- By MARIA SHERMAN - AP Music Writer
Dolly Parton has released a breathtaking new ballad in tribute to her late husband Carl Dean. Dean was Parton’s devoted husband of nearly 60 years. He avoided the spotlight and inspired her timeless hit “Jolene." He died Monday at 82. Parton announced a new song in tribute to Dean titled “If You Hadn’t Been There” on Friday morning. The song enters the pantheon of great, big-hearted Parton ballads. At the end, Parton's big voice retreats into a whisper when she delivers the song’s titular line. “I wouldn’t be here, If you hadn’t been there," she sings.
- By MARK KENNEDY - AP Entertainment Writer
Green tears were flowing when Lencia Kebede made history this week on Broadway, becoming the first Black actor to assume the role of Elphaba full time in the Broadway company of “Wicked.” Kebede, a first-generation Ethiopian-American from Los Angeles, spent five years touring with “Hamilton,” most recently in the role of Angelica Schuyler. Stepping into “Wicked” on Tuesday marked her Broadway debut. In the audience were some 60 family and friends — mom and her aunts and uncles, her many cousins, her boyfriend, pals from other shows, her agent and casting directors, even her college choir director. The actor calls the experience "electric.”
- Michael Phillips - Chicago Tribune (TNS)
CHICAGO — Some movies speak loudly and carry a big cultural-impact stick. In the ’70s, for example: the first “Godfather” film, the second, even better one, or even bigger, “Jaws.” And “Star Wars.” They have stuck around as something more than hit movies.
- Moira Macdonald - The Seattle Times (TNS)
Sometimes, a great new television series arrives with loud announcements and general heralding; sometimes, one slips in quietly as if on slippered feet, declining to call attention to itself. I don’t know why there weren’t pronouncements from the hilltops when “Asura,” the new series from th…
- August Brown - Los Angeles Times (TNS)
LOS ANGELES — On Wednesday night, Gen Z's favorite heavy rock band took a moment onstage at the Kia Forum to remember their first gig there.
The following are Friday’s television listings for the local PBS stations:
- Mary McNamara - Los Angeles Times (TNS)
LOS ANGELES — George and Teddy Kunhardt made the documentary “Becoming Katharine Graham” for the same reason most people make documentaries: to tell a story they thought people should know.
'Let the waltz begin!' Vienna's ball season has 18th century roots, but teens now go online to dance
- By DENES ERDOS - Associated Press
From its 18th century roots, Vienna’s celebrated ball season has evolved and now involves teenagers learning to waltz by watching YouTube videos and ladies shedding their elbow-length gloves to better swipe on smartphones. More than 450 balls occur annually in Vienna, taking place from Nov. 11 to mark the start of carnival season to Ash Wednesday before Lent begins. Professional guilds throughout the city host their own events, like the Ball of the Viennese Chimney Sweeps that marks the opening of the season. The events are deeply rooted in Austrian and Viennese culture, blending history with modern glamour, and the waltz remains an essential part.
- By MORGAN LEE - Associated Press
Authorities are preparing to reveal more information about the investigation into the deaths of actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa. The couple's partially mummified bodies were discovered last week at their home in the hills of Santa Fe, New Mexico. Hackman was 95 and Arakawa was 65. Authorities have scheduled a briefing Friday to provide an update on the case. Officials say they do not suspect foul play and testing for carbon monoxide poisoning was negative. Arakawa’s body was found with an open prescription bottle and pills scattered on the bathroom counter. Hackman was found in the home's entryway. A dog that was in a kennel near Arakawa also died.
- By MARIA SHERMAN - AP Music Writer
Seven years ago, global pop phenomenon Jennie became the first member of the K-pop group Blackpink to release solo music. On Friday she becomes the latest to drop a debut solo studio album. It is called “Ruby.” It’s a kaleidoscope of different sounds for Jennie, full of incongruous, polished pleasures, The Associated Press' Maria Sherman writes in her review. As a whole, Jennie’s “Ruby” is a fine re-introduction to the Blackpink superstar. The songs are strong and diverse but maybe not wholly distinctive. It is reason to be excited for her future solo work and where she may go from here.
