San Diego FC spoils Son Heung-min's LAFC home debut with a 2-1 victory

San Diego FC spoils Son Heung-min's LAFC home debut with a 2-1 victory

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Hirving Lozano and Anders Dreyer scored, and San Diego FC spoiled the home debut of Los Angeles FC forward Son Heung-min with a 2-1 victory Sunday night. After Dreyer got the tiebreaking goal in the 66th minute, Western Conference-leading San Diego held on against a barrage of LAFC chances to extend its unbeaten streak to six matches in MLS play. Denis Bouanga scored in the first half for LAFC, but the French star and Son both failed to convert golden scoring chances in the final minutes of expansion San Diego's first trip 120 miles north to BMO Stadium. CJ Dos Santos made three saves for the visitors, including a diving stop on Son in second-half injury time. Son was given a hero's welcome in his first match in Los Angeles, taking the field nearly four weeks afterLAFC announced the landmark signingof the South Korean star following his decade at Tottenham. Son played his first three matches on the road for LAFC, scoring a goal and immediately energizing the offense while his new club went unbeaten. The sellout crowd serenaded Son from the moment he stepped on the field for warmups in Los Angeles, which has the world's largest Korean population outside Korea. With thousands of fans wearing his jerseys for club and country, Son repeatedly waved to those cheering him on, and he exhorted the crowd into a frenzy right before kickoff. Bouanga put LAFC ahead in the 15th minute with a beautiful chip volley into San Diego's net off an excellent pass from teenager David Martínez. Bouanga's goal was his 15th of the season, all in his last 19 matches. But Lozano answered in the 33rd minute with a strike from the middle of the box for his ninth MLS goal. The Mexican national team star celebrated by taunting the famously raucous North End supporters' section. Dreyer put San Diego ahead with a individual effort by the Danish star, slipping behind LAFC's back line to collect Jeppe Tverskov's pass and juking two defenders before firing a left-footed shot for his 14th goal. LAFC controlled play for long stretches, but couldn't even it. Son hit a screamer toward the far top corner in the 45th minute, but Dos Santos made a superb leaping save. Hugo Lloris' long pass put Son in a one-on-one break in the 74th minute, but he couldn't get a shot off. Son then hit the post in the 78th minute with a shot from the top of the box. Bouanga got alone on the keeper in the 82nd minute, but waited too long to take a shot. Son's hard shot in the 92nd minute was saved by a diving Dos Santos. ___ AP soccer:https://apnews.com/soccer

byLiam Oneel

in

August 31, 2025

San Diego FC spoils Son Heung-min's LAFC home debut with a 2-1 victory

San Diego FC spoils Son Heung-min's LAFC home debut with a 2-1 victory LOS ANGELES (AP) — Hirving Lozano and Anders Dreyer scored, and S...

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Jessica Pegula, Barbora Krejcikova advance to U.S. Open quarterfinals

Jessica Pegula, Barbora Krejcikova advance to U.S. Open quarterfinals

Fourth-seeded Jessica Pegula is making another deep run at the U.S. Open and she claimed her spot in the quarterfinals Sunday with an easy 6-1, 6-2 victory over fellow American Ann Li in New York. Pegula converted 6 of 9 break points and needed just 54 minutes to subdue Li, who committed 19 unforced errors while playing in Arthur Ashe Stadium for the first time. Pegula next will face two-time Grand Slam winner Barbora Krejcikova of the Czech Republic. Krejcikova staved off eight match points while rallying to a 1-6, 7-6 (13), 6-3 victory over upstart Taylor Townsend. Krejcikova held a 43-37 edge in winners while needing three hours and four minutes to finish off Townsend, who was vying to reach the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam event for the first time. Townsend dominated the first set and had a chance to close the deal in straight sets. She was leading 6-3 in a second-set tiebreaker before letting three straight match points get away. The two women traded big hits and missed shots throughout the 25-minute tiebreaker before Krejcikova finished off the 98-minute set with a slam. Seven of Townsend's squandered match points came in the second-set tiebreaker. Krejcikova broke Townsend's service to make it 4-2 and 5-3 in the third set before finishing off a scintillating victory that disappointed the pro-American crowd at Louis Armstrong Stadium. "I'm totally enjoying this crowd. Even though it's not for me, it's fine," Krejcikova said in her on-court interview. "I love the atmosphere. I love when they're cheering. They're making the match huge. It's for the Americans. It's not for me. "I wish we had a tournament in Czech Republic and there were a lot of fans rooting for me. Maybe in a different life. Not now. I'm just enjoying. I'm having fun on court. I'm so happy I can be here. It's a huge privilege that I can play in front of such a nice crowd on Armstrong." Krejcikova's impressive showing snuffed out the dreams of the 29-year-old Townsend, a No. 1 doubles player who is enjoying the top singles run of her career. "It just stings because I literally gave everything," Townsend said. "She came up with some really, really great tennis in moments where she was down, and I thought I had it." Townsend lost in the first round of the other three majors this year before winning her first three matches at the Billie Jean King Center. She swept No. 5 seed Mirra Andreeva of Russia on Friday, two days after beating No. 25 Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia in straight sets and being on the receiving end of some disparaging comments about her lack of sportsmanship. Pegula, a 2024 finalist, is more used to being on the big stage in New York. "I've obviously kind of earned that right over the years," the 31-year-old Pegula said of playing in Ashe. "When I was younger, I never hit on Ashe, I never played on Ashe. I was always on another court, Court 17 or maybe Grandstand if I was lucky. That's definitely changed. "Specifically here being an American, I have played a lot there now. Maybe against someone that hasn't gotten a lot of reps on that court, I think it is a little bit like a home-court advantage." This marks the third time Pegula has advanced to at least the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open. She lost to Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus in last season's title match and also reached the quarters in 2022. Pegula has won just one of three matchups against Krejcikova. Pegula's victory came in the 2023 Australian Open round of 16. On Sunday, Pegula outclassed the 25-year-old Li and was highly effective at the net by winning 12 of 15 points. "It's a part of my game I can use as a weapon," Pegula said. "We've definitely worked on that a lot. They're really happy when I can finish a point with an overhead or a volley at the net." Pegula won the first three games of the match while sailing through the first set. It was more of the same in the second as she won four of the first five games before finishing off the match. Later Sunday, top seed Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus cruised past Spain's Cristina Bucsa 6-1, 6-4, posting more winners (26-9) and never having to save a break point. She advanced to the quarterfinals without dropping a set and will remain the top-ranked player after the tournament. The Czech Republic's Marketa Vondrousova knocked off ninth-seeded Elena Rybakina of Russia 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 in one hour, 51 minutes. Vondrousova, the 2023 Wimbledon winner, had the edge in aces (13-5) and won 5 of 7 break-point opportunities, to 3 of 6 for Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion who had more winners (40-29) and unforced errors (38-15). --Field Level Media

byLiam Oneel

in

August 31, 2025

Jessica Pegula, Barbora Krejcikova advance to U.S. Open quarterfinals

Jessica Pegula, Barbora Krejcikova advance to U.S. Open quarterfinals Fourth-seeded Jessica Pegula is making another deep run at the U.S. Op...

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Dwayne Johnson, Oscar contender? ‘The Smashing Machine’ starts buzz at Venice Film Festival

Dwayne Johnson, Oscar contender? 'The Smashing Machine' starts buzz at Venice Film Festival

Dwayne Johnson takes a serious turn as UFC fighter Mark Kerr in "The Smashing Machine," which has its world premiere Monday at theVenice Film Festival. Reviews aren't out yet, but the actor is already sparkingOscarbuzz for his transformation in the film from Benny Safdie. The festival has launched several recent best actor Oscar winners, fromBrendan Fraser in "The Whale"toAdrien Brody in "The Brutalist."Like both of those films, "The Smashing Machine" is being released by A24. Venice's artistic director Alberto Barbera said he wouldn't be surprised to see Johnson, who he called "absolutely amazing" in the film, and Emily Blunt, who plays Kerr's wife, among the Oscar nominees next year. "When I saw the first images in last January, I thought it could be a good out of competition contender," Barbera told The Associated Press earlier this week. "But then when I saw the film, I realized that it's a great movie." Kerr is a two-time UFC heavyweight tournament winner and MMA fighter who retired in 2009. Known as "The Smashing Machine," Kerr also struggled with addition to painkillers and opioids, overdosing twice. Before Johnson was best known as the star of franchises like "Jumanji" and the "Fast & Furious" series, as well as a producer and business owner, he made his name in wrestling. A third-generation wrestler, he won eight WWE championships. Safdie is an actor, who recently appeared in "Oppenheimer" and "Happy Gilmore 2," and filmmaker who, along with his brother Josh, codirected"Uncut Gems." In his director's statement for "The Smashing Machine," Safdie called the title, "a perfect onomatopoeia for something visual, conjuring images of domination and destruction with ease." He added, "Dwayne, Emily and I kept thought 'what is it like to really be Mark Kerr, what is it like to really be Dawn Staples?' We wanted to empathize with these characters in a way that felt like our own feelings… I wanted this movie to exist as a memory for everyone who watches it." The film is playing in the main competition, with titles like"Frankenstein,""Bugonia,""The Voice of Hind Rajab,""La Grazia" and "No Other Choice" also vying for the top prizes, including acting and directing awards. Winners will be announced on Sept. 6. "The Smashing Machine" will open in North American theaters on Oct. 3. ___ For more coverage of the 2025 Venice Film Festival, visithttps://apnews.com/hub/venice-film-festival.

byLiam Oneel

in

August 31, 2025

Dwayne Johnson, Oscar contender? ‘The Smashing Machine’ starts buzz at Venice Film Festival

Dwayne Johnson, Oscar contender? 'The Smashing Machine' starts buzz at Venice Film Festival Dwayne Johnson takes a serious turn as U...

