The daily gossip: April 27, 2020

(Image credit: REMKO DE WAAL/ANP/AFP via Getty Images)

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1. Netflix is releasing a surprise documentary about Michelle Obama
2. Dolly Parton helped produce Buffy the Vampire Slayer
3. John Krasinski delivers some food-themed good news
4. Robert Pattinson is reportedly struggling to look like Batman while in quarantine
5. Katy Perry wore a giant bottle of hand sanitizer on American Idol

published 27 April 2020

1. Netflix is releasing a surprise documentary about Michelle Obama

Might another Barack and Michelle Obama documentary be headed to the Oscars in 2021? Becoming, a surprise film revolving around Michelle Obama and the book tour for her 2018 memoir of the same name, is dropping next week, Netflix has revealed. The film was directed by Nadia Hallgren, and Netflix called it an "intimate look into the life of former First Lady Michelle Obama during a moment of profound change, not only for her personally but for the country." Barack and Michelle Obama had signed a production deal with Netflix in 2018, and a film produced by their company, American Factory, won the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature earlier this year. Becoming will begin streaming on Netflix on May 6.

In news that completely changes life as we know it, fans have discovered that Dolly Parton helped produce Buffy the Vampire Slayer back in 1997. Entertainment Weekly fills in some of the blanks, confirming that Parton and her former manager, Sandy Gallin, founded Sandollar Productions in 1986, and produced the Buffy the Vampire Slayer movie in 1992. When the film flopped, Sandollar pivoted to trying out the story as the TV series we know and love today. "While Parton's name never appeared on the show, Sandollar is listed in the end credits of every episode of Buffy," Entertainment Weekly explains, adding that the fact that the protagonist, Buffy Summers, shares a birthday with Dolly Parton "could be an indication of her impact on the series."

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In the five weeks since he started Some Good News, John Krasinski has acquired a theme song and a devoted fan base. On Monday, he debuted something new: A "Cooking with John" segment, in which he asked his fans to send him their favorite home recipes. Being "one of the least-capable chefs on the planet," however, Krasinski didn't try his hand at the demonstrations himself — instead, he invited on his brother-in-law and part-time mixologist Stanley Tucci to demo the featured cocktail, and Guy Fieri, Martha Stewart, and David Chang to handle the food. Being Some Good News, the show ended with an especially heartwarming twist. "Remember, no matter how things get, there is always good in the world," Krasinski said. Watch here.

Rumor has it that Robert Pattinson is struggling to stay fit while in quarantine. Stars — they're just like us! The difference, though, is that keeping up appearances is actually a semi-big deal for the former Twilight star, seeing as he had been beefing up to play the role of Batman in a film due to be released next year. According to sources that spoke to HollywoodLife, Pattinson is allegedly "still working with his trainer nearly every day, just online. It's not easy, it's taking a huge amount of discipline for Rob to stay shoot ready." Hey Pattinson, if you're reading this, just join the rest of us who gave up being "shoot ready" a loooong time ago.

You've heard of swan dresses and meat dresses, but how about a giant bottle of hand sanitizer? That's what Katy Perry donned during Sunday night's remote episode of American Idol. Initially the outfit seemed like a flashy promotion for the show, with Perry appearing in the bottle in her kitchen, asking fans to "stay safe, wash your hands, and tune into an all-new, like-never-before episode of American Idol, tonight." But while judging the show later that night, she remained in costume, giving contestants feedback on their living room performances through the hole in the front of her bottle. "We're so proud of you!" she raved at one point, which admittedly is high praise coming from sentient disinfectant gel.

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Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.