Month: March 2023

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Entertainment Daypop

‘Abbott Elementary’ star Quinta Brunson to make ‘Saturday Night Live’ hosting debut

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NBC’s Saturday Night Live announced on Twitter that ‘Abbott Elementary’ star Quinta Brunson will host the April 1st edition of the show, marking her SNL hosting debut. Lil Yachty will be that episode’s musical guest, in his own SNL debut.

The 33-year-old Brunson is the creator and star of the hit ABC sitcom Abbott Elementary, Before Abbott, Brunson starred in the first season of HBO’s A Black Lady Sketch Show. Her other TV credits include roles in Miracle Workers, Weird: The Al Yankovic Story, Party Down, and History of the World: Part II. She also had voice roles in Magical Girl Friendship Squad, Lazor Wulf, Big Mouth, and Harley Quinn.

Brunson’s Abbott Elementary has won an Emmy, a Golden Globe, an NAACP Image Award, a Film Independent Spirit Award, a Television Critics Association Award, three Black Reel Awards, and a SAG Award.

‘SNL’: Quinta Brunson To Make Hosting Debut On Strike-Threatened April 1 Show

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Categories
Pop Daypop

Janet Jackson to detail tour in new documentary ‘Janet Jackson: Family First’

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Janet Jackson will detail her upcoming ‘Together Again’ tour in the new documentary, ‘Janet Jackson: Family First’. 

Lifetime and A&E announced that the networks have greenlit a continuation of the story of the superstar’s life and career, which serves as the follow-up to last year’s documentary ‘Janet Jackson.’ The new documentary will also reveal Janet’s efforts to reunite the family band with her brother Randy for the first time in 40 years. According to the networks, “Janet Jackson: Family First” will “chronicle the legendary singer, songwriter, producer, author, actor, philanthropist and global icon as she embarks on her 2023 “Together Again” tour, and her collaboration with brother Randy Jackson to reunite the family band after 40 years since their last performance.” Janet’s first tour in four years was announced back in December. The 33-date run will kick off April 14 in Hollywood, Florida and end at Seattle’s Climate Pledge Arena on June 21. The tour will celebrate her 50-year career and focus on 1997’s ‘The Velvet Rope’ and 1993’s ‘Janet’ alongside her greatest hits.

Said Janet in a statement: “I was touched by the love and support from the wonderful fans who enjoyed the documentary last year. I am excited to continue to share my story, and welcome fans into my life and the ‘Together Again’ tour. Thank you for your never-ending support, and I hope you enjoy the next chapter. Randy Jackson added: “In this next chapter in the documentary, Janet and I are thrilled to welcome viewers on the road with us as we embark on the ‘Together Again’ tour, celebrating the milestone of 50 years of Janet’s career with fans across the country. We look forward to the continued partnership with Lifetime and A&E, and to sharing our family with viewers.”

‘Janet Jackson: Family First’ is currently filming. No release date has been confirmed as of press time, but it will simulcast on Lifetime and A&E.

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Categories
Rock Daypop

The Cure to launch North American summer tour

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The Cure will be launching a North American tour this summer, featuring support from Scottish rock band The Twilight Sad.

The North American tour kicks off May 10 in New Orleans, making stops in Houston, Seattle, Cleveland, and several other cities. The Cure will also play three nights at both the Hollywood Bowl and Madison Square Garden before concluding the tour July 1 in Miami.  The Cure said: “Following on from our 2022 European concerts, we are excited to announce the songs of a lost world tour will be heading to North America in May, June and July, with The Twilight Sad opening at all shows .. The Cure have agreed all ticket prices, and apart from a few Hollywood Bowl charity seats, there will be no ‘platinum’ or ‘dynamically priced’ tickets on this tour SEE YOU THERE! XXXXXX”

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Categories
Rock Daypop

Whitesnake to release ‘Still Good To Be Bad’ box set

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Whitesnake will release a ‘super deluxe edition’ of their 2008 album Still Good To Be Bad on April 28th, a few days after the original album’s 15th anniversary.

The collection will be available in different configurations, and has two new versions of the original album (one remastered and the other newly remixed), a selection of rare and unreleased studio and live recordings from the period, and videos all the music videos, interviews, and electrifying live performances from the Good To Be Bad world tour.

A newly remixed version of “Can You Hear The Wind Blow” has been released as a digital single and music video, which you can take a look at – here.

To pre-order the ‘Still Good To Be Bad’ box set, head HERE.

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Categories
Pop Daypop

Check out Meghan Trainor’s video for “Mother” starring Kris Jenner

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Meghan Trainor shared her new single and accompanying video for “Mother,” which appears on the new Deluxe Edition of her recent album Takin’ It Back.

Trainor enlisted mother-of-all-mothers Kris Jenner to star in the video for “Mother,” directed by longtime collaborator Charm LaDonna. The pair dance and sing along to the doo-wop inspired track, which samples The Chordettes’s 1954 hit, “Mr. Sandman.” Said Trainor: “I’m beyond excited to finally share ‘Mother’ with the world!  This song is my response to being in the industry for almost a decade now and still finding myself in situations where I am talked down to or made to feel like my opinion isn’t valid. It’s for anyone who is in a situation where they feel like they are being mansplained to and want to take their power back.”

Trainor’s Takin’ It Back (Deluxe Edition) includes the album’s original 16 tracks as well as three new tracks – “Mother,” “Grow Up,” and “Special Delivery” featuring Max — and the remix of “Made You Look” featuring Kim Petras.

