News Round-Up: May 28, 2019

Jersey Shore's Vinny Guadagnino with the Chippendales

Some news items you might have missed:

• I caught Vinny Guadagnino's final performance at Chippendales in Las Vegas this weekend. Let me tell you, the 'Keto Guido' killed it - the crowd was insane. That Keto Diet definitely suits him, because he's ripped AF.

• Three LGBTQ advocacy groups have filed a lawsuit against the Trump Administration for its recent repeal of transgender healthcare rights.

• From his debut EP Loveless, out artist Jake Frost drops his music video for "Undercover," which offers a brooding exploration of the push/pull of hidden desires and unrequited love.

Shoutout to Frost's video co-star, Marquise Hitchcock, who created the evocative choreography.

• During a recent chat on David Letterman's My Next Guest Needs No Introduction, Ellen DeGeneres shared she was sexually abused by her step-father.

• Seth Rogen told GQ Magazine he really regrets the homophobic jokes in his early movies saying, "I’ve had people come up to me and be like: 'That made me feel like shit when I was in the movie theatre and everyone was laughing about that.'”

• The producers of musical based on the hit film Magic Mike have cancelled a November Boston tryout engagement after composer Tom Kitt, lyricist Brian Yorkey and book writer Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa left the show over “creative differences.”

• Jack Thompson beat out 67 other contenders to be named this year's International Mr. Leather becoming the first trans person of color and the second trans person ever in the competition’s 41-year history to win the title.

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IML 41 Jack Thompson!

A post shared by International Mr Leather Inc (@internationalmrleatherinc) on May 27, 2019 at 7:20am PDT

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A post shared by International Mr Leather Inc (@internationalmrleatherinc) on May 27, 2019 at 7:14am PDT

Bud Light Spot Features Amy Schumer, Seth Rogen & Gender Diversity

Bud Light puts an election year spin on it's latest ad spot starring Amy Schumer and Seth Rogen while bringing a big dose of gender diversity.

From Rogen, “We are going to bring America together… to party for everyone, men, women, people of all genders!”

Schumer adds, “But, you know, gender identity it’s really a spectrum and we don’t need these labels. Beer should have labels, not people! We don’t care, we will sell you beer. We’ll sell you a beer any day of the week.”

Bud Light VP Alex Lambrecht, whose company is no stranger to LGBT issues, issued this statement:

“From the start of our campaign at the Super Bowl, The Bud Light Party has rallied around bringing people together. In our newest spot, Seth and Amy remind Americans that labels belong on beer, not people—a message Bud Light proudly supports.”

Bud Light Celebrates Gay Weddings

The latest installment of the Bud Light Party campaign takes Seth Rogen and Amu Schumer to the world of weddings.

“Gay weddings, they are just like any wedding,” Seth Rogen says in the spot, which shows a wedding between two males.

Cringe-worthy speeches, girls who are super-ready to settle down, and cake!

The spot is set to air in set to air in California and New York, plus get digital play online.

According to Advertising Age, Ellen DeGeneres' tweet of the video was part of a paid integration to her 60+ million followers.

Looks like there's another party I'd vote for. #BudLightParty #LaughDancePartnerhttps://t.co/TzZdfHtZB8

— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) June 1, 2016

Trailer: "Sausage Party"

Via Deadline:

In essence, Sausage Party uses the Pixar formula as its starting point and finishes somewhere around Lars Von Trier’s The Idiots. The premise is simple: What if food could feel? No, that’s not quite it. It’s more like What if food could feel, and swear, and be racist and have sex? It stars Seth Rogen as Frank, a hot dog, and Kristen Wiig as Bun, his girlfriend. The pair live in their respective packages along with every other item in a fictional grocery store (“Shopwell”) where all items of food belong to a religion that worships the human shoppers as gods who they pray will select them and take them into “the great beyond,” the food version of heaven.

Obviously, the truth is that when they’re “chosen,” the food is taken from the comfort and ease of their grocery store to their doom. What happens when Frank, Bun and several of their new and old friends discover that horrifying truth forms the meat of the story.

Trailer: "Neighbors 2" Starring Seth Rogen & Zac Efron

Zac Efron and Seth Rogen return for the second installment of the 2014 hit movie "Neighbors."

Now that Mac (Rogen) and Kelly Radner (Byrne) have a second baby on the way, they are ready to make the final move into adulthood: the suburbs. But just as they thought they’d reclaimed the neighborhood and were safe to sell, they learn that the new occupants next door are a sorority even more out of control than Teddy (Efron) and his brothers ever dreamed of being.

In theaters May 20th.

Box Office: THE INTERVIEW Has $18 Million Opening

With over 2 million online downloads and/or rentals ($15 million) and nearly $3 million in limited theatrical release, the Seth Rogen/James Franco comedy THE INTERVIEW ended it's non-traditional first weekend with very nice numbers.

