"Angry Birds" flocks to No. 1

‘Angry Birds’ flocks to No. 1

LOS ANGELES

“Captain America” has found a worthy competitor in a bunch of flightless birds. “The Angry Birds Movie” soared to $39 million in its debut weekend, knocking “Captain America: Civil War” off its first-place perch, while new adult comedies “Neighbors 2” and the “The Nice Guys” struggled to get their footing, according to comScore estimates Sunday.

The rest of the top five films at the box office were: “Captain America: Civil War,” $33.1 million, second place; “Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising,” $21.8 million, third place; “The Nice Guys,” $11.3 million, fourth place; and “The Jungle Book,” $11 million, fifth place.

Cosby faces hearing in Pa.

PHILADELPHIA

Bill Cosby faces a preliminary hearing Tuesday to determine if his criminal sex-assault case in suburban Philadelphia goes to trial.

Prosecutors had declined to charge Cosby over Andrea Constand’s complaint in 2005, but arrested him in December after his explosive deposition in the woman’s lawsuit became public.

In the testimony given in that deposition, Cosby is grilled about giving drugs and alcohol to women before sex; making secret payments to ex-lovers; and hosting Constand at his home. The two knew each other through Temple University, where he was a trustee and she managed the women’s basketball team.

Ex-Megadeth drummer dies

LOS ANGELES

Nick Menza, former drummer for the influential metal band Megadeth, died after collapsing on stage during a performance of his progressive jazz trio in Southern California, a family spokesman said Sunday.

Menza’s latest band OHM was three songs into a semi-regular set at a Los Angeles-area club Saturday night when the drummer collapsed, J. Marshall Craig told The Associated Press. Friends and audience members rendered aid while paramedics were called.

The 51-year-old died at the club of a suspected massive heart attack, Craig said.

Menza was Megadeth’s longest-serving drummer, performing on five records over nine years, including 1990’s thrash metal landmark, “Rust In Peace.”

Tamar Braxton exits ‘The Real’

LOS ANGELES

Tamar Braxton is no longer part of “The Real.” The singer and television personality has exited the syndicated talk show after serving as a co-host for two seasons, according to a joint statement from Braxton and the show’s producers Sunday.

The statement says that the decision was mutual and that Braxton intends to focus on her solo career.

Braxton was part of a five-person group on the show, including Loni Love, Adrienne Bailon, Jeannie Mai and Tamera Mowry-Housley.

Associated Press