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“I felt that exploring a story about teenage issues through the horror prism was going to work well for us,” says Don Mancini of the success of his series Chucky. “Teenagers experience their emotions in a very stylized way.

Anne Hathaway only heard crickets when she asked the audience a question during her appearance Monday on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.”The Oscar winner, 41, was promoting her new rom-com, “The Idea of You,” when she inquired: “Has anybody here read the book?”Spoiler alert: No.The crowd went silent as Fallon interjected, “No, we don’t read. This is ‘The Tonight Show.’ You want to go to Stephen Colbert if you want to get people to read books.

Larry David’s HBO show “Curb Your Enthusiasm” recently paid homage to in its own series finale). “Friends” aired for 10 seasons on NBC from 1994 to 2004, and although it also followed friends’ daily lives, it had more plot threads and a more upbeat rom-com style ending that gave Chandler (the late Matthew Perry) the last word.

Kyle Griffin’s first foray into the world of news was serving as the anchor for his high school’s morning announcements program. But the then-teenager quickly realized that being an on-air personality was not for him.“I saw at my local NBC affiliate that while the anchors and reporters were great, they were reading someone else’s words, and I wanted to be the person who wrote those words,” says Griffin.

Jimmy Fallon played video games on his Nicole Kidman date?The late-night host, 49, recalled the time Kidman revealed their supposed dating history during a recent episode of 20 Questions: On Deadline. In 2015, the Oscar winner joked about their awkward meet cute when she appeared on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.”At the time, a blushing Fallon cringed the more Kidman revealed how downright awful their interaction was.“Nicole Kidman totally blindsided me on my show,” he said of the viral moment.

said she was leaving “Chicago Fire” in November. Her last episode was Brett and Casey’s nuptials.“I think this is a natural conclusion for my character,” Killmer told The Post. “I sort of am selfishly delighted over the fact that she started as a jilted bride.”“One of the things that I’m the most grateful for is that 10 years is a long time,” she went on.

“General Hospital” by my mother’s side in the ’80s — it was all about Cliff (Peter Bergman) and Nina (Taylor Miller) on “AMC,” Vicki (Erika Slezak) and Clint (Clint Ritchie) on “OLTL” and, of course, Luke (Anthony Geary) and Laura (Genie Francis) on “GH.”But when Jessie (Darnell Williams) and Angie (Debbi Morgan) came along on “AMC,” it was the first time I ever saw a black supercouple sudsing up our TV screen — likely in VHS recordings that my mom would make so I could watch after school.While I would forever stay loyal to my ABC soaps — although when we went down Grandma’s house, it was all about “The Young and the Restless,” “Guiding Light” and “As the World Turns” on CBS — I couldn’t help but feel like progress had been made when the groundbreaking soap “Generations” premiered on NBC in March 1989 with a predominantly black cast.Flash forward 35 years — and 33 years after “Generations” was canceled in 1991 — and there is a new black soap coming to daytime just when the genre had seemed to be on its last suds.On Monday, CBS announced a series order for “The Gates” — which “follows the lives of a wealth Black family in a posh, gated community”— that is set to premiere in January 2025.The new soap on the block — which will have Michele Val Jean (“The Bold & the Beautiful,” “General Hospital”), a black multiple Daytime Emmy winner, as writer, showrunner and executive producer — was developed in a joint venture between CBS and the NAACP.Look how far we’ve come, Jessie and Angie.But in addition to seeing black folks go through all that drama that makes us escape our own lives for just a bit, “The Gates” also marks the return of daytime soaps that were all but obliterated from network TV in the bloodbath of the late ’00s

Olivia Williams recently recalled a “harrowing” and “alarming” experience she allegedly had while appearing on the iconic TV show “Friends.” “Well, just as an example, I was taken to the studio in a shared car with a wonderful actress whose character, I think, was called ‘Old Woman,’ ” Williams, 55, told the Independent. According to “The Crown” alum, the actress — whose name Williams cannot remember — quickly found herself in hot water with one of the show’s producers.

Conan O’Brien had some lavish praise for late comic Norm Macdonald following the news of O.J. Simpson’s death — and why Macdonald was fired from “Saturday Night Live.”O’Brien, 60 — who was promoting his Max series, “Conan O’Brien Must Go” — appeared on CNN with Jake Tapper in the hours after news broke on April 11 that Simpson died at the age of 76 from cancer.When the conversation turned to Simpson, O’Brien wasted no time in remembering how Macdonald mercilessly ripped Simpson on “Saturday Night Live” in his “Weekend Update” segments after Simpson was arrested in the 1994 murders of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman.“It was a huge deal back then.

returning to the storied late-night franchise for the first time since he dramatically left it in 2010 after his public spat with NBC: the Nimrod Broadcasting Corporation.To quote that network in the 1990s: It’s must-see TV. Why? Conan is one of the last hosts who purely entertained us before the format devolved into tedious, partisan political lectures — and is always a riot. (Fallon doesn’t act like Rachel Maddow, but he’s not entertaining either).More grippingly, though, revenge is in the air.

walked the red carpet of her latest film, “A Bit of Light,” with a cane in New York on Wednesday.The Oscar winner, 41, gave a bit more insight into her mystery health battle during “Today With Hoda & Jenna” on Friday.“I’m having a good day, today. Thank you for asking,” Paquin said on the NBC morning show, with her cane by her side.While the “True Blood” alum didn’t go into specifics about her condition, she noted that she will “probably talk about that at some point.”Paquin and her husband, Stephen Moyer, both matched in black ensembles as they attended the event at at the Crosby Street Hotel earlier this week.“He’s got my back, and I’ve got his,” she gushed about the British actor, 54.Moyer directed “A Bit of Light” while Paquin plays Ella, who tries to maintain her sobriety while moving back in with her father, Alan, after losing custody of her daughters.“We’re extremely lucky.

Conan O’Brien will return to NBC’s “The Tonight Show” for the first time since being fired from the host’s chair in 2010.O’Brien, 60, will be a guest on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” on April 9 to promote his new travelogue series, “Conan O’Brien Must Go,” premiering April 18 on Max. He’ll be on Fallon’s show with Nicole Richie and musical guest Benson Boone.O’Brien, who started on NBC hosting “Late Night” after David Letterman jumped to CBS, took over “The Tonight Show” from Jay Leno in June 2009 — while Leno pivoted to a prime-time show called “The Jay Leno Show.”But O’Brien’s “Tonight Show” viewership dropped after Leno left, and Leno’s ratings in prime time also took a big hit.NBC proposed starting Leno’s show at 11:35 p.m.

Fire away.Before Donald Trump was the 45th president of the United States, he was the host of a little show called “The Apprentice.”The NBC business-competition show ran for 15 seasons, with the entrepreneur helming the round table from 2004 until 2017.Trump left the show in 2015 so he could focus on his presidential campaign — a race he won a year later. In author Ramin Setoodeh’s forthcoming book, “Apprentice in Wonderland: How Donald Trump and Mark Burnett Took America Through the Looking Glass,” Trump reveals that he wanted his daughter Ivanka Trump to sub in for him on the show.

Hoda Kotb during “Today With Hoda & Jenna” Wednesday.Geist, 48, and co-host Jenna Bush Hager, 42, made no mention of Kotb’s absence from the program despite the 59-year-old anchor being present for the first two hours of the NBC morning show.“Not only can Willie host all the shows on television, and pull out my chair … but he also is a star,” Bush Hager gushed before turning the conversation to Geist’s most recent role on “Curb Your Enthusiasm.” Continuing to praise her co-host’s acting abilities, Bush Hager proclaimed that she could see Geist becoming “a soap star” once he decided to leave the show. “I think you could be on, like, ‘The Young and the Restless,’ ” the former first daughter quipped.

Dana Carvey, 68, has apologized to Sharon Stone for a 1992 “Saturday Night Live” skit in which she took her clothes off.Stone, 66, was a guest on the podcast “Fly on the Wall with Dana Carvey and David Spade” when Carvey brought up the sketch, which occurred when Stone hosted “SNL” in the wake of her hit movie “Basic Instinct.” Carvey said Stone “was such a good sport” because “the comedy we did in 1992 with Sharon Stone, we would literally be arrested now.”The skit in question was called the “Airport Security Sketch,” in which male airport security officers, including Carvey playing an Indian security guard, had Stone remove one item of clothing at a time — to see if she was carrying anything dangerous on her person.“I want to apologize publicly for the security check sketch where I played an Indian man and we’re convincing Sharon, her character, or whatever, to take her clothes off to go through the security thing,” Carvey told Stone — as Spade added that it was “so offensive.”Carvey cited the year of the sketch, 1992, as being “from another era,” while the “Sliver” actress chimed in that it didn’t really bother her at the time.“I know the difference between a misdemeanor and a felony,” she said. “And I think that we were all committing misdemeanors [back then] because we didn’t think there was something wrong then.

the NBC show follows the lives of the firefighters and paramedics working at the Chicago Fire Department at the firehouse of Engine Company 51, Truck Company 81, Rescue Squad Company 3, Ambulance 61 and Battalion 25. Killmer, who joined in Season 3, announced in November that she would be leaving the series after a decade in the role of paramedic Sylvie Brett. Before leaving, though, Sylvie will tie the knot with Captain Matthew Casey (Jesse Spencer).

