MARK KENNEDY

AP Entertainment Writer
This image released by CBS shows Damon Wayans, Jr., left, and Damon Wayans in a scene from "Poppa's House." (Robert Voets/CBS via AP)
Father-and-son team Damon Wayans and Damon Wayans Jr. explore generations in ‘Poppa’s House’
Boundaries between work and family don’t just blur in the new CBS sitcom “Poppa’s House” starring father-and-son comedy duo Damon Wayans and Damon Wayans Jr. They shatter.
 
This image released by Paramount Pictures shows Naomi Scott in a scene from "Smile 2." (Paramount Pictures via AP)
Movie Review: ‘Smile 2' nicely targets pop star fame with the terrific Naomi Scott
“Smile 2” lands as unsettling grins are plastered on pumpkins and politicians alike as we approach Halloween and Election Day.
 
★★★★
FILE - Wayne Kramer, co-founder of the protopunk Detroit band the MC5, performs at the after party for the CBGB West Coast Premiere Powered by Ciroc in Beverly Hills, Calif., on Oct. 1, 2013. (Photo by Todd Williamson/Invision for Ciroc/AP, File)
Anti-establishment the MC5 ironically get into the establishment with Rock & Roll Hall Fame invite
Before there was the Clash, Nirvana or Rage Against the Machine there was the MC5. Tom Morello, a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame guitarist for bands like Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave, says the MC5 were playing punk rock before there was a term for it.
 
Elton John performs on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington on Sept. 23, 2022, left, and Tammy Faye Bakker appears during the taping of an infomercial in 1987. (AP Photo)
Elton John turns the saga of televangelist Tammy Faye into song for Broadway
When Elton John was on tour in America during the 1970s, there was someone on TV who caught his eye. She was an over-the-top, heavy makeup-wearing performer who wore her heart on her sleeve and seemed in on the joke, televangelist Tammy Faye Bakker.
 
This cover image released by Legacy Lit shows "Al Roker’s Recipes to Live By: Easy, Memory-Making Family Dishes for Every Occasion" by Al Roker, with Courtney Roker Laga. (Legacy Lit via AP)
Al Roker and his oldest daughter, Courtney, team up on a cookbook that celebrates their family
Al Roker and his oldest daughter, Courtney, are naturals to collaborate on a food project, and they’ve done just that. Roker often leads the cooking segment on the “Today” show. Courtney is a professional chef.
 
Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump gestures after speaking at a campaign event at the Indiana University of Pennsylvania Ed Fry Arena, Monday, Sept. 23, 2024, in Indiana, Pa. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
‘The View’ co-hosts come out swinging at Donald Trump a day after he insulted them
The hosts of ABC’s “The View” are responding to Donald Trump a day after he insulted co-hosts Sunny Hostin and Whoopi Goldberg. The co-hosts walked onto the set Thursday to the song “Dirty” by Christina Aguilera.
 
FILE - Gavin Creel, who plays Claude in the musical "Hair", poses for a picture in New York on April 23, 2009. Creel died Monday of a rare and aggressive form of cancer. He was 48. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)
All of Broadway’s theater lights will dim for actor Gavin Creel after an outcry
All of Broadway’s marquees will dim to honor the life of Gavin Creel following an outcry by theater fans when only a partial dimming was proposed after the 48-year-old Tony Award-winner’s death last month.
 
FILE - Thom Gimbel, from left, Michael Bluestein, Mick Jones, Kelly Hansen, Jeff Pilson and Bruce Watson of Foreigner pose for a portrait during the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah on Jan. 20, 2017. (Photo by Taylor Jewell/Invision/AP, File)
After years of finding the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame cold as ice, Foreigner now knows what love is
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is about to rectify a wrong that some rock fans may celebrate with their lighters up in the air — the band Foreigner will be finally welcomed in.
 
This image released by Focus Features shows a scene from "Piece By Piece." (Focus Features via AP)
Movie Review: ‘Piece by Piece,’ a very odd Lego doc about Pharrell Williams snaps together somehow
A movie documentary that uses only Lego pieces might seem an unconventional choice. When that documentary is about renowned musician-producer Pharrell Williams, it’s actually sort of on-brand.
 
★★★★
FILE - Ryan Miller from the band Guster performs during the 2024 Sea. Hear. Now festival on Sept. 14, 2024, in Asbury Park, N.J. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP, File)
Guster, Avett Brothers and Florence Welch are helping bring alt-rock to the musical theater stage
Ryan Miller, lead singer of alternative rock band Guster, has a new gig that even he’s a little surprised about: Musical theater songwriter.
 
