A federal judge has dismissed most of the accusations made by actress Blake Lively against actor, director, and co-producer Justin Baldoni. The performer sued him in 2024 for sexual harassment and retaliation, in thirteen lawsuits filed in court, after sharing filming for the movie It ends with us, which Baldoni directed, co-produced, and co-starred in. Now a New York judge has determined that ten of these lawsuits cannot be admitted for trial due to "legal reasons": the magistrate considered that Lively was not an employee hired by Baldoni, but rather worked on the film independently. Specifically, Lively did not sign the actor's release agreement, which would have protected her in relation to the rules on sexual harassment on set.

Let's start by talking about cinema and then we'll get to books. The year 1948 was a busy one in Hollywood: it was the year of the Paramount Decree, which regulated the production-distribution-exhibition chain for decades and dismantled the studio system in the film industry. The studio system was the business model developed by the major studios, known as majors –that is, Warner, Paramount, Universal, etc.–. The fact is that in 1948 this decree arrived as a result of a case against Paramount that was settled in the Supreme Court of the United States. The decree established, among other things, that producers of a film could also distribute it themselves, but they could not own the theaters where it would be shown. We could say that it decreed a kind of separation of powers in the field of cinema. Why? Because what they were doing –vertical integration– was a monopolistic practice that limited and stifled independent cinema. What happened when the antitrust ban came into effect? The number of theaters showing independent films grew, and independent production companies that worked without interference from major studios proliferated (other things too: the relaxation of the Hays self-censorship code, for example). In short, the decree was the beginning of the end of the studio system, the end of the system that put control and power in the hands of the strong, in short, lifelong bully politics. The decree was in effect until 2020 (!), although Disney had already disregarded it before: with streaming platforms, everything has become a bit complicated (Netflix is not a movie theater, but it is a distribution channel, etc.). Once repealed, studios can not only buy movie theaters but it is also legal again what is known as block booking, which is: if you want to have the good movie, you also have to take a couple of duds, which, at least when I studied audiovisual, was the norm in television channels when buying movies "in packages". The result of this practice is evident: the quality of the content is lowered; well, we already know that quality is not usually the objective of big cultural businesses.The dangers of excessive concentration

But this is Llegim and we have to talk about books, right? Well, the fact is that the other day I went into an Abacus store and I was a little horrified. The special display areas (that is, those that are most visible and, therefore, most coveted: the ends of tables, wall displays, etc.) were mostly books from the Abacus Futur group. This, which perhaps should make me happy because I have published a micro-essay with them, made me rather sad, and the Paramount Decree immediately came to mind. Abacus has 44 stores (according to AI: I couldn't find it on their website), and yes, I know, Planeta also has its network of bookstores (La Casa del Llibre, with 75 bookstores) and Anagrama (La Central, only 5). Besides, Planeta and Penguin Random House (PRH) have their own distributor. Planeta's case goes a step further in vertical integration, as it also owns several media outlets. But it seems that in this country nobody really cares about excessive concentration as long as the money flows. The fact is that if you alone produce and distribute and sell and advertise books, perhaps you create unfavorable conditions for independent production. Let's return to the United States for a moment. Five years ago there was an uproar because Penguin Random House threatened to buy Simon & Schuster, one of its great rivals, and the U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit: they feared that the PRH conglomerate, if it went ahead with the acquisition, would have undue influence on the books published in the U.S. and on writers' compensation. Even Stephen King went to testify, and said: “I’m here because I think concentration is bad for competition.” The acquisition was prohibited because the judge considered that the sale would substantially harm competition. Where does free trade end? Where do monopolistic practices begin? All in all, it also makes me think of the associations of writers and translators that for years have been refraining from publishing recommended fees for fear of getting into trouble (after a notorious case with the association of tourist guides). Does what competition laws establish end up constraining (harming?) more the individuals who work alone and have no bargaining power against large groups than the business monsters that monopolize the market?

]]>

Behind the white, consensus-based image that Jennifer Aniston always projects lies a star who doesn't mind stepping in puddles and getting up to her waist in mud if she believes the cause is worth it. She made this clear once again this week in an interview with the British edition of the magazine. Harper's Bazaar, where she hasn't held back when it comes to addressing such delicate topics as infertility, mental health issues, or the gaps hidden behind the word success.

