Latest news with #Hallmark
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Casting News: A Hallmark Movie Reunion, Animal Control Addition and More
Erin Krakow (When Calls the Heart) and Tyler Hynes (the Groomsmen franchise) — who previously starred in the 2021 Hallmark Channel telepic It Was Always You — will reunite for the cabler's Christmas Above the Clouds holiday movie, which is described as 'a comedic, modern day reimagining of A Christmas Carol.' The premise: When a workaholic CEO (played by Krakow) tries to skip Christmas by flying to Australia, 'she's in for the flight of her life,' the synopsis tells us. 'Haunted by her past, present, and future, she's forced to confront the choices that led to her success yet left her flying solo. With the help of three quirky spirits and a surprise reunion with her ex (Hynes), she might just rediscover the magic of Christmas — and the love she thought she'd lost.' More from TVLine Percy Jackson and the Olympians Reveals Season 2 Release Date and Trailer, Casting for Nico/Bianca The Legend of Vox Machina Renewed for Final Season - Plus, Mighty Nein Spinoff Gets Prime Video Release Date Buffy the Vampire Slayer Reboot Adds 5 - Including Severance and Frasier Vets We're all rooting for her, to be sure! In other recent casting news: *Speaking of Hallmark…. Season 2 of its Finding Mr. Christmas reality competition will feature as guest judges Janel Parrish (Pretty Little Liars), Heather Hemmens (Roswell, New Mexico), Alison Sweeney (Days of Our Lives, Hannah Swensen Mysteries), Hunter King (Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story), Ashley Williams, Sharon Lawrence, Hallmark superfans Gail and Alicia (both featured in Christmas at Sea) and Erin Krakow (When Calls the Heart). * Fox's Animal Control has added Kyla Pratt (Call Me Kat) in the Season 4 role of Daisy, a new member of the Seattle Animal Control squad who serves as Templeton Dudge's partner, Variety reports. * Brandy Norwood will star in the Lifetime holiday movie Christmas Everyday along with her real-life daughter Sy'Rai Smith. Brandy plays Francine 'Fancy' Ballantine, a fashion designer who is determined to uphold her family's Christmas traditions while planning her baby sister's (Smith) wedding. Hit the comments with your thoughts on the castings above!Best of TVLine Stars Who Almost Played Other TV Roles — on Grey's Anatomy, NCIS, Lost, Gilmore Girls, Friends and Other Shows TV Stars Almost Cast in Other Roles Fall TV Preview: Who's In? Who's Out? Your Guide to Every Casting Move!
Los Angeles Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
27 must-see panels at San Diego Comic-Con
It's that time again: San Diego Comic-Con is upon us. Comic-Con 2025 officially kicks off Thursday. More than 130,000 pop culture aficionados make the pilgrimage for the four-day extravaganza in and around the San Diego Convention Center. The event, which originally centered on comic books and their collectors, now encompasses a variety of media across television, film, games and more. Activities for attendees include pop-ups, activations, autograph sessions and hours of programming. Here are select panels this reporter is looking forward to. (The full programming schedule is available at the Comic-Con International site.) Nickelodeon's Avatar: The Last Airbender 20th Anniversary10 - 11 20 The cast and creators of 'Avatar: The Last Airbender' assemble to celebrate the show's 20th anniversary. Will it be just a lookback or will they reveal what's next for the franchise? Percy Jackson and the Olympians11 a.m. - 12 H Your favorite young demigods hit Hall H to tease the upcoming second season of the fantasy TV series. Walker Scobell, Leah Sava Jeffries, Aryan Simhadri, Charlie Bushnell, Dior Goodjohn and Daniel Diemer are among those expected to appear. Star Wars: Andor: From Resistance to Rebellion12 - 1 10 & 11, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina A deep dive into 'Andor' Season 2 with a panel of academics and authors discussing the show's themes including resisting authoritarianism and rebellion. Robert Kirkman Live at SDCC1 - 2 6BCF The prolific comic book creator and Skybound Entertainment co-founder will be on hand to discuss what's next in the worlds of 'Invincible,' 'The Walking Dead' and more. Critical Role: 10 Years and Still Rolling1:45 - 2:45 20 Critical Role founders and cast members Ashley Johnson, Marisha Ray, Taliesin Jaffe, Matthew Mercer, Laura Bailey, Travis Willingham, Sam Riegel