Jilly Cooper, British author of bestselling risqué novels including 'Rivals', has died at 88
LONDON (AP) — British author Jilly Cooper, known for her bestselling novels like “Rivals” and “Riders,” has died at age 88. Her agent announced the news on Monday. A statement from her family described her death as an unexpected shock. Her agent, Felicity Blunt, praised Cooper for defining culture, writing, and conversation for over 50 years. Cooper was best known for her books in “The Rutshire Chronicles,” which portrayed the sex lives and excesses of the well-off, horse-riding set in 1980s England. The books sold millions of copies in the U.K. alone. One of the books, “Rivals,” was turned into a hit Disney+ TV series last year starring David Tennant and Alex Hassell.
Taylor Swift's 'The Official Release Party of a Show Girl' debuts at No. 1 with $33 million
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Taylor Swift's new film, “The Official Release Party of a Show Girl,” has topped the weekend box office with $33 million in North America. The AMC Theatres release was announced just two weeks ago and features music videos and behind-the-scenes footage. This success follows her “Eras Tour” concert film, which opened to $96 million nearly two years ago. Meanwhile, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson's drama “The Smashing Machine” debuted in third place with $6 million. Other notable releases include “One Battle After Another” at $11.1 million and “Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie” at $5.2 million.
What to Stream: Documentaries on John Candy and Victoria Beckham, Battlefield 6 and 'Family Guy'
Documentaries on comedian John Candy and pop artist-turned-fashion designer Victoria Beckham as well as a “Family Guy” Halloween special are some of the new television, films, music and games headed to a device near you. Also among the streaming offerings worth your time for the week of Oct 6 as selected by The Associated Press’ entertainment journalists are Keira Knightley starring as a journalist in “The Woman in Cabin 10,” Electronic Arts getting ready to get back in the fight with the game Battlefield 6 and hip-hop group Mobb Deep releasing “Infinite,” their ninth and final album.
Oktoberfest ends Sunday with the traditional Bavarian salute
MUNICH (AP) — The 190th Oktoberfest has come to a close, wrapping up the world’s largest folk festival with the traditional Bavarian marksmen’s gun salute in Munich, after a bomb threat closed it for hours last week. Roughly 6.5 million visitors attended between Sept. 20 and Sunday, including Arnold Schwarzenegger. The Austrian-born former governor of California spontaneously conducted a live music band and the singing crowd in a beer tent. The fairgrounds were closed for hours Wednesday as police searched the area due to a bomb threat linked to an explosion across town.
Bad Bunny kicks off 'SNL' 51st season with a group of new faces and jabs at his Super Bowl critics
NEW YORK (AP) — Bad Bunny kicked off the 51st season of “Saturday Night Live” with a few timely jokes about his next high-profile gig: the Super Bowl. He greeted his fans with a few sentences in Spanish, after which he noted that if anyone didn’t understand, they have four months to learn. Bad Bunny will be making history by performing in Spanish, a landmark moment for Latino culture. Launching a season that introduces some new faces in the cast, the cold open featured a sketch mocking Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s presentation to generals earlier this week, with Colin Jost as Hegseth and James Austin Johnson returning as Trump to interrupt him.
Chloe says it with printed flowers in Paris show
PARIS (AP) — Chemena Kamali has brought a fresh focus to Chloé's collection at Paris Fashion Week. Now in her third stint at Chloé, Kamali draws on the house's history, blending romantic lightness with elements from past designers like Karl Lagerfeld and Stella McCartney. The collection features flower prints, pastel colors, and widened silhouettes, capturing a feminine essence without fuss. Kamali's designs include trapeze lines, dropped hems, and a mix of '70s fluidity with '80s structure. The collection balances romance with discipline, showing how past influences can shape modern fashion.
'House of David' star Michael Iskander says season two resonates beyond the religious
NEW YORK (AP) — “House of David” premieres its second season on Sunday, and star Michael Iskander, who plays the titular role, is hoping it has the same success as its debut. The series sling-shot its way to No. 1 on Prime after debuting in February, with Amazon reporting more than 44 million viewers watched worldwide. The series is part of a growing number of Hollywood faith-based projects reaching beyond niche religious audiences, thanks to stunning cinematography, high-impact action sequences and suspenseful plots. While “House of David” originally premiered on Prime Video, season two will debut exclusively on the new Wonder Project subscription service that will cost an additional $8.99.
Alessandro Michele's Valentino collection puts 70s silhouettes in the Paris spotlight
PARIS (AP) — Alessandro Michele has unveiled his latest Valentino collection at Paris Fashion Week. This collection shows a shift from his usual exuberant style to a more restrained approach. The show Sunday features '70s-inspired silhouettes with bows, ruching and velvet skirts, creating a mood of controlled nostalgia. A standout piece is a draped gold gown with a feathered white collar. Michele, known for his maximalist nostalgia and gender-fluid styling, has opted for cleaner lines and pared-back styling this time. The collection feels more wearable but less astonishing, marking a quieter chapter in his creative journey.
Celine's Rider finds his thread in Paris with flower power and foulards
PARIS (AP) — Michael Rider’s second collection for Celine, shown Sunday at the Parc de Saint-Cloud, confirms his approach of weaving together the brand's pasts. At Paris Fashion Week, Rider took the foulard motif and made it central. Scarves became structural elements in dresses, tops, and even handbags. Rider played with contrasts, using Seventies flower power and modern restraint. Oversize men’s suiting grounded the collection with sharp tailoring. Quirky touches, like multicolored arm socks, added edge. While some may want a radical change, Rider’s show suggests confidence in blending past influences into a new language.
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