Daily News Channel
British comedian Mel Smith, who became a household name for a series of television sketch shows in the 1970s and 80s which colleagues said had inspired a generation of comics, has died of a heart attack, his agent said overnight (NZ time). Smith, who died yesterday (NZ time) aged 60, found fame starring in hugely popular shows Not The Nine O’clock News and Alas Smith and Jones and went on to direct the films Bean and The Tall Guy.
Jennifer Lopez was “homeless” just months before she had her big break. The 43-year-old superstar was cast as a Fly Girl dancer on popular American sketch comedy show In Living Color in 1991
When you hail from a family as big and talented as that of New Yorkers Howell and Elvira Wayans – with 10 children – you have to work to get noticed. For Shawn and younger brother Marlon, the necessary attention was gained through making people laugh, and now they are arguably two of the most recognisable members of their clan.
A few weeks into the fall TV season, and already one show is down for the count. But let’s look on the bright side
Seth Meyers will remain the lone talking head on the “Saturday Night Live” Weekend Update desk, at least in the near future, according to the comedian. “It looks like for right now, we’re going to stick with doing it solo,” Meyers, said Monday in New York, as he was getting ready for the show’s 35th season premiere on September 26.