WebProNews

Tag: talk show

  • Kelly Ripa And Michael Strahan’s Show Gets Approved Through 2020

    TV partners Kelly Ripa and Michael Strahan are due to continue their hosting duties on daytime television. Disney-ABC Home Entertainment and Television Distribution confirmed that Live! with Kelly and Michael has been renewed with hosts Kelly Ripa and Michael Strahan at the helm.

    Live! with Kelly and Michael has been renewed through 2020. Disney/ABC has also set another long-term renewal with the game show, Who Wants to be a Millionaire?

    “We are exceptionally proud of Live’s unparalleled success and are thrilled to extend our highly-valued partnership with the ABC-owned stations for many more years to come,” said Janice Marinelli, president of Disney/ABC Home Entertainment and Television Distribution. “We are also very pleased to extend our relationship with their strong stations on Millionaire, which continues to resonate with viewers across the country.”

    The renewals are for the majority of stations owned by ABC.  Live! with Kelly and Michael is aired on eight ABC O&Os in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Fresno, Raleigh-Durham, and Houston. Who Wants to be a Millionaire”, which is hosted by Chris Harrison, has also been renewed on the ABC-owned stations through the 2016-17 seasons with the exception of WLS-TV Chicago.

    Live! is among the most successful syndicated franchises in the history of television. It started airing in 1988 with Regis Philbin and Kathie Lee Gifford as the hosts. Kelly Ripa succeeded Gifford, who left in 2001, while Strahan replaced Philbin in 2012.

    “Audiences love watching Live! with Kelly and Michael. During the last week of 2015, the show achieved a 1.8 rating with women 25-54, the highest rating in that demo of any talk show this season,” said ABC Owned Television Stations Group president Rebecca Campbell in a statement. “Produced by our owned station WABC-TV, we are extremely proud of Live’s ability to innovate and connect with viewers and look forward to that continuing into the next decade.”

  • Sherri Shepherd To Join ‘The View’ After Leaving The Show Over A Year Ago

    Earlier this week, ABC revealed that Sherri Shepherd and Joy Behar will be joining The View hosts, Whoopi Goldberg, Michelle Collins, Raven-Symoné, Paula Faris and Candace Cameron Bure.

    The View confirmed, in a recent Twitter post, that Shepherd and Behar are coming back for season 19, premiering on Tuesday, Sept. 8. The two exited the show more than a year ago.

    Shepherd will be back as a contributor to the show alongside Stacy London, Padma Lakshmi, Molly Sims and Ana Navarro to tackle life style, health and politics.

    Behar will return as co-host. She admits she is happy to be back home. The new co-host cannot wait to share her opinion about hot topics especially politics.

    Executive producer and program creator, Barbara Walters expressed her happiness and excitement for the upcoming season, “As The View embarks on a remarkable 19th season, I am extremely proud to see the legacy of smart and diverse women engaging in entertaining and thought-provoking conversation continue.”

    Meanwhile, Cameron-Bure said she is honored to be working alongside “such a strong group of bright and opinionated women.” She described the upcoming season as an “exciting journey” that she wants to share with the followers of the talk show.

    Viewers are curious to see how hosts, Cameron-Bure and Behar will spice up the daytime talk show as the former is an outspoken conservative evangelical. Also, how will Shepherd carry out her job as a contributor after a year of absence?

    The show’s executive producer, Bill Wolff said they are looking forward to discussing more relevant topics including pop culture, humor, and politics and anything that their audience will love.

    Expect juicy insights from the hosts as The View starts season 19 with new members.

  • Meredith Vieira Talk Show Renewed For Season 2

    Meredith Vieira’s daytime talk show The Meredith Vieira Show has been renewed for a second season.

    The show, hosted by former The View and Today host, has been airing for less than two months and has already gotten the go ahead for season two by NBCUniversal Domestic Television Distribution.

    The show is based out of Rockefeller Center in New York City and airs in 98 percent of the country, according to the Los Angeles Times.

    “The Meredith Vieira Show has the full commitment and support of NBCUniversal and we could not be happier to bring it back for a second season,” Ed Swindler, President NBCUniversal Domestic Television Distribution and NBC Broadcast Operations, said. “With its singular host and talented producers, Meredith has grown creatively since launch, continues to gain viewers and we are optimistic it will emerge as a staple in daytime.”

    Since the show premiered on September 8, ratings have been increasingly high among the women’s 25-54 demographic.

    “We are proud to have Meredith Vieira on our stations for a second season,” said Valari Staab, President, NBCUniversal Owned Television Stations. “Meredith is genuine, smart, warm and funny, and she has our strong support to help her continue to grow her show in this very challenging day part.”

  • Natalie Morales Planning To Leave ‘Today’ Amidst Power Struggle?

