When we, as TV and movie lovers, buy into a fictional portrayal of the real world, it means a lot when we can identify in some way with the characters we’re seeing on screen. That means representing people of all ages, backgrounds, body types, races, disabilities, personalities, etc. As awareness has increased about Autism Spectrum Disorder, I love that we’ve also seen it more prevalently portrayed on our screens.

In addition to reality shows like Love on the Spectrum that challenge stereotypes that autistic people may face, there are several movies and series that include characters who have autism. Because the spectrum is so broad, no singular portrayal can be accurate of the entire community, and that’s why it’s so important that so many of these characters exist. Below I’ve listed 8 characters from TV shows and movies who are on the autism spectrum.

Christian Wolff (The Accountant)

Both The Accountant (2016) and The Accountant 2 (2025) star Ben Affleck as Christian Wolff, an accountant with savant-level math skills who is also a lethal assassin. The movies show how his autism helps him to quickly and easily “assist” criminals with their finances, but also how he struggles with social interactions. The sequel digs into his upbringing and relationship with his brother, and there are some fun scenes where Christian tries line dancing and even speed-dating.

Shane Hollander (Heated Rivalry)

Heated Rivalry was a spicy smash hit for HBO Max when it came out in 2025, with Hudson Williams portraying Shane Hollander, a hockey player who engages in a relationship with rival Ilya Rozanov. While autism is never mentioned in the first season of the book-to-screen adaptation, author Rachel Reid has confirmed Shane is on the spectrum.

Hudson Williams told THR his father has autism, and he drew inspiration from him on how to play Shane. I think it’s a great portrayal because it doesn’t lean on extreme stereotypes, it’s not made to be Shane’s defining character trait, and still, fans are able to recognize and identify with his neurodivergence. Be sure to check out this authentic performance, but be warned — Heated Rivalry is one of HBO Max’s most sexually explicit shows.

Temple Grandin (Temple Grandin)

This biographical drama, Temple Grandin from 2010, stars Claire Danes as the titular character, who fought speech and sensory issues and grew up to make revolutionary changes to the cattle ranching industry. The TV movie is based on Temple Grandin’s memoirs and seeks to give people a broader understanding of Grandin and autism. It won several Primetime Emmy Awards — including Outstanding Lead Actress for Danes, who also won the Golden Globe for the role.

Sam Gardner (Atypical)

Another example of autistic characters on TV is Atypical’s Sam Gardner (Keir Gilchrist). The Netflix series is centered around an 18-year-old trying to navigate life as a teenager, including social situations like dating, but it also looks at his family. Through four seasons, it shows — sometimes casually and sometimes in heightened situations — how Sam’s autism affects everyone in the family and how they make accommodations to try to make things easier for him. Atypical is one we think everyone should check out.

Max Braverman (Parenthood)

Max Burkholder portrays Max Braverman, whose autism becomes a main storyline in Parenthood right from the start of what would go on to be six emotional seasons. This series gives us a good look inside the minds of Max’s parents, particularly as they learn to establish routines, navigate behavioral issues, and find Max the help he needs at school. As Max grows up, we also see how his feelings about autism change over time.

Parenthood also features another possible autistic character in Ray Romano’s Hank Rizzoli. Hank discovers that he might be on the spectrum after reading a book about autism to try to better understand Max. He finds that he relates to a lot of what is being described in the book, and autism would explain a lot of what he’s been through in his life. His character seemingly represents the people who don’t realize they’re on the spectrum until adulthood; however, Hank was never formally diagnosed at neurodiverse.

Wendy Welcott (Please Stand By)

Dakota Fanning has been praised for her performance in 2018’s Please Stand By as Wendy Welcott, an autistic woman living in a group home, where she spends her days working on a Star Trek script. After missing the mail-in deadline to submit her script for a screenwriting contest, she flees home to deliver it in person — thus proving she’s more independent than her sister thinks. Her journey is sometimes harrowing, but Fanning portrays Wendy as confident, competent, creative and complex, and it’s beautiful to see her fight for something she cares deeply about.

Shaun Murphy (The Good Doctor)

Despite displaying some stereotypical characteristics of autism — including savant syndrome — Freddie Highmore’s role as Dr. Shaun Murphy on The Good Doctor is generally considered a positive representation. While Shaun struggles with eye contact, can interpret things super literally, and exhibits sensory sensitivity, many fans of the medical drama enjoy seeing him respected in his profession as he navigates workplace dynamics and relationships.

Woo Young-woo (Extraordinary Attorney Woo)

Extraordinary Attorney Woo is a fascinating look at one way autism is portrayed in South Korean entertainment. The series (available to stream with a Netflix subscription) stars Park Eun-bin as autistic rookie attorney Woo Young-woo. It’s impossible not to be charmed by the attorney and her special interest in whales, as she navigates plenty of bias regarding her autism, as well as professional rivalries and budding romance.

These are only a handful of characters on the autism spectrum that can be found on TV and in movies. Many children’s shows have come to feature autistic characters, including Sesame Street and Carl the Collector. There are also many characters who seem to display characteristics of neurodiversity but whose diagnoses have not been confirmed, including The Big Bang Theory’s Sheldon Cooper, Community’s Abed Nadir, Criminal Minds’ Spencer Reid and more.

It’s great to see so many facets of autism represented in entertainment. Hopefully, it will only continue to broaden people’s understanding and acceptance of neurodiversity.

One of the best and most beloved sitcoms of all time, Everybody Loves Raymond has been off of the air for 20 years, but unlike many others that experienced popular booms during the same era, the creator and cast haven’t ever staged a return to that universe. Fans will get the next best thing, however, when CBS airs the 30th anniversary reunion special (which is actually taking place only 29 years later), bringing creator Phil Rosenthal back together with Ray Romano and other surviving stars.

When the special hits the 2025 TV schedule, it'll mark the culmination of nearly a decade of effort on Rosenthal’s part, as he’s been eager to bring the core cast together to reminisce about days gone by, just not in a way where new stories would be told for the Barone family. He and Ray Romano have been saying no to revivals and reboots for years often with the caveat that nobody wants to go back without the sitcom’s various Hollywood icons who passed away after the initial run. Speaking with Deadline ahead of the reunion’s airing, Rosenthal also laid out another smart reason why he’s not interested, saying:

Indeed. In order for an Everybody Loves Raymond revival to feel absolutely justified, it would likely need to address a distinct lack of Ray, Debra, Marie and others on the small screen. Absence makes the heart grow fonder, so it goes, and if ELR wouldn't have enjoyed such massive success through syndication and streaming, perhaps audiences would have clamored for more simply due to the dearth of Barone family drama.

But to Rosenthal's point, Everybody Loves Raymond is almost always on somewhere, and if it isn't, there are commercials promising reruns' impending arrivals. If the original product is still readily available to enjoy, then there's far less of a need to go back and tinker with the formula for today's audiences.

Rosenthal shared that they were already so particular about maintaining quality at the time that the creative team essentially curtailed the show's endgame in order to go out on a high note. As he put it:

Very few shows are able to reach the pinnacle of producing hundreds of episodes without losing steam or popularity, and even fewer are able to craft their own swan songs. (Larry David's Seinfeld and Curb Your Enthusiasm are key exceptions.) So in Rosenthal's mind, it would be ludicrous to tamper with that legacy without the most surefire idea possible to guide it.

Ray Romano also spoke out against the idea of a revival or reboot, saying that even if all of the late cast members were still with us, it wouldn't be possible to recapture the sitcom's prime. In his words:

So instead of trying to capture lightning in a bottle twice, Rosenthal & Co. thought it would be more more ideal to bring the cast members back together so that they could reflect on all of the happiest memories and pay tribute to those who've passed without any awkwardly forced on-screen sentiments.

Everybody Loves Raymond Stars Who Passed Away

• Peter Boyle (Frank Barone) - Died December 12, 2006
• Doris Roberts (Maria Barone) - Died April 17, 2016
• Sawyer Sweeten (Geoffrey Barone) - Died April 23. 2015
• Robert Culp (Warren Whelan) - Died March 24, 2010
• Katherine Helmond (Lois Whelan) - Died February 23, 2019
• Fred Willard (Hank MacDougall) - Died May 15, 2020
• Georgia Engel (Pat MacDougall) - Died April 12, 2019

The Everybody Loves Raymond: 30th Anniversary Reunion special airs on CBS on Monday, November 24, at 8:00 p.m. ET, and can also be streamed via Paramount+ subscription.

After sitcoms like Friends and Fresh Prince of Bel-Air got reunion specials in recent years, Everybody Loves Raymond is getting its turn before the end of the 2025 TV schedule. CBS is bringing star Ray Romano, series creator Phil Rosenthal, and more cast members together for a 30th anniversary special to celebrate the nine seasons on the air. That said, longtime fans might recall that the series premiered in 1996, which is not quite thirty years ago. The star and creator had a funny explanation for it.

The 90-minute special, called Everybody Loves Raymond: 30th Anniversary Reunion, will reunite cast members Brad Garrett, Patricia Heaton, Monica Horan, Madylin Sweeten, Sullivan Sweeten with hosts Romano and Rosenthal, which promises to be a blast from the past. For fans who are sticklers for math, however, the hosts acknowledged that 2025 is technically only the 29th anniversary of the comedy, which ran for nine seasons between 1996 - 2005. Speaking with TVLine, they said:

• ROMANO: "I told you he's a troublemaker! [Laughs]"
• ROSENTHAL: "We can say it's the 30th anniversary of Ray and I meeting."
• ROMANO: "Yeah, we rounded up."

The 30th anniversary of the series premiere may not be until September 2026, but the star and the host could justify celebrating early since 2025 did mark three decades since they'd met. In fairness, Rosenthal also went on to tell the outlet that they'd been trying to make a reunion happen for ten years, but "CBS wasn't into it," and they still "weren't into it" five years ago, but there "are new people" at CBS this year who were in fact into it.

