Latest news with #BridgetEverett
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Kristen Bell, Tina Fey, Bridget Everett, and the best of our Emmy Comedy Actress interviews
Over the past two months of Emmy campaigning, Gold Derby has spoken with several contenders in all categories. Now with voting underway ahead of the July 15 unveiling of the nominees, we have compiled nine interviews for stars vying for Best Comedy Actress, including: Kristen Bell (Nobody Wants This), Bridget Everett (Somebody Somewhere), Tina Fey (The Four Seasons), Kate Hudson (Running Point), Margo Martindale (The Sticky), Wendi McLendon-Covey (St. Denis Medical), Melissa Rauch (Night Court), Natasha Rothwell (How to Die Alone), and Allison Tolman (St. Denis Medical). Read on for highlights from each interviews and links to watch our full video Q&As. More from GoldDerby 'Hope for the best, prepare for the worst': 'Overcompensating' breakout Wally Baram on making her acting debut, defiling prop toilet The case of Leslie Abramson vs. Marcia Clark: Ari Graynor and Sarah Paulson on 'defending' their characters In Pixar's 'Elio,' Easter eggs are literally written in the stars - will you be able to spot them all? Created by Erin Foster and inspired by her marriage, the show follows the interfaith romance between Joanne (Bell), an agnostic podcaster, and "hot rabbi" Noah (Adam Brody). "What I liked so much about the dynamic was I was able to see clearly Joanne was a child and Noah was an adult until they switch," Bell tells us. "But initially, Joanne is messy and can't really commit or doesn't know how to hold things down together. And Noah has all these adult attributes, like stability that she gravitates towards. And she wants that. She just doesn't know how to get it." Watch our complete interview with Kristen Bell. In the HBO Max comedy series, Everett plays Sam, a true Kansan on the surface, but, beneath it all, struggles to fit the hometown mold. Grappling with loss and acceptance, she discovers herself and a community of outsiders who don't fit in but don't give up. "Sam is just trying to learn to exist in these new parameters," Everett says. "You get a little bit older, people start coupling up, and if you're not one — a party of three is just a little different. That's life, so you just acclimate." Watch our complete interview with Bridget Everett. Fey is the star, producer, and writer of the Netflix comedy, which is a remake of the original 1981 film from star, director, and writer Alan Alda. 'It was a really conscious effort to work in a different tone,' Fey says. 'We wanted to evoke the tone of the original movie. At the same time, we knew we were doing eight episodes for streaming, so we felt like we needed just enough story energy to feel like we were cliff-hangering and pulling people one episode to the next. It was a challenge for all of us to be restrained about where we put jokes. The few other characters we meet can't be too absurd. We have to stay grounded, stay tethered. And that's the goal — if we were to strip some things away, would we be able to hold tinier emotional moments and small behaviors as subtler jokes.' Watch our complete video interview with Tina Fey. In the Netflix series, Hudson stars as Isla Gordon, a fictionalized version of L.A. Lakers owner Jeanie Buss. "Jeanie's approach, which was actually kind of surprising to all of us, was, 'Go, have fun, enjoy it, I'm hands-off.' She just was all trust. It was a great lesson," says Hudson. "When you give trust, we all want to honor what it is that she gifted us, which was this awesome place to tell amazing stories in so many different ways about family, about women, about high stakes sports. That allowed me to be able to create Isla and not do Jeanie. It isn't a biopic. It really allowed it to take on a life of its own, which gives us freedom in comedy to separate it from the insanely high stakes world that Jeanie lives in." Read our complete interview with Kate Hudson. The Emmy-winning star of Justified and The Americans spoke to Gold Derby about her star turn on Prime Video's The Sticky, a dark comedy about an unlikely, bumbling trio who team up to pull off a maple syrup heist. "I love acting no matter how you throw it at me," she says. "But it was an honor to lead the tone of a show, meaning not the tone of the story, but the tone of the atmosphere of the group that, everybody's kind to each other and supportive." Martindale has long been called a "character actor," but that label has no meaning for her. "Acting is character acting. You think Meryl Streep's not a character actress? She's a character actress." Watch our complete interview with Margo Martindale. The veteran sitcom star plays hospital administrator Joyce on the NBC/Peacock mockumentary comedy series. 