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What made ‘The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' special, in six clips

What made ‘The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' special, in six clips

Washington Post18-07-2025
There may be no tougher — and sought-after — gig than hosting a network late-night TV show. Stephen Colbert joined that rarefied list of late-night hosts in 2015, when he took over CBS's 'The Late Show' from David Letterman.
Ten years later, on Thursday night, Colbert announced that not only would he be departing the show, but CBS was canceling the entire 'Late Show' enterprise, in a stunning move that some have speculated may have political motives (CBS strongly denied this, saying it was ending the popular program for financial reasons).
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21 Popular Songs You Probably Didn't Know Are Covers Of The Original
21 Popular Songs You Probably Didn't Know Are Covers Of The Original

Yahoo

time19 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

21 Popular Songs You Probably Didn't Know Are Covers Of The Original

Many people prefer certain song covers to the original, which is perfectly fine. On the other hand, there are songs that people are clueless about, even if they are song covers in the first place! Which means I can now rock out to two versions of these classics! Here are 21 songs you didn't know were actually covers: 1."1985" by Bowling for Soup is a cover of the song by American pop-punk band SR-71, which was released just two months earlier in Japan before the manager believed it was a better fit for Bowling for Soup. probably more well-known, the emotional song "Hurt" by Johnny Cash is a cover of the song performed by the rock band Nine Inch Nails. 3."Respect" by Aretha Franklin is a cover of Otis Redding's 1965 song by the same name. Franklin really flipped the lyrics on their head to create an all-time classic. 4."Renegades of Funk" by Rage Against the Machine is a cover of the Afrika Bambaataa & The Soul Sonic Force song of the same name. song "It's My Life" by No Doubt is a cover of the English band Talk Talk's original release in 1984. iconic "I Will Always Love You" by Whitney Houston is a cover of the 1974 song by Dolly Parton, which was featured on her famous album "Jolene." absolute shocker to my '90s brain, but the 1997 hit song "Torn" by Australian singer Natalie Imbruglia is actually a cover originally sung by American rock band Ednaswap, which was released in 1995. popular song "Don't Cha" by The Pussycat Dolls is a cover of the original song by Tori Alamaze. popular '80s hit "Tainted Love" by Soft Cell is a cover of Gloria Jones's "Tainted Love," released in 1964. song "Superman" by R.E.M. is a cover of "Superman" by The Clique. A B-Side track on the album "White Tornado," it's an R.E.M. gem. mega summer hit from 1999 "Mambo No. 5" by Lou Bega is a sample of the original version by Cuban musician Dámaso Pérez Prado from 1950. 1992 song "Achy Breaky Heart" by Billy Ray Cyrus is a cover of "Don't Tell My Heart," which was first recorded in 1991 by The Marcy Brothers. song "If I Were A Boy" by Beyoncé was performed initially by BC Jean in 2008. song "Black Magic Woman" by Santana is a cover of the song by Fleetwood Mac. Mind blown. In my defense, the Santana version has more views on YouTube than any other version by Fleetwood Mac. 15."Blinded by the Light" by Manfred Mann's Earth Band might be the more popular version, but it was originally written and recorded by Bruce Springsteen. popular Joan Jett & the Blackhearts song "I Love Rock 'n Roll" is a cover of the British glam band Arrow's song "I Love Rock 'n 'Roll." 17."Dancing in the Moonlight" by the English band Toploader is a cover of the song originally recorded by Sherman Kelly's band, Boffalongo, which first released it in 1970. Then, Kelly rereleased the song with his new band, King Harvest, in 1972. So, technically, Kelly covered his own song. 18."Black Betty" by Ram Jam is a cover of a song credited to songwriter Huddie Ledbetter. The oldest recorded version was performed by James "Iron Head" Baker and a group of Texas prisoners in the 1930s. 19."Take Me to the River" by American rock band Talking Heads is a cover of the 1974 soul song by Al Green. 1995 hit "Gangster's Paradise" by Coolio (ft. L.V.) is actually a cover of Stevie Wonder's "Pastime Paradise" from 1976. and mainly for the youngins, Post Malone's cover of the alternative rock song "Only Wanna Be With You," originally released by Hootie & the Blowfish, is now a pop song featured in the Pokémon 25 soundtrack, which has 18M views on YouTube. Is there a song you were stunned to learn was a cover? Comment below (the song and artists)! Solve the daily Crossword

Box Office: ‘Fantastic Four: First Steps' Clobbers $57 Million Opening Day — Second-Biggest of the Year
Box Office: ‘Fantastic Four: First Steps' Clobbers $57 Million Opening Day — Second-Biggest of the Year

Yahoo

time19 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Box Office: ‘Fantastic Four: First Steps' Clobbers $57 Million Opening Day — Second-Biggest of the Year