]]>

"And this is news?" is the question we often see in the comments on news stories about tabloids and pop culture. And, obviously, these aren't news stories that make the front pages of newspapers, but they are issues we often discuss with friends or family around a table or at the bar. And this is what we do in this podcast: we go to a venue to review some news from the social chronicle that serves not only to keep up with the most important gossip, but also to talk about love, friendship, and breakups.

]]>

For a few months now, actors Zoë Kravitz and Austin Butler have become targets of paparazzi. The actors star in Caught stealing, the new film by Darren Aronofsky that will be released in Catalan theaters in October. In the film they play a couple of lovers in a thriller Set in the 90s, and the keen eye of the tabloid press has already caught them on several occasions, exchanging knowing glances and special smiles. At the film's premiere in London, Kravitz and Butler took photos on the red carpet with a very affectionate attitude that further fueled suspicions that there is more between them than a working relationship or a simple friendship.

]]>

The producer of Pirates of the Caribbean, Jerry Bruckheimer, has held talks with Johnny Depp about the possibility of him reprising the iconic role of Jack Sparrow in the sixth installment of the saga. He explained this in an interview on Entertainment Weekly, and says he's sure the actor will accept: "If it were up to me, he'd be in the movie already."

]]>

Actress Jayne Mansfield was one of the sex symbols of 1950s and 1960s Hollywood, sculpted by agents and producers as a replica of Marilyn Monroe. Despite her university education, her command of four languages, and her experience in dance, violin, and piano, her talent was undervalued and she was turned into what the media called her. dumb blonde. The magazine Life Mansfield was heavily exploited in advertising and, like Marilyn Monroe, died tragically at the age of 34 after a tortuous life in which men manipulated and abused her. Hollywood built cages to control its most explosive blondes.

]]>

In the age of misinformation, it's almost a miracle to be able to write a news story in which a source clearly, unequivocally, verbally, and live on television confirms a piece of information. But if this weren't news enough in itself, the issue reaches unthinkable levels of journalistic success if, on top of that, the other party involved in the story also responds to the information provided and adds context. Sadly, this is a very unusual situation. Even more so when we're talking about Hollywood, where everyone knows that ambiguity generates more debate—and, therefore, more social attention—than a confirmation or a denial. Perhaps in this week's case, however, the enigma had been floating around for quite a few years. In other words, no more juice could be extracted, and they decided to cut the series short.

]]>

The name Jennette McCurdy is completely unknown to most people today, but this now-retired actress was very famous in the early 2000s, when she was just eight years old. Twenty years after experiencing an acting success that everyone considered a dream come true, McCurdy completely changed society's image of that sweet girl and her family when she wrote the book I'm glad my mum died –published only in Spanish as I'm glad my mother is dead (Trends)–. In the play, she recounted the psychological, workplace, and sexual abuse she had suffered at the hands of her mother in the entertainment industry. These utterly cruel events occurred in the privacy of her home, a humble, Mormon household where the girl had become everyone's sole financial support, which didn't allow her to stop working despite the horror she was experiencing.

]]>

After weeks of rumors, the breakup of Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom is now a reality, according to reports. People, a favorite medium for celebrities when it comes to making big announcements. However, the two involved have yet to comment, but it's worth noting that Perry is currently immersed in her world tour, The Lifetime Tour. People confirm the split, the digital TMZ already advanced the information. The couple met in 2016 and in 2019 they got engaged, although they have never married.

]]>

Of the great gallant that William Levy appeared to be in the Latin American novel Coffee with the aroma of a woman (Netflix), has turned out to be an actor with pending court dates. The Cuban-born actor explained on Monday in The anthill Something that had occurred in April, when it was revealed that he had been arrested in Florida. His arrest made headlines in the United States and Europe, but until now the actor had not explained how he had personally experienced the black mark on his record.

]]>

They say there are no breakups more violent than those of great loves. All that trust and deep connection that exists in the most stable and established relationships suddenly turns into a nuclear bomb when that stability ends, as the feeling that emerges is one of betrayal. The person you trusted the most no longer wants to be with you. The emotional collapse is superlative, and the reaction, obviously, will be as well. Surely, this feeling of betrayal will lead one of the two to attack where it hurts the most, which will lead the other to do the same, and thus, an unstoppable spiral of war will begin.

