BET’s The Oval, written and directed by Tyler Perry and starring Brad Benedict, Daniel Croix, and Kron Moore, is back with their second season starting February 16, and we cannot wait. Get excited for more family drama, secrets, and lies than ever before.
9-1-1, starring Jennifer Love-Hewitt, Oliver Stark, and Angela Basset, is back better than ever for season four.
Showtime’s new hit legal drama series, YOUR HONOR, starring Bryan Cranston (Michael Desiato) and Hunter Doohan (Adam Desiato), season finale is quickly approaching and airs February 14. No Valentine’s Day plans? Well, now you do. And if you’re wondering if the show is worth the hype? Yes, yes it is.
Don’t freak out, but your new favorite song was just released. On second thought, start freaking out! Singer-songwriter Brynn Elliot released her new single, Tell Me I’m Pretty on January 21, and spoiler alert, it’s amazing.
2021 is officially starting of on a high note! FOX is kicking off the new year with the release of season four of The Resident.
Grab that TV remote “microphone” and get ready to sing your hearts out, ladies and gentlemen. That’s right, Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist is back for Season 2. Get ready for more love ballads, big dance numbers and a whooole lot more sexual tension between Zoey and Simon (swoon!)
Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist features Zoey Clarke (Jane Levy), a young computer coder in San Francisco, who’s life is turned upside down when she suddenly develops a new gift. Zoey is able to hear the innermost desires of the people around her through music. Zoey is able to connect to her family, neighbors, and love interests, Max (Skylar Astin) and Simon (John Clarence Stewart) like never before.
We had the chance to talk to Simon himself! Well, John Clarence Stewart. Same thing! Are you dying to know whether John is more “Team Simon” or “Team Max”? Watch the exclusive interview to find out!
What does the future hold for Simon and Zoey? Are they meant to be, or are the stars aligned for Zoey and Max? Tune in to the Season 2 Premiere of Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist on January 5 on NBC to find out.
Get ready ladies and gents, because Disney just made this Christmas a whooole lot more magical! The original cast members of the Mickey Mouse Club have teamed up to create a new reunion Christmas album, Why? Because It’s Christmas. Not only are the cast members spreading Christmas cheer, the proceeds will be going to MusiCares, The Brave of Heart Fund on Music for COVID-19 relief, and the Cast Member Pantry.
The Cast Member Pantry provides grocery items to Disney employees who were furloughed and laid off due to COVID-19.
The new album let’s us take a trip down memory lane featuring holiday classics from 17 original Mouseketeers, including En Vogue’s Rhona Bennett, The Voice’s Tony Lucca, and MTV’s Awkward, Nikki DeLoach among others.
We spoke to En Vogue’s Rhona Bennett to hear her thoughts on the new album, reminisce about her days filming on set at “the most magical place on Earth” and how she got to spend every day at Hollywood Studios. Casual. Check out the full interview with Rhona Bennett below.
The Knockturnal: What are you most excited about with the new reunion Christmas album?
Rhona Bennett: I might be most excited about the fact that people I have a beautiful bond with have come together, once again, to share something that we all love…music. It warms my heart to be working with them. And, I have thoroughly enjoyed discovering the magic and individuality everybody brought to their songs on the record.
The Knockturnal: How did this reunion album come about? How did you feel when you were asked to participate? What was your first reaction?
Rhona Bennett: I actually thought it was a great idea. I thought it was so cute and ingenious; all of the components that come together to make up the inspiration behind this creation, as well as the charities that it’s supporting, and the beautiful gift we get to give to loyal fans… I thought it was an awesome idea. I didn’t hesitate to be a part of it.
The Knockturnal: Tell us about Cast Member Pantry. How does it make you feel that by participating in the album you are helping so many Cast Members in need?
Rhona Bennett: It makes me feel like we are right in step with the example that was set for us so many years ago… to give back. To always be vigilant and ready to be of service to people who could be in need, and also to recognize people who are doing great deeds.
The Knockturnal: What is one of your favorite holiday traditions with friends or family?
Rhona Bennett: One of my favorite holiday traditions is simply coming together. I enjoy time with my family and friends. It is the one thing that I truly look forward to, beyond the gift giving.
The Knockturnal: What is one of your favorite memories from the set of Mickey Mouse Club?
Rhona Bennett: That’s a tough question because there are several memories that I am fond of. I did enjoy interviewing Jesse Jackson for Hall of Fame day. The All New Mickey Mouse Club seemed to be on the cutting edge of bringing attention to racial inequality at such a young age on a progressive show.
The Knockturnal: Since Mickey Mouse Club was taken at Hollywood Studios, what was it like being at Disney World everyday?
Rhona Bennett: It was pretty cool. I don’t know that I was fully aware of how special what I was experiencing was at the time. We did get to visit what they call “the happiest place on Earth”, regularly. I can say that I am glad it is a part of my story, and linked to people I love.
The Knockturnal: Recently your song “Free Your Mind” made it to the R&B Top 10 list on iTunes, (congrats!) so what does the future hold for En Vogue? Can fans expect any new releases coming soon?
