New this week: Lizzo, 'Criminal Minds' and 'The Woman King'
This weekโs new entertainment releases include an live posthumous album from Tom Petty, the criminal profile spinoff series โCriminal Minds: Evolution,โ a documentary about the plucky Mars Rover Opportunity and a TV series that focuses on the backstage melodrama at the Chippendaleโs male strip clubs.
New this week: 'Interceptor,' Post Malone and 'Fire Island'
This weekโs new entertainment releases include albums from Post Malone and Drive-By Truckers, โFast & Furiousโ alum Elsa Pataky leading her own action picture with โInterceptor,โ and the modern romantic comedy โFire Island,โ set in the iconic LGBTQ vacation spot.
Jon Batiste tops Grammys; Silk Sonic soars, Rodrigo crowned
Jon Batiste won album of the year honors for โWe Areโ at the Grammy Awards on Sunday, giving him five trophies on a night that saw the โ70s funk of Silk Sonic take record of the year and song of the year and newcomer Olivia Rodrigo take three awards.
Fashionable Grammys: Doja Cat, Dua Lipa, Harry Styles' boas
Doja Cat arrives at the 63rd annual Grammy Awards at the Los Angeles Convention Center on Sunday, March 14, 2021. He was on hand in person but earlier created an Instagram red carpet moment with his daughter since no kids were allowed at the Los Angeles show. โI actually created a step and repeat and a red carpet,โ she told reporters during a virtual news conference before the show. AdDue to pandemic precautions, the โred carpetโ was not the usual mass of cameras and TV crews. AdAll three wore Gucci.
Ladies night: Beyoncรฉ, Swift make history as others win big
Four women won the top four prizes Sunday, including Swift, who became the first female performer to win album of the year three times. Beyoncรฉ โ with her 28th win โ became the most decorated woman in Grammy history. And 9-year-old Blue Ivy Carter โ who won best music video alongside her mother โ became the second youngest act to win a Grammy in the showโs 63-year history. Megan Thee Stallion, who won three honors, also made history and became the first female rapper to win best rap song. She's also the fifth rap-based act to win best new artist.
A peek behind the masks, precautions at the pandemic Grammys
Associated Press entertainment reporter Marcela Isaza poses backstage at the 63rd Grammy Awards at the Los Angeles Convention Center, Thursday, March 11, 2021. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)LOS ANGELES โ I have covered the Grammy Awards for the Associated Press for 15 years. Built around performances, full of singing and shouting, and with the biggest crowd of any awards show, the Grammys seem uniquely wrong for a world still in the coronavirus pandemic. The AP workspace is set off with high, thick black curtains, and they are constantly replenishing us with masks and hand sanitizer. AdOutside the sprawling building, carpenters and technicians have been building the stages that will be a hub for Sundayโs awards.
New this week: 'Cherry,' 'Bloodlands' & Kids' Choice Awards
This combination photo shows key art for the Acorn TV series "Bloodlands," premiering March 15, left, key art for the Apple TV+ film "Cherry," center, and key art for Nickelodeons "Kids Choice Awards," hosted by Kenan Thompson and airing on March 13. (Acorn TV/Apple TV+/Nickelodeon via AP)Hereโs a collection curated by The Associated Pressโ entertainment journalists of whatโs arriving on TV, streaming services and music platforms this week. AdโAP Film Writer Jake CoyleMUSICโ The 2021 Grammys will hand out 84 awards Sunday, but whatโs more exciting? Other performers include Chris Martin, John Mayer, Doja Cat, Maren Morris, DaBaby, HAIM, Lil Baby, Brandi Carlile, Roddy Ricch, Brittany Howard, Miranda Lambert, Mickey Guyton and Black Pumas. Adโ Grown-ups donโt have a lock on awards shows, as Nickelodeonโs Kidsโ Choice Awards proves once again.
