Bobby Flay to depart Food Network
After spending nearly three decades with Food Network, renowned chef Bobby Flay and the network have agreed to part ways after contract negotiations between the two parties failed. Flay’s three-year contract concludes at the end of the year.
Representatives from Flay’s management team at WME did not comment, saying that it is their policy not to address ongoing negotiations. Despite WME’s claims of negotiations still taking place, Food Network sources told Variety that the Discovery-owned cable channel has made its decision and won’t be able to agree on the financial terms.
Flay made his first appearance on Food Network in 1994 when it was on TV for less than a year. In his time there, Flay has hosted a multitude of programming including “Beat Bobby Flay” and “Brunch at Bobby’s.” He also made regular appearances on popular shows like “Chopped,” “Iron Chef American,” “Worst Cooks in America” and “The Next Food Network Star.”
In 2015, Flay became the first TV chef to have a star placed on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He also owns many restaurants around the country in addition to writing over a dozen cookbooks.
The Weeknd named UN ambassador:
The Weeknd was named a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations World Food Programme on Thursday in Los Angeles.
“The U.N. World Food Programme is doing urgent and important work to change and save lives on a daily basis, and I feel passionately about addressing world hunger and helping people in need. Our partnership is
an authentic extension of all our efforts and intentions to help those in need and bring an end to so much suffering,” the music superstar said.
Food Programme ambassadors, which also include Kate Hudson and Michael Kors, advocate for ending global hunger with the organization providing annual lifesaving food assistance to more 100 million people in more than 80 countries.
“We are thrilled to welcome The Weeknd to the WFP family. His compassion and commitment to helping the world’s hungriest people is truly inspirational,” Food Programme Executive Director David Beasley said.
Fishburne, Rockwell, Criss eye Broadway:
A revival of David Mamet’s “American Buffalo” with award-winning actors Laurence Fishburne, Sam
Rockwell and Darren Criss was in rehearsal when the pandemic closed Broadway theaters. Now it’s planning a return — with the same starry cast.
The production on Friday announced its intention to return to the Circle in the Square Theatre, with an opening set for April 14. “American Buffalo” is a heist comedy about three small-time criminals hoping to steal a possibly valuable nickel, but it’s also a no-holdsbarred portrait of lowlife desperation and greed.
Oct. 9 birthdays: Singer Nona Hendryx is 77. Singer Jackson Browne is 73. TV personality Sharon Osbourne is 69. Actor
Tony Shalhoub is 68. Actor Scott Bakula is 67. Director Guillermo del Toro is 57. Director Steve McQueen is 52. Comedian Melissa Villasenor is 34. Singer Scotty McCreery is 28. Actor Jharrel Jerome is 24.