AP Entertainment SummaryBrief at 11:57 a.m. EST

This year’s Super Bowl commercials feature AI, weight-loss drugs and celebrities galore

NEW YORK (AP) — As Super Bowl Sunday approaches, the battle off the field for advertisers to win over 120 million-plus viewers will be just as heated as the rivalry on the field. Dozens of advertisers are pulling out all the stops for Super Bowl 60. They are hoping that audiences tuning in will remember their brand names as they stuff their ads with celebrities ranging from Kendall Jenner (Fanatics Sportsbook) to George Clooney (Grubhub), and tried-and-true ad icons like the Budweiser Clydesdales. This year’s trends include health and telehealth companies advertising weight loss drugs and advertisers showcasing AI.

Epstein emails show he helped arrange White House visit for Woody Allen

NEW YORK (AP) — Woody Allen’s friendship with Jeffrey Epstein has been known for years, but emails in the huge trove of records released by the Justice Department illustrate that relationship in new depth. The filmmaker, his wife and Epstein were neighbors in New York City. Records show the three dined together often. They also commiserated with each other about being accused of sexual misconduct. One year, Epstein used his connections to a former member of President Barack Obama’s administration to help Allen and his wife, Soon-Yi Previn,  get a White House tour. A message sent to an assistant for Allen and Previn via email seeking comment wasn’t immediately returned.

Bad Bunny says he will bring his culture to 2026 Super Bowl halftime performance

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Bad Bunny says he wants to bring his culture to his Super Bowl halftime show Sunday. He will highlight Latin identity at America’s most-watched event. The Grammy winner revealed some details Thursday during an interview in San Francisco, but he won't provide any spoilers. The conversation was broadcast on Apple Music and social media. Bad Bunny recently won Album of the Year at the Grammys, marking the first time an all Spanish-language album took the top prize. The Super Bowl will be held Sunday at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara. The Seattle Seahawks will face the New England Patriots.

How Brandi Carlile, Coco Jones and Charlie Puth are preparing for the Super Bowl pregame stage

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Brandi Carlile plans to perform “America the Beautiful” live at the Super Bowl, without prerecorded tracks. She says she believes audiences deserve the same risk they take daily. Carlile, along with Charlie Puth and Coco Jones, will perform before kickoff. Carlile emphasizes spiritual preparation for the challenging stadium acoustics. Jones will sing “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” focusing on discipline and repetition. She values sound monitoring and advice from Alicia Keys. Puth, performing the national anthem, approaches it as both producer and vocalist, emphasizing restraint. Carlile sees the Super Bowl as preparation for her upcoming Human Tour.

Milan Cortina is going for Olympic fashion gold. Take a look at some eye-popping outfits

MILAN (AP) — Fashion is its own competitor in any Olympics, from team uniforms at the opening and closing ceremonies to individual looks in the stadiums and, during the Winter Games, on the slopes. The 2024 Paris Summer Olympics were heralded as the most stylish yet, but Milan Cortina is going for gold on the heels of its annual men’s fashion week. Some teams have already gone viral with photos and videos of their looks, but others are keeping quiet. Instead of an unveiling ahead of time, they’re counting on a big reveal during the opening ceremony inside Milan’s 80,000-seat San Siro stadium on Friday.

Keke Palmer is a fish out of water in horror-comedy series based on cult movie 'The ’Burbs'

NEW YORK (AP) — The new Peacock series “The 'Burbs” brings humor and suspense to suburbia. It is inspired by the 1989 Tom Hanks movie and follows a new mom, played by Keke Palmer, navigating life in a quirky neighborhood while investigating a murder. Creator Celeste Hughey says the show blends comedy, drama, mystery, and horror. It also tackles issues like microaggressions and racial profiling with humor. The cast includes Jack Whitehall and a group of eccentric neighbors. The series pays homage to the original film with nods and cameos, while the music features tracks from Bill Withers to Big Pun. All eight episodes drop Friday.

Movie Review: In submission romance 'Pillion,' BDSM meets barbershop quartet

“Do you give?” It can be a pertinent question in any relationship, but it’s a particularly poignant one for the BDSM couple of Harry Lighton’s kink-friendly, disarmingly affecting romance “Pillion.” Harry Melling and Alexander Skarsgård star as a submissive-dominant couple in what could be termed our first “dom-com.” But what makes “Pillion,” Lighton’s first feature, such a bewitching experience is its lightness, writes AP Film Writer Jake Coyle. Lighton is keen to enjoy the unfolding dynamics of a relationship in the extreme, one that ultimately, like any other, is guided by needs and wants.

Jon Hamm on hosting NFL Honors and 'fellow Pisces' Bad Bunny's moment: 'I applaud him as an artist'

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Jon Hamm is set to host the NFL Honors as they mark their 15th anniversary at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco. Hamm first attended the awards show when it was a new addition to Super Bowl week. He says the event has grown into something meaningful for players, especially those not tied to postseason success. Hamm highlights the importance of recognizing individual achievements. He brings extensive hosting experience and aims to celebrate the players and their season. Hamm describes the event as an appetizer to Super Bowl week, emphasizing its cultural significance. The NFL Honors air Thursday night.

Robert Redford's character in 1969 film 'Downhill Racer' still resonates with American ski racers

BORMIO, Italy (AP) — David Chappellet, a fictional downhill racer played by Robert Redford in the 1969 film "Downhill Racer," continues to inspire skiers. The movie remains a badge of honor for American downhillers, embodying their spirit and underdog role in a European-centric sport. Known for its gritty camerawork, the film captures the essence of ski racing. It features iconic locations like Kitzbühel in Austria, along with Wengen in Switzerland. American racer River Radamus credits the film for inspiring his career. Directed by Michael Ritchie, the film explores the relationship between Redford's character and his coach, played by Gene Hackman. Both actors died in 2025.