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Exclusive: Natasha Marc will reprise her role as Cherry in Season 3 of Paramount+’s Mayor of Kingstown. Marc made her last appearance in the ninth episode of Season 1 titled “The Lie of the Truth.”

Co-created by Oscar nominee Taylor Sheridan and Hugh Dillon, Mayor of Kingstown follows the McLusky family, power brokers in Kingstown, Michigan, where the business of incarceration is the only thriving industry. Tackling themes of systemic racism, corruption and inequality, the series provides a stark look at their attempt to bring order and justice to a town that has neither.

In Season 3, a series of explosions rock Kingstown and its citizens, as a new face of the Russian mob sets up shop in the city, and a drug war rages inside and outside prison walls. The pressure is on Mike McLusky (Jeremy Renner) to end the war but things get complicated when a familiar face from his...

Rihanna hasn’t toured since 2016, but on Sunday during the Jay Z-produced spectacle that is the Super Bowl Lvii Halftime Show the Good Girl Gone Bad singer put on a tour de force.

Filling her less-than-15-minute set with an array of hits, floating platforms, club dance floor dynamics and spectacle, the second best-selling female artist of all time owned the field at State Farm Stadium with near pure superstar swagger.

Pushing the high-profile slot to new technological and Olympian heights, Rihanna was pure solo. With a catalog full of work with the likes of the aforementioned Jay-Z, Eminem and Drake over the decades, the “Umbrella” singer teased guest stars earlier this week, but it was all hype because when it came showtime, Rihanna did the job all on her own with only a legion of dancers as sidekicks in a performance that was totally 2023.

Related Story Super Bowl...

Super Bowl Lvi scored a massive touchdown on Variety’s Trending TV chart for the week of Feb. 7 – 13, tackling this week’s other televised offerings with almost 805,000 engagements during its Sunday broadcast.

The game itself, during which the L.A. Rams defeated the Cincinnati Bengals, 23-20, was a hot ticket as celebrities like Jennifer Lopez, Ben Affleck, LeBron James, Will Ferrell and Ryan Reynolds watched from the stands, while down on the field at SoFi Stadium, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson drew applause as he introduced the game to an energized crowd.

Ryan Reynolds and Will Ferrell repping the @BCLions at the Super Bowl. #Cfl pic.twitter.com/SXQGxWX4pg

— Adam Forsythe (@adamforsythe) February 14, 2022

The Rock's full Super Bowl intro pic.twitter.com/AtpmXo5N8Q

— alex (@highlghtheaven) February 13, 2022

The star-studded halftime show featuring Dr. Dre, Kendrick Lamar, Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, Eminem and surprise performer Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson also drew plenty of chatter online.

Well, that was awesome. The Super Bowl halftime show finally opened up to hip-hop—this was the first time the rappers got to bumrush center stage, instead of serving as a sideshow. And it was a triumph. Dr. Dre presided over an all-time great Super Bowl blowout, rocking alongside Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, 50 Cent, Kendrick Lamar, and Anderson .Paak on drums. It was a celebration of West Coast rap history at the SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, in a battle between the Los Angeles Rams and the Cincinnati Bengals.

Updated: The halftime show of Super Bowl Lvi might have technically featured five announced headliners — Dr. Dre, Eminem, Snoop Dogg, Kendrick Lamar and Mary J. Blige, with a surprise sixth in 50 Cent — but there’s no question that the hit-filled set revolved around two stars: Dr. Dre and the city of L.A.

And while the lyrics to the songs featured in the long medley of the performers’ hits — some of the biggest hip-hop songs of the past 30 years — were largely sanitized from references to racial strife or parts of the human anatomy, the sole white headliner, Eminem, managed to make a statement that pre-show reports said he’d been expressly asked not to make: Taking a knee, Colin Kaepernick style, to protest police violence against the Black community.

However, an N.F.L. rep told Variety shortly after the show that it was fully aware of Eminem’s plans.

Never did we think five artists would grace the Super Bowl halftime stage together. But this year's grand performance from Kendrick Lamar, Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, Eminem, and Dr. Dre, plus a surprise appearance from 50 Cent, blew our minds and made history all at once. The six music icons took over the SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA, on Sunday for a celebration of West Coast hip-hop all orchestrated by Dr. Dre.

