Category: Entertainment

Paul Mescal is looking forward to taking a break.

The actor, who stars as William Shakespeare in the new film Hamnet, recently told The Guardian that audiences can expect to see less of him on their movie screens for a while.

“Once I’ve finished promoting [Hamnet],” Mescal said, “I hope nobody gets to see me until 2028 when I’m doing the Beatles. People will get a break from me and I’ll get a break from them.”

Mescal is set to play Paul McCartney in Sony’s upcoming Beatles films, which are releasing in 2028.

Along with Mescal, The Beatles movies will star Harris Dickinson, Joseph Quinn and Barry Keoghan. The project marks the first time Apple Corps Ltd. and The Beatles — John Lennon, McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr — have granted full life story and music rights for a scripted film about the band.

Sam Mendes will direct four different films, each told from a different member of The Beatles’ point of view. They will all intersect to tell the full story of the band’s history, according to a press release from Sony.

Mescal found his big break by starring in the Hulu series Normal People, which premiered in 2020. He says he’s been working continuously since then.

“I’m five or six years into this now, and I feel very lucky. But I’m also learning that I don’t think I can go on doing it as much,” Mescal said.

When asked if that means he is going to ration himself in the years to come, the actor said, “I think so.”

“I’m gonna have to start doing that. For sure. … Rationing doesn’t necessarily mean less,” Mescal said.

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A former violinist and crew member for Will Smith is suing the actor and rapper, as well as his touring company, for wrongful termination and sexual harassment, claims that Smith’s lawyer is denying.

Brian King Joseph, who toured with Smith in 2025, alleged in a complaint filed Tuesday in Los Angeles County Superior Court that he was wrongfully terminated and retaliated against after reporting workplace safety hazards.

According to the complaint, Joseph said he reported to Smith and the touring company that someone had “unlawfully” entered his Las Vegas hotel room during the tour and allegedly left a handwritten note, among other items, including wipes, a beer bottle, a red backpack, a bottle of HIV medication bearing another person’s name, an earring and hospital discharge paperwork for someone Joseph did not know.

The note allegedly read, “Brian, I’ll be back no later [sic] 5:30, just us (drawn heart), Stone F,” according to the complaint.

Joseph said he reported the matter to the hotel, a local non-emergency police line and to Smith’s representatives, stating that he was afraid someone was going to return to his hotel room and try to have sex with him.

In the complaint, Joseph said a few days after notifying Smith’s team, he was terminated from his role with the tour and accused of making up the matter; another violinist was hired to replace him on tour.

Joseph also accused Smith in the complaint of allegedly “deliberately grooming and priming [him] for further sexual exploitation,” suggesting “a pattern of predatory behavior.”

Joseph said in the complaint that he experienced PTSD and mental illness because of the termination.

Joseph is seeking a trial and compensatory damages, attorney’s fees and other relief as determined by a jury.

Allen B. Grodsky, an attorney for Smith, pushed back against Joseph’s claims in a statement to ABC News Thursday.

“Mr. Joseph’s allegations concerning my client are false, baseless, and reckless,” Grodsky stated. “They are categorically denied, and we will use all legal means available to address these claims and to ensure that the truth is brought to light.”

Smith went on a global tour last year to support his Based on a True Story album, which was released in March 2025. Smith’s tour stopped in Las Vegas that same month.

Based on a True Story was Smith’s first full-length album in two decades.

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It’s time to get things started on the return of the most sensational, inspirational, celebrational, Muppetational TV show ever.

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of its original launch in 1976, The Muppet Show returns Feb. 4 for a “special event” on Disney+ and ABC. A new teaser just dropped featuring special guest stars Sabrina Carpenter and Seth Rogen; Rogen is also an executive producer on the show.

In the teaser, Kermit the Frog turns the lights on and takes the stage, saying, “It’s the return of The Muppet Show, back on the very stage where it all started, and then ended, and is maybe starting again depending on how tonight goes.”

After a montage of scenes featuring characters like Rowlf the Dog, Gonzo, the Swedish Chef, and Bunsen and Beaker, we see Sabrina telling Miss Piggy, “You are an icon.” “You’re too sweet,” replies Piggy, before adding, “Go on.”

We then see Sabrina hitting a Muppet, while Seth, standing backstage, tells Fozzy Bear, “It’s always been a dream of mine to be here.” “Ooh,” Fozzy replies. “Got any other dreams?”

The original Muppet Show ran from 1976 to 1981, airing in over 100 countries and featuring musical guests like Elton John, Paul Simon, Diana Ross, Debbie Harry and Gladys Knight. All five seasons are available to stream now on Disney+.

Disney is the parent company of ABC News.

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Ready, set, binge! Here’s a look at some of the new movies and TV shows coming to theaters and streaming services this weekend:

Netflix
Stranger Things: The series finale of the beloved sci-fi series will find the Hawkins gang united to defeat Vecna once and for all.

Run Away: The latest Harlan Coben series adaptation follows a web of secrets and a search for a missing daughter.

ABC
The Year: 2025: Robin Roberts‘ annual retrospective includes interviews with Jonas Brothers and Robert Irwin.

Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve With Ryan Seacrest: The annual televised countdown to the new year features musical performances that lead up to the Times Square ball drop.

E!, USA Network
Critics Choice Awards: Chelsea Handler hosts the awards ceremony on Jan. 4.

Movie theaters
The Plague: This horror film expands into even more theaters to start off the new year.

That’s all for this week’s Weekend Watchlist – happy streaming!

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2026 is shaping up to be a year filled with blockbusters and other big cinematic events. With sequels, animated family films and superhero movies looking to make an impact, here’s a look at some of the most-anticipated films of the upcoming year.

The summer starts off with the debut of Toy Story 5 on June 19. Woody, Buzz and the rest of the gang of toys return for the fifth film in the Pixar animated film franchise. This time around, the toys are facing what could be their biggest obstacle yet — a modern technology takeover. Greta Lee voices the new character, Lilypad, a smart tablet that is taking over playtime. Finding Nemo director Andrew Stanton helms the film from a script he wrote.

Also making a splash this summer is Christopher Nolan‘s epic The Odyssey. Releasing on July 17, the film is Nolan’s first since his Oscar-winning blockbuster Oppenheimer. Matt Damon stars as Odysseus in this movie adaptation of Homer‘s epic poem. Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland and Robert Pattinson also star.

Swinging in to theaters on July 31 is Spider-Man: Brand New Day. This movie brings Tom Holland back in his fourth stand-alone film as the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man, also known as Peter Parker. It is the continuation of his story after the wildly successful 2021 film Spider-Man: No Way Home, which found all of Peter’s friends and family forgetting who he is. Zendaya and Jacob Batalon return as MJ and Ned, while Sadie Sink joins the franchise in a mystery role.

Audiences will return to Panem with the release of The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping on Nov. 20. The backstory of Haymitch Abernathy, who mentored Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark, will be told in this adaptation of Suzanne Collins‘ bestselling prequel novel. Francis Lawrence returns to the franchise to direct the film that stars Joseph Zada, Whitney Peak, Mckenna Grace, Jesse Plemons and Elle Fanning, and is set to have Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson return as Katniss and Peeta.

Will the next Barbenheimer be Avengers: Dunesday? Two major films are set to release on Dec. 18 — Avengers: Doomsday and Dune: Part Three. The former finds brothers Anthony Russo and Joe Russo back at the helm of the Marvel Cinematic Universe as they direct the next Avengers film, which stars Robert Downey Jr. in the role of Dr. Doom. The latter stars Timothée Chalamet as Paul Atreides in the third part of Denis Villeneuve‘s space opera based on Frank Herbert‘s Dune Messiah.

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A new year means a new season of American Idol, and in a new promo, an old favorite makes a return.

In the promo, host Ryan Seacrest welcomes judges Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan and Carrie Underwood to “American Idol University.” “With decades of talent on display, I’m so excited for you all to explore these historic halls,” says Seacrest.

“Look at all these superstars that have graduated from Idol U.,” says Underwood, while admiring portraits of Kelly Clarkson, Jennifer Hudson and season 23 winner Jamal Roberts. They admire a display case that boasts that Idol contestants have scored 65 Platinum records, 18 Grammy Awards, 1one Academy Award and other accolades.

Another display case features photos and memorabilia from other past contestants, like Adam Lambert, season 21 winner Iam Tongi and Underwood herself. Plus, a series of photos on the wall documents Seacrest’s hairstyle journey.

The three judges then come across a wax statue of Clay Aiken, on a pedestal reading “Class of 2003.” “One of the original greats,” says Bryan. “Go Claymates!” says Underwood. Then, the “statue” of Clay turns and winks at them, causing them to jump back and yell in alarm.

As the three judges walk through a door, Underwood announces, “American Idol Class of 2026 is in session!” After a montage of some of the new season’s auditions, Aiken, no longer on a pedestal, says, “Who will be the next American Idol?”

“Um, that’s my line,” Ryan corrects him.

The new season gets underway Jan. 26 on ABC.

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Actor Isiah Whitlock Jr. has died, his manager confirmed to ABC News.

“It is with deep sadness that I share the passing of Isiah Whitlock Jr. He passed away today peacefully in NYC after a brave battle with a short illness,” his manager Brian Liebman said in a statement. “Isiah was a brilliant actor and even better person. He was loved by all who had the pleasure to work with or know him.”

Liebman also paid tribute to the actor on Instagram, writing, “If you knew him – you loved him. May his memory forever be a blessing. Our hearts are so broken. He will be very, very missed.”

He is known for The Wire and for frequently collaborating with director Spike Lee on films like Da 5 Bloods and BlacKkKlansman.

Born on Sept. 13, 1954, in South Bend, Indiana, Whitlock got his start as an actor while attending college at Southwest Minnesota State University, where he had a football scholarship and studied theater. He joined the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco, CA, after graduating in 1976.

In 1987, he landed a role in the TV series Cagney & Lacey, in which, according to IMDB, Whitlock played a man getting in a cab.

He went on to book a few more roles in films like Gremlins 2: The New Batch, 1990’s Goodfellas, the TV series As the World Turns and more.

From 2002 to 2008, he starred as Senator R. Clayton “Clay” Davis in The Wire. He made the role his own when he developed a catchphrase for his character: “Sheeeeee-it.”

Following The Wire, Whitlock continued to star in several TV series, including Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Rubicon and Meet the Browns. He also starred in the 2011 film Cedar Rapids and the 2008 film Cadillac Records alongside Beyoncé, Adrien Brody and Jeffrey Wright.

In 2012, he collaborated with Lee for Red Hook Summer and also starred in the TV series Smash.

He went on to star in Veep alongside Julia Louis-Dreyfus from 2013 to 2015 as George Maddox.

In 2020, he starred in the TV series Your Honor as Charlie Figaro alongside Bryan Cranston. The show lasted two seasons and wrapped in 2023.

His most recent role was as Larry Dokes in the Netflix miniseries The Residence, which he starred in with Uzo Aduba, Giancarlo Esposito, Randall Park and more.

In the upcoming 2026 Disney film Hoppers, Whitlock voiced the character of Bird King. The film also stars Jon Hamm, Meryl Streep, Kathy Najimy and Dave Franco.

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This year’s edition of Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest will boast the iconic show’s largest lineup and longest telecast in its more than 50-year history on ABC Wednesday. The show will span multiple cities, feature dozens of performances and run for eight hours, as Ryan Seacrest and his Times Square co-host Rita Ora tell ABC Radio. 

“We start at 8 o’clock, it goes till 4. We’ll be in Chicago for the first time with a drop there. Obviously here in New York, Puerto Rico, Las Vegas, so four [ball] drops, four midnight moments,” Ryan says. 

“There’s nothing like it and seeing all the performances — I mean, we have a legend this year,” Rita notes, referring to Times Square performer Diana Ross. “It’s insane how incredible [it is that] we can see her live in action.”  

As for working for eight hours, Ryan says, “It’s a record breaker, right?” Rita adds, “There’s so much happening that I’m actually surprised we’ve only got it till 4 a.m. I thought it could go longer.”

Ryan feels his old boss Dick Clark, the late creator and host of the show, would be happy about the show’s expansion.

