Martin Scorsese's "The Wolf Of Wall Street" is poised to be one of December's biggest films, both in praise and length. Scorsese's adaptation of Jordan Belfort's memoir of the same name has already won kudos from The National Board of Review, which placed the nearly three-hour film on its list of best features of the year. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio as Belfort and Jonah Hill as his partner in crime, "The Wolf of Wall Street" focuses on corrupt '90s bankers, and the excess with which they lived. A new clip from the film, debuting exclusively here and at our sister site, Moviefone, is below.
Watch Jonah Hill Quit His Job For Leo In 'Wolf Of Wall Street'
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Producer Now Says He Believes Actor Ryan O'Neal Stole Andy Warhol Artwork
LOS ANGELES (AP) — A reality television producer told a jury on Wednesday that he believes Ryan O'Neal stole an Andy Warhol portrait of Farrah Fawcett done in 1980.
Craig Nevius said he formed his opinion when he began working with the University of Texas at Austin as it sought to take the artwork from the actor. The university claims in its lawsuit that Fawcett left the painting to the school as part of a donation but O'Neal took it from Fawcett's condominium days after her death in 2009.
Nevius testified that he had conversations about the artwork with the actress and saw documents regarding ownership that she had signed when she loaned the portrait and a twin version also done by Warhol to a museum.
"I believe he stole it," Nevius testified about O'Neal. "I believe she owned it."
O'Neal's attorney attacked the credibility of Nevius, noting the producer had been removed from a leadership position on a documentary about Fawcett's battle with cancer and had been involved in several lawsuits against O'Neal.
O'Neal says he had permission from the trustee of Fawcett's estate to remove the artwork and contends it was a gift from Warhol for facilitating the portrait session with the "Charlie's Angels" star.
"The painting is mine," O'Neal previously told jurors.
Nevius acknowledged that he never heard Fawcett say she owed both portraits, which she hung in her condominium in the final years of her life.
He also said he was unaware that O'Neal had been granted permission to take the artwork when Nevius began lobbying the university to pursue a criminal case against the actor.
The university displays its version of the portrait in its Blanton Museum of Art and wants the second piece to display by its side.
O'Neal's lawyer Marty Singer questioned Nevius about his campaign against the actor, which included an attempt to get the California attorney general and Internal Revenue Service to classify the Warhol painting held by the actor to be part of Fawcett's estate. Both efforts were unsuccessful, Singer said.
O'Neal has sued Nevius for defamation in a separate case that is pending.
Nevius testified that he believes O'Neal and others close to Fawcett conspired to remove him from a documentary project that NBC aired on her fight with cancer. Fawcett died in June 2009.
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Anthony McCartney can be reached at http://twitter.com/mccartneyAP
Craig Nevius said he formed his opinion when he began working with the University of Texas at Austin as it sought to take the artwork from the actor. The university claims in its lawsuit that Fawcett left the painting to the school as part of a donation but O'Neal took it from Fawcett's condominium days after her death in 2009.
Nevius testified that he had conversations about the artwork with the actress and saw documents regarding ownership that she had signed when she loaned the portrait and a twin version also done by Warhol to a museum.
"I believe he stole it," Nevius testified about O'Neal. "I believe she owned it."
O'Neal's attorney attacked the credibility of Nevius, noting the producer had been removed from a leadership position on a documentary about Fawcett's battle with cancer and had been involved in several lawsuits against O'Neal.
O'Neal says he had permission from the trustee of Fawcett's estate to remove the artwork and contends it was a gift from Warhol for facilitating the portrait session with the "Charlie's Angels" star.
"The painting is mine," O'Neal previously told jurors.
Nevius acknowledged that he never heard Fawcett say she owed both portraits, which she hung in her condominium in the final years of her life.
He also said he was unaware that O'Neal had been granted permission to take the artwork when Nevius began lobbying the university to pursue a criminal case against the actor.
The university displays its version of the portrait in its Blanton Museum of Art and wants the second piece to display by its side.
O'Neal's lawyer Marty Singer questioned Nevius about his campaign against the actor, which included an attempt to get the California attorney general and Internal Revenue Service to classify the Warhol painting held by the actor to be part of Fawcett's estate. Both efforts were unsuccessful, Singer said.
O'Neal has sued Nevius for defamation in a separate case that is pending.
Nevius testified that he believes O'Neal and others close to Fawcett conspired to remove him from a documentary project that NBC aired on her fight with cancer. Fawcett died in June 2009.
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Anthony McCartney can be reached at http://twitter.com/mccartneyAP
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Why Tom Daley's Coming Out Video Was Pretty Much Perfect
We live in strange world, don't we? On Monday, British Olympic diver Tom Daley posted a YouTube video in which he revealed that he is dating a guy:
Within minutes the clip had been shared around the world, and within the hour numerous blog posts had popped up discussing the relevance of his announcement: Was this really news? Does anyone really care? Didn't we all assume Tom was gay anyway? We had the obligatory Buzzfeed roundup of negative tweets in response to the video, followed by the obligatory Buzzfeed roundup of positive tweets in response to the video. Kylie tweeted at Tom. Tom retweeted Kylie. Stephen Fry tweeted at Tom. Tom replied to Stephen Fry. Lady Gaga tweeted about Tom. Tens of thousands of others read, shared and favorited the exchanges. As of this post's publication, Tom's original tweet had been retweeted over 70,000 times and favorited by over 84,000 people.
Twitter (and social media in general) has completely changed the way we find out about news stories, comment on them and discuss them. What a lot of people failed to understand was that although Tom Daley posted that message on a video sharing website, he didn't do it for Lady Gaga or Stephen Fry or Kylie Minogue or me or you. He did it for himself.
Unlike Tom, when I came out almost 12 years ago, I didn't have Facebook, Twitter followers or a legion of adoring fans to consider. I told my close friends, family and people I worked with, and the reaction I got was great; in fact, I couldn't have asked for better. I told people I'm gay not because I felt that it was my duty to let them know but because I did not want to continue living a life that wasn't really mine. Of course, by being open and honest with those close to me, I was able to build closer bonds with people, because I felt that I wasn't hiding anything anymore.
Tom Daley's life is a life in the public eye. We have seen him grow up on our TVs and computer screens. We've read about him in magazines and cheered him on at London 2012, where he picked up a bronze medal. You may remember the awful Twitter trolling that took place at this time, when someone tweeted at Tom saying that his father (who had passed away from cancer) would have been ashamed of him for collecting only a third-place medal. Vile. Inexcusable. Just awful.
Tom is 19 years old. Anyone who has been through the process of realizing they're somehow different from their friends and questioning their sexuality knows how difficult it is. Some people find it so emotionally challenging that they choose to ignore it and lead a life that suits those around them. Others come out. At a young age, Tom has also had to deal with the death of his father, which can completely derail some people. The death of a parent becomes a defining moment in your life, with all other events taking up a place either before or after. Tom may very well have been struggling to understand his feelings toward men at the time of his father's illness and death. Or he may not have struggled at all; I know that for some people that process of self-realization isn't as earth-shattering or as traumatic as it is for others. Either way, the fact that he has now decided to be open with his friends, family and the public is something that we should either respect or keep quiet about.
Many people, upon hearing that Daley is now dating a guy, predictably threw around the "in other news the Pope is Catholic" line. Whatever we thought about Tom Daley before Monday in regard to his sexual orientation, no one can say that they "knew he was gay all along." No one can say this because Tom himself hasn't even come out as gay, something else that a huge number of people don't seem to want to accept. I've read many comments suggesting that he is making his coming out as gay easier by utilizing the "bisexual" label. But Daley didn't use the words "gay" or "bisexual" in his video, so who are we to create gaps and then proceed to fill them in ourselves?
I think that Tom Daley's video is a beautiful, honest, personal, inspiring and emotional 5 minutes and 26 seconds. He told us on YouTube because, whether he likes it or not, his profession dictates that he have a personal profile. The fact that some people feel that they have the right to disrespect someone who has decided to share something so personal confuses me. Some people have once again asked why people still need to come out. The reason is simple. As long as society assumes that someone is straight until they know otherwise, people will have to come out. Tom Daley could have come out by doing a magazine interview, holding hands with his boyfriend in public or writing a book. It doesn't matter how he did it; he did it in the way he wanted to, and in my opinion he did it really well.
I'll watch this video again and again, because I think that the words Tom uses are perfect. He refuses to label himself (he says he still likes girls), but he is open about feeling safe and happy being with a guy. I know how hard coming out is. I know how hard losing a parent at a young age is. Neither experience is easy. And so for that I wholeheartedly take my hat off to Tom Daley for being such a brave man. He may not realize it at the moment, but as well as making his own life much easier, his maturity and honesty have also just helped thousands of other people too.
Within minutes the clip had been shared around the world, and within the hour numerous blog posts had popped up discussing the relevance of his announcement: Was this really news? Does anyone really care? Didn't we all assume Tom was gay anyway? We had the obligatory Buzzfeed roundup of negative tweets in response to the video, followed by the obligatory Buzzfeed roundup of positive tweets in response to the video. Kylie tweeted at Tom. Tom retweeted Kylie. Stephen Fry tweeted at Tom. Tom replied to Stephen Fry. Lady Gaga tweeted about Tom. Tens of thousands of others read, shared and favorited the exchanges. As of this post's publication, Tom's original tweet had been retweeted over 70,000 times and favorited by over 84,000 people.
Twitter (and social media in general) has completely changed the way we find out about news stories, comment on them and discuss them. What a lot of people failed to understand was that although Tom Daley posted that message on a video sharing website, he didn't do it for Lady Gaga or Stephen Fry or Kylie Minogue or me or you. He did it for himself.
Unlike Tom, when I came out almost 12 years ago, I didn't have Facebook, Twitter followers or a legion of adoring fans to consider. I told my close friends, family and people I worked with, and the reaction I got was great; in fact, I couldn't have asked for better. I told people I'm gay not because I felt that it was my duty to let them know but because I did not want to continue living a life that wasn't really mine. Of course, by being open and honest with those close to me, I was able to build closer bonds with people, because I felt that I wasn't hiding anything anymore.
Tom Daley's life is a life in the public eye. We have seen him grow up on our TVs and computer screens. We've read about him in magazines and cheered him on at London 2012, where he picked up a bronze medal. You may remember the awful Twitter trolling that took place at this time, when someone tweeted at Tom saying that his father (who had passed away from cancer) would have been ashamed of him for collecting only a third-place medal. Vile. Inexcusable. Just awful.
Tom is 19 years old. Anyone who has been through the process of realizing they're somehow different from their friends and questioning their sexuality knows how difficult it is. Some people find it so emotionally challenging that they choose to ignore it and lead a life that suits those around them. Others come out. At a young age, Tom has also had to deal with the death of his father, which can completely derail some people. The death of a parent becomes a defining moment in your life, with all other events taking up a place either before or after. Tom may very well have been struggling to understand his feelings toward men at the time of his father's illness and death. Or he may not have struggled at all; I know that for some people that process of self-realization isn't as earth-shattering or as traumatic as it is for others. Either way, the fact that he has now decided to be open with his friends, family and the public is something that we should either respect or keep quiet about.
Many people, upon hearing that Daley is now dating a guy, predictably threw around the "in other news the Pope is Catholic" line. Whatever we thought about Tom Daley before Monday in regard to his sexual orientation, no one can say that they "knew he was gay all along." No one can say this because Tom himself hasn't even come out as gay, something else that a huge number of people don't seem to want to accept. I've read many comments suggesting that he is making his coming out as gay easier by utilizing the "bisexual" label. But Daley didn't use the words "gay" or "bisexual" in his video, so who are we to create gaps and then proceed to fill them in ourselves?
I think that Tom Daley's video is a beautiful, honest, personal, inspiring and emotional 5 minutes and 26 seconds. He told us on YouTube because, whether he likes it or not, his profession dictates that he have a personal profile. The fact that some people feel that they have the right to disrespect someone who has decided to share something so personal confuses me. Some people have once again asked why people still need to come out. The reason is simple. As long as society assumes that someone is straight until they know otherwise, people will have to come out. Tom Daley could have come out by doing a magazine interview, holding hands with his boyfriend in public or writing a book. It doesn't matter how he did it; he did it in the way he wanted to, and in my opinion he did it really well.
I'll watch this video again and again, because I think that the words Tom uses are perfect. He refuses to label himself (he says he still likes girls), but he is open about feeling safe and happy being with a guy. I know how hard coming out is. I know how hard losing a parent at a young age is. Neither experience is easy. And so for that I wholeheartedly take my hat off to Tom Daley for being such a brave man. He may not realize it at the moment, but as well as making his own life much easier, his maturity and honesty have also just helped thousands of other people too.
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PBS Releases New 'Sherlock' Images From Season 3
On Jan. 19 "Sherlock" fans will finally find out what happened to the world's greatest detective when the PBS series returns for a third season.
PBS has released some images from the upcoming season, and while the pictures may not give away much plot-wise, one thing is for certain: Sherlock is very much alive.
Like the previous two seasons, the third season will consist of three episodes:
"The Empty Hearse" -- Sunday, January 19
"The Sign of Three" -- Sunday, January 26
"His Last Vow" -- Sunday, February 2
In addition to the three episodes, the BBC in the UK will debut a mini-episode online on Christmas Day, which will serve as a prequel to the third season. No word yet on whether PBS will also screen the mini-episode stateside.
Check out the new "Sherlock" images below and tune into the season premiere on Jan. 19 on PBS.
PBS has released some images from the upcoming season, and while the pictures may not give away much plot-wise, one thing is for certain: Sherlock is very much alive.
