At the 1975 BAFTA Film Awards, the Best Actor honor went to none other than the legendary Jack Nicholson for his standout performances in The Last Detail and Chinatown. The twist? Nicholson was busy on the set of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest in Oregon, so he couldn’t make it to the ceremony. In a brilliant stroke of humor, he accepted his award right from the set, surrounded by cast members who stayed in character while Nicholson himself broke the mold with his signature charisma. Classic Jack!
Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman Recap ‘Deadpool’ 1 & 2
‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ stars Ryan Reynolds (Deadpool) and Hugh Jackman (Wolverine) recap all the bad words, fights, fourth wall breaks in ‘Deadpool’ 1 & 2 ahead of the new Deadpool film.
Woody Harrelson Reads A Letter About A Very Grumpy Cat
One afternoon in 1960, a balding cat was thrust upon novelist John Cheever by his old friend Josie Herbst, who explained that she could no longer keep him. Cheever reluctantly homed the cat, but they didn’t get on; so much so that Cheever’s friendship with Herbst soon deteriorated. The rift finally healed in 1963, when Cheever sent Herbst the letter you’re about to hear.
At Letters Live at London’s Royal Albert Hall in November 2023, Woody Harrelson gave this hilarious reading of Cheever’s letter.
Cheech and Chong Go On A Rockin’ Adventure with Sammy Hagar
Sammy Hagar pays a visit to Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong at Chong’s house. They take a walk down memory lane and then play a couple of acoustic songs together.
National Music Centre Announces Mid-Autumn Festival at Studio Bell, from September 20-22
National Music Centre (NMC) is thrilled to announce Mid-Autumn Festival from September 20-22 at Studio Bell. The three-day festival in collaboration with the Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre will celebrate the music and traditions of Canada’s Chinese and Asian communities.
The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival, is a significant cultural event traditionally celebrated by Chinese and other Asian communities, symbolizing the full moon harvest, unity, harmony, and the gathering of family and friends. NMC’s festival will capture the spirit of this cherished tradition, weaving traditional and contemporary art forms together while building connections and an appreciation for different forms of music.
Over the three-day event, attendees can expect ticketed evening concerts with Jasmine Jazz featuring Jodi Proznick Trio and Vancouver Chinese Music Ensemble on September 20, and instrumental fusion ensemble XIA-3 on September 21.
2023 Western Canadian Music Instrumental Artist of the Year Award Winner Jasmine Jazz brings a contemporary sound to the unusual and exquisite interplay between traditional Chinese and jazz instruments. Jasmine Jazz features musicians from the Vancouver Chinese Music Ensemble and is led by JUNO-nominated bassist and composer, Jodi Proznick.
Hailing from Newfoundland, XIA-3 seamlessly blends traditional Chinese elements with Western post-rock sensibilities. Established in 2022, the band is spearheaded by guzheng virtuoso Dr. Jing Xia, and supported by seasoned St. John’s punk rockers Ritche Perez on baritone guitar and Brian Downton on drums. Tickets are on sale now for both concerts at studiobell.ca/whats-on.
During the daytime on September 21 and 22, NMC will offer free matinee performances from local artists and dancers, including Calgary’s Gai Lan Ensemble, the Calgary Chinese Orchestra, Zhaoli Dance School, and much more. Visitors will also experience lion and dragon dances throughout the building, a pop-up market, and hands-on activities for families. Admission will be free for all daytime activities at Studio Bell. Find the full schedule at studiobell.ca/whats-on.
Additionally, NMC will host a singing contest, called Mid-Autumn Star, with one act winning recording time in NMC’s world-class studios. Emerging artists are encouraged to submit their music to be considered for the contest. The top 10 submissions will be invited to practice and perform for festival attendees during the day on Saturday, September 21 and Sunday, September 22.Then they’ll come back to perform live in the evening of September 22 for the Mid-Autumn Star Finals, where each artist will receive live feedback onstage from a panel of established musicians and industry pros. Artists interested in performing and receiving feedback can upload their submissions at studiobell.ca/mid-autumn-star by Friday, September 6 at 11:59 pm MT.
