Weinstein retrial nears end as lawyers argue: sexual predator or #MeToo 'poster boy'?

NEW YORK (AP) — Closing arguments are underway at Harvey Weinstein's New York sex crimes retrial. His lawyer portrayed Weinstein Tuesday as the falsely accused “poster boy” of the #MeToo era. A prosecutor, on the other hand, said the former movie mogul preyed on less-powerful women he thought would never speak up. Closing arguments are due to conclude Wednesday. The majority-female jury is expected to start deliberations at some point in the day. Weinstein has pleaded not guilty to raping a woman in 2013 and forcing oral sex on two others, separately, in 2006.

What to know about fatal shooting of 'King of the Hill' actor Jonathan Joss as co-stars pay tribute

HOUSTON (AP) — It remains unclear what prompted the fatal shooting of Jonathan Joss. The Native American voice actor is best known for his work on the animated television series “King of the Hill.” Joss' husband has claimed the person arrested for the shooting yelled “violent homophobic slurs” before opening fire. San Antonio police have said they've found no evidence indicating the killing was related to Joss' sexual orientation. Police did not respond to multiple emails on Tuesday seeking additional information on the cause of the shooting. Friends, actors Joss worked with and fans have honored the actor’s memory with tributes and fond remembrances since his killing.

Where's Marty McFly's guitar? Search is on for 'Back to the Future' prop 4 decades later

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Marty McFly grabbed a guitar in “Back to the Future” and rocked out with the band at a 1950s high school dance, helping him narrowly avoid blinking out of existence before time-traveling back to the 1980s. The guitar wasn’t as lucky. Filmmakers went looking for the instrument while making the movie’s 1989 sequel, but it’s still nowhere to be found. Guitar maker Gibson has launched a search for the Cherry Red Gibson ES-345 from “Back to the Future.” The company is seeking the public's help finding it. The campaign comes as the movie turns 40 and as Gibson produces a new documentary about the search and the film, “Lost to the Future.”

British writer Bernardine Evaristo receives accolade for breaking literary boundaries

LONDON (AP) — British writer Bernardine Evaristo has won the Women’s Prize Outstanding Contribution Award for her “transformative impact on literature.” Evaristo was recognized for writing poetry, a memoir and seven novels. She was the first woman of African heritage to be awarded the Booker Prize, which she received for her book “Girl, Woman, Other.” She told The Associated Press she did not want to write novels with predictable paths: “I just go wherever my imagination takes me." She says she plans to spend the prize money helping other women writers.

Immersive tech reshapes music and film landscape with Bono, Metallica and 'Matrix' taking the leap

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — The future of how viewers experience music, film and live performances is happening now through immersive platforms like the Apple Vision Pro and cutting-edge venues such as the Sphere and Cosm. Some of music’s biggest names - including U2, Metallica, Megan Thee Stallion, Alicia Keys, T-Pain and the Weeknd - have had projects featured on these platforms. Even iconic film “The Matrix” along with “Submerged” have been brought into this immersive space. Bono says the technology taps into viewers senses and emotions more deeply than traditional media. Metallica's Robert Trujillo calls immersion platforms is the future for the industry.

Former celebrity lawyer Tom Girardi gets 7 years in prison for stealing millions from clients

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A federal judge sentenced disbarred celebrity lawyer Tom Girardi to seven years and three months in prison for embezzling tens of millions of dollars from his clients, including several with severe physical injuries and families of people killed in accidents. The judge also ordered the 86-year-old Girardi to pay a $35,000 fine and $2.3 million in restitution to former clients. A jury in August found him guilty of four counts of wire fraud. He could have been sentenced to up to 80 years. Girardi is the estranged husband of “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” star Erika Jayne and appeared on the show himself dozens of times.

Kara Young, already on a Broadway streak, could make Tony history with her role in 'Purpose'

NEW YORK (AP) — Kara Young’s work in the play “Purpose” has earned her a Tony Award nomination and a chance to make history. Already the first Black person to be nominated four times consecutively, if she wins, she’ll be the first Black performer to win two Tonys in a row. “Purpose,” Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’ drawing-room drama is about an accomplished Black family revealing its hypocrisy and fault lines during a snowed-in gathering. Young made her Broadway debut in 2021 in “Clyde’s,” was in “Cost of Living” the next year and co-starred opposite Leslie Odom Jr. in 2024’s “Purlie Victorious” winning a Tony.

Harrison Ford wants the Operation Smile award honoring his friend to inspire others to give more

Harrison Ford will receive an award for his philanthropy from the global surgery and training nonprofit Operation Smile. But the star of this year’s “Captain America: Brave New World" says all the attention should go to the award’s namesake – Ford’s friend, the late humanitarian and noted plastic surgeon Dr. Randy Sherman. And he hopes the award he'll receive Tuesday night will inspire others to donate more, especially in the face of foreign aid cuts that will hamper work fighting climate change.

What to watch for at the Tony Awards, Broadway's biggest night

NEW YORK (AP) — The Tony Awards this year will be held Sunday, June 8, from Radio City Music Hall in New York City. It will be broadcast live to both coasts on CBS and Paramount+. Tony, Emmy and Grammy winner Cynthia Erivo will host. There are five new musicals hoping to win: “Buena Vista Social Club,” “Dead Outlaw,” “Death Becomes Her,” “Maybe Happy Ending” and “Operation Mincemeat: A New Musical.” For new plays, it’s “English,” “The Hills of California,” “John Proctor Is the Villain,” “Oh, Mary!” and “Purpose.” Audra McDonald could possibly extend her lead as most decorated actor.

The queens of collaboration in Lucius are finding themselves again musically

NEW YORK (AP) — Singers Holly Laessig and Jess Wolfe have worked with a roster of greats in the two decades they've been together — people like Harry Styles, Brandi Carlile, Sheryl Crow, Jeff Tweedy and the Killers. They showed up for one of Joni Mitchell's “Joni Jams” and performed one of Paul McCartney's lesser-known songs for him. They played on tour in Roger Waters' band. All those collaborations bring a danger, too, that they lose themselves and their own music in other people's worlds. They self-produced and used the simple title “Lucius” for a new album, even though it's their fourth disc, and say it feels like they've come home.