1. THIRD DEMOCRATIC DEBATE MAY SPAN TWO NIGHTS: ABC has announced details for the third Democratic debate, which will take place in Houston on September 12. Ten candidates have qualified and, if more candidates qualify, the network will add a second night on September 13. ABC will hold a selection event on August 29 to assign candidates to one of the nights. NBC News: “The debate, which will be held at Houston's Texas Southern University on September 12, will give candidates one minute and 15 seconds for direct responses to questions and 45 seconds for rebuttals, the network said. That's up from the one minute responses and 30 second rebuttal times in the first two debates, which were hosted by NBC and CNN respectively. … The network, which is partnering with Univision for the debates, also announced it will have four moderators, ABC's George Stephanopoulos, David Muir, and Linsey Davis, and Univision's Jorge Ramos.”
2. NEW YORK’S PLAYSTATION THEATER WILL CLOSE: The PlayStation Theater in New York’s Times Square will close after a final performance of the Disco Biscuits on December 31. Venue operators AEG and the Bowery Presents have decided to close the venue as the existing lease agreement for the space is ending. Billboard: “The 2,100-capacity PlayStation Theater opened in September 2005 and has welcomed more than 2.1 million fans through its doors, hosting over 1,500 shows with top artists including Ariana Grande, Fall Out Boy, Rihanna, and Florida Georgia Line. Prior to its closing, the New York venue will see performances from Alessia Cara, Chase Rice, Craig Ferguson, and more.”
3. JENNIFER FOX TO PRODUCE OSCARS GOVERNORS AWARDS: Oscar- and Emmy-nominated producer Jennifer Fox will return as the producer of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' Governors Awards. The 11th annual ceremony, slated for October 27, will give director David Lynch, actor Wes Studi, and screenwriter and director Lina Wertmüller honorary Oscars, and will honor Geena Davis with the Hersholt. The Hollywood Reporter: “Fox previously produced the 2018 edition of the fall event at which the Academy presents its special awards—the honorary Oscar and, in some years, the Irving Thalberg Award and/or the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award.”