Michael Jackson streams skyrocket after 'Michael' biopic opening weekend, up 95% in the US
NEW YORK (AP) — Michael Jackson sang “Don’t Stop ’Til You Get Enough.” For fans of the King of Pop’s music, it’s a call to action. Streams of his catalog jumped 95% in the U.S. over the weekend when compared with the same days the previous weekend. That’s according to Luminate, an industry data and analytics company that provides insight into changing behaviors across music listenership. A blockbuster was the cause. The big-budget biopic “Michael” earned $97 million in U.S. and Canada theaters its opening weekend. As a result of the movie’s popularity, Jackson received 31.7 million streams on Friday, April 24 and Saturday, April 25. That's compared with 16.3 million streams the previous weekend for a 95% increase.
Man pleads guilty in the 2002 killing of Jam Master Jay of rap pioneers Run-DMC
NEW YORK (AP) — Nearly a quarter-century after rap star Jam Master Jay of Run-DMC was shot to death, a man admitted in court Monday to a role in a killing that stymied investigators for decades. Jay Bryant pleaded guilty to a federal murder charge, telling a judge that he helped other people get into a recording studio so they could ambush the DJ, born Jason Mizell. The 52-year-old’s admission brings some closure — but also adds complexity — to a knotty case. Bryant didn’t name the other people with whom he acted. But a jury in 2024 convicted two other men, Karl Jordan Jr. and Ronald Washington, yet a judge subsequently cleared Jordan. Washington has also challenged his conviction.
Summer Movie Preview: Nolan, Spider-Man and 'Toy Story' light up the cinemas
Hollywood's summer movie season is packed with big names and franchises. Universal Pictures is releasing Christopher Nolan's “The Odyssey” and Steven Spielberg's “Disclosure Day.” Franchises like “Spider-Man,” “Minions,” “Star Wars,” and “Toy Story” are also set to draw crowds. This year, Disney kicks off the season with “The Devil Wears Prada 2" instead of a Marvel film. The industry is adapting to changes, with streaming and altered viewing habits impacting box office numbers. Despite challenges, directors like James Cameron remain optimistic about the future of theatrical releases. The summer movie season runs from May through August.
Trumps call for ABC to fire Jimmy Kimmel — again — after morbid joke about first lady
Both President Donald Trump and his wife, Melania, are calling on ABC to fire Jimmy Kimmel after the late-night comic joked last week that the first lady had “the glow of an expectant widow.” Kimmel made the joke while delivering a mock comic routine for the White House Correspondents' Association dinner — two nights before that event was cut short when a man tried to rush the ballroom where the Trumps and other leaders were. Melania Trump said Monday on social media that people like Kimmel “shouldn't have the opportunity to enter our homes each evening to spread hate.” The president said Kimmel's words were “beyond the pale.”
Nedra Talley Ross, the last surviving member of the 1960s bee-hived pop trio the Ronettes, dies
NEW YORK (AP) — Nedra Talley Ross, the last surviving member of the Ronettes, has died at 80. Her daughter and the Ronettes' official Instagram account confirmed that she died Sunday at home. Ross, alongside her cousins, sang hits like “Be My Baby” and “Walking in the Rain.” The Ronettes became a leading act in the girl-group era with help from Phil Spector. They toured with The Rolling Stones and befriended the Beatles. After the group disbanded, Ross pursued Christian music. She was married to Scott Ross until his death in 2023. Ross is survived by four children.
Recommended for you
Melanie C says she's bringing joy to the club with 'Sweat,' an athletic album from the Spice Girl
NEW YORK (AP) — Melanie C, also know as Mel C or Sporty Spice from the game-changing ‘90s girl group the Spice Girls, will release a new album on Friday. Her ninth solo album is called “Sweat.” The title track and lead single is equal parts club banger and workout anthem, something for the DJ booth and a runner’s playlist. She told The Associated Press her recent foray into deejaying directly inspired the new record. It’s all about the joy of the dance floor and her trademark athleticism. She says she hopes the new release motivates her fans but also provides them with some catharsis.
Oprah Winfrey’s podcast lands at Amazon as part of multiyear deal
NEW YORK (AP) — Oprah Winfrey's podcast is headed to Amazon. Her company, Harpo Entertainment, has signed a multiyear deal with Amazon-owned Wondery for exclusive distribution and advertising rights to "The Oprah Podcast." Starting this summer, the podcast will expand to two new episodes a week and Wondery will distribute the show's audio and video across Amazon platforms. The deal also includes rights to "The Oprah Winfrey Show" library, her book club, and "Favorite Things" franchises. Financial terms weren't disclosed. Winfrey launched the podcast in December 2024.
Movie Review: A flatulence-filled 'Animal Farm' for tots turns a masterpiece into cinematic manure
The new animated "Animal Farm" takes a radical departure from George Orwell's classic. Screenwriter Nicholas Stoller and director Andy Serkis have transformed the allegory into a bright, modern tale, complete with iPhones and sports cars, says Associated Press critic Mark Kennedy in his review. The film introduces new characters and muddies the focus from anti-totalitarianism to a critique of Big Corporatization. Despite an all-star voice cast, including Seth Rogen and Laverne Cox, the adaptation feels misguided, Kennedy says. It ends with a "Mission: Impossible"-style caper, straying far from Orwell's original message. The movie, rated PG, releases Friday.
Reporters covered the correspondents' dinner shooting in real time. Conspiracy theories still spread
Conspiracy theories flooded the internet minutes after the shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner attended by President Donald Trump. The events Saturday played out in front of some of the nation’s most powerful reporters and editors, who snapped into action in real time to provide detailed accounts from the scene. What resulted was a steady stream of facts from myriad reputable media outlets. Despite this, unfounded conspiracy theories from both the left and the right proliferated, chief among them that the shooting was staged. Some spread in spite of the facts while others used real information to create false narratives.
The night a big story came directly to Washington's journalists — hundreds of them
More often than not, big stories happen out of the sight of journalists. Not so this weekend, when a shooting forced the postponement of the White House Correspondents' Association dinner — an annual event attended by hundreds of the nation's most prominent reporters and editors. Once it became apparent that something serious had happened, many of the journalists in tuxedos and gowns moved swiftly into work mode — recording video and photos of the scene on their mobile phones, and wrestling with spotty service to get the news out as swiftly as they could. Fear swept the Washington Hilton ballroom, but many reporters set it aside to work.

(0) comments
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep the discussion civilized. Absolutely NO personal attacks or insults directed toward writers, nor others who make comments.
Keep it clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
Don't threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Anyone violating these rules will be issued a warning. After the warning, comment privileges can be revoked.