Television

Legendary television producer Norman Lear has died at 101

12:18am December 07, 2023

by Selena Simmons-Duffin

Writer/producer Norman Lear has died. The legendary figure in television created All in the Family, The Jeffersons, Maude and other shows that spoke to the political moment with humor and compassion.

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The legacy of visionary TV producer Norman Lear, dead at 101

5:48pm December 06, 2023

by Eric Deggans

Norman Lear, who addressed serious issues in humorous sitcoms, died Tuesday in Los Angeles at the age of 101. He leaves behind a legacy of hit 1970s sitcoms that revolutionized television.

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Lear dropped out of college and enlisted in the Air Force to fight in World War II. In his late 20s, he moved to Los Angeles where he struggled for several years, selling furniture door to door and taking baby pictures. He's shown above in his Los Angeles office in March 1979.

Arts

Norman Lear, who made funny sitcoms about serious topics, dies at 101

10:04am December 06, 2023

by Selena Simmons-Duffin

Lear's revolutionary comedies, including All in the Family and The Jeffersons, didn't shy away from issues of race, struggle and inequality. He believed that all people are "versions of each other."

The SAG-AFTRA strike went on for nearly four months.

Arts

Hollywood performers ratify new contract with studios

11:17pm December 05, 2023

by Mandalit del Barco

SAG-AFTRA's actors, dancers, stunt performers and voice-over actors went on strike for nearly four months before the deal was finally made.

The Kennedy Center Honorees, pictured L-R top row: Queen Latifah and Barry Gibb. L-R bottom row: Renée Fleming, Billy Crystal, and Dionne Warwick. The 46th Annual Kennedy Center Honors will air Dec. 27 on the CBS Television Network and stream on Paramount+.

Queen Latifah, Billy Crystal and others celebrated at Kennedy Center Honors

11:09am December 04, 2023

by Elizabeth Blair

Billy Crystal, Dionne Warwick, Barry Gibb of the Bee Gees, Renée Fleming and Queen Latifah were given the star treatment as they received their Kennedy Center Honors.

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Squid Game: The Challenge is a reality game show based on the sensational 2021 South Korean drama series. But this gruesome, creatively misbegotten concept should never have made it past the first meeting.

Arts

'The Challenge' is understanding why this 'Squid Game' game show was green-lit

7:00am December 02, 2023

by Linda Holmes

Squid Game: The Challenge is a reality game show based on the sensational South Korean drama series. But this gruesome, creatively misbegotten concept should never have made it past the first meeting.

How Paris and Nicole made their mark on America in 'The Simple Life,' 20 years later

5:07pm December 01, 2023

Twenty years ago, America was introduced to Beverly Hills celebutantes Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie through their reality TV show, The Simple Life.

Appeals court upholds actor Jussie Smollett's convictions and jail sentence

3:06pm December 01, 2023

by The Associated Press

An appeals court upheld the disorderly conduct convictions of the "Empire" actor, who was accused of staging a racist, homophobic attack against himself in 2019 and lying about it to Chicago police.

Some SAG-AFTRA members are concerned about AI provisions in tentative deal

5:13am November 30, 2023

by Mandalit del Barco

Hollywood performers are voting on whether to ratify a new contract with major studios and streamers. Some union members question whether the deal protects them from artificial intelligence issues.

In Apple TV+'s Slow Horses, Gary Oldman plays Jackson Lamb, the slovenly, brilliant spy who's in charge of a group of failed British spies. The series is based on Mick Herron's Slough House novels. Herron says Lamb might not have "a heart of gold" but he does have "a moral code."

Arts
Books

Gary Oldman had 'free rein' in spy thriller 'Slow Horses' — now back for Season 3

5:05pm November 29, 2023

by Elizabeth Blair

Oldman plays the slovenly leader of failed British spies in the Apple TV+ drama, based on Mick Herron's Slough House novels. Herron is more interested in the character's failures than his virtues.