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‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ reboot with Sarah Michelle Gellar in the works for Hulu

Hulu is developing a reboot of the cult favorite series ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’, with original series star Sarah Michelle Gellar attached to the new project from writers Nora and Lilla Zuckerman.

Variety learned from sources that a sequel series to the beloved “Buffy ” is nearing a pilot order at Hulu, with the reboot said to be “the next chapter in the Buffyverse,” with Oscar winner Chloé Zhao set to direct.  Sources say the new Buffy would focus on a younger Slayer and that Gellar’s Buffy Summers would not be the central character.

Gellar (who’s currently starring in Showtime’s Dexter: Original Sin) has said in the past that she wasn’t interested in a Buffy reboot, but in a December appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show, she said she was now open to the idea. She later posted to her socials confirming that the project was in the works, writing in a statement on Instagram: “Three years ago, I got a call from my dear friend and mentor, Gail Berman. She told me that she wanted me to sit down with Chloé Zhao to hear her take on a potential Buffy revival. I was blown away that Chloé even knew who I was, but, as I’ve always done, I told Gail that I just didn’t see a way for the show to exist again. We’d always been aligned on that, but this time I heard something different in her voice.

Gellar said she agreed to take on the meeting “mainly just to meet Chloé” and that a “twenty-minute coffee quickly turned into a four-hour adventure. We laughed, we cried, but mostly we both talked about how much this show means to us.  I did shock myself by agreeing to continue the conversation. These conversations did, in fact, continue over the next few years and eventually we added the incredible Nora and Lilla Zuckerman to our little tribe until ultimately, one day, we landed on an idea. I have always listened to the fans and heard your desire to revisit Buffy and her world, but it was not something I could do unless I was sure we would get it right. This has been a long process, and it’s not over yet. I promise you, we will only make this show if we know we can do it right. And I will tell you that we are on the path there. I feel so lucky to be on this journey with these four unbelievably talented women, all of whom love ‘Buffy’ as much as I do. And as much as you do. Thank you to all the fans who never stopped asking for this. This will be for you.”

Editorial credit: Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock.com

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Jury finds A$AP Rocky not guilty of assault in connection with shooting

A$AP Rocky was found not guilty by a California jury of two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm, stemming from a 2021 shooting incident with a former friend in Hollywood. The 36-year-old — legal name Rakim Athelston Mayers — faced more than 24 years in prison if he had been convicted.

Mayers was charged with two counts of felony assault on Aug. 15, 2022, after he was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport. The case centered on a 2021 shooting involving Rocky and a friend from high school, who goes by A$AP Relli. Attorneys for Rocky, the longtime partner of Rihanna, had argued the weapon was a prop gun that only fired blanks, which he obtained from a music video set and carried for security.

Their mutual friend and fellow crew member, A$AP Twelvyy, testified during the trial that Relli was the aggressor and Rocky fired the gun as a warning. Twelvyy also testified that Rocky had been carrying a starter pistol for protection for months and the gun fired blanks. Investigators found no weapons or ammunition on scene.

A$AP Rocky did not testify in the trial; after the verdict was announced, he expressed his appreciation to the jury, saying, “Thank y’all for saving my life.”

Prior to the trial, Rocky turned down a prosecution offer of just six months in jail, along with probation and other conditions, if he would plead guilty to one count.

Editorial credit: Fred Duval / Shutterstock.com

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Entertainment Daypop

Jury finds A$AP Rocky not guilty of assault in connection with shooting

A$AP Rocky was found not guilty by a California jury of two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm, stemming from a 2021 shooting incident with a former friend in Hollywood. The 36-year-old — legal name Rakim Athelston Mayers — faced more than 24 years in prison if he had been convicted.

Mayers was charged with two counts of felony assault on Aug. 15, 2022, after he was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport. The case centered on a 2021 shooting involving Rocky and a friend from high school, who goes by A$AP Relli. Attorneys for Rocky, the longtime partner of Rihanna, had argued the weapon was a prop gun that only fired blanks, which he obtained from a music video set and carried for security.

Their mutual friend and fellow crew member, A$AP Twelvyy, testified during the trial that Relli was the aggressor and Rocky fired the gun as a warning. Twelvyy also testified that Rocky had been carrying a starter pistol for protection for months and the gun fired blanks. Investigators found no weapons or ammunition on scene.

A$AP Rocky did not testify in the trial; after the verdict was announced, he expressed his appreciation to the jury, saying, “Thank y’all for saving my life.”

Prior to the trial, Rocky turned down a prosecution offer of just six months in jail, along with probation and other conditions, if he would plead guilty to one count.

Editorial credit: Fred Duval / Shutterstock.com

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Vatican announces that Pope Francis has bilateral pneumonia

The Vatican announced Tuesday that Pope Francis has developed bilateral pneumonia. The updated diagnosis means that pneumonia is in both of his lungs; the 88-year-old pontiff was admitted to hospital for a respiratory tract infection on Feb. 14 after two weeks of what Francis repeatedly referred to as bronchitis.

