Russell Brand's convictions renew spotlight on media — and a culture — that may have looked away

LONDON (AP) — Russell Brand's convictions this week for rape and sexual assault have renewed scrutiny on the BBC and other media employers that may have looked the other way. Brand, who gained fame while cultivating an outrageous persona, was convicted Thursday on multiple charges involving several women. The BBC has apologized for a culture that allowed his behavior to go unchecked. An internal probe followed a joint investigation by The Times and Channel 4, which aired accusations from women who said they were abused by Brand. Analysts argue that Brand's raunchy image acted as a shield, allowing his excesses to be overlooked by employers and the public, too.

Writer Nick Harkaway expands his father John le Carré's spyverse in new thriller 'The Taper Man'

LONDON (AP) — Fictional spymaster George Smiley is back in "The Taper Man," a new thriller set in the world of John le Carré and written by his son, Nick Harkaway. The novel follows Smiley to the U.S. in 1965, chasing a Soviet agent. Harkaway says writing a Cold War story in 2026 feels like “writing in the mirror” due to modern parallels. The book, published Nov. 17 in the U.S., is Harkaway’s second le Carré novel since his father’s death in 2020. Harkaway, who grew up with his father's stories, captures the le Carré spirit, blending espionage with office politics. He plans to write at least one more Smiley book and says other writers may be invited to expand the universe.

Meghan's estranged father arrested and charged with possessing child sexual abuse materials

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Thomas Markle, the 82-year-old father of Prince Harry’s wife Meghan, has been arrested by federal agents in Florida and charged with possessing child sexual abuse material in California. Thomas Markle was released after a court appearance in Tampa. Authorities say a search of storage units in the Los Angeles area turned up dozens of items. There was no immediate comment from his lawyer. Meghan Markle had recently said she's “deeply distressed” about allegations that a collection of child sexual abuse images were found at her father’s former home in the Philippines.

25 years after 'Britney,' 5 new Britney Spears songs showcase a pop icon at a transformative moment

NEW YORK (AP) — Britney Spears' 2001 self-titled album ‘Britney' marked a pivotal moment in her career. At 19, she was already a global icon, transitioning from teen pop to a more mature sound. The album, certified quadruple platinum, showcased her evolution with hits like “I'm a Slave 4 U.” On Friday, Legacy Recordings releases the “Britney (25th Anniversary Edition).” It features five previously unreleased tracks and two new remixes. These songs add depth to her legacy, reflecting themes of autonomy and self-definition. Fans can revisit the album, exploring its impact and Spears’ journey from adolescence to adulthood.

Awkwafina digs into her culinary roots to try something a little crazy: Open a restaurant

NEW YORK (AP) — Awkwafina has taken a surprising turn in her career by diving into the culinary world. Her new Apple TV series, “Awkwafina: The Unlikely Cook,” follows her journey from a novice cook to opening her own restaurant. The show, premiering Friday, captures her learning experiences, from making stir-fry to mastering Peking duck. Awkwafina was born Nora Lum and comes from a family with a rich restaurant history. They opened the New York City eatery Lum's. Her journey reconnects her with her roots and honors her family. The series also highlights a trend of Asian Americans returning to the restaurant industry, defying their parents' expectations.

In 'Being Heumann,' Siân Heder and Ruth Madeley channel the spirit of a disability rights pioneer

NEW YORK (AP) — Siân Heder's follow-up to the best picture-winning “CODA” chronicles the disability rights pioneer Judy Heumann. Heumann died at the age of 75 in 2023 while Heder was developing the movie with her. She resolved to push on with the project to honor Heumann and try to bring some of her accessibility gains to the movie industry. Characters with disabilities remain extremely uncommon in Hollywood productions, and big-screen biopics like “Being Heumann” are even more seldom. “Being Heumann,” starring Ruth Madeley as Heumann, features the largest ensemble ever of performers with disabilities.

Oscar-winning Chilean filmmaker Sebastián Lelio dies at 52

SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) — Oscar-winning Chilean filmmaker Sebastián Lelio has died in Santiago, Chile, at 52. His family announced his death Friday on Instagram, citing health reasons but not specifying the cause. Lelio was known for his groundbreaking film “A Fantastic Woman,” which portrayed a transgender woman and won the Academy Award for best international film. It was Chile's second Oscar win. Lelio’s other works include "Gloria," "The Wonder," and “Disobedience.” He had begun filming “Poeta Chileno” in September. Born in Argentina, Lelio moved to Chile at age two and studied at the Chilean Film School.

Movie Review: In 'I Play Rocky,' a middleweight crowd-pleaser about the making of a classic

“I Play Rocky,” Peter Farrelly’s fun and featherweight tale about the making of “Rocky,” might seem like a one-two punch of pure nostalgia. It’s been almost exactly 50 years since Sylvester Stallone’s breakthrough boxing classic first arrived in theaters. You need hardly more than a few Philadelphia steps or a holler of “Adrian” to summon its still-ubiquitous cultural presence. But while “I Play Rocky” is far from lacking in memory-lane sentimentality, it’s more aimed at now than it might appear. Today’s movie industry is so corporate and risk-averse that Farrelly’s “Rocky” revival is most enjoyable as a reminder that the movies are a quixotic, even goofy undertaking, writes AP Film Writer Jake Coyle in his review.

Dolly Parton's manager moves to drop complaint accusing late singer's nephew of threatening estate

Dolly Parton’s longtime manager has moved to drop a complaint that accused the late singer’s nephew of threatening her estate and its employees. She’s Alive, the entity founded to manage and protect Parton’s estate, had secured a temporary restraining order against Bryan Seaver and his security company, Squadron Augmented Protection Services, in September. A hearing, pushed several times over the course of a month, was slated for next Tuesday. A very brief filing in a Tennessee court Thursday gives no reason why the complaint is being withdrawn.

'ER' and 'The Pitt' are similar enough for lawsuit to move forward, appeals court finds

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A California appeals court has found enough similarity between “ER” and “The Pitt” for a lawsuit by Michael Crichton's widow to proceed. The court ruled that the trial judge was correct to reject Warner Bros. Television's motion to dismiss. Both shows star Noah Wyle as an emergency room doctor and focus on the healthcare system. The lawsuit argues “The Pitt” is an unauthorized “ER” reboot. Crichton had a contract preventing any “ER” spinoffs without his consent. The court dismissed claims against Wyle and others, finding no evidence they interfered with Crichton's contract.