Eric Garcetti’s Nomination As Ambassador To India Clears Senate Committee

The death of MGM distribution chief Erik Lomis on Wednesday has shocked many around Hollywood. More than just being a sage to filmmakers and executives about the motion picture business, Lomis was known for his generosity fundraising with the Will Rogers Institute, cultivating others’ careers, and even being a mentor to many in their personal lives.

Erik Lomis, president of theatrical distribution at MGM, has died at the age of 64 in Santa Monica on Wednesday, sources at the studio tell TheWrap. The cause of death was not immediately made known.

Rebecca Rubin Film and Media Reporter Erik Lomis, a longtime film distribution executive, died at his home in Santa Monica, Calif. He was 64. Lomis served as MGM’s head of theatrical distribution and most recently oversaw the release strategy for “Creed III,” which opened to a franchise-record $51 million.

Extremely devastating news: MGM and United Artists Releasing Distribution Boss Erik Lomis has died suddenly at his home in Santa Monica, CA, we have learned from sources. No details were provided in regards to his death. Lomis was a towering figure behind many filmmakers’ hits including those from Quentin Tarantino, Paul Thomas Anderson, Adam McKay, Sylvester Stallone, Ryan Coogler, David O. Russell, Lee Daniels, Tom Hooper to name a few and most recently Michael B. Jordan with Creed III.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at Large It’s “Country Night” on this week’s episode of “The Masked Singer,” and Variety can reveal some of the celebrities who will be revealed. Well, sort of: These aren’t the actual contestants under masks, but they are they stars who will appear to hand out special clues that provide hints to the identities of each player. Among the guest stars on Wednesday night’s episode: Country music star Deana Carter, comedian Bill Engvall and NFL star Robert Woods each deliver a special clue for Macaw, Fairy, and Axolotl (respectively). Next week, when “The Masked Singer” dives into its “80’s Night,”  Young MC busts a move with his hit “Bust a Move,” kicking off the show with a performance. Also seen on the episode are “CHiPs” actor Erik Estrada and “Dallas” star Charlene Tilton; all three guests deliver clues that evening.

Aphex Twin and Erykah Badu are heading up the line-up for this year’s Forwards Festival.The “festival for forward thinkers” will return to Bristol’s Clifton Downs from September 1-2 after making its debut last year.Bonobo, RAYE, Confidence Man, Olivia Dean, Biig Piig and Wesley Joseph are set to perform on the Friday, with Aphex Twin topping the bill. Meanwhile, the Saturday will see the likes of Primal Scream, Arlo Parks, Leftfield and Amyl and the Sniffers play.

Roger Waters from performing in Frankfurt, Germany.The former Pink Floyd member was set to perform in the city on May 28 as part of his This Is Not A Drill tour – however the show was pulled by the officials at Frankfurt City Council following accusations of anti-Semitism.Now, famous faces including Eric Clapton, Rage Against The Machine‘s Tom Morello and Pink Floyd’s own Nick Mason have rallied behind Waters, and backed a Change.org petition aiming to have the decision overturned.Brian Eno, Peter Gabriel and Soft Machine founder Robert Wyatt have also shown their solidarity, as well as actors Susan Sarandon and Julie Christie, and film director Ken Loach. Currently, the petition has more than 10,000 signatures.“Waters’ criticism of Israel’s treatment of Palestinians is part of his long-term advocacy on behalf of human rights across the globe,” reads the description alongside the petition.

Eric Garcetti’s goal to become the next U.S. ambassador to India cleared a major Senate hurdle on Wednesday, making it likely that his confirmation will be confirmed later in the afternoon.

Cynthia Littleton Business Editor AUSTIN, Texas — Patton Oswalt, Phoebe Robinson, Eric Andre, Chelsea Handler and others were in fine form on Friday night as Variety helped kick off the 2023 SXSW festival and conference with its Power of Comedy event. The kudos pay tribute to innovators in the business of being funny. Presenters and honorees who gathered at the Creek and the Cave nightclub in downtown Austin made mention of comedians facing a fraught moment as social norms and cultural attitudes are changing. Mike Lawrence, who hosted the second half of the night, noted that he had to show more identification when registering to get his SXSW conference badge than he would have to buy a gun.

