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We’re celebrating 50 years of “Saturday Night Live“! All this week, we’re digging into the late-night comedy institution with new stories, including lists, essays, interviews, and more.

It’s certainly a familiar scene by now, one we’ve all become quite accustom to over the last half century: There’s Lorne Michaels, the famed producer of a televised sketch comedy show airing on NBC. There’s a cast of ever-changing talented performers. At this particular point in time, Jim Downey is the head writer. Al Franken, Tom Davis, Jack Handey, and Alan Zweibel are all on the writing staff. There’s a live audience. There’s a musical guest. There’s the familiar parody newscast. On this particular night, Steve Martin is a guest, as he often is to this very day. Watching a clip on YouTube from this particular night from the mid-’80s, Steve Martin opens the...

Miles Teller has high hopes for the Michael Jackson biopic.The 37-year-old actor will portray the King of Pop's lawyer John Branca in the upcoming movie 'Michael' and revealed that his lifelong fascination with the 'Thriller' artist was key to persuading him to feature in the film.In an interview with Collider, Miles said: "From the time I was a little kid, I've been fascinated with Michael Jackson. I learned how do to the moonwalk and was like, (imitates Michael), even when I was just a little kid."He's the greatest performer of all time, in my opinion. He was such a complicated individual, and I think we'll get to explore that."Michael's nephew, Jaafar (Jackson), is playing Michael, and it's uncanny. I'm excited."The 'Top Gun: Maverick' actor added: "It's the King of Pop, baby. It's gonna be a rock show."The biopic, which is slated for...

What couldn’t Quincy Jones do?

He wrote, composed and arranged music for your favorite artists and even produced films and TV shows that launched some of your favorite actors. He not only changed careers — he changed lives.

Here we break down some of the biggest acts and projects Jones worked on, from Michael Jackson’s seminal Thriller album to “We Are the World” to winning 28 Grammys, an Emmy and a Tony.

Michael Jackson

Before he met Jones while working on The Wiz, Jackson had been known for the Jackson 5 and released four solo albums that had mild success. Then they made Off the Wall and the King of Pop fully arrived. Released in 1979 around the time Jackson turned 21, the album helped him transition from young singer to critically acclaimed, matured artist. The album’s disco, funk and R&b sound resonated on the charts, helped Jackson win his first...

Quincy Jones, the legendary musician and producer who amassed 28 competitive Grammys over his staggering career, has passed away. He was 91.

With collaborations with the likes of Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, and countless others, it’s hard to put into words just what sort of legacy Quincy Jones left behind. Working consistently since the 1950s, Jones made his mark almost immediately on the music world, getting his start in Chicago before tagging along for a European tour where he could showcase his jazz talents.

But it was the 1960s when Quincy Jones truly emerged as an artist, not only producing Sinatra’s classic It Might as Well Be Swing album, but lending to film soundtracks as well. His breakout on that front was for Sidney Lumet’s The Pawnbroker, but it would be for In Cold Blood that Jones earned his first Oscar nomination for Best Original Score. He...

Quincy Jones, who distinguished himself over the course of a 70-year career in music as an artist, bandleader, composer, arranger and producer, has died. He was 91.

Jones died Sunday night at his home in the Bel Air neighborhood of Los Angeles, according to a statement shared with Variety by his rep Arnold Robinson. A cause of death was not disclosed.

“Tonight, with full but broken hearts, we must share the news of our father and brother Quincy Jones’ passing. And although this is an incredible loss for our family, we celebrate the great life that he lived and know there will never be another like him,” the Jones family said in the statement. “He is truly one of a kind and we will miss him dearly; we take comfort and immense pride in knowing that the love and joy, that were the essence of his being, was shared with the...

Michael Jackson is a name that echoes in the hearts of music lovers around the world. It all started during the ’60s when the “King of Pop” was barely a teenager; he joined the famous Jackson 5, a group formed around him and his brothers. Things eventually took their own course when Mj started to get recognized for his unique voice.

Michael Jackson in the “Beat It” music video | Credits: youtube.com/@MichaelJackson

Before tragically passing in 2009, Michael Jackson had released multiple albums and hit songs such as Thriller, They Don’t Care About Us, Billie Jean, and many more. The multi-platinum singer-songwriter inspired musicians across a vast set of genres, despite being the greatest pop singer ever.

However, Jackson was put under the spotlight for several reasons, one of them being his unique voice, which never changed even after puberty. And Joe Rogan never backs down from discussing highly controversial topics.