and Liam O'Brien reflect on their journey so far. (Fans interested in their animated shows 'Vox Machina' and 'The Mighty Nein' can also catch the panel at the Indigo Ballroom of the Hilton Bayfront from 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.) Hallmark Hallstars1:45 - 2:45 Ballroom The panel for those craving a dose of Hallmark Christmas movies in July. Hallmark film and series stars will be on hand to share sneak peeks and behind-the-scenes tea. (And if you also love procedurals, stick around for the 'NCIS: Tony & Ziva' panel right after.) Blumhouse's 'Five Nights at Freddy's 2'4:15 - 5:15 H For horror movie buffs, the filmmakers and stars of the supernatural will take the stage to tease the upcoming sequel. Comedy Central Adult Animation: South Park, Beavis & Butt-Head, and Digman!6:45 - 7:45 H The creative minds behind adult animated hits, including Trey Parker, Matt Stone, Mike Judge and Andy Samberg, hit Hall H to discuss their shows. Cartoon Network Studios: Cartoon Cartoons Animated Shorts Showcase10 - 10:45 Ballroom A screening and spotlight on Cartoon Network Studios' shorts program and its artists. 'Revival': From Comics to TV10:30 - 11:30 6A 'Revival' comic book creators Tim Seeley and Mike Norton join the showrunners and cast of the TV adaptation on bringing the show to life. 'The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon' Season 312:15 - 1:15 H Is it really Comic-Con without 'The Walking Dead'? The presentation will include the show's cast, creatives and the debut of the Season 3 trailer. The Wait is Over: FX's 'Alien: Earth' World Premiere and Q&A1:25pm - 2:50pmHall H The cast and creatives (including creator Noah Hawley) of the upcoming 'Alien' prequel series will screen the pilot episode. Collider's Inside Hollywood with Bob Odenkirk1:30 - 2:15 20 A one-on-one with the 'Breaking Bad' and 'Better Call Saul' star to look back at his career and tease his upcoming film 'Nobody 2.' 'King of the Hill'4 - 4:45 Ballroom The world premiere of the 'King of the Hill' revival, with the show's co-creators Mike Judge and Greg Daniels; showrunner Saladin Patterson; and cast members Pamela Adlon, Kathy Najimy, Lauren Tom and Toby Huss. Godzilla at 70: Seven Decades of the King of the Monsters4:15pm - 5:15pmRoom 6DE 'Shin Godzilla' director Shinji Higuchi will be among those that take the stage for this celebration of the iconic kaiju. Experts will also talk Godzilla collectibles, comics and more. 'Predator: Badlands'4:15pm - 5:15pmHall H Director Dan Trachtenberg and stars Elle Fanning and Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi will take the stage to share sneak peeks and tease their upcoming standalone 'Predator' film. Bob's Burgers10 - 10:45 20 'Bob's Burgers' is approaching its 300th episode. The cast and creatives behind one of the best TV families will take the stage to share news, sneak peeks and more. (Fans of 'Futurama' and 'The Simpsons' might want to stick around for those panels right after.) ABC's Abbott Elementary11:15 a.m. - 12:15 Ballroom School is almost back in session. Stars Quinta Brunson, Tyler James Williams, Janelle James, Chris Perfetti, Lisa Ann Walter, William Stanford Davis and Sheryl Lee Ralph will be among those on hand to talk about the show after a screening of a fan-favorite Season 4 episode. Star Trek Universe12:30 - 2:00 H A supersize presentation featuring panels for 'Star Trek: Strange New Worlds' and the upcoming 'Star Trek: Starfleet Academy.' Cast members Rebecca Romijn, Ethan Peck, Jess Bush, Christina Chong and Paul Wesley will be among those gathered to talk 'Strange New Worlds.' The 'Starfleet Academy' team will include Holly Hunter, Sandro Rosta, Karim Diané, Kerrice Brooks, George Hawkins and Bella Shepard. 'Voyager' alum and 'Starfeet Academy' cast member Robert Picardo will be on hand to moderate. 'Ghosts'3:30 - 4:15 20 For those of us who like our ghosts to be a little less scary. Cast members Utkarsh Ambudkar, Danielle Pinnock, Asher Grodman and Devan Chandler Long will hit the stage along with executive producers Joe Port and Joe Wiseman. 'Peacemaker' Sneak Peek and Panel3:30 - 4:30 H DC Studios co-chief James Gunn will be joined by 'Peacemaker' cast members John Cena, Danielle Brooks, Jennifer Holland, Freddie Stroma, Steve Agee, Frank Grillo, Sol Rodriguez and Tim Meadows to talk Season 2. Yes, there will be footage. Anne Rice Immortal Universe: Anne Rice's Interview with the Vampire and Anne Rice's Talamasca4:30 - 6:00 20 A shared panel for the shared Anne Rice universe. The casts and creatives of 'Interview With the Vampire' and the upcoming 'Talamasca' will discuss each of their corners of their supernatural world. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle5:45 - 6:45 H 'Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle' has already shattered Japanese box-office records. The first film in a trilogy spanning the final arc of a hit anime series might not be the best place to start for those new to the franchise, but fans won't want to miss this panel that will feature guests from Japan. 'IT: Welcome to Derry'9:15 - 9:45 6DE A sneak peek of the upcoming prequel TV series with executive producers Andy Muschietti and Barbara Muschietti. Explore Disney's 'Amphibia' with Matt Braly10:30 - 11:30 6A 'Amphibia' creator Matt Braly and friends will discuss the animated show and the upcoming graphic novel continuation. Sneak Peek: Lucas Museum of Narrative Art11 a.m. - 12 H George Lucas joins director Guillermo del Toro and artist Doug Chiang to discuss the power of illustrated storytelling and to tease his museum, in a conversation moderated by Queen Latifah. An Afternoon with George Takei1:30 - 2:30 6A Actor, author and icon George Takei will discuss his latest memoir, 'It Rhymes With Takei'; his award-winning graphic novel, 'They Called Us Enemy'; and more.
New York Post
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Metal never would have existed without Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne
Heavy metal is the musical genre most prone to hyperbole — 'This one goes to 11,' as Spinal Tap said — but it's no exaggeration to say metal would never have existed without Black Sabbath, and rock in general would have had much less roll without its singer, co-founder and indelible character Ozzy Osbourne. Ozzy died on Tuesday at age 76, a little more than two weeks after he joined the other three original members of Sabbath onstage in their native Birmingham for a farewell concert to benefit local children's charities and Cure Parkinson's, a disease he was diagnosed with in 2019. Dressed as usual from head to toe in black, wild eyes shrouded with heavy liner, the self-proclaimed 'Prince of Darkness' sang four of the band's iconic songs while sitting on a throne, unable to prowl the stage as he did for decades. And afterward, his mates presented him with a cake. Advertisement 5 Ozzy Osbourne performs with Black Sabbath at the Ozzfest concert in East Rutherford, N.J., on June 15, 1997. AP As fans overwhelmed Ozzy with waves of gratitude for more than half a century of sturm und drang, the incongruous but touching Hallmark moment contrasted with a band that eschewed sentiment in its music and lyrics, preferring to mine more sinister and ominous turf. When Sabbath formed in 1968, the group took its name from a Boris Karloff horror movie. The members looked like Everymen who would have been bricklayers if they hadn't stumbled on a unique formula that brought them stardom. And crazy/goofy Ozzy was far from the superstar front-man mold of a Robert Plant or Roger Daltrey. Sabbath's sound and aesthetic provided a stark contrast to the still-prevailing peace-and-love vibe, and every heavy band since that's worn black and avoided love songs like the plague owes the group and Ozzy a debt. Advertisement 5 Black Sabbath's Geezer Butler, Tony Iommi, Bill Ward and Ozzy Osbourne. WireImage Though vilified by censorious types who portrayed him as the devil incarnate, Ozzy's was always a brand of what writer Nick Tosches called 'bubblegum Satanism.' To be sure, the music was undeniably heavy and cheerless, and the singer's high-pitched yelp of a voice seemed to come from someone badly in need of an exorcism. And, yeah, Ozzy did bite the head off a bat when he split from Sabbath and went solo, influencing a whole new generation of fans. But as evidenced by his third career as a reality TV star on 'The Osbournes,' Ozzy always gave us a wink so we'd know he was never taking the comic-book horror or himself too seriously. As for the bat, well, the excesses were something he admitted. Advertisement 5 Ozzy Osbourne's final show with Black Sabbath in Birmingham, England on July 5, 2025. Ozzy Osbourne/Instagram 5 Ozzy Osbourne's final Instagram post on July 21, 2025, one day before his death. Ozzy Osbourne/Instagram 'People say to me, if you could do it all again, knowing what you know now, would you change anything?,' he wrote in 'Last Rites,' his second memoir, due for publication in October. 