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Douglas Trumbull, effects wizard behind ‘2001’, ‘Blade Runner’, and more, dead at 79

February 8, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Douglas Trumbull, a groundbreaking visual effects artist who left his mark on cinema history thanks to his pioneering work on classics like 2001: A Space Odyssey, Blade Runner, and Close Encounters of the Third Kind, died Monday evening.

On Facebook, his daughter Amy noted Trumbull’s passing at 79 after “a major two year battle with cancer, a brain tumor and a stroke.”

Trumbull also worked on 1979’s Star Trek: The Motion Picture, earning an Oscar nomination, and directed the sci-fi films Brainstorm and 1973’s Silent Running. George Lucas sought to tap Trumbull to head his brand-new production house, Industrial Light and Magic, for the original Star Wars. But Trumbull was already working on Steven Spielberg‘s Close Encounters and so he recommended his assistant, John Dykstra, who went on to win his first Academy Awards for the film as a founding member of ILM.

Considered one of the fathers of modern visual effects — even in this day of computer-driven movie magic — Trumbull was also Oscar nominated for 2001: A Space Odyssey and Blade Runner. He also held many patents in the field, and in 1983 he was awarded an Academy Scientific and Engineering Award for various camera technologies he helped develop.

Trumbull was honored for his technological contributions with the Academy’s Gordon E. Sawyer Award in 2012.

Florida Georgia Line are “taking a break”

February 8, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Florida Georgia Line is going on hiatus.

Following speculation that the duo of Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley was breaking up after Tyler temporarily unfollowed his band mate on social media in the midst of the 2020 election and canceling their 2021 tour over COVID-19 concerns, FGL is setting the record straight.

“I think ‘taking a break’ is the proper term, as opposed to breaking up,” Tyler tells People. Brian, who has moved back to his home state of Florida, insists that they’re not parting ways, but rather focusing on their personal passions. The Ormond Beach native recently released his debut solo album, Sunshine State of Mind, and will be embarking on the headlining Made by the Water Tour this spring and summer.

“We’re taking a break from recording our music,” Brian says. “We’re being artists. We love creating. And so a couple years back, we started writing without each other and trying different writers, and now we’re both doing that with our music.”

FGL currently has a handful of shows scheduled on the calendar this year, which Tyler refers to as a chance to “celebrate” their legacy and fans.” He says that he and Brian will “then support each other on the next chapter of our musical and creative journey, which is going to be individually for a while,” adding, “So we’re excited.”

On Sunday, the duo reunited for the opening of their new exhibit at the Country Music Hall of Fame, Florida Georgia Line: Mix It Up Strong, which is on display until January 1, 2023.

Mayim Bialik says ‘Jeopardy! National College Championship’ is “like March Madness”

February 8, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Who are the smartest college students in the country? A new primetime Jeopardy! event aims to answer that question.

Jeopardy! National College Championship starts tonight, and host Mayim Bialik tells ABC Audio, “It’s kind of a March Madness of the best kind. But obviously, there’s three contestants per game, not two. And we start with 36 and we get down to three.”

And, just like March Madness, the students are from colleges all over the country.

“Ivy Leagues, public colleges, small colleges, historically black colleges,” Bialik shares. “Just colleges from places, you’re like, ‘Where is that? I don’t even know where that is.'”

Although the students are all staggeringly smart, that’s not necessarily enough to take home a win. Bialik notes that other factors like timing, nerves and focus also play a part.

For those who tuned in to the Professors tournament, Bialik shares that this college primetime special won’t feel that same “because this generation is so collaborative.”

“They were so friendly with each other, it felt really different. It felt more like they were on the same team,” she says.” Whereas the professors felt like, you know, grown up professors competing against each other.”

Bialik adds, “A lot of the categories are really, really fun in the college tournament. There is a lot more laughter than with the adult contestants I think.”

Not only is it more fun, she says that the students may have a slight edge when it comes to “certain aspects” of the game show due to having an “easier command of technology.”

Bialik has served as the interim host of the syndicated Jeopardy! show, alongside Ken Jennings, but when it comes to the search for a permanent replacement for Alex Trebek, she doesn’t have much news to share.

“I got nothing new,” she says.

