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Reply #90 posted 02/26/16 12:53pm

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Reply #91 posted 02/26/16 12:57pm

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The new Bonnie Raitt album is out now--really good!

Bonnie Raitt Set to 'Dig In Deep' on New Album

Guitarist and singer's 20th album to arrive in 2016 with extensive tour to follow

BY JON BLISTEIN

Bonnie Raitt will release her 20th album, 'Dig In Deep,' next year, with an extensive tour to follow Marina Chavez

Bonnie Raitt will follow up her Grammy-winning 2012 LP, Slipstream, with her 20th studio album, Dig In Deep, set to arrive February 26th via her own Redwing Records.

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100 Greatest Guitarists:...e Raitt »

Pre-orders for the new album will begin on November 6th, while a world tour for 2016 is currently being booked. Dates will be announced soon, as pre-sale tickets go on sale November 10th, while general sale begins on November 13th.

Following a two-year trek in support of Slipstream, Raitt quickly returned to the studio with her touring band to record Dig In Deep. Raitt produced the album herself — save one song, pulled from her 2010 sessions with Slipstream co-producer Joe Henry — and wrote five new tracks, the most original material she's penned for a record since 1998's Fundamental.

"I was really inspired to come up with some songs that went with grooves that I missed playing in my live show, and to dig deeper into some topics I hadn't yet mined," Raitt said in a statement. "I don't write easily and can get distracted, but remembering how satisfying it was to come up with something new of my own, and writing with guys I love —like my longtime bandmates George Marinelli and Jon Cleary — I found that once the wheels started turning, the music came pouring out."

The turnaround between 2012's Slipstream and Dig In Deep is comparatively quick for Raitt, who previously hadn't released an album since 2005's Souls Alike. That time, however, was marked by personal tragedy, including the passing of Raitt's parents in quick succession, as well as the death of her brother from brain cancer in April 2009.

But Slipstream — which eventually won the Grammy for Best Americana Album — helped reinvigorate Raitt, who told Rolling Stone at the time, "The sessions were so inspiring that I fell back in love with music and got my appetite for it back again. It was healing."

"Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything." --Plato

https://youtu.be/CVwv9LZMah0

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Reply #92 posted 02/27/16 7:03am

JoeBala

Thanks Guys!

Lennie Baker, Singer and Saxophonist With Sha Na Na, Dies at 69

Lennie Baker with Sha Na Na

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSFEB. 26, 2016

Lennie Baker, center, performing with Sha Na Na, circa 1977. Everett Collection

Lennie Baker, a longtime member of the rock and doo-wop group Sha Na Na, who sang lead on its hit version of “Blue Moon,” died on Wednesday in Weymouth, Mass. He was 69.

He had been hospitalized after developing an infection, David Baker, a nephew, said.

Sha Na Na found fame resurrecting 1950s rock ’n’ roll with a retro style of singing and stage choreography that mixed tight harmonies with dashes of comedy. Starting in 1970, Lennie Baker spent 30 years touring with the group as a vocalist and saxophone player.

He sang the group’s upbeat doo-wop version of “Blue Moon” in a recording as well as in performances around the world, in one instance at Carnegie Hall. The tune, written in 1934 by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart, was his favorite, he often said.

He also sang lead on the song in the 1978 movie“Grease,” in which the group performed as Johnny Casino and the Gamblers. And he appeared with the group on “Sha Na Na,” its comedy and variety television show broadcast from 1977 to 1980.

Mr. Baker left Sha Na Na in 2000 and lived on Martha’s Vineyard.

Before joining the group, he was a saxophone player for the 1950s rock ’n’ roll group Danny and the Juniors.

He was born on April 18, 1946, in Whitman, Mass. Information on survivors was not immediately available.

Another former Sha Na Na member, Dennis Greene, died in September.

Fifth Harmony Debuts 'Work From Home' Video, Talks Renaming Single to Avoid Rihanna Confusion

2/26/2016 by Joe Lynch

Fifth Harmony

SASHA SAMSONOVA

Not long after officially announcing their second album was on the way, Fifth Harmony have shared the first taste of 7/27.

And no, we're not talking about a teeny tease of the lead single. Today (Feb. 26) sees the release of the "Work From Home" single (after its premiere on Elvis Duran's morning show) and video (watch it below!) featuring Ty Dolla $ign.

The sexy, sweaty "Work From Home" clip could also be called "Work on a Home," because the video finds the quintet building a house alongside some shirtless, ripped construction workers. From mixing cement to handling power tools, 5H actually look pretty comfortable entering the home improvement realm (HGTV should consider reaching out for a TV special).

Just before the single's official release, Fifth Harmony singer Dinah Jane got on the phone with Billboard to talk about working with Ty, how the release of Rihanna's "Work" affected their work-centric song and why they have "more of a voice" on their second album.

So 7/27 is coming out May 20. How is this album different from the first one?

We've definitely matured and grown in the last year, compared to our Reflection album. It's more edgy and I feel we had more of a voice. We were included in the project -- that's what we always wanted and we've finally been given the opportunity. Our voice has been more engaged in this project -- from the taste in the music to speaking from the heart and the direction. We've incorporated our ethnicities into this album. We're five different girls and we come from different cultures and backgrounds, and that explains our album 7/27. It's about how we all started: 7/27 is the day we were formed, when we were placed together to become a group.

You said you have more of a voice on this album -- how so?

Decision-making, and we had a direction on this album genre-wise. I feel like before we were still defining Fifth Harmony's sound and figuring out where we wanted to go. I feel like this one is more edgy. I describe it as a "new era" for Fifth Harmony. For us to finally release this little secret of ours is exciting.

So the "Work From Home" video is basically you guys and a bunch of hot construction dudes. Was it the most fun video shoot ever?

[Laughs] That's actually all I was staring at the whole time. When you watch this video you can't help but stare at these men! But of course when you're doing construction work, you need some men to help you out, you cant be the only one lifting. It was so much fun to be on set with everybody -- the director, the team involved and Ty Dolla $ign. I'm so happy he agreed to be on this with us. He's definitely one of my favorite artists. Especially after his song "Paranoid" I was like, "Guys, we gotta get this dude on our song," and he was a perfect fit for this song. The way he rides it and brings a different feel to the song. He brought it.

There's a strong history of work-related pop songs, from Britney to -- very recently -- Rihanna. I think yours fits nicely into the canon.

Well, our song was originally called "Work" and when Rihanna dropped, it was like, "Hell no, can't have the same song as the queen." So we put in "from home," just added two words. But definitely -- Britney, Rihanna, it's amazing for you to even mention ours in the same breath.

You auditioned for X Factor with a Beyonce song. What do you think about "Formation"?

Of course the Queen slayed "Formation." Formation is definitely an empowering song for her to come out and show her side of her culture as well. The girl is from Louisiana and Texas, and I love that these artists are showing where they came from now. I appreciate that. You don’t always see that.

How does the new album show where you came from?

This album definitely shows our ethnicities. I'm an island girl, from the Pacific Islands. I'm Polynesian, a mix of everything, Tongan, Samoan, Danish. Everyone always thought of me as being African-American or Latin, and I love that, but I'm glad I can bring a little island to this album. With the new music, we were giving it a little reggae vibe with the beats -- that represented me. And we all love it.

Any message for Harmonizers?

7/27 -- you guys are so going to love it. I know y'all will be feeling it as much as we are.

FILM

THE PRODIGY: SAOIRSE RONAN

By JODIE FOSTER

Photography MIKAEL JANSSON

Published 02/24/16

When she emerges almost without warning from a snowbound wood as the semi-feral warrior namesake of 2011's Hanna, Saoirse Ronan completely overwhelmed the world and her antagonists (including an evil spy played by Cate Blanchett) with an easy balance of almost preternatural talent and rigorously drilled skills. Same for the actress who, a few years earlier, at the ripe old age of 12, was cast in her major film debut in director Joe Wright's sweeping 2007 adaptation of the Ian McEwan novel Atonement—and picked up an Oscar nomination for her troubles. In the nearly nine years since her first film, all Ronan has done is work with Peter Weir (The Way Back, 2010), with Peter Jackson, on the 2009 adaptation of Alice Sebold's monumental best-seller The Lovely Bones, with Neil Jordan (Byzantium, 2012), and with Wes Anderson, playing the doomed baker-outlaw-romantic Agatha in 2014's The Grand Budapest Hotel.

In 2015, the New York-born, Ireland-raised Ronan drew on her dual roots to play an Irish immigrant in New York in the 1950s, in the lauded romantic drama Brooklyn, and secured her second nomination from the Academy. This February, as she wound down campaign season and geared up for her part in the Broadway production of Arthur Miller's The Crucible, Ronan, now 21, talked to an actress and director who knows from the Oscars-two-time-winner Jodie Foster.

(Continued from Jodie Foster)

JODIE FOSTER: Do you live with your parents at home?

SAOIRSE RONAN: I moved away to London when I was 19, actually about six months before we made Brooklyn. So by the time we made the film, I was still incredibly homesick. I don't know if you found it this way when you were young, but to move away is very different from just working away from home. It was something that I needed and I wanted to do. I wanted to leave Ireland and have anonymity while I was young so I could be stupid and relaxed, I suppose. So I lived on my own and got used to paying bills every month and washing dishes and not leaving them in the sink for five days. New York was always the end goal for me. It was always inevitable that I'd move here because I'd had such a strong connection with it from a very young age. I guess because I know I have roots here, and the energy is really palpable. As soon as you land, you feel like invigorated or something. I feel like it's a good place to be when you're young.

FOSTER: I've always felt much more lonely in Los Angeles than I've ever felt in New York. Maybe it's because you have these connections where you're always kind of bumping into people on the street and running into people or hearing someone order something in the café next to you. Whereas in Los Angeles, you can go for days and days and days and barely ever contact anyone.

RONAN: Growing up in this industry, have you seen L.A. change at all?

FOSTER: Oh yeah. I grew up here as a child, but it is a much richer city than it ever used to be. It had a different feeling to it. It was more about our Latin population, at least where I lived. I grew up in Hollywood. My mom was really into every different kind of food—Filipino food, Indian food, Thai food. It was really diverse. It doesn't feel that way anymore. I have a place in New York and I have a place here, but growing up in Los Angeles, I always felt like I was different because people didn't talk here. If they had a problem, they just kind of went to the beach or played sports or something. There was no sitting inside a café or a library on a rainy day discussing the world and relationships and all of those things that I grew to find on the East Coast.

RONAN: I'm sure you know Emma Thompson, who is so bloody brilliant—she said to me, "If your job is to play real people, then you need to be surrounded by real people in your everyday life."

FOSTER: People lose touch with that as the years go on. I remember when I was young, like 17 or so, the first time I did anything without my mom. I'd never made movies without my mom, and she made a point to stay behind, and it was tough for me. We'd been a little team; we did our laundry on the weekends. And then, around 18 or 19, when I said, "No, I have to do this on my own," I really hit a bad patch. I didn't know what to do with myself. I didn't know how to be on my own. I was a little scared to go to my room by myself. I can't just come home from work and not eat anything. So how was I going to go have dinner all by myself? So I learned as the years went on. I learned how to cook and keep myself occupied so it felt like I was home. I brought my own sheets because it felt like home. I would find the person on the crew who was the most trouble, and I would hang out with them. Like, "Who's in the bar? I want to go hang out with everybody in the bar!" [laughs] Then, over the years, I learned to get little apartments. I'd have my pots and pans, and I made my soups. And somehow that was a way for me to stay well-adjusted when I was on location, instead of going a little mad. But it took me a long time.

RONAN: Home-cooked food, that totally represents home, doesn't it? I did the same thing when I moved to London. I learned how to make the dishes that my mom and dad would make at home—chicken and vegetables, or spaghetti Bolognese, basic enough stuff. But the fact that I was cooking, or just the smell of food in the place that you live in, it made me relax a bit more. Even just having the TV on in the background so you feel like you're less alone.

FOSTER: Exactly.

RONAN: Is that so sad? [laughs]

FOSTER: When I was younger, I was really worried about whether I was going to be good or not. That's why, if someone said that I could be 20 again, I would turn them down. I was so filled with anxiety about, like, "Is anyone going to like me?" And as the years went on, the anxiety started to leave. I was expending useless energy, worrying. And I became more and more well-adjusted. I guess it was just about getting used to it, being away from my mom.

RONAN: I'm really close to my mom as well, and she came away with me up until I was 19. I'm a baby, as everyone knows now, since I just said it in an interview. But she always comes over for the first week to help me settle in. It's really important. But today I felt the way you did. When I was a kid, it felt—not in a big-headed way—but it felt like it was so easy. And the older I got, the more insecurities start to take hold of you. I felt exactly the same way as you; that I'm going to forget how to do this. I won't be able to do it as easily as when I was younger.

FOSTER: Well, you have a lot of people paying attention, too. That's the beauty. Wow, you're nominated for an Oscar; that's amazing! But with that comes all the scrutiny and the pressure from yourself, thinking, "Did I deserve this?"

RONAN: That's the worst thing for me. I'm a huge worrier as well. The thing that I would worry about after being nominated again is, "How do I keep that up?" Not in relation to awards, but keeping up performances.

FOSTER: Well, the good news about getting older, as well, is that when you're young, everybody keeps telling you that you can do anything and be anything, so there's all this pressure: "Oh, I guess I could sing and have an album. I could be in the Olympics. I could do a romantic comedy. I could be the queen of the red carpet." And then, as you get older, you realize, "I'm not very good at sports. I'm not going to be in the Olympics." You start checking things off and understanding who you are and who you're not. Somehow that's very comforting. You realize you don't have to compete in areas that are of no interest to you.

REMEMBER VERY VIVIDLY HOW IT FELT TO BE A CHILD ON A FILM SET, AND THAT IS ACTUALLY REALLY IMPORTANT TO HOLD ON TO FOR AS LONG AS YOU CONTINUE TO MAKE FILMS. YOU NEED TO BE CHILDLIKE, DON'T YOU? SAOIRSE RONAN

CURRENT ISSUE
MARCH 2016

RONAN: Did you feel competitive when you were younger?

FOSTER: I wasn't competitive. My mom was, and I would have to tell her to get it away from me. Like an athlete's manager, she would try to bring it in to the equation. And I was very careful about saying I didn't want to hear it. I'm sure there are people in your age bracket constantly comparing your career to theirs. And if you're like me or like anybody who's slightly insecure, you're thinking, "Wait a minute, should I have done that? Or should I have done this?" There are so many choices, and the choices feel like life or death choices. When I was probably your age, it was the time of the Brat Pack, all those John Hughes movies. They were great movies. But I didn't want to do that stuff. I was in college, and all those kids were friends with each other. They were all in Los Angeles. I knew them. And they were great, and great fun. But it was like, "What's wrong with you? Why aren't you in The Breakfast Club? Why aren't you in all the John Hughes movies?" It was kind of hard. Because I guess I was worried that I wasn't at the right place at the right time, and yet every instinct I had told me that it wasn't the place I should be. You learn as you get older to tune those voices out and to know yourself better, to know that if it feels right and instinctive to you, and then you're in the right place. Is there anybody who has given you great advice?

RONAN: Well, everything that you're saying has been pretty great, I have to say. My mom has always been so wonderful and she's always said to me exactly what you said: to always trust your instincts. And whether it's about a script or whether to live in this city or live in that city, if you're questioning it, maybe it's not quite right for you. Even the way I work is very instinctive. It's always been based off of instinct. Anytime it feels like it's not, then it feels wrong to me. And after I didAtonement, I was playing a character and trying to figure out how to make it work. I told my mom that I was still very sad from Atonement and not being a part of that experience anymore. I said to her, "I don't really have that much to say." And she said, "You know, you don't have to tell a story through words, you can always tell a story with just your face and your eyes." I think it was from that moment that my eyes became a huge part of how I would communicate on-screen. So the best life advice and the best professional advice have been from one woman. [laughs]

FOSTER: Me, too. It really was a sentimental education, you know? I made movies with somebody. And the guidance came from love; it came from love and genuine interest in, not just my success, but in my well-being, long-term.

RONAN: And doesn't that give you such a great perspective as well?

FOSTER: Yeah, it really does. There were things that she was wrong about, that we disagreed about—and that was a difficult and wonderful time, when I realized that my mom was wrong about things. But I guess the overriding thing is that she always felt like there was an ethical component to all of the choices that we make. The choices we make in our career, in business, in the character are to be as good a person as you can. And that translates to how you treat people, how you treat the actors and the technicians you work with, how you collaborate with people, and how you encourage and inspire other people to be creative. Or how you are a gentleman in business life. When you shake someone's hand and say, "I will do this," or "Yes, I will be there at eight o'clock in the morning." Then you show up. That whole, like, "You are the person you are at work"; that's a reflection of who you are. I feel like that really came from my mom. And it's been a real guiding light for me.

RONAN: Thank God for our mothers.

FOSTER: [laughs] Yeah. And with my kids, I hope that somehow I can be a part of their process in their life. My son now is 17, and he's very busy telling me that I don't know what I'm talking about and trying to become independent. He's looking at colleges, and he's driving cars, and he's got a girlfriend. And I'm really enjoying it. I'm enjoying watching someone crave independence. But I'm always watching him sadly. Every once in a while, he's got to fail. I told him a million times to put his car keys in the dish, and if he doesn't do it, he's going to lose the car keys. And if he has to be somewhere, he's going to say, "Where are my keys?" So part of allowing him to be independent and find his own way is also watching him fail. Which is hard for me. Of course, all I want to do is chop the wood for him, and say, "Here, this is how you make a fire!" I'm sure you run into this question all the time, because people ask me this all the time. There is a body of child actors who ended up being not very well-adjusted, who find themselves in jail or not doing very well in their lives. And people say, "Well, what do you think of that?" I say, "There are many child actors that you'll never hear of because they're now real estate brokers or business managers." But it is true, I guess, that the sidewalks are littered with young kids who weren't able to find their way. And I really do feel like some of that is—and tell me your opinion—but some of that is who you are, who you're born to be. And the other half is, I feel, mom.

RONAN: Totally. We put so much focus on child actors and younger celebrities. But there are so many people I know who, because of their relationship with their parents—especially a guy with his mother—it will either make or break you. Your mother especially. There is something about actually coming from her, having that chemical connection to this woman. It really does shape you. I'm sure you've heard of Frank McCourt, who wrote Angela's Ashes.

FOSTER: Of course.

RONAN: Malachy was his younger brother. I heard a story that when Malachy was about 6 years old, Angela came in to the house and he said, "I love you, Mommy." She looked at him and said, "What did you just say to me?" He said, "I love you, Mommy." Angela's friend came in, and Angela turned to her friend and said, "You'll never guess what he just started saying to me. He just told me he loves me. Fucking idiot." And from that point on, Malachy couldn't tell anyone that he loved them. She probably didn't even think about it. And that would have happened to a lot of kids around that time, to be told that he was silly or stupid, or to feel degraded for expressing himself so that he never did that again. That struck me. Some people don't realize the huge responsibility you take on when you're a parent. I say that just from being so close to my mom. She's the one who has kept me sane. And she continues to do that. She's always the one I go to when I feel lost or I feel as though I'm about to fall apart, or I'm excited about something, and I want to share it with someone. She's just everything. And not only because she's a wonderful person, but your parent is your first leader. Essentially, they're your first director. They're the first person you turn to, to know which is right and which is wrong.

FOSTER: That's right. I always equate parenting to directing. You're doing two things: You're telling your child or the person that you're working with that they can do anything—you're saying, "Go, go, go." You're a cheerleader. But the other half of it is, "You need to be on the train at 8:29. The train leaves the station at 8:29, and I need you to get to Penn Station at 8:22." The children need love and freedom, and they need to know that whatever they do is okay, that you'll love them, and you won't humiliate them or make them feel small or anything for something that they try. But they also need to know that there's some major structure and that somebody is in charge who is going to look over them and make sure that they fall under the lines of telling the right story. That they're not just flailing on their own.

RONAN: I know, because that's what creative people do. Whether you're an actor or a writer or a director or an artist or a singer, if you're passionate about what you do, it can kind of be endless when you're in the right environment. And it's up to the director to manage that and help it to flourish. It's great to hear you saying that. I've never directed—I'd love to—but I like having rules to follow, whether in my personal life or in work. I think that, within that, there's so much freedom, because you know where you need to go, you know where you need to end up. And you can map it out in the middle. And it's great when a director, like a parent, makes you feel safe and loved. Because at the end of the day, an actor is an insecure being and needs someone to go, "You're doing great."

By Andy Daglas

Yesterday

What to watch on Saturday, February 27...

8pm, Discovery
MythBusters
The internet takes total control in “The Reddit Special,” because placing the internet in charge of more high explosives than most national militaries can’t possibly be a bad idea.

9pm, Starz
Black Sails
Flint and Teach have a dispute over the future of piracy: Flint is sure it will remain on the high seas, while Teach has a beautiful vision of geeks in basements downloading Game of Thrones on tiny magic rectangles. Meanwhile, Rogers makes an arrest, Rackham discovers a new purpose, and Madi lends Silver a hand.

10pm, Esquire
Beowulf
While Beowulf and Breca head for the woods to get to the bottom of a troll attack, Slean sets off on his own voyage after misunderstanding an overheard conversation between Beowulf and Elvina.

10pm, OWN
The 2016 Essence Black Women in Hollywood Awards
Tracee Ellis Ross, Debbie Allen, and entertainment attorney Nina Shaw are honored at the ninth annual celebration of black women’s achievements in film and television. Oprah Winfrey, Shonda Rhimes, Zendaya, Ryan Coogler, and more are scheduled to appear and Leon Bridges will perform from the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills.

Just Music-No Categories-Enjoy It!

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Reply #93 posted 02/27/16 7:54am

JoeBala

AND THE AWARD GOES TO

Black Hollywood had its own Oscars, and it was incredible

by Collier Meyerson

Getty Images

February 25, 2016 1:17 p.m.

Join us on Feb. 28 at 7 p.m. ET as Fusion presents the first-ever All Def Movie Awards, which will celebrate diversity in motion picture entertainment. Hosted by Tony Rock, the awards will include Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Director, and other categories such as Best Bad Muh F**ka, Most Helpful White Person, and Best Black Survivor. Tune in toFusion’s cable network, or watch the stream on Fusion.net, Facebook, andYouTube.

Wednesday night’s All Def Movie Awards, Russell Simmons’ quick-fix answer to #OscarsSoWhite, was a brilliant, absurdist sideshow. It laid bare the Academy Awards’ neutered jokes, uninspired fashions, chronic white male faces, and the unimaginative acceptance speeches viewers suffer through year after year. At ADMA, the presenters, categories, and winning actors had one thing on their minds: telling Hollywood that blackness is something to behold.

The beginning of the evening started off much like a block party, rap show, black wedding, or sweet 16. Every time a notable entered the room, they were shouted out. “Bill Bellamy is in the building y’all!” said the evening’s host, Tony Rock, brother of comedian Chris Rock, who will be hosting this year’s Oscars on Sunday. “This isn’t a shot at the Oscars,” Rock said at the beginning of the evening. “This is our thing, done our way,” he said to claps. “And everything is done better our way.”

Getty Images

Russell Simmons (left), with actress Skye Townsend and her father, director Robert Townsend.

Getty Images

Amber Rose

Seated up front were the big stars. A cloud of smoke sat above rapper Snoop Dogg like a halo. Actress, fashion designer, and activist Amber Rose—in her signature sunglasses—was seated next to singer and actor Tyrese. Just two days ago Rose schooled Tyrese about slut shaming on the Oprah network show It’s Not You It’s Men.

At ADMA, the nominees were not from last year. They were a collection of iconic black movies that never received acclaim from the Hollywood establishment and actors who have been consistently overlooked by in the industry. ADMA was the black entertainment’s way of celebrating it all, with major side eye and humor.

The audience was black: unmistakably and unabashedly black. But peppered in the crowd were some white faces. One in particular, singer Robin Thicke, accepted the award for “Best Helpful White Performance” on behalf of Christoph Waltz’s in Django Unchained.

Waltz beat out Michelle Pfeiffer for her performance in Dangerous Minds, Sylvester Stallone in Creed, Sandra Bullock in The Blind Side and Kevin Costner inThe Bodyguard. “If we come together as a world community we can change the world one helpful white person at a time,” Thicke joked.

Joe Pesci was the only white actor nominated in the “Ghetto As Hell” category.

Getty Images

Ice Cube, actor O'Shea Jackson Jr., and Snopp Dogg, who generated a halo of smoke from the front row.

Getty Images

Nick Cannon

But underneath the tongue-in-cheek jokes and fanfare was a serious note: the black entertainment industry deserves shine. “My name is Sanaa Lathan and I’m a blacktress,” said the first winner of the evening.

“It’s so important for little boys and little girls of color to be reflected on screen,” Lathan said. “Hopefully, maybe, Hollywood is about to wake the f*ck up,” she said of the entertainment industry’s struggles with diverse casting.

Russell Simmons, the evening’s organizer, insisted ADMA was not about the Oscars, but did say “Hollywood, we can do better.”

Actor and comedian Marlon Wayans, who was a presenter, stood at the podium and breathed deeply. “This sea of black faces makes me feel so secure,”

he said. “Makes me wanna say, ‘F*ck white Hollywood.”

The All Def Movie Awards will air on Fusion at 7 p.m. ET on Sunday night and will also stream on fusion.net, Facebook, and YouTube.

The All Def Movie Awards were everything the Oscars won't be

Russell Simmons, left, and Lucy McIntosh attend the 2016 All Def Movie Awards held at Lure in Los Angeles.

(Richard Shotwell / Invision)

Tre'vell Anderson Contact Reporter

Ten days ago, Russell Simmons decided to throw his own award ceremony. Called the All Def Movie Awards — borrowing its name from the mogul’s All Def Digital platform — the event was to “celebrate the uncelebrated” against a backdrop of the #OscarsSoWhite controversy.

The last-minute journey ended Wednesday night when the awards were hosted by comedian Tony Rock at Hollywood’s Lure Nightclub.

“This is not a shot at the Oscars,” Rock started the show saying. “This is just our awards show done our way. Everything's better when we add our flavor on it.”

Essence magazine's been honoring black women long before #OscarsSoWhite

So don’t expect fancy floor-length gowns or the best tuxedos when it airs Sunday on Fusion. In fact, with the event more of a party and less of an award show — as evidenced by Snoop Dogg smoking on stage or the bottles of Ciroc and wine on each table — look for obnoxiously high splits, mesh jumpsuits and entirely too much cleavage. Expletives were at an all-time high.

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Buckner/Variety/REX/Shutterstock (5593902fl) Snoop Dogg and Mike Epps All Def Movie Awards, Los Angeles, America - 24 Feb 2016

A number of notable names were in attendance, including Ice Cube and son O’Shea Jackson Jr. of “Straight Outta Compton,” model Amber Rose and actors Marlon Wayans, Michael Ealy and Terry Crews.

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Buckner/Variety/REX/Shutterstock (5593902ct) Robin Thicke and Marlon Wayans All Def Movie Awards, Los Angeles, America - 24 Feb 2016 First Annual All Def Movie Awards Celebrating Diversity and Entertainment Broadcast on Fusion Feb 28 @ 7pm

The event was far from what one can expect at the Academy Awards, for good reason. Most of the categories for the show were in jest — best helpful white person, best black survivor, etc. But that’s exactly how Simmons envisioned it.

“It’s not a protest,” he said from the stage. "It’s a celebration, a celebration of people who otherwise would not be celebrated.”

But it was also a comment on #OscarsSoWhite and the broader lack of diversity in Hollywood.

In the year of #OscarsSoWhite, BET just launched an award show for film

“It’s a shame because whenever I talk about animal rights, civil rights, Islamophobia, homophobia or any of that, there’s that Hollywood liberal [expletive],” Simmons said. “And here we are, with the most compassionate group of activists on the planet, and still we live in the most segregated place on the planet — Hollywood.”

Actress Sanaa Lathan of last year's “The Perfect Guy” accepted the best actress award from Regina Hall, and said: “I'm excited by all of the conversation about diversity... because it is so important for young boys and girls of color to see themselves on screen. I'm so happy that Hollywood, maybe, is about to wake the [expletive] up."

Most of the award winners — like Denzel Washington for best bad muh ... — did not attend. Some opted to send video messages in their place.

The night’s major honors went to Will Smith, who received the Lifetime Achievement Award. He did not attend because he was on set filming a new movie — or maybe, as he joked in his video acceptance, because Russell wasn’t honoring enough white people. TV legend Norman Lear received the Vanguard Award. He send a video message as well saying he was at a climate change event.

#OscarsSoWhite's April Reign: Boycott the Oscars by live-tweeting 'The Wood'

All honorees and award winners were given golden statues called “The Goldie,” inspired by the 1973 film “The Mack.”

The event entertained the packed nightclub. A number of bits poked fun at the diversity conversation in Hollywood. D. L. Hughley and Mike Epps did a bit on actors who should have won an Oscar for a particular role, but didn’t, like Washington, who won for “Training Day” but not for “Malcolm X.” Angela Bassett, they said, deserved an Oscar for her turn as Tina Turner in 1993’s “What's Love Got to Do With It,” and Leonardo DiCaprio — who may finally win his first Oscar this year — should’ve won for “Wolf of Wall Street.”

Oh, and “The Color Purple” was nominated for 11 Oscars and took home none, they pointed out.

Rock, whose brother Chris is hosting the Academy Awards Sunday, presented a number of Reparation awards. Two of them went to Vin Diesel and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, for being just black enough to still be castable.

See the other award categories and winners below:

Best actress

Sanaa Lathan — “The Perfect Guy”

Best actor

Michael B. Jordan — “Creed”

Best director

Ryan Coogler — “Creed”

Best helpful white person

Christoph Waltz, accepted by Robin Thicke "on behalf of all white people”

Best bad muh ...

Denzel Washington — “Training Day”

Most likely to steal your girl

Amber Rose, presented by Quincy Combs and Karrueche Tran

Most-quoted movie

“Friday,” accepted by Ice Cube

Best black survivor in a movie

Ice Cube as Danny Rich in “Anaconda,” presented by Gary Owen

Lifetime achievement award

Will Smith, presented by Tyrese Gibson

Vanguard award

Norman Lear, presented by Jerrod Carmichael of “The Carmichael Show”

Best picture

"Straight Outta Compton," accepted by Ice Cube and O'Shea Jackson Jr.

The All Def Movie Awards airs Sunday — opposite the Oscars — on Fusion. It will begin at 7 p.m. EST and re-air throughout the night.

Sexy all stitched up! Amber Rose creates a cleavage commotion in a laced-up dress plucked straight out of Kim Kardashian's style book at the All Def Movie Awards

By CHELSEA WHITE FOR DAILYMAIL.COM

PUBLISHED: 03:05 EST, 25 February 2016 | UPDATED: 13:36 EST, 25 February 2016

They may have buried the hatchet but when it comes to stealing each other's style, there are not rules.

Amber Rose did what she does best at the All Def Movie Awards in Los Angeles, California, on Wednesday night.

The 32-year-old lived up to her blonde bombshell reputation in a racy lacy figure flaunting dress.

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All front: Amber Rose did what she does best at the All Def Movie Awards in Los Angeles, California, on Wednesday night

The model dared to bare in a tight black mini dress with long sleeves which would have been an impressive showcase for her famous curves on its own, but Amber decided to take it up a notch.

The front of the star's dress featured a plunging neckline with just a thin bit of string standing between the world and the star's cleavage.

Amber's chest struggled to get itself free but the lace stood firm, keeping her breasts restrained but not out of sight.

While the daring look is certainly not for the faint heart, it is on-trend with Los Angeles' clubs packed with women wearing a similar look.

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Saucy and sexy: The model dared to bare in a tight black mini dress with long sleeves which would have been an impressive showcase for her famous curves on its own, but Amber decided oi take it up a notch

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Curves for days: The front of the star's dress featured a plunging neckline with just a thin bit of string standing between the world and the star's cleavage

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Accolade: Inside the ceremony, Amber happily clutched her gong for Most Likely to Steal Your Girl Award

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What a coup! Amber hit the stage to accept her unusual prize

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Her support team: As she later left the awards, she was flanked by a member of her entourage in a MUVA t-shirt, her nickname for herself

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The lace-up look was made more mainstream thanks to the queen on figure flashing, Kim Kardashian.

Kim first stepped out in a jumpsuit created by Givenchy last year and has since wore variations on the lace-up theme in a bodysuit and a dress.

Kim and Amber have long been not on the best of terms thanks to their shared romantic history - namely they both have loved Kanye West.

Moving forward: Kim and Amber have long been not on the best of terms thanks to their shared romantic history - namely they both have loved Kanye West - but they ladies recently buried the hatchet

However, when Kanye went in a rant against Amber's estranged husband Wiz Khalifa and brought their son Sebastian into it, for the sake of the children Kim and Amber buried the hatchet.

But while Kim has waved the white flag she may need to step in again, not because Amber is stealing her style, but because husband Kanye is once again on the rampage.

Kanye took the stage as a surprise guest at Yo Gotti's album release party at Los Angeles hotspot 1OAK on Tuesday night when he grabbed the microphone for a live rant.

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Stunning: Karrueche Tran was also at the ALL Def Movie Awards, looking super-sexy in a slinky brown dress with a dropped neckline to reveal her cleavage

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Looking sauve: Rants and Twitter fights aside, also attending the All Def Movie Awards was a rather preppy looking Snoop Dogg who wore a knitted cardigan with black slacks and a pair of Kanye's Yeezy sneakers

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Dressed to impress: Also at the awards was Eva Marcille, who stunned in a burnt orange gown, and a suit-clad Marlon Wayans

Among other things, the rapper again wanted to address Amber's previous comments about a particular sex act he liked.

The Famous hitmaker took aim at the model's claims about their sex life as he yelled: 'That b***h never stuck no fingers in my a**. I don't play like that!'

Amber during their last fight had tweeted: 'Awww @kanyewest are u mad I'm not around to play in ur a**hole anymore?#FingersInTheBootyA**B***h.'

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Date night: Robin Thicke cut a dapper gent in a three-piece suit as he led his gorgeous girlfriend April Love Geary out of the venue

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Leading the way: The 38-year-old musician led the way, but all eyes were on his gorgeous 20-year-old model girlfriend

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Wow-worthy! The 27-year-old beauty flaunted her incredibly pins and much of her chest and torso in the racy garment

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Good night? The ex-girlfriend of Chris Brown couldn't take the smile off her face as she exited the venue

Rants and Twitter fights aside, also attending the All Def Movie Awards was a rather preppy looking Snoop Dogg who wore a knitted cardigan with black slacks and a pair of Kanye's Yeezy sneakers.

Also at the awards was Eva Marcille, who stunned in burnt orange, and a suit-clad Marlon Wayans.

Winning the red carpet as always was Russell Simmons thanks to his stunning girlfriend Lucy McIntosh.

The 28-year-old Australian wowed in a simple black dress with cut-outs on either side of her thin physique.

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Bare back: The model beauty revealed the racy low-cut design of the dress on the back

Russell created the All Def Awards which have been heralded as an alternative Oscars as not only because it had black nominees, but it also had Academy Awards host Chris Rock's brother Tony hosting Wednesday night.

The All Def Awards will be aired Sunday on Fusion during the Academy Awards, Russell has described his awards as 'not the black Oscars, but they could be... [the event] will be a fun, entertaining and hopefully thought-provoking celebration of the uncelebrated'.

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All hail the king: Russell Simmons created the All Def Awards and looked pleased as punch as he walked the carpet with girlfriend Lucy McIntosh

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Giving people more: The All Def Awards will be aired Sunday on Fusion during the Academy Awards

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Elton John Concert to Stream Live on AOL

Todd Spangler

NY Digital Editor @xpangler

MAURIZIO D'AVANZO/REX SHUTTERSTOCK

FEBRUARY 26, 2016 | 06:00PM PT

Feb. 27 performance to lead into singer’s AID charity Oscars viewing party in West Hollywood

Elton John will stage a special performance Saturday, Feb. 27, in L.A. that will be streamed live exclusively on AOL.com starting at 12 p.m. Pacific.

The one-hour “Elton John Live on the Sunset Strip” concert is a lead-in to the Elton John AIDS Foundation’s 24th annual Academy Awards viewing party on Sunday in West Hollywood Park.

Sir Elton’s concert is part of AOL Build, a live video series covering entertainment, tech, fashion and business. AOL has lined up regional bank BBVA Compass as sponsor of the event. The concert also will be free for the public to attend; the location will be announced at 8 a.m. Pacific tomorrow.

