Disney CEO Bob Iger is SORRY that their licensing company fined the PTA of an elementary school $250 for showing “The Lion King” to entertain the kids during a fundraising event. One of the dads had purchased the DVD, but it’s technically against the rules to screen the movie in public – even for a school. Disney waived the fee, and Iger Tweeted, “Our company apologizes to the Emerson Elementary School PTA, and I will personally donate to their fundraising initiative.” No word how much he’s contributing.
Sunday night, the annual Oscars ceremony takes place in Hollywood. Rolling Stone has come up with a drinking game that includes taking a drink when: anyone mentions they are not officially the host, anyone says “the magic of the movies,” 1917 winning a technical award for which it’s nominated, someone tells their kids waiting at home that it’s time to go to bed now, and a winner refers to their project as “a labor of love,” among others.
Earlier this week, MATTHEW PERRY Tweeted that there was “big news coming.” Yesterday, he joined Instagram. A new report says that the “Friends” reunion special on HBO Max IS happening and all six main cast members are taking part. Rumor has it they’re getting $3 million to $4 million EACH. That sounds like a lot for one special – but not necessarily in today’s market. Netflix has been shelling out $20 million APIECE for specials by comedians like Dave Chappelle, Chris Rock, Ellen DeGeneres, and Amy Schumer. Whatever the case, HBO Max paid $425 million for the rights to “Friends” . . . what’s a few million more?
Some songs catch-on right out the box and become huge hits. That didn’t happen to JUSTIN MOORE’s “The Ones That Didn’t Make It Back Home”. It came out in the fall of 2018, and just recently topped the Country Airplay chart. He talked about it at a “song celebration” this week in Nashville. “[It’s] great from an artist perspective to enjoy the success. Your pay goes up a little bit. And you get a little press.” There’s another reason the song is so special to him. It’s always resonated with people who’ve lost love ones that were first responders or in the military. “It’s more than just a hit song when you hear from a police chief in a meet and greet, and he tells you about one of his guys he lost in an incident. Or when men and women come up to me in the supermarket and share their stories and thank me for writing or recording this song. It never gets old to hear those stories. I feel proud to be a small part of this record.”
Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest are extending their partnership to primetime. The Live With Kelly and Ryan hosts are executive producing an ABC comedy pilot inspired in part by their relationship. The single-camera project, titled Work Wife, is also based on the real-life partnership of creators Casey Johnson and David Windsor.
KENNY CHESNEY says his “mind was blown” when he heard the song “Here and Now” . . . so he recorded it. It’s his next single, and it’ll be out February 21st.
GRANGER SMITH’s wife Amber posted a heartbreaking photo of a gift that was given to them by the family that bought their house. It’s a strip of wood from the garage that has the growth measurements of their kids at different ages. It shows the last time they measured their late son River.
JORDAN DAVIS says fans at his concerts are surprised by how much the show rocks. They expect his slow stuff, which they get, but they also hear songs by Tom Petty, Jason Isbell, The Allman Brothers, Pearl Jam, and The Black Crowes. “I’m very happy to look out and see a 50-50 fan base ’cause I get it. Guys don’t want to hear love songs all the time, so it’s very cool for us to look out and see a mixed bag of people out there enjoying the show.”
SHANIA TWAIN is extending her Vegas residency at the Zappos Theater at Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino. According to “Rolling Stone” there are 14 more shows.
KACEY MUSGRAVES’ “Slow Burn” isn’t just an awesome song. It’s also a scented candle. For $39 you’ll get elements of “incense, black pepper, elemi, guaiac, raspberry, tonka, amber and smoked papyrus.”
KANE BROWN will be suiting-up and playing in this year’s NBA All-Star Celebrity Game. The game is going down February 14th on ESPN.
A date has been set for the public memorial of Kobe Bryant and the eight others who were killed in a helicopter crash last month. The memorial will take place Feb. 24 at Staples Center.
“Birds of Prey” is the biggest movie out this weekend. There’s also a horror movie in limited release called “The Lodge”.
This week’s CD Releases include Lee Ann Womack’s daughter Aubrie Sellers.
Shania Twain is on “The View”
Sunday at 8:00 p.m. on ABC: “The 92nd Annual Academy Awards”, which will once again have NO HOST.
Ashton Kutcher is 42.
Garth Brooks is 58.
