Abrupt firings of Tucker Carlson, Don Lemon, and Jeff Shell put an exclamation point on a period of TV turmoil

The three ousters are just the latest in a string of high-profile departures by major players in front of and behind the camera

Tucker Carlson speaks in Phoenix on Dec. 17, 2022.
Tucker Carlson speaks in Phoenix on Dec. 17, 2022.REBECCA NOBLE/NYT

In television, there is no such thing as too big to fail.

That ineluctable truth was forcefully driven home Monday by thenearly simultaneousnews that Tucker Carlson was ousted from Fox News and Don Lemon had been fired by CNN.

No false equivalence should be drawn between the two about how they used their high-profile platforms. Carlson rode racism, cultural warfare, and conspiracy theoriesto cable news ratings dominance and outsized influence within the Republican Party...

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New York Knicks legend Willis Reed dies at 80

Willis Reed, the legendary captain and star center for the New York Knicks who led the franchise to its only two championships and was the author of one of the signature moments in NBA history, has died. He was 80.

“The Knicks organization is deeply saddened to announce the passing of our beloved Captain, Willis Reed,” the Knicks said in a statement issued Tuesday afternoon. “As we mourn, we will always strive to uphold the standards he left behind — the unmatched leadership, sacrifice and work ethic that personified him as a champion among champions.

“His is a legacy that will live forever. We ask everyone to please respect the family’s privacy during this difficult time.”

Reed, a burly, physical presence in the post across his 10 years in the NBA — all with the Knicks...

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‘What You Won’t Do for Love’ singer Bobby Caldwell dies at 71

LAS VEGAS, NV - NOVEMBER 08:  Singer Bobby Caldwell arrives at the 2013 BET Soul Train Awards at the Orleans Arena on November 8, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada.  (Photo by C Flanigan/WireImage)

LAS VEGAS, NV – NOVEMBER 08: Singer Bobby Caldwell arrives at the 2013 BET Soul Train Awards at the Orleans Arena on November 8, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by C Flanigan/WireImage)

C Flanigan | Wireimage | Getty Images

Bobby Caldwell, the singer-songwriter who mastered a variety of genres, died Tuesday, said his wife, Mary. He was 71.

An official cause of death has not been released; his wife said he died of fluoroquinolone toxicity after an antibiotic he was prescribed in 2017 wreaked “havoc” on his body.

“He was prescribed that with a runny nose and cough, and it never should have happened, but it did, and it’s irreversible if you get hit real bad like he did,” she said. “It just wreaks havoc.”

The Food and Drug Administration issued a warning in 201...

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Bills’ Damar Hamlin suffers cardiac arrest on field vs. Bengals: Buffalo safety in critical condition

A scary and emotional scene unfolded early during Monday night’s game between the Bills and Bengals. With 5:58 remaining in the first quarter, Bills safety Damar Hamlin collapsed after rising to his feet following a tackle of Bengals wide receivers Tee Higgins. After making the tackle, Hamlin stood up only to suddenly fall to the ground. He received immediate medical attention on the field and was transported to the UC Medical Center in Cincinnati.

Hamlin, 24, suffered a cardiac arrest following the hit with his heartbeat restored on the field, the Bills announced in a statement early Tuesday morning. The team further divulged that Hamlin is “sedated and listed in critical condition.”

“Monday Night Football” between Buffalo and Cincinnati was officially postponed by the NFL shor...

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Singer Anita Pointer of The Pointer Sisters dies at age 74

FILE - Anita Pointer of the Pointer Sisters performs at the 3rd annual Alfred Mann Foundation Innovation and Inspiration Gala on Sept. 9, 2006, in Beverly Hills, Calif. Anita Pointer, one of four sibling singers who topped the charts and earned critical acclaim as The Pointer Sisters, died Saturday, Dec. 31, 2022, at the age of 74, her publicist announced. (AP Photo/Phil McCarten, File)

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FILE – Anita Pointer of the Pointer Sisters performs at the 3rd annual Alfred Mann Foundation Innovation and Inspiration Gala on Sept. 9, 2006, in Beverly Hills, Calif. Anita Pointer, one of four sibling singers who topped the charts and earned critical acclaim as The Pointer Sisters, died Saturday, Dec. 31, 2022, at the age of 74, her publicist announced. (AP Photo/Phil McCarten, File)

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (AP) — Anita Pointer, one of four sibling singers who earned pop success and critical acclaim as The Pointer Sisters, died Saturday at the age of 74, her publicist announced.

