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Neil deGrasse Tyson says Halle Berry's 'Moonfall' dethroned 'Armageddon' as least scientifically accurate movie

Lionsgate

Physicist — and arguably cinematic wet blanket — Neil deGrasse Tyson has traditionally been quick to point out scientific inaccuracies in films, but he's giving Halle Berry's 2022 dud Moonfall a top honor.

Well, dishonor, really: He says the movie co-written and directed by Roland Emmerich has dethroned 1998's Armageddon as the movie that "violates the most laws of physics per minute."

Tyson's review of Moonfall, on SiriusXM’s The Jess Cagle Show, sounds like a bad Hollywood pitch meeting — but bear in mind, somebody bought this pitch: "The moon is approaching Earth, and they learned that it's hollow and there’s a moon being made out of rocks living inside of it and the Apollo missions were really to visit, to feed the moon being."

The scientist laughs, "I just couldn't."

Tyson continues, "I thought Armageddon had a secure hold on this crown" of the least science-y science fiction movie, "but apparently not."

Armageddon posited there was a killer asteroid on a collision course with Earth, so it was up to a ragtag group of oil-working roughnecks — led by Bruce Willis — to go to space and plant a bomb in the rock.

In reality, Tyson explains, that's far too complicated a solution. "All you gotta do is just nudge it, and if you do that early enough, if you nudge it like 1 centimeter per second to the right, in space there's no friction, so it'll just keep drifting to the right."

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


'The Drew Barrymore Show' to return in October

Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for "The Drew Barrymore Show"

ABC Audio has confirmed that The Drew Barrymore Show is eyeing a return in October.

The news comes a day after a tentative agreement for the Writers Guild of America brought an end to the strike that began in May.

Barrymore became entangled in headlines related to the strike, first winning praise from strikers for stepping down in May as host of the MTV Movie and TV Awards in solidarity with the writers.

However, more recently, she was flamed for her announcement that she was resuming production of her eponymous show while the strike was still on.

She later apologized and changed course, noting on Instagram, "I have listened to everyone, and I am making the decision to pause the show's premiere until the strike is over."

She continued, "I have no words to express my deepest apologies to anyone I have hurt and, of course, to our incredible team who works on the show and has made it what it is today."

After the announcement that she was pausing production until the strike was resolved, producers of other shows that were preparing to get back underway before the strike ended, like CBS' The Talk and The Jennifer Hudson Show, also made the decision to wait.

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


Maury Povich offers to "come out of retirement" to see if Woody Harrelson, Matthew McConaughey are related

Lou Rocco/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images

Maury Povich, the guy who turned paternity testing into something of a daytime game show element, says he wants to find out once and for all if Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughey are related. 

As reported, McConaughey told Kelly Ripa on her podcast earlier this year that he and his pal Woody might be more than just besties. "In Greece a few years ago, we’re sitting around talking about how close we are and our families," he said.

"And my mom is there, and she says, 'Woody, I knew your dad.' Everyone was aware of the ellipses that my mom left after 'knew.' It was a loaded K-N-E-W." 

The respective stars compared notes, he explained, and figured out there was a window of time while Matthew's mom and dad were separated that something could have happened.

Woody is a go for a DNA test, but McConaughey told Kelly he's hesitant: "He's asking me to take a chance to go, 'Wait a minute, you're trying to tell me my dad may not be my dad after 53 years of believing that?'"

At any rate, during an interview with McConaughey on E! News, the host surprised him with a video message from Povich, who said he's all in. 

"Matthew, I don't know you; Woody, you're my pal. But guess what? I would come out of retirement. We could do prime-time DNA: Maury's back with Woody and Matthew!"

He continued, "I'm ready!"

McConaughey smiled in response, saying to Povich, "I don't know if we're going to be calling you to do it on your show, but I like the way you're thinking."

