PEOPLE
NEW YORK — National Geographic has found its next “Genius.”
The network has tapped Cynthia Erivo to play Aretha Franklin in a third installment of the anthology series.
The authorized project will feature Franklin's music. Erivo will perform songs from the singer's catalog. Franklin died in 2018 of pancreatic cancer at age 76.
Erivo won a Tony Award, a Grammy and a Daytime Emmy for her work in “The Color Purple.”
“Genius” dramatizes the story of some of the world's most legendary innovators. Previous seasons focused on Albert Einstein and Pablo Picasso, starring Geoffrey Rush and Antonio Banderas.
Production on “Genius: Aretha” will begin next month. The series is expected to debut next spring.
<br />BANGOR, Maine — Stephen and Tabitha King are ready for the next chapter for their Maine home that stands behind a wrought iron gate festooned with winged creatures and spiderwebs.The authors have petitioned the city of Bangor for a zoning change for the home where they raised their children. If approved, the mansion will become home to Stephen King's archives. A guest house next door would host writers in residence.The Kings' lawyer and spokesman say the Kings consider Bangor their home but spend more time elsewhere.Warren Silver said the Kings already cleared the idea with neighbors, and the city planning board gave its nod Tuesday. City council will have the final say later this month.The fictional Maine town of Derry that appears in many of King's books is based on the author's experiences in Bangor.
NEW YORK — Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel ... and Elmo?Sesame Workshop is developing a talk show starring the squeaky-voiced puppet, called “The Not Too Late Show with Elmo,” where he will interview celebrity guests. Production begins next month, but it's not clear when the program will air.It was announced Thursday as part of a deal between HBO Max and the children's television producer. The centerpiece of the deal is five new seasons of “Sesame Street” that begin next year. The episodes will air first on the pay cable service and then be made available for free through PBS.More “Sesame Street” products will be available on-demand, including classic episodes from the past 50 years.
