Movies/TV category, Page 16
TV Q&A: What’s up with daytime TV’s ‘GMA’ news anchor shifts?
Trib Total Media TV writer Rob Owen answers reader questions every Wednesday at TribLive.com in a column that also appears in the Sunday Tribune-Review. Q: OK, I have to ask, as it’s bothering me and I’m nebby: “GMA3: What You Need to Know” (1 p.m. weekdays, WTAE) is now saying...
Top ’60 Minutes’ producer quits, saying he can no longer run the show as he has in the past
NEW YORK — With his show involved in a bitter dispute with President Donald Trump, the top executive at the storied CBS News show “60 Minutes” abruptly resigned on Tuesday while saying he’s losing the freedom to run it independently. Bill Owens, executive producer of television’s most popular and influential...
TV Talk: Recent books go behind the scenes of TV biz, one reveals Pittsburgh tie to ‘High School Musical’
The need for media literacy — understanding the media we consume and how it gets made — remains acute, and three recent books explore different aspects of the TV business from the perspectives of a writer, director and young stars. ‘They Went Another Way’ $29, Holt TV writer/cartoonist Bruce Eric...
‘Sinners’ surges past ‘Minecraft’ to lead box office
NEW YORK — Brand names, not filmmakers or stars, are said to rule the box office these days. But Ryan Coogler’s “Sinners,” led by twin Michael B. Jordans, proved a bloody exception to modern movie rules, launching with $45.6 million in ticket sales in U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to...
Western Pa. ‘Jeopardy!’ contestants reflect on their game show experiences
After broadcasting in several formats as far back as 1964, the modern version of “Jeopardy!” has been beamed to the television sets of trivia lovers across the country five days a week since 1984. That’s when iconic former host Alex Trebek took the podium. And Western Pennsylvania has a storied...
Is he Christ? Is he Moses? Superman’s religious and ethical undertones add to his mystique
Superman was born Kryptonian, raised Methodist and sketched into existence by two Jewish teens in 1930s Cleveland. Faith and morality are his DNA. There are no overt religious references in Superman comics. But over eight decades, he’s been viewed as a divine entity, a savior figure — his sacrifice Christ-like,...
TV Talk: Netflix’s ‘Ransom Canyon’ is soap on the rangeVideo
Taking a page from its successful oceanside soap “Outer Banks,” Netflix heads west for its newest sudser, countrified “Ransom Canyon,” now streaming its 10-episode first season. Created by showrunner April Blair (“All American,” “Jane by Design”), “Ransom Canyon” isn’t a quality show that will be getting a serious Emmy nominations...
Actor Michelle Trachtenberg died of complications from diabetes, says NYC medical examiner
NEW YORK — Actor Michelle Trachtenberg died as a result of complications from diabetes, New York City’s medical examiner said Wednesday. The office said in a statement that it amended the cause and manner of death for the 39-year-old New York City native following a review of laboratory test results....
Nate Bargatze will host the 2025 Emmy Awards
LOS ANGELES — Stand-up comedian Nate Bargatze will host the 77th Emmy Awards, CBS announced Wednesday. One of the most popular stand-ups currently working, Bargatze will emcee the Sept. 14 ceremony at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. While the Oscars have found success with Conan O’Brien, set to return...
TV Q&A: Why did a ‘Law & Order’ star leave?
Trib Total Media TV writer Rob Owen answers reader questions every Wednesday at TribLive.com in a column that also appears in the Sunday Tribune-Review. Q: What happened to Camryn Manheim on “Law & Order”? She was on the show last season and now she’s gone. — Julia, Irwin Rob: Manheim...
Wink Martindale, the genial game-show host and an early TV interviewer of Elvis Presley, dies at 91
LOS ANGELES — Wink Martindale, the genial host of such hit game shows as “Gambit” and “Tic-Tac-Dough” who also did one of the first recorded television interviews with a young Elvis Presley, has died. He was 91. Martindale died Tuesday at Eisenhower Health in Rancho Mirage, California, according to his...
Pittsburgh’s public media respond to White House attacks on PBS, NPR
The White House’s threat to pull funding from public television and radio has sparked concern among Pittsburgh-area public media leaders, who say the move could seriously impact local communities. The White House is expected to ask Congress to cut two years’ worth of funding that goes to PBS, NPR and...
Millions tune in for 24-hour live coverage of Sweden’s epic moose migration
Before Swedish slow TV hit “The Great Moose Migration” began airing Tuesday, Ulla Malmgren stocked up on coffee and prepared meals so she doesn’t miss a moment of the 20-day, 24-hour event. “Sleep? Forget it. I don’t sleep,” she said. Malmgren, 62, isn’t alone. The show, called ” Den stora...
