Film and TV Crews Can Take Off Masks Under Updated COVID Rules

Jamie Campbell Bower is apologizing to fans for keeping his “Stranger Things” season 4 character a secret.

Alan Light If Leonard Cohen built a tower of just one song, it was “Hallelujah” — the subject of a film that hits theaters in July,  “Hallelujah: Leonard Cohen, a Journey, a Song.” That documentary is inspired by music journalist Alan Light’s much-acclaimed book, “The Holy or the Broken: Leonard Cohen, Jeff Buckley & the Unlikely Ascent of ‘Hallelujah’,” originally published in 2012 and being reissued June 7 with substantial additions that have Light bringing the history of one of the 20th century’s most remarkably enduring songs forward into its arguably most impactful years yet.In this excerpt from the afterward, exclusive to Variety, Light explores some of the unlikely lives that “Hallelujah” has taken on in recent years — starting with its adaptation into a country song, and especially focusing on how it’s become a favorite pick for singers to include on their Christmas albums, as a holiday hymn… quite a contrast to the more carnal connotations that many associate with the original lyrics. (Pre-order the new edition of Light’s book here.) Our excerpt has Light picking up the song’s story in the 2010s:“Hallelujah” continued making inroads into other genres of music.

Fans may have to wait until October 2023 for the “Dune” sequel to arrive in theatres, but star Javier Bardem is already expecting the story will “surprise” people.

Kim Kardashian and Pete Davidson are not holding back the PDA. The "Skims" founder, 41, took to her Instagram Stories on Sunday night to post a series of videos with her boyfriend Pete Davidson, 28.  In the first video, Kardashian and the "Saturday Night Live" alum used a devil-horn Instagram filter as they stuck their tongues out for the camera. Davidson then leaned in and gave Kardashian a kiss as she laughed for the camera.

Wynonna Judd is sharing her thoughts on how she is doing a month after her mother, Naomi, died by suicide at the age of 76.

BBC to be “digital-first”.The corporation has confirmed that the two channels will stop airing in no less than three years’ time, with content continuing to be produced for its streaming service BBC iPlayer.As part of the shake-up, the BBC’s news channels will be merged into one, while Radio 4 Extra will move off the airwaves and exclusively to BBC Sounds.The BBC said the changes are aimed at “creating a modern, digital-led and streamlined organisation that drives the most value from the licence fee and delivers more for audiences”.The changes will lead to cuts of £200million per year, with job losses of up to 1,000 expected over the next few years.“This is our moment to build a digital-first BBC. Something genuinely new, a Reithian organisation for the digital age, a positive force for the UK and the world,” said director-general Tim Davie.“Independent, impartial, constantly innovating and serving all.

Steve Dymond’s fiancée has revealed she’s had her tattoo of Jeremy Kyle’s signature covered up. Jane Callaghan, 52, was a guest on The Jeremy Kyle Show with Steve in 2019.Their appearance on the show was for Steve to take a lie detector test in order to prove he hadn’t been cheating on her. Steve tragically took his own life following his appearance on the show, during which he failed the test, but at the time, Jane didn’t blame the show for his death.

Amanda Holden sent fans wild on Monday with her outfit for the Britain’s Got Talent 2022 semi-finals. The judge, 51, looked sensational in a strapless gold sequinned gown with a thigh-high split and corset-style top. Amanda accessorised the ensemble with a collection of gold jewellery, including statement earrings and matching bracelets.The star, who sits with Simon Cowell, Alesha Dixon and David Walliams on the panel, styled her blonde locks into a wavy sweptback hairdo and added a slick of glamorous makeup.

Jeff Gladney, Arizona Cardinals cornerback and a former first-round pick of the Minnesota Vikings, died Monday at the age of 25. Gladney's agent, Brian Overstreet, confirmed the news to the , following a car accident in Dallas.Gladney's fatal accident occurred around 2:30 a.m.

most-streamed song on iTunes thanks to its being prominently featured in the first episode of the new “Stranger Things” season.In the show, the track is used to underscore the storyline of Max Mayfield (Sadie Sink) as she struggles to reconcile the complicated death of her brother, Billy, who was possessed by an evil force during Season 3.The ’80s-inspired horror series just dropped it’s highly-anticipated fourth season on Netflix over the holiday weekend.The premiere of Season 4 sees an angsty Max listening to the British musician on her portable cassette player as she avoids her concerned friends and counselors in the halls of Hawkins High School. Following its 1985 debut, “Running Up That Hill” peaked at No.

