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Forbes
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
‘Another Simple Favor' Director Paul Feig Talks Sequel And His Career
Blake Lively, Paul Feig and Anna Kendrick at the "Another Simple Favor" premiere at Jazz at Lincoln ... More Center on April 27, 2025 in New York, New York. He is the creative visionary behind iconic comedies like Bridesmaids, Spy and The Heat - yet arguably, director Paul Feig's juiciest movie, 2018's A Simple Favor, took moviegoers for quite the ride. Starring Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively, the mystery-thriller revolves around two young moms, Stephanie Smothers (Kendrick) and Emily Nelson (Lively), who strike up an unlikely friendship. When Emily goes missing, Stephanie looks into her disappearance and uncovers that her new, so-called friend has plenty of deep, dark secrets. As Emily returns to the public eye, Stephanie confronts her (with the authorities involved) and Emily ends up in prison for her crimes. These seven years later, their story continues with Another Simple Favor, which is now streaming on Prime Video. Set largely in the breathtaking backdrop of Capri, Italy this time around, the story finds Emily getting married and Stephanie questioning Emily's motive on why she was invited to the joyous occasion. In true Simple Favor fashion, martinis are had, murder ensues and another mystery begins to unravel. (Left to right) Blake LIvely, Michele Morrone, Alex Newell and Anna Kendrick in "Another Simple ... More Favor" Sitting down with Feig to discuss the sequel, what was it for him about Stephanie and Emily that made him feel that there was more story to tell? 'Those characters are so fascinating to me, and to have Stephanie go from being this kind of innocent mother to being somebody who can take down a pretty masterminded criminal, left her in such a good, new place, that it felt like - Oh, I want to see what she does now with this skill set that she has. For Emily - Emily's just such a delicious character. You hate the idea of somebody like that just rotting in prison. They could be out being fabulously awful in the world. It was too much catnip to turn down.' Also returning for Another Simple Favor are Henry Golding, Andrew Rannells and Bashir Salahuddin, along with newcomers Allison Janney, Elizabeth Perkins, Alex Newell, Michele Morrone and Elena Sofia Ricci. With the sequel premiering on video streaming, unlike its predecessor's theatrical release, I wondered what joys Feig has in bringing this latest installment to audiences in such an easily accessible way. Allison Janney and Elizabeth Perkins in "Another Simple Favor" Feig said, 'I mean, that's a big deal because we know there's nothing harder than to get people up out of their houses, into a car, shelling out money and sitting in the theater. It's still my favorite way to watch a movie, but it creates roadblocks. The great thing about streaming is you hear about a movie, you turn on your TV, open the app and - Oh, there it is! Sure, I'll give it a watch. It's kind of great that you can do that. I hope that people who are fans of the movie will maybe say - Hey, come on over! Let's watch it together. It is a fun group experience because there's so much crazy stuff in it, that I do kind of hope people will do that.' After working alongside Kenrick and Lively on two movies now, Feig has some thoughts about his ongoing collaborations with these two Hollywood stars. Paul Feig, Anna Kendrick, Blake Lively and Henry Golding at the "Another Simple Favor" premiere ... More during the SXSW Conference & Festivals at Paramount Theatre on March 07, 2025 in Austin, Texas. 'They're just so delightful to work for and with - and also, they're just really inventive in their own separate ways. They're both so smart and so creative and bring things to the characters, whether it's changing up lines or just changing up their performance level in different areas, and then in their thoughts on how they want to dress. I am very collaborative because I was an actor for a long time. I know how the external affects you as much as the internal, so your clothing and your makeup and the locations and the set dressing is all part of it. I want everybody to weigh in on what's going to help them play the characters the best. They're both brilliant at that.' Like many movie directors, we the public get to experience their creations on-screen, as they guide their cast and crew in telling the story, but we do not often get to truly know the filmmakers themselves on a more human level. So, I asked Feig - Who is Paul Feig in 2025? What brings the greatest purpose and passion to your days lately? Feig said, 'Doing what I do. I so love making movies. It's my favorite thing in the world. I spent the vast majority of my life trying to get to a point where they would let me make movies. I was an actor for a long time. Then, when I created Freaks and Geeks, that was my kind of 'in' to being a creative force on the other side, but then could not get movies made. I had a couple that were very unsuccessful and that set me back a lot. Now that I get to make movies, I don't take that for granted at all. I'm just driven by the fact that I just want to keep doing it and that I can do it, and trying to find projects that I know people want to see, that will entertain them.' He added: 'I'm not an awards director. I have no interest in making movies to try to win an award, because I don't think you're in service of the audience when you do that. You're in service of yourself and of critics or whatever. I always go back to this - Bridesmaids got nominated for two Oscars. You think when we had Melissa McCarthy s******* in a sink, we were thinking - Hey, we're Oscar bait!?' As the entertainment industry continues to evolve, I was curious in what ways is Feig excited about the trajectory of Hollywood filmmaking and the advancing technologies that we have at our disposal, and in what ways is he cautious and perhaps watching closely to ensure that this business does not ultimately become certain things. 