Posts Tagged ‘Matt LeBlanc’

The 69^th annual Golden Globe nominations were announced recently and there’s a slew of Hollywood East connections!

Movies that were filmed in the area in whole or part racked up nods in major categories. Moneyball, which filmed scenes at Fenway Park, received nominations for Best Motion Picture (Drama), Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture (Drama), Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture, and Best Screenplay (Motion Picture). 

We Need to Talk about Kevin, which was filmed in part in Connecticut, was nominated in the Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture (Drama), for Tilda Swinton’s stirring performance.

On the television side of things, stars that originate from the area were also nominated in a handful of categories. Burlington, MA native Amy Poehler was nominated for her role on “Parks and Recreation” in the Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series (Comedy or Musical) category.

Newton’s own Matt LeBlanc was nominated in the Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series (Comedy or Musical), for his role on “Episodes”.

Dig a little deeper, and you can find even more New England connections to some of the nominated stars. Well-respected actress Glenn Close made her first forays into the acting world as a student at Choate Rosemary Hall in Wallingford, CT. Perennial favorite “Glee” was nominated once again in the Best Television Series (Comedy or Musical) category, and is helmed in part by co-creator and Newton native, Brad Falchuk. We even got the chance to speak to the director of Beginners at a special advance screening this summer in downtown Boston. The universally lauded Christopher Plummer finds himself with one nomination for his performance in the film in the category of Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture.

The 69th annual Golden Globes will air January 15th  on NBC.

Sunday night, the 63rd Emmy Awards were presented by first time host Jane Lynch of Fox’s “Glee.” While New England was well-represented throughout the show, the big winners of the evening was ABC’s “Modern Family,” winning a total of five awards, including the first four awards of the evening.

Massachusetts men, Steve Carrell and John Krasinski were both spotted on the red carpet, speaking individually to E’s Ryan Seacrest. Krasinski remarked on how he had not seen Carrell since he left, and how he was enjoying working with James Spader, a new addition to “The Office” family. Carrell likewise said how he was looking forward to catching up with his former cast.

Boston’s own Leonard Nimoy helped open the show, appearing as the ‘President of Television’ in the opening gag/musical number with Jane Lynch about the world of TV. The skit featured Lynch making her way through an apartment building where all of the current TV shows “live.” At one point, Lynch happened upon the “Mad Men” set, and sang to the characters about how women “in the future” can marry other women. Lynch married her partner in Sunderland, Massachusetts, in 2010. Many television stars made appearances throughout the skit; even the “Can you hear me now?” guy from the infamous Verizon commercials, Paul Marcarelli, a native of North Haven, Connecticut, made a brief cameo.

As for the awards, Matt LeBlanc, a Newton native, lost to Jim Parsons from “Big Bang Theory” for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy and “Downton Abby (Masterpiece)” beat “The Kennedys” for Outstanding Miniseries or Movie. Barry Pepper, who played Robert F. Kennedy in the controversial miniseries “The Kennedys,” won the best supporting actor award.

Burlington’s Amy Poehler, along with winner Melissa McCarthy helped present the award for Outstanding Directing for a Miniseries, Movie, or Dramatic Special and Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or Movie. Poehler was up against McCarty earlier in the evening for Outstanding Actress in a Comedy. The funny lady nominees each scrambled to the stage as their names were called and assembled in a row, pageant-like, and stood holding hands, before McCarthy was announced as the winner, and presented with her trophy, along with a tiara and bouquet of roses.

Mark Wahlberg was spotted in the audience when Lynch introduced the cast of “Entourage,” who presented the award for Outstanding Writing for a Miniseries, Movie, or Dramatic Special. Actor Jeremy Piven even joked about his former boss, remarking about how “HBO, also known as the Mark Wahlberg Channel.” Wahlberg served as executive producer of the show up until its last season earlier this year.

Also appearing during the telecast, Connecticut’s Michael Bolton reprised his role as Captain Jack Sparrow from his wildly popular viral digital video with the SNL guys who make up the  Lonely Island music group.

Actress Jill Clayburgh, who died in early November of last year, appeared in the annual “In Memoriam” reel; she was a native of Connecticut.

During the commercial breaks, advertisements for the partially made in Boston movie, Moneyball and Footloose, starring Stoughton’s Kenny Wormald, aired.

On Thursday, July 14, the 2011 Emmy awards were announced, and more than a few New England connections were found, proving once again that Hollywood East has become a powerful force in the entertainment industry.