Grammy performers: Taylor Swift, BTS, Cardi B, Billie Eilish
FILE - In this Oct. 5, 2019 photo, Billie Eilish performs during the first weekend of the Austin City Limits Music Festival in Zilker Park in Austin, Texas. Eilish will perform at this month's Grammy Awards. (Photo by Jack Plunkett/Invision/AP, File)NEW YORK โ Taylor Swift, BTS, Cardi B and Billie Eilish are set to perform at next weekโs Grammy Awards. The Grammys were originally supposed to take place on Jan. 31 but were delayed because of the coronavirus pandemic. Beyoncรฉ is leading nominee with nine, followed by Swift, Lipa and Ricch, who each earned six nominations.
Still divisive, Dr. Luke resurges at Grammys โ as Tyson Trax
Dr. Luke appeared as Tyson Trax on the Grammy ballot for Doja Cat's Say So," which he produced and co-wrote. But not all of the academy members may have been aware they were voting for Dr. Luke when they completed their ballots this year. AdโI didnโt know that Tyson Trax was Dr. Luke. AdTogether, Martin and Dr. Luke crafted hits for Kelly Clarkson, Katy Perry, Pink and Kesha, who he signed in 2005. Eventually Dr. Luke stepped into the forefront, helming successes for Miley Cyrus, Pitbull, Nicki Minaj and Flo Rida, logging 17 No.
Sony booming on hit 'Demon Slayer,' headed to record profit
Sony Corp. reports its fiscal third quarter profit jumped 62%, positioning the Japanese entertainment and electronics giant for a record annual profit as its bottom line got a healthy boost from its mega-hit animation film Demon Slayer. In Japan, movie theaters have stayed open with social distancing measures, helping โDemon Slayerโ gain massive popularity amid a dearth of rival releases. Thatโs considerably higher than the 800 billion yen ($7.6 billion) projection given in October. Sony earned 582 billion yen in the fiscal year that ended March 2020. Sony said it hoped to boost profits for the year across the board in its sprawling businesses, including games, music, electronics products and other operations.
Joe and Jill Biden to appear on 'New Yearโs Rockinโ Eve'
FILE - In this May 14, 2019 file photo, Ryan Seacrest attends the Walt Disney Television 2019 upfront in New York. Most folks have slowed down in the past nine months but Seacrest says he's been juggling more than normal during the pandemic. This week, he will return to New York's Times Square to host Dick Clark New Years Rockin Eve. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File)NEW YORK โ Ryan Seacrest will have a special pair of guests alongside the music stars at this year's New Year's Eve celebration on ABC โ the president-elect and the future first lady. โDick Clarkโs New Yearโs Rockinโ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2021" will run until 2 a.m. Eastern on Jan. 1.
New this week: Jingle Ball 2020 & 2 doses of Meryl Streep
MOVIESโ Travel may seem closed off right now but how about a cruise with Meryl Streep, Dianne Wiest and Candice Bergen? โ If one Streep film wasnโt enough for you, sheโs again in typically fine form in โThe Prom,โ parodying a diva actor in Ryan Murphyโs adaptation of the 2018 Broadway musical. โ AP Film Writer Jake CoyleMUSICโ Jon Bon Jovi has already produced an album this year with โ2020โ and the concert film "On a Night Like This โ Bon Jovi 2020." โ AP Entertainment Writer Mark KennedyTELEVISIONโ This seasonโs winner for lengthy title: โHigh School Musical: The Musical: The Holiday Special,โ debuting Friday on Disney +. โ The CWโs โiHeartRadio Jingle Ball 2020,โ a 90-minute special based on the annual concert, will air at 8 p.m. EST Monday, Dec. 14.
