Daily News 19

Category: Celebs

Entertainment, news, celebrity updates, pop culture, film, music, and television.

  • Dolly Parton made heartbreaking admission in her final interview just days before her death

    Dolly Parton made heartbreaking admission in her final interview just days before her death



    Dolly Parton said she ‘still had so many things she wants to achieve’ in one of her final interviews before her death at the age of 80.

    The country music star’s nephew Bryan Seaver announced the sad news of her passing with ‘great sadness’ in a poignant video message shared on Tuesday (25 August).

    Just days ago, she shared an update on the health issues which have been plaguing her since March last year – and her hopes for the future.

    Details surrounding Dolly’s death currently remain unclear, however, she had been candid with fans about facing a number of challenges over the last 12 months.

    In September 2025, she announced that she was postponing the beginning of her Las Vegas residency due to her ailments, before she then pulled the plug on it altogether in May this year.

    The 80-year-old music icon has passed away, her family announced on Tuesday (Courtesy of Dolly Parton Estate)

    The Tennessee-born icon told fans that both her immune system and ‌my digestive system had ‘got all out of whack over the past couple of years’, but said she was ‘improving every day’.

    “Bad news is it’s gonna take me a little while before I’m up to stage performance level, because some of the meds and treatments make me a little bit swimmy-headed, as my grandma used to say,” Dolly joked back in May.

    “Of course I can’t be dizzy, carrying around banjos, guitars and such on five-inch heels. And you know that I’m gonna be wearing them!

    “I’m doing really well, and they assure me that everything I have is treatable, so I’m going with that, and I just want you to know I thank you for standing by me and that I will always love you.”

    The 9-5 singer’s health woes came in wake of the passing of her beloved husband of almost 60 years, Carl Dean, in March 2025.

    She had been battling health problems since early last year (Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame)

    In her most recent interview, Dolly revealed that she overlooked some red flags with her health while caring for her spouse. However, she then insisted that she was ‘still healing and still working’.

    She spoke to news outlet People about her continuing struggles, which remain unspecified, as she was forced to cancel a scheduled appearance just a few weeks ago.

    Tons of fans had hoped to see the Queen of Country in the flesh at her Tennessee theme park, Dollywood, on 14 August – but she said her doctor had ordered her not to travel.

    “My little butterfly wings are getting kinda tired,” she told attendees about her absence. “Now I’ve told you before, all my fans, that I have had a few little health issues. And sometimes I get a little dizzy, and I get dehydrated.

    “And I’m dehydrated. And so my Nashville doctor clipped my wings, saying you ain’t travelling this week. So I guess if your doctor tells you you ain’t travelling this week, you ain’t travelling this week.”

    Dolly confirmed she was still ‘dealing with’ some ailments while sharing an update with People on Friday (21 August).

    Dolly opened up about ‘hard times with her health’

    “As I’ve shared in video messages throughout the past year, I am dealing with some health issues that I just didn’t pay attention to when I was watching over Carl,” the ‘Jolene’ hitmaker said.

    “You know, this isn’t the first time I’ve had to manage something like this.

    “Back in the early ’80s, I was down for several months with female issues, and I was struggling with my weight at the time too, so it’s not like I haven’t been through hard times with my health.

    “But I think because we live in a 24/7 world with social media, everything gets magnified in ways it wasn’t years ago.”

    Dolly then joked that she used to dub herself ‘Queen of the Tabloids’, but moving with the times, she’s now more like ‘the Queen of Social Media AI’.

    Dolly, pictured in 1978, issued an update on how she was doing just days ago (Robin Platzer/Getty Images)

    She then added: “Seriously, though, even though I’m still healin’, I’m still workin’!

    “You know me — as I’ve often said — I’ve dreamed myself into a corner and I still have so many things I want to achieve, so I’m gonna keep on working as long as I can to see everything come to life.”

