#MAGFAB: Actress Cat Burns is Attitude’s new cover girl For their July/August Cover.
To read the story go HERE
#RHOA: Shamea Morton Says How Her RHOA Castmates Could Be Better Friends
During Say What You Shamean, RHOA star Shamea Morton is asked how each of her castmates could have been a better friend to her this season. She says Angela needs to stop looking for mess on her, Phaedra needs to stop being whack, Pinky needs to share some business advice, and K. Michelle needs to keep doing what she's doing.
Get more BELOW:
#MusicNews: Meshell Ndegeocello Announces New Duets Album ‘Synonym’
Genre-defying singer Meshell Ndegeocello has revealed her new covers album Synonym will release Oct. 2 via Blue Note Records.
For her third project under the label, the Washington, D.C., native recruited a multigenerational lineup of duet partners to reimagine classics. The lead single, available now, is a majestic rendition of Aretha Franklin and George Michael’s No. 1 hit “I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me),” featuring singer and actress Cynthia Erivo.
The album features additional collaborations with Chaka Khan, Robert Glasper, Lianne La Havas, Destin Conrad, Moses Sumney, Emily King, Lizz Wright, Willow, Brandi Carlile and more.
Synonym is said to explore “expressions of desire, care, heartbreak, friendship, disappointment, and love in all forms,” with genre-spanning material selected from the last six decades. Ndegeocello co-produced the album alongside Abe Rounds and David Gamson, the latter of whom worked on her first two albums, 1993’s Plantation Lullabies and 1996’s Peace Beyond Passion. “On this album, I wanted to show off as a producer,” she noted. “I love being on Blue Note Records, because with that, I still get to be a musician.”
The 15-track collection includes renditions of timeless records, such as Donny Hathaway and Roberta Flack‘s “The Closer I Get To You” and “Be Real Black For Me,” Dennis Edwards and Siedah Garrett’s “Don’t Look Any Further” and Ja Rule and Ashanti’s “Always On Time.”
“This project is about classic songs that are known and loved,” said Ndegeocello. “The songs have diverse tones, representing various genres and intentional grooves. But the album is also about joy, selfhood, individual representation, and universal experience.”
Synonym is not only a celebration of music in all shades but also a nod to queer representation.” This project is an expression of queer liberation as a synonym for liberation of all kinds,” said Ndegeocello.
She continued, “The queer community claimed me when others didn’t and for a long time that felt too far away from other communities to which I belong but now I recognize the ways in which it all overlaps. Once again, I went back to my elders: Audre Lorde told us that there is no single issue struggle. Similarly, these arrangements are synonyms for their originals – these different sounds still mean the same thing.”
Synonym follows 2024’s No More Water: The Gospel of James Baldwin and 2023’s The Omnichord Real Book, both released via Blue Note Records. Both projects won Best Alternative Jazz Album at the 2025 and 2024 Grammy Awards.
Synonym will be released digitally and physically on vinyl and CD. The vinyl comes in translucent green and black. All formats are available for pre-order.
Blue Note Records
Meshell Ndegeocello’s Synonym Album Tracklist
“I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)” with Cynthia Erivo
“Don’t You Want Me” with Cat Power
“Don’t Stop The Music” with Nick Hakim, Robert Glasper
“Islands In The Stream” with Chaka Khan
“It Ain’t Me Babe” with Madison Cunningham
“Always on Time” with Laura Lee
“Be Real Black For Me” with Emily King, Lizz Wright
“Don’t Look Any Further” with Lianne La Havas
“The Closer I Get To You” with Destin Conrad, Moses Sumney
“Golden Ring” with Brandi Carlile
“I Got You Babe” with ANOHNI
“Here We Come (Here He Comes)” with Evann McIntosh
“Guilty” with Ink
“Hunger Strike” with WILLOW
“With God On Our Side” with Bill Callahan, Chris Thile
Presave/preorder Meshell Ndegeocello’s Synonym HERE:
Genre-defying singer Meshell Ndegeocello has revealed her new covers album Synonym will release Oct. 2 via Blue Note Records.
For her third project under the label, the Washington, D.C., native recruited a multigenerational lineup of duet partners to reimagine classics. The lead single, available now, is a majestic rendition of Aretha Franklin and George Michael’s No. 1 hit “I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me),” featuring singer and actress Cynthia Erivo.
The album features additional collaborations with Chaka Khan, Robert Glasper, Lianne La Havas, Destin Conrad, Moses Sumney, Emily King, Lizz Wright, Willow, Brandi Carlile and more.
Synonym is said to explore “expressions of desire, care, heartbreak, friendship, disappointment, and love in all forms,” with genre-spanning material selected from the last six decades. Ndegeocello co-produced the album alongside Abe Rounds and David Gamson, the latter of whom worked on her first two albums, 1993’s Plantation Lullabies and 1996’s Peace Beyond Passion. “On this album, I wanted to show off as a producer,” she noted. “I love being on Blue Note Records, because with that, I still get to be a musician.”
The 15-track collection includes renditions of timeless records, such as Donny Hathaway and Roberta Flack‘s “The Closer I Get To You” and “Be Real Black For Me,” Dennis Edwards and Siedah Garrett’s “Don’t Look Any Further” and Ja Rule and Ashanti’s “Always On Time.”
“This project is about classic songs that are known and loved,” said Ndegeocello. “The songs have diverse tones, representing various genres and intentional grooves. But the album is also about joy, selfhood, individual representation, and universal experience.”
Synonym is not only a celebration of music in all shades but also a nod to queer representation.” This project is an expression of queer liberation as a synonym for liberation of all kinds,” said Ndegeocello.
She continued, “The queer community claimed me when others didn’t and for a long time that felt too far away from other communities to which I belong but now I recognize the ways in which it all overlaps. Once again, I went back to my elders: Audre Lorde told us that there is no single issue struggle. Similarly, these arrangements are synonyms for their originals – these different sounds still mean the same thing.”
Synonym follows 2024’s No More Water: The Gospel of James Baldwin and 2023’s The Omnichord Real Book, both released via Blue Note Records. Both projects won Best Alternative Jazz Album at the 2025 and 2024 Grammy Awards.
Synonym will be released digitally and physically on vinyl and CD. The vinyl comes in translucent green and black. All formats are available for pre-order.
Blue Note Records
Meshell Ndegeocello’s Synonym Album Tracklist
“I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)” with Cynthia Erivo
“Don’t You Want Me” with Cat Power
“Don’t Stop The Music” with Nick Hakim, Robert Glasper
“Islands In The Stream” with Chaka Khan
“It Ain’t Me Babe” with Madison Cunningham
“Always on Time” with Laura Lee
“Be Real Black For Me” with Emily King, Lizz Wright
“Don’t Look Any Further” with Lianne La Havas
“The Closer I Get To You” with Destin Conrad, Moses Sumney
“Golden Ring” with Brandi Carlile
“I Got You Babe” with ANOHNI
“Here We Come (Here He Comes)” with Evann McIntosh
“Guilty” with Ink
“Hunger Strike” with WILLOW
“With God On Our Side” with Bill Callahan, Chris Thile
Presave/preorder Meshell Ndegeocello’s Synonym HERE:
#HipHopNews: Drake Drops $1.5 Million Bet on Argentina to Beat Spain in World Cup Final
As the world prepares for the epic 2026 FIFA World Cup final between Argentina and Spain at New York New Jersey Stadium, hip-hop superstar Drake has officially thrown his heavy financial weight behind Lionel Messi and the South American squad. Taking to Instagram ahead of Sunday’s high-stakes match, the 39-year-old Canadian artist shared a screenshot of a massive $1.5 million (£1.1 million) bet placed via online betting platform Stake.
If Argentina succeeds in taking down Spain to claim football’s top prize, Drake stands to pocket a whopping payout of more than $5.1 million (£3.79 million). Sharing the slip with his hundreds of millions of social media followers, the rapper cheekily captioned the post: “What’s that saying??? Better luck next time…”
While Argentine fans are thrilled to have the support of one of the world’s biggest music icons, the sheer size of the wager has reignited anxieties surrounding the infamous “Drake Curse.” Over the years, sports fans have tracked a superstitious trend where teams, fighters, or athletes publicly backed or photographed with the “God’s Plan” star frequently end up losing high-profile events.
The curse’s legend has grown so large that fan-built trackers like TheDrakeCurse.com actively document his sports gambling history. Drake’s recent high-profile losses—including a $1 million wager on fighter Conor McGregor during his UFC bout against Max Holloway—have only added fuel to the superstition ahead of Sunday’s final.
The multi-million-dollar World Cup bet comes amidst a whirlwind summer for the five-time Grammy winner. Following his record-shattering, headline-dominating feud with Kendrick Lamar—whose chart-topping diss track “Not Like Us” redefined hip-hop discourse—Drake returned to the charts in May with an unprecedented triple-album drop (Iceman, Maid Of Honour, and Habibti). The release marked his first major music collection since 2023, with Iceman instantly earning him his seventh number-one album on the UK charts.
Whether the “Drake Curse” strikes again or Lionel Messi delivers another storybook victory to hand the Toronto superstar a $5.1 million payday, all eyes remain firmly fixed on the pitch in New Jersey for what promises to be an iconic World Cup finish.
As the world prepares for the epic 2026 FIFA World Cup final between Argentina and Spain at New York New Jersey Stadium, hip-hop superstar Drake has officially thrown his heavy financial weight behind Lionel Messi and the South American squad. Taking to Instagram ahead of Sunday’s high-stakes match, the 39-year-old Canadian artist shared a screenshot of a massive $1.5 million (£1.1 million) bet placed via online betting platform Stake.
If Argentina succeeds in taking down Spain to claim football’s top prize, Drake stands to pocket a whopping payout of more than $5.1 million (£3.79 million). Sharing the slip with his hundreds of millions of social media followers, the rapper cheekily captioned the post: “What’s that saying??? Better luck next time…”
While Argentine fans are thrilled to have the support of one of the world’s biggest music icons, the sheer size of the wager has reignited anxieties surrounding the infamous “Drake Curse.” Over the years, sports fans have tracked a superstitious trend where teams, fighters, or athletes publicly backed or photographed with the “God’s Plan” star frequently end up losing high-profile events.
The curse’s legend has grown so large that fan-built trackers like TheDrakeCurse.com actively document his sports gambling history. Drake’s recent high-profile losses—including a $1 million wager on fighter Conor McGregor during his UFC bout against Max Holloway—have only added fuel to the superstition ahead of Sunday’s final.
The multi-million-dollar World Cup bet comes amidst a whirlwind summer for the five-time Grammy winner. Following his record-shattering, headline-dominating feud with Kendrick Lamar—whose chart-topping diss track “Not Like Us” redefined hip-hop discourse—Drake returned to the charts in May with an unprecedented triple-album drop (Iceman, Maid Of Honour, and Habibti). The release marked his first major music collection since 2023, with Iceman instantly earning him his seventh number-one album on the UK charts.
Whether the “Drake Curse” strikes again or Lionel Messi delivers another storybook victory to hand the Toronto superstar a $5.1 million payday, all eyes remain firmly fixed on the pitch in New Jersey for what promises to be an iconic World Cup finish.
#BoxOfficeNews: 'The Odyssey' storms the box office with a $264.1M global debut
Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey” launched with an estimated $124.5 million in domestic ticket sales and another $139.6 million from overseas, notching an even better debut than “Oppenheimer” and marking the filmmaker’s best opening since 2012’s “The Dark Knight Rises.”
Nolan flexed his singular box-office might with a global debut unlike any other. Few filmmakers alive could pull off a starry, big-budget adaptation of Homer’s epic poem. But in a Hollywood where intellectual property rights rule most hits, Nolan turned one of the world’s oldest works of literature into an unlikely summer blockbuster.
The Universal production was no small gamble on Nolan, coming off the 2023 best picture-winning “Oppenheimer.” With a production budget of $250 million, it’s among the most expensive R-rated movies ever made. Universal is spending some $125 million to market it.
But no behind-the-camera name turns out audiences more than Nolan's. So great was the hype on “The Odyssey” that IMAX put tickets on sale for some 70 mm showtimes a full year in advance. To satisfy the extraordinary demand for Nolan's preferred format, IMAX 70 mm, some theaters added midnight and 3 a.m. screenings — and sold them out.
