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What happens behind the scenes of a hit NBC show as it airs live

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nbc undateable bts main

NBC comedy "Undateable" is doing something no other scripted comedy on TV is doing. It airs live every week, twice a week for both the East Coast and the West Coast.

In recent years, the live-aired episode was used as a special event and ratings boost by shows like "30 Rock." Last season, the show ended with a live finale episode. Then, NBC renewed it for a third season of all-live episodes.

Airing Friday at 8 p.m., "Undateable" follows a group of close-knit friends living in Detroit, helping each other figure out their lives.

Approaching its third season finale, the "live" airings of the show have evolved to include weekly guest performers, like last week's musical guest Weezer. It has also become very driven by social media, and departs from traditional TV sitcoms by breaking the fourth wall.

Creator and Executive Producer Adam Sztykiel agreed to give Business Insider's readers a behind-the-scenes look at a night when it was airing live.

Here's a look at what goes down when the cameras aren't running on "Undateable":

SEE ALSO: What happens behind the scenes of CBS daytime talk show 'The Talk' from start to finish

SEE ALSO: The 'Friends' cast got back together for an NBC special reunion

4:30 p.m. PT: Chris D'Elia (Danny) and Ron Funches (Shelly) wait to be announced during the cast introductions.



4:40 p.m. PT: David Fynn (Brett) gets last minute touch ups before the show.



4:45 p.m. PT: The cast and crew try to stay loose before the show starts.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Disgraced pharma CEO Martin Shkreli dissed a Wu-Tang Clan member in a hostile video

Daymond John reveals what he learned from losing $750,000 on the first season of 'Shark Tank'

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daymond john

When reality-show producer Mark Burnett called FUBU founder Daymond John in 2008 to ask him if he wanted to be an investor on his upcoming show "Shark Tank," John had previously only worked within the fashion business but saw the opportunity as the perfect way to promote his existing brands and diversify his portfolio.

John had invested in around 10 clothing brands before joining the show, but he was hardly a seasoned angel investor. As he reveals in his new book "The Power of Broke," the growing pains of the first season cost him "about $750,000 of my own money that I've yet to get back."

In retrospect, the experience taught him the following lessons that have allowed him to become a savvier investor and corporate adviser, whose small businesses now make millions of dollars in annual profit.

Don't get caught up in the moment

Because "Shark Tank" was new in 2009, the producers weren't able to book the generally high caliber of entrepreneurs that appear on the show now. This was the season where a urologist got $25,000 to build a business around his hollow golf club that lets you pee into it.

So that meant that not only were the offerings slim, but about half of the deals made in front of the cameras didn't close because the businesses didn't pass due diligence — about 80% of the deals closed last season, according to John.

But even if he was seeing something he normally wouldn't want to invest in, he found himself getting caught up in the excitement of a bidding war with his fellow investors. And even if he found himself in a dud deal, he would spend too much time thinking he could transform a hopeless business, since he had already made it that far.

Throwing money at a problem doesn't solve it

the power of brokeJohn named his book "The Power of Broke" because, as he looked back on his career, he found that the common thread in all of his failures since becoming successful was the belief that an injection of capital could save a dying business or enhance a deal.

The scrappy attitude he had while building FUBU out of his mother's house in the 1990s helped him become the CEO of a hundred-million-dollar business because he made decisions as though every cent mattered — and it did.

Not only did he try keeping his handful of "Shark Tank" season-one businesses alive for longer than he should have, but he unnecessarily spent $200,000 on legal fees vetting and closing deals with them.

When he looked more closely at it, he realized that while he trusted his law firm, they weren't fit for that type of business. He began working with a venture-capital firm the next season, and cut his legal fees down to $30,000.

Rely on your team

To help with his season-one investments, John hired consultants for licensing, marketing, and social media.

"All these different experts, when I was hiring them on an as-needed basis that first year, their fees were killing me," he writes.

It was unsustainable. It's why he built a new company, Shark Branding, with a full-time staff that handled licensing, business development, legal issues, contracts, marketing, and internal management.

"I was able to pursue similar deals away from the show, growing my business in ways I hadn't even anticipated and helping to spread those overhead costs across a number of different properties," he writes.

