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| Valentina joins 'Rocky Horror Show' on Broadway | RuPaul's Drag Race and Rent: Live star Valentina is taking over the role of Columbia in Broadway's Rocky Horror Show Tuesday. Michaela Jae Rodriguez previously played the character in the Tony-nominated musical revival. The ensemble also stars Rachel Dratch, Andrew Durand, Luke Evans, Amber Gray, Harvey Guilln, Stephanie Hsu, Josh Rivera, Sherie Rene Scott, Rene Albulario, Boy Radio, Caleb Quezon, Andres Quintero, Larkin Reilly, Paul Soileau and John Yi. The producers of the show describe it as the story of "two squeaky clean college kids -- Brad and his fiance, Janet -- on their way to visit their former college professor when by a twist of fate, their car breaks down outside a mansion. They meet the charismatic Dr. |
| Ryan Hurst to be re-cast in 'God of War' adaptation | Sons of Anarchy and The Walking Dead alum Ryan Hurst has suffered a serious bicep injury and his starring role of Kratos in Prime Video's God of War adaptation will be re-cast. The news was reported this week by Deadline, The Hollywood Reporter and People.com. The actor, who has been filming the show in Vancouver since February, was injured doing a stunt in late June after putting on 40 pounds of muscle for the job. He is now recovering from surgery to repair his torn bicep and production on the video-game adaptation has been suspended while the streaming service figures out what to do next. Filming is expected to resume in October. |
| Madonna's 'Confessions II' tops U.S. album chart | Pop music icon Madonna's Confessions II is the No. 1 album in the United States this week. Coming in at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 chart dated Saturday is Olivia Rodrigo's You Seem Pretty Sad For a Girl So in Love, followed by Ella Langley's Dandelion at No. 3, Morgan Wallen's I'm the Problem at No. 4 and Drake's Iceman at No. 5. Rounding out the top tier are Noah Kahan's The Great Divide at No. 6, Ken Carson's xperiment at No. 7, Michael Jackson's Thriller at No. 8, Sienna Spiro's Visitor at No. 9 and Toby Keith's 35 Biggest Hits at No. 10. |
| Chloe Fineman leaves 'SNL' after seven seasons | Chloe Fineman announced on Instagram this week that she is leaving the sketch-comedy series, Saturday Night Live, after seven seasons. "After 7 wonderful seasons at SNL I have decided it's time for my next chapter. It's cliche to say this but working at SNL has been the greatest privilege of my life. I still can't really believe I got to be a part of it. I fell in love with the place the second I walked through the door," Fineman, 37, wrote in her post. "Lorne (if you're reading this on your burner account) I want you to know that I am forever in your debt," she added, addressing the show's executive producer Lorne Michaels directly. |
| Famous birthdays for July 18: Elsa Pataky, Vin Diesel | Those born on this date are under the sign of Cancer. They include: -- Titanic survivor Margaret Brown "The Unsinkable Molly Brown" in 1867 -- Comedian Red Skelton in 1913 -- South African leader/Nobel Peace Price laureate Nelson Mandela in 1918 -- Astronaut/Sen. John Glenn in 1921 -- World Figure Skating Hall of Fame member Dick Button in 1929 -- Writer Hunter S. |