This undated image originally released by Paramount Pictures shows John Travolta, right, and Olivia Newton-John in a scene from the film "Grease." (AP Photo/Paramount Pictures)
By Mark Kennedy, Drama Writer
NEW YORK (AP) --
Fox apparently isn't going to let NBC dominate the world of live TV musicals.
Fox jumped into the theater game Monday by announcing it will broadcast a three-hour live version of the musical "Grease" that will feature "a young ensemble cast" that has yet to be named.
NBC got a ratings boost last December with its live broadcast of "The Sound of Music" starring Carrie Underwood. It says it's working on a live production of "Peter Pan" for next December.
"Grease" features such songs as "Summer Nights," ''Greased Lightnin'," ''We Go Together" and "You're the One That I Want." It was made into a 1978 film starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John.
The live version will be a production of Paramount Television.
Pepsi soft drinks in plastic bottles are on sale at a grocery store in New York on Weds., Nov. 15, 2023. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey, File)
PepsiCo confirmed Friday that it's ending some of its diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, even as rival Coca-Cola voiced support for its own inclusion efforts.
In a memo sent to employees, PepsiCo CEO Ramon Laguarta said the company will no longer set goals for minority representation in its managerial roles or supplier base. The company will also align its sponsorships to events and groups that promote business growth, he said.
Laguarta wrote that inclusion remains important to PepsiCo, whose brands include Gatorade, Lay's potato chips, Doritos, Mountain Dew as well as Pepsi. The Purchase, New York-based company's chief diversity officer will transition to a broader role focused on employee engagement, leadership development and ensuring an inclusive culture, he said.
Since President Donald Trump returned to the White House last month, U.S. government agencies, companies and schools have rushed to reevaluate policies and programs they adopted with the goal of reducing discrimination against members of minority groups, women and LGBTQ+ people.
Trump ended DEI programs within the federal government and has warned schools to end DEI programs or risk losing federal money.
PepsiCo's rollback came as Coca-Cola reaffirmed support for its DEI efforts.
In its annual report, Atlanta-based Coke warned that its business could be negatively affected if it is unable to attract employees that reflect its broad range of customers.
"Failure to maintain a corporate culture that fosters innovation, collaboration and inclusion โฆ could disrupt our operations and adversely affect our business and our future success," the company said.
Coca-Cola has set a goal of having women in 50% of its senior leadership roles by... Read More