Man accused of sexually abusing two girls says sex was 'consensual' and they were 'good friends'

A.D. Amorosi Tony Bennett was the last man standing – the saloon crooner, the jazz interpreter, the subtlest of stylists of the Great American Songbook, the man that Sinatra called the greatest popular singer in the world.“Your old man takes chances” is what Frank Sinatra told Danny Bennett, Tony’s son and manager. “When others zig, Tony zags,” said Danny. Those risks involved the vocal dynamics of grandeur (no Tony Bennett concert was complete without him shutting down all amplification, singing a cappella without a mic, and rocking the room), of pensive emotional nuance, of a whisper’s near-silence. With Bennett’s passing on Friday morning at age 96, after his struggle with Alzheimer’s since 2016 and retirement from the stage in 2021, his era of grace and elegance in vocal song is gone. He left a rich, long body of work that will last forever. Choosing 150, let alone 15, of Tony Bennett’s finest musical moments is a tough call to make with early sweeping singles such as “Because of You” and jazzy signatures such as “I Left My Heart in San Francisco.” So Variety has mixed the hits with the rarities in touching on his legendary career.“Cold Cold Heart” (1951)Country songwriter Hank Williams had only written and released his melancholy romancer a year before Tony Bennett made it into a smash pop hit. But with its bold-faced vocal clarity and his tear-in-your-beer warble, it’s not hard to hear that an original interpretive singer was on his way up, and that he wore diversity on his sleeve as a song selector.

Zayn Malik has dropped his first single in two years with ‘Love Like This’. Check out the music video below.The Bradford-born singer and former One Direction member hasn’t released music since 2021 with his third studio album ‘Nobody Is Listening’.

Wicked has long been one of Broadway’s most profitable productions — and Jon M. Chu is ready to bring the bewitching story to the big screen.

The line from many fans and pundits, at least online, is that Christopher Nolan, currently promoting his “Oppenheimer” movie is that he will eventually direct a James Bond film. I’ve always felt that was wrong.

Danielle Armstrong has announced her baby daughter's nam after welcoming her second child. On Thursday, 20 July, the former TOWIE star, 35, confirmed that she and husband Tommy Edney had welcomed a second daughter.The pair are already parents to little Orla, who is three. Sharing a picture from her hospital bed, as she cradled her newborn, Danielle wrote: “Orla got her wish...

Erik ten Hag wants Manchester United to arrange a final farewell for David de Gea at Old Trafford.

Manchester United greats Denis Irwin, Bryan Robson and Andy Cole believe Erik ten Hag should offer Jonny Evans a longer contract.

A dispersal order has been put in place in Manchester city centre after hundreds of teenagers ran riot this afternoon.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have reportedly been banned from a private members club near their family home in Montecito, California.

Tim Chan If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Variety may receive an affiliate commission. The late Tony Bennett is being remembered in a new children’s book that chronicles the singer’s inspiring path to success, and the impact he left with his seven decade-long career.

Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor Dave Coulier on Friday launched a new rewatch podcast for “Full House,” the beloved sitcom he appeared on opposite the late Bob Saget. In the premiere episode of “Full House Rewind,” Coulier speaks with series creator Jeff Franklin as they reminisce about working with Saget (who died last year) and talk about the pilot episode of the show that premiered in September 1987. They also discuss the fact that Saget wasn’t actually the first actor to play Danny Tanner (that was John Posey, but Posey appeared as the character only in an unaired pilot). But there’s been some question about whether such TV rewatch podcasts are allowed under the rules of SAG-AFTRA’s strike against studios and streaming providers.

Jazz Tangcay Artisans Editor Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie” is a phenomenon that costume designer Jacqueline Durran is still trying to wrap her head around. “I had no idea it would be this big,” she says ahead of the film’s opening weekend. Among the viral sensations started by the film which stars Margot Robbie is #BarbieCore, a fashion homage to the Mattel doll that is very feminine and very pink. The hotter the hue, the better. As part of that phenomenon, the Oscar-winning Durran has partnered with ThredUp to style #Barbiecore fans using only thrift items and to provide consumers with a more sustainable way to participate in the summer’s pink trend. “I love vintage and I’ve always loved it. Even if a small proportion of the people that want to experience and play and be creative with #Barbiecore can go to ThredUp and buy vintage pieces to create their unique look then that would be a great thing,” says Durran.

William Earl Horror Film School is a new feature in which talent in front of and behind the camera share the ins and outs of creating the biggest onscreen scares. “Cobweb” is French director Samuel Bodin’s feature debut, but he’s well-known to horror fans for directing and co-writing the scary-as-hell 2019 French series “Marianne.” Bodin expands on the shadows and secrets of the series with “Cobweb,” a twisty tale in which Lizzy Caplan and Antony Starr play the creepy parents of Peter (Woody Norman), who starts hearing haunted whispers in the walls. The Hollywood project, produced by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg’s Point Grey, was a departure for Bodin, but follows his tested guidelines for conjuring scares. Bodin shares his dos and don’ts of directing a scary movie.