12 Grammy facts: BTS and Dr. Luke in, The Weeknd out
And it earned him his first Grammy nomination in six years. 3 spot on the pop charts โ is up for best rap song and best rap performance. And Anderson .Paak's โLockdown," about police brutality and racial injustice, is up for best melodic rap performance and best music video. JAY-Z, THE SONGWRITERS, SHINESHappy wife, happy life: Jay-Z has lent his songwriting hand to his wife Beyoncรฉ and he's earned Grammy nominations for it. PAUL McCARTNEY, THE ART DIRECTORPaul McCartney scored his 79th Grammy nominations this year โ as an art director.
A 'Black Parade' Grammys: Beyoncรฉ leads with 9 nominations
(Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP, File)NEW YORK โ Beyoncรฉ is bringing her Black parade to the Grammys: The pop starโs anthem about Black pride scored multiple nominations Tuesday, making her the leading contender with nine. A winner of 24 Grammys, Beyoncรฉ becomes the second-most nominated act in the history of the awards show with 79 nominations. Beyoncรฉ is only behind her husband Jay-Z and Quincy Jones, who have both earned 80 nominations each. Jay-Z picked up three nominations this year for his contributions to Beyoncรฉโs songs: He co-wrote โBlack Paradeโ and โSavage,โ thus earning nominations for song of the year, best R&B song and best rap song. Instead, multiple nominations went to Taylor Swift, Dua Lipa and Roddy Ricch, who each earned six nominations and followed Beyoncรฉ as the second-most nominated acts.
Swift wins top prize at AMAs, says she's re-recording music
NEW YORK โ Taylor Swift won her third consecutive artist of the year prize at the American Music Awards, but she missed the show for a good reason: She said she's busy re-recording her early music after her catalog was sold. She also won favorite music video and favorite pop/rock female artist, winning three honors and tying Bieber, Dan + Shay and the Weeknd for most wins Sunday. โThe last time I received this award it was given to me by the late, great Prince," he said after winning favorite soul/R&B album. Breakthrough singer-rapper Doja Cat performed and won new artist of the year and favorite soul/R&B female artist. And Megan Thee Stallion โ won favorite rap/hip-hop songs for โWAP" with Cardi B โ performed โBody" from her recently released debut album โGood News."
And the Grammy nomination goes to ... Megan? Harry? Weeknd?
Others who may earn nominations include Lewis Capaldi, Summer Walker, Morgan Wallen, Doja Cat, BLACKPINK, Ingrid Andress, Snoh Aalegra, Skip Marley, Mickey Guyton and CNCO. Ricch should also earn nominations for his guest appearance on DaBabyโs international hit โRock Star,โ helping him become the showโs overall top nominee. ________FOLKS LOVE FOLKLORETaylor Swiftโs last two albums, โLoverโ and โreputation,โ didnโt earn nominations for album of the year. The seven-member groupโs hit โDynamiteโ could snag a nomination for best pop duo/group performance, and their latest album could compete for best global music album. 3 on pop charts, should earn a nomination for best country performance and best country song.
BTS, Lady Gaga win top awards at MTV Europe Music Awards
FILE - Korean pop band BTS attends the 2019 Variety's Hitmakers Brunch in West Hollywood, Calif., on Dec. 7, 2019. The South Korean boy band BTS HAS won a leading four awards including best song for Dynamite and best group at the MTV Europe Music Awards Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020 while Lady Gaga took home the best artist prize. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP, File)
BTS, Lady Gaga win top awards at MTV Europe Music Awards
The South Korean boy band BTS HAS won a leading four awards including best song for Dynamite and best group at the MTV Europe Music Awards Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020 while Lady Gaga took home the best artist prize. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP, File)The South Korean pop group BTS won a leading four awards including best song for โDynamiteโ and best group at the MTV Europe Music Awards Sunday night, while Lady Gaga took the best artist prize. Coldplay won best rock, Haley Williams got best alternative and Little Mix was named best pop. And the best Latin award went to Karol G, who also won best collaboration for โTusaโ featuring Nicki Minaj. David Guetta, who won best electronic, also performed at the show from a stage in Budapest.
