What are Jack Bodenstein’s achievements?
Jack Bodenstein has built a career marked by professional success, community involvement, and a lasting commitment to the art of magic. Over the years, he has transformed a childhood interest in card tricks into a respected profession that has entertained…
‘Breaking Bad’ actor accused of spraying woman with water, which agent denies
Actor Raymond Cruz was held in custody for five hours on Monday after a sudsy spat with three women in his Los Angeles neighborhood. Cruz — who portrayed the drug lord Tuco Salamanca on “Breaking Bad” — was washing his…
Dan Brown studied brain science to write new book ‘Secret of Secrets’
On the Shelf The Secret of Secrets By Dan BrownDoubleday: 688 pages, $38 If you buy books linked on our site, The Times may earn a commission from Bookshop.org, whose fees support independent bookstores. Writing is hard. Writing books is…
Fox Corp. CEO and favored son Lachlan Murdoch prevails in family succession drama
The closely watched Murdoch succession drama has ended with a $3.3-billion settlement that gives Lachlan Murdoch control of the family’s influential media assets, including Fox News, the New York Post and the Wall Street Journal. Fox Corp. on Monday announced…
‘Lin-Manuel Miranda’ review: Book maps ‘Hamilton’ creator’s influences
Lin-Manuel Miranda: The Education of an Artist By Daniel Pollack-PelznerSimon & Schuster: 400 pages, $30If you buy books linked on our site, The Times may earn a commission from Bookshop.org, whose fees support independent bookstores. For a high school assignment,…
Oasis reunion show stirs up fans’ emotions at the Rose Bowl
Noel Gallagher scanned the audience at the Rose Bowl on Saturday night and pointed down at a fan in the front row. “Young lady, what’s your name?” he asked, tilting his head to try to catch the answer. “I can’t…
How O.C.’s the Earwigs’ ‘lost’ rock album became a $500 collector’s item
If someone told Michael Ubaldini that dusty copies of his old band’s records from four decades ago would sell for hundreds of dollars each, he probably wouldn’t have believed it. Not that anyone was really rushing to tell him. Especially…
Dancing in the face of oblivion with ‘Sirât,’ director Oliver Laxe arrives
TORONTO — The smile is beatific, blissed out, even at an ungodly hour on our Zoom call from France. A week later, when I finally meet 43-year old filmmaker Oliver Laxe in person at a private Toronto celebration for his new movie…
Cooper Hoffman and Andrew Barth Feldman bring banter to ‘Poetic License’
When actor Cooper Hoffman pops up on a Zoom window for a joint interview, Andrew Barth Feldman practically bursts with joy. “Oh my God,” Feldman exclaims. “Look at the buzz!” The two friends, each in their own apartments in New…
Annabelle handler Dan Rivera’s cause of death revealed
The official cause of death for Dan Rivera, a paranormal investigator who died while handling the allegedly haunted Annabelle doll during a tour in Pennsylvania earlier this year, has been revealed. Adams Count coroner Francis Dutrow confirmed in a Thursday…
‘SNL’s’ Jorma Taccone is recovering from a 20-foot fall
Lonely Island member Jorma Taccone shattered his pelvis and detached his sacrum after a recent fall from a 20-foot ladder at his farmhouse in Connecticut. The “Saturday Night Live” alum recounted the incident from his hospital bed during Tuesday’s episode…
‘The Conjuring: Last Rites’ review: Puts a tombstone on a slackening series
This fourth “The Conjuring” movie claims to be “Last Rites” and let’s hope that’s a promise. While it’s highly likely the wildly successful Conjuring Cinematic Universe will itself continue — whether via scary nun, creepy doll or some other cursed…
C-SPAN will stream on YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV
Two major digital platforms — YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV — have agreed to carry C-SPAN two months after the nonprofit organization made a public plea for wider distribution. Changing industry economics have taken a toll on C-SPAN,…
Travis Kelce says he gets ‘giddy’ introducing Taylor Swift as fiancee
Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift announced their engagement more than a week ago, and the excitement has yet to wear off for the Kansas City Chiefs tight end. On this week’s episode of the “New Heights” podcast, Kelce described to…
Cardi B wins civil assault trial brought by security guard
Cardi B has prevailed in a civil lawsuit brought against her by a Beverly Hills security guard after two days of testimony from the rapper that was sometimes colorful and drew laughter from jurors. Emani Ellis sued Cardi B for…
‘Saturday Night Live’ announces new cast members for Season 51
After a landmark 50th season — complete with multiple celebratory events and a slew of Emmy nominations — “Saturday Night Live” is ready for some changes. NBC announced Tuesday that five new cast members would be joining the storied series…
‘Dances With Wolves’ Oscar-nominated Graham Greene dies at 73
Graham Greene, the Oscar-nominated actor who helped open doors for Indigenous actors in Hollywood, died on Monday in Toronto after battling a long illness, Deadline and others report. The Canadian actor was 73. Born in Ohsweken, on the Six Nations…
Rome after Sublime: A California soul all his own
Rome Ramirez wasn’t built in a day. He was once a guitar-strumming, teenage Sublime fan in a Mexican American household in Fremont, Calif. At 18, he moved to Los Angeles to follow his dream of making music. He swept floors,…
Director Chloé Zhao on turning heartbreak into ‘Hamnet,’ her Telluride triumph
TELLURIDE, Colo. — It’s customary at Telluride for a director premiering a movie to step onstage, say a few words and slip away before the lights go down. On Friday night, before unveiling her new film “Hamnet,” Chloé Zhao admitted she couldn’t…
Gordon Ramsay reveals skin cancer diagnosis, undergoes surgery
Gordon Ramsay has a message for you this holiday weekend: wear sunscreen. The Michelin-starred celebrity chef posted Saturday on Instagram that he was diagnosed with skin cancer and had the basal cell carcinoma removed from the side of his face….
