Negromancer News Bits and Bites from October 11th to 17th, 2020 - Update #16

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

Support Leroy on Patreon:

ENTERTAINMENT AND CULTURE NEWS: 

CRIME - From YahooEntertainment:   An arrest has been made in the shooting death of actor Thomas Jefferson Byrd who was shot several times in the back on October 3rd in Atlanta.

STAR TREK - From THR:  CBS All-Access greenlights a fourth season of its flagship "Star Trek" TV series, "Star Trek: Discovery."

TELEVISION - From Deadline:  Showtime will revive its Emmy-winning serial killer drama, "Dexter" (2006-13) as a limited series.  Emmy-nominated actor, Michael C. Hall, will return as the title character, "Dexter Morgan," the forensic tech who moonlights as a serial killer.

TONY AWARDS - From Deadline:  This is a list of nominations for the 2020 American Theatre Wing's Tony Awards.

STREAMING - From Deadline:   Amazon has given the greenlight to a young adult TV series based on the hit 1997 horror film, "I Know What You Did Last Summer."

SPORTS - From CNN:  The Los Angeles Lakers win the National Basketball Association Championship for the year 2019-2020 - four games to two against the Miami Heat.  It is the Lakers record-tying 17th NBA Championship.

From YouTube:  Los Angeles Lakers claim 17th NBA title in YouTube mini-movie. 

From YouTube:  President Barack Obama shouts out Lakers for title win and for social justice.

From YahooSports:  Lakers championship was a real coup for controlling owner, Jeanie Buss

From TheGuardian:  Los Angeles Lakers champion and legend, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar says, Amid uncertainty and upheaval, LeBron shows us what an American should be.

BOX OFFICE - From Deadline:  The winner of the 10/9 to 10/11/2020 weekend box office is "War with Granpa" which has an estimated take of 3.6 million dollars.

PIXAR - From YahooEntertainment:  "Soul" creators go inside Pixar's first African-American-led film: 'Animation is not an industry where there's been a great deal of Black representation'

OSCARS - From Variety:   This Oscar Season Could Be for the Young and the Newcomers

OBITS:

From YahooSports:  ESPN reporter, Vaughn McClure, has died at the age of 48, Thursday, October 15, 2020.  McClure reported on the NFL's Atlanta Falcons for ESPN.

From Deadline:  American actress, Conchata Ferrell, has died at the age of 77, Monday, October 12, 2020.  She is best known for appearing in all 12 seasons of the CBS sitcom, "Two and a Half Men" (2003-2012).  She was a three-time Primetime Emmy Award nominee, earning two of the nomations for her work on "Two and a Half Men."

From Deadline:  American television film editor, Donald Douglas, has died at the age of 87, Saturday, October 3, 2020.  Douglas began his career editing episodes of animated television series for Hanna-Barbera Productions, including "The Yogi Bear Show" (1961) and "The Flintstones" (1960).  He received two Emmy nominations, one for his editing work on the 1984 CBS miniseries, "George Washington" and another for his work on the CBS television series, "Murder, She Wrote."

From ESPN:  Baseball Hall of Fame player, Joe Morgan, has died at the age of 77, Sunday, October 11, 2020.  Considered one of the greatest second baseman of all-time (if not the greatest), Morgan won two World Series titles with the Cincinnati Reds (1975 and 1976), and Morgan was named the "National League Most Valuable Player" both years.  He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1990.

COVID-19:

From CDC:   The Centers for Disease Control has a "COVID Data Tracker."

From YahooNews:  Why does COVID-19 kill some people and hardly affects others?

From YahooNews:  Yahoo has a dedicated page of links updating news about COVID-19.

From Deadline:  The news site "Deadline" has a dedicated page for news about coronavirus and the film, TV, and entertainment industries.

From TheNewYorker:  The venerable magazine has a dedicate COVID-19 page free to all readers.

From YahooNews:  Re: the federal government's response to COVID-19: What if the most important election of our lifetime was the last one - 2016?

From YahooLife:  What is "happy hypoxia?"  And do you have this COVID-19 symptom?

From JuanCole:  Remember when President Donald went crazy and suggested that we ingest household cleaning supplies and UV light to fight COVID-19.  Here is the video and commentary from Juan Cole.

From TheIntercept:  The federal government has ramped up security and police-related spending in response to the COVID-19/coronavirus pandemic, including issuing contracts for riot gear, disclosures show. The purchase orders include requests for disposable cuffs, gas masks, ballistic helmets, and riot gloves...

From TheAtlantic:  The Coronavirus Was an Emergency Until Trump Found Out Who Was Dying. The pandemic has exposed the bitter terms of our racial contract, which deems certain lives of greater value than others.

From ProPublica:  Hospital's Secret COVID-19 Policy Separated Native American Mothers From Their Newborns

From TheGuardian:  More than 20 million Americans could have contracted COVID-19, experts say.

From RSN/WashPost:  The COVID-19 mutation that has taken over the world.

7/13 - From YahooSports:  Maybe a pandemic means that there will not be college football this fall.

7/13- From YahooNews:  The CDC adds four new symptoms (including nausea and purple or blue lesions on feet and toes) to the list of COVID-19 symptoms.

7/19 - From YahooFinance:  Harvard Public Health professor Dr. Howard Koh says the U.S. "needs to regroup" to find COVID-19.