It turned out that a reality show, of all things, forced John to become a better investor, manager, and entrepreneur.

John writes:

I lost a bunch of money because I found myself making decisions in ways I'd never made them before. I was spread thin, with all these new demands on my time, so a lot of times I would just throw money at a problem and hope that would take care of it. But of course, that's not how it works, right?

SEE ALSO: The billionaire founder of Under Armour was once so broke he couldn't pay a $2 toll — here's what the experience taught him

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NOW WATCH: 'Shark Tank' star Daymond John on the advantages of being broke

Zayn Malik's first solo song is racier than anything from One Direction

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Zayn Malik just released his first solo music video, "PILLOWTALK," after leaving One Direction. And after telling reporters that he never wanted to be in One Direction in the first place, it's clear he's trying to make his own mark.

Story by Jacob Shamsian and editing by Alana Yzola

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A 92-year-old WWII vet lived his dream of meeting a lion

Rihanna's new album is like nothing we've heard from her

'People v. O.J. Simpson' is a fresh, entertaining look at a case that's more relevant than ever

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The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story Episodic Images 1

Surprisingly, FX's dramatization of the O.J. Simpson trial wasn't over-the-top and campy – as one might expect from a Ryan Murphy production. "The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story" feels as riveting and timely as this case has ever been.

With the backdrop of the Rodney King beatings by L.A. policemen and the riots, a white woman and a white man are found dead in tony Brentwood, California. She is the ex-wife to one of the most famous athletes in the U.S., O.J. Simpson. And the man is a young waiter who may or may not have been dating her.

Soon, all eyes are on Simpson. Suspicion is rising around him and the police are closing in. Then, the whole nation is standing in front of television sets watching Simpson being chased by police on the freeway in a white SUV.

We would then be glued once again to our sets as Simpson's trial would hold the nation's attention again. And then the fear. If he's found guilty, will we have the King riots again?

That's what we know. "American Crime Story" shows us that and then the stuff we didn't know. What each player stood to lose and win, how money and status could twist the judicial system, and how instant celebrity could crush even the strongest of people (and cases).

It's really the reason people are going nuts over Netflix's "Making a Murderer" and, before that HBO's "The Jinx." There's an overwhelming feeling that there's something wrong with the criminal justice system.

The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story Episodic Images 1 2OK, so civics lesson aside, there's some great acting in this.

Cuba Gooding, Jr. gives a uniquely adept take on Simpson under pressure, the way he could switch moods on a dime. It's fairly frightening.

Sarah Paulson disappears into Marcia Clark as she goes from HBIC to melting in the spotlight of this trial.

And Courtney B. Vance was made to play Johnny Cochran, the man who would later represent Michael Jackson, Sean Combs, and Snoop Dogg.

Those performances should help you get through that of John Travolta as attorney Robert Shapiro. His take on the character is almost too cartoon-ish for words.

Then, there's David Schwimmer as sappy Simpson confidante and member of the defense team, Robert Kardashian. Yes, the late father of Kim Kardashian, et al. Really, Kardashian wasn't needed for his legal expertise. He was Simpson's babysitter. One early scene has Simpson prepared to commit suicide with Kardashian pleading him not to, especially in his daughter Kim's bedroom. I want to give him a pass for the sentimentality as that's how the role was written. As Jessica Rabbit said, "I'm not bad. I'm just drawn that way."

We could've done without the young (years before a sex tape entered their lives, young) Kardashian kids showing up here and there, as if to serve some need to connect us to the present or serve as a knowing wink when their father speaks to them about the travails of letting fame go to one's head. That's the Ryan Murphy touch I expected more of.

Other than those aspects that threaten to pull you out of the drama, "People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story" will become an obsession.

Watch the latest trailer for the series below:

SEE ALSO: 'People v. O.J. Simpson' star Sarah Paulson says it took 2 hours of hair and makeup to drastically transform her into Marcia Clark

SEE ALSO: See how the amazing cast of 'American Crime Story' transformed to bring the O.J. Simpson trial back to life

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: The doctor who inspired the movie 'Concussion' is convinced OJ Simpson has a brain disease

Steven Avery's new lawyer says advances in forensic testing could exonerate him — again

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It looks like there's still more chapters to write in the "Making a Murderer" story.

