Jimmy Kimmel Will Return To Host The Oscars

LOS ANGELES, CA – For a second consecutive year, late-night talk show favorite Jimmy Kimmel will return to host the Oscars® telecast and Michael De Luca and Jennifer Todd will produce, Academy President Cheryl Boone Isaacs announced today. The 90th Academy Awards® will air live on the ABC Television Network and broadcast outlets worldwide on Oscar® Sunday, March 4, 2018.

"Jimmy, Mike and Jennifer are truly an Oscar Dream Team," said Boone Isaacs. "Mike and Jennifer produced a beautiful show that was visually stunning. And Jimmy proved, from his opening monologue all the way through a finale we could never have imagined, that he is one our finest hosts in Oscar history."

"Hosting the Oscars was a highlight of my career and I am grateful to Cheryl, Dawn and the Academy for asking me to return to work with two of my favorite people, Mike De Luca and Jennifer Todd," said Kimmel. "If you think we screwed up the ending this year, wait until you see what we have planned for the 90th anniversary show!"

"It’s not often you get two chances to have a once-in-a-lifetime experience and even more rare to be handed the keys to a party 90 years in the making," said De Luca and Todd. "We always thought the idea that anything can happen on the Oscars was a cliché until we lived it."

"Our Oscars team this year delivered a show that hit every high note," said Academy CEO Dawn Hudson. "Jimmy brought back the essence and light touch of the greatest hosts of Oscars' past. Mike and Jennifer's love of movies is infectious and touched every aspect of the show. This is the perfect team to lead us into the ninth decade."

"After just one year, we can’t imagine anyone else hosting The Oscars. Jimmy’s skillful command of the stage is invaluable on a night when anything can happen – and does," said Channing Dungey, President, ABC Entertainment. "With Mike and Jennifer at the helm, we’re ready for another unforgettable show that will dazzle, delight and, most importantly, honor 90 years of Hollywood’s most prestigious award."

Kimmel serves as host and executive producer of the Emmy®-winning "Jimmy Kimmel Live!," ABC’s late-night talk show. Now in its 15th season, "JKL" has earned six Emmy nominations in the Outstanding Variety Series Talk category, the Writing for a Variety Series category, and the Variety, Music or Comedy Series category.

De Luca earned Best Picture Oscar nominations for producing "Captai" Phillips," "Moneyball" and "The Social Network." He is credited on more than 60 films, including the "Fifty Shades of Grey" trilogy, "Blow," "Magnolia," "American History X" and "Boogie Nights." He is a former president of production at Columbia Pictures, DreamWorks and New Line Cinema.

Todd is currently president of Pearl Street Films, the production company founded by Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, where she produced "Live by Night" and executive produced last year’s "Jason Bourne." Her other credits include such films as "Alice through the Looking Glass," "Celeste and Jesse Forever," "Alice in Wonderland," "Across the Universe," "Prime," "Memento," "Boiler Room" and the "Austin Powers" films. Todd earned an Emmy nomination for her work on the HBO television movie "If These Walls Could Talk 2."

The 90th Oscars will be held on Sunday, March 4, 2018, at the Dolby Theatre® at Hollywood & Highland Center® in Hollywood, and will be televised live on the ABC Television Network at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT. The Oscars also will be televised live in more than 225 countries and territories worldwide.

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Jennifer Hudson Set To Coach 'The Voice'

Jennifer Hudson

Oscar, Golden Globe, Screen Actors Guild, BAFTA and Grammy Award winner Jennifer Hudson will join Miley Cyrus, Adam Levine and Blake Shelton as a coach on season 13 of NBC’s three-time Emmy Award-winning musical competition series “The Voice.” 

The 13th season will begin this fall.

“Jennifer is an extraordinary vocal talent and one of the premier voices of our time. She embodies the experience, expertise, positivity and sheer talent that “The Voice” stands for,” said Paul Telegdy, President, Alternative and Reality Group, NBC Entertainment. “Her exceptional skills as a singer and actress have extended to film, television and Broadway, which makes her an incredible addition and a natural fit for our show.”

Hudson recently released her new single, “Remember Me,” which she co-wrote with Jamie Hartman.   

Hudson is a passionate fan of “The Voice” having served as a coach on the U.K. version earlier this year and winning her first season on the series.

Last December Hudson starred as Motormouth Maybelle on NBC’s “Hairspray Live!,” where she gave a powerful rendition of “I Know Where I’ve Been,” for which she received rave reviews. 

In May 2016 Hudson completed her triumphant run in the acclaimed revival of “The Color Purple,” performing the role of Shug Avery in her Broadway debut.

She won an Oscar, Golden Globe, SAG and BAFTA Award, among other honors, in 2007 for her iconic performance as Effie White in the hit film “Dreamgirls.” Her sensational rendition of the song “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going” was greeted with instant acclaim by film critics and moviegoers alike and made Hudson the immediate frontrunner for Best Supporting Actress.

