New this week: 'Spirited,' Pokémon, 'Nope' and 'Slumberland'
This week’s new entertainment releases include an album by Neil Young & Crazy Horse, a documentary about how Mickey Mouse became beloved by children and adults and a cash machine for Disney’s growing entertainment empire, and Chris Hemsworth puts himself and his body to the test in National Geographic’s “Limitless.”.
New this week: Bruce Springsteen, 'The Big Brunch' and Sonic
This week’s new entertainment releases include albums by Bruce Springsteen and Louis Tomlinson, Olivia Wilde's “Don't Worry Darling” hits HBO Max, and Dan Levy of Emmy-winning “Schitt’s Creek” fame has “The Big Brunch,” a cooking competition he created and hosts.
Media outlets recall country's unity after Sept. 11 attacks
Media outlets that often spend hours each day exploring the country's differences paused to mark the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks by recalling almost wistfully the sense of common purpose that united Americans in the aftermath.
Jacobs’ post-pandemic runway: Parading puffers in patterns
In another unmistakable sign that New York is coming back to life, Marc Jacobs celebrated a long-awaited return to in-person fashion shows when he presented his fall collection Monday evening at the grand Fifth Avenue branch of the New York Public Library.
Obama in upcoming podcast credits his mother for his path
Bruce Springsteen, left, appears with former President Barack Obama during their podcast of conversations recorded at Springsteen's home studio in New Jersey. The eight-episode series covers their upbringings, racism, fatherhood and even recall a White House singalong around a piano. (Rob DeMartin/Spotify via AP)NEW YORK – Former President Barack Obama reveals in an upcoming podcast with rocker Bruce Springsteen that he chose a career of public service in part due to his mother, an acknowledgement that lands in the middle of Women’s History Month. Obama's mother, Ann Dunham, was an anthropologist who worked to help improve the lives of the poor in Indonesia. But it has blossomed into deeper conversations since he left office, Obama said in the first episode.
Patti Smith returns to singing live with Brooklyn concert
CORRECTS DAY OF CONCERT - FILE - Patti Smith attends a special screening of "Pavarotti" at the iPic Theater in New York on May 28, 2019. Smith performed six songs as well as read poetry and excerpts from her book “Just Kids” in the Beaux-Arts Court at the museum, her voice bouncing off the skylight 60 feet above. It was a concert to also honor museum workers and drew just under 50 people, all socially distanced in widely spaced chairs. The Smith concert came on the same day in 1989 that Mapplethorpe died at age 42. It also marked the one-year anniversary of when Smith last performed live, at The Fillmore in San Francisco.
'Reply All' podcast paused amid charges of toxic behavior
Former employees at Gimlet Media, the podcast’s publisher, charged that two people behind “Reply All” had exhibited behavior similar to what they were investigating at Bon Appetit. The editor of Bon Appetit, Adam Rapoport, resigned last year after an old photo of him and his wife dressed in stereotypical Puerto Rican costumes surfaced on social media. The “Reply All” series on Bon Appetit was reported over eight months. In the second episode of the podcast, Pinnamaneni confessed to regrets about her own past behavior and how she reacted to the union drive. Staffers want to tell what happened and the podcast is paused as they try to understand what went wrong, he said.
Drunken driving charge against Bruce Springsteen dropped
Springsteen is facing a drunken driving charge for an incident in New Jersey in November. He received citations for driving while under the influence, reckless driving and consuming alcohol in a closed area. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP, File)The government dropped drunken driving and reckless driving charges against Bruce Springsteen on Wednesday stemming from an incident in November, admitting that the rocker's blood-alcohol level was so low that it didn't warrant the charges. Springsteen pleaded guilty to a third charge, consuming alcohol in a closed area, the Gateway National Recreation Area. “I had two small shots of tequila,” Springsteen said in response to questions from an assistant U.S. attorney.
Podcast odd couple: Obama, Springsteen in Spotify series
Bruce Springsteen, left, appears with former President Barack Obama during their podcast of conversations recorded at Springsteen's home studio in New Jersey. The eight-episode series covers their upbringings, racism, fatherhood and even recall a White House singalong around a piano. (Rob DeMartin/Spotify via AP)NEW YORK – Barack Obama and Bruce Springsteen are teaming up for an eight-episode Spotify podcast series, swapping stories about their upbringings and even a White House singalong around a piano. The seemingly offbeat relationship between the former president and rock star began when Springsteen performed benefits for Obama during his presidential campaigns. Springsteen uses a few of those guitars during the course of the podcast.
