The Conversation

Disney’s pivot to streaming is a sign of entertainment and economic changes to come

Disney’s pivot to streaming is a sign of entertainment and economic changes to come

Disney has announced a significant restructuring of its media and entertainment business, boldly placing most of its growth ambitions and investments into its recently launched streaming service, Disney+. The 97-year-old media conglomerate is now more like Netflix than ever before. What this means is that Disney will be reducing its focus from (and potentially the […]

 Rich Howells

John Oliver pokes fun at Forty Fort and its funny name on HBO’s ‘Last Week Tonight’

John Oliver pokes fun at Forty Fort and its funny name on HBO’s ‘Last Week Tonight’

Comedian John Oliver’s news satire program “Last Week Tonight” has talked about Scranton several times on HBO. In last night’s episode, a lesser-known town in Northeastern Pennsylvania received a mention – and a light ribbing. During the main segment on Joe Biden winning the presidential election and “Donald Trump’s various attempts to overturn the results” […]

 NEPA Scene Staff

Circle Drive-In in Dickson City screens ‘Star Wars’ show ‘The Mandalorian’ for free on Nov. 13

Circle Drive-In in Dickson City screens ‘Star Wars’ show ‘The Mandalorian’ for free on Nov. 13

It was announced today that the Circle Drive-In Theatre in Dickson City will host a screening of the first four episodes of the hit Star Wars television show “The Mandalorian” on Friday, Nov. 13 at 7 p.m. Admission is free, and the concession stand will be open, selling drinks, popcorn, freshly made pizzas, items from […]

 The Conversation

Netflix’s ‘Haunting of Bly Manor’ – why Henry James’ eerie tale still inspires so many adaptations

Netflix’s ‘Haunting of Bly Manor’ – why Henry James’ eerie tale still inspires so many adaptations

New on Netflix, “The Haunting of Bly Manor” is the latest in a long line of adaptations of Henry James’ “The Turn of the Screw” (1898) that began in 1954 with Benjamin Britten’s opera. Since then, there has been more than 25 others. Adapters’ enduring fascination with James’ “irresponsible little fiction” can be summed up […]

 NEPA Scene Staff

New TV series ‘The Masked Wrestler’ begins filming in Wilkes-Barre on Aug. 27

New TV series ‘The Masked Wrestler’ begins filming in Wilkes-Barre on Aug. 27

From a press release: “The Masked Wrestler,” an original television series made in collaboration with Independent Wrestling TV and Coal Creative, will begin filming in Wilkes-Barre on Thursday, Aug. 27. “The Masked Wrestler” disguises the identities of eight of today’s top independent professional wrestlers in a single-elimination tournament to determine who will be crowned “The […]

 NEPA Scene Staff

Musikfest in Bethlehem goes virtual in 2020 with 80 online and TV performances July 31-Aug. 9

Musikfest in Bethlehem goes virtual in 2020 with 80 online and TV performances July 31-Aug. 9

From a press release: More than 80 performers and 30 partners are joining with ArtsQuest to keep the music alive and free for the community during a very different Musikfest on Friday, July 31 through Sunday, Aug. 9. The 2020 Musikfest will include 40 all-new exclusive concerts shown via musikfest.org as part of Virtual Musikfest, […]

 NEPA Scene Staff

‘Trailer Park Boys’ Randy reschedules comedy show at Stage West in Scranton for Sept. 22

‘Trailer Park Boys’ Randy reschedules comedy show at Stage West in Scranton for Sept. 22

From a press release: Lock up your “hamberders,” America – Randy Bobandy is back on the road this fall for another greasy “Cheeseburger Picnic.” Randy (played by Patrick Roach) will be bringing his unique comedy performance to the venues across the country. Based on the character from the hit TV series “Trailer Park Boys,” Randy’s […]

 Rich Howells

Scranton comedian Samantha Ruddy releases debut comedy album while working on ‘Full Frontal with Samantha Bee’

Scranton comedian Samantha Ruddy releases debut comedy album while working on ‘Full Frontal with Samantha Bee’

For seven years, Samantha Ruddy’s career in stand-up comedy has built up to this moment. After her big break on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” and landing a job on “Full Frontal with Samantha Bee,” she released her debut comedy album one month ago… the same day a national emergency was declared in the […]

 NEPA Scene Staff

WVIA partners with Pennsylvania Department of Education for Learning at Home programming

WVIA partners with Pennsylvania Department of Education for Learning at Home programming

From a press release: With Pennsylvania’s schools closed indefinitely, many families will struggle to find a path for continuing their child’s education. WVIA and Pennsylvania Public Television have announced a partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Education to expand its recently launched Learn at Home initiative to provide instructional programming through the seven PBS member […]

 NEPA Scene Staff

WVIA changes afternoon schedule to educational programs for students during school closures

WVIA changes afternoon schedule to educational programs for students during school closures

From a press release: Beginning on Monday, March 23, WVIA will change its afternoon television schedule from 1 p.m.-4 p.m. to air programs that can provide learn-at-home opportunities for students staying at home during school closures due to the coronavirus pandemic. Each program airing during this block will have curriculum and additional resources that parents […]