'I'm like, f–k no. If I'd been clean and sober, I wouldn't be Ozzy. If I'd done normal, sensible things, I wouldn't be Ozzy.' Advertisement In the end, as with every singular talent, it's not the antics we should remember and celebrate, but the work. In particular, the first five Sabbath albums and Ozzy's first two solo efforts are masterpieces as timeless and essential as any in rock history. 5 Ozzy Osbourne performs with Black Sabbath at the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, N.J., on August 4, 2013. Chad Rachman/New York Post The music is also a hell of a lot of fun. That may not be a word you associate with Ozzy, but if you doubt it, try to listen to 'Sweet Leaf,' 'Fairies Wear Boots,' or 'Crazy Train' without smiling, Turn 'em up loud, and if you indulge, lift a pint to rock's first and forever Dark Prince. Long may he yelp at us from the great beyond. Jim DeRogatis spent 15 years as music critic for the Chicago Sun-Times and is author of 'Soulless: The Case Against R. Kelly.'
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
SC city spent nearly $500 thousand on decorations to lure tourists. Did it work?
Editor's note: This story is being updated to correct the headline. (Updated 8:40 a.m. July 21, 2025). Reality Check is a new Sun News series holding those in power accountable, shining a light on local issues, and answering readers' essential questions. Have a question or concern we can answer? Email online@ The city of Conway is known for elaborate decorations that cover its streets each time a holiday rolls around. However, each year, those festivities come with a hefty bill. Conway takes its celebrations seriously, even changing its name to City of Halloween for the month of October, when pumpkins and skeletons loom around every corner. Come Christmas time, the city becomes a twinkling beacon straight out of a Hallmark movie. And the decorating doesn't stop at these major holidays — if there's cause for celebration, Conway dresses itself up accordingly. In the past three years alone, the city has spent more than half a million dollars on its decorations. These holiday expenses, which have increased in recent years, are an effort to attract more visitors to the city, but has it worked? Year after year, putting up festive decorations requires a healthy dose of planning, effort and money. But the city believes it's all worth it for the tourists it brings to town, and the joy it brings its year-round residents. 'Holiday decorations and events offer extra value to the quality of life our residents,' city spokesperson June Wood said in an email to The Sun News. 'Over the last several years, the increased decor has correlated to increased foot traffic and in return more revenue for businesses.' According to city expense reports shared by Wood, Conway has spent more than $100,000 in each of the past three fiscal years to make its holiday makeovers possible. In the 2022-2023 fiscal year, the city spent $116,391 on decorations. The following year, it spent $198,264 on decorations. In the 2024-2025 fiscal year, the grand decoration total came out to just over $229,712. The holiday decorations are funded through the city's 'hospitality funds,' according to Wood. These funds are collected from city businesses rather than through taxes from residents. Conway's holiday decorating as it's known today kicked off in 2019, when plastic jack-o'-lanterns were hung from the trees along Main Street. The festivities have continued to grow since then. 'I think that in 2019 it really started as more of a community-focused event,' Wood said in an interview. But in the first few years of decorating, Wood said she saw interest in holidays spent in Conway expand to a regional, and then a national scale. According to the city's seasonal visitation data, foot traffic has also grown over the years, particularly around Halloween and Christmas. In 2019, Conway welcomed just under 150,000 visitors in October. In the past few years, the city has seen more than double that amount of tourists during the Halloween month, with more than 225,000 people stopping by in October 2024. In December 2019, an average of 4,000 visitors strolled the streets of Conway each day, and about 8,000 visitors came to the city on average each weekend day. As of 2024, an average of just over 6,000 visitors came to town each day in December, with the weekend daily average jumping to almost 12,000. Wood said in an email that the decorations have been a worthwhile endeavor for the city because they give people more reasons to visit the city, bringing in more business. Wood said in a later interview that the city has seen increases in its hospitality funds and city revenue since the decorating started, which opens up more possibilities, as these are the funds used to pay for the decor. She also said that businesses have expressed that it has been a benefit to them as well. In the past few years, Wood explained that the city has also started 'dabbling' in other holidays, such as Valentine's Day. 