FILE -Ken Page appears at Wizard World in Chicago on Aug. 25, 2019. Page, a stage and screen actor who starred alongside Beyoncé in “Dreamgirls,” and introduced Broadway audiences to Old Deuteronomy in “Cats” has died. He was 70. (Photo by Rob Grabowski/Invision/AP, File)
Ken Page, who starred in ‘Cats’ on Broadway and voiced Oogie Boogie, dies at 70
Ken Page, a stage and screen actor who starred alongside Beyoncé in “Dreamgirls,” introduced Broadway audiences to Old Deuteronomy in “Cats” and scared generations of kids as the voice of Oogie Boogie, the villain of the 1993 animated holiday film ”The Nightmare Before Christmas,″ has died.
 
FILE - Ina Garten appears at the 28th annual Webby Awards at Cipriani Wall Street on Monday, May 13, 2024, in New York. Garten released a memoir, "Be Ready When the Luck Happens." (Photo by CJ Rivera/Invision/AP, File)
Ina Garten, the Barefoot Contessa, looks back in memoir ‘Be Ready When the Luck Happens’
Ina Garten is looking back in a new memoir, “Be Ready When the Luck Happens,” which distills stories from her life into lessons for foodies and non-foodies, alike.
 
FILE - Gavin Creel, who plays Claude in the musical "Hair", poses for a picture in New York on April 23, 2009. Creel died Monday of a rare and aggressive form of cancer. He was 48. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)
Gavin Creel, Tony Award winner and musical Broadway veteran, dies at 48
Gavin Creel, a Broadway veteran who won a Tony Award for “Hello, Dolly!” and nominations for “Hair” and “Thoroughly Modern Millie,” died Monday of a rare and aggressive form of cancer. He was 48.
 
This image released by Universal Pictures shows a scene from DreamWorks Animation's "Wild Robot." (DreamWorks Animation/Universal Pictures via AP)
Movie Review: Visually stunning, emotionally powerful, ‘The Wild Robot’ is everything
In the opening scenes of “The Wild Robot,” a chirpy metal android with a state-of-the-art processing unit wanders around a forest asking confused animals if it can help them, offering discount codes and stickers for future customers.
 
★★★★
FILE - In this Feb. 12, 2017 file photo Dennis D.T. Thomas, from left, George Brown, Robert Bell, and Ronald Bell, of the musical group Kool & The Gang, arrive at the 59th annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Center, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File)
Last original member of Kool & the Gang to represent group at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
After fueling so many other people’s parties, it will be time for Kool & the Gang to themselves finally celebrate when they are inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame next month in Cleveland.
 
John Leguizamo arrives at the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)
John Leguizamo reaches back in time to reclaim Latin American history for a PBS documentary series
If you think Latin American history starts with Christopher Columbus, John Leguizamo would like to have a word.
 
This cookbook cover image released by Celadon Books shows "Does This Taste Funny: Recipes Our Family Loves" by Stephen Colbert and Evie McGee Colbert. (Celadon Books via AP)
Stephen & Evie Colbert offer a cookbook that’s also a window on their lives
Many years into their marriage, Stephen and Evie Colbert suddenly became co-workers. And that is why, in a roundabout way, we have their first cookbook.
 
FILE - A view of the stage appears before the start of the 75th annual Tony Awards on Sunday, June 12, 2022, at Radio City Music Hall in New York. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP, File)
The 2025 Tony Awards set June 8 ceremony date at Radio City Music Hall
Fans of Broadway, circle this date: This season’s Tony Awards will take place on June 8 at its familiar home of Radio City Music Hall. Producers of the show announced the date and location Monday.
 
This cover image released by Capitol Records shows "143" by Katy Perry. (Capitol Records via AP)
Music Review: Katy Perry returns with the uninspired and forgettable ‘143'
Katy Perry’s new album title “143” is code for “I love you,” based on the number of letters in each word of the phrase. She may love us, but Associated Press critic Mark Kennedy says the album is more like 144 — “I made mush.”
 
FILE - Actor Zachary Quinto poses for a portrait on Friday, March 30, 2018, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP, File)
Zachary Quinto steps into some giant-sized doctor’s shoes in NBC’s ‘Brilliant Minds’
Zachry Quinto is back on TV on Monday in a medical drama. But he’s not portraying any dour, by-the-rules doctor — he’s playing Dr. Oliver Sacks, the famed neurologist, path-breaking researcher and author once called the “poet laureate of medicine.”
 
