SHOW BIZ

Judy Reyes is making every moment count.

Earlier this year, the Bronx-born Dominican actor reprised her breakthrough TV role as Carla Espinosa on the reboot of the beloved ABC medical sitcom, “Scrubs.” For just four episodes, she returned to Sacred Heart Hospital as head nurse and an exhausted mother of four daughters, whom she parents alongside her onscreen hubby, chief of surgery Dr. Christopher Turk (played by Donald Faison).

While fans only caught a quick glimpse of Carla — who is said to be picking up extra shifts elsewhere — her name lingers in the script.

“I’m like the Lord,” said Reyes on a recent video call with The Times. “Just when you think you’re getting away with something, there’s Carla!”

In reality, Reyes has been splitting her time on set with another ABC workplace drama. Now in its second season, “High Potential” sees Reyes leading a top-notch team of crime solvers as Lieutenant Selena Soto, opposite Kaitlin Olson and Daniel Sunjata. “I don’t know any other way to be!” she said of the role. “Latinos are lieutenants and nurses and doctors, et cetera!”

When The Times connected with Reyes, she was crouched down backstage at the Lovinger Theatre at Lehman College in the Bronx. We spoke merely hours before the debut of “Freestyle: A Love Story,” a stage production that follows two lovers who meet at a freestyle show — then reconnect at a concert 20 years later.

Created and directed by George Valencia, with Reyes as one of the executive producers, the story interlaces the history of freestyle music: a Latin hip-hop and pop hybrid genre popularized in the 1980s by acts like Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam, George Lamond and Judy Torres.

“Our very existence is political no matter what. Our joy is a problem for a lot of people,” said Reyes. “It’s really important for us to tell our stories.”

Between the passion project and two highly-rated Hulu shows, which continue to stream on the platform despite eventual plans to merge into the Disney+ app, Reyes is not taking her spotlight for granted — especially amid a sinking Hollywood industry model that’s made it difficult for some to find work — “I’m milking it for all it’s about,” she said.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

How were you able to film both the “Scrubs” reboot and Season 2 of “High Potential”?
ABC was willing to make it work. “Scrubs” had been in the works for a long time. From Zach Braff and Donald Faison doing their podcast [during the pandemic], to the T-Mobile commercials … A whole new generation became interested in and got hitched to “Scrubs.”] It just so happened at the same time that “High Potential” was happening. My manager was wonderful about making sure [filming] was accommodating.

“I’m so honored and so thrilled to be part of what I consider a television history,” said Judy Reyes of her role as Carla Espinosa on the ABC medical sitcom “Scrubs.”

(Jeff Weddell / Disney)

 Did it feel natural to return as your character Carla on “Scrubs”?
 It did. They did right by making all these characters older. We were all older with each other. We’re all friends that don’t necessarily talk to each other every day [except] Zach and Donald — they’re pretty much married — but it was like we never left.

 What has changed in Carla — and what hasn’t changed?
What’s changed in Carla is that she’s got four kids and she’s tired and she’s older. The consuming passion of her work is not what it used to be because it’s physical. Life is catching up. Her kids are older, so everything changes and she’s not able to work her ass off the way she used to and she has to confront that.

In season 2 of “High Potential,” your character Lieutenant Soto faces a moment of defeat when she’s not chosen to be captain. What thoughts popped into your head as you rehearsed the scene?
It’s extremely well-written. Defeat is very relatable as a woman — [and] as a woman of color, as a woman of a certain age and as a woman of a certain position. I think we can all, as actors, relate to not getting something you are sure you deserved. But there’s also the surrendering. It’s opening up to all the [possibilities] because if you don’t do that, then you get paralyzed. It stops you in your tracks. “Well, what if I feel this defeat again?” You might, you know, but what’s your alternative?  You gotta eat s— to move ahead.

Judy Reyes portrays Lieutenant Selena Soto in “High Potential,” leading a top-notch team of crime solvers opposite Kaitlin Olson and Daniel Sunjata.

(Jessica Perez / Disney)

There are some moments in “High Potential” when your character is holding up a mug with the Dominican Republic flag. How do you find other ways to incorporate your Latinidad in the story?
When we did the “High Potential” pilot, the props department said I got a mug in the scene and if I wanted anything on it. I was like, “Hmm, no one ever asked me before. Can you do a Dominican flag?” That was in Vancouver and I’ve had it since. The Dominicans lose their f— minds on social media and I love it. It fills my heart.

The other stuff is just being me, which is the purpose of being an artist. I don’t know how much sense it makes to throw in the Spanish word, unless you have other Latino people with you.

