WarnerMedia hosted a virtual Sundance Event. The Knockturnal attended the panels which in many ways align with their focus of Black History this February and their overall initiative to make diversity and inclusion a priority.
Deon Taylor’s “Fatale” premiered on December 18, 2020. The thriller follows the domino effect of events after a married man has a one-night affair with a detective and finds himself centered in her investigation. The Knockturnal attended a virtual premiere of the film which is now available On Demand.
Black-ish returns January 26 with the second half of season 7. We sat down with star Marcus Scribner exclusively to discuss his journey on the show.
The sitcom will continue to show the lives of the Johnson family and will even explore many of the important points from 2020 and how the family is coping with life in quarantine, Covid-19, racial injustice, etc. Black-ish continues to bring many of the conversations happening in Black households to network television while adding a comedic flare. The cast takes interest in these topics both on and off set and most of the cast can be seen advocating for the same issues as the Johnsons via social media. For star Marcus Scribner it is crucial that they take on the responsibility of advocating for change and to amplify Black voices both on the show with their characters and in their personal lives.
With the show being on for now a total of seven seasons fans of the show have been able to watch the development of the characters as well as the growth and maturity of its cast. Blackish star Scribner, who is now 21, auditioned for the role at the age of 13 and began filming at 14 while he was a freshman in high school. Scribner has in many ways grown up and evolved with his character of “Junior”. While being on the show he has also learned more about the craft of acting by being able to learn from his co-stars:Tracee Ellis Ross, Laurence Fishburn, Anthony Anderson, and Jenifer Lewis.
The second part of season 7 promises fun, dialogue, and more development for the Johnson family. Fans of the show can look forward to seeing relatable storylines as the Johnson family experiences life during a global pandemic, having a parent who is an essential worker, and the various familial dynamics that come with life inside the house.
January 24th, EPIX will premiere its new series “Bridge and Tunnel” written, directed, and produced by Edward Burns.
The Don’t Block Your Blessings Festival, produced by Erez Safar, is a one of a kind virtual music festival that will be held on Valentine’s Day 2021.
Andy Goldenberg stars in the new romantic comedy Love, Weddings & Other Disasters as bachelor Jimmy Barton. The romantic comedy explores the quest for love from a “colorful” group of individuals while they are simultaneously creating the dream wedding for a loving couple. The Knockturnal spoke with Goldenberg to discuss the film, working with Dennis Dugan, and awkward moments.
The Knockturnal: If you can be chained to any member of the cast, who would it be and why?
Andy Goldenberg: This is a tough question! Who do you go with? How do you not say Diane Keaton? I’ll tell you how: She’s a fashion icon and I am most comfortable in basketball shorts and a tshirt. And Jeremy Irons? I’m content spending all day gaming and I somehow don’t imagine that’s his thing. There were so many funny people on this film and, on off days, I’d actually hang out with my co-stars, but I have to go with Billy Concha, who plays Pedicab Guy. I worked with Billy on another film that Dugan directed and he’s just about one of the nicest guys I’ve met in Hollywood. On our first day of shooting, he snuck up behind me and wrapped me up in a big bear hug and we were so excited to see each other. The guy can not only fly planes and sail boats, he spent a month getting his license to drive a pedicab around Boston just so he could look natural in the movie! Anyone that’s worked with him in the industry will tell you the same thing: he’s a good dude.
The Knockturnal: Other than your relationship, which unlikely couple was your favorite?
Andy: I must confess that I loved watching Dennis Staroselsky and Caroline Portu on set. It felt like they had known each other for years and had such an amazing connection, but they are the most likely couple of the film. I think Diane Keaton and Jeremy Irons definitely have the sweetest storyline. Here’s this guy whose life is all about spectacle who ends up falling in love with a woman who can’t experience his visual art form. It’s touching and sweet.
The Knockturnal: How was it to play alongside the director, Dennis Dugan?
Andy: Dennis has done it all. He’s been there, he’s done that. They call him “the great Dennis Dugan.” The day we shot the game show, he was acting and directing in front of a live studio audience with a script that he had also written. It was so cool to watch him command the stage. He kept the atmosphere light and always had the crowd laughing. The way I remember it he also had no line readings. Every take was different and exciting, based on whatever the other actor was giving him. You can’t ask for more.
The Knockturnal: Your character had some pretty awkward moments with the Russian stripper he was paired with so what is one of the strangest dates you have had?
