Stars on screen
The best medicine: NBC’s annual charity event is back for another fundraiser, and this year it’s bigger than ever before. Red Nose Day, an event that uses good-natured humor to encourage people to open their hearts and donate to the non-profit charity Comic Relief Inc., returns to the peacock network Thursday, May 25.
This is the third year that NBC has hosted the event, and this time some of the network’s hit shows are joining in. On top of the much-anticipated “Love Actually” (2003) reunion bit — starring Hugh Grant (“About a Boy,” 2002), Martine McCutcheon (“EastEnders”), Kiera Knightly (“Pirates of the Caribbean,” 2003) and the rest of the beloved cast — a special episode of “American Ninja Warrior” is staged for the fundraiser. The show’s notoriously difficult obstacle course is attempted by celebrities who take on the crazy challenge for charity: Stephen Amell (“Arrow”), Natalie Morales (“Access Hollywood”), Erika Christensen (“Parenthood”) and Olympic gold medalist Ashton Eaton are just a few of the famous people giving it a shot. Not to worry, though — they’re all paired up with an elite “ninja” to help coach them through the obstacles.
Next up, Oscar-winning actress Julia Roberts (“Notting Hill,” 1999) heads into the untamed heart of Africa with a legendary outdoorsman in a special episode of “Running Wild With Bear Grylls.” Together, Roberts and Grylls visit Kenya to deliver lifesaving vaccines to a remote village, but with the clock ticking down to the vaccines’ expiration date, they risk encounters with deadly hippos and crocodiles as they travel swiftly across the landscape with their precious cargo.
The night’s main event, though, is the “Red Nose Day Special.” Hosted by Chris Hardwick (“The Wall”) and featuring a number of kindhearted celebrities, the production is a mix of musical performances, charming short films and hilarious comedy acts that highlight the plight of some of the world’s most destitute children.
Although it only launched in America in 2015, Red Nose Day has already raised more than $60 million. Supporters of the cause are encouraged to wear red noses on May 25, with Walgreens and Duane Reade partnering with the charity to supply them.
All about ‘Steve’: Steve Harvey’s talk show is coming to an end, but his fans don’t have to worry — he’s already hard at work on a new one.
The syndicated daytime talker has brought the famous comedian into people’s homes since 2012, but with his contract up at the end of the
2016-17 season, Harvey has signed a deal for a new talk show that gives him more creative control.
Called “Steve,” the new show, which is slated for a September premiere, will be shot in Los Angeles, and will be focused more on pop culture and celebrities than his current show.
“As I embark on this new adventure, I’m excited to explore everything Los Angeles has to offer for this new show,” the comedian said in a statement. “‘Steve’ is going to be different than my current daytime show.The new location will allow me to welcome more celebrity guests and, more importantly, let me do what I enjoy doing best: Being funny!”
When it premiered during the
2012-13 TV season, “Steve Harvey” was just one of a big crop of new talk shows, and he was up against television heavyweights such as Jeff Probst (“The Jeff Probst Show”), Ricki Lake (“The Ricki Lake Show”) and Katie Couric (“Katie”).As the only one with his show still on the air, Harvey has proven that he’s a talk show tour-de-force.