AP Entertainment SummaryBrief at 6:17 a.m. EDT

Hollywood gets into the microdrama race as mobile-first storytelling draws stars and major studios

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Mobile-first serialized storytelling is rapidly becoming one of entertainment's fastest-growing businesses. Emmy-nominated actor and producer Issa Rae saw the opportunity years ago after studying China's booming microdrama business. Rae's Hoorae Media has produced the TikTok-backed series “Screen Time,” which drew nearly 75 million views during its first week. Celebrities including Kim Kardashian and Taye Diggs are exploring digital-first storytelling, while media companies are investing in vertical entertainment. Peacock recently launched a dedicated microdrama hub. Fox Entertainment invested in microdrama producer Holywater and committed to producing hundreds of vertical titles. TelevisaUnivision is also producing serialized short-form dramas.

Harvey Weinstein's New York rape charge dropped after accuser says she can't endure a fourth trial

NEW YORK (AP) — New York prosecutors have dropped a rape charge against Harvey Weinstein instead of trying the former movie mogul for a fourth time in the state. The decision was announced Thursday after his accuser said she could not endure testifying again. Weinstein already stands convicted of another sexual felony in New York and others in California, including raping an Italian actress in Los Angeles. But this rape charge had remained unresolved, after an overturned conviction followed by two hung juries. The Oscar-winning producer denies all the accusations.

Milly Alcock’s ‘punk rock’ Supergirl takes flight as DC bets big on the Woman of Tomorrow

Australian actor Milly Alcock stars as Supergirl in this summer's new DC Studios movie bearing her name. Heading to theaters on June 26, the film finds her character on an intergalactic odyssey of revenge. DC Studios heads James Gunn and Peter Safran first noticed Alcock on the “Game of Thrones” prequel series “House of the Dragon.” Since she filmed her cameo for “Superman,” it's been a non-stop ride. Alcock says her character reminded her a lot of herself. She's finding the experience of sudden fame somewhat disorienting and laughs about anyone wanting a toy with her face.

David Clayton-Thomas, powerhouse lead singer of Blood, Sweat & Tears, dies at 84

NEW YORK (AP) — David Clayton-Thomas, the lead singer of Blood, Sweat & Tears whose husky, high-strung tenor on “Spinning Wheel,” “And When I Die” and other hits helped make the so-called brass rock band among the most popular acts of the late 1960s, has died at age 84. He was a stocky, onetime street fighter and petty thief in Canada who briefly became a rock superstar, the front man of a nine-member group that sold millions of records and won two Grammys for its self-titled second album. Backed by horns, keyboards and percussion, his urgent shout was a signature voice of the era. A spokesman says Clayton-Thomas died Wednesday in Toronto.

Movie Review: Sex is on the menu in Olivia Wilde's dinner party comedy of manners 'The Invite'

Soufflé is for dinner but much more is on the table in Olivia Wilde’s deliciously entertaining chamber comedy, “The Invite,” about a married couple on the rocks who have their upstairs neighbors over for an impromptu get together. Faster than I can say “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” you can probably predict some of where “The Invite” is going: a spread of quips, come-ons and marital catharsis all served on a tidy, single-setting plate. But even if you can sometimes feel the gears turning, Wilde’s third film is cunningly syncopated and cleverly acted enough to make it a very welcome modern twist on the drawing room comedy of manners, writes AP Film Writer Jake Coyle in his review.

What is the 2026 song of the summer? AP offers some predictions

NEW YORK (AP) — The song of the summer is a hot topic with no clear winner yet emerging for 2026. Last year, debates raged over whether Alex Warren's “Ordinary” fit the bill. The lack of a standout track like “Despacito” or “Old Town Road” could be due to diverse listening habits from music algorithms. This year, The Associated Press' list of songs of the summer includes undeniable hits like Drake's “Janice STFU” and Ella Langley's “Choosin’ Texas.” Other contenders include Slayyyter, Bruno Mars, BTS, Olivia Rodrigo, Shakira and Burna Boy. Each song offers something unique for a wide range of tastes and summer moods.

Movie Review: Supergirl is a blast, but the movie doesn't match her punk-rock spirit

A punk-rock Supergirl is a welcome, jagged riff on more buttoned-up superheroes, and Milly Alcock is terrific in the role. If only “Supergirl” was as good as she is, writes AP Film Writer Jake Coyle in his review. The latest DC release, and second under James Gunn’s stewardship, has its moments. But “Supergirl” struggles to match Kara’s punk rock energy with an equally spirited supporting cast and story. Alcock's Supergirl sports a Blondie T-shirt, not a spandex suit. When we meet her in Craig Gillespie’s film, she looks like she’s been on an interstellar bender for weeks. She’s more Courtney Love than Clark Kent.

Movie Review: 'Jackass: Best and Last' is just a clip-job of greatest hits. And we mean hits

The “Jackass” crew is calling it quits with “Jackass: Best and Last,” marking the end of their extreme stunt franchise. The fifth and final installment blends new stunts with clips from past antics, says Associated Press critic Mark Kennedy. It opens with a shocking 1998 scene of Johnny Knoxville shooting himself in the chest, and ends with the crew worried about their prostates. Knoxville, badly injured by a bull in 2022, now acts as a master of ceremonies. The film features both old and new stunts, showcasing the group's camaraderie. The movie, rated R, is a mix of dangerous stunts and crude humor, running 92 minutes.

Norman Rockwell people-watched in the West Wing lobby. Now those sketches are on public display

WASHINGTON (AP) — A series of Norman Rockwell sketches of scenes from the West Wing lobby is going on public display for the first time. The four 1940s-era sketches titled “So You Want to See the President!” depict U.S. senators, generals and even a Miss America biding time as they wait in the reception area. Rockwell spent hours at the White House, people-watching to create the sketches. The White House Historical Association paid more than $7 million last year for the sketches. They'll be on display through June 2027 at the association's “The People's House” exhibit near the White House.