From benefit concerts to the unveiling of sexual harassment allegations against powerful figures, here are the biggest entertainment stories of 2017.
WASHINGTON — From surprising box-office hits, new concert venues and the unveiling of sexual harassment allegations against powerful figures, here are the biggest entertainment stories of 2017.
Madonna performs on stage during the Women’s March rally, Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017, in Washington. Madonna, Julia Roberts, Scarlett Johansson, Cher, Alicia Keys, Katy Perry, Emma Watson, Amy Schumer, Jake Gyllenhaal and feminist leader Gloria Steinem were just some of those Hollywood A-list celebrities in attendance at the march in Washington.
(AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana
Singer Lady Gaga performs during the halftime show of the NFL Super Bowl 51 football game between the New England Patriots and the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Feb. 5, 2017, in Houston. Lady Gaga appeared atop Houston’s NRG Stadium to sing “God Bless America” and “This Land is Your Land,” as 300 drones sparkled in red, white and blue to form an American flag above in the night sky. Then suddenly, Gaga leapt from the roof and was carried down to the stage by a harness, twisting and turning her way to a tower structure recalling her Monster Ball Tour.
(AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
Adele accepts the award for album of the year for “25” at the 59th annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 12, 2017, in Los Angeles. Her album beat Beyonce’s “Lemonade,” Drake’s “Views,” Justin Bieber’s “Purpose” and Sturgill Simpson’s “A Sailor’s Guide to Earth.”
(AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
In Jordan Peele’s part horror, part social satire “Get Out,” ”the sunken place” is a brainwashing technique employed by Catherine Keener’s Missy Armitage on her daughter’s black boyfriend Chris Washington (Daniel Kaluuya). She hypnotizes him stirring her tea methodically and suddenly he is trapped and falling in horrifying space. On a superficial level, it made an impact as a straight horror technique, but the sunken place went even deeper than a scare tactic: Peele later explained that it represents the marginalization and silencing of African-Americans. The film was released Feb. 24. This image released by Universal Pictures shows Kaluuya in a scene from “Get Out.”
(Universal Pictures via AP)
Universal Pictures via AP
“La La Land” producer Jordan Horowitz, left, presenter Warren Beatty, center, and host Jimmy Kimmel, right, look at an envelope announcing “Moonlight” as best picture at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. It was originally announced mistakenly that “La La Land” was the winner.
(Universal Pictures via AP)
Disney’s live-action “Beauty and the Beast,” released on March 19, was a beast that topped at the spring box office. It opened with an estimated $170 million in North American ticket sales and set a new high mark for family movies.
This image released by Disney shows Dan Stevens as The Beast, left, and Emma Watson as Belle.
(Disney via AP)
Disney via AP
Kendall Jenner received backlash for starring in a tone-deaf Pepsi ad. In the ad, Jenner joins protesters and hands a can of Pepsi to a police officer on the demonstration line. The officer smiles and Jenner and the protesters celebrate. It was criticized and mocked on social media for appearing to trivialize protests for social justice causes. Pepsi pulled the ad on Wednesday, April 5.
In this Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2016, file photo, model Kendall Jenner has makeup applied backstage before the Michael Kors Spring 2017 collection is modeled during Fashion Week, in New York.
(AP Photo/Richard Drew, File)
AP Photo/Richard Drew, File
Chris Cornell, one of the most lauded and respected contemporary lead singers in rock music with his bands Soundgarden and Audioslave, hanged himself Wednesday, May 18, in a Detroit hotel room, according to the city’s medical examiner. He was 52.
In this Sept. 5, 2008, file photo, musician Chris Cornell performs on stage during Condé Nast’s Fashion Rocks show in New York.
(AP Photo/Richard Drew, File)
A suicide bomber set off an improvised explosive device at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, England, on May 23, killing 22 people. Following the attack, Grande organized One Love Manchester, a benefit concert featuring Katy Perry, Justin Bieber and Miley Cyrus, among other pop musicians. Tickets to the June 4 benefit concert sold out in six minutes.
In this Sunday, June 4, 2017, handout photo provided by Owen Humphreys for One Love Manchester, singers Ariana Grande, onstage center right, and Miley Cyrus, onstage center left, perform at the One Love Manchester tribute concert in Manchester, north western England, Sunday, June 4, 2017. One Love Manchester is raising money for those affected by the bombing at the end of Ariana Grande’s concert in Manchester on May 22, 2017.
(Owen Humphreys via AP)
Owen Humphreys via AP
“Wonder Woman” conquered milestones and movie myths at North American theaters, where the Patty Jenkins-directed superhero film powered its way to a $100.5 million debut the weekend of June 4 and became the biggest blockbuster ever directed by a woman.