’24: Legacy’: Jimmy Smits Joins Fox Revival Pilot

Laura Prudom

News Editor @lauinla

BROADIMAGE/REX SHUTTERSTOCK

FEBRUARY 26, 2016 | 02:00PM PT

Fox’s “24: Legacy” pilot has cast “Sons of Anarchy” alum Jimmy Smits in a lead role, Variety has learned.

Smits will play John Donovan, a powerful U.S. Senator with higher political aspirations, who is married to Rebecca (Miranda Otto), the blazing smart former head of CTU. Smits and Otto will star alongside “Straight Outta Compton’s” Corey Hawkins, who plays military hero Eric Carter, who returns to the U.S. and finds that trouble has followed him back — compelling him to ask CTU for help in saving his life, and stopping what potentially could be one of the largest-scale terror attacks on American soil.

“The Flash” and “Masters of Sex” star Teddy Sears was recently cast as Keith Mullins, Rebecca’s ambitious former second-in-command who has now replaced her as head of CTU.

Kiefer Sutherland’s “24” hero Jack Bauer will not be a part of the revival if it’s picked up to series; the actor is attached to ABC’s political thrille...rvivor,” which landed a straight-to-series order in December.

“24: Legacy” hails from 20th Century Fox Television. Howard Gordon, Manny Coto, Evan Katz and Brian Grazer will serve as executive producers on the pilot, which will be directed by “24” veteran Stephen Hopkins.

Smits can next be seen in Baz Luhrman’s new Netflix series “The Get Down.” He’s repped by UTA, Brillstein Entertainment Partners and Tom Hoberman.

Film Review: ‘Alena’

Dennis Harvey

Film Critic

COURTESY OF THE MATCH FACTORY

FEBRUARY 26, 2016 | 12:18PM PT

This polished and reasonably entertaining hunk of teen angst relies heavily on a 'twist' most viewers will see coming a mile off.

Acclaimed in its original 2012 form as Kim W. Andersson’s graphic novel, “Alena” seems more ordinary adapted for the screen, where the long shadow of Carrie White throws considerable shade on a similarly horror-tinged tale of teenage bullying and payback. Daniel di Grado’s first theatrical feature (expanded from an hour-long original Swedish TV version) is a polished and reasonably entertaining hunk of teen angst, but its familiar suspense elements rely heavily on a “twist” most viewers will see coming a mile off. The result should nonetheless prove viable as an offshore pickup in various formats, with remake rights also possibly attracting bidders.

Some traumatic recent events, to which the film at first just murkily alludes, get local teenager Alena (Amalia Holm) transferred from her public high school to an elite private girls’ academy where she’s one of the few students who isn’t a rich boarder. She quickly learns that status makes her a target for Filippa (Molly Nutley), the noxious ringleader of a small mean-girl posse. Filippa’s distemper is heightened when Alena is befriended by the worldly Fabienne (Felice Jankel), the one cool girl Filippa can neither intimidate or impress; she’s further incensed when Alena threatens her crown as queen of the school lacrosse team.

Generally passive and skittish off the playing field, Alena has a powerful if problematic defender: Josefin (Rebecka Nyman), who stands up for her to the point of violent excess, which we have little doubt will eventually take a murderous turn. No one else seems to see this surly avenger, though the effects of her volatile temper are real enough. Is she a ghost? A figment of the imagination? The answer is obvious well before the script finally spells it out.

A vividly despicable petty tyrant in Nutley’s performance, Filippa is indeed hiss-worthy, but there’s not a lot of complexity or originality to “Alena’s” other story elements. The characters (including the heroine) are well cast but sketchily developed, and the suspense sequences are unremarkable, with way too many scenes of people wandering around conveniently dark, unpopulated school corridors waiting for something scary to happen. And while sympathetically intended, there’s a rote “girl-on-girl” titillative feel to the depiction of lesbian attraction between various principals.

Still, as YA horror goes, “Alena” is nicely crafted and non-cheesy despite its formulaic aspects; in fact, those looking primarily for horror content will likely be disappointed, as this is more a psychological suspenser with some supernatural red-herrings. Considering its telepic origin, pic has a decent big-screen look and production values, with additional footage added to earlier 59-minute runtime smoothly integrated.

Film Review: 'Alena'

Reviewed online, San Francisco, Feb. 18, 2016. (In Santa Barbara, Sitges film festivals.) Running time: 83 MIN.

Production

(Sweden) A Silvio Entertainment production, in association with Sveriges Television. (International sales: the Match Factory, Cologne, Germany.) Produced by Alexander Ronnberg. Co-producer, Max Hallen.

Crew

Directed by Daniel di Grado. Screenplay, Kerstin Gezeliu, Alexander Onofri, di Grado, based on the graphic novel by Kim W. Andersson. Camera (color, widescreen, HD), Simon Olsson; editor, Linda Jildmalm; music, Karl Frid, Par Frid; costume designer, Sandra Woltersdorf; art director, Sara-Tuva Kippel; sound, Eddie Boschek; sound designers, Andreas Andersson, Johan Johnson; stunt coordinator, Peter Lundberg; assistant director, Anders Habenicht; casting, Victoria Svanell.

With

Amalia Holm, Molly Nutley, Felice Jankell, Rebecka Nyman, Fanny Klefelt, Marie Senghore, Helena af Sandeberg, Johan Ehn, Ulrika Ellemark, Malin Persson, Max Nilen.

MUSIC

NINA NESBITT'S NEW SOUND

By EMILY MCDERMOTT

Photography ROBERT BELLAMY

Published 02/18/16

NINA NESBITT IN LONDON, FEBRUARY 2016. PHOTOS: ROBERT BELLAMY. STYLING: LUCY BOWER. HAIR: BEN JONES USING WINDLE AND MOODIE. MAKEUP: HADEEL TAL USING TOM FORD BEAUTY AND SISLEY SKINCARE. MANICURE: MIKE POCOCK/STREETERS LONDON.

Nina Nesbitt first emerged as a bright-eyed, doll-faced 17-year-old singer/songwriter in 2012 upon signing with Island Records. Her folk-pop songs quickly reached the Top 10 on iTunes and led to tours and collaborations with modern music staples, including Ed Sheeran. Last week, after a two-year hiatus, Nesbitt returned with her Modern Love EP. The five-song compilation exemplifies the now 21-year-old's growth through a stark shift in musical direction. Opposed to her largely acoustic previous releases, Modern Love tracks focus on electronic-pop production.

"I took two years out to find what sound I felt passionate about and what I liked making. After the last album, Peroxide, which is quite poppy and acoustic, I felt really bored," she tells us over the phone from London. "I didn't want to make another album like that. I wanted to switch gears."

Though Nesbitt originally intended to shift away from pop entirely, she "just kept writing it" and found that she couldn't escape the genre. Her sound deepened when she moved from her small Scottish hometown to London, where she learned to produce and setup a home studio that she calls Nightwatch. "One of the tacks on the EP was written and produced there," she says. "It's been a process of meeting new people and learning." In addition to her own production, Nesbitt worked with Dan Lancaster (Bring Me The Horizon) and Fred Ball (Rihanna), and "that's all led to the new sound."

More than just releasing music and playing shows around the world, Nesbitt has also raised more than half a million pounds for the charity mothers2mothers, acted as a Calvin Klein social media ambassador, and was selected to represent The Young Voice at the 2015 Women in The World Summit hosted by Tina Brown.

EMILY MCDERMOTT: To me, "Masquerade," which was written and produced by you at your new studio, was one of the standout tracks on Modern Love. There's something about the rawness of your voice...

NINA NESBITT: Oh really? I was interested to see how people would react to that one because it was produced by me, which I've not done before. That track started on the acoustic guitar—I still write on the guitar and then transfer them onto production that I feel would suit it—I had the concept and the lyrics and the chorus. How it was written, basically, it that it's about five different songs. The first one was like a ballroom dance beat. I was like, "This is definitely not right." Then, I don't want to compare it to this, but it was kind of like the "I'm on Fire," Bruce Springsteen guitar sound, that rhythm. I was like, "No, that's not right..." Then it was some urban, hip-hop beat and I was like, "That's not right for it either!" Finally, one day, I came up with the guitar riff that's at the start of the song now and the lyrics fit perfectly. It was quite a long process writing that one.

MCDERMOTT: So did you know anything about production before taking these two years off?

NESBITT: No, it's something that I've learned and developed. It's something I've always been interested in, but it takes time, just like taking up an instrument. Not everyone's got an interest in it, but I've always been really interested and really wanted to be able to do it myself. Working with other people, it's hard to get them to make it sound like what you have in mind. Also, it's really expensive to get your tracks produced, so I thought if I could learn how to do it myself, I could make five albums in a month and it would be free, it would be me, and it would be everything that I'm doing. I could make what I have in my mind come to life. I'm really excited by that thought, so I kept going, working toward that.

MCDERMOTT: What is one of the most significant things you've learned?

NESBITT: Not to over-produce. I've learned not turning things up to full volume is a good idea. Also, because I have the freedom, sometimes when I'm writing a song I'll get carried away with production when I'm only on the first verse, and that sacrifices the songwriting. So I tend to hold it back and write it on the guitar or piano, and then do the production so it doesn't become production-driven. I always want it to be a good song firstly.

MCDERMOTT: For "Chewing Gum," you included the demo, a remix, and the mastered single. As a listener, that's nice because you can hear the phases a song goes through and the different lives it can breathe. But why, as the creator, did you want to include each version?

NESBITT: I wanted to produce the single as electronic and darker sounding, and that's probably my favorite version. The remix is for people who want to go out or go in the club—or, when I'm cleaning the house, I always put club music on. [laughs] Then the acoustic, I didn't want people to go, "You changed your sound, you can't do songs on an acoustic guitar anymore." I wanted to show that it can be done acoustically or with electronic elements. If it's a good song, it should be able to go on different formats and I wanted to show that.

MCDERMOTT: When you play live, do you think you'll strip down some of the other songs?

NESBITT: Yeah. When I played two weeks ago, I brought back some of the old folksier songs from years ago, but revamped them in the new style. It's exciting being able to do that, and also take to the new ones and bring them back to the old style.

MCDERMOTT: So two years ago, when you decided to take time off from releasing music, you moved to London. How has being in the city influenced you?

NESBITT: I came from a really small village outside Edinburgh in Scotland and had quite a sheltered upbringing. So when I moved to London it was just like, "Whoa, there's so much going on." You meet so many amazing and unique people. Everyone here is going for the same thing. Everyone can be successful and do their own artistic thing. It's really inspiring to be around. It keeps you on your toes. I like going out as well. It's such a buzzing, exciting, and kind of gritty city. I definitely wanted to get that into my music, whereas before it was a lot more calm and folky. I wanted to get the harsher side into the new stuff.

MCDERMOTT: I've also read that you're kind of nocturnal. Have you always been that way?

NESBITT: Yeah, I've always been nocturnal. I really struggle to get up in the morning, but I also get my best ideas really late at night, when I'm trying to sleep. That's why I call my studio Nightwatch. I live in a neighborhood that's very family-oriented, so I feel like everyone else is sleeping and I'm sitting up, making music. It's just me. It's a nice time to be creative.

MCDERMOTT: It sounds very peaceful. On this album, you worked with Fred Ball and Dan Lancaster, whereas on your previous album you worked with Jake Gosling and Iain Archer. How did you come to work with Fred and Dan this time around?

NESBITT: I wanted a completely fresh approach. I love Iain and Jake, but I knew I wanted to change sounds so it felt right to try new people. The first time I worked with Fred, two and a half years ago, I was like, "Everything is on acoustic guitar," and he was like, "Why not try this or that?" I was so against it. Over time, though, I came to really respect that. He tried to push me and show me different things. He's got this studio built of vintage synths. He's got a song on Rihanna's new album, which I am in love with. He's been really inspiring to work with and comes from a completely different world. As much as it is for me, it's for him as well; he's never really done poppy stuff.

MCDERMOTT: What is one of the most memorable things you'll take away from working with him?

NESBITT: When I used to write songs, especially on my own, it was just me and a guitar. I wouldn't think, "What should the melody be?" Or, "Is that a good rhythm?" I would literally never think about melody. I never thought people listened to melody because I listen to words. Working with Dan opened my eyes to the thought that melody is probably the most important part, and thinking about that has improved my songwriting.

MCDERMOTT: So in the last two years, with all of these changes personally and musically, what are some of the things you've learned about yourself?

NESBITT: I've grown up. I was so young when I started—I was 17, from a nice village where nothing really happened. Moving to London was a culture shock, but in a really good way. I'm more aware now, and I'm less trusting of people in the music industry. I've definitely learned the hard way about some things. It's been a roller coaster two years and that's reflected in the upcoming album, which I'm working on at the moment. It caters toward the highs and lows of being in a new country and being on your own in London at a young age.

The highs were discovering how fun the city is. The low is kind of like, you're young and have this idea that you sign a record deal and become massive. It doesn't really work like that and as you get older, you discover what it's all about—that can be quite hard to deal with. I don't think I'm delusional, but I'm definitely a dreamer; I definitely want to see the best in things and I believe in what I do. The music industry can be quite a difficult place to remain like that, to remain pure.

MCDERMOTT: When you're facing struggles within the industry, what helps you get through them?

NESBITT: Writing songs about them. Nothing makes me happier than writing a song that I think is good or that I want to play. Writing songs helps me.

MCDERMOTT: Aside from personal experiences, what do you find motivational or inspirational?

NESBITT: Traveling really inspires me, seeing other cities and going on tour. If you've got fans online, it's hard to remember those people are real people. So when you go on tour and see everyone, you're like, "Oh my god. This is actually real life." That inspires me to write more songs. I've started getting more into films as well, which has been quite interesting. The song "Take You to Heaven" on the EP was written about a certain film... It's actually really embarrassing; it's about The Notebook, when they die together at the end. I was single at the time, but if you are so in love with someone that you wouldn't want to be without them, imagine if they died before you—it's a song about wanting to be with someone like that. It's actually quite morbid.

MODERN LOVE IS OUT NOW. FOR MORE ON NINA NESBITT, VISIT HER WEBSITE.

New Music: Yuna – Places To Go (Produced by DJ Premier)

YKIGS FEBRUARY 22, 2016

Yuna Places to Go

Singer Yuna debuts her new single “Places To Go” featuring a beat from legendary hip hop producer DJ Premier. The song is the latest single from her upcoming third album “Chapters” which is set to release May 20th on Verve Records.

Along with the news of the new album comes the announcement of her upcoming Spring tour, which is set to begin April 29th in Washington D.C. The tour will take her across 15 stop including shows in New York, Philly, Boston, Los Angeles and more.

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JoeBala	From The Denise Matthews Thread: http://prince.org/msg/5/421861?&pg=1 - - - Just Music-No Categories-Enjoy It!
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The Who to Perform on "The Tonight Show" Next Friday; New Daltrey Charity Single Available at iTunes

Matt Kent/WireImageThe Who kicks off the second North American leg of its 50th anniversary tour in Detroit on Saturday, February 27, and just a few days into the trek, the band will make a special appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. The British rock legends will perform this Friday, March 4, on the late-night chat show, which airs at 11:35 p.m. ET/10:35 p.m. CT on NBC.

The Who's Tonight Show visit will mark the first time that the group has given a full-band performance on a U.S. nighttime talk show since its historic 1967 appearance on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour. If you'll recall, on the Smothers Brothersshow, late Who drummer Keith Moon packed explosive charges into his drum kit, which were detonated as the band members were smashing their instruments at the end of a performance of "My Generation," engulfing the stage in smoke and causing general chaos.

The latest leg of The Who Hits 50! Tour is scheduled to run through a May 29 concert in Las Vegas.

In other Who-related news, the cover version of Townshend's 1979 solo hit "Let My Love Open the Door" thatRoger Daltrey recorded last year as part of a new sponsorship agreement between the Teen Cancer America charity and the North Carolina-based First Citizens Bank is now available as a digital single via iTunes. Daltrey, the Apple company and Republic Records will donate the proceeds raised by sales of the track in the U.S. to Teen Cancer America, which Roger and Pete co-founded in 2012.

"Whether by downloading this track or by other means, we hope people will open their hearts and open the door to assist Teen Cancer America," says Daltrey in a statement. "The mission isn't just to fight teen cancer, but to create facilities where teens and young adults can feel like they belong -- to create spaces different from the spaces children and adults have."

Daltrey's version of "Let My Love Open the Door" is featured in television and radio commercials produced by First Citizens Bank that began airing in November in North Carolina and South Carolina. You can learn more about the campaign by visiting LetMyLoveOpentheDoor.com, where you also can watch the aforementioned TV commercial and check out a short documentary about initiative that features footage of Roger recording the tune. The website also links to iTunes, where you can buy the track.

What It's Like To Be A Black Woman In White Hollywood

Four accomplished directors open up about the trials and tribulations of the business.

02/26/2016 08:24 pm ET | Updated 10 hours ago

GETTY

From left to right, Kasi Lemmons, Gina Prince-Bythewood, Angela Robinson and Julie Dash.

About once a year, Angela Robinson stops over at the American Film Institute in Los Angeles to explain to a group of women just how few people in Hollywood want to them to succeed.

It's important to Robinson, a black woman who has directed films that include "Herbie: Fully Loaded," that these women know what they're up against: an industry in which women and people of color are few and far between, rarely run the show and are seen as threats to the job security of established white men.

As she explained to The Huffington Post, "If you have a job, then probably a white guy doesn’t."

To say a successful black female director like Robinson is a rarity in Hollywood would be an understatement. A recently published study out of USC's Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism found that, of the 407 directors who premiered major movies and shows during 2014-2015, only 53 were people of color. And only two, Amma Asante and Ava DuVernay, were black women.

When it comes to other positions behind the camera, the situation is equally dismal for women of color.

“I’m often the only black person around. I’m often only the woman around," Robinson said.

When talking about the lack of diversity at the Oscars, many people think about black women only in terms of their representation in front of the camera. But the success of DuVernay's "Selma" aside, black female directors remain one of the most underutilized and systematically silenced groups in Hollywood.

KASI LEMMONS

Like many women and people of color in Hollywood, Robinson has grown used to not working with many people who look like her. She likes to say she is "fluent" in white maleness. When she first walked onto the set of Shonda Rhimes' diverse ABC show "How To Get Away With Murder," she found herself thinking, "Oh my God, there's so many people of color around.'"

"Then I realized, 'No, my own kind of view has been totally warped,'" she said.

Robinson emphasizes that she likes the white men she works with, for the most part. She doesn't believe they are especially racist, either, just occasionally unaware of their own privilege -- as when Matt Damon recently ...ral uproar on HBO's "Project Greenlight," a show about the making of movies. The Academy Award-winning screenwriter told Hollywood producer Effie Brown that diversity was only in front of the camera, not behind it, leading a visibly shocked Brown to respond, "Wow, OK."

“I was like, that’s it!” Robinson said when she saw the viral clip. “It’s so off the cuff. It’s so the air we breathe."

Moments like this one are common among women and people of color in Hollywood. They just usually aren't aired on HBO.

Kasi Lemmons, the director of films including "Eve's Bayou" and "Black Nativity," remembers the confusion she encountered after she wrote a script with white leads and only one black character. “I would go into meetings and people literally thought I was the assistant,” she laughed.

Julie Dash has plenty of these types of stories, too. Twenty-five years after her 1991 film "Daughters of the Dust" won an award for excellen...matography at the Sundance Film Festival, Dash is still waiting for her first feature film to be green-lit. But she's heard every sort of excuse along the way.

“The answer was always going to be no, but they came up with more creative ways of saying no,” Dash said.

Studio executives once told her that a movie about a black woman in science and technology might "confuse the audience." She was told by someone she was asked to work with on a "Scandal"-like show called "Enemy of the Sun" that the plot was "not plausible" since her co-worker had "never met black people like this." Other times, she has faced hurdles that would give anyone with even a surface-level knowledge of black history a headache. Once, for example, a woman asked Dash while she was pitching a film about the Harlem Renaissance, "Is it happening now?"

On the off-chance that black filmmakers are asked to make a movie, they are usually given a shorter leash than their white male peers, Robinson believes.

“It takes a couple times to learn how to be a director or a TV writer, and the white guy gets like 10 chances, so by the 10th movie or episode, he’s a pretty good director,” Robinson said. “The black person or the woman gets the one chance, which is really hard-fought.”

To prove her point, she recalled a story an actress once told her, in which she asked on the set of a television show why there weren’t more female directors involved. "Oh, we tried that once. It didn’t work," someone replied.

GETTY

Then there is the issue of what types of movies black directors are actually offered, which often include some mixture of adaptations (DuVernay recently signed ...e of those), movies about poverty and historical dramas.

“When we do do films, everyone is looking for us to do a civil rights story!” Dash said. “Why cant we just make films like everyone else?”

Gina Prince-Bythewood, director of such films as "Love & Basketball" and "The Secret Life of Bees," believes studio executives approve so many movies about the civil rights movement and slavery because those narratives are much more familiar to them than anything related to contemporary black culture.

"There is a comfort in a period piece because you recognize those characters, because you’ve grown up reading about them in history books," she said.

Dramatic stories about contemporary black culture and women of color, on the other hand, are a harder sell, according to Prince-Bythewood. "That’s what’s discriminated against," she said. "They feel that the audience is limited."

“The truth is, we need more films on contemporary life to open it up and allow people to see different sides of black life," she said. "We’re actually not a monolith."

“That’s why it’s so refreshing to have movies like ‘Straight Outta Compton,'" Lemmons agreed.

GETTY

Robinson, for one, believes the problem is much more complicated than a lot of people make it out to be. After all, she works with and likes these people. They are often white men, yes, but also self-proclaimed liberals who listen to NPR and support Bernie Sanders. The issue, in her eyes, isn't any one individual, but the system they collectively come together to create.

“If you were to ask me, 'Is Hollywood racist?' Yeah. But are the people inside it? Eh, kind of?” she said.

Robinson believes the situation is best described as a “my kind of people” problem. Movies are expensive, and studio executives want to trust and really know people when they hand millions of dollars over to them.

"If I were to give someone $50-100 million dollars ... I'd really, really want to feel super comfortable with that person," she said. “Racism and sexism kind of go into it, but it’s more just a comfort thing. Like, you are my kind of person. I grew up with people like you. Or I went to college with people like you."

"And that’s more complicated than somebody [saying], ‘Oh, I just hate you for being black.'"

But there are signs studio executives shouldn't be so scared. In 2008, for example, a stud...University found male and female filmmakers perform similarly at the box office when given similar budgets, perhaps a sign that the risk isn't as high as executives think.

ANGELA ROBINSON

For Dash and others, this isn't just a racial issue, but clearly a gender-based one as well. "I've been at events and they'll mention that Spike Lee and John Singleton, Charles Burnett and Billy Woodberry -- they are in the [Library of Congress’] National Film Registry," Dash said.

"Well, I’m in the nation...istry, too," she noted. "I’ll be sitting in the same audience, and they won't even mention me with the group."

"I've heard people say, 'Well, better to be African American than a woman -- women really don't work,'" Lemmons lamented. "Well, where does that leave African-American women?”

Looking forward, the women see it as their duty to help pull up people who look like them -- not just actors and directors and writers, but editors, production designers and everything in between, too.

"There are so many panels about how can we help diversity, and at the end of the day, you help it by not doing another panel, you help it by hiring," Prince-Bythewood said.

There's evidence to suggest that the best way out of Hollywood's diversity problem is through empowering these women. A separate, more recent study out of San Diego State University found that including even just one woman creator or executive producer drastically improved the percentage of women both in front of the camera and behind it.

Now it's just a matter of convincing the people at the top of Hollywood's hierarchy to see black women as the great artists that they are, first and foremost.

“We don't want to have to live with a banner across our chests and around our head," Lemmons said. "We just want to create. We just want to be appreciated in the environment in which we’re working, like everyone does. We want to work. We want to get paid for it, [and] we want to get acknowledged for good work."

She paused briefly, then added once more, "Like everybody does.”

Mya Taylor Just Became The First Transgender Performer To Win A Major Film Award

The actress won the Independent Spirit Award for her work in "Tangerine."

02/27/2016 07:21 pm ET | Updated 2 hours ago

KEVORK DJANSEZIAN VIA GETTY IMAGES

Mya Taylor just made history: On Saturday afternoon, she became the first transgender performer to win a high-profile Hollywood accolade.

Honored for her work in "Tangerine," Taylor took home theFilm Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Female. It marked the culmination of a lengthy awards season for the movie, whose distributor, Magnolia Pictures, staged a low-key Oscar campaign that also garnered Taylor a Gotham Award for Breakthrough Actor.

At the Independent Spirit Awards, which recognize American movies made for less than $20 million, Taylor was up against Robin Bartlett (“H.”), Jennifer Jason Leigh (“Anomalisa”), Marin Ireland (“Glass Chin”) and Cynthia Nixon (“James White”). Her co-star, Kitana Kiki Rodriguez, was nominated for Best Female Lead, but lost to Brie Larson ("Room").

"There is transgender talent," Taylor said during her acceptance speech. "There's very beautiful transgender talent. So, you better get it out there and put it in your next movie."

Taylor, 24, isn't the first transgender performer to earn an Indie Spirit nomination, however. That distinction belongs to Harmony Santana, a 2012 nominee for the drama "Gun Hill Road." Taylor is, however, along with Idris Elba, one of the only black performers to score acting prizes throughout this awards season. (Neither is nominated for an Oscar because #OscarsSoWhite.)

"Tangerine," one of 2015's most memorable indie-film victories, revolves around two transgender sex workers who traverse Los Angeles in pursuit of their pimp. Director Sean Baker shot the movie using iPhones and a shoestring budget. It premiered at last year's Sundance Film Festivaland rode a wave of critical plaudits.

"Tangerine" is now available on Netflix, and you'd be a fool not to watch it.

Why Supergirl Is Lucky To Have Italia Ricci

By Stephen Patterson ⋅ Posted on February 26th, 2016 at 2:58pm ⋅ Last edit on February 27th, 2016

The most recent instalment of Supergirl saw the introduction of Siobhan Smythe, Cat Grant's awesomely bitchy new assistant, played by Italia Ricci. Smythe, currently providing some strong competition for Kara, is being set up to become Silver Banshee and ultimately cause trouble in National City for Supergirl. Comic book nerds may know Ricci as Robbie Amell's fiancé, however as one of those lucky people who have seen Ricci act, I can tell you she is so much more - namely an incredible actress. So, without further adieu, allow me to take the time to explain to you all why the team at Supergirl should count their lucky stars that they landed Italia Ricci.

Ricci has a pretty impressive résumé, making appearances in several popular shows and starring in Cartoon Network's Unnatural History. She also starred inAmerican Pie: Beta House. However, Ricci captured everyones attention, including my own, when she starred in the hit ABC Family series Chasing Life.

Chasing Life

Until it's unfair cancellation last year (I'm looking at you ABC Family, or Freeform, or whatever you call yourself these days), I watched every single episode ofChasing Life. I make it no secret that I watch a lot of TV, but I found myself rather addicted to Chasing Life. Here, Ricci starred as April Carver, a humble but ambitious journalist who's life takes a dramatic turn when she is diagnosed with cancer.

As great as the writing was, it was Ricci who made me fall in love with the series. I remember being in awe and feeling connected to April in a way that I had never experienced before, and that was all down to Ricci, there is just something about her that is mesmerising. For being so early into her career, Ricci possesses the ability to capture emotion as if she had been doing it for decades.

Ricci as April Carver in Chasing Life

The season one finale was a TV highlight for me and Ricci was awe-inspiring and Emmy worthy. For me, Italia Ricci was the best leading actress on TV last year. You can imagine my disappointment when ABC Family cancelled Chasing Life in an attempt to change their audience. In fact, you may have read the article I wrote last year discussing the shows relevance. Chasing Life's cancellation became a strongly controversial decision that the network still struggles to live down. I hope one day that we get to see a follow-up season or movie. If you haven't checked out Chasing Life, the entire series is available on Netflix. Trust me, it's amazing.

Watching Chasing Life walk out of my life like

I was overjoyed when I heard that Ricci had landed a recurring role on Supergirl, because it meant that I got to continue watching her act. It also goes to show just how good Ricci is, as she was barely out of work. Beginning with Supergirl 1x14, Ricci stars as Siobhan Smythe. Smythe, at first, appears to be a Cat Grant wannabe, but ultimately we know there is so much more to her. Smythe wants to be a junior reporter (April Carver eat your heart out!) and build her own brand. Interestingly, despite the occupation similarities, Siobhan couldn't be more different to Chasing Life's April. April Carver put everybody else's needs before her own, which ultimately affected her career, whereas Siobhan appears to be ruthless. Smythe's storyline will ultimately set her up to become Supergirl's nemesis: Silver Banshee. The bonus of being part of a superhero show is that there is always the possibility of a kickass outfit.

Ricci as Siobhan Smythe

"I'm not here to make friends. I'm here to be the next Cat Grant. I say four months at this desk tops before I'm a junior reporter, get some on-air experience, make a name for myself. Once everyone knows me I'll build my brand. Diversify." - Siobhan Smythe

Siobhan Smythe's current arc will take place over 5 episodes, one of which will be the hugely anticipated Supergirl/Flash crossover, featuring Grant Gustin. I love the feud that is being set up between Kara and Siobhan, as it will make matters more interesting when it becomes Supergirl vs Banshee. I am really looking forward to seeing Ricci as Silver Banshee, my only concern is that I may start rooting for Banshee instead of Supergirl! On top of Supergirl, Ricci has landed a lead role in ABC's Designated Survivor.

Below, Ricci as Silver Banshee

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Candace Bure and Lori Loughlin continue adding grace, charm to TV episodes

February 25, 20164:14 PM MST

Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images

On February 25, E News reports that Candace Cameron Bure does her own stunts on Fuller House. "Of all the things viewers notice while...watching Fuller House this weekend, perhaps the one they'll least expect is this: Candace Cameron Bure (who is totally hilarious while reprising her role as D.J. Tanner) is great at the physical stunts...The show gets surprisingly physical in multiple episodes thanks to both choreographed dances and intense wrestling matches, and Bure did all the stunts herself, regardless of the fact that there was a professional stunt double on hand...."

On February 24, US Weekly reports that Fuller House makes its long-awaited Netflix launch on Friday, February 26, with cast members Candace Cameron Bure (D.J. Tanner-Fuller), Jodie Sweetin (Stephanie Tanner) and Andrea Barber (Kimmy Gibbler). The series is a reboot of the popular ABC sitcom Full House, which ran for eight seasons. Fuller House, which has landed a 13-episode pickup, focuses on D.J., who is recently widowed and raising three sons. Her sister Stephanie and friend Kimmy move into her San Francisco home to help raise the kids.

The Daily Mail on February 24, quotes Cameron-Bure, who stars as the family's eldest daughter D.J. Tanner, when she exclaimed the chemistry was real on set and said "If you can’t tell how close we are and how much we love each other, it’s all true and real and I think the show is classic and timeless in the sense that it’s about family, and it’s about love and those stories carry through to any and every generation," The Daily Mail explains that the original sitcom followed widower Danny Tanner (Bob Saget) left to raise his three daughters - DJ (Candace Cameron Bure), Stephanie (Jodie Sweetin) and Michelle (played by twins Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen). In the spinoff series, the Tanner family’s adventures that began in 1987 on Full House continue as DJ Tanner-Fuller shares a home with her sister Stephanie and friend Kimmy, Cameron Bure says her character who was always responsible and nurturing continues to be that way. The Daily Mail also says that Bob Saget, John Stamos, and Lori Loughlin from Full House also return for the sequel.

Like Candace Bure, Lori Loughlin is also very busy on TV with Hallmark television and more. Lori Loughlin can now also be seen on Sunday evenings on Season Three of When Calls the Heart, as the strong, caring, and nurturing Abigail Stanton. When Calls the Heart on the Hallmark Channel is about a Canadian frontier town Coal Valley that becomes renamed Hope Valley after wives and children who have lost their fathers in a coal mining accident learn to survive and even flourish. Hallmark Channel .com provides video recaps, previews, and interviews for this series.

Baby Daddy Welcomes Loni Anderson as Ben's Good-Times Grandma

By Andy Swift / February 27 2016, 8:00 AM PST

Baby Daddy Loni Anderson

The Wheelers’ family tree is looking to a small-screen legend for its next branch.

Loni Anderson (WKRP in Cincinnati) will guest-star in an upcoming episode of Freeform’s Baby Daddy as Bonnie’s mother, TVLine has learned exclusively. And in the case of Bonnie and Nana Lyle, it sounds like the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.

Nana Lyle comes to town for her first meeting with Emma, and Bonnie apparently isn’t thrilled to have her around — possibly because Nana Lyle would rather be introduced as her sister than her mother.

ABC Names First Black President: Channing Dungey

Posted by Annika Harris on Feb 18, 2016

The name Channing Dungey might not be familiar to you, but if you’re a fan of hit shows Scandal, Criminal Minds, How to Get Away with Murder, Quantico, Army Wivesand Once Upon A Time, you’ve definitely seen her work.

Yesterday, Ben Sherwood, co-chairman, Disney Media Networks and president, Disney|ABC Television Group, announced Dungey as the new president of ABC Entertainment Group. She is succeedingPaul Lee, who decided to step down as president.

“Channing is a gifted leader and a proven magnet for top creative talent, with an impressive record of developing compelling, breakthrough programming that resonates with viewers,” said Sherwood.

“I’m thrilled and humbled that Ben has entrusted me with this tremendous opportunity,” added Dungey. “I’ve had the great honor of working alongside the talented team at ABC for many years and look forward to starting this exciting new chapter with them.”

Previously, Dungey was executive vice president, Drama Development, Movies & Miniseries, ABC Entertainment Group. “In this position she oversaw the development and production of all drama pilots, movies & miniseries and the launch of new series for ABC Entertainment,” according to a press release.

The promotion makes Dungey the first Black president of ABC Entertainment Group. Judging from the previously mentioned programs she was instrumental in developing and making successes, Dungey has a commitment to diversity and inclusion. Brava!

‘Cruel Intentions’ Casts Nathalie Kelley; Michelle Mitchenor In ‘Infamous’

by Denise PetskiFebruary 26, 2016 9:00am

Photos: Theo & Juliet/Luber Rocklin

Nathalie Kelley (UnReal) has joined the cast of NBC’s drama pilot Cruel Intentions, based on the cult 1999 movie. Set in present day, the story picks up 15 years after the film and follows the beautiful and cunning Kathryn Merteuil (Sarah Michelle Gellar) as she vies for control of Valmont International as well as the soul of her nephew Bash Casey (Taylor John Smith), the son of her brother, the late Sebastian Valmont.

Upon discovering his father’s legacy in a hidden journal, Bash is introduced to a world of sex, money, power and corruption beyond imagination. Kelley will play Carmen, the stunning and brilliant chief of staff to Kathryn and her husband Pascal. Kelley played the series regular role of Grace on Lifetime’s UnRealthis past season. She’s repped by Stone Manners Salners Agency, The Burstein Company, and attorney Karl Austen.

Newcomer Michelle Mitchenor is set as a series regular in A&E’s hip-hop crime drama pilot The Infamous. It revolves around two complicated men on a collision course: an ambitious reformed gangster poised to break out of South Central (Bokeem Woodbine) and the LAPD detective hell-bent on taking him down. The pilot, from Sony TV, is produced by Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson and directed by Anthony Hemingway. Mitchenor, repped by Luber Roklin Entertainment, MMV, and Bloom Hergott, will play Eva Adams. Mitcheneor had a star turn earlier this year inChi-Raq as Indigo, the girlfriend of Wesley Snipes’ character.

Oscars 2016: Martha Ruiz, First Latina Balloting Leader, Shares Academy Awards Insight [EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW]

By Natalie Roterman | Feb 26 2016, 05:41PM EST

Martha Ruiz is the first Latina to become an Oscars Balloting Co-Leader at PwC. Courtesy Photo: PwC

Last year, PwC announced that Martha L. Ruiz was to join Brian Cullinan as the new Oscars balloting co-leader overseeing the Oscars balloting process. This made Ruiz the first Latino woman in that position joining a very small group of PwC partners who have safeguarded the world's most famous and best-kept secrets for over eighty years. Each year, Ruiz and Cullinan are the only two people in the world who know the identities of the Oscar® winners before they are revealed at the live ceremony.