Unlike Superman and Superman II, Superman III didn’t even bother teasing the next installment in the franchise. Really, by the time that movie’s end credits hit, did anyone even want another entry? Hadn’t the Salkinds done enough damage to the Man of Steel? And yet, as we all know, a fourth installment in the Superman series did indeed hit theaters…with a nearly unmatched thud.

If you remember from our previous instalment of What Happened to This Movie?!, Superman III was plagued with all sorts of problems both on and off the screen. So what happened this time around? Turns out, the series would be facing its greatest battles yet, with the rights being passed to another studio, its star only signing on so he could finance another movie altogether and the budget getting chopped in more than half!

And so, let’s suit up one more...

This story is part of our Sondio Latino series for Hispanic Heritage Month.

Read more here.

When You Start playing Murio La Musica, a mixtape by Argentinian rappers AgusFortnite2008 and Stiffy, you hear an onslaught of crunchy 808s and incantation-­like chants that ascend through disorienting key changes. As soon as you can catch your breath, Cdj backspins and menacing laughter throw you into what feels like the world’s most sinister Shepard tone.

The mixtape’s opening song, “24/7,” is almost an entirely different form of music, beamed in from another dimension.

On Wednesday July 24 2024, PBS broadcasts Gods of Tennis!

Billie Jean King and Arthur Ashe Season 1 Episode 1 Episode Summary

In this episode of “Gods of Tennis” on PBS, viewers will witness the remarkable journeys of Billie Jean King and Arthur Ashe as they strive to claim Wimbledon titles in 1975. Both tennis legends exude skill and determination on the court as they battle for victory in one of the sport’s most prestigious tournaments. The tension and excitement are palpable as they face formidable opponents in their quest for glory.

However, the narrative goes beyond the tennis court. Billie Jean King and Arthur Ashe emerge as influential figures in global social change, using their platforms to advocate for equality and justice. Their actions off the court showcase their commitment to making a difference in the world, inspiring viewers with their courage and conviction. As the episode unfolds, audiences will gain a deeper...

The major record labels have filed lawsuits against the prominent AI music generation companies Suno and Udio on Monday, accusing the companies of training their AI tech on the unlicensed works of some of the world’s biggest artists.

The suits — filed in Massachusetts and New York — were filed by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) which represents the industry’s “Big Three” record companies Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment and Warner Music Group. The three labels collectively represent most of the biggest artists in pop music history.

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Rolling Stone may receive an affiliate commission.

It’s a vinyl world — we’re just spinning in it.

Over the last few years, artists from Taylor Swift to Beyoncé to Billie Eilish have released exclusive editions of their studio albums, giving music fans another reason to collect their favorites on vinyl.

Vinyl records have continued to explode in popularity, recently even outselling those little circular things called CDs. According to the Recording Industry Association of America (a.

The Michael Jackson biopic from director Antoine Fuqua has officially wrapped filming. Additionally, set images taken from the final days of the shoot reveal a sneak peek at the "Thriller" music video recreation.

On the Instagram page for Gk Films, a brief video clip was shared. The video reveals a set that's free of any actors or crew members, though what can be seen is a tiger cub plush and a cast chair for Jaafar Jackson, with Michael Jackson's name brandished on the front. Noted in the Instagram post is that the movie has completed filming, as a the caption stated, "And thats a wrap! Thank you to the best cast and crew we could ever ask for! See you soon, Moonwalkers! Shamonnnneee."

Latest | Gk films just shared an Insta update about wrapping up the final shoot for the Michael Jackson biopic!And that's a wrap! Thank you to the...

When you think of Michael Jackson, your thoughts probably go to his iconic songs, groundbreaking dance moves, and legendary persona. But when it came to endorsements, did you know that he also had astute business sense?

Also, did you know that the King of Pop wasn’t one for the limelight of sponsorship deals? Surprising as it may seem, when it came to his historic partnership with PepsiCo, his altruism shone as brightly as his talent. He agreed to the collaboration primarily for his family…how loving the late music icon-philanthropist was.

Michael Jackson from his music video – They Don’t Care About Us

Yet he had stipulations that highlighted his distinctive style: Jackson insisted he wouldn’t be caught on screen clutching a Pepsi can and that his face would grace the frame for no more than a brief “three-second” flash.

Michael Jackson’s Face-Time Limit in the Pepsi...

Pet Shop Boys vocalist Neil Tennant shared his thoughts on Taylor Swift‘s musical legacy, drawing comparisons to Michael Jackson’s iconic status.

While he acknowledged his admiration for much of Swift’s music, Tennant expressed his belief that she has yet to produce a standout single that can rival the star power of Jackson’s “Billie Jean.”