The Grammy winner passed away while she was with family members, publicist Roger Neal said in a statement. A cause of death was not immediately revealed.

“While we are deeply saddened by ...

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Earth, Wind & Fire drummer Fred White dies aged 67

White, who joined the soul-funk group in 1974, playing on hits including September and Shining Star

Fred White joined Earth, Wind and Fire in 1974, and played on hits for the band including September and Shining Star.
Fred White joined Earth, Wind and Fire in 1974, and played on hits for the band including September and Shining Star. Photograph: Rob Verhorst/Redferns

The Earth, Wind & Fire drummer Fred White has died at the age of 67.

The news was shared by his brother and bandmate Verdine White on Sunday in an Instagram post. He paid tribute to the “amazing and talented” musician, “now drumming with the angels!”

Verdine White wrote: “Dearest family, friends and fans … Our family is saddened today with the loss of an amazing and talented family member, our beloved brother Frederick Eugene ‘Freddie’ White.

Earth, Wind & Fire's Maurice White

“He joins our brothers Maurice, Monte and Ronald in heaven and is...

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THREE 6 MAFIA’S GANGSTA BOODEAD AT 43… Possible OD

4:53 PM PT — Sources connected to Gangsta Boo tell TMZ … the rapper’s death appears to be drug-related. We’re told Gangsta was with her brother last night at a local concert in Memphis, and that her sibling started to overdose sometime in the night … requiring hospitalization.

While he ended up being okay, our sources tell us that people familiar with Gangsta Boo’s death scene insist narcotics were found on her person and that a fentanyl-laced substance is believed to be at play. We’re told the police are launching an official investigation.

An autopsy obviously needs to be done as well to see what the cause of death is.

Lola Mitchell, AKA Gangsta Boo — a former member of Three 6 Mafia and a pioneer of female rap — has died.

The hip hop star’s passing was confirmed by her form...

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Minnesota’s Mall of America shooting: Police arrest five people in connection with shooting that left 1 dead

Minnesota police believe that one of the five teenagers fired the gun

Prosecutors have released bodycam footage showing a suspect opening fire at a La Habra Police Department officer.

Minnesota police arrested five people in connection with a shooting at the Mall of America on Friday night that left one person dead and another grazed.

The shooting happened just before 8 p.m. Friday and the victim who died is being described as a 19-year-old African American male. A female’s clothing was grazed by a bullet, according to FOX 9.

Five people were involved in an altercation which lead to one of the individuals firing a gun at the 19-year-old several times. The 19-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene after first responders attempted to save him.

MINNESOTA’S MALL OF AMERI...

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Rapper Big Scarr’s cause of death revealed by family member: report

Rapper Big Scarr's uncle told TMZ that the 22-year-old died from an accidental overdose.
Rapper Big Scarr’s uncle told TMZ that the 22-year-old died from an accidental overdose.Getty Images

An alleged family member of up-and-coming rapper Big Scarr has claimed that the 22-year-old died from a drug overdose of prescription pills.

The late 22-year-old’s uncle, Arthur Woods, told TMZ Friday that Gucci Mane’s protégé overdosed at his girlfriend’s house in Memphis, Tennessee, on Thursday.

Woods said he does not know where his nephew got the pills but claimed the “Make a Play” rapper experienced several traumatic experiences in his young life, including nearly dying after being shot and suffering serious injuries from a car crash when he was 16. He also stated that Big Scarr suffered from depression.

Born Alexander Woods, Scarr took his stage name after that...

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Rapper Big Scarr dead at 22, prompting tributes from Gucci Mane, other stars

Rising Tennessee rapper Big Scarr, who was signed to Gucci Mane’s label 1017 Records, has died at age 22 of undisclosed causes. The wordsmith’s passing was confirmed by Mane in a Thursday Instagram post.

“This hurt — I’m a miss you @bigscarr,” the “Poppin” singer wrote in the tribute, along with a photo gallery of the late lyricist.

As of yet, Big Scarr’s cause and time of death have yet to be revealed, HipHopDx reported.

In 2020, the Memphis native nearly died after getting shot in the hip with the bullet traveling all the way up to his spine. This resulted in serious internal injuries, which required the doctors to remove his appendix and also realign his right leg, according to Revolt.

Tennessee rapper Big Scarr, who was signed to Gucci Mane's label 1017 Records, has passed away at age 22 of undisclosed causes.
Tennessee rapper Big Scarr, who was signed to Gucci Mane’s label 1017 R...
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