The story arc will mark the channel’s first depiction of a coming-out journey. The character – 13-year-old Cyrus Goodman, played by 15-year-old Joshua Rush – will begin his self-discovery in this Friday’s second season one-hour premiere episode.

“Andi Mack is a story about ‘tweens’ figuring out who they are,” said Disney Channel in a statement. “(Creator) Terri Minsky, the cast and everyone involved in the show takes great care in ensuring that it’s appropriate for all audiences and sends a powerful message about inclusion and respect for humanity.”

The Walt Disney Co. released a general statement on stories and characters, which reads, in part, “Disney remains committed to continuing to create characters that are accessible and relatable to all children.” (Read that entire statement below.)

The coming-of-age series, starring Peyton Elizabeth Lee as the 13-year-old title character, premiered in March, becoming the top series of the year among girls (median age is 10) and #1 in its time period among all children ages six-14. It holds the top series spot on Disney Channel VOD, Disney Channel’s DisneyNOW app and on Disney Channel UK.

The series, launching on Disney Channels around the world through mid-2018, was created by executive producer Minsky (Lizzie McGuire), and follows Andi as she comes to terms with news that Bex, the girl she thought was her older sister, is actually her mother.

With a realism not always evident on tween-focused programs, Andi Mack follows Andi, her family and her two best friends – Cyrus Goodman and Buffy Driscoll (Sofia Wylie) – as they navigate their lives.

The new season finds Andi hoping that her parents Bex (Lilan Bowden) and Bowie (Trent Garrett) will marry, while she also attempts to hash out her feelings for longtime crush Jonah Beck (Asher Angel).

But it’s another storyline that’s breaking Disney Channel ground: Cyrus begins to realize that he too has feelings for Jonah, a development that begins what a source describes as a journey to self-acceptance.

In the season premiere, Cyrus confides his feelings to a supportive Buffy, a scene intended to provide positive role models for children – and adults – watching.

Subsequent episodes will follow Cyrus’ ongoing story, which will include wrestling with how to tell his new girlfriend Iris.

We hear Minsky and Disney Channel, to ensure the story arc is age-appropriate and respectful, consulted with child development experts and was screened to organizations including GLAAD, PFLAG, The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, and Common Sense Media.

The groups are effusive in their approval of the storyline:

“With more and more young people coming out as LGBTQ, Andi Mack is reflecting the lives and lived experiences of so many LGBTQ youth around the country,” said Sarah Kate Ellis, President and CEO of GLAAD. “Television reflects the real life world and today that includes LGBTQ youth who deserve to see their lives depicted on their favorite shows. Disney has been a leader in LGBTQ inclusion and there are so many young people who will be excited to see Cyrus’ story unfold.”

Jaime M. Grant, Executive Director, PFLAG National, said, “Sharing one’s innermost self can be challenging, and to do so as an adolescent can be particularly so, especially when in the midst of figuring it out for yourself. Coming out requires honest self-reflection, no small amount of bravery, and a safe place with at least one trusted person – a friend, a parent, a teacher – who can hold your confidence…and your heart. Andi Mack’s creative team captures this moment of revelation with such thought, care, and authenticity; it will be a memory moment for some, and a teachable moment for many.”

Said Ginny Ehrlich, CEO, The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy: “Starting conversations about trust, love, relationships and family dynamics is easier when a favorite TV show like Andi Mack explores them with humor and heart, and helps viewers figure out how they might handle similar situations. Andi Mack gives young people and their parents, mentors and champions a meaningful way to talk about these topics and the power to decide their futures.”

The second season of Andi Mack premieres Friday, October 27 at 8 pm ET/PT on Disney Channel. Minsky exec-produces along with Michelle Manning. Phil Baker is the co-executive producer, and Horizon Productions is the production company.

Here is the Walt Disney Co. general statement on its stories and characters:

via http://deadline.com/2017/10/disney-channel-andi-mack-character-come-out-gay-1202194584/

What is the most expensive video game controller that you can think of?

Maybe it’s ColorWare’s $300 24K Gold controller for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One that came out a few years ago and quickly sold out. Perhaps the Thrustmaster 2960720 HOTAS Warthog flight stick at $450 came to mind. Or maybe the $1,300 Forza Motorsport Racing Wheel and Pedals from Fanatec for PC and XB1 is what you were thinking.

Forget all that.

A French car enthusiast who goes by the handle POG on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube turned his Lamborghini Aventador into a controller for his Xbox just to play Forza 7. Now I have no idea how much he paid for his Lambo but I do know Aventadors start at $400,000 and go up from there. It would be safe to say that this is the most expensive Xbox controller ever made.

via https://www.techspot.com/news/71558-gamer-turns-400000-lambo-xbox-controller.html

 

The brother of Vegas shooter Stephen Paddock has been arrested for child porn.. TMZ says.

Bruce Paddock was taken into custody about a hour ago in North Hollywood, CA at an assisted living home.