“Taylor Swift sort of fascinates me as a phenomenon because she’s so popular, and I sort of quite like the whole thing, but then when I listen to the records … for a phenomenon as big, where are the famous songs?” Tennant told a panel discussion organized by The Guardian in London. “What’s Taylor Swift’s ‘Billie Jean’?”

While Tennant acknowledged Swift’s exceptional vocal abilities and the exquisite production of her music, he felt that, melodically, it lacked dynamism. “She’s got a great voice, and the production is beautiful,...

Pet Shop Boys vocalist Neil Tennant has questioned whether Taylor Swift has a song as “famous” as Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean.”

During a conversation with The Guardian’s head rock and pop critic Alexis Petridisi livestreamed earlier this week, the topic turned to the ubiquitous pop star. While Tennant admitted Swift is a compelling figure, the singer said he finds her actual music “disappointing.”

Get Taylor Swift Tickets Here

“Taylor Swift sort of fascinates me as a phenomenon because she’s so popular and I sort of quite like the whole thing,” Tennant said. “But then when I listen to the records — we both have the same feeling actually — for a phenomenon as big [as she is]… where are the famous songs? What is Taylor Swift’s ‘Billie Jean’?”

After an audience member brought up “Shake It Off,” Tennant responded: “Is it though? No, ’cause I actually even know that that’s the answer,...

Yeardley Smith has been voicing Lisa Simpson for over 35 years, finding her to be the best version of a human being. Despite her success in live-action roles, Smith feels grateful for the opportunity to be creative through voice acting. Smith has no plans to step down from voicing Lisa Simpson, even if The Simpsons were to continue for another 20 years.

For over 35 years, Yeardley Smith has voiced the character of Lisa Simpson on The Simpsons, which is not only the longest-running American animated series in history, but the longest-running American sitcom as well. First lending her voice to the role in 1987 for some short skits on The Tracey Ullman Show, Smith's high-pitched tone became a staple on TV in 1989 when The Simpsons made its standalone debut. While some actors might get tired of portraying the same character over such a long stretch of time, Smith says she can't ever imagine...

“Michael,” the upcoming biopic about pop legend Michael Jackson that seems guaranteed to spark conversation, debuted a dazzling and emotional first look at CinemaCon during Lionsgate’s presentation to theater owners on Thursday in Las Vegas.

The sweeping footage starts as hysterical fans scream along to Jackson as he owns the stage, flashing between performances of his biggest hits like “Man in the Mirror” and “Thriller.” The movie, which is still in production, will feature over 30 songs and recreate several performances of them, starting with Jackson 5’s classic rendition of “ABC” on “American Bandstand.”

Directed by Antoine Fuqua, “Michael” promises to be a sweeping look at the musician’s life, including the emotional toll that being a superstar took on the shy and private man behind the moonwalk. The trailer also captures Jackson as he’s stalked by adoring crowds and paparazzi.

“There might be some people who think you’re different,...

A new documentary, Thriller 40, arrives to celebrate Michael Jackson‘s Thriller four decades after its landmark release. The doc will examine the groundbreaking album, including the iconic music video for “Thriller,” a Halloween staple.

Thriller 40 debuts December 2 at 8 p.m. Et on Showtime and will stream on Paramount+ (for Paramount+ With Showtime subscribers).

The film “takes fans back in time to the making of the record-breaking album and release of revolutionary short films that redefined the music video format and captivated audiences globally,” the official press release teased previously. “’Billie Jean’ remains the most streamed Michael Jackson song and ‘Thriller’ is the only music video that has been inducted onto the elite National Film Registry of the Library of Congress.”

The upcoming documentary will feature “never-before-seen footage and candid interviews,” chronicling “the point in Jackson’s career that launched the singer into mega-stardom and created a pop culture...

Madonna kicked off “The Celebration Tour” with the first of four performances at the O2 Arena in London on Saturday night.

A true retrospective performance, the career-spanning setlist touched on all eras of Madonna’s career and featured numerous songs that hadn’t been performed in decades. The show opened with only the second performance ever of “N0thing Really Matters” from Ray of Light. A few songs later, she dusted off “Live to Tell” from True Blue for the first time since 2006.

Songs like “Justify My Love,” “Bad Girl,” and “Rain” were performed for the first time sine 1993, while “Bedtime Story” was dusted off for the first time since 1995. Other noteworthy performances included “Like A Prayer,” in which she was accompanied by topless dancers, an acoustic cover of Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive,” and “Like a Virgin,” which was interpolated elements of Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean.”

Get...

