Month: December 2023

Barbra Streisand will receive the 2024 SAG Life Achievement Award at the 30th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards, airing on Netflix on Feb. 24. Streisand becomes the 59th recipient of the tribute, following Sally Field (who received it during the 2023 telecast).

The SAG Life Achievement Award is presented annually ‘to an actor who exhibits the finest ideals of the acting profession.’  Streisand said in a statement: “Ever since I was a young girl sitting in the Loew’s Kings Theatre in Brooklyn, I dreamed of being one of those actresses I saw on the screen. The movies were a portal to a world I could only imagine. Even though I was an unlikely candidate, somehow my dream came true. This award is especially meaningful to me because it comes from my fellow actors, whom I so admire.”

Streisand has won two Academy Awards, 10 Grammys (including the Grammy Legend and Lifetime Achievement Awards), five Emmys and one Tony. She also just published her memoir, My Name is Barbra, which became an instant New York Times best-seller.

SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher said of her honoree: “Barbra Streisand is an icon and unparalleled talent, a force of nature who has seamlessly woven her brilliance through the fabric of our industry. From her earliest days captivating audiences on Broadway to her unforgettable roles in cinematic classics like ‘Funny Girl’, ‘The Way We Were’, and ‘A Star Is Born’, Barbra’s ability to inhabit her characters with authenticity is nothing short of extraordinary. Her enduring career is a testament to her genuine performances, connecting with audiences on a profound level. She is a colossal icon with a relentless work ethic, evolving with each stage of her remarkable journey. We celebrate Barbra Streisand not just for her achievements but for the enduring legacy she has carved.”

The SAG Awards will stream live for the first time on Netflix, taking place February 24th.

Editorial credit: Ron Adar / Shutterstock.com

ABC and Dick Clark Productions have announced the star-studded lineup for “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve With Ryan Seacrest.” with 19-time host Ryan Seacrest and his new co-host, Rita Ora leading the festivities from New York’s Times Square on New Year’s Eve. Television personality Jeannie Mai will host from Los Angeles, while TV presenter Dayanara Torres will co-host the celebration from Puerto Rico.

Megan Thee Stallion will perform from the Planet Fitness stage, while country superstar Jelly Roll will perform a medley of his hit songs live from Times Square, joined by singer and songwriter, Jessie Murph.  In addition, singer/actress Sabrina Carpenter will perform her hit singles “Nonsense” and “Feather.”

Meanwhile, Post Malone will perform from the Fontainebleau hotel in Las Vegas, with reggaeton artist Ivy Queen performing in Puerto Rico, as well as an appearance from K-pop group NewJeans from South Korea.

Previously announced performers from Los Angeles include Aqua, Doechii, Ellie Goulding, Green Day, Janelle Monáe, Loud Luxury x Two Friends with Bebe Rexha, Ludacris, Nile Rodgers & CHIC, Paul Russell, Reneé Rapp with Coco Jones and Thirty Seconds to Mars.

“Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve With Ryan Seacrest” will air live, Sunday, Dec. 31 on ABC beginning at 8 p.m. EST.

Editorial credit: Ben Von Klemperer / Shutterstock.com

Curb Your Enthusiasm will officially end with Season 12 on HBO.

Said David: “As Curb comes to an end, I will now have the opportunity to finally shed this ‘Larry David’ persona and become the person God intended me to be – the thoughtful, kind, caring, considerate human being I was until I got derailed by portraying this malignant character. And so ‘Larry David,’ I bid you farewell. Your misanthropy will not be missed. And for those of you who would like to get in touch with me, you can reach me at Doctors Without Borders.”

Curb stars David as an exaggerated version of himself living in L.A., along with Jeff Garlin as his manager and best friend; Susie Essman as Jeff’s wife; Cheryl Hines as his ex-wife; J.B. Smoove as his roommate; Richard Lewis as his oldest pal; Ted Danson as himself; Vince Vaughn; and Tracey Ullman. The show has earned 51 Emmy nominations and two wins for Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series, as well as Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing for a Comedy Series. It has also received 10 nominations for Outstanding Comedy Series, and has five Golden Globe nominations and one win.

Season 12 of Curb Your Enthusiasm will premiere February 4 and the 10-part series will air its finale April 7.

Editorial credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com

Vin Diesel (born Mark Sinclair) has been accused of sexual battery by his former assistant. According to Vanity Fair, who first reported the lawsuit, court documents state that Diesel’s former assistant alleges the actor assaulted her in 2010 while he was filming The Fast and the Furious sequel, Fast Five.

The assistant, Asta Jonasson, said she was hired by Diesel’s ‘One Race’ company to assist the actor on location in Atlanta when he was filming Fast Five. Jonasson alleged that one night she was asked to wait in Diesel’s hotel suite, where the alleged assault happened.

Jonasson claimed she attempted to “disassociate” from the assault to “avoid angering” Diesel out of fear for her job security, and further alleged that Diesel’s sister, Samantha Vincent, fired her several hours later. In addition to the sexual battery allegation, the suit also states claims of gender discrimination, wrongful termination, retaliation and negligent supervision.

Diesel, 56, is best known for playing Dominic Toretto in the Fast and Furious franchise, which released its 10th installment in May. Diesel has been with his longtime partner Paloma Jiménez since 2007, with whom he shares three children: Hania, Vincent and Pauline.

Editorial credit: Fred Duval / Shutterstock.com