“PwC’s role in the Oscars balloting process represents the firm’s lasting legacy of utmost accuracy and confidentiality,” said Ruiz, tax partner in PwC’s entertainment, media and communications practice. “It’s an honor to join this esteemed group of PwC balloting leaders to uphold our long-standing relationship with the Academy.”

Latin Times: What does a day (or a week) in the life of Martha entail as the Oscars approach?

Martha Ruiz: Well, it’s a pretty crazy week. Polls close on Tuesday at 5pm and me and my partner Brian Cullinan will count the ballots until probably the end of day Friday. Once we get to that point, there’s a few other things we need to do like start memorizing the winners in each category, mainly so we have a good backup control. We definitely don’t want to write that down and have that piece of paper slip on the day of the show, so we keep it all in our heads. Next we get a full set of cards to go in the envelopes that get delivered to the presenters on Sunday, but the way we do it is we print out the names of every single nominee (so the printers don’t know the winners) and then we get together to put the actual winner in the envelope and seal it. Brian and I each take a set of envelopes with the winners to the show.

LT: So, basically who else is in on the secret?

MR: Brian and I have a small team to help us out with the counts, but we’ll have them count a small percentage where they’ll never have too big of a percentage of the ballots they’re counting. Plus, Brian and I will do a recount of all the ballots later on, just to ensure everything’s right. So there’s a lot of repetition in the effort, but that way him and I will be the only ones that know the results for Sunday.

LT: What’s your secret to keeping the secrets? Do you lock yourself up in a room until the show?

MR: Well, no. [Laughs] The secret is to try and not talk about it. People constantly tell me it’s such an exciting role to have taken on for the many things you end up knowing, and of course it is exciting; it’s a very prestigious engagement for the firm and I’m honored to be a part of it, but there is definitely a lot we cannot say.

LT: Do you watch all the movies every year and have favorites, or do you try to stay away for neutrality?

MR: Yeah! I’m a big movie fan. Every year I try to watch as many as I can, but most times I wont have time to watch all the movies.

LT: What does it mean for you to be the first Latina in that position of trust?

MR: It’s certainly a privilege to take on this role. In the 82 years that the firm has been doing this, only a very small group of partners have been in this position; I am only the 14th partner to take on this role; the second woman and the first Latina, so it’s great that the firm has that advantage point in giving the opportunity to women too. As a Latina, I'm honored to take on that role and be the first one. It’s the opportunity of a lifetime; being part of something that's part of a tradition in Hollywood is certainly leaving a mark.

Freddie Mercury's Former ...age Plaque

2:48 PM Freddie Mercury, Queen, Rock No comments

The former home of Freddie Mercury in Feltham, West London, will soon have a Blue Heritage Plaque.

The plaques have been installed on over 900 spots around London to mark places of historical interest. The program has been in place since 1866 and is now administered by English Heritage.

For Mercury, the Feltham home was one that his family moved into in 1964 when Freddie was 17. His family had fled their home in Zanzibar, where Mercury was born, because of a revolution and settled in England.

Feltham is also the location of a star shaped memorial that was unveiled a number of years ago by Brian May at the local shopping center. Since that time, fans have destroyed the memorial and it has been replaced with a smaller version on the town's high street.

Also receiving Blue Plaques this year are the residences of Ava Gardner, Bobby Moore (soccer), Samuel Beckett, Elizabeth David (writer), Margot Fonteyn (dancer), Tommy Cooper (magician) and Laurie Cunningham (soccer).

By Andy Daglas

What to watch on Sunday, February 28...

Live, 7pm Eastern, ABC
The 88th Academy Awards
Chris Rock hosts the festivities from the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California, America, with red carpet coverage kicking off at 7pm Eastern and the ceremony getting underway at 8:30pm. The Revenant’s 12 nominations and Mad Max: Fury Road’s 10 lead the field. Lady Gaga, Dave Grohl, Sam Smith, and The Weeknd are among the slated performers. Vice President Joe Biden is also scheduled to present/probably just start breaking down the coolest scenes from Furious 7.

9pm, AMC
The Walking Dead
In “Knots Untie,” Rick has a hankering that Alexandria isn’t the bastion of security he had once thought. Don’t worry, Rick. I’m sure the next place you and the gang settle in will be the one that solves your zombie problems for good.

9pm, PBS
More Manners of Downton Abbey: A Masterpiece Special
Downton Abbey historical advisor Alastair Bruce trains his monocle (I’m assuming he wears a monocle) on the social protocols of aristocrats and servants in 1920s England. Michelle Dockeryand Hugh Bonneville also weigh in, though I won’t speculate as to their monocled-ness.

9pm, Hallmark
When Calls the Heart
Upon learning that Frank is a fugitive, the townsfolk grab their pitchforks and torches in “A Time to Speak.” Can Abigail persuade her neighbors to give the guy a second chance? And, I suppose, to technically become felons themselves by aiding and abetting him?

9pm, HBO
Vinyl
Richie attends a shindig honoring his mentor Maury Gold, but lands in his own uncomfortable spotlight when a rival mocks his Polygram blunder. Meanwhile in “Whispered Secrets,” Clark hopes to ink a solo deal with Alice Cooper, Devon solicits Andy Warhol’s help on a project, and a detective’s inquiry prompts Maury and a mob buddy to drop in on American Century.

10pm, HBO
Girls
Frank moves in with Hannah to escape a nettlesome roomie in “Good Man,” and if when living with Hannah is the lesser of two evils you know things have gotten pretty bad. Elsewhere, Adam and Jessa hang out after bumping into each other at an AA meeting, Hannah’s dad struggles to adjust to his new dating life, Elijah is courted by a famous news anchor, and Ray views a new neighborhood cafe as an enemy.

10:30pm, HBO
Togetherness
In “Everybody Is Grownups,” Tina’s bitterness toward Alex’s new girlfriend puts a damper on his welcome-home party. Having a more productive week is Michelle, who brings her charter school plan one step closer to fruition.

12am, Cartoon Network
The Venture Bros.
A super-widow out for revenge proves a thorn in Dr. Mrs. The Monarch’s side in “Tanks for Nuthin’.” In other evil missions, a criminal mastermind targets Dr. Venture.

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Taking the plunge: Cate Blanchett, Brie Larson and Charlize Theron lead the best-dressed as they dare to bare at the Oscars

By IONA KIRBY FOR DAILYMAIL.COM

PUBLISHED: 16:54 EST, 28 February 2016 | UPDATED: 09:24 EST, 29

Only one of them would be taking home the Best Actress Oscar.

But as Jennifer Lawrence, Cate Blanchett and eventual winner Brie Larson arrived for the 88th annual Academy Awards on Sunday, it seemed the nominees had each hit upon the same winning red carpet formula.

The hopeful trio took the plunge in low cut gowns at the high-profile bash at the Dolby Theatre on Sunday.

But it was former winner Charlize Theron who proved most daring - in a red number that was slashed nearly to the navel.

Scroll down for video

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Lovely in low-cut looks: (L-R) Jennifer Lawrence, Brie Larson and Cate Blanchett all took the plunge on the Academy Awards red carpet in Hollywood on Sunday

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Saucy in scarlet: Charlize Theron was all about the sex appeal in a very low-cut and slinky red gown by Christian Dior

Jennifer was one of the last stars to walk the red carpet, joined by Joy director David O. Russell, but she certainly didn’t disappoint.

The 25-year-old was unsurprisingly dressed in Dior Haute Couture, but showed her sexy side in a black lace number with corseted top which clung to her slim figure.

Cate was another star to pick an embellished gown, in the form of a seafoam Armani Privé creation which had a low-cut neckline and was adorned with feathered flowers. The 46-year-old also showed off a new shorter hairdo.

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Racy in lace: Best Actress nominee Jennifer Lawrence was one of the last celebrities to arrive, wearing a black Dior Haute Couture gown

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Dressed to frill: Brie looked effortlessly lovely in her blue Gucci gown with ruffled skirt and train, along with a sparkling belt

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A touch of sparkle: The 26-year-old also wore pearl earrings and had a pretty clip pulling her blonde hair from her face

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The centre of attention: All eyes were on rising star Brie, who won Best Actress for Room, as she posed for the cameras

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Dazzling: Charlize, whose film Mad Max: Fury Road took home six awards, teamed her striking dress with diamond jewellery

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Hello petal: Cate showcased her quirky style in a seafoam Armani Privé gown which was embellished with feathered flowers

And Charlize looked sensational in a slinky scarlet Christian Dior gown which boasted a long train and a very low-cut neckline, paired with nude heels and lipstick and lashings of smoky eye make-up.

Meanwhile Brie, who won the coveted Best Actress prize for Room, went all out for the star-studded ceremony in a bold blue Gucci gown with dramatic ruffled skirt and train, which was nipped in at her tiny waist with a sparkling belt.

The 26-year-old clipped her hair back with a diamante pin and added pearl earrings, lots of mascara and a generous slick of bright pink lipstick.

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Getting the chop: The 46-year-old, who was nominated for Carol, also revealed a new shorter hairdo for the occasion

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A-list pals: Cate and Charlize wrapped their arms around each other as they posed beside a giant Oscar statue

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Bright and bold: Best Supporting Actress winner Alicia Vikander divided opinions with her Beauty And The Beast style dress

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Family matters: The 27-year-old didn't pose with boyfriend Michael Fassbender on the carpet, but brought her parents along as her guests

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Hello sunshine: Photographers were mesmerised as Alicia twirled around in her yellow and silver Louis Vuitton creation

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It's finally his year!: Best Actor winner Leonardo DiCaprio posed with his Titanic co-star Kate Winslet, who was up for Best Supporting Actress and wore Ralph Lauren

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Best friends: The two stars, who were both dressed in black, shared a laugh as they cuddled up on the red carpet

Also turning heads on the red carpet was Alicia Vikander, who took home Best Supporting Actress for her role in The Danish Girl.

The first time nominee divided opinions in her yellow strapless Louis Vuitton puffball dress with silver embellishment, which was reminiscent of Belle's ballgown in Beauty And The Beast.

Alicia, 27, also sported perspex-heeled silver sandals and dazzling silver drop earrings, pulling her light brunette tresses into a half-updo and finishing off her look with a little smoky eye make-up and pink lips.

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So proud: Kate may have lost out on Best Supporting Actress, but she was thrilled to see Leo win his first ever Oscar

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She's really showing now!: Emily Blunt showcased her baby bump in a pink Prada gown, after announcing she's expecting her second child with John Krasinski

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It's so great to see you!: Charlize wrapped Emily in a huge hug after they ran into each other on the red carpet

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Sharing the stage: The Huntsman: Winter's War co-stars presented Best Original Screenplay together

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A bit of all white: Best Original Song nominee Lady Gaga looked angelic in a white pantsuit with a train, by Brandon Maxwell

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Sealed with a kiss: The pop star, who lost to Sam Smith and Jimmy Napes, shared a smooch with her fiance Taylor Kinney

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Moving: During the ceremony, Gaga delivered an emotional performance of Til It Happens To You, which she co-wrote with Diane Warren (R)

Speaking to Ryan Seacrest about her nomination, the actress said: 'I’m at the Oscars – crazy! I’m like, just being here, I have like butterflies in my tummy. I do feel like being here is pretty extraordinary.'

Alicia, who is dating Michael Fassbender but brought her parents along as her guests, also said that she wanted her category to be announced early in the night, adding: 'That would be great, because then we can have a drink!'

Emily Blunt confirmed last month that she is expecting her second child with husband John Krasinski, and she showed off her blooming bump in a fitted baby pink Prada dress with silver beading, teamed with old Hollywood style waves and rosy make-up.

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Showing some skin: Sofia Vergara put her ample cleavage on show in a midnight blue Marchesa gown with silver detailing

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Taking the plunge: Olivia Wilde left little to the imagination in a white pleated Valentino Haute Couture gown with low-cut neckline

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Best supporting husband: The 31-year-old, who executive produced Body Team 12, which was up for Documentary (Short Subject), was supported by her fiance Jason Sudeikis

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He likes what he sees: Jason was clearly a fan of his other half's Grecian inspired look for the evening

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Simply beautiful: Jennifer Garner looked incredible as she showed off her slender figure in a black Versace gown

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Taking a bold risk: Heidi Klum turned heads in a very unusual lilac and white gown by Marchesa, with cut-out section on the chest

The 33-year-old presented the Best Original Screenplay award (which went to the team behind Spotlight) with her The Huntsman: Winter's War co-star Charlize Theron, and the pair shared a hug on the red carpet.

Also making sure her look was one to remember was Lady Gaga, who was nominated for Best Original Song alongside Diane Warren, and picked a strapless white pantsuit complete with a theatrical train.

The 29-year-old shared a kiss with fiance Taylor Kinney on the red carpet, and while she lost out to Sam Smith and Jimmy Napes during the ceremony, she moved several stars to tears with her moving performance of Til It Happens To You.

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Making them all green with envy: Best Actress nominee Saoirse Ronan showed her sexy side in a glitzy Calvin Klein Collection gown

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Proud parents-to-be: Best Actor nominee Eddie Redmayne went arm-in-arm with his lovely wife Hannah Bagshawe, who is expecting their first child together. The happy couple both wore Alexander McQueen

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She's golden: Margot Robbie went for an extremely sexy look in a snakeskin style gold Tom Ford gown with low-cut neckline.

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Reply #99 posted 02/29/16 7:27am

JoeBala

+145

Peekaboo: Rooney Mara picked a delicate off-white lace number by Givenchy, with a diamond cut-out across the stomach

+145

Leggy lady: Best Supporting Actress nominee Rachel McAdams stole the Spotlight in a green August Getty gown with a slit up one side

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A great night: The 37-year-old lost out on the Best Supporting Actress prize, but her movie took home Best Picture

Meanwhile presenter Jennifer Garner cut an elegant figure in a black Versace gown, which clung to her slender frame and boasted a strap on one side and a train on the other. This marked the 43-year-old's first Oscars since splitting from husband Ben Affleck.

Sofia Vergara, who was also presenting during the evening, turned every head as she flashed her ample cleavage in a midnight blue Marchesa gown with delicate beading.

And Olivia Wilde showed some skin in a pleated white Valentino Haute Couture gown with plunging neckline and cut-out sides, along with a sparkling silver choker and stylish clutch bag.

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Purple reign: Reese Witherspoon (left, in Oscar de la Renta) and Tina Fey (in Versace) went for similar looks in strapless violet gowns

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The Force is strong with this one: Star Wars: The Force Awakens actress Daisy Ridley sparkled on the red carpet in Chanel Haute Couture

+145

Love on the red carpet: Naomi Watts (in Armani Privé) cuddled up to longtime partner Liev Schreiber (L), while Olivia Munn (in Stella McCartney) posed with boyfriend Aaron Rodgers

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Tangerine dream: Olivia claims the difference in her face is due to weight loss, which she credits a Japanese sweet potato for

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Bottoms up!: Liev looked on as Naomi knocked back a shot while they walked the carpet together

The 31-year-old executive produced Body Team 12, which was up for Documentary (Short Subject), and was supported by her fiance Jason Sudeikis.

Another stunning look came from Best Actress nominee Saoirse Ronan, who showed her sexy side in a plunging and shimmering green Calvin Klein Collection number, which clung to her fantastic figure.

The 21-year-old, who was nominated for Brooklyn, had revealed that she wanted to wear green to represent her native Ireland.

+145

Hello Hollywood: The Dolby Theatre was packed with famous faces ahead of the 88th annual Academy Awards

+145

Blooming lovely: Pregnant Chrissy Teigen wore a floral embellished gown by Marchesa, which clung to her blossoming bump

+145

So in love: The 30-year-old, who tied her hair in a braid and wore dark lipstick, got a kiss from husband John Legend

+145

Making sure she looks picture perfect: John helped to arrange Chrissy's dress, which she revealed she had to be sewn into

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Reply #100 posted 02/29/16 7:38am

JoeBala

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Reply #101 posted 02/29/16 7:48am

JoeBala

Let's party! Oscar winners Leo and Brie celebrate their triumphs as JLaw, Taylor, Miranda and Kate lead the A-listers letting their hair down at the glamorous Hollywood after-parties

Best Actor winner Leonardo and Best Actress Brie collected their trophies at the official Governors Ball afterparty
They joined Best Original Song winner Sam Smith, Best Supporting Actress Alicia Vikander and Best Director Alejandro Gonzalez at Hollywood & Highland Center for a first stop after the ceremony
Later, first-time winners Leonardo, 41, and Brie, 26, hit the Vanity Fair bash at Wallis Annenberg Center alongside Jennifer Lawrence, Kate Upton, Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift
A whole host of stars turned out, including Emily Ratajkowski, Kate Hudson, Naomi Campbell and Caitlyn Jenner
Across town, Elton John hosted the annual Elton John AIDS Foundation viewing party at West Hollywood Park
Glittering guests included Lea Michele and Charlie Sheen as well as Hilary Swank

By BECKY FREETH FOR MAILONLINE

PUBLISHED: 06:34 EST, 29 February 2016 | UPDATED: 10:25 EST, 29

With their first ever Academy Awards in hand, the celebrations weren't about to end early for Leonardo DiCaprio, 41, and Brie Larson, 26.

The 88th Annual Oscar's Best Actor and Best Actress joined fellow actors Jennifer Lawrence - a past winner of the golden trophy - and Sofia Vergara, as well as musicians Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift who partied with the models Kate Upton and Miranda Kerr.

After picking up their gongs at The Governors Ball, the duo hot-footed it to tinsel town's hottest parties, including the annual Vanity Fair bash at the Wallis Annenberg Center, which was also attended by Elton John, who had hosted his own suitably star-studded affair at West Hollywood Park.

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Hitting the afterparties: (From left) Oscars winners Leonardo DiCaprio and Brie Larson joined Jennifer Lawrence at Sunday night's afterparties, with Vanity Fair's annual bash at the Wallis Annenberg Center first attracting the actors

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Colourful array of stars: (From left) Taylor Swift, Kate Upton, Miranda Kerr and Lady Gaga were among the stars wanting to celebrate with them late into the night

For a man who has made four unsuccessful attempts at gold, Leonardo maintained his composure at the post-ceremony celebrations and was poised with a self-assured smile on his face.

The first stop was the official afterparty, the Governors Ball, which is hosted every year to give the top names a chance to see the plaques being etched onto their trophies.

The Revenant star Leo was sure to attend the do, at the Hollywood & Highland Center - where he picked up his long-awaited gong - and the Vanity Fair after party before he then headed out to grab a very late dinner at Argo restaurant.

His mother Irmelin Indenbirken was captured in the back of his taxi, seemingly accompanying him to the post-parties after serving as his red carpet date to the ceremony.

Brie was also there, with Best Original Song winner Sam Smith, Best Supporting Actress Alicia Vikander and Best Director Alejandro Gonzalez, with whom Leonardo obviously worked on The Revenant.

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Happy now? Leonardo watched as his gong was finalised inside the Governors Ball afterparty

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Checking it over: Brie was forced to check over the plaque on her trophy before it got added

+126

Quick change: Brie headed across town with her prize in hand to party on the Vanity Fair bash

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Thank you: The talented actor was sure to attend the Governors Ball and the Vanity Fair after party before he then headed out to grab a very late dinner at Argo restaurant

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Whisking her away: Leonardo was captured sharing a taxi with his mother after the ceremony after taking her as his date to the event

+126

Winners: Leo enjoyed a chat with previous Oscar winner Elton John

+126

Well done: Leo was spotted posing for a selfie snap with none other than director Steven Spielberg and producer Arnon Milchan at the Governors Ball immediately after the show

+126

Switching it up! Having changed out of her red carpet arrivals gown (left) Brie's new velvet gown (right) for the Vanity Fair party featured a daring thigh split that exposed her lean legs

+126

Big winners: Brie and Alicia Vikander carried their special prizes with a protective stance after the ceremony had finished

+126

Also in a second outfit: The Danish Girl actress Alicia also changed into something slinkier to celebrate her win

+126

Man of the moment: Everyone wanted a picture of and with Leonardo as he arrived to party on through the night

Spotlight took Best Picture on the night, Mark Rylance won Best Supporting Actor for Bridge Of Spies while six technical awards went to Mad Max: Fury Road.

There was plenty of opportunity for fellow attendees, co-stars and fellow nominees to catch a glimpse of the winners and the group were naturally inundated with selfie requests and opportunities to capture the excitement on phone and camera.

Meanwhile, for the ladies, Vanity Fair's always-glamorous afterparty hosted by Graydon Carter at the Wallis Annenberg Center was an excuse to top their red carpet arrivals dresses with something more comfortable - or in most cases more uncomfortable.

Room actress Brie, who was the unexpected winner of the top gong for leading ladies, was tickled pink in a slinky velvet number, having switched her classic cobalt dress for something sexier.

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He approves: Musician Lady Gaga posed for pictures alone as she arrived at the bash

+126

A vision in white: The 29-year-old wore a peplum pantsuit which featured a train

+126

Loved up: The couple made for a picture perfect pair as they coordinated their look

+126

Happy days: Kinney beamed as the two packed on the PDA as they stood in the spotlight

+126

Legs eleven: Jennifer Lawrence, who was nominated this year for Joy, was her usual playful self as she larked around on the red carpet while wearing a scanty ensemble comprising of a sexy coordinate

+126

Sexy stuff: Jennifer reigned victorious yet again at the 88th Academy Awards on Sunday - although this time it was a sartorial victory

+126

Centre of attention: Taylor Swift was seen adjusting her gown as she journeyed along the carpet

+126

Picture perfect: Taylor put on a flawless display as she worked her angles for photographers

+126

Work it! Swift owned the striped carpet as she modelled the flesh baring floor length number

+126

Working it: Kate Upton looked sensational in the classic gown which lacked detailing but provided the wow factor through the incredible cut and shape

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Oozing sex appeal: Clinging to every inch of her famed curves, the gown was working overtime to emphasise every inch of her incredible figure

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Working the cameras: As both a model and actress, Kate certainly knew what to do in front of the camera

Fellow star Jennifer, who was also at the bash, was also nominated in the Best Actress category for Joy this year, having previously succeeded with the same accolade in 2012 for her role in Silver Linings Playbook.

Jennifer had ditched her floaty black and nude frock for a minimal getaway get up by the time the post-parties rolled around but she didn't look like she was drowning any sorrows and smiled broadly as she arrived.

The US magazine's annual party also drew attendance from stunner Emily Ratajkowski, actress Kate Hudson, reality TV star Caitlyn Jenner and British model Naomi Campbell.

Across town, Elton John's annual AIDS Foundation do was a great option for those who wanted to skip the ceremony.

Hosting a viewing party, which turned into an ongoing celebration, the 68-year-old musician gathered a host of famous faces at at West Hollywood Park before and after the awards.

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Reply #102 posted 02/29/16 8:25am

JoeBala

ashlee simpson evan ross couple up at elton johns oscar party 09

chris rock cuddles up to girlfriend megalyn echikunwoke at vanity fair oscar party 03

vanessa hudgens vanity fair oscar party austin butler 01

rachel mcadams kerry washington switch it up at vanity fair oscar party 2016 12

rachel mcadams kerry washington switch it up at vanity fair oscar party 2016 02

serena williams maria sharapova are tennis ladies in white at vanity fair oscar party 2016 13

demi lovato wilmer valderrama nick jonas vanity fair oscar party 03

miranda kerr ashley graham vanity fair oscar party 2016 06

miranda kerr ashley graham vanity fair oscar party 2016 02

ashlee simpson evan ross couple up at elton johns oscar party 15

ashlee simpson evan ross couple up at elton johns oscar party 17

ashlee simpson evan ross couple up at elton johns oscar party 03

ashlee simpson evan ross couple up at elton johns oscar party 27

demi lovato wilmer valderrama nick jonas vanity fair oscar party 05

chris rock cuddles up to girlfriend megalyn echikunwoke at vanity fair oscar party 01

ashlee simpson evan ross couple up at elton johns oscar party 11

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Behind the scenes: Ashlee Simpson and Evan Ross were captured in front of boards with their names at the Elton John Academy Awards Viewing Party

+126

Across town: Afterparty host Elton John was joined by husband David Furnish (right) for the 24th annual viewing party and fundraiser that benefits the rock icon's AIDS Foundation at West Hollywood Park

+126

Standout couple: Lewis Hamilton and Hailey Baldwin showed up together and brought their sultry looks with them

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Fabulous darling: Kelly Osbourne star was sure to caption the moment she sat next to Mariah Carey in a selfie

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Bling and ring: Mariah, 45, dazzled thanks to her diamond necklace, matching bracelets and, of course, her hugely expensive and very large diamond engagement ring

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Ready for a good night: The singer warmly greeted party host Elton, who was wearing a shiny dark blue suit with matching shirt and very eye-catching shoes

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Reply #103 posted 02/29/16 8:28am

JoeBala

+126

Good to see you: Caitlyn Jenner was later spotted speaking to Kelly and Jeff Beacher at the bash

+126

His leading ladies: Designer Zac Posen found himself sandwiched between Dita Von Teese and Lana Del Rey

+126

Cute twosome: Heidi Klum was accompanied by boyfriend Vito Schnabel and enjoyed dinner at the viewing party

+126

Making a statement: Charlie Sheen looked healthy as he posed for photos in a statement T-shirt as he arrived at the event

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Handsome couple: Twilight star Nikki Reed came with husband Ian Somerhalder, from The Vampire Diaries

His guests included Lea Michele and Charlie Sheen as well as Hilary Swank, Mariah Carey, Kelly Osborne, Boy George, Hailey Baldwin and Mena Suvari.

For some, the afterparties were a chance for the stars of the night to be reunited with their offer halves for another photo opportunity, and this was something that newly-engaged Lady Gaga reveled in.

Similarly, Gaga had been a nominee for the night, but pitted against heavy-hitter Sam Smith, the 29-year-old lost out in the Best Original Song category while he was recognised for his James Bond SPECTRE piece.

Reunited in front of the cameras with Taylor Kinney at Vanity Fair's party, Gaga seemed to have the best trophy she could ask for in her new fiance, who she fawned over with plentiful kisses.

Meanwhile, party-loving stars Miranda, Taylor, Kate and Sofia seemed to just be keen to share the jubilation and commiseration with the glittering attendees of Sunday night's ceremony.

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Hair they are: Steven Tyler was later seen posing for a snap with sultry singer Lana

+126

Matching colors: After walking the red carpet at the Oscars, Heidi skipped out on the show to watch it at Elton's bash where she posed again with Kelly Osbourne, whose hair color matched the model's frock

+126

Red hot: Emily Ratajkowski flaunted her fabulous figure and toned legs in a bold asymmetrical number

+126

Wow: To attend a second afterparty, Emily managed to squeeze in a second ensemble for the night

+126

Making her arrival: Courtney Love showed off her upper arm inkings as she arrived via the red carpet

+126

Nick's golden girls? Both with rumoured links to Nick Jonas in recent months, Kate Hudson (left) and Lily Collins (right) both arrived in glittering gold dresses

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Red carpet ready: Rachel McAdams wore a baby pink glittering gown with a thigh split up the side

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New mum: Lily Cole, who likes to recycle her red carpet gowns, wore a ruffled dress with flat shoes

Kate and Taylor wowed in black dresses, both attracting plenty of attention with plunging necklines as they set the bar high on style when the parties drew out late into the night.

Newly-married Sofia appeared to still be clinging to bridal whites when she sashayed into the venue, notably without new husband Joe Manganiello, who she married at the end of 2015.

Leonardo, in fact, had been so overwhelmed by well-wishers on the night that his security team had to ask others to leave him be.

Having taken his mother as his red carpet date on the night, the Hollywood actor was pictured at the afterparties snapping private phone photos of his golden gong.

His competitor Eddie Redmayne, who won last year's prize in the same category but lost for The Danish Girl against Leo this year, was still smiling by the time he took himself to the post-parties.

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Who's that for? The actor was seen sending a message on his mobile as he briefly popped his award down on the ground

+126

Everyone wants a piece: Brie was captured amongst a group of giddy fans, who all wanted her picture

+126

Overdue: At the Governors Ball, other Oscar winners at the bash included Leonardo, who was undoubtedly the most congratulated star on the night

+126

Not-so mellow yellow! They were in good company with Alicia Vikander, who also clutched onto her award throughout the night

+126

Unbelievable: Brie still looked stunned by her win earlier, and during her acceptance speech, the star made sure she included her boyfriend in her acceptance speech, proudly proclaiming her love for him

+126

Girl of the moment: Pictured in black and white, Brie was the object of the photographers' affections

+126

Not such a loser: Leo's competitor Eddie Redmayne was accompanied by wife Hannah but he wasn't drowning any sorrows

+126

Best prize possible: Eddie looked simply in awe of his pregnant other half and didn't seem to mind the absence of a gong

+126

Party time: Courtney Love was pictured inside the venue, having a great time with friends

With pregnant wife Hannah on his arm, Eddie delivered a winning smile - despite the absence of a trophy under his other arm this year.

After all, The Theory Of Everything had conceded that it was Leo's year as early as Friday night, when he told attendees of his The Film is GREAT Reception in Hollywood that he was .certain' Leo would win.

The actor said: 'In my mind it is pretty much certainly Leo's year and he really deserves it. I am going along to enjoy the night.

Eddie added on his own accolade, the act: 'To be nominated again is just the greatest honour and especially in that company of actors. I am not getting carried away. I still pinch myself about last year, let alone what is happening again.'

+126

Obvious flirt: Glee actress Lea Michelle had fun with her dress inside Elton's party

+126

Main highlight: The recently single actress glowed with her tanned dewy makeup look which accentuated her high cheekbones

+126

Genetically blessed: Sarah Hyland, 25, stepped out with her boyfriend Dominic Sherwood, 26, at the The Academy Awards Viewing Party: Wonderful Crazy Night to Benefit the Elton John AIDS Foundation on Sunday night

+126

Red carpet glamour: Charlotte McKinney wore a negligee style dress to Elton John's party

While the stars partied in Los Angeles, back in the UK, controversy emerged for Sam Smith who seemed to be partying the night away with his first ever Oscars win.

Fellow Academy Award winner Dustin Lance Black accused the musician of 'texting' his fiancé Tom Daley, a British diver, suggesting that he swiftly get to know who he was by sending him a link to his acceptance speech for Best Original Screenplay in 2009 for Milk.

Lance, 41, took to social media to shut down Sam in spectacular fashion, writing, 'Hey @SamSmithWorld, if you have no idea who I am, it may be time to stop texting my fiancé.'

Other controversies included seeing Ben Affleck walk the red carpet at the Vanity Fair event, not long after his ex-wife Jennifer Garner stepped out for the same do.

Just last week, in a magazine interview, actress Jennifer confirmed that the father of her three children cheated with the nanny, though she was clear about the fact that it was not a cause of the marriage split.

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Reply #104 posted 02/29/16 9:12am

JoeBala

+126

All of his friends: Sheryl Crow, Elton and David cosied up on the sofa inside the celebration

+126

The consolation prize: Sylvester Stallone may not have won an Oscar, but he did have wife Jennifer Flavin

+126

Hanging out: Naomi Campbell (left) and actress Faye Dunaway (right) shared small talk at the party, hosted by Graydon Carter at the Wallis Annenberg Center

+126

Exquisite: Kate Beckinsale wore a figure-hugging white dress with detail on the bodice

+126

Pretty lady: Actress Malin Akerman sparkled in a silver skirt in an asymmetric ivory dress

+126

Rare appearance: Lily Aldridge (left) and husband Caleb Followill made a rare red carpet appearance

+126

Smug: Actor Ben Affleck maintained a brave face, despite his ex-wife Jennifer Garner confirming his affair earlier this week

+126

Make sure it sticks: Leo looked over the counter at his prized possession as it got his name put on

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Protective: Sam Smith kept a protective grasp around his award as he left the Dolby Theatre

+126

Bridal whites: Newly-married Sofia Vergara was in pure white for the Vanity Fair party

+126

Men of the moment: (From left) Jason Sudeikis, Olivia Wilde and Aaron Paul shared a picture at the Vanity Fair party

+126

Host with the most: Chris Rock cornered Lady Gaga (left) and Oscar winner Leonardo (right) for some inside shots

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Girls' pic: Amy Adams, Anne Hathaway and Emily Blunt shared a few drinks at the exclusive bash

+126

Popular: Husband and wife duo Sacha Baron Cohen and Isla Fisher posed with Sheryl Crow

+126

Contrasting ensembles: Kerry Washington and Jennifer Garner complemented each other perfectly in monochrome

+126

Newly-married: Liberty Ross and Jimmy Iovine returned to the spotlight after getting hitched

+126

The cute duos: Husband and wife John Legend and Chrissy Teigen shared a picture, while Tarzan co-stars Margot Robbie and Alexander Skarsgard (right) also cosied up

+126

Handsome couple: Kayte Walsh and Kelsey Grammer were the perfect match in their red carpet clobber

+126

Former co-stars: Amy Adams and Jeremy Renner reunited for a picture at the bash

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Perfect match: Tennis stars Roger Federer and Maria Sharipova were a little out of their comfort zones

+126

Stunning: Jessica Alba looked exquisite in one of the magazine's official portraits on the night

+126

Working hard: Jessica Biel was helped along by beau Justin Timberlake with the train of her dress

+126

His leading lady: A patient John Legend held up the red carpet for his pregnant wife Chrissy Teigen

+126

A three-way snap: Gaga and Taylor grabbed Caitlyn for a pic as the star party hopped across town

+126

Beautiful blooms: Minnie Driver was ethereal in a cobalt blue floral gown that showed off her shape to great effect

+126

All eyes: Oscar-nominated Saoirse Ronan commanded plenty of attention during her spotlight moment

+126

Little black dresses: Beautiful brunettes Daisy Ridley (left) and Hailee Steinfeld (right) chose classic black

+126

Happy couple: Sam and Aaron Taylor-Johnson proved they're still just as happy on the red carpet

+126

Red carpet debut: Recording artists Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton chose Sunday for their red carpet debut as a couple

+126

Still smitten: Antonio Banderas and girlfriend Nicole Kimpel made cute eyes at each other

+126

Party time: Sam (left) and songwriter Jimmy Napes celebrated their win at the Vanity Fair party

+126

New to Hollywood: Julia Carey and James Corden were captured celebrating with the big stars

+126

Double acts: Blake Shelton, Gwen Stefani, Demi Lovato and Wilmer Valderrama seemed to double date

+126

Giggles: (From left) Michael Polish, Kate Bosworth, Justin Timberlake, Patricia Clarkson and Jessica Biel shared some laughs

+126

Demure: Michael Polish, Kate Bosworth, Justin Timberlake and actress Jessica Biel took the picture-taking seriously

+126

Laugh out loud: Jessica and Demi looked like they'd established new best friend status

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Shoes off! The women were proud that they were taking their shoes off ready to party some more

+126

Newly-engaged: Jerry Hall and Rupert Murdoch flaunted their new love at the afterparty

+126

Group shot: Darren Le Gallo, Amy Adams, Kelsey Grammer and Kayte Walsh were sat at a table together

+126

Here it is! Mark Rylance took the prize for Best Supporting Actor, and looked pretty happy about it

Rosalie Rock, Chris Rock and Megalyn Echikunwoke in Prabal Gurung

Thandie Newton in Jimmy Choo sandals and Melissa George

Vanessa Hudgens in H&M

Helena Christensen

Marissa Tomei

Jennifer Meyer and Tobey Maguire

Naomi Campbell

Courtney Love

Daisy Ridley in Giambattista Valli Haute Couture and Jimmy Choo shoes

Chanel Iman

Frieda Pinto in Atelier Versace

Zoey Dutch and Emma Roberts in Yannia Couture

Amy Adams in Atelier Versace and Brian Atwood shoes

Mary J. Blige

Sofia Vergara in Lorraine Schwartz jewelry

Serena Williams and Kerry Washington in Atelier Versace and Stuart Weitzman shoes

Michael Polish, Kate Bosworth, Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel

Joan Collins

Taylor Kinney, Lady Gaga in Brandon Maxwell and Lorraine Schwartz jewelry with Caitlyn Jenner

Alessandra Ambrosio in Balmain, Nina Dobrev and Josephine Skriver

Leonardo DiCaprio in Elton John

Emilia Clarke

Emily Ratajowski in Neil Lane jewelry and Casadei shoes

Zoe Kazan in Gucci

Hailee Steinfeld

Sara Sampaio in Zuhair Murad

Lily Collins in Saint Laurent and Stuart Weitzman shoes

Hillary Swank in Michael Kors

Jessica Biel in Zuhair Murad and Justin Timberlake

Aubrey Plaza in Vionnet

Olivia Wilde in Prabal Gurung, Neil Lane jewelry with Jason Sudeikis

Kate Bosworth in Ralph & Russo and Jimmy Choo shoes

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Reply #105 posted 02/29/16 10:24am

JoeBala

Snoop Dogg Teases Kendrick Lamar, Eminem, Dr. Dre 2016 Tour Dates

by Jon Niles Feb 22, 2016 12:08 PM EST

Recording artist Snoop Dogg speaks onstage during day one of TechCrunch Disrupt SF 2015 at Pier 70 on September 21, 2015 in San Francisco, California. (Photo : Steve Jennings/Getty Images for TechCrunch)

Odds are that, if you could pick a compatible dream lineup for a hip-hop tour in 2016, you would think back to the Up in Smoke tour from 16 years ago withDr. Dre, Eminem and Snoop Dogg, and hope that Compton rapper Kendrick Lamar would also be on the bill. Without getting too ahead of ourselves, this is apparently the ideal tour for Snoop because he recently spoke about his efforts to make this come together, teasing the possibilities of making it happen in 2016 or sometime in the near future.