    Natalie Morales, the popular co-host of the Today show, is reportedly seeking greener pastures. According to speculation, this is due to the tense atmosphere behind the scenes of the NBC Show. Sources have told Page Six that Morales is locked in a power struggle with fellow Today show host Tamron Hall and NBC News chief Deborah Turness.

    Morales joined the show back in 2006 as a national correspondent but she was eventually promoted to be the co-host of the show’s third hour. However, she has yet to nab the top anchor spot despite her relatively long history with the company. When Ann Curry left in 2012, Morales was passed over for the job. The gig instead went to Savannah Guthrie.

    According to Page Six’s NBC source, “There’s a lot of tension. Natalie and Tamron are competitive, and there was a big blow up in October between the two. Deborah has an issue with Natalie and has sided with Tamron. There has been zero communication between Deborah and Natalie for a long period of time. It’s the talk of NBC staff.”

    Another insider claims that, “Natalie’s agent at WME has been reaching out discreetly looking for other opportunities for her. She could be interested in a talk show.” WME declined to comment on the matter, however.

    It was also reported that Morales had lunch with the Today show’s executive producer Don Nash to air her grievances, but she didn’t get the reassurance she had hoped for regarding her future with the show.

    In a statement released by Nash, he denied the rumors by saying, “This is total nonsense. As the ‘Today’ show continues to gain momentum, it sounds like someone is trying to stir up trouble that doesn’t exist. Natalie Morales is valued by everyone at the news division from the top down, and her future is with the ‘Today’ show and NBC News.”

  • Wendy Williams Show Back for New Season in 1st Place

    The Wendy Williams Show is back for a brand new season–its sixth–and has earned the coveted top spot in the daytime talk show demographic of women in the ages 25 to 54 bracket. Way to go, Wendy. That’s quite an honor, seeing as how she beat out shows like Ellen, Dr. Phil, and Live! With Kelly and Michael. Madam Noire reports the show has seen a fifty percent increase in ratings since season five.

    The Wendy Williams Show distributors, Mort Marcu and Ira Bernstein–also co-presidents of Debmar-Mercury–issued a statement to the media regarding the show’s success.

    “This is an amazing accomplishment. To have the No. 1 show in the category most important to advertisers, a record-setting household performance and phenomenal year-to-year growth is astounding. It is a lasting testament to Wendy, their fantastic team and the many stations across the country that have believed so strongly in Wendy. We couldn’t be more thrilled,” the statement read.

    App.com says of Wendy Williams, “She keeps her fingers on the pulse of celebs, from the Kardashians to Chris Brown. Last October, she said she’d eat crow if Kim Kardashian and Kanye West actually got married and stayed together longer than the 72 days Kardashian was previously wed to basketball player Kris Humphries.”

    “I am a woman of my word,” said Williams during a conference call with the press last week. “I stopped at a red light. I was driving the other day and looked to my left and saw a crow crossing the street. I said, ‘Oh my gosh, they are so small. They have very little meat.’”

    In recent days the Wendy Williams Show has hyped viewers–and the press–by Wendy’s revelation that she has been treated in the past by the same doctor who performed the throat procedure on Joan Rivers–the one that ultimately cost the comedienne her life. Williams saw the doctor last summer.

    Wendy Williams assured her fans that Gwen Korovin–the doctor in the Joan Rivers case–didn’t have to operate on her.

    “Thank god!” she added.

    Even more interesting, however, is this.

    “She doesn’t take insurance! Believe me, I gagged about that. Fortunately, because I went to see her on TV time, TV paid for it. Although, that special was a Wendy Williams production so somehow, I paid for it!” the talk show host said.

    Are you a fan of the Wendy Williams Show? Does it surprise you that she has beat out Ellen DeGeneres, Kelly Ripa and Michael Strahan, and Dr. Oz for the daytime women’s 25 to 54-year-old age bracket?

    Best wishes to Wendy Williams as she embarks on what will no doubt be a highly successful sixth season of her show.

  • David Letterman Dedicates Five-Minute Rant On Show To The Eagles

    Legendary talk show host David Letterman has a date set for his retirement, but while that date hasn’t come, he apparently can do anything he wants on his show. Letterman spent almost five minutes of his show on Friday night debating on whether he can play songs by The Eagles or not. The band is reportedly notorious for being reluctant about licensing their music, and Letterman wasn’t happy about it.

    Excited about the upcoming concert of The Eagles at Madison Square Garden on September 20, Letterman bantered with an audience member about going and asked his band leader and sidekick, Paul Shaffer, to play some songs by them. Panicking, a producer of The Late Show informed them that they weren’t allowed to play songs by The Eagles because the band didn’t license their music to TV shows.

    Letterman toyed with the idea of paying for the track, but the producer replied that there was no way it could happen. “They won’t give us a number, they just said no. The licensing people just said no,” said the producer.

