Today, Disney+ shared the trailer and key art for the “LEGO Star Wars Holiday Special,” which premieres Tuesday, November 17 on the streaming service. The new animated special from LEGO is the first to debut on Disney+ and continues the rich legacy of collaboration between Lucasfilm and LEGO.
Directly following the events of “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker,” Rey leaves her friends to prepare for Life Day as she sets off on a new adventure with BB-8 to gain a deeper knowledge of the Force. At a mysterious Jedi Temple, she is hurled into a cross-timeline adventure through beloved moments in Star Wars cinematic history, coming into contact with Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader, Yoda, Obi-Wan and other iconic heroes and villains from all nine Skywalker saga films. But will she make it back in time for the Life Day feast and learn the true meaning of holiday spirit?
“LEGO Star Wars Holiday Special” brings back franchise stars Kelly Marie Tran (Rose Tico), Billy Dee Williams (Lando Calrissian) and Anthony Daniels (C-3PO), as well as “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” vets Matt Lanter (Anakin Skywalker), Tom Kane (Yoda, Qui-Gon Jinn), James Arnold Taylor (Obi-Wan Kenobi), and Dee Bradley Baker (clone troopers).
The special is a production of Atomic Cartoons, the LEGO Group, and Lucasfilm. It is directed by Ken Cunningham and written by David Shayne, who is also co-executive producer. James Waugh, Josh Rimes, Jason Cosler, Jacqui Lopez, Jill Wilfert and Keith Malone are executive producers.
Synopsis: Inspired by the beloved DreamWorks Animation films, Trolls: TrollsTopia is the next chapter in the hair-raising adventures of the trolls. Now that Poppy knows there are other musical trolls scattered throughout the forest, she bottles up her endless positivity and invites delegates from every troll tribe in the forest to live together in harmony in a grand experiment she calls TrollsTopia!
Cast: Amanda Leighton, Skylar Astin, Kenan Thompson (Saturday Night Live), Jeanine Mason (Grey’s Anatomy, Roswell), Kevin Michael Richardson (Trolls World Tour, American Dad), Vladimir Caamaño, David Flynn, Ron Funches, Megan Hilty, Kat Graham, Walt Dohrn, Charles DeWayne, JP Karliak, Declan Churchill Carter, Kyla Carter, Lauren Mayhew
Executive Producer: Matthew Beans (Trolls: The Beat Goes On!)
Today, Kalie Shorr is giving fans a glimpse of her personal reflections with the release of “My Voice,” her honest and unabashed tale of her journey as a Nashville singer-songwriter. Still celebrating the success of her debut album Open Book, No. 7 on New York Times’ all-genre Best Albums of 2019 list, Shorr is turning the page to a new chapter with Open Book: Unabridged coming later this year. “My Voice” is just the first page of this new chapter, continuing her truth-filled and authentically irreverent point of view. With sonic influences from her diverse country roots and mid-2000s pop-punk, Kalie Shorr doubles down on her self-assured, rebelliously-unique sound. Listen to “My Voice” here.
Variety recently called her “the most attention-getting DIY artist in country [music],” a trait that recently landed Shorr her first recording contract with New York based major player TMWRK Records.
“I never thought I'd get to release ‘My Voice.’ I wrote it in March of 2019, the week before we started recording Open Book. I was going into the studio with this sense of confidence that I hadn't had before, like I knew that album was going to change my life. I still had plenty of episodes of self-doubt, but writing that song was so cathartic and empowering for me. When it came time to pick songs for the extended version of the album (Open Book: Unabridged), I threw that in the Dropbox not expecting anything. The head of my new label championed it from day one. I'm so happy I get to let people hear my truly unfiltered thoughts on the music business and my career. When I wrote it, it was more of a stream of consciousness musing on the industry and now it's turned into a personal mantra,” says Shorr.
Some of music’s most esteemed critics praised Open Book. Rolling Stone compares the record to a mix of “Shania Twain, Red-era Taylor Swift, Dashboard Confessional and Alanis Morissette,” while Taste of Country calls it “bold,” “raw,” and “real.” As for Shorr, NPR touts the singer/songwriter as “one of Nashville’s most promising” and in the U.K., The Guardian dubbed Shorr “the new queen of country”.
Last month, Shorr launched a podcast in partnership with iHeartMedia called “Too Much To Say with Kalie Shorr,” executive produced by nationally syndicated radio host Bobby Bones. “My Voice” is her first release on TMWRK Records.
