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Justine Bateman, star of Family Ties, has blasted Prince Harry and Meghan Markle for their supposedly relief efforts for the L.A. wildfires.

On Friday, Fox 11 Los Angeles showed Harry and Markle at an evacuation center in Pasadena handing out food and other supplies to victims of the fire.

Fox reported that Markle and Harry had donated a variety of necessities to the affected community and additionally opened up their house to friends and family who lost their homes or were forced to evacuate.

Despite their philanthropy, Bateman, who lives in Hollywood Hills, blasted Harry and Markle for their “photo opp” at the evacuation center.

In a post to X, Bateman wrote, “Meghan Markle and Harry are no better than ambulance chasers. What a repulsive “photo op” they achieved.”

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She continued, “They are...

Family Ties star and author Justine Bateman is not holding back when it comes to the Los Angeles fires and anyone who is allegedly trying to profit from it. In one of her latest social media posts, Bateman slammed Prince Harry and Meghan Markle for their recent tour of the devastation. What did she say? Keep reading to find out more.

Justine Bateman Slams Prince Harry And Meghan Markle

Family Ties actress Justine Bateman is slamming Prince Harry and Meghan Markle after they were photographed touring the devastation from the Los Angeles fires. She feels they were doing it for exposure not really to help.

Bateman went to X formerly known as Twitter to blast the former royals for their involvement in the Los Angeles fires. She said,

“Meghan Markle and Harry are no better than ambulance chasers. What a repulsive “photo op” they achieved. They are “touring the damage”? Are they politicians now?...

When Bill Maher was a young stand-up comic, he wasn’t looking to get into sitcoms. “But when I started,” he told Dana Carvey and David Spade on the latest Fly on the Wall podcast, “the template was, well, you get on The Tonight Show, you do your little six minutes, little monkey goes out there and makes people laugh. Good clean material. And then you get a sitcom like Robin Williams did and Roseanne and Freddie Prince and Tim Allen.”

Spoiler alert: Maher did not turn into Robin Williams or Roseanne. But that doesn’t mean he didn’t get his opportunities. He told Carvey and Spade about his shots at sitcom stardom that fizzled shortly after liftoff.

1 Sara

“I did my four or five Tonight Shows, and I got on a big show, a sitcom on NBC that was on after Family Ties,” he remembered. “It was a...

Justine Bateman said this week that the cancel culture connected to President Donald Trump’s 2016 victory and beyond has become “fucking unbearable.”

“I don’t remember a time in my career where there was an absence of criticism of me,” Bateman told Megyn Kelly during a prerecorded interview that will appear on SiriusXM’s The Megyn Kelly Show on Thursday. “There’s always been somebody, at least one person, and I say that sarcastically, like more than one person, who’s got a problem with me or something about my presence pushes their buttons or they don’t like that I haven’t done anything to my face.”

In November, after Trump’s recent victory, she wrote on X (formerly Twitter) that she was “decompressing from walking on eggshells for the past four years.”

To Kelly, she elaborated on the statement, saying she was glad the election ended “that mob...

"Kindergarten Cop" is the quintessential 90s movie. It stars Arnold Schwarzenegger, the defining action star of the era, in a role few thought he could pull off, and it's directed by one of the most prolific filmmakers of the decade. The film also features a cast of young actors just before they went on to achieve major success. Now, we're looking back at the talent involved in "Ghostbusters" director Ivan Reitman's popular 1990 comedy to find out what they're up to these days, mainly because we love reminding ourselves just how old we are. 

For those unaware, "Kindergarten Cop" follows Detective John Kimble (Arnold) as he goes undercover as a kindergarten teacher to bust a dangerous criminal. Like "Twins," Reitman's previous collaboration with Arnold, "Kindergarten Cop" blends comedy with drama, plus a hefty dose of surprisingly violent action, resulting in the perfect movie to show kids of all ages in...

The American Dream has always been a cornerstone of the nation’s identity, a promise that hard work and perseverance can lead to success and prosperity.

As both a mirror and molder of culture, television has long been fascinated with this ideal.

From gleaming sitcom suburbs to gritty dramas, TV’s portrayal of the American Dream has evolved, reflecting shifting attitudes about what success means — and whether it’s even attainable.

(ABC/Screenshot)

But is the dream TV portrayed as a beacon of hope or an illusion?

By examining how television has celebrated, questioned, and even deconstructed this narrative, we can better understand its role in shaping — and challenging — our aspirations.

Early Optimism: TV’s Golden Vision of the American Dream

In the early days of television, the American Dream was portrayed as a universally achievable goal.

Idyllic pictures of suburban life, with nuclear families thriving in neatly manicured neighborhoods,...

On Saturday December 7 2024, A&e broadcasts 50/50 Flip!

