The Muppet Show is back and their not pulling any punches. Notice how Gonzo takes a jab at The Office and every spinoff after that. How many pop culture jokes can you count?
ABC Tuesday afternoon released the trailer for the new fall series. The Muppets Twitter page was launched last week, @TheMuppetsABC.
David Letterman’s last show is May 20th. Jimmy Kimmel will air a rerun that day in honor of Dave.
“I have too much respect for Dave to do anything that would distract viewers from watching his final show,” Kimmel said.
On Monday night’s show it was confirmed by the producers that Jay Leno will not make an appearance on the final show.
For those of you that were not alive in the early 90s, Jay Leno and David Letterman had an ugly feud over who would take over the Tonight Show when Johnny Carson stepped down. In 1996, HBO even made a bad movie about it.
Howard Stern asked Dave if Jay was going to stop by for the last show. Stern in his annoying way pushed the issue, but Letterman handled himself well.
Reggie Watts is the bandleader of The Late Late Show with James Corden and last night he tested out some new equipment from the future.
“So, real quickly I want to just be very clear about what you’re about to hear. I’m exemplifying some technology that’s never been listened to, experienced or even conceived of before this moment. Nobody knows about this, because it doesn’t exist yet,” said Watts.
Im trying to reformat my fears into opportunities.
Yesterday Archie Comics launched a Kickstarter campaign to relaunch their brand with three new titles with top tier talent, the goal is to raise $350,000.
In the first 24 hours of the campaign Archie raised $25,141 with 450 supporters. Kickstarter campaigns are generally top heavy in funding. It will be interesting to see if Archie can reach it’s goal over the next 28 days.
Verizon announced Tuesday it will be buying AOL for $50 per share, or about $4.4 billion. I wonder if Verizon will start mailing CD’s again?
Read Verizon’s statement below:
NEW YORK – Taking another significant step in building digital and video platforms to drive future growth, Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ) today announced the signing of an agreement to purchase AOL Inc. (NYSE: AOL) for $50 per share — an estimated total value of approximately $4.4 billion.
Verizon’s acquisition further drives its LTE wireless video and OTT (over-the-top video) strategy. The agreement will also support and connect to Verizon’s IoT (Internet of Things) platforms, creating a growth platform from wireless to IoT for consumers and businesses.
AOL is a leader in the digital content and advertising platforms space, and the combination of Verizon and AOL creates a scaled, mobile-first platform offering directly targeted at what eMarketer estimates is a nearly $600 billion global advertising industry. AOL’s key assets include its subscription business; its premium portfolio of global content brands, including The Huffington Post, TechCrunch, Engadget, MAKERS and AOL.com, as well as its millennial-focused OTT, Emmy-nominated original video content; and its programmatic advertising platforms.
Lowell McAdam, Verizon chairman and CEO, said: “Verizon’s vision is to provide customers with a premium digital experience based on a global multiscreen network platform. This acquisition supports our strategy to provide a cross-screen connection for consumers, creators and advertisers to deliver that premium customer experience.”
He added, “AOL has once again become a digital trailblazer, and we are excited at the prospect of charting a new course together in the digitally connected world. At Verizon, we’ve been strategically investing in emerging technology, including Verizon Digital Media Services and OTT, that taps into the market shift to digital content and advertising. AOL’s advertising model aligns with this approach, and the advertising platform provides a key tool for us to develop future revenue streams.”
Tim Armstrong, AOL chairman and CEO, will continue to lead AOL operations after closing.
Armstrong said, “Verizon is a leader in mobile and OTT connected platforms, and the combination of Verizon and AOL creates a unique and scaled mobile and OTT media platform for creators, consumers and advertisers. The visions of Verizon and AOL are shared; the companies have existing successful partnerships, and we are excited to work with the team at Verizon to create the next generation of media through mobile and video.”
The transaction will take the form of a tender offer followed by a merger, with AOL becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of Verizon upon completion.
The transaction is subject to customary regulatory approvals and closing conditions and is expected to close this summer.
Matthew Sardo spoke with musician and writer Duff McKagan about his new book “How To Be A Man (and other Illusions),” the state of rock & roll, and if Guns N’ Roses will ever get back together.
“I went out and played some shows with Axel last spring and we had a good time. That music is really good, myself I forgot, cause I hadn’t gone back and revisited old songs like Michelle, and the Estranged, Rocket Queen, etc. It would be fun,” said McKagan.
Duff McKagan played bass for Guns N’ Roses for twelve years and co-wrote many of their most iconic songs. The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012. Duff formed Velvet Revolver with his former band mate Slash and fronts his own band, Loaded. He writes weekly columns for Seattleweekly.com and ESPN.com. McKagan lives in Seattle with his wife, supermodel Susan Holmes McKagan, and their two daughters.
Director Brad Bird while promoting Tomorrowland, spoke with Collider about the status of the Incredibles 2 script.
“Oh yeah I have pages, a bunch of pages. I had a lot of ideas for the original Incredibles that I didn’t get a chance to use, that I like. I have ideas that I wanted to pursue a little bit and there wasn’t enough time in Incredibles. There are new ideas I have, and I think there are enough of those together to make an interesting movie. I’m just focusing on getting Tomorrowland out into the world and playing with the Incredibles sandbox again,” said Bird.