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Mixing these heavy hitters in rap from the iconic past, more recent resurgence in popularizing the genre, and the present champion of rhymes might be too good to be true, but if there's one person to make it happen, it has to be Snoop Dogg.

In a new interview with DJ Whoo Kid's The Whoolywood Shuffle radio show, Snoop shared details on getting the gang back together, and adding in Lamar. The host brought the subject up, which Snoop was more than happy to talk about, according to The Smoking Section.

"We're trying to get it together. Dre said he want it to be myself, him, Kendrick, Eminem. It's a wishlist that can possibly become a reality, if all parties agree," the rap legend explained in this recent interview. "I'd love to make it happen. I love everybody involved and I ain't trying to get all the money. I just want what I'm worth and I'm gonna' do what I do."

Considering Dr. Dre is orchestrating the tour and Snoop is behind the idea, we're in for quite the spectacle soon. Even with one or two of the others missing from the bill, it would be a great tour!

Hall & Oates Revisit the Hits at Madison Square Garden: Live Review

2/20/2016 by Elias Leight

BILL MCCAY/GETTY IMAGES

The Roots’ drummer Questlove once summarized Hall & Oat...importance with a succinct joke. “I’m gonna list all the duos in the rock era that were more popular than Hall & Oates,” he declared as he helped induct the duo into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. After a brief pause, he continued, “Okay, I’m done.”

Hall & Oates provided an early model of the adaptable pop group, a mode that has now become the norm for any hitmakers aspiring to a long career. The duo's undeniable knack for hooks came paired with the ability to smoothly shift gears as the sound of the mainstream rapidly evolved around them. Friday night (Feb. 19), they revisited their catalog in front of an adoring crowd at Madison Square Garden.

The pair emerged in the early ‘70s as devotees of Philadelphia’s smooth, harmony-heavy R&B scene; later in the decade, they embraced a more guitar-heavy sound. Though disco conquered pop, Hall & Oates mostly ignored it: instead, songs like “Kiss on My List,” “One on One,” and “I Can’t Go for That” featured the new technology -- synth hooks and drum machine beats -- that aligned with the development of New Wave. This led to their most commercially successful period, from 1981 to 1984, when they reached the pinnacle of the Hot 100 several times.

Pop ubiquity and an emphasis on singles may have tarnished the group’s reputation with critics -- Hall told Rolling Stone he was shocked when he received a nomination for the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame. “I didn’t think it would happen as long as the people who were in power stayed in power,” he said with surprise in 2013, drawing on the language of outsiders. “I’ve always been sort of on the other side of the fence with the old guard and the powers-that-be… Times move on and things get validated. The whole new generation of people are looking at me and John in a different way.”

None of the fans at Madison Square Garden seemed worried about “the powers-that-be” -- these were the listeners who grew up with Hall & Oates’ music and never stopped loving it. As soon the duo hit the stage, the audience responded with enthusiastic but rhythmically-challenged dancing. The performers stoked the crowd’s eagerness with a greatest hits set, playing only singles released between 1973 and 1984. (“Las Vegas Turnaround” may have been the only album cut in the set.) Hall declared at one point, “It’s a love fest here in New York City.”

As the primary vocalist on many of the songs, Hall sang with wobbly enthusiasm, maintaining a loose relationship with the beat and indulging in hoarse, shouty ad-libs. Oates is the softer, more careful singer; at times, his vocals were close to whispers. They sounded best when functioning as a duo -- sharing lead on the self-abrading ballad “She’s Gone,” trading pleading guitar licks on an extended intro to “Sara Smile.”

A trademark of Hall & Oates’ records is the lovely production: they sound expensive, with warm harmonies drizzled onto the songs from above. This isn’t easy to simulate live, without the benefits of multi-track recording, but the band reproduced the effect with little trouble. At times, five of the six instrumentalists were helping Oates with the backing vocals. These seemed even more lavish when contrasted with Hall’s lead -- he changed his phrasing and barreled through verses, especially on the rock numbers, but Oates’ cohort of harmonizers bathed the songs in a glistening layer of mist.

This effect was especially noticeable during the night’s final song: a Delfonics cover that called back to Hall & Oates’ origins in Philadelphia soul. The opening acts, Mayer Hawthorne and Sharon Jones, both joined the duo onstage; during the chorus, nine people were singing simultaneously. The ensemble asked a direct question, “Didn’t I blow your mind this time?” For the Hall & Oates’ faithful, the answer was surely yes.

Hall and Oates played the hits at sold-out Madison Square Garden show (pics, setlist)

By brooklynvegan February 23, 2016 5:18 PM

photos by Greg Cristman

Hall & Oates @ MSG 2/20/2016

Starting from the duo’s opening number, “Out Of Touch,” through classics like “Maneater,” “Did It In A Minute,” and “Say It Isn’t So,” the audience were up and dancin to the beat. When Hall couldn’t quite reach some of the notes he did back in the day, thousands of fans helped him fill in the vocal blanks. Another trick, which added an edge to the performance, was Hall’s soulful, spoken-word repetition of choruses, with some ad libbing for effect. At times, Hall, as well as John Oates, seemed to enjoy jamming on and performing the songs, rather than singing them.

After ten songs, the duo left the stage for a few minutes, but returned for a ten-minute jam session featuring “I Can’t Go for That,” and “Rich Girl,” of which more than 50% of the song was enthusiastically sung by the audience. – [ABC News Radio]

Pop legends Hall & Oates sold out Madison Square Garden on Saturday (2/20) and treated the packed house to almost nothing but the hits, sticking to their solid gold ’74-’84 decade. Setlist and more pictures from MSG are below.

Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings, who will be touring with Hall & O...his summer, opened the show and pics from their performance are here.

Hall & Oates summer tour with Sharon includes a stop at NJ’s PNC Bank Arts Center on July 12. Tickets are still available. Check out more H&O MSG pics below…

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Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings (more here)

Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings

Hall & Oates

SETLIST: Hall & Oates @ Madison Square Garden 2/20/2016

Out of Touch
Family Man (Mike Oldfield cover)
Maneater
Did It in a Minute
Say It Isn’t So
You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’ (The Righteous Brothers cover)
Las Vegas Turnaround (The Stewardess Song)
She’s Gone
Sara Smile
Do What You Want, Be What You Are
I Can’t Go For That

Encore:
Rich Girl
You Make My Dreams

Encore 2:
Kiss on My List
Private Eyes

Encore 3:
Didn’t I (Blow Your Mind This Time) (The Delfonics cover)

Zooey Deschanel enjoys a date night with husband Jacob Pechenik as they hit the Vanity Fair Oscars party

By REBECCA LAWRENCE FOR MAILONLINE

PUBLISHED: 10:01 EST, 29 February 2016 | UPDATED: 12:28 EST, 29

She welcomed her first child, Elsie Otter, eight months ago.

And Zooey Deschanel decided to treat herself to an evening out in adult company as she attended the Vanity Fair Oscars after-party in Beverly Hills with Jacob Pechenik on Sunday.

Enjoying a date night with her husband, the 36-year-old actress seemed ready to party as she posed in front of the cameras at the Wallis Annenberg Center For Performing Arts.

Scroll down for video

Loved-up: Zooey Deschanel and husband Jacob Pechenik enjoyed a date night at the Vanity Fair Oscars after-party in Hollywood's Wallis Annenberg Center on Sunday

Clad in a black gown that cinched in at her tiny waist, the New Girl star showed that she'd had no trouble shifting the pregnancy pounds.

Adorned with gold leaves, the elegant garment dazzled under the lights and with a layer of mesh covering the tulle skirt, Zooey flashed a hint of her toned pins that peeked out through her ankle-length dress.

Bucking the usual trend for skyscraper heels, Zooey opted to wear flats on the night, slipping her feet into a pair of black ballet pumps.

Dressed to impress: Clad in a black gown that cinched in at her tiny waist, the New Girl star showed that she'd had no trouble shifting the pregnancy pounds

Parental supervision: Zooey and Jacob enjoyed a night out whilst their eight-month-old daughter Elsie Otter stayed at home

Slicking her dark tresses back into a half up style, the star wore her glossy locks in loose waves, framing her face with her blunt fringe.

Keeping her make-up to a minimum, Zooey allowed her natural beauty to shine through, radiating with the glow of motherhood.

Slipping an arm around his wife's waist, producer Jacob cut a dapper figure on the evening, donning a tailored black suit with a skinny tie.

The couple put on a loved-up display at the party following their appearance at the 24th Annual Elton John AIDS Foundation's Oscar Viewing Party.

Zooey was no doubt looking forward to a glamorous night out after juggling childcare with returning to work in New Girl.

Pump it up: Bucking the trend, Zooey also opted to wear flats on the night, slipping her feet into a pair of black ballet pumps in what proved to be both a sensible and stylish decision for the evening's festivities

The couple welcomed Elsie Otter back in June and revealed the decision behind her unusual name choice on the Today Show.

'We just really loved the name Elsie and we both love otters,' she said, offering a simple explanation.

'They are very sweet and they are also smart. They use tools, they keep their favourite tools. They hold hands while they sleep. There are so many amazing things about otters. Who doesn't love otters.'

Zooey joked of her daughter: 'I love otters, she better love otters. We don't know yet because she's only a few months old. But she's going to.'

Brunette beauty! Slicking her dark tresses back into a half up style, the actress, 36, wore her glossy locks in loose waves. Framing her face with her blunt fringe, she kept her make-up to a minimum

Front row seats: The couple put on a loved-up display at the party following their appearance at the 24th Annual Elton John AIDS Foundation's Oscar Viewing Party where they mingled with a host of stars

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Nas, Yeasayer, Wu-Tang Clan, Dinosaur Jr, The Kills, Erykah Badu & more playing Vans 50th anniversary shows

By Andrew Sacher February 29, 2016 10:19 AM

14491

Vans is celebrating its 50th anniversary with free concerts at various House of Vans locations worldwide, from March 16-19. Shows are happening in Brooklyn, Austin, Mexico City, Toronto, London, Hong Kong and more. The shows will all feature “a variety of activations including skateboarding demos, music events, interactive design workshops and art installations.”

The Brooklyn show happens March 16 with Nas and Yeasayer (who have a new album coming), with a DJ set from Questlove. RSVP here.

The Austin show happens that same day, which is during SXSW, and it includes Erykah Badu, Neon Indian, Kelela, Hinds, Kevin Morby, Sheer Mag, Downtown Boys, Domo Genesis, White Lung, James Supercave and Quinn.

Other artists appearing at the shows worldwide include Wu-Tang Clan, The Kills, Jamie xx, Dinosaur Jr, Jazz Cartier, Dizzee Rascal, Fat White Family, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, and more.

RSVP and more info on all shows HERE. Flyer below…

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House of Vans 50th Anniversary

Exclusive Interview with Black Sails Star Jessica Parker Kennedy

by McKenzie Morrell January 14, 2016, 10:55 am 0

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After an agonizingly long hiatus, our favorite pirate drama is returning to Starz for its third season. Black Sails, which takes place in 1715 during the Golden Age of Piracy in the Caribbean, follows Captain Flint (Toby Stephens) and the skewed lives of his fellow captains, the prostitutes that service them and an abundance of evil-doers who are looking to survive in the former British colony of New Providence Island. We hate to burst everyone’s bubble, but these freedom fighters are in for a rude awakening when the show returns, and a few familiar faces wash ashore in Nassau County, leaving us with so many questions regarding the fate of the island and its people. Will the British Navy reclaim this lawless territory? Will Blackbeard sail in and totally screw up everything these people have been working towards?

The last time we saw Jessica Parker Kennedy’s character Max, she had just come into some money– more like a boat full of money. With her sights set on making things right in Nassau aka flexing her power of persuasion to create a more harmonious territory to thrive in. Now this prostitute turned business woman is as quick-witted as she is seductive and is on a mission to get this island in proper working order, and man we hope she succeeds! Max has really been through the ringer, to say the least, and has suffered at the hands of not only Captain Flint, Charles Vane (Zach McGowan), and worse Eleanor (Hannah New), someone she loved whole-heartedly and was tossed aside to further her agenda for the island. Max has come a long way, but her journey is far from over.

Kennedy chatted with me while on her way to the airport about what’s to come when the show returns. We spoke at length about Max’s character development throughout the series and what her long-term goal is for the island, if given the chance. We touched upon the relationship between Max and Anne Bonny, and yes, we talked about a Max and Eleanor reunion but no, she couldn’t tell me much. As an added bonus, we even give The Secret Circle a nod towards the end of the interview.

All in all it was like catching up with an old friend, probably because she is one, and she had some great things to say and tease about what’s to come…

It’s been a full year since we last saw Black Sails, how crazy is that, how is it for you actors who have to film so far in advance and have to kind of keep track of everything that’s going on?

For me it’s really hard, I’m someone who kind of runs all of the seasons together so I have to really focus when I’m doing an interview not to give away things. Especially because right now season 2 has ended so everyone’s only seen season 1 and 2 and season 3 is about to air but we’re shooting season 4 so it’s just kind of like, it’s all over the place. It’s hard for me to remember what exactly is what but that being said my other castmates like Luke Arnold who plays Long John Silver, he can remember episode by episode. He’s incredible, he’ll be like ‘oh in season 3 episode 5 this happened’ and then ‘in season 1 episode 7 this happened.’ He just has it together. So for me, I’m not very good at it, but my other cast members are much better than me.

So basically you have to take him along for all of your interviews.

I really do, I need him around.

Any obviously there’s going to be an all-out assault on England when we return for season 3, so where does that leave Max when the show returns, where will we see her? Will she be on a boat– or back in Nassau?

I don’t really know how much I can say and what I can’t say but I know in terms of her kind of political power on the island, that has grown a lot. All the choices she has to make are choices that she’s never really had to make before and she’s really struggling with– I think her biggest conflict this season is understanding that she has to make friends with people that she really doesn’t want to make friends with. Or she has to make friends with people and then kind of betray them, ya know, for the greater good if you want to call it that. She just has a tremendous amount of responsibility in season 3 that we haven’t seen with her before.

Do you think that’ll help her kind of identify more with Eleanor and her decisions that she made in season 1, almost taking her place in that position of power?

Yeah, that’s such a good question, and I think, it’s hard when it’s a love thing because I think Max is forever going to be very, very, heartbroken by that but it’s a really good point. I think that she very much feels in a way that she, you know, she doesn’t have the same role as Eleanor but there is an element of that, that is absolutely there for her in season 3. She’s empathizing with what it might have been to be Eleanor in that position, understanding a little bit more and realizing that there are a lot of hard decisions that have to be made.

Oh of course, and a lot of fans want to see Max’s origin story at some point…

Yeah.

Is that something we’ll be able to get or do you kind of make stuff up in your head of like where you think she’s come from?

I talk to the producers more than anything and I get a lot of information about certain stuff from them and then we talk about it together ideas of what we think her background is. In season 3, they kind of wrote a really beautiful scene where I do get to talk about my life as a child a little bit, which was my favorite scene to shoot in season 3. It’s just really telling, it kind of explains why she is who she is and why she’s doing what she’s doing. I think a lot of people are wondering what is Max’s motivation in the world. It makes that a little bit more clearer, I think, like what is her overall m.o.

unnamed-1

Oh, for sure! And a lot of fans are speculating, or are hoping to see your character be turned into Mary Read, another famed female pirate alongside Anne Bonny (Clara Paget)… without giving much away, would you totally hop on the chance to become a proper pirate?

Yeah, I fantasize about that all the time for her and I am constantly asking if I can kill someone or if I can have a knife in my garter belt or something. Something that I can feel a little bit more piratey, it’s something that I would love and something that I’m constantly bugging the writers about. I think the thing to remember about Max is she, though she’s not always involved in the action that the pirates get to be involved in she is as involved in terms of the power that she has. She’s more powerful, I don’t want to say more powerful than them but in a way she kind of is, so I guess, I’m trying to make it sound interesting but her action is really more words I have to say. I would love to say yes I have this amazing fight scene coming up and it’s going to be incredible but her power is on the island and that’s where she is anchored and that’s where she’s able to do the best of her battling, if that makes sense.

Yeah, and in that sense she has a lot more control, or power over people– power of persuasion if you will.

Exactly.

Obviously you know the show is set in the 1700’s and let’s face it, women didn’t have it so good back then. Luckily, there are some strong women on this show despite the heavy emphasis on the males. What’s it like to play a character who struggled but kind of surpasses what’s expected of women in this time period?

I think she’s such a fighter. With everything she’s had to go through, she’s had to make choices in season 1 that women these days don’t– well, do absolutely have to make but I think the choice when she decides to go back with the pirates sort of in season 1, that is something that’s crazy. And I know there’s a lot of controversy with her making that decision, but everything she has done she has this amazing ability to see the bigger picture and knows she’s a woman, and knows it’s the 1700’s and understands what it is she needs to do to keep herself as safe as possible and powerful as possible and she’s just excellent at decision-making. I’m so proud to be on the show, it is a male dominated show, and male heavy show but it’s a show that Starz could have made even more male heavy than they have and instead they brought on some really really incredible, beautiful, powerful women– flawed women of course, but it’s so special to be able to see women with brains in their heads on TV set in something that’s so old. I just think that it’s a really, really unique TV show in that way and I’m extremely proud to be a part of that. They keep writing more and more women for the show which is fantastic, in season 3 there’s another powerful woman that comes to the show and she’s– yet again a force to be reckoned with. I’m just so excited that the writers keep taking this opportunity to write more just really complicated female characters that really have a prevalent footprint in the show.

And it’s going to make Max’s decisions a little easier now that she has that big chunk of money that she came into at the end of season 2.

Yeah, totally.

Right? We’ll hopefully see where that takes her. Obviously you know what’s going on, you’re ahead of schedule but where do you hope to see your character go?

I guess I just hope that she gets what she wants. I think at the end of the day she wants a sense of normalcy, she wants to know she’s going to be taken care of, that the people she loves are going to be taken care of, and she’s not someone who is pushed by conflict, ya know. She’s very able to cope in conflict and make smart choices in conflict but it’s not how she thrives. She really, I think at the end of the day would like a simple life and would like things in Nassau to just really settle down so that she can have as normal of a life as possible. That’s kind of a really beautiful, honest thing about her… but at the same time I think she has a great understanding of how hard it is to make that happen and she’s willing to kind of get her hands really dirty and to compromise on a lot of things so that she can have a future like that.

I don’t know if she’s going to get any peace quite yet, because obviously season 3 is when we finally get to meet Blackbeard. They’ve waited a while to bring him on so that his character would be compelling enough beyond his iconic name, is he going to totally shake things up? Can you tease his introduction?

Sure! Of course Blackbeard is going to come in and shake things up with what he did and what he does and I think the thing is there are pirates on the island who adore him and they revere him and then there are pirates from the island think that he needs to be removed immediately. So, the government is very concerned that he’s there, he does make a massive, massive footprint in the show this year. Blackbeard creates a tremendous amount of more conflict, as you can imagine. I can’t say much else.

black-sails-2014

[Laughs] Is it safe to say that Eleanor has lost complete control of the island? Without giving anything away will we see any interaction between the two former lovers?

Yeah, I don’t know how much I can say about that, season 3 is a very different season for Eleanor because she has taken a completely different position on the island. And they have to figure out a way to work together. They have to. That’s kind of all I’ll say about that. Them figuring out how to make that work is something that’s really interesting to watch in season 3.

Oooh. Interesting. And obviously you’re aware that Bonny has been exploring her sexuality with Max in season 2, I’m assuming that’s a relationship that’s not going to be completely dropped when the show returns. We’re wondering if Max is trying to climb the ladder with Bonny or if she genuinely is developing feelings for her.

I think that’s a question I even went to the producers and said ‘what’s behind this at the end of the day?’ Is Max taking care of Bonny because she actually cares about her… is there something else going on? I think it’s not a straight answer, I think it’s complicated. I think obviously there is a tremendous amount of tenderness and care there that Max has for Bonny. She’s also aware of the fact that this person is a pirate! They’re living a very illegal life and that could be dangerous for Bonny and that could be very dangerous for Max. I think she maybe struggled with it, I think Anne was something that she never expected to happen to her and she’s not entirely sure what to do. I really feel like the struggle through season 3 is her deciding how to move forward with Anne and it’s just like any kind of relationship, it gets really, really complicated and it’s sort of what you see in season 3 is those complications and those decisions being made. I don’t know what to say without giving too much away [laughs].

[Laughs] Yeah we don’t want you— I mean we DO want you give things away… but we don’t! Well, Max in general really has what it takes to run Nassau… if she was in charge, hypothetically speaking what do you think her motto would be?

I mean her motto is to make things not messy and she doesn’t like big displays, you know, she wants to keep things quiet, she wants everyone to think she’s very in control and know she’s in control, she needs to think she’s in control but that it’s not done in a flashy way. That everything is kind of taken care of behind the scenes and I think that’s her idea of an ideal society. She doesn’t want the people bothered, she doesn’t want the general public to be bothered by this, or bothered by that or swayed this way or the other. And that’s kind of hints of what’s happening in season 3 really is that she’s someone, and seasons to come, that she wants things done in the behind the scenes kind of way. She’s not the flashy kind of person, she doesn’t need to be crazy rich, I just truly believe she thinks she can make the best choices for the island and I think that she would just want people to trust her and that she’s going to do it in a way that’s not selfish and that’s really for her own people. If that makes sense.

Oh it totally makes sense. We’re looking forward to seeing that unfold. The fans expressed that they really enjoyed the interactions between Max and Silver, can we expect more development between those two?

Uhhhhh…. I don’t think I can talk about that [laughs].

Alright we’ll just put it out there that you might cross paths…

Anything is possible. Anything is possible.

We’ll take it. Kind of a fun, random question, the show is obviously pretty serious and I heard that you guys have to keep things tightened up on set because you’re shooting on location and there’s just a lot to get through… with that said, if you were to do a lip sync battle with any of the other cast members ofBlack Sails, who would it be?

A lip sync battle? Wow. Who would I want to do a lip sync battle with… I think maybe for entertainment sake I would like to do a lip sync battle with Toby Stephens. Toby Stephens is someone who plays one of the most intimidating characters on television ever written and as a person he is the funniest, silliest man I know. He is truly silly, that’s such a great descriptive word for him and I think he would be just tremendous in a lip sync battle. He’s just so expressive and hilarious and he would just thoroughly enjoy doing this. He’s such a performer all the time. I’d love to do that. He would win, he would totally win!

[Laughs]

But it would be worth it for me just to see him doing that.

What song would you go with?

Ooh, that’s a really good question. It’s more what I want to see Toby Stephens sing. That’s the idea, probably something from Abba or a song by Cher. It would need to be a female singer. I loved Will Ferrell’s lip sync of Beyoncé that he did last year sometime with Jimmy Fallon, so maybe some hip hop, maybe some Beyoncé.

Well, we’ll put it out there, if you guys have any free time because I’m sure you have so much of that[laughs]. As always, it wouldn’t be an interview with me if we didn’t throw in a Secret Circle question… are you still shocked that people still care so much about this show?

It’s so nice! The other day I think somebody said to me ‘oh my God, you’re that girl from Smallville’ and for me that was six maybe seven years ago for me now and it’s the same thing with Secret Circle, it’s so nice that the fans have kept it alive and that’s just such a beautiful thing. My favorite TV show of all time is Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Sarah Michelle Gellar and that was a long, long time ago. And for me I could watch that now and it feels like I just watched it, even though I was watching it when I was 13 years old. I so appreciate, and I think what a beautiful way to keep the show alive because it never dies. And it’s never really in the past when the fans are still watching it and talking about it… that there will be a movie or something. I just appreciate it a lot because it doesn’t drift away. I had such a fun year shooting that season of Secret Circle and it was just a really, really great time. It just keeps it present for me that the fans love it. I’m so thrilled that they liked it so much, because I did too.

And that’s the beauty of technology these days, and streaming stuff, new people have kind of found it and there stumbling upon it and thinking the show is great and sad to find out that we didn’t get any more seasons. But I did chat with Andrew Miller a little while ago and did you know that they had pitched a spinoff with Diana’s character going to California?

No, I had no idea! That’s so cool, I’ll have to call him and talk to him about that. That’s such a cool idea.

I was like that would be awesome and hopefully Melissa would have been there hanging out [laughs]. Who knows, maybe if we win the Powerball, we can make a Secret Circle movie happen.

Oh my God, can we please all win the Powerball, please.

I think there’s enough money to go around!

There is more than enough money to go around for everybody in the United States, that is absolutely for sure. I think everyone should get a piece of that, that’s just a ridiculous amount of money. The people that end up winning that, I can’t even imagine, life changing.

No kidding! So, obviously you’ve stated that you’re not the best at Twitter, you are learning.

[Laughs]

How do you approach Twitter, do you every once in a while check up on what people are saying? What’s your interaction been with Twitter so far?

It’s been a long time since I’ve been on Twitter, I used to check up, I think the greatest thing about Twitter is that I get tremendous amount of support off Twitter which is so nice. Fans are always so incredibly enthusiastic about the different stuff I’ve been doing. I read it, I’m just super private and Twitter is something that you can still be private on but I don’t know, it’s a tricky thing because I never know what to write and that’s the biggest reason why I don’t go on, because I have nothing to say [laughs]. If the fans are wondering, please know that I do read it and I’m so appreciative of the positive comments and I’m so so happy that people are enthusiastic about Black Sails and are watching. Honestly, season 3 is so incredibly strong, I just hope that people stick with it and keep watching because season 3 is really solid, really great TV. It is.

We couldn’t agree more! It’s an amazing show and it’s a testament to the longevity of the show and that people are sticking with it and are really excited to see it!

Enjoy season 3, it’s always so good chatting with you!

George Clinton, Bootsy Collins, Fred Schneider, Living Color, Meryl Streep and more playing Bernie Worrell tribute in NYC

By brooklynvegan February 26, 2016 2:25 PM

photo: Funkadelic at the Paramount in 2015 (more by Greg Cristman)

There’s an all-star fundraiser on the way for legendary keyboardist Bernie Worrell, who is a founding member of Funkadelic and has worked with the Talking Heads, Fela Kuti, Mos Def and others, and who was recently diagnosed with lung cancer. The benefit will take place in NYC at Webster Hall on April 4 with all-star guests like George Clinton, Bootsy Collins, Living Color, Rick Springfield, Paul Shaffer, Maceo Parker, BIll Laswell, Talking Heads’ Jerry Harrison, B-52s’ Fred Schneider and many more, including filmmaker Johnathan Demme and actress Meryl Streep, who worked with Worrell on last year’s movie Ricki and the Flash. Tickets for that show are now on sale. Flyer with full lineup below.

Speaking of Funkadelic, George Clinton and company have put out a new remix of their 2014 track “Ain’t That Funkin Kinda Hard on You,” which features Kendrick Lamar and a vintage verse from Ice Cube. You can stream that below.

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Bernie Worrell

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ATO ESSANDOH, BOURNE AGAIN

By EMMA BROWN

Photography DAEMIAN SMITH + CHRISTINE SAUREZ

Published 02/19/16

ATO ESSANDOH IN NEW YORK, FEBRUARY 2016. PHOTOS: DAEMIAN SMITH + CHRISTINE SAUREZ. STYLING: NINA STERGHIOU/BRIDGE ARTISTS. GROOMING: YUKIKO FOR ORIBE HAIR CARE AT WM ARTIST MANAGEMENT.

According to Internet trolls, Ato Essandoh died four years ago at the hands of Leonardo DiCaprio while filming Django Unchained. Essandoh played a slave named D'Artagnan and someone started a rumor that he had sacrificed his life to make the scene more realistic. "My friend tweeted it at me, and I was like, 'What is this? This is stupid.' But then I looked at the 500 comments, 'Leonardo DiCaprio is an awful person for killing Ato Essandoh!' So I started tweeting from up in the afterlife," the actor says with a laugh. "I had a lot of fun with it."

Essandoh did not grow up with Hollywood aspirations. Rather, the New Rochelle, New York native studied biochemical engineering at Cornell. "My professors from Cornell are amazed," he says. "My professor, who was my mentor, now it's his big tag line when he's introducing new students to Cornell's curriculum. 'Here are all the things you can do: You can go work for a biotech company, an oil company, do research, or get chewed up by dogs in Django Unchained,' and everybody laughs." Then, at the age of 20, Essandoh appeared in a one-night only student production. "I could feel this amazing feeling: 'I'm making this happen, I'm telling this story,'" he recalls.

Now 43, Essandoh has acted in films like Hitch and Blood Diamond and had regular roles on series such as Copper and Elementary. This year, however, is a significant one. In HBO's 1970s-set Vinyl, which premiered last week, Essandoh plays Lester Grimes, a former blues singer cheated out of his career by record executive Richie Finestra (Bobby Cannavale). Produced by Martin Scorsese, Terence Winter, and Mick Jagger, among others, and co-starring Olivia Wilde, Juno Temple, and Ray Romano, Vinyl has already been renewed for a second season. "It's a betrayal between friends," Essandoh says of the show. "How do you repair the trust of a friendship? Richie basically promised Lester that he was going to be Sam Cooke, so how do you deal with somebody who you feel has ruined your life, but somebody that you also respect?"

This summer, Essandoh will appear in Jason Bourne with Matt Damon, Alicia Vikander, and Tommy Lee Jones, and Vincent Cassel. "My dad doesn't care about any of this," he says. "[When I was in Hitch,] he kept confusing Will Smith with Bruce Willis, 'My son is in a Bruce Smith movie!' He might not know who Mick Jagger is. You'd have to remind him and show him a picture, but he knows the Bourne movie and Bourne franchise."

EMMA BROWN: I want to talk about how you got involved in acting. You mentioned that your college girlfriend dared you to do a play.

ATO ESSANDOH: Me and my best friend lived together. I got a call from someone who wanted my friend Marcus to act in a play because they'd seen us in a fashion show that we did for a joke. I know him like the back of my hand, and I was like, "There's no way he's going to do a play, but I'll give him the message." And she asked, "Okay. Is this Ato? Would you like to do a play?" I went silent. I couldn't talk. I called my girlfriend at the time: "This woman called and she wants me to do a play." My girlfriend was a chemical engineer as well, so she started laughing. I was like, "Yeah, stupid idea." And she said, "No, no. You're going to do that play. You want to do that play. You know it." And she hung up laughing on me. Suddenly, I just felt calm. I called the woman back. I had rehearsals. It was one night at Cornell. I'll never forget it; it was the best thing ever. My chemical engineering buddies showed up to make fun of me. I'd never thought about acting as a job. I was an engineer; I was in science and technology. I loved movies and television growing up, but I'd never thought about it as, "Oh, that guy Denzel Washington is employed as an actor." Then I started thinking about it after I did this show. It was the first time I considered something that was ridiculous and wasn't something that my family did, and wasn't something where I felt like, "I need to do this to represent my family or represent my community." It was something that just felt right to me.

I look at myself now and Marcus is still my best friend. He's doing all this business stuff. We were in step for a while and then one little moment takes you off a degree, and suddenly I'm all the way over here rather than being a professor or working at some kind of biotech company. It's so weird. Just the slightest little thing. It wasn't like I did the play and then was like, "I'm going to be an actor." It was like, "That was cool." And now it's my job.

BROWN: Was Marcus ever like, "You stole my shot!"

ESSANDOH: No, no. Marcus was like, "I would've never done it, but I can't believe that's what happened." We just talked this morning. He's seen me on stage and it's something that we still can't believe. I sent a thank you letter to my girlfriend who dared me years later, and she was like, "Oh great!" What do you do? Life is crazy?

BROWN: What was the play? Did you get good feedback?

ESSANDOH: The Chinese Student Association at Cornell put together their own play. It was all Asian people in the cast except for me, because they wanted to do a couple of scenes about an interracial relationship. I was the only non-Asian person on stage; the entire audience was Asian apart from my 10 friends that showed up. How they introduced my character was they had [a girl] say on the phone, "I'm going on a blind date. The guy's name is Harrison. He plays soccer." You're not expecting a 6'4", dark black guy to come on stage. You hear a knock on the door, "Oh, this is him. I'll let you know how the date goes." I walk in and the whole audience gasps. From that moment on, it was like electricity. It wasn't bad; it was more that they just didn't see it coming. We had such a good scene and everybody was laughing. I could feel this amazing feeling: "I'm making this happen, I'm telling this story."

BROWN: Is your family quite academic?

ESSANDOH: Yeah, there are doctors, lawyers, business people. They're much more pragmatic. My dad, when he was young, did Shakespeare in school and my mom was a little bit of an artist, but everybody was pragmatic. Every culture feels like their parents are the most stringent as far as, "We came to this country to work hard, we want you to be a doctor or a lawyer." My parents were never like that, but there's still sort of that first-world guilt, where your like, "Wow, my parents grew up with no running water and now I want to be an actor? No." But they've been fantastically supportive.

BROWN: What was your first paid, professional gig?

ESSANDOH: I think it was this show called Third Watch. It was the first time I was on TV. I played a bike messenger who got hit by a car and Bobby Cannavale was a series regular. He played an EMS worker who helped me. Now, flash-forward all those years and I'm in a show with Bobby Cannavale. I reminded him and he was like, "What are you talking about?" "Dude, you saved my life. I got hit on my bike and you gave me the right drugs and you fixed my leg." It's just a nice 360.

BROWN: Tell me a little bit about how you got involved in Vinyl.

ESSANDOH: Ellen Lewis is Scorsese's casting director and she was casting the pilot. I've known her for years and she brought me in on a bunch of stuff. It was just another audition, and an audition where I was like, "There's no way I'm getting this part. They need a blues singer kind of guy, and yeah, I play a little guitar, but I'm not Gary Clark Jr." But I went in anyway because it's Martin Scorsese, it's Mick Jagger, it's Terence Winter. Next thing I knew they brought me in again and again. Then I happened to run into Ellen and she was like, "Marty's looking at the tapes." I got the news that I was in the show and I could not believe it.

BROWN: How much did they tell you about Lester when you were auditioning? Were they quite secretive?

ESSANDOH: I don't think they had everything settled down about who he was, because in the different auditions, he was doing different things. There was one point where he was more of a limo driver, and then that changed by, I think, my second callback. Nobody knew that I could play the guitar. When I got the role, I kept reminding people. It was decided that Lester would just sing in the scene where Bobby Cannavale's character meets him, and so I put myself on tape playing the music. Finally people were like, "Oh, you can play the guitar? Try it!" Everything has to go through Marty. It was very nerve wracking. When Goodfellasis on TNT and they've taken out all the curse words and put Tide commercials in the middle of it, I'll still watch Goodfellas because it's that great of a movie. The guy who created Goodfellas was standing in front of me, looked at me, and was like, "So, I hear you're going to play the guitar now? Okay" and turned around and walked away. My heart was just beating. But it went well. I played in front of him and they kept shooting, so I did a good job.

BROWN: What kind of notes does he give on set? Is he a pretty vocal director?

ESSANDOH: He's very supportive. You know when you're doing well. Maybe the fifth or sixth day, we were shooting a scene where Bobby's character and I are sitting at a table just shooting the shit and having a conversation, and Marty goes, "I just want to watch it over here instead of at the monitor." So Martin Scorsese is sitting at the next table and I can see him out of the corner of my eye. When the scene is going well, you can see him laughing. He's just loving it. When the scene is not going well, he'll go [shrugs] "Eh." He let's you know when things are going well and when things have to be done again and it's never mean-spirited. I think he really likes working with actors. That was the energy that I got from him.

BROWN: Did Mick Jagger ever come to set?

ESSANDOH: Yeah, he came to set. I grew up listening to blues and rock 'n' roll and other music, but, legitimately, the Stones is one of my favorite bands in the world. Maybe two years ago, I saw them in Toronto and I've seen them over the years, so never would I have thought that I would meet Mick Jagger, much less be working on the same project. There were a couple of times during the pilot when I heard he was on set, but I wasn't on set so I was mad. Then, there was one day where he was coming to visit, and I remember seeing his nametag. He finally walked in—we were doing a table read. I was 10 feet away from him and like, "That's Mick fucking Jagger!" He came up afterwards and you play it cool, "Thanks for your support, man. You're in a band, right? Rolling Stones?"

BROWN: I was watching the show and trying to imagine how much the music must cost.

ESSANDOH: I can't even imagine how much was spent. It's the other character of the show, the music. And people appear [as famous musicians]—Bo Diddley appears, Janis Joplin appears, Alice Cooper.

BROWN: The guy who plays Alice Cooper is great.

ESSANDOH: When he came in for the reading—just imagine this put-together dude—I was like, "This is the guy they got for Alice Cooper? Come on!" Then we started the reading and you heard his voice and it was uncanny. He's amazing. It's creepy. He sounds just like him. Then, of course, they give him the makeup and give him the hair. The guy they got to play Robert Plant was fantastic too just because of his Robert Plant mannerisms.

BROWN: You don't actually sing on the show, right?

ESSANDOH: I don't actually sing. The person who's my voice is Ty Taylor from Vintage Trouble. He also consulted me on how to sing. He let me in the booth as they were recording. He's a fantastic singer. If James Brown and Sam Cooke had a baby, it would be this guy Ty Taylor. If you hear him sing or watch him perform, it's a religious experience.

BROWN: I wanted to talk about your character's relationship with Bobby Cannavale's. Do you feel like Richie was ever sincerely Lester's friend? It seems like he was always exploiting him.

ESSANDOH: Absolutely, which harkens back to the time of blues musicians and R&B musicians—black, African-American people—who were also exploited by that business. But I think there was a genuine bond that was created. I don't think that in the beginning, Richie was looking to exploit him in the way that it happened. He thought about himself more than anyone else, which is basically what Richie does the whole time.

BROWN: I saw you in the Super Bowl commercial for Jason Bourne.

ESSANDOH: When I tell my friends, "I'm in the Bourne movie." They're like, "Congratulations! Wait...is Matt Damon coming back?" I go, "Yeah." And they're like, "Yo! Matt Damon! Matty D!" Everyone pretends they know Matt Damon. It's exciting. Being in the Super Bowl commercial is pretty exciting, too. When we were shooting months ago in London, we did that line from the commercial—"Oh my god, that's Jason Bourne"—and Paul Greengrass was joking, "It's going to be in the Super Bowl ad. It's a perfect Super Bowl ad line." That's exactly what he did.

BROWN: Did you get a million text messages?

ESSANDOH: I got a million text messages, most of which were, "Yo! You're in the Bourne movie! This is going to be bananas!" A lot of exclamation points.

BROWN: Jamie Foxx has this story about working on Collateral with Tom Cruise. Apparently he actually crashed the car he was driving once, and Tom Cruise was in the back, so everyone was like, "Get out of the way! Get out of the way! Are you okay Mr. Cruise?" Is that what working with Matt Damon is like?

ESSANDOH: [laughs] Totally, because he's the franchise. If something happens to me, it's going to be okay, if something happens to Jason Bourne, the whole movie is done, so I get it. I know I'm supposed to say this, but I really genuinely think Matt Damon is a great dude. Matt Damon's on our side.

Alicia Vikander is in the movie as well, and we have this scene where we're walking together and Jason Bourne appears. Where we were, we couldn't lock down the space, so they posted those signs, "We're shooting a movie here and by being in this area, you consent to being filmed." Jason Bourne is supposed to be really sneaky and spry, but as soon as he walks by, everybody pulls out their cell phones and starts recording. That level of fame is wild to see.

VINYL AIRS SUNDAY NIGHTS ON HBO. JASON BOURNE WILL COME OUT JULY 29.

On Netflix: Tangerine

Ramon Olivo

Miami Film Industry Examiner

February 29, 2016 9:06 AM MST

Magnolia Pictures

Tangerine

Los Angeles, for filmmakers, has always been about achieving THE dream. When I got out of film school, most of my friends moved to LA, looking for work. But then, after a few months, nothing happened. Most of them found either very small menial work or nothing at all. And then they moved back to their parents. And then it occurred to me that moving there might be the wrong way to achieve my goals, my dreams. LA simply became a fantasy.

And that’s what I got out of watching Tangerine, watching the hopes and dreams of two Transgendered prostitutes in LA get trashed. The main takeaway being, nothing is what it seems. Tangerine is about a Transgendered prostitute, Sin-Dee, who after serving a month in prison is released back to her old haunt, Donut Time, where she tries to reconnect with her pimp who she is madly in love with. However, through her best friend, she discovers that he’s been cheating on her and on a quest she goes in search for Chester’s (the pimp) mysterious lover.

But the real heartbreaking moment for me was watching Sin-Dee’s friend Alexandra sing at an open mic at a club and no one shows up. This to me sums up Los Angeles and what my friends had gone through, albeit in a much more extreme way. Sin-Dee and Alexandra have dreams and probably did not want to go into prostitution but had to, to survive.

But that’s part of the story, part of the theme is also nothing is what it seems. While Sin-Dee goes on her quest, a cab driver named Razmic is picking up fares, which eventually leads him to use the money for something other than the care of his wife and daughter. Razmic hides a dark side to himself that his mother in law investigates. It is then, through the mother-in law’s rant inside a cab, that director Sean Baker and co-writer Craig Bergoch air their feelings about LA as a lie.

The story itself is well told in a fast paced style that keeps you glued throughout. But what fascinated me even more, because of my film background, was the look. The film was shot on several iPhone 5S. Most of the film was shot on location, mostly outdoors and the colors, lots of orange and yellow look great. I couldn’t believe this was shot on a smartphone. Only on the rare occasion, where it was indoors and dark could you make out some video noise, which looks mostly like grain. But the noise is minimal and very subtle. For the most part it looks great. And because the story is so good and keeps you on the edge, you forget that it was shot on a phone.

I highly recommend this film, partly because it reminds me of the really good classic independent films that came out of the 90s. I think, watching this, I’ve just witnessed another classic.

Adia Victoria announces debut LP ‘Beyond The Bloodhounds,’ touring

By Andrew Sacher February 25, 2016 3:48 PM

by Andrew Sacher

Adia Victoria

After releasing some impressive singles, Nashville singer/songwriter Adia Victoria has signed with Atlantic imprint Canvasback, who will release her debut album Beyond The Bloodhounds on May 13. The first single is “Dead Eyes,” a swaggering rocker with some underlying darkness. Check it out below.

Adia will also be on tour from early March through late June, including a NYC show on May 19 at Mercury Lounge. Tickets for that show are on sale now.

All dates are listed below…

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Adia Victoria — 2016 Tour Dates
3/3 – Lexington, KY – Cosmic Charlie’s
3/5 – Nashville, TN – The High Watt
3/8 – Asheville, NC – Mothlight
3/11- Nashville, TN – Third Man Book Birthday Party at Third Man Records (poetry reading)
3/15 – 3/18 – Austin, TX – SXSW
3/22 – Hot Springs, AR – Valley of the Vapors Festival
4/4 – Champaign, IL – The Accord
4/5- Chicago, IL – Schubas
4/6- Iowa City, IA – Mission Creek Festival
4/7- Columbia, MO – Rose Music Hall
4/8- St. Louis, MO – The Demo
4/10 – Baton Rouge, LA – Baton Rouge Music Festival
4/12 – Little Rock, AR – White Water Tavern
4/19 – Louisville, KY – Zanzabar
4/20 – Cincinnati, OH – MOTR
4/21 – Indianapolis, IN – HiFi
4/23 – Grand Rapids, MI – Calvin College (free show)
4/24 – Cleveland, OH – Beachland Tavern
5/15 – Atlanta, GA – Shakey Knees Festival
5/17 – Washington, DC – DC9
5/19 – New York City, NY – Mercury Lounge
5/21 – Cambridge, MA – Lizard Lounge
5/27 – Birmingham, AL – The Syndicate
5/28 – New Orleans, LA – Gasa Gasa
5/29 -Houston, TX – Memorial Day Blowout : White Oak Music Hall/Outside Lawn
5/31- Austin, TX – Stubb’s BBQ Inside
6/1 – Dallas, TX – Three Links
6/3 -Taos, NM – Music on the Mesa
6/4 – Tucson, AZ – Club Congress
6/5 – San Diego, CA – Casbah
6/7 – Los Angeles, CA – The Resident
6/8 – San Francisco, CA – Bottom of The Hill
6/10 – Portland, OR – Bunk Bar
6/11 – Seattle, WA – Sunset Tavern
6/12 – Vancouver, BC – Cobalt
6/15 – Minneapolis, MN – 7th St. Entry
6/16 – Madison, WI – Frequency
6/18 – Detroit, MI – Lager House
6/19 – Pittsburgh, PA – Brillobox
8/4 – 8/7 Happy Valley, OR – Pickathon Festival

Shining star! Kelly Rowland brings some serious sparkle and a lot of cleavage to the Elton John Oscar Viewing Party

By CHELSEA WHITE FOR DAILYMAIL.COM

PUBLISHED: 02:56 EST, 29 February 2016 | UPDATED:

She may have not got an invite to the actual Academy Awards but that did not stop this singer from dressing like she was nominated for one.

Kelly Rowland literally glowed at the 24th Annual Elton John AIDS Foundation's Oscar Viewing Party.

From the moment the 35-year-old stepped on to the red carpet in West Hollywood, California, on Sunday, she dazzled all those who dared to gaze upon her.

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Shine bright: Kelly Rowland literally glowed at the 24th Annual Elton John AIDS Foundation's Oscar Viewing Party in West Hollywood, California, on Sunday

The star's gown demanded attention thanks to its iridescent slightly sheer material and a very racy plunging neckline.

The star certainly bared more than her fair share of cleavage in the dress, which also clung to her toned physique.

But the former Destiny's Child star was not done there with shinning brighter than a diamond, she added some more bling with a crystal hairpiece.

The star wore hare hair with a centre part and smooth against her head with the rest of her locks left free flowing down her back.

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Can't miss her: The star's gown demanded attention thanks to its iridescent slightly sheer material and a very racy plunging neckline

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How low can she go: The star certainly bared more than her fair share of cleavage in the dress, which also clung to her toned physique

But wait there's more: But the former Destiny's Child star was not done there with shinning brighter than a diamond, she added some more bling with a crystal hairpiece

But wait, there's more sparkle. Kelly added some serious dollar signs to her glittering collection courtesy of some large rings and diamond earrings by jeweller to the stars Lorraine Schwartz.

The singing star further accessorized her look with a pair of metallic silver strappy heels and a small hard cased clutch.

With so much sparkle already, Kelly keep her makeup to simple with bronze tones on her eyes and just a slick of natural coloured gloss on her lips.

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Ladies' night: Kelly partied the night away at the event with pal La La Anthony, who wowed without the same amount of crystals

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Added extras: The singing star further accessorized her look with a pair of metallic silver strappy heels and a small hard cased clutch

Kelly partied the night away at the event with pal La La Anthony, who wowed without the same amount of crystals.

The 36-year-old beauty encased her curves in a black high neck gown with a diamond collar.

Going for a sleek less is more theme, La La wore her dark hair slicked back.

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Sleek and chic: The 36-year-old beauty encased her curves in a black high neck gown with a diamond collar

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Got the sparkle memo: The ladies later caught up with Elton and his husband David Furnish

Besides getting to watch the Oscars surrounded in stars but with the benefit of free flowing liquor and food, the pair were also treated to a performance by the man himself, Elton John.

The ladies later caught up with Elton and his husband David Furnish.

Kelly was in good sparkle company with the singer and his spouse as both men wore some spakley ensembles as well.

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Oh boy! La La and Kelly posed up for a snap with singer Boy George inside the star-studded event

Just Music-No Categories-Enjoy It!

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Jack Feierman, Trumpeter and Musical Director for Legendary Acts, Dies at 91

5:08 PM PST 2/26/2016 by Mike Barnes

Jack Feierman

Courtesy of Judith Feierman

He worked with Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme for more than two decades as well as with Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Count Basie, Stan Kenton and Johnny Mathis.

Jack Feierman, a composer, conductor, arranger and trumpeter who played with Count Basie’s band and served as the musical director for Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme for more than two decades, has died. He was 91.

Feierman, who performed with most every size orchestra, from swing bands to symphonies, died Jan. 19 at his home in Sherman Oaks after a battle with cancer, his wife, Judith, told The Hollywood Reporter.

He was the first trumpet with the Count Basie Orchestra and played in bands fronted by Stan Kenton, Woody Herman and Billy May.

Feierman also served as musical conductor for such acts as Frank Sinatra, Johnny Mathis, Sergio Mendes, Jose Feliciano, The Osmonds, The Lennon Sisters and Natalie Cole.

On television, he worked with Elvis Presley, Andy Williams, Dean Martin, Phyllis Diller and the NBC Orchestra; on such series as Charlie’s Angels, Barney Miller and Starsky & Hutch; and on award shows including the Emmys, the Grammys and the Golden Globes.

A native of Omaha, Neb., Feierman studied piano at age 4 and then switched to trumpet in his early teens as he aspired to become a singer and dancer. He studied at the Eastman School of Music and had a New York cabaret act that was written by Woody Allen.

Feierman conducted symphony orchestras at Carnegie Hall and Madison Square Garden and in such cities as Pittsburgh, Denver, Dallas, New Orleans, Atlanta and Melbourne, Australia.

For many years, he taught conducting techniques at the Dick Grove School of Music in Studio City and at UCLA. He was performing until a week before his death and died while an album by jazz cornetist Bix Beiderbecke played at his bedside.

In addition to his wife of more than 20 years, survivors include his daughter Jackie and stepson Brad.

A memorial will take place starting at 2 p.m. on March 12 at the Musicians Union of Hollywood.

Idris Elba, Aldis Hodge Salute Black Men in Hollywood at Icon Mann Dinner

Lamarco McClendon

PHOTO BY ANDREAS BRANCH/VARIETY/REX/SHUTTERSTOCK

FEBRUARY 27, 2016 | 09:35AM PT

As Hollywood prepares to celebrate its biggest night in film, some of the industry’s biggest names in black entertainment — including Idris Elba, Michael Ealy, Boris Kodjoe, Anthony Hemingway,Stephen Hill, Malcolm Jamal Warner, Evan Ross, Leon Bridges and Carl Weathers — packed Mr. C Beverly Hills hotel on Friday to kick off the fourth annual Icon Mann event.

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Andreas Branch/Variety/REX/Shutterstock (5599152ar) Malcolm Jamal Warner, Boris Kodjoe, Michael Ealy and Richard Roundtree Icon Mann Power 50 Dinner, Inside, Los Angeles, America - 26 Feb 2016

Actors, journalists and Hollywood executives lined the 12th floor Starlight Ballroom — talking, laughing and exchanging handshakes as music played in the background.

The event, which culminates in an exclusive Power 50 dinner, celebrates black men in entertainment and provides a community that fosters support.

“It’s about creating the space for black men to have great fellowship of like-minded consciousness and to come together and talk about how they want to improve the world around them,” saidTamara Houston, founder and CEO of Icon Mann.

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Andreas Branch/Variety/REX/Shutterstock (5599152aj) Miss Jay Alexander, Tamara Houston and Aaron Walton Icon Mann Power 50 Dinner, Inside, Los Angeles, America - 26 Feb 2016

As a talent manager and producer, Houston said her first goal was to start with entertainers, because of the wealth of influence they carry.

“If we can get those men on a similar thought pattern of connectivity, we’re going to get more diversity in stories, we’re going to get more diversity in character, and what happens when you do that is you start to change a consciousness, and then we are part of the inclusion.”

Honoree Richard Roundtree, who rose to fame for his portrayal in “Shaft,” sparked Houston’s creation of Icon Mann after she heard him say at an Essence Festival that he had never been in a room filled with the fellowship of black people in the industry.

“Given what we’re going through politically and with the Academy Awards, this is an important evening for us to come together and celebrate each other,” Roundtree said. “We are as important as any other man walking, and to not be acknowledged for the successes that we have had is an injustice.”

It was the consensus among the men in the room that diversity in film and entertainment be celebrated –especially with the lack of inclusion with this year’s Oscar nominees.

“We go to the movie theaters and we want to see ourselves on the screen and we want to see the stories that we can tell,” said Steven Caple Jr., whose film “The Land” recently premiered at Sundance. “We have been well-aware of the kind of stories that have been portrayed about us, but there is less and less of us behind the screen or on camera.”

Caple Jr. said he feels it’s one of his responsibilities to showcase ethnic groups on the screen.

“Straight Outta Compton” star Aldis Hodge said the cultural contribution of ethnic groups — Hispanics, Asians, Indians — has been downplayed. “Our audience is a mix of colors. That’s who we service, and we have a responsibility to acknowledge them by showing them that we recognize who they are.”

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Andreas Branch/Variety/REX/Shutterstock (5599152q) Mike Jackson and Aldis Hodge Icon Mann Power 50 Dinner, Inside, Los Angeles, America - 26 Feb 2016

While much of the diversity discussion has centered on the Oscars, the stars in the room felt the discussion needs to go much further — and it isn’t only about recognition.

“The infrastructure of Hollywood is extremely exclusionary,” said Roland Martin, journalist and host of News One Now. “A few will get in and they will rise to a certain level, but that’s it. Michael Bay is worth half a billion dollars. Show me one black director.”

The Oscar controversy did not take away from Icon Mann’s main purpose.

The event, which consisted of a cocktail party, dinner and after-party, also included a performance from Grammy nominated singer Mali Music and a group photo with the honorees.

Martina McBride on Making Her Return With 'Really Fresh' New Single 'Reckless' and Her Upcoming Album

2/26/2016 by Chuck Dauphin

Martina McBride photographed in 2016.

JOSEPH LLANES

Martina McBride returns to the mainstream country fold with “Reckless,” her new single, which was released on Friday. After a successful detour with her pop covers album Everlasting, the new release marks her first radio single since 2012’s “Marry Me,” a collaboration with Train’s Pat Monahan.

“It is really different,” the four-time CMA female vocalist of the year tells Billboard about "Reckless." “I think it has a really fresh sound. Vocally, I feel that it’s very reminiscent of things I’ve done in the past.”

And though McBride -- who's the married mom of three daughters -- isn't exactly the poster child for being reckless, she reasons that the song does resonate for her.

“Well, there are all kinds of ‘reckless,'” the singer explains. “Probably the time when I was the most reckless was when I was 19 or 20 years old, and singing in clubs until all hours of the morning, trying to get my career started. Luckily, that was when I met [sound engineer husband] John and got things together. But, I think it can mean a lot of things -- from moving across the country for a new job or loving someone. I think we all have reckless points in our lives, for sure.”

“Reckless” is the debut release on Nash Icon for McBride. However, it’s not her first time working with Scott Borchetta: Eleven, her most recent country disc, was released by Republic Nashville in the fall of 2011. “I love working with Scott and all the people at Big Machine. They are such a talented team. We had the best time working on Eleven. When we parted, we said that if we had the right project, we’d definitely work together again," says McBride. "It was the perfect fit for me -- being on the label with Reba, Ronnie Dunn, and Hank Williams, Jr. -- all artists I look up to, It seemed like a great and an exciting idea and model for a label. I’m just ecstatic to get to work together again. We’re having a blast in setting up this record.”

The single was written by Zach Crowell, Heather Morgan and Sarah Buxton with Nathan Chapman and Dann Huff handling the production duties, about whom McBride says "have so much talent, and we’ve had so much fun in the studio. It’s been an awesome experience.”

The trio are also putting the finishing touches on the new album, set for release later this year. The creative process is something that the country star says she loves now as much as she did 20 years ago -- and some of the music on the new album might have a familiar feel.

“We’re going to start mixing this week. We’re done recording, just working on vocals and overdubs. ‘Reckless’ is probably the most different-sounding thing on the record. What I love about this album is that it reminds me of Evolution (1997) in that there are a lot of different styles and sounds," McBride says. "There’s some things that are a little more country, and then some that are country-pop. It just feels really good. I’ve found ten amazing songs, and it’s just an exciting time. I can’t wait for people to hear it.”

Mad Max: Fury Road Exclusive: Courtney Eaton On High School and Gods of Egypt

By Fred Topel on May 13, 2015

Mad Max: Fury Road introduces another new corner to the post-apocalyptic Australian universe. When Max Rockatansky (Tom Hardy) is captured, he joins the escape of Furiosa (Charlize Theron) and the five women she’s rescuing from Immortan Joe. Those include well known actors Rosie Huntington-Whitely, Zoe Kravitz and Riley Keough, along with two new faces, Abbey Lee and Courtney Eaton.

I met Lee and Eaton in Los Angeles for interviews about Mad Max: Fury Road, their first film. Both were models who are now full time actors thanks to Mad Max creator George Miller. Mad Max: Fury Road opens Friday, May 15 with early shows Thursday at 7PM.

Nerd Report: This is your first movie. How did this happen for you?

Courtney Eaton: Yeah, it’s crazy. I was still in school. I was with a modeling agency. I was too young to be doing anything and the casting directors came and found me and asked me to audition. I got a few callbacks and I got it. And then I fell in love with acting and I just keep going.

Nerd Report: Where were you going to school?

Courtney Eaton: Bunbury Cathedral Grammar School. It was high school in West Australia.

Nerd Report: Did they already know the look they were going for, or did they develop that with you?

Courtney Eaton: George’s characters and stories come to him in dreams, so he’s really specific when he’s casting. Both Abbey and I were the last to be cast.

Nerd Report: So you fell in love with acting. Do you expect every movie to be as intense as Mad Max: Fury Road?

Courtney Eaton: No, I think Mad Max is kind of like a one off. Nothing’s going to come close to the experience.

Nerd Report: Were you excited to be around all the big cars?

Courtney Eaton: Yes. It was pretty rad. I loved the second unit which was all the stunts and the cars. It was fun going over there and watching all that. It was pretty amazing.

Nerd Report: Did you get to work on the big rig?

Courtney Eaton: At the salt lake place, we were out pushing tires and trying to get the car going again.

Nerd Report: Did you have to sit in the backseat for every scene just for continuity?

Courtney Eaton: Yeah, we were in the back of it for the majority of the film until I go over to the Gigahorse or we’re on the Vuvalinis’ motorbikes. We’re in that rig a lot.

Nerd Report: How hot was the sand in the Namibian desert?

Courtney Eaton: It was freezing. Everyone thinks it was hot. It was freezing. It was their winter. Riley got hypothermia. It was that cold. We had hot water bottles and jackets. It was really cold.

Nerd Report: You’re barefoot on the sand and I was worried it would be hot. Did it actually freeze you?

Courtney Eaton: Yeah, we were trying to keep warm a lot of the time. We had hot chocolate and big coats and water bottles, and then we’d all snuggle up. We’re in the back so we all had the five of us to cuddle up with.

Mad Max: Fury Road

Nerd Report: In that one scene, you’re all sleeping on top of each other. Was that fun?

Courtney Eaton: Between takes, we were sleeping. We were in there a lot so we just napped and ate in there. It was our home away from home.

Nerd Report: How many costume fittings did you have for Ceedo the Fragile?

Courtney Eaton: I mean, not that many. We only really had like two because our costumes are pretty simple. They’re just rags and each have their own personality, but it was quick.

Nerd Report: They look simple, but were they carefully designed so we can tell you each apart?

Courtney Eaton: Oh, definitely. Everyone has their own little flair to their costumes.

Nerd Report: Did Charlize Theron become like a protective mother to the four of you?

Courtney Eaton: Yeah, we were talking about her before. In real life she was our protector and she took us under her wing because we were all out of sorts. We were in the middle of the desert for six months so she definitely looked after us.

Nerd Report: Are you looking forward to doing a quiet character drama next?

Courtney Eaton: I’m open to anything. Indies, I just did another action film, so I’m open to anything. I’m a very go with the flow person, so whatever comes my way that I like the look of and that excites me, I go with it.

Nerd Report: What’s Gods of Egypt?

Courtney Eaton: Gods of Egypt is directed by Alex Proyas and he’s incredible and lots of fun. A lot of action. It’s really interesting.

Nerd Report: Do you play a character from Egyptian mythology?

Courtney Eaton: No, I’m one of the humans. I play the love interest of Bek who is played by Brenton Thwaites. We’re the humans that help the Gods save Egypt.

Nerd Report: Do you get to be hands on in battle again like in Mad Max: Fury Road?

Courtney Eaton: Not really. I’m more the, I wouldn’t say the damsel in distress, but everyone’s trying to help me. I’m not in the action. I wish I was.

Nerd Report: Are you going on auditions now?

Courtney Eaton: Yeah, I live here now. I’m just concentrating on press for this and when I finish this, I’m going to start press for Gods of Egypt, so it’s busy right now.

Nerd Report: And waiting for everyone to see Mad Max: Fury Road.

Courtney Eaton: Yeah, not long until everyone sees it so it’ll be good.

Mad Max: Fury Road

Nerd Report: Even though you fell into acting, did you ever think about being an action heroine?

Courtney Eaton: No, I never thought of acting as a career. At school I did drama and I wasn’t shy, but I didn’t like getting up in front of people and performing in that sense. So I didn’t think that that was ever going to happen. Then I learned that it wasn’t like that.

Nerd Report: Are you more comfortable doing it for cameras?

Courtney Eaton: Definitely. I don’t think I could do theater right now, but maybe some day down the track. It’s different.

Nerd Report: Why do you think that is? What made you more at home on a set in front of cameras?

Courtney Eaton: I don’t think I’d be able to pinpoint it, but you kind of blank out how many people are there. I don’t know, you’re in a kind of world.

Nerd Report: How have you adjusted to living in Los Angeles?

Courtney Eaton: I traveled a lot before moving out here so I’m used to living abroad. It’s nice and the weather’s very similar to Australia which is nice. It’s good. I have a lot of friends out here so it’s nice.

Nerd Report: It is similar? I’ve never been to Australia.

Courtney Eaton: Yeah, the weather is pretty similar to Australia and your winter is the same as ours so it’s nice.

Nerd Report: What was Namibia like while shooting Mad Max: Fury Road?

Courtney Eaton: We were there for six months. It was a lot of sand. It was the desert. We were in a really small town. There wasn’t much to do but we just had each other and it was fun.

COURTNEY EATON GOES FROM BEING ONE OF MAX'S MAD HOTTIES TO A GODDESS OF EGYPT

3 days agoby: Droz

You'll probably recognize actress and model Courtney Eaton from her role in MAD MAX: FURY ROAD, playing Cheedo the Fragile, one of Immortan Joe's wives. It was an appropriate name, as Courtney's job throughout the movie was to be terrified in every scene:

Courtney Eaton Mad Max

Courtney's new gig is in the special effects heavy GODS OF EGYPT, something that looked like the typical brainless CGI snoozefest from the start and now seems to be proving itself exactly that.

Brilliant or shitty movies aside, I do enjoy the look of Courtney here.

riley keough abbey lee 2016 critics choice 04

Her heritage in particular is fascinating to me. She's got Chinese, Maori, Cook Islander, and English ancestry - a delightfully varied and colorful background which shows when you look at her.

Her beauty reflects a little piece of all those different parts of the world in equal measure, combining them all together to produce a completely unique kind of hotness.

I'm all for that. Any kind of beauty that differs from the norm is just fine by me.

By Andy Daglas

11 hours ago

What to watch on Monday, February 29...

12:01am Pacific, Hulu
11/22/63
Jake gets a new ally, a new job, and a new love interest in “Other Voices, Other Rooms.” Even his mission takes on new twists, as his reconnaissance of Lee Harvey Oswald reveals unanticipated threats to President Kennedy.

SEASON 10 PREMIERE, 8pm, NBC
The Voice
Blind auditions are held for judges Christina Aguilera, Adam Levine, Blake Shelton, andPharrell Williams. Meanwhile, NBCUniversal continues to ignore my suggestions that they do a show in Venice, California, so they can bill an episode as the Venetian blind auditions.

SPRING PREMIERE, 8pm, Fox
Gotham
“Wrath of the Villains: Mr. Freeze” finds Gordon and Bullock investigating the body-thieving of Gotham City’s coldest crook (Nathan Darrow). And for a double-dose of dastardliness, Penguin crosses paths with Arkham Asylum’s most sinister psychologist, Hugo Strange (B.D. Wong).

8pm, CBS
Supergirl
In “Solitude,” Supergirl goes up against deadly sentient supercomputer Indigo (Smallville SupergirlLaura Vandervoort), who has a connection to the Kryptonian’s past. She must travel to her cousin’s Fortress of Solitude in search of a way to take the digital criminal offline.

8pm, The CW
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend
“Josh and I Go to Los Angeles!” sends Rebecca and Josh to the City of Angels to present their case, but they’ll have to wrestle with more personal, emotional trials along the way. Back in West Covina, Greg struggles with his feelings for Rebecca while Darryl and White Josh explore their new feelings for each other. Also, B.J. Novak is involved for some reason!

8pm, Freeform
The Fosters
A student raises concerns about the depiction of suicide in Brandon’s Romeo and Julietproduction in “EQ.” Elsewhere, Stef teaches a youth outreach class for a police department program, and Rita’s daughter seeks Callie’s help getting through to Rita.

8:30pm, TBS
American Dad!
In “Kiss Kiss, Cam Cam,” Stan and Francine enjoy fun at the old ballpark on her birthday, but whiff on their kiss-cam moment in embarrassing fashion. In more civic-minded shenanigans, Steve and Roger travel to Nevada to help clean polluted water.

DOCUMENTARY PREMIERE, 9pm, HBO
Mavis!
A profile of soul and gospel singer Mavis Staples, who made an indelible mark on 1960s and ‘70s America through both her signature sound and her efforts in the civil rights movement. The documentary includes performance footage, archival material, and reflections from Bob Dylan,Bonnie Raitt, Chuck D, and other collaborators.

9pm, The CW
Jane the Virgin
Now that Jane and Michael are an item once again, she tries to patch up his differences with Rafael… with, shall we say, limited success. Meanwhile in “Chapter Thirty-Five,” Xo and Rogelio can’t quite let go of coupledom, Rafael is oblivious to Petra and her pregnancy needs, and Rogelio hires the assistant of his dreams.

9pm, CBS
Scorpion
Sylvester hits the jackpot on The Price is Right in “The Fast & The Nerdiest,” and he, host Drew Carey, and announcer George Gray are shocked—shocked!—that you would suspect some sort of CBS employee bias at work here. In missions slightly more challenging than guessing the price of an Amana dishwasher without going over, the team infiltrates an elite car smuggling ring that has gotten into the bioweapons business.

9pm, TNT
Major Crimes
The discovery of another victim in “Hindsight, Part 3” impels Sharon to refocus on former detective Mark Hickman, whose proximity to the crimes are what we in the crime-fighting business call “fishy.” Meanwhile, more murders threaten to escalate gangland tensions, and Tao digs up dirt on the lawyer who has been a thorn in the LAPD’s side.

9pm, Syfy
The Magicians
A professor challenges the first-years both academically and personally in “The Mayakovsky Circumstance. Will that inspire the students to inaugurate the Dead Wizards’ Society? Elsewhere, Julia grapples with the notion of accepting help and how that could impact her magical future.

9pm, Fox
Lucifer
Chloe’s latest case is a bit too humdrum for Lucifer’s tastes in “Favorite Son,” so he blows her off. That is, until he realizes that something of great personal importance was stolen from him during the crime. Do not mess with the Devil’s authentic, mint-condition 1905 Ty Cobb rookie card, y’all.

9pm, TBS
Angie Tribeca
Tribeca and Geils investigate illegal ferret smuggling in “Ferret Royale,” an investigation that draws them into a high-stakes poker game.

9pm, Freeform
Recovery Road
Maddie tries to help Trish through a crisis, Charlotte tries to learn more about Maddie from Margarita, and Wes tries to keep his bearings amid chaos in the house. Meanwhile in “Heaven Backwards,” Cynthia and Craig bond.

SPRING PREMIERE, 10pm, NBC
Blindspot
In “Cease Forcing Enemy,” Jane must decide whether she can trust Oscar even as she comes to grips with the revelations about her tattoos. And one of those tattoos leads the team to a surprising discovery in the Black Sea.

SERIES PREMIERE, 10pm, truTV
truInside
The cast and crew of Airplane! share their reflections in the opener of this documentary series focused on iconic comedy.

10pm, AMC
Better Call Saul
Jimmy cranks his showmanship up to 11 to give his business a boost in “Amarillo.” Having a rougher go of it is Mike, who tries to make sense of daughter-in-law Stacy’s disturbing news.

10pm, ABC
Castle
Castle goes undercover as a French Canadian immigrant to investigate an ESL student’s murder in “And Justice for All.” Of course, donning a fake mustache and pretending to be the bumbling “Inspector Château” may not be the most subtle of approaches.

10pm, Syfy
Lost Girl
“Family Portrait” finds Bo attempting to learn the truth that will reconcile conflicting versions of her past. Might she rely on the assistance of the all-powerful deity Ret-Con?

10pm, CBS
NCIS: Los Angeles
“Revenge Deferred” sends Sam and Callen to Africa, where a boatload of surveillance footage of Sam’s family has turned up. As they try to get to the bottom of the snooping, the family is transported to a safe house.

10pm, PBS
Independent Lens
Wilhelmina’s War tells the story of Wilhelmina Dixon, a 62-year-old South Carolina woman who cares for a family in which five people have contracted HIV. Filmed over the course of five years, the documentary examines the challenges of detecting and treating HIV in poor communities, many in the rural South, as well as how those challenges have been compounded by the decision of states such as South Carolina to reject the Affordable Care Act’s Medicaid expansion provision.

10:30pm, TBS
Full Frontal with Samantha Bee
Samantha visits a Texas abortion clinic to examine how new restrictions are harming women.

11pm, Syfy
Bitten
Elena has a hard time persuading Jeremy to protect her blood family from the Russian Alpha in “Right Behind You.” If a punch card for a free sandwich at Mr. Blimpee’s with eight of the 10 holes punched isn’t enough incentive, what on Earth could be? Elsewhere, Nick catches on to Roman’s plans.

LATE-NITE:
– Angela Bassett, Jay Duplass, and Peter Frampton on Conan, 11pm, TBS
– Morris Chestnut The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, 11pm, Comedy Central
– Daveed Diggs on The Nightly Show With Larry Wilmore, 11:30pm, Comedy Central
– Steve Martin & Edie Brickell, Martin Freeman, and a performance by the Broadway cast of Bright Star on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, 11:35pm, NBC
– Spike Jonez, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, and Jack Garratt on Late Show with Stephen Colbert, 11:35pm, CBS
– Andy Samberg, Ginner Goodwin, and The Strumbellas on Jimmy Kimmel Live, 11:35pm, ABC
– Carson Daly, Kristen Schaal, Nada Surf, and Patrick Carney on Late Night with Seth Meyers, 12:35am, NBC
– Ellen Page, Paul Rust, and Jenny Slate on The Late Late Show with James Corden, 12:37am, CBS

Just Music-No Categories-Enjoy It!

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Cool Hand Luke Oscar winner and Naked Gun character actor George Kennedy dies at the age of 91

He died Sunday in Boise, Idaho - he had been in hospice care for a month
The actor won an Oscar for the 1967 movie Cool Hand Luke
Kennedy's movies also include Spartacus, Lonely Are the Brave, The Sons of Katie Elder, The Dirty Dozen, Earthquake and Death on the Nile
He last worked with Mark Wahlberg in the 2014 film The Gambler

By HEIDI PARKER and CHRISTINE RENDON FOR DAILYMAIL.COM

PUBLISHED: 17:27 EST, 29 February 2016 | UPDATED: 04:10 EST, 1

George Kennedy has died at the age of 91.

The actor - who won an Oscar for the 1967 movie Cool Hand Luke before going on to star in The Guns of the Magnificent Seven, Airport and the Naked Gun series - passed away on Sunday in Boise, Idaho.

In his career Kennedy carved out a niche as one of Hollywood's most recognizable supporting actors.