About Kalie Shorr:
According to The New York Times, Kalie Shorr’s debut album - Open Book - was the #7 Best Album of 2019 alongside Taylor Swift, Lana Del Ray and Ariana Grande. Along with a long list of other accolades, Variety called Open Book “2019’s best freshman country effort,” and Stereogum said “country music needs this kind of fire.” Shorr burst onto the Nashville music scene in 2016 with her self-penned hit “Fight Like A Girl” and shortly after, the Portland, Maine singer-songwriter became a SiriusXM “Highway Find” and was spotlighted by Apple Music, Spotify, CMT, Radio Disney Country, Pandora, Taste of Country, The Boot and Billboard magazine. She was named a “CMT Next Women of Country,” “The New Nashville” by Teen Vogue and a “Top 10 Country Artists To Watch In 2018” by the Huffington Post. She made her Grand Ole Opry debut in 2018 and has gone on to play that heralded stage 17 times so far. From her work with the all-female, singer-songwriter collective Song Suffragettes, Shorr has been featured on PBS NewsHour, NPR’s “Morning Edition” and “On Point” as well as in ELLE Magazine. In addition to her iHeartMedia and Bobby Bones-produced podcast called “Too Much to Say with Kalie Shorr,” she is also co-host of the “Let The Girls Play” radio series featured weekly on Radio Disney Country. She rang in 2020 performing for over 200,000 people at Nashville’s largest-ever New Year’s Eve show with Keith Urban, Stevie Nicks, Jason Isbell, The Struts and more. With wide praise for her current album coming from diverse outlets like NPR, Slate, People, No Depression, Rolling Stone and more, Shorr’s 2020 lit up with The Guardian (UK) and The Tennessean calling her an artist to watch this year. She is the most recent signee to New York-based tmwrk records who will be releasing the expanded album Open Book: Unabridged later this year. For more information visit www.kalieshorr.com.
WHOLE LOTTA CELEBRATIN’ GOIN’ ON: 85 YEARS OF THE KILLER ADDS RINGO STARR, KEITH RICHARDS, JOHN FOGERTY, ANDY GRAMMER, KRIS KRISTOFFERSON, PEYTON MANNING AND MORE
Jerry Lee Lewis Birthday Live Stream Set for October 27 via JerryLeeLewis.com, Facebook and YouTube
Announced last week, a star-studded event will be held to celebrate Jerry Lee Lewis’ 85th Birthday featuring some of the biggest names in music, movies, sports, television and politics. The virtual livestream, hosted by actor John Stamos, has added Ringo Starr, Keith Richards, John Fogerty, Andy Grammer, Kris Kristofferson, Peyton Manning and more for performances and well wishes for the “Last Man Standing” and founding father of Rock n’ Roll. There will be special appearances from Jerry Lee Lewis himself and he will interact with fans via the live chat.
Whole Lotta Celebratin’ Goin’ On: 85 Years of The Killer will air on October 27 at 8pm ET/7pm CT via Jerry Lee Lewis’ official Facebook and YouTube channels and JerryLeeLewis.com. The event will benefit World Vision, a Christian organization working to help communities lift themselves out of poverty. For good.
The current list of celebrities lined up to celebrate “The Killer” include (new announcements in bold): Andy Grammer, President Bill Clinton, Billy F Gibbons, Bonnie Raitt, Brenda Lee, Chris Isaak, Chris Janson, Drew Carey, Elton John, Freda Payne, Gavin DeGraw, Jacob Tolliver, James Burton, Jerry Kennedy, Jerry Phillips, Jimmy Swaggart, Joe Walsh, John Fogerty, Keith Richards, Kris Kristofferson, Lee Ann Womack, Linda Gail Lewis, Lindsay Ell, Marty Stuart, Mickey Gilley, The Beach Boy’s Mike Love, Nancy Wilson, Peyton Manning, Priscilla Presley, Randy Houser, Ringo Starr, Tanya Tucker, Tom Jones, Willie Nelson and Wink Martindale along with appearances from Jerry Lee Lewis’ road band, Kenny Lovelace, Ray Gann and Kenny Aronoff.
Whole Lotta Celebratin’ Goin’ On: 85 Years of The Killer is being produced and directed by Zach Farnum/117 Entertainment in association with Jeff Franklin and Tisha Fein.
About Jerry Lee Lewis:
Jerry Lee Lewis is one of the all-time best singer-songwriters, musicians and pianists. He was born in 1935 to Mamie and Elmo Lewis of Ferriday, Louisiana. In November of ‘56 Jerry Lee made his way to Memphis, Tennessee where he would join Sun Records and launch hit records with "Crazy Arms," "Whole Lotta Shakin,’", and "Great Balls of Fire." Jerry Lee, along with his friends Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley and Carl Perkins would become known as the Million Dollar Quartet and there is not any part of music that their influences haven't touched. As a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s very first class of inductees, “The Killer” holds numerous awards including a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the Recording Academy's Lifetime Achievement Award and countless other honors. He is truly rock n’ roll’s first great wildman, and shows no signs of stopping, touring around the globe and recording new music still today. Visit www.jerryleelewis.com to follow “The Killer.”
Disney+, which launched last November giving “The Simpsons” a new streaming home, is now the ultimate entertainment hub for fans of Springfield’s most famous residents. With the recently added 31st season and nearly 300 hours of the world’s longest running scripted primetime sitcom, today Disney+ kicked off its new “Simpsons Forever” brand campaign celebrating the forever place of everyone’s favorite family in the hearts and homes of fans around the world.
