Shirley Grant, talent agent who launched Jonas Brothers, Christina Ricci, has died

Nick Vivarelli International CorrespondentAs it ramps up original productions, Middle Eastern broadcaster MBC is launching lavish 1980s-set Arabic crime drama ‘Rashash,’ created by Britain’s Tony Jordan (“EastEnders”) and touted as its most ambitious Saudi series to date.Directed by another Brit, Collin Teague, whose credits include “Doctor Who,” “Rashash” is based on the true story of a Saudi Arabian drug trafficker convicted of murder and other crimes after being caught by the police in Saudi

Joe Otterson TV ReporterThe new streaming service Discovery Plus is launching on multiple platforms as it debuts in the U.S.With the launch officially beginning today, Discovery Plus will be available to customers on the platforms: Roku; Amazon Fire TV streaming devices, Fire TV Edition smart TVs, and later on Prime Video Channels; iPhone, iPad, iPod touch and Apple TV, and the Apple TV app;  Google devices and platforms including Android phones and tablets, Chromecast with Google TV and

Chris Eldridge Bluegrass legend Tony Rice died on Christmas Day at age 69. To properly memorialize his prowess and spirit, Variety turned to one of his truest acolytes and a recognized contemporary great — Chris Eldridge, of Punch Brothers and Infamous Stringdusters fame (pictured above with Rice in 2001) — who penned the following tribute to his friend and mentor. Tony Rice was the greatest bluegrass guitar player to ever live.

Howard J. Rubenstein, the public relations guru who helped protect the image of New York's rich and famous including the likes of Donald Trump, Rupert Murdoch and George Steinbrenner, has died.

The Jonas Brothers had a surprise in store for a former super fan who was once utterly obsessed with Kevin.

Tony Rice, a flatpicking guitarist considered one of the giants of bluegrass, has died at 69 on December 25, according to a Facebook post by his former label, Rounder Records.

Leslie West, known best as the frontman and guitarist for rock bandMountain, died on Tuesday. He was 75 years old.

Celtic should have hit Ross County for six after watching his team dominate in a 2-0 win at Parkhead. The Hoops took home all three points after fine goals from David Turnbull and Leigh Griffiths and they were denied several more after missed chances and good goalkeeping from Ross Laidlaw.

Alien franchise, has died aged 77.Reports say Giler passed away at his home in Bangkok, Thailand on Saturday (December 19) of cancer. The news of his death was announced by his longtime friend and Alien co-producer Walter Hill.“If you knew David, you knew he was special,” Hill said in a statement.

Jacob Roloff’s wife, Isabel Sofia Rock, showed her support after he claimed he was molested as a child while filming Little People, Big World.“When Jacob and I started dating, I got a taste of what being in the public eye means,” the artist, 24, wrote via Instagram on Saturday, December 19.

Showtime has given a series order to drama pilot Yellowjackets, from writers Ashley Lyle and Bart Nickerson, Entertainment One and studio-based producer Drew Comins. Jonathan Lisco (Animal Kingdom, Halt and Catch Fire) has come on board as executive producer and co-showrunner alongside creators/executive producers Lyle and Nickerson on the series, which stars Melanie Lynskey, Juliette Lewis, Christina Ricci and Tawny Cypress.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterShowtime has given a series order to the drama “Yellowjackets,” Variety has learned.The show was originally ordered to pilot at the premium cabler last September. The cast for the one-hour series is led by Melanie Lynskey, Juliette Lewis, Christina Ricci, and Tawny Cypress.

Janet W. Lee Longtime talent manager Shirley Grant, who developed stars including the Jonas Brothers, Keshia Knight Pulliam and Allison Smith, died Tuesday evening in New Jersey.Dave McKeown, a talent manager and former employee of her firm, Shirley Grant Management, shared the news in a tribute.

Aberdeen in the pre-contract fight for Ross County striker Ross Stewart. United boss Micky Mellon is a big fan of the striker and has been on his wanted list since the start of the season.

A “serial stalker” who allegedly terrorized a Portland neighborhood is believed to have been found following a community-led effort after residents said police were slow to respond to calls for help, if they answered them at all, according to a podcast that aired Monday.

National treasure Dame Barbara Windsor passed away on Thursday 10 December after a long battle with dementia.The vivacious actress, famous for her long stint on EastEnders as Peggy Mitchell, spoke to former co-star Ross Kemp just three weeks prior, where she told him her dying wish. The 83 year old, via FaceTime, spoke to Ross, 56, about her despair over the disease and how much she felt that more research should be done into the topic.