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Kenan Thompson gets Hollywood Walk of Fame star

NBCUniversal Media, LLC

Ahead of hosting the 2022 Emmy Awards next month, nearly 20-year Saturday Night Live veteran Kenan Thompson was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame Thursday.

His former SNL co-star Leslie Jones was on hand to help unveil the walk’s 2,728th star. They were also joined by comedian and actor JB Smoove, and Josh Server, who starred with a young Kenan on the Nickelodeon show All That.

“When we were kids, Kenan had this confidence,” Server said while at the podium with Kenan and his young daughters, Georgia and Gianna. “So many of us spend years trying to find who were are, and what makes us unique and special … Kenan just had that.”

“We are brothers,” Server said, “The world is a happier, funnier place because of those rare gifts you shared with us all.”

For his part, Kenan said, “From the bottom of my heart … It’s really been my pleasure. I do comedy. It’s fun, I don’t see it as work … I just wanna be a good partner in the world, a good human being.”

He also promised to high-five all the fans who lined up along the famous street.

Thompson’s star is located at 6627 Hollywood Blvd., “right next to the GOAT, Lorne Michaels,” he said of his SNL boss.

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NBA announces permanent retirement of Bill Russell's No. 6 jersey

Paul Marotta/Getty Images

Bill Russell made his mark on the NBA during his time with the Boston Celtics, so they’re commemorating him in a special way. The league announced it will permanently retire his No. 6 jersey, making him the first baller to receive this honor. 

“Bill Russell’s unparalleled success on the court and pioneering civil rights activism deserve to be honored in a unique and historic way,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement. “Permanently retiring his No. 6 across every NBA team ensures that Bill’s transcendent career will always be recognized.”

“This is a momentous honor reserved for one of the greatest champions to ever play the game,” added NBPA Executive Director Tamika Tremaglio. “Bill’s actions on and off the court throughout the course of his life helped to shape generations of players for the better and for that, we are forever grateful. We are proud to continue the celebration of his life and legacy alongside the league.”

The leaguewide retirement of Russell’s jersey means the number will no longer be issued to any other player. Existing ballers like LeBron James who currently wear the No. 6 may continue to do so.

Russell passed away on July 31 at 88 years old. He goes down as one of the greatest players, earning five MVP titles, 12 All-Star selections, a gold medal with the U.S. Olympic Men’s Basketball Team, 11 championships with the Boston Celtics and a Hall of Fame induction, among other honors.

The NBA will also pay tribute to him throughout the upcoming season, displaying a clover-shaped logo with the No. 6 on the sideline of every court. All players will wear “a commemorative patch on the right shoulder of their jerseys,” and the Celtics’ uniforms will feature their own recognition of the basketball legend.

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Cast of 'Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella' will reunite for film's 25th anniversary special

ABC News

Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella turns 25 years old this year, and for its milestone anniversary, members of the original, star-studded cast will come together to celebrate.

On August 23, Brandy, Whoopi Goldberg, Paolo Montalban, Victor Garber, Bernadette Peters, Jason Alexander and Veanne Cox will convene for Cinderella: The Reunion, A Special Edition of 20/20. The one-hour program “dives into the film’s positive impact on representation in Hollywood” and features exclusive interviews, as well as BTS moments with the late Whitney Houston.

“We’re delighted that the 25th anniversary of this landmark incarnation of ‘Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella’ is being celebrated on its original network,” said Imogen Lloyd Webber, SVP at Concord Theatricals, on behalf of The Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization. “Rodgers & Hammerstein’s unforgettable score is truly timeless — still enchanting listeners 80 years after their partnership began and 65 years since their ‘Cinderella’ first charmed the largest audience in television history.”

Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella premiered on November 2, 1997, and put a spin on the traditional story, as it introduced America’s first Black Cinderella (Brandy) and Fairy Godmother (Whitney Houston). The revolutionary musical garnered critical acclaim and seven Emmy nominations following its release. It has since gained a new set of fans after its debut on Disney+ in February 2021.

Cinderella: The Reunion, A Special Edition of 20/20 will premiere on ABC at 8 p.m. ET, followed by the original film, which hasn’t aired on broadcast television in more than two decades. The special will be available to stream on Hulu the following day.

Disney is the parent company of ABC News.

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

 

Ari Lennox to drop new single, “Hoodie,” on Friday

Burak Cingi/Redferns

Ari Lennox has been eager for fans to hear what she’s been working on — and the wait is dwindling down. On Wednesday, the singer announced that her new single, “Hoodie,” will be dropping on Friday. The song is the first to be released off an album she says is finally done.

Ari has come a long way since March, when she was deciding which of 80 songs would make her final track list. Now, she’s ready to share her music with everyone.

“I don’t want to keep this music any longer. I want to release it to the world,” she said in an interview with Vibe.com. “I think it’s a part of healing to release music, and I kind of feel like it’s a whole bunch of just … stuff I have to keep inside, when I would like to just get it out. And, I also start thinking about new music. It’s like it kind of creates a block in regards to creating new music because I want to, but I have to focus on getting my baby out.”

As far as what fans can expect from the album, Ari says there will be “a lot of singing.” “It’s just beautiful soul music, a lot of attention to detail, and a lot of vulnerability,” she teased.

 

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