Tiger Woods' ex, Erica Herman, is facing in her legal fight with the golf legend, it's another well-known ex, Rachel Uchitel, who says Herman has a serious uphill battle because she's facing off «against a machine.»Earlier this week, Herman filed the lawsuit against Woods in the Circuit Court of the 19th Judicial Circuit in Martin County, Florida, and cited the Speak Out Act as the reason the non-disclosure agreement (NDA) she signed at the start of their relationship in August 2017 should be voided, as the act protects victims of sexual assault or harassment.In the legal documents, Herman checked the box «yes» when asked «Does this case involve allegations of sexual abuse?» While she did not offer any specifics about the allegations, Herman says nullifying the NDA would bring some clarity.In her court filing, obtained by ET, Herman says she is «unsure whether she may disclose, among other things, facts giving rise to various legal claims she believes she has. She is also currently unsure what other information about her own life she may discuss or with whom.

John Hopewell Chief International Correspondent Driving ever more into Latin America, Wild Sheep Content, the L.A.-based label of former Netflix head of international original series Erik Barmack, has launched the Mexico City-based Wild Sheep Latin America as well as a dedicated film completion finance-distribution fund targeting five-to-eight investments a year in the region.  “Three Idiots” producer Jimena Rodríguez, who also created the distribution arm of Mexican exhibition giant Cinepolis, will head up Wild Sheep Latin America following on her production with Barmack of a burgeoning line in star-studded, character-driven crime thrillers begun by Netflix Mexico original “Invitation to Murder.”

Eric Clapton has announced a pair of Jeff Beck tribute concerts at the Royal Albert Hall – find all the details below.The special shows are due to take place at the historic London venue on May 22 and 23, and will “honour the memory and artistry” of Beck, who died suddenly on January 10 aged 78.Clapton is set to be joined at the gigs by a host of “colleagues and friends”, including Johnny Depp, Rod Stewart, Imelda May, Gary Clark Jr and Joss Stone. Also scheduled to appear are Rhonda Smith, Anika Nilles and Robert Stevenson from Jeff Beck’s live band.Per a press release, surplus income from the two concerts will be donated to Folly Wildlife Rescue in Tunbridge Wells, Kent.The final list of artists will be finalised.

Tiger Woods‘ former flame Rachel Uchitel — one of several women the pro golfer had an affair with during his marriage to Elin Nordegren — is weighing in on the athlete’s messy split from Erica Herman.

Tiger Woods' ex-girlfriend, Erica Herman, filed a lawsuit against the golf star in an effort to nullify a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) she says Woods made her sign in August 2017 when they started dating.According to legal documents, obtained by ET, Herman filed the lawsuit against Woods on Monday in the Circuit Court of the 19th Judicial Circuit in Martin County, Florida, and cited the Speak Out Act as the reason the NDA should be voided, as the act protects victims of sexual assault or harassment.While Herman has not made any such claims against Woods, Herman says nullifying the NDA will clear things up for her.«Because of the aggressive use of the Woods NDA against her by [Woods] and the trust under his control, [Herman] is unsure whether she may disclose, among other things, facts giving rise to various legal claims she believes she has. She is also currently unsure what other information about her own life she may discuss or with whom.

It’s about to get super messy, guys!

From love to legal action. Tiger Woods’ split from girlfriend Erica Herman was revealed when the former restaurant owner sued the pro golfer.

Jessica Simpson is heating things up with her "lover" Eric Johnson. The fashion designer took to Instagram on Monday to share a slideshow of images of her getaway weekend with her former football player husband and their friends, Lauren and Bret Harrison. "Stole my lover and friends for the weekend," Simpson captioned the post, adding a heart emoji.

From social justice to adolescent romance, this year’s Oscar-nominated shorts filmmakers don’t take long to make their points. The 2023 field of nominees include films from virtually every corner of the world, including Ireland, Iran, India, Norway, Italy and, of course, the U.S.

Morgan Wallen can’t believe he gets to work with country singers like Miranda Lambert and Eric Church.

Jessica Simpson rose to stardom in 1997 after she signed with Columbia Records aged 17. She enjoyed unprecedented success with her hit debut single, I Wanna Love You Forever, and went on to release seven studio albums.The blonde beauty hit the headlines in the early 2000s after she appeared on the MTV reality television series Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica.