J. K. Simmons has been giving us ‘Whiplash’ for decades now with head-turning performances in everything from ‘Spider-Man’ to ‘The Legend of Korra,’ but with the ‘Kong: Skull Island’ star finally nominated for an Oscar, that most hallowed of New York institutions will give Simmons his due. J.K. will host the final January ‘SNL’ installment of 2015, no “jk” about it.
The ongoing firestorm against Bill Cosby has only swelled in recent weeks, as more and more allegations of rape emerge against the once-revered comedian, so it wasn’t any surprise that Netflix would opt to discard the November 28 release of a new Cosby standup special. Now, NBC has expectedly followed suit by abandoning development plans for a new Cosby sitcom for 2015.
The unfortunate and untimely death of the great Jan Hooks this past week sent the comedy world into mourning, with countless writers and comics stepping forward to pay tribute to the late 'SNL' star. It could have been easy for this week's new episode to gloss over the passing of one of their own (it is a comedy show, after all), but 'SNL' has always been a slightly class institution -- it remembers those who came before.
Despite 'SNL' heading into its landmark 40th season (and shedding a few players in the process), things have been curiously quiet on the front of NBC's beloved sketch comedy show, particularly with regard to its initial hosts. Now, the network confirms that 'Guardians of the Galaxy' and 'Parks and Recreation' star Chris Pratt will host the September 27 premiere with musical guest Ariana Grande, preceding comedian Sarah Silverman, while rumors suggest legendary alum Bill Murray will follow!
It's increasingly less likely we'll ever see Bryan Cranston or Aaron Paul return to their famed 'Breaking Bad' roles for AMC spinoff 'Better Call Saul,' but with the 2014 Emmy Awards airing this Sunday, NBC has cooked up an even quicker reunion. Watch Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul trade barbs with 'Veep''s Julia Louis-Dreyfus in a new 2014 Emmy sketch for "Barely Legal Pawn."
Comic fans, the time is upon us once again. That's right, Comic-Con 2014 approaches, and this year Warner Bros. and DC have more than risen to the TV challenge, with not one, but four series to show off on Saturday! Find out what we'll see from 'Arrow' season 3, along with spinoff 'The Flash,' NBC's 'Constantine,' and FOX's hotly-anticipated 'Gotham' at the big San Diego show!
We'll say this for NBC, they're nothing if not persistent with their attention-grabbing TV events. Following the failure of horror remake miniseries 'Rosemary's Baby,' the peacock is looking a little lighter with a proposed event series telling the story of history's most iconic band, none other than the Beatles.
February 7, 2014
February 7, 2014
It ranked among the sadder days in TV history when we finally said goodbye to Tina Fey's '30 Rock' after seven wonderful years, but our despair may already have been lifted. The former 'SNL' writer and '30 Rock' lead will return to NBC along with '30 Rock' co-showrunner Robert Carlock and writer-producer Colleen McGuinness for a brand-new female-centric workplace comedy, but how involved will Fey actually be?