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Stepping into the role of Khal Drogo, in the HBO hit series Game of Thrones, Jason Momoa exhibited a kind of fierce charisma that could almost convince dragons to bow down. Yet, behind the imposing figure and epic battles, Momoa harbored a sense of injustice in terms of his character’s fate, in the show that catapulted him to fame.

Jason Momoa as Khal Drogo in Game of Thrones | image: HBO

For Jason Momoa, the thrill of wielding the mighty Arakh was spoiled with a bittersweet aftertaste. Because, despite his iconic role, the actor felt like Westeros had unfortunately shortened his character’s fate even before he could flex his acting muscles. This sentiment resonated deeply with fans, who were left yearning for more of Drogo’s untapped potential.

Jason Momoa Felt Cheated by Khal Drogo’s Early Exit in Game of Thrones

In the world of Westeros, where characters...

The classic Jane’s Addiction lineup has embarked on its first North American tour in 14 years, co-headlining the outing with Love and Rockets. The tour kicked off in Las Vegas last Friday (August 9th) and has made stops in San Diego (August 11th) and Inglewood, California (August 13th) thus far.

The tour runs through a September 26th show in Indianapolis, and will travel to such cities as New Orleans, New York, Boston, and Chicago along the way. Get tickets to the upcoming shows here.

Get Jane's Addiction Tickets Here

At the most recent show on Tuesday night at the YouTube Theater in Inglewood (Los Angeles area), Jane’s Addiction offered up a 14-song setlist. Singer Perry Farrell and company kicked things off with “Kettle Whistle,” and proceeded to perform classics like “Pigs in Zen,” “Jane Says,” “Mountain Song,” “Stop,” and the set-closing “Been Caught Stealing.” They also played their new single,...

It’s time to let Leon Bridges reintroduce himself. The soul artist is naming his upcoming fourth studio album simply Leon, and he’s previewing it with the serene-sounding “Peaceful Place.” He shot the video for the song around Mexico City, near where he recorded the record due out Oct. 4. He sings, “I’m in a peaceful place” on the song, with bongos and handclaps supporting him, and, of course, some soulful guitar. In a statement, Bridges said it’s the album he’s been waiting his whole life to record.

It’s been about 35 years since a one-name actor known as Leon generated some controversial chemistry with Madonna in her classic “Like a Prayer” video in 1989.

Now, while on a Zoom interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the 6-foot-3-inch actor whose full name is Leon Preston Robinson — and who walks with the same swagger throughout the interview — lets on to more of his persona, one that has boded well for him in film roles like Derice Bannock in the hit Disney movie Cool Runnings (about the first Jamaican U.S. Olympics bobsled team); suave lead singer David Ruffin for the NBC miniseries The Temptations; and J.T. Matthews in The Five Heartbeats, among others. It still blows his mind that whenever he encounters a fan or fellow celebrity, there’s a good chance one of his own movie lines will be quoted back to him.

“The leader of the pack...

Back in May 1986, fans saw Tom Cruise as Captain Pete “Maverick” Mitchell for the first time, in Top Gun. The movie, which is an all-time action classic, introduced us to a number of characters destined to become fan-favorites. However, arguably none came as close to immediately taking that mantle, as Val Kilmer’s Lt Tom “Iceman” Kazansky, the Maverick’s biggest rival initially.

Val Kilmer in Top Gun (1986) | Paramount Pictures

Kilmer’s Iceman finishes at the top of his class at the Top Gun Academy and proceeds to become a close ally of Cruise’s character. Being an integral part of the success that the first movie got, Kilmer was still not certain about whether he would be a part of the second movie, which came out decades later, in April 2022.

As a matter of fact, that actor himself confessed that he had even considered begging the creators, led by director Joseph Kosinski,...

What’s a party without music? You can plan the snacks, drinks, and guest list to perfection, but if the playlist isn’t hitting, it’s gonna be a bad time.

Here are the best party songs across all genres, from old classics guaranteed to get your toes tapping to country hits worth boot scootin’ to and even throwback hip-hop jams to fill the dance floor. Let’s party!

SiriusXM Party ChannelsFrom dance-floor hits to karaoke favesGet 3 Months Free

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Don’t feel like spending hours crafting and curating the perfect playlist? Save your energy for bustin’ a move — we’ve got tons of party channels playing nonstop high-energy hits on the SiriusXM app.

Best Oldies Party Songs

Let’s kick things off with some true gems that still get people grooving today — Aka some seriously golden oldies. Play these timeless hits and you won’t just have “One Fine Day,...

Get ready for an insightful and revealing episode of “Uncensored” as Season 6 Episode 13, titled “Leon,” airs this Sunday, April 14, 2024, at 10:00 Pm on TV One. In this episode, viewers will get an exclusive look into the remarkable 40-year journey of actor Leon, renowned for his unforgettable performances in both television and film.

Leon opens up about his illustrious career, delving into his experiences portraying iconic roles in acclaimed series such as “The Temptations” and blockbuster films like “Waiting to Exhale,” “Cool Runnings,” and “The Five Heartbeats.” With candor and depth, he shares behind-the-scenes stories, challenges faced, and the impact of his work on audiences worldwide.

Through intimate interviews and captivating anecdotes, “Uncensored” offers a rare glimpse into the life and career of Leon, highlighting his contributions to entertainment and his enduring legacy in the industry. Don’t miss this captivating episode as Leon’s remarkable journey unfolds, airing Sunday at 10:00 Pm on TV One.

Netflix has revealed the cast of Tyler Perry’s Beauty in Black, a new series coming to the streamer that’s the result of a previously announced creative partnership.

The pact calls for Perry will write, direct, and produce feature films and series under a multi-year first-look deal.

Tyler Perry’s Beauty in Black follows two women leading very different lives. While Kimmie is struggling to make a living after her mother kicked her out, and Mallory is running a successful business, they find themselves entangled in each other’s lives.

The 16-episode hour-long drama is written, directed, and produced by Perry.

The cast includes Taylor Polidore Williams (Divorce in the Black; Snowfall) as Kimmie; Amber Reign Smith (Outlaw Posse; Wu-Tang: An American Saga) as Rain; Crystle Stewart (Tyler Perry’s The Oval; Acrimony) as Mallory; Ricco Ross (A Husband for Christmas; Aliens) as Horace; Debbi Morgan (Power; Power Book...

Four new guest stars will make their way to The Chi.

Kadeem Hardison (Teenage Bounty Hunters, A Different World), Leon (Swarm, The Temptations), Brett Gray (On My Block, I’m A Virgo) and Daniel J. Watts (The Last O.G.) are set to recur in the second half of Season 6, premiering Friday, May 10 on Showtime, Deadline reports.

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In 2017, The Hollywood Reporter gave me the opportunity to write an oral history about a passion of mine, The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, the groundbreaking variety program anchored by Tommy Smothers, who died Tuesday at age 86, and his brother, Dick. Airing on CBS from 1967-70, the controversial show offered an alternate television universe for a young generation, filled with sharp humor, political satire, rock music and relevance. Not ahead of its time but rather right on it.

I compiled countless interviews with what felt like every surviving performer from the show, including Steve Martin and Rob Reiner. Everyone except the brothers themselves, who had proved rather elusive.

Through back channels, I finally acquired Tommy Smothers’ cellphone number, along with a series of warnings. First, I was told, be persistent because he hardly ever answers his phone. Second, be persistent because he probably won’t return your call. And third, don...

Good news from the ratings people: ABC says the season 32 premiere of Dancing With The Stars held even with the series’ prior season on the network in fall 2021, when it averaged 6.50 million viewers. That means the people who used to love their favorite fringe show before it moved to Disney+ for Season 31 came back to re-enjoy their favorite fringe show!

This isn’t the worst news. Though DWTS remains a loss leader, it’s a loss leader we all need — more than we truly can appreciate these days. What was it that they sang at the beginning of tonight’s episode? It’s just an invitation across the nation, a chance for folks to meet. There’ll be laughing, singing and music swinging, dancing in the street!

Time to kick off Motown Night with guest host Michael Strahan, who’s really not that bad with the superlatives when it comes to judging the celebrity hoofers.

Los Angeles, Sep 19 (Ians) Singer-songwriter Stephen Sanchez doesn’t miss a call from the ‘Rocket Man’, as the singer ended up dropping a call with his mother when Elton John was on the line.

Stephen, in an interview with People magazine said that when a call from the legendary songwriter came up, he cut his mother’s call in the middle.

Following his energy-filled set at the two-day ocean side event held in Asbury Park, New Jersey over the weekend, the ‘Until I Found You’ crooner recalled his spontaneous interaction with the acclaimed English musician, while explaining how their newfound friendship came to be.

“Randomly, I was in a Walgreens,” Stephen recounted to People from backstage on the festival grounds. “Yeah, I was on the phone with my mom and I got the phone call.”

“I was like, ‘Mom, I got to go. It’s Elton and I gotta hop on the phone’,” Stephenrecalls.

Los Angeles, Sep 19 (Ians) Singer-songwriter Stephen Sanchez doesn’t miss a call from the ‘Rocket Man’, as the singer ended up dropping a call with his mother when Elton John was on the line.

