Kung Fu Panda 3 Staring Jack Black as Po #KungFuPanda

Kung Fu Panda 3 Staring Jack Black as Po

By Mary Lansing

*We were invited as media to attend a sneak peek of Kung Fu Panda 3 and interview with Jack Black.*

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I have to admit, by the time a popular film is on its 3rd installment, my usual question is, Will it be any good? There are definitely the ones out there that just don’t have the touch by the time #3 rolls around.

So, you can imagine that when I was invited to check out Kung Fu Panda 3, a series that has yet to disappoint me, I hoped for the best that I would not be let down. But, guess what? Kung Fu Panda 3 is easily my FAVORITE of the franchise!

In part 3, we’re once again taken to the world and life of Po, a panda who has been raised by his over protective father, Mr. Ping. When a strange, new panda, Li Shan (voiced by Bryan Cranston), shows up in town, we quickly learn that he is Po’s biological Dad….and eager to take Po to a secret panda paradise to meet scores of hilarious new panda characters. But when the supernatural villain Kai begins to sweep across China defeating all the kung fu masters, Po must do the impossible — learn to train a village full of his fun-loving, clumsy brethren to become the ultimate band of Kung Fu Pandas!
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Kung Fu Panda has many layers that we do not always see in a children’s film; there’s the questions brought up regarding adoption, as well as Po assuming that Li Shan can explain everything there is to know in life about being a Kung Fu Warrior, since he is expected to be just that and lead everyone to peace as Kai is out to get revenge. But, what if Po’s Dad cannot provide him with all that he thinks he can?

Po must face his fears and find all he needs within himself; not always what he hopes his fathers can give him.  

An element I loved to Kung Fu Panda 3 is that, we finally get to meet other panda’s! When Po returns with Li Shan to the village he is from, we quickly learn with Po that “he hasn’t been eating to his full potential” as he discovers with his relatives the art of eating more than ONE dumpling ball at a time!

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Ringing in Summer with Celebrity Family Feud! #CelebrityFamilyFeud

Ringing in Summer with Celebrity Family Feud

By Erin

*As a guest of Disney and ABC I attended a taping of Celebrity Family Feud on June 7th. All thoughts and opinions remain my own.*

Today marks the first day of summer and what better way to celebrate than by watching two families spar off against each other in the classic game show “Family Feud,” which has become one of television’s most popular and enduring game show formats. I’ve been watching since I was a little girl, so when I found out we were going to get to see a taping of the show, I was beyond excited. What makes this extra special is that this is a new primetime celebrity version called “Celebrity Family Feud  that will take the fun to a whole new level with the six-episode special series. Steve Harvey, the highly popular actor, author, deejay and Emmy Award-winning game show host, will pit celebrities against each other in a contest to name the most popular responses to a survey-type question posed to 100 people. It is set to air tonight (Sunday, June 21st) at 8:00-9:00 p.m., ET/PT on the ABC Television Network.

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What I love most about this new version is that Celebrities and their families will be coming together play to win some cash for their favorite charity.  A total of twelve families will be squaring off to take home the prize for the charity of their choice. The schedule is full of fan favorites, so be prepared for a fun-filled, hilarious, six weeks of entertainment. Families include, Mario Lopez (Saved by the Bell), Vicky Lawrence (Mama’s Family), Dr. Phil, The Robertson Family (Duck Dynasty) and many more you are sure to love.

CELEBRITY FAMILY FEUD - Watching two families spar off against each other in "Family Feud" is one of television's most popular and enduring game show formats. In the new primetime celebrity version produced by FremantleMedia North America, "Celebrity Family Feud" will take the fun to another level over the six-episode special series. Steve Harvey, the highly popular multi-hyphenate standup comedian, actor, author, deejay and Emmy Award-winning game show host, will pit celebrities against each other in a contest to name the most popular responses to a survey-type question posed to 100 people. "Celebrity Family Feud" premieres on SUNDAY, JUNE 21 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET/PT) on the ABC Television Network. (ABC/Adam Taylor) STEVE HARVEY

Steve Harvey Photo Credit: ABC/Adam Taylor

“Anthony Anderson vs Toni Braxton and Monica Potter vs Curtis Stone” –will kick off the series premiere of “Celebrity Family Feud.” First off we will see Actor Anthony Anderson’s (“black-ish”) family vs. 7-time Grammy Award-winning artist Toni Braxton and her sisters; and then in a separate game we will see family members from Australian celebrity chef Curtis Stone and actress Monica Potter. Contestants will go up against each other for victory.

STEVE HARVEY, CURTIS STONE, LINDSAY PRICE STONE, BILL PRICE, DIANE PRICE, BRYAN PRICE
Steve Harvey, Curtis Stone, Lindsay Price Stone, Bill Price, Diane Price, Bryan Price  Photo Credit: ABC/Adam Taylor

My Live Taping Experience:

CELEBRITY FAMILY FEUD - "Anthony Anderson vs Toni Braxton and Monica Potter vs Curtis Stone" - The series premiere of "Celebrity Family Feud" will feature actor Anthony Anderson's ("black-ish") family vs. 7-time Grammy Award-winning artist Toni Braxton and her sisters; and in a separate game, family members from Australian celebrity chef Curtis Stone and actress Monica Potter will spar off against each other to win money for a charity of their choice. Hosted by Steve Harvey, the highly popular multi-hyphenate standup comedian, actor, author, deejay and Emmy Award-winning talk-show and game-show host, "Celebrity Family Feud" premieres on SUNDAY, JUNE 21 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET/PT) on the ABC Television Network. (ABC/Adam Taylor) TRACI BRAXTON, TOWANDA BRAXTON, TRINA BRAXTON, TAMAR BRAXTON, TONI BRAXTON, STEVE HARVEY, STEVE HARVEY, ANTHONY ANDERSON, DORIS BOWMAN, DERRICK BOWMAN, DENICE WHITEHURST, CAROL HUBBARD

Photo Credit: ABC/Adam Taylor

The episode that  I had the pleasure to watch being filmed was Vicki Lawrence vs. Ed Asner. Once we arrived at the studio, they had us walk around to the back side of the building where we went through security and were then ushered to our seats. As we entered the building to take our seats in the audience, you could feel the energy in the room, with the upbeat, energetic music to get everyone going and ready for all the fun the show was to bring. A host was leading the audience and getting everyone up and out of  their seats dancing and clapping along to the music.  After all the dancing, moving and grooving to the music, it was time for the show to start. Steve Harvey made his appearance and we all clapped and cheered. Each celebrity family was introduced and told us the charity they were playing for. The contestants were awesome, the categories and the answers were hilarious. A good time was had by all. A week or so before we came to the taping, we were asked if we had any questions for Steve. During the breaks Steve Harvey talked with the audience and he answered many of the questions that us 25 bloggers had come up with! How awesome is that? He also told us stories about his childhood and his experiences growing up. He preached a very inspirational message to us all about hope, dreams, and to never give up. To follow those previews in our head, and to make them a feature film. I might not be able to tell you who won the show that I saw, but I can tell you this. Tune in. WATCH IT! 😛  I do not yet know the exact airdate of the the  episode I was present for, but I’ll be sure to update everyone when there is a confirmed date. After the taping, we were in for a special treat! We were told that we could go up on stage and take photos!
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On the stage there was so much to take in, and only a few minutes to try to capture it all and enjoy it.  Luckily we were able to get a few quick shots at the buzzer and where the contestants get to play the game.  I’m on team Kathy, Gayle, Erin and Stefani! What an incredible experience! Now, I want to go play for real! Maybe they can have a blogger version of the show? 😉

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