Written by John Edward Betancourt  Pictured: STARZ's "Party Down" Season 3 Los Angeles Premiere Event on February 22, 2023 in Los Angeles. Photo Credit: Jesse Grant/Getty Images for STARZ Over the course of the past few months, we’ve talked at length about how wonderful it is that red carpet premieres are returning to the everyday fabric of the entertainment industry and rightfully so. Because it’s a huge deal that we are emerging from scary times at last and are able to come together in such a manner once more, thanks to the wonder of science, and it’s also wonderful… because premieres really are the gold standard when it comes to celebrating storytelling. But now and again, you come across a premiere that has a little deeper meaning. Because sometimes… premieres take place that remind us of what it means to be patient and to persevere and the wonder of the era we are living in when it comes to television and last night, a special premiere like that… took place. For yesterday evening saw the cast and crew of Party Down, reunite after a thirteen-year absence from the airwaves to celebrate the season three premiere of the show, and well… that is just incredible, and it truly speaks to all of those elements and absolutely brings a sense of satisfaction and joy to the fans that have stood by this series for so long. Because this truly means, Party Down, is back at last and soon we can all partake in its glorious wonder, and to share in the majesty of this moment, here are some pictures and a brief recap from last night’s premiere, courtesy of STARZ and Getty Images. ‘On Wednesday, February 22, the stars came out for the Los Angeles premiere event in celebration of the long-awaited third season of STARZ’s cult favorite comedy series, “Party Down.” In attendance at the Regency Bruin Theatre were series stars Ken Marino, Jane Lynch, Jennifer Garner, Martin Starr, Megan Mullally, Ryan Hansen, Tyrel Jackson Williams, Zoë Chao and James Marsden, as well as executive producers John Enbom and Rob Thomas. Also present were STARZ executives Jeffrey Hirsch (CEO), Alison Hoffman (President, Domestic) and Kathryn Busby (President, Original Programming). In a nostalgic nod, cast from the beloved first two seasons including Kristen Bell, Joe Lo Truglio, Ed Begley Jr., Andrea Savage and Daniel Franzese also attended the star-studded event. The evening began with a vibrant carpet complete with the infamous catering van and a decadent champagne wall. Kathryn Busby, President of Original Programming at STARZ, introduced the premiere screening, followed by remarks from “Party Down” executive producers John Enbom and Rob Thomas. During Busby’s introduction, she shared “When our producers wanted to bring ‘Party Down,’ it was a no-brainer to bring a new season back to STARZ where it all began. And while it’s been over a decade since our star-studded cast worked their last party together, I can’t believe we actually pulled it off and got the band back together.” Before the screening got underway, Thomas added, “For all the fans that found this in seasons one and two…so many of you who spread the gospel of ‘Party Down,’ made this third season possible, we are grateful for you.” Following the screening of the first two episodes, which were met with roaring laughter and a standing ovation, guests made their way to the afterparty at Palazzo di Amore, the larger-than-life mansion in Beverly Hills. At the reception, cater waiters decked out in pink bowties served delectable treats including a seafood tower, a pizza oven station and elevated passed appetizers, as well as specialty themed pretty in pink cocktails. “Party Down” season three premieres Friday, February 24 on STARZ.’
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Written by John Edward Betancourt  L-R: Michael Harney, Haneefah Wood, Annie McNamara, Matthew Maher, Nicholas Podany, Billy Crudup, Dewshane Williams and Hank Azaria attend the premiere screening of “Hello Tomorrow!” at The Whitby Hotel in New York on February 15. (All Photos Courtesy of Apple.) It really is wonderful that red carpet premiere events are becoming commonplace again. In part because it means that life is returning to normal and gathering is becoming safe again, but also because… this is just a proper way to celebrate storytelling. Because there really is something magical about bringing everyone together under one roof, to enjoy the art that a group of people worked hard to create. If anything, the wonder of the premiere is top of mind today, because one that featured true art took place last night. For last night The Whitby Hotel was host to the Hello Tomorrow! premiere event. An evening that celebrated one of most inventive and artful and human shows to grace Apple TV+ to date, and well it’s just wonderful to know that cast and crew and guest alike, were able to experience all the wonder this show has to offer under one roof. And feel the emotion it brings to the table and the awe it generates as well. But before this writer breaks into the full-on review of the show he’s saving for tomorrow, let’s take a moment and enjoy a recap of the evening’s events and a bevy of photos from the event as well (courtesy of Apple TV+), as we inch toward the series premiere of a show whose celebration was just beginning at this event. 'Today at The Whitby Hotel in New York City, Apple TV+ celebrated the world premiere of its upcoming dramedy “Hello Tomorrow!.” Starring and executive produced by Emmy Award winner Billy Crudup, the 10-episode, half-hour series will debut globally with the first three episodes on Friday, February 17, 2023, followed by one new episode weekly every Friday through April 7, on Apple TV+. Red carpet attendees included ensemble cast members Crudup, Haneefah Wood, Nicholas Podany, Dewshane Williams and Emmy Award winner Hank Azaria, alongside co-creators Amit Bhalla and Lucas Jansen, and executive producers Stephen Falk, Jonathan Entwistle, Ryan Kalil and Noah Weinstein. Set in a retro-future world, “Hello Tomorrow!” centers around a group of traveling salesmen hawking lunar timeshares. Crudup stars as Jack, a salesman of great talent and ambition, whose unshakeable faith in a brighter tomorrow inspires his coworkers, revitalizes his desperate customers, but threatens to leave him dangerously lost in the very dream that sustains him. “Hello Tomorrow!,” produced by MRC Television, is co-created by Amit Bhalla and Lucas Jansen. Falk, Entwistle, Bhalla and Jansen serve as executive producers alongside Crudup. Blake Griffin, Kalil and Weinstein serve as executive producers for Mortal Media. Apple TV+ offers premium, compelling drama and comedy series, feature films, groundbreaking documentaries, and kids and family entertainment, and is available to watch across all your favorite screens. After its launch on November 1, 2019, Apple TV+ became the first all-original streaming service to launch around the world, and has premiered more original hits and received more award recognitions faster than any other streaming service in its debut. To date, Apple Original films, documentaries, and series have been honored with 322 wins and 1,398 award nominations and counting, including multi-Emmy Award-winning comedy “Ted Lasso” and this year’s Oscar Best Picture winner “CODA.” About Apple TV+ Apple TV+ is available on the Apple TV app in over 100 countries and regions, on over 1 billion screens, including iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Mac, popular smart TVs from Samsung, LG, Sony, VIZIO, TCL and others, Roku and Amazon Fire TV devices, Chromecast with Google TV, PlayStation and Xbox gaming consoles, and at tv.apple.com, for $6.99 per month with a seven-day free trial. For a limited time, customers who purchase and activate a new iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Mac or iPod touch can enjoy three months of Apple TV+ for free. For more information, visit apple.com/tvpr and see the full list of supported devices.' Written by John Edward Betancourt  Chelsea Handler - Photo Courtesy of Mike Rosenthal It is definitely safe to say, that SeriesFest, the leading celebration of episodic storytelling… knows how to wow its attendees. For every year, there are red carpet events, incredible premieres, and big names to be found everywhere at the event. Because the folks that run this convention, understand that celebrating television, requires offering moments as big as the ones you find in prime time. To the point where even Lake Street Drive performed a show at Red Rocks Amphitheater as part of last year’s programming, and well… SeriesFest is showing no signs of slowing down when it comes to celebrating storytelling and the wonder of television, in the most epic ways imaginable, as evidenced by today’s announcement.
