KENNETH MITCHELL DIES AT 49: Deadline reports that Star Trek: Discovery actor Kenneth Mitchell has died at the age of 49 due to complications from ALS. “For five and a half years, Ken faced a series of awful challenges from ALS. And in truest Ken fashion, he managed to rise above each one with grace and commitment, to living a full and joyous life in each moment,” his family said in a statement. Mitchell appeared in films such as Captain Marvel and Miracle. He also held roles on television shows such as Jericho, The Ghost Whisperer, and Bones.
NICK OFFERMAN CALLS OUT ‘HOMOPHOBIC HATE’ AT INDEPENDENT SPIRIT AWARDS: Deadline reports that Nick Offerman addressed the “homophobic hate” he’s received for his role in The Last of Us at the Independent Spirit Awards in Santa Monica, California, on Sunday (February 25th). During his acceptance speech for Best Supporting Performance in a New Scripted Series, the Parks and Recreation actor said, “Thanks to HBO for having the guts to participate in this storytelling tradition that is truly independent. Stories with guts that when homophobic hate comes my way and says, ‘Why did you have to make it a gay story?’ We say, ‘Because you ask questions like that.'” He added, “It’s not a gay story, it’s a love story, you a—hole.”
SHANE GILLIS ADDRESSES ‘SNL’ FIRING DURING OPENING MONOLOGUE: According to Variety, Shane Gillis didn’t shy away from the fact that he was fired from Saturday Night Live in 2019 while hosting the show over the weekend. The comedian was let go one week after it was announced that he would join the cast due to his prior racist, homophobic, and misogynistic remarks. “I’m here,” he said during his opening monologue. “Most of you probably have no idea who I am. I was actually — I was fired from this show a while ago. But, you know, don’t look that up, please. If you don’t know who I am, please don’t Google that. It’s fine. Don’t even worry about it.”
RYAN MURPHY ANNOUNCES NEW HORROR SERIES TITLED ‘GROTESQUERIE:’ On Friday (February 23rd), Ryan Murphy revealed on Instagram that there’s a new horror series coming to FX this fall titled Grotesquerie. Niecy Nash-Betts, Courtney B. Vance, and Lesley Manville are all set to star in the drama. “You say, ‘Well, hon, evil has always existed,’” Nash-Betts’ character says in an all-text and audio trailer. “Things are getting better, there’s never been a better time to be alive!’ … It’s not getting better! Something’s happening around us, and nobody sees it but me.”
