Jimmy Kimmel adds Oprah to post-Oscar special
Oprah Winfrey is the latest celebrity to join Jimmy Kimmel’s seventh post-Oscar special, ABC announced Thursday.
Miss Winfrey is making a rare late-night appearance at a time when her year-old cable channel, OWN, is trying to attract viewers after a rocky start.
Billy Crystal, who is hosting the Oscar ceremony, will help kick off “Jimmy Kimmel Live: After the Academy Awards.” Nominees Meryl Streep, George Clooney and Martin Scorsese will be among the stars on hand. A performance by Coldplay will wrap up the show.
Mr. Kimmel’s Oscar-night special has yielded comedy pieces that became online sensations, including one featuring Sarah Silverman and Matt Damon and “Handsome Men’s Club” featuring Matthew McConaughey and Sting.
The Oscars will air live from Hollywood at 8:30 p.m. Feb. 26, with Mr. Kimmel’s show to follow the awards and local newscasts.
’Colbert Report’ tapings canceled abruptly
“The Colbert Report” has caused quite a stir among fans and those unlucky enough to have had tickets for tapings on Wednesday and Thursday.
Both shows were canceled at the last minute with ticket holders invited to reapply for a future taping. In fact, fans already were lining up at the show’s Manhattan studio — and some were even in their seats — when Comedy Central sent an email Wednesday alerting ticket holders to the cancellation.
Stephen Colbert has been quiet on Twitter since Wednesday afternoon when the show tweeted a joke about the contraception battle between President Obama and Republicans.
Comedy Central would only say the tapings were canceled due to “unforeseen circumstances.” There is no indication that Mr. Colbert’s absence is caused by a dispute with the network and sources there told the Hollywood Reporter that “The Colbert Report” will be back up and running soon.
Larry King, CNN ending relationship
CNN and longtime talk show host Larry King are cutting ties 14 months after his prime-time series ended.
Mr. King did four specials for CNN within the past year, but CNN said in a statement on Wednesday the network and Mr. King have mutually agreed to end the specials.
The 78-year-old Mr. King said he has “nothing but respect for CNN.” He said he’s “looking forward to all the wonderful business opportunities” to which he’ll now dedicate his time.
Piers Morgan now has the time slot Mr. King held. He does a similar interview program.
’Walking Dead’ actor enjoys keeping a secret
Andrew Lincoln, who stars as Sheriff Rick Grimes in “The Walking Dead,” says he loves a secret.
That’s partly why Mr. Lincoln has told no one the answer to what’s become the biggest mystery of the AMC zombie drama: What scientist Dr. Jenner whispered to Rick in the season one finale.
“Not even my wife knows what he whispered to me,” Mr. Lincoln said in an Associated Press interview Wednesday.
Mr. Lincoln said that in keeping the secret he feels he is being true to his character in the show.
“He chooses not to tell people, so why would I tell?” Mr. Lincoln said of the sheriff.
What was said has only been heard by a handful of people, and the mystery has become the object of intense scrutiny by fans.
Mr. Lincoln said he realized just how curious people were when a show editor revealed he had scrolled through hours of show footage and listened in on radio traffic to find the only two takes where the brief remarks were audible. The cast said the contents of the conversation will be revealed this season.
Mr. Lincoln, who said the comments are “pivotal” for Rick, hints that the message was not good news.
“This is a scientist who seemingly held all the cards to what this epidemic is about and I do think, you know, you would imagine he would have something of value to say on that matter,” Mr. Lincoln said. “Well, he chose to kill himself.”
The series continues at 9 p.m. Sunday.
• Compiled from Web and wire service reports.
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