Raymond Briggs, ‘The Snowman’ Creator, Dies at 88

has finally debuted on Prime Video with the first two episodes of season 1. The prequel series adapted from J.R.R.

, the Prime Video series adaptation of J.R.R Tolkien’s many writings about Middle-earth, finally debuted the first two anticipated episodes of season 1. The prequel series takes the franchise back in time by thousands of years to explore life during the Second Age, when evil has receded from view… until now. While the series picks up at a time of relative peace and prosperity, there are signs that not all is calm on the waterfront.

have finally premiered on Prime Video, kicking off season 1 of the prequel series about the Second Age of Middle-earth about a time set several thousand years before the events of and . During this era of peace and prosperity, there are subtle signs of re-emerging evil as many characters’ lives come crashing together. Among them are the lumbering giant (Daniel Weyman), who crash lands on Middle-earth via a meteor, and the Harfoot, Elanor ‘Nori’ Brandyfoot (Markella Kavenagh), who discovers him. Now that the first two episodes are streaming, both Weyman and Kavenagh address the many theories about the stranger’s true identify, including a popular one that he’s Gandalf, the wise and powerful wizard originally played by Sir Ian McKellen in Peter Jackson’s film adaptations of the novels. [: Spoilers for the first two episodes of .] While Hobbits are canon, and led J.R.R. Tolkien’s previous books, Harfoots are new to the overall franchise.

Tiffany Haddish and Aries Spears are named defendants in a lawsuit brought forward by an anonymous female plaintiff Jane Doe who claims the comedians groomed her and her brother, an anonymous male plaintiff John Doe, to perform sexual acts when they were children, but Haddish’s attorney vehemently denies the allegations.

Nicola Peltz-Beckham reportedly spent her wedding day “crying her eyes out” after a speech was made in tribute to her mother-in-law, Victoria Beckham, during the reception. But the actor, 27, wasn’t crying tears of joy, instead had allegedly stormed out of the ceremony, during which she had tied the knot with partner Brooklyn Beckham, 23.

Serena Williams teamed up for a doubles match together on Wednesday as part of the U.S. Open.

Tiffany Haddish and Aries Spears are named defendants in a lawsuit brought forward by an anonymous female plaintiff Jane Doe who claims the comedians groomed her and her brother, an anonymous male plaintiff John Doe, to perform sexual acts when they were children, but Haddish's attorney vehemently denies the allegations.According to, which first broke the news and obtained the legal documents, the female plaintiff, 22, says she and the male plaintiff, 15, were both 14 and 7, respectively, at the time of the alleged sexual abuse. The female plaintiff claims Haddish recruited her after she attended a comedy camp where the comedian was a guest speaker. According to the lawsuit, the female plaintiff claims «Haddish verbally explained what was expected of Plaintiff Jane Doe and then showed Plaintiff Jane Doe how to give fellatio, including movements, noises, moaning, and groaning.» The lawsuit further claims that Spears looked on while she was «physically, emotionally, and mentally uncomfortable» while receiving Haddish's direction.The female plaintiff told that she «tried to mimic what they wanted me to mimic, but it still came out just super uncomfortable.» She further claimed that Haddish paid her $100 before sending her home in the summer of 2013.ET has reached out to Spears for comment.In a statement to ET, Haddish's attorney, Andrew B.

There's a lesson to be learned from Kyle Capener's past week in the house: if you ever think it'd be a good idea to try to divide groups among racial lines because you don't trust Black people, you're probably the one in the wrong and you should probably just stop talking.Well, on Thursday, after planting the seeds of racial discord, Kyle was sent packing from the house in an emotional exit. By a vote of 5-0, Kyle was evicted. In his exit interview, Kyle explained, «Man, it was a very, very tough week, but honestly, I'm feeling so grateful to have this experience with all these amazing people. They shared so much love and compassion for someone as flawed as I am.

Olivia Wilde is not happy about the cuts she had to make to the trailer for new her new film, . Wilde told the Associated Press Wednesday that the Motion Pictures Association ratings board forced her to remove additional scenes from that trailer that were deemed too sexual. When the latest trailer was released in June, it included a scene in which Harry Styles’ character performs oral sex on Florence Pugh’s character on a dining room table. Wilde told the AP that she was «upset» that the MPA «came down hard» on her and the trailer «at the last second.»«There’s a lot that had to be taken out of the trailer,» Wilde told the news org.

finally debuted on Prime Video with the first two episodes of season 1. The prequel series -- adapted from the many stories of J.R.R.

Britney Spears and Kevin Federline's youngest son that's set to air Friday night on ITV News, reports that the 15-year-old tells Daphne Barak why he and his brother, 16-year-old Sean Preston, missed their mom's June wedding to Sam Asghari.«At the time it just wasn't a good time to go,» Jayden explains. «I'm not saying that I'm not happy for her.

April Love Geary showed off her long legs after tennis class in Malibu on Thursday. The social media personality, 27, wore a tiny black tank top. The skin on her chest shined with sweat. She pulled her small, white Nike visor low over her face to protect herself from the harsh California sun.  Leggy: April Love Geary showed off her long legs after tennis class in Malibu on ThursdayThe tiny pink skirt barely reached the middle of her thighs and left little of her legs to the imagination.  Geary tied her hair back in a tight ponytail behind her head, and she walked in small black sandals. She lifted the side of the skirt up, revealing her flawless skin and pink spandex shorts underneath.  Sweaty: The social media personality, 27, wore a tiny black tank top.

