Oprah Winfrey primetime special on weight loss drugs airing on ABC

Oprah Winfrey at premiere of 'A Wrinkle In Time' at BFI IMAX in London^ England - March 13^ 2018

Oprah Winfrey will host an ABC primetime special about weight loss drugs, airing on ABC. Oprah recorded the special, titled “An Oprah Special: Shame, Blame and the Weight Loss Revolution,” in front of a live studio audience, where she gathers medial experts to discuss weight loss drugs such as Ozempic, Mounjaro and Wegovy. The medical experts featured in the primetime special are Cleveland Clinic’s Dr. W. Scott Butsch, ABC News chief medical correspondent Dr. Jennifer Ashton, ABC News medical correspondent Dr. Darien Sutton and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center’s Dr. Amanda Velazquez.

Oprah in a statement: “It is a very personal topic for me and for the hundreds of millions of people impacted around the globe who have for years struggled with weight and obesity. This special will bring together medical experts, leaders in the space and people in the day-to-day struggle to talk about health equity and obesity with the intention to ultimately release the shame, judgment and stigma surrounding weight.”

Craig Erwich, president of Disney Television Group, in a statement: “We are thrilled to work with Oprah and the voices she has assembled to open a dialogue that destigmatizes and educates viewers on the important and polarizing topic of weight loss. I can think of no one better to lead this meaningful conversation about such a critical issue that touches all of our lives.”

Oprah recently announced she was stepping down from the board of WeightWatchers after almost 10 years. She had served on the company’s board since 2015, when she acquired a 10% stake in WeightWatchers. The news cam after Winfrey told People magazine last December that she decided to start taking a weight-loss medication: “The fact that there’s a medically approved prescription for managing weight and staying healthier, in my lifetime, feels like relief, like redemption, like a gift, and not something to hide behind and once again be ridiculed for.”

“An Oprah Special: Shame, Blame and the Weight Loss Revolution” airs Monday, March 18 at 8pm ET on ABC and streams on Hulu the next day.

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Netflix’s ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’ renewed for two seasons; will conclude with Season 3

Daniel Dae Kim^ Ken Leung^ Kiawentiio Tarbell^ Gordon Cormier^ Ian Ousley^ Dallas Liu^ Elizabeth Yu attends the premiere of Netflix's Avatar The Last Airbender. Hollywood^ CA^ February 15^ 2024:

Netflix has renewed Avatar: The Last Airbender for Season 2 and Season 3, with the show to end after its third season. Episode counts and release dates for Seasons 2 and 3 will be announced at a later date. Netflix posted: “The Avatar will return!! Seasons 2 & 3 of AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER are coming!” Netflix also shared a video of Daniel Dae Kim, who plays Fire Lord Ozai, sharing news of the renewal with the cast.

The show’s eight-episode first season premiered on Feb. 22 and recorded 41.1M views in its first 11 days, topping its TV list for the last two weeks and being on track to enter its top ten most-watched list over its first three months. It debuted ranking at No. 1 in 76 countries.

Avatar: The Last Airbender is based on the animated Nickelodeon series of the same name, which had a three-season run from 2005 to 2008. Netflix’s Avatar: The Last Airbender stars Gordon Cormier as Aang, a powerful young warrior who must master the four elements (air, water, earth and fire — in that order!) to defeat the merciless Fire Nation and restore balance to a world threatened by the terrifying Fire Nation. Kiawentiio, Ian Ousley, Dallas Liu, Paul Sun-Hyung Lee, Ken Leung and Daniel Dae Kim also star.

The show’s three season run will mirror the structure of the animated series, which featured three books across three seasons to Aang’s story that premiered on Nickelodeon in 2005, and became a hit on Netflix during the early stages of the pandemic. Netflix plans to film Seasons 2 and 3 in close succession in order to mitigate the fact that child actors tend to grow up quickly.

