Open Thread

Billboard Magazine reports: Hamilton: An American Musical this week becomes the first original cast album to log 500 weeks on the Billboard 200. The album debuted at No. 12 on the chart dated Oct. 17, 2015, which was the highest debut for a cast album in more than 50 years. It peaked at No. 2 in July 2020, which was …

Deadline Hollywood reports: The forthcoming conclave to select the new Pope has gained a whole new group of interested observers, following the success of Oscar-nominated film Conclave starring Ralph Fiennes. Based on the bestselling 2016 novel by Robert Harris, it details the process where cardinals (male, under the age of 80) from across the world gather in the Vatican’s Sistine …

Variety reports: Marvel’s “Thunderbolts*” will easily top the weekend box office after cracking a $31.5 million gross across Friday and preview screenings from 4,330 theaters. That puts the ensemble action piece, which follows a ragtag team-up of Marvel’s least superpowered personalities, on pace to land within projections for a domestic opening between $70 million and $75 million. The movie also …

Deadline Hollywood reports: Although she who must not be named is heavily involved in the upcoming Harry Potter series, Warner Bros. is distancing itself from her views. HBO Chairman and CEO Casey Bloys recently addressed J.K. Rowling‘s ongoing anti-transgender rhetoric and how it will impact the TV adaptation of her seven-book fantasy novel series. “The decision to be in business …

Variety reports: Nominees for the 78th annual Tonys were announced on Thursday, and “Death Becomes Her,” a campy comedy about frenemies on a quest to stay youthful, “Maybe Happy Ending,” a tenderhearted tale about two robots in love, and “Buena Vista Social Club,” a joyous story about celebrated Cuban musicians, were this year’s most nominated shows with 10 nods apiece. …

Variety reports: Katy Perry has responded to backlash following criticism of her new music, tour and Blue Origin space flight earlier this month, writing in a social media comment that she’s felt “battered and bruised” but has “kept looking to the light.” On April 14, the pop star was part of an all-female crew — also including “CBS Mornings” anchor …

Variety reports: Martin Short is expanding his relationship with Disney, signing on to host a revival of the famed gamer “Match Game.” Produced by FremantleMedia North America, “Match Game” centered on four contestants competing for $25,000 as they try to match the answers of six celebrities in a game of fill-in-the-blank. The format, which first premiered in 1962 (hosted by …

Variety reports: John Lithgow is opening up about how fans feel about him joining HBO’s “Harry Potter” series, considering the involvement of the contentious franchise creator J.K. Rowling. In a sit-down with The Times of London, Lithgow said he has received some backlash for joining HBO’s “Harry Potter” because of Rowling’s controversial comments about the transgender community. The “Conclave” star …

Variety reports: “RuPaul’s Drag Race” star and judge of “Drag Race: Philippines,” Jiggly Caliente, has died. She was 44. Caliente had been suffering from complications due to a severe infection, and as a result, had undergone surgery, losing most of her right leg. The news was confirmed by her family, who shared the update on her Instagram page. They wrote, …

Variety reports: Sean “Diddy” Combs rejected a plea deal in his federal racketeering and sex trafficking case, as a federal prosecutor disclosed the offer during a hearing earlier today in New York. Prosecutor Madison Smyser revealed that Combs had rejected the deal without providing any further details on what was offered, reports Reuters. Combs previously pleaded not guilty to the …

The Hollywood Reporter reports: Lulu Roman, the brash Hee Haw comedian and gospel singer who delighted fans of the long-running country music variety show while turning her life around in the process, has died. She was 78. Roman died Wednesday in Bellingham, Washington, her son, Damon Roman, told The Hollywood Reporter. She had moved there to be with him seven …

Deadline Hollywood reports: Noting that nearly half of all viewing hours on Netflix happen with subtitles or captions on, the streaming giant is rolling out a new option for how text appears along the bottom of the screen. Starting with Season 5 of You, which just went live today, Netflix is offering the option of original language subtitles displaying only …

Variety reports: Start your engines, 18 times! “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars” is commemorating its tenth season with a record 18 queens competing to join the “Drag Race” Hall of Fame and win a cash prize of $200,000. Those queens won’t all be competing at once, however. Instead, they will be split up into three groups of six — Team …

Billboard Magazine reports: It has been nearly eight months since disgraced hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs was arrested and sent to New York’s notorious Metropolitan Detention Center to await trial on sex trafficking and racketeering charges. And while the formerly high-flying Bad Boy Records CEO and billionaire entrepreneur was used to the finest things in his former life, his life …

Deadline Hollywood reports: The Fyre Festival, the infamous music event founded by Billy McFarland and Ja Rule that was explored in two separate documentaries, is getting a new life as a music streaming service. Deadline understands that Shawn Rech, who co-founded the TruBlue streaming service with former To Catch a Predator host Chris Hansen, has acquired some of the IP …

Variety reports: “A Minecraft Movie” is barreling toward the $1 billion mark with global ticket sales at $720 million after three weekends of release. The Warner Bros. PG blockbuster, starring Jack Black and Jason Momoa, added another $59 million internationally and a massive $100 million globally over the Easter holiday weekend. Now, “Minecraft” has generated $376.2 million overseas and $720.8 …

Deadline reports: Barring unforeseen circumstances, Sean “Diddy‘ Combs’ criminal trial for sex trafficking and more will start next month. Also, footage from a Warner Bros Discovery Fall Of Diddy docuseries about the performer will be allowed as evidence, despite the efforts of the David Zaslav-run media giant. With the former mini-mogul in attendance, a federal judge on Friday rejected a …

Variety reports: Haley Joel Osment has apologized after he used an antisemitic slur while being arrested earlier this month for alleged public intoxication and possession of a controlled substance. On April 8, Osment was allegedly acting belligerent at a California ski lodge and was blocking people from getting on the ski lift, according to bodycam footage and other videos obtained …

Deadline Hollywood reports: Russell T. Davies is too busy navigating the rules of space and time to humor critics of his show’s diversity and inclusion. The Doctor Who showrunner, who previously revived the series in 2005, recently addressed criticism of the BBC and Disney+ reboot’s “diversity and wokeness,” after stars Ncuti Gatwa and Varada Sethu defended the show. “Someone always …

Variety reports: Both Europe’s most right-wing nation and its second hottest destination for international shoots, Hungary has shocked the world with its recent ban on LGBTQ+ public events. But Hollywood is not yet ready to give up on the country’s generous tax incentives. It’s not Hungary’s first anti-LGBTQ+ law. Back in 2021, the country’s parliament passed a law forbidding the …