“It’s incredibly rewarding to see the palpable excitement in theaters this weekend,” said Jim Orr, head of domestic distribution for Universal. “Nolan has crafted an epic adventure. It’s on a scale that audiences have responded to extraordinarily well.”
Billed as Nolan’s first feature shot entirely with IMAX cameras, the format drove a huge slice of ticket sales. That included $29.6 million domestically on IMAX and $51.8 million globally, leading to the company's best weekend ever. IMAX is dedicating its screens entirely to “The Odyssey” for three weeks. Though only 41 IMAX screens can screen “The Odyssey” in 70 mm, they accounted for $6.3 million in ticket sales.
“The IMAX of it all helped turn it from not only a blockbuster, but a global cultural event,” said Rich Gelfond, chief executive of IMAX. “We have tickets on sale for week five in some theaters and some of them have already sold out.”
Since the pandemic, Nolan has been at the forefront of reviving cinemas. His “Tenet” was one of the first big releases to wade back into theaters in 2020. Three years later, “Oppenheimer” and Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie” combined to create arguably the movies’ signature moment of the decade. “Oppenheimer” ultimately grossed $975 million worldwide.
“The Odyssey” arrived in theaters during Hollywood’s best summer since 2019. Ticket sales are running 10.4% ahead of last year, according to Rentrak. The industry is expecting the first $10 billion year at the domestic box office since the pandemic.
The only question for “The Odyssey” will be how front-loaded it is, given that many moviegoers have had this weekend circled for months. The film faced no new-release competition over the weekend, and it won’t next weekend, either.
Gelfond said that presales for the movie's second weekend would rank among their 10 best presales, proof that many moviegoers are waiting to see the film in their preferred format. IMAX 70mm screenings, he said, are largely sold out for the next month, except for some front row seats.
“Christopher Nolan and Tom Cruise may be the two most high-profile ambassadors for the big-screen experience,” said Paul Dergarabedian, head of marketplace trends for Rentrak. “Nolan is a director who’s a star as much as any movie star in front of the camera.”
The audience for “The Odyssey” was notably male, accounting for 59% of tickets sold. But Orr said moviegoers were otherwise “ridiculously broad,” playing across demographics and geography.
“It’s delivering for a 17-year-old dude and it’s delivering for a female that’s 55 and up,” said Orr. “It points to what I’m convinced will be a very long, very successful run throughout not only the rest of the summer but into the fall, too.”
The next movie to pose any competition, ironically, also stars Tom Holland and Zendaya: Sony’s “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” on July 31.
“The Odyssey” stars Matt Damon as Odysseus and features Holland as his son, Telemachus; Anne Hathaway as Penelope; Zendaya as Athena; Robert Pattinson as the suitor Antinous and Charlize Theron as the sea nymph Calypso.
Nolan’s casting of “The Odyssey,” including Lupita Nyong’o as Helen and Elliot Page as a soldier, was controversial to some conservative commentators. Elon Musk called Nolan a “coward” over Nyong’o’s casting.
But that criticism had little to no effect on “The Odyssey” becoming one of the big-screen cultural events of the year. Reviews (95% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes) are among the best of Nolan’s career. Audiences gave it an “A” CinemaScore.
PG-rated films followed in the wake of “The Odyssey.” The Walt Disney Co.’s “Moana” landed in a distant second place with $19 million in its third weekend. Following its disappointing $43 million launch, the live-action remake slid 56% on its second weekend. In two weeks it collected $178 million worldwide, a poor result for a film that cost $250 million to make.
“Moana” was trailed by Universal's “Minions & Monsters” and Disney's “Toy Story 5,” both of which grossed about $15 million.
With final domestic figures being released Monday, this list factors in the estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Rentrak:
1. “The Odyssey,” $124.5 million.
2. “Moana,” $19 million.
3. “Minions & Monsters,” $14.8 million.
4. “Toy Story 5,” $14.8 million.
5. “Evil Dead Burn,” $5 million.
6. “The Invite,” $3.9 million.
7. “Young Washington,” $3.7 million.
8. “Obsession,” $2.5 million.
9. “Supergirl,” $1.5 million.
10. “Disclosure Day,” $1.5 million.
Nolan flexed his singular box-office might with a global debut unlike any other. Few filmmakers alive could pull off a starry, big-budget adaptation of Homer’s epic poem. But in a Hollywood where intellectual property rights rule most hits, Nolan turned one of the world’s oldest works of literature into an unlikely summer blockbuster.
The Universal production was no small gamble on Nolan, coming off the 2023 best picture-winning “Oppenheimer.” With a production budget of $250 million, it’s among the most expensive R-rated movies ever made. Universal is spending some $125 million to market it.
But no behind-the-camera name turns out audiences more than Nolan's. So great was the hype on “The Odyssey” that IMAX put tickets on sale for some 70 mm showtimes a full year in advance. To satisfy the extraordinary demand for Nolan's preferred format, IMAX 70 mm, some theaters added midnight and 3 a.m. screenings — and sold them out.
“It’s incredibly rewarding to see the palpable excitement in theaters this weekend,” said Jim Orr, head of domestic distribution for Universal. “Nolan has crafted an epic adventure. It’s on a scale that audiences have responded to extraordinarily well.”
Billed as Nolan’s first feature shot entirely with IMAX cameras, the format drove a huge slice of ticket sales. That included $29.6 million domestically on IMAX and $51.8 million globally, leading to the company's best weekend ever. IMAX is dedicating its screens entirely to “The Odyssey” for three weeks. Though only 41 IMAX screens can screen “The Odyssey” in 70 mm, they accounted for $6.3 million in ticket sales.
“The IMAX of it all helped turn it from not only a blockbuster, but a global cultural event,” said Rich Gelfond, chief executive of IMAX. “We have tickets on sale for week five in some theaters and some of them have already sold out.”
Since the pandemic, Nolan has been at the forefront of reviving cinemas. His “Tenet” was one of the first big releases to wade back into theaters in 2020. Three years later, “Oppenheimer” and Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie” combined to create arguably the movies’ signature moment of the decade. “Oppenheimer” ultimately grossed $975 million worldwide.
“The Odyssey” arrived in theaters during Hollywood’s best summer since 2019. Ticket sales are running 10.4% ahead of last year, according to Rentrak. The industry is expecting the first $10 billion year at the domestic box office since the pandemic.
