Showbiz Sandbox 313: Is Kanye West Crazy Like A Fox, or Just Crazy?

February 22, 2016

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Kanye West is making headlines for exhibiting manic behavior around the upcoming release of his latest album, “The Life of Pablo”. Is it erratic behavior or a canny promotional tactic? And is West’s album actually finished, or are the many changes he’s making before its official release all part of an intentional, yet public, artistic process.

In more serious news, music heavyweights are beginning to speak out about the court battle between artist Kesha and music producer Dr. Luke. The musician is attempting to break free of a record contract which ties her to a man Kesha says “sexually, physically, verbally and emotionally” abused her for years.

Meanwhile, we’re going to look at a worldwide box office phenomenon that has set records in the United States and around the world. Not “Deadpool”, but rather China’s “The Mermaid,” which had the highest per screen average of any movie in North America this past week.

Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment news including the new owner of movie review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, Amazon’s plans to distribute Woody Allen’s next movie and new rules for the Eurovision song contest.

‘Deadpool’ Bedevils ‘Risen,’ ‘The Witch’ With $55M
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/box-office-deadpool-bedevils-4919m-868066

China Box Office: ‘Mermaid’ Becomes Top-Grossing Film Ever With $400M-Plus
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/stephen-chows-mermaid-highest-grosser-867913

China Box Office: ‘Mermaid’ Becomes Top-Grossing Film Ever With $400M
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/stephen-chows-mermaid-highest-grosser-867913

‘WarGames’ and Cybersecurity’s Debt to a Hollywood Hack
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/21/movies/wargames-and-cybersecuritys-debt-to-a-hollywood-hack.html

Adam Sandler, ‘Fifty Shades’ Lead Razzies Nominations
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/2016-razzie-award-nominees-867140

Berlin Film Festival 2016: Full List of Winners
http://www.screendaily.com/5100694.article

Kanye’s Beautiful, Haphazard Yeezy Season 3 Spectacle
http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2016/02/kanyes-beautiful-haphazard-yeezy-season-3-spectacle/462546/

Kanye West Had Epic Meltdown Backstage at ‘SNL’
http://pagesix.com/2016/02/15/kanye-west-has-epic-meltdown-backstage-at-snl/

Kanye West Says He’s $53 Million in Debt
https://variety.com/2016/music/news/kanye-west-says-hes-53-million-in-debt-removes-new-album-download-to-keep-tidal-exclusive-1201706161/

Kanye West Is Fixing His Album in Public. You’ll Want to Read the Edits.
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/21/arts/music/kanye-west-life-of-pablo-tlop.html

Kesha Sobs As Judge Refuses to Cancel Contract With Producer Dr. Luke and Sony
http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/music/kesha-sobs-judge-denies-sony-records-injunction-request-article-1.2537490

Publishers Throw the Book at SAR Over Missing Five
http://www.thestandard.com.hk/section-news.php

In China, Books That Make Money, and Enemies
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/07/business/international/in-china-books-that-make-money-and-enemies.html?_r=0

Journey Frontman Steve Perry Planning 2016 Comeback
http://www.msn.com/en-au/entertainment/music/journey-frontman-steve-perry-planning-2016-comeback/ar-BBnvP9e

Oscars: Two Original Song Performances Nixed From Broadcast
https://variety.com/2016/film/in-contention/oscars-song-performances-youth-racing-extinction-1201710638/

Fandango Buys Rotten Tomatoes, Flixster
https://variety.com/2016/digital/news/fandango-rotten-tomatoes-flixster-1201708444/

Amazon Studios Acquires Woody Allen’s Next Movie
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/amazon-studios-acquires-woody-allens-867414

Sony’s Michael Lynton Faxes Memos in Wake of Hack
https://variety.com/2016/digital/news/michael-lynton-sony-hack-fax-machine-1201709910/

Eurovision Song Contest Overhauls Voting Rules
http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-35602473

RIAA Debuts Album Award With Streams
http://www.riaa.com/riaa-debuts-album-award-streams/

Harper Lee, Author of ‘To Kill a Mockingbird,’ Dies at 89
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/20/arts/harper-lee-dies.html?_r=0

Umberto Eco, 84, Best-Selling Academic Who Navigated Two Worlds, Dies
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/20/arts/international/umberto-eco-italian-semiotician-and-best-selling-author-dies-at-84.html

Warren Manzi, Author of New York’s Longest-Running Play, Dies at 60
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/15/theater/warren-manzi-whose-perfect-crime-is-new-yorks-longest-running-play-dies-at-60.html

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