Entertainment Tidbits

Jul 2, 2025 | 7:00 PM

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Neil Druckmann, co-showrunner of The Last of Us alongside Craig Mazin, is leaving the HBO series after a divisive season 2. This decision makes Mazin the sole showrunner for the upcoming third season. Druckmann will maintain his co-creator and executive producer roles on the show. The move follows a decrease in ratings for season 2. (Story URL)

Actor and stuntman Bob Elmore, known for his roles in Pirates Of The Caribbean and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2, has died at the age of 65. The news was confirmed by his co-star Caroline Williams on Instagram. Elmore’s career began in a Wild West Stunt Show in California and later expanded to Hollywood films like The Usual Suspects and Casino. (Story URL)

Beloved halftime performer Red Panda, also known as Rong Niu, fell off her unicycle during a performance at a WNBA Commissioner’s Cup game. She was then taken to the hospital for evaluation after being wheeled off the court. In a video of the incident, Niu lost her balance while balancing on her bike and fell to the hardcourt, grabbing her wrist. (Story URL)

Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck have decided to take their Beverly Hills mansion off the market after failing to attract a buyer for a year. The former couple initially listed the property for sale in July 2024 for $68 million following their split. A real estate source mentioned that the current market conditions were challenging for a property of that price range. (Story URL)

The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star Jen Affleck and her husband Zac Affleck welcomed their third child, a daughter named Penelope Phyliss Affleck. Jen shared the happy news on Instagram, expressing her gratitude for the un-medicated birth experience. The couple already has two children, daughter Nora, 3, and son Luca, 23 months. (Story URL)

Apple Music is set to launch a new studio in Los Angeles. The three-story facility, spanning over 15,000 square feet, will feature a 4,000-square-foot soundstage for live performances, radio studios with Spatial Audio playback, isolation booths for songwriting and podcasting, as well as dedicated areas for editing, social media, and interviews. (Story URL)

Alison Brie has landed the lead role in an FX drama pilot titled Witness Protection. The show follows a DC madame (played by Brie) who enters witness protection in Maine with her daughter after a violent incident. Initially announced in March 2023 with David Chase as co-creator, scheduling conflicts led to his exit from the project. (Story URL)