The reunion was the preferred option to bring the cast back together on the small screen, since the idea of a revival was shot down years ago due to the deaths of Peter Boyle and Doris Roberts, and Romano admitted just last year that he's "just a little protective of Everybody Loves Raymond." The timing was never right for a reunion special until now... 29 years rather than 30 after the premiere. The pair went on:

• ROSENTHAL: "It's technically the 30th anniversary since the show got going. But we filmed the pilot in the spring of '96, and we were on the fall of '96. But you and I met certainly in '95, right?"
• ROMANO: "Yes. The upfronts of the following year was when they announced that we were going to be on the air, and the upfronts are in May."
• ROSENTHAL: "Yes, May of '96, and we're on in the fall of '96. We filmed the pilot, probably in February or March of '96, but we met before then and had to write the pilot, so you could technically say the show was born in '95."

The reunion special airing in late November 2025 is pretty close to the pilot filming in early 1996, so I think we can cut Philip Rosenthal and Ray Romano a break for bringing the cast back together this year by rounding up. The special will also include tributes to the late Doris Roberts and Peter Boyle, who played the iconic Marie and Frank, as well as Sawyer Sweeten, who died in 2015 at the age of 19.

Check out the trailer, which gives a look at the recreation of the set as well as the live studio audience who got to see everybody back together again:

Tune in to CBS on Monday, November 24 at 8 p.m. ET for the Everybody Loves Raymond: 30th Anniversary Reunion special, or stream it next day with a Paramount+ subscription. The 90-minute special does mean that fans of The Neighborhood and FBI won't see new episodes in their normal time slots on November 24, although a new episode of Watson will air at 10 p.m. ET as usual.

Lisa Kudrow just teamed up with Ray Romano for one of the latest best shows on Netflix, No Good Deed. So, in celebration of their new comedy series, the sitcom legends decided to surprise some fans on the Warner Bros. lot in Los Angeles, California who were visiting the set of Friends. And honestly, their reactions are priceless!

No Good Deed creator, Liz Feldman, took to Instagram this week to share a humorous bit that Ray Romano and Lisa Kudrow did in front of the iconic Friends couch while fans took pictures. Check it out:

The video starts with Romano strutting on the Warner Bros Studio Tour where the Friends couch and fountain are set up for a photo op. He shared that his hit sitcom, Everybody Loves Raymond, also shot on the Warner Bros. lot as well as Friends before coming up to those on the tour and letting them know that detail. The appearance led him to take pictures with fans on the couch before Lisa Kudrow strutted in.

Ray Romano is not part of the Friends cast, of course, but Lisa Kudrow was Phoebe Buffay for ten seasons. She continued the bit with her No Good Deed co-star, by yelling at him to “go sit on your own show’s couch” comedically. The appearance had a group of Friends fans freaking out and veering on being in tears.

Some of the lucky tour guests then got the chance to take photos with her on the Friends couch.

At the Warner Bros. Studio Tour in Burbank, Friends fans can sit on the actual couch from the incredible sitcom in front of the fountain featured in the opening credits. It’s not the only Friends thing on the attraction though, fans can also go to the Central Perk set and enjoy coffee at the studio’s own Central Perk cafe.

It’s a really fun video, especially because both Ray Romano and Lisa Kudrow were filming their most famous shows around the same time in the 1990s and 2000s on the Warner Bros. lot, and now they have worked together on No Good Deed, which has proven to be a highlight of Netflix's 2024 schedule.

This new dark comedy follows three families trying to buy the same house. Kudrow and Romano play husband and wife, who are the owners of the home. No Good Deed has earned positive reviews from critics, and it has continued to rank among the most-watched TV shows for those with a Netflix subscription since its release earlier in December.

So, considering all this, how cool is it to see Lisa Kudrow interact with Friends fans on the show’s iconic couch? The hilarious actress is a Friends fan herself, given the series opened the door to so many opportunities for her. Plus, Kudrow has been rewatching the series herself lately. Truly, this video encapsulates the “I’ll be there for you” of it all, and I love to see it.

The following article contains spoilers for No Good Deed. If you’re not caught up, check out the entire first season with a Netflix subscription.

When it comes to legendary comedy stars like Lisa Kudrow and Ray Romano, there have been fewer moments in TV history where we really get to see their fantastic dramatic sides shine. Thankfully, 2024's Netflix release No Good Deed was the perfect way to show these dramatic chops off, and the major fight between their characters during Episode 7 is a prime example. I wanted to know more about the scene, so I spoke to the actors about what it was like on set that day and the process it took to get that notable argument just right.

The newly popular No Good Deed follows the story of several couples who are all vying for a house in California – the Morgans’ home (Lisa Kudrow and Ray Romano). As the story goes on, we find out the actual reasons why the Morgans’ are selling their home, all of which date back to their son getting killed in their own house. When I asked the actors what it was like on set to film that scene as typically comedic actors, Romano commented that it actually was like a “release” since, at that point, they had been playing these two characters for months:

The argument that happens between Lydia (Kudrow) and Paul (Romano) was really a long time coming by the time Episode 7 rolled around. The scene in question boiled down to the two of them finally snapping at each other after keeping their emotions hidden for so long. Lydia had been dealing with long-repressed trauma from her son’s death, while Paul had been the one trying to help her but also becoming more emotionally distant as the series progressed. It was the big explosion that fans were really waiting for.

Kudrow agreed the scene worked because it was as if all this emotion was finally coming out, despite Lydia becoming the main target of anger.

Truthfully, No Good Deed is one of those dark comedies where there are plenty of moments that make you laugh, but when the dark instances occur or the drama comes out, you are locked in. This scene is a prime example of that.

And it’s excellent for both Kudrow and Romano as well. While both are certainly primarily known for their super successful sitcoms, from Kudrow in the Friends cast to Romano as the lead of I Love Raymond (though don't expect a reboot), it’s always a delight when they are able to show their range as actors. And No Good Deed was a great series in that it allowed them to do so.

No Good Deed has been called ‘quirky yet macabre,’ and the show, as of writing this, is currently trending in the Top 10 of Netflix’s TV shows right now, so there’s no denying its popularity. Season 2 is still up in the air at this point, but if I get to see Lisa Kudrow and Ray Romano flex their dramatic chops again, I’m all for this story continuing. Who knew the housing market could bring such drama?

It’s been a minute since we’ve seen Ray Romano lead a new TV series. However, he's back in action now with his show on Netflix’s 2024 schedule, No Good Deed. So far, the ensemble dark comedy starring him and Lisa Kudrow has received rave reviews and there's a lot of chatter surrounding it. However, whenever Romano comes back into the spotlight, there's also talk about his beloved sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond. And recently, he opened up about why that project is in his review mirrors rather than his windshield.

Everybody Loves Raymond was one of the best sitcoms of the ‘90s and 2000s, running for 9 seasons on CBS. Its spin-off King of Queens was just as successful too with a similar 9 season run. Then, when the reboot and revival revolution was running at full speed, King of Queens' spinoff, Kevin Can Wait, got green-lit in 2016. So, it makes sense that Romano is still asked if he'd be willing to reboot his OG sitcom. However, he's not so keen on the idea as he told Yahoo Entertainment:

I get why Romano feels this way, because he has a major personal investment in his original sitcom. Rebooting it would be a lot, and it'd be hard to do in a satisfying and meaningful way. Honestly, I think that's why we haven't seen shows like Everybody Loves Raymond directly revived often.

The other show that comes to mind as similar to Everybody Loves Raymond is Seinfeld. They are not so similar in terms of content, but rather in circumstance. Both were created by comedians about their own lives, and then said comedians played "themselves" as the main character in their show. I don’t know about you, but I can’t picture Jerry Seinfeld signing off on a reboot either.

For them, it’s their pride and joy, and more often than not, reboots and revivals run on nostalgia for the first season before flopping in the second. That’s what happened with Kevin Can Wait. The reboot hardly ever lives up to the original show. So, sometimes it is best to leave a good thing alone, which is how I imagine The Irishman actor feels whenever the idea of reboot is presented to him.

However, there’s more than one way to give a show renewed life, and while Romano is not a fan of the reboot, he fully supports remakes of Everybody Loves Raymond in other countries. The classic American sitcom has been adapted in countries all over the world, such as Russia, Egypt, and India, among others. The Bupkis actor sees it as a great honor to his beloved show, as he said:

While I loved watching Everybody Loves Raymond with my dad as a kid, I don’t feel the need to experience a reboot. I understand fully why the Made for Love actor is protective over his self-titled sitcom, and I think fans will respect his decision.

Besides, if you are really missing the show, you can relive all the hilarious familial dynamics with a Peacock subscription. Meanwhile, the Somewhere In Queens actor has moved onto bigger and better things, so be sure to check out No Good Deed with a Netflix subscription, among his other stellar performances.

A new comedy has just hit the 2024 Netflix calendar, and it’s impossible to not be intrigued by the strength of its ensemble cast. Lisa Kudrow and Ray Romano star as homeowners Lydia and Paul Morgan, and they are just two of the comedy veterans featured in No Good Deed. Ahead of the series’ release on the 2024 TV schedule, critics were given a chance to screen the new dark comedy. Now, you can see what the reviews are saying to decide if you should make this the next thing you binge on Netflix.