The Weeknd and Roddy Ricch lead AMA nominations with 8 each
In this video grab issued Sunday, Aug. 30, 2020, by MTV, The Weeknd performs "Blinding Lights" during the MTV Video Music Awards. (MTV via AP)LOS ANGELES โ The Weeknd and Roddy Ricch are the leading nominees for this yearโs American Music Awards with eight apiece. Many, like the BET Awards, Country Music Awards and MTV Video Music Awards, have opted for a mix of live and pre-taped performances. Billie Eilish, an awards favorite since her sweeping wins at the Grammy Awards, scored two nominations, for favorite alternative rock artist and favorite social artist. Dan + Shay earned three nominations, including for favorite country duo or group, where theyโre up against Florida Georgia Line and Old Dominion.
Post Malone owns Billboard Awards, Legend shines onstage
Post Malone accepts the top artist award at the Billboard Music Awards on Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2020, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)NEW YORK โ Walking into the show with 16 nominations, Post Malone won nine honors at the 2020 Billboard Music Awards, where John Legend gave a heartfelt performance that was dedicated to his wife. Garth Brooks accepted the Icon Award from Cher, who called the country star โa true music legend and my friend." Guitar rock legend Eddie Van Halen, who died last week, was honored as the show aired a clip of his Billboard Awards performance from 2015. This yearโs Billboard Awards were originally supposed to take place in April but were postponed because of the pandemic.
New this week: David Byrne, 'The Amazing Race' & Tommy Lee
Hereโs a collection curated by The Associated Pressโ entertainment journalists of whatโs arriving on TV, streaming services and music platforms this week. โ Gretchen Sorin and Ric Burns' โDriving While Black: Race, Space and Mobility in Americaโ was, unfortunately, always going to be of the moment. โ Rocker Tommy Lee is in a collaborative state of mind on his new album, โAndro,โ out Friday. Sundance Nowโs true crime drama โDesโ stars David Tennant (โDoctor Whoโ) as Dennis Nilsen, a serial killer who targeted young men, including the homeless. The three-part โDes,โ debuting Thursday on the streaming service, was a recent U.K. TV hit and drew raves for Tennantโs performance.
Killer Mike to earn Change Maker Award at Billboard Awards
NEW YORK โ Grammy-winning rapper and social-political activist Killer Mike will receive the first Billboard Change Maker Award at the 2020 Billboard Music Awards. Atlanta-born Killer Mike first made waves in music with his appearance on Outkast's 2000 album, โStankonia." But Killer Mike has made noise outside of music, too. Last year he hosted Netflix's โTrigger Warning with Killer Mike," a 2019 documentary series about issues affected the Black community. The Billboard Change Maker Award will be presented by Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms at the African American Panoramic Experience Museum in Atlanta.
MTV VMAs honor Chadwick Boseman; The Weeknd, DaBaby perform
NEW YORK The 2020 MTV Video Music Awards, a night highlighting music and pop culture, kicked off with heartfelt words in memory of Chadwick Boseman, as host Keke Palmer told viewers the event was dedicated to the Black Panther icon. Moments after, the Weeknd brought his Blinding Lights" music video where he is bruised and blooded in a red suit to life. DaBaby, backed by the dance crew Jabbawockeez, also performed, running through several of his hits, including Rock Star." The shifts artists have made because of the pandemic are reflected in two new categories: best music video from home and best quarantine performance. Megan Thee Stallion who topped the charts this year with the Beyonc-assisted Savage" and WAP," her viral song with Cardi B earned multiple nominations, including one for artist of the year.
J Balvin, Roddy Ricch no longer performing at MTV VMAs
NEW YORK Grammy-winning rapper Roddy Ricch and Colombian superstar J Balvin will no longer perform at the MTV Video Music Awards. The MTV VMAs will air on Sunday at 8 p.m. My team and I are safe and everyones health is a main priority, as well as giving a quality performance," Ricch said. STAY SAFE.A representative for Balvin confirmed on Monday that he would no longer perform at the event, but no details were provided. This years show introduces two new categories reflecting the current pandemic times: best music video from home and best quarantine performance.
