Warner Bros. Taps BBC Studios Americas Chief Ann Sarnoff as CEO (EXCLUSIVE) - Variety

June 24, 2019 9:18AM PT

Warner Bros. has tapped BBC Studios Americas president Ann Sarnoff as its new CEO, a surprise pick that is sure to shakeup the venerable studio.

Sarnoff becomes the first woman to head Warner Bros. in its nearly 100-year history. She was under the radar during WarnerMedia’s search for a successor to lead the studio following the forced resignation of chairman-CEO Kevin Tsujihara in March.

At Warner Bros. she will run one of the industry’s largest production operations, spanning film, TV, digital, videogames and consumer products. The studio has been through turbulent times in recent months following the hasty exit of Tsujihara and inevitable changes with the integration with new parent company AT&T. Warner Bros. is also at the center of WarnerMedia’s ambitious effort to bundle the former Time Warner assets into a streaming platform to compete in the big leagues of the global platform business.

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Sarnoff will report to WarnerMedia CEO John Stankey. She’s set to join the studio later this summer.

“I am delighted Ann is joining the WarnerMedia team and excited to work side by side with such a talented and accomplished individual. She brings a consistent and proven track record of innovation, creativity and business results to lead an incredibly successful studio to its next chapter of growth,” said Stankey. “Ann has shown the ability to innovate and grow revenues and has embraced the evolution taking place in our industry. I am confident she will be a great cultural fit for WarnerMedia and that our employees will embrace her leadership, enthusiasm and passion for our business.”

Sarnoff has had a range of executive experience, from working for Dow Jones to the WNBA to 10 years as a business and consumer products executive at Viacom, from 1993 to 2003. She joined what was then BBC Worldwide in 2010 as COO and rose to head its global production network. BBC Studios Americas was created in a restructuring last year.

“It is a privilege to join a studio with such a storied history. Warner Bros. has been an industry leader for decades and is known for creating many of the most iconic film, television and gaming properties,” said Sarnoff. “I accept this position excited by the opportunity to work with the most accomplished executives and teams in media, and confident about carrying this incredible heritage forward with them.”

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2019-06-24 16:18:00Z
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‘Toy Story 4’: 5 Takeaways From Opening Weekend - Variety

Despite arriving below expectations, “Toy Story 4” did huge business this weekend with ticket sales surpassing $118 million in North America.

As sequels hailing from beloved franchises continue to flounder at the box office, Disney and Pixar’s cartooned fourquel is a much-needed win for the movie business. It now ranks among the top debuts for an animated movie, as well as only the third film this year (so far) to hit triple-digits its inaugural outing.

“Audiences are loving this movie,” said Paul Dergarabedian, a senior box office analyst at Comscore. “That should portend longterm playability for the film. [Pixar] can build on this perception of quality that should carry it forward quite nicely.”

Here are five takeaways from the opening weekend of “Toy Story 4.”

Disney domination

It’s a good time to be Disney, there’s no denying that. The Magic Kingdom is responsible for 30% of the marketshare, a figure that only stands to grow as the studio irons out its slate post merger with Fox. That number is nearly double its nearest competitors, Warner Bros. and Universal. Disney is now responsible for the four biggest debuts of 2019: “Avengers: Endgame” ($357 million), “Captain Marvel” ($157 million) and “Aladdin” ($91 million). And while ticket sales for the industry continue to pace well behind 2018’s record year, Hollywood is banking on Disney to dig the film business out of that hole. The coming weeks look even more promising with Jon Favreau’s remake of “The Lion King,” “Frozen 2” and “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” on deck. All other studios, take note.

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The Magic Kingdom’s worst enemy is itself

Being Disney comes with its own gripes. That was evident this weekend as “Toy Story 4” prompted headlines about an underwhelming start, despite crossing the $100 million mark — a benchmark any other studio would be thrilled to report. But Disney’s consistent track record means its films are held to a higher standard.

“When you’re at the top of your game, that’s the blessing and the curse,” Dergarabedian said. “Everything you do is under a brighter spotlight.”

