Tuesday, January 29, 2019
NEWSMAKERS
Michael Jackson family condemns new film on accusers
LOS ANGELES
Michael Jackson’s family members said Monday that they are “furious” that two men who accuse him of sexually abusing them as boys have received renewed attention because of a new documentary about them.
The family released a statement denouncing “Leaving Neverland,” a documentary film featuring Jackson accusers Wade Robson and James Safechuck that premiered last week at the Sundance Film Festival and is set to air in the spring on HBO and the U.K.’s Channel 4.
“Michael always turned the other cheek, and we have always turned the other cheek when people have gone after members of our family – that is the Jackson way,” the statement said. “But we can’t just stand by while this public lynching goes on. ... Michael is not here to defend himself – otherwise, these allegations would not have been made.”
Commercial to revive 2 famed characters
LOS ANGELES
Sarah Jessica Parker and Jeff Bridges are bringing a couple of famed characters back to life for a charity in a new Super Bowl commercial.
Parker will reprise her “Sex and the City” Carrie Bradshaw role, and Bridges will appear as “The Dude” in a Stella Artois commercial to raise money to combat water shortage. The 45-second ad launched Monday and will be televised during Super Bowl 53 on Feb. 3.
“There will be a lot of men drinking during the Super Bowl, so why not buy some beer that’ll do some good for the planet and the world,” Bridges said in an interview with The Associated Press before shooting the ad.
‘Jagged Little Pill’ heads to Broadway
NEW YORK
“You Oughta Know” Alanis Morissette is coming to Broadway.
The singer-songwriter has allowed songs from her 1995 breakthrough album “Jagged Little Pill” to be used in a new musical, and producers plan to land it on Broadway this fall. “You Oughta Know” was a song on that Grammy-winning album.
“Jagged Little Pill” played the American Repertory Theater last summer. It’s directed by Diane Paulus and has an original story by Diablo Cody, who wrote “Juno.”
Morissette wrote the album with Glen Ballard, who collaborated with Dave Stewart of the Eurythmics on the music for “Ghost: The Musical.”
Morissette joins a glut of pop and rock stars to try their hand at Broadway, including Bruce Springsteen, Sting, The Go-Go’s, Sara Bareilles, Billy Joel and Cyndi Lauper.
Associated Press