Entertainment
Stephen A. Smith Warns NABJ Will ‘Regret’ Giving Him Thumbs Down Award
ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith sounded off on the National Association of Black Journalists’ decision to give him the “Thumbs Down” award, noting the organization will “regret” it.
During a Monday appearance on Fox News’ “Hannity,” Smith weighed in on the snub from the NABJ, which he was given for his alleged “recurring public pattern of disparaging commentary directed at prominent Black women across politics, sports and media.”
However, Smith felt this was an inaccurate summary of his career, blasting it as “utterly ridiculous.”
“I was raised by five Black women. My mother, God rest her soul, and my four older sisters,” he told host Sean Hannity. “I have two daughters, I have 10 nieces. I don’t know what the hell they’re talking about.”
He continued: “I find it highly offensive that they would label me in this way, give me a thumbs down award specifically for disparaging Black women. I want everybody out there to know, there’s no such thing. That did not happen. That is a flat out lie.”
As Smith went on, he acknowledged that he may’ve disagreed with Jasmine Crockett, Kamala Harris and Michelle Obama in the past on certain topics or policies, but defended “that is all that I have done.”
“My point is, whether you agree or disagree, how does the word ‘disparaging’ come into play?” he sounded off. “Or to talk about me degrading, denigrating Black women? No. I have had a difference of opinion about something that they may have said and that is all. But a journalistic organization thats foundation is supposed to be based on objectivity – and most importantly uplifting African Americans within the journalism industry – well, excuse me. What have I accomplished in my career?”
Smith then highlighted his credentials, including the fact that he’s set to be inducted into the Broadcasting and Cable Hall of Fame.
Despite his apparent frustrations, Smith maintained that he was not going to let the insult get the best of him, instead vowing to be even “more intense” moving forward.
“They will regret it because I’m not going away. If anything they made me more intense. They’ve made me more adamant about my position – and the manner in which I go about doing what I do,” he said. “Nobody is going to intimidate me from being who I am, and that is a fair minded individual.”
He added: “I’m not backing up one inch. As far as I’m concerned, all they’ve done is stirred me up.”
Watch the highlights from his Fox News interview above. A representative for the NABJ did not immediately respond to TheWrap’s request for comment.
>
Entertainment
Demon Hunter Sues Netflix, AEG Over ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Trademark
Christian metal band Demon Hunter sued Netflix and AEG Presents on Tuesday, alleging trademark infringement and unfair competition over the use of the “KPop Demon Hunters” name.
In the filing, which was obtained and viewed by TheWrap, the band (via their corporation Hyde Lane) accused the companies of “jealously guard[ing] and enforc[ing] their own intellectual property rights” while “willfully disregarding the rights of others in pursuit of profits.”
“Demon Hunter [is] a well- known and celebrated metal band. Demon Hunter was formed at the turn of the century and, in the quarter-century since, it has consistently released albums, toured, and sold merchandise to a large and dedicated audience,” the Tuesday filing stated. “Unfortunately, in 2025, Netflix and Netflix Studios—despite almost certainly being aware of Demon Hunter—chose to release a movie titled ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ … [which] reached unprecedented levels of success, not only as a film on Netflix’s streaming service, but also via the ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ movie soundtrack album and merchandise.”
As the document went on, it called out Netflix’s partnership with AEG to launch the global concert tour for “KPop Demon Hunters,” which is set to hit 150 cities.
“In short, in just a year’s time, Defendants have taken step after step to move into almost complete overlap with the goods and services offered by Hyde Lane under the Demon Hunter mark,” the suit claimed. “As a result of their adoption and exploitation of the ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ brand, which is confusingly similar to senior user Hyde Lane’s established Demon Hunter mark, junior users Netflix, Netflix Studios, and AEG have created a substantial likelihood of confusion (and, indeed, actual confusion has already resulted), leading consumers to believe the parties’ goods or services are affiliated, sponsored, or otherwise connected with one another.”
Per the filing, Demon Hunter’s corporation has had to “bear the reputational and commercial consequences,” accusing the defendants of diverting consumers that Demon Hunter has built.
“Even more devastatingly, by leveraging their superior resources and reach, Defendants can, and do, eclipse Hyde Lane’s Demon Hunter marks in the marketplace and effectively misappropriate the marks’ source-identifying significance,” the lawsuit added. “Thus, Defendants’ greater size and strength overwhelms Hyde Lane’s established identity, causing consumers to perceive Hyde Lane as affiliated with, sponsored by, or derived from Defendants and denuding Hyde Lane of power over its commercial fate.”
The filing reiterated that the group had “established the mark first and invested in the goodwill associated with it for decades,” touting them as the “senior user.”
Additionally, it alleged that the group has been “forced to surrender control over its commercial identity simply because Defendants have greater resources and a larger marketplace footprint.”
