The series finale of ABC’s black-ish aired Tuesday night, and for Marsai Martin and Miles Brown, who played twins Diane and Jack Johnson on the series, it was emotional. They had to say goodbye to a show — and a set — on which they literally grew up for eight seasons.
Incidentally, their goodbyes also paralleled those of their characters, who move from the Johnson family home in the final episode. So the pair told ABC Audio they wanted something to remember their experiences by.
“I’m not going to snitch on myself, but I would say that I definitely had some memorabilia that I was to like, I was too selfish to not keep…” Miles admitted. “I feel like I can say this for every character — I feel like I don’t want to speak for them — but I definitely took some stuff.”
Marsai admitted, laughing, “I didn’t take any furniture, I took a piece of wood. I took a chunk of the freaking set.“
She added, “So I used to write on a piece of wood…outside of the set, and I used to, like, put my signature on it from the beginning of the season. So season two to now, you can see the progression of my signature. So I just asked…when they tear down the set, give me a piece of the chunk that I’ve been writing on for the past eight years.”
Marsai explains, “I have a…little baby sister, so I didn’t want to have, like, a toy or something, and we end up losing it, or it’s in a garage or a public storage somewhere.”
“So I can frame it, I can do whatever with it, but it’s not going to go into storage nowhere. So that’s what I got,” she giggled.
Last month, Christine McVie revealed in a BBC Radio interview that she had plans to release a new solo album called Songbird that will include a reworked version of her popular Fleetwood Mac ballad of the same name. Now full details of the project have been announced.
The album, Songbird (A Solo Collection), is due out June 24, and is a 10-track compilation made up mostly of previously released tunes songs from two of McVie’s solo albums — her 1984 self-titled effort and 2004’s In the Meantime. All of the tracks have been remastered by famed producer Glyn Johns.
The record also boasts three previously unreleased recordings, including an updated, orchestral version of Fleetwood Mac’s “Songbird” that pairs Christine’s original vocals with a new string arrangement created by Grammy-winning composer and arranger Vince Mendoza.
The other two previously unreleased tracks are “Slowdown,” a song Christine wrote for the 1985 film American Flyers, and “All You Gotta Do,” a duet that McVie recorded with singer/bassist George Hawkins during the In the Meantime sessions. The latter tune wasn’t completed at the time, and Glyn finished the track by adding Ricky Peterson on Hammond organ and Ethan Johns on drums and guitar.
“Slowdown” has been released as an advance digital single.
Songbird includes two interesting songs from the 1984 Christine McVie album. “The Challenge” features backing vocals from Lindsey Buckingham and lead guitar by Eric Clapton. The other song, “Ask Anybody,” was co-written by Christine and Steve Winwood, who contributed backing vocals and piano to the tune.
Songbird can be pre-ordered now, and will issued on CD, on vinyl and digitally. A limited-edition sea-foam green vinyl LP will be available exclusively from Rhino.com.
Here’s the full Songbird (A Solo Collection) track list:
“Friend”
“Sweet Revenge”
“The Challenge”
“Northern Star”
“Ask Anybody”
“Slowdown”*
“Easy Come, Easy Go”
“Giving It Back”
“All You Gotta Do”*
“Songbird” (Orchestral Version)*
The Security Project, a Peter Gabriel tribute group featuring Gabriel’s former drummer Jerry Marotta and ex-King Crimson bassist Trey Gunn, will launch a 12-date U.S. tour in May.
The trek, dubbed the “Expect the Unexpected” tour, will visit venues throughout the Northeastern U.S., kicking off May 5 in Pawling, New York, and running through a May 20 show in Annapolis, Maryland.
The Security Project’s lineup also features former Shriekback guitarist Michael Cozzi, along with keyboardist David Jameson and new lead singer Happy Rhodes. The band focuses on presenting reimagined versions of Gabriel compositions, both from his tenure with Genesis and from his solo career. You can check out The Security Project performing a live rendition of “Slowburn,” a song from Peter’s 1977 self-titled debut album, at Marotta’s official YouTube channel.
In an Instagram Story late Tuesday night, the 33-year-old actress and dancer announced her test results and revealed that she’ll have to miss a few performances of her Broadway show POTUS.
“Hi everyone, I’m really bummed to share that I have tested positive for COVID,” Julianne wrote. “I am feeling okay, but unfortunately need to miss a few POTUS shows.”
“Out of an abundance of caution, I’ll be quarantining until I get the safe sign-off to return,” she continued. “Can’t wait for everyone to see our incredible show! Julianne xoxo.”