Sabrina Carpenter is still dealing with it on ‘Man’s Best Friend’
Pop superstardom, it turns out, did absolutely nothing to improve Sabrina Carpenter’s love life. That’s the thrust of the singer’s shrewd and tangy “Man’s Best Friend,” which dropped Thursday night, just a year after last summer’s chart-topping “Short n’ Sweet.”…
‘The Toxic Avenger’ review: A sludgy antihero wants corporate payback
Nostalgia for extreme tackiness is surely one of the funnier outcomes of a cult film’s success. (Does one sigh wistfully at such memories or smile through a grimace?) The gleeful cine-garbage factory Troma is, at 50 years and counting, now…
California special-election TV ads expected to launch Tuesday
Millions of dollars worth of political TV ads are expected to start airing Tuesday in an effort to sway Californians on a November ballot measure seeking to send more Democrats to Congress and counter President Trump and the GOP agenda,…
Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce and that engagement ring go public
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s engagement may have kicked off a major earthquake in the real world this week, but it hasn’t put serious seismic activity into the lives of the spouses-to-be: They were spotted out Thursday night in a…
Entire ‘Twilight Saga’ will be released in theaters in October
It’s time to revisit the age-old question that’s been debated for years: Are you Team Edward or Team Jacob? Lionsgate will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the “Twilight” novels by bringing the entire film saga back to the big screen…
Ariana Grande returns to L.A. stages for 2026 tour after six-year hiatus
A whole lot has happened in the world in the years since Ariana Grande last toured in 2019. But the “Wicked” star is finally returning to the road next year in support of her latest album, 2024’s “Eternal Sushine.” Grande’s…
‘Caught Stealing’ review: Austin Butler is a jock-turned-patsy in crime caper
Hank Thompson (Austin Butler), the battered lead of Darren Aronofsky’s grimy trifle “Caught Stealing,” has made two major mistakes. First, he saved a cow. Second, he agreed to watch a cat. Swerving his car around the cow and into a…
NPR’s ‘All Things Considered’ names Scott Detrow as new full-time host
NPR’s “All Things Considered” is getting a new weekday voice. Scott Detrow will become a full-time weekday host of NPR’s afternoon radio show starting Sept. 29, while maintaining his role at “Consider This,” the outlet’s daily news podcast, the public…
Cardi B testifies she didn’t touch security guard but did curse at her
Cardi B testified Tuesday that she never touched, scratched or spat at a security guard who is suing her over an alleged assault by the pop star outside a Beverly Hills obstetrician’s office. The rapper, whose real name is Belcalis…
Five great música Mexicana records you may have missed
It’s been a big year for música Mexicana. Corridos tumbados are still dominating the global charts, with a handful of established stars leading the charge — among them Fuerza Regida, Peso Pluma, Tito Double P, Junior H and genre newcomer…
Fox News, Fox Sports may be dropped from YouTube TV in fee dispute
About 10 million YouTube TV subscribers could lose access to Fox News and Fox Corp. channels that broadcast sports in a fee dispute that comes just days before the start of college football. The Google-owned television service notified customers that…
After ‘Jesus Christ Superstar,’ he came back to usher at the Bowl
By day, he helps audience members find their seats. By night, he’s onstage, commanding them. For actor Tyrone Huntley, the hustle is part of the role in Los Angeles. Less than 48 hours after raising his voice to the heavens…
Ryan Coogler, Mary Corse to be honored at LACMA’s 2025 Art+Film Gala
Director Ryan Coogler and artist Mary Corse will be honored at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art’s 14th annual Art+Film Gala, the museum announced Sunday. The splashy, high-fashion dinner is co-chaired by LACMA trustee Eva Chow and Leonardo DiCaprio,…
Jerry Adler, ‘Sopranos’ and ‘Good Wife’ actor, dies at 96
Jerry Adler, who spent decades backstage on Broadway before reinventing himself in his 60s as a television actor, most memorably as Herman “Hesh” Rabkin on HBO’s “The Sopranos” and Howard Lyman on CBS’ “The Good Wife,” has died. He was…
‘Eden’ review: Jude Law and Sydney Sweeney get uncivilized on remote island
Ron Howard’s new film “Eden” is a true story about disenchanted Europeans, who, in the 1930s, escaped from their society and decamped on a lonely rock in the Galapagos, only to see their handmade utopia devolve into petty power struggles…
‘Relay’ review: Riz Ahmed helps people disappear in smart, paranoid thriller
If history has taught us anything, it’s that no one is truly safe. That gathering dread fueled some great ’70s paranoid thrillers, such as “The Parallax View” and “The Conversation,” but it’s been difficult to replicate that eeriness in today’s…
Cracker Barrel changes its logo. The right-wing media flips out
Cracker Barrel’s new logo reveal is MAGA’s latest manufactured crisis. But what if a biscuit really just is a biscuit and not an LGBTQ+ gateway drug? Masked goons are terrorizing American cities. U.S. inflation is persisting. Gaza is starving to…
Vivian Ayers Allen dead: Poet and mother to stars was 102
Vivian Ayers Allen, a Pulitzer-nominated poet who foreshadowed the country’s journeys into space and was mother to Debbie Allen and Phylicia Rashad, has died, the family announced on Allen’s social media. She was 102. “Mommie you have transformed into that…
How to have the best Sunday in L.A., according to Zack Fox
Long before Zack Fox was making scene-stealing appearances in “Abbott Elementary,” releasing music and amassing millions of views on his sweat-inducing DJ sets, he was best known for his Twitter jokes. Fox, a graphic artist and emcee for Atlanta-based indie…
KROQ’s Nicole Alvarez leaving after 22 years: ‘I was done’
Radio personality Nicole Alvarez is leaving KROQ-FM (106.7) behind, after more than 20 years of service and alleged tensions with the station’s executive team. Alvarez confirmed her departure from the station on Wednesday with a post on Instagram and a…
Fox News hosts were determined to help Trump stay in office after 2020 election, Smartmatic says
The 2020 presidential election is history, but a legal dispute over Fox News’ reporting on President Trump’s false claims of voter fraud is heating up. A motion for summary judgment by voting equipment company Smartmatic filed Tuesday in New York…
John Wall makes retirement official, will join ‘NBA on Prime’
In his prime, John Wall was a rocket, a supremely talented point guard whose speed, explosiveness and star power made him the first pick in the NBA draft, a five-time All-Star and a fan favorite of the Washington Wizards, the…
Trump expands crusade against ‘woke’ to museums across the country
President Trump on Tuesday said he intends to expand his crusade against what he calls “woke” ideology from the Smithsonian Institution to museums across the country. “The Museums throughout Washington, but all over the Country are, essentially, the last remaining…
BBC says Ozzy Osbourne’s family wanted documentary delay
The BBC has offered an explanation for its recent decision not to air a documentary about late rock legend Ozzy Osbourne. In a statement to BBC News on Tuesday, the British broadcaster said it opted to hold back the documentary…
‘& Juliet’ turns tragedy into a Max Martin dance party
Everyone can use an editor, and Shakespeare is no exception. Fortunately, he married one. Tired of being cooped up with the kids in Stratford-upon-Avon, Anne (Teal Wicks), wife of the great playwright, pops down to London to see the first…