Latinos haven’t historically been represented as leaders in Hollywood. Has it evolved?
Things progressed before DEI collapsed. There was an active attempt and pursuit of putting people of color in leadership roles. I’m grateful it’s happened. I’m sad it’s retreated a little bit, but I think it has to start behind the camera. We need to champion writers, directors, producers and the stories or get risky and daring with casting.

 What has changed in Hollywood and what has not changed in your perspective?
Many things have changed from the way we view television. Everything is streamed. Now everything is a limited series. There’s such a political impact in what gets seen and what doesn’t. It’s very hard for people right now and I feel challenged to say how it is better, because I’m working. I see how hard it is. The best thing I can do is seize the platform and connect with other creatives who want to go ahead and take a chance and make investments in stories.

Now with the growing monopolies in the entertainment industry, I’m sure that’ll likely change Hollywood too.
It continues to affect the workforce. The workforce is gonna be severely impacted. The more you merge, the more people you fire and the more machines you put in their place. It’s a frightening moment.

I’m grateful I saw Noah Wyle represent against the [Paramount-Warner Bros.] merger. I’m motivated, because I think we ultimately have to protect each other and protect the art for as long as we can.

What grounds you and your art in an era that is often trying to strip you away from your creative liberties?
My company GoodTalk Films, myself and my partner and husband George Valencia are working with the Watford F.C. Women’s League to launch a Latina Women’s Football Club here in L.A.. We [want to] train Latinas to be coaches. That’s another way to reach out to the community and help people see themselves. That keeps you grounded in the creative process.

I see a lot of theater. I make a lot of trips to New York. I just saw [the Broadway adaptation of] “Dog Day Afternoon,” produced by Stephen Adly Guirgis. My kid is in the arts and I hang out a lot with him and help him sing and perform.  The process is what brings joy in working with other people interested in the same thing.

EXCLUSIVE: Lisa Kudrow has returned to our screens for the third and final season of The Comeback.

The Comeback co-creator has opened up on working with Lisa Kudrow as HBO Max finally arrives in the UK.

From Succession and Euphoria, to Game of Thrones and The Sopranos, HBO Max is home to some of the biggest global hits with new series continuing to be added.

One of which is the third and final season of The Comeback which revolves around the turbulent career of sitcom star Valerie Cherish (played by Lisa Kudrow).

12 years after series two, Valerie takes on a new sitcom written by AI in a bid to try and salvage her dwindling career but it’s not exactly plain sailing.

Of course, Kudrow is famed for portraying Phoebe Buffay in the unforgettable 1990s comedy Friends but The Comeback’s co-creator Michael Patrick King insists she’s “a lot more than Phoebe”.

Opening up to Reach Plc, King, who is best known for directing Sex And The City, shared: “First of all, the thing I really want to say about Lisa Kudrow is she’s a brilliant writer.

“You know she’s a brilliant actress. All you have to do is look at the contrast between Phoebe and Valerie and you can see her amazing range.

“She’s a very, very, very good writer. She has a scientific mind. She has a degree from Vassar [College] in biology.

“So she’s a lot more than Phoebe. And what’s great about working with her is she’s smart and hilarious and discerning. Very, very discerning.”

Kudrow recently spoke to CBS Sunday Morning about the reason why she’s still happy to be known for Friends, despite the show ending in 2004.

She said: “I never went through that period of ‘no I don’t want to talk about Friends. I have to move on, I want to play other characters and no, you have to know me from -’.

“No, no, that’s fine. Because Friends gave me everything.

“It just did. And I loved being Phoebe. I loved the whole experience and I don’t need to move away from it.

“I had done independent films and played different characters and, whether you’ve seen it or not, that’s fine.

“And it’s fine if all you know I’ve ever done with Friends, how could I not be OK with that?”

The Comeback is available to watch on HBO Max

WASHINGTON — A federal judge on Tuesday ordered the Trump administration to suspend its construction of a $400 million ballroom where it demolished the East Wing of the White House, barring construction work from proceeding without congressional approval.

U.S. District Judge Richard Leon in Washington granted a preservationist group’s request for a preliminary injunction that temporarily halts President Trump’s White House ballroom project.

Leon, who was nominated to the bench by Republican President George W. Bush, concluded that the National Trust for Historic Preservation is likely to succeed on the merits of its claims because “no statute comes close to giving the President the authority he claims to have.”

“The President of the United States is the steward of the White House for future generations of First Families. He is not, however, the owner!” the judge wrote.

