Latest news with #TedDanson
Telegraph
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
The Emmys prove that we have a huge ageism problem
This week, coverage of the Emmy Awards nominations made much of the fact that Owen Cooper, a stripling of 15, had become the youngest-ever supporting actor nominee for his performance in Adolescence, the much-discussed Netflix drama about the effects of ' toxic masculinity ' on the young. It's an extraordinarily nuanced and naturalistic performance from Cooper, and the judges have got this one right. But at the other end of the age scale, Kathy Bates became the oldest-ever nominee in the best actress category for her role in Matlock, a revamp of the 1980s legal drama. She is 77, and while I realise that many people are heading for the uphills at this stage in their lives, this statistic does suggest that TV still has a bit of an ageism problem. While there were some more seasoned actors among the Emmy nominees (Harrison Ford, a sprightly 83, was recognised for the comedy drama Shrinking; Martin Scorsese, one year his junior, got a nod for his guest role in The Studio, playing a version of himself), there was also one very obvious snub. Ted Danson, who is the same age as Bates, was quite superb in A Man on the Inside, a comedy about a retiree who turns amateur detective. But this West Coast Miss Marple failed to impress the Emmy judges and received not a single nomination. It is true that, since the birth of moving pictures, we have been obsessed with youth and beauty. And, of course, the fact that the earliest cinema actors were silent on screen meant they were hired mainly for their looks – for their ability to raise an anguished eyebrow or convey despair in the prettiest of ways. Naturally, with the arrival of the talkies, stars such as Rudolph Valentino and Clara Bow saw their careers flounder; only a few, like Lillian Gish, survived the transition to sound. Gish was, in fact, the subject of one of the most glorious (if brief) career renaissances in cinema history when, in 1987 aged 93, she appeared in The Whales of August as one of two sisters returning to Maine for the annual holidays. It is a remarkable performance from Gish – sparky and playful. The scene in which she lets down her hair in front of a portrait of her dead husband is electrifying – you see the elderly woman register a sudden jolt of eroticism as she remembers her younger sexual self. The thing about older actors is that they bring to the screen not just the benefit of professional experience, but also the long curve of a life well lived – and the wisdom to abandon the fiercely held certainties of their youth. It's that subtle combination of insight and doubt that informs some of the greatest screen performances. I'm thinking of Jean-Louis Trintignant (81) and Emmanuelle Riva (85) in Michael Haneke's Amour (2012), as a couple embarking on the final few months of their lives, with the memories that should keep them together fractured by her dementia. Then there is 74-year-old Peter O'Toole in Venus, a frightful old roué of a thespian, brought down to earth by the arrival of a brash young Jodie Whittaker as the niece of his best friend (Leslie Phillips). What might have been a standard generation-gap comedy becomes something far richer thanks to O'Toole's portrayal of a man who knows he once had it all and realises it is slowly draining out of him as he gets ever closer to death. I also think of Henry Fonda in On Golden Pond, James Hong (so adept at playing variations of one character in Everything Everywhere All at Once), and Anthony Hopkins, at 83, raging against the dying of the light in The Father – a performance that led to him being named the oldest-ever winner of the Best Actor Oscar. To put it simply, many actors give their greatest performances when they reach old age – so why are the elderly given so little screen time? When Scarlett Johansson cast June Squibb in Eleanor the Great, it caused something of a stir; that a Hollywood A-lister would put a 95-year-old character actress at the centre of her directorial debut – how outré! It's a worrying sign that such roles aren't seen as completely normal in an ageist industry hung up on the erroneous belief that young people only want to watch other young people. You will have noticed my above list mentions only cinema performances. The situation is worse in theatre and, as the Emmy nominations indicated, on TV. Understandably, theatre is no picnic when you are physically frail, with insurance companies creating a barrier to achieving stage glory. Yet time and again, I have seen elderly actors suddenly burst into life on stage – as if the very act of being in a theatre is rejuvenatory. Back in 2019, I was lucky enough to see Maggie Smith's final stage performance, aged 84, in A German Life at the Bridge Theatre, in which she played Goebbels' secretary, remembering past horrors with a mixture of clarity and confusion. It was a great swansong – wonderfully controlled and word perfect – far from the dying embers of a once-brilliant career. Television has no excuse for consistently failing to give roles of much substance to actors in old age. A friend of mine, who until recently worked in casting, left the industry because she said casting directors now assemble dramatis personae as if curating an Instagram page: only the bold and the beautiful need apply. Certainly, anyone unlucky enough to catch The White Lotus (bewilderingly, a big winner at the Emmy nominations despite its sheer superficiality) will know what she means. With the exception of 78-year-old Thora Hird's quiver-inducing turn in Alan Bennett's Talking Heads (37 years ago!), or Maggie Smith's scene-stealing Dowager Countess in Downton Abbey, I can think of very few performances from older actors that have become major conversation points.
