#FIRSTLOOK: “STAGED” SEASON 2 COMING TO HOLLYWOOD SUITE

STAGED Season 2 arrives next month on Hollywood Suite, the acclaimed BBC One Series filmed during the pandemic, starring Michael Sheen and David Tennant playing fictionalized versions of themselves.

Synopsis:

Season 2  follows the “real” Michael Sheen (The Queen) and David Tennant (Doctor Who) following the success of the first season of Staged. Simon Evans (portrayed by creator… Simon Evans) begins work on an American remake of the first series, but the stars are not asked to reprise their roles. Whoopi Goldberg joins the cast as Michael and David’s agent and Ben Schwartz as her assistant.

This eight-part, half-hour series was filmed entirely during the COVID-19 pandemic and features guest appearances by Simon Pegg, Christoph Waltz, Ewan McGregor, Ken Jeong, Jim Parsons, and Josh Gad. Phoebe Waller-Bridge, and Cate Blanchett.

The first four episodes of Staged Season 2 will premiere July 20 starting at 9pm ET, with the last four episodes following on July 27 at 9pm ET.  Viewers can catch up on Season 1 now On Demand. 

Episode One “Saddle Up Sheen” – July 20, 9pm ET

Episode Two “Long Time, No See” – July 20, 9:25pm ET

Episode Three “The Dirty Mochyns” – July 20, 9:50 ET

Episode Four “Woofty Doofty, David” – July 20, 10:15pm ET 

Episode Five “The Warthog and the Mongoose, Part 1” – July  27, 9pm ET

Episode Six “The Warthog and the Mongoose, Part 2” – July  27, 9:25pm ET

Episode Seven “The Loo Recluse”, July 27 , 9:50pm ET

Episode Eight: “Until They Get Home”, July 27, 10:15pm ET 

(Photo credit: Hollywood Suite)

#FIRSTLOOK: “STAGED” ARRIVES ON HOLLYWOOD SUITE APRIL 2021

BBC Lockdown Series STAGED has found a home in Canada on Hollywood Suite! The comedic Series starring Michael Sheen and David Tennant, arrives – you guessed it – April Fool’s Day!

Synopsis:

Actors Michael Sheen (The Queen) and David Tennant (Doctor Who) play fictionalized versions of themselves, trying to rehearse a performance during lockdown via videoconference, while the underconfident director, Simon, struggles to keep control of the production. This six-part, half-hour series was filmed entirely during the COVID-19 pandemic and features guest appearances by Judi Dench, Samuel L. Jackson, and Adrian Lester. 

Two episodes premiere each night April 1–3 beginning at 9pm ET on HS00. The full series will be available on demand from April 1.

Episode One “Cachu Hwch” – April 1, 9pm ET

Episode Two “Up To No Good” – April 1, 9:25pm ET

Episode Three “Who The F#!k is Michael Sheen?” – April 2, 9pm ET

Episode Four “Bara Birth” – April 2, 9:25pm ET

Episode Five “Ulysses” – April 3, 9pm ET

Episode Six “The Cookie Jar” – April 3, 9:25pm ET

STAGED premieres on Hollywood Suite Friday, April 1 at 9pm ET.

(Photo credit: Hollywood Suite)

#SPOTTED: 2014 COSTUME INSTITUTE GALA (MET BALL) HIGHLIGHTS

The 43rd annual Costume Institute Gala was held last night in New York City. The annual Fixture at the Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art pairs Fashion and Starpower together in a dazzling Red Carpet Affair with a hand-picked A-List of Invitees approved none other than by Vogue Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour – the most respected and at once feared Woman in the Fashion industry. Earlier in the day, American First Lady Michelle Obama honoured her in a Ceremony at the Venue.

Bringing the focus on influencial Fashion Designer Charles James, Men for the first time ever played a more pronounced role at the Gala. Hugh Jackman, Neil Patrick Harris, Jim Parsons, Benedict Cumberbatch, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Bradley Cooper – the latter serving as Chair this year, were among the many Hunks gracing the Red Carpet which shut down a portion of Fifth Avenue. A mandate was set by Wintour encouraging Coat Tails and white Bow Ties, most adhering as would best be advisable at the profile-boosting Extravaganza of the highest form.

As always, the Ladies are front and center.  Sporting and among the Red Carpet Favourites last included Supermodel Cara Delevingne in a Pantsuit by Stella McCartney, Karolina Kurkova in Marchesa, Lupita Nyong’o in a sparkly green piece by Prada and Blake Lively in Gucci.

The Party didn’t end right there though as the stars came out in full force at the Afterparties around town. It is said Beyoncé and Jay-Z got swarmed by Fans, travelling separately from one Party possibly for their own safety. Sean Penn and Charlize Theron were seen happily out and about as were another new Couple in Michael Sheen and Sarah Silverman. We wonder if there were any moments of awkwardness as Toronto’s own Rachel McAdams also attended; she previously was involved with Sheen. All eyes however were on Lively and Ryan Reynolds as loud cheers were hears upon their cozy displays of affection.

Several were disappointed about Jennifer Lawrence‘s deeply-felt absence despite being scheduled to be dressed in Dior and without Madonna this year, there seemed to be that little bit less enthusiasm in the air.

Some got a bit tipsy as we witnessed Academy Award Nominee Ejiofor getting a bit of help back to his Hotel, as was 20-year-old French Acting Sensation Adèle Exarchopoulos. And was that Tomato Sauce we saw on Lily Allen‘s cheek as she made her way back to her Hotel with a big box of Pizza in-tow?

Personally, we are still giddy about meeting Australian Beauties Naomi Watts and breakout Star Margot Robbie!  And did we mention that we got an ultra-rare opportunity to meet the biggest Celebrity in New York right now, Pasty Chef Dominique Ansel?  The soon-to-be Author and Beard Honour-receiving Cronut Inventor has the Culinary World and New York City at the palm of his hand. It was also sublime getting to meet Celebrity Photographer of the highest calibre, Mario Testino!

Just some of the Snaps below of whom I got to meet:

Thanks again, New York City for the fun times!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

#FIRSTLOOK: “ADMISSION” STARRING PAUL RUDD & TINA FEY

OMG. Finally!  It’s been far too long since we’ve seen Tina Fey on the Big Screen.  This Trailer for Admission starring the Funnywoman and the brilliant Paul Rudd has just surfaced.  Fey plays Portia, an Admissions Officer at Princeton who gets involved with a less-than-ideal potential Student.  Involved of course, not in the romantic sense of the word.

Nat Wolff, Michael Sheen (who worked with Fey briefly on 30 Rock), Lily Tomlin and Toronto’s v. own Dan Levy star also!  Alliance Films releases Admission on March 8, 2013.

Watch the Trailer in full below:

(Photo/video credit: Alliance Films)