Latest news with #GoodPlace
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Welcome to Google AI Mode! Everything is fine.
If the AI lovefest of Google I/O 2025 were a TV show, you might be tempted to call it It's Always Sunny in Mountain View. (It's not, by the way, especially in the fog-filled month of May, even if the company's confidence in booking an outdoor amphitheater suggests otherwise). But here's a better sitcom analogy for the event that added AI Mode to all U.S. search results, whether we want it or not. It's The Good Place, in which our late heroes are repeatedly assured that they've gone to a better world. A place where everything is fine, all is as it seems, and search quality just keeps getting better. Don't worry about ever-present and increasing AI hallucinations here in the Good Place, where the word "hallucination" isn't even used. Forget about the one live demo (among a dozen prerecorded ones) that went spectacularly wrong, where two presenters failed to translate each others' words via their Google AI glasses. Responsible AI, the focus of Google I/O 2023, went unmentioned. Skyrocketing AI data center usage contributing to global warming? In the Good Place, Google AI is fighting global warming by helping to pinpoint wildfires. Don't think too hard about that one. And as for that whole Hollywood strike that lasted nearly a year, largely over creatives' concerns about studios using AI? Fuggedaboutit. Creative folk love AI in the Good Place — just listen to the testimonials from the filmmakers and musicians Google has cherry-picked! Meanwhile, SEO experts warn, search results continue to get worse with AI Mode-style overviews. According to internal memos obtained in the ongoing Department of Justice lawsuit, which the DOJ just won, Google has a perverse incentive to make them that way. "If users don't get what they want the first time, they have to search again," says Lily Ray, VP of SEO Strategy at Amsive, and the author of a recent viral LinkedIn post, Google AI Overviews Have a Major Spam Problem. "So if you're serving them multiple AI overviews because they have to search multiple times, Google can then say 'we have more people using AI every day.' It's like, 'yeah, but there's no way to turn it off.'" Or to put it in the plot-pivoting words of The Good Place's Eleanor Shellstrop (Kristen Bell): "Wait a minute. This is the Bad Place!" Google has a roughly 90 percent share of the search market, after all; it can afford to make the product worse by using AI so long as investors keep juicing the stocks of AI-heavy companies. It can pretend to look like the Good Place for search, while under the hood it's anything but. Like Eleanor Shellstrop, however, users know what's up. Google search results have "kind of become the laughingstock of the Internet," Ray says. "Whenever Google communicates about AI Overviews, they say 'our users really love it.' But then when you read Google Forum, it's always like 'how do I turn this thing off, I want Google search back.'" (Even turning AI search off, according to one Google Forum user, doesn't turn it off.) As in The Good Place, this awareness may not do a lick of good. If investors continue to reward Google for frothy presentations filled with cool-sounding AI features, there's no incentive for quality control. As often appears to be the case in 2025, we have to get used to living in separate realities. So users may breathe a little easier knowing that Google stock fell by 1.5 percent in the aftermath of I/O (and is down 12 percent in 2025 as a whole). Is that enough to nudge the company to pay attention? It would take Google I/O levels of Pollyanna optimism to think so. Instead, let's draw our attention to a Good Place fact you won't find easily in AI Mode. It took demon Michael (Ted Danson) 300 years to stop resetting Eleanor's memories every time she realized she was in the Bad Place. So, only a few hundred years to go before Google is working for us again. Everything is fine.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
George Wendt Was the Second 'Cheers' Actor to Die This Month
The entertainment industry lost one of its most beloved actors when Cheers star George Wendt — "NORM!" — passed away at age 76 earlier this week. Sadly, the fan-favorite character actor was actually the second Cheers star to die this month. News broke on Wednesday, May 21, that actor Michael Alaimo died on May 2 at age 86. The actor — who appeared in such iconic '90s films as Space Jam, The Sandlot, Air Bud and more — portrayed Vinnie Claussen on the 1985 Cheers episode "2 Good 2 Be 4 Real." The Season 4 episode features Alaimo's character attempting to woo Rhea Perlman's no-nonsense Carla Tortelli at the bar after sending her a letter in the mail. The ruse of the episode, however, is that the rest of the Cheers bartenders and bar patrons, feeling sorry for Carla's single status, create a fictional suitor for the blunt barmaid, causing her to turn down actual potential love interests like Vinnie. Alaimo's daughter, Gabriella Alaimo Thomas, confirmed her father's death in a statement to Variety on Wednesday. While she did not cite a cause of death for the actor, she told the outlet that her dad "passed away peacefully." The statement of Alaimo's death echoes that of Wendt's family's own announcement of his passing. Wendt — who starred in every episode of Cheers and earned six Emmy nominations for his portrayal of beloved barfly Norm Peterson — died peacefully in his sleep at home on Tuesday, May 20. 'George was a doting family man, a well-loved friend and confidant to all of those lucky enough to have known him. He will be missed forever," the actor's publicist said in a statement on Tuesday. "The family has requested privacy during this time." Wendt is survived by wife Bernadette Birkett, as well as their three children and his two stepchildren. He was also the uncle of fellow actor Jason Sudeikis. Wendt's longtime Cheers co-stars paid tribute to the iconic star following the announcement of his death — including Perlman, Ted Danson (who played bar owner Sam Malone), and John Ratzenberger, who portrayed Norm's best friend Cliff Claven on 11 seasons of the hit sitcom. Danson, 77, shared a particularly poignant statement about the passing of his longtime friend and co-star. 'I am devastated to hear that Georgie is no longer with us,' the Good Place alum told the New York Post in a statement via his rep. 'I am sending all my love to Bernadette and the children. It is going to take me a long time to get used to this. I love you, Georgie.'
