ENTERTAINMENT

The White House Loved Larry Wilmore’s Correspondence Dinner Jokes, And You Should Too

Published

7 years ago

May 3, 2016

A few nightlies ago Larry Wilmore, seasoned comedy veteran and host of The Nightly Show (Comedy Central’s popular news program filling the hole Colbert left behind) was the host of the White House Correspondents dinner. The role was suitable of him, as a public supporter of the president, Wilmore was the right choice in a comedian to send Obama out with his last Correspondence event.

The job is a hard one. It’s hard enough being the opener for the leader of the free world. It’s damn near impossible to put a smile on the faces of those in the one room in America filled with reporters who have professionally trained themselves for years to not laugh at things, such ludacris phrases like “Presidential Hopeful Donald Trump”. And yet, Larry did. He did his job, he told jokes, he roasted the pundits, the reporters, the news outlets, the politics of the media. And he did what he was hired to do based on what he has done for the last year on Comedy Central—Call American media out on its political BS.

And yet, everyone decided to have a fit when Larry used the N-word. A black man, who is allowed to say the N word, said the N word to another man who is allowed to say the N word. Why is everyone upset?

Well because they were uncomfortable, quite frankly. Because they didn’t know if they should laugh or not. They’re worried about losing their jobs, their dignity, their respect as reporters, and what not. Well… all aside from Don Lemon who flipped Larry off. But he doesn’t have to worry about losing his dignity as a reporter because he already said goodbye to that long ago when he joined CNN.

But to everyone else, the answer is of course is yes, laugh! Larry is a comedian. And he is black. He said the N word in conclusion to a very touching and true moment of the night—A symbolic evening, the end of an era of a black presidency, in one night where politics and comedy come hand in hand. Why should that not have been said? Especially from a comedian news reporter who has a regular segment on his daily program called “The Plot To De-Negro-fy The White House” or AKA “What’s Happenin’ In The Un-Blackenin’” I mean that should have been mentioned in the program, come on white people.

Why does everyone want to forget that Obama is black? Seriously. No one wants to talk about him joking about his weed smoking college days, or him schooling Ted Cruz on the linguistics of basketball, or that extremely blacker than black “mm-mmm-mhm” he gave us that night? And yet Larry Says the N word and suddenly the whole media erupts into hysterics. Where were those hysterics about ignoring his blackness when people were demanding he show his birth certificate? Where was that deep need to ignore his blackness when the media wanted to act like congress was just giving him a rough time because of “his policies”? In the black words of President Obama, “Mmmm-Hmmm…”

Following the events of the weekend, Wilmore recapped on his show: “Many people were upset about it. Many people supported it,” he continued. “And like the president himself, the reaction was mixed. Oh, shit, I did it again. Don’t make those jokes, Larry!”
Even the White House made reference to Wilmore’s usage of the N word, saying that the president found the joke appreciative. “What the president said is that he appreciated the spirit of Mr. Wilmore’s expressions on Saturday night,” Josh Earnest, the White House press secretary said, “Any comedian who signed up to follow President Obama at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner is assuming one of the most difficult tasks in comedy… it’s a tough job.”

ENTERTAINMENT

Emmy Nominations 2019: See The Full List

Published

4 years ago

September 20, 2019

Alexis Sostre

Emmy Nominations 2019: See The Full List

The 2019 Emmys have arrived. The 71st annual Primetime Emmy Awards will air live on Fox this Sunday, September 22, at 8 pm Eastern / 5 pm Pacific, and honor some of the biggest television achievements of the past year.

As usual, the major awards will be split into separate categories for comedy and drama. On the drama side, the 2019 nominations are both dominated by Game of Thrones — which is expected to set a new record for most Emmy wins by a single season — and unusually wide open. Many shows that would otherwise be contenders — including The Crown, Stranger Things, and The Handmaid’s Tale — did not air during the eligibility window (June 1, 2018 through May 31, 2019), either because they wanted to avoid competing against Game of Thrones or because they simply couldn’t produce a new season in time.

The thought held by many was that Game of Thrones would turn in an unbeatable swan song and the race would open up again in 2020. In hindsight, that final season was widely criticized and not nearly as unrivaled in its Emmy worthiness as many expected it to be. Nevertheless, Game of Thrones is still the frontrunner in multiple drama categories.

Game of Thrones is also the only show to be nominated in all seven drama categories. In addition to nods for Outstanding Drama Series, Directing for a Drama Series, and Writing for a Drama Series, stars Kit Harington and Emilia Clarke are nominated for Lead Actor in a Drama and Lead Actress in a Drama, respectively.

And the show has pretty much overwhelmed the final two drama categories, with Gwendoline Christie, Lena Headey, Sophie Turner, and Maisie Williams all nominated for Supporting Actress in a Drama, and Alfie Allen, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, and Peter Dinklage all nominated for Supporting Actor in a Drama. In total, between the Primetime Emmys and the Creative Arts Emmys, Game of Thrones’ final season earned 32 nominations, the most received in a single year by any show in the history of the awards.

