Here's the Scoop...
I'm actually excited about this... Late night talk show star Jimmy Kimmel will host the Oscars for the first time, according to reports Monday.
Kimmel, 49, will host the 2017 Oscars on Feb. 26 on ABC, a representative for the comedian told CNN. The news also was confirmed to the Hollywood Reporter.
The Oscars take place at the the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, near where his TV show, also on ABC, Jimmy Kimmel Live is taped.
Kimmel has regularly hosted special episodes of his show after the Oscars.
Kimmel hosted the Emmy Awards in 2012 and 2016 on ABC at the Microsoft Theater in downtown Los Angeles. He also was the host of the American Music Awards five times and the 2007 ESPYS. His late-night show premiered on 2003, and is the longest running on network television.
Chris Rock hosted the 2016 Academy Awards, which drew 34.3 million viewers, an 11-year low.
Last month, Michael De Luca and Jennifer Todd were announced as producers of the 89th Oscars.
In August, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences signed a new deal with ABC for about $75 million a year to broadcast the Oscars until 2028.
I might just tune in for Jimmy Kimmel and stay for the Sound Mixing award.
Be Well,
Steve
Comments? Questions? Nooz?
Email Steve
************************
'Walking Dead' stars attend Steven Yeun's wedding to Joana Pak
Actor Steven Yeun married his longtime girlfriend, photographer Joana Pak, during the weekend in Los Angeles.
People magazine said the intimate ceremony took place Saturday at Paramour Estate.
Andrew Lincoln, Melissa McBride, Chandler Riggs, Alanna Masterson, Emma Bell and Sarah Wayne Callies -- Yeun's former co-stars from The Walking Dead -- were among the wedding guests, E! News reported.
Yeun's fellow fan-favorite Norman Reedus, who plays Daryl on the show, shared on Facebook a casual photo of the couple with the caption: "The best weekend. Love u guys." The post also included several heart emojis.
Yeun's sister-in-law Kayce posted a beautiful wedding picture of the newlyweds on Instagram, as well.
Yeun played Glenn on the zombie-apocalypse drama The Walking Dead for six seasons. His beloved character was killed off in the first episode of Season 7 this fall. Yeun's voice will soon be heard on the Netflix animated series Trollhunters.
LOOSE LIPS:
"Certainly when I was 45, the idea of being 70 was like 'Arghhh!' but you only have two options in life: Die young or get old. There is nothing else. The idea of dying young when you're 25 is kind of cool - a bit romantic, like James Dean. But then you realize that life is too much fun to do that."
--Helen Mirren, on embracing aging, to AARP The Magazine
??? Guess Who ???
Which country music legend is planning a telethon to help Tennessee wildfire victims?
Al Pacino, the Eagles and James Taylor celebrated at Kennedy Center Honors
Al Pacino, James Taylor and the Eagles were recognized Sunday at the 39th annual Kennedy Center Honors.
The event hosted by Stephen Colbert also paid homage to pianist Martha Argerich and singer Mavis Staples.
Notably, the night marked the last time Barack and Michelle Obama would be attending the event as president and first lady.
"We can agree that the White House has given us a leader who is passionate, intelligent and dignified," Colbert said onstage as Obama stood up and waved. "Sir, I don't know why you stood up, I was talking about Michelle," he further joked.
On hand to salute the honorees were Sean Penn, Garth Brooks, Aretha Franklin, David Letterman, Diana Ross, Kevin Spacey and Ringo Starr.
Taylor was given a surprise tribute from former president Bill Clinton who noted, "His music and lyrics are the seams in the fabric of our national life."
For Pacino, Spacey gave his best impression of the actor and lead the audience to do the same while explaining that The Godfather star has "created characters that are unforgettable."
The event concluded with a tribute to the Eagles who were supposed to to honored last year but had to delay due to the declining health of late founding member Glenn Frey.
"Well done, boys, and peace and love to everybody," Ringo Starr said before leading a collection of music stars including Kings of Leon, Bob Seger and Juanes for the evening's final performance.
??? Guess Who ???
Which country music legend is planning a telethon to help Tennessee wildfire victims?
Dolly Parton is to headline a Dec. 13 telethon to help victims who lost their homes in the Great Smoky Mountains wildfires.
The 70-year-old singer's publicist told ABC News all of the proceeds from the musical event will go to the My People Fund, which was initiated by Parton's Dollywood companies and the Dollywood Foundation. The organization has already raised $1 million for the cause.
The Knoxville News Sentinel reported the three-hour entertainment program will be broadcast from Nashville.
Parton also separately pledged her companies would donate $1,000 per month for six months to families who lost their homes in the fires, the newspaper said.
"I've always believed charity begins at home, and my home is someplace special," Parton said when she announced the fund last week. "We want to provide a hand up to those families who have lost everything in the fires. I know it has been a trying time for my people, and this assistance will help get them back on their feet."