MSNBC will change its name after Comcast split
MSNBC is being renamed after parent company Comcast spins the cable news channel off into a separate corporate entity later this year. The left-leaning channel will be known as MS NOW once it becomes part of Versant, a new company,…
Terence Stamp, prolific actor who played General Zod in ‘Superman’ films, dies at 87
Terence Stamp, the prolific English actor who played General Zod in the “Superman” films and earned an Oscar nomination for his portrayal of the title character in “Billy Budd,” has died. He was 87. Stamp died of undisclosed causes Sunday…
Eva Longoria follows ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ script with ‘Necaxa’
Her name was etched in the memory of millions thanks to her role as Gabrielle Solís in “Desperate Housewives,” a series that established Eva Longoria as one of the most influential Latina actresses in Hollywood. She went on to become…
Looking back at Elvis’ final burst of creativity before his death
Two and a half years before he died, Elvis Presley sat on the floor of a walk-in closet at the Las Vegas Hilton and discussed a project that might have changed the course of his life. The meeting, as recounted…
‘Women Wearing Shoulder Pads’ review: A perfect, unexpected show
In the annals of things I could not have seen coming, none has been more unexpected than “Women Wearing Shoulder Pads,” a queer Spanish-language stop-motion comedy melodrama, set in the aesthetic world of a 1980s Pedro Almodóvar film. (It arrives…
Tristan Rogers, Robert Scorpio in ‘General Hospital,’ dies at 79
Tristan Rogers, the Australian actor behind the magnetic Robert Scorpio on “General Hospital,” died Friday after a battle with lung cancer, according to his manager. He was 79. In an email to The Times, Rogers’ manager Meryl Soodak said his…
‘East of Wall’ review: Saddles up a sensitive docu-fiction hybrid
Any western worth its dusty boots and big-sky openness should know what’s breathtaking about freedom, at the same time grasping how being tamed is an uneasy, clarifying rite of passage. That men have typically led these stories means there’s a…
‘And Just Like That’ finale: The good, the bad, the pie and the poop
“And Just Like That,” it’s over. Earlier this month, showrunner Michael Patrick King informed the world that the long-awaited, highly anticipated and then almost universally hated sequel to HBO’s groundbreaking series “Sex and the City” would end. Mere weeks later,…
Louis Naidorf, architect behind L.A.’s iconic Capitol Records Building, dies at 96
Louis Naidorf, the visionary architect behind the iconic Capitol Records Building, died Wednesday night of natural causes. He was 96. His death was confirmed by his longtime friend Mike Harkins. Naidorf’s distinctive approach to architectural design, blending logic with creativity…
On ‘New Heights,’ Taylor Swift reveals ‘Life of a Showgirl’ release date
Taylor Swift will enter her latest era in a matter of months. The ubiquitous “Shake It Off” pop star announced that her upcoming album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” would drop Oct. 3 as she made her podcasting debut Wednesday…
Trump’s Kennedy Center honorees: Stallone, Kiss, George Strait
Bucking tradition once again, President Trump on Wednesday announced his picks for Kennedy Center Honors and said he will host the ceremony himself — a first for any president. Actor and filmmaker Sylvester Stallone, glam rock band Kiss, disco singer…
Rapper DDG briefly detained in SoCal in possible swatting incident
A popular YouTube streamer posted on social media that he “almost [died] today” after Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department deputies drew their weapons on him and briefly detained him Sunday afternoon in what he said appears to be a swatting…
Ángela Aguilar, regional Mexican royalty, plots her next power move
Ángela Aguilar may be an elegant interpreter of música Mexicana, a genre that her family has dominated for generations. Yet when I sit across from the 21-year-old singer at a dining hall on Olvera Street, she exudes a commanding diva…
Parents of Bad Bunny fan killed in Puerto Rico honor son, call for justice
New York City native Kevin Mares was killed Sunday in the La Perla neigborhood of San Juan, Puerto Rico. The 25-year-old was visiting the island to see a Bad Bunny concert. Mares was fatally shot in the early morning hours,…
Why Chicano artist Perry Picasshoe is melting ice blocks in Riverside
Some SoCal residents spent their summer at the beach, or at their local rooftop pool; others spent it indoors, hiding from ICE agents. It’s why Riverside artist Perry Picasshoe spent his summer documenting the melting of 36 ice blocks on…
After ‘Gilded Age’ finale, Carrie Coon sees Bertha as Villain No. 1
Even hardcore fans of HBO’s “The Gilded Age” may have been surprised how far Bertha Russell, portrayed by now three-time Emmy nominee Carrie Coon, went this season in her quest to climb the heights of 1880s New York society. After…
Hollywood takes a wrecking ball to Los Angeles
“Everybody’s very happy, ‘cause the sun is shining all the time.Looks like another perfect day. I love L.A.” — Randy Newman Ever since its founding in 1781, Los Angeles has been labeled as the City of Angels. But the future…
‘It’s Never Over, Jeff Buckley’ review: An unsettled life finds focus
Short, pained lives marked by achievement and promise and then abruptly gone leave a restless afterglow. Youth is supposed to fade away, not become one’s permanent state. And regarding the late musician Jeff Buckley — a roiling romantic with piercing…
Busta Rhymes denies allegations in ex-assistant’s lawsuit
Busta Rhymes is rejecting claims leveled against him in a lawsuit filed this week by a former assistant, calling it an “attempted shake-down.” Dashiel Gables, who filed the lawsuit Monday in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New…
Disney settles with Gina Carano: It was the right thing to do
Actress Gina Carano, Lucasfilm and its parent company Walt Disney Co. have settled the federal lawsuit filed in which Carano claimed that, in 2021, she was wrongfully terminated from her role in “The Mandalorian” after she expressed her conservative political…
Beach Boys’ Mike Love on the lasting genius of Brian Wilson
At a time when most of their peers have retired, threatened to call it quits or died, the Beach Boys continue to perform 120 shows per year. Led by original singer Mike Love and longtime multi-instrumentalist Bruce Johnston, this version…
‘Chimp Crazy’s’ Tonia Haddix sentenced to 4 years in prison for lying
“Chimp Crazy” star Tonia Haddix on Thursday was sentenced to 46 months in prison. The 55-year-old exotic animal broker was convicted for lying to a federal judge about the death of her chimpanzee Tonka, whom she was hiding in her…
Kelly Clarkson delays shows while Brandon Blackstock is sick
Kelly Clarkson is hitting pause on her Studio Sessions residency in Las Vegas, postponing the remaining four shows scheduled for August to attend to her family’s needs. “While I normally keep my personal life private, this past year, my children’s…
Dean Cain, ‘South Park’ both in posts recruiting for ICE
Dean Cain played a superhero on TV 30 years ago. Now he wants to help the government in its unconstitutional sweeps of Home Depot parking lots, schools and bus benches for people who appear to be immigrants. Cain played Superman…
Qué chimba: Colombian hitmaker Feid talks HARD Summer, teases new music
Feid, the first Latin headliner at HARD Summer, discussed recording with Karol G, appearing in Marvel comics and making new music with The Kid Laroi and Cypress Hill. Last Saturday, at the 2025 edition of HARD Summer — the annual…
