Oscars 2025: Whoopi Goldberg, Oprah Winfrey, Queen Latifah praise Quincy Jones’ work in film and television
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Quincy Jones‘ work as a director and producer was recognized Sunday at the 97th Academy Awards.
Whoopi Goldberg and Oprah Winfrey, who were part of his Color Purple film, praised his work while highlighting some of his many achievements, including becoming the first Black composer to be nominated for best original song.
“When we talk about Black excellence, we talk about Quincy,” Whoopi said. Oprah added he was someone who was “love, lived out loud in human form” and “whose music and movies continue to inspire us all.”
They then introduced Queen Latifah to the stage, who performed “Ease On Down the Road” from The Wiz, for which Quincy served as musical supervisor and music producer.
Quincy passed away in November 2024 of pancreatic cancer. He was 91 years old.
Adam Scott is reminiscing about his time in Pawnee.
In a recent interview on the Happy Sad Confused podcast to promote season 2 of Severance, Scott spoke about his time acting as Ben Wyatt, the love interest to Amy Poehler‘s Leslie Knope, on the sitcom Parks and Recreation.
“I haven’t seen the show in a long time,” Scott said after the podcast’s host played him a clip from it. “Honestly because it makes me sad to see the show, because I miss them and I miss all the actors even though we’re constantly in touch and stuff, but I miss the time of making it.”
The actor continued, saying although the cast members on the show — including Poehler, Rashida Jones, Aubrey Plaza, Nick Offerman, Chris Pratt and Rob Lowe — keep in touch through a text group chat, he’s nostalgic for the years he spent working beside them.
“It was a really just joyful five years — for me, seven years for the show — getting to go work there every day with that group of people. We had so much fun and [were] making something that meant something to people; it meant something to us,” Scott said.
The gang reunited for a virtual Zoom reunion during the pandemic, but Scott said an official reunion would be up to the show’s creators, Michael Schur and Greg Daniels.
“The show itself, the series finale kind of took us to the end. It jumped pretty far ahead into the future, so I’m not sure what else there is to add, but it’s entirely not up to me at all,” Scott said.
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Dog Man is sitting and staying at the top of the box office.
The animated adaptation of the children’s graphic novel series, starring a police officer with the head of a dog, debuted at #1 in its opening weekend, digging up a total of $36,000, according to Box Office Mojo.
Another new release, the horror film Companion, slid in at #2 with $9.5 million earned over the weekend.
Mufasa: The Lion King took #3 with an added $6.113 million, followed by One of Them Days at #4 with $6 million and Flight Risk at #5 with $5.6 million.
Here are the top 10 films at the box office: 1. Dog Man – $36 million 2. Companion – $9.5 million 3. Mufasa: The Lion King – $6.113 million 4. One of Them Days – $6 million 5. Flight Risk – $5.6 million 6. Sonic the Hedgehog 3 – $3.225 million 7. Moana 2 – $2.836 million 8. A Complete Unknown – $2.164 million 9. The Brutalist – $1.866 million 10. Den of Thieves 2: Pantera – $1.6 million
The Dutton family is facing new challenges in season 2 of the Yellowstone prequel series, 1923.
Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren lead the Western drama series, which drops new episodes every week on Paramount+. JuliaSchlaepfer co-stars as Alexandra, daughter-in-law to Ford’s Jacob Dutton and Mirren’s Cara Dutton.
Schlaepfer told ABC Audio that it’s “unbelievable” to work with both Ford and Mirren.
“As an actor, that’s the dream. To be able to just be around these people, let alone develop relationships with them off set,” Schlaepfer said. “I’m one lucky girl, that’s for sure. I feel so honored. They are the coolest people in the world, and I can’t believe the company I’m in, I really cannot.”
Ford, in particular, “has the best sense of humor,” Schlaepfer said.
“He asked me for my autograph once, and then I gave it to him and he curled it up into a ball and threw it in the trash,” she continued. “I love him. That’s who he is. He’s the funniest person alive. It’s so much fun. I have the best time with them.”
After Alexandra was separated from her husband Spencer, played by Brandon Sklenar, last season, she’s spent the beginning of season 2 finding her way home to him. Schlaepfer thinks Alex’s journey is beautiful.
“She made a choice to leave her family behind, and leave that kind of caged life behind and follow her heart. And she made a commitment. She’s a married woman, and she chose this. She chose this life. And she loves Spencer so much,” Schlaepfer said. “It just drives her all the way there. There is nothing that she wouldn’t do to be reunited with the people that she loves.”