Stephen, in an interview with People magazine said that when a call from the legendary songwriter came up, he cut his mother’s call in the middle.

Following his energy-filled set at the two-day ocean side event held in Asbury Park, New Jersey over the weekend, the ‘Until I Found You’ crooner recalled his spontaneous interaction with the acclaimed English musician, while explaining how their newfound friendship came to be.

“Randomly, I was in a Walgreens,” Stephen recounted to People from backstage on the festival grounds. “Yeah, I was on the phone with my mom and I got the phone call.”

“I was like, ‘Mom, I got to go. It’s Elton and I gotta hop on the phone’,” Stephenrecalls.

“Lucifer” actor Db Woodside wants to lead his own show.

The actor, who most recently appeared in Netflix’s “The Perfect Find,” tweeted this wish in a self-proclaimed bold post.

“Boldest tweet I’ll ever send. Lucifer. Big success. Blessed to play my part. Night Agent. Big success. Blessed to play my part. Suits. Big success. Blessed to play my part. ,” he wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “In conclusion: I think I deserve the opportunity to lead my own show.”

Boldest tweet I’ll ever send.

Lucifer. Big success. Blessed to play my part.

Night Agent. Big success. Blessed to play my part.

Suits. Big success. Blessed to play my part.

In conclusion: I think I deserve the opportunity to lead my own show.

— Db Woodside (@dbwofficial) August 15, 2023

Woodside is best known for his television roles as bass singer Melvin Franklin in “The Temptations,” Robin Wood in “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,...

On the Tuesday, July 11 episode of “America’s Got Talent” Season 18, judges Simon Cowell, Howie Mandel, Heidi Klum and Sofia Vergara meet the 82nd Airborne Chorus from North Carolina. The singing military group represents the 19,000 individuals who “support and serve the airborne division” of the U.S. Army. When Simon inquires about their big dream, the leader proudly responds, “We are here to win.” Watch the “AGT” sneak peek video above.

“Last week we lost one of our soldiers, Specialist Elijah Crawford, so we are dedicating this performance to him and all of the soldiers that have passed before him,” declares the group’s spokesman, who noticeably holds back tears. The 82nd Airborne Chorus then begins an up-tempo version of “My Girl” by The Temptations that has the audience smiling and clapping along with every note.

See ‘America’s Got Talent’ winners list: All seasons, plus ‘Champions’ and ‘Extreme’

The choir lets two...

Phil Stacey had the ultimate full-circle moment on Sunday night’s episode of American Idol. Back in 2006, he auditioned for the show just hours after his wife delivered their second daughter, McKayla. Now, 16 years later, McKayla is starting her own journey on Idol. Revisit Phil’s time on American Idol Season 6 below and find out what he’s doing today. Plus, watch McKayla’s audition from season 21 episode 2, which included a special surprise from another Idol alumnus.

McKayla Stacey hugs her father, Phil Stacey, after getting into Hollywood on ‘American Idol’ | Eric McCandless/ABC Phil Stacey auditioned for ‘American Idol’ in 2006

Phil Stacey auditioned in front of original American Idol judges Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul, and Simon Cowell during season 6. He shared in his pre-audition interview that his wife, Kendra, had just given birth to their second child and he missed it. However, Phil knew he still had to complete his audition.

With his gift expressing emotion through music and his velvety smooth voice, Lionel Richie is one of the greatest singer/songwriters of his generation. In a career that spans five decades, his catalogue of songs are the playlists of generations of music lovers and have become classic standards for parties and weddings.

Richie rose to fame as singer and saxophonist with The Commodores, which formed in his hometown of Tuskegee, Al, and eventually contributed to writing some of their funky hits, such as “Brick House.” He later segued into and became known for writing ballads, such as “Easy” and the group’s first number one hit, “Three Times a Lady.”

SEEDolly Parton 15 best songs ranked for her Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction [Photos]

During his time with the Commodores, Richie also found success writing hits for other artists, such as “Happy People” (as a co-writer) for The Temptations. In...

With his gift expressing emotion through music and his velvety smooth voice, Lionel Richie is one of the greatest singer/songwriters of his generation. In a career that spans five decades, his catalogue of songs are the playlists of generations of music lovers and have become classic standards for parties and weddings.

Richie rose to fame as singer and saxophonist with The Commodores, which formed in his hometown of Tuskegee, Al, and eventually contributed to writing some of their funky hits, such as “Brick House.” He later segued into and became known for writing ballads, such as “Easy” and the group’s first number one hit, “Three Times a Lady.”

During his time with the Commodores, Richie also found success writing hits for other artists, such as “Happy People” (as a co-writer) for The Temptations. In 1980, he and Kenny Rogers joined forces to cross pop and country, with Richie writing “Lady” for Rogers.

Bruce Springsteen is releasing a collection of soul covers entitled Only The Strong Survive on November 11. Check out the video right here for “Do I Love You (Indeed I Do),” which was originally recorded by Frank Wilson.

The album centers around soul classics, both obscure and well-known, released from the Sixties through the Eighties. It gets its title from Jerry Butler’s 1969 tune “Only The Strong Survive.” The disc also includes “Soul Days” by Dobie Gray, “Nightshift” by the Commodores, “I Wish It Would Rain” by the Temptations, and “Somebody...

Bruce Willis is still soaking in the sunshine. The 67-year-old actor was spotted running errands with his wife Emma Heming Willis on June 23 in Los Angeles. For the occasion, Bruce—whose aphasia diagnosis was made public in March—wore a green baseball cap, a short-sleeved button-down shirt and jeans, while Emma donned jeans, a blue-and-white top and flats. The outing came just days after Emma dedicated a sweet Instagram post to her husband. On June 13, she shared a video of Bruce performing with The Temptations with a caption that read, in part: "My motto is don't let the fear stop you. Why? Because fear constantly stops me. Which is another reason I fell for my...

Terron Brooks is a powerhouse vocalist and best known for his critically acclaimed role as the great Eddie Kendricks in the Emmy Award-winning NBC mini-series The Temptations. He is no stranger to the Broadway stage performing in The Lion King and Hairspray. He was featured in the World Premieres of Sleepless in Seattle The Musical and First Wives Club The Musical. For his role as Daddy Brubeck in Sweet Charity, Terron earned an Ovation Award nomination. We sat down with two-time NAACP Award nominee to talk about his new album, The Soul of Broadway Deluxe Album.

With one episode left in its season, “The Thing About Pam” has seen viewership numbers rise each week while enthralling viewers with a stranger-than-fiction true crime story. The NBC limited series stars Oscar winner Renée Zellweger in a transformative performance as the title character, Pam Hupp, and is certain to get Emmy voters chattering.

See Renee Zellweger could add Emmy to awards collection for transformation in ‘The Thing About Pam’

The series details the 2011 murder of Betsy Faria, which resulted in her husband Russ’ conviction. When his conviction was overturned, the crime set off a chain of events that exposed a diabolical scheme involving Faria’s friend, Pam. The limited series is based on coverage from “Dateline NBC” and is titled after the “Dateline” podcast.

“The Thing About Pam” would become the first major player in the limited series category for NBC since the turn of the century. The network won in 1996 for “Gulliver’s Travels.

Oscar nominated screenwriter of One Night in Miami… and the writer/co-director of Pixar’s Soul, Kemp Powers discusses some of his favorite movies with hosts Josh Olson and Joe Dante.

Show Notes: Movies Referenced In This Episode

Innerspace (1987)

The Goonies (1985)

Animal House (1978)

Soul (2020)

One Night In Miami… (2020)

Munich (2005)

12 Angry Men (1957)

The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

E.T. The Extraterrestrial (1982)

Gremlins (1984)

About Schmidt (2002)

Pulp Fiction (1994)

Reservoir Dogs (1992)

Little Women (2019)

Cornbread, Earl And Me (1975)

The Education Of Sonny Carson (1974)

Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling (1986)

Point Break (1991)

Point Break (2015)

Ghost (1990)

To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar (1995)

Road House (1989)

Dirty Dancing (1987)

The Outsiders (1983)

Die Hard (1988)

Up (2009)

Monsters Inc. (2001)

Inside Out (2015)

Wall-e (2008)

Ratatouille (2007)

Van Nuys Blvd. (1979)

Mad Max (1979)

The Road Warrior (1981)

Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome (1985)

Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

Happy Feet (2006)

Babe (1995)

Lorenzo’s Oil (1992)

Unforgiven (1992)

The Assassination Of Jesse James By The Coward Robert Ford (2007)

Tombstone (1993)

Invictus (2009)

Jersey Boys (2014)

Gran Torino...

