Entertainment category, Page 326
Sesame Street puppeteer Caroll Spinney dies at age 85Video
LOS ANGELES — Caroll Spinney, who gave Big Bird his warmth and Oscar the Grouch his growl for nearly 50 years on “Sesame Street,” died Sunday at the age of 85 at his home in Connecticut, according to the Sesame Workshop. The Sesame Workshop said in a statement that the...
Rapper Juice WRLD dies after medical emergency in Chicago
CHICAGO — Chicago-area rapper Juice WRLD, whose real name is Jarad A. Higgins, was pronounced dead Sunday after a “medical emergency” at Midway International Airport, according to authorities. The Cook County medical examiner’s office was notified of the the death of Higgins, of Homewood, on Sunday morning, according to office...
Linda Ronstadt, Sally Field, ‘Sesame Street’ to receive Kennedy Center Honors
WASHINGTON (AP) — Actress Sally Field, singer Linda Ronstadt and the disco-funk band Earth Wind and Fire awaited their turn in the spotlight Sunday night as part of the latest group of recipients of the Kennedy Center Honors for lifetime achievements in the arts. Also in this year’s class are...
Creative vision vs. real life often a balancing act for artists
In the 10 years that he devoted to his art, Vincent van Gogh created about 2,100 paintings. Though prolific in his output, the Dutch post-impressionist painter sold only one painting during his lifetime. “The Red Vineyard” went for 400 francs in Belgium in 1890, shortly before his death by suicide...
The AP names ‘Surviving R. Kelly’ top TV show of 2019Video
The Associated Press has named these TV programs as the year’s top 10: 1. “Surviving R. Kelly,” Lifetime. No other series made the kind of real world impact that this one did. Allegations of sexual abuse against minors followed R. Kelly for years: The superstar was even acquitted of child...
Oak Ridge Boys get in the holiday spirit during Palace Theatre show
The Oak Ridge Boys returned to Greensburg for their “Down Home Christmas” show Friday night. The show started with a number of the band’s massive country hits. The Oaks ushered in the season, wrapping up the concert with a slew of holiday classics and new favorites....
Netflix executive touts ‘golden era’ of streaming service
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — An executive with Netflix says the streaming giant has boosted its original content exponentially over the last several years and that will mean more action for its production hub in New Mexico, where state officials have been busy trying to woo more big partners in the industry....
2-year-old Arthur becomes star in UK Christmas ad traditionVideo
Little Arthur crawls out of bed in his red Marvel Comics pajamas, brushes his teeth and strolls outside after breakfast to his day job: helping out at the family hardware store in Rhayader, Wales. It’s Christmas and Arthur, nearly 3, has his work cut out for him wrapping presents, hanging...
‘The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel’ cast adjusts to the limelightVideo
The creator of “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” likes to send cryptic texts to her actors while the show is on hiatus. They’re often clues about what everyone can expect they’ll be doing. Before Season 2, Amy Sherman-Palladino asked Rachel Brosnahan, “Can you ride a bike and play pingpong?” Actress Marin...
Westmoreland Museum plans benefit brunch for the food bank
A holiday brunch featuring a spiked hot chocolate bar is planned Dec. 15 at The Westmoreland Museum of American Art in Greensburg. Presented in partnership with the Westmoreland County Food Bank, the event will provide information on the food bank’s mission to end hunger in the region. Following the meal,...
5 things to do in Westmoreland: Dec. 6-8Video
This week might be the best one of the holiday season. We’ve digested the Thanksgiving turkey and gotten the madness of Black Friday behind us. And all around us the parties are starting, the house tours are opening and the music is swelling. Nativities from round the globe The First...
Merry … Krampusnacht? Pittsburgh celebrates darker, edgier ChristmasVideo
For the third year in a row, crowds gathered in Pittsburgh’s Market Square on Thursday night for a darker and edgier version of the Christmas spirit. A parade of figures clad in fur, horns and other frightening attire strolled through Market Square for Krampusnacht. It’s a traditionally European take on...
‘Letterkenny’ season 8 release date announcedVideo
A new “Letterkenny” season is coming before the New Year. The Canadian sitcom announced on Twitter that the show’s eighth season would be released on Christmas in Canada via Crave. U.S. fans will get the show on Dec. 27 via Hulu. You can watch the new season of Letterkenny December...
