Magic Johnson docuseries in works
A new documentary series about the life and career of Lakers great Earvin “Magic” Johnson is headed to Apple TV+.
Announced Thursday, the four-part docuseries chronicles the two-time NBA Hall of Famer’s accomplishments on and off the court. Directed by Rick Famuyiwa, the series will trace Johnson’s upbringing in Lansing, Michigan, through his championship career with the Los Angeles Lakers as well as his HIV/AIDS activism.
The NBA’s overall No. 1 draft pick in 1979, Johnson played with the Lakers for 13 seasons. In addition to winning five NBA championships, his basketball career highlights include winning the gold at the 1992 Olympic Games as part of the United States’ Dream Team.
Johnson became an advocate for HIV/AIDS education and research after he announced his HIV-positive status in November 1991.
The project boasts never-before-seen footage and interviews with Johnson and others to “offer an unprecedented look at one of sport’s all-time greats,” according to the announcement.
A premiere date has not been announced.
Williams guest hosts named:
A few of her favorite male TV stars will fill in for Wendy Williams throughout the next few weeks. Jerry Springer,
Bill Bellamy and Michael Rapaport have been announced as guest hosts on the nationally syndicated talk show amid the daytime diva’s extended absence.
Starting Monday, Rapaport will fill in as the show’s host for the week. A new panel of guests will take over for the Nov. 15
show followed by veteran comedian Bellamy, who will host for the following two days. Talk show host Springer will guest co-host with fellow daytime host Steve Wilkos on Nov. 18 and 19.
More guest hosts are expected to be announced as Williams continues to be out due to “ongoing health issues.”
Reynolds explains sabbatical:
Ryan Reynolds surprised some people in mid-October when he announced he was taking a “little sabbatical” from making movies. Now he’s explaining what that means.
“I’m just trying to create a little bit more space for my family and time with them,” he recently told the Hollywood Reporter. “You know, you don’t really get that time back.”
He added: “I’ll probably be away from film, or at least shooting films, till the end of the summer.”
Reynolds, 45, who is married to actor Blake Lively, has three daughters
ages 2 through 6.
Joe Exotic has cancer:
The man known as “Tiger King,” who gained fame in the Netflix documentary “Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness” following his conviction for trying to hire someone to kill animal rights activist Carole Baskin, says he has cancer.
“It is with a sad face that I have to tell you ... that my prostate biopsy’s came back with an aggressive cancer,” wrote Joe Exotic in a Twitter post Wednesday. Exotic, whose real name is Joseph Maldonado-Passage, is being held at a Texas federal prison.
Nov. 5 birthdays: Singer Art Garfunkel is 80. Singer Peter Noone is 74. TV personality Kris Jenner is
66. Singer Bryan Adams is
62. Actor Tilda Swinton is
61. Actor Tatum O’Neal is
58. Actor Judy Reyes is 54. Actor Seth Gilliam is 53. Actor Sam Rockwell is 53. Actor Luke Hemsworth is
41. Guitarist Kevin Jonas is 34.