CNN – Entertainment

Review by Brian Lowry, CNN “Stranger Things” has taken the idea of playing the long game to heart a bit too literally, capping its super-sized fourth season with two sprawling episodes that total nearly four hours. Whether that’s a reward to fans or self-indulgence by the producers rests in the eye of the beholder, but

Review by Brian Lowry, CNN Amazon has flexed its muscles with military-style action series (see “Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan” and “Reacher”), but “The Terminal List” adds a numbingly simple-minded revenge saga to that subgenre. Despite the promotional benefits of featuring star-producer Chris Pratt as a grittier kind of avenger, this brutal eight-episode slog squanders its

By Lisa Respers France, CNN Marta Kauffman says she now gets why people have been critical of “Friends.” The co-creator of the hit comedy series told the Los Angeles Times she had initially thought people were unfairly targeting the sitcom about its lack of diversity, but explained she’s “learned a lot in the last 20

By Toyin Owoseje, CNN Actor Brian Austin Green and professional dancer Sharna Burgess have welcomed their first child together. The couple announced the birth of their son, Zane, in an identical post shared on their Instagram accounts, which showed their newborn holding Green’s finger. “Zane Walker Green born 6/28 at 12:12,” the “Beverly Hills, 90210”

By Megan Thomas, CNN Usher capped off Black Music Month with a soulful and smooth “Tiny Desk Concert” at NPR’s offices in Washington, DC on Thursday. Backed by his band, the R&B singer performed a stripped-down set of his hits, including “You Make Me Wanna…,” “U Don’t Have to Call” and “Confessions Part II.” “Being

By Lisa Respers France, CNN Actress and singer Chanel Haynes says she was fired as the lead in the West End production of “Tina” after she performed with the Rolling Stones in Italy. Haynes, who for the past few months had been portraying the legendary Tina Turner in the musical based on her life, told

By Marianne Garvey Tom Hiddleston and Zawe Ashton are expecting their first child together. The “Mr. Malcolm’s List” actress was in New York City on Wednesday to promote the film when she showed off her baby bump. Ashton plays Julia Thistlewaite in the period drama. Hiddleston was not at the screening. Ashton was joined by

By Lisa Respers France, CNN Olivia O’Brien says you can add her to the list of women Pete Davidson has dated. During the “BFFs with Dave Portnoy, Josh Richards, and Brianna Chickenfry” podcast that started streaming Wednesday, Portnoy surprised O’Brien by asking what “was going on: with her and Davidson. “Where did you hear that?”

Review by Brian Lowry, CNN Five years after the last “Despicable Me” movie and a dozen years since the first, “Minions: The Rise of Gru” extends the animated franchise without exactly rising to the occasion, delivering a mundane exercise set to an odd 1970s soundtrack. Loud and colorful, it’s likely to divert smaller kids whose

By Lisa Respers France, CNN Sam Asghari opened up about his marriage to the “amazing” Britney Spears in his first interview since their June wedding. The actor appeared on “Good Morning America” in a segment that aired Wednesday to promote his forthcoming film, “Hot Seat.” Naturally, talk turned to their recent nuptials. “The husband thing

By Marianne Garvey “True Detective: Night Country” will star Kali Reis with the previously announced casting of Jodie Foster. It will be HBO’s fourth season of the series. Writer-director-showrunner Issa López will spearhead the latest season. The plot will focus on six men that operate the Tsalal Arctic Research Station in Ennis, Alaska, who vanish

By Lisa Respers France, CNN “Sister Wives” cast member Leon Brown has shared that they are transgender. The child of the reality show’s Kody Brown and his first wife, Meri, posted the news on their verified Instagram account, writing “i remember the first time that i knew i wasn’t a girl.” “I was pretty young

By Marianne Garvey “Fifty Shades of Grey” turned Dakota Johnson into a star. Since 2015, she’s been a globally known actor, but now says the franchise she signed up for was not the one that was made. “I’m a sexual person, and when I’m interested in something, I want to know so much about it,”