In addition to trademark infringement and unfair competition, the lawsuit alleged false design origin and demanded a jury trial.
While the suit noted that they had “been damaged in an amount not yet ascertainable,” the band declared that they are seeking treble damages, exemplary damages, injunctive relief, Netflix’s profits and attorneys’ fees.
Representatives for Netflix and AEG did not immediately respond to TheWrap’s request for comment.
>
Entertainment
Rosie O’Donnell Credits ‘Oompa J. Loompa’ Trump for Her TV Comeback
Rosie O’Donnell issued a tongue-in-cheek thank you to Donald Trump for her TV comeback, joking the president brought her back like he “did with fascism and the measles.”
The comedian took aim at Trump during Tuesday’s monologue for “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” where she is serving as guest host while the eponymous host is on summer break.
“I’m so grateful to be filling in for Jimmy and to be hosting a talk show on network TV once again,” O’Donnell, who notably had her own show, “The Rosie O’Donnell Show” for six seasons between 1996 and 2002, said at the start of her monologue. “This has been, kind of, a strange experience for me, because all of a sudden I’m re-famous.”
She continued: “I’m back in the spotlight all thanks to President Oompa J. Loompa, who is watching us this evening from inside a catering cart.”
O’Donnell appeared to be referencing the time the president hid in an airport catering truck to switch planes under the radar while facing an assassination threat from Iran.
“You know, I couldn’t have done it without you, sweetie,” she went on. “You brought me back just like you did with fascism and the measles.”
While O’Donnell said “enough about him,” she did take one more shot at Trump later in her monologue, calling him “Velveeto Corleone” when sharing a Strait of Hormuz update.
“We also learned today that the United States could be acquiring some new land soon,” she said. “Velveeto Corleone was up bright and early at 7 a.m. this morning to post an image of a map listing the Strait of Hormuz as a U.S. territory, which makes literally no sense. I’ll put it this way. If the U.S. is in charge of the Strait, then I’m also straight. And let’s face it, I’m not.”
Watch O’Donnell’s full monologue above.
“Jimmy Kimmel Live!” airs weeknights at 11:35 p.m. ET on ABC.
>
Entertainment
John Irvin, ‘Hamburger Hill’ and ‘Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy’ Director, Dies at 86
John Irvin, the British director best known for his work on “Hamburger Hill” and the “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy” miniseries, died last week. He was 86.
Irvin’s death, which occurred on Aug. 11, was confirmed by the director’s producers. It’s said the filmmaker passed at his sister-in-law’s home in the U.K. A cause of death was not shared.
Irvin’s multi-decade career boasted over 30 films and three BAFTA nominations. In addition to “Hamburger Hill” and “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy,” he was known for his work on “Turtle Diary,” “A Month by the Lake,” “City of Industry,” “Ghost Story” and “Widow’s Peak.”
Yet, he is most celebrated for his realistic depiction of warfare in his Vietnam War movie, the aforementioned “Hamburger Hill,” which starred Michael Patrick Boatman, Don Cheadle, Dylan McDermott, Tim Quill, Courtney B. Vance and Steven Weber.
Irvin was born alongside his twin, David, in Newcastle upon Tyne, England’s northernmost city, on May 7, 1940. He later attended the London Film School, graduating in the late ‘50s.
He started out his career by making documentaries in the ‘60s, including a short, titled “Mafia No!,” that was about an Italian activist named Danilo Dolci. “Mafia No!” was notably nominated for a BAFTA Award for Best Short Film.
By the ‘70s, Irvin transitioned into directing for TV, where he helmed 1974’s “Possessions” and “Haunted,” as well as the pilot for “The Nearly Man.” But it was his 1979 miniseries adaptation of John le Carré’s “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy” which led to international acclaim, as the project was nominated for a BAFTA Award for Best Drama Series and a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Limited Series.
Irvin later made a name for himself in Hollywood by directing a number of pictures across genres, including the 1980 Christopher Walken-led “The Dogs of War” and the 1981 horror film “Ghost Story.”
Other notable credits included “Next of Kin,” “Robin Hood” and “Raw Deal.”
Irvin was predeceased by his wife Sophie, who passed from cancer in 1991. He is survived by their three children and his two grand children.
>
-
movies3 months agoSearch For Canadian TV Actor Stewart McLean Now Homicide Investigation
-
Fashion9 years agoThese ’90s fashion trends are making a comeback in 2017
-
Fashion9 years agoAccording to Dior Couture, this taboo fashion accessory is back
-
Fashion9 years agoModel Jocelyn Chew’s Instagram is the best vacation you’ve ever had
-
Fashion9 years agoEmily Ratajkowski channels back-to-school style
-
Fashion9 years ago9 Celebrities who have spoken out about being photoshopped
-
Fashion9 years agoYour comprehensive guide to this fall’s biggest trends
-
Fashion9 years agoA photo diary of the nightlife scene from LA To Ibiza
