Entertainment Archives - Digital Journal https://www.digitaljournal.com/entertainment Digital Journal is a digital media news network with thousands of Digital Journalists in 200 countries around the world. Join us! Thu, 11 Jan 2024 00:32:59 +0000 en-US hourly 1 Amazon cuts hundreds of jobs at Twitch, Prime Video and MGM https://www.digitaljournal.com/entertainment/amazon-cuts-hundreds-of-jobs-at-twitch-prime-video-and-mgm/article Thu, 11 Jan 2024 00:28:00 +0000 https://www.digitaljournal.com/?p=3703665 Amazon's gamer streaming unit Twitch on Wednesday announced that it was laying off 500 staff, reportedly one third of the company.

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Amazon’s gamer streaming unit Twitch on Wednesday announced that it was laying off 500 staff, reportedly one third of the company, as it struggles financially despite strong popularity among players.

The online shopping giant also said it was slashing hundreds of staff in its entertainment division, targeting both movie streaming service Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studio, the home of James Bond.

The cull comes as part of Amazon’s biggest ever job cutting plan launched last year, which it said will reach 27,000 positions across the company.

“I wanted to send a short note to let you know that we’ve made the difficult decision to reduce the size of our workforce today,” Twitch CEO Dan Clancy said in a blog post.

Founded in 2011, Twitch was acquired by Amazon in 2014 for close to $1 billion and has hit headwinds of late, recently shutting down its operations in major market South Korea due to cost issues.

The latest cuts, first reported by Bloomberg, came as Twitch has suffered an exodus of top executives amid the Amazon cost-cutting campaign.

They also came after previous rounds of staff cuts at the streamer, which is used by the gaming community to showcase live game play.

“I know many of you are wondering why this is happening. Over the last year, we’ve been working to build a more sustainable business so that Twitch will be here for the long run and throughout the year we have cut costs and made many decisions to be more efficient,” Clancy wrote.

“Unfortunately, despite these efforts, it has become clear that our organization is still meaningfully larger than it needs to be given the size of our business.”

The cuts at Prime Video and at the Amazon MGM Studio division were also described as painful but necessary to keep the businesses in line with objectives.

“This is a difficult decision to make and one that my leadership team and I do not take lightly,” the company’s entertainment chief Mike Hopkins wrote in an email to staff.

But because the entertainment industry “continues to evolve quickly…it’s important that we prioritize our investments for the long-term success of our business.”

Amazon bought the iconic MGM studio in 2022, merging it with its own production studio where content is primarily geared towards the Prime Video streaming service, a rival to Netflix and Disney Plus.

As the company seeks to beef up revenue, last month Amazon said that Prime Video subscribers would start seeing ads on their service on January 29 and charge customers extra to receive films and series ad-free.

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Robert ‘Bam’ Nieves talks about starring in ‘The Traitors’ on Peacock, and latest endeavors https://www.digitaljournal.com/entertainment/robert-bam-nieves-talks-about-starring-in-the-traitors-on-peacock-and-latest-endeavors/article Thu, 11 Jan 2024 00:27:26 +0000 https://www.digitaljournal.com/?p=3703714 Robert "Bam" Nieves talks about starring in "The Traitors" on Peacock, the digital age, and his latest endeavors.

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Robert “Bam” Nieves talks about starring in “The Traitors” on Peacock, the digital age, and his latest endeavors.

A former Division 1 college football player at Syracuse, Nieves is a tech sales executive from New York who describes himself as an “adrenaline junkie.” He enjoys skydiving over volcanoes and swimming with sharks.

‘The Traitors’ on Peacock

On being a part of “The Traitors,” he said, “It was an interesting experience. We were locked in a hotel for the majority of the time. Then, we got to see the people during filming for a couple of hours during the day. It was different than what I expected but it was definitely a cool experience.”

Nieves revealed that he was a “Faithful” in Season 1. “I would have paid money to be a ‘Traitor’,” he said with a sweet laugh. “I would have loved it. I begged the camera for it. Just being a New Yorker where you are used to the grind, the manipulation, and all that.”

He had great words to say about Olympic medalist Ryan Lochte, who was a part of Season 1 of this reality TV show. “Ryan is awesome… We instantly connected from the start,” Nieves said, prior to adding that the same holds true for Cody Calafiore and Kyle Cook.

“Life for me is good, so it was definitely a good experience, and I am sure there will be other opportunities that come,” he added.

