The Oscars remain in recovery mode, coming off last year’s controversial “slap” edition and the previous year’s stripped-down, pandemic-affected ceremony (the lowest-rated Oscars ever by far). This time around feels like a return to normalcy — or at least that seems to be what they hope for, with Best Picture-nominated blockbusters Top Gun: Maverick, Avatar: The Way of Water and Elvis to helping to goose audience interest.
This year, the Academy has turned to awards show and live TV veterans Glenn Weiss and Ricky Kirshner as producers. In going for experience rather than taking a chance on someone who is not known for putting together a massive television production, AMPAS is returning to the days of Gil Cates, who reliably produced 14 Oscar shows and could be counted on to try new things but also uphold tradition.
So what to expect? For one thing, says Weiss, "the show is literally going to fly by." >>> Read the Q&A |
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| Deadline Exclusives & Originals |
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The Greatest Story Ever Told - As we mark the 52nd anniversary of the first Ali-Frazier fight this week, Deadline revealed that Peacock is developing Excellence: 8 Fights, a scripted eight-part event series about boxing great Muhammad Ali, based on the definitive biography Ali: A Life by Jonathan Eig. >>>8 Key Moments In Ali’s Life
Hitting Back - The European Broadcasting Union has responded to Netflix Executive Chairman Reed Hastings' claim that the streaming giant is the “biggest builder” of cross-country culture in the EU. The EBU, which represents Europe’s public broadcasting networks, said its members spend €20 billion ($21 billion) a year on “homegrown” content, well above the investment of subscription streamers. >>> "Prioritizing European Content"
The Dark Side - Lucasfilm was hit with a breach of contract lawsuit over its upcoming series The Acolyte. Ballers executive producer Karyn McCarthy has taken the Kathleen Kennedy-run Disney division to court over being pink-slipped from the Star Wars spinoff series last year after just a few weeks of work. >>>Claims She Lost Millions
Right 'Price,' Wrong Place - The Price Is Right is on the move. The iconic CBS game show, produced by Fremantle, is leaving Television City, where it has taped since its 1972 relaunch. The daytime staple will relocate to Haven Studios, a new facility in nearby Glendale, in which Fremantle is an investor with a long-term lease. >>>'DWTS,' 'Idol' Out Too
"Inappropriate And Disgusting" - Pat Sharp, the British presenter known for his work on Top of the Pops and Fun House, has said he is “truly sorry” after making a lewd remark to a woman while hosting an events industry awards show. >>>Woman Refused His Apology
In Brief - Emily The Criminal’s John Patton Ford is prepping the comedic thriller Huntington... Gary Lineker: BBC staff are furious at star’s "egregious" tweet comparing UK asylum policy to Nazi Germany. |
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“It’s certainly the end of this particular story thread,” Hannah Waddingham says about Ted Lasso. “And when you see it, you’ll see that it couldn’t continue past this bit. Who knows what will come next? I have genuinely no idea. And I think they’re right not to tell me.” >>>Baz Bamigboye's Column |
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Apple Original Films has set up the new film Echo Valley from a script by Mare of Easttown creator Brad Ingelsby with Sydney Sweeney and Julianne Moore attached to star. Exclusive After earning rave reviews for the Apple limited series Black Bird, SAG nominee Paul Walter Hauser is returning to the studio as he joins Matt Damon and Casey Affleck in The Instigators for Apple Original Films. Exclusive An authorized biopic about the life of Jenni Rivera has been greenlit at ViX with Annie Gonzalez set to star and executive produce. Filming of Jenni (wt) is underway in Bogota, Colombia, and will be completed in Los Angeles. Supergirl alumna Melissa Benoist will be the voice of heroine Teela in Masters of the Universe: Revolution, Kevin Smith’s continuation of his Masters Of The Universe: Revelation He-Man adaptation at Netflix. In Brief - Harriet Slater, Ben Wainwright, Edward Bluemel, Claude Perron and Elaine Cassidy have been set as series regulars in MGM+’s Belgravia: The Next Chapter… Disney+ film Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day has added Paulina Chávez and Rose Portillo… Marsha Stephanie Blake, Gabrielle Graham, John Ortiz and Tamsin Topolski have joined Netflix’s The Madness limited series. |
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More News
⚖ Responding to a petition from lawyers for Alec Baldwin, Rust producers and other defendants as well as plaintiff Maime Mitchell in the latter’s negligence lawsuit, a Los Angeles Superior Court judge has paused the civil case and lifted any self-incrimination risk for the actor until next year. That's after the related criminal trial is over.
🇺🇸 The History Channel has unveiled its latest programming slate, featuring documentaries from top talent including Kevin Costner, Morgan Freeman and Bradley Cooper. The network has ordered five new projects as part of an initiative to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States in 2026.
🤯 Paramount Global CEO Bob Bakish said, "the audience lost their mind" at the first test screening for Tom Cruise's upcoming M:I – Dead Reckoning Part One. He also hinted at more Ray Donovan from the company's Showtime arm.
💡 David Chase is working on pilot for a new show with the creator of The Sopranos and writer/director Hannah Fidell (Pam & Tommy). The FX project is based on a previously un-produced script by Chase and will feature a contemporary take by Fidell, who will also direct the pilot.
💰 Comcast President Mike Cavanagh said the media giant would consider alternative proposals for its stake in Hulu but they’d have to top its longstanding agreement to sell its remaining stake in the streamer to Disney next year.
🤝 Former Netflix UK Director of Scripted Chris Sussman has signed a deal with Banijay UK. Under terms of the first-look agreement, he’ll develop original scripted projects, working with Banijay labels to produce them.
In Brief - Anthony Anderson & Cedric The Entertainer to host BBQ series for A&E... Beavis And Butt-Head now has a Season 2 premiere date and trailer. |
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Trending  A Doll’s House starring Jessica Chastain and Succession's Arian Moayed has extended its Broadway run by a week. Last week, the production grossed $742,696 and filled a strong 93% of seats at the Hudson.
🔻 After weeks of speculation, it was confirmed on Wednesday that Lady Gaga will not perform her Best Song nominee “Hold My Hand” from Top Gun: Maverick at Sunday’s 95th annual Academy Awards. |
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Obituaries 🕯 Chaim Topol, an Israeli actor best known for his role as Tevye in the film and stage versions of Fiddler on the Roof, died Thursday at age 87 in Tel Aviv after a multi-year battle with Alzheimer’s. 🕯 Bert I. Gordon, who was given the nickname "Mr. B.I.G." by Famous Monsters of Filmland editor Forrest J. Ackerman not just because it matched his initials but also because it matched the director’s favorite big-screen subject — giant monsters — died on Wednesday. He was 100. 🕯 Tom Jackson, who appeared on the Queer Eye reboot's first episode, died on March 3 at age 63 after a battle with gland cancer. His death was announced on the show’s Instagram page. 🕯 Hollywood & Media Deaths In 2023: Photo Gallery |
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On the Radar
Thu - Bob Iger at Morgan Stanley conference; Jimmy Kimmel talks Oscars on GMA
Fri - SXSW begins; Tom Cruise honored at the ICG Publicists Awards
Sat - The Night Before Party
Sun - The Oscars; The Last of Us S1 Finale
Tue - Taylor Swift’s The Eras Tour kicks off |
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The Wednesday On 'Saturday Night Live' - The Please Don’t Destroy Boys ambush yet another of SNL's big-name hosts. In a promo for this week’s show, Ben Marshall, John Higgins and Martin Herlihy try to convince Jenna Ortega to do the Wednesday dance with them, dressing accordingly. |
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