We mention Liberace because he understood better than anyone else the fundamental artistic imperative, to knock the customers’ eyeballs out. The 40-year-old Rockwell–who, as it happens, once considered a career as a classical pianist–is the nation’s leading practitioner of what is sometimes called ““entertainment architecture,’’ a discipline that breaks down the boundaries between ““design’’ and narrative arts such as filmmaking. If you’ve been in a Planet Hollywood almost anywhere in the world, you’ve seen his work in all its scintillating, multiplex glory, a palimpsest of figures and graphics at different scales, flickering to the urgent rhythms of the movies....

Cuban said a deal was agreed to after the then-28-year-old demanded a trade nine years ago. MORE: Test your rookie Kobe knowledge | Nike athletes remember Bryant Bryant later confirmed the Bulls were his No. 1 choice, though he of course stayed put for the Lakers and went on to win two NBA titles in 2009 and ‘10. But it could have been so much different, had Cuban gotten his way....

In Friday’s game against the Grizzlies, the Lakers were down by one after a Bryant three-pointer. The shot clock had been turned off and Bryant was screaming at Jeremy Lin to foul Mike Conley. Lin didn’t get the message and Bryant had to take matters into his own hands. MORE: Top NBA moments of 2014 | Kobe Bryant hates AAU ball | Kobe’s minutes experiment is working You can actually see the frustration on Bryant’s face....

After Bryant faced off against LeBron James for the final time Thursday night, the Lakers legend passed along some basketball advice to James’ sons. The awesome moment was captured by ESPN’s J.A. Adande. MORE: Kobe’s retirement tour | Is LeBron trapped in Cleveland? Bryant also offered up similar guidance to Dwyane Wade’s son earlier this season. “They pass too much,” Kobe told her. “Send them my way, and I’ll fix that....

The heartfelt messages of encouragement didn’t stop there. Omogbo shared a video from Kobe Bryant on Sunday in which the Lakers star tells Omogbo, “Your strength and courage is a true inspiration. Just wanted to tell you, I’m there for you, man.” MORE: Sports world reacts to tragedy | Kobe’s retirement tour Omogbo will work through the grieving process in his own time, but kinds words from Bryant and others can help him find some small amount of light in a dark place....

The former couple star on the TLC show, which is currently in its 17th season, and their break up has been a major storyline in the recent episodes. Kody, 53, who has a plural marriage with legal wife Robyn, 43, and spiritual wives Meri, 51, and Janelle, 53, has been having a hard time adjusting to Christine’s decision to leave Flagstaff, Arizona, where the family currently resides and move back to Utah....

After Lionel Messi gave the home side the lead with a penalty in the first half, PSG fired back and secured a comfortable win through a hat-trick from Kylian Mbappe and a strike from Moise Kean. The result puts Mauricio Pochettino’s side in control before they host the Spanish giants in the second leg, and Koeman said his side’s opponents deserved their win on the night. What has been said?...

There is no word is the Red Sox will place Uehara on the disabled list. Farrell added Edward Mujica will fill in as Boston’s primary closer in the interim. Uehara, who posted 26 saves last season, has been out since March 14. MLB.com reported the 39-year-old Uehara experienced discomfort in his right hamstring during a Saturday bullpen session.

The Senegal international joined the Light Blues from Genk in the summer of 2014 and has been putting in eye-catching performances in the heart of the Italian Serie A outfit defense which has seen him linked with Chelsea, Juventus, and several others. But his agent has come out to say Koulibaly is not getting carried away after reports came out earlier this week from Mundo Deportivo that the Barcelona were interested in his signature, but insisted he remains focused on helping Napoli continue their charge for the Scudetto....

To its remaining fans, this is nothing short of an outrage, a crime against culture, like forgetting Stravinsky or John Coltrane or Picasso (said to have been a fan of the kat). In his introduction to the latest collection of Krazy Kat strips, “Krazy & Ignatz: Comprising the Complete Full-Page Comic Strips, 1925-26” (Fantagraphics Books), comics historian Bill Blackbeard erupts in full tantrum mode in his first paragraph: “Here it is … a creation fit to rank with the cinematic work of Charlie Chaplin and W....

