This week in entertainment we’ve got tour postponements, hosting announcements, corporate
synergy and much more. The Eagle’s Mark Lieberman covers the latest on “Agents of
S.H.I.E.L.D.,” Lady Gaga, the “Anchorman” sequel and all the rest in his Take 5 column this
week.
Hosts with the most? Let’s not get ahead of ourselves .
We already know that Ellen DeGeneres will host the Oscars and Tina Fey and Amy Poehler will
host the Golden Globes. Until this week, the emcees for crucial awards shows such as the
People’s Choice Awards (PCAs) and the American Music Awards (AMAs) remained in doubt, but no longer. Kat
Dennings and Beth Behrs of the reprehensible CBS sitcom “2 Broke Girls” will take the reins
from last year’s returning host Kaley Cuoco for this year’s PCAs. The AMAs host is pop-rap
superstar Pitbull, who will bring his Mr. Worldwide brand to the show. He is the first host since Jimmy Kimmel
in 2008.
Don’t just see “Anchorman 2.” SUPER-see it.
Paramount announced on Nov. 4 that it will offer a special super-ticket for particularly loyal
devotees of Ron Burgundy and company when the long-awaited “Anchorman 2” arrives just in
time for Christmas. The super-ticket, which doesn’t yet have a price tag attached, will allow
viewers to see the movie two days before its Dec. 20 release. In June, Paramount offered a
similar option for “World War Z,” offering an HD digital copy, movie poster and free popcorn. The details for the “Anchorman 2” superticket haven’t been released yet, but fans
can start purchasing the tickets on Nov. 26, just in time to love lamp and give thanks.
“Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.”
In one of the first examples of corporate synergy on the big and small screens, ABC announced
last week that the Nov. 20 episode of “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” will be a crossover episode that
begins after the new movie “Thor: The Dark World” ends. Sci-fi TV legend Jonathan Frakes will
direct the episode, which will allegedly not feature any cast members from the movie. The
episode release date gives Marvel fans two weeks to see the movie before they find out how Coulson
and the team deal with the aftermath.
Trouble in Gagaville?
Just a week before Lady Gaga’s new album “ARTPOP” is set to drop, the outsized pop star
announced that she has parted ways with her longtime manager Troy Carter. Reports indicate
that Gaga and Carter split over creative differences, and Carter had little input in her recent
campaign for the new album. Audience reception to the new music has been largely positive, with each preview single hitting the top spot on iTunes just hours after its release. Gaga’s most
devoted monsters can reach a verdict on the new album immediately – it’s currently streaming
free on iTunes Radio.
Thanks for buying a concert ticket, but better luck next time.
Some of hip-hop and R&B’s biggest stars have encountered difficulties in their recent tour
schedules, forcing them to postpone dates just days or even hours before the concert. Kanye
West’s “Yeezus” tour dates in Vancouver and Anaheim, Calif. have been hampered by “creative logistics” problems. On Friday Nov.1, hours before the rescheduled Vancouver show, West’s
tour bus was in an accident and much of the essential equipment was damaged. Now the
concert dates in Chicago, Denver and Minneapolis, and possibly others, will be delayed as
well.
Meanwhile, Janelle Monae postponed three concerts this week due to problems with her voice.
Two weeks ago, Drake’s Philadelphia concert was postponed to December an hour after the
concert was already scheduled to begin. If you’re buying concert tickets for hot artists with
complex production, anticipate the possibility of delays.
Check back next Friday for Mark Lieberman’s “Take 5” column.