For earlier, SeriesFest let it be known that the closing ceremonies for this year will not only take place at Red Rocks Amphitheater but will also feature… Chelsea Handler as the headliner. Yes, you read that right… a television icon and a comedic legend will wow us with a one-night show to wrap up a celebration of television and all it has to offer and well, it doesn’t get more epic than that, and as an added bonus, you don’t have to wait all that much longer to snag your tickets to this incredible evening. For tickets go on sale this Thursday. As to where to snag them, well for that we defer to SeriesFest, who was kind enough to provide us with all the details on today’s news. So, without further ado, here are those details and we at NTG hope to see all of you at SeriesFest: Season 9, and at Chelsea’s big show. ‘SeriesFest, the non-profit organization that champions and empowers artists at the forefront of episodic storytelling, announces a special one-night-only performance by one of the world’s leading comedians, Chelsea Handler as the Closing Night of SeriesFest: Season 9 on May 10, 2023. Chelsea Handler will be joined by several other noteworthy comedians along with a special TV presentation, to be announced at a later date. Tickets go on sale to the general public through AXS on February 17 at 10AM MST. Festival badges granting access to the entire world-renowned Television Festival, including this special event, are on sale now at seriesfest.com. "We are ecstatic to announce a very special night of comedy at Red Rocks featuring the one-and-only Chelsea Handler,” said Randi Kleiner, SeriesFest CEO and co-founder. “Not only does Chelsea exemplify the best in stand-up comedy, highlighted by her recent Netflix special, this event will also be ground-breaking as it will be the first time a female comedian will headline at the historic Red Rocks Amphitheatre!" Chelsea Handler is a comedian, television host, New York Times best-selling author and advocate whose humor and candor have established her as one of the most celebrated voices in entertainment and pop culture. After a strong seven-year run as the host of E!’s top-rated Chelsea Lately, a tenure in which she was the only female late-night talk show host on-air, she launched her documentary series Chelsea Does followed by her talk show Chelsea on Netflix in 2016. She has penned six best-selling books, five of which have reached #1 on the New York Times Bestseller list, including 2019’s Life Will Be the Death of Me. She will executive produce and star in a TV adaptation of the book under her production banner, Chelsea Handler Productions. In 2022, Handler made her return to Netflix with her critically acclaimed comedy special Revolution. It follows the success of her 2020 HBO Max comedy special Evolution, which earned Chelsea a Grammy nomination for Best Comedy Album. In 2021, she launched her iHeart Radio advice podcast, Dear Chelsea, and embarked on the Vaccinated and Horny Tour, bringing her sensational stand-up set to 90+ cities with 115 shows across North America and winning “The Comedy Act of 2021” at the People’s Choice Awards. SeriesFest: Season 9, May 5-10 in Denver, Colorado, includes six days of in-competition screenings, panels, workshops, as well as never-before-seen sneak peeks and television premieres. Programming details will be announced in April. American Express® Card Members can purchase tickets in select markets before the general public beginning Wednesday, February 15 at 10am MT through Friday, February 17 at 9:00am MT. SeriesFest: Season 9 is presented with generous support from the following sponsors: Once Upon A Time Productions, Liberty Global, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, Denver Film, Xfinity, and United Airlines. ABOUT SERIESFEST SeriesFest, a non-profit organization, champions and empowers artists at the forefront of episodic storytelling by providing year-round opportunities for creators and industry professionals to connect, collaborate, and share stories, which inspire and impact global audiences. Each June, SeriesFest culminates in a highly-curated and celebrated Denver-based festival and marketplace. Dedicated to showcasing innovative episodic content, the annual festival includes in-competition independent pilot screenings, panels, workshops, live reads, parties and network television premieres. Follow @SeriesFest on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.’ Written by John Edward Betancourt  LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 05: Demetrius Flenory Jr, Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson and Da'Vinchi attend the BMF Season 2 Los Angeles Premiere Event on January 05, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images for STARZ) There are a great many reasons that we love to admire Red Carpet premieres. Such as the fact that it is a chance to see some of our favorite stars from our favorite shows, show us their distinct style and/or wow us with the wonder of a particular outfit. Plus, you never know who might attend said premiere, giving rise to more celebrity admiration. But truth be told, the real reason that we love these events goes far deeper than just chatting up how good one particular person looked on a particularly important night. For we as nerds and geeks, love to celebrate stories and the premiere is in and of itself, the pinnacle of that celebration. For this is the beginning of the journey, where everyone gets to take part in the hard work that went into creating a story and talking about a premiere and sharing photos from it… is the perfect way to do that from afar. If anything, that celebration is top of mind today, simply because last week saw the cast and crew of BMF on STARZ, take part in the Red Carpet premiere for season two of this brilliant series. So, to properly celebrate year two of a grand show