    Dolly’s loved ones described her as a ‘beloved singer, songwriter, philanthropist, actress, playwright, and author’, and said: “A rhinestone life that shone bright enough for the world to see, Dolly will forever stand as an inspiration not only through her timeless music and prolific songwriting, but also her wit, warmth, and kindness that made us all feel like family. Dolly Parton’s legacy is one of love, compassion, and resilience.”

    Seaver, who was tasked with delivering the news in the social media video, signed off the clip with an incredibly apt statement.

    “Dolly called me and said she wants to rest in a beautiful bed of plush cotton, because after a life of wearing heavy rhinestones, she finally deserves to be comfortable and have some rest,” he said.

    “Rest in Peace Aunt Dolly. Aunt Granny. Gigi. May God bless Dolly Parton and may God bless you all. She will always love you.”

  • Brandon Flowers Returns with Country-Inspired Solo Album ‘Thrasher’ After 11-Year Gap

    Brandon Flowers Returns with Country-Inspired Solo Album ‘Thrasher’ After 11-Year Gap

    The Killers frontman Brandon Flowers has released his third solo album, 'Thrasher,' marking his first solo project in over a decade. Recorded at Nashville's historic RCA Studio A — the same room where Dolly Parton cut 'Jolene' and 'I Will Always Love You' — the album leans heavily into the country and Americana sounds that shaped Flowers' childhood in rural Utah. The sessions brought together a cast of veteran musicians, including 85-year-old harmonica player Charlie McCoy, pedal steel legend Bruce Bouton, and singer-songwriter Margo Price. Flowers chose to record vocals live alongside the band, a method he describes as 'romantic' and increasingly rare in modern production. Read also: Entertainment Roundup: Bong Joon Ho's 'Mickey 17' Sets 2024 Release, 'Only Murders in the Building' Heads to London for Season 6. Read also: Britney Spears' Son Jayden James Debuts as MAC Cosmetics' Newest 'Posterboy'.

    Lyrically, 'Thrasher' draws from Flowers' personal history in ways his earlier work did not. He revisits his upbringing in Nephi, Utah, where his father played Johnny Cash and Merle Haggard on the car stereo, and school dances featured country slow dances. The album also addresses the opioid crisis that devastated his hometown, with the track 'Miss America' criticizing how prescription painkillers — chemically similar to heroin — were handed out by doctors, claiming lives across his graduating class. Another song, 'American Dream,' stages a fantastical encounter with Elvis Presley in a flying Tesla, where Flowers asks whether fame is truly worth it — a question he says has haunted him for years, especially as he watches his three teenage sons navigate a world of constant comparison.

    Flowers previewed material from the album at the Newport Folk Festival with assistance from Lucy Dacus, signaling a deliberate step into the Americana and folk communities. The project arrives during a hiatus for The Killers, giving Flowers space to explore a musical identity separate from the arena-rock anthems that defined his band's 25-year run. In recent interviews, he has openly questioned the cost of fame, wondering what he is still trying to prove and to whom. 'Thrasher' suggests the answer may lie not in stadiums, but in the quieter, rawer sound of the music that raised him.

  • Britney Spears’ Son Jayden James Debuts as MAC Cosmetics’ Newest ‘Posterboy’

    Britney Spears’ Son Jayden James Debuts as MAC Cosmetics’ Newest ‘Posterboy’

    Jayden James Federline, the 18-year-old son of pop icon Britney Spears, is stepping further into the spotlight with a major beauty campaign. MAC Cosmetics announced the teenager as its latest "posterboy" on Tuesday, unveiling a dedicated MACzine profile and a series of editorial images that mark his first major brand ambassadorship. The campaign arrives just months after Jayden and his older brother, Sean Preston, made their runway debuts for Vetements during Paris Fashion Week, signaling a deliberate pivot toward fashion and creative expression. Read also: Two Very Different 'Judges' Dominate Headlines: Aaron Judge's Gala Night and Erika Jayne's Court Warning. Read also: Entertainment Roundup: Bong Joon Ho's 'Mickey 17' Sets 2024 Release, 'Only Murders in the Building' Heads to London for Season 6.