This image released by Paramount Pictures shows characters, from left, D-16/Megatron, voiced by Brian Tyree Henry, Elita-1, voiced by Scarlett Johansson, Orion Pax/Optimus Prime, voiced by Chris Hemsworth, and B-127, voiced by Keegan-Michael Key, in a scene from "Transformers One." (Paramount Pictures via AP)
Movie Review: ‘Transformers One,’ an origin story no one wants with brutality levels no one needs
Movie origin stories finally reach their nadir this week with “Transformers One,” the super-violent, toy-selling vehicle that tells the tale of how Optimus Prime and Megatron went from besties to foes, Associated Press critic Mark Kennedy says.
 
★★★★
This combination of images shows a portrait of Steve Sando, left, and cover art for Sando's "The Bean Book: 100 Recipes for Cooking with All Kinds of Beans, from the Rancho Gordo Kitchen." (Kim Serveau via AP, left, and Ten Speed Press via AP)
Steve Sando’s bean revolution advances with a new cookbook showing their versatility
Some food lovers celebrate vegetables or rice or chicken. Steve Sando celebrates beans. He’s found a flourishing national appetite for his dried heritage beans.
 
Antony Starr, from left, Kathy Bates, and Giancarlo Esposito present the award for outstanding supporting actress in a limited or anthology series or movie during the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Emmy Moments: Hosts gently mock ‘The Bear,’ while TV moms, ‘Happy Days’ and ‘West Wing’ celebrated
The Emmys on Sunday had plenty of fun moments and two hosts who gently mocked themselves. There were to be reunions of shows like “Happy Days” and “The West Wing,” and celebration of themes, like TV villains, dads and moms.
 
This image released by Apple TV+ shows Gary Oldman in a scene from "Slow Horses." (Jack English/Apple TV+ via AP)
Suddenly, after several seasons, Gary Oldman’s TV series ‘Slow Horses’ gets some Emmy love
The TV series “Slow Horses” is a critical darling that only seems to have gained traction in the U.S. of late, now in its fourth season.
 
This image released by Ninja Tune Records shows "My Method Actor" by Nilüfer Yanya. (Ninja Tune Records via AP)
Music Review: Nilüfer Yanya returns with the vibrant, spare and breathtaking ‘My Method Actor’
The great news is that Nilüfer Yanya’s third album is about to drop. But Associated Press critic Mark Kennedy says that means a little homework on your part: Carving out the time to listen — not just half-listen.
 
This image released by Amazon shows Maisy Stella, left, and Aubrey Plaza in a scene from "My Old Ass." (Amazon via AP)
Movie Review: Two ideas compete for the soul of ‘My Old Ass’ but sweetness finally wins
They say tripping on psychedelic mushrooms triggers anxiety, paranoia and nervousness. In the case of Elliott, an 18-year-old restless Canadian, they prompt a visitor — her 39-year-old self.
 
★★★★
FILE - Peter Frampton performs during "Finale - The Farewell Tour" at Huntington Bank Pavilion on Sunday, July 28, 2019, in Chicago. (Photo by Rob Grabowski/Invision/AP, File)
Peter Frampton finally finds Rock & Roll Hall of Fame doors open to him
A year after he appeared on the stage supporting Sheryl Crow’s induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Peter Frampton finds the doors of the hallowed institution open to him.
 
FILE - James Earl Jones poses with his honorary Oscar at the 84th Academy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012, in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles. Jones, who overcame racial prejudice and a severe stutter to become a celebrated icon of stage and screen has died at age 93, Monday, Sept. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson, File)
James Earl Jones, acclaimed actor and voice of Darth Vader, dies at 93
James Earl Jones, who overcame racial prejudice and a severe stutter to become a celebrated icon of stage and screen has died. He was 93. His agent, Barry McPherson, confirmed Jones died Monday morning at home.
 
This combination of photos show Norah Jones, Questlove, Jerry Seinfeld and Bruce Springsteen, who will participate at the annual Stand Up for Heroes fundraiser on Nov. 11 at David Geffen Hall at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York. (AP Photo)
Veterans’ fundraiser draws Bruce Springsteen, Jerry Seinfeld, Questlove and Norah Jones
Jerry Seinfeld, Bruce Springsteen, Jim Gaffigan, Norah Jones, Questlove and the ever-present Jon Stewart will stand up later this year at the annual Stand Up for Heroes fundraiser.
 
This image released by Netflix shows Don Johnson as Chief Sandy Burnne, left, and Aaron Pierre as Terry Richmond in a scene from "Rebel Ridge." (Allyson Riggs/Netflix via AP)
Movie Review: Netflix’s tight, taut and tension-filled ‘Rebel Ridge’ is a first-rate drama
“Rebel Ridge” writer-director Jeremy Saulnier both honors and has fun with movie conventions on his way to making one of the best things on Netflix.
 
★★★★
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