Entertainment News Roundup: TV ratings for Sunday's Oscars rise to 18.7 million; Special prosecutor in Alec Baldwin 'Rust' shooting steps down and more

Even with those headwinds, the eternally upbeat Coach Lasso played by Jason Sudeikis has infused his team with family-like love to get through the tough times in the season that premieres on Wednesday. TV ratings for Sunday's Oscars rise to 18.7 million The Academy Awards telecast on Sunday attracted roughly 18.7 million U.S. television viewers to the film industry's highest honors, according to data released by Walt Disney Co broadcaster ABC on Monday.

Following is a summary of current entertainment news briefs.

Russia's Oscar-winning opposition is mired in conflict

Kremlin critics were cheered this week when a Western documentary about jailed opposition politician Alexei Navalny won an Oscar, but his political movement is in turmoil and some Ukrainian politicians say the award is undeserved. Navalny, President Vladimir Putin's most high-profile domestic critic, is serving 11-1/2 years in jail in Russia after being convicted of fraud in two cases he and the West say were trumped up to silence him, and his anti-corruption organisation has been banned as extremist.

Special prosecutor in Alec Baldwin 'Rust' shooting steps down

The special prosecutor handling the case against actor Alec Baldwin in the 2021 "Rust" movie set shooting death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins announced on Tuesday she is stepping down, as Baldwin's lawyers had sought. The decision by special prosecutor Andrea Reeb came a month after Baldwin's attorney filed a motion to remove her because she is also a representative in the state legislature. The Baldwin team argued it violates the state constitution for a legislator to serve in another branch of government.

'Ted Lasso' Season 3: discouraged players revitalized by team love

Season three of the Emmy-winning Apple TV+ series “Ted Lasso" kicks off on a sour note as pundits expect the folksy American coach's AFC Richmond soccer team to end last in England's Premiere League and face relegation. Even with those headwinds, the eternally upbeat Coach Lasso played by Jason Sudeikis has infused his team with family-like love to get through the tough times in the season that premieres on Wednesday.

TV ratings for Sunday's Oscars rise to 18.7 million

The Academy Awards telecast on Sunday attracted roughly 18.7 million U.S. television viewers to the film industry's highest honors, according to data released by Walt Disney Co broadcaster ABC on Monday. The audience rose 12% from last year, when 16.7 million people tuned in, ABC said. At that show, Will Smith slapped presenter Chris Rock before winning best actor.

Russia's Navalny dedicates his part in Oscar movie to those fighting dictatorship

Jailed Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny on Wednesday dedicated his part in an Oscar-winning film about him to those fighting against dictatorship and war. Director Daniel Roher's film "Navalny", about the poisoning that nearly killed Russia's most prominent opposition figure and his detention upon returning to Moscow in 2021, won the Oscar for best feature documentary on Sunday.

Are they for real? South Korean girl band offers glimpse into metaverse

Less than two months ago, the first music video by South Korean girl quartet MAVE: went viral, racking up nearly 20 million views on YouTube and setting the stage for potential global success. At first glance, MAVE: looks like any other idolised K-pop band - except it only exists virtually. Its four members - SIU, ZENA, TYRA and MARTY - live in the metaverse, their songs, dances, interviews and even their hairstyles created by web designers and artificial intelligence.

(With inputs from agencies.)