Using Panasonic tech, VLiver Lab uses a transparent projection screen to connect a VTuber, who engages with fans through their model. The VTuber takes orders and relays them to a human staff member, who brings drinks and helps you settle your tab at the end.
"The Hollywood Reporter spoke with eight of The Sympathizer’s Vietnamese cast members in a group conversation below that revealed that, although they all share the same ethnicity, they are diverse in age, nationality and experience, together forming a living account of the modern Vietnamese diaspora — what it has been through, and what it is like now."
"Baby Reindeer" is a massive hit for Netflix, and its creator and star, Richard Gadd, is now grappling with fame, a loss of anonymity, and criticisms that he failed to protect the identity of his alleged stalker. He talked to the Hollywood Reporter about how he became a performer, his early failures, and how he feels about internet sleuths. Have you watched the series? What did you think?
A 15-episode weekly medical procedural starring Noah Wyle! Live-event coverage, appointment TV and mega sports deals! Bundled content and stacks of commercials! Is it 1997, or is new television starting to look remarkably like old television? Variety's Michael Schneider looks at how streamers are dusting off some of the old broadcast playbook for a new era.
"Doctor Who" returned at the weekend with a double bill — "Space Babies" and "The Devil’s Chord." Here's a Rolling Stone U.K. interview from last year with the 15th Doctor, Ncuti Gatwa, in which he talks about his approach to the character and how he identifies with them. "As a child, Gatwa and his family fled Rwanda, escaping the genocide against the Tutsi minority. They settled in Scotland," writes journalist Alison Rumfitt. “This person survived a genocide. This person fits in everywhere and nowhere. I am the Doctor. The Doctor is me. I decided that I had to get this role,” Gatwa told her. How do you feel about the new series so far?
The last time Macklemore was really culturally relevant it was for songs like 2013’s “Thrift Shop.” Times have certainly changed. Last week, the rapper dropped “Hind’s Hall,” a blistering protest anthem that takes aim at Israel’s assault on Gaza and comes as student protests have spread around the world. Will “Hind’s Hall” usher in a new era of musical political activism? Vox has more, including why Macklemore’s political shift isn’t as surprising as you might think. https://flip.it/nwByYp #Culture#Entertainment#Music#Gaza#Israel#Macklemore
“The tech platforms aren’t like the Medici in Florence, or those other rich patrons of the arts. They don’t want to find the next Michelangelo or Mozart. They want to create a world of junkies—because they will be the dealers.”
Very sad news for movie lovers: the legendary Roger Corman has died at age 98. Here's a tribute to him from Variety. Tell us what you loved about Corman in the comments.
Switzerland's Nemo wins the 68th Eurovision Song Contest with “The Code,” an ode to the singer’s journey toward embracing their nongender identity. Read more from the AP, including how the audience responded to Eden Golan, the Israeli singer who spent the week under tight security in Malmö. https://flip.it/3Z-pjc #Culture#Entertainment#Music#Eurovision
Linda Martell appeared on two spoken-word segments on Beyoncé’s latest album, “Cowboy Carter.” Martell, a country singer, made history as the first Black woman to play the Grand Ole Opry in 1969. Five years later, the pioneering singer was out of country music. Billboard has more on Martell’s early career, such as her breakthrough single, “Color Him Father” that peaked at No. 22, and the wider audience that is finally hearing about her now. https://flip.it/YNsHGI #Culture#Entertainment#Music#Beyonce
The Netherlands’ contestant in the Eurovision Song Contest was dramatically kicked out of the competition just hours before Saturday’s final. AP has more, including emerging details of a backstage altercation that police are investigating. https://flip.it/UCmwny #Culture#Music#Entertainment#EuroVision
More controversy at this year's Eurovision: The Dutch contestant, Joost Klein will not be rehearsing again until "further notice" and it's unclear whether he will perform in the final as organizers the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) investigate an unexplained backstage incident. Klein had been part of the flag parade at the start of Friday's first rehearsal but then did not appear on stage for either of the day's rehearsals. Sky News says Klein's track, "Europapa," is a current favorite to win. Spain's state-owned broadcaster, RTVE has also hit at out the EBU, calling on it to respect "press and opinion." Here's more.
It's all systems go for a new series set in the same universe as "The Office." Variety reports that a mockumentary set at a dying historic Midwestern newspaper, ostensibly shot by the crew that immortalized Dunder Mifflin, has been picked up for a full series at Peacock. Here's more:
Amazon Prime Video subscribers are about to see even more ads. In January, viewers who didn't pay an additional $3 a month started to see commercials. Now, Amazon has announced that it's adding what it describes as shoppable carousel ads, interactive pause ads and interactive brand trivia ads. Here's more from Ars Technica. We want to know, have you, or will you ditch streaming services as they start to add commercials?
Post-holiday Tuesday blues got you down?
Check out my latest blog post where I share some of my favorite stress-relief TV shows that have been absolute lifesavers for me. 📺
ps. Sending you virtual hugs friends! 🤗
Cannes Film Festival, which begins on May 14, may see its first strike since 1968. Freelance festival workers from a labour group called Sous les écrans, la dèche (Broke behind the screens) want to raise awareness of the growing instability of the film industry in France. The group includes around 200 projectionists, programmers, PR representatives, and ticketing and guest relations workers, most of whom also work at other festivals across France. Here's more from Euronews.
The final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 takes place this week in Malmö, Sweden. Contestants from the 37 participating nations hope they can take home the top prize, like last year’s winner, Loreen, did with her song Tattoo. The BBC put together this guide to each of the zany songs (with serious undertones), brooding ballads, and beyond. https://flip.it/ItYsFv #Culture#Music#Entertainment#EuroVision
Rappers Kendrick Lamar and Drake go back to when Lamar appeared on Drizzy’s 2011 album, Take Care. Things seemed friendly then, but the hip-hop stars started taking swipes in 2013, and it all came to a climactic explosion of diss tracks on Friday. Here’s more on the ongoing rap feud that, as Andscape’s David Dennis Jr. says, it’s time for everyone to move on from. https://flip.it/P3raM2 #Culture#Entertainment#Music#HipHop#KendrickLamar#Drake
Stunt doubles are highly skilled and trained professionals who are often at risk through their work, but part of their job is staying away from fame. “Anonymity has always been the contract that we’ve agreed to, and it’s partly for the audience’s benefit,” says David Leitch, director of "The Fall Guy," who was Brad Pitt's stunt double for a decade. The Hollywood Reporter talked to him and Ben Jenkin, Logan Holladay and Chris O’Hara, three of the stunt performers from "The Fall Guy" about how they created the movie's action sequences, and the fight to get industry recognition for their profession. Tell us in the comments what you think the greatest stunt in movie history is.