Following a protest on Friday in Manitowoc County by supporters of Steven Avery and his nephew Brendan Dassey, who were convicted of the 2005 murder of Auto Trader magazine photographer Teresa Halbach, NBC's "Dateline" aired an episode dedicated to the case which featured Avery's new lawyer Kathleen Zellner who gave a hint of what her game plan is to exonerate her client.

Kellner believes that advances in forensic testing will be the key. 

"Generally, since 2007, there have been significant advances in forensic testing ... the clearest way to do this is with scientific testing," Kathleen Zellner told "Dateline" NBC's Andrea Canning in her first TV interview since taking the case. "Am I going to tell you exactly what it is? I am not. But it's been a long time. There was a lot of evidence that wasn't tested."

Zellner is an Illinois lawyer who specializes in wrongful conviction cases. She believes Avery is innocent of the 2005 murder of Halbach. Avery is currently serving a life sentence.

The "Dateline" episode also interviewed Jerry Buting, the lawyer for Avery in the Halbach case, who still believes Avery should not have been convicted.

"From the evidence I've looked at I think he is innocent," he said. "I think he certainly was not guilty beyond a reasonable doubt under the evidence that was presented."

On NBC's "Today" show Saturday morning, Kellner said that she should have results from the forensic testing within the month.

SEE ALSO: A legendary true-crime filmmaker argues that this is what really matters in the 'Making a Murderer' case

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NOW WATCH: Here’s what we saw when we visited the Calais refugee camp known as the ‘Jungle’


15 documentaries on Netflix that will make you smarter about business

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Here's a quick and fun way to enrich your business knowledge: streaming documentaries on Netflix.

The online movie and TV service has a vast cache of business and tech documentaries that anyone with a subscription can watch instantly. The topics range from profiles of great innovators like Steve Jobs and Henry Ford to the psychology behind human behavior.

Each of these 15 documentaries offers an entertaining storyline, as well as valuable insights into business success.

SEE ALSO: 33 business books every professional should read before turning 30

DON'T MISS: 10 TED Talks that will make you smarter about business

How lifelong dedication and obsession with quality can pay off

The 2011 documentary "Jiro Dreams of Sushi" profiles Jiro Ono, a Japanese sushi chef and restaurant owner who is widely revered for his skill and $300-a-plate dinners. It follows the now 90-year-old master as he works with vendors to secure the finest ingredients, manages and mentors his staff, and prepares his son to succeed him when he retires. The movie brings viewers inside the dedication, obsession, and decades of hard work it takes to achieve perfection.



The best tricks to transform your life

"TED Talks: Life Hacks" is a collection of 10 popular TED lectures that offer tips and insights for success in life and business. You'll learn body-language secrets from Harvard psychologist Amy Cuddy, research-backed productivity tricks from positive-psychology expert Shawn Achor, and more.



How to adapt constantly to stay relevant

"Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work" takes viewers deep inside the business of the late Joan Rivers. After following the comedian for a year, filmmakers reveal the highs and lows of Rivers' decades-long quest to stay relevant. What does it take to get to the top and stay there? From meticulous organization systems to her willingness to take any job to make sure her staff got paid, the movie shows the fierce determination necessary for success.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The 11 best new movies and TV shows coming out of Sundance that you'll be dying to see

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Sundance Film Festival

With the Sundance Film Festival wrapping up this weekend, it's time to take a look at the titles we think you'll want to seek out the rest of the year and beyond.

Along with many titles being nabbed by Netflix and Amazon, the theatrical distributors also found some gems. A few TV shows that were teased at the fest looked promising too.  

Here’s 11 to look out for.

SEE ALSO: Here's everything we know about the Super Bowl ads to far

"11.22.63"

TV has become more and more prevalent at film festivals and at Sundance, it was no different. One of the big sneak peeks was this adaptation of a Stephen King novel in which a man time travels back to 1963 to stop the assassination of John F. Kennedy. James Franco plays the time-traveler. The show premieres on Hulu in February.