No Good Deed will see Lydia and Paul looking to sell their home to one of three interested couples, who are played by Poppy Liu and Abbi Jacobson; Teyonah Parris and O-T Fagbenle; and Luke Wilson and Linda Cardellini. Throw in a possible murder and this sounds like quite the interesting real estate venture. Kelly Lawler of USA TODAY sure thinks so, rating the series 3.5 out of 4 stars. The critic says despite the number of characters and competing plots, the series is worth the binge, as it comes to quite a satisfying conclusion. Lawler says:

Philip Mutz of PureWow praises the actors of this “twist-a-minute” dark comedy, predicting that No Good Deed will be a fixture at the top of Netflix subscription holders’ top 10. In Mutz’s words:

Isabella Soares of Collider gives the series a 7 out of 10, writing that No Good Deed is a prime example of an ensemble piece done right. Linda Cardellini is compelling as a character opposite her role in Dead to Me, and Lisa Kudrow gets to flex her acting chops far past her beloved Friends character. Soares continues:

Rebecca Nicholson of The Guardian rates No Good Deed 3 stars out of 5, calling the eight-episode series “occasionally clumsy” but well-paced and packed with plot. The ensemble is excellent, Nicholson says, finding a way to blend slapstick comedy with, at times, painful family tragedy. The critic says:

Saloni Gajjar of AV Club, however, doesn’t agree. The critic gives the new show a C, saying this series is not worth your investment. The ensemble is wasted, according to Gajjar, but No Good Deed’s worst offense is its unimaginative whodunit. More from the review:

It’s hard to argue with a series that stars such comedic greats, especially with several of them getting to show how well they dip into drama as well. The critics mostly agree this twisty tale is a satisfying binge, so if you want to check out Lisa Kudrow, Ray Romano, Linda Cardellini and the rest, No Good Deed is available to stream on Netflix now.

Even before he left the Saturday Night Live cast in 2022, Pete Davidson had already become one of the sketch comedy series’ biggest stars — not just because of his other acting projects, but also his personal life, including his dating history, especially. The actor and comedian’s personal life actually serves as the basis for Bupkis — a new Peacock original TV show that he created with Judah Miller and David Sirus. In addition to Davidson, there are many other celebrities playing themselves in guest roles in the Bupkis cast, but let’s begin our breakdown of the star-studded ensemble with its three series regulars. 

Pete Davidson (Pete Davidson)

Leading the Bupkis cast as Pete Davidson is...Pete Davidson, who acquired stardom on SNL before starring in movies and TV shows of an eclectic sort — such as his comic book movie debut in 2021’s The Suicide Squad, his voice acting parts in The Angry Birds Movie 2 and Marmaduke as the titular Great Dane, and his recurring role on The Rookie. 

The last time he played a fictionalized version of himself was in 2020’s The King of Staten Island (which he also co-wrote with director Judd Apatow), his last Peacock original project was the sci-fi rom-com Meet Cute, and one of his biggest upcoming titles is Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, in which he voices a robot named Mirage.

Edie Falco (Amy Davidson)

Starring as Pete’s mother, Amy, is Edie Falco, who is best known for her Emmy-winning performances in HBO’s The Sopranos cast as Carmela and in the title role of Showtime’s darkly comic medical drama, Nurse Jackie. The actor is also known for writer and director James Mangold’s acclaimed 1997 crime thriller, Cop Land, her role in the Oz cast as Officer Diane Whittlesey, playing Hilary Clinton on the third season of FX’s American Crime Story, and her role in the Avatar: The Way of Water cast, most recently.

Joe Pesci (Joe Larocca)

Surprisingly interrupting his retirement for the first time since he starred in Martin Scorsese’s 2019 true crime drama, The Irishman (which earned him an Academy Award nomination), is Joe Pesci, starring as Pete’s grandfather, Joe — also his first TV role since the short-lived NBC series, Half Nelson, in 1985, according to Variety. 

Before The Irishman, the 80-year-old actor starred in three Scorsese movies: Raging Bull, Casino, and Goodfellas — the last of which did earn him an Oscar. Some of Pesci’s other most iconic roles include Leo Getz in the Lethal Weapon movies, Harry from Home Alone (which turned out to be a truly painful experience for him), and the title role of, arguably, the funniest courtroom movie ever, My Cousin Vinny.

La La Anthony

Among the vast rotation of guest stars in the Bupkis cast, we have La La Anthony, who rose to fame as an MTV VJ before starring in movies like Think Like a Man and its sequel, and TV shows like the hit Starz original TV show, Power.

Colson "Machine Gun Kelly" Baker

Davidson’s real-life friend, Colson Baker (a.k.a. Machine Gun Kelly), also stars, marking their fifth on-screen collaboration following the rapper’s music video for “Loco,” Netflix’s Mötley Crüe biopic, The Dirt, Hulu’s coming-of-age dramedy, Big Time Adolescence, and the 2022 stoner comedy, Good Mourning, which Baker also co-wrote and co-directed. 

Steve Buscemi

Also starring in Bupkis is Emmy winner Steve Buscemi — star of Quentin Tarantino movies like Reservoir Dogs, Coen Brothers classics like Fargo and The Big Lebowski, and several Adam Sandler movies, too — who last acted opposite Davidson in The King of Staten Island.

Bobby Cannavale

Also on the guest list is Buscemi’s Boardwalk Empire co-star and Falco’s Nurse Jackie co-star, two-time Emmy winner Bobby Cannavale, whose impressive, lengthy resume also includes Marvel’s Ant-Man movies, Netflix’s The Watcher cast, and John Turturro’s The Big Lebowski spin-off, The Jesus Rolls, which also starred Davidson.

Charlamagne Tha God

While better known for hosting iHeartRadio’s The Breakfast Club and Comedy Central’s Tha God’s Honest Truth, as well as talking about his friend Pete Davidson’s penis on air, Lenard “Charlamagne Tha God” McKelvey has also delved into acting a few times (mostly as himself), such as on Empire, Dave, and Queens.

Charlie Day

Appearing as Pete’s therapist (according to the Bupkis trailer) is Charlie Day, whose career has taken some interesting turns since breaking out in FX’s It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia cast, such as starring in Guillermo del Toro’s Pacific Rim movies and playing Luigi in the Super Mario Bros. Movie voice cast more recently.

Philip Ettinger

Some of Phillip Ettinger’s most notable credits prior to Bupkis including the shocking 2012 psychological thriller, Compliance, Brawl in Cell Block 99, and First Reformed from 2017, and two other Peacock original TV shows: Angelyne and Friend of the Family.

Ray Romano

Also appearing is Joe Pesci’s The Irishman co-star and Bobby Cannavale’s Vinyl co-star, Ray Romano — an acclaimed stand-up comedian known best for his Emmy-winning sitcom, Everybody Loves Raymond, his role as Manny in the Ice Age movies, and the Oscar-nominated dramedy, The Big Sick.

Brad Garrett

Best known for playing Romano’s brother on Everybody Loves Raymond is three-time Emmy winner Brad Garrett, who has leant his distinct baritone voice to popular animated movies like the Pixar classic, Ratatouille, and recently played Eeyore in Disney’s live-action Winnie the Pooh reboot, Christopher Robin.

Al Gore

Former United States Vice President Al Gore — whose 2006 documentary, An Inconvenient Truth, won two Oscars — previously collaborated with Pete Davidson on a Climate Reality training presentation in 2019.

Paul Walter Hauser

While best known for dramas like I, Tonya, Cruella, or BlacKkKlansman, Paul Walter Hauser has shown his comedic side before in numerous titles, such as Reno 911! and Apple TV+’s inventive whodunnit, The Afterparty.

Sunita Mani

Audiences should recognize Sunita Mani from Netflix’s GLOW cast, her many notable supporting roles in movies like Apple TV+’s holiday musical, Spirited, her brief appearance in the Best Picture Oscar Winner Everything Everywhere All At Once, and her lead role in the sci-fi rom-com thriller, Save Yourselves!

John Mulaney

Another real-life buddy of Davidson’s with a role in Bupkis is former SNL writer John Mulaney — known for lending his voice to shows like Netflix’s Big Mouth and movies like Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and performing great stand-up specials like his most recent one, Baby J, in which he actually tells a funny anecdote about Davidson.

Simon Rex

Simon Rex was best known for starring in spoof movies like a couple of the Scary Movie installments and the Amanda Bynes-led sitcom, What I Like About You, before his acclaimed leading role in the A24-produced 2021 comedy, Red Rocket.

Oona Roche

Playing Pete’s sister (based on her line about the embarrassment her “brother” causes her) is Oona Roche, who previously appeared in a recurring role on Apple TV+’s The Morning Show and recently starred opposite Jude Law and Carrie Coon in the tense 2020 family drama, The Nest.

Cliff “Method Man” Smith

Another hip-hop artist appearing on Bupkis is Pete Davidson’s Trainwreck co-star and Wu-Tang Clan member, Cliff “Method Man” Smith, whose previous, most notable acting credits include HBO’s The Wire cast, the Key & Peele-led action-comedy, Keanu, and Starz’s Power Book II: Ghost.

Jon Stewart

Davidson paid tribute to former The Daily Show host, Jon Stewart — also known for acting in movies like The Faculty and, more recently, returning to political satire for Apple TV+’s The Problem with Jon Stewart — when he received the Mark Twain Prize in 2022, and I assume his Bupkis appearance is a way of thanking him.

Kenan Thompson

In addition to Davidson’s return to SNL as the Season 48 finale host, Bupkis will serve as a reunion for him and Kenan Thompson, who is also known for movies like the latter two Mighty Ducks installments and Good Burger, which was inspired by a sketch from his All That tenure and is getting a sequel on Paramount+.

Marissa Jaret Winokur

Bupkis co-creator Judah Miller’s wife, Tony Award winner Marissa Jaret Wionkur, has starred in movies like the Drew Barrymore-led rom-com, Never Been Kissed, and appeared on TV shows like FX’s What We Do in the Shadows, to name a few.

Chase Sui Wonders

Since working together in the 2022 horror movie, Bodies Bodies Bodies, rumors have swirled about Davidson’s relationship with Chase Sui Wonders, who is now collaborating with him again on Bupkis.

If you have a Peacock subscription, go ahead and stream Bupkis on Peacock now to see Davidson and the rest of this large, star-studded ensemble on this exciting new comedy.

