LESLIE ODOM JR.

Destiny hangs over the characters of the “Sopranos” prequel “The Many Saints of Newark,” but none more so than its creator.

Tony Awards - Moulin Rouge This image released by Boneau/Bryan-Brown shows the cast in "Moulin Rouge! The Musical,” a jukebox adaptation of Baz Luhrmann’s hyperactive 2001 movie, has danced away with the best new musical Tony Award. ___MORE ON THE TONYS— 'Moulin Rouge!' The actor won for best actor in a featured role in a musical for playing the ingratiating nightclub host Harold Zidler in “Moulin Rouge! Sunday’s show has been expanded from its typical three hours to four, with Audra McDonald handing out Tonys for the first two hours and Leslie Odom Jr. hosting a “Broadway’s Back!” celebration for the second half, including the awarding of the top three trophies — best play revival, best play and best musical.

74th Annual Tony Awards Lois Smith arrives at the 74th annual Tony Awards at Winter Garden Theatre on Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, in New York. David Alan Grier was the night’s first winner, taking home the featured actor in a play Tony for “A Soldier’s Play.”6:35 p.m. The red carpet for the Tony Awards is underway and stars are praising the return of live theater. ___5 p.m.“Jagged Little Pill” goes into the Tony Awards telecast on the defensive, dogged by two controversies. Now it’s time for the Tony Awards, celebrating an art form that really needs the boost — live theater.

The red carpet for Sunday's Tony Awards has started and stars are praising the return of live theater after the pandemic shuttered theaters for more than a year.

“Moulin Rouge.

“Moulin Rouge.

Theater Broadway Returns Actress Kristin Chenoweth gives the curtain speech on the stage of "Wicked" at the Gershwin Theatre Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2021, in New York. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle) (Craig Ruttle)NEW YORK — (AP) — Many of Broadway's biggest lights — including Kristin Chenoweth, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Chita Rivera and Idina Menzel — will make appearances at Sunday's TV celebration of Broadway’s return. The two-hour special on CBS — hosted by Leslie Odom Jr. — will follow the Tony Awards telecast, which will be hosted by Audra McDonald during a two-hour live event also from the Winter Garden Theatre. The bulk of the Tonys — the acting, directing and technical ones — will only be accessible to Paramount+ customers. Odom’s special will cap the night with awards for the three top awards: best play, best play revival and best musical.

Many of Broadway’s biggest lights — including Kristin Chenoweth, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Chita Rivera and Idina Menzel — will make appearances at Sunday’s TV celebration of Broadway’s return.

This week’s new entertainment releases include new albums from rapper Diddy and “Star Trek” star William Shatner, as well as Melissa McCarthy playing a grief-stricken mother in the Netflix drama “The Starling.”.

The long-delayed Tony Awards have landed two impressive master of ceremonies — Tony- and Grammy-winning singer and actor Leslie Odom Jr. will host a splashy TV special and the awards will be hosted by Tony-, Grammy- and Emmy Award-winning actor and singer Audra McDonald.

'The Exorcist' trilogy FILE PHOTO: The story of "The Exorcist" isn't done. Universal has signed a deal to bring a new trilogy to theaters and streaming. Universal Pictures has signed a deal for a new trilogy based on the 1973 horror film. >> Read more trending newsThe movie company has closed a more than $400 million deal to buy the trilogy for theaters and the Peacock streaming service, The New York Times reported. The first film will debut in theaters in 2023 with the second and third installments potentially premiering on Peacock, the Times reported.

Steven Yeun, Nathan Lane, Issa Rae, Robert Pattinson, Janet Jackson, Leslie Odom Jr. and Laverne Cox are among the artists being invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

It was a family affair at the Billboard Music Awards: Pink twirled in the air in a powerful performance with her daughter, and Drake was named artist of the decade, accepting the honor alongside his 3-year-old son.

Daniel Kaluuya has used a lead role to win a best supporting actor Oscar.