The only question for “The Odyssey” will be how front-loaded it is, given that many moviegoers have had this weekend circled for months. The film faced no new-release competition over the weekend, and it won’t next weekend, either.
Gelfond said that presales for the movie's second weekend would rank among their 10 best presales, proof that many moviegoers are waiting to see the film in their preferred format. IMAX 70mm screenings, he said, are largely sold out for the next month, except for some front row seats.
“Christopher Nolan and Tom Cruise may be the two most high-profile ambassadors for the big-screen experience,” said Paul Dergarabedian, head of marketplace trends for Rentrak. “Nolan is a director who’s a star as much as any movie star in front of the camera.”
The audience for “The Odyssey” was notably male, accounting for 59% of tickets sold. But Orr said moviegoers were otherwise “ridiculously broad,” playing across demographics and geography.
“It’s delivering for a 17-year-old dude and it’s delivering for a female that’s 55 and up,” said Orr. “It points to what I’m convinced will be a very long, very successful run throughout not only the rest of the summer but into the fall, too.”
The next movie to pose any competition, ironically, also stars Tom Holland and Zendaya: Sony’s “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” on July 31.
“The Odyssey” stars Matt Damon as Odysseus and features Holland as his son, Telemachus; Anne Hathaway as Penelope; Zendaya as Athena; Robert Pattinson as the suitor Antinous and Charlize Theron as the sea nymph Calypso.
Nolan’s casting of “The Odyssey,” including Lupita Nyong’o as Helen and Elliot Page as a soldier, was controversial to some conservative commentators. Elon Musk called Nolan a “coward” over Nyong’o’s casting.
But that criticism had little to no effect on “The Odyssey” becoming one of the big-screen cultural events of the year. Reviews (95% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes) are among the best of Nolan’s career. Audiences gave it an “A” CinemaScore.
PG-rated films followed in the wake of “The Odyssey.” The Walt Disney Co.’s “Moana” landed in a distant second place with $19 million in its third weekend. Following its disappointing $43 million launch, the live-action remake slid 56% on its second weekend. In two weeks it collected $178 million worldwide, a poor result for a film that cost $250 million to make.
“Moana” was trailed by Universal's “Minions & Monsters” and Disney's “Toy Story 5,” both of which grossed about $15 million.
With final domestic figures being released Monday, this list factors in the estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Rentrak:
1. “The Odyssey,” $124.5 million.
2. “Moana,” $19 million.
3. “Minions & Monsters,” $14.8 million.
4. “Toy Story 5,” $14.8 million.
5. “Evil Dead Burn,” $5 million.
6. “The Invite,” $3.9 million.
7. “Young Washington,” $3.7 million.
8. “Obsession,” $2.5 million.
9. “Supergirl,” $1.5 million.
10. “Disclosure Day,” $1.5 million.
#RIPJimGilstrap, Iconic Voice Of The ‘Good Times’ Theme Song, Passes Away At 70
James “Jim” Gilstrap, who sang the classic Good Times theme song and Stevie Wonder’s “You Are the Sunshine of My Life,” has passed away. He was 79.
Geoffrey “Geoff Gil” Gilstrap, Jim’s nephew and family spokesperson, said his uncle passed on Saturday from natural causes, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
Jim was one of the most respected session vocalists of his generation. Bringing his powerful and soulful voice to countless recordings that helped define the sound of popular music,” Geoffrey said.
After serving in the Navy during the Vietnam War, Gilstrap relocated to California to pursue music. He performed with groups like the Doodletown Pipers and the Cultures. His big breakthrough arrived in the early 1970s when he joined Stevie Wonder’s backing group, Wonderlove. Gilstrap performed on landmark albums like Talking Book and Innervisions. He famously sang the opening two lines of Wonder’s timeless classic, “You Are the Sunshine of My Life”. Singer Lani Groves sang the next two lines (“You are the apple of my eye/Forever you’ll stay in my heart”) before Wonder took over. Gilstrap and Groves continued to sing backup, and the song won the Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance.
In 1974, Gilstrap provided male lead vocals for the iconic theme song to the hit sitcom “Good Times.” The sitcom ran for six seasons.
In 1975, he signed with Chelsea Records and released a single, “Swing Your Daddy” that reached No. 4 on the U.K. Singles Chart and No. 10 on the U.S. Billboard Black Singles chart. He released an album, Love Talk, in 1976.
Beyond his solo success, Gilstrap remained one of the industry’s most sought-after session singers for decades. His vocal contributions span legendary projects, including Quincy Jones’ Body Heat and The Dude, Boz Scaggs’ “Lowdown.” He also performed on Whitney Houston’s early records.
Jim was the last surviving member of a family of 10 siblings. He is survived by his wife, Gloria, and his children.
Geoffrey “Geoff Gil” Gilstrap, Jim’s nephew and family spokesperson, said his uncle passed on Saturday from natural causes, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
Jim was one of the most respected session vocalists of his generation. Bringing his powerful and soulful voice to countless recordings that helped define the sound of popular music,” Geoffrey said.
After serving in the Navy during the Vietnam War, Gilstrap relocated to California to pursue music. He performed with groups like the Doodletown Pipers and the Cultures. His big breakthrough arrived in the early 1970s when he joined Stevie Wonder’s backing group, Wonderlove. Gilstrap performed on landmark albums like Talking Book and Innervisions. He famously sang the opening two lines of Wonder’s timeless classic, “You Are the Sunshine of My Life”. Singer Lani Groves sang the next two lines (“You are the apple of my eye/Forever you’ll stay in my heart”) before Wonder took over. Gilstrap and Groves continued to sing backup, and the song won the Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance.
In 1974, Gilstrap provided male lead vocals for the iconic theme song to the hit sitcom “Good Times.” The sitcom ran for six seasons.
In 1975, he signed with Chelsea Records and released a single, “Swing Your Daddy” that reached No. 4 on the U.K. Singles Chart and No. 10 on the U.S. Billboard Black Singles chart. He released an album, Love Talk, in 1976.
Beyond his solo success, Gilstrap remained one of the industry’s most sought-after session singers for decades. His vocal contributions span legendary projects, including Quincy Jones’ Body Heat and The Dude, Boz Scaggs’ “Lowdown.” He also performed on Whitney Houston’s early records.
