Michael Vick Urges Kareem Hunt To Get Help … ‘He Can Always Reach Out To Me’ 12/5/2018 12:30 AM PST EXCLUSIVE Michael Vick says the only way Kareem Hunt can get back to the NFL is if he gets serious help … and the ex-QB tells TMZ Sports he’s willing to be a part of
R. Kelly’s ex-wife Drea says that she believes a gun threat that caused an evacuation at a New York City screening for Lifetime’s upcoming documentary series “Surviving R. Kelly” was connected to the singer. “I can’t speak to what he would or would not do because I don’t know what his mindset is right now,” she told
Kevin Hart is ready for his Oscar close-up. And now the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences president John Bailey tells Variety that he’s “very excited” to see what the funny man will do when he makes his hosting debut next year. “First of all, he’s a very kind of warm and loving and
December 4, 2018 10:00PM PT “Bumblebee,” the sixth installment of Paramount’s “Transformers” franchise, will rumble into Chinese theaters on Jan. 4, 2019. That is two weeks after its U.S. outing. The prequel is set 20 years before 2007’s first “Transformers” film, and follows the story of a government agency chasing down autobot Bumblebee and the teenage
December 4, 2018 9:20PM PT Global streaming giant, Netflix has acquired worldwide rights to Hong Kong-set horror-comedy series “Demon’s Path,” from Malaysia’s Astro group. The show is set to air from Dec. 22. The series follows a forensic pathologist who has the ability to see the last 10-seconds of life of the dead. Working together
December 4, 2018 9:07PM PT If you thought the idea of Bruce Springsteen following his grueling run on Broadway with an E Street Band tour sounded too good to be true, now it’s official: it was. Springsteen — who is set to wrap his show, “Springsteen on Broadway,” on December 15 — took to Twitter
Clover Pictures is getting ready to unwrap spooky Singaporean comedy “When Ghost Meets Zombie” in time for Valentines Day next year. The film stars local singer-actor Nathan Hartono, who made it to the grand finals of the “Sing! China” singing contest variety program in 2017. He was Jay Chou’s protege during that season of the
SAG-AFTRA members have ratified a three-year successor deal to the union’s contract with the major record labels with more than 99% support. Ratification voting was completed Tuesday afternoon. The contract is retroactive to Jan. 1, 2018, and expires Dec. 31, 2020. The major record labels covered by the agreement include Warner Bros. Records, Atlantic Recording Corporation,
Leslie Moonves is alleged to have misled investigators working on behalf of CBS Corp. and attempted to obstruct a probe into claims of sexual harassment during his time at and before he was employed by the company, according to a report in The New York Times. The Times says it has reviewed a draft of
UPDATED: A New York City screening for Lifetime’s upcoming documentary series “Surviving R. Kelly” was evacuated over a gun threat on Tuesday evening. A Lifetime rep tells Variety the event was evacuated as a precaution after the venue received two anonymous calls. Present at the screening and conversation, held at NeueHouse Madison Square in the Gramercy
WASHINGTON — Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s team is recommending that former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn get a lesser sentence, including one that does not include jail time, citing his cooperation with the ongoing investigation into possible collusion between Russian sources and the Trump campaign. “Given the defendant’s substantial assistance and other considerations set forth
Jazz musician, television actor and developmental research psychologist Roger V. Burton died Nov. 30 at his home in Santa Monica. He was 90 years old. Burton began as a professional jazz trombonist at the age of 11, playing in big bands and on studio film soundtracks. Earning himself the nickname “Schoolboy” for doing homework between
December 4, 2018 4:14PM PT Robert Schwentke, who received critical acclaim for his thriller “The Captain,” is in early talks to direct Paramount’s “G.I. Joe” spinoff, “Snake Eyes,” sources tell Variety. Evan Spiliotopoulos, who wrote “Beauty and the Beast” and “The Huntsman: Winter’s War,” penned the script. Brian Goldner is among those producing the feature
December 4, 2018 4:06PM PT After reports emerged that he was under consideration, Kevin Hart confirmed that he’s hosting the 2019 Oscars with a post on Instagram Tuesday evening. The show is set to air on ABC on Feb. 24. Jimmy Kimmel hosted the show for the past two years, but previously said he will
December 4, 2018 4:04PM PT Global producer and distributor, Fremantle has completed a deal with leading Philippines broadcaster ABS-CBN for the Fremantle and 19 Entertainment co-owned format “Idols.” The show is the world’s most successful search for a solo pop superstar. ABS-CBN is currently partner with Fremantle in the region on “Pilipinas Got Talent.” It