The epic performance took us through a medley of coastal hits, from Snoop and Dr. Dre's "The Next Episode" and "California Love" to Lamar's "m.A.A.d City" and "Alright." 50 Cent popped up to perform "In Da Club," while Blige took us way back with her songs "Family Affair" and "No More Drama." Eminem helped close out the show with his "Lose Yourself" anthem (assisted by Anderson .Paak on the drums), as Dr. Dre brought it...

Eminem delivered a memorable performance during the 2022 Pepsi Halftime Show by taking a knee at the end of it. The statement seemingly paid tribute to former San Francisco quarterback Colin Kaepernick who, as a player had kneeled in protest of police brutality and racial injustice against Black Americans.

League spokesman Brian McCarthy told The New York Times that the NFL was aware that Eminem was going to kneel because he had made the gesture during rehearsals.

The gesture came as Eminem finished performing his 8 Mile anthem “Lose Yourself” during an...

Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, Kendrick Lamar, Eminem and special guest 50 Cent just wrapped the Super Bowl Lvi Pepsi Halftime Show, one that may be remembered more for its cool set design than the actual performance of the song set.

The supergroup had several different spaces to play with. The setup, a train car-like collection of all-white dwellings, was parked atop a bird’s-eye view of the Los Angeles streets. And yes, there were low-riders parked at midfield — but those weren’t the only set pieces with sweet hydraulics.

Snoop and Dre opened the high-profile gig with “The Next Episode” and then went into “California Love.” After their mini-reunion, 50 Cent popped up — or down, really, as he was rapping while hanging upside down — and performed “In Da Club.” Blige then sang two songs from the rooftop, before Lamar did his thing on field level. The local rapper...

Five of the biggest names in hip-hop pooled their talents on Sunday for an all-star Super Bowl Lvi Halftime Show performance.

Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige and Kendrick Lamar shared the stage, pulling from their collective catalogue to deliver some of the biggest hits from the past few decades.

More from TVLineRatings: Super Bowl Lvi Draws North of 112 Million Viewers, Up 17% From 2021American Song Contest: Snoop Dogg and Kelly Clarkson Set to Host NBC's All-Live Music Competition SeriesMarvel's Moon Knight: Disney+ Drops New Trailer During Super Bowl

Songs like “The Next Episode,” “California Love,” “Family Affair,...

Kendrick Lamar just may have predicted this performance when he penned "All the Stars." Because as viewers of the 2022 Super Bowl Halftime Show just witnessed, the influential rapper rocked the stage alongside the likes of legends including Mary J. Blige, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg and Eminem. During their Feb. 13 performance, the group of trailblazers had the in-person—and at-home—crowd moving like none other when they performed a ton of their classic hits, which kicked off with Dr. Dre and Snoop performing their hit "The Next Episode," a rendition of Tupac's "California Love" and even included a surprise performance from 50 Cent, who performed "In...

Issa Rae, Cedric the Entertainer and Leslie Jones were among the attendees at the star-studded Chairman’s Party inside SoFi Stadium on Thursday night, grooving along as Usher commanded the stage.

Just before heading into the event, Jones told Variety that she’s eagerly anticipating another concert — the Super Bowl Lvi halftime show featuring Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, Eminem and Mary J. Blige.

“‘California Love,’ that’s what I would want to hear,” Jones said, referencing Tupac and Dr. Dre’s iconic track. “And anything from Mary.”

While the comedian is known for her live commentary of the Olympics, it’s up in the air whether she’ll tweet the Super Bowl.

“It depends. If they give me some tickets, I’ll come; if not I’ll be at home in front of the TV cheering like everybody else,” Jones quipped.

The exclusive event, presented by DirecTV, took place at...

Exclusive: LAist Studios, the podcast division of Southern California Public Radio, is launching a slew of new audio series.

The company, which is behind series such as California City, Norco ’80 and California Love, has set six new shows for 2022.

Developed under LAist Studios executive producer Antonia Cereijido, the slate includes Imperfect Paradise, Snooze, K-Pop Dreaming, Lost Chapter: The Forgotten Revolutionary, Human/Nature and The Big Burn (full details below).

Herb Scannell, President and Chief Executive Officer, Scpr said, “When LAist Studios launched over just two years ago, we committed to creating a space for vibrant and innovative voices that reflect the ethos of Los Angeles to harness the power of audio storytelling. The diversity of our city is what makes LA so special and LAist Studios seeks to capture that in all that we do, beginning with our commitment to being a studio where all areas of production are staffed...

We say it every week, but it must be said again.

Premieres are still rolling out, and movies are dropping all of the time. There are also season finales upon us as the viewing patterns are consistently changing.

Here's what we recommend to watch this week.

Saturday, October 16

8/7c Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff: The Kristine Carlson Story (Lifetime)

Meghan McCain executive produces and Heather Locklear stars in this heartfelt movie based on Kristine Carlson’s book Heartbroken.

When Dr. Richard Carlson, the man behind the “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff” brand tragically passes away, his wife struggles to adapt to single motherhood as a widower and coming out of her husband’s shadow to carry on his legacy and make it her own..

Grab your tissues for this tear-jerker based on real events.

9/8c Slumber Party Massacre (Syfy)

Can Danishka Esterhazy remake the feminist horror movie while adding...

If there's something that most people can agree on, it's the idea that the world could use more unity, community, justice, and change.

With its string of inspirational and heartening films, Lifetime presents The Fight that Never Ends, a film inspired by the real experiences of Joanne Beck, who serves as producer of the movie.

When times are bleak, it's nice to have uplifting and inspirational stories told, and this one fits the bill.

The Fight That Never ends is about community, the efforts of hardworking and selfless individuals who hope to instill change and curb the gang violence that is riddling a neighborhood.

It's a human story and a love one that pushes for the fight for racial justice through bringing unlikely souls together rather than sowing seeds of division.

The Fight That Never Ends is about a man, Leon Watkins, played by Allen Payne, who runs a community...

Exclusive: Insecure star Jay Ellis is behind a new podcast series that will aim to give voice to formerly incarcerated young authors.

Written Off will feature the likes of John Legend, Issa Rae and Randall Park reading the works of these young authors.

In each episode, former New York Times reporter Walter Thompson-Hernández, who also previously hosted the California Love podcast, will interview young people who wrote stories and poems while locked up in the U.S. prison system before a star performs their work.

Yvonne Orji, Keke Palmer, Karamo Brown, Julio Torres, and Jesse Williams are also involved.

Around 4,000 youth are incarcerated in prisons and jails in the United States and America leads the world in locking up young people. The series kicks off with Fresh Off The Boat and WandaVision star Randall Park. Listen to the trailer below.

The series will be produced by Black Bar Mitzvah, the...

That's "Pac" to you! When it comes to presents for kids, Gabrielle Union and husband Dwyane Wade keep it rockin'. The Bring It On actress recently handed their 2-year-old daughter Kaavia James a special gift, a Tupac Shakur T-shirt. A video of the toddler opening the present and reacting adorably was posted on her Instagram page on Saturday, June 12, four days before the late iconic "California Love" rapper would have celebrated his 50th birthday. "Pac in a box," read the caption. "It is not my birthday but 90s West coast hip hop is a gift. #CaliforniaLove #ShadyBaby East coast vs West coast vs the South... who yall...

Exclusive: Chris Tucker has inked with ICM Partners for representation in all areas.

The award-winning actor, producer, and comedian’s robust career on screen has included work with filmmakers Quentin Tarantino, David O’Russell, Ang Lee, Luc Besson, F. Gary Gray, and The Hughes Brothers.

Tucker began his career in House Party 3, and saw his star rise with the 1995 film Friday opposite Ice Cube. But it was the New Line action comedy franchise Rush Hour opposite Jackie Chan which propelled Tucker into a $1.6 billion-grossing global box office star.

Other notable feature credits include Money Talks with Charlie Sheen, Fifth Element with Bruce Willis, and Quentin Tarantino’s Jackie Brown.

Tucker had a memorable role in David O’Russell’s 2012 Oscar winning title Silver Linings Playbook opposite Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, and Robert DeNiro. He shared a SAG ensemble feature nomination with the cast for the film. Tucker is also...

Exclusive: The story of how five young men, driven by end-of-the-world fears surrounding the Cold War and inspired by an apocalyptic religious movement, attempted to rob a Southern California bank is the basis for a new podcast series from LAist Studios.