When asked if The Incredibles 2 would be his next film, “Yeah it feels like it to me, yeah,” said Bird.
It has been 11 years since Incredibles has been released, do you think the delay will hurt its box office success?
Tyler Crook’s artistic style gives Harrow County an innocent feel, but Cullen Bunn’s writing makes your skin crawl with anticipation of the story’s outcome.
Harrow County #1 sets the tale for a rustic version of the Evil Dead. What is most exciting about this series is you have no clue where the story is going. The combination of storyline, artwork, era in time, dishevels the reader to the mercy of Bunn’s imagination. The issue doesn’t use a cliffhanger to hook the reader with the last page but the over all tense tone compels you to turn the page and look for issue two.
Crook’s art and colors work well with the first issue to set up and eerie tale. His work excels in the close up shots of the characters as the detail and emotion is over flowing. On the first page, in the bottom right hand corner, there is an image of Hester the witch, hanging. Your view is looking up at her and she has one eye open, looking down at you with a slight smile. When I lay down tonight and close my eyes, that will be the haunting image I see. There a several panels where Crook’s artwork sends chills down the spine with soft brush strokes.
If you’re a fan of solid storytelling and the Evil Dead, Harrow County is a must.
HARROW COUNTY #1
This town will make your skin crawl!
Emmy always knew that the deep, dark woods surrounding her home crawled with ghosts, goblins, and zombies. But on the eve of her eighteenth birthday, she learns that she is connected to these creatures—and to the land itself—in a way she never imagined.
Don’t miss the first issue of this southern gothic fairy tale from the creator of smash hit The Sixth Gun, beautifully and hauntingly realized by B.P.R.D.’s Tyler Crook!
Archie Comics started a Kickstarter campaign Monday morning to raise $350,000 to relaunch the Archie universe.
The publisher wants to relaunch: Jughead with writer Chip Zdarsky, Betty and Veronica with Adams Hughes on art and story, and Life with Kevin by Dan Parent and J. Bone.
Publisher to launch new JUGHEAD, BETTY & VERONICA and LIFE WITH KEVIN comic book series with help of dedicated fandom
New York, NY (May 11) – Archie Comics, the acclaimed and bestselling comic book publisher that is home to some of the best-known pop culture creations in the world, including Archie, Jughead, Betty & Veronica, Josie & The Pussycats, Sabrina the Teenage Witch and the hit AFTERLIFE WITH ARCHIE series, announced today that it would launch a historic crowdfunding campaign via the popular Kickstarter platform.
The Kickstarter campaign’s call to action is a simple one: Help Archie Comics build a New Riverdale. Specifically, the Kickstarter will ask fans to help fund a slate of titles that build off the surefire success of ARCHIE #1 — the debut issue of a new, ongoing ARCHIE series from writer Mark Waid (Daredevil, Kingdom Come) and artist Fiona Staples (Saga). The series will be crafted by some of the biggest names in the comic book industry and feature the most beloved characters in comic book history.
The three new titles, launching over the next 18 months, include:
JUGHEAD — Featuring the adventures of Archie’s hamburger-loving best friend, from acclaimed writer Chip Zdarsky (Sex Criminals, Howard the Duck) and an artist TBA. An off-the-wall series full of laughs, unexpected twists and a modern sense of humor.
BETTY AND VERONICA — Girl-next-door Betty Cooper and wealthy socialite Veronica Lodge are best friends and fiercely competitive. While they both have a history with that guy Archie, the series puts the focus squarely on them — their friendship, their high school lives and adventures beyond Riverdale. Written and drawn by comic book legend Adam Hughes (Wonder Woman, Before Watchmen: Doctor Manhattan).
LIFE WITH KEVIN — Kevin Keller, the hugely-popular and historic character that broke new ground in Riverdale by being the first gay character in the company’s publishing history returns in a new ongoing series. Writer/artist Dan Parent (Kevin Keller) and inker J. Bone (The Spirit) tell a tale of an older, more experienced Kevin as he navigates a new city, new romance and leaving home.
“Our fans are part of our family — they’re an integral part of everything we do,” said Archie Comics Publisher/Co-CEO Jon Goldwater. “We’re not flush with corporate cash like Marvel or DC. But we’re also not afraid to take calculated risks. With this Kickstarter, fans have the chance to get in on the ground floor of an exciting and forward-thinking initiative. Fans can help build a New Riverdale, brick-by-brick. We’ve put together a stellar lineup of titles — featuring the best and the brightest creators working on our top characters. With your help, we can make this New Riverdale a reality. The best part? This is only the beginning.”
The crowdfunding initiative marks the latest part of the company’s 75th anniversary celebration — while also marking the beginning of a new era for the long-running publisher. With the launch of ARCHIE #1 on July 8, the company will be poised to reimagine its core characters while retaining the humorous and edgy elements that made them instant sensations when they first appeared.
“When I first stepped into the Archie offices, the brand was frozen in time. The stories felt stiff and dated. That’s no longer the case,” Goldwater said. “This is a new Archie. A new Jughead. A new Betty and Veronica and a new Kevin. We’re holding onto the things that made them great — the humor, the love triangle, the friendship and youthful exuberance — but presenting them in a way that can appeal to everyone, from classic comic fans to new readers who might not know every nook and cranny of our history. Each part of this is a brick that will help build a New Riverdale. But we can only do it with your help.”