In the Outstanding Comedy Series category, “Glee” was once again nominated. The musical series was co-created by Newton native Brad Falchuk. The show will compete against the likes of “The Office” and “Parks and Recreation” which stars Concord’s Steve Carell and Burlington’s Amy Poehler, respectively. Each were nominated for their own individual awards for Outstanding Actor and Actress in a Comedy. Poehler will compete against Laura Linney from “The Big C”, and series that has been shooting in Connecticut. Carrell will compete against fellow Massachusetts native, Matt LeBlanc, for his role on “Episodes”. The former “Friends” star originally hails from Newton.

On the drama side, Kathy Bates was nominated for Outstanding Actress for her role in the new “Harry’s Law”, yet another lawyer-themed show from the Boston-educated David E. Kelley.

“Glee” star Jane Lynch was nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Comedy. The funnywoman got married in Massachusetts in 2010.

Connecticut resident Tom Bergeron was nominated for Outstanding Reality Host in his role “Dancing With the Stars” ringleader.

The controversial Reelz channel miniseries, “The Kennedys” racked up a number of nominations, including Greg Kinnear and Barry Pepper for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie and Tom Wilkinson for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie.

Brookline’s Conan O’Brien earned himself a little redemption, getting a nomination for Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series for his TBS talk show, “Conan”. The late-night funnyman found himself hoisted from a short stint as host of the “Tonight Show” only to be replaced by its former host, Jay Leno in early 2010, only to reemerge on basic cable this past November. Leno and the “Tonight Show” did not receive any nominations this year.

For a complete list of the nominations, check out the official Emmy website. The 63rd Primetime Emmy Awards will air on Sunday, September 18th, at 8 p.m. on Fox.

Newton’s own Matt LeBlanc recently returned to TV with a new Showtime series last month called “Episodes.”

In it, he plays a character known as… Matt LeBlanc–which is ironically somewhat of a departure for someone who has, for better or worse, become known as “Joey,” the dimwitted but lovable ladies man he played during the 10 year long running super-hit NBC series, “Friends.” The show debuted to good reviews on January 9th, and has been airing Sunday nights at 9:30.

Growing up in Massachusetts to an office manager mother and mechanic father, LeBlanc attended Newton North, and studied carpentry as part of the voc-tech program. He recently revealed to Boston Magazine that his senior project involved putting in a brand new white oak kitchen in an apartment in Brighton somewhere.

LeBlanc’s new show follows the story of a British couple who come to Hollywood to remake their very successful British TV show for American audiences, and come into conflict both personally and professionally when they are forced to cast their leading man. The show was co-created by David Crane, who also worked with LeBlanc on “Friends” and will be airing a total of 7 parts before being considered for renewal.

★ Amy Poehler (above) visits fellow Mass-hole Conan O’Brien.

★ Boston set “Fringe” moves to Friday nights–not a good sign.

★ Kennedys miniseries rejected by the History Channel will air on Reelz Channel instead.

★ 2010’s “Best and Worst Movie Posters” feature movies made in Massachusetts, as well as New England stars and story lines.

★ Lowell police officer stars as himself in The Fighter.

★ The formely red-hot Mass. movie industry may be showing significant signs of decline but Mass. economic secretary plans a pow pow with LA studios, NBC-Universal, Walt Disney, Warner Bros., Sony, FOX, Paramount, and others to pick up the pace.

★ Newton’s Matt LeBlanc talks to Boston Magazine about his new TV show, and putting in a kitchen in Brighton.

★ Ben Affleck looks pissed–in a Bostonian sort of way…

★ Boston’s Maria Menounos shows her Patriots pride on the Golden Globes red carpet.

★ A sexual harassment lawsuit is being brought against Casey Affleck (above), brother of Ben.

★ Pics of the “Biggest Loser” casting call at the Boston Seaport Hotel, courtesy of the Boston Globe.

★ Dave Foley, comic actor, writer, director and producer, appears at local Massachusetts bar.

★ Bostonian Vulcan Leonard Nimoy makes his mark as a photographer too.

★ Concord, MA’s Steve Carell’s movies disappoint at the box office.

★ Brookline’s Conan O’Brien sells spacious New York City apartment.

★ Newton’s Matt LeBlanc to star in a new Showtime show, after admitting he dyed his hair throughout “Friends”.

★ ”American Idol” contestant Ayla Brown sings at the Pan Mass Challenge in Massachusetts.

★ Burlington, MA Amy Poehler has her second son with Will Arnett.

★ Star of the movie Shazaam, basketballer Shaquille O’Neal signs with the Celtics.

★ Newburyport bakery prepares to audition for the Food Network’s “Cupcake Wars”.

★ Dorchester’s own Mark Wahlberg gets a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and appears at the Hingham Shipyard for another Wahlberg brother’s new restaurant opening; check out our story and footage in yesterday’s story below!