Reuters Entertainment News Summary
Following is a summary of current entertainment news briefs.
Trump sees media bias in handling of 'Roseanne' cancellation
U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday suggested an executive behind ABC's cancellation of sitcom "Roseanne" was biased while the White House said it did not defend comedian Roseanne Barr's racist tweet that sparked the decision. Barr sparked widespread anger with a tweet on Tuesday comparing black former Obama administration adviser Valerie Jarrett to an ape. Barr wrote in a now-deleted message that if the Islamist political movement "muslim brotherhood & planet of the apes had a baby = vj."
Film producer Weinstein indicted for rape: New York prosecutor
Movie producer Harvey Weinstein was indicted on Wednesday on charges of rape and a criminal sexual act, Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance said, the first case to emerge from a slew of sexual misconduct allegations against him. "This indictment brings the defendant another step closer to accountability for the crimes of violence with which he is now charged," Vance said in a statement on the charges against the disgraced 66-year-old co-founder of the Miramax film studio and the Weinstein Co.
ABC loses prime TV showcase with 'Roseanne' cancellation
Walt Disney Co's decision to cancel "Roseanne" leaves ABC without its most-watched primetime program and an important platform for the television network to promote the rest of its lineup in a highly competitive battle for viewers. ABC ended its revival of 1990s hit "Roseanne" on Tuesday hours after star and creator Roseanne Barr posted a tweet that compared former Obama administration official Valerie Jarrett, who is black, to an ape.
Weinstein's lawyer concerned about publicity, 'pressure' on prosecutors
The lawyer defending movie mogul Harvey Weinstein against rape charges said Tuesday he was concerned that publicity surrounding the case and "inappropriate pressure" on prosecutors could be unfair to his client. The lawyer, Benjamin Brafman, spoke to reporters after a closed-door proceeding before New York Supreme Court Justice James Burke in Manhattan, which he said he had requested to raise his concerns about the case. Brafman said he expected Weinstein would be exonerated of the charges, which he called "absurd."
Michael Jackson's estate sues ABC for copyright infringement
Michael Jackson's estate sued ABC on Wednesday, arguing that a special the network aired last week about the pop singer's final days used his songs and music videos without permission. The copyright infringement lawsuit, which also names ABC's corporate parent Walt Disney Co as a defendant, was filed in Los Angeles federal court and took aim at "The Last Days of Michael Jackson," a two-hour show broadcast on May 24.
Paddington Bear heads to St Paul's in late author's last work
Dressed in his red hat and blue duffle coat, Paddington Bear heads to London's St Paul's cathedral in late creator Michael Bond's last book about the much-loved children's character. The author was working on "Paddington at St Paul's" before his death last year at the age of 91.