Springsteen wouldn't take breath test, court papers say
FILE - In this Nov. 1, 2016 file photo, Bruce Springsteen performs at Stand Up For Heroes in New York. Springsteen is facing a drunken driving charge for an incident in New Jersey in November. A spokesperson for the National Parks Service says Springsteen was arrested on Nov. 14 in the Gateway National Recreation Area. He received citations for driving while under the influence, reckless driving and consuming alcohol in a closed area. Springsteen “took 45 total steps during the walk and turn instead of the instructed 18,” the officer wrote.
Springsteen charged with drunken driving; Jeep ad on pause
Springsteen is facing a drunken driving charge for an incident in New Jersey in November. A spokesperson for the National Parks Service says Springsteen was arrested on Nov. 14 in the Gateway National Recreation Area. He received citations for driving while under the influence, reckless driving and consuming alcohol in a closed area. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP, File)HIGHLANDS, N.J. – Bruce Springsteen is facing a drunken driving charge in New Jersey, prompting Jeep to put on pause the Super Bowl television commercial that features him. Springsteen received citations for driving while under the influence, reckless driving and consuming alcohol in a closed area.
Amazon, Cadillac score with Super Bowl ads
NEW YORK – During this year's Super Bowl, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers reigned supreme on the field. Overall, this year's crop of Super Bowl ads focused on light humor that strove to entertain and connect. Bud Light Seltzer LemonadeBud Light used lemons as a metaphor for everything that went wrong in 2020 to introduce its new Seltzer Lemonade. Michelob was likely hoping to drive people to repeat views online with the celebrity lookalikes, but during the fast-moving Super Bowl the conceit was confusing. With its first-ever Super Bowl ad, Scott's was looking to keep that momentum going, but the overstuffed ad ended up being distracting.
The Latest: Robinhood's ad emerges from the time capsule
The latest news on Super Bowl commercials. ___10 p.m.Smartphone-based stock market investment service Robinhood bought its Super Bowl spot in December after a successful year, unaware that it was about to make global headlines. Ad___9:45 p.m.Jeep starred iconic singer Bruce Springsteen in his first ever ad promoting the idea of unity. Most brands that have money to spend on Super Bowl ads are already household names, but the big game is also a chance for upstarts to make a big splash. ___7:15 p.m.General Motors used humor in a Super Bowl ad to promote its ambitious push to get more Americans to buy electric vehicles.
Super Bowl ads went for light humor. Not all succeeded
This photo provided by Cadillac shows a scene from Cadillac's 2021 Super Bowl NFL football spot. They aimed to connect to the estimated 100 million viewers who tune in to the Super Bowl broadcast each year. Perhaps the most striking effect: Virtually none of the ads featured people in masks, a public-health priority but also a grim reminder of the ongoing pandemic. AIMING TO ENTERTAINIn an effort to be light, advertisers stuffed -- and sometimes overstuffed — their ads with celebrities. “I like Springsteen and heartwarming ads like this generally, but this one feels too forced given the current political climate,” he said.
Sony booming on hit 'Demon Slayer,' headed to record profit
Sony Corp. reports its fiscal third quarter profit jumped 62%, positioning the Japanese entertainment and electronics giant for a record annual profit as its bottom line got a healthy boost from its mega-hit animation film Demon Slayer. In Japan, movie theaters have stayed open with social distancing measures, helping “Demon Slayer” gain massive popularity amid a dearth of rival releases. That’s considerably higher than the 800 billion yen ($7.6 billion) projection given in October. Sony earned 582 billion yen in the fiscal year that ended March 2020. Sony said it hoped to boost profits for the year across the board in its sprawling businesses, including games, music, electronics products and other operations.
Queen Latifah 'stoked' to land post-Super Bowl slot for show
This image released by CBS shows Queen Latifah in a scene from the series "The Equalizer," premiering after the Super Bowl on Sunday, Feb. 7. Her latest chapter comes in the new CBS series "The Equalizer” as the first Black woman to portray the role in the franchise. The show debuts Feb. 7 in the coveted timeslot following the Super Bowl, typically the year's most-watched program. The post-Super Bowl slot has provided monstrous ratings over the years for shows like "Friends,” “Survivor” and "Undercover Boss.”"I'm so stoked that we’re coming on after the Super Bowl," Latifah said Wednesday on a video call. Latifah added: “Hopefully, they’ll start to say, ‘Damn, Latifah is a badass.'