“Yes, I’ve gotten sick. I’m being treated,” Peskov, the press secretary for Russian President Vladimir Putin, announced to the press. Peskov’s wife, Olympic ice dancing champion Tatiana Navka, told a local publication that she has also been hospitalized with the virus. Peskov joins three other members of the Russian government to have already been infected with the novel coronavirus. Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin told Putin during nationally televised videoconference call that he tested positive for COVID-19 on April 30....

Members of the Kardashian and Jenner clans are out promoting their new Hulu reality TV series, The Kardashians. During an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, in front of her daughters, Kris said she thinks the responsibilities of running the family business could skip a generation. Keeping Up With the Kardashians, the family’s flagship reality show, ended after 14 years on the air in June 2021. Their new reality show—simply titled The Kardashians—will launch on Hulu on Thursday, April 14, 2022....

Pittsburgh's chapter of the Pro Hockey Writers' Association made the nomination official on Tuesday. Each NHL team has one — and Letang's situation certainly is rare. He's trying to return to the lineup after suffering a stroke in late January. It's quite a different situation than last year, when he was wrapping up a season that earned him a Norris Trophy nomination. "It's a great honor, but at the same time, obviously, I wish I wouldn't be that guy," Letang said Tuesday....

Letang will not play Monday night against the Ottawa Senators. He missed Pittsburgh's games last week against the Los Angeles Kings and Phoenix Coyotes and will be evaluated further, coach Dan Bylsma said. Asked whether it's a long-term or serious issue, Bylsma said it was "uncertain." Letang, a Norris Trophy finalist last season, is about to miss his 22nd game of the season. He's also dealt with knee and elbow injuries, and while his play has been uneven at times, he's put up 28 points in 34 games....

Food plays almost as big a role in the Fourth of July celebrations as the fireworks, and several chains have wheeled out new offers dedicated to all things Stars and Stripes. Here’s a breakdown of some July 4-themed foods and other gastronomic deals to make the most of Independence Day. Krispy Kreme Krispy Kreme has launched a special “Star-Spangled Box” of doughnuts to celebrate Independence Day. The box includes the so-called Freedom Ring Doughnut, which comes with decorative icing stripes and sprinkles to recreate a flag, and the Patriotic Sprinkled Ring Doughnut, which is dipped in icing and topped with July 4-themed icing....

The actress made the surprise announcement that she and Meyer are engaged on Tuesday during an appearance on SiriusXM’s The Howard Stern Show. “We’re marrying, we’re totally gonna do it,” Stewart told titular host Howard Stern, per USA Today. “I wanted to be proposed to, so I think I very distinctly carved out what I wanted and she nailed it. We’re marrying, it’s happening.” Going on to discuss her wedding plans, Los Angeles-born Stewart revealed that she hopes to keep the celebratory occasion a “chill” one with a “party after....

After producing three children together (ages 3 years, 22 months and 5 months), Cavallari says it’s time for Cutler to get snipped. She appeared on the Maria Menounos‘ Sirius XM radio show this week and discussed why she thinks the quarterback needs a vasectomy. “My philosophy is, we have to push the babies out,” she said. “We are the ones who have to go through everything, so you can do one little thing and get snipped....

But amid criticism for discontinuing the bonus, the grocery chain announced on Friday that it will give employees a one-time “Thank You Pay” bonus of $400 to full-time employees and $200 to part-time employees as they return to their regular pay rates. The pay will be issued in two installments, on May 30 and June 18, and will cost the company an estimated $130 million in order to compensate anywhere from 325,000 to 650,000 store associates....

KSI faces Swarmz, a rapper with no boxing history. He replaces Alex Wassabi. Since the announcement, the fight has gotten mixed reviews. Understanding the situation he is in, KSI spoke on his YouTube channel regarding the change. After going through a list of potential opponents, KSI entertained the comments section. He even made a bold statement regarding the fight. “Imagine if I lost to Swarmz, honestly I would probably delete everything, I’m gone....

Kubrat Pulev will take on Hughie Fury in an IBF title eliminator fight on Oct. 27 in Sofia, Bulgaria. The winner will become the mandatory challenger for the victor of the Sept. 22 bout between unified world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua and Alexander Povetkin. Pulev (25-1, 13 KOs) was ordered by the IBF to face either Dillian Whyte or Jarrell Miller, but talks broke down after Sofia was named as the likely location....