Illegal drug trade

ESPN LeBron James admits he's "disappointed" the Lakers didn't reunite him with his old teammate Kyrie Irving ... saying Monday he thought a trade for the point guard could have given him the chance to win multiple championships in L.A. LBJ sat down for an interview with ESPN's Michael Wilbon ... and when the topic of Kyrie came up, it wasn't hard to see the King was heartbroken the Lakers got beat out by the Mavericks in a swap for the Nets superstar. "Definitely disappointed," James said. "I can't sit here and say I'm not disappointed." LeBron sat down with @RealMikeWilbon to share his thoughts on the Lakers not being able to trade for his former teammate Kyrie Irving: pic.twitter.com/2smRTk3Y0c — ESPN (@espn) February 6, 2023 @espn James called Irving someone he knows he has great chemistry with -- and someone who "can help you win championships." The 38-year-old, though, said he's already getting over it ... telling Wilbon, "My … [Read more...] about LeBron James Says He’s ‘Disappointed’ Lakers Didn’t Trade For Kyrie Irving

The furor over a Chinese spy balloon that flew over U.S. airspace has further chilled D.C.-Beijing tensions, but the entertainment industry already has been swept up in the heightened atmosphere of American hawkishness. Hollywood studios and producers are poised to get a new level of scrutiny over their dealings with China — reflecting a bipartisan hardline toward Beijing and escalating concerns over its influence. A little publicized provision of a recently passed defense bill restricts the U.S. government from spending funds on movies that, to gain entry into the Chinese marketplace, are altered in the face of Chinese government dictates. The provision in the National Defense Authorization Act , approved in a bipartisan vote of Congress and signed by President Joe Biden in December, is the latest example of an increased focus on China’s role, not just in the entertainment industry but also in sports and social media. While Republicans have led attacks on … [Read more...] about Hollywood’s China Predicament: New Law Restricts U.S. Cooperation On Projects Modified To Appease Beijing

The National Enquirer (U.S. and UK editions) and sister publications Globe and National Examiner are being unloaded by A360 Media to a JV of Vinco Ventures and Ted Farnsworth’s Icon Publishing. The exec was CEO of Helios & Matheson, a public company that acquired MoviePass in 2017 only see the ticketing service go belly-up three years later. The Enquirer, a nearly century-old, often scandal-plagued tabloid, most recently achieved notoriety under former publisher David Pecker with so-called “catch and kill” tactics — paying for stories that were potentially embarrassing to former President Donald Trump and never running them. That included payments to Playboy model Karen McDougal, who claimed she had an affair with Trump. In 2019, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, in the midst of a divorce, accused the tabloid of attempting to strong arm and extort him with intimate photos and texts. Terms of today’s deal weren’t disclosed but it’s reportedly worth just under $100 … [Read more...] about The National Enquirer Sold To Joint Venture With Former MoviePass Executive

After Jeff and MacKenzie Bezos announced their plans to divorce after 25 years of marriage, Amazon investors have reacted with a shrug, with the company’s stock price essentially flat in mid-day trading today. Even so, the news puts the fortune of the world’s richest man and the ownership structure of an era-defining, global powerhouse in a state of flux. The Bezoses tweeted Wednesday that after “a long period of loving exploration and trial separation, we have decided to divorce and continue our shared lives as friends.” (See their full statement below.) They have yet to file any official paperwork with the courts, confirming expectations that they will seek to handle the matter privately so as to avoid attracting unwanted attention to the company. President Donald Trump, who has frequently attacked Bezos and Amazon while in office, was asked by reporters about the divorce today. “Well, I wish him luck. I wish him luck,” Trump said. “It’s going to be a beauty.” … [Read more...] about Jeff Bezos Divorce Draws Shrugs From Amazon Investors, But Intrigue Swirls Around Ownership Stake

Dominic Pagone has been named Head of Communications for Paramount Television Studios. Pagone previously served as Senior VP of Entertainment PR and Awards for Showtime. He oversaw the Los Angeles- and Boston-based PR teams at Showtime, as well as the Showtime Awards team and the Paramount Television Studios PR team. He joined Showtime in April 2018 after spending 18 years at FX. He was hired in 2002 as a Publicist, working his way up to VP of Media Relations, leading or co-leading on shows like The Shield, Nip/Tuck, Rescue Me , Justified , It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia , The Riches , Man Seeking Woman and Sons of Anarchy. He became Senior Vice President of Communications in 2015, running the department budget and overseeing trade communications, talent relations & events, public affairs and photo publicity for FX, FXX, FXM and FX Productions. Pagone’s new role comes in the wake of last week’s announce ment by Paramount Global that Showtime would … [Read more...] about Dominic Pagone Named Head Of Communications for Paramount Television Studios

