May 24, 2023

Here's the Scoop...

Tina Turner died Wednesday at the age of 83. Turner's official Facebook page made the announcement.

"With her music and her boundless passion for life, she enchanted millions of fans around the world and inspired the stars of tomorrow," the post wrote. "Today we say goodbye to a dear friend who leaves us all her greatest work: her music."

"With her, the world loses a music legend and a role model," Bernard Doherty, her U.K. spokesperson, said per Deadline.

Born Anna Mae Bullock, Tina Turner sang with husband Ike Turner as a duo. Their hits include "River Deep, Mountain High," "Nutbush City Limits" and "It's Gonna Work Out Fine."

After divorcing, Turner fought in court to retain her stage name, Tina Turner. She enjoyed a career as a solo artist with hits "What's Love Got to Do With It," "Simply the Best" and "Private Dancer."

Turner's autobiography, I, Tina, with Kurt Loder, was published in 1986. In it, the performer alleged Ike Turner abused her. The book was the basis of the 1993 film What's Love Got to Do With It, starring Angela Bassett and Laurence Fishburne as Tina and Ike.

Turner wrote the new song "I Don't Wanna Fight" for the movie. She also acted in films Tommy, Last Action Hero and Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome.

Turner played the villain in Mad Max and wrote two songs, the opening title theme "One of the Living" and the hit single "We Don't Need Another Hero."

She also sang the James Bond theme song for 1995's Pierce Brosnan debut Goldeneye and the song "Great Spirits" from the Disney film Brother Beat. Turner also played herself in an episode of Ally McBeal.

HBO chronicled Turner's life and career in the 2021 documentary Tina in which she participated.

Be Well,
Steve

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'The Flash' final trailer: Ezra Miller, Michael Keaton, Sasha Calle unite

DC is teasing the new movie The Flash.

The studio shared a final trailer for the superhero film Tuesday featuring Ezra Miller, Michael Keaton and Sasha Calle.

The Flash is written by Christina Hodson and directed by Andy Muschietti. The film follows Barry Allen (Miller), aka The Flash, a police forensic investigator with superhuman speed.

The trailer shows Barry travel back in time in an attempt to prevent his mother's death. He unites with Kara Zor-El (Calle), aka Supergirl, and an alternate version of Bruce Wayne (Keaton), aka Batman.

"Worlds collide in The Flash when Barry uses his superpowers to travel back in time in order to change the events of the past. But when his attempt to save his family inadvertently alters the future, Barry becomes trapped in a reality in which General Zod has returned, threatening annihilation, and there are no Super Heroes to turn to. That is, unless Barry can coax a very different Batman out of retirement and rescue an imprisoned Kryptonian... albeit not the one he's looking for," an official synopsis reads.

Michael Shannon, Ron Livingston, Maribel Verdú, Kiersey Clemons and Antje Traue also star. Ben Affleck reprises his role of Batman.

The Flash opens in theaters June 16.

WATCH IT NOW: THE FLASH - FINAL TRAILER

Gina Miles wins Season 23 of 'The Voice'

Gina Mies has been crowned the Season 23 winner of The Voice.

Miles beat out her fellow finalists Noivas, D. Smooth, Sorelle and Grace West for the honor.

Blake Shelton, Chance the Rapper, Kelly Clarkson and Niall Horan were the superstar coaches this season.

Miles is the first artist whom Horan has coached to win the competition.

Tuesday's 2-hour episode also served as a tribute to Shelton, who is leaving the singing competition show.

Former coaches such as Miley Cyrus and Usher, along with many of the past contestants whom he mentored, showed their gratitude and affection through heartfelt messages and a standing ovation for the country star before he left the building.

"Can't believe it's been 23 seasons of @nbcthevoice... and especially can't believe today is my final episode. It's bittersweet. When we signed up for season 1, I don't think any of us knew what this was going to be," Shelton tweeted before the live show aired.

These past 12 years I have made lifelong friends and memories. I've had the great opportunity to coach some really talented artists, 9 who have taken home #TeamBlake wins (let's make that 10 tonight?), and watch these artists grow so much from the show. Thank you to everyone... the crew, the coaches, the contestants, the fans, and my wife who have made these some really great years. Love y'all!!!!!!"

Netflix begins password sharing crackdown in the United States

Netflix began alerting subscribers that they will no longer be allowed to share their accounts with users outside of their households.

The streaming service said Tuesday it started notifying official members this week, telling them their Netflix account is for one household only and while everyone in the household can have password access, those living outside the household will be cut off.

