Legendary US comedian and political satirist Mort Sahl – who skewered US presidents from Dwight Eisenhower to Donald Trump – has died. He passed away on Tuesday in Mill Valley, California, at the age of 94, a friend told AP News. Sahl’s biting political commentary won him legions of fans starting in the 1950s and has been credited as the inspiration for modern stand-up comedy. His Cold War material is credited for setting the bar for political comedy. Born in Montreal, Sahl moved with his family to Los Angeles as a child and got his start as a comedian at … Continue reading Legendary comedian Mort Sahl dies at age 94

US comedian Dave Chappelle, whose latest Netflix special sparked a transgender backlash, has hit back at those he says want to “cancel” him. Chappelle posted on Instagram that he was willing to meet members of the transgender community, amid criticism his comedy show was transphobic. He also invited viewers to decide whether he had been “cancelled”. It comes after a small protest last week outside the Netflix headquarters in Los Angeles. Critics have taken offence at Chappelle’s Netflix special, The Closer, in which he says “gender is a fact” and that LGBT people are “too sensitive”. Netflix Chief Content Officer … Continue reading Chappelle slams cancel culture amid Netflix transgender furore

US actor James Michael Tyler, who most famously starred as Gunther in the TV sitcom Friends, has died aged 59. “Tyler passed away peacefully at his home in Los Angeles on Sunday morning,” a statement from his manager said. “If you met him once you made a friend for life,” it added. “[He] is survived by his wife, Jennifer Carno, the love of his life.” Tyler was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer in 2018 which later spread to his bones. “Wanting to help as many people as possible, he bravely shared his story and became a campaigner for those with … Continue reading ‘Friends’ actor James Michael Tyler dies aged 59

The son of Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan has been denied bail 18 days after he was arrested for allegedly doing recreational drugs at a party. Aryan Khan, 23, was taken off a cruise ship that was on its way from Mumbai city to the state of Goa on 2 October. The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) charged him under laws “related to possession, consumption and sale of illegal substances”. He has denied the allegations against him. His lawyer Satish Manshinde has repeatedly told the court that no drugs were found in the possession of the actor’s son, and that there … Continue reading Bollywood actor’s son bail plea rejected in drugs case

The artist formerly known as Kanye West will now be officially known as simply Ye. A Los Angeles judge granted the rapper’s name change request, a communications officer at the Los Angeles Superior Court confirmed. The 44-year-old star filed the request in August, citing “personal reasons.” The rapper, best known for hits such as Gold Digger and Stronger, already used Ye as a nickname and in 2018 used it as an album title. Shortly after the album’s release, he tweeted: “The being formally known as Kanye West. I am YE.” Now he’s made it official and his previous full name – … Continue reading Kanye West officially changes his name to Ye

A judge has suspended Britney Spears’ father from the legal arrangement that gave him control of her life after Spears accused him of years of abuse. Jamie Spears was appointed her guardian in 2008, amid concerns over her mental health. On Wednesday, a judge handed the role to a man appointed by Spears. Mr Spears, who denies any abuse, had filed to end the conservatorship after Spears requested another guardian. Fans around the world have supported her through the #FreeBritney campaign. A conservatorship is granted by a court for individuals who are unable to make their own decisions, like those … Continue reading Britney Spears’ father suspended as conservator

Status Quo founding member and bassist Alan Lancaster has died aged 72, the band’s manager has confirmed. Lancaster had several international hits with the group during the 60s and 70s including Rockin’ All Over The World and Whatever You Want. Manager Simon Porter said: “This is such sad news.” Lead singer Francis Rossi said: “Alan was an integral part of the sound and the enormous success of Status Quo during the 60s and 70s.” Rossi and Lancaster began performing together in the 1960s under a number of different band names before settling on Status Quo. The group went on to … Continue reading Adieu: Status Quo bassist Alan Lancaster dies aged 72

Netflix’s royal drama The Crown and Apple TV comedy Ted Lasso were the big winners at Sunday’s Emmy Awards. The Crown’s prizes included best drama series, plus four acting wins for Gillian Anderson, Olivia Colman, Josh O’Connor and Tobias Menzies. “What a lovely end to the most extraordinary journey with this lovely family,” Colman said of her final series playing Queen Elizabeth II. “I loved every second of it and I can’t wait to see what happens next.” Becoming emotional, she added: “I wish my dad was here to see this. I lost my daddy during Covid, and he would’ve … Continue reading The Crown and Ted Lasso sweep major categories at the 2021 Emmy awards

US pop star Britney Spears says she is taking a break from social media to “celebrate her engagement”. Spears, 39, announced last week that she was going to marry her long-term boyfriend, Sam Asghari. After deleting her Instagram account, Spears told fans on Twitter: “Don’t worry… I’ll be back soon.” She has used her accounts to update fans on her battle to end a 13-year conservatorship that has controlled both her personal life and finances. The conservatorship arrangement was imposed in 2008, when concerns were raised over her mental health. According to several US outlets, the singer shared a post … Continue reading Britney Spears takes social media break following engagement

Norm Macdonald Norm Macdonald, whose laconic delivery of sharp and incisive observations made him one of Saturday Night Live‘s most influential and beloved cast members, died today after a nine-year private battle with cancer. He was 61. Macdonald’s death was announced to Deadline by his management firm Brillstein Entertainment. The comedian’s longtime producing partner and friend Lori Jo Hoekstra, who was with him when he died, said Macdonald had been battling cancer for nearly a decade but was determined to keep his health struggles private, away from family, friends and fans. “He was most proud of his comedy,” Hoekstra said. “He … Continue reading Comedian Norm Macdonald dies at 61

Mick Brigden, a beloved artist manager, passed away on Sunday, Sept. 5, following an accident on the property of his home in Santa Rosa, California. He was 73. His family confirmed that the accident occurred while he was “he was attempting to dig a grave for his family’s dog at his home.” Brigden spent decades of his career as a manager and road manager of musicians like Peter Frampton, Van Morrison and Carlos Santana. He also directed tours for the Rolling Stones and Bob Dylan. He is best known for spending 30 years managing Grammy-nominated solo guitarist Joe Satriani.Ebet Roberts Joe Satriani and … Continue reading Strange: Rolling Stones tour manager dies while digging grave for dog

Britney Spears’s father has filed papers in a Los Angeles court to end the 13-year conservatorship that saw him overseeing her life and finances. Jamie Spears wrote that his daughter “is entitled to have this court now seriously consider whether this conservatorship is no longer required”. Spears has sought to remove him from the role twice in the last two years. The pop star has described their relationship as “abusive” and refuses to perform under his management. Her father’s court filing comes two months after the Toxic singer delivered a bombshell testimony to the court, calling for the conservatorship to … Continue reading Britney Spears’ father formally files to end conservatorship