further… here are some details and photographic highlights from this wondrous event, courtesy of STARZ. ‘On January 5, 2023, STARZ transformed Hollywood Boulevard in celebration of the highly anticipated, new season of Detroit-based family drama “BMF,” that premiered on January 6, on the STARZ app, all STARZ streaming and on-demand platforms and internationally on the LIONSGATE+ premium streaming platform in the UK and Brazil. On linear, it debuted on STARZ at 8:00 PM ET/PT in the U.S. and Canada. Held at the iconic TCL Chinese Theater, there was no shortage of star power in attendance including Executive Producers Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, Heather Zuhlke, Anthony Wilson and Anne Clements alongside “BMF” cast members Demetrius “Lil Meech” Flenory Jr., Da’Vinchi, Michole Briana White, Myles Truitt, Steve Harris, Kelly Hu, La La Anthony, Arkeisha “Kash Doll” Knight, Christine Horn, Sydney Mitchell, Rayan Lawrence, Serayah, Caresha “Yung Miami'' Brownlee and Laila Pruitt. Stars from the “Power” universe showed support including Joseph Sikora, Michael Rainey, Isaac Keys and Kris Lofton along with celebrity attendees Kelly Rowland, 2 Chainz, G Herbo, Cordae, D Smoke, Hit Boy, Mario, Omarion, Tee Grizzly, YK Osiris, Lance Gross, Eric Bellinger, ORyan and more. Inspired by true Legends, season two of “BMF” chronicles the unconventional journey to success of the Flenory brothers, Demetrius Flenory “Big Meech” and Terry Flenory “Southwest Tee”, who rose from the depths of poverty, navigating the war on drugs in Detroit, and became game changers in hip-hop and culture. Throughout the emotional season, the audience roots for the Flenory brothers during their pursuit of their American Dream, as they build a better life in a system that was stacked against them. The universal themes of family, faith and loyalty are explored both at home and on the streets. The brothers work to outmaneuver the government and expand BMF into a multi-state empire. “BMF” stars Demetrius “Lil Meech” Flenory Jr., the son of Demetrius “Big Meech” Flenory, Da’Vinchi (The Way Back, “grown-ish”), Russell Hornsby (Fences, The Hate U Give), Michole Briana White (“Dead to Me,” She Hate Me), Myles Truitt (“Black Lightning,” “The New Edition doneStory”), Steve Harris (“The Practice,” Diary of a Mad Black Woman), Kelly Hu (The Scorpion King, “The Orville”), La La Anthony (“The Chi,” Think Like a Man), with Detroit rapper Arkeisha “Kash Doll” Knight, Snoop Dogg (Training Day), Leslie Jones (Coming 2 America, “Saturday Night Live”), Christine Horn (“Snowfall”), Sydney Mitchell (“First Wives Club”), Rayan Lawrence (“Underground”), and Serayah (“Empire,” Favorite Son) in recurring roles and Mo’Nique (Precious, “The Parkers”) as a guest star. In addition, Caresha “Yung Miami'' Brownlee will make a guest appearance this season. “BMF” is executive produced by Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson through his G-Unit film and television (Executive Producer of the “Power” Universe, “For Life”), alongside showrunner, executive producer, writer and Detroit native Randy Huggins (“Star,” “Rebel,” “Power”). Heather Zuhlke, Anthony Wilson and Anne Clements also serve as executive producers on the series. “BMF” is produced through Jackson’s G-Unit Film and Television in association with Lionsgate Television for STARZ. Costume designer Keia Bounds (“Chappelle’s Show,” “Law & Order: Criminal Intent”) transports the cast back into time with the fashion of the 80s with a dynamic soundtrack from Derryck (Big Tank) Thornton (“The Chi,” Swagger, Greenleaf). Senior Vice President of Original Programming Kathryn Tyus-Adair is the executive overseeing “BMF” on behalf of STARZ. Erin Conroy is the executive overseeing the series on behalf of Lionsgate Television. Follow “BMF” on Social: Twitter: @BMFStarz Instagram: @BMFStarz Facebook: @BMFStarz Join the conversation with #BMF and #STARZ About “BMF”: “BMF” returns for a second hit season and dramatizes the inspiring true story of two brothers Demetrius “Big Meech” Flenory (Demetrius Flenory, Jr.) and Terry “Southwest T” Flenory (Da’Vinchi), who rose from the decaying streets of southwest Detroit in the late ’80s and gave birth to one of the most influential crime families in the country, Black Mafia Family. “BMF” continues to humanize the choices of the brothers and their pursuit of the American Dream. Rooted in family, loyalty, and brotherhood, the series continues to explore the brothers' complex familial relationships with their parents Charles Flenory (Russell Hornsby) and Lucille Flenory (Michole Briana White) who seek counsel from their spiritual advisor Pastor Swift (Snoop Dogg). Rooted in authenticity and told with grit, heart, and humor, we parachute into the season with Meech and Terry at odds. Meech wants to expand the business beyond Detroit, yet Terry is no longer in the game and is focused on school and launching a legitimate car-ride service with his Pops. As the season unfolds, the streets implode and the brothers risk losing everything. We find out what happens to Meech and Terry as they both seek to become stronger than ever and strategically execute a new vision. Along the way, they meet and form an alliance with Goldie (Oscar-winner Mo’Nique), a sophisticated Atlanta strip club owner, who helps Meech forge his future. As the brothers reflect on their wins, little do they know that their new beginnings will also be plagued with new obstacles.’ Written by Juanita ‘Obi-Juan’ Bonner Hello, my fellow nerds and geeks. As we near the end of 2022, I’d like to take a moment to reflect on one of my favorite events of the year – The Princess Bride: An Inconceivable Evening with Cary Elwes. But before I begin, I am compelled to say that if you’ve never seen The Princess Bride (20th Century Fox; 1987), first… WHAAAAT? (LOL!) and second, you better get to it!! For this beloved classic, released 35 years ago September, has warmed hearts for decades and personally resides as one of my top favorite films of all time. Why? The campy nature mixed with a stellar cast and epic dialogue oozes comedy, adventure, intrigue, pure silliness, and most of all… true love! Simply put, it’s perfect and: “I’ve never seen its equal.” So, with that in mind, I jumped at the chance to not only view the movie on the big screen, but to meet Westley himself – Mr. Cary Elwes. *HECK YEAH* Showing at the historic Paramount Theatre in Denver, CO, ticket prices (w/o taxes and fees) varied from $29.50 to $49.50 for various general admission seats and $149.50 for VIP seating. As a Holiday gift for my son and I, I splurged on the VIP experience which gave us preferential seating for the movie and moderator led Q&A, a short meet and greet with Cary, a photo op and a signed copy of his New York Times bestseller - As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of The Princess Bride. *BIG GRIN* So, in that order, let’s discuss, shall we? The Film: As I’ve already stated, I LOVE this film. Its quirkiness is brilliant. The acting superbly warm. And the story – ranked 80th by the American Film Institute in their 100 Greatest Love Stories of All Time and 84th by the Writers Guild of America in their 101 Greatest Screenplays – is as I said… flawless!! But, until December 10, 2022, I had not seen The Princess Bride in the theatre. *WHAT!?!* I mean… the film itself wasn’t a smash hit. Not until home video. That’s when it hit its stride to eventually become the blockbuster it is today. I recall watching it in my mom’s living room when my son was a baby… 34 years ago! *WOW* So… boy was it a treat to not only view this masterpiece on the big screen, but at a stunning historic theatre… filled with fellow fans like myself to boot. *NICE!!* There was cosplay, fun energy, and great conversation. *HECK YEAH* We all relished in favorite scenes, lines, and ensembles. Many, including myself, recited various famous lines along with the film which ramped up the overall excitement. And as the credits rolled – showing each actor in character on screen – the crowd erupted with applause and cheers. We squealed for all of them. Especially Mandy Patinkin (Iñigo Montoya), Wallace Shawn (Vizzini), Andre the Giant (Fezzik), Peter Falk (The Grandfather), Carol Kane (Valerie) and Billy Crystal (Miracle Max). Of course, the biggest and loudest praise came when Westley appeared. A fitting end that led perfectly into the discussion section. The Q&A: Second only to actually meeting Cary, the Q&A was absolutely fantastic. The moderator, having spent the day with Cary, during his introduction, gushed over just how nice Elwes is. How respectful, appreciative and kind. *AWESOME!* Refreshing news for a Hollywood film star, right? Then, with help from some audience submitted questions, they went on to discuss the film, co-stars, Cary’s family, his book and more. Elwes was extremely thankful to us – his longtime fans. While showing his joy for having to add a second showing at 2pm due to the overwhelming response, Cary joked that he might just need to move to Denver. *LOL!* He also celebrated how personal all of this has been and how grateful he is to have been a part of such a magical film. Even better, he spent ample time on various stories from set along with details about his castmates. His story about Andre the Giant and the ATV hijinks was hilarious… LOL!! Overall, it was beautiful to listen to and made me love the film, Cary and the cast and crew even more. And beyond all those warm fuzzies, there were three things that really stood out to me during this Q&A. First, Elwes noted that he still keeps in touch with the majority of the cast. He also stated that he just talked to Rob Reiner (Producer and Director): “last week.” *AWWW* Second, each time he affectionately referred to a cast member, he embodied them with a voice over that was just too cute… LOL! And though I haven’t listened to the audio version of As You Wish (yet!), I’ve been told he does the same thing in his narration. *NEAT!* Third, throughout and especially towards the end, Cary showed immense respect and love for Andre the Giant who left us in 1993. *SIGH* Not only were his impressions great, but when discussing Andre’s gentle, playful nature, and kind soul, he actually choked up and had to take a minute. Clearly taken aback by it, he apologized stating how surprised he was it overtook him. *WOW* It was touching to say the least and by the end, helped create another great transition into the final piece of the evening. Meet and Greet w/Photo Op: Though meeting Mr. Elwes was of course my favorite part of this wonderful night, seeing the film and hearing his warm discussions prior, made the whole experience even more inviting. Unfortunately, the process for the meet and greet seemed a bit chaotic. The staff, though super friendly, were all over the place and the lines were disorganized and took forever. In fact, we were roughly in the middle of the VIP line, and it took over an hour to get through. Regardless, we did have a lovely discussion with a staffer just inside the meeting room who said that he’s met all kinds of people and stars for events like this and he specifically pointed out that Mr. Elwes was: “One of the nicest of them all.” Kind and appreciative to EVERYONE, not just the higher ups. *AWWW* It was also immensely satisfying to know that our wait was long because Cary greeted each and every person no matter how large the party. It wasn’t just some rats at a feeder pellet photo op line where the star barely spoke, if at all. Knowing this made the wait well worth it!! I mean… even MORE warm fuzzies all the way around!! Topped off by actually meeting the man, I was truly struck by how soft spoken, warm and inviting he was. With multiple handshakes