Celebrities
Hollywood gets into the microdrama race as mobile-first storytelling draws stars and major studios
LOS ANGELES | While much of Hollywood was consumed by the streaming wars, Issa Rae was studying a different mode of entertainment thousands of miles away: microdramas. No stranger to creating a successful online series, the Emmy-nominated actor and producer became intrigued by China’s booming market for the short, mobile-first soap operas, seeing its potential […]
Inside country legend Alan Jackson’s triumphant finale concert
NASHVILLE, Tenn. | The time has come for country music superstar Alan Jackson to hang up his signature Stetson hat. The genre traditionalist from Newnan, Georgia, whose career kicked off in the 1980s and exploded shortly thereafter in the oft-cited ’90s country wave with heartfelt songs for the working man who’d rather be drinking, or […]
Charlie Brown’s longtime pen pal is finally revealed in new Apple TV ‘Peanuts’ movie
NEW YORK | Charlie Brown began writing to a pen pal not long after the comic strip “Peanuts” debuted in newspapers back in 1950. No one has gotten a look at whoever was on the other end of his letters — until now. Her name is Mia, and she’s a young girl from London of […]
Norman Rockwell people-watched in the West Wing lobby. Now those sketches are on public display
WASHINGTON | For more than 40 years, sketches by American illustrator Norman Rockwell of scenes from the White House visitor’s lobby graced the walls of the West Wing, where every president from Jimmy Carter to Donald Trump had seen them. Now, they’re going on public display for the first time after a nonprofit organization paid […]
What to Stream: ‘Enola Holmes 3,’ Madonna and the ‘Legally Blonde’ prequel series ‘Elle’
“Enola Holmes 3” and a new album from Madonna are some of the new television, films, music and games headed to a device near you. Also, among the streaming offerings worth your time this week, as selected by The Associated Press’ entertainment journalists: the “Legally Blonde” prequel series, a look at Ralph Lauren’s stamp collection […]
Comedian Bill Maher wins Twain humor prize as the Kennedy Center navigates Trump-era upheaval
WASHINGTON | Comedian Bill Maher was the guest of honor at the Kennedy Center on Sunday night. But President Donald Trump’s presence wasn’t far away. Just moments after Maher began to accept the prestigious Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, Matt Friend, a leading impersonator of the president, took to the stage and, in Trump’s […]
Lauryn Hill honored, Janet Jackson stuns Teyana Taylor and Druski makes history at BET Awards
LOS ANGELES | After watching a 20-minute tribute celebrating her groundbreaking career, Lauryn Hill surprised the BET Awards audience Sunday with an impromptu performance of her 1998 classic “Ex-Factor” after accepting the Living Legend Icon Award before closing the show with “Everything Is Everything.” Introduced by Ice Cube, the eight-time Grammy winner was honored with […]
Happy birthday, 2000 Year Old Man. Mel Brooks is turning 100
NEW YORK | The 2000 Year Old Man is turning 100. Mel Brooks on Sunday will celebrate his centennial birthday. The comedian and filmmaker has been awaiting the milestone. Earlier this year, Judd Apatow titled his retrospective documentary on him: “Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man!” “I was born to make people laugh,” Brooks […]
Movie Review: ‘Jackass: Best and Last’ is just a clip-job of greatest hits. And we mean hits
Pour one out for the “Jackass” crew. They’re done. “Jackass: Best and Last” is a sad but fitting end to an extreme stunt franchise that was vanquished not by imagination but time. The fifth and final main installment has all that you’d expect from the Jackass Cinematic Universe — genitalia, electricity, gravity and port-a-potties, often […]
Harvey Weinstein’s New York rape charge dropped after accuser says she can’t endure a fourth trial
NEW YORK | Harvey Weinstein won’t face a fourth trial on a New York rape charge. Prosecutors dropped the #MeToo-era case on Thursday after his accuser said she could not bear to testify again. The movie mogul still stands convicted of another sexual felony in New York and others in California, and he remains behind […]