Month: November 2022

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Entertainment Daypop

‘Westworld’ canceled by HBO after 4 seasons

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HBO has decided to cancel its Emmy-winning sci-fi drama “Westward” after its recent fourth season. The series’ cancellation came less than three months after its fourth season concluded in August. The cast included Evan Rachel Wood, Ed Harris, Jeffrey Wright, Aaron Paul and Thandiwe Newton. Newton earned a best supporting actress Emmy in 2018, and the series received more than 50 nominations and won nine awards from the TV academy. The series debuted in 2016 as a ratings success for the cable channel; however, viewership fell in the third season and again in the fourth.

In a statement, HBO said: “Over the past four seasons, Lisa and [Jonathan] have taken viewers on a mind-bending odyssey, raising the bar at every step. We are tremendously grateful to them, along with their immensely talented cast, producers and crew, and all of our partners at Kilter Films, Bad Robot and Warner Bros. Television. It’s been a thrill to join them on this journey.”

Last month, co-creator Jonathan Nolan said in an interview that he hoped HBO would order a fifth season to properly end the show’s story, which has chronicled a robot uprising that changed the fate of humanity. Said Nolan at the time: “We always planned for a fifth and final season. We are still in conversations with the network. We very much hope to make them.” Co-creator Lisa Joy added that the series has always been working toward a specific ending: “Jonah and I have always had an ending in mind that we hope to reach. We have not quite reached it yet.”

Inspired by the 1973 film titled “Westworld,” the series was initially set in a Western-style amusement park that allowed guests to realize their fantasies with the help of androids. The show later broadened into a artificial intelligence vs. human global conflict. Nolan said in a statement: “We’ve been privileged to tell these stories about the future of consciousness — both human and beyond — in the brief window of time before our AI overlords forbid us from doing so.”

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Pop Daypop

Listen to the ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ soundtrack featuring Rihanna, Tems, and more

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Just days before Ryan Coogler’s Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is set to debut in theaters, the star-studded soundtrack for the Marvel sequel has arrived.  The Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack contains 19 tracks, led by Rihanna’s first new track in six years “Lift Me Up,” which dropped last week. Other featured artists from various genres including Rihanna, Burna Boy, Tems, Fireboy DML, Stormzy, Snow Tha Product, E-40, Tobe Nwigwe, Fat Nwigwe, CKay and many more.

Director Ryan Coogler, composer Ludwig Göransson, Archie Davis (chief creative officer at Def Jam), and Dave Jordan produced the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack album.  Göransson said in a statement: “Ryan and I talked about the importance of creating an immersive journey of sound and voice. If we used a song in the film, we wanted it to be the entire song, and to be connected to the story. Thematically, we wanted to move the audience from grief to celebration. When you listen to the soundtrack, you can close your eyes and relive the experience of the movie. That was the intention.”

Wakanda Forever is set to arrive in theaters on Friday, Nov. 11. The movie, which will conclude the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Phase Four, arrives four years after the original film was released starring Chadwick Boseman. who died at age 43 following complications from colon cancer.

Take a listen to the soundtrack – here.

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Categories
Rock Daypop

Anthrax and Black Label Society to launch 2023 North American tour with Exodus

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Anthrax and Black Label Society are hitting the road for new North American co-headlining tour dates in early 2023, featuring thrash pioneers Exodus. The tour kicks-off January 17th in Boise, Idaho, running through February 18th in Oakland, California.

Anthrax said in a statement: “We are so pumped to be hitting the road again with Black Label Society. We had such a great time when we toured with them earlier this year, that we had talked about doing it again when we were still on the road together. And, having the guys from Exodus on the bill as Special Guest, will definitely make this a tour not to miss.”

Black Label Society leader Zakk Wylde added, “Anthrax is one of the bestest legendary metal/thrash bands of all time. I have been buds with Scotty, Charlie, Frankie, and Joey for over 3O years and they are some of the bestest people you will meet. Jon is the bestest new addition Anthrax could ask for. The ANTHRAX + BLACK LABEL SOCIETY & EXODUS TOUR is going to be one of the bestest tours ever!”

Exodus’ Gary Holt shared: “Exodus are super stoked to announce that we will be touring with Anthrax and Black Label Society. Touring with our long-time friends in Anthrax is always an epic good time, and now we get to tour with BLS and watch Zakk and company rip it up nightly too! Going to be awesome and we will be bringing our unique brand of audio violence to every city! Let the metal roll!”