'In my mind, she became an administrator because she got tired of being told how to practice medicine,' McLendon-Covey says of the backstory she created for her character. But now, instead of battling with insurance companies over patient care, all she does now is 'beg for money all day. ... It's the delicious line I get to walk.' Watch our complete interview with Wendi McLendon-Covey. Rauch plays Judge Abby Stone on NBC's reboot also starring John Larroquette. The first scenes during the pilot, which were shot shortly after they met in person for the first time, had a real "electricity in the air," she says. And she's been picking up nuggets of wisdom ever since — down to the way Larroquette fills in the space between when the punchline lands and the audience stops laughing. "It's otherworldly," she says. "It's sort of like riding a wave and coming to the end of it. I love it so much, getting to watch him do it. … I'm constantly just taking notes from everyone." Watch our complete interview with Melissa Rauch. Rothwell created the series, in which she plays broke, single, plus-size JFK Airport worker Mel, who is deciding she wants more out of life after nearly choking to death remains a tough pill to swallow. "That show is the most vulnerable thing I've ever put in the world, and it remains the thing that I'm the most proud of," she tells us. "And it is definitely the product of 20 years of therapy, being able to say a lot of those things out loud. That scene in particular. … I went to school for theater. It's like, let's just treat the third act like a one act play. Let's just be in it. Let's just hear this conversation. Let's see these two people talk and say the things that have gone unsaid their entire lives, and that requires room to breathe." Watch our complete interview with Natasha Rothwell. The Emmy nominee talked to Gold Derby about playing supervising nurse Alex in the NBC/Peacock comedy series, a mom with two children at home who struggles with setting work-life boundaries. 'It can be lonely to be the straight man in a comedy like this because you're not the one who gets the big moments or the big jokes or the big set pieces,' the actress says. But the role does have its unique attributes, too. 'I really feel a kinship with the audience and I really feel like the responsibility and the honor of being their touchstone. … The joy of Alex for me is that she's really aware of how all of this is coming off and she's really aware of the fact that she's being observed at all times.' Watch our complete interview with Allison Tolman. Best of GoldDerby Adam Brody, Seth Rogen, Jason Segel, and the best of our Emmy Comedy Actor interviews 'It was wonderful to be on that ride': Christian Slater talks his beloved roles, from cult classics ('Heathers,' 'True Romance') to TV hits ('Mr. Robot,' 'Dexter: Original Sin') Sam Rockwell on Frank's 'White Lotus' backstory, Woody Harrelson's influence, and going all in on 'this arc of Buddhist to Bad Lieutenant' Click here to read the full article.
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
HBO star reveals why he has 'no hair and no eyebrows': 'I know I look weird'
Actor and comedian Jeff Hiller has revealed why exactly he has 'no hair and no eyebrows,' admitting: 'I know I look weird.' The 48-year-old reached new levels of prominence as the best friend on the HBO series Somebody Somewhere starring Bridget Everett. Demonstrating his range, he also played the villainous role of a serial killer targeting gay men on American Horror Story: NYC in 2022. Now he has published a new memoir called Actress Of A Certain Age, with a whole chapter devoted to the question of his hair. He disclosed that he suffers from frontal fibrosing alopecia, which occurs mainly in postmenopausal women and can result in eyebrow loss as well as a receding hairline at the front and sides of the patient's scalp. Jeff shared why he found that chapter to be the 'hardest' to write, and why he was surprised by the way people responded, via People. In the same chapter, he wrote about having patches of discolored skin brought on by the condition morphea, aka localized scleroderma. Although he was bent on including a chapter about 'morphea and having no hair or no eyebrows,' he found himself taken aback by the reactions. 'What's funny is I thought everyone would be like: "Oh my God, you're so brave for writing this," and no one has even mentioned it,' he dished. Jeff also pointed out that even his editor thought he might not 'need' to include the chapter in the book, which was published this Tuesday. 'When I first came out, it was really important for me to tell people I was gay, not because I thought they didn't know, but because I thought they weren't sure if I knew,' explained the San Antonio native. 'And I think I want to get out where I'm like: "I know I look weird, I've seen that you Googled it, I've talked to these hair and makeup people, I just want you to know I know it, too. So, if you're talking behind my back, I know it."' Although he found that chapter the 'hardest' to cobble together, he also noted: 'People get uncomfortable when you say: "I know I'm not attractive," but, also, that's not really where I hold myself esteem.' Jeff observed: 'I'm not a young, hot movie star that needs to be f***able to get my next role. So it's not that big of a deal. I know my hair looks weird.' The memoir also continues reflections about growing up in Texas, where young Jeff found himself getting picked on over his homosexuality. He found that portion 'surprisingly difficult' to get through, sharing: 'I forgave myself a little bit by writing about that, and I have a lot of compassion for my younger self.' Jeff continued: 'When I look at my little fat kid self with my perm from my mom that she gave me in the kitchen, I feel a lot of compassion for myself.' However not all the personal details of his life made it into the book, and he 'left out a couple of things that I thought were maybe a little too much,' he teased.
