Clarence Gilyard Jr., star of ‘Walker, Texas Ranger’ and ‘Die Hard’, dies at 66

shutterstock_588648554

Actor Clarence Gilyard Jr., best known for starring in “Walker, Texas Ranger” and his supporting role in “Die Hard,” has died at age 66.  Gilyard’s death was confirmed through a statement by the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where Gilyard had been working as a film and theatre professor at UNLV College of Fine Arts. No further details about his death are available at this time.

UNLV film chair Heather Addison said in a statement: “Professor Gilyard was a beacon of light and strength for everyone around him. Whenever we asked him how he was, he would cheerfully declare that he was ‘Blessed!’ But we are truly the ones who were blessed to be his colleagues and students for so many years. We love you and will miss you dearly, Professor G!”

Gilyard was an accomplished film, television and theatre actor, making a series of guest star TV appearances in the 1980’s. Gilyard made his film debut as Sundown in “Top Gun,” and famously portrayed the terrorist computer whiz Theo in “Die Hard”.  In 1989, he became a regular on the primetime series “Matlock,” appearing on 85 episodes before departing the series in 1993. He went on to portray Jimmy Trivette, the right-hand man to Chuck Norris on the hit series “Walker, Texas Ranger,” appearing in all 196 episodes of the series’ eight seasons.

Gilyard is survived by his wife, Elena Gilyard, and six children.

Editorial credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com

Taylor Swift releases acoustic version of her single ‘Anti-Hero’

shutterstock_1894040905-2

Taylor Swift has released an acoustic version of her recent single ‘Anti-Hero’. The original track is the lead single from Swift’s tenth studio album ‘Midnights’, which was released last month.

Swift has released numerous other versions of the song, including several remixes and another version featuring frequent collaborator Jack Antonoff’s band, Bleachers.

Listen to the acoustic version of ‘Anti-Hero’ – here.

Editorial credit: DFree / Shutterstock.com

Jon Batiste to perform at President Biden’s first state dinner

shutterstock_2089879252-2

President Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden are hosting their first White House dinner and have tapped Grammy-winning artist Jon Batiste to perform. The Bidens will be hosting French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Mrs. Brigitte Macron.  A statement issued by the White House read, in part: “President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden will host President Emmanuel Macron and Mrs. Brigitte Macron of France for a State Visit to the United States, which will include a state dinner, on December 1, 2022.”

Batiste announced the performance on his social media accounts, writing: “From Kenner to the White House” (Baptiste is a native of Kenner, Louisiana). Vanessa Valdivia, a spokesperson for first lady Jill Biden, said in a statement: “An artist who transcends generations, Jon Batiste’s music inspires and brings people together. We’re thrilled to have him perform at the White House for the first state dinner of the Biden-Harris administration.” 

Baptiste won five Grammys this year after being nominated in categories including R&B, jazz, classical, and roots music. His album, ‘We Are’ won the Grammy for Album of the Year.  The 36-year-old Batiste led the band for the Late Show with Stephen Colbert for the last seven years, departing in August to more fully pursue music.

Editorial credit: lev radin / Shutterstock.com

Jon Batiste to perform at President Biden’s first state dinner

shutterstock_2089879252

President Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden are hosting their first White House dinner and have tapped Grammy-winning artist Jon Batiste to perform. The Bidens will be hosting French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Mrs. Brigitte Macron.  A statement issued by the White House read, in part: “President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden will host President Emmanuel Macron and Mrs. Brigitte Macron of France for a State Visit to the United States, which will include a state dinner, on December 1, 2022.”

Batiste announced the performance on his social media accounts, writing: “From Kenner to the White House” (Baptiste is a native of Kenner, Louisiana). Vanessa Valdivia, a spokesperson for first lady Jill Biden, said in a statement: “An artist who transcends generations, Jon Batiste’s music inspires and brings people together. We’re thrilled to have him perform at the White House for the first state dinner of the Biden-Harris administration.” 

Baptiste won five Grammys this year after being nominated in categories including R&B, jazz, classical, and roots music. His album, ‘We Are’ won the Grammy for Album of the Year.  The 36-year-old Batiste led the band for the Late Show with Stephen Colbert for the last seven years, departing in August to more fully pursue music.

Editorial credit: lev radin / Shutterstock.com

Take a look at Helen Mirren and Harrison Ford in the official ‘1923’ Trailer

shutterstock_1698427201

Paramount+ has released the official trailer for “1923,” the upcoming “Yellowstone” spin-off series from returning creator and executive producer Taylor Sheridan. The limited series features a new generation of the Dutton family, starring Helen Mirren and Harrison Ford as Cara and Jacon Dutton.

According to Paramount+, 1923 will explore the “early 20th century when pandemics, historic drought, the end of Prohibition and the Great Depression all plague the mountain west, and the Duttons who call it home.” The series marks the first major television role for Ford; Mirren’s previous TV credits include Prime Suspect and HBO’s Catherine the Great.

The Yellowstone prequel from Taylor Sheridan also stars Darren Mann (Animal Kingdom), Michelle Randolph (A Snow White Christmas), James Badge Dale (Hightown), Marley Shelton (Scream), Brian Geraghty (Big Sky) and Aminah Nieves (Blueberry).

