Open Thread

Variety reports: David McCallum, who starred as Illya Kuryakin alongside Robert Vaughn’s Napoleon Solo in the 1960s hit spy drama “The Man From U.N.C.L.E.” and had a supporting role as pathologist Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard on the top-rated series “NCIS” decades later, died Monday of natural causes in New York City. He was 90. The James Bond-influenced “The Man From …

Billboard Magazine reports: Usher will headline the 2024 Super Bowl Halftime Show presented by Apple Music, during the game set to take place Feb. 11, 2024. The iconic singer from Atlanta will take the stage at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, the first time the big game will take place in that city. Usher has 18 amassed top 10 hits …

Variety reports: The WGA and Hollywood’s major studios are in the final phase of hammering out a three-year contract that will bring an end to one of the longest strikes in Hollywood history. Legal representatives for labor and management were said to be huddling on the fine print of language in complicated contract issues such as the use of generative …

Deadline Hollywood reports: There was a giddy feeling on the picket lines in LA today after huge numbers of writers turned out in what could be one of the last days of WGA picketing. As Bob Iger, Donna Langley, Ted Sarandos and David Zaslav and co. enter their third consecutive day of negotiations with the WGA leadership in Sherman Oaks, …

Variety reports: The “Dancing With the Stars” premiere will more than likely be delayed next week, as talent has begun dropping out of the show amid rising pressures during the WGA strike. “Veep” actor Matt Walsh, who is part of the Season 32 cast, is “taking a pause” from the ABC dance competition show until an agreement is made with …

Deadline reports: Kevin de León, who defiantly held onto his Los Angeles City Council seat despite persistent calls for his resignation – including one from President Joe Biden – following his participation in a racially charged recorded conversation that led to former Council President Nury Martinez’s resignation, said today he plans to seek reelection in 2024. In the recording, the …

Deadline reports: Eric Clapton performed for Democratic presidential candidate Robert Kennedy Jr. at a fundraising event in Brentwood. Kennedy’s campaign said that the Monday evening event — at a private home in Brentwood — raised $1 million for his campaign and $1.2 million for a PAC supporting it. Clapton made headlines during the Covid pandemic, as he came out forcefully …

The Hollywood Reporter reports: When John Waters touched down in Hollywood decades ago, he immediately had a run in with authorities. “I got out of my vehicle in 1970 at Hollywood and Vine and darted across the street and got a jaywalking ticket, the first one, and I never looked back,” recalled the filmmaker while standing at the podium on …

Variety reports: Drew Barrymore isn’t bringing back her daytime talk show “The Drew Barrymore Show” until the strike ends, after all. The decision comes a week after the actor was criticized for saying “The Drew Barrymore Show” would premiere on Sept. 18 in compliance with WGA guidelines and without writers. “I have listened to everyone, and I am making the …

Deadline reports: In its latest milestone, Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer has passed the $900M mark worldwide. The estimated total through Friday is $903M, including $586M from the international box office. With Saturday and Sunday numbers, that global cume is projected to reach $912M. This will make it the highest grossing biopic ever at the global box office, ahead of Bohemian Rhapsody. …

Variety reports: Drew Barrymore is offering up an explanation as to why her daytime talk show is returning, amid fierce criticism during the writers strike. “I believe there’s nothing I can do or say in this moment to make it OK,” Barrymore said on Friday afternoon, in an emotional video she posted on her Instagram. “I wanted to own a …

Deadline reports: In what’s being billed as the Saudi leader’s “first interview with a major American news network since 2019,” Fox News announced that Bret Baier will sit down with Mohammed bin Salman for a “no holds barred” conversation. The pre-taped encounter with the controversial crown prince will cover a range of topics, including the future of the kingdom and …

Deadline reports: Discovery Channel has set September 23 for the premiere of Ellen DeGeneres’ Saving The Gorillas: Ellen’s Next Adventure two-hour special. The documentary will air at 8 PM ET/PT on Discovery Channel and, in honor of World Gorilla Day, will be followed with an encore presentation on Sunday, September 24 at 10 PM ET/PT on Animal Planet. he documentary …

Yahoo Finance reports: Apple debuted its iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro on Tuesday, bringing major changes to the company’s most important devices including USB-C charging ports and a higher starting price for the iPhone 15 Pro Max. Pre-orders begin Friday, September 15, with availability beginning Friday, September 22. The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus start at $799 and …

People Magazine reports: Jimmy Buffett’s beloved Parrotheads agreed that it was “five o’clock somewhere” and celebrated his life by taking to the streets in Key West, Florida. Following his death at age 76 last Friday, fans of the music legend and mogul paraded through the Florida Keys, where he famously came up at the start of his career, on Sunday. …

NBC News reports: Luis Rubiales says he intends to resign as president of Spain’s soccer federation after Women’s World Cup champion Jenni Hermoso accused him of sexual assault following the country’s win last month. The incident occurred while Rubiales was congratulating the Spanish women’s team following their Aug. 20 defeat of England’s team, bringing the country its first win at …

Deadline Hollywood reports: The AMPTP called the Writers Guild out Friday night after the guild released a statement saying that several of the legacy companies have privately expressed “both the desire and willingness to negotiate an agreement that adequately addresses writers’ issues.” In response, the Association of Motion Picture and Television Producers said tonight that “The AMPTP member companies are …

Variety reports: The album Jimmy Buffett was known to have worked on earlier this year has been announced for a fall release. The 14-song “Equal Strain on All Parts” will be out Nov. 3 via the Sun label, with guests including Paul McCartney, Emmylou Harris, Angelique Kidjo and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band. Three advance tracks were released Friday morning …

Variety reports: Danny Masterson has been sentenced to 30 years in prison, after being convicted for rape earlier this year. Masterson is best known for starring on the hit Fox sitcom “That 70’s Show” and in Netflix’s “The Ranch.” The actor, who maintains his innocence, was convicted on two of three forcible rape charges this past May. Masterson was accused …

Billboard Magazine reports: Singer Gary Wright, best known for his 1976 soft rock hits “Dream Weaver” and “Love is Alive,” has died at age 80. Wright’s son, Justin, confirmed to Rolling Stone that his father died on Monday at his Palos Verdes Estates home after battling Parkinson’s disease and Lewy body dementia for the past six years. Justin Wright said …