Family Ties Season 2 Episode 5 Episode Summary

The upcoming episode of “50/50 Flip,” titled “Family Ties,” promises to be an engaging journey for Dedric and Krystal. This episode will air on A&e and will showcase the couple as they take on a new project in Krystal’s old neighborhood. They have purchased a home for ,000, hoping to bring some fresh life into the area while also teaching the community about building equity through renovations.

Dedric and Krystal have planned some straightforward renovations for the house. Their goal is not only to improve the property but also to show their neighbors how small changes can lead to greater value over time. This approach reflects their commitment to the community and their desire to share knowledge about home improvement and investment.

However, things take a turn when they discover a significant issue with the house. A...

In the upcoming episode of “50/50 Flip,” titled “Family Ties,” Dedric and Krystal embark on an exciting new project in Krystal’s old neighborhood. The couple purchases a home for ,000, aiming to make simple renovations that will not only enhance the property but also serve as a lesson for the community on how to grow equity. Their vision is clear: they want to show others the potential of investing in their own homes.

As the episode unfolds, viewers will see Dedric and Krystal tackle various renovation tasks. However, things take a turn when they discover a rotten floor that threatens to drain their budget. This unexpected setback puts their profits at risk and adds a layer of tension to their plans. The couple must navigate these challenges while staying true to their goal of uplifting the community.

“Family Ties” promises to be an engaging episode filled with both heart and hard work.

T’is the season — for male strippers? Yes, actually. Yes indeed.

Netflix’s new Christmas movie “The Merry Gentlemen” is now streaming, telling story of a young dancer who comes home to find that her parents’ business — and thus, her whole childhood, essentially — may be going under. So, to help save it, she organizes a Christmas-themed male revue to pull in ticket sales.

The movie features a lot of familiar faces, but perhaps some new ones for you too. So, we’ve got you covered.

Here are all the major players in “The Merry Gentlemen.”

Netflix Ashley (Britt Robertson)

Ashley is a professional dancer, who is unceremoniously fired for being too old (in her 30s). She’s played by “Tomorrowland” and “The Longest Ride” star Britt Robertson. She also starred in “The Space Between Us” and more recently, “The Rookie: Feds,” as well as a few episodes of “The Rookie.

The Reason Your Agent Isn’t Calling You Back? Pickleball

If you happened to be passing through Calabasas and heard a loud “twocking” sound, we can explain. On Nov. 16, a slew of Hollywood’s most powerful players (and, in this case, we’re using the word literally) assembled on the courts of the Calabasas Pickleball Club for the Entertainment Pickleball League’s championship tourney. Although they began just a few months ago, Epl’s games are quickly shaping up to be Hollywood’s biggest draw this side of the Academy Gala, with agents and execs from just about every entertainment company forming squads — most with pun-filled names like Disney’s Monster Dinks, NBCUni’s Dis-Pickleball Me and CAA’s Dill Makers — to participate. “We started with four teams,” says Zee Batal, the TV producer who launched the league in late

September with reality TV showrunner Erica Hanson. “Now we have eight.

This steamy holiday rom-com purposely subverts a lot of the genre’s most recognizable tropes.

Depending on where you are in the country, the next few months could get pretty cold. Fortunately, Netflix has the perfect movie to heat up your holiday season as the original Christmas movie “The Merry Gentlemen” is available to stream starting on Wednesday, Nov. 20. The film stars Chad Michael Murray and Britt Robertson and involves a Broadway dancer who stages an all-male, Christmas revue to save her hometown performing arts venue. Anticipation for this one has been high since the movie’s very steamy trailer was released early this fall. Don’t miss a single second of the action with a subscription to Netflix.

How to watch ‘The Merry Gentlemen’ When: Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024 TV: Netflix Stream: Watch with a subscription to Netflix. Sign Up $6.99+ / month netflix.com Everything you need to know about ‘The Merry Gentlemen...

What’s the best time-travel movie of all time? According to astrophysicist Carl Sagan, it’s not the thoughtful sci-fi approaches of Time After Time, Looper or Edge of Tomorrow. The best compliment Robert Zemeckis ever got was when the famed cosmologist bestowed that honor on his comedy, Back to the Future.

Sagan told Zemeckis that the Michael J. Fox movie featured the best time-travel scientific theory he’d seen in a movie. “I didn’t tell him I took it from H.G. Wells,” the director confessed to Bill Maher on a recent Club Random podcast.

“It’s funny to watch a movie about time travel when you are now 40 years past when the movie was made,” Maher observed about jokes that were funny in 1985 about traveling to 1955. “You know, ‘If you know everything about the future, who is president in 1985?’ Ronald Reagan. ‘Yeah, right. And I’ll bet Jerry Lewis is vice president.

See what has happened to the 'Family Ties' cast members 35 years after the hit show ended.MEGABrian BonsallBonsall played the role of Andy Keaton through the show's final three seasons.@mrbrianbonsall/Instagram

Brian Bonsall started acting on Family Ties when he was 5 years old, playing the role of Andy Keaton through the show's final three seasons.

