Showbiz Sandbox 471: A Harsh Verdict from Former “America’s Got Talent” Judges

December 9, 2019

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After just one season on “America’s Got Talent” celebrity judges Gabrielle Union and Julianne Hough had done what they were hired to do; increase the show’s social media footprint. Yet their contracts were not renewed for a second season and Union gained a huge amount of attention for her claims the show has a toxic culture. The show’s producers and network NBC are being very careful in how they handle the situation.

In Hong Kong, mass protests continue to disrupt the city and its significant entertainment industry. The ongoing demonstrations have affected Asian year-end awards, Hong Kong’s box office and generally made it harder to do business for entertainment companies who are both trying to please China yet show they have a moral compass.

Meanwhile, it looks as if this year won’t set any North American box office records, though it might be the second highest on record. Disney, however, has nothing to worry about as they set theatrical earnings records thanks to a string of billion dollar releases.

Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment headlines including Golden Globe nominations, the bidding war ver Ali Wong’s next comedy special and Comcast looks to expand in the United Kingdom.

‘Frozen II’ Threepeats Atop Weekend Box Office While ‘Playmobil’ Bombs
https://www.boxofficemojo.com/article/ed3245343748/

‘Jumanji 2’ Kicks Off Overseas With $52 Million as ‘Frozen 2’ Powers Toward $1 Billion
https://variety.com/2019/film/news/box-office-frozen-2-nears-1-billion-jumanji-sequel-debuts-overseas-1203428856/

Game Targeting Hong Kong ‘Traitors’ Popular on Mainland Social Media
http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1172323.shtml

Golden Globes 2020: Here Is the Full List of Nominations
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/09/movies/golden-globes-nominees-list.html

‘The Irishman’ Named Best Picture by New York Film Critics Circle
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/2019-new-york-film-critics-circle-winners-updating-1259494

‘The Irishman’ Named Best Film by National Board of Review
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/irishman-tops-national-board-review-2019-honorees-full-list-1259206

AFI Reveals 2019 Award Winners for Film and Television
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/afi-2019-film-tv-award-winners-list-full-1259563

Comcast’s Sky Developing 14-Stage Studio Complex North of London
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/comcasts-sky-developing-14-stage-studio-complex-north-london-1259094

Netflix Wins Bidding War for Pair of Ali Wong Stand-Up Specials
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/netflix-wins-bidding-war-pair-ali-wong-stand-up-specials-1259033

How Blockchain Will Kill Fake News
https://www.computerworld.com/article/3481633/how-blockchain-will-kill-fake-news-and-four-other-predictions-for-2020.html

NBC Opening Formal Investigation Into ‘America’s Got Talent’ After Meeting With Ousted Judge Gabrielle Union
https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/americas-got-talent-gabrielle-union-nbc-simon-cowell-1203425205/

Star Trek Writer DC Fontana Dies at 80
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/dc-fontana-dead-pioneering-star-trek-writer-was-80-1259207

Juice WRLD Dies at 21; Chicago Rapper Whose Star Was on the Rise
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/08/arts/music/juice-wrld-dead.html

Ron Leibman, Actor in ‘Angels in America,’ ‘Where’s Poppa?’ and ‘Friends,’ Dies at 82
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/ron-leibman-dead-actor-angels-america-wheres-poppa-friends-was-82-1197320

Caroll Spinney, Big Bird’s Alter Ego on ‘Sesame Street,’ Is Dead at 85
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/08/obituaries/caroll-spinney-dead.html

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