Taylor Swift's 'The Life of a Showgirl' breaks record, sells 2.7 million copies in U.S. on first day
NEW YORK (AP) — It’s the life of a saleswoman. Taylor Swift’s 12th studio album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” sold 2.7 million copies in traditional album sales in its first day in the U.S. according to Luminate, an industry data and analytics company. That includes physical and digital formats. That’s impressive for several reasons. Swift has broken her record for most first week sales in one day. “The Life of a Showgirl” has also become the second-largest sales week for any album in the modern era, since Luminate began tracking sales in 1991. That was also accomplished in just one day. The album was released Friday.
Bari Weiss is the new editor-in-chief of CBS News after Paramount buys her website
NEW YORK (AP) — Paramount is buying the successful news commentary website The Free Press and installed its founder, Bari Weiss, as editor-in-chief of CBS News. The move, while anticipated, is a bold one for David Ellison, new corporate leader of Paramount and CBS. Weiss will report directly to Ellison and be responsible for shaping editorial priorities and driving innovation at CBS News. Ellison said he believes the majority of the country wants news that is balanced and fact-based, and he wants CBS to be their home. Some at CBS News have expressed worry that the move will be seen as friendly to President Donald Trump.
Rush announce reunion tour five years after the death of drummer Neil Peart
NEW YORK (AP) — Five years after their influential drummer Neil Peart died of glioblastoma, the Canadian band Rush have announced a reunion tour Monday. Rush co-founders Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson revealed a 12-date, seven city tour is scheduled for summer 2026. It will kick off in June at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles. That's where the band played their final show in 2015. The reunion tour will end in Cleveland and they’ll also hit Mexico City; Fort Worth, Texas; Chicago; New York and Toronto. Taking Peart’s place is award-winning German composer and producer Anika Nilles. She has previously toured with Jeff Beck.
Jilly Cooper, British author of bestselling risqué novels, including 'Rivals,' dies at 88
LONDON (AP) — British author Jilly Cooper, known for her bestselling novels, including “Rivals” and “Riders,” has died. She was 88. The author died on Sunday after a fall, a statement from her agency Curtis Brown said. Her agent, Felicity Blunt, praised Cooper for defining culture, writing and conversation for over 50 years. Cooper was best known for her books in “The Rutshire Chronicles,” which portrayed the sex lives and excesses of the well-off, horse-riding set in 1980s England. Her books sold millions of copies in the United Kingdom alone, with “Rivals” adapted as a hit Disney+ TV series last year.
Canada's last hockey stick factory survives in face of tariff threats and globalization
BRANTFORD, Ontario (AP) — Roustan Hockey, Canada's last major wooden hockey stick factory, faces challenges from trade tensions. Located southwest of Toronto, the factory has roots dating back to the 1800s. It survived globalization but now grapples with tariffs from the U.S. under former President Donald Trump. These tariffs have created uncertainty for the business, affecting shipments to the U.S. and causing delays. The Canadian economy has also been hit, with a 1.6% contraction in the second quarter. Despite the decline in wooden stick demand, Roustan Hockey continues to produce, emphasizing its cultural significance in Canada.
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'The Walking Dead' comes alive in auction for 15-year anniversary
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The eerily humanistic zombies from “The Walking Dead” first stepped into viewers’ living rooms on Halloween nearly 15 years ago, ushering in a new era for the horror genre. Fans are getting a chance to own some of the franchise’s most coveted items. AMC Networks, in partnership with Heritage Auctions, will be auctioning over 1,000 prop items that span the entire franchise. Online bidding runs until Nov. 1. Greg Nicotero, who led the show's special effects, says the auction takes people “on a journey” through the timeline of the franchise, starting from the first season and through the various spinoffs.
Bad Bunny kicks off 'SNL' 51st season with a group of new faces and jabs at his Super Bowl critics
NEW YORK (AP) — Bad Bunny kicked off the 51st season of “Saturday Night Live” with a few timely jokes about his next high-profile gig: the Super Bowl. He greeted his fans with a few sentences in Spanish, after which he noted that if anyone didn’t understand, they have four months to learn. Bad Bunny will be making history by performing in Spanish, a landmark moment for Latino culture. Launching a season that introduces some new faces in the cast, the cold open featured a sketch mocking Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s presentation to generals earlier this week, with Colin Jost as Hegseth and James Austin Johnson returning as Trump to interrupt him.
Taylor Swift's 'The Official Release Party of a Show Girl' debuts at No. 1 with $33 million
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Taylor Swift's new film, “The Official Release Party of a Show Girl,” has topped the weekend box office with $33 million in North America. The AMC Theatres release was announced just two weeks ago and features music videos and behind-the-scenes footage. This success follows her “Eras Tour” concert film, which opened to $96 million nearly two years ago. Meanwhile, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson's drama “The Smashing Machine” debuted in third place with $6 million. Other notable releases include “One Battle After Another” at $11.1 million and “Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie” at $5.2 million.
What to Stream: Documentaries on John Candy and Victoria Beckham, Battlefield 6 and 'Family Guy'
Documentaries on comedian John Candy and pop artist-turned-fashion designer Victoria Beckham as well as a “Family Guy” Halloween special are some of the new television, films, music and games headed to a device near you. Also among the streaming offerings worth your time for the week of Oct 6 as selected by The Associated Press’ entertainment journalists are Keira Knightley starring as a journalist in “The Woman in Cabin 10,” Electronic Arts getting ready to get back in the fight with the game Battlefield 6 and hip-hop group Mobb Deep releasing “Infinite,” their ninth and final album.
Celebrity birthdays for the week of Oct. 12-18
Celebrities having birthdays during the week of Oct. 12-18 include “Shogun” actor Hiroyuki Sanada, singer-songwriter John Mayer and animator Mike Judge, creator of “King of the Hill." Musician Paul Simon turns 84, singer-actor-talk show host Marie Osmond reaches 67 and “The X-Files” creator Chris Carter hits 70. Other musicians with big days include Flea of Red Hot Chili Peppers, jazz musician Esperanza Spalding and singer Ashanti. TV personality Stacy Keibler from the WWE turns 46, “Spinal Tap” actor Michael McKean welcomes 78 and actor Zac Efron from “High School Musical” celebrates 38.
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