Following “Dreamgirls,” Hudson has co-starred in such films as “Sex and the City,” “The Secret Life of Bees” and Spike Lee’s “Chi-Raq.” Her TV credits include NBC’s “Smash,” Fox’s “Empire” and HBO’s “Confirmation.”

Hudson’s incredible vocal talents were first recognized with her appearance on the third season of “American Idol” in 2004, where she impressed both the show’s judges and a national TV audience. Her first album, “Jennifer Hudson,” debuted at #2 on the Billboard 200 Chart and sold more than 500,000 copies in the U.S. through its first six weeks of release before being certified gold. The album was nominated for four Grammys and won for Best R&B Album.

“The Voice” is a presentation of MGM Television, Talpa Media USA Inc. and Warner Horizon Television. The series was created by John de Mol, who serves as executive producer along with Mark Burnett, Audrey Morrissey, Jay Bienstock, Lee Metzger, Chad Hines, Kyra Thompson and Amanda Zucker.

Apollo Theater Announces 2017 Spring Gala

HARLEM, NY – May 10, 2017 – The Apollo Theater today announced details for its largest fundraising event – the 2017 Apollo Spring Gala, which will take place at the theater on Monday, June 12 at 7 p.m. The star-studded benefit concert will be hosted by award-winning actor and comedian Cedric The Entertainer and will feature performances by renowned artists, including CeeLo Green, Sheila E., Charlie Wilson, and Wé McDonald of NBC’s The Voice (who started her career winning Amateur Night at the Apollo). All proceeds from the celebration will support the non-profit organization’s year-round, world-class artistic, education, and community programming.

“Since its inception, The Apollo Theater has been home to legendary and up-and-coming artists alike, serving as an ever-changing driving force in popular music and culture not only in Harlem, but across the world,” stated Jonelle Procope, President & CEO of The Apollo Theater. “We are thrilled to announce this lineup of incredible talent for our upcoming Spring Gala that will help us to continue our legacy of cultivating talent by supporting the Theater’s year-round performing arts, education and community programming.”

Every year as part of the evening, the Apollo recognizes individuals and corporations for their outstanding contributions to the performing arts, community leadership and for their philanthropic support of initiatives in the African American community. This year, the Theater will present Peabody Award winning director and producer Stan Lathan with the Trailblazer Award for his substantial contributions to the performing arts. Lathan’s extensive credits include cultural classics ranging from “AMEN,” and “Sanford & Son” to “Def Comedy Jam” and “The Bernie Mac Show”, to Dave Chappelle’s recent comedy special, “Deep in the Heart of Texas.” 

"If there's anyone who deserves to be honored as a trailblazer, it's Stan Lathan, and if there is any venue perfectly suited to showcase a great benefit concert it's the Apollo Theater. I'm truly privileged to host this night celebrating the Apollo and Stan!" commented Cedric The Entertainer. “Regarding Stan, he really knows comedy, and he has produced & directed some of the most prolific comedians of all time across many iconic television shows. His talents have also stretched beyond comedy into other formats directing some of the most memorable dance performances on the small screen including Alvin Ailey, Martha Graham and Mikhail Baryshnikov. Stan is the man! I'm especially proud to be a part of this year's Apollo Spring Gala because it's an important and celebratory evening at the legendary Theater where all of the music and comedic greats have launched their careers. It's of utmost importance to continue this tradition, raising funds for the Apollo’s incredible arts and education programs that will launch the world’s next generation of talent. Add to that some great performances by our special musical guests - - It's going to be a high-energy, star-powered evening!”

This year’s recipient of the Corporate Award is Verizon, for their exemplary leadership in diversity, community leadership and innovation. Rose Kirk, President of the Verizon Foundation will accept the award on behalf of the company.

"Fueling tomorrow's tech innovators while leveling the playing field for minority and underserved students is not only a priority for Verizon, it is our responsibility," said Rose Stuckey Kirk, Chief Corporate Social Responsibility Officer & President, Verizon Foundation.  "We are honored to be recognized by the Apollo Theater for the work we are doing to provide free technology, access and hands-on learning to students in need across America.  We are at a critical point when the world around us is shifting, with technology at its core. We need more kids to have access to quality education in science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM) so they are prepared for the jobs of tomorrow."

The Apollo Spring Gala begins with red carpet arrivals at 6 p.m. followed by the gala concert and awards ceremony at 7 p.m. with Music Director Ray Chew. The evening will also include a post-performance party with a lounge created by celebrity event planner and Apollo board member Bronson van Wyck.

Gala Chairs are: Robert K. Kraft, Laura and Richard D. Parsons, Ronald O. Perelman and Anna Chapman, and Karen and Charles Phillips

Gala Vice Chairs include: 21^st Century Fox, Katherine Farley and Jerry I. Speyer, and Christine Taylor.

To purchase Gala tickets or to make a donation to the Apollo Theater, please call 212-531-5330. For more information, visit www.apollotheater.org.  Proceeds from the Apollo Spring Gala support the Theater’s year-round performing arts programming, innovative education initiatives, and community programs.

Dances With Films Announces 2017 Lineup

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