Having already won 10 awards at the Creative Arts Emmys — which were held last weekend and mainly honor the technical elements of TV production like cinematography, editing, and visual effects — Game of Thrones needs just two more to tie its own record for most Emmys won by a single season of any show. It needs only three to break that record.

The few contenders looking to upset Game of Thrones include This Is Us, Better Call Saul (returning to the race after being nominated in 2017 and sitting out last year), Killing Eve, Pose, Succession, Ozark, and Bodyguard.

Perhaps the biggest player on the comedy side is the final season of HBO’s Veep. After star Julia Louis-Dreyfus’s cancer diagnosis and treatment, Veep, the reigning comedy champ, sat out the Emmys in 2018. And in its absence, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel took home the major awards.

With Veep back in contention this year — and for its final season, no less — the series easily snagged a nomination for Outstanding Comedy Series. Its fellow contenders in the category include last year’s winner, Mrs. Maisel; returning nominee Barry; and newcomers to the race Russian Doll, The Good Place, Fleabag, and Schitt’s Creek.

Louis-Dreyfus is also nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy, an honor she has as already won six times for her role as Selina Meyer (on top of a Lead Actress in a Comedy win for The New Adventures of Old Christine and a Supporting Actress in a Comedy win for Seinfeld). She’ll go head to head with Russian Doll’s Natasha Lyonne, Mrs. Maisel’s Rachel Brosnahan (who won last year), and Schitt’s Creek’s Catherine O’Hara, among others.

Here’s the list of 2019 Emmy nominees in all the major categories:

Outstanding Comedy Series

Barry

Fleabag

The Good Place

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

Russian Doll

Schitt’s Creek

Veep

Outstanding Drama Series

Better Call Saul

Bodyguard

Game of Thrones

Killing Eve

Ozark

Pose

Succession

This Is Us

Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie

Mahershala Ali, True Detective

Benicio Del Toro, Escape at Dannemora

Hugh Grant, A Very English Scandal

Jared Harris, Chernobyl

Jharrel Jerome, When They See Us

Sam Rockwell, Fosse/Verdon

Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie

Amy Adams, Sharp Objects

Patricia Arquette, Escape at Dannemora

Aunjanue Ellis, When They See us

Joey King, The Act

Niecy Nash, When They See Us

Michelle Williams, Fosse/Verdon

Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie

Ben Whishaw, A Very English Scandal

Stellan Skarsgard, Chernobyl

Paul Dano, Escape at Dannemora

John Leguizamo, When They See Us

Michael K. Williams, When They See Us

Asante Blackk, When They See Us

Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie

Emily Watson, Chernobyl

Margaret Qualley, Fosse/Verdon

Patricia Clarkson, Sharp Objects

Patricia Arquette, The Act

Marsha Stephanie Blake, When They See Us

Vera Farmiga, When They See Us

Lead Actor in a Comedy Series

Anthony Anderson, Black-ish

Don Cheadle, Black Monday

Ted Danson, The Good Place

Michael Douglas, The Kominsky Method

Bill Hader, Barry

Eugene Levy, Schitt’s Creek

Lead Actress in a Comedy Series

Christina Applegate, Dead To Me

Rachel Brosnahan, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Veep

Natasha Lyonne, Russian Doll

Catherine O’Hara, Schitt’s Creek

Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Fleabag

Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series

Stephen Root, Barry

Henry Winkler, Barry

Anthony Carrigan, Barry

Alan Arkin, The Kominsky Method

Tony Shalhoub, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

Tony Hale, Veep

Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

Sarah Goldberg, Barry

Sian Clifford, Fleabag

Olivia Colman, Fleabag

Betty Gilpin, GLOW

Kate McKinnon, Saturday Night Live

Alex Borstein, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

Marin Hinkle, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

Anna Chlumsky, Veep

Lead Actor in a Drama Series

Jason Bateman, Ozark

Sterling K. Brown, This Is Us

Kit Harington, Game of Thrones

Bob Odenkirk, Better Call Saul

Billy Porter, Pose

Milo Ventimiglia, This Is Us

Lead Actress in a Drama Series

Emilia Clarke, Game of Thrones

Jodie Comer, Killing Eve

Viola Davis, How to Get Away with Murder

Laura Linney, Ozark

Mandy Moore, This Is Us

Sandra Oh, Killing Eve

Robin Wright, House of Cards

Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

Jonathan Banks, Better Call Saul

Giancarlo Esposito, Better Call Saul

Alfie Allen, Game of Thrones

Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Game of Thrones

Peter Dinklage, Game of Thrones

Michael Kelly, House of Cards

Chris Sullivan, This Is Us

Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

Gwendoline Christie, Game of Thrones

Lena Headey, Game of Thrones

Sophie Turner, Game of Thrones

Maisie Williams, Game of Thrones

Fiona Shaw, Killing Eve

Julia Garner, Ozark

Outstanding Reality Competition Series

Amazing Race

American Ninja Warrior

Nailed It

RuPaul’s Drag Race

Top Chef

The Voice

Outstanding Variety Talk Series

The Daily Show

Full Frontal

Jimmy Kimmel Live!

