#Middlebury
Q: Are Chip and Joanna Gaines from “Fixer Upper” ever coming back with a new show? Do they still live in Waco? – C.T.
A: Not only are the talented remodelers and lovers of shiplap coming back with a new show, they’re actually starting their own network. Much like Oprah Winfrey with her OWN network, the Gaineses have signed a deal with Discovery Inc. (parent company of HGTV) to start their channel with content chosen by them. Surely this has to include the return of “Fixer Upper” or something similar. Viewing also will be available on a TV Everywhere GO app, and their own streaming service is expected down the road.
Joanna and Chip Gaines (Rachel Whyte/HGTV
photo)
“Our hope with this network is that it really feels like home,” Joanna said while speaking at the Discovery Upfronts. “I think when people come, they’ll find what they were looking for. Whether it’s design, gardening, cooking – that it resonates with people.”
The couple still lives near Waco, Texas, with tourists flocking to their store, the Magnolia Market at the Silos. These visitors recently included power couple Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez. JLo is a huge fan of the show and has even had Joanna out to her own fixer–upper home in Malibu to seek design advice. Later, ARod surprised her with a visit to the Gaineses’ abode in Texas.
Chip and Joanna’s big new venture will launch on traditional cable in 2020, so keep checking HGTV.com for updates.
Q: When is the remake of “The Lion King” coming out? I heard that it won’t be animated this time. Will it be people wearing animal makeup, like the Broadway show “Cats”? – F.B.
A: The new version of Disney’s “The Lion King” will have actors doing the voices, but the cast onscreen will be from the animal kingdom. It’s not exactly “live action” though, as was initially reported, but instead director Jon Favreau uses what is termed “photorealistic animation.” It’s unlike anything we’ve seen yet.
Lending voices to the majestic – and adorable – creatures on screen will be Donald Glover as Simba and Beyonce as Nala. The superstar will no doubt be singing a few bars on the soundtrack as the lioness. James Earl Jones is once again lending his baritone to the role of Simba’s father, King Mufasa, as he did in the original 1994 movie. The release date for this version is set for July 19.
Q: When is the new Hobbit television series going to be aired, and who stars in it? – B.H.
A: Amazon has bought the rights to begin filming five seasons of a series based on “The Lord of the Rings,” but it will be set during an earlier time than the movies. No cast has been named yet, and it will likely be a couple years before it’s available for streaming.
Send me your questions at NewCelebrityExtra@gmail.com!
© 2019 King Features Synd., Inc.
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