Andy: Back in the stone ages before you used phone apps and websites for online dating, AOL had a Personals chat room where the single could mingle. After talking for a few hours online, a girl invited me over to her place to swim in her pool. It was now midnight and she lived 30 minutes away. It was right after college and I was back home, living with my mom, preparing to make the move to LA. I woke her up to let her know that I was going out for the night with my friend Brian to work on our buddy’s bachelor party. It was a terrible lie. She was so confused by why we had to meet up so late and why we couldn’t just talk it over on the phone or meet earlier the next day. It was really that I felt the need to let her know I was going out, “just in case.” Indeed, I got progressively more nervous the closer I got to the girl’s place and was coming up with escape scenarios for any eventual catfishing, but it wound up being super fun and she didn’t murder me. You’d think it was a total booty call, but we didn’t actually hook up. We just went swimming. I slept over, in her bed, but I don’t think anything happened. I was a pretty innocent guy, back then.
The Knockturnal: What is one of your favorite romantic comedies?
Andy: It doesn’t get much better than When Harry Met Sally. My mom didn’t let me watch it when I was a kid. It was rated R. I still look at the poster and can only think of it as some kind of adult film. It is so natural and so real and conversational. I’ve seen the movie a number of times, but I’ve seen the ending even more. I only have to watch Billy Crystal’s declaration of love for Meg Ryan. It gets me every time. I love it and it’s the standard upon which I judge every other romantic comedy. That being said, I also actually LOVE Love, Actually a nd this movie felt very much like that structure, so I was excited to be a part of it.
The Knockturnal: You’re a self proclaimed king of dad jokes, what is your most cheesy dad joke?
Andy: I LOVE Dad Jokes. I’m excited that I now have my very own child to annoy. My favorite joke is lame. But, I guess that’s what makes it a dad joke. I say it every year. And it makes me laugh. Every time. And my wife smiles and rolls her eyes. It’s simple. “I can’t believe it’s already January 2nd.” That’s it. On January 1st, my wife knows it’s coming. But she can’t run from it. Unless she doesn’t talk to me that day. And, even then, I don’t have to say it. She just knows I’m thinking it. I own that joke. Runner up: What is a pirate’s favorite letter of the alphabet? Aye. You think it’d be Arrr, but it’d be the sea.
The Knockturnal: Do you have any upcoming projects to share?
Andy: I released a children’s book called Peter, the Paranoid Pumpkin about a pumpkin who doesn’t want to be alone outside during Halloween and I have written other holiday books that just need to be illustrated. Also, the pandemic gave me some time and some inspiration to start writing the third season of my popular zombie romantic comedy, Bad Timing, so hopefully we’ll all be seeing that soon.
Mikey Pauker (pronounced pow-ker) is a Conscious Rock artist from Fairfax, California.
Skincare brand Skinergy Beauty was designed to meet the skincare needs of women of color.
Journalist Hilary Sheinbaum discusses the advantages of sobriety and what she learns through participating in the Dry Challenge. For Sheinbaum the lessons she learned through participating in the challenge have become a part of a greater philosophy and her annual practice. She has now written the book The Dry Challenge, which goes on sale December 29, on abstaining from alcohol for thirty days. The Knockturnal spoke with Sheinbaum about the new book, the benefits of sobriety, and her career as a journalist.
The Knockturnal: What inspired you to do the Dry Challenge?
Hilary Sheinbaum: My first dry challenge was decided on a whim and part of a silly bet! In December 2016, during the holiday season, I had dinner with one of my guy friends, Alejandro, and we briefly talked about Dry January — the act of giving up all wine, beer, and spirits for 31 days — but, I almost immediately forgot about the topic. Soon after, on Dec. 31, I tipsy texted him from a New Year’s Eve Party and challenged him to a bet. This was out of character for me because #1) I don’t usually make new year’s resolutions and, #2) as a journalist, I was writing a lot about celebrities as well as food & beverage — so part of my job was to report about drinks! The premise of our bet was to see who could last the entire month without drinking. The winner would win dinner, provided by the person who did not complete the dry challenge. In short: he lost, I won — and I won a lot more than dinner. My skin and sleep improved — and eventually, I wrote a book about how to successfully complete a dry month!
The Knockturnal: What was the biggest challenge with giving up alcohol for a month?
