GECs
Comedy Central streams James Franco Roast
MUMBAI: Comedy Central is taking one of its showcases and streaming it free across multiple platforms. The “Roast of James Franco” will be accessible via CC.com, mobile platforms and an Xbox app.
A red carpet pre-show will also be available. The network is hoping to drum up considerable social media activity with the sharing of video clips and animated GIFs on its Web site, as well as on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Vine and Tumblr.
The roast debuts Monday at 10:00 p.m. For a re-air later that night, Comedy Central is trying a “social version” with real-time tweets and Facebook posts on-screen.
Among the social media activity the network has used to drum up interest in the special is allowing “super users” to take control of Comedy Central’s Vine account.
Franco’s real-life grandmother will be co-hosting the “#FrancoRoast Red Carpet Pre-Show.” Grandma Mitzie Verne will interview celebrities on a couch. The 15-minute red carpet show will be produced by Comedy Central’s in-house digital studio.
Seth Rogen serves as the roast master with Jonah Hill and Andy Samberg among those taking a turn at the mike.
GECs
Asianet Television Awards 2026 celebrates women power in Malayalam TV
“She is the Colour” theme honours icons as ceremony airs on March 14 and 15 at 7 PM.
MUMBAI: If television lights up living rooms, this year Asianet decided to let women provide the colour. The Asianet Television Awards 2026 turned the spotlight firmly on women empowerment with the theme “She is the Colour”, celebrating the strength, resilience and achievements of women who continue to shape society and the Malayalam entertainment industry.
The ceremony honoured several distinguished personalities whose journeys have left a lasting cultural imprint. Among them was legendary playback singer Vimala Varma, widely recognised as the first Malayalam playback singer. The evening also paid tribute to Padma Shri awardees Devaki Amma and Vimala Menon for their exceptional contributions in their respective fields.
Leading women from the Malayalam film industry were also recognised during the event, including actor Shweta Menon, who currently serves as president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists, and National Award winning actor Surabhi Lakshmi.
The awards ceremony brought together a glittering lineup of actors and industry figures, including Jayasurya, Vijay Babu, Asha Sarath, Lena, Esther Anil, Anumol, Akhila Bhargavan, Sarayu Mohan, Prajod Kalabhavan, Gayathri Suresh, Sabumon Abdusamad, Swasika, Tini Tom, Sijoy Varghese, Kailash, Veena Nandakumar, Sabareesh Varma, Ansiba Hassan and Dinesh Prabhakar. Kishan Kumar, executive vice president Malayalam at JioStar, was also present at the event.
Beyond individual recognitions, the awards celebrated excellence across Malayalam television, acknowledging artists and technicians whose work continues to drive the industry forward.
The evening also offered plenty of spectacle, with elaborate dance performances, stunt acts and comedy skits performed by popular television and film personalities, turning the ceremony into a full fledged entertainment showcase.
Viewers will get to watch the celebrations when the Asianet Television Awards 2026 air on Asianet on March 14 and 15, Saturday and Sunday, from 7 pm onwards, bringing the star studded tribute to homes across Kerala and beyond.
