourtney Kardashian, Lamar Odom, Khloe Kardashian Odom, Kim Kardashian, Bruce Jenner, Kris Jenner, Kylie Jenner (Photo by: E! Entertainment)
I’m sorry to any Kardashian fans out there, but I can’t even pretend to be excited/interested in this bit of news. However, far be it for me to withhold any Kardashian information from those who are into the family’s goings-on. Keeping Up with the Kardashians will premiere on June 2, 2013 at 9pm, kicking off an 18-episode season.
The Story Details:
Keeping Up with the Kardashians is returning this summer in an all-new season that once again takes viewers inside the ever-evolving, unfiltered relationships of this close-knit, blended family. Kris, Bruce, Kourtney, Kim, Khloé, Rob, Kendall, and Kylie are known for boisterously celebrating life’s golden moments and fiercely banding together when mishaps threaten their strong bonds. As their lives evolve, the always outspoken and unpredictable family are sticking together through all the laughs, cries, and inevitable drama in between.
The Kardashian/Jenner brood includes a number of children and grandchildren, with a new array of dramatic and heartwarming moments at every turn. This season the family embraces change on several fronts, with younger sisters Kendall and Kylie growing up and striving for more independence from each other and the family; Bruce and his son Brody making an effort to spend more time together; Khloé facing startling feelings about Kendall and Kylie as they grow into young adults; Kourtney drawing a line in the sand with Scott when he wants to take their relationship to another level and the impending and anxiously awaited arrival of Kim’s first child.
Fox just announced So You Think You Can Dance and Toxic Office: Does Someone Have to Go? premiere details including the news that SYTYCD will have a two-hour premiere rather than one hour season premiere on May 14, 2013. The network’s also set a premiere date for the unscripted series Toxic Office: Does Someone Have to Go? which will premiere on May 23rd at 9pm after Hell’s Kitchen‘s time period premiere of 8pm that same night.
So You Think You Can Dance will be showcasing another batch of talented dancers, returning for a 10th season of spectacular dance numbers with audition rounds kicking off on May 14th and May 15th. Cat Deeley will be back as host and Nigel Lythgoe and Mary Murphy are returning as judges. Also sharing the judging panel will be guest judges Minnie Driver, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Wayne Brady, All-Star Stephen “tWitch” Boss and Adam Shankman.
Audition cities this year include Austin, Boston, Detroit, Memphis, and Los Angeles.
Toxic Office: Does Someone Have to Go? will debut on Thursday, May 23rd at 9pm for a six episode run.
The Details:
“The boardroom doors get blown wide open when employees are given the power to make some tough decisions. Frustrated bosses will hand over the reins of their companies to the employees, offering their respective staffs a chance to make changes in the workplace – even if it means letting co-workers go. Each participating office will have its own set of issues, which will force them to take a hard look at what’s plaguing their workplace and answer the toughest question of all: Does someone have to go?
Featured in the first two episodes of Toxic Office: Does Someone Have to Go? is Velocity Merchant Services (VMS), a family-owned business in Downers Grove, IL. When the family owners leave the company in the hands of their employees – including the owner’s cousins and mother – the staff quickly learns that solving personnel issues isn’t as easy as it looks. Forced to make difficult decisions and fix the company’s problems, they also realize that blood may not be thicker than water.
It appears we’ll be revisiting A Haunted House. Open Road Films has picked up the US distribution rights to the sequel which will be co-written by Marlon Wayans. Wayans will also be starring in the comedy that’s set to be released this winter.
Filming is expected to take place this summer.
Tom Ortenberg, CEO of Open Road Films, and Stuart Ford, CEO of IM Global, made the announcement of the acquisition. The first A Haunted House film hit theaters in January 2013 and has grossed $40 million to date.
“Marlon Wayans is one of the funniest and hardest working talents in the movie business,” stated Ortenberg. “Working with Marlon, producer Rick Alvarez and IM Global on A Haunted House was a fantastic experience and we are thrilled to re-assemble the team for another hilarious movie.”
Marlon Wayans added, “Rick and I are excited about embarking on this journey again. IM Global has been a great, supportive partner and Open Road did a fantastic job marketing and releasing the movie. I’m looking forward to doing it again, mainly because of the fun we had the first time around. ‘Fun’ is the keyword when doing funny. Let’s go (in my @iamdiddy voice)!”
And Alvarez said, “We look forward to getting started on the next chapter of what we hope will become an incredible franchise. Our goal with the first movie was to create big laughs on a tiny budget and with the help of our partners, our creative team, and the tireless promotion of Marlon we were able to achieve that goal.”
Set against the sexy and glamorous golden age of Formula 1 racing, Rush portrays the exhilarating true story of two of the greatest rivals the world has ever witnessed—handsome English playboy Hunt and his methodical, brilliant opponent, Lauda (Brühl). Taking us into their personal lives on and off the track, Rush follows the two drivers as they push themselves to the breaking point of physical and psychological endurance, where there is no shortcut to victory and no margin for error. If you make one mistake, you die.
Freddie Highmore and Vera Farmiga in 'Bates Motel' - Photo Courtesy of A&E
Viewers will be able to check into Bates Motel for a second season. A&E will be bringing back the drama for a 10-episode season two to air in 2014. Filming will take place on the series later this year.
Bates Motel stars Vera Farmiga and Freddie Highmore and is executive produced by Carlton Cuse and Kerry Ehrin. The cast also includes Max Thieriot, Olivia Cooke, Nicola Peltz, and Nestor Carbonell. The first episode of season one had 4.5 million viewers and is the most-watched “original drama debut in the key demos” in A&E’s history.
Announcing the renewal, Bob DeBitetto, President and General Manager of A&E Network and BIO Channel, stated: “Bates Motel has garnered critical acclaim and a loyal audience in its first few weeks. With superb writing and exceptional acting, led by the critically acclaimed performances of Vera Farmiga and Freddie Highmore, we’re incredibly excited to see where Carlton and Kerry take Norma and Norman Bates next.”
The Plot:
In Bates Motel, following the tragic death of her husband, Norma Bates buys a motel on the outskirts of the idyllic coastal town of White Pine Bay, seeking a fresh start. As Norma and Norman get ensconced in their new home, they discover this town isn’t quite what it seems, and the locals aren’t so quick to let them in on their secrets. But the Bates’ are done being pushed around and will do whatever it takes to survive – and will do whatever it takes to protect their own secrets.
Annette Funicello 1942-2013 Attribution (C) DisneyFormer The Mickey Mouse Club star Annette Funicello has passed away at the age of 70 from complications due to Multiple Sclerosis. Funicello, who spent more than 25 years bravely battling the disease, passed away peacefully on March 8, 2013 at Mercy Southwest Hospital in Bakersfield, CA.
Funicello was diagnosed with MS in 1987 and following her diagnosis set up The Annette Funicello Research Fund for Neurological Diseases. The fund is “dedicated to funding research into the cause, treatment and cure of multiple sclerosis and other neurological diseases and continues to be an active charity.”
Born October 22, 1942 in Utica, New York. Funicello became a beloved star of television and films, kicking off her career as one of the Mouseketeers on the Disney’s The Mickey Mouse Club. She went on to star in feature films including The Shaggy Dog (1959), Babes in Toyland (1961), The Misadventures of Merlin Jones (1964), and The Monkey’s Uncle (1965). In the 1960s, Annette paired up with Frankie Avalon for Beach Party (1963), Muscle Beach Party (1964), Bikini Beach (1964), Beach Blanket Bingo (1965), and How to Stuff a Wild Bikini (1965).
In the 1960s Funicello also kept busy recording Top 40 singles including “Tall Paul,” “First Name Initial,” “How Will I Know My Love,” and “Pineapple Princess,” and released albums Hawaiiannette (1960), Italiannette (1960), and Dance Annette (1961).
Bob Iger, Chairman and CEO of The Walt Disney Company, had this to say about the passing of Funicello: “Annette was and always will be a cherished member of the Disney family, synonymous with the word Mousketeer, and a true Disney Legend. She will forever hold a place in our hearts as one of Walt Disney’s brightest stars, delighting an entire generation of baby boomers with her jubilant personality and endless talent. Annette was well known for being as beautiful inside as she was on the outside, and she faced her physical challenges with dignity, bravery and grace. All of us at Disney join with family, friends, and fans around the world in celebrating her extraordinary life.”