There’s a moment late on in the first night of Madonna‘s Celebration Tour when the Queen of Pop, acoustic guitar in hand, leads The O2 Arena in a solo rendition of Gloria Gaynor’s seminal disco hit ‘I Will Survive.’

It would be a fitting choice for any 65-year-old pop star who can still play a staggering six nights at an arena that fits 20,000 people, but for Madonna, the song seems even more appropriate. This tour, a career-spanning look back at 40 years at the top, was originally set...

Director Kevin Casanova Abrams has been working diligently to bring thought-provoking dramas to the screen. He produced the Independent Spirit nominee, The Dynamiter, and the Showtime documentary, The Other Shore, before going on to team with Norman Lear for a feature length police corruption documentary called I Got A Monster. And now there’s Marisol, which was just released in theaters and VOD.

The engrossing tale revolves around the aftereffects of a dire twist of fate. The gritty side of race relations and immigration issues come to light when 17-year-old Marisol Rivera (Esméralda Camargo in her feature film debut) is accused of a crime the same night she discovers she is undocumented. She quickly flees her small Texas border town and goes on the run, all the while braving the dark realities of a new identity and an uncertain future.

Kevin Abrams, who has some personal ties to the project,...

Michael Jackson’s Wikipedia page was updated within moments of the announcement of the singer’s passing in 2009. Two of the major broadcast television networks suspended their primetime schedule to air specials about Jackson, while radio stations across the country cued up songs from his extensive catalog of hits. One woman called in to New York’s Power 105 in tears, repeating, “I loved Michael Jackson! I loved that man!” over and over, before threatening to throw herself in front of a car.

Jackson’s songs still serve as a crucible for our various compromises and self-imposed psychological barriers. It sounds carefree, but it’s impossible to listen to the music without assessing its creator’s hidden torment. Even the smoothest, catchiest, most disco-tastic singles in Mj’s back catalog are a little obsessed. (Don’t stop ‘til you get enough? Got me working day and night?)

Which is our own...

In the late ‘80s and early ‘90s there was one young actor who personified the burgeoning ennui of Generation X but, you know, made it look cool: Christian Slater. After bursting onto the scene as a teen in films like The Legend of Billie Jean, The Name of the Rose, and the underrated Tucker: The Man and His Dream, Slater was leading a number of films that have left an indelible cultural impact in the decades since. Alongside the Winona Ryders and Ethan Hawkes, Slater quickly came to represent a very specific kind of post-Reagan, aggravated anti-ambition.

Metrograph has curated a new series of films (all on 35mm!) celebrating Slater. Titled “Christian Slater: Outsider,” it starts on August 18. The movies included are Gleaming The Cube, Heathers, Pump Up the Volume, and True Romance. A perfectly selected quartet of pictures that all underwhelmed upon initial release, only to all earn cult-classic status in short order.

The first season of Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies is available to enjoy in full, with new romances, new drama, and most importantly, new music. The 10-episode series takes viewers back to a few years before the events of the original Grease film, setting the stage for the arrival of Sandy and Danny with style. The story of the Pink Ladies’ genesis is full of twists and turns and is a worthy watch for any fan of the original films.

While the songs of Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies were written by executive music producer Justin Tranter and a team of other songwriters, the score was composed by Nick Sena and Zachary Dawes. Sena and Dawes have worked on a number of projects together, including the Apple TV+ series The Big Door Prize. Screen Rant is excited to debut a selection of the duo’s work on Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies...

Do you remember what you were doing the evening of May 16, 1983? Well, you may have been one of the 47 million people tuned into NBC’s landmark special “Motown 25: Yesterday, Today and Forever.”

It was the star-studded celebration hosted by Emmy nominee Richard Pryor which saw Michael Jackson reuniting with his brothers for a medley of their Jackson 5 hits including “I Want You Back,” “The Love You Save” and “I’ll Be There.”

But it was Jackson’s solo performance of his blockbuster No. 1 hit “Billie Jean” from his breakthrough album “Thriller” which galvanized the audience. It was an electrifying turn where he introduced the fedora, black sequin jacket and glove and his momentous moonwalk routine during the bridge of the song, all of which became his trademarks when performing “Billie Jean.” The New York Times described the routine as “astonishing. He is clearly the heir apparent to the dazzling androgyny...

Yeardley Smith is an American actress, artist and writer. She is best known for voicing Lisa Simpson on The Simpsons.

