Bonnie Carroll's Life Bites - Tinsletown Tidbits

JACK BLACK, STEVE CARELL, TINA FEY, QUEEN LATIFAH, CONAN O'BRIEN
AMONG GUESTS AND PARTICIPANTS AT

Special Broadcast Will Premiere Saturday, June 13, at 10:00 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. ET/PT on TBS with Encore on TCM on Thursday, July 30, at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT

Actor, comedian, author, playwright, screenwriter, producer and musician Steve Martin was honored with the 43rd AFI Life Achievement Award — America's highest honor for a career in film — in an evening filled with laughter, music and cheer. Many of film and television's revered luminaries turned out to pay tribute to one of America's most treasured artists. The June 4 black tie Gala was filmed at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, CA and will premiere on TBS on Saturday, June 13 at 10:00 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. ET/PT. An encore showing will be broadcast on TCM on Thursday, July 30, at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT as part of an all night tribute movie to Martin.

Among the 1,000 guests gathered to celebrate Martin were Fred Armisen, Dan Aykroyd, Jack Black, Mel Brooks, Steve Carell, Eric Dane, Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds, Jenna Elfman, Tina Fey, Jeff Garlin, Teri Garr, Brad Garrett, Rebecca Gayheart, Frank Gehry, Susanna Hoffs, Mindy Kaling, Lawrence Kasdan, Diane Keaton, Queen Latifah, Natasha Lyonne, Lorne Michaels, TJ Miller, Kevin Nealon, Randy Newman, Conan O'Brien, Frank Oz, Amy Poehler, Carl Reiner, Jay Roach, Maya Rudolph, Iliza Shlesinger, Sarah Silverman, Michael Sheen, Martin Short, Lily Tomlin, Alex Trebek, Alfre Woodard and more with video tributes from Tom Hanks, Ron Howard, Carl Reiner and Meryl Streep.

Welcome remarks were made by Sir Howard Stringer, Chair of the AFI Board of Trustees, and Bob Gazzale, AFI President and CEO. Acclaimed cinematographer and director Caleb Deschanel (THE BLACK STALLION, THE NATURAL, AFI Class of 1969) was awarded the 2015 Franklin J. Schaffner Alumni Medal for his commitment to excellence in entertainment.

The evening's festivities kicked off with a drum roll and color guard introduction of Jack Black who performed a hilarious a capella version of the "The Thermos Song" from THE JERK. In between video clips that celebrated Martin's years as a rock star stand-up comedian, dramatic actor and writer were humorous comments by Dan Aykroyd, Steve Carell, Tina Fey, Diane Keaton, Queen Latifah, Conan O'Brien, Amy Poehler, Carl Reiner, Sarah Silverman and Lily Tomlin. Martin's long-time friend and regular co-star Martin Short entertained the room with comedy and a song.

The evening culminated with fellow comedian Mel Brooks, the 2013 AFI Life Achievement Award honoree and Emmy^®, Grammy^®, Oscar^® and Tony^®winner, presenting the prestigious award to Martin on stage. While accepting the award, Martin joked, “When I was a kid, I used to get dressed up and play AFI Life Achievement Award.”

Proceeds from the Gala event directly support the Institute's national education programs and the preservation of American film heritage. Sponsors of the 2015 AFI Life Achievement Award Tribute include American Airlines, the official airline of AFI, Audi of America, The Coca-Cola Company, Deloitte, Dunkin' Brands, Rodney Strong Vineyards and Wells Fargo.

About TBS
TBS is basic cable's #1 entertainment network among young adults in primetime. Available in 101 million households, TBS features such original comedies as American Dad!, Your Family or Mine and the upcoming Angie Tribeca and Clipped. TBS also features unscripted originals like King of the Nerds and Meet the Smiths. In late night TBS, is home to the Emmy®-winning series CONAN, starring Conan O'Brien. The TBS lineup also includes popular contemporary comedies, such as The Big Bang Theory and Family Guy, along with blockbuster movies and championship sports. TBS is part of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company. Turner Broadcasting creates and programs branded news; entertainment; kids and young adult; and sports media environments on television and other platforms for consumers around the world.

