With an unprecedented global pandemic and the recent killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Rayshard Brooks as its backdrop, the 2020 BET Awards takes on increased importance this year. 30 more words
via BET Awards Producer Promises Show Will Be ‘Powerful for Everyone’ — Variety
Sacha Baron Cohen has pulled off his latest prank. Variety can confirm the comedian and star of the political satire show “Who Is America?” infiltrated a conservative rally in Washington on Saturday, making his way on stage and getting some people in the crowd to sing racist lyrics about President Obama, Hillary Clinton, Dr. Anthony…
via Sacha Baron Cohen Pranks Conservative Rally Into Singing Racist Lyrics — Variety
In the midst of nationwide protests sparked by the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police, TV networks have begun to reconsider the purpose of police-centric shows in their programming. 26 more words
via TV Executives Talk the Future of Police Shows at Variety’s Virtual TV Festival — Variety
In a sign of what may be seen as an emerging, successful alternative to expensive red carpet charity events, Saturday night’s two-hour Lead With Love: Project Angel Food Emergency Telethon, which aired live on KTLA 5, smashed its fundraising goal. 20 more words
via Kelly Clarkson, Elton John Help Project Angel Food Raise More Than $700,000 — Variety
California Gov. Gavin Newsom has ordered all bars in several counties, including Los Angeles, to shut down again due to the rising number of coronavirus cases. 31 more words
via Los Angeles Bars Ordered to Close Again Due to Rising Coronavirus Cases — Variety
The hot priest from “Fleabag” had two unexpected visitors in his confessional booth — Connell and Marianne from “Normal People.” The Emmy-winning Amazon Prime series and Hulu’s latest hit show crossed over in a sketch raising money for RTE Does Comic Relief, a charity in Ireland raising money during the coronavirus pandemic. Andrew Scott, who…
via ‘Fleabag’ and ‘Normal People’ Release Crossover Video for Charity (Watch) — Variety
Country singer Chase Rice is taking heat after sharing video footage of a concerts he played in east Tennessee Saturday night, with footage showing large, packed outdoor crowds rocking out shoulder-to-shoulder with no sign of social distancing or masks. 18 more words
via Country Stars Chase Rice, Chris Janson Spark Outrage With Videos of Packed Concert Crowds — Variety
The organizers of the 20th annual BET Awards know all too well that 2020 is both different from past years and, sadly, not different enough — and the show kicked off on Sunday night in fiery fashion with a song that sums up both 31 years ago and now: an incendiary new version of Public…
via Public Enemy, Nas, YG, Questlove Kick off BET Awards With Fiery ‘Fight the Power’ (Watch) — Variety
Jennifer Hudson is earning everyone’s respect as Aretha Franklin in the new trailer for the upcoming biopic about the Queen of Soul. Released during the BET Awards, the trailer starts off with Hudson singing her iconic song “Respect” (which the film is coined after) with the word spelled out behind her in giant neon-style letters…
via Jennifer Hudson Shines as Aretha Franklin in ‘Respect’ Trailer (Watch) — Variety
Oscar-winning writer Charles Randolph will write, direct and produce a film about the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in China for SK Global, which will finance and produce. 29 more words
via ‘Bombshell’ Writer Charles Randolph Boards Pandemic Movie for SK Global — Variety
Festival Reviews 