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Schide schplittingly funny: Amy Schumer's comedy special lands fall premiere on HBO

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Author: 
Andrew Warren / TV Media
Director Chris Rock and Amy Schumer on stage for “Amy Schumer: Live From The Apollo”

Director Chris Rock and Amy Schumer on stage for “Amy Schumer: Live From The Apollo”

Schide schplittingly funny: They like her! They really, really like her! For comedians, there are a lot of ways to know that they've "made it," so to speak. Amy Schumer, who was named by "Time" magazine as one of 2015's 100 most influential people, has certainly been going down the list and checking off those ways.

She has starred in her own Comedy Central sketch comedy series, "Inside Amy Schumer," since 2013. She hosted the 2015 MTV Music Awards this past April. She even has a critically acclaimed film that she both wrote and stars in ("Trainwreck," 2015) in theaters, starring alongside Bill Hader ("Saturday Night Live"). One comedy achievement that Schumer's yet to acquire, though, is her own HBO comedy special.

Well, that time has come.

Schumer's own special on the premium TV channel, aptly titled "Amy Schumer: Live From The Apollo," will premiere Saturday, Oct. 17. Directed by fellow actor/comedian Chris Rock ("Madagascar," 2005), the stand-up comedy special was filmed in New York this past May and is already generating excitement on the network.

"Amy is one of the most inspired comics working today, and we hope her first HBO special marks the start of a long and beautiful relationship," HBO executive Michael Lombardo said when the special was announced in May. "This event is even more special because our good friend, the incredibly talented Chris Rock, is directing."

Schumer's comedy style frequently focuses on feminist issues, exposing -- through side-splitting laughs -- the sexism that she finds endemic in so much of day-to-day life. Lately, though, her popularity has been tempered by accusations of insensitivity to issues of race, and whether those allegations -- which she strongly denies -- have an effect on either her popularity or her upcoming HBO comedy special remains to be seen.

"Amy Schumer: Live From The Apollo" is set to premiere Saturday, Oct. 17, on HBO.

 

A wonderful 'Wiz' there was: We're off to see the wizard! At least, TV audiences will be in December.

After having been essentially dead in the water for decades, live television spectacles are back in a big way. NBC was the trailblazer with 2013's production of "The Sound of Music Live!", starring country music superstar Carrie Underwood, and last year's "Peter Pan Live!", starring Christopher Walken ("Catch Me If You Can," 2002), and the groundwork is already being laid for this year's event.

"The Wiz Live!," a retelling of "The Wizard of Oz" story through the context of African-American culture, will have its live premiere Thursday, Dec. 3, on NBC.

NBC has been busy of late, rounding out "The Wiz Live!'s" cast. After a nationwide search to find the perfect person to play Dorothy, the lead role has been cast, as well as both the Wicked Witch of the West and the titular Wizard of the mystical land of Oz.

Newcomer Shanice Williams, who has five years of musical training and has performed in local productions such as "West Side Story," has been named as the main protagonist after the open casting call. Oz's iconic Wizard will be played by the multitalented Queen Latifah ("Chicago," 2002), while the Wicked Witch role has been picked up by singer/actress Mary J. Blige ("The Help," 2011).

Just like the peacock network's previous two live spectacles, "The Wiz Live!" is based on an award-winning Broadway musical. "The Wiz" first opened in 1974, and its 1975 Broadway production was a massive hit, earning seven Tony Awards, including the coveted Best Musical. In 1978, a film adaptation was produced, starring Diana Ross ("Happy Gilmore," 1996) and Michael Jackson ("This is It," 2009), and was nominated for four Academy Awards.

Casting for "The Wiz" will continue as the Dec. 3 premiere date approaches.

 

The 'Cost' is right: How much could a photograph possibly be worth? If it's of the famed American outlaw Billy the Kid, the answer is millions.
Kevin Costner ("Dances with Wolves," 1990) has teamed up with National Geographic Channel for a new TV special that's been more than 130 years in the making.

"Billy the Kid: New Evidence" will explore the origins of a tintype photograph purported to be of the notorious outlaw, as Costner consults with experts around the country to determine if the photo is the real deal. The special will premiere Sunday, Oct. 18, on National Geographic Channel.

The photo was discovered in 2010 by a collector, and it appears to be of Billy the Kid relaxing with his gang. With only one other known photograph of the criminal, though, it will take a whole team of experts to find out if it's really the famous villain in the photo.

If the experts do conclude that the photo is of Billy the Kid, whose real name is William H. Bonney, it could be a huge windfall for the photo's owner, who reportedly paid only $2 for it. The only other known photo sold for more than $2 million to a collector.

Before that kind of money can be made, though, the experts need to weigh in on the photo's authenticity, and that's where Costner and the National Geographic Society come in. "Billy the Kid: New Evidence" will premiere Sunday, Oct. 18, on National Geographic Channel.