Harry Kane’s Penalty Precision Secures Bayern’s Lead; Rita Simons Finds New Love in Engagement

In the world of sports and entertainment, two notable events have captured the attention of fans and observers alike—Harry Kane’s decisive penalty in the Bundesliga, and Rita Simons’ engagement announcement. Both occurrences, while divergent in nature, offer a glimpse into the dedication and transformations that punctuate the lives of public figures.

On a chilly afternoon in Moenchengladbach, Germany, Bayern Munich resumed their Bundesliga campaign with a tight 1-0 victory over Borussia Moenchengladbach, thanks to the unerring composure of Harry Kane. The England captain, known for his clinical prowess, netted a penalty in the 68th minute to secure the win for Bayern, keeping them a comfortable four points clear atop the league standings. With 15 league goals to his name this season, Kane is a talismanic figure, embodying the poise and precision that are hallmarks of a champion.

Bayern’s dominance was evident from the outset, controlling a staggering 70% possession during the first half. Despite several near-misses from Thomas Mueller and Leon Goretzka, it was Kane’s strike—deftly sending Gladbach’s keeper the wrong way—that ultimately broke the deadlock. The second half offered brief hope for Gladbach when Tim Kleindienst’s header narrowly missed the target, but the Bavarians’ defense, led by the returning Manuel Neuer, proved impenetrable.

Meanwhile, in the realm of British television and tabloid sensationalism, Rita Simons has found a new chapter of happiness. The “EastEnders” actress, who rose to fame as the fiery Roxy Mitchell, is reportedly engaged to her partner, Ben Harlow. The news, shared by a close friend, marks a heartwarming turn in Simons’ personal life after her previous marriage ended in 2018. “Rita and Ben have been together for a while now and they’re blissfully happy,” the friend revealed, adding that the engagement was a natural step for the couple who met while working on “Legally Blonde: The Musical.”

Simons, a stalwart of the soap opera world, has transitioned seamlessly into various roles, including a stint on “Hollyoaks” and a foray into reality television. Her journey is a testament to resilience and reinvention—qualities shared by many public figures who navigate the twists and turns of fame with grace and grit.

These stories illustrate the multifaceted lives of individuals who captivate the public’s imagination—whether on the football field or the stage. Harry Kane continues to inspire with his athletic excellence, while Rita Simons reminds us that love and happiness can flourish anew, no matter the past. In the end, both offer a narrative of triumph in their respective arenas, enriching the tapestry of contemporary culture.

Leslie Charleson, ‘General Hospital’ Icon Known as Monica Quartermaine, Dies at 79

Leslie Charleson, ‘General Hospital’ Icon Known as Monica Quartermaine, Dies at 79

Rosemary Rossi

January 13, 2025 at 12:26 AM

Soap Opera icon, Leslie Charleson, known as Monica Quartermaine on “General Hospital,” died Sunday morning after a long illness. She was 79.

“It is with a heavy heart that I announce the passing of my dear friend and colleague, Leslie Charleson,” “General Hospital” executive producer Frank Valentini announced. “Her enduring legacy has spanned nearly 50 years on ‘General Hospital’ alone and, just as Monica was the heart of the Quartermaines, Leslie was a beloved matriarch of the entire cast and crew. I will miss our daily chats, her quick wit and incredible presence on set. On behalf of everyone at ‘General Hospital,’ my heartfelt sympathy goes out to her loved ones during this difficult time.”

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The beloved actress who joined the soap in 1977, has had some health ups and downs over the past few years, which has limited her time on the ABC soap, where she hasn’t appeared since December 2023. In recent years, she has suffered several falls that prevented her from getting around. Although it impeded her mobility and resulted in her need for a walker, it never got her spirit down. She was hospitalized last week after one such fall.

The Kansas City native began her long career on daytime television in 1964 when she was just 19 in the short-lived ABC soap opera “A Flame in the Wind.” A few years later she began a 3-year-run on CBS’s “Love Is a Many Splendored Thing,” where she played Iris Donnelly Garrison, who was in a popular love triangle with characters played by Donna Mills and David Birney. In 1970s, she guest starred on many of the best known shows of the time, including “The Rockford Files,” “The Wild West,” “The Streets of San Francisco,” “Marcus Welby, M.D.,” “Mannix,” “Ironside” and “Happy Days,” where she played divorcée Dorothy Kimber and was the first on-screen kiss for actor-director Ron Howard (who played Richie). In 1973, she starred opposite Shelley Winters in the film “The Day of the Dolphin.” She fell in love with the aquatic mammal and collected dolphins for the rest of her life.

In later years, she guested on “Dharma & Greg,” “Diagnosis: Murder,” “Friends” and starred alongside fellow soap stars Deidre Hall (“Days of Our Lives”) and Colleen Zenk (“As the World Turns”) in the 1993 made-for-television movie “Woman on the Ledge.”

Although her primetime time appearances were plentiful, she returned to the world of soap operas in 1977, when she was hired to replace Patsy Rahn as Monica Bard on “General Hospital.” Charleson used to joke that she wasn’t received with open arms by many of the cast and crew, who were upset that her predecessor was given the heave-ho. However, her humor quickly won them over.

During her 40-plus years on “GH,” Charleson’s Monica was part of one of daytime’s biggest and most popular love triangles (Rick/Monica/Alan), has given audiences doses of both comedy (she had a thing for slapping people and was as a member of the super-wealthy, perennially quarrelsome and dysfunctional Quartermaine family) and drama (including surviving breast cancer and the loss of three children), and has been shot and held at gunpoint more than once. Along the way, she earned four Daytime Emmy nominations for outstanding lead actress.