"Everyone living in that household can use Netflix wherever they are -- at home, on the go, on holiday -- and take advantage of new features like Transfer Profile and Manage Access and Devices.

"We recognize that our members have many entertainment choices. It's why we continue to invest heavily in a wide variety of new films and TV shows -- so whatever your taste, mood or language and whoever you're watching with, there's always something satisfying to watch on Netflix."

Netflix said extra memberships can be purchased starting at $7.99 per month for those living outside the household.

However, subscribers to Netflix's $9.99 per month Basic, or $6.99 Standard with Ads plans, will not have the option to add extra members to their accounts.

A support page detailing the plan states the primary household is determined by the IP address on the device where the paying subscriber watches Netflix. Additional members outside of that household can be invited to the primary user's plan and will have their own password and profile but must be activated within the same country as the paying subscriber.

Netflix previously tested the password-sharing test in the United States has already been copied in Canada, New Zealand, Portugal, and Spain. The company had scheduled its initial shutdown in February but pushed it back to this month.

Last month, Netflix announced it plans to end its iconic DVD by mail service with the last shipment going out on Sept. 29. Netflix mail service, which started in 1997 revolutionized the VHS and DVD industries, where customers before had to physically go into a store to purchase and rent them.

Netflix then took another radical step in becoming one of the first entertainment companies to stream entertainment shows, starting in 2007.

MTV VMAs set for Sept. 12 in Newark, N.J.

The 2023 MTV Video Music Awards is set to return to New Jersey's Prudential Center on Sept. 12.

The prize presentation will air live.

No host has been announced yet, but Nicki Minaj, LL Cool J and Jack Harlow presided over last year's event when Minaj and Taylor Swift won all of the top awards.

"We are incredibly proud to have the Prudential Center once again serve as the home for the 40th Annual MTV Video Music Awards," Jake Reynolds, the venue's president, said in a statement Tuesday.

"All eyes of the entertainment industry will be focused on Newark, New Jersey, as the brightest stars come together to perform at a marquee showcase within our world-class venue. This event allows us the opportunity to celebrate all genres of music for fans throughout the world, as we do all year round. We appreciate the ability to continue our long-standing partnership with MTV and look forward to an amazing evening."

'Skull Island' teaser introduces Netflix anime series

Netflix is giving a glimpse of the new show Skull Island.

The streaming service shared a teaser trailer for the anime series Tuesday.

Skull Island is set in Legendary's MonsterVerse, which features Godzilla, King Kong and other Toho Co. characters. The franchise also includes Godzilla (2014), Kong: Skull Island (2017) and other live-action films.

Skull Island centers on the titular Skull Island, an island ruled over by the giant ape Kong.

Netflix announced the show in a press release in January 2021.

"Skull Island is a thrilling animated adventure series that follows shipwrecked characters desperate to escape the most dangerous place on Earth -- a mysterious island home to prehistoric monsters, including the greatest titan of them all, Kong," an official description reads.

The new series is produced by Powerhouse Animation (Castlevania), with Brian Duffield as writer and executive producer.

Skull Island premieres June 22 on Netflix.

WATCH IT NOW: Skull Island - Official Teaser

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Rapper Fetty Wap gets six years in prison for cocaine trafficking

Rapper Fetty Wap, legal name William Junior Maxwell II, was sentenced to six years in prison Wednesday for drug trafficking.

He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess nearly 500 grams of cocaine.

Facing possible life in prison, he reached a plea deal with prosecutors in August that called for a minimum five-year prison sentence.

U.S. District Judge Joanna Seybert sentenced Maxwell to six years in prison and five years of post-release supervision. New Jersey corrections officer Anthony Cyntje was sentenced in March to 72 months in prison for his role in the drug distribution.

According to court filings, Maxwell and four co-defendants distributed more than 100 kilos of cocaine, fentanyl and heroin from June 2019 through June 2020 across Long Island and New Jersey.

The Justice Department said in a statement that search warrants executed during the investigation recovered roughly $1.5 million in cash, 16 kilos of cocaine, 2 kilos of heroin and "numerous" fentanyl pills as well as two 9mm handguns, a rifle and two other pistols and ammunition.

Maxwell was arrested before taking the stage at a concert at New York City's Citi Field in October 2021.

The men got the drugs on the west coast, according to the Justice Department, and transported them to New York and New Jersey using both the Postal Service and vehicles with hidden compartments.

The other defendants are Anthony Leonardi of Long Island; Robert Leonardi of Levittown, Penn.; and Brian Sullivan and Kavaughn L. Wiggins, both of Long Island.

Maxwell was free on bond after his arrest but jailed since August 2022 after his bail was revoked.