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Kim Novak on Her Venice Film Festival Doc ‘Kim Novak’s Vertigo’: ‘ It Was a Chance to Wrap Up My Life’

Kim Novak on Her Venice Film Festival Doc 'Kim Novak's Vertigo': ' It Was a Chance to Wrap Up My Life'

Kim Novak decided to walk away from Hollywood in 1966, at the height of her fame, because it felt like the right thing to do. The screen legend, now 92, also trusted her instincts last year when director Alexandre O. Philippe asked her to be the subject of a documentary. "I felt somehow that it was meant to be," says Novak. More from Variety Onslaught of Italian Movies Set to Hit Fall Festival Circuit, Signaling 'Great Resurgence' of Cinema Italiano Tony Leung Already Wants to Reunite With His 'Silent Friend' Helmer But Marvel Sequel Still Up in the Air: 'I Go With the Flow' (EXCLUSIVE) Cate Blanchett Beams as Jim Jarmusch's Family Tale 'Father Mother Sister Brother' Scores 5-Minute Venice Ovation Philippe's doc "Kim Novak's Vertigo" blends rare archival footage with personal reflections from Novak to trace her path from mid-century cinema icon to a fiercely private artist. "I thought it was a good idea to make [this film] in a way because it was a chance to wrap up my life," says Novak. "Like you would in a confessional, I expressed the things that mattered and meant something to my life." The film debuted Sept. 1 at the Venice Film Festival, where Novak will receive the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement. Novak inadvertently became a screen legend at the age of 21 when she traveled to Los Angeles from Chicago in search of modeling jobs. Novak was immediately "discovered" and, after signing a contract at Columbia Pictures, became a Hollywood star. She also became the world's top box office draw during the late 1950s and early 1960s thanks to films now considered classics such as Joshua Logan's "Picnic" (1955), Otto Preminger's "The Man With the Golden Arm" (1955), George Sidney's Pal Joey (1957) and, of course, Alfred Hitchock's "Vertigo" (1958), in which she plays dual characters in the role of her lifetime. In addition to starring in movies alongside Jimmy Stewart and Frank Sinatra, Novak created her own production company and went on strike to renegotiate a salary. But after a decade or so in the spotlight, Novak abandoned Hollywood for a simpler life in Oregon. "This Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement celebrates a star who was emancipated, a rebel at the heart of Hollywood who illuminated the dreams of movie lovers before retiring to her ranch in Oregon to dedicate herself to painting and to her horses," said Venice Film Festival chief Alberto Barbera. Initially, Philippe reached out to Novak about a documentary he was working on that focused on the final sequence of "Vertigo." The director wanted to "get Kim on the record." "The way it unfolded is that Sue Cameron (Novak's manager) eventually reached out and said she had watched some of my films and she'd been looking for someone to make a portrait of Kim for a long time," says Philippe. "She said, 'I think you're the guy. Would you be interested in talking to Kim?' So, of course, I said yes immediately." The result is a 77-minute doc that is not a typical chronological biopic of a star, but instead an intimate portrait of a human being reflecting on an extraordinary career, and the, arguably, ordinary upbringing that led to it. "When you make a portrait of someone, there are a million ways you can approach it, and the last thing that I'm interested in doing is to make a highlight reel," said Philippe. "If you think that is the most relevant story about Kim Novak, then watching this film might not be for you. This is a personal film for Kim, and a personal film for me. This is the first time that I'm putting myself in one of my films, and while it wasn't the intention in the beginning, it became clear very quickly that our connection is what gives the film an emotional spine. It's about understanding Kim and uncovering her personal truth, as well as my passion for 'Vertigo.'" In the doc, Novak reveals that her father wasn't a fan of her success and that her mother always told her that she "was the captain of her own ship." "I had no idea really how much of an influence [my mother] was having on me to do as she believed and wanted me to follow through on," says Novak. "Because I think she probably felt how important that was and that maybe she wanted me to do all the things that she wished she could have done." Novak invited Philippe to go through her attic, which contained a treasure trove of photographs, diaries, and scrapbooks. "There were boxes upon boxes upon boxes in her attic," says Philippe. "One of the greatest joys of working on this project was that when she opened her attic to me, we would go through everything in real time. She didn't know what was in there — I found some things of hers that she didn't know existed. Things that she hadn't seen in probably decades. That process of discovery was so special and fun." One box, that hadn't been open in decades, contained the gray suit Novak wore as Madeleine Elster in "Vertigo." "My memory of that suit is how much I didn't like it," Novak says. "It was stiff. I always felt like I was wearing a straitjacket. I also just didn't like the way it looked on me. I didn't identify with it, but of course, that's what made it right in the movie." Philippe captures Novak unsealing the box. "When I opened the box and touched it, it suddenly wasn't stiff," says Novak. "It was so soft. It had gotten soft over the years, and it made me realize how I probably got softer in my years, too, through experience. That touched me deeply because it showed how time can make such a difference in how you look at things and how you definitely learn to appreciate everything in life. The closer you get to death, you realize what an incredible thing life is." The film also delves into Novak's feelings about her beauty, which she describes as "wearing a crown of thorns." "I still look at it that way," says Novak. "Of course, it's what got me there, but because to me, especially in Hollywood, it was a handicap in a way. I mean. It's why they always wanted me to play parts that were about how you looked more than how you feel. There were movies that I would have loved to have been a part of because I could have gotten into the depth of my feelings rather than just reacting to how I looked." Novak's complicated, love-hate relationship with Hollywood is dissected throughout the documentary. "Ultimately, the film is about a woman who has had to fight constantly to remain true to herself, against forces that tried to mold and shape her into someone she was not," says Philippe. "The film, of course, is called "Kim Novak's Vertigo," and the structure of the film is a four-act structure, but it's a spiral structure. We keep coming back to this idea of Kim leaving Hollywood, but each time we come back to that, it is for a different reason." Best of Variety Samsung, Sonos, Criterion Collection Among Top Brands on Sale for Labor Day - See Running List Here What's Coming to Disney+ in September 2025 New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week Sign up forVariety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us onFacebook,Twitter, andInstagram.

byLiam Oneel

in

August 31, 2025

Kim Novak on Her Venice Film Festival Doc ‘Kim Novak’s Vertigo’: ‘ It Was a Chance to Wrap Up My Life’

Kim Novak on Her Venice Film Festival Doc 'Kim Novak's Vertigo': ' It Was a Chance to Wrap Up My Life' Kim Novak decided...

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Liverpool reportedly reaches deal to sign Alexander Isak from Newcastle for record-breaking $176 million fee

Liverpool reportedly reaches deal to sign Alexander Isak from Newcastle for record-breaking $176 million fee

Alexander Isak is headed to Liverpool. The club reached a £130 million deal ($176 million) to sign the Newcastle star on Sunday night, according toThe Athletic's David Ornstein. That deal would break the Premier League transfer record set earlier this summer when Liverpool signed Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen for $153 million. Sunday's deal took place just in time before Monday's transfer deadline. Isak made it clear that he wanteded out of Newcastle. He has not played in any of the club's first three Premier League games this season. Isak posted earlier this month that his relationship with Newcastle "can't continue," though Newcastle appeared to reject his requests to leave at every step. Isak missed the team's trip to Asia and didn't play in a preseason friendly, either. The striker has been training with Real Sociedad, his former club, since July and has been away from Newcastle. [Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Football league for the 2025 NFL season] Liverpool intially sent Newcastle a £110 million offer for Isak, which Newcastle rejected. Now, having raised the price, Liverpool secured their latest record-breaking addition. Isak has spent the past three seasons with Newcastle, which marked his first stint in the Premier League in his career. He had a career-high 23 goals and six assists in 34 matches last season. He's previously spent time with Real Sociedad in La Liga and Dortmund in the Bundesliga. Liverpool, fresh off its Premier League title last season, opened the year with three straight wins, including a 3-2 victory over Newcastle on Monday. The franchise has spent more than £250 million this offseason, bringing in other big names like Hugo Ekitike, Wirtz, Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong and Giovanni Leoni. It's unclear when Isak will make his debut with the club. Liverpool will be back in action Sept. 14 on the road against Burnley.

byLiam Oneel

in

August 31, 2025

Liverpool reportedly reaches deal to sign Alexander Isak from Newcastle for record-breaking $176 million fee

Liverpool reportedly reaches deal to sign Alexander Isak from Newcastle for record-breaking $176 million fee Alexander Isak is headed to Liv...

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Jarren Duran hits inside-the-park homer for Red Sox against Pirates at Fenway Park

Jarren Duran hits inside-the-park homer for Red Sox against Pirates at Fenway Park

BOSTON (AP) — Jarren Duran was running to third base when he realized he needed to pick up the pace again and head for home. Duran's inside-the-park homerSunday, a three-run shot, gave Boston the lead in the fifth inning and helped the Red Sox avert a three-game sweep witha 5-2 victoryover the Pittsburgh Pirates at Fenway Park. With Carlos Narváez on third and Alex Bregman on first, Duran lined the first pitch from starter Mitch Keller into the right-center gap. The ball got past right fielder Alexander Canario, who tried to cut it off, and rolled into the Fenway triangle. Then it caromed off the side wall of Boston's bullpen and briefly got past center fielder Oneil Cruz near the 420-foot sign in right-center. As the crowd roared,the speedy Duran raced around thirdand easily beat a wide relay throw to the plate standing up. "When I was starting to round second, I was like, OK, I've got to make sure I get to three," he said. "I thought I was going to be standing up (at third). I found myself kind of lay back a little bit, then (third base coach Kyle Hudson) came back to me waving and I was like, I've got to get going again." It was the second inside-the-park homer by the Red Sox at Fenway Park this season.Wilyer Abreu hit one on June 30and became the sixth player in major league history with a grand slam and an inside-the-park homer in the same game. "I was just happy I didn't have to slide after all," Duran said. "I was like, this is going to be more of a fall than a slide." Duran's inside-the-park shot was the first of his career. "Everybody's doing the same thing in the dugout," Boston manager Alex Cora said, comparing his players and coaches to the cheering crowd. "We become fans," he explained. "Everybody's loud, everybody's sending him." ___ AP MLB:https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

byLiam Oneel

in

August 31, 2025

Jarren Duran hits inside-the-park homer for Red Sox against Pirates at Fenway Park

Jarren Duran hits inside-the-park homer for Red Sox against Pirates at Fenway Park BOSTON (AP) — Jarren Duran was running to third base when...

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Robin Wright Says Leaving the U.S. for England Has Been 'Liberating': 'America Is a S---show'

Robin Wright Says Leaving the U.S. for England Has Been 'Liberating': 'America Is a S---show'

VALERY HACHE/AFP via Getty Robin Wright is opening up about her choice to leave the U.S. and rent a house on the English seaside "America is a s---show," she said in a new interview withThe Times. "There's a freedom of self here. People are so kind. They're living" The actress also opened up about her new relationship with architect Henry Smith, saying: "He is a sweetheart and just a good, decent adult" Robin Wrighthas a new country to call home — and she isn't regretting her decision to move in the slightest. In a new interview withThe Times, published on Sunday, Aug. 31, the actress, 59, shared that she and her boyfriend, architect Henry Smith, are renting a home on the English seaside. "It's liberating to be done," Wright told the outlet. "Be done with searching, looking and getting 60 percent of what you wanted." TheHouse of Cardsalum, who was born in Texas and raised in California, was candid about wanting to get out of the U.S., telling the newspaper: "America is a s---show." "I love being in this country," she added of England. "There's a freedom of self here. People are so kind. They're living. They're not in the car in traffic, panicked on a phone call, eating a sandwich. That's most of America. Everything's rush, competition and speed." Pascal Le Segretain/Getty According to theForrest Gumpstar, her decision to move was partially influenced by the noise of Los Angeles. "Everyone's building a huge house, and I'm just done with all that — I love the quiet. And I've met my person. Finally," she added, referring to 52-year-old Smith. Wright recalled meeting her now-boyfriend — and joked that they had some choice words for each other the first time they crossed paths. According to the model, she was sitting in a pub at the time, and asked a man if she could feed his dog when the man directed his attention to her now-boyfriend. "He goes, 'No, it's not my dog, it's his dog,' " she recalled of their first meeting. Darren Gerrish/WireImage Getty "Henry was standing at the bar, 6'2", and he put his pint down, came over to me and grabbed my shoulders," theHereactress recalled. "He goes, 'Who the f--- are you?' And I said, 'Who the f--- are you?' And that was it." "He is a sweetheart and just a good, decent adult. He's a man," she continued of Smith. According toTheTimes,Wright said it was "so relaxing" to be "seen and loved for who I am" after she began her relationship with Smith. Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE's free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. "That's exactly what I wanted," she shared. "I'm turning 60 and I'm, like, 'Is this it?' I love being alone and I've done that many times. But I'm, like, 'I want to grow old with somebody, and travel and see the world.' " ThePrincess Brideactress was previously married toSean Pennfrom 1996 to 2010. The former couple share two children: daughter Dylan, 34, and son Hopper, 32. Wright later wedClement Giraudetin 2018, beforefiling for divorcefrom the fashion executive in the summer of 2022, citing irreconcilable differences. She also had a brief marriage to thelateSanta Barbaraactor Dane Witherspoonfrom 1986 until their divorce two years later. Read the original article onPeople

byLiam Oneel

in

August 31, 2025

Robin Wright Says Leaving the U.S. for England Has Been 'Liberating': 'America Is a S---show'

Robin Wright Says Leaving the U.S. for England Has Been 'Liberating': 'America Is a S---show' VALERY HACHE/AFP via Getty Rob...

