Brittany Howard shares cover of Funkadelic’s ‘You and Your Folks, Me and My Folks’

Animated comedies Birdgirl and Smiling Friends will get another go at Adult Swim, which has renewed both series for second seasons.

Jennifer Lopez is reflecting on her relationship!

BritBox North America has struck a deal for three Agatha Christie adaptations and is to double its creative and investment output.

Chris Hemsworth springs into action on the set of Extraction 2 on Wednesday (February 9) in Vienna, Austria.

Pete Davidson is showing off some of his more personal bedroom decor!

EXCLUSIVE: Macro Television Studios has tapped Bad Boys For Life directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah to direct the pilot episode of its action-adventure drama Cordoba. The filmmaking duo also will serve as executive producers of the potential series, which is currently being shopped.

Tyson Beckford gracefully bowed out of the modeling game in 2008. But a phone call from Beyoncé pulled him back in for a very special occasion. Ivy Park’s latest capsule collection, lovingly titled IVY HEART, is inspired by love and dropping just in time for Valentine’s Day.

US reality star Kat Von D has listed her LA mansion for sale which means it could be yours for a cool $15 million (£11million).The tattoo artist has announced that she will be leaving California and relocating to Indiana to be closer to her family. As a result, the 39-year-old is currently inviting prospective buyers to look inside which means a host of pictures are available to view.The home was purchased in 2016 for $6.5 million and was subsequently remodelled to Kat's distinctive taste. Let's take a look...

Holby City fans were devastated as one of the beloved characters on the soap, Jac Naylor, was revealed to have less than six months to live. Surgeon Jac has been battling brain cancer on the show and fans watched as she desperately tried to find someone to perform life-changing surgery on her. Jac, played by Rosie Marcel, was told that without this operation she would have less than six months to live.

Emmerdale actress Olivia Bromley has revealed the secrets behind her action-packed wedding day and hinted at some of the stunts on the show. Olivia’s character Dawn Taylor is set to marry Billy Fletcher, played by Jay Kontzle, on the soap next week, but it turns into a living nightmare when the Dales’ serial killer, Meena Jutla returns.The Mirror has reported that the killer kidnaps the couple on their big day and tortures them, before Billy has to decide whether Dawn or himself should get shot. In an interview with The Mirror, Olivia hinted at the extent of the explosive stunts as she had several wardrobe malfunctions and had to wear a harness underneath her wedding dress.

Rihanna has always wanted to be a mom; therefore, she enjoys her first pregnancy and serves unforgettable looks. The mom-to-be superstar chose a bold outfit to step out on her first public outing since announcing the news.RiRi, who is expecting her first child with her boyfriend, rapper A$AP Rocky, showcased her growing bare baby bump while grabbing dinner in Beverly Hills. The singer and beauty mogul wore a black lace-up top with major cleavage.

Joseph Baena grew up in Bakersfield, California, speaking Spanish with his siblings and cooking with his mother. Although the suburban community was labeled as the “armpit of California,” as reported by Men’s Health magazine, and Baena lived in “a humble home,” he lived a happy life as a kid immersed in the Guatemalan heritage and traditions. “That’s a huge part of me,” he told the publication.

Ethan Shanfeld A remake of Stephen King’s “Firestarter” starring Zac Efron debuted its official trailer and announced a day-and-date premiere on Peacock and in theaters on May 13.The film, based on King’s 1980 novel and the 1984 original movie, follows Charlie (Ryan Kiera Armstrong), a young girl who develops pyrokinetic superpowers and is captured by a government agency who wishes to use her gift as a weapon. Sydney Lemmon will play Charlie’s mother, while Efron plays her father. Michael Greyeyes, Gloria Reuben, Kurtwood Smith and John Beasley also star.The explosive trailer sees Armstrong’s Charlie taking on bad guys with fire as her parents try to protect her.

Marc Malkin Senior Film Awards, Events & Lifestyle EditorWelcome to this week’s “Just for Variety.”Add Hannah Waddingham to the list of actors who would love to be in a superhero movie. “Why do you think I’ve done sci-fi things in the past?” says the “Ted Lasso” star, whose credits include the television adaptation of “12 Monkeys” and “Krypton,” a Syfy series about Superman’s grandfather.

