ABC Entertainment

"I will not sit back and be attacked": Kevin Spacey takes to social media about 'Spacey Unmasked' doc

Posted today at 8:46am

Kevin Spacey has gone on the attack regarding a new U.K. documentary called Spacey Unmasked that will feature interviews with men that purportedly had interactions with the embattled Oscar winner.

The documentary will air on the U.K.'s Channel 4 on May 6 and 7, but could come to our shores thanks to a deal with Warner Bros. Discovery, which owns Max.

In a post on X, Spacey expressed, "Over the last week, I have repeatedly requested that @Channel4
afford me more than 7 days to respond to allegations made against me dating back 48 years and provide me with sufficient details to investigate these matters."

He continued, "Channel 4 has refused on the basis that they feel that asking for a response in 7 days to new, anonymized and non-specific allegations is a 'fair opportunity' for me to refute any allegations made against me."

Spacey added, "I will not sit back and be attacked by a dying network's one-sided 'documentary' about me in their desperate attempt for ratings. There's a proper channel to handle allegations against me and it’s not Channel 4."

Spacey, who in 2023 was found not guilty in a U.K. court of multiple charges of sexual assault dating back decades, added, "Each time I have been given the time and a proper forum to defend myself, the allegations have failed under scrutiny and I have been exonerated."

He also implored fans to "tune in" to his social media "to see my response" to the two-part doc.

For its part, Channel 4 insisted to Variety that it gave Spacey "sufficient opportunity to respond" to the project.

In Brief: Paul Walter Hauser joins Marvel Studios' 'Fantastic Four', and more

Posted today at 7:30am

Twilight actress Kristen Stewart and Dune's Oscar Isaac have been tapped to lead the cast of the thriller Flesh of the Gods, according to Deadline. Isaac and Stewart will play a married couple in 1980s Los Angeles who are "seduced into a glamorous, surrealistic world of hedonism, thrills and violence," per the outlet. The film is set to shoot later this year ...

Paul Walter Hauser seems to be everywhere lately, and he's about to join the Marvel Cinematic Universe, according to Deadline. The Richard Jewell star has been tapped for an undisclosed role in Marvel's upcoming Fantastic Four movie. As previously announced, Pedro Pascal will play Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic, Vanessa Kirby will portray Sue Storm/the Invisible Woman, Joseph Quinn will take on the role of Johnny Storm/the Human Torch, Ebon Moss-Bachrach will play Ben Grimm/the Thing and Julia Garner will play Shalla-Bal, a version of the iconic Silver Surfer. The Fantastic Four is set to hit theaters July 25, 2025 ...

Netflix has dropped the official trailer for Eric, the drama series starring Benedict Cumberbatch. Eric follows Cumberbatch as a father desperately searching for his 9-year-old son, who disappears one morning on the way to school, per the streaming service. Gaby Hoffmann, McKinley Belcher III, Dan Fogler and Phoebe Nicholls also star, along with Clarke Peters, Ivan Howe, David Denman, Bamar Kane, Adepero Oduye, Alexis Molnar and Roberta Colindrez. Eric begins streaming May 30 ...

Drew Barrymore to front new 'Hollywood Squares' for CBS

Posted today at 5:00am

As part of its announcement of its 2024-25 season, CBS announced it has tapped Drew Barrymore to be the center square in an all-new version of the classic TV game show Hollywood Squares.

Squares has been slated for a midseason bow. Like previous iterations of the show, contestants play tic-tac-toe with star-filled cubes for cash and prizes. "The celebrities are asked questions and the contestants judge the legitimacy of their answers to win the game," CBS explains for the uninitiated.

The host of her eponymous hit chat show is also producing Squares through her Flower Films banner.

The series will premiere in January as part of CBS' Game Show Wednesdays lineup, paired with returning shows The Price Is Right at Night and Raid the Cage.

Stay in the 'X-Men' mansion, Prince's 'Purple Rain' house and more with Airbnb's new Icons listings

Posted yesterday at 3:08pm

Airbnb is already known for providing a home away from home for millions of travelers around the world, but its new Icons listings are for more than resting your head.

After all, what fan wouldn't want to stay in the X-Men '97 mansion? Or stay in the home owned by Prince as seen in Purple Rain?

Or maybe you'd like to sleep in that balloon-festooned floating house from Disney/Pixar's UP?

All those and more will now be available to the public — along with once-in-a-lifetime experiences, like hanging with Kevin Hart or sitting in on a living room performance with Doja Cat.

"Icons take you inside worlds that only existed in your imagination — until now," Airbnb co-founder and CEO Brian Chesky says. "As life becomes increasingly digital, we're focused on bringing more magic into the real world. With Icons, we've created the most extraordinary experiences on Earth."

