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Barbra Streisand celebrated Richard Perry’s “uncanny ability to pick the hits” in a tribute to the late producer, who died this week at the age of 82.

Streisand worked with Perry on two albums, Stoney End and Barbra Joan Streisand, both of which came out in 1971. As Streisand noted in her tribute, it was Perry who “encouraged [her] to record contemporary songs” after building her career largely on standards. And the two records they made contained several successful singles, none more so than Streisand’s version of the Laura Nyro-penned “Stoney End,...

Music producer Richard Perry, known for his iconic collaborations with numerous artists from Carly Simon to Barbra Streisand, has died at the age of 82.

Daphna Kastner, Perry’s friend, confirmed his death to news outlets. “He maximized his time here,” Kastner said in a statement to ABC News. “He was generous, fun, sweet and made the world a better place. The world is a little less sweeter without him here. But it’s a little bit sweeter in heaven.” Kastner said that Perry died at a Los Angeles hospital after suffering cardiac arrest.

Let’s face it. Theatre has been the most successful place for stories about popular musicians. Alicia Keys’ “Hell’s Kitchen” is selling big on Broadway, as is “Mj.” “A Beautiful Noise,” about Neil Diamond ‘s professional and personal history, had a nice run there, and is touring the country after its run in Los Angeles. We’ve had “Tina,” “Jersey Boys,” The Temptations’ “Ain’t Too Proud,” Carole King’s “Beautiful” and others. A new musical is being tested now about Frank Sinatra. But the most exciting news arrives this spring, when recent Tony winner Jonathan Groff portrays Bobby Darin.

But movies about musical stars? A mixed bag. (including Kevin Spacey in a bad one about Bobby Darin) Documentaries have been the safest form to chronicle the life of famous musicians: Ones about David Crosby, Joan Baez, Springsteen, and Linda Ronstadt. And, of course, “Woodstock” and Martin Scorsese’s “Last Waltz.

Richard Perry, a music producer behind hits like Carly Simon’s “You’re So Vain,” has died. He was 82.

The record producer died on Tuesday in Los Angeles after suffering cardiac arrest.

Daphna Kastner, a friend of Perry, told AP she referred to him as a “father friend, adding, “He maximized his time here. He was generous, fun, sweet and made the world a better place. The world is a little less sweeter without him here. But it’s a little bit sweeter in heaven.”

Perry made a big name in the 1970s, producing for the likes of Barbra Streisand, Diana Ross, Art Garfunkel, Carly Simon, and Ringo Starr. In the late 1970s, he started his own Planet Records label and signed acts like The Cretones, Pointer Sisters, and Billy Thermal, among many others. He sold the label to RCA Records in 1983.

TMZ reports that according to Perry’s personal assistant,...

Oprah Winfrey and Gayle King are the ultimate celebrity best friend duo, adored by fans for their unshakable bond. Winfrey, a Hollywood icon known for her fearless conversations and decades-long television career, and King, her equally accomplished counterpart, share a friendship that’s nothing short of legendary. Fans often call their own best friends the “Gayle to their Oprah,” inspired by the duo’s story.

Though their upbringings couldn’t have been more different. Winfrey endured a challenging childhood, moving between her parents’ homes in Milwaukee and Nashville, while King enjoyed a more privileged upbringing, including time in Turkey with a housekeeper and swimming pool. But the two best friends eventually found each other.

Oprah Winfrey and Gayle King | Credit: Instagram\@gayleking

From the moment they met, they formed a sister-like bond that’s stood the test of time. The duo has been friends for almost 50 years now. Here are...

Jody Gerson, chairman and CEO of Universal Music Publishing Group, will be honored at the Clive Davis pre-Grammy gala.

The Recording Academy and Davis announced on Wednesday that the veteran executive will be celebrated with the 2025 Grammy Salute to Industry Icons honor at The Beverly Hilton on Feb. 1, a day before the 2025 Grammy Awards. Davis’ white-hot event is celebrating its 50th anniversary.

Gerson joined Umpg in 2015. She has signed and works with a number of major artists, including Adele, Bee Gees, Bad Bunny, Justin Bieber, Drake, Billie Eilish, Elton John, Kendrick Lamar, Post Malone, the Prince estate, Harry Styles, Taylor Swift, Sza and The Weeknd. She also led Umpg’s acquisitions of several historic catalogs, including Bob Dylan, Neil Diamond and Sting.

“Jody is an inspirational leader who champions integrity and inclusivity in everything she does and is a revolutionary executive,” Harvey Mason Jr., CEO of the Recording Academy, said in a statement.

Hey, all that tuition isn’t going to pay itself.

