2023 Primetime Emmy Awards: see the full list of nominees

The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences revealed the nominations for the 2023 Primetime Emmy Awards. The Primetime Emmys recognize excellence in American primetime television programming. Actress and comedian Yvette Nicole Brown and Television Academy chair Frank Scherma announced the nominees during a live stream Wednesday.

HBO dominated the nominations, with its drama series Succession leading with 27 nominations, including Outstanding Drama Series, Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama series (Brian Cox, Kieran Culkin and Jeremy Strong), and Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series (Sarah Snook). HBO’s post-apocalyptic drama The Last of Us follows with 24 nominations, including Outstanding Drama Series, Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series (Pedro Pascal) and Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series (Bella Ramsey). HBO’s The White Lotus is also nominated for 23 awards, while Apple TV+ series Ted Lasso is up for 21.

The 75th Primetime Emmy Awards are scheduled to air Sept. 18 at 8 p.m. ET on Fox. For the full list of nominees, head here.

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Britney Spears reveals cover and release date for her memoir ‘The Woman In Me’

Britney Spears’ memoir, ‘Britney Spears’ The Woman in Me’ will be released Oct. 24 by Gallery Books, a division of Simon & Schuster. The 41-year-old singer shared the cover and release date for the book on social media, saying the book will tell ‘her story on her own terms’ along with the simple caption: 10.24.23

Gallery Books describes Spear’s memoir as “a brave and astonishingly moving story about freedom, fame, motherhood, survival, faith, and hope.” On the book’s website, Gallery writes, “In June 2021, the whole world was listening as Britney Spears spoke in open court. The impact of sharing her voice—her truth—was undeniable, and it changed the course of her life and the lives of countless others. The Woman in Me reveals for the first time her incredible journey—and the strength at the core of one of the greatest performers in pop music history. Written with remarkable candor and humor, Spears’s groundbreaking book illuminates the enduring power of music and love—and the importance of a woman telling her own story, on her own terms, at last.”

Gallery Books SVP and publisher Jennifer Bergstrom said in a statement to People: “Britney’s compelling testimony in open court shook the world, changed laws, and showed her inspiring strength and bravery. I have no doubt her memoir will have a similar impact — and will be the publishing event of the year. We couldn’t be more proud to help share her story at last.”

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Bank of America to pay over $100 million for doubling fees, withholding credit card rewards

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) said on Tuesday that they are ordering Bank of America to pay over $100 million to customers for illegally charging ‘junk fees,’ as well as withholding credit card rewards and opening fake accounts. The CFPB specifically accused the bank of harming “hundreds of thousands of consumers over a period of several years” and “systematically double-dipping on fees imposed on customers with insufficient funds in their account.” Bank of America serves 68 million people and small business clients.

The CFPB also said that the bank was also ordered to pay an additional $90 million in penalties to the CFPB and $60 million in penalties to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. Rohit Chopra, director of the CFPB, said in a statement: “Bank of America wrongfully withheld credit card rewards, double-dipped on fees, and opened accounts without consent.”  Chopra added: “These practices are illegal and undermine customer trust. The CFPB will be putting an end to these practices across the banking system.”

The bank would charge customers a $35 overdraft fee after the bank declined a transaction because there were insufficient funds in the account. However, the CFPB accused the bank of “allowing fees to be repeatedly charged for the same transaction,” saying that Bank of America “generated substantial additional revenue by illegally charging multiple $35 fees.”

The CFPB also accused the bank of illegally withholding “promised credit card account bonuses, such as cash rewards or bonus points to tens of thousands of consumers” and accused the bank of denying “sign-up bonuses to consumers due to the failure of Bank of America’s business processes and systems.” Bank of America employees are also accused of illegally applying “for and enrolled consumers in credit card accounts without consumers’ knowledge or authorization,” using consumers credit reports without their permission to complete applications. The CFPB said that ‘as a result, consumers were charged unjustified fees, suffered negative effects to their credit profiles, and had to spend time correcting errors.”

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Charles Manson follower Leslie Van Houten freed on parole after serving 53 years in prison

Charles Manson follower Leslie Van Houten, who was convicted in two killings, was released on parole on Tuesday after serving more than five decades in prison.

Houten was originally sentenced to death for the Aug. 10, 1969, murders of Leno and Rosemary La Bianca. According to a statement from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation: “The original conviction and death sentence were reversed on appeal and she was sentenced to life with the possibility of parole.”