He said of his time on Family Ties: "Good memories for sure. They were a second family to me, growing up doing that ... Michael J. Fox used to come pick me up in his Ferrari, taught me to dive into a pool. It was so comfortable hanging out."

The break helped him appear in more 1990s shows, including Father Hood and Blank Check, until he retired in 1995. He later shifted his career and pursued his passion for music with several bands.

Bonsall found himself in trouble when he was arrested in Boulder, Colo.

Jim Parsons is best known for his role as Sheldon Cooper in The Big Bang Theory. The role made him a staple in pop culture, with his exaggerated performance of a difficult yet loveable physicist making him a global star. He also won several Emmys and a Golden Globe for his performance.

Parsons has since played multiple roles although none as iconic as Sheldon. He even came on board as a narrator for the spinoff series Young Sheldon. The series has given him a lot of stardom and has added to his net worth. So, how much did Jim Parsons earn from his role as Sheldon Cooper in The Big Bang Theory?

What Was Jim Parson’s Big Breakthrough? Jim Parsons in The Big Bang Theory | Credits: CBS

Like many other actors, Jim Parsons began his career on the stage. Starting from school, Parson soon became enamored with the craft...

Rock ‘n’ roll never dies. Sometimes, it even gets a second life. At least that’s the case for 1986 cult horror favorite Trick or Treat, as Synapse Films has delivered a surprise Halloween treat by launching preorders for the horror film’s 4K world premiere.

The limited special edition 4K release of Trick or Treat is strictly limited to a total of 6666 units!

The good news is that preorders are open now, with the release shipping as soon as next week, October 27.

The first feature from award-winning filmmaker Charles Martin Smith (“Buffy the Vampire Slayer”), the film featured a cast of soon to be household names including Marc Price (“Family Ties”) and Doug Savant (“Melrose Place”). Alongside rock icons Gene Simmons and Ozzy Osbourne, Trick or Treat blends the best of the 1980s metal scene with the decade’s tongue and cheek take on the genre.

If you’ve never...

Nobody Wants This, Netflix’s hit series about an interfaith relationship between Adam Brody’s rabbi and Kristen Bell’s podcast host, enjoyed a smooth path to a prompt season two renewal. The same can’t be said for CBS’ similarly themed sitcom Bridget Loves Bernie, which debuted 54 years ago.

Created by Bernard Slade (The Flying Nun), the series provided an early-career role for Meredith Baxter as Bridget, a wealthy Irish-Catholic teacher who weds Bernie (David Birney), a Jewish cab driver.

“I’d only been a working actor for a very short time, so I was thrilled to have a job,” Baxter, who would later play mom to Michael J. Fox on Family Ties, recalls to The Hollywood Reporter. “David had been a known stage actor for some years and had some feelings about working with such a newbie.”

The show premiered Sept. 16, 1972, in the coveted time slot between All in the Family...

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"Stargate Sg-1" is an important show to a lot of people. Even for those who weren't necessarily fans of the film "Stargate," the series became a gateway (no pun intended) to a much larger universe and helped the franchise grow beyond what was originally intended. When the "Stargate" movie failed to launch a trilogy as desired, TV became the franchise's backup plan -- one that allowed this particular sci-fi universe to thrive. Even so, all great things must come to an end, and so did "Sg-1" after 10 seasons. Fortunately, once the show had been canceled, its writers had a lot of freedom to do as they pleased ... so much so that a gag one writer thought for sure would be axed ended up making it to air.

The gag in question happened in the "Stargate Sg-1" season 10 episode "Family Ties,...

Filmmaking can be a pitiless business, particularly for actors. While it's true all creatives are being judged on their personal attributes, performers face the added pressure of having to embody the physical and emotional attributes necessary to play a given part. This means they're being hired or rejected based on their very appearance and essence as a human being. This is rough for anyone, but especially brutal for young actors who are in the midst of puberty or just on the other side of it. Furthermore, it can be rough on the folks behind the camera; an actor still getting comfortable within their growing body might dazzle in an interview, but once you get them on set, they're just not right for the part. Just ask the tremendously talented thespian Tamzin Merchant and the folks responsible for bringing George R.R. Martin's "Game of Thrones" to life for HBO. They...

Dozens of major names circled the role of Marty McFly, but only one man could get it…Well, make that two. While Eric Stoltz was originally cast in the Back to the Future role, director Robert Zemeckis would ultimately decide he wasn’t right for the part, canning him less than two months into filming. With that, Michael J. Fox would step in and help make modern movie history. But for Lea Thompson, it took quite a while to get used to her new co-star.

Appearing on the Still Here Hollywood podcast (via EW), Lea Thompson said she was initially distant to Fox, thinking his TV work on Family Ties wasn’t up to snuff with her big screen successes…“I remember specifically being really snooty because there was a big division between movie stars and TV stars at that point. I remember being like, ‘He’s just a TV...

