The 2021 Otis College of Art and Design Report on the Creative Economy, detailing the impact of COVID-19 on California's creative sectors, reveals that motion picture and video production has been one of the hardest-hit industries in the creative sector with a loss of nearly 92,000 jobs nationwide. The report, released Thursday by Otis College in a virtual conference,  said the state of California accounts for roughly 60,000 jobs lost. Los Angeles County alone makes up almost 50,000 of the total jobs lost in the sector. Between February 2020 and December 2020, total job loss in the...…The 2021 Otis College of Art and Design Report on the Creative Economy, detailing the impact of COVID-19 on California's creative sectors, reveals that motion picture and video production has been one of the hardest-hit industries in the creative sector with a loss of nearly 92,000 jobs nationwide. The report, released Thursday by Otis College in a virtual conference,  said the state of California accounts for roughly 60,000 jobs lost. Los Angeles County alone makes up almost 50,000 of the total jobs lost in the sector. Between February 2020 and December 2020, total job loss in the...WW…

The organization behind the Golden Globes, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, is vowing to do more to diversify its members in the wake of a scathing expose over the weekend in the Los Angeles Times. Just three days before its biggest event, the HFPA issued a statement that said, "We are fully committed to ensuring our membership is reflective of the communities around the world who love film, TV and the artists inspiring and educating them. We understand that we need to bring in Black members, as well as members from other underrepresented backgrounds, and we will immediately work...…The organization behind the Golden Globes, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, is vowing to do more to diversify its members in the wake of a scathing expose over the weekend in the Los Angeles Times. Just three days before its biggest event, the HFPA issued a statement that said, "We are fully committed to ensuring our membership is reflective of the communities around the world who love film, TV and the artists inspiring and educating them. We understand that we need to bring in Black members, as well as members from other underrepresented backgrounds, and we will immediately work...WW…

"Charm City Kings" director Angel Manuel Soto is set to direct "Blue Beetle," DC Films and Warner Bros.' first superhero movie starring a Latino character, individuals with knowledge of the project exclusively tells TheWrap. The screenplay is from Mexican-born writer Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer, who wrote Universal's "Scarface" remake and Sony's "Miss Bala." In DC Comics, Blue Beetle is the superhero alter ego used by three different heroes, but the film will focus on Mexican-American teenager Jaime Reyes, the third character to assume the Blue Beetle mantle. "It is an honor to direct...…"Charm City Kings" director Angel Manuel Soto is set to direct "Blue Beetle," DC Films and Warner Bros.' first superhero movie starring a Latino character, individuals with knowledge of the project exclusively tells TheWrap. The screenplay is from Mexican-born writer Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer, who wrote Universal's "Scarface" remake and Sony's "Miss Bala." In DC Comics, Blue Beetle is the superhero alter ego used by three different heroes, but the film will focus on Mexican-American teenager Jaime Reyes, the third character to assume the Blue Beetle mantle. "It is an honor to direct...WW…

In an ironic turn of events, the American Conservative Union uninvited an anti-Semitic speaker from its annual Conservative Political Action Conference, which was promoted this year with the theme "America Uncanceled." "We have just learned that someone we invited to CPAC has expressed reprehensible views that have no home with our conference or our organization. The individual will not be participating at our conference," CPAC tweeted on Monday. The speaker in question, the online commentator Young Pharaoh, has spewed a number of anti-Semitic remarks to his followers, including...…In an ironic turn of events, the American Conservative Union uninvited an anti-Semitic speaker from its annual Conservative Political Action Conference, which was promoted this year with the theme "America Uncanceled." "We have just learned that someone we invited to CPAC has expressed reprehensible views that have no home with our conference or our organization. The individual will not be participating at our conference," CPAC tweeted on Monday. The speaker in question, the online commentator Young Pharaoh, has spewed a number of anti-Semitic remarks to his followers, including...WW…

Gina Carano came out guns blazing against Disney in her first interview since being fired from "The Mandalorian," but there's one person in the show's cast for whom she has no hard feelings, and that's the Mando himself, Pedro Pascal. In an interview with conservative pundit Ben Shapiro, Carano acknowledged that there are significant political differences between her and Pascal and that he has done things that she's disagreed with, referencing a tweet Pascal sent in January of Texas Sen. Ted Cruz's office phone number following the U.S. Capitol attacks. But she said that Pascal never let...…Gina Carano came out guns blazing against Disney in her first interview since being fired from "The Mandalorian," but there's one person in the show's cast for whom she has no hard feelings, and that's the Mando himself, Pedro Pascal. In an interview with conservative pundit Ben Shapiro, Carano acknowledged that there are significant political differences between her and Pascal and that he has done things that she's disagreed with, referencing a tweet Pascal sent in January of Texas Sen. Ted Cruz's office phone number following the U.S. Capitol attacks. But she said that Pascal never let...WW…

Jim Carrey is taking off and hanging up the artist's cap he has so successfully worn for the past four years with his "political protest cartoons" that chronicled troubling events in the country, while also condemning Donald Trump and his administration. "For the past 4yrs, among other commitments, I put considerable effort into this collection of political protest cartoons. It truly feels as though you and I have crossed an ocean of outrage together...but something tells me it's time to rest my social media gavel and reclaim a little neurological bandwidth," he wrote in a Saturday...…Jim Carrey is taking off and hanging up the artist's cap he has so successfully worn for the past four years with his "political protest cartoons" that chronicled troubling events in the country, while also condemning Donald Trump and his administration. "For the past 4yrs, among other commitments, I put considerable effort into this collection of political protest cartoons. It truly feels as though you and I have crossed an ocean of outrage together...but something tells me it's time to rest my social media gavel and reclaim a little neurological bandwidth," he wrote in a Saturday...WW…

The Penske Media Corporation offices in Los Angeles and New York were evacuated Wednesday after Variety received a security threat, PMC management told employees in a memo obtained by TheWrap. The memo read: "Today we received a threat to the safety of one of our brands at our office location, so after consultation with PMC Security we decided to close the offices in LA and NY for the remainder of the day (Wednesday 2/17) out of an abundance of caution." The Los Angeles building, which serves as headquarters for PMC-owned publication Variety and also houses The Hollywood Reporter,...…The Penske Media Corporation offices in Los Angeles and New York were evacuated Wednesday after Variety received a security threat, PMC management told employees in a memo obtained by TheWrap. The memo read: "Today we received a threat to the safety of one of our brands at our office location, so after consultation with PMC Security we decided to close the offices in LA and NY for the remainder of the day (Wednesday 2/17) out of an abundance of caution." The Los Angeles building, which serves as headquarters for PMC-owned publication Variety and also houses The Hollywood Reporter,...WW…

Rush Limbaugh, the radio host who dominated conservative media for three-plus decades, died Wednesday at the age of 70. His wife, Kathryn, informed listeners of his show Wednesday afternoon. He was diagnosed with advanced lung cancer in February 2020. Limbaugh received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Donald Trump at the 2020 State of the Union address, just one day after revealing his diagnosis to his listeners. "He is the greatest fighter and winner you will ever meet," Trump said at the time. "Rush Limbaugh, thank you for your decades of tireless devotion to our...…Rush Limbaugh, the radio host who dominated conservative media for three-plus decades, died Wednesday at the age of 70. His wife, Kathryn, informed listeners of his show Wednesday afternoon. He was diagnosed with advanced lung cancer in February 2020. Limbaugh received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Donald Trump at the 2020 State of the Union address, just one day after revealing his diagnosis to his listeners. "He is the greatest fighter and winner you will ever meet," Trump said at the time. "Rush Limbaugh, thank you for your decades of tireless devotion to our...WW…

Tucker Carlson didn't make any time to talk about Trump's second impeachment trial on his Fox News show Friday night, but he did devote a segment to delivering comically ominous warnings about a cute little video featuring Vice President Kamala Harris that the Disney Channel is running as part of a series for Black History Month in February. Tucker conveniently omitted that bit of context in his attempt to paint the one-minute animated video, with art by the prodigious Black teen artist Tyler Gordon, as some kind of sinister force out to destroy your children's minds. "What we're...…Tucker Carlson didn't make any time to talk about Trump's second impeachment trial on his Fox News show Friday night, but he did devote a segment to delivering comically ominous warnings about a cute little video featuring Vice President Kamala Harris that the Disney Channel is running as part of a series for Black History Month in February. Tucker conveniently omitted that bit of context in his attempt to paint the one-minute animated video, with art by the prodigious Black teen artist Tyler Gordon, as some kind of sinister force out to destroy your children's minds. "What we're...WW…

The New York Times newsroom has been roiled by a pair of widely publicized resignations last week -- and the outcry of staffers over how the paper has handled personnel issues and conflicts over sensitivity. During a "State of the Times" town hall meeting Thursday, there was even more confusion about how the paper had handled the ouster of longtime reporter Donald McNeil Jr., who had previously been disciplined for using the N-word during a Times-sponsored trip to Peru with high school students. According to the Times' media reporter Marc Tracy, executive editor Dean Baquet walked...…The New York Times newsroom has been roiled by a pair of widely publicized resignations last week -- and the outcry of staffers over how the paper has handled personnel issues and conflicts over sensitivity. During a "State of the Times" town hall meeting Thursday, there was even more confusion about how the paper had handled the ouster of longtime reporter Donald McNeil Jr., who had previously been disciplined for using the N-word during a Times-sponsored trip to Peru with high school students. According to the Times' media reporter Marc Tracy, executive editor Dean Baquet walked...WW…

Larry Flynt, the founder and publisher of Hustler magazine, died on Wednesday from the "recent onset of a sudden illness," a representative for Flynt Management Group told TheWrap. He was 78. "He passed quietly in his sleep at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center with his wife Liz and daughter Theresa by his side," the representative said. Flynt's Hustler brand was known for its more explicit and crude content in the world of adult entertainment. Hustler magazine's first issue published in July 1974 and Flynt later created his own publishing company to produce the Hustler magazine, another...…Larry Flynt, the founder and publisher of Hustler magazine, died on Wednesday from the "recent onset of a sudden illness," a representative for Flynt Management Group told TheWrap. He was 78. "He passed quietly in his sleep at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center with his wife Liz and daughter Theresa by his side," the representative said. Flynt's Hustler brand was known for its more explicit and crude content in the world of adult entertainment. Hustler magazine's first issue published in July 1974 and Flynt later created his own publishing company to produce the Hustler magazine, another...WW…

Gina Carano has been dropped from "The Mandalorian" after the actress posted comments Lucasfilm said it considers "abhorrent" on her social media. The former MMA fighter played Cara Dune on the series for the first two seasons of the hit Disney+ show. "Gina Carano is not currently employed by Lucasfilm and there are no plans for her to be in the future. Nevertheless, her social media posts denigrating people based on their cultural and religious identities are abhorrent and unacceptable," said a Lucasfilm spokesperson in a statement to TheWrap. Also Read: Will 'Star Wars:...…Gina Carano has been dropped from "The Mandalorian" after the actress posted comments Lucasfilm said it considers "abhorrent" on her social media. The former MMA fighter played Cara Dune on the series for the first two seasons of the hit Disney+ show. "Gina Carano is not currently employed by Lucasfilm and there are no plans for her to be in the future. Nevertheless, her social media posts denigrating people based on their cultural and religious identities are abhorrent and unacceptable," said a Lucasfilm spokesperson in a statement to TheWrap. Also Read: Will 'Star Wars:...WW…

The Atlantic is being accused by freelancer Dean Sterling Jones of stealing his work and denying him adequate credit -- and payment -- for his writing and research. In a Sunday post on his personal website titled, "The Atlantic Stole My Work," Jones said editors at the publication have "refused" to give him byline credit in spite of the inclusion of "whole sentences and paragraphs from a freelance pitch" he sent then-reporter Natasha Bertrand. TheWrap has reviewed his draft and the Atlantic's story and found 11 similarities, including instances of the exact same wording used by Jones....…The Atlantic is being accused by freelancer Dean Sterling Jones of stealing his work and denying him adequate credit -- and payment -- for his writing and research. In a Sunday post on his personal website titled, "The Atlantic Stole My Work," Jones said editors at the publication have "refused" to give him byline credit in spite of the inclusion of "whole sentences and paragraphs from a freelance pitch" he sent then-reporter Natasha Bertrand. TheWrap has reviewed his draft and the Atlantic's story and found 11 similarities, including instances of the exact same wording used by Jones....WW…

On Tuesday, MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell made an appearance on Newsmax's "American Agenda" to help the network advance disingenuous claims of "cancel culture" inspired by the recent suspension of his Twitter account. But unfortunately Lindell -- a conspiracy theorist who supported the violent insurrection incited by Donald Trump -- was unable to refrain from shouting the kinds of lies that got him kicked off the social media site in the first place. And it got to the point that one of the show's co-hosts just walked off in the middle of the interview after several unsuccessful attempts to...…On Tuesday, MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell made an appearance on Newsmax's "American Agenda" to help the network advance disingenuous claims of "cancel culture" inspired by the recent suspension of his Twitter account. But unfortunately Lindell -- a conspiracy theorist who supported the violent insurrection incited by Donald Trump -- was unable to refrain from shouting the kinds of lies that got him kicked off the social media site in the first place. And it got to the point that one of the show's co-hosts just walked off in the middle of the interview after several unsuccessful attempts to...WW…

"Jeopardy!" has revealed four more upcoming guest hosts, with Anderson Cooper, Dr. Mehmet Oz, Savannah Guthrie and Dr. Sanjay Gupta set to take the podium later this season. The group will follow "Jeopardy!" superstar Ken Jennings and previously announced guest hosts Katie Couric (who will become the first woman to host the quiz show), Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, "60 Minutes" correspondent Bill Whitaker and "Call Me Kat" star Mayim Bialik. The Sony Pictures Television-produced show will make a donation to a charity of each host's choosing in an amount equal to the...…"Jeopardy!" has revealed four more upcoming guest hosts, with Anderson Cooper, Dr. Mehmet Oz, Savannah Guthrie and Dr. Sanjay Gupta set to take the podium later this season. The group will follow "Jeopardy!" superstar Ken Jennings and previously announced guest hosts Katie Couric (who will become the first woman to host the quiz show), Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, "60 Minutes" correspondent Bill Whitaker and "Call Me Kat" star Mayim Bialik. The Sony Pictures Television-produced show will make a donation to a charity of each host's choosing in an amount equal to the...WW…

Dodger Stadium's vaccination site, one of the largest vaccination sites in the country, was shut down on Saturday at 2 p.m. as anti-vaccine protestors gathered at the entrance to the ballpark. The Los Angeles Times reported that the Los Angeles Fire Department closed the gates to shut down the site briefly as a precaution, stalling hundreds of vehicles waiting in line to get vaccinated. The line was reopened again around 3 p.m. No violence was reported. "We are aware of social media posts referring to protestors showing up at the Dodger Stadium COVID-19 vaccination site. Preliminary...…Dodger Stadium's vaccination site, one of the largest vaccination sites in the country, was shut down on Saturday at 2 p.m. as anti-vaccine protestors gathered at the entrance to the ballpark. The Los Angeles Times reported that the Los Angeles Fire Department closed the gates to shut down the site briefly as a precaution, stalling hundreds of vehicles waiting in line to get vaccinated. The line was reopened again around 3 p.m. No violence was reported. "We are aware of social media posts referring to protestors showing up at the Dodger Stadium COVID-19 vaccination site. Preliminary...WW…

In a joint statement, SAG-AFTRA, the Producers Guild of America and the Joint Policy Committee announced that film, TV and commercial shoots in Los Angeles will be able to resume on February 1 after ordering a temporary pause on January 3 due to record high COVID-19 hospitalizations in the county. "While commercial and independent production may return to Southern California at this time, the parties maintain that film and television productions must abide by the industry-issued COVID-safety protocols and will continue to monitor and consider orders or recommendations issued by the...…In a joint statement, SAG-AFTRA, the Producers Guild of America and the Joint Policy Committee announced that film, TV and commercial shoots in Los Angeles will be able to resume on February 1 after ordering a temporary pause on January 3 due to record high COVID-19 hospitalizations in the county. "While commercial and independent production may return to Southern California at this time, the parties maintain that film and television productions must abide by the industry-issued COVID-safety protocols and will continue to monitor and consider orders or recommendations issued by the...WW…

Welcome to Twitter, Jon Stewart! The former "Daily Show" host ended his 14-year Twitter absence on Thursday to rail against the news that Robinhood and TD Ameritrade were restricting its customers from buying shares of heavily shorted companies like GameStop and AMC. "This is bulls--t," Stewart wrote in his first-ever tweet. "The Redditors aren't cheating, they're joining a party Wall Street insiders have been enjoying for years. Don't shut them down...maybe sue them for copyright infringement instead!! We've learned nothing from 2008." Also Read: Robinhood Slapped With Lawsuit for...…Welcome to Twitter, Jon Stewart! The former "Daily Show" host ended his 14-year Twitter absence on Thursday to rail against the news that Robinhood and TD Ameritrade were restricting its customers from buying shares of heavily shorted companies like GameStop and AMC. "This is bulls--t," Stewart wrote in his first-ever tweet. "The Redditors aren't cheating, they're joining a party Wall Street insiders have been enjoying for years. Don't shut them down...maybe sue them for copyright infringement instead!! We've learned nothing from 2008." Also Read: Robinhood Slapped With Lawsuit for...WW…

Sekou Smith, an award-winning NBA writer who also worked for NBA TV, has died, the league announced Tuesday night. He was 48. Turner Sports released a statement that read, "We are all heartbroken over Sekou's tragic passing. His commitment to journalism and the basketball community was immense and we will miss his warm, engaging personality. He was beloved by his Turner Sports and NBA friends and colleagues. Our deepest condolences are with his family and loved ones." The news of his passing was first shared by ESPN's Marc Jones, who tweeted, "Heavy heart today..We lost a good brother...…Sekou Smith, an award-winning NBA writer who also worked for NBA TV, has died, the league announced Tuesday night. He was 48. Turner Sports released a statement that read, "We are all heartbroken over Sekou's tragic passing. His commitment to journalism and the basketball community was immense and we will miss his warm, engaging personality. He was beloved by his Turner Sports and NBA friends and colleagues. Our deepest condolences are with his family and loved ones." The news of his passing was first shared by ESPN's Marc Jones, who tweeted, "Heavy heart today..We lost a good brother...WW…

Despite the constant threat of the pandemic and dozens of players testing positive for COVID-19, the NFL has reached Super Bowl LV, as the defending champion Kansas City Chiefs will go up against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who become the first team ever to reach a Super Bowl being hosted in their home stadium. The Buccaneers have dramatically turned their fortunes around after going 7-9 last season, thanks in large part to the arrival of six-time champion and longtime New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady. While the 43-year-old future hall-of-famer has had moments of struggle in his...…Despite the constant threat of the pandemic and dozens of players testing positive for COVID-19, the NFL has reached Super Bowl LV, as the defending champion Kansas City Chiefs will go up against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who become the first team ever to reach a Super Bowl being hosted in their home stadium. The Buccaneers have dramatically turned their fortunes around after going 7-9 last season, thanks in large part to the arrival of six-time champion and longtime New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady. While the 43-year-old future hall-of-famer has had moments of struggle in his...WW…

The New York Times has come under fire for terminating editor Lauren Wolfe after she tweeted last Tuesday that she got "chills" over Joe Biden arriving in Washington, D.C., ahead of his inauguration as president. Wolfe, an award-winning journalist who has reported from war zones in Syria and Congo, became a trending topic on Twitter over the weekend as people expressed outrage over her ouster, called for her reinstatement and set up a Venmo account to provide financial aid. In a statement on Sunday, a Times spokesperson disputed online accounts about Wolfe, who the paper said was...…The New York Times has come under fire for terminating editor Lauren Wolfe after she tweeted last Tuesday that she got "chills" over Joe Biden arriving in Washington, D.C., ahead of his inauguration as president. Wolfe, an award-winning journalist who has reported from war zones in Syria and Congo, became a trending topic on Twitter over the weekend as people expressed outrage over her ouster, called for her reinstatement and set up a Venmo account to provide financial aid. In a statement on Sunday, a Times spokesperson disputed online accounts about Wolfe, who the paper said was...WW…

Republican Senator Ted Cruz got into a social media tiff with actor Seth Rogen over an unlikely spark: Walt Disney's classic 1940 animated film "Fantasia." one of Cruz's followers asked what was the first film he saw in theaters. The exchange began on Thursday when the Texas Republican responded to a tweet from MGM Studios asking the first film people had seen in theaters. "'Fantasia,'" Cruz said. "It was playing at a film revival. It scared me; I cried--I was 4. My Mom had to take me out. Good times." On Friday, Rogen shot back: "Everyone who made that film would hate you." (The star...…Republican Senator Ted Cruz got into a social media tiff with actor Seth Rogen over an unlikely spark: Walt Disney's classic 1940 animated film "Fantasia." one of Cruz's followers asked what was the first film he saw in theaters. The exchange began on Thursday when the Texas Republican responded to a tweet from MGM Studios asking the first film people had seen in theaters. "'Fantasia,'" Cruz said. "It was playing at a film revival. It scared me; I cried--I was 4. My Mom had to take me out. Good times." On Friday, Rogen shot back: "Everyone who made that film would hate you." (The star...WW…

Danny Masterson pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to three rape charges in Los Angeles. The plea was entered on Masterson's behalf by his attorney, Tom Mesereau, following unsuccessful attempts to have the case thrown out. In June, the Los Angeles District Attorney's office charged Masterson with three counts of forcible rape stemming from accusations of three incidents in 2001 and 2003 with three different women. If convicted, Masterson faces a maximum sentence of 45 years to life in prison. Also Read: Danny Masterson Sexual Assault Case: What We Know So Far Masterson is accused...…Danny Masterson pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to three rape charges in Los Angeles. The plea was entered on Masterson's behalf by his attorney, Tom Mesereau, following unsuccessful attempts to have the case thrown out. In June, the Los Angeles District Attorney's office charged Masterson with three counts of forcible rape stemming from accusations of three incidents in 2001 and 2003 with three different women. If convicted, Masterson faces a maximum sentence of 45 years to life in prison. Also Read: Danny Masterson Sexual Assault Case: What We Know So Far Masterson is accused...WW…

Alex Rodriguez has been accused of racketeering and civil theft, the latest step in a years-long legal battle with the younger brother of Rodriguez' ex-wife, Cynthia. The former New York Yankees slugger -- and fiance of Jennifer Lopez -- has been locked in a legal dispute with Constantine Scurtis since 2014 around a joint real estate venture that was launched almost two decades ago. Among the 59 counts in a lengthy amended complaint filed in a Florida State court on Jan. 8, Scurtis accuses Rodriguez of racketeering and civil theft. While a 2015 New York Daily News report outlined...…Alex Rodriguez has been accused of racketeering and civil theft, the latest step in a years-long legal battle with the younger brother of Rodriguez' ex-wife, Cynthia. The former New York Yankees slugger -- and fiance of Jennifer Lopez -- has been locked in a legal dispute with Constantine Scurtis since 2014 around a joint real estate venture that was launched almost two decades ago. Among the 59 counts in a lengthy amended complaint filed in a Florida State court on Jan. 8, Scurtis accuses Rodriguez of racketeering and civil theft. While a 2015 New York Daily News report outlined...WW…

Sylvain Sylvain, the guitarist who was a founding member of the pioneering rock group New York Dolls, died Wednesday following a battle with cancer. He was 69. His death was announced Thursday; In a statement, his friend, Patti Smith Group guitarist Lenny Kaye wrote in part that "Syl loved rock and roll. His onstage joy, his radiant smile as he chopped at his guitar, revealed the sense of wonder he must have felt at the age of 10, emigrating from his native Cairo with his family in 1961, the ship pulling into New York Harbor and seeing the Statue of Liberty for the first time." ...…Sylvain Sylvain, the guitarist who was a founding member of the pioneering rock group New York Dolls, died Wednesday following a battle with cancer. He was 69. His death was announced Thursday; In a statement, his friend, Patti Smith Group guitarist Lenny Kaye wrote in part that "Syl loved rock and roll. His onstage joy, his radiant smile as he chopped at his guitar, revealed the sense of wonder he must have felt at the age of 10, emigrating from his native Cairo with his family in 1961, the ship pulling into New York Harbor and seeing the Statue of Liberty for the first time." ...WW…