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Sports Daypop

Baltimore Ravens Lamar Jackson sitting out regular-season finale against Steelers

Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh announced Wednesday that QB Lamar Jackson will not play Saturday against the Pittsburgh Steelers, the team’s regular-season finale. Tyler Huntley will make the start for Baltimore in Jackson’s place.

The move to sit out Jackson gives him at least a 19-day break before playing in the AFC divisional round; the Ravens (13-3) clinched the AFC’s No. 1 seed and a first-round bye last week. Harbaugh said of the move: “It’s really not any one thing that goes into it. Just all things considered, it seemed to be the right thing to do. We had conversations with Lamar and others and made the decision.” Jackson added: “I’m cool with it. Me and Coach talked about it. I feel like it was best to sit me.”

After the Ravens secured the No. 1 seed in the AFC before the final game of the regular season in 2019, Jackson and six other starters sat out in the finale. That year, however, the Ravens were defeated in a 28-12 upset loss to the Tennessee Titans in the divisional round. Said Jackson when asked about that year: “2019 is over with. We’re always talking about it — I find myself talking about it. It’s different. That was just my first full season in the NFL. But it’s a lot different mindset, different group of guys. I feel like all-around we’re different.” Harbaugh pushed back about that year as well: “We didn’t score enough points, but it wasn’t like we weren’t moving the ball,” Harbaugh said. “I think we had really good practices and guys had good spirits. I think we had a good game plan, we just didn’t get the job done in certain plays. So that’s how football goes. I guess the long-winded point here is that you just look at where you’re at with your team at this time and make the decisions that are best as you see it.”

Jackson is in his first full season since 2020 (after suffering an ankle injury in 2021, and a sprained knee in 2022). He is the favorite to win his second NFL MVP award, throwing five touchdowns and recording a perfect passer rating in a 56-19 rout of the Miami Dolphins last Sunday. Jackson has thrown 14 touchdown passes and two interceptions for a 109.8 passer rating, averaging 250.2 yards passing and 56.7 yards rushing.

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Sports Daypop

Fire extinguished at mansion of Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill in Florida

On Wednesday afternoon, firefighters extinguished a fire at the $6 million mansion of Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill in Southwest Ranches, Fla., located in the 16000 block of Berkshire Court.

Several fire engines and crews got to the scene shortly before 2 p.m.. where images from the scene showed firefighters on the roof of the mansion, making holes on the roof to better fight the blaze while heavy black and white smoke spew out from the mansion.  Hill’s family were already standing outside when firefighters arrived. It took firefighters about 45 minutes to put out the blaze, with investigators stating that the cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Hill, who was at Dolphins practice at the time, left and headed home when he received word of the blaze. Hill’s agent also confirmed Hill, his family and pets were all safe. Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa said at Baptist Health Training Complex in Miami Gardens, Fla. when the team learned of the fire: “I think that would be difficult not just for my teammates, but anyone in general. To be going through what Tyreek is going through right now, I think the main thing is his family is safe, his loved ones are good and he’s good as well.”

Hill’s mansion was built in 2007. It has 9,326 sqft of indoor living space on a 2.28 acres plot, according to property records. Property records show the home was assessed at $5,987,080 in 2023. It sold for $6,900,000 May 6, 2022.

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Country Daypop

The Oak Ridge Boys’ Joe Bonsall announces retirement from touring

Joe Bonsall, tenor singer for The Oak Ridge Boys, has announced his plans to retire from touring.

Bonsall, 75, shared in a statement posted on X: “Many of you know I have been battling a slow onset (over four years now) of a neuromuscular disorder. I am now at a point where walking is impossible, so I have basically retired from the road. It has just gotten too difficult. It has been a great 50 years, and I am thankful to all the Oak Ridge Boys, band, crew, and staff for the constant love and support shown to me through it all. I will never forget, and for those of you who have been constantly holding me up in prayer, I thank you and ask for you to keep on praying. There is a young man named Ben James singing for me out there, and he needs your love and encouragement … his sound is different than mine, but he brings a ton of talent to the table! The Oak Ridge Boys will finish the Farewell Tour without me, but rest assured, I am good with all of it! God’s Got It!!!”