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


Let's dance! With WGA strike deal, 'Dancing with the Stars' will debut as scheduled Tuesday night

ABC

With the Writers Guild of America agreement in place, ABC is moving ahead with season 32 of Dancing with the Stars as scheduled for Tuesday, September 26.

The producers behind the reality competition had been making postponement plans, as picketers had been gathering at rehearsal facilities. Last week competitor Matt Walsh announced a pause in his participation in light of the ongoing strikes.

SAG-AFTRA subsequently issued a statement clearing the performers for the show, but it was the tentative deal struck between negotiators for the WGA and the AMPTP, the group that represents the studios, that apparently cleared the way for the show to proceed.

What's more, reps for The Hangover vet Walsh say he will also be strapping on his dancing shoes for the premiere, which kicks off at 8 p.m. ET, and will be simulcast live on Disney+.

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


Driver charged in fatal Treat Williams motorcycle crash pleads not guilty

A 35-year-old man who was charged in the deadly crash that killed actor Treat Williams in June pleaded not guilty in a Vermont court on Monday.

Ryan Koss, of Dorset, Vermont, was charged with grossly negligent operation with death in the June 12 wreck that left the Everwood actor mortally wounded. As reported, the Vermont State Police said Koss' Honda SUV turned into the path of the 71-year-old actor on his motorcycle.

Williams was airlifted to a hospital, where he died that day.

Koss faces up to 15 years in prison if he's found guilty, The Associated Press reports.

Back in August, Koss issued a statement offering his condolences for the actor, whom he incidentally considered a friend, thanks to their affiliation with the theater circuit in Vermont. But in the same statement, Koss denied any wrongdoing.

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


Emma Heming Willis says "it's hard to know" if Bruce Willis is aware of his dementia

Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Film at Lincoln Center

Emma Heming Willis has been a touchstone for fans of her husband, Bruce Willis, during his battle with frontotemporal dementia, and she appeared on the Today show Monday to give an update. 

This week has been designated FTD Awareness Week, which prompted the appearance alongside Susan Dickinson, the CEO of The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration.

There is no cure for Willis' FTD, which Heming Willis revealed in February. To co-host Hoda Kotb, Heming Willis said "it's hard to know" if the Die Hard star is aware of the condition, which forced him to retire from acting. 

"What I'm learning is that dementia is hard. It's hard on the person diagnosed. It's also hard on the family," Emma expressed. "And that is no different for Bruce, or myself, or our girls. When they say that this is a family disease, it really is."

On how she explained the situation to her and Bruce's two daughters, Mabel Ray, 11, and Evelyn Penn, 8, Emma said, "We're a very honest and open household, and the most important thing is to say what the disease was, explain what the disease is ... from a medical standpoint."

She added, "I don't want there to be any shame or stigma attached to their dad's diagnosis."

In February, the family revealed Willis had been diagnosed with the "cruel" disease, which can affect speech and behavior, as well as cause movement problems and even issues with swallowing.

"Unfortunately, challenges with communication are just one symptom of the disease Bruce faces. While this is painful, it is a relief to finally have a clear diagnosis," they said at the time.

To Today, Emma reiterated that, calling the diagnosis "a blessing and a curse."

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


'Rick and Morty' season 7 trailer reveals new voices, the return of "Ice-T" and more

Adult Swim

On Monday, September 25, Adult Swim dropped the full trailer to season 7 of its Emmy-winning animated series Rick and Morty, the first season without Justin Roiland, the co-creator and voice of the two title characters.

Adult Swim is still mum about who subbed for Roiland. Last year, the Comedy Central-owned outlet severed ties with him after domestic charges were filed against him; the charges were later dropped for lack of evidence.

The replacement voice for Rick Sanchez is slightly different from Roiland's original, but most would be hard-pressed to tell the difference. That said, the new voice of his ever-awkward grandson Morty Smith is spot-on.

As reported, the network even joked about the switch in a press release for the latest season, noting, "Rick and Morty are back and sounding more like themselves than ever!"