    Apparently miffed that he was being told what he couldn’t do on his own show, Letterman didn’t back down from the issue, consulting with director Jerry Foley on air. Foley suggested that they play a few lines in order to circumvent licensing issues, which prompted Letterman and Shaffer to discuss which song would do the show justice.

    “Paul, aren’t you just now really dying to play an Eagles song?” Letterman teased at one point, looking as if he was ready to push through with hearing a song by The Eagles on his show. However, just as it seemed as if they had made a decision, Letterman ended the discussion abruptly.

    “You know what, I’m not that interested anymore,” he said. The dismissal came off as an effective jab at The Eagles for the band’s licensing policy.

    It was in April earlier this year when Letterman announced that he would be retiring in 2015.

  • Jenny McCarthy Out, Nicolle Wallace and October Gonzalez In on The View?

    Jenny McCarthy said goodbye to The View on Thursday as rumors about the hiring of two new co-hosts hit the media. Nicolle Wallace and October Gonzalez will supposedly soon join Rosie O’Donnell and Whoopi Goldberg–taking both McCarthy and Sherri Shepherd’s spots on the daytime talk show.

    Whoopi Goldberg was absent on McCarthy’s last day. Speculation had her tying up loose ends regarding the new hires.

    “When I chose to come to The View one year ago, the opportunity represented two things for me,” McCarthy said during her final broadcast. “First was that, after 20 years in the business and paying a lot of dues…., working as a talk show host alongside the single most respected female news journalists of all time, Miss Barbara Walters. All I can say is ‘Wow, am I grateful!’”

    Jenny McCarthy continued. “Second, was continuing to do what I’ve always tried to do in any situation I’ve ever found myself in, which is to learn.”

    “My time here was short, but the memories and lessons learned here will stay with me forever and for that, and to you guys at home who have supported me, I am grateful,” McCarthy said after singing the praises of The View’s Executive Producer Bill Gedde.

    “Working with you, I can now say I have worked with the best in the business — you are one of a kind and thank you,” she told Gedde.

    It will certainly be interesting to see if an official confirmation regarding Nicolle Wallace and October Gonzalez is announced in the coming days. Whoopi Goldberg returned to The View on Friday. On Monday the show will feature a taped goodbye from Sherri Shepherd.

    Will you miss Jenny McCarthy–the soon-to-be Mr. Donnie Wahlberg–on The View?

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Kate Gosselin: Former Nanny Rats Her Out

    Kate Gosselin has at least one former nanny who clearly wasn’t fond of the Jon & Kate Plus 8 star–so she ratted her out to the media. No, she didn’t spill heinous secrets like author Robert Hoffman claims in his book, Kate Gosselin: How She Fooled the World–but she did rat her out over an alleged rule book that nannies were to abide by.

    An unnamed former nanny claims Kate Gosselin has a rule book that not only clearly illustrates the reality TV star’s pet peeves, but at times even instructs the nanny to ‘be Kate.’

    As per the former nanny’s interview with Kate Gosselin, “When Jon called the kids on the phone, Kate said to us nannies, ‘You are Kate, so always listen in on the phone calls,’” she recalled how her former boss would want the nannies to put themselves in her shoes and do as she would.

    “We always had to keep an ear and eye on what was going on. Kate would say she had no problem with the kids having a relationship with Jon, but it always felt like a façade to me.”

    In addition to being super sleuths, Kate Gosselin’s nannies did housework, but could only vacuum at certain times of the day, had to be very careful about slamming doors, and were cautioned about “not putting anything on the ground.” Also, everything had to be wrapped up by 9:00 P.M.

    Meanwhile, according to Kate Gosselin’s Twitter posts, life is grand in her home with her eight children.

    Did this former nanny get done because of Kate’s rule book? No. It was supposedly when she witnessed Kate’s behavior toward one of her children that this unnamed nanny decided to call it quits.

    The nanny said that she ultimately quit after witnessing certain behavior she was uncomfortable with, such as Kate spanking son Colin—whom she described as the ‘busiest’ of the eight kids and the one most often in trouble—with a plastic spoon in front of his brothers and sisters.

    What do you think? Is this simply a new case of more Kate Gosselin bashing or is it further proof that the pretty, smiling woman on the occasional TV talk show who wants to portray a loving-but-strict mom is really a piece of angry work? Might more nannies come out of the woodwork with similar stories now that this one has spoken out? Will any of them dare reveal their identities?

    This former nanny did add, by the way, that the children love–and frequently watch–old episodes of Jon & Kate Plus 8. The supposedly call it ‘Mommy and Daddy’s show.’

    Are they mourning what once was or is this a case of Kate fueling her dreams that they will one day return to the world of reality TV?

    Image via YouTube

  • Sarah Palin: The Newest Edition To The View?

    Former Alaska governor Sarah Palin has hinted that she may want to join ABC’s morning talk show The View.

