Tyler Perry’s accuser sent messages of gratitude and friendship years after alleged assault
LOS ANGELES — Text messages show that Tyler Perry and “Boo! A Madea Halloween” actor Mario Rodriguez, who recently filed a lawsuit accusing the filmmaker of sexual assault, remained in contact years after Rodriguez alleges their interactions ended. Rodriguez alleged in the lawsuit filed last week in California that Perry...
So long 2025: Here are some events to ring in the New Year
Ready to put 2025 in the rearview mirror? New Year’s Eve is fast approaching, and it’s a great time to put on a fancy outfit, raise a glass and look forward to all of the good things 2026 will bring. If First Night isn’t for you, here are a few...
Top 26 concerts coming to Pittsburgh in 2026 (so far)
The 2026 concert lineup for Pittsburgh is still filling up, but there are plenty of big shows already announced for next year. From a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame band launching a farewell tour (Journey) to an up-and-coming country act like Megan Moroney, there’s quite a variety of bands,...
Pittsburgh local music spotlight: The Nërd HërdërsVideo
The sophomore album from Pittsburgh’s The Nërd Hërdërs had been in the works for quite a while. “We started writing and recording these tunes before covid, so this is like our ‘Chinese Democracy’ by Guns N’ Roses if you will,” singer/guitarist Mike Dugan said. “Only our record doesn’t stink.” The...
Former TribLive journalist publishes 2nd fiction thriller
When crime reporter Rita Locke discovers a prominent funeral director who was murdered is accused of burying empty coffins, she decides to dig a little deeper. Even if that includes putting her life in danger. That’s always been her modus operandi — her way of approaching a newspaper story —...
2025 Pittsburgh area concert calendar
Concerts scheduled for the Pittsburgh area: December 2025 Dec. 30: Mike Tomaro at Lounge at the Greer Cabaret Dec. 30: Broken Fences & Dominick Antonelli at Original Pittsburgh Winery Dec. 30: Nied’s Hotel Band at Moondog’s Pub Dec. 31: Norman Nardini and Friends at Moondog’s Pub Dec. 31: Lil’ Ed...
TV Talk: ‘Mayor of Kingstown’ wraps its 4th season
Paramount+’s “Mayor of Kingstown” wrapped its fourth season Sunday and for the first time, there are few storylines hanging in a major way. (Spoilers follow.) But we still have questions: • It seemed like Edie Falco’s prison warden character was primed for a one-and-done season-long arc, but she managed to...
Looking back on pop culture that had Western Pennsylvania buzzing in 2025
The past year has been a lively time in Western Pennsylvania for music, movies, TV, art and social media. From new art spaces to blockbuster series to sold-out TikTok-driven events, 2025 was a great time for
water cooler conversations and fun stories around town. Here are just a few. ‘The...
2025 Pittsburgh area comedy calendar
Comedy shows scheduled for the Pittsburgh area: December 2025 Dec. 31: Steve Rannazzisi at Pittsburgh Improv January 2026 Jan. 2-3: Dedrick Flynn at Pittsburgh Improv Jan. 2-3: Johnny Hamcheck at The Comedy Bar Jan. 4: Amber Wallin at City Winery Pittsburgh Jan. 8: Trey Kennedy at Palace Theatre Jan. 8-10:...
What you need to know about Highmark First Night in Pittsburgh
Downtown Pittsburgh will put on its holiday best to host the annual Highmark First Night, presented by the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust. The Cultural District will be ringing in the new year with a jam-packed lineup of performances, activities, fireworks and a midnight ball-raising. Tens of thousands of people are expected...
Brigitte Bardot, 1960s sex symbol turned militant animal rights activist, dies at 91
PARIS — Brigitte Bardot, the French 1960s sex symbol who became one of the greatest screen sirens of the 20th century and later a militant animal rights activist and far-right supporter, has died. She was 91. Bardot died Sunday at her home in southern France, according to Bruno Jacquelin, of...
Tyler Perry sued for sexual assault by ‘Boo! A Madea Halloween’ actor seeking $77 million
LOS ANGELES — Tyler Perry was sued for sexual assault by an actor who appeared in “Boo! A Madea Halloween,” marking the second lawsuit in recent months accusing the filmmaker and studio mogul of leveraging his power in Hollywood to make sexual advances. Mario Rodriguez filed the lawsuit Thursday in...
