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Television

Saturday Night Live is 0-4 this season. Hopefully Mulaney saves the season!!

John Mulaney, the Strokes Set for ‘SNL’ Halloween Episode

John Mulaney will host and the Strokes will serve as musical guests on Saturday Night Live’s Halloween episode next week.

Both Mulaney and the Strokes will be making their fourth appearance on the long-running series; Mulaney, a former SNL writer, last hosted on February 29th, 2020 — the second-to-last pre-Covid episode — while the Strokes are returning to SNL for the first time since 2011, when they were musical guest on a Miley Cyrus-hosted episode.

“Three things define New York City: SNL, the Strokes, and Ed Koch. Koch is dead, so they got me,” Mulaney tweeted. “I am so goddamn excited. 4th time up. Wow and wow and wow.”

The Halloween episode marks the fifth and final of five straight new episodes to kick off SNL’s Season 46, as well as the last episode before Election Day.

Season 46 has so far featured hosts Chris Rock, Bill Burr, Issa Rae and Adele, with musical guests Megan Thee Stallion, Jack White, Justin Bieber and H.E.R.

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Television

Fifteen Dollars A Month Isn’t Bad, But That’s My Top Price. After This, I’ll Be Using The Internet.

Netflix Canada ups prices on standard, premium plans

The cost of streaming Netflix in Canada is about to go up for some users.

The company behind Stranger Things and Tiger King announced Thursday that it is increasing the price on some of its plans, with standard rates going up by one dollar to $14.99, and the premium option increasing by two dollars to $18.99. The streaming giant’s basic plan will remain unchanged at $9.99.

“Canadians have never had more choices when it comes to entertainment and we’re more committed than ever to delivering an experience that exceeds their expectations. Members tell us how much they value variety and we’re updating our prices so that we can continue to invest in more shows and films,” Netflix said in a statement announcing the price hike. “As always we will continue to offer a range of plans so that people can pick a price that works for their budget.”

The basic plan lets users watch on one screen at a time, while the standard plan allows two screens with HD quality video. The premium package lets viewers watch on up to four different screens and streams in ultra HD 4K video.

Last year, Netflix announced it was setting up a production hub in Toronto taking long-term leases on eight sound stages at separate studios near the city’s waterfront.

“With this commitment to Pinewood Toronto and Cinespace, we are proud to continue our investment in Canada and Canadian films and series,” Ty Warren, VP of Physical Production for Netflix, said in a statement.

The streamer has shot TheUmbrella Academy, Locke & Key, The Christmas Chronicles and Kiefer Sutherland’s political thriller series Designated Survivor, among others, locally.

Netflix’s last price increase came in November 2018, when the company upped its basic plan by a dollar, and standard and premium plans by $3.

New subscribers will pay the higher prices effective immediately, while existing users will be notified by email, as well as within the Netflix app, 30 days before the new prices are applied to them.

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Television

As you probably expected…

‘Friends’ reunion special delayed

The eagerly anticipated Friends reunion special will not be debuting in May as previously planned.

Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry, and David Schwimmer had all been due to make their sitcom comeback on the HBO Max show, which had been scheduled to launch at the same time as the new streaming service, where subscribers could find all of the classic comedy’s original episodes.

However, Hollywood’s shutdown due to the coronavirus pandemic has derailed production plans, officials have confirmed to Deadline.com.

A new premiere date has yet to be revealed, but once the lockdown comes to an end, network bosses plan to bring the castmembers together and return to Warner Bros. Studio’s Stage 24 in Burbank, Calif., where the original run was shot, to continue production on the show.

The news emerges days after LeBlanc suggested the gang had managed to regroup and film the one-off special before the COVID-19 outbreak really took hold and forced everyone into self-isolation.

“We got the band back together without the instruments,” he shared on a prerecorded episode of The Kelly Clarkson Show, which aired on Monday. “(It was) the six of us together, talking about the good old days.”

Friends aired for 10 seasons, concluding its decade-long run in 2004.

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Television

For those who still care about this show…

‘Grey’s Anatomy’ plans early season finale for April 9

Grey Sloan Memorial is closing its doors ahead of schedule. The Season 16 finale of “Grey’s Anatomy” will now air on Thursday, April 9 (ABC, 9/8c), TVLine has learned.