Tickets are on sale now via Ticketmaster.

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Categories
Rock Daypop

Paramore announce 2023 North American tour

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Paramore has announced they will hit the road for a 26-date North American arena tour in 2023, featuring special guests including Bloc Party, Foals, Genesis Owusu, and The Linda Lindas. The tour will be in support of Paramore’s first album in five years, This Is Why, which will drop on February 10th. The band will also embark on a supporting gig for Taylor Swift’s The Eras Tour in stadiums across America.

Paramore also shared that a portion of each ticket sold will go to Support + Feed, a nonprofit to combat food insecurity and the climate crisis, as well as REVERB, a nonprofit that teams up with musicians and venues to reduce their concert and tour footprints.

Verified Fan Registration is open now through November 7th at 11:59 P.M. ET. Public on sale for the tour starts November 7th at 10:00 A.M. local time.

Paramore announces 2023 summer tour

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Categories
Pop Daypop

Harry Styles postpones three Los Angeles shows after getting the flu

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Harry Styles was forced to postpone three of his sold-out shows in Los Angeles after coming down the the flu.

Styles shared a statement over the weekend via Instagram Stories: “Towards the end of the show on Wednesday I started feeling ill and I’ve been in bed with the flu ever since. I’ve been doing everything I can to be able to sing tonight, but I’m leaving the doctor now and I’m devastated that it’s just not possible.”

Styles added that this is the first time he’s had to postpone a show due to illness in over 10 years. “Until very recently I haven’t had to postpone a show due to illness in the 12 years I’ve been touring. I’m so sorry to do it, and if there was anyway I could do the show I would.” Last month, Harry was forced to cancel his Chicago concert after members of his band and crew got sick. Said Styles: “I’m sorry this news is coming so close to show time, but it was my sincerest hope to be able to play for you tonight. I know several of you have planned trips to LA to see the show, and it means the absolute world to me.”

The postponed shows were originally scheduled for November 5th, 6th, and 7th, and will now take place January 26th, 27th, and 29th in 2023. Said Harry: “I can’t wait to see you then, and I’m so sorry.”

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Categories
Sports Daypop

World Series: Astros take 3-2 series lead after Game 5 win against Phillies

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The Houston Astros defeated the Philadelphia Phillies 3-2 in Game 5 of the World Series on Thursday in Philadelphia. The Astros now lead the series 3-2 and are one win away from clinching the championship, with Game 6 set for Saturday in Houston.

Houston’s Jeremy Pena homered and drove in two runs and Jose Altuve scored twice, while pitcher Justin Verlander allowed four hits and one run over five innings at Citizens Bank Park. Pena went 3 for 4, and Altuve went 2 for 4 with one walk.  After eight career starts in the Fall Classic with a 0-6 record, Verlander earned his first World Series win.  The ace pitched through five innings in Thursday’s Game 5, allowing just one run.

Game 6 will be at 8:03 p.m. EDT Saturday at Minute Maid Park in Houston airing on FOX.  If necessary, Game 7 will take place Sunday in Houston.

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News Daypop

Indiana doctor who performed abortion on 10-year-old rape victim sues state Attorney General

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The Indiana doctor who provided an abortion to a 10-year-old rape victim is suing Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita for using what her attorneys say are “meritless” complaints to justify subpoenas for medical records.  AG Rokita attempted to gain access to the medical records from Dr. Caitlin Bernard, an obstetrician-gynecologist in Indianapolis, after a number of individuals filed complaints against Bernard that her attorneys call “frivolous.”  Lawyers for Bernard and her medical partner, Dr. Amy Caldwell, say Rokita filed “broad document subpoenas” to a hospital system for “the entire medical file” of the victim. The lawsuit alleges the complaints in question were without any legitimate basis.

The abortion case involving Dr. Bernard became national news after the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe vs. Wade, which allows for states to individually enact their own abortion laws. The 27-year-old Ohio man accused of raping and impregnating a 10-year-old girl, Gerson Fuentes, was denied bail after being charged with two counts of rape of a child under 13.  The lawsuit claims many of the complaints against Dr. Bernard were made by people who do not live in Indiana. There was also a complaint that Bernard failed to report the rape of the victim to the authorities, which was found to be untrue. Rokita issued a statement on July 14, which questioned whether Bernard reported. However, termination of parental rights forms confirmed Bernard properly reported the rape.