Although the number of theaters showing the flick was closer to 300 instead of the planned 3,000, Sony Pictures has to be happy at the box office numbers today considering the initial estimates for the first week of the film was around $20 million.

In addition to limited theatrical release, the film is available on demand online via YouTube, Google Play, Microsoft Xbox, and iTunes.

 iTunes was added to the list of online outlets after the numbers through Saturday were tallied. Netflix is reportedly working to secure THE INTERVIEW but no word yet on those negotiations.

(source)

Eminem "Comes Out" In THE INTERVIEW

In the newly released Seth Rogen/James Franco comedy film The Interview, rapper Eminem "comes out" during an appearance in the film's talk show Skylark.

In the scene, when asked what his lyrics mean, Eminem tells James Franco’s talk show host character he is ‘gay’ and ‘a homosexual’.

‘When I say things about gay people, or people think my lyrics are homophobic – it’s because I’m gay.’

When Franco's character - in freakout mode - asks Eminem to clarify, the rapper says, ‘I’m more shocked that people haven’t figured it out yet. I mean, it’s kind of like I’ve been playing gay peek-a-boo.’

In the TV studio control room, pandemonium ensues as Seth Rogen, as producer of the show, starts pulling up gay-related lyrics from Eminem's catalog even as he's throwing Em's publicist out of the control room.

In real life, Em has had a love/hate relationship with the LGBT community as he's frequently written homophobic lyrics. But the rapper has always contended he's not an enemy of the community and the lyrics represent his performance art and not his heart.

Seth Rogen/James Franco Flick Debuts On YouTube

And the James Franco/Seth Rogen flick - now of North Korean terrorist threat cancellation fame - makes it to YouTube!

(All the cool kids are doing it...)

Sony Pictures has released the film on YouTube for the low, low price of $5.99!

Here's the synopsis: In the action-comedy The Interview, Dave Skylark (James Franco) and his producer Aaron Rapoport (Seth Rogen) run the popular celebrity tabloid TV show 'Skylark Tonight.' When they discover that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is a fan of the show, they land an interview with him in an attempt to legitimize themselves as journalists. As Dave and Aaron prepare to travel to Pyongyang, their plans change when the CIA recruits them, perhaps the most unlikely candidates, to 'take out' Kim Jong-un.

THE INTERVIEW Will Be Released Online Today At 10AM

Sony Pictures Entertainment has announced plans for streaming it's film, “The Interview,” on Google Play, YouTube Movies, Microsoft’s Xbox Video and its own website www.seetheinterview.com for $5.99 starting today at 10AM Pacific.

In addition, the studio announced a coalition about 250 independently owned movie theaters (known as Arthouse Convergence) plan to screen the film beginning Christmas Day.

“It has always been Sony’s intention to have a national platform on which to release this film,” said Michael Lynton, chairman and CEO of Sony Entertainment.

“With that in mind, we reached out to Google, Microsoft and other partners last Wednesday, Dec. 17th, when it became clear our initial release plans were not possible.

"We are pleased we can now join with our partners to offer the film nation-wide today.”

(source)

Sony Pictures Will Release THE INTERVIEW On Christmas Day

Breaking news: Sony has authorized screenings of THE INTERVIEW on Christmas Day. We are making shows available within the hour. #Victory
— Tim League (@timalamo) December 23, 2014

According to NPR, theaters that are willing to screen the film will do so on Christmas Day.

In a statement, Michael Lynton, Sony's chairman and CEO, said: "We have never given up on releasing The Interview and we're excited our movie will be in a number of theaters on Christmas Day."

He said the studio will continue its efforts to secure more platforms and more theaters to show the film. Variety reported that Sony could offer the film via video on demand.

The people have spoken! Freedom has prevailed! Sony didn't give up! The Interview will be shown at theaters willing to play it on Xmas day!
— Seth Rogen (@Sethrogen) December 23, 2014

Breaking news: Sony has authorized screenings of THE INTERVIEW on Christmas Day. We are making shows available within the hour. #Victory
— Tim League (@timalamo) December 23, 2014

Breaking Plaza News: The Interview will open Exclusive on 12/25 . The Plaza will be one of the few theaters in the nation to open the film .
— Plaza Atlanta (@PlazaAtlanta) December 23, 2014

News Round-Up: December 18, 2014

• Channing Tatum covers Esquire Magazine

• Seth Rogen really doesn't have ANYTHING to say about Sony Pictures cancelling release of his film "The Interview" due to terrorist threat

• GOP lawmaker introduces bill requiring women to get permission from male partner for abortion unless "legitimate rape"

• Denmark says it owns the North Pole

• The ACLU of Florida to SCOTUS: “Every day that the couples we represent and the thousands of families across Florida who are also denied the protections of marriage go without those protections, they are suffering real harm."

