Latest news with #MarkTwainPrize
UPI
a day ago
- Entertainment
- UPI
BET Awards ceremony to go on as planned despite LA unrest
1 of 3 | Kevin Hart is expected to host the BET Awards as planned Monday evening. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo June 9 (UPI) -- The BET Awards ceremony is expected to go on as planned Monday evening at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, despite ongoing clashes between protesters and authorities in the city. "BET remains committed to the safety of our guests and staff," a network representative told The Hollywood Reporter on Sunday night. "We are working closely with the LAPD and monitoring the situation. The 2025 BET Awards will take place Monday, June 9th, 2025, at 8 p.m. ET/PT as scheduled." President Donald Trump deployed National Guard troops to Los Angeles on Sunday amid ongoing protests against recent raids carried out by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). BET shared a clip from Master P's 2023 BET Awards performance Monday morning, asking followers to "Make sure you're tapped in today for the 2025 #BETAwards 8/7c." Comedian Kevin Hart is to host the gala where Mariah Carey, Jamie Foxx, Snoop Dogg and Kirk Franklin will be presented with Ultimate Icon Awards. Slated to perform are Lil Wayne, Teyana Taylor, GloRilla, Playboi Carter and Leon Thomas. Kevin Hart honored with Mark Twain Prize for American Humor Kevin Hart attends the 25th annual Mark Twain Prize For American Humor gala at The Kennedy Center in Washington on March 24, 2024. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The 7 Best New Shows on Netflix in May
In a rare feat for a streamer as beloved for its onslaught of acquisitions as its original productions, the best new shows on Netflix's May release calendar are all exclusive to the service. While I balk at calling Conan O'Brien's Mark Twain Prize ceremony a full-on Netflix original, the most powerful streaming service in the world was smart enough to snag the rights — and schedule the premiere during yet another period of peak appreciation for our favorite late-night Irishman — so they deserve ample credit. Plus, it's the only entry of the lot that's not an established Netflix franchise or an anticipated Netflix original. May will welcome new seasons of 'Love, Death & Robots' (including an episode directed by executive producer David Fincher, featuring the Red Hot Chili Peppers), 'Untold' (the sports documentary series that's proving to be a worthy addition to any '30 for 30' fan's queue), and the final season of 'Big Mouth.' (A well-reviewed Netflix original series that spans eight seasons plus a spinoff? Now that's the kind of TV worth getting behind!) More from IndieWire 'Squid Game 3' Teaser: The Only Way Out Is Through Netflix Rolls Out the Red Carpet for Emmy Voters with Two-Week FYSEE LA Festival Across Los Angeles 'The Four Seasons' Review: Tina Fey and Steve Carell's Netflix Show Is Pleasant but Perfunctory In addition, Netflix subscribers can check out new shows including 'Forever,' a modern adaptation of Judy Blume's 1975 novel (featuring two incredible breakthrough performances, one of whom — Lovie Simone — has already earned a nomination from the Gotham Awards); 'Sirens,' a limited series led by Julianne Moore and Meghann Fahy from the creator of 'Maid' (Molly Smith Metzler) and the lead director of 'Watchmen' (Nicole Kassell); and another adaptation, this one of Alan Alda's feature directorial debut, 'The Four Seasons,' from co-creator and star Tina Fey. (The cast just happens to include Steve Carell, Colman Domingo, and Will Forte, too! TV stars, unite!) It's not quite right to say Netflix is back — reviews of 'The Four Seasons' aren't as enthusiastic as Fey's past comedy creations, and, despite a slight dip in quality content over the last few months, Netflix never really went anywhere. But it's reassuring to see the streamer put creator-driven stories at the forefront of their summer season. After all, with audiences (hopefully) rushing back to theaters for blockbusters like 'Thunderbolts*' (Marvel's latest attempt to resurrect its fading brand), 'Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning' (Tom Cruise's last attempt to defy death for our entertainment? surely not), and Tim Robinson's A24 comedy 'Friendship' (get hyped), whatever's available at home needs to offer something different; something TV does best; something personal, something powerful, something you can live with for longer than a couple hours. So let's dig in! Best of IndieWire Martin Scorsese's Favorite Movies: 86 Films the Director Wants You to See Christopher Nolan's Favorite Movies: 44 Films the Director Wants You to See The 25 Saddest TV Character Deaths of This Century