Conor McGregor shouts out Justin Bieber after they “bumped into” each other in the Bahamas

February 8, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Conor McGregor has nothing but love for Justin Bieber and, in a sweet post on Monday, the Irish MMA fighter let fans know what happens when the two randomly cross paths.

“I bumped into @justinbieber again today. In the Bahamas! I always randomly see Justin out of nowhere and just chop it up, I love this kid,” McGregor raved on Instagram and shared a collage of photos of the two shooting the breeze after a game of tennis. “Two goats on a cliff sideways, just chopping it up, what’s happenin JB my brotha.”

The UFC champion went on to suggest that he believes these random run-ins aren’t coincidental, but fate. “I put it up to the sky this keeps happening, it’s something from above that keeps doing this,” he wrote. “God bless you my brother, great to see you always. Some serve today.”

Justin and Conor are longtime friends — and, prior to that, the “Peaches” singer was a big fan of the fighter. In September, the Irish athlete made it clear how overjoyed he was to present Justin with the prestigious Artist of the Year Award at the MTV VMAs.

Cliff Burton family announces livestream celebrating late Metallica bassist’s 60th birthday

February 8, 2022 by WDNY Radio

The family of Cliff Burton has announced a livestream celebrating what would’ve been the late Metallica bassist’s 60th birthday.

The virtual event will premiere on this Thursday, February 10, at 7 p.m. PT on host Nicholas Gomez‘s YouTube channel. Among the guests taking part are Anthrax‘s Charlie Benante, Faith No More‘s Mike Bordin and Slayer‘s Gary Holt.

Benante has also designed two t-shirts celebrating the occasion, which are available for pre-order now.

Burton was born February 10, 1962. He played on Metallica’s first three albums — 1983’s Kill ‘Em All, 1984’s Ride the Lightning and 1986’s Master of Puppets — before he was tragically killed in a bus accident at age 24.

Listen to new Spoon song, “My Babe”

February 8, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Spoon has released a new song called “My Babe,” a track off the band’s upcoming album, Lucifer on the Sofa.

The tune, which is available now for digital download, is accompanied by a live performance video filmed during Spoon’s concert in Los Angeles last fall. You can watch that streaming now on YouTube.

“My Babe” is the third song to be released from Lucifer on the Sofa, following lead single “The Hardest Cut” and “Wild.” The whole album arrives this Friday, February 11.

Spoon will launch a U.S. tour in support of Lucifer on the Sofa in April. Tonight, they’re playing a one-off show in Santa Ana, California.

Rob Thomas says the success of new Santana collaboration “Move” is “kind of amazing”

February 8, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Carlos Santana‘s reunion single with “Smooth” collaborator Rob Thomas, “Move,” was released back in August of 2021, but now the song has made it into the top 10 on the Adult Contemporary airplay chart. The Matchbox Twenty frontman says he’s happy about the success of the single — which also features American Authors — simply because he would’ve hated to see something he likes so much get ignored.

“At some point you get old enough where…you don’t live and die by things doing well,” he tells ABC Audio. “But obviously, when you write music, you want to know that people are getting to hear it.”

He adds, “That’s the worst thing ever…when you put out something and them for some reason or another, signals get crossed, it just doesn’t quite land and you realize that it just means that a lot of people don’t get to hear something you worked really hard on.”

Thomas goes on to say that in that respect, the success of “Move” is “kind of amazing.”

He explains, “It’s great that something that Carlos and I really love and care about and…all the American Authors guys, we did something that meant a lot to us, and it can mean something to somebody else.”

“Move” is on Santana‘s album Blessings and Miracles. Rob plans to put out new music with Matchbox Twenty ahead of their upcoming tour, and he also has a solo album ready to go at some future date.

Super Bowl report: Megan Thee Stallion, Doja Cat, Lil Baby, Kid Cudi, Gospel Celebration and more

February 8, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Megan Thee Stallion, Doja Cat and Lil Baby have been added to the star-studded pre-Super Bowl entertainment this week in Los Angeles.

They all will perform at Michael Rubin‘s Fanatics party on Saturday, Page Six reports. Kevin Hart, Shaquille O’Neal, Magic Johnson and Alex Rodriguez are among the stars expected to attend.

