Philippa Kaur

More stories

  • 138 Shares119 Views

    in Television

    Kenneth Branagh Tapped to Play Boris Johnson on New COVID-19 Series

    WENN/Avalon

    A five-part Sky project, ‘This Sceptred Isle’ will weave together countless true stories surrounding the first wave of the global pandemic, as well as the responses of policy makers and frontline workers.

    Jan 25, 2021
    AceShowbiz – Sir Kenneth Branagh has been cast as British Prime Minister Boris Johnson in a new TV drama.
    The actor/director will play the leader on “This Sceptred Isle”, a five-part Sky project surrounding the first wave of the global COVID pandemic, and the responses of experts and frontline workers as they tried to contain the spread of the virus. It is based on the first-hand testimony of people including those from Number 10 Downing Street, the Department of Health, The Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE), and from hospitals and care homes across the country.
    Michael Winterbottom has co-written the series with Kieron Quirke, and will direct all five episodes, while executive producing alongside Richard Brown. Melissa Parmenter (Revolution Films) will produce alongside Josh Hyams and Anthony Wilcox.

      See also…

    He says, “The first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic will be remembered forever. A time when the country came together to battle an invisible enemy. A time when people were more aware than ever of the importance of community.”
    “Our series weaves together countless true stories – from Boris Johnson… to frontline workers around the country, chronicling the efforts of scientists, doctors, care home workers and policy makers to protect us from the virus.”
    Sky UK Managing Director of Content, Zai Bennett added, “COVID-19 has presented once-in-a-generation challenges to the world, and in the U.K. the resilience and fortitude of the public over the past year has been nothing short of extraordinary. Portraying NHS staff and key workers on the frontlines of the extraordinary fight, to those in government facing unprecedented challenges; Michael Winterbottom has a clear and compelling vision in telling this remarkable story. The incredible creative talent Fremantle have assembled including the central performance from Kenneth Branagh will make ‘This Sceptred Isle’ a drama we are proud to be part of telling.”
    The series will shoot later this year (21) and air in 2022.

    You can share this post!

    Next article
    First Explosive Trailer of ‘Godzilla vs. Kong’ Teases Reignited Old Feud More

  • 175 Shares159 Views

    in Movies

    Andra Day Claims Desperation to Portray Billie Holiday Led to Her Abusing Her Body

    Hulu

    Speaking about her role as the jazz and blues legend in ‘The United States vs. Billie Holiday’, the ‘Rise Up’ singer admits to adopting a drastic weight loss regime in addition to drinking and smoking.

    Jan 25, 2021
    AceShowbiz – Andra Day put her body through hell to portray jazz and blues legend Billie Holiday in a new Hulu drama.
    The singer took a deep dive into Holiday’s life and career before shooting on director Lee Daniels’ “The United States vs. Billie Holiday” began, and admits she adopted a drastic weight loss regime and started drinking and smoking to get into the skin of the music legend.
    “I basically abused my body for a long time…,” she tells Variety. “I got the role at the very top of 2018 (and started) reading everything I could get my hands on, listening to every interview. Apparently, I exhausted the Internet of Billie Holiday photos. Apparently, the Internet will tell you that you’ve reached the end.”
    “I put my family through it; I put myself through it… I went from 163 pounds to 124 pounds. I would talk like her and I don’t drink or smoke, but I started smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol. Not that I recommend people do this; I just was desperate because this is my first role.”

      See also…

    “I just asked God to give me all of the pain and trauma. I asked him to give me her pain and give me her trauma.”

    Day also changed the way she sang for the role, adding, “Every time I would sing a song I’d go, ‘OK, Lee’s going to hear this and he’s going to fire me.’ But I wouldn’t have done it if they’d been, ‘Do it in your voice.’ That, for me, would have probably been a no.”
    “There’s victory and there is pain in her voice, so to me it was just like, ‘We’ve got to get it, we have to get it,’ you know what I mean? It’ll have to be my interpretation of it, but it has to be there.”
    “The United States vs. Billie Holiday” drops on Hulu on 26 February.