Long time anchor Elex Michaelson is leaving Fox station KTTV
Elex Michaelson, veteran anchor of KTTV’s evening and late night newscasts, is departing the station. A representative for KTTV parent Fox Television Stations confirmed Michaelson’s plan to exit. which was described as amicable. His last day is Aug. 15. Michaelson…
Brandi Glanville gets chemical burns after using Nair on her face
An experiment intended to rid “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” alum Brandi Glanville of a facial parasite left the former reality TV star with chemical burns. In a short video posted to TikTok on Sunday that is a little…
Skydance’s David Ellison shakes up Paramount leadership
David Ellison’s Skydance Media has unveiled its leadership structure for Paramount, beginning a shake-up as the Shari Redstone era winds to a close. Ellison will become chairman and chief executive of the new Paramount Skydance Corp. with a goal of…
‘King of the Hill’ and ‘Gumball’ are back after a long hiatus
I will say this: I should be watching more cartoons. It has been harder to indulge this passion for some of the best, most pleasurable work television has to offer with so many ordinary series fighting for my professional time…
Scottie Scheffler’s role in ‘Happy Gilmore 2’ a gift for golf fans
This is a story about a movie that saved a sport. OK, that’s a stretch, but only a little one. Scottie Scheffler is the No. 1 golfer in the world. Has been for a couple of years. He has won…
Josh Gad may perform Sunday in ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ post-COVID
Aug. 2, 2025 12:28 PM PT It felt like 2022 all over again when Josh Gad took to Instagram to express his heartbreak about contracting a “virus known as COVID” and announce his decision to pull out of playing King…
South Koreans are obsessed with Netflix’s ‘K-pop Demon Hunters.’ Here’s why
SEOUL — When South Koreans start to obsess over a movie or TV series, they abbreviate its name, a distinction given to Netflix’s latest hit “K-pop Demon Hunters.” In media headlines and in every corner of the internet, the American-made film…
Paula Deen abruptly closes her the Lady and Sons restaurant
In the late 1990s, Paula Deen was an independent restaurateur whose family-operated restaurant had just received a glowing review from USA Today. Her life and career were permanently changed. Now, over 25 years later, the Georgia native has announced the…
Foo Fighters and Nine Inch Nails swap drummers
Foo Fighters have a new drummer: the former percussionist for Nine Inch Nails. Nine Inch Nails have a new drummer: The former sticksman for Foo Fighters. Foo Fighters fired its new drummer Josh Freese this year, just two years into…
Kamala Harris tells Stephen Colbert the American system is ‘broken’
In her first interview since losing the election to President Trump and leaving office, former Vice President Kamala Harris told Stephen Colbert on “The Late Show” that her decision not to run for California governor was more “basic” than saving…
Spotify CEO invested in AI weapons, now bands are pulling their music
Greg Saunier already had reasons to be wary of Spotify. The founder of the acclaimed Bay Area band Deerhoof was well acquainted with the service’s meager payouts to artists and songwriters, often estimated around $3 per thousand streams. He was…
Alec Baldwin’s lawsuit against New Mexico officials dismissed
A New Mexico judge has dismissed Alec Baldwin’s lawsuit alleging that he was maliciously prosecuted — one year after the actor-producer was cleared of a criminal charge in the “Rust” shooting death of the film’s cinematographer. Baldwin alleged in a…
Bradley Cooper’s ‘Is This thing On?’ world premieres at NYFF
The closing night selection of this year’s New York Film Festival will be the world premiere of “Is This Thing On?” the latest film directed by Bradley Cooper. The film will be released by Searchlight Pictures but is currently without…
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ pushes for release from prison before sentencing
The legal team for Sean “Diddy” Combs has moved to get the disgraced music mogul released from prison ahead of his Oct. 3 sentencing. Less than a month ago, Combs was acquitted of the most damning charges in his high-profile…
NBC’s ‘Dateline’ has a live true crime show — and maybe new revenue
The victims may be dead, but NBC’s “Dateline” is going live. NBC News announced Tuesday that the cast of its popular long-running true crime newsmagazine will gather onstage Sept. 28 at the Pinnacle, a new music venue in Nashville. Ticket-holding…
Keshia Knight Pulliam honors late Malcolm-Jamal Warner
Keshia Knight Pulliam, who shared the screen with Malcolm-Jamal Warner on “The Cosby Show,” highlighted the Emmy-nominated actor’s musical talents as she broke her silence on his death. Pulliam on Sunday shared an Instagram video of Warner playing the bass…
‘Avatar 3’ trailer: ‘Fire and Ash’ introduces the Ash People
The “Avatar: Fire and Ash” trailer is finally here. The third installment in James Cameron’s “Avatar” series returns to Pandora and introduces a new Na’vi tribe: the Mangkwan Clan, also known as the Ash People, led by the fierce Varang…
My Chemical Romance brings ‘The Black Parade’ to Dodger Stadium
Twelve years after a breakup that didn’t stick — and one year shy of the 20th anniversary of its biggest album — My Chemical Romance is on the road this summer playing 2006’s “The Black Parade” from beginning to end….
Box office: ‘Fantastic Four: The First Steps’ grosses $118 million
It was clobberin’ time this weekend, as Marvel’s “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” nabbed the top spot at the box office with a performance that returned the Walt Disney Co.-owned superhero franchise to form. The movie hauled in $118 million…
Diana Ross at the Hollywood Bowl: 9 iconic moments
Diana Ross returned to the Hollywood Bowl on Friday night for the first of two weekend concerts — her fifth engagement at the hillside amphitheater since 2013 and her second gig in her adopted hometown of Los Angeles in less…
Micheal Ward of ‘Eddington’ charged with rape, sexual assault
British actor Micheal Ward, known for the Netflix series “Top Boy” and and most recently Ari Aster’s movie “Eddington,” is facing charges of allegedly raping and sexually assaulting a woman in the United Kingdom in 2023. London’s Metropolitan Police announced…
The $8-billion Skydance-Paramount Global deal is finally closing. Now what?
After finally getting approval from the Federal Communications Commission, Skydance Media is just weeks away from completing its $8-billion merger with Paramount Global, leading to sweeping changes for some of the most iconic media brands. CBS, MTV Networks and Paramount…
Hollywood is struggling. So why does anyone want to buy a movie studio now?
The theatrical box office market is down. It’s harder than ever to get people out of their homes and into the cinema. The business model for movies in streaming is still a work in progress. Given all these challenges, who…
As hero and villain, Hulk Hogan made popular culture what it is today
When Terry Bollea, more commonly known as Hulk Hogan, showed up in an evening slot at the 2024 Republican National Convention, reactions were mixed. Then-candidate President Trump and his supporters, both in and outside the hall, were clearly delighted, especially…
Hulk Hogan dead: Wrestler gained worldwide fame as pop icon
Hulk Hogan, the popular 1980s pro wrestler who became a worldwide pop culture icon with “Hulkamania” in the 1980s and his later endeavors in film, TV and politics, has died. He was 71. “Terry Bollea, a.k.a Hulk Hogan passed away…
Did the state of California turn on In-and-Out, or vice versa?
