Page 31 - ARUBA TODAY

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PEOPLE & ARTS Friday 20 September 2019
YouTube star Lilly Singh makes bold leap to late-night TV

By LYNN ELBER "I think it's about picking my
Associated Press battles, to be honest," Singh
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The said during a recent pro-
stubborn curfew barring duction lunch break. "We're
female hosts from late- still early in the process, but
night network TV is about there's been some things
to be challenged. Viewer where I understand why
warning: expect more rule- I wouldn't be able to say
breaking when NBC's "A it. But if I feel like a state-
Little Late With Lilly Singh" ment or a sentence really
debuts Monday. is representative of my ex-
Singh is attempting the perience, I will fight for it.
leap from YouTube sensa- I can say that everything
tion to broadcast headliner I've been very passionate
in a single bound, doesn't about has been cleared."
plan to dwell on the late- She said she isn't inclined to
night staple of politics and make "super controversial"
is only the second woman statements, but readily of-
of color to host a nightly fer an example of where
show on a major network she would hold the line
since former VH1 VJ Cyn- against network edits.
thia Garrett was in charge This May 13, 2019 file photo shows Lilly Singh at the NBC 2019/20 Upfront in New York. "If I'm ever told that some-
of NBC's "Later" for a year — Associated Press thing about me being a
two decades ago. woman of color, my experi-
It's been more than three if she had never been on of a monologue, guests — experience. ... you're get- ence, is not relatable or it's
decades since Joan Rivers' YouTube and came in to Beyoncé, she wants you ting to know Lilly: what Lilly not going to be accepted,
equally brief tenure as the audition with zero social — and comedy bits, Singh believes, what Lilly's been I'll fight for that. Anything
first woman to host a daily media presence, we would said. Less familiar is the ap- through, what Lilly's good that brings my perspective
late-night show, on Fox. have given her this show. proach Singh describes, at. You really will get to is definitely what I'm going
Is Singh ready to face the Her talent transcends plat- one that echoes the blend know me, just like my You- to fight for," Singh said.
weight of expectations? forms and she has this un- of pointed humor and per- Tube audience has gotten The show's compressed
Yes, says the Canadian- deniable charisma that im- sonal candor that earned the chance to do." production schedule calls
born daughter of Indian im- mediately pulls you into her her 14 million-plus YouTube She also promises as much for taping two episodes a
migrants, who established orbit." followers and contrasts with sketch comedy as she can day for three months and
herself online with "Super- Mindy Kaling, Kenan other (male) hosts. In a re- fit in, conversations with her then taking a break, free-
woman" as her nickname Thompson, Tracee Ellis Ross cent tweet, she casually audience as well as guests, ing Singh up for YouTube
and was the only woman and Chelsea Handler are noted she's bisexual. and musical performanc- and other projects. She's
on Forbes' 2017 list of high- the debut week guests, TV won't change what she es that she envisions as unafraid of putting in the
est-paid YouTube stars with with Rainn Wilson making does, Singh said, citing the "more stripped down and hard work that a successful
estimated earnings of $10 an appearance, NBC said show's opener as an exam- intimate." Singh readily ac- show demands — a work
million. Friday. ple. knowledges that the restric- ethic she attributes to her
"Inevitably, it's a lot of pres- "A Little Late," taking over "My monologue is quite tions of federally regulated parents — and is adamant
sure. It's also a huge honor, at 1:30 a.m. EDT for "Last personal to me. It's not broadcast TV — certain that she and others who
and I'm focusing on the lat- Call With Carson Daly" after just a script anyone can pesky expletives, for starters may follow her should be
ter part," said Singh, who will its 17-year run, will have the read," Singh said. "It's defi- — make it far different from allowed to stand, or fall, on
be 31 on Sept. 26. "I'm fo- familiar talk-show elements nitely my perspective, my the online realm. their own.q
cusing on how exciting this
business is and how much
it could mean, rather than Linwood Barclay's 'Elevator Pitch' is vivid story
focusing on, 'Oh my God.
What will people think, and By JEFF AYERS lieve there's nothing to be one is discovered leaving
what if this messes up?' So Associated Press concerned about, but re- vicious comments regard-
I'm just having fun while I "Elevator Pitch: a Novel" porter Barbara Matheson ing the deaths in the com-
do it and I think that's go- (William Morrow), by Lin- is sure something is hap- ment section of Barbara's
ing to get the best result, wood Barclay pening. One of her good articles, it becomes clear
ultimately." It first seems like an ac- friends was killed in the first that the two days of panic
Singh is a "flat-out star" and cident when a Manhat- elevator mishap, so she are only the beginning.
NBC has full confidence in tan office tower elevator wants answers. Barclay creates a vivid sto-
her, said network execu- smashes to the basement Barbara and the mayor ry with a compelling cast
tive George Cheeks, who below, killing four people. don't get along, but when of characters mixed with
shares the title of NBC En- People think it's a stroke of her daughter Arla starts a truly terrifying scenario.
tertainment co-chairman bad luck, but the next day working for Headley, she Readers who already are
with Paul Telegdy. another elevator in a dif- sees an opportunity for in- uncomfortable getting into
"Lilly is bold, inherently posi- ferent building crashes to sider dirt on how the mayor an elevator will be remind-
tive and hilarious," Cheeks the bottom of the shaft. is handling the crisis. Arla ed of other classic novels
said. "She has such a differ- The city's residents begin to doesn't want to help her like "Jaws," which kept peo-
ent perspective than any- panic. mom, even if it means rip- ple from swimming in the
one else on television right What ties the two inci- ping apart their fragile fam- ocean. Barclay has crafted This cover image released by
now, and she embraces dents together and will the ily connection. When two a great thriller with a surpris- William Morrow shows "Eleva-
her whole self authentically person responsible strike detectives find a body with ing ending and readers will tor Pitch," a novel by Linwood
and without apology. Paul again? Mayor Richard burned fingerprints and a sweat a little the next time Barclay.
and I have often said that Headley and his team be- mangled face, and some- they get on an elevator.q Associated Press