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PEOPLE & ARTS Tuesday 3 december 2019
NBC, union investigate 'America's Got Talent' racism report

By ANDREW DALTON media accounts, in similarly
AP Entertainment Writer vague terms.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — NBC Her reported firing became
and the guild that repre- a cause for celebrities on
sents television performers Twitter, including Union's
said they are investigating husband, former NBA play-
Gabrielle Union's allega- er Dwyane Wade.
tion that she was fired as Before landing the job on
a judge on "America's Got the talent showcase, Union
Talent" because she com- was best known as an ac-
plained of racism and oth- tress from films including
er on-set issues. "Bring It On" and "Bad Boys
The Screen Actors-Guild II."
American Federation of Union and another judge,
Television and Radio Artists Julianne Hough, were
issued a statement Mon- dropped from the show on
day saying it is looking into Nov. 22 after one year, Va-
the allegations. riety reported.
"We take issues of work- The judging panel has
place health and safety changed since the show's
very seriously." The Screen 2006 debut, but most judg-
Actors Guild-American es' tenures have lasted
Federation of Television at least several years, in-
said in a statement. "We im- This image released by NBC shows celebrity judges, from left, Howie Mandel, Gabrielle Union, cluding that of Sharon Os-
mediately reached out to Julianne Hough, Simon Cowell on the set of "America's Got Talent," in Los Angeles. bourne, Mel B and Howard
Ms. Union's representatives Associated Press Stern.
when these reports came On his SiriusXM radio show
to light ... While we have and notes from producers said. "We are working with specifying who she was Monday, Stern, who left
taken steps to investigate along with other troubling Ms. Union through her rep- addressing, retweeted in- the show after four seasons
this matter, we have noth- behavior, including judge- resentatives to hear more structions on how to give in 2015, slammed Cowell,
ing to report now." producer Simon Cowell's about her concerns, fol- a proper apology, which saying he "sets it up that
The statement said such smoking indoors. lowing which we will take included sincerely admit- the men stay, no matter
investigations and their re- NBC, production company whatever next steps may ting wrongdoing, correct- how ugly they are, no mat-
sults are usually kept con- Fremantle and Cowell's be appropriate." ing the mistake loudly, and ter how old they are, no
fidential, unless the union company Syco issued their In a previous statement, laying out steps to correct matter how fat they are, no
member making the report own statement Sunday. the three companies said future behavior. matter how talentless they
wants it made public. "We remain committed to "America's Got Talent" has She added the com- are."
According to reports, ensuring a respectful work- a strong record of inclusiv- ment, "This! This! AND Stern said it is "obvious" that
Union, who is black, sought place for all employees ity, and judge turnover is THIIISSSSSSS!!!!!!" the show consistently re-
action to address an envi- and take very seriously any common. She had previously thanked places female judges with
ronment she said allowed questions about workplace On her twitter account fans, friends and family for younger and more attrac-
racist jokes, comments culture," the statement Monday, Union, without their support on her social tive women.q

Review: All-star Mose Allison

tribute hits the right spots

By PABLO GORONDI and Bonnie Raitt to Taj Ma- late period Miles Davis-like
Associated Press hal and Iggy Pop — put adaption of the title track.
Various artists, "If You're Go- their own artistry at the ser- With Apple backed by,
ing to the City: A Tribute to vice of 15 outstanding Al- among others, Benmont
Mose Allison" (Fat Possum) lison tracks from across his Tench and Fred Tackett,
It may be a tired cliche to extensive career. the all-too-brief "Your Mo-
say someone was one of a It's their diversity and per- lecular Structure" applies
kind, but Mose Allison most sonalized takes on the scientific terms to explain
definitely was. songs that makes this al- the whys and hows of phys-
A jazz and blues pianist bum so enjoyable. There's ical attraction but ends in
whose songwriting career been many versions of Al- most primal fashion — "Your
meshed lyrics with Mad lison's songs over the years molecular structure baby,
magazine wit, keen philo- and several here are abso- ooh wee!"
sophical observations and lutely marvelous. Other highlights are live
pure melodies that he sang They include Loudon Wain- versions by Raitt of "Ev-
in a cool conversational wright's guitar-and-voice erybody's Crying Mercy"
voice, Allison, who died take on "Ever Since the and Richard Thompson of
three years ago at age 89, World Ended," with its up- "Parchman Farm." Robbie
was an inspiration to every- beat descriptions of post- Fulks puts a folky spin with This cover image released by Fat Possum shows “If You’re Going
one from Pete Townshend apocalyptic life, Dave banjo and fiddle on "My to the City: A Tribute to Mose Allison" performed by various artists.
to Van Morrison. and Phil Alvin's fierce ver- Brain" and daughter Amy Associated Press
In an album benefiting sion of "Wild Man on the Allison and Elvis Costello The album comes with Since I Stole the Blues," that
the Sweet Relief Musicians Loose," Ben Harper and close the album in fine a bonus DVD of a 2005 shows in what high regard
Fund, a true collection of Charlie Musselwhite's fiery fashion on the sophisticat- documentary about Al- far more famous musicians
greats — from Fiona Apple "Nightclub" and Iggy Pop's ed "Monsters of the Id." lison by Paul Bernay, "Ever held him.q