‘The Boys’ flying high: Season 4 finale scores 55 million viewers
The final episode of season 4 of The Boys may have been a downer, but it ended on a very high note.
ABC Audio has learned that the fourth installment of the show attracted 55 million viewers worldwide, according to Prime Video, and reached #1 in 170 countries.
Overall, viewership for the fourth season of the Emmy-nominated series based on Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson‘s bestselling comic book series is up 20% versus the third.
Interestingly, for all the skewering the show did about American politics this season, 60% of the audience was in other countries, with strong performances in the U.K., Canada, Brazil, India, Germany, Italy, France, Mexico and Spain, according to the streamer.
Talk show hosts past and present took to social media to mourn Emmy winner and talk show icon Phil Donahue, who died Sunday night at 88 years old.
Oprah Winfrey posted to Instagram a throwback photo of her hugging the man whose talk show dominance she challenged in the 1980s. “There wouldn’t have been an Oprah Show without Phil Donahue being the first to prove that daytime talk and women watching should be taken seriously,” O said on Instagram, calling him a pioneer. “I’m glad I got to thank him for it. Rest in peace Phil.”
Montel Williamscalled Donahue the “godfather of talk shows” who “forever changed the landscape of television.”
Sally Jessy Raphaelcalled this a “very sad day” and said her former fellow chat show contemporary “was one of the finest broadcasters in American television.” Like Winfrey, Raphael posted a throwback picture of her and Donahue, echoing Oprah’s sentiment: “If there wasn’t a Phil, there would have never been a Sally.”
Piers Morganposted a photo of himself interviewing the “clever, interesting man,” calling him “One of the true trail-blazing [sic] icons of American television.”
Watch What Happens Live host Andy Cohenhailed Donahue as a “singular talent who revolutionized daytime television, and the talk show itself,” thanking him for being “an outspoken advocate for the gay community at a time when we had none.”
Holly Robinson Peeteposted a photo of her and husband Rodney Peete with Donahue and his wife of 44 years, Marlo Thomas. Holly said in part on X, “One of the highlights of our marriage was meeting and double dating with Phil and Marlo. The stories!!! Truly one of the best couples we’ve ever met. What a legend Phil was. A pioneer! He will be so missed.”
Grant Ellis is the newest Bachelor looking for love.
The day trader and former pro basketball player from New Jersey was announced as the new Bachelor on Monday night.
“As the Bachelor, Ellis is eager to embark on a journey filled with romance, adventure, and genuine connections,” a press release from ABC Entertainment read. “He hopes to find a partner who shares his values of loyalty, humor and a deep appreciation for life’s simple pleasures.”
Besides being passionate about his career, Ellis, who is a self-proclaimed mama’s boy, also enjoys “cheering on the Lakers, hitting strikes at the bowling alley, or belting out tunes at karaoke nights” during his spare time, per ABC.
Bachelor fans were first introduced to Ellis on Jenn Tran‘s season of The Bachelorette.
The two connected over their mutual attraction for each other and common goals, with Ellis telling Tran during an early group date that he is “on a mission” to start a family.
“I know when I have a family one day, I want to have a super close family,” he told her.
“I’m ready,” he added. “I’m on a mission, and that’s what I want.”
Tran and Ellis also had a romantic beachside horseback riding date in New Zealand, but he ultimately went home during week 6 of season 21.
Ellis will be the star of the 29th season The Bachelor. His season follows Joey Graziadei‘s season, where Graziadei proposed to Kelsey Anderson.
A premiere date for The Bachelor season 29 has not been announced.
The legendary actor James Earl Jones will be honored by BET in a prime-time special on Thursday evening, just three days after he passed away at 93 years old.
BET News & ET Present James Earl Jones: Life and Legacy, a collaboration between the network and Entertainment Tonight, will air Thursday at 8 p.m. ET and will rerun Sunday at 12 p.m. ET.
The special will stream on BET+ starting Friday.
“The tribute special will feature archival footage and never-before-seen interviews with the award-winning actor James Earl Jones at various stages of his illustrious and pioneering career,” the producers say.
They continue, “Highlighting his profound impact on both Broadway and Hollywood, [the tribute] will reflect on some of the defining moments of his life and include new interviews with colleagues and friends who have been part of his remarkable career.”
“ET was on the set of many of [Jones’] most significant projects and captured moments of the star’s extraordinary journey. The BET News & ET news special will also highlight his memorable performances, including his powerful voice work as Darth Vader in Star Wars and Mufasa in The Lion King,” they add.