Like the previous two seasons, the third season will consist of three episodes:
"The Empty Hearse" -- Sunday, January 19
"The Sign of Three" -- Sunday, January 26
"His Last Vow" -- Sunday, February 2
In addition to the three episodes, the BBC in the UK will debut a mini-episode online on Christmas Day, which will serve as a prequel to the third season. No word yet on whether PBS will also screen the mini-episode stateside.
Check out the new "Sherlock" images below and tune into the season premiere on Jan. 19 on PBS.
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Something Called 'X-Men Apocalypse' Is Coming In 2016
Just in from director Bryan Singer, news of something called "X-Men: Apocalypse" coming to theaters in 2016.
Singer made no mention of cast or crew or plot or any other relevant details. Movies.com, however, tells another story:
According to TheWrap, the project is a sequel to 2014's "X-Men: Days of Future Past." Fox has set May 27, 2016 for the film's release. Head to Movies.com for much more on "X-Men: Apocalypse."
#Xmen #Apocalypse 2016!
— Bryan Singer (@BryanSinger) December 5, 2013Singer made no mention of cast or crew or plot or any other relevant details. Movies.com, however, tells another story:
Apocalypse has an incredibly convoluted backstory, but in the simplest terms, he’s a mutant despot, born in ancient Egypt, with an idea of mutant supremacy in which only the strongest of mutants are worthy of a life. His schemes against the X-Men typically see him engaging in genetic experimentation or situations in which mutants are pitted against other mutants, for his own Darwinian results. In the “Age of Apocalypse” storyline, the X-Men experience an alternate future in which Apocalypse controls America as a ruthless mutant military state.
According to TheWrap, the project is a sequel to 2014's "X-Men: Days of Future Past." Fox has set May 27, 2016 for the film's release. Head to Movies.com for much more on "X-Men: Apocalypse."
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Nelson Mandela's Style Remembered: His Signature Bold & Colorful Madiba Shirts (PHOTOS)
Former South African President Nelson Mandela, who served 27 years in prison for anti-apartheid activities and led his continent into a new era, has died at age 95.
Much like Mandela's freedom fighting comrades, his tireless campaign for civil rights and peace was heightened by the sophisticated and proud sartorial manner in which he presented himself. While the former president of South Africa certainly wore plenty of custom-made suits, it was his traditional Madiba shirts that comprised his distinguished and celebrated signature style. The bold and colorful printed shirts, named after Mandela's African clan, became synonymous with the icon after he first debuted the look at South Africa's first democratic Parliament in May 1994.
SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTOS
"What Mandela has accomplished for South Africa--and for the world as a whole--was so staggering that it might seem insulting to put it in the context of style. But it would be just as insulting to ignore it," Zandile Blay, editor-in-chief of HELLO! Nigeria and adjunct journalism professor at Syracuse University, told The Huffington Post.
We couldn't agree more.
Mandela's fashion-forward flare combined with his revered political legacy not only influenced others to adopt his eye-catching style (even to this day) but also inspired entire clothing collections.
"We can't forget the essence of his struggle was affirming that the black African was just as much of a man as his white brother," Blay said. "Mandela's words and actions did this succinctly, but it was a wardrobe--as dignified and elegant and powerful as the man who wore them--which carried that message across visually."
With that said, as we mourn of the loss of Mandela and celebrate his enduring legacy we'd also like to take a moment to celebrate his incomparable style. Flip through the slideshow below to see some of his most bold and powerful looks.
Much like Mandela's freedom fighting comrades, his tireless campaign for civil rights and peace was heightened by the sophisticated and proud sartorial manner in which he presented himself. While the former president of South Africa certainly wore plenty of custom-made suits, it was his traditional Madiba shirts that comprised his distinguished and celebrated signature style. The bold and colorful printed shirts, named after Mandela's African clan, became synonymous with the icon after he first debuted the look at South Africa's first democratic Parliament in May 1994.
SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTOS
"What Mandela has accomplished for South Africa--and for the world as a whole--was so staggering that it might seem insulting to put it in the context of style. But it would be just as insulting to ignore it," Zandile Blay, editor-in-chief of HELLO! Nigeria and adjunct journalism professor at Syracuse University, told The Huffington Post.
We couldn't agree more.
Mandela's fashion-forward flare combined with his revered political legacy not only influenced others to adopt his eye-catching style (even to this day) but also inspired entire clothing collections.
"We can't forget the essence of his struggle was affirming that the black African was just as much of a man as his white brother," Blay said. "Mandela's words and actions did this succinctly, but it was a wardrobe--as dignified and elegant and powerful as the man who wore them--which carried that message across visually."
With that said, as we mourn of the loss of Mandela and celebrate his enduring legacy we'd also like to take a moment to celebrate his incomparable style. Flip through the slideshow below to see some of his most bold and powerful looks.
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85 Photos Of Celebrities In Tights, Leggings And Spandex To Inspire You This Winter
Of the few things only us women understand, leggings, tights and spandex rank pretty high. The comfy material can easily take us from day to night, summer to winter, casual to glam. It's our workout gear, but can also be dressed up and deemed appropriate for the fanciest of holiday parties.
Behold, 85 photos of celebrities who totally get it:
Behold, 85 photos of celebrities who totally get it:
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Celebrities Reveal What Age They Were When They Lost Their Virginity
When it comes to talking about sex, some celebrities are more than willing to share their intimate stories.
Take Joe Jonas for instance: The Jonas Brother opened up in an essay he wrote for Vulture, revealing that he lost his virginity shortly after removing his purity ring.
"I lost my virginity when I was 20. I did other stuff before then, but I was sexually active at 20," Jonas explained in his Vulture post. "I’m glad I waited for the right person, because you look back and you go, ‘That girl was batsh-t crazy. I’m glad I didn’t go there.’”
But Jonas isn't the only star to tell the tale of his "first time."
Here are 12 other celebrities who revealed when they lost their virginity:
Take Joe Jonas for instance: The Jonas Brother opened up in an essay he wrote for Vulture, revealing that he lost his virginity shortly after removing his purity ring.
"I lost my virginity when I was 20. I did other stuff before then, but I was sexually active at 20," Jonas explained in his Vulture post. "I’m glad I waited for the right person, because you look back and you go, ‘That girl was batsh-t crazy. I’m glad I didn’t go there.’”
But Jonas isn't the only star to tell the tale of his "first time."
Here are 12 other celebrities who revealed when they lost their virginity:
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Justin Bieber Detained In Australia During Airport Drug Search
Justin Bieber and his entourage were detained at the Brisbane, Australia airport while customs agents looked for drugs ... and TMZ has learned they allegedly found weed on one of Justin's pals.
The Australian Federal Police tell us ... a 19-year-old man was detained back on Nov. 24 ... but was released after getting a stern warning for using.
The Australian Federal Police tell us ... a 19-year-old man was detained back on Nov. 24 ... but was released after getting a stern warning for using.
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Bruce Dern Recalls Waking Up To Discover Eleanor Roosevelt Was His Babysitter (VIDEO)
You've never had a babysitter like this.
