Ben Carroll becomes Victoria premier as Labor seeks fresh start before election

Whoopi Goldberg has revealed an unexpected secret behind some of the biggest roles of her career. The acclaimed actress recently explained that several of her most memorable movies came after other actors had turned the projects down. Speaking on the podcast Baby, This Is Keke Palmer, Goldberg, 70, reflected on how she landed the lead role in the 1992 comedy Sister Act. The actress revealed that the movie was originally written with Bette Midler in mind. “They wrote that for Bette Midler,” Goldberg explained, according to reports from PEOPLE and Entertainment Weekly. Midler ultimately passed on the project, opening the door for Goldberg to take on the role that would become one of her career-defining performances. (People.com⁠) How Goldberg found major opportunities Goldberg explained that she eventually developed a strategy for finding roles that other actors had rejected. She asked her agents to send her scripts that had already been turned down by other performers. That approach proved surprisingly successful. In addition to Sister Act, Goldberg landed roles in movies that had initially been developed with other stars in mind. Burglar, for example, had originally been intended for Bruce Willis, while Jumpin’ Jack Flash was initially associated with Shelley Long. (People.com⁠) Goldberg suggested that her experiences were partly connected to the limited opportunities available to Black actresses at the time. Rather than allowing those barriers to stop her, she looked for projects that had been passed over and found ways to make them her own. Sister Act became a career highlight Goldberg eventually transformed Sister Act into a showcase for her comedy and musical talents. She played Deloris Van Cartier, a nightclub singer who enters witness protection and is hidden in a convent. The film became a major success following its 1992 release, with Goldberg’s performance becoming closely associated with the movie. She returned for the 1993 sequel, Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit. (D23⁠) Midler has previously discussed why she rejected the role. She explained that she was concerned her audience would not want to see her wearing a nun’s habit. The decision ultimately gave Goldberg the opportunity to create an iconic character of her own. (People.com⁠) Goldberg’s Hollywood lesson Looking back, Goldberg’s career offers an unusual lesson about opportunities. Some of her most recognizable performances came from projects that initially seemed destined for someone else. Her story also highlights how persistence can create unexpected breakthroughs. Instead of waiting for Hollywood to offer her the obvious choices, Goldberg searched for opportunities others had overlooked. Decades later, Sister Act remains one of her signature films, proving that sometimes the role that was written for someone else can become the performance audiences remember forever.

  Paramount has agreed to delay its planned merger with Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) after facing a major legal challenge from a coalition of 12 U.S. states and the Writers Guild of America (WGA). The move marks a significant development in one of Hollywood’s biggest proposed media mergers, with the companies now expected to wait until at least June 1, 2027—or until a federal court reaches a final decision on the case.  The proposed merger, valued at approximately $110 billion including debt, aims to combine two of the entertainment industry’s largest companies under Paramount Skydance. Supporters argue the deal would create a stronger competitor to streaming giants such as Netflix and Disney by bringing together major film studios, television networks, and streaming platforms. However, critics fear the merger would give the combined company too much power over film production, television licensing, and content distribution.  The legal challenge was filed by California and 11 other states, which claim the merger could significantly reduce competition in the entertainment industry. State attorneys general argue that fewer major studios could result in higher prices, fewer opportunities for creators, and reduced choices for consumers. Separately, the Writers Guild of America has also sued to block the transaction, expressing concerns that further consolidation could lead to fewer writing jobs and weaker bargaining power for creative professionals.  Rather than pushing ahead with the original timeline, Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery agreed to pause the merger while the court considers the case. The agreement eliminates the need for an immediate injunction hearing and instead allows the dispute to move toward a full antitrust trial. Legal experts expect the process to take several months before a final ruling is issued.  The delay could prove costly for Paramount. Under the revised agreement, the company may face substantial financial penalties if the merger is not completed within the agreed timeframe, including daily “ticking fees” that could total billions of dollars if the case extends well beyond the original closing date. Investors have already reacted cautiously, with Paramount shares declining following news of the delay.  Despite the legal setback, Paramount remains committed to completing the acquisition and has vowed to defend the deal in court. The outcome of the case could reshape the future of Hollywood, determining whether another wave of media consolidation moves forward or whether regulators will succeed in placing stricter limits on mergers in the entertainment industry.

Adrianne Palicki is opening up about her honest feelings regarding the upcoming Friday Night Lights reboot, and while she is excited that a new generation will experience the beloved franchise, she admits she has mixed emotions about revisiting what she considers a “perfect” television series.  Palicki, who portrayed fan-favorite Tyra Collette for three seasons of the acclaimed sports drama, recently reflected on the show’s legacy during an interview with TV Insider. Looking back, the actress described the original series as “timeless,” explaining that its themes of family, community, hope, and personal growth remain just as relevant today as they were when the show first premiered in 2006.  “Aside from a cell phone here and there, everything is still happening today,” Palicki said, emphasizing that the series explored the complexities of real people living in a small Texas town. She noted that every character existed in a moral gray area, which helped make the show feel authentic and relatable rather than overly dramatic.  Although Peacock is developing a fresh adaptation of Friday Night Lights, Palicki admitted she is “torn” about the project. She explained that the original series holds a special place in her heart and questioned whether such an iconic story truly needs to be reimagined. According to the actress, the original was “a perfect show,” making the idea of a reboot difficult to embrace.  That said, Palicki clarified that her hesitation does not come from negativity toward the new creative team. Instead, it stems from her deep respect for the original cast, writers, and creators who built the series into one of television’s most beloved dramas. She even suggested she would be open to returning if the original creative team and cast were meaningfully involved, though she remains uncertain about a complete reinvention featuring entirely new characters.  The actress also reflected on the lasting impact of Tyra Collette, a character who evolved from a misunderstood teenager into a determined young woman chasing higher education and a better future. Palicki revealed that fans still approach her years later to share how Tyra’s journey inspired them to pursue college or overcome personal challenges. Those heartfelt stories, she said, are a reminder of why Friday Night Lights continues to resonate decades after its debut.  Based on H.G. Bissinger’s 1990 nonfiction book, Friday Night Lights became a cultural phenomenon thanks to its emotionally rich storytelling and memorable characters. While the reboot promises a fresh cast and a new direction, Palicki believes the original’s emotional depth is what made it truly unforgettable.  As excitement builds for the reboot, Adrianne Palicki’s candid remarks reflect the feelings of many longtime fans. For her, Friday Night Lights was more than just a television series—it was a story that continues to inspire audiences, making its legacy difficult to replicate.