"The Birth of a Nation"

Actor Nate Parker's long-awaited biopic on Nat Turner, the African-American slave who led the most successful slave rebellion in American history, lived up to the hype at Sundance. The world premiere received multiple standing ovations and less than 24 hours later, the film broke the record for highest-sold movie at the fest. Fox Searchlight paid $17.5 million for it. Parker ("Beyond The Lights," "Non-Stop") wrote, directed, and starred in the movie.



"Christine"

Director Antonio Campos ("Simon Killer") looks at the life of one of media's most mysterious figures, TV reporter Christine Chubbuck of Sarasota, Florida, who in 1974 committed suicide on live television. In "Christine," Campos shows the pressures of a woman in the 1970s with Rebecca Hall playing Chubbuck as she struggles to find her place in the world.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Here's everything we know about the Super Bowl ads so far

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marmot super bowl

Super Bowl 50 is fast-approaching and some brands have already released teasers about the ads they will be airing during the big game on February 7.

The average cost of a 30-second slot during the Super Bowl has soared to $5 million this year — up 11% on the highest price last year's broadcaster NBC banked for its Super Bowl commercials. This year's broadcaster, CBS, has hinted that the last available ad space could even fetch as much as $6 million.

Here's everything we know so far about which brands are advertising during the Super Bowl and what they've got planned.

We've organized the brands in alphabetical order for ease of navigation. We'll keep updating this post right up until February 7, when you can follow our live coverage.

 

Acura

The automaker's ad will air during the first quarter and will serve to launch the new $156,000 NSX supercar — the most expensive car ever advertised in a Super bowl ad, according to I4U News

The ad is set to Van Halen's hit "Runnin' With the Devil." Here's the spot:

Acura last featured in the Super Bowl in 2012, with a 60-second spot starring Jerry Seinfeld. Here's that ad:

Youtube Embed:
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Amazon

Amazon is making its Super Bowl ad debut this year, with a spot starring actor Alec Baldwin and former Miami Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino.

A teaser video released on January 27 — created by Leo Burnett, the agency behind the campaign — showed the pair using the Amazon Echo voice-activated wireless speaker to help them organize a Super Bowl party.



Apartments.com

Jeff Goldblum is continuing his job as brand ambassador for Apartments.com, reprising his role from its previous ads as eccentric Silicon Valley exec "Brad Bellflower," The WSJ reported.

The 60-second spot, entitled "MovinOnUp," has been created by ad agency RPA. It will air in the second commercial break of the game.

Here's a previous Apartments.com spot, with Goldblum as Bellflower.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The 2 reasons Netflix refuses to release shows on a weekly schedule (NFLX)

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Ted Sarandos

Since Netflix began releasing original shows in 2013, it has always released full seasons at a time, refusing to do any sort of weekly release schedule.

Ted Sarandos, Netflix's content chief, recently explained to HitFix exactly why Netflix will never stagger the release of episodes.

"There’s no reason to release it weekly," Sarandos said. "The move away from appointment television is enormous ... most people watch those shows on demand and on DVRs and in multiple episode stacks."

In other words, they binge-watch, something Netflix has famously facilitated.

But Sarandos gave another reason why Netflix releases full seasons: it has found that people tend to watch only one show at a time.

"If you decide tomorrow you want to watch 'Breaking Bad,' you’re going to spend the next two months watching all of 'Breaking Bad' before you move on to something else," Sarandos said. "Which is radically different than, you know, a show a night viewing the way people used to do."

This means that Netflix risks losing those viewers with a spread-out release. It's safer to let them binge all the way through.

Both these factors have caused Netflix to take a hard line against ever releasing a show the way traditional TV does. "Mad Men" creator Matt Weiner said that if he ever pitched Netflix a show, he would try to convince them to release it weekly.

Sarandos' response: "He would lose."

SEE ALSO: Netflix admits its viewers think of 'Breaking Bad' as a Netflix experience — and that should scare TV networks

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Malaysian white coffee is NYC's hottest new drink

Here's everything coming to Netflix in February that you need to watch

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Fuller House netflix

Netflix is reviving some old favorites in February with new Netflix originals.

A sequel to Oscar-winning film "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" and a "Full House" reboot, "Fuller House," are both coming to the streaming service next month.

Other Netflix originals hitting the web are two comedy specials, from Hannibal Buress and Theo Von.

