Chris Willman Music WriterAs the Grammys return as a big-scale live event this year, so is the tradition of filming a tribute to a superstar musician in the days following the awards show, with the 2022 honoree being Paul Simon, who’ll be saluted by an all-star cast at L.A.’s Pantages Theatre.“Homeward Bound: A Grammy Salute to the Songs of Paul Simon” will be filmed April 6, three days after the Grammys, with a CBS air date to be determined for later in the year. Ken Ehrlich is reprising the role he’s had in the past as the annual salute’s executive producer.Among the performers booked for the tribute are Brandi Carlile, Dave Matthews, Rhiannon Giddens, Brad Paisley, Angélique Kidjo, Little Big Town, Billy Porter, Trombone Shorty, Shaggy, Take 6 and Irma Thomas.
American Cinematheque Salutes Variety Veteran Dave McNary at Tribute to the Crafts Event
09.03.2022 - 03:51 / variety.com
Cynthia Littleton Business EditorLongtime Variety reporter Dave McNary was remembered as a consummate journalist who deeply loved covering the movie business during American Cinematheque’s Tribute to the Crafts, held Monday night at Santa Monica’s Aero Theatre.Sharon McNary, a longtime journalist for KPCC-FM who was married to Dave McNary for 21 years, was on hand to accept a posthumous award for her husband, presented by Variety co-editor in chief Cynthia Littleton. Dave McNary died in 2020 at the age of 69 after suffering a stroke.“I never saw anyone work as hard as he did,” Sharon McNary told the crowd.She noted that her husband loved this time of year, when film kudos are in full swing.
“He called it tuxedo season,” she said. Unlike many industry veterans, Dave never complained about having to dress up for events.
“He’d get dressed up, take a picture with the dog and head off to have the time of his life,” she said. Peter Bart, former Variety editor-in-chief and an American Cinematheque board member, introduced the tribute segment, observing that McNary had a rare combination of talents for a journalist.“He was a dogged, likeable and loveable reporter — that’s a very rare trait,” he said.
McNary’s versatility meant that he got “the worst assignments,” Bart admitted.McNary also covered the Hollywood labor beat during his 21 years at Variety. Littleton asserted that “McNary knew more about how this town’s unions work than most union leaders.”Sharon McNary said Dave found great fulfillment in covering the inner workings of Hollywood’s guilds and unions.
NBC’s ‘American Song Contest’ Falls To ‘American Idol’ With Decent Debut; ‘9-1-1’ Returns
The United States finally got its first look at its own version of the Eurovision with NBC’s American Song Contest, which made a two-hour debut on Monday night. The new singing competition on the block, however, fell behind the latest episode of American Idol on ABC.
‘American Idol’ competitor was 5 months pregnant — then met her dream man
Sunday evening’s episode, singing Miley Cyrus’ 2009 hit “The Climb.”But it turns out Slaton had met her now-husband, Jordan Myles, during the first round of auditions — and even performed her solo for the panel of A-listers while she was five months pregnant, a feat she told host Ryan Seacrest was “not an obstacle” for her.The couple “got married pretty quick” on Christmas Eve, Slaton said in an interview with The Gazette in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and she gave birth to a son, Jaelyn Amir Myles, in January.“We just knew. We started right off the bat talking to each other, and it ended up being an everyday thing,” she said.
TV Ratings: NBC’s ‘American Song Contest’ Debut Bested by ABC’s ‘American Idol’
Jennifer Maas TV Business WriterNBC’s “American Song Contest” series premiere was topped by a new episode of ABC’s “American Idol” Monday, according to early Nielsen data.The two-hour debut of NBC’s U.S. adaptation of the European mega hit “Eurovision Song Contest” averaged a 0.5 rating among adults 18-49 and 2.892 million viewers while airing live from 8-10 p.m., per Nielsen’s fast-affiliate ratings. Meanwhile, “Idol” averaged a 0.7 key demo rating and 5.1465 million viewers during that same window.“American Song Contest” is a live show for the East Coast, but airs tape delayed for the West Coast.
Former 'American Idol' Finalist Nadia Turner Surprised With Daughter's Audition 17 Years Later
contestants are keeping it in the family! Former top eight finalist Nadia Turner got the surprise of a lifetime during season 20’s fourth auditions episode on Sunday, after getting tricked into attending her daughter, Zaréh’s audition, on the guise that they were headed out to enjoy a mother-daughter spa day.Zaréh, not only competed on the show 17 years after her mother but wore the same gold halter top for her audition that Nadia wore to her audition for the show's fourth season in 2005. Season 4 is the season Carrie Underwood famously won, after going head-to-head with Bo Bice.With the help of Ryan Seacrest and the American Idol crew, Zaréh was able to fool her mom, blindfolding her and bringing her to the show's set for the big reveal.Ryan was there to meet Nadia and once he took her hands and said his signature, «This… is ,» the jig was up.
Alice Diop’s Berlin Winner ‘We’ Sells To U.S., Europe, Lat Am, Asia
EXCLUSIVE: Arthouse streamer and theatrical distributor Mubi has acquired all rights to Alice Diop’s We (Nous) in the United States and SVOD rights for the film in multiple territories across Europe, Latin America and Asia.