Check out the video for “Mother” – here.

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Categories
News Daypop

Tyson Foods closing two chicken plants affecting 1,700 workers in Virginia, Arkansas

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Tyson Foods has announced that it will be closing two chicken plants that employ more than 1,600 people because of a drastic drop in sales over the past year, and in an effort to streamline its U.S. poultry business. The plants in Glen Allen, Va., and Van Buren, Ark., will be shut down on May 12th.

In a statement to CNBC, Tyson said “while the decision was not easy, it reflects our broader strategy to strengthen our poultry business by optimizing operations and utilizing full available capacity at each plant.” The Springdale, Arkansas-based company said it will work with its 692 employees in Glen Allen and its 969 employees in Van Buren to apply for open positions at other plants.

Tyson said operating inefficiencies were partly to blame for its lower-than-expected profit in its fiscal first quarter, which ended Dec. 31. The company said its operating income dropped 68% to $467 million in the period. Tyson has recently made other efforts to consolidate its operations: last October, the company announced it would relocate 1,000 corporate staff from offices in Illinois and South Dakota to Arkansas.

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Categories
News Daypop

Russian jet collides with U.S. drone in international airspace over Black Sea

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According to the U.S. military, a Russian fighter jet forced down a US Air Force drone over the Black Sea on Tuesday after damaging the propeller of the American MQ-9 Reaper drone, according to the US military.

A statement from U.S. European Command said that the Reaper drone and two Russian Su-27 aircraft were flying over international waters over the Black Sea when one of the Russian jets intentionally flew in front of and dumped fuel on the unmanned drone several times.  The aircraft then hit the propeller of the drone, prompting U.S. forces to bring the MQ-9 drone down in international waters. Air Force Gen. James B. Hecker, commander of US Air Forces Europe and Air Forces Africa, said in the statement: “Our MQ-9 aircraft was conducting routine operations in international airspace when it was intercepted and hit by a Russian aircraft, resulting in a crash and complete loss of the MQ-9. In fact, this unsafe and unprofessional act by the Russians nearly caused both aircraft to crash.”

According to CNN, the incident was the first direct contact between Russian and U.S. aircraft since the start of the Russia’s war in Ukraine. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said President Biden was briefed on the incident t by national security adviser Jake Sullivan on Tuesday morning.  Kirby said it was “not uncommon” for Russian aircraft to intercept US aircraft over the Black Sea, and said there had been other intercepts in recent weeks; however, he said the incident on Tuesday was unique in how “unsafe, unprofessional and reckless” the Russian actions were.

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Categories
Sports Daypop

Wide receiver Michael Thomas returning to New Orleans Saints on one-year deal

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NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports that wide receiver Michael Thomas is expected to return to the New Orleans Saints on an incentive-laden one-year deal. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Tuesday that New Orleans and Thomas agreed to a reworked contract that will become a one-year, $10 million deal with the potential for the 30-year-old to earn up to $15 million with incentives.

Thomas is coming off of another season filled with injuries, which say him play in just three games. In those appearances, Thomas made 16 catches for 171 yards and three touchdowns before ending the year on injured reserve with a foot injury. Since 2020, the two-time former All-Pro and 2019 Offensive Player of the Year has battled multiple injuries, resulting in him playing in just 10 games since 2020.

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Categories
Sports Daypop

Atlanta Falcons sign QB Taylor Heinicke to 2-year, $20M deal

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According to reports from NFL Network, the Atlanta Falcons have agreed to terms with quarterback Taylor Heinicke on a two-year, $20 million contract.

The 29-year-old Heinicke has spent the past three seasons as backup QB for the Washington Commanders. Back in 2021, Heinicke threw for a career-high 20 touchdowns with 15 interceptions; in 2022, Heinicke started nine games, throwing for 12 touchdowns, six interceptions and a passer rating of 89.6.

Based on incentives, Heinicke gets $4 million to sign, along with a $1 million roster bonus due on March 20. He also receives a guaranteed base salary of $1.32 million in 2023, and up to $680,000 in per-game roster bonuses. For 2024, the contract has a base salary of $5 million, a $1.32 million roster bonus due on the fifth day of the 2024 league year, and up to $680,000 in per-game roster bonuses.

Falcons to Sign QB Taylor Heinicke, per Report

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Categories
Country Daypop

Luke Combs hits No. 1 on Country Airplay for the 15th time

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Country superstar Luke Combs added on his record-breaking run at country radio as his single, “Going, Going, Gone,” reached No. 1 — marking Combs’ 15th consecutive No. 1 single. This feat is the longest consecutive streak for an artist since their debut.

Combs will release his new album, Gettin’ Old—a companion to his acclaimed 2022 record, Growin’ Up—next Friday, March 24th. Produced by Combs, Chip Matthews and Jonathan Singleton, Gettin’ Old is Combs’ fourth full-length album following Growin’ Up, 2019’s What You See is What You Get and his debut, This One’s For You.

Additionally, Combs will kick off his massive World Tour next weekend with 16 North American stadium shows, and 39 shows across three continents and 16 countries. The run is the largest tour ever for a country artist, and includes shows at Arlington, TX’s AT&T Stadium, Nashville’s Nissan Stadium and Foxborough’s Gillette Stadium, as well as stops in Australia, New Zealand, U.K., Ireland, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Switzerland, France and Belgium.

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