After 30 years on “GH,” she was taken off contract and reduced to recurring status in 2010, for which her fans and fans of the show protested. In 2017, Charleson tripped while walking her dog and injured her leg, causing her to be replaced for two months on the show by one-time child star Patty McCormack while she recovered. Several years later, she suffered another fall and was once again recast for a single day. Last October, it was announced that it was unlikely she would return. Monica, however, continues to be mentioned in storyline when the Quartermaines are gathered, referring to her as being upstairs in their mansion.

I personally knew Leslie. Very well, in fact. She was a very good friend to me. No one was more kind, fun-loving, loyal and generous. I remember times at her beautiful house, when she’d let her turtle wander in her luscious backyard and it would disappear into the bushes; when we’d sit in the kitchen nook and gossip; when I would tease her about her love of Elvis Presley and the Eagles. She was a good laugher, she was. It was deep and seemed to work its way up from her feet. And the things she loved most: her horse and “General Hospital.” She loved the show and being a part of its legacy. And the fans, she loved them with her whole heart. I hope she knows how much she was loved back… and how much she will be missed.

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Love in Hollywood: Tom and Zendaya’s Tasty Romance Amidst Tech Anxiety

Amid the whirlwind of Hollywood engagements and unexpected technological revelations, two stories have emerged—each both endearing and thought-provoking in its own right. On one hand, the blossoming romance between Tom Holland and Zendaya brings warmth to many a heart, while on the other, concerns over privacy with smart devices inject a dose of paranoia into the modern digital landscape.,Tom Holland, the charming Spider-Man star, has captured the attention of fans, not just for his on-screen feats but his off-screen love story with Zendaya. In a candid Instagram video, Holland paid a sweet homage to Zendaya’s beloved Miniature Schnauzer, Noon. The dog, described by Holland as “really fruity” and “super tasty,” inspired the Noon Wheat—a non-alcoholic beverage from Holland’s Bero brand, now available at Target. This endearing revelation came with a humorous twist, as Zendaya had previously jested that Noon favored Holland over her. With Holland’s declaration of love—both personal and professional, etched in the themes of his latest venture—it seems the couple is celebrating more than just a business triumph.,And what of their engagement? This cherished Hollywood duo, who bonded over their shared journey in the entertainment industry, was seen sporting matching tattoos—each other’s initials discreetly placed on their bodies, a testament to their close bond. The engagement, although blossoming under the glow of public scrutiny, appears to be anything but rushed. A source revealed, “[They] will just enjoy things for now and won’t rush a wedding,” suggesting a deliberate savoring of this significant life chapter.,In striking contrast to this tale of love and celebration, the digital realm presents a stark narrative—the unsettling notion that your kitchen appliance might double as an uninvited surveillance device. The air fryer, a staple in many modern kitchens, is at the heart of this debate. As tech journalist Kim Komando and co-host Andrew Babinski discuss, “once you connect it to your phone, you give it permission to access everything.” This includes the disconcerting ability to record and transmit audio, as verified by a report from the UK-based watchdog, Which?.,The report found that specific air fryer brands—Xiaomi, Cosori, and Aigostar—requested permissions that seemed excessive, prompting questions about the data being sent to servers in China. Aigostar’s app for iPhone reportedly collects fewer data points than its Android counterpart, yet concerns remain about the potential misuse of personal information. Reassurances offered in privacy notices and terms and conditions do little to quell consumer anxieties over privacy breaches thinly veiled behind complicated legal jargon.,This juxtaposition—a tender love story set against the backdrop of a potentially invasive technological reality—mirrors the duality of our contemporary lives. As we celebrate the joyous milestones of beloved Hollywood stars like Holland and Zendaya, we must also be vigilant, always questioning the technology that pervades our personal spaces, ensuring that our quest for convenience does not come at the expense of our privacy.

Bavarian Brilliance: Kane’s Penalty Powers Bayern Over Gladbach as Bundesliga Resumes

Amidst the chilly breezes sweeping across the historic landscapes of Moenchengladbach, a gladiatorial clash unfolded as Bayern Munich locked horns with Borussia Moenchengladbach. The Bundesliga’s resumption post-winter break was prefaced with tales of expectation and ambition—both sides eager to reestablish their standings following the seasonal interlude.

In the 68th minute, the spotlight found its constant claimant—Harry Kane. The British marksmanship of renowned precision, residing in the boots of England’s captain, executed its unfailing task yet again. A penalty, given with the sternness that only a defender’s lapse can authorize, was calmly converted by Kane, sending goalkeeper Moritz Nicolas the wrong way with effortless aplomb. Kane’s 15th league goal wasn’t just another number; it was a declarative strike, affirming Bayern Munich’s four-point lead over their closest adversaries, Bayer Leverkusen.

Wielding control like a wizard with his wand, Bayern’s dominance on the pitch was undebatable. With 70% possession, they orchestrated the game’s rhythm like a maestro leading a symphony. Thomas Mueller and Leon Goretzka posed persistent threats, coming close but not close enough to unsettle the score. The Bavarians, it seemed, were biding their time, content to probe patiently until the moment was ripe—Kane’s penalty was the fruit of such laborious persistence.

Yet, for all their possession, it wasn’t until the fateful foul on Michael Olise in the penalty box that the scales tipped irreversibly in Bayern’s favor. The match, predominantly a narrative of Bayern’s strategic control, saw an occasional flicker of Gladbach’s resistance. Tim Kleindienst endeavored post-interval with a near miss—his header precariously glancing over the crossbar, momentarily unsettling Neuer, who enjoyed a largely unchallenged return from injury.