Meanwhile, after the Cincinnati Bengals defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 27-24 in overtime to advance to the Super Bowl, Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow said he always listens to Kid Cudi‘s music to get him pumped before each game. Cudi asked for his jersey from the game, and Burrow happily sent it to the “Erase Me” rapper, who will attend the Super Bowl as the Bengals play the Los Angeles Rams.

“Rockin’ this b**** to the game and then framing it. I am so geeked right now,” Cudi tweeted, along with a photo of the jersey.

As previously reported, many more stars will be featured in Super Bowl events:

–Bounce TV will present the 23rd annual Super Bowl Gospel Celebration on Saturday at 8 p.m. ET. CeCe Winans, Chloe, Regina Belle, CeeLo Green and LeCrae will be among the performers. Super Bowl-winning quarterback Russell Wilson of the Seattle Seahawks will also appear.

–The Poppy nightclub in Hollywood will be jammin’ all weekend with appearance by Wiz Khalifa, Swae Lee, Roddy Ricch, French Montana and T-Pain.

—Usher will sing at the Chairman’s Party on Saturday at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, site of the Super Bowl.

—Gunna will hit the stage at the DirecTV/Maxim party on Friday at City Market LA.

–The same night, Lil Wayne headlines Shaquille O’Neal’s “Shaq’s Fun House” party at the Shrine Auditorium.

—Drake will perform at the “Homecoming” party on Saturday at the Pacific Design Center.

Hulu reveals peeks of limited series ‘The Dropout’, ‘Life After Beth’, and ‘The Girl from Plainville’

February 8, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Hulu has dropped release dates for several high-profile limited series, including the anticipated The Dropout, starring Amanda Seyfried, Amy Schumer‘s Life After Beth, and Elle Fanning in The Girl from Plainville.

The Dropout tracks the meteoric rise and catastrophic fall of Elizabeth Holmes, disgraced founder of the medical technology company Theranos. Holmes took Silicon Valley and Wall Street by storm with her promised revolutionary blood scanner, only to be exposed as a fraud when it was discovered she knew the machines never worked.

The trailer shows Seyfried playing Holmes both as an ambitious student, and later reinventing herself in the model of Apple legend Steve Jobs. Holmes is shown lapping up the limelight — and even in a mirror practicing the odd voice she affected in public — and then as a cornered figure, covering up the failure of her technology as her employees seek to expose her. William H. Macy, Laurie Metcalf, Naveen Andrews, Utkarsh Ambudkar, Stephen Fry and Sam Waterston also star in the eight-episode series launching March 3.

Life After Beth, which was written, directed, executive-produced and stars Amy Schumer, has the comedian and actress playing a wine distributor with a successful personal and professional life. Hulu teases of the 10-episode series, “When a sudden incident forces Beth to engage with her past, her life changes forever.” Michael Cera, Susannah Flood, Violet Young, and Kevin Kane also star. The show debuts March 18.

The Girl From Plainville is another ripped-from-the-headlines offering from Hulu, debuting on March 29. The eight-episode series, starring Elle Fanning, Chloë Sevigny, and Colton Ryan, centers on Michelle Carter‘s relationship with Conrad Roy III, who killed himself after repeated texts from Carter urging him to do so. Carter was eventually convicted of involuntary manslaughter.

(“Life After Beth” trailer contains strong language.)

Report: Lil Uzi Vert sentenced to three years probation for assaulting ex-girlfriend and SAINt JHN

February 8, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Lil Uzi Vert has reportedly accepted a plea bargain with the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office after being charged with assault in an incident involving his ex-girlfriend and rapper SAINt JHN.

TMZ reports that the Philly MC was sentenced to three years of probation, one year in treatment for mental health and substance abuse, 52 weeks in domestic violence counseling, restitution, and 10 years under a criminal protective order. In July 2021, Uzi was charged with three felonies — assault with a firearm, criminal threats and domestic violence — in addition to a misdemeanor charge for carrying a loaded weapon.

His former girlfriend, Brittany Byrd, filed a police report alleging that the “Futsal Shuffle 2020” rapper struck her and threatened her with a gun while she was at the Dialog Cafe in West Hollywood for a business meeting with SAINt JHN. She claims that Uzi jumped out of his Escalade and threw a punch that missed JHN, as his gun fell on the ground. Byrd added that Vert allegedly pushed the gun against her stomach and hit her.

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