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Kyle Bowser Recent news reports suggest Paramount Global may be considering a sale of its cable channel BET. Further reports identify media moguls Tyler Perry, Byron Allen, Sean “Diddy” Combs and a partnership comprised of Shaquille O’Neil, 50 Cent, and Kenya Barris as prospective buyers of the platform, which was originally created to offer programing targeted toward Black viewers. Each of these potential suitors is more than worthy of the opportunity to helm such a significant portal of Black imagery. Still, a greater agenda raises additional considerations and a distinctive option for ownership. Founded by Robert L. Johnson in 1980, BET has been a primary hub for Black-themed content since its inception. Johnson sold the cable channel to Viacom in 2001 for $3 billion, resulting in an infusion of capital and infrastructure expansion, to include the addition of BET+ and BET Her. The broadcast schedule is populated with original scripted and unscripted programming, as well as acquired off-net fare, with daily viewership currently hovering near 1.7 million and annual ad revenues exceeding $215 million. While the mere existence of BET has demonstrated the power of the Black economy, its celebration of Black culture further highlights its prominence and influence.

published Sunday in USA Today, spending the entire 13-minute “Gutfeld!” opening segment Tuesday night shredding sports writer Nancy Armour’s 800-word column about transgender athletes.Armour’s piece called the views of ESPN reporter and “Sunday NFL Countdown” host Sam Ponder on transgender women and girls in sports “bigotry.” Ponder had recently publicly sided with Riley Gaines, the former college swimmer leading a campaign against transgender women and girls’ participation in sports at all levels.Gutfeld himself kicked off the kicking, calling Armour “ghastly,” “godawful,” “riding in on her broomstick” and a “hack,” and suggested that USA Today is “the official doormat for American staying at low-priced hotels.”Then things got mean.ICYMI If ESPN’s Sam Ponder was truly concerned about women’s sports, she’s had ample opportunity to call out the inequities that actually do exist. She hasn’t.

Editor’s Note: The co-creator & showrunner of Mrs. Davis, Tara Hernandez has put artificial intelligence at the core of her creativity in the just completed Peacock limited series. Today, in a guest column on the Writers Guild of American strike, the Young Sheldon writers’ room alumna takes a different POV on AI and the notion of the individual in a greater collective

Loose Women star and OK! columnist Judi Love has issued her thoughts and prayers onto Prince Harry and Meghan Markle after news emerged last week that the couple had been involved in a car incident after being chased by paparazzi in New York. Writing in her weekly column, the stand-up comedian also reflected on her recent endeavour to the TV BAFTAs - giving her verdict on the best looks from the evening. She also congratulates first-time-parents-to-be Joel and Hannah Dommett and discusses Beyoncé's ongoing Renaissance tour.

Editor’s note: As a founding member of The Coup and the director of the acclaimed Sorry to Bother You, Boots Riley has always brought a social conscious and activism to his work. Today, the creator of Prime Video’s upcoming TV series I’m a Virgo, which previewed at SXSW and the SFFILM Festival earlier this year, puts a spotlight on the stakes of the current WGA strike and the threat to creative expression and the boon to corporate control that AI represents.

Editors note: Anthony McCarten has been nominated for two adapted screenplay Oscars, for The Theory of Everything and The Two Popes. Here he writes about AI, a big issue in the WGA talks with studios that broke down, leading to the current writers strike.

I know that a lot of famous people — writers, directors, agents, lawyers, and powerbrokers — read Deadline every day.

Lesli Linka Glatter On Wednesday, the Directors Guild of America will begin negotiations with the major Hollywood Studios. We’re going to fight — no matter what it takes — for a strong contract that treats our members fairly and allows us to share in the success of an evolving entertainment industry. We know this will be a difficult challenge. But we will not yield from the premise that has sustained our industry for the last century: When artists succeed, everyone succeeds. That’s why this year’s negotiations are about more than reaching a fair agreement for the next three years — they’re about setting the course for the future of our industry.

Editors note: Farah Bunch has worked as a makeup artist in film and television for more than 25 years. Her credits include Will & Grace, Man with a Plan and the Oscars. She is currently working on the reboot of Frasier for Paramount+.  