Rhona Bennett: We are hoping to release music as soon as we can. We did have intentions on releasing a couple singles this year in 2020, however, Covid altered a lot of plans, as you know. We are definitely looking forward to getting back in the studio, and sharing more music.
The Knockturnal: Recently you have been performing live-streams for fans and even a drive-in concert in LA. What has this been like? Do you enjoy the live streams? How are the live streams/drive-in concerts different than performing during pre-covid times?
Rhona Bennett: Different indeed. I will say that the drive-in concert was special because for me it was truly a marker of the times we’re in. Cars were socially distanced across the expanse of a University parking lot. Because of the chillier temperatures in California before show time, people were still sitting in their vehicles warming up while music was wafting amidst the night air. Sounds like I’m writing a book right now.
In all seriousness though, it was interesting to witness the music industry doing its best to be resilient. I feel like we are one of the hardest hit from the backlash of Covid. So it was rewarding to have the opportunity to perform again. For those who were more daring to enjoy the night chill, they were outside of their cars dancing and partying with us. Others decided to stay inside and honk their horns. It is an experience I won’t forget.
Live streaming was also very interesting in that there was no audience for the concert. So, the space in between songs was quite a different feeling. Regardless of those things, any opportunity we have to share the gift of music is welcomed by me. I’m sure we will find our new and working normal soon. Shout out to all the music industry and music lovers who are doing their best at this time.
Want to hear the new Christmas album? Well, of course you do. Check out the Mickey Mouse Club reunion CD here.
Preheat that oven ladies and gentlemen, because we have some recipes that you are not going to want to miss.
Sbe hosted the 4th annual Taste of sbe virtually this December and oh, was it a treat! The annual culinary event featured star chefs Dani Garcia, Masaharu Morimoto, Dario Cecchini, and Jose Icardi. Each chef was paired up with a celebrity guest for an interactive at-home culinary experience.
Attendees could purchase tickets to attend the 4 evenings of virtual cooking sessions, starting at $50 for all 4 sessions, and the proceeds helped restaurants and chefs struggling financially due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Each chef shared exclusive recipes to one of their signature dishes, and attendees were able to recreate the dishes in the comfort of their own homes (and probably pajamas.)
Celebrity guests included Nick Jonas, Bryan Cranston, Aaron Paul, Giuliana Rancic and Dutch designer Marcel Wanders.
We had the opportunity to speak with three (!!!) Michelin Star awarded chef, Dani Garcia, who was paired with Nick Jonas. Are we Jealous he got to cook with Nick? Yes, yes we are.
Check out the full interview with Chef Dani Garcia below.
The Knockturnal: What are you most looking forward to about the Taste of sbe?
Chef Dani Garcia: To be able to share our passion for food as well as our Mediterranean influence partnering with this great brand that is sbe and the celebrities they have partnered with. I hope one day we can also do a chef collaboration between all chefs that sbe has partnerships with. This is a crucial time and we are so thrilled to be able to highlight the cuisine of our restaurants through this virtual event.
The Knockturnal: Is there any particular celebrity you look forward to working with?
Chef Dani Garcia: If I had to choose I would say Nick Jonas, very talented artist and hardworking individual, and of course we are paired together. We had a blast working together on this.
The Knockturnal: What is your favorite dish that you will be making? Can you please explain the dish?
Chef Dani Garcia: Whole marinated Sea Bass. This dish highlights my roots from Malaga while also introducing the influences of my travels. Fish is placed in an ¨adobo¨ or marinated with a base of acidity and paprika for at least 24 hours, then is fried and placed over its own fried bones. Something I remember seeing for the first time in one of my travels in Asia. Very flavourful dish.
The Knockturnal: When did you begin cooking? What was the “aha” moment when you realized you wanted to become a chef?
Chef Dani Garcia: I´ve always enjoyed cooking, I remember being a young kid and seeing my mother and grandmother cook, but the moment that I truly decided to focus on it as a profession was at 16 years old. I began by studying in cooking school.
The Knockturnal: Which chef is your biggest inspiration?
Chef Dani Garcia: I have three main inspirations: Ferran Adria, Nobu and Robuchon. These are three chefs that are always looking to break barriers in their own way.
The Knockturnal: What advice do you have for someone that wants to become a chef?
Chef Dani Garcia: To follow their dreams, always. It is a very hard profession and there will always be moments and situations they will have to conquer. There are always naysayers and people with opinions, but the dream is always the most important part to conquer all.
Did you miss the event and the chance to see Nick Jonas in the kitchen? Don’t worry! Sbe will be streaming the virtual event for 30 days. So go grab your apron and get ready to check out the event here.
It truly is a Holly Dolly Christmas!
A Quiet Place Part II, starring John Krasinski, Emily Blunt, Millicent Simmonds, and Cillian Murphy hosted its world premiere on March 8th at the Lincoln Center in New York City. A Quiet Place Part II is a continuation of the Abott family’s silent yet vigorous fight for survival against the creatures that hunt by sound.