‘Christmas Spectacular’ supports those with special needs
The Glass City Swing Band will perform music of the 1940s and 1950s during “A Swingin’ Christmas Spectacular,” a fundraiser for individuals with special needs. The 18-piece band will celebrate the nonprofit’s inaugural fundraising event to support GCSB Arts, Education and Wellness. The organization benefits Westmoreland County residents with special...
Lawn Pass back for 2020 at KeyBank Pavilion
If you want to go to every show at the Burgettstown amphitheater, you can. Lawn Pass is back. For $199 plus fees, the pass will get you a spot on KeyBank Pavilion’s lawn in 2020, including sold-out shows, according to a Live Nation release. General admission parking and fast lane...
Pittsburgh pop-up bars herald classic Christmas tales
Fans of Dr. Seuss’ “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” and the nostalgic yet still relevant “A Christmas Story,” can enjoy some grown-up fun based on the popular books’ film translations. The Hilton Garden Inn Pittsburgh University Place, 3454 Forbes Ave., says it is “stealing Christmas” with its Grinch-themed pop-up, open...
Justin Timberlake apologizes to wife for ‘strong lapse in judgment’
Justin Timberlake has publicly apologized to his actress-wife Jessie Biel days after he was seen holding hands with the co-star of his upcoming movie. The pop star and actor wrote Wednesday on Instagram that he prefers to “stay away from gossip as much as I can, but for my family...
Hills Church in Murrysville will host ‘Christmas in Germany’ concertVideo
Over the summer, Masterworks Concert Chorale Director Snezana Lazich fell in love with a piece by one of her favorite composers. “I found Beethoven’s ‘Mass in C,’ and it has such beautiful moments in it,” Lazich said. The 40 members of the MCC, along with a 15-piece orchestra of local...
Entertainment planner: Dec. 5-18
Thursday Dec. 5 Chatham Baroque, string music from the 16th and 17th centuries, St. Nicholas Church, Millvale. Also Dec. 6, Westminster Presbyterian Church, Upper St. Clair; Dec. 7, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, East Liberty; and Dec. 8, Chatham University, Shadyside. chathambaroque.org East Suburban Artists League Annual Show, Administration Building, Penn State...
‘The Nutcracker’ continues to be magical in Pittsburgh, Greensburg
Although “The Nutcracker” is perfect family Christmas entertainment, surprisingly it was not a hit when it was first performed in Russia in 1892. But when it did finally catch on more than 50 years ago, it quickly became a ubiquitous part of the holiday season. It’s now the most frequently...
Renowned Finnish conductor returns to PSO for 2 programs
One of the world’s leading conductors returns to Heinz Hall this week to do double duty. Osmo Vanska will lead a particularly interesting program for a pair of BNY Mellon Grand Classics concerts, and also conduct a masterpiece for the holiday season, “Messiah.” Vanska will conduct the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra...
Def Leppard, Mötley Crüe coming to Pittsburgh in 2020
Def Leppard and Mötley Crüe are coming back to Pittsburgh. The bands will co-headline “The Stadium Tour” with support from Poison and Joan Jett & The Blackhearts in 2020, with dates from July to September. The tour comes to PNC Park on Aug. 16. Tickets go on sale Dec. 13,...
Jay-Z is 50 and his music is back on Spotify
Jay-Z’s milestone birthday comes with some good news for his fans. Today on the 50th birthday of Hov, the rapper’s music has returned to Spotify after being going for years. According to Pitchfork, most of Jay-Z’s music was removed in April 2017 from the streaming service. As far as a...
Clifford, everybody’s favorite big red dog, gets a reboot
NEW YORK — Who’s your favorite big red dog? If you have one, chances are his name is Clifford. Scholastic Entertainment is rebooting the TV series about the giant dog with an equally large heart this week on Amazon Prime Video and PBS, the latter his home since the early...
Henry Cavill: Door ‘hasn’t closed’ on Superman, but first, ‘Witcher’
WEST HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — Henry Cavill is all-in on his Netflix fantasy series “The Witcher,” but he says the “door hasn’t closed”on a return as Superman in the DC cinematic universe. Cavill last played the superhero in 2017’s “Justice League” and it’s unclear whether any upcoming movies will feature the...