Jim was the last surviving member of a family of 10 siblings. He is survived by his wife, Gloria, and his children.
ESPN lays off analyst Ryan Clark during broadcast of 'NFL Live'
ESPN has fired Ryan Clark as part of a round of layoffs, per The Athletic's Andrew Marchand.
Clark, who was on "NFL Live" on Monday, was informed about the layoff in the middle of the broadcast, and did not finish the show, per Marchand. Initially, ESPN reportedly planned to tell Clark that he was let go on Tuesday morning, in line with other layoffs, but media inquiries had led the network to fear that Clark would find out he was fired online before it had a chance to tell him.
Clark, a Pro Bowl and Super Bowl-winning safety, joined ESPN as an NFL analyst in 2015.
ESPN and NFL Network will reportedly have additional layoffs Tuesday as part of a larger cluster at Disney, its parent company. Per The Athletic's reporting, Clark will likely not be the only on-air talent let go in the round of layoffs.
Front Office Sports had reported in June that the network was bracing for a larger round of cuts associated with the ESPN-NFL Network merger; the cuts were expected to affect both on- and off-camera personnel.
Clark was earning more than $2 million per year under his current contract, which was signed in February 2024. Rumors that Clark could be in danger of losing his job have been rumbling since the Super Bowl in February, per Marchand.
Clark was reportedly expected to be part of ESPN's Super Bowl coverage next year, as the network airs the event for the first time. ABC, ESPN's partner channel, has not held the Super Bowl broadcast rights since 2006.
Toronto Tempo Head Coach Sandy Brondello Suspended 1 Game After Calling Angel Reese A “Protected Species”
Toronto Tempo head coach Sandy Brondello has been suspended without pay for one game after the WNBA determined that comments she made about Atlanta Dream star Angel Reese during Friday night’s matchup were inappropriate. The league announced the discipline on Saturday, just hours after Brondello publicly apologized for the remark.
The controversy began during the fourth quarter of Toronto’s 111-92 loss to Atlanta. After Tempo center Nyara Sabally was called for a defensive foul on Reese and went down with an injury, Brondello was heard directing frustration toward the officials, saying Reese was a “protected species.” The comment quickly sparked backlash online, with Reese responding on social media by reposting a clip of the moment and writing, “ARE WE SURPRISED?!” alongside a clown emoji.
Before the league announced its decision, Brondello issued a public apology addressed directly to Reese. She acknowledged that her words were inappropriate, accepted full responsibility, and explained that her frustration was aimed at the officiating—not Reese personally. Brondello also recognized the broader impact of her comment, noting that she understood why it was hurtful and reaffirming her respect for Reese and Black women throughout the WNBA.
In announcing the suspension, the WNBA said Brondello’s remark violated the league’s standards of professionalism and respect. She will serve the one-game suspension without pay before returning to the sidelines for Toronto. The incident adds to an already heated season filled with conversations surrounding player treatment, officiating, and respect across the league.
ESPN has fired Ryan Clark as part of a round of layoffs, per The Athletic's Andrew Marchand.
Clark, who was on "NFL Live" on Monday, was informed about the layoff in the middle of the broadcast, and did not finish the show, per Marchand. Initially, ESPN reportedly planned to tell Clark that he was let go on Tuesday morning, in line with other layoffs, but media inquiries had led the network to fear that Clark would find out he was fired online before it had a chance to tell him.
Clark, a Pro Bowl and Super Bowl-winning safety, joined ESPN as an NFL analyst in 2015.
ESPN and NFL Network will reportedly have additional layoffs Tuesday as part of a larger cluster at Disney, its parent company. Per The Athletic's reporting, Clark will likely not be the only on-air talent let go in the round of layoffs.
Front Office Sports had reported in June that the network was bracing for a larger round of cuts associated with the ESPN-NFL Network merger; the cuts were expected to affect both on- and off-camera personnel.
Clark was earning more than $2 million per year under his current contract, which was signed in February 2024. Rumors that Clark could be in danger of losing his job have been rumbling since the Super Bowl in February, per Marchand.
Clark was reportedly expected to be part of ESPN's Super Bowl coverage next year, as the network airs the event for the first time. ABC, ESPN's partner channel, has not held the Super Bowl broadcast rights since 2006.
Toronto Tempo Head Coach Sandy Brondello Suspended 1 Game After Calling Angel Reese A “Protected Species”
The controversy began during the fourth quarter of Toronto’s 111-92 loss to Atlanta. After Tempo center Nyara Sabally was called for a defensive foul on Reese and went down with an injury, Brondello was heard directing frustration toward the officials, saying Reese was a “protected species.” The comment quickly sparked backlash online, with Reese responding on social media by reposting a clip of the moment and writing, “ARE WE SURPRISED?!” alongside a clown emoji.
Before the league announced its decision, Brondello issued a public apology addressed directly to Reese. She acknowledged that her words were inappropriate, accepted full responsibility, and explained that her frustration was aimed at the officiating—not Reese personally. Brondello also recognized the broader impact of her comment, noting that she understood why it was hurtful and reaffirming her respect for Reese and Black women throughout the WNBA.
In announcing the suspension, the WNBA said Brondello’s remark violated the league’s standards of professionalism and respect. She will serve the one-game suspension without pay before returning to the sidelines for Toronto. The incident adds to an already heated season filled with conversations surrounding player treatment, officiating, and respect across the league.
PETA Crashes Ashanti’s SeaWorld Set With A Floating Protest Banner
PETA sailed a 49-foot yacht past the Bayside Amphitheater stage during Ashanti‘s SeaWorld San Diego show with a ‘SeaWorld Kills’ banner draped across its side.
The amphitheater sits right on Mission Bay, which gave PETA’s boat a clear shot at the crowd without anyone setting foot inside the park.
PETA supporters had already lined up outside the park hours earlier, holding signs urging fans to skip the show with signs like “Ashanti: No Dolphin is Happy in a Tank,” and “Ashanti: It’s Foolish to Support SeaWorld.”
Despite this, hundreds of people turned out to watch Ashanti’s performance, which proceeded without issue other than the PETA disruption.
The group has fought SeaWorld over its treatment of dolphins and orcas for years, and Saturday’s stunt kept that fight in front of a packed crowd.
