9 canceled TV shows that came back

"The Killing" returned on Friday, now on Netflix
Netflix is raising the dead from the television graveyard once again.

After “The Killing” was canceled by AMC last September, the nation’s leading streaming video on-demand service stepped in to offer the series a resurrection. Albeit, a brief one.

The mystery drama series, which ran for three seasons on AMC, will premiere its six-episode farewell season today on Netflix, according to the company. While “The Killing” isn’t the first TV series to survive cancellation, it does join a short list.

London’s top ten TV shows

1. Steptoe and Son

There’s a lot more to this gloomy sitcom classic than slapstick and innuendo. Harold and Albert dealt with the social issues of 1960s and ’70s London: social inequality, violence, rampant poverty, the plight of the working class. All from the squalor of a decrepit scrapyard in Shepherd’s Bush, long before it was filled with Australian pubs and mega-malls. It’s touching and often hilarious, although, looking back, ‘you dirty old man’ seems like a pretty unfortunate catchphrase for a character in a BBC TV show.

Photos: Your Favorite TV Shows & Movies Reimagined As Children's Little Golden Book Covers

Artist Joey Spiotto's love for popular TV shows like Lost and films like Back to the Future got him to reimagine them as if they were children book covers—like those Little Golden Books we used to read as kids.

If you're feeling nostalgic, we are, too. In his solo art show at Gallery 1988 (East) that runs from August 1 to August 16, you can catch some of his adorable recreations of these beloved pop icons, like seeing Breaking Bad's Walter White and Jesse Pinkman happily cooking meth in Spiotto's children's book version, titled "Cooking With Mister White," to The X-Files' Agent Fox Mulder smiling and throwing his hands in the air in "I Want To Believe."

Hulu Unlocks Free Access to TV Shows, Movies on Android Apps

Hulu updated its app for Android smartphones and tablets Thursday to allow access to select TV shows and movies for free, a move designed to drive users to sign up for the monthly subscription service.

Episodes of shows now available for free from Hulu on Android devices include ABC’s “The Bachelorette” (pictured, above), NBC’s “America’s Got Talent” and Fox’s “Brooklyn Nine-Nine.”

We Need More TV Shows About Scientists

WGN's Manhattan debuted last week, joining Masters of Sex in the "TV shows about science" club. It's a good club. But it has far too few members. There should be so many more science shows! Shows about scientists, about their work, their home lives, the weird experiments they do — there's no end to the stories that could be told. Here are a few humble suggestions.

Bad Apple: an eight-episode Netflix drama about the Stanford Prison Experiment
Premise: College students simulate a prison environment, and the "guards" begin psychologically torturing the "inmates" within three days.

Hollywood taking a second stab at a Dead Island movie

Dead Island publisher Deep Silver is trying a second time to make a movie based on its zombie franchise happen. After a 2011 deal with Lionsgate expired, Deep Silver has found a new partner in Occupant Entertainment, hoping that this time Dead Island will actually make it to the big screen.

The film will reportedly be based on either the first or second game, or "something in between." Or it may simply be based on Dead Island's famous pre-rendered trailers, based on the following quote.

Theaters Show Guardians of the Galaxy Fans the Wrong Movie, Over and Over Again: Cue the Tweets!

Boo! Hiss! Really?! WTF?! %*$&!

Presumably more than popcorn flew when Regal Cinema patrons in Virginia and New Jersey were shown the 2012 fantasy film Rise of the Guardians last night instead of the eagerly anticipated Marvel superhero flick Guardians of the Galaxy, starring Chris Pratt and Zoe Saldana—and the theater somehow just couldn't get it right!

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Dean Browell of Virginia—who was in the audience at a screening with his 10-year-old daughter—sat through three rounds of 15-minute previews as the theater staff tried many times to get the correct movie playing.

4 new movies out this weekend

Looking for a good movie this weekend? Here are the 4 latest releases and reviews from our movie critics Claudia Puig and Scott Bowles.

'Into the Woods' teaser trailer: No one sings, but everyone wishes

You wished, and it has been granted: the Into the Woods teaser trailer has arrived.

Just five months out from the Christmas Day release, the teaser for Disney’s hotly anticipated movie musical adaptation of Stephen Sondheim’s beloved 1987 show has hit the Internet, fresh on the heels of a batch of production photos that made their way online Wednesday.

