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Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Amy Schumer, Howie Mandel among 1,000 signees of petition condemning TIFF's handling of Oct. 7 doc
Amy Schumer, Howie Mandel and Debra Messing are among more than 1,000 entertainment figures who have signed an open letter condemning the Toronto International Film Festival for its handling of a film about the Hamas attacks in Israel. The letter comes after TIFF had said it would pull 'The Road Between Us: The Ultimate Rescue" from its lineup, sparking a public outcry over the decision, which the festival subsequently reversed. In a joint statement Thursday, TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey and director Barry Avrich said they had reached a resolution and that the doc will screen at next month's festival. The petition, released by the L.A.-based Creative Community For Peace, accuses TIFF of 'appeasing anti-Israel and antisemitic activists' intent to silence Jewish voices' by disinviting the film. The letter says that while the film has been reinstated, the festival 'has not offered a sincere apology or explanation for the harm it created for the Jewish community.' TIFF did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The petition also calls on TIFF's board of directors to question the organization's leadership, to platform Israeli voices and 'to choose dialogue over exclusion.' The film follows retired Israeli general Noam Tibon's mission to rescue his family during the Hamas attacks on Oct. 7, 2023, during which 1,200 people were killed and more than 250 hostages were taken. Canadian signees of the petition include filmmaker Caitlin Cronenberg and producer Martin Katz, while U.S. actors on the letter include Jerry O'Connell, Mayim Bialik and Jennifer Jason Leigh. Earlier this week, festival organizers said they had pulled the documentary over unmet requirements related to security concerns and the 'legal clearance of all footage.' The move sparked an international backlash, drawing criticism from some Jewish groups and politicians, while the filmmakers accused the festival of censorship. TIFF backtracked Wednesday, announcing it would work with the documentary team to find a way to screen the film. On Thursday, Bailey and Avrich released a joint statement saying they had reached a resolution after hearing 'pain and frustration' from the public. They said they ironed out 'important safety, legal and programming concerns' around the film. 'We have worked together to find a resolution to satisfy important safety, legal, and programming concerns,' the statement said. TIFF runs Sept. 4 to 14. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 15, 2025. Alex Nino Gheciu, The Canadian Press
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Amy Schumer, Howie Mandel among 1,000 signees of petition condemning TIFF's handling of Oct. 7 doc
Amy Schumer, Howie Mandel and Debra Messing are among more than 1,000 entertainment figures who have signed an open letter condemning the Toronto International Film Festival for its handling of a film about the Hamas attacks in Israel. The letter comes after TIFF had said it would pull 'The Road Between Us: The Ultimate Rescue" from its lineup, sparking a public outcry over the decision, which the festival subsequently reversed. In a joint statement Thursday, TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey and director Barry Avrich said they had reached a resolution and that the doc will screen at next month's festival. The petition, released by the L.A.