PETA President Tracy Reiman said dolphins and whales at SeaWorld spend their lives in concrete tanks that don’t come close to matching their natural habitat. She wants the park to stop breeding dolphins and whales entirely and instead move the ones it already holds to seaside sanctuaries.
SeaWorld San Diego already ended its orca-breeding program back in 2016 under similar pressure.
PETA’s now aiming that same push at the dolphins and other whales still living in the park’s tanks. The group has held on to that same demand for years, with little movement from the company.
A 2023 Change.org petition had already pushed fans to boycott Ashanti, Bow Wow and Soulja Boy over their SeaWorld bookings, long before Saturday’s protest. None of them backed out, and all three ended up back on this year’s bill anyway.
SeaWorld’s leaning on its 90s and 2000s roster to pull crowds back this summer, according to FOX 5 San Diego. Ashanti’s one of 16 acts on the bill this year. Soulja Boy, Paul Wall, Jordin Sparks and Too $hort are all still set to play through the end of August.
PETA sailed a 49-foot yacht past the Bayside Amphitheater stage during Ashanti‘s SeaWorld San Diego show with a ‘SeaWorld Kills’ banner draped across its side.
The amphitheater sits right on Mission Bay, which gave PETA’s boat a clear shot at the crowd without anyone setting foot inside the park.
PETA supporters had already lined up outside the park hours earlier, holding signs urging fans to skip the show with signs like “Ashanti: No Dolphin is Happy in a Tank,” and “Ashanti: It’s Foolish to Support SeaWorld.”
Despite this, hundreds of people turned out to watch Ashanti’s performance, which proceeded without issue other than the PETA disruption.
The group has fought SeaWorld over its treatment of dolphins and orcas for years, and Saturday’s stunt kept that fight in front of a packed crowd.
PETA President Tracy Reiman said dolphins and whales at SeaWorld spend their lives in concrete tanks that don’t come close to matching their natural habitat. She wants the park to stop breeding dolphins and whales entirely and instead move the ones it already holds to seaside sanctuaries.
SeaWorld San Diego already ended its orca-breeding program back in 2016 under similar pressure.
PETA’s now aiming that same push at the dolphins and other whales still living in the park’s tanks. The group has held on to that same demand for years, with little movement from the company.
A 2023 Change.org petition had already pushed fans to boycott Ashanti, Bow Wow and Soulja Boy over their SeaWorld bookings, long before Saturday’s protest. None of them backed out, and all three ended up back on this year’s bill anyway.
SeaWorld’s leaning on its 90s and 2000s roster to pull crowds back this summer, according to FOX 5 San Diego. Ashanti’s one of 16 acts on the bill this year. Soulja Boy, Paul Wall, Jordin Sparks and Too $hort are all still set to play through the end of August.
A$AP Rocky Puts Fenty Skin SPF in the Spotlight
If there’s two things A$AP Rocky isn’t shy about, it’s supporting Rihanna and looking good while doing it.
The rapper took to Instagram to share new campaign imagery, posing prepped and ready in pink hair rollers, lip balm in hand, Fenty Skin SPF at the ready, and his now-iconic Don’t Be Dumb cream trench coat completing the look.
The playful campaign blends beauty and fashion with Rocky’s signature charisma, but the overall message is clear: don’t be dumb and most certainly don’t skip your daily SPF.
The rapper took to Instagram to share new campaign imagery, posing prepped and ready in pink hair rollers, lip balm in hand, Fenty Skin SPF at the ready, and his now-iconic Don’t Be Dumb cream trench coat completing the look.
The playful campaign blends beauty and fashion with Rocky’s signature charisma, but the overall message is clear: don’t be dumb and most certainly don’t skip your daily SPF.
HGTV’s 'Totally 90s House' Pits 'Full House' Star Against Other TGIF Icons in Retro Reno Battle
The '90s revival isn't slowing down anytime soon, and HGTV is leaning all the way into the nostalgia. The network has unveiled Totally '90s House, a six-episode home renovation competition that puts some of the decade's biggest television stars on a mission to rescue homes that never escaped the era of honey oak cabinets, mirrored closet doors, sponge-painted walls, and wall-to-wall carpeting.
Hosted by Jaleel White, whose character of Steve Urkel became one of the defining sitcom characters of the decade, the series pairs familiar faces from classic television in a renovation showdown with a nostalgic twist. Competing teams include Brian Austin Green, Beverley Mitchell, and Jodie Sweetin taking on Melissa Joan Hart, Matthew Lawrence, and Keshia Knight Pulliam, with Joey Lawrence joining his younger brother along the way.
Guided by design experts Carter Oosterhouse and Sabrina Soto, the celebrities will modernize homes while preserving just enough '90s personality to honor the decade. The winning team will earn bragging rights and a $25,000 donation for its chosen charity.
The format blends renovation competition with pop-culture time travel. During the extended premiere, White sends the celebrity teams across the country in search of houses that appear frozen in the last decade of the 20th century before assigning each group its makeover project.
Future episodes feature VHS-delivered challenges, kitchen renovations, themed design competitions, and surprise judging panels.
White said the show's premise practically wrote itself.
"Everybody loves the '90s again," he said. "The fits are back, the playlists are on repeat, and kids who weren't even born yet are binge-watching the shows we made famous."
He added that while some parts of the decade remain timeless, "some of y'all never got the memo that the decade ended," teasing "the biggest '90s house battle ever."
The celebrity lineup extends well beyond the competitors. Vern Yip, Brian and Mika Kleinschmidt, Drew Lachey, Mina Starsiak Hawk, Paige Davis, and acclaimed designer Jonathan Adler will rotate through the season as guest judges, evaluating everything from kitchens and bathrooms to living spaces before selecting the overall champion.
HGTV is also expanding the experience beyond television with HGTV's House Call: '90s Edition, a companion YouTube series launching alongside the show's premiere. Each episode will take viewers inside the homes of beloved '90s stars, where a DIY expert helps complete a renovation project while the celebrities share personal stories and design inspiration.
Totally '90s House premieres Wednesday, August 26, at 9 p.m. ET/PT on HGTV, then becomes available to stream on HBO Max the following day.
