AP entertainment news in brief

Michael Ian Black is writing a book on masculinity

NEW YORK — Michael Ian Black’s next book will have some advice for his fellow men.

The multitalented comedian and writer’s “A Better Man” is scheduled to come out in the fall of 2019, Algonquin Books told The Associated Press on Tuesday. The book will be an open letter to his teenage son that calls for “rethinking masculinity” and how to love and be loved.

Black’s credits range from “The Jim Gaffigan Show” to such books as the memoir “You’re Not Doing It Right.”

Judge denies rapper Meek Mill’s request for new trial

PHILADELPHIA — A Philadelphia judge has denied Meek Mill’s petition for a new trial in his decade-old drug and gun convictions despite support for the request by the district attorney’s office.

The rapper’s attorneys cited credibility issues with a police officer who testified in his case. District Attorney Larry Krasner’s office agreed to the new trial, saying it had no confidence in the officer’s testimony.

Judge Genece Brinkley said in an opinion Monday that Mill had not met his burden of proof in questioning the officer’s credibility.

A different Philadelphia judge has granted new trials in at least three other cases involving the officer’s testimony.