With Will Ferrell’s three sons either in college or approaching that threshold in the next few years, the comedian must feel the need to stash some cash to pay all of those university bills. How else to explain Ferrell’s new starring role as Mr. Monopoly in commercials promoting the gaming universe Monopoly Go?

That said, it’s far from the first time the comedian with an estimated net worth of $160 million has shouted “Show me the money!” at our corporate overlords. Here are six more Ferrell commercials, ranked by the shamelessness of the cash grab…

6 General Motors

Let’s cut Ferrell some slack for this Gm ad for two reasons. One, Ferrell is an electric car driver himself so appearing in a funny ad promoting Ev benefits makes sense from the vantage point of personal values. Second, it’s the freaking Super Bowl!

Season 12 of “The Masked Singer” continued Wednesday night on Fox, with the Group B contestants belting out classic hits on “Sports Night.” Following the studio audience vote, Dust Bunny became the first singer eliminated (and fifth overall this season), revealing actor and comic Andy Richter. Watch our video interview above.

“It was a challenge that I made to myself to do something that I’m not entirely comfortable with,” Richter tells Gold Derby. “I’m not a singer. I don’t know music. When they would be like, ‘You’re a little flat,’ I don’t know what that means. When they’re like, ‘Hit the C note,’ that’s a hundred dollar bill as far as I know. It was really fun. It’s a great staff on the show. They were so encouraging that I really was surprised when I got voted off first.”

See Paula Cole (‘The Masked Singer...

The Masked Singer Season 12: Who is the Celebrity Behind the Dust Bunny? Episode 4 Reveals - Main Image

The Dust Bunny was eliminated in the recently-aired episode 4 of The Masked Singer season 12, and we finally know which celebrity is behind the mask.

In the Week 4 episode of this season, the Group B contestants performed Sports Night-themed songs to a roaring crowd who were entertained with the performances of the five contestants.

Who is the Dust Bunny in The Masked Singer Season 12?

The Dust Bunny gave an energizing performance of "Sweet Caroline" by Neil Diamond in the Week 4 episode of The Masked Singer.

With TV legend Dick Van Dyke being the ambassador for the contestant, it was clear to the panelists that the celebrity behind the mask is likely to be a comedian.

Ken Jeong guessed that it might be Will Ferrell, Rita Ora named Jay Leno as her guess, Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg...

The Masked Singer is back!

A new episode of the mystery celebrity singing competition aired on Wednesday night (October 16) on Fox.

The show, which began in South Korea, features celebrities singing songs while wearing costumes and face masks concealing their identities until they’re eliminated. Throughout the season, the contestants provide clues to try and help the judges and fans figure out who is under the mask.

This season also features Ambassadors, who are all alums of the series, that have a special connection to each singer and will be providing major new clues about their friends’ identities.

During the episode, the Group B contestants – Wasp, Dust Bunny, Chess Piece, Goo, and Bluebell – hit the stage for performances.

While on stage, Dust Bunny performed “Sweet Caroline” by Neil Diamond.

Click inside to check out all of the clues and guesses for Dust Bunny…Keep scrolling to check out the clues and guesses…...

For his next trick, the Greatest Showman will impersonate a Neil Diamond impersonator. Variety reports that production has begun on Song Sung Blue, a biopic about a Diamond tribute band starring Hugh Jackman. Kate Hudson will portray the singer’s wife. Michael Imperioli, Fisher Stevens, Jim Belushi, King Princess, Ella Anderson, Mustafa Shakir, and others are also in the cast.

Filmmaker Craig Brewer, who directed Hustle & Flow and Black Snake Moan, is helming the production, which will be a musical drama. It’s based on a 2008 documentary, also titled...

Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson have been cast to star in the movie on the Neil Diamond Tribute Band, ‘Song Sung Blue.’

The pair will play the married couple who form a Neil Diamond tribute band in the musical drama.

Based on Greg Kohs’ 2008 documentary, the story follows the true story of Milwaukee couple Mike and Claire Sardina, down-on-their-luck musicians who became local icons by performing as “Lightning & Thunder.”

Also in news – Stephen Graham, Ned Dennehy & more return for ‘Peaky Blinders’ movie

Craig Brewer is set to helm the project, with Michael Imperioli, Fisher Stevens, and Jim Belushi, along with Ella Anderson, King Princess, Mustafa Shakir, and Hudson Hilbert Hensley, filling out the cast.

Producing alongside writer-director Brewer are John Davis and John Fox for Davis Entertainment. Erika Hampson and Kohs are executive producers.

The post Hugh Jackman & Kate Hudson to team on musical ‘Song Sung Blue’ appeared first on HeyUGuys.

Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson are to star in the musical movie ‘Song Sung Blue’.The 56-year-old actor and the ‘Almost Famous’ star, 45, will lead the Focus Features film, where they play a married couple who form a Neil Diamond tribute band.‘Song Sung Blue’ - which is being directed and written by Craig Brewer - is based on Greg Koh’s 2008 documentary of the same name, which followed the true story of Milwaukee couple Mike and Claire Sardina, two luckless musicians who went on to become local legends by performing hits from the ‘Sweet Caroline’ singer under the name ‘Lightning and Thunder’.Jackman and Hudson will be joined in the cast by Michael Imperioli, Fisher Stevens, Jim Belushi, Ella Anderson, King Princess, as well as Mustafa Shakir, and Hudson Hilbert Hensley.Jackman was recently seen in the Marvel blockbuster ‘Deadpool and Wolverine’, where he reprised his role as the...

Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson will star in Focus Features title Song Sung Blue about a Neil Diamond tribute band.

Craig Brewer (Dolemite Is My Name) wrote and will direct the project that is based on the 2008 documentary of the same name by director Greg Kohs about two down-on-their-luck musicians who form a tribute band to the “Sweet Caroline” singer.

Michael Imperioli, Fisher Stevens and Jim Belushi will also star, along with Ella Anderson, King Princess, Mustafa Shakir and Hudson Hilbert Hensley.

John Davis and John Fox are producing via Davis Entertainment along with Brewer. Erika Hampson and Greg Kohs will exec produce.

Focus, which was in theaters this weekend on Piece by Piece and will soon release awards-hopeful Conclave, will distribute domestically with Universal handling international.

Jackman was last in theaters with Deadpool & Wolverine and is set for A24 feature The Death of Robin Hood. Hudson’s upcoming credits...

Hello again. Who’s ready for a Hollywood pairing that could bring the house down? Let me hear you say Sweet Caroline because Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson will star in Craig Brewer‘s Song Sung Blue, an upcoming film inspired by Neil Diamond’s timeless music. Brewer’s musical drama hails from Focus Features, with Brewer as the project’s director and writer.

Based on the 2008 documentary of the same name by director Greg Kohs, Song Sung Blue revolves around the true story of two down-on-their-luck musicians (Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson) who form a joyous Neil Diamond tribute band, proving it’s never too late to find love and follow your dreams. Michael Imperioli, Fisher Stevens, and Jim Belushi round out the star-studded cast alongside Ella Anderson, King Princess, Mustafa Shakir, and Hudson Hilbert Hensley. John Davis and John Fox are producing the film for Davis Entertainment alongside Craig Brewer.

Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson will be starring in a new movie musical!

On Monday (October 14), it was announced that the 56-year-old Deadpool & Wolverine actor and the 45-year-old Almost Famous actress will be playing a couple that forms a Neil Diamond tribute band in the upcoming movie musical Song Sung Blue from director Craig Brewer.

Based on Greg Kohs’ 2008 documentary of the same name, the movie “follows the true story of Milwaukee couple Mike and Claire Sardina, down-on-their-luck musicians who became local icons by performing as ‘Lightning & Thunder.’ The film also borrows its name from the 1972 Diamond song,” according to Variety.

Keep reading to find out more…The cast will also include Michael Imperioli, Fisher Stevens, Jim Belushi, Ella Anderson, King Princess, Mustafa Shakir, and Hudson Hilbert Hensley.

Make sure you check out the first look at Kate‘s upcoming Netflix series!

Hugh Jackman is no stranger to projects that ask him to sing and perform on stage. For his next film, “Song Sung Blue,” he’s bringing Kate Hudson along for the ride.

According to Focus Features, Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson are attached to star in a new film, “Song Sung Blue.” The film is based on the true story of a married couple in Milwaukee, who make a name for themselves as the duo “Lightning & Thunder,” a Neil Diamond cover band.

Continue reading ‘Song Sung Blue’: Hugh Jackman & Kate Hudson Star In Musical Film About A Neil Diamond Cover Band at The Playlist.

Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson will star in the upcoming musical drama, Song Sung Blue, directed by Craig Brewer for Focus Features.

Michael Imperioli, Fisher Stevens, and Jim Belushi round out the star-studded cast alongside Ella Anderson, King Princess, Mustafa Shakir, and Hudson Hilbert Hensley.

The film’s logline summarizes two down-on-their-luck musicians (Hudson and Jackman) forming a Neil Diamond tribute band to follow their dreams and prove that it’s never too late to find love. The film is based on a true story from the 2008 documentary of the same name directed by Greg Kohs.

John Davis and John Fox are producing the film for Davis Entertainment along with Brewer, who wrote the film for Davis Entertainment. Erika Hampson and Kohs are executive producing.

Focus developed the project and holds worldwide rights on the film. Universal Pictures International will handle international distribution for the studio.

Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson will star in Craig Brewer’s upcoming musical drama Song Sung Blue for Focus Features.

Focus developed the project and holds worldwide rights, and Universal Pictures International will distribute outside North America.

Michael Imperioli, Fisher Stevens, and Jim Belushi round out cast alongside Ella Anderson, King Princess, Mustafa Shakir, and Hudson Hilbert Hensley.

Based on the 2008 documentary of the same name by Greg Kohs, Song Sung Blue follows two down-on-their-luck musicians who form a joyous Neil Diamond tribute band.

John Davis and John Fox are producing for Davis Entertainment along with Brewer. Erika Hampson and Kohs serve as executive producers.

Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson will star in Craig Brewer’s upcoming musical drama Song Sung Blue for Focus Features.

Focus developed the project and holds worldwide rights, and Universal Pictures International will handle distribution outside North America.

Michael Imperioli, Fisher Stevens, and Jim Belushi round out cast alongside Ella Anderson, King Princess, Mustafa Shakir, and Hudson Hilbert Hensley.

Based on the 2008 documentary of the same name by Greg Kohs, Song Sung Blue follows two down-on-their-luck musicians who form a joyous Neil Diamond tribute band.

John Davis and John Fox are producing for Davis Entertainment along with Brewer. Erika Hampson...

Hugh Jackman may be the “Greatest Showman,” but now he has a show-woman counterpart: Kate Hudson.

The Tony winner and Broadway staple star will co-lead upcoming movie musical “Song Sung Blue” with Hudson, who recently unveiled her debut album “Glorious.”

The film is based on a true story and follows two down-on-their-luck musicians, played by Jackman and Hudson, who form a joyous Neil Diamond tribute band and “prove it’s never too late to find love and follow your dreams,” per the official logline.

“Hustle and Flow” and “Coming 2 America” director Craig Brewer will write and direct the Focus Features film.

“Song Sung Blue” is based on the 2008 documentary by director Greg Kohs, here an executive producer of the fictional adaptation.

Michael Imperioli, Fisher Stevens, and Jim Belushi co-star alongside Ella Anderson, King Princess, Mustafa Shakir, and Hudson Hilbert Hensley.

John Davis and John Fox are producing the film...

Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson will play a married couple who form a Neil Diamond tribute band in Craig Brewer’s upcoming musical drama “Song Sung Blue.”

From Focus Features and Davis Entertainment, the film began production on Oct. 14. Rounding out the cast are Michael Imperioli, Fisher Stevens and Jim Belushi, alongside Ella Anderson, King Princess, Mustafa Shakir, and Hudson Hilbert Hensley.

“Song Sung Blue,” based on Greg Kohs’ 2008 documentary of the same name, follows the true story of Milwaukee couple Mike and Claire Sardina, down-on-their-luck musicians who became local icons by performing as “Lightning & Thunder.” The film also borrows its name from the 1972 Diamond song.

Producing alongside writer-director Brewer are John Davis and John Fox for Davis Entertainment. Erika Hampson and Kohs are executive producers.

Focus developed the film and holds worldwide rights, while Universal Pictures International will handle international distribution.

Both Jackman and Hudson have been showing off their singing chops lately.

Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman have been friends for many years. They have worked on several projects together. The latest project they worked on together was the box office hit Deadpool And Wolverine. Reynolds and Jackman have great chemistry together and recently Ryan shared a post on Instagram wishing Hugh a Happy Birthday.

Ryan’s Touching Post

Ryan Reynolds posted on his Instagram account on October 12, 2024, wishing his friend Hugh Jackman Happy Birthday. Mr. Reynolds wrote, “Happy Birthday to the one and only, Greatest Showman.” The post also featured many pictures of the pair having fun together, brimming with huge smiles.

Ryan told Hugh that he hoped to spend many more years together. Reynolds said “I hope we get to do this til we’re 90,” Reynolds continued “Happy Birthday, @thehughjackman. A lot of years, A lot of adventures.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Ryan Reynolds (@vancityreynolds...

Actor and country singer Kris Kristofferson reportedly passed away at the age of 88. His family put out a statement on September 28, saying that the Me and Bobby McGee singer had passed peacefully. Kristofferson had won four Grammy Awards and earned a number of nominations for his career as a country singer.

Kristofferson’s most widely known role as an actor was in A Star is Born. The 1976 musical drama saw him play a washed-up rock star falling in love with an upcoming musician, played by Barbra Streisand. The two reportedly dated long before they shared the screen, which Streisand detailed in her memoir.

Barbra Streisand Wrote About Her Whirlwind Romance With Kris Kristofferson Kris Kristofferson and Barbra Streisand in A Star is Born | Credits: Warner Bros.

Before Kris Kristofferson became the leading man of the musical romance A Star is Born, many other actors were reportedly considered. The role of John Norman Howard,...

