Timothée Chalamet wants to be great. ‘Marty Supreme’ might get him there
NEW YORK (AP) — Since his breakthrough performance in 2017’s “Call Me By Your Name,” Timothée Chalamet has been on an ever-ascending path that seemed to reach a culmination when he declared that he’s “in pursuit of greatness” while accepting the best actor award from the Screen Actors Guild for his performance as Bob Dylan in “A Complete Unknown. “But “Marty Supreme” is yet another new level for Chalamet. His Marty is far from a period-piece study. He's a blur of forward motion. He’s a quintessentially American hustler, and it’s probably the defining performance of Chalamet’s young career. A year after he come so close, it may win him his first Academy Award.
A daring scene on Broadway this season has audiences talking, in more ways than one
NEW YORK (AP) — Before the lights go down at “Liberation” on Broadway, the audience is talking. No, we mean really talking. That's largely because they've surrendered their phones to be locked in pouches as a condition of entry. The reason: one of the most daring and impactful live-theater scenes of this or any season, performed by six actors in the nude. Bess Wohl, who wrote the play that examines a feminist consciousness-raising group in 1970, says the scene reflects how those groups sought to learn about their bodies. The scene took careful work with an intimacy coordinator, including sensitivity training for security staff.
Ukraine's own 'Dancing with the Stars' is back on for a special episode with wartime heroes
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine's own "Dancing with the Stars" show is back on, just for one special episode. This time, the stars are the country's wartime heroes, underscoring the nation's resilience in tough times. Before the war, the Ukrainian version of the international franchise was hugely popular. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy — then an actor — won the dance competition in 2006, its debut year. Today, dancers in the show perform with prosthetic limbs, showcasing their strength in overcoming adversity. Like the whole country, the show has to deal with wartime challenges such as power outages or generators failing. Creative producer Volodymyr Zavadiuk says "Tantsi z zirkamy" — as the show is known in Ukrainian — is creating something special during tough times.
Pop culture in 2025: A ring for Taylor, an ill-timed KissCam ... and whatever ‘6-7’ means
In a year of pop culture moments, some things were old and some things were very new. What does the term “6-7” mean? Dictionary.com designated it the word of 2025 but even they couldn't define it. People were talking about “KPop Demon Hunters,” and especially singing its songs. They were talking about the Coldplay KissCam, and how adorable the capybara was. But then there were two names that have dominated our pop culture for years now. Taylor Swift kept making records with her album sales, and got engaged. And Beyoncé finally won her overdue Grammy for album of the year.
Movie Review: An electric Timothée Chalamet is the consummate striver in propulsive ‘Marty Supreme’
A pitch-perfect Timothée Chalamet finds his greatest role to date in “Marty Supreme,” a breakneck ride from director Josh Safdie. Marty's a brash dreamer. His goal: to show the world he's the best table tennis player alive. It's a tall order for a kid from the Lower East Side but Marty never wavers in his self-belief. Chalamet, wire-thin with acne-scarred skin, small spectacles and a skimpy mustache, puts in an electric performance, writes Associated Press critic Jocelyn Noveck. And he's joined by an astonishing array of supporting players, especially a stylish Gwyneth Paltrow and terrific newcomer Odessa A'zion. Opens in theaters Christmas Day.
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UK authorities bring new charges of rape and sexual assault against Russell Brand
LONDON (AP) — British authorities have brought new charges of rape and sexual assault against comedian Russell Brand. The U.K.'s Crown Prosecution Service announced the charges on Tuesday, involving incidents from 2009. Brand, aged 50, had already been charged in April with similar offenses involving four women. Those alleged incidents occurred between 1999 and 2005. Brand pleaded not guilty to those charges earlier this year. He is expected to appear in court on January 20 for the new charges. A trial is scheduled for June. Brand, known for his controversial comedy and online presence, denies all allegations.
Venus Williams weds Andrea Preti in Florida as part of a 5-day celebration of their union
PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Venus Williams and Andrea Preti are married. The tennis great announced the union Tuesday on social media. Williams and Preti became wife and husband over the weekend in Florida as part of a five-day celebration. After becoming the second-oldest woman to win a tour-level singles match in July, the 45-year-old Williams gave thanks to her fiance, who was in the stands at the DC Open. Preti is a Danish-born Italian model and actor, according to the website IMDB. The seven-time Grand Slams singles champion plans to play in a 33rd straight season on the WTA Tour, starting in Auckland in January.
From Broadway understudy to star: John Skelley's magical journey with Harry Potter comes full circle
NEW YORK (AP) — John Skelley can't escape the pull of Harry Potter. The stage actor first joined Broadway's “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” as an understudy. He then led the cast in San Francisco before the pandemic hit. He returned to Potter on a national tour and now finds himself back on Broadway. Skelley wasn't initially a huge fan of Potter and hadn't read the books before auditioning. Once he landed the gig, he quickly immersed himself in the world of Hogwarts. Skelley hopes the play will inspire audiences to see more live theater in their communities.
The Grammys split the country album category into traditional and contemporary. It might be great
NEW YORK (AP) — The Grammys' country album category has been split into two for the 2026 award show. The Recording Academy has announced that the best country album category is now the best contemporary country album and a best traditional album category has been created. Some view the decision as backlash to Beyoncé’s historic win in 2025 for “Cowboy Carter,” becoming the first Black woman to win best country album. Others welcome the addition of a new award and the creative doors it might open. Some question how the categories would be defined in a genre where the word “traditional” is loaded. But experts and musicians say if it keeps evolving, this is a good thing.
The voice of prime time football: Al Michaels is still going strong at 40 years of calling NFL games
Al Michaels has reached a remarkable milestone in his broadcasting career, marking 40 years as the play-by-play announcer for the NFL’s primetime games. This season, his Christmas night game will be his 779th NFL broadcast. Michaels began his career with ABC’s “Monday Night Football” in 1986, and later moved to NBC for “Sunday Night Football.” He is now in his fourth season with Prime Video’s “Thursday Night Football.” Michaels, who turned 81 in November, shows no signs of slowing down. His passion and excitement for big games remain strong, making him a legendary figure in sports broadcasting.
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