Recent movie reviews

New releases

★½ Alive Inside Dan Cohen had the notion to restore the spirits of elderly people suffering from dementia by playing them their favorite songs on iPods. The results, as this documentary shows, can be dramatic. But the film goes from uplifting to unrealistic as it tries to sell the technique as a panacea for a disease that has claimed millions. (73 min., unrated) (Peter Keough)

★★★ Code Black Physician Ryan McGarry captures the tumult and suffering of LA County Hospital’s emergency unit and candidly profiles the young residents who devote themselves to healing the low-income patients for whom this is the only resort. It’s a microcosm of a failing health care system, but the film falls short of exploring the causes. (78 min., unrated) (Peter Keough)

The best movies of 2014 so far

(Yahoo) Though 2014 is only at the halfway mark, it’s already shaping up to be one of the best movie years on record, thanks to wisecracking Legos, hipster vampires, and a certain Budapest hotel. Here are our favourite flicks so far: 

Blue Ruin

Writer-director Jeremy Saulnier reinvigorates the revenge thriller with this lean, Kickstarter-funded flick that combines spurts of shocking violence with Coen Brothers-style dark humour. Macon Blair stars as Dwight, an in-over-his-head schlub whose awkward attempt to settle an old score makes him one of the year’s most oddly endearing protagonists. Crackling with moments of quiet tension, Blue Ruin is as understated as it is unsettling.

9 Movies We Love But Can't Quite Figure Out

There are some movies you watch twice because you love them. And then there are some movies you watch twice in a desperate attempt to understand them. They leave you scratching your head, trying to parse the film's intricate plotline.

Despite how confusing or mysterious some of these movies may be, a lucky few have managed to confuse their way into our hearts and minds. Their mystique has a hold on us, and we're compelled to watch them over and over again.

What Happened to Original Movies Aimed at Adults?

Over the weekend, Mark Harris, the author of two instant-classic movie books (“Pictures at a Revolution” and “Five Came Back”), sent out a few tweets that launched a fruitful discussion:

“Number of 2014’s ten highest-grossing movies that are not remakes, sequels, or adaptations of material for children: 0”

“To those who are saying ‘What else is new?’, through 2000, half of each year’s top 10 movies were often originals aimed at adults.”

Granger on Movies: Fairfield County co-stars in 'And So It Goes'

Following is Westport News film critic Susan Granger's review of the new movie, "And So It Goes:"

While Michael Douglas and Diane Keaton get star billing, Connecticut's scenic shoreline quickly becomes the center of attention in Rob Reiner's new romantic comedy -- at least for local residents.

Filmed partially in Southport Village, as well as Greenwich, Bridgeport, Lake Compounce in Bristol and Black Rock (which is thanked in the credits), it revolves around an about-to-retire real estate salesman who avidly reads the Fairfield Citizen newspaper, sister paper of the Westport News.

'Kim Kardashian: Hollywood' summer's hit mobile game

The most-debated video game character of the summer isn't Mario or Master Chief. It's Kim Kardashian.

Arguably the biggest mobile game right now is Glu Mobile's Kim Kardashian: Hollywood, where players create their own character, gliding down red carpets and fashion runways toward A-list stardom.

The game for iOS and Android starts out with players customizing a male or female character who works at a clothing store. A chance encounter with Kardashian leads the player to their first photo shoot, kickstarting their path to fame. Although the game is free-to-play, players can spend real money on virtual cash and stars which can be used to acquire new outfits or other items.

Homeward bound: Dog stolen in Hollywood found running toward Miami

 

She was dashing down the Dixie Highway corridor Friday in Hollywood when code enforcement officers spotted her and the chase began.

India, a 9-year-old Yorkshire terrier, was determined to run all the way home to Miami, owner Damica Clark said. The dog had been missing since Tuesday when she was snatched at gunpoint in Hollywood.

The officers followed little India for a while, Clark said. The dog finally got tired, cut through someone's yard and collapsed.

Homeward bound: Dog stolen in Hollywood found running toward Miami

 

She was dashing down the Dixie Highway corridor Friday in Hollywood when code enforcement officers spotted her and the chase began.

India, a 9-year-old Yorkshire terrier, was determined to run all the way home to Miami, owner Damica Clark said. The dog had been missing since Tuesday when she was snatched at gunpoint in Hollywood.

The officers followed little India for a while, Clark said. The dog finally got tired, cut through someone's yard and collapsed.