Snoop Dogg has discussed his forthcoming performance at this year’s Super Bowl, which will see him team up with Dr. Dre, Eminem, Mary J. Blige and Kendrick Lamar for the prestigious Halftime Show.“For me, when performing, I never let the moment get bigger than me,” he told the Associated Press.“I’m not going to understand it until it happens,” he continued.

Nick Vivarelli International CorrespondentAward winning film director and historian Mark Cousins (“The Story of Film: A New Generation”) is at Rome’s Cinecittà Studios making a doc titled “March on Rome” that will explore the roots of fascism by analyzing films, photographs, and other documents found in Italian archives.The high-profile documentary — pegged to the centennial of the infamous late October 1922 insurrection by which Benito Mussolini came to power in Italy — will take its cue from the Fascist propaganda film “A Noi” by director Umberto Paradisi, produced in 1923 as an official Fascist party document celebrating the March on Rome.Italian writer and director Tony Saccucci (“The Duce’s Boxer”), who originated the project and did meticulous research for it, serves as a co-writer with Cousins. Saccuci cross-checked Paradisi’s film with other sources of the time to reveal details of the pic that provide a completely new take on the history of those dramatic days, according to the synopsis.

Emily Longeretta SPOILER ALERT: This piece contains spoilers for “The Master Beta,” Episode 4 of “Pam & Tommy,” now streaming on Hulu.For Lake Bell, working on “Pam & Tommy” in the middle of a pandemic was a dream. “This was the job that gave me creative sustenance in a time where we were all locked down,” says the director and actor, who directed Episodes 4 and 7 of the Hulu show.More than that, she was moved by the traumatic experience that Pamela Anderson went through, and the way that “Pam & Tommy” respected that.

Courtney Howard When in a romantic relationship, it’s never a good time to break up, nor to be the one getting dumped. The hilarious cold open of director Jason Orley’s rom-com “I Want You Back” begins with much promise, highlighting the indignities of the separate but equally humiliating fracturing of our two protagonists’ long-term loves.

Generation Zero has added Soviet mechs to the game as the third anniversary of its release approaches.This free update, called the Landfall Update, introduces a new faction to Generation Zero, the Soviets. It’s a new faction that is hostile to both the Resistance (which are the players) and the FNIX machines.

K.J. Yossman Streamer BritBox has extended its production partnership with the Agatha Christie estate.BritBox, which is jointly owned by BBC Studios and ITV, has signed on for three more productions with Agatha Christie Limited and Mamoth Screen.The trio have already collaborated on an adaptation of Christie’s novel “Why Didn’t They Ask Evans?” (pictured above) starring Emma Thompson and Will Poulter, which will premiere on the platform in April.BritBox have not yet confirmed which of the author’s prolific output they will be working on next but they have said each of the three adaptations will be “steered by a distinctive voice – a director, a writer or auteur – bringing an entirely new perspective and style to Agatha Christie’s novels.” BritBox was set to make the announcement Wednesday during its portion of the Television Critics Association winter virtual press tour.

Jordan Moreau Dotdash Meredith is ending the monthly print publications for Entertainment Weekly, InStyle, EatingWell, Health, Parents and People en Español, Dotdash Meredith CEO Neil Vogel said in a Wednesday memo to staff, obtained by Variety.The publications will go digital-only effective today, and the transition is expected to terminate roughly 200 positions on the print side, Vogel said. The April editions of the print magazines will be the brands’ last, and the 200 eliminated jobs represent less than 5% of Dotdash Meredith’s total staff, according to Wall Street Journal, which broke the news.“This is an important step in the evolution of Dotdash Meredith, and I want to be clear with everyone about what we are doing and what is ahead,” Vogel’s memo says.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterLiane Moriarty’s novel “Apples Never Fall” is being adapted into a limited series at Peacock, Variety has learned exclusively.In a competitive situation, Peacock has won the rights to the book, which was published in September 2021, and given it a straight-to-series order. Since its debut, the book has sold over one million copies.The series centers on the Delaneys, who from the outside appear to be an enviably contented family.

