Cicely Tyson returns to television at 95
PASADENA, Calif. — Cicely Tyson doesn’t quibble with those who marvel at her long life and career, now in its eighth decade. The acclaimed actress said she doesn’t take her staying power for granted.
“You know how old I am,” a smiling Tyson, 95, told a TV critics meeting Thursday. “Who in the world lives this long?”
Tyson, whose chic look included booties and a bouffant hairstyle, said she’s grateful for every day and every year. She described her annual birthday eve ritual.
“I sit at a table with a clock ... and when it gets to one minute after 12, that’s when I say, ‘Thank you,’ and ‘Happy birthday, Cicely,” said Tyson, who was born Dec. 19, 1924, in New York City.
The actress, a two-time Emmy winner, was part of a panel discussion for “Cherish the Day,” an eight-episode OWN anthology series created and produced by Ava DuVernay. Tyson plays a maternal touchstone for Xosha Roquemore’s character, Gently, who’s embarking on a relationship with Evan (Alano Miller). Its two-night premiere is Feb. 11 and 12.
DuVernay, whose projects include the Central Park Five case dramatization “When They See Us,” said she decided to take a break from history and “do something lovely and light,” adding that she was a “sucker for love stories.” She said she savored African American films including “Love and Basketball” when she was in college and wanted to see such romances on TV.
The Oscar-nominated filmmaker (the documentary “13th”) also fondly recalled the 1972 film “Sounder,” an Oscar nominee for best picture that earned nods for stars Tyson and Paul Winfield.
Hiphop legend Eminem releases new album
DETROIT — Rapper Eminem once again dropped a surprise album, releasing “Music to Be Murdered By” on Friday — along with a video that calls for changes to gun laws.
The follow-up to 2018’s “Kamikaze” — also released without warning — was announced on Twitter just after midnight.
The Detroit rapper’s new music video for “Darkness,” one of the album’s 20 tracks, depicts a shooting at a concert.The lyrics and storyline of the video specifically allude to the 2017 mass shooting at a music festival in Las Vegas that left
58 people dead, making it the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history. It closes with audio and video footage of news broadcasts from other recent mass shooting around the U.S. and an appeal to register to vote.
“When will this end? When enough people care,” reads the text at the end of the video. “Register to vote at vote.gov. Make your voice heard and help change gun laws in America.”
A link to the music video on Eminem’s website encourages viewers to contact or visit several gun violence prevention organizations, including Everytown for Gun Safety and Sandy Hook Promise.
The cover art features blood spatter and a bearded Eminem clad in a suit and fedora and holding a shovel.
Season 6 will be last for Better Call Saul
PASADENA, Calif. — “Better Call Saul” has been renewed for a sixth and final season consisting of 13 episodes that will air in 2021.
The upcoming fifth season debuts Feb. 23-24 on AMC. The “Breaking Bad” prequel starring Bob Odenkirk will air 10 episodes this year focusing on main character Jimmy McGill’s decision to practice law as Saul Goodman, which creates unexpected changes for those around him.
Executive producer Peter Gould told a TV critics meeting on Thursday that it’s the run everyone on the show wanted. After season four, Gould said he began envisioning how it would end.
“I have to say, none of it is what I expected when it started,” he said. “When this season is over, I think you’ll have a better understanding of where it’s all going.”
By the time it’s over, “Better Call Saul” will have made one episode more than “Breaking Bad’s” total of 62.
Billie Eilish will sing next Bond theme song
NEW YORK -- Breakthrough singer Billie Eilish is set to sing the theme song for the upcoming James Bond film, becoming the youngest artist to write and record a song for the iconic film franchise.
Eilish, who turned 18 in December, recorded the song for the 25th Bond film, “No Time to Die,” which debuts in U.S. theatres on April 10. She wrote the song with her brother Finneas; the two created her entire debut album together.
The untitled new song does not have a release date.
“It feels crazy to be a part of this in every way. To be able to score the theme song to a film that is part of such a legendary series is a huge honour,” Eilish said in a statement Tuesday. “James Bond is the coolest film franchise ever to exist. I'm still in shock.”
Eilish is riding high off her successful 2019 debut album, “When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?”, which featured the No. 1 hit “Bad Guy.” She's competing for six Grammy Awards at this month's show, including the top four prizes: album, song and record of the year, and best new artist.