Hollywood Bowl's 'Noche de Cine' also a night of Gustavos

Noche de Cine," a movie night at the Hollywood Bowl on Thursday, was also a noche de Gustavos.

Gustavo Dudamel conducted the Los Angeles Philharmonic for the second of his two concerts in the Hollywood Bowl's Americas & Americans festival. Guitarist and Oscar-winning composer Gustavo Santaolalla was a special guest in an extended suite from his music for "Motorcycle Diaries," one of six varied film and television scores excerpted on the program.

And then there was, as Dudamel said introducing the program onstage, "the other guy." Add to the Gustavorama the score for "Libertador" ("The Liberator"), the upcoming biopic of Venezuelan national hero Simón Bolívar.

Cast gives 'Hair' a quick styling before Hollywood Bowl shows

Wherever the musical "Hair" is performed, the casting requirements are the same: young, good looking, capable of carrying a rock tune. Looking great in various states of undress also helps.

The lead performers in the Hollywood Bowl's production of the "American tribal love-rock musical" that runs Friday through Sunday easily fit the bill — at least as far as the first three traits are concerned.

Playing flower children in search of free love and unfettered mind expansion, Kristen Bell, Hunter Parrish and Benjamin Walker were in the thick of rehearsals when they sat down to talk about their roles in the production.

Hollywood's useful idiots for Hamas

When director Jonathan Demme was approached to show support for all victims of the conflict in Gaza, he didn't hesitate to sign on. Actor Wallace Shawn is willing to put up with jeers on the street for his opinions about the violence. And Mark Ruffalo is determined to air his views about the fighting on Twitter, no matter the cost to his social media numbers.

The Israel-Palestinian debate was once considered so delicate a topic, it was pretty much off-limits to celebrities. But in another sign that social media is intensifying how we wrestle with sensitive global issues, stars of all stripes are taking to the Internet to openly discuss the conflict that has killed more than 1,300 people. The result is a high-profile divide rarely seen within the predominantly liberal entertainment community.

Hollywood's useful idiots for Hamas

When director Jonathan Demme was approached to show support for all victims of the conflict in Gaza, he didn't hesitate to sign on. Actor Wallace Shawn is willing to put up with jeers on the street for his opinions about the violence. And Mark Ruffalo is determined to air his views about the fighting on Twitter, no matter the cost to his social media numbers.

The Israel-Palestinian debate was once considered so delicate a topic, it was pretty much off-limits to celebrities. But in another sign that social media is intensifying how we wrestle with sensitive global issues, stars of all stripes are taking to the Internet to openly discuss the conflict that has killed more than 1,300 people. The result is a high-profile divide rarely seen within the predominantly liberal entertainment community.

'Guardians of the Galaxy': Theater Repeatedly Shows Wrong Movie to Fans

UPDATED: A Virginia moviegoer tells THR a Regal Cinemas showed the 2012 film "Rise of the Guardians" instead of the Marvel tentpole.

Well, at least they got the Guardians part right.

Expletives flew at a Guardians of the Galaxy screening Thursday, when a Regal Cinemas in Virginia repeatedly showed the opening segment of 2012's Rise of the Guardians instead of the Marvel Studios tentpole.

Hollywood production coming to Greenwood

Hollywood production crews are planning use the former Florewood State Park in Greenwood for a feature film starring Liam Hemsworth and Woody Harrelson.

GREENWOOD – Hollywood production crews are planning to turn the former Florewood State Park into an Old West frontier town as movie cameras and movie stars return to Greenwood this fall for work on a feature film.

The movie, “By Way of Helena,” is set to star Liam Hemsworth and Woody Harrelson.

Lois Lowry on Giving Up ‘The Giver’ to Hollywood

The author talks to Jessica Gross about all the ways young-adult fiction has changed since she published “The Giver” two decades ago.

Your young-adult novel, “The Giver,” was adapted into a feature film, which comes out this month. How involved were you with the process? The film rights were optioned probably 18 years ago, so this has been a very, very long process. My entire involvement is as an interloper, an onlooker, an opinion giver. I don’t have any contractual involvement, so they could have gone ahead and made it without consulting me at all, but they’ve been gracious about involving me.