Yeardley Smith Biography: Age, Early Life, Family, Education

Yeardley Smith was born on July 3, 1964 (Yeardley Smith: Age 58) in Paris, France to Joseph Smith and Martha Mayor. The family moved to Washington D.C. in 1966 where Smith’s father worked as the first obituary writer for The Washington Post and her mother worked as a paper conservator for the Smithsonian Institute.

In an exclusive interview with uInterview, Smith revealed how she got started acting.

“There was a woman in my neighborhood in Washington, D.C. who used to put on, in the summer she would gather up all the kids, she had eight kids of her own, all the kids in the neighborhood and we would lip sync to songs like from Sound of Music or Fiddler on the Roof or...

James Gunn and Peter Safran have laid out their future plans for DC Studios, and the results are pretty exciting. Having the ship steered by someone with a clear vision and an obvious love of the source material is exactly what DC movies need. Speaking of comics, Gunn recently tweeted the inspirations behind DC's new direction. He was careful to say that while these books are significant to upcoming projects, DC Studios won't be adapting them all. It's great news because the comics serving as "touchstones" are all excellent!

DC Studios may not be directly adapting all the books Gunn mentioned, but we know one recent comic that is definitely getting a movie: "Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow." The eight-issue miniseries from Tom King and Bilquis Evely first hit stands in 2021, wrapping up the following year.

It might seem surprising to adapt such a recent tale, but King and Evely have...

Image Source: Getty / Araya Diaz / Barry King

With the explosion of celebrity biopics in recent years - "Elvis," about rock legend Elvis Presley, "Bohemian Rhapsody" about Queen singer Freddie Mercury, and "Rocketman" about icon Elton John, to name a few - it was due time for Jackson's simultaneously fascinating and tumultuous personal and professional life to be highlighted in a feature film. Well, it's happening. The King of Pop is coming to a movie theater near you soon, and we finally know who's portraying him: his nephew, Jaafar Jackson.

It was announced on Jan. 18 via Deadline that the late Michael Jackson's story will be told in a new Lionsgate biopic directed by the acclaimed Antoine Fuqua and coproduced by "Bohemian Rhapsody" producer Graham King. On Jan. 30, Fuqua revealed Jaafar's casting in an Instagram post that included a photo of him dressed like his late uncle. He captioned it, "Proud...

Making a massive action film like "Top Gun: Maverick" requires a meticulous amount of planning and attention to detail. One of the reasons that the blockbuster legacy sequel works so well is the commitment to not have an overreliance on the intrusive digital effects and CGI that dominate most of the big-budget landscape. That choice was decided well before one frame of film was shot, thanks to Tom Cruise's dedication to aviation and the entire field of stunt work over the past 40 years. 

When Tony Scott's original "Top Gun" barreled its way into cinemas in 1986, practical effects were still king and audiences connected more with everyday heroes instead of caped crusaders. Scott's trademark visual style and the real-world flying captured by cinematographer Jeffrey Kimball helped wow audiences that had really never seen anything that eye-popping combined with the undeniable star power and magnetism of Cruise. 

Inevitably, the decision...

The critical burst of momentum began last month, with Donald Trump and Tucker Carlson gossiping about a prominent Republican’s penis. It has climaxed, for now, with one the most egregiously zealous converts to the cult of authoritarian Trumpism finally on the inside track to securing a seat in the United States Senate.

J.D. Vance won Ohio’s Republican primary for Senate on Tuesday, riding Trump’s home-stretch endorsement to best fellow Maga devotee Josh Mandel and state Sen. Matt Dolan, who ran a more traditional conservative campaign while Vance...

Lionsgate will distribute a new Michael Jackson biopic that will be produced by “Bohemian Rhapsody’s” Graham King. The film is being made with the cooperation of the Michael Jackson estate, which may impact how it deals with the multiple allegations of child sexual abuse that were brought against the King of Pop over the course of his career and following his 2009 death.

Entitled “Michael,” the film will be produced by King, who mined similar terrain with Freddie Mercury, and the co-executors of the Michael Jackson estate, John Branca and John McClain. The screenplay is by three-time Oscar nominee John Logan. King and Logan previously collaborated on Martin Scorsese’s “The Aviator.” Lionsgate will distribute the film worldwide.

Jackson’s life and music recently inspired a Broadway show, “Mj,” which takes place as Jackson prepares for the 1992 Dangerous World Tour — a period of time before Jackson was first accused of child sexual abuse.

Walter Yetnikoff, who rose from working-class Brooklyn to become the head of CBS Records and became a star as volatile, if not more so, than many of the million-selling artists he signed, died on Monday at age 87. The cause of death was cancer, according to The New York Times.

