Catalog: Netflix's powerful new Arabic series on grief and family
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Gulf Today
a day ago
- Gulf Today
Kym Whitley happily joins the Adam Sandler universe with ‘Happy Gilmore 2'
There's the vaunted Marvel Cinematic Universe. There's the Star Wars Universe. And then there's the Adam Sandler Universe. It doesn't involve as many capes or existential threats, but Sandler expects actors who join him to bring the funny and bring it hard. And 'Happy Gilmore 2,' the sequel to his beloved 1996 film, is a comical cornucopia of original cast members, cameos and big-name stars. It's now streaming on Netflix. Veteran actress and stand-up comic Kym Whitley ('Next Friday,' 'Along Came Polly') got to join in on the fun and visited Atlanta recently to promote the movie for Netflix. Whitley has been in the comedy world for more than 30 years. In this film, she plays Bessie, part of Happy's alcohol recovery group led by the sadistic Hal (Ben Stiller), who was a nutty orderly in the first movie. 'I sometimes found myself watching the scene instead of being in the scene,' Whitley said in an interview with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution at the Waldorf Astoria in Buckhead. 'Ben is crazy. Adam is crazy. It's hard to keep a straight face. Sometimes I kept my head down and held it.' At the same time, she added, 'my goal was to make Adam laugh in a scene. But he's a tough one to break. He's able to stay in character.' The set itself was relaxed because Sandler ensured everyone felt included, she said. 'You could always go up to director (Kyle Newacheck) or Adam and say, 'I thought of something. What if we do this?'' Whitley said. 'They make it a fun job. You never feel restrictive as a creative.' 'Happy Gilmore 2' in a pre-streaming world would have landed in movie theaters, but Sandler has forged a strong partnership with Netflix for more than a decade, releasing about a dozen movies on the platform. In this case, Netflix gave him a generous budget to ensure the sequel was packed with visual oomph and ridiculous star power. Two key players, of course, are back from the first film: Julie Bowen as Happy's loving wife and Christopher McDonald as Happy's bitter rival Shooter McGavin. According to Netflix, 30 past and current pro golfers appear as themselves, led by John Daly, who is living with Happy and gets plenty of airtime. Others include Scottie Scheffler, Jordan Spieth, Rory McIlroy, Bubba Watson and Jack Nicklaus. 'Jack Nicklaus is still around?' Whitley asked. (He's 85 and gets a couple of lines.) Lavell Crawford, a friend of Whitley's, plays the son of Chubbs, Happy's original mentor (Chubbs was played by actor Carl Weathers, who died in 2024). NFL star Travis Kelce is a waiter. Rapper Bad Bunny becomes Happy's caddie. Others who have notable roles include Steve Buscemi, Haley Joel Osment, Eric André, Kevin Nealon, Post Malone, Eminem and Rob Schneider. Whitley has steadily found work going back to the 1990s. She has 138 acting gigs listed on her IMDb page, including appearances in 'Curb Your Enthusiasm,' 'The Neighborhood,' 'Fuller House' and 'Black Dynamite,' as well as Atlanta-based productions like BET's 'Let's Stay Together' and Bounce TV's 'Act Your Age.' Tribune News Service
The National
2 days ago
- The National
Best photos of July 26: Tourist spot in Salalah to children cool off in a Moscow fountain
Family: I am happily married to my wife Liz and we have two children together. Favourite music: Rock music. I started at a young age due to my father's influence. He played in an Indian rock band The Flintstones who were once asked by Apple Records to fly over to England to perform there. Favourite book: I constantly find myself reading The Bible. Favourite film: The Greatest Showman. Favourite holiday destination: I love visiting Melbourne as I have family there and it's a wonderful place. New York at Christmas is also magical. Favourite food: I went to boarding school so I like any cuisine really.