An appeals court ruled in May that Van Houten, 73, was eligible for parole, reversing a decision by California Gov. Gavin Newsom to reject parole. The release of Houten comes after California Gov. Gavin Newsom said on Friday that he would not challenge Houten’s release in the state Supreme Court. Newsom had previously blocked parole efforts for Houten.

In 1969, Manson and fellow cult member Charles “Tex” Watson went inside the La Bianca’s home and tied them up. According to court records, Manson went outside and told Van Houten and another person to go inside and follow Watson’s directions; he told them to kill Rosemary LaBianca, and Watson killed Leno LaBianca. The previous day, Watson and other cult members (excluding Van Houten) killed actress Sharon Tate and others in her home.

Van Houten is the second of six Manson cult followers convicted of murder. She was initially sentenced to death to be paroled; however, most of the death sentences were commuted to life in prison under a 1972 court decision that outlawed capital punishment; the death penalty was later reinstated in California.

Manson died at a hospital in 2017 while serving a life sentence. Members of what was dubbed the “Manson Family” included Watson, who is serving life in prison; Susan Atkins, who died in prison in 2009, and Patricia Krenwinkel, who is serving a life sentence.

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Pro surfer Mikala Jones dies in surfing accident in Indonesia

Hawaiian pro surfer Mikala Jones has died following an accident while surfing in Indonesia’s Mentawai Islands on Sunday. Jones, known for shooting awe-inspiring photos and videos from the inside of barreling waves, was just 44-years-old.

According to his father, John Jones, Mikala Jones had gone out into the ocean Sunday morning during a trip to the Mentawai Islands off the western coast of Sumatra when his surfboard fin cut his femoral artery (the femoral artery is a large blood vessel in the thigh that delivers blood to lower limbs). The Mentawai Islands in Indonesia’s West Sumatra province are renowned for having some of the world’s greatest surf spots. Jones’ father said a phone interview: “He was a humble artist. His pictures were incredible.”  

Born in Kailua, Hawaii, Jones started surfing at about 7 or 8 years old and began competing a few years later. He won two national championships as an amateur. Jones was known throughout the surfing world for his mesmerizing videos, offering a unique first person perspective into the art of tube-riding.  In the 1990s, Jones began to experiment with taking first-person images of himself on the water; he began to use a GoPro after the lightweight cameras were invented (and was eventually sponsored by the company). He used software to stitch together images from multiple GoPro cameras for 360-degree views.

Jones is survived by his wife, Emma Brereton, and daughters Bella and Violet, who split their time between homes in Bali, Indonesia and Hawaii. In addition to his father, Jones is survived by an older sister and two younger brothers. His mother, Violet Jones-Medusky, died in 2011.

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Saints running back Alvin Kamara pleads no contest to misdemeanor charge in Vegas case

According to Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football.com, Saints running back Alvin Kamara has pleaded no contest on Tuesday to a misdemeanor charge for his role in a February 2022 incident that occurred in Las Vegas; a felony charge of battery resulting in substantial bodily harm has been dropped. The incident happened during the weekend of the ’22 Pro Bowl, and a security camera video was later released that showed the entire brawl at an elevator at Drai’s Nightclub.

Kamara was set to go to trial July 31 after he and three others pleaded not guilty in a Clark County (Nev.) courtroom in early March to battery charges. Kamara instead pleaded no contest to a lesser charge, and will have to do community service and pay $100,000 to Darnelle Greene, the man who reported the attack, for his medical bills. Kamara’s attorney, David Chesnoff, confirmed to ESPN that he took the plea deal and avoided felony charges.
“Alvin is pleased that this matter is behind him and looks forward to a successful NFL season,” Chesnoff said in a statement.

Darnell Greene sued Kamara in October 2022 for $10 million in connection to the incident. Tony Buzbee, Greene’s lawyer, announced Tuesday via social media that the civil suit has been settled and included an apology from Kamara. Bengals cornerback Chris Lammons, as well as Darren Young and Percy Harris, were also indicted on charges stemming from the February 2022 incident.

The 27-year-old Kamara, however, could still face discipline for violating the league’s conduct policy.“We have been closely monitoring all developments in the matter which remain under review,” an NFL spokesperson said.