Few music executives have the range of Troy Carter, who over the past decade managed Lady Gaga from unknown status to superstardom, made big strides in smoothing Spotify’s relationships with the artist community, and continues to navigate complicated terrain as the special entertainment adviser to the Prince estate, which has resulted in a thorough archiving
In Tuesday’s roundup, the official trailer is out for Ellen DeGeneres’ first stand-up act in 15 years, and Netflix sets the premiere date for “Sex Education,” a coming-of-age teen dramedy. FIRST LOOKS The first official trailer has been released for “Ellen DeGeneres: Relatable.” The special marks DeGeneres’ return to stand-up after a 15-year hiatus, and
December 4, 2018 3:30PM PT Toby Kebbell has been cast in a main role in the upcoming M. Night Shyamalan thriller series at Apple, Variety has learned. The exact details of the plot are being kept under wraps, but sources say the show follows a married couple that hires a young woman to serve as the nanny
Anne Hathaway has been offered a starring role in Warner Bros.’ “Sesame Street” movie, sources tell Variety. Sources close to the situation say Hathaway has not decided whether she will film the movie yet as the actress is also fielding an offer for Robert Zemeckis’ ‘The Witches.” “Portlandia” director and co-creator Jonathan Krisel is set to helm
December 4, 2018 3:15PM PT The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures will open in “late 2019” with a retrospective of Japanese animation director Hayao Miyazaki, Academy officials announced Tuesday. The Academy also gave a preview of the long-term exhibits that will be in place when the museum opens to paying customers next year. The exhibits
December 4, 2018 3:11PM PT Digital movie sales and rentals are finally starting to gain traction, thanks to such innovative digital retailers as FandangoNOW, which is being inducted into Variety’s Home Entertainment Hall of Fame on Dec. 4. A business unit of Fandango, which sells movie tickets, FandangoNOW furthers the company’s mission of ubiquitous movie
There are some who say Issa Rae videos should come with a warning label: Her work, particularly her groundbreaking YouTube web series “Awkward Black Girl” and award-winning HBO TV series “Insecure,” can be a little addictive. Maybe it’s because we’re all a little awkward, we’re all a little insecure and so we can relate.Or maybe
The old Hollywood saying “perception is reality” rings true in new media. Just ask Susanne Daniels, global head of original content at YouTube, who is being inducted into Variety’s Home Entertainment Hall of Fame on Dec. 4. Earlier this year, YouTube’s subscription streaming service was rebranded to YouTube Premium, shedding the YouTube Red moniker it
Hair by Nai’vasha Johnson at the Wall Group; makeup by Grace Ahn at Julian Watson Agency Halima Aden, the first hijabi model to crack fashion’s big leagues, is at the forefront of a new focus on representation. “If I can encourage girls to stay true to themselves, then I’ve done a good job,” she says.
More than one year after winning a Special Jury Award at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival, director RaMell Ross’ “Hale County This Morning, This Evening” will air on PBS’ ‘Independent Lens’ this coming February, marking a cap to its global tour. Along the way, this elliptical, abstracted portrait of two Alabama families has won plaudits
December 4, 2018 2:47PM PT Popular mobile game “Trivia Crack” is launching a new game mode for players in the United States this week known as “Trivia Live.” The mobile trivia title is looking to compete with the recent trend of live trivia games by bringing real-time quizzes to players. Those who answer the most
Amandla Stenberg is unleashing “rain and thunder” with her activism. So said Tracee Ellis Ross on Monday while presenting the Change Maker Award to “The Hate U Give” star at Equality Now‘s Make Equality Reality Gala on Monday at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles. “I’m starting to understand that the world is always going
December 4, 2018 2:25PM PT Jim Osborne has been named head of talent at APA. APA executive Barry McPherson will continue to lead the agency’s New York talent department. Ryan Martin, who has served as APA’s co-head of talent since June 2018 and previously lead the department since 2006, will exit the agency when his
At its grand reopening Monday after a massive $56 million renovation, Philadelphia’s 110-year-old Metropolitan Opera House looked handsome and revitalized, like an aged beauty that’s been refreshed. The same could be said of Bob Dylan, an ideal choice to reopen the opulent and rejuvenated 3,400-seat hall. Monday was about two things: marveling at what had become of the
Two of the biggest personalities in Asian TV’s C-suite say they have stopped worrying and learned to love disruption. After being described as “giants,” HBO Asia CEO Jonathan Spink and Turner’s celebrated Asia Pacific president Ricky Ow took the stage Tuesday in Singapore at the ATF Leaders’ Conference. There they interspersed a series of dire