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‘That ’70s Show’ Actor Danny Masterson Gets 30 Years For Rapes Of 2 Women

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(LOS ANGELES) – Danny Masterson, the star of “That ’70s Show,” was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison on Thursday for raping two women, providing them some solace after they talked in court about the decades of devastation he wrought.

“When you raped me, you stole from me,” said one of the victims of Masterson’s rape in 2003. “That’s what rape is, a theft of the spirit.”

“You’re pathetic, disturbed, and completely violent,” she declared. “The world is better off with you in prison.”

After hearing the women’s allegations and defense attorneys’ pleas for fairness, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Charlaine F. Olmedo sentenced the 47-year-old Danny.

The actor, who has been detained since May, dressed formally in court. Masterson stood there silently, watching the women as they spoke. He maintains his innocence, and his lawyers intend to file an appeal.

The other woman Danny raped stated he “has not shown an ounce of remorse for the pain he caused.” “I knew he belonged behind bars for the safety of all the women he came into contact with,” she told the judge. I’m deeply sad and upset. I wish I had reported him to the police sooner.”

Prosecutors retried Masterson on all three counts earlier this year after an initial jury failed to reach verdicts on three counts of rape in December, resulting in a mistrial.

Masterson waived his opportunity to speak before being sentenced, and neither he nor the many family members sitting beside him showed any outward reaction to the judge’s decision. Earlier in the hearing, his wife, actress Bijou Phillips, was visibly moved.

Danny Masterson, the star of “That ’70s Show,” was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison on Thursday for raping two women.

On May 31, Masterson was found guilty of two of three rape counts in his second trial. Both attacks occurred in Masterson’s Hollywood-area home in 2003, at the height of his stardom from the Fox network series “That ’70s Show.”

They could not decide on the third accusation, which said that Danny had raped a longtime lover.

The actor was sentenced after the judge denied the defense’s plea for a fresh trial, which was debated earlier Thursday. The penalty was the utmost permissible by law. Danny will be eligible for parole after serving 25 1/2 years but could be imprisoned for life.

“I know you’re sitting here steadfast in your claims of innocence, and thus no doubt feeling victimised by a justice system that has failed you,” Olmedo said before delivering the sentence to Masterson. “However, Mr. Masterson, you are not the victim in this case. Your actions 20 years ago robbed another individual of their voice and choice. You will have to confront your previous choices and their repercussions in some way.”

The defense requested that the terms for the two convictions run concurrently and requested a sentence of 15 years to life. The prosecution sought the maximum punishment of 30 years to life for Masterson.

“What you decide today will have an impact on his life,” Masterson’s lawyer, Shawn Holley, told the judge before the sentencing. “And the life of his 9-year-old daughter, who means the world to him, and to whom he means the world.”

Danny Masterson, the star of “That ’70s Show,” was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison on Thursday for raping two women.

Holley stated following the hearing that “Mr. Masterson did not commit the crimes for which he was convicted.” She stated that an appellate team has uncovered “several significant evidentiary and constitutional issues” with his convictions, which she believes will be reversed.

Prosecutors claimed that Masterson exploited his position in the Church of Scientology, of which all three women were members at the time, to evade punishment for decades after the attacks, and the ladies blamed the church for their reluctance to report Masterson to police.

At the sentencing hearing, one of the women, born into a religion like Masterson, said she was rejected and ostracised for reporting the abuse in 2004.

“I had lost everything.” I had lost my faith. “I lost contact with anyone I’d known or loved my entire life,” she explained. “I didn’t exist outside of Scientology.” At the age of 29, I had to restart my life. The world I knew didn’t seem to want me to survive.”

In a statement issued during the trial, the church stated that it has “no policy prohibiting or discouraging members from reporting criminal conduct of anyone — Scientologists or not — to law enforcement.” It has also stated that it has never harassed any of the ladies.

The woman’s 2004 police report resulted in no charges, but she went to authorities when she learned they were investigating Masterson again in 2016. The other two ladies had reported him to church officials for over 15 years.

The ladies testified at both trials that they were at Masterson’s house in 2003 when he drugged them before raping them.

Danny Masterson, the star of “That ’70s Show,” was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison on Thursday for raping two women.

They said on Thursday that the trauma had harmed their relationships and filled their lives with anxiety for decades. They did, however, express relief at his sentencing.

“I don’t have to carry your shame around with me anymore,” stated the first woman to speak up. “You must now bear that shame.” You must sit in a cell and keep it.”

From 1998 through 2006, Masterson co-starred in “That ’70s Show” with Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis, and Topher Grace.

He reconnected with Kutcher on the 2016 Netflix comedy “The Ranch,” but was fired after the Los Angeles Police Department probe was publicized the following year.