Southern Californians, we have not been betrayed. In-N-Out Burger is not moving its headquarters to another state, despite all the panic and performative outrage over recent comments by the fast food chain’s owner and chief executive, Lynsi Snyder. Last week,…
Former Disney boss to run L.A. 2028 Olympics ceremonies
Former 21st Century Fox and Walt Disney Co. executive Peter Rice has been named head of ceremonies and content for the 2028 Summer Olympics and Paralympics in Los Angeles, LA28 organizers said Wednesday. In this role, the longtime TV veteran…
Stephen Colbert, Trump, Epstein and the art of capitulation
A suggested title for any upcoming films, books or TV series that are set in the dog days of 2025? “The Summer I Learned to Capitulate.” July is shaping up to be a bend-the-knee month like no other, and that’s…
‘South Park’ creators reach $1.5-billion streaming deal with Paramount
The creators of Comedy Central’s “South Park” reached a breakthrough Monday in the tense negotiations over the streaming rights of the long-running satirical cartoon. Paramount agreed to buy the global streaming rights for “South Park” to bring the show to…
Hunter Biden slams George Clooney, Jake Tapper and Democratic party
Hunter Biden finally made news outside the MAGA mediasphere for something that’s usually the work of Fox News and other deep state disseminators: He verbally bashed the Democratic Party, CNN’s Jake Tapper, former Obama aides and even Hollywood’s devastatingly handsome…
Keanu Reeves, Sydney Sweeney, Channing Tatum star in TIFF-bound titles
The program for the upcoming Toronto International Film Festival came into sharper view with Monday’s announcement of the majority of titles for the event’s galas and special presentations section. Along with TIFF’s news, some of the larger fall festival and…
Tom Troupe, prolific star of the stage and screen, is dead at 97
Theater and television actor Tom Troupe has died at 97. Troupe died Sunday morning of natural causes in his home in Beverly Hills, according to his publicist, Harlan Boll. Known for his extensive career in theater and TV, Troupe made…
Elvis Presley’s watch, John Lennon’s suit sell at Goldin auction
Elvis Presley’s worn Omega wristwatch, gifted to him by Johnny Cash, sold for $103,700 this week. Goldin, a leading sports and pop culture memorabilia auction house, sold the engraved timepiece as part of its inaugural music memorabilia auction, which closed…
Is late night dead? Stephen Colbert’s CBS cancellation raises troubling questions
The shocking cancellation of “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” is a sign that time is running out for one of TV’s most beloved formats. The late-night talk show was invented in the 1950s as a way for networks to…
Five Finger Death Punch was inspired by Taylor Swift to re-record their old songs
It’s another dry, sweltering morning in Las Vegas, and the guitarist Zoltan Bathory has just left his Gothic castle. Bearded and dressed in black, with a bundle of dreadlocks piled high on his head, he’s now piloting a small boat…
Kate Beckinsale’s mother Judy Loe dies: ‘My dearest friend’
Actor Kate Beckinsale is mourning the loss of her “dearest friend,” her mother British actor Judy Loe. The “Underworld” star announced Thursday that her mother died Tuesday evening, writing in an emotional Instagram post that Loe died “in my arms…
SiR is set to make his headlining debut at the Hollywood Bowl
In a TikTok video captured by a fan at one of SiR’s sold-out L.A. shows last August, the Inglewood-born singer-songwriter breaks down into tears after his wife appears onstage behind him. “Y’all give it up for my beautiful wife, Kelly…
Fox News’ Jesse Watters admits mistake in program claiming Newsom lied about Trump call
Fox News host Jesse Watters acknowledged Thursday that his program made a mistake in reporting on Gov. Gavin Newsom’s phone conversation with President Trump during last month’s immigration raids in Los Angeles. Newsom filed a $787-million defamation lawsuit against Watters…
Connie Francis dead: ‘Where the Boys Are’ singer was 87
Connie Francis, the angelic-voiced singer who was one of the biggest recording stars of the late 1950s and early 1960s, has died. She was 87. Her friend and publicist, Ron Roberts, announced the singer’s death Thursday, according to the Associated…
Beat ’em or buy ’em. Fox News and others chase online audiences with podcaster deals
As legacy news brands turn to podcasters to court online audiences, another digital media upstart has been invited to sit at the grown-ups table. Fox News Media this week signed a licensing deal with the makers of “Ruthless,” a popular…
Ann Philbin picks NPR, KCRW and LAist to receive her $500,000 prize
NPR is receiving a highly symbolic financial boost days before Congress is expected to vote on the fate of federal funding that supports the news and culture nonprofit. Ann Philbin, former director and current director emeritus of the Hammer Museum…
‘Oh, the Places You’ll Go!’: Ariana Grande to star in Jon M. Chu film
“You can steer yourself in any direction you choose,” Dr. Seuss wrote in his beloved 1990 picture book “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!” It seems pop star Ariana Grande has taken the advice to heart, landing yet another movie role…
Biggest snubs, surprises of the 2025 Emmy nominations
Emmy nominations arrived Tuesday morning, and if you made the list, it’s a “White Lotus” Full Moon Party vibe, full of celebratory cheers, toasts with your beverage of choice (it’s still early, maybe some of that Thai Red Bull?) and…
A photo booth museum is opening in L.A. Here’s how to experience it.
Picture this: A gaggle of 21-year-olds squeeze into a booth, pull the curtain and smile for the camera. After a series of mysterious analog rumblings, the booth expels a tiny strip of prints. The posers crowd in to savor the…
Michelle Khare, YouTube creators are on a mission to win an Emmy
Michelle Khare has mastered taekwondo, muscled through police academy and conquered Houdini’s deadliest trick. But now comes a different kind of challenge for the popular daredevil: proving to the Hollywood establishment that Emmy-worthy content arises from YouTube. The host, known…
Blackpink pumps up the SoFi crowd with first U.S. show in two years
Blackpink is back in the area. The K-pop girl group, made up of Rosé, Lisa, Jennie and Jisoo, triumphantly kicked off the North American leg of the Deadline world tour Saturday night at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. After taking a…
‘Superman’ rescues DC at the box office with a $122 million debut
James Gunn’s “Superman” soared to the top of the box office this weekend, giving Warner Bros.’s DC Studios much-needed momentum in the superhero genre after a string of underperforming movies. “Superman,” which stars David Corenswet as the Man of Steel,…
New Hollywood String Quartet remembers its legendary predecessors
When four top film studio musicians formed the Hollywood String Quartet in the late 1930s, its name was presumed an oxymoron. Exalted string quartet devotees belittled film soundtracks, while studio heads had a reputation for shunning classical music longhairs. The…
‘Superman’ isn’t superwoke. Why immigration backlash is overblown
This story contains some spoilers for “Superman.” In James Gunn’s “Superman,” the titular superhero is devastated when he learns that his birth parents sent him to Earth to subjugate humanity. In theaters now, the film is set a few years…
‘Swag,’ Justin Bieber’s album, addresses Hailey Bieber, paparazzi
Is it finally clocking to you? Justin Bieber is back. The 31-year-old singer surprise-released a new album, “Swag,” Friday after teasing fans the previous morning with a series of billboards and social media posts. Bieber’s first album since 2021’s “Justice,”…
‘Murderbot’ is latest show to explore how humans, robots can coexist
The titular character of the Apple TV+ series “Murderbot” doesn’t call itself Murderbot because it identifies as a killer; it just thinks the name is cool. Murderbot, a.k.a. “SecUnit,” is programmed to protect people. But the task becomes less straightforward…
Ye’s ex-assistant details alleged sex trafficking, assault, stalking
Ye, the vitriolic rapper formerly known as Kanye West, is facing a new round of controversy involving fresh allegations from an ex-assistant including sex trafficking, sexual harassment, stalking and sexual battery. Ye’s accuser, former Yeezy employee Lauren Pisciotta, has taken…
‘Dora the Explorer’ turns 25 this year. Her legacy transcends generations.