7/22 - From YahooNews:  A public health employee predicted Florida's coronavirus catastrophe — then she was fired.

7/22 - From YahooLifestyle:  Florida mom loses son, 20, to coronavirus, and then days later, her daughter.

7/23 - From TheWrap:  The site has a list of movie and TV stars, entertainment and sports figures who have tested positive for COVID-19

From Bloomberg:  Will the COVID-19 pandemic turn Millennials into socialists?

7/27 - From CNN:   Chief of critical care at Baltimore's Mercy Medical Center, Dr. Joseph Costa, passes away due to Covid-19 complications... after treating the hospital's sickest COVID-19 patients.  He was 56 and leaves behind family, including a husband of 28 years.

7/30 - From Deadline:  Emmy-winning actor Bryan Cranston ("Breaking Bad") reveals that he had a bout with COVID-19.

7/31 - From YahooEntertainment:  Writer and actress, Lena Dunham, creator of HBO's "Girls, reveals that she contracted COVID-19 and the symptoms she experiences and still experience.

7/30 - From YahooGMA:  In their bid to crackdown on illegal gatherings amid COVID-19, New York authorities break up an alleged sex party.

7/31 - From Slate:  COVID-19 is airborne - for reals!

8/2 - From TheDailyBeast:  In Mississippi, COVID-19 has coroners terrified.

8/6 - From YahooNews:  Testing everyone constantly could stop the spread of COVID-19... according to this article.

8/8 - From YahooNYT:  The coronavirus is new, but your immune system might recognize it.

8/8 - From YahooNBC:  They thought COVID-19 was a hoax, and they almost died from it or are watching family and loved ones suffer with it or die from it.

8/9 - From YahooNews:  The rest of the world is incredulous at the pitiful U.S. response to COVID-19.

8/9 - From YahooAFP:  According to the real-time tally kept by John Hopkins University, the United States has hit 5 million cases of COVID-19.

8/16 - From Truthout: COVID Deaths Continue to Surge in Countries Led by Far Right Authoritarians

9/19 - From WashPost:  U.S. coronavirus death toll reaches 200,000

9/23 - From CNBC:  Mark Cuban, who owns the NBA's Dallas Mavericks and star of ABC's "Shark Tank," suggests that every household in American get a $1000 check every two weeks for the next two months.

9/28 - From Deadline:  John Hopkins University's coronavirus tracker reports that over 1 million people have died of COVID-19 worldwide.

10/2 - From YahooNews:  President Donald and the First Lady have tested positive for COVID-19.

BLACK LIVES MATTER:

From RSN:   Judge's Blistering Opinion Says Courts Have Placed Police Beyond Accountability

From TheGuardian:  Yusef Salaam, one of the "Central Park Five," says in an interview, "Trump would have had me hanging from a tree in Central Park."

From NPR:  Prosecutors' plea deal required drug suspect to name Breonna Taylor a "co-defendant."

From ChicagoSunTimes:  Rev. Jesse Jackson: America has millions of people in poverty because Americans choose not to demand the policies that would lift them out of poverty.

From APNews:  No one will be held accountable for the killing of Louisville African-American resident, Breonna Taylor.

From Channel4:  Revealed: Trump campaign strategy to deter millions of Black Americans from voting in 2016

From GuardianUK:  California is going to consider paying reparations to the descendants of African slaves after adopting a landmark law to study and to develop proposals around the issue.

From TheRoot:   What to Do When Your Country Turns Into a Dumpster Fire

From Vox:  It's True: 1 in 1,000 Black Americans Have Died in the Covid-19 Pandemic

From CBS:  Breonna Taylor's boyfriend certain cops didn't identify themselves

Mattel Television Announces New "Thomas & Friends" Episodes and Specials

Mattel Television Greenlights 104 New “Thomas & Friends®” Television Episodes and 2 Specials

Mattel Television announces a new co-production partnership with Corus Entertainment’s Nelvana Studio

Mattel and Nelvana to introduce new creative approach to the “Thomas & Friends” television series starting with Season 25, which will premiere beginning in Fall 2021

EL SEGUNDO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mattel, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAT) announced that it has greenlit 104 11-minute episodes and two 60-minute specials for the “Thomas & Friends” television series over two seasons. The Company has partnered with Corus Entertainment’s Nelvana Studio, a leading international producer and distributor of children’s animated and live-action content, to co-produce the series starting with Season 25, which will premiere beginning in Fall 2021, and will introduce a new creative approach to the show, contemporizing the series for today’s families.

“Thomas & Friends” new creative direction builds on the long-standing success of the television series, which first launched in 1984. Starting with Season 25, the series will be animated in 2D. It will also build upon creative elements that have resonated with “Thomas & Friends” fans over the years by featuring comedic, playful stories and lessons told from Thomas’ point of view. Nelvana will help bring Thomas’ new 2D look to life, expanding upon Mattel’s existing relationship with Corus Entertainment, which serves as the Company’s Canadian licensing and broadcast partner for “Thomas & Friends.”

“‘Thomas & Friends’ enduring legacy and focus on the importance on friendship continue to resonate with global audiences, and we look forward to unveiling our new content to consumers next year,” said Fred Soulie, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Mattel Television. “Nelvana is the ideal production partner for the series, understanding the importance of staying true to Thomas’ ethos and heritage while bringing the franchise to life creatively in new ways for today’s kids.”