Scroll down for video

Gone too soon: George Kennedy has died at the age of 91. The actor - who won an Oscar for the 1967 movie Cool Hand Luke before going on to star in The Guns of the Magnificent Seven and the Naked Gun series - passed away on Sunday in Boise, Idaho

One of his biggest hits: The star with Leslie Nielsen in 1988's Naked Gun

George's grandson Cory Schenke said the actor had been in hospice care for the last month.

His wife Joan died last year and Cory revealed that his grandfather's health had been failing ever since.

George's movies also include Spartacus, Lonely Are the Brave, The Sons of Katie Elder, The Dirty Dozen, Earthquake and Death on the Nile. He last worked with Mark Wahlberg in the 2014 film The Gambler.

He previously spoke of his pride in his Oscar winning role in Cool Hand Luke, admitting it changed his career.

Memorable movie: His career changed when he worked with Paul Newman on the 1967 film Cool Hand Luke

He got the gold: He won an Oscar for Cool Hand Luke and said of the role: 'The marvelous thing about that movie, was that as my part progresses, I changed from a bad guy to a good guy. The moguls in Hollywood must have said, "Hey, this fellow can do something besides be a bad guy"'

He said in 1978: 'The marvellous thing about that movie, was that as my part progresses, I changed from a bad guy to a good guy.

'The moguls in Hollywood must have said, "Hey, this fellow can do something besides be a bad guy."'

In it he played a convict who is boss of a Southern chain gang, pitted against Paul Newman as the rebel prisoner who is bent on bucking the system.

Kennedy also had a TV career. He starred for three seasons as Carter McKay in the CBS drama Dallas.

He played a Sheriff too: Kennedy in a scene from the movie Dirty Dingus Magee in 1970

Another comedy: In 1978 he worked with Peter Ustinov in Death On The Nile

And he appeared on The Andy Griffith Show, Peter Gunn, Bonanza, Maverick, McHale’s Navy and Gunsmoke.

As an author, Kennedy wrote three books, including the 1983 murder mystery Murder On Location."

In 2011 he came out with the autobiography Trust Me.

The actor, who was born in New York City in 1925, began as a radio performer but set his entertainment career aside during World War II, serving with the U.S. Army for 16 years.

He had range: The veteran actor with Betty White and Justin Cooper at the premiere of Dennis The Menace Strikes Again in 1998

An interesting life: The actor, who was born in New York City in 1925, began as a radio performer but set his entertainment career aside during World War II, serving with the U.S. Army for 16 years; here he is seen in 2003

Kennedy was married four times. He married his first wife, Dorothy Gillooly in the 1940s. He was then married and divorced twice from Norma Wurman, also known as Revel Wurman, with whom he had two children. In 1978 he married Joan McCarthy, who died in September 2015. The couple adopted four children, including granddaughter Taylor, whose mother, one of their children, had drug-abuse issues.

Mark Wahlberg tweet Image copyrightTwitter Mia Farrow tweet Image copyrightTwitter

Talk show host Larry King, Family Guy creator Seth McFarlane and actor and comedian Albert Brooks also shared their thoughts.

Larry King tweet Image copyrightTwitter Seth McFarlane tweet Image copyrightTwitter Albert Brooks tweet

Rolling Stones announce 'landmark' Cuba concert

Image copyrightReutersImage captionThe show, the band's first in Cuba, follows the completion of the Stones' Latin American tour

The Rolling Stones have announced they are to give a free concert in Cuba later this month.

A band spokesman said the show in the capital Havana on 25 March was "the first open air concert in Cuba by a British rock band".

The Stones are currently on a Latin American tour due to end on 17 March in Mexico City.

The Havana gig will come three days after an historic visit to Cuba by US President Barack Obama.

In a statement, The Rolling Stones said: "We have performed in many special places during our long career, but this show in Havana is going to be a landmark event for us, and, we hope, for all our friends in Cuba too."

Image copyrightTwitterImage captionThe band announced the show on Twitter

Rock music was marginalised in Cuba for political reasons after the Cuban revolution in the 1950s which saw Fidel Castro come to power.

In 2001, Manic Street Preachers became the biggest British rock band to play in the country, putting on a show at Havana's Karl Marx Theatre which was attended by the Cuban president.

The Stones' America Latina Ole tour also includes shows in Brazil, Peru and Colombia.

The Havana gig will be filmed by director Paul Dugdale, who has previously worked with One Direction, Adele and Coldplay.

Listen to Glynne confirming Glastonbury appearance

Getty Images

Earlier, we told you about Jess Glynne confirming she will be playing Glastonbury this summer.

Now you can hear the full interview on Radio 4's Woman's Hour, as well as hear Jess perform her new single live.

During the interview, Jess was asked by presenter Jane Garvey whether she'd be performing at the festival.

She sounded a little hesitant initially, but then confirmed it after getting the go-ahead from her manager.

The 26-year-old she was "so excited" to be playing the festival after having to pull out last year because of vocal surgery.

Here's exactly what she said.

Yeah I think... so. [Pauses] I didn't know whether it's been announced or not. [Laughs] Okay, yeah, we are doing Glastonbury. I'm so excited! I didn't get to do it last year.

Maids stars reflect on play revival's 'resonance'

Neil Smith

Entertainment reporter

Laura Carmichael, Uzo Aduba and Zawe Ashton in The Maids

Marc Brenner

The stars of a new West End production of Jean Genet's The Maids have told the BBC that staging a play with three actresses - two of them black - in the theatre closest to the Houses of Parliament holds a special resonance at a time when issues of diversity and inclusion have been major talking points in the entertainment industry.

"I feel that three women standing on stage in the West End on Whitehall, two minutes from Parliament, is a brilliant bit of visibility," said Zawe Ashton, who appears with US actress Uzo Aduba and Downton Abbey star Laura Carmichael at London's Trafalgar Studios.

"Our very presence feels like a bit of activism in itself. And yes, Uzo and I being of colour and playing these incredible lead roles that don’t come along that often... there is definitely a conversation to be had."

Jamie Lloyd's revival of Genet's 69-year-old play had its official opening on Monday, just a few hours after the Oscars - an event that was rocked this year by controversy and discord over its all-white line-up of acting nominees - came to an end in Los Angeles.

Marc Brenner

Yet Aduba, known to millions as "Crazy Eyes" in Netflix prison drama Orange is the New Black, believes the issue goes far beyond the concerns of one high-profile awards ceremony.

"I’m not as hung-up on the Oscars as I am in having interesting stories to tell and produce," she told the BBC on Monday.

"The conversation needs to step back and say, what are the stories we are investing in? They’re clearly being written so it’s more about: what are we putting out there into the ether?"

Marc Brenner

As for Carmichael, the chance to play a flighty mistress whose maids - the roles played by Ashton and Aduba - fantasise about murdering offered an intriguing flip-side to her role as Downton's aristocratic Lady Edith.

"It's not a happy relationship, so I guess it’s a different take on that upstairs-downstairs theme," she mused.

"But it explores so much more. It's about being repressed and being held captive, and the feelings of how unfair life can be."

Carmichael had support on Monday from her former Downton co-star Elizabeth McGovern, who admitted she had not had a wink of sleep since appearing as a pundit on Sky's overnight Oscars broadcast.

The Maids, which contains adult themes and some very strong language, runs until 21 May .

Adele tour kicks off in Belfast

Getty Images

Fresh from winning four Brit Awards last week, Adele took to the stage last night for her first UK gig since 2011.

If you're in a rush, here's a quick round-up:

She opened with Hello, performed 18 songs (three of which were part of an encore) and closed with Rolling in the Deep.
She didn't speak until 15 minutes into the show - explaining that she was advised to sing three songs before saying anything to the audience to try and calm her nerves.

She drank a cup of tea on stage (see above) - proving that despite moving to the US, she'll always be a British girl at heart.

We're glad to say she performed our favourite song (Rumour Has It, obvs) - but did she perform yours? Our music reporter Mark Savage has included the full setlist in his round-up of the show, which you can read here.

Oh, and if you haven't had a chance yet to read Will Gompertz's survey of Adele's career... well, you should.

Is that really you, Britney? Miss Spears is almost unrecognizable in racy new covers for V magazine

By HEATHER WAUGH FOR DAILYMAIL.COM

PUBLISHED: 13:29 EST, 1 March 2016 | UPDATED: 16:50 EST, 1 March 2016

Britney Spears shows off her fit figure in a series of sultry new images for V magazine.

The singer is almost unrecognizable as she shows off her killer cheekbones with dramatic eye-makeup in the shots by famed photographer Mario Testino.

The 34-year-old poses in a variety of racy outfits and lingerie in the shoot which celebrates the 100th edition of the magazine.

Scroll down for video

Sultry: Britney Spears poses in lingerie for a new V Magazine shoot celebrating the 100th issue of the publication

In the accompanying interview, the star reflects on her career and says she is no longer bothered about media scrutiny.

'Whoever is in the spotlight, people are really quick to judge. I mean, there are a lot of kids coming up who've experienced that. You know, Justin Bieber, he's huge, and he experiences that. It's just the way the world works, unfortunately.

Hot stuff: Britney, 34, rests her head on some strong thighs belonging to a male model in one of the images

The Toxic hit maker poses in lingerie and sports dramatic smokey eye-makeup in the series of shots

'I've been doing this for 20 years. I kind of don't pay attention to it. I have my relationship with God and myself and that's what matters to me. I really don't care what most people think.'

The mother of Sean Preston, 10, and Jayden James, nine, also talked excitedly about her upcoming ninth studio album.

'Honestly, I'm just particular with this record. It's my baby, and so I really want it done right. I would much rather have it be completely how I want it to be, whether that takes another year for me to do, or two months. I have no idea at this point.'

Impressive! Britney shared a snap of her fit form on Tuesday during a workout with her niece Lexie

Out and about: The Pretty Girls singer stocked up on craft supplies at Hobby Lobby in LA on Tuesday

The dancing pays off! The star showed off her shapely pins in black shorts and platform heels for the outing

In her interview Britney reflected on media scrutiny: 'I've been doing this for 20 years. I kind of don't pay attention to it. I have my relationship with God and myself and that's what matters to me. I really don't care what most people think.' She is pictured out in December

Huge success: It was announced this week that duo to extraordinary demand Britney has added 24 more shows to her Las Vegas Piece of Me residency between June and September

She added: I just know that the direction I'm going in is so good. It's the best thing I've done in a long time. I'm proud of the work, and it's very different; it's not what you would think at all.'

Britney is currently on the second leg of her Las Vegas residency at Planet Hollywood and the Piece of Me show is such a hit that extra dates have been announced for this year.

Looking amazing: The songstress paraded in lingerie in a teaser clip from new video for Girls Just Wanna Have Fun last week

Just Music-No Categories-Enjoy It!

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JoeBala

Jhene Aiko Reveals What “Drives” Her For ‘Ford Culture Collabs’

NEWSR&B NEWS

Jhene Aiko is collaborating with Ford Motor Company for their campaign Ford Culture Collabs, which kicked off in November with an audiovisual collaboration of mural installations in Detroit, Venice Beach and San Francisco. Iconic music producer Alchemist, artistic crew The Seventh Letter, DJ Va$htie Kola, and Aiko performed at the installation in Venice Beach in November.

Now, Ford Culture Collabs has extended beyond the mural installations with video content to capture with the musicians. Ford is taking you inside the studio to see what “drives” these musicians to create music that moves people.

As for Aiko, she says every day life drives her art. “I’m inspired by life, I’m inspired by my emotions,” Aiko says in the clip below, which also includes footage from her Venice Beach performance.

“Culture Collabs” is an extension of Ford’s “By Design” ad campaign that debuted in October 2015, spotlighting the latest lineup of Ford vehicles. The campaign aligns with the new overall brand expression – energy and cultural relevance.

Listen! Brian McKnight’s Album ‘Better’ Is Now Available For Streaming

NEWSR&B NEWS

Brian-McKnight-Better-Album-Cover

On Friday (Feb. 26), Brian McKnight dropped his twelfth studio album Better.

Headed by the first single “Uh Oh Feeling” then the title track “Better,” the veteran crooner is back and clearly “better” than ever, creating the warm, feel-good tunes that make him a staple in an R&B lover’s musical collection.

Songs like “Just Waiting” imparts McKnight’s jazzy side and “Like I Do” can be grouped with his signature piano ballads, but he also drops some different flavors on the LP, as well. On “Goodbye” featuring Hawaiian singer Kimie Miner, he meshes a bit of her reggae sound for a cute, tropical duet. “Get You Into My Life” is one of the album’s standout tracks; on the subdued, gritty banger with L.A. rapper Glasses Malone, McKnight expresses his intent desire to get his love interest in his presence.

McKnight hasn’t lost a beat!

Better follows his 2013 album “More Than Words.” Stream “Better” below via Spotify and purchase on iTunes HERE.

Iggy Azalea wishes she could 'erase 2015' after a string of bitter feuds... but admits she 'still hates Azealia Banks' as she poses for sexy cover shoot

By IONA KIRBY FOR DAILYMAIL.COM

PUBLISHED: 14:09 EST, 1 March 2016 | UPDATED: 15:35 EST, 1 March 2016

She got into several online spats last year, and Iggy Azalea wishes that she could have a do-over.

The 25-year-old graces the cover of Elle Canada's April issue, and admitted to the magazine that she has some regrets over her very public feuds.

'If I could, I would Men in Black memory-erase 2015, I totally would—that would be amazing!' she confessed. 'Oh, God, there are so many things.'

Scroll down for video

Regrets, she's had a few: Iggy Azalea told the new issue of Elle Canada that she wishes she could 'memory-erase 2015'

Iggy cited her row with Azealia Banks as 'what really started it all'. The feud began in December 2014 when Azealia accused her fellow rapper of not caring about 'black issues'.

However Fancy hit-maker Iggy insisted that she was dismissing the 24-year-old for 'personal' reasons - and that she does support the Black Lives Matter movement.

'We don’t like each other on a personal level, and that has gone on for many years—before the Black Lives Matter incident happened,' Iggy told Elle Canada.

'So when I dismissed her, people started to think that I dismissed the whole movement, but I wasn’t trying to dismiss Black Lives Matter—I was trying to dismiss her because it’s our personal s***.

Smoking hot: The rapper also took part in a racy photo shoot for the magazine

Her side of the story: Iggy explained her row with Azealia Banks, insisting that she does support the Black Lives Matter movement

She added: 'I don’t think the subject matter of her tweet was invalid; I just think it was emotionally charged and driven by something else, and the whole thing got so misconstrued.

'I just wish I had acknowledged the issue head-on because it made people think I don’t care about what’s going on socially and what’s happening in America, and I do care.'

Iggy concluded by saying that despite her regrets about how the feud played out, that doesn't change her feelings towards Azealia.

'Even though I still hate Azealia Banks, I wish I had said it in a way that didn’t make people think I was oblivious to the movement,' she said.

Bad blood: The 25-year-old said: 'Even though I still hate Azealia Banks, I wish I had said it in a way that didn’t make people think I was oblivious to the movement'

Defending her decision to go under the knife: Iggy thinks we should be more accepting of people wanting plastic surgery

The row began when Azealia called Iggy out for not weighing in on the decision not to indict NYPD officer Daniel Paantaleo for the chokehold death of Eric Garner, an unarmed black man.

'It's funny to see people Like Igloo Australia silent when these things happen... Black Culture is cool, but black issues sure aren't huh?' Azealia tweeted.

Iggy, born Amethyst Amelia Kelly, responded with a lengthy Twitter rant, accusing Azealia of 'bullying others' and branding her 'poisonous'.

'It's tough': The Fancy hit-maker also said she tries to avoid reading negative online comments about herself

The Australian additionally admitted to Elle Canada that she wishes she 'hadn’t gotten into a fight with Papa John’s'.

Iggy slammed the pizza chain on Twitter after a delivery guy handed out her phone number, and rejected an apology offered to her by the company.

The star also used the interview to defend her decision to go under the knife, saying that she believes people should be more receptive of plastic surgery in this day and age.

Coming soon: Elle Canada's April 2016 issue hits newsstands on March 4

'I think, in 2016, people should be more accepting of the fact that both famous and non-famous women are having cosmetic procedures,' she said. 'That’s just the reality. And I think more people need to admit that s*** so it doesn’t have to be so taboo—because we’re all doing it anyway.

'I wanted to change my nose because I didn’t grow up with a bump on it—that happened when I got smashed in the face with a soccer ball when I was 16. Now I feel like my nose looks the way it’s supposed to look.'

She added: 'But for how long do we have to acknowledge that I got a nose job? For the rest of my life? Am I going to be 45 and people are still saying "Nice nose job"?'

Meanwhile, Iggy admitted that she no longer looks at online comments anymore, because the negativity can be so 'tough'.

'Well, I say that, but I’m only human,' she said after revealing she won't read comments. 'I love talking to fans, but then you end up in some random comment section and accidentally find things that can really affect you—whether you realize it or not at the time. It’s tough.'

As well as her candid interview, Iggy posed for a racy photo shoot for the magazine, in which she stripped down to a black off-the-shoulder leotard and dark lipstick for one shot, and a strapless top and split-to-the-thigh skirt for another.

On the cover, the rapper can be seen smouldering at the camera as she pulls open her blue low-cut shirt, flashing some cleavage in the process.

The April issue of Elle Canada hits newsstands on March 4.

By Andy Daglas

15 hours ago

What to watch on Tuesday, March 1...

SEASON 1 FINALE, 8pm, ABC
The Muppets
After Miss Piggy is injured during a dance rehearsal in “Generally Inhospitable,” the crew broadcasts Up Late from the hospital while Rizzo, Pepe, and Yolanda stay behind to run interference on Pache. Then in “Because...Love,” Kermit consults rocker Jack White for advice as he and Piggy reexamine their relationship.

8pm, NBC
The Voice
Blind auditions roll on in the second part of the season premiere. It will probably be just like last night’s episode, except Tuesdayer.

8pm, CBS
NCIS
Each of the agents notices errors in an apparently clear-cut closed case in “After Hours.” (For one thing, contrary to the official report, “blurder” is not a crime.) That throws their personal plans into disarray, even as McGee and Delilah argue about discussing work during dinner and as DiNozzo finds his date even less interested in hearing about his professional exploits.

8pm, Freeform
Pretty Little Liars
In the wake of Emily’s near-death experience, the Liars begin to suspect there may be something to these threats after all. Meanwhile in “Burn This,” Hanna avoids her personal life, Aria and Ezra make progress with the novel, and Spencer offers her shoulder to Caleb, who’s shouldering blame for the leak.

8pm, Fox
New Girl
“Heat Wave,” sadly, does not find the gang testing their mettle against one of The Flash’s most dangerous Rogues, but instead finds Nick and Reagan competing to outfit the loft with the snazziest A.C. Elsewhere, Winston deploys his “cop voice” as he and Schmidt prep Cece for a newscaster audition.

8:30pm, Fox
Grandfathered
Jimmy is thrown for a loop when he becomes smitten with a dynamic CEO (Regina Hall) in “Catherine Sanders.”

SEASON 2 FINALE, 9pm, ABC
Marvel’s Agent Carter
Peggy and the Carterettes undertake one last perilous mission in “Hollywood Ending,” and not everyone may make it back alive. In the process, Peggy urges Howard to eradicate Zero Matter once and for all (or at least until it’s narratively convenient for it to return in the MCU).

9pm, PBS
American Experience
“Space Men” chronicles the early history of America’s space program, including the crucial missions of balloonists, parachuters, and others who braved extreme altitudes during the 1950s and 1960s. And yet, still no proper credit for Wile E. Coyote’s breakthrough discovery that one can hover in mid-air so long as one does not look down.

9pm, MTV
Teen Wolf
Now that they know the true identity of “The Beast of Beacon Hills,” Scott and the gang hurry to foil the Dread Doctors’ diabolical scheme. And the Doctors would’ve gotten away with it, if not for those darn kids and their wolf!

9pm, Fox
Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Amy and Jake housesit when Holt visits Kevin in Paris, but it turns into a search-and-rescue after the captain’s beloved pup goes missing. Elsewhere in “Cheddar,” the Nine-Nine is turned topsy-turvy by Rosa’s dalliance with Adrian Pimento.

9pm, TNT
Rizzoli & Isles
Gun violence fatally tears through a typically calm neighborhood in “East Meets West,” and the ensuing investigation leads Jane and Maura to a secretive Eastern European gang. Along the way, Maura fights a fever and deals with the side effects of Angela and Kent’s home remedies.

9pm, WGN America
Outsiders
In “Weapons,” the Farrells pay the price for Big Foster’s gun love (not a euphemism).

9:30pm, Fox
The Grinder
Conspiracy swirls around Sanderson & Yao in “From the Ashes,” and only the Grinder can save the day. But can Stewart persuade Dean, who has enrolled in real-life law school, to resurrect his TV persona?

SEASON 1 FINALE, 10pm, MTV
The Shannara Chronicles
“Ellcrys” concludes the freshman season with Wil and Amberle racing to reach the titular tree, as Allanon and Ander lead the Elvin forces against the Dagda Mor and his demons in pitched battle.

10pm, FX
American Crime Story: The People v. O.J. Simpson
“The Race Card” pits Christopher Darden against Johnnie Cochran in court as the trial gets underway. Later, the jury visits the crime scene.

LATE-NITE:
– Bob Odenkirk, sex expert Dr. Jennifer Berman, and Carmen Lynch on Conan, 11pm, TBS
– Neal Brennan on The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, 11pm, Comedy Central
– Malcolm Gladwell on The Nightly Show With Larry Wilmore, 11:30pm, Comedy Central
– Margot Robbie, Michael McKean, Kevin Delaney, and Jimmy Greene on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, 11:35pm, NBC
– Christina Hendricks, Chrissy Teigen, and Adam Savage on Late Show with Stephen Colbert, 11:35pm, CBS
– Will Forte, Ross Marquand, and Mike Snow on Jimmy Kimmel Live, 11:35pm, ABC
– Jennifer Lopez, Morris Chestnut, Joel Grey, and Patrick Carney on Late Night with Seth Meyers, 12:35am, NBC
– Freida Pinto and Saffron Burrows on The Late Late Show with James Corden, 12:37am, CBS

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Exclusive Photos: Elvis Presley's Palm Springs home

March 1, 20167:31 AM MST

Elvis Presley owned this Palm Springs estate from 1970 until his death in 1977

Trina Yannicos

Not many people realize that when Elvis Presley died, he owned two homes: the Graceland mansion in Tennessee and a home on the West Coast sometimes referred to as “Graceland West.” Far enough away from Hollywood to maintain privacy, Presley’s Palm Springs home was his favorite getaway when he could not be at home in Memphis.

Palm Springs, California – known as “The Playground of the Stars” in its heyday – was a popular vacation spot for the Hollywood crowd in the 1950s and 1960s. Only two hours from Los Angeles, Palm Springs was convenient for a quick weekend getaway from Hollywood, and close enough to return quickly in case of a filming emergency.

In the 1960s, Elvis’ manager, Colonel Parker moved to Palm Springs and urged Elvis to come out and visit. In September 1966, Elvis and Priscilla rented a house for one year, now known as the “Honeymoon House.” The house at 1350 Ladera Circle is where they spent their first night as a married couple on May 1, 1967.

In April 1970, Elvis and Priscilla decided to purchase their own house in Palm Springs at 845 W. Chino Canyon Road. They put $20,000 as a down payment and financed $85,000 for a total purchase price of $105,000. The home was originally built in 1946 by renowned architect Albert Frey for the Jergens family, known for their skincare products. In 1960, Ray Kroc, the founder of McDonald’s Corporation, purchased the home.

When Elvis bought the house located on a 1.75-acre lot, it was 3,500 square feet. After Elvis and Priscilla got divorced in 1973, Elvis expanded the house with an additional 1,500 square feet. By 1974, Elvis had added a party room with checkerboard flooring, a sauna, a new bedroom with red carpet and two bathrooms with red and white tile.

Elvis would spend an average of about three months in Palm Springs every year. The expansion of the property enabled the transition from a family atmosphere to, as Elvis’ pal Jerry Schilling described, “more of a boys’ club feel” during weekends at the Palm Springs estate.

Since this desert city was famous for having many celebrity residents, Elvis would often run into other entertainers in Palm Springs. “We’d find ourselves hanging out for a night at Liberace’s house, or riding around in a Rolls-Royce Elvis had borrowed from Sammy Davis Jr., at Sammy’s insistence,” Jerry Schilling recalled.

Elvis Presley enjoyed Palm Springs because of the perfect nighttime temperature of the desert. The extremely hot temperatures during the day didn’t bother Elvis because he would be sleeping until the late afternoon, even putting tin foil on the windows to keep out the daytime sun. Nighttime was the perfect time to have parties by the pool or the outside jacuzzi in Palm Springs.

Special acoustic tile was installed by RCA on the ceiling of the living room for a two-day recording session in September 1973. Presley recorded the songs “Are You Sincere,” “I Miss You” and “Sweet Angeline” at the makeshift studio in his Palm Springs home.

After Elvis died, the 4-bedroom 7-bath home, which features an outdoor pool, an indoor sauna and a steam room, was sold to singer Frankie Valli. Over the years, the home has been owned by a variety of owners.

The photos of the house included in this article were taken in 2009 when the author was granted access to the home under the ownership of Reno Fontana. Since then, the home went into bank foreclosure in 2014 and was sold later that year for $1.5 million to an unknown buyer.

For more fascinating Elvis Presley stories, check out the author’s book, ELVIS: Behind The Legend: Startling Truths About The King of Rock and Roll’s Life, Loves, Films and Music

Daisy Ridley reveals she's recorded a duet with 'legendary awe-inspiring jaw-dropping superstar' Barbra Streisand

By RACHEL MCGRATH FOR DAILYMAIL.COM

PUBLISHED: 16:40 EST, 1 March 2016 | UPDATED: 17:52 EST, 1 March 2016

Daisy Ridley has revealed she's recorded a duet with Barbra Streisand.

The Star Wars star teamed up with the legendary singer at a recording session on Saturday.

After teasing that no-one would ever guess the identity of her music partner, the actress, 23, finally shared an Instagram photo Tuesday showing her with Streisand.

Who knew? Daisy Ridley and Barbra Streisand, pictured together at a recording studio on Saturday, have made a duet together. The Star Wars star posted the photo to her Instagram on Tuesday

At the Oscars the English actress told E! she'd worked with 'a legendary awe-inspiring jaw-dropping superstar.'

And after making the big reveal, Ridley wrote alongside the social media pic: 'I'm gonna end this spate of pictures detailing my insane weekend with this... Ummmmmmmmmmmm...'

How the two came to team up remains a mystery.

It's also not known what they recorded during their session in LA the day before the Oscars.

Still a mystery: It's not known how the English actress, 23, and the legendary singer, 73, came to work together nor has Ridley revealed what they recorded

Streisand, 73, has spent six decades at the top of the entertainment industry as a singer, songwriter, actress and director.

She's recorded duets with a number of famous artists including Neil Diamond, Donna Summer and Barry Gibb.

She's also won Academy Awards, Golden Globes and Grammys and is the most successful female recording artist in history.

Talented: Star Wars director J.J. Abrams has described his leading lady's singing voice as 'the most beautiful' he's ever heard. The pair are pictured during rehearsals for the Academy Awards on Saturday

Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens director J.J. Abrams spilled the beans last week that his lead actress had told him she was going to record with 'a massive superstar.'

And he said Ridley, who plays Rey in the sci-fi saga, is quite the songbird.

'One day on set, she just started singing and had the most beautiful voice I ever heard,' he told E!.

Ridley also showed off her voice when she and Star Wars co-star Oscar Isaac sang a duet of Baby, It’s Cold Outside while promoting their movie during a Twitter chat in December.

Ridley returned home to the UK following Sunday's Oscars to resume filming on Star Wars: Episode VIII.

Pretty: Ridley was in Los Angeles to attend the Oscars on Sunday where she wowed on the red carpet in a low-cut silver gray gown and matching shoes

Back on set: The actress, who plays Rey in the new Star Wars films, is busy shooting the next installment of the series back in her native Britain.

Shutterstock

Shots Fired: Fox's Racially Charged Event Series Adds Selma Star

By Rebecca Iannucci / March 1 2016, 12:45 PM PST

Fox’s upcoming ripped-from-the-headlines drama Shots Fired has found its male lead in Selma actor Stephan James, TVLine has learned.

Co-created by Gina Prince-Bythewood (Love & Basketball) and Reggie Rock Bythewood (Notorious), the project — which was ordered to series in December — stars Sanaa Lathan (Love & Basketball) as an expert investigator digging into a series of racially charged shootings in a small Tennessee town.

James will co-star as Preston, a special prosecutor sent to the town by the Department of Justice. Together, he and Lathan’s sleuth must navigate the media attention, public debate and social unrest that comes with such volatile cases, as they seek justice before the divided town erupts.

In addition to his work in Selma, James has appeared on Degrassi: The Next Generation, The L.A. Complex and can currently be seen as Olympian Jesse Owens in the film Race.

Courtesy of Fox

Superhuman Game Show Formally Ordered to Series at Fox

By Rebecca Iannucci / March 1 2016, 12:11 PM PST

Fox has developed an extraordinary interest in Superhuman.

The unscripted competition series — which aired as a two-hour special in January — has been formally picked up for an eight-episode season , TVLine has learned exclusively.

Hosted by Kal Penn (House), the one-hour installments will test the abilities of ordinary people who possess — you guessed it! — nearly superhuman skills in areas such as memory, hearing, taste, touch, smell and sight. (Think you fit the bill? Online casting calls are now open here.)

Fun fact: The U.S. is the seventh territory where Superhuman will launch; it has previously been adapted in Germany, China, Italy, Brazil, Spain and France.

Shutterstock

Cruel Intentions: NBC Pilot Casts Diva Actress in Reese Witherspoon Role

By Kimberly Roots / March 1 2016, 11:51 AM PST

Cruel Intentions has found quite the Diva (alum) to fill Reese Witherspoon’s shoes: Drop Dead Diva‘s Kate Levering has been tapped to play Annette Hargrove in NBC’s pilot based on the 1999 movie , our sister site Deadline reports.

Picking up over 15 years after the end of the movie, the potential series follows the cunning Kathryn Merteuil — played by Sarah Michelle Gellar, reprising her film role — as she vies for control of Valmont International as well as the soul of Bash Casey (American Crime‘s Taylor John Smith), the son of the late Sebastian Valmont and Annette. Upon discovering his late father’s legacy in a hidden journal, Bash is introduced to a world of sex, money, power and corruption he never could have imagined.

Per the pilot’s official synopsis, Annette’s reappearance in Kathryn’s life throws the socialite for a pretty huge loop, though the master manipulator doesn’t let on.

Levering played Kim Kaswell for six seasons on Diva. Her TV credits also include Cashmere Mafia, Kevin Hill, NCIS: Los Angeles and White Collar.

Shutterstock

Vanessa Williams to Star in The View-Skewering Satan's Sisters at VH1

By Michael Slezak / March 1 2016, 10:14 AM PST

Vanessa Williams is getting dragged back to hell — but it’s got nothing to do with her last series regular role on ABC’s short-lived 666 Park Avenue.

The legendary Ugly Betty actress will star in VH1’s upcoming Satan’s Sisters, a scripted series based on The View‘s erstwhile panelist Star Jones’ 2011 roman à clef of the same name. Our sister site Deadline broke the news.

The hour-long drama follows the five female hosts of The Lunch Hour, “a long-running, popular ladies’ talk show in which alliances are forged, careers are made, and bridges are burned,” according to the network’s official release.

Deadline reports that Williams will play Lunch Hour creator/host Maxine, “a formidable, powerful and decisive woman who fears she’s being put out to pasture.”

VH1 is eyeing a 2017 premiere for Satan’s Sisters.

Williams recently recurred on CBS’ The Good Wife and USA’s Royal Pains, in addition to a starring role in the Lifetime movie The Trip to Bountiful.

Courtesy of Shutterstock

Dirty Dancing: Nicole Scherzinger Cast as Penny in ABC Remake

By Michael Slezak / March 1 2016, 9:30 AM PST

ABC’s Dirty Dancing remake is putting the “cat” in the Catskills.

Former Pussycat Dolls frontwoman Nicole Scherzinger (Best Time Ever with Neil Patrick Harris) has landed the role of Penny, the dancer partner of leading man Johnny, whose unexpected pregnancy and subsequent abortion provide a major source of drama in Johnny’s romance with Baby in the early ’60s-set drama. The role of Penny was originated on the big screen by Cynthia Rhodes.

Johnny and Penny, of course, are part of the working-class entertainment staff at an upstate New York resort where Baby and her wealthy family vacation.

Previously announced cast members for the Lionsgate-produced three-hour reboot of the 1987 big-screen smash include Scream Queens‘ Abigail Breslin (as Baby), dancer Colt Prattes (as Johnny) and The Mysteries of Laura‘s Debra Messing (as Baby’s mother, Marjorie Houseman).

Scherzinger’s acting credits include guest spots on How I Met Your Mother andWizards of Waverly Place — as well as stage roles in Rent at the Hollywood Bowl and the 2014 London revival of Cats.

‘Zoo’: Josh Salatin & Alyssa Diaz Join Season 2 Cast Of CBS Summer Series

by Denise PetskiMarch 1, 2016 3:00pm

Photos: Wendy Hall/CBS

Josh Salatin (Show Me A Hero) and Alyssa Diaz (Army Wives) are set as series regulars on the second season of CBS summer drama series Zoo. Based on the No. 1 bestseller by James Patterson, Zoo, from CBS TV Studios, is a global thriller about a wave of violent animal attacks against humans across the planet.

Salatin will play Logan, a mysterious stranger Jamie encounters who may be holding a dangerous secret from her. Diaz is Dariela, part of a military unit which encounters a strange and troubling new development in the animal mutation.

Salatin, repped by UTA and Industry Entertainment, was last seen on HBO miniseries Show Me A Hero playing younger brother to Nick (Oscar Isaac). Diaz has had recurring roles on Ray Donovan and Vampire Diaries and played the series regular role of Gloria on Army Wives. She’s repped by Joseph Le Talent Agency and Swerissen Management.

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Smash's Krysta Rodriguez Cast in NBC's The Trail Comedy Pilot

By Vlada Gelman / February 29 2016, 5:00 PM PST

Krysta Rodriguez, please raise your right hand, and solemnly swear to bring the LOLs.

The Smash alumna is set to co-star in The Trail, NBC’s documentary-style comedy pilot about a high-profile murder trial in a small southern town, TVLine has learned.

Penned by Jeff Astrof (Angie Tribeca, Ground Floor) and Matt Miller (Forever), the potential series follows a young, big-city lawyer (Gotham‘s Nicholas D’Agosto) and his oddball defense team.

Rodriguez will play Summer, the free-spirited adopted daughter of beloved poetry professor Larry Henderson (How I Met Your Mother‘s John Lithgow), who is accused of murdering his wife. Steven Boyer (Broadway’s Hand to God), Sherri Shepherd (How I Met Your Mother) and Jayma Mays (Glee) round out the cast.

Rodriguez’s other TV credits include guest spots on Chasing Life and The Mysteries of Laura.

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Alias Vet Merrin Dungey Joins ABC'sConviction Drama Pilot

By Vlada Gelman / February 29 2016, 3:30 PM PST

Evil Francie is getting dragged into court!

Alias and Once Upon a Time vet Merrin Dungey has landed a supporting role inConviction, ABC’s legal drama pilot starring Agent Carter‘s Hayley Atwell, TVLine has learned.

The potential series revolves around a young attorney (Atwell), who is blackmailed into taking a job as the head of Los Angeles’ newly created Conviction Integrity Unit. With her team, she examines cases where there’s credible suspicion that the wrong person may have been convicted of a crime.

Dungey will play Maxine, a former NYPD detective and the unit’s lead investigator, who finds her loyalty to the badge tested as she delves into her former colleagues’ cases.

The cast also includes Shawn Ashmore (The Following), Emily Kinney (The Walking Dead) and Manny Montana (Graceland).

Mark Gordon and Nick Pepper will executive-produce the pilot with co-creators Liz Friedman and Liz Friedlander. Friedman wrote the pilot, and Friedlander will direct.

Dungey — whose sister, Channing, was recently named ABC’s entertainment president — recently appeared on Brooklyn Nine-Nine and Chasing Life.

Shutterstock

POI's Sarah Shahi Is CBS' Nancy Drew

By Michael Ausiello / February 29 2016, 12:45 PM PST

CBS’ big Nancy Drew mystery has been solved: Person of Interest‘s Sarah Shahihas nabbed the coveted title role in the network’s contemporary take on the classic Carolyn Keene novels.

