Chappelle tests positive for virus
Dave Chappelle tested positive for the coronavirus just before his comedy show scheduled for Thursday, forcing his upcoming appearances to be canceled, a spokeswoman said.
Chappelle was expected to perform through Sunday at Stubb’s Waller Creek Amphitheater in Austin, Texas. Those shows have been canceled and Chappelle is quarantining, his representative Carla Sims said in a statement. The comedian is asymptomatic.
Chappelle had been performing socially distanced shows in Ohio since June and moved his shows to Austin during the winter, Sims said. Rapid testing for the audience and daily tests for Chappelle and his team were implemented.
‘Ma Rainey’ named top film by Black Film Critics Circle:
Netflix’s “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” was named best film of the year by the Black Film Critics Circle organization on Thursday.
The production, based on August Wilson’s play of the same name, also took best actor, best actress and best adapted screenplay honors for the late Chadwick Boseman, Viola Davis and screenwriter Ruben Santiago-Hudson.
Regina King’s “One Night in Miami” took home a best director honor (tied with “Nomadland’s Chloe Zhao), while its cast members Leslie Odom, Jr., Kingsley Ben-Adir, Eli Goree and Aldis Hodge were all recognized for best ensemble.
Bond film delayed:
It’s still not time for “No Time to Die.”
Producers say the forthcoming James Bond thriller’s release has been delayed again, until fall 2021. The official 007 Twitter account said Thursday that the 25th installment in the franchise will now open on Oct. 8.
“No Time To Die” was originally slated to open in April 2020 but was pushed back to November, then April 2, 2021.
The film from director Cary Joji Fukunaga stars Daniel Craig, Rami Malek, Lashana Lynch and Ana de Armas.
After the latest Bond delay was announced, Sony said it was pushing back several of its scheduled spring releases, including “Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway” to June; “Ghostbusters: Afterlife” to November; and “Cinderella,” starring singer Camila Cabello, to July.
Diamond undergoing chemotherapy:
Original “Saved by the Bell” star Dustin Diamond has begun undergoing chemotherapy treatments after being diagnosed with cancer, according to his representative.
Diamond, best known for playing Screech on the hit ’90s sitcom, was hospitalized earlier this month in Florida.
“Dustin has completed his first round of chemo, and his next round is being scheduled. He will also begin his physical therapy soon,” the actor’s spokesman, Roger Paul, said in a statement.
Jan. 23 birthdays:
Actor Chita Rivera is 88. Vibraphonist Gary Burton is 78. Singer Anita Pointer is 73. Singer Robin Zander is 68. Singer Anita Baker is 63. Actor Gail O’Grady is 58. Actor Mariska Hargitay is 57. Singer Marc Nelson is 50. Anchor Norah O’Donnell is 47. Actor Tiffani Thiessen is 47. Actor Lindsey Kraft is 38.