    Last month, Sherri Shepherd and Jenny McCarthy announced that they would not be returning to the show, leaving room for new hosts to take their spot at the round table.

    “I hear everyone recently got canned from The View, maybe a show like that needs a punch of reality and a voice of reason from America’s heartland to knock some humble sense into their scripts,” Palin told The Hollywood Reporter. “You know, someone willing to go rogue.”

    Palin, who is no stranger to television, also suggested that she may like to have her own political talk show. “Maybe,” she said, when asked about the possibility of having a show either on television, radio, or the Internet. “But the politics would have to be interspersed with a whole lot of fun and real life and inspiration showcasing American work ethic, because those topics are all pretty much the antithesis of today’s politics, which I find incorrigibly disastrous!”

    “It’d be so much fun to shake it up taking on issues that make audiences objectively consider all sides, and I’d do it with my own real-life groundedness, candor and commonsense that I’m known for,” Palin added. “Media needs that today, versus the condescension that oozes from TV and radio.”

    Barbara Walters announced that she will be retiring and will not be returning to the show, leaving Whoopi Goldberg the only current host coming back for the new season. Different names have been tossed around as possible hosts including Rosie O’Donnell and Mario Cantone.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Chelsea Handler’s Netflix Talk Show Is Going to Suck or Not Suck

    Chelsea Handler’s Netflix Talk Show Is Going to Suck or Not Suck

    As you probably heard, Chelsea Handler’s next talk show-hosting gig after E!’s Chelsea Lately will take place in the world of on-demand streaming – Netflix. Her new show will debut some time in 2016, and according to Netflix will “feature an updated format that still encompasses Chelsea’s unfiltered opinions on topical entertainment and cultural issues, as well as her signature guest interviews.”

    It’s either doomed or Netflix’s best move yet.

    From Gawker’s Chelsea Handler’s Netflix Deal Is Doomed:

    Listen, Netflix makes no sense. Binge watching is a profit-motivated delivery system that maximizes buzz and long-tail profits by leveraging American laziness and lack of willpower. Nobody loses (except for our memory of the art we have just seen). Is it the future? Absolutely. But what does the Netflix model—streaming, binge-watching, everything on-demand—have to do with Chelsea Handler’s whole thing?

    …By all means, enjoy your time with this sexy, emerging market that’s redefining disposability—that’s your brand too, it’s fine—but don’t come crying to me when you’re hosting the Tech Emmys and that Brad Wollack character won’t even take your calls anymore. I’ve seen how this ends.

    Ok then.

    Now, from Wired’s Giving Chelsea Handler a Talk Show Could Be Netflix’s Best Move Yet:

    [For Netflix], there’s no one better partner than Handler.

    Here’s why. Online talk shows, and online comedy shows in general, are everywhere and gaining traction (just ask the women of Broad City, who started on YouTube before going to Comedy Central). Second, the reigning kings of late night—Seth Meyers and The Two Jimmys—joust each night to produce segments that go viral online. There’s still a TV audience to fight for, but the real prize is landing the interview or writing the segment that gets shared around the world the next day. Why not just have an on-demand show of nothing but one-off Handler interviews and sketches that viewers can binge through a la carte?

    Just like HBO, it can let Handler say and do whatever she wants. She’s a brash comedian who gets bleeped on her E! show, but on Netflix flirting with Justin Bieber and telling boozy sex stories are fair game. And by calling her “breathtakingly honest and irreverent,” Sarandos clearly knows what he’s getting into.

    Aight.

    Thoughts?

    Image via Chelsea Handler, Instagram

  • Chelsea Handler Lands at Netflix with Talk Show Debuting in 2016

    Chelsea Handler Lands at Netflix with Talk Show Debuting in 2016

    As is often the case, the rumors turned out to be anything but lies. Netflix has announced a ‘multi-tiered deal’ with Chelsea Handler, the comedian/talk show host who’s ending her seven-year run with E!’s Chelsea Lately in August.

    Netflix is really going all-in with Handler. Not only will she get her own talk show in 2016 (which will be the first time the talk show format has been attempted in an on-demand streaming setting), but Netflix is giving her an exclusive standup special this October and four ‘docu-comedy’ specials that will premiere next year.

    According to Netflix, Handler’s new talk show will “feature an updated format that still encompasses Chelsea’s unfiltered opinions on topical entertainment and cultural issues, as well as her signature guest interviews.” So, if you like her humor on Chelsea Lately, you’ll likely want to follow her to Netflix.

    “If I was going to continue working in this industry, I knew I had to do something outside the box to keep myself interested. I wanted to sit with the cool kids at lunch so I approached Netflix to make sure they were as cool as I thought they were, and when I confirmed my suspicions, like with any other future lover, I made my move. I’m more excited than I’ve been in awhile, and the team at Netflix is the most forward thinking, alert group I’ve sat down with in ages. No offense to the Shahs Of Sunset,” said Chelsea.

