The Palme d'Or will be handed out Saturday in Cannes. Here's what to look for
The 79th Cannes Film Festival draws to a close with the presentation of one of cinema’s highest honors, the Palme d’Or. This year, the race may be wide open. By wide consensus, it hasn’t been a banner festival. Hollywood largely sat out this year’s edition. Many of the selections struggled to bowl over critics. The global buzz that Cannes typically generates was fitful at best. But the Palme d'Or will dramatically raise the international profile of the winner, and likely set it up as an Oscar contender, too. The jury that will decide the awards is headed by Korean filmmaker Park Chan-wook.
Britney Spears was 'confrontational' and 'flamboyant' but tested low for alcohol during DUI stop
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Britney Spears refused to exit her BMW for about 10 minutes during a DUI arrest in March. When she did, she smelled of alcohol and appeared drunk. However breath tests showed she a lower blood alcohol content than the level where a person is presumed drunk. That's according to a police report and dashcam video obtained Friday. Officers found in her purse a bottle of Adderall that was not prescribed to her. A representative for the pop superstar did not immediately respond Friday. Spears has pleaded guilty to reckless driving involving alcohol and drugs. She checked into rehab soon after and avoided more jail time.
Scott Remer, the only full-time spelling bee coach, charges $180 an hour. Champs say he's worth it
Scott Remer is the country's only full-time, professional coach for kids competing in the Scripps National Spelling Bee. The 32-year-old Remer has coached five national champions, including two of the last three. Remer claims 34 spellers as his students this year and has worked with no fewer than 29 during each of the past four bees. He charges up to $180 for an hourlong private lesson. And if spellers finish in the top 10 and earn a cash prize, he receives up to 10% of their winnings. Many spellers who worked with Remer praise his coaching, but some say he can be brusque and demanding.
Paul McCartney helps Stephen Colbert say goodbye to 'The Late Show' in ambitious final show
NEW YORK (AP) — Stephen Colbert has wrapped up his final broadcast of CBS' “The Late Show” with a memorable night. Paul McCartney joined him on stage for a lively performance of “Hello, Goodbye.” Colbert expressed gratitude for the joy of creating over 1,800 episodes. Thursday night's show was filled with surprises, including appearances by Bryan Cranston, Paul Rudd and Tim Meadows. Colbert also joined Elvis Costello and others for a performance of “Jump Up.” The night ended with McCartney turning off the building's power. Colbert's goodbye was ambitious, running 17 minutes over, and marked the end of an era in late-night TV.
Matthew Perry's family trusted his assistant to help keep him sober. He instead helped him overdose
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Matthew Perry's assistant is set to become the last defendant sentenced in the investigation of the drug death of the “Friends” star. Perry's family wrote letters to the judge saying they had known Kenneth Iwamasa for decades. They were pleased when the actor hired him because they trusted him to help Perry's sobriety. But instead, Iwamasa helped Perry get and inject the ketamine that would lead to his death in 2023. Iwamasa eventually pleaded guilty and become the most important witness in the case that led to five indictments. His lawyers say he wasn't in a position to say no to Perry. He'll be sentenced Wednesday.
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Highlights and memorable moments from the red carpet fashion at Cannes 2026
London (AP) — The Cannes Film Festival is wrapping up its twelve days of premieres and high fashion. The red carpet at Cannes is a renowned fashion showcase, lasting over a week unlike other events such as the Oscars. This gives celebrities and stylists ample time to present luxurious looks. Voluminous gowns made a statement, with Cate Blanchett and Sharon Stone opting for structural elegance. However, some outfits proved challenging for movement. Demi Moore, a jury member, showcased a variety of styles, including a lavender Gucci and a hot-pink Matières Fécales gown. Other standout looks included Colman Domingo in Valentino and Dita von Teese in Tamara Ralph Couture.
‘It Takes Two’ rapper Rob Base, who helped bring hip-hop mainstream, dies at 59
NEW YORK (AP) — Rapper Rob Base has died after a battle with cancer. He was 59. His team shared the news of his death on his Instagram page. Base was one half of the Harlem hip-hop duo Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock. The duo was best known for the 1988 hit “It Takes Two,” a blend of hip-hop and house music that helped bring the genres into the mainstream. DJ E-Z Rock died in 2014 at age 46 of complications from diabetes. The two met as fifth grade students in Harlem. Their song “It Takes Two” has been certified platinum.
The game's afoot as armchair detectives mark Sherlock Holmes Day
SCHATTENHALB, Switzerland (AP) — From 221B Baker Street in central London to a cliffside waterfall in the Swiss Alps, generations of armchair detectives are celebrating International Sherlock Holmes Day. Fans on Friday honored Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s birthday to pay tribute to the stories about the world's most famous detective that continue to shape popular culture. The stories have since been adapted for the stage, screen and comic books. The celebrations began earlier this month when enthusiasts from the Sherlock Holmes Society of London traveled to Switzerland’s Reichenbach Falls for a reenactment of one of fiction’s most famous death scenes.
Bruce Dern takes a bow at the Cannes Film Festival with a new documentary on his life
CANNES, France (AP) — Bruce Dern had to play the long game. Acting has always been an endurance sport for the 89-year-old actor and avid marathon runner. Dern came to the Cannes Film Festival this week to take a well-deserved bow. “Dernsie: The Amazing Life of Bruce Dern” is a documentary about his long-distance career. It premiered on Thursday at the festival. Cannes like most things for Dern holds plenty of stories. He said that he first came here with Alfred Hitchcock for “Marnie.” He won best actor in Cannes in 2013 for one of his few leading performances in Alexander Payne’s “Nebraska.” Dern turns 90 next month and he still has no plans to stop.
A round of a-paws for ‘La Perra,’ winner of the Palm Dog award at Cannes
CANNES, France (AP) — Yuri the dog from the Chilean movie “La Perra” has won the coveted Palm Dog award in Cannes. The prize was given Friday, a day before the festival’s official awards ceremony. Director Dominga Sotomayor collected the dog collar prize with a stand-in look-alike pooch. Lola, the border terrier cross who appears in the British movie “I See Buildings Fall Like Lightning,” took the Grand Jury prize. The Palm Dog Award was founded in 2001 by film journalist Toby Rose with a mission to give equal celebration to canines at Cannes as their human co-stars.
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