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Reba McEntire announces ‘Not That Fancy’ show at Ryman Auditorium

Reba McEntire will appear at the iconic Ryman Auditorium for Not the Fancy: An Evening with Reba and Friends, hosted by her good friend and former ‘Reba’ co-star, Melissa Peterman.

Not the Fancy: An Evening with Reba and Friends comes shortly after the release of McEntire’s book, Not That Fancy: Simple Lessons on Living, Loving, Eating, and Dusting Off Your Boots, set for release on October 10.

The Ryman shared on social media: “Reba’s newest book ‘Not That Fancy: Simple Lessons on Living, Loving, Eating, and Dusting Off Your Boots’ is an enchanting collection of funny, poignant, and deeply personal stories, photos, tips, and recipes from Reba McEntire. Tickets on sale Friday at 10 AM CT. Every ticket includes a copy of Reba’s new book!”

Tickets for McEntire’s Not the Fancy: An Evening with Reba and Friends are for sale: here.

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Brett Young announces fourth studio album ‘Across The Sheets’

Brett Young has announced his fourth studio album, Across The Sheets, will drop on August 4th. In anticipation of the release, Young shared his new track “Back To Jesus.”

Young says of the album: “I really dug deep with my writing over the pandemic. Across The Sheets is by far the most adventurous I’ve ever gotten thematically and lyrically. I hope people hear my evolution as a songwriter and artist because I’m really proud of how much I allowed myself to pull back the curtain and let people see more of my life through my music … We’ve been playing the new songs on tour and to see how fans have already connected with them is truly special.”

To pre-order/pre-save ‘Across the Sheets,’ head here.

Brett Young Sets Release Date for Highly Anticipated Album, ‘Across The Sheets’

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Netflix’s ‘Sex Education’ ending with Season 4

Netflix announced that Sex Education will return for a fourth and final season. The streaming service also shared a teaser-trailer for Season 4 of the comedy-drama series (click here).

Created by Laurie Nunn, Sex Education follows Otis Milburn (Asa Butterfield), the teenage son of a renowned sex therapist (Gillian Anderson), who starts his own sex therapy clinic at school. Ncuti Gatwa, Emmy Mackey, Connor Swindells, Kedar Williams-Stirling, Alistair Petrie, Mimi Keene and Aimee Lou Wood also star.

Nunn said in a statement: “We are incredibly proud of Sex Education and feel indebted to our brilliant writers, cast and crew who put so much heart into making every episode. They have worked tirelessly to bring you the final series, and we can’t wait to share it with you.”

Sex Education Season 4 will premiere Sept. 21 on Netflix.

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Lady Gaga confirms film based on her ‘Chromatica Ball’ tour

Lady Gaga confirmed reports of a film based on her ‘Chromatica Ball’  tour, after rumors circulated that her show at Dodger Stadium was filmed for an upcoming film.

Gaga wrote in an Instagram post:  “I wanted to share a more personal moment with you today, I know I haven’t been doing a lot of that lately and some of you are really longing for me to share more of my artistic process. I’ve been experiencing my creativity ever since last summer in a really special and private way—I wrote and produced music for a special project, I prepared for months developing my character for Joker, I filmed Joker for many months (a very introspective time), I have been running my start-up Haus Labs, doing philanthropic work, and additionally have been working on The Chromatica Ball film edit … I can say for the first time in many years that my love of making art, music, fashion, and supporting community has never been more fulfilling. I may not be sharing as much of myself online as I have in the past, but I hope you know this time to myself has been extremely healing and recharging for my heart, mind, body, and creativity—to create within myself and to have a personal life that’s just for me. I’m sure that may feel different because I haven’t always been so private (I bet that will make some of you laugh)—but I LOVE my fans, my little monsters, so much and that will never change … I can’t even begin to describe how much our global community inspires me every day to bring as much joy as I can to your lives. Here’s a photo of my working on The Chromatica Ball film edit (that’s a frame from the film behind me)—I can’t WAIT for you to experience it. Thank you for being willing to grow with me so that I can change and transform with the community I love so much. I hope you love all the things I’ve been creating for you and I hope this is a small reminder to you of my deep passion and commitment to art.”

The Chromatica Ball was originally scheduled for 2020, but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2022 Chromatica Ball visited North America, Europe and Asia in support of Gaga’s sixth album, Chromatica, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 in 2020. The tour grossed $112.4 million and sold 834,000 tickets from 20 concerts, marking Gaga’s first tour since her Joanne World Tour in 2017.

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