“Mid-Autumn Festival is celebrated throughout Asia where music, mooncakes, lantern-making, and connecting with family and friends play a big role,” said Tony Wong, Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre’s President. “We’re excited to bring this tradition to Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre, and invite everyone to join us for this exciting celebration of music and community.”
“Collaborating with the Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival is an exciting opportunity for NMC to bring a national perspective to a popular annual event among local Chinese and Asian communities,” said Andrew Mosker, NMC’s President and CEO. “We look forward to a vibrant and memorable event that will bridge traditional Chinese culture with mainstream Canadian culture, and bring people together through the universal language of music.”
To see the full Mid-Autumn Festival schedule and to purchase tickets, visit studiobell.ca/whats-on.
Outback Presents Announces former JFL-er Christine Melko Ross As New Senior Vice President Of Global Operations
Outback Presents is thrilled to announce the appointment of Christine Melko Ross as the company’s new Senior Vice President of Global Operations.
Based in Montreal, Canada, Melko Ross will spearhead Outback Presents’ Canadian operations and drive the company’s international business development and expansion strategy. Her extensive experience and strategic vision will be instrumental as Outback Presents continues to grow its global footprint.
“Everyone at Outback Presents is excited to have Christine join the team,” says Outback Presents company president Michael Smardak. “Her extensive achievements and experience in comedy will be invaluable to our global growth. We are very proud to have her join us.”
“I am very excited to work with Mike Smardak, Brian Dorfman and the entire team at Outback,” adds Melko Ross. “They have built an amazing roster of successful touring talent and have done a fabulous job at establishing themselves as the largest independent promoter in North America. Together, we will strive to elevate Outback to the global stage. We cherish similar values in ensuring a great audience and artist experience, and I can’t wait to get started!”
Melko Ross has over 35 years of experience producing and promoting thousands of comedy and music shows. For the past 23 years, she has been an integral part of the Just For Laughs Group, where she has worn many hats and left an indelible mark on the comedy landscape.
At Just For Laughs, Melko Ross was instrumental in running the renowned Montreal Festival, launching the Toronto Festival and creating the company’s highly successful Touring division. She’s worked with comedy giants like Jerry Seinfeld, Trevor Noah, Tom Segura, Hannah Gadsby, Bill Burr, Iliza Shlesinger, Sebastian Maniscalco, Rick Mercer, Jimmy Carr, John Cleese and Eric Idle, as well as unique events such as “The Simpsons: In the Flesh” (starring Matt Groening and the Simpsons cast) and “Ryan Reynolds, Maximum Effort, A Funny Conversation.”
Melko Ross’ influence extends beyond North America, as she has produced and developed international festivals in Sydney, Bermuda, Mexico, London, Austin, and Chicago, often collaborating with major industry players.
Before joining Just For Laughs, Melko Ross honed her skills as the lead talent buyer for Donald K. Donald/Universal Concerts/House of Blues Concerts, booking numerous music shows and managing tours for high-profile artists like The Backstreet Boys and Leonard Cohen.
A native of Lansing, Illinois, and a graduate of Illinois Wesleyan University, Melko Ross began her career with Paulette Wolf Events & Entertainment in Chicago. Her diverse experience, including managing corporate hospitality for prestigious events like the Kentucky Derby, laid the foundation for her remarkable career in entertainment.
SiriusXM Heads to Chicago for Coverage of the Democratic National Convention
SiriusXM announced today its coverage plans for next week’s Democratic National Convention, which begins Monday, August 19 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois.
Zerlina Maxwell will kick things off on Progress (ch. 127) on Monday morning at 7am ET with her show, “Mornings with Zerlina” broadcasting live from Chicago. Throughout the week she’ll interview politicians and experts, as well as provide her own analysis of the previous night’s key moments.
Fellow Progress host Michelangelo Signorile (“The Michelangelo Signorile Show,” 3-6pm ET) will capture the feeling of being inside the United Center as he takes his listeners on-the-go, walking throughout the venue and interviewing politicians, spokespeople, and experts. In addition, “Tell Me Everything” (9pm-12am) host John Fugelsang will anchor primetime coverage onsite, with the channel also airing speeches from the stage.