The major scheduling change comes as a result of ABC deciding not to resume production on Season 16, which shut down earlier this month in response to the coronavirus crisis. Twenty-one of 25 episodes were completed when production was halted; the status of the remaining four Season 16 episodes is TBD. (Click here for a complete list of other early finales.)

Neither “Station 19” nor “How to Get Away With Murder” (which resumes its farewell season on April 2 and finales on May 14) are affected by the “Grey’s” programming changes.

That means “Grey’s” only has two new episodes left to air this season: April 2’s “Sing It Again,” in which Owen and Link treat an older woman who wakes up from surgery and can’t stop singing, and April 9’s “Put on a Happy Face,” which will now serve as the season ender.

Here’s what fans can expect from the new finale, according to ABC’s official synopsis: “Link tries to convince Amelia to take it easy during the final stage of her pregnancy; Hayes asks Meredith a surprising question; Owen makes a shocking discovery.”

“Out of an abundance of caution, production is postponed on ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ effective immediately,” showrunner/EP Krista Vernoff, director/EP Debbie Allen and line producer James Williams said in a letter to the ABC drama’s cast and crew on March 12. “We are going home now for at least two weeks and waiting to see how the coronavirus situation evolves. This decision was made to ensure the health and safety of the whole cast and crew and the safety of our loved ones outside of work, and it was made in accordance with Mayor Garcetti’s suggestion that we not gather in groups of more than 50.

“Stay safe, stay healthy, stay hydrated, stay home as much as possible, and wash your hands frequently,” the trio added. “Please take care of yourselves and each other. As updates come in, we will keep you informed. Thank you for all that you do!”

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Television

I know I should be watching this show…but I haven’t started yet.

‘Killing Eve’ Season 3 premiere to air two weeks early

Fans of “Killing Eve,” the Sandra Oh and Jodie Comer-fronted psychopath drama, are in for an early thrill after AMC Networks moved the show’s third season premiere forward by two weeks.

AMC Networks Entertainment Group will now launch the Phoebe Waller-Bridge-created drama on Sunday, April 12, as opposed to its previous premiere of April 26. The eight-part series will be simulcast on BBC America and AMC.

“We know how adored this series is and we know how keen people are for great content right now,” said Sarah Barnett, president of AMC Networks Entertainment Group and AMC Studios. “This season of ‘Killing Eve’ digs deep psychologically, and with actors like Sandra Oh, Jodie Comer and Fiona Shaw the results are nothing short of astonishing. We literally couldn’t wait for fans to see it.”

It is the latest scheduling move for the AMC Networks Entertainment Group, which postponed the launch of its zombie spinoff series “The Walking Dead: Beyond World” to the end of the year as a result of the Coronavirus. AMC was one of a number of linear networks facing an ad-hit in Q2.

The third season of “Killing Eve,” which has already been renewed for a fourth season, continues the story of two women with brutal pasts, addicted to each other but now trying desperately to live their lives without their drug of choice. For Villanelle (Comer), the assassin without a job, Eve (Oh) is dead. For Eve, the ex-MI6 operative hiding in plain sight, Villanelle will never find her. All seems fine until a shocking and personal death sets them on a collision course yet again. The journey back to each other will cost both of them friends, family, and allegiances … and perhaps a share of their souls. Fiona Shaw and Kim Bodnia also star.

Season 3 cast also includes Harriet Walter (“Succession”), Danny Sapani (“Harlots”), Gemma Whelan (“Game of Thrones”), Camille Cottin (“Call My Agent”), Steve Pemberton (“Inside No. 9”), Raj Bajaj (“A Christmas Prince: The Royal Wedding”), Turlough Convery (“Ready Player One”), Pedja Bjelac (“Harry Potter”) and Evgenia Dodina (“One Week and a Day”).

“Killing Eve” is produced by Sid Gentle Films Ltd. for BBC America and is distributed by Endeavor Content.

British writer Suzanne Heathcote (“Fear the Walking Dead”) serves as lead writer and executive producer for season three, continuing the tradition of passing the baton to a new female writing voice. Executive producers are Sally Woodward Gentle, Lee Morris, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Gina Mingacci, Damon Thomas, Jeff Melvoin, Suzanne Heathcote and Sandra Oh. Nigel Watson also serves as producer on the series.