Daily Mirror
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Ted Danson leads celebrity tributes to Cheers co-star George Wendt
George Wendt, who was best known for playing Norm Peterson on the beloved sitcom Cheers, has died at the age of 76, and his former co-stars have been paying tribute Celebrities have been paying tribute to the late George Wendt following the actor's death, including the late star's Cheers co-star Ted Danson. Ted, who played Sam Malone on the NBC sitcom, said in a statement that he was "devastated to hear that Georgie is no longer with us." The Good Place actor told PEOPLE: "I am sending all my love to Bernadette and the children. It is going to take me a long time to get used to this. I love you, Georgie." Ted and George's co-star John Ratzenberger, who played Cliff Clavin added: "For eleven years on Cheers, we shared a stage, a lot of laughs, and a front-row seat to one of television's most beloved friendships," he says. "George brought Norm to life with a subtle brilliance — the kind that made it look easy. That was his gift." "He was a true craftsman — humble, hilarious, and full of heart," he continues. "What you saw on screen was exactly who he was off screen with impeccable comedic timing and a deep loyalty to those he loved. I'll miss our conversations and the quiet moments of friendship that meant the most." Melissa Joan Hart, who worked with George on the later series of Sabrina The Teenage Witch, told her Instagram followers this evening: "Heaven just got a little funnier with #GeorgeWendt. It was a thrill to work beside him on #SabrinatheTeenageWitch for a handful of episodes. "I was a big #Cheers fan and knew I was among one of the best when he was on set. He was warm, professional and kind and our cast and crew were gifted with his presence every time. Rest in peace! #GodBlesstheFunnyPeople (Sorry for the grainy photo)." It comes after George, who was best known for his role as the loveable, beer-swilling Norm Peterson on iconic sitcom Cheer died aged 76. The actor died peacefully in his sleep at his home on Tuesday. A representative told the Hollywood Reporter: 'George was a doting family man, a well-loved friend and confidant to all of those lucky enough to have known him. He will be missed forever. The family has requested privacy during this time.' In previous years, George spoke candidly about the impact the NBC show had on his life He said in a past interview: 'I was lucky to be part of something that became such a beloved part of people's lives." The character of Norm would arrive at the bar in the sitcom yell 'Afternoon/evening everybody!' with the whole bar then shouting his name back at him. The character quickly became a fan favourite on the show. In total, the hit series received 117 Emmy nominations, winning an impressive 28 times, including the prestigious gong for Outstanding Comedy Series four times. For his own part, George was nominated for six consecutive Emmys for his portrayal of Norm. He was one of the mainstays of the show, appearing in every episode until the series ended in May 1993. George made a surprise appearance on stage with his fellow Cheers cast members at the Emmy Awards in January 2024. Others to attend the surprise reunion included Ted Danson and Kelsey Grammer. Prior to Cheers, George had also had guest roles in popular shows including Taxi and M*A*S*H. Following the huge success of Cheers, George starred in a self-titled CBS sitcom in 1995. However, the show was cancelled after just eight episodes. He also appeared in various television roles, including Sabrina the Teenage Witch and Columbo. George leaves behind his wife, Bernadette Birkett, who voiced his never-seen sitcom wife Vera on Cheers. They had three children together, a daughter and two sons.
