28 Established 1961 Tuesday, January 23, 2018 Lifestyle Music & Movies ‘Scandal,’ the show that Twitter built, bows out

BC’s prime-time political soap “Scandal” ing fans a feeling of belonging that they’d never of it and the fact that you can literally communi- launched mid-season with little fanfare in had before. cate one-on-one with people or a group.” Other Athe spring of 2012, to tepid reviews and networks have begun to catch up but “Scandal” disappointing ratings. Following the exploits of ‘I was very skeptical’ still finished ninth across broadcast stations last Emmy-nominated Kerry Washington as Rhimes would offer personal insights into pro- year in the social media charts, with 5.2 million Washington, DC crisis manager Olivia Pope and duction and the scriptwriting process and, most interactions. her team of problem-solving “gladiators,” the importantly, rope in the cast to post their own show didn’t immediately take off and it looked thoughts in real-time. It is a common tactic these ‘Yearning for connection’ destined to be strangled at birth. As it nears its days but no one was really doing it-certainly on a The cast makes sure to live-tweet for audience finale six years on, however, it bows out as a bona regular, reliable basis-before Rhimes. By the sec- in both the east and west coast time zones, said fide hit that changed the way we watch TV, ush- ond season, “Scandal” was drawing 119,000 Cornelius Smith Jr, who plays White House com- ering in the era of live-tweeting shows, known as tweets per episode and ratings began to climb, munications director Marcus Walker. “It’s a lot of “double-screening.” particularly among the millennial age group that fun and it’s a really different kind of way to com- Its army of vocal Twitter fans, who also call advertisers covet. The show is in its final run of 11 municate and connect. I think people are really themselves “gladiators,” helped ratings for episodes after returning last week from a mid- yearning for connection in this world, especially “Scandal” soar more than 50 percent to 12.7 mil- season break and finishes for good on April 19. today,” he told reporters. Jeff Perry, who plays lion an episode by 2014. Much of its success was Tony Goldwyn, who plays ex-president Fitzgerald vice-president Cyrus Beene, joked that the only driven by the goodwill it engendered as an “Fitz” Grant, Pope’s longtime love interest, told negative reaction to the live-tweeting had come (From left) File photo shows Actors Joshua Malina, Darby Stanchfield, and Joe Morton, intriguing Washington, DC political story of sex, journalists at a recent set visit in Hollywood how from other actors in Hollywood. Executive Producer Betsy Beers, actors Cornelius Smith Jr, Tony Goldwyn, Kerry murder and double-dealing starring a strong the cast had embraced Rhimes’ ground-breaking Though they can be full of praise, he said that Washington, Bellamy Young, and Scott Foley, and Creator/Executive Producer Shonda black female character. But its pioneering strategy. “a little more often they’re (annoyed) at us. ‘You Rhimes of the television show ‘Scandal’ speak onstage during the Disney-ABC portion showrunner, “Grey’s Anatomy” creator Shonda “It completely transformed my perception of guys made that work and now I have to tweet all of the 2017 Winter Television Critics Association Press Tour at Langham Hotel on Rhimes, has been credited with the insight that social media. I was very skeptical and judgmental the time.’” Social media aside, “Scandal” has an January 10, 2017 in Pasadena, California. — AFP stars and producers live-tweeting episodes along about it, and just thought... it was irrelevant to equally important reason to be proud of its repu- with fans makes a difference in ratings. me,” said Goldwyn (“Ghost,” “The Belko tation for pioneering TV, — its commitment to drama in my lifetime,” said Washington, 40. “It From the earliest days, she would diligently Experiment”). The 57-year-old actor figured that diversity. All the characters in the most powerful was not something I grew up seeing... and that is connect with her Twitter followers, who have no one would be interested in his opinions but roles are women, and the show has always been certainly not the case now. You’d be hard-pressed expanded during the show’s lifetime from was staggered when thousands of people began committed to reflecting the racial diversity of to find a network that does not have a show with 350,000 to 1.7 million. “Gladiators: ‘Scandal’ following him and responding to his tweets. modern-day America. a woman of color at its center.” — AFP would not have the opportunity to be on maga- “It’s kind of like being in a Broadway theater “When we first aired most of the questions I zine covers without all of you watching. Thank with 1,000 people there and you’re talking to received centered around the fact that there had you for making it happen!” she would tweet, giv- them,” he said. “I was really awed by the impact not been a black woman as the lead in a television

Stormzy, J. Cole and DJ Khaled to headline Wireless 2018

