This week's entertainment news brings a mix of somber reflection and surprising announcements. From the passing of a legendary actor to the return of a notorious festival organizer, there's plenty to discuss.
Remembering Gene Hackman
The world mourns the loss of Gene Hackman, the two-time Oscar-winning actor known for his transformative roles and contributions to 1970s cinema. Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were found dead in their Santa Fe home. Hackman's impact on the film industry is undeniable, leaving behind a legacy of memorable performances.
Jon Stewart's On-Air Incident and Elon Musk's Offer
Jon Stewart, never one to shy away from controversy, recently had a bit of an on-air mishap. While preparing to critique the US pharmaceutical industry's pricing policies on "The Daily Show," Stewart accidentally broke a cup and cut his hand. Ouch!
In related news, Elon Musk has expressed a willingness to be interviewed by Stewart, but on his own terms. Musk wants the interview to be unedited and hosted on X (formerly Twitter). "I'm open to talking, but only if it's raw and unfiltered," Musk reportedly stated.
Fyre Festival 2.0?
Yes, you read that right. Billy McFarland, fresh out of jail after serving time for wire fraud related to the disastrous 2017 Fyre Festival, is planning another go. McFarland announced the upcoming Fyre Festival 2, despite the first one being "one of the biggest social-media-driven deceptions of our time."
“Since 2016, Fyre has been the most talked about festival in the world," McFarland told a US broadcaster. He served only four years of his six year sentence. The original Fyre Festival was a complete disaster, leaving attendees stranded with subpar accommodations and no headliners. McFarland believes with proper execution, Fyre has the chance to take over the festival industry.”
Other Entertainment Tidbits
In other news, Paul McCartney is co-authoring a book about his time with Wings. "Wings: The Story of a Band on the Run," co-written with historian Ted Widmer, is set to be released in November.
Also, photographer Tim Smith recounted his experience capturing images of a Hutterite community in Canada during a chicken butchering event. "The community had 11,000 chickens and every able-bodied person helped out during the two days of butchering," Smith shared.
From legendary actors to infamous festival organizers, this week in entertainment has been anything but dull!