After spending nine seasons on a popular namesake sitcom that experienced heavy syndication, it’s fair to say that Ray Romano doesn’t quite need to be working these days. As an active creative in such a position, he’s now able to explore new avenues. No, not the fabled Everybody Loves Raymond revival (which probably won't happen), but rather his feature film directorial debut, Somewhere In Queens. With multiple decades in the industry, Romano likely had plenty of directors to take inspiration from, and in the case of Somewhere In Queens, he spoke to me of one particular piece of advice he learned from the legendary Martin Scorsese.

Ray Romano plays Italian-American family man Leo in the film, and his wife is played by none other than Laurie Metcalf of Roseanne, The Conners and Ladybird fame. She is fantastic in the film and does a lot of heavy lifting. When I told Romano how much I admired her performance, he mentioned that some advice he took from Martin Scorsese is what led him to an actor of that calibre:

Romano is being humble, of course, implying that the cast simply made him “look” like a good director. Romano played Bill Bufalino in 2019’s The Irishmen, Martin Scorsese’s 3.5 hour-long epic, and one can only assume that he picked up a thing or two being around the legend himself. The filmmaker is known for getting rather close to his actors, and they often become close friends and frequent collaborators. Last year, after the passing of Ray Liotta, Scorsese shared an emotional tribute to the late actor, stating that he regrets not working with Liotta again. It would be easy to see how his relationship with his actors would rub off on Romano.  

As for Laurie Metcalf, it’s no secret that the Oscar nominee has chops, and she’s still crushing it on the regular with The Conners Season 5, which is currently airing on ABC. In addition to his directional debut, Romano will be in Peacock’s new show Bupkis, which will be streaming May 4 and allegedly saw Pete Davidson having a meltdown during production.

You can see both Laurie Metcalf and Ray Romano in the latter’s directorial debut, Somewhere In Queens, which is in theaters right now! You can also check out our 2023 new movie release schedule to see what else is coming up.

Pete Davidson may no longer be on Saturday Night Live, but he is still going to be working with a former co-star for his new Peacock series, Bupkis. The half-hour live-action comedy is a fictionalized version of Davidson’s life, and SNL creator Lorne Michaels serves as an executive producer. That's not the only reunion happening, as it was just announced that Kenan Thompson will be guest-starring!

The SNL star is among six newly-announced guest stars for Bupkis, and definitely a standout thanks to their years working together before Davidson departed earlier in 2022, among other members of the cast. While details about Kenan Thompson's character aren't yet known, he has been setting records and hitting milestones at SNL for a reason: he knows how to deliver great comedy on the small screen. 

Thompson joins fellow actors Charlie Day, Brad Garrett, Simon Rex, Ray Romano, and Chase Sui Wonders in landing guest roles, although their characters also haven't been revealed just yet. Bupkis also marks a reunion for Garrett and Romano, who spent years together on the sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond. 

Bupkis also stars Sopranos vet Edie Falco and Joe Pesci, so this slate of guest stars just adds more reasons for fans of the former SNL star to get excited about what's on the way. That said, Bupkis won't just deliver more of the same of what Davidson brought to the variety series. The new comedy will take from Pete Davidson’s personal life and the way that he sees the world. Based on what we know so far about the new project, wouldn’t be surprising if it becomes Peacock's newest hit once it releases. 

Pete Davidson has remained plenty busy since saying goodbye to Studio 8H earlier this year. On top of Bupkis, his new movie with Kaley Cuoco, Meet Cute, has been getting positive reviews from critics. He also has four other upcoming projects, including Transformers: Rise of the Beasts and Wizards! coming out next year, and The Home and Dumb Money, which are both in production. So we will still see Davidson quite a lot, even if it’s not on Saturday Night Live.

Meanwhile, since Lorne Michaels is an EP and Kenan Thompson is guest starring, could we expect more familiar SNL faces on Bupkis? As of now, it’s unknown, but with the legacy Davidson left on the series, it’s possible that Thompson won’t be the only one coming to play on the upcoming show. For now, we’ll just have to look forward to the reunion between Davidson and Thompson.

If you’re worried that Kenan Thompson’s guest spot on Bupkis marks a sign that he’s thinking about leaving SNL (especially following Thompson’s Emmys hosting gig and his now-canceled sitcom Kenan) there’s no need. Thompson still gets excited for each new season of the NBC series, and he’s opened up about when he’d want to leave, which won’t be until the show hits 50 seasons in a couple of years. So there’s still plenty of time.

There isn’t a set premiere date as of yet for Bupkis, but it will be streaming on Peacock with a subscription! In the meantime, check out CinemaBlend’s 2022 TV schedule to see what else is coming soon.

Based on the novel of the same name by Alissa Nutting, who co-created the series, Made for Love is a darkly comedic new look at a domesticated housewife caught in a binding marriage, with Cristin Milioti playing a dissatisfied spouse who discovers that her husband of 10 years monitors everything in her life. Co-starring Billy Magnussen, Dan Bakkedahl, Noma Dumezweni, and Ray Romano, this HBO Max exclusive is an intriguing blend of comedy, sci-fi, and horror, and it gives its talented ensemble room to shine. If you're wondering where you've seen the Made for Love cast before, we're here to offer our humble assistance. This is where you might recognize these familiar stars.

Cristin Milioti (Hazel Green-Gogol)

As Hazel Green-Gogol, the unhappy wife of tech billionaire Byron Gogol who decides to leave The Hub, only to discover that all of her actions are being monitored, Cristin Milioti plays the protagonist in HBO Max's Made for Love. Most notably, Milioti was Tracy McConnell, i.e. the titular Mother, in CBS's long-running sitcom, How I Met Your Mother. The actress also led NBC's short-lived series, A to Z. Additionally, Milioti played a main part in the second season of CBS All Access' No Activity and she had recurring roles in The Mindy Project and Fargo Season 2. Her other TV credits include HBO's The Sopranos, Modern Love, 30 Rock, The Good Wife, Mythic Quest: Raven's Banquet, and Black Mirror. Furthermore, Milioti lent her voice to Adult Swim's The Venture Bros.

Additionally, in film, Cristin Miloti most notably starred in Hulu's Palm Springs as Sarah Wilder, the female lead. She also played Teresa Belfort in The Wolf of Wall Street. Her other film credits include indies like Sleepwalk with Me, Breakable You, Year of the Carnivore, The Brass Teapot, Bert and Arnie's Guide to Friendship, and It Had To Be You.

Billy Magnussen (Byron Gogol)

In the role of Byron Gogol, the visionary billionaire behind the tech giant Gogol who has planted tracking devices in his wife, Billy Magnussen plays a megalomaniac in Made for Love. Most notably, Magnussen is a Tony-nominated actor for his lead performance in 2013's Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike. On TV, he was Casey Hughes in As the World Turns and Jed Milgrim/Grimsson in Netflix's limited series, Maniac. Additionally, the actor was in the main cast for CBS All Access' Tell Me a Story. Magnussen's other television credits include Get Shorty, The People vs. OJ Simpson: American Crime Story, HBO's Boardwalk Empire, CSI, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, and Black Mirror.

On the big screen, Billy Magnussen played Nicky Sloane in Ingrid Goes West, Ryan Huddle in Game Night, Prince Anders in 2019's Aladdin, and Rapunzel's Prince in Into the Woods. He can also be seen in Bridge of Spies, Velvet Buzzsaw, The Big Short, Damsels in Distress, and The Oath. Next, Magnussen appears in No Time to Die, The Many Saints of Newark, Shoot the Rooster, and The Survivor.

Ray Romano (Herbert Green)

Playing the part of Herbert Green, Hazel's estranged father who reconnects with his daughter when she leaves The Hub, Ray Romano is a paternal character in HBO Max's Made for Love. Most notably, Romano starred in CBS's acclaimed sitcom, Everybody Loves Raymond, for which he won an Emmy. He also created and starred in TNT's Men of a Certain Age. Additionally, the comedian had a recurring role in NBC's Parenthood. Currently, Romano plays Rick Moreweather in Epix's Get Shorty. His other TV credits include HBO's Vinyl, The King of Queens, The Office, and The Middle. He can also be heard in Fox's The Simpsons and Comedy Central's Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist.

Outside of television, Ray Romano lent his voice to the role of Manny in the Ice Age franchise. He also earned acclaim for his standout role in The Big Sick. The actor-comedian's other film credits include The Irishman, Paddleton, HBO's Bad Education, and Welcome to Mooseport. Also, Romano appeared in Rob the Mob, The Last Word, Eulogy, The Grand, and Funny People. Next, the actor will co-write, star in, and make his directorial debut in an untitled dramedy.

Dan Bakkedahl (Herringbone)

As Herringbone, Byron's befuddled assistant with waning loyalty to his overambitious boss, Dan Bakkedahl plays a conflicted character in Made for Love. Most notably, Bakkedahl played Congressman Roger Furlong in HBO's Veep and Tim Hughes in CBS's Life in Pieces. The actor was also a correspondent on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. Currently, he has recurring roles in ABC's The Goldbergs and Netflix's Space Force. Additionally, Bakkedahl had recurring roles in Community and The Mindy Project. He was also a series regular on FX's Legit. Elsewhere, Bakkedahl guest-starred in HBO's Curb Your Enthusiasm, Gotham, How I Met Your Mother, The Office, 30 Rock, Law & Order, and HBO's Flight of the Conchords.

Away from television, Dan Bakkedahl plays supporting roles in Trumbo, Observe and Report, Battles of the Sexes, Get Hard, This is 40, and The Heat. His other acting credits include Hitman: Agent 47, Killing Hasselhoff, Action Point, Corporate Animals, Sword of Trust, and last year's Buddy Games. Next, the actor will be seen in Sick Girl.

Noma Dumezweni (Fiffany)

In the role of Fiffany, Gogol's chief science officer, Noma Dumezweni is one of the main characters in HBO Max's Made for Love. Most notably, the actress is known for her performance as Hermoine Granger in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, for which she received a Tony nomination. Her other notable television credits include main roles in Netflix's Black Earth Rising and HBO's The Undoing. Additionally, Dumezweni made guest appearances in Normal People, Philip K. Dick's Electric Dreams, EastEnders, Casualty, and Shameless. Furthermore, in film, the actress appeared in Mary Poppins Returns, The Kid Who Would Be King, The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, and Dirty Pretty Things. Coming up next, Dumezweni will be seen in Disney's The Little Mermaid.