The service also debuted “The Simpsons Horror” collection, including 30 episodes of the iconic genre-bending “Treehouse of Horror” franchise. The new collection is the latest in Disney+’s series of themed sets including “The Simpsons Predicts,” “The Simpsons Travels,” “The Simpsons Rock” and “The Simpsons Sports” collections. As part of the “Simpsons Forever” campaign, Disney+ will curate more collections of episodes for new viewers to discover. Every month, Disney+ will also highlight its favorite episodes themed to current events and trends in Disney and pop culture.
“The Simpsons” Forever Faves of November 2020:
- “The Mandalorian” Returns / “Co-Dependents’ Day” (Season 15, Episode 15) - Disappointed by a Cosmic Wars movie, Bart and Lisa go to wine country to complain to the filmmaker.
- "The Right Stuff” Streaming Now / “Deep Space Homer” (Season 5, Episode 15) - In an attempt to send an average man into space, Homer and Barney are recruited as astronauts. Homer saves the mission from disaster, but is dismayed when credit goes to a carbon rod.
- Monday Night Football on ESPN / “Bart Star” (Season 9, Episode 7) - Bart joins a junior-league football team. When Homer becomes coach, he replaces quarterback Nelson with the less talented Bart.
- 30 Years of “Home Alone” / “Homer Alone” (Season 3, Episode 15) - When Marge goes to a local spa, she leaves Bart and Lisa with Patty and Selma and Maggie with Homer.
- Nov. 3 Election Day - “Sideshow Bob Roberts” (Season 6, Episode 5) - Sideshow Bob runs for mayor as the candidate of Springfield's Republican party. He wins and attempts to construct a freeway overpass where the Simpson home stands.
- Nov. 26 Thanksgiving Day - “Thanksgiving of Horror” (Season 30, Episode 8) - Three tales of Thanksgiving terror: a bloody first "turkey day," a virtual Marge cooks for survival against real Marge, and a space mission is threatened by a murderous side dish.
- Nov. 27 Black Friday - “Tis the 30th Season” (Season 30, Episode 10) - After a terrible Black Friday where Marge can’t get the gift the kids desperately want, the Simpsons try to spend a relaxing Florida Christmas.
After first premiering on television nearly 31 years ago, “The Simpsons” is now one of the most popular franchises around the world and remains one of Disney+’s most streamed series since the service launched last November. With its “Simpsons Forever” campaign, Disney+ is celebrating fans’ forever love of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie and the service’s comprehensive collection of “The Simpsons” entertainment. The campaign will come to life all year long with on-service content and product updates, special events, social activations, and surprise and delight moments.
Last week, Disney+ surprised guests at the Disney+ Drive-In Festival with special “The Simpsons” screenings during its nightly lineups. And earlier this year, the service launched a product update allowing fans to enjoy “The Simpsons” episodes in their original aspect ratio and also offered the short “Maggie Simpson in ‘Playdate with Destiny’” across its social channels for free.
To watch all of “The Simpsons” content on Disney+ including 31 seasons of the series, animated shorts “Maggie Simpsons in ‘The Longest Daycare’” and “Maggie Simpson in ‘Play date with Destiny,’” and “The Simpsons Movie,” visit DisneyPlus.com/SimpsonsForever.
ABOUT THE SIMPSONS: The longest-running primetime scripted show in television history, THE SIMPSONS exploded into a cultural phenomenon in 1990 and has remained one of the most groundbreaking and innovative entertainment franchises, recognizable throughout the world. Currently airing its record-annihilating 32nd season, THE SIMPSONS has won 34 Emmy Awards (including its 11th in 2019 for Outstanding Animated Program), 34 Annie Awards, 9 Environmental Media Awards, 7 People’s Choice Awards and 13 Writers Guild of America Awards including the 2019 and 2020 Outstanding Writing in an Animated Program Award. THE SIMPSONS was the first animated series to win a Peabody Award, and in 2019 received the Institutional Peabody Award. It was nominated for an Academy Award in 2012 for the theatrical short "The Longest Daycare." The Simpsons Movie was a hit feature film, their mega-attraction The Simpsons Ride at Universal Studios has received historic expansion updates with the addition of 'Springfield’—winning a Thea Award in both 2009 and 2017. The show was honored with a Star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2000. The Simpsons ongoing Tapped Out mobile game which launched in 2012 was a recipient of a Webby Award in 2018. It has been named the “Best Show of the 20th Century” by Time Magazine, called the "Greatest American Sitcom" by Entertainment Weekly in 2013, and declared "The Best TV Show Ever" in 2016 by vulture.com.
THE SIMPSONS is a Gracie Films Production in association with 20th Century Fox Television. James L. Brooks, Matt Groening, and Al Jean are the Executive Producers. The Gracie Films Worldwide Brand Division develops and produces the licensed content for the series. “Like” the series on Facebook at facebook.com/TheSimpsons, follow Homer Simpson @HomerJSimpson and @TheSimpsons on Twitter http://twitter.com/TheSimpsons. Join the conversation using #thesimpsons and follow The Simpsons on Instagram@TheSimpsons
