Music

In 2018, John Boyega was “exhausted, frantic, and paranoid.” He promised to come back stronger than ever

• Boyega said Hollywood success left him exhausted and anxious.
• Robert Downey Jr advised him to develop his own identity.
• Boyega later focused on personal projects and trusted support.

John Boyega has described a period when the demands of rapid Hollywood success left him exhausted and considering leaving acting. He sought advice from Robert Downey Jr, whose experience with a major franchise and personal hardship helped Boyega think about building a stronger sense of identity in the…

Norfolk State’s late collapse, Bay Area rivalry renewed

Norfolk State fell 29–28 after a late fumble, while San Francisco and Las Vegas meet for the first time since the Raiders left Oakland. The bulletin also covers Zelda’s unchanged swordplay, music inspired by strange encounters and an old smartwatch’s second life.

U2’s The Edge Apparently Wrote a Full Script for Elf 2 But Was Never Able to Bring It to Life

• The Edge reportedly wrote a full Elf sequel script.
• A meeting with producer Shauna Robertson went nowhere.
• Elf 2 is not officially in development.

U2 guitarist The Edge reportedly wrote a complete script for a sequel to the Christmas film Elf, but the project never got beyond an attempted meeting with a producer. The story, shared by actor Andy Richter, offers a glimpse of an unexpected creative idea, though there is no…

The Far Out Pub Quiz: Nicki Minaj, Elton John and Taika Waititi

• Far Out’s weekly quiz has ten entertainment questions.
• This edition covers music, film and recent news.
• Topics include John Lewis, Metallica and festival headliners.

The Far Out Pub Quiz is a weekly, ten-question entertainment quiz designed for readers who want to test their knowledge of music, film and recent entertainment news. It focuses on one subject area, avoiding the mix of sport, history and other topics found in many pub quizzes. This…

Nathan Fillion auditioned for a role specifically “looking for a Nathan Fillion type” and didn’t get the job

• Fillion missed out on a role seeking his type.
• He did not identify the part.
• Tom Holland eventually played Nathan Drake.

Nathan Fillion said he once auditioned for a role that was specifically seeking a “Nathan Fillion type”, but he did not get the job. The anecdote, shared on a podcast in November 2025, highlights the unpredictability of casting and the screen persona audiences associate with the actor. Fillion…

Album Of The Week Club review: Slayer set a land speed record on Reign In Blood

• Slayer’s *Reign In Blood* lasts just under 29 minutes.
• Rick Rubin produced the influential 1986 thrash album.
• Reviewers praise its intensity but debate its limited variety.

Slayer’s *Reign In Blood* is praised as a defining thrash metal album, notable for combining rapid, forceful playing with sharp production and a brief running time. Album of the Week Club contributors describe it as an intense, influential record whose compact length helps maintain its impact. The 1986…

In 1969, Richie Havens saved the Woodstock Festival. 25 years later, he did it again

• Havens stepped in to open Woodstock in 1969.
• He improvised “Freedom” after running out of prepared songs.
• He returned for the more commercial 1994 anniversary festival.

Richie Havens was asked to open the 1969 Woodstock Festival early when traffic delayed the scheduled performers. He kept playing after exhausting his prepared songs, helping hold the crowd and creating “Freedom”, a defining moment that shaped his career and Woodstock’s history. Twenty-five years later, Havens was invited…

Mediacorp celebrates Deepavali with evening of entertainment and festive cheer

• Mediacorp staged its Deepavali celebration at The Theatre at Mediacorp.
• Local and regional artists performed music and dance.
• The programme aired live in Singapore and on Malaysia’s Astro.

Mediacorp’s Amarkala Deepavali 2026 brought local and regional performers together for an evening of music, dance and cultural celebration at The Theatre at Mediacorp in Singapore. The event, themed “Vannamaya Deepavali”, meaning “Colourful Deepavali”, marked the Festival of Lights and highlighted Indian culture and traditions. Hosted by Saravanan…

The “most exciting” band Frank Sinatra ever worked with: “A juggernaut”

• Count Basie’s orchestra gave Sinatra a fresh sound in the 1960s.
• Quincy Jones produced their follow-up album.
• Sinatra called the Basie Orchestra a “juggernaut”.

Frank Sinatra’s partnership with Count Basie and his orchestra helped refresh his sound and keep him prominent as musical tastes shifted in the 1960s. Sinatra called the collaboration, with Quincy Jones also involved, the most exciting engagement of his performing life. Their work began with the 1962 album…

Born 77 Years Ago Today in California, the Blues-Rock Powerhouse Who Waited Nearly 20 Years for Her Big Break and Became a Grammy Legend

• Bonnie Raitt was born in California on 8 November 1949.
• Her breakthrough album *Nick of Time* topped the US chart in 1989.
• She won Song of the Year at the 2023 Grammys.

Bonnie Raitt, born in Burbank, California, on 8 November 1949, built a career spanning blues, rock and roots music. Although she began releasing albums in 1971, her major commercial breakthrough came with 1989’s *Nick of Time*, which reached number one and won three Grammy Awards. Raitt taught herself…