San Francisco Chronicle
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- San Francisco Chronicle
Emmys leave San Francisco-set ‘A Man on the Inside' on the outside
Emmy voters evidently didn't leave their hearts in San Francisco. There are always surprising inclusions and omissions from any Emmy list, but one shocker from the nominations handed down Tuesday, July 15, was the exclusion of the Netflix sitcom ' A Man on the Inside.' The comedy set and partially filmed in San Francisco received zero nominations, despite star Ted Danson receiving both Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild nominations for his role as Charles Nieuwendyk, a retired college professor who agrees to go undercover at a Nob Hill retirement home to find a missing ruby necklace. Danson, best known for the 1980s sitcom 'Cheers,' holds the record for the most Emmy nods for a lead actor in a comedy series (14 nominations, with two wins), et he was unexpectedly left out this year. The nominees are Seth Rogen, Apple TV+'s ' The Studio '; Martin Short, Hulu's ' Only Murders in the Building '; Jeremy Allen White, FX/Hulu's ' The Bear '; Adam Brody, Netflix's 'Nobody Wants This'; and Jason Segel, Apple TV+'s ' Shrinking.' Best comedy series nominations went to 'The Bear,' 'Nobody Wants This,' 'Only Murders in the Building,' 'Shrinking' and 'The Studio' as well as ABC's 'Abbott Elementary,' HBO/Max's 'Hacks' and FX/Hulu's 'What We Do in the Shadows.' The reviews for 'A Man on the Inside' have been stellar since its debut in November, with Rotten Tomatoes rating it at 96% fresh from critics and 91% from viewers. It also has been watched by 12.4 million viewers, earning it the No. 14 spot on Nielsen's chart of most watched series. It has also been renewed for a second season. Danson's real-life wife, Mary Steenburgen, will join him in the cast. The show, inspired by the Oscar-nominated 2020 Chilean documentary 'The Mole Agent' is quirky and endearing, and gives dignity to the elderly community. It also, according to Chronicle culture critic Peter Hartlaub, provided one of the best hours of San Francisco television ever. (Episode 7, 'From Russian Hill with Love,' in which Charles and his new friend Calbert spend a day in the city, from a ferry ride to the Golden Gate Bridge to Oracle Park.) But the creators of 'A Man on the Inside' can take hope from a pair of Apple TV+ shows that got some love Tuesday. 'Shrinking,' the comedy starring Segel and Harrison Ford received seven nominations for its second season and ' Slow Horses,' an espinage thriller starring Gary Oldman, received five noms for its fifth season. Each show was virtually ignored in their first seasons. Maybe voters just need time to catch up.
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Watch a New Episode of Advancements, Airing Saturday, July 12th at 8:00 pm ET
Tune in to Bloomberg TV to discover how science and technology are fostering a new era of innovation. JUPITER, Fla., July 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Advancements with Ted Danson is scheduled to broadcast on Saturday, July 12th at 8:00 PM ET. With a look at some of the challenges facing local government and public administration today, Advancements will explore how innovations in technology and economic development are helping city officials to navigate challenges and opportunities. Hearing from the City of Ferris, Texas, viewers will discover how it is accomplishing its goal to improve economic development, public safety, quality of life, fiscal management, and infrastructure. See how smart city technologies are enhancing efficiency and sustainability and discover how IoT-enabled infrastructure and energy-efficient solutions are resulting in reduced environmental impact and operational costs. Next, learn how the demand for eco-friendly materials is bringing natural components indoors as the show shares how Forestry Timber Holdings (Forestry Timber) is blending advanced technology with traditional craftsmanship to enhance hardwood flooring and design. Audiences will see how through innovation and determination, Forestry Timber is bringing elegance to classic patterns, resulting in high-end quality flooring that meets or exceeds ever-evolving expectations. Shifting its focus towards advances in silicon photonics, the series will explore how Aloe Semiconductor is developing technology to increase the transmission capacity of fiber-optic links used in high-performance computing, such as for artificial intelligence and data centers used in cloud services. Viewers will see how information is transmitted by light through optical fibers and how complex optical circuits can be made alongside complicated electronic circuits in semiconductors. Finally, Advancements will take a look at rising challenges across the ever-evolving threat landscape as the show shares how RSAC™ Conference is uniting and empowering the world's cybersecurity professionals. Watch to discover how RSAC™ Conference brings together diverse minds and incorporates a global perspective to help the community stand stronger against rapidly evolving threats today. "Innovation continues to mold and shape the modern world – from initiatives across public administration to the way we operate, design, and live with modern technology. We look forward to sharing the importance of these advances in this episode," said Sarah McBrayer, creative director for the Advancements series. About Advancements: Advancements is an information-based educational television series that explores recent developments taking place across several industries and economies. With a focus on some of the major innovations responsible for global progress today, the award-winning series goes behind-the-scenes to discover and share how technology and innovation continue to drive the world forward. Advancements shines a light on several important issues and topics, while featuring an array of cutting-edge improvements, state-of-the-art technologies, and groundbreaking environmental and sustainable solutions. Its team of writers, directors, and producers remain dedicated to consistently producing commercial-free, educational programming for viewers and networks. For more information, please visit or call 866-496-4065. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Advancements
Scoop
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
Adam Hattaway & The Haunters Release New Single + Stop Motion Video Ted Danson
Ted Danson seems like a nice guy — but this track isn't about him. Adam Hattaway returns with The Haunters to release the first single from their upcoming album Hot Variety. Ted Danson is three minutes of rock 'n' roll lost at the disco. It all started when a big ol' organ — one that took up half the car — was hauled into the hills of Ōtiake, just to use its built-in drum machine. That beat lays the foundation for a swampy Fender Rhodes bubbling beneath busted guitars, pounding congas, signature Haunters fuzz, and, inexplicably, a vacuum cleaner — all captured on glorious 2' 16-track tape. The release is accompanied by a meticulously chaotic and slightly disturbing stop -motion video by Maya Templer and Jack O'Connell (Rough On Rats) starring a surreal lineup of Bob Dylan, Richard Nixon and yep… Ted Danson. Hot Variety is out September 5th on all streaming platforms and a very limited release of 100 vinyl via Leather Jacket Records.