Did they ever take your notes? I remember seeing the costume designs for the female lead, Fiona — in the book she’s 12, and in the movie she’s 16. I advised them that some of the costumes were too sexy. And so the hem was dropped a little bit. I asked them: “Please don’t turn this into a teenage romance.”

In Hollywood, social media takes a leading role

In the age of Twitter and Facebook, movie casting is more than meets the eye.

Mike Fenton is—without hyperbole—a living legend. As the casting director for The Godfather: Part II, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Raiders of the Lost Ark, and more than 250 other films, he has helped build the careers of some of the biggest stars in movie history. He also cast Porky’s. And Porky’s II.

“There are motion pictures that are made, and we as an audience say, ‘Why did they make that motion picture?'” Fenton says. It’s a good question, and a natural one to ask of Fenton’s next project, Sharknado 2, a sequel to last summer’s so-bad-it’s-good SyFy Channel movie that premiered on Wednesday. “I’m wondering if there are producers who get a project financed because of the thought that in social media, this particular project may have legs,” he continues, with full sincerity.

R.I.P. Hollywood Biz Affairs Exec Donald Mirisch

The business affairs exec who held posts at Fox, Universal and MGM died July 26 of brain cancer at his home. Donald Mirisch was 67. As EVP of MGM Animation, Mirisch helped re-establish Hanna-Barbera Productions, which had been dark since the departure of founders Bill Hanna and Joe Barbera decades earlier. He served as executive producer on features including All Dogs Go to Heaven 2, The Pebble And The Penguin, James Bond, Jr. and Babes In Toyland. Earlier the Milwaukee native was SVP of MGM’s Entertainment Business Group, overseeing corporate business affairs.

How Does The Culture Of Hollywood Compare With That Of Silicon Valley?

I’ve only worked with companies and people from SV that have come to interface with Hollywood.  I’m going to answer based on the mistakes I see people from SV make dealing with Hollywood and I would love for anyone in SV to make comments or offer corrections if I have an assumption wrong.

In Hollywood, scale means nothing

SV is obsessed with scale.  In Hollywood, scale means nothing if not directly attached to profit.  We don’t care how many people watch something, only how much money it makes.

Real Housewives of Melbourne head for Hollywood

Australia's reality TV queen Gina Liano and her fellow Real Housewives of Melbourne are about to take Hollywood by storm.

The Australian version of the long-running American Real Housewives franchise will make its debut this weekend on US television.

The series is being screened on Sundays by the cable channel Bravo, which is owned by NBC Universal.

NBC Universal's Australian production company, Matchbox Pictures, produced the local version.

Kim Kardashian Hollywood Game Cheats and Hacks Videos: K-Coins, Money, Points for App; Beware of Adware

With the popularity of Kim Kardashian: Hollywood, gamers are looking for cheats and hacks for the app game.

However, scammers have used the game’s popularity to spread malware.

On YouTube, when one searches for videos on how to cheat or hack the game, one will see a number of videos being uploaded on a minute-by-minute basis. Some of these videos have no content actually pertaining to the game, but instead offer URLs to download an application–some of which are adware or malware.

12-story apartment building to be demolished in Hollywood

Demolition gives way for high rises as part of Hollywood Circle project
HOLLYWOOD, Fla. -
The Town House Apartments will be demolished Saturday. The 12-story building will give way to high rises as part of the Hollywood Circle project.

The demolition will take place at 9:30 a.m. Saturday and it will affect traffic.

"The building is going to be pulled down," said Charles Abele of the Hollywood Circle project. "Instead of using explosives, we have weakened the building by installing temporary columns."

Gossip column: Cuadrado, Agger, Mangala, Vermaelen, Boruc

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Barcelona are set to scupper Manchester United's £30m attempt to sign Colombian midfielder Juan Cuadrado, 26, from Fiorentina. Daily Express 
Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo, 29, has not ruled out the possibility of returning to Manchester United. Manchester Evening News 
Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has been told that £32m Porto defender Eliaquim Mangala, 23, will be his last signing this summer. Times (subscription required) 
Barcelona and Brondby are considering making a move for Liverpool's Danish centre-back Daniel Agger, 29, who is considering his future at Anfield following the arrival of £20m defender Dejan Lovren from Southampton. Daily Mail 