'It's a great question. I'm just really optimistic because I think people are coming back to theaters - people are watching things. People are consuming a lot of stuff and they're also very cautious about what they're consuming. They're demanding quality, which hasn't always been the case. People always want quality, but sometimes, you'll just kind of watch whatever. Especially for movies, like they're being very hard on movies. I think it's good because it forces us as filmmakers not to get lazy, and it forces the industry not to assume things.' Anna Kendrick in "Another Simple Favor" He added: 'It's one of the reasons I always avoided sequels because it was always such an automatic knee-jerk thing in the business to go - Well, that movie did well, so let's do a sequel - with the idea that people like the first one, so clearly they're just going to show up for the second one. What happened is over the years, people went like - No, I'm not. I did like the first one. I'm not necessarily going to show up again, unless you offer me something that looks so unique and different that I have to see it.' Today, Feig is not only a filmmaker - he even has his own London Dry Gin brand called Artingstall's. Being the entrepreneur that he is, what advice might he have for other professionals out there that have great ideas, but are not sure how to effectively get people to listen and finally get it off the ground? Feig said, 'You got to act on it. Everybody's got ideas. I get contacted all the time by people - not necessarily people I know, but people who kind of know me or know our company. I can't tell you how many times it happens, like - I've got this great idea. I just need somebody to write it. I got a million great ideas. It doesn't matter - writing it is the whole thing. I'm just so impressed with a lot of the young actors that I work with - how entrepreneurial they are. It's crazy! They'll have all these other businesses going and brands. I think it's great. Why not take advantage of it? Don't be gross about it - like put your gin all over your movie, like I do. If you have an interest, do it. If it doesn't work, that's fine, but there's nothing worse than kind of like dead dreams that could be great. You know pretty fast if something has a chance of working, or at least kind of getting people interested in it. And so, why not try it out, you know?' Beyond Another Simple Favor, Feig is bringing the bestselling book Housemaid from author Freida McFadden to the big screen this Christmas. The psychological thriller stars Sydney Sweeney, Brandon Sklenar and Amanda Seyfried. (Left to right) Brandon Sklenar, Amanda Seyfried, Sydney Sweeney and Paul Feig promote the upcoming ... More film "The Housemaid" at the Lionsgate presentation during CinemaCon on April 1, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. 'I'm really excited about it,' Feig said. 'The book is really good. That's nice to have source material that is great already - just like A Simple Favor is the same way. Darcey Bell wrote that great book. It's a very visceral movie - and honestly, it's perfectly cast. I will pat myself on the back for that. Although Sidney was attached when it came to me, so that was like the greatest gift of all time. Then finding Amanda, who we've been trying to work together forever and finally found this part, which is such a career-defining part for her. Then Brandon - Blake had been telling me about Brandon when we were shooting Simple Favor because she was doing It Ends With Us with him. She just kept going on and on. Then, when I finally met with him, I'm like - Oh my god, I'm in love! You were right - he's wonderful. I just think audiences are really going to dig it. It's because it's such a fun, crazy ride. I mean, it's super dark, obviously, but it's still fun - it's fun dark. It goes through some machinations, but I always try to make all my movies good-natured at the end of the day, even if they get super dark. This one's probably going to be my darkest one yet, but there's something still kind of lovely about it.' Circling back to Another Simple Favor with Feig as we concluded our conversation, I left him with one last question - What would you say, Paul, to Stephanie Smothers and Emily Nelson, if only you could, after seeing these films, putting this all together, understanding the evolution of their character actions and mindsets? What do you feel they would benefit from hearing from you, someone who has watched them very closely from the outside in? Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively in "Another Simple Favor" Feig said, 'I'd say - Ladies, keep doing what you're doing.'