This image released by Warner Bros. Entertainment shows Gal Gadot emerging from a trench during a WWI battle scene.
(Clay Enos/Warner Bros. Entertainment via AP)
Clay Enos/Warner Bros. Entertainment via AP
Comedian Kathy Griffin posted a video and photos of a likeness of President Donald Trump’s severed, bloody head, on social media in June, sparking outcry from the Trump White House, energizing Republican fundraisers, fueling harsh coverage over several news cycles and losing her TV and standup gigs.
(Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP, File)
Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP, File
Stacey Mindich, center, and the cast and crew of “Dear Evan Hansen” accept the award for best musical at the 71st annual Tony Awards on Sunday, June 11, 2017, in New York. The musical, which debuted at D.C.’s Arena Stage in 2015, also won best score, book and top actor honors.
(Photo by Michael Zorn/Invision/AP)
Photo by Michael Zorn/Invision/AP
On June 17, a judge declared a mistrial after the jury failed to reach a unanimous decision in a case that helped destroy the 79-year-old comedian’s image as “America’s Dad.”
In this June 17, 2017 file photo, Bill Cosby arrives for his sexual assault trial at the Montgomery County Courthouse in Norristown, Pennsylvania.
(AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)
AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File
The Merriweather Post Pavilion celebrated 50 years in Columbia, Maryland, on July 15. As a nod to all the “Greatest Hits” veterans that have performed there through the years, Jackson Browne, Willie Nelson and Rockville native Father John Misty were among the musical legends that helped mark the venue’s golden year.
(Photo by Owen Sweeney/Invision/AP)
Photo by Owen Sweeney/Invision/AP
Linkin Park frontman Chester Bennington was found dead in his home near Los Angeles on July 20. The Los Angeles County coroner ruled his death was a suicide by hanging.
In this Dec. 13, 2014 file photo, Chester Bennington poses in the press room at the 25th annual KROQ Almost Acoustic Christmas in Inglewood, Calif. Warner Bros. Records said the Linkin Park singer’s private funeral was held Saturday, July 30, in Los Angeles.
(Photo by John Shearer/Invision/AP, File)
Photo by John Shearer/Invision/AP, File
Luis Fonsi’s hit song “Despacito,” featuring Daddy Yankee, was named Billboard’s No. 1 song of the summer, but that wasn’t this song’s only achievement. YouTube announced on Aug. 4 that the song’s music video became the most viewed clip on YouTube of all-time — the first video in YouTube history to reach 3 billion views. The song also tied with the Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men duet “One Sweet Day” as the longest-running No. 1 song on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
In this April 27, 2017 file photo, singers Luis Fonsi, left and Daddy Yankee perform during the Latin Billboard Awards in Coral Gables, Fla.
(AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File)
AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File
Jurors in U.S. District Court in Denver deliberated fewer than four hours on Aug. 14 to find that ex-radio host David Mueller assaulted Taylor Swift during a pre-concert meet-and-greet in June 2013. Per Swift’s request, jurors awarded her $1 in damages — a sum her attorney, Douglas Baldridge, called “a single symbolic dollar, the value of which is immeasurable to all women in this situation.”
In this Feb. 4, 2017 file photo, Taylor Swift performs at the DIRECTV NOW Super Saturday Night Concert in Houston, Texas.
(Photo by John Salangsang/Invision/AP, File)
Photo by John Salangsang/Invision/AP, File
Jerry Lewis, the comedian and director whose fundraising telethons became as famous as his hit movies, died Sunday, Aug. 20, 2017, in Las Vegas. He was 91.
In this Aug. 24, 2016 photo, Lewis reacts during an interview at the Four Seasons Hotel in Los Angeles.
(Photo by Rich Fury/Invision/AP)
Photo by Rich Fury/Invision/AP
This image released by HBO shows Kit Harington, left, and Emilia Clarke on the season finale of “Game of Thrones.” The series set a personal ratings record, as 12.1 million viewers tuned into the Season 7 finale, which aired Aug. 27, up 36 percent over the 8.9 million folks who watched last year’s Season 6 finale. The premiere of Season 8, the final season, will air in late 2018 or early 2019.
(Macall B. Polay/HBO via AP)
Macall B. Polay/HBO via AP
No movie stood a chance against “It” the weekend of its Sept. 7 release. It took in an otherworldly $123.4 million making it the biggest September opening of all time and the highest horror debut ever by over $70 million. The Warner Bros. production based on Stephen King’s novel cost only $35 million to produce and sets up a sequel that is expected to come out in 2019.
This image released by Warner Bros. Pictures shows Bill Skarsgard in a scene from “It.”