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Hays hits tiebreaking homer and Reds deck Cards to stop 5-game slide

Hays hits tiebreaking homer and Reds deck Cards to stop 5-game slide

CINCINNATI (AP) — Austin Hays hit a tiebreaking two-run homer and Matt McLain went deep for the second consecutive game to back a solid start by Brady Singer as the Cincinnati Reds beat the St. Louis Cardinals 7-4 on Sunday to snap a five-game skid and avoid a series sweep. Elly De La Cruz hit his 28th double leading off the fifth inning against Andre Pallante (6-13), and Hays followed with his 12th homer for a 5-3 lead. Hays doubled and scored on Ke'Bryan Hayes' two-out single for a 6-4 lead in the seventh, and McLain capped the scoring with his 13th homer — a solo shot off Andre Granillo in the eighth. Singer (12-9) allowed three runs and five hits in six innings with eight strikeouts and no walks. Tony Santillan struck out the side in the eighth and Emilio Pagán did the same in the ninth for his 26th save. TWINS 7, PADRES 2 MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Byron Buxton set a career best with his 29th home run and Joe Ryan pitched seven scoreless innings as Minnesota beat San Diego. Buxton and Royce Lewis each had two hits for the Twins, who took two of three games in the series. San Diego began the day a game behind the first-place Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West. Ryan (13-7) scattered five hits and struck out eight. He threw a season-high 104 pitches while bouncing back from a pair of rough outings. The All-Star right-hander allowed 11 earned runs in nine innings over his previous two starts. Buxton sent a changeup from Kyle Hart (3-3) three rows deep into the left-field seats for a two-run shot that gave Minnesota a 2-0 lead in the third. It was his fourth homer in four games, surpassing his previous season best of 28 home runs in 2022. Recalled from Triple-A El Paso earlier in the day, Hart permitted three runs in 1 1/3 innings of relief as the Padres went with a bullpen game. He hit Luke Keaschall with a pitch to start the Minnesota fourth, and he scored on a single by James Outman. Keaschall and Lewis had RBI singles in a three-run fifth to make it 6-0. RED SOX 5, PIRATES 2 BOSTON (AP) — Jarren Duran hit an inside-the-park homer, Lucas Giolito pitched six effective innings and Boston beat Pittsburgh to avert a three-game sweep. In a tight race for one of three American League wild cards, the Red Sox won for the eighth time in 11 games. Alexander Canario hit a solo homer over the Green Monster for Pittsburgh, which had won nine of 12. Duran's three-run homer into the Fenway Park triangle in right-center field capped a four-run fifthagainst starter Mitch Keller (6-13), pushing Boston ahead 4-1. Coming off his best start of the season, when he went eight shutout innings last Tuesday in a victory over Baltimore, Giolito (10-2) gave up a run and three hits. He struck out six and walked five. Aroldis Chapman got three outs for his 27th save. RAYS 7, NATIONALS 4 WASHINGTON (AP) — Brandon Lowe hit a grand slam in Tampa Bay's six-run second inning, Everson Pereira drove in two runs and the Rays beat Washington to sweep the three-game series. Tampa Bay starter Ian Seymour (3-0) gave up four runs — one earned — and four hits with eight strikeouts. Pete Fairbanks pitched a scoreless ninth to earn his 24th save this season. Dylan Crews singled to lead off the ninth and moved to third on a single by Daylen Lile, who tried to stretch it into a double but was thrown out by Pereira at second before Brady House struck out swinging to end the game. Josh Lowe tripled and scored on a sacrifice fly by Pereira to make 7-0 in the third. Jacob Young doubled to drive in House in the third. Riley Adams walked to lead off the fourth and scored when Crews reached on a fielding error by third baseman Junior Caminero. House singled to drive in two runs that made it 7-4. Nationals starter Brad Lord (4-8) allowed seven runs and five hits in three innings. BLUE JAYS 8, BREWERS 4 TORONTO (AP) — Myles Straw and Nathan Lukes each drove in two runs, George Springer reached base three times and scored twice and Toronto beat Milwaukee to avoid a three-game sweep. Tommy Nance (2-0) pitched out of a bases-loaded jam in the fifth inning as Toronto improved to 59-4 when scoring at least five runs. Nance was one of five relievers who combined for five shutout innings in relief of a shaky Max Scherzer. William Contreras hit a two-run home run, his 17th, and Brice Turang added a solo shot, his 16th, but the Brewers failed to set a club record with a 22nd win in August. Milwaukee went 21-9 this month. The Brewers still own the best record in baseball at 85-53. Scherzer allowed four runs and a season-high nine hits in four innings. MARINERS 4, GUARDIANS 2 CLEVELAND (AP) - Julio Rodríguez drove in two runs with an infield hit and Seattle snapped a seven-game road losing streak with a victory over Cleveland to salvage the three-game series finale. With a combined two-hitter, the Mariners extended their lead to three games over the Guardians for the third AL wild-card spot. Seattle entered play two games up on Kansas City. Randy Arozarena hit a two-run homer for the Mariners, who got six strong innings from Bryce Miller (4-5). The right-hander gave up just two hits — on consecutive pitches in the third. Gabe Speier and Matt Brash each pitched a perfect inning and Andrés Muñoz worked the ninth for his 32nd save. MARLINS 5, METS 1 NEW YORK (AP) — Sandy Alcantara pitched seven strong innings, Agustín Ramírez hit a two-run homer and Miami defeated New York in a game that got testy. The scappy Marlins took three of four from New York after losing their previous seven series. The Mets finished 11-17 in August despite scoring 177 runs and hitting 53 homers — both franchise records for a calendar month. New York leads Cincinnati by four games in the race for the last National League wild card. Alcantara (7-11) allowed four hits and struck out six. He carried a shutout into the seventh, when he gave up a leadoff single to Jeff McNeil and plunked Mark Vientos with a pitch. Alcantara and Vientos stared each other down before the benches and bullpens emptied, though no punches were thrown as players milled around the mound. Alcantara induced a pair of forceouts, the second of which scored McNeil, before striking out Starling Marte to end the inning. The right-hander has a 2.82 ERA in his past eight starts after opening the season with a 7.14 ERA through 19 outings. Senga allowed five runs in 4 2/3 innings. He has a 5.90 ERA in nine starts since coming off the injured list July 11. ANGELS 3, ASTROS 0 HOUSTON (AP) — José Soriano and two relievers combined for a two-hitter and Oswald Peraza hit his first home run since a trade from the Yankees to lead Los Angeles to a win over the Houston. Soriano (10-9) allowed one hit and struck out eight in seven innings. Luis García allowed one hit in a scoreless eighth and Kenley Jansen threw a perfect ninth for his 25th save. There were two outs in the fifth when Peraza connected off Hunter Brown (10-7) into the bullpen in right-center field to put the Angels up 1-0. His homer comes after his two-run single in the ninth inning Saturday helped Los Angeles to a 4-1 victory that snapped a three-game skid. Brown allowed three hits and a run with five strikeouts in six innings. McCullers Jr. allowed three hits and two runs in his first relief appearance since 2018. TIGERS 5, ROYALS 0 KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Tarik Skubal pitched seven innings of four-hit ball, the Tigers scored four times off Michael Wacha in the fifth inning, and Detroit went on to beat Kansas City in the rubber game of its three-game set. Skubal (12-4) struck out four and walked one while bouncing back from his first loss in more than six weeks. Jake Rogers drove in two runs for Detroit, while Colt Keith and Gleyber Torres also drove in runs. It was a crucial game between AL Central rivals. The Tigers began the day with a half-game lead over East-leading Toronto for the best record in the American League, while Kansas City had climbed within two games of Seattle in the wild-card race. Wacha (8-11) was matching Skubal into the fifth, allowing a single baserunner while striking out four. But things suddenly went awry, beginning with a leadoff walk to Spencer Torkelson and a one-out single by Zach McKinstry. Rogers followed with a fly ball that center fielder Tyler Tolbert badly misplayed, resulting in a two-run triple. Keith added a line drive that found a gap for a two-run double, and Torres a grounder that got through the infield to make it 4-0. Wacha left after 4 2/3 innings. He was charged with four runs and four hits and a walk. WHITE SOX 3, YANKEES 2 CHICAGO (AP) — Lenyn Sosa hit a tiebreaking solo homer in the eighth inning and Chicago cooled off New York with a victory. Sosa drove a 1-2 sinker from Tim Hill over the wall in center field for his 18th homer, extending his career high. Hill (4-4) retired his first two batters before Sosa went deep. Cam Booser (2-4) got one out for the win. After Booser issued a leadoff walk to Trent Grisham in the ninth, Mike Vasil retired Paul Goldschmidt, Aaron Judge and Cody Bellinger for his third save. New York had won a season-high seven in a row. It also had a nine-game road win streak. The Yankees fell three games back of AL East-leading Toronto, which held off Milwaukee for an 8-4 win. ROCKIES 6, CUBS 5 DENVER (AP) — Pinch-hitter Mickey Moniak hit a walk-off RBI triple, Tanner Gordon struck out a career-high nine and Colorado beat Chicago to avoid a series sweep. The major league-worst Rockies snapped a four-game losing streak to improve to 39-98. They finished August with 11 wins, their most in any month this season. Orlando Arcia had three hits and an RBI for Colorado, and Braxton Fulford added two hits and an RBI. Ryan Ritter had two hits and scored the winning run, and Brenton Doyle drove in two runs. Gordon allowed two earned runs in six innings. Juan Mejia (2-1) picked up the win, striking out two in a perfect ninth. Daniel Palencia (1-5) took the loss. DODGERS 5, DIAMONDBACKS 4 LOS ANGELES (AP) — Pinch-hitter Will Smith homered leading off the bottom of the ninth inning to give Los Angeles a victory over Arizona that prevented a three-game sweep. Los Angeles took a two-game lead in the NL West over rival San Diego,which lost 7-2 at Minnesota. Smith sent the second pitch he saw from reliever John Curtiss (2-1) a projected 420 feet into the left-center stands. His 17th home run of the season saved the Dodgers after they blew a late lead. Corbin Carroll tied it 4-all by launching a three-run homer off Tanner Scott with two outs in the eighth. Blake Treinen (1-2) pitched a perfect inning for the win. Yoshinobu Yamamoto allowed one run in seven innings and matched his career high with 10 strikeouts for the Dodgers. He retired his first 10 batters before Ketel Marte bunted for a single. RANGERS 9, ATHLETICS 6 WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Joc Pederson homered, doubled and drove in three runs, Jacob deGrom struck out six in five scoreless innings, and Texas beat the Athletics to sweep the three-game series. DeGrom (10-6) allowed two hits and walked one to help the Rangers win their fifth straight game. Josh Smith walked to leadoff the game, Wyatt Langford struck out and Pederson hit a 3-2 pitch from J.T. Ginn (2-6) down the line and over the wall in right field to make it 2-0. Josh Jung homered off Ginn to lead off the second and doubled to drive in Adolis García in the ninth. Smith hit an RBI double and scored when Pederson doubled with two out in the fifth to give the Rangers a 5-0 lead. Langford drew a bases-loaded walk to bring home Ezequiel Duran before Helman singled to drive in Smith and make it 7-0. GIANTS 13, ORIOLES 2 SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Rafael Devers homered, doubled and drove in two runs to help Justin Verlander earn career win No. 265 as San Francisco beat Baltimore to take two of three games in their series. Verlander (3-10) struck out a season-high 10 in five shutout innings. He threw 121 pitches — his most since June 2018. He allowed three hits and walked four. The 42-year-old Verlander reached 10 strikeouts for the 73rd time and first since he had 10 against Philadelphia on Oct. 4, 2022. He tied Jim McCormick for 39th place in wins and pulled within four strikeouts of Gaylord Perry (3,534) for eighth on the career list. Devers homered off Tomoyuki Sagano (10-7) for a 1-0 lead in the first. It was his 28th of the season and 13th for the Giants. Drew Gilbert, Heliot Ramos and Devers had consecutive singles in the third for a two-run lead, and Willy Adames added a sacrifice fly. Gilbert hit a two-run triple before scoring on Ramos' single for a 7-0 advantage in the fourth. Devers doubled to chase Sugano, who allowed seven runs and 10 hits in 3 1/3 innings. Dominic Smith had an RBI single off Corbin Martin in a three-run sixth. Devers, Ramos and Gilbert each had three of the Giants' 16 hits. Spencer Bivens allowed two runs in the ninth but pitched the final three innings for his first career save. BRAVES 3, PHILLIES 1 PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Drake Baldwin broke a ninth-inning tie with a two-run homer and Atlanta avoided a four-game sweep with a win over Philadelphia. Braves rookie Hurston Waldrep pitched 5 2/3 strong innings. Jake Fraley came off the bench in the seventh and went 2 for 2. Michael Harris II also had two hits for Atlanta. Brandon Marsh homered for the Phillies, who lead the NL East by six games over the New York Mets heading into September. Matt Olson tied it at 1 with an RBI groundout for the Braves in the eighth. Fraley started the ninth with an infield single off José Alvarado (4-2) and went to second on a sacrifice bunt. Vidal Bruján struck out, but Baldwin drove Alvarado's first pitch, a 98 mph sinker, over the wall in left field. Baldwin walked as a pinch hitter in the eighth and remained in the game at catcher. Tyler Kinley (4-3) tossed a perfect eighth and Raisel Iglesias struck out two in a 1-2-3 ninth for his 23rd save in 28 chances. Waldrep continued to impress, giving up one run on four hits with nine strikeouts and four walks. After starting two games in 2024, the 23-year-old right-hander, the No. 24 overall draft pick in 2023, was called up to the Braves on Aug. 2 and has a 1.01 ERA in six outings, including five starts. Phillies starter Jesús Luzardo pitched 6 2/3 scoreless innings, giving up two hits while striking out seven and walking one.

byLiam Oneel

in

August 31, 2025

Hays hits tiebreaking homer and Reds deck Cards to stop 5-game slide

Hays hits tiebreaking homer and Reds deck Cards to stop 5-game slide CINCINNATI (AP) — Austin Hays hit a tiebreaking two-run homer and Matt ...

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Aaron Judge ties Yogi Berra for fifth on the Yankees' career homers list

Aaron Judge ties Yogi Berra for fifth on the Yankees' career homers list

CHICAGO (AP) — When Aaron Judge returned to the dugout after his first-inning homer, Yankees manager Aaron Boone yelled "Yogi!" in the direction of his star slugger. Yogi indeed. Judge moved into a tie with Hall of Fame catcher Yogi Berra for fifth in franchise history when he hit his 358th career homer duringSunday's 3-2 lossto the Chicago White Sox. "Not getting (the win) kind of stings," Judge said, "but you know, get a chance to tie one of the greatest if not the greatest Yankee in homers is, it's pretty special. The way Yogi played the game, what he meant to these pinstripes, you knew how much it meant being a New York Yankee to him. I feel the same way. "I'm honored to wear this jersey, so it's pretty cool to be on that list with him." Judge drove an 0-2 cutter from Martín Pérez deep to center for a one-out solo shot. Judge's 43rd homer of the season had a 112.6 mph exit velocity and traveled 426 feet. He made a bid for another homer in the third, but his drive went off the wall in center for a double. He also singled in the fifth and popped out for the final out of the seventh. Batting with a runner aboard with one out in the ninth, he flied to center. "Just missed the last one," Boone said. "I thought he made the right move on the pitch. Looked like he got a hanger there that I thought he put a great swing on. He got under it a little bit and hit it straight up in the air. So those things happen." The 33-year-old Judge also connected for a solo homer inNew York's 11-inning victoryat Chicago on Saturday night. The two-time AL MVP and seven-time All-Star batted .241 (20 for 83) with six homers, 12 RBIs and a .417 on-base percentage in 24 games in August. Next up for Judge and the Yankees is four consecutive series against playoff contenders, beginning with the opener of a three-game set at Houston on Tuesday night. "That's what we want," said Judge, who signeda $360 million, nine-year contractwith New York in December 2022. "It's coming down to the wire. We want to play the best teams and especially getting down the stretch here into the postseason, this is what it's all about." Hall of Famers Babe Ruth (659 homers), Mickey Mantle (536), Lou Gehrig (493) and Joe DiMaggio (361) are on top of the Yankees' career homers list. Judge's drive produced the first change in the franchise's top five since Mantle hit his 203rd career homer on Aug. 7, 1957, snapping a tie with Bill Dickey. Judge was selected by New York in the first round of the 2013 amateur draft and made his debut with the Yankees in 2016. Berra was 90 when he died in 2015. "Didn't get to see him too much. He was definitely around over at big league camp," Judge said. "But he was a special individual. A lot of the veteran guys talk highly of him. It was probably some of their favorite memories, you know, coming to spring training was having a chance to talk with him during camp, just hear some of his stories." Judge was activated from the 10-day injured list on Aug. 5 after being sidelined by a flexor strain in his right elbow. He has been serving as the team's designated hitter, buthe could return to the outfieldat some point this season. ___ AP MLB:https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

byLiam Oneel

in

August 31, 2025

Aaron Judge ties Yogi Berra for fifth on the Yankees' career homers list

Aaron Judge ties Yogi Berra for fifth on the Yankees' career homers list CHICAGO (AP) — When Aaron Judge returned to the dugout after hi...

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Tennis star Kamil Majchrzak meets young fan who had hat snatched from him in viral US Open video

Tennis star Kamil Majchrzak meets young fan who had hat snatched from him in viral US Open video

Polish tennis star Kamil Majchrzak has met the young fan who had a hat snatched from him in a viral video clip after one of Majchrzak's matches at theUS Open. Majchrzak gave the boy aUS Open-branded bag of gifts, including another cap, and posed for photos alongside him, posting the encounter to his Instagram stories on Saturday. "Today after warm up, I had a nice meeting," he wrote. "Do you recognize (cap emoji)?" "Hello world, together with Brock, we wish you a great day," he wrote in another story. The two first encountered each other when Majchrzak was signing souvenirs for the crowd, after Majchrzak's second round win against Karen Khachanov on Thursday. The Pole took off his cap and appeared to pass it to the boy who was clutching a giant tennis ball with both hands. As the boy reached out to take the cap, a man standing next to him snatched it away and gave it to a woman who put it in her handbag despite the boy's visible protestations. The boy and the man appeared not to know each other. The clip subsequently went viral on social media, with one X post alone gathering 10 million views. Social media users identified the man as a Polish CEO, whose company was review-bombed with hundreds of one-star reviews on Trustpilot, all referencing the incident. CNN has not been able to independently verify the man's identity and has reached out to the company for comment. After seeing the incident, Majchrzak launched a search for the boy, posting on his Instagram story, per Sky News, "Hey guys, could you help me find the kid from my match." He later posted, according to Sky News, "I am impressed by the power of the Internet. We got it! All good now." After defeating No. 9 seed Khachanov, Majchrzak was forced to retire during his third round match against Leandro Riedi due to a torn intercostal muscle. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account atCNN.com

byLiam Oneel

in

August 31, 2025

Tennis star Kamil Majchrzak meets young fan who had hat snatched from him in viral US Open video

Tennis star Kamil Majchrzak meets young fan who had hat snatched from him in viral US Open video Polish tennis star Kamil Majchrzak has met ...

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‘SNL’ Bloodbath? Hardly. Lorne Michaels’ Annual Cast Exits Occur as Regularly as ‘Weekend Update’

'SNL' Bloodbath? Hardly. Lorne Michaels' Annual Cast Exits Occur as Regularly as 'Weekend Update'

At "Saturday Night Live," there's drama before you get to the comedy. Every year at about this time, credulous observers of the venerable late-night NBC showcase get flustered by a series of cast changes that roll out about four to six weeks ahead of the next season premiere of the program. Sometimes, "SNL" just adds a few featured players. In other years, a good chunk of cast veterans opt to depart. At some points in time, cost constraints or network edicts have forced executive producer Lorne Michaels to make personnel moves he might not otherwise wish to put into practice. More from Variety Devon Walker Responds to Fan Support After 'SNL' Exit: 'Y'all Acting Like We Died' Michael Longfellow Exits 'SNL' After Three Seasons Emil Wakim Exits 'SNL' in Season 51 Shake Up The increase in hand-wringing around the process, which has become an ingrained element of the "SNL" calendar, is more humorous than some of "SNL's" skits. In recent days, three young members of the "SNL" cast —featured player Emil Wakimand early-tenured Devon Walker and Michael Longfellow — have announced their exits from the show, and it seems pretty clear the departures weren't made by choice. What's more, veteran Heidi Gardner,who seemed to devise a new voice for every sketch character she playedon "SNL" over eight seasons, is leaving, presumably opting to exit after a period of time that seems suitable for most people who join the show. Some media outlets have referred to the exodus as a "bloodbath" or "earthquake." It's really anything but. Simply put, Michaels has raised his expectations for cast members –particularly featured players — since 2000. Michaela Watkins and Jenny Slate were each ousted from the program after a single season despite gaining traction with characters such as Angie Tempura and Tina-Tina Cheneuse. So too in recent years were people like Rob Riggle, Noel Wells, Brooks Whelan, Luke Null, Chloe Troast, Tim Robinson and John Milhiser. Even some who make the jump to regular cast, like Punkie Johnson, leave unexpectedly. While there has been no backlash to Wakim, Walker or Longfellow, there is an argument that can be made that none of the trio has truly "broken out" during their time on air in ways that contemporary cast members such as Chloe Fineman, Bowen Yang or Ego Nwodim have. In an era when much of "SNL" is consumed by its youngest viewers via social media or streaming video hours after the show runs on late Saturdays, Michaels may have little choice but to put his resources behind talent that generates more viral pass-along. And while the impresariorecently gave the news outlet Puck a wide-ranging interview about "SNL" matters great and small, it's interesting he wasn't asked (at least not for print purposes) about whether his show has come underthe same economic scrutiny as the rest of NBC's late-night schedule (and late-night TV in general.) NBC hasscaled Jimmy Fallon's "Tonight Show" down to four original telecasts a week, versus its previous five (no doubt, a second year of Fallon doing a handful bespoke post-"Sunday Night Football" shows is part of the network's calculus) andtaken away the live band that boosted Seth Meyers' "Late Night."Does any of that mean "SNL" is limited in how many cast members it can accommodate each season? Does the show have to cut down on its many extras, such as the live "backstage llama" that often turns up whenever cameras take viewers backstage (to this reporter's eye, the animal hasn't surfaced on camera since Aubrey Plaza hosted the show in 2023)? Only Michaels and NBC late-night chief Katie Hockmeyer know for sure. Meanwhile, people who stay at the show for years are eventually going to leave — and "SNL" will continue until the senior executives at NBCU and parent Comcast determine its costs outweigh the benefits of having it on air. Over the years, the program has weathered the exits of Chevy Chase, Eddie Murphy, Will Ferrell, Tina Fey and Kristen Wiig. Chances are it will absorb a few others. To be certain, more "SNL" changes may lie in the offing. How many more years can Kenan Thompson continue on cast after 22 seasons? Do "Weekend Update" co-anchors Colin Jost and Michael Che, each of whom has tested projects outside the show in recent years, have other ideas in the works? And, certainly, there have beenmoments when cast departures truly rattled the show. In the early part of last decade, "SNL" bid farewell to Jason Sudeikis, Bill Hader and Fred Armisen, all roughly a season after the exits of Andy Samberg and Kristen Wiig. In 2022, Kate McKinnon, Aidy Bryant, Kyle Mooney and Pete Davidsonall left at the same time,followed afew months later by Cecily Strong.Too many cast farewells at once may leave the remaining members of the "SNL" troupe with many of shoes to fill, sometimes without a full pipeline of developing players. For the most part, however, people who are animated by every year's late-August burst of "SNL" personnel news ought to see it for what it is: a well-devised promotional tactic from Michaels and NBC that gets people talking about the show after it has been on hiatus for a few months. Consider the fact that there hasn't been a fresh episode of "SNL" since Scarlett Johansson hosted in mid-May, and yet dozens of news stories and reams of online chatter about the program continue to surface. Bloodbath? Earthquake? Shocker? Sure, you can call the cast announcements any of these things. Something may happen in coming days that truly warrants such colorful words. But the smarter "SNL" aficionado might do well to quote the catchphrase of Emily Litella, the popular "Weekend Update" character played by early cast member Gilda Radner: "Never mind." Best of Variety Samsung, Sonos, Criterion Collection Among Top Brands on Sale for Labor Day - See Running List Here What's Coming to Disney+ in September 2025 New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week Sign up forVariety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us onFacebook,Twitter, andInstagram.

byLiam Oneel

in

August 31, 2025

‘SNL’ Bloodbath? Hardly. Lorne Michaels’ Annual Cast Exits Occur as Regularly as ‘Weekend Update’

'SNL' Bloodbath? Hardly. Lorne Michaels' Annual Cast Exits Occur as Regularly as 'Weekend Update' At "Saturday Nigh...

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'Harry Potter' director rules out original cast reunion due to J.K. Rowling controversy

'Harry Potter' director rules out original cast reunion due to J.K. Rowling controversy

Will a "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child" film starringDaniel Radcliffe,Emma WatsonandRupert Grintever happen? Don't hold your breath, director Chris Columbus says. Columbus, who directed the first two movies in the "Harry Potter" franchise, has previously expressed interest in turning the "Cursed Child" stage play into a film that would bring back the original cast. But ina new interview with The Sunday Timespublished on Saturday, Aug. 30, the filmmaker said this is no longer possible due to authorJ.K. Rowling's anti-trans controversy. "It's never going to happen," he said. "It's gotten so complicated with all the political stuff. Everyone in the cast has their own opinion, which is different from her opinion, which makes it impossible." Columbus added, "I haven't spoken to Miss Rowling in a decade or so, so I have no idea what's going on with her, but I keep very close contact with Daniel Radcliffe and I just spoke to him a few days ago. I still have a great relationship with all the kids in the cast." Rowling, the author of the "Harry Potter" books, has become a divisive figure in recent years due to heranti-trans views. In April, sheagain drew backlashwhen she celebrated a U.K. Supreme Court ruling that the definition of a woman refers to biological sex under equality legislation. Radcliffe, Watson and Grint have all made it known that they disagree with the author's views on the transgender community. J.K. Rowlingsays 'Harry Potter' stars who've criticized her anti-trans views 'can save their apologies' "Transgender women are women," Radcliffesaid in 2020. "Any statement to the contrary erases the identity and dignity of transgender people and goes against all advice given by professional health care associations who have far more expertise on this subject matter than either (Rowling) or I." "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child," which opened on the West End in 2016, takes place 19 years after "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" and features the return of an older Harry, Hermione and Ron. In a 2021 interviewwith The Hollywood Reporter, Columbus revealed he wanted to bring the play to the big screen with the original film trio. J.K. Rowlingcelebrated UK Supreme Court ruling with a cigar. Backlash was swift. "A version of 'Cursed Child' with Dan, Rupert and Emma at the right age, it's cinematic bliss," he said at the time. "If you're a film nerd or cinephile, it's kind of like what J.J. (Abrams) did with 'Star Wars.' ... I think that would be the same situation for 'Harry Potter' fans. To able to actually see these adult actors now back in these roles? Oh, yeah. It would be amazingly fun to make that film — or two films." Since then, HBO announced a new"Harry Potter" televisionseries, which will adapt the original books starring young actors in the lead roles of Harry, Ron and Hermione. Rowling is a producer on the show,and she says she"worked closely" with the writers. In arecent appearance on the "Rest Is Entertainment"podcast, Columbus said that while he's "excited" to see the HBO show, he was surprised when he saw a photo of Nick Frost as Hagrid, adding that the costume looked quite similar to the way Hagrid appeared in his "Potter" films. "He's wearing the exact same costume that we designed for Hagrid," Columbus said. "Part of me was like, 'What's the point?' I thought everything was going to be different, but it's more of the same." Though a "Cursed Child" movie may not be in the cards,Tom Felton announced in Junethat he will reprise his film role of Draco Malfoy in the play beginning in November. Feltontold Varietyhe is "not really that attuned to" the controversy surrounding Rowling, adding, "I have not seen anything bring the world together more than 'Potter,' and she's responsible for that, so I'm incredibly grateful." Contributing: Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY; Reuters This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:'Harry Potter' director rules out 'Cursed Child' film over J.K. Rowling

byLiam Oneel

in

August 31, 2025

'Harry Potter' director rules out original cast reunion due to J.K. Rowling controversy

'Harry Potter' director rules out original cast reunion due to J.K. Rowling controversy Will a "Harry Potter and the Cursed Chi...

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DaRon Bland contract: Cowboys extend CB on four-year deal

DaRon Bland contract: Cowboys extend CB on four-year deal

TheDallas Cowboyshave agreed to terms on a contract extension for a key, All-Pro defensive player. Obviously, it's notMicah Parsons. Instead, cornerbackDaRon Blandgets his deal, according tomultiplereportsSunday: a four-year, $92 million extension with $50 million in guaranteed money. Bland earned his first Pro Bowl and first-team All-Pro nods in 2023 after leading the NFL with nine interceptions, including five that he returned for a touchdown. It was an excellent follow-up to something of a breakout rookie year with his five interceptions in 2022. The All-Pro corner missed the first 10 games of the 2024 season while recovering from a stress fracture he suffered during training camp. Bland did not record an interception in his seven appearances after his return. 1989: Cowboys trade Herschel Walker to Vikings for picks haul Now, after an offseason that already included an extension for tight end Jake Ferguson and, notably,not one for Parsons, theCowboyshave locked up their former fifth-rounder four days before the start of the season. Here's what to know about Bland's extension: MICAH PARSONS TRADE:Cowboys deal 4x Pro Bowler to Packers in blockbuster Length:Four years Value:$92 million ($50 million guaranteed) Average annual value (AAV):$23 million Bland's four-year, $92 million extension includes $50 million in guaranteed money, the 12th-most money in guarantees at the position and notably ahead of fellow Cowboys corner Trevon Diggs' $42.3 million in guarantees. The deal's $23 million average annual value (AAV) is the sixth-highest of all cornerbacks, just behind Broncos cornerback – and reigning Defensive Player of the Year – Patrick Surtain II. The Cowboys' decision to extend Bland instead of Parsons will be even more notable given its timing. Dallas traded Parsons to Green Bay on Thursday and extended Bland three days later. The value of each player is obviously different, a statement backed up by the fact that the AAV on Parsons' new deal with the Packers is more than twice that of Bland's. Still, Cowboys owner/general manager Jerry Jones has certainly put more of a microscope on how Bland performs after receiving his new extension, given its timing. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:DaRon Bland contract details after Cowboys grant CB four-year deal

byLiam Oneel

in

August 31, 2025

DaRon Bland contract: Cowboys extend CB on four-year deal

DaRon Bland contract: Cowboys extend CB on four-year deal TheDallas Cowboyshave agreed to terms on a contract extension for a key, All-Pro d...

