Chris Rock News

IMDB.com and other sources are reporting that Academy Award nominee Anne Hathway is now set to be part of the opening number for this Sunday's Oscars with a 'song and dance routine' that she's been spotted rehearsing along with Hugh Jackman in preparation for Sunday's awards.

BWW TV STAGE TUBE brings you the official Oscar night preview trailer courtesy of the fine folks over at ABC!

ABC's Barbara Walters, who interviewed Hugh Jackman for her annual Oscar-night special, says the actor's role as host of Sunday's Oscar broadcast has given him a trace of pre-show jitters. Walters revealed, 'He's nervous about it. He's never done it before!' She added, 'I said, 'What would REALLY make you nervous?' And he said, 'Looking in the front row and seeing Jack Nicholson.'

E! Online is reporting that stage and screen star (and Oscars' host) Hugh Jackman won't be the only one singing and dancing at this Sunday's Academy Awards. They report that he'll be joined on stage by stars including Beyonce, Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, Amanda Seyfriend, Dominic Cooper & more.

Hugh Jackman tell the Associated Press he knows the Oscars ceremony isn't about him, but he's looking forward to enjoying it all the same. The screen and stage superstar chatted with the AP in a phone interview yesterday, Friday, February 13th, less than two weeks before the Feb. 22 ceremony which will be airing on ABC.

The new concert series, entitled 'Love Songs' will premiere on Saturday, January 31st and continue through Saturday, February 28th at Broadway's premiere destination, Sardi's (234 West 44th Street between Broadway & Eighth Avenue).

The New York Times has reported that Tony winner Rob Ashford will lend his talents to director Baz Luhrmann's staging for Hugh Jackman's opening number for the 81st Annual Academy Awards. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced on December 12th, 2008, that Hugh Jackman will host this year's Oscar telecast. Previous hosts have usually been TV or film comedians including Bob Hope, Johnny Carson, David Letterman, Billy Crystal, Whoopi Goldberg, Steve Martin, John Stewart, Chris Rock, Ellen DeGeneres and others

Robert Morton will executive produce the 30-minute 'Oscar's Red Carpet 2009' show for the 81st Academy Awards?, producer Laurence Mark and executive producer Bill Condon announced today. The show will air on the ABC Television Network at 5 p.m. PT, immediately preceding the Oscar? telecast. This will be Morton's first stint as executive producer for the Oscar pre-show.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced on December 12th, 2008, that Hugh Jackman will host the 81st annual Academy Awards. The film and stage superstar spoke to Entertainment Weekly about hosting the legendary telecast, including his sure-fire secret to television success, 'nudity'.

Variety is reporting that Neil LaBute has signed a two-picture deal with Screen Gems. The first project will be to reunite with his 'Nurse Betty' star Chris Rock for a remake of 2007 British comedy 'Death at a Funeral.' LaBute, who most recently directed the Samuel L. Jackson film 'Lakeview Terrace' and will also head up the romantic comedy 'Here Comes the Sun' for Screen Gems.

The North Carolina Comedy Arts Festival announces that Saturday Night Live writer Bryan Tucker has been added to the line-up of the 9th Annual Festival. Tucker is performing Saturday, February 21, at 9:00 p.m. at the ArtsCenter Mainstage. Tickets cost $14 for general admission, $12 for Friends of The Arts Center, and $10 for students. The ArtsCenter is located at 300-G East Main St. in Carrboro.

Due to the overwhelming audience and critical response Sardi's management has scheduled additional Saturday evening concerts with Broadway star and vocal power house, James Barbour. The new concert series, entitled 'Love Songs' will premiere on Saturday, January 31st and continue through Saturday, February 28th at Broadway's premiere destination, Sardi's (234 West 44th Street ? between Broadway & Eighth Avenue). Musical Direction is by Jeremy Roberts. Broadway's J. Mark McVey will join Jemmy Powers as a Special Guest Artist on Saturday, February 7.

Sundance Institute announced today the lineup of films selected to screen in the U.S. and World Cinema Dramatic and Documentary Competitions for the 25th Sundance Film Festival. In addition to the four Competition categories, the Festival presents films in five out-of-competition sections to be announced tomorrow. The 2009 Sundance Film Festival runs January 15-25 in Park City, Salt Lake City, Ogden, and Sundance, Utah.

The Jonas Brothers, Hayden Panettiere and Martin Scorsese have been set as presenters at 'The 66th Annual Golden Globe Awards' to be telecast live on NBC Sunday, January 11 (8 - 11 p.m. EST) at The Beverly Hilton.

The Jonas Brothers, Hayden Panettiere and Martin Scorsese have been set as presenters at 'The 66th Annual Golden Globe Awards' to be telecast live on NBC Sunday, January 11 (8 - 11 p.m. EST) at The Beverly Hilton.

Dancing with the Stars host Samantha Harris told People when that her ideal Dancing with the Stars contestant would be the one and only Hugh Jackman. 'He's a song and dance man. He's a Broadway guy. He's got charisma and you know he can move' she told the entertainment magazine.

Cameron Diaz, Jessica Lange and Chris Rock have been set as presenters at 'The 66th Annual Golden Globe Awards' to be telecast live on NBC Sunday, January 11 (8 - 11 p.m. EST) at The Beverly Hilton.

Variety is reporting that Hugh Jackman has removed himself from discussions to star with Catherine Zeta-Jones in 'CLEO,' a 3-D live action musical which Steven Soderbergh will direct as his next project. There had been buzz for the last number of weeks regarding Jackman joining the film.

Variety is reporting that HBO has signed on as a producer of Will Ferrell's upcoming Broadway show, 'You're Welcome America. A Final Night with George W. Bush'. The cable network is also set to air a live telecast of the show from Broadway, at a date to be named later. (It's assumed that it'll be from towards the end of the show's run).

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has confirmed that Hugh Jackman will host the 81st annual Academy Awards.The Academy said Friday that the 40-year-old Australian actor, recently named People magazine's 'Sexiest Man Alive,' will host the Oscars.