Meanwhile, the trailer for season 7 shows the gang up to their usual dimension-hopping high jinks, this time set to Motörhead's "Ace of Spades."

In the coming attraction, Rick changes himself into just a leg; Susan Sarandon is back as family therapist Dr. Wong, only to discover Rick projected himself as a hologram to avoid her; the family goes crazy for "Rick's famous spaghetti," and Jerry seeks counsel for "a rake situation."

Oh, and Ice-T is back. Not the rapper-actor, but the alien character made of ice and shaped like a T.

You'd get it, if you watched.

The fun begins Sunday, October 15, at 11 p.m. ET on Adult Swim.

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner agree to keep kids in New York for now

Lionel Hahn/Getty Images

Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner’s two children will stay in New York for the time being, according to court documents obtained by Good Morning America Monday.

After Sophie petitioned the court asking for the “immediate return” of their daughters to England last week, Sophie and Joe have temporarily agreed to keep their kids in the Southern and Eastern districts of New York, which includes New York City, Long Island and the Hudson Valley.

In Sophie’s court filing Thursday, she accused Joe of "wrongful retention" of the children — 3-year-old Willa and their 14-month-old identified only as D. — starting on or about September 20. The British actress claimed in the filing that Joe refused to allow their children to travel to England with her and would not hand over their passports.

Joe refuted the claims in a statement from his spokesperson, saying a Florida court order issued after the divorce proceedings were filed restricts both parents from relocating the children.

Joe filed for divorce earlier this month after four years of marriage.

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


Kerry Washington shares all in 20/20 interview with Robin Roberts, talks searching for her biological father

ABC/Heidi Gutman

Just a few days before the release of Kerry Washington's upcoming memoir, Thicker Than Water, she sat down with ABC's Robin Roberts for a candid and raw interview on an array of personal topics. 

Kerry opened up about her journey finding her authentic self and her quest to track down her biological father after she was shocked to find out she was born from a sperm donor.

"I just was like, 'I'm so curious,' 'cause I think I knew in that moment that in some way, this was my call to adventure," she said. She added that her father — the man who raised her — is "open, and curious, and you know, maybe not thrilled, but accepting and supportive." 

On his daughter opening up on their family's private life in the memoir, Earl Washington shared, "It doesn't matter how it affects me. It's really important how she feels about how she writes. And I thought it was so well-written."

Her mother, Valerie Washington, shared, "It's been a journey. It's been a few years of a lot of emotion and a lotta sharing, but a lot of growing."

The actor said she hopes that by opening up on additional battles she's faced, including her mental health issues, an eating disorder and more, she'll be able to will help others.

"I've never wanted to share my private life for the sake of fame or for the sake of attention — but I feel like this sharing is with purpose," Kerry said.

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


Late-night talk shows gearing up for post-strike return

Getty Images

Just as they were among the first shows to be bitten by the Writers Guild of America strikes, late-night talk programs could be the first productions to turn the lights on following the tentative deal that brought the strike to an apparent end.

Variety checked in with crew members from various programs, and the consensus seems to be the shows could be back as early as October.

"[I]t’s not exactly a light switch, but as long as you can get everybody back in, the network just has to pull repeats and start putting new broadcast shows back on," one staffer commented. "It's just about what goes into those shows. And that’s the part that you need a little lead time for, is to figure exactly what you’re coming back and doing."

That said, one staffer joked, "I don't think anyone’s interested in rushing to put a crappy first show together."

The trade notes that the hosts of the major network shows, Jimmy Kimmel, Jimmy Fallon, Stephen Colbert, Seth Meyers and John Oliver, will likely coordinate a return to air once the deal is ratified.

The hosts have been close during the impasse, what with their Strike Force Five podcast benefiting their out-of-work employees.

One sticky wicket remains, however: With the SAG-AFTRA strike still on, actors won't be able to appear to plug their projects.

That said, the strike doesn't apply to a host of potential guests, including politicians, authors and music acts.