About Turner Classic Movies (TCM)
Turner Classic Movies (TCM) is a two-time Peabody Award-winning network that presents great films, uncut and commercial-free, from the largest film libraries in the world. TCM, which is available in more than 85 million homes, features the insights of hosts Robert Osborne and Ben Mankiewicz, plus interviews with a wide range of special guests. Currently in its 20th year as a leading authority in classic film, TCM offers critically acclaimed original documentaries and specials; film series like The Essentials, hosted by Robert Osborne and Drew Barrymore, and Friday Night Spotlight; and annual programming events like 31 Days of Oscar^® in February, Summer Under the Stars in August and TCM Essentials Jr. during the summer. TCM also connects with movie fans through such events as the annual TCM Classic Film Festival in Hollywood and the TCM Classic Cruise, as well as through the TCM Classic Film Tour in New York City. In addition, TCM produces a wide range of media about classic film, including books and DVDs, and hosts a wealth of material online at tcm.com and through the Watch TCM mobile app. TCM is part of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company. Turner Broadcasting creates and programs branded news; entertainment; animation and young adult; and sports media environments on television and other platforms for consumers around the world. Connect with Turner Classic Movies at www.tcm.com, pressroom.turner.com/us/tcm, facebook.com/tcmtv, twitter.com/tcm, twitter.com/tcmpr and shop.tcm.com

About the AFI Life Achievement Award
The highest honor given for a career in film, the AFI Life Achievement Award was established by the AFI Board of Trustees on February 26, 1973. It is presented to a single honoree each year based on the following criteria as mandated through a resolution passed by the AFI Board of Trustees:

"The recipient should be one whose talent has in a fundamental way advanced the film art; whose accomplishment has been acknowledged by scholars, critics, professional peers and the general public; and whose work has stood the test of time."

About the American Film Institute
AFI is America's promise to preserve the heritage of the motion picture, to honor the artists and their work and to educate the next generation of storytellers. AFI programs also include the AFI Catalog of Feature Films and AFI Archive, which preserve film heritage for future generations; AFI Awards, honoring the most outstanding motion pictures and television programs of the year; AFI's 100 Years…100 Movies television events and movie reference lists, which have introduced and reintroduced classic American movies to millions of film lovers; year-round and special event exhibition through AFI FEST presented by Audi, AFI DOCS and the AFI Silver Theatre; and educating the next generation of storytellers at the world renowned AFI Conservatory. For more information about AFI, visit AFI.com or connect with AFI at twitter.com/AmericanFilm, facebook.com/AmericanFilmInstitute and youtube.com/AFI.

Today the Los Angeles Film Festival, produced by Film Independent with Presenting Media Sponsor the Los Angeles Times and Host Partner L.A. LIVE, announced a very special Closing Night. For the first time, the Festival will include a Live Read, a regular feature of Film Independent’s programming over the last four years. For Closing Night, writer/director/producer/actor Eli Roth (Cabin Fever, Grindhouse, Hostel, Inglorious Basterds) will direct a Live Read of Fast Times at Ridgemont High. Follow @LAFilmFest on twitter for cast announcements. The film, which came out in 1982, was directed by Amy Heckerling and written by Cameron Crowe. The Festival opens this Wednesday, June 10.

Stephanie Allain, Director of the Los Angeles Film Festival had this to say about the historic event, “I can't think of a better way to close this year’s Festival than with a Live Read! Eli Roth is directing a quintessentially LA story, Fast Times at Ridgemont High.”

“We're so pleased to have Eli Roth lead the Live Read of one of his favorite films,” said Elvis Mitchell, Film Independent Curator.

This year is the 21^st edition of the Los Angeles Film Festival (June 10-18). The 2015 Festival will showcase 81 films of which 45 World Premieres (39 are in competition), four International Premieres, six North American Premieres, four US premieres and 20 LA premieres. There are 60 short films and over 50 new media works representing 35 countries. The Festival opens with the LA Premiere of Paul Weitz’s Grandma. The Festival also features Gala Screenings of the television series Scream, The Final Girls and Seoul Searching.

Find us on Facebook at facebook.com/LAFilmFest and Twitter @LAFilmFest. Official event hashtag: #LAFilmFest. Website is LaFilmFest.com

The Los Angeles Film Festival is a key part of the exhibition arm of Film Independent showcasing new American and international cinema that embraces diversity, innovation and unique perspectives. The Festival produces one-of-a-kind events featuring critically acclaimed filmmakers, industry professionals, and award-winning talent from our City of Angels and around the world. The Festival’s signature programs include the Filmmaker Retreat, Music in Film at The GRAMMY Museum®, Celebrating Women Filmmakers, Master Classes, Spirit of Independence Award, Coffee Talks, LA Muse and more. The Festival also screens short films created by high school students and a special section devoted to expanded storytelling across the web, TV and gaming. The Los Angeles Film Festival is presented in conjunction with Presenting Media Sponsor the Los Angeles Times. The Official Host Venue is Regal Cinemas L.A. LIVE Stadium 14. The Premier Sponsor is Southern California BMW Centers and the Principal Sponsor is Jaeger-LeCoultre. Platinum Sponsors include American Airlines, Dolby Laboratories, Inc., and EFILM

