CNN founder Turner reveals he has Lewy body dementia
‘I’m Dying Up Here’ canceled
WASHINGTON, Sept 30, (RTRS): US billionaire media mogul Ted Turner, the founder of CNN, has revealed he is battling Lewy body dementia, a neurodegenerative disease that alters memory, mood, movement and behavior.
In an interview on CBS, the 79-year-old Turner opened up about his battle, and even struggled to remember the name of the disorder.
“It’s a mild case of what people have as Alzheimer’s. It’s similar to that. But not nearly as bad. Alzheimer’s is fatal,” Turner said, in excerpts released by the network.
“Thank goodness I don’t have that. But, I also have got, let’s – the one that’s – I can’t remember the name of it.”
Finally, Turner said: “Dementia. I can’t remember what my disease is.”
Lewy body dementia affects 1.5 million Americans. Notably, comedian Robin Williams was afflicted by the disease before he took his own life in 2014.
Like Williams, Turner told “CBS Sunday Morning,” he was misdiagnosed with depression before doctors identified dementia as the true problem.
Asked about his symptoms, he replied: “Tired. Exhausted. That’s the main symptoms, and, forgetfulness.”
In 1980, Turner launched CNN, the first 24-hour news channel, as part of his Turner Broadcasting empire – revolutionizing the way America, and the world, got its news. Turner Broadcasting System then merged with Time Warner in 1996.
When asked about CNN, Turner said: “I think they’re sticking with politics a little too much. They’d do better to have a more balanced agenda. But that’s, you know, just one person’s opinion.”
Turner is also known for his decade-long marriage to actress Jane Fonda and his billiondollar pledge to the United Nations to fund charitable efforts.
Netflix has ordered three new sci-fi shows to series, the streaming giant has announced.
The first is titled “The I-Land.” When ten people wake up on a treacherous island with no memory of who they are or how they got there, they set off on a trek to try to get back home. They soon discover this world is not as it seems. Faced with the island’s extreme psychological and physical challenges, they must rise to their better selves – or die as their worst ones.
Kate Bosworth stars as KC and serves as a producer on the series, marking the first time Bosworth has produced a television show. Natalie Martinez will star as Chase, and Alex Pettyfer will star as Brody. Netflix has ordered seven episodes of the series.
Neil LaBute is the writer, director, and showrunner on “The I-Land,” with Lucy Teitler also writing. Chad Oakes and Mike Frislev will executive produce, with Teitler and Jonathan Scarfe co-executive producing. Scarfe will also serve as director. Nomadic Pictures Entertainment will produce.
Created The next series is “October Faction.” Based on the IDW comic book series created by Steve Niles, the show follows globetrotting monster hunters Fred and Deloris Allen who, after the death of Fred’s father, return to their hometown in upstate New York with their teenage children Geoff and Viv. As the family adjusts, Fred and Deloris must hide their identities as members of a secret organization, and quickly discover that their new small-town setting isn’t as idyllic as it seems. Netflix has ordered 10 episodes.
Damian Kindler is the creator, executive producer, and showrunner of “October Faction.” He will also direct along with Director X, Megan Follows, and David Frazee. Niles, James Thorpe, Thomas Walden and Eric Birnberg will executive produce, with George Strayton and Melissa Blake co-executive producing. John Calvert and Mohamed El Masri will produce. High Park Entertainment will produce in association with IDW Entertainment. IDW Entertainment is the worldwide distributor for the series, excluding Canada.
The final series is “Warrior Nun,” inspired by the manga novels of the same name. It revolves around a 19 year-old woman who wakes up in a morgue with a new lease on life and a divine artifact embedded in her back. She discovers she is now part of an ancient order that has been tasked with fighting demons on Earth, and powerful forces representing both heaven and hell want to find and control her. Netflix has ordered 10 episodes.
Simon Barry is the writer, showrunner, and executive producer on the series. Stephen Hegyes will executive produce, with Teri Hughes Burton co-executive producing. Amy Berg is a consulting producer on the series.
Showtime has canceled “I’m Dying Up Here” after two seasons.
The drama series, which boasted Jim Carrey among its executive producers, followed a fictionalized group of stand up comedians in LA in the ‘70s. The cast was led by Oscar winner Melissa Leo, who played tough as nails comedy club owner Goldie. The cast also included Ari Graynor, Clark Duke, Michael Angarano, RJ Cyler, Andrew Santino, Erik Griffin, Al Madrigal and Jake Lacy. Jon Daly, Nicole Ari Parker, Xosha Roquemore, Stefania LaVie Owen and Brad Garrett joined the show in recurring roles in Season 2.
It was based on the non-fiction book of the same name by William Knoedelseder. Dave Flebotte, Carrey, Michael Aguilar, Christina Wayne, Cindy Chupack, Adam Davidson, and Endemol Shine Studios served as executive producers on Season 2. Showtime produced “I’m Dying Up Here.” Showtime confirmed the cancellation Friday evening.
The series never picked up any steam in the ratings, with the first season averaging just 143,000 viewers per episode in Live+Same Day, making it one of Showtime’s least watched originals. Going into the second season, Showtime paired the show with the much higher-rated “Billions” on Sunday nights. The move did boost “I’m Dying Up Here’s” numbers, but the show still only averaged about 180,000 viewers.
Kiefer Sutherland’s accidental president is now streaming exclusively on Netflix: The first two seasons of “Designated Survivor” are now available to Netflix subscribers in the US and Canada.
Hulu had previously nabbed exclusive US subscription VOD rights to “Designated Survivor” seasons 1 and 2, which aired on ABC, under a deal announced in November 2017. Episodes of “Designated Survivor” also are unavailable on ABC’s streaming platforms.
Earlier this month, Netflix announced a deal for a third season of “Designated Survivor” in a production deal with eOne after ABC cancelled the show. As part of the pact, Netflix secured streaming rights for the first two season of the show in the U.S. and Canada. Season 3 is slated to debut on Netflix worldwide in 2019.
“Designated Survivor” stars Sutherland as Tom Kirkman, a low-level cabinet member who suddenly is forced to assume to role of US president after a catastrophic attack on the U.S. Capitol during the State of the Union address.
Netflix tapped eOne’s Neal Baer as showrunner for season 3 of “Designated Survivor,” making him the fifth showrunner since the show’s inception.