'Dueling Banjos' Eric Weissberg Dies at 80 After Battle with Alzheimer's Disease

Dave Chappelle will executive produce four new stand-alone comedy specials featuring comics personally selected by him as part of his Chappelle’s Home Team series for Netflix.

EXCLUSIVE: His reps declined to comment, but word in publishing circles is that Elliot Page’s memoir Pageboy sold to Flatiron Books for north of $3 million. The deal was made based on a 49 page proposal shopped by UTA. Deadline read the document, and it sounds like Page has a truly compelling story to tell about a long struggle to find himself amidst a torrent of homophobic hatred, not only in his hometown of Halifax, Novia Scotia but also in Hollywood where Page first came to fame as an Oscar nominee for Juno. Before he transitioned, Page describes numerous occasions where he was set upon by homophobic bullies, with few willing to help. A beer thrown at Page in Toronto, a menacing loudmouth chasing Page into a restaurant in Hollywood, this was something that happened often to the diminutive Page. The loathsome industry people in Hollywood weren’t named, but there was the male film director who tried to seduce Page at age 16; and the time that a big movie star — who would later say he was ossified and blacked out in a clumsy apology — berated Page at a party in an outrageous homophobic rant. This was just after Page — then known as Ellen — had come out as queer. The actor accused Page’s bold announcement of being false. “You aren’t gay. You are just afraid of men…I’m going to fu*k you to make you realize you aren’t gay.” As the torrent grew louder and more graphic, nobody in the room, even Page’s closest friends, stood up for their friend. It was unclear if they were shocked, or afraid to say anything because the actor was one of the biggest stars in town.

Margaret Styne, the widow of Broadway composer Jule Styne who oversaw an estate and legacy that includes the much anticipated upcoming revival of Funny Girl, has died.

Staying supportive. Amid the news that Jennifer Grey is set to pen a tell-all memoir, her ex-husband, Clark Gregg, was seemingly nervous about what would be included.

Kanye West hasn't really been one to hold his tongue or his Twitter trigger. And in recent weeks, West – formally known as "Ye"  – has been increasingly vocal about his views on how estranged wife Kim Kardashian has been raising their oldest daughter, North West, one of their four children. In addition to publicly addressing Kardashian’s parenting habits, West, 44, has also expressed his love and adoration for the 41-year-old Skims founder while exhibiting his disdain for her current partner, comedian Pete Davidson, 28.

Thirteen pedigree dogs were tragically killed after a tree blown over by Storm Dudley knocked a power line of 11k onto their kennel block, electrocuting them.

A paedophile who commissioned child abuse in America from his UK home has been locked up.

Just one teaspoon of this 50p food could cut your cholesterol by 10% and lower blood glucose by an incredible 24%.

Brooke Shields is sharing the love! The 56-year-old actress celebrated Acts Of Kindness Day by handing out yellow flowers to people in the streets of New York City.“Today is random Acts of Kindness Day so I wanted to know if I could give you some flowers?” Brooke can be seen on a new video, asking the question to surprised strangers in a park.Brooke approached many people on the street, evoking some emotional responses, including tears of joy from a woman who was shocked by the act of kindness, as she received a bundle of flowers.The model and mother of two also runs a nonprofit organization, ‘Beginning is now’ described as “a global community of women of all ages who find strength, wisdom, optimism, humor and more in each other.”Shields decided to spread the joy by taking part in Positive Week, which runs from February 13 to February 19, including Kindness Day, which has been celebrated on February 17 since 1995, and was created by the Random Acts Of Kindness Foundation, based in Denver, Colorado.Online users praised the model’s actions on social media, showing appreciation for her acts of kindness, including the people that received flowers, posting the lovely gesture on Instagram Stories.