Can you say… Feliz Cumpleaños? Over the past 25 years, the world has grown to love one of Nickelodeon’s most recognizable characters, Dora Márquez. Whether for her conspicuous bowl cut and pink tee, or her singing anthropomorphic backpack, Dora the…
‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’: Cast, release date, who’s back, who’s not
A sequel? For spring? Groundbreaking. After 19 years and some mixed messages from the cast, “The Devil Wears Prada 2” is officially in production and set to hit theaters in May. The original film, based on the 2003 bestselling novel…
Grammys 2026: Addison Rae among 3,600 invited to join Recording Academy
Thanks to breakout singles like “Diet Pepsi” and to praise from the likes of Charli XCX and Lana Del Rey, Addison Rae is considered by many prognosticators to be in the mix for a best new artist nomination at next…
Jewel Thais-Williams, founder of Jewel’s Catch One, dies at 86
Jewel Thais-Williams, the founder of the pioneering Black lesbian and queer nightclub Jewel’s Catch One in Los Angeles, has died. She was 86. Thais-Williams’ death on June 7 was confirmed by her sister, Carol Williams. No cause of death was…
This entrepreneur spots celebrity deepfakes. Can he help average Joes too?
Celebrities are all too familiar with the world of deepfakes, the colloquial term for artificial intelligence-generated videos that depict actors and other Hollywood talent falsely doing or saying things that they never agreed to. To protect themselves, actors including Steve…
Denise Richards’ spouse Aaron Phypers files for divorce, seeks alimony
It seems Denise Richards and husband Aaron Phypers are going their separate ways after six years of marriage. Phypers filed his petition to divorce actor and “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” star Richards on Monday, The Times has confirmed….
Nate Jackson made his name on viral crowd work, but his comedy is so much more
There’s a reason Nate Jackson’s debut Netflix special arrives during barbecue season. Perched on a stool under the spotlight at his shows, the comedian spends most of the evening delivering hospital-worthy third-degree burns to crowd members who want the smoke….
Is Hollywood inspired by the CIA, or the other way around?
LANGLEY, Va. — At CIA headquarters, beyond the handsome granite seal on its lobby floor and a wall of stars carved in honor of the agency’s fallen, experts are at work in the complex tasks of spycraft: weapons-trained officers, computer engineers, virologists,…
‘Jurassic World Rebirth’ chomps on big $147-million Fourth of July box office weekend
Dinosaurs ruled the box office once again this weekend as “Jurassic World Rebirth” hauled in a strong $147.3 domestically over the five-day Fourth of July period to kick off what industry insiders hope will be an impressive month at movie…
Former CAA executive accused of trafficking by woman who says she was kept as a ‘sex slave’
An unnamed woman this week sued prominent British soccer agent Jonathan Barnett, accusing him of raping her and keeping her as a “sex slave.” The woman alleged in a lawsuit filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles that…
South Korea celebrates the transformative power of ‘Squid Game’
SEOUL — The third and final season of Netflix’s “Squid Game” broke viewership records on the streaming platform following its release on June 27, marking a fitting close for what has arguably been the most successful South Korean TV series in history….
How Paramount’s $16-million Trump settlement came together
By early spring, Paramount Global was in crisis. President Trump wouldn’t budge from his demand for an eye-popping sum of money and an apology from the company to settle his lawsuit over a CBS News “60 Minutes” interview with Kamala…
Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest 2025: How to watch on July Fourth
We’ve all eaten an extra hot dog at a Fourth of July barbecue — but only the greats can stomach 50 dogs in rapid fire. Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest brings the world’s top competitive…
‘And Just Like That’ seems determined to insult every woman
I didn’t think my level of loathing for the Max sequel to HBO’s “Sex and the City” could get any higher, and just like that, along came Season 3. You see what I did there? Like every single person who…
VTubers are descending on L.A. with multiple concerts
Kou Mariya hasn’t shown her work to her family. That’s because Mariya, not her real name, is living a dual identity, and to protect her privacy, only the most sacred of confidants — or business partners — can know her…
For #MeToo advocates, Diddy verdict is ‘a huge setback’ as powerful men prep comebacks
When Lauren Hersh, the national director of the anti-sex trafficking activist group World Without Exploitation, heard Wednesday that Sean “Diddy” Combs was convicted only on the two least serious charges against him, she felt grief for his former partner Casandra…
The week’s bestselling books, July 6
Hardcover fiction 1. Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid (Ballantine Books: $30) A story of friendship, love and adversity during the 1980s Space Shuttle program. 2. James by Percival Everett (Doubleday: $28) An action-packed reimagining of “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.”…
Frederick M. Nicholas dead: Lawyer shaped MOCA, Disney Concert Hall
Frederick M. Nicholas, a war hero, attorney and real estate developer who shaped several of Los Angeles’ major arts and public service institutions, died peacefully at his home Saturday. He was 105. Nicholas led the design and development of major…
Books to read in July 2025
Reading List 10 books for your July reading list If you buy books linked on our site, The Times may earn a commission from Bookshop.org, whose fees support independent bookstores. Critic Bethanne Patrick recommends 10 promising titles, fiction and nonfiction,…
Apple Music to open a new studio in Culver City
Apple Music on Monday said it’s opening a three-story studio in Culver City this summer that will have a 4,000-square-foot soundstage for live performances and fan events. “With this new studio, we are furthering our commitment to creating a space…
AI is controversial in Hollywood. For China’s film business, it’s no holds barred
Hollywood’s relationship with artificial intelligence is fraught, as studios balance the need to cut costs with growing concerns from actors, directors and crew members. But in China, efforts to use AI in entertainment are taking a more no-holds-barred approach. The…
Vin Diesel says Paul Walker’s Brian O’Conner could return in ‘Fast & Furious 11’
Vin Diesel says the planned finale of the long-running “Fast & Furious” franchise will come with an unexpected passenger. Speaking at Fuel Fest, an automotive event in Pomona over the weekend, Diesel told fans that the final “Fast & Furious”…
‘Nautilus’ review: Capt. Nemo’s swashbuckling origin story
Certain elements of Jules Verne’s 1870 novel “Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea” have become a TV series, “Nautilus,” premiering Sunday on AMC, which picked up the show after Disney+, which ordered and completed it, let it drop. Created by…
‘Squid Game’ finale: The wealthy win and nice guys finish last
Rich people suck. The message was loud and clear when Netflix‘s Korean thriller “Squid Game” arrived in 2021. Imagining wealth and class disparity at the heart of a high-stakes competition, it featured cash-strapped contestants playing a series of children’s games…
Kamasi Washington gives new LACMA building its first listen
“The general public was admitted to new Los Angeles County Museum of Art for the first time on Friday night — not to look at art but to listen to music,” wrote Times music critic Albert Goldberg in 1965. Exactly…
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez get married: What to know about wedding
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez are officially husband and wife. The Amazon founder, who’s been linked to Sánchez since 2019, hosted an extravagant, reportedly $50-million celebration in Venice, Italy, stretching three days. From the lavish location to the celebrity guest…
‘Sorry, Baby’ review: Eva Victor’s nuanced debut is a major arrival
Agnes (Eva Victor) has the face of a classical Hollywood movie star but she dresses like an old fisherman. Her expressions are inscrutable; you never know what’s going to come out of her mouth or how. When asked on a…
Bill Moyers dead: PBS journalist and former White House aide dies