Whitney Friedlander The Improv turns 60 this year and, despite the spontaneity that the name might suggest, there’s a methodical plan to grow the comedy organization.  In 1963, founder Budd Friedman opened the first location in New York City’s Hell’s Kitchen, envisioning the defunct Vietnamese restaurant with a brick wall as a gathering place for Broadway talent. Comedians soon gravitated to the spot as a place to try out new material and talent scouts followed. While the original location shuttered in the 1990s, the brand itself is stronger than ever, boasting 25 clubs in 20 cities, including the Hollywood Improv on Melrose Avenue.  

Brian Steinberg Senior TV Editor Bill Geddie, a legendary TV-news producer who was behind many of Barbara Walters’ most notable efforts, including the long-running ABC daytime show “The View,” has died of coronary-related factors, his family told Variety. He was 68 years old. “He was a big deal in TV, but at home he was an even ‘bigger than life’ husband and dad,” said Geddie’s family in a statement.  “He had a genuine love for television and entertainment. He would try everything and did it well — screenwriting, recording podcasts, playing guitar, writing songs, and loved a wide range of music from country to jazz.  His favorite band was The Beatles, and he never thought he would have the opportunity to meet one of his personal heroes Paul McCartney in person, but his dream came true. The question wasn’t who did he meet, but rather who didn’t he meet?”

BreAnna Bell White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre will be honored with Outfest’s Inaugural Achievement Award for Press and Media, the nonprofit announced on Friday. The award presentation will take place on closing night of the 41st Outfest Los Angeles Summer Festival, which is presented by Genesis Motor America and Warner Bros. Discovery. The Achievement Award is a high honor within the organization and acknowledges the LGBTQ+ community’s presence in the media. “Outfest is thrilled to recognize the continued contributions of Karine Jean-Pierre for her barrier breaking and historic achievement in Press and Media,” Outfest board co-president Nii-Quartelai Quartey said in a statement. “Throughout her career, the Black and LGBTQ+ community has been reminded of what is possible. Our fellow Americans have been reminded of our humanity and inherent dignity. Our Outfest Press Fellows have been inspired.”

Sofia Vergara and Joe Manganiello have their sights set on the future after calling it quits — but their next chapters might not look the same.

Buckle up for an extended sneak peek at the return of Captain Marvel.

Adam Sandler and Timothée Chalamet are down for a little basketball.

Tony Bennett died on Friday at age 96, and the entertainment world is in mourning.

Ariana Grande “liked” a cryptic quote about relationships earlier this year, seemingly around the same time she split from her husband, Dalton Gomez.

SKIMS has just everyone and their mother in a chokehold when it comes to shapewear and loungewear. The sleek silhouettes, the shade range and the material are what make it the talk of the town, but one thing that not everyone is so stoked with is the price tag. SKIMS pieces can cost a pretty penny, and I don’t know about you, but I can’t justify spending a huge chunk of my paycheque on stretchy thongs and bodysuits.

“The View” hosts are the latest to speak out about Jason Aldean’s controversial song “Try That in a Small Town”.

Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi is get candid about weight and eating disorders.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre has been set to receive Outfest’s inaugural Achievement Award for Press and Media, the L.A.-based nonprofit’s highest honor, celebrating representation of the LGBTQ+ community in the media. She’ll claim the prize during the Closing Night of the 41st Outfest Los Angeles Summer Festival this Sunday, July 23rd.

Greta Gerwig has for the first time addressed her plans to write and direct multiple films based on The Chronicles of Narnia books from C.S. Lewis, admitting that the prospect is fairly unnerving.

Ange Postecoglou is the manager of an English Premier League club now - but part of the reason for his hasty Celtic exit is the top table's refusal to accept him before.

A Paisley man has today been found guilty of raping three women at various locations throughout Renfrewshire.

Megan Fox unfortunately found herself in the middle of an physical altercation during an outing with Machine Gun Kelly.

Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga‘s special friendship spanned many years.

meal delivery apps, wishing you could replicate that sweet treat you’re longing for at home, it might be time to invest in a gadget or kit that makes delicious frozen desserts in time for summer. You can buy pint after pint of ice cream from your local grocery store, but there's something about homemade frozen treats that makes them taste better. It's probably the fact that you can customize homemade ice cream with your favorite flavors.

Raquel Leviss’ mother, Laura Leviss, addressed speculation about why she rehomed the Vanderpump Rules star’s beloved pooch, Graham.

returns with season 2 — this time on Starz — starting Friday, July 21.

Tony Bennett has passed away. The prolific, generation-spanning crooner died at home in Manhattan this morning (July 21) after a well-publicized, years-long battle with Alzheimers disease, his publicist Sylvia Weiner has confirmed.

Lady Gaga saying that “Tony Bennett saved [her] life” in the wake of the latter’s death.The veteran crooner died in New York City today (Friday, July 21) at the age of 96. A cause of death has not yet been disclosed, but Bennett had been living with Alzheimer’s disease since 2016.His final studio recording was 2021’s ‘Love For Sale’, a collaborative album with Gaga.

Paul McCartney, Dolly Parton, Ricky Gervais, and others have shared their 75th birthday wishes for Yusuf/Cat Stevens. Check them out exclusively on NME below.The legendary musician first found fame with his debut album ‘Matthew And Son’ when he was just 18 in 1967, before releasing the likes of ‘First Cut Is The Deepest’, ‘Father And Son’, ‘Morning Has Broken’, ‘Peace Train’ and ‘Wild World’.