and salutations, in the middle of it all, I introduced my son stating he was born the same year The Princess Bride came out – 1987. I then told Cary that: “I raised my son on your movie.” The joy on his face was priceless as he repeatedly thanked me. If not for COVID restrictions, I actually thought he was going to hug me. It was absolutely sweet and something I’ll never forget. Mr. Elwes, if you’re reading this – and goodness I hope you are – from the bottom of my heart, thank you. *SNIFF, WIPE, SNIFF* LOL!! Moving into the photo op, Cary stepped on the other side of the COVID barrier while instructing my son and I to take our places on the x-marked floor. Once the photo was done, we got yet another warm handshake and thank you before he sent us on our way. It was magical! As my thoughts moved to: “If you want I could fly,” we left with ear to ear grins while being handed a copy of Cary’s book on the way out… “You mean you wish to surrender to me? Very well, I accept.” *WINK*  Signed copy of As You Wish:
Tucked inside the book was a piece of paper with a website for us to retrieve our photo from a locally based photographer which I thought was a nice touch. As for the book itself? It’s dedicated to Cary’s daughter: “For my little princess, Dominique.” To whom Cary spoke of as his own little Buttercup during the Q&A *TOO CUTE* Additionally, there is a Foreword by Rob Reiner, an Epilogue by Norman Lear (Executive Producer), Acknowledgements by Cary, and an Index so one can jump to specific sections at will. *NICE!* For me? I will cherish and pour over this book as it’s not only filled with great stories from Mr. Elwes, but pictures on and off set and many, many excerpts from various cast and crew members. Including Mr. Reiner, Producer Andy Scheinman, and William Goldman (book and screenplay). As well as the Bride herself, Princess Buttercup (Robin Wright), the Grandson (Fred Savage), Prince Humperdinck (Chris Sarandon), Count Rugen (Christopher Guest) along with all the others mentioned in The Film section above. Save for the late, great Andre. *RIP* A spectacular read all the way around!! I look forward to the audio version too!! And to that I say… “Fencing, fighting, torture, revenge, giants, monsters, chases, escapes, true love, miracles…” Hmm! “Doesn’t sound too bad. I’ll try to stay awake.” *WINK* Until next time. Follow me on Twitter @obi_juanita As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of the Princess Bride is an imprint of Simon & Schuster, Inc. New York, NY. ©2014 Written by John Edward Betancourt  (All Photos Courtesy of AMC Networks.) It is definitely safe to say, that while the AMC series, The Walking Dead, has come to its end… it is still heavily on the minds of the loyal fan base that loved this series from beginning to end. Simply because this was a true phenomenon, one that really took the world by storm and at this point, everyone is just hanging onto the good memories of their time with this series to stave off the inevitable touch of sorrow that will follow in the days to come. And well, we here at NTG would like to do our best to keep the good times going by taking a lovely trip down a very recently formed memory lane. Because thanks to AMC Networks, we can share with you, a bevy of images and clips from last night’s Finale Event from the Orpheum Theater in Los Angeles, and we also have those first look photos from The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon and those sneak peeks of The Walking Dead: Dead City to provide you with as well. To celebrate the wonder of this eleven-season journey and remember the powerful emotions the finale made us feel, alongside looking forward to the future. So, without further ado, here are those goodies for all the wonderful fans out there looking for another fix, now that we’ve said farewell to The Walking Dead. Images from ‘The Walking Dead Live: The Finale Event’ Clips from ‘The Walking Dead Live: The Finale Event’ First Look Photos from ‘The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon’ Sneak Peeks of ‘The Walking Dead: Dead City’ Written by John Edward Betancourt  Something we don’t think about all that often when a television show goes off the air, is what happens to all the props and costumes and everything else that was created for the show. Because that stuff has to go somewhere, and something has to be done with it. In some cases, it might go home with a cast member, and they most definitely earned keeping their treasured memory from a powerful experience. But more often than not, we just don’t know where it goes… but the interconnectivity of the world is starting to change that. Because you’ve likely seen often this year, mentions of auctions for items from hit shows. Simply because that’s precisely what happens to a lot of these props, they’re auctioned away in private events and that too is changing. For these online mentions allow for fans to jump into the fray and bid on a prop that means to the world of them and now, fans of The Walking Dead can put in their bid for props from this iconic horror series. For earlier today, AMC announced that it has partnered with Goldin to hold an auction for said props, one that is underway right now. So, with that in mind… here is a little more information regarding this auction, with a sample list and sample images of what you can bid upon from this beloved series, courtesy of AMC and Goldin. Select Images of Items Included in ‘The Walking Dead’ Auction Below ‘AMC Networks in partnership with Goldin, the leading marketplace for collectibles and memorabilia, announced today that it will auction coveted and one-of-a-kind items from its cultural touchstone television series, The Walking Dead. The exclusive, blockbuster auction features more than 100 iconic items that have been centerpieces of some of the most beloved episodes of the show over the years.
