Rambo TV series in the works
Thirty-three years after the release of First Blood, the first film in the popular Rambo series of movies, US TV network Fox is developing a television spin-off. Sylvester Stallone – who starred as Vietnam War veteran John Rambo in four films – is on board as an executive producer. The TV series will "explore the complex relationship" between John Rambo and his son, who is a former Navy SEAL, according to the network. Fox ordered a pilot script for the show, called Rambo: New Blood, written by Jeb Stuart, who co-wrote the screenplays for 1988's Die Hard and the 1993 film version of The Fugitive. No casting decisions have been made. – AFP
Letterman donates TV memorabilia
Letterman's latest visit to his alma mater, Ball State University, will be remembered for what he plans to leave behind: Emmy Awards, a talk-show set and other memorabilia from a career in television. Ball State president Paul Ferguson said the donations will become The David Letterman Experience, according to USA Today. He did not specify whether the set is from Late Night with David Letterman (which was on NBC between 1982 and 1993) or Late Show with David Letterman (on CBS from 1993 to last year) but said the exhibit will reside at the David Letterman Communication and Media Building. – The National Staff
Ed Sheeran is Spotify’s most-streamed artist
Singer Ed Sheeran has become the second-most streamed artist of all time on Spotify, with more than three billion, overtaking previous record-holder Eminem. Canadian Rapper Drake tops this year’s list of most-streamed, with more than 1.8 billion streams and 46 million listeners. Rihanna is the most-streamed female artist this year, with more than one billion streams and 57 million listeners. – The National Staff
Salman Khan message to kids with special needs
Bollywood star Salman Khan sent an uplifting video message to children with special needs who watched his comedy drama Bajrangi Bhaijaan at the first International Film Festival for Persons with Disabilities (IFFPwD). The actor, who is currently shooting the film Sultan, was not able to attend the screening but sent a message about beating the odds and making theatres more disabled-friendly. Khan said differently-abled people should not be prevented from watching movies. The three-day festival, organised by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities under the social justice and empowerment ministry, in collaboration with the National Film Development Corporation, started with a screening of Marathi film Yellow on Tuesday at the Siri Fort auditorium. It will screen 40 Indian-language and international films – 16 shorts, 14 documentaries and 10 features. – IANS
Rai Bachchan calls for awareness on World Aids Day
Actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is promoting the importance of open discussions about HIV and Aids to help eliminate the social stigma associated with the disease. During her visit to the Cooper Hospital on Tuesday’s World Aids Day, the former Miss World said people need to be well-informed about the disease, and education was key to the process. December 1 is celebrated as World Aids Day all over the world. Rai Bachchan said people need to be aware of something that is part of humanity, and which affects so many of people. She has been the Goodwill Ambassador of UNAIDS since 2012. Twenty-two Indian celebrities, including Amitabh Bachchan, Shabana Azmi, Shruti Haasan have lent their voices to an animation about HIV/Aids made for schools and youth, which was launched on Tuesday. – IANS
