It’s Friday! More importantly, there are only six days left til Christmas! Also, Happy Hanukkah to all those who observe. Even though I’m not Jewish, I think the sentiment of faith and determination behind Hanukkah is something everyone can take to heart. Feeling festive,  I tried to make latkes for the first time the other night and they basically turned out as a delicious, potatoey mess. Luckily, no one but my mom saw my glorified hashbrowns. Speaking of which, my mama finished her first semester of grad school! Congrats mama, we are so, so proud of you. Without further ado, here is some Friday news, TV/film edition (cuz y’all know I love me some good TV).

Cicely Tyson will be guest-starring on How To Get Away With Murder. I repeat, film, television, and Broadway legend, the extraordinary Cicely Tyson (who by the way was honored with an honorary doctorate from my alma mater) will be starring opposite Viola Davis, the gorgeous, powerhouse of an actress, in one of the most thrilling new dramas on television. I’m hoping she’s playing Annalise’s mother, because what could be more perfect than Cicely Tyson going all Papa Pope on Annalise? I’m already preparing myself for the slayage that these two women will bring to the silver screen.

While we’re on the subject of Viola Davis, she has been reportedly cast as Amanda Waller in the upcoming DC blockbuster Suicide Squad. (What an unfortunate title, ugh). But the plot seems like fun– I’d like to think of it as The Avengers but with villains. Here’s a better break-down than I can give you. And with a cast that also includes Will Smith, Tom Hardy, Jared Leto, and Cara Delevingne, I’m hopeful that this movie (out in 2016) will help everyone forgive them for the most recent Superman movie.

HBO will be televising a special performance of Audra McDonald in Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill. They will be recording a one-night-only engagement at New Orleans’ Cafe Brasa later this month (or maybe next month…?) If you can’t tell how excited I am, it’s because I’m trying to contain myself. Guys. Is there anything more perfect in the universe? Audra, as Billie, in NOLA. I saw Lady Day back in April in New York, and I think it may be the most powerful performance I’ve ever seen in my life. I cried like a little baby, especially when she sang “Strange Fruit.” Whenever this airs, I’ll be there, with popcorn and tissues, glued to the TV.

For my fellow Oncers, August Booth (played by Eion Bailey) will be returning to Once Upon a Time this spring! Since the last time we saw him he was turned into a little boy by the useless Blue Fairy, I don’t know if its a flashback or another curse or who knows what, but I’ll be so excited to see him.

USA has ordered an eerily timely hacker drama, titled Mr. Robot and slotted for the 2015-16 season. Only time will tell if this will be a Suits caliber drama or a fun Graceland-esque summer season fluff. (I don’t actually watch Suits, so I have no idea how relevant that analogy is.) Either way, it will fun to find out.

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That’s all she wrote, folks. Talk to you soon! I have some really fun posts leading up to Christmas (well I think they’re fun) so stay tuned!

Love and theatre,

-K