Red carpet glam was back Sunday at the Oscars with lots of award-worthy gold, bright white and red looks.

Anthony Hopkins has won his first Oscar since he was victorious for playing Hannibal Lecter.

Chloé Zhao’s “Nomadland,” won best picture Sunday at the 93rd Academy Awards, where the China-born Zhao also became just the second woman — and the first woman of color — to win best director.

Ahead of Sunday’s 93rd Academy Awards, Associated Press Film Writers Jake Coyle and Lindsey Bahr share their predictions for a ceremony that may see historic wins in multiple categories.

This week’s new entertainment releases include the final two parts of Eric Church's three-album project, “Heart & Soul.”.

"Sunday Morning" Full Episode 3/28 Hosted by Jane Pauley. In our cover story, Seth Doane meets a Catholic priest who is breaking the silence of gay clergy in the church. Plus: Tracy Smith sits down with Leslie Odom Jr., a double-Oscar-nominee for "One Night in Miami"; Nancy Cordes profiles Illinois Senator Tammy Duckworth; Mo Rocca chats with actress Brenda Vaccaro; John Blackstone looks back to 1974 when Los Angeles became the center of the pop culture universe; Erin Moriarty examines cancel culture and reappraising the art of controversial artists; and Nancy Giles tucks into the history and medicinal properties of chicken soup.

Sunday Profile: Leslie Odom Jr. A Tony Award-winner for the musical "Hamilton," Leslie Odom Jr. has now earned two Academy Award nominations for the drama "One Night in Miami," in which he plays famed singer Sam Cooke. Correspondent Tracy Smith talks with Odom about his remarkable career, from his teenage debut in Broadway's "Rent," to the possibilities that have opened up since his role as Aaron Burr in the groundbreaking "Hamilton."

10 — Nominations for “Mank," the most of any film this year, with nods for best picture, best director for Fincher, best actor for Gary Oldman and best supporting actress for Seyfried. In the best supporting actor category, Heath Ledger and Ralph Richardson were nominated, with Ledger winning for “The Dark Knight” in 2009. 5 — African nations that have received nominations for best international feature, now that Tunisia has its first nominee, “The Man Who Sold His Skin." 4 — Nominations received by “Nomadland” director Chloé Zhao, a record for a woman in a record year for women. 1 — Man nominated for both best actor and best original song.

This was all of us trying to see how far could we go.” — Riz Ahmed, nominated for best actor for “Sound of Metal,” in an interview. He directed, co-produced and co-wrote the film, which earned six nominations and is the first best picture nominee with an all-Black producing team. — Emerald Fennell, nominated for best director and best original screenplay for “Promising Young Woman,” which also received nods for best picture and best actress, in a statement. And yes, I’ll have some drinks tonight.” — Thomas Vinterberg on his nomination for best director for “Another Round,” which was also nominated for best international feature film, in an interview. — Kaouther Ban Hania, director of best international feature nominee “The Man Who Sold His Skin.”

(Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)NEW YORK – A night after winning the top Grammy Award for songwriting, R&B singer H.E.R. Leslie Odom Jr. will also compete for best original song with “Speak Now” from “One Night in Miami...," which he wrote with Sam Ashworth. AdSongs by John Legend, Mary J. Blige, Janelle Monae and Robert Glasper were shortlisted for best original song but didn't make the final cut. The duo of Reznor and Ross have won a number of awards for their scoring work, including an Oscar, Grammy, Emmy and Golden Globe. Terence Blanchard (“Da 5 Bloods"), Emile Mosseri (“Minari") and James Newton Howard (“News of the World") round out the best original score nominees.

Zhao, the first woman of color nominated for best director, is the most nominated woman in a single year in Oscar history. She was also tipped for the film’s adapted screenplay, editing and as a producer in the best picture category. “I just quietly gave thanks and felt some gratitude.”Davis, who won for her performance in 2016’s “Fences,” landed her fourth Oscar nomination, making her the most nominated Black actress ever. The Academy Awards would typically have happened by now but this year will be telecast April 25. “Collective,” the Romanian documentary about investigative journalism and government corruption, became just the second film nominated for both best documentary and best international film.