    In the accompanying interview, Jayden discusses a lifelong interest in fashion and credits model Francisco Lachowski for helping him navigate the industry. Beyond modeling, he reveals he is an avid piano player who cites Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" as a favorite piece and admits a deep obsession with the anime franchise "Dragon Ball Z." The shoot also features his girlfriend, Gabrielle Helene, offering a glimpse into his personal life away from his famous lineage.

    This move places Jayden among a growing cohort of celebrity children — such as Kaia Gerber, Lila Moss, and Deacon Phillippe — who are leveraging family fame to launch independent careers in high fashion and beauty. Unlike many who rely solely on surname recognition, Jayden's recent runway experience and a multi-faceted creative profile (music, modeling, brand partnership) suggest a strategy aimed at longevity. The MAC campaign, centered on the brand's iconic Fix+ setting spray, also aligns with the current industry trend of casting authentic, personality-driven faces over traditional polished perfection.

    While his mother has largely stayed out of the public eye in recent months, Jayden's increasing visibility represents a new chapter for the Spears-Federline family narrative — one defined by the younger generation carving out their own cultural footprint.

  • Jim Green, Architect of ABC’s Golden Age of TV Movies and Producer of ‘Stephen King’s It,’ Dies at 83

    Jim Green, Architect of ABC’s Golden Age of TV Movies and Producer of ‘Stephen King’s It,’ Dies at 83

    Television pioneer Jim Green, the programming executive who helped turn ABC's Movie of the Week into a cultural institution and later produced landmark miniseries including the 1990 adaptation of Stephen King's "It," passed away on August 9 in Santa Barbara at age 83 following a long illness. His wife of 59 years, singer Cathy Cole Green of The King Family, announced the news. Read also: Only Murders in the Building Season 6 Heads to London with December Premiere Date. Read also: USA Network Orders Rome-Set Medical Drama 'Diplomatic Immunity' as Part of Scripted Revival.

    Green's career reads like a blueprint for modern event television. Joining ABC in 1966 under development chief Barry Diller, he helped shepherd nearly 200 made-for-TV movies that transformed the struggling network's primetime fortunes. The slate included Steven Spielberg's feature directorial debut "Duel" (1971), the Emmy-winning "Brian's Song" (1971), and the groundbreaking eight-part adaptation of Alex Haley's "Roots" (1977). Several of these films spun off into hit series — among them "The Six Million Dollar Man," "Starsky & Hutch," "The Night Stalker," and "The Love Boat."

    After leaving the network in 1977, Green formed Green/Epstein Productions with former ABC executive Allen Epstein, producing more than 50 television movies and miniseries often centered on human-interest stories. Their credits ranged from "Women at West Point" (1979), dramatizing the first female cadets at the U.S. Military Academy, to "Breaking Up Is Hard to Do" (1979), a rare male-perspective divorce drama starring Robert Conrad, Billy Crystal, and Ted Bessell. The company also produced "Fallen Angel" and "And the Sea Will Tell," both cited as landmark telefilms of their era.

    Green's path to Hollywood was unconventional. After graduating from Cal State Northridge, he considered law school while dating Cathy Cole, whose family performed on ABC's "The King Family Show." When the group planned a national tour, Green suggested to matriarch Yvonne King that he serve as tour manager — a role that launched his entertainment career. A stint as a Universal publicist preceded his three-decade run shaping television.

    Industry veterans credit Green with helping define the "movie of the week" format as appointment viewing, a model that anticipated today's limited-series boom. His work bridged the gap between network-era mass audiences and the more niche, prestige-driven storytelling that followed. As streaming platforms revive the event-miniseries model, Green's template — high-concept premises, literary adaptations, and true-life dramas — remains visibly influential.