Film legend Bruce Dern talked to HuffPost Live's Ricky Camilleri about his new film "Nebraska," and during the conversation he revealed the very famous woman who once cared for him -- First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt.
Dern's grandfather was Secretary of War in President Franklin D. Roosevelt's first cabinet, so Dern's family would visit the president and his wife at their estate in Hyde Park, New York. During one of the trips, Dern was riding his bike when he hit a tree and suffered a concussion. About eight hours later, he awoke to quite the surprise.
"There was a lady sitting in a rocking chair next to me with a book in her lap. The first thing I saw was the book in the lap and the legs in a nightgown down to the slippers. And when I looked up I saw this--" Dern said, making a face and baring his teeth, "and I realized it was Mrs. Roosevelt."
Check out the full interview with Bruce Dern at HuffPost Live HERE.
Film legend Bruce Dern talked to HuffPost Live's Ricky Camilleri about his new film "Nebraska," and during the conversation he revealed the very famous woman who once cared for him -- First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt.
Dern's grandfather was Secretary of War in President Franklin D. Roosevelt's first cabinet, so Dern's family would visit the president and his wife at their estate in Hyde Park, New York. During one of the trips, Dern was riding his bike when he hit a tree and suffered a concussion. About eight hours later, he awoke to quite the surprise.
"There was a lady sitting in a rocking chair next to me with a book in her lap. The first thing I saw was the book in the lap and the legs in a nightgown down to the slippers. And when I looked up I saw this--" Dern said, making a face and baring his teeth, "and I realized it was Mrs. Roosevelt."
Check out the full interview with Bruce Dern at HuffPost Live HERE.
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How 'The Sound Of Music Live!' Came To Life
Tonight's the night. The highly anticipated "The Sound of Music Live!" finally debuts on NBC.
The three-hour live event has been written about extensively online, and also covered in NBC's own hour-long "Making of 'The Sound of Music Live!'" special, which aired last week.
The live musical stars Carrie Underwood and Stephen Moyer as Maria and Captain von Trapp, which were originally played by Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer in the 1965 film. The NBC version airing tonight will not be based on the film, but instead the 1959 stage version, which already differs from the film version in numerous ways.
Producers Neil Meron and Craig Zadan were interviewed by The Hollywood Reporter about the nerve-wracking experience of bringing this beloved musical to the screen ... again.
In the interview, Meron and Zadan talk about the daunting task of casting Maria, who most people associate with Julie Andrews. "Carrie was our first choice from day one because we felt we loved the surprise of Carrie as an actress," said Meron. "We also felt that Carrie was Maria. She has all of the qualities of Maria."
Meron and Zadan note that the rest of the casting process wasn't so simple, and it wasn't until they knew that Stephen Moyer was about to perform in "Chicago" at the Hollywood Bowl that they realized they found their Captain.
Even though Moyer is known to most audiences as vampire Bill on HBO's "True Blood," he told Entertainment Weekly that he wasn't scared away by a live musical because of the length of rehearsal time. "It’s because they gave us a proper rehearsal period. Neil Meron and Craig Zadan have done a brilliant job of doing it like a Broadway show."
When asked about having any reservations about reviving a classic musical Zadan said: "We are hoping that audiences would want to see where the movie came from with the same story and with the same familiar songs but a little bit different." Though they also told The Hollywood Reporter that they were reviving the stage musical, not the movie. "We are staying true to the way every word was written for the Broadway stage."
Meron added, "I think that the audience will discover, within the first few minutes of watching the show, that they are not seeing a TV version of the movie. They'll know right away it's 'The Sound of Music,' but it's a different 'Sound of Music' than they are accustomed to seeing on film."
Whether the live musical is a hit with viewers and critics remains to be seen, but to see the live event for yourself, tune in tonight at 8 p.m. EST on NBC.
The three-hour live event has been written about extensively online, and also covered in NBC's own hour-long "Making of 'The Sound of Music Live!'" special, which aired last week.
The live musical stars Carrie Underwood and Stephen Moyer as Maria and Captain von Trapp, which were originally played by Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer in the 1965 film. The NBC version airing tonight will not be based on the film, but instead the 1959 stage version, which already differs from the film version in numerous ways.
Producers Neil Meron and Craig Zadan were interviewed by The Hollywood Reporter about the nerve-wracking experience of bringing this beloved musical to the screen ... again.
In the interview, Meron and Zadan talk about the daunting task of casting Maria, who most people associate with Julie Andrews. "Carrie was our first choice from day one because we felt we loved the surprise of Carrie as an actress," said Meron. "We also felt that Carrie was Maria. She has all of the qualities of Maria."
Meron and Zadan note that the rest of the casting process wasn't so simple, and it wasn't until they knew that Stephen Moyer was about to perform in "Chicago" at the Hollywood Bowl that they realized they found their Captain.
Even though Moyer is known to most audiences as vampire Bill on HBO's "True Blood," he told Entertainment Weekly that he wasn't scared away by a live musical because of the length of rehearsal time. "It’s because they gave us a proper rehearsal period. Neil Meron and Craig Zadan have done a brilliant job of doing it like a Broadway show."
When asked about having any reservations about reviving a classic musical Zadan said: "We are hoping that audiences would want to see where the movie came from with the same story and with the same familiar songs but a little bit different." Though they also told The Hollywood Reporter that they were reviving the stage musical, not the movie. "We are staying true to the way every word was written for the Broadway stage."
Meron added, "I think that the audience will discover, within the first few minutes of watching the show, that they are not seeing a TV version of the movie. They'll know right away it's 'The Sound of Music,' but it's a different 'Sound of Music' than they are accustomed to seeing on film."
Whether the live musical is a hit with viewers and critics remains to be seen, but to see the live event for yourself, tune in tonight at 8 p.m. EST on NBC.
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Nelson Mandela As Portrayed In Movies, From Danny Glover To Idris Elba
The news of Nelson Mandela's death at age 95 has prompted tributes devoted to every aspect of the former South African president's life. Like most major news events, popular culture is not excluded. The past several years have seen a throng of movies that brought Mandela's story to both the big and small screens. At least two of which garnered significant awards attention: Danny Glover earned an Emmy nomination for the 1987 TV movie "Mandela" and Morgan Freeman received an Oscar nod for 2009's "Invictus."
Mandela's life will undoubtedly be the subject of biopics to come, given the political legacy he left behind. Here are seven actors who've taken on the role over the last 25 years.
Danny Glover -- "Mandela" (1987)
![danny glover]()
Dennis Haysbert -- "Goodbye Bafana" (2007)
![dennis haysbert]()
Clarke Peters -- "Endgame" (2009)
![clarke peters]()
Morgan Freeman -- "Invictus" (2009)
![morgan freeman]()
David Harewood -- "Mrs. Mandela" (2011)
![david harewood]()
Terrence Howard -- "Winnie Mandela" (2011)
![terrence howard]()
Idris Elba -- "Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom" (2013)
![idris elba]()
Mandela's life will undoubtedly be the subject of biopics to come, given the political legacy he left behind. Here are seven actors who've taken on the role over the last 25 years.
