Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Harry, Meghan sign production deal
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have a new home: Netflix.
Six months after detangling their work lives from the British royal family, Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, have signed a multiyear deal to produce nature series, documentaries and children’s programming for the streamer, according to a statement Wednesday.
The two, who recently relocated to Santa Barbara, California, plan to focus on stories and issues that elevate diverse voices and other issues close to their hearts. Several projects are already in development, including a nature docuseries and a series focused on women who inspire.
“Our lives, both independent of each other and as a couple, have allowed us to understand the power of the human spirit: of courage, resilience and the need for connection,” the pair said in the statement. “Through our work with diverse communities and their environments, to shining a light on people and causes around the world, our focus will be on creating content that informs but also gives hope.”
The couple also pledged to promote diversity behind the camera as their production company gets off the ground. Meghan has said she will not return to acting. The prince worked closely with the filmmakers of the recently released Netflix documentary “Rising Phoenix,” in which he also appears.
Baskin to join ‘Dancing With the Stars’:
Carole Baskin, the reality TV star who became a pop culture sensation with Netflix’s docuseries “Tiger King,” is joining the new crop of celebrity dancers on “Dancing With the Stars,” which includes TV and film actress Anne Heche, former NBA star Charles Oakley and Backstreet Boys singer AJ McLean.
The new season premieres on ABC on Sept. 14.
Others slated to appear on the dancing show are cheer team coach Monica Aldama, “Bachelorette” star Kaitlyn Bristowe, NFL star Vernon Davis, actress Skai Jackson, actress Justina Machado, TV host Jeannie Mai, Jesse Metcalfe, rapper Nelly, TV host Nev Schulman, real estate agent Chrishell Stause and Olympian Johnny Weir.
Byrne regrets blackface, brownface skit:
Former Talking Heads frontman David Byrne has apologized for wearing brownface and blackface in a 1980s comedy skit.
The 68-year-old musician took to Twitter on Tuesday to issue the apology after a journalist pointed out Byrne’s participation in the racist sketch to promote the band’s 1985 concert film, “Stop Making Sense.” In it, he appears as a number of reporters, some of whom were people of color, while interviewing himself.
“I’d just about forgotten about this skit, and I’m grateful that it has been brought to my attention,” Byrne wrote. “To watch myself in the various characters, including black and brown face, I acknowledge it was a major mistake in judgment that showed a lack of real understanding. It’s like looking in a mirror and seeing someone else — you’re not, or were not, the person you thought you were.”
Sept. 3 birthdays: Actor Pauline Collins is 80. Singer-guitarist Al Jardine is 78. Drummer Donald Brewer is 72. Actor Steve Schirripa is 63. Actor Charlie Sheen is 55. Singer Jennifer Paige is 47. Musician Redfoo is 45. Actor Ashley Jones is 44. Actor Nick Wechsler is 42. Actor Garrett Hedlund is 36. Singer August Alsina is 28.