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Eugene Levy joins cast of ‘Only Murders in the Building’ Season 4

Eugene Levy at the 25th Annual Critics' Choice Awards at the Barker Hangar^ Santa Monica; January 12^ 2020

Eugene Levy will appear in Season 4 of “Only Murders in the Building” at Hulu in a recurring role, joining previously announced Season 4 cast members Eva Longoria and Molly Shannon in the comedy series, alongside leads Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez. Meryl Streep is also set to reprise her role from Season 3.

Exact details of Levy’s role are being kept under wraps and plot details are also scarce for the new season, aside from the fact it is known the three main characters will make a trip to Los Angeles before returning to New York.

Levy won two Emmys for his work on the hit series “Schitt’s Creek,” which he co-created with son Dan Levy. He is also known for his work in the films of Christopher Guest like “Best in Show” and “A Mighty Wind” and for the “American Pie” film franchise. Levy currently hosts the Apple TV+ travel series “The Reluctant Traveler.”

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Jim Parsons and Mayim Bialik to return for ‘Young Sheldon’ series finale

Jim Parsons^ Mayim Bialik at the SilverScreen Theater at the Pacific Design Center on March 7^ 2016 in Los Angeles^ CA

Jim Parsons and Mayim Bialik will reprise their roles as Sheldon Cooper and Amy Farrah Fowler in the series finale of ‘The Big Bang Theory’ prequel series, ‘Young Sheldon.’

Parsons, who executive produces and provides voiceover for ‘Young Sheldon’, and Bialik last appeared onscreen together in the May 2019 series finale of The Big Bang Theory.  Additional details about the onscreen couple’s appearance are being kept under wraps ahead of the series finale of the CBS comedy.

Young Sheldon has featured a number of references to ‘Big Bang’, with series stars Kaley Cuoco (Penny), Simon Helberg (Howard) and Bialik all previously appearing via voiceover. News of Bialik and Parsons’ onscreen reunion comes shortly after CBS officially confirmed that the franchise would continue with a ‘Young Sheldon’ spinoff series following Emily Osment and Montana Jordan’s characters, Mandy and Georgie.

The series finale for Young Sheldon will air Thursday, May 16, on CBS.

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Olivia Munn reveals breast cancer diagnosis, underwent double mastectomy

Olivia Munn at the 14th Governors Awards at the Dolby Ballroom on January 9^ 2024 in Los Angeles^ CA

Olivia Munn, 43, revealed on social media that she has been privately battling breast cancer, and underwent a double mastectomy last year. Munn posted a series of photos and videos on Instagram from when she was undergoing treatment in the hospital after learning of her diagnosis, with the short caption: “I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I hope by sharing this it will help others find comfort, inspiration and support on their own journey.”

Munn said she was diagnosed with Luminal B breast cancer in April 2023 and has since undergone several surgeries, including a double mastectomy. In her statement posted to her Instagram, Munn explained the importance of detecting the disease early: “In February of 2023, in an effort to be proactive about my health, I took a genetic test that checks you for 90 different cancer genes. I tested negative for all, including BRCA (the most well-known breast cancer gene). My sister Sara had just tested negative as well. We called each other and high-fived over the phone. That same winter I also had a normal mammogram. Two months later I was diagnosed with breast cancer. In the past ten months I have had four surgeries, so many days spent in bed I can’t even count and have learned more about cancer, cancer treatment and hormones than I ever could have imagined. Surprisingly, I’ve only cried twice. I guess I haven’t felt like there was time to cry. My focus narrowed and I tabled any emotions that I felt would interfere with my ability to stay clearheaded.”

The actress said she wouldn’t have found her cancer if it weren’t for her  OB/GYN Dr. Thais Aliabadi, saying that Aliabadi decided to calculate her Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Score. Said Munn: “The fact that she did saved my life. Dr. Aliabadi looked at factors like my age, familial breast cancer history, and the fact that I had my first child after the age of 30. She discovered my lifetime risk was at 37%. Because of that score I was sent to get an MRI, which led to an ultrasound, which then led to a biopsy. The biopsy showed I had Luminal B cancer in both breasts. Luminal B is an aggressive, fast moving cancer.”