Adam Sandler fully believes “Saturday Night Live” creator and producer Lorne Michaels isn’t quite ready to leave the NBC variety show despite rumors circulating about his retirement.“I don’t see that happening,” Sandler, 57, told “Entertainment Tonight” at the premiere of his new film, “Spaceman.” “I don’t, maybe somebody said he might, but I talked to Lorne, I don’t think he’s saying enough. He’s rocking. He loves it.” According to the “50 First Dates” actor, Michaels, 79, still enjoys putting every single episode together.

A great deal has changed since “Saturday Night Live” first aired in 1975, but one carpenter has remained a constant. Stephen “Demo” DeMaria, 85, has helped build the sets for every one of the show’s 960 episodes. “I never missed no show,” the Brooklyn native told The Post in his thick accent.

Today!Long-time “Today” show co-host Savannah Guthrie seemed to agree with Kelly Rowland that the dressing rooms at the NBC news program might need an upgrade. “We need a remodel. We need ‘Extreme Makeover: Today Show Dressing Room Edition,'” Guthrie, 52, told “Entertainment Tonight” Wednesday while at the release party for her new book, “Mostly What God Does.” “We are in a historic studio, 1A.

stormed out of her co-hosting gig last week after not receiving an adequate dressing room. “I just want to say this –– I have great love and admiration for Kelly Rowland.

Couple to Throuple all bed down for their first night, the show could be any other in the proliferating genre of hookup TV, populated by bed-hopping singles shacked up in sex mansions.But look closely, once the screen shifts to spy-cam night vision of bodies writhing beneath the sheets, and you’ll not mistake a third eager, willing participant bumping and grinding with the main pair. Set to boldly explore the bounds of polyamory, the show’s couples and singles — thirds, if you will — might represent a lighthearted, next logical step in society’s surging discourse on ethical non-monogamy.Then again, to more traditionally-minded viewers, or those simply with different tastes in popular entertainment, these semi-exhibitionist throuples might just speak to the unrelenting decline of American culture.

Martin, 55, told The Post. “I … had to profusely thank him for what he did because teachers don’t get a lot of love — and it’s even harder nowadays.“I know it’s a set [on ‘The Irrational’] and the students [in the series] are actors, but when I get up there I feel like I’m doing the Lord’s work with those class lessons,” he said.

screen for the first time on February 10 as part of its “Beyond the Big Game” exhibit, which runs through March 3. The showcase, created with help from the NFL and Pro Football Hall of Fame, features more than 150 iconic photos, a treasure trove of memorabilia and viral commercials culled from nearly 60 years of play.But, the broadcast of the first Super Bowl is particularly special.“It is indeed the first public screening of the Super Bowl,” Simon said of the upcoming event, characterizing the footage as the “holy grail” of sports broadcasts.It was captured by pure happenstance.

Rainn Wilson was recently taken aback when an Alaska Airlines flight attendant secretly slipped him a napkin at the Portland International Airport.“The Office got me through some of the darkest days of my life,” the message read. “I can’t thank you enough for that.

“Entertainment Tonight,” hinting that there are several names in the running.Fey’s name has come up in the conversation several times before, and The Post revealed last year that the “Mean Girls” actress is being courted to take over.Michaels said Fey, 53, is someone he could trust implicitly with the hit NBC sketch show, adding that she’s “brilliant” in everything she does.“She’s a very important person in my life,” he added.The Post has reached out to Fey’s reps for comment.Michaels added that while he may be looking up a future replacement for himself, he’s still very much looking to remain with “SNL” for its 50th anniversary, slated for February 2025.“I will definitely be there for that, and definitely be there until that,” he shared. “And sometime before that, we’ll figure out what we’re gonna do.”The 50th season of “Saturday Night Live” is set to start in the fall, when Michaels will turn 80 years old.

4-minute sketch began with Fallon, 49, skipping onto the stage in a blue striped sweater, white pants and a bowl-haircut wig. “Everybody’s talking about my tight pants, I got my tight pants, I got my tight pants on,” he sang, dancing around onstage alone. McConaughey came out from behind him, also sporting a silly unflattering wig, dancing with tight white pants and sunglasses, singing about being the only one wearing tight pants.