POTUS, which opened last week, also stars Rachel Dratch, Lilli Cooper, Lea DeLaria, Suzy Nakamura, Julie White and Vanessa Williams.
Shawn Mendes has won 11 Juno Awards — the Canadian equivalent of the Grammys — in his career, but he’ll be receiving a unique one this year: the Juno International Achievement Award.
The honor recognizes Canadian stars who’ve “attained exemplary success on the world stage” and “raised the profile of Canadian music around the world.” Shawn is one of the youngest recipients of the award, which has also been presented to Shania Twain, Bryan Adams, Drake, Sarah McLachlan, Celine Dion and the band Arcade Fire. In fact, in the 51-year history of the Junos, only eight people have won this award.
“Accepting this award will be a surreal moment,” Shawn says in a statement. “To be recognized for my work not only in Canada, but around the world, is a tremendous honor and I am humbled to join an outstanding group of artists who have helped put Canadian music on the map.”
Shawn, who also is up for four regular Junos this year, and will make a special appearance at the ceremony on May 15 to accept the International Achievement Award in person. You can watch at CBCMusic.ca/junos and CBC Music’s Facebook, YouTube and Twitter pages.
Ben Affleck and Matt Damon are teaming up again, this time for the true-life story of former Nike executive Sonny Vaccarro, according to The Hollywood Reporter. They’re reportedly in the process of finalizing a feature project for Amazon Studios and Skydance Sports that the duo will write, produce and co-star in together and that Affleck will direct. Damon will portray Vaccarro, while Affleck plays Nike co-founder Phil Knight in a story about Nike’s longshot effort to sign rising superstar basketball player Michael Jordan to its shoe company in the mid-80s. The project will mark Affleck’s first time directing a feature starring his long-time pal, Damon. The two were most recently seen on screen together in filmmaker Ridley Scott‘s medieval drama The Last Duel, last year…
After a decade and more than 20 films with the Hallmark Channel, Candace Cameron Bure is bolting from the family-friendly network and moving to Great American Channels. “GAC fits my brand perfectly; we share a vision of creating compelling wholesome content for an audience who wants to watch programming for and with the whole family,” the Full House alum said in a statement on Tuesday. In a statement to Us Weekly, a spokesperson for Hallmark’s parent company, Crown Media, said in part, “We respect [Candace’s] decision and thank her for her many contributions.” While TVLine reports that Bure’s GAC deal is exclusive to romcoms and holiday movies, leaving the possibility for more Aurora Teagarden Mysteries for Hallmark Movies and Mysteries channel, the Hallmark spokesperson tells Us, the network, “will air existing [Aurora Teagarden] movies [but have] no plans for new ones”…
Venom: Let There Be Carnage helmer Andy Serkis is directing an animated adaptation of George Orwell’s classic novella Animal Farm for Aniventure and his own company, The Imaginarium, according to Deadline. The satirical 1945 novella follows a group of farm animals that rebel against their human owner, in hopes of creating an equal, free and happy society. In a statement obtained by Deadline, Serkis says he hopes “to make our version of Orwell’s ever relevant masterpiece, emotionally powerful, humorous, and relatable for all ages. A tale not only for our times, but for generations to come.” Serkis can currently be seen playing Alfred in Matt Reeves‘ global smash The Batman…
Ezra Miller was arrested for second-degree assault early Tuesday morning in Hawaii.
The actor became irate after being asked to leave a get-together at a home on the island of Hawaii and threw a chair, hitting a woman in the forehead, according to a news release from the Hawaii County Police Department.
The woman refused treatment for a half-inch cut on her forehead, police said.
Miller, described by police as a 29-year-old visitor from Vermont, was arrested during a traffic stop and released pending further investigation.
This is the second time the actor has been arrested in Hawaii in recent weeks. Miller was previously arrested last month at a Big Island karaoke bar. During his court hearing, which was also on Tuesday, he pleaded no contest to disorderly conduct and was ordered to pay a $500 fine and stay away from Margarita Village in Hilo, Hawaii.
Miller had also been charged with disorderly conduct and harassment after police said the actor grabbed a mic from a singing woman and lunged at a man playing darts during last month’s incident. As part of a plea deal, prosecutors dropped the harassment charge, along with an unrelated traffic charge.
There was no mention of the latest arrest during the court hearing.
Miller is known for playing The Flash in the DC Justice League films, and in his own forthcoming stand-alone The Flash film, due out next year. He also has a key role in the third installment of the Harry Potter spinoff Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore, which opened last weekend.
