Everything you need to know for clever weekend cocktail party banter.
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1) THE EMMYS ARE COMING…: The big show is almost here, folks! On Sunday night, we’ll find out if any of our favorite new series dominate the winner’s circle like they did the nominations. With a new voting system in place this year, you can bet on at least a few big surprises. Keep an eye on the blog for my picks over the weekend.
2) …AND YET, THEY’VE ALREADY HAPPENED: The first half of the Emmys is already over! The majority of awards were given out over two nights last weekend at the Creative Arts ceremony, where Stranger Things and Westworld came out on top with five wins each.
Other big winners of note: RuPaul Charles of Drag Race for Best Reality Show Host; Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath for Best Informational Series or Special; Bob’s Burgers for Best Animated Program; Melissa McCarthy as Sean Spicer for Best Guest Actress in a Comedy Series on SNL; and 13th for Best Documentary Special.
3) SAM SMITH’S NEW SONG SLAYS: It’s been a week since Smith’s new track dropped, and I still can’t get enough. Spotify, cry, repeat.
4) THE ‘IT’ FACTOR: Killer clowns are totally trending. Stephen King’s It hit theatres last weekend to the tune of a cool $123MM, breaking box office records as the biggest September debut ever—and expected to take the #1 spot again.
5) FERGIE AND JOSH SPLIT: It seems big girls actually do cry: After eight years of marriage, Fergie and Josh Duhamel announced this week that they’ve called it quits.
6) GET WELL, MS. GOMEZ: After revealing her battle with Lupus in 2015, Selena Gomez took to Instagram to let fans in on a secret: She had a kidney transplant this summer due to the disease, with the donation made by her best friend, actress Francia Raisa. Happy to report that both ladies are doing well post-procedure.
7) JJ TAKES THE WHEEL ON ‘WARS’: I’m not the most die-hard Star Wars fan, but JJ Abrams returning to the franchise to take over as director of Star Wars: Episode IX is welcome news for entertainment lovers—and Felicity fans—everywhere.
8) ‘HAND IN HAND’ FOR HURRICANE RELIEF: Hollywood’s A-list came together on Tuesday night to raise $44MM for Harvey and Irma victims during the live telethon.
9) MULTIPLE ENDINGS FOR ‘GOT’: HBO brass mentioned this week that multiple endings will be shot for the Game of Thrones series finale to throw fans off and keep the show’s super secret final moments under wraps. Like we aren’t going to try to guess anyway.
10) BETTE BIDS FAREWELL TO BROADWAY: While the Divine Ms. M is making her exit from Broadway hit, Hello, Dolly, thanks to the diva gods, Bernadette Peters is waiting in the wings to step into the lead character’s perfectly bunched bustle.