“As the exclusive broadcast partner and licensing agent of the treasured Thomas brand in Canada, we are delighted to deepen our relationship with Mattel by becoming their production partner on the re-imagined 2D series, which will introduce Thomas to a new generation of young audiences,” said Pam Westman, President, Nelvana. “With stunning animation and fresh new stories, the 2D series allows us to play up the humor in the show while honoring the legacy of the world’s most-adored blue tank engine.”

Executive producers for Season 25 of “Thomas & Friends” include Fred Soulie, Adam Bonnett and Christopher Keenan at Mattel, as well as Colin Bohm and Pam Westman at Nelvana.

Thomas was first created in 1945 by Rev. W. Awdry in stories for his son, Christopher. Today, the character is just as beloved by children as he was when he first chugged down the tracks. Thomas’ stories are currently told through the television series, toys, books, apps, live events and more.

About Mattel:

Mattel is a leading global toy company and owner of one of the strongest catalogs of children’s and family entertainment franchises in the world. We create innovative products and experiences that inspire, entertain and develop children through play. We engage consumers through our portfolio of iconic brands, including Barbie®, Hot Wheels®, Fisher-Price®, American Girl®, Thomas & Friends®, UNO® and MEGA®, as well as other popular intellectual properties that we own or license in partnership with global entertainment companies. Our offerings include film and television content, gaming, music and live events. We operate in 35 locations and our products are available in more than 150 countries in collaboration with the world’s leading retail and ecommerce companies. Since its founding in 1945, Mattel is proud to be a trusted partner in empowering children to explore the wonder of childhood and reach their full potential.

About Nelvana:

Entertaining kids for nearly 50 years, Nelvana is a world-leading international producer and distributor of children’s animated and live-action content. Nelvana produces a stable of award-winning and globally renowned brands that focus on comedies, preschool and boys action series and ancillary consumer products programs. Nelvana’s content airs on Corus Entertainment’s kids channels in Canada and in over 160 countries around the world. The Nelvana library has well over 4,400 episodes of programming and has received over 70 major international program awards including Emmys® and Canadian Screen Awards. Visit the Nelvana website at nelvana.com. Follow Nelvana Enterprises on Twitter @NelvanaEnt.

 

About Corus Entertainment:

Corus Entertainment Inc. (TSX: CJR.B) is a leading media and content company that develops and delivers high quality brands and content across platforms for audiences around the world. Engaging audiences since 1999, the company’s portfolio of multimedia offerings encompass 34 specialty television services, 39 radio stations, 15 conventional television stations, a suite of digital assets, animation software, technology and media services. Corus is an established creator of globally distributed content through Nelvana animation studio, Corus Studios, and children’s book publishing house Kids Can Press. The company also owns innovative full-service social digital agency so.da, and lifestyle entertainment company Kin Canada. Corus’ roster of premium brands includes Global Television, W Network, HGTV Canada, Food Network Canada, HISTORY®, Showcase, Adult Swim, National Geographic, Disney Channel Canada, YTV, Global News, Globalnews.ca, Q107, Country 105, and CFOX. Visit Corus at www.corusent.com.

 

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Nickelodeon Reveals First Look at Images from "Kamp Koral: SpongeBob's Under Years"

From L-R: Plankton, Sandy, SpongeBob, Patrick, Squidward and Mr. Krabs in Nickelodeon’s Kamp Koral: SpongeBob’s Under Years. (Graphic Business Wire)

Nickelodeon Reveals First Look of Characters in Original Kamp Koral: SpongeBob’s Under Years Animated Series

SpongeBob and His Bikini Bottom Friends Head to Kamp Koral in All-New Series Debuting on Paramount+ in 2021

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nickelodeon revealed a first look of the characters in its all-new animated series Kamp Koral: SpongeBob’s Under Years, which follows 10-year-old SpongeBob SquarePants and his pals as they spend their summer building underwater campfires, catching wild jellyfish, and swimming in Lake Yuckymuck at the craziest camp in the kelp forest, Kamp Koral. Produced by Nickelodeon Animation Studio, the series is slated to debut in 2021 exclusively on the newly rebranded Paramount+ streaming video on demand service. Following the season’s run on Paramount+, the series will also air on Nickelodeon later in the year.

In Kamp Koral: SpongeBob’s Under Years, SpongeBob meets Patrick, Sandy, Squidward, Plankton and Mr. Krabs, where the new friends embark on all the joys of camp, including hunting for treasure, slaplining and more. The CG-animated series (13 episodes) is the first original spinoff of Nickelodeon’s iconic hit show SpongeBob SquarePants.

Kamp Koral: SpongeBob’s Under Years features Tom Kenny (SpongeBob), Bill Fagerbakke (Patrick), Rodger Bumpass (Squidward), Clancy Brown (Mr. Krabs), Carolyn Lawrence (Sandy) and Mr. Lawrence (Plankton) reprising their iconic roles. Carlos Alazraqui (The Casagrandes) and Kate Higgins (Blaze and the Monster Machines) join as new characters Nobby and Narlene, narwhal siblings who live in the woods surrounding the camp.

Marc Ceccarelli (SpongeBob SquarePants), Vincent Waller (SpongeBob SquarePants) and Jennie Monica (SpongeBob SquarePants) are co-executive producers of the series. Production of Kamp Koral: SpongeBob’s Under Years is overseen by Kelley Gardner, Vice President, Current Series Animation, Nickelodeon.

Since its launch July 17, 1999, SpongeBob SquarePants has reigned as the number-one kids’ animated series on TV for the last 17 years, while generating a universe of beloved characters, pop culture catchphrases and memes, theatrical releases, consumer products, a Tony Award®-winning Broadway musical and a global fan base. SpongeBob SquarePants is the most widely distributed property in Viacom International Media Networks history, seen in more than 170 countries and territories, translated in 30+ languages, and averaging more than 100 million total viewers every month. SpongeBob SquarePants was created by Stephen Hillenburg and produced by Nickelodeon in Burbank. The character-driven cartoon chronicles the nautical and sometimes nonsensical adventures of SpongeBob, an incurable optimist and earnest sea sponge, and his undersea friends.

The forthcoming Kamp Koral: SpongeBob’s Under Years series is part of Nickelodeon’s strategy to be the home of the biggest franchises kids and families love, and it expands Nickelodeon’s growing portfolio of influential properties that already includes SpongeBob SquarePants, PAW Patrol, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Blue’s Clues & You!, the all-new animated Star Trek: Prodigy series and recently announced The Smurfs.

Nickelodeon, now in its 41st year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The brand includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, digital, location based experiences, publishing and feature films. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of ViacomCBS Inc. (Nasdaq: VIACA, VIAC).

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Yen Press Announces "When a Magician's Pupil Smiles" and More Titles

Acquisition Announcement — Yen Press Announces Four New Titles for Future Publication

NEW YORK, NY – Yen Press, LLC announced a slate of upcoming titles that include the manga series When a Magician’s Pupil Smiles and Goblin Slayer Side Story II: Dai Katana and the light novel series and manga adaptation of I Was a Bottom-Tier Bureaucrat for 1,500 Years, and the Demon King Made Me a Minister.

When a Magician's Pupil Smiles
Story and Art by Chisaki Kanai

Ouka Namae, a magician's pupil, is incapable of feeling emotion. That is...he's almost incapable. There is one particular circumstance when his feelings rise to the surface, but the scenario that unleashes them is too dark to even contemplate...

When a Magician’s Pupil Smiles is a dark supernatural manga that was originally published as a digital exclusive by Yen Press. This upcoming print edition collects the entire series in a single omnibus edition.

Goblin Slayer Side Story II: Dai Katana, Vol. 1 (manga)
Story by Kumo Kagyu
Art by Aoki Shogo
Original Illustrations by lack

Not a soul knows how the death and destruction started. Only one thing is certain-it came from the north. Deep within the Dungeon of the Dead is where the the Demon King resides and the only hope humanity has of defeating this great evil rests on the shoulders of a handful of adventurers. This tale of Sword Maiden's past smells of ash and sounds like the ringing of bare steel.

Goblin Slayer Side Story II: Dai Katana is a manga adaptation of the upcoming light novel release. A spin-off of the ever popular Goblin Slayer that delves into the past of the legendary Sword Maiden, this manga appeals greatly to fans of the series.

I Was a Bottom-Tier Bureaucrat for 1,500 Years, and the Demon King Made Me a Minister (light novel)
Story by Kisetsu Morita
Illustrations by Benio

In this spinoff story of I’ve Been Killing Slimes for 300 Years and Maxed Out My Level, enjoy Beelzebub’s misadventures in her early days as the demon Minister of Agriculture, after she was promoted from entry-level office worker right to the top!

I Was a Bottom-Tier Bureaucrat for 1,500 Years, and the Demon King Made Me a Minister is a spin-off of I’ve Been Killing Slimes for 300 Years and Maxed Out My Level, a slice-of-life fantasy that has been rapidly growing in popularity with an anime adaptation on the horizon. As a spin-off that focuses on the past hijinks of fan-favorite character Beelzebub, this series further builds upon the fun and fantastical world that many have grown to love.

I Was a Bottom-Tier Bureaucrat for 1,500 Years, and the Demon King Made Me a Minister (manga)
Story by Kisetsu Morita
Art by Meishi Murakami
Original Illustrations by Benio

In this spinoff story of I’ve Been Killing Slimes for 300 Years and Maxed Out My Level, enjoy demon Minister of Agriculture Beelzebub’s adventures in the days before she met Azusa. After refusing promotions for 1500 years, how did she make it from entry-level office worker right to the top?

Like the manga adaptation of I’ve Been Killing Slimes for 300 Years and Maxed Out My Level, the manga adaptation of I Was a Bottom-Tier Bureaucrat for 1,500 Years, and the Demon King Made Me a Minister does an amazing job portraying the hilarious events and characters from the pages of the light novel series, all in a cute art style that fans are sure to love.


About Yen Press, LLC:
Yen Press, LLC is a joint venture between Kadokawa Corporation and Hachette Book Group. Founded in 2006, Yen Press has quickly risen to become one of the largest and most prolific publishers of manga and original graphic novels in the North American marketplace and a driving force in the introduction of light novels and Japanese literature to new readers through its Yen On imprint. For more information, visit www.yenpress.com

Negromancer News Bits and Bites from October 1st to 10th, 2020 - Update #29

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

Support Leroy on Patreon:

ENTERTAINMENT AND CULTURE NEWS: 

DISNEY - From Deadline:  Pixar's upcoming animated film, "Soul," will skip theaters and debut on the streaming service, "Disney+" on Christmas Day.

STAR TREK - From Variety:  Actress Kate Mulgrew will return as "Captain Kathryn Janeway" (of "Star Trek Voyager") for Nickelodeon's animated "Star Trek: Prodigy."

POLITICS - From YahooNews:  The federal government has broken up a plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer by seven members of the militia group, the "Wolverine Watchmen." 

POLITICS - From YahooFinance:  Most Americans support higher taxes if it's spent on these 2 things: Poll

MOVIES - From IndieWire:   Robert Downey, Jr. is working of his third "Sherlock Holmes" film, following the first two, in 2009 and 2011.  He hopes to use this third film to launch a Marvel-style cinematic universe with Sherlock-inspired films.

MOVIES - From People:   Whoopi Goldberg says there is work being done to bring about "Sister Act 3," which would be the second sequel to her hit 1992 film, "Sister Act."

STREAMING - From Deadline:   AMC Network's streaming service, UMC, will launch the limited series thriller, "Terror Lake Drive."  "Empire" star, Malik Yoba, leads the cast.

MOVIES - From Deadline:  Constantin Film has set a reboot of its "Resident Evil" film franchise.  Writer-director Johannes Roberts has said that he has conceived an origin story with "faithful ties" to the original Capcom video games.  Netflix is also planning an eight-episode TV series based on the game.

CULTURE - From YahooLifestyle:  'They dictate their care': VIP (very important patient) syndrome may be behind Trump's discharge from Walter Reed, expert says

TELEVISION - From TCM:   TCM's (Turner Classic Movies) "Star of the Month" for October 2020 is the late, great lion of British cinema, Peter Cushing.  On Monday evenings in October, TCM will be screening two films starring Cushing.

MOVIES - From Variety:  Warner Bros. and Legendary Entertainment have delayed the release of director Denis Villeneuve's "Dune" from Dec. 18th, 2020 to October 1, 2021.

BOX OFFICE - From Deadline:   The winner of the 10/2 to 10/4/2020 weekend box office is "Tenet" with an estimated take of 2.7 million dollars.

From Deadline:  "Tenet" leads the international box office with a take of 11.5 million.

From Variety:  OPINION - "Why 'Tenet' was the Wrong Movie at the Wrong Time." (Column)

From Variety:  Cineworld is considering closing all its Regal Cinemas in the U.S., U.K., and Ireland.  This may be fallout from the announcement that the next James Bond movie, "No Time to Die," has been moved from a November 2020 release date to April 2021.

MOVIES - From Deadline:  Clint Eastwood has found his next film.  He will star in and direct "Cry Macho" for Warner Bros.

TELEVISION - From Deadline:  Rob and Michele Reiner have revived the "Castle Rock" banner that Rob Reiner co-founded in 1987.  The Reiners have signed an overall multi-year directing and producing deal with Warner Bros. Television.

MOVIES - From Deadline:  Warner Bros. has moved "Roald Dahl's The Witches" from a theatrical release (scheduled for release Oct. 16th) to a streaming release on HBO Max on Oct. 9th.

STREAMING - From EW:  Netflix releases first look at the late Chadwick Boseman ("Black Panther") in his final role in the film, "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom."

MOVIES - From Deadline:   Don Cheadle and Benecio del Toro headline director Steven Soderbergh's all-star HBO Max crime thriller, "No Sudden Move."

OBITS:

From CNN:  American reggae and pop music singer-songwriter, Johnny Nash, has died at the age of 80, Tuesday, October 6, 2020.  Nash was best known for his 1972 hit song that he wrote and produced, "I Can See Clearly Now," which hit "No.1" on the "Billboard Hot 100" charts.  He was one of the first non-Jamaican artists to record reggae music in Kingston, Jamaica.

From RollingStone:   Rock music and rock guitar legend, Eddie Van Halen, has died at the age of 65, Tuesday, October 6, 2020.  Van Halen was best known for co-founding the rock band, "Van Halen," which was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007.  Eddie was frequently considered among the very best or the best guitarist of all time.  Eddie had apparently been battling throat cancer for the past five years.

From Variety:   The actor, Thomas Jefferson Byrd, was killed Saturday, October 3, 2020 at the age of 70.  Byrd appeared in several Spike Lee films, beginning with "Clockers" (1995) and ending with "Chi-raq" (2015).  He received a Tony Award nomination for his role in the 2003 revival of "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom."

From StLouisPostDispatch:   Hall of Fame Major League Baseball pitcher, Bob Gibson, has died at the age of 84, Friday, October 2, 2020.  Gibson spent his entire 17 year career, 1959 to 1975, with the National League's St. Louis Cardinals.  Gibson won the top pitching honor, the Cy Young Award, 1968 and 1970, and he was the National League MVP in 1968.  He was the World Series MVP in 1964 and 1967, leading the Cardinals to the World Series Championship both years.  1968, the pinnacle of his career, saw him post a 1.12 ERA (earned run average).