Bill Moyers, a soft-spoken former White House aide turned journalist who became a standard bearer of quality in TV news, died Thursday in New York. He was 91. Moyers’ son William told the Associated Press his father died at Memorial…
‘Sorry, Baby’ was a way for debuting filmmaker Eva Victor to heal
There is a simple tattoo of a windowpane on the middle finger of Eva Victor’s right hand. When I ask about it, the filmmaker launches into a story that involves miscommunication with an Italian tattoo artist while on a trip…
James Bond: Denis Villeneuve to direct next 007 movie
Denis Villeneuve will direct the next James Bond film, the 26th official entry in the historic franchise. Villeneuve will also serve as executive producer, alongside Tanya Lapointe. Amy Pascal and David Heyman are producing the project, as had been previously…
The week’s bestselling books, June 29
Hardcover fiction 1. Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid (Ballantine Books: $30) A story of friendship, love and adversity during the 1980s Space Shuttle program. 2. The Emperor of Gladness by Ocean Vuong (Penguin Press: $30) An unlikely pair develops a…
Liam Payne featured in Netflix’s ‘Building the Band’ trailer
British pop star Liam Payne’s final TV appearance is finally on the horizon, less than a year after he died suddenly in Argentina. Netflix on Tuesday released the trailer for its upcoming singing competition series “Building the Band,” which features…
Historic film studio hits the market at top dollar as filming dips
One of the oldest movie studios in Los Angeles is up for sale, perhaps to the newest generation of content creators. The potential sale of Occidental Studios comes amid a drop in filming in Los Angeles as the local entertainment…
Mick Ralphs, Bad Company and Mott the Hoople co-founder, dead at 81
Mick Ralphs, the guitarist and co-founder of stylish ‘70s rockers Mott the Hoople and the supergroup Bad Company, has died. He was 81. Ralphs’ death was confirmed in a statement from his representative, though no exact date or cause of…
San Fernando music shop featured in 1992 ‘Wayne’s World’ closes after nearly 78 years
Ed Intagliata leaned his body against the cash register as he greeted customers with a heartfelt goodbye hug. After nearly 78 years of business, his beloved music shop is closing in light of his retirement. All that remains of Cassell’s…
Bombing in Iran sparks concern for historic Isfahan architecture
While military strategists scramble to learn the damage done by U.S. bombs and missiles in Iran, many scholars and Iranian Americans are wondering what this means for the people and architectural treasures of Isfahan. The Isfahan area, which includes one…
‘Caught by the Tides’ review: A changing China, captured in outtakes
Dispatches from northern China, Jia Zhangke’s movies constitute their own cinematic universe. Repeatedly returning to themes of globalization and alienation, the 55-year-old director has meticulously chronicled his country’s uneasy plunge into the 21st century as rampant industrialization risks deadening those…
Lawsuit against Fat Joe alleges coercion, sex with minors
Terrance “T.A.” Dixon, once a hype man to rapper Fat Joe, has sued his former employer for $20 million, making some allegations that might blend right in at Sean “Diddy” Combs’ RICO and sex-trafficking trial. The federal lawsuit, filed Thursday…
Three tons, $2.1 million in artwork burglarized from warehouse
The two towering sculptures comprising thousands of pounds of bronze and stainless steel took artist and filmmaker Sir Daniel Winn more than a year to complete. They vanished in a weekend. Police believe that on June 14 or 15 at…
‘Meeting with Pol Pot’ review: A guided tour of totalitarianism
French Cambodian director Rithy Panh has often cited the genocidal regime of the Khmer Rouge, which killed his family and from which he escaped, as the reason he’s a filmmaker. His movies aren’t always directly about that wretched time. But…
‘Barbara Walters: Tell Me Everything’ examines anchor’s influence
There is no single figure in television history whose longevity and influence match Barbara Walters’. She became a star on NBC’s “Today” in the early 1960s, raising the stature of the morning franchise. She opened doors for women as a…
Judge denies Blake Lively’s ask to keep Taylor Swift texts private
Some of Blake Lively‘s text messages with friend Taylor Swift could be disclosed in court, in a recent development of the actor’s winding legal battle against her “It Ends With Us” co-star Justin Baldoni. U.S. District Judge Lewis J. Liman…
2025 Emmy predictions: Best TV movie
The panel’s lack of enthusiasm for this category expresses itself in a drastic falloff after the first three contenders, as different from each other as TV movies can be. “Rebel Ridge,” the intense actioner with a should-be star-making performance by…
Hermanos Gutiérrez to perform on ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’
Hermanos Gutiérrez are heading to late-night. Known for their dreamy, guitar-heavy instrumental tracks that fuse Latin music with spaghetti western sounds, the Ecuadorian-Swiss duo will take a break from their current European tour to make their national television debut on…
Streaming movies are more diverse than theatrical, new study shows
A new study shows that there is one place in Hollywood where diversity efforts have been successful — streaming films. Released Wednesday, Part 2 of UCLA’s 2025 Hollywood Diversity Report has found that the proportion of women and people of…
Dodgers say Nezza is not banned from stadium for national anthem
What started as a subtle act of protest has become national news. Three days after singer and social media personality Nezza performed a Spanish version of the national anthem at Dodger Stadium — despite being asked by a team employee…
Sneak peek inside the Netflix House retail locations
Netflix on Tuesday spilled more details about its retail stores coming to the Philadelphia and Dallas areas later this year and unveiled plans to open a third location in Las Vegas in 2027. The more than 100,000-square-foot locations, called Netflix…
Nezza’s translated national anthem shines light on Clotilde Arias
On Saturday night, singer Nezza sang a Spanish version of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” also known as “El Pendón Estrellado,” at Dodger Stadium, despite being told by an unnamed representative of the baseball organization that she sing it in English. The…
‘I have no fear’: L.A. Opera lovers attend shows in downtown L.A. despite protests
Hours before downtown Los Angeles headed into its sixth night under curfew orders imposed by L.A. Mayor Karen Bass, dozens of opera and theater fans funneled into the Music Center on Sunday afternoon to catch matinee performances of L.A. Opera’s…
‘How to Train Your Dragon’ live-action remake soars at the box office
Universal Pictures’ “How To Train Your Dragon” soared over the competition this weekend, as family-friendly films continued their dominance at the box office. The live-action adaptation of the animated franchise from DreamWorks Animation grossed $83.7 million in its opening weekend…
Why Hollywood studios are still downsizing
Hollywood’s workforce just needed to “survive ’til ’25.” That was last year’s hopeful mantra for entertainment industry pros battered by layoffs and limited film and TV production. But now as the year approaches its halfway point, a bleaker saying seems…
The 2025 Envelope Emmy Roundtables
Drama Billy Bob Thornton reflects on life in the tabloid spotlight with Angelina Jolie, Jason Isaacs discusses the ‘shocking’ scrutiny of ‘The White Lotus’ cast and more tales from the Envelope Drama Roundtable. READ HERE Comedy Nathan Lane recalls the…
How Toothless evolved for the new ‘How to Train Your Dragon’
Whether soaring through the sky or sharing a playful moment with his human bestie Hiccup, Toothless, the dark-hued dragon with a friendly face and an injured tail, disarms you with his endearing nature. It’s no surprise that he’s become the…
Paramount’s ‘South Park’ streaming deal is in limbo as Skydance merger drags on
Media giant Paramount Global is trying to avoid a streaming future without Cartman, Stan, Kyle and Kenny. As Paramount struggles to complete a key merger, the company is in the midst of a protracted negotiation to extend one of its…
‘Wildfire Days’ review: Female firefighter brings mega blazes to life
Book Review Wildfire Days: A Woman, a Hotshot Crew, and the Burning American West By Kelly RamseyScribner: 338 pages, $30If you buy books linked on our site, The Times may earn a commission from Bookshop.org, whose fees support independent bookstores….