If you’re in the mood for a classic comedy, Prime Video is a great place to stream. You can get started with a 30-day Free trial, and there’s a lot to love.

30-Day Free Trial $8.99+ / month amazon.com

Classic Comedy Movies on Prime Video

Classic Comedy TV on Prime Video

Add More Comedy with Prime Video Channels

Classic Comedy Movies on Prime Video

For the purposes of this list, we’ll consider “classic comedies” as titles that came out at least 20 years ago.

Death Becomes Her The Big Lebowski Dr. Strangelove Heathers Swingers Galaxy Quest Fargo Billy Madison An American Werewolf in London Sweet Home Alabama Election Army of Darkness Overboard Dirty Rotten Scoundrels American Graffiti Planes, Trains, and Automobiles Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein Bowfinger Don’t Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood CB4 Roxanne Sprung Duck Soup Wallace & Gromit: The...

Get ready for more nostalgia on Sunday’s 76th Emmy Awards — the second one this year, we keep reminding you — but with a twist. Unlike the 75th ceremony in January, which focused on cast reunions, this time the producers are mashing together iconic stars and their characters, past and present.

That means famous TV moms like Meredith Baxter (“Family Ties”), cops like Jimmy Smits (“NYPD Blue”), lawyers like Gina Torres (“Suits”), doctors like Zach Braff (“Scrubs”), TV villains like Giancarlo Esposito (“Breaking Bad”) and more. (And that’s just some of the names that have already been confirmed to present).

“The response to January was incredible, and we felt like people really connected to the nostalgia,” said Dionne Harmon, who executive produces for Jesse Collins Entertainment along with Collins and Jeannae Rouzan-Clay. “So, we wanted to figure out a way to bring that nostalgia to the show on Sunday without doing the exact same thing.

Michael J. Fox, who became a cinematic icon as Marty McFly in the hit sci-fi franchise Back to the Future, saw his star rise dramatically alongside the release of Teen Wolf in the same year, establishing him as a cultural icon.

A still from the Back to the Future film series | Credit: Universal Pictures

However, behind the scenes, Fox’s life mirrored the chaos of his on-screen characters. The actor nearly missed out on the iconic role due to his commitment to the sitcom Family Ties, which later caused him to huddle a hectic schedule to balance both, the movie and the show.

Michael J. Fox Almost Lost Back to the Future Due to Family Ties

Starting his acting career with TV roles in the late 1970s, Michael J. Fox initially gained recognition for his role as Alex P. Keaton in the NBC sitcom, Family Ties.

Michael J. Fox in...

I laugh when I hear people talk about how “The Bear” is a sure thing winner for Best Comedy Series and that it’s such a lock nothing whatsoever can derail it. Ha! Ha I say! Oh, it’s naturally the heavy favorite with its 23 nominations and has remained the overwhelming frontrunner clear through Emmy season, all right. In the Gold Derby combined Emmy odds, it’s running away with this race. The same is true of ““Shōgun” for drama after its giant haul of 25 Emmy bids. And nothing can beat “Baby Reindeer” for Best Limited Series, right? Jessica Gunning (“Baby Reindeer”) is a shoo-in for limited supporting actress, isn’t she? And no one could possibly beat Jamie Lee Curtis (“The Bear”) for comedy guest actress – could they?

But if Emmy history has taught us anything, it’s that upsets happen, even when it comes to shows and people considered locks.

On Tuesday August 27 2024, BET broadcasts The Michael Blackson Show!

Family Ties Season 1 Episode 4 Episode Summary

The upcoming episode of “The Michael Blackson Show,” titled “Family Ties,” promises to deliver plenty of laughs and drama. Set to air on BET, this episode dives into the complexities of family relationships and the chaos that can arise from misunderstandings.

In “Family Ties,” Rodney finds himself in a tough spot after overhearing Michael boast about a romantic encounter with his girlfriend. This revelation sets off a chain reaction that turns Family Night into a scene of complete disarray. Viewers can expect to see how the characters navigate the fallout from this overheard confession, leading to comedic moments and unexpected confrontations.

Meanwhile, Carson faces his own challenges as he considers transferring to another school. Michael, however, is determined to keep Carson at J. Forten. This subplot adds another layer to the episode, showcasing Michael’s...

Some actors become forever associated with a particular era. While he starred in some interesting movies in the 1990s and 2000s, Michael J. Fox was a quintessential 1980s star. He’s so quintessentially 1980s that he believes acting has gone downhill since then.

Michael J. Fox reacted to being called ’80s famous’

Fox owned the 1980s. Between Back to the Future, Family Ties, The Secret of My Success, and Teen Wolf, he gave kids and teens of that era a lot of nostalgia fuel. If anybody knows what it was like to be a celebrity during that time, it was Michael Jackson. Or Madonna. Or Prince. But Fox is up there. When the 1980s were up, Fox appeared in cult classics like The Frighteners and Atlantis: The Lost Empire, but he absolutely peaked during the Reagan years.

