Villagers rejoice as a familiar face returns marking the start of Scarecrow Festival

Ethan Shanfeld When Dave Grohl first heard a film studio was interested in making a horror movie with the Foo Fighters, he dismissed the notion. But when a former landlord emailed him about a vacant Encino property, the Foo frontman decided to make the most out of the “big creepy old house.” There, he wrote and recorded the band’s 10th album, “Medicine at Midnight,” in addition to filming “Studio 666” — a once “stupid idea” transformed into a feature film starring the Foo Fighters.

Elsa Keslassy International CorrespondentFurther expanding its global reach, MGM International Television Productions has signed a multi-year deal with MBC Group, a leading media company in West Asia and Northern Africa, to develop and co-produce premium original series.MBC Group will air these series exclusively on MBC’s Shahid VIP streaming service, with MGM handling co-production and distribution for the rest of the world. The two companies already have a well-established relationship and recently partnered on MGM’s anticipated shows “Last Light” and “Billy the Kid,” which will air on MBC.“MBC Group is uniquely positioned to tell stories that will combine regional focus with global interest,” said Sheikh Waleed bin Ibrahim Al Ibrahim, chairman of MBC Group.

Television Critics Association press tour finally concluded on Wednesday after a dizzying number of sessions. Once again virtual due to the pandemic, the press tour was so long that a new show hyped by ABC one week into the tour had already been pulled from its lineup by the time TCA ended.The virtual tour was also marked by greater-than-usual access to executives, and had its share of technical glitches along with bittersweet goodbyes.

K.J. Yossman Organizers of the Eurovision Song Contest have said they will not prevent Russia from participating this year.

Jennifer Maas TV Business WriterJax Media executives Sarah Madigan and John Skidmore have joined Imagine Entertainment, the parent company of Jax, as head of business affairs and strategic partnerships and head of production, respectively, Variety has learned exclusively.Both will continue in their current roles at Jax Media, with Madigan remaining head of business affairs and Skidmore, a founding partner of Jax Media, still chief operating officer of the Imagine Entertainment-owned production company.Skidmore, who will be overseeing all projects across all divisions for Imagine, has produced some of Jax’s most popular titles, including “Broad City,” “Search Party,” “A Black Lady Sketch Show,” “Russian Doll” and the Netflix stand-up specials “Chris Rock: Tamborine,” “John Mulaney: Kid Gorgeous” and “Mike Birbiglia: The New One.” Madigan currently runs business affairs at Jax Media and previously held roles at MGM and Netflix.“Skidmore is a founding member of Jax and Madigan has been integral to the company’s growth over the past few years, and we couldn’t imagine doing this new job without them,” Imagine Entertainment presidents Tony Hernandez and Lilly Burns said in a joint statement to Variety.Jax Media co-founders Hernandez and Burns were promoted to co-presidents of Imagine Entertainment in January and continue to lead Jax Media as CEO and CCO, respectively.

Rebecca Rubin Film and Media ReporterNeon has signed on to produce “Seeking Mavis Beacon,” a documentary that investigates the disappearance of one of the most influential black woman in technology.Jazmin Jones, a Brooklyn-based filmmaker, is directing the film. Beacon’s computer software program helped define the digital age by teaching a generation to type.“Neon has been a perfect home for this project,” Jones said in a statement.

Ukranian-born star Maks Chmerkovskiy, a choreographer known for showcasing his talents on "Dancing with the Stars," revealed on Thursday that he's currently in his native country of Ukraine and terrified as he plans to head to a bomb shelter. Chmerkovskiy shared a glimpse of the scene unfolding in the heart of Kyiv, where parents could be seen walking with their children with bags and suitcases, desperate to get out. Russia launched an attack on Ukraine, including Kyiv, overnight Wednesday that Russia called a "special military operation," killing dozens.

A quartet of community groups in Shotts have criticised North Lanarkshire Council over the accuracy of a report into the future plans for the town.

Fun while it lasted. Pete Davidson deleted his Instagram just days after rejoining the social media platform—and it seems the move may have been prompted by the not-so-warm welcome from Kanye West’s fans.

