Guilty Pleasures
By Associated Press
Questlove readies new documentary spotlighting ‘Saturday Night Live’ music performances
NEW YORK | Who works harder than Questlove? The Academy Award winner has teamed up with Emmy winner Oz Rodriguez and NBC for a new film, “Ladies & Gentlemen… 50 Years of SNL Music,” celebrating 50 years of the program and spotlighting its memorable live music performances.
The three-hour special will feature sketches, performances and over 50 interview subjects, including Bad Bunny, Miley Cyrus, Billie Eilish, Mick Jagger, Dua Lipa, Darryl DMC McDaniels, Tom Morello, Kacey Musgraves, Olivia Rodrigo, Paul Simon, Chris Stapleton and Justin Timberlake.
“Everyone knows the most famous ‘SNL’ appearances, whether it’s Elvis Costello, Prince or the Beastie Boys, but they’re the tip of a huge iceberg,” Questlove wrote in a statement. “The process of going back through the incredible archival footage was like being in a time machine, DeLorean or other. I’m so happy I went on the trip and now get to share it with everyone.”
Last week it was announced that Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson’s latest documentary, “SLY LIVES! (aka The Burden of Black Genius),” which examines the legacy of Sly & The Family Stone, will be featured at next year’s Sundance Film Festival.
His directorial debut, “Summer of Soul,” a documentary spotlighting the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival, earned him an Oscar. The leader of The Roots who appears on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” also published in 2024 the book “Hip-Hop Is History.”
“Ladies & Gentlemen … 50 Years of SNL Music,” will broadcast live on NBC Jan. 27 at 8 p.m. ET/PT. It will become available to stream on Peacock the next day.
Veteran Fox News business anchor Neil Cavuto leaving after 28 years
Neil Cavuto, a business journalist who hosts a weekday afternoon show on Fox News Channel and has been with the network since its inception in 1996, is leaving after Thursday’s show, Fox said.
A workhorse at the network, Cavuto also hosts programs at Fox’s sister, the Fox Business Network, and is not considered one of the stable of opinion hosts.
“Neil Cavuto’s illustrious career has been a master class in journalism and we’re extremely proud of his incredible 28-year run with Fox News Media,” the network said. “His programs have defined business news and set the standard for the entire industry. We wish him a heartfelt farewell and all the best on his next chapter.”
Unlike many at Fox, he has not interviewed President-elect Donald Trump since 2017 and sometimes has angered him. Trump said on social media that Cavuto “is one of the WORST on television” after the Fox host said on his show that Trump had “decisively lost” his debate with Democrat Kamala Harris.
Cavuto’s contract was coming to an end and while he was offered an extension, he decided to leave, said a person at the network with knowledge of the discussions who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk about contracts.
The exit had nothing to do with Trump taking office next month for a second term, the person said.
Cavuto, 66, has stayed on the job despite a number of health issues through the years. He has multiple sclerosis, underwent heart surgery and had bouts of long COVID.
There’s no immediate word on who will replace Cavuto at 4 p.m. Eastern on Fox’s schedule, a coveted slot before the network’s most popular show, “The Five.”
Yung Filly admits to reckless driving in Australia while awaiting trial
PERTH, Australia | A British YouTuber and rapper known as Yung Filly admitted in an Australian court on Thursday to reckless driving while he was awaiting trial on charges of raping a woman three months ago.
The 29-year-old, whose real name is Andres Felipe Valencia Barrientos, appeared briefly in the Perth Magistrates Court charged with speeding at 98 miles per hour in a 62 mph zone in the Western Australia state capital last month. Speeding becomes reckless driving at 28 mph above the speed limit.
His lawyer Joanne Oliver told the court he would plead guilty to a reckless driving charge at his next court appearance on Jan. 30.
Barrientos faces potential penalties of 9 months in prison, a $3,750 fine and a disqualification from driving for at least six months.
Dressed in a white T-shirt and jeans, Barrientos did not speak to news media as he walked from the court to a waiting van.
Barrientos first appeared in the same court in October when he was charged with raping and choking a woman in a hotel room after a performance during a national tour.
The Colombia-born entertainer, who has 1.8 million followers on YouTube, had been arrested in the east coast city of Brisbane and extradited across the country.
He is accused of assaulting a woman in her 20s in a hotel room on Sept. 28 after he had performed in a Perth nightclub at the outset of the Australian tour that included Melbourne and Sydney before it was to end in Brisbane. He was arrested before the Brisbane performance.
He is charged with four counts of rape, three counts of assault causing bodily harm and one count of impeding the woman’s normal breathing or circulation by applying pressure to her neck.
His bail conditions include that he does not leave Western Australia.
Barrientos started his YouTube career in 2013 and music career in 2017. He has also hosted or appeared in several television programs.
He won a MOBO Award, an annual British music award presentation honoring achievements in “music of Black origin,” in the Best Media Personality category in 2021.
Matilda Djerf apologizes following report she created a toxic workplace
A popular social media influencer has issued an apology after a Swedish tabloid published a report saying she created a “work environment filled with fear and psychological pressure” at her fashion brand, Djerf Avenue.
In an Instagram post on Tuesday, Matilda Djerf said she was “genuinely sorry” to anyone she has “hurt or let down” after the tabloid, Aftonbladet, reported employees at her company had experienced or saw public berating, bullying and a “culture of favoritism and control.”
The tabloid’s report, which was published last week, cited 11 anonymous former and current workers at the Swedish brand, several of whom said they experienced panic attacks, anxiety and sleep problems while working for Djerf.
One person told Aftonbladet that Djerf — whose company focuses on inclusivity — said she wanted a photo shoot of a plus-sized model redone, using an expletive and saying the model looked too “fat” in the clothes.
The report also cited someone that said Djerf had installed her own toilet at the company that could only be used by her and “her favorites.” One employee had to scrub the toilet because it was used by the wrong person, it said.
“When I started Djerf Avenue I never expected that the company would be what it is today, with so many team members and so much responsibility,” Djerf wrote in her post on Instagram, where she has 3 million followers. “I wasn’t ready. I had never led a team prior to this, I had never built a company, and under lot of stress, high tempo, and naivety I failed to be the leader and colleague I wish to be along the way. And for that I am so, so sorry.”
The 27-year-old also said her business — which sells apparel, beauty and homeware products — was making “important changes” to improve the work culture. She said the company has hired a “more experienced” management team and were teaming up with an external organizational psychologist who could talk to employees.
Djerf Avenue is also now doing monthly anonymous surveys to collect feedback from workers, the post said.
Last year, Djerf was featured on Forbes’ “30 under 30” list along with her boyfriend Rasmus Johansson, who co-founded the clothing label with her in 2019.
Known for her “clean girl” aesthetic looks and bouncy hair, Djerf recently had a prominent campaign with model Hailey Bieber’s skincare and beauty line, Rhode.
—From AP reports