Robert ‘Bam’ Nieves: The Daredevil

He skydived over volcanoes, and he swam with sharks. “I had a pretty rough 2018,” he admitted. “I lost a cousin, who was 19 years old, and I had a breakup. I also lost my dog, who was my first dog ever, and I had her for nine years,” he said.

“I decided to get away… so I went to Hawaii with my best friend. That was the most memorable trip because that was where I went the woman [Nikki], who is now my wife,” he explained.

“Eventually, I would like to run with the bulls in Spain, even though all my friends think I’m nuts. I am an adrenaline junkie,” he added.

Playing football at Syracuse University

Nieves recalled that playing football at Syracuse University was “the best.” “It was the most challenging experience, both mentally and physically, especially because you are playing with potential people that are in the NFL. It changes your whole mindset. It was definitely humbling and an awesome experience,” he said.

“I love the community, and I still talk to many guys and coaches on the team. It’s like your little fraternity, in a sense. It is also great networking… I’ve always dreamt of playing at Syracuse. It was a lifelong dream of mine,” he elaborated.

“I was the first to graduate college from my family, so I felt like that it was a perfect representation of who I was,” he added.

The digital age

On being a part of the digital age, Nieves said, “I’m 35, and I definitely wish I was better at it. I am fortunate enough to be an uncle of 12, and I am substantially younger than my siblings, so they’ve kept me young in that.”

“The digital age and social media have given people a voice that they wouldn’t have had otherwise,” he observed.

“Also, if you use social media the right way, it can help you mentally. It can help you connect with other people,” he added.

Future plans

On his latest endeavors, he remarked, “I am starting a sports agency. As a career right now, I am a VP for a tech company. During COVID, I missed sports so much and I am doing something with my best friend, who is a former college basketball player.”

“He has helped kids come over from Africa and helped them solidify scholarships. Some of these kids are actually top basketball players in the country. We decided to start a sports agency to protect these kids,” he acknowledged.

“I passed the NBA Exam, so I’m an NBA certified agent, and I also FIBA certified, which allows me to represent players outside of the country and in Europe. We’ve built this from the ground up, and it has been an awesome experience so far,” he said.

Stage of his life

On the title of the current chapter of his life, he said, “Happily Married.”

“I’m truly blessed. I am always put God first, my family second, and the rest follows after that. These days, I’ve been blessed to have my wife as a support system,” he expressed.

Success

On his definition of the word success, Nieves said, “I didn’t grow up with any money. I hate the saying that money doesn’t buy happiness. I don’t need to be rich.”

“What brings me happiness is being able to be comfortable and help support my parents now who are retired; they didn’t have much growing up. I truly am a product of hard work and struggle,” he acknowledged.

“What makes me truly happy is having abilities and power to be in control of my future. Breaking that family cycle that has been haunting us for so long is what brings me true success,” he concluded.

To learn more about Robert “Bam” Nieves, follow him on Instagram.

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EU Belong With Me: Brussels woos Taylor Swift to draw young voters https://www.digitaljournal.com/entertainment/eu-belong-with-me-brussels-woos-taylor-swift-to-draw-young-voters/article Wed, 10 Jan 2024 19:01:00 +0000 https://www.digitaljournal.com/?p=3703571 The EU called on US pop icon Taylor Swift to help young voters shake off any apathy and head to the polls at European elections in June. 

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The EU on Wednesday called on US pop icon Taylor Swift to help young voters shake off any apathy and head to the polls at European elections in June.

The chart-topping American diva will bring her blockbuster “Eras Tour” to Paris on May 9, a month before voters in the EU’s 27 nations head to the polls to elect the next European Parliament lawmakers.

And Brussels is hoping she can use some of her stardust to help convince younger voters to cast their ballots — much as she did in the US last year.

“Taylor Swift last September, she made a social media call to young Americans to register to vote and the day after her post 35,000 young Americans registered,” European Commission Vice President Margaritis Schinas told journalists.

“Now, Taylor Swift on May 9 — Europe Day — will be in Paris for a concert, so I would very much hope that she does the same for young European.”

He added: “I very much hope that someone from her media team follows this press conference and relays our request to her.”

Swift — last month named Time magazine’s Person of the Year for 2023 — has a huge global following and her diehard superfans are known as “Swifties”.

Her “Eras Tour”, which kicked off in the United States last year, has become the first music tour to bring in more than $1 billion.