On Feb. 17, a Vatican press release said that test results revealed a “polymicrobial infection” and that due to the “complex” clinical situation, he would require further hospitalization.  The updated Vatican statement released at 7:30 p.m. local time on Tuesday evening (Feb. 18) revealed that “laboratory tests and chest X-rays continue to reveal a complex medical picture. The chest CT scan that the Holy Father underwent this afternoon … demonstrated the onset of bilateral pneumonia that required further pharmacological therapy.” The statement noted that the 88-year-old pontiff is in good spirits, and that he received the Eucharist earlier in the day.

The Pope’s latest hospitalization marks the second longest hospital stay of his papacy; he was hospitalized for 10 days in 2021 after undergoing surgery that removed a portion of his colon. In 2023, Francis spent three nights in hospital with pneumonia.

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Passengers share firsthand details of Delta flight that flipped upon landing in Toronto, injuring 21

Officials have confirmed that at least 18 people were injured Monday after a Delta Air Lines plane overturned upon landing at Toronto Pearson International Airport. There were no fatalities. Toronto Pearson CEO Deborah Flint said that of those injured, none were in critical condition. As of Tuesday morning, 19 of those hospitalized had been released, according to Delta Airlines.

The Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement that Delta Air Lines Flight 4819, which was operated by Endeavor Air and was arriving from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, crashed on landing in Toronto around 2:15 p.m. Delta said that Endeavor is a “wholly owned subsidiary of Delta Air Lines headquartered in Minneapolis.” Eighty people were on the plane, a CRJ-900, the FAA said – 76 passengers and four crew members were on board.

New video footage shared on Tuesday captures the moment Delta Flight 4819 caught fire and rolled over upon landing at Toronto Pearson International Airport Monday afternoon. The shows the plane reach the ground, erupt in flames, bounce on the runway and then overturn. (per ABC News.). John Nelson, who recorded the video, is heard saying: “We just landed. Our plane crashed. It’s upside down,” as he walked away from the plane. He said that “most people appear to be OK” and that passengers were getting off of the plane. The aircraft came to a stop upside-down on the snow covered Toronto runway.

Delta CEO Ed Bastian said in a statement: “Our most pressing priority remains taking care of all customers and Endeavor crew members who were involved. We’ll do everything we can to support them and their families in the days ahead, and I know the hearts, thoughts and prayers of the entire Delta community are with them. We are grateful for all the first responders and medical teams who have been caring for them.”

Another passenger aboard the Delta flight, Pete Koukov, recalled how within seconds of the wheels touching down, his body was turned fully sideways and he and other passengers were left dangling by their seat belts. Koukov said on the “TODAY” show Tuesday morning: “I didn’t really notice anything wrong until the moment we hit the ground. The wheels touched down … I was in the window seat on the lookers left side, and then all of a sudden, I just remember being fully sideways. I was looking down and just seeing like sparks and flames and whatever was grinding against the ground. It happened pretty dang quick and we were just upside down, hanging from our seat belts Obviously we ended up upside down, and everyone was wearing their seat belts as they should have been, including myself .. I remember just hanging there and me and the lady next to me, we got out pretty quick. We were kind of able to just like, unclip, like you would, and then just kind of lower ourselves to be on the ground, which was the roof, I guess. We did it really quickly, like, within stopping we both immediately kind of got our bearings, unclipped, got down.

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada is leading the investigation. Investigators from the FAA and National Transportation Safety Board are assisting.

Editorial credit: Elena Berd / Shutterstock.com

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Country Daypop

Old Dominion to headline Boots in the Park Santa Clarita

Activated Events has announced the lineup for the return of Boots In The Park to Santa Clarita, California, set to take place on May 10th at Santa Clarita’s iconic Central Park. The one-day country music extravaganza will feature a headline performance by Old Dominion. Nate Smith, Josh Ross, Mackenzie Porter, Noah Rinker, with additional artists as well

Boots In The Park returns for its third year in Santa Clarita, where fans will enjoy an all-day country party with live performances, line dancing, mouthwatering food from local vendors, a diverse selection of beverages—including craft beer and handmade cocktails—and captivating art installations.

Activated Events recently announced several Boots In The Park festivals in Albuquerque, Fresno, Bakersfield, Las Vegas, and Norco.

For information, head HERE.

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Country Daypop

NBC to celebrate 100 years of the Grand Ole Opry hosted by Blake Shelton

Grand Ole Opry member Blake Shelton will host NBC’s Opry 100: A Live Celebration, honoring the Grand Ole Opry’s milestone 100th anniversary, on Wednesday, March 19th at 8-11 pm ET and simulcast on Peacock.