Danny Glover -- "Mandela" (1987)
Dennis Haysbert -- "Goodbye Bafana" (2007)
Clarke Peters -- "Endgame" (2009)
Morgan Freeman -- "Invictus" (2009)
David Harewood -- "Mrs. Mandela" (2011)
Terrence Howard -- "Winnie Mandela" (2011)
Idris Elba -- "Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom" (2013)
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Beyonce And Jay Z Spotted At Vegan Restaurant Cafe Gratitude On His Birthday
When Jay Z announced Wednesday that he was committing to a "plant-based" lifestyle for 22 days, he ended with a plea for any "professional vegans" out there to recommend their favorite restaurants.
It looks like Jay Z has already gotten some decent suggestions; he and wife Beyonce were spotted in Los Angeles later that day at Cafe Gratitude, a vegan restaurant in Larchmont Village beloved by both hipsters and Hollywood alike.
The star pair were spotted by TMZ celebrating Jay Z's birthday with meatless dishes like kale salad, curried lentils and corn tacos with chipotle butternut squash.
Check out TMZ to see which other stars were also at Cafe Gratitude that day.
Of course, in Cafe Gratitude parlance, those dishes are actually called "I Am Pure," "I Am Humble," and "I Am Transformed," because all the food is named after personal affirmations.
Jay Z had had announced his vegan lifestyle experiment on his blog, noting that he was looking forward to a "spiritual and physical cleanse."
![cafe gratitude]()
Photo of the "I Am Pure" kale salad.
Of course, Bey and Jay aren't the only celebrities who have given up animal products. Take a look at a few stars that have gone vegan for good.
It looks like Jay Z has already gotten some decent suggestions; he and wife Beyonce were spotted in Los Angeles later that day at Cafe Gratitude, a vegan restaurant in Larchmont Village beloved by both hipsters and Hollywood alike.
The star pair were spotted by TMZ celebrating Jay Z's birthday with meatless dishes like kale salad, curried lentils and corn tacos with chipotle butternut squash.
Check out TMZ to see which other stars were also at Cafe Gratitude that day.
Of course, in Cafe Gratitude parlance, those dishes are actually called "I Am Pure," "I Am Humble," and "I Am Transformed," because all the food is named after personal affirmations.
Jay Z had had announced his vegan lifestyle experiment on his blog, noting that he was looking forward to a "spiritual and physical cleanse."
Of course, Bey and Jay aren't the only celebrities who have given up animal products. Take a look at a few stars that have gone vegan for good.
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Celebrities React To Nelson Mandela's Death On Twitter
Former South African President, Nelson Mandela, has died at age 95. With little time having passed since his death, celebrities have turned to social media to honor the fallen leader and educate their followers on his legacy.
Never met a better person in my life than Nelson Mandela. My sympathy to his family & his country.
— Samuel L. Jackson (@SamuelLJackson) December 5, 2013Mandela is gone. There is no one else like him.
— Anderson Cooper (@andersoncooper) December 5, 2013I remember Soweto. Election day 1994. Standing in line with elderly South Africans voting for the first time in their lives. #Mandela
— Anderson Cooper (@andersoncooper) December 5, 2013What a heroic, beautiful life Mandela lived. Rest in peace.
— John Legend (@johnlegend) December 5, 2013I've never been so honored to meet anyone #Mandela http://t.co/leoKOaA4BO
— John Legend (@johnlegend) December 5, 2013He lives within us forever. We will never forget. pic.twitter.com/xLOEr8QW6O
— Tyra Banks (@tyrabanks) December 5, 2013One of the greatest men who's ever lived!!! #Legend We will never forget the things this man has… http://t.co/ztPkooNOIN
— Rihanna (@rihanna) December 5, 2013#NelsonMandela you made your people proud!! We'll always love you for it!
— Rihanna (@rihanna) December 5, 2013We have lost one of humanity's greatest treasures. RIP Madiba. I will never forget the lessons learned from him or his vision that lives on.
— josh groban (@joshgroban) December 5, 2013Nelson Mandela, rest in peace. What an unbelievable legacy…
— Neil Patrick Harris (@ActuallyNPH) December 5, 2013Advising all my young ones that follow me to research a small piece of Nelson Mandela Life. That's how you pay your respect...... GO!
— Kendrick Lamar (@kendricklamar) December 5, 2013Today is officially one of the saddest days! The world has lost the most inspirational person to ever walk the earth rip #NelsonMandela
— Kelly Osbourne (@KellyOsbourne) December 5, 2013Sad Day. We will miss you....Nelson Mandela Dead: Former South Africa President Dies At 95 http://t.co/yXl2UmLJOj via @BlackVoices
— Mark Ruffalo (@Mruff221) December 5, 2013Meeting Nelson Mandela at his house in Johannesburg was a truly memorable moment in life for me. He was an angel. pic.twitter.com/PaIX362rYX
— Fergie (@Fergie) December 5, 2013"A good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination." #RIPNelsonMandela
— Lindsay Lohan (@lindsaylohan) December 5, 2013Today the world lost one it's greatest leaders. Rest in peace Mandela...
— Eva Longoria (@EvaLongoria) December 5, 2013Honored that I had a chance to meet this amazing influential being & to participate in his 46664 Aids… http://t.co/Uz2afj0C6O
— Ludacris (@Ludacris) December 5, 2013You have to love the Mandela life.
— Steve Martin (@SteveMartinToGo) December 5, 2013"When people are determined they can overcome anything." Nelson Mandela
— Russell Simmons (@UncleRUSH) December 5, 2013Thanks for your inspiration, friendship & the joy you brought into our lives http://t.co/UxWxoMjbBv #RIPNelsonMandela
— Richard Branson (@richardbranson) December 5, 2013RIP Nelson Mandela. You are now truly free. God Bless and enjoy the heavens. Tell Celia Cruz hello for me and azucaaaaarrrr
— Pitbull (@Pitbull) December 5, 2013↧
Rashida Jones: '2013 Was The Year Of The Very Visible Vagina'
Tumblr may have unofficially declared 2013 to be the year of the #Hipster, but Rashida Jones has a different take on the last 12 months. According to the "Parks and Recreation" star, it was "the year of the very visible vagina."
Jones, who had received some flack for telling female celebrities to "stop acting like whores" on Twitter in October, clarified her comments in Glamour's January issue and expressed her frustration with the pornification of pop cuture.
The actress wrote:
Jones also argued that she doesn't want to shame women for their sexual choices, but she does want to start a dialogue about the over-sexualization of pop culture and the ways in which female celebrities impact their fans.
"Let’s at least try to discuss the larger implications of female sexuality on pop culture without shaming each other," she wrote. "There’s more than one way to be a good feminist."
Head over to Glamour to read the full piece.
Jones, who had received some flack for telling female celebrities to "stop acting like whores" on Twitter in October, clarified her comments in Glamour's January issue and expressed her frustration with the pornification of pop cuture.
