Janelle James Recognizes Ava’s “Hustle” On ‘Abbott Elementary’ [Interview]

It was a busy day on the L.A.-area WGA picket lines, with a visit from some Abbott Elementary folks, support from unionized teachers and nurses, and dancers getting their hula on for Pacific Islander Day.

live podcasts at huge venues.While it might sound like an episode of “It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia,” we’re happy to report this is really happening. This fall, The Always Sunny Pod is embarking on a brief two-show tour that will take Charlie Day, Rob McElhenney and Glenn Howerton (plus, fingers crossed Danny DeVito and Kaitlin Olson!) to Philadelphia and New York City.First up, the trio will crack wise at Philly’s TD Pavilion at the Mann on Saturday, Sept.

Chris Perfetti as Jacob on “Abbott Elementary” but up until June 18, you can catch him live off Broadway at the New York City Center playing a completely different role.Perfetti, 34, stars alongside Glenn Davis (“Billions”) in a two-hander production of “King James,” a four-quarter show complete with a halftime DJ show about two friends bonding over LeBron James and his career over a 12-year span.There’s only one issue — the play’s run is about to reach the end of regulation.At the time of publication, there are only five more shows left; the last performance will be on Sunday, June 18 at 2 p.m.And if you need tickets, you better hustle.Prices start at $119 before fees on Vivid Seats.However, that is an outlier. Most shows’ lowest price is $192 before fees.Want to see Jacob flex his acting muscles live on the stage before the clock runs out?Here’s everything you need to know and more about seeing “King James” live in New York City this June.All prices are subject to fluctuation.A complete calendar including all show dates, start times and the lowest ticket prices available at the New York City Center can be found below.(Note: The New York Post confirmed all above prices at the publication time.

Much like the other Cavaliers, Evan Mobley did not play well in his first postseason appearance. Cleveland lost in five games to a scrappy New York Knicks team. Mobley and Allen were out-hustled and overpowered in the paint on both sides of the ball.

Justin Bieber’s father continues to dig himself into a deeper hole with his homophobic posts.

“Abbott Elementary” was an Emmy force in its first season. Over its seven nominations, creator Quinta Brunson got a Lead Actress in a Comedy nomination and won for her writing.

Sophia Scorziello editor Variety’s annual TV FYC Fest was packed with big names and your favorite stars from the small screen. Christina Applegate (“Dead to Me”) made a rare appearance to accept the Legacy Award, Brooke Shields spoke passionately about the reality of co-existing in the world of social media and Kerry Washington (“UnPrisoned”) joined a collective of equally hilarious actresses including Elle Fanning (“The Great”), Janelle James (“Abbott Elementary”) and Gina Rodriguez (“Dead To Me”) to discuss forging vanity for laughs and embracing the “messy” woman. The all-day discussion also tackled the state of television today amid a writers strike and an ever-changing landscape of streaming. We’ve rounded up the standout moments from Variety’s TV FYC Fest panels and presentations which brought out important — and at times hilarious — conversations about this season of shows.

Drake scored a leading seven nominations for the music-heavy 2023 BET Awards today, and GloRilla was next with six. Both also are up for Album of the Year. Lizzo and 21 Savage follow with five nominations apiece.

Sophia Scorziello editor What does it mean to be a funny girl? Actors Elle Fanning (“The Great”), Janelle James (“Abbott Elementary”), Gina Rodriguez (“Not Dead Yet”) and Kerry Washington (“UnPrisoned”) discuss being a woman in comedy at Variety TV FYC Fest’s Disney Women of Comedy panel, moderated by Variety’s Angelique Jackson. Each TV character they play — whether she’s an empress of Russia, a public school principal, a family therapist or a journalist who talks to the dead — is layered and complicated. Through comedy, these actors have found the freedom to be contradictory, to not have it all together and to be a little messy.