'The Fantastic Four: First Steps' stretched its arms around $57 million from 4,125 theaters across Friday and preview screenings. Per Disney's numbers, that's the second-biggest opening day of the calendar year, ranking just behind 'A Minecraft Movie' ($57.11 million). The film is playing Imax and other premium large format auditoriums. It also just edges out Marvel Studios' comic book banner rival, DC Studios' 'Superman,' which began with a $56.1 million opening day just two weeks ago. It'll be a close call on whether 'Fantastic Four' can keep pacing ahead to beat the $125 million three-day opening of 'Superman.' More from Variety 'Fantastic Four' Credits Scene Confirms Franklin Richards' Role in 'Avengers: Doomsday,' but It's a Big Risk Pedro Pascal Downplays Reed Richards Becoming the New Leader of the Avengers in 'Doomsday': 'That's a Little Bit of a Mislead' Box Office: 'Fantastic Four: First Steps' Makes $24.4 Million in Previews, Beating 'Superman' for Biggest of 2025 It's the best first day kick-off for a Marvel Cinematic Universe entry since 'Deadpool & Wolverine' dominated the box office 12 months ago. And like that R-rated smash, 'Fantastic Four' is based on Marvel characters that were acquired by Disney after the studio's acquisition of 20th Century Fox in 2019, demonstrating some value to that $71 billion merger. Three previous big-budget 'Fantastic Four' entries were produced at Fox, from 2005 to 2015. (There was also an unreleased 1994 feature, spearheaded by Roger Corman as a means to retain film rights for German producers. It circulates among diehards.) With a story that has little connection to other Marvel Cinematic Universe entries, 'The Fantastic Four: First Steps' has presented itself as a relatively fresh entry point to audiences. Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn and Ebon Moss-Bachrach, who lead the film as Marvel's first family, are all MCU newcomers. 'First Steps' also has the benefit of strong reviews and good audience sentiment (pollster Cinema Score turned in an 'A-' grade among ticketbuyers). At a production cost of $200 million, plus much more to market and distribute, the film will need to hold as one of the biggest grossers of the year to turn a profit in theaters. Marvel's two previous 2025 releases, 'Captain America: Brave New World' and 'Thunderbolts*,' launched to $88.5 million and $76 million respectively. Both ended up losing money theatrically. Disney hopes to gain some momentum with the Matt Shakman-directed 'Fantastic Four,' ahead of the studio's extensive hiatus from superhero films. Marvel is producing 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day,' the fourth Tom Holland-led entry set to release July 2026. But Sony is distributing that film. Disney will have nearly a year and a half to plan for its next MCU installment, the mega-team-up 'Avengers: Doomsday,' set for December 2026. Second place goes to Warner Bros.' 'Superman,' which added $7.1 million on Friday. It's down 57% from its daily total a week ago, now competing with a newer superhero spectacle. The cinematic universe-rebooter should fly to a $289 million domestic total after its third weekend, which will put it ahead of 'Sinners' ($278 million) to have it rank as the fourth-highest grossing North American release of the year. Universal's 'Jurassic World Rebirth' is sliding to third in its fourth weekend, adding another $3.6 million on Friday. The seventh entry in the dinosaur series is projecting $13 million for its fourth weekend, which would be another good hold at a 45% drop. Total domestic gross is expected to pass $301 million through Sunday — only the third release of 2025 to get into the triple hundreds. Fourth looks to go to 'F1.' Warner Bros.' release of Apple Studios' racing thriller added $1.8 million Friday, down just 37% from its daily total a week ago. At a production cost of $250 million, theatrical profitability is a questionable prospect at best for the Brad Pitt-led feature. But it has put up strong holds since debuting a month ago. The film looks to hit a $165 million domestic total through Sunday. Paramount's IP revival 'Smurfs' rounds out the top five, adding $1.72 million on Friday and projecting $5.6 million for its second weekend. After a low opening, that's a 49% second-weekend drop, showing some relative staying power as the only new animated offering to families. Domestic total will hit $22.9 million through the first 10 days — a disappointing result against a $58 million production budget. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week 'Harry Potter' TV Show Cast Guide: Who's Who in Hogwarts? Final Emmy Predictions: Talk Series and Scripted Variety - New Blood Looks to Tackle Late Night Staples

Paramount, Skydance expected to close deal on Aug. 7
Paramount, Skydance expected to close deal on Aug. 7

The Hill

time20 minutes ago

  • The Hill

Paramount, Skydance expected to close deal on Aug. 7

Paramount and Skydance announced Friday that, with the Trump administration's approval, the highly anticipated merger between the entertainment giants is expected to take place next month. The Aug. 7 date, unveiled in a press release, comes after the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on Thursday allowed Skydance's acquisition of Paramount to move forward after the merger was first proposed last year. FCC Chair Brendan Carr in announcing the decision said he welcomed Skydance's commitment to remaining 'unbiased' in its journalism and willingness to promote 'a diversity of viewpoints across the political and ideological spectrum.' 'Americans no longer trust the legacy national news media to report fully, accurately, and fairly,' Carr added. 'It is time for a change.' The move caps off months of turmoil between Paramount Global, the parent company of CBS, and President Trump. Trump sued CBS's '60 Minutes' last year after he argued an interview it aired with former Vice President Harris was altered in her favor during the 2024 presidential election cycle. While the company fought the claims, including releasing a full transcript from the episode, it ultimately settled with the administration for $16 million. Those funds are set to go to Trump's eventual presidential library. The news outlet has also faced criticism in recent days after CBS made the decision to sunset 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' next May, after more than 30 years on air. Paramount said the move was based on finances, but critics have argued the settlement and Skydance deal were likely involved — and bribery allegations have been floated. Comedian Stephen Colbert, who has hosted the show since 2015, has been openly critical of the merger. Colbert blasted the network earlier this week for choosing to axe the show and thanked those who have reached out in support, including Democrats, press freedom advocates and many of his late-night counterparts. He added that 'one key mistake' the network made when moving forward with the plan is that 'they left me alive.' Colbert also lashed out at Trump after the president said in a post online that he 'absolutely' loved that the comedian was getting 'fired.' 'How dare you, sir,' the host responded. 'Would an untalented man be able to compose the following satirical witticism: 'Go f‑‑‑ yourself.'' Under the terms of the $8 billion merger, the company will become 'New Paramount' and will be led by Trump-ally and billionaire David Ellison, the son of tech tycoon and Oracle founder Larry Ellison.

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