1923 will premiere simultaneously on the Paramount Network and on Paramount+ on Dec. 18.
Take a look at the trailer – here.

Editorial credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com

Mandy Moore joining Season 2 of Peacock’s ‘Dr. Death’

shutterstock_2096837023

Peacock has announced that Mandy Moore will appear in Season 2 of its anthology series Dr. Death, joining its previously announced star, Edgar Ramirez. The news comes shortly after news broke that Moore had signed on for Hulu’s “Twin Flames,” her first TV gig since the end of “This Is Us”.

Season 2 will be led by showrunner, writer, and executive producer Ashley Michel Hoban.  The ‘Dr. Death’ of Season 2 is Paolo Macchiarini (Ramirez), who was convicted of research fraud and performing experimental surgeries on otherwise healthy patients. Moore will play Benita Alexander, an investigative journalist who falls into a whirlwind romance with Macchiarini while investigating him.

Season 1 of Dr. Death told the story of Dr. Christopher Duntsch (Joshua Jackson), who paralyzed multiple patients in botched spinal surgeries. It was based on the first season of the Wondery podcast. Dr. Randall Kirby (Christian Slater) and Dr. Robert Henderson (Alec Baldwin) exposed Duntsch’s malpractice.

Editorial credit: DFree / Shutterstock.com

HBO Max announces Dec. 31 release date for ‘Lizzo: Live in Concert’

shutterstock_1652673457

HBO Max plans to air Lizzo: Live in Concert on Dec. 31.  Lizzo tweeted: “SAD YOU MISSED MY L.A. SHOWS? I GOT SOMETHING FOR THAT FOMO!! LIZZO: LIVE IN CONCERT STREAMING 12/31!!! ONLY ON @hbomax 🎤

The program was filmed during the artist’s ‘The Special Tour’ earlier this month at the Kia Forum in Inglewood, Calif,, and is billed as “the culmination” of her documentary ‘Love, Lizzo,‘ which premiered November 24 on HBO Max. Lizzo was joined by her band The Lizzbians and The Little Bigs, The Big Grrrls and special guests Cardi B, SZA and Missy Elliott.

Lizzo will also receive the People’s Champion Award at next month’s People’s Choice Awards in Santa Monica, Calif. Lizzo: Live in Concert premieres December 31 on HBO Max.

Editorial credit: Fred Duval / Shutterstock.com

The Weeknd announces second leg of ‘After Hours Til Dawn Tour’

shutterstock_1192062967-3

The Weeknd has announced the second leg of his After Hours Til Dawn Tour, taking place in Europe and Latin America. The After Hours Til Dawn Tour kicked off in July of this year and is in support of The Weeknd’s fifth and sixth studio albums — After Hours and Dawn FM, with the North American leg grossing over $130 million.

The second leg of the tour is set to include over 27 shows and will kick-off on June 10 at Etihad Stadium in Manchester, UK. The tour will hit major cities including Amsterdam, Oslo, London, Paris, Mexico City, Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, Santiago and more, with additional dates set to be announced.

Select tickets go on sale on Friday, December 2 – here.

Editorial credit: lev radin / Shutterstock.com

Netflix shares the trailer for ‘White Noise’ starring Adam Driver and Greta Gerwig

shutterstock_1512399566

Netflix shared a trailer for the apocalyptic black comedy film White Noise, featuring Adam Driver and Greta Gerwig.

White Noise, based on the Don DeLillo novel of the same name, follows professor Jack Gladney (Driver), his wife, Babette (Gerwig), and their children as they attempt to avoid disaster. An official description reads: “At once hilarious and horrifying, lyrical and absurd, ordinary and apocalyptic, White Noise dramatizes a contemporary American family’s attempts to deal with the mundane conflicts of everyday life while grappling with the universal mysteries of love, death, and the possibility of happiness in an uncertain world.”

White Noise is written and directed by Noah Baumbach, and also stars Don Cheadle, Raffey Cassidy, André Benjamin, Jodie Turner-Smith and Lars Eidinger.

The film is open in select theaters, and starts streaming Dec. 30 on Netflix.  Take a look at the trailer – here.

Editorial credit: Denis Makarenko / Shutterstock.com

Machine Gun Kelly shares the title track from his new film ‘Taurus’

shutterstock_2191643233

Machine Gun Kelly has shared the title track from his semi-autobiographic 2022 film Taurus. Machine Gun Kelly also serves as co-writer of Taurus alongside Tim Sutton; the film also stars MGK’s fiancé Megan Fox, Maddie Hasson (Malignant) and Scoot McNairy (Narcos: Mexico).

The movie spotlights MGK – real name Colson Baker – as the talented but troubled rock star, Cole, who spends his days and nights searching endlessly for the inspiration to record one last song. A film synopsis states that the project delves into “the darkness of fame, addiction, the artistic process and the music industry”.

The ‘Taurus’ track features vocals from Los Angeles singer-songwriter Naomi Wild, who portrays Lena in the film. Check out the official video for ‘Taurus’ – here.

Editorial credit: L Paul Mann / Shutterstock.com