Update: YouTube and Sesac have come to terms on a new deal. “Content (that was previously blocked) will be restored across YouTube services over the next day or two,” YouTube said in a statement on Monday night.

Hundreds of classic music videos and songs by Nirvana, Adele, Bob Dylan, Kendrick Lamar, Green Day, and hundreds more are currently unavailable on YouTube amid a copyright dispute between the video platform and the performance rights organization, Sesac.

A YouTube spokesperson told The Hollywood Reporter on Saturday, that the site and Sesac were “unable to reach an equitable agreement” before the expiration of their copyright deal.

“We take copyright very seriously and as a result, content represented by Sesac is no longer available on YouTube in the US,” the spokesperson said. “We are in active conversations with Sesac and are hoping to reach a new deal as soon as possible.”

With that, the...

Songs by Adele, Kendrick Lamar, Bob Dylan, Nirvana, Green Day and Mariah Carey, among others, are returning to YouTube after a contract dispute between the platform and Sesac, a performing rights organization, was resolved.

A YouTube spokesperson shared in a statement with The Hollywood Reporter on Monday, “We’re pleased that Sesac reconsidered our offer. We’ve reached a deal and content will come back up shortly. We appreciate everyone’s patience during this time.”

Earlier, some songs by several artists were met with this message when attempting to be played: “This video contains content from Sesac. It is not available in your country.”

Sesac in the U.S. collects royalties and helps protect copyrights on behalf of songwriters and publishers. On the organization’s website, it said, “Sesac currently licenses the public performance of more than 1.5 million songs on behalf of its 15,000+ affiliated songwriters, composers, and music publishers, which...

Janis Pugh’s debut feature Chuck Chuck Baby wastes no time in establishing itself as a non-conformist. Behind the camera is Pugh, taking on directing and writing duties, crafting an intimate story of self-discovery. She brings together a talented pair of leads in Louise Brealey and Annabel Scholey. Brealey plays Helen, living an unfulfilling life in small-town Wales until the return of her old neighbor Joanne, played by Scholey, rekindles long-buried feelings.

Pugh breathes new life into familiar tropes of romance and musicals. Rather than rigidly sticking to formula, she allows her characters’ emotions to shine through in creative ways. Scenes transform delightfully as they passionately lip-sync classic tunes that reflect their feelings.

Pugh also crosses genres with ease, infusing drama, comedy, and coming-of-age themes into a heartfelt LGBTQ love story. While touching on universal ideas of empowerment and acceptance, the intimate portrayals feel refreshingly genuine.

From the outset, Pugh...

Will Ferrell was a recurring character machine during his tenure on Saturday Night Live, creating classics like Craig the Spartan Cheerleader, Neil Diamond, Roger of the Lovahs, middle school music teacher Marty Culp, Harry Caray, Alex Trebek and George W. Bush. But there’s at least one repeat comedy character that Ferrell probably wouldn’t do today, he told The New York Times’ The Interview podcast.

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Ferrell’s dressing in drag to portray Attorney General Janet Reno, a recurring sketch he performed four times, is “something I wouldn’t choose to do now,” he said.

Ferrell is promoting Will & Harper, an examination of his relationship with his good friend and collaborator Harper Steele. Steele came out as a trans woman to Ferrell two years ago — the documentary is an account of their friendship in light of the revelation.

For Steele’s part, Ferrell’s Reno character was uncomfortable comedy.

Serial Maven Studios has given Variety exclusive access to the trailer for Neil Diamond and Joanne Robertson’s “So Surreal: Behind the Masks,” a Native American documentary world premiering at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival.

The film follows Cree filmmaker Neil Diamond as he studies the anthropological connection between Yup’ik and Northwest Coast ceremonial masks and surrealist artists inspired by them.

A deep dive into the tremendous influence that historical native artwork continues to have among contemporary artists, the film also shines a light on the complex process of repatriation and why it’s important that Indigenous communities have access to their cultural artifacts that are regularly kept in museums and private collections.

What starts as an exercise to examine complex issues quickly takes on a practical dimension when Diamond becomes involved in a quest to help return a Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw ceremonial mask to its rightful owners.

In modern royal family history, no other member has made as much of an impact as Princess Diana. She continues to inspire royal watchers of all ages, from those who recall her entry into the royal family or those who learned of her impact from history books. In honor of the 27th anniversary of her death, here are three of Princess Diana’s most unforgettable royal moments.

Princess Diana’s church entrance on her wedding day Princess Diana enters St. Paul’s Cathedral on her July 1981 wedding day | Bettmann/Getty Images

Royal weddings are spectacles. Filled with pomp, circumstance, pageantry, and grace, the royal family knows how to put on a tremendous show when one of its members ties the knot.