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Television

Very sad news.

Modern Family’s beloved French bulldog dies after filming series finale: Report

Beatrice, the French bulldog best known for playing Stella on Modern Family, has died, according to The Blast. She reportedly died a few days after the show wrapped its final episode on Feb. 21.

Stella was introduced in season 2 when Jay Pritchett (Ed O’Neill) reluctantly got a dog. She was played by a French bulldog named Brigitte up until season 4 when Beatrice took over the role. As time passed on the series, Jay grew fonder of Stella and showered her with affection and gifts, which made her the nemesis of Jay’s wife, Gloria (Sofia Vergara).

Good Dog Animals agency, which represented Beatrice, did not immediately respond to EW’s request for comment.

Beatrice’s owners Guin and Steve Solomon spoke with the blog Bodie on the Road about her role on Modern Family back in 2017 when she was 7 years old. They said O’Neill doted on her, just like his character on the show.

“Ed O’Neill is in love with her! It’s very easy working with him because he brings Beatrice treats like popcorn and always looks out for her,” said Guin Solomon, one of her owners. “We’ll be doing scenes in the backyard by the pool and in between takes he’ll say, ‘Would you please get Beatrice an umbrella, she’s in the sun!’”

Her owners also said the pooch was popular with the rest of the team too: “Of course the crew loves to play with her when she’s out and about because she’s so fun and clowny. She really is one of the family!”

Although Modern Family was her bread and butter (er, kibble and bits), the Frenchie was an entertainment veteran whose work spanned from TV series like Workaholics and The Kominsky Method to commercials for Dunkin’ and Chase Bank.

After 11 seasons, the show’s last episode will end in a two-part finale airing April 8. Many cast members took to Instagram to show fans what it was like on set the last day of filming.

“What a day!! Saying goodbye to our Modern Family,” Vergara wrote on Instagram. “I will never forget this set, this people, there were only good times. Thank you Moden Family Thank you Gloria Pritchett.”

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Television

Sadly, we’re nowhere near the worst of the coronavirus yet.

Late-night goes dark: NBC suspends Jimmy Fallon, Seth Meyers shows due to coronavirus

First, they decided to tape shows without an audience. Now they’re not taping at all.

NBC is suspending late-night talk show staples The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and Late Night With Seth Meyers due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.

The production pause is supposed to go through March 30, but it wouldn’t be surprising if that was extended. Sources say decisions about future shows will be made as that date approaches.

Both shows previously planned a hiatus for the week of March 23 anyway.

Fallon will still tape Thursday’s show without a live audience before going into repeats on Friday.

Previously, NBC announced the shows would go audience-free. So did several other late-night shows, including CBS’ The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, Comedy Central’s The Daily Show With Trevor Noah, TBS’ Full Frontal With Samantha Bee.

Oh, and The Happiest Place on Earth is closing — because that’s apparently the world we live in now.

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Television

Pretty excited for this!! Hope it’s longer than 60 minutes!!!

‘Friends’ Cast to Reunite for Exclusive HBO Max Special

It’s happening: The “Friends” cast is reuniting for an exclusive untitled unscripted special on HBO Max.

Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry and David Schwimmer will return to the original “Friends” soundstage, Stage 24, on the Warner Bros. Studio lot in Burbank to celebrate the long-running series, which ended its run in 2004.

Sources close to the situation tell Variety the six stars will receive at least $2.5 million apiece for participating in the special.

The reunion has been hotly anticipated, with speculation about the HBO Max special swirling since last fall, just months after the WarnerMedia-created SVOD platform nabbed the streaming rights to the show from Netflix in a deal with Warner Bros. Television. All 10 seasons of the comedy left Netflix at the end of 2019, meaning that “Friends” has thus far not been available to stream in the U.S. this calendar year — at least, not until HBO Max launches in May.

The special, as well as all 236 episodes of “Friends,” will be available upon the streaming service’s debut. They will no doubt be a high-profile part of HBO Max’s appeal as it tries to attract subscribers. Though the sitcom aired its series finale over 15 years ago, third-party market researchers have said “Friends” was one of Netflix’s most-watched shows. And as previously reported, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment told Variety that sales of physical and digital versions of “Friends” have “roughly tripled” since news broke that it would be leaving Netflix.

