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    in Television

    'Billions' Star Asia Kate Dillon Wants SAG Awards to Erase Gender-Specific Categories

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    The first non-binary performer on television has submitted an open letter that urges SAG leaders to make the prize-giving more inclusive towards artists who do not identify as either male or female.
    Jun 11, 2020
    AceShowbiz – Asia Kate Dillon, primetime U.S. TV’s first non-binary performer, has asked Screen Actors Guild Awards bosses to do away with gender-specific prizes.
    The “Billions” star, was invited by committee members to join a judging panel for a string of categories ahead of next year’s prizegiving, including Female Actor in a Leading Role and Male Actor in a Leading Role, and responding to the offer on Wednesday, June 10, Dillon submitted an open letter to SAG leaders urging them to make the awards bash more inclusive towards artists who do not identify as either male or female.
    The star’s plea reads in part, “Separating people based on their assigned sex, and/or their gender identity, is not only irrelevant when it comes to how an acting performance should be judged, it is also a form of discrimination.”
    “Not only do your current categories erase non-binary identities by limiting performers to identifying as male or female/man or womxn (sic) (which not all SAG members, like myself, do), they also serve as an endorsement of the gender binary at large, which actively upholds other forms of discrimination, including racism, the patriarchy, and gender violence.”
    “The distinction between male and female acting categories was implemented as a means of combating the chronic and systemic overlooking of cis-women (born female), particularly white cis-women, when it came to acting awards. This was despite the fact that there were no other categories similarly revised (as in directoress, best female or best male director/cinematographer/sound designer, etc.)”
    The 35-year-old, who was nominated for the Critics Choice Awards in 2018, 2019 and 2020, concluded the note by stating, “I would be thrilled to serve as a judge, provided you take immediate action to combine your acting awards into gender-neutral categories. This courageous and overdue step from my union would send a wide message that SAG not only supports me but supports all its non-binary and gender non-conforming members.”
    The awards chiefs have yet to respond to Dillon’s missive.

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    'Gone With the Wind' Pulled From HBO Max Over Display of Racial Prejudices

    TCM

    The temporary removal move has been taken in the wake of the protests against racial injustice due to George Floyd’s death, and an op-ed written by ’12 Years a Slave’ screenwriter John Ridley.
    Jun 11, 2020
    AceShowbiz – Hollywood classic “Gone with the Wind” has been temporarily removed from the HBO Max streaming platform due to the “racial prejudices” on display in the movie.
    The 1939 movie adaptation of Margaret Mitchell’s novel about the American Civil War and Reconstruction Era South won eight Academy Awards, including a best supporting actress gong for Hattie McDaniel, who was the first black person to be nominated for and win an Oscar.
    However, in the wake of the protests against racial injustice following the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minnesota, Minneapolis police, and an L.A. Times op-ed written by “12 Years a Slave” screenwriter John Ridley calling for its removal – the film was taken off HBO Max on Tuesday, June 09.
    Explaining the decision in a statement to Variety, an HBO Max spokesperson said the removal was temporary but that when the film returned it would be alongside a disclaimer explaining its less enlightened attitudes to race.
    ” ‘Gone with the Wind’ is a product of its time and depicts some of the ethnic and racial prejudices that have, unfortunately, been commonplace in American society,” they said. “These racist depictions were wrong then and are wrong today, and we felt that to keep this title up without an explanation and a denouncement of those depictions would be irresponsible.”
    They went on to say, “it will return with a discussion of its historical context and a denouncement of those very depictions, but will be presented as it was originally created, because to do otherwise would be the same as claiming these prejudices never existed. If we are to create a more just, equitable and inclusive future, we must first acknowledge and understand our history.”
    The film, which details the love story of Scarlett O’Hara, played by Vivienne Leigh, the daughter of a plantation owner, and wealthy gambler Rhett Butler, portrayed by Clark Gable, broke box office records and stormed the Oscars upon its release and has long been a regular on lists of the greatest ever movies. However, in recent years its depiction of slavery and Black people has come in for criticism.