Law enforcement sources tell us … cops were tipped that there was child porn on his computer and they got a search warrant. Our sources say the investigation began before his brother, Stephen, shot up the Vegas music festival earlier this month.

Our sources say before the shootings cops were trying to locate Bruce without success, but after his brother committed his heinous act a tip came in Bruce was living at an assisted living facility.

Cops say they found child porn images on his computer.

The arrest was made by a joint task force that included the FBI and LAPD.

via TMZ

 

SYDNEY (Reuters) – A New Zealand political party has been ordered to pay more than $400,000 to U.S. rapper Eminem for using music similar  to his 2002 hit “Lose Yourself” in a television commercial to help win a national election. The track, played during the National Party’s successful 2014 election campaign and titled “Eminem Esque”, was found by a New Zealand court to have “substantially copied” Lose Yourself. The National Party used the song 186 times during the campaign before taking the ad off the air, the court said.

Today we show love to one of the best hood films of all time. Based on a true story, “Paid In Full” takes you to Harlem like never before.

Paid in Full is a 2002 American crime drama film directed by Charles Stone III. It takes place in Harlem in the 1980s. The title of the film is taken from the 1987 albumand 1987 song by Eric B. & Rakim. “Paid in Full” is based on three friends Azie “AZ” Faison, Rich Porter and Alpo Martinez and their professional criminal exploits. The characters Ace (Wood Harris), Mitch (Mekhi Phifer) and Rico (Cam’ron), respectively, are based on these three drug dealers.

Ace (Wood Harris) is a young man from Harlem stuck in a dead end job at a dry cleaning shop. His sister’s boyfriend, Calvin (Kevin Carroll), is a local cocaine dealer who tries to lure Ace into the drug trade with promises of fast money and women. Ace resists Calvin’s temptations, not caring for his unsophisticated ways. Likewise, Ace’s close friend Mitch (Mekhi Phifer) is a flashy, popular drug dealer who exposes Ace to drug dealing lifestyle. When Calvin gets arrested on drug charges, Ace ends up filling his position on the street. This happens after Ace starts getting cocaine from Lulu, one of the customers at the dry cleaners shop. Lulu has a top-quality supply of cocaine which Ace sells on the street at a cheap price, quickly luring away customers from other drug dealers. Ace operates on the mantra that there is plenty of money to go around and that everyone can “live and maintain.” While Ace is building up his drug operation, Mitch is arrested for killing a stickup man who robbed one of his workers. When a fight breaks out between Mitch and another inmate, Mitch is aided by East Harlem inmate Rico (Cam’ron) who impresses Mitch by his ferocity and show of solidarity.

Mitch is able to beat his murder charge and both him and Rico join Ace’s drug empire. The trio become extremely wealthy, buying foreign cars, jewelery and expensive champagne. Ace continues to more or less stay behind the scenes, while Mitch returns to his flamboyant lifestyle as a popular hustler. Rico is a ruthless enforcer who worries Ace with his overzealous behavior and high-profile lifestyle. When Calvin is released from prison, he tries to regain his position of power on the streets. Ace gives him a job overseeing his old drug spot, but Calvin feels dissatisfied with his menial position. When Ace refuses to let Calvin run his old block, Calvin attempts to rob Ace. Calvin grows increasingly anxious and kills two of Ace’s relatives while Ace survives his shooting despite being shot in the head. Feeling physically and physiologically defeated, Ace decides to quit the drug trade. Rico, who kills Calvin in retaliation, strongly disagrees with this decision. Mitch understands Ace’s perspective that the drug game does not reciprocate any love or generosity. Mitch decides to stay in the drug game because he loves the hustle, comparing himself to professional basketball players that continue to chase glory despite having enough money to retire.

While Ace is recovering, Mitch’s kid brother Sonny is kidnapped for ransom. Mitch tries to quickly raise cash to pay the ransom by selling as much cocaine as Ace can get his hands on. When Mitch reaches out to Rico for help with his campaign, Rico murders Mitch and steals the drugs that Mitch intended to sell to save Sonny. Rico lies to Ace about his whereabouts that night, not knowing that Mitch had told Ace they were going to meet up the night of his death. Ace settles the issue by giving him the contact to a pair of undercover FBI agents Ace had spoken to and avoided previously.

Rico is arrested and is last seen in custody giving up information on his out-of-town drug connections in Washington D.C. in order to avoid a 25-to-life sentence. He refuses to inform on anyone in Harlem, intending on reclaiming his position when he is eventually released from prison. Sonny’s kidnapping and subsequent murder were orchestrated by his own uncle who resented Mitch for not providing him with money and for kicking him out of his family’s apartment. Ace manages to retreat from the criminal underworld and makes a new life for himself and his family using diamonds that he had previously found in Lulu’s apartment after his death.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paid_in_Full_(2002_film)

At the southernmost point of the Norwegian coastline by the village of Båly, Snøhetta has designed Europe’s very first underwater restaurant. With its immediate proximity with the forces of nature, the restaurant, which will also function as a research center for marine life, is a tribute to the Norwegian coast and to Lindesnes – to the wild fauna of the sea and to the rocky coastline of Norway’s southern tip.