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Watching one of these 5 Netflix shows will restore your faith in humanity
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, BGR may receive an affiliate commission. Let's be real — it's easy for doomscrolling through headlines these days to feel like basically punishing yourself because of all that's going on, from war and corruption to climate angst and general political malaise. And even when you try to turn your back on it, the bad news somehow still manages to throw you for a loop. That's why it's more important than ever to seek out things that bring joy and leave you feeling hopeful. Enter the selection of five Netflix shows in this post that we've rounded up below. Today's Top Deals Best deals: Tech, laptops, TVs, and more sales Best Ring Video Doorbell deals Memorial Day security camera deals: Reolink's unbeatable sale has prices from $29.98 Every single one's got little bursts of goodness that cut through the madness, whether you're after a cheap laugh or something that'll hit you right in the feels. Either way, these Netflix gems will 100% boost your mood and maybe even leave you feeling like the world's not such a grim place after all. The following series are about everything from teenage chaos in 1990s Ireland to a real-life friendship forged in a video game — as well as a foodie who travels the world and savors everything he encounters. Here we go, in no particular order. This coming-of-age comedy, set over the years of Northern Ireland's so-called Troubles, veers from riotously funny to unexpectedly profound (often in the same episode). In the escapades of a group of Catholic schoolgirls, whose gang includes one English boy, Derry Girls throws you straight into the madness of teenage life — and smack in the middle of all that political tension. What makes it stand out from the streaming competition? It's the way these friends manage to find laughter and love by sticking together, even when it feels like their world is in danger of coming apart. Ted Danson plays Charles, a recently bereaved ex-professor, in A Man on the Inside. Having answered a newspaper ad out of a desire to give himself something to distract himself with, he's tasked with going undercover at a retirement community. What starts as a light-weighted mystery, though, quickly turns more substantive as Charles relearns purpose, re-connects with people from his past, and finds that it's never too late to make a change. One of my personal favorite Netflix releases of 2024. Based on the true story of Mats Steen, a physically disabled young Norwegian man who constructed an entire life and legacy through the virtual community of World of Warcraft, this Netflix documentary is a tribute to human ingenuity and connectivity. Based on interviews, animation, and footage of actual gameplay, the film explains how Mats extended himself across the globe — proving that meaning, friendship, and happiness can thrive even in the most uncommon situations. Sometimes, all it takes to feel better is watching someone really appreciate life, and that's precisely what this next series provides. Everybody Loves Raymond creator Phil Rosenthal tours the globe consuming wonderful food and sharing laughs with locals. It's an easy-going formula, but it works — because in a too-cynical world, Somebody Feed Phil stands out as a love letter to people, culture, and food that only the grumpiest grump won't enjoy watching. Netflix was incredibly lucky to be the destination of this final series, which by now is considered a modern classic. Schitt's Creek kicks off as a hilarious 'rich folks lose it all' fiasco, until its real purpose sneaks up on you — and suddenly it's all about quirky neighbors, found family, and the weird, wonderful magic of a small town. The later seasons, especially, offer the kind of feel-good storytelling which never once feels cynical. And if you don't agree that it deserves every bit of its status as a show that restores one's faith in human beings, then to that I say (a la David Rose): 'Eat glass.' Don't Miss: Today's deals: Nintendo Switch games, $5 smart plugs, $150 Vizio soundbar, $100 Beats Pill speaker, more More Top Deals Amazon gift card deals, offers & coupons 2025: Get $2,000+ free See the