When then-Prince Charles married Lady Diana Spencer in July 1981, the anticipation leading up to their big day was palatable worldwide. What type of dress would she wear? What would the day be like?...

The longtime Hollywood business management firm Goldman & Knell is set to merge with rival Gelfand, Rennert & Feldman.

Terms of the deal, unveiled Wednesday by Focus Financial Partners, were not revealed. The Los Angeles-based boutique firm Goldman & Knell was founded by Alan Goldman in 1992 and expanded with Paul Knell joining in 1994 to grow and secure the assets of Hollywood clients.

Goldman & Knell, which offers international tax and accounting advice among other business management services, has a Hollywood clientele in the film, TV and music spaces that is understood to include Claire Danes, Hugh Dancy and Piers Morgan. That investments advice and planning for entertainment industry artists includes how to navigate recent Hollywood strikes and pandemic-era work stoppages.

The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2024, subject to customary closing conditions. “Our main goal in finding a strategic partner is to ensure the continuity of our well-established and high-touch client service offering,...

A profile of the late Irish literary giant Edna O’Brien and a story about the haenyeo fisherwomen of South Korea are among the 21 TIFF Docs selections unveiled by Toronto International Film Festival on Wednesday.

Joining Sinéad O’Shea’s Blue Road - The Edna O’Brien Story and Sue Kim’s The Last Of The Sea Women are Men Of War, an exploration of a failed coup in Venezuela from the team behind Cocaine Cowboys, and The Last Republican from Hot Tub Time Machine director Steve Pink, who looks at how former Congressman Adam Kinzinger broke ranks and stood up to Donald Trump.

Nonfiction films about conflicts in Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan and Venezuela, as well as documentaries about politician Adam Kinzinger, Irish writer Edna O’Brien and disability rights activist Patrice Jetter will screen at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival, event organizers announced on Wednesday.

TIFF’s Docs program will consist of 21 films, two-thirds of them world premieres and 16 of them available for distribution. “The lineup is like holding up a mirror to what’s going on in the world today, which includes a lot of different things,” TIFF documentary programmer Thom Powers told TheWrap.

The opening night film will be Eddie Huang’s “Vice Is Broke,” in which the former Vice host details the rise and fall of that media organization.

Other films include “From Ground Zero,” an anthology consisting of 22 short films made over the past year by directors who live in Gaza; Anastasiia Bortuali’s “Temporary Shelter,” about Ukrainian refugees; Hind Meddeb’s “Sudan,...

Eddie Huang, creator of ABC’s Fresh Off the Boat comedy, is set to open the Toronto Film Festival’s TIFF Docs sidebar with a world premiere for Vice is Broke, a documentary about the rise and fall of Vice Media.

Huang will chronicle events leading up to Shane Smith’s Vice Media, a scrappy media player once valued at $5.7 billion, filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 2023 to open the way for a sale of the company.

There’s also world bows in Toronto’s documentary strand for Blue Road – The Edna O’Brien Story, directed by Sinéad O’Shea, who did hours of interviews with the legendary Irish novelist in the last year of O’Brien’s life; Jen Gaiten and Screwball doc maker Billy Corben bringing Men of War, about a former U.S. Green Beret caught up in a failed 2020 coup to remove Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro; and...

The world has changed in countless ways since Billy Joel kicked off his monthly Madison Square Garden residency in January 2014. Donald Trump was a mere NBC reality show host at the time, Jeb Bush had good reason to think he was the future of the Republican party, and few people outside the world of virology had heard the term “coronavirus.”

But despite all the changes we’ve lived through, it was a certainty that (barring illness or global pandemic), Billy Joel would play a spectacular show at Madison Square Garden every single month.

Neil Diamond and Catherine Bainbridge have teamed up once more to share enlightening stories from their homeland. Past collaborations include Reel Injun and Rumble, works highlighting the creativity of Indigenous voices. With Red Fever, they shift focus, traveling across Turtle Island and beyond to trace threads of the past woven into today.

Joining the directors on this journey is Neil Diamond himself. A Cree photographer and filmmaker, Neil serves as our lively guide. From his hometown in northern Quebec, he ventures forth, curious about how Native culture touches lives worldwide. Though often not reflecting what people expect, Neil remains genuine in sharing both pride in his people and questions about others’ long fascination.

Across four chapters like a medicine wheel, Red Fever explores the profound yet overlooked roles of First Nations. We learn of fashion drawing on ancient designs, sports evolving from demonstrations of strength, and democracy first gleaned from nations united in diplomacy.

Working class British dramas historically — and still — often fall into a box-ticking exercise of certain tropes and clichés. Musicals have certainly helped shift certain portrayals and representations, with stage adaptations of Billy Elliot, The Full Monty, Kinky Boots and, most recently, West End production Standing At The Sky’s Edge often elevating underrepresented perspectives and voices. While writer/director Janis Pugh’s North Wales-set jukebox musical Chuck Chuck Baby can, at times, fall into those tropes, it proves a welcome female-led addition to the canon.

