Entertainment
‘Weird Al’ Yankovic: Tiny Desk Concert
For “Weird Al” Yankovic — pop parodist, comedy lifer, occasional movie and TV star, and improver of countless adolescences — coming up with a fresh set of songs for the Tiny Desk was never going to be an issue. The singer and should-be Rock and Roll Hall of Famer has a massive arsenal of parodies, pastiches and originals at his disposal. And the band he’s brought to the Tiny Desk has grown from the lean, unplugged configuration that graced our stage in 2010 to a high-spirited and electrified crowd of players.
Yankovic focused on originals the first time around, but for this show he brought parodies of Don McLean’s “American Pie” (“The Saga Begins,” from 1999’s Running with Scissors) and Backstreet Boys’ “I Want It That Way” (“eBay,” from 2003’s Poodle Hat), as well as the Weezer pastiche “Skipper Dan,” from 2011’s Alpocalypse. And, for fans of the breathtakingly factual 2022 biopic Weird: The Al Yankovic Story, he performs the film’s Emmy-losing closing-credits blues-rock jam “Now You Know.”
We only get so many gifts in this life, so let’s set an intention here and now to return “Weird Al” Yankovic to the Tiny Desk in the summer of 2042. But if he’s gonna come back and see us (or whoever’s buried us and moved on) at a sprightly 82, we’ll have to ask him to bring a string section, just to keep things fresh.
SET LIST
“Skipper Dan”
“eBay”
“Now You Know”
“The Saga Begins”
MUSICIANS
Al Yankovic: vocals, keys
Jim “Kimo” West: guitar, background vocals
Steve Jay: bass, background vocals
Jon “Burmuda” Schwartz: drums
Chad Thomas: keys
Payton Rose Velligan: guitar, background vocals
Monique Donnelly: tambourine, background vocals
Scheila Gonzalez: alto sax, baritone sax, background vocals
Probyn Gregory: trumpet, background vocals
TINY DESK TEAM
Entertainment
Director confirms ‘National Treasure 3’ with Nic Cage is ‘finally real’ at Philly’s ‘National Treasure’ Weekend
The director Jon Turteltaub brought a hidden treasure to Philadelphia’s National Treasure Weekend. It’s the third film in the franchise of historical treasure hunting movies starring Nicolas Cage.
Turteltaub told Aubrey Paris, Emily Black and the hosts of National Treasure Hunt Podcast, that “it is happening”, during the taping at Philadelphia Visitor Center on Friday evening.
The crowd initially reacted with shock, thinking that Turteltaub was about to tell them to steal the Declaration of Independence. But after the director revealed they were the “first people to whom I had said it out loud,” the fans erupted in applause.
Turtletaub said to Paris and Black, “I’ve never told you anything about me before. But I think that now is the time for it.” It’s real now. It’s Hollywood Real, which means that anything could happen. Nic is hit by a car, but there is no National Treasure 3 National Treasure 3 is probably going to be made if I’m hit by a car. “Welcome to Hollywood.”
Turteltaub, who directed Cool Runnings and While You Were Sleeping as well as The Meg, said that Disney and he liked the script and, “to what extent we could, everyone is back”, including Cage, in National Treasure’s cast.
In 2004, the first movie in the series was released. Several iconic scenes in Philadelphia were shot. This city, which is notorious for its hard-to-please citizens, has come to love the film.
After the discussion, hundreds of people attended a screening of National Treasure for free on Independence Mall. This was one of many events held over the course of three days to celebrate the film. Paris and Black’s sold-out visit to filming sites around Philadelphia, and the screening of National Treasure: Book of Secrets from 2007, were also scheduled for this weekend.
Turteltaub said that the political climate in the United States is one reason it took nearly 20 years to produce another chapter of this saga. He recounted a tale about how former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy called him from nowhere to request a screening of National Treasure in private for Congress.
He, along with others, was surprised that Democrats produced that film because Democrats cannot be patriots. Turteltaub stated that this was the thinking and it only got worse. On the Democrats side, “Oh, Republicans just want to hide things, hate everyone, want to kill everybody and blah, blah, blah.”
Turteltaub stated that because people read political into everything on the internet and are quick to take sides, the third movie will address this.
He said, “I don’t think we can ignore this.” I think that we need to incorporate this idea into the story in a way without offending anyone.
Turteltaub didn’t say if the third film will include scenes from Philadelphia or any other details of the plot.