- AP
Bad Bunny’s sports representation firm and the Major League Baseball Players Association have filed an agreement to dismiss the union’s lawsuit over penalties imposed for making improper inducements. The sides submitted a stipulation telling U.S. District Judge Jennifer H. Rearden in Manhattan they had settled the matter. The MLBPA disciplined Rimas Sports, the agency co-owned by Puerto Rican musical artist Bad Bunny, last April over violations of its agent regulations. It revoked the agent certification of Rimas’ William Arroyo and denied certifications of executives Noah Assad and Jonathan Miranda. An arbitrator Ruth upheld five-year suspensions of Assad and Miranda and cut Arroyo’s suspension to three years.
- Jami Ganz - New York Daily News (TNS)
Dolly Parton has sent a “love note” to all who have supported her following the death this week of Carl Dean, her husband of nearly 60 years.
- Jessica Gelt - Los Angeles Times (TNS)
LOS ANGELES — The end of a golden era approaches as the Los Angeles Philharmonic on Thursday announced details of the final season at Walt Disney Concert Hall for Music and Artistic Director Gustavo Dudamel, who after 17 years will move on to helm the New York Philharmonic.
- Alexandra Del Rosario - Los Angeles Times (TNS)
LOS ANGELES — Pamela Bach, the ex-wife of “Baywatch” star David Hasselhoff who also had a TV career of her own, was found dead at her home in Hollywood on Wednesday.
- Adam Graham - The Detroit News (TNS)
If pro wrestling is life, and more and more it's looking like it is, "Queen of the Ring" is strictly a midcard affair.
- Martha Ross - The Mercury News (TNS)
If Ben Affleck can’t rekindle his romance with Jennifer Garner, the actor, director and production company head could at least show his regard for his ex-wife by casting her in a movie that would finally show her “true talents,” according to a new report.
- By JAKE COYLE - AP Film Writer
Carson Lund's “Eephus,” as leisurely as a late-August double header, simply unfolds along with a men's recreational baseball game. Except to chase a foul ball or two, the movie stays within the lines of their field. It spans nine innings, with dugout chatter and fading light. In this slow-pitch gem of a baseball movie – a middle-aged “Sandlot” – time is slipping away, but they’re going down swinging. In AP Film Writer Jake Coyle's review, he writes that “Eephus' is the best baseball movie since ”Moneyball." To call this a field of dreams would be pushing it. But it’s a lovely way to pass some time.
- Jami Ganz - New York Daily News (TNS)
NEW YORK — A New York federal judge has halted discovery in Justin Baldoni’s $250 million libel lawsuit against The New York Times, for its coverage of Blake Lively’s sexual harassment and smear campaign allegations against her “It Ends With Us” director and co-star.
- Christie D’Zurilla - Los Angeles Times (TNS)
LOS ANGELES — Roy Ayers, the “King of Neo Soul” who was born and raised on Vernon Avenue just south of downtown Los Angeles and saw more than 60 of his songs sampled by a who’s who of hip-hop and soul artists, died Wednesday in New York. The bandleader and vibraphonist was 84.
- By The Associated Press
US-Best-Sellers-Books-PW Week ending 3/01/2024
- Publishers Weekly - Tribune News Service (TNS)
Here are the bestsellers for the week that ended Saturday, March 1, compiled from data from independent and chain bookstores, book wholesalers and independent distributors nationwide, powered by Circana BookScan © 2025 Circana.
- Tribune News Service (TNS)
Here are the bestsellers for the week that ended Saturday, March 1, compiled from data from independent and chain bookstores, book wholesalers and independent distributors nationwide, powered by Circana BookScan © 2025 Circana.
- Rodney Ho - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (TNS)
ATLANTA — “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” was once one of the most popular reality shows on TV, a buzzy injection of petty arguments, shady but funny commentary and glitzy outfits.