Nobody is immune to a little franchise fatigue

It’s hard to consider a triple-digit debut a disappointment on any level, but it’s undeniable that “Toy Story 4” did perform below expectations. The fourth chapter in the children’s franchise brought in a series-best opening, but it’s just $8 million more than the debut of “Toy Story 3,” which racked up $110 million when it launched in 2010. It’s always the hope that a follow-up will gross more than its predecessors, signaling that appetite has grown over the years. But in the decade since the adventures of Woody and Buzz Lightyear last graced the big screen, the small jump in ticket sales indicates that audiences didn’t necessarily believe there was a compelling need for another “Toy Story.”

Box office tracking is an inexact science

It’s hardly a novel notion, the idea that estimating a film’s box office performance weeks ahead of its opening isn’t always spot-on, but this year has proved more than ever how off-kilter tracking can be. Whether a movie bows significantly ahead or behind estimates, early projections, which first appear on tracking boards three weeks ahead of a film’s debut, tend to dictate opening weekend perceptions. Sometimes it’s for the better, as was the case with Jordan Peele’s “Us.” The filmmaker’s highly anticipated follow-up feature film debuted with $71 million, nearly triple initial tracking that expected a start near $30 million. But in most instances, such as Universal’s “Glass” and Disney’s “Dumbo,” arriving well below expectations dominates headlines.

Pixar Animation Reigns Supreme

Few animation studios are operating at the level of Pixar. It’s rare that the fourth entry in a film franchise still generates positive sentiments. And though moviegoers might have been skeptical about the necessity for another “Toy Story,” critics hailed the movie as a worthy addition to Pixar’s cannon of family-friendly films. That kind of feedback is a testament to the powers that be at Disney’s animation studio, who have developed a track record of creating stories worth telling. Tony Hale, who voices as Forky, a nutty spork facing an existential crisis about what it means to be a toy, told Variety that reason is partially why he wanted to join “Toy Story 4.” “Having been a part of the process and seeing the story they wanted to tell, and also knowing Pixar doesn’t do things unless there’s a story to be told, I just had faith in their whole process,” Hale said.

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2019-06-24 13:19:00Z
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Nipsey Hussle's BET Awards tribute wasn't the only win for the late rapper - CNN

The rapper, who was gunned down March 31 in Los Angeles near a clothing store he owned, was also awarded best male hip-hop artist.

But that accolade, along with a few others, was not aired on television.

BET Awards both entertained and moved

Los Angeles Times music writer Gerrick D. Kennedy noted that despite having a few of the best female hip-hop artist nominees in attendance at the live awards ceremony, that category was also not presented on air.

"Cardi/Lizzo/Megan/Kash Doll were all at the show," Kennedy tweeted. "In a year in which female rap was the most competitive its been in YEARS, to not give it out on air is insane."

Video of the year, best group, best collaboration, the best R&B categories and the BET Her award also were not presented on air.

2019 BET Awards winners: The complete list

Hussle's family accepted his humanitarian award, which was given for his work as a community activist and entrepreneur in his Los Angeles Crenshaw neighborhood.

His mother, Angelique Smith, talked about learning of her son's death and the spirituality of it all, while his father, Dawit Asghedom, thanked BET.

"I wish my son could be here," Asghedom said. "Thank you BET. He wanted to be here so badly, and last year he made it to perform here and we were so happy for him. And you recognize him and we appreciate that."

Marsha Ambrosius, YG, DJ Khaled and John Legend performed a rousing musical tribute to the rapper.

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2019-06-24 12:34:00Z
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Billy Ray Cyrus receives warm welcome during historic BET Awards performance - AOL

There was a time when few artists were willing or able to cross the line between country and R&B music. And when they tried, the backlash was swift and harsh – as evidenced by the Twitter outrage surrounding Beyoncé’s performance with the Dixie Chicks at the 2016 CMA Awards.

But all that changed this year with Lil Nas X’s country-rap smash “Old Town Road.” And when Lil Nas X performed that song with mainstream country icon Billy Ray Cyrus on Sunday’s BET Awards, Cyrus was actually embraced by BET viewers — proving that the times, they are indeed a-changing.

