AP Entertainment SummaryBrief at 1:10 p.m. EST

Darlene Love reflects on her enduring holiday classic, 'Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)'

Darlene Love can't escape her holiday classic, “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home).” She hears it everywhere, from the post office to the grocery store. Released in 1963, the song is as iconic as Bing Crosby's “White Christmas.” Love performed it for years on David Letterman's show and continues to sing it on other platforms. Her career began when Phil Spector signed her in 1962. Love fondly recalls their sessions, despite a complicated relationship with Spector. She also shares a long friendship with Cher, who sang backing vocals on “Christmas.” Love believes the song endures because its lyrics resonate universally.

Netflix to acquire Warner Bros. studio and streaming business for $72 billion

NEW YORK (AP) — Netflix has struck a deal to buy Warner Bros. Discovery, the Hollywood giant behind “Harry Potter” and HBO Max. The $72 billion deal announced Friday would bring together two of the biggest players in television and film and potentially reshape the entertainment industry. If approved by regulators, the merger would put two of the world’s biggest streaming services under the same ownership — and join Warner’s television and motion picture division, including DC Studios, with Netflix’s vast library and its production arm, which has released popular titles such as “Stranger Things” and “Squid Game.”

George Clooney reflects on fame, failure and a life in movies with 'Jay Kelly'

George Clooney plays a movie star with regrets in “Jay Kelly.” The film, streaming Friday on Netflix, is fiction, co-written and directed by Noah Baumbach, who assembled a starry cast including Adam Sandler, Laura Dern and Billy Crudup to tell a story about Hollywood, fame and parenthood. Clooney and the others were all eager to sign on before they'd even read the script. The making of the film had everyone reflecting on their own lives in the business and the personalities involved. Sandler shadowed his agent to prepare to play Jay Kelly's manager, and Dern did the same with her publicist.

The best movies of 2025, ranked by AP film writers

The bean counters might say otherwise, but 2025 was a good year for movies. That's the conclusion of The Associated Press' film writers, Lindsey Bahr and Jake Coyle, who have ranked their top films of the year. Both place Paul Thomas Anderson's “One Battle After Another” at the top of their lists. And both also include “Marty Supreme,” “It Was Just an Accident” and “Sinners.” Bahr's includes “If I Had Legs I'd Kick You,” “Sentimental Value” and “The Naked Gun.” Coyle's list includes “No Other Choice,” the third “Knives Out” movie, “Blue Moon” and the documentary “Afternoons of Solitude.”

Another line of attack: White House sets up a hall of shame for news outlets

NEW YORK (AP) — President Donald Trump's White House has established a hall of shame for journalists it finds guilty of media bias as it looks for new avenues of attack against legacy news outlets. The Republican president has been criticizing “fake news” since his first term. Some of Trump's attacks have turned personal in the past month. Yet despite it all, the news outlet Axios pointed out this week that mainstream news sources are as dominant as ever in setting the agenda for Washington and — somewhat ironically — capturing the president's attention. The Washington Post says it will "continue to report rigorously and accurately in service to all of America.”

At least 4 countries pull out of 2026 Eurovision contest as Israel’s participation sows discord

GENEVA (AP) — At least four countries have announced they are pulling out of next year’s Eurovision Song Contest. This decision follows the organizers' choice to allow Israel to compete, despite concerns over its conduct in the Israel-Hamas war. Dutch, Spanish, Irish and Slovenian broadcasters announced plans to sit out the context in Vienna next May. It came after the European Broadcasting Union, which runs Eurovision, voted to adopt tougher voting rules after allegations of Israel manipulating votes. The contest has faced challenges due to the war in Gaza, with some countries threatening to boycott if Israel participates.

What to know about the Eurovision Song Contest as Israel's participation sparks walkouts

LONDON (AP) — The Eurovision Song Contest is facing a major crisis after four countries pulled out over Israel's participation. Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland and Slovenia announced they will not join the 2026 contest in Vienna. Organizers refused to expel Israel over its actions in Gaza. Iceland may also boycott. Eurovision expert Paul Jordan said Friday that a mass exodus is unlikely, but 2026 will be tense. The boycotts could hurt viewership and finances for the contest. More than two dozen countries have confirmed participation and the final list of competing countries is due before the end of December.

From Pope Francis to Charlie Kirk, many deaths in 2025 had a wide impact

The world lost influential people in 2025, and some of their deaths had significant impacts. Pope Francis died in April, leading to the election of the first American pope. The fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk in September sparked discussions about political violence. Virginia Giuffre's suicide in April brought renewed attention to the Jeffrey Epstein case. Former U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney and other notable politicians also died. The entertainment industry mourned the loss of Gene Hackman, David Lynch, Roberta Flack, Hulk Hogan and other stars.