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Monday, Apr. 2, 2018

Facebook CEO defends advertising-supported business model

In this combo of file photos, Apple CEO Tim Cook speaks on the new Apple campus on Sept. 12, 2017, in Cupertino, Calif., left, and Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg speaks at the F8 Facebook Developer Conference on April 12, 2016, in San Francisco, right. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg, File)

NEW YORK (AP) --

The CEO of Facebook is defending its advertising-supported business model.

Mark Zuckerberg's defense comes after Apple CEO Tim Cook said his company wouldn't be in Facebook's situation because Apple doesn't sell ads based on customer data the way Facebook does. Zuckerberg responded Monday that an advertising-supported business model is the only way that the service can survive because not everyone would be able to pay for Facebook if it charged a fee.

He says the idea that Facebook doesn't care about its customers is "extremely glib."

Facebook is facing scrutiny over its data collection following allegations that political consulting firm Cambridge Analytica obtained data on tens of millions of Facebook users to try to influence elections.

Zuckerberg spoke with Vox , while Cook talked with Recode last week.

Monday, Apr. 2, 2018

Steven Bochco, creator of groundbreaking "Hill Street Blues," dies at 74

In this Aug. 17, 2016, file photo, television writer/producer Steven Bochco poses for a portrait at his office in Santa Monica, Calif. Bochco, a writer and producer known for creating "Hill Street Blues," has died. He was 74. A family spokesman says Bochco died Sunday, April 1, 2018, in his sleep after a battle with cancer. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP, File)

LOS ANGELES (AP) --

Steven Bochco, a writer and producer known for creating the groundbreaking police drama "Hill Street Blues," died Sunday. He was 74. A family spokesman says Bochco died in his sleep after a battle with cancer.

Bochco, who won 10 primetime Emmys, created several hit television shows including "L.A. Law," ''NYPD Blue," and "Doogie Howser, M.D."

Premiering in January 1981, "Hill Street Blues" challenged, even confounded the meager audience that sampled it. Then, on a wave of critical acclaim, the series began to click with viewers, while scoring a history-making 27 Emmy nominations its first year.

During its seven-season run, it won 26 Emmys and launched Bochco on a course that led to dozens of series and earned him four Peabody awards, in addition to the 10 Emmys.

"Hill Street Blues" had a sprawling universe of engaging yet flawed characters, a zippy pace and layers of overlapping, scripted dialogue, shot in a documentary style More

Sunday, Apr. 1, 2018

Animated movie puts famed war dog Stubby back in the spotlight

This image released by Fun Academy Motion Pictures Media Group shows a scene from the animated movie "Sgt. Stubby: An American Hero." (Fun Academy Motion Pictures Media Group via AP)

By Pat Eaton-Robb

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) --

Curt Deane says his grandfather would be thrilled to know that a century after his service in World War I, people have not forgotten the heroics of his dog, Stubby.

A new animated film based on the true story of the decorated war dog, "Sgt. Stubby: An American Hero" opens April 13.

Director Richard Lanni says he tried to be as authentic as possible when telling the story of the small stray who was adopted in 1917 by Deane's grandfather, J. Robert Conroy, of New Britain, while he was training in New Haven.

Conroy was able to smuggle Stubby aboard a ship taking soldiers to Europe and, as the story goes, the Boston Terrier mix became the mascot of the 102nd Regiment by charming officers with his ability to salute, a trick which Conroy taught him.

Stubby was never made a sergeant, Deane said. But he did have many documented exploits, earning a medal that was presented to the dog by famed Gen. John Pershing.

"Before Stubby More

Friday, Mar. 30, 2018

Colin Trevorrow will be back to direct "Jurassic World 3"

In this June 14, 2017, file photo, Colin Trevorrow, director of "The Book of Henry," poses at the premiere of the film on the opening night of the 2017 Los Angeles Film Festival in Culver City, Calif. Executive producer Steven Spielberg told Entertainment Weekly and producer Frank Marshall tweeted Friday that Trevorrow, who directed the first “Jurassic World” in 2015, will direct “Jurassic World 3.” (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP, File)

LOS ANGELES (AP) --

Colin Trevorrow will be back among the dinosaurs as he returns to the director's chair for the third installment of the "Jurassic World" franchise.

Executive producer Steven Spielberg told Entertainment Weekly and producer Frank Marshall tweeted Friday that Trevorrow, who directed the first "Jurassic World" in 2015, will direct "Jurassic World 3."