Actors could also appear, provided they're not promoting a studio show. They can chat about a book, a charity initiative or an independent film that has received a waiver from the union.

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


"Can't wait to get back to work": Mindy Kaling, others celebrate tentative deal in writers strike

Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

After 146 days, the Writers Guild of America announced a tentative deal with representatives for the major studios and streamers, and Hollywood is celebrating on social media.

While details of the deal won't be shared "until the last 'i' is dotted," the writers union told its members Sunday evening, September 24, "We can say, with great pride, that this deal is exceptional – with meaningful gains and protections for writers in every sector of the membership."

The guild had been fighting over residual payments from streaming shows, pushing back against AI in the writing process, and other issues.

While the WGA urged "patience" while the deal is being codified, strikers took to social media to celebrate.

Mindy Kaling posted, "TENTATIVE AGREEMENT B******! CAN’T WAIT TO GO BACK TO WORK AND SEE MY PEOPLE!!!" along with "prayer hands" and a thank you to the Writers Guild of America West. She celebrated by posting a meme from her old show, The Office, in which Steve Carell's Michael Scott noted, "I love my employees even though I hit one of you with my car."

Justine Bateman, who has been an outspoken presence during the strike, expressed, "Netflix Strike Captains, YOU ARE THE ABSOLUTE BEST. We need a closing moment."

Heroes' Greg Grunberg said, "MAZEL TOV! Writers Strike Deal!!!" while former Mrs. Maisel writer Josh Gondelman kept with that theme, noting, "This is probably the happiest I've ever felt on Yom Kippur."

Abbott Elementary Emmy winner Sheryl Lee Ralph expressed her congratulations, noting the SAG-AFTRA strike is still on, and its members remain, "committed in solidarity to achieving the necessary terms for our members when its [sic] our time back at the table."

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


In Brief: Neil Patrick Harris helps 'Doctor Who' celebrate 60 years, and more

The BBC has released a new trailer for the three 60th-anniversary special episodes of Doctor Who, featuring guest star Neil Patrick Harris playing the Toymaker, an all-powerful enemy last seen on the series back in 1966. The clip also teases Jemma Redgrave returning to her role as Kate Lethbridge-Stewart, the leader of UNIT, an organization committed to protecting Earth from unusual threats. The new trailer also features Catherine Tate, who played the Doctor's time-traveling companion Donna Noble in the late 2000s, along with Yasmin Finney as Donna's daughter Rose. Ncuti Gatwa is set to take over the role of the Doctor from David Tennant...

You talkin' to me? It turns out Robert De Niro isn't. The actor's rep tells The Hollywood Reporter that despite recent reports in The Sun, he won't be reprising his character Travis Bickle's classic line from the 1976 film Taxi Driver in his upcoming Uber commercial. The campaign is currently filming in London and is slated to launch sometime later this year. Uber has seen a number of celebrities help advertise for both its Uber Eats delivery service and Uber One, its separate membership service, in recent years, including Gwyneth PaltrowJennifer CoolidgeTrevor NoahSarah Silverman and Nicholas Braun...

Viewers who watched repeats of Yellowstone on CBS Sunday caught an unusual pair of commercials sending them to network rival NBCUniversal's streaming service Peacock to catch "all episodes" of the Kevin Costner drama." The reason is that Peacock has streaming rights to the program, even though it’s produced by CBS' parent company Paramount Global, which first airs the series on its TV networks. “This is a declaration of war,” quipped one Yellowstone character at the end of the spot. CBS hadn't planned on airing Yellowstone episodes, but ran them as a stopgap measure amid the SAG-AFTRA and Writers Guild strikes. A two-hour block of Yellowstone drew more than six million viewers to the network in their debut last week, according to Variety...

 

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


'The Nun II' scares off 'Expendables 4' at the box office with $8.4 million weekend

Warner Bros.

The Nun II topped the North American box office for the third straight week with an estimated $8.4 million, barely edging out Expendables 4, which opened with a franchise low $8.3 million -- far below its projected $15 million. Domestically, the ninth film in the Conjuring franchise has collected $69.2 million, and $204.2 million globally.