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Fans roast Blake Lively for ‘gross' wardrobe malfunction at ‘Another Simple Favor' premiere
They're not letting her off the hook. Blake Lively was roasted by some eagle-eyed fans who noticed that she suffered a wardrobe malfunction while on the New York City red carpet for her new movie, 'Another Simple Favor,' over the weekend. The 'Gossip Girl' star, 37, stepped out looking her best at the Jazz at Lincoln Center while wearing a blue gown with cutouts along the bodice that accentuated her figure. Despite not a hair being out of place — and her makeup looking immaculate — some fans were more focused on how her spray tan had rubbed off her arms and onto her dress. One person took to Instagram to comment on the look, writing, 'The body make up all over her dress is sending me.' 'All the tanner stains around the armpit,' another pointed out. 'Gross, you can see her spray tan on her dress. Under the armpit. For a person who made fun of her co-star's large nose (among various others she has publicly mocked), she has opened herself up to the same type of scrutiny,' a third person wrote on X, referencing the legal battle between Lively and Justin Baldoni. Others, however, could not care less about the stains and simply applauded how great she looked. 'She is perfection it's unreal 😍,' one person commented under Page Six's Instagram post. A second one gushed, 'Who is dressing her?!??! They deserve an award. She has slayed every red carpet, I am living for her hair!!!!😍😍😍😍' 'This dress is everything,' a third commented under a separate Instagram photo of Lively. Over the last few days, Lively has seemingly left her legal drama with Baldoni behind her as she focuses on promoting her new movie alongside Anna Kendrick. For the most recent premiere, the 'Age of Adeline' star stepped out with her husband of 13 years, Ryan Reynolds, as they put on a united front. The couple, along with publicist Leslie Sloane, were sued for defamation and extortion by Baldoni — who starred in and directed 'It Ends With Us' — after Lively accused him of sexual harassment. Baldoni has shut down the allegations and the trial between the two co-stars is set to start in 2026.
CBS News
26-04-2025
- Health
- CBS News
He had 2 months to live. Cancer research "that seemed like science fiction" saved his life.
Michael Wolff spent 18 months undergoing intensive treatment for follicular lymphoma, a slow-growing blood cancer. Despite the strict regimen, he was only getting sicker. Wolff's oncologist didn't understand it and sent the then 54-year-old to Dr. Mrinal Gounder at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Wolff underwent another biopsy. The test found that Wolff had an extremely rare, aggressive blood cancer called histiocytic sarcoma. Only about 300 patients are diagnosed with the condition each year in the U.S. Gounder, an oncologist who focuses on treating sarcomas, said the lymphoma that Wolff was being treated for earlier may have led to the development of the riskier cancer. Wolff said that Gounder told him he had only treated about 10 cases of the disease before. Wolff didn't want to ask what had happened to those patients. Soon, he was given his prognosis: Gounder estimated Wolff had two months to live. That was 10 years ago. Now, Wolff is considered cured after technology that he said "seemed like science fiction" was used to find an effective treatment for the rare cancer. Michael Wolff attends the 2011 WBGO-FM Champions of Jazz benefit at Jazz at Lincoln Center on November 2, 2011 in New York City. Charles Eshelman Using genetic sequencing to find treatment options Genetic sequencing is a process where the DNA that makes up a cancer tumor is analyzed for unique genetic mutations. Those changes can point researchers in the direction of possible treatments, said Dr. Shridar Ganesan, the director of NYU Langone's molecular oncology program and a physician–scientist who was not involved in Wolff's care. "For a long while, the classification of cancer was kind of dominated by anatomy, by where the lump is, and how it looks like under the microscope," Ganesan said. "But we realize now that in addition to kind of rise and lumps, we have to also