Reality TV is not for the faint of heart and Silas Cooper has already learned that tenfold.
18.04.2023 - 17:04 / variety.com
Chris Willman Senior Music Writer and Chief Music Critic There could probably be no better evangelist for anything than the immensely respected Rhiannon Giddens, and the banjo is lucky to have her. The singer and multi-instrumentalist has been spreading the gospel of that instrument generally and its roots in Black culture specifically for years, in her live performances and as a member of a banjo-driven all-star ensemble, Our Native Daughters. Now, she’s taking a much deeper dive than ever with an outstanding 10-part limited series, “The Banjo: Music, History and Heritage With Rhiannon Giddens,” which has her and some guests who are pickers and/or academics exploring the twisted, fascinating journey of what she considers the quintessential American instrument. The series covers everything from the instrument’s roots in the African diaspora to its role in slavery to its adaptation as a staple of “hillbilly” music, on up to its resurgence as a staple of the Americana music scene today — and how, in Giddens’ view, it has been a reflection of divisiveness and unification in the U.S. over a period of centuries.
On top of all that cultural significance, it doesn’t hurt that a lot of banjo-driven music has a good beat and you can dance to it, if Dick Clark standards can be applied to something that feels so ancient and earthy and lofty at the same time. The subject — and Giddens’ endless devotion to it — makes the 10-parter an ideal fit for Wondrium (formerly The Great Courses Plus), the streaming educational content platform. The series can be viewed with a free trial here. (The first episode is also embedded, below.) Variety spoke with Giddens about her personal history with the banjo, a generation of Black performers that
Reality TV is not for the faint of heart and Silas Cooper has already learned that tenfold.
READ MORE: Join the FREE Manchester Evening News WhatsApp communityKaty Perry, who will be performing at the Coronation Concert in Windsor Castle on Sunday evening, was also invited. The singer was seen wearing a lilac outfit with a matching hat. British Vogue’s editor-in-chief Edward Enninful, BBC director-general Tim Davie, Australian musician Nick Cave, TV presenter Jay Blades, and Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber were also in attendance.
What started at Coachella doesn’t end at Coachella. Ariana Madix and Daniel Wai’s rumored romance continues to grow, as the Vanderpump Rules star celebrated his birthday alongside him in New York City.
What’s a party without someone — or someTHING — to crash it??
Many celebrities have strong opinions about the Met Gala — but some stick to their convictions more than others.
The Morning Show has been confirmed for a fourth season on Apple TV+.It comes ahead of the third series which is set to air later this year. The acclaimed TV drama starring Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon last aired in 2021.The next season is set to return with new showrunner Charlotte Stoudt along with new stars including Jon Hamm, Stephen Fry, Tig Notaro and Nicole Beharie.Aniston announced season 3 had wrapped filming in February via an Instagram post which, promised that there was “so much more to come.”A post shared by Jennifer Aniston (@jenniferaniston)Stoudt will be taking over from Kerry Ehrin, who developed The Morning Show and served as showrunner on the first two seasons.
Scheana Shay is setting the record straight about whether Ariana Madix and Tom Sandoval ended up fertilizing her eggs.
No longer an option. Scheana Shay revealed what happened to Ariana Madix and Tom Sandoval‘s plans to freeze embryos after his cheating scandal with Raquel Leviss.
Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux, recently reunited in New York City. But it wasn’t a date- they met with friends Jason Bateman and his wife, Amanda Anka, for dinner.
The Harry Potter film franchise came to a conclusion with 2011′s Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2, and our favorite young witches and wizards of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry are all grown up.
Soaking up the sun. Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes stepped out for a stroll together in NYC, several months after their affair scandal surfaced.
Emmerdale viewers have been left begging 'please' as they shared the same plea over one particular character who appeared to steal the wedding scenes from Charity Dingle and Mackenzie Boyd.
Preparations are at full pelt at Perth Racecourse with less than week to go until the start of the new season.