Andy Cohen jokingly called Al Roker a “jackhole” on “Watch What Happens Live” on Wednesday.The reason? Hours earlier, the Bravo executive producer, 55, was grilled by Roker, 69, on the “Today” show about being scammed by hackers.“Today’s ‘Jackhole’ goes to Al Roker for being a troublemaker this morning on the ‘Today Show’ and asking this question after my segment about being scammed by hackers,” Cohen said on “WWHL.”During his “Today” interview with Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb, Cohen recounted how, after losing his bank card, he received an e-mail that appeared to be from his bank’s fraud-alert system.When he logged in, it allowed scammer access to his bank account.Cohen tried to log out, but the damage was done — and, he said, multiple “sizable wire transfers” were initiated from his account because he had also inadvertently given the hackers his phone number, allowing them to make the wire transactions.Roker turned to Cohen and asked if he might have been scammed by “one of the Housewives,” alluding to Cohen’s association with the “Real Housewives” franchise, whose cast members are frequent guests on “What What Happens Live.”Cohen appeared flustered by Roker’s question as Guthrie asked him “Who is the most likely?” to have scammed him.“You know — well, there is someone most likely,” Cohen replied on “Today.” “We’ll talk about that later. I’ll explain.”Roker then shrugged his shoulders and arched his eyebrows — while Cohen told him he was “a smart man.”Cohen told the “Today” hosts he filed a report with the NYPD’s cybersecurity unit but was told “when money is wired out of your account, it’s gone.”“Trust no one who calls you,” he said.

Variety in February 2023 about why he left. “Except I was ready for more. Eventually, you know the character so well, there’s not much that can shift or transform.”He went on: “I really wanted to grow and expand, and we’ve only got this one trip.

Kelly Clarkson has been showing off a noticeably smaller frame on “The Kelly Clarkson Show” — and now the talk show host is revealing how she “dropped weight.”The “American Idol” Season 1 winner revealed in People’s new cover story that relocating to New York City helped with her wellness routine.“Walking in the city is quite the workout. I’m really into infrared saunas right now.

ruled in favor of the singer and ordered her now-ex and former manager, Brandon Blackstock, 47, to pay her $2.6 million for unlawfully procuring deals that should have been handled by her talent agents.The “Since You’ve Been Gone” singer testified she told Blackstock for years that she wanted to be on “The Voice” but that he advised her network executives were not interested because they were “looking for a more sex symbol type” such as Rihanna, according to court documents viewed by The Post. Clarkson eventually joined the show as a coach in 2018, the talent competition’s 14th season.The singer also testified that her now-former husband allegedly told her NBC “had to have someone that was black.

said in one Instagram story. “But I’ll make believe I’m playing dress-up,” she said. “Maybe I’ll be a brunette.”In another Instagram story, she tries on a blond wig.

joining “Chicago Med.” In The Post’s exclusive first look photos, new cast member Luke Mitchell, 38, debuts in a guest-starring role as Dr. Mitch Ripley. Mitchell is an Australian actor best known for “Agents of SHIELD,” “Blind Spot” and “Big Sky.” Now, he’ll play Dr.

Jon Cryer returns to the live-audience sitcom format in NBC’s “Extended Family” — eight years after ending his run on “Two and a Half Men.”“I miss being in front of people — for actors that connection is really rare and working out comedy in front of people is fun and valuable,” Cryer, 58, told The Post.“You start to feel that you’re losing your touch when you haven’t done it in a while, so when this opportunity came around I just felt like it was something I couldn’t pass up.”Cryer said he “was not rusty at all” after such a long sitcom-role layoff, but that he felt the effects in other ways.“I had forgotten how nervous I get,” he said. “All through 12 years of doing ‘Two and a Half Men’ every Friday I would be really nervous for the audience show.

this year’s Paramount+ revival as his iconic character.A slew of new stars joined Kelsey Grammer in the 10-episode reboot, which premiered on Oct. 12.Pierce got candid about why he decided not to make a comeback on the series, 20 years after its conclusion. “I never really wanted to go back,” he told the Los Angeles Times in a new profile.He added: “It’s not like I said, ‘Oh, I don’t ever want to do that again.’ I loved every moment.

heavily criticized cold-open sketch, sources confirm to The Post.Strong, 39, appeared as a guest in the dress rehearsal ahead of the live show, then changed her mind “last minute” about playing Stefanik in the sketch, which mocked last week’s congressional hearings on antisemitism on college campuses. Newcomer Chloe Troast replaced Strong on air.The opening sketch is always the last one to be written and Saturday’s was slightly rushed, according to sources.

Identity theft is not a joke, Emily. Emily Blunt revealed recently that many die-hard “Office” fans are still not happy about the fact she and John Krasinski (who played the loveable Jim Halpert) are married.