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Neo-nazis tend to be a noisy bunch, and it takes an extraordinary and confident work of art to drown out their loud, ugly racket. Parade , opening tonight on Broadway at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre, is that work of art. With a serendipitous advertising slogan – “This Is Not Over Yet” – borrowed from one of the most powerful songs from a lovely score, the revival of 1998’s Parade arrives just when it’s needed most, providing an eloquent smackdown response to the rise in antisemitism made all too clear by the hate group protesting outside the show’s first preview (they haven’t been back). With a cast as fine as it is large, led by Ben Platt and Micaela Diamond – two of the best singers currently on Broadway – Parade , set in 1913 Georgia, scores its topical points with all the artistry and theatrical know-how to meet and exceed its noble intensions. Parade is as commanding as any musical revival to hit Broadway in years. Directed by Michael Arden, … [Read more...] about ‘Parade’ Broadway Review: Ben Platt & Micaela Diamond Lead Exceptional March Through History

Dawn Ostroff , a seasoned media executive who most recently served as chief content and advertising business officer at Spotify, will joining the Paramount Global board, the company said Friday. She’ll be an independent, non-executive director, pending a stockholder vote at Paramount’s 2023 shareholders meeting, set for May 8. Ostroff has extensive experience across content development, multiplatform distribution and advertising. At Spotify, she oversaw the music and audio content business as well as the platform’s global advertising business. Prior to Spotify, she co-founded Condé Nast Entertainment and served as its president from 2011-2018. Before that, she was president of entertainment for The CW broadcast network and president of United Paramount Network, a former subsidiary of Paramount. “We are thrilled to welcome Dawn to Paramount’s board at such an exciting moment in our evolution,” said Shari Redstone, chair of Paramount’s board of directors. “We believe her … [Read more...] about Paramount Global Adds Dawn Ostroff To Board

Citing his religious beliefs, San Jose Sharks goalie James Reimer has declined to participate in pregame activities on Saturday night that would require him to wear a promotional “Pride” themed jersey. Reimer issued a statement that said he “always strived to treat everyone with respect” and that members of the LGBTQ community should be welcome in hockey. “In this specific instance, I am choosing not to endorse something that is counter to my personal convictions, which are based on the Bible, the highest authority in life,” Reimer said. The goalie is the second NHL player to refuse wearing Pride gear. Philadelphia’s Ivan Provorov made a similar decline in January. The New York Rangers also opted not to wear Pride jerseys or use Pride stick tape as part of their night in January, despite previously advertising that plan. The Sharks said in a statement that they are proud to host Pride Night, saying the event reinforces the team’s commitment to inclusiveness. “As … [Read more...] about Second NHL Player Refuses To Wear Pride-Themed Jersey In Support Of LGBTQ+ Community

All inquiries from members of the press directed to Twitter ’s official press email now receive the same automatic reply: a poop emoji. Elon Musk , who bought the social media company for $44 billion last year, relayed the update on his own Twitter feed over the weekend. The 51-year-old billionaire’s report drew 80,000 likes and thousands of retweets and replies, some of whom posed the rhetorical question of how young Musk must be reveling in a poop joke. (Others noted that the barnyard stance on press relations for such a vast and influential platform is also not exactly the stuff of comedy). Since acquiring Twitter, Musk has elicited rounds of media backlash with several moves, including suspending journalists’ accounts and continually goading the media. “Some of the smartest people I know actively believe the press … amazing,” he wrote last month in one characteristic tweet. Last December, the accounts of journalist Aaron Rupar, commentator Keith Olbermann, … [Read more...] about Twitter Responds To All Email Inquiries From The Press With A Poop Emoji, 51-Year-Old Owner Elon Musk Reports

Amazon is laying off another 9,000 workers as job cuts in the tech sector expand at a time of growing economic uncertainty. It follows cuts last fall and early this year. “Given the uncertain economy in which we reside, and the uncertainty that exists in the near future, we have chosen to be more streamlined in our costs and headcount,” Jassy said in a memo to staff today. “As we’ve just concluded the second phase of our operating plan (“OP2”) this past week, I’m writing to share that we intend to eliminate about 9,000 more positions in the next few weeks—mostly in AWS, PXT, Advertising, and Twitch. This was a difficult decision, but one that we think is best for the company long term,” he said. (PXT is People eXperience and Technology,) Tech companies have been shedding staff at a rapid clip. Meta Platforms, the corporate parent of Facebook , Instagram and WhatsApp, recently announced plans to cut another 10,000 jobs and undergo a hiring freeze in what CEO Mark … [Read more...] about Amazon Laying Off Thousands More As Job Cuts In Sector Expand