From RollingStone:   Country music singer-songwriter and actor, Mac Davis, has died at the age of 78, Tuesday, September 29, 2020.  Davis' initial fame came as a songwriter for Elvis Presely, writing such hits as "A Little Less Conversation" (1968) and "In the Ghetto" (1969).  Davis' own solo hits included “Baby Don’t Get Hooked on Me” (1972), “Stop and Smell the Roses” (1974), and “One Hell of a Woman" (1974).  Davis parlayed his hit music into a career in films and television, including hosting a number of his own TV variety specials.

From Deadline:  Australian-American singer, actress, and activist, Helen Reddy, has died at the age of 78, Tuesday, September 29, 2020.  Called the "Queen of 70s Pop," Reddy was best known for her feminist anthem, "I Am Woman," in particularly the 1972 recording of the song which had originally been released in 1971.  In 1973, "I Am Woman" won Reddy a Grammy Award for "Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female."

CORONAVIRUS/COVID-19 NEWS:

From CDC:   The Centers for Disease Control has a "COVID Data Tracker."

From YahooNews:  Why does COVID-19 kill some people and hardly affects others?

From YahooNews:  Yahoo has a dedicated page of links updating news about COVID-19.

From Deadline:  The news site "Deadline" has a dedicated page for news about coronavirus and the film, TV, and entertainment industries.

From TheNewYorker:  The venerable magazine has a dedicate COVID-19 page free to all readers.

From YahooNews:  Re: the federal government's response to COVID-19: What if the most important election of our lifetime was the last one - 2016?

From YahooLife:  What is "happy hypoxia?"  And do you have this COVID-19 symptom?

From JuanCole:  Remember when President Donald went crazy and suggested that we ingest household cleaning supplies and UV light to fight COVID-19.  Here is the video and commentary from Juan Cole.

From TheIntercept:  The federal government has ramped up security and police-related spending in response to the COVID-19/coronavirus pandemic, including issuing contracts for riot gear, disclosures show. The purchase orders include requests for disposable cuffs, gas masks, ballistic helmets, and riot gloves...

From TheAtlantic:  The Coronavirus Was an Emergency Until Trump Found Out Who Was Dying. The pandemic has exposed the bitter terms of our racial contract, which deems certain lives of greater value than others.

From ProPublica:  Hospital's Secret COVID-19 Policy Separated Native American Mothers From Their Newborns

From TheGuardian:  More than 20 million Americans could have contracted COVID-19, experts say.

From RSN/WashPost:  The COVID-19 mutation that has taken over the world.

7/13 - From YahooSports:  Maybe a pandemic means that there will not be college football this fall.

7/13- From YahooNews:  The CDC adds four new symptoms (including nausea and purple or blue lesions on feet and toes) to the list of COVID-19 symptoms.

7/19 - From YahooFinance:  Harvard Public Health professor Dr. Howard Koh says the U.S. "needs to regroup" to find COVID-19.

7/22 - From YahooNews:  A public health employee predicted Florida's coronavirus catastrophe — then she was fired.

7/22 - From YahooLifestyle:  Florida mom loses son, 20, to coronavirus, and then days later, her daughter.

7/23 - From TheWrap:  The site has a list of movie and TV stars, entertainment and sports figures who have tested positive for COVID-19

From Bloomberg:  Will the COVID-19 pandemic turn Millennials into socialists?

7/27 - From CNN:   Chief of critical care at Baltimore's Mercy Medical Center, Dr. Joseph Costa, passes away due to Covid-19 complications... after treating the hospital's sickest COVID-19 patients.  He was 56 and leaves behind family, including a husband of 28 years.

7/30 - From Deadline:  Emmy-winning actor Bryan Cranston ("Breaking Bad") reveals that he had a bout with COVID-19.

7/31 - From YahooEntertainment:  Writer and actress, Lena Dunham, creator of HBO's "Girls, reveals that she contracted COVID-19 and the symptoms she experiences and still experience.

7/30 - From YahooGMA:  In their bid to crackdown on illegal gatherings amid COVID-19, New York authorities break up an alleged sex party.

7/31 - From Slate:  COVID-19 is airborne - for reals!

8/2 - From TheDailyBeast:  In Mississippi, COVID-19 has coroners terrified.

8/6 - From YahooNews:  Testing everyone constantly could stop the spread of COVID-19... according to this article.

8/8 - From YahooNYT:  The coronavirus is new, but your immune system might recognize it.

8/8 - From YahooNBC:  They thought COVID-19 was a hoax, and they almost died from it or are watching family and loved ones suffer with it or die from it.

8/9 - From YahooNews:  The rest of the world is incredulous at the pitiful U.S. response to COVID-19.

8/9 - From YahooAFP:  According to the real-time tally kept by John Hopkins University, the United States has hit 5 million cases of COVID-19.

8/16 - From Truthout: COVID Deaths Continue to Surge in Countries Led by Far Right Authoritarians

9/19 - From WashPost:  U.S. coronavirus death toll reaches 200,000

9/23 - From CNBC:  Mark Cuban, who owns the NBA's Dallas Mavericks and star of ABC's "Shark Tank," suggests that every household in American get a $1000 check every two weeks for the next two months.

9/28 - From Deadline:  John Hopkins University's coronavirus tracker reports that over 1 million people have died of COVID-19 worldwide.