Matthew McConaughy has been tapped to voice the iconic King of Rock ‘n’Roll, Elvis Presley, in Agent Elvis (fka Elvis King ) an adult animated series about the King himself. McConaughey also will executive produce the series, which hails from Priscilla Presley and John Eddie, Sony Pictures Animation, Authentic Brands Group and Titmouse. McConaughy’s Elvis is a global superstar by day, ass-kicking vigilante by night who eventually joins the secret agency “TCB” as Agent Elvis. Co-created by Priscilla Presley and John Eddie, in Agent Elvis, Elvis Presley trades in his jumpsuit for a jet pack when he is covertly inducted into a secret government spy program to battle the dark forces that threaten the country he loves – all while holding down his day job as the King Of Rock ‘n Roll. You can watch a teaser below. Presley and Eddie executive produce with Mike Arnold, who also serves as head writer and co-showrunner with Eddie. Eddie also serves as writer. Kevin … [Read more...] about Matthew McConaughy To Voice Elvis Presley In Netflix’s Adult Animated Series ‘Agent Elvis’ — Watch Teaser

Storyful A driver behind the wheel of a Tesla was fast asleep as the car traveled along a busy California freeway ... at least that's the way it looks in footage shot from another car. You gotta see the video ... the Tesla driver is motionless as the electric vehicle zooms down Interstate 15 near Temecula, CA ... and it looks like they're sleeping, because they're wearing sunglasses and their head is tilted back and their mouth is open. The folks who shot the video are convinced the Tesla driver is out like a light ... they say the Tesla zoomed past them Thursday when they noticed the driver was "knocked out," remarking how dangerous the situation appears. The concerned commuters reportedly followed the Tesla for 15 minutes, honking their horn to try and wake the driver before calling police, who never caught up with the vehicle. Gallery Launch Gallery Getty California Highway Patrol says there were no reported accidents … [Read more...] about Tesla Driver Appears Asleep at Wheel on Freeway, Video Shows

Matthew McConaughey has been tapped to voice the iconic King of Rock ‘n’Roll, Elvis Presley, in Agent Elvis (fka Elvis King ) an adult animated series about the King himself. McConaughey also will executive produce the series, which hails from Priscilla Presley and John Eddie, Sony Pictures Animation, Authentic Brands Group and Titmouse. McConaughy’s Elvis is a global superstar by day, ass-kicking vigilante by night who eventually joins the secret agency “TCB” as Agent Elvis. Co-created by Priscilla Presley and John Eddie, in Agent Elvis, Elvis Presley trades in his jumpsuit for a jet pack when he is covertly inducted into a secret government spy program to battle the dark forces that threaten the country he loves – all while holding down his day job as the King Of Rock ‘n Roll. You can watch a teaser below. Presley and Eddie executive produce with Mike Arnold, who also serves as head writer and co-showrunner with Eddie. Eddie also serves as writer. Kevin … [Read more...] about Matthew McConaughey To Voice Elvis Presley In Netflix’s Adult Animated Series ‘Agent Elvis’ — Watch Teaser

EXCLUSIVE UPDATE : NEON indeed landed Assassination Nation , but they have a partner in what is the first eight-figure deal of the Sundance Film Festival . NEON acquired the picture with AGBO for north of $10 million for worldwide rights, and a wide release commitment. AGBO is the new progressive production company launched by Joe and Anthony Russo. 30WEST arranged the deal on behalf of Neon and AGBO, and Endeavor Content repped the film. Will tell you more after the Oscar nomination news clears out. The film stars Odessa Young , Suki Waterhouse, Hari Nef, Abra, Bill Skarsgard , Bella Thorne , Colman Domingo, Joel McHale and Aniki Noni Rose. Oroducers are David Goyer, Anita Gou, Kevin Turen, Aaron L. Gilbert, Matthew J. Malek and Manu Gargi. EARLIER EXCLUSIVE : After another all-night bidding battle, NEON is negotiating toward a deal to acquire the provocative Assassination Nation , sources said. This would mark its second major buy of Sundance, following … [Read more...] about Huge Deal! NEON Teams With Russo Bros-Led AGBO In $10M+ Deal For ‘Assassination Nation’ – Sundance

Charlie Sheen -- a recovering everything-aholic -- hit the Guns N' Roses concert HARD this weekend ... REALLY HARD ... at least judging by the way he slurred through a Q&A with photogs after the show. Sheen was leaving the Palladium in Los Angeles Friday night ... when he fired off a sloshy torpedo of truth about the band ... hinting they'd be BETTER with Slash. We also asked about Sheen's favorite GNR song ... and we're pretty sure he cracked a heroin joke ... telling us, "Mr. Brownstone ... imagine that?!" FYI -- Mr. Brownstone is a slang term for the drug. As Sheen pulls away, one pap says, "I party like Charlie Sheen" ... to which the actor replies, "And you're still alive?!" Yeah, we're amazed too. … [Read more...] about Charlie Sheen — HAMMERED After Guns N’ Roses Concert