• Sweet coming out story - High school soccer player comes out by dancing with Homecoming King boyfriend

Michael Martin (L) with his Homecoming King boyfriend, Jem

Sony Cancels Christmas Day Release Of Seth Rogen/James Franco Film "The Interview" Due To Terrorist Threat

After the five largest movie theater chains decided to NOT show the upcoming Seth Rogen/James Franco film The Interview, Sony Pictures has now decided to not release the film.

No release of the film could result in tens of millions in losses for Sony.

From Sony Pictures:

In light of the decision by the majority of our exhibitors not to show the film The Interview, we have decided not to move forward with the planned December 25 theatrical release. We respect and understand our partners’ decision and, of course, completely share their paramount interest in the safety of employees and theater-goers.

Sony Pictures has been the victim of an unprecedented criminal assault against our employees, our customers, and our business. Those who attacked us stole our intellectual property, private emails, and sensitive and proprietary material, and sought to destroy our spirit and our morale – all apparently to thwart the release of a movie they did not like.

We are deeply saddened at this brazen effort to suppress the distribution of a movie, and in the process do damage to our company, our employees, and the American public. We stand by our filmmakers and their right to free expression and are extremely disappointed by this outcome.

There are rumors of a possible On Demand release at some point in the future, but nothing has been announced.

The decision comes after a cyber hack against Sony Pictures which threatened the theaters that showed the film. A note made public on Tuesday read, "We will clearly show it to you at the very time and places 'The Interview' be shown, including the premiere, how bitter fate those who seek fun in terror should be doomed to."

(via Huffington Post)

Teaser: James Franco & Seth Rogen on "Naked and Afraid"

James Franco and Seth Rogen on "Naked and Afraid"

Finally saw some footage of the upcoming episode of Discovery Channel’s Naked and Afraid featuring James Franco and pal Seth Rogen, airing on December 7. Their bit starts about the 1:15 mark below.

“You’re supposed to be a hot Australian-like survivalist!” James tells Seth.

“I was hoping to be teamed up with a woman, but I guess Franco‘s the next best thing,” Seth says.

Seth Rogen & James Franco - Wild and Free in the Naked Outdoors

BFFs James Franco and Seth Rogen have taken their bromance to an all new level. The co-stars to the upcoming movie, The Interview, took it all off for a dude romp on Franco’s Instagram giving new meaning to "out and proud."

In one pic Franco posed the query: “See if me and seth can make it, NAKED and AFRAID!!!! Wtf?! You'll see……..”.

I love the wild and free sense of humor but you have to wonder, “Who was holding the camera?”

(via OUT)

Seth Rogen blasts Ray Rice and NFL on domestic violence

Actor Seth Rogen isn't shy when it comes to his feelings on controversial NFL star Ray Rice.

From ET:

After video surfaced Monday on TMZ of the alleged moment Rice punched his then-fiancée (now wife) Janay Palmer in the face, knocking her to the floor of an elevator and rendering her unconscious, the This Is The End star blasted Rice on Twitter.

I don't know much about football, but I know that Ray Rice is a piece of garbage who shouldn't be allowed to play it professionally anymore.
— Seth Rogen (@Sethrogen) September 8, 2014

.@nflcommish your punishment for beating a woman is less than for smoking weed. Get your head out of your fucking ass.
— Seth Rogen (@Sethrogen) September 8, 2014

Zac Efron & Seth Rogen join Jimmy Fallon for some "Ew!" drag

Zac Efron in drag on The Tonight Show

Seth Rogen and Zac Efron showed up in drag for an appearance with Jimmy Fallon's "Sara" on Ew! last night.

The skit is so-so, but you have to give props to Zac going for full-on "valley girl." And Seth does make me laugh with his beard and bear-ish self in drag.

Seth Rogen and Zac Efron take drag selfies

Zac Efron posted this backstage pic to his Instagram account

Acting tips from the "Joey Tribbiani School of Acting"

Matt LeBlanc recently appeared on the Graham Norton show with Zac Efron and Seth Rogen, and bestowed some wisdom on them from the Joey Tribbiani school of acting.

I'm a fan of all three actors, so this was a must-see for me.

Make sure you hang until the end when Zac Efron tosses out his own personal acting tip. Funny.

Seth Rogen on Zac Efron: He's the sexiest mother-f**ker alive!

Last night on Conan, Seth Rogen talks on the miracle that is Zac Efron's body.

Seth mentions that men and women alike make sounds when they see Efron's body that Rogen has never heard before.

Seth Rogen: "Justin Bieber is a piece of sh*t"

Seth Rogen dropped by Bravo's Watch What Happens Live Wednesday night to explain a tweet he posted back in January in which he called spoiled brat pop star Justin Bieber a piece of excrement.

Rogen made clear his words were not taken out of context:

"Justin Bieber is a piece of s---," the Knocked Up star told host Andy Cohen. "He's obnoxious, he's ungrateful, he's insincere."

Plus, Rogen added, "He puts people's lives in danger."

I've always liked that Seth Rogen. Smart guy.

(via People)

Tweet of the day: Seth Rogen