House oversight committee

EXCLUSIVE : The BBC raised concerns about the way the government was going about appointing its new Chairman before the controversial hire of Richard Sharp . Sir David Clementi, the BBC’s former Chairman, wrote to the government in October 2020 to complain about the recruitment process for his successor. The UK government is responsible for appointing the BBC’s Chairman, while ministers also play a role in hiring four other board members. The procedure has become increasingly divisive, with concerns about ministers installing political candidates, leaving the BBC open to the accusation that its non-executive directors are too close to the government. Clementi’s letter to Oliver Dowden, the former Culture Secretary, could fuel suspicions that the government played politics with the BBC’s board amid a wider agenda against the broadcaster. In the letter, disclosed by the BBC under a Freedom of Information request, Clementi raised questions about the Chairman … [Read more...] about BBC Complained To Government About Chairman Appointment Process Ahead Of Richard Sharp Hire

Ben Whishaw and Ambika Mod , the stars of This is Going to Hurt , have scooped the top acting prizes at this year’s Broadcasting Press Guild Awards , while Derry Girls picked up a double. This is Going to Hurt failed to even land a nomination in Best Drama Series, with that gong going to fellow BBC drama Sherwood, but Whishaw and Mod staved off competition from the likes of Anna Maxwell Martin, Leslie Manville and Gary Oldman to take the major prizes. Mod’s win will lead to more raised eyebrows at the BAFTA TV jury’s decision to eschew her from this week’s Best Actress nomination list in favor of the likes of Kate Winslet, Sarah Lancashire and Imelda Staunton. Whishaw picked up a BAFTA nod for Best Actor. Mod’s portrayal of struggling junior doctor Shruti won critics’ hearts, while Whishaw’s lead turn playing Adam has also won out for the Adam Kay-penned adaptation of Kay’s book. Meanwhile at the awards voted on by the UK’s media press, Lisa McGee’s … [Read more...] about ‘This Is Going To Hurt’ Stars Win Big At Broadcasting Press Guild Awards

Getty Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez are out on their latest would-be new home -- the couple has pulled the plug on yet another real estate deal ... and they're once again on the hunt. MLS Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ that Bennifer has fallen out of escrow on the $64 million Pacific Palisades mansion they seemed to have their sights set on earlier this month -- which was an absolute beauty that would've certainly accommodated their needs. It's unclear why they're bailing ... but we're hearing they're done with it, and are moving on. Getty/Backgrid Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez's $55 Million Bel-Air Mansion Deal Falls Through Now, if you're keeping count -- this actually marks the third home they've fallen out of escrow on in the past year. There was a $55 million Bel-Air estate they were set to buy way back in April, but that sale fell through. They were also set to buy another PP palace last month -- … [Read more...] about Ben Affleck, Jennifer Lopez Drop Out of Escrow Again in $64 Million Home Sale

The much-maligned Richard III finally gets the royal treatment in Stephen Frears’ The Lost King as amateur historian Philippa Langley unearths the monarch’s five-century-old remains in a parking lot in Leicester, England, in 2012. Two books and a documentary later, IFC Films presents the feature film version in 750+ theaters. “It took eight years from starting the search to cutting the tarmac. To see it telescoped into a hundred or so minutes made it really powerful for me,” Langley, who’s played in the film by Sally Hawkins, told Deadline. Richard III (1461-1483) is one of Shakespeare’s most malevolent villains, a deformed hunchback usurper and murderer. But historians have contested the portrayal of the last king of the House of York and Plantagenet dynasty, noting history is often (re)written by the victors, in this case the Tudors. A society of “Ricardians” at work for years to rehabilitate the monarch’s image, and other well-wishers, chipped in to fund a costly … [Read more...] about Philippa Langley On Digging Up ‘The Lost King’ Richard III After 500 Years – Specialty Preview

Neon has taken the North American rights to the Anne Hathaway -starring Sundance Film Festival premiere Eileen , from director William Oldroyd ( Lady Macbeth ). The distributor is eyeing a fall theatrical release. Oldroyd’s connection to Sundance began in 2013 when his short film Best won the Short Film Competition. Eilee has already notched 87% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes with critics since its Park City debut in January. The pic, based on the 2015 debut novel by Otessa Moshfegh, is set during a bitter 1964 Massachusetts winter, when young secretary Eileen (Thomasin McKenzie) becomes enchanted by the glamorous new counselor Rebecca (Hathaway) at the prison where she works. Their budding friendship takes a twisted turn when Rebecca reveals a dark secret — throwing Eileen onto a sinister path. Shea Whigham, Marin Ireland and Owen Teague also star in the pic, which was adapted for the screen by Moshfegh with Luke Goebel. The pic was produced by Fifth Season, … [Read more...] about Neon Acquires Domestic Rights To Anne Hathaway Sundance Movie ‘Eileen’