Vincent Kompany, guiding his Gladbach squad with measured composure, watched as opportunities to salvage parity slipped by; neither Alphonso Davies nor Serge Gnabry, despite their athletic prowess, could outmaneuver Nicolas when it mattered most.

As the final whistle echoed through the stadium, Gladbach found themselves reassessing their strategy—dropping to 10th place and grappling with the unfamiliar sting of a goalless home game. Meanwhile, the Bavarians, with an eye on the crown, etched another chapter in their storied legacy, maintaining their unyielding quest for supremacy.

With an altogether different tale of personal triumph, Rita Simons of EastEnders fame—the spirited actress once known for her fiery portrayal of Roxy Mitchell—celebrated an engagement far from the dramatics of her soap opera past. Rita, having weathered the storm of a previous marriage dissolve, now rejoices in newfound happiness with partner Ben Harlow.

The couple’s journey from colleagues in the musical ‘Legally Blonde’ to soon-to-be-married partners reads like a romance penned for the screen. A friend of the couple remarked, “Getting engaged is the natural step for them to take. They’re both so excited.” With this engagement, Simons embraces a chapter brimming with promise and contentment.

Her story illuminates the resilience found in new beginnings—casting aside the shadows of heartbreak to step into brighter horizons. In Simons’ own words, “We were mates and then a couple of years later he asked me out on a date and we’ve been together ever since.” From the bustling pitches of Bundesliga action to the intimate corridors of personal life, each tale unfolds with its own distinct cadence, united by the human spirit’s relentless pursuit of joy.

Ariana Grande teases “pivotal” new song from ‘Wicked: For Good’

Speaking on Variety’s Awards Circuit podcast, Grande touched on the vocal prep she undertook for her “dream role” as Glinda in Wicked, as well as the new song her character takes on in the second instalment, Wicked: For Good, which is set for release in cinemas November 21.

The ‘Yes, And?’ singer said playing the pink-loving witch came with a heavy sense of responsibility, and has already admitted it may change her vocals forever, having spent months transforming her voice to sing Glinda’s soprano parts.

“From the moment it was announced, I realised this role would live with me forever,” she explained. “It’s an honour, but it also comes with so much weight. I wanted to do it justice. Glinda isn’t just a character to me — she’s a symbol of growth and love, and I wanted to give her everything I had.”

She also gave fans a hint of what’s to come from Glinda’s new song, written by the Broadway production’s original composer Stephen Schwartz – who her co-star Cynthia Erivo teamed up with to co-write an original track for the sequel.

“It’s a pivotal moment in Glinda’s journey,” Grande shared during the podcast. “It shows a side of her we’ve never seen before. In the stage show, this transformation happens offstage. But in the movie, we get to see her make the decision that defines who she is. It’s a privilege to sing this song and be the first Glinda to bring it to life.”

Previously, it was revealed she had shot down a reworking of ‘Popular’ into a hip-hop number. The idea was floated by Schwartz, who said Grande had rejected the idea because it felt too close to what she does in her pop career.

Recalling the exchange in an oral history of the film for the Los Angeles Times, he said: “In the spirit of being open to new things for the movie, my music team and I thought, let’s refresh the rhythm. Let’s, maybe, I don’t know, hip-hop it up a little bit. Ariana said, ‘Absolutely not, don’t do it. I want to be Glinda, not Ariana Grande playing Glinda’.”

In a four-star review of Wicked, NME wrote: “Wicked flags a little in the middle, but not enough to dampen a dramatic climax in which Elphaba and Glinda travel to Oz to meet the fabled Wonderful Wizard (Jeff Goldblum). He and Yeoh sell their brief musical numbers on twinkly charisma, but Erivo and Grande are both vocally extraordinary.”

“Crucially, they also have crackling chemistry punctuated by Erivo’s bursts of intensity and Grande’s slick comic timing. By the end, you won’t quite be levitating off your seat but you’ll definitely be enchanted enough to stream the soundtrack on the way home. Funny, colourful and full of empathy for outsiders, this film really is the Shiz.”

‘I’m Still Here’ Takes Top Honor at Palm Springs International Film Festival

All the Hollywood Premieres and Events Canceled Due to L.A. Fires: AFI Awards, BAFTA Tea and More 4 days ago

The 36th Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival has revealed this year’s juried award winners. PSIFF took place from Jan. 2-13, 2025, and screened 165 films from over 71 countries, including 68 premieres. The line-up includes 35 of the International Feature Film Oscar Submissions along with Talking Pictures, New Voices New Visions, Modern Masters, Queer Cinema, True Stories, World Cinema Now and more.

Previously announced winners include the Desert Views Award, Young Cineastes Award and Bridging the Borders Award. The Audience Awards for Best Narrative Feature and Best Documentary Feature will be announced on the evening of Sunday, Jan. 12.

The FIPRESCI jury members were Canadian film critic Brian D. Johnson, Brazilian film critic Marcelo Janot and Italian film critic and Paola Caseslla. This special jury reviewed 35 of the official submissions for the Academy Awards International Feature Film category that were selected to screen at this year’s festival.

See the full winners list below.

FIPRESCI Prize for Best International Feature Film: “I’m Still Here” (Brazil), Director Walter Salles

Jury Statement: “‘To I’m Still Here,’ for conveying the horror of encroaching dictatorship from the intimate perspective of a mother defending not just her family of five, but her dignity. Evoking the severity of the violence without resorting to melodrama, director Walter Salles captures a critical moment of history in scrupulous and compelling detail.”

FIPRESCI Prize for Best International Screenplay: “Vermiglio” (Italy), Director Maura Delpero

Jury Statement: “To writer-director Maura Delpero, for subverting the conventions of a wartime drama within the framework of an elegant period piece — and letting the story unfold through the eyes of complicated female characters.”