Augusto Aguilera (Liver)

Playing the part of Liver, a brewmaster with a peculiar smell, Augusto Aguilera is a desired supporting character in Made for Love. Previously, Aguilera played Jesus Rojas in Amazon Prime's limited series, Too Old to Die Young. He also had recurring roles in ABC Family's Chasing Life and The Cynical Life of Harper Hall. Additionally, Aguilera made guest appearances in Snowfall, Grey's Anatomy, Major Crimes, and Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders. In film, the actor played Nettles in The Predator. He also appeared in the anthology film, 8, and he acted in 2017's short film, The Fifth Man.

Caleb Foote (Bennett)

As Bennett, Byron's overeager yes-man, Caleb Foote plays a cheery character in HBO Max's Made for Love. Previously, Foote starred in ABC's short-lived series, The Kids Are Alright. He was also praised for his stage performance in 2017's Hand of God. The actor's other TV credits include American Horror Story: Cult, The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story, Grey's Anatomy, 9-1-1, and Magnum P.I. Additionally, Foote appeared in short films like 2015's Steps, 2016's Present Day, and this year's A Locker Room Nightmare. Next, he makes his feature film debut with Amy and Peter Are Getting Divorced, which is expected to come out sometime this year.

Patti Harrison (Bangles)

In the role of Bangles, Hazel's childhood BFF, Patti Harrison is a close companion in Made for Love. Most notably, Harrison played Ruthie in Hulu's Shrill. She's also seen in Search Party, Broad City, High Maintenance, History of Swear Words, and I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson. Additionally, the comedian co-starred in Amazon Prime's Yearly Departed. As a voice actress, Harrison is heard in BoJack Horseman, Magical Girl Friendship Squad, The Great North, and March's Raya and the Last Dragon.

Furthermore, in film, Patti Harrison is seen in A Simple Favor. Most recently, she starred in Together Together, which premiered at this year's Sundance Film Festival. Away from acting, Harrison wrote for AMC's Dispatches from Elsewhere and Netflix's Big Mouth. She also co-hosts the podcast, A Woman's Smile. Right now, Harrison has an upcoming role in Mack & Rita. Also, the actress is attached to star in Lost City of D.

Raymond Lee (Jeff)

Playing the part of Jeff, an environmental activist who went to high school with Hazel, Raymond Lee is a blast from the past in HBO Max's Made for Love. Most notably, Lee is known for his roles as Duc Bayer-Boatwright in HBO's Here and Now and Arlen Lee in Amazon Prime's Mozart in the Jungle. Also, the actor has a recurring character on Fox's Prodigal Son and he's seen in Best Couple Ever! Additionally, Lee guest-starred in How I Met Your Mother, Modern Family, Scandal, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Jessie, Sam & Cat, and Hart of Dixie. Next, the actor appears in AMC's Kevin Can F--k Himself.

Additionally, in film, Raymond Lee was seen in VHYes, Farah Goes Bang, A Leading Man, and last year's Driveways. Earlier this year, Lee played a role in Flinch. Next, Lee will be seen in Top Gun: Maverick and The Unknown Country. He'll also appear in the short film, Fanny Price.

Kym Whitley (Judiff)

As Judiff, a rebellious nun, Kym Whitley plays a fun supporting character in Made for Love. Most notably, Whitley is known for playing Yolanda in Freeform's Young & Hungry. She also played main roles in NBC's Animal Practice and UPN's Sparks and she had a recurring role on UPN's The Parkers. Her other television credits include My Wife and Kids, My Brother and Me, Married ... with Children, Curb Your Enthusiasm, 'Til Death, Let's Stay Together, and Twenties. As a voice actress, meanwhile, Whitley is heard in The Boondocks, Black Dynamite, Pinky Malinky, The Life & Times of Tim, and The Cleveland Show. Outside of acting, she's also a recurring guest host on E!'s Daily Pop and she co-hosts the podcast, Two Funny Mamas.

Outside of TV, Kym Whitley had a standout role in Deliver Us from Eva. She can also be seen in Next Friday, The Nutty Professor II: The Klumps, Baby Boy, Along Came Polly, Fun with Dick and Jane (2005), Black Dynamite, and I Love You, Man. Her other film credits include Transformers: Dark of the Moon, A Haunted House 2, Fist Fight, We Bought a Zoo, and last year's Hubie Halloween. Also, Whitley can be heard in Rango.

You can stream Made for Love in HBO Max here.

Best known for headlining the popular CBS family sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond, which ran for over nine seasons, Ray Romano is certainly... well, loved. The affable and charmingly relatable actor-comedian is a sweet, endearing screen presence on his long-running sitcom, though his genial screen presence might prevent some from fully recognizing the strength of his acting talents.

Indeed, Ray Romano has proven himself to be an outstanding character actor; one who should be getting his full due. Especially in recent years, Romano has notably taken on more substantial and challenging roles, working with top-tier directors like Martin Scorsese in The Irishman and providing Oscar-worthy dramatic performances in Paddleton and The Big Sick. The Romaissance is in full swing, ladies and gentlemen. It's been a long time coming, too. Here are seven movies that prove Romano is a great actor.

The Irishman (Bill Bufalino)

In a stacked ensemble that includes acting giants like Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Joe Pesci and Harvey Keitel, to name just a few, it might've been easy for Ray Romano to get lost in the shuffle that is Martin Scorsese's The Irishman. The three-hour crime epic is filled with various locations, characters and time changes. If it weren't for a master-class filmmaker like Scorsese at the helm, it might've been a disaster.

But it's excellent for several reasons, and while Robert De Niro, Al Pacino and especially Joe Pesci shine in their respective roles, Ray Romano is also quite excellent as Bill Bufalino, Frank Sheeran's (De Niro) long-standing union lawyer. He's dryly funny, cuttingly frank and more than capable of standing up to his acting legend co-stars. Romano plays a bigger role than some might expect in the Netflix original, and the movie is made all the better by his appearance.

The Big Sick (Terry Gardner)

For many moviegoers, The Big Sick was when they finally realized Ray Romano had what it takes to be a great actor. While he was already doing great work in other projects before this autobiographical indie dramedy came along, notably with shows like Parenthood and Vinyl (which wasn't great, but Romano was exceptional in it), this performance was a wake-up call for people to realize how good Romano could be. And that's certainly understandable since Romano is excellent in The Big Sick.

Playing the part of Terry Gardner, a struggling father who must battle the difficulties that come from his adult daughter being in an induced coma (all while her ex-boyfriend continues to linger around), Ray Romano is measured, soulful, darkly funny and emotionally honest. It's a beautifully authentic performance that should've garnered major award consideration. Alas, that didn't happen.

Paddleton (Andy)

For my money, Paddleton might very well be Ray Romano's best performance yet. While he's terrific in The Irishman's ensemble and his performance in The Big Sick was more commonly celebrated, Paddleton finally gives Romano the dramatic lead role he's been due for years. Not surprisingly, Romano's character portrayal is excellent, as it's powerfully raw, genuine, believable and captivating in its mundane melancholy.

The indie dramedy finds Ray Romano's Andy forced to abide his best friend's wishes to end his own life when his terminal stomach cancer proves too difficult. It's a movie that finds the life in the little things when it comes to the preparations one takes to medically end their life. For a movie with such a dour and bleak-sounding premise, Romano and his co-star, co-writer Mark Duplass, bring such warmth, humor and heart into their characters. The resulting movie fully showcases Romano's great capabilities as a dramatic performer.

Bad Education (Big Bob Spicer)

Most recently, Ray Romano gave another outstanding dramatic performance in Bad Education. He played Big Bob Spicer, a real estate agent and the head of the Roslyn School District in Long Island, New York. In this scandalous true-life story, Romano's character is ultimately a composite character who is meant to represent the parents and school board members who were duped by Frank Tassone's blinding charisma and failed to notice his decades of fraudulent actions.

The supporting turn, which joyfully allows Ray Romano to play up his nerdy side in a fun and ultimately sympathetic way, paves the way for the emotional significance of the main characters' misdeeds. It showcases the weight of their white collar crimes and the significance of their deceit on the gullible school board, one that aimed to shepherd hopeful high school students into Ivy League futures. It's another excellent supporting performance from Romano.

Ice Age (Manfred, a.k.a. Manny)

After five installments and diminishing returns, it's easy to forget that Ice Age — an animated franchise whose creative potential went the way of the dinosaurs — started on solid ground. Specifically, 2002's Ice Age is a charming, entertaining and heartwarming family movie that benefitted from smart writing, an abundance of heart and humor, and winning vocal performances — notably from Ray Romano as Manfred, i.e. Manny.

While John Leguizamo's Sid is the scene-stealer, Ray Romano's Manny is our central mammoth protagonist who gets the most rewarding character arc. As our grouchy, self-satisfied introvert who learns to open his heart and accept others, Romano gives a tender and understated vocal performance — the likes of which we rarely see from a major animated kids movie. By the end, it proves to be both gentle and rewarding — showing Romano's understated acting strengths, even when we're only hearing his voice.

Eulogy (Skip Collins)

By most measures, Eulogy is the sort of dark comedy ensemble piece that makes a small splash and gets forgotten over time. For me, though, it was the first time I saw Ray Romano as a promising dramatic actor — one who could push himself into darker and more mature roles, if given the opportunity. Outside of Everybody Loves Raymond's occasional downbeat moment, Eulogy was one of the earliest examples of Romano giving a more challenging and nuanced performance.

The film itself isn't particularly memorable — and it might not be worth remembering otherwise, truth be told — but it left an impression on me for a specific reason. As the mustachioed father, Skip Collins, the awkward and mild-mannered character played to the sitcom actor's strengths as a performer at this time. The intentionally more dramatic and toned-down role signaled a change that would be prevalent in his newer work.