Editor’s Note: Decorated live event TV director-producer Don Mischer, a fifteen-time Emmy Award winner, has worked frequently with country legend Willie Nelson, who turns 90 today. The following is a chapter from Mischer’s forthcoming book,10 Seconds To Air: A Life in the Director’s Chair, written by him and Sara Lukinson.

North San Fernando Valley, Laurel Canyon winds through the Hollywood Hills, and spills out at Sunset Blvd. These were the proving grounds where rock married folk – literally in some instances – and was home to everyone from Frank Zappa to Joni Mitchell.Cantor Lam was firmly rooted in the burgeoning explosion of music that marked the ’60s. And as they say, “If you remember the ’60s, you weren’t there.” Cantor Lam not only remembers that era, he was fueled by the artistry that echoes and is still worshipped today.“My best friend in high schools father was David Frisina, longtime virtuoso violinist and concertmaster for the Los Angeles Philharmonic,” Cantor Lam said.

Meghan McCain is recalling her time on The View and says she feels validated after listening to Rosie O’Donnell saying she wouldn’t return to the talk show either.

It was on the set of Wild that Tiny Beautiful Things author and executive producer Cheryl Strayed knew she wanted to work with Reese Witherspoon and Lauren Dern again after having “so much fun” collaborating together.

Jay Ruderman One year after the landmark success for Best Picture winner “CODA” at the Academy Awards, the 2023 Oscars presented the latest opportunity for Hollywood to show the world where it stands on inclusion and diversity. On Oscars night, through a combination of memorable moments and inclusive components of the ceremony, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences demonstrated its growing commitment to embracing inclusion and accessibility for all. For the second time, a free ASL livestream was available on the Academy’s YouTube channel. The livestream was updated this year to enhance accessibility for viewers. On the red carpet, a team of ASL interpreters helped participants more effectively engage with fans and viewers at home, with members of the media receiving guidelines on how to make their pre-show coverage more accessible. Meanwhile, stage accessibility included not only ramp access but a stage wheelchair lift for the first time as well.

Hilary Smith On the heels of Oscar night, I applaud the broad Asian representation among the winners and am particularly in awe of Michelle Yeoh, who made history as the first Asian woman to win the Academy Award for best actress. While this is welcome progress, we are all aware that many extraordinary filmmakers, cinematographers and craftspeople from underrepresented backgrounds remain undiscovered because they don’t have the right opportunity to break into the industry. The job market is daunting for filmmakers, media producers, editors and other early career talent, while the arts and media sectors lack a broad enough infrastructure to support accessible pathways for in-demand jobs. Job seekers need an impressive reel of visual stories just to get their foot in the door, and in a Catch-22 scenario, one can’t build that without professional experience.

Danette Herman was one of the key staff members of the Academy Awards ceremonies from the 1970s into the 2010s, beginning as a production assistant and rising through the ranks to become the show’s executive in charge of talent and coordinating producer. One of the few women to serve in key positions at the Oscars, she was with the show during the years of its highest ratings and largest cultural impact.As the Academy prepares for the 95th Oscars ceremony, Herman asked TheWrap if she could share some memories of past shows, from an encounter with Katharine Hepburn in 1974 to a pair of anniversary shows in which she assembled historic groups of past winners.

And just like that – Love Island is drawing to a close. The second ever winter series has delivered plenty of drama and in her weekly column, Danica Taylor has been giving her verdict on the action and revealing behind-the-scenes secrets after her iconic stint in the villa. With the final almost upon us, the star has revealed who she's picking as winner and explained why she thinks they'll last when back in the real world.

Much-loved stand-up comedy star Judi Love is reminiscing on her recent brunch endeavour with boyband JLS, dubbing the four some "the sweetest" as they prepare to hit the road for another UK tour. Writing in her weekly OK! column, Judi expresses her nerves at the prospect of embarking onto her first ever comedy tour at the end of the month, thanks those voting for her to receive a Visionary Arts Awards for her 2022 documentary 'Judi Love: Black, Female and Invisible', discusses her part in Loose Women's annual Body Stories campaign and celebrates International Women's Day with some sweet messages to her friends.

