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    Lena Waithe Joins Forces With Common for 'The Chi With Love' Charity Concert

    WENN

    Calling now ‘a time to uplift black artists’, ‘The Chi’ creator will be fronting the hour-long special along with other Chicago, Illinois-based artists to raise funds for the Equal Justice Initiative.
    Jun 17, 2020
    AceShowbiz – “The Chi” creator Lena Waithe is teaming with Common and other Chicago, Illinois-based artists for a virtual concert to raise funds for the Equal Justice Initiative.
    Waithe, whose series is set in the city, and Common, both of whom are also Chicago natives, will front the hour-long special, “The Chi With Love”. Common will also serve as an executive producer of the event.
    “The Chi has always been a show about celebrating black life and black love even in the midst of tragedy,” said Waithe in a statement. “Now is a time for us to uplift black artists. This virtual concert not only celebrates black music, but it celebrates the beautiful black people of Chicago. This is from us, with love.”
    Bosses at Showtime, the U.S. network that produces “The Chi”, have announced a $500,000 (£400,000) donation to the Equal Justice Initiative, an organisation working to end mass incarceration and excessive punishment in the United States’ legal system.

    “The Chi With Love” will air on June 21 at 7pm ET at https://www.youtube.com/thechionshowtime, ahead of the season three premiere of “The Chi” at 9pm ET on Showtime.

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    Debra Messing to Make TV Return in White House Comedy Series

    WENN/Avalon

    Written by Ali Wentworth, ‘East Wing’ is said to be inspired by the experiences of the writer’s mother, who served as Social Secretary at the White House during Ronald Reagan’s presidency in the 1980s.
    Jun 17, 2020
    AceShowbiz – “Will & Grace” star Debra Messing is set to return to the small screen for a new White House comedy series.
    The actress will headline Starz series “East Wing”, written by Ali Wentworth, who is also set to appear on the show.
    The premise is inspired by the experiences of Wentworth’s mother, who served as Social Secretary at the White House during Ronald Reagan’s presidency in the 1980s. Messing will star as Hollis Carlisle, a woman juggling career and family while grappling with social anxiety.

    Messing recently concluded her role in “Will & Grace” when the 11th season of the series wrapped in April (20).

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    'I Know This Much Is True' Gets Called Out by PETA for Exploiting Monkey

    HBO

    The HBO drama series starring Mark Ruffalo has been urged to rethink the use of wild animals by the animal rights organization after it features a primate in two episodes.
    Jun 17, 2020
    AceShowbiz – The producers of Mark Ruffalo’s new HBO drama “I Know This Much Is True” have come under fire from animal rights activists for exploiting a monkey.
    Officials at PETA have fired off a letter to HBO chiefs urging them to rethink the use of animals after the ape featured in two episodes of the series following the network’s recent work with elephants in “Westworld”, a bear in “Silicon Valley”, a tiger in “Vice Principals”, and a lion in “The Leftovers”.
    PETA bosses are calling on the company’s executives to enact a policy against using wild animals.
    “Animals aren’t looking for their ’15 minutes of fame’ – in fact, they’re desperate to avoid it,” says PETA Senior Manager of Animals in Film and Television Lauren Thomasson. “HBO knows this much is true, and PETA is calling on the purportedly progressive network to stop exploiting animals who are typically caged and beaten into submission off set, and to use CGI instead.”

    PETA points out that primates, such as capuchin monkeys, who are used for film and television are “typically taken away from their mothers prematurely and are frequently denied adequate psychological and social stimulation, proper exercise, and the opportunity to engage in natural behavior”.
    “As a result, they often develop neurotic behavior patterns, such as pacing, rocking, swaying, cage-biting, and self-mutilation,” a statement reads. “Many suffer from debilitating loneliness and depression.”

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    'AGT' Recap: An Amazing Dancing Crew Earns Simon Cowell's Golden Buzzer

    NBC

    In the new outing, 11-year-old Noah Epps opens the night with a performance that earns him praises from the judges as Howie Mandel raves about his ‘lit’ performance.
    Jun 17, 2020
    AceShowbiz – “America’s Got Talent” auditions continued to offer amazing performances in the Tuesday, June 16 episode. In the new outing, 11-year-old Noah Epps opened the night with a performance in which he showed off his flexibility while looking like a marionette doll. That earned him praises from the judges. “What you just did was lit,” Howie Mandel said.
    Following it up was 17-year-old Luca Di Stefano, who sang Marvin Gaye’s “Let’s Get It On”. It was so good that Heidi Klum called his voice “so special.” Later, subway dance crew W.A.F.F.L.E. Crew offered an electric performance. “I’ve never seen anything like that in my life,” Terry raved, while Simon Cowell dubbed them his “favorite audition” so far. W.A.F.F.L.E. Crew’s performance was so amazing, enough to make Simon give his Golden Buzzer to the group.
    [embedded content]
    Next up was Nolan Neal, who touched everyone with his “amazing voice.” Howie shared that “we felt your heart, we felt your soul, we felt your pain.” Meanwhile, Sofia Vergara added, “It was really touching for me, your song. I know very well the sickness of addiction.”
    Receiving standing ovation was Ukulele player Feng E. As for unique duo OLOX, they mesmerized Heidi with a one-of-a-kind performance. Sofia said it was “beautiful,” while Simon gushed over their “very original act.”
    Also blowing the judges’ minds were young singer Ashley Marina and Marco Angelo. “You are amazing. You’re a winner,” said Howie to Marco. Concluding the night was sword swallower Brett Loudermilk from North Carolina. He asked Sofia to pull the sword out of his mouth. Even though she ran off several times, she eventually managed to pull the sword out of his mouth. Additionally, the 3 judges all pulled a sword each from his mouth after he swallowed 3 swords beforehand.

