Here's the Scoop...

Today's issue has a few sad stories to share so I'm going to refrain from any jokes or silliness in today's column.

I'm sad to report the deaths of actors Fyvush Finkel and Kenny Baker. Plus, the cancellation of 'The Nightly Show' is sad, too. It was a funny show.

The 'Guess Who' section will put a smile on your face. It certainly did for me.

Be Well,
Steve

Comments? Questions? Nooz? Email Steve



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Fyvush Finkel, 'Picket Fences,' 'Boston Public' star dead at 93
Noted television, film and theater actor Fyvush Finkel has died at the age of 93.

Confirmed by his son Ian through The New York Times, Finkel was said to have died Sunday in his Manhattan home after he had been suffering from heart problems.

Finkel was best known for his work as public defender Douglas Wambaugh in creator David E. Kelley's 1990's drama Picket Fences which earned him an Emmy award in 1994. Kelley later cast Finkel as high-school teacher Harvey Lipschultz in school drama Boston Public.

The actor who started out his career onstage in productions of Fiddler on the Roof and Little Shop of Horrors, also had roles in films such as Brighton Beach Memoirs, For Love or Money and Nixon.

In 2009 he appeared in the opening scene of best picture nominee A Serious Man from directors Joel and Ethan Coen.

Finkel is also survived by his son Elliot. His wife Trudi Lieberman of 61 years, died in 2008.


R2-D2 portrayer Kenny Baker dies; George Lucas, Mark Hamill remember 'Star Wars' icon
British actor Kenny Baker, best known for his portrayal of the beloved droid R2-D2 in the first six Star Wars movies, died Saturday. He was 81.

The New York Daily News and The Hollywood Reporter confirmed the death of the film icon, who stood 3-foot-8 and wore a robot suit for his most famous role.

Baker served as a consultant on the latest installment in the franchise Star Wars: The Force Awakens and made it to a screening of the film in London, but was too ill to travel for its Los Angeles premiere last December.

His other film credits include Time Bandits, Flash Gordon and The Elephant Man.

Star Wars creator George Lucas remembered Baker as a "real gentleman" and "incredible trooper."

"Goodbye #KennyBaker A lifelong loyal friend-I loved his optimism & determination He WAS the droid I was looking for!" said Mark Hamill, who plays Luke Skywalker, in the sci-fi adventures.

"Today we lost a dear friend. We'll miss you, Kenny Baker," Star Wars tweeted.

"Rest in peace, Kenny Baker, the heart and soul of R2-D2," the 20th Century Fox Twitter account said.



LOOSE LIPS:
"I can not see him for five years and then put me in a room with him and it'd be like I saw him yesterday. We still short hand with one another. It's amazing. Ten years in a building with no windows with the door locked, we got to know each other pretty well."
--Matt LeBlanc, on his close relationship with Friends costar Matthew Perry, at a Summer Television Critics Association press tour


??? Guess Who ???
Which British music superstar turned down the Super Bowl Half-Time Show?


Larry Wilmore 'saddened and surprised' about cancellation of 'Nightly Show'
Comedy Central has confirmed it canceled The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore after two seasons, due to low ratings.

"We hold Larry in the highest esteem, personally and professionally. He brought a strong voice and point of view to the late-night landscape," Kent Alterman, the network's president, told Variety.

"Unfortunately it hasn't resonated with our audience," Alterman continued. "We've been monitoring it closely for a year and a half now and we haven't seen the signs we need in ratings or in consumption on digital platforms. We've been hoping it would grow."

"I'm really grateful to Comedy Central, Jon Stewart, and our fans to have had this opportunity," Wilmore said in a statement. "But I'm also saddened and surprised we won't be covering this crazy election or 'The Unblackening' as we've coined it. And keeping it 100, I guess I hadn't counted on 'The Unblackening' happening to my time slot, as well."

"Sad to say @nightlyshow has been cancelled. I'm very proud to have been a part of a show that has been funny, diverse & extremely necessary," comedian Rory Albanese tweeted.

"I want to thank the staff, cast & crew of @nightlyshow. They are the most talented people I've ever had the honor to work with. #HireThem," he added.

A permanent replacement for the show has not been found. Chris Hardwick's quiz show @Midnight will temporarily air in the program's time slot after Thursday's finale of Nightly.

Wilmore delivered a controversial monologue at this year's White House correspondents dinner.


??? Guess Who ???
Which British music superstar turned down the Super Bowl Half-Time Show?

Adele says she will not perform at the 2017 Super Bowl Half-Time Show, despite being offered the coveted gig.

"First of all, I'd like to say that I'm not doing the Super Bowl," People.com quoted the Grammy Award winner as telling the crowd at her Los Angeles show Saturday.

"I mean, come on, that show is not about music. And I don't really put on... I don't dance or anything like that. They were very kind, they did ask me, but I did say no."

E! News also confirmed Adele would not be following in the footsteps of Coldplay, who headlined the musical entertainment for this year's biggest football game, along with special guests Beyoncé and Bruno Mars.