Leon suspended enforcement of his order for 14 days, acknowledging that the case “raises novel and weighty issues, that halting an ongoing construction project “may raise logistical issues.” He also recognized that the administration is likely to appeal his decision.

The judge ruled that any construction work that’s necessary to ensure the safety and security of the White House is exempt from the scope of the injunction. Leon said he reviewed material that the government privately submitted to him before concluding that halting construction wouldn’t jeopardize national security.

Trump, in a social media post, criticized the trust for suing him over a project that he said is being built at no cost to taxpayers. “Doesn’t make much sense, does it?” he wrote.

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the ruling.

The preservationists sued to obtain an order pausing the ballroom project until it undergoes multiple independent reviews and receives congressional approval.

The White House announced the ballroom project over the summer. By late October, Trump had demolished the East Wing to make way for a ballroom that he said would fit 999 people. The White House said private donations, including from Trump himself, would pay for the planned construction of a 90,000-square-foot ballroom.

Trump proceeded with the project before seeking input from a pair of federal review panels, the National Capital Planning Commission and the Commission of Fine Arts. Trump has stocked both commissions with allies.

On Feb. 26, Leon rejected the preservationist group’s initial bid to temporarily halt the ballroom’s construction. He said the privately funded group had based its challenge on a “ragtag group” of legal theories and would have a better chance of success if it amended the lawsuit, which it did.

The administration has said above-ground construction on the ballroom would begin in April.

“We are two weeks away,” plaintiffs’ attorney Thaddeus Heuer said during a March 17 hearing. “The imminence is now imminent.”

During the hearing, Leon sounded skeptical of what he referred to as the government’s “shifting theories and shifting dynamics” for its arguments in the case.

“I don’t think it’s a new theory,” Justice Department attorney Jacob Roth told the judge.

Leon expressed frustration at Roth’s attempts to equate the massive ballroom project with relatively modest construction work at the White House under previous administrations.

“This is an iconic symbol of this nation,” the judge said.

The administration argued that other presidents didn’t need congressional approval for previous White House renovation projects, large and small.

“Many of those projects were highly controversial in their time yet have since become accepted — even beloved — parts of the White House,” government attorneys wrote.

Kunzelman writes for the Associated Press. AP writer Darlene Superville contributed to this report.

NELLY Furtado has silenced body shamers in a curve-hugging strapless red gown, as she was honored with a Hall of Fame award.

The iconic singer, 47, has faced cruel comments about her figure since her return to the spotlight, but defied the haters to accept the coveted achievement.

Nelly looked stunning in her dress, as she was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame at the 2026 Juno Awards.

The stunning star oozed sex appeal in the incredible dress as she collected her gong.

The Grammy Award winning artist wore her brown locks tied back, and she accessorised with huge earrings.

Nelly beamed and threw her arms in the air as she walked on stage to be inducted into her native country’s Hall of Fame.

Addressing the audience, the thrilled star said: “Honestly, I’m just really proud to be Canadian. I live in Canada.

“I make my music in Canada.

“I work with Canadian musicians, songwriters, producers because I totally believe in the Canadian dream.

“Please believe it, too.”

It comes after Nelly revealed how she was retiring from performing, after 25 years in the spotlight.

Taking to Instagram last October, the Grammy winner made an emotional post expressing gratitude for her career but that she felt it was time for a change.

Addressing fans, Nelly said: “I have decided to step away from performance for the foreseeable future and pursue some other creative and personal endeavours that I feel would better suit this next phase of my life.

“I have enjoyed my career immensely, and I still love writing music as I have always seen it as a hobby I was lucky enough to make into a career.

“I’ll identify as a songwriter forever.”

Nelly shot to fame in 2000 with her debut album Whoa, Nelly!.

The record was a huge success and spawned the single I’m Like A Bird which went was played on radio stations around the world.

The star is also well known for her song Promiscuous as well as her collaboration with singer James Morrison on Broken Strings.

Another huge hit for Nelly was her chart topping song Maneater.

TAKE That’s Howard Donald has revealed he is selling off his beloved campervan home for a FIVE figure sum, and said that ‘it saddened” him to part with it.

The singer, 57, owns an impressive car collection, but now is selling off his VW camper – but asked fans: “What am I doing?”

The minted star, who has made his millions from touring and making records with Take That, is now giving fans the opportunity to snap up the luxury motor.

For £50K, Howard‘s loyal followers can buy the campervan from him.

The star shared the news on Instagram with a slew of pics of the cosy looking vehicle.

In one snap, Howard is seen standing next to the campervan, as he got ready to say goodbye to it.

