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Home , Trevor Noah

lifestyle SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 2015 Trevor Noah on short list to replace

revor Noah only joined “” as a con- place on CBS’ “Late Show.” The search for Stewart’s suc- Number of candidates tributor at the end of last year, but he could soon cessor takes place as Central is showing a new Since Stewart announced in February he expected to Tfind himself serving as an integral part of the pro- program in Colbert’s 11:30 p.m. slot, “The Nightly Show step down from his perch at the program sometime gram. Noah is gaining consideration as a potential suc- With Larry Wilmore,” which uses comedy to explore cul- between July and the end of 2015, a number of obvious cessor to Jon Stewart, the mainstay’s ture, politics and race. candidates to succeed him have made plans of their own. longtime host, according to a person familiar with the Comedy Central is already the only network to fea- Samantha Bee, a veteran “Daily Show” contributor, has matter, and if successful, could get a crack at becoming ture an African-American host in late night: Larry accepted a deal to start a similar “funny-news” program at one of the more influential voices in late night. Wilmore, a veteran producer and writer whose program Time Warner’s TBS. Both she and her husband, “Daily There is no guarantee that Noah will inherit Stewart’s has won some plaudits even as it continues to experi- Show” contributor Jason Jones, are also producing a com- seat, and no final decision has been reached, this person ment with its format. Should Noah get the nod, the net- edy for that network,, in which Jones will star. Jessica cautioned. Comedy Central’s selection process has work would add another African-American to the times- Williams, another rising “Daily Show” presence, recently accelerated in recent days, this person said. And Noah, a lot as competitors rely on white males and as many TV took to to declare herself “unqualified” for the role. South African comedian, has moved to a short list being networks recognize the need to appeal more directly to “The Daily Show” has had just two hosts since launch- put together by executives at the -owned cable ’s growing multicultural viewership. ing on Comedy Central in 1996: and Jon outlet. A Comedy Central spokesman declined to com- Like Stewart, Noah is no stranger to tackling thorny Stewart. Both were in their 30s when they took the reins ment on whether Noah was under consideration, or on issues. In , he was known for riffing on the of the program, and both were seen as up-and-comers, efforts to identify a new host for “The Daily Show.” topics of race and politics, even using his mixed-race not entrenched players in the TV business. Noah was born parentage to get laughs. Noting that his mother is a in 1984, which would make him about 31 years old. A bid farewell black South African and his father a white Swiss, he once Under Kent Alterman, president of original program- The looming choice is crucial for Comedy Central. told an audience, “I was born a crime,” according to a ming, Comedy Central has sought people able to articu- “The Daily Show” is arguably the network’s signature 2013 report in The Wall Street Journal. And he has expe- late a unique world view. The network has found success show , and Comedy Central last year bid farewell to rience with wee-hours programming, He hosted a with programs featuring comedienne Amy Schumer as another late night mainstay, Stephen Colbert. He latenight show in South Africa for two seasons, accord- well as Abbi Jacobson and Ilana Glazer, a duo who star in anchored “,” a half-hour program fol- ing to a biography located at his website, which bills him the program “Broad City.” — Reuters lowing “The Daily Show” that gave Comedy Central a as the first stand-up comedian from South Africa to one-two punch in the fight to woo young audiences to appear on either NBC’s “ With Jay Trevor Noah its schedule. He will soon take up David Letterman’s Leno” or CBS’ “Late Show With David Letterman.”

Andrews and Plummer reflect during Film Review ‘Sound of Music’s’ 50th anniversary

hether it was their first time see- tered.” Plummer, a trained stage actor who ing the film or their 21st, audience cut his teeth playing Hamlet and King Lear, Wmembers Thursday night were famously spent years dismissing his role as treated to a magical 50th anniversary a widowed naval captain who recruits a screening of “The Sound of Music,” Robert floundering novice as a governess for his Wise’s beloved Austrian Alps classic that seven children as treacle, but he’s since dra- attending Oscar-winning star Christopher matically changed his tune. Plummer called “the primal family movie of all time” and a “fairy tale come to life.” Onscreen chemistry “I love making movies,” said Plummer. “I used to think theater was so much better. The writing was so intellectual. But then I said, ‘What am I doing? They pay so well!’” As for his onscreen chemistry with Andrews, that was instant and everlasting. “I fell in love with her when I was sitting in the balcony watching her do ‘My Fair Lady,’” Plummer recalls. “Every day (on set) she was as fresh as a daisy.” The film itself has held up better than ever, with a newly restored print in which the verdant mountains pop a lush, vibrant green and Rodgers and Hammerstein’s famous ode to hills rings with joy and ebul- lience. “It was made 51 years ago, and it endures and it lives on,” said Ganis of the film. “It has the children and the nuns and it has the love story,” added Andrews. “You can pick any of those things when you’re Christopher Plummer “It’s the last sort of bastion of peace and watching the film.” In this image released by A24 Films, Ben Stiller and Naomi Watts appear in a scene from ‘While We’re Young.’ — AP (left) and Julie innocence in a very horrific sort of time,” But Andrews paid special tribute to Andrews arrive at the the winsome actor told the crowd gathered Plummer, whose stern, stoic Captain 2015 TCM Classic Film at TCL Chinese Theater Imax for the TCM eventually warms to governess Maria, Festival Opening Classic Film Festival Hollywood 2015 kickoff professing his love for her in a gazebo, on Night Gala “The Sound event. Plummer’s co-star and close friend a starry night with Europe on the brink of ‘While We’re Young’ is an Of Music” at TCL Julie Andrews was also at the fete, sparring war, their figures cutting two perfectly Chinese Theatre. — AP jocularly with her onscreen Captain Von cast silhouettes in one of the most Trapp in a way so charming and effortless it romantic scenes in cinema. “You made it begs the question how these two never ran less saccharine because of the way you insightful look at aging off together in real life as they do in the played the Captain,” said Andrews to film. Plummer. “Without that we would have t’s safe to say there aren’t a lot of movies out there introducing themselves as big fans of his previous film. ‘You called me a saint,” quipped been sunk.” — Reuters about reaching middle age gracefully and happily. And Josh is flattered of course, and soon he and Cornelia are Andrews of Plummer during an introducto- Ihow could there be? The only thing worse than getting dining with the younger couple. One dinner leads to ry Q and A moderated by Academy of old, as the saying goes, is the alternative. But at least we more. The older folks become intoxicated with the Motion Picture Arts & Sciences first VP have the movies - the good ones, anyway - to make us youngsters’ free-wheeling, impossibly hip lifestyle. Sid Ganis. “Well ruin my reputation why laugh about this fraught, undignified experience. And few The details here are delicious. Darby makes artisanal don’t you.” A moment later: “Oh, but I’m flat- recent films have done it better than Noah Baumbach’s ice cream, and does hip hop aerobics. For fun, the couple deliciously sharp and touching “While We’re Young.” explores abandoned subway tunnels. Their hipness has It seems apt indeed that Baumbach’s star here, Ben reached such an advanced state that they’re totally retro: Stiller, is 49 in real life - the age at which one finally, truly They watch old VHS tapes, play board games, use type- cannot deny having, somehow, reached middle age. In a writers; Jamie even speaks like someone out of a ‘50s minor but hilarious exchange, Stiller’s 40-something char- novel, beginning sentences with “Say ...” Josh and Season 4 will have fans begging acter, Josh Srebnick, is told he has arthritis. Surely, Josh Cornelia, in contrast, scan their iPads constantly, watch protests with utter guilelessness, it’s not “arthritis arthritis” - shows on Hulu and check texts every minute. When, at it’s some other kind. “It’s arthritis, and usually I only say it one point, the foursome can’t recall the word “marzipan,” for more, says once,” the doctor replies. Josh and Cornelia reach for their devices. “No,” says Sherlock creator Josh is a documentary filmmaker who’s been working Jamie, with the serenity of a monk. “Let’s just NOT know here’s still no airdate set for the fourth to, we should give it to them,” he said. “But I got on the same project for a decade, about a subject so dense what it is.” season of “Sherlock,” but in a new inter- persuaded by Mark, Benedict, [executive pro- and academic and boring we can’t explain it here. He’s The plot thickens when Jamie seeks Josh’s help on his Tview with , notori- ducer Sue Vertue] and Martin saying, ‘Look, it married to Cornelia (Naomi Watts, doing some of her best own documentary, an enticing topic he seems to have ously tight-lipped co-creator Steven Moffat did will never be as good as they think it’s going to work in years), who also works on documentaries, assisting simply stumbled upon. But soon, the thorny ethics of offer some vague clues to tease fans. “There are be,’ and then I say, ‘Yes, but we’ll just bang it out her father, a legendary documentarian played by the won- Jamie’s endeavor will emerge, and Josh will begin to some answers coming to questions nobody and make it as good.’ ‘Yeah, but you can’t give derful Charles Grodin. You may think that’s enough docu- wonder whether he’s been played for a sucker. A terrific has asked,” he said. “We’re very exultant about a everybody everything they want all the time.’ mentarians for one movie, but you’d be wrong: the film’s climactic scene at an awards dinner - a multi-genera- little thing we’ve set up that no one is talking I’m in the camp of giving them everything they dream casting also includes Adam Driver as Jamie, a 20-ish, tional ideological confrontation - is both funny and dis- about.” That statement follows his cryptic want. But I think they’re sane and right and I’m ambitious documentarian-wannabe. turbing, as Josh discovers that the rules by which he’s remarks from backstage at the 2014 Emmys, just a tart.” While the Josh-Jamie dynamic will be essential to the always lived may have changed without his ever notic- when he told reporters, “We have a plan to top film’s ruminations on aging, “While We’re Young” is also ing. (last season), and I do think our plan is devas- about a marriage. The wrinkle for Josh and Cornelia is that The ending is somehow uplifting - Josh may not have tating,” he said. “We practically reduced our cast they don’t have kids, at an age when baby making - partic- won his battle against aging, but it feels like a truce is in to tears by telling them the plan.” ularly in baby-centric Brooklyn - is the chief activity of all the air. And in Baumbach’s hands, the battle has, at least, Diehard fans of the show are sure to be “des- their friends. Alone at home, Josh and Cornelia speak defi- proved highly entertaining. “While We’re Young,” an A24 perate for series 5” after they’re through with antly (and unconvincingly) of the advantages of baby-free Films release, is rated R by the Motion Picture Association four, he said. “We’re certainly going to put them life. “We could go to Paris tomorrow if we wanted to!” she of America “for language.” Running time: 94 minutes. through the mill. It’s going to be more of an says. He agrees, while noting - with middle-aged practicali- Three and a half stars out of four. emotional upheaval,” he said. In the interview, ty - that it would be hard to get the best airfares at such Moffat also discussed how this coming season short notice. will be different from past seasons, how he feels about Sherlock/Watson fan fiction and the Delicious details possibility of a “Doctor Who”/”Sherlock” One day, the free-spirited Jamie and his pretty wife, crossover. Darby (Amanda Seyfried), attend a class Josh is giving, Moffat explained that each season of “Sherlock” has a different theme. “The first series was all about the beginning of their friendship. Second about the formative stages, As for the abundance of fan fiction that Benedict Paramount creating ‘Transformers’ the love and fear and loss and all that. The third places Benedict Cumberbatch’s Sherlock and Cumberbatch and was good days, me and my pal and my pal’s Martin Freeman’s Watson in, um, not-so-ele- Martin Freeman in a wife,” he said. mentary situations, Moffat won’t disparage it. promotional image universe with spinoffs and sequels “It’s creative and exciting,” he said. “I refuse to for hit British TV Going in dark directions mock it-because I’m a man who writes Sherlock series ‘Sherlock’. aramount Pictures, Michael Bay and Lorenzo di Hours.” The franchise is a huge priority for the studio, with the Season four is “going to be... I suppose you’d Holmes fan fiction for a living!” Bonaventura are bringing on Akiva Goldsman to help most recent film, “Transformers: Age of Extinction,” crossing say... consequences. It’s consequences. Before season four of “Sherlock” bows, the Pexpand the “Transformers” cinematic universe. the $1 billion worldwide box officer marker last year, making Chickens come to roost. It’s dark in some ways- dynamic duo will be transported to Victorian Deadline reports Goldsman would not be writing but instead it the third film in the franchise to pass that milestone. obviously, it’s great fun and a Sherlock Holmes London for a special episode. BBC and PBS’ assembling and overseeing a “writers room” to hatch an idea Goldsman is no stranger to shaping box office juggernauts, romp and all that-but there’s a sense of... “Masterpiece” have yet to release an airdate for for how to tackle a two-part sequel in the film’s franchise in having helped with tent poles such as “I Am Legend,” “The Da things... coming back to bite you,” he added. the special, and season four is likely to air in addition to potential spinoffs. Vinci Code” and, most recently, “Insurgent.” — Reuters The show runner addressed the fan fantasy early 2016. — Reuters Goldsman would likely join Bay, di Bonaventura and of a crossover episode for the two series he Steven Spielberg as a producer. It’s unknown whether Bay oversees: “Sherlock” and “Doctor Who.” Moffat will return to directing duties for any new installments. He is said he’s more open to the idea of the merger currently in pre-production on his Benghazi thriller “13 than the rest of his colleagues. “If people want