    You can share this post!

    Next article
    Abby Lee Miller Encourages JoJo Siwa to ‘Keep Making Her Proud’ In the Wake of Her Coming Out More

  • 138 Shares159 Views

    in Movies

    First Explosive Trailer of 'Godzilla vs. Kong' Teases Reignited Old Feud

    [embedded content]

    Previewing the long-awaited epic showdown between the two titans, the official sneak-peek video also offers first look at a girl who is able to communicate with King Kong.

    Jan 25, 2021
    AceShowbiz – The first official full -length trailer of “Godzilla vs. Kong” is finally here for fans’ viewing pleasure. Hyping up the anticipation for the release of the long-awaited crossover movie, the video is full of epic mayhem as it offers a glimpse of the epic showdown between the two titular monsters.
    The video opens with a look at a pretty calm King Kong, which seems to be under control while its human protectors are trying to find it a real home. The key to it is apparently a girl, an orphan named Jia, who shares a bond with the giant ape and is able to communicate with it.
    But their quest gets extra complicated and dangerous when they cross paths with Godzilla in the ocean. The two clash as they appear to have an old feud between their ancient species, which is now reignited with humanity getting caught in the middle.

      See also…

    Millie Bobby Brown’s Madison Russell, who has encountered the mountain-sized lizard in 2019’s “Godzilla: King of the Monsters”, thinks that something is provoking the monster into hurting humans and demolishing cities. Meanwhile, Alexander Skarsgard’s Nathan Lind believes that Kong is mankind’s last hope. “We need Kong. The world needs him to stop what’s coming,” the geologist says in the video.
    According to the official synopsis, “As Monarch embarks on a perilous mission into fantastic uncharted terrain, unearthing clues to the Titans’ very origins, a human conspiracy threatens to wipe the creatures, both good and bad, from the face of the earth forever.”
    “Godzilla vs. Kong” also stars Rebecca Hall as Ilene Andrews, Brian Tyree Henry as Bernie Hayes, Shun Oguri as Ren Serizawa, Eiza Gonzalez as Maya Simmons and Demian Bichir as Walter Simmons. Additionally, Kyle Chandler reprises his “Godzilla: King of the Monsters” role as Dr. Mark Russell and Zhang Ziyi also returns, with Van Marten cast as her assistant.
    Directed by Adam Wingard, the upcoming fantasy film is scheduled to be released simultaneously in theaters and on HBO Max on March 26 after delayed from its initial November 2020 release due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

    You can share this post!

    Next article
    Morgan Wallen’s ‘Dangerous: The Double Album’ Spends Its Second Week Atop Billboard 200

    Related Posts More

  • 200 Shares149 Views

    in Movies

    Sacha Baron Cohen Spills How Clueless Cops Allowed Him to Pull Off Best 'Borat' Sequel Stunt

    Amazon Studios

    In a new interview with Ben Affleck, the comedian goes into details about the time officials came perilously close to blowing his cover as Donald Trump during ‘Borat Subsequent Moviefilm’ shooting.

    Jan 25, 2021
    AceShowbiz – Sacha Baron Cohen owes hapless U.S. police and security officers a huge debt of gratitude for helping him pull off one of the best stunts in “Borat Subsequent Moviefilm”.
    The Brit reprised his role as Kazakh newsman Borat in the 2020 follow up to the 2006 comedy hit and admits law enforcement officials came perilously close to blowing his cover when he dressed up as former American leader Donald Trump for one of the film’s pivotal moments.
    In a new Variety Actors on Actors interview with Ben Affleck, Cohen reveals he was being “wanded down” by security agents when they heard a “Beep”.
    “The guy says, ‘What is that?’ And I go, ‘It’s my pacemaker’,” the funnyman says. “I’ve got a field producer next to me who’s completely c**pping himself. (Because) we’re going to get busted.”
    And then the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officer spotted a wire, which was part of a hidden device allowing Cohen to communicate with his producers.
    “He goes, ‘What is that?’ And I didn’t know what to say,” explains Cohen. “I was completely stumped. He goes, ‘Oh, that’s the wire leading to your pacemaker, right?’ I was like, ‘Obviously’. He goes, ‘All right, come through.’ ”

      See also…

    [embedded content]
    Once inside the event – a Conservative Political Action Conference – Cohen pulled off his funny scene and was quickly apprehended by a bunch of Secret Service officers, demanding to know his true identity.
    And again, he was saved by an officer, who wasn’t quite on top of his game.
    “One of the cops goes, ‘Give me your ID….’,” he adds. “I go, ‘Listen, I’d like to, but my ID is in my shoe. Do you want me to take off my shoe?’ ”
    Feeling sure he was busted and the whole premise of the movie was ruined, Cohen held his breath, before experiencing one more giant stroke of good fortune.
    “And the guy goes, ‘No, forget it’,” he smiles.

    You can share this post!

    Next article
    Andra Day Claims Desperation to Portray Billie Holiday Led to Her Abusing Her Body

    Related Posts More

  • 163 Shares169 Views

    in Television

    'The Office' Stars Angela Kinsey and Jenna Fischer Win Podcast of the Year

    Instagram

    The two actresses have taken home the top prize at the iHeartRadio Podcast Awards, thanks to their podcast about their time on the NBC television show.

    Jan 24, 2021
    AceShowbiz – Angela Kinsey and Jenna Fischer’s “Office Ladies” took home the Podcast of the Year gong at the iHeartRadio Podcast Awards on Thursday night (21Jan21).
    The podcast, which launched in October 2019, beat out nine other nominees – including Dolly Parton’s “America and Stuff You Should Know” – to take home the evening’s biggest award.
    “Office Ladies”, which sees Jenna and Angela reflect on their time on NBC’s “The Office”, also won the award for best ad-read podcast.

      See also…

    Other winners at the awards included Conan O’Brien, who was crowned Best Overall Host – male for his podcast “Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend” while “Why Don’t You Date Me” ‘s Nicole Byer won the female counterpart gong and accepted her prize virtually from Laverne Cox.
    Hillary Clinton, Gwen Stefani, Will Ferrell, Questlove, Adam Devine, and Charlamagne Tha God were among the other award presenters on the evening, with the awards streamed on iHeartRadio’s YouTube and Facebook pages, iHeartMedia radio stations, and on the iHeartRadio App.
    The full list of winners at the 2021 iHeartRadio Podcast Awards is as follows:
    Podcast of the Year: “Office Ladies”
    Icon Award – Innovator Award: “QCode”
    Icon Award – Audible Audio Pioneer Award: “Serial Productions”
    Icon Award – Social Impact Award: “Baratunde Thurston”
    Crime Podcast: “Crime Junkie”
    Pop Culture Podcast: “Pop Culture Happy Hour”
    Music Podcast: “Dolly Parton’s America”
    News Podcast: “Pod Save America”
    Sports Podcast: “All the Smoke”
    Comedy Podcast: “The Read”
    Political Podcast: “NPR Politics”
    Branded Podcast: “Humans Growing Stuff”
    Kids & Family Podcast: “Wow in the World”
    Food Podcast: “Home Cooking”
    Fiction Podcast: “Blood Ties”
    Beauty & Fashion Podcast: “Articles of Interest”
    Overall Host – Female: Nicole Byer
    Overall Host – Male: Conan O’Brien
    Business & Finance Podcast: “Pivot”
    Green Podcast: “How to Save a Planet”
    Travel Podcast: “Travel With Rick Steves”
    Spirituality & Religion Podcast: “Elevation With Steven Furtick”
    Advice/Inspirational Podcast: “Unlocking Us With Brene Brown”
    TV & Film Podcast: “You Must Remember This?”
    Spanish-Language Podcast: “Leyendas Legendarias”
    Ad-Read Podcast: “Office Ladies”
    Science Podcast: “Radiolab”
    Technology Podcast: “Rabbit Hole”
    Wellness & Fitness Podcast: “Therapy For Black Girls”
    History Podcast: “Revisionist History”

    You can share this post!

    Next article
    Bret Michaels Tapped for Virtual 80s Music Festival

    Related Posts More

  • 138 Shares129 Views

    in Movies

    Allison Janney Offended by Her 'Germophobe' Co-Star's Request Before Kissing Scene

    WENN

    The ‘Lazy Susan’ actress admits in a new interview that she ‘took it very personally’ when one of her ‘germophobe’ castmates thought he’d catch a disease from kissing her.

    Jan 24, 2021
    AceShowbiz – One of Allison Janney’s “germophobe” co-stars insisted she used an antibiotic cream before their kissing scenes.
    The Oscar winner admits she felt “unnerved” by the request from her unnamed scene partner and she “took it very personally” that he thought he’d catch a disease from her.
    “Even before COVID, I had a scene partner who I had to kiss with, and he was such a germaphobe, he would put Neosporin on his lips and ask me to put it on mine, too, before he would kiss me,” the “I, Tonya” star said during an appearance on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”.

      See also…

    “I thought, ‘What does he think I put in my mouth?’ I don’t know. It kind of unnerved me, but people are germaphobes… I will not say who it was.”
    Unlike in 2019 that saw her starring in numerous projects like “Troop Zero”, “Ma”, “Bad Education”, “The Addams Family”, and “Bombshell”, Allison Janney only had one movie “Lazy Susan” last year amid the Covid-19 pandemic. She shared screen with Sean Hayes in the 2020 comedy.
    The actress will next be seen in a new comedy drama titled “Breaking News in Yuba County”. She is joined by the likes of Mila Kunis, Awkwafina, Wanda Sykes, Juliette Lewis, Samira Wiley, and Regina Hall. It revolves around a woman who suddenly becomes a local celebrity after her husband goes missing.
    Meanwhile, for her future project, Allison hoped she could reunite with her “Bad Education” co-star Hugh Jackman. She explained, “He’s fun to flirt with. I had so much fun working with Hugh. He was incredibly playful and let me shove the sandwich into his mouth in our first scene together, which was an improv moment. I just knew just from him being from the theater that he would be great to work with.”

    You can share this post!

    Next article
    Lady Antebellum Named Latest Inductees of Grand Ole Opry

    Related Posts More

  • 50 Shares129 Views

    in Television

    Most Dramatic 'Bachelor' Self-Eliminations

    Some contestants make a self-exit because they want to pursue love with others, while some others decide to remove themselves from the competition for a touching reason.

    Jan 24, 2021
    AceShowbiz – “The Bachelor” franchise is no stranger in offering drama, including contestants deciding to back off from the competition. Sarah Trott did the same in the latest episode of Matt James’ season of “The Bachelor” but obviously she wasn’t the first who dramatically self-eliminated herself on the ABC dating competition franchise.
    Some contestants decided to leave the show voluntarily after beefing with the leading lady or the leading man. Others made a self-exit because they wanted to pursue love with others, while some of the contestants removed themselves from the competition for a touching reason.
    Here are some dramatic self-eliminations throughout the seasons of “The Bachelor”, “The Bachelorette” and its spin-off series.

    1. Heather Martin
    ABC/Rick Rowell

    Heather Martin was so close to winning Colton Underwood’s heart when she had a change of heart and decided to self-eliminate herself when appearing in season 23 of “The Bachelor”. Just prior to the hometown dates, Heather felt she wasn’t comfortable introducing him to her family at hometown dates.
    She decided to leave during a group date and rode away in a train, marking the third contestant in a row to voluntarily exit Colton’s season. Ironically, Heather crashed Matt James’ season this year, much to everyone’s surprise.