Munn acknowledged the staff at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles and Saint John’s in Santa Monica for their help during her treatment, and ended her statement thanking her loved ones for their support throughout her cancer battle, specifically her boyfriend, John Mulaney with whom she shares 2-year-old son, Malcolm: “I’m so thankful to my friends and family for loving me through this. I’m so thankful to [John Mulaney] for the nights he spent researching what every operation and medication meant and what side effects and recovery I could expect. For being there before I went into each surgery and being there when I woke up, always placing framed photos of our little boy Malcolm so it would be the first thing I saw when I opened my eyes. Thank you to the friends who’ve had breast cancer and the friends who connected me to friends who’ve had breast cancer for guiding me through some of my most uncertain and overwhelming moments.”

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CBS developing first Black daytime soap opera in 35 years, ‘The Gates’

CBS logo. CBS logotype or emblem.

CBS, in partnership with civil rights organization NAACP, announced the development of “The Gates,” a soap centered on a wealthy Black family living in a posh, gated community. The network currently airs the long-running daytime soaps The Young and the Restless and The Bold and the Beautiful

‘The Gates’ will be written by Emmy winner Michele Val Jean, whose credits include more than 2,000 episodes of iconic soaps including “The Bold & The Beautiful” and “General Hospital.” The 72-year-old daytime veteran served as a script writer for the Black-led “Generations,” which aired on NBC from 1989-1991. Val Jean will also serve as showrunner on ‘The Gates’.

CBS Studios/NAACP president Sheila Ducksworth said in a statement: “The Gates will be everything we love about daytime drama, from a new and fresh perspective. This series will salute an audience that has been traditionally underserved, with the potential to be a groundbreaking moment for broadcast television. With multi-dimensional characters, juicy storylines and Black culture front and center, ‘The Gates’ will have impactful representation, one of the key touchstones of the venture.”

CBS Studios’ development deal with the NAACP was “established to help elevate a diverse range of voices as well as increase the visibility of Black artists on broadcast and streaming platforms in an ever-evolving media landscape.” If The Gates comes to fruition, it would mark broadcast television’s first new daytime soap opera since the launch of NBC’s now-defunct ‘Passions’ 25 years ago.

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Beyoncé shares artwork, title for new country album: ‘Act II: Cowboy Carter’

Beyoncé at the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards at the Forum^ Los Angeles.

Beyoncé revealed artwork and the title of her new country album — ‘Act II: Cowboy Carter,’ set for release on March 29.

The superstar shared the news on her Instagram Story, adding the title and release date to her Instagram bio and posting a shot of a saddle with a red, white and blue sash that reads “Cowboy Carter”; the image is also prominently displayed on the homepage of Beyoncé’s website.  Additionally, fans can head to the ‘Shop’ section of Queens Bey’s website to pre-order merchandise and the new record, which also reveals alternate artwork to feature close-up photos of Beyoncé’s face as she dons a black cowboy hat with a white snake over her eye, and her blonde hair feathered-cut and braided.

Beyoncé first surprised fans by announcing her new country-themed album during the Super Bowl this past February. Shortly after the viral announcement, the superstar dropped two country-inspired songs, “Texas Hold ‘Em” and “16 Carriages.” After Texas Hold ‘Em started being played by country radio, it went on to hit No. 1 on the Hot Country Songs chart, with Beyoncé making history as the first Black female artist to ever reach the top spot on the chart.

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Dennis Quaid to portray serial killer in ‘Happy Face’ at Paramount+

Dennis Quaid attends 31st Annual Movieguide Awards in Hollywood^ CA. February 9^ 2024

Dennis Quaid is set to star in the new Paramount+ series, Happy Face. A press release revealed that Quaid, 69, will play the real-life serial killer known as “Happy Face”- because of the smiley faces he drew on evidence where he bragged about his crimes. The series will begin production in the spring.