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News Daypop

FBI warns of ‘credible and broad threat’ to New Jersey synagogues

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The FBI in New Jersey warned on Thursday that they were investigating a “credible and broad threat” to synagogues in the state, asking that they take security precautions to protect their communities and buildings.

Officials with the Newark FBI announced the threat in a statement and told the public to stay alert: “The FBI has received credible information of a broad threat to synagogues in NJ. We ask at this time that you take all security precautions to protect your community and facility. We will share more information as soon as we can. Stay alert. In case of emergency call police.”

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said in a statement his office has been in contact with the state attorney general’s office, the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness and the FBI: “We are closely monitoring the situation and are working with local law enforcement to ensure that all houses of worship are protected,”

New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin said in a statement Thursday his office has been in touch with federal partners and is also working with New Jersey State Police and law enforcement across the state to coordinate a response: “Some of these patrols will be in marked vehicles and others will not — but please do not be alarmed if you observe an increase in police presence as we are taking these steps in an abundance of caution. We also call upon New Jersey residents to be extra vigilant and if you see suspicious activity please report it to your local authorities without delay. We continue to work together to keep New Jersey safe, and let those who would bring harm to the residents of this State know that New Jersey will not be home to hate, intolerance or violence.”

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Categories
Sports Daypop

Brooklyn Nets suspend Kyrie Irving without pay after antisemitic social media post

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The Brooklyn Nets announced on Thursday they have suspended guard Kyrie Irving without pay after a post he made on social media last week contained a link to an antisemitic movie. The team said he would be suspended without pay for at least five games.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver had released a statement earlier on Thursday, saying in part, “I am disappointed that he [Irving] has not offered an unqualified apology and more specifically denounced the vile and harmful content contained in the film he chose to publicize.”  Irving responded on Thursday to say that while he “takes responsibility” for his actions, he stopped short of offering a formal apology.

The Nets said that after a media appearance earlier in the day, Irving failed to declare that he has no antisemitic beliefs or acknowledge the content of the film. Their statement said: “We were dismayed today, when given an opportunity in a media session, that Kyrie refused to unequivocally say he has no antisemitic beliefs, nor acknowledge specific hateful material in the film. This was not the first time he had the opportunity — but failed — to clarify … We have decided that Kyrie will serve a suspension without pay until he satisfies a series of objective remedial measures that address the harmful impact of his conduct and the suspension period served is no less than five games.”

Irving has been roundly criticized since last week, when he tweeted a link to the 2018 movie “Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America,” which is based on Ronald Dalton’s book of the same name. In a joint statement on Wednesday with the Nets and Anti-Defamation League, Irving said he opposed all forms of hatred, with Irving and the Nets adding they would each donate $500,000 toward organizations that work to eradicate hate.

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Categories
Country Daypop

Katy Perry, Chris Stapleton, Luke Combs and more newly-added to 2022 CMA Awards Performers

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Additional performers have been added to the upcoming 56th annual CMA Awards, airing Wednesday, Nov. 9, live on ABC at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT (and available the following day on Hulu). Luke Bryan, who is co-hosting the show with Peyton Manning, will also perform at the ceremony.

Newly announced artists taking the stage include Chris Stapleton, Katy Perry, Luke Combs Reba McEntire, Brothers Osborne, Brandy Clark, Caylee Hammack, Cody Johnson, Patty Loveless, Ashley McBryde, John Osborne, Pillbox Patti, Cole Swindell, The Black Keys, The War and Treaty and Thomas Rhett. Additional artists performing at the 2022 CMA Awards will be announced ahead of the show.

The initial lineup of performers, was announced last week, featuring artists including Miranda Lambert, Kelly Clarkson, HARDY, Marcus King, Jimmie Allen, Kelsea Ballerini, Carly Pearce, Carrie Underwood, Morgan Wallen, Lainey Wilson and Zac Brown Band.

The night will open with a tribute to late country music legend Loretta Lynn, who died on Oct. 4 at the age of 90. Artists participating in the tribute performance have not yet been revealed. Check out the full list of nominations here.

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