Best Musical
Fun Home (WINNER)
An American in Paris
Something Rotten!
The Visit

Best Revival of a Musical
The King and I (WINNER)
On the Town
On the Twentieth Century

Best Play
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (WINNER)
Disgraced
Hand to God
Wolf Hall Parts One & Two

Best Revival of a Play
Skylight (WINNER)
The Elephant Man
This Is Our Youth
You Can’t Take It with You

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play
Helen Mirren, The Audience (WINNER)
Geneva Carr, Hand to God
Elisabeth Moss, The Heidi Chronicles
Carey Mulligan, Skylight
Ruth Wilson, Constellations

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play
Alex Sharp, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (WINNER)
Steven Boyer, Hand to God
Bradley Cooper, The Elephant Man
Ben Miles, Wolf Hall Parts One & Two
Bill Nighy, Skylight

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical
Kelli O’Hara, The King and I (WINNER)
Kristin Chenoweth, On the Twentieth Century
Leanne Cope, An American in Paris
Beth Malone, Fun Home
Chita Rivera, The Visit

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical
Michael Cerveris, Fun Home (WINNER)
Robert Fairchild, An American in Paris
Brian d’Arcy James, Something Rotten!
Ken Watanabe, The King and I
Tony Yazbeck, On the Town

Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical
Ruthie Ann Miles, The King and I (WINNER)
Victoria Clark, Gigi
Judy Kuhn, Fun Home
Sydney Lucas, Fun Home
Emily Skeggs, Fun Home

Best Direction of a Musical
Sam Gold, Fun Home (WINNER)
Casey Nicholaw, Something Rotten!
John Rando, On the Town
Bartlett Sher, The King and I
Christopher Wheeldon, An American in Paris

Best Direction of a Play
Marianne Elliott, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (WINNER)
Stephen Daldry, Skylight
Scott Ellis, You Can’t Take It with You
Jeremy Herrin, Wolf Hall Parts One & Two
Moritz von Stuelpnagel, Hand to God

Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play
Annaleigh Ashford, You Can’t Take It with You (WINNER)
Patricia Clarkson, The Elephant Man
Lydia Leonard, Wolf Hall Parts One & Two
Sarah Stiles, Hand to God
Julie White, Airline Highway

Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical
Christian Borle, Something Rotten! (WINNER)
Andy Karl, On the Twentieth Century
Brad Oscar, Something Rotten!
Brandon Uranowitz, An American in Paris
Max von Essen, An American in Paris

Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play
Richard McCabe, The Audience (WINNER)
Matthew Beard, Skylight
K. Todd Freeman, Airline Highway
Alessandro Nivola, The Elephant Man
Nathaniel Parker, Wolf Hall Parts One & Two
Micah Stock, It’s Only a Play

Best Choreography
Christopher Wheeldon, An American in Paris (WINNER)
Joshua Bergasse, On the Town
Christopher Gattelli, The King and I
Scott Graham & Steven Hoggett for Frantic Assembly, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
Casey Nicholaw, Something Rotten!

Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre
Fun Home
Music: Jeanine Tesori
Lyrics: Lisa Kron (WINNER)

Best Orchestrations
Christopher Austin, Don Sebesky, Bill Elliott, An American in Paris (WINNER)
John Clancy, Fun Home
Larry Hochman, Something Rotten!
Rob Mathes, The Last Ship

Best Scenic Design of a Play
Bunny Christie and Finn Ross, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (WINNER)
Bob Crowley, Skylight
Christopher Oram, Wolf Hall Parts One & Two
David Rockwell, You Can’t Take It with You

Best Scenic Design of a Musical
Bob Crowley and 59 Productions, An American in Paris (WINNER)
David Rockwell, On the Twentieth Century
Michael Yeargan, The King and I
David Zinn, Fun Home

Best Lighting Design of a Musical
Natasha Katz, An American in Paris (WINNER)
Donald Holder, The King and I
Ben Stanton, Fun Home
Japhy Weideman, The Visit

Best Lighting Design of a Play
Paule Constable, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (WINNER)
Paule Constable and David Plater, Wolf Hall Parts One & Two
Natasha Katz, Skylight
Japhy Weideman, Airline Highway

Best Costume Design of a Play
Christopher Oram, Wolf Hall Parts One & Two (WINNER)
Bob Crowley, The Audience
Jane Greenwood, You Can’t Take It with You
David Zinn, Airline Highway

Best Costume Design of a Musical
Catherine Zuber, The King and I (WINNER)
Gregg Barnes, Something Rotten!
Bob Crowley, An American in Paris
William Ivey Long, On the Twentieth Century