Exclusive: Leon (The Temptations) is set for a recurring role opposite Kevin Bacon and Aldis Hodge on Season 2 of Showtime’s City On A Hill, currently in production. Created, written and executive produced by Chuck MacLean (Boston Strangler) and based on an original idea by Ben Affleck, City on a Hill is set in early 1990s Boston when the city was rife with violent criminals emboldened by local law enforcement agencies in which corruption and racism was the norm, until it suddenly all changed. The drama is a fictional account of what was called the “Boston Miracle.” Leon plays Reverend Isaiah Hughes, a spiritual adviser and activist with deep roots in his community. MacLean and Tom Fontana, who also serves as showrunner, executive produce with Jennifer Todd, Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Michael Cuesta, Barry Levinson, Jorge Zamacona and consulting producer James Mangold. Bacon serves as co-executive producer. The role reunites Leon with Tom Fontana,...

Bruce Williamson, the former lead singer of The Temptations, has died. He was 49.

The singer passed away Sunday night at his home in Las Vegas after a battle with Covid-19, according to TMZ. Further details about his death were not available at press time.

“There’s no words in the world that can express how I feel right now,” Williamson’s son, Bruce, wrote on Facebook. “I love you Daddy thank you for being awesome thank you for being loving thank you for being Who You Are I pray to God and we will meet again,”I love you Daddy ...

Bruce Williamson, the former lead singer of The Temptations, has died. “There’s no words in the world that can express how I feel right now,” his son Bruce posted on Facebook early Monday morning. “I love you Daddy thank you for being awesome thank you for being loving thank you for being Who You Are I pray to God…...

Nearly 50 years after it aired its final episode in 1971, the legendary Ed Sullivan Show is officially headed to all streaming platforms.

From the Beatles’ debut to Elvis Presley to the Rolling Stones, iconic clips and low-resolution bootlegs of the variety show have been available for years, but this marks the first time the entire catalogue will be available digitally — thanks to a deal between UMe and Sofa Entertainment Inc.

Seven performances are available now on the show’s official YouTube channel, with new videos rolling out over the next three years.

There are few cultural institutions in the United States to rival the importance of The Apollo Theater in Harlem. For going on a hundred years the 1,500-seat venue has showcased the foremost African-American talent, from Duke Ellington to Louis Armstrong, Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Richard Pryor, Marvin Gaye, and Sarah Vaughan, among countless others.

“That stage, The Apollo, is where we go to voice who we are, where we are and where we’re going,” Oscar-winning filmmaker Roger Ross Williams tells Deadline. His HBO documentary The Apollo is one of 15 shortlisted features that Oscar Documentary Branch voters are considering as they mark their nomination ballots. The film highlights some of the seminal moments in Apollo history.

“Everything that happens on that stage is really political, whether it’s The Temptations in Italian suits changing the image and perception of what Black men looked like, or Billie Holiday singing the protest song ‘Strange Fruit,...

Broadway has found its Michael Jackson: Tony-nominated Ain’t Too Proud star Ephraim Sykes will take the title role in the upcoming Mj The Musical, producers announced today.

The musical, loaded with classic hits by the later King of Pop, will begin preview performances on Monday, July 6, 2020, at the Neil Simon Theatre, with an opening night set for Thursday, August 13.

The casting announcement was made by producers Lia Vollack and The Michael Jackson Estate. Producers have released a sneak peek teaser video – watch it below.

Sykes is currently on Broadway in another Motown-inspired musical Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of The Temptations, playing the group’s David Ruffin. He was nominated for a 2020 Grammy Award yesterday for the show’s cast album, along with the rest of the original cast.

“Ephraim Sykes is a bonafide triple threat,” said Wheeldon in a statement, “and dynamic rising star on Broadway.

Don’t throw in the Robin Thicke towel* just yet — we’ve got a double shot of The Masked Singer to get through before we can find out which two celebrities were unmasked on Wednesday.

The back-to-back episodes came courtesy of this year’s World Series Game 7, which preempted Fox’s surreal singing competition last week. But why dwell in the past? Let’s get on with recapping this week’s performances, which are broken up by episode!

More from TVLineBH90210 Cancelled After 1 SeasonThe Masked Singer's Penguin on How Beyoncé Inspired Her Eagle Attack and How Lizzo Taught Her the...

If you’re a fan of The Temptations, you’re in luck, as the R&b/Soul group is back on tour. The Temptations — a now five-person group who first rose to fame after releasing multiple singles and albums with Motown Records in the 1960s and 1970s — is set to perform in multiple cities around the United […]

The post The Temptations 2019 Tickets On Sale Now [Dates & Ticket Info] appeared first on uInterview.

James Corden is always up for a good argument about music and this time the late night host has tapped Smokey Robinson for a debate over classic soul versus modern soul. Robinson appeared on The Late Late Show to promote new documentary Hitsville: The Making of Motown, prompting Corden to contend that he prefers the soulful hits of 2019.