Although Lil Nas X and Cyrus’s “Old Town Road” wasn’t nominated at the BET Awards this Sunday, the odd couple stole the show with their history-making country & western revue. Nas, rocking some yellow leather chaps and a fringed vest, and Cyrus, jokingly introduced by host Regina Hall as being a graduate of Howard University, approached the saloon-themed stage on horseback, then performed backed by a troupe of Daisy Duke’d line-dancers while the crowd at Los Angeles’s Microsoft Theater (including Cardi B and Rihanna) whooped it up.

The “Achy Breaky Heart” singer’s appearance pretty much broke Twitter, and the online response for the most part was surprisingly positive.

For those not aware of Nas’s interesting journey to the top of the country charts – and Cyrus’s journey to the BETs – here’s a primer: Back in March, “Old Town Road” simultaneously landed on the Billboard Hot 100, Hot Country Song, and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs charts. Billboard initially (and controversially) removed it from the Hot Country chart for supposedly not containing enough “country music elements” to qualify, but members of the country music community soon rallied behind Nas — including Cyrus, who then appeared on the song’s remix and in its all-star music video. The remix eventually charted at No. 1 on the Hot 100 and has stayed there for 11 weeks; it has also made the Hot Country Songs, Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, Rhythmic Songs, and Dance/Mix Show Airplay charts.

And it has, apparently, made an unlikely BET Network star out of Billy Ray Cyrus. The fun fact that “Old Town Road” features a sample of Nine Inch Nails’ “34 Ghosts IV" makes it a genuinely genre-smashing phenomenon — although Trent Reznor sadly sat out this year’s BETs.

Read more from Yahoo Entertainment:

· Billy Ray Cyrus talks political video: ‘Democracy is under assault’

· Country star Jake Owen shows off surprising rap skills, defends Lil Nas X, mourns Nipsey Hussle

· A ‘progressive twist’: Country star Kelsea Ballerini picks R&B tune on ‘Songland’

· Billy Ray Cyrus on 25 ‘Achy Breaky’ years, mullets, Miley, and the military

· Miley Cyrus apologizes for racially 'insensitive' comments about hip-hop

Follow Lyndsey on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Amazon, Tumblr, Spotify

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More from Yahoo Music:
Carrie Underwood plagiarized NFL 'Sunday Night Football' song 'Game On,' lawsuit says
Chris Cornell's daughter takes leave from college to address 'mental and emotional health,' points finger at people 'gossiping about me'
Taylor Swift accused of ripping off Beyoncé at the Billboard Music Awards

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2019-06-24 11:27:51Z
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'KUWTK' Just Aired "Evidence" That Jordyn Woods Lied on Red Table Talk - Cosmopolitan.com

• Keeping Up with the Kardashians finally aired Tristan Thompson and Khloé Kardashian's cheating scandal with Jordyn Woods.
• Fans think the show proves Jordyn Woods lied about what happened with Tristan during her appearance on Red Table Talk.

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Welp, it finally happened: the Tristan Thompson / Khloé Kardashian cheating scandal—aka the episode that will earn Kris Jenner an Emmy for Best Performance in a Drama—just aired on E! and it was...a lot!

Not only did the show casually reveal that Khloé Kardashian had a pregnancy scare and was suffering from migraines/throwing up blood before finding out Tristan cheated (WOW, KUWTK, OKAY), we learned *exactly* how the cheating drama actually unfolded. And um....it's pretty different than Jordyn Woods' version on Red Table Talk.

As a reminder, Jordyn (who, keep in mind, has been dealing with a lot of unfair harassment because of this!) sat down with Jada Pinkett Smith and insisted that she and Tristan had only kissed because *he* initiated. "Never once was I giving him a lap dance, making out with him, sitting all over him," she said. "It’s just we’re all together; we’re in a group. Never once did we leave the public area, go to the bedroom, go to the bathroom." She also added, "It was a kiss on the lips," again emphasizing that there was no making out.

Buttttttt, the Kardashians see things a little differently. Mostly because Tristan himself told Khloé that they made out. "Once Tristan finally landed in Cleveland, he saw my millions of text messages," she said. "He already knew what was up and there was nothing else he could do but confirm it. I got my questions answered. Everyone left and Jordyn stayed. She was sitting on his lap on a chair, they were all over each other, they were handsy. They made out."

