With a Glut of Stand-up Comedy One-Offs, It May Be Time to Rethink Emmys’ Specials Category (Column)

Stray Kids member Felix will have a limited participation in the group’s upcoming concert following a recent back injury.Earlier today (February 9), JYP Entertainment announced in a V Live post that Felix was recently diagnosed with an intervertebral disk herniation, following a detailed check-up with his doctor after experiencing back pain.JYP Entertainment said that there will be “no effect on his everyday activities”, but said that doctors have “recommended that he avoid postures and activities that pressure his waist”, as translated by Soompi.As such, Felix’s performances during the group’s upcoming show, ‘SKZ’S CHOCOLATE FACTORY’, will be “limited”. The rapper will return to fully participating in performances after “doctors confirm that his back has fully recovered.”“We apologize for having to share the sudden news and causing concern to all STAY who have been looking forward to seeing Felix perform,” JYP Entertainment added.

A Business Proposal has been pushed back by a week.Today (February 9), the show’s production team announced that the premiere of A Business Proposal has been pushed back by a week, attributing the delay to stricter COVID-19 protocols on the show’s set. The show will now premiere on February 28.“We have decided to inevitably postpone the first broadcast of A Business Proposal for a week due to COVID-19 in order to change the filming schedule and secure a safe production environment,” a representative from the show said, per Sports Chosun and translated by Soompi.“The first broadcast date has been changed from February 21 to February 28,” the representative added.

All Of Us Are Dead star Park Ji-hu has opened up about the series’ success and her newfound social media fame.In a recent interview with South Korean news outlet Yonhap News Agency, Park said that it was unreal to have the social media following she’s earned after the premiere of All Of Us Are Dead. According to Yonhap, the actress’ follower count on Instagram has gone up over “80 times” since the show’s premiere, and currently sits at 2.5million.“I can see the numbers on Instagram or read news reports, but it looks surreal.

Telltale Games has announced that The Wolf Among Us 2 is getting a reveal and trailer, so here’s how and when to tune into the event.The reveal event will be streaming on multiple platforms at 6PM GMT in the UK (10AM PT/1PM ET) and is set to include a full reveal trailer for the sequel to the five episode series that ran from 2013 to 2014.The event can be watched on Twitch here, or viewed below in the YouTube embed.Hosted by Geoff Keighley, all we know so far is that both a behind-the-scenes look and a trailer for the game will be revealed.The Wolf Among Us is a prequel to Bill Willingham’s Fables comic, and in the original game players controlled Bigby Wolf in Fabletown, located in Manhattan.Back in 2019 Telltale Games announced it was “under new management” following a majority studio closure the year prior. Reports had emerged alleging that Telltale Games had a culture of crunch and toxic management, and that staff had no warning of the closure, were given no severance, and just 30 minutes to collect their things and leave.Since the relaunch some of the laid off staff have apparently been offered freelance roles, and in an announcement Telltale games said “we’re doing things different this time.”Whilst the studio is continuing the narrative with The Wolf Among Us 2, it also announced that it was partnering with Deck Nine Games to develop a series based on science-fiction show The Expanse.Since 2017 Deck Nine has been responsible for a very similar style of episodic game, as it developed three Life Is Strange titles.

Nintendo Direct of the year has been announced, and it’s shaping up to be a big one. If you’re wondering what’s in store for the Nintendo Switch in 2022, don’t miss it – here’s how, when and where to watch the Nintendo Direct.The Nintendo Direct is scheduled for today (February 9) and will broadcast at 10PM GMT / 11PM CST / 2PM PT.When it goes live, the Nintendo Direct will be available to watch on Nintendo’s official YouTube channel, which you can see below.As to what’s in store, Nintendo says it will feature “roughly 40 minutes of information mainly focused on Nintendo Switch games launching in the first half of 2022.”While it’s safe to expect more news on Kirby And The Forgotten Land, which launches on March 25, there’s a few other games which could potentially make an appearance.