]]>

Actress Eva Longoria is passionate about gastronomy and has left a mark on her visit to Catalonia to film the documentary series Searching for Spain, premiered on CNN. The production is a gastronomic journey through Spain, a journey that has allowed the actress to discover things like vermouth and látigo, of which she has declared herself a fan. In a preview of the series, the actress tries vermouth thanks to Barcelona-based American journalist Matt Goulding, who explains what the drink consists of and recommends pairing it with Catalan cured meats, like látigo, and cockles. "I can't stop eating this," Longoria exclaims in a video shared on social media.

]]>

The first few months of 2025 have been unexpectedly intense when it comes to series. Some of the year's best titles have premiered in recent weeks, propelling the careers of many of their stars, some with well-established careers. Let's take a look back at ten actors and actresses who have stood out in recent months and who you should keep on your radar.

]]>

Two months after the Oscars, Karla Sofía Gascón is still keen to talk about the personal repercussions of the resurgence of racist and xenophobic messages she shared on social media years before becoming world famous thanks to Emilia Pérez. During his visit to the program The anthill This Tuesday, the actress, who saw her chances of winning an Oscar fade after the messages were made public, said she even considered "disappearing."

]]>

He is one of the biggest stars in Hollywood despite having spent three years living away from the spotlight. due to the aphasia that was detected in 2022 and dementia diagnosed laterBruce Willis turns 70 this Wednesday and will celebrate his birthday away from the cameras but surrounded by his extended family, who have united in their efforts to care for him since the actor's illness became known. Willis's support network, almost exclusively female, includes his ex-wife Demi Moore, the three daughters they had together—Rumer, Scout, and Tallulah—his current wife, Emma Heming, and the two daughters they share, Mabel and Evelyn, ages 12 and 10. All of them signed the public statement revealing that the Hollywood star was suffering from an illness that was forcing him to leave an industry that made him famous worldwide.

]]>

The Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles was the stage where the 97th edition of the Oscars was held this morning. Beyond the protocol of the carpet, the course of the gala and the speeches of the winners of the statuette, there was also room for surprises. These are some of the highlights of the most iconic awards in cinema.

]]>

Beyond the awards, during the Oscar night that will be held this Sunday the cameras of the photographers will look for the most outstanding couples of the night. One of those that will surely receive a lot of attention will be the one formed by Zoe Saldana, nominated for the Oscar for best supporting actress for Emilia Perez, and her husband, Italian Marco Perego. The couple, who married in 2013, have three children.

]]>

The nerves are beginning to show among the nominees for the most important awards in international cinema. Although the preparations for the grand gala are the same for all nominees, only a few will be declared winners. To alleviate the frustrations of long races and months of work on their respective films, for 23 editions there has been a consolation prize: the Distinctive Assets, this year valued at more than 200,000 euros.

]]>

A video, visibly made with artificial intelligence, is circulating on the Internet, showing a series of Hollywood stars (directors such as Steven Spielberg or Woody Allen, actresses such as Scarlett Johansson, musicians such as Lenny Kravitz), who have in common the fact that they are Jewish. They are all dressed in a white T-shirt with a drawing of a closed fist with the middle finger raised, above the name Kanye. The message, therefore, would be "fuck you, Kanye", in reference to the rapper Kanye West, who has recently declared himself a Nazi again (he had done so on previous occasions) and has paid a large amount of millions of dollars to advertise during the Superbowl his latest fashion design: a T-shirt with the Nazi swastika printed on it. West, who lately also calls himself Ye, claims that this "is my best performance design", and has obsessively spread his admiration for Hitler and his anti-Semitism on the networks and in statements to the media. Also his machismo and his aporophobia: at the last Grammy Awards gala, Kanye West and his partner, the model Bianca Censori, appeared again as they usually do: without saying either donkey or beast, he fully clothed and she completely naked. West's statements on this controversy were: "I have control over my woman, this is not feminist shit." woke"She's with a billionaire, why should she listen to any of you poor fools?" All of it, a good MAGA Trumpist manual.

]]>