While the investigation began before a wave of women rattled Hollywood with revelations about Harvey Weinstein in October 2017, the prosecution and sentencing of Masterson and Weinstein’s conviction last year represented a landmark #MeToo era win for Los Angeles prosecutors.

 

SOURCE – (AP)

Kiara Grace is a staff writer at VORNews, a reputable online publication. Her writing focuses on technology trends, particularly in the realm of consumer electronics and software. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for breaking down complex topics, Kiara delivers insightful analyses that resonate with tech enthusiasts and casual readers alike. Her articles strike a balance between in-depth coverage and accessibility, making them a go-to resource for anyone seeking to stay informed about the latest innovations shaping our digital world.

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Big Bang’s Parsons and Bialik Reunite on Young Sheldon Series Finale

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Jim Parsons & Mayim Bialik Reunite: Getty Images

Jim Parsons and Mayim Bialik will reprise their roles as Dr. Sheldon Cooper and Dr.Amy Farrah Fowler in the Young Sheldon series finale, airing Thursday, May 16 (CBS, 8/7c) — which will be exactly five years since The Big Bang Theory signed off in 2019.

Parsons, an executive producer on Young Sheldon, has narrated all seven seasons, while Bialik has reprised Amy and co-narrated two episodes. But this is the first time that anyone from Big Bang will appear in person on-screen on the wildly successful spinoff.

So, what might these photos tell us? For one, we pick up with Sheldon and Amy years after the events of Big Bang — but that doesn’t come as much of a surprise: Young Sheldon, which stars Iain Armitage as the future theoretical physicist, is told from the perspective of a more mature Sheldon, who is older than the version that Parsons last played in 2019.

Through his narration, we’ve learned that Sheldon and Amy go on to have multiple children — including a son named after Sheldon’s best friend, Leonard Hofstadter.

In Big Bang’s last episode, Sheldon and Amy won the Nobel Prize in physics for discovering super asymmetry. Sheldon’s prize is framed and hung up on his office wall, while a photo snapped shortly after Sheldon and Amy accepted their Nobel prize sits on the shelf below, along with a family photo featuring Young Sheldon’s George Sr., Mary, Georgie, Missy and Meemaw.

In another photo, Amy is holding a Flash coffee mug. Behind her, we spot the atomic model that once stood in Apt. 4A — the same atomic model that Leonard and Sheldon spent nearly 140 hours rebuilding before they left for Stockholm. There’s also a Rubik’s Cube-inspired coaster on Sheldon’s desk, not unlike the tissue box that sat on the end table in Leonard and Sheldon’s place.

A third photo shows a smiling Sheldon looking closer at his laptop screen. Is it possible he’s writing his life’s story, which we’ve been told over seven seasons of Young Sheldon? That’s our Big Bang theory!

Young Sheldon will be followed by a second Big Bang offshoot, Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage, centered on Sheldon’s older brother Georgie (played by Montana Jordan) and his new wife Mandy (Emily Osment), which is slated to air on CBS, Thursdays at 8/7c, this fall.

Series co-creator Chuck Lorre is also working on a third Big Bang Theory series — a top-secret project “derived from” the CBS mega-hit that is earmarked for streaming service Max.

Source: Yahoo News

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Inside The Met Gala: A Fairytale Forest, Woodland Creatures, And Some Starstruck First-Timers

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NEW YORK  — James Corden casually held his arms up as if he owned the Metropolitan Museum of Art while strolling through the hallways heading to cocktails. Joking around with Jeff Bezos and his partner Lauren Sánchez, who happened to be strolling behind him, he remarked, pointing to the priceless artwork on the walls. “Let me know if you want me to talk you through any of this.”

Corden, like many celebs, regularly attends the Met Gala; it was all in good humor.

And then there are the novices. No matter how well-known they are in their industry, these guests frequently express awe at the concentration of notoriety around them and some nervousness akin to a child attending a new school.

Consider Stray Kids. The eight members of the K-pop group showed up for their first gala together, each wearing a distinct combination of red, navy, and white that designer Tommy Hilfiger had created. After climbing the magnificent internal staircase to enter the museum, they went to the receiving queue and proceeded to the drink area, where they claimed to have gradually begun to unwind.

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Inside The Met Gala: A Fairytale Forest, Woodland Creatures, And Some Starstruck First-Timers

“At first, we were anxious,” band member Bang Chan admitted. Felix, the bandmate, said, “We had no idea who we would meet or what to expect.” However, they were getting along well and had previously had conversations with Steven Yeun, Chris Hemsworth, and Brooklyn Nets guard Ben Simmons.

The star of “The Bear,” Ayo Edebiri, was also present. She had won numerous honors this year and was attending her first gala. After welcoming hosts Jennifer Lopez, Bad Bunny, Hemsworth, and Anna Wintour at the top of the staircase, she appeared to be nearly out of breath.