Universal Pictures previously announced that Trevorrow and Emily Carmichael will co-write the movie, which is set for a June 2021 release. Carmichael co-wrote the sci-fi adventure "Pacific Rim Uprising" that was released last week.

The franchise's second film, "Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom," which Trevorrow co-wrote for director J.A. Bayona, opens June 22 and stars Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard.

The first "Jurassic World" ranks among history's biggest box-office hits with $1.7 billion in worldwide ticket sales.

Wednesday, Mar. 28, 2018

"Roseanne" reboot opens big with about 18 million viewers

In this image released by ABC, Roseanne Barr, left, and John Goodman appear in a scene from the reboot of "Roseanne," premiering on Tuesday at 8 p.m. EST. (Adam Rose/ABC via AP, File)

By Lynn Elber, Television Writer

LOS ANGELES (AP) --

Viewers were eager to see ABC's reboot of "Roseanne," with an estimated 18.4 million tuning in to its debut.

The updated sitcom starring Roseanne Barr returned Tuesday, more than two decades after the original ended its hit run. The hour-long debut episode was watched by 10 percent more viewers than saw the May 1997 finale of ABC's original "Roseanne."

That's impressive, given the explosion of alternate platforms and series since then and compared to other successful sitcom reboots.

NBC's "Will & Grace," for example, returned this season with its original 1998-2006 cast to a debut audience of 10.1 million viewers and was quickly renewed for a second and then a third season.

For its freshman year, NBC's show is averaging 5.7 million people watching episodes on the day they air. But with the time-shifting viewership that networks are focusing on, its audience averages 9 million per episode over a seven-day period.

Wednesday, Mar. 28, 2018

No deal yet for man charged with theft of McDormand Oscar

Terry Bryant appears during a hearing in Los Angeles Superior Court, Wednesday, March 28, 2018, in Los Angeles. Bryant, who is charged with stealing Frances McDormand's Oscar statuette at an Academy Awards after-party, appeared in court but the quick resolution to the case that was expected did not emerge. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel)

LOS ANGELES (AP) --

The man charged with stealing Frances McDormand's Oscar statuette at an Academy Awards after-party appeared in court Wednesday but the quick resolution to the case that was expected did not emerge.

Terry Bryant wore a gray pinstriped suit instead of the blue jail jumpsuit of his previous court appearance and smiled politely throughout the very brief hearing in Los Angeles Superior Court.

Bryant had been found eligible for so-called early disposition — a relaxing of legal formalities intended to bring a quick resolution to some cases.

But he remains charged with felony grand theft and faces up to three years in prison.

Bryant's attorney Daniel Brookman says Bryant's not-guilty plea stands. He insists this is "not a prison case" and expects a deal by the next hearing on May 1.

Tuesday, Mar. 27, 2018

Heineken pulls light beer commercial after racism complaints

In this Dec. 9, 2008, file photo, visitors watch Heineken commercials on large screens at the Heineken Experience, Amsterdam. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong, File)

WHITE PLAINS, NY (AP) --

Heineken has removed a commercial for its light beer after some complaints that it was racist.

The ad featured a bartender sliding a bottle of Heineken light. The bottle passes several black people before it arrives to a lighter-skinned woman. The tag line: Sometimes lighter is better.

Hip-hop star Chance the Rapper on Sunday tweeted the commercial was "terribly racist." He said he thought some companies were purposely "putting out noticeably racist ads so they can get more views."

In a statement, Heineken says while the ad was referencing Heineken Light, "we missed the mark."

Heineken drew praise last year for its "Open Your World" commercials, which featured people of different backgrounds discussing their viewpoints.

Tuesday, Mar. 27, 2018

Reports: Facebook's Zuckerberg to testify before Congress

In this May 25, 2017, file photo, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg delivers the commencement address at Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, File)

NEW YORK (AP) --

Published reports say Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg is planning to testify before Congress about how his company collects and uses people's data.

Citing unnamed sources, CNN said in a report Tuesday that Zuckerberg has "come to terms" with the fact that he'll have to testify in a matter of weeks. A Facebook representative said the company has received invitations to appear before congress and is talking to legislators but would not confirm Zuckerberg's attendance.

Zuckerberg said last week in a CNN interview that he'd be "happy to" testify if he is the right person to do it. The company is facing unprecedented scrutiny following reports that a data mining firm used ill-gotten data from tens of millions of its users to try to influence elections.

A spokeswoman for the House Energy and Commerce Committee said Tuesday that reports of Zuckerberg's confirmed attendance are "incorrect." But she added that the committee is "continuing to More