    2. Luke Stone
    ABC/John Fleenor

    Tension among contestants was unavoidable on the franchise but the feud between Luke Stone and Luke Parker from Hannah Brown’s season on “The Bachelorette” was probably the biggest one. They got into an altercation on the rugby field as Luke Stone accused the other of throwing him to the ground for no reason.
    Further making it complicated, Luke Parker told Hannah that Luke Stone wasn’t there for the right reasons. That was apparently the last straw for Luke Stone as she then pulled Hannah aside right before a rose ceremony to tell him that he had no longer intention to stay in the competition.

    3. Jacqueline Trumbull
    ABC

    Jacqueline Trumbull was among the ladies who were competing for Arie Luyendyk’s heart in his season of “The Bachelor”. However, as soon as she realized that their futures weren’t aligned, the 26-year-old research coordinator decided to remove herself from the competition.
    She told Arie that she planned to attend grad school and the thought of ending up in Scottsdale with Arie would make that hard. “I think I had this moment of doubt on our date. There have been these swirling doubts since then, and I’m worried I’m going to end up in Scottsdale with you, married wondering how did we get here, because we didn’t have the base or foundation,” she said. “I just know there are women here who are completely confident, and I don’t know how to stay when that’s the case.”

    4. Brendan Morais
    ABC/Craig Sjodin

    Brendan Morais failed to move on from his past despite having a strong connection with “The Bachelorette” star Tayshia Adams as they bonded being young divorcees. He even convinced Tayshia and that he could be “the one” for him, enough for her to keep him until the finale.
    However, when the two visited famed ring designer Neil Lane for their possible engagament ring, Brendan looked visibly nervous. He also admitted that he was unable to “give all of himself” to Tayshia and their relationship. He left the show, breaking Tayshia’s heart into pieces.

    5. Jason Foster
    ABC

    Clare Crawley’s season of “The Bachelorette” was indeed one of a kind. She exited the show only after five episodes as she found love in now-ex Dale Moss. Tayshia Adams then stepped in to replace her, but apparently Jason Foster wasn’t in for the change.
    Jason, who had a one-on-one with Clare, was too attached to Clare and claimed that he was in love with her. He couldn’t easily erase his feelings for her to start pining over Tayshia. After a day-long contemplation, Jason decided to leave the show.

    6. Danielle Maltby
    ABC

    Danielle Maltby left “Bachelor in Paradise” season 4 in 2017, but no one could be mad to her. The nurse left the show for the most honorable reason, which was to provide medical care for children in Kenya.
    Danielle, who used to appear in Nick Viall’s season of “The Bachelor”, didn’t seem to be feeling herself on “Bachelor in Paradise”. When she was given the opportunity to work as a pediatric nurse in Kenya for a few weeks, she quickly chose to grab it and leave the show. Wells Adams, the show’s bartender and former star, walked her out and dramatically kissed her, saying, “If anyone deserved to find someone here, it was you.”

    7. Brady Toops
    ABC/Craig Sjodin

    Brady Toops was among the suitors for Kaitlyn Bristowe in her season of “The Bachelorette”. However, he decided to leave the show to pursue a relationship with “Bachelorette” hopeful Britt Nilsson. The Los Angeles-based waitress and the musician from Tennessee did date for a few weeks after he exited the show before calling it quits.
    “Everything on paper was perfect. But we didn’t have that connection I was looking for. That was a hard conclusion,” Britt told PEOPLE at the time. “That was pretty painful for us both, actually. It was the weirdest situation. I’ve never had to watch an expired relationship play out on TV!”

    8. Kenny King
    ABC/Craig Sjodin

    Something was bothering wrestler Kenny King when he appeared in Lindsay Rachel’s season of “The Bachelorette”. The athlete admitted that he missed his daughter so much that he decided to remove himself from the show. “There’s nothing that calls you to question more what you’re doing than being away from your child,” he said.
    He then approached Lindsay to reveal his feelings. “I’m just not necessarily 100 percent comfortable in where we’re at. I just don’t know if our relationship has grown in the ways I would have liked it to have grown,” he told her. Lindsay understood him and she sent him home after bidding farewell with a warm hug.