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He captioned the pictures with: “FOR SALE!!! VW rare double door 4 berth camper van.

“It saddens me to sell this but I never used it!

“I even look at it now and think what am I doing?!”

Howard’s post got some cheeky comments from his fans, with one writing: “Can you be the driver please?!”

Another said: “Does the model come with the car???”

A third quipped: “I think a few of us Take That fans should put in some cash together and buy it and use it at the venues on tour to queue up!”

This saucy fan added: “Does it come complete with you tied up in the back of it?! If so I’ll sell my house and buy it instantly!”

Howard is well known for his impressive car collection, with his VW camper being just one of the multi-millionaire’s impressive motors.

Among the collection, the singer owns a Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG, which he uses to drive his family, a 1970 Mercedes-Benz 280SE Cabriolet, and a 1959 Chevrolet Brookwood.

Howard previously revealed he believes he has around 17 supercars – but that he finds it hard to store them all.

The star told the Fuelling Around podcast in 2023: “It’s come to a point where you’re trying to put them in other people’s garages and you’re thinking, “No, it’s too ridiculous’.”

At the time he said that he was planning to sell some of his cars to pay for his children’s education.

“One day, it’ll come to the crunch where Take That probably will stop eventually, and then you think, ‘I’m going to have to sell one of my cars’,” the star said.

He joked: “I really hate my kids for that, though.”

Howard shot to fame in the early 90s as one of the five original members of Take That.

The Lancashire lad completed the line-up consisting of Gary Barlow, Mark Owen, Robbie Williams and Jason Orange.

The band went onto to have huge success with songs like Back For Good, Relight My Fire and Never Forget.

Robbie left the band in 1995, and the rest of the group parted ways the following year.

However, they got back together in the early noughties as a foursome, with Jason parting ways with the group in 2014.

But Howard, Gary and Mark continue to fly the Take That flag and are heading out on tour this summer.

Since January 2015, Howard has been married to illustrator Katie Halil, and they share two kids.

He also has two daughters from two separate relationships.

The former Made in Chelsea star will present the Channel 4 show alongside Clare Balding and Ade Adepitan

Jamie Laing has bagged an exciting new gig ahead of his reality series Raising Chelsea premiering on Disney+.

The ex-Made in Chelsea star is set to join Clare Balding and Ade Adepitan to host The CHANEL J12 Boat Race this Saturday (April 4).

Broadcasting live from the banks of the River Thames, they’ll be stationed in a fresh studio at the starting line in Putney.

Oxford University Boat Club and Cambridge University Boat Club will battle it out oar-to-oar in one of the globe’s oldest and most prestigious amateur sporting events.

Alex Jacques will helm lead commentary, with Olympic gold-medal winning rower Martin Cross and Olympic silver-medal winning rower Jess Eddie as co-commentators, while three-time Olympic gold medallist Pete Reed OBE will serve as pundit, reports OK!.

Broadcaster and mathematician Hannah Fry will also be present to delve into the science of rowing, as well as championing Cambridge Men and Women in her capacity as Professor of Public Understanding of Mathematics at the University of Cambridge.

Coverage of The Boat Race will air from 13:30 to 16:30 on Channel 4 and Channel 4 Streaming, where Oxford and Cambridge Men and Women will tackle the iconic Championship Course, a 4.25-mile stretch of tidal Thames from Putney to Mortlake.

In addition to broadcasting the historic races between the two universities, Channel 4 will also spotlight the Youth Boat Race for the first time on British TV.

The Youth Boat Race, backed by the Oxford and Cambridge Rowing Foundation, is scheduled for Friday 3 April, with coverage included in Saturday’s broadcast.

Discussing his new role, Jamie confessed he “can’t wait”, stating: “The Boat Race is always such a brilliant day, it’s London’s party by the river. Joining Clare, Ade and the team to present coverage of such an iconic occasion is a pure thrill.”

The presenter and podcaster further added: “I can’t wait to meet the incredible athletes taking part and get in amongst the action with the fans on the banks of the Thames and at the finish line to celebrate the amazing accomplishments of the crews.”

This news comes as Jamie and his wife Sophie Habboo prepare to offer their fans a sneak peek into their private life in a new reality show.

The couple, who got hitched in April 2023, are set to feature in a brand new series on Disney+, which is slated to premiere on Thursday (April 2).

The programme will track the reality star couple during Sophie’s pregnancy and the birth of their son Ziggy. Ahead of the three-part series’ release, fans have been given a preview of what they can anticipate from the show.

