AP Entertainment
AP-Entertainment
Roy Ayers, a jazz legend who influenced hip-hop and R&B musicians, dies at 84
NEW YORK (AP) — Roy Ayers, a legendary jazz vibraphonist, keyboardist, composer and vocalist known for his spacy, funky 1976 hit “Everybody Loves the Sunshine” has died. The Ayers family says in a Facebook post that he died Tuesday. Ayers’ music never went out of style, appearing in the 2019 “Queen & Slim: The Soundtrack.” His song “Running Away” propelled A Tribe Called Quest’s 1989 opus “Description of a Fool,” and the song was sampled by Big Daddy Kane and Common. Ayers was heard on Tyler, the Creator’s album “Cherry Bomb” and Erykah Badu’s “Mama’s Gun.” “Everybody Loves the Sunshine” has been sampled by such R&B and rap heavyweights as Mary J. Blige, N.W.A., Dr. Dre, 2Pac, Mos Def and Ice Cube.
Pamela Bach, actor and ex-wife of David Hasselhoff, dies at 62
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The actor and ex-wife of “Baywatch” star David Hasselhoff, Pamela Bach has died at age 62. The Los Angeles medical examiner’s office reports that she died Wednesday and the cause is still under investigation. Also known as Pamela Hasselhoff, Bach was an actor who appeared on “The Young and the Restless” and met her future husband on the set of his series, “Knight Rider.” The pair were married in December 1989 and had divorced in 2006. They had two daughters together, Taylor and Hayley. There was no immediate comment from David Hasselhoff’s representative.
In tense relations with India, Pakistani TV dramas break down barriers that diplomacy often cannot
KARACHI, Pakistan (AP) — Tens of millions of Pakistanis tune into homegrown soap operas every night, but they are also a hit in India. The serials are a source of escapism and intrigue for Indians and offer a tantalizing glimpse into the lives of their neighbors that is helping break through decades of enmity between the two governments. Although it’s hard for Indians to visit the country where these shows are filmed, they faithfully follow the plot twists and turns through YouTube and other platforms. Says one Pakistani director: They’re just like us.
Lady Gaga strikes a chord: The superstar singer rekindles passion for music with new album ‘Mayhem’
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Lady Gaga rediscovered her passion for music through self-discovery, channeling her personal transformation into her new album “Mayhem.” The 14-time Grammy winner returns to her dark pop music roots on the 14-track album, which features singles “Abracadabra,” “Disease” and the Grammy-winning song “Die With a Smile,” with Bruno Mars. Gaga reclaimed her passion for music by stepping back from fame, cutting ties from fake friendships, swapping the spotlight for quiet nights at home and surrounding herself with people she trusts. Gaga digs deeper into what it took to regain her passion, showing she’s more than just a character and pulling double duty on “Saturday Night Live.” Gaga will be the host and musical guest on the show Saturday.
Abdullah Saeed’s ‘Deli Boys’ brings laughter and chaos to the screen
WEST HOLLYWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Abdullah Saeed wasn’t looking to write a groundbreaking comedy with “Deli Boys.” He wrote a sample script, hoping to secure a job in a writers’ room. The script landed in front of producers Jenni Konner and Nora Silver who wanted to do more than hire Saeed. They wanted to develop it. The 10-episode comedy stars Poorna Jagannathan, Saagar Shaikh and Asif Ali. It premieres Thursday and follows two Pakistani-American brothers who inherit their family business. They soon learn they are in way over their heads when they discover their convenience store chain was a front for cocaine distribution.
Chloé collection goes with the flow as Kamali flaunts the blouse at Paris Fashion Week
PARIS (AP) — If any one piece defines Chloé under Chemena Kamali, it’s the blouse. Billowy, ruffled, effortless, and deeply romantic, it captured the essence of her third collection for the house. Kamali’s Chloé woman moves through time—referencing history but never stuck in it—just like the women who sat in the front row, Jerry Hall and Georgia May Jagger, icons of past and present Chloé cool.Chloé has long been a house that champions women, both in its design ethos and leadership. While some major womenswear brands continue to be helmed by men, Chloé has laudably remained a platform for female designers, shaping fashion through their perspective. Kamali, now three collections in, continues to refine her vision within that tradition.
Performance coach touted by NFL star AJ Brown has a book deal
NEW YORK (AP) — The performance coach whose self-published “Inner Excellence” received a public boost from NFL wide receiver A.J. Brown has a book deal. Grand Central Publishing Group says it will re-release Jim Murphy’s surprise bestseller and has acquired his self-published “The Best Possible Life.” The new edition of “Inner Excellence” will come out this spring, and “The Best Possible Life” is scheduled for Sept. 30. Grand Central also plans an “Inner Excellence” workbook. Brown, a star receiver for the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles, was seen flipping through “Inner Excellence” while on the sidelines during a playoff game in January.
Angry Birds, Frogger and others are finalists for the World Video Game Hall of Fame
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (AP) — The World Video Game Hall of Fame has revealed its 12 finalists for 2025. Members of the public have a week to vote for their favorites online. The finalists are: Age of Empires, Angry Birds, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, Defender, Frogger, Golden Eye, Golden Tee, Harvest Moon, Mattel Football, Quake, NBA 2K and Tamagotchi. The World Video Game Hall of Fame honors games that have achieved longevity, geographical reach and have influenced game design and pop culture. The Class of 2025 will be enshrined May 8 at the Hall of Fame’s new space inside The Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, New York.
Steve Carell surprises Southern California high school students with free prom tickets
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Actor Steve Carell is sending Southern California high school students affected by the devasting wildfires in Los Angeles to the prom for free. The “Office” actor and comedian said Tuesday in an Instagram video that he was working with the Alice’s Kids charity to pay for a prom for seniors at six high schools in Pasadena. The Los Angeles area fires destroyed more than 16,000 homes, businesses and other structures and killed at least 29 people in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood and Altadena area north of Pasadena. Alice’s Kids will donate about $175,000 for more than 800 students to attend the dance.
Broadway musical ‘Hamilton’ cancels plans to play the Kennedy Center in 2026
NEW YORK (AP) — The megahit Broadway musical “Hamilton” is pulling out of plans to perform at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., next year,. Organizers cited President Donald Trump’s shakeup of the institution’s leadership as their reason for canceling. The Kennedy Center has been in upheaval since Trump forced out the center’s leadership and took over as chair of the board of trustees. Trump’s takeover is part of his broad campaign against “woke” culture. “Hamilton” played at the Kennedy Center in 2018 during Trump’s first administration and again in 2022 when Joe Biden was president. It was scheduled to again March 3 through April 26, 2026. No tickets had gone on sale.