SiriusXM P.O.T.U.S. (ch. 124) hosts Steve Scully (“The Briefing with Steve Scully,” 12-2pm ET) and Julie Mason (“The Julie Mason Show,” 3-6pm ET) will also be live from Chicago all week long. Mason’s early confirmed guests for the week include Sen. Michael Bennet, Rep. Debbie Dingell, Sen. Jeff Merkley, Rep. Mark Pocan, Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, and many more.
Following Mason’s show, “RealClearPolitics,” a weeknight political program on POTUS (6-7pm ET) that was created in collaboration with the independent, non-partisan media company, RealClearPolitics, will broadcast live from the POTUS set on “Media Row” throughout the DNC.
In addition to hosting their own shows, Scully and Mason will anchor special primetime coverage from inside the arena starting at 8pm ET, where they’ll provide expert analysis and also air the night’s big speeches.
As part of SiriusXM’s complete coverage, for those on-the-go – whether in their cars or listening on the SiriusXM app – listeners can also access their favorite cable news programs and live convention coverage via simulcasts of CNN (ch. 116), FOX News (ch. 114), and MSNBC (ch. 118).
Paul McCartney Photographs 1963–64: Eyes of the Storm Opens At de Young Museum March 2025
Nearly 60 years after The Beatles performed their final concert at Candlestick Park, Beatlemania is back in the Bay. Organized by the National Portrait Gallery, London, and presented exclusively in California at the de Young museum, Paul McCartney Photographs 1963–1964: Eyes of the Storm will present more than 250 personal photos by Paul McCartney, video clips, and archival materials, that offer a behind-the-scenes look into the meteoric rise of the world’s most celebrated band.
“In Eyes of the Storm, recently unearthed photographs by Paul McCartney provide a rare time capsule of The Beatles’ world at the moment of their extraordinary rise to fame,” remarked Thomas P. Campbell, Director and CEO of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco. “Well known as one of the world’s most famous musical stars, it is a revelation to discover McCartney’s proficiency as a photographer, documenting everything from the band’s quieter moments and friendships to the ‘Beatlemania’ of the time. We’re honored to present this exhibition here in San Francisco, where The Beatles left an indelible mark on our city’s musical and cultural history.”
Eyes of the Storm captures a period from December 1963 through February 1964 when The Beatles performed in concert halls across England and toured in the United States. McCartney’s images reveal the intensity of life on tour, as The Beatles were whisked from concerts to hotels, trailed by enthusiastic fans from New York to Miami. Photographs of screaming crowds and paparazzi illustrate the sheer magnitude of the group’s superstardom. In stark contrast, behind-closed-doors images captured by McCartney highlight the humor and individuality of the band members on their days off. Eyes of the Storm invites visitors to witness The Beatles’ journey to stardom, from local venues in Liverpool to the Ed Sullivan Show and worldwide acclaim. McCartney’s photographs of the four band members existed as unprinted negatives and contact sheets for 60 years. Rediscovered in the artist’s personal archive in 2020, these images offer new insight into the band, their fans, and the early 1960s, as seen through the eyes of Paul McCartney.
“In this exhibition, we glimpse McCartney both behind and in front of the lens, as he bears witness to a pivotal cultural moment through the camera with a keen artistic eye,” said organizing curator Sally Martin Katz. “From portraiture to landscapes and documentary shots, McCartney demonstrates a deep understanding of the formal styles prevalent in early 1960s photography. Throughout the exhibition, nods to New Wave, documentary filmmaking, and photojournalism underscore McCartney’s multifaceted approach to capturing the spirit of the time.”
Opening March 1, 2025 at the de Young museum, Paul McCartney Photographs 1963–64: Eyes of the Storm will run through July 6.