 

Under’s namesake holds a double meaning: In Norwegian, “under” can just as well be translated into “wonder.” Half-sunken into the sea, the building’s monolithic form breaks the water surface to lie against the craggy shoreline. More than an aquarium, the structure will become a part of its marine environment, coming to rest directly on the sea bed five meters below the water’s surface. With meter-thick concrete walls, the structure is built to withstand pressure and shock from the rugged sea conditions. Like a sunken periscope, the restaurant’s massive acrylic windows offer a view of the seabed as it changes throughout the seasons and varying weather conditions.

Through its architecture, menu and mission of informing the public about the biodiversity of the sea, Under will provide an under-water experience inspiring a sense of awe and delight, activating all the senses – both physical and intellectual.

Under has been designed with sensitive consideration for its geographic context and aquatic neighbors. The sleek, streamlined form of the building is encapsulated in a concrete shell with a coarse surface that invites mussels to cling on. Over time, as the mollusk community densifies, the submerged monolith will become an artificial mussel reef that functions dually to rinse the sea and naturally attract more marine life to its purified waters.

Informational plaques will be mounted alongside the trail leading guests to the restaurant entrance at the water’s edge. This informational path tells a story about marine biodiversity and the Norwegian coast, weaving the narrative of the site into the overall restaurant experience, and ends at a ramp up to the restaurant. Here, the entrance is clad in untreated, locally sourced oak that will eventually fade into grayish tones, harmonizing with the raw concrete. On a day of rough sea, you can feel a hint of fresh, salty ocean spray against your face as you enter the restaurant.

As visitors begin their journey through the restaurant they descend through three levels. From the entrance, where the tidepool is swallowed by the sea, guests enter the wardrobe area. Visitors are then ushered down one level to the champagne bar, which marks the transition between the shoreline and the ocean. This physical transformation is emphasized by a narrow acrylic window cutting vertically down through the restaurant levels. From the bar, guests can also look down at the seabed level of the restaurant, where two long dining tables and several smaller tables are placed in front of the large panoramic window.

Original Source: https://snohetta.com/projects/352-under

 

The beef between Lil Wayne and Birdman appears to have reached a boiling point.

According to a report by The Blast, Wayne, born Dwayne Carter Jr., is demanding that his Young Money Records label either be handled properly or shut down.

The rapper has allegedly filed legal documents asking a judge to “appoint a receiver to supervise the operations of Young Money Label joint venture or order the termination of Young Money Label joint venture and appoint a liquidator.”

Birdman, real name Bryan Williams, has responded to the filing. He says Wayne is still under contract. Therefore, he has no right to shut the label down.

This latest development stems from Wayne’s complaint that he’s been stiffed out of millions of dollars by Young Money’s parent company, Cash Money Records, Which is co-owned by brothers Birdman and Ronald “Slim” Williams.

In January of 2015, Wayne filed a $51 million breach-of-contract lawsuit against Cash Money.

The “She Will” hit maker claims he was supposed to get an $8 millionadvance when he began recording “Tha Carter V” in December of 2013 and another $2 million when it was completed a year later.

According to Wayne, he never received a dime of the money. “Tha Carter V” has languished ever since, with no release date in sight.

The joint venture between Young Money and Cash Money was launched in 2003. Under the agreement, Wayne owns 49 percent of the company. Cash Money owns the remaining (majority) 51 percent.

Original Source: http://www.thisis50.com/profiles/blogs/lil-wayne-reportedly-threatens-to-shut-down-young-money-records-v

This man appeared to wave at the security camera as he hopped out of the men’s restroom on one foot. It appears that his right leg was broken, but he still managed to leave the scene of a burglary where he stole a $35 hat. Find out what the store owner is now offering for his capture

Retired NYPD detective Derrick Parker has reason to believe that Jam Master Jay’s case could be closed. According to him in a recent interview with VladTV. Parker is confident he knows who killed the late JMJ.

“I would say that case out of any of the big three [Biggie, Tupac and Jay], that case is close to being somewhat solved. Hopefully soon, I hope,” the 20-year veteran cop said.

Watch Hip Hop Cop Derrick Parker’s interview with DJ Vlad below.

Alice Marie Johnson is a 62-year-old grandmother. In 1996, after a jury trial, Johnson was convicted of nonviolent drug conspiracy charges and sentenced to life in prison without parole. Mic spoke exclusively with Johnson via video call from Aliceville Correctional Institution in Alabama.

Alice Marie Johnson has been in prison for 21 years for a first-time, nonviolent drug offense. pic.twitter.com/VFe29D2ve8

— Mic (@mic) October 23, 2017