Expendables 4 -- which saw franchise vets Sylvester StalloneJason StathamDolph Lundgren and Randy Couture joined by newcomers 50 CentMegan Fox, and Andy Garcia -- had to settle for second place finish. Since launching in 2010, the Expendables franchise has grossed over $800 million worldwide, with 2012's Expendables 2 ranking as the most successful of the series.

A Haunting in Venice took third place with an estimated $6.3 million, for a two-week total of $25.4 million domestically and $71.6 million worldwide.

Fourth place went to The Equalizer 3, which picked up an estimated $4.7 million in its fourth week of release. This brings its domestic tally to $81.26 million -- just behind the first Equalizer's $101 million and The Equalizer 2's $102 million. Overseas the third Equalizer has grabbed an estimated $67.4 million, bringing its worldwide total to $148.66 million.

Rounding out the top five was Barbie, which scooped up an estimated $3.2 million in its 10th week of release. That brings is North American tally to $632.7 and $1.4 billion globally. 

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


WGA and AMPTP reach tentative deal to end writers strike

David McNew/Getty Images

The Writers Guild reached a tentative agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers to end its historic 146-day strike.

"The WGA and AMPTP have reached a tentative agreement," the parties announced in a joint statement Sunday evening, September 23.

Specific details of the agreement weren't immediately released by the WGA, pending the negotiating committee's vote. However, the guild touted the deal as "exceptional with meaningful gains and protections for writers in every sector of the membership."

The WGA told its members that it's still on strike, but all picketing is hereby suspended.

The Screen Actors Guild -- American Federation of Television and Radio Artists [SAG-AFTRA] congratulated the WGA on reaching a tentative agreement with the AMPTP, praising the guild's "146 days of incredible strength, resiliency and solidarity on the picket lines."

"Since the day the WGA strike began, SAG-AFTRA members have stood alongside the writers on the picket lines. We remain on strike in our TV/Theatrical contract and continue to urge the studio and streamer CEOs and the AMPTP to return to the table and make the fair deal that our members deserve and demand," the statement concluded.

It will take a few days for the strike to be officially over as the WGA West and WGA East proceed with their ratification process," according to Deadline, which cites the WGA’s last strike in 2007-08, when a tentative agreement was reached on the 96th day and it wasn’t over until the 100th.

The late-night comedy shows and daytime talk shows will be the first to return since SAG-AFTRA’s ongoing strike doesn’t include them as struck productions, according to the outlet. Films and scripted TV shows that didn’t sign Interim Agreements with SAG-AFTRA will remain dark until that strike is settled.

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


Usher to headline Super Bowl halftime show: "Honor of a lifetime"

Taylor Hill/Getty Images for Live Nation Urban

How does the NFL follow up a Rihanna halftime show? With Usher.

The multi-Platinum performer will headline the Apple Music Super Bowl LVIII Halftime Show when it airs live on CBS from Las Vegas' Allegiant Stadium on February 11, 2024.

"It's an honor of a lifetime to finally check a Super Bowl performance off my bucket list," Usher said in a statement. "I can't wait to bring the world a show unlike anything else they've seen from me before. Thank you to the fans and everyone who made this opportunity happen. I'll see you real soon."

Jay-Z's Roc Nation co-produces the halftime show. Jay said in a statement, "Usher is the ultimate artist and showman. Ever since his debut at the age of 15, he's been charting his own unique course."

He continued, "Beyond his flawless singing and exceptional choreography, Usher bares his soul. His remarkable journey has propelled him to one of the grandest stages in the world. I can't wait to see the magic."

In his career, Usher's sold more than 80 million records, appeared in movies like Hustlers, served as a coach on The Voice, and won eight Grammys and countless other awards. He also has a Las Vegas residency show, and so far this year, he's released two singles: "GLU" and "Good Good."

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


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