News & Current Events Archives - Page 18 of 31

CNN’s Anderson Cooper to speak with Trayvon Martin’s parents

July 17, 2013 Jeff Pfeiffer

On the Thursday, July 18, edition of CNN’s Anderson Cooper 360°, host Anderson Cooper will interview the parents of Trayvon Martin. A CNN release says that Tracy Martin and Sybrina Fulton will speak with Cooper about the recent verdict that found George Zimmerman not guilty of second-degree murder and manslaughter in the death of their son Trayvon Martin; their thoughts about the deliberation process as revealed by Juror B37 (one of the six jurors who deliberated on the case, and who spoke with Anderson Cooper on his program Monday night); and how they hope that their son will be remembered. […]

Paula Deen comic book still in the works

July 11, 2013 Jeff Pfeiffer

Despite her recent controversy, media firestorm and loss of several sponsors — along with being fired from Food Network — due to her inflammatory racial comments, Paula Deen will still be the subject of a Female Force biographical comic book to be available this fall, according to publisher Bluewater Productions. “We do not condone [Paula Deen’s] use of racial insensitivities, and think that intolerance has no place in a just society,” said Bluewater’s president Darren G. Davis, “but despite her recent failings, we also strongly believe she still has a powerful story to tell; one that fits the female empowerment […]

NBC’s Brian Williams interviews Boston Marathon bombing survivor Jeff Bauman

July 10, 2013 Jeff Pfeiffer

Boston Marathon bombing survivor Jeff Bauman met with NBC News’ Brian Williams for his first television interview since the attack nearly three months ago that cost Bauman both of his legs above the knee. Bauman had been at the finish line of the race to cheer on his girlfriend at the time of the blasts, and is now learning to walk again on prostheses. In the interview, Jeff Bauman tells Brian Williams that he remembers seeing Boston Marathon bombing suspect Tamerlan Tsarnaev at the finish line and provided a description of him to authorities, including the backpack he says Tamerlan […]

Total Divas on E! features sexy women of WWE

June 27, 2013 Gerry Strauss

Total Divas on E! goes behind the curtain with the sexy women of the WWE. What happens when seven of the feistiest femme fatales in sports-entertainment are pitted against one another in a never-ending battle to reign supreme as World Wrestling Entertainment’s top Diva? By the way, this scenario isn’t just a wrestling match … it’s their whole lives. The WWE (formerly known as the WWF) has long been considered the world’s top source of “pro wrestling,” the enduring form of simulated combat that walks a fine line between athleticism and amusement. As part of the company’s entertainment-minded evolution in […]

Proposition 8 plaintiffs get call from President Obama on MSNBC

June 26, 2013 Jeff Pfeiffer

The U.S. Supreme Court today handed down two rulings that bolstered same-sex marriage by ruling part of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) unconstitutional and allowing a lower court ruling to stand that struck down California’s Proposition 8 ballot initiative, which defines marriage as between one man and one woman. The Proposition 8 case that was before the court was Hollingsworth v. Perry, and following the ruling, the plaintiffs in that case — unmarried same-sex couples Kris Perry and Sandy Stier, and Paul Katami and Jeff Zarrillo — were live on MSNBC along with Chad Griffin of Human Rights Campaign when […]

Jodi Arias Dirty Little Secret ratings

June 24, 2013 Lori Acken

Lifetime announced today that the Saturday night premiere of its highly-anticapted original film Jodi Arias: Dirty Little Secret — based on the sensational murder trial that held the country in it’s thrall for months — averaged 3.1 million total viewers. Only the network’s equally juicy January premiere Prosecuting Casey Anthony bested Dirty Little Secret‘s ratings. If you missed your chance to see the film, which examined what happened between convicted killer Arias and her victim, Travis Alexander, before their brief affair turned murderous, you have plenty of chances to catch it in reruns. Jodi Arias: Dirty Little Secret will re-air June 25 at 12 am ET, […]

How many people watched Nik Wallenda Grand Canyon walk?

June 24, 2013 Barb Oates

Just how many people watched Nik Wallenda Grand Canyon Walk? While the lead-up to the show was a bit long and drawn out, Wallenda delivered in one of the most agonizing 30 minutes of live TV ever. My hands were sweaty, my stomach felt sick and I couldn’t sit still watching Wallenda’s live tightrope walk across the Grand Canyon — AND, I wasn’t alone. Almost 13 million people watched Wallenda as he made history becoming the first person ever to cross over the Grand Canyon. Wallenda walked 1,400 feet (at 1,500 feet high) on a two-inch-thick cable — with no […]

Paula Deen Today show interview will happen Wednesday morning

June 24, 2013 Lori Acken

• UPDATE: NBC has announced that Matt Lauer’s interview with Paula Deen will air in the 7:30am ET half-hour of Today and will also be available on TODAY.com afterward. After backing out of a chat with Today‘s Matt Lauer on Friday, embattled former Food Network host Paula Deen has agreed to appear on Wednesday’s show, Lauer announced Monday morning. The interview will be the latest in Deen’s efforts at damage control after admitting that she used racial slurs while being deposed for a harassment lawsuit filed by a former employee. In the scandal’s fallout, the 66-year-old Deen was fired by Food Network […]

Food Network won’t renew Paula Deen’s contract

June 21, 2013 Lori Acken

Food Network announced Friday afternoon that it will not renew Paula Deen’s contract, which is due to expire at the end of the month. • UPDATE: Paula Deen Today show interview will happen Wednesday Deen is currently under fire for admitting that she used racial slurs while being deposed for a harassment lawsuit filed against the 66-year-old Food Network staple and her brother, Bubba Hiers, by Lisa Jackson, a former manager of the family’s restaurant, Uncle Bubba’s Seafood and Oyster House. In the wake of the controversy, Deen cancelled an appearance on Friday morning’s Today, citing exhaustion, then took to […]

Tony Soprano actor James Gandolfini dies at age 51

June 19, 2013 Barb Oates

Wednesday, June 19: Emmy-winning actor James Gandolfini dies at age 51. Actor James Gandolfini died at age 51 today. Gandolfini, known for his role as Tony Soprano in HBO’s The Sopranos, was in Italy — with intentions to attend the 59th Annual Taormina Film Festival in Sicily — when he reportedly suffered a massive heart attack and died. He is survived by his wife Deborah Lin, teenage son and baby daughter. For six seasons, Gandolfini played New Jersey mafia boss Tony Soprano, winning three Emmy Awards for best actor in a drama series. When we interviewed Gandolfini for the series finale in […]