FIPRESCI Prize for the Best Actress in an International Feature Film: Zoe Saldaña – “Emilia Pérez” (France), Director Jacques Audiard

Jury Statement: “To Zoe Saldaña, for the ferocity and complexity of her performance in ‘Emilia Pérez,’ which shows a virtuosic range of expression, from song and dance to her potent interpretation of a morally shaded character. Although her character plays a supporting role, she drives the narrative with the power of a protagonist.”

FIPRESCI Prize for Best Actor in an International Feature Film: Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap, and DJ Provái – “Kneecap” (Ireland), Director Rich Peppiatt

Jury Statement: “To Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap, and DJ Provái, for their seamless performance as an ensemble of musicians who make their acting debut in ‘Kneecap.’ Proving equally authentic and explosive in both capacities, they bring a fresh and propulsive energy to the whole notion of cultural identity.”

Best Documentary Award Special Mention: “Blue Road – The Edna O’Brien Story” (Ireland/United Kingdom), Director Sinéad O’Shea

Best Documentary Award: “No Other Land” (Palestine), Directors Yuval Abraham, Basel Adra, Hamdan Ballal, Rachel Szor

The Documentary Award is presented to the director for the most compelling non-fiction filmmaking from among those selected to screen at the festival. The films were juried by Dale Cohen (UCLA Documentary Film Legal Clinic), Matthew Carey (Deadline), and Tishon Pugh (New Orleans Film Society).

Jury Statement: “For its compelling immersion into the lives of Palestinian villagers in the West Bank who face the constant threat of expulsion from their homes by the Israel Defense Forces and attacks by Israeli settlers, we award the Best Documentary Award to ‘No Other Land.’ This film foregrounds the bond between two filmmakers – one Palestinian, the other Israeli – without sentimentalizing the relationship, but emphasizing the different rules that apply to Israelis who live under civil law and Palestinians governed by Israeli military justice. We complement festival programmers on an extraordinary selection of documentaries in competition and award a Special Mention to ‘Blue Road – The Edna O’Brien Story,’ which reveals the creative genius and exceptional life force of the great Irish writer.”

New Voices New Visions Special Mention: “Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight” (South Africa), Director Embeth Davidtz

New Voices New Visions Award: “The New Year That Never Came” (Romania), Director Bogdan Mureșanu

The New Voices New Visions Award focuses on films that the festival programming team felt represent the most distinctive new directors who have emerged in the last year. The films were juried by Beth Barett (Seattle International Film Festival), Gil Robertson (African American Film Critics Association), and Justine Barda (Telescope Film).

Jury Statement: “The director of our winning film lives up to the promise he showed in 2019 when his short ‘The Christmas Gift’ won ShortFests’ Best of the Festival Award. We appreciated the way that he incorporates a myriad of storylines, bringing them to a triumphant conclusion set to Ravel’s Bolero. We especially admired his use of dark comedy to explore the impact on individual citizens of the Ceausescu dictatorship and its fall. We’d also like to give a Special Mention to Lexi Ventor for her stunning portrayal of Bobo in ‘Don’t Let’s Go the Dogs Tonight.’ Her presence and emotional intelligence offer a child’s eye view of the experience Zimbabwe faced as it entered its period of decolonization.”

Ibero-American Special Mention: “Manas” (Brazil/Portugal), Director Marianna Brennand

Ibero-American Award: “Sujo” (Mexico), Director Astrid Rondero, Fernanda Valadez

The Ibero-American Award is presented to the best film from Latin America, Spain or Portugal selected to screen at the festival. The award aims to highlight the creativity seen in modern Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American films. The films were judged by Anna Marie De La Fuente (Variety), Chloë Roddick (Morelia International Film Festival), and Danny Hastings (Official Latino Film Festival).

Jury Statement: “We have unanimously selected ‘Sujo’ for its elegant, nuanced portrayal of a young boy struggling to escape overwhelming violence and poverty in a small Mexican town. The film is meticulously paced and darkly poetic, offering its protagonist an unusually optimistic and humane ending to his story. Featuring outstanding performances from its young cast and beautiful, ethereal cinematography, ‘Sujo’ cements filmmaker duo Astrid Rondero and Fernanda Valadez’s rising-star status in the contemporary Mexican cinema scene.”

Desert Views Special Mention: “Desert Angel” (United States), Director Vincent DeLuca

Desert Views Award Winner: “Checkpoint Zoo” (United States/Ukraine), Director Joshua Zeman

Awarded by the Desert Views Jury made up of locals to a film that, in the spirit of neighborliness, promotes understanding and acceptance among people. The films were judged by Jose Macias (Desert Hot Springs), Margaret Quirante (Morongo Valley), Matt Ramirez (Cathedral City), Tanisha L. Alston (Palm Desert), and Sohelia Crane (Palm Desert).

Jury Statement: “The 2025 Desert Views Jury is proud to present the Desert Views Award to ‘Checkpoint Zoo.’ This film embodies the spirit of community through a small group of local Ukrainians that captured the hearts of a global audience through social media posts in the early chaotic days of the Russian invasion. Against all odds and great personal sacrifice, an unlikely group of volunteers united their community and inspired hope globally in an effort to rescue animals.”

Young Cineastes Special Mention: “Superboys of Malegaon” (India/United States), Director Reema Kagti

Young Cineastes Award Winner: “Tatami” (Georgia/Israel/Iran), Directors Zar Amir Ebrahimi and Guy Nattiv

The Young Cineastes jury is composed of high school students with a passion for cinema. The films were judged by Joseph Manjarrez (Palm Springs High School), Lyla Valentine (Palm Desert High School), and Stephanie Lopez (Palm Springs High School).