Madonna shared several photos of her wrist tattoo honoring her mother to Instagram on Thursday. The 64-year-old singer-songwriter added some cryptic captions to the series of pictures. In the first photo, the Material Girl singer held up her wrist showing off her ink with a large 'X' on the top with the word 'maman,' mother in French, and a broken heart underneath it.  Ink: Madonna shared several photos of her wrist tattoo honoring her mother to Instagram on ThursdayShe wrote, 'Broken hearts club' with a broken hearts emoji following the short line. The next picture showed the tattoo smeared in her blood right after the tattoo with 'We all bleed the same color' written across the top.  'All mothers get their hearts broken! [broken hearts emoji],' with the newly minted tattoo shining on her wrist. She originally showed off the tattoo to fans back in April when she first got it. The tattoo honors her mother who died when the star was just five years old.  Bloody: The next picture showed the tattoo smeared in her blood right after the tattoo with 'We all bleed the same color' written across the top Opening up: Madonna's cryptic posts came just a couple days after she opened up about her two marriages and sex life (pictured with Sean Penn in 1987) Madonna's cryptic posts came just a couple days after she opened up about her two marriages and sex life. In a new video, uploaded to her YouTube channel on Tuesday, the 64-year-old pop star had a surprisingly candid answer when asked what decision she 'looks back on' and realizes 'wasn't the best idea.' 'Get married.

Lisa Rinna showcased her jaw-droppingly svelte figure in kinky barely-there lingerie on her Instagram page this Thursday.The 59-year-old actress, who currently stars on The Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills, shot her best smoldering stare at the camera.Fans could have been forgiven for initially thinking she was naked as she struck a pinup pose in her skimpy underwear, which dripped with chains.

Earnie Shavers, considered one of boxing’s hardest punchers during his long career, died Thursday at 78. No cause was revealed in reports.

RAYMOND BRIGGS became as much part of Christmas as presents thanks to his much-loved creation The Snowman. But the brilliant illustrator, cartoonist, graphic novelist and author, who died on Tuesday aged 88, was no fan of the festive season, remarking once: “I don’t like it at all and I make a point of grumping about it.” Christmas celebrations were “so full of anxiety” for Briggs, who died on Tuesday aged 88.

Aled Jones has paid a heartfelt tribute to The Snowman creator Raymond Briggs following his death at the age of 88.Illustrator Briggs is best-known for creating the beloved, wordless children’s picture book The Snowman, which he released in 1978.Welsh singer Jones, meanwhile, rose to fame as a teenager after he sang Walking in the Air for the film adaption of Briggs’ creation.Composed by Howard Blake, Walking In The Air became the pinnacle moment of the famous film, released in 1982 and commissioned by Channel 4.The song regularly shoots up the charts each Christmas and helped make Jones a household name, with the singer now saying he owes Briggs ‘a debt of gratitude.’Speaking on his Classic FM radio show on Wednesday, Jones paid tribute to Briggs, saying: ‘What a legacy he leaves behind.‘His books have touched millions of people all around the world, and what a debt of gratitude I owe to his greatest creation of all. Thank you, Raymond.’The Masked Singer star then played the classic song in memory of the late author.The song’s composer Blake previously opened up on the magic of Walking In The Air in an interview with Metro.co.uk, where he explained he had written the song months earlier but didn’t know what to do with it.But as soon as he saw the hand-drawn images of the little boy and the Snowman, he knew: ‘That’s where that tune belongs’.‘It was a match made in heaven,’ the musician said.

Beloved author and illustrator Raymond Briggs has tragically passed away at the age of 88.

Raymond Briggs, who created the original picture book that became beloved Academy Award-nominated short The Snowman, has died aged 88.

Raymond's work is always remembered on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in the UK, as The Snowman has become a TV accompaniment to the special day in many households.His creation was considered to have fitted perfectly with the Howard Blake soundtrack, featuring the iconic track 'Walking In The Air'.Meanwhile, the statement from his family gave an insight into the heartwarming family atmosphere the author had experienced throughout his life.It revealed: "He lived a rich and full life and said he felt lucky to have had both his wife Jean, and his partner of over 40 years Liz in his life."The statement continued: "He shared his love of nature with Liz on South Downs Walks and on family holidays to Scotland and Wales."He also shared his sense of fun and craziness with his family, and with his family of artist friends - at get-togethers, fancy dress parties, and summer picnics in the garden."He was also a fan of playing practical jokes - and was a good sport when it came to being the pranked one."All of us close to him knew his irreverent humour," the statement explained.It added: "This could be biting in his work when it came to those in power."Raymond's family also confirmed that he would be "deeply missed" by his step-children and step-grandchildren, who loved him dearly.He spent the final weeks of his life in hospital, but is said to have received excellent care."His family would like to thank all of the team on Overton Ward at Royal Sussex County Hospital for their kind and thoughtful care of Raymond in his final weeks," the statement clarified.Meanwhile, Francesca Dow, the Managing Director of the children's category at Penguin Random House, also gave a fond statement.She described Raymond's books as "picture

Raymond Briggs has sadly died at the age of 88.The star is best known for his wordless children's picture book The Snowman which was first published in 1978 by Hamish Hamilton in the UK.The popular book was later published by Random House in the United States in November of the same year.A statement from Raymond's family said: "We know that Raymond's books were loved by and touched millions of people around the world, who will be sad to hear this news. Drawings from fans - especially children's drawings - inspired by his books were treasured by Raymond and pinned up on the wall of his studio.