The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Idris Elba says he’s not the next 007
LONDON — Idris Elba stirred fans’ hopes, then left them shaken.
The British actor helped fuel speculation that he will be the next James Bond last week when tweeted a selfie and wrote “my name’s Elba, Idris Elba,” echoing the famous 007 catchphrase.
Many Elba fans have campaigned for the star of “The Wire” and “Luther” to be the first black Bond.
But now Elba has denied he’ll be replacing Daniel Craig as 007. Asked by a reporter from ITV’s “Good Morning Britain” if she was looking at the next Bond, Elba promptly replied: “No.”
Craig has starred in four Bond films and is set to return in the still-untitled “Bond 25.”
On Tuesday, Craig and the producers announced that director Danny Boyle had left the film due to “creative differences.”
Queen Latifah to get Marian Anderson Award
PHILADELPHIA — Queen Latifah will be honored with an award named for a pioneering opera singer.
The Marian Anderson Award is given in Philadelphia to “critically acclaimed artists who have impacted society in a positive way.” Anderson was the first black singer to perform at the Metropolitan Opera.
Mayor Jim Kenney announced Tuesday that the rapper, singer and actress would be the latest recipient.
Born Dana Owens in Newark, N.J., Queen Latifah was nominated for an Oscar for her role as Matron “Mama” Morton in 2002’s “Chicago,” and Grammy for her song “U.N.I.T.Y.” Kenney says she’s “an excellent role model and clearly well-deserving of this prestigious honor.”
Previous winners include Dionne Warwick, Patti LaBelle and music producers Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff.
It will be awarded at a Nov. 20 gala.
CBS’ ‘The Big Bang Theory’ to end in 2019
NEW YORK — CBS says the upcoming 12th season of “The Big Bang Theory” will be the last.
It’s the most popular comedy on television. The series began as geeky physicist roommates portrayed by Jim Parsons and Johnny Galecki and expanded to include their friends, girlfriends and then wives. Other stars include Mayim Bialik and Kaley Cuoco.
Parsons’ work on the show has earned him four Emmy awards and a Golden Globe. CBS also airs a prequel about his character called “Young Sheldon.”
There’s also a UCLA scholarship created by and named for the series to support undergrad study in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).
Season 12 of “Big Bang” premieres Sept. 24.