Stephen A. Smith On ESPN Layoffs: “This Ain’t The End. More Is Coming. I Could Be Next”

Good Morning Britain viewers were left pretty distracted by Kate Garraway during the latest episode despite her getting into a bit of a 'spat' with co-star Ben Shephard live on air. The presenters were back fronting the ITV news programme's last episode of the week on Friday (July 7).

In last week’s Galloway News we left Katherine McIsaac in mid-air aboard a stricken British Airways 767 jet above Vancouver.

Conecta Fiction & Entertainment caught the mood of a larger international market with panelists in its conference strand focusing often on market challenges, when a feeding fever for premium content dominated conversations in recent editions. That said, running June 26-29 in Toledo, in market attendance and insight and shows brought to market, CF&E fairly rocked.  10 takeaways from this year’s edition:    Despite Toledo’s sweltering in a hot snap, even by Spanish standards, Conecta Fiction’s attendance sky-rocketed to 1,031 accredited professionals, an all-time record and 42% up on figures announced at the end of 2022’s edition. Reasons abound. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to exchange ideas, to touch base with production partners, new ideas. It’s really interesting to see what’s happening here on Prime Video, Netflix or Disney+, what’s really working in Spain or Italy, and what lessons I can take back to my territory,” says Marie Leguizamo, MD Banijay Mexico & U.S. Hispanic. 

Pat McAfee recently struck a deal to bring his namesake sports commentary show to ESPN. The former NFL player has been receiving backlash after the sports network announced layoffs and many viewers are correlating that it has to do with McAfee.

ESPN has let go of about 20 on-air personalities who have now taken to social media to react to the news following the cuts.

ESPN has let go of a handful of on-air personalities, according to Variety.

Brian Steinberg Senior TV Editor More players are leaving the field at ESPN. Max Kellerman, the TV host, Keyshawn Johnson, the morning-show personality, Jeff Van Gundy, the veteran basketball analyst, and Jalen Rose, the NBA-player-turned-commentator, are all exiting the Disney sports-media giant, according to two people familiar with the matter, as executives look for ways to prune costs at the operation as its parent corporation grapples with seismic changes in its business. “Given the current environment, ESPN has determined it necessary to identify some additional cost savings in the area of public-facing commentator salaries, and that process has begun,” the company said in a statement. “This exercise will include a small group of job cuts in the short-term and an ongoing focus on managing costs when we negotiate individual contract renewals in the months ahead. This is an extremely challenging process, involving individuals who have had tremendous impact on our company. These difficult decisions, based more on overall efficiency than merit, will help us meet our financial targets and ensure future growth.”

ESPN is letting go of about 20 on-air personalities, including two familiar names to NBA viewers: game analyst Jeff Van Gundy and studio co-host Jalen Rose.

Elton John performed potentially his final ever show at Glastonbury 2023, special guest Stephen Sanchez has revealed that the singer-songwriter changed his plans for the set at the last minute.The 20-year-old musician joined the ‘Rocketman’ onstage during his headline slot at the Pyramid Stage on Sunday (June 25) and the two duetted on his own TikTok hit ‘Until I Found You’.He was one of four special guests who joined the music icon on the night, and the show marked Sir Elton’s last scheduled performance of his mammoth ‘Farewell’ tour — which has seen him play over 350 shows across five years.Now, coming up to a week since the monumental set took place, Sanchez has revealed that he and Sir Elton were initially set to perform the latter’s hit 1983 song ‘I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues’, but the decision was overturned by the pianist at the last minute.“We’d spent weeks [preparing for] that and then he came to see me and the boys at The Troubadour,” Sanchez said to Rolling Stone. “The week after, he just rang me and said, ‘Stephen, I’ve had a thought.

in shows such as “Black-ish,” films such as “Barbershop,” and is soon to steal the show in a breakthrough dramatic role in “The Color Purple.” But, the Chicago native’s career of making laughs — one that dates to the 1990s — almost never happened. Deon was a late bloomer, to say the least.“I was like, way out of college and high school.

Don't miss the chance to explore the legendary cobbles yourself in our fantastic competition to win a pair of tickets to The Coronation Street Experience.There you'll be able to discover more than 60 years of drama as you take a tour round the home of one of Britain's best-loved soaps. From stories about how this iconic show is put together to learning behind-the-scenes secrets - it's an absolute must for any fan.