'American Idol' Contestant Haley Slayton Auditions While 5 Months Pregnant, Meets Future Husband on Show
. The 23-year-old musician auditioned during Sunday's episode while five and a half months pregnant with a baby boy.«Being on the show pregnant is actually not going to be an obstacle for me,» Haley assured viewers on Sunday, telling host Ryan Seacrest that she'd already named her little guy, Jaelyn. She performed Miley Cyrus' «The Climb» for judges Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, and Luke Bryan, who all seemed to be on the fence after the performance. Luke called the audition «not perfect,» saying, «There were some amateur moments, but then there were some real moments.
Watch Dave Gahan & Soulsavers cover PJ Harvey on ‘Fallon’
Dave Gahan & Soulsavers stopped by The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon this weekend to promote the release of their latest LP.The Depeche Mode frontman and longtime collaborator Rich Machin released their new covers album ‘Imposter’ back in November under the guise of Soulsavers. Together they deliver unique takes on songs by the likes of Neil Young, Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan and many more.Gahan recently told NME that the 12 selected tracks feel like they carry “a sense of wisdom and longevity that is just there in the song and very apparent in the voice”.On Friday (March 18), Gahan and Machin dropped by Jimmy Fallon’s late night chat show to deliver a live rendition of their PJ Harvey cover, ‘The Desperate Kingdom Of Love’, originally featured on Harvey’s 2004 album ‘Uh Huh Her’.You can watch the cover below:‘Imposter’ was recorded and produced by Gahan and Machin in November 2019 at Rick Rubin’s Shangri-La studios in Malibu, California.According to Gahan, the setting inspired a “magical” sense of freedom for the assembled band and also allowed them to work in the same spirit as the legendary Rubin-produced Johnny Cash covers record ‘American IV: The Man Comes Around’.“Johnny Cash’s album was one where I wasn’t listening to the originals at all,” Gahan told NME. “His version of [Nine Inch Nails’] ‘Hurt’, for instance, just blew me away and it still does.
Dave Bautista & Pom Klementieff Film for 'Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3' - See the Set Photos!
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is filming!
American Cinematheque Announces ‘New Jack City’ Special Screening Event – Film News in Brief
Jazz Tangcay Artisans EditorThe American Cinematheque has announced a “New Jack City” Special Screening Event on April 9 followed by a Q&A with director Mario Van Peebles.“New Jack City’ getting shut down in Westwood in 1991 is indicative of a confluence of violence against Black people on-screen and off-screen in real life. This is a legacy of film and television that actively continues to haunt us today,” said series co-curator Roya Rastegar.
Brian Cox regrets calling Johnny Depp “overrated”: “I was being a bit harsh”
Johnny Depp “overrated” in his memoir. Watch the interview below.In his book released last year, titled Putting The Rabbit In The Hat, the Succession actor described Depp as “so overblown” and “so overrated”.A passage from the book read: “I mean, Edward Scissorhands. Let’s face it, if you come on with hands like that and pale, scarred-face make-up, you don’t have to do anything.
'American Idol': Sam Finelli, a Contestant With Autism, Wows Judges With Kacey Musgraves' Performance
as contestant Sam Finelli faced his fears and auditioned for judges Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, and Luke Bryan. The 28-year-old bakery assistant opened up about his struggles with autism, expressing how music helped him get through a difficult childhood.«I don't connect with people very well. It's just a small part of who I am,» Sam explained.
'American Idol': Autistic Contestant Sam Finelli Wows Judges With Kacey Musgraves' Performance
as contestant Sam Finelli faced his fears to audition for judges Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, and Luke Bryan. The 28-year-old bakery assistant opened up about his struggles with autism, expressing how music helped him get through a difficult childhood.«I don't connect with people very well. It's just a small part of who I am,» Sam explained.
Kelly Clarkson’s birth chart shows why ‘Voice’ coach is still our ‘American Idol’
one — and there can only ever be one — first “American Idol”: Kelly Clarkson. Catapulted to fame by winning the first season of the hit series, the living legend has stayed at the top of pop culture since the first day she crossed the world’s television screens. The multitalented, multiaward-winning powerhouse has touched the entire globe with her voice, personality and heart — becoming one of the most successful artists in history.
Carrie Underwood’s ‘American Idol’ Journey: Relive The Highlights From First Audition To Big Win
Carrie Underwood is now a well-known name in the music industry, with more than 100 major awards to her name and a plethora of top country hits. Before her meteoric rise to fame, however, Carrie got her start by auditioning for season four of American Idol in 2005.
'American Idol' Contestant Kelsie Dolin Brings Lionel Richie to Tears in Her First Performance
audition, she had also never performed before she stepped on the stage in front of judges Katy Perry, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie. The 18-year-old native of Boone County, West Virginia, shared the story of her difficult childhood, and being raised by her grandparents. Kelsie noted that her grandmother sadly died in 2021 after suffering complications from COVID-19. Noting that her grandmother «pushed her» to try things, Kelsie decided to «step outside» of her comfort zone in her honor.
Huma Abedin steps out, brings her memoir to Abu Dhabi
election?’”One review of her book in the Guardian describes reading about her courtship to Weiner, who was her first love, as “watching a horror film and screaming at the heroine not to go into the haunted house, while knowing that, of course, she will.”Abedin, though, is quick to point out that her life has also been filled with extraordinary moments and privilege.“I was never the smartest, prettiest, best in anything. I knew one thing, though.