10/2 - From YahooNews:  President Donald and the First Lady have tested positive for COVID-19.

BLACK LIVES MATTER:

From RSN:   Judge's Blistering Opinion Says Courts Have Placed Police Beyond Accountability

From TheGuardian:  Yusef Salaam, one of the "Central Park Five," says in an interview, "Trump would have had me hanging from a tree in Central Park."

From NPR:  Prosecutors' plea deal required drug suspect to name Breonna Taylor a "co-defendant."

From ChicagoSunTimes:  Rev. Jesse Jackson: America has millions of people in poverty because Americans choose not to demand the policies that would lift them out of poverty.

From APNews:  No one will be held accountable for the killing of Louisville African-American resident, Breonna Taylor.

From Channel4:  Revealed: Trump campaign strategy to deter millions of Black Americans from voting in 2016

From GuardianUK:  California is going to consider paying reparations to the descendants of African slaves after adopting a landmark law to study and to develop proposals around the issue.

From TheRoot:   What to Do When Your Country Turns Into a Dumpster Fire

From Vox:  It's True: 1 in 1,000 Black Americans Have Died in the Covid-19 Pandemic

"Thomas & Friends" Feature Film in Development

Mattel Films and Marc Forster’s 2Dux² Partner to Develop “Thomas & Friends®” Feature Film

    Marc Forster to direct the four-quadrant family adventure that blends live-action and animation
    “Thomas & Friends” marks the tenth Mattel Films project in development

EL SEGUNDO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mattel, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAT) and production company 2Dux² announced plans to develop a feature film based on Thomas & Friends®, the global franchise about the iconic blue engine. Mattel Films and 2Dux² will bring Thomas & Friends to life through a four-quadrant family adventure that blends live-action and animation.

Mattel Films will co-produce the film alongside Marc Forster (“Christopher Robin,” “World War Z,” “Monster's Ball”), who will also direct, and Renée Wolfe (“Christopher Robin,” “All I See Is You”), co-founder and co-CEO of 2Dux². Alyssa Hill (“A Taste of Power”) and Jesse Wigutow (“TRON3” - upcoming) have penned the script. Robbie Brenner, executive producer, and Kevin McKeon, supervising producer, will lead the project for Mattel Films.

“Thomas is a beloved global franchise that focuses on the importance of friendship, a theme that resonates deeply with children and parents around the world,” said Robbie Brenner. “Marc is an incredible storyteller and I look forward to partnering with him to tell Thomas’ story in a modern and unexpected way.”

“Thomas has been a personal favorite of mine since childhood,” said Marc Forster. “I couldn’t be more excited to be working with Robbie and the entire team at Mattel, and embarking on this beautiful journey with such a timeless property.”

Thomas & Friends, celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, introduces children to the world around them through the wonder and awe of trains. Thomas was first created in 1945 by Rev. W. Awdry in stories for his son, Christopher. Today, the character is just as beloved by children as he was when he first chugged down the tracks. Thomas’ stories are currently told through the “Thomas & Friends” television series (now in its 24th season), toys, books, apps and more.

“Thomas & Friends” joins other Mattel Films projects in development including films based on American Girl®, Barbie®, Barney®, Hot Wheels®, Magic 8 Ball®, Major Matt Mason®, Masters of the Universe®, View Master® and Wishbone™.

Alyssa Hill is represented by Kaplan/Perrone Entertainment as well as Mahdi Salehi and Katherine McClure at HJTH. Jesse Wigutow is represented by Verve, Kaplan/Perrone Entertainment, and Sloane, Offer, Weber & Dern.

About Mattel:
Mattel is a leading global toy company and owner of one of the strongest catalogs of children’s and family entertainment franchises in the world. We create innovative products and experiences that inspire, entertain and develop children through play. We engage consumers through our portfolio of iconic brands, including Barbie®, Hot Wheels®, Fisher-Price®, American Girl®, Thomas & Friends®, UNO® and MEGA®, as well as other popular intellectual properties that we own or license in partnership with global entertainment companies. Our offerings include film and television content, gaming, music and live events. We operate in 35 locations and our products are available in more than 150 countries in collaboration with the world’s leading retail and ecommerce companies. Since its founding in 1945, Mattel is proud to be a trusted partner in empowering children to explore the wonder of childhood and reach their full potential.

About 2Dux²:
Los Angeles-based 2Dux² develops and produces feature films, TV and transmedia projects for broad and diverse audiences. The majority of their content is written and created by the duo of Renée Wolfe & Marc Forster. Forster & Wolfe are the co-founders and co-owners of 2Dux². Forster is known for directing such award-winning and critically-acclaimed films as Monster’s Ball, Finding Neverland, Stranger Than Fiction and The Kite Runner.

Forster and Wolfe have worked together creatively for over 20 years and decided to form the company eight years ago, in 2012. They both serve as co-CEO’s of 2Dux². Since the founding of the company, this creative team has been making movies loved by fans including award-winning films such as WWZ, Christopher Robin and All I See Is You.

