Yoshio Yoda Dies: ‘McHale’s Navy’ Actor Was 88

EXCLUSIVE: Prime Video is developing an action drama series from film and TV writer Joe Barton and director-producer Michael Bay. The project hails from A+E Studios, in association with Range Studios, and Amazon Studios.

Dublin pop band Wild Youth have been selected to represent Ireland at this year’s Eurovision Song Contest. Which means, of course, that John Lydon and Public Image Ltd have not.Both Wild Youth and Public Image Ltd were down to the final six acts shortlisted to go forward to represent Ireland at Eurovision in May.

The proposed new Michael Jackson biopic will glorify a man who abused children, according to the director of Leaving Neverland. 

Michael Beale made it a dozen games unbeaten as Rangers boss but it was anything but delightful as the nervy Ibrox men edged past Ross County.

Melinda Dillon, a two-time Oscar nominee for Close Encounters of the Third Kind and Absence of Malice who also played Ralphie’s mom in A Christmas Story, has died. She was 83. Her family said she died January 9 in Los Angeles but did not give other details.

In what appears to be a new wave of layoffs, several senior scripted executives have left the broadcast network, including Gaye Hirsch, EVP, Development, who is departing after more than 15 years, and fellow CW veteran and head of department, Michael Roberts, who had been at the network (and its predecessor the WB) for 21 years, sources tell deadline.

The BBC has revealed that it received more than 600 complaints from viewers after describing Paul Mescal as a “British actor” in its coverage of his Oscar nomination.

One of our most anticipated films of 2023 is, without a doubt, Michael Mann’s “Ferrari” biopic starring Adam Driver in the lead role. This is a film that is not only Mann’s first since 2015’s less-than-stellar “Blackhat,” but also features one of the very best actors working today.

BBC3 has named Nasfim Haque as its Head of Content after controller Fiona Campbell was promoted to a new role overseeing the British broadcaster’s youth audience.

Kevin O’Neal, the younger brother of actor Ryan O’Neal who for a time built a steady, if less widely known, performing career of his own died in his sleep of natural causes in Thousand Oaks, California, on Saturday, Jan. 28. He was 77.

Mommy and me! Gigi Hadid has learned to ebb and flow while navigating motherhood and running her own business.

Amid the tireless search for Julian Sands, a hiker has been found — a completely different one.

Lance Kerwin, the former child actor who shot to fame in the late 1970s as the star of the sometimes controversial NBC teen drama series James at 15, died of undetermined causes Tuesday in San Clemente, California. He was 62.

EXCLUSIVE: After helping get this years Sundance Film Festival off the ground with the festival’s opening night movie, Sometimes I Think About Dying, director Rachel Lambert has signed with Range Media Partners. Lambert along with the films star, Daisy Ridley have earned raves following the premiere and the project is now being eyed by several buyers who attended opening night. The pic is also competing in the U.S. Dramatic Competition.

EXCLUSIVE: Christian Robinson (BMF, Interview With The Vampire) has signed with Cultivate Entertainment Partners for representation.

Lisa Marie Presley‘s twins are going to be living with their dad permanently.

Prince Edward To Present New Production Guild of Great Britain Talent PrizePrince Edward, who is the royal Patron of the Production Guild of Great Britain (PGGB), will present the body’s new film and TV industry award that has been created in his name as part of its inaugural Talent Showcase, presented in association with Disney Studios Content and supported by Entertainment Partners. Four industry organizations have been shortlisted for The Earl of Wessex Award, created to recognise professionals working in the UK film and TV industry who have created “a successful way of inspiring local talent or skills, widening access or being more inclusive.”  The nominees are youth-led production company Fully Focused; media charity MAMA Youth Project; social change enablers Resource Productions and mental health and wellbeing nonprofit 6ft From the Spotlight. He will present the prize at the first PGGB Talent Showcase on January 24. The Earl of Wessex recently visited the MAMA Youth Project. He said after his visit: “Congratulations to all the organisations who have been nominated for this new Award. The finalists are shining examples of how the production industry is attracting more people from different backgrounds to pursue careers in the business.”

BFI Distribution has picked up the well-received Irish drama God’s Creatures for theatrical release in the UK. The deal also includes a partnership with independent Irish distributor Volta Pictures, who have acquired the film for Ireland.

APPOINTMENTSWarner Music has hired Tim Matusch as VP Strategy & Operations. Matusch previously worked with new Warner CEO Robert Kyncl at YouTube.Booking agency Midnight Mango has announced that Barry Stewart has joined its team of agents. “It’s been a breath of fresh air to join such a supportive and dynamic group of very talented people”, he says.

Bruce Gowers, a prolific and groundbreaking director of music videos whose work included the groundbreaking, much-imitated 1975 video for Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody,” died Sunday in Santa Monica of an acute respiratory infection. He was 82.