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    Jimmy Kimmel Set to Host Emmy Awards for Third Time

    WENN

    The ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ host is officially announced to return as an emcee for the upcoming 72nd annual Emmy Awards, marking the third time he hosts the event.
    Jun 17, 2020
    AceShowbiz – Comedian and late night TV host Jimmy Kimmel is set to return as host of the 72nd Emmy Awards.
    The “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” host will also executive produce the annual prizegiving – his third outing as emcee for the ceremony.
    It is still unclear whether or not the event, which is set for September 20, will be held virtually or in person due to the coronavirus pandemic.
    “I don’t know where we will do this or how we will do this or even why we are doing this, but we are doing it and I am hosting it,” said Kimmel in a statement.
    “We know Jimmy Kimmel will deliver a uniquely entertaining, funny and moving Primetime Emmys show,” said Karey Burke, president of ABC Entertainment, the network set to broadcast the awards. “He’s a true master of ceremonies who reveres this industry and its people; and just as Jimmy has done with his own show over the past few months, he will tackle this momentous event with heart and humor, and bring some much-needed joy and optimism to our television colleagues and viewers at home.”
    The nominations for the 2020 Emmy Awards will be announced on July 28, 2020.

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    MTV Fires 'Siesta Key' Star Alex Kompothecras Over Alleged Racist Posts

    Instagram

    Alex in visibly cut out from the new episode of season 3 as the show aired its mid-season premiere on Tuesday after Internet users found out that he used N-word on his Instagram posts.
    Jun 17, 2020
    AceShowbiz – MTV is making a change in light of the discovery of alleged insensitive posts on social media made by “Siesta Key” star Alex Kompothecras. In a statement on Tuesday, June 16, the network revealed that it decided to end its relationship with Alex.
    “We’ve made the decision to cut ties with Alex and are editing the current season to minimize his presence. He will not be in future seasons of ‘Siesta Key’,” read the statement to E! News.
    Alex landed in hot water after Internet users found out his Instagram posts on which he allegedly used of the N-word and other racial slurs. The 25-year-old was said to be laughing at multiple other racist posts.
    He was also visibly cut out from the new episode of “Siesta Key” season 3 as the show aired its mid-season premiere on Tuesday. The episode was initially set to be two one-hour episodes back to back. However, it became one 54-minute episode as it didn’t include the original scenes in which he was in.
    Alex, who just welcomed his first child with girlfriend Alyssa Salerno on June 11, has yet to respond to the firing.
    Alex is the latest MTV personality whom the network fired in the recent weeks over racist behavior. Prior to this, it publicly distanced itself from two other stars, “The Challenge” star Dee Nguyen and “Teen Mom” star Taylor Selfridge.
    “As a result of Dee Nguyen’s offensive comments about the Black Lives Matter movement, MTV and Bunim/Murray Productions have severed ties with her,” MTV and Bunim/Murray said in a joint statement on Dee, who was dragged over insensitive comments she made about the Black Lives Matter movement in the wake of the death of George Floyd. “Out of respect for the competition and other Challengers, MTV will air the season as planned. Dee Nguyen will not appear in the reunion to be filmed at a later date. MTV and Bunim/Murray Productions strongly condemn systemic racism and stand with those raising their voices against injustice.”
    Meanwhile, MTV replaced the scheduled premiere of “Teen Mom OG At Home: Cory & Taylor’s Baby Special” with an episode of “Catfish”. A spokesperson for the network then announced, “MTV pulled ‘Teen Mom OG At Home: Cory & Taylor’s Baby Special’ from its Tuesday schedule and is ending our relationship with Taylor Selfridge in light of her past racist statements on social media. MTV strongly condemns systemic racism and stands with those raising their voices against injustice.”

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    '30 Rock' Cast to Reunite for Hour-Long TV Special

    NBC

    Tina Fey, Alec Baldwin, and Tracy Morgan are expected to return for an upcoming one-off special scheduled for July 16 to celebrate the 2020-21 TV season.
    Jun 17, 2020
    AceShowbiz – The cast of “30 Rock” is reuniting for a one-off special.
    The hour-long commercial-free show, airing in America on July 16, 2020, will feature the return of original series stars Tina Fey, Alec Baldwin, Tracy Morgan, and Jane Krakowski in character as they “celebrate the stories and talent featured in NBCUniversal’s 2020-21 television season.”
    “We’re all happy to have this excuse to (remotely) work together again for NBC,” Fey says. “To quote (character) Kenneth the Page, there are only two things we love in this world, television and everyone.”
    “30 Rock” was an Emmy Awards favourite from 2006 until 2013 when the NBC series ended. It picked up 16 Emmys, including three consecutive Outstanding Comedy Series wins.
    The show, conceived by Fey, also picked up a clutch of Golden Globes, Screen Actors Guild, Writers Guild of America, Directors Guild of America awards, as well as a Peabody.

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    Gwen Stefani Set to Replace Nick Jonas as Judge for 'The Voice' Season 19

    WENN

    The No Doubt lead vocalist is confirmed to reunite with fellow judges Blake Shelton, Kelly Clarkson, and John Legend for the upcoming season 19 of the NBC singing competition.
    Jun 17, 2020
    AceShowbiz – Gwen Stefani is returning to U.S. talent show “The Voice” to replace Nick Jonas for season 19.
    The “Hollaback Girl” singer will reteam with her boyfriend Blake Shelton, Kelly Clarkson, and John Legend when the singing competition returns later this year 2020.
    The No Doubt singer last appeared as a full-time coach in season 17 – her fourth season in the spinning red chair – and she has also served as a mentor in seasons eight and 10.

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