And yeah, obviously fans have noticed the discrepancy in these two stories:

Jordyn has yet to comment on allegations that she lied on Red Table Talk, and in fact she hasn't reacted to this episode at all yet. Probably because she's too busy living her best life!

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2019-06-24 10:35:00Z
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'Big Little Lies' The End of The World: Celeste Wright Misses the War With Perry - Showbiz Cheat Sheet

Celeste Wright continues to struggle with the death of her husband, while her mother-in-law still refuses to believe Perry could be an evil person. Madeline Mackenzie also has a difficult time understanding why she cheated on Ed, and if they can get this rough patch. What else happens in The End of The World?

Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman, and the cast and crew of “Big Little Lies” | MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images

Does Celeste miss the war with Perry in The End of The World?

Celeste cannot stop thinking about the positive memories with Perry. Her therapist tells her that she should stop focusing on the good, and remember the abusive times and how he almost killed her. Celeste denied the severity of the issue, and the therapist noticed a scar on her arm. She brushed it off and said it probably occurred when she broke up a fight between the twins. However, her therapist believes she inflicted the pain on herself as a way of getting closer to Perry.

Celeste shows such a human struggle with her portrayal of domestic violence. She feels guilt over her sorrow, her hatred and her love. The fact that they show her feeling all this complexity is breathtaking #biglittlelies

— (@gonegals) June 24, 2019

Celeste told Madeline that she was a better mom to her boys when Perry was alive, and often feels deader than him. She found Mary Louise Wright in the bedroom with the twins, watching videos of Perry playing with the boys, and reading to them. Celeste joined them and reminisced before she went to bed and pleasured herself while watching an old video Perry sent her when he was out of town.

Mary Louise sees Perry’s illegitimate son for the first time in The End of The World

Mary Louise stopped by Jane Chapman’s job to ask her if she would submit to a paternity test to establish Perry as the father. She wants proof because she can’t believe Perry would cheat on Celeste, much less rape a woman. However, Jane told Mary Louise she would not do that and returned to work.

Mary Louise later saw Jane and Ziggy getting into their car. Mary Louise looked at Ziggy with joy and pain, because she immediately realized Perry did father the child. Jane saw Mary Louise staring and decided to meet with her the next day.

Mary Louise showed Jane several pictures of Perry as a child, and Jane also noticed how similar they looked at the same age. Mary Louise again asked Jane if she was sure that she didn’t give Perry “a sign,” however, Jane blatantly explained to her that the interaction was not consensual. Still, Mary Louise cannot believe her son is evil or capable of doing something so sinister, but Jane can’t agree with her.

Madeline Mackenzie and Ed’s relationship continues to suffer in The End of The World

Madeline and Ed went to therapy, to try and work through Madeline’s infidelity. The therapist thought Ed’s laid back nature could be mistaken for neglect, however, Ed confirmed that wasn’t the issue. Madeline claimed she didn’t know why she cheated, but the therapist thinks she doesn’t believe in herself because she never went to college.

Madeline explained to Celeste that she walked in on her dad having sex with a woman that was not her mom, and he told her that some things her mom didn’t need to know. Therefore, she always felt like marriage wasn’t to be trusted.

Madeline then ran into Ed at the coffee shop, where he wrapped a conversation with Bonnie Carlson. When Madeline asked him how long he would punish her for, he said as long as he needs and wants. That night, the school gathered the parents to talk about the climate change curriculum that scared Renata Klein’s daughter so much, it pushed her to an anxiety attack.

Madeline made a speech, that mirrored her current relationship woes, and explained kids fear things including climate change and someone shooting their school up. However, their parents always tell them everything’s fine. Madeline ended up breaking down in tears, and ran out of the auditorium, with Ed not following behind her.

She went home and cried in her daughter’s arms, but Ed didn’t return that night. Even though Abigail and Celeste have assured Madeline that Ed won’t leave her, she’s not so sure.

Watch Big Little Lies Sundays at 9 P.M. EST on HBO!

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2019-06-24 07:01:27Z
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YG, DJ Khaled & Marsha Ambrosius & John Legend Perform Tribute to Nipsey Hussle | BET Awards 2019 - BETNetworks

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2019-06-24 08:00:03Z
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