1. Contrary to reports that surfaced yesterday, Alec Baldwin will reportedly not be joining NBC’s stable of late-night hosts. The actor “was mentioned as a possibility, but there were never any negotiations,” E! reports, and now “the idea is now off the table.” NBC made this decision official by renewing “Last Call with Carson Daly,” the very-late-night show, for a 13th season. Think about that: 13 seasons! “The show has become a platform for emerging artists — and Carson’s engaging interview style has made it the place for insightful conversations with an eclectic group of new stars as well as established icons and news makers,” NBC said in a statement. It also helps that Daly is the host of “The Voice,” the only currently successful show on the network. [Vulture]
2. The Philadelphia Orchestra is heading to China, it was announced on Thursday. The musicians will tour China from May 29 to June 10, offering “master classes, coaching sessions and workshops with young music students and local professional orchestra musicians.” The Philadelphia Orchestra visited China last year, and the success of the trip has turned it into an annual affair. Donald Runnicles will conduct the orchestra in place of new music director Yannick Nézet-Séguin, who has a previous commitment with the Rotterdam Philharmonic. [Artsbeat]
3. “Open,” the “racy new drama” from “Glee” and “American Horror Story” creator Ryan Murphy, has landed at HBO. Casting has yet to take place. The show is said to be “a modern, provocative exploration of human sexuality and relationships,” focusing on “five lead characters, including a married couple of thirtysomethings, the husband’s male co-worker and a woman in her 40s who is a yoga professional.” Murphy is currently working with the network on an adaptation of Larry Kramer‘s “The Normal Heart,” starring Julia Roberts and Mark Ruffalo. Our only hope for “Open” is that it’s not “Tell Me You Love Me,” the network’s forever-mocked serious sex drama. [Deadline]
4. Director Todd Field (“In the Bedroom”) is set to adapt “Beautiful Ruins,” based on Jess Walter‘s novel about “an aspiring actress, a failed novelist, a washed-up rock star, ‘Cleopatra,’ the Amalfi Coast, and the Donner Party, among other things.” No word on if Field is writing as well, or what this means for the political thriller he was writing with Joan Didion. [Vulture]
5. Listen to lo-fi rockers Woods cover “God’s Children” by the Kinks, one of the more underappreciated songs in their catalogue. The cover will appear on a new seven-inch, which is set to come out in July on the band’s own label, Woodist. You can never go wrong with a Kinks cover. [Stereogum]
WOODS – God’s Children by WOODSIST
Previously: Anne Hathaway, Alec Baldwin, Daft Punk, “Breaking Bad,” “Elysium”
Image: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images