EU officials are keen to increase youth participation as polls show the elections in June could see a rise in backing for the far-right across the bloc.

The last European Parliament elections in 2019 saw 42 percent of eligible people aged under 25 vote and 47 percent in the 25-39 age bracket turn out.

The overall turnout for the vote was just over 50 percent.

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Catching up with ‘General Hospital’ actress Avery Kristen Pohl https://www.digitaljournal.com/entertainment/catching-up-with-general-hospital-actress-avery-kristen-pohl/article Wed, 10 Jan 2024 17:13:09 +0000 https://www.digitaljournal.com/?p=3703617 Actress Avery Kristen Pohl ("General Hospital") chatted about her latest endeavors.

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Actress Avery Kristen Pohl (“General Hospital”) chatted about her latest endeavors in daytime television.

She is known for playing Esme Prince in the ABC soap opera “General Hospital.”

Working with Alley Mills and Jon Lindstrom

Pohl opened up about working with Emmy winner Alley Mills and Emmy nominee Jon Lindstrom as her on-screen parents, who play Heather Webber and Ryan Chamberlain respectively. “They are so lovely. Both Jon and Alley are such fun people to work with,” she said.

“They have a great sense of humor, so it’s fun to watch the banter! They are also incredibly talented individuals and it’s a joy to get to learn from the two of them,” she added.

Tackling the Esme amnesia storyline on the show

On tackling her character’s amnesia storyline on the show, Pohl said, “It has certainly been a journey. I feel very lucky to have gotten to play different sides of the same character to the degree that I have.”

Pohl continued, “How frequently in acting do you get to lose your memory? I guess in soaps it is more common than elsewhere… When the amnesia storyline started it was important to me to make a distinction between mannerisms and how Esme viewed the world.”

“Over time, however, we started to sprinkle in aspects of her old self based on scenarios and certain instincts she had. Now that Esme has her memories back it has been a really fun challenge to balance this new person she has become with a deeper understanding of who she used to be,” she elaborated.

“I am really excited for everyone to see what is in store for her as she deals with these internal conflicts,” she added.

Celebrating the 60th anniversary of ‘General Hospital’

The daytime drama just celebrated its 60th anniversary on air. “It feels very surreal. It is such a huge accomplishment for the show and everyone who works day in day out to make the end product that is on your screens,” she said.

“I feel very proud of everyone on our crew, past and present, who has helped make this show what it is. I am very grateful to be a part of this legacy,” she added.

Adam Huss as the new Nikolas Cassadine

She had positive words about working with Adam Huss as the new Nikolas Cassadine. “I absolutely adore Adam,” she exclaimed.

“Adam is such a kind soul and a very hardworking person. He always comes in so prepared which I really respect. I’m excited to see how his character evolves moving forward,” she added.

Lessons learned from doing daytime TV

On being a part of daytime television, she said, “It has taught me way more than I ever could have expected. It has shown me my strong points, my weaknesses, and everything in between.”

“It has given me more trust in my instrument as well as more technical and practical skills such as the ability to memorize in a much shorter amount of time. I have learned to work in different scenarios and with different levels of preparation,” she said.

“Sometimes you get a schedule change where you need to learn 60 pages the night before and you just make it happen,” she acknowledged.

“The biggest thing that this show has taught me about myself as an actress, is that I have the ability to push myself outside of my comfort zone, and I will grow as both an artist and as an individual from those experience,” she added.

Actors she would like to do more scenes with on the show

Pohl noted that there are some actors that she would love to do more scenes with on the show. “I would love to have more scenes with Cynthia Watros,” she said. “I think she is such an amazing performer and the only scenes we had together I was passed out.”

“I would also love to explore scenes with Jeff Kober as I think Cyrus and Esme would have a very interesting on screen chemistry. When I have scenes with Jon Lindstrom, Maura West, Eden McCoy, or Tabyana Ali, I know it is going to be a fun time so I would always be happy to have more scenes with them,” she elaborated.

New Year’s resolutions for 2024

On her New Year’s resolutions for 2024, she remarked, “I don’t think I set any particular resolutions for this year; however, I am always trying to have new experiences, travel to new places, and grow as a person and an artist.”

Favorite mottos to live by

Pohl shared that her favorite motto to live by is “One day at a time.”

Favorite movies and dream acting choices

She revealed that her all-time favorite movie is “Mean Girls,” and she listed Viola Davis and Margot Robbie as her dream acting partners.

