Media Morsels 8.9.13

The Newsroom Season Two
In this week's episode, "Unintended Consequences," we got to see what happened to Maggie (Alison Pill) while she was in Africa. I have to admit, I thought they were going somewhere else the with "incident" but regardless, I thought this provided great character development for her, and I'm looking forward to seeing how she handles herself in the newsroom in the coming weeks.

Some items from the week:
In honor of the lawyer's presence in this week's episode, Vulture has compiled a Guide to Speaking with Lawyers, a la Aaron Sorkin.



And here, go behind the episode with Aaron Sorkin and then take a look at a preview of the next episode:



First Date: Kiss and Tell with Krysta Rodriguez
Broadway.com has a new vlog series and this one is hosted by the star of First Date, the original musical comedy that opened this week, Krysta Rodriguez. In the series, Rodriguez (The Addams Family, the Joe Iconis Rock and Roll Jamboree) will take viewers behind the scenes at First Date, giving tours of the backstage area, letting us peek in on various press events and helping us get to know the cast, which includes Chuck star and Broadway's new leading man, Zachary Levi. Check out the first episode below and return next week for the second episode. (Bonus: The show just opened so take a look at these pictures from opening night: from Broadway.com; and from Broadwayworld.com, red carpet arrivals; curtain call; and after party.)



Casting Updates
  • Broadway: James Snyder, last seen on Broadway in the title role in Crybaby, has joined the cast of If/Then, the original musical from team Next to Normal, Tom Kitt (a genius) and Brian Yorkey. Snyder joins a company that includes Idina Menzel, Anthony Rapp and LaChanze. Directed by Michael Greif, If/Then begins previews at the Richard Rodgers Theatre on March 4, 2014, with opening night set for March 27. Broadway.com has more.

  • TV: Cory Michael Smith (Cock) has been cast in an HBO miniseries adaptation of Elizabeth Strout's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, Olive Kitteridge. The four-part HBO project stars Frances McDormand (Almost Famous, Good People) in the title role. As Broadway.com reports, the adaptation is set to begin shooting next month and Lisa Chodolenko (The Kids Are All Right) will direct.

  • Film: A new movie called Love is Strange is assembling a top notch cast. The Ira Sachs film is set to star Marisa Tomei (The Ides of March), John Lithgow, Alfred Molina (Red), Cheyenne Jackson (The Performers), and recent Tony winner Tracy Letts (Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?). The feature film begins shooting in New York this month. Playbill has details.  
PBS Arts Festival to Feature Barbra Streisand
The legendary performer's recent Brooklyn concerts will air on PBS as part of the station's Arts Fall Festival. Anna Deavere Smith will host the weekly program, which begins October 18. In addition to the Streisand episode (which airs November 29), the series will feature a highlights reel of Great Performances; Company, as performed a couple of years ago with the New York Philharmonic, and starring Neil Patrick Harris; and the National Theatre's production of Oklahoma! Visit Broadwayworld.com for additional details.

Dig This
  • A teaser trailer for the new Muppet movie, Muppets: Most Wanted, was released this week. Tina Fey, Ricky Gervais and Ty Burrell star alongside our favorite Muppet characters. Visit Entertainment Weekly to watch.

  • The terrifically talented playwright Annie Baker (The Aliens, The Flick) recently spoke to Elle about her playwriting process and her new piece.

  • Can't wait for Mark Rylance (Jerusalem) and company to bring their repertory productions of Twelfth Night and Richard III to Broadway this fall? Maybe these production stills from the Shakespeare's Globe production will tide you over.

  • Go backstage before the show at Pippin with these terrific behind-the-scenes photos from Broadway.com.

  • President Barack Obama announced this year's recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, including Bill Clinton and Oprah Winfrey. This is the 50th anniversary of the accolade, which is the highest civilian honor. See the White House press release for the full list of honorees.

  • Check out the trailer for the delightfully weird and sweet-looking Spike Jonze flick, Her, starring The Master's Joaquin Phoenix and Amy Adams, Rooney Mara (The Social Network) and Scarlett Johansson (Cat on a Hot Tin Roof). Her will be released on November 20.

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