Vera star says 'and that's it' as Brenda Blethyn series comes to an end and co-star quits

Jennifer Lopez’s much-anticipated new album “This Is Me… Now” — the sequel to 2002’s “This Is Me… Then,” which drops on Friday — once again revolves around her Hollywood love affair with “Gigli” co-star Ben Affleck.But just like that much-maligned romantic comedy did in 2003, Lopez’s first studio album in 10 years — since 2014’s “A.K.A.” — proves yet again that sometimes art and amor just don’t mix.First off, like most sequels, it pales compared to the original.While it was hardly Janet Jackson’s “The Velvet Rope,” Rihanna’s “Anti” or Beyoncé’s anything, “This Is Me… Then” was probably J.Lo’s most “artistic” album.Yes, it had two hit hip-pop bops in “Jenny from the Block” — which infamously featured Affleck in its video — and the lip-licking LL Cool J collab “All I Have.” But Lopez’s third studio LP also found the singer-actress digging for more emotional depth than she had shown on either 1999’s “On the 6” or 2001’s “J.Lo.”But you know what? “On the 6” and “J.Lo” were ultimately better albums because Lopez played to her strengths with booty-shaking beats — the better to hoof it up in some killer couture — rather than heart-tugging feels.And “This Is Me… Now” leans even more into J.Lover rather than J.Lo.While the first single, “Can’t Get Enough” — another hip-pop bop that samples Alton Ellis’ ’60s reggae classic “I’m Still in Love with You” while nodding to Marcia Aitken’s 1977 version of the song— would’ve been a hit 20 years ago, the rest of Lopez’s ninth studio album finds the Bronx-born diva stuck in a romantic rut.

unmasked during the third season of “The Masked Singer” following a hilarious rendition of Sir Mix-A-Lot’s “Baby Got Back,” Sarah Palin popped up on another Fox reality singing competition show.The 2008 Republican vice presidential nominee and former governor of Alaska surprised viewers when she appeared on Wednesday night’s episode of “We Are Family.” Hosted by actor and comedian Anthony Anderson and his mother, Doris Bowman, who are both fresh off of their joint appearance at the 2024 Emmys, the guessing game show features non-famous relatives of celebrities performing solo. Later in the show, they return to the stage to duet with their secret famous family member.

Glee‘s Matthew Morrison had his fill and wanted out. Then tragedy struck.

All American is returning in April for its sixth season, and there is no shortage of stories to explore after the way Season 5 ended.

Alec Mills, a camera operator on five James Bond films before becoming a cinematographer on the Timothy Dalton-starring The Living Daylights and Licence to Kill, has died at 91.

SPOILER ALERT! This post contains details from the Season 3 premiere of CBS‘ Ghosts.

Michael Cera fought when Batman couldn’t.

Turner Classic Movies (TCM) will open the 15th annual TCM Classic Film Festival on Thursday, April 18 with a 35mm screening of the classic neo-noir Pulp Fiction (1994). Two-time Academy Award nominee John Travolta will attend to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the film. 

When it comes to handbags few are quite as well publicised as Aspinal of London’s, which have been photographed on the arms of Royals like Kate Middleton and Zara Phillips and celebrities like Gigi Hadid, Holly Willoughby and Michelle Keegan. However, its bags are known for their high quality – and even higher price tag.

Dakota Johnson admitted her three Gen Z co-stars in her new film "Madame Web" make her feel old. "I love them, and they annoy me, and I love them," the 34-year-old joked to "Late Night" host Seth Myers last week. She confirmed she meant she was annoyed on a "generational level," telling Myers "all the time, every second of the day" after he asked when Sydney Sweeney, 26, Celeste O’Connor, 25, and Isabela Merced, 22, made her feel the oldest.

Are Cardi B and Offset officially back on?!

Nicola Peltz is reacting to those on social media saying she doesn’t work.

Christian Nodal and Cazzu are celebrating their first Valentine’s Day as parents. Inti, their daughter, was born last September, leaving the parents joyful and happy to be exploring a new stage in their lives.

Kelly Rowland is getting support from her Destiny’s Child sisters!

Amy Schumer is speaking out and responding to people commenting on her face.

Austin North is speaking out after being arrested in Las Vegas on Tuesday (February 13).

Sylvester Stallone has been playing Rambo since 1982, but he has an idea for the future of the iconic character.

Cillian Murphy and Matt Damon are stepping out for the premiere of their new movie!

Jonny Lee Miller is sharing some very rare comments about his ex-wife Angelina Jolie!

Naman Ramachandran India’s Sandeep Singh will direct “The Pride of Bharat – Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj,” a biopic of revered 17th century Indian ruler Shivaji Bhonsle. Singh has produced several acclaimed films including Toronto title, boxing biopic “Mary Kom” (2014), Asia Pacific Screen Awards-winning gay rights drama “Aligarh” (2015) and slum soccer film “Jhund” (2022). He made his directorial debut with ZEE5 streaming original, the transgender-themed “Safed” (2023).

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at Large SPOILER ALERT: Do not read ahead if you have not watched the Season 3 premiere of “Ghosts,” titled “The Owl,” which aired Feb. 15 on CBS. Flower, hopefully you’re finally getting to cuddle a few bears up there in the sky. Yes, you read that right: There’s one less ghost on “Ghosts,” as the characters said farewell to Flower on the Season 3 premiere of CBS’ hit comedy.