Success

On her definition of the word success, Pohl said, “That is very tricky! I think success to me at this point in my life is an internal acceptance. Circumstances around you can always change so knowing who you are and what you want is important.”

“I don’t think success can be a certain dollar amount or grade or job title or number on the scale if you aren’t happy with yourself and the people you choose to surround yourself with,” she said.

Pohl’s message for her fans and supporters

For her fans and supporters, Pohl expressed, “There are some really exciting things coming up in January so stay tuned.”

“I also want to say ‘thank you’ to each and everyone of you who has watched the show Getting to see how ‘General Hospital’ has brought people together and is shared between many generations is so incredibly special,” she concluded.

To learn more about Avery Kristen Pohl, follow her on Instagram and Twitter.

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Sinead O’Connor died of ‘natural causes’, UK coroner rules https://www.digitaljournal.com/entertainment/sinead-oconnor-died-of-natural-causes-uk-coroner-rules/article Wed, 10 Jan 2024 06:21:00 +0000 https://www.digitaljournal.com/?p=3703334 Irish musician Sinead O'Connor died last year of "natural causes", a London coroner announced Tuesday. 

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Irish musician Sinead O’Connor died last year of “natural causes”, a London coroner announced Tuesday.

The Grammy award-winning singer, best known for her 1990 cover of “Nothing Compares 2 U”, was found unresponsive at her south London home last July. She was 56.

London police said at the time that officers were not treating it as suspicious as an autopsy was carried out to determine the cause of her death.

A short statement by Southwark Coroner’s Court in south London said: “This is to confirm that Ms O’Connor died of natural causes. The coroner has therefore ceased their involvement in her death.”

O’Connor’s death prompted an outpouring of sympathy from her legions of fans including other musicians and celebrities around the world, particularly in her homeland of Ireland.

Hundreds lined the route of her cortege in Bray, the Irish town 20 kilometres (13 miles) south of Dublin that she called home for 15 years, on the day of her funeral last August.

The willingness of the musician, who rose to international fame in the 1990s, to criticise the Catholic Church in particular saw her vilified by some and praised as a trailblazer by others.

O’Connor’s agents revealed she had been completing a new album and planning a tour as well as a movie based on her autobiography “Rememberings” before she died.

The musician had also spoken publicly about her mental health, telling the US television host Oprah Winfrey in 2007 that she struggled with thoughts of suicide and had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

More recently she had shunned the limelight, in particular following the death of her son Shane from suicide in 2022 aged 17.

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Review: Pierce Brosnan and Morena Baccarin star in ‘Fast Charlie’ thriller https://www.digitaljournal.com/entertainment/review-pierce-brosnan-and-morena-baccarin-star-in-fast-charlie-thriller/article Wed, 10 Jan 2024 00:06:06 +0000 https://www.digitaljournal.com/?p=3703467 Actors Pierce Brosnan and Morena Baccarin star in the thriller "Fast Charlie," which was released via Vertical Entertainment.

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Actors Pierce Brosnan and Morena Baccarin star in the thriller “Fast Charlie,” which was released via Vertical Entertainment.

Phillip Noyce directed from a screenplay by Richard Wenk, which was based on the novel “Gun Monkeys” by Victor Gischler.

The synopsis is: Charlie Swift (Pierce Brosnan), affectionately known as “Fast Charlie,” proclaims himself as a “fixer,” as opposed to an “enforcer,” with a problem: the target he has whacked is missing his head.

Charlie must prove it’s the intended target to the man who paid for the hit — New Orleans’ most prominent and most ruthless mobster, Beggar Mercado (Gbenga Akinnagbe).

Charlie enlists Marcie Kramer (Morena Baccarin), the victim’s former wife, and a woman with the backbone and skillset Charlie needs.

Dragging Marcie back into a past she was determined to escape sends the two of them on a wild and unpredictable odyssey that’s unexpectedly amusing, action propelled, and ultimately heartfelt.

Along the way, Charlie and Marcie fight to protect the legacy of Charlie’s best friend and mentor, Stan Mullen (James Caan in his last-ever performance prior to his death), while bringing down Beggar and his entire operation.

Brosnan is smooth and commanding in his scenes but at times, the accent that he does in this movie can get a bit irritating.

