Month: February 2023

The People’s Court and Judge Mathis and have both been canceled, and will end their runs at the end of their current seasons.

Judge Mathis, which has been on the air for 24 seasons, follows Judge Greg Mathis as he lays down the law and gives sentences to those in his courtroom. The show won a Daytime Emmy Award for outstanding legal/courtroom program in 2018. The program, which began in 1998, is the second longest-running court show with a single production life, behind Judge Judy. Judge Mathis is also the longest-running Black male host on television.

The People’s Court, which premiered in 1997, will wrap after season 26. It has won four Daytime Emmy Awards for outstanding legal/courtroom program – the most wins for a court show in the category. The show follows former Florida prosecutor and judge Marilyn Milian as she decides on actual small-claims court cases. Milian was the first Latina judge to host a nationally syndicated television court show. The People’s Court has run for a total of 39 seasons, including the original series which ran from 1981 to 1993 with Judge Joseph Wapner.

Editorial credit: s_bukley / Shutterstock.com

Actor and comedian Richard Belzer passed away on Feb. 19 at age 78. Belzer passed away at his home in Bozouls in southwest France. Writer Bill Scheft, a longtime friend of the actor, told The Hollywood Reporter, “He had lots of health issues … and his last words were, ‘F–k you, motherf–ker.’”

Belzer was perhaps best known for playing detective John Munch on NBC shows ‘Homicide: Life on the Street’ and ‘Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.’  NBC and Universal Television issued a statement about Belzer’s death which read. “Anyone who ever had the pleasure of watching Richard Belzer portray Det. John Munch—whether on Homicide or Law & Order: SVU—over four decades will never forget how much he inhabited that beloved character to make it his own. His professionalism, talents and dedication to the craft made him a pillar in the industry, but it was his humor, compassion and loving heart that made him family. Our condolences go out to his loved ones as we join them in mourning his loss, but also in celebrating his memory.”

Belzer began his entertainment career as a stand-up comedian in New York City; he was the warm-up comic on the first season of Saturday Night Live and also made appearances in SNL sketches. He also starred in other TV shows such as The Flash, as well as films such as Night Shift and Scarface, before making his debut as Munch on ‘Homicide: Life on the Street’  in 1993. Belzer played the role for all seven seasons of the series, as well as in its 2000 TV film, 15 seasons of ‘Law & Order: SVU’ and episodes of eight other shows—episodes of Law & Order, Law & Order: Trial by Jury, The X-Files, The Wire, UPN’s The Beat, 30 Rock, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt and Arrested Development.

Belzer is survived by his third wife, actress Harlee McBride, and stepdaughters Jessica and Bree.

Editorial credit: lev radin / Shutterstock.com

During a recent episode of Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen, Paul Rudd played a round of “Plead the Fifth,” where host Cohen tried to get him to shade his co-stars.

When asked “Which of the Marvel superheroes has the lamest powers… and is it Hawkeye?” Cohen quipped, referencing Jeremy Renner’s arrow-slinging vigilante.

Rudd laughed at the question before agreeing, saying, “Yeah, it’s totally Hawkeye. I mean, he shoots arrows, come on. And I thought talking to ants was weird.”

Editorial credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com

A month ago, Marvel Actor Letitia Wright was questioned on the Golden Globes red carpet when fans asked if they should expect a part 3 to the Black Panther sequel. She responded: “I think it’s already in the works. … It’s gonna take a while, but really excited for you guys to see that.”

Fans interpreted her answer meant that Black Panther 3 had been greenlit and was on the way. Wright slightly retracted her response at the Newport Beach Film Festival UK Honours event on Thursday night.

“What I tried to say, maybe I didn’t do it clearly enough, to clarify, there is always the hope that you would have another film, especially in a franchise. If there is to be another film, which I hope there will be, I think there will be; it takes time to make it; you have to go through the script process”

Editorial credit: Loredana Sangiuliano / Shutterstock.com

Now retired, Future NFL Hall of Famer Quarterback Tom Brady is facing backlash after saying that Janet Jackson’s wardrobe malfunction during the 2004 Super Bowl halftime show was a good thing for the NFL.

Brady made the comments Monday, February 13, on a episode of his “Let’s Go” podcast.

“I think in the end, it was probably a good thing for the NFL because everyone got to talk about it. It was just more publicity and more publicity for halftime shows.”

Editorial credit: Steve Jacobson / Shutterstock.com

Almost a year after Bruce Willis’ aphasia diagnosis was made public, his family has now shared an update with his fans.

“Our family wanted to start by expressing our deepest gratitude for the incredible outpouring of love, support and wonderful stories we have all received since sharing Bruce’s original diagnosis. In the spirit of that, we wanted to give you an update about our beloved husband, father and friend since we now have a deeper understanding of what he is experiencing.”

Since sharing Bruce initial diagnosis, the family said that they now have a “more specific diagnosis” of frontotemporal dementia, known as FTD. They explained also what the diagnosis means for him.

“FTD is a cruel disease that many of us have never heard of and can strike anyone,” the note continued. “For people under 60, FTD is the most common form of dementia, and because getting the diagnosis can take years, FTD is likely much more prevalent than we know. Today there are no treatments for the disease, a reality that we hope can change in the years ahead. As Bruce’s condition advances, we hope that any media attention can be focused on shining a light on this disease that needs far more awareness and research.”

Editorial credit: Photo Oz / Shutterstock.com