Bonsall, who hails from Philadelphia, has lived in Nashville for nearly 40 years, joining The Oak Ridge Boys in 1973. Ben James was announced as Bonsall’s replacement during a concert in Greenville, Mississippi, on Dec. 30, 2023 by fellow-members Duane Allen, William Lee Golden, and Richard Ster.  The 27-year-old James has previously performed with Quicksilver and Dailey & Vincent, and was introduced to Oak Ridge Boys’ fans in 2022. The Oak Ridge Boys are planning a full touring calendar through June and anticipate returning to the studio in late January.

Editorial credit: Jeff Schultes / Shutterstock.com

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Entertainment Daypop

Check out the trailer for ‘Mr. & Mrs. Smith’ starring Donald Glover and Maya Erskine

Amazon Prime Video shared a teaser trailer for its new series Mr. & Mrs. Smith, featuring Donald Glover and Maya Erskine. Mr. & Mrs. Smith is a reimagining of the 2005 action comedy film of the same name starring Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie.

In the series, Glover and Erskine play two lonely strangers who land jobs for a mysterious spy agency. The pair must assume new identities in an arranged marriage as Mr. and Mrs. John and Jane Smith. An official synopsis reads: “Now hitched, John and Jane navigate a high-risk mission every week while also facing a new relationship milestone. Their complex cover story becomes even more complicated when they catch real feelings for each other. What’s riskier: espionage or marriage?” The teaser trailer shows John (Glover) and Jane (Erskine) get to know each other while taking on action-packed missions.

Mr. & Mrs. Smith is co-created and executive produced by Glover and Francesca Sloane (who previously collaborated on Glover’s series Atlanta).  The series also stars Paul Dano, Parker Posey, Wagner Moura, John Turturro, Ron Perlman, Michaela Coel, Eiza Gonzalez, Alexander Skarsgard and Sharon Horgan.

Mr. & Mrs. Smith premieres Feb. 2; you can take a look at the trailer – here.

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Pop Daypop

Usher and H.E.R. share video for ‘Risk It All’

Usher and H.E.R. have dropped the video for their duet “Risk It All,” directed by Dave Meyers. Usher and H.E.R. recorded the song as part of the soundtrack for The Color Purple, a new film based on the Broadway musical and Alice Walker novel. The Color Purple (Music From and Inspire By) includes additional songs by Alicia Keys, Mary J. Blige, Fantasia, Keyshia Cole, Jorja Smith, Coco Jones and more.  H.E.R. plays Mary Agnes, aka Squeak, in the new film.

An official description of “Risk It All” reads: “The song brings together these two award-winning superstars for a special collaboration that encapsulates the raw emotion and enduring strength of The Color Purple’s film narratives: risk, love and liberation. Usher’s signature smooth tones blend seamlessly with H.E.R.’s soulful depth, creating a hymn of resilience and courage.”  “Risk It All,” produced by H.E.R., is No. 13 on BIllboard’s Adult R&B Airplay chart. The song will also be featured on Usher’s upcoming album, Coming Home, arriving Feb. 9, 2024. Upon the song release, Usher gave a shoutout to H.E.R. on Instagram, writing, “U produced and co-wrote such a beautiful record. Appreciate U for blessing this video with all of your greatness.”

Take a look at the video for ‘Risk It All’ – here.

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Categories
Rock Daypop

Black Flag back on the road for 2024 North American Tour Dates

Legendary punk rock band Black Flag are on the road with the 2024 winter leg of their “My War” tour.

The trek sees the band performing their 1984 album “My War” in its entirety, as well some of their other hits throughout their discography. The winter leg of the tour just kicked-off on January 2 in Portland, OR with additional stops in San Francisco, Pioneertown, Salt Lake City and Kansas City before concluding on March 24 in Austin, TX.

Tickets are on sale now; you can see the full list of dates at the band’s website.

Editorial credit: Mubashir Abbas Zaidi / Shutterstock.com

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Rock Daypop

Bruce Kulick announces departure from Grand Funk Railroad after 23 years

After 23 years, guitarist Bruce Kulick announced he was leaving Grand Funk Railroad, with his final performance taking place on December 14 in Marietta, Ohio. Kulick has been with GFR since 2000, after performing with other artists and bands including MeatLoaf, Union, and KISS.