The Weeknd, Roddy Ricch, Maluma, CNCO to perform at MTV VMAs
FILE - The Weeknd performs on day three at Lollapalooza in Grant Park in Chicago on Aug 4, 2018. The Weekend, nominated for six MTV Video Music Awards will perform at the awards show on Aug. 30. (Photo by Rob Grabowski/Invision/AP, File)NEW YORK Chart-topping Grammy winners The Weeknd and Roddy Ricch are set to perform at the 2020 MTV Video Music Awards this month. MTV announced Tuesday that Colombian singer Maluma and Latin boy band CNCO will also perform at the Aug. 30 event, which was originally to take place at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. This years VMAs introduces two new categories reflecting the current pandemic times: best music video from home and best quarantine performance.
MTV VMAS scraps indoor performances, moves to outdoor sets
NEW YORK MTV says it is ditching plans for indoor performances for its upcoming Video Music Awards, opting for outdoor shows spread throughout New York City instead. Organizers had planned for some performances inside Brooklyns Barclays Center for the Aug. 30 show, but say they will follow the guidance of state and local officials to move them outside. New York City was one of the first U.S. cities hit hard by the virus, but cases have leveled off and some restrictions are being loosened. The ceremony bestows new awards focused on live performances and music videos created at home during the pandemic. BTS, Doja Cat and J Balvin are among the performances announced so far by MTV.
Gaga, Grande top MTV VMA noms; quarantine categories added
Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande both scored nine VMA nominations each, including video of the year for their No. Rain on Me is also competing for song of the year, best collaboration, best pop, best cinematography, best visual effects and best choreography. The 2020 MTV Video Music Awards will air live on Aug. 30 from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Gaga and Grande both scored nine nominations each, including video of the year for their No. Rain on Me is also competing for song of the year, best collaboration, best pop, best cinematography, best visual effects and best choreography.
Nicki Minaj announces she's pregnant with 1st child
NEW YORK Nicki Minaj has a new release coming soon: her first child. The rapper took to Instagram on Monday to announce she is pregnant, posting photos of herself with a baby bump. Musically, Minaj has also had a winning year, topping the Billboard Hot 100 chart twice. Her remix of Doja Cat's Say So" helped Minaj achieve her first-ever No. 1 on the Hot 100, despite releasing multiple hits throughout her career.
Dr. Luke rebounds, thanks to Saweetie, Doja Cat, Juice WRLD
Hes returned to the charts in 2020, working on songs for rising and established rap stars, including Lil Wayne, Juice WRLD, Saweetie and Doja Cat. Dr. Luke marked a major comeback this year with the success of the Billboard Hot 100 No. Label representatives for Saweetie, Juice WRLD, Lil Wayne and Cat didnt immediately reply to emails seeking comment. Months later, Kesha accused him of sexual assault during their yearslong partnership (Dr. Luke has vigorously denied the allegations.) Outside of rap in 2020, Dr. Luke has produced music for pop singer Kim Petras, using the pseudonym MADE IN CHINA.
DaBaby, Roddy Ricch to help BET celebrate awards virtually
The three-hour show will be jam-packed with heavy hitters currently dominating the pop charts and streaming services, including DaBaby, Megan Thee Stallion, Roddy Ricch, Summer Walker, Kane Brown and Chloe x Halle. The three-hour show will be jam-packed with heavy hitters currently dominating the pop charts and streaming services, including DaBaby, Megan Thee Stallion, Roddy Ricch, Summer Walker, Kane Brown and Chloe x Halle. Comedian, actress and TV personality Amanda Seales will host the 2020 BET Awards, which will air on CBS for the first time. Drake is the leading nominee: Hes up for six honors, including video of the year and best male hip-hop artist. Ricch and Megan Thee Stallion follow Drake with five nominations each.