Yetnikoff came into power during the 1970s, as the modern music industry was becoming big business; he prided himself on a hard-charging, take-no-prisoners, booze-for-breakfast style that turned the industry into a series of gladiatorial contests — over artists, hits, headlines, women, and more.

Dorinda Medley wants you to sweat for a good cause. The former “Real Housewives of New York” star and professional aerobics instructor is teaching an ’80s-themed aerobics — or Dorobics, as she likes to call it — class on Moxie April 23. All proceeds benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities.

To get ready for the workout, Variety asked Medley to name some of her favorite ’80s hits.

1. “Work That Body,” Diana Ross: “This song has the perfect aerobics eight-beat, and the music video of her dancing in a leotard is iconic. Diana’s solo career really blossomed in the ’80s, and this song fueled the aerobics movement to become more mainstream. It’s a must-play song in my Dorobics classes.”

2. “It’s Raining Men,” the Weather Girls: “Whenever I was with my girlfriends and this song would come on, we would just feel so sexy and empowered dancing in our leotards. Look at us!

The story of how Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles went from underground comic book to the highest grossing independent film of all time is the stuff of Hollywood legend. But ask producer Tom Gray about the sequel, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze, and you are likely to hear an altogether different tale. One of a frantically rushed production, censorship backlash and a change of director and direction. Actors were replaced, there were clashes with the comic book creators and a series of strange and unusual characters were added to the mix – including Vanilla Ice.

Gray was head of production at Golden Harvest, the Hong Kong studio behind martial arts classics like Bruce Lee’s Enter the Dragon, when comedian-turned screenwriter Bobby Herbeck first approached him about a live-action film adaptation of Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird’s cult comics.

It’s fair to say he took some convincing.

Caroline Williams began her career in Texas, and quickly established herself in the Texas movie marketplace doing commercials, industrial films and voiceover work. She soon found herself busy with roles in such films The Legend Of Billie Jean (1985) and Getting Even (1985). After her star-making turn as Stretch in 1986’s The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Pt 2., Caroline moved to LA and appeared in films such as The Stepfather 2 (1989), Days Of Thunder (1990), and The Grinch Who Stole Christmas (2000)

In her latest, Ten Minutes To Midnight, Caroline Williams returns to the DJ booth for the first time since The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Pt 2. Williams plays Amy Marlowe, a veteran late night radio host on the eve of forced retirement trapped inside the station by a violent storm after being bitten by a rabid bat.

Caroline Williams took the time to talk to We Are Movie Geeks about her career and about Ten Minutes To Midnight.

One of the things that made the Beatles, when they first arrived, seem magical was the uncanny way the look and sound of all four of them matched up. For all their iconic differences, they had variations on the same thick billowy dark hair, gleaming lemon-shaped smile, and Liverpool singsong and mocking twinkle. They seemed as related as brothers.

The Bee Gees, of course, were brothers (there were three of them), a fact that in itself isn’t remarkable, though like the Beatles they rhymed in ways that were at once visual, temperamental, and sonic. Born in the U.K. and raised (mostly) in Australia, they had different versions of the same overbite. All three exuded an angelic serenity. And those voices! To say that the Gibb brothers blended together with seamless perfection wouldn’t do the sound they created justice. United by a silky timbre that was in their DNA,...

Bruce Swedien, the celebrated audio engineer and producer who worked on records by Michael Jackson, Mick Jagger, Donna Summer, Duke Ellington, Paul McCartney and many more, died Tuesday at the age of 86.

Swedien’s daughter, the musician Roberta Swedien, confirmed his death on Facebook, writing, “A legend in the music industry for over 65 years and five-time Grammy winner, he was known for his work with Quincy Jones, Michael Jackson and many more. He had a long life full of love, great music, big boats and a beautiful marriage. We will celebrate that life.

The struggling, pandemic-era state of the theater industry is about to be boosted by a bit of Turtle Power (as Partners in Kryme’s end-credits soundtrack song famously declared), with the big screen return of the celebrated 1990 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie.

Fathom Events’ latest big screen retro release will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Renaissance reptiles’ iconic live-action feature, with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles set for a limited return run at select theaters on Thursday, November 5 and Saturday, November 7. Granted, said celebration will be a belated one, seeing as the film debuted on March 30, 1990, but it will nevertheless serve as a wantonly retro moment for a certain generation that can recall the original film’s release as a seminal moment in childhood and for pop culture in general.

“We are excited to celebrate 30 years of a film that brings families together in a fun, entertaining and hilarious way,...

Yeardley Smith (iconic voice of Lisa Simpson and host of the podcast Small Town Dicks) joins Josh & Joe to discuss her favorite musical numbers from women.