Kulick. who turned 70 on December 12, says that he loved performing with Grand Funk Railroad but explained how touring became too much. “I really wanted to look at what I wanted to do personally and creatively. I’ve always loved playing with Grand Funk for all of those years, but all of that travel for most weekends of every month, all year, the time involved became more and more difficult .. The band, 80% of the time, was performing on the East Coast or in the Midwest, which meant I had the longest trips of all of the guys in the band. Whenever they came out to Vegas to perform, they were aware of the trip, from the East Coast, where most of the other guys live — and then going back — how it just kicks your a**.”

However, Kulick added that he wasn’t retiring: “I’m not retiring. I just want it only to be about my legacy, my career and everything that means something to me. I mean, my Kiss fans have been amazing. They love my era. It’s just remarkable that I was involved with a band with that kind of fame and that kind of influence on the youth. Every generation going from there, that they haven’t forgotten me at all is wonderful … For me, I want to celebrate my years, but tell the backstory. I’d like to get into the things that only if you were there you could describe. For example, what it was like to be at a video shoot for 12 hours with Eric Carr doing ‘God Gave Rock and Roll to You II.’”

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Pop Daypop

American Idol shares Wizard of Oz parody in Season 22 preview

American Idol has shared a ‘Wizard of Oz’-inspired trailer video showcasing the show’s judges and host, and has also revealed the premiere date for the 2024 season of the long-running series. Host Ryan Seacrest, along with judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie, are returning for Season 22 of American Idol in its seventh straight season on ABC, debuting Feb. 18 on ABC (and streaming on Hulu).

In announcing the new season’s premiere date, Seacrest, Bryan, Perry and Richie walk the “golden ticket road” to Hollywood, paying homage to the hometowns of several previous American Idol winners (such as Kelly Clarkson’s hometown of Burelson, Texas, and Carrie Underwood’s hometown of Checotah, Okla.).

In the trailer, Perry is “Dorthy”, and shares “There’s no place like American Idol,” after clicking the heels of her ruby slippers and spinning toward the camera. Take a look at the trailer for Season 22 of Idol – here.

Editorial credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Country Daypop

American Idol shares Wizard of Oz parody in Season 22 preview

American Idol has shared a ‘Wizard of Oz’-inspired trailer video showcasing the show’s judges and host, and has also revealed the premiere date for the 2024 season of the long-running series. Host Ryan Seacrest, along with judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie, are returning for Season 22 of American Idol in its seventh straight season on ABC, debuting Feb. 18 on ABC (and streaming on Hulu).

In announcing the new season’s premiere date, Seacrest, Bryan, Perry and Richie walk the “golden ticket road” to Hollywood, paying homage to the hometowns of several previous American Idol winners (such as Kelly Clarkson’s hometown of Burelson, Texas, and Carrie Underwood’s hometown of Checotah, Okla.).

In the trailer, Perry is “Dorthy”, and shares “There’s no place like American Idol,” after clicking the heels of her ruby slippers and spinning toward the camera. Take a look at the trailer for Season 22 of Idol – here.

Editorial credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Entertainment Daypop

American Idol shares Wizard of Oz parody in Season 22 preview

American Idol has shared a ‘Wizard of Oz’-inspired trailer video showcasing the show’s judges and host, and has also revealed the premiere date for the 2024 season of the long-running series. Host Ryan Seacrest, along with judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie, are returning for Season 22 of American Idol in its seventh straight season on ABC, debuting Feb. 18 on ABC (and streaming on Hulu).

In announcing the new season’s premiere date, Seacrest, Bryan, Perry and Richie walk the “golden ticket road” to Hollywood, paying homage to the hometowns of several previous American Idol winners (such as Kelly Clarkson’s hometown of Burelson, Texas, and Carrie Underwood’s hometown of Checotah, Okla.).

In the trailer, Perry is “Dorthy”, and shares “There’s no place like American Idol,” after clicking the heels of her ruby slippers and spinning toward the camera. Take a look at the trailer for Season 22 of Idol – here.

Editorial credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com