He and Baccarin have noteworthy chemistry together, especially through their love and hate encounters throughout the film, which has multiple twists and turns that the audience won’t see coming; moreover, it has a funky southern vibe to it, and the atmospherics of Pierce Brosnan’s “James Bond” movies.

Baccarin delivers a Bold and bravura performance as Marcia, the woman who helps Charlie seek his revenge.

One of the most poignant moments was the late James Caan and Brosnan’s character affecting rapport, where they played old friends.

The Verdict

Overall, “Fast Charlie” is a wry action thriller starring Pierce Brosnan, James Caan, and Morena Baccarin.

While the film’s title may have Pierce Brosnan’s character’s name in the title — and no offense to Brosnan — but Morena Baccarin was the heart and soul of “Fast Charlie.” She is not afraid to push the envelope, and with Baccarin, the viewer can recall Charlie Theron meets Penelope Cruz. It is worth more than just a passing glance, and it garners an A- rating.

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Review: Madison Smith stars in the rom-com ‘The Perfect Man(icure)’ https://www.digitaljournal.com/entertainment/review-madison-smith-stars-in-the-rom-com-the-perfect-manicure/article Tue, 09 Jan 2024 16:54:33 +0000 https://www.digitaljournal.com/?p=3703370 Canadian actor Madison Smith starred in the new romantic comedy "The Perfect Man(icure)" opposite Marlie Collins.

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Canadian actor Madison Smith starred in the new romantic comedy “The Perfect Man(icure)” opposite Marlie Collins.

Wendy Ord directed from a screenplay by Rob Eckard and Dasha Fayvinova.

In this film, quirky inventor Katya (Marlie Collins) partners with charismatic and confident marketing consultant Ryan (Madison Smith) to help her sell her personal manicure device, “Phenomenails,” at the upcoming Beauty Expo.

Madison Smith and Marlie Collins have solid chemistry together, and the plot will keep the audience engaged. The subject matter is timely and relevant; it has some really funny scenes that will make viewers laugh out loud.

Aside from some minor tech issues, it hits its mark. The ensemble cast is also memorable.

The Verdict

Overall, “The Perfect Man(icure)” is a rom-com that is worth checking out. Marlie Collins delivers a bubbly performance alongside Madison Smith, who is charming as Ryan. Their warm rapport allows for more resonance.

There is something in it for everyone, and it could easily be watched on an evening on the couch along with some popcorn, or a cup of tea or hot cocoa. This movie garners a B+ rating.

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Paris names street after David Bowie https://www.digitaljournal.com/entertainment/paris-names-street-after-david-bowie/article Tue, 09 Jan 2024 02:16:00 +0000 https://www.digitaljournal.com/?p=3703191 The city of Paris on Monday named a street after rock music icon David Bowie, a first in honour of the singer eight years after his death.

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The city of Paris on Monday named a street after rock music icon David Bowie, a first in honour of the singer eight years after his death.

“Rue David Bowie” was officially inaugurated in the capital’s 13th district on the left bank of the city.

“Long live rock, long live pop, long live David Bowie and long live Paris,” said Jerome Coumet, mayor of the 13th district, as he unveiled the street sign.

Coumet, a Bowie fan, launched the idea for the street in early 2020, and won Paris city approval later that year.

The thoroughfare, around 50 metres (165 feet) long, was previously known to city planners as “VoieDZ/13”.

There is no record of a street named after the musician anywhere else.

Bowie, who died on January 10, 2016, of liver cancer, would have been 77 on Monday.

He was one of the most influential, as well as best-selling, musicians of the 20th century.

His landmark songs and albums include “Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars” and “Aladdin Sane”, and the commercial smash hits “Let’s Dance” and “China Girl” as well as gloomily experimental works such as “Low”.

Paris played less of a prominent role in Bowie’s life than London, Berlin and Los Angeles, but French avant-garde theatrical culture was an influence on his visual style.

Jerome Soligny, who wrote a biography about the singer, said it was in the French capital that Bowie declared his love to top model Iman on a boat on the river Seine. The couple wed in 1992.

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Max Burkholder talks about starring in the new ‘Ted’ prequel series on Peacock https://www.digitaljournal.com/entertainment/max-burkholder-talks-about-starring-in-the-new-ted-prequel-series-on-peacock/article Tue, 09 Jan 2024 00:31:05 +0000 https://www.digitaljournal.com/?p=3703240 Actor Max Burkholder chatted about starring in "Ted" prequel series on Peacock.