Rob The Mob (Jerry Cardozo)

Similarly, 2014's Rob the Mob mostly flew under the radar upon release, but the true story crime dramedy provided Ray Romano with one of his earliest dramatic movie roles (even though, admittedly, it's filled with comedic moments) — notably a few short years before it became a common Hollywood trend (thankfully). He plays Jerry Cardozo, a New York Post columnist who reports on our two small-time crooks who become a modern-day "Bonnie and Clyde" couple when they pull off a series of robberies on the mob (hence, "rob the mob").

While the tonal shifts can make the movie jagged, the performances smooth the humps, including Ray Romano's appealing turn. While the actor doesn't flex his dramatic muscles as much as he would later on, Romano carries the world-weary weight of this well-experienced journalist, but doesn't lose sight of the humor or intrigue of this larger-than-life story.

What's your favorite Ray Romano performance? Let us know in the comment section below!

Joe Pesci didn’t make it out to the Academy Awards tonight (as evidenced by a photo of him being shown when the nominees for Best Supporting Actor were displayed), but at the very least his energy was represented at the show courtesy of an on-stage story shared by his Irishman co-star Ray Romano.

The Everybody Loves Raymond star took to the stage at the Dolby Theater alongside Sandra Oh to present the award for Best Makeup and Hairstyling, and in a fantastic moment broke from the script to share a story about his experience working with Joe Pesci on the set of the recent Martin Scorsese film. You can watch the censored broadcast version by clicking play on the video below:

After telling a joke about actually being Charlize Theron under heavy make-up, Ray Romano decided to take his moment at the Academy Awards to tell the audience in attendance and at home an R-rated story about his own experience with artists on the set of The Irishman. He recounted watching the filmmakers do their work with awe… and then getting the boot from his co-star whose space he was apparently occupying. He said (with the help of a bit of amateur lip-reading):

Joe Pesci might not have won Best Supporting Actor tonight, losing out to Brad Pitt's performance in Once Upon A Time In Hollywood, but at least he’s at the center of the best story told on stage thus far.

In The Irishman, Ray Romano has a small role as Bill Bufalino, who is the cousin of Joe Pesci's Russell Bufalino. He doesn't have a lot of screen time in the grand scheme of things, but he does have a key role to play, as he is the one who connects Russell with Robert De Niro's Frank Sheeran (not counting their random encounter at a gas station that served as their first meeting). It’s also definitely a more dramatic role than we’re used to seeing Romano play, but he’s now able to make us laugh with stories from behind the scenes.

The Academy Awards this evening have been full of memorable moments, and the night is far from over, as there are still winners in multiple key categories – including Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Director and Best Picture – that are waiting to be announced. Stay tuned with us here on CinemaBlend throughout the night, as we’ll continue to bring you stories about the highlights and opinions about the winners and losers!

If you wanted to, you could wait until November 27 and watch Martin Scorsese’s star-studded crime epic The Irishman on Netflix from the comfort of your own home, but that doesn’t mean you should. The director and his cast still believe that the optimal way to see the film is in theaters, on the big screen. The Irishman’s Ray Romano offered his take on why the theater experience is so important, saying:

To Ray Romano, it’s not just the quality of the presentation, the giant screen and the immersive sound that distinguish the theatrical experience from watching a movie like The Irishman at home. It’s also that oft-cited communal experience of watching a movie in theaters with an audience. As Ray Romano tells Today, when you watch a movie in the theater, you are sharing an experience with a whole auditorium full of people that you don’t know.

There is something special about the unspoken human connection that is formed among a group of strangers, as they all react to the story they are watching unfold onscreen together. As Ray Romano says, that shared experience means that everyone in the theater can sit in utter silence and stillness, holding in their breaths during a heavy moment. The same is true when the theater laughs during a funny moment, tears up during a sad one or cheers during a happy one.

It’s cool to know everyone is feeling the same thing and we’ve all had great theatrical experiences that possessed these qualities. To Ray Romano, this is what separates the experience of watching a movie theatrically from watching a movie at home. Even if you have unlimited funds to afford a great home theater and you can invite a bunch of friends over, you can’t really replicate this.

Piggybacking off of Ray Romano’s opinion about the shared theatrical experience, fellow Irishman star Al Pacino, in a seemingly inescapable component of this film’s press tour, invoked Marvel movies. But he did so in a positive way, saying:

Al Pacino is absolutely right. While his director Martin Scorsese may lament Marvel movies as not cinema and liken them to theme parks, they do compel audiences to experience them theatrically. Everyone wants to see MCU films in theaters together and they are a great example of that cherished theatrical experience.

Just think about how people were left in shaken silence after Thanos snapped his fingers and half of the heroes disappeared, or how theaters full of people lost their shit when Mjolnir flew to Captain America and when he said ‘Avengers Assemble.’ That feeling, in a room full of strangers is no more replicable at home than the compelling and heavy moments in The Irishman.

Of course, nowadays, that room full of strangers is often the problem with the theatrical experience as theater etiquette is often ignored and people talk or arrive late or use their phones. And so that wonderful theatrical experience often carries an asterisk, noting that experiences may vary. Still though, judging by the early reviews, you’ll want to experience The Irishman in theaters, that is, if it is playing near you.

The Irishman opens in limited release on November 1 and drops on Netflix on November 27. Check out our 2019 Release Schedule to see what other movies are coming to theaters this year.

After delivering Shutter Island, Hugo, The Wolf of Wall Street and Silence to moviegoers this decade, Martin Scorsese is jumping back into the world of organized crime with The Irishman. This week brought confirmation that Joe Pesci will indeed by starring in The Irishman alongside his Goodfellas costar Robert de Niro and Al Pacino, but now there's word that these men will be joined by Ray Romano, who will be playing an unscrupulous attorney.

According to THR, Ray Romano will appear in The Irishman as Bill Bufalino, a Teamster lawyer with ties to the mob, and also a member of the same crime family as Russell Bufalino, who will be played by Joe Pesci. However, it's worth noting that Bill and Russell reportedly were not first cousins in real life despite being publicly presented as such, though they could still have been distantly related. Romano previously worked with Martin Scorsese on the HBO series Vinyl, but The Irishman makes their first big screen collaboration.

While Ray Romano is best known for leading the CBS sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond, he's enjoyed success in other areas following the series' end. In the world of movies, he's continued voicing Manny the mammoth in the Ice Age franchise, and he's also appeared in Funny People and Rob the Mob. On TV, he starred as Joe Tranelli from 2009-2011 in Men of a Certain Age, he played Hank Rizzoli in Parenthood from 2012-2015, and he appeared in Vinyl's only season as Zak Yankovich. Next month he'll star as Rick Moreweather in Epix's Get Shorty TV adaptation, but seeing him in a Martin Scorsese crime movie sounds especially intriguing.

While no specific plot details for The Irishman have been revealed yet, the movie is based on the book I Heard You Paint Houses by Charles Brandt, which was about criminal Frank Sheehan and him claiming on his death bed to have killed Teamster boss Jimmy Hoffa, who disappeared in 1975 and was declared legally dead in 1982. Robert de Niro will play Sheeran, while Al Pacino will play Hoffa. Harvey Keitel and Bobby Cannavale are also in negotiations to join the cast, but their deals haven't been finalized yet. While The Irishman was originally supposed to be released in theaters by Paramount, those plans broke down, and now it will be released exclusively on Netflix. Martin Scorsese has also expressed interest in using CGI to de-age de Niro and others in the movie, which would explain why the budget supposedly exceeds $100 million.

The Irishman is scheduled two begin shooting next month, but it doesn't have a release date assigned yet. You can currently see Ray Romano in The Big Sick, which is now playing in theaters across the U.S.

The new CBS sitcom from Kevin James, Kevin Can Wait, just premiered this Monday, but the show has already nabbed its first appearance from one great guest star who'll look familiar to anyone who's watched TV in the past 20 years. Comedian and actor Ray Romano will guest on the series.

Ray Romano will show up on the freshman season of Kevin Can Wait, and, according to Entertainment Weekly, his appearance will take place sometime this fall. The actor is slated to play the father of a friend of Kevin's son who just happens to be a friendly, but somewhat pushy, car salesman named Vic Margolis. With their sons new friendship, Vic becomes overeager at the chance of selling an overpriced car to this potential customer.

Obviously, Ray Romano is best known for his 1996-2005 sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond, which also aired on CBS. This will mark his return to the network since his series ended over a decade ago. In the intervening years, he's continued to work as a stand up comedian, but has also appeared on several shows, including Parenthood, Men of a Certain Age, The Office, The Middle, Maron and Vinyl. This won't be the first time he's worked with Kevin James, either. In addition to occasionally co-headlining shows in Las Vegas, James appeared several times on Everybody Loves Raymond as two different characters, while Romano showed up as his Raymond character, Ray Barone, on James' previous sitcom, The King of Queens, a few times. And, here's a fun little side note, Romano also played Ray Barone on the CBS shows The Nanny, Becker and Cosby.

As noted above, Kevin Can Wait also marks a return to the network for series star Kevin James. His 1998-2007 show, The King of Queens, helped launch the comedian's film career, which really took off during his time away from CBS. The star has appeared in several big screen comedies, and is now also known for roles in I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry, Paul Blart: Mall Cop and its sequel, Grown Ups, Zookeeper and Pixels. James also played his King of Queens character, Doug Heffernan, on Cosby, Everybody Loves Raymond and Becker.

Kevin Can Wait focuses on a newly retired cop who's getting used to a fuller family life with his wife and three kids, and finding it more difficult than he imagined. The show has not gotten the best reviews from critics, so here's hoping that the appearance from Ray Romano helps liven things up enough to make his episode worth checking out this fall. You can catch Kevin Can Wait Mondays on CBS, and be sure to check out our TV premiere schedule to see when new and returning shows will debut this season.