-based Creative Community For Peace, accuses TIFF of 'appeasing anti-Israel and antisemitic activists' intent to silence Jewish voices' by disinviting the film. The letter says that while the film has been reinstated, the festival 'has not offered a sincere apology or explanation for the harm it created for the Jewish community.' TIFF did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The petition also calls on TIFF's board of directors to question the organization's leadership, to platform Israeli voices and 'to choose dialogue over exclusion.' The film follows retired Israeli general Noam Tibon's mission to rescue his family during the Hamas attacks on Oct. 7, 2023, during which 1,200 people were killed and more than 250 hostages were taken. Canadian signees of the petition include filmmaker Caitlin Cronenberg and producer Martin Katz, while U.S. actors on the letter include Jerry O'Connell, Mayim Bialik and Jennifer Jason Leigh. Earlier this week, festival organizers said they had pulled the documentary over unmet requirements related to security concerns and the 'legal clearance of all footage.' The move sparked an international backlash, drawing criticism from some Jewish groups and politicians, while the filmmakers accused the festival of censorship. TIFF backtracked Wednesday, announcing it would work with the documentary team to find a way to screen the film. On Thursday, Bailey and Avrich released a joint statement saying they had reached a resolution after hearing 'pain and frustration' from the public. They said they ironed out 'important safety, legal and programming concerns' around the film. 'We have worked together to find a resolution to satisfy important safety, legal, and programming concerns,' the statement said. TIFF runs Sept. 4 to 14. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 15, 2025. Alex Nino Gheciu, The Canadian Press
South China Morning Post
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Who is The Big Bang Theory star Mayim Bialik's ex-husband Michael Stone? The formerly Mormon businessman converted to Judaism for her, and they share 2 children
The Big Bang Theory star Mayim Bialik has been speaking out after two Israeli embassy workers were shot dead outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington on May 21. Bialik was among more than 400 Hollywood signees – including Sharon Osbourne and Will & Grace actress Debra Messing – to put their names to an open letter condemning a 'toxic mix of distortion, bigotry and incitement' from the anti-Israel movement, per Jewish News. 'This stream of lies against the Jewish people and the Jewish ancestral homeland has now – unsurprisingly to anyone watching closely – turned deadly in the United States,' said Bialik. 'This moment requires public figures to use their platforms responsibly.' Advertisement Mayim Bialik at the LA premiere of Gladiator II in Hollywood, in November 2024. Photo: AFP In recent years, the Blossom alum has been busy hosting her podcast, Mayim Bialik's Breakdown, with her partner Jonathan Cohen. On it, she speaks with special guests about all things health, both physical and mental, as well as spirituality, well-being and parenting. The Call Me Kat star is a mother of two and shares her sons, Miles Roosevelt, 19, and Frederick Heschel, 16, with her ex-husband, businessman Michael Stone. Since their divorce, Stone has remained out of the spotlight. So what do we know about him? How did Michael Stone meet Mayim Bialik? Mayim Bialik and Michael Stone met while studying at UCLA. Photo: ___livia95___/X Bialik and Stone met while studying at the University of California in Los Angeles, where she obtained a PhD in neuroscience. The pair reportedly first crossed paths during a calculus lecture, then began playing racquetball together regularly. She told Today that she had made it clear on their first date that as an 'observant Jew', she would only marry a Jewish man. After half a decade of dating, per The Sun, Stone, who grew up Mormon, converted to Judaism so that he could marry Bialik. When did Mayim Bialik and Michael Stone get married? Mayim Bialik married Michael Stone in 2003. Photo: ___livia95___/X The couple got married on August 31, 2003, in Pasadena, California. Their big day honoured Jewish traditions and was Victorian themed, per Parade. After welcoming their children, Stone and Bialik adopted a 'hands-on style of parenting', where they each shared a bed with one of their children when they were still little. Why did Michael Stone and Mayim Bialik get divorced?
Time of India
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Who took home the most Drama Desk Trophies—and why?
