NEWSMAKERS

NEWSMAKERS

‘Fifty Shades’ sequel to be published June 18

NEW YORK

E L James is back for more.

A fourth novel in the British author’s multimillion-selling “Fifty Shades of Grey” erotic series will be released June 18 by Vintage Books, the publisher announced Monday. The new book is called “Grey,” told from the point of view of billionaire Christian Grey, whose explicit romance with young Anastasia Steele became an international obsession. As with the “Fifty Shades” books, “Grey” will be published as an e-book and a paperback original.

In a statement issued through Vintage, a paperback imprint of Penguin Random House, James said she was dedicating the new book to readers who had “asked ... and asked ... and asked ... asked” for a novel narrated by Christian.

Begun as fan fiction inspired by the “Twilight” novels, the “Fifty Shades” trilogy has sold more than 125 million copies since coming out in 2011. The first “Fifty Shades” movie came out earlier this year and grossed more than $500 million worldwide.

Tracy Morgan: Bad days and good days

NEW YORK

Tracy Morgan said Monday that he doesn’t remember anything about the limo crash that left him in a coma for two weeks and that, a year later, he still has bad days as well as good.

Appearing live on NBC’s “Today” show for his first public appearance since the accident, Morgan sat clutching a cane and became emotional as he recalled learning after the June 7, 2014, crash that fellow comedian James “Jimmy Mack” McNair was killed.

Morgan came across a video of McNair’s funeral on YouTube, and “I lost it for about a week,” he said.

Asked by “Today” host Matt Lauer what it’s been like emotionally, Morgan replied, “Up and down.” He said he had his daughter, son and fiancee, Megan Wollover, “so they keep my spirits up.”

“But the pain is always going to be there for Jimmy Mack,” he added, his voice cracking and his eyes welling. “He was a loving man, a warm man. He was a good man. He’s gone. That’s it.”

Last week Morgan settled a lawsuit with Wal-Mart, which owned the truck that slammed into the back of the limo van carrying him and others on the New Jersey Turnpike. Morgan suffered head trauma, a broken leg and broken ribs.

“I’m happy that Wal-Mart stepped up to the plate in a tremendous way,” he said. “I’m happy they looked out for Jimmy Mack’s family.”

Associated Press