In Kevin Smith's Clerks II, there's a scene where Randall, one of Smith's most iconic characters, derisively described The Lord of the Rings trilogy as a lot of walking, only to drop a ring into a volcano. If he were to sum up the Ice Age films, he'd have basically done the same thing, except he'd still be walking, and there'd be no closure in a ring being destroyed. Indeed, Ice Age: Collision Course is just more of the same for the franchise that spawned it: travel from here to there, make some jokes, and once and awhile check in on Scrat. Suffice it to say, this movie only really serves one purpose: to prove that the franchise needs a swift and sudden ending.

With a series of meteors threatening life as they know it, Manny (Ray Romano,) Diego (Denis Leary,) and Sid (John Leguizamo) must lead their group, including Ellie (Queen Latifah,) Shirah (Jennifer Lopez,) Peaches (Keke Palmer,) and Julian (Adam Devine) to safety. Of course, the road to safety is really a path to danger, as Buck (Simon Pegg) has convinced the team to head to where the largest meteor is supposed to hit, in an effort to somehow avoid their historically dictated fate.

If you're looking for an animated film that tests the boundaries of storytelling in the medium of children's films, then you'd better go see Finding Dory again, as Ice Age: Collision Course is pretty much your standard, all-star kids comedy. With glowing nipples, dangerous yoga contortions, and a marriage subplot that plays it so safe it requires a combination to unlock, you basically know where this film is going at least 20 steps ahead of time. I wish I could say that there's at least enough humor to keep the audience past the age of 6 entertained, but unless you're really hankering for jokes referencing Armageddon, then I really can't say that. In fact, it seems that the Ice Age series has mistaken adding characters to its already hefty dramatis personae as a tactic for making things funnier. As you can tell by the constantly unfunny Crash and Eddie, it's not.

All's not lost though, as there are a couple of bright spots that save Ice Age: Collision Course from itself. Scrat, as per usual, gets some of the funniest gags involving zero dialogue, but a Looney Tunes sensibility. Also, Simon Pegg's Buck continues to be a character that deserves his own spin off, as his adventures and witty repartee are an oasis from the cloying wedding subplot this film contains. And last, but not least, Neil deGrasse Tyson's minuscule cameo kind of makes me wish Fox would commission a Cosmos for Kids series, using his character, Neil deBuck Weasel as the storyteller. But considering Scrat has always been the crutch of the Ice Age series, and the roles of Pegg and Tyson are so small, they can't overcome the crushing pall of unfunny material that makes up the meat of the film.

The fact that Ice Age is on its fifth sequel, and still hasn't resolved itself into an ending, is enough to make you apologize to The Land Before Time franchise for complaining when it crossed the threshold of ten films. It would be best if Fox just feeds this languishing franchise to the nearest predator, in order to give Scrat, Buck, and Neil deBuck Weasel their own buddy comedy. Alas, the chances of this happening are the same as an asteroid wiping out the animated cast of Ice Age: Collision Course, so I wouldn't recommend holding your breath.

Martin Scorsese projects have sometimes been known to take a while to get from concept to production, but it’s usually a film at the center. (Like Silence, for instance.) This time, though, it’s a still-untitled rock & roll-centered HBO drama. It’s been almost a year since the series finally cast its lead with Bobby Cannavale (Nurse Jackie); thankfully more have been added recently, making me believe we may one day see this thing. The latest to join this gritty story is Ray Romano, the stand-up comic best known for the long-running sitcom Everybody Loves… I can’t think of the name right now, so we’ll move on.

The series, once called History of Music years ago when it was first conceived, is set in New York City in the midst of the drugs, sex and more drugs-filled world of the 1970s music business, which is just beginning to embrace punk and disco. (I’m sure that had nothing to do with the drugs either.) Cannavale plays Richie Finestra, the street tough brains behind the American Century record label, whose past goes back to the days when the mob was invested in the music industry. We can probably expect that past to haunt him.

Romano will star as Zak Yankovich, Richie’s closest confidante and right hand man, and presumably not a distant cousin to “Weird” Al. I think Romano is a funny guy, though I haven’t ever really enjoyed the series he’s been in, including Men of a Certain Age, though his Asperger’s afflicted character in Parenthood is a good fit for him. In any case, I think he and Cannavale will make a splendid pair, especially if the dialogue is quick and the humor is dark and as far from broad as possible.

The cast also includes Olivia Wilde, who will play Richie’s former actress wife Devon, whose Bohemian lifestyle becomes a big issue. And American Century’s A&R department will be comprised of Julian (Max Casella), a young exec named Clark (Jack Quaid) and assistant Jamie (Juno Temple).

The series has an all-star squad of executive producers, as Scorsese is joined by Terence Winter (Boardwalk Empire), George Mastras (Breaking Bad) and Rolling Stones’ lead singer Mick Jagger, who partially conceived the concept behind the show as a film. Scorsese will direct a script from Winter and Mastras, who will also serve as showrunner.

HBO has reignited its own fires in recent years with the dragons of Game of Thrones and the tense depravity of True Detective. Will a drama about the coked-up record biz strike the same chords with audiences? If not, we can always look forward to hearing Ray Romano’s voice on the next seventeen Ice Age sequels.

NBC is finally airing promotional segments for Season 5 of Parenthood. The one above is full of happy moments. Namely, it seems Kristina has taken the necessary steps and kicked her cancer to the curb, which is awesome news, since I don’t think I could have stood seeing Monica Potter in so much pain for another season, and I certainly didn’t want to see them kill the character off. I’m still annoyed (but not surprised) that Potter was snubbed by the Emmy's this year. I know cable has great stuff going for it, but seriously, last year Potter’s performance was where it was at.

Other great moments from this preview include Amber and Sarah actually getting along and making wedding plans, and since Matt Lauria is returning to the series, Amber’s relationship with his character needs to go somewhere. A wedding is probably going to be a mess, though, between Amber and Ryan’s different emotional problems, so I’ll hold on to the hope that the wedding comment was a joke from Sarah. We also get to see Hank (Ray Romano) pop up in the trailer, which is good news for fans who liked the funnyman on the show. It’s yet to be determined whetherHank's return will be good news for Sarah, however.

Parenthood is returning to NBC’s schedule this fall, and for a full season order at that. That’s extremely exciting news for fans, but the more exciting bits in this intimate new trailer for Season 5 are the high moments for our characters shown in the short new teaser for the series. Anyone who has seen an episode of Parenthood before knows we often get to see characters like Adam, Sarah, Crosby, Amber, and Jasmine make plenty of mistakes. When we get feel-good moments with the characters, they are worth cherishing, and I can’t wait to see how the plotlines pan out when the show hits the schedule.

It’s hard to surmise much from such a short 30-second promotion, but I can’t wait to delve back in to the world of the Braverman clan. Parenthood has always been a show that requires a high level of emotional investment, but if you do take the time to watch the series, the family drama always feels really, even in its worst moments (and even when Julia decided on the unlikely career of stay-at-home mom). With 22-episodes slated for the new season, we should get to see more from the characters and what is going on in their day-to-day lives. Clearly, I’m a huge fan of the series, but even if you’ve never watched, it may be worth giving a shot.

Parenthood is set to premiere its new season in a brand new NBC Thursday timeslot on September 26 at 10 p.m. ET.

Good news, Ray Romano fans! Or more specifically, those Parenthood fans who loved the actor as occasionally grumpy photographer Hank in the NBC drama. Romano has signed on to return to the series for Season 5, which means there may be hope for Sarah and Hank yet!

Deadline reports that Romano has locked in a deal to return to Parenthood for the approaching fifth season of the family-focused drama, reprising his role as Hank, who was Sarah's boss and more when he recurred in the fourth season.

The last we saw of Hank, he was leaving the West Coast to move to Minnesota to be near his daughter. That came after Sarah broke it off with Jason Ritter's character Mark to be with Hank. In the end, she made her choice and ended up alone, which isn't such a bad thing. In fact, TVLine quotes Parenthood executive producer David Hudgins as saying Sarah's Season 5 storyline will focus a bit less on her love life than we've seen in the past, saying:

I like the idea of Sarah having the chance to shine, but I don't hate the idea of Sarah and Hank reconnecting. There was an interesting chemistry between the two characters that likely comes - at least in part - from Graham's and Romano's demonstrated abilities to blend humor with drama. The actors clicked really nicely in Parenthood, but with Sarah's relationship with Mark worked into the story, her relationship with Hank was always a little bit too complicated for comfort. Sarah and Mark are over, and Jason Ritter already has a new series lined up with a different Gilmore girl, so the path might be clear for Sarah and Hank to start over, assuming Romano's return means Hank's moving back to town.

Deadline says Roman's return to the show has to do with the "great relationship" he developed with Parenthood developer Jason Katims. It's actually interesting to hear that, as I'm sure many Romano fans would love to see the actor back on television in a starring role. Who knows what this great relationship between him and Katims could yield down the road? But that's thinking ahead. For now, we can celebrate the news that Hank will be returning when Parenthood does. And from the sound of it, we'll be seeing quite a bit of him as he's set to appear in as many as 12-15 episodes of the season, which is about on par with what he did in Season 4. Of course, Parenthood is an ensemble show, which splits its focus among the various branches of the Braverman family tree, so everyone's screen time is a bit divided.

NBC has Parenthood set to air on Thursdays at 10:00 p.m. next season.

Everyday, Twitter users collectively send a stupid number of angry, aggressive and mean-spirited tweets to celebrities. I’m not sure why so many people find said activity to be an acceptable use of time, but regardless, it does happen and thanks to Jimmy Kimmel, it’s now an incredible source of entertainment for everyone.

Rather than getting upset about the comments, Kimmel decided last year to bring together as many celebrities as he could to read a vicious tweet they’d received. The segment was hysterical, and it wound up getting such a good response he’s brought it back three more times. This week was the latest installment, and the new version features a wide assortment of famous faces including Jessica Alba, Jessica Simpson, Kid Rock and Julie Bowen.