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Guardians' Emmanuel Clase, Luis Ortiz remain on leave amid probe

Guardians' Emmanuel Clase, Luis Ortiz remain on leave amid probe

Major League Baseball and its players association extended the non-disciplinary paid leave of Cleveland Guardians right-handers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz "until further notice" amid an ongoing sports betting investigation. Ortiz and Clase were placed on leave July 3 and July 28, respectively. The leave had been set to expire on Sunday prior to the extension. "We have been informed of the extension and will continue to fully cooperate with the investigation," the Guardians said in a statement. The regular season ends Sept. 28. Clase, 27, is 5-3 with a 3.23 ERA and 24 saves in 48 appearances this season. He led the American League in saves and made the All-Star team in each of the three previous campaigns and had a career-high 47 saves in 2024. Clase is 21-26 with 182 saves and a 1.88 ERA in 366 career games (one start) with the Texas Rangers (2019) and the Guardians. According to reports, Ortiz's investigation focuses on in-game prop bets involving two pitches that garnered higher activity than usual. One was tossed in a June 15 game against the Seattle Mariners, and another on June 27 versus the St. Louis Cardinals. Ortiz, 26, is 4-9 with a 4.36 ERA in 16 starts this season. The native of the Dominican Republic was acquired from the Pittsburgh Pirates as part of a three-team trade that included the Toronto Blue Jays on Dec. 10. --Field Level Media

byLiam Oneel

in

August 31, 2025

Guardians' Emmanuel Clase, Luis Ortiz remain on leave amid probe

Guardians' Emmanuel Clase, Luis Ortiz remain on leave amid probe Major League Baseball and its players association extended the non-disc...

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Frank Grillo Gets Candid About the Difference Between Working with Marvel vs. DC — and Which He Prefers More (Exclusive)

Frank Grillo Gets Candid About the Difference Between Working with Marvel vs. DC — and Which He Prefers More (Exclusive)

Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Frank Grillo, who stars as Brock Rumlow in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and Rick Flag Sr. in the DC Universe, told PEOPLE which franchise matched his preferred work style Grillo, 60, also discussed the differences between the two franchise, saying with DC, "the scripts are in front of you," while with Marvel things are done a little more on the "fly" The actor also discussed going toe-to-toe with John Cena's Peacemaker and Chris Evans' Captain America Frank Grillois explaining how collaborating with DC feels worlds apart from his time working with Marvel. The 60-year-old actor, who stars as Rick Flag Sr. in the DC Universe (DCU) and Brock Rumlow in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) recently told PEOPLE in an exclusive conversation that there are several key differences between the two studios both on-screen and behind the scenes. "It's different. It's not organized in the same way. [DC] is really like all the scripts are in front of you and you kind of have a real secure handle on what's happening," Grillo says at thePeacemakerSeason 2 premiere. "And there's nothing wrong with it, but [Marvel] was a little fly by the seat of your pants," he adds, referring to Marvel, at the Aug. 13 event. Zade Rosenthal/Disney/Marvel He noted that Marvel was "done very well," but it can be daunting for some actors who don't know what is in store for their characters in the script. "For me, it's a little scary to do it that way," Grillo admits. However, there are some similarities between the two characters he plays as both Brock Rumlow and Rick Flag Sr. are soldiers who are fighting for what they believe in. DC Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE's free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. In the MCU'sCaptain America: The Winter Soldierfrom 2014,Grillo has an intense fight scene withChris Evans' Captain America. He also goes toe-to-toe withJohn Cena's Peacemaker in the second season of the DCU show. When it comes to which was the better fight, Grillo knows his answer. "I had no problem beating the crap out of either one of them," he said, jokingly, despite his character losing the fight to Captain America. "I mean … I don't know. They were both easy pickings." Grillo is not the only one who stars in movies for both universes, as Michael Rooker and Sean Gunn, who starred inGuardians of the Galaxyas Yondu and Kraglin, also are in the DCU, following in the footsteps of the film's directorJames Gunn. James, 59, also recently weighed in on Marvel vs. DC, saying that the key distinction between the two lies in how their universes are built. In a recent chat withInterview Magazine, the filmmaker explained that while Marvel often ties its heroes together under one overarching narrative, his approach at DC is about exploring different heroes and worlds told through standalone stories. Charley Gallay/Getty "People say, 'Oh, the DCU is doing what MCU is.' But I think it really is a lot more to me what theGame of Thronesworld is like or whatStar Warsis like, because we're building a universe and then picking out little pieces of it and telling individual stories from that universe," James said. "There is not a New York City in our DCU. There is not a Los Angeles in our DCU," he continued, describing the differences. "There is Metropolis, Evergreen and Coast City. It's a different map. It's a world in which some form of superheroes, which we call Metahumans, have existed for at least 300 years and they've been a part of our life." Peacemaker's season 2 is streaming on HBO Max. Read the original article onPeople

byLiam Oneel

in

August 31, 2025

Frank Grillo Gets Candid About the Difference Between Working with Marvel vs. DC — and Which He Prefers More (Exclusive)

Frank Grillo Gets Candid About the Difference Between Working with Marvel vs. DC — and Which He Prefers More (Exclusive) Dimitrios Kambouris...

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Kim Novak Is 'Concerned' Upcoming Biopic, Starring Sydney Sweeney, Will Focus Only on 'Sexual' Aspect of Sammy Davis Jr. Romance

Kim Novak Is 'Concerned' Upcoming Biopic, Starring Sydney Sweeney, Will Focus Only on 'Sexual' Aspect of Sammy Davis Jr. Romance

Taylor Hill/FilmMagic; Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty; Christian Rose/Roger Viollet via Getty Kim Novak is "concerned" that an upcoming biopic about her romance with Sammy Davis Jr. will only focus on the "sexual" aspect of their relationship Scandalous!, currently in pre-production, is set to star Sydney Sweeney and David Jonsson "I don't think the relationship was scandalous," Novak said Kim Novakhas some qualms about an upcoming biopic based on her life. Scandalous!,starringSydney SweeneyandDavid Jonsson, is currently in preproduction and will follow the real-life story of the 1950s romance between the actress, 92, andSammy Davis Jr. "I don't think the relationship was scandalous," Novak toldThe Guardianfor a new interview published on Saturday, Aug. 30. "He's somebody I really cared about," she continued of the late musician, who died at age 64 in 1990. "We had so much in common, including that need to be accepted for who we are and what we do, rather than how we look. But I'm concerned they're going to make it all sexual reasons." Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE's free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Don Smith/Radio Times via Getty Novak's longtime manager, Sue Cameron, previously stressed the importance of getting their story right whenspeaking to PEOPLE exclusivelyin November 2024. "Kim and I have been aware of at least four unauthorized and unapproved projects in development about the Kim Novak and Sammy Davis affair," she said at the time. "She never wanted to get married back then — to anyone. It was a romance based on love, respect, the things they shared in common," Cameron added. She continued, "Kim and Sammy met at a party and recognized they were both rebels and outsiders. They both had strong ties to their families and spent time with close relatives in both Hollywood and Chicago. In truth, she hoped their relationship could help break down people's racial bias." The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now! Novak and Davis' relationship ended due to external pressure — including from the head of Columbia Pictures, Harry Cohn, who threatened Davis with a mob hit when news of the romance broke in 1957. Taylor Hill/FilmMagic Scandalous!,from Miramax, will be directed byColman Domingo, marking the actor's directorial debut. "Hopefully we'll make a beautiful, sweet film that's really about the possibility of love, but under many eyes," he toldDeadlineof the project in November 2024. "Trying to have privacy, trying to have love, trying to have a life. And I think it's something that Sydney and I both know very well. We're trying to advocate for your humanity again in your life," Domingo added, referring to Sweeney, 27. Scandalous!does not yet have a release date. Read the original article onPeople

byLiam Oneel

in

August 31, 2025

Kim Novak Is 'Concerned' Upcoming Biopic, Starring Sydney Sweeney, Will Focus Only on 'Sexual' Aspect of Sammy Davis Jr. Romance

Kim Novak Is 'Concerned' Upcoming Biopic, Starring Sydney Sweeney, Will Focus Only on 'Sexual' Aspect of Sammy Davis Jr. Rom...

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Cowboys legend Michael Irvin blasts Jerry Jones over Micah Parsons trade

Cowboys legend Michael Irvin blasts Jerry Jones over Micah Parsons trade

Dallas Cowboyslegend Michael Irvin appeared to be extremely unhappy with Jerry Jones over the decision to trade pass rusher Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers this week. The deal was announced on Thursday with Dallas receiving two first-round picks and defensive linemanKenny Clarkin the trade. The move ended weeks of drama between Jones and Parsons over contract extension negotiations that never bore fruit. Parsons agreed to a long-term deal with the Packers as soon as the trade was completed. Click Here For More Sports Coverage On Foxnews.com Irvin said he was "in a state of shock" over the deal that sent Parsons to the Packers. "In order for us to be right here, something had to go down that hurt Jerry personally to make this crazy, dumb move. … This is a gamble 'The Gambler' should not have taken in my personal opinion," he said on hisYouTube page. Parsons requested a trade on Aug. 1 when negotiations initially fell through. Jones said a trade wouldn't occur and urged Cowboys fans not to lose sleep over the possibility. Parsons wanted his agent to be a part of the discussions but the sides never made any meaningful progress. Read On The Fox News App Cowboys Announce Death Of Super Bowl Champion, 'Doomsday Defense' Anchor Lee Roy Jordan The star linebacker then made a spectacle of his final preseason outing with the team. He was lying on the training table behind the bench as the game was going on. "This trade was not just thought about today," Jones said Thursday. "This trade has been going on in our mind and our strategies and being talked about, it's been going on all spring. It culminated today, and it came quick. But that's the way things go. It does happen fast when it happens." Parsons welcomed the fresh start inGreen Bayon Friday. "I would say these last four months have probably been the hardest four months of my life," Parsons said. Parsons, when healthy, is arguably the best pass rusher in the NFL. He racked up 52.5 sacks in 63 games with the Cowboys. He was the Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2021. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Follow Fox News Digital'ssports coverage on Xand subscribe tothe Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter. Original article source:Cowboys legend Michael Irvin blasts Jerry Jones over Micah Parsons trade

byLiam Oneel

in

August 31, 2025

Cowboys legend Michael Irvin blasts Jerry Jones over Micah Parsons trade

Cowboys legend Michael Irvin blasts Jerry Jones over Micah Parsons trade Dallas Cowboyslegend Michael Irvin appeared to be extremely unhappy...

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Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer after loss to Florida State: 'We've got to do a better job'

Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer after loss to Florida State: 'We've got to do a better job'

"We've got to do a better job,"Alabamacoach Kalen DeBoer said at the beginning ofhis news conferencefollowingthe Crimson Tide's 31-17 losstoFlorida Stateon Saturday. "We've got to do a better job." However, Alabama fans might feel strongly that DeBoer needs to change his focus from the plural to the singular in that sentence.Heneeds to do a better job when the No. 8 team in the country loses to an unranked opponent — though still formidable, despite coming off a 2-10 season. [Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Football league for the 2025 NFL season] The main point DeBoer tried to emphasize is that Alabama needs to assert itself early and show that it's the better team. "I choose to believe we've got a good football team, but we can't play on our heels," he added,via AL.com. "We're not going to be what we think we can be, what we want to be if that's the case and so that falls on everyone." The Tide took an early 7-0 lead over the Seminoles, scoring on their first possession. However, Florida State answered on its first series, tying the game at 7-7 before scoring the next 17 points to take a 24-7 lead in the third quarter. Of particular concern was Florida State's ability to run the ball and push Alabama around at the line of scrimmage. The Seminoles totaled 236 yards rushing, averaging 5.1 yards per carry. Quarterback Thomas Castellanos rushed for 78 yards on 16 carries, while Micahi Danzy was especially explosive with 56 yards on three attempts. Heart and physicality on display@G27football#NoleFamily|#KeepCLIMBingpic.twitter.com/aWCNRKbOum — FSU Football (@FSUFootball)August 31, 2025 To stand up to a rushing attack, DeBoer emphasized winning individual matchups and working within the defensive scheme to move ballcarriers toward help. "Guys get one on one, in space and you've got to find a way to get them on the ground," he said. "You've got to use your leverage, you've got to find ways to trust your buddies around you that they're in pursuit." The coach also expressed some frustration at the offense not being able to finish drives with points despite moving into Florida State territory seven times. He seemed to imply that the team was satisfied after scoring on its first possession and didn't maintain aggressiveness and execution on subsequent series. "There's got to be some competitive stamina," DeBoer said. "It was a long drive, the first one and it was hard work. You had to execute, you had to make some big plays and you did it. Now you've got to go back out there and you've got to do it again and you've got to stack play after play after play." The offense wasn't helped by star receiverRyan Williams sustaining a concussionon a helmet-to-helmet hit from Florida State's Earl Little Jr. in the fourth quarter. The play was initially flagged for targeting, but that was overturned. Alabama has two more non-conference games versus Louisiana-Monroe and Wisconsin before beginning SEC play against No. 5 Georgia,viewed as a favoriteto win the conference. If the team doesn't show improvement on both sides of the ball, fans won't stand for DeBoer faulting the players' execution much longer. Eventually, the shortcomings will fall squarely on the head coach who already has five losses in his first 14 games.

byLiam Oneel

in

August 31, 2025

Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer after loss to Florida State: 'We've got to do a better job'

Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer after loss to Florida State: 'We've got to do a better job' "We've got to do a better job,...

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Mark Hamill and Wife of 47 Years Marilou Reveal Their Two Big Marriage Rules: 'Odds Are Against You' (Exclusive)

Mark Hamill and Wife of 47 Years Marilou Reveal Their Two Big Marriage Rules: 'Odds Are Against You' (Exclusive)

Gabe Ginsberg/WireImage Mark and Marilou Hamill shared some of their best marriage advice with PEOPLE after nearly 50 years of marriage The couple, who share three children, tied the knot in 1978 at their home in Malibu, Calif. The two spoke with PEOPLE about their beloved community of Big Rock during a recent conversation about the new documentaryBig Rock Burning, which chronicles the impact of this year's L.A. wildfires on the Malibu neighborhood Nearly 50 years after tying the knot,MarkandMarilou Hamillknow a thing or several about what makes a marriage work. After meeting in the mid '70s at a dental office where Marilou worked as a dental hygienist, the couple wed in December 1978 at their home in Malibu, Calif. Now, almost five decades andthree kids later, Marilou tells PEOPLE that from her experience, when it comes to marriage, "Don't sweat the little stuff." "And also, go in knowing you're not going to change anyone. So you have to accept their quirks and their behavior," Marilou adds before Mark humorously interrupts: "What quirks?" Ethan Miller/FilmMagic Mark agrees, saying it's both about "acceptance" as well as "communication." "I just think that when you find the right one, the odds are against you," theStar Warsactor adds. "But if you do get lucky, you just have to hang on and be grateful that you were able to find that one." The Hamills shared their marriage advice during a recent conversation with PEOPLE about the new documentaryBig Rock Burning, which the couple executive produced. The two reflected on their community of 47 years — the Big Rock neighborhood in Malibu — and the home they had to leave amid the L.A. wildfires earlier this year. "We got married there, We raised our kids there. It's a very, very special property," Marilou says. The film, which had an exclusive preview screening hosted by the Malibu Film Society and the City of Malibu on Aug. 29 at Malibu City Hall, tells the stories of those in Big Rock who were "left to face the fires alone," per the opening credits of the film, and includes devastating footage of the rubble left where homes once stood. The documentary's focus is largely how Big Rock's residents feel their local government was negligent in their preparation for the natural disaster. And, once the fires made it to their neighborhood, they say there was no emergency response as the area was considered too dangerous. While their home is still standing, the Hamills have yet to return as "it's toxic with chemicals," Mark explains. "I'm so thankful and grateful that our house survived," Marilou says. "But I just didn't realize the ramifications of it." Big Rock Burning,which has a producing team that includes Julie Parker Benello, James Costa and executive producerRicki Lake, will have an Oscar-qualifying theatrical run from Sept. 12-18 at the Laemmle in Santa Monica. Read the original article onPeople

byLiam Oneel

in

August 31, 2025

Mark Hamill and Wife of 47 Years Marilou Reveal Their Two Big Marriage Rules: 'Odds Are Against You' (Exclusive)

Mark Hamill and Wife of 47 Years Marilou Reveal Their Two Big Marriage Rules: 'Odds Are Against You' (Exclusive) Gabe Ginsberg/WireI...

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Snoop Dogg addresses backlash after slamming 'Lightyear' same-sex couple

Snoop Dogg addresses backlash after slamming 'Lightyear' same-sex couple

Snoop Doggis addressing the backlashover his controversial commentsabout LGBTQ+ characters in kids' films. The rapper, 53, recently came under fire over remarks he made onthe "It's Giving" podcast, where he said he was unhappy after taking his grandson to see the Pixar movie "Lightyear" because it featured a same-sex couple having a baby together. "These are kids," he said on the Aug. 20 episode. "We have to show that at this age? They're going to ask questions! I don't have the answer." After sparking outcry and accusations of homophobia, Snoop Dogg responded to critics by commenting on aHollywood Unlocked Instagram postabout the story. He wrote that he was "just caught off guard and had no answer for my" grandson, also claiming, "All my gay friends (know) what's up they been calling me with love." He continued, "My bad for not knowing the answers for a 6 yr old 😳 teach me how to learn I'm not perfect." In the original podcast, Snoop Dogg said his grandson asked him how a woman can have a baby with another woman while they were watching "Lightyear," and he was unsure how to answer. The "Toy Story" spinoff, released in 2022, featured an early scene where Buzz Lightyear's commanding officer Alisha is revealed to have welcomed a child with her wife. The movie ignited conservative backlash at the time of its release due to a brief kiss between Alisha and her partner. Snoop Doggfaces backlash for take on LGBTQ+ representation in kids' films On the podcast, Snoop Dogg slammed the film for "throwing me in the middle of" a situation where he didn't "have an answer" for his grandson, and he said he is "scared to go to the movies now" because of the experience. The comments drew anger and mockery on social media, with oneX post slammingSnoop Dogg as the "biggest sellout in hip-hop" in reaction to the statements. "Wait, no, this is actual homophobia,"another X user said, drawing over 350,000 likes. Earlier this year, Snoop Doggalso faced social media ireafter he performed at an event celebrating the inauguration ofPresident Donald Trump. Lauren Gunderson, a writer who worked on early versions of "Lightyear,"took to Threadsto defend the storyline after Snoop Dogg's comments. Gunderson said that when a "key character needed a partner" in the film, it "was so natural to write 'she' instead of 'he.'" Snoop Doggaddresses 'all the hate' after Trump inauguration performance backlash "As small as that detail is in the film, I knew the representational effect it could have," she said. "Small line, big deal. I was elated that they kept it. I'm proud of it. To infinity. Love is love." In response to a Threads user who criticized Snoop Dogg,Gunderson also replied simply,"He sucks." This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Snoop Dogg addresses backlash to 'Lightyear' LGBTQ comments

byLiam Oneel

in

August 31, 2025

Snoop Dogg addresses backlash after slamming 'Lightyear' same-sex couple

Snoop Dogg addresses backlash after slamming 'Lightyear' same-sex couple Snoop Doggis addressing the backlashover his controversial ...

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WR Jonah Winston following in brother's footsteps, commits to Florida State

WR Jonah Winston following in brother's footsteps, commits to Florida State

There's another Winston on the way to Tallahassee. Three-star wide receiver Jonah Winston, brother of Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Jameis Winston,has committed to play football for Florida Statenext fall. Winston announced his decision moments afterFSU upset No. 8 Alabamaon Saturday, Aug. 30. The 5-foot-9 Winston is a senior at Hoover (Alabama) High School. In his first game of the season, Winston caught seven passes for 79 yards and a touchdown against IMG Academy. He choseFlorida Stateover Arkansas and Maryland, among other schools. He is the 23rd commitment in theSeminoles' 2026 class, and the sixth receiver to announce his intention to play for FSU. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Florida State lands Jonah Winston, Heisman winner Jameis' brother

byLiam Oneel

in

August 31, 2025

WR Jonah Winston following in brother's footsteps, commits to Florida State

WR Jonah Winston following in brother's footsteps, commits to Florida State There's another Winston on the way to Tallahassee. Thre...

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Oscar Piastri wins Dutch Grand Prix as Lando Norris DNF

Oscar Piastri wins Dutch Grand Prix as Lando Norris DNF

Oscar Piastri won the Dutch Grand Prix on Sunday in a race that could impact the finishes of the season-ending Formula One championships. Piastri's McLaren teammate, Lando Norris, was forced out of the race because of mechanical difficulty with seven laps to go. At the time, they were running 1-2 but smoke from Norris' car engine, apparently due to an oil leak, forced him to pull off the course. Norris' troubles brought out the safety car for the third time; the first two came after Ferrari drivers Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc were involved in separate crashes that did not allow them to finish the race at Circuit Zandvoort in the coastal town of Zandvoort, the Netherlands. Piastri, the pole sitter, led all 72 laps despite the constant pressure applied by Norris. And Piastri wasn't overjoyed by seeing his teammate exit the race, which was a turnaround from 2024, when Norris won and Piastri finished fourth, 22 seconds back. "I controlled the race when I needed to and obviously incredibly unfortunate for Lando at the end, but I felt like I was in control of that one and just used the pace when I needed to," he said. "It was a bit of a different race to 12 months ago so very happy with all the work we've done to try and improve around here. Very satisfied to come out on top." With the win, Piastri earned 25 points, which Norris banked zero since he didn't finish. Piastri now has a 34-point lead over Norris in the drivers' championship with nine races left in the season. "I was a bit disappointed, but there's nothing I could really do about it in the end," Norris said after the race. "Frustrating, but it's out of my control, so nothing I could do." McLaren is running away with the team constructors' championship, with the real battle for second place. Despite disappointing individual seasons, the Ferrari team of Hamilton and Leclerc opened the day in second place, ahead of Mercedes. And the contest for second place got closer with Hamilton crashing into the wall as light rain started to fall on Lap 23. His car suffered significant damage to the front end. "It's not a normal sort of thing for me to have, [to] crash out of a race. I can't really say too much more about it," said Hamilton, a seven-time individual champion. Leclerc found trouble at Lap 53 when Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes nipped Leclerc's left rear tire, forcing him out of the race. Antonelli was able to continue. The Ferrari team entered the weekend with a 24-point lead over Mercedes in the team standings. With neither car finishing, the gap dwindled to 12 points. Norris' winning time was 1:38:29.849, with Red Bull's Max Verstappen in second and rookie Isack Hadjar of Racing Bulls making his first F1 podium. George Russell of Mercedes was fourth. Hadjar, a 20-year-old from France, was the beneficiary of Norris' engine trouble as he was able to move up from fourth place. "It feels a bit unreal," Hadjar said "What was most surprising for me was keeping that fourth place for the whole race. "Unfortunately for Lando, we took advantage of his [retirement], but we made no mistakes. The car was on rails the whole weekend, and I'm really happy about myself because I really maximized what I had, made no mistakes and brought home the podium, so I'm so happy for my guys." --Field Level Media

byLiam Oneel

in

August 31, 2025

Oscar Piastri wins Dutch Grand Prix as Lando Norris DNF

Oscar Piastri wins Dutch Grand Prix as Lando Norris DNF Oscar Piastri won the Dutch Grand Prix on Sunday in a race that could impact the fin...

