Negromancer News Bits and Bites from May 1st to 10th, 2025 - UPDATE #12

by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

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NEWS:

TELEVISION - From Deadline:  Fox Entertainment has tapped actor Josh Charles as the star of "Best Medicine," its remake of the popular British television series, "Doc Martin."

From Variety:  NBC has cancelled its new legal drama, "Suits LA," the second spinoff of the former USA Network legal drama, "Suits" (2011-19).

RELIGION - From CNN:  69-year-old Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost of Chicago, Illinois has been elected the 267th pope of the Catholic Church. Cardinal Prevost has taken the name "Pope Leo XIV."  He is the first pope from the United States.

POLITICS - From Variety:  Actor Jon Voight talks in broad terms about the plan he is spearheading with President Donald Trump to "save Hollywood."

NETFLIX - From YahooEndgadget:  Netflix is undergoing its first major redesign in a major overhaul of its television interface.

APPLE - From Variety:  Spike Lee has released the first trailer for his A24 and Apple-backed crime thriller, “Highest 2 Lowest.”  The film stars Denzel Washington, A$AP Rocky, Jeffrey Wright, and more.  The movie will be released in theaters August 22, 2025 and then, stream on Apple TV+ starting September 5, 2025.  “Highest 2 Lowest” is loosely based on Akira Kurosawa’s film, “High and Low” (1963).  Both films are reinterpretations of Ed McBain’s 1959 mystery novel “King’s Ransom” (which was part of his "87th Precinct" series).

BOX OFFICE - BoxOfficePro:  The winner of the 5/2 to 5/4/2025 weekend box office is Disney/Marvel Studios' "Thunderbolts*" with an estimated take of 76 million dollars.

From Deadline:  The advanced ticket sales for Disney's "Lilo & Stitch" film, which is set for a May 23rd release, seem to be quite high.

TELEVISON - From THR:  Queen Latifah responds to the recent announcement that it was cancelling her CBS action series, "The Equalizer," after five seasons by teasing her next project.  The last episode of the series is scheduled to air tonight, Sunday, May 4th, 2025.

From Deadline:  The Comcast-owned NBCUniversal recently went through two major changes.  First, there is "SpinCo," the new spinoff standalone company that will house cable networks such as E!, Syfy, Oxygen and USA Network.  Then, there is the restructure that saw new roles for top executives including Pearlena Igbokwe and Frances Berwick.  Now, news site "Deadline" is reporting that NBCUniversal is now starting a process of layoffs tied to these moves. 

OBITS:

From CartoonBrew:  American animator and musician, Jim Smith, has died at the age of 70, Friday, May 2, 2025.  Smith is best known for co-founding the American animation studio, "Spumco," with John Kricfalusi, Bob Camp, and Lynne Naylor.  His best known work was on such animated television series as "Tiny Toon Adventures," "The Ren & Stimpy Show," and "Samurai Jack."

From Deadline:  The American actor, Charley Scalies, has died at the age of 84, Thursday, May 1, 2025.  Scalies was best known for his character roles on such television series as "Homicide: Life on the Streets" and "The Wire."

From Variety:  American actor, comedian, and voice performer, Ruth Buzzi, has died at the age of 88, Thursday, May 1, 2025.  Buzzi is best known for her work on the former NBC sketch comedy series, "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In" (1968-73).  Buzzi also had a long stint on PBS' "Sesame Street" (1993-2008).  As a voice actor, Buzzi has roles on such animated series as "Pound Puppies," "Darkwing Duck," and "Cro," to name a few.  Buzzi received five Primetime Emmy nominations for her work on "Laugh-In."