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Actor Max Burkholder (“Parenthood”) chatted about starring in the “Ted” prequel series on Peacock, and working with Seth MacFarlane.

‘Ted’

Burkholder plays the lead in this new prequel series, which will premiere on January 11 on Peacock. The project is set in 1993, and Max portrays the character that Mark Wahlberg played. 

Seth MacFarlane serves as writer, executive producer, co-showrunner, and director of the show. This marks Burkholder’s first-ever leading role. “Working with Seth for this long of a time period was really a joy,” he said. “I liked improvising and have rapport with somebody as talented as him. What could be better.”

On being a part of this prequel series, Burkholder said, “Doing ‘Ted’ was fantastic. It is a special group of lucky. I’ve been enormously lucky over the course of my career to exclusively work with the sweetest, kindest, and most talented people in the game. It really feels like a family.”

This Peacock limited series will consist of seven episodes. The synopsis is: Ted (Seth MacFarlane) is living back home in Framingham, Massachusetts with his best friend, 16-year-old John Bennett (Max Burkholder), along with John’s parents, Matty and Susan (Scott Grimes and Alanna Ubach) and cousin Blaire (Giorgia Whigham).

Ted may be a lousy influence on John, but at the end of the day, he is a loyal pal who is always willing to go out on a limb for friendship. “John is a sweet kid… he is an idiot and easily corruptible but he is at his core, someone who loves his people and his family,” he said.

“Those are the similarities among my character [John] and myself. We are both idiots about some things, even though our blind spots might be different… Also, we both love our people,” he added.

Playing a role that was previously introduced by Mark Wahlberg

“It was an interesting challenge to take over a role that was introduced by Mark Wahlberg in the ‘Ted’ films. I had to be really careful that I was playing John Bennett at 16, and not Max Burkholder doing a Mark Wahlberg impression. That was very important to me going in. I think it showed through,” he explained.

“Hopefully, people will get a lot of laughter out of it. I think it’s so funny,” he said. “We had really fun doing it, and that really shines through. If people find it funny, enjoy it, and they laugh, then we did our job.”

“If people enjoyed the ‘Ted’ movies, they are really going to enjoy the series. It’s from the same team, it’s the same sense of humor. I hope they get joy and laughter,” he added.

‘Parenthood’

Burkholder is widely known from his role on NBC’s “Parenthood,” where he raised awareness while portraying a young boy with Asperger’s syndrome. “That show was fantastic… I couldn’t have asked for a better group of people to be around me for seven years,” he exclaimed. “I think I got that role when I was 10, and I shot the last scene when I was 17. I really grew up on that show; it was very special to me.”

After the second episode aired, Asperger’s was one of the most frequently searched terms on Google. The following clip shows Max’s character with the therapist for the first time.

The digital age

On being an actor in the digital age, Burkholder said, “Certainly, it is different now. After the strike, we got a really great deal in terms of our relationship with the streamers. I am very excited about that.”

“Honestly, nothing has changed in term of the shooting experience. It is the same… you show up, you do your work, and you go home. Not much has changed in that aspect, for me,” he added.

‘Blush’ film

Burkholder had great words about working with Emmy-nominated actor Graham Sibley (“Dark/Web”) in the movie “Blush.” “Graham was really really fun to work with on ‘Blush’,” he said.

Advice for young and aspiring actors

For young and aspiring actors, Burkholder encouraged them to “take an acting class.” “It’s super important to keep being in a class, there is always more to learn, and always more people that you can meet,” he said.

“During the strike, acting classes allowed me to keep my skills up and not get rusty, especially when the time came to start auditioning again,” he added.

Stage of his life

On the title of the current chapter of his life, Burkholder said, “Let’s see what happens.” “I am hoping ‘Ted’ is going to do really well,” he said. “I am excited to see what pans out. Also, I am getting a dog on Saturday, so I am very much looking forward to that.”

Superpower of choice

If Burkholder were to have any superpower, it would be “teleportation.” “That would be the best one. Either that or shape-shifting because those are the best superpowers to have,” he said.

Favorite motto to live by

His favorite motto to live by is the following quote by Patton Oswalt: “It’s Chaos, Be Kind.” “Also, I enjoy reading my favorite poem, which is ‘Desiderata’ by Max Ehrmann. I think if one were to live by the words encapsulated in that poem every day, it would be a fantastic life,” he said.