Chris Willman Senior Music Writer and Chief Music Critic If the 14th annual TCM Classic Film Festival had an official focus, it was on the 100th anniversary of Warner Bros., from the opening night premiere selection of a restoration of “Rio Bravo” to a celebration of the 50th anniversary of “The Exorcist.” Almost equal in emphasis, though, by virtue of the guests brought in, was a celebration of the ingenues-turned-leading-ladies of the 1960s, who now represent the elder guard of a Hollywood golden age — Angie Dickinson, Ann-Margret and Shirley Jones. Dickinson had the highest profile of any star at the festival, being the belle of the ball at the Thursday screening of “Rio Bravo” in the big house at the TCL Chinese Theatres, where most of the screenings were held. But there was just as much outpouring of affection for Ann-Margret, who turned up for a Q&A (and birthday cake) following “Bye Bye Birdie” on Saturday, and Jones, who was joined by her son Shaun Cassidy and a slew of grandchildren after a showing of 1962’s “The Music Man” as the festival neared its end Sunday.
Pauline Black, one of 2 Tone’s founders, hasn’t forgotten playing Scotland for the first time – because of an embarrassing encounter with a fish supper.
Cynthia Littleton Business Editor As seasoned espionage pros, they didn’t give up much, and they didn’t indulge in too much nostalgia. But for an hour or so on Wednesday evening, five core players of “The Americans” reunited in Midtown Manhattan to share stories and spread a few compliments for work they did together on the highly lauded FX series. To mark the 10th anniversary of the spy drama’s debut, stars Keri Russell, Matthew Rhys and Noah Emmerich were joined by showrunners Joe Weisberg and Joel Fields for a lively reunion conversation hosted by the Paley Center for Media. Fields reminded his colleagues that Superstorm Sandy made a surprise guest appearance in “The Americans” pilot, turning the production schedule upside down just before they were scheduled to begin shooting the pilot for DreamWorks Television and Fox Television Studios.
Placing blame. Vanderpump Rules alum Jax Taylor thinks his former costars Tom Schwartz and Katie Maloney would still be married if it weren’t for Tom Sandoval.
“Hamilton” opened on Broadway in 2015 and for the past eight years has consistently been the hottest ticket on the Great White Way.Way back when the 11-time Tony Award-winning musical first premiered at the Richard Rodgers Theatre, critics and fans alike were dazzled by the original hip-hop reimagining of Secretary of State Alexander Hamilton’s life.By 2017, some seats were going for as high as $42.5K for a pair of tickets according to Financial Planner LA.That’s more than the average starting price for a minivan in 2023.However, as the years have gone by, prices have become much more reasonable to see Broadway’s buzziest, most talked about production.In fact, at the time of publication, some tickets are only $117 before fees on Vivid Seats.For those keeping score at home, that’s 0.002% of $42,500.Fans that want to get up close and personal with Hamilton, Burr, Washington, Lafayette and King George may have to shell out a bit more – but not much.Ticket prices for lower-level orchestra seats can be procured for around $180 before fees depending on the show.Not in New York City in the “room where it happens?”Not a problem.You can still get your “shot” to see the show in person.“Hamilton” is on tour in cities like Toronto, Virginia and Minneapolis.All prices listed above are subject to fluctuation.“Hamilton” abides by the standard eight-show a week schedule.That means matinees on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday.As expected, the lights go dark on Mondays at the Richard Rodgers Theatre.If you want a closer look, “Hamilton’s” complete calendar including show dates, start times and links to buy tickets can be found here.The show runs 2 hours 45 minutes including an intermission.Although powerhouse names Lin-Manuel, Daveed Diggs,
Chris Willman Senior Music Writer and Chief Music Critic To say that Robbie Fulks has been one of the best singer-songwriters in American roots music over the last quarter-century would be correct, and maybe a little reductive, too; he’s one of the best writers in America, period. It might be tempting to append the word “unsung,” since Fulks’ regular touring since the late ’90s has usually found him playing sub-SoFi rooms — like Hotel Cafe, where he’ll be appearing May 20.
Chris Willman Senior Music Writer and Chief Music Critic Country star Tim McGraw announced Thursday that he is entering into a partnership with Shareability, a social content studio that specializes in “viral moments,” to start Down Home, a new Nashville-based media, entertainment and marketing company. According to the announcement, Down Home will be “dedicated to connecting McGraw’s country music audience with Hollywood and brands by producing film, TV and digital media that focuses on relatable stories that capture the essence and spirit of everyday Americans.” No titles or specific projects were announced as part of the unveiling, but the new company is said to have two scripted series in development with Skydance Media, with the intention of following up with feature film and animation projects. In a statement, Joel Bergvall, Down Home’s head of film and television, said, “People want stories that move them, and that starts with characters they can relate to. We’re focused on underdogs, unlikely heroes, and people striving for their sense of family, community, and belonging.”