AP Entertainment Digest for Monday, April 27, 2020

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MONDAY, April 27

UPDATES with FILM-ONLINE FILM FESTIVAL, FILM-MICHELLE OBAMA-NETFLIX, COLLEGE ADMISSIONS BRIBERY, FILM-RISE OF SKYWALKER, CHARITY AUCTION- SOTHEBY’S

COMEDY IN THE AGE OF CORONAVIRUS — With the coronavirus having closed nightclubs across the country, stand-up comedians are still managing to get the laughs out. Veteran comic Will C is doing shows from his living room in Missouri. Tiffany Haddish recently visited Hollywood’s Laugh Factory where it was her and a guy behind the camera, jokes flowing over the web to an audience she couldn’t see. Few comics are getting paid for this. So why do it? Because, they say, making people laugh is fun — and needed now. By John C. Rogers. SENT: 908 words, photos.

FILM-MICHELLE OBAMA-NETFLIX — A documentary portrait of Michelle Obama titled “Becoming” will premiere on Netflix next week, the streaming company announced Monday. The film, described as “an intimate look into the life of former First Lady Michelle Obama” chronicles her 34-city book tour in 2018-2019 for her best-selling memoir “Becoming.” By Film Writer Jake Coyle. SENT: 429 words, photos.

FILM-RISE OF SKYWALKER — “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” will begin streaming on Disney Plus on May 4, about two months earlier than scheduled. The release will give fans the option of streaming the full nine-part saga on the annual “Star Wars” holiday. SENT: 163 words, photo.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-VIRTUAL PROMS — In party dresses or come as you are, with colored lights flashing in their bedrooms and teachers-turned-DJs spinning, high schoolers have turned to virtual proms to salvage at least one slice of fun and tradition for the Class of 2020. By Leanne Italie. SENT. 790 words, photos, video.

FILM-ONLINE FILM FESTIVAL — Film festivals worldwide are teaming up to launch “We Are One: A Global Film Festival,” which will play out over 10 days and be available for free on YouTube. By Film Writer Jake Coyle. SENT: 232 words, photo

STEPHEN SONDHEIM-CONCERT — Broadway composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim was honored on Sunday with a starry online 90th birthday concert stuffed with his songs but delayed by technical difficulties. The concert featured performances by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Kelli O’Hara, Lea Salonga, Josh Groban and Jake Gyllenhaal, with many musicians and singers dressed in T-shirts, minimal makeup, using headphones and in front of simple backdrops. By Entertainment Writer Mark Kennedy. SENT: 625 words, photo.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-ASIAN CELEBS — Asian celebrities are using their voices to speak out against anti-Asian attacks that authorities say are on the rise amid the coronavirus pandemic. Some people have targeted Asians because the virus is believed to have originated in China. By Alicia Rancilio. UPCOMING. 850 words, photos, video.

CHARITY AUCTION- SOTHEBY'S — Win an acting lesson from Patrick Stewart. Record a song with Sting. Hang out with rockers The Strokes. Have a virtual coffee with Hillary Rodham Clinton. Those are just some of the offerings in an online auction presented by Sotheby’s using Google Meet video calls. The auctions will be held May 1-8 and will benefit the International Rescue Committee’s efforts to combat COVID-19. By Entertainment Writer Mark Kennedy. SENT: 235 words, photos.

COLLEGE ADMISSIONS BRIBERY — Federal agents didn’t entrap the wealthy parents accused of cheating the college admissions process, the man who helped investigators build their case reportedly told the FBI recently, boosting prosecutors’ arguments that claims of misconduct are false. By Alanna Durkin Richer. SENT: 526 words, photo.

THE STREAM — A roundup of the film, music, television and book releases headed to a screen or device near you. SENT: 986 words, photos.

CELEB BIRTHDAYS — Celebrity birthdays for the week of May 3-9. SENT: 1,500 words.

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REVIEWS

FILM REVIEW-ALL DAY AND A NIGHT. By Film Writer Jake Coyle. Upcoming: 700 words by 6 p.m. Wednesday, film stills.

FILM REVIEW-A SECRET LOVE. By Film Writer Lindsey Bahr. Upcoming: 700 words by 6 p.m. Wednesday, film stills.

FILM REVIEW-THE WRETCHED. By Entertainment Writer Mark Kennedy. Upcoming: 700 words by 6 p.m. Wednesday, film stills.

BOOK REVIEW-IF IT BLEEDS BY STEPHEN KING. Reviewed by Rob Merrill. SENT Monday: 485 words, photo.