Douglas McCarthy, singer for electronic group Nitzer Ebb, dead at 58
Douglas McCarthy, the singer of the pioneering U.K. proto-industrial band Nitzer Ebb, has died. He was 58. The band confirmed the news on its social media accounts. It did not list a cause of death. “It is with a heavy…
50 years after it end, western ‘Gunsmoke’ is a streaming hit
When the classic western drama “Gunsmoke” finished its 20-year run on CBS in 1975, Los Angeles Times critic Cecil Smith made a bold prediction. “I have the feeling that the first moon colony we establish will be watching ‘I Love…
‘Agushto Papá’ calls out música Mexicana acts over silence on ICE raids
As looming fear over ongoing ICE raids in the greater Los Angeles area continues, one group of music enthusiasts is using their platform to call out for more visibility and support from famed artists — underscoring tense conversations about influence…
The week’s bestselling books, June 15
Hardcover fiction 1. Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid (Ballantine Books: $30) A story of friendship, love and adversity during the 1980s Space Shuttle program. 2. The Emperor of Gladness by Ocean Vuong (Penguin Press: $30) An unlikely pair develops a…
I ran the Nike After Dark Tour in L.A. Here’s what went down.
After running — or more like barely surviving — my first half-marathon about a decade ago in Las Vegas, I had no desire to participate in a long-distance run ever again. That was until I learned that Nike was hosting…
Worst Emmy snubs of all time: ‘The Wire,’ ‘Better Call Saul,’ more
After every Emmys, it’s de rigueur to write about shows that were “snubbed.” But let’s put it in perspective: If “The Bob Newhart Show” never won an Emmy, why should you? Then again, why didn’t CBS’ 1970s sitcom ever win…
Dr. Phil at ICE raids? Another reality TV event from Trump
Can someone explain to me what, exactly, Dr. Phil has to do with immigration policy or constitutional law in these United States? Many outrageous and unsettling things happened in Los Angeles over the weekend. On Friday, multiple immigration raids, in…
Warner Bros. Discovery will split into two separate companies
Warner Bros. Discovery is dividing its assets into two separate publicly traded companies, the media conglomerate announced Monday. The move will put the company’s iconic movie studio, prestige TV operation, HBO and HBO Max and DC Studios into a single…
Hugh Jackman at the Hollywood Bowl: ‘Greatest Showman’ and more
Strumming a black acoustic guitar to match his black tuxedo pants and jacket, Hugh Jackman strolled onto the stage of the Hollywood Bowl and let the audience know precisely what it was in for. “Little bit of Neil Diamond,” he…
‘Good Night, and Good Luck’ live review: CNN brings Broadway to masses
Saturday afternoon out west and evening back east, as citizens faced off against ICE agents in the streets of Los Angeles, “Good Night, and Good Luck,” George Clooney’s 2005 dramatic film tribute to CBS newsman Edward R. Murrow, became a…
DDG says Halle Bailey hit him, attempted to abort son Halo
DDG has failed for now in his attempt to get a domestic violence restraining order preventing Halle Bailey from taking their son, Halo, out of the country — but not for lack of trying. The rapper, real name Darryl Dwayne…
Emmys Roundtable: 7 limited / TV movie contenders sound off
The Emmys’ limited series/TV movie acting categories have come to represent some of the best and most-talked-about shows on television, and this year’s crop of contenders is no exception. The seven actors who joined the 2025 Envelope Roundtable were Javier…
‘I Don’t Understand You’ review: Adoption hopefuls stumble into violence
There’s a wonderfully simple emotional appeal embedded in the opening of “I Don’t Understand You,” a comedy from co-writer-directors Brian Crano and David Joseph Craig. Well-meaning, well-off gay couple Dom and Cole (Nick Kroll and Andrew Rannells, respectively) are eager…
Big changes coming to Disneyland: ‘Monsters’ is out; ‘Avatar’ is in
Say goodbye to Monstropolis and hello to Pandora — Disneyland Resort is shuttering its “Monsters, Inc.” ride to make way for a new “Avatar” experience inspired by the oceans of James Cameron’s sci-fi world. Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to…
Paramount chair Shari Redstone has been diagnosed with thyroid cancer
Paramount Global chairwoman and controlling shareholder Shari Redstone is battling cancer as she tries to steer the media company through a turbulent sales process. “Shari Redstone was diagnosed with thyroid cancer earlier this spring,” her spokeswoman Molly Morse said late…
‘Phineas and Ferb’ returns after 10 years with more musical moments
Jaret Reddick remembers the first time he met Dan Povenmire and Jeff “Swampy” Marsh. He had flown to L.A. because Povenmire and Marsh were hoping Reddick, the lead singer of the pop-punk band Bowling for Soup, would sing the theme…
Warner Bros. Discovery’s cable channels hit with layoffs
Warner Bros. Discovery is the latest media company to shed employees from its cable TV channels, with several dozen positions jettisoned Wednesday. The layoffs, confirmed by an executive not authorized to comment publicly, are aimed at improving efficiency across the…
The week’s bestselling books, June 8
Hardcover fiction 1. The Emperor of Gladness by Ocean Vuong (Penguin Press: $30) An unlikely pair develops a life-altering bond. 2. Nightshade by Michael Connelly (Little, Brown & Co.: $30) The bestselling crime writer returns with a new cop on…
Blake Lively drops claims of emotional distress against Justin Baldoni
In the latest twist in the legal saga between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, Lively is dropping two claims against Baldoni of emotional distress. As if the drama couldn’t get any messier, the accusations continue to fly. Baldoni’s lawyer filed…
Why Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’ ‘Purpose’ deserves the best play Tony
“Oh, Mary!” is poised to have a big night at the Tony Awards on Sunday. A campy melodrama by alt comic Cole Escola, the play conjures to the stage a vision of Mary Todd Lincoln as a harridan and drunk,…
Paramount adds three new board members amid Trump troubles and FCC review
With its sale to Skydance Media still beyond its reach, Paramount Global has nominated three new directors to bolster its small board, which has been racked with drama and churn since early last year. The debt-laden New York-based company currently…
Photo book by Metallica’s Kirk Hammett highlights his rare six-strings
For Metallica’s Kirk Hammett, there is one electric guitar that stands above the rest in his arsenal for the metal band’s ongoing M72 world tour. He thinks of it as his Excalibur, he says. It is a 1959 Gibson Les…
LA Opera names Venezuelan conductor Domingo Hindoyan as music director
When Domingo Hindoyan, the Venezuelan chief conductor of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, made his debut with L.A. Opera last November with “Roméo et Juliette,” Times classical music critic Mark Swed called it “a coup for the company.” Swed also wondered…