hollywood reporter

The king of cheeses is ready for the spotlight.

The Parmigiano Reggiano Consortium, the governing body of the Italian cheese, has reportedly signed with United Talent Agency in order to pursue product placement opportunities in film and TV projects. According to a statement to the Hollywood Reporter, the organization is looking to “introduce Parmigiano Reggiano to a wide pool of partners [and] further its message of gastronomical excellence and high quality ingredients, production and distribution.”

The formaggio faithful know that Parmigiano Reggiano is a hard cow’s milk cheese that can trace its origins back to the Middle Ages. Because it has protected designation of origin, only the cheese made in the Italian provinces of Parma, Reggio Emilia, Modena, Bologna and Mantua can legally be called Parmigiano Reggiano. (That’s why the common grated variety you may remember shaking out of a green container onto some spaghetti as a child is called Parmesan.)

According to its website, the Parmigiano Reggiano Consortium traces its roots back to the early 1900s when the chambers of commerce in Italian cities were looking to establish a way to authenticate the origin of the hard cheese produced in their region. The organization was formally established in 1928.

Among the association’s objectives is to “organize and take part in initiatives aimed at promoting ‘Parmigiano Reggiano’ cheese, at enhancing its fame, image, reputation, circulation and consumption both in Italy and abroad.”

“Parmigiano Reggiano is not just a symbol of excellence rooted in tradition, but increasingly a truly iconic global brand,” Carmine Forbuso, Parmigiano Reggiano Consortium’s head of marketing, said to the Hollywood Reporter. “This partnership with UTA … allows us to connect with new audiences in an authentic and relevant way. With just three natural ingredients and centuries of artisanal know-how, Parmigiano Reggiano stands for simplicity, quality and depth and we’re excited to explore new formats and platforms to express this story globally.”

So move over, pasta, Parmigiano Reggiano is looking for a new kind of pairing. Netflix and night cheese, perhaps?

Elizabeth Berkley has been on tour with “Showgirls” to commemorate its 30th anniversary — but 30 years ago there was nothing to celebrate.

As the former “Saved by the Bell” star told the Hollywood Reporter in an interview published Monday, the reception to the 1995 film was so brutal that she was unable to land any acting jobs in the aftermath.

“For a good two years, I wasn’t allowed to audition for things,” Berkley said. “The hardest part was being literally locked out of something I loved so much.”

This meant the actor had to fight her way back into Hollywood’s good graces — and she has. One of her most recent roles is a guest spot on the star-studded (but similarly panned) campy legal drama “All’s Fair.”

Directed by Paul Verhoeven from a script by his “Basic Instinct” collaborator Joe Eszterhas, “Showgirls” was Berkley’s first starring film role as well as her first big project after her time on the teen TV breakout “Saved by the Bell.” But the movie was mired in controversy, from its NC-17 rating to the hostile reviews and cratering at the box office.

“I took a beating, guys,” Berkley reportedly said during a fan Q&A before a recent screening. “It was not fun for a little while. I’m not going to lie. It was painful. I was isolated. I felt abandoned by the very people I collaborated with.”

The Times reported in 1995 that Berkley was “unfairly” taking most of the heat for how “Showgirls” was received, noting at the time that she had been dropped by her agent and had yet to line up her next job.

The latest Hollywood Reporter interview recounts how at the time Berkley was left to fend for herself on the film’s press tour and that preparation involved publicists showing her clips of reviews that insulted her looks and acting ability.

“A lot of things went on that wouldn’t be allowed now — someone could not be pummeled to that degree,” Berkley said to the outlet. “I couldn’t understand how people could be so cruel, but I’m tough. I had to separate out what they said from what I believed to be true.”

“Showgirls,” of course, has since been reevaluated and embraced by audiences and academics, elevating it beyond even its cult status. It’s a redemption arc that Berkley especially deserves to celebrate.

“I’ve had some obstacles,” she said, “but I’ve never given up.”

Kim Kardashian has hit back at critics of her new legal drama All’s Fair, sharing a series of social media posts that both acknowledged and mocked the show’s harshest reviews

Kim Kardashian has fired back at critics slamming her new Hulu legal drama All’s Fair. The 45-year-old reality star and businesswoman shared a string of social media posts that both acknowledged and ridiculed the programme’s most brutal reviews, uploading them to Instagram after All’s Fair premiered earlier this week.

The series, crafted by Ryan Murphy, also features Glenn Close, Niecy Nash-Betts, Sarah Paulson, Naomi Watts and Teyana Taylor. It centres on a group of women who abandon a male-dominated law firm to establish their own practice.

Kim kicked off her post with a snap of herself donning a purple fur-trimmed crop top before sharing a picture of her alongside Ryan. She then posted a screenshot of a tweet displaying the programme’s Rotten Tomatoes rating at 0%, paired with a supporter’s reaction stating: “Immediately pressed play.”

READ MORE: Why Davina McCall had twice the risk of breast cancer as some other womenREAD MORE: Kim Kardashian shocks fans with naked dress after TV show backlash

Kim subsequently shared an image of herself chuckling with Ryan and her fellow cast members, before uploading another tweet declaring: “Some of the worst acting I’ve ever seen in my life alongside the most predictable storylines and the most ridiculous styling. I’m obsessed, I need 14 seasons. #AllsFair.”

Kim also featured screenshots of critiques from The Hollywood Reporter and the BBC. There was also a photograph of comedian Amy Schumer recreating their viral 2015 Time 100 Gala moment at a screening of the programme.

One tweet she shared read: “All’s Fair on Hulu dares to ask the question ‘Does a show need to be good?’ And the answer is no, it doesn’t.

“We have legendary actresses here giving the worst performances of their careers, it takes a special kind of talent to pull that kind of inability out of them. Amazeballs.”

The post concluded with Kim spotlighting more favourable reviews and captioning the snaps: “Have you tuned in to the most critically acclaimed show of the year! ? ! ? ! ? All’s Fair streaming now on @hulu and @disneyplus.”

Her co-star Glenn Close also got involved, sharing a sketch of the cast alongside a pot labelled “Critic-Bunny Stew” – a cheeky reference to her notorious role in Fatal Attraction, where her character boiled a pet rabbit alive in revenge for being rejected after a one-night stand.

Director and executive producer Anthony Hemingway has stood by the programme in a chat with The Hollywood Reporter.

He remarked: “You’re not going to please everybody. You may have certain criticisms, while there are a million others who love it. I think the show holds a mirror up to each person who watches it. It’s just about: Can you connect to it or relate to it, and see yourself?”.

Chatting to People magazine ahead of the show’s launch, Sarah Paulson revealed: “I had the best time, I really did.” Glenn added: “Sarah and Kim sometimes could not look at each other without laughing.”

Fresh episodes of All’s Fair drop every Tuesday on Hulu until 23 December.

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