Stephen Flynn has slammed "near billionaire" Rishi Sunak for having "patronised the public" over mortgage rate rises during Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday. The SNP Westminster leader said that the Prime Minister was "out of touch" and asked him "when was the last time he struggled to pay a bill".

John Hopewell Chief International Correspondent TOLEDO, Spain — Adding to its bullish line-up of primetime dramas, Spain’s Atresmedia TV is set to adapt “Angela Black,” its second ITV drama makeover from “The Missing” creators, Harry and Jack Williams, after the Spanish commercial broadcaster’s reversion of “Liar.” Currently casting and set to go into production this fall in Bizkaia’s Bilbao, “Angela,” as the Spanish redo is known, is produced by Buendía Estudios Vizcaya with the participation of Atresmedia TV. An original idea of the Williams’ Two Brothers Pictures, “Angela Black’s” international distribution is handled by All3Media International.

man of many jobs — too many jobs, according to some trolls on social media.The 48-year-old accomplished TV personality is adding “Wheel of Fortune” to his impressive resume, as he announced Tuesday that he will replace longtime host Pat Sajak, 76, when he retires next year. Seacrest holds several coveted jobs in Hollywood as the host of “American Idol”and his syndicated KIIS-FM radio show “On Air with Ryan Seacrest,” and Dick Clark’s replacement on ABC’s “New Year’s Rockin’ Eve.”Seacrest recently ended his six-year run as Kelly Ripa’s counterpart on “Live with Kelly and Ryan,” apparently freeing up some time in his schedule to take on one of television’s most beloved game shows.The “Wheel” gig reportedly comes with a $28 million salary too, which would make Seacrest the highest-paid talent on TV. While one of Seacrest’s Instagram fans argued he is the “perfect replacement” for Sajak, fans over on Twitter voiced different opinions.

Stephen “Steph” Curry is one of the greatest basketball players of all time — but his short stature and criticism over his slim figure made him an underdog as a kid.

Human remains have been found in the area of the San Gabriel mountains where British actor Julian Sands went missing more than five months ago.The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department said civilian hikers had contacted authorities on Saturday morning after finding the remains in the Mount Baldy area.The remains have been transported to the Coroner’s Office, pending positive identification, the department said. It is expected that identification should be completed next week, at which point the department will issue a press release.

Dave Grohl and Johnny Marr have been rumored to be two of the special guests for The Pretenders during their Glastonbury 2023 set.On an episode of his  Radio 2 show reporting from Glastonbury, host Dermot O’Leary shared that he understands both Dave Grohl and Johnny Marr will be joining The Pretenders later at their set on The Park Stage.The Pretenders announced their surprise slot at this year’s festival earlier this week with frontwoman Chrissie Hynde sharing: “It’s always been there for most of our lifetimes. There has never been a festival like it anywhere else.”A post shared by The Pretenders (@thepretendershq)The band also revealed that they would be bringing friends to perform with them.Grohl previously joined the band on stage during the Taylor Hawkins tribute show at Wembley Stadium last year.

Puck News reported Thursday.She allegedly wants a Pat Sajak-sized paycheck, too, as the longtime host is set to retire at the end of the upcoming Season 41. Puck claims that White, 66, makes $3 million per season — and has for 18 years, receiving bonuses not raises during that time.She appears to have hired Bryan Freedman, who represented embattled short-lived “Jeopardy!” host Mike Richards, with Puck reporting Freedman is “hitting the pay discrepancy issue hard with Sony, as well as possible gender discrimination with respect to White’s salary.”In 2016, Forbes reported that Sajak, 76, earned $15 million a year from the show.

Love The Weekender? Share it with a friend and spread the word!Sign Up For The WeekenderSwitzer Falls HikeI’ve never understood the universal attraction to waterfalls. They’re thunderously loud and also, I feel like if you’ve seen one waterfall, you’ve seem them all. I hiked through a jungle for hours to get to a well-known waterfall in Bali.

Glastonbury Festival is officially underway, with all the action kicking off across the main stages from Friday, June 23.