'Your Land'? Some Native Americans question inaugural song
Some tribal members complained about the mishmash of songs sung by Lopez that included lyrics from This Land is your Land. (Erin Schaff/The New York Times via AP, Pool, File)FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – On the first day of Joe Biden's presidency, Native Americans had reason to celebrate. Inaugural events showcased tribes across the country in traditional regalia, dancing and in prayer. And then there was the mishmash of songs sung by Jennifer Lopez that included lyrics from “This Land is Your Land." “In order to make it work, ‘this land is your land, this land is my land,' people (need) to understand it doesn’t belong to us,” said Tebo, who also is Winnebago.
Biden takes the helm, appeals for unity to take on crises
President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden watch fireworks light up the sky from the White House, Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021, in Washington. Both he, Harris and their spouses walked the last short part of the route to the White House after an abridged parade. At Biden's invitation, congressional leaders from both parties bowed their heads in prayer in the socially distanced service a few blocks from the White House. The Bidens ended their evening watching fireworks from a White House balcony. Trump did adhere to one tradition and left a personal note for Biden in the Oval Office.
Hollywood on the Potomac: A-list turns out for Biden-Harris
A full-throated, supremely confident Lady Gaga belted out the national anthem at President Joe Biden's inauguration in a very Gaga way — with flamboyance, fashion and passion. While stars mostly eschewed Trump's inauguration four years ago, the A-list was back for Biden. Brooks was careful to call his decision to perform on Wednesday non-political, and in the spirit of unity. He had performed during the inaugural celebration for Obama in 2009, but turned down a chance to perform for Trump in 2017, citing a scheduling conflict. Alone with his guitar, The Boss sang his “Land of Hope and Dreams” in front of the Lincoln Memorial.
Joe Biden takes the helm as president: ‘Democracy has prevailed’
President-elect Joe Biden and his wife Jill, walk out for the 59th Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021. We’ve learned again that democracy is precious and democracy is fragile. At this hour, my friends, democracy has prevailed," Biden declared in his speech. Both he, Harris and their spouses walked the last short part of the route to the White House after an abridged parade. At the Capitol earlier, Biden, like all those in attendance, wore a face mask except when speaking.
From Gaga to Garth, Miranda to Moreno: Celebs join inaugural
(AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)Like so much this past year, the inaugural celebration will be like no other: pared down, distanced, much of it virtual. But for actor Christopher Jackson — the original George Washington in Broadway's “Hamilton" — performing in a virtual “ball” is a way of participating in an essential rite of American democracy. Miranda will contribute a classical recitation, joining musicians like Bruce Springsteen, Katy Perry, John Legend, Demi Lovato, Foo Fighters, Justin Timberlake and Bon Jovi. The inaugural committee has made sure to blend this high-powered list with ordinary Americans and inspiring stories. And the “AAPI Inaugural Ball: Breaking Barriers” celebrated the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities with planned participants including actors Kal Penn, John Cho, Kumail Nanjiani and Chloe Bennet.
Biden, Harris take break from inaugural prep to mark MLK day
Flags are placed on the National Mall, looking towards the Washington Monument, and the Lincoln Memorial, ahead of the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, Monday, Jan. 18, 2021, in Washington. As Biden and Harris took breaks from their inaugural preparations to honor the civil rights hero Monday, outgoing President Donald Trump remained out of public view at the White House for the sixth straight day. Biden transition officials, including incoming Homeland Security adviser Liz Sherwood-Randall and the deputy attorney general nominee, Lisa Monaco, held a videoconference with acting heads and career staff from national security agencies to discuss the security situation surrounding Inauguration Day. Even before the Jan. 6 insurrection at the Capitol, inauguration festivities were expected to be muted due to the virus. Mayor Muriel Bowser urged residents to stay away from the city on Inauguration Day.
Phil Spector's death resurrects mixed reaction from skeptics
This Nov. 19, 2019 booking photo provided by the California Department of Corrections shows Phil Spector. Spector, the eccentric and revolutionary music producer who transformed rock music with his "Wall of Sound" method and who later was convicted of murder, died Saturday, Jan. 16, 2021. But while Spector made his mark as a revolutionary music producer, the stories of him waving guns at recording artists and being convicted of murder overshadowed his artistry. The reaction to Spector’s death resurrected some mixed feelings about his life and legacy. Some lauded his early contributions to rock music, while others struggled to forgive his volatile past.
The Latest: Springsteen, Miranda set for inaugural gala
Iconic artists Lin-Manuel Miranda, Jon Bon Jovi and Bruce Springsteen are among the stars who will highlight a primetime virtual celebration televised Wednesday night following President-elect Joe Bidens inauguration. Biden’s inaugural committee announced the lineup Sunday for “Celebrating America,” a multinetwork broadcast that the committee bills as a mix of stars and everyday citizens. Musicians John Legend, Demi Lovato and Justin Timberlake, among others, will join Springsteen and Bon Jovi. The safeguards will remain in place leading up to President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration on Wednesday. Fencing, boarded-up windows and lines of police and National Guard troops have transformed statehouse grounds ahead of expected demonstrations leading up to President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration on Wednesday.