The '90s revival isn't slowing down anytime soon, and HGTV is leaning all the way into the nostalgia. The network has unveiled Totally '90s House, a six-episode home renovation competition that puts some of the decade's biggest television stars on a mission to rescue homes that never escaped the era of honey oak cabinets, mirrored closet doors, sponge-painted walls, and wall-to-wall carpeting.
Hosted by Jaleel White, whose character of Steve Urkel became one of the defining sitcom characters of the decade, the series pairs familiar faces from classic television in a renovation showdown with a nostalgic twist. Competing teams include Brian Austin Green, Beverley Mitchell, and Jodie Sweetin taking on Melissa Joan Hart, Matthew Lawrence, and Keshia Knight Pulliam, with Joey Lawrence joining his younger brother along the way.
Guided by design experts Carter Oosterhouse and Sabrina Soto, the celebrities will modernize homes while preserving just enough '90s personality to honor the decade. The winning team will earn bragging rights and a $25,000 donation for its chosen charity.
The format blends renovation competition with pop-culture time travel. During the extended premiere, White sends the celebrity teams across the country in search of houses that appear frozen in the last decade of the 20th century before assigning each group its makeover project.
Future episodes feature VHS-delivered challenges, kitchen renovations, themed design competitions, and surprise judging panels.
White said the show's premise practically wrote itself.
"Everybody loves the '90s again," he said. "The fits are back, the playlists are on repeat, and kids who weren't even born yet are binge-watching the shows we made famous."
He added that while some parts of the decade remain timeless, "some of y'all never got the memo that the decade ended," teasing "the biggest '90s house battle ever."
The celebrity lineup extends well beyond the competitors. Vern Yip, Brian and Mika Kleinschmidt, Drew Lachey, Mina Starsiak Hawk, Paige Davis, and acclaimed designer Jonathan Adler will rotate through the season as guest judges, evaluating everything from kitchens and bathrooms to living spaces before selecting the overall champion.
HGTV is also expanding the experience beyond television with HGTV's House Call: '90s Edition, a companion YouTube series launching alongside the show's premiere. Each episode will take viewers inside the homes of beloved '90s stars, where a DIY expert helps complete a renovation project while the celebrities share personal stories and design inspiration.
Totally '90s House premieres Wednesday, August 26, at 9 p.m. ET/PT on HGTV, then becomes available to stream on HBO Max the following day.
Cops Probe Saquon Barkley Home Burglary Ties to Athlete Theft Ring
Saquon Barkley and his family are safe after an attempted burglary at the Philadelphia Eagles star's Pennsylvania home, as investigators work to determine whether the incident is connected to the recent string of break-ins targeting high-profile professional athletes.
The Tredyffrin Township Police Department told ABC 6 News that officers responded to Barkley's home in the Malvern section of Tredyffrin Township shortly after 5 a.m. on Saturday, July 18, following a report of a burglary in progress. By the time police arrived, the suspects had already fled. Authorities believe at least one person entered the home while Barkley and his family were inside.
Capt. Tyler Moyer said the outcome could have been much worse. "They were home, and fortunately, as you know, with any situation like this, our main concern is that the residents of that home at the time were unharmed, which they were," Moyer said. "They were fine afterwards, obviously unsettled as anyone would be."
Police are searching for at least two suspects and have released an image of a white SUV believed to be connected to the burglary. The Tredyffrin Township Police Department's Detective Division is leading the investigation with assistance from the Chester County District Attorney's Office, which is also asking residents to review home security footage from around the time of the burglary attempt for anything suspicious.
"We are incredibly grateful that the Barkley family was not injured during this incident," the District Attorney's Office said in a statement. "We are asking the public to help us identify those responsible by checking any home security cameras for suspicious activity in the area around 5:00 a.m."
Investigators are also examining whether the attempted burglary fits the pattern of organized theft rings that have targeted professional athletes in recent years. Those groups have been linked to burglaries involving Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and Joe Burrow.
Moyer said that local authorities plan to coordinate with federal investigators, noting, "We will look at all angles of this because we know, obviously, it's been all over the news in the past few years about different professional athletes' homes getting burglarized."
The frightening incident comes just days after Barkley made headlines for a very different reason. During his youth football camp in New Jersey, the Eagles running back publicly encouraged LeBron James to consider finishing his NBA career in Philadelphia, calling it "one of the greatest sports towns in the world" and telling the four-time NBA champion that bringing a title to the city would mean "you'd be remembered forever."
Saquon Barkley and his family are safe after an attempted burglary at the Philadelphia Eagles star's Pennsylvania home, as investigators work to determine whether the incident is connected to the recent string of break-ins targeting high-profile professional athletes.
The Tredyffrin Township Police Department told ABC 6 News that officers responded to Barkley's home in the Malvern section of Tredyffrin Township shortly after 5 a.m. on Saturday, July 18, following a report of a burglary in progress. By the time police arrived, the suspects had already fled. Authorities believe at least one person entered the home while Barkley and his family were inside.
Capt. Tyler Moyer said the outcome could have been much worse. "They were home, and fortunately, as you know, with any situation like this, our main concern is that the residents of that home at the time were unharmed, which they were," Moyer said. "They were fine afterwards, obviously unsettled as anyone would be."
Police are searching for at least two suspects and have released an image of a white SUV believed to be connected to the burglary. The Tredyffrin Township Police Department's Detective Division is leading the investigation with assistance from the Chester County District Attorney's Office, which is also asking residents to review home security footage from around the time of the burglary attempt for anything suspicious.
"We are incredibly grateful that the Barkley family was not injured during this incident," the District Attorney's Office said in a statement. "We are asking the public to help us identify those responsible by checking any home security cameras for suspicious activity in the area around 5:00 a.m."
Investigators are also examining whether the attempted burglary fits the pattern of organized theft rings that have targeted professional athletes in recent years. Those groups have been linked to burglaries involving Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and Joe Burrow.
Moyer said that local authorities plan to coordinate with federal investigators, noting, "We will look at all angles of this because we know, obviously, it's been all over the news in the past few years about different professional athletes' homes getting burglarized."
The frightening incident comes just days after Barkley made headlines for a very different reason. During his youth football camp in New Jersey, the Eagles running back publicly encouraged LeBron James to consider finishing his NBA career in Philadelphia, calling it "one of the greatest sports towns in the world" and telling the four-time NBA champion that bringing a title to the city would mean "you'd be remembered forever."