Here are 5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: Dec. 26-28
Christmas is over! Both the craziness and the stress have ended and we have almost a week until the new year. This is the perfect time to eat too much chocolate and too many leftovers, make plans with friends and see what’s going on in the city. Harlem Globetrotters: 100...
Year in review: The top Pittsburgh concerts in 2025Video
There was no shortage of huge shows in the Pittsburgh region in 2025, from stadium shows to Rock & Roll Hall of Famers and beyond. TribLive covered more than 70 shows in 2025, so here’s a look back at our writers’ top shows of the year, notable moments and more:...
TV Talk: Pittsburgh market rank drops (again); November sweeps ratings
Talk about a lump of coal in the local TV Christmas stocking: Pittsburgh’s market rank will drop another position as Nielsen downgrades the region from No. 27 to No. 28 nationally for 2026. Salt Lake City leapfrogged Pittsburgh, jumping one spot from No. 28 to No. 27. The practical impact...
Movie Review: In ‘Testament of Ann Lee,’ a blazing Amanda Seyfried can make you believe anything
Filmmakers Mona Fastvold and Brady Corbet are clearly fascinated by ambition. They’re fascinated, too, by dreamers — difficult dreamers, brilliant but demanding people who have plans they must fulfill no matter the personal cost. They’re also interested in dreamers who cross the ocean to America with these difficult, lofty plans....
Monroeville man will march in Tournament of Roses Parade with a band of, well, band directors
Michael Buckstein might be an assistant band director at the University of Pittsburgh, but it has still been a while since he practiced his heel-toe marching step. He’s been brushing up lately, though, after being chosen to perform with the Band Directors’ Marching Band at the annual Tournament of Roses...
Year in Review: The best of Pittsburgh theater in 2025
Despite funding struggles and numerous other challenges, including the construction in the Cultural District, Pittsburgh’s theater companies and arts organizations staged a stunning slate of productions in 2025. While we didn’t get to all of them, here are some highlights to remember. The Top 5 Shows City Theatre’s “The Real...
TV Q&A: Is there a way to improve over the air reception of local stations?
Q: I recently cut cable and WTAE is not available over-the-air where I live. I have been told that it was never reliably available in the South Hills! Is that true and is there a way to get WTAE broadcasts south of the city? — Jason, Scott Township Rob: Pittsburgh’s...
Tired of Mariah Carey? Here are some holiday tunes you don’t hear too oftenVideo
It may seem difficult to imagine, but once upon a time, Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas (Is You)” didn’t get played three times per hour on every single radio station that broadcasts holiday tunes. Having recently acquired my father’s vintage Marantz record player and hi-fi speaker system, I’ve...
August Wilson Center raising funds with seat-naming opportunity
Theater-goers have a chance to make a visible investment in the August Wilson African American Cultural Center in Downtown Pittsburgh through new seat-naming opportunities. The initiative is a legacy-giving chance to support the center, which is among the nation’s largest Black multidisciplinary arts facilities. “A seat dedication is both deeply...
TV Talk: ‘Yellowstone’ spin-off, ‘Scrubs’ revival on tap for midseason
Trib Total Media TV writer Rob Owen offers viewing tips for broadcast network shows at midseason. The broadcast networks didn’t debut many new scripted series in the fall, saving these expensive-to-produce programs for a slightly more robust midseason rollout. Here’s what to expect for the second half of the 2025-26...
Singer-songwriter Chris Rea, known for ‘Driving Home for Christmas,’ dies at 74
LONDON — Chris Rea, the singer and songwriter best known for the hit “Driving Home for Christmas,” has died at 74, his family said Monday. Rea died in the hospital following a short illness, according to a statement from his family to Britain’s Press Association news agency. Rea found fame...
TV Talk: Bari Weiss’ decision to pull ’60 Minutes’ report draws criticism from some at CBS News
Three hours before Sunday’s “60 Minutes” broadcast, CBS took the rare, last-minute step of removing a segment on Venezuelan men deported by the Trump administration to what was described as a “brutal” El Salvadoran prison, leading to criticism from “60 Minutes” journalists. “Our story was screened five times and cleared...
Pittsburgh local music spotlight: Boy Wonders
The sophomore album from Pittsburgh jangle pop band Boy Wonders feels “more mature” than their debut, according to singer/guitarist Derek January. “(It) really sees us digging into ‘60s pop more — there’s jangly 12-string guitars all over the place, lots of group harmonies,” he said. “Some of that post-punk feel...
