Blackwood zones striking locales

EXCLUSIVE : BBC News will make sweeping changes to its news channel presenting line-up from next week, with a number of seasoned anchors dropping off air. The British broadcaster is merging its UK and World News stations into a single channel, with changes gradually being introduced from April 3. Audiences are unlikely to notice a “big bang” overhaul, but one of the most notable differences will be the channel’s presenter lineup. Newsroom sources also expect BBC management to rethink plans to reduce UK news amid fears that the merger could dilute domestic output and damage viewing figures. The BBC said the channel always planned to carry UK news for local viewers. From next week, five journalists will take up Chief Presenter roles, including Matthew Amroliwala, Yalda Hakim, Christian Fraser, Lucy Hockings, and Maryam Moshiri. A further 10 UK-based presenters were unsuccessful in applying for these roles , and Deadline hears that many have dropped off BBC News’ … [Read more...] about BBC News Channel To Bench Seasoned Presenters From Next Week As Output Is Relaunched

Antoine Dodson -- the guy who famously warned "They rapin' errbody out here" -- was arrested in Huntsville, AL yesterday after cops say he was BLASTING music wayyy too loud. According to police, Dodson was stopped at 6:20 PM and issued a warning for violating the local noise ordinance -- but during the incident, cops ran his name and discovered there was a warrant out for his arrest. Cops say Dodson failed to appear in court after he was popped for marijuana possession back in April -- so the officers arrested him on the spot and hauled the "Bed Intruder" singer to a nearby station. According to jail records, Dodson was released after posting $516.00 bond. Calls to Dodson have not been returned. … [Read more...] about Antoine Dodson Arrested — Too Loud for His Own Good

Gallery Launch Gallery Getty Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez are like a couple of clams ... looking happy as can be at the premiere and after-party of his brand new flick. The 2 were having a blast Monday night at the world premiere of Ben's new movie, "Air" ... and, of course, the couple was holding court on their way into L.A.'s Regency Village Theater. Getty They even gave fans what they came for ... sharing a few kisses and chattin' it up with the photogs snapping pics. They might have been acting like they were the only 2 there, but they weren't -- Ben's costars Jason Bateman and Viola Davis were also there to kick off the film. Getty J Lo and her man were still giving honeymoon vibes at the after-party where they cozied up on a couch. You can see the meme now, can't ya? "Find someone who looks at you the way Ben looks at Jen." Then Ben Affleck turns his attention to wife Jennifer Lopez, “who means more … [Read more...] about Ben Affleck, Jennifer Lopez Looking Happy As Ever at ‘Air’ Premiere

Trevor Noah is heading home after leaving The Daily Show. The comedian is to host Amazon ’s first South African original, a remake of its LOL: Last One Laughing format. The series, which launches next year, will see Noah pit 10 famous South African comedians and entertainers against one another to see who can keep a straight face while simultaneously trying to make their opponents laugh – and lose. It’s a competition for a grand prize of R1 million, which goes to the winner’s South African charity of choice. The format has been adapted in more than 20 countries including in Germany, Canada, Mexico and Australia. The six-part series, featuring 30 minute episodes, is produced by Rapid Blue and Noah’s Day Zero Productions. “I’m excited to be back home to host Prime Video’s first South African original, LOL: Last One Laughing , and to have a chance to connect with my home audience,” said Trevor Noah. “I am equally delighted for the opportunity to be working … [Read more...] about Fresh From Leaving ‘The Daily Show’, Trevor Noah To Host Amazon’s First South African Original

Fourth in a series on status of broadcast network series renewals. Amid Disney companywide cutbacks, which include the elimination of 7,000 jobs , ABC is taking a measured approach to its scripted series renewals. Only one show, award-winning sophomore comedy Abbott Elementary, received a very early Season 3 pickup in January. It was joined on Friday by drama stalwart Grey’s Anatomy, which was renewed for Season 20. That leaves the majority of the network’s scripted roster in a holding pattern — all except the two already renewed as well as The Goldbergs and A Million Little Things , which are ending their runs this spring. With four drama pilots (including The Good Doctor planted spinoff) and two comedy pilots — the most for a broadcast network this season and all headlined by big-name stars — ABC is expected to take longer than usual on most renewals. It would use the time to evaluate a number of the current series against the pilots for the limited slots … [Read more...] about ABC Renewal Status Report: ‘Station 19’, ‘The Good Doctor’, ‘The Rookie’, ‘The Conners’, ‘Big Sky’ & More

