Names and faces
Amy Schumer was to appear as the mother of prominent Springfield resident Mr. Burns on the season premiere of The Simpsons that aired Sunday. The comedian voiced Mrs. Burns in flashbacks of the crotchety billionaire’s younger days. “We learn something that might have made him the man he is,” Executive Producer Al Jean told EW.com. “We discover he was the equivalent of an Internet-fail sensation in, like, 1917.” Schumer is an avowed fan of The Simpsons. In 2014, she told Vulture that her favorite episode is “Two Cars in Every Garage and Three Eyes on Every Fish,” from the show’s second season. Mr. Burns played a major role in that episode, too, launching an ill-advised gubernatorial campaign that was eventually thwarted by Marge Simpson.
Jane Pauley is becoming a morning television host again — this time at a much more relaxed pace. CBS said Sunday that she will replace Charles Osgood as anchor of the Sunday Morning telecast. The bow-tied Osgood, at the end of his last telecast after 22 years, told viewers that Pauley would replace him. She’s been a contributor to the show since 2014. Pauley will be only the third host of the program since its 1979 start with Charles Kuralt. Sunday Morning averages nearly 6 million viewers a week, the most popular morning news program on the weekend. The show is heavy on features and a quiet, cultured vibe. Osgood leaves on a high note; ratings have increased for four straight years, and this past season was his most-watched ever as host. Sunday Morning devoted its program Sunday to a send-off for the 83-year-old Osgood, who will be an occasional contributor in the future and will continue his radio work. “It’s a great honor to be given the chance to further our show’s legacy on excellence,” Pauley said. “I look forward to bringing loyal viewers the kind of engaging, original reporting that has made the broadcast so irresistible for so long.” Pauley, 65, was host of NBC’s Today show for 13 years, ending in 1989. She spent a decade as an anchor at Dateline NBC and had her own syndicated talk show in 2004. She has written two books, and the second — about people over age 50 learning new careers and skills — drew the attention of Sunday Morning. The show did a story about Pauley’s book, and viewers responded so positively that she was invited to become a contributor, said Rand Morrison, the show’s executive producer. Pauley begins as full-time host on Oct. 9, after the show takes a week off because of a football game.