Keith Jopling Which current popular music artists will still be significant 25 years from now? It’s a question Keith Jopling posed with the latest expansion of his Art of Longevity project, titled “Crossing the Rubicon.” The answers lie within its first “white paper,” featuring case studies of 25 artists that have guested on Jopling’s podcast of the same name, including Suede, Norah Jones, KT Tunstall, Tears for Fears, Gary Numan, Los Lobos, Everything Everything, Death Cab For Cutie, Calexico, Teenage Fanclub, The Waterboys, Interpol, Barenaked Ladies, Spoon, The Divine Comedy, Belle and Sebastian and Turin Brakes, among others. Read an excerpt below. One of the most common sayings in the music industry is that “every artist is different.” It makes marketing music and artists much more unpredictable than breakfast cereal, soft drinks, or resort holidays. It’s probably the reason why music should not be filtered by algorithms – the idea should be to stand out rather than fit in.

Jeremy Clarkson’s “awful” comments about Meghan Markle have had “no washover onto the ITV brand,” according to CEO Carolyn McCall.

Comedian and OK! columnist Judi Love is sending her heartfelt condolences to the family of Nicola Bulley after her body was was found in the River Wyre three weeks after she went missing, saying, "There are still so many questions." Writing in her column this week, Judi also supports her Loose Women colleague Brenda Edwards in marking a year since her son Jamal's untimely death with a touching blue tribute, prasies London mayor Sadiq Khan's free school meals pledge, and reveals all about her chance meeting with Harry Kane! Sign up - for free - to read Judi's full column. Register for FREE to read this article in full. Just pop your email address below for free access to our exclusive magazine content as an OK! VIP.

Kerry Katona has opened up about the stick she has received in the past for being a mum-of-five by three dads. Writing in her weekly column, Kerry, 42, who recently sparked a debate after revealing how often she changes her bed sheets, discussed Jude Law reportedly becoming a father for the seventh time - and how she feels men are treated differently. Sign up - for free - to see what she has to say.

Peter Andre has been celebrating his upcoming 50th birthday with his family in Dubai on a fun-filled vacation away from the UK. But now he reveals the celebrations have moved on to his 17 year old son Junior, who has already been planning his 18th birthday. "He’s thinking about it already but I won’t be cramping his style," Pete, 49, told us in his exclusive column - only available to OK! VIPs.

Comedian and OK! columnist Judi Love has some words of wisdom for ITV pal Vanessa Feltz following her shock split from fiancé of 16 years Ben Ofoedu. Writing in her column this week, Judi also issues her condolences for those who have lost their lives following the earthquake across Turkey-Syria, congratulates Beyoncé on her GRAMMY win, gives her verdict on the Happy Valley finale and discusses Netflix's new Pamela Anderson documentary.

During the Grammy Awards 2023, many fans couldn't help but how "bored" Ben Affleck seemed throughout the ceremony as he attended the event with wife Jennifer Lopez. But after fans took to Twitter to share their thoughts on the couple having heated discussions on camera, our columnist Peter Andre has told us he thinks highly of the newly wedded pair - saying it proved "how close" Ben, 50, and Jennifer, 53, are as husband and wife. "I loved all the coverage of Ben Affleck's facial expression at the Grammys!" the 49 year old began to say.

Editor’s note: William C. Rempel, a longtime journalist who has covered the Roman Polanski case, and Sam Wasson, author of The Big Goodbye about the making of Polanski’s Chinatown, successfully petitioned the courts to open long-sealed testimony last year. Continuing to monitor the case, here they describe the expected next steps.

The UK’s newspaper watchdog has launched a formal investigation into Jeremy Clarkson’s now-disgraced column about Meghan Markle.

ITV is weighing up Jeremy Clarkson’s future on Who Wants to be a Millionaire? following the furor over his column about Meghan Markle.

Jeremy Clarkson is publicly walking back THAT controversial column from late last year.