Gossip column: Eto'o, Kagawa, Hummels, Milner

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Manchester United are closing in on a £20m move for Germany World Cup winner Mats Hummels, 25, with Borussia Dortmund hoping to replace the defender with Liverpool's 21-year-old Tiago Ilori in a loan deal. Daily Mirror 
Samuel Eto'o has priced himself out of a move to West Ham. The 33-year-old former Chelsea striker, now a free agent, had asked for a salary of £120,000-a-week to go to Upton Park. Daily Mirror 
Newcastle United are close to completing a season-long loan deal for Shakhtar Donetsk striker Facundo Ferreyra, 23. Northern Echo 
Petr Cech will leave Chelsea if Thibaut Courtois becomes the club's number one, says ex-Blues goalkeeper Mark Bosnich. Talksport 

Gossip column: Cavani, Vidal, Lukaku, Cazorla, Schneiderlin

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Chelsea are preparing a £40m bid for Paris St-Germain and Uruguay striker Edinson Cavani, 27. Daily Star. 
Blues manager Jose Mourinho insists striker Fernando Torres, 30, will remain at the club following Romelu Lukaku's Everton move. Daily Express 
Liverpool will renew their interest in 22-year-old Spain left-back Alberto Moreno, who is valued at £20m, after missing out on on Ryan Bertrand to Southampton. Daily Mail 

Liverpool FC transfer gossip: Rodgers lauds Balotelli; Lavezzi could chose Juventus; Reus has release clause

 Liverpool FC boss Brendan Rodgers has lauded Italian striker Mario Balotelli and sparked rumours that he is a potential transfer target for the Reds, reports The Metro .

Liverpool have been linked with a number of forwards after the deal to sign Loic Remy fell through and Rodgers praised Balotelli in the build-up to the clash with AC Milan tonight.

The Reds boss said: "Balotelli has all the qualities. He’s 6’3”, he’s quick, his touch is terrific, he can score goals and he’s still so young.

Liverpool FC transfer gossip: Lavezzi linked again; Reds aid Hummel's Manchester move; Lazio midfielder considered

With Luis Suarez now just a £75million-shaped hole up front Brendan Rodgers is in the market for a high class replacement.

Numerous names have been linked with filling the Uruguayan's hefty boots, the latest being PSG's Ezequiel Lavezzi .

Italian newspaper Tuttosport report that the Reds are firmly in the market for him with the French champions in need of one or two sales after a summer of spending.

But they won't have things entirely their own way with AC Milan and Juventus also monitoring the versatile forward.

Everton FC transfer gossip: Blues chase Gambian starlet; Atsu deal on verge of completion; Kramer still a target

 Everton FC are one of a number of clubs chasing Gambian starlet Modou Barrow according to the player's agent.

Willie McKay told Sky Sports that the Blues had joined the queue for the 21-year-old's services and says that he could be available for as little as £1.5m.

He said: "There is a great deal of interest in Modou and that is no surprise as he been the best player in Sweden this season.

Cheap smarm and gossip

QUOTE OF THE WEEK: "I do think it's not fair that a lot of people perceive me, as well as someone like Kendall Jenner, as someone who was born into a particularly famous family. I don't think it's fair that they think because of our 'silver spoon' heritage, that we don't work hard. Because we do."

Tall person Ireland Baldwin joins the epidemic of photogenic celebutards who were born on third base and think they hit a triple.

Rumour Mill: Fraser Forster | Amido Balde | Garry O’Connor

Southampton to increase bid for Fraser Forster, Amido Balde set for Belgium and Garry O’Connor to play for free.

Southampton back in for Fraser Forster

Southampton are set to increase their offer for Celtic keeper Fraser Forster after failing to land the England international with a £4m bid. Southampton boss Ronald Koeman said he was closing in on his signing targets and hope to have at least one in place by this weekend. (Express)

John Collins says Celtic will have to strengthen

Construction on long-stalled Irving entertainment complex to begin in weeks

IRVING -- Irving's bold-looking convention center sits right in the center of very little. But after years of delays and dissension, that's about to change.

The ARK Group, which is the development company behind the Irving Music Factory have officially asked the city of Irving for permission to host a party to kick-off construction. They're aiming for the event to be held August 30.

And don't call it a ground breaking.

Thrive Entertainment 'light bombs' downtown Huntsville in hopes of winning worldwide competition

The square was transformed with several light setups, transforming different buildings, including the courthouse, into bright blocks of color.

Hundreds came out to enjoy the event. Members of Thrive Entertainment plan on creating a YouTube video of the show in hopes of winning a worldwide light bombing competition called ADJ's Tag it with Light.