Oscar®-winning composer and Disney legend Richard Sherman said, “Annette’s sweet, unassuming spirit, her love of people, and her capacity to exude kindness and good feelings to everyone she met was part of her beautiful charisma. Because the songs we wrote for her brought us to the attention of Walt, Bob and I always referred to Annette as our ‘lucky star.’ My wife, Elizabeth, joins me in sending a heartfelt aloha with much love to our ‘Pineapple Princess.’”
Annette’s friend and fellow Mouseketeer Sharon Baird said, “Throughout all the years we were friends she never changed from that sweet person who cared so much about others. She always had time for everyone; family, friends and fans alike. It’s no wonder she was America’s sweetheart.”
Walt Disney’s daughter Diane Disney Miller said, “Everyone who knew Annette loved and respected her. She was one of the loveliest people I’ve ever known, and was always so kind to everyone. She was also the consummate professional, and had such great loyalty to my father. Annette will always be very special to me and Ron.”
Our thoughts are with Annette Funicello’s family and friends at this difficult time. In lieu of flowers, donations in Annette’s memory can be made to The Annette Funicello Research Fund at annetteconnection.com.
Broadcast Music, Inc (BMI) has named Adam Levine as the recipient of their prestigious President’s Award for 2013. Levine earned the honor, which he’ll pick up on May 14, 2013, for “his outstanding achievement in songwriting and global impact on pop culture and the entertainment industry.”
“Adam has mastered the art of writing unforgettable pop and rock hits. Captivating music lovers with his undeniable and memorable lyrics and catchy melodies, Adam’s pop anthems and heartfelt ballads are defining an exciting brand of global stardom” stated Barbara Cane, BMI Vice President & General Manager, Writer/Publisher Relations, Los Angeles.
According to BMI, the President’s Award is given to an individual songwriter who has “distinctly and profoundly influenced the entertainment industry.” Past honorees include Kike Santander, Taylor Swift, Emilio, Gloria Estefan, Pitbull and Willie Nelson.
In addition to being a coach on The Voice, Levine is the lead singer of the Grammy Award-winning group Maroon 5. The band has sold over 17 million albums worldwide.
The Academy of Country Music provides this behind the scenes video of Entertainer of the Year award winner/48th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards co-host Luke Bryan. Bryan joined the media backstage for a 10-minute press conference in which he talked about nabbing the title of Entertainer of the Year, being blessed by Country music fans, and how grateful he is to have so much support from family members, friends, and music lovers.
Bryan also discussed his preparation for co-hosting the show with Blake Shelton and how he was so into that task that he forgot the first line of his new single and can’t remember what he actually sang on stage. He also can’t really remember his acceptance speech for the CMA’s big award.
“The Face” winner Devyn Abdullah and Supermodel Coach Karolina Kurkova - (Photo by: Steve Fenn/Oxygen)
The reality competition series The Face will be back for a second season, so says Oxygen Media. The series, executive produced by Naomi Campbell and produced by Shine America, pits three supermodels against each other as they vie to discover a new model who’ll represent a well-known brand. Season one was won by single mom Devyn Abdullah from Bronx, New York who was chosen as the new brand ambassador for ULTA Beauty’s Fall and Holiday 2013 National Ad Campaign.
“The Face brings a unique and authentic look into the modeling industry, along with our supermodel coaches and contestants delivering the passion, fashion, competition and drama that our audience was captivated by,” stated Rod Aissa, Senior Vice President, Original Programming and Development, Oxygen Media. “We are excited to get back on the catwalk for season two as we bring in a few new twists along the way.”
Rich Ross, CEO, Shine America, added, “We are thrilled that The Face resonated with viewers and our team at Shine is excited to get back to work, producing a second season with our great partners at Oxygen.”
The Details:
The Face gives viewers unprecedented access inside the world of the fashion industry as three teams of aspiring models, each led by a supermodel coach, are guided through real life assignments, including photo shoots and commercials. Throughout the series, the supermodel coaches mentor young hopefuls using the lessons and skills they have learned to guide their teams through challenges that accurately depict what it takes to have a career as a model and be the face of a brand. The models will be exposed to the biggest and most influential names in the industry who appear throughout the show to help judge and lend their expertise.
In the end, only one girl will be chosen to become ‘The Face’ of a major national brand, earning a real contract as the brand ambassador.