Some celebrities think the best way to deal with Twitter criticism is to retweet the comments, but more often than not, that only adds fuel to the fire. This, on the other hand, is a great way to own the hate in a good-natured manner without seeming desperate or jilted.

Kimmel has many talents, but one of them is most definitely dealing with tricky subjects without coming across as mean. His Lie Witness News segments always come off like they’re in good fun and Mean Tweets definitely treads over the same ground. Here's to hoping the show does it again.

Because NBC’s Parenthood produces less episodes than other dramas of its ilk—with only 15 episodes set for the upcoming season—it always seems like an extremely long period of time between batches of new episodes. Luckily, with new episodes finally on the way, NBC has put together a short, but intimate look into the fourth season of the critically acclaimed drama.

Interestingly, in the video, all of our favorite characters pop up, but the family branch involving Sarah and her son, Drew, really takes precedence. We already know Ray Romano is set for a multi-episode arc in the fall, and his potential interference into Sarah and Mark’s relationship manifests itself in the video through a simple conversation where Sarah goes to him, instead of her fiancé, for advice. There’s also a pretty suspect blanket being folded in the scene, leaving a lot of questions unanswered.

While things seem a little more settled in other branches of the Braverman clan, poor Drew looks like he is headed for heartbreak, which fans should have seen coming a mile away. It’s kind of a shame, because Amy was pretty likeable and her caring family introduced Drew to a substitute father figure during Season 3. We’ll have to wait and see exactly how these dramatic plotlines pan out when Parenthood airs next month.

Parenthood Season 4 premieres Tuesday, September 11 at 10 p.m. ET.

I could not be more stoked about the upcoming season of Parenthood. The NBC series only gets a shortened season each year, which means it is always off the air for far longer than some of my other favorite programs. Season 3 also ended in truly theatrical fashion with some major drama and a wedding that was beautiful, although probably not one of the wisest calls characters on the show have ever made, so it is super exciting to see if the series will pick up where it left off.

Season 4 is up to bat in September, with 15 episodes to make audiences to cringe, cry, and laugh. The first of these episodes will introduce a new character that will cause some tension in Sarah Braverman and her partner Mark’s relationship. According to Deadline, Sarah’s new friend and potential love interest will be played by none other than Ray Romano. The former Everybody Loves Raymond star will play an artsy photojournalist and photographer, which will certainly appeal to Sarah’s creative and emotional side. I’m guessing Romano was initially introduced as a way to write out Jason Ritter’s Mark, who was set to appear in County, but with no apparent pick-up for that NBC program, we will have to see where the show takes us with the Sarah/Mark storyline.

As for Romano’s appearance, I couldn’t be happier. Parenthood gets a few laughs, but hopefully Romano’s character will be able to add in a few more. It will also be great to see Romano get the chance to pop in what will likely be a bit more of a complicated acting role than what he would get with a guest stint on The Middle. The actor is set for a multi-episode arc, and I can’t wait to see what he does with it.

Parenthood is set to Premiere Tuesday, September 11 at 10 p.m. ET on NBC.

Among the comedies I’m most looking forward to seeing return is ABC’s The Middle. Not only do we have the Heck family photo to share with you for Season 3, but we also have a couple photos of Ray Romano, who will be reunited with his former Everybody Loves Raymond on-screen wife Patricia Heaton in the season premiere.

The Heck’s are looking a bit unimpressed by their TV dinners, but I’m loving the ’50’s theme they have going on, between their food and the decor.

Meanwhile, here’s a look at Ray Romano in the Season 3 premiere. Everybody Loves Raymond fans will likely appreciate getting to see Romano and Heaton on screen together.

And, this one I’m posting just because I absolutely love the size difference between Heaton and Neil Flynn. We see Frankie looking up at Mike quite a bit, but this photo really does emphasize just how much he towers over her.

The contrast looks a little less obvious in this one:

The rest of the promo photos are in the gallery below. (All Images ©ABC )

The Middle returns for Season 3 on Wednesday, September 21st at 8:00 p.m. on ABC.

NBC's tentpole The Office saw a serious drop in the numbers last week when they aired the first Michael Scott-less episode, and even the presence of interim manager Deangelo Vickers, aka Will Ferrell, couldn't do much to slow the slide.

THR reported that the adult demo fell "17 percent after spiking last week for Steve Carell’s final episode." However, this may not be the most accurate stat because, as they mentioned, the show saw a big spike in their viewership for Carell's final episode (therefore, the numbers were probably low but not as bad as the 17% would suggest). Okay, enough with the boring stuff, let's get to this week's season finale and the loads of big names they've brought in for cameos.

Here's what we have to look forward to in the season 7 finale, entitled "Search Committee," as well as several clips from the ep.

The Office season finale airs tonight at 9 p.m. ET.

Perfect timing. Just as the television world is being shaken and stirred (with news of various cancellations, pick-ups, new cast members, old cast members leaving, etc.), we, thanks to the new doc Showrunners, get a behind-the-scenes glimpse at the most important position in TV production...the showrunner. And as Steven S. DeKnight says, "The age of writers and showrunners being anonymous is over."

Yes, they may have to bow down to studio heads throwing around their green and red lights, but these are the people who actually write and produce the shows we see every night...and content is king, right? Tell that to Lone Star or Terriers (or the Bluths).

For anyone interested in the behind-the-scenes world of television production, as told through the creative eyes that have made so many of your favorite shows come to life (interviewees include Lost's Damon Lindelof, House's David Shore, Sons of Anarchy's Kurt Sutter, and many, many more), Showrunners is a must. Take a look and see what insights and cautionary tales these experienced TV men have to offer (all set to Reznor and Ross' score from The Social Network).

Showrunners Trailer from Showrunners Documentary on Vimeo.

When Jeremy Renner was cast as the lead in The Bourne Legacy last week, I was surprised not only because it will be his third on-going franchise, but because I learned that he is 40 years old. Not only could he pass for being in his late 20s-early 30s, but it's amazing that it's taken this long for him to get the notice he deserves. As a result, it's understandable that he would want to start taking on as many projects as he can. Fortunately, this one only requires him to stand in a sound booth for a few hours.

THR reports that Renner, Jennifer Lopez, Wanda Sykes, Keke Palmer, Aziz Ansari And hip-hop star Drake have all been added to the cast of Ice Age: Continental Drift, the third sequel in the long running series. The story also says Ray Romano, Denis Leary, John Leguizamo, Queen Latifah, Seann William Scott and Josh Peck will all be back to reprise their roles from the previous films. While character details have not been released for all of the new actors, Renner will be playing " Gutt, a self-styled master of the high seas" (it doesn't say what kind of animal), while Lopez will play Shira, a sabretooth tiger who will serve as a romantic interest for Diego, Leary's character. The film is scheduled to be released on July 13, 2012.

Much like the Shrek franchise before it, the Ice Age movies have been getting worse and worse with each sequel, so I wonder if this is the one that finally drives it straight into the ground. Considering that it seems as though they're adding six new characters to an over-crowded cast, I'd say that it's a safe bet.

The 90s were the golden age of TV in my opinion. So I’ve only been alive since the mid-70s, my opinion still matters, right? Think about it – Seinfeld, 3D Rock From the Sun, Friends, The Simpsons, Sliders, and who could forget the best show ever - Quantum Leap.

Seriously, Quantum Leap was my absolute favorite show ever. I loved Dr. Sam Beckett like you wouldn’t believe. His combination of sincerity and his desire to really help the people whose lives he entered was inspiring. And, it didn’t hurt that he was hot. I've been wondering what he's been up to, and I guess now I know!

Scott Bakula is the actor who played Dr. Sam Beckett, and when he got the role as Captain Jonathan Archer on Enterprise, I couldn’t help but tune in. I didn’t think it was the best incarnation of the Star Trek empire, but it wasn’t bad. It was also on at some ungodly hour in the middle of the night on my local Fox affiliate, so I only got a chance to watch if one of my kids woke me up at the right time. (This was before we got a DVR…)

Anyway, the real point of this story is that the wonderful Scott Bakula is going to be starring alongside Ray Romano and Andre Braugher in a new show on TNT. I reported that Ray Romano was getting a new show back in April, but it didn’t have a title at that point.

Well, it does have a title now, and it’s going to be Men of a Certain Age. Hollywood Reporter says, "Age" explores the bonds of male friendship through the eyes of three college buddies (Romano, Braugher, Bakula) who are in their 40s. Bakula's character Terry is a handsome, intelligent but struggling-to-make-it actor.”

You better believe I’ll be watching!

Did you love Raymond? I didn’t. Only watched the show twice. Even though the powers that be would lead us to believe that Everyone loved him, I just didn’t love the show. It’s not that I disliked Ray, I just couldn’t stand the laugh track, the grating voice of Ray’s mother, and the fact that his dad reminded me of a childhood friend’s dad (he was a bit creepy…) I guess someone loved the show, though, because it lasted a long time by TV standards.

Whether you were a fan of the show, or a fan of Ray, you may be surprised to find out that he is coming back to the tube. Hollywood Reporter is reporting that Ray and Everybody Loves Raymond’s writer-producer Mike Royce are joining forces to create a new drama that has been picked up by TNT.

According to the article, “Romano will play Joe, a friendly, slightly neurotic, divorced father of two who had dreams of being a pro golfer but instead owns and runs a party store. His two best friends are Owen, an overstressed black husband and father who is a car salesman at his dad's dealership, and Terry, an offbeat, handsome, intelligent and still struggling-to-make it actor.”

Hmmm…friendly, neurotic…that doesn’t sound like Ray Romano at all! Does the guy ever play someone that isn’t just like him? He is funny on occasion, but isn’t an actor supposed to act? Whose idea was it to inundate our airwaves with comedians? In the tradition of Tim Allen, George Lopez, Bill Engvall, and Jeff Foxworthy, I am sure this show will be funny on only the level that middle America can enjoy…