“Guess you could call this the one where they all got back together — we are reuniting with David, Jennifer, Courteney, Matt, Lisa, and Matthew for an HBO Max special that will be programmed alongside the entire ‘Friends’ library,” said Kevin Reilly, chief content officer at HBO Max and president of TBS, TNT, and truTV, in a statement. “I became aware of ‘Friends’ when it was in the very early stages of development and then had the opportunity to work on the series many years later and have delighted in seeing it catch on with viewers generation after generation. It taps into an era when friends – and audiences – gathered together in real time and we think this reunion special will capture that spirit, uniting original and new fans.”

Ben Winston will direct the special and executive produce alongside “Friends” executive producers Kevin Bright, Marta Kauffman and David Crane. Warner Bros. Unscripted & Alternative Television and Fulwell 73 Productions are behind the program. Aniston, Cox, Kudrow, LeBlanc, Perry, and Schwimmer are also executive producing the special, with Emma Conway and James Longman on board as co-executive producers.

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Television

The show is taking a month off? This season has been so bad they don’t deserve that long a break. They should be at work even during Christmas to work, work, work and try and write some items that will save this season!!

Adam Driver to Host First New ‘Saturday Night Live’ of 2020

Adam Driver, the star of Oscar contender “Marriage Story” and the blockbuster “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker,” will host the first new episode of 2020.

The actor will host the Jan. 25 episode of the NBC comedy sketch series, with Halsey as musical guest.

Driver has hosted “SNL” two times before, in 2016 and 2018, which means he’ll be just two away from joining the five timer’s club. The club — of hosts who have (obviously) hosted “SNL” five times — includes a lot of luminaries, including Driver’s “Marriage Story” co-star Scarlett Johansson, who as of last week has hosted the show six times.

Previous members of the show’s five-timers club include Steve Martin, John Goodman, Tina Fey, Drew Barrymore, Chevy Chase, and Justin Timberlake, among several others.

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Television

Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!!! This makes me sooooo happy!!! If only Jost and Che would leave next!!!!! Woooooooooooo!!!!!!!

Comedian Leslie Jones leaving Saturday Night Live

Saturday Night Live cast member Leslie Jones is leaving the NBC show after five seasons, while Kate McKinnon is sticking around.

Jones’ departure was confirmed by a person familiar with the change who spoke Tuesday on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly discuss Jones’ status with the long-running sketch series.

The departure comes as Jones is branching out into other projects.

The person also said McKinnon will return for her eighth season with the show. McKinnon’s portrayals of political figures including Hillary Clinton and Jeff Sessions have become an SNL staple.

The news came one day after the show announced Eddie Murphy will be returning to the place that helped launch his career.

The comedian will host the show Dec. 21, marking the former cast member’s first hosting appearance since 1984.

Murphy was a cast member from 1980 to 1984, starring in such landmark sketches as “Mr. Robinson’s Neighbourhood” and as Gumby, Buckwheat and Stevie Wonder.

He went on to star in numerous films, including The Nutty Professor, Bowfinger, Beverly Hills Cop and Coming to America.

Saturday Night Live, which is celebrating its 45th season, returns Sept. 28 with host Woody Harrelson and Billie Eilish as the musical guest.

Other planned guests this season include Fleabag actor Phoebe Waller-Bridge, singer Taylor Swift, Stranger Things actor David Harbour, singer Camila Cabello and actor Kristen Stewart.

Earlier this month, Jones announced she’s doing a Netflix stand-up special. Appearing on Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show, Jones said it’s great to be an actress but that she’s really a “hardcore” stand-up comedian.

But she hasn’t abandoned acting: Jones is part of the voice cast of the recently released The Angry Birds Movie 2 and reportedly has been in discussions to join Murphy’s announced Coming to America sequel.

Her tenure on SNL was marked by an exuberant style and portrayal of celebrities including Whoopi Goldberg, whom Jones has called an inspiration.

She started with SNL as a writer, hired after the show was criticized in 2013 for a lack of diversity, particularly the absence of an African American woman among 16 regular or featured players. Cast members Kenan Thompson and Jay Pharoah, who has since left the show, commented publicly about it and refused to dress in drag to portray black women.

Jones was promoted to cast member early in the 2014-15 season and received three Emmy nominations for her work. Her representatives did not return a message seeking comment Tuesday.