Check out the preview for more information about tonight's event on The Square.

Today in the Sky: Delta adds free entertainment

Delta Air Lines will roll out free video programming that customers can stream to their electronic devices, a move Delta claims will give it “more free entertainment than any other carrier.”

The nation’s No. 3 carrier says the option will be available on its domestic mainline aircraft and two-cabin regional jets starting Aug. 1.

The carrier, which serves Palm Springs International Airport, already has seat-back entertainment on many of its aircraft, but the streaming option will give customers access to on-demand offerings even on aircraft without individual screens. With the streaming option, Delta says all customers will have access to “a selection of free entertainment options” on flights of 90 minutes or more.

XBMC Renames and Rebrands to Kodi Entertainment Center

Starting with version 14, the product we all know and love as "XBMC," will become "Kodi," a new name with new art and branding that the developers say more appropriately fits the media center's promise, as opposed to its long-established roots.

The XBMC-er, Kodi Team explained that part of the name change was because "Xbox Media Center" is long outdated compared to what the software can do today. They noted that it barely runs on the Xbox at all anymore, and they wanted to shed "media center" for "entertainment center" since some of the best features aren't just for local media—you can play games, stream from the web, connect to your mobile devices, and more. They also mentioned that the name had some legal issues—because "Xbox" was in the name, they had no real legal control over "XBMC," which led to a number of copycats and confusing products not affiliated with their work but using their name.

Southwest Airlines Bids Farewell To SeaWorld Entertainment

The 26-year relationship, which was marked by Southwest Airlines painting killer whales on its planes, ends due to pressure from animal activist groups

Southwest Airlines Co (LUV), the Texas-based airline, has decided to end its 26-year marketing relationship with SeaWorld Entertainment Inc (SEAS), a family entertainment company owned by The Blackstone Group L.P. (BX). According to the companies, the mutual termination comes as a response to “shifting priorities” in terms of business focus. However, animal rights activists claim that the decision was a result of increased criticism against SeaWorld Entertainment capturing and training killer whales.

The Next 7: Your guide to this week’s entertainment

With all the exciting events going on this summer, the possibilities are practically endless. Here’s a look at what’s coming up this week, from August 4 to August 10. In the “Main Attractions” section, you’ll find the region’s biggest festivals, concerts and other events. “A Week’s Worth of Fun” offers ideas for close-to-home fun for the family most days of the week. Finally, “Ongoing Adventures” is your guide to museums, parks and other attractions ripe for a summer visit with your family. Enjoy the summer!

MAIN ATTRACTIONS

Thursday-Sunday, August 7-10: NASCAR Series Weekend at The Glen, NASCAR's biggest stars come to The Glen for the Sprint Cup Series. From The Bog to the McDonald's Family Grandstand to camping or just one-day tickets, there is something for racing fans of every age. Watkins Glen International, 2790 County Route 16, Watkins Glen. theglen.com.

Sioux Empire Fair Brings New Entertainment

After 75 years, it can be a challenge to keep things fresh.
Therefore, Sioux Empire Fair organizers made some changes to this year's entertainment for the event's 75th anniversary.

With the finishing touches being put in place for the start of the Sioux Empire Fair, there's quite a bit of anticipation surrounding the event's 75th anniversary.

For starters, those planning to come out to the 10-day event can expect some changes to the entertainment...as well as a bang for their buck.

Comedy Is The Most Popular Genre in the In-Flight Entertainment Business

Passengers laughing at what they view on seatback screens is nothing new in the airline industry, and Spafax research shows comedy is still the most watched genre.

To airlines seeking to please passengers and attract ancillary revenue, comedy is therefore serious business.

The findings of Spafax, which supplies in-flight entertainment to 30 airlines in 20 countries, including British Airways and Lufthansa, point to passengers on long flights seeking people to relax and laugh, and there is less emphasis on watching thriller or horror films, although some airlines still offer those genres.

Will Adamsdale: sitting at the cheap bar between theatre and comedy

Ten years after his Perrier victory with Jackson's Way, the one-time Human Computer is back at the Edinburgh festival with a new show about borders

Will Adamsdale and I are leafing through the 2014 Edinburgh fringe brochure, seeing which of the sections his new show, Borders, could conceivably fall into. It's quite a fun exercise. "I could be in theatre, sure. I'm not saying it would be good theatre, but … spoken word, yes; music, yes." And so on. We figure out that if he relieved Borders of its two swearwords (thus qualifying him for "children's shows"), he could be listed in over half of the available categories.