Review by Brian Lowry, CNN “Right to Offend: The Black Comedy Revolution” conspicuously overlaps with other recent documentaries, including projects devoted to the legacies of Dick Gregory and Bill Cosby. Yet this two-part A&E production stands out in contemplating the unique role that Black comedians have played in calling out injustice and giving voice to

By Marianne Garvey A first look at the Disney+ original movie “Hocus Pocus 2” is here. The movie, which reunites Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy, is a live-action sequel to the Halloween classic. The trio again play the delightfully wicked Sanderson sisters. According to the official movie synopsis: “It’s been 29 years

By Lisa Respers France, CNN Nick Cannon is “a hopeless romantic.” During a conversation on the “All The Way with Shelley Wade” podcast, Cannon said that he hopes to marry again some day. “I love the concept. I love the ceremony of it,” he said. “I’ve failed miserably so many times at monogamy and relationships.

Review by Brian Lowry, CNN Understandably determined not to mess with success, “Only Murders in the Building” returns with a second season that self-consciously plays to its strengths, while layering the new mystery laid out by its cliffhanger ending on top of the old one. It’s every bit as breezy and fun, with lots of

By Lisa Respers France, CNN Gracie McGraw has clearly inherited her parents’ talent. The 25-year-old daughter of country superstars and “1883” costars Tim McGraw and Faith Hill posted a video on Instagram in which she sings “I’m Not That Girl” from the hit Broadway musical, “Wicked.” “Hit me in the feels. Been there. Relate,” the

By Lisa Respers France, CNN Taraji P. Henson opened the 2022 BET Awards addressing both the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade and gun violence. Henson first thanked opening performer Lizzo for pledging $1 million to Planned Parenthood before using the singer’s song titled, “About Damn Time” to make a point. “It’s about damn time

By Jacquelyne Germain, CNN Beyoncé has hailed this summer’s liberation anthem with the release of her new single “Break My Soul” — and its Black queer roots are undeniable. The song’s release earlier this week comes at the intersection of Juneteenth, Pride Month and Black Music month. A house track at its core, the song

By Zoe Sottile, CNN Phoebe Bridgers vented her frustration at America’s high court during her Glastonbury Festival set on Friday night after the US Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. “I’m having the sh—iest day,” said the American singer-songwriter, 27, referring to the ruling that holds there is no longer a federal constitutional right to

By Sandra Gonzalez, CNN Geena Davis is not someone to stay silent on important matters. In fact, she’s built an research empire of sorts through her Geena Davis Institute on Gender and Media and founded a film festival that both aim to empower underrepresented voices in Hollywood. But on this day, beaming in via Zoom

By Toyin Owoseje, CNN Denise Richards has made her debut on OnlyFans, just days after her teenage daughter joined the platform famous for its NSFW content. The “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” alum announced in an Instagram story Thursday that she was the latest member of the subscription-based service. Sharing a photo of herself posing

Review by Brian Lowry, CNN “Loot” sounds like a one-note joke on paper — ha ha, an Apple TV+ comedy loosely inspired by the Bezos’ family drama — that doesn’t gain much depth during the first episode. Stick with it, though, and this showcase for Maya Rudolph as a billionaire minted through divorce becomes a

Review by Brian Lowry, CNN “Trevor: The Musical” can’t help but feel partly encumbered by the “important” label, bringing lessons about self-acceptance to Disney+, whose parent company has been a ripe target for controversy. Yet this filmed version of the off-Broadway show works as a triumph for the young cast and especially the relatable lead,

By Toyin Owoseje, CNN Sharon Stone says she has “lost nine children” through miscarriages, saying women are made to feel that losing a baby is “something to bear alone and secretly,” with a sense of failure. The Golden Globe-winning actress shared her painful experience underneath an Instagram post by People magazine, where “Dancing with the

