Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
STARS ON SCREEN
TV exodus:
“My time is up … but in the most beautiful way.” With these words, Trevor Noah announced to the world that he will soon leave “The Daily Show” after seven years as host.
Noah, who took over hosting duties from Jon Stewart in 2015, revealed the news during a taping of his show last month. Saying he was “filled with gratitude for the journey,” Noah explained: “I’ve loved hosting this show. It’s been one of my greatest challenges. It’s been one of my greatest joys. We’ve laughed together, we’ve cried together. But after seven years, I feel like it’s ... time.”
The comic, whose “Trevor Noah: Back to Abnormal” tour will continue into 2023 in select cities, indicated that his return to standup after the pandemic hiatus made him realize “there was another part of my life that I want to carry on exploring.”
Said Noah: “I miss learning other languages. I miss going to other countries and putting on shows. I miss being everywhere and doing everything.”
With networks already grappling with plummeting viewership, news of Noah’s departure comes at a time of significant change. Fellow late-night host James Corden previously announced he would depart “The Late Late Show” in 2023, and CBS CEO George Cheeks signaled the network’s intention to experiment with the time-slot.
Cheeks told Deadline they wanted to “spend some time figuring out what is the right replacement format,” adding, “I don’t believe that we’ll just be putting ... another host there.”
Critics have pointed out the late-night field has been shrinking for some time, with Showtime’s “Desus and Mero” ending its run and the cancelation of former “Daily Show” correspondent Samantha Bee’s “Full Frontal.” NBC simply cut its late-night lineup short last year after pulling the plug on “A Little Late with Lilly Singh.”
As for Noah, he plans to make his grand exit Dec. 8, but indicated he’ll continue hosting “The Daily Show” for the time being.
“I’m not disappearing, don’t worry,” Noah said. “If I owe you money, I’ll still pay you.”
Kruger’s Dietrich:
National Treasure franchise film star Diane Kruger is reteaming with her “In the Fade” director Fatih Akin on a new TV project, one that will see her playing German film legend Marlene Dietrich (“Morocco,” 1930).
Kruger, who took home the best actress prize in Cannes for her role in Akin’s 2017 film, will both star in and executive produce the five-part series, which is currently (and temporarily) titled “Marlene.” It is based on the book “Meine Mutter Marlene” (“My Mother Marlene,” in English) written by Dietrich’s daughter, Maria Riva.
“‘Marlene’ will be not only the first series I have written and directed but also the greatest challenge in my film career,” Akin said in an official statement. “It is the continuation of my successful collaboration with Diane Kruger. Nobody is better cast than her. Marlene was not only a cinematic icon but a woman in exile, German immigrant in America, resistance fighter and so much more.”
Meanwhile, Kruger had the following to say: “With Fatih’s talent and ability to see into the soul of a person, I am certain that he will not only film a series about the icon and world star Marlene Dietrich, but above all will draw a portrait of a unique woman in an unusual epoch. I cannot wait to appear in front of Fatih’s camera again and together let Marlene Dietrich stand in the spotlight once again.”
Movie ‘Community’:
It’s finally happening, “Community” fans: the movie version of Dan Harmon’s TV comedy is coming soon to Peacock.
Sony Pictures TV and NBC’s streaming counterpart jointly announced the project, which was reportedly the subject of a bidding war and negotiations that have been described as “heavily competitive.” The deal also gave Peacock non-exclusive rights to all six seasons of “Community,” which are currently on Netflix and Hulu.
The movie will check in with the gang from Greendale Community College 15 years later and see the return of Annie (Alison Brie, “GLOW”), Britta (Gillian Jacobs, “Love”), Ben (Ken Jeong, “The Masked Singer”), Abed (Danny Pudi, “Mythic Quest”), Craig (Jim Rash, “American Crime Story”) and Jeff (Joel McHale, “Stargirl”). McHale also serves as executive producer alongside creator Harmon.
The announcement made no mention of Yvette Nicole Brown’s (“Big Shot”) Shirley, Chevy Chase’s (“National Lampoon’s Vacation,” 1983) Pierce or Donald Glover’s (“Atlanta”) Troy, though all three had departed “Community” before the NBC sitcom moved to Yahoo! Screen for its sixth and final season.
In a Season 2 episode, Pudi’s character uttered the words “six seasons and a movie,” which inspired the hashtag #sixseasonandamovie that became a rallying cry for fans on social media — and it appears to have worked.