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AMC Theatres and Odeon Cinemas Committ to Remaining Open

With Several New Movie Releases Coming in October and November, AMC Theatres® and Odeon Cinemas in the United States, Europe and the Middle East to Remain Open

More than 80% of AMC Theatres in the U.S. are open now, and will remain open for moviegoers

More than 90% of Odeon Cinemas Group theatres across Europe are open now, and will remain open for moviegoers

Fully 100% of AMC Cinemas in the Middle East are open now, and will remain open for moviegoers

AMC to open more theatres when given permission to do so by local authorities, especially in the States of New York and California

THE WAR WITH GRANDPA starring Robert De Niro makes its debut at AMC Theatres across the United States starting this Friday, October 9, 2020

More new movie releases in October and November are expected to include YELLOW ROSE (October 9), HONEST THIEF (October 16), 2 HEARTS (October 16), THE EMPTY MAN (October 23), COME PLAY (October 30), LET HIM GO (November 6), FREAKY (November 3), THE COMEBACK TRAIL (November 3), SOUL (November 20), THE CROODS: A NEW AGE (November 25), and HAPPIEST SEASON (November 25)

LEAWOOD, Kan.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AMC Entertainment (NYSE:AMC), the largest theatrical exhibitor in the United States, in Europe & the Middle East and the world, announced that it is currently planning for all of its theatres that are now open to remain open for business. More than 80% of AMC’s U.S. theatres are currently open and an even higher percentage of AMC’s international theatres across Europe and the Middle East are open and will continue to be so. In addition, AMC said it is actively planning to open more theatres, especially in New York and California, when authorized to do so by state and county officials.

AMC makes this announcement in light of news reports that other movie circuits may temporarily close.

AMC noted that there are many new movie titles that will be released in October and November, including THE WAR WITH GRANDPA starring Robert De Niro, and YELLOW ROSE, which open this weekend in the United States. Other titles coming soon include HONEST THIEF and 2 HEARTS on October 16, THE EMPTY MAN on October 23, COME PLAY on October 30, LET HIM GO on November 6, FREAKY and THE COMEBACK TRAIL on November 3, SOUL on November 20 and THE CROODS: A NEW AGE and HAPPIEST SEASON on November 25, as well as local language films in certain countries outside the U.S.

Commenting on the announcement, AMC CEO and President Adam Aron said, “Some of our best partners like Disney, with its much anticipated SOUL, and Universal with THE CROODS: A NEW AGE, have new movies scheduled for theatrical release over the next month and a half. Warner Bros.’ TENET has been stimulating moviegoers and is still leading the box office. And this weekend, THE WAR WITH GRANDPA, a new movie title starring the legendary Robert De Niro, will be prominent all across the U.S. on the big screens of AMC.”

Aron added, “Fortunately for AMC, our groundbreaking agreement with Universal Studios announced earlier this summer puts AMC in a position where we can open our theatres when others may feel the need to close. We are fully comfortable showing Universal films in our theaters, even as they implement premium video on demand as we have mutually agreed. This is because AMC will share in premium revenues coming from their early availability in the home.”

Aron concluded, “We take great comfort in knowing that literally millions of moviegoers have already visited our theatres. They have done so in part because of our AMC Safe & Clean protocols, developed in consultation with Clorox and faculty of the Harvard University School of Public Health. Our guests are telling us that our theatres have never been cleaner, and that they recognize the great effort AMC is making to keep them healthy and safe.”

Showtimes can be found at amctheatres.com and on the AMC Mobile app. Showtimes, and the roster of AMC Theatres that are open, are subject to change at any time at AMC’s discretion. Further, in areas where movie theatres are not permitted to open, AMC is in dialogue with state and local health authorities about operating our theatres.

AMC SAFE & CLEAN:
Upon returning to the movies, AMC guests can expect to experience AMC’s comprehensive health and sanitation program: AMC Safe & Clean, which was developed under advisement of current & former faculty of Harvard University’s prestigious School of Public Health, as well as the No. 1 U.S. cleaning brand, The Clorox Company.

AMC Safe & Clean components include significant reductions in the maximum tickets available for each showtime and seat blocking in reserved seating auditoriums to allow for appropriate social distancing between parties, enhanced cleaning procedures that include extra time between showtimes to allow for a full, thorough cleaning and nightly disinfecting utilizing electrostatic sprayers, use of high tech HEPA vacuums, upgraded air filtration efforts including the use of MERV 13 filters wherever possible, new guest and associate safety protocols that include mandatory mask wearing by all guests and associates, hand sanitizing stations throughout the theatre and the availability to guests of disinfectant wipes. The entire AMC Safe & Clean plan can be found at amctheatres.com/amc-safe-and-clean.

About AMC Entertainment Holdings, Inc.:
AMC is the largest movie exhibition company in the United States, the largest in Europe and the largest throughout the world with approximately 1,000 theatres and 11,000 screens across the globe. AMC has propelled innovation in the exhibition industry by: deploying its Signature power-recliner seats; delivering enhanced food and beverage choices; generating greater guest engagement through its loyalty and subscription programs, web site and mobile apps; offering premium large format experiences and playing a wide variety of content including the latest Hollywood releases and independent programming. AMC operates among the most productive theatres in the United States' top markets, having the #1 or #2 market share positions in 21 of the 25 largest metropolitan areas of the United States. AMC is also #1 or #2 in market share in 9 of the 15 countries it serves in North America, Europe and the Middle East. For more information, visit www.amctheatres.com.

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