    What’s most interesting about this announcement is that Netflix is moving into strange territory for a subscription streaming service. It’ll likely be the first time that Netflix abandons the release-all-at-once format for original series. Being a talk show, Netflix will probably want to release it on an episode to episode basis so it can remain timely.

    “The Internet has disrupted many of the conventions of traditional television and together with Chelsea Handler, Netflix is looking forward to reimagining the late night talk show for the on-demand generation, starting with the late night part….” said Netflix Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos.

    Handler announced her decision to leave the E! network when her contract expired, and the last episode of her late night talk show will air on August 26th. Ever since that announcement, everyone has wondered where she would land – with both CBS and Netflix being rumored contenders. In April, Handler publicly denied any reports of an impending deal with Netflix, saying “everything printed about me is a lie.”

    Image via Instagram

  • Chelsea Handler’s Talk Show Will End In August

    After seven long years, Chelsea Handler will be saying goodbye to E! and will be leaving her late night talk show Chelsea Lately.

    On Wednesday, the network said in a statement that they would be ending the talk show with a special hour-long season finale on August 26, 2014.

    “We are very proud of Chelsea Lately’s long-running success and the unique space that the series carved out in late night television,” said the president of E! Suzanne Kolb

    “Chelsea brought a distinct voice to late night with her acerbic wit and fearless commentary and we look forward to providing fans with a memorable send-off that lives up to that tradition. Most of all, we are grateful to the Chelsea Lately team for making this show so special for seven years.”

    Chelsea has been very open about wanting to leave the show when her contract expires at the end of the year. During an interview on Howard Stern’s radio show, Handler called E! a “a sad, sad place to live.” She continued by calling E! a failure and saying that they have no idea what they are doing. “They don’t know what they’re doing,” Handler added. “They have no ideas. It’s a failure.”

    After E! announced the cancellation of the show, Handler provided a prepared statement that said she enjoyed her time spent on E! and the memories she made. “I myself am more surprised than anyone that I was able to hold down a job for seven years, and it was a fantastic seven years,” she said. “I will always look back at my time on E! as most people look back at their time in college. I’m glad I went.”

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Conan O’Brien Signs With TBS For Another Four Years

    Chalk up another win for Team Coco.

    The world of late night talk shows will be much different this time next year. David Letterman has already announced his retirement, Stephen Colbert will take his place at CBS, and Craig Ferguson is exiting The Late Late Show later this year.

    However, TBS is sticking with Coco. The cable network announced at the upfronts in New York City today that it has officially renewed Conan through 2018. Head of programming at TBS and TNT Michael Wright explained the network’s decision, “Over the past four years, we have built a terrific relationship with Conan O’Brien and are thrilled to be extending his series for another three years.” He added, “We couldn’t have asked for a better late-night host or a more enthusiastic ambassador for the TBS brand.”

    O’Brien has hosted Conan on TBS since 2010. Although the show averages about 800,000 viewers per night, Wright cited O’Brien’s ability to bring a young fanbase to the program. Additionally, Conan scores strong with the advertising-desirable 18-34 demo. The 51-year-old also has a massive social media presence with 10.7 million followers on Twitter, plus another 2.5 million Facebook fans.

    Here are a few recent gems from his Twitter page:

    Once David Letterman says “good night” for the final time next year, O’Brien will become the longest-running host of late night television. Late Night with Conan O’Brien premiered on September 13, 1993.

    In a recent interview with The Wrap, O’Brien spoke about his journey and what he’s learned from his years on the late night circuit, “It’s very humbling to do this show. The thing you don’t know when you’re younger is you think it’s all about getting there. And then at one point people start to tell you, by your 25-year-old definition, you got there — but you’re still not satisfied. I won’t say you redefine what it is, but you realize the trick, as you get a little older, is especially in comedy to me — there are comedians who are still inspirational to me. Steve Martin is still the funniest guy in the room. Martin Short is still the funniest guy in the room.”

    You can check out Conan weeknights 11/10c on TBS.

    Image via Conan O’Brien, Twitter

  • President Obama Interviewed On ‘Between Two Ferns’

    Okay.

    Between Two Ferns is a deadpan internet comedy series hosted on video website Funny or Die starring comedian Zach Galifianakis as a talk show host who invites various celebrities to sit down (literally, between two ferns) for an interview on a set that resembles something out of 90’s public-access television.

    *Phew*

    If you’re familiar with The Hangover star whose last name is too complicated to type and causes anxiety levels to sky rocket, you’ll find that he’s just as awkward as he’s always been by making his guests uncomfortable.

    Filmed two weeks ago and shortly released after 7:00 AM EST on Tuesday, President Barack Obama appeared on the hot seat, plugging his Affordable Care Act, urging young people to sign up for health insurance before March 31st. If you’re like Galifianakis and “don’t have a computer”, you can get coverage by calling by telephone. If you’re without a phone (like Galifianakis) and wary of “staying off the grid” for the sake of not wanting the President’s “people looking at” your texts, you can apply for healthcare in person.

    “Have you heard of the Affordable Care Act?” Obama asked.

    “Oh yeah, that thing that doesn’t work,” Galifianakis chimed in, later unveiling to Obama his various spider bites – the President assured that his preexisting condition wouldn’t  stop him from being covered.

    Aside from the President’s plug, Galifianakis dished out questions concerning “Ambassador Rodman” and what to do with “North Ikea”, asking if Hulk Hogan would be sent to Syria, the President’s birth certificate, which team he rooted for in the Winter Olympics, and suggesting that he make same-sex divorce illegal.

    Typically, Galifianakis would take jabs at his guest, showing complete disinterest as well as hurling passive aggressive insults and other various forms of mockery.

    Mixing up food with country, he asked Obama: “In 2013 you pardoned the turkey. What do you have planned for 2014?”

    Obama, vigilant in the skit, fired back at each remark his host made: “We’ll probably pardon another turkey. We do that every Thanksgiving. Was that depressing to you? Seeing uh.. uh..  one turkey kinda taken outta circulation a turkey you couldn’t eat?”

    Image via YouTube

  • Drew Barrymore and Adam Sandler Sing Duet on ‘Tonight Show’

    Longtime friends and on-screen partners, Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore, were guests on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Wednesday night to endorse their upcoming movie Blended, which is set in South Africa. The two play single parents who end up going on a vacation together in Africa.

    Barrymore and Sandler first worked together in the 1998 romantic comedy film The Wedding Singer, and then again in 50 First Dates, which came out in 2004. In both movies, the on-screen couple had undeniable chemistry that was effortless. The pregnant actress said that they get to fall in love with each other every 10 years, and Sandler agreed by saying that they have a lot of fun together.

    http://youtu.be/_bhU3NsCIDs

    http://youtu.be/H1SVxJZTgI4

    Fallon then asked the two to express their feelings by doing a duet. Barrymore and Sandler obliged to the audience’s delight, and Fallon provided accompaniment with his guitar.

    In the song, Sandler asked Barrymore if he is her best movie husband. Barrymore responded by singing “Of course you are, Adam.” He then asked if he was better than Hugh Grant, Barrymore’s co-star in Music and Lyrics, and Ben Stiller her co-star in Duplex. Barrymore answered the he was much better than them.

    The last question Sandler asked was if he is better than Fallon, Barrymore’s co-star in Fever Pitch. The actress responded by singing that they have both have great qualities.

    Sandler ended their duet by singing a few lines from Grow Old with You, a song featured in “The Wedding Singer.” Barrymore was moved to tears and the two hugged each other.

    Barrymore shared a photo on her Instagram account with Fallon and Sandler. The caption read “Two of my favorite men on this earth!!!!! @jimmyfallon and adam my love! #bestnightever.”

    Barrymore and Sandler’s romantic comedy film Blended hits theaters on May 23.

    Image via YouTube

  • Seth Meyers: ‘Late Show’ Debut Review

    If you are a fan of Seth Meyers on Saturday Night Live, you most likely enjoyed his debut on Late Night.

    Meyers replaced Jimmy Fallon on Late Night. Fallon had a great run as the Late Night host with popular segments such as The History of Rap and Slow-jamming the News. He made his debut appearance as The Tonight Show’s host on February 17 with guests Will Smith and U2, as well as appearances from Robert De Niro, Kim Kardashian, Seth Rogen, Lady Gaga, and Stephen Colbert.

    Meyers’ first appearance as the host of Late Night garnered mixed reviews from audiences. He was able to transition his SNL persona to the talk show format smoothly, but based on some reviews, he still has to learn the ropes of delivering monologues. However, he did a good job “talking.” According to The Los Angeles Times, Meyers’ monologue was similar in style to his headline segment, Weekend Update.

    The debut show’s guests were Meyers’ friend Amy Poehler, another SNL alum, and Vice President Joe Biden. Poehler and Meyers were amusing to watch as they targeted insults at each other. Vice President Biden was also a delight, as he seemed comfortable, most likely because of Poehler’s presence. Poehler has already worked with the Vice President when she asked him to do a cameo on her show Parks and Recreation. The show was capped off with a musical performance by A Great Big World.

    Darren Franich from Entertainment Weekly also gave his opinion on the show, giving it a “B.” He said that he laughed more with Fallon’s The Tonight Show, but laughed at Meyers’ more than he did at Fallon.

    Just like other late night hosts, Meyers will be flying solo but has the support of friends. Fred Armisen, also a SNL alum, in leading the Late Night band. Armisen’s humor meshes well with Meyers’, probably because of their years together in SNL. Overall, critics say that Meyers’ had a good Late Night Debut.

    Image via Twitter

  • ‘Born To Run’ Parody Spoofs New Jersey’s ‘Bridgegate’ Scandal

    New Jersey Governor Chris Christie is no stranger to being spoofed by the media. The latest  joke comes courtesy of Bruce Springsteen and Late Night host Jimmy Fallon who did an exceptionally funny remake of Springsteen’s “Born to Run”.  The song was intended to spoof the “Bridgegate” scandal regarding last September’s massive traffic jam on the George Washington Bridge caused by top members of Christie’s staff.

    The two men appeared on Late Night dressed in 1970’s Springsteen-styled matching outfits. They wore sleeveless vests and red bandanas to do the parody.

    “You got Wall Street masters stuck cheek to cheek with blue collar truckers and man I really gotta take a leak, but I can’t. I’m stuck in Governor Chris Christie’s Fort Lee New Jersey traffic jam,” Springsteen sang.

    This might seem odd because Christie is known to be one Springsteen’s biggest fans who says he attended more than 100 concerts of “The Boss”.

    The parody also mocks Christie’s long press conference to address the scandal. “It was longer than one of my own damn shows,” Springsteen continued.

    In the parody, Springsteen also said the governor was “killing the working man” as a result of the traffic jam.

    Last week, Christie fired his deputy Chief of Staff after documents revealed that she was involved in closing lanes on the George Washington Bridge  causing traffic jams that lasted for days in Fort Lee.

    Correspondence by the Chief of Staff implied that the jam was caused by Christie’s aides in retaliation to a democratic mayor who refused to endorse the Governor for re-election.

    “Ooohhh, baby this Bridgegate was just pay back.  It’s a bitch slap to the state Democrats, ” sung Springsteen.

    Jimmy Fallon never ceases to amaze. As the duo performed it was hard to tell who was actually Springsteen — singing wise at least. Fallon’s impersonation of Springsteen’s singing was funny and spot-on. It’s not the first time he and Springsteen teamed up on the show. A few years back Fallon did an impersonation of rocker Neil Young that was equally as amazing and Springsteen joined him on stage to make the performance even more special.

    http://youtu.be/9adAljIaKYc

    Image via YouTube

  • Alex Trebek Takes ‘Jeopardy’ to New Level With Rap

    At the age of seventy-three, Alex Trebek proved that he can still capture and intrigue an audience. The popular host of the hit game show Jeopardy has recently made headlines for his unique, and rather unpredictable talent. Apparently, the world-renown host was able to take the category “It’s a Rap” to a whole new level when he showcased his own rapping ability. During the Monday, January 6th airing of the show, Trebek rapped (or at least rhythmically spoke) lyrics from the following established performers: the Beastie Boys, Dr. Dre, Public Enemy, and even the Notorious B.I.G. while the audience watched in surprise before showing appreciation through a collective cheer.

    Contestant Mary Manhardt could not contain her giggles during the impromptu rap performance, which apparently amused Trebek. “Yes, and I don’t know why that’s making you laugh so much,” Trebek said in response to the laughing.

    Trebek recited the following lyrics during the show: “Don’t push me ’cause I’m close to the edge. I’m trying not to lose my head.” The well-known host who also happens to be the veteran host of the National Geographic Bee (he was recognized in 2008 for his years of service) went on to recite other rap lyrics such as, “I made the change from a common thief to up close and personal with Robin Leach.” Trebek included his own rendition of the Beastie Boys when he recited, “Another plane, another train, another bottle in the brain.” With Trebek’s unique skills some may wonder if he has considered quitting his day job. However, fans of Jeopardy hope that he does not consider quitting his day job.

    Image Via Wikimedia Commons

  • Jay Leno Shouldn’t Be Out of a Job Too Long

    What will Jay Leno do next? That is the question many people are asking as the popular host of NBC’s long-running The Tonight Show steps down in February. According to the Hollywood Reporter, Leno may not be out of a gig very long.

    As Jimmy Fallon gets ready to take Jay’s spot, potential suitors are reportedly already lining up for a chance to snag Leno, who is known around the industry as a man who likes to work. One very unlikely network may be casting a line to catch the 64 year old host. Internet rumors are running amok that Jeff Zucker, President of CNN, is allegedly interested in bringing the funny man over to host an interview show in order to bring some life into the wavering network. Piers Morgan’s rating haven’t been great, so CNN may be going for the likeability factor that Leno brings to the table.

    CNN is not the only network interested in Leno. The comedian is wanted by at least ten other media outlets. One apparent front-runner may be Leno’s current home at NBC. The network’s entertainment chairman Bob Greenblatt wants the host to stay put. “Nothing would make me happier than to find ways to keep him involved with this network. That’s really up to him.”

