Brian Quinn reacts to Joe Gatto's 'Impractical Jokers' abrupt exit

ISLESFORD, Maine -- Ashley Bryan, a prolific and prize-winning children’s author and illustrator who told stories of Black life, culture and folklore in such acclaimed works as “Freedom Over Me,” “Beautiful Blackbird” and “Beat the Story-Drum, Pum-Pum,” has died at age 98.Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing announced that the longtime Maine resident died “peacefully” Friday in Texas, where he had been staying with relatives.“An early, quiet, and potent force in bringing children of color and issues of racial diversity into the canon of children’s literature, he was committed to opening the eyes of children of all backgrounds to a wide range of themes through poetry, folktales, spirituals, and biblical narratives,” the publisher’s statement reads.Bryan was a Harlem native who showed an early talent for drawing and for a time was the only Black student at the art school at Cooper Union in Manhattan. He served in a segregated military unit for two years during World World II, an experience he recounted in his memoir “Infinite Hope: A Black Artist’s Journey from World War II to Peace,” and resumed his art studies after the war.Bryan worked on more than 70 books and received numerous honors, including Coretta Scott King Awards — given for the year’s best work by a Black author or illustrator — for the folktales “Beautiful Blackbird” and “Beat the Story-Drum, Pum-Pum.” He also received two lifetime achievement prizes: the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award (now known as the Children’s Literature Legacy Award) and the Virginia Hamilton award.Survivors include his brother Ernest, and “many cherished” nieces and nephews, according to Simon & Schuster.“I am deeply saddened to learn of Ashley’s passing,” Gov.

 Queen Elizabeth II was interrupted by a canine gate-crasher as she viewed mementoes from her reign ahead of the 70th anniversary of her ascension to the throne.

dogs trotted into the room at Windsor Castle. Candy — a cross between a dachshund and a corgi, known as a dorgi — lapped the room and inspected a small group of reporters on hand.“And where did you come from? I know what you want,” the queen chirped as Candy came over.The event was held two weeks ago but announced by the palace on Friday ahead of the milestone on Sunday.Elizabeth has three dogs.

Lucifer alum Tom Ellis is set as a series regular in Washington Black, the Sterling K. Brown-fronted adaptation of Esi Edugyan’s novel, which received a straight-to-series order at Hulu. Twilight Zone writer Selwyn Seyfu Hinds is adapting the limited series for 20th Television.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterApple has given a series order to the drama series “Dear Edward” from Jason Katims, Variety has learned.Based on the Ann Napolitano novel of the same name, the series will star Connie Britton (“The White Lotus,” “Dirty John”), Taylor Schilling (“Pam and Tommy,” “Orange Is the New Black”), and Colin O’Brien (“Wonka,” “Mr. Harrigan’s Place”). The role reunites Britton and Katims, who previously worked together on the series version of “Friday Night Lights.”“Dear Edward” tells the story of Edward Adler (O’Brien), a 12-year-old boy who survives a devastating commercial plane crash that kills every other passenger on the flight, including his family.

Strictly Come Dancing professional Graziano Di Prima has revealed that his first dance with fiancée Giada Lini will be the 'easiest' performance 'ever'. The 27 year old Italian choreographer, who won the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special with singer Anne-Marie in December 2021, popped the question to fellow professional dancer Giada, 32, in 2019 and the couple plan to tie the knot in Sicily on Saturday 9 July 2022.

Wilson Chapman editorPresident Joe Biden will be one of many guests for the upcoming primetime special “Celebrating Betty White: America’s Golden Girl,” NBC announced Thursday.The special, a tribute to the iconic comedic actress Betty White, will feature a taped tribute from Biden commemorating the late White, who passed away last December. NBC also announced several other stars who will appear in the special, including: Drew Barrymore, Valerie Bertinelli, Cher, Bryan Cranston, Ted Danson, Ellen DeGeneres, Jimmy Fallon, Tina Fey, Ana Gasteyer, Goldie Hawn, Vicki Lawrence, Jane Leeves, Jay Leno, Anthony Mackie, Wendie Malick, Joel McHale, Tracy Morgan, Jean Smart and Mary Steenburgen.

NBC’s Celebrating Betty White: America’s Golden Girl will honor the life of the legendary actress with the help of President Joe Biden and other celebrity guests including Drew Barrymore, Cher, Anthony Mackie, and Tracy Morgan, among others. The special will air on Jan. 31 at 10 p.m.

Manchester United defender Eric Bailly has taken to social media to respond following Ivory Coast's exit from the AFCON last night.

The original voice of character Charlie Brown in the early animated “Peanuts” specials, actor Peter Robbins, died last week at the age of 65.

Jordan Moreau Peter Robbins, who was the first person to voice Charlie Brown in several “Peanuts” TV specials in the 1960s, has died. He was 65.His family told Fox 5 San Diego on Tuesday that he died by suicide last week.At 9 years old, Robbins first voiced Charlie Brown in “A Boy Named Charlie Brown,” which was a television documentary about “Peanuts” creator Charles M.

Peter Robbins was an actor who provided the original voice of Charlie Brown in classic specials including “A Charlie Brown Christmas” and “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.”If someone you know exhibits warning signs of suicide, they should not be left alone. Call the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255. The Lifeline provides free, confidential support for people in crisis or emotional distress, 24/7 year-round.

After years of marriage troubles with Meri Brown and his split from Christine Brown in the fall of 2021, Kody Brown is now also having issues with another one of his wives, Janelle Brown. The Sister Wives star is reportedly only spending time with Robyn Brown these days, according to a report from Us Weekly. “He’s spending all his time with Robyn,” the mag’s source revealed. “The others are in their own world, living their own lives. He spent the holidays with Robyn and her kids. He didn’t even try making plans with the others.”

Peter Robbins, who voiced Charlie Brown in the classic 1960s Peanuts cartoons, has died. The former actor committed suicide last week, his family told San Diego’s Fox 5. He was 65.

according to Cinema Blend.The scrapped episodes include storylines where Gatto rubs people on a massage chair and kisses unsuspecting strangers at a mall, the entertainment website said.The episodes featuring Gatto in “compromising situations” — titled “Bull Shiatsu” and “The Dream Crusher” — have also been removed from both TruTV’s site and HBO Max, according to Paste Magazine. TruTV would not address the episode intrigue.The quiet scrubbing came around the same time Gatto announced over New Year’s weekend his exit from the popular comedy troupe and the breakup of his marriage.“I just wanted to let you all know that I will no longer be involved with ‘Impractical Jokers,’” he wrote on Instagram.“Due to some issues in my personal life, I have to step away.

Keeping things light. Joe Gatto joked about his life during his first stand-up appearance following his split from wife Bessy Gatto.

Joe Gatto and his now-estranged wife, Bessy Gatto, were each spotted on individual outings shortly after they announced their split.