Miscellany

+Music | 1 day ago

The Voice: Whitney Houston (1963-2012)

One of the greatest voices in the history of American popular music has been silenced. An appreciation of the talents of Whitney Houston

+Q&A | 4 days ago

From Gun-Toting Black Panther to Ivy League Professor

By Andrea Sachs

In his new book Panther Baby, Jamal Joseph tells the story of his journey from young Panther to his time in jail to his current job at Columbia University.

+Remembrance | 7 days ago

Requiem for Mr. Tough Guy

By Richard Corliss

Ben Gazzara, born a street kid in Manhattan, died there on Friday, at 81, of pancreatic cancer—one of the few opponents tougher than he was.

+Remembrance | 9 days ago

Popular Character Actor Ben Gazzara Dies at 81

By Associated Press

Ben Gazzara, whose powerful dramatic performances brought an intensity to a variety of roles and made him a memorable presence in such iconic productions over the decades as the original “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” on Broadway and the film “The Big Lebowski,” has died at age 81.

+Remembrance | 12 days ago

Don Cornelius and the Legacy of Soul Train

By Jared T. Miller

2001 Tribune Entertainment / Getty Images

A photographic look at the seminal dance program and its late creator.

+Remembrance | 21 days ago

Film Exec Bingham Ray Dies at Sundance Film Fest

By Associated Press

He served as president of United Artists for several years, where he shepherded such films as Bowling for Columbine and Hotel Rwanda.

+Remembrance | 24 days ago

A Voice of Gold, a Life of Pain: Etta James, 1938-2012

By Richard Corliss

From her potent R&B singles as a teenager to the immortal ballad “At Last,” and for another half-century, this pop-blues diva endured a life more wrenching than any of her songs

+Photos Remembrance | 24 days ago

A Photo History of Etta James, Dead At 73

By Kenneth Dickerman

The cross-genre singer of hits like “At Last” has died of complications from leukemia.

+Remembrance | 25 days ago

Johnny Otis, the Greek Godfather of R&B, Dies at 90

By Richard Corliss

His “Willie and the Hand Jive” was a 1958 summer sensation, but this white impresario was prouder of launching Etta James, Hank Ballard, Littlle Richard and other black artists into the musical mainstream

+Q&A | 38 days ago

Downton Abbey Returns to America: Writer Julian Fellowes Tells All

By William Lee Adams

TIME spoke with the show’s Emmy-award winning writer and creator ahead of its return to PBS Masterpiece on Jan. 8.

+Remembrance | 45 days ago

2011′s 50 Newest Members of Rock ‘n’ Roll Heaven

By Joseph McCombs

From L. to R.: PA / AP; Hulton Archive / Getty Images; James Kriegsmann / Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images

Along with the widely observed deaths of Amy Winehouse and Gil Scott-Heron, a number of lesser-known musical figures passed away in 2011. They didn’t get as much recognition, perhaps, but they made valuable contributions to popular music. Here, 50 of the latest members in that band in the sky:

+Q&A | 52 days ago

Q&A: Charlie Brown Christmas Producer Lee Mendelson

By Allie Townsend

In the 45 years since its debut, A Charlie Brown Christmas has endured as one of America’s most cherished Christmas traditions, but it’s the classic that almost never was. As Mendelson and I began our talk, he told the story of TIME’s surprising role in the production.

+Q&A | 53 days ago

Director Wim Wenders On Filming the Work of Pina Bausch in 3-D

By Meredith Melnick

Wenders spent 20 years trying to figure out how he could bring the experience of a live Pina show to the screen. When 3-D returned in popularity, he saw his chance.

+Q&A | 55 days ago

Margin Call Director J.C. Chandor on VOD and the Awards Season Hustle

By Gilbert Cruz

Chandor spoke to TIME about what one has to do to get nominated for an Oscar and his film’s unique release strategy.

+Remembrance | 59 days ago

Christopher Hitchens, RIP

By James Poniewozik

Christopher Hitchens, the brilliant, pugilistic essayist and journalist, died Thursday of cancer at age 62. This is not a personal remembrance of Hitchens; I didn’t know him. It’s too bad, because from all accounts knowing “Hitch” was a bracing experience, involving arguments and legendary drinking bouts that Hitchens, inevitably, would win. (There will be plenty [...]

+Remembrance | 68 days ago

MAS*H’s Harry Morgan Dies at 96

By James Poniewozik

Harry Morgan, best known to TV audiences for playing the gruff, lovable Col. Sherman T. Potter on M*A*S*H, died Wednesday morning. (Given that he died at the age of 96, I think congratulations are in order along with the condolences.)

+Q&A | 69 days ago