Show Notes: Movies Referenced In This Episode

Maximum Overdrive (1986)

The Legend of Billie Jean (1985)

Gilda (1946)

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953)

The Wizard of Oz (1939)

The Philadelphia Story (1940)

Pitch Perfect (2012)

Pitch Perfect 2 (2015)

Pitch Perfect 3 (2017)

Dreamgirls (2006)

Respect (2021)

Chicago (2002)

The Dot And The Line (1965)

West Side Story (1961)

On The Waterfront (1954)

Funny Girl (1968)

A Star Is Born (1954)

Gypsy (1993)

Divine Madness (1980)

8 ½ (1963)

Nine (2009)

Other Notable Items

Stephen King

Dino De Laurentiis

The Simpsons TV series (1989- ), quite possibly the greatest show of all time

Gunsmoke TV series (1955-1975)

The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet TV series (1952-1966)

Lisa Simpson

Harlan Ellison

Yeardley’s podcast Small Town Dicks

Yeardley’s production company Paperclip, Ltd

J.K. Simmons

Zoom TV series (1972)

Rita Hayworth

“Put The Blame On Mame” performance from Gilda

Jane Russell...

The success of MTV in the 1980s also helped propel the careers of many executives still working in music today, several of whom are featured in the A&e documentary “I Want My MTV” (read Variety‘s review), which premieres tonight (Sept. 8). Among those first employees: John Sykes, now the chairman of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and president of iHeartMedia Entertainment.

“The people assembled were the best thing about MTV,” Sykes says, giving full credit to Bob Pittman, the corporate visionary who was essential in bringing MTV to life and now runs iHeartMedia as its CEO and chairman. “None of us had any experience in television — we came from the music business, from Conde Nast, from marketing firms — so that’s why MTV looked like nothing else on television. But that was the plan from day one, to create something that was completely different than the status quo.

Christian Slater is one of the most accomplished film and television actors to make it in Hollywood over the past four decades. After beginning his career as a child actor appearing in TV shows such as All My Children and Tales From the Darkside, Slater made his big-screen debut in the 1985 film The Legend of Billie Jean.

Related: Mr. Robot: Every Episode In Season 4, Ranked (According To IMDb)

In the 35 years since his movie debut, Slater has accumulated more than 120 big and small screen credits. While he spent most of the 90s and 2000s making movies, his stint on West Wing in 2002 led to a new path for Slater on television where he's since appeared in Mr. Robot, Dirty John, The Lion Guard, and many more. As for the big-screen, here are Christian Slater's 10 best movies, as per Rotten Tomatoes.

After the stunning news of David Bowie’s death, people all over the world tearfully dug out their old Bowie records and re-lived the countless amazing moments from his five-decade career. One of the most interesting clips to emerge comes from MTV, who posted this interview that Bowie did in 1983 with original VJ Mark Goodman – even though it doesn’t paint the network in a very flattering light. While promoting Let’s Dance, Bowie takes the then two-year-old network to task for playing virtually no videos by black artists. “Having watched...

Scream Queen Caroline Williams joined the Dead for Filth podcast as a special guest for their latest episode. In it, the panel discusses Williams' many accomplishments and more. Also in today's Horror Highlights: Hellbound Hearts: The Dark Art of Clive Barker event at The Miskatonic Institute of Horror Studies - London and Don't Click production details.

Dead for Filth Podcast Welcomes Caroline Williams: "Scream Queen Caroline Williams is a featured guest on the latest edition of the “Dead For Filth” podcast hosted by the extremely accomplished screenwriter/producer Michael Varrati.

Iconic Scream Queen Caroline Williams began her career in Texas, co-starring for revered cinema master Louis Malle is his Corpus Christi-based film, Alamo Bay. She worked opposite stars Ed Harris and Amy Madigan in what was her first feature film, after only six months of training at the Studio For Actors, under the tutelage of Chris Wilson. She had...

This Sunday marks one year since the passing of filmmaker Tobe Hooper. Last year we celebrated Hooper's legacy on a very special and solemn episode of our podcast, and one of the co-hosts on that episode was of course film journalist Patrick Bromley. Nobody on the planet has celebrated Hooper's work like Bromley has over the years, especially in the months after the director's unexpected passing, and Bromley's celebration of the influential director will continue in its biggest installment yet this Sunday in a live video tribute featuring some very special guests that will pay their respects to one of the horror genre's unsung heroes.