During a 2024 interview with People, Fox said a comment at the Oscars stuck with him.

Jody Frisch, a longtime communications executive who worked for decades in Hollywood and Washington, D.C., died Aug. 21 at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles of pancreatic cancer. She was 68.

Throughout her career, Frisch worked for such organizations as the Writers Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA. From 2006 through 2009 at WGA, a period that encompassed the guild’s 100-day strike in late 2007 through mid-February 2008, she served as director of public policy and government affairs. She worked for the guild in D.C. and L.A. She later moved on to SAG-AFTRA as a strategic communications and public affairs executive in 2015.

A Los Angeles Native, Frisch grew up in the San Fernando Valley, graduating from Birmingham High School in Van Nuys in 1973. She went to Washington, D.C., where she gained experience understanding the ins and outs of politics and the legislative process. Over her long career, Frisch was known for executing media campaigns,...

Jody Frisch, a communications executive who had stints at the WGA and SAG-AFTRA, died Wednesday at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles after a short battle with pancreatic cancer, her friend Joanna Dodd Massey announced. She was 68.

Frisch’s early career included work for producer Cameron Mackintosh to publicize his stage adaptations of The Phantom of the Opera and Miss Saigon and serving in the 1990s as the personal publicist for Family Ties star Meredith Baxter.

With a rare combination of legislative and entertainment experience and work in the nonprofit and government sectors, Frisch directed and executed numerous media campaigns, crisis and reputation management initiatives and public policy advocacy efforts during her career.

She was director of public policy and government affairs for the WGA from 2006-09, splitting her time between Washington and Los Angeles starting in ’07.

After two years at Mprm Communications, she segued to SAG-AFTRA as a strategic...

The excitement continues in Season 1 Episode 4 of “The Michael Blackson Show,” titled “Family Ties.” Airing on Tuesday, August 27, 2024, at 10:00 Pm on BET, this episode promises to deliver laughs and drama as Michael Blackson navigates the ups and downs of family life.

In this episode, Rodney finds himself in a tough spot after overhearing Michael brag about an encounter with his girlfriend. This revelation sparks a series of chaotic events during Family Night, turning what should be a fun gathering into a hilarious mess. The tension between Rodney and Michael escalates, leading to unexpected confrontations that are sure to keep everyone entertained.

Meanwhile, Carson faces a dilemma of his own. He is considering transferring to another school, but Michael is determined to keep him at J. Forten. This subplot adds another layer to the episode, showcasing Michael’s commitment to family and the lengths he will go to ensure Carson stays where he belongs.

Not every actor is a Samuel L. Jackson, gladly signing an extensive superhero movie contract to play Nick Fury as many times as Marvel Studios wants him. Some are more like James Bond actor George Lazenby, securing an iconic part and then instantly worrying it'll cause typecasting. Meanwhile, some stars can't get along with the studio, while others, unfortunately, die before the role has run its course. No property or individual movie is immune to the possibility of recasting. It's just that some do it a lot better than others.

In the sci-fi realm, long-running franchises often pose unique casting challenges, but others are simply so difficult or so weird that they necessitated unexpected changes. The multiverse offers more recasting possibilities than most, as "Doctor Who" and its endless regenerations -- a sci-fi solution to a real-world problem -- regularly demonstrates. How the fans, the actors, and the studio react cannot always be predicted,...

Michael J. Fox shared details of a standing ovation from Prince William at the 2024 BAFTA Awards that would have made his mom “freak out.” The actor, who rose to fame on Family Ties and in the Back to the Future series of movies, believes this particular moment would have made one family member in particular, very proud.

Prince William’s reaction to Michael J. Fox’s BAFTA appearance made the actor think of his late mom

Michael J. Fox appeared as a presenter at the 2024 BAFTA Awards, the annual celebration to honor the best British and international contributions to film. The event took place in February 2024.

The actor received a standing ovation from the event’s attendees. One of these congratulatory claps was from none other than Prince William, the son of Princess Diana and King Charles.

In an interview with People Magazine, Fox shared that this accolade would have made his late parents,...

Many awards prognosticators expected the drama categories at this year’s Emmys to feature an odd assortment of nominated titles. Consider it a perfect storm of sorts: With the ending of HBO’s Succession (which took the top prize for three of its four seasons) and AMC’s Better Call Saul (which garnered a staggering 53 nominations across its six seasons without a single win) — plus the fact that last year’s strikes forced shows like last year’s drama nominees The Last of Us, Stranger Things, The White Lotus and Yellowjackets to delay production — this year’s contenders for best drama series include only one previous nominee in The Crown, which won the prize in 2021.

While the royal drama from Netflix might be the reigning champ, it’s FX’s Shogun that stands as the strongest frontrunner — a claim it couldn’t make until the network renewed the show, forcing...