The collection goes on sale today, September 27, just ahead of the broadcast of the final episodes of the smash hit post-apocalyptic series, Sundays at 9/8c on AMC and AMC+. Over the course of its 11-season run, The Walking Dead has earned praise from fans and critics alike. The TWD Universe continues to expand with several successful series currently available, and three more new series set to debut over the next two years. Select marquee items available for bidding include:
“As The Walking Dead builds to its epic finale, and before the next chapter of The Walking Dead Universe begins, AMC wanted to celebrate this landmark moment with our millions of fans who have made it all possible,” said Clayton Neuman, VP of Games at AMC. “We are thrilled to partner with Goldin to give our fans a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to take home a piece of this cherished series for themselves.” “We’re honored to handle the sale of these iconic items from the world-famous franchise that people around the world have fallen in love with over the years,” said Goldin Executive Chairman and Founder Ken Goldin. “The Walking Dead is one of the great seminal television programs that has been appointment viewing for years and we’re thrilled to be able to connect fans of the show to the memories that these items are tied to.” “The Walking Dead is an iconic franchise and Goldin is the premier marketplace for collectibles, so this partnership is a perfect match. We could not be more excited about this exclusive partnership with AMC and Goldin,” said Lance Dashoff of Auction House Partners. AHP worked with Goldin Auctions in securing the partnership with AMC Networks. The standalone auction is open for bidding now through Saturday, October 15. Goldin, which has built a reputation as the trusted leader in trading cards, collectibles and memorabilia, is also actively accepting consignments for future auctions. To inquire about consigning items, email sell@goldin.co. About AMC Networks: AMC Networks (Nasdaq: AMCX) is a global entertainment company known for its popular and critically acclaimed content. Its brands include targeted streaming services AMC+, Acorn TV, Shudder, Sundance Now, ALLBLK and the anime-focused HIDIVE streaming service, in addition to AMC, BBC AMERICA (operated through a joint venture with BBC Studios), IFC, SundanceTV, WE tv, IFC Films and RLJE Films. AMC Studios, the Company’s in-house studio, production and distribution operation, is behind some of the biggest titles and brands known to a global audience, including The Walking Dead, the Anne Rice catalog and the Agatha Christie library. The Company also operates AMC Networks International, its international programming business, and 25/7 Media, its production services business. About Goldin: Goldin is the leading collectibles marketplace. Founder Ken Goldin has sold more than $1.5 billion in memorabilia from many of the biggest names in sports, history, and pop culture. The company routinely sets records for the most expensive trading cards and other memorabilia ever sold. Lifelong collectors and new hobbyists alike trust Goldin because the company professionally authenticates everything it sells. Goldin is the official auction partner of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, The Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association and the Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum. Learn more at Goldin.co, and on Twitter and Instagram. About Auction House Partners: Founded in 2021, Auction House Partners exclusively represents IP rights for tv and film studios, production companies, celebrities and musicians.’ Written by John Edward Betancourt  All Photographs Courtesy of Apple. There really is something quite special about the Red Carpet Premiere. For they truly exude a special energy and excitement that you don’t find anywhere else. Something that is likely due to the fact that people are finally going to be experiencing something for the first time together. Something they all love and poured their heart and souls into, and that’s a big deal and a special occasion for certain and it just so happens… that an important premiere took place last night. For Apple TV+ hosted the world premiere of the season three premiere of See, ahead of its global premiere on the network last night at the Directors Guild of America Theater in Los Angeles, California. And what made assembling Jason Momoa, Hera Hilmar, Nesta Cooper, David Hewlett, Yadira Guevara-Prip, Olivia Cheng, Michael Raymond-James and more, as well as showrunner and executive producer Jonathan Tropper, executive producers Jenno Topping, Jim Rowe and Jennifer Yale among others, so special… is the sheer fact that this will be the last time this group assembles to celebrate this series. For this is indeed the final season of this dynamic and important show and we here at NTG thought it would be fun to share the joy created on this magical night, through some photos from the event, courtesy of Apple TV+. Written by Juanita ‘Obi-Juan’ Bonner  Aside from loving South Park (Comedy Central; 1997) since its inception, knowing the creators – Trey Parker and Matt Stone – adore their characters just as much as the fans, was all I thought I needed... until now!!! Twenty-five years in, an anniversary concert on August 10th – at the beautiful Red Rocks Amphitheater – is EXACTLY the way this show should be celebrated, and I was lucky enough to be there for history in the making!! *WOOHOO* Now that the dust has settled and the concert has been televised, I’d like to take this opportunity to discuss this truly once in a lifetime experience… including sharing an amateur slide show below as well as a few tidbits NOT seen in the recorded version. I urge you to: “respect my authoritah!” (LOL!!) and dive right in. Before we begin, I gotta say how neat it was that due to popular demand, a second show was added on the 9th. However, I was slightly bummed THAT show would precede MY show. *WAH* I mean… I fought hard in those 15 minutes of mad crazy finger clicks to get my measly general admission tickets! *YEP, SURE DID M’KAY!!* Just who are these folks that get to see this spectacular show before me!?! *HANDS ON HIPS* I soon came to find out that MY show was filmed for air on Comedy Central and therefore, contained a few extra special things the night before did not. *YAY!!* Regardless, my twinge of jealously, however unnecessary (LOL!), quickly faded as the day rolled into the evening. And by the end, I was glad that an entire second set of fans were able to enjoy some of the magic too! For what I experienced was almost mini-con-like with a barrage of South Park stans (*WINK*), music, sun and fun that I won’t soon forget. Starting with the Tailgate Party! In correlation with the concert(s), presented by Comedy Central, AEG and Tegridy Farms, the Tailgate Party was free and open to the public both days. As we trekked towards the Trading Post, I wasn’t fully sure what to expect in a South Park themed Tailgate Party. True, the Guide to Attending gave a rundown of events. Things like lawn games, character displays for photo ops, trivia, karaoke and a cosplay contest as well as a chance to see 25 years of memorabilia, were all mentioned which definitely hyped my enthusiasm for sure! Not to mention I ran into some folks at my hotel that attended the day before who told me I was in for one hell of a time all the way around. *NICE* Yet, I still had no clue what to expect. What I got was pure jubilation! There were SO MANY personal favs it’s hard to choose. The life-sized displays are most definitely top of the list. The joy of seeing Randy and Towlie with a Tegridy Farms sign at the entrance or PC Principal with his arms crossed just inside the opening was immeasurable. And strung throughout were even more characters! Including Jesus, Santa, Mr. Hankey, Mr. Garrison, Mr. Mackey and more. I was absolutely ecstatic to see the creatures from the famed ‘Woodland Critter Christmas’ (Episode 8.14) and ‘Imaginationland’ 3-part story arc (Episodes 11.10-12). *HECK YEAH!!