Open Thread

Billboard Magazine reports: It’s been a stunning year for pop phenomenon Sam Smith. Along with releasing their latest pop-driven singles like “Dancing With a Stranger” (with Normani) and “How Do You Sleep,” Smith also managed to finally express their truest self by coming out as non-binary and officially changing their pronouns to “they/them.” But in a new interview with SiriusXM …

Playbill reports: Ron Leibman, who won a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play in 1993 for originating the role of Roy Cohn in Angels in America: Millennium Approaches, died December 6; he was 82. Mr. Leibman was well-known in the theatre community and Hollywood for his turns in shows like Friends (playing Rachel’s father, Dr. Leonard Green) and …

The Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel reports: A Deerfield Beach man who was the first in Florida to be charged with defying the state’s “Red Flag” law has been found guilty and is now facing a maximum prison term of five years. Broward Circuit Judge Ernest Kollra ordered a pre-sentencing investigation for Jerron Smith, 33, who was accused in March 2018 of …

Playbill reports: Tony and Oscar nominee Adam Driver (Burn This and BlacKKKlansman) sings “Being Alive” from Company in Marriage Story. Driver, as his character Charlie, sings a stripped down version of the tune at a piano bar, coming at the climax of his character’s storyline. The movie stars Driver and Tony winner Scarlett Johansson, who also sings “You Could Drive …

Playbill reports: Three-time Tony recipient and famed Stephen Sondheim interpreter Bernadette Peters, most recently on Broadway in the Tony-winning revival of Hello, Dolly!, will join the previously announced Tony winner Katrina Lenk (The Band’s Visit, upcoming Company revival) New Year’s Eve for the Celebrating Sondheim concert at Lincoln Center’s David Geffen Hall. Peters will host the evening directed by Lonny …

Playbill reports: Following a world premiere at Cambridge, Massachusetts’ American Repertory Theater, Jagged Little Pill brings some patience, deliverance, and the mess you left when you went away to Broadway. The musical, featuring the songs of Alanis Morissette, officially opens at the Broadhurst Theatre December 5. Previews began November 3. The musical, directed by Diane Paulus, weaves the songs of …

NBC News reports: It’s time to officially usher in the holiday season with the 87th annual Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting in Manhattan. On hand will be dozens of sightseers, moving performances and beautiful decorations. The live tree lightning airs on NBC.  This year’s tree lighting ceremony takes place at 8 p.m. ET/PT and runs until 10 p.m. The tree …

Billboard Magazine reports: Billy Porter says he is excited for the year to come, and he has good reason to be: 2020 will see Porter return for a third season of Pose, and begin shooting for his enchanting upcoming role as the Fairy Godmother in Sony’s Cinderella. Plus, he gets to kick it off as one of this year’s co-hosts …

Playbill reports: Frozen and Wicked star Idina Menzel went back to her Rent roots to perform “Seasons of Love” during the quarter final competition episode of the British competition series Strictly Come Dancing November 30. The Tony winner, who can be heard on the big screen in Frozen 2, made her Broadway debut in the 1996 Jonathan Larson-penned musical, playing …

CNET reports: Ring, which sells video doorbells, outdoor cameras and other security devices, also offers a Neighbors app that it pitches as “the new neighborhood watch.” While the Neighbors app is voluntary, some people, communities and advocacy groups have expressed concerns about how Ring, which is owned by Amazon, is using data from the app as part of its partnerships …

Reuters reports: An Oklahoma police chief is asking Starbucks to have mercy on a barista who plastered “PIG” on a police officer’s coffee order. “I just recently learned that the employee was terminated, and this may be a bit surprising, but I would like Starbucks to reconsider,” Keifer, Oklahoma, Police Chief Johnny O’Mara told Fox News. “I’m asking for civility.” …

The Associated Press reports: A Florida man has been arrested for the second time this month for trying to bring a loaded gun through a TSA checkpoint. TSA officials say the unidentified man was arrested at Syracuse Hancock International Airport on Thursday after he was caught at a checkpoint with a loaded gun in his luggage. TSA spokesperson Lisa Farbstein …

Billboard Magazine reports: Let Snoop Dogg ease the stress of the holidays with his upcoming lullaby album. Yes, you read that right. The rapper will be delving into goodnight tunes on Rockabye Baby!, a record full of lullaby versions of his songs, which will drop as part of Record Store Day on Nov. 29. The album will feature unlikely gentle …

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Tell us today about your traditions, your travels, your favorite recipes, and your favorite Turkey Day disasters. Tell us about Thanksgivings with your biological families and your logical families, as Armistead Maupin so aptly puts in. Tonight I’ll dine with my logical family here in New York City and I’ll lift my glass to all of you.

Playbill reports: Tony winners Idina Menzel and Billy Porter shine bright in the music video above for their “I Got My Love to Keep Me Warm” duet, complete with back-up dancers, a sparkly set, and holiday outfits. “I Got My Love to Keep Me Warm” appears on Menzel’s new album, Christmas: A Season of Love. The pair have been busy …

Axios reports: In a clip from a stunning new AI-manipulated video, President Nixon delivers a somber speech he never gave in real life, appearing to eulogize American astronauts left on the moon to die. Why it matters: The video simultaneously shows the dangerous power of deepfake technology that can put words into the mouths of powerful leaders — and its …

Fox News reports: A Florida man who allegedly robbed a bank while donning a “Make America Great Again” shirt apparently received far more money than he demanded — and told the teller to give him a smaller amount of cash. Sandy Hawkins, 73, was arrested following the alleged robbery that unfolded at a Wells Fargo in Boca Raton around 11:30 …

The Brevard Times reports: A Florida man was wearing an exfoliating mask when Sarasota County Sheriff’s deputies arrested him for armed robbery on Friday in Osprey, Florida. Deputies responded to a retail store in the 13000 block of S. Tamiami Trail in Osprey around 2:30 a.m. for a report of an armed robbery. The victim witnessed a male suspect leaving …

ABC News reports: A home under construction in a rural part of Hernando County has a unique addition to the backyard that has people living directly behind it concerned for their safety. The homeowner is building a private gun range. The backstop ends just feet from where the property line of another home in the Weeki Wachee neighborhood begins. “I …

NBC News reports: A Florida man’s dog accidentally shifted his owner’s car into reverse after the black Labrador was left inside, causing the car to slowly circle a cul-de-sac for an hour. The incident happened Thursday morning in Port St. Lucie when the dog’s owner made a wrong turn, pulled over and then got out of the car leaving the …