Month: January 2023

Al Roker is returning to the Today Show following several hospitalizations for blood clot complications at the end of 2022. Today show co-anchors Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb, and Craig Melvin announced Tuesday that the 68-year-old weather personality will appear on Friday’s episode of the long-running program, marking his first time on the how since late last year. Kotb said, “Well, we have our day. He’ll be here Friday. He’ll be right here in Studio 1A. This is his place. He’ll be in his seat right where he belongs. We cannot wait for that,” while Guthrie added: “Not the same without Al. Our sunshine is coming back Friday morning.”

Roker revealed on Nov. 18 that he was hospitalized for blood clots in his leg and lungs, which led to his absence from NBC’s broadcast of the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. He appeared virtually on the Today show in mid-December,  updating viewers on his condition:“This has been the hardest one yet, and you know, I’ve had my fair share of surgeries. But it gives you a profound sense of gratitude for this outpouring of prayers and thanks. I’m a very fortunate person.” Still, he said, “I feel good, I feel strong. And every day, I feel a little bit better … You lose a certain amount of muscle mass for every week you’re in the hospital, and I was in the hospital for four weeks. So it’s just a certain amount of weakness… I’ve got to just get my strength back.”

Editorial credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com

Paramount Network revealed that “Yellowstone”, starring Kevin Costner as John Dutton, will be back with new episodes in summer 2023. “Yellowstone”, created by Taylor Sheridan, has been airing since 2018.

Paramount revealed the news via a teaser that aired during the midseason finale (the eighth of 14 episodes), showing Rip (Cole Hauser) checking with John (Kevin Costner) that he’s coming. “You’re damn right I’m coming,” John confirms. The video also promises updates, interviews, and behind-the-scenes looks for those who check out the hashtag #YellowstoneTV.

Along with Costner and Hauser, the ensemble cast for Season 5 includes Luke Grimes, Kelly Reilly, Wes Bentley, Kelsey Asbille, Brecken Merrill, Forrie Smith, Denim Richards, Ian Bohen, Finn Little, Ryan Bingham, and Gil Birmingham. Josh Lucas also returned as young John Dutton, as did Jacki Weaver, Kylie Rogers, and Kyle Red Silverstein. Kai Caster, Lainey Wilson, Lilli Kay, and Dawn Olivieri joining the cast.

Sheridan expanded the world of Yellowstone with prequel series ‘1883’ starring Tim McGraw, Faith Hill and Sam Elliott; and ‘1923,’ starring Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren.

Editorial credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com

Actor Jeremy Renner underwent surgery on Monday after he was injured in a snow-plowing accident on Sunday in Nevada. Renner, 51, has played a starring role as Hawkeye in Marvel’s “The Avengers” movies and the series “Hawkeye” on Disney+. He also earned Academy Award nominations for “The Town” and “The Hurt Locker.

An updated statement from Renner’s publicist Sam Mast on Monday evening read: “We can confirm that Jeremy has suffered blunt chest trauma and orthopedic injuries and has undergone surgery today (Monday). He has returned from surgery and remains in the intensive care unit in critical but stable condition.”  Mast had initially released a statement regarding Renner’s accident on Sunday, stating: “We can confirm Jeremy is in critical but stable condition with injuries suffered after experiencing a weather related accident while plowing snow earlier today. His family is with him and he is receiving excellent care.”

The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office said that Renner was airlifted to a local hospital from the site of the incident in Reno, Nevada.  The sheriff’s office said in a statement: “At approximately 9:00am on January 1, 2023, the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office responded to a traumatic injury in the area of Mt. Rose Highway in Reno, Nevada. Mr. Renner was the only involved party in the incident.”

The Reno area received heavy snowfall over the weekend with Reno-Tahoe International Airport setting a daily record on Dec. 31 with 9 inches. In Tahoe, more than a foot of snow fell in the foothills and multiple feet fell in higher elevations.

Editorial credit: DFree / Shutterstock.com

Marvel Entertainment tweeted a 25-second video to confirm the 2023 release of a Disney+ documentary on Stan Lee, on what would have been the 100th birthday of the late comic creator. Marvel Entertainment wrote in a caption that accompanied the teaser. “100 years of dreaming. 100 years of creating. 100 years of Stan Lee. Stan Lee, an Original documentary, is streaming 2023 on @DisneyPlus.”

Lee was the comic book writer, editor and publisher who helped create iconic Marvel characters including Spider-Man, the X-Men, Iron Man, Thor, Hulk, Ant-Man, Black Panther and Doctor Strange. In later years, Lee served as a producer in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and would make cameos in the films.

Lee died in November 2018 at the age of 95.

Editorial credit: s_bukley / Shutterstock.com

Anita Pointer, a founding member of Grammy-winners the Pointer Sisters along with her younger sisters Bonnie, June and her sister Ruth, died of cancer on Saturday, December 31st at the age of 74.  Pointer passed away at home in Los Angeles, surrounded by her family.

A family statement read in part: “While we are deeply saddened by the loss of Anita, we are comforted in knowing she is now with her daughter, Jada and her sisters June & Bonnie and at peace. Heaven is a more loving beautiful place with Anita there. She was the one that kept all of us close and together for so long. Her love of our family will live on in each of us.”

The P0inter Sisters released their first, self-titled album in 1973, which was certified gold. They had seven Top 10 pop singles, two of which (“Fire” and “Slow Hand”) reached No.2. They placed a total of 30 singles on the R&B chart between 1973 and 1991, also including such memorable songs as “Automatic,” “I’m So Excited,” “Jump (For My Love),” and Bruce Springsteen’s “Fire.”

Anita’s death leaves Ruth Pointer as the only surviving member of the group. June died in 2006 and Bonnie in 2020. Anita’s daughter Jada died of cancer in 2003, at the age of 37.

Editorial credit: Eugene Powers / Shutterstock.com