FACT
3 days ago
- FACT
Everything we know about the first-ever Riyadh Comedy Festival
Catch comedians from Kevin Hart to Jo Koy. The first-ever Riyadh Comedy Festival has been announced. Running from 26 September to 9 October, the event takes place at Boulevard City. The line-up includes local and international comedians, from Andrew Schulz to Bill Burr. More names will be announced closer to the festival. If you'd like to have a laugh, here's what you need to know. Andrew Schulz The American stand-up comedian Andrew Schulz always comes close to the line with his jokes. He is quick-witted, fearless, and has made a name for himself on social media. He has already performed in Abu Dhabi and is heading to Riyadh. From selling out Radio City Music Hall to his wildly popular Netflix special Schulz Saves America, he's proven time and again that he's a comedic powerhouse. Bill Burr The Emmy and Grammy-nominated comedian stands out as one of the most influential comedic voices of his generation. Burr's accolades include hosting Saturday Night Live twice, starring as JFK in Jerry Seinfeld's Netflix film Unfrosted: The Pop-Tart Story, and directing, co-writing, and starring in Old Dads on Netflix. Gabriel Iglesias Gabriel Iglesias, nicknamed Fluffy, hails from California, United States. He charms audiences with his impressions and storytelling. He has created stand-up routines for Comedy Central and Netflix, and has also earned the accolade of being one of the top ten highest-paid comedians in the world. Jessica Kirson Jessica, from New Jersey, United States, is of Jewish descent and often draws on this in her comedy. Her unique stream-of-consciousness style and animated delivery have made her a staple on New York's comedy scene, performing at major venues such as Gotham Comedy Club and the Laugh Factory. Jim Jefferies Born in Sydney, Australia, Jim Jefferies created and starred in the FX sitcom Legit. He also created the late-night show The Jim Jefferies Show and hosted The 1% Club. He has performed worldwide, from the Edinburgh Festival Fringe to the Glastonbury Festival. Jimmy Carr The British-Irish comedian recently brought his world tour, Laughs Funny, to Abu Dhabi. Now, he's heading to Riyadh with his deadpan one-liners and dark humour. He began his career in 1997 and has appeared on several TV shows, including A Comedy Roast, 8 Out of 10 Cats, and many more. Jo Koy Jo Koy, from Washington, United States, dropped out of university to pursue stand-up comedy. He started performing in coffee houses in Las Vegas before landing a regular night at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino. He has appeared on shows such as Chelsea Lately and The Adam Carolla Show, and created Netflix specials including Jo Koy: Comin' in Hot and Jo Koy: Live from Seattle. Kevin Hart Kevin Hart hails from Pennsylvania, United States. Early in his career, performing as Lil Kev, he was booed off stage – once even having chicken thrown at him. Today, he is a global comedy superstar. Known for his high-energy shows filled with personal anecdotes, he has performed across the Middle East, from Abu Dhabi to Riyadh. Maz Jobrani American-Iranian comedian Maz Jobrani was part of the Axis of Evil comedy group. He starred in and co-wrote the comedy film Jimmy Vestvood: Amerikan Hero and has appeared in TV shows such as Curb Your Enthusiasm, Grey's Anatomy, Last Man Standing, and Shameless. His stand-up special Immigrant is available on Netflix. Russell Peters Russell Peters, from Toronto, Canada, is a comedy legend. Known for his lightning-fast wit, sharp timing, and hilarious audience interactions, he shot to fame with CTV's Comedy Now. Of Anglo-Indian descent, he's won Emmy, Gemini and Peabody awards. Sebastian Maniscalco Sebastian Maniscalco, from Illinois, United States, is the son of Italian immigrants. Influenced by greats like George Carlin and Jerry Seinfeld, he has released six comedy specials. In 2017, he transitioned into film, with roles in The House, Green Book, The Irishman, and The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023). Whitney Cummings Whitney Cummings is a multi-talented comedian, director, producer, and writer. She created the sitcom 2 Broke Girls and starred in and produced Whitney. Her stand-up routines explore gender and relationships with sharp, brutally honest humour. Zarna Garg Indian-American comedian Zarna Garg brings a fresh voice to the scene. Her material draws from her Indian heritage, immigrant experience, and motherhood. She made her TV debut on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, where she hilariously shared how she once posted an advert to find a husband. Check in with FACT for the best things to do in Riyadh. GO: Visit for more information.