Drew, which has thus far only received a pilot order, finds the iconic crime solver — now in her thirties — putting her “uncanny observational skills” to work as a detective for the NYPD, while also navigating “the complexities of life in a modern world.”

CBS president Glenn Geller recently confirmed that the network was seeking a “diverse” actress to take on the role of Nancy. “I’d be open to any ethnicity,” he said. “We’re not casting color-blind, we’re casting color-conscious. It’s not ‘the best actor wins,’ it’s the right roles for diversity. … It really is about being conscious of what America looks like.”

Shahi joins a cast that also includes ER‘s Anthony Edwards (as Nancy’s dad),Graceland‘s Vanessa Ferlito (as a fellow NYPD detective) and The Good Wife‘s Felix Solis (as Nancy’s boss at the NYPD).

Joan Rater and Tony Phelan (Grey’s Anatomy) will co-write and executive-produce with Dan Jinks.

In addition to multiple film adaptations, Nancy Drew has been brought to the small screen three times: The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries, which ran from 1977 to 1979; the one-and-done 1995 Nancy Drew series; and the 2002 TV movie (originally intended as a series), which starred Maggie Lawson as the amateur sleuth.

Shahi returned to Person of Interest on a full-time basis for the yet-to-be-scheduled Season 5, after taking a maternity leave. Curiously, TVLine has learned that the actress’ deal puts Drew in first position ahead of a potential — yet extremely unlikely — sixth season of POI. “My guess is [Season 5] is the final season,” executive producer J.J. Abrams said last month at the Television Critics Association winter press tour. “The only heartbreak there is how much good story there was to come if it were to have continued.”

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Essence Fest 2016 lineup: Kendrick Lamar, Mariah Carey, Ciara, Maxwell head to New Orleans

By Chelsea Brasted, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune
Email the author | Follow on Twitter
on March 01, 2016 at 9:00 AM, updated March 01, 2016 at 5:25 PM

Kendrick Lamar will return to headline Essence Fest in 2016. Mariah Carey, Ciara and Maxwell join him at the top of the bill.

The festival, which features big name musical acts, panel discussions, cultural conversations and workshops for four days, returns on June 30. The music will get started the next night, on Friday, July 1. The festival wraps up on Sunday, July 3.

Also on the lineup are New Edition, Babyface, Charlie Wilson, Faith Evans, Leon Bridges, Jeremih, Lion Babe, Dej Loaf, The Internet, BJ The Chicago Kid, Cyril Neville, Daley, Digable Planets, Doug E. Fresh, Eric Bellinger, Estelle, Jidenna, Judith Hill, Kelly Price, Lady Leshurr, Lala Hathaway, Little Simz, Mali Music, MC Lyte, Tyrese, The Brand New Heavies, Preservation Hall Brass Band, the New Breed Brass Band, Tink and V. Bozeman.

The festival will also debut its World Music Superlounge, an addition to the event focused on music from around the world, according to a release. On its stage in 2016 will be Zakes Bantwini and Skye Wanda to represent Durban, South Africa, where Essence Fest recently announced an expansion of its events.

Additional artists will be added to the lineup later, according to the release with the Tuesday (March 1) announcement.

Essence Fest 2016: Dates,...ravel tips

Heading to Essence Fest 2016 in New Orleans? Here's all you need to know to go.

The 2016 lineup represents quite a few returns, including headliner Kendrick Lamar, who was at the festival just last year. He's had a banner year since he was last at Essence, however. He's ridden a wave of success after the release of "To Pimp a Butterfly," recently winning five Grammys for the endeavor. Lamar also went on tour, dubbed "Kunta's Groove Sessions," in the fall in support of the album, performing in club size venues with a backing band.

Mariah Carey, whose last album release came in May 2015 with "#1 to Infinity," takes a break in March from her Las Vegas residency at Caesar's Palace to hit the road for the European leg of her Sweet Sweet Fantasy Tour.

Ciara, Maxwell, Charlie Wilson, Babyface and New Edition also represent Essence Fest returns, but Mariah Carey, Leon Bridges, Jeremih, Lion Babe, Dej Loaf and The Internet will arrive as newcomers to the festival.

Tickets for the three nights of music inside the Mercedes Benz Superdome are already available and can be purchased through TicketMaster starting at $130.50, plus applicable fees. Center stage VIP packages for all three nights go up to $2,700. Get full details through TicketMaster.

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Zoe Saldana's Nina Simone Biopic Is Finally Getting Released

By Josiah Hughes

Published Mar 02, 2016

Zoe Saldana's Nina Simone Biopic Is Finally Getting Released

The long-awaited Nina Simone biopic Nina has been plagued with controversies and false starts. The film initially had Mary J. Blige attached in 2010, but it was controversially recast with Zoe Saldana in the titular role.

As NPR reported in 2012, Saldana's role in the film caused an uproar due to her skin-tone, which is much lighter than the iconic singer's. Nina Simone's daughter Simone Kelly also told L.A. Weekly that she didn't approve of the film.

Either way, after a long wait, Nina is finally set for a release in April. With that announcement comes our first proper taste of the film via a poster (available above) and a trailer (available below, via Entertainment Weekly).

Along with Saldana, the film stars David Oyewolo. It was written and directed by Cynthia Mort, and will arrive in select theatres and on video-on-demand on April 22.

Here's Our First Taste of Cameron Crowe's Musical 'Roadies' TV Series

By Josiah Hughes

Published Feb 12, 2016

Here's Our First Taste of Cameron Crowe's Musical 'Roadies' TV Series

Cameron Crowe, the fabled director of Almost Famous and Jerry Maguire along with lesser movies like Aloha, is finally stepping into the TV game. Today, we get the first taste of his new television series Roadies.

Thematically, the show appears to take a similar approach to Almost Famous as it follows the behind-the-scenes life of a touring rock show. Roadies stars Imogen Poots, Carla Gugino, Luke Wilson and even Machine Gun Kelly. It was created, written and directed by Crowe, who also executive produced alongside J.J. Abrams and Winnie Holzman.

Here's how an official write-up describes the show:

Roadies gives an insider's look at the reckless, romantic, funny and often poignant lives of a committed group of "roadies" who live for music and the de facto family they've formed along the way. The music-infused ensemble comedy series chronicles the rock world through the eyes of music's unsung heroes and puts the spotlight on the backstage workers who put the show on the road while touring the United States for a successful arena-level band.

Roadies could either be a heart-warming dramedy or the cheesiest thing you'll see on TV this year. We'll find out for sure when it hits Showtime on June 26.

Chvrches and Death Cab For Cutie confirm plans for joint tour Get Tickets

They'll be hitting the road together in June

PRESS/DANNY CLINCH

JOANNE MARSH, 1ST MARCH 2016

Chvrches and Death Cab For Cutie have announced details of a joint tour.

In June, both groups will co-headline a string of dates across the US, coinciding with their own separate schedules.

Chvrches are currently on the road in support of their last album ‘Every Open Eye’, while Death Cab For Cutie are touring with their recent LP, ‘Kintsugi’.
NME

They will kick off their joint jaunt on June 7 in Cleveland, Ohio, before going onto the likes of New York, Florida and North Carolina.

Chvrches will also be in the UK this summer, where they will play the Reading and Leeds Festival across the weekend of August 26-27.

They recently premiered the music video for ‘Clearest Blue’, which saw Lauren Mayberry channeling Game Of Thrones by wearing a suit of armour.

The video was directed by Warren Fu and shows an armour-clad Mayberry being led through the forest by bandmates Iain Cook and Martin Doherty to a nightclub where she dances. Meanwhile, a man who begins the video laid out with a mystery note in front of him, slowly makes his way to the same nightclub.
NME

ELIOT HAZEL/PRESS

Chvrches released their second album 'Every Open Eye' in September 2015, the follow up to 2013 album 'The Bones Of What You Believe'. 'Clearest Blue' appears on the album alongside previous singles 'Leave A Trace' and 'Empty Threat’.

Chvrches and Death Cab For Cutie tour dates are as follows. You can also find the full touring schedule for each band via Pitchfork .

06-07 Cleveland, OH - Jacobs Pavilion at Nautica
06-08 Canandaigua, NY - Constellation Brands-Marvin Performing Arts Center
06-10 Manchester, TN - Bonnaroo Music + Arts Festival
06-14 St. Augustine, FL - St. Augustine Amphitheater
06-15 Charleston, SC - Volvo Cars Stadium
06-16 Charlotte, NC - The Uptown Amphitheater

21 Albums To Get Excited About In 2016

The 1975
‘I Like It When You Sleep, For You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware Of It’
The 1975 frontman Matt Healy has always talked openly in interviews about his personal struggles, particularly drug abuse and his band’s creepily-titled second album sets those issues to tunes indebted to 'Young Americans'-era Bowie, ‘80s soft rock, U2 and INXS.
RELEASE DATE: February 26

Photo: PRESS

Added: 05 Jan 2016
Radiohead
TBC
The Internet blew up last week when it emerged the band had set up a company named 'Dawn Chorus' in October 2015. Rumours of a new album abound due to the band's previous activity.

In July 2007, they founded Xurbia Xendless Ltd in advance of 'In Rainbows', while in December 2010 they formed Ticker Tape Ltd ahead of 'The King of Limbs' (2011).
RELEASE DATE: TBC

Photo: Getty

Added: 25 Feb 2014
Kanye West
‘Swish’
Kanye's teased various tracks over the last 12 months, including the belligerent ‘All Day’ and the moody, house-inspired ‘Fade’, while working with everyone from Vic Mensa and Ty Dolla $ign to Sia and Sir Paul McCartney. Will ‘Swish’ be as dazzling and epochal as its creator obviously hopes? Probably.
RELEASE DATE: February 11

Photo: Getty

Added: 05 Jan 2016
Skepta
‘Konnichiwa’
Despite only releasing one single last year – the mighty ‘Shutdown’ – Skepta was one of 2015’s prime movers. Perhaps it’s no surprise that follow-up album ‘Konnichiwa’ has been so long in coming; Skepta now finds himself in the position of representing not just himself, but an entire culture. Yet if anyone can carry that weight, it’s him.
RELEASE DATE: TBC

Photo: Jordan Hughes

Added: 05 Jan 2016
Frank Ocean
‘Boys Don’t Cry’
Frank Ocean’s debut, ‘Channel Orange’, was widely regarded as the best album of 2012. The follow-up was promised for July 2015 but has yet to arrive. A few demos have trickled online – notably the minimalist ‘Memrise’ and stomping ‘Feel California’ – but the wait continues.
RELEASE DATE: TBC

Photo: PRESS

Added: 05 Jan 2016
The Last Shadow Puppets
Title: 'Everything You've Come To Expect'
Turner and Kane's 2007 debut, ‘The Age Of The Understatement’, inspired a resurgence in classic ‘60s pop with its fresh slant on the era of Scott Walker and Burt Bacharach. With Arctic Monkeys still out of action, its follow-up is avidly anticipated by the retro-futurist pop tarts among us.
RELEASE DATE: April

Photo: PRESS

Added: 05 Jan 2016
Gorillaz
Title: TBC
The return of Gorillaz, the cartoonified, big-beated electronica string to Damon Albarn’s bow, was confirmed last year by the project’s creative director, artist Jamie Hewlett. A picture of David Bowie posted to Hewlett’s Instagram seems to suggest guest vocalists for the virtual band’s fifth album will be bigger than ever.
RELEASE DATE: TBC

Photo: PRESS

Added: 05 Jan 2016
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Title: TBC
The LA funk-rock legends have shed their old-school and longtime producer, Rick Rubin, in favour of the more versatile Danger Mouse for album number 11. Anthony Kiedis has said they’ve got a whopping 30 songs to whittle down. Twenty-two years into the Chilis’ career, change could be afoot.
RELEASE DATE: Spring 2016

Photo: Clara Balzary

Added: 05 Jan 2016
Major Lazer
‘Music Is The Weapon’
Hot on the heels of 2015’s ‘Peace Is The Mission’ comes the fourth album from Diplo, Jillionaire and Walshy Fire’s electro-dancehall project. “It’ll be in the same spectrum, just super-well-written songs with really great production that the entire world can understand,” explained MC Walshy last summer.
RELEASE DATE: TBC

Photo: Dan Wilton/Red Bull Content Pool

Added: 05 Jan 2016
Run The Jewels
Title: Run The Jewels 3
Killer Mike and El-P announced plans for their third collaboration last summer. "Every chance we get we are working hard on it," wrote El-P on Twitter and it seems like all their efforts will pay off later this year. Prepare yourself for some bombastic, politically turned on rap genius.
RELEASE DATE: TBC

Photo: Dean Chalkley

Added: 18 Feb 2015
Ariana Grande
'Moonlight'
Pop pickers are in for a treat in 2016, as vocalist Ariana Grande will be putting out her third album. She's confirmed two tracks via Snapchat - 'Be Alright' and 'Moonlight' - while previously released single 'Focus' has also made the cut.
RELEASE DATE: TBC

Photo: Getty

Added: 02 Jul 2014
DIIV
'Is The Is Are'
The album will be the follow up to the Brooklyn band's 2012 debut 'Oshin', with the group previously describing their new material as "darker" than their first full-length. Blimey.
RELEASE DATE: February 5

Photo: Getty

Added: 07 Jan 2016
Sunflower Bean
'Human Ceremony'
The Brooklyn three piece's debut is full of breathy vocals and ice-bright guitars, it’ll shock those who previously thought of the band as Tame Impala psych kids or Black Sabbath riff merchants.
RELEASE DATE: February 5

Photo: Press

Added: 07 Jan 2016
PJ Harvey
Title: 'The Hope Six Demolition Project'
The album was conceived during PJ Harvey and filmmaker Seamus Murphy's travels between 2011-2014 to destinations including Kosovo, Afghanistan and Washington, DC and was recorded during public sessions at London's Somerset House last year.
RELEASE DATE: April 15

Photo: Press/Maria Mochnacz

Added: 18 Dec 2015
Drake
'Views From The 6'
It's rumoured that Drake could be releasing his new LP, like, any second now. The Canadian worked with Noah “40” Shebib on the album, and Tinashe, Willow Smith and Beyoncé are all said to be turning in guest appearances.
RELEASE DATE: TBC

Photo: Press

Added: 02 Jul 2015
Sky Ferreira
'Masochism'
The alt.pop star has long said she's working with Primal Scream's Bobby Gillespie and Andrew Innes on her new album, with desk wizardry from Haim producer Ariel Rechtshaid.
RELEASE DATE: TBC

Photo: Getty

Added: 07 Jan 2016
The xx
Title: TBC
Though he was busy releasing his own solo debut in 2015, Jamie xx was also hard at work on The xx's third LP, which is expected to come out at some point later this year. "We've got quite a lot of songs that are not finished, but I'm excited about it," he said in October. "It feels a lot more free than when we were making the last record."
RELEASE DATE: TBC

Photo: Getty

Added: 07 Jan 2016
Primal Scream
'Chaosmosis'
The band's 11th album, 'Chaosmosis' was recorded in Sweden and London. Primal Scream have announced four headline shows to accompany it, playing Aberdeen's Beach Ballroom on March 29 before taking in Glasgow's ABC, London's Palladium and Manchester's Albert Hall.
RELEASE DATE: March 18

Photo: Ross Gilmore/NME

Added: 03 Aug 2015
Deftones
Title: TBC
Frontman Chino Moreno described the sound of the LP as “out of the box” to NME, adding that it’s “full of keyboards and a lot of cool, spacey low frequencies” as well as “organic jams”.
RELEASE DATE: TBC

Photo: Press

Added: 07 Nov 2012
Lady Gaga
'LG5'
Lady Gaga's yet to announce a new album officially, but she teased "It’s LG5 Time" on Instagram back in August and we know she's been in the studio with Mark Ronson, Giorgio Moroder and 'Poker Face' producer RedOne.
RELEASE DATE: TBC

Photo: Getty

Added: 05 Jan 2016
Metronomy
Title: TBC
Last year frontman Joe Mount told fans that a new album from the seaside electronica heads would be coming in 2016 and it would be inspired by Beck and Bryan Ferry. "This new one will be very direct and big and poppy," he commented. Sold.
RELEASE DATE: TBC

Photo: Press

Added: 04 Jul 2014
Jack Garratt
'Phase'
The debut album from much-hyped Garratt was recorded predominantly at Limbo Studios, London. The album follows the EPs ‘Syenthesiac’ and ‘Remnants’. This is going to be a big year for wee Jack.
RELEASE DATE: Feburary 19

Photo: Press/Dan Harris

Added: 16 Oct 2015
Animal Collective
'Painting With'
The album is described as "warm and personal, kaleidoscopic and high definition", and the band have worked on it throughout 2015, with band member Avey Tare calling the material "really short songs: no B.S, get in, get out material…"
RELEASE DATE: February 19

Photo: Press

Added: 30 Nov 2015
Royal Blood
Title: TBC
Their self-titled debut shook 2014 to its very foundations and Mike Kerr and Ben Thatcher are set to do it all over again in 2016. The Brighton duo debuted colossal new track 'Hook, Line & Sinker' at Reading Festival, and all signs seem to point at their sound becoming even more monstrous. We are so ready.
RELEASE DATE: TBC

Photo: PRESS

Added: 05 Jan 2016

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Låpsley Asserts Her Independence on 'Long Way Home'

By Cam Lindsay

Published Feb 29, 2016

Låpsley Asserts Her Independence on 'Long Way Home'

Låpsley is an up-and-coming artist from Merseyside, UK, and the number one thing that she wants you to know is that she wrote and produced her debut album, Long Way Home. Since signing with XL Recordings and gaining buzz for a couple of introductory EPs that drew comparisons to both Adele and James Blake, the artist born Holly Lapsley Fletcher, has found herself defending the role she plays in her music — when she'd rather not.

"The issue is that I don't want to have to convince anybody," she tells Exclaim! from a promotional stop in Amsterdam. "That's what I don't like. I don't enjoy that. I don't want there to be an issue. There is a lot sexism in the industry and it's deeper than I ever thought when I entered it. I think it's so much harder to see that from the outside."

Like M.I.A. and Grimes before her, Låpsley is done with people assuming a man is behind the music. And she's hearing it most from the press writing about her.

"I think I should be judged on my music," she says. "I always ask, 'If I was a boy, would I go through the same thing?' And I don't think I would, so that's why I think it's an issue. I just want to be treated equally and I don't think I am. Especially in the press. I've done a lot of interviews and get to hear all of the questions journalists throw at you and it's quite interesting to see what people want to find out. It's quite sad at times."

Once Long Way Home drops on March 4, Låpsley will be able to show off her stuff as both a songwriter and a producer. Though when she began making the album, she learned rather quickly just how different it was moving from her home studio to the intimidatingly professional one in the XL headquarters. Thankfully, she had the studio's in-house producer and engineer Rodaidh McDonald (King Krule, The xx) to show her the ropes.

"It was scary because the only thing I've ever known is the limited equipment that I have at my studio," she says. "So I worked very closely with Rodaidh McDonald to try and understand the equipment. He was a creative facilitator in transitioning me to a professional studio producer. His role was technical, not so much creative, but my album wouldn't be what it is without his help."

The experience of learning from McDonald inspired Låpsley to go one step further: "I want to go into writing and producing for other people after a few years, so I'm training to be an engineer in the summer so I can engineer my second album."

As for that Scandinavian letter in her name, Låpsley chose it for a reason. "I wanted it to be personal, but I also wanted to change it so it wasn't directly my name," she explains. "I'm Scottish, and Scotland has a lot of history with Scandinavia, plus I have white hair, so I feel like there is some kind of a link there, so I added it. I also like how it looks on a piece of paper."

Check out Låpsley's album tracklist and upcoming North American tour dates:

Long Way Home:

1. Heartless
2. Hurt Me
3. Falling Short
4. Cliff
5. Operator (He Doesn't Call Me)
6. Painter
7. Tell Me The Truth
8. Station
9. Love Is Blind
10. Silverlake
11. Leap
12. Seven Months

Tour dates:

04/15 Indio, CA - Coachella Festival
04/20 San Francisco, CA - The Independent
04/21 Los Angeles, CA - El Rey
04/22 Indio, CA - Coachella Festival
01/25 Portland, OR - Doug Fir Lounge
04/26 Vancouver, BC - Fortune Sound Club
04/27 Seattle, WA - Chop Suey
04/30 Minneapolis, MN - 7th Street Entry
05/01 Chicago, IL - Lincoln Hall
05/03 Toronto, ON - Mod Club
05/04 Montreal, QC - Fairmount Theatre
05/05 Cambridge MA - The Sinclair
05/08 Philadelphia, PA - World Café Live
05/09 Washington, DC - U Street Music Hall
05/11 New York, NY - Music Hall of Williamsburg

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REVIEWS
SOUL, FUNK & WORLD
ALBUM

Esperanza Spalding

Emily's D+Evolution

By Michael J. Warren

Published Mar 02, 2016

On her fifth solo album, Esperanza Spalding asks, what if her younger self had not gone on to pursue jazz greatness and instead embraced her other influences? Enter Emily, the middle name Spalding was called as a child. Emily is electric and amplified, patterned and braided. She is Esperanza in Clark Kent glasses, a loose disguise signifying only a different presentation of her proven musicianship.

Emily's D+Evolution is not a pure jazz project in any sense, but instead an assortment of funk and rock records clearly drawn up by players with underlying jazz backgrounds. Production was shared between Spalding and Tony Visconti, with guitarist Matthew Stevens and drummer Karriem Riggins performing the bulk of the band duties. While the complete D+Evolutionpresentation involves a theatrical live show that's apparently aided by having read Sidney Cox's Indirections: For Those Who Want to Write, most of us will be experiencing the album in its audio form.

The common thread across the dozen tracks is perpetual motion within song structures. Songs like "Unconditional Love" and the single "Earth To Heaven" lock into compelling grooves before Spalding's characteristic vocals lift us in dreamy chord progressions. "Rest In Pleasure" is a particular treat, as it dips between sparse, gentle verses and double-timed distorted guitar choruses. "Elevate Or Operate" lands the listener right in the middle of an out of control carousel before a calm, in-control Emily sings, "Honey don't interrupt me, I'm trying to turn this thing around." With its sharp-tongued introduction and nature theme, "Ebony And Ivy" brings to mind David Axelrod's Earth Rot in what is one of the album's more interesting moments.

Emily's D+Evolution is a tough album to get a full grasp on. It's not a neat alter ego side project; rather than going the Chris Gaines route, Esperanza Spalding is again flexing her range, showing that her playing style and voice can find a home in any genre. There are moments here where she falls into a nice pocket that the listener might wish she'd remain in for a little while longer.

In interviews, Spalding has indicated the "D+" refers to a barely passing grade, having only a basic toolset with which to get by. That is a quaint idea, but you can't hide the jazz virtuoso behind a few amps and pronounced drums. Any evaluator would recognize the skill needed to stitch together such broad ideas, whether they belong to Grammy-owning Esperanza or adolescent Emily. (Concord)

Regina Belle

The Day Life Began

By Matt Bauer

Published Jan 22, 2016

It's been 15 years since Regina Belle released an R&B album proper (2001's This Is Regina, to be precise), and three decades since her debut appearance on the Manhattans' sumptuous 1986 blue light classic "Where Did We Go Wrong." But despite a consistent oeuvre, including such classic singles as 1987's "Show Me The Way," 1989's "Baby Come To Me" and "Make It Like It Was," as well as stellar albums like All By Myself, Belle is still known primarily for her blockbuster 1992 duet with Peabo Bryson, "A Whole New World." With the Heavyweights (Jamie Jones and Jack Kugell) laying down crisp, contemporary production and Belle co-writing nearly half of its tracks, The Day Life Began is a more than solid re-introduction to this oft-unsung diva.

The title track, "Imperfect Love" and "You Saw The Good In Me" are sublime slow jams that demonstrate time hasn't diminished Belle's brisk, sophisticated vocals, and despite being clearly aimed at fans of her late 1980s/early 1990s commercial peak, don't sound calculated or dated. The funk/rock/gospel bounce of "He's Alright," which surges to a glorious Sunday morning in the choir climax, "Open Our Eyes," which rocks an especially acute critique of technology over an invigorating, neo-boogie groove and the lovely, wine light jazz reverie " A Night Of Love" are all potent examples of Belle's versatility.

Aside from a superfluous cover of the late, great Phyllis Hyman's 1979 classic "You Know How To Love Me" — which, while heartfelt, comes off like a facsimile — The Day Life Began is a mature and captivating album. (Shanachie)

Thao & the Get Down Stay Down

A Man Alive

By Danielle Subject

Published Mar 02, 2016

Thao & the Get Down Stay DownA Man Alive

Thao & the Get Down Stay Down have returned with A Man Alive, a brilliant and cohesive album that surpasses expectation. It's an elaborate showcase of musical talent and diversity; styles are blended between fractured beats and uninhibited vocals, while elements of tension and release are used strongly to toy with listeners' emotions.

Unorthodox song structures make every song on A Man Alive unpredictable: subterranean bass pulsates through "Astonished Man," while the album's highlight track, "Nobody Dies," features screaming, distorted vocals from Thao. The album's use of staccato funked-out guitar and twisted synths adds the variety of different genres and sounds employed here.

But while this album is masterful in a number of ways, it's Thao's confessional element that ties everything together. "Guts" makes for a perfect break in the album, slowing A Man Alive down with intimate lyrics like "I got the guts, I don't need my blood / If the breeze leaves, with the ones I love," that provide a sense of both pain and coming to terms with it. In "Fool Forever," Thao roars "To be scarce is to be king" and in "Meticulous Bird" she claims self-ownership with lines like "I take my body back" and "Now I perch above you, meticulous bird of prey." Listeners are invited to witness Thao at her most vulnerable, but also at her most fearless.

On A Man Alive, Thao wears her heart on her sleeve, and in doing so, she's created an album that has the ability to shake its listeners from within. (Ribbon)

David Bowie's 'A Reality Tour' Live Album Gets Vinyl Reissue

By Alex Hudson

Published Feb 27, 2016

David Bowie's 'A Reality Tour' Live Album Gets Vinyl Reissue

Sadly departed glam god David Bowie's final tour took place more than a decade ago, when he embarked upon "A Reality Tour" in 2003 and 2004. That tour has since been chronicled with a 2004 DVD and a 2010 CD. Now, A Reality Tour is coming to vinyl on June 3 through Friday Music.

A Reality Tour will be released in a vinyl box set containing three clear blue 180-gram LPs. These were captured in November of 2003 at the Point in Dublin, Ireland. The records come housed in what an announcement calls "a very handsome sturdy box." It includes two poster inserts.

There are 33 tracks in all: the 30 songs from the DVD release plus three bonus cuts, which had previously been released in CD and digital versions. The songs were mastered by Joe Reagoso, and it all adds up to almost three hours of music.

See the tracklist below. The set is available to pre-order here.

Just yesterday (February 26), Bowie was treated to vinyl reissues of six classic albums: Space Oddity (1969), The Man Who Sold The World (1970), Hunky Dory(1971), The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars (1972),Aladdin Sane (1973) and Pinups (1973).

A Reality Tour:

A1. Rebel, Rebel
A2. New Killer Star
A3. Reality
A4. Fame
A5. Cactus
A6. Sister Midnight
B1. Afraid
B2. All the Young Dudes
B3. Be My Wife
B4. The Loneliest Guy
B5. The Man Who Sold the World
B6. Sunday
C1. Fantastic Voyage
C2. Hallo Spaceboy
C3. Under Pressure
C4. Life on Mars
C5. Battle for Britain (The Letter)
C6. Never Get Old
D1. Ashes to Ashes
D2. The Motel
D3. Loving the Alien
D4. Changes
D5. I'm Afraid of Americans
E1. Heroes
E2. Bring Me the Disco King
E3. Slip Away
E4. Heathen (The Rays)
F1. Five Years
F2. Hang On to Yourself
F3. Ziggy Stardust
F4. Fall Dogs Bomb the Moon (Bonus Track)
F5. Breaking Glass (Bonus Track)
F6. China Girl (Bonus Track)

HOME / NEWS / NEWS ARTICLE

Alice In Chains announced as support for Guns N’ Roses on Las Vegas tour dates

The two rock bands will perform together in April

ANDY WILLSHER/NME

Photo: Andy Willsher/NME

NME NEWS DESK, 2ND MARCH 2016

Alice In Chains have been announced as the support act for the opening weekend of Guns N’ Roses’s reunion tour.

The Seattle group will join Guns N’ Roses for the launch of their US tour at Las Vegas’s T-Mobile Arena on Friday, April 8 and Saturday, April 9.

The shows will mark the first time since 1993 that the band’s classic line-up – including Axl Rose, Slash and Duff McKagan – have performed together.

The band have previously been announced as the headline acts at this year’s Coachella festival, taking place on April 15-17 and 22-14. They are also due to play two dates in Mexico City between performances at the California festival.

More dates are expected to be announced in the near future including a stadium tour.

Rumours of an appearance at Reading and Leeds festival failed to materialise after organisers finalised the event's line-up earlier this week.

The band's former publicist, Arlett Vereecke, told Classic Rock that the guitarist has working on new Guns N' Roses material.

"I know they’re doing some recording," Vereecke reportedly said. "They’re definitely doing something there in the studio. Axl hasn’t been there, but Slash is definitely in there and it’s not for anyone else."

Guns N' Roses will play the following dates:

T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, NV (April 8, 9)
Coachella, Indio, CA (16)
Foro Sol, Mexico City, MX (19)
Coachella, Indio, CA (23)

Matthew McConaughey and Idris Elba confirmed for 'The Dark Tower'

Stephen King adaptation expected in early 2017

DAVID RENSHAW, 2ND MARCH 2016

Matthew McConaughey and Idris Elba will appear in a big screen adaptation of Stephen King's The Dark Tower.

McConaughey has long been linked to play the role of Walter Padick aka the Man in Black, while Idris Elba is expected to take on Roland Deschain aka the Gunslinger.

King confirmed the casting on Twitter yesterday. "It's official: The man in black fled across the desert and the gunslinger followed. #DarkTowerMovie @McConaughey @IdrisElba" he tweeted.

Stephen King ✔‎@StephenKing

It's official: The man in black fled across the desert and the gunslinger followed. #DarkTowerMovie @McConaughey @IdrisElba

9:28 AM - 1 Mar 2016

Based on King's 1982 novel The Gunslinger, the film will be directed by Nikolaj Arcel (A Royal Affair). Horror writer King recently spoke about meeting Idris Elba to dicuss the Gunslinger part. A version of the film with director Ron Howard, in which Javier Bardem would have taken the Gunslinger role, failed to make it to the screen.

By Andy Daglas

10 hours ago

What to watch on Wednesday, March 2...

SPRING PREMIERE, 8pm, Fox
Rosewood
Rosewood and Villa’s hunt for a serial killer takes on a newly personal dimension in “Paralytics and Priorities.” In less lethal personal problems, Villa presses the brakes on her relationship with Mike, Donna mediates between Pippy and TMI’s absentee mom, and Hornstock mulls paying a high price to become chief.

8pm, ABC
The Goldbergs
Beverly helps Erica have the time of their lives organizing “The ‘Dirty Dancing’ Dance.” That is, until it dawns on Beverly that the theme may be inappropriate, and she turns on her daughter. In other dance-related drama, Murray and Adam have trouble learning how to cut the proverbial rug.

8pm, PBS
A Year in Space
This documentary follows astronaut Scott Kelly during 12 months aboard the International Space Station, part of an effort to prepare a manned mission to Mars. While he lives among the stars, scientists back on Earth use his identical twin brother Mark as a control subject to observe the physiological effects of extended time in outer space. The second installment of this two-part series is set to air in 2017.

8pm, The CW
Greatest Animal Commercials Countdown
A celebration of the best ads exploiting humanity’s innate bond with nature to shill beer and laundry detergent. Humans Donna Lynne Champlin and Kevin Frazier host.

SERIES PREMIERE, 8:30pm & 9:30pm, ABC
The Real O’Neals
Martha Plimpton and Jay Ferguson lead the cast of this sitcom about a seemingly ideal Chicago family, whose world is turned topsy-turvy by a series of startling admissions in the pilot. Then in “The Real Papaya,” mom Eileen scrambles to put all that toothpaste back in the tube while Jimmy Kimmel offers newly out Kenny the sort of sage advice America has come to expect from its late night talk show hosts.

9pm, ABC
Modern Family
Claire’s meticulous work/life balance troubles Phil in “I Don’t Know How She Does It,” while Mitch and Cam try to figure out why everyone at their friends’ wedding is giving them the cold shoulder. Elsewhere, Jay and Gloria desperately try to sneak 40 winks when Joe’s fussy phase keeps them up at night.

9pm, Disney XD
Star Wars Rebels
“Shroud of Darkness” sends Kanan, Ezra, and Ahsoka back to the Jedi Temple on Lothal, in search of Yoda’s insights about why the Inquisitors always seem to have a bead on the rebels. Also in search of Ezra’s dry cleaning stub, which he’s pretty sure he left behind last time he was there.

9pm, NBC
Law & Order: SVU
Officials throughout the legal and political system are brought up on charges when the squad investigates a sexual exploitation case involving underage Catholic girls in “Manhattan Transfer.”

SEASON 5 FINALE, 10pm, USA
Suits
“25th Hour” finds Mike readying for the court battle that will make or break his career. He’s only got one card left to play: an elaborate Music Man-style song-and-dance number! Okay, probably not, but you and I both know that’s what it should be.

SERIES PREMIERES, 10pm & 11pm, Viceland
Gaycation / Balls Deep
Media company Vice launches its very own channel (replacing H2) for reasons known only to senior executives of media company Vice. Ellen Page hosts the first of tonight’s debuts, a travelogue with an LGBTQ tinge that kicks off in Japan. The latter program finds host Thomas Morton immersing himself in various subcultures, such as a Pentecostal ministry in the premiere.

SERIES PREMIERE, 10pm, Sundance
Hap and Leonard
James Purefoy, Michael K. Williams, and Christina Hendricks star in this six-episode adaptation of Joe R. Lansdale’s book series, which centers on the friendship between a blue-collar white draft dodger and a gay black Vietnam vet in 1980s Texas. “Savage Season” kicks it off with Hap reconnecting with a charismatic acquaintance and considering a get-rich-quick scheme.

10pm, ABC
American Crime
In the wake of the the Leyland High murder, the community reexamines its behavior since the sexual encounter between Eric and Taylor. Meanwhile, Sebastian lashes out at the school by publishing its most sensitive information, forcing Leslie to respond; and leaked information links Kevin and Becca to the shooting.

10pm, Comedy Central
Broad City
Fortune smiles on Ilana at Deals, Deals, Deals, while Soulstice Games Day throws gasoline on Abbi’s competitive fires in “Game Over.”

10pm, TV Land
Younger
After becoming taken with a manifesto for simpler living, Liza pursues the author in “The Good Shepherd.” It proves challenging because said simple-living author dwells in the knot of an old oak tree and communicates solely by bluebird.

10pm, NBC
Chicago P.D.
In “Forty-Caliber Bread Crumb,” a bank errand for his off-duty dispensary gig lands Halstead and his co-workers in the thick of a shootout with a gang of thieves. Voight and Lindsay learn that the dispensary has been threatened by gangs who are none too pleased with their new competition.

SPECIAL NIGHT, 10pm, CBS
CSI: Cyber
Cyber nemesis Python kidnaps Avery’s surrogate daughter in “Python’s Revenge,” perhaps as some form of revenge. To get her back safely they’ll need to solve a series of puzzles, each more diabolical than the last.

10pm, FXX
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia
“The Gang Goes to Hell” sends the Paddy’s crew out to sea in the first of a two-part excursion. They’re hoping that a cruise will help them break out of their usual patterns, because who ever heard of anyone getting up to depravity in international waters?

10:30pm, FXX
Man Seeking Woman
Rosa wants to make her romantic relationship exclusive in “Eel.” I believe that’s what the youths call “DTF.” Or, wait, is it “DTR”? No, I think that has something to do with internet connectivity. Damn youths and their crazy modern acronyms!