'We have found that with every new season our residents are excited for the next seasonal celebration and plan family events and vacations that will offer them additional activities,' she wrote. Before decorating for holidays, Wood said that the city didn't bring in much tourism. Aside from some people taking day trips to stroll along the Riverwalk, or families visiting Coastal Carolina University students, Conway didn't experience much outside traffic. While Wood said the city's goal is not generating tourism, but rather making it a better place for residents to live, she noted that decorating the city has brought about a noticeable change in the number of out-of-town visitors. For Conway, the community spirit and new revenue streams generated by decorating has been worth the cost, Wood said. The city has no plans to stop its festivities any time soon. Solve the daily Crossword
Perth Now
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Lacey Chabert and Andrew Walker teaming up on Hallmark Christmas movie
Lacey Chabert and Andrew Walker are reuniting for a new Christmas movie. The 42-year-old actress previously shared the screen with the 46-year-old star in 2018's My Secret Valentine and the Hallmark Channel have announced the pair will appear together in their upcoming holiday movie She's Making a List. Hallmark broke the news with a teaser video, in which Lacey said: "It's my job to decide who's been naughty." Andrew then added: "Or nice. Like me. ... I'm basically a very tall nine year old." Lacey admitted it is "such a joy" to be working with Andrew again. She said in a statement: 'Reuniting with Andrew after all these years to do our first Christmas movie together is such a joy. "Andrew brings so much heart, humour, and warmth to every role, and working with him again felt like coming home. I am thrilled to do this one together... finally.' Andrew is equally thrilled to be reteaming with the "Queen of Christmas", whose role in She's Making a List marks her 16th festive movie to debut during Hallmark's Countdown to Christmas. He said: "What a gift it is to reunite with Lacey seven years after our Valentine's movie. 'She truly is the Queen of Christmas, not just for the heart she brings to every role, but for her incredible talent. She brings warmth, heart, and comedy with such ease, and she adapts to every role with a grace and talent that makes everyone around her better.' An official synopsis for the movie revealed She's Making a List follows Naughty or Nice inspector Isabel Haynes. It continues: "When she is assigned to evaluate mischievous 11-year-old Charlie Duncan, she expects a routine case. But things get complicated when Isabel unexpectedly falls for Charlie's widowed father, Jason Duncan (Walker), and begins to question the rigid rules of her job. "As Christmas approaches, Isabel must choose between following the holiday algorithm or following her heart." Jennifer Kramer, vice president of programming at Hallmark Media, said in a statement: "Bringing Lacey Chabert and Andrew Walker together for their first-ever Hallmark Christmas movie is a dream come true for our fans. 'She's Making a List captures the heart, humor, and holiday magic our viewers love, and we can't wait to share this unforgettable story with them this season." As well as She's Making a List, Andrew will also star with Tyler Hynes and Paul Campbell in a third Three Wise Men movie on the channel. She's Making a List is Lacey's 43rd Hallmark movie and she previously admitted she never expected to make so many. She told People magazine: "I never would've known when I did the first one that would turn into what it has, and I'm just so proud of it and the journey and the excitement of all that filming these movies has brought to my life. "It's just been a beautiful experience. ... Everyone knows I love Christmas and I love, love, love making these Christmas movies."