(Warner Bros. Pictures via AP)
Warner Bros. Pictures via AP
The 69th annual Emmy Awards aired on Sept. 17 on CBS and “Handmaid’s Tale,” “Big Little Lies” and “This is Us” were among the shining winners this year. “Handmaid’s Tale” took the title of outstanding drama series; the Hulu original also won awards in directing and writing as well as multiple acting awards. NBC’s “This is Us” had multiple nominations, and the show’s Sterling K. Brown won for outstanding lead actor in a drama series.
(AP Photo)
AP Photo
The Playboy magazine founder and sexual revolution symbol Hugh Hefner died at his home of natural causes at age 91 on Wednesday, Sept. 27.
In this Nov. 4, 2010, file photo, Playboy magazine founder Hugh Hefner poses for photos at the Playboy Mansion in Los Angeles.
(AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)
AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File
A gunman opened fire at the Route 91 Harvest country music festival in Las Vegas on Sunday, Oct. 1, killing 58 and injuring hundreds. Maryland native Tina Frost, 27, was one of the many victims of the deadliest mass shooting.
(Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)
Photo by David Becker/Getty Images
Rock legend Tom Petty, who produced classics such as “Free Fallin,” “Refugee” and “American Girl”died at the age of 66 on Oct. 2 after suffering a cardiac arrest at his home in Malibu, California.
Tom Petty of Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers performs at Madison Square Garden Tuesday, June 20, 2006 in New York.
(AP Photo/Jason DeCrow)
AP Photo/Jason DeCrow
On Oct. 5, The New York Times published a story that would rock the entertainment industry. The story revealed Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein had a history of sexual misconduct among current and former employees and workers in the film industry spanning three decades. Women who have accused Weinstein of sexual harassment and abuse include stars Kate Beckinsale, Gwyneth Paltrow, Ashley Judd, Rose McGowan, Angelina Jolie and a slew of others. After multiple reports of sexual harassment complaints against him, The Weinstein Company fired the disgraced mogul. This sparked #MeToo, a social media movement denouncing sexual harassment and misconduct.
In this Nov. 23, 2011 file photo, film producer Harvey Weinstein poses for a photo in New York. For two months now, as accusations of sexual misconduct have piled up against Weinstein, the disgraced mogul has responded over and over again with the same words: “Any allegations of nonconsensual sex are unequivocally denied by Mr. Weinstein.” Consent is quite likely to be a central issue in a potential legal case against Weinstein and others accused of sexual assault in the current so-called “reckoning.”
(AP Photo/John Carucci, File)
AP Photo/John Carucci, File
A new concert venue from IMP founder Seth Hurwitz opened its doors at The Wharf on Oct. 12. The Foo Fighters kicked off the opening of the 6,000-seat venue with a sold-out show.
(AP Photo/John Carucci, File)
David Letterman received the Mark Twain Prize at the Kennedy Center on Oct. 22. Fellow entertainers gathered to celebrate him for his record run on late-night TV, innovative comedy routines and for helping the nation start to heal by reassuring that it was OK to laugh again after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
David Letterman hits the red carpet before receiving the Mark Twain Prize at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C.
(AP Photo/John Carucci, File)
Singer Tony Bennett was honored with the Library of Congress’ Gershwin Prize for American Song on Nov. 15. The prize was created by Congress to honor singers and songwriters who entertain, inform and inspire.
In this Aug. 3, 2016 file photo, singer Tony Bennett arrives for his 90th birthday celebration at the Rainbow Room at Rockefeller Plaza in New York.
(AP Photo/John Carucci, File)
This combination photo shows, from left, producer Harvey Weinstein, actor Kevin Spacey, actor-comedian Louis C.K., NBC “Today” show host Matt Lauer and “CBS This Morning” host Charlie Rose. Actors and other public figures began vanishing from the TV screen in October as scores of allegations of sexual misconduct targeted one prominent man after another. In the wake of Weinstein’s disgrace, Spacey was removed from Netflix’s “House of Cards.” Louis C.K. lost a Netflix comedy special and other TV projects. Rose was removed from “CBS This Morning” and his own public television interview show was canceled. Then “Today” show host Matt Lauer was fired.
(AP Photo/File)
AP Photo/File
LL Cool J, Lionel Richie, Carmen de Lavallade, Norman Lear and Gloria Estefan were honored at the 40th annual Kennedy Center Honors on Dec. 3. Despite President Donald Trump’s absence at the accolades, the event marked a historic moment with television producer and writer Norman Lear being the oldest honoree and LL Cool J becoming the youngest honoree and the first-ever hip-hop artist to be honored.
(Getty Images)
Hailed by The Washington Post for “his savantlike ability to name every Best Picture winner in history," Jason Fraley began at WTOP as Morning Drive Writer in 2008, film critic in 2011 and Entertainment Editor in 2014, providing daily arts coverage on-air and online.
