Frank Farian, Music Producer Who Created Milli Vanilli and Boney M, Dies at 82

Chris Willman Senior Music Writer and Chief Music Critic When Beyoncé released “Daddy Lessons” as a track on the “Lemonade” album in 2016, the country flavor she baked into the tune felt too right to be limited to a mere one-off. But what were the odds she would ever return to that kind of genre influence for an entire album? Probably less than they would have been if anyone had ever tried calculating the odds of the Rolling Stones following a singular country song like “Faraway Eyes” with a whole project leaning in that direction… which, obviously, they never did.

Marc Malkin Senior Editor, Culture and Events SPOILER ALERT: This story contains mild spoilers for “Lisa Frankenstein,” in theaters now. Zelda Williams has no problem admitting that her feature directorial debut “Lisa Frankenstein” isn’t destined to be considered a cinematic masterpiece. “First and foremost, this movie ISN’T a groundbreaking spiritual journey that will change your worldly perceptions,” she wrote in a filmmaker’s statement, “but it IS a ride — so maybe just try to put your hands in the air and let the coaster take you!” And that it is — a rollercoaster homage to 1980s slasher films.

Amanda Hanson, who led the digital desk team at Action News 5 in Memphis, has died at age 38 following complications from a medical emergency.

National Holocaust Memorial Day is taking place today, January 27. First held in 2001, Holocaust Memorial Day serves to provide people across the world with an opportunity to learn about the Holocaust and what can be done to challenge prejudice today.

Zack Sharf Digital News Director “Succession” Emmy winner Sarah Snook said on a recent episode of BBC Radio 4’s “Today” program that she was too “young and naive” to push back against a film producer who openly berated her for eating cake on set. It was one of two instanced of body shaming that Snook remembered during an interview with The Sunday Times published earlier this month.

Sarah Snook has said she was “too young and naive” to challenge a producer who chastized her several years ago on set for eating a piece of chocolate cake.

Chris Willman Senior Music Writer and Chief Music Critic Melanie, the singer who performed at Woodstock in 1969 and had major pop hits with “Brand New Key” and “Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)” in the early ’70s, died Tuesday at age 76. News of the death came from her publicity firm, Glass Onyon PR. No information on the cause of death was immediately given.

Discover Blogly is The FADER's curated roundup of our favorite new music discoveries.

The creator of pop group Boney M Frank Farian has died aged 82.

Stevie Wonder and Meat Loaf, along with also founding the duo Milli Vanilli – who were hit by scandal in 1989 when it emerged that they lip synced their songs.From https://t.co/ayzUSreenw ® we are sad to announce the death of the creator and producer of Boney M., Frank Farian.According to family reports, Frank passed away peacefully in his apartment in Miami, Florida.#RIP Frank Farian pic.twitter.com/eODfxk8mNw— BoneyM.es® (@BoneyM_es) January 23, 2024While a cause of death has not been revealed, Farian had reportedly experienced ill health in recent years. He underwent heart surgery in 2022 and had a pig heart valve inserted.He told German tabloid Bild in a translated statement: “My heart valve works wonderfully.

There’s so many great films and shows dropping on TV and streaming platforms these days that it can be tricky to find which providers offer the top content with the best deals. That’s why we’ve scoured the January sales and spotted some awesome deals from Virgin Media that come with loads of blockbuster films and shows.

An overweight woman who was bullied for years about her size has died after botched weight loss surgery in Turkey.

DCI Vera Stanhope (played by Brenda Blethyn ) investigates when the body of the co-owner of a chip shop is found in his own freezer. A seemingly successful entrepreneur and dedicated family man, Vera uncovers secrets, lies and some unforgivable behaviour as she tries to unwrap the case. Once the investigation begins, it soon becomes apparent that our enigmatic entrepreneur has left behind debts, broken promises, ruined lives and seriously interfered in family business that was not his own.

K.J. Yossman “Doctor Who” star Millie Gibson is being replaced after one season, Variety has confirmed. “Jurassic World Dominion” actor Varada Sethu will star opposite Ncuti Gatwa as the Doctor’s companion in the 15th season of the show.

Murtada Elfadl A robotic bust with a face modeled on a middle-aged woman who responds to questions using ChatGPT technology, Bina48 is a rather strange concoction. She sounds passably smart but definitely machine-like, looks nothing like a human being and yet the people behind her claim that she is the early prototype for how people could conquer death and live forever. In Sundance doc “Love Machina,” director Peter Sillen tries to find an answer for why Bina48 came to exist, yet ends up revealing the hubris of the people behind her.

Martin McCallum, a British theatrical producer whose work on more than 500 Broadway and West End shows saw his participation in some of the most successful stage productions in modern theater history, died January 14 in Sydney, Australia. He was 73.

Yikes, there goes all Ariana Madix‘s Scandoval money…

Leo Barraclough International Features Editor September Film has acquired all rights for Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg for “In the Land of Brothers,” which has its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in the World Cinema Dramatic Competition section. The film is written and directed by Iranian filmmakers Raha Amirfazli and Alireza Ghasemi. Alpha Violet is handling world sales.

John Lennon from being deported from the US in the 1970s, had died aged 90.Wildes died last Monday (January 8) at Lenox Hill Hospital in Manhattan, his family said. He had fallen ill after suffering a series of strokes.His name became known in the music world in 1972 when he took on the case of helping Lennon and Yoko Ono to extend their visas.In a statement, his son Michael Wildes said: “Dad felt he effectively lived the American Dream for a kid from Olyphant, PA and spent his life facilitating the same experience for scores more.

Rebecca Rubin Film and Media Reporter There’s a new queen bee at the box office. Paramount’s “Mean Girls” musical ruled over the competition with $32 million during the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend.