It started with a tweet. What if Harry Potter attended an HBCU? Now it’s a book series

It started with a tweet. What if Harry Potter attended an HBCU? Now it’s a book series

It all began with a post on Twitter. It was 2020 during the height of the pandemic and LaDarrion Williams was thinking about the lack of diversity in the fantasy genre. He proposed: “What if Harry Potter went to am HBCU in the South?” “Growing up, I watched ‘Twilight,’ I watched ‘Hunger Games’ and ‘Divergent’ … Read more

Kevin Spacey denies new allegations of inappropriate behavior to be aired on UK television next week

Kevin Spacey denies new allegations of inappropriate behavior to be aired on UK television next week

LONDON — LONDON (AP) — Kevin Spacey, the Oscar-winning actor, has denied new allegations of inappropriate behaviour from men who will feature in a documentary on British television that is due to be released next week. In an online interview with journalist Dan Wootton, Spacey said he has never done anything illegal and admitted that … Read more

Wrexham owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney want to expand stadium capacity to 55,000

Wrexham owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney want to expand stadium capacity to 55,000

Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have given an insight into their long-term ambitions for Welsh soccer team Wrexham, which they hope could eventually see the capacity of its Racecourse Ground stadium increase massively to 55,000. The Hollywood pair have already transformed the fortunes of the historic but down-on-its-luck club through their $2.5 million takeover in … Read more

At Tony Award nominations, there’s no clear juggernaut but opportunity for female directors

At Tony Award nominations, there’s no clear juggernaut but opportunity for female directors

NEW YORK — After a final, frantic push to open the last raft of Broadway shows before the eligibility window closed, the final list of almost 40 plays and musicals vying for Tony Award nominations this year are ready and hoping for their closeups. Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Renée Elise Goldsberry will announce nominees for … Read more

What to stream this week: Dua Lipa, Seinfeld’s ‘Unfrosted’ ‘Hacks’ and ‘Welcome to Wrexham’

What to stream this week: Dua Lipa, Seinfeld’s ‘Unfrosted’ ‘Hacks’ and ‘Welcome to Wrexham’

The return of “Hacks” and a new Jerry Seinfeld movie are some of the new television, movies, music and games headed to a device near you. Also among the streaming offerings worth your time as selected by The Associated Press’ entertainment journalists: New episodes of “Behind the Music,” Selena Gomez taking her cooking skills to … Read more

Journalists critical of their own companies cause headaches for news organizations

Journalists critical of their own companies cause headaches for news organizations

NEW YORK — This spring, NBC News, The New York Times and National Public Radio have each dealt with turmoil for essentially the same reason: journalists taking the critical gaze they deploy to cover the world and turning it inward at their own employers. Whistleblowing isn’t unique to any industry. Yet the contrary outlook baked … Read more

Once dominant at CBS News before a bitter departure, Dan Rather makes his first return in 18 years

Once dominant at CBS News before a bitter departure, Dan Rather makes his first return in 18 years

NEW YORK — Dan Rather returned to the CBS News airwaves for the first time since his bitter exit 18 years ago, appearing in a reflective interview on “CBS Sunday Morning” days before the debut of a Netflix documentary on the 92-year-old newsman’s life. After 44 years at the network, 24 as anchor of the … Read more

Nicole Kidman, who ‘makes movies better,’ gets AFI Life Achievement Award

Nicole Kidman, who ‘makes movies better,’ gets AFI Life Achievement Award

LOS ANGELES — LOS ANGELES (AP) — Morgan Freeman spoke the words, but pretty much everyone who took the stage at the presentation of the AFI Life Achievement Award agreed: “ Nicole Kidman. She makes movies better.” The line came in a video parody of Kidman’s AMC Theatres “we make movies better” ad that opened … Read more

California Disney characters are unionizing decades after Florida peers. Hollywood plays a role

California Disney characters are unionizing decades after Florida peers. Hollywood plays a role

ORLANDO, Fla. — During three years of working as a parade performer at the Disneyland Resort in Southern California, Zach Elefante always has had a second or third job to help him earn a living. Unlike the experiences of his peers at Disney’s parks in Orlando, Florida, where there is a much smaller talent pool, … Read more

News anchor Poppy Harlow announces departure from CNN

News anchor Poppy Harlow announces departure from CNN

ATLANTA — Anchor Poppy Harlow is leaving CNN, according to the network. Harlow, who joined CNN in 2008 and most recently co-hosted “CNN This Morning,” announced her parting from the cable news giant in an email to colleagues. She called her time at CNN “a gift.” “I have been inspired by you and learned so … Read more