She exclaimed, “I’m really, really, really excited to be here.” “This is yet another truly lovely thing that I will make an effort to keep in mind.”

The accompanying exhibit for the event was titled “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion,” but it wasn’t really about our beloved Princess Aurora. Instead, the goal was to draw attention to and shed light on delicate clothing items from the museum’s collection that were being “awakened” to the public. Nevertheless, the museum fully embraced the fantasy atmosphere.

Guests passed a massive centerpiece that stood 32 feet tall and symbolized a “whimsical tree” as they entered the Great Hall. Over a forest-like undergrowth with twisted branches that resembled the vegetation Sleeping Beauty’s prince had to cut through to give her a genuine love kiss, enormous green fabric flowers began to blossom. Following that, guests were treated to a live string orchestra and a scene that included actors dressed as forest animals playing in tights and tunics.

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Inside The Met Gala: A Fairytale Forest, Woodland Creatures, And Some Starstruck First-Timers

When asked if they would rather see the exhibit or go to the cocktails, most guests opted for the latter. However, a few people attended the event, which was a multi-sensory fashion experience that included touch, smell, sound, and sight. Lena Waithe was “just blown away by the work that I’m seeing” after spending some alone time reviewing the clothing.

Like many others, the actor/producer continued, she finds fashion lighthearted and enjoyable. She remarked, “But then I come here and am reminded that it’s an art form.” She also brought up a comment made by Meryl Streep, who played a role akin to Wintour, to Anne Hathaway in “The Devil Wears Prada,” regarding how our wardrobe choices are predetermined. Waithe stated, “I think we need to be reminded of that, that people who are long gone influence our style.”

After spending the evening away from childcare, late-night host Meyers, who was at the event with his wife, commented that it was a pleasant respite. He also playfully questioned why his children, who are 2, 6, and 8 years old, weren’t invited. Meyers joked, “I think it’s very rude that Vogue didn’t invite them.” This place is kid-friendly. Additionally, they excel at keeping their hands off objects.

Meyers claimed that meeting “a lot of people that I’m a fan of, or have interviewed on the show,” was his favorite part of the evening. Regarding style, however, he prefers to play things safe, saying that “nobody wants a guy like me taking a big swing.” I remain in my lane.

Because Wintour is such a theater enthusiast, a sizable Broadway contingent typically exists at the Met Gala. Jonathan Groff, who was nominated for a Tony Award for “Merrily We Roll Along,” laughed and joked at this gala with fellow “Glee” alum and “Funny Girl” actor Lea Michele. Michele is expecting her second child and looks stunning in baby blue Rodarte. Groff reminisced about other Met Gala appearances, such as one in which he performed the television series “Hair” and another in which Beyoncé appeared and sang her song “Lemonade,” which had just been released a week prior. That was epic, he recalled.

Her clothing scraped the floor with an equally unique sound as Sánchez and Bezos walked through the display. “You won’t be lost,” Bezos said in jest. Sánchez claimed that when she initially tried on the striking design by Oscar de la Renta’s Fernando Garcia and Laura Kim, she had started crying. The flowing skirt was intended to mimic Tiffany’s glass with pearl and mirror appliques.

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Inside The Met Gala: A Fairytale Forest, Woodland Creatures, And Some Starstruck First-Timers

Sánchez said, “Use my dress if you need a mirror.” She continued by saying that she believed the outfit represented life, in which everything is somewhat shattered, and what you do with the parts determines the outcome. She also mentioned trying the dress on for Bezos, crying as she said. “He told me I had never looked so beautiful,” she remarked.

Interesting fact: according to Sánchez, Garcia had informed her he needed to get a part from Amazon in order to mend the outfit.

How do you obtain meals for hundreds of chit-chatting celebs around the museum? The organizers have made several attempts. It was a group of buglers one year. In a different year, Jon Batiste led a band snapping across the audience with his melodica. David Byrne did the honors last year. A massive choir with dancers accompanying them performed original song “Future of Us” on Monday. “To dinner!” was yelled by the performers as a bell sounded. The throng then moved slowly to the Temple of Dendur, where tables with “enchanted candelabras entwined with flower arrangements” maintained the fairytale theme.

SOURCE – (AP)

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Ethan Hawke And Maya Hawke Have A Running Joke About ‘Wildcat,’ Their Flannery O’Connor Movie

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Ethan Hawke and his daughter, Maya Hawke, have a running joke about their Flannery O’Connor film.

“Wildcat,” directed by Ethan and starring Maya as O’Connor, was created with genuine authenticity. It’s a deeply creative look at the Southern Catholic novelist and short story writer behind “A Good Man is Hard to Find,” weaving in and out of her imagination and actual life.

Lupus claimed O’Connor’s life in 1964, when she was 39. She won the National Book Award posthumously in 1972. Though she is well-known for her language and sharp social satire, she has recently faced criticism for racism in her private correspondence and her depiction of race in her work. It was a difficult but potentially rewarding region. However, the Hawkes can’t help but giggle as they imagine pitching to a major studio or streamer.