    9. Ian Thomson
    ABC

    Ian Thomson left Kaitlyn Bristowe’s “The Bachelorette” season 11, not before he insulted her. He left the show after accusing the Bachelorette of being on the show to “make out with dudes on TV.” He also called her a “surface-level person.”
    The L.A.-based executive recruiter, however, appeared to show remorse on “Men Tell All” special. “I’m sorry to America, and I’m sorry to people in the audience that were offended by things that I said, because that’s not a representation of who I am. And I’m really sorry and I really apologize,” he said.

    10. Cassie Randolph
    ABC

    Cassie Randolph was in huge dilemma when she was in Colton Underwood’s season of “The Bachelor”. Prior to the Fantasy Suites, Cassie, who had been saying that she wasn’t ready for marriage, was trying to figure out she was actually in love with Colton or not. Her father later came from Portugal, telling her that he hadn’t given Colton his blessing and that was when her decision was made.
    Colton tried to convince Cassie to stay but it was to no avail. He was so upset that he hopped over a fence for some time to think about his next move. They ended up being together for some time before ending their relationship in a nasty split. Cassie accused Colton of stalking and harrassment.

    11. Ben Higgins
    ABC

    Ben Higgins was among the cast of “Bachelor Winter Games” back in 2018. However, it appeared that he wasn’t ready for a new relationship following his split from Lauren Bushnell.
    “My fear is not entering into a relationship,” Ben told host Chris Harrison. “My fear is not [of] pursuing somebody. My fear is that if I was to be broken again, I’m not full enough right now to recover from that.”

    12. Madison Prewett
    ABC

    Madison Prewett made an unpredecented move during the finale of Peter Weber’s season of “The Bachelor”. After giving Peter an ultimatum for “being intimate” with other women during Fantasy Suites in addition to a disastrous meeting with the Weber family in the Australia outback, she was walking away, leaving Peter with just one contestant.
    Eventually, Peter proposed to the only remaining finalist, Hannah Ann, though he broke it off with her after some weeks, telling her that his heart was split into two. After he ended his engagement to Hannah, he met up with Madison and they decided to start anew.

    You can share this post!

    Next article
    Candace Cameron Bure Fires Back at ‘Disappointed’ Fans Criticizing Her Instagram Following List

    Related Posts More

  • 175 Shares139 Views

    in Movies

    'A Quiet Place' Sequel Pushed Back for Third Time Following Spike in Covid-19 Cases

    Paramount Pictures

    The upcoming ‘A Quiet Place Part II’ has been delayed until September 2021 after the new movie was previously pushed back from March 2020 to April 2021.

    Jan 24, 2021
    AceShowbiz – The “A Quiet Place” sequel has been postponed for the second time.
    Paramount originally pushed back the release of “A Quiet Place Part II” from March 2020 to 23 April (21) but the company has now further delayed the release, amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
    It will now be released on 17 September, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
    The original movie was directed by John Krasinski, who also starred in the post-apocalyptic science fiction horror film.
    It follows the story of a family trying to survive in a post-apocalyptic world in which creatures with heightened hearing used sound to attack humankind.

      See also…

    The sequel will follow the same family continuing their fight for survival outside of their hometown, and although Krasinski’s character died in the first movie, he will make an appearance in the sequel through flashback sequences.
    Meanwhile, it was previously revealed the movie is set to get a spin-off – helmed by Jeff Nichols – which will be connected to the events of the original film.
    Krasinski – whose wife, Emily Blunt, also stars in both “A Quiet Place” and the upcoming “A Quiet Place II” – came up with the idea for the new story, but Nichols will be writing and directing the project.
    Krasinski will be on board as a producer through his Sunday Night banner alongside Michael Bay, Andrew Form, and Brad Fuller.
    The first movie came out in 2018. It received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Original Score and an Oscar nomination for Best Sound Editing. It additionally earned Emily Blunt an SAG nomination for Best Female Actor in a Supporting Role.

    You can share this post!

    Next article
    Jennifer Lopez Struggled to ‘Love Herself’ Until Her 30s

    Related Posts More