Month: April 2023

Legendary talk-show host Jerry Springer has died at age 79. Bradley Singer, a representative for Springer, confirmed that Springer died peacefully at his home in Chicago on Thursday morning following a brief bout with pancreatic cancer.

Jene Galvin, a lifelong friend and spokesman for the Springer family, said in a statement: “Jerry’s ability to connect with people was at the heart of his success in everything he tried whether that was politics, broadcasting, or just joking with people on the street who wanted a photo or a word. He’s irreplaceable and his loss hurts immensely, but memories of his intellect, heart, and humor will live on. To remember Jerry, the family asks that in lieu of flowers you consider following his spirit and make a donation or commit to an act of kindness to someone in need or a worthy advocacy organization. As he always said, ‘Take care of yourself, and each other.’”

Springer is best known for hosting his talk show ‘The Jerry Springer Show,’ which ran from 1991 to 2018. Guests shared their problems on the talk show, which ranged from accusations of infidelity to demands for paternity tests (and often culminated with physical altercations that had to be stopped by the show’s director of security). The series featured audience members chanting, “Jerry! Jerry! Jerry!” upon Springer’s entrance.

In addition to his time on television, Springer had a prolific career as a politician, starting out as a councilman in Cincinnati before becoming the city’s mayor from 1977 to 1978. He then switched up his career, working for WLWT as an anchor. Later on during the time hosting his talk show, Springer also made cameos in numerous films including 1999’s Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me, and on television shows, including Sabrina the Teenage Witch, The Simpsons, and The X-Files.

The final episode of The Jerry Springer Show aired in July 2018. The following year, Springer made his return to TV with ‘Judge Jerry’, a reality court show which ran for three seasons until August 2022.

Springer is survived by his daughter Katie Springer, and his older sister Evelyn.

Editorial credit: s_bukley / Shutterstock.com

According to an announcement shared by Sony Pictures, “1923” actor Brandon Sklenar will play Atlas Corrigan in the film adaptation of ‘It Ends with Us.’  Atlas is the high school love interest of the story’s main character, Lily Bloom, who will be played by Blake Lively. The film and studio shared in a joint social media post: “Considerate. Humble. Strong. @BrandonSklenar is Atlas in #ItEndsWithUsMovie” 

‘It Ends with Us’ is based on the bestselling novel of the same name by Colleen Hoover, who serves as an executive producer on the upcoming film. Hoover also shared the news of Sklenar’s casting as Atlas in an Instagram post: “They announced Atlas! Cannot wait for this. Loving the cast so far. Feels like a dream #ItEndsWithUsMovie @blakelively @justinbaldoni @brandonsklenar.”

‘It Ends with Us’ tell the story of Lily Bloom, a woman who falls for a neurosurgeon, Ryle (portrayed by Justin Baldoni), while living in Boston. At first, Lily believes she’s found her soulmate but begins to doubt the relationship over time. In addition, her high school love interest, Atlas, comes back into her life.  Baldoni also celebrated the casting news on social media: “Ladies and gentlemen… meet your #Atlas” he wrote on Instagram.

Baldoni will direct and executive produce the film in addition to starring, with Lively signed on as executive producer on the project.

Editorial credit: DFree / Shutterstock.com

Aziz Ansari is making his feature directorial debut with “Good Fortune,” with Deadline reporting that Ansari, 40, will write, direct and star alongside Seth Rogen, 41, and Keanu Reeves, 58, in the upcoming film.

Lionsgate has landed rights to the film, a comedy whose plot is shrouded in secrecy. Since the logline is being kept under wraps, it’s unclear who the actors are playing in the movie. Production has been greenlit and will start principal photography next month in Los Angeles.

Said Lionsgate’s Motion Picture Group chair Joe Drake: “We have indeed found good fortune with this film. We love the script and believe strongly in Aziz as both a performer and a director. And when you add in Seth and Keanu — two incredible world-class talents — toplining alongside Aziz, this has the potential to be a very special film for us. We moved quickly to land this project once it was available.”

“Good Fortune” is Ansari’s second attempt at making his directorial debut. He was previously working on the film “Being Mortal” for Searchlight, but production was suspended over complaints about actor Bill Murray’s inappropriate behavior on set.  That project, which also starred Rogen, was officially scrapped earlier this year.

Editorial credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com

Comedian Richard Lewis, 75, revealed the health issues he’s been faced with over the last three-and-a-half years. The star of HBO’s Curb Your Enthusiasm shared in a video posted to Twitter that amid four surgeries for his back, shoulder and hip, two years ago he was also diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.

Lewis said he wanted to address questions about if he will perform stand-up again, noting that he recently wrapped the 12th season of Curb Your Enthusiasm, on which Lewis is an original series regular. Lewis announced his retirement from stand-up, but says he plans to continue acting and writing.  Lewis says was in the middle of a comedy tour before his health issues began, and decided to end on a high note. “I’m at the top of my game. After 50 years almost, I’m going to just call it quits. And I felt great about that. And then out of the blue, the shit hit the fan.” Lewis says he had four surgeries back-to-back, for issues with his back and shoulder, and then needed both shoulder and hip replacement. He continued: “And on top of all of that, two years ago I was walking a little stiffly, I was shuffling my feet. And I went to a neurologist and they gave me a brain scan, and I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. And that was about two years ago. But luckily, I got it late in life, and they say you progress very slowly if at all, and I’m on the right meds, so I’m cool.”

Lewis has alluded to health issues and complications on social media over the years, which kept him from appearing on Curb Your Enthusiasm as much as he would like. Lewis appeared in only one episode of the 11th season, and is slated to appear in the upcoming season 12.  Lewis said in his video: “I guess I just wanted you to know that that’s where it’s been at. I’m finished with stand-up, I’m just focused on writing and acting. I have Parkinson’s disease but I’m under a doctor’s care, and everything is cool and I love my wife [Joyce Lapinsky], I love my little puppy dog and I love all of my friends and my fans.”

Editorial credit: s_bukley / Shutterstock.com