K.J. Yossman Tara Reid is set to play an MI6 agent in upcoming espionage thriller “Cold Sun,” Variety can exclusively reveal.Reid will play an inexperienced British spy called Marsha Ravencourt in the film, which has been billed as “Cagney and Lacey with a difference.”Jason Figgis (“The Ecstasy of Isabel Mann”) will direct the feature, which is set to shoot this summer in the U.K.

Taylor Swift is set to feature on a new Record Store Day charity compilation titled ‘Portraits Of Her’.Launched back in 2008, RSD will return for its 15th anniversary event on April 23 after hosting two vinyl ‘drop’ dates in 2021.“For RSD 2022, we’re teaming up again with our friends at Vans for a compilation album,” organisers said of ‘Portraits Of Her’ in a statement, “and this one benefits WE ARE MOVING THE NEEDLE, an organization that supports female recording professionals, including audio engineers and producers.”In addition to Swift, the 16-track album will also feature Girl in Red, Julien Baker, Banks, Princess Nokia, Leyla Blue, Boyish, Bully, Alice Longyu Gao, Laura Jane Grace, Asiahn, Girl Ultra, K. Flay, Mariah The Scientist, Julia Michaels and Joy Oladokun.Whether Swift’s contribution will be a new track or not has yet to be confirmed.Featuring cover art by Sofia Enriquez, limited numbers of ‘Portraits Of Her’ will be available in participating record stores on Record Store Day (April 23).The news comes after Swift was announced last month as the first-ever global ambassador of Record Store Day.“I’m very proud to be this year’s Ambassador for Record Store Day.

The project has famously been through multiple iterations, but this is as far along as the casting has been at any stage.

EXCLUSIVE: Joe Pickett, the Michael Dorman-fronted drama series, is returning for season two.

A Scots teacher who had sex with an S6 pupil in his home has been struck off the teaching register.

Perth and Kinross youngsters have this week been enjoying free bus travel.

Serena Williams has her eyes on her future, and that doesn’t necessarily involve tennis. While Serena, 40, is one if not the most extraordinary talent ever to step foot on the court, her focus might shift from being a Grand Slam champion and being a mom to her husband Alexis Ohanian’s daughter, Olympia, 4. Serena also revealed to Entertainment Tonight that she wants to give Olympia, 4, a sibling. “I definitely want to have more kids, it’s just like, balance is key, you know, and just trying to find that balance,” she said. “I don’t know. It’s always like, ‘OK, are we ready?’ And I know the clock is ticking so I’m just like ‘OK, I need to figure out when that’s going to be,’ but hopefully soon when I will feel no pressure.”

Carpe diem! Amy Schneider is parlaying her historic Jeopardy! run into a new career! The 42-year-old former contestant revealed she has ditched her day job as a software engineer to begin the next stage in her life as a “public figure.” “Some of you may have heard, but I quit my day job yesterday!” she shared via Twitter on Tuesday (January 8). “It’s a bit nerve-wracking to pivot from software engineer to… public figure, I guess? But regardless of the outcome I’m so excited to spend the next couple years at least tackling this new challenge!”

Here we are again, audiophiles! Another Friday, which means another installment of ESSENCE’s The Playlist.The first week of May has been a mixture of highs and lows, hasn’t it? The streets are still buzzing over Megan Thee Stallion and Beyoncé’s “Savage” (Remix), ESPN’s The Last Dance soundtrack is on every sports fan’s must-hear list, and we pour out some libation for one of the pioneers of Afrobeat, Tony Allen, who passed away recently at the age of 79.

It’s Friday, which means we are back with another installment of ESSENCE’s The PLAYLIST!

Brittany Howard unveiled her wailing take on Funkadelic's "You and Your Folks, Me and My Folks" for Spotify Singles on Wednesday (April 15).

By Jem Aswad

Brittany Howard has shared a cover of Funkadelic’s “You and Your Folks, Me and My Folks” as part of the ongoing Spotify Singles series. In addition to the Funkadelic song (from 1971’s Maggot Brain), Howard performed “Stay High” from her debut solo album Jaime. Listen to both tracks below.