Elton John cancels Vegas gigs after ‘potentially deadly’ infection
Elton John performs on stage at Save On Foods Memorial Centre on March 11, 2017 in Victoria, Canada. /CFP Photo
Singer-songwriter Elton John has cancelled concerts in Las Vegas after contracting a "harmful and unusual bacterial infection" during a tour of South America, according to a statement from his management. The 70-year-old star became “violently ill” on his way back to the UK from Chile, the statement said. Doctors were able to treat the "rare and potentially deadly" infection however, and the Rocket Man was released from hospital over the weekend, Billboard magazine said, citing the statement. Elton John was due to perform in Las Vegas and California in April and May. All dates have now been cancelled but the star was expected to be back on stage in England on June 3.
Writer’s Guild vote to strike in US
A WGA striker in Studio City, Los Angeles, California on November 5 , 2007. /CFP Photo
A strike by the Writer’s Guild of America looks likely to go ahead, potentially plunging TV and movie productions into chaos. The WGA released the results of a vote on Monday that showed 96 percent of members wanted the strike to go ahead. The work stoppage could occur as soon as May 2. The writers are asking for wage hikes and more parity between writers on different types of shows. The last major WGA strike action in 2007 lasted 100 days and resulted in multiple deals being cancelled and losses of up to US$287 million for the writers, according to the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers.
The truth is still out there: X-Files due for return
Gillian Anderson and David Duchovny pose at a premiere for "The X-Files" at California Science Center in Los Angeles, California, U.S. on January 12, 2016. /CFP Photo
Fans of the supernatural, the unexplainable and little green men, rejoice! Fox has announced it will bring back “The X-Files” for 10 new episodes next year, with David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson reprising their roles as FBI agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully investigating the paranormal. Filming is set to begin in the summer. The two actors quickly tweeted the news. “The X-Files” ran for nine seasons from 1993 to 2002 and already had a six-episode reboot last year, reportedly attracting 16 million viewers.
80s band Bananarama headed for first tour
Keren Woodward and Sara Dallin of Bananarama perform on stage during at the Royal Albert Hall in London, UK on November 2, 2009. /CFP Photo
Speaking of revivals: 80s girl band Bananarama, known for such hits as “Venus” and “Cruel Summer”, said the original trio will reunite for their first ever tour. Sara Dallin, Siobhan Fahey and Keren Woodward formed the band in 1979 and sold some 40 million albums together, but never toured before Fahey left the group, almost a decade later. The tour will be limited to the UK for now and include 15 dates.