Shelton said in a statement: “Becoming a member of the Opry is a highlight of my life and career, and 15 years later I still get that same feeling of reverence and excitement every time I walk out on that stage. The Grand Ole Opry has been connecting the country music family for 100 years, and I’m so proud to be part of this historic celebration.”

Opry Entertainment Group CEO Patrick Moore added: “We’re pleased to partner with our Grand Ole Opry members to create a truly unforgettable evening as we kick off the Opry’s 100th year. This special night of programming will connect millions of country music fans to the magic of the Opry, and we hope it inspires them to join us in Nashville as we celebrate this milestone all year long.”

The special will be telecast from two locations — the Grand Ole Opry House that has been home to the weekly broadcasts since 1974, and Nashville’s venerable “Mother Church,” the Ryman Auditorium, which hosted the show for decades prior to that and still hosts the Opry for a handful of dates each winter.

Opry 100: A Live Celebration will also feature performances from Opry members Ashley McBryde, Brad Paisley, Carly Pearce, Carrie Underwood, Clint Black, Dierks Bentley, Garth Brooks, Kelsea Ballerini, Lainey Wilson, Luke Combs, Marty Stuart, Reba McEntire, Trace Adkins, Trisha Yearwood and Vince Gill, as well as a special appearance from Randy Travis. Opry “fan favorites” including Amy Grant, Eric Church, Jelly Roll and the War and Treaty will also perform, with more Opry members and guests yet to be announced.

Tickets for the Opry House and Ryman performances are on sale now at: http://www.opry.com.

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Entertainment Daypop

See Bill Murray, Pete Davidson in the trailer for ‘Riff Raff’

Lionsgate is teasing the star-studded new film Riff Raff, and shared a trailer for the film starring Pete Davidson, Ed Harris and Bill Murray.

Riff Raff is described as a ‘crime comedy’ starring Harris as Vincent, a former criminal whose messy family reunion is further complicated by a pair of gangsters, Leftie (Murray) and Lonnie (Pete Davidson), showing up to seek revenge on his son (Lewis Pullman) for killing Leftie’s son. The cast also includes Jennifer Coolidge as Vincent’s ex-wife, Gabrielle Union as Vincent’s current wife, and Miles J. Harvey as Union’s character’s son.

Written by John Pollono and directed by Dito Montiel, Riff Raff had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in September, and will open in theaters Feb. 28.

See the trailer for ‘Riff Raff’ – HERE.

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Meghan Markle to launch renamed lifestyle brand ‘As Ever’

Meghan Markle, The Duchess of Sussex announced she will be launching her new, renamed lifestyle brand, with the news coming ahead of the debut of Markle’s new Netflix series With Love, Meghan, which premieres on March 4. The former actress previously delayed the show’s premiere amid the Los Angeles wildfires in January.

Markle, 43, revealed the news on Instagram that her new business has been rebranded ‘As Ever,’ writing: “I will keep sharing behind the scenes tidbits with you here as we ramp up to launch. And I can’t wait for you to get your hands on everything we’ve been creating.” The name is in reference to Markle’s former lifestyle blog, The Tig, which was shut down ahead of her marriage to Prince Harry in 2018.

The Duchess shared more details in an Instagram video: “Netflix came on, not just as my partner in the show, but as my partner in my business, which was huge,  So I thought about it, and I’ve been waiting for a moment to share a name that I had secured in 2022, and this is the moment, and it’s called ‘As Ever,’ which essentially means as it’s always been. And if you’ve followed me since 2014 with ‘The Tig’, you know I’ve always loved cooking and crafting and gardening. This is what I do, and I haven’t been able to share it with you in the same way for the past few years but now I can. Of course there will be fruit preserves. I think that we’re all clear at this point that jam is my jam, but there’s so many more products that I just love that I use in my home and now it’s time to share it with you, so I can’t wait for you to see it.”

The ‘As Ever’ brand website features a photo of Markle with her daughter, Princess Lilibet, running across an expanse of green grass, with the ocean seen in the background.

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Country Daypop

Chapel Hart drops video for ‘Perfect for Me’

Country trio Chapel Hart – comprised of sisters Danica and Devynn Hart, and cousin Trea Swindle — has announced the release of a new single and video for “Perfect For Me” from their most recent album, “Glory Days.” The song was co-written with hitmaker Leslie Satcher, released in honor of Valentine’s Day.

Chapel Hart’s Danica Hart shared: “It feels like it’s about time for a song to salute the blue-collar ‘everyday’ working man! And this is it! He may not be rich or have the physique your family and friends thinks he should have, but he loves, respects, honors, and protects you and that makes him…‘PERFECT FOR ME!’”

The group’s Trea Swindle added: “As soon as they listen to it, every one of my male friends fall in love with this song. It’s like they immediately picture themselves as that unexpectedly perfect guy, and the crazy thing is, for someone, somewhere, they really are.”

Take a look at the video for ‘Perfect For Me’ – HERE.

Stream ‘Glory Days’ – HERE.

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