The first season of "Better Call Saul" and part two of the final season of "Mad Men" are also making their way online. 

Here's everything you should check out in February, with our highlights at the top: 

TVmad men"Mad Men" (Season 7, Part 2) — Available 02/05
Last year was the end of an era for ad man Don Draper, and if you've been waiting to see where he ended up, you'll finally be able to watch the final seven episodes of this beloved drama on Netflix. And if you're just looking to start, all of the seasons are currently on Netflix. 

"Fuller House" — Season 1 (NETFLIX ORIGINAL) — Available 02/26
Netflix is reviving "Full House" and most of the original cast is involved. DJ Tanner calls on her sister Stephanie and friend Kimmy to help her raise her three boys in the house the Tanner family grew up in. 

Movies
DOPE2 final
"Dope" — Available 02/10 
This coming-of-age dramedy follows Malcolm, a geek obsessed with 1990s hip-hop culture, whose dream is to attend Harvard. But life gets a little wild for Malcolm and his friends after they meet a local drug dealer.  

"Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny" (NETFLIX ORIGINAL) — Available 02/26
Michelle Yeoh reprises her role from 2000's Oscar-winning film "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" for this sequel about four Martial World heroes tasked with keeping the Green Destiny sword out of evil hands. 

Available 02/01/16

"Better Call Saul" (Season 1) 
"Masha's Tales" (Season 1) 
"Pokémon: XY" (Season 1) 
"The Lizzie Borden Chronicles" (Season 1) 
"Collateral Damage" 
"Sin City" 
"Armageddon" 
"Scooby-Doo" 
"Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed" 
"Cruel Intentions" 
"Teen Witch" 
"Para Elisa" 
"Charlie's Angeles" 
"Full Metal Jacket" 
"Johnny English" 
"A Picture of You" 
"Star Trek V: The Final Frontier" 
"Stardust" 
"Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby" 
"The Little Engine That Could" 
"A Faster Horse" 
"Game Face"
"Jennifer 8" 
"Losing Isaiah" 
"My Side of the Mountain" 
"Tin Man: Search for the Emerald" 
"The Year Dolly Parton Was My Mom" 
"Pokémon the Movie: Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction" 

Available 02/02/16

"Land Before Time: XIV — Journey of the Brave" 

Available 02/03/16

"I Love You Phillip Morris" 

Available 02/04/16

"Love" 

Available 02/05/16

"Hannibal Buress: Comedy Camisado" (NETFLIX ORIGINAL) 
"Care Bears & Cousins" — Season 2 (NETFLIX ORIGINAL)
"Turbo: F.A.S.T." — Season 3 (NETFLIX ORIGINAL) 
"Mad Men" (Season 7, Part 2) 

Available 02/06/16

"Lila & Eve" 

Available 02/10/16

"Dope" 
"The Girl in the Book" 

Available 02/13/16

"The Face of Love" 

Available 02/15/16

"Open Season" 
"XXY" 

Available 02/16/16

"Atonement" 
"Asthma" 

Available 02/17/16

"The Returned" (Season 2) 

Available 02/19/16

"Cooked" — Season 1 (NETFLIX ORIGINAL)
"Love" — Season 1 (NETFLIX ORIGINAL) 

Available 02/22/16

"3rd World Cops 2" 

Available 02/23/16

"Bare" 

Available 02/24/16

"Marvel Super Hero Adventures: Frost Fight!" 

Available 02/26/16

"Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny" (NETFLIX ORIGINAL) 
"Theo Von: No Offense" (NETFLIX ORIGINAL)
"Fuller House" — Season 1 (NETFLIX ORIGINAL)

Available 02/27/16

"Finding Vivian Maier" 

Available 02/29/16

"Ashes and Embers" 

SEE ALSO: Here are the 14 Netflix original movies coming out in 2016 — and what you need to know about them

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NOW WATCH: The radical diet behind Kate Hudson's perfect abs

Americans named their favorite movie stars, and the top 5 are all men

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tom hanks Anthony Harvey Getty Images

The US has spoken: Tom Hanks is its favorite movie star, according to a new Harris Poll.

It's hard to argue. Over Hanks' 36-year career, he's evolved from being the star of light-hearted, feel-good movies like "Splash" and "The Money Pit" to Oscar-winning dramatic roles in "Philadelphia" and "Forrest Gump." Regardless of the role, he's played the characters with a quality of genuine likability and trustworthiness.

And he's only gotten better with age, whether he's introducing himself to newer generations as Woody in the "Toy Story" franchise or taking on roles of heroes, like James Donovan in "Bridge of Spies" and his upcoming movie "Sully" where he plays pilot Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger, who did an emergency landing of a US Airways flight in the Hudson River in 2009.

The poll listed the results of its survey of 2,252 US adults with Hanks on top, followed by four other men — Johnny Depp in second, Denzel Washington in third (he was the country's favorite actor last year), John Wayne in fourth, and "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" star Harrison Ford in fifth.

The first woman on the list was Sandra Bullock, in sixth place. She was followed by Jennifer Lawrence in seventh place.

This is the fifth time Hanks has taken the honor. He's done it previously in 2002, 2004, 2005, and 2013.

Hanks is third all-time in box office gross with a $4.3 billion lifetime gross. Ford claimed the top spot over Samuel L. Jackson at the end of 2015 with a total lifetime gross of $4.8 billion, thanks to the massive success of "The Force Awakens."

 

SEE ALSO: "People v. O.J. Simpson is a fresh entertaining look at a case that's more relevant than ever

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: An exercise scientist reveals how often and for how long you should work out to actually see results

The woman who mistook Steven Avery for her attacker explains how she learned he was innocent after he’d already spent 18 years in jail

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Penny Beerntsen

Beware: "Making a Murderer" spoilers ahead!

Steven Avery, the center of Netflix's hit docuseries "Making a Murderer," currently sits behind bars. He was convicted, along with his nephew Brendan Dassey, of killing a young woman on Halloween in 2005.

A lot of people think he is innocent of that crime, aided by the fact that he previously spent 18 years behind bars for another crime he didn't commit.

Years earlier, in 1985, a woman named Penny Beerntsen was sexually assaulted and attacked while out on a jog. After the attack, she became convinced Steven Avery was her attacker. She chose his photo out of a lineup, and he seemed to match the physical appearance of the man she remembered doing it (though there were some differences between her description and Avery). Avery was sent to jail for nearly two decades, but he was released when a lab analyzed a pubic hair found on Beerntsen from the day of the attack, and it matched a known sex offender instead of Steven Avery, Gregory Allen. 

Beerntsen had her suspicions that Avery was innocent years before his release. She told NBC in 2005 that in about 1989, she received a phone call from the police department saying they had another suspect in her case that looked a lot like Steven Avery, and they wanted to question her about him. 

"I remember hanging up the phone thinking, ‘Oh my God, maybe the wrong person is in custody,’" she told NBC about that conversation. But Beerntsen said she called the local sheriff's department and was told not to concern herself with any other potential suspect.

"[The sheriff's department] said, "The Manitowoc police department doesn’t have jurisdiction. We will look into this. Don’t talk to them, it will only confuse you," she told NBC.

Beerntsen says learning that the wrong man had been sitting in jail for years was a harder day for her than the actual brutal attack. Her husband and a friend broke the news to her in 2005, and Beerntsen says all the color was drained from their faces.

"That day was much more difficult than the day of the assault for me," she told NBC back in 2005. "I just couldn’t grasp the magnitude of being an unwitting participant in this huge miscarriage of justice."

Avery's lawyers believed the police helped convince Beerntsen that Avery was her attacker instead of Allen. For example, Beerntsen says Allen's photo wasn't initially shown to her as a potential suspect, even though the Sheriff's department had known of his previous sexual crimes.

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: A superfan tweeted her celebrity crush for 5 years, and now they're dating


The 29 richest people in America

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Of the world's wealthiest people, the majority still hail from the world's top economic superpower — the United States. There are 29 US billionaires who rank among the 50 richest on earth, and they command a whopping $938 billion between them.

This comes from new data provided to Business Insider by Wealth-X, a company that conducts research on the super-wealthy, featured in our recent ranking of the world's richest people. Wealth-X maintains a database of dossiers on more than 110,000 ultra-high-net-worth people, using a proprietary valuation model that takes into account each person's assets, then adjusts estimated net worth to account for currency-exchange rates, local taxes, savings rates, investment performance, and other factors.

The two richest people in America are no surprise: Bill Gates and Warren Buffett maintain their lead at the top despite being the two most generous people on earth. But US tech moguls have begun to overtake the upper echelon, with heavyweights like Jeff Bezos of Amazon and Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook adding billions to their net worth each year as their powerful companies continue to grow in value and influence.

Not everyone is an entrepreneur though. Inherited wealth has kept a hefty portion of the country's cash in the hands of a few families, as the Koch brothers, the Waltons of Walmart, and the heirs to the Mars candy conglomerate each rank among the wealthiest.

Read on to learn more about the 29 Americans with the deepest pockets.  

SEE ALSO: The 50 richest people on earth

DON'T MISS: The wealthiest people in the world under 35

28. James Simons

Net worth:$14.3 billion

Age: 77

Country: US

Industry: Hedge funds

Source of wealth: Self-made; Renaissance Technologies

Before revolutionizing the hedge fund industry with his mathematics-based approach, "Quant King" James Simons worked as a code breaker for the US Department of Defense during the Vietnam War, but was fired after criticizing the war in the press. He chaired the math department at Stony Brook University for a decade until leaving in 1978 to start a quantitative-trading firm. That firm, now called Renaissance Technologies, has more than $65 billion in assets under management among its many funds.

Simons has always dreamed big. About 10 years ago, he announced that he was starting a fund that he claimed would be able to handle $100 billion, about 10% of all assets managed by hedge funds at the time. That fund, Renaissance Institutional Equities Fund, never quite reached his aspirations — it currently handles about $10.5 billion— but his flagship Medallion fund is among the best-performing ever: It has generated a nearly 80% annualized return before fees since its inception in 1988.

In October, Renaissance shut down a $1 billion fund — one of its smaller ones — "due to a lack of investor interest." The firm's other funds, however, have been up and climbing. Simons retired in 2009, but remains chairman of the company.



28. Laurene Powell Jobs

Net worth:$14.4 billion

Age: 52

Country: US

Industry: Media

Source of wealth: Inheritance; Disney

The widow of Apple cofounder Steve Jobs, Laurene Powell Jobs inherited his wealth and assets, which included 5.5 million shares of Apple stock and a 7.3% stake in The Walt Disney Co., upon his death. Jobs' stake in Disney — which has nearly tripled in value since her husband's death in 2011 and comprises more than $12 billion of her net worth — makes her the company's largest individual shareholder.

Though she's best recognized through her iconic husband, Jobs has had a career of her own. She worked on Wall Street for Merrill Lynch and Goldman Sachs before earning her MBA at Stanford in 1991, after which she married her late husband and started organic-foods company Terravera. But she's been primarily preoccupied with philanthropic ventures, with a particular focus on education. In 1997, she founded College Track, an after-school program that helps low-income students prepare for and enroll in college, and in September she committed $50 million to a new project called XQ: The Super School Project, which aims to revamp the high-school curriculum and experience.

Last October, Jobs spoke out against "Steve Jobs," Aaron Sorkin's movie about her late husband that portrays him in a harsh light, calling it "fiction." Jobs had been against the project from the get-go, reportedly calling Leonardo DiCaprio and Christian Bale to ask them to decline roles in the film.



27. Charlie Ergen

Net worth:$14.5 billion

Age: 62

Country: US

Industry: Media

Source of wealth: Self-made; Dish Network

After four years away from satellite TV provider Dish Network, the company he founded in 1980, Charlie Ergen returned to his position as CEO last spring. But Ergen's reunion came amid difficult times for Dish, as the company has been striving to stem its slipping number of subscribers.

But one of the network's newest services might be its saving grace. Last January, the company launched Sling TV, a streaming service that allows subscribers to watch their favorite channels, such as ESPN and Food Network, online for only $20 per month. Though Sling is a 180-degree pivot from Dish's signature product, it has caught on with customers, inspiring copycat services and potentially providing the struggling company with the leg up it needed.

Despite not offering wireless plans to subscribers, Ergen also bought up nearly $10 billion worth of wireless-spectrum licenses at an auction last year. But the purchase incited significant backlash against Dish, which through two controlled affiliates had secured a 25% small-business discount that was subsequently revoked by the FCC. The company was forced to pay penalties exceeding $500 million to the FCC and surrender some of the licenses. Controversy surrounding Ergen's leadership is nothing new, however. His reputation for cutthroat business tactics in the past led The Hollywood Reporter to dub him the "the most hated man in Hollywood."



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Will Smith elaborates on the Oscars diversity controversy

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Will Smith has been front-and-center of this year's #OscarsSoWhite controversy following the second consecutive year where only white actors were nominated in the acting categories.

After Smith was snubbed for his performance in the acclaimed film "Concussion," his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, announced that she would boycott the awards ceremony this year.

Smith followed, along with others like Spike Lee and David Oyelowo.

Smith was a guest on the "Graham Norton Show" last night and elaborated on his thoughts on the controversy.

"The media creates the 'us and them' and for me there is no us and them, it's 'we,'" Smith said, adding that he is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which votes for the Oscars.

"There's a regression of America in general of separatism … so for me it's more about putting my hand up and reminding my community, the Hollywood community, that we have to lead. Diversity is America's superpower, that is what makes our country great, and in Hollywood we have to be pushing forward even in a time of wider regression."

Since the controversy around the lack of diversity in this year's Oscar nominations, the Academy board has announced drastic changes to its membership, promising to double the number of female and minority members by 2020. 

Watch Smith's entire comments here:

SEE ALSO: Here's what it's like to experience the star-studded Sundance Film Festival up close

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See how the amazing cast of 'American Crime Story' transformed to bring the O.J. Simpson trial back to life

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FX is hoping for another hit from "American Horror Story" co-creator Ryan Murphy with his upcoming true-crime anthology series "The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story."

Based on Jeffrey Toobin's book "The Run of His Life: The People v. O.J. Simpson," the limited series will look at the Simpson trial from the perspective of the lawyers.

It will explore the chaotic behind-the-scenes dealings and maneuvering on both sides of the court and how the LAPD's history with the city's African-American community affected the trial.

The show has a stellar cast playing the actual people, including Cuba Gooding Jr. as Simpson, John Travolta as his attorney Robert Shapiro, and Sarah Paulson as prosecutor Marcia Clark, among others — and the costuming, hair, and makeup certainly do a lot of work.

Take a look at the actors in character next to the real-life people they're portraying below:

SEE ALSO: O.J. Simpson contemplates suicide in the new teaser for FX's true-crime series with Cuba Gooding, Jr.

MORE: John Travolta asks O.J. Simpson the tough question in this 'American Crime Story' teaser

Cuba Gooding, Jr. ("Jerry Maguire," "Empire") as O.J. Simpson:

Simpson was tried on two counts of murder for the deaths of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and waiter Ronald Lyle Goldman in June 1994.



David Schwimmer ("Friends") as Robert Kardashian:

The late Kardashian was one member of Simpson's team of high-profile defense attorneys. And, yes, he's the father of Kim Kardashian, her sisters, and her brother, who is named after the attorney.



Courtney B. Vance ("State of Affairs," "Revenge") as Johnnie Cochran:

The most well-known member of Simpson's defense team, which was dubbed "The Dream Team." Cochran went on to represent several celebrities, including Sean Combs, Snoop Dogg, and Michael Jackson.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

'The Force Awakens' will pass $2 billion worldwide at the box office next week

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The historic box office ride for "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" continues as by next week the film will hit the $2 billion mark for worldwide grosses (it's currently at $1.963 billion).

That will make it only the third film ever to hit that milestone, joining "Avatar" ($2.7 billion) and "Titanic" ($2.1 billion).

The film has been released in all territories across the globe, but showing the power of the film at the box office, "Awakens" passed $1 billion globally before it opened in China, the second-largest film market in the world behind the US.

Domestically, "Awakens" is already box office champion. With the movie projected to be at $894 million by Sunday, it will hit $900 million next week, distancing itself farther from the number two all-time domestic earner, "Avatar," at $760 million.

"Awakens" got to the $700 million mark domestically in only 16 days, the fastest ever.

SEE ALSO: The two reasons Netflix refuses to release shows on a weekly schedule

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