The Chicago Blackhawks organization has decided that the team will not wear Pride warmup jerseys before Sunday’s Pride Night home game against the Vancouver Canucks. The Associated Press reported that the NHL team cited security fears for its several Russian players. They could face legal problems in their native country because of a new law that expands restrictions on activities seen as promoting LGBTQ rights in the country. The AP said the team discussed the matter within the organization and outside of it. The decision by the Blackhawks follows similar calls made by another NHL team and individual players. Citing his religious beliefs, San Jose Sharks goalie James Reimer last weekend declined to participate in pregame activities that would require him to wear a Pride-themed jersey. Philadelphia’s Ivan Provorov (who is Russian) made a similar decline in January. The New York Rangers also opted not to wear Pride jerseys or use Pride stick tape as part of their night … [Read more...] about NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks Will Not Wear Pride Jerseys, Citing Russian Law Fears

Everett Collection Netflix straight up jacked the characters and plot for its hit show "Outer Banks" from an already published book ... at least according to the author of a novel, who's now out for some legal revenge. The streaming giant is being sued by Jeff Wilson , who claims there are way too many similarities between a book he wrote, "Queen Anne's Revenge," and 'OB' for it to be pure coincidence. "Queen Anne's Revenge" by Jeffrey Wilson/Amazon According to the lawsuit, obtained by TMZ, Wilson says in 2013 he published his novel, which follows 4 friends on a treasure hunt from a famous shipwreck near the outer banks of North Carolina. Wilson says his book was even promoted by Discovery and History Channel, and he claims the 'OB' creators have even confessed ... they relied on other books and authors for inspiration to write the scripted series. The author claims his book was drawn from heavily ... he says the main cast and their … [Read more...] about Netflix Sued Over ‘Outer Banks’ Show, Novelist Claims Series Ripped Off Book

Gunter Nezhoda , famous for appearing on A&E's hit show "Storage Wars," is dead after losing his battle with cancer. "Storage Wars" star Rene Nezhoda tells TMZ ... his father died Tuesday night in his sleep in Salt Lake City as a result of complications from lung cancer. Rene says his dad was diagnosed in September, and the chemotherapy caused holes in his lungs. We're told Gunter recently flew to Utah for emergency surgery, but doctors determined there was nothing else they could do. His youngest son, Ricky, was by his side when he died. Gunter appeared on seven episodes of "Storage Wars" from 2015 to 2019 ... we're told he filmed an episode with Rene for the upcoming 14th season. In addition to his reality TV work, Gunter also acted in a handful of movies ... and he played bass with musicians like Kevin Dubrow , George Lynch , Michael Schenker , Pat Travers and Leslie West , just to name a few. Gunter, who was born … [Read more...] about ‘Storage Wars’ Gunter Nezhoda Dead at 67

Shari Lynette Carpenter, Miko Lim and Oscar Rene Lozoya have been selected to participate in the 2023-2025 Paramount Directors Initiative, Paramount Global announced on Thursday. The two-year program, which is now in its 19th year, matches these directors with CBS Television Network, CBS Studios, Paramount Television Studios and Paramount Global drama and comedy series directors. The primary focus of the program is to provide access and opportunities to directors, with a focus on those from underrepresented groups. Throughout the program, the directors will receive invaluable  exposure to the Paramount Global network episodic directing process. In addition to getting a chance to observe the in-depth, technical aspects of the process, participants develop relationships with showrunners, producers, network executives and other significant decision makers. The program also now guarantees participants an episode of television to direct on the CBS Television Network. “At … [Read more...] about Paramount Global Announces 2023-25 Directors Initiative Participants

EXCLUSIVE : The BBC raised concerns about the way the government was going about appointing its new Chairman before the controversial hire of Richard Sharp . Sir David Clementi, the BBC’s former Chairman, wrote to the government in October 2020 to complain about the recruitment process for his successor. The UK government is responsible for appointing the BBC’s Chairman, while ministers also play a role in hiring four other board members. The procedure has become increasingly divisive, with concerns about ministers installing political candidates, leaving the BBC open to the accusation that its non-executive directors are too close to the government. Clementi’s letter to Oliver Dowden, the former Culture Secretary, could fuel suspicions that the government played politics with the BBC’s board amid a wider agenda against the broadcaster. In the letter, disclosed by the BBC under a Freedom of Information request, Clementi raised questions about the Chairman … [Read more...] about BBC Complained To Government About Chairman Appointment Process Ahead Of Richard Sharp Hire