“I’m talking like Usher, Bruno Mars, Alicia Keys, Lauryn Hill,” Corden notes. “I feel like new songs have better sound.”

The host is interrupted by Robinson, who takes Corden to task.

When this year’s Tony Award nominations were announced, Jeremy Pope became only the sixth person Tony history nominated twice in the same season. His performance in Tarell Alvin McCraney’s Choir Boy as Pharus, a bullied, gay prep school student whose singing talent is matched by a fierce determination, has Pope in the running for Best Lead Actor/play. And as the great Eddie Kendricks, the Temptation who sang lead on such hits as “Just My Imagination” and “The Way You Do The Things You Do,” Pope’s performance in Ain’t Too Proud has him up for Best Featured Actor/musical.

In this conversation, Pope explains how his double play almost didn’t happen, about what inspired each role and about a Tony night years ago that proved far unhappier than the one he’s about to experience.

Ain’t Too Proud – The Life And Times Of The Temptations,...

“Everyone has an idea of what they think these icons are,” reveals Sergio Trujillo. The choreographer earned his second Tony nomination for “Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of the Temptations.” The legendary status of The Temptations put pressure on Trujillo to “outdo myself.” Watch the exclusive video interview above.

Two challenges presented themselves in choreographing this biographical musical: how to surmount the pressure of expectation and how to make the movements of an infamous group fresh. So Trujillo asked himself: “If I was the choreographer of The Temptations, what would I do today?” This is after all a dramatic adaptation, and dance has evolved since the 1950’s. Trujillo knew that simply lifting the real-life dance moves of the singing group “would not have crossed over” to the stage.

See: Ephraim Sykes interview (‘Ain’t Too Proud’)

The choreographer knew it is in a way unfair to simply recreate moves,...

“This is a show that is about today. It’s about what’s going on in our country now,” declares director Des McAnuff about his Broadway musical “Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of the Temptations.” McAnuff recently received his sixth Tony nomination for his directorial efforts and chatted with Gold Derby about the creative process behind the hit musical. Watch the exclusive video interview above.

McAnuff was initially hesitant to take on another biographical musical because he didn’t want it to compete and be compared with his Best Musical Tony winner “Jersey Boys.” But when Otis Williams himself asked the director to take up the reigns, the opportunity was “impossible to resist.” Over the course of the initial conversation with Williams, McAnuff says that “it was clear this was very important to him… he was willing to open a vein in order to tell this story.

David Picker, who headed United Artists, Paramount and Columbia’s motion picture divisions and was known for forging relationships with groundbreaking filmmakers and material, died Saturday in New York. He was 87 and had been suffering from colon cancer.

MGM tweeted, “We are saddened to hear that a member of the United Artists family has passed away. David Picker was a true visionary who brought iconic films to theaters such as the James Bond franchise.”

Picker brought the James Bond novels and the Beatles to United Artists; helped launch Steve Martin’s movie career and oversaw boundary-pushing movies like “Last Tango in Paris” and “Midnight Cowboy.”

Among the Hollywood figures who started out working for Picker as an assistant were Jeffrey Katzenberg, Bonnie Arnold, Tom Rothman and Jonathan Demme. His 2013, “Musts, Maybes and Nevers,” was a candid look at both his hits and flops, and he was honored with the PGA...

Unlike recent Broadway seasons, this year’s Tony Award race for Best Musical is wide open. This is one of the few points on which David Buchanan and myself agree. As Tony season begins to heat up, David and I sat down to discuss potential nominations in the musical categories. Watch the full video above.

We think that there are currently three musicals with the potential to win the top award: “Be More Chill,” “Hadestown,” and “Tootsie.” We both list “Hadestown” as the current frontrunner due to its original score, fresh concept, and respected creative team. If these three shows are locked for a nomination, that will leave one open slot up for grabs in the Best Musical category.

David is backing “Ain’t Too Proud” with his fourth slot, the crowd pleasing story of The Temptations. But as Tony voters have strayed from jukebox musicals in favor of original score,...

Derrick Baskin was sick of musicals when Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of The Temptations arrived in his life. He’d performed on Broadway in Memphis, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and The Little Mermaid, and was enjoying the change of pace that was Hulu’s Difficult People when his agent came calling with the job that could put Baskin into his first starring role. As Otis Williams, founder of the group that gave the world “My Girl,” “Just My Imagination” and one after another of the greatest songs of the 1960s and ’70s, Baskin would be a first among equals, the singer who first envisioned what The Temptations could and would be.

“I immediately tried to shut him down,” Baskin recalls in this Deadline interview. But the actor had a change of heart, and now finds himself leading what is easily the biggest hit musical of this Broadway season,...

Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations, a jukebox musical about the life and career of The Temptations, recently debuted on Broadway and cast stopped by to tease the songs on The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon. Cast members took Fallon’s stage to perform a special medley of tunes from the musical, including “Get Ready” and “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg.”

In the clip, five cast members, each dressed in a dark suit with a blue velour jacket, sing and dance with the help of a live band.

Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of The Temptations is further proof, as if we need it, that the term “jukebox musical” just isn’t fair – to jukeboxes. Feed a juke some cash and it delivers music, free of the blunt exposition that passes for librettos in so many of these stage biographies. Even with source material as glorious as “My Girl,” “Just My Imagination,” “Papa Was A Rolling Stone” and the song that gives this production its title, the result feels less celebratory than ruthlessly efficient, like the treadmill device that’s forever moving the ever-changing Temptations line-up on, off and around the Imperial Theatre’s stage.

Opening tonight, Ain’t Too Proud mostly accomplishes what so many of the lesser examples of this genre haven’t – a fine cast performs beloved songs, performs them well enough to conjure and honor the people they’re playing and the songs they’re singing,...

The incoming Broadway musical about the enduring music and volatile career of the Temptations features many elements associated with a prestige show. There’s a name director, an award-winning book writer, a cast whose collective resume includes stints in shows like Hamilton and Chicago, and a score overflowing with pop songs that are engrained in the culture.

Then there’s the bong.

The prop, complete with whiffs of artificial smoke, appears during a scene in which the Motown group parties together on the road later in their career. “That’s funny — that’s rock & roll!

Gold Derby’s 2019 Tony Awards prediction center is now open! Broadway productions must open by an April 25th cutoff date in order to be eligible for Tony consideration. So it’s time to make your early predictions in the race for Broadway’s highest honors.

Last year, “The Band’s Visit” stormed the ceremony with a whopping 10 wins, including Best Musical. David Yazbek finally became a Tony winner for his intimate Middle Eastern inspired score, and he will be back in contention this year for “Tootsie.” The musical adaptation of the classic film stars previous Tony nominee Santino Fontana (“Cinderella”) in the role Dustin Hoffman made famous. The show will face serious competition from “Hadestown,” a riff on the Orpheus and Eurydice myth with a folk opera score from Anais Mitchell. Director Rachel Chavkin (“The Great Comet”) has guided the show through successful runs Off-Broadway and in London, and is...

As we’re now about halfway through the Broadway season, there are currently seven productions of musicals set to open this spring. Could we be seeing any of them contend at this year’s Tony Awards? Below, we recap the plot of each musical as well as the awards history of its author, cast, creative types, the opening, and (where applicable) closing dates.

“Be More Chill” (previews begin February 13; opens March 10)

In this musical adaptation of Ned Vizzini’s 2004 novel of the same name, Jeremy Heere is your average, nothing-special teenager at Middleborough High School in nothing-special New Jersey. That is, until the day he finds out about ‘The Squip.’ Thus begins a journey that pits Jeremy’s desire to be popular against his struggle to remain true to his authentic self.

With a book by Drama Desk nominee Joe Tracz and a score by Joe Iconis, this production is...

Production is now underway in Atlanta on the much-anticipated drama Ambitions, created by Jamey Giddens and produced by Will Packer Media in association with Lionsgate and Lionsgate-owned distributor Debmar-Mercury. The multigenerational family saga features an all-star cast including Robin Givens, Essence Atkins, Brian White, Kendrick Cross, Brely Evans and Erica Page. Multiple award-winning writer/Ep Kevin Arkadie has joined as showrunner. Created by executive producer/writer Jamey Giddens (The Rich and The Ruthless) from an original idea by Packer, Ambitions will debut on Own in March 2019, with the pilot episode directed by Benny Boom.

Ambitions is centered around one woman who, having recently relocated and intent on revitalizing her marriage, finds herself going head to head with some of the most powerful and deceitful players in the city.

Robin Givens stars as ‘Stephanie Carlisle,’ the wife of Atlanta Mayor Evan Lancaster (Brian White), whose true loyalty is to her own family's prestigious law firm,...

Ain’t too proud to beg everyone to check out the trailer for Motown Magic, the song-filled animated series that Netflix launches this month. Featuring more than 50 newly recorded versions of classics made famous by Berry Gordy’s iconic record label, the series is executive produced by Smokey Robinson.

The series follows Ben, a wide-eyed 8-year-old with a big heart and an amazing imagination who uses his magic paintbrush to bring the street-art decorating his city, Motown, to life. Each 11-minute episode features a plotline inspired by the themes and characters of a Motown classic by such acts as Marvin Gaye, The Jackson 5, Lionel Richie, The Supremes, The Temptations, Stevie Wonder and Robinson. Among the folks performing the new versions are Ne-Yo, Skylar Grey and Trombone Shorty.

