AP Entertainment Digest for Monday, Dec. 14, 2020
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MONDAY, Dec. 14
UPDATES with DANCE-Q&A-MELANIE HAMRICK and MICHAEL JACKSON-ACCUSERS DOCUMENTARY
TV-BIG SKY-NATIVE AMERICAN PROTESTS — The attempt by producers of ABC’s “Big Sky” to address Native American criticism of the show has started out with rocky results. By AP TV Writer Lynn Elber. SENT: 850 words, photos.
YE-THE YEAR IN PUBLISHING — In the world of books, it was a year like no other and a year in some ways not so different. An industry that prides itself on free expression and high ideals was forced to confront its own blind spots about race and gender. The pandemic shut down bookstores around the country and forced publishers to cancel author tours or move them online. Yet through it all, books kept selling. By National Writer Hillel Italie. SENT: 1,150 words, photos. With YE-THE YEAR IN PUBLISHING-ABRIDGED.
DANCE-Q&A-MELANIE HAMRICK — Dancer Melanie Hamrick spent most of 2020 in lockdown with her partner, Mick Jagger, and their young son. Now back in the United States, she’s put together “A Night at the Ballet,” a free streaming event filmed in a theater that brings classical ballet highlights to dance-starved fans and even more importantly, gave needed work to dancers and technical crews. By National Writer Jocelyn Noveck. SENT: 950 words, photos and video.
FILM-NATIONAL FILM REGISTRY — This year’s inductees into the National Film Registry include a record number of female directors and filmmakers of color as well as a new crop of movies ranging from a silent short film thriller, classic musicals and an acclaimed Batman film. The Library of Congress announced Monday that films including “The Dark Knight,” “Suspense,” musicals “Grease” and “The Blues Brothers” along with Sidney Poitier’s Oscar-winning performance in “Lilies of the Field” are among the 25 movies tapped for preservation. By Entertainment Writer Jonathan Landrum Jr. SENT: 490 words, photos.
BRITAIN-JUSTIN BIEBER-NHS — Justin Bieber has teamed up with a choir of London medical staff to record a special charity Christmas single. SENT: 200 words.
MICHAEL JACKSON-ACCUSERS DOCUMENTARY — A federal appeals court ruled Monday that a lawsuit filed by the Michael Jackson estate over an HBO documentary about two of the late pop star’s sex abuse accusers can go forward in private arbitration. By Entertainment Writer Andrew Dalton. SENT: 340 words, photos.
THE STREAM — A roundup of the film, music and television releases headed to a screen or device near you this week. SENT: 700 words, photos.
CELEB BIRTHDAYS — Celebrities having birthdays during the week of Dec. 20-26 include actors Jonah Hill and Jane Fonda as well as singer Meghan Trainor. SENT: 1,500 words, photos.
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FILM REVIEW-WONDER WOMAN 1984. By Film Writer Jake Coyle. Upcoming: 700 words by 6 p.m. Wednesday, film stills.
FILM REVIEW-ASSASSINS. By Film Writer Lindsey Bahr. Upcoming: 700 words by 6 p.m. Wednesday, film stills.
MUSIC REVIEW-PAUL McCARTNEY. By Scott Bauer. SENT Monday: 280 words, album cover
BOOK REVIEW-FOOL ME TWICE. By Jeff Lindsay. Reviewed by Bruce DeSilva. SENT Monday: 340 words, cover image.