* Also available for photos was a set of four oversized balls from the insanely funny ‘Medicinal Fried Chicken’ (Episode 14.3) as well as a display of Satan and his throne. We took advantage of both… of course!! The aforementioned games consisted of a giant Connect Four, oversized Jenga and Cornhole. All equally impressive! Especially the Connect Four (slo-mo video below). Plus, a fantastically painted South Park themed shipping container with a center walk through provided 25 years of memorabilia to drool over. And, after all that, watching fans take part in trivia and karaoke was a blast! Yep, I said KARAOKE was a blast… LOL!! The event concluded with a hilarious cosplay contest that I loved!! In short, the whole thing was AMAZING and well planned out… ensuring that good food, drinks, surprises, laughter, and joyful energy were shared throughout! *BIG GRIN* We left completely primed and ready for a good show on the rocks. To say we got one is putting it mildly. Opening the festivities, Ween took the stage to play Take Me Away, and Roses Are Free. *NICE!!* Unfortunately, I missed it while in the merch line. Which, by the way, no matter where you were – tailgate or in the amphitheater – were excessively long. In fact, thinking I could skip the really, really long tailgate one and shop inside the concert is partially what caused me to miss the very beginning of the concert. That coupled with the initial get your seats, get drinks, and take it all in hub bub. *UGH* I was so bummed!! *SIGH* As I hastily made my way back to my seat – row 36 center (pretty darn good for general admission!) – I was able to catch Primus joining Ween for a group collaboration on It’s Gonna Be a Long Night and Here Come the Bastards, which was just… WOW!! Okay, I’m happy again… LOL!! Though, it’s worth noting that my plan to catch the opening during the televised concert was a no go since it starts with Bastards. *SHEESH!!* My Towlie towel and commemorative T-shirt was so worth it though!! *LOL* And… at least I could still hear the show! Moving on… With Les Claypool – who totally reminds me of that weird and cool uncle everyone wants to hang with (LOL!) – as the main MC, he offered proper props to Gene and Dean Ween then formally declared the mix of the bands to be Primusween!! As in Prime–U–Sween… LOL! Even giving us the commercial-like catchphrase: “Your pipes are mighty clean after you use Primusween.” *YES!!* We were then given a big screen presence of the little boys that brought us all together in the first place – Cartman, Butters, Kenny, Stan and Kyle. Blessed with the magical moment of watching them progress from the screens to a giant projection on the amphitheater rocks was so darn cool!! *CHEERS* Next, as Trey and Matt took the stage the crowd erupted. Trey, settling in at the piano, opened with: Welcome to the Shindig. *BIG GRIN* It was here I began to realize that an overall collaboration extravaganza was unfolding. And boy was I right!! Not only did we get a mixing of the bands as back up for several South Park songs like Uncle Fucka, Montage, Let’s Fighting Love, Kyle’s Mom’s a Bitch, A Colorado Farm (YES!!) and The Ballad of Lemmiwinks, but they took turns individually playing some of their greats! Including the beloved Jerry Was a Race Car Driver and Voodoo Lady. *HELLS YES!!* Both of which are NOT on the videotaped version. We also got a rendition of Primus’ Tommy the Cat changed to the hysterical Butter’s the Cat with Trey as Butter’s for most of the lyrics. When I say it was great, I mean it was F@#CKING GREAT!! All the while, supported by characters on the giant screens and projections on the amphitheater rocks. *AWESOME* Oh, but the fun didn’t stop there. Giving us the full history and progression of the South Park theme song, we learned that Trey and Matt sent a copy of the video that started it all – The Spirit of Christmas – to Primus in hopes they would create music for their project. Fortunately for us, Primus loved it and signed on. Les, looking like his cartoon counterpart, helps tell the story in a red and white pinstriped jacket and a straw boater hat topped with the dangly fish on a spring. After we heard the original raw instrumental (SO COOL!!), Les and Trey filled us in on the changes until they got it just right. Including a re-recording of Les singing after speeding up the main track. A session that took place backstage during a Primus concert at Colorado’s own Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre no less. *NICE* Rounding it out, Trey and Matt sang (of course!) while Primus played the original heavy bass theme as well as the newer 4th grade Whamola featured version. I especially loved that Les said Primus didn’t take the gig for the money, but because they loved what they saw. *HECK YEAH* We also got two more great surprises – both making history in the process. Only one of which was featured in the recorded airing. First. The one not shown was Governor of Colorado Jared Polis taking the stage to give an excellent speech. *VERY NICE, M’KAY!* And though it’s not included in the official concert broadcast, I found a couple videos floating around the internet. One you can see here, courtesy of CapnOfCrunch’s YouTube page. Thanks dude! Citing multiple South Park tropes and their fictitious ties to the Centennial State, Governor Polis mixed in some actual legislation pertaining to climate change, diversity, legalization of marijuana and job growth. Giving special attention to the increase in jobs due to all the contractors Trey and Matt has hired for their hefty purchase and reconstruction of the beloved – all be it money pit of a mess – Casa Bonita. *HAHAHA* The best part? The entire speech was done through declaration with Polis at the end officially naming August 10th, 2022, as South Park Day in the state of Colorado. *WOOT!!* The second historical event was the fact that Trey, along with Primus and likely many others, surprised Matt (and us) by having the two surviving members of the band Rush join them on stage and play Closer to the Heart. *HOLY COW* I couldn’t believe it. Right after the song Blame Canada too… LOL!! Plus, at the time, I didn’t know that following the death of Rush’s drummer Neil Peart on January 7th, 2020, Geddy Lee (vocals; bass) and Alex Lifeson (guitar) confirmed the band was basically done in a Rolling Stone interview that hit stands one year to the day of Peart’s passing. *WOW* Though they did express the old adage of never say never, no one expected them to turn up at an anniversary concert for South Park less than two years later. *WHOA* Even better was the look on Matt Stone’s face as he truly had no idea what was happening. I also loved Les calling the collab: “One of the most amazing moments of his life.” *DAMN STRAIGHT* Additionally, some bits that were cut from the TV concert included how affectionately Les spoke about the band stating Geddy is one of the biggest reasons he decided to play bass. Considering Les takes bass playing to a whole other level, the sentiment was touching to say the least. He also explained that he tricked Matt into practicing for a Rush tribute not realizing he would be on stage with the actual living members. *EXCELLENT!!