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'America's Got Talent' crowns Brandon Leake its season 15 winner

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Chris Haston/NBC(LOS ANGELES) — America’s Got Talent crowned its season 15 winner on Wednesday — spoken word artist Brandon Leake. His prize is $1 million and the opportunity to perform live at Luxor Las Vegas.

Coming in second place was country rock duo Broken Roots; singers Cristina Rae and Roberta Battaglia placed third and fourth, respectively; and aerial act Alan Silva came in fifth.

AGT‘s 15th season was a crazy ride, to say the least.  Besides dealing with COVID-19 protocols, Heidi Klum — who returned as a judge, along with newcomer Sofia Vergara to replace Gabrielle Union and Julianne Hough — fell ill, delaying production.

Additionally, judge Simon Cowell had to bow out of the latter half of the season after breaking his back in an electric bike accident in August.  Kelly Clarkson and Kenan Thompson both subbed for Cowell.

Usher, Ava Max and Blake Shelton also appeared on Wednesday night’s season 15 finale.

By George Costantino
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Alan Arkin departs 'The Kominsky Method' ahead of final season

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Michael Yarish/Netflix(LOS ANGELES) — Alan Arkin, who stars in Netflix’s The Kominsky Method, alongside Michael Douglas, will not return for the third and final season of the series, according to The Hollywood Reporter. 

No details were given as to the reason for Arkin’s departure, but sources tell THR the COVID-19 pandemic did not play a role. 

The comedy, from Chuck Lorre, stars Douglas as washed up actor-turned-Hollywood acting coach Sandy Kominsky.  Arkin as his longtime agent and friend, Norman.  Arkin’s absence will be written into the upcoming third season of the series. 

Arkin is the latest lead on a Lorre-produced comedy from Warner Bros. TV to depart.  Mom lead Anna Faris exited the CBS comedy earlier this month after a seven-season run.

By George Costantino
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Hulu apologizes for untimely promotion of Breonna Taylor docuseries

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Hulu(LOS ANGELES) — Hulu is taking accountability for their actions. 

In a tweet shared late Wednesday, the streaming service wrote, “Earlier today, we promoted content that we felt would be meaningful in light of today’s events. That was, quite simply, the wrong call. We’ve taken the posts down and are deeply sorry. Thank you for holding us accountable – we will learn from this.”

The deleted post that Hulu is referring to is one that promoted an episode of the FX docu-series titled The New York Times Presents: The Killing of Breonna Taylor. 

“Breonna Taylor’s life was changing. Then the police came to her door,” the tweet read. “#NYTPresents: The Killings of Breonna Taylor traces the missteps of the deadly raid. #FXonHulu.”

The post, which had the trailer attached, came the same day that a Kentucky grand jury revealed their decision on whether or not to indict the police officers involved in the shooting that killed Breonna Taylor. 

Ultimately, they returned a three-count indictment against one of the three officers involved, however, none of the officers involved have been charged with Taylor’s death.

Former Louisville police officer Brett Hankison was indicted by the grand jury on three counts of wanton endangerment in the first degree, defined as exhibiting extreme indifference to human life.  A $15,000 cash bond was set. 

The other two officers, Jonathan Mattingly and Myles Cosgrove were not indicted. 

The decision has invoked protests all over the country with many, including the NAACP, claiming that the justice system “failed” Taylor. 

On March 13, officers carrying out a “no-knock” warrant fired shots into 26-year-old EMT Breonna Taylor’s apartment, hitting her at least six times and killing her as she slept in her bed.

By Danielle Long
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Michelle Obama talks life in quarantine, Netflix, and the importance of voting

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MARTIN SYLVEST/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Images(LOS ANGELES) — Like a lot of families, the Obamas started out quarantine by enjoying the extra time with loved ones, however, that didn’t last very long. 

On Wednesday, Michelle Obama virtually joined Conan O’Brien on his talk show and explained that her family has gone through “phases” amid the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. 

“There was, sort of, the early stages where we were excited to be together,” she said of herself, former President Barack Obama, and their daughters, Malia, 22, and Sasha, 19. “We’d have cocktails, then we would work puzzles, played games…”

Then things took a turn. 

“Our kids got a little sick of us, which was fine cause we were pretty much sick of them,” the former First Lady quipped.

Conan and Michelle also took a moment to chat about what’s to come from the Netflix deal that the couple brokered with their company, Higher Ground Productions in 2018. More specifically, the comedian, who called Barack, a “tough act to follow” and “very funny,” inquired whether subscribers can look forward to a stand-up special. 

Although Michelle said she didn’t want to “close any options,” she added that she could “safely say that stand-up will not be on the Higher Ground roster at Netflix.” 

Something she could safely say, though, was the importance of getting out to vote. 

“We live in a democracy and, yes, sometimes it’s frustrating and sometimes it can be alienating… but I’ve also traveled the world and I’ve seen other forms of government and I wouldn’t trade out democracy for anything,” Michelle explained. “But in order for it to work we need active, engaged, and informed citizens who are ready to do the one pretty simple thing, which is vote.”

By Danielle Long
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Mark Wahlberg's company donates over one million masks to US schools

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Joe Scarnici/Getty Images for Netflix(LOS ANGELES) — Mark Wahlberg is giving back to schools. 

The actor’s wellness company Performance Inspired has partnered with Accelerate360’s lifestyle brand LifeToGo to donate 1.3 million disposable masks to schools across the country.

“As you know this has been a year of change and stress for everybody but today I want to thank our essential workers. You guys have kept us healthy, safe and supplied us with all the necessities. Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart,” Wahlberg shares in a video announcing the donation. 

Cities that have received mask donations include Chicago, Portland, Oregon, Boise, Idaho and Quincy in Wahlberg’s native state of Massachusetts.  Other recipients include San Antonio, Texas, Grand Rapids, Michigan and Rochester, New York.

“We appreciate everything you do to educate our youth,” Accelerate Chief Business Officer Trey Holder says in regards to educators. “Please stay safe and healthy.”

By Cillea Houghton
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.