“When he started, it was a small show and then he grew it. I think he would like it,” Ryan says. “Dick loved to be on the air. He loved to work, and he also loved great music. And so I think he’d love to include as many artists as we’re including now, with 42, and over 90 different songs being performed.”

Those artists include everyone from Mariah Carey and Chappell Roan, to Post Malone, Pitbull and KPop Demon Hunters’ HUNTR/X. When the clock strikes midnight, Ryan says, “There is this significant moment of unity with everyone. … For at least once in the year, everybody’s together.” 

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Apple TV has unveiled the trailer for season 3 of Shrinking, featuring the first look at guest star Michael J. Fox‘s return to acting. The Emmy-nominated show, starring Jason Segel and Harrison Ford, returns Jan. 28 with a one-hour season premiere, followed by one new episode weekly until April 8 …

Tell Me Lies is getting a companion podcast. Hulu has announced Tell Me Lies’ Official Podcast will premiere Jan. 6 with a season 1 and 2 recap episode. The nine-episode podcast will be hosted by Stassi Schroeder and feature guests including series stars Grace Van Patten and Jackson White. Tell Me Lies season 3 debuts its first two episodes Jan. 13 …

Wicked: For Good is officially available to watch at home. The film hit digital platforms for rent or purchase Tuesday and will arrive on Blu-ray, DVD and 4K on Jan. 20 …

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Here’s a look back at those in the entertainment community we lost in 2025:

January
January 3 — Jeff Baena, director, husband of Aubrey Plaza
January 15 — David Lynch, director, Twin Peaks, Blue Velvet
January 30 — Marianne Faithfull, Grammy-nominated singer, actress

February
February 26 — Michelle Trachtenberg, actress, Gossip Girl, Buffy the Vampire Slayer
February 26 — Gene Hackman, actor, The French Connection
February 28 — David Johansen, rock singer, New York Dolls

March
March 1 — Angie Stone, singer, Grammy nominee, “Wish I Didn’t Miss You”
March 21 — George Foreman, boxing legend, grill entrepreneur
March 25 — Dennis Arndt, actor, Basic Instinct

April
April 1 — Val Kilmer, actor, Top Gun, Batman Forever
April 21 — Pope Francis, first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church

May
May 11 — Robert Benton, director, Oscar winner, Kramer vs. Kramer
May 20 — George Wendt, actor, Cheers 
May 25 — Phil Robertson, reality TV star, Duck Dynasty
May 30 — Loretta Swit, actress, M*A*S*H

June
June 9 — Sly Stone, singer, Sly and the Family Stone
June 11 — Brian Wilson, singer, The Beach Boys
June 17 — Anne Burrell, celebrity chef, host, Worst Cooks in America

July
July 16 — Connie Francis, singer, “Pretty Little Baby,” “Stupid Cupid”
July 20 — Malcom-Jamal Warner, actor, The Cosby Show
July 22 — Ozzy Osbourne, frontman, Black Sabbath 
July 24 — Hulk Hogan, wrestler

August
August 6 — Jon Miyahara, actor, Superstore
August 11 — Danielle Spencer, actress, What’s Happening!!
August 17 — Terence Stamp, actor, Superman

September
September 10 — Charlie Kirk, right-wing commentator, founder, Turning Point USA
September 16 — Robert Redford, actor, founder, Sundance Film Festival
September 23 — Claudia Cardinale, actress, 8 ½

October
October 1 — Jane Goodall, primatologist, conservationist 
October 4 — Ike Turner Jr., son of Tina Turner
October 11 — Diane Keaton, actress, Annie Hall, The Godfather
October 14 — D’Angelo, singer, Grammy winner
October 16 — Ace Frehley, lead guitarist, KISS
October 24 — Dawn Little Sky, actress, Disney artist

November
November 3 — Diane Ladd, actress, Chinatown
November 3 — Dick Cheney, former vice president of the U.S.
November 11 — Cleto Escobedo III, bandleader for Jimmy Kimmel Live!

December
December 9 — Sophie Kinsella, author, Confessions of a Shopaholic
December 14 — Rob Reiner, actor, director, When Harry Met Sally…, The Princess Bride
December 28 — Brigitte Bardot, actress, And God Created Woman

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