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    John Waters to college grads: “It’s your turn to cause trouble”

    By SHOOTUpdated:No Comments754 Views
    John Waters, right, smiles in front of Rhode Island School of Design board chair Michael Spalter after receiving an honorary doctor of Fine Arts degree during commencement ceremonies in Providence, R.I., Saturday, May 30, 2015. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
    PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) --

    Filmmaker John Waters tells Rhode Island School of Design graduates it's their turn to go out in the world and cause artistic trouble.

    Waters, known for the cult classic "Pink Flamingos" and other films that pushed the boundaries of good taste, was given an honorary doctorate Saturday at the prestigious art school's 132nd commencement.

    He urged the 669 graduates to go out and "outrage outdated critics" and "make ME nervous."

    "It's your turn to cause trouble," he said.

    Waters also advised them to give their children a safe place to be creative, as his parents did for him.

    Author Adam Gopnick of The New Yorker and musicians Chris Frantz, Martina Weymouth, and Jerry Harrison, all formerly of the band Talking Heads, also received honorary degrees. Frantz and Weymouth are alumni.

    Tags:John Waters



    DirecTV calls off acquisition of rival Dish, possibly ending a yearslong pursuit

    Friday, November 22, 2024
    Dish Network satellite dishes are shown at an apartment complex in Palo Alto, Calif., Feb. 23, 2011. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma, File)

    DirecTV is calling off its planned acquisition of rival Dish after the offer was rejected by bond holders at that company.

    The deal was reliant on Dish bond holders agreeing to trade in the debt they held for debt in the new company, a swap that would have cost them about $1.6 billion, collectively.

    The retreat by DirecTV this week may end a years-long effort by the company to acquire both Dish and Sling after it announced the bid in September.

    DirecTV was looking to acquire Dish TV and Sling TV from its owner EchoStar in a debt exchange transaction that included a payment of $1, plus the assumption of approximately $9.8 billion in debt. The deal was contingent on several factors, including regulatory approvals and bondholders writing off debt related to Dish.

    "While we believed a combination of DirecTV and Dish would have benefited all stakeholders, we have terminated the transaction because the proposed exchange terms were necessary to protect DirecTV's balance sheet and our operational flexibility," DirecTV CEO Bill Morrow said in a statement.

    The prospect of a DirecTV-Dish combo has long been rumored, and reported talks resurfaced over the years. And the two almost merged more than two decades ago — but the Federal Communications Commission blocked the deal valued at the time at $18.5 billion deal, citing antitrust concerns.

    The pay-for-TV market has shifted significantly since. As more and more consumers tune into online streaming platforms, demand for more traditional satellite entertainment continues to shrink.

    DirecTV says that it will continue to invest in next-generation streaming platforms and offer new packaging options while integrating content from live TV alongside direct-to-consumer... Read More

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