Kevin Hart, Teyana Taylor & the ’72 Hours’ Cast Celebrate at the Movie’s Premiere
Kam Patterson, Ben Marshall, Michael Mando, and Mike Epps were also in attendance at the premiere. 72 Hours was directed by Tim Story and written by Jon Hurwitz, Hayden Schlossberg, Kevin Burrows, and Matt Mider.
Mason Gooding and Zach Cherry also star but did not appear to be present at the premiere.
For the premiere, Teyana was wearing a Saint Laurent Pre-Fall 2026 suit with Saint Laurent Brigitte pumps and a Schiaparelli Vendôme necklace.
Kevin wore a black leather blazer paired with dark trousers. He finished the look with dark square-frame sunglasses, a silver chain necklace, a luxury watch, and black leather square-toe boots.
Kevin attended with his wife Eniko Hart. Teyana was photographed with her parents, Tito Smith and Nikki Taylor!
72 Hours is an upcoming comedy film that follows a 40-year-old executive hoping “to save his flailing career by joining a group of twenty-somethings on a wild three-day bachelor party, after he’s inadvertently added to their group text.”
The film will begin streaming this Thursday, July 24, 2026 on Netflix.
Mason Gooding and Zach Cherry also star but did not appear to be present at the premiere.
For the premiere, Teyana was wearing a Saint Laurent Pre-Fall 2026 suit with Saint Laurent Brigitte pumps and a Schiaparelli Vendôme necklace.
Kevin wore a black leather blazer paired with dark trousers. He finished the look with dark square-frame sunglasses, a silver chain necklace, a luxury watch, and black leather square-toe boots.
72 Hours is an upcoming comedy film that follows a 40-year-old executive hoping “to save his flailing career by joining a group of twenty-somethings on a wild three-day bachelor party, after he’s inadvertently added to their group text.”
The film will begin streaming this Thursday, July 24, 2026 on Netflix.
Netflix Unveils First Look at ‘A Different World’ Sequel
*Netflix has offered fans their first glimpse of the next chapter in “A Different World,” releasing a collection of first-look images from the upcoming sequel series that brings viewers back to the halls of Hillman College.
Rather than simply revisiting familiar characters, the new series shifts the spotlight to a fresh class of students navigating life at the fictional historically Black college while reconnecting audiences with several beloved faces from the original sitcom.
Leading the ensemble is Deborah Wayne, played by Maleah Joi Moon. Deborah is the youngest daughter of Whitley Gilbert and Dwayne Wayne, described as a free-spirited young woman with a passion for performing who arrives at Hillman determined to discover her own identity despite growing up in a protective household.
She’ll be joined by a diverse group of classmates, including first-generation criminal justice major Rashida Duvall (Alijah Kai), highly recruited athlete Shaquille Johnson (Cornell Young IV), psychology student Amir Rodale (Jordan Aaron Hall), church-raised freshman Hazel Henry (Kennedi Reece) and aspiring fashion entrepreneur Kojo Achebe (Chibuikem Uche).
Longtime fans can also expect several familiar faces to return. Jasmine Guy reprises her role as Whitley Gilbert, while Kadeem Hardison returns as Dwayne Wayne. Cree Summer is back as Freddie Brooks, and Darryl M. Bell reprises his role as Ron Johnson.
According to Netflix, the series will blend comedy and drama while exploring campus traditions, friendships and the experiences of students attending an HBCU. The show aims to celebrate the richness and complexity of Black life through the lens of a new generation finding its place at Hillman.
Felicia Pride serves as showrunner, writer and executive producer. Debbie Allen returns as an executive producer and director, joined by executive producers Tom Werner, Reggie Rock Bythewood, Gina Prince-Bythewood and Mandy Summers.
The original “A Different World” debuted on NBC in 1987 as a spin-off of “The Cosby Show.” Initially centered on Denise Huxtable, played by Lisa Bonet, the sitcom evolved into one of television’s most influential portrayals of life at a historically Black college, running for six seasons before concluding in 1993. It remains widely credited with inspiring generations of students to consider attending HBCUs.
Rather than simply revisiting familiar characters, the new series shifts the spotlight to a fresh class of students navigating life at the fictional historically Black college while reconnecting audiences with several beloved faces from the original sitcom.
Leading the ensemble is Deborah Wayne, played by Maleah Joi Moon. Deborah is the youngest daughter of Whitley Gilbert and Dwayne Wayne, described as a free-spirited young woman with a passion for performing who arrives at Hillman determined to discover her own identity despite growing up in a protective household.
She’ll be joined by a diverse group of classmates, including first-generation criminal justice major Rashida Duvall (Alijah Kai), highly recruited athlete Shaquille Johnson (Cornell Young IV), psychology student Amir Rodale (Jordan Aaron Hall), church-raised freshman Hazel Henry (Kennedi Reece) and aspiring fashion entrepreneur Kojo Achebe (Chibuikem Uche).
Longtime fans can also expect several familiar faces to return. Jasmine Guy reprises her role as Whitley Gilbert, while Kadeem Hardison returns as Dwayne Wayne. Cree Summer is back as Freddie Brooks, and Darryl M. Bell reprises his role as Ron Johnson.
According to Netflix, the series will blend comedy and drama while exploring campus traditions, friendships and the experiences of students attending an HBCU. The show aims to celebrate the richness and complexity of Black life through the lens of a new generation finding its place at Hillman.
Felicia Pride serves as showrunner, writer and executive producer. Debbie Allen returns as an executive producer and director, joined by executive producers Tom Werner, Reggie Rock Bythewood, Gina Prince-Bythewood and Mandy Summers.
The original “A Different World” debuted on NBC in 1987 as a spin-off of “The Cosby Show.” Initially centered on Denise Huxtable, played by Lisa Bonet, the sitcom evolved into one of television’s most influential portrayals of life at a historically Black college, running for six seasons before concluding in 1993. It remains widely credited with inspiring generations of students to consider attending HBCUs.
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
Courtesy of P.O.Wm
Woman in Rascal goes Nuts when confronted about some petty theft
I never really thought about it, but Wal-Mart is kinda raisins
HAVE A GREAT DAY ALL!!!
EFREM
No comments:
Post a Comment