Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Brad Grey, former Paramount Pictures CEO, dies at 59

LOS ANGELES — Brad Grey, who ran Paramount Pictures for more than a decade after a long and successful career as a TV producer, died of cancer Sunday at his home in Holmby Hills, his family said through a spokeswoman. He was 59. A former talent manager, Grey led the Paramount Pictures movie and television […]

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Obituaries & memorials, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

SNL’s Melissa McCarthy Returns as Desperate Sean Spicer

It’s been a bad week for White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer. After he spent several minutes Tuesday night hiding in the bushes from reporters following President Donald Trump’s firing of FBI director James Comey, White House rumors suggested Trump might be about to ax his top comms chief. And then, Melissa McCarthy reprised her

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Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA

Israel public radio and TV helped olim adjust

Sic Transit Gloria Mundi By Dorothea Shefer-Vanson MEVASSERET ZION, Israel — What exactly lies behind the closing of Israel’s Broadcasting Authority after its seven decades of serving the public is a subject for speculation. Politics, finances and greed are part of the picture for sure, although other reasons have been posited. The radio, followed by

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Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Middle East, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Israel 21C launches video network

This week, newsmagazine and non-profit organization ISRAEL21c launched 21see, a new online video network that will uncover Israel’s most unique stories, happening scenes, and unconventional characters – spanning a 10th generation tattoo artist in Jerusalem, a team of expat American football players in Haifa, top Israeli microbrewers and fashion designers in Tel Aviv. Spearheaded by

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Middle East, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Yiddish Book Center video features U.S. venues

AMHERST, Massachusetts (Press Release) – The Yiddish Book Center’s Wexler Oral History Project is celebrating Jewish American Heritage Month with a special video series that looks at the culture and customs of Jewish communities across the United States. Throughout the month of May, the project is featuring excerpts from oral history interviews highlighting the history, culture,

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Jewish History, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

Fox sees earnings rise as fallout from sexual harassment scandal continues

LOS ANGELES — The mounting sexual harassment claims at Fox News that led to the dismissal of Bill O’Reilly and an exodus of advertisers has dominated headlines and cast a shadow over parent company 21st Century Fox in recent weeks. But the controversy, which erupted last summer, so far has done little to dampen the

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Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

Jimmy Kimmel responds to critics of his health care plea

Last week, an emotional Jimmy Kimmel took the stage on ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live” and opened up about the complications faced by his newborn son. Skipping the jokes, Kimmel’s tearful 15-minute monologue turned into a plea to politicians in Washington to protect and strengthen health care coverage for all Americans. “If your baby is going

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Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

Being ‘foreign, protagonist speaks gibberish

By Cynthia Citron LOS ANGELES — Since he wrote it in 1984, Larry Shue’s play The Foreigner has been produced and revived by amateurs, students, and professional  companies almost continually.  It’s a two-act, two-and-a-half-hour absurdist comedy that taxes the abilities of the lead actor, who has to speak in gibberish the entire time.  Fortunately, Mike Niedzwiecki is up

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Cynthia Citron, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

Actor Antonio Sabato Jr. to run for Congress in California

LOS ANGELES — Actor Antonio Sabato Jr. is running for Congress, challenging Rep. Julia Brownley, a Democrat who represents the southern central coast of California and most of Ventura County, according to documents filed Monday with the Federal Election Commission. Attempts to reach the Republican candidate were unsuccessful Monday, but GOP strategist Charles Moran, who

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Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

Comedian Stephen Fry probed for blasphemy after calling God a ‘selfish maniac’

British Jewish-born star was asked on Irish TV what he’d say to God if he, she or it existed. Viewed on YouTube 7 million times, his bitter answer led to a police investigation By Times of Israel staff Stephen Fry pictured at a 2012 Pride Parade in London (Photograph at WorldPride / Wikipedia) English comedian,

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International, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Networks accused of ‘censorship’ for refusing to air pro-Trump ad over ‘fake news’ jab

Four major television networks – ABC, CBS, NBC and CNN – have come under fire from the Trump camp for “censorship” after refusing to air a political ad over its reference to “fake news.” Jamestown Associates, which produced the 30-second spot touting President Trump’s record during his first 100 days in office, said Friday that

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Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

Chutzpah or faith? Bride plans wedding without groom

The Wedding Plan written and directed by Rama Burshtein, distributed by Roadside Attractions; Hebrew with English subtitles.  To be presented May 26 at Hillcrest Cinemas. By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO — There is a scene in The Wedding Plan in which Michal (Noa Koler)  is being driven to the wedding hall. She has on her

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Jewish Religion, Middle East, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

LA Children’s CEO: Jimmy Kimmel triggered ‘flood of calls’ from families needing treatment

Since Jimmy Kimmel’s monologue about his son’s lifesaving heart surgery at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, phone calls have overwhelmed Paul Viviano’s switchboard. “We’ve had a flood of calls,” said Viviano, the hospital’s CEO, told STAT in an interview Thursday. “Patients and families are calling about, ‘Will you treat this? Can we see you for that?’

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Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA