Top showbiz stories in 2021: tearful reunion, music returns, pop freedom

LONDON – From the return of the cinema’s favorite spy to the ‘Friends’ reunion, an array of stories have dominated the entertainment news headlines this year. Here are some of the biggest stories:

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• After several delays, the release of the James Bond film “No Time To Die” has given cinemas affected by the pandemic a much needed boost.

Diffusion

• Studios have revamped the schedules and in some cases the films have been released simultaneously in theaters and on streaming platforms.

Broadway, West End

• Broadway in New York and London’s West End have reopened, although COVID security measures are in place. Live music also returned.

Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish

• Taylor Swift and Billie Eilish won the first Grammy Awards while Beyonce became the most awarded female artist in Grammy history, with a total of 28 victories.

Chloe Zhao makes Oscar history

• The Oscars saw “Nomadland” win Best Picture and Best Director for Chinese-born Chloe Zhao, making her the first Asian woman and the second woman to win the award.

Golden Globes aftermath

• The American television network NBC has abandoned its broadcast of the Golden Globes 2022 after a backlash over the ethics of the HFPA group which presents the annual film and television awards and its lack of diversity. The group said it had made sweeping changes and would hold its ceremony in January.

Harry, Meghan in California

• Now living in California, Prince Harry and his wife Meghan sent shockwaves when, in an interview with Oprah Winfrey, Meghan accused the British royal family of raising concerns about the blackness of the first child’s skin of the couple. She said the stress of life as a royal bride had pushed her to the brink of suicide.

Britney Spears freed

• Pop star Britney Spears regained control of her personal life and money when a judge ended a 13-year guardianship after a long legal battle.

Accidental “rust” shot

• Cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was killed when a gun held by actor Alec Baldwin fired a live bullet on the set of Western “Rust”. Baldwin said the gun exploded while cocking the weapon. The incident is under investigation.

Astroworld scramble

• Ten people died in a stampede at Travis Scott’s Astroworld Festival in Houston. Lawsuits have been filed against the rapper and the promoters.

“Friends”, “Squid game”

• On television, the cast of “Friends” reunited for a tearful TV show. South Korean Netflix series “Squid Game” has become a worldwide sensation.

ABBA, Adele

• In music, ABBA released their first album in 40 years. Adele stormed the charts with the comeback record “30”. Swift released re-recorded albums to regain control of their first catalog.

Bennifer reunited, Kim and Kanye go their separate ways

• Billionaire Kim Kardashian and Kanye West, now known as Ye, have announced their divorce. Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck rekindled their romance after nearly 20 years.

Harvey Weinstein extradited, R. Kelly sentenced

• #MeToo-era criminal cases saw former Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein extradited from New York to Los Angeles to stand trial on charges of rape and sexual assault. Singer R. Kelly was convicted by a federal jury of sex trafficking.

Deaths

• The world said goodbye to Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts, actors Christopher Plummer, Jean-Paul Belmondo, Cicely Tyson, Helen McCrory and Olympia Dukakis, comedian Jackie Mason, rapper DMX, co-founder of The Supremes Mary Wilson, TV interviewer Larry King, Hustler magazine editor Larry Flynt, fashion designers Alber Elbaz and Virgil Abloh, and composers Stephen Sondheim and Mikis Theodorakis. Record producer Phil Spector died in prison. SM / JB

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