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Could AI Help the Emmys? Why the TV Community Is ‘Curious, but Not Yet Committed'
As Hollywood explores the potential impact of AI, there've been no shortage of conferences, technology testing and conversations to address this topic. In fact, the Television Academy held a well-attended AI Summit in mid-March, though there was still a lot of hesitation around the elephant in the room. Earlier this year, the awards conversation featured several high-profile Oscar contenders that utilized technology during production or post-production, including best picture nominees 'The Brutalist' and 'Emilia Pérez,' both of which incorporated AI audio technology from Respeecher. More from Variety Emmys Just Aren't Quite Sure What to Do With Eligibility for All of This Season's Guest Stars and Cameos Bridget Everett on How 'Somebody Somewhere' Was the Best Experience of Her Life: 'It's Like, Now What Am I Gonna Do?' Alexis Bledel Withdraws From Emmy Race for 'The Handmaid's Tale' Due to New Guest Actor Rules (EXCLUSIVE) Last month, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced AI guidelines as part of its rules for the 2026 Oscars: 'With regard to Generative Artificial Intelligence and other digital tools used in the making of the film, the tools neither help nor harm the chances of achieving a nomination. The Academy and each branch will judge the achievement, taking into account the degree to which a human was at the heart of the creative authorship when choosing which movie to award.' Similarly, the Television Academy has Emmy guidelines focused on the human contributions in a submission. 'Emmy rules make clear that submissions must be the work of the submitter, utilizing the tools of their craft,' a TV Academy spokesperson said in a statement to Variety. 'Though there are a few specific guidelines around the use of AI as a tool, the Television Academy continues to monitor it across all categories and will make any updates to our rules and guidelines as needed.' Speaking generally about AI, Eric Shamlin, CEO of new tech-infused production studio Secret Level and co-chair of the TV Academy's AI Task Force, admits that at this stage, he is seeing 'very little that's actively being used' in production, though there's a lot of testing of AI's potential. 'Everybody's kind of curious, but not yet committed.' He observes, 'Some of it is kind of early-stage storyboarding or concept development for maybe a new show or a new season. I think in other situations, it's being seen [for certain tasks in] visual effects or post-production. So, I think you're seeing different teams or different parts of the pipeline explore these tools, but I still think there's a lot of just overall kind of hesitation around the tools.' Shamlin also acknowledges thorny areas that still need to be worked out, such as legal, labor and ethical issues. 'There's still plenty of people that are against AI adoption or just vocally criticizing it, which I also deeply respect, but I do think the overall sentiment has shifted to one of engagement and curiosity and conversation,' he says. 'I want to be firmly on the side of making this a benefit to as many people as possible, and accelerating jobs and expanding jobs, multiplying jobs. But you only do that by engaging with the tools and engaging with the processes and helping guide how they get adopted.' There are many others in the community that feel the best approach is to talk about the technology and how it may be implemented, though not all employers or publicists want their representatives to discuss this publicly. 'It is time for the industry to reveal itself properly,' says another source in the community, requesting anonymity. 'Then, instead of being seen as a victim of AI, the art of moviemaking will be seen to be at the forefront of absorbing this new technology. Perhaps the studios based in technology companies and the technology companies active in the production of the movies will be the right ones to bring this message to the markets.' Best of Variety What's Coming to Netflix in June 2025 New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week Emmy Predictions: Sci-Fi Surges, FYC Crunch Pressure, and Comedy Category Shakeups Across 94 Races
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘I Am: Celine Dion' will now compete for Exceptional Merit in Documentary Filmmaking at Emmys — so what's the difference?
Prime Video's documentary I Am: Celine Dion, which chronicles the iconic pop singer's battle with Stiff Person Syndrome, has been accepted to compete in the Exceptional Merit in Documentary Filmmaking category at the 2025 Emmys, Gold Derby has confirmed. This juried award, presented at the Creative Arts Emmys since 2005, honors documentaries that "showcase an exceptional filmmaker's vision, compelling storytelling, artistic innovation, and the ability to inform, transport, impact, enlighten, and create a meaningful, indelible work that elevates the art of documentary filmmaking." Notably, films selected for this category are not eligible to compete in Best Informational Series or Special or Best Documentary or Nonfiction Special. More from GoldDerby How the longtime 'Severance' cinematographer wound up directing Season 2's standout episode 'We could do this show forever': 'Somebody Somewhere' creators on final season, heart, and the humor of Bridget Everett The Making of 'Out of My Mind': Inside the groundbreaking Disney+ film redefining disability representation on screen What's the difference between Exceptional Merit in Documentary Filmmaking and Best Documentary or Nonfiction Special? According to the 2025 Emmys rulebook, documentaries with an aggregate theatrical release exceeding 70 days must enter the Exceptional Merit in Documentary Filmmaking