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    Ice-T Applauds Fair Depiction of African-Americans in 'Law and Order: SVU'

    NBC/David Giesbrecht

    When promoting the release of upcoming movie ‘Equal Standard’, the actor known as Detective Odafin Tutuola on the police-procedural drama shares his thoughts on why the Dick Wolf series was so successful.
    Jun 11, 2020
    AceShowbiz – Ice-T has praised the long-running show “Law & Order” for always trying to be “fair” in its depiction of African-Americans.
    In a promotional interview ahead of the release of his new movie “Equal Standard”, he shared his thoughts about why the Dick Wolf show was so successful, telling editors at Page Six he suggested it’s because “it’s tried to be as fair as it can possibly be.”
    “You have got the black gang bangers, but you have also got the black judge, you’ve got the black attorney,” said the hip-hop star who’s starred as Detective Odafin Tutuola on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” for more than 20 seasons.
    But he also acknowledged the police officers on the show, which stars Mariska Hargitay, have been somewhat “romanticized.”
    “I am wearing Gucci. Mariska is wearing designer clothes,” he continued. “Cops can’t afford to do that, so in a way we romanticize that job when it’s not that romantic.”
    In “Equal Standard”, Ice-T stars alongside “Naughty by Nature” rapper Anthony ‘Treach’ Criss in the film about racism in the police force, and the often tense relationship between African-American men and law enforcement.

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    'Fleabag', 'Chernobyl' and 'Succession' Named Winners of 2020 Peabody Awards

    Amazon Studios/HBO

    ‘Surviving R. Kelly’, in the meantime, picks up a documentary honor from the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication panel, and ‘Dolly Parton’s America’ secures podcast nod.
    Jun 11, 2020
    AceShowbiz – “Fleabag”, “Chernobyl” and “Succession” have been named among the 30 most compelling and empowering TV series to pick up 2020 Peabody Awards.
    “Dickinson”, “David Makes Man”, “The Simpsons”, “When They See Us”, “Ramy”, “Watchmen” and “Stranger Things” have also been honored by the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication panel at the University of Georgia, while the documentaries singled out for Peabody applause include “Apollo 11”, “For Sama”, “Surviving R. Kelly” and “The Edge of Democracy”.
    “Dolly Parton’s America” picked up a podcast nod, alongside “Have You Heard George’s Podcast?” and “Threshold: The Refuge”.

    It was previously announced Cicely Tyson had been honored with the 2020 Peabody Lifetime Career Achievement Award.

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    Wendy Williams Gives Fans Update on Her Show While Flaunting New Hair Makeover

    Instagram

    Looking stunning in a pink and green dress, the 55-year-old talk show host says, ‘I’m in my house, but what I want the most is to be with you, I miss you, I miss you a lot.’
    Jun 11, 2020
    AceShowbiz – Wendy Williams hinted that she’s doing good after sparking concerns amid suicidal rumors. On Wednesday, June 10, the talk show host took to her Instagram account to share a video of her looking gorgeous while flaunting a new hair makeover.
    In the clip, Wendy greeted her fans from home in addition to giving them update on her show “The Wendy Williams Show” in the midst of coronavirus pandemic. “Hello! Hi, it’s me from home and hopefully for not too long,” she said to the camera.
    “You know what I’m waiting for? I’m waiting for the state of New York to say that we as a show can go back,” Wendy, who looked stunning in a pink and green dress, went on to say. “Now we got 200 people in our audience, we will never have that again but I want to go back to do our show, nothing makes me happier than being Wendy on the ‘Wendy show’! I got the love and the boyfriends and all that other kind of stuff, I’m in my house, but what I want the most is to be with you, I miss you, I miss you a lot.”
    She also admitted that she felt confident about her appearance on that day. “I couldn’t wait to wear this dress, I’m going to wear it again on the show so don’t act like you never saw it,” she joked. “It’s pink and it’s green and it’s beautiful and I love it but I love you more.”

    The post arrives after it was rumored that Wendy was treated on the neurology floor at New York Presbyterian hospital for trying to kill herself. She allegedly refused to eat and drink.
    Rumor has it, her husband’s infidelities and their subsequent divorce coupled with her alleged row with her only son took a toll on her mental health. She reportedly broke down during the quarantine after her son was turned against her by her ex-husband.
    She hasn’t responded to the suicide rumors, but she has been taking a break since May 18. She cited her struggle with Graves’ disease as the reason behind her hiatus from her TV show. Besides having Graves’ disease, Wendy has been struggling with cocaine addiction. She described herself as “a functioning addict” and stayed at a sober living house with a 24-hour coach in 2019 amid her marital woes.