tormzy, J. Cole and DJ Khaled will headline Wireless Festival 2018. The British grime star S- who is riding high on the success of his mul- Indian police officials stand guard in the premises of City Gold Motera theatre with a notice tiple award-winning album ‘Gang, Signs & Prayers’ board written in regional gujarati language which says ‘City Gold Motera theatre hereby This file photo shows Chinese rapper PG One (center) performing during a promotional event - and the US rappers will top the bill at the annual informs that here we are not displaying poster or trailer of the controversial film for the movie “Spiderman: Homecoming” in Beijing. — AFP music extravaganza held at Finsbury Park in “Padmaavat”, in Ahmedabad yesterday. — AFP London between July 6 and 8. Now in its 13th year, the north London event prides itself on paying homage to the hottest and forthcoming acts on the Indian states seek last-ditch Bad rap: Chinese fans fear grime, electronic R&B and pop scene, and much more. Joining ‘Big For Your Boots’ hitmaker Stormzy film ban amid violent protests crackdown on hip hop on July 7 are the likes of US trap giants Migos, BRIT Award-nominated J Hus, and ‘Unforgettable’ ndian state governments made a last- block the release on law and order grounds. hinese music fans are bracing for a dog agency. “How many examples of fine hitmaker French Montana. J. Cole has Post Malone, ditch attempt yesterday to ban a A caste-based group called the Rajput crackdown on hip hop after a rap- culture and excellent works have had their PartyNextDoor and special guest Big Sean and Bollywood film about a mythical Hindu Karni Sena, which has been leading the vio- Cper was apparently dropped from a value twisted by the hands of this idiotic Wretch 32 and Mabel on July 6. Giggs will join queenI which has sparked violent protests lent protests, has threatened to attack cine- popular singing program, as reports agency? I’m ashamed of your behavior,” ‘Wild Thoughts’ star DJ Khaled as his special by radical groups. The Rajasthan and mas showing the film, including with swords. emerged that the government had soured said one. Chinese hip hop entered the guest, along with artists including Rae Sremmurd, Madhya Pradesh governments asked India’s Its leaders claim that hundreds of women on the often-provocative genre. Hip hop is national spotlight last year with the debut Lil Uzi Vert, ‘Bodak Yellow’ star Cardi B, Rick Ross top court to retract a ruling ordering states are ready to perform a mass self-immolation a late arrival to China’s cultural scene but season of the wildly popular “The Rap of to wrap up the three days on July 8. to show the film “Padmaavat”, which is due if the movie showing goes ahead. In January homegrown artists have steadily gained China”, an internet-based reality-show It will be Khaled’s first performance outside to hit screens on Thursday. The urgent peti- last year members attacked the film’s direc- fans, getting a major boost over the past rapping competition. North America and the only place to see him in tions, which the Supreme Court will hear on tor Sanjay Leela Bhansali and vandalized year thanks to singing-contest reality pro- The show, which finished its first season the UK in 2018. Last year saw The Weeknd close Tuesday, were lodged a day after Hindu the set during filming in Rajasthan. The grams showcasing their talent. But rappers in September, accumulated nearly three the festival with a bang as fireworks exploded extremists set fire to buses and blocked leader of the group also offered 50 million have recently raised hackles with vulgar or billion online “views”. But China’s emerg- from the stage while he belted out his popular roads in Gujarat state. In Rajasthan state, rupees ($769,000) to anyone who edgy lyrics, and fans fear hip hop has ing hip hop subculture seemed destined to track ‘The Hills’. The ‘Starboy’ hitmaker rounded women carrying swords marched in “beheaded” lead actress Deepika Padukone become the latest target of an escalating run afoul of the Communist Party, which off the three-day event with hit after hit from his Chittorgarh against the movie. In Noida, or Bhansali. Protesters attacked another set crackdown on content deemed potentially has dramatically tightened its grip on free ‘House of Balloons’ mixtape as the crowd went near the capital New Delhi, activists burned near Mumbai in March, burning costumes threatening to the ruling Communist Party. expression under President Xi Jinping. In wild for his incredible voice. Tickets are on sale toll booths on a major highway after a rally. and other props. The movie stars Shahid On Friday social media began circulat- an ongoing crackdown on expression, the now form — www.wirelessfestival.co.uk Protesters claim the film falsely depicts a Kapoor as Maharawal Ratan Singh, the hus- ing a government order apparently issued media, internet and the arts, vulgar or romance between 14th century Hindu queen band of Padmavati, and Ranveer Singh as to Chinese broadcasters banning them provocative content is out, while patriotic Padmavati and Muslim ruler Alauddin Khilji. Khilji who leads an invasion to try to cap- from giving air time to “artists with tattoos, and “harmonious” content code for pro- Stormzy The producers deny this and insist the ture the queen. Protesters maintain it dis- hip hop music” and other performers who party propaganda-is in. Last summer a movie portrays her respectfully. The torts history, even though experts say the are “in conflict with the party’s core values rapper from the southwestern city of Supreme Court on Thursday overturned a queen is a mythical character. Earlier this and morals”. Popular portal Sina.com said Chengdu known as “Fat Shady” drew ban on the release of the film which had month the film censor board cleared the directive came from Gao Changli, a top attention with a song called “Stupid been imposed by