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Devon Walker Clears Up Confusion Over ‘Saturday Night Live’ Exit: ‘Time to Go Our Separate Ways’

Devon Walker Clears Up Confusion Over 'Saturday Night Live' Exit: 'Time to Go Our Separate Ways'

Devon Walkerset the record straight about his exit fromSaturday Night Liveahead of season 51. "To be frank, I guess the best way I put it is like me and the show kind of looked at each other and we decided together that it was time to go our separate ways," Walker, 34, toldRolling Stonein an interview published on Saturday, August 30. "I think I felt ready to leave the show, and I think the show felt ready to leave me. I was just ready to do something else. We both felt like it was time. This was such a big time commitment, and life commitment. There's been a lot of life stuff that I feel like I've had to miss out on. And I felt ready to do a different version of my life. I think that me and the show are both ready to turn the page." Walker surprisedSNLfans when he announced on Monday, August 25, that he wasleaving the NBC sketch showafter three seasons. His announcement was the first in a string of exits that would also seeMichael Longfellow,Emil WakimandHeidi GardneralldepartingSaturday Night Live. In his announcement, Walker seemed to suggest he'd had a complicated experience working onSaturday Night Live, admitting that "sometimes it was really cool [and] sometimes it was toxic as hell." 'Saturday Night Live' Season 51: Premiere Date, Cast Exits and Everything You Need to Know "We made the most of what it was, even amidst all the dysfunction," he wrote. "We made a f***ed up lil family." Speaking toRolling Stone, Walker noticeably downplayed any insinuation that there was bad blood between himself andSNL. "I got to work at the show in my first two seasons with two of my best friends in the world — [writers]Gary RichardsonandAlex English," he pointed. "To me, that really felt like family. And you spend so much time together, we're seeing each other way more than we're seeing our families. Being able to be in that environment, in the foxhole with two people who are so close to me — I feel really grateful for that." The actor went on, "And even people who I didn't know before, likeJames Austin Johnson. I never met him a day in my life before I got started atSNL, and that man really looked out for me in ways that he really didn't have to. There are people there who, even if you didn't know each other before, you forge a bond with." Walker mentioned that he loved the "fraternity" environment ofSNLthat allowed him to interact with legendary cast members at February's 50th anniversary special. "I might see, like,Adam Sandler, you know, and he's talking about how there's a shorthand," the comic said. "Even though he went through the show 30 years before I ever got there, we know what it is. There's just an understanding that anybody who's ever worked there will always share." As for the future, Walker insisted that he was "genuinely very excited" about whatever comes next in his career. 9 Moments From Saturday Night Live's Milestone 50th Season "I think when somebody leavesSNL, people's impulse is to be like, 'Oh, I'm really sorry," he acknowledged. "But to me, getting onSNLwas such a blessing. I was never even training to do that thing. That's just like a God thing, a fortunate happenstance that I ended up getting to be on that show. I'm proud of a lot of the work that I did on there, but wait till people get to see the stuff that I really want to do." Fans — and even formerSNLcast members — have been buzzing about what other changes could take place behind the scenes before season 51 kicks off. FormerSNLstarPunkie Johnson— who exited the show after four years in 2024 — perfectlycaptured the whiplash effectmany fans have been feeling. Reacting to an Instagram post announcing Longfellow's departure, Johnson, 40, wrote: "WTF is happening… This is likeThe Departed… My sexy handsome work husband… I love you so much…I'll call you… Welcome back outside baby…. I'll see you out here soon." Saturday Night Livereturns this fall on NBC.

byLiam Oneel

in

August 31, 2025

Devon Walker Clears Up Confusion Over ‘Saturday Night Live’ Exit: ‘Time to Go Our Separate Ways’

Devon Walker Clears Up Confusion Over 'Saturday Night Live' Exit: 'Time to Go Our Separate Ways' Devon Walkerset the record ...

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Olivia Newton-John pushed back against provocative song with 'spicy' lyrics: book

Olivia Newton-John pushed back against provocative song with 'spicy' lyrics: book

Olivia Newton-John was worried about letting people hear her body talk. The singer, who won countless hearts as Sandy in "Grease" and charmed many more as music's wholesome girl next door, was hesitant to be bad. But with a little encouragement from one of her closest confidantes, she channeled the animal in her with the song "Physical." John Mason, who represented the late singer for 50 years, has written a new memoir,"Crazy Lucky."It explores what it takes to defend the famous during career-defining moments. He still represents Newton-John's estate and her daughter, Chloe Lattanzi. Mason previously worked with Roy Orbison, Reba McEntire, Shakira and Quincy Jones, among others. Beach Boys Founder Brian Wilson Regretted Being Blocked From Band's Hit Song: Book Mason wrote in his book that when Newton-John first read the lyrics, she exclaimed, "John, I simply cannot do it. I can't sing the lyrics… Please!" But for Mason, the song was "edgy" – and exactly what the star needed to reinvent herself. Read On The Fox News App "Olivia Newton-John always had what she called a 'goody-two-shoes' persona," Mason told Fox News Digital. "She always had a young, girlish energy.When she did 'Grease,'the surprise to me was that she came out and did 'You're the One That I Want' in that black tight outfit. Randal Kleiser, the director, certainly helped Olivia to get out of the image of Sandy… And then she became the 'Bad Sandy.' But in her mind… She was still the same girl who had recorded 'I Honestly Love You.'" According to Mason's book, "Physical" was first presented to Tina Turner. She turned it down because the lyrics were "a bit too sexy." It was Turner who suggested giving the song to Newton-John because "who would expect Olivia Newton-John to sing those words?" But Newton-John wasn't having it. WATCH: OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN FEARED LOSING 'GOODY-TWO-SHOES' IMAGE WITH 'PHYSICAL' "John, the lyrics have me singing 'There's nothin' left to talk about unless it's horizontally!'" Mason recalled the star telling him. "'I'm worried the fans won't embrace it." "No, I can't do that. That is just contrary to my image," she told him. But Mason heard a different tune. "She asked me what I thought, and I said, 'It's worth it,'" Mason told Fox News Digital. "'Your manager thinks that it will enhance your image. Go for it.' And she did." Newton-John was said to be so worried about recording "Physical" that her manager, Roger Davies, assured her that if anything happened, "You can blame me." Newton-John slipped into her leotards and leg warmers for the bouncy single. It was a smash hit. Click Here To Sign Up For The Entertainment Newsletter "'Physical' became the biggest number one, not only that Olivia ever had, but that anybody ever had at that time," said Mason. "Physical" debuted on Sept. 28, 1981, two months after MTV was launched. It was the most iconic solo hit of Newton-John's decades-long career and one of the most defining smashes of the 1980s,Billboard.comreported. It also allowed Newton-John to embrace a sexier image on her terms. "The [music] video is hilarious to this day," said Mason. "I want to give credit to Roger Davies for getting Olivia to open up and let that happen. But as always, with Olivia as an actress or a singer, she pulled off what she wanted to do in a spectacular way." Mason wrote in his book that radio stations banned the song for being too racy. It went on to sell even more copies. "I would say the concept for the video, as opposed to the record, was really, really exciting for her," he said. "She had the best personality. She was such a funny person, and when you watch the 'Physical' video today, you can see that she just had fun. When the record came out, the lyrics were a little what she would call 'spicy.' But they made it into something fun. Like What You're Reading? Click Here For More Entertainment News "'Physical' was about running on the treadmill and getting in shape, as much as it was about the innuendo of the song. [But] I think the words, 'unless it's horizontally,' are definitely an implication of something other than getting on the treadmill." "She had fun with it," Mason continued. "It was a blast. And [every] time I saw Olivia perform 'Physical' after the record was released, she always treated it like fun. To her, it was just a great uplifting experience, and one that spoke to people in a way about being fit, as well as being sexy." Newton-John's aerobics-friendly promotional clipwon a Grammy for best video. Newton-John later admitted that she blushed as she sang, "There's nothing left to talk about/Unless it's horizontally" before calling out, "Let's get animal! Animal!" "I recorded it and then suddenly thought, 'Goodness, maybe I've gone too far!'" she toldEntertainment Weeklyin 2017. "I called Roger and said, 'We've got to pull this song!' He said, 'It's too late. It's already gone to the radio, and it's running up the charts.' I was horrified!" Back in 2021, Newton-John spoke to Fox News Digital about how "Physical" reinvented her image. At the time, she said the songwas originally intended for Rod Stewartbefore it was offered to Turner. "I heard the song, and I thought, 'Wow, that's a great song,'" she recalled at the time. "I didn't really realize what it was about. I didn't think until I'd finished it and then freaked out. [I thought then] 'I think I've gone too far, I think I've gone too far.' But it worked for me, so I'm very happy that I took the chance." Newton-John admittedthe lyrics were a bit "raunchy"but "I don't think I was really aware of how raunchy it was when I was recording it until afterward, and that's when I freaked out." "I felt a little embarrassed to be banned,"the "Grease" staradmitted. "But looking back now, I go, 'That was great.' It got attention. And also compared to what I'm listening to on the radio now, it's more like a lullaby." Newton-John died in 2022following a long journey with breast cancer. She was 73. Original article source:Olivia Newton-John pushed back against provocative song with 'spicy' lyrics: book

byLiam Oneel

in

August 31, 2025

Olivia Newton-John pushed back against provocative song with 'spicy' lyrics: book

Olivia Newton-John pushed back against provocative song with 'spicy' lyrics: book Olivia Newton-John was worried about letting peopl...

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