As the situation comedy disappears from broadcast television, we might be losing more than simply 23 minutes of laughs surrounded by Progressive commercials. Over the past 50 years, the sitcom has been a surefire cannon from which to launch unknown comic actors onto the A-list.

Here are 7 sitcoms that turned anonymous comedians into the biggest stars in the world…

1 Mork & Mindy

Robin Williams was a 1970s club comic with a growing reputation as an improvisational genius. A guest turn on Happy Days — producer Garry Marshall’s kid was into Star Wars so Marshall ordered writers to invent a funny alien — launched a spin-off series that turned Williams into a star practically overnight. Also up for the Happy Days alien cameo? A young Richard Lewis.

2 Bosom Buddies

Want a idiotic premise for a sitcom? How about two guys who decide to pose as women so they can get a permanent room in an affordable women-only hotel.

The Goonies, which was released in 1985, was an adventure comedy that went on to become a cult classic. Based on a story by Steven Spielberg, the film also served as a stepping stone for young Josh Brolin, Sean Astin, and Ke Huy Quan to become big stars in Hollywood. One of the key characters in the movie was Lawrence ‘Chunk’ Cohen played by actor Jeff Cohen.

A still from The Goonies (image credit: Warner Bros)

Unfortunately, unlike the other actors, Cohen was unable to make a breakthrough in Hollywood as he grew older. One of the main reasons for this was his significant weight loss which made him look completely different from his cult character in The Goonies. The star confessed that filmmakers could not look past this avatar when it came to offering him roles.

This Cult Film Ironically Did Not Do Much For This Child Star’s Future...

In 2019, Don Cheadle received his ninth career Emmy nomination for his work on the first season of Showtime’s “Black Monday.” Although he ultimately came up short in that year’s Best Comedy Actor race, he still made history as the 12th man to compete in that category as the star of multiple series, having previously earned four bids for the same network’s “House of Lies.” Scroll through our photo gallery to find out who else belongs to this special group.

Seven of the dozen actors on this roster took the gold for at least one of their nominated roles. This includes Richard Mulligan and Michael J. Fox, who each won for two series (“Soap” and “Empty Nest”; “Family Ties” and “Spin City”). Also listed is John Ritter (“Three’s Company”; “Hooperman”; “8 Simple Rules”), who remains the only three-show nominee in the history of either comedy lead category.

Although...

In 2019, Don Cheadle received his ninth career Emmy nomination for his work on the first season of Showtime’s “Black Monday.” Although he ultimately came up short in that year’s Best Comedy Actor race, he still made history as the 12th man to compete in that category as the star of multiple series, having previously earned four bids for the same network’s “House of Lies.” Scroll through our photo gallery to find out who else belongs to this special group.

Seven of the dozen actors on this roster took the gold for at least one of their nominated roles. This includes Richard Mulligan and Michael J. Fox, who each won for two series (“Soap” and “Empty Nest”; “Family Ties” and “Spin City”). Also listed is John Ritter (“Three’s Company”; “Hooperman”; “8 Simple Rules”), who remains the only three-show nominee in the history of either comedy lead category.

Although...

It’s a practical joke to ask a screenwriter to write about anxiety.

The very nature of the occupation is to walk around constantly asking yourself: What’s the worst thing that could possibly happen in this moment? To this character? To someone the character loves? To someone I love? To me?

But there’s a special kind of anxiety that comes with writing the sequel to a beloved film like Inside Out. Aside from the many accolades bestowed on it — it’s a perfect film with an Oscar-nominated screenplay — it’s also my personal favorite Pixar movie.

It had been a dream of mine to write at Pixar. Six years ago I had interviewed with director Dan Scanlon to write Onward, but the timing didn’t work out when Showtime greenlit my Jim Carrey-starring series Kidding. Now, here I was again, passing beneath the giant Luxo lamp, getting...

Cottontail is a movie written and directed by Patrick Dickinson starring Lily Franky. With Ryo Nishikido, Tae Kimura, Rin Takanashi and Ciarán Hinds.

A poignant narrative that’s not reliant on easy tears, “Cottontail” is an intricate story about individuals, often lost within themselves, enduring the passage of time, and a father-son bond that was severed many years ago. The narrative unspools slowly, leisurely, with a rhythm that is paradoxically unhurried, yet revealing of the rich tapestry of life, unfolding layer by layer in a series of recollections.

Plot

Kenzaburo, a man grieving the loss of his wife, Akiko, embarks on a journey to England to scatter her ashes in a lake that held special meaning for her. Along the way, the family is compelled to reconnect while simultaneously grappling with the dissonances of their generational divides.

Cottontail “Cottontail”: A Film in All Its Human Glory

“Cottontail” is a tale about life,...

Tony Mordente, who made his mark on Broadway as a dancer and choreographer, played the hot-headed Jet named Action in the 1961 film West Side Story and later segued into a long and busy career as a director of such TV series as Family Ties, Walker Texas Ranger and 7th Heaven, died June 11 in Henderson, Nevada, following a brief illness. He was 88.

His death was announced by his family, including daughter Lisa, whom he shared with his first wife, the late Chita Rivera.

Born December 3, 1935, in Brooklyn, New York, Mordente began dancing at the age of 13, and trained at New York City’s High School of Performing Arts and American Ballet Theater School, which led to the launch of his Broadway career as Lonesome Polecat in 1956’s Lil’ Abner.

Related: Michael Callan Dies: ‘Cat Ballou’ Star, Riff In Original ‘West Side Story’ On Broadway Was 86

Tony Mordente in 2005

His next stage...

Tony Mordente, the actor, dancer and choreographer who starred in the original Broadway and big-screen versions of West Side Story before carving out a long career as a TV director, has died. He was 88.

Mordente, who lived in Henderson, Nevada, died Tuesday, his family announced.

Mordente also worked on Broadway as an actor, understudy and/or assistant choreographer in Li’l Abner, Bye Bye Birdie and Ben Franklin in Paris.

The Brooklyn native portrayed A-Rab on stage in West Side Story, which premiered at the Winter Garden Theatre in September 1957, and played Action, another member of the Jets gang, in the 1961 United Artists adaptation. (David Winters was given the part of A-Rab in the movie.)

He married West Side Story castmate Chita Rivera, who of course played Anita, in December 1957. “A Jet marrying a Shark. It was quite a thing,” he said in a 1963 interview. (Rivera died in January.)

Mordente began...

It doesn’t happen often, but when it does, it’s memorable — a supporting character in a TV series breaks out to such a degree that he changes the entire direction of the series. Fonzie on “Happy Days” is one example; “J.J.” on “Good Times” another. But few have had the cultural impact of cocky conservative teen Alex P. Keaton whose dynamism completely upended the direction of the 1980s NBC sitcom “Family Ties.” Designed as a “hip parents/square kids” show with an emphasis on the parents, Alex wound up becoming the character who popped with audiences, largely thanks to sharp writing by series creator Gary David Goldberg and the comic skill of young Canadian actor Michael J. Fox. Critics, audiences and the Television Academy responded strongly to Fox’s work, rewarding the actor with five Emmy nominations for the role in the 1980s, including three consecutive wins as Best Comedy Actor.

It doesn’t happen often, but when it does, it’s memorable — a supporting character in a TV series breaks out to such a degree that he changes the entire direction of the series. Fonzie on “Happy Days” is one example; “J.J.” on “Good Times” another. But few have had the cultural impact of cocky conservative teen Alex P. Keaton whose dynamism completely upended the direction of the 1980s NBC sitcom “Family Ties.” Designed as a “hip parents/square kids” show with an emphasis on the parents, Alex wound up becoming the character who popped with audiences, largely thanks to sharp writing by series creator Gary David Goldberg and the comic skill of young Canadian actor Michael J. Fox. Critics, audiences and the Television Academy responded strongly to Fox’s work, rewarding the actor with five Emmy nominations for the role in the 1980s, including three consecutive wins as Best Comedy Actor.

Update, 3:08 Pm: Apple CEO Tim Cook’s X post on the much condemned “Crush” ad for the new iPad Pro has been viewed around 53 million times and the in-house produced promo is still on the tech giant’s YouTube page, but Apple is now saying sorry.

“Our goal is to always celebrate the myriad of ways users express themselves and bring their ideas to life through iPad,” Apple marketing kingpin Tor Myhren told Ad Age today as the backlash intensified. “We missed the mark with this video, and we’re sorry.”

Well, maybe not that sorry – as after two days they still haven’t taken the literally and figuratively destructive ad down.

Previously May 8 Am: Apple’s new iPad Pro isn’t hitting the shelves for another week, but the self-described “thinnest Apple product yet” is already being crushed because of a new ad.

Released yesterday at a virtual...

The battle of Lopez vs. Lopez will continue: NBC has renewed the sitcom starring George Lopez and Mayan Lopez for a third season, TVLine has learned. The network has also handed a series order to the Reba McEntire sitcom Happy’s Place.

Season-to-date, Lopez vs. Lopez is averaging 2.3 million total viewers and a 0.3 demo rating (with Live+7 playback), nearly right on par with its Season 1 numbers. Out of the three sitcoms that NBC has aired this TV season, it ranks last behind the already-renewed Night Court‘s second season (3.8 mil/0.4) and the freshman laffer Extended Family (3.2 mil/0.4), which was cancelled on Tuesday as well.

Prior to creating the hit absurdist sitcom "Night Court," Reinhold Weege was a writer on "Barney Miller" and on "M*A*S*H," for which he received a grand reputation in American television. "Night Court," however, launched him into the stratosphere, as the show was part of the invaluable NBC Thursday night lineup that revolutionized television. "Night Court" came at the end of a block of programming that included "The Cosby Show" (which was responsible for saving "Night Court"), "Cheers," and "Family Ties," and the four sitcoms collectively buoyed the network to new heights. The series was nominated for 12 Emmys during its 1984 to 1992 run, with four wins going to star John Larroquette.

