Bee’s show to address gun violence
Samantha Bee is getting ready to tackle one of modern culture’s most serious topics — with comedy.
On Wednesday night, her “Full Frontal” program on TBS will focus entirely on the challenges of gun violence in America. The opening segment of “Full Frontal Wants to Take Your Guns” will feature appearances by Regina King, Ilana Glazer and Rep. Gabrielle Gifford, among others.
Bee believes the program will help make a daunting problem seem like something that anyone can try to fight. “We somehow have taken this very difficult, horrific issue and made a half-hour TV show that is really extremely funny and doesn’t feel completely tragic from end to end,” the comedian says. “This is a very, very funny special, and I think that comes from a place where we feel really overwhelmed.”
“Full Frontal” typically addresses several topics across its 30-minute running time, but on occasion, the show will delve into something the staff finds impossible to ignore.
Rogen to launch podcast: Actor Seth Rogen is jumping into the podcast world with a series where he interviews people who have memorable stories to tell about their lives.
The unnamed series with no release date yet will be produced by Stitcher, the podcast company and subsidiary of SiriusXM, which made the announcement Tuesday.
Each episode will feature Rogen talking to someone with a different story, from a person who had a near-death encounter with a grizzly bear in Canada to another who had a life-altering celebrity encounter. He will also invite some of his favorite musicians, actors and comedians to discuss the creative process.
NBC will not air Globes in 2022: Amid growing pressure on the Hollywood Foreign Press Association from studios, stars and large swaths of the film industry, NBC said Monday that it will not air the Golden Globes in 2022. The HFPA, which puts on the Globes, has been denounced for a lack of diversity and for ethical improprieties.
In a statement, NBC said it believes HFPA is committed to reform. “However, change of this magnitude takes time and work, and we feel strongly that the HFPA needs time to do it right,” the network said. “As such, NBC will not air the 2022 Golden Globes. Assuming the organization executes on its plan, we are hopeful we will be in a position to air the show in January 2023.”
In a statement, the HFPA said, “Regardless of the next air date of the Golden Globes, implementing transformational changes as quickly — and as thoughtfully — as possible remains the top priority for our organization.”
New DMX album coming: A new album from DMX will be released later this month. DMX’s longtime producer and collaborator Swizz Beatz announced Monday that “EXODUS” will feature new material and drop on May 28. DMX suffered a heart attack and died last month at age 50.
May 12 birthdays: Composer Burt Bacharach is 93. Singer Steve Winwood is 73. Singer Kix Brooks is 66. Drummer Eric Singer is 63. Actor Ving Rhames is 62. Actor Emilio Estevez is 59. TV personality Carla Hall is 57. Actor Stephen Baldwin is 55. Actor Rami Malik is 40. Actor Emily VanCamp is 35.