take into account the exact changes that make the cancer cells different than normal cells, because that, in many ways, is the clue to both telling us why these cells are misbehaving, and can give us insights into how to then specifically target the growth of these abnormal cells." Wolff was at the "edge of a cliff," Gounder said. So he put Wolff on another course of intensive chemotherapy, then began analyzing the sarcoma. The process took about six weeks. Wolff said the chemotherapy left him unable to sleep and beset with high fevers. Gounder said the treatment didn't do much to help. But by the time the chemotherapy course was complete, the genetic sequencing results had come back. The results showed "six or seven potential roads" that could have been used for treatment, Gounder said. He and others at Memorial Sloan Kettering looked at all the options, then settled on a pill called Mekinist, which is most often used to treat melanomas. Gounder believed a mutation found in Wolff's cancer made the pill a good option. There had never been a case where the drug had been used to treat histiocytic sarcoma. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center- David H. Koch Center. HVEPhoto / Getty Images "When he said 'I think I found something and I think we have a drug that can (treat you),' I said 'Well, what's the research?'" Wolff remembered. "He said 'You're the research.'" "I'm just so thankful" Wolff began taking the new regimen. He was skeptical that a medication that "looked like a little sugar pill" could help him when chemotherapy had failed. Within two days, the chemotherapy side effects he was experiencing were gone. Ten days into the treatment, Gounder did a PET scan. The exam found an 80% reduction in Wolff's tumors. Wolff said he considered the results "a miracle." "I was totally blown away that this thing could have any effect," he said. Gounder said Wolff's improvement was a welcome surprise — and helped change the game for future patients. In 2018, he published Wolff's case in the New England Journal of Medicine. Mekenist is now used to treat histiocytic sarcomas, and in 2022, the Food and Drug Administration also approved the use of another medication, Cotellic. The outcomes for patients are "night and day," Gounder said. Meanwhile, Wolff's cancer has not returned, 10 years after he was given just months to live. He was able to stop taking the medication, and last summer, Gounder told him he didn't need to return for annual checkups. He still sees a hematologist, an interventional radiologist and a dermatologist to treat side effects from the chemotherapy courses, but he's been able to return to his career as a renowned jazz musician. "I've been able to record so much music and play so many concerts around the world," Wolff said. "Every time I do something like that, I'm just so thankful to be able to do it." Musician Michael Wolff performs at the 2011 WBGO-FM Champions of Jazz benefit at Jazz at Lincoln Center on November 2, 2011 in New York City. Stephen Lovekin / Getty Images What's next for genetic sequencing? Wolff's case was 10 years ago, when genetic sequencing of cancers was in the early stages. Now, scientists can analyze a tumor's whole genome in a matter of days, Gounder said. Ganesan said the technology is being used more widely now, particularly in patients with advanced-stage cancers. In some cases, like Wolff's, doctors find a new use for an existing drug. In others, knowing the specific makeup of a cancer allows doctors to develop new treatment options. As genetic sequencing is used more widely, scientists are also learning more about the "enormous diversity of cancers," Ganesan said. He hopes that eventually, many cancers can be treated or cured using options discovered by genetic sequencing. "Two people with the same organ-based cancer diagnosis may have very different diseases. This is giving us a chance to understand that, and also to understand the very specific treatments," Ganesan said. "In the old days, we used to give a therapy and say 'Oh, 30% respond, I wonder why?' Now, it starts to tease apart why patients respond to some therapies and not to others, and also define, build and craft specific treatments for individual patients."