Hilary: One of the challenges I encountered that first year was not planning or thinking through what I was about to do. I’m usually a big planner, but I made a bet just before the ball dropped on New Years Eve, and my challenge promptly began at 12 a.m. on January 1, 2017. I didn’t clear out my liquor cabinet or have a script in my head about how the month was going to play out, or how I was going to communicate my challenge to friends or dates — because I was single at the time! I just went for it. I didn’t know this then, but making that spontaneous bet impacted my month as a whole and definitely the months and years that followed.
The Knockturnal: Do you suggest doing this challenge completely substance-free (i.e. no cigarettes, vape pens, and other substances)?
Hilary: To reap the benefits of a dry month, I would suggest going completely substance free — no vaping, no cigarettes — to see how you feel. Understandably, if someone is trying to quit smoking cigarettes, that can be a challenge in itself, and it’s not my personal area of expertise, so my best advice is to eliminate alcohol for the month and not use other substances as a replacement for drinking.
The Knockturnal: What are some popular misconceptions about dry January or Sober October?
Hilary: One misconception I hear about dry months is that they’re boring or it makes you anti-social. There are so many adventures, activities and things to do that don’t involve alcohol, whether it’s dinners with friends, working out, traveling — the possibilities are endless. In fact, you may find new, cool things to do with your time that you would otherwise have never found, rather than spending hours under the influence or hungover!
The Knockturnal: Since you have been doing this challenge since 2017 have you noticed something different each year you complete the challenge?
Hilary: The first year, in January 2017, I went into the challenge without a plan. Every January since then, or whenever I take on a dry month, I’m more aware of what my calendar entails. The most important thing is setting yourself up for success, so I try to figure out what’s coming up in my life. For example, if you’re getting married and want to enjoy Champagne on your wedding day, it might not be the best time for a dry month. But, if you want to be dry on your wedding — go for it! More power to you.
The Knockturnal: With your career as a journalist which requires you to be alert and able to multi-task. How do you feel the dry challenge impacted our work life?
Hilary: One of the best parts about not drinking is no hangovers, ever. As a journalist — or for anyone who has a job with tight deadlines, demanding turnarounds or the need to think quickly on your feet — being clear-minded and alert is so important. I find that when I participate in a dry month, I’m more motivated, well rested, and I can work more quickly and succinctly!
The Knockturnal: Similarly drinking for many is a social activity how do you feel like sobriety benefited your social life?
Hilary: I think my social life has improved from dry month participation. Instead of “going for a drink” over and over, it’s challenged me to find other fun activities with friends like hiking, workout classes and creative outlets that don’t involve alcohol.
Dry January even improved my dating life. In 2015, I met a guy at a party. We hit it off and went on dates over the course of a month. Four of those five dates involved alcohol — which isn’t a big deal. That’s how dating in New York is. At the time, I couldn’t gauge if we really fit together, so we went our separate ways. In 2018, this person came back into my life as a friend. In 2019, he participated in a Dry January with me and we got to know each other without the influence of alcohol. Almost two years later, we’re still dating, and we now live together. So, I think dry months have more than a few perks!
On December 25th, Shondaland will be premiering their first project with Netflix: Bridgerton.
The show is based on the Julia Quinn book series and shows the beauty of the regency era with the drama and entertainment that Shondaland is known for. Unlike the book series, Shondaland was intentional about showcasing and reflecting the world we live in by having a diverse cast and storylines exploring race, class, and sexuality all while telling the scandalous stories of the British aristocracy.
Chris Van Dussen (show-runner and executive producer) discussed having an on set etiquette expert who taught the cast the social cues of the regency era and how to mimic the body language and customs of the regency era aristocracy. It was important to the Shondaland team to focus on every detail of the show. They invested time in making sure the show felt authentic to viewers while remaining enjoyable and binge worthy like many of Shonda’s series.
Shonda Rhimes is an icon in American television and for the British cast of Bridgerton it was an honor to join her orbit and the Shondaland family. For Jonathan Bailey he’s proud to be a part of a family that champions diversity and inclusion. For actress Nicola Coughlan Shonda Rhimes has set the benchmark for what television should be.
With Shonda Rhimes creating iconic television Bridgerton is a reflection of the Shondaland sparkle.The television series and period piece explores many modern conversations around race and class through a gossip column, forbidden love, social gatherings,and the social relationships and social mobility of the characters. As a result the show isn’t short of drama, passion, and humor.
With Bridgerton, audiences will not only see themselves in a television series set in an era and genre that typically lacks representation. Audiences will be able to laugh and enjoy the lives, various realties, worlds, and personalities of the Bridgertons.