Ethan Shanfeld For Chris Perfetti, “Abbott Elementary” was not just another pandemic-era script on his desk. “I first read the pilot in the spring of 2020, and it was in no small way a profound moment,” he tells Variety. The actor, who plays the enthusiastic, delightfully corny BFF to Quinta Brunson’s Janine in the hit ABC sitcom about public school teachers, was sitting on a park bench in Atlanta, laughing to himself. “I remember chuckling out loud and looking around me and being very aware of if I was making anyone uncomfortable,” says Perfetti. “I had a strong feeling that if anybody had the guts to make this thing and make it right, it would be great.”

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at Large When I arrived in Los Angeles and first started covering television, it was summer 1996. I was a young 22-year-old kid suddenly thrust into reporting at events like the Television Critics Association press tour, where nearly everyone else around me was a crusty newspaper journo twice my age. (And lying to network execs by telling them I was 25 — apparently, I thought that made me sound seasoned?) That first TCA was a boot camp in learning how new TV shows are launched, and I still vividly remember that freshman crop of fall 1996 series. In those hopeful months before September premieres, anyone has the chance to break out and go the distance. One of those sitcoms was ABC’s “Life’s Work,” starring a promising, brash, hysterical comic named, you guessed it, Lisa Ann Walter. She had already starred in a short-lived comedy for Fox, a midseason entry that didn’t get much attention. But this was the one that was going to be a hit, inspired heavily by her own routine as the working mother aiming to “have it all.”

Speaking out. Abbott Elementary actor Tyler James Williams has opened up about speculation surrounding his sexuality.

story. “I’m not gay; but I think the culture of trying to ‘find’ some kind of hidden trait or behavior that a closeted person ‘let slip’ is very dangerous.”“Overanalyzing someone’s behavior in an attempt to ‘catch’ them directly contributes to the anxiety a lot of queer and queer questioning people feel when they fear living in their truth,” he continued.

There’s nowhere else to go but up for multi-hyphenate Sheryl Lee Ralph. During Ralph’s 46-year career, she’s been a trailblazing force. Since her debut in Sidney Poitier’s A Piece of the Action or her lauded turn in Dreamgirls on Broadway in 1981, which landed her a Tony nomination, Ralph’s been making a major impression. These days, she’s back to school on ABC’s mockumentary Abbott Elementary. Her role as the wise and wise-cracking teacher Barbara Howard earned Ralph her first Emmy win, making her the second Black woman to win for Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. She discusses the joy of playing Barbara Howard and their personal connection.

Tyler James Williams is setting the record straight about his sexuality.In a set of Instagram Stories posts made in celebration of Pride Month, Williams addressed the rumors surrounding his sexuality and warned about the dangers of speculating on someone's sexual orientation.«I'm not gay; but I think the culture of trying to 'find' some kind of hidden trait or behavior that a closeted person 'let slip' is very dangerous,» Williams wrote Saturday. «Overanalyzing someone's behavior in an attempt to 'catch' them directly contributes to the anxiety a lot of queer and queer questioning people feel when they fear living in their truth.»In addition to contributing to a culture of fear, the  star said that it makes even the most basic of conversations and interactions feel less safe gay men and women who may be questioning their sexuality.

Tyler James Williams shared a heartfelt message on social media during Pride Month addressing his sexuality. The Abbott Elementary actor made it clear that he is not gay but speculating about people that are queer or questioning their sexuality might be contributing to negatively impacting their mental health.

Abbott Elementary star Tyler James Williams has spoken out against online speculation about his sexuality. The actor posted a message on his Instagram stories calling out the "dangerous" behaviour he's seen of people questioning an individual's sexual orientation online. In the video shared to celebrate the start of Pride Month, Williams explained how the practice is particularly harmful for those who may be struggling with their identity.

body “crashed” following an eruption of his Crohn’s disease.While the incident occurred over five years ago, he opened up to Men’s Health earlier this year about the condition, saying that he had been trying to build more muscle in order to aid him in auditioning for more adult roles. However, in late 2017, he experienced horrible stomach pains and underwent a colonoscopy to figure out the issue.

Tyler James Williams is addressing speculation about his sexuality.

Abbott Elementary star Tyler James Williams has a very important message about the dangers of speculating on someone’s sexuality.