Jury Statement: “The 2025 Young Cineastes Jury is proud to present the Young Cineastes Award to ‘Tatami.’ We selected this film because it is a ‘non-fiction’ fictional story packed with unique visuals, that brings foreign political awareness to its viewers. The film tells a story of resilience where every decision impacts individuals’ lives.”

Bridging the Borders Special Mention: “Happy Holidays” (Palestine/Germany/France/Italy/Qatar), Director Scandar Copti

Bridging the Borders Award: “Souleymane’s Story” (France), Director Boris Lojkine

At a time when physical, religious, racial, cultural, and economic borders divide the population of our planet, efforts to bridge those borders should be appreciated. In that spirit, Cinema Without Borders presents the Bridging the Borders Award sponsored by 360 MEDIA to a film that is most successful in bridging and connecting the people of our world closer together. The winner of the 2025 Bridging the Borders Award presented by Cinema Without Borders and sponsored by 360 Media will receive a cash award of $2000. The films were judged by Abbas Yari, Ali Murat Erkorkmaz, Bijan Tehrani, Granaz Moussavi, Keely Badger, Marcy Garriott, Michael Franck, Matt Ferro, Susan Morgan Cooper, and Vladek Juszkiewicz.

Palm Springs ShortFest is scheduled to return June 24-30, 2025.

‘Landman’ Finale: Billy Bob Thornton on That Jerry Jones Cameo and Why Tommy’s New Reality After That Violent Ending Goes ‘Against His Nature’

SPOILER ALERT: This post contains spoilers from “The Crumbs of Hope,” the Season 1 finale of “Landman,” now streaming on Paramount+

If the beginning and end of Season 1 of Paramount+’s “Landman” is any indication, co-creator and writer Taylor Sheridan may have it out for star Billy Bob Thornton.

“I think Taylor is trying to kill me,” Thornton tells Variety. “He had me beat up at the beginning and beat up at the end. At least he let me throw a few punches myself there in the middle.”

He’s joking, of course. There is no “Landman” without Tommy Norris, Thornton’s no-nonsense land rights agent and operations manager for the M-Tex oil company. But that doesn’t mean Sheridan, who wrote all 10 episodes of Season 1, didn’t put his hero through the wringer.

In the finale, Norris is informed that his boss and close friend Monty (Jon Hamm) is not likely to recover from his massive heart attack in last week’s episode, and among his final wishes is for Tommy to be promoted to president of M-Tex and be the executor of his estate, the second of which he immediately vows to fulfill alongside Monty’s wife, Cami (Demi Moore). The monumental shift in Tommy’s world is sidelined, however, when he is kidnapped minutes later by Jimenez (Alex Meraz), the local drug cartel leader who has been threatening M-Tex’s drilling sites all season. Of course, this is an unsurprising turn of events, considering that Tommy brought in the military to “execute training drills on the oil fields,” a.k.a. scare off the cartel’s drug trades. Unfortunately, one of those drills inadvertently bombed one of those said trades, and killed some of Jimenez’s men.

Tortured within a few inches of his life with hammers, nails and gasoline in the backroom of a club, Tommy’s fate is looking grim when Jimenez and his men are executed by their boss, Galino, played by Andy Garcia. The tense scene, during which Galino all but demands a resistant Tommy be his partner rather than his adversary, is the first time Thornton says he has ever shared the screen with his long-time friend, Garcia.

“Andy is such a great guy and great actor, and when we did those scenes at the end of the last episode, it felt so good, because we kind of had us two old veterans going head to head,” Thornton says. “It was quite an experience, and I have to say every moment of it felt real. Tommy’s dealing with someone now who is really smart. The other guys were hired to work for him, but now Tommy’s talking to the man himself. There are advantages and disadvantages to that. Since he is so smart, who knows what Tommy is going to get tricked into?”

In the season’s final moments, Tommy is sent home with at least one new nail wound in his leg — and a much bigger problem on his hands. Series co-creator Christian Wallace, who was behind the podcast “Boomtown” on which the show is based, calls this new partnership “a blessing and a curse” for Tommy moving forward. (Paramount+ hasn’t officially ordered a second season.)

“The cartel and the oil industry are kind of these odd neighbors living side by side in West Texas,” Wallace says. “Now Andy’s character is thinking he is going to make a change and utilize that proximity in a way that could benefit him.”

Thornton sums the threat up succinctly: “What’s the saying? Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. Tommy figures if he semi-befriends this guy, maybe they can actually work this out, because it is going to happen one way or another.”

While Garcia’s appearance gave the finale some surprise starpower, the series is still making headlines for last week’s unexpected cameo from Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, who delivered a lengthy monologue at Monty’s hospital bedside that has since gone viral. Wallace confirms the scene was unscripted, and happened because of Sheridan’s long-standing friendship with Jones.

“Taylor just kind of said, ‘We are going to let Jerry Jones do his thing and tell this incredible story from his own life,’” Wallace says. “And I think everyone on set that day was floored by how genuine and vulnerable he was when he delivered it. It was a pretty powerful moment.”

Thornton had a front-row seat to Jones’ one-and-done monologue, as Tommy enters the scene and simply sits to the side while Jones tells of his own intertwined history of family, football and oil.

“Jerry Jones is an Arkansan like me originally, and we had never met,” he says. “I only met him that morning, and we just went right into it. Essentially, he was telling his own life story, and so it was completely natural. And it was pretty heavy being in the room listening to that. It made you feel like you weren’t in a scene in a [TV show.] It made you feel like you were just sitting there listening to a guy tell his story.”