Despite the oppressive nature, there’s a moving vulnerability juxtaposed with endearing humour at the heart of the central performances.

With a mix of gritty, melodramatic social realism, fairy tale and musical whimsy, Chuck Chuck Baby can, at times, be quite tonally jarring. But the heartfelt and moving performances from Louise Brealey and Annabel Scholey elevate the plucky proceedings, with a sweet and affecting sapphic...

Summer is here, and there’s no better way to enjoy the longer days and warmer nights than with a cookout! Cookouts are about more than just the food though — the perfect cookout playlist is an essential part of the experience.

Whether you’re looking to get hyped up or feeling so laid back you’re horizontal, we’ve got something for you. With everything from tailgating anthems to classic hip-hop, throwback rock to the latest country hits, we’ve collected the best songs so you don’t have to.

Fire up the grill and crack open a cold one, because your perfect summer cookout soundtrack is here. And if you don’t feel like playing DJ and queueing up the music all night, tune in to one of our expertly curated BBQ channels to hit all the right notes with none of the work.

Classic Rock BBQ Songs

If...

& Juliet, the playful, pop-infused musical that gives Shakespeare’s lovestruck heroine a second chance at life, has recouped its $17 million capitalization, the first new musical of the 2022-23 to do so, and only the fourth new musical to become profitable since the Covid pandemic shutdown.

“We’re so proud to be part of a show that brings so much joy to so many people,” the producers of & Juliet said in a joint statement. “It’s exciting to be part of the theater industry’s continuing recovery, and join a growing list of musicals that have recouped post-pandemic, which is further proof that nothing compares to live theater and the shared experience of human connection. We’re thrilled to continue to share our story of second chances with audiences across the globe.”

The three other new musicals to recoup post-pandemic are Moulin Rouge, Six and Mj. When the Neil Diamond musical...

Broadway had been making progress toward an industrywide recovery, but new data shows halted momentum in the most recent season.

According to data from the industry trade group The Broadway League, overall grosses for the 2023-2024 season were down about 2.5 percent compared to the previous season, reaching $1.54 billion compared to $1.58 billion the prior year. And compared to the 2018-2019 season, the last full season before the pandemic closed all theaters, grosses were down 17 percent.

Even if viewed as largely flat compared to last season, that spells trouble for the industry, given the rising cost of producing a show.

“Every year our expenses go up at least five percent, if not more, because we so outpace inflation,” says Ken Davenport, producer of the Neil Diamond musical A Beautiful Noise. “So flat is terrible.”

Attendance was also largely flat compared to this past season, which ran from May to May, coming in...

Keep Memory Alive honored Blake Shelton at the 27th annual Power of Love gala on Friday, May 10 at MGM Grand Garden Arena.

Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton perform at the 27th annual Keep Memory Alive Power of Love gala in Las Vegas

Credit/Copyright: Bryan Steffy/Getty Images

An esteemed lineup of entertainers came together to celebrate the country music sensation including Gwen Stefani, Jay Allen, Colbie Caillat, Kristin Chenoweth, Andy Grammer, Mickey Guyton, Gary LeVox, Cassadee Pope and Jay Pharaoh.

The Power of Love gala is a vital platform to generate funds to enable the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health to find, fund, and facilitate the most effective and innovative research, treatment, and educational support programming for patients and their families affected by brain disorders, including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s, multiple system atrophy and multiple sclerosis.

Other notable guests in attendance included Lisa Vanderpump,...

Kristen Stewart and Oscar Isaac will star in the Hyperobject Industries thriller Flesh Of The Gods from Mandy director Panos Cosmatos. CAA Media Finance and WME Independent represent US rights and XYZ Films handles international on the Cannes-bound package.

Production is scheduled to begin later this year from a screenplay by Se7en and The Killer writer Andrew Kevin Walker based on a story by Cosmatos and Walker. Adam McKay and Betsy Koch of Hyperobject Industries and Isaac and Gena Konstantinakos of Mad Gene Media are producing.

Flesh Of The Gods takes place against the backdrop of a glittering 1980’s Los...

WME Independent has boarded the previously announced historical thriller Nuremberg starring Russell Crowe, Rami Malek, and Michael Shannon and will launch worldwide sales in Cannes.

James Vanderbilt is directing and production is underway in Hungary with a cast that includes Richard E. Grant, Leo Woodall, John Slattery, Mark O’Brien, Colin Hanks, Lydia Peckham, Wrenn Schmidt, Lotte Verbeek, and Andreas Pietschmann.