“It’s exciting to see these timeless classics reimagined through extraordinary animation and heartfelt stories while still honoring the roots of the music,...

John Carter, a pioneering African-American film editor behind such films as “Friday,” “Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit,” “Lean on Me” and the Academy Award-nominated Martin Luther King documentary “King: A Filmed Record… Montgomery to Memphis,” has died. He was 95 years old.

Carter, the first black member of the American Cinema Editors, died peacefully on Aug. 13 at his home in White Plains, New York, his family reported.

His career spanned four decades, during which he put his editing touch to more than 50 feature films, including 1968’s “Paper Lion,” “The Formula,” starring Marlon Brando and “Karate Kid Part III.” Carter also served as editor for a number of black-centric films, such as “The Five Heartbeats” — a musical drama loosely based on The Temptations and The Four Tops — “Boomerang,” “Set it Off,” “Soul Food” and “The Wood.”

Also Read: Lin-Manuel Miranda, Shonda Rhimes Remember Aretha Franklin: 'Thank You For the...

This July 4th, America’s national Independence Day celebration kicks off our country’s 242nd birthday, as A Capitol Fourth on PBS welcomes back Emmy Award-nominated actor and producer John Stamos to host the festivities.

Broadcast live on PBS from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol, this time-honored 38 year-tradition puts viewers front and center for America’s biggest birthday party with the greatest display of fireworks anywhere in the nation lighting up the iconic D.C. skyline.

The country’s longest-running live national July 4 TV tradition will feature all-star musical performances by: multi-platinum selling music legend Jimmy Buffett with the Broadway cast of the new musical Escape To Margaritaville, making their first stop after Broadway at the U.S. Capitol before launching a national tour; “America’s Band,” the iconic multi-platinum selling music legends The Beach Boys; three-time Grammy Award-winning and multi-platinum selling artist Pentatonix; multi-platinum pop singer...

Joining the all-star line-up for the 38th annual edition of PBS’ A Capitol Fourth, the country’s longest-running live national July 4 TV tradition, are multi-platinum pop singer and songwriter Andy Grammer, theatrical icon and one of Broadway’s greatest triple-threat talents Chita Rivera, and The Voice Season 14 finalist Kyla Jade.

Grammer will perform his hit “Back Home,” the lead single from his Gold-certified album Magazines or Novels, on America’s national Independence Day celebration. Gospel singer Jade will open the show with a performance of the “National Anthem.”

Rivera, a versatile actress/singer/dancer and the recipient of the 2018 Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre, will introduce a special tribute to the work of famed American composer Leonard Bernstein, the iconic voice of his age, on the 100th anniversary of his birthday. The segment will feature Bernstein’s beloved composition “Tonight” from West Side Story performed by...

This July 4th, America’s national Independence Day celebration kicks off our country’s 242nd birthday, as A Capitol Fourth on PBS welcomes back Emmy Award-nominated actor and producer John Stamos to host the festivities.

Broadcast live on PBS from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol, this time-honored 38 year-tradition puts viewers front and center for America’s biggest birthday party with the greatest display of fireworks anywhere in the nation lighting up the iconic D.C. skyline.

The country’s longest-running live national July 4 TV tradition will feature all-star musical performances by: multi-platinum selling music legend Jimmy Buffett with the Broadway cast of the new musical Escape To Margaritaville, making their first stop after Broadway at the U.S. Capitol before launching a national tour; ’America’s Band," the iconic multi-platinum selling music legends The Beach Boys; three-time Grammy Award-winning and multi-platinum selling artist Pentatonix; legendary Motown stars...

The Top 11 artists on “The Voice” performed one song apiece on the two-hour episode on Monday April 30. The goal for each of these would-be winners is to make it into the top 10 on iTunes by Tuesday morning so that they can reap the benefit of a vote multiplier. The bottom two vote-getters as revealed by host Carson Daly will have to sing for the Instant Save on Tuesday’s show.

That is what happened last week to D.R. King from Kelly Clarkson and Rayshun Lamarr from Team Adam Levine. While King did well with the 1973 tune “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone,” which was a big hit and Grammy winner for The Temptations, it was Lamarr who won the popular vote with his rendition of one of Tina Turner‘s signature songs, her 1984 cover of “I Can’t Stand the Rain.”

See ‘The Voice’ Top 12 Instant Save: Rayshun Lamarr was wrong artist to rescue,...