Les Moonves Lies, Shari Pushes, Philippe Dauman Falls, Sumner Steals His Grandson’s Girlfriend And Other Tales In New Book On The Redstones

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior Correspondent After being sentenced to 16 additional years last week, Harvey Weinstein is all-but-likely to spend the rest of his life behind bars. Weinstein is appealing his rape and sexual assault conviction, but for survivors, they feel justice has finally been served. “Today, he will be sentenced. He cannot hurt anyone anymore,” Evgeniya Chernyshova, known in the case as Jane Doe #1, said at Weinstein’s sentencing on Feb. 23 at the criminal courthouse in downtown Los Angeles. “I truly believe that this verdict, and the maximum sentence, will restore the faith in the justice system for many survivors out there,” Chernyshova told the judge, moments before Weinstein was handed his punishment.

Brian Steinberg Senior TV Editor Fox Corp. sought to tamp down furor around a series of implicating quotes and texts culled from corporate executives and Fox News anchors, in the newest filing, part of a closely watched defamation lawsuit from voting-technology firm Dominion Voting Systems. Fox Corp. and Fox News Channel made the case in two filings in the Superior Court in Delaware that many of the colorful utterances from Fox News stars such as Tucker Carlson and Sean Hannity and even some from Fox Corp. Chairman Rupert Murdoch were beyond the scope of Dominion’s case, and urged the court to reject the company’s call for a summary judgement, or a ruling in Dominon’s favor that would negate the need for a trial. Dominion is suing Fox for $1.6 billion in damages it alleges it is owed after Fox News made false claims about the Dominion’s actions and influence on the 2020 election. It is the second legal proceeding made against Fox News for its coverage of the aftermath of the 2020 race for the White House. Smartmatic, a voting technology company, has filed a massive $2.7 billion suit against Fox News. At issue in the suits, are allegations that Fox News falsely claimed the companies had rigged the election, repeated items about the matter and refused to engage in efforts to set the record straight. The 2020 election was not fixed and its results were certified by multiple legal processes.

Variety Staff Follow Us on Twitter Variety has promoted Dawn Allen to Senior VP of film, recognizing the instrumental role she plays in driving sales for the entertainment industry’s most-read source of business news. Since joining Variety in 2006, Allen has built and maintained strong relationships with studio executives, driving the brand’s awards marketing activity to unprecedented heights. An expert in FYC marketing, she has worked on numerous campaigns that have helped film marketers garner nominations and wins for major projects. Allen is also instrumental in the management of key Variety franchises such as Business Managers Elite, Dealmakers and Power of Law franchises, including the live events that accompany each feature.

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior Correspondent Harvey Weinstein was sentenced to an additional 16 years in prison on Thursday, but his lawyers will continue to fight for the disgraced producer to live a life outside of jail, pledging to appeal his Los Angeles conviction. Weinstein’s defense, led by Mark Werksman and Alan Jackson, is finalizing their notice for appeal and is expected to file as soon as late Friday or mid-next week, Variety has learned. Werksman and Jackson did not immediately respond for comment, but at Weinstein’s sentencing, they told the judge that they planned to appeal. When contacted by Variety regarding the appeal, Weinstein’s spokesperson, Juda Engelmayer, provided a statement claiming that Weinstein had an unfair trial.

UK TV history will be made tonight when an aid appeal seeking donations to help the Turkey-Syria earthquake disaster airs across 29 channels, narrated by Daniel Craig.

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior Correspondent Harvey Weinstein made a final plea to the court on Thursday, just before a judge sentenced him to 16 years in prison. “I maintain that I’m innocent,” he said. “I never raped or sexually assaulted Jane Doe 1. I never knew this woman, and the fact is she doesn’t know me. This is about money and coming after me.” Weinstein did not stand up to address the court, noting that he has a spinal condition. From his chair, he took aim at a “cottage industry of lawyers” who “put victims on the stand” and then file civil suits. “I did not rape this woman. I did not see this woman. She perjured herself,” Weinstein said. “This is a made-up story. With all due respect, Jane Doe 1 is an actress and can turn on the tears.” 

Rebecca Lenkiewicz will be this year’s recipient of the WGA West’s Paul Selvin Award in recognition of her adapted screenplay for She Said, the Universal film about the New York Times reporters who broke the story that exposed disgraced producer Harvey Weinstein. The guild said Thursday that she will be honored at the WGA Awards’ Los Angeles ceremony March 5 at the Fairmont Century Plaza.

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior Correspondent Harvey Weinstein has been sentenced to 16 years, effectively ensuring the former Hollywood mogul and convicted rapist will spend the rest of his life behind bars. Weinstein’s sentencing was held in downtown Los Angeles on Thursday morning, nearly two months after his Los Angeles trial concluded with a jury convicting him on three counts of rape and sexual assault. Weinstein is already serving a 23-year sentence in New York, after being convicted of rape and sexual assault in that jurisdiction in his 2020 criminal trial. All three charges on which Weinstein were convicted were based on the counts relating to Jane Doe #1, a European model who testified she was raped by Weinstein at Mr. C Hotel after the L.A. Italia Film Festival in 2013. Weinstein’s attorneys have stated that Weinstein had an unfair trial — and therefore, conviction — because the court, his lawyers claim, precluded the defense from admitting relevant evidence and argument, particularly centering around Jane Doe #1.