Despite the success of the show, Weege remained an affable, unglamorous, street-level bloke, flaunting his Chicago roots with pride. In the 2022 book "Barney Miller and the Files Of the Ol' One-Two" by Otto W. Bruno, Weege preferred presenting himself as low-fi and unassuming,...

Television shows seem well-organized and choreographed. Yet, not everything about them always goes according to plan.

For example, an incidental character sometimes steals a scene and creates memorable television history.

Then, there are the characters who take things a step further by stealing scenes repeatedly until they become the stars themselves.

Particular characters, such as Dr. Gregory House on House, are often created to be standouts. Yet, occasionally, those main protagonists are entirely overshadowed.

In rare instances, characters who were supposed to be incidental became regulars and took over entire shows.

The Fonz on Happy Days (1974-1984)

Happy Days underwent several changes, including the recasting and eventual disappearance of Chuck Cunningham's character, but Arthur (The Fonz) Fonzarelli's addition most dramatically altered the show's trajectory.

Initially, Happy Days focused on the Cunningham family, especially teenager Richie (Ron Howard). The Fonz (Henry Winkler) was a side character. However, the motorcycle-riding, leather jacket-wearing greaser soon took over.

It was a movie with a questionable title. A lot of critics were rough on it. Gene Siskel even called it one of the worst movies of the year. It came and went in theatres with few movie-goers paying any attention. But in the years since its release, it has become a beloved cult classic, with a legion of fans that love quoting its memorable lines. Some of its youngest viewers were drawn in by what they saw as a wish fulfillment concept: What would you do if the babysitter croaked on the first day of your mom’s vacation… so you had the house to yourself for two months straight? We get to see what the Crandall kids would do in the 1991 comedy Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead – and it’s time for this one to be Revisited.

Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead wouldn’t exist if...

Throughout her illustrious run in the realm of music, Taylor Swift has cemented herself as one of, if not the biggest pop icon of the 21st century and has amassed an enormous following. But like every massive fandom, a part of the Swifties community is toxic as well, who often go out of their way to retaliate against anyone who dares to speak ill of the Cats star.

Michael J. Fox, whose opinion of Swift has changed drastically over the years, once found himself amidst heavy fire from the Swifties in 2013 following his initial remarks on the pop icon.

Michael J. Fox Was Against the Idea of Taylor Swift Dating His Son

Michael J. Fox | Credit: Back to The Future (via Universal Pictures)

While by 2013, Taylor Swift was already a huge icon in the music industry, Michael J. Fox had little knowledge about her. Fox was only aware of the...

Michael J. Fox became a household name when he starred as the protagonist Marty McFly in Robert Zemeckis’ sci-fi comedy Back to the Future. While the actor was not the first choice for the role, he replaced actor Eric Stoltz who had already begun filming for the movie. Fox has now become synonymous with the role and starred in two more sequels.

Before he became known for his role in Back to the Future and the sitcom Family Ties, Michael J. Fox was reportedly at the worst of his finances. He revealed once that his situation was so bad that he used to check at dumpsters for food because he could not afford it. However, once he bagged the roles of his lifetime, there was no turning back.

Michael J. Fox Had To Find Food At A Dumpster To Survive As A Struggling Actor A still from Family Ties

Actor Michael J.

Michael J. Fox is sharing his thoughts on how Hollywood has changed over the decades.

In a recent interview with People magazine, the Emmy-winning actor, who rose to fame in the 1980s following his roles in Palmerstown U.S.A., Night Court, Family Ties and Back to the Future, compared the entertainment industry now to when he got his start.

“There’s an expression I referred to when they gave me an honorary Academy Award — somebody said to me the day before, they were talking about getting this award and being famous and they said ‘You’re ‘80s famous,’” Fox recalled. “I thought, wow, that’s cool. ‘80s famous. Right, we were different.”

He added, “We were tougher. We didn’t have social media, we didn’t have any of that crap. We were just famous. Left to our own resources. And it was an amazing time.”

The Spin City...

This week has seen a lot of news content from Michael J. Fox since People Magazine celebrates their 50th anniversary with a profile on the star after they covered the heartbreaking revelation of his condition back in 1998. Fox is a big face of 80s pop culture thanks to his work in Family Ties, Teen Wolf, The Secret of My Success, and, of course, Back to the Future. According to Variety, Fox recalls when someone coined to him the phrase “80s famous” as he explained to People, “There’s an expression I referred to when they gave me an honorary Academy Award — somebody said to me the day before, they were talking about getting this award and being famous and they said ‘You’re ‘80s famous.’”

Fox expanded on this point of view, “I thought, ‘Wow, that’s cool.’ ‘80s famous. Right, we were different. We were tougher. We didn’t have social media,...