Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Burton ‘thrilled’ to host new show
LeVar Burton has been tapped to host a game show, and no, it’s not “Jeopardy!”
Hasbro’s Entertainment One and LeVar Burton Entertainment are developing a new competition program called “Trivial Pursuit,” based on the classic board game of the same name, Entertainment One announced Tuesday. In addition to hosting, the actor will executive produce the series.
“Trivial Pursuit is one of the best known brands in the gaming universe,” Burton said in a statement. “I am thrilled to have partnered with Hasbro and eOne to bring this beloved game to market as a premium show for television.”
Also in the Entertainment One content pipeline are TV shows based on Clue and Risk, as well as a movie inspired by Dungeons & Dragons.
The casting announcement comes months after the former “Reading Rainbow” host and “Roots” alum emerged as a fan-favorite guest host of “Jeopardy!”
‘Harry Potter’ reunion special in works: HBO Max announced Tuesday that “Harry Potter” stars Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson will stage a rare reunion next year to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the first film in the blockbuster franchise, “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone,” which came out in November 2001.
Streaming New Year’s Day, HBO Max’s “Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts” will see the golden trio reunite for the first time since the final “Harry Potter” movie premiered in 2011, according to a spokesperson for HBO Max.
For a decade, Radcliffe, Grint and Watson played Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, respectively, in the fantasy film series based on the seminal books of the same name.
Other “Harry Potter” alumni returning for the HBO Max special include Helena Bonham Carter (Bellatrix Lestrange), Robbie Coltrane (Rubeus Hagrid), Ralph Fiennes (Lord Voldemort), Jason Isaacs (Lucius Malfoy), Gary Oldman (Sirius Black) and Imelda Staunton (Dolores Umbridge).
The HBO Max special will feature interviews with cast members reflecting on the making of the beloved cinematic saga.
Actor Freeman dies: Actor Heath Freeman, 41, who was best known for playing the first serial killer on “Bones,” has died.
“A brilliant human being with an intense and soulful spirit, he leaves us with an indelible imprint in our hearts,” his manager, Joe Montifiore, said. He did not have any further details, including a cause of death.
Freeman began his career on “ER,” then had appearances on shows including “Tru Calling” and “NCIS” before being hired on the Fox procedural “Bones,” on which he played Howard Epps.
Freeman later had roles in “The Closer,” “Raising the Bar” and “12 Mighty Orphans.”
Nov. 18 birthdays: Actor Brenda Vaccaro is 82. Actor Linda Evans is 79. Actor Delroy Lindo is 69. Comedian Kevin Nealon is 68. Actor Oscar Nunez is 63. Actor Owen Wilson is 53. Actor Mike Epps is 51. Actor Mekia Cox is 40. Actor Nasim Pedrad is 40. Singer TJ Osborne is 37. Designer Christian Siriano is 36.