  • Only Murders in the Building Season 6 Heads to London with December Premiere Date

    Only Murders in the Building Season 6 Heads to London with December Premiere Date

    The beloved true-crime comedy trio is packing their passports. Hulu has confirmed that Only Murders in the Building will return for a sixth season on December 8, 2025, with a major location shift that takes Charles, Oliver, and Mabel out of the Arconia and across the Atlantic to London. New episodes will drop weekly on Tuesdays, marking the first time the series has moved its primary setting away from the iconic New York apartment building that has anchored the show since its 2021 debut. Read also: This Week's Viral Moments: 'Only Murders' Goes to London and a Senate Candidate's Unforgettable Fox News Appearance. Read also: Entertainment Roundup: Bong Joon Ho's 'Mickey 17' Sets 2024 Release, 'Only Murders in the Building' Heads to London for Season 6.

    The London relocation isn't just a cosmetic change — it signals a narrative reset for a series that has increasingly leaned into meta-commentary about true-crime podcasting and the parasocial relationships between creators and audiences. By moving the action to the UK, the show can explore British true-crime culture, which has its own distinct podcast ecosystem and historical cases, while also putting the American leads in unfamiliar territory where their usual shortcuts and connections don't apply. The decision to bring back Tina Fey's Cinda Canning as the catalyst for the trip also closes a loop: her podcast was the reason the trio met in season one, and now her summons pulls them into a new chapter.

    Season five ended with the trio's podcast empire expanding and their personal lives in various states of flux, so a geographic disruption makes structural sense. The show has always balanced cozy mystery plotting with character-driven humor, and a foreign setting introduces fresh comedic friction — language barriers, legal differences, cultural misunderstandings — without abandoning the core dynamic that made it a hit. Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez have developed a rhythm that transcends location, but the London backdrop could also attract British guest stars and allow cameos from UK true-crime personalities, expanding the show's cultural footprint.

    The December premiere positions the season as holiday-season counter-programming: a witty, low-stakes mystery release when audiences are often overwhelmed by prestige dramas or family films. Hulu's Tuesday rollout also mirrors the podcast-release cadence that the show satirizes, a small but deliberate touch that rewards attentive viewers. With production presumably underway or completed given the announced date, the first-look images from London suggest the visual palette will shift from the Arconia's warm brownstones to something moodier and more historic — think foggy streets, Georgian architecture, and centuries-old secrets waiting in the wings.

  • USA Network Orders Rome-Set Medical Drama ‘Diplomatic Immunity’ as Part of Scripted Revival

    USA Network Orders Rome-Set Medical Drama ‘Diplomatic Immunity’ as Part of Scripted Revival

    USA Network has greenlit a new hour-long medical drama titled "Diplomatic Immunity" with a straight-to-series order, marking the cable outlet's third original scripted series under its new corporate parent Versant. The show comes from Matt Corman and Chris Ord, the creative duo behind the network's former hit "Covert Affairs" and more recently Marvel's "Daredevil: Born Again." Set against the backdrop of Rome, the series follows a young American physician abruptly assigned to the medical office at the U.S. Embassy, where complex clinical cases intersect with diplomatic maneuvering, government personalities, and geopolitical tension — all woven through with romantic entanglements of an expatriate life. Read also: Entertainment Roundup: Bong Joon Ho's 'Mickey 17' Sets 2024 Release, 'Only Murders in the Building' Heads to London for Season 6. Read also: Hollywood's Publishing Push and a Legendary Publicist's Farewell.

    The premise blends procedural medical storytelling with international intrigue, a combination that echoes USA's signature "blue skies" era of the 2000s and 2010s when the network built a loyal audience around character-driven, location-rich procedurals like "White Collar," "Royal Pains," and Corman and Ord's own espionage series "Covert Affairs." "Diplomatic Immunity" joins two other recent original dramas on the network: the John Grisham adaptation "The Rainmaker" and the national-park-set mystery "Anna Pigeon," which premiered earlier this month to solid ratings. Together, the three series signal a deliberate strategy by Versant to rebuild USA's identity around homegrown scripted content after years of relying heavily on acquired programming and reruns.