By Sandra Gonzalez, CNN There will be no raining on Beanie Feldstein’s parade today: She’s engaged! The “Funny Girl” star shared pictures of the proposal from her longtime girlfriend Bonnie Chance Roberts on Instagram, writing “i do, bon.” The pictures included one of a shocked Feldstein reacting as Roberts is down on one knee. Others

Review by Brian Lowry, CNN “Elvis” has entered the theaters, but in a package that often recalls the excesses associated with his Vegas-residency years: Looking bloated, gaudy and at times bordering on self-parody. Those missteps, courtesy of director Baz Luhrmann and an ill-used Tom Hanks, squander Austin Butler’s brilliant moments in the title role, which

By Marianne Garvey Justin Timberlake went viral for the wrong reasons and now he’s saying sorry. The singer was caught performing an awkward dance routine during a performance in Washington, DC on Wednesday, and he had a hilarious reply. “D.C., I want to apologize to you for two reasons: here and here,” he said in

By Lisa Respers France, CNN New wife, new reality show. HGTV, which is owned by CNN’s parent company, has announced that Tarek El Moussa is teaming up with his wife, Heather Rae El Moussa, for a show with the working title, “The Flipping El Moussas.” “We are so excited to bring viewers into our world

By Lisa Respers France, CNN Gloria Estefan didn’t end up performing with Jennifer Lopez and Shakira during the Super Bowl LIV halftime show, but she still has some thoughts. During a recent appearance on “Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen,” Estefan said she hasn’t seen Lopez’s “Halftime” documentary, which explores her preparation for the

Review by Brian Lowry, CNN The planet’s dumbest animated duo make a semi-triumphant return in “Beavis and Butt-Head Do the Universe,” which — unlike when they “did” America 26 years ago — premieres via Paramount+. Basically one long, idiotic misunderstanding, it’s just the thing to fill the black hole of mindless and inappropriate comedy. Series

By Sandra Gonzalez, CNN “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” star Nia Vardalos this week gave her Instagram followers both a Greek lesson and the best news of their day. The actress said in a post that a third film in the franchise is now in production in Greece — and that she’s directing it. She

By Chloe Melas The world is a divided, contentious place right now but Britain’s biggest music bash appears poised to try to bring people together — if ever so briefly — this weekend. After a two-year break due to the pandemic, massive crowds will return to the fields of the English countryside for the Glastonbury

Review by Brian Lowry, CNN Even if you watched the Emmy-winning 2019 HBO miniseries (recommended, incidentally), “Chernobyl: The Lost Tapes” has plenty to offer as a documentary companion, presenting a former Soviet Union where the fondness for lies and obfuscation has its share of contemporary parallels. It’s another harrowing reminder of the danger when governments

Review by Brian Lowry, CNN Facing an even more formidable task than “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story,” “Obi-Wan Kenobi” deftly threaded the needle between “Revenge of the Sith” and “A New Hope” in the “Star Wars” timeline, filling its finale with enough action and callbacks to cap off a highly satisfying and hugely nostalgic

By Lisa Respers France, CNN Mayim Bialik has tested positive for Covid-19 and says it’s been rough. “The Big Bang Theory” star and “Jeopardy!” host posted a video on her verified Instagram account Monday about her diagnosis and how she has been struggling with it. “I have Covid and it’s no joke over here,” she

By Lisa Respers France, CNN While Martin Sheen says his name is still legally Ramon Estévez, he regrets changing it for his career. The “West Wing” start talked to Closer Weekly about adopting his stage name. “That’s one of my regrets. I never changed my name officially,” he said. “It’s still Ramon Estévez on my

By Marianne Garvey Kate Bush is “overwhelmed” by the renewed affection for her decades-old song, “Running Up That Hill.” The singer posted a statement to her website about how the 1985 track is being played everywhere after being featured on the latest season of “Stranger Things.” “The Duffer Brothers have created four extraordinary [seasons] of

By Lisa Respers France, CNN Welcome back Bey. Beyoncé released her new single early on Monday and it’s safe to say “Break My Soul” did its part to break the internet. With its house music vibe, the dance track marked the return the Bey Hive (as her devout fan base is known) was more than