Entertainment
’90 Day Fiancé’ Thais Ramone Fires Back at Patrick Mendes’ Cheating Allegations
Thais Ramone, star of “90 Day Fiance”, has responded to estranged Patrick Mendes recent court claims. Her lawyer says a motion that contained inaccurate allegations regarding alleged marital infidelity is being pulled.
Carmen Marisol tells TMZ that Patrick’s attorney has admitted to the fact that these statements were “inadvertently” included. Both sides have agreed to the motion being thrown out, Carmen Marisol says.
This development came one day after TMZ revealed that Patrick had claimed to have discovered in court documents Thais’ affair sometime around April 20,26. He also claimed she demanded he left their marriage home.
The Thais attorney said that the couple had appeared before a court on Friday, and they both agreed to use Family Mediation Center Services in order to resolve their dispute.
In response, the parties agreed to cancel Friday’s hearing.
Patrick had initially requested sole physical and legal custody of his 3-year-old child, Aleesi. He later asked for joint custody.
Dominique Enchinton is Thais’ manager and tells TMZ that Thais remains focused on her child, with no desire to publicly battle over family issues.
Dominique says, Thais will not allow defamatory or false statements to remain unanswered… and she could pursue legal action if the inaccurate or defamatory allegations about her are continued to be made public.
Thais, as we previously reported was arrested in the early part of this year after a dispute between her and Patrick. The police bodycam video showed Thais being arrested.
Entertainment
Hayden Panettiere’s Boyfriend Gave Her Narcan Before Death, Brother Says
Hayden Panettiere’s brother revealed Brian Hickerson gave Narcan to Panettiere after they found both unconscious in a South Carolina house on Sunday.
Zach Hickerson, a former boyfriend of Panettiere, wrote to TMZ Friday. He gave the publication a detailed description of the event that occurred the day the Heroes and Nashville star was discovered unresponsive at the Greenville Airbnb, South Carolina. The couple, who had been dating on-and-off, just got there. Brian Hickerson has dated Panettiere intermittently since 2018. He was arrested for domestic violence several times over the years and pleaded not guilty to two felony assault charges against Panettiere.
The Greenville Police Department’s heavily redacted report on the incident, released last week, reveals the reaction of Panettiere and her brothers to the death. Brian Hickerson, who was present when first responders failed to revive Panettiere and showed him a medication bag that he claimed she took, became extremely emotional.
Zach Hickerson contacted TMZ in order to clear up the record of what he went through on Sunday. This will allow him to “mourn” without the additional chaos and confusion created by media and the public.
In a statement published by TMZ on Friday, he stated that “there are a number of speculations, assumptions and accusations” currently circulating. The truth will be revealed as soon as authorities release more details about the investigation. It is crucial because those who loved Hayden and worshipped him deserve to know the truth.
Zach told us that he had attended church on Sunday and exchanged text messages on the way. They planned to have lunch together and then play indoor golf afterward. He called Panettiere, and sent a text to his brother as soon as he got out of church. He assumed that they were still asleep and drove to Greenville where Panettiere’s grandmother lives. He claimed he didn’t have the code for the door and couldn’t enter.
He said that a loud knock at the door had roused his brother. Brian and Panettiere were both asleep on the couch fold-out in the living room of the townhouse.
He recalled, “We realized that Hayden was unconscious when we tried to awaken her for lunch.” I immediately dialed 911, and Brian administered Narcan. While 911 was playing, we performed CPR together until Fire and EMS arrived. “At that time, we watched them try every possible measure to save her.”
Narcan was found at the scene, as was a bottle of Narcan. First responders were reported to have discussed “overdose” with Panettiere. The younger brother of her boyfriend’s long-time abuser confirmed that she was possibly the victim of an overdose.
Zach Hickerson has expressed his grief over the death of Panettiere.
Entertainment
Tupac Jurors See Keffe D’s First Public Interview About Killing
The jury watched portions of the BET documentary on Friday, in which Duane “Keffe D” Davis recalled his account in 2008 in an interview with police about how rap icon Tupac was shot in 1996.
Davis, according to prosecutors, was able to clear his name of any protections he had received from the interview. This helped him be charged with murder in Las Vegas.
Davis, in an excerpt from the 2018 documentary series played at court, said: “I am coming out to tell my story now because I have cancer.” I have nothing to lose. “All I want to know is the truth.”