The actress wrote:
I understand that owning and expressing our sexuality is a huge step forward for women. But, in my opinion, we are at a point of over-saturation. It’s like when TV network censors evaluate a show’s content. Instead of doing a detailed report of dirty jokes or offensive words, they will simply say, ‘It’s a tonnage issue.’ One or two swear words might be fine; 10 is too many. Three sexual innuendos is OK; eight is overkill. When it comes to porn imagery and pop culture, we have a tonnage issue.
Jones also argued that she doesn't want to shame women for their sexual choices, but she does want to start a dialogue about the over-sexualization of pop culture and the ways in which female celebrities impact their fans.
"Let’s at least try to discuss the larger implications of female sexuality on pop culture without shaming each other," she wrote. "There’s more than one way to be a good feminist."
Head over to Glamour to read the full piece.
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Idris Elba: 'What An Honor It Was To Step Into The Shoes Of Nelson Mandela'
Idris Elba is the most recent actor to portay Nelson Mandela, and the "Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom" star released a statement following the South African leader's death on Thursday at the age of 95:
The new film, which debuted in limited release on Nov. 27 and was produced by The Weinstein Company, is based on Mandela's own autobiography, "Long Walk To Freedom." According to producer Anant Singh, Mandela saw a scene from the movie before his death, and was delighted with Elba's portrayal.
“He saw Idris Elba as the old Mandela in the Mandela prosthetics and he says, 'Is that me?'" Singh recalled to Variety. "And it was very cute and he smiled and laughed, so it was very good."
Harvey Weinstein, TWC co-chairman, also released a statement about Mandela's death:
More on Mandela can be found here.
What an honor it was to step into the shoes of Nelson Mandela and portray a man who defied odds, broke down barriers, and championed human rights before the eyes of the world. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
The new film, which debuted in limited release on Nov. 27 and was produced by The Weinstein Company, is based on Mandela's own autobiography, "Long Walk To Freedom." According to producer Anant Singh, Mandela saw a scene from the movie before his death, and was delighted with Elba's portrayal.
“He saw Idris Elba as the old Mandela in the Mandela prosthetics and he says, 'Is that me?'" Singh recalled to Variety. "And it was very cute and he smiled and laughed, so it was very good."
Harvey Weinstein, TWC co-chairman, also released a statement about Mandela's death:
One of the privileges of making movies is having the opportunity to immortalize those who have made a profound impact on humanity. We count ourselves unspeakably fortunate to have been immersed in Nelson Mandela’s story and legacy. It’s been an honor to have been granted such proximity to a man who will go down as one of history’s greatest freedom fighters and advocates for justice. I have had the privilege of spending time with President Mandela and I can say his sense of humor was as great as his optimism. We are deeply saddened by his loss; our hearts go out to his family and the entire South African nation.
More on Mandela can be found here.
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Pop Danthology's Mashup Of 68 Songs From 2013 Will Make You Wanna Dance
Daniel Kim is back with his annual mashup of all your favorite songs.
It took Kim 180 hours to mix the 68 songs from 2013, but the payoff is pretty incredible. The mashup seamlessly transitions from songs like Daft Punk's "Get Lucky," to Jason Derulo's "The Other Side" and Krewella's "Alive. Stop reading, and start listening, because this mashup is going to make you want to dance.
Want the complete list of songs used? Here it is:
Anna Kendrick – “Cups (When I’m Gone)”
Armin van Buuren feat. Trevor Guthrie – “This Is What It Feels Like”
A$AP Rocky feat. Skrillex, Birdy Nam Nam – “Wild For The Night”
Avicii – “Wake Me Up”
Avril Lavigne – “Here’s To Never Growing Up”
Bastille – “Pompeii”
Bauuer – “Harlem Shake”
Bingo Players feat. Far East Movement – “Get Up (Rattle)”
Britney Spears – “Ooh La La”
Britney Spears – “Work B**tch”
Bruno Mars – “Locked Out Of Heaven”
Bruno Mars – “Treasure”
Bruno Mars – “When I Was Your Man”
Calvin Harris feat. Ayah Marar – “Thinking About You”
Calvin Harris feat. Ellie Goulding – “I Need Your Love”
Capital Cities – “Safe And Sound”
Daft Punk feat. Pharrell Williams – “Get Lucky”
Demi Lovato – “Heart Attack”
Drake feat. Majid Jordan – “Hold On, We’re Going Home”
Drake – “Started From The Bottom”
Ellie Goulding – “Burn”
Icona Pop feat. Charli XCX – “I Love It (I Don’t Care)”
Imagine Dragons – Demons
Jason Derulo – “The Other Side”
Jay-Z feat. Justin Timberlake – “Holy Grail”
Justin Timberlake – “Mirrors”
Justin Timberlake feat. Jay-Z – “Suit & Tie”
Katy Perry – “Roar”
Kelly Clarkson – “Catch My Breath”
Ke$ha – “C’mon”
Ke$ha feat. will.i.am – “Crazy Kids”
Krewella – “Alive”
Lady Gaga – “Applause”
Lana Del Rey – “Summertime Sadness (Cedric Gervais Remix)”
Lorde – “Royals”
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis feat. Mary Lambert – “Same Love”
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis feat. Ray Dalton – “Can’t Hold Us”
Maroon 5 – “Daylight”
Maroon 5 – “Love Somebody”
Martin Garrix – “Animals”
Martin Solveig & The Cataracs feat. Kyle – “Hey Now”
Miley Cyrus – “We Can’t Stop”
Miley Cyrus – “Wrecking Ball”
Naughty Boy feat. Sam Smith – “La La La”
One Direction – “Best Song Ever”
One Direction – “Story Of My Life”
OneRepublic – “Counting Stars”
OneRepublic – “If I Lose Myself”
Passenger – “Let Her Go”
P!nk feat. Nate Ruess – “Just Give Me A Reason”
Pitbull feat. Christina Aguilera – “Feel This Moment”
Pitbull feat. Ke$ha – “Timber”
Pitbull feat. TJR – “Don’t Stop The Party”
PSY – “Gentleman”
Rihanna – “Pour It Up”
Rihanna feat. David Guetta – “Right Now”
Rihanna feat. Mikky Ekko – “Stay”
Robin Thicke feat. Kendrick Lamar – “Give It 2 U”
Robin Thicke feat. T.I., Pharrell Williams – “Blurred Lines”
Selena Gomez – “Come & Get It”
Selena Gomez – “Slow Down”
Taylor Swift – “22”
Taylor Swift – “I Knew You Were Trouble”
will.i.am feat. Britney Spears – “Scream & Shout”
will.i.am feat. Justin Bieber – “#thatPOWER”
Ylvis – “The Fox (What Does The Fox Say?)”
Zedd feat. Foxes – “Clarity”
Zedd feat. Hayley Williams – “Stay The Night”
It took Kim 180 hours to mix the 68 songs from 2013, but the payoff is pretty incredible. The mashup seamlessly transitions from songs like Daft Punk's "Get Lucky," to Jason Derulo's "The Other Side" and Krewella's "Alive. Stop reading, and start listening, because this mashup is going to make you want to dance.
