1. Harold Ramis (1944-2014)
Harold Ramis, the comedic mastermind whose credits include such films as Ghostbusters, Caddyshack, and National Lampoon’s Vacation, died Monday from complications arising from vasculitis. Though hardly a household name, Ramis had an extensive career as actor, writer, and director, helping to launch the careers of comedians like John Candy, Chevy Chase, and Bill Murray. His 1993 comedy Groundhog Day, starring Murray as an arrogant reporter forced to relive the same day until he gets it right, is widely acknowledged as Ramis’ masterpiece. Ramis was 69.
2. Taking Down Piers
After three years on the air, British television journalist and former tabloid editor Piers Morgan has been fired from his primetime gig at CNN. The network announced Sunday that Piers Morgan Live has been cancelled, with a final airdate to be determined soon. Morgan made headlines for his uncompromising position on gun control and, most recently, a controversial interview with transgender activist Janet Mock that found him sparring with the transgender community. Alas, all the controversy couldn’t stir up the ratings necessary to keep the brash Brit on the air.
3. Castles In ‘The Cloud’
In an announcement timed with the digital release of its megahit Frozen, Disney unveiled its new digital movie service on Tuesday. Disney Movies Everywhere is a cloud-based service integrated with iTunes, allowing viewers to access the Disney, Pixar and Marvel digital libraries through their laptops and Apple devices. At long last, Disney’s blockbusters can be experienced as always intended: on a tiny iPhone screen near you.
4. ‘Midnight Surprises’
Beyonce may have set the bar impossibly high when it comes to unexpectedly dropping music, but on Tuesday two big acts followed suit. Kid Cudi suddenly dropped his album Satellite Flight: The Journey to Mother Moon on iTunes Tuesday at midnight, the same time Coldplay released “Midnight,” a surprise new single reportedly from an upcoming album. “Midnight” has been earning comparisons to Bon Iver, while Cudi’s album is stoking anticipation for his Man on the Moon III, set to arrive in 2015.
5. New ‘Girl’ On The Block
Everyone’s favorite HBO star and think piece subject, Lena Dunham, has just been tapped to host Saturday Night Live for the first time. The Girls creator and star will be appearing on the March 8 episode, along with musical guest The National. Despite her lack of hosting experience, Dunham isn’t a complete stranger to SNL-the show spoofed Girls back in September, in a sketch featuring Tina Fey and newcomer Noel Wells in the role of Dunham.