AP's top albums of 2020: Toni Braxton, Teyana Taylor, JoJo
This cover image released by Island Records shows "Spell My Name," by Toni Braxton. (Island via AP)NEW YORK – The top 10 albums of the year by Associated Press Music Editor Mesfin Fekadu (a playlist of the albums can be found here ):1. Toni Braxton, “Spell My Name": I can breathe again, thanks in part to the living legend Toni Braxton. Teyana Taylor, “The Album”: R&B princess Teyana Taylor boldly named her latest release “The Album" and she has reason to. JoJo, “good to know": Vocal beast JoJo pours all of her emotions on “good to know," making a superb album that's good to listen to now, and later.
New this week: Jingle Ball 2020 & 2 doses of Meryl Streep
MOVIES— Travel may seem closed off right now but how about a cruise with Meryl Streep, Dianne Wiest and Candice Bergen? — If one Streep film wasn’t enough for you, she’s again in typically fine form in “The Prom,” parodying a diva actor in Ryan Murphy’s adaptation of the 2018 Broadway musical. — AP Film Writer Jake CoyleMUSIC— Jon Bon Jovi has already produced an album this year with “2020” and the concert film "On a Night Like This — Bon Jovi 2020." — AP Entertainment Writer Mark KennedyTELEVISION— This season’s winner for lengthy title: “High School Musical: The Musical: The Holiday Special,” debuting Friday on Disney +. — The CW’s “iHeartRadio Jingle Ball 2020,” a 90-minute special based on the annual concert, will air at 8 p.m. EST Monday, Dec. 14.
Veterans’ fundraiser to go virtual, with a prince and a Boss
This combination photo shows Brad Paisley, from left, Bruce Springsteen and Sheryl Crow who will participate in this years Stand Up for Heroes fundraiser on Nov. 18. The fundraiser, which benefits injured veterans and their families, will also feature comedians including Nate Bargatze, Ronny Chieng, Tiffany Haddish, Iliza Shlesinger and Ray Romano. (AP Photo)NEW YORK – This year’s Stand Up for Heroes fundraiser is going virtual for the first time and The Boss will once again be there. Bruce Springsteen, Sheryl Crow, Tiffany Haddish and Brad Paisley have all signed up to participate — as well as Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, for the first time. The fundraiser, which benefits injured veterans and their families, will also feature comedians and musicians including Nate Bargatze, Ronny Chieng, Mickey Guyton, Patti Scialfa, Iliza Shlesinger, Jeannie Gaffigan and Ray Romano.
It was all a dream: Whitney, B.I.G. inducted into Rock Hall
are among the inductees to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 2020 class. (AP Photo)NEW YORK – In a normal year, the newly inducted Rock and Roll Hall of Fame class would have hit the stage and perform the well-known songs that made them famous and helped them enter the prestigious organization. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, this year’s all-star group was inducted Saturday night in a taped HBO special that told the stories of Whitney Houston, Notorious B.I.G. As she inducted Houston into the Rock Hall, Grammy-winning singer Alicia Keys gave a beautiful, heartfelt speech about one of the best singers in pop history. The Notorious B.I.G.
A look at artists who've objected to Trump using their songs
FILE - Pharrell Williams attends the world premiere of "The Black Godfather," in Los Angeles on June 3, 2019. Dozens of artists have objected to Donald Trump using their music in his two presidential campaigns. Williams sent a cease-and-desist letter after his song Happy" was played at a Trump rally in 2018. He was especially angered that the event was hours after a mass shooting at a Pittsburgh synagogue. (Photo by Mark Von Holden/Invision/AP, File)
A look at artists who've objected to Trump using their songs
Dozens of artists have objected to Donald Trump using their music in his two presidential campaigns. Williams sent a cease-and-desist letter after his song Happy" was played at a Trump rally in 2018. (Photo by Mark Von Holden/Invision/AP, File)From classic American rockers to British artists to the estates of late legends, here's a look at some of the musicians who have objected to Donald Trump using their songs at campaign events. JOHN FOGERTY, PHIL COLLINS, BRUCE SPRINGSTEENSome classic rockers say not only do they oppose Trump using their music, the choice of songs is ironic or downright wrong. Eddy Grant sued Trump in September over the use of his 1980s hit “Electric Avenue” in a Trump campaign animated video that mocked his opponent Joe Biden.
Stop the music! Chorus of artists tell Trump to turn it down
In this combination photo, Neil Young performs at the BottleRock Napa Valley Music Festival in Napa, Calif. on May 25, 2019, from left, John Fogerty performs at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival in New Orleans on May 5, 2019 and Phil Collins performs during his "Not Dead Yet Tour" in Philadelphia on Oct. 8, 2018. Young, Fogerty and Collins are among several musicians who are objecting to their songs being used at President Donald Trump's campaign rallies.
Stop the music! Chorus of artists tell Trump to turn it down
Young, Fogerty and Collins are among several musicians who are objecting to their songs being used at President Donald Trump's campaign rallies. The Trump campaign can hardly play a song without the artist denouncing its use and sending a cease-and-desist letter. “I did not write it for that.”That feeling that they've been drafted onto Team Trump clearly fuels many artists' anger. “It’s not a great look for the artists, if their music is aligned with something seen as unsafe,” Kaufman said. “Courts have recognized that that could be an implied endorsement.”The Trump campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Priest and abstract-expressionist painter Bill Moore dies
FILE - This Oct. 29, 2009 file photo shows Father Bill Moore with one of his pieces of art in his studio at the Pomona Arts Colony in Pomona, Calif. Father Bill Moore, a Catholic priest and prominent abstract expressionist who spent decades spreading spiritualism through his paintings, has died. Longtime friend Tom Irwin says Moore died Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020 of prostate cancer. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, File)LOS ANGELES – Father Bill Moore, a Catholic priest and prominent abstract expressionist who spent decades spreading spiritualism through his paintings, has died at age 71. Moore died Sunday at a Southern California hospice, his longtime friend and art representative, Tom Irwin, told The Associated Press on Monday. “I was doing little abstract paintings when I was a little boy, like around 8, 9 years old,” he told The Associated Press in 2009.
New this week: The Boss, Billie Eilish, Borat & 'Bad Hair'
(Columbia Records via AP)Here’s a collection curated by The Associated Press’ entertainment journalists of what’s arriving on TV, streaming services and music platforms this week. Edgier than the (also great) Gwyneth Paltrow version, Anya Taylor-Joy takes on the role of the matchmaker extraordinaire this time. — Billie Eilish was on the road for just three days before she had to cancel her worldwide tour due to the coronavirus pandemic in March. But thankfully on Saturday the Grammy-winning star will host her first global livestream concert. “Essential Heroes: A Momento Latino Event” uses music, comedy, short documentaries and celebrity appearances to explore the Latino experience.
Diddy, Springsteen among rock hall of fame guest list
FILE - In this Jan. 25, 2020, file photo, Sean Combs accepts the 2020 Industry Icon award at the Pre-Grammy Gala And Salute To Industry Icons in Beverly Hills, Calif. Combs will be among a star-studded guest list for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2020 induction. (Photo by Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP, File)CLEVELAND – Sean “Diddy” Combs, Bruce Springsteen and Alicia Keys will be among a star-studded guest list for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2020 induction. The prestigious organization announced the guest list Thursday for the ceremony, which will debut Nov. 7 on HBO. Other guests will include Miley Cyrus, Jennifer Hudson, Gwen Stefani, Charlize Theron, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Adam Levine and Brad Paisley. The special guests will speak on how this year’s inductees impacted their personal life and careers.
'I am a witness to history' — Jon Bon Jovi tackles 2020
Jon Bon Jovi poses for a portrait in New York on Sept. 23, 2020 to promote his new album "2020". (Photo by Drew Gurian/Invision/AP)NEW YORK – Jon Bon Jovi has been churning out love songs and arena anthems for nearly 40 years, but his latest release “2020,” has taken his music to another level. Bon Jovi says that’s not his intention. I thought it would be social commentary,” Bon Jovi said. Bon Jovi shared his thoughts on these tumultuous time during an interview with The Associated Press.
Bruce Springsteen will offer a documentary with new album
This image released by Apple shows key art for the documentary Bruce Springsteens Letter To You," premiering on Oct. 23, the same day the album "Letter To You" releases. (Apple via AP)NEW YORK – Bruce Springsteen isn't just releasing a new rock album later this month — he'll also offer a documentary on the making of the music. “Bruce Springsteen’s Letter to You” will offer performances from The E Street Band, in-studio footage and never-before-seen archival material, featuring “a behind-the-scenes look at the iconic artist’s creative process,” according to a statement. It will be released on Apple TV+ on Oct. 23, the same day the album “Letter To You” drops. The album was produced by Ron Aniello with Bruce Springsteen.