EXCLUSIVE : Schitt’s Creek alum Eugene Levy is heading to Summer Camp . The four-time Emmy winner will play Diane Keaton’s love interest in the comedy also set to star Kathy Bates and Alfre Woodard . Castille Landon ( After franchise) is directing the film, which is heading into production next month in North Carolina, from her own script. It tells the story of Nora, Ginny and Mary, who have been best friends since childhood, spending their summers together inseparably at sleepaway camp. As the years have passed, they’ve seen each other less and less, so when the chance for a summer camp reunion arises, they all take it, some begrudgingly and others excitedly. Each of their lives might not be where they’d imagined, but one thing is for sure — Nora, Ginny, and Mary need each other, and summer camp reminds them why. Summer Camp is a Saks Picture Company production, in association with and financed by Taylor & Dodge and Grant S. Johnson’s Project … [Read more...] about Eugene Levy Set For ‘Summer Camp’ Comedy With Diane Keaton, Kathy Bates & Alfre Woodard

Stranger Things star Millie Bobby Brown will have her first novel published by William Morrow , an imprint of HarperCollins , this fall, the publishing house announced today. Titled Nineteen Steps , the novel is described by the publisher as an “epic story of love, loss, and secrets” that tells the story of 18-year-old Nellie Morris, who lives with her family in Bethnal Green during the Second World War. After Nellie’s chance encounter with an American airman stationed nearby, a terrible incident occurs during an air raid with catastrophic consequences. Nineteen Steps will be published on September 12. “Inspired by my Nanny Ruth, this book is very personal and close to my heart,” Brown said in a statement. “I grew up listening to stories about her time living through the war. I’m honored to keep her story alive.” Brown’s grandmother survived the Bethnal Green Tube Disaster, an incident responsible for the largest single loss of civilian life in the UK … [Read more...] about Millie Bobby Brown Novel ‘Nineteen Steps’ Coming From William Morrow This Fall

Twitter / @MrErnestOwens UPDATE 10:37 AM PT -- The man who everyone assumed shouted during Harry Styles ' acceptance speech is denying he was the heckler -- saying he simply caught an impassioned Beyoncé fan on camera. UPDATE ALSO: Cultural context matters. When Black folks say "I'm hollering," "I'm yelling" -- it's a reaction to something internally. — Ernest Owens (@MrErnestOwens) February 6, 2023 @MrErnestOwens UPDATE Ernest Owens says he was NOT the person heard screaming Bey's name -- despite posting a video with the caption, "Yes, I yelled" -- while Harry was on stage receiving his Grammy for Album of the Year. Here's how EO explains it on Twitter ... "ALSO: Cultural context matters. When Black folks say "I'm hollering," "I'm yelling" -- it's a reaction to something internally." UPDATE He adds, "Like when someone tells their friend who is cutting up, "Gurl, you got me yelling and screaming,' "I'm hollering" -- it's not literal. … [Read more...] about Beyoncé Fan Denies Screaming During Harry Styles’ AOTY Win

EXCLUSIVE : Roku is promoting a number of execs in its originals team following a shakeup last week. Deadline revealed last week that Colin Davis, who was Roku’s Head of Scripted Originals, was moving to oversee comedy development at Sony Pictures Television with alternative chief Brian Tannenbaum taking over as Head of Roku Originals on an interim basis. That move is now permanent, as we forecast, with Tannenbaum now reporting directly to David Eilenberg, who was recently promoted to VP, and Head of Content, Roku Media. Elsewhere, Lydia Antonini, who was previously Head of Creative Affairs, becomes Head of Scripted Originals and non-scripted exec Olivia LaRoche has been promoted to Head of Alternative Originals. Both Antonini and LaRoche now report to Tannenbaum. Elsewhere, Roku’s Content Acquisition team will now report directly to Eilenberg, who reports to former Fox CEO Charlie Collier, who is now President, Roku Media. Jennifer Vaux has been named VP, … [Read more...] about Roku Promotes Originals Execs Lydia Antonini & Olivia LaRoche As Brian Tannenbaum’s Elevation Confirmed

In a further step toward reclaiming his World Wrestling Entertainment ( WWE ) empire, executive chairman Vince McMahon has filed new documents with the SEC . In the paperwork, McMahon said he will reimburse the publicly traded company $17.4 million for its costs related to a board committee investigation into allegations of his sexual misconduct. The filing was made Thursday and covers a period through Jan. 31 of this year. McMahon has also vowed that he will cover any additional costs after that date. McMahon returned to the board after resigning last July over allegations of sexual misconduct and infidelity first reported by the Wall St. Journal . The company allegedly made payments totaling $12 million over a period of 16 years to various people. The brash McMahon stepped down from the organization when the allegations surfaced, but recently made a controversial return, one that’s drawn criticism from his board and shareholders, among others. The WWE is now … [Read more...] about Vince McMahon Will Reimburse WWE Board $17.4M For Its Sexual Misconduct Investigation