The South African
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The South African
Conan O'Brien honoured with Mark Twain Prize
Conan O'Brien received the prestigious Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize for American Humour. The ceremony is available to stream on Netflix from 4 May 2025. This annual award pays tribute to comedians who have left a lasting mark on American society through their wit and satire. This year's recipient, Conan O'Brien, was honoured in a star-studded gala held at the iconic John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. The 26th Mark Twain Prize ceremony, filmed on 23 March 2025, brought together some of comedy's biggest names. This included Adam Sandler, Stephen Colbert, Sarah Silverman, Will Ferrell, John Mulaney, and David Letterman, among others. Their heartfelt tributes and hilarious roasts captured the spirit of O'Brien's four-decade journey in comedy, according to Observer Voice. He started out from his early days writing for Saturday Night Live and The Simpsons to his late-night talk show fame and popular podcast, Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend . Kennedy Center President Deborah F. Rutter praised Conan's unique blend of 'smart, silly, insightful and hilarious' humour. Rutter noted his ability to reinvent himself continuously. 'Conan is a master of invention and reinvention, consistently pushing the envelope in search of new comedic heights,' she said. O'Brien, known for his quick wit and self-deprecating humour, joked upon receiving the award, 'I am honoured to be the first winner of the Mark Twain Prize, recognised not for humour. But for my work as a riverboat pilot.' Conan used his acceptance speech to reflect on his journey, recalling the tough early years when he was an unemployed graduate living modestly in Los Angeles. His story resonated with many, showing how perseverance and passion can lead to extraordinary success. The event also included a pointed but humorous critique of political issues, with comedians like Will Ferrell and Tracy Morgan. They delivered sharp, satirical remarks that resonated in today's turbulent cultural landscape. The Mark Twain Prize ceremony celebrates humour's vital role in society-something people universally appreciate, regardless of borders. As comedian John Mulaney quipped during the event, 'It's a privilege to be here at the Kennedy Center. Or as it will soon be known, the Roy Cohn Pavilion for Powerful Men Who Appreciate 'Cats',' a nod to the political shifts affecting the arts institution. Netflix's streaming of the event means South African audiences can share in the joy and legacy of one of America's most beloved comedians from the comfort of their homes. In a world often in need of levity, Conan O'Brien's Mark Twain Prize ceremony reminds us all why laughter remains one of our greatest shared treasures. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘Les Miserables' Actors to Boycott Kennedy Center Performance Over Trump's Attendance
At least 10 Les Miserables cast members are expected to boycott a June 11 performance of the musical at the Kennedy Center, which President Donald Trump is planning to attend. Following the controversies at the once-prestigious Washington, D.C. performing arts center since Trump appointed himself chairman, CNN reports that the musical's cast was given the choice of whether or not to perform that night, with the performance doubling as a big-ticket fundraiser for the Kennedy Center. More from Rolling Stone Kennedy Center Cancels Pride Month Schedule as Organizers 'Proactively' Relocate Events Trump Crony Did Not Want to Answer Yasmin Williams' Kennedy Center Shake-Up Questions Conan O'Brien Defends Decision to Visit Kennedy Center for Mark Twain Prize At least 10 to 12 actors have opted to skip