The 2025 Drama Desk Awards dazzled New York City's theatre community with a night of celebration, surprises, and record-breaking victories at NYU Skirball , hosted by the dynamic duo Debra Messing and Tituss Burgess. The ceremony—now in its 69th year—remains unique for recognizing the best of Broadway, Off-Broadway, and Off-Off-Broadway in the same competitive categories, making it a true barometer of New York's theatrical pulse. Leading the winners' parade was Maybe Happy Ending , which swept six awards. The show's creative team is led by director Michael Arden and writers Will Aronson and Hue Park. The musical, also a current Tony nominee for Best Musical, was widely celebrated for its innovative storytelling and emotional resonance. Debra Messing, co-hosting the event, remarked, 'Tonight is a celebration of the resilience, creativity, and passion that define New York theatre.' The Drama Desk Awards once again proved why they are a highlight of the theatrical calendar, honoring both established stars and rising talents in a night of unforgettable performances and heartfelt speeches.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Offerte Imbattibili Su Auto Usate PopularSearches | Annunci di Ricerca Scopri di più Undo 69th Drama Desk Awards: major winners 1. Outstanding Musical Winner: Maybe Happy Ending 2. Outstanding Play Live Events Winner: Purpose (by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins) 3. Outstanding Revival of a Play Winner: Eureka Day 4. Outstanding Revival of a Musical Winner: Gypsy 5. Leading Performance in a Musical Winners: Jasmine Amy Rogers ( BOOP! The Musical ) Audra McDonald ( Gypsy ) (TIE) 6. Featured Performance in a Musical Winners: Brooks Ashmanskas ( Smash ) Jak Malone ( Operation Mincemeat ) Michael Urie ( Once Upon a Mattress ) (THREE-WAY TIE) 7. Outstanding Director of a Musical Winner: Michael Arden ( Maybe Happy Ending ) 8. Outstanding Music, Lyrics, and Book Winners: Will Aronson & Hue Park ( Maybe Happy Ending ) 9. Outstanding Choreography Winner: Jerry Mitchell ( BOOP! The Musical ) 10. Outstanding Costume Design Winner: Gregg Barnes ( BOOP! The Musical ) 11. Outstanding Scenic Design Winner: Maybe Happy Ending (team/designer not specified in summary) 12. Additional Notable Winners (Design/Staging) Stranger Things: The First Shadow (3 awards, categories not specified) The Picture of Dorian Gray (3 awards, categories not specified)
Vogue
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Vogue
All the Winners at the 2025 Drama Desk Awards
This Sunday, June 1, marked the 69th Annual Drama Desk Awards, celebrating the greatest shows, actors, and creative teams across Broadway, off-Broadway, and off-off-Broadway this season. Taking the stage at NYU Skirball, in downtown Manhattan, were the ceremony's hosts, Debra Messing and Tituss Burgess (the latter, due to return to Broadway for a six-week encore engagement in Cole Escole and Sam Pinkleton's Oh, Mary! this summer), as well as a heavy-hitting lineup of presenters, including Escola, Victoria Clark, Darren Criss, Brandon Victor Dixon, Andrew Durand, Tom Francis, Jonathan Groff, Sarah Hyland, Jeremy Jordan, Jinkx Monsoon, Bebe Neuwirth, Lily Rabe, Nicole Scherzinger, and Jennifer Simard. (Adding to the evening's star power? Performances by Joshua Henry—set to star in a Broadway revival of Ragtime this fall—Norm Lewis, Lesli Margherita, and the cast of Dead Outlaw.) So, who walked away with trophies? (And will we see any repeat winners at next weekend's Tony Awards?) See all the victors at this year's Drama Desk Awards—benefitting the Entertainment Community Fund—right here. Outstanding Play WINNER: Purpose, by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins Blood of the Lamb, by Arlene Hutton Deep Blue Sound, by Abe Koogler Grangeville, by Samuel D. Hunter John Proctor is the Villain, by Kimberly Belflower Liberation, by Bess Wohl Outstanding Musical WINNER: Maybe Happy Ending BOOP! The Musical Death Becomes Her Just in Time Music City Outstanding Revival of a Play WINNER: Eureka Day Garside's Career Home Wine in the Wilderness Yellow Face Outstanding Revival of a Musical WINNER: Gypsy Cats: 'The Jellicle Ball' Floyd Collins Once Upon a Mattress See What I Wanna See Sunset Blvd. Outstanding Lead Performance in a Play WINNER: Laura Donnelly, The Hills of California WINNER: Sarah Snook, The Picture of Dorian Gray Betsy Aidem, The Ask Patsy Ferran, A Streetcar Named Desire Danny J. Gomez, All of Me Doug Harris, Redeemed Patrick Keleher, Fatherland Louis McCartney, Stranger Things: The First Shadow Lily Rabe, Ghosts Jay O. Sanders, Henry IV (Theatre for a New Audience) Paul Sparks, Grangeville Olivia Washington, Wine in the Wilderness Outstanding Lead Performance in a Musical WINNER: Audra McDonald, Gypsy WINNER: Jasmine Amy Rogers, BOOP! The Musical