Julia Fox’s post-breakup beauty look is, well, exactly the same. While some decide to chop their hair or get an entire makeover after a split, the 32-year-old actress has decided to continue rocking the wild eyeliner look ex Kanye West originally created. 

A delightfully dysfunctional family. Little Miss Sunshine quickly became a beloved cult classic after it was released in 2006.

Rochelle Humes shared with her friends and fans a big change she made to her morning routine based on the "the best advice anyone has ever given" her. READ: Rochelle Humes looks ultra luxe in must-see blazer dressThe former star of The Saturdays took to her Instagram Stories on Thursday morning, revealing she now wakes up at a whopping 5am based on advice from life coach Roxie Nafousi.WATCH: Marvin Humes and Rochelle Humes share three childrenRochelle wore a charcoal grey jumper while chatting to the camera, still looking as glam as ever, even in the early hours. READ: Rochelle Humes looks sensational during couples' workout with MarvinRELATED: Rochelle Humes reveals glimpse inside seriously luxe bathroom with intimate bath photoShe said: "I received a lot of messages after I posted last month saying that I'm trying to make a conscious effort to get up earlier than I need to."My kids don't wake up till 7am and normally I just wait for them to wake up unless I've got work earlier and I just try and maximise as much sleep as possible.   Rochelle reveals big change on Instagram "However, I spoke to Roxie and she said that she wakes up at about 5ish and takes that time for herself before the house wakes up and my goodness me it has been the best advice anyone has ever given me, genuinely."I might wake up and do a workout or might just wake up, sit here and have a cup of tea, but it's so nice just to be still before I have to be so busy."So today I did a little meditation before I got out of bed which was really nice.

Robin Roberts has made the upsetting announcement that her longtime partner Amber Laign was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Rosalía is back!

Collider. “We were thrilled that ‘Free Guy’ was as successful as it was, and particularly as an original movie at a time where few get made and even fewer are hits. So that was gratifying.

Coronation Street actor Sam Robertson has hinted that it might be time to “hang up Adam’s suit” as he admits the show has “taken over his life.” The 36 year old actor has starred as Adam Barlow on the hit ITV soap for six consecutive years from 2016, also appearing on the show from 2004 until 2007. Sam opened up about how “tough” he has found the storylines with his on-screen wife Sarah, played by Tina O’Brien, over the past few months that have led him to wonder if he needs a break from the soap.

Katie Price appeared on live TV for the first time since her latest round of cosmetic work and some viewers failed to recognise the star. The 43 year old appeared on the ITV show Lorraine today and the pair chatted about a range of topics, including the effects of going under the knife. Some viewers of the daytime programme took to Twitter to comment on how different mum-of-five Katie looks.

Kim Kardashian is trying to get her divorce over and done with.

Billie Eilish, 20, and Seth Meyers, 48, bonded over their love for Daniel Craig, 53, during the singer’s appearance on Late Night Wednesday, February 23. “He’s a DILF,” Billie said about the British actor, which Seth agreed with. The young superstar explained that she was nervous when she met Daniel to sing the Oscar-nominated theme song for the latest James Bond movie, No Time To Die.

Alex Salmond has bowed to pressure by suspending his show on a Kremlin-backed broadcaster following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The doors of Stirling’s new B&M store in Springkerse opened at the weekend - with the help of a local charity.

Airdrie and Shotts MSP Neil Gray is keen to see what North Lanarkshire Council will do with its share of a new £80 million Covid Economic Recovery Fund.

The Weeknd is clarifying his love life after sparking controversy while stepping out with a new lady amid his seemingly ongoing *whatever* with Angelina Jolie!

Kim Kardashian is laying it all out there.

Watch Lindsay Lohan swap drama for fitness in new Superbowl adLindsay Lohan recreates iconic scene from ‘The Parent Trap’ on TikTokThe video shows Lindsay speaking straight at the camera and wearing a light colored sweater. “Hey everyone, it’s Lindsay Lohan, and guess what? Now I’m on TikTok,“ she said, pronouncing her name with a silent ‘h’, going against everything we know. The majority of people pronounce ‘Lohan’ with an emphasis on the ‘h’.