(NOTE LANGUAGE) The ABC family comedy black-ish ended its eight-year run Tuesday night, with Anthony Anderson‘s Andre Johnson quitting his job and moving the family out of the familiar Sherman Oaks, California home they’ve shared for the past eight seasons — with a little encouragement from Olympian Simone Biles.
As the episode opens, it seems not much has changed in the 17 years since the Johnsons moved into the posh neighborhood, leading Andre to believe he’s ready for a change.
“If I’ve learned anything, I would say you have to do what you want to do, and not what anybody else wants you to do,” Biles, tells Dre during a visit to his office. “Do a gut check. What’s your heart telling you?”
When Dre pitches the idea of moving to a Black neighborhood to his wife, Rainbow — played by Tracee Ellis Ross — and adds that he wants to quit his job too, she enthusiastically replies, “I think we should blow this b**** up.”
The Johnson kids, Diane and Jack — played respectively by Marsai Martin and Miles Brown — are skeptical at first, until they get a look at their sprawling new digs.
However, the move is bittersweet for Marcus Scribner‘s Junior, who realizes “It’s not just over for me this time, it’s over for all of us.”
As Dre and Bow survey the now empty rooms of the soon-to-be former digs, they decide to hold a New Orleans-style funeral for the house. Now joined by Yara Shahidi‘s Zoey, they throw roses into a casket, after which they’re joined by the entire cast and crew, who dance down the street to the strains of “When the Saints Go Marching In,” followed by Stevie Wonder‘s “As.”
Alex Chan Tsz Yuk/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
(NEW YORK) — Russian President Vladimir Putin’s “special military operation” into neighboring Ukraine began on Feb. 24, with Russian forces invading from Belarus, to the north, and Russia, to the east. Ukrainian troops have offered “stiff resistance,” according to U.S. officials.
Russian forces have since retreated from northern Ukraine, leaving behind a trail of death and destruction. The United States and many European countries accused Russia of committing war crimes after graphic images emerged of dead civilians in the town of Bucha, near Kyiv. The Russian military has now launched a full-scale ground offensive in eastern Ukraine’s disputed Donbas region, as it attempts to capture the strategic port city of Mariupol and secure a coastal corridor to the Moscow-annexed Crimean Peninsula.
Here’s how the news is developing. All times Eastern:
Apr 20, 7:55 am
Russia again calls for surrender at Mariupol steel plant
Russia’s military issued another ultimatum on Wednesday, calling for Ukrainian forces to lay down their arms and leave a Mariupol steel plant, according to Russian state media.
Moscow claimed that Ukrainian troops and civilians would be allowed to leave the Azovstal Iron and Steel Works plant without harm during a cease-fire beginning at 2 p.m. local time.
Ukrainian forces at the besieged plant rejected a similar offer on Tuesday.
More than 1,000 civilians are sheltering on the grounds of the sprawling industrial plant, the Mariupol City Council said on Monday.
A Russian official, Dmitry Polyansky, on Tuesday accused Ukrainian troops of using civilians at the plant as human shields.
“One month into the siege of Azovstal plant, those same radicals and neo-Nazis suddenly declared that allegedly there had been civilians inside the plant all that time, even though until yesterday, they had never uttered a word about it,” Polyansky told the U.N. Security Council during a session on Ukraine on Tuesday.
Apr 19, 11:40 pm
Russia could be making probing attacks ahead of larger assault in Donbas: US official
As Ukrainian forces brace for a full-scale assault in the eastern part of the country, a U.S. official said the increased pace of operations from Russian forces in the past 24 hours could be probing attacks or the beginning of the main battle for the Donbas.
The defense official said the Russian offensive to seize southeastern Ukraine will likely involve a frontal assault from inside Russia and a double envelopment, or encircling, of Ukrainian forces in the Donbas. Russian forces will come south from Izyum and troops in the Berdyansk area will move north to encircle Ukrainian forces in the Joint Forces Operations area in the Donbas.
But the U.S. defense official said Ukraine has the advantage in the region since they have prepared a defense for years, including digging trenches, preparing anti-armor traps and ambush locations and more.
The U.S. and other countries have now provided close to 70,000 anti-tank weapons to Ukraine as well as 30,000 anti-aircraft missiles and 7,000 launchers to fire them, according to the defense official.
As for stopping the shipments of those weapons, the U.S. believes Russia will target the paths and roads in western Ukraine being used to ship Western military aid into Ukraine even though it has not done so yet. Still, it’s believed with the amount of weaponry being delivered to Ukrainian forces, it will be impossible to stop it all.