Nick Meyer’s Sierra Pictures is consulting on the sales and distribution of the film. Meyer and WME Independent co-head Alex Walton worked together at Paramount Vantage.

In Nuremberg, Malek will play American psychiatrist Douglas Kelley, tasked with assessing the...

Stagecoach is known for its surprises and, on Friday night, Eric Church delivered one of the most unexpected sets in the California country music festival’s history. The question facing fans is, was it a good surprise or a bad one?

Church hadn’t headlined Stagecoach since 2016 and is currently in the midst of a 19-show residency at his Nashville bar Chief’s that finds him getting up-close and candid with fans and testing out new songs. When he appeared on the Mane Stage at 9:45 p.m. to the...

Hot Docs is billed as North America’s largest documentary festival, conference and market and this year is offering up 168 films for its 31st edition running April 25-May 5 in Toronto.

It is opening with the international premiere of Luther: Never Too Much about R&b singer-songwriter and producer Luther Vandross.

Among the festival’s 51 world premieres this year are special presentations of Red Fever from Cree filmmaker Neil Diamond and Catherine Bainbridge, and The Ride Ahead from Samuel and Dan Habib.

The international competition includes the world premiere of Farming The Revolution from India and the international premiere of Ukrainian Sundance prize-winner Porcelain War.

Billed as North America’s largest documentary festival, conference and market, Hot Docs offers up 168 films for its 31st edition running April 25-May 5 in Toronto, opening with the international premiere of Luther: Never Too Much about R&b singer-songwriter and producer Luther Vandross.

Among the festival’s 51 world premieres this year are special presentations of Red Fever from Cree filmmaker Neil Diamond and Catherine Bainbridge, and The Ride Ahead from Samuel and Dan Habib.

The international competition includes the world premiere of Farming The Revolution from India and the international premiere of Ukrainian Sundance prize-winner Porcelain War.

This year’s Made In section highlights Spain,...

After only three months of marriage, Golden Bachelor Gerry Turner has filed for divorce from Theresa Nist. Now, the burning question on everyone’s mind is: does she get to keep the ring? Unfortunately, the answer is no. When the two sat down for an interview on Good Morning America, Nist revealed that she has to return her Neil Diamond ring back to the show. “I think that’s the rule, I think I have to give this ring back. Sad to say,” she shared. Turner then added, “But, you know what, we don’t have to give back the memories.” Juju Chang, the ABC news anchor who interviewed the first couple to have come out of The Bachelor spinoff series, disclosed that Turner and Nist did in fact sign a prenuptial agreement before tying the knot. “And they highly recommend it to others,” she explained. “Theresa and I have...

The Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival has been plunged into chaos a month before its 2024 edition.

The opening press conference in Toronto on Tuesday was overshadowed by news that the Hot Docs artistic director, Hussain Currimbhoy, and 10 programmers had left the festival organizing team ahead of the 2024 edition kicking off on April 25.

Hot Docs in a festival statement confirmed Currimbhoy’s departure as artistic director on March 20, “due to personal reasons.” “Regrettably, some members of the programming team have decided not to participate in this year’s festival. We thank them for their contributions,” the documentary festival added.

Their departure forced Hot Docs president Marie Nelson — the former ABC News and Disney exec who took the helm at the Canadian festival in June 2023 — onto the back foot when she stepped forward to unveil the lineup for the 2024 edition.

“We understand that our union is far from perfect, but I...

Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival has selected 168 films for its 2024 edition, including world premieres of Red Fever, American Cats: The Good, the Bad and the Cuddly and The Ride Ahead.

The festival is pushing ahead with its 2024 event from April 25 to May 5, despite the resignation of 10 programmers this past weekend; and the departure of artistic director Hussain Currimbhoy on March 20.

The 51 world premieres in the festival include Cree filmmaker Neil Diamond’s Red Fever, in which he travels North America and Europe investigating the world’s fascination with Native Americans; Amy Hoggart’s American Cats: The Good, the Bad and the Cuddly,...

Recently, Welcome To Plathville star, Moriah Plath, had a special get-together with two of her sisters. Additionally, the sweet sisters reunited with their common interest in music for a heartfelt collaboration.

Moriah Plath Seeks Comfort From The Plath Family

At the end of February, Welcome To Plathville‘s Moriah Plath shared a message that showed she was learning and living through a difficult heartbreak. While the statement gave many details, it didn’t include who the heartbreaker had been. Notably, most fans drew the conclusion it was most likely her serious relationship with Max Kallschmidt that had influenced the lyrics she posted. Especially, with the timely announcement of Max and his new wife having a baby. However, Moriah followed her vague heartache post with the clarification that it wasn’t related to Max. But through all the interactions, fans could tell that Moriah had been hurt and in the midst...