The podcast division of Southern California Public Radio, is launching ten-part podcast series Norco ‘80: God, Guns, Survivalism and the Bank Robbery that Changed Policing Forever about the events of May 9, 1980.

The series, which launches on January 11, 2021, will look at how how the events ushered in a new conversation around end of the world paranoia, survivalism, faith, mental health, public safety, and the evolving role of law enforcement that remains ever-relevant.

Hosted by Antonia Cereijido, the show features new interviews with central figures in the robbery and never-before-heard archival tape from police radio traffic and confession room recordings. These interviews include the ringleader of the group as well as...

Monday’s episode of Dancing With the Stars served as the Season 29 quarterfinals, or, phrased differently, the third-to-last broadcast of the season.

It was also Icons Night, a fact the competition series would not let us forget as each contestant honored a different music legend. “Britney Spears is just iconic,” remarked Kaitlyn Bristowe. “George Michael is such an icon,” said Johnny Weir. If you’d been playing a drinking game with that word at home, your liver would have waved the white flag after about 20 minutes.

More from TVLineDancing With the Stars Recap: Which Couples Have Reached the Top 7?Dancing With the Stars...

Last week’s “Dancing with the Stars” double elimination — Jeannie Mai withdrew due to illness before the show, then Chrishell Stause was ousted at the end of the evening — left us with seven celebrity contestants. They had to perform twice this week during “Icons Night” … well, most of them had to perform twice. How did they do? Scroll down for our live blog with all the minute-by-minute developments and our commentary throughout the night.

See‘Dancing with the Stars’ Week 9 has some, uh, iconic routines and dance-offs on deck — and 1 couple has immunity

This week’s dances paid tribute to music icons: Kaitlyn Bristowe danced to Britney Spears (Argentine tango), Skai Jackson celebrated Janet Jackson (paso doble), Justina Machado celebrated Madonna (rumba), Aj McLean honored Queen lead singer Freddie Mercury (Viennese waltz), Nelly channeled fellow rapper 2Pac (jazz), Nev Schulman rocked to Elton John (jive), and Johnny Weir was inspired...

The lucky seven remaining couples on “Dancing with the Stars” will hit the floor twice on Monday’s Icons Night — except for one.

After the individual routines, which will pay tribute to the stars’ favorite music icons, the pairs will face off one-on-one in three dance-offs. And if you haven’t heard, seven is, in fact, an odd number, so that means one couple won’t have to lace up their shoes: Nev Schulman and Jenna Johnson will receive immunity from the dance-off because they topped the leaderboard last week and have the highest cumulative score of the season.

The judges will select a winning couple from each dance-off to earn two additional bonus points. Schulman and Johnson will automatically get two additional points as part of their immunity.

Here are the individual Week 9 routines:

Kaitlyn Bristowe and Artem Chigvintsev: Argentine tango (“Toxic” by Britney Spears)

Skai Jackson and...

Exclusive: LA-based management firm Grandview has promoted Erick Mendoza to manager. Mendoza first joined the company as an assistant in 2018, and before that he was at UTA.

His roster of writer clients include Alex Russell (FX’s Dave); Josh Levine (Hulu’s Pen15); Rebecca Hoobler (Fox’s Duncanville); Walter Thompson-Hernández, author of The Compton Cowboys: The New Generation Of Cowboys In America’s Urban Heartland and host of LAist Studios’ California Love podcast; Colin Liddle (Penny Dreadful: City Of Angels) and Paola Villegas Soruco (Stumptown).

The Grandview partners said: “From the moment he joined us, Erick has been wildly impressive in every way. He’s already an excellent representative, an inspiring colleague, and a good friend. We are so excited to work with him as he and his clients continue to tell the greatest of stories.”

Mendoza, who was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA, said: “I am proud...

Dr. Dre paid tribute to Kobe Bryant during the 2020 NBA All-Star game with a short segment that reflected on the player’s storied career. The clip, created by Dre, Gibson Hazard and Jackson Bannon, features many of Bryant’s on-court successes, with the rapper remixing them together into a dynamic instrumental memorial.

The video, which clocks in at a little over two minutes, includes many of Bryant’s notable moments, from his start as an 18-year-old player to father of an up-and-coming basketball star in his daughter Gianna. The remix...