    For Fox Entertainment Studios, the deal represents an uncommon external sale. Since its formation, the studio has primarily produced for its sibling broadcast network Fox and the free streaming service Tubi. Placing a high-profile project with a third-party cable outlet — especially one owned by a newly spun-off entity like Versant — suggests Fox Studios is testing a broader distribution model, potentially opening the door for more outside partnerships. Industry observers note this could be a pragmatic move as the studio balances its internal slate with the need to monetize premium productions across multiple platforms.

    Corman and Ord described the pickup as a "full-circle moment," reuniting them with USA executives they worked with during the "Covert Affairs" run. Their recent experience on "Daredevil: Born Again" for Marvel Television also brings a heightened sense of serialized stakes and action choreography that could elevate the medical-procedural format. The involvement of Fox Entertainment Studios as the production entity adds further production muscle, with the studio's recent track record on series like "The Cleaning Lady" and "Accused" demonstrating an ability to deliver network-scale procedurals with international appeal.

    Versant's president of entertainment, Val Boreland, framed the series as a flagship for the network's next chapter, emphasizing its blend of high-stakes medicine, global intrigue, and romance as "perfectly at home on the network." With "Anna Pigeon" already demonstrating audience appetite for USA's new originals, "Diplomatic Immunity" will likely be positioned as a tentpole for the 2026–27 season. Casting announcements and a production timeline for the Rome shoot have not yet been disclosed, but the straight-to-series order indicates confidence in the concept and a desire to move quickly into production.

  • Dolly Parton issued heartfelt video message to fans week before her death aged 80

    Dolly Parton issued heartfelt video message to fans week before her death aged 80



    Dolly Parton has died aged 80, leaving fans around the world mourning the loss of one of country music’s biggest-ever stars.

    Just days before her death, Parton had shared a heartfelt video message with fans after being forced to pull out of a public appearance at her beloved Dollywood theme park.

    Parton’s head of security Bryan Seaver confirmed news of the legendary singer, songwriter and actress on Tuesday (25 August) in a heartbreaking video message.

    Dolly’s passing comes after a difficult period for the ‘Jolene’ and ‘9 to 5’ singer, who had been dealing with a number of health issues in recent months.

    Just last week, fans got a glimpse into how the 80-year-old star was doing when she issued a video message that was broadcast to fans at the launch of a new theme park ride at Dollywood.

    “I’m supposed to be there in person, like we planned,” Parton had said, in the video. “I’ve had my butterfly wings flappin’ since May 15 when we were due to open the first time, and again in June.

    “But I know we had to make sure this is the safest, since it is the biggest and the most expensive ride we have ever added to Dollywood. So, we’re gonna open it today.

    “That’s why I’m here, because my little butterfly wings are getting kinda tired.”

    The country legend went on to explain that she was getting ‘dizzy’ and ‘dehydrated’, and so was advised not to travel.

    Without getting into specific details about her health troubles, Parton had made every effort to keep her beloved fans updated on her wellbeing.

    Dolly Parton has sadly passed away at age 80. (Terry Wyatt/WireImage)

    Back in May, she posted to social media to assure fans that she was ‘improving every day’, but that some of her treatments were making her ‘a little bit swimmy-headed.’

    She joked at the time: “Of course I can’t be dizzy, carrying around banjos, guitars and such on five-inch heels. And you know that I’m gonna be wearing them!

    “I’m doing really well, and they assure me that everything I have is treatable, so I’m going with that, and I just want you to know I thank you for standing by me and that I will always love you.”

    The country music legend had been keeping fans up to date on her health difficulties. (Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images)

    Tributes are pouring in from fans and friends alike for the 11-time Grammy-winning artist.

    Parton’s passing comes less than two years after the death of her husband Carl Dean.

    Her partner of almost six decades passed away in March 2025 at the age of 82.

    At the time, she told Associated Press: that Dean had been ‘ill for quite a while’ and that while part of her was ‘at peace because he’s at peace’, it didn’t ‘make up for the loss and the loneliness of it.’

