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SCNN’S CHRIS CUOMO HAS CORONAVIRUS
NEW YORK (AP) — CNN's Chris Cuomo has announced that he has tested positive for the coronavirus. The prime-time host is one of the most visible media figures to come down with the disease, since he has a show on each weeknight on the news network. Cuomo said he's experienced chills, fever and shortness of breath. He promised to continue doing his show while in quarantine in the basement of his home, which he did Monday night. His older brother, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, has been one of the most visible political figures in the pandemic and was on his brother's show via remote link Monday.
SONY PULLS PLUG ON SUMMER RELEASES
NEW YORK (AP) — Who knows for sure when the coronavirus outbreak will end — or at least slow down? But when it comes to movies, another major studio is hinting that Hollywood won’t return to normal this summer. Sony Pictures says it is pushing back two of its big summer releases until next year. Going into mothballs for now are “Ghostbusters: Afterlife” and the Marvel movie “Morbius.” Other studios have already tweaked their release schedule, as the nation’s movie screens remain dark as the pandemic spreads.
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116269-v-396:00-(Oscar Wells Gabriel, AP entertainment correspondent)-"I'm Oscar Wells Gabriel"-'Ghostbusters,' 'Morbius' postponed to 2021 due to virus (31 Mar 2020)
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MATTHEW McCONAUGHEY’S STAY-AT-HOME PSA
NEW YORK (AP) — Matthew McConaughey says the fight against COVID-19 is like a war. And he says the best way to help those on the front lines — like doctors and nurses — is to stay home. The Oscar-winning is out with a new public service announcement urging people to heed government orders to self-isolate to prevent further spread of the coronavirus. It’s a switch from ads he’s best known for doing: urging people to hit the open road in Lincoln vehicles.
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116271-c-241:68-(Oscar Wells Gabriel, AP entertainment correspondent)-"against COVID 19"-'Ghostbusters,' 'Morbius' postponed to 2021 due to virus (31 Mar 2020)
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CORONAVIRUS - JOHN PRINE
NEW YORK (AP) — There’s some encouraging news about a celebrity who has coronavirus. His wife says musician John Prine’s condition has stabilized after he was put on a ventilator. That’s a step up from a report from his family over the weekend that Prine was critically ill from COVID-19. Fiona Whelan Prine urges her husband’s fans to continue to send their “amazing love and prayers.” She also asks them to “sing his songs” — and be sure to “stay home and wash hands.” For those unfamiliar with Prine, the 73-year-old artist is considered one of the most influential musicians in the folk and country genres.
PLACIDO DOMINGO - CORONAVIRUS
MEXICO CITY (AP) — Placido Domingo says his health is better after being treated for the novel coronavirus. The opera star says he’s at home and resting comfortably. The 79-year-old tenor didn’t directly confirm reports that he was hospitalized in Mexico after being exposed to the virus. But he does say he was under “medical supervision” after coming down with a fever and cough, two of the most common symptoms of the virus that has triggered a pandemic.
CORONAVIRUS CONCERT RAISES MILLIONS
UNDATED (AP) — The benefit concert led by Elton John that featured Billie Eilish, Mariah Carey and Alicia Keys on Sunday has raised nearly $8 million to battle the coronavirus. The musicians performed from their homes for the hourlong event that aired on Fox and iHeartMedia radio stations. The money will go to Feeding America and First Responders Children’s Foundation. Other performers included Tim McGraw, H.E.R. and Sam Smith, who sang “How Do You Sleep” in a cappella form. Dave Grohl sang “My Hero” from his studio in Hawaii, Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong strummed his guitar to “Boulevard of Broken Dreams,” while Camila Cabello sang “My Oh My” from Miami with a guitar assist from beau Shawn Mendes. The event took place during the time slot that was to belong to the iHeartRadio Music Awards.
SESAME STREET VS. CORONAVIRUS
NEW YORK (AP) — When it comes to protecting kids and their parents from COVID-19, it’s a job for Elmo, Cookie Monster and Rooster. The Sesame Street Muppets and their human helpers have done a series of public service ads to help kids deal handle the outbreak. The PSA’s urge kids to cover their coughs and sneezes — and wash their hands thoroughly and regularly.
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Online:
Sesame Street caring initiative site: https://www.sesamestreet.org/caring
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116124-r-38:64-(Sound of public service announcement from Sesame Street characters: "Wash Hands Now")-"wash hands now"-Sesame Workshop enlists Elmo, Cookie Monster on hand washing (30 Mar 2020)
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116123-r-299:04-(Sound of public service announcement from Sesame Street characters: "Washy Hands")-"((sound fades))"-Sesame Workshop enlists Elmo, Cookie Monster on hand washing (30 Mar 2020)
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NIPSEY HUSTLE REMEMBERED YEAR AFTER HIS SHOOTING DEATH
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Sad, but true: many times a celebrity’s star burns even brighter after their death. A year ago today, rapper Nipsey Hussle was shot to death in Los Angeles. At the time, he wasn’t as popular to mainstream audiences as other rappers. But since his death his legacy has grown, not faded. He won two Grammys in January. Murals in tribute to him have gone up throughout L.A. And his death even prompted some rival gangs to get together to discuss making peace.
FLORIDA SHERIFF LOOKS FOR TIPS IN ‘TIGER KING’ MYSTERY
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — It might be the biggest diversion from the pandemic: binge-watching a recently released and luridly fascinating “Tiger King,” a Netflix documentary about rival big cat wranglers. Now a Florida sheriff is asking the public for tips regarding one of the lingering mysteries raised in the show: What happened to Jack “Don” Lewis, the husband of Big Cat Rescue's Carole Baskin? Lewis went missing in 1997, and speculation about his fate is running rampant among viewers. Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister is seeking tips, hoping to take advantage of all the attention. Big Cat Rescue says it, too, hopes for fresh clues.
WHITE HOUSE REPORTERS SEEK APOLOGY FROM SEN. MARCO RUBIO
NEW YORK (AP) — Put up — or shut up. That, in effect, is what the head of the White House Correspondents' Association has told Florida senator Marco Rubio to do. ABC News reporter Jonathan Karl says he wants Rubio to publicly name any reporter who “can’t contain their delight” about Americans getting coronavirus. Rubio recently tweeted some in the news media are happy to see COVID-19 spread here. Karl calls the claim outrageous, wrong and hurtful — and demands an apology. Karl notes some journalists have died from coronavirus, while others have had to be treated after being exposed to COVID-19.
SIRIUSXM HOPES FEMALE COMEDIANS WILL BRING LAUGHS AMID CORONAVIRUS
NEW YORK (AP) — SiriusXM is launching a new channel featuring female comedians. The timing may seem odd, but company executives feel that people stuck at home and scared about their health need a laugh right now. Sirius says listenership for the satellite radio company's eight existing comedy channels has been up sharply this year. The new channel called She's So Funny will feature recorded routines from historical figures like Moms Mabley and Joan Rivers, as well as emerging talent Rachel Feinstein and Jo Firestone. The laughs will start on the morning of April Fool's Day. Comic Kathleen Madigan says the new channel could give important exposure to many comedians.
by Oscar Wells Gabriel II
Follow Oscar Wells Gabriel II on Twitter at https://twitter.com/OWGabriel2
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