Damson Idris suits up for the premiere of Snowfall season 5 at Grandmaster Recorders on Thursday (February 17) in Los Angeles, Calif.
02.02.2022 - 05:15 / deadline.com
Welcome to another episode of Deadline’s Scene 2 Seen Podcast.
Today’s guest is Liesel Tommy, the director and executive producer of the 2021 Aretha Franklin biopic Respect which stars Jennifer Hudson, Forest Whitaker, and Marlon Wayans.
The director has some amazing credits on her resume including The Walking Dead, Insecure, and Queen Sugar just to name a few. With all of her amazing television work, Respect is Tommy’s first feature film which Deadline’s own Pete Hammond remarks is “…The distinct voice of Aretha herself that we see playing over much of the end credits. It is very powerful indeed, but also a reminder of just how brilliantly her casting choice did right by her. This is Jennifer Hudson’s triumph merged with the spirit and guidance from an even greater voice above. Hudson’s performance is an electrifying sight to behold.”
The movie shows Tommy is not only a talented director, but her distinct directing choices speak directly to Franklin’s lived-in cultural experience. While the end result has garnered Jennifer Hudson one of her best roles, the creating the film and getting it done was not easy.
On today’s show Leisel Tommy and I dive deep into Respect’s process and development, in addition we get real about the challenges she faced as a first time film director, and the challenges she faced as a Black woman in an industry not known for its exclusivity.
New and returning series on broadcast, cable and streaming
Series that made it or didn’t make it in 2020-21
Broadcast networks’ fall lineups and schedules
Damson Idris suits up for the premiere of Snowfall season 5 at Grandmaster Recorders on Thursday (February 17) in Los Angeles, Calif.
Kate and Oliver Hudson left fans thrilled when they announced a good bit of news on Thursday that concerned their podcast, Sibling Revelry.MORE: Kate Hudson reveals parenting struggle – fans reach outOliver took to his Instagram to share that their joint venture was officially back for another season, sharing a snippet from their latest episode with Ron and Clint Howard.WATCH: Oliver Hudson records hilarious congratulatory message for sister Kate Hudson from his bathroom"The moment you've all been waiting for!!! @siblingrevelry is BACK!! Ron and Clint Howard blessed us with their presence! What a duo.. CHECK IT OUT and get back to me," he captioned his post.Fans were very excited to see the return of the podcast, with one writing: "Yay!!!! I've been waiting!!! So excited," and another said: "So happy to see you guys back, what took you so long."MORE: Goldie Hawn's son Oliver Hudson delivers 'sad' news about his living situationA third added: "Yahoo!!! I am so looking forward to listening to this," with one also commenting: "Thanks so much, I enjoy your show Oliver and Kate.
Tory Burch‘s show during New York Fashion Week brought out stars like Katie Holmes and Uma Thurman!
David Byrne’s American Utopia has extended its Broadway run for the final time and now will conclude performances on Sunday, April 3 at the St. James Theatre.
Ghostbusters and Kindergarten Cop, has died at the age of 75.According to Reitman’s family, the filmmaker and producer died peacefully in his sleep on Saturday (February 12) night at his home in Montecito, California.“Our family is grieving the unexpected loss of a husband, father, and grandfather who taught us to always seek the magic in life,” Reitman’s children Jason, Catherine, and Caroline said in a joint statement.“We take comfort that his work as a filmmaker brought laughter and happiness to countless others around the world. While we mourn privately, we hope those who knew him through his films will remember him always.”Ernie Hudson, who played Winston Zeddemore in the 1984 film, wrote on Twitter: “I am deeply saddened by the loss of Ivan’ Reitman.
Lady Gaga for “House of Gucci.” Bradley Cooper missed out for his scene-stealing turn in “Licorice Pizza.” In better news: after not receiving a SAG Award nomination, Kristen Stewart landed her first Oscar nomination for playing Princess Diana in “Spencer.” And the buzz for “Drive My Car” was real: The film received four nominations, including one for director Ryusuke Hamaguchi.Here are the biggest snubs and surprises.SNUB: Lady Gaga, “House of Gucci” As Patrizia Reggiani, Lady Gaga played an Italian woman who married into the Gucci family and orchestrated the murder of her husband. Gaga campaigned ferociously for the Oscar — and she was the only actress who had picked up every precursor, as a nominee for the BAFTA, Critics’ Choice Award, Golden Globe and SAG.
Clayton Davis Sensing a potential trend in the possible nominations of three major Oscars categories — best director, actor and actress — we could see a first-time occurrence for the Academy Awards on Tuesday. However, if you read the tea leaves put forth by the nominations for the DGA and SAG, there’s a strong possibility that all three of those categories may not include a first-time nominee — a first in Oscar history.For best actor, the SAG lineup recognized all former nominees and winners — Javier Bardem (“Being the Ricardos”), Benedict Cumberbatch (“The Power of the Dog”), Andrew Garfield (“Tick, Tick … Boom!”), Will Smith (“King Richard”) and Denzel Washington (“The Tragedy of Macbeth”).
Alan Elliott Alexander Hamilton, who died Jan. 30 at age 77, was a conductor and arranger who was able to add “movie star” to his credits in the last years of his life. His work on Aretha Franklin’s 1972 “Amazing Grace” album — certified as the bestselling album of her career — was heard by millions over a period of almost five decades before Franklin fans actually got to see as well as hear Hamilton’s handiwork as the arranger and conductor of that music.
EXCLUSIVE: Bounce has ordered a sixth and final season of the hit original drama series Saints & Sinners. The eight-episode final season will premiere with the first episode Sunday, April 3 at 8 PM ET on Bounce, with the remaining seven episodes airing weekly thereafter, the network said Wednesday.
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Kate Hudson showed off her love for her fiancé, Danny Fujikawa, on social media. The actress, 42, posted an Instagram photo on Sunday, Jan.
EXCLUSIVE: Brely Evans and Ben Stephens, who recur on Carl Weber’s The Family Business as Sonya Duncan and Curtis Duncan, have been promoted to series regulars for the upcoming fourth season. Additionally, Bern Nadette Stanis (Good Times), Nayirah Bosley and Sacaiah Shaw have joined the BET+ series in heavily recurring roles. Filming on Season 4 got underway last week in Los Angeles.
Clayton Davis Jennifer Hudson’s name is already written in the Academy Awards history books. At 25, she became the youngest Black woman to ever win an acting Oscar for her turn as Effie White in “Dreamgirls” (2006). She’s also the first to do it for a debut role.