Page 31 - AT

A31
PEOPLE & ARTS Monday 13 January 2020
NBC: Change will come to ‘America’s Got Talent’ if needed

By LYNN ELBER what it means to come to was fired because she had
PASADENA, Calif. (AP) — work here incredibly seri- asked NBC and the show’s
An investigation of Gabri- ously,” the NBC Entertain- producers to respond to an
elle Union’s complaints of ment chairman told a TV environment that tolerated
racism and other troubling critics meeting during a racist jokes and remarks.
behavior on the set of Q&A session. That included what Union
“America’s Got Talent” is “We want to always go said were multiple notes
being taken very seriously after the truth. That’s our from producers saying she
by NBC, the network’s en- culture here, you can ask was wearing her hair “too
tertainment chief said Sat- anyone who works here,” black” for the “America’s
urday. he said. Got Talent” audience.
Paul Telegdy said the com- Union, known for her roles Union had also complained
pany will respond appropri- in the films “Bring It On” and of other behavior, such
ately when it receives the “Bad Boys II,” was a judge as judge-producer Simon
findings of its inquiry, which on the talent showcase Cowell’s smoking on the
he said may be completed for a season, until she and indoor set, Variety reported
by the end of January. fellow freshman judge Juli- in November.
“I’m very confident if we anne Hough weren’t asked NBC has spoken with Union
learn something ... we will to return. as part of its formal investi- In this July 10, 2019, file photo, Gabrielle Union arrives at the ESPY
Awards at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.
put new practices in place The trade publication Va- gation that began in early Associated Press
if necessary. We certainly riety reported that Union, December.
take anyone’s critique of who is black, believed she Without directly referring to give a proper apology. the show’s “long history of
NBC or the two companies Union’s husband, former inclusivity and diversity.”
PBS to mark its 50th that produce the show, NBA player Dwyane Wade, The Screen Actors Guild-
Fremantle and Syco, Union and other prominent peo-
American Federation of
anniversary with has tweeted about her ple have called for answers Television and Radio Artists,
of which Union is a member,
on why she was fired.
situation several times, ac-
‘American Portrait’ knowledging the support In a statement last Novem- also said that it was working
ber, NBC and Fremantle with the actress to investi-
she’s gotten and retweet-
much more apparent ing instructions on how to defended what they called gate her complaints.q
than what separates us.”
“PBS American Portrait,” is
the network’s most ambi- Bye, Ricky Gervais: Poehler, Fey
tious multi-platform proj-
ect yet and aims to foster to host 2021 Golden Globes
a nationwide discussion
about America and its By LYNN ELBER
people, said program- AP Television Writer
ming chief Perry Simon. It PASADENA, Calif. (AP) —
will encompass a variety Tina Fey and Amy Poehler
of working parts, starting will share host duties for the
with video, photo and Golden Globes ceremo-
Paula Kerger, President and other content from the ny in 2021. Poehler herself
CEO at PBS speaks at the public and including a shared the announcement
executive session during web miniseries, local and at a TV critics meeting Sat-
the PBS Winter 2020 TCA national art exhibits and urday, just a week after the
Press Tour at The Langham a documentary series air- ceremony aired with Ricky
Huntington, Pasadena on ing in January 2021. Gervais as host. "There are
Friday, Jan. 10, 2020, in
Pasadena, Calif. Participants are being no two funnier people any-
Associated Press asked to share their sto- where," said Poehler, who
ries, filling in the blanks introduced herself with the
PASADENA, Calif. (AP) — for such “conversation name of an NBC publicist In this Jan. 11, 2015 file photo, Tina Fey, left, and Amy Poehler
PBS will mark its 50th year starters” as “I was raised who was to have opened arrive for the 72nd annual Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills,
with an exploration of to believe” and “What the network's daylong pre- Calif.
what it means to be an keeps me up at night,” sentation about its pro- Associated Press
American in a rancorous PBS said in announcing gramming. ny that it was the last time Golden Globes stage."
period. the project. A tongue-in-cheek Poehler he intended to emcee. A Poehler joked that she
“At a time when our Americans can submit said the network was glad total of 18.3 million view- couldn't wait to present the
country feels perhaps content on PBS’ website, the pair found time in their ers tuned in, a small drop best film award to the vid-
the fabric is becoming a with community and lo- busy schedules to take over the 18.6 million who eo, "Puppy Dog Bouncing
bit frayed, we felt it was cal leaders called on to on the Globes. They have watched the 2019 ceremo- in the Box Like This."
important for us to step encourage people in hosted three times before. ny co-hosed by Sandra Oh NBC is keeping her busy:
back and really look at their circle to share their At last Sunday's ceremony, and Andy Samberg. The network announced
who we are,” PBS chief stories. Gervais' snarky jokes in his "There's no denying that Saturday it's renewed the
executive Paula Kerger The digital miniseries will fifth turn as host received Tina and Amy's comedic craft show "Making It," host-
told a TV critics meeting launch in spring 2020, mixed reviews and reac- chemistry is infectious," said ed and produced by Poe-
Friday. available to PBS Digi- tions from the celebrity au- Lorenzo Soria, president of hler and Nick Offerman,
Her perception in travel- tal Studios’ subscribers dience. Poehler and Fey the Hollywood Foreign Press former "Parks and Recre-
ing throughout the coun- on platforms including earned a warmer recep- Association, which bestows ation" castmates.
try, she said, “is what YouTube and Facebook tion for their comedic ap- the TV and movie awards. The date for next year's
binds us together is so Watch.q proach. Gervais repeated- "We can't wait to see the Golden Globes will be an-
ly said during the ceremo- dynamic duo return to the nounced later, NBC said.q