New York Post
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Ted Danson recalls confronting Kelsey Grammer on ‘Cheers' in heated exchange: I'm ‘f—king pissed off'
Ted Danson is clearing the air about his relationship with his 'Cheers' co-star Kelsey Grammer. The 'A Man on the Inside' star, 77, addressed his 30-year-long rift with Grammer, 70, on a recent episode of Howie Mandel's 'Howie Mandel Does Stuff' podcast, attempting to clarify his previous remarks on the subject. On an episode of his and fellow 'Cheers' actor Woody Harrelson's 'Where Everybody Knows Your Name' podcast last October, Danson spoke with Grammer and told him,'I missed out on the last 30 years of Kelsey Grammer, and I feel like it's my bad, my doing, and I almost feel like apologizing to you.' Advertisement 11 Ted Danson is clearing the air about his relationship with his 'Cheers' co-star Kelsey Grammer. Howie Mandel Does Stuff/YouTube 11 The 'A Man on the Inside' star, 77, addressed his 30-year-long rift with Grammer, 70, on a recent episode of Howie Mandel's 'Howie Mandel Does Stuff' podcast, attempting to clarify his previous remarks on the subject. Howie Mandel Does Stuff/YouTube Referring to the conversation, Mandel told Grammer, 'I didn't know that you were on the outs with Kelsey.' Advertisement Danson was quick to reply, 'I wasn't.' He added, 'You know what — sorry. How far do I wanna go?' the 'Good Place' star paused and asked himself. 'Go all the way,' Mandel insisted. 11 On an episode of his and fellow 'Cheers' actor Woody Harrelson's 'Where Everybody Knows Your Name' podcast last October, Danson spoke with Grammer and told him,'I missed out on the last 30 years of Kelsey Grammer, and I feel like it's my bad, my doing, and I almost feel like apologizing to you.' CBS Advertisement 11 Referring to the conversation, Mandel told Grammer, 'I didn't know that you were on the outs with Kelsey.' Danson was quick to reply, 'I wasn't.' NBCUniversal via Getty Images 11 He added, 'You know what — sorry. How far do I wanna go?' the 'Good Place' star paused and asked himself. 'I wasn't,' Danson repeated. The Emmy-winner explained that his relationship with his co-star became strained towards the end of their run on 'Cheers' after he and the cast staged an intervention for Grammer because of how heavily he was using drugs and alcohol at the time. But after the intervention, he and Grammer — who has since been sober for years — had a tense exchange. Advertisement 'Finally I went up to his dressing room and I said, 'I've told you how much I love you […] but I have not told you how f—king pissed off I am at you. I'm so angry at you and I felt the need to say that to be real,'' Danson recalled telling Grammer. 11 'I wasn't,' Danson repeated. The Emmy-winner explained that his relationship with his co-star became strained towards the end of their run on 'Cheers' after he and the cast staged an intervention for Grammer because of how heavily he was using drugs and alcohol at the time. Getty Images for the Environmental Media Association 11 But after the intervention, he and Grammer — who has since been sober for years — had a tense exchange. Getty Images The 'Boss' actor 'took it well and all of that but it was a moment,' Danson said. 'And then … Life went on.' Danson added that after 'Cheers' ended, the pair saw each 'here or there' but 'very rarely.' He explained, 'It felt like probably because I hadn't completed that moment. And I had walked away without it being really complete. So maybe that's why I didn't reach out to him or whatever. I don't know. So it was very simple. In our podcast, it was a very simple conversation.' Reflecting on his conversation with Grammer in October, Danson said, 'I think what happened to me was in the room, talking to him, it was like, 'Oh, my God, I'm really having the best time talking to you.'' 11 Danson added that after 'Cheers' ended, the pair saw each 'here or there' but 'very rarely.' Getty Images Advertisement 11 He explained, 'It felt like probably because I hadn't completed that moment. And I had walked away without it being really complete. So maybe that's why I didn't reach out to him or whatever. I don't know. So it was very simple. In our podcast, it was a very simple conversation.' Getty Images for Paramount+ 'It was — it was so much fun to be around Kelsey that I went, 'Oh shoot, I've wasted these 30 years of no Kelsey,'' Danson confessed. 'So it really wasn't like I was saying, 'Boy, was I pissed at you and I held a grudge and all of that.' That's not what happened. It really was: 'I'm having so much fun. I wish I hadn't let these years go by without reaching out.'' Danson also shared that though Grammer asked him 'several times over the years' to guest star on 'Frasier,' he frequently said no because he didn't know how to play his 'Cheers' character Sam Malone in his 60s or 70s. Advertisement 11 'It was — it was so much fun to be around Kelsey that I went, 'Oh shoot, I've wasted these 30 years of no Kelsey,'' Danson confessed. NBCUniversal via Getty Images 'It's amusing to be an aging adolescent when you're in your 30s, 40s, but not when you in your 70s,' Danson said. 