While Jones’ speech was inspiring, it came too late for Hamm’s Monty, whose intubated body Cami and their daughters are seen crying over in the final moments of the season finale. “It is safe to say that Monty has passed,” Wallace says. “But when you take one major player off the board, it opens up opportunities for other players — and I think that’s all I’m at liberty to say at this point.”

Killing off Hamm’s character isn’t just strategic for the ascension of Tommy, but also maybe for Cami. High off her Golden Globes win for “The Substance,” and a current frontrunner to be nominated for an Oscar, Wallace says they are thrilled to have Moore in the cast and plan to keep her around should the show continue. “There is a lot more story left to tell with Cami,” he says. “Taylor has big plans, that’s all I’m going to say.”

Anyone worried that Tommy’s promotion might mean less time in the oil fields and more time in boardrooms can holster such concerns though — at least if Thornton has anything to say about it. While he doesn’t know what Sheridan and Wallace might cook up for a second season, he expects Tommy will seize the reins of M-Tex on his own terms.

“Tommy would much rather be out there doing what he’s been doing, but unfortunately, under these circumstances, it’s the right thing to do,” Thornton says. “Tommy knows he can be helpful. But he also certainly never wanted to be some type of executive person — it’s against his nature. So I don’t think that Tommy is going to stop being a landman. I don’t know this for a fact, but I know the character — and I know I sure wouldn’t stop.”

Lily Allen checks into trauma clinic after collapse of her marriage

Lily Allen has checked into an £8,000-a-week trauma treatment centre after telling friends she was close to a nervous breakdown after the collapse of her marriage.

The Mail on Sunday can reveal that the singer’s mental health deteriorated significantly after she returned from holiday to her marital home in New York last week – having split from her husband, the Stranger Things actor David Harbour, in December after discovering he was using the celebrity dating app Raya.

While she was at their Brooklyn townhouse, I am told that Lily felt ‘triggered’ by the thought of him being elsewhere in the city with another woman.

A source said: ‘It was very painful for Lily to return home. David used to be her saviour and now he’s a trigger for her. Lily settled her kids back into the family home and took them to school for their new term, then flew herself straight to rehab. She went a day earlier than intended as she felt wobbly and desperate to escape.’

She will spend several weeks at the residential retreat in the US where she is expected to take part in intensive group counselling sessions and one-on-one therapy in which she will be urged to ‘unpack’ her emotions.

Cocooned from the outside world – having surrendered her mobile phone – she will also be encouraged to eat healthily and take walks in the countryside.

The latest chapter in the star’s often troubled life has caused her close-knit friends dismay but, as one told me, they hope that she ‘is now on the road to recovery’.

The Mail On Sunday can reveal Lily Allen’s (pictured on February 27) mental wellbeing has significantly deteriorated after returning to her marital home following her split

Her husband David Harbour was seen strolling the street of New York with his close friend and Black Widow co-star Scarlett Johansson (pictured)

His stepchildren expected to see him on a safari in Kenya – however he was instead with another woman at a temple in Rishikesh in India

What makes this painful episode particularly upsetting, they say, is that 39-year-old Lily had pegged her hopes of a better life on her husband – who plays heroic police chief Jim Hopper in Netflix’s Stranger Things – following past drink and drugs issues.

Another source said: ‘She wants to make sure she’s feeling physically well again so she can be there for her daughters as the best mother she can be.

‘Everyone thinks David is the steady one and Lily is the crazy head-case. But the reality is that Lily was calmer and more grounded than she’s ever been – until she discovered that her marriage was unexpectedly over. She is taking the responsible course of action with a trip to a retreat to get her head straight.’

Though they didn’t meet in person, the couple were in touch briefly last week to arrange for David to look after his stepdaughters Ethel, 11, and Marnie, 13, in their mother’s absence. He is close to the girls, who are said to dote on him and know little of what has happened.

They were expecting their stepfather to join them for their Christmas safari in Kenya. But, as this newspaper revealed, he was instead seen with another woman at a temple in Rishikesh in India, in the foothills of the Himalayas, having reactivated his dating profile on Raya around a month earlier. When the actor landed back in the US this week, the mystery woman – thought to be in her twenties – was nowhere to be seen.

But after his wife left town, he was seen walking in the city with Scarlett Johansson. The pair have been close friends since they appeared together in the 2021 film Black Widow. He was also pictured puffing on a cigar.

A source told me: ‘While David was strolling around New York smoking cigars and looking carefree, you can only imagine how Lily was feeling. Her heartbreak was made worse by being near to him in Brooklyn.’

Earlier this month, I revealed Lily turned amateur sleuth after suspecting her husband of cheating. She joined the Raya app herself and was left in ‘agony’ when she discovered her husband had already set up a profile, listed as having been active for at least a month.

Lily Allen has heartbreaking previously admitted she can’t concentrate on anything apart from the overwhelming pain she is feeling amid her split from David Harbour

Rumors have swirled for months that the pair’s five-year romance was on the rocks, but a friend of the Smile hitmaker previously confirmed that they officially ‘separated’

Lily Allen has taken her daughters on holiday amid her split from her husband David Harbour

Since then, she told listeners of her BBC podcast, ‘I’ve been spiralling and spiralling, and it’s got out of control.’

In the same episode, she said she had a panic attack over Christmas and admitted fleeing a London stage play she was watching during the interval because she was unable to ‘concentrate on anything except the pain I’m going through’.