    She also told the publication: “I am a person of faith, and I truly believe that I’m going to see him again someday.”

  • Hollywood’s Publishing Push and a Legendary Publicist’s Farewell

    Hollywood’s Publishing Push and a Legendary Publicist’s Farewell

    Hollywood's relationship with the book business is entering a new phase as talent‑driven imprints look to turn literary projects into screen-ready IP. Range Literary Publishing, the boutique label launched by Range Media Partners, marked its first anniversary by unveiling a novel‑length sequel to the cult classic *Donnie Darko* written by original filmmaker Richard Kelly. The move illustrates a broader strategy where agencies create in‑house publishing arms to control adaptation rights from the outset, a model that has gained traction as streaming platforms hunger for fresh franchise material. Read also: Sacha Baron Cohen Revives Ali G for New Feature Film After Two Decades. Read also: Entertainment Roundup: Bong Joon Ho's 'Mickey 17' Sets 2024 Release, 'Only Murders in the Building' Heads to London for Season 6.

    The *Donnie Darko* follow‑up is being positioned as a flagship title that could spawn film or series development, leveraging the original's enduring fanbase. By pairing a known creator with a built‑in audience, Range aims to shorten the path from page to screen — a tactic that mirrors recent deals where studios acquire book rights before publication. Industry observers note that such vertical integration could reshape how stories are packaged, giving talent more leverage and studios a clearer pipeline of pre‑vetted concepts.

    In a separate but equally notable development, veteran Hollywood publicist Leonard Morpurgo passed away at 93 after a battle with cancer. Morpurgo's career spanned senior roles at Rogers & Cowan, Universal Studios, Columbia Pictures, CBS Theatrical Films and Lorimar Pictures, and he later served as a vice president at Weissman/Markovitz Communications. His memoir, *Of Kings and Queens and Movie Stars*, chronicled encounters with icons such as Cary Grant, Steve McQueen and Omar Sharif, offering a rare insider's view of golden‑age Hollywood publicity.

    Morpurgo's influence extended beyond traditional press work; he was a longtime member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and contributed to the International Feature Film Committee, helping shape Oscar eligibility rules for foreign language entries. Colleagues remember him as a storyteller who brought a writer's sensibility to campaign strategy, blending global perspective with meticulous attention to detail. His death marks the end of an era for a generation of publicists who bridged the studio system's classic period and the modern, fragmented media landscape.

    Together, these stories highlight two currents shaping entertainment today: the aggressive pursuit of original IP through integrated publishing ventures, and the gradual loss of the institutional memory held by seasoned professionals like Morpurgo. As studios and agencies race to secure the next breakout franchise, the lessons of past publicity masters remain relevant — reminding the industry that enduring success often hinges on both innovative content strategies and the relationships that amplify them.

  • Two Very Different ‘Judges’ Dominate Headlines: Aaron Judge’s Gala Night and Erika Jayne’s Court Warning

    Two Very Different ‘Judges’ Dominate Headlines: Aaron Judge’s Gala Night and Erika Jayne’s Court Warning

    The name "Judge" appeared in entertainment headlines for two unrelated reasons this week, creating an accidental double feature that says a lot about where celebrity attention sits right now. On one coast, a baseball superstar cleaned up for charity. On the other, a reality-TV veteran got a blunt deadline from the bench. Read also: Two Bands, Two Eras: What Blackpink's Global Coronation and Westside Cowboy's Analog Rebellion Reveal About Music Stardom Today. Read also: Entertainment Roundup: Bong Joon Ho's 'Mickey 17' Sets 2024 Release, 'Only Murders in the Building' Heads to London for Season 6.

    New York Yankees captain Aaron Judge and his wife, Samantha Bracksieck, attended the Carlos Rodón Foundation Willow Gala at the Refinery in Brooklyn on August 24. The event, hosted by Judge's teammate, raised money for the pitcher's charitable foundation. Photos from the evening show the couple in formal wear on a night that also brought out Topher Grace, Christie Brinkley, Glen Powell, and a cluster of other names across multiple benefit events in New York and Los Angeles. For Judge, the appearance continues a pattern of high-profile philanthropic outings during the 2026 season, reinforcing his off-field visibility as the face of the franchise.

    Three thousand miles away in a Los Angeles courtroom, the word "judge" carried weight of a different kind. The jurist overseeing Erika Jayne's long-running divorce from Tom Girardi ordered both parties to appear early next year and explain why the case has stalled since their 2020 split. Court documents obtained by TMZ show the judge warned that if the explanation isn't convincing, the case will be dismissed without a final judgment — effectively hitting the reset button on years of litigation. The backdrop is extraordinary: Girardi, once a prominent plaintiffs' attorney, was sentenced in 2025 to 87 months in federal prison for stealing settlement funds from his own clients. Jayne has denied knowledge of his misconduct but has been pulled into related lawsuits, including an $18 million claim from a fashion designer over credit-card charges and a $25 million suit that settled before trial.

    The coincidence underscores how celebrity coverage now toggles between polished red-carpet moments and raw legal fallout — sometimes in the same news cycle, sometimes under the same search term. Aaron Judge's gala night is the kind of controlled, brand-friendly visibility that teams and sponsors cultivate. Erika Jayne's court date is the opposite: a public, messy, court-supervised accounting that no publicist would script. Both are real, both are documented, and both landed under "judge" in the last 48 hours.

  • Sacha Baron Cohen Revives Ali G for New Feature Film After Two Decades

    Sacha Baron Cohen Revives Ali G for New Feature Film After Two Decades

    British comedian Sacha Baron Cohen is bringing back his iconic west Staines persona Ali G for a second feature-length film titled "Ali G: Who Iz I?", with a trailer released this week offering a first look at the character's return after a 20-year absence from the big screen. The mockumentary-style comedy, slated for theatrical release on October 23, shows Ali G sporting new dreadlocks while maintaining his signature early-2000s hip-hop fashion aesthetic as he navigates contemporary issues ranging from the pandemic to global conflicts and even Ed Sheeran's musical dominance. Read also: Entertainment Roundup: Bong Joon Ho's 'Mickey 17' Sets 2024 Release, 'Only Murders in the Building' Heads to London for Season 6. Read also: Daniel Diemer and Shaheen Jafargholi Join 'Heated Rivalry' Season 2 as New Lead Couple.

    The trailer reveals pranks targeting a retired U.S. Army general, Stewart Rodeheaver, and what appears to be Canadian electronic music producer Deadmau5 at a festival setting. This continues the character's tradition of ambushing high-profile figures — a lineage that includes Buzz Aldrin being asked whether humans might walk on the sun "during winter when it's cold" and Donald Trump fielding a pitch for "ice-cream gloves" during the original "Da Ali G Show" run in the early 2000s. That series also served as the launchpad for Baron Cohen's other breakout characters, Kazakh reporter Borat Sagdiyev and Austrian fashionista Brüno.

    Baron Cohen had previously declared both Ali G and Borat retired in 2007, citing the difficulty of finding unsuspecting subjects once the characters became widely recognized. Borat eventually returned for a 2020 sequel that generated worldwide headlines with its Rudy Giuliani sequence, making "Who Iz I?" the fifth film to emerge from the "Da Ali G Show" universe. No revival has been suggested for Brüno's 2009 standalone feature. The original "Ali G Indahouse" (2002) was a scripted narrative without prank elements and earned over £17 million domestically despite mixed reviews, while the first Borat film became a global phenomenon grossing more than $260 million worldwide.

    The revival arrives at a moment when prank-based comedy faces new challenges: ubiquitous smartphones, heightened public awareness of ambush tactics, and a media landscape where viral clips often precede traditional marketing. Whether Ali G's specific brand of satirical ignorance — targeting power structures through feigned stupidity — can still disarm contemporary figures the way it did two decades ago will be the central question when the film opens this autumn.