The company just unveiled 11 Icons destinations, promising more to come. Listings range from geeky adventures like testing your mutant abilities at Marvel Animation's X-Mansion in Westchester, New York, to artsy bucket list stays at Paris' Musée d’Orsay, where you'll be waking up in the museum's iconic clock room, transformed into a luxurious bedroom by Mathieu Lehanneur, designer of the Paris 2024 Games torch and cauldron. "From the terrace, you’ll witness the historic Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games along the River Seine," Airbnb teases.

The company has put all of the new Icons experiences on its homepage.

Best of all, the Icons offered are either free or priced under $100 per guest; check each listing for details. A countdown displays the time until each Icon goes live, and guests can request to book through the app.

Sweet 16: CBS breaks own decades-old record as the most-watched primetime network for 16 straight seasons

Posted yesterday at 2:26pm

Justin Hartley in 'Tracker' - CBS/Sergei Bachlakov

The Eye network is crying happy tears: CBS announced Thursday that it has been the most-watched network in primetime for the 16th straight season.

That performance set a record for any broadcast network and broke CBS' own primetime record set from 1955 to 1970.

The network also touted Nielsen "live plus 7-day" ratings through April 21 that showed CBS averaged 5.59 million primetime viewers during the 2023-24 season — by comparison, second-place NBC averaged 5.01 million; ABC's primetime averaged 4.29 million; Fox's averaged 3.35 million.

CBS is also scoring in multiplatform — that is Paramount+, CBS.com and the CBS app — with its new hit Tracker, the sunsetting Young Sheldon and ratings stalwart NCIS, averaging 12 million or more viewers watching that way.

Disney+ reveals new Simpsons Mother's Day short, 'May the 12th Be with You'

Posted yesterday at 1:15pm

Disney+ announced Thursday that it will be celebrating Mother's Day early — on Friday, May 10 — by debuting an all-new mom-themed short from The Simpsons.

In May the 12th Be with You, "Marge joins the moms of Disney+ on a special holiday outing that turns into an epic galactic adventure filled with heroes, villains and a surprising old friend," the streaming service teases.

By the looks of the promotional art, that old friend could very well be Chewbacca, the Wookiee from Star Wars.

It's the latest in a series of Simpsons shorts for Disney+, including the Emmy-nominated When Billie Met Lisa and Maggie Simpson in "The Force Awakens from Its Nap," as well as The Good, The Bart, and The Loki, The Simpsons in Plusaversary and the 2024 Webby Award winner, Rogue Not Quite One.

Disney is the parent company of ABC News.

Maya Rudolph and Jake Gyllenhaal to finish out 'Saturday Night Live''s 49th season in May

Posted yesterday at 12:49pm

Saturday Night Live announced Thursday that its final two shows of the 49th season will be hosted by former cast member Maya Rudolph and Road House star Jake Gyllenhaal.

Both stars will be making their third appearances as host on their respective evenings.

Rudolph, star of the comedy Loot on Apple TV+, will appear on the May 11 show, with Vampire Weekend marking their fourth stint as musical guest.

Gyllenhaal will take the stage for the season finale a week later, on May 18, with Sabrina Carpenter as the show's musical guest for the first time.

Recording artist and Argylle star Dua Lipa will be Saturday Night Live's host and musical guest for May 4's show.

Peabody Awards to honor Mel Brooks + Quinta Brunson

Posted yesterday at 11:59am

The Peabody Awards announced Thursday, May 2, that it will be bestowing two special honors on two funny people.

Trailblazing Blazing Saddles director Mel Brooks will be receiving the Peabody Career Achievement Award, and Abbott Elementary creator and star Quinta Brunson will take home the Peabody Trailblazer Award on Sunday, June 9, at a ceremony at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Los Angeles.

Peabody's executive director Jeffrey Jones hailed EGOT winner Brooks "as not only one of the most beloved comedians of all time," but a man who "literally set the standard for television comedy from its earliest days."

Jones adds, "Across TV, film, theater, and recordings, Mr. Brooks is in a league of his own."

Jones called Emmy winner Brunson "a refreshingly creative force in network television comedy" and added both names were singled out "not only for their extraordinary contributions as storytellers, but particularly for their use of comedy to tell stories that matter, enriching the lives of so many."

Both awards were selected by a unanimous vote of the Peabody Board of Jurors, the announcement explains, noting the pair will be celebrated live at the 84th Annual Peabody Awards ceremony — its first in-person event since 2019 and the first one ever to be held in Los Angeles.

Selena Gomez marks third Rare Beauty Mental Health Summit, urges fans to "make a good call"

Posted yesterday at 11:26am

Selena Gomez has made mental health the beneficiary of her Rare Beauty makeup line and Rare Impact charitable fund, and she showed her dedication to the cause by hosting her third annual Rare Beauty Mental Health Summit.

Sharing a collection of photos and videos on Instagram from the event, Selena wrote that it had left her "inspired by the next generation, filled with so much hope, and grateful to each of you for being on this meaningful journey with us."

