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Netflix’s recipe for success includes ‘secret sauce’ spiced with Silicon Valley savvy
Although its video streaming service sparkles with a Hollywood sheen, Netflix still taps its roots in Silicon Valley to stay a step ahead of traditional TV and movie studios. The Los Gatos, California-based company frequently reaches into its technological toolbox without viewers even realizing it. It often just uses a few subtle twists on the knobs of viewer recommendations to help keep its 270 million worldwide subscribers satisfied at a time most of its streaming rivals are seeing waves of cancellations from inflation-weary subscribers. One part of the Netflix recipe includes tailoring summaries and trailers about its smorgasbord of shows to fit the personal interests of each viewer.
Harvey Weinstein lawyers argue he was denied fair trial in appeal of LA rape conviction
Harvey Weinstein’s lawyers argue he didn’t get a fair trial in Los Angeles when he was convicted of rape and sexual assault in 2022. The brief filed Friday with California’s Second District Court of Appeal comes six weeks after Weinstein’s similar conviction in New York was overturned on appeal. His lawyers argue in the LA case that the judge was wrong to exclude evidence that the Italian model and actor that Weinstein was convicted of raping was in a sexual relationship with the director of a film festival. It also argues that the judge was wrong to allow jurors to know about Weinstein’s New York conviction.
Robert Gossett and Courtney Hope win supporting acting honors at Daytime Emmys
Robert Gossett of “General Hospital” and Courtney Hope of “The Young and the Restless” have won supporting acting honors at the Daytime Emmys. Gossett was honored Friday for the second straight year for his role as Marshall Ashford on the ABC soap opera. He’s a first cousin to the late Oscar-winning actor Louis Gossett Jr. Hope originated the role of Sally Spectra on CBS’ “The Bold and the Beautiful” in 2017 before moving to “The Young and the Restless” in 2020. “The Bold and the Beautiful” and “The Young and the Restless” came into the show with a leading 12 nominations each.
Dodgers’ Kiké Hernández makes error in midst of live television interview
Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Kiké Hernández made an error while in the midst of a live television interview during a game against the New York Yankees. Hernández had a microphone and was speaking with Wayne Randazzo and former pitcher Dontrelle Willis on the Apple TV telecast in the second inning about Hernández’s decision to wear colorful cleats and the atmosphere at Yankee Stadium when Hernández allowed Gleyber Torres’ one-out grounder to bounce off his bare hand. After ball one to DJ LeMahieu on a pitch clock violation by Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Hernández said: “What was the previous question, before I made that error?”
Meloni joins cultural elite celebrating Italian opera’s recognition as a world treasure
Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni has joined top political and cultural figures at Verona’s ancient Arena amphitheater for an open-air celebration of Italian lyric opera’s recognition by UNESCO as a global cultural treasure. Conductor Riccardo Muti presided over an orchestra of 170 musicians from Italy’s 14 opera houses, joined by over 314 choral singers and a cast of global star opera stars for Friday’s event. They delivered a greatest hits of Italian opera from Verdi to Puccini, Donizetti to Bellini for an appreciative crowd.
Michael Rainey Jr. isn’t afraid of the future as ‘Power Book II: Ghost’ ends
Michael Rainey Jr.’s reign as a rising drug kingpin on “Power Book II: Ghost” is coming to an end. The fourth and final season of the popular Starz show premieres Friday. While fans and critics have voiced their disappointment that the show is ending, Rainey says it also took him a while to come to terms with the decision. Rainey says he feels “there was a few other directions that we could go.” However, he’s “super excited for what’s to come” in the future for him and his castmates. “Ghost” is a spinoff of the original megahit Starz series “Power,” which ended in 2020 after six seasons.