Want the complete list of songs used? Here it is:
Anna Kendrick – “Cups (When I’m Gone)”
Armin van Buuren feat. Trevor Guthrie – “This Is What It Feels Like”
A$AP Rocky feat. Skrillex, Birdy Nam Nam – “Wild For The Night”
Avicii – “Wake Me Up”
Avril Lavigne – “Here’s To Never Growing Up”
Bastille – “Pompeii”
Bauuer – “Harlem Shake”
Bingo Players feat. Far East Movement – “Get Up (Rattle)”
Britney Spears – “Ooh La La”
Britney Spears – “Work B**tch”
Bruno Mars – “Locked Out Of Heaven”
Bruno Mars – “Treasure”
Bruno Mars – “When I Was Your Man”
Calvin Harris feat. Ayah Marar – “Thinking About You”
Calvin Harris feat. Ellie Goulding – “I Need Your Love”
Capital Cities – “Safe And Sound”
Daft Punk feat. Pharrell Williams – “Get Lucky”
Demi Lovato – “Heart Attack”
Drake feat. Majid Jordan – “Hold On, We’re Going Home”
Drake – “Started From The Bottom”
Ellie Goulding – “Burn”
Icona Pop feat. Charli XCX – “I Love It (I Don’t Care)”
Imagine Dragons – Demons
Jason Derulo – “The Other Side”
Jay-Z feat. Justin Timberlake – “Holy Grail”
Justin Timberlake – “Mirrors”
Justin Timberlake feat. Jay-Z – “Suit & Tie”
Katy Perry – “Roar”
Kelly Clarkson – “Catch My Breath”
Ke$ha – “C’mon”
Ke$ha feat. will.i.am – “Crazy Kids”
Krewella – “Alive”
Lady Gaga – “Applause”
Lana Del Rey – “Summertime Sadness (Cedric Gervais Remix)”
Lorde – “Royals”
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis feat. Mary Lambert – “Same Love”
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis feat. Ray Dalton – “Can’t Hold Us”
Maroon 5 – “Daylight”
Maroon 5 – “Love Somebody”
Martin Garrix – “Animals”
Martin Solveig & The Cataracs feat. Kyle – “Hey Now”
Miley Cyrus – “We Can’t Stop”
Miley Cyrus – “Wrecking Ball”
Naughty Boy feat. Sam Smith – “La La La”
One Direction – “Best Song Ever”
One Direction – “Story Of My Life”
OneRepublic – “Counting Stars”
OneRepublic – “If I Lose Myself”
Passenger – “Let Her Go”
P!nk feat. Nate Ruess – “Just Give Me A Reason”
Pitbull feat. Christina Aguilera – “Feel This Moment”
Pitbull feat. Ke$ha – “Timber”
Pitbull feat. TJR – “Don’t Stop The Party”
PSY – “Gentleman”
Rihanna – “Pour It Up”
Rihanna feat. David Guetta – “Right Now”
Rihanna feat. Mikky Ekko – “Stay”
Robin Thicke feat. Kendrick Lamar – “Give It 2 U”
Robin Thicke feat. T.I., Pharrell Williams – “Blurred Lines”
Selena Gomez – “Come & Get It”
Selena Gomez – “Slow Down”
Taylor Swift – “22”
Taylor Swift – “I Knew You Were Trouble”
will.i.am feat. Britney Spears – “Scream & Shout”
will.i.am feat. Justin Bieber – “#thatPOWER”
Ylvis – “The Fox (What Does The Fox Say?)”
Zedd feat. Foxes – “Clarity”
Zedd feat. Hayley Williams – “Stay The Night”
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Kirstie Alley Reveals What Triggered Her Cocaine Addiction
Kirstie Alley has made no secret of her past cocaine addiction, but in an interview with Howard Stern Wednesday, the actress revealed what drove her to use the destructive drug in the first place.
Sitting down with the radio host to promote her new show, "Kirstie," the 62-year-old actress admitted that she was almost instantly hooked on the drug the first time she tried it -- and that she took it around the time of her separation from her first husband, Bob Alley, in 1977.
"I didn’t do drugs until I was 25," Alley said. "I got a divorce from my husband, and I started hanging out out with this guy I was sort of madly in love with. He had already done all of his drugs, but he had a lot of druggie friends.”
"I had heard that cocaine made you peppy and happy and I was sort of depressed because I had gotten a divorce and wrecked everybody’s lives. So I thought, 'I’m gonna try this,'" she recalled. "I took one snort of cocaine, and I go, 'Oh my God! I’m gonna do this every day for the rest of my life!'"
Alley added that dabbling in the drug quickly escalated into an addiction.
"I did a lot of cocaine. I was crazy," she said.
The actress -- who credits the Scientology rehab program, Narconon, with helping her overcome the nearly three-year addiction -- has opened up about the darkest days of her addiction before.
In November 2012, the TV star told Entertainment Tonight that her use of cocaine got so bad, she feared it would kill her.
“I thought I was going to overdose almost every time," Alley said. "There was about a year’s span that I did cocaine that I was doing it -– you could say –- more occasionally, on the weekend. Then my weekend became a three-day weekend, then it became four, then it became five. I would do so much at a time that I would snort the coke and then I would sit there, I would take my pulse [thinking]: ‘I’m dying, I’m dying, I’m dying.’"
Keep in touch! Check out HuffPost Divorce on Facebook and Twitter.
Sitting down with the radio host to promote her new show, "Kirstie," the 62-year-old actress admitted that she was almost instantly hooked on the drug the first time she tried it -- and that she took it around the time of her separation from her first husband, Bob Alley, in 1977.
"I didn’t do drugs until I was 25," Alley said. "I got a divorce from my husband, and I started hanging out out with this guy I was sort of madly in love with. He had already done all of his drugs, but he had a lot of druggie friends.”
"I had heard that cocaine made you peppy and happy and I was sort of depressed because I had gotten a divorce and wrecked everybody’s lives. So I thought, 'I’m gonna try this,'" she recalled. "I took one snort of cocaine, and I go, 'Oh my God! I’m gonna do this every day for the rest of my life!'"
Alley added that dabbling in the drug quickly escalated into an addiction.
"I did a lot of cocaine. I was crazy," she said.
The actress -- who credits the Scientology rehab program, Narconon, with helping her overcome the nearly three-year addiction -- has opened up about the darkest days of her addiction before.
In November 2012, the TV star told Entertainment Tonight that her use of cocaine got so bad, she feared it would kill her.
“I thought I was going to overdose almost every time," Alley said. "There was about a year’s span that I did cocaine that I was doing it -– you could say –- more occasionally, on the weekend. Then my weekend became a three-day weekend, then it became four, then it became five. I would do so much at a time that I would snort the coke and then I would sit there, I would take my pulse [thinking]: ‘I’m dying, I’m dying, I’m dying.’"
Keep in touch! Check out HuffPost Divorce on Facebook and Twitter.