She added, "Mental health means so much to me and I’m honored we get to share this mission with the world together. Thank you to everyone who joined us and continues to use their voice for good!"

Selena's boyfriend, Benny Blanco, commented, "i’m so proud of u bb. you inspire me."

One of the summit's guests, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, wrote that he was "honored" to join Selena at the event. He noted, "We discussed the power of social connection and how communities, like the one Selena has created with Rare Beauty and the Rare Impact Fund, are paving the way for self-acceptance, support, and healing."

Meanwhile, May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and Rare Beauty and Selena have launched a special phone line, 877-HEY-RARE, and are urging fans to "make a good call." If you're feeling down or lonely, you can dial the number and hear Selena offer advice and Rare Beauty employees share what they do to lift their moods.

Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney's Emmy-winning 'Welcome to Wrexham' back for "another nail-biter" season

Posted yesterday at 10:25am

FX's Emmy-winning docuseries Welcome to Wrexham debuts May 2 at 10 p.m. ET, streaming the next day on Hulu.

The show centers on Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney's unlikely purchase of — and even more unlikely, their successful shepherding of — the underdog Welsh Wrexham football club.

With the stars as co-chairs of the team, and not an insignificant infusion of money and talent, the working-class city's beloved team has been promoted to the English Football League — League Two after 15 long years of losses.

Reynolds tells ABC News the show is really about people. "From the get-go, the people in Wrexham have been so unabashedly brave and forthcoming with their stories, and I think that's why this show has connected; that's the big beating heart of this show," the Deadpool franchise star says.

He continues, "Their stories are the stories of people in working class, smaller market towns all over the world."

"The thing that I think we're most excited about is ... this year, FX and Hulu has given us an opportunity unlike anything else, where we get to have the docu series be almost congruent with the season,"Reynolds teases, adding, "We're going to learn in almost real time, how this how this shapes up for the community of Wrexham."

He adds, "This season is looking like another nail-biter."

Always Sunny co-creator McElhenney sums up what it's like for him this season, quipping, "Joyous and then miserable and then joyous and then miserable and then triumphant and hopeful and then, in the doldrums of misery. That's kind of the way it goes."

Reynolds calls it "pretty anxiety inducing," adding, "Who would have thunk that ... we would be back in this kind of dogfight at the top?"

'The Tattooist of Auschwitz's' Jonah Hauer-King on the drama's timeless message

Posted yesterday at 9:00am

A heart-wrenching love story is at the center of the new limited series The Tattooist of Auschwitz, which tells the true story of a man and woman who managed to find love in one of the bleakest places on earth. All six episodes are out Thursday, May 2.

Jonah Hauer-King stars as title character of the series -- one of several projects over the past year exploring various stories of the Holocaust -- and tells ABC Audio these stories are "fertile ground for an examination of humanity, and we have so much to learn from it."

"I don't think we'll ever truly process it or make sense of it. And I think that's why there are all of these different responses to it," he says.

"I don't think there will be ... an exhaustive retelling or a definitive retelling, because there are too many people involved. There are too many people that suffered and were affected," he adds. "And so that's going to spin off in a million different ways."

Hauer-King hopes the series "[shines] a light on what can happen when humanity leaves us. And so I hope that it can be an advocate for love, and for humanity and ultimately for peace."

Going to work every day in a recreated concentration camp was unsettling and surreal for Hauer-King, who says, "When you have these sets meticulously recreated and are looming over you and that's your workplace every day, it would be ludicrous to suggest that it's not going to have this really profound effect on you, because it is frightening and the associations of that — and it's a very iconic, you know, frighteningly iconic image."

The Tattooist of Auschwitz also stars Harvey Keitel and Melanie Lynskey.

Dan Schneider sues 'Quiet on Set' producers for defamation, calls series a "hit job"

Posted yesterday at 8:10am

Dan Schneider filed a defamation lawsuit on Wednesday against the creators of the Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV docuseries.

Attorneys for the former television creator, who is featured in the docuseries, which was released in March about what allegedly went on behind the scenes at Nickelodeon in its heyday, has claimed that the filmmakers behind the series "falsely state or imply that Schneider" "sexually abused the children who worked on his television shows."

"Quiet on Set's portrayal of Schneider is a hit job," the suit alleges.

According to the suit, the television creator, who is known for his hit shows like Zoey 101, iCarly and Drake & Josh is suing Quiet on Set filmmakers Emma Schwartz, Mary Robertson, Warner Brothers Discovery, Inc., Maxine Productions and Sony Pictures Television Inc.

Schneider, who released a statement on Wednesday about the lawsuit, said that he is "apologetic and regretful" for behavior as a producer and "will continue to take accountability for it," but has "no choice but to take legal action against the people behind" the series.

"In their successful attempt to mislead viewers and increase ratings, they went beyond reporting the truth and falsely implied that I was involved in or facilitated horrific crimes for which actual child predators have been prosecuted and convicted," he said.

Good Morning America has reached out to Warner Brothers Discovery, Inc., Maxine Productions, Sony Pictures Television Inc., Emma Schwartz and Mary Robertson for comment but did not hear immediately back.

Paul Walter Hauser joining Liam Neeson for 'Naked Gun' reboot, and more

Posted yesterday at 7:30am

Paul Walter Hauser has been tapped to star alongside Liam Neeson and Pamela Anderson in Paramount Pictures' Naked Gun reboot, according to Deadline. The new movie is based on the Naked Gun film franchise and the TV series Police Squad!, which starred Leslie Nielsen as bumbling detective Frank Drebin. The new project, from Chip ‘N Dale: Rescue Rangers filmmakers Dan Gregor and Doug Mand, along with Lonely Island's Akiva Schaffer and Seth MacFarlane's Fuzzy Door, is set for a July 18, 2025, release ...

Amazon MGM is working on a feature adaptation of Colleen Hoover's bestselling novel Verity, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Verity follows struggling writer Lowen Ashleigh, hired by the husband of a writer named Verity to complete her unfinished novels after she's involved in a mysterious accident. Lowen discovers one particular manuscript that leads her to believe things aren't what they seem and decides to investigate, per THR ...

Elizabeth Banks and Jessica Biel will star in the upcoming new Amazon series The Better Sister, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The series, per the outlet, follows Chloe -- played by Biel -- who travels the world with her lawyer husband Adam and their teenage son, while her estranged sister Nicky (Banks) struggles to make ends meet while trying to stay clean. When Adam is brutally murdered, the prime suspect sends shock waves through the family ...

Carl Clemons-Hopkins says 'Hacks' season 3 is worth the wait

Posted yesterday at 5:00am

Clemons-Hopkins, Smart - Max/Beth Dubber

Max's Emmy-winning comedy Hacks returns for a third season on Thursday — two years after season 2 began.

The third season sees Deborah Vance, played by Jean Smart, "riding high off the success of her standup special" while her former writer, Hannah Einbinder's Ava, "pursues new opportunities back in Los Angeles," according to the streamer.

The third season was delayed first because of a health issue from which Smart recovered and then Hollywood's summer of strikes.

Co-star Carl Clemons-Hopkins, who plays Deborah's driven business manager Marcus, was confident the cast and crew would sync after all the stops, but tells ABC Audio he wondered if the viewers would hang on. "The concern for me came with, 'Will the audience still be there? Will they still ride as hard for it?'"

The wait for fans will be worth it, he says. The actor says the show "does an acutely brilliant job of bringing soft landings to hard conversations."

Clemons-Hopkins adds of the series, "It does a really wonderful job of both celebrating comedy and challenging comedy."

Much of the humor of the show stems from Smart's comedian character being, shall we say, slightly behind the times with today's touchy audiences.

"You know, it's not just a one generation telling your generation you're wrong because of this," Clemons-Hopkins insists. "It's really people from opposing views having conversations, not always agreeing, but both learning and growing and becoming close and being brought closer because of it. And I think that's a very, very brilliant thing that the season does."

Hacks' nine-episode third season kicks off with two episodes on Thursday, with two new episodes dropping each week until the season finale on May 30.

Producer says it was Ryan Gosling's idea to use Taylor Swift song for 'The Fall Guy'

Posted Wednesday afternoon

If you only know one thing about The Fall Guy, it's probably that in one scene Ryan Gosling's character sits in a car and cries while listening to Taylor Swift's song "All Too Well." It turns out the filmmakers were going to use a different song, until Gosling stepped in.

Producer Kelly McCormick tells Vanity Fair that The Fall Guy's director, David Leitch, who's also her husband, initially had a tune by late singer/songwriter Harry Nilsson playing in that scene. "But it felt a little melodramatic to me in a bad way," she says. McCormick says around the same time Gosling asked if they should try a Taylor song in the scene.

Accord to McCormick, her husband was against the idea until they went to see the Eras Tour. McCormick says David was blown away by Taylor's performance of the 10-minute version of the song.

"The first time we dropped it in, we knew there was no going back, and we were going to be really upset if we couldn’t get it," McCormick says.

Luckily, according to McCormick, "Taylor is actually really open to sharing her music with film. We showed her what we had cut, and there were no notes. Thankfully, she ... didn’t price herself so far out of our budget that we weren’t able to include her.”

According to Vanity Fair, Taylor hasn't seen the movie yet, but she did praise the comedic version of "All Too Well" that Gosling and co-star Emily Blunt did on Saturday Night Live on April 13. On her Instagram Story at the time, she wrote, "Watch me accidentally catch myself singing this version on tour."