Time Magazine
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Magazine
Simone Biles Accepts TIME100 Impact Award at 2025 TIME100 Gala
Simone Biles, the most decorated gymnast in history, accepted a TIME100 Impact Award at New York City's Jazz at Lincoln Center on April 24. TIME100 Impact Awards recognize global leaders who have gone above and beyond to move their industries—and the world—forward. Biles attended the star-studded ceremony with her mother. Actor Kristen Bell, who is 5'1, jokingly explained why she was presenting an award to Biles, who is 4'8: 'I wanted to give her this award tonight because for once, I wanted to tower over someone while also feeling super weak.' Biles boasts 11 Olympic medals and 30 World Championship medals. But on a more serious note, Bell said Biles deserves the award because she doesn't just rest on her laurels. 'She continues to use her achievements and her example to lift others up.' Practices can be stressful, but Biles tries to make them fun. She spoke about being true to herself. As she explained onstage, 'I was expected to be robotic and compartmentalize my feelings in order to achieve what might otherwise be an overwhelming goal. But that just wasn't me. I needed to smile, to laugh, to occasionally play practical jokes. I found ways to keep competition and training environments polite and fun, and it allowed me to succeed.' In addition to her balancing acts in the gymnasium, Biles speaks openly about the need for balance in life. She made a historic comeback this summer, racking up four medals (three of them gold) in the 2024 Paris summer Olympics after withdrawing from the Tokyo games in 2021 to preserve her mental health. Her recovery is documented in the Netflix series Simone Biles Rising. In a tribute to Biles for the 2025 TIME100 list, Aly Raisman, three-time Olympic gold gymnast, called her fellow Olympian both 'deeply human and undeniably superhuman,' so much so that 'my teammates and I used to joke that we were all competing for second place.' But at the gala, Biles said you don't need medals to have confidence or make a difference. As she put it, 'You don't need to stand on an Olympic stage in order to have an impact, and you certainly don't need to win medals. You just need to show up and stay true to who you are.' Past TIME100 Impact Award recipients include Steven Spielberg and Michael J. Fox. ——— The TIME100 Gala is TIME's annual celebration of the TIME100 list of the world's most influential people. The Gala brings together icons, leaders, change-makers, and celebrities from across industries and nations for one lively evening of meaningful dialogue and celebration. TIME is teaming up with ABC to bring viewers inside the exclusive TIME100 Gala with a special television event. TIME100: The World's Most Influential People, produced in partnership with P&G, airs Sunday, May 4 at 10 p.m. EDT on ABC, and the next day on Hulu, featuring host Snoop Dogg, a performance by Ed Sheeran, and appearances by Demi Moore, Serena Williams, and more.
CBS News
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Herb Alpert reflects on fame, TikTok and turning 90 with the Tijuana Brass
Herb Alpert celebrates 90 years and a return to the stage with new Tijuana Brass Legendary trumpeter Herb Alpert celebrated his 90th birthday last month by taking the stage at Jazz at Lincoln Center with a new iteration of the Tijuana Brass, marking his return to the iconic group format for the first time in 40 years. The milestone performance coincides with the 60th anniversary of his landmark album "Whipped Cream & Other Delights," which spent eight weeks at No. 1 after its 1965 release and helped define the sound of the era. "It has been overwhelming. I didn't realize I'd get this much attention at 90," Alpert said. Alpert's distinctive brass sound, inspired by bullfights in Tijuana, dominated the 1960s music landscape — appearing in television commercials, game shows like "The Dating Game," and films including "Casino Royale." At his commercial peak in 1966, Alpert had three albums in the top five simultaneously and outsold The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and Frank Sinatra. "Sometimes I was even a little embarrassed by it all," Alpert admitted. His classic hit "Ladyfingers" recently found new life on TikTok, generating what Alpert described as "three billion streams" on YouTube, a phenomenon he finds "strange, because I recorded it like 60 years ago." The trumpet virtuoso's career hasn't been without challenges. By 1969, while going through a divorce, Alpert faced a personal crisis with his instrument. He described the trumpet as "my enemy" as he struggled with confidence and technique. A breakthrough came after consulting New York brass teacher Carmine Caruso, who reminded him that the trumpet was "just a piece of plumbing" and that "the instrument comes from deep inside you." Alpert also co-founded A&M Records with the late Jerry Moss, operating on a handshake agreement from 1962 until they sold the company in 1990. The two never signed a formal contract, a fact that still moves Alpert to tears when he recalls their partnership. Now touring with a newly assembled Tijuana Brass, Alpert says the music feels fresh again. Alpert continues to perform with his wife of 52 years, singer Lani Hall, whom he met when his label signed Sergio Mendes and Brasil '66. "I try to be as authentic as I can when I play," he said. "I'm playing in the moment of my life. And it's a hard place to get to. But that's the place I'm always looking for."