Read MoreEXCLUSIVE Lily Allen can’t focus on anything apart from ‘pain’ she’s in after confirming David Harbour split

The couple first got together after the release of Lily’s shocking 2018 tell-all memoir, which detailed her drug and alcohol use, her encounters with female sex workers during a music tour and the collapse of her marriage to builder Sam Cooper, the father of her two daughters.

After she discovered Sam had quickly moved on with a younger girlfriend – India Windsor-Clive, daughter of the Earl of Plymouth, to whom he is now married – she was said to be determined to find love again.

Turning her life around, she conquered her addictions and then met Harbour, a fellow member of Alcoholics Anonymous, via Raya. Following a whirlwind romance he moved into her West London flat during the 2020 lockdown.

She has since admitted that it was during this time she had sex sober for the first time.

By the time they got married in Las Vegas in September 2020, Lily seemed healthy and, say friends, as happy as she has ever been.

The low-key wedding, with just her two daughters as witnesses, was followed by a reception at an In-N-Out burger joint. Though the ceremony was officiated by an Elvis impersonator, Lily declared herself serious about marriage – and told friends she had every intention of staying married to David for the rest of her life.

David and Lily on their wedding day in 2020 which was followed by a reception at an In-N-Out burger join

Pictured the singer’s wedding band and engagement ring from her marriage to David Harbour

Lily turned Wagatha Christie to find out if her husband David was looking for other women amid split rumours

Her reactivated Raya account came to light just days after her admission on her podcast that she is ‘ not in a great place mentally’ and ‘bored of men’

After moving to New York she settled into blissful mundanity – a joyful novelty after years of globe-trotting as a ‘ladette’ pop star. Relishing the relative anonymity of living in America, where she is much less famous than her 49-year-old husband, she became a stay-at-home mum. Weekends were spent cooking extravagant Sunday roasts for the family. At the school gates, other mothers saw her simply as the real-life wife of TV’s Jim Hopper. Outwardly, at least, all seemed pretty much perfect.

In the past few months, however, listeners of Lily’s chart-topping podcast Miss Me? began to suspect that all was not quite as it seemed in their marriage. While she has never specifically talked about the cracks in their relationship, she has dropped some subtle hints.

Read More Lily Allen takes her daughters Ethel, 13, and Marnie, 11, on safari amid split from David Harbour

As an avid listener myself, I began picking up clues. In July, Lily confessed that David made unusual ‘kinky sex’ requests in the bedroom, which she rejected.

Speaking with her co-host and best friend Miquita Oliver, she said: ‘I wonder if I kink-shame my husband. Because he quite often asks for things, and I’m like, “No, babe, it’s not happening.” ‘

Her husband made a cameo appearance in another episode that month. Initially gushing about his wife, he later divulged that she could be too needy, which gave him the ‘ick’. A few months later, Lily repeatedly mentioned feeling gloomy, but did not elaborate.

In October she stopped wearing her wedding ring and a month later I noticed it had been some weeks since she had mentioned her husband. Normally his name cropped up frequently. Things became clearer when she admitted last month: ‘I’m having a bit of a rough time of it at the moment. But I’m trying to soldier on.’

She had previously told how her daughters had found themselves in the firing line of her emotional state. ‘I exploded and screamed at the kids. I was like, “I can’t handle this at the moment; I’m going through so much, I need you two to behave yourselves”.’

The British singer, 39, bared her soul during a Miss Me? podcast episode, which she hosts with friend Miquita Oliver, as she confirmed their separation (pictured with David in 2020)

Another clue to the cause of her turmoil came when Lily announced: ‘I’m so bored of men.’

At the same time a source told The Mail on Sunday that Lily was ‘struggling’ with life.

Now she has gone so far as to confess, ‘when life is tough… having to hold things together is really, really hard. We’re going to get through it and be fine’.

A source said: ‘Lily hasn’t relapsed with drugs and alcohol through this ordeal, thankfully. But she is going to spend the few weeks having a lot of therapy, which she badly needs. After a wonderful holiday with her kids in Kenya, albeit without David, she came back to London to spend time with old friends and family.

‘After that she flew to New York and it was then that she felt, frankly, on the edge of a nervous breakdown. She feels insecure, believing David may have a girl with him in New York.

‘People tend to think of him as TV’s Mr Nice Guy, a great dad and a real-life version of the good cop from Stranger Things. But in reality the way their break-up came about was not honourable or kind and has left her totally shaken up.’

David has had a well-documented battle with alcoholism and bipolar disorder in the past and was, by his own admission, a ‘terrible human being’ before getting clean 25 years ago.

The source added: ‘Lily has always been there for David, holding his hand through professional or personal ups and downs. That’s what marriage means to her.’

‘Den of Thieves 2’ opens at No. 1 as ‘Better Man’ flops

NEW YORK (AP) — On a quiet weekend in movie theaters, while much of Hollywood’s attention was on the wildfires that continue to rage in Los Angeles, Lionsgate’s “Den of Thieves 2: Pantera” debuted atop the box office with $15.5 million, according to studio estimates Sunday.

Mid-January is often a slow moviegoing period, and that was slightly exacerbated by the closures of about 10 theaters in Los Angeles, the country’s top box-office market.

A sequel to the Gerard Butler 2018 heist thriller, “Den of Thieves 2” performed similarly to the original. The first installment, released by STX, opened with $15.2 million seven years ago. O’Shea Jackson Jr. co-stars in the sequel, which debuted in 3,008 North American theaters.

Butler’s films are becoming something of a regular feature in January. He also starred in “Plane,” which managed $32.1 million after launching on Jan. 13 in 2023.

“Den of Thieves 2,” made for about $40 million, was a bit more costly to make. Audiences liked it well enough, giving it a “B+” CinemaScore. Reviews (58% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes) weren’t particularly good. But it counted as Lionsgate’s first No.1 opening since “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” in November 2023.