Ol’ Dirty Bastard has sued Wu-Tang Clan, alleging years of unpaid royalties to the late rapper’s estate.ODB, real name Russell Tyrone Jones, was a founding member of the Wu-Tang. He passed away in November 2004 at the age of 35 following an accidental drug overdose.Icelene Jones, ODB’s widow and the sole executor of his estate, has now taken legal action against Wu-Tang Clan, alleging that the late rapper’s estate is owed at least $1million (£737,565) in unpaid royalties (via Variety).Jones alleges in the suit, which was filed in New York Supreme Court yesterday (February 8), that Wu-Tang Clan Productions – which is owned and operated by RZA – did not pay royalties to ODB’s estate between 2011 and July 2021, when it sent a cheque for $130,000 (£95,000).While ODB’s estate also received some payments in 2019 and 2020 from Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp., the suit claims that the two combined payments fell well short of what they are owed.The complaint cites a 1992 recording agreement, which states that ODB was to be paid 50 per cent of net earnings from publishing and recording royalties, as well as merchandising and videos.The suit further alleges that ODB’s estate has not been granted detailed accounting statements, despite repeated requests for accountings and payments over the last decade.Jones’ suit alleges breach of contract and is seeking damages of at least $1 million, as well as interest, attorneys’ fees and costs.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at LargeWhen Lynn Shelton died in May, she left behind a legacy that included directing episodes of programs such as “Little Fires Everywhere,” “The Morning Show,” “Dickinson,” “GLOW,” “Shameless,” “Fresh off the Boat,” “The Mindy Project,” “New Girl” and “Mad Men.” She also directed multiple Marc Maron standup specials, including this year’s “Marc Maron: End Times Fun.” However, Shelton has never been nominated for an Emmy — yet.

By Michael Schneider

By Michael Schneider

By Michael Schneider

By Michael Schneider

By Michael Schneider

LOVE Island's Molly-Mae Hague and Tommy Fury were duped into thinking they were appearing on James Corden's hit American chat show in a cruel prank. The pair appeared via link from their Manchester home believing they were talking to the Gavin & Stacey star - but were actually being played old clips off him.

Prankster Josh Pieters tricked Love Island stars Molly-Mae Hague and Tommy Fury into thinking they were being interviewed by James Corden.The couple, both 20, believed they were being interviewed by James on The Late Late Show, but they had been, in fact, pranked by YouTube star Josh.Tommy and Molly-Mae were told that technical issues meant they could not see James during the ‘interview’, but he could see them. Josh used questions that James had asked previous guests on his chat show to put to Molly and Tommy, who sat on their couch at home.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at LargeWith the debut of Quibi, the short form categories at the Emmys may never be the same.

By Michael Schneider

By Michael Schneider

By Michael Schneider

By Michael Schneider

By Michael Schneider

Tom Hooper’s movie Cats released last year and failed to work wonders at the Box Office. James Corden, Rebel Wilson, Judi Dench, and Ian McKellen make for an incredible star cast but even their presence could not save the film from sinking at the ticket window. Apparently, The Wolverine actor Hugh Jackman was the first choice to star in the adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical but the actor couldn't come on board owing to his busy schedule.

By Michael Schneider

By Michael Schneider

By Michael Schneider

As the start of April hits, it means one thing and one thing only… April Fool’s Day has arrived, and we’re not even joking! Yes, it’s the day for pranksters who’ve been scheming and planning for months to finally unleash their tricks on friends and family and here’s a look at some of the best celebrity jokes from the past… Lucy Mecklenburgh’s bouncy shopping aisles prank It was perhaps one of the most random photos ever seen as former The Only Way Is Essex star Lucy Mecklenburgh posted a photo of herself bouncing down supermarket aisles in Tesco.The hilarious image posted for April Fool’s read: “Been so fun to work on the new @Tesco bouncy aisles! Looking forward to training colleagues today!!x”.

James Corden's latest show included a slew of A-list musical acts. On Monday night, CBS aired , which featured performances from the likes of BTS, Billie Eilish and more.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at LargeCould this be the year that the Television Academy voters finally shake up the Emmy race? Given that this is a time in our history like no other, perhaps people are in a different mindset right now — and that could very well impact how they’re choosing nominees.What that might mean is a few surprises when the 2020 Emmy noms are finally announced July 28. At least, let’s hope so.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at LargeThe Emmys are still on for Sept. 20, and besides host Jimmy Kimmel, there’s very little we know about how this year’s ceremony — to be broadcast on ABC — will be handled.

By Peter White

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at LargeThe Emmy race for variety talk series took a dramatic turn at the end of March, when the late-night shows all found themselves pivoting to a new, at-home format. The COVID-19 pandemic shut down most TV productions, but the talk shows were able to continue — albeit with makeshift setups that grew more professional as the weeks went on.It remains to be seen whether the coronavirus will affect the competition, particularly given how little movement there has been in recent years.