LATE-NITE:
– Sacha Baron Cohen, Jimmy Pardo, and Parquet Courts on Conan, 11pm, TBS
– Chrissy Teigen on The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, 11pm, Comedy Central
– Jon Connor & KeKe Palmer on The Nightly Show With Larry Wilmore, 11:30pm, Comedy Central
– Tina Fey, Rachel Maddow, and Santigold on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, 11:35pm, NBC
– Octavia Spencer, the cast of Fuller House, and Lucius on Late Show with Stephen Colbert, 11:35pm, CBS
– Morgan Freeman, Martha Plimpton, and Charles Kelley on Jimmy Kimmel Live, 11:35pm, ABC
– Keri Russell, Ilana Glazer & Abbi Jacobson, LP, and Patrick Carney on Late Night with Seth Meyers, 12:35am, NBC
– Lea Michele and Ginnifer Goodwin on The Late Late Show with James Corden, 12:37am, CBS

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Reply #115 posted 03/02/16 11:12am

JoeBala

Showtime’s Rolling the ‘Dice’

by Brief Staff | 02.11.2016

Comic Andrew Dice Clay comes to Showtime in the autobiographical but scripted comedy, Dice, premiering Sunday, April 10.

In the series, Dice is living and performing in Las Vegas, where he’s simultaneously trying to restart his career, pay back his gambling debts, and manage his sons’ heavy metal band.

The series also stars Kevin Corrigan, and guest stars Natasha Leggero, Lorraine Bracco, Adrien Brody, Michael Rapaport, Wayne Newton, Criss Angel and Rita Rudner.

Dice was created by Scot Armstrong and is executive produced by Armstrong, Sean Furst, Bryan Furst, Andrew Dice Clay, Bruce Rubenstein, Brian Gatewood and Alessandro Tanaka. The series is produced by Fox 21 Television Studios.

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Reply #116 posted 03/03/16 8:28am

JoeBala

Sign Of Respect: Robin Williams Tunnel Honors Late Comedian And Actor

The California tunnel connects the Golden Gate Bridge to Marin County.

03/02/2016 03:35 am ET

Dominique Mosbergen Senior Writer, The Huffington Post

Signs emblazoned with the new name of the rainbow-arched tunnel connecting the Golden Gate Bridge to Marin County in California have finally been erected.

Behold, the Robin Williams Tunnel:

According to SFGate, the signs -- one on each side of the tunnel -- were installed by Caltrans on February 29. The installation occurred several months after the California state legislature approved a bill to change...nel's name in honor of late actor/comedian Robin Williams. Previously, the structure was unofficially known as the Waldo Tunnel or the Rainbow Tunnel.

‏@RealRealJulie

#RobinWillaims Tunnel is now official. Driving through the rainbow to or from San Francisco to Marin-remember Robin.

"Robin Williams was a friend to the North Bay community of the San Francisco Bay area," the bill read. "He would often drop in unannounced at comedy nights at the 142 Throckmorton Theatre in Mill Valley. There he would encourage young, budding comedians. He did so with kindness and humility and many comedians aspired to perform with the same level of wit and insight as Robin Williams."

Williams, who died in August 2014, was a long-time resident of Marin County. Last year, a woman named Julie Wainwright started a Change.org petition to rename the tunnel as a tribute to him.

"He was my neighbor -- I often saw him running errands, walking the dog, performing at the local theater, working at the coffee shop," Wainwright wrote on the campaign page. "Robin wasn’t just an international icon -- he was an integral part of our community here in the Bay Area. We claim him as our own."

On Tuesday, Wainwright shared a photograph of one of the tunnel's new signs:

According to The Associated Press, the signs cost $3,000, and were paid for with private donations.

1. Caltrans District 4 ‏@CaltransD4 Mar 1
  
  Nanu Nanu! New R Williams Tunnel - US 101 at SF Golden Gate Bridge. First day of service. @CaltransHQ #RobinWilliams

‏@jayohwhy

The Robin Williams Tunnel sign is up! On the Marin side, heading into the city, that is. What a tremendous day!#mork

World Premiere of the New Documentary Loretta Lynn: Still a Mountain Girl

Rick Busciglio

NY TV Examiner

March 3, 20167:31 AM MST

THIRTEEN’s American Masters will present the world premiere of the documentary 'Loretta Lynn: Still a Mountain Girl,' March 4 on PBS.

David McClister

View all5 photos

The program features never-before-seen performances and new interviews with Lynn, Jack White, Sheryl Crow, Willie Nelson, Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood, Reba McEntire, Miranda Lambert, Sissy Spacek and others

Inducted into more music Halls of Fame than any female recording artist to date, Loretta Lynn (b. April 14, 1932) has earned four Grammy Awards, Kennedy Center Honors and a Presidential Medal of Freedom, and sold more than 45 million records worldwide. Still going strong after more than 50 years, “The Queen of Country Music” is now the subject of the new documentary American Masters – Loretta Lynn: Still a Mountain Girl, premiering Friday, March 4 at 9 p.m. on PBS (check local listings) during Women’s History Month as part of the 30th anniversary season of THIRTEEN’s American Masters series. The world premiere broadcast is the same day as the release of Lynn’s first new studio album in over 10 years, Full Circle (Legacy Recordings).

With unprecedented access to Lynn, her family and archives, Still a Mountain Girl features never-before-seen home movies, performances and photos, as well as insightful interviews with her friends and fellow musicians, including Jack White (producer of Lynn’s Grammy-winning album Van Lear Rose), Sheryl Crow, Willie Nelson, Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood, Reba McEntire, Miranda Lambert and Bill Anderson. The documentary also features never-before-seen footage of Lynn in the studio with producer John Carter Cash, as she records Full Circle and other new songs at the Cash Cabin Studio in Hendersonville, Tennessee. Filming with Lynn, her family and business team also took place at her ranch and other locations in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee, the community she formed as a re-creation of her Appalachia birthplace, Butcher Hollow, Kentucky, where she was raised in poverty. Other interviewees include Sissy Spacek, who starred as Lynn in the Oscar-winning biographical film of her life, Coal Miner’s Daughter (based on Lynn’s 1976 autobiography), and its director Michael Apted.

American Masters – Loretta Lynn: Still a Mountain Girl explores Lynn’s hard-fought road to stardom, her struggles to balance her marriage to Oliver “Doolittle” Lynn and six children with her music career, her friendships and collaborations with Spacek, Patsy Cline, Conway Twitty, Johnny Cash, June Carter Cash and music producer Owen Bradley, along with her life on the road, her Nashville and Hurricane Mills communities, her songwriting inspirations and her music’s lasting impact on her peers and fans.

“She’s written anti-war anthems, songs about birth control, pregnancy and divorce, all with a sincerity and honesty that transcends music genres, politics and gender,” said executive producer Elizabeth Trojian of Yap Films Inc.

“You couldn’t make up a better example of the American Dream than Loretta Lynn’s astonishing rags-to-riches story. Her 48-year marriage to Doo and their rare partnership is also one of the great love stories of our times,” said executive producer Elliott Halpern of Yap Films Inc.

“You don’t have to know country music to love Loretta Lynn,” said Michael Kantor, executive producer of American Masters. “Somehow the Lynn family makes you feel like there is a little country in all of us.”

“Being part of the American Masters series makes you feel like, ‘Hey, I really have accomplished something great’,” said Lynn.

Bob Dylan content in HBO’s Mavis Staples documentary: 'We may have smooched!'

Harold Lepidus

Bob Dylan Examiner

March 1, 20169:01 PM MST

Mavis - Promo (HBO Documentary Films)

Bob Dylan agreed to allow 15-year-old interview segments to be included in Jessica Edwards’ new documentary about gospel legend Mavis Staples, which made its television debut on HBO Sunday night. The film, titled Mavis! - The Documentary, traces her career from the early days with her family gospel group the Staples Singers, through her ups, downs, and triumphant return to glory as a solo artist. While the film covers her collaborations with Jeff Tweedy, Prince, the Band, and others, as well as testimonials from Bonnie Raitt, Chuck D., and the late civil rights leader and politician Julian Bond, here we will focus on the Dylan content.

Mavis! The Documentary

There are two segments featuring Dylan. The first, about 14 minutes in, features Dylan talking over the Staples Singers' performance of “Sit Down Servant.” In an interview from November, 2001, Dylan recalled listening to the radio, in bed under the covers, when he was young. “At midnight, the gospel stuff would start. The Staples Singers came on once, and they were just so different ... Pops (Mavis’ father) has an easy kind of flow voice and kind of a gentle voice, but then this other voice came on, which I found out was Mavis. One of the first songs I heard that made my hair stand up on end was called ‘Sit Down Servant,’ that just made me stay up for a week after I heard that song.”

About twenty minutes later, there’s a longer segment featuring Dylan. It begins with the credits for the 1963 TV special, Folk Sings and More Folk Songs!, with Dylan, the Staples, and others walking in front of the singing Brothers Four, followed by a snippet of Dylan performing “Blowin’ in the Wind,” while Mavis talks about their first encounter. Mavis said she wasn’t familiar with Dylan at the time, but he certainly was familiar with her. Mavis said Pops immediately related to Dylan's lyrics, especially the lines about “How many roads,” because in Mississippi, he had to cross the street when a white man walked by. The Staples Singers learned it, and then recorded it.

“(Dylan) was a cute guy, curly hair ... but I didn’t have flirtin’ on my mind back then,” Mavis said, “but he did!” After telling her father he wanted to marry Mavis, Pops told Dylan to ask Mavis directly, but shen he did, she “didn’t take it to heart ... I was a young girl.” At the 1964 Newport Folk Festival, Dylan told her he was serious. “We wrote letters, we kept in touch ... We may have smooched!”

Talking about the 1964 Newport performance, Dylan said, “The atmosphere was high charged with plenty of different kinds of musicians around ... I think we kind of got friendly at the time and I knew the Staples Singers at the time, so I probably was in hotels, and hanging around with them.”

Dylan and Mavis musically collaborated twice since then, although neither performance is covered in the documentary. In 1992, Mavis appeared on stage with Bob Dylan at the taping of the David Letterman 10th anniversary special, singing backup on "Like a Rolling Stone." In 2002, Dylan and Mavis duetted on a rewritten version of his composition, "Gonna Change My Way of Thinking."

Polica brings new album to Vaudeville Mews on March 8

March 2, 20166:46 PM MST

Polica - "Lime Habit"

YouTube user POLIÇA

Minneapolis-based synth group act Polica (often stylized Poliça) will perform at Vaudeville Mews in Des Moines on Tuesday, March 8. Los Angeles indie electro-pop act Clara-Nova will open the show. Doors at the venue will open at 8 p.m., and the music will kick off at 9 p.m. Tickets for the event are $17, and they may be purchased online throughTicketfly or at the door. This show will be restricted to those 21 years of age or older.

Photo by Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images

Ryan Olsen and Channy Leaneagh (pictured) started Polica in 2011. The two drafted Chris Bierden, Drew Christopherson, and Ben Ivascu to round out the band and recorded their debut album Give You the Ghost in 2012. Bon Iver's Mike Noyce contributed some guest work on the album. The group, minus Olsen (who rarely tours with them) toured regionally on their own, and then nationally with Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, in support of the album, which was released through the local indie label Totally Gross National Product founded by Christopherson and Olson. Polica would go on to tour Europe with Bon Iver later that year.

Since, the band has grown their following on an international level, touring North America and Europe regularly. They have been featured all over the festival circuit, playing SXSW, Glastonbury, Coachella, and others. Polica's 2013 follow-up, Shulasmith, charted in Belgium, France, Ireland, the United Kingdom, and Switzerland, and the single "Dark Star" reached #2 on the Belgian Ultrapop chart. After released a remix EP entitled Raw Exit in 2014, the band took a break from touring and began work on their third full-length studio album while Leaneagh was pregnant with her second child. That album, dubbed United Crushers, is set for release on March 4, just four days before Polica's show in Des Moines. You can check out the first single off the album, "Lime Habit," in the nearby video box.

FILM

AMY ADAMS ON THE PAY GAP: 'I KNEW I WAS BEING PAID LESS'

From girl next door to red-hot con artist and intrepid reporter: the indomitable Amy Adams reveals how she did it her way in the latest issue of GQ. Read a preview now ahead of the full interview in the April issue out on Thursday 3 March...

STORY BY STUART MCGURK

FRIDAY 26 FEBRUARY 2016

Photography by Norman Jean Roy

David O. Russell made Amy Adams cry filming American Hustle

“He did... I was really just devastated on set. I mean, not every day, but most. Jennifer [Lawrence] doesn’t take any of it on. She’s Teflon. And I am not Teflon. But I also don’t like to see other people treated badly.. It’s not ok with me. Life to me is more important than movies. It really taught me how to separate work and home. Because I was like, I cannot bring this experience home with me to my daughter.”

Amy Adams admits she knew she was being paid less than her male co-stars

“Yeah, I did. I didn’t speak about it before and I’m probably not going to speak about it forever, because I disagreed with... not Jennifer per se, but people who had opinions on how women should go about negotiating. The truth is we hire people to negotiate on our behalf, men and women... I knew I was being paid less and I still agreed to do it because the option comes down to do it or don’t do it. So you just have to decide if it’s worth it for you. It doesn’t mean I liked it.”

Photography by Norman Jean Roy

Amy Adams on Jennifer Lawrence’s open letter addressing the pay gap

“I’m really proud of Jennifer. What I liked is that it was not necessarily about getting paid, or not getting paid… It’s like we [women] have been conditioned to not be controversial, to not cause problems. It’s about finding your voice.”

New Season of Mary Mary on WEtv to debut tomorrow

Candace Walker

Atlanta Gospel and Christ...c Examiner

March 2, 20168:51 PM MST

WEtv

Erica and Tina Campbell also known as the duo Mary Mary was in town recently to promote the new season of their hit reality show of the same name. At their premiere party which was held at New Life Church, the two performed their timeless hits and also discussed the solo project from Tina and new music from the group. Willie Moore Jr. and Isaac Carree performed at the event as well.

Season 5 of the Mary Mary show on WEtv will debut tomorrow and get ready for a lot of questions and twist and turns. Warryn is on the hook with Sony to produce a new Mary Mary album but with the solo success of the sisters that is not an easy sell for Tina. Also guess who is back on the scene...Mitchell Solarek! Mitch has a hot new artist and is aiming for Warryn to work with her. I won't reveal the artist but she is a former Voice contestant and the opportunity is a tempting one for Warryn. Will he bury the hatchet with Mitch and work with her? With all the pulling back and forth between Tina and Erica their sister and stylist Goo finds herself in the middle of it. How will she deal with the conflict between Tina and Erica?

As the pressure for new music mounts on Warryn from Sony we see a snippet of it being an issue for him health-wise when he collapses on the floor and is rushed to the hospital. Yes this season is going to be a hot one indeed and one that you have to watch. I will be tuned in will you?

By Andy Daglas

7 hours ago

What to watch on Thursday, March 3...

8pm, The CW
DC’s Legends of Tomorrow
Rip sets out to rescue a stranded timeship in “Marooned,” and that sound you hear is the entire rest of the team slapping their foreheads in unison at this obvious trap. On the bright side, at least it gives them a chance to fight time pirates!

8pm, ABC
Grey’s Anatomy
In “My Next Life,” Amelia’s newest patient is one of Meredith’s oldest—the patient from her very first surgery as an intern, in fact. Meanwhile, Maggie has a hunch that Richard is onto her and Andrew, and Arizona considers getting back into the dating game.

8pm, NBC
You, Me and the Apocalypse
Rhonda is on the run from the law in “Home Sweet Home,” and Scotty dabbles in criminality himself to give her an assist. In other felonies, Ariel talks Sutton into kidnapping Jamie’s daughter, even as Jude helps Jamie weather the death of his biological mother.

8:30pm, CBS
Life in Pieces
New property lines become new battle lines when John and Joan butt heads with their neighbors over use of the hot tube in “Pestilence War Famine Death.” Elsewhere, Matt and Colleen give friendship a go, Greg and Jen invite their exterminator and his wife to dinner, and Tim gets cold feet about performing minor surgery on John.

SERIES PREMIERE, 9pm, ABC
The Family
Joan Allen stars as a small town mayor whose home life and gubernatorial ambitions are rocked by the return of her presumed-dead son (Liam James) a decade after his disappearance. But is there more to this unlikely reunion than meets the eye? (I mean, it probably wouldn’t be a TV show if not.) Alison Pill and Rupert Graves also star. The series moves to its regular timeslot this Sunday at 9pm.

9pm, The CW
The 100
As Lexa tries to keep the peace within the clans, Clarke comes across momentous new information in “Thirteen.” Flashbacks also reveal a grim episode from humanity’s past, possibly that time we all thought parachute pants were a good idea for some reason.

9pm, CBS
Mom
Bonnie reels from a health scare and Christy tries to show support in “Death, Death, Death and a Bucket of Chicken.”

9pm, Bravo
Top Chef
After a Sudden Death Quickfire judged by Top Chef Master Traci Des Jardins, the chefs head to Fleur de Lys for the Elimination Challenge in “Back Where It All Started.” There, they’ll have to impress master chef Hubert Keller with dishes inspired by the restaurant where Top Chef began.

9:30pm, CBS
2 Broke Girls
Caroline is conflicted when the screenwriters working on her biopic inform her that Max wouldn’t be a part of the film. Elsewhere in “And You Bet Your Ass,” Max lives the life of Riley thanks to her new Hollywood hunk, who also fixes up Caroline with a friend.

10pm, ABC
How to Get Away With Murder
Annalise considers a potentially costly strategy that could yet keep the team safe from Philip in “Something Bad Happened.” In a flashback, Annalise steers through a sharp twist the Mahoney case.

10pm, History
Vikings
With Floki still under lock and key, a mysterious visitor to Ragnar urges clemency. Meanwhile in “Mercy,” Rollo gains a new ally at the French court even as his marriage remains on the rocks, and Bjorn squares off with a formidable foe in the forest.

10pm, CBS
Elementary
After stumbling upon Capt. Gregson’s clandestine relationship with a former NYPD officer (Virginia Madsen), Joan unintentionally sets the couple on the road to ruin. Elsewhere in “Up to Heaven and Down to Hell,” Holmes investigates the murder of a wealthy woman who bequeathed her fortune to her dog, which darn well better mean we get a dog wearing a top hat and monocle.

10pm, BBC America
Prey
A tip leads Acting SIO Susan Reinhardt to ramp up the search for Farrow, who is busy uncovering some startling new information of his own about an old case.

10pm, IFC
Portlandia
Louis C.K. is forced to cancel his Portland show in “Family Emergency.” In other engagements, Fred and Carrie are asked to judge a vape store’s plume contest, and I confess I stopped understanding exactly what I was writing right around the word “judge.”

10pm, NBC
Shades of Blue
Harlee and Stahl discover Wozniak’s down-low dalliance with Donnie in “Live Wire Act.” Meanwhile, Wozniak takes the reins of a big job after it takes an unexpected turn, and the crew is forced to reckon with their feelings toward Saperstein.

10pm, USA
Colony
“In From the Cold” finds a high-level Resistance muckety-muck looking to strike a deal with the occupation. Elsewhere, Kate gets a second chance while Bram proposes a trip outside colony walls that’s dangerous enough to require signed permission slips.

10pm, Comedy Central
Workaholics
Alice’s sister pays an eventful visit to the TelAmeriCorp office in “The Fabulous Murphy Sisters.”

10:30pm, Comedy Central
Idiotsitter
Billie inadvertently costs Joy her job in “Viva La Joy,’ so she sets out to make things right by staging civil protests with Gene.

11pm, History
Join or Die with Craig Ferguson
Elijah Wood, Bryan Callen, and Professor Dan Schnur discuss history’s most doomed presidential campaign. My vote has to go to the ill-advised 1916 run of Gov. Phineas B. Americasux.

LATE-NITE:
– Conor McGregor, Dave Atell, and BJ the Chicago Kid on Conan, 11pm, TBS
– New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio on The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, 11pm, Comedy Central
– Michael Kenneth Williams on The Nightly Show With Larry Wilmore, 11:30pm, Comedy Central
– Pharrell Williams, Priyanka Chopra, and Loretta Lynn on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, 11:35pm, NBC
– Christopher Meloni, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Medal of Honor recipient Edward Byers, and Ray Lamontagne on Late Show with Stephen Colbert, 11:35pm, CBS
– Jason Bateman, Aja Naomi King, and CeeLo Green on Jimmy Kimmel Live, 11:35pm, ABC
– Tina Fey, John Stamos, Jay Pharoah, and Patrick Carney on Late Night with Seth Meyers, 12:35am, NBC
– Gerard Butler, Will Forte, and M. Ward on The Late Late Show with James Corden, 12:37am, CBS

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Reply #117 posted 03/04/16 7:40am

JoeBala

By Andy Daglas

7 hours ago

What to watch on Friday, March 4...

SEASON 4 PREMIERE, 12:01am Pacific, Netflix
House of Cards
Joel Kinnaman joins the zany political hijinks for this season, the last to be helmed by showrunner Beau Willimon. What sort of mischief will that scamp Frank get up to this season? Short-sheeting the Speaker of the House? Nuking Denmark? You never know with that guy!

8pm, The CW
The Vampire Diaries
Stefan and Valerie search for the magic herb that can keep him invisible to Rayna in “I Would for You,” but the dungeon where it’s found has at least three tricky puzzles and a nasty miniboss. In other bulletproof decisions, Damon hatches his own plan to best the vampire hunter, Matt decides to stand up to Mystic Falls’ vampire communities, and Stefan reconsiders his future with Caroline.

8pm, Fox
Sleepy Hollow
“Dark Mirror” sees the town attacked by a creature that looks suspiciously like the New Jersey Devil, and I don’t mean Martin Brodeur. As Ichabod investigates, Abbie tries to recover from her recent trials and things between Jenny and Joe hit a speedbump or three.

8:30pm, ABC
Dr. Ken
In “Ken at the Concert,” Ken takes Molly and her friends to a performance by Emblem3, which the internet informs me is an actual youth-oriented musical act who will appear on the program. In less tuneful adventures, Dave proves a handful for the Welltopia team when he needs a tetanus shot.

9pm, NBC
Grimm
Nick and Monroe head abroad to seek the source of a mystery in “Key Move.” (Also, to pick up some duty-free Toblerone. But mostly the mystery thing.) Back in PDX, the Black Claw sows chaos.

9pm, The CW
The Originals
A vamp with a vendetta against Klaus comes to town in “An Old Friend Calls,” and I know what you’re thinking: Klaus? Klaus Mikaelson? Has enemies? I was shocked too, but I just report what the logline tells me. Anyhoo, this one’s jeopardizing innocent lives, so Vincent decides helping him take down Klaus is the lesser of two evils. Meanwhile, Marcel seeks Davina’s help with a rash of Strix disappearances, and Elijah confronts Hayley about her unhealthy grieving process.

9pm, PBS
American Masters
Loretta Lynn: Still a Mountain Girl profiles the venerated country musician whose resume includes more than 45 million records sold worldwide, four Grammys, Kennedy Center Honors, and a Presidential Medal of Freedom. The film includes concert footage, home movies, and reflections on Lynn’s more than 50-year career from artists including Garth Brooks, Miranda Lambert, Reba McEntire, Willie Nelson, Trisha Yearwood, and more.

11pm, Cartoon Network
Childrens Hospital
“Show Me a Hero” finds Dr. Cat Black suffering a crisis of faith, which prompts the spiritual leaders to try bringing her into their flock. Also enduring personal hardship is Glenn, who feels like his role in his punk band is getting short-shrifted.

LATE-NITE:
– Gwyneth Paltrow, Tyler Oakley, and The Who on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, 11:35pm, NBC

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Reply #118 posted 03/04/16 11:48am

Identity

Star Wars: The Force Awakens to Be Released on Home Video in April
03/2016

Like BB-8 dashing through the sands of Jakku, Star Wars: The Force Awakens is coming to home video.

The record-breaking seventh episode of the Star Wars series will be released on Digital HD April 1 and on Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD April 5.

The home release of The Force Awakens also includes a full-length documentary about the making of the film, plus deleted scenes and exclusive interviews with the cast and crew.

Released in December, The Force Awakens became the highest-grossing movie of all time in North America by early January.

Link

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Reply #119 posted 03/05/16 7:10am

JoeBala

Thanks ID looking forward to that release.

By Andy Daglas

What to watch on Saturday, March 5...

SERIES FINALE, 8pm & 9pm, Discovery
MythBusters
“The MythBusters Grand Finale” caps the 14-year run by blowing up an RV, stuffing a cement truck with two and a half tons of ammonium nitrate fuel oil, and sending Buster supersonic. So pretty much another day at the office for Adam and Jamie. That’s followed at 9pm by the reunion show, which brings back MythBuster Emeriti Kari Byron, Tory Belleci, and Grant Imahara for one last science-centric confab in M5.

9pm, Starz
Black Sails
A star is born when Flint and Silver return to Nassau. Elsewhere, Rackham and Bonny face a new threat, Vane’s mission changes course, and Eleanor confides in Rogers.

10pm, Esquire
Beowulf
The Wulfing Raiders sic the Barghest wolves on Herot, and a hostage is taken despite Beowulf’s best and burliest efforts. Meanwhile, Rheda parleys with old foe Jogan.

11:30pm, NBC
Saturday Night Live
I’m guessing host Jonah Hill is not here to promote his one-scene role in Hail, Caesar! I’m also guessing musical guest Future is not the shadowy cabal which shares the same name in that movie. Basically I have no clue what to expect from SNL this week, but y’all should still go seeHail, Caesar!

Just Music-No Categories-Enjoy It!

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Forums > Music: Non-Prince > Music+Tours+Film+TV+Tech+Watch Tonight?|TV/CD's|Fiona Apple|Trixie Whitley|3/28/2016 Pt. 12

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Bonnie Raitt Set to 'Dig In Deep' on New Album

Guitarist and singer's 20th album to arrive in 2016 with extensive tour to follow

SIDEBAR

Thanks Guys!

Lennie Baker, Singer and Saxophonist With Sha Na Na, Dies at 69

Fifth Harmony Debuts 'Work From Home' Video, Talks Renaming Single to Avoid Rihanna Confusion

THE PRODIGY: SAOIRSE RONAN

By Andy Daglas

What to watch on Saturday, February 27...

8pm, DiscoveryMythBustersThe internet takes total control in “The Reddit Special,” because placing the internet in charge of more high explosives than most national militaries can’t possibly be a bad idea.

10pm, EsquireBeowulfWhile Beowulf and Breca head for the woods to get to the bottom of a troll attack, Slean sets off on his own voyage after misunderstanding an overheard conversation between Beowulf and Elvina.

Black Hollywood had its own Oscars, and it was incredible

The All Def Movie Awards were everything the Oscars won't be

Sexy all stitched up! Amber Rose creates a cleavage commotion in a laced-up dress plucked straight out of Kim Kardashian's style book at the All Def Movie Awards

Elton John Concert to Stream Live on AOL

Todd Spangler

Feb. 27 performance to lead into singer’s AID charity Oscars viewing party in West Hollywood

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Laura Prudom

Film Review: ‘Alena’

Dennis Harvey

This polished and reasonably entertaining hunk of teen angst relies heavily on a 'twist' most viewers will see coming a mile off.

Film Review: 'Alena'

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Crew

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NINA NESBITT'S NEW SOUND

New Music: Yuna – Places To Go (Produced by DJ Premier)

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The Who to Perform on "The Tonight Show" Next Friday; New Daltrey Charity Single Available at iTunes

What It's Like To Be A Black Woman In White Hollywood

Four accomplished directors open up about the trials and tribulations of the business.

Maxwell StrachanSenior Editor, The Huffington Post

Mya Taylor Just Became The First Transgender Performer To Win A Major Film Award

The actress won the Independent Spirit Award for her work in "Tangerine."

Matthew JacobsFilm Reporter, The Huffington Post

Why Supergirl Is Lucky To Have Italia Ricci

Candace Bure and Lori Loughlin continue adding grace, charm to TV episodes

Baby Daddy Welcomes Loni Anderson as Ben's Good-Times Grandma

ABC Names First Black President: Channing Dungey

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Oscars 2016: Martha Ruiz, First Latina Balloting Leader, Shares Academy Awards Insight [EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW]

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Taking the plunge: Cate Blanchett, Brie Larson and Charlize Theron lead the best-dressed as they dare to bare at the Oscars

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Snoop Dogg Teases Kendrick Lamar, Eminem, Dr. Dre 2016 Tour Dates

Hall & Oates Revisit the Hits at Madison Square Garden: Live Review

Hall and Oates played the hits at sold-out Madison Square Garden show (pics, setlist)

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Exclusive Interview with Black Sails Star Jessica Parker Kennedy

George Clinton, Bootsy Collins, Fred Schneider, Living Color, Meryl Streep and more playing Bernie Worrell tribute in NYC

ATO ESSANDOH, BOURNE AGAIN

On Netflix: Tangerine

Adia Victoria announces debut LP ‘Beyond The Bloodhounds,’ touring

Shining star! Kelly Rowland brings some serious sparkle and a lot of cleavage to the Elton John Oscar Viewing Party

Jack Feierman, Trumpeter and Musical Director for Legendary Acts, Dies at 91

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Idris Elba, Aldis Hodge Salute Black Men in Hollywood at Icon Mann Dinner

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By Andy Daglas

What to watch on Monday, February 29...

12:01am Pacific, Hulu11/22/63Jake gets a new ally, a new job, and a new love interest in “Other Voices, Other Rooms.” Even his mission takes on new twists, as his reconnaissance of Lee Harvey Oswald reveals unanticipated threats to President Kennedy.

8pm, FreeformThe FostersA student raises concerns about the depiction of suicide in Brandon’s Romeo and Julietproduction in “EQ.” Elsewhere, Stef teaches a youth outreach class for a police department program, and Rita’s daughter seeks Callie’s help getting through to Rita.

8:30pm, TBSAmerican Dad!In “Kiss Kiss, Cam Cam,” Stan and Francine enjoy fun at the old ballpark on her birthday, but whiff on their kiss-cam moment in embarrassing fashion. In more civic-minded shenanigans, Steve and Roger travel to Nevada to help clean polluted water.

9pm, TBSAngie TribecaTribeca and Geils investigate illegal ferret smuggling in “Ferret Royale,” an investigation that draws them into a high-stakes poker game.

9pm, FreeformRecovery RoadMaddie tries to help Trish through a crisis, Charlotte tries to learn more about Maddie from Margarita, and Wes tries to keep his bearings amid chaos in the house. Meanwhile in “Heaven Backwards,” Cynthia and Craig bond.

SPRING PREMIERE, 10pm, NBCBlindspotIn “Cease Forcing Enemy,” Jane must decide whether she can trust Oscar even as she comes to grips with the revelations about her tattoos. And one of those tattoos leads the team to a surprising discovery in the Black Sea.

SERIES PREMIERE, 10pm, truTVtruInsideThe cast and crew of Airplane! share their reflections in the opener of this documentary series focused on iconic comedy.

10pm, AMCBetter Call SaulJimmy cranks his showmanship up to 11 to give his business a boost in “Amarillo.” Having a rougher go of it is Mike, who tries to make sense of daughter-in-law Stacy’s disturbing news.

10pm, ABCCastleCastle goes undercover as a French Canadian immigrant to investigate an ESL student’s murder in “And Justice for All.” Of course, donning a fake mustache and pretending to be the bumbling “Inspector Château” may not be the most subtle of approaches.

10pm, SyfyLost Girl“Family Portrait” finds Bo attempting to learn the truth that will reconcile conflicting versions of her past. Might she rely on the assistance of the all-powerful deity Ret-Con?

10pm, CBSNCIS: Los Angeles“Revenge Deferred” sends Sam and Callen to Africa, where a boatload of surveillance footage of Sam’s family has turned up. As they try to get to the bottom of the snooping, the family is transported to a safe house.

10:30pm, TBSFull Frontal with Samantha BeeSamantha visits a Texas abortion clinic to examine how new restrictions are harming women.

Cool Hand Luke Oscar winner and Naked Gun character actor George Kennedy dies at the age of 91

Rolling Stones announce 'landmark' Cuba concert

8pm, Discovery
MythBusters
The internet takes total control in “The Reddit Special,” because placing the internet in charge of more high explosives than most national militaries can’t possibly be a bad idea.

10pm, Esquire
Beowulf
While Beowulf and Breca head for the woods to get to the bottom of a troll attack, Slean sets off on his own voyage after misunderstanding an overheard conversation between Beowulf and Elvina.

12:01am Pacific, Hulu
11/22/63
Jake gets a new ally, a new job, and a new love interest in “Other Voices, Other Rooms.” Even his mission takes on new twists, as his reconnaissance of Lee Harvey Oswald reveals unanticipated threats to President Kennedy.

8pm, Freeform
The Fosters
A student raises concerns about the depiction of suicide in Brandon’s Romeo and Julietproduction in “EQ.” Elsewhere, Stef teaches a youth outreach class for a police department program, and Rita’s daughter seeks Callie’s help getting through to Rita.

8:30pm, TBS
American Dad!
In “Kiss Kiss, Cam Cam,” Stan and Francine enjoy fun at the old ballpark on her birthday, but whiff on their kiss-cam moment in embarrassing fashion. In more civic-minded shenanigans, Steve and Roger travel to Nevada to help clean polluted water.

9pm, TBS
Angie Tribeca
Tribeca and Geils investigate illegal ferret smuggling in “Ferret Royale,” an investigation that draws them into a high-stakes poker game.

9pm, Freeform
Recovery Road
Maddie tries to help Trish through a crisis, Charlotte tries to learn more about Maddie from Margarita, and Wes tries to keep his bearings amid chaos in the house. Meanwhile in “Heaven Backwards,” Cynthia and Craig bond.

SPRING PREMIERE, 10pm, NBC
Blindspot
In “Cease Forcing Enemy,” Jane must decide whether she can trust Oscar even as she comes to grips with the revelations about her tattoos. And one of those tattoos leads the team to a surprising discovery in the Black Sea.

SERIES PREMIERE, 10pm, truTV
truInside
The cast and crew of Airplane! share their reflections in the opener of this documentary series focused on iconic comedy.

10pm, AMC
Better Call Saul
Jimmy cranks his showmanship up to 11 to give his business a boost in “Amarillo.” Having a rougher go of it is Mike, who tries to make sense of daughter-in-law Stacy’s disturbing news.

10pm, ABC
Castle
Castle goes undercover as a French Canadian immigrant to investigate an ESL student’s murder in “And Justice for All.” Of course, donning a fake mustache and pretending to be the bumbling “Inspector Château” may not be the most subtle of approaches.

10pm, Syfy
Lost Girl
“Family Portrait” finds Bo attempting to learn the truth that will reconcile conflicting versions of her past. Might she rely on the assistance of the all-powerful deity Ret-Con?

10pm, CBS
NCIS: Los Angeles
“Revenge Deferred” sends Sam and Callen to Africa, where a boatload of surveillance footage of Sam’s family has turned up. As they try to get to the bottom of the snooping, the family is transported to a safe house.

10:30pm, TBS
Full Frontal with Samantha Bee
Samantha visits a Texas abortion clinic to examine how new restrictions are harming women.

8pm, NBC
The Voice
Blind auditions roll on in the second part of the season premiere. It will probably be just like last night’s episode, except Tuesdayer.

8:30pm, Fox
Grandfathered
Jimmy is thrown for a loop when he becomes smitten with a dynamic CEO (Regina Hall) in “Catherine Sanders.”

9pm, MTV
Teen Wolf
Now that they know the true identity of “The Beast of Beacon Hills,” Scott and the gang hurry to foil the Dread Doctors’ diabolical scheme. And the Doctors would’ve gotten away with it, if not for those darn kids and their wolf!

9pm, Fox
Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Amy and Jake housesit when Holt visits Kevin in Paris, but it turns into a search-and-rescue after the captain’s beloved pup goes missing. Elsewhere in “Cheddar,” the Nine-Nine is turned topsy-turvy by Rosa’s dalliance with Adrian Pimento.

9pm, WGN America
Outsiders
In “Weapons,” the Farrells pay the price for Big Foster’s gun love (not a euphemism).

9:30pm, Fox
The Grinder
Conspiracy swirls around Sanderson & Yao in “From the Ashes,” and only the Grinder can save the day. But can Stewart persuade Dean, who has enrolled in real-life law school, to resurrect his TV persona?

SEASON 1 FINALE, 10pm, MTV
The Shannara Chronicles
“Ellcrys” concludes the freshman season with Wil and Amberle racing to reach the titular tree, as Allanon and Ander lead the Elvin forces against the Dagda Mor and his demons in pitched battle.

10pm, FX
American Crime Story: The People v. O.J. Simpson
“The Race Card” pits Christopher Darden against Johnnie Cochran in court as the trial gets underway. Later, the jury visits the crime scene.