Paul Heaton Announces New Album ‘The Mighty Several’ Produced By Ian Broudie + New Single ‘Fish ‘N’ Chip Supper’
Paul Heaton will release a brand new solo album ‘The Mighty Several’ on 11th October featuring new single ‘Fish ‘n’ Chip Supper’ (out now). Produced by legendary producer Ian Broudie of the Lightning Seeds and recorded at Blueprint Studios in Salford, ‘The Mighty Several’ features 12 new original songs, performed by Paul and his band + a number of special guest singers including Heaton’s regular live vocalist Rianne Downey as well as Yvonne Shelton and Danny Muldoon (all of whom are pictured on the album sleeve alongside Paul).
Heaton has also announced a huge November/December UK tour including shows at Leeds First Direct Arena, Glasgow OVO Hydro, Liverpool M&S Bank Arena & Nottingham Motorpoint Arena ending in London with a show at the famous Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith. Special guests on all dates will be The Zutons. Tickets for the tour are priced at only £35 (plus ticket fees).
NOVEMBER
Fri 29 BRIDLINGTON Spa
Sat 30 LEEDS First Direct Arena
DECEMBER
Sun 01 GLASGOW OVO Hydro
Tue 03 BRIGHTON Centre
Wed 04 WOLVERHAMPTON Civic Halls
Fri 06 LIVERPOOL M&S Bank Arena
Sat 07 NOTTINGHAM Motorpoint Arena
Mon 09 NEWCASTLE O2 City Hall
Tue 10 LONDON Eventim Apollo
‘The Mighty Several’ will be available on 11th October on all digital platforms and on vinyl, CD and cassette.
The first single ‘Fish ‘N’ Chip Supper’, a typically bittersweet slice of kitchen sink drama set to a deliciously infectious anthemic pop groove written by Paul Heaton and guitarist Jonny Lexus, is available now.
Paul Heaton’s songwriting genius was recognised at the prestigious Ivor Awards in 2022 where noted author/radio DJ Stuart Maconie presented him with a long overdue gong for ‘Outstanding Song Collection’. Heaton is one of the UK’s most successful songwriters, with five No 1 albums and some 15 million album sales under his belt. He first came to prominence in the early 80s as front man of The Housemartins (the same group that gave us Norman ‘Fatboy Slim’ Cook). The Housemartins released two albums ‘London 0 Hull 4’ (’86) and ‘The People Who Grinned Themselves To Death’ (’87). In ’88 Heaton formed The Beautiful South, who released 10 hugely successful albums – ‘Welcome To The Beautiful South’ (’89), Choke (’90), ‘0898 Beautiful South’ (’92), ‘Miaow’ (’94), ‘Blue Is The Colour’ (’96), ‘Quench’ (’98), ‘Painting It Red’ (2000), ‘Gaze’ (’03), ‘Golddiggas, Headnodders & Pholk Songs’ (’04) and ‘Superbi’ (’06). In 2001 Heaton took a break from The Beautiful South and released his first solo album ‘Fat Chance’. The Beautiful South called it a day in 2007 citing ‘musical similarities’. Paul Heaton went on to release two further solo albums: ‘The Cross-Eyed Rambler’ (’08) and ‘Acid Country’ (’10). In 2011 Heaton wrote a musical called ‘The 8th’ based on the Seven Deadly Sins and asked former Beautiful South singer Jacqui Abbott to perform in it. Paul and Jacqui went on to record five acclaimed albums as a duo: ‘What Have We Become’ (’14), ‘Wisdom, Laughter and Lines’ (’15), ‘Crooked Calypso’ (’17), ‘Manchester Calling’ (’20) and ‘N.K-Pop’ (’22). In 2019 Paul released a career spanning compilation of his biggest hits entitled ‘The Last King Of Pop’.
The full tracklisting of ‘The Mighty Several’ is:
1. National Treasure
2. Quicksand
3. After The Sugar Rush
4. Fish ‘N’ Chip Supper
5. H Into Hurt
6. Silly Me
7. Small Boats
8. Just Another Family
9. Pull Up A Seat
10. The Blues Came In
11. Couldn’t Get Dead
12. Walk On, Slow Down