Britain's Got Talent fans think they have worked out The Witch's identity during Monday's live semi-finals. The mystery contestant, who was later sent home, left judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and David Walliams terrified during their performance.

Johnny Depp jetted over to the UK for a surprise gig in Sheffield as he joined his longtime friend and music collaborator Jeff Beck on-stage as a special guest. The Hollywood A-Lister and fan-favourite actor shocked his fans when he strolled onto the stage dressed in a much-less formal get-up after six weeks being filmed in the Fairfax County, Virginia courthouse.

Gene Maddaus Senior Media WriterA film investor has sued former Weinstein Co. executive David Glasser, now CEO of “Yellowstone” producer 101 Studios, alleging that he failed to repay a personal loan despite repeated assurances.Glasser is best known as producer of the hit Paramount Network drama series “Yellowstone,” starring Kevin Costner, as well as its spinoffs.

Gene Maddaus Senior Media WriterAmber Heard broke down in sobs on Thursday as she told a jury that her ex-husband Johnny Depp had sexually assaulted her with a bottle during a fight in Australia.Heard took the stand for the second day, as she continued to recount a series of violent incidents that marked their relationship. She said that the fight in Australia — during filming of the fifth “Pirates of the Caribbean” film in March 2015 — was prompted by Depp’s jealousy and her concern about his drug use.She said that Depp had repeatedly hit her, threw bottles at her, and choked her against a refrigerator, before finally getting her on top of a countertop and penetrating her with a bottle.“I remember just not wanting to move,” she said.

Gene Maddaus Senior Media WriterAmber Heard took the stand on Wednesday afternoon, telling jurors in often emotional terms about the times that Johnny Depp hit her, screamed at her, punched walls and shoved her to the ground.Heard was called to testify on the 14th day of the defamation trial that has been underway in Fairfax, Va. Depp has sued her for $50 million, alleging that she destroyed his career by alluding to her domestic abuse allegations in a 2018 op-ed for the Washington Post.Early in her testimony, Heard made it clear that she did not want to be there, saying that the trial has been among the worst experiences of her life.“This is horrible for me to sit here for weeks and relive everything,” she said.

Gene Maddaus Senior Media WriterThe major entertainment studios spoke out against Georgia’s “heartbeat” abortion bill in 2019, saying they would “rethink” their production plans in the state if the law ever went into effect.That moment appears to be approaching fast.On Monday night, Politico reported that a Supreme Court majority has signed on to a decision that would overturn Roe v. Wade, the 1973 opinion protecting the right to abortion. The Georgia law — which would outlaw abortions as early as six weeks into pregnancy — has been on hold pending the outcome of that case.

Gene Maddaus Senior Media WriterA judge refused to dismiss Johnny Depp’s defamation lawsuit against ex-wife Amber Heard, as the high-profile trial reached its midpoint on Tuesday.Depp is arguing that Heard cost him tens of millions of dollars — and his role in the sixth “Pirates of the Caribbean” film — when she published an op-ed reviving her domestic violence allegations against him. The trial has been underway since April 11 in Fairfax, Va.

Gene Maddaus Senior Media WriterJohnny Depp’s agent testified on Monday that Depp was to receive $22.5 million to star in the sixth “Pirates of the Caribbean” film, but Disney decided to go “in a different direction” after Amber Heard published an op-ed reviving her domestic abuse allegations.Jack Whigham, who represented Depp at Creative Artists Agency and later at Range Media Partners, testified that the December 2018 piece in the Washington Post had a “catastrophic” impact on Depp’s career.“After the op-ed it was impossible to get him a studio film,” Whigham testified.Depp is suing Heard for $50 million, alleging that she destroyed his career with false allegations of domestic violence. The trial in Fairfax, Va., entered its fourth week on Monday, as Depp’s team continued to call witnesses to support his claims.