And they were ready, style wise, as the Globes split hosts, with Amy Poehler at the Beverly Hilton and Tina Fey at the Rainbow Room in New York. Backstage after the show, Sudeikis told reporters he owns a multitude of hoodies but chose the one emblazoned with “Forward” on the front and “Listen + Lead” on the back as fitting for the unusual night. “I wanted to feel festive and go for it,” she told NBC. Sarah Paulson held her little black pooch on screen and Emma Corrin's fluffy white cat grabbed a moment for itself. AdLydia Marks, a New York set decorator, told The Associated Press the evening's technical challenges were many.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on Wednesday unveiled its shortlists for several categories, including documentary feature, international feature, original song, original score, visual effects and makeup and hairstyling. Titles as diverse as “Tenet” (for score and visual effects), “Borat Subsequent Moviefilm” (for the original song “Wuhan Flu”), “Eurovision Song Contest” (for song) and “Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Story” (for score, song and makeup) are in the initial mix. The Korean American film “Minari," which was controversially nominated for a foreign language Golden Globe, was not eligible in the same category for the Oscars. Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross could find themselves double nominees, as both “Soul” and “Mank” were shortlisted for original score. Winners will be announced at the 93rd Oscars on Sunday, April 25, which will be telecast live on ABC.

Here’s a collection curated by The Associated Press’ entertainment journalists of what’s arriving on TV, streaming services and music platforms this week. One nominee, “Judas and the Black Messiah," arrives on HBO Max (as well as in theaters) on Friday. Ad— Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo's last writing partnership turned out pretty well. Ad— AP Film Writer Jake CoyleMUSIC— Sia’s Golden Globe-nominated directorial debut, “Music,” will be accompanied with a 14-track album. Ad— “Silence of the Lambs” is three decades in the rearview mirror, but only a year has passed as CBS’ “Clarice” picks up the story of FBI Agent Clarice Starling.

This image released by Amazon Studios shows Maria Bakalova, left, and Sacha Baron Cohen in a scene from "Borat Subsequent Moviefilm." The film was nominated for a Golden Globe for best musical/comedy. (Amazon Studios via AP)LOS ANGELES – Reactions from nominees for the the 78th Golden Globe Awards. — Bob Odenkirk, nominated for best actor in a TV drama for “Better Call Saul," in a phone interview. But I’m just so hyped.” — Nicholas Hoult, nominated for best actor in a TV musical or comedy for “The Great."

Here are 15 of the most surprising nominations and the biggest snubs. Snub: 'Da 5 Bloods'Heading into the nominations, Spike Lee's "Da 5 Bloods" was expected to pick up a number of nods, including best drama, best actor and best director. "One Night in Miami" secured nominations for best original song and best supporting actor for Leslie Odom Jr., who portrayed Cooke. The Golden Globe guidelines do not allow a non-English-language film to be nominated in those categories. NBCSnub: Jonathan Majors and Jurnee Smollett, 'Lovecraft Country'The HBO series "Lovecraft Country" got a well-deserved best drama series nomination but failed to secure nods for any of its actors.

From the Kate Hudson movie that no one has heard of to the very awkward shut out of Spike Lee, here’s a look at some of the biggest surprises of the morning. You’d be hard pressed to find someone who wasn’t surprised to hear Kate Hudson’s name announced among the best actress nominees. Lee’s acclaimed Vietnam drama “Da 5 Bloods” was expected to be a shoo-in for any number of categories: Best picture, best director, best actor for Delroy Lindo or supporting actor for Chadwick Boseman, who died last year. The Globe nominations also tested our understanding of what constitutes a film with some interesting categorizations and nominations, putting Steve McQueen’s “Small Axe” anthology film series in a television category. The filmed “Hamilton” performance on Disney+, meanwhile, was eligible in the film categories and picked up two nominations.