category. They are ineligible for competition in the Documentary or Nonfiction Special or Hosted Nonfiction Series or Special categories. The television broadcast or streaming debut of these documentaries must occur within one year of their initial public exhibition, excluding film festival screenings, which do not count as theatrical screenings. Programs nominated for an Oscar in any category are also barred from submitting. In essence, the Exceptional Merit in Documentary Filmmaking category was created to celebrate documentaries that had a robust theatrical run before airing on television. For example, Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story, another standout film that was in contention for last year's Best Documentary Feature Oscar, will also compete in this category. Speaking to Gold Derby last year, director Irene Taylor reflected on her initial surprise when approached about the project. "I did not know Céline before this film," she admitted. "In fact, I was a little bit surprised when a producer contacted me — someone who had worked closely with her and her management in the past. She said she was thinking of me for this possible film that Céline was open to. I was surprised because my films are very much character-driven, but I had never focused on someone with as much celebrity as Céline has." As the film delves into Dion's struggles with a long-hidden illness, Taylor speculated why the singer chose her for the project. "I think Céline was looking for someone she could tell her secret to. That's really what the film is about — this unfortunate lie that she had been telling the world." Filmed more than two years ago, Taylor sought to focus the most pivotal and deeply challenging period in Dion's life. "It would have been out of bounds just to do a straightforward biopic when her body was going through this tumultuous detox off of medications. She was trying to figure out what was happening with her vocal cords. She was also at home with her children, adjusting to having the kind of time she hadn't had for decades. It was very clear that the film needed to focus on this exceptional period of her life." A performer since childhood, Dion's identity has long been intertwined with her role as a global entertainer. "Céline began performing before she was even a teenager, so she didn't necessarily know how to step out of that role," Taylor explained. "I wanted the film to have some balance between the struggle and that essential talent and joyful person Céline is at heart," she explained, adding that these elements helped "brighten up the film a little bit." One of the film's most harrowing moments captures Dion experiencing a medical crisis while undergoing therapy for her illness. Reflecting on the scene, Taylor revealed, "We call it a medical episode because her body just goes into this rigid stance, and we didn't know if she was breathing." Initially, the crew prioritized Dion's safety, but it quickly became clear that she was in capable hands. "Her bodyguard and her physical therapist had a protocol given to them by doctors of exactly what to do," Taylor explained. Ultimately, they decided to continue filming. "Céline had told us, 'Don't shy away. Always film, and I'll tell you to stop.' Remarkably, Céline never asked to see the footage — she trusted us to document her truth." I Am: Celine Dion is streaming on Prime Video. Best of GoldDerby Chloë Sevigny on Kitty Menendez and 'Monsters' fascination: 'People are endlessly curious about those who have privilege and abuse it' Jason Isaacs relives filming 'The White Lotus' piña colada scene: 'It was one of the reasons I was worried about taking the job' Kaitlyn Dever on playing 'horrible' characters in 'Last of Us', 'Apple Cider Vinegar': 'I just don't see any other option but to give 100 percent' Click here to read the full article.
Los Angeles Times
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
2025 Emmy predictions: best comedy actress
Reigning champ and winner for each of 'Hacks'' previous three seasons, Jean Smart is the favorite here, with Natasha Lyonne, star, executive producer and occasional writer and director of 'Poker Face,' joining her as the only other performer named on every ballot in Round 1. 'I'd love to see if Natasha Lyonne can really compete this year with Smart and [Quinta] Brunson,' says Trey Mangum. 'But also, Ayo Edebiri may continue to be an awards darling and stun them all.' Marveling at how Lyonne 'makes it look effortless,' Glenn Whipp says the multiple threat 'looks like she's having the time of her life.' Lorraine Ali says, 'Bridget Everett, Natasha Lyonne and Uzo Aduba all deliver fantastic and nuanced performances as eccentric outsiders and in roles that capitalize on their unconventional appeal.' Tracy Brown writes that Kathryn Hahn's selfish witch on 'Agatha All Along' 'is pretty much everything society tells you women aren't supposed to be, but you can feel Hahn having a blast, playing her.' Predicting it will again be Smart's time to shine, Matt Roush declares, 'In the spirit of 'It's an honor to be nominated,' let's hope Bridget Everett receives that honor for her poignant, soul-baring realism.' And while Kristen Baldwin expects the final season of 'What We Do in the Shadows' to get a series nom, 'It still hurts that Natasia Demetriou [hasn't been] nominated for her consistently batty (sorry) performance as the enterprising vampire Nadja of Antipaxos.' More predictions: Comedy actor | Comedy series 1. Jean Smart, 'Hacks'2. Natasha Lyonne, 'Poker Face'3. Quinta Brunson, 'Abbott Elementary'4. Bridget Everett, 'Somebody Somewhere'5. Ayo Edebiri, 'The Bear'6. Kristen Bell, 'Nobody Wants This'7. Kathryn Hahn, 'Agatha All Along'8. Poorna Jagannathan, 'Deli Boys'9. Kate Hudson, 'Running Point'10 Uzo Aduba, 'The Residence'