Quaid joins the previously announced Annaleigh Ashford in the cast of Happy Face; Ashford will portray Happy Face’s daughter, Melissa Moore. The series is inspired by the true story of Moore, which was previously explored in her autobiography ‘Shattered Silence’.

In the series, Happy Face (Quaid) is an incarcerated serial killer who is also Melissa’s (Ashford) once-beloved father. After decades of no contact, he finally finds a way to force himself back into his daughter’s life. An official synopsis reads: “in a race against the clock, Melissa must find out if an innocent man is going to be put to death for a crime her father committed. Throughout, she discovers the impact her father had on his victims’ families and must face a reckoning of her own identity.” 

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Jon Hamm joining Taylor Sheridan series ‘Landman’ at Paramount+

on Hamm at the 29th Annual Critics Choice Awards - Arrivals at the Barker Hanger on January 14^ 2024 in Santa Monica^ CA

Jon Hamm has joined the cast of Taylor Sheridan’s upcoming Paramount+ series “Landman,” appearing in a recurring guest star role. Hamm joins previously announced series lead Billy Bob Thornton as well as cast members Ali Larter, Michelle Randolph, Jacob Lofland, Kayla Wallace, James Jordan, Mark Collie, Paulina Chávez, and Demi Moore. Hamm will portray Monty Miller, described as “a titan of the Texas oil industry who has a long personal and professional relationship with Tommy Norris (Thornton).”

Landman is based on the podcast “Boomtow,” with the official description for the series stating it is “set in the proverbial boomtowns of West Texas” and described as “an upstairs/downstairs story of roughnecks and wildcat billionaires fueling a boom so big, it’s reshaping our climate, our economy and our geopolitics.” The series recently kicked off production in and around Fort Worth, Texas, with co-creators Sheridan and Christian Wallace also serving as executive producers.

Hamm starred as Don Draper in his Emmy-winning role in the AMC drama “Mad Men” for seven seasons, also earning two Golden Globes and numerous other accolades for the role.  Hamm recently starred in Season 5 of the FX anthology series “Fargo,” the Amazon series “Good Omens,” and the third season of Apple TV+’s “The Morning Show.”

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Taylor Swift teases acoustic songs included in Disney+ version of ‘Eras Tour’ Film

Taylor Swift at the Ziegfeld Theatre on August 11^ 2014 in New York City.

Taylor Swift shared on Good Morning America that she will be teasing four surprise, acoustic songs that will be included exclusively in the Disney+ version of her ‘Eras Tour’ concert film. The 34-year-old singer announced Monday on ‘GMA” that she will be giving sneak peeks of the surprise songs, one day at a time, beginning Tuesday on the ABC morning program.

Swift’s announcement was posted to GMA‘s socials with the caption: “It’s TAYLOR WEEK on @GMA! @taylorswift13 is giving a sneak peek at 4 acoustic songs that will be on the @disneyplus version of ‘Taylor Swift | The Era’s Tour (Taylor’s Version)’ throughout the week. Stay tuned for the first one tomorrow!”

The video clip shows the superstar telling fans the surprise news while dressed in the sparkly, multicolored leotard she wears during the opening numbers of her three-hour show. Swift shared: “Tune in every day this week to get an exclusive look into the acoustic songs from the Eras Tour, my version. Don’t miss the film when it drops on Disney+ this Thursday [March 14] at 6 p.m. Pacific.”

Swift’s ‘The Era’s Tour’ concert film premiered in AMC theaters in October 2023 and became the top-grossing concert film in history with more than $92.8 million after just one weekend. In December, Swift made an expanded cut of the project available to rent on-demand, featuring performances of “Wildest Dreams,” “The Archer” and “Long Live.” The Disney+ edition will include the four new acoustic songs and will feature footage of Swift performing her Folklore single “Cardigan” for the first time. A trailer of the Disney+ version of the film revealed that one of the new songs will be ‘Maroon.’

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