Also entering wide release over the weekend was the Robbie Williams movie “Better Man,” one of the more audacious spins on the music biopic in recent years. Rather than going the more tradition routes of Elton John (“Rocketman”) or Elvis Presley (“Elvis”), the British popstar is portrayed by a CGI chimpanzee in Michael Gracey’s film.

The Paramount Pictures release, produced for $110 million and acquired by Paramount for $25 million, didn’t catch on much better than Williams’ previous forays into the United States. It tanked, with $1.1 million in ticket sales from 1,291 locations. Gracey’s previous feature, 2017’s “The Greatest Showman” ($459 million worldwide), fared far better in theaters. Reviews, however, have been very good for “Better Man.”

It was bested by “The Last Showgirl,” the Las Vegas drama starring Pamela Anderson. The Roadside Attractions release expanded to 870 theaters and collected $1.5 million.

Also outdoing “Better Man” was Brady Corbet’s “The Brutalist.” Coming off winning best drama at the Golden Globes, the A24 postwar epic grossed a hefty $1.4 million from just 68 locations. It expands wider in the coming weeks.

The weekend’s lion share of business went to holiday holdovers, including “Mufasa: The Lion King,” “Sonic the Hedgehog 3,” “Nosferatu” and “Moana 2.”

In its fourth week of release, Barry Jenkins “Mufasa” continued to do well, adding $13.2 million to bring its total to $539.7 million worldwide. Also on its fourth weekend, “Sonic the Hedgehog 3” padded its $384.8 million global total with $11 million. Robert Eggers’ “Nosferatu,” the surprise hit of the Christmas period, collected $6.8 million in ticket sales, bringing the vampire tale to $81.1 million domestically.

The Walt Disney Co.’s “Moana 2,” in its seventh week of release, added $6.5 million to bring its global tally to $989.8 million. In the coming days, it will become the third Disney film released in 2024 to notch $1 billion, joining “Inside Out 2” and “Deadpool and Wolverine.”

Final domestic figures will be released Monday. Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Comscore:

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Djimon Hounsou says he’s ‘still struggling to make a living’ despite 2 Oscar noms

Despite roles in such acclaimed films as Ridley Scott’s Gladiator, Steven Spielberg’s Amistad, and Edward Zwick’s Blood Diamond — the latter two having earned him Academy Award nominations — Hounsou says he isn’t compensated fairly for his work.

“I’m still struggling to make a living,” the actor admitted during an interview for CNN’s African Voices Changemakers. “I’ve been in this business making films now for over two decades with two Oscar nominations, been in many blockbuster films, and yet I’m still struggling financially. I’m definitely underpaid.”

The actor has embraced franchise and big-budget opportunities in recent years, appearing in movies like Guardians of the Galaxy, Furious 7, Disney’s live action The Legend of Tarzan, Captain Marvel, Shazam, A Quiet Place Part II, and Zack Snyder’s Rebel Moon.

Hounsou first broke out with a leading role in Spielberg’s 1997 historical drama, Amistad, and though his performance was critically acclaimed, he was overlooked when it came time for Oscar nominations — though his costar Anthony Hopkins was not.

“I was nominated for the Golden Globe, but they ignored me for the Oscars, talking about the fact that they thought that I had just came off the boat and off the streets,” Hounsou recalled in the CNN interview. “Even though I successfully did that [film], they just didn’t feel like I was an actor to whom they should pay any respect. This conceptual idea of diversity still has a long way to go.”

When the interviewer voiced surprise that Hounsou is still underpaid despite his accolades and stature in the industry, the actor replied, “That’s a sign for you that systemic racism is not something you can deal with lightly. It’s so deeply inserted in everything that we do, across the board.”

This is not the first time Hounsou has addressed the issue of pay equity for people of color in Hollywood. While promoting his role in the blockbuster DC film Shazam! Fury of the Gods, he told The Guardian that he feels “cheated” by the inequalities he’s experienced throughout his career.

“I’ve come up in the business with some people who are absolutely well off and have very little of my accolades,” Hounsou told the outlet. “So I feel cheated, tremendously cheated, in terms of finances and in terms of the workload as well. I still have to prove why I need to get paid. They always come at me with a complete low ball: ‘We only have this much for the role, but we love you so much and we really think you can bring so much.’”

He added that fellow actor Viola Davis described the issue “beautifully,” explaining, “She’s won an Oscar, she’s won an Emmy, she’s won a Tony, and she still can’t get paid. Film after film, it’s a struggle. I have yet to meet the film that paid me fairly.”

Davis famously commented on the issue during a panel at a 2018 Women of the World event, where she noted, “I have a career that’s probably comparable to Meryl Streep, Julianne Moore, Sigourney Weaver…. People say, ‘You’re a Black Meryl Streep. There is no one like you.’ Okay, then if there’s no one like me, you think I’m that, you pay me what I’m worth. You give me what I’m worth.”

Hounsou, who grew up in Benin and France before moving to the U.S. at 23 to pursue acting, explained that his work on Amistad inspired the creation of his Djimon Hounsou Foundation, which seeks to “champion a visceral connection between the countries of the African diaspora and the motherland and to heal the wounds that slavery left behind,” per its website.

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“My acting work really opened my eyes,” Hounsou shared, citing his role in the Spielberg film. “As I was doing research for [Amistad], I became profoundly aware of the disconnect between Afro-descendants from their roots and culture. Because when you don’t know where you came from, you don’t know who you are.”

He continued, “I had this compelling need to do something for my people for my continent, and that was really what compelled me to start my [foundation] so many years later.”