Hollywood
Madame Tussauds to unveil five wax figures of Jimmy Fallon
MUMBAI: Madame Tussauds will unveil five new, never-before-seen wax figures of TV host Jimmy Fallon.
Fallon, who hosts NBC’s The Tonight Show, will join Merlin Entertainments at their New York attraction for the special launch. The event will take place at Madame Tussauds New York in Times Square and will mark Fallon’s one year anniversary behind The Tonight Show desk.
For the first time in history, Madame Tussauds will unveil not one, but five, unique wax figures of a single celebrity. Fallon’s figures will be housed in Madame Tussauds U.S. locations spanning the country: New York, Washington DC, Hollywood and San Francisco. His fifth figure will be featured in the newest Madame Tussauds U.S. location in Orlando when it opens on 4 May, 2015.
“We are thrilled to welcome Jimmy Fallon to five of our U.S. Madame Tussauds attractions, including our newest Orlando attraction opening in May this year. Jimmy is beloved by fans across the world and we look forward to offering so many of our visitors the opportunity to engage with such an entertainment icon,” said Merlin Entertainments Group divisional director, Midway North America Janine DiGioacchino.
“I’m honestly floored! These artists did an amazing job. I guess I’ll have to stop with the plastic surgery for at least a few years so these figures stay relevant,” said Fallon.
Dressed in his classic yet laid back style, each figure was meticulously made by Madame Tussauds studio artists over the course of four months. Fallon worked closely with the Madame Tussauds team, who spent hours sitting with the star taking over 250 measurements, identifying exact eye color, and detailing each strand of hair.
Hollywood
Paramount seeks FCC nod for foreign-backed $110 billion WBD deal
Gulf funds back merger as foreign stake nears 50 per cent, control stays with Ellison
NEW YORK: Paramount Global has approached the Federal Communications Commission seeking approval for foreign investments tied to its proposed $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, marking another key step in one of the biggest media deals in recent years.
According to regulatory filings made public this week, the investment backing the deal includes major Gulf sovereign funds such as the Public Investment Fund, the Qatar Investment Authority and L’imad Holding Company. Together, foreign investors are expected to hold just under 50 per cent of Paramount’s equity once the transaction is complete.
Despite the sizeable international backing, Paramount has made it clear that voting control will remain with the family of chief executive David Ellison, ensuring the company stays firmly under US control as required by broadcasting rules.
A company spokesperson described the FCC filing as routine for transactions involving foreign capital and stressed that it does not impact the closing of the deal. Under US law, any significant foreign ownership in broadcast licence holders must undergo regulatory review.
The merger itself has already cleared a major hurdle, with Warner Bros. Discovery shareholders approving the deal on 23 April. The transaction values the company at $31 per share, a 147 per cent premium to its earlier trading price, reflecting strong strategic intent behind the tie-up.
If completed, the combined entity will bring together a vast portfolio including Warner Bros. film studios, HBO Max, and networks such as CNN, TNT and Discovery Channel. The deal is currently expected to close in the third quarter of 2026.
However, scrutiny is intensifying. The US Department of Justice has issued subpoenas seeking details on the merger’s potential impact on cinema competition, streaming services and content licensing. Reviews are also anticipated in international markets, including the United Kingdom.
There is also a financial safety net built into the agreement. If regulators ultimately block the deal, Paramount would face a $7 billion break-up fee. Additionally, the company has taken on $2.8 billion in obligations previously owed by Warner Bros. Discovery to Netflix following an earlier terminated arrangement.
Paramount maintains that easing foreign ownership barriers will unlock fresh capital and strengthen its ability to compete in a rapidly evolving media landscape. For now, the spotlight remains on regulators, whose decision will determine whether this global media consolidation moves from script to screen.