Jamestown welcomes Lucy home with annual comedy festival

It all starts with Lucille Ball – and next week, she will be remembered – and laughed about – in grand fashion.

Once a year, coinciding with the comedienne’s Aug. 6 birthday, legions of Lucy lovers from around the country and overseas converge on Jamestown for the Lucille Ball Comedy Festival. The five-day event, which starts Wednesday and continues through Aug. 10, includes headliners Jay Leno, Tom Cotter and Caroline Rhea; several interactive lunches and comedy classes; and plenty of Lucy-centric activities. (Think you can stomp grapes and wrap chocolate as well as Lucy and Ethel? You’ll get a chance to find out.)

Lucie Arnaz, daughter of Ball and Desi Arnaz and herself a noted entertainer, is the featured musical guest, sharing the stage with Leno, whose Saturday evening performance has been sold out for weeks.

Musikfest 2014: Comedy offers visitors a late-night alternative for entertainment

The stages are empty, the amplifiers switched off and grills turned to low heat.
So what is there to do at Musikfest as the witching hour approaches?
ArtsQuest will offer late-night comedy for those who want to relax and have a few laughs after a day of festing.

"I feel it adds a little bit of something different to the festival in that there is just a width of programming," says Ryan Hill, programming director of comedy and cinema at ArtsQuest.

Lehigh Valley-based improvisational comedy troupes The Associated Mess and ManDudeBro are on the docket. The latter will perform the Upright Citizens Brigade-inspired show "Story Time Comedy Hour with ManDudeBro" on Thursday.

Comedy Clubs week of Aug. 1

Comedy Clubs week of Aug. 1

• Paul Rodriguez Longtime comedian Paul Rodriguez has been making audiences laugh all over the world (in Spanish & English) for nearly 3 decades with his unique brand of humor that has undeniable universal appeal. Showtimes: 8 and 10 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Aug. 1-2. $20. Off the Hook Comedy Club at House of Brewz Taps and Tapas, 10045 Gulf Center Dr. E110, Fort Myers, 389-6901. offthehookcomedy.com/

• Comedians at Laugh In Tim Pulnik- described as the “Everyman of Comedy,” Tim easily connects with audiences. Also appearing, Hurricane Andrew, comedy’s “Perfect Storm.” 7:30 and 9:30 Friday-Saturday, Aug. 1-2. $12. Laugh In Comedy Cafe, 8595 College Parkway, south Fort Myers, 479-5233

Scotland's young pretender to comedy crown - Daniel Sloss

I'm a nice person," Daniel Sloss - comedian, young person, sometime teller of jokes about bodily functions, XBox obsessive, possibly soon-to-be American TV star - is telling me as we sit in the slightly messy living room of his house in Edinburgh.

Which is nice, isn't it? Nice to be nice and all that. Thing is, however, he adds, it doesn't come naturally. It requires pure force of will.

"I'm a nice person," he continues, "only because I act like a nice person. It's not a natural instinct for me to be a good human being. But I constantly overwrite my natural instincts. My brain goes: 'What's the nice thing, the right thing to do in this situation?' Then I do that."

Will Adamsdale: 'Comedy today is tweeting with one hand and playing a ukelele with the other'

The comedian returns to the Fringe 10 years after winning the Perrier award at the first time of asking. How has comedy changed? And what is comedy anyway?

My first fringe was actually 1991, doing a play with some friends from school. I did four more plays throughout the 90s there, including a monologue about a guy who kidnaps some children (but, like, the funny side of that scenario). It was on late in the Pleasance Attic and drunk people would show up and think it was comedy. Sometimes they would kind of heckle, but the piece was so dark and interesting that they’d get drawn in. I love that about the fringe: you think your evening’s gonna go one way...

Noel Fielding’s Luxury Comedy, E4, review: 'best watched drunk'

The hit rate of Noel Fielding's surreal show is high, says Christopher Howse

 Tony Reason, the white manta-ray record producer in Noel Fielding’s Luxury Comedy (E4) said: “Rizzle Kicks live in the same street as me, so occasionally I pay them extra pocket money to clean my car.” In the absurd circumstances, I found this remark amusing.