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    Lisa Vanderpump Condemns Racism After 'Vanderpump Rules' Firings, Andy Cohen Supports Decision

    Instagram

    Stassi Schroeder and Kristen Doute, along with two other cast members, have been let go by Bravo days after former castmate Faith Stowers accused them of racial profiling her.
    Jun 11, 2020
    AceShowbiz – Lisa Vanderpump has finally addressed the racism drama surrounding the cast members of “Vanderpump Rules”. One day after Bravo announced the firing of Stassi Schroeder, Kristen Doute, Max Boyens and Brett Caprioni, the restaurateur issued a statement condemning racism and unequal treatment among others.
    Making use of Instagram on Wednesday, June 10, the 59-year-old first explained that it was necessary for her to stay quiet until decisions had been made on the issues. Claiming that she now “can freely speak from the heart,” she then stated,” I love and adore our employees and I am deeply saddened by some of the lack of judgment that has been displayed.”
    The former star of “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” further insisted that she has “always been an equal rights activist and ally,” before declaring, “I condemn all forms of cruelty, racism, homophobia, bigotry and unequal treatment. We’ve never tolerated it in the workplace or our lives.” She added that viewers “only see a fraction of our employees on the show.”
    “I am proud of the inclusive company that we’ve created,” the wife of Ken Todd went on to share. “We will continue to embrace diversity as one of our greatest strengths, and I’m excited to give you deeper look into the multi-faceted fabric of our company in the future.”
    Expressing hope that this generation will “treat each other with respect and humanity, and realize that actions have; and should have, consequences,” the mother of two continued, “Everybody deserves to feel safe, heard and appreciated in their communities.” She concluded by stating, “We all have work to do to create a society we can be proud of and I hope as we venture forward, we strive to live in a world where kindness and compassion are our highest values.”

    Also sharing his two cents on the drama was “Real Housewives” executive producer Andy Cohen. During the Wednesday episode of SiriusXM’s Radio Andy, the Bravo host made it clear that he wholly agreed with the firings. “I absolutely support Bravo’s decision, I think it was the right decision,” he stated.
    Though so, the “Watch What Happens Live” host reminded people, who sent him messages about “Pump Rules”, “Southern Charm” and other shows, that he is “not in charge of programming at Bravo anymore.” He added, “I don’t produce the show, so what I want people to know is that I have no say in hiring and firing.”
    [embedded content]
    The firing of the four “Pump Rules” stars came after former castmate Faith Stowers spoke out against Schoeder and Doute. In a chat with “Floribama Shore” star Candace Rice, Stowers claimed that the pair reported her to the police for a crime she did not do just because she was a black woman. Both Schoeder and Doute have since issued an apology for their action.

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    Kevin Bacon's 'You Should Have Left' to Get Video-On-Demand Release

    Blumhouse Productions

    Although movie theaters across the country begin to reopen months after coronavirus shutdown, Universal Pictures opts to offer the psychological thriller on streaming platforms.
    Jun 10, 2020
    AceShowbiz – Kevin Bacon’s new psychological thriller “You Should Have Left” has become the latest film to bypass movie theatres and head straight to video-on-demand services.
    Universal Pictures chiefs will launch the project on at-home streaming platforms on 19 June, despite theatres gradually beginning to reopen across the U.S. following the coronavirus shutdown in March.
    “You Should Have Left”, which had originally been set to open on the big screen, features Bacon as a screenwriter who suffers a mental breakdown while on a secluded vacation with his wife, played by Amanda Seyfried.

    The film is based on author Daniel Kehlmann’s 2017 book of the same name.

    Universal bosses scored a big hit by making “Trolls World Tour” available for rental via on-demand services instead of pulling the movie from release at the start of the COVID-19 outbreak, while Pete Davidson and Judd Apatow’s “The King of Staten Island” comedy is also set to debut on digital platforms on Friday (June 12) in lieu of its previously-planned theatre launch.

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