AP Entertainment SummaryBrief at 2:39 p.m. EST

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.

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.

'60 Minutes' pulls story about Trump deportations from its lineup

Hours before airtime on Sunday, CBS News' “60 Minutes” held a planned story on President Donald Trump's deportation policy at the order of the network's new editor-in-chief, Bari Weiss. Weiss, the founder of the Free Press website, had sought to get Trump administration perspective included in the story. The move is sure to increase scrutiny on CBS and “60 Minutes,” which Trump sued last fall over an interview with Kamala Harris and has recently complained about stories critical of him. Weiss said in a statement that holding stories that aren't ready, because they lack context or are missing critical voices, happen every day in newsrooms.

Golden Gate Park's dazzling holiday light display brings joy to the season

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A new night-time holiday display in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park is delighting visitors with music, colors and over a million twinkling lights. The mile-long illuminated trail at the Botanical Garden features towering peonies and whimsical water lilies. Sarah Marsh from Gardens of Golden Gate Park says the children's reactions are priceless. The immersive holiday trail is called Lightscape. Sister gardens in Chicago, Brooklyn and London also have the event, but this is San Francisco's first. The display has already attracted 100,000 visitors with some eager to return during the day. The show runs through Jan. 4.

Grupo Frontera heads to the Grammys with 2 nominations

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Grupo Frontera is heading to the 2026 Grammys with two nominations. They are competing for best Mexican music album for their EPs “Mala mía” with Fuerza Regida and “Y lo que viene.” These are their first Grammy nominations, a big achievement since the band only debuted in 2022. Grupo Frontera recently collaborated with Fuerza Regida and Chilean artist Cris MJ. They also joined Bad Bunny in Mexico City to perform their hit “Un x100to.” Next, they plan an international tour across Latin America and Europe. Their new album, “Lo que me falta por llorar,” explores a more emotional sound.

Banksy unveils new art in London following speculation over murals depicting stargazing figures

Banksy appears to confirm a new mural in London is his latest work. On Monday, the elusive street artist posted photos of the mural on Instagram, hours after it appeared on a building in Bayswater, west London. The black and white artwork shows two children in winter attire lying on the ground, with one pointing at the sky. An identical image appeared Monday elsewhere in central London, but Banksy hasn't confirmed if it's his. In September, he made headlines with a mural showing a judge beating a protester outside a Royal Courts of Justice building.

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.

'Avatar: Fire and Ash' launches with $88M domestically, $345M worldwide

NEW YORK (AP) — “Avatar: Fire and Ash” opened with $345 million in worldwide sales, according to studio estimates Sunday, notching the second-best global debut of the year and potentially putting James Cameron on course to set yet more blockbuster records. Sixteen years into the “Avatar” saga, Pandora is still abundant in box-office riches. “Fire and Ash,” the third film in Cameron’s science-fiction franchise, launched with $88 million domestically and $257 million internationally. The only film to open bigger in 2025 was “Zootopia 2.” But there was a tad less fanfare to this “Avatar” film. Sales were notably less than 2022's “Avatar: The Way of Water.”