‘Dancing With Stars’ unveils its lineup
Grammy Award-winner Patti LaBelle and Michael Sam, the NFL’s first openly gay draft pick, are two of the 11 celebrities announced Tuesday as part of the upcoming 20th season of ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars.”
LaBelle, whose singing career has spanned 50 years, will be paired with Artem Chigvintsev. Sam, who trained with both the Dallas Cowboys and the St. Louis Rams last season, will dance with Peta Murgatroyd.
Other celebrities announced in the lineup include Iraq war veteran, double-amputee and motivational speaker Noah Galloway; Robert Herjavec, the millionaire businessman better known as “the nice guy” on ABC’s “Shark Tank;” gold medal Olympic gymnast Nastia Liukin; Riker Lynch, part of the sibling music act R5 and sometime “Glee” performer; Charlotte McKinney, the bikini model from the Carl’s Jr. Super Bowl ad; Redfoo, half of the act LFMAO and a former “Dancing With the Stars” guest judge; actress Willow Shields, who plays Primrose Everdeen in “The Hunger Games” movies; sitcom star and ThighMaster mogul Suzanne Somers; and actress Rumer Willis.
Netflix to debut new Pee-wee movie
Pee-wee Herman’s next adventure is coming to Netflix. The online video company says it will debut a new film featuring Paul Reubens as the bow tie-clad character from stage, TV and film.
Netflix said the film will be called “Pee-wee’s Big Holiday” and will feature Pee-wee taking his first vacation after meeting a mysterious stranger. Production begins this year.
Reubens first created the quirky character in the 1980s when he was a member of the Groundlings improv group. Netflix currently streams the Pee-wee films “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure” and “Big Top Pee-wee,” as well as the TV show “The Pee-wee Herman Show” and “Pee-wee’s Playhouse.”
Jones leaving Comedy Central
There’s another departure in store for “The Daily Show.” Jason Jones will leave the Comedy Central series after nearly a decade to star in and produce a new TBS sitcom that was announced Tuesday.
Earlier this month, “Daily Show” host Jon Stewart said he will leave sometime this year.
Samantha Bee, Jones’ wife and fellow “Daily Show” correspondent, will remain with the satirical news show, Comedy Central said in confirming Jones’ exit.
Comedy Central said Jones will leave this year but didn’t give a date for his last show.
The birthday bunch
Country singer Ralph Stanley is 88. Actor Tom Courtenay is 78. Actress Diane Baker is 77. Humorist Jack Handey is 66. Actress Tea Leoni is 49. Comedian Carrot Top is 48. Actor Sean Astin is 44. Latin singer Julio Iglesias Jr. is 42. Actor Anson Mount is 42. Comedian-actress Chelsea Handler is 40. Actress Rashida Jones is 39. Actors James and Oliver Phelps (“Harry Potter” movies) are 29.