‘A Minecraft Movie’ stomps to $80.6 million in 2nd weekend
NEW YORK — After just two weeks in theaters, “A Minecraft Movie” is already the highest grossing Hollywood release of 2025. The Warner Bros. videogame adaptation followed up its blockbuster opening with a second weekend of $80.6 million in ticket sales, according to studio estimates Sunday. Worldwide, it’s quickly surpassed...
Candy tycoon biopic ‘Hershey’ to film in Pittsburgh
Something sweet is brewing in Pittsburgh over the next few months. The movie “Hershey,” which tells the story of chocolate magnate Milton Hershey and his wife, will film across Pennsylvania, including in Pittsburgh. Variety reported that the movie will star Finn Witrock (“All My Children,” “American Horror Story”) and Alexandria...
Why ‘The Pitt’ hits home: Show resonates as fictional measles episode mirrors real life
Locals watching “The Pitt” already have reason to think the Max television series hits close to home with its portrayal of an emergency room in Pittsburgh. A recent episode also fits in with current events, although tariffs weren’t mentioned. The subject was measles, and whether an ER physician would recognize...
TV Talk: What to watch for in the season finale of ‘The Pitt’
Max’s Pittsburgh-set ER drama “The Pitt” reaches its first-season finale tonight at 9 as the series wraps the extended shift of Dr. Robby (Noah Wyle) and his colleagues who work in the Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Center emergency department. Set during the 10-11 p.m. hour, the episode will have to address:...
Cannes Film Festival sets lineup with Ari Aster, Richard Linklater and Wes Anderson
PARIS — New films from Wes Anderson, Ari Aster, and Richard Linklater will compete for the Palme d’Or at the 78th Cannes Film Festival, organizers announced Thursday. Coming off a 2024 edition that produced the Academy Award best-picture winner “Anora,” as well as a number of Oscar contenders in “Emilia...
Pat McAfee’s ‘Big Night Aht’ was a long night full of surprise guests
Pat McAfee may be an ex-NFL player, a wrestling commentator and host of massively popular sports talk program “The Pat McAfee Show,” but he’s still a Pittsburgher at heart. And the city loves him back, as evidenced by the 90-minute ticket sellout for his Wednesday night PPG Paints Arena show...
TV Talk: ‘Hacks’ returns; ‘North of North,’ ‘Friends & Neighbors’ debutVideo
If it’s April, it’s the season when streaming services rush to release what they see as their Emmy-worthy shows in time to qualify for this year’s awards (eligibility ends May 31). Steel yourself for an onslaught of premieres over the next seven weeks. ‘Hacks’ Max’s “Hacks” remains a comedy gem...
TV Q&A: Is WTAE’s Ryan Recker related to a Pirates batboy?
Trib Total Media TV writer Rob Owen answers reader questions every Wednesday at TribLive.com in a column that also appears in the Sunday Tribune-Review. Q: Is Ryan Recker of WTAE related to Bobby Recker who was the batboy for the Pirates back in the early ‘60s? — Michael, Beaver Falls...
Surprise Kevin Spacey appearance at Steel City Con draws social media ire
Many Western Pennsylvania comic enthusiasts reacted with disappointment to Steel City Con’s last-minute announcement that controversial actor Kevin Spacey would attend this past weekend’s event. CJ Gatsby, a loyal customer of Steel City Con, said he waffled on whether to attend this past weekend, but the Spacey announcement solidified it...
Broadcast television is in trouble. Stations are asking Washington for help
As television station owners gathered in Las Vegas this week for the annual National Association of Broadcasters convention, they sent an urgent message to Washington that could be summed up in one word — “Help.” Streaming video has siphoned away the traditional viewing audience. Advertisers have shifted their budgets to...
CBS host Gayle King criticized for quoting gay slur in interview
After a wild moment on air, long-time CBS anchor Gayle King is under fire from fans. On an April 3 episode of “CBS Mornings,” Matteo Lane, an openly gay comedian, appeared on the show. During the segment with King, the host repeated a joke from Lane’s comedy routine. “Let’s talk...
‘Happy Days’ main cast reunites at Steel City Con
This weekend made for some happy days in Monroeville. Four main cast members of the popular 1970s show “Happy Days” — Ron Howard, Henry Winkler, Anson Williams and Don Most — had a reunion at Steel City Con in Monroeville. The actors participated in a panel discussion about the series...