Fundraising efforts have been under way across Dumfriesshire to help an estimated 17 million people in Turkey and Syria affected by the powerful earthquakes there.

AJ Tracey has announced the launch of a limited edition t-shirt, with proceeds going to Turkey and Syria earthquake relief.The rapper shared a post on his social media, writing that all proceeds from sales would go to Islamic Relief. The charity is providing aid to those affected by the 7.8 magnitude earthquake on February 6.“Special t-shirt drop to help with the aid in Türkiye and Syria,” he wrote on Twitter and Instagram.

Turkey and Syria have been hit by two more huge earthquakes just two weeks after the border between the countries suffered its last devastating tremor.

Millions of women in the Muslim world live under the dominion of men, subject to their rules, confined by their power. The documentary Under the Sky of Damascus, making its world premiere tonight at the Berlin Film Festival, examines the alarming gender politics in one ancient locality — the capital of Syria.

Charlotte Dawson has sweetly revealed that her son Noah is her late father Les Dawson's "mini-me" and that he even kisses a cardboard cutout of his grandad. The reality star, who is 17 weeks pregnant with her second child and has shared her joyous news in an exclusive photoshoot with OK!, even thinks Noah, two, is destined to become a comedian. Charlotte was just eight months old when her beloved dad Les passed away from a heart attack in 1993.The comedian and Blankety Blank presenter was just 62 when he died.

Christopher Vourlias Though the world watched — often in silence — as a decade-long civil war tore Syria apart, exiled filmmakers Talal Derki (“Of Fathers and Sons”) and Heba Khaled say an equally brutal but less visible war is still raging. In “Under the Sky of Damascus,” which premieres Feb. 20 in the Panorama strand of the Berlin Film Festival, the duo shifts the lens to the silenced majority of Syrian women who routinely face sexual harassment, violence and abuse in their patriarchal society. The film follows a tight-knit group of young Syrian women who embark upon on a radical project to produce a play that lays bare the culture of misogyny and sexual abuse that has blighted the lives of females in their country for generations.

Laura Anderson has travelled up to Scotland to enjoy some alone time after announcing her pregnancy with ex Gary Lucy.The 33 year old, whose ex Gary was recently seen with a mystery woman, took to her Instagram feed to post two photos of herself standing in the countryside, right outside the famous Gleneagles Hotel. Reality star Laura looked gorgeous in a pair of light blue jeans with a tight-fitted white shirt, which she teamed with a yellow blazer and black coat that featured frills on the sleeves.

Dane Bowers has broken his silence after his ex-girlfriend Laura Anderson announced that she is pregnant with former EastEnders star Gary Lucy's baby. Singer and DJ Dane, 43, who split from Laura just last year after an on-off relationship, posted a snap of himself enjoying some sunshine at a beach club in Dubai, showing off his grey hair and beard and donning a pair of sunglasses.

100 Gecs have returned with another preview of their long-awaited second album, ‘10,000 Gecs’ – a fiery pop-punk belter called ‘Hollywood Baby’ – alongside details of the full record’s tracklisting.The new tune has been a recent staple of the hyperpop duo’s live show, having been consistently featured on their setlists since late 2021.

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior Correspondent A judge ruled Thursday that no additional victims — beyond the one woman whose testimony was the basis for Harvey Weinstein’s conviction — will be able to give victim impact statements at Weinstein’s sentencing next week. The ruling comes amid calls from attorney Gloria Allred to allow more victims to speak at the sentencing, which she says is the “right of a victim.” Allred represented three women in Weinstein’s Los Angeles trial, and has argued that all women involved in the case, regardless of the verdict, should be able to speak at the sentencing to let their voice be heard and provide relevant information for the court to consider. At the Thursday hearing, prosecutors Paul Thompson and Marlene Martinez asked the judge to hear from Allred in court.

Jem Aswad Senior Music Editor More than 30 Turkish, Syrian and local musicians will perform at benefit concerts taking place in New York on Saturday and Sunday (Feb. 18-19), in an effort to help raise funds for those affected by the devastating earthquakes that struck those countries earlier this month. The death toll from the quakes is reported to be at least 35,000, a number likely to rise in the coming days. The concerts will be held at the New York venue DROM, with 100% of ticket proceeds going to benefit the Turkish Philanthropy Fund and Basmeh Zeitooneh, a registered non-governmental organization working in Syria and Turkey — more details can be found here and here; the concerts’ program appears below.

From the outset, Sumner Redstone was a curiosity.