Links to the past with relevance today:
VARIETY: Susan Seidelman, 68, talks about casting a young Madonna in Desperately Seeking Susan, the 1985 smash that enjoys an enduring following.
BOY CULTURE: Happy 72nd to Erik Estrada!
EW: Anthony Hopkins, at 83, is now the oldest-ever Best Actor nominee.
NYT: A new book details the life of Lady Bird Johnson (1912-2007), reassessing her as a "political force."
EXTRATV: RIP Yaphet Kotto. The trailblazing Live and Let Die (1973), Alien (1979) and Homicide: Life on the Streets (1993-2000) actor died Monday at 81 near Manila. No cause was given.
INSTAGRAM: Another longtime actor — also a trailblazer — who died this week: Henry Darrow, who starred on The High Chaparral (1967-1971) and was the first Latin actor to play Zorro. He was 87.
KENNETH IN THE (212): An exclusive chat with Billy Mernit, the man who gave Carly Simon that iconic "clouds in my coffee" line for "You're So Vain" (1972).
ESSENCE: Anita Baker is 63 and retired, but she isn't going away quietly! The R&B diva says she has "miraculously" outlived all her contracts, so should be due her master recordings — but her label isn't budging. "They're gonna make me Fight 4 it," she tweeted to fans. "I'm Prepared, 2 do that. Please Dont advertise/buy them ABXO."