    Leno’s contract with NBC expires on February 6, 2014. He consistently beats his late night rivals David Letterman and Jimmy Kimmel in the ratings. So, Fallon will have big shoes to fill and NBC is crossing its fingers that they aren’t replacing Leno too soon. Stay tuned, the late night wars should be heating back up again next month.

    Image via Facebook

  • Julie Chen Badmouths ‘The View’s’ Jenny McCarthy

    The rivalry between ‘The Talk’ and ‘The View’ got turned up a notch Wednesday when ‘Talk’ hosts Julie Chen and Sharon Osbourne appeared on ‘The Howard Stern Show’. When asked by Howard Stern if ABC made a mistake in hiring Jenny McCarthy, Chen flatly said that “The View” made a big mistake because “No one wants to hear Jenny McCarthy talk about the New York mayoral race or politics,”

    http://youtu.be/ZuaWQoUuwFY

    The harsh criticism may have left some wondering why Julie Chen feels the need to diminish another woman in the media who has done her no harm. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but why is Chen seemingly trying to give producers of “The View” reason to dismiss Jenny McCarthy from her job?

    McCarthy joined ‘The View’ on Sept. 9. The 41-year-old single mother said she was grateful for the new job. Shortly after joining the show, McCarthy said,”This is the greatest show in the world. Thanks to the fans who supported me to get here. I hope I do you justice.”

    Do the women on  ‘The Talk’  feel like they need to take jabs at ‘The View’ to boost their show’s ratings?

    Recently, ‘The Talk’s’ 61-year-old co-host, Sharon Osbourne, flat out disrespected ‘The View’ when she said that except for Barbara Walters, the other ‘View’ host should “go f**k themselves.” She later realized that she embarrassed herself and had to apologize.

    “I want to apologize to Jenny, Sherri and Whoopi, who are all accomplished, self-made women who have amazing careers. They have achieved so much. Please understand it was irreverent behavior and no disrespect meant.” said Osborne during an airing of  “The Talk”.

    Ok, it was a rude statement, but it’s far from the worst thing that Sharon Osbourne has ever said or done on TV.

    Julie Chen, however, who recently made news when she announced she had plastic surgery, continued to hack away at McCarthy and ‘The View’ on The Howard Stern Show. “What made ‘The View’ so popular and so good was that it was five different women from five different walks of life discussing politics.”  She continued by saying, “The View” simply “doesn’t know what it is now. What put them on the map and made them good and famous — they don’t do that anymore.”

    However, Chen did soften her criticism of McCarthy with a few compliments.  “She’s beautiful, and funny, and talented, and smart,” Chen said of McCarthy. But were these compliments disingenuous? After all, when you admire and respect someone you don’t insinuate that they suck at their job.

    What do you think? Is Jenny McCarthy bad for ‘The View” or is Julie Chen a hater?

     Julie Chen Defends Comments About Jenny McCarthy

    (main image via YouTube)

  • Jenny McCarthy Doesn’t Belong On “The View”

    Most viewers were delighted to hear that Jenny McCarthy would be joining the women’s talk show The View. However, there is one person that thinks the decision to hire McCarthy was a complete mistake. McCarthy joined the women of The View back in September after Joy Behar and Elisabeth Hasselbeck left the show. She now co-hosts alongside Barbara Walters, Whoopi Goldberg, and Sherri Shepherd.

    During a recent interview with Howard Stern, Julie Chen, host of the rival television show The Talk, didn’t hold anything back, and let Stern know exactly what she thought about McCarthy co-hosting The View. When Stern asked Chen if she thought it was a mistake to replace Behar and Hasselbeck,, she quickly replied saying: “Yes, because what made ‘The View’ so popular and so good was that it was five different women — from five different walks of life — discussing politics.”

    Chen continued to dish on McCarthy telling Stern that “no one wants to hear Jenny McCarthy talk about politics.” “What put them on the map and made them good and famous, they don’t do that anymore. No one wants to hear Jenny McCarthy talk about the New York mayoral race or politics. They don’t. That’s not what you put Jenny McCarthy on for.”

    Chen doesn’t agree with the reasoning behind hiring McCarthy. She says they only hired her to “lighten the mood”, but now The View has lost its identity. “When Joy and Elisabeth left and they got Jenny in, I think they were trying to lighten the mood at the table-more gossip, more fun, more laughs…what happened was, in my opinion, ‘The View’ doesn’t know what it is now.”

    Chen’s co-host Sharon Osbourne agreed with Chen’s opinion, and also gave Stern her thoughts on McCarthy. “They knew what their path was … you knew what to expect,” Osbourne said. “You watched it for their different opinions and now it’s kind of all over the place. It’s not one or the other.”

    Despite Chen’s criticism of McCarthy’s role on The View, she did comment that McCarthy would be a better fit on The Talk, which doesn’t talk about politics.

    Image via Twitter