several states, including “Padmaavat” for release subject to five official with the government agency that Foreigners”, a profanity-laced rant against Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, saying it changes. — AFP oversees the media. The order has not foreigners living in China. violated creative freedoms. The states have been officially released. But a rapper Two weeks ago PG One, one of asked the court instead to rule that individ- known as GAI, who has nearly four million China’s best-known rappers, apologized ual state governments should be allowed to followers on China’s Twitter-like Weibo after he came under fire from official platform, was suddenly absent from media. They highlighted lyrics from one Friday’s airing of the popular reality show of his songs in which he boasts obscenely “Singer”. GAI is now no longer featured about forcing himself on a woman and as one of the contestants, prompting appears to promote drug use. There is Rudimental online speculation that he was a casualty now rising online speculation over Ed Sheeran’s of the new rules. “This is a sign that hip whether “The Rap of China”-which vault- hop will be banned,” said one of many ed several contestants to fame and helped tracks to be released comments on Weibo. them land recording contracts-would be allowed back for a second season. d Sheeran has a stockpile of songs music scene, following the announce- ‘Cultural regression’ Predictions of the show’s demise have recorded with Rudimental which ment he’s engaged to childhood sweet- “Although some of it is rubbish, hip hop been fuelled by reports that the latest Ecould be released this year. The heart Cherry Seaborn. After the pair itself is not wrong. Its core spirit is still installment of a nationwide concert tour drum and bass band - comprised of Piers have children - which Ed previously positive... Hip hop has just emerged and based on the program was cancelled over Agget, Amir Amor, Kesi Dryden and DJ admitted he wanted to do before he now it is being rudely banned. Isn’t this the weekend in the central city of Wuhan, Locksmith - recently made a comeback turns 30 - the 26-year-old singer/song- cultural regression?” Other postings with organizers blaming unspecified with ‘These Days’, but have revealed writer’s ambition for music will “go to ridiculed the government’s media watch- “unavoidable factors”. — AFP they are looking to dust off the old zero”. He said: “My ambition is going to tracks, which were made with the go to zero as soon as I have kids. I am ‘Perfect’ hitmaker when they did ‘Lay It going to be like ‘I do not care anymore All On Me’ in 2015. Kesi told The Sun as I have another life to take care of.’ “It Shakira newspaper: “We are good friends and is totally understandable because you Shakira to play rare gig in London we get in the studio now and again. have children and your ambition shifts to “”There is music that is yet to be heard. I be like ‘I want to be a good father’.” The hakira is bringing her ‘El Dorado Tour’ to of dates in Germany on November 8, but was think one, two or even a few songs will ‘Galway Girl’ hitmaker also admitted that the UK. The ‘Hips Don’t Lie’ hitmaker will forced to pull out of the opening show on doc- surface in some form at some point this his passion for his career is already tak- perform at The O2 in London on June 11 tor’s orders, to avoid further damaging her voice. year.” Meanwhile, the ‘Waiting all Night’ ing a nose dive, as he has already S hitmakers previously teased their new achieved “far more” than he thought he during her European run. The last time the 40- Now the Cologne show will take place on June 5, year-old Colombian beauty played the 20,000- and Shakira’s dates in the US, which were due to record will see the four-piece go in an would, and doesn’t know where to go capacity arena was in 2010, for her ‘The Sun kick off in January, have been pushed back to “exciting new direction”. from here. He added: “To be honest my Comes Out World Tour’ Sharing her excitement August. The American shows commence on The foursome have kept a relatively ambition is dwindling a little bit because about returning to the British capital this summer, August 5 in Chicago, Illinois, before the Latin low-profile, apart from their collabora- I have achieved far more than I thought I tion with James Arthur, ‘Sun Comes Up’, ever would. I do not know what to do the blonde beauty said: “I can’t wait to be beauty heads to a further 18 cities. Shakira said last year. Speaking previously to BANG next. I feel like when you play a stadium onstage in London again singing along with all of the unfortunate injury has made her realise that Showbiz Piers teased: “I can’t wait to you cannot play any bigger than that you, all of your favorites and mine. It’s going to be her vocals have a “purpose”, and she is extremely share the new album with everyone. because what do you do? Sell 15 million fun! The road to El Dorado starts now!” Shakira thankful to her fans for supporting her. Tickets for “This album is going to be an exciting albums? What do you do on your next was forced to reschedule dates on her ‘El Dorado the UK date go on sale to the general public from new direction for us.” As for Ed, he album?” — Bang Showbiz World Tour’ after suffering a haemorrhage in her 9am on Friday. A full list of the tour dates can be looks set to be stepping back from the vocal cord late last year. found at shakira.com The ‘Waka Waka’ singer was due start the run