* Finally, the melody was changed from “Closer to the Heart” to “Closer to South Park” for some of the performance! *YES!!* I mean… as Vulture put it – Everyone Thank South Park for Reuniting Rush – am I right?!? *WELL, DONE!* Closing out the concert with The Yelper Special (PERFECT!!), the guys left the stage only to return for a huge encore finale of America, Fuck Yeah from Team America: World Police (Paramount Pictures; 2004). It was SPECTACULAR!! And… as if all that wasn’t enough, I truly didn’t know how much I was going to love seeing Trey and Matt perform the voices that I’ve been watching via cartoons for over two decades. My personal favs were Mr. Mackey, Cartman and AWESOM-O from Trey and ESPECIALLY Butters from Matt!! Trey also mentioned that many of the crew who help make the show were sprinkled throughout the audience. *HECK YEAH* Lastly, the overall energy was fantastic, and I cannot say enough about the atmosphere and all the wonderful images projected on the rocks. From characters to Rush to the American flag and fireworks, the whole thing was one hell of a montage!! *BIG GRIN* The South Park 25th Anniversary Concert at Red Rocks Amphitheater (8/10/2022) is available for viewing ad free on Paramount+ (subscription required) or with ads on the South Park website. And because the televised concert doesn’t feature everything, a full setlist can be found right here. *ENJOY!!* Until next time… remember: “Without evil there could be no good, so it must be good to be evil sometime (Satan).” *WINK* Written by John Edward Betancourt  It is definitely safe to say, that every writer and creative mind out there, wants nothing more than for their work to have a lasting impact. Because there is no greater honor for an artist, than to know that their creation moves people and has a legacy and that people want to dissect every aspect of its assembly and the end result and well, one such story that is getting that treatment/honor, is The Walking Dead. For as this series prepares to bid farewell to the airwaves after eleven incredible seasons, plans are now in motion to pay tribute to its impact upon the pop culture landscape and allow for its fans to pour over its story and how it came to life by way of a forthcoming exhibition.
For earlier today, the Museum of the Moving Image and AMC Networks announced that an exhibition entitled Living with the Walking Dead will debut at the MOMI this summer, and this will allow for fans to see props and makeup prosthetics from KNB EFX up close and personal, and of course, reminisce and learn more about the story that moved them. So, without further ado, here are more details on this incredible exhibition… courtesy of the Museum of the Moving Image and AMC Networks. ‘ Museum of the Moving Image (MoMI) and AMC Networks are partnering to present Living with The Walking Dead, a major exhibition devoted to the groundbreaking series The Walking Dead as it enters its final season. Opening on June 25, 2022, at the Museum in Astoria, Queens, the exhibition will explore key aspects of the show’s origins, production, and impact. The exhibition will be accompanied by multiple screening series and other public events over a six-month span, closing on January 1, 2023. “It’s wonderful to be once again partnering with AMC Networks, this time to present an exhibition devoted to the long-running original series The Walking Dead,” said Carl Goodman, MoMI Executive Director. “More than just a television show, it is a cultural phenomenon that is adored by legions of fans, who celebrate the innovative, engaging, and immersive world that its makers have built, and for its diverse cast of characters. The exhibition will bleed outward from our temporary exhibitions gallery and into our theaters, classrooms, and other public spaces.” "Over 11 seasons and 177 episodes, The Walking Dead has built a vibrant and massive global fan following, becoming one of the most beloved franchises in television,” said Dan McDermott, President of Entertainment and AMC Studios for AMC Networks. "We’re delighted to work with MoMI on an exhibition and lineup of events to commemorate this beloved series’ historic run, the immensely talented creative team, cast, and crew who brought it to life, and give this incredible fanbase a new and exciting way to experience their favorite show.” The exhibition Living with The Walking Dead, in the Museum’s third-floor changing exhibitions gallery, will probe the issues at the heart of the series: the related threats of the murderous undead and the collapse of the social order. It will explore the cinematic and literary antecedents of The Walking Dead, including its origin in Robert Kirkman’s comic book series, and present the unique innovations that the AMC Networks series has contributed, with its wide-ranging story of survival, diverse cast of characters, and devoted legion of fans. The exhibition will include original costumes and props, concept art, storyboards, scripts, and a wealth of prosthetic makeup material. Created by Special Effects Makeup Supervisor and Executive Producer Greg Nicotero and his team at the award-winning KNB EFX studios, the special effects makeup transformed legions of cast members into vividly realized undead walkers, largely using practical effects. The Walking Dead premiered on Halloween night in 2010 as the #1 cable series launch of all time and is the most-watched series in cable history. It was the first cable series to become the #1 show in all of television, including broadcast, a rank it held for five consecutive years. The series has also given life to a vibrant and expanding content universe that currently includes Talking Dead, Fear the Walking Dead, The Walking Dead: World Beyond, two spinoffs planned for 2023, and the forthcoming episodic anthology series Tales of the Walking Dead. AMC Networks continues to develop new content rooted in the unique and entertaining world of The Walking Dead, one of the most powerful franchises in the history of television, which currently has more than 50 million social followers and fans across Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, a thriving presence in gaming, The Art of AMC’s The Walking Dead Universe coffee-table book, and a variety of other extensions through which this passionate fan community connects with stories and characters unlike anything else on television. The Walking Dead is produced by AMC Studios and executive produced by Scott M. Gimple, Chief Content Officer of The Walking Dead Universe, Showrunner Angela Kang, Robert Kirkman, David Alpert, Gale Anne Hurd, Greg Nicotero, Denise Huth, and Tom Luse. The Museum previously partnered with AMC Networks on the exhibitions Matthew Weiner’s Mad Men (2015) and From Mr. Chips to Scarface: Walter White’s Transformation in Breaking Bad (2013).’ |
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