NEWSMAKERS

NEWSMAKERS

Cover design unveiled for new Lee novel

NEW YORK

The cover for Harper Lee’s new novel will surely remind you of the cover for her old one.

On Wednesday, HarperCollins unveiled the jacket art for Lee’s “Go Set a Watchman,” the unexpected follow-up to her classic “To Kill a Mockingbird.” The new cover, like the one for “To Kill a Mockingbird,” is a moody illustration featuring an oak tree in front. The art for “Go Set a Watchman” also shows train tracks and a train in the distance. In a statement released by HarperCollins, company President Michael Morrison noted that “Go Set a Watchman” begins with “Mockingbird” protagonist Scout Finch returning by train 20 years later, in the 1950s, to her native Alabama.

HarperCollins has announced a first printing of 2 million copies and a July 14 publication date.

Nielsen’s top programs

NEW YORK

Here are the prime-time viewership numbers compiled by Nielsen for March 16-22: 1. “Empire” (Wednesday, 9 p.m.), Fox, 17.62 million; 2. “Empire” (Wednesday, 8 p.m.), Fox, 15.82 million; 3. “Dancing With the Stars,” ABC, 14.16 million; 4. “The Walking Dead,” AMC, 13.76 million; 5. “The Voice” (Tuesday), NBC, 12.82 million; 6. “The Voice” (Monday), NBC, 12.57 million; 7. “60 Minutes,” CBS, 11.58 million; 8. “Madam Secretary,” CBS, 10.79 million; 9. “NCIS,” CBS, 10 million; and 10. “Survivor,” CBS, 9.62 million.

1D says Zayn Malik has left the group

LONDON

And then there were four: Zayn Malik said Wednesday he is leaving chart-topping boy band One Direction “to be a normal 22-year-old.”

In an announcement that broke teenage hearts and sent social media into a tizzy, Malik’s bandmates said they were sad to see him go “but we totally respect his decision and send him all our love for the future.”

Malik, who quit the band’s world tour last week citing stress, said in a statement that his time with One Direction “has been more than I could ever have imagined.”

One Direction, which is currently on a world tour, said it would continue with the four remaining members and would record a new album later this year.

Associated Press