AP Entertainment SummaryBrief at 8:38 a.m. EDT

Ken Follett's next epic heads to Victorian Britain, where strict morals meet secret passions

NEW YORK (AP) — Ken Follett’s next historical epic is a story of forbidden romance set during a time of official propriety, the Victorian age. Follett’s “The Deep and Secret Things” will be published Sept. 21, 2027. His novel follows the life of a noblewoman from South Wales, Helena Bowen, and her attraction to a charming, but disreputable acquaintance. The 76-year-old Follett is one of the world’s most popular authors, with sales nearing 200 million copies. His novels, which have spanned from the Dark Ages to modern times, include “The Pillars of the Earth,” “Eye of the Needle” and “World Without End.”

Dudamel says Chalamet shows ignorance in claiming 'no one cares' about opera and ballet

NEW YORK (AP) — Gustavo Dudamel is pushing back after Timothée Chalamet said “no one cares” about opera and ballet. Dudamel says the comment shows ignorance and a lack of facts. Speaking at Lincoln Center while announcing the programming for his first season as music director of the New York Philharmonic, Dudamel says artists need to open more spaces for people to connect with classical music. The room broke into loud applause. Dudamel says cinema grows out of opera and music. The Philharmonic CEO invited Chalamet to attend a concert for free. Dudamel says this kind of thinking needs to end.

Prosecutor says Rihanna, A$AP Rocky, 3 kids were home when woman charged with attempted murder fired

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Authorities say a Florida woman has been charged with attempted murder and other felonies over gunshots fired at Rihanna's Los Angeles home last weekend. District Attorney Nathan Hochman said that the singing superstar, her partner A$AP Rocky, and their three small children and her mother were all on the property at the time. Court records showed 35-year-old Ivanna Lisette Ortiz was charged Tuesday with one count of attempted murder as well as 10 counts of assault on a person with a semiautomatic firearm and other felonies. Ortiz appeared in court Tuesday as her public defender entered a not guilty plea for her but then withdrew it in favor of postponing arraignment until March 25. Bail was set at $1.8 million.

Cher's son is expected in court on charges he broke into a New Hampshire home

Cher's son is scheduled to appear in court after being accused of breaking into a New Hampshire home this month. It is unclear if Elijah Allman has any connection to the home in Windham. Allman, whose father was the late singer Gregg Allman, faces two counts of criminal mischief, one count of burglary and a count of breach of bail for breaking into the home on March 1. The hearing is set for Wednesday. The 49-year-old Allman was also detained Feb. 28, accused of acting belligerently at a prestigious prep school. Officials at St. Paul’s School in Concord, New Hampshire, said he identified himself as the parent of a prospective student.

Best cat? Funniest prop? Ahead of the Oscars, the AP hands out its own awards

Awards season has a way of diminishing the movie year into a handful of films that are talked about ad nauseam for months. But as good as some of this year’s Oscar nominees are, you have to go outside the consensus — and the same old categories — to remember the best of 2025. So ahead of Sunday’s Oscars, Associated Press Film Writers Lindsey Bahr and Jake Coyle have selected their own awards. While a movie year might be celebrated for its best film or best performances, dishing out honors for the best cat or funniest prop is just as important.

The countdown is on for the 98th Oscars, with Conan O’Brien back and a 'moving' in memoriam

The Oscars team says the 98th Academy Awards aims to feel warm, tight and built for both the room and viewers at home. The show's producers are finishing final preparations with host Conan O’Brien, planned performances, tributes and a spotlight for the newer casting award. Academy president Lynette Howell Taylor and CEO Bill Kramer say they start planning earlier now. They say that cuts panic and helps the show flow. Ratings keep rising since the 2021 slump, helped by streaming on Hulu and outreach to younger viewers online. They also promise a big, emotional in memoriam.

Nicole Kidman and Jamie Lee Curtis adapt ‘Scarpetta’ book series for TV

NEW YORK (AP) — Nicole Kidman and Jamie Lee Curtis met at the Oscars in 2021. That introduction led to a collaboration with both women co-executive producing and starring in “Scarpetta,” a new mystery crime series from Prime Video, out March 11. The TV series was adapted from Patricia Cornwell’s popular books. Kidman plays the titular character Dr. Kay Scarpetta, a fictional forensic pathologist who solves complex murders. Curtis plays her free-spirited sister Dorothy. Curtis credits Kidman as one of the major Hollywood players who helped shrink the gulf between perceptions of film and TV roles.

Judge urges states to settle Live Nation claims after US strikes deal but states say no chance

NEW YORK (AP) — A New York federal judge is urging over two dozen states to settle their antitrust claims against Ticketmaster and its parent company this week after the Justice Department reached a deal and dropped out of an ongoing trial. Dan Wall, a lawyer for Ticketmaster parent Live Nation Entertainment, told Judge Arun Subramanian on Tuesday there was no chance all states would quickly settle. He said he based his assessment on the nature of discussions between the ticketing and entertainment giants and the states over the past week. Still, the judge persuaded lawyers for both sides to negotiate in Manhattan federal court.