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'Mob Wives' Brawl Breaks Out At NYC At Premiere Party
A brawl reportedly broke out at the "Mob Wives" premiere party in New York on Thursday night.
The crazy scene allegedly unfolded at a soiree for the VH1 show's fourth season at the Greenhouse, the Manhattan club adjacent to W.i.P, where Chris Brown and Drake infamously fought in 2012.
The crazy scene allegedly unfolded at a soiree for the VH1 show's fourth season at the Greenhouse, the Manhattan club adjacent to W.i.P, where Chris Brown and Drake infamously fought in 2012.
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'Sound Of Music' Review: What Worked And What Didn't
NEW YORK (AP) — Whew, that was nerve-wracking, right? All those kids and staircases, pillow fights, candles and dancing. But somehow the cast and crew of NBC's three-hour live telecast of "The Sound of Music" pulled it off Thursday night with only a trodden-on dress, some inconsistent sound levels and a flubbed few words.
This was the first time in more than a half-century since a broadcast network dared to mount a full-scale musical for live TV and there seemed to be danger everywhere, making it impossible to stop watching in case one of the von Trapp kids tumbled into a fountain or a camera accidentally exploded. But it was all whiskers on kittens and warm woolen mittens, for the most part. The only real problem was the real reason most people tuned in: Carrie Underwood, an "American Idol" winner and country music star, sang well as Maria but her acting inexperience was laid bare. She had zero chemistry with her love interest and lacked any intensity or shading. Deer in headlights have emoted more. How do you solve a problem like Maria, indeed.
Underwood was done no favors by being surrounded by some Broadway veterans — Christian Borle, Laura Benanti and Audra McDonald, especially — who thrive under the lights and pressure. This is what these Tony Award winners do for a living and it showed. It was like watching a Nissan Sentra try to drag race with a pack of Bugatti Veyrons.
Full credit goes to Underwood for trying, though. She was not just dancing and singing live in front of millions in a medium she is a novice at, but she also was stepping into the role made famous by Julie Andrews in the 1965 film. As if that wasn't enough, it was also only a few hours after the death of Nelson Mandela. Theater lovers mocked her on Twitter but the only reason we got to see "The Sound of Music" on TV was Underwood. No one is about to build a live network musical around a Broadway star, alas.
Viewers who tuned in hoping to catch the film version may have been surprised at what was broadcast from a Long Island soundstage. This show was based on the stage original, penned as a vehicle for Mary Martin, not the Andrews film. It includes several songs that were left out of the movie — "No Way to Stop It" and "How Can Love Survive" — and is darker, with more Nazis.
The directors — Tony-nominated director and choreographer Rob Marshall and Emmy-nominated "Saturday Night Live" and "30 Rock" director-producer Beth McCarthy-Miller — used all six sets efficiently and the dozen cameras worked hard, catching close-ups as well as sweeping shots. But it was often strangely lifeless, with the crack and zing of being live rarely transmitting through the screen.
It was supposed to be spectacular, appointment TV in this era of DVRs and binge watching. It's unclear if this was the breakthrough that will start a whole new musical revolution. What it really turned out to be was an advertisement for Broadway (smart shows currently running like "Wicked" and "Rogers + Hammerstein's Cinderella" bought commercials) and the skills that veterans of the stage can bring.
Borle was arch and wonderfully slimy as Max, Benanti was glamorously witty as Elsa, and McDonald was a majestic Mother Abbess. Michael Campayno as Rolf was a natural though he's still in drama school and Ariane Rinehart was a winning Liesl. Stephen Moyer, who is primarily known for his work on HBO's "True Blood," was a particularly stern Captain and more than a few people watching would probably have liked him to ditch the nun drop-out and stay with Benanti.
But Carrie Underwood was the star and she gets her man in the end. Underwood also got us to watch yet it was Borle, Benanti and McDonald who showed the world how to hold a moonbeam in your hand.
___
Follow Mark Kennedy on Twitter at http://twitter.com/KennedyTwits
This was the first time in more than a half-century since a broadcast network dared to mount a full-scale musical for live TV and there seemed to be danger everywhere, making it impossible to stop watching in case one of the von Trapp kids tumbled into a fountain or a camera accidentally exploded. But it was all whiskers on kittens and warm woolen mittens, for the most part. The only real problem was the real reason most people tuned in: Carrie Underwood, an "American Idol" winner and country music star, sang well as Maria but her acting inexperience was laid bare. She had zero chemistry with her love interest and lacked any intensity or shading. Deer in headlights have emoted more. How do you solve a problem like Maria, indeed.
Underwood was done no favors by being surrounded by some Broadway veterans — Christian Borle, Laura Benanti and Audra McDonald, especially — who thrive under the lights and pressure. This is what these Tony Award winners do for a living and it showed. It was like watching a Nissan Sentra try to drag race with a pack of Bugatti Veyrons.
Full credit goes to Underwood for trying, though. She was not just dancing and singing live in front of millions in a medium she is a novice at, but she also was stepping into the role made famous by Julie Andrews in the 1965 film. As if that wasn't enough, it was also only a few hours after the death of Nelson Mandela. Theater lovers mocked her on Twitter but the only reason we got to see "The Sound of Music" on TV was Underwood. No one is about to build a live network musical around a Broadway star, alas.
Viewers who tuned in hoping to catch the film version may have been surprised at what was broadcast from a Long Island soundstage. This show was based on the stage original, penned as a vehicle for Mary Martin, not the Andrews film. It includes several songs that were left out of the movie — "No Way to Stop It" and "How Can Love Survive" — and is darker, with more Nazis.
The directors — Tony-nominated director and choreographer Rob Marshall and Emmy-nominated "Saturday Night Live" and "30 Rock" director-producer Beth McCarthy-Miller — used all six sets efficiently and the dozen cameras worked hard, catching close-ups as well as sweeping shots. But it was often strangely lifeless, with the crack and zing of being live rarely transmitting through the screen.
It was supposed to be spectacular, appointment TV in this era of DVRs and binge watching. It's unclear if this was the breakthrough that will start a whole new musical revolution. What it really turned out to be was an advertisement for Broadway (smart shows currently running like "Wicked" and "Rogers + Hammerstein's Cinderella" bought commercials) and the skills that veterans of the stage can bring.
Borle was arch and wonderfully slimy as Max, Benanti was glamorously witty as Elsa, and McDonald was a majestic Mother Abbess. Michael Campayno as Rolf was a natural though he's still in drama school and Ariane Rinehart was a winning Liesl. Stephen Moyer, who is primarily known for his work on HBO's "True Blood," was a particularly stern Captain and more than a few people watching would probably have liked him to ditch the nun drop-out and stay with Benanti.
But Carrie Underwood was the star and she gets her man in the end. Underwood also got us to watch yet it was Borle, Benanti and McDonald who showed the world how to hold a moonbeam in your hand.
___
Follow Mark Kennedy on Twitter at http://twitter.com/KennedyTwits
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