A post shared by KAROL G (@karolg)“On this occasion, I wanted them to speak for me, my way of thinking, the success of my work and my music, and the security that has been so difficult to build over the years... VALUE WHO WE ARE ABOVE HOW WE SEE OURSELVES. MY FIRST COVER IN VOGUE,” she added.The reggaeton and Latin trap artist, born as Carolina Giraldo Navarro in Medellín, said music isn’t her only focus, and she wishes to become an actor.

Jennifer Lawrence has welcomed her first child with husband Cooke Maroney! The acclaimed actress reportedly gave birth to her first baby in Los Angeles.And while the couple is known for being private about their personal life, TMZ obtained public records that revealed the good news for the happy couple, but details regarding the exact date of birth and the sex of the baby have yet to be revealed.Lawrence and Maroney confirmed they were expecting their first child in September 2021. The pair tied the knot in Rhode Island in October 2019, after dating for over one year, previously confirming their relationship in June 2018.The 31-year-old Hollywood star described the 37-year-old gallery owner as “the greatest person I’ve ever met,” and confessed she felt “very honored to become a Maroney,” during an interview in 2019.Fans of the actress were excited when she made her first red carpet appearance showing her baby bump and looking absolutely glamorous wearing Dior for the premiere of the Netflix film ‘Don’t Look Up.’The happy couple currently live between New York and Los Angeles, as they have a property in Beverly Hills and a home in Manhattan.

2022 Oscars was officially released last week. And while the scope of awards season has changed pretty dramatically over the last few years, the talent and unique storytelling present in this year's pack of nominees is perhaps more impressive now than ever before. Leading the way for Oscar favorites is Netflix's which racked up12 total nominations including those in major categories like Best Picture, Best Director for Jane Campion, Best Actor for Benedict Cumberbatch, and supporting acting nods for Kirsten Dunst, Jesse Plemons and Kodi Smit-McPhee.

Instagram and TikTok, with fans left floored when they learn she’s 51 years old. “People are pretty surprised when I tell them my age,” the Hoboken bombshell told Media Drum World.

Guy Lodge Film CriticNot since Alfred Hitchcock’s 1927 silent “The Ring” has there been a boxing film quite so quiet as “Small, Slow But Steady,” a gentle but hard-edged study of a flyweight female pugilist in suburban Tokyo. More concerned with the wear and tear of everyday life than pummeling sound and fury, director Shô Miyake’s measured, unsentimental adaptation of a memoir by Keiko Ogasawara — who turned professional despite the difficulties of lifelong deafness — turns out to be somewhat aptly described by its own title, though none of those adjectives quite conveys its rare and delicate grace.

Kris Bowers “Black excellence” is one of those phrases that might be difficult to explain, but you know it when you see it. It almost instantly pops into my mind — often in hashtag form — when I see images of classic Black icons or beautiful Black bodies dressed to the nines and stunningly captured in photographs; everybody Black at award shows; the Obamas; or anything Beyoncé and Jay-Z do.Black excellence is a feeling.

J. Kim Murphy Miami Dade College’s annual Miami Film Festival has announced that Penélope Cruz will be honored with the Precious Gem Award during its upcoming 2022 edition.

Joe Otterson TV Reporter“SEAL Team” star Max Thieriot has signed on for the lead role in the CBS drama pilot “Cal Fire,” Variety has learned.It was previously reported that Thieriot co-wrote the story for the series, which is inspired by his life growing up in northern California. He will also serve as an executive producer.

Naman Ramachandran The Berlin Film Festival has called for peace over the situation in Ukraine, which is currently in a state of military conflict after Russian forces struck on Thursday morning.“We — festival workers, artists, filmmakers — think fondly of our friends in Ukraine and we are by their side in a call for peace,” the festival said in a statement issued on Thursday. “One week ago, the Berlin International Film Festival was celebrating a complicated yet successful edition.

Partner Content The ongoing pandemic has inevitably changed the workings of the global film industry in a variety of ways. Throughout these ups and downs, one thing has yet to waver, and that’s the demand for new content.