(NEW YORK) — Spend enough time online, and you’re sure to run into scammers who try to steal your money by asking you to confirm your credit card information or sign up for fake PC protection plans. Now, online scams have reached the lucrative world of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) — and a group of tech sleuths are fighting back.
Financial crime specialist and crypto expert Nik Horniacek fell for his first NFT scam in December. Excited about a popular NFT venture that was launching in February, he clicked on a social media link that he thought would lead him to the project site, but instead drained all his cryptocurrency.
Today, Horniacek is the cofounder of Rug Pull Finder, a private intelligence company that investigates NFT projects — and to date has exposed nearly 200 scams totaling over $1.3 billion, according to the organization. Horniacek is one of many online crypto sleuths that track NFTs as celebrities, companies, political candidates and members of the public embrace the latest cryptocurrency phenomenon.
NFTs are digital assets that cannot be replicated and can be used to represent real-world items. Like collectible artwork and rare baseball cards, the value of an NFT derives from it being unique. The digital tokens are stored in a digital wallet through a decentralized public ledger known as a blockchain, and can be held as digital memorabilia, or sold and traded for investment purposes.
As the popularity of NFTs continues to soar, scams like the one Horniacek fell for and other types of illicit activity involving non-fungible tokens are only expected to rise, law enforcement officials and crypto experts told ABC News.
Investments in NFTs skyrocketed last year, with digital token marketplaces and collections growing from $106 million in 2020 to $44.2 billion in 2021, according to a report by analytics firm Chainanalysis.
But the Chainanalysis report also found that “as is the case with any technology, NFTs offer the potential for abuse.” Among the types of illicit NFT activity the group identified were the use of money laundering to hide assets, and the use of “wash trading” to artificially increase NFTs’ value.
According to the report, last year sellers made $8.9 million from the sale of NFTs “to unsuspecting buyers who believe the NFT they’re purchasing has been growing in value.”
As a result of illicit activity, federal agencies are expanding their crime fighting efforts into crypto crime and digital assets. In February, the U.S. Secret Service launched a cryptocurrency awareness hub and the Department of Justice announced the first director of its National Cryptocurrency Enforcement Team.
A DOJ official told ABC News that while scams and fraud have been around for many years, they have been “turbocharged” by the growth of cryptocurrency and the popularity of digital assets like NFTs.
In March, the DOJ brought its first NFT case when it charged two defendants with executing a million-dollar fraud scheme after they promised investors the benefits of an NFT collection called Frosties, then allegedly shut down the website and transferred away all the money they received from the sale of the tokens. According to the complaint, the defendants were preparing to launch a second set of NFTs that was anticipated to generate approximately $1.5 million in cryptocurrency proceeds.
An attorney for one of the defendants, Ethan Nguyen, told ABC News that Nguyen pleaded not guilty and has been released on bond. The attorney said that Nguyen “looks forward to addressing the charges responsibly in court.”
The attorney for the other defendant, Andre Llacuna, did not respond to a request for comment from ABC News.
“The rise and popularity of various cryptocurrencies have changed the landscape of buying and selling investments, leading to ample opportunities for new fraud schemes,” said U.S. Postal Inspection Service Inspector-in-Charge Daniel Brubaker in a press release about the case. “These assets may seem like a good deal or a way to become wealthy, but in many cases, as in this situation, only lead to the loss of your money.”
Another reason that digital assets like NFTs make for dangerous scams is that there’s no entity regulating transactions — so funds can be instantly moved across borders, without any monitoring, a law enforcement official told ABC News.
Like Horniacek, crypto sleuth ZachXB — who prefers to go by his social media handle — has turned exposing NFT scammers into a full-time job. With almost 200,000 followers on Twitter, ZachXB says he’s uncovered more than 100 NFT scams.
ZachXB said that many NFT scams occur when the offering looks “too good to be true.” Because digital tokens often come with real-life perks like exclusive access to events, people often fall prey to projects that promise those kind of special amenities, ZachXB said.
“I hate seeing all those people lose their money, and others get rich by harming others,” ZachXB told ABC News. “The space is really intimidating and there’s so much to learn. But it’s also amazing.”
Horniacek told ABC News that he wants to help create a positive environment where digital tokens can grow and evolve.
“I asked myself, how can I positively impact the space so that we can continue to move the space forward for the benefit of everybody?” said Horniacek.
“The technology is truly revolutionary,” he said. “I think we’re going to see a lot more innovation over the course of the next 12 to 24 months, and that is my biggest motivation.”