'So I thought, I don't know know how do that.' The decision was 'not because I was angry at Kelsey or anything,' he pointed out. Danson did make one appearance on 'Frasier,' popping up in an episode during Season 2 in 1995. Advertisement The show ended its run in 2004 but was revived by Paramount+ in 2023 for 2 more seasons before being cancelled in January. Grammer is currently looking to find 'Frasier' a home for another season. Should he be successful, Danson would now happily reprise his role as Malone. 11 (L-R) Kelsey Grammer, Rhea Perlman, and Ted Danson speak onstage during the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on January 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. WireImage 'If he came back and he asked me to do an episode or something, yeah, I would,' Danson said. Danson's recent comments would align with Grammer, who exclusively revealed to the Post why they had their fallout years ago. Advertisement 'It got a little blown out of proportion. There really wasn't an argument. It was at a time in my life when I was actually going through a lot of self-doubt, self-loathing, honestly,' he said in January. 'It was when I was drinking a lot. Ted had just come up and said, 'You know, I'm kind of mad at you that sometimes you don't show up ready to go.' And I said, 'OK, I respect that.' And that actually was sort of it. Now, maybe what happened for Ted was he stepped away from what might have been a better friendship. Maybe he just had to protect himself. I don't really know. But, I said, 'Thanks.' We were fine with that.'
Metro
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Ted Danson reveals he turned down bigger role in Frasier 'several times'
Ted Danson has revealed why he turned down further appearances on Frasier, after Kelsey Grammar asked him to return 'several times'. The pair famously shared the screen in iconic 80s sitcom Cheers, where Ted starred as bar owner Sam Malone, opposite his former colleague's efforts as stuffy psychiatrist Frasier Crane. After Kelsey landed his very own spin-off, the Good Place star reprised his role for a one-off episode, which aired in 1995. However, popping up on the Howie Mandel Does Stuff podcast, the 77-year-old opened up about why his brief stint in season two didn't lead to something more regular. 'He asked me several times, over the years, to be part of it, and I didn't,' he told the host. 'Not because I was angry at Kelsey or anything, mostly because I didn't know how to… 'How the f**k do you play Sam Malone in his 60s or now 70s? 'It's amusing to be an aging adolescent when you're in your 30s, 40s, but not when you're in your 70s. So I thought, I don't know how to do that. 'It wouldn't be the Cheers writers … I would have felt at sea. I wouldn't know how to do it. That's why I said no.' Host Howie then questioned Ted on his tumultuous friendship with Kelsey over the years, and the latter's recent remarks that they had been 'talking about a couple of ideas', including something on the recently-canceled Frasier reboot. 'That was over the years,' he clarified. 'Recently, in the last year, I did say, 'Absolutely. Ask me and I will come do it'. 'Because I felt like I not only owed it to him, but I wanted to. 'If it came back and he asked me to do an episode or something? Yeah, I would.' Ted's comments come after Kelsey made headlines about the future of Frasier – following the news that the revival had been axed by Paramount+ after two seasons. The original series aired for 11 seasons between 1993 and 2004, and won a whopping 37 Emmys in that time. Three decades later, the actor led the way in a 2023 reboot, joined by a mostly new cast, including Nicholas Lyndhurst and Jack Cutmore-Scott. Unfortunately, the episodes failed to impress and the project was shelved – but Kelsey teased that it could find a different home on another network, with Ted possibly getting involved. More Trending 'We'll end up somewhere where people are passionate about it,' he told the New York Post. 'Ted [Danson] and I might visit actually something together. 'We've been talking about a couple ideas. Maybe on Frasier. We don't know.' View More » 'As long as it's still a relevant relationship, it will still be relevant for the show,' he added. '[Sam] and Frasier got along pretty well, discovered some things together about life. They could still do that.' Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Netflix viewers stunned by WWE star's extravagant £10,000 jacket with unique details MORE: Oscar-winning actor confirmed for 2025 Capital Summertime Ball in most insane line-up MORE: Former wrestling world champion, 43, has 'no desire to wrestle' again
