Open Thread

Variety reports: Five men were convicted by a federal jury in Las Vegas this week for their part in operating Jetflicks, which officials say was one of the largest illegal streaming services in the U.S. Jetflicks, which charged $9.99 per month for the streaming service, generated millions of dollars in subscription revenue and caused “substantial harm to television program copyright …

“The first gay guys I ever met, I was 9 years old. I walked into my house and there were these two guys there and they started talking to my mom and mom’s best friend. I was thinking, ‘Where have they been hiding these guys?’ I’m 9, but I thought, ‘Wait a minute… why aren’t the other guys as funny …

Variety reports: Netflix will now sell you a ready-to-eat bag of popcorn to go with your ready-to-binge TV show. The streamer is teaming with popcorn company Popcorn Indiana for the new line of Netflix’s Now Popping snacks. The two flavors are “Cult Classic Cheddar Kettle” and “Swoonworthy Cinnamon Kettle.” The Netflix-branded popcorn will be available at Walmart stores nationwide and …

Variety reports: A “Spaceballs” sequel is in development at Amazon MGM Studios. Josh Gad is set to star, and will produce alongside Mel Brooks. Josh Greenbaum will direct the film from a screenplay by Benji Samit, Dan Hernandez, and Gad, while Kevin Salter will executive produce. The project is in early stages, and plot details are being kept under wraps. …

Variety reports: Netflix has announced the first two cities for its gigantic new in-person experience venues, slated to open in 2025. They’re not exactly theme parks, but the new Netflix Houses — to open next year in King of Prussia, Pa., and Dallas — will feature a wide array of shopping outlets, eateries and experiential activities tied to the streamer’s …

The Hollywood Reporter reports: The Tony Awards were handed out Sunday night. The Outsiders was named best musical, while Merrily We Roll Along won the Tony for best revival of a musical. Stereophonic was named best play, while Appropriate won the award for best revival of a play. Among the other noteworthy winners were Sarah Paulson, Daniel Radcliffe and Jeremy …

Variety reports: Disney and Pixar‘s expressive animated sequel “Inside Out 2” scored a mighty $155 million in its first weekend of release, overtaking “Dune: Part Two” ($82.5 million) and “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” ($80 million) as the biggest opening of the year. It’s also the first movie since last July’s “Barbie” ($162 million) to debut above $100 million. …

Deadline reports: Oaks Park amusement park outside of Portland, Oregon, had to call in emergency personnel on Friday to rescue 28 people who were stuck upside-down on a malfunctioning ride. Crews rescued 28 people Friday after they were left dangling high on the ride. Portland Fire and Rescue said on X that firefighters worked with engineers at Oaks Park to …

Billboard Magazine reports: Broadway’s biggest night, the Tony Awards, is almost here. It all gets underway Sunday, June 16, at 6:30 p.m. PT/3:30 p.m. PT with The Tony Awards: Act One, co-hosted by Julianne Hough and Utkarsh Ambudkar. That 90-minute pre-show, where many of the technical awards are presented, streams on Pluto TV (click on the “ET” channel). Immediately following, …

Deadline reports: The legal fight between The Walt Disney Co. and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is officially over. The company has dropped its appeal that challenged DeSantis’ moves to strip the company of control over a special district that covered its Florida theme park properties. The dismissal came after the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District board, made up of DeSantis’ …

Deadline Hollywood reports: Director Cameron Van Hoy has entered production on The Prince, a new feature drama penned by Pulitzer Prize winner and Oscar nominee David Mamet. Scott Haze (Old Henry) leads a starry ensemble that also includes Nicolas Cage (Pig), J.K. Simmons (Whiplash), Giancarlo Esposito (Parish) and Andy Garcia (Ocean’s Eleven). While unconfirmed, we’re told by multiple sources close …

Variety reports: Kevin Spacey fought back tears during an interview on “Piers Morgan Uncensored” in which he revealed his house has been foreclosed on as he owes “many millions” of dollars in legal fees from his sexual misconduct trials. “It’s funny you ask that question because this week, where I have been living in Baltimore is being foreclosed on. My …

Variety reports: “RuPaul’s Drag Race” has $2 million for the ACLU’s Drag Defense Fund in the 14 months since the initiative was launched. Formed in April 2023 in partnership with World of Wonder, MTV and “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” the Drag Defense Fund defends constitutional rights and creative expression in the LGBTQ community at a moment when they are under attack …

Variety reports: Legendary actor and comedian Dick Van Dyke has made history, winning the 2024 Daytime Emmy award for guest performer in a daytime drama series — via his spot on Peacock’s “Days of Our Lives.” At 98, that makes Van Dyke the oldest actor to receive a Daytime Emmy win. Van Dyke came into Friday’s 51st Daytime Emmy Awards …

Billboard Magazine reports: Nick Cannon has teamed with Dr. Squatch and their Ball Valuation Tool to determine the price of his, um, family jewels, and they’re worth eight figures, according to TMZ. Not only has Dr. Squatch given Cannon — who has 12 children with six women — the honorary title of “Most Valuable Balls,” the men’s soap maker also …

The Today Show reports: Pat Sajak wants everyone to know how lucky he feels to have hosted “Wheel of Fortune.” Sajak’s final episode will air June 7, and he shared some words for all the fans and viewers who have tuned in over the years in a farewell message. “Well, the time has come to say goodbye. I have a …

Billboard Magazine reports: For the last 40 years, pop icon Madonna has cemented her status as a bonafide gay icon. This year, the Queen of Pop wants to remind her LGBTQ fans that without them, she wouldn’t still be here. In a touching message shared to her Instagram on Thursday (June 6), Madonna paid tribute to the queer community and …

Deadline reports: It was an emotional day at The View as Whoopi Goldberg reunited with the cast of Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit. The Oscar-winning star broke down in tears as she reunited with stars like Kathy Najimy, Wendy Makkena, and Sheryl Lee Ralph, as well as crew members from the 1993 comedy. A recreation of the “Joyful, …

Variety reports: Alec and Hilaria Baldwin are inviting viewers into their chaotic home for a reality series airing on TLC in 2025. The husband and wife duo announced the show (working title “The Baldwins“) in a video posted to Instagram, in which their seven children run around the house screaming. “We’re inviting you into our home to experience the ups …

Deadline Hollywood reports: The movie Donald Trump doesn’t want people to see is going global. While intrigue continues to surround the film’s U.S. release prospects, Cannes Competition title The Apprentice, about Trump’s rise to power, has been sold to key independent distributors in a host of international markets where demand has been strong. The current state of play as we …