In a teaser clip, the pair are seen having a heated argument, with Sophie labelling her husband’s behaviour as “unacceptable”. Jaime is shown standing in the doorway as Sophie becomes tearful during the dispute.

He stated: “I’m stressed, I am tired.” Sophie could be heard retorting: “But you just go behind my back, that’s so unacceptable.”

Elsewhere the couple were dealt a “bad news” blow during a hospital visit. Jamie revealed: “Bad news is that the baby, his arm is through the cervix. She (Sophie) needs to have an emergency c-section.”

The smitten duo are seen tearfully supporting each other during the birth of their first child. Jamie tenderly kisses Sophie’s forehead, reassuring her with the words, “It’s alright you got this. You got this”

The CHANEL J12 Boat Race 2026 will air on Channel 4 on Saturday, April 4 from 1.30pm and Raising Chelsea is available to watch on Disney+ from Thursday, April 4

Netflix viewers have been binge-watching a new crime drama since it landed on the streamer

A “gripping masterpiece” thriller has rocketed up the Netflix rankings just one week after its premiere.

Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole is a Norwegian crime drama, which has been adapted from Jo Nesbø’s Harry Hole novels – specifically the fifth instalment, The Devil’s Star.

The series, which arrived on Netflix on March 26, focuses on a troubled Oslo police detective (portrayed by Tobias Santelmann), who must grapple with both a horrific serial killer and his corrupt colleague.

“Created by one of the greatest storytellers in crime fiction, Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole is a whodunnit serial killer mystery led by famed anti-hero Harry Hole,” the official synopsis teases.

“Underneath the surface, this series is a nuanced character drama about two police officers – and supposed colleagues – operating on opposite sides of the law. Throughout the season, Harry goes head-to-head with his long-time adversary and corrupt detective Tom Waaler,” reports the Express.

The description concludes: “Harry is a brilliant but tormented homicide detective who struggles with his demons. As the two navigate the blurred ethical lines of the criminal justice system, Harry must do all he can to catch a serial killer and bring Waaler to justice before it is too late.”

Joel Kinnaman portrays Tom, alongside Tobias Santelmann as Harry. Pia Tjelta, Peter Stormare, Anders Baasmo Christiansen, Ellen Helinder, Simon J. Berger, and Ingrid Bolsø Berdal also star.

Jo Nesbø has a devoted following, with his novels selling 60 million copies globally, including 5.6 million in Norway – exceeding the nation’s total population. It appears the series has proved to be just as successful as the books, with Detective Hole climbing the Netflix UK rankings just one week after arriving on the streaming service. It currently sits as the fifth most-watched TV programme, and presently maintains a 90% score on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes.

Critics have lavished praise upon the series, with Collider stating: “A roundhouse-kick of a thrill ride that lives up to the promises baked into the thriller subgenre’s name, Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole delivers virtually everywhere it should – which is nothing less than what a modern legend deserves.”

FandomWire contributed: “Stylish, gritty, and suspenseful, Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole is a knockout and Nordic noir done right,” while The Times remarked: “So much plot, so much incident, plus heatwaves, tropical thunder and sweat. As rides go, it’s certainly rollicking.”

Fans have also expressed their enthusiasm, with many devouring all nine episodes in one go. One individual posted on IMDb: “Excellent adaptation of Jo Nesbø’s The Devil’s Star. As an avid reader of the books, I found this to be absolutely spot on with its recreation and casting of the Harry Hole universe. So atmospheric, capturing the style and tone of Jo Nesbø’s writing. Excellent acting and riveting storyline, this was an easy binge. I sincerely hope there will be more seasons as there is a wealth of material to tap into.”

Another chimed in: “A gripping Norwegian masterpiece that stays with you. Just finished bingeing the new Norwegian Netflix series Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole (based on the Harry Hole novels), and wow – what an intense, atmospheric ride… By the finale, I was emotionally drained in the best way.”

They went on to say: “If you love smart, character-driven crime dramas with heart and moral weight (think The Killing or The Bridge but with Jo Nesbø’s signature edge), drop everything and watch Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole. It’s binge-worthy perfection. 10/10 from this amateur reviewer – easily one of the best new international series I’ve seen in a while.”

A third viewer described the series as “absolute perfection,” while a fourth fan likewise commented: “Detective Hole is a gripping, unforgettable series that captures the raw brilliance and dark originality of Jo Nesbø. With its intense atmosphere and a deeply flawed yet magnetic protagonist, it pulls you straight into a world where crime, emotion, and truth collide.”

Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole is available to stream on Netflix