Beginning at 10:00am Cst on Sunday, August 26th on F This Movie! and running throughout the day, Patrick Bromley's live tribute to Tobe Hooper will feature special guests who worked with Hooper, including filmmaker and Post Mortem podcast host Mick Garris and actress Caroline Williams.

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment sends word that John Carpenter's Christine is getting a 4K Ultra HD release this September just in time for the movie's 35th anniversary:

From the Press Release: Culver City, Calif. – The scare factor in John Carpenter’s terrifying classic Christine revs up even higher when it debuts for the first time on next-generation 4K Ultra HD on September 11 from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. Celebrating its 35th Anniversary, Christine follows a sentient and violent vintage Plymouth Fury and its effect on the car’s new teenage owner. The film stars Keith Gordon, John Stockwell, Alexandra Paul and Harry Dean Stanton (Alien). In addition, the film will also debut in 4K via participating digital platforms.

Christine is presented in 4K resolution and includes newly-remixed Dolby Atmos audio – perfect for this dynamic and impactful film. 4K Ultra HD features four times the resolution of high definition, high dynamic...

Nathaniel welcomes our first all Los Angeles panel for this discussion of the 1985 film year. Comedian/Writer Louis Virtel (Billy on the Street), Producer/Writer Abdi Nazemian ("The Authentics"), Actress Nora Zehetner and Director/Writer Michelle Morgan (It Happened in L.A.). We just wrote about the Supporting Actress nominated performances of 1985 but now it's time to zoom out on the films and the film year itself when Oprah Winfrey and Madonna began their global takeovers, Anjelica Huston became a third generation Oscar favorite, and Out of Africa eventually won Best Picture.

Smackdown '85 Companion Podcast

(58 minutes)

00:01 Anjelica vs Oprah with a little Amy Madigan on the side

10:00 Our entire group has a Jane Fonda "problem" - shout-outs to Klute and lots of head-scratching over the plot of Agnes of God

20:00 Meg Tilly and Jennifer Tilly and Oscar trivia

22:00 Should they remake The Color Purple?

28:00 Syphilitic Out of Africa,...

Sure. Billie Jean is not a superhero in the spandex, cape, superpowers sense. And she is not based on a pre-existing comic book character. But she is a strong female warrior, who is truly a hero in her own right. And the movie The Legend of Billie Jean serves as the perfect template for what has come since in the realm of female superhero movies, none-of-them, dare we even say Wonder Woman, quite able to live up to the excitement and adventure on display here in all its raw, 80s form. Even so, it often gets overlooked whenever the subject of female led movies comes up, specifically those of the superhero kind. It barely ever registers a blip. Though it had a familiar superhero in the lead by way of Helen Slater, who played Supergirl just one year before.

It's almost like the writers of The Legend of Billie Jean,...

No doubt about it: The 1980s was a strange time to channel surf. Those neon-tinted, big-haired, irony-free days have provided Internet curio-seekers with fodder for infinite terabytes of grainy, colorful ephemera. And one of the cornerstones of weird Eighties television was "Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling" (G.L.O.W. for short), an all-female pro-wrestling league whose exploits were filmed in Las Vegas and syndicated nationwide.

It's the type of retro-kitsch from the Reagan era could have vanished down the YouTube black hole – until Netflix resurrected it, sort of. The cult...

I don’t know if you’re anything like me, but I can often spend hours upon hours trawling through iTunes looking for new movies to buy… Usually I’ll randomly come across a title I haven’t seen in years and use the “Cast & Crew” links to make my way down the rabbit hole to the more obscure side of Apple’s digital movie service.

Now whilst many will decry that iTunes is a terrible VOD service due to Apple’s desire to lock its audience to their platforms, if you have an Apple TV or iPad be aware – there are some truly obscure films hidden away in the depths of the vast collection of movies. Some of which have been made available in the UK for the first time since VHS and a Lot that have been added to the service in their original uncut form!

So, with...

There’s been a lot of talk recently regarding the lack of female superhero films in general and the lack of great ones in particular, but I’d argue the singular fun one has been sitting right in front of us since the mid-eighties. And it stars Helen Slater in the title role. And it’s not Supergirl. The Legend of Billie Jean is about a young woman who stands up for truth and justice, changes into a sexy costume (of sorts), has sidekicks and a nemesis and even has her own catchphrase in “Fair is fair!” It’s cheesier than a constipated cow, but the story and character beats deliver fun and excitement all set to a catchy ’80s soundtrack. The supporting cast is a roster of familiar faces in Christian Slater, Yeardley Smith, Peter Coyote, Keith Gordon and Dean Stockwell, but the film belongs to Helen Slater. The film just hit Blu-ray a few weeks...