Getty Former NY Yankees star John Wetteland -- months after a jury failed to reach a verdict during trial -- is now free and clear after prosecutors moved to drop all felony aggravated sexual assault charges against the former All-Star closer. According to court records obtained by TMZ Sports , all three charges were dropped against 56-year-old Wetteland after the D.A. failed to retry the 1996 World Series hero who was accused of forcing a four-year-old child, a relative, to perform sexual acts on him between in his bedroom between 2004 and 2006. Wetteland always adamantly denied the allegations and pled not guilty at trial. As we previously reported, Wetteland was arrested in January 2019 and hit with multiple child sexual abuse charges. He was facing 25 years to life in prison if convicted. JW finally went to trial in late 2022, but a jury of 12 couldn't reach a verdict -- guilty or not -- and a judge declared a mistrial on … [Read more...] about World Series MVP John Wetteland’s Child Sex Abuse Charges Dropped

Barbie Bassett has not been on air for the NBC affiliate WLBT since March 8, when she and other employees were discussing Snoop Dogg’s addition to his wine line on air. Bassett said, “Fo shizzle, my nizzle,” when the idea of a Snoop collaboration with a newsroom journalist was raised. (“Nizzle” is slang for the N-word.) Two high-profile media personalities have now come to Bassett’s defense. “She can’t say, ‘Fo shizzle, my (expletive)?’ ” Charlamagne Tha God said Monday on his nationally syndicated radio program The Breakfast Club . “Oh, I guess because (it’s) a derivative of (N-word).” Charlamagne added: “She might not even know what (N-word) means. Come on, we got to stop man. That’s not a reason to fire that woman.” The 20-year WLBT anchor has not officially been fired, but her biography has been removed from the station’s web site. Whoopi Goldberg weighed in on the subject yesterday on The View . “There has to be a book of stuff that nobody could … [Read more...] about Whoopi Goldberg & Charlamagne Tha God Defend Mississippi TV News Anchor Who Was Removed After Quoting Snoop Dogg Lyric On Air

British TV host, comedian and actor Paul O’Grady died “unexpectedly but peacefully” on Tuesday evening according to a statement by his husband which was provided to local media. He was 67. Known for his drag queen persona Lily Savage as well as hosting several TV game and talk shows, the multi-award winning O’Grady was also a radio personality. One of his most recent TV appearances was in 2022 with now Queen Consort Camilla for an episode of ITV’s For the Love of Dogs, a series O’Grady helped launch in 2012 which follows the staff at Battersea Dogs and Cats Home. More recently, he had been on tour playing Miss Hannigan in a touring version of Annie . Said husband Andre Portasio in the statement, “It is with great sadness that I inform you that Paul has passed away unexpectedly but peacefully yesterday evening. He will be greatly missed by his loved ones, friends, family, animals and all those who enjoyed his humour, wit and compassion. I know that he would want me … [Read more...] about Paul O’Grady Dies: UK TV Host & Comedian Was 67

The UK government has published its long-awaited draft Media Bill to bring the U.S. streamers under its regulatory framework and help public broadcasters “embrace the digital age.” The bill marks the next step in long-planned legislation that, once passed, could see the likes of Netflix , Disney+ and Amazon Prime Video fined up to £250,000 ($308,000) or restricted in the UK entirely if they break rules around harmful material that have applied to the public broadcasters for decades. The White Paper that laid out plans for the bill in April 2022 had initially floated the idea that these streamers either be fined the £250,000 maximum or 5% of their local revenues, whichever was higher, but the latter option has been removed from today’s draft bill. Once passed, media regulator Ofcom will be given “more robust powers to investigate and take action to enforce standards if they consider it appropriate,” added the UK’s Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). … [Read more...] about UK Government Publishes Long-Awaited Media Bill To Help Bring Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video Under Regulatory Framework

CAL FIRE A California skydiver's jump on Monday nearly ended in tragedy -- she crash-landed into power lines -- but, thankfully, she was able to miraculously walk away from the scene unharmed. The Riverside County Fire Department said it got a call regarding the stuck skydiver at around 11:53 a.m. on Monday. Firefighters rushed to the scene in Lake Elsinore ... but they had to leave the woman hanging for 40 minutes as utility workers needed to cut the power from the wires before they could safely extract her. CAL FIRE In photos from the scene, you can see the woman was entwined in a powerline as first responders raced to get her down safely. Eventually, they were able to untangle her and bring her down to the ground, where she was evaluated by medics. Thankfully, the woman was uninjured ... and later explained to NBC Los Angeles that she was trying to avoid another power line on her way down to the landing zone, causing her to crash. … [Read more...] about California Skydiver Rescued After Crash-Landing Into Power Lines