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Ethan Hawke And Maya Hawke Have A Running Joke About ‘Wildcat,’ Their Flannery O’Connor Movie

Here’s how things could go:

Maya: “We want to make a film about an unfortunate-looking woman with lupus.” She struggles with her beliefs and does not have any lovers.

Ethan: “She’s a really brilliant writer but she’s completely unsuccessful.”

Maya: “Also, her minor success has recently been utterly disregarded, and people are mostly concerned in deleting her from the canon these days. “What do you think?”

Jonathan: “Sounds like the makings of a commercial, hit movie!”

If it isn’t clear, “Wildcat” (in select theaters Friday) was produced independently. To flesh out the cast, both Hawkes relied largely on friends with whom they had previously collaborated. The large ensemble includes Laura Linney, Liam Neeson, Steve Zahn, and Vincent D’Onofrio, to mention a few.

Maya had the concept for a movie about the day she decided to devote her life to acting. Despite having two successful actresses as parents, including mother Uma Thurman, she had hesitated due to her passion of reading. She was concerned that if she attended Juilliard, she would be forced to choose a decision. So, in a little act of defiance, Maya decided to audition not with a monologue from the theatrical canon, but with one she had revised from O’Connor’s “Prayer Journal” with her father during his breaks while filming “The Magnificent Seven.”

“If I showed them that I was really interested in literature, and if then they still wanted me, then it would probably be a place that would still allow me to explore language and writing and poetry the way that I wanted,” Maya said. “What a rebel.”

Ethan had also read O’Connor early on, at the suggestion of his mother, who encouraged him to read female authors in addition to Faulkner and Hemingway. They were both drawn to this prickly woman who wrote about faith without preaching, as well as about race and white Christian hypocrisy, in a way that few others had. She was also talented, self-deprecating, and suffering with the sickness that killed her father. At 24, she received her diagnosis and returned to Milledgeville, Georgia, to live with her mother (portrayed by Linney).

Ethan has little interest in biopics, particularly “in the age of Wikipedia.” However, upon deciding to direct and co-write the film, he was inspired by films such as Martin Scorsese’s “Raging Bull” and Jane Campion’s “An Angel At My Table.” They were about real people, Jake LaMotta and Janet Frame, but they did not require any prior knowledge of boxing or literature. They were only films about individuals.

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Ethan Hawke And Maya Hawke Have A Running Joke About ‘Wildcat,’ Their Flannery O’Connor Movie

“(‘Wildcat’) is a kind of treatise on imagination, reality and faith and how those three things intersect with each other,” he remarked. “I’m not attempting to teach a college course on Flannery. We used her life experience as a starting point for a conversation.

Before delving too deeply into the process, they addressed themselves difficult questions about filming a film about someone who has made racist remarks.

“It begged the question: Do we want to make a film about someone who said some hurtful words at some point? What would it say about us if we did? And how do you become a decent anti-racist? Ethan said. “One of the things I realized was that you can’t create a story about America, past or present, without mentioning America’s wounds, crimes, and sins. One academic put it beautifully: Flannery O’Connor is a racist in rehabilitation, much like our society.

Maya pondered if depiction was always a celebration or if it could be an observation. She hopes it’s the latter, which she describes as a politeness that is frequently provided to films about complicated guys but may be less so when it comes to female characters.

Something remarked by novelist James McBride when Ethan was writing on “The Good Lord Bird” remained with him as well.

“He used to say how important it was that you don’t paint racists with horns on their head because people don’t have horns and racism is real,” Ethan added.

After much research and deliberation, they decided not to back down from the topic or defend her.

“I’m interested in this woman, and I’m interested in all the truths of her life,” he added.

“Wildcat” also served as inspiration for Maya’s upcoming album, “Chaos Angel” (due out May 31). The title and title track are based on a scene she shared with Philip Ettinger in which O’Connor discusses wrestling with her guardian angel.

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Ethan Hawke And Maya Hawke Have A Running Joke About ‘Wildcat,’ Their Flannery O’Connor Movie

“That idea really hit me in my gut,” Maya remarked. “We resist our better selves… As soon as we finished shooting the film, I went to make this album.”

Maya is now 25, the same age her father was when he finished “Before Sunrise” and was performing on stage in Chicago in Sam Shepard’s “Buried Child.” They are close and like-minded, frequently finishing one other’s words. However, Hawke admits that he is little envious of Maya’s musical abilities.

“There’s a part of me that has joked my whole life that all I really am is a failed musician,” he remarked. “All art strives to be music. It’s the simplest emotional connection we may form with one another. So, to see her thrive in this art form? I’m a little jealous of her for that.”

SOURCE – (AP)

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