the June 11 performance, including both major cast members as well as members of the ensemble. Trump — a noted fan of the musical who previously used Les Mis music (without permission, of course) on the campaign trail in 2016 — is expected to attend the June 11 performance, which will follow a VIP reception where sponsorship levels cost between $100,000 to $2 million. Trump ally Richard Grennell, who was appointed as the Kennedy Center's president after Trump gutted the existing Board of Trustees, told CNN of the actors' boycott, 'Any performer who isn't professional enough to perform for patrons of all backgrounds, regardless of political affiliation, won't be welcomed. In fact, we think it would be important to out those vapid and intolerant artists to ensure producers know who they shouldn't hire – and that the public knows which shows have political litmus tests to sit in the audience. The Kennedy Center wants to be a place where people of all political stripes sit next to each other and never ask who someone voted for but instead enjoys a performance together.' Following Trump's self-appointment as Kennedy Center chairman, at least 26 performances have been canceled, including 15 by the scheduled acts themselves. Issa Rae cancelled her Feb. 14 show, citing 'an infringement on the values of an institution that has faithfully celebrated artists of all backgrounds through all mediums.' On Feb. 13, Low Cut Connie, the Philadelphia rock and soul band fronted by Adam Weiner, cancelled their March 19 concert. Lin-Manuel Miranda and Jeffrey Seller were supposed to bring Hamilton to the Kennedy Center in 2026, but cancelled the run, saying, 'The Kennedy Center was not created in this spirit, and we're not going to be a part of it while it is the Trump Kennedy Center. We're just not going to be part of it.' A concert by the Gay Men's Chorus of Washington was also canceled, as were several events planned around Pride Month. In March, Guster protested the changes at the Kennedy Center — which included the cancelation of performances of the LGBTQ+ musical Finn — by having that show's cast appear onstage during their concert at the performing arts venue. Best of Rolling Stone Every Super Bowl Halftime Show, Ranked From Worst to Best The United States of Weed Gaming Levels Up
Irish Times
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Times
The Guide: Kevin Hart, Twenty One Pilots, Cork Fringe Festival and other events to see, shows to book and ones to catch before they end
Event of the week Kevin Hart Saturday, May 3rd, and Sunday, May 4th, SSE Arena, Belfast, 8pm, £128/£73; Tuesday, May 6th, 3Arena, Dublin, 7.30pm, €88.25/€72.70, From being booed off stage in his native Philadelphia in the late 1990s to becoming one of the most bankable names in comedy – he has sold millions of tickets to his stand-up shows over the past 25 years or so, not to mention becoming a familiar face in Hollywood movies – Kevin Hart has had quite the career trajectory. The comic, production-company founder, actor, awards host, singer, author and reality-television star manages to keep a whole pressful of plates spinning. At the centre of his Acting My Age tour, says Hart – who last year added the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor to his awards cabinet – are some deeply personal stories. Gigs Hayden Thorpe & Propellor Ensemble Wednesday, May 7th, Deer's Head Music Hall, Belfast, 8pm, £15, Thursday, May 8th, Grand Social, Dublin, 8pm, €23.65, Hayden Thorpe. Photograph: Eeva Rinne Living in the bucolic setting of the Lake District, in northwest England, had a clear influence on Ness, the most recent album from Hayden Thorpe, the former lead singer of Wild Beasts. It's a musical reading of Robert Macfarlane's prose poem of the same name, from 2019, which was inspired by the landscape and history of Orford Ness, a former missile testing site on the Suffolk coast. Thorpe arrives in Ireland with a slimmer version of the boundary-breaking Propeller Ensemble. Twenty One Pilots Thursday, May 8th, SSE Arena, Belfast, 6.30pm, £62.50; Friday, May 9th, 3Arena, Dublin, 6.30pm, €61.35, Rock bands rarely interrupt their performances with backflips and other gymnastics, but Twenty One Pilots isn't your average music act. The duo of Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun emerged from the Christian rock/rap scene in Ohio, but soon gravitated towards an expansive fusion of rock, rap, electro and pop. The pair arrive in Ireland close to the end of their world tour for last year's studio album, Clancy, which Kerrang! magazine described as creative, colourful and endlessly charismatic. Festivals Baggot Street Blues Festival Saturday-Monday, May 3rd-5th, Star Bar, Dublin, various times, free, The inaugural Baggot Street Blues Festival moves the bank-holiday weekend in the right direction. Across three days, from 3pm to late, the Star Bar, a new venue, will feature established hot-to-the-touch blues acts (Mary Stokes Band, Dublin Blues Cartel, Ben Prevo Band), ambitious up-and-comers (Blind Boys of Kilnamanagh, Steven McCann Trio) and international musicians (including the Turkish band Melted). The festival is free, although QR codes are available throughout the venue for artist donations. READ MORE International Dublin Gay Theatre Festival From Monday, May 5th, until Sunday, May 18th, Teacher's Club, Dublin, various times and prices, Homo(sapien) Since its inception in 2004, International Dublin Gay Theatre Festival has raised awareness of and support for established and developing gay artists and theatrical work. This year's highlights include The Strange Case of Dr Dillon, the true story of the Anglo-Irish trans pioneer Michael Dillon (Monday-Saturday, May 5th-10th), and Homo(sapien), a comedy solo show about self-discovery within a Catholic worldview (Monday-Saturday, May 12th-17th). Féasta Ceoil an Spidéil '25 From Thursday, May 8th, until Friday, May 30th, Stiúideo Cuan, Spiddal, Co Galway, various days and times, €25/€22.50, Pádraig Rynne, Tara Breen, Jim Murray Anyone who finds themselves out west in May should visit Stiúideo Cuan, one of Europe's finest recording facilities. Featuring a range of concerts by Ireland's leading traditional musicians, Féasta Ceoil an Spidéil '25 gets under way with Cormac Breatnach, Martin Dunlea and Brian Fleming (Thursday, May 8th) and Tara Breen, Pádraig Rynne and Jim Murray (Friday, May 9th). The series concludes with a concert by Steve Cooney and Breandán Begley (Friday, May 30th). Cork Fringe Festival From Friday, May 9th, until Sunday, May 11th, various venues, times and prices, The inaugural Cork Fringe Festival, which features 20 events at 10 venues, celebrates 'the weird, the wonderful and the often under-represented' in the city's vibrant arts scene. Highlights include music (Rob Carlile, Friday, May 9th, the Roundy, 6.30pm, €12.50), theatre (In a Bad Way/Happy Capital, Saturday, May 10th, Everyman, 7.30pm, €21), comedy (How Do You Feel?, Sunday, May 11th, the Roundy, 7.30pm, €15) and visual art (Dreamscape/Eden, Friday, May 9th, until Sunday, May 11th, Laneway Gallery, free). In conversation John Boyne Tuesday, May 6th, Pavilion Theatre, Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin, 8pm, €15, John Boyne Since 2023 the Dublin-based author John Boyne has been publishing novella-length books – Water , Earth , Fire – that, while ostensibly separate, have connected plots and characters. With the imminent publication of Air, about the relationship between a father and his teenage son as they travel thousands of kilometres together towards an uncertain future, Boyne has come to the end of his single-minded and well-received Elements quartet, so there's a lot to discuss. He's in conversation with his fellow author Claire Kilroy (whose 2023 novel, Soldier Sailor , was shortlisted for the Women's Prize for Fiction). Still running Myra's Story From Monday, May 5th, until Saturday, May 10th, Gaiety Theatre, Dublin, 7.30pm, €41.05/€30.95/€26.45, Fíonna Hewitt-Twamley Myra's Story features the Ifta-nominated actor Fíonna Hewitt-Twamley not only as the homeless alcoholic of the title but also as more than a dozen other characters. Brian Foster's play is equal parts heart-warming and sad, with Hewitt-Twamley giving what the online magazine WhatsOnStage calls a virtuoso performance. Book it this week Matty Matheson, Vicar Street, Dublin, June 5th, Clonmel Junction Arts Festival, Co Tipperary, July 4th-13th, West Cork Literary Festival, Bantry, Co Cork, July 11th-18th, Sounds from a Safe Harbour, Cork, September 11th-14th,