By Chloe Melas, CNN Set your alarms! Beyoncé announced last week she has new album coming in July, and now she’s poised to give audiences an early preview in song. The Grammy winner subtly shared the news in the bio of her social media pages, writing “6. BREAK MY SOUL midnight ET.” The track would

By Toyin Owoseje and Hada Messia, CNN Oscar-winning filmmaker Paul Haggis has been detained in Italy over allegations of sexual assault and aggravated personal injury, according to a statement from local prosecutors and his legal team. The 69-year-old Canadian-born director and screenwriter, who won two Oscars for the 2004 crime drama “Crash,” was in the

By Chloe Melas, CNN Faith Hill is thankful for one modern hair trend. Shaving! The singer and actress shared that in keeping with the time period of the drama, she was asked not to shave under her arms while filming “1883.” She told Courteney Cox in a conversation for “Variety” about the moment the show’s

By Lisa Respers France, CNN Todd and Julie Chrisley are speaking out about the “very sad, heartbreaking time” for their family after they were convicted of conspiracy to defraud banks of more than $30 million in loans. In a conversation on the latest episode of their podcast “Chrisley Confessions,” the reality stars were hesitant to

By Scottie Andrew, CNN CNN’s inaugural “Juneteenth: A Global Celebration of Freedom” concert was a moving commemoration of history and a joyous night of music. The Hollywood Bowl event celebrated Juneteenth, the holiday that marks the end of slavery in the US. From icons like Earth Wind & Fire to R&B stars like Khalid, Black

By Chloe Melas, CNN Get ready to dance along to some of music’s most talented artists. On Sunday, the first-ever “Juneteenth: A Global Celebration for Freedom,” taking place at the Hollywood Bowl, will air on CNN. The event commemorates the emancipation of enslaved people in the United States and aims to inform viewers about the

By Lisa Respers France, CNN In the trailer for her new reality series, “Leave It To LeToya,” LeToya Luckett laughs, “I’m really out here telling all my business.” Well, maybe not all of it, but plenty. The singer, actress and former original member of Destiny’s Child is opening up about her life on her new

By Lisa Respers France, CNN Tommy Lee says his doctor told him not to perform, but no way was he missing the beginning of the Mötley Crüe reunion tour. The group performed Thursday at Truist Park in Atlanta, Georgia, and Lee was only able to make it a few songs in before he made the

Review by Brian Lowry, CNN Emma Thompson lays herself bare in the dramedy “Good Luck to You, Leo Grande,” but it’s the emotional aspects that deserve the most attention, in this funny and sensitively told two-hander that, understandably, is making its debut on Hulu. Taking place almost entirely inside a hotel room, it’s a movie

Review by Brian Lowry, CNN “Spiderhead” was made for promos — Chris Hemsworth! Miles Teller! The director of “Top Gun: Maverick!” The writers of “Deadpool!” — without adding up to much of a movie. Produced for Netflix, it’s another sci-fi concept set about 10 minutes in the future, although its techno-babble about manipulating the brain

By Lisa Respers France, CNN Drake surprised followers Thursday with news that new music was coming and so it did. “Honestly, Nevermind” dropped at midnight and has begun its race up the charts. The album features Drake mostly singing instead of rapping. “I let my humbleness turn to numbness at times letting time go by

By Sarah Dean and Toyin Owoseje, CNN This year’s Eurovision Song Contest winner, Ukraine, will not host the competition in 2023; instead, the chance will be offered to the United Kingdom, organizers the European Broadcast Union (EBU) said in a statement Friday. Ukrainian folk-rap group Kalush Orchestra triumphed last month with their track “Stefania,” surfing

By Brian Lowry, CNN Watergate is having another made-for-TV moment, in concert with the 50th anniversary of the original break-in that ultimately led to Richard Nixon’s resignation. Combine that with a new round of televised hearings about alleged White House corruption, and everything old really does seem new again. Yet watching some of the new