This combination photo shows Leslie Odom Jr. posing for a portrait on Nov. 8, 2019 in New York, from left, H.E.R. On Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2021, Leslie Odom Jr., H.E.R. and Andra Day were announced along with Celeste and Diane Warren as the Golden Globe nominees for best original song. Day and Odom Jr. follow the footsteps of Mary J. Blige, Lady Gaga and Cynthia Erivo, who all recently scored acting and music nods in a single year. However, the tracks can compete for best original song at the Oscars.

The film, which played at the top festivals in the fall, premieres Friday on Amazon Prime. — Another acclaimed film from the virtual festival circuit, Sam Pollard’s “MLK/FBI,” debuts on-demand and in theaters Friday. Pablo Dylan, the son of film director Jesse Dylan who has collaborated with Erykah Badu and A$AP Rocky, is putting out the five-song set called “Solitude” on Friday. — AP Music Editor Mesfin FekaduTELEVISION— Catherine Zeta-Jones is joining Fox’s “Prodigal Son,” about a skilled criminal profiler (Tom Payne) and his serial-killer dad (Martin Sheen). The sophomore season of “Prodigal Son” starts at 9 p.m. EST on a new night, Tuesday.

Leslie Odom Jr. on CBS special, Christmas album and Oscar buzz for "One Night in Miami" CBS' twenty-second annual "A Home for the Holidays" brings awareness to the thousands of children in foster care, and shares uplifting stories of adoption. Actor Leslie Odom Jr. is one of the special's performers and joins "CBS This Morning" to discuss why this project is personal, and he reacts to the Oscar buzz around his performance in "One Night in Miami."

MOVIES— “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” was always going to be an event picture, even on Netflix, where it will be available Friday. Wilson’s 1982 play is set around a recording session in 1920s Chicago as a blues band awaits the arrival of Ma Rainey (Davis). — AP Film Writer Lindsey BahrMUSIC— Paul McCartney will release the final album in a trilogy of classics on Friday. “McCartney III” comes 50 years after 1980’s “McCartney II” and 60 years after “McCartney,” his solo debut released in 1970. — Director George C. Wolfe said that when he signed on to direct “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” he instantly knew he wanted to work with Branford Marsalis.

Ellen DeGeneres said Thursday that she has tested positive for COVID-19. "Hi everyone, I want to let you all know that I tested positive for COVID-19," DeGeneres, 62, shared on social media. "Hamilton" alum Leslie Odom Jr. was the latest guest on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show," joining her in person Wednesday. And if I've ever let someone down, if I've ever hurt their feelings, I am so sorry for that. If that's ever the case, I've let myself down and I've let myself down as well."

The Oscar-winning actor, who sat in the director’s chair for “One Night in Miami,” wished she could pose with her cast and give them hugs. But with the pandemic scuttling travel plans, she was settling for a virtual appearance that she equated to a certain television family. King, who took home a supporting actress Oscar last year for “If Beale Street Can Talk,” is getting early Hollywood awards buzz for the film. “I would talk to them individually, needing to hear that we had this similar, if not the same, expectations going into it, and all four of these men mirrored that - those expectations. She added: "I am only five-three, but I will go toe to toe with anybody who has anything to say differently.

(Disney Plus via AP)NEW YORK Disney+'s streaming of Hamilton was surely the biggest event on television screens over the holiday weekend. Hamilton is the poster boy for how the science of measurement is not keeping up with how entertainment content is being consumed. For example, Fox News Channel drew 5.7 million viewers on Friday night when it showed President Donald Trump speaking at Mount Rushmore. CBS had 3.3 million, ABC had 2.3 million, Univision had 1.4 million, Fox had 1.3 million, ION Television had 1 million and Telemundo had 820,000. ABC's World News Tonight led the evening newscasts with an average of 8.9 million viewers.