Success

On his definition of the word success, he said, “Being happy, having equanimity, as well as having a level of material success, where you can live comfortably and be generous. Finally, find some of sort of fulfillment, where it’s creative or interpersonal. That’s what I would call a success.”

To learn more about actor Max Burkholder, follow him on Instagram.

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James Hyde talks about his latest films, and new play ‘The Kernel of Truth’ https://www.digitaljournal.com/entertainment/james-hyde-talks-about-his-latest-films-and-new-play-the-kernel-of-truth/article Mon, 08 Jan 2024 16:56:18 +0000 https://www.digitaljournal.com/?p=3703138 Actor James Hyde ("Passions" and "The Young and The Restless") chatted about his latest films and new play "The Kernel of Truth."

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Actor James Hyde (“Passions” and “The Young and The Restless”) chatted about his latest films and new play “The Kernel of Truth.”

In daytime television, Hyde is known for playing patriarch Sam Bennett in the defunct ’00s soap opera “Passions,” and most recently, Jeremy Stark in the CBS daytime drama “The Young and The Restless.”

New play: ‘The Kernel of Truth’

Hyde noted that he will be doing a play, “The Kernel of Truth,” in Wisconsin. It is a story that “delves into the lives of a group of male inmates who have found themselves confined within prison walls due to their past bad choices.”

“Beyond their criminal exterior, they possess a depth of humanity and a desire for redemption. Each character embarks on a transformative journey by exploring their truths and ideologies of the criminal justice system through powerful monologues,” he explained.

“Through their monologues, these incarcerated men discover the transformative power of self-expression, paving the way for personal growth, forgiveness, and, ultimately, a chance at redemption,” he said.

“This play will be in Madison Wisconsin,” he said. “It will be four or five of us in the play, and we will all speak about prison reform. We will all have a set of monologues that we are going to do. We are presenting it in Madison with the hope of possibly doing other cities.”

New projects

Hyde revealed that he has a few new projects coming out in the future, which include a horror movie titled ‘The Seductress from Hell,’ which was written and directed by British filmmaker Andrew de Burgh, and “Crowdsource Murder,” which was directed by Brittany Underwood. “Andrew de Burgh is a great guy. It is an interesting horror film,” he said.

“Brittany Underwood directed it, and I love working with her. Brittany’s enthusiasm and professionalism was just infectious. She was a very giving director. That whole experience was so much fun,” he expressed.

‘The Date Whisperer’

Hyde was a part of the romantic comedy “The Date Whisperer,” where he starred opposite John Ryan McLaughlin, Jenna Michno, and Rib Hillis.

On working with Rib Hillis, Hyde said, “Rib was a lot of fun to work with… it was a good experience. ‘The Date Whisperer’ was fun. I’ve worked with the director, John Murlowski, eight or nine times.”

“I really like John [Murlowski] as a person, and John and I did a lot of movies together. Don in ‘The Date Whisperer’ was an interesting character to play. Also, Rib Hillis will go down in history as the first male actor that I shared an on-screen kiss with,” he elaborated.

“Overall, ‘The Date Whisperer’ was very interesting and a lot of fun,” Hyde admitted.

‘Danger Lurking Under My Roof’

Hyde appeared as Mark Robinson in the Lifetime movie “Danger Lurking Under My Roof.” “It has been fun to play different characters throughout this whole process,” he acknowledged.

‘A Christmas Frequency’

The holiday film “A Christmas Frequency” was written by Ansley Gordon and directed by Lindsay Hartley.

“Ansley Gordon was amazing to work with… she is so talented, and I want to work with her again. I had a great time with her. Lindsay Hartley directed that, and it was my second time working with her. Denise Richards was great, and a lot of fun to work with. It turned out to be a real feel-good movie.”

Future plans and goals for 2024

“I just feel really good about 2024,” he said about his goals for this year. “I really do. Whatever I am going to do this year, I want to do it better than previous years. I want to be a better father, husband, and just a better person. I would love to land a spot on another show.”

“I loved being a part of ‘The Young and The Restless’ because I enjoyed going in and seeing people every day. Also, having this family atmosphere and vibe. It reminded me of my days on ‘Passions,’ where the actors loved being around each other,” he said.

“Artistically, I want this to be a year where I am fulfilled artistically and fulfilled in abundance. I want to elevate this year. I want to be a year of elevation for me. I want to elevate in everything,” he added.

To learn more about actor James Hyde, follow him on Instagram.

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