Former Loose Women panellist Andrea McLean has got a matching tattoo with her husband Nick Feeney.Taking to Instagram on Friday 18 February, Andrea, 52, teased that they’d had something booked in since November and, while the activity they were about to do wasn’t a first for her, it was for husband of four years, Nick. In the video shared to social media, Nick could be seen proudly showing off his new tattoo that covered his wrist and hand and joked that he’s “so grown up” after getting it.

Happier.The 31-year-old pop star’s plan to build a private burial chamber on his property is on track for approval, despite neighbors’ pleas.As part of an eco-friendly renovation of his over $5 million, 16-acre Framlingham, UK estate, the English singer plans to construct a two-story private chapel complete with a crypt. While the chapel — set to feature stained glass windows and be warmed by an environmentally-friendly heat pump — was approved for construction in Nov.

untimely death last month at the age of 65 shocked fans around the world. However, the “Full House” alum filmed one more project before he passed: a rap video.Saget starred in a music video for rapper Desiigner’s new single “Bakin’.”The song features singers Slushii & DJ Whoo Kid and dropped on Friday. The video first opens with Snoop Dogg suggesting that Desiigner, 24, should “get Bob on the job.” Saget then comes in blazing and starts cooking up bacon, catching money and dancing to the music alongside adult film star Kendra Sunderland.The video, which contains some language not suitable for kids, includes a special tribute at the end of the video for the late actor.

Biggest Loser couple Jessica Limpert and Ramon Medeiros are inviting fans back into their weight loss journey.

Now that Kanye West has finally legally objected to Kim Kardashian‘s divorce filing, we need some answers. Like, why now? Why wait so long?? Well, apparently he didn’t think she was serious when she filed for divorce just about a year ago??

Tristan Thompson enjoyed a father-daughter date with True Thompson — and shared it for all to see!

EXCLUSIVE: Indican Pictures has acquired One Moment, a family comedy starring the late Danny Aiello, with plans to release it in theaters in May and on VOD in July.

David Brenner, the Oscar-winning film editor who worked on a string of blockbusters as well as nine films for director Oliver Stone, died on Thursday. He was 59. The news was confirmed by Avatar producer Jon Landau, with whom Brenner had been working on the sequels.

Illumination and Universal have set release dates for their forthcoming animated films Migration and Despicable Me 4. The former original will be released wide on June 30, 2023, opening against the untitled fifth film in the Indiana Jones franchise from Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. The latest installment in the top-grossing Despicable Me franchise is set for a wide release on the wide-open weekend of July 23, 2044. Both films are taking up slots inhabited by previously announced, untitled Illumination Animated Films.

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CBS is going back into the vault for one of its latest comedy pilots.

Bridgerton meets The Bachelorette! Welcome to The Courtship, which promises all of the romance and drama of the fan-favorite dating reality shows that came before it — but with an old-fashioned, royal twist.

Kanye West announced last night that his upcoming album Donda 2 will be available exclusively on his Stem Player platform and now he’s revealing the crazy amount of money has been brought in since the announcement.

Disney+ has announced the full list of movies and TV shows that are arriving on the streaming service beginning on March 1, 2022!

Warning: Spoilers for all episodes of “The Girl Before.”

Victoria’s Secret is continuing its transformation in a bid to be more inclusive.

Kim Kardashian prizes every possession.

Get ready to bust a gut while 10 of Canada’s funniest comedians try not to.

Chris and Deanna Daughtry are still picking up the pieces.

Zack Sharf If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Variety may receive an affiliate commission.With Oscar nominations announced (see the full list of nominees here) and the 94th Academy Awards set for Sunday, March 27 at 8pm ET on ABC, the  race is on to catch up on every nominated film over the next few weeks. Fortunately, Variety is here to make that mission easier with a complete guide to streaming all 38 feature film nominees at the 2022 Oscars.

Eric Weissberg, half of the duo that recorded “Dueling Banjos” for the film “Deliverance” in 1973, resulting in an unlikely smash hit single and album, has died at 80. Family members and friends said Weissberg had been suffering from Alzheimer’s for years.

By Erik Pedersen