Davis told the camera he and his nephew Orlando “Baby Lane’ Anderson were riding in his white Cadillac when they saw Shakur, in his black BMW, interacting with people “like he had been in a street parade.” They then made a U turn to get up with Knight, who was driving Death Row Records.
Davis stated in the video that featured an actor portraying Shakur standing through the BMW sunroof. Davis responded, “I’m going to keep that for the code on the streets.” When asked who shot Shakur. “It just came out of the back, bro.”
Davis told jurors that in his interview with the police from 2008, he had given a Glock.40 caliber loaded to the rear seat because he did not have a good shot. He claimed that Anderson had grabbed the gun and shot it.
Video footage from BET’s six-part docuseries Death Row Chronicles shown on Friday could be significant, as it gave jurors an accurate retelling the story Davis told to LAPD officers and members of the federal task force during the interview they had in his attorney’s Los Angeles County office, Dec. 18, 2008. Davis claims he told a lie during the meeting in order to get leverage when facing potential prison time for drug-related charges. He claimed he told the story fabricated in BET’s interview as entertainment because he had been paid.
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In the interview of 2008, LAPD Detective Det. Greg Kading said to Davis that “nothing you say will be used against your.” However, the offer session was not a blanket immunity. Davis agreed to not use his statements in the “queen-for-aday” meeting against him. However, they were still allowed to pursue charges using evidence they had independently obtained.
The prosecution now claims that Davis violated the contract by appearing in BET’s series, Compton Street Legend and by publishing his memoir wherein he publicly repeated the key details of the story. The prosecutors were granted permission to show the 2008 interview to jurors. They argued that it could be used to confirm Davis’s statements.
Mario Diaz who directed the documentary testified on Friday that he gave Davis at least one cheque for his involvement. Davis was paid “anywhere between $10,000 and $20,000”, but Diaz wasn’t certain. Diaz, Davis’ lawyer during the cross-examination of Diaz, said that it is possible Davis received $5,000 in installments. Davis was shook his head at this stage in court.
After Diaz had left, the prosecutors played an interview Davis conducted in 2009 with a Las Vegas Detective, while one LAPD detective from 2008 was also present. Davis described again riding with Anderson and three other men in a vehicle when they saw Knight and Shakur driving the BMW.
Davis stated that Anderson had become angry, and thought his arm was broken after Shakur’s entourage assaulted him at the MGM Grand the previous night. Prosecutors claim that the beating was a result of a dispute between gangs over a Death Row Records medallion and chain that had been allegedly taken during a confrontation in a mall involving members of Davis’ and Anderson’s South Side Compton Crips, and Mob Piru Bloods members affiliated with Knight. The Las Vegas shooting, according to the prosecutors was an “act of revenge” as part of a cycle of retaliation.
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Davis informed the detectives after the incident that his group had parked behind the Carriage House Hotel and left the firearm on the front passenger tire. Anderson, he claimed, then vanished for around 20 minutes.
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Davis explained, “He claimed he peed on his hands…to get rid of the gunpowder.” He called it “street stuff”.
Davis has not pleaded guilty to a single count of murder of using a deadly weapons and has been in jail since September 2023. He could face life without parole if convicted.
Entertainment
Mama June’s Daughter Pumpkin Says Her OnlyFans Got Her Kid Rejected From School
Pumpkin, Mama June’s child says that her X-rated social media presence has cost her a place at a private school. She told TMZ that the school canceled the acceptance of the student after learning about her posts.
Pumpkin told TMZ… that she reached out to Georgia School about a month and a quarter ago. She said the staff were initially “super nice” and communicated throughout the entire process.
Pumpkin claims she got an email Friday asking her to attend a school meeting.
Pumpkin claims that she arrived with Ella but was instructed to leave her behind. She claims that once inside the meeting, a staff member informed her of their knowledge about her social media activity and how it didn’t align with school values.
Pumpkin claims that the school informed her they were withdrawing Ella’s acceptance, and refunding her money.
Pumpkin says she did not stay to argue. “I stood up and said, well now that I’ve seen how judgy you are, I don’t think my child needs to be there anyway.” And I left.
She claims that she has visited the school before and no one raised any concerns regarding her OnlyFans content or social media.
Pumpkin says… “Never was this ever discussed. It’s up to them. Everyone has the right to 100% of their opinions. They could have made it clear to us before the process began that they would not allow her in.”
Pumpkin, as we reported previously on “TMZ Podcast”, revealed that OnlyFans was paying big dividends for her. She made anywhere between $14K to $15K on a single platform day.
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