Last Week Tonight With John Oliver

The Late Late Show With James Corden

The Late Show With Stephen Colbert

Outstanding Variety Sketch Series

At Home With Amy Sedaris

Documentary Now!

Drunk History

I Love You, America With Sarah Silverman

Saturday Night Live

Who Is America?

Outstanding Television Movie

Bandersnatch

Brexit

Deadwood

King Lear

My Dinner with Hervé

Outstanding Limited Series

Chernobyl

Escape at Dannemora

Fosse/Verdon

Sharp Objects

When They See Us

ENTERTAINMENT

Blade Runner Star Rutger Hauer Has Died Aged 75

Published

4 years ago

July 24, 2019

Alexis Sostre

Blade Runner Star Rutger Hauer Has Died Aged 75

Hollywood star Rutger Hauer has died aged 75.

The actor was best known for playing Roy Batty in the 1982 movie Blade Runner and also Sin City, Batman Begins and TV show True Blood.

His agent Steve Kenis confirmed Hauer died on Friday following a short illness. His funeral was held on Wednesday.

Rutger Hauer has died aged 75. Credit: PA

Tributes have begun pouring in for the star, with Oscar-winning director Guillermo del Toro tweeting to say: “RIP the great Rutger Hauer: an intense, deep, genuine and magnetic actor that brought truth, power and beauty to his films.”

KISS musician Gene Simmons wrote: “Sad to hear Rutger Hauer has passed away. He was always a gentleman, kind and compassionate. Sending our condolences and prayers to his family, friends and fans.”

Hauer was born in Breukelen in the Netherlands and did stints in both the merchant navy and army before he became an actor.

He got his big break in 1969, when he became the lead in TV series Floris.

Away from acting, Hauer launched The Rutger Hauer Starfish Foundation, which aimed to raise awareness of HIV and AIDS, especially within children and pregnant women.

Issuing a statement following his death, the foundation said: “The Rutger Hauer Starfish Association announces with infinite sadness that after a very short illness, on Friday, July 19, 2019, Rutger passed away peacefully at his Dutch home.

“He leaves his beloved wife Ineke, after they have been together for fifty years.

“We at Starfish will always cherish the many unforgettable memories we have of Rutger and his dedication to the Rutger Hauer Starfish Association.

“One of Rutger’s last wishes was that Starfish should continue its charity activity and its fight against the AIDS disease, and with Ineke’s precious help, involvement and direction we will follow Rutger’s wish and will do our best to carry on Rutger’s inestimable legacy.”

ENTERTAINMENT

Freeform defends Halle Bailey’s casting as Ariel in “The Little Mermaid”!

Published

4 years ago

July 10, 2019

Swazi Shoba

Freeform defends Halle Bailey's casting as Ariel in "The Little Mermaid"!

Just in case you haven’t heard, Halle Bailey is the new Ariel, in an upcoming “The Little Mermaid” movie! She has been receiving messages from fans and other celebrities, congratulating her for landing the role!

Amongst those who congratulated her is Halle Berry, in a tweet she posted, “In case you needed a reminder… Halles get it DONE. Congratulations @chloexhalle on this amazing opportunity, we can’t wait to see what you!” She also added that she was “thrilled” for the 19 year old. However, not everyone was happy about Disney’s decision to cast a black woman for this role.

Some critics went as far as petitioning Disney to recast for this role, and titled their petition #NotMyAriel! They suggested that Halle should be replaced by a white woman with red hair, who would resemble the Ariel that they know from the 1989 animated version of The Little Mermaid. Now Freeform, Disney’s cable network, has decided to issue an open letter in response to this.

The letter read, “Yes. The original author of The Little Mermaid was Danish. Ariel…is a mermaid. She lives in an underwater kingdom in international waters and can legit swim wherever she wants (even though that often upsets King Triton, absolute zaddy). But for the sake of argument, let’s say that Ariel, too, is Danish”.

Freeform also added that, “Danish mermaids can be black because Danish *people* can be black. Ariel can sneak up to the surface at any time with her pals Scuttle and the *ahem* Jamaican crab Sebastian (sorry, Flounder!) and keep that bronze base tight. Black Danish people, and this mer-folk, can also *genetically* (!!!) have red hair”! Freeform then went on to remind the critics that Ariel and the story, is only fictional!

See!