AP Entertainment SummaryBrief at 2:51 p.m. EST

Rain soaks Rose Parade in California and snow squalls hit Midwest and Northeast on first day of 2026

Rained poured down on the iconic Rose Parade for the first time in 20 years. That was as flood warnings and evacuation orders in Southern California joined snow squalls and frigid temperatures in the Northeast and Midwest to mark the first day of 2026. Marching bands, floats and throngs of spectators were soaked by one to two inches of New Year’s Day rain in Pasadena. Across the country, in New York City, temperatures at the New Year's Eve ball drop were the coldest in 100 years. About a quarter of flights out of San Diego and Boston were delayed Thursday.

Betty Boop and 'Blondie' enter the public domain in 2026, accompanied by a trio of detectives

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Betty Boop and “Blondie” are among the highlights of titles entering the public domain with the arrival of 2026. The first cartoons that feature Boop and the first “Blondie” comic strips debuted in 1930, and with the passage of 95 years, their U.S. copyrights expired as of Thursday. The first novels featuring teen detective Nancy Drew and the first book featuring Agatha Christie's investigator Miss Marple also become public domain as do William Faulkner's novel “As I Lay Dying” and Dashiell Hammett's “The Maltese Falcon.” Films becoming public property include the Marx Brothers' “Animal Crackers” and early best picture winner “Cimarron.”

Chevy Chase is under the spotlight in a new documentary, warts and all — and he's OK with it

NEW YORK (AP) — Chevy Chase's new documentary, “I’m Chevy Chase and You’re Not,” explores his complex personality and career. Directed by Marina Zenovich, it airs on CNN on New Year’s Day. The film covers Chase's journey from his troubled childhood to his time on “Saturday Night Live” and Hollywood success, ending with his stint on “Community.” Zenovich includes insights from Dan Aykroyd, Beverly D’Angelo and others. Chase's humor is seen as a coping mechanism for past trauma. Despite his reputation for being difficult, Chase approves of the film, calling it both painful and lovely, like a massage.

French government defends granting citizenship to George and Amal Clooney

PARIS (AP) — France's government is defending its decision to grant citizenship to George Clooney and his wife Amal Clooney, citing their contributions to France's international influence and cultural outreach. The government announced the naturalizations of the Kentucky-born actor, his wife Amal, and their twins last weekend. A junior French minister expressed concerns about perceived special treatment. Clooney admits that he has limited French skills. The Foreign Ministry explained that the Clooneys qualify under a law for those enhancing France's global impact. It highlighted Clooney's influence in cinema and Amal's legal work with French institutions. The couple purchased a French estate in 2021, making it their primary residence.

A rough year for journalists in 2025, with a little hope for things to turn around

NEW YORK (AP) — By most measures, 2025 was a rough year for those who care about freedom of the press. It's likely to be the deadliest year on record for journalists and media workers across the world. The number of assaults on reporters spiked in the United States. As is by now familiar, the ranks of people working as journalists continues to thin. The president of the United States continues to berate many who ask him questions, sometimes in harshly personal terms. Outside of name-calling, the second term of President Donald Trump has seen a coordinated campaign against journalists on several different levels.

Disney World worker is injured trying to stop runaway boulder at Indiana Jones show

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — A Walt Disney World worker in Florida was injured while trying to stop a runaway prop boulder during the park's Indiana Jones live show. The 400-pound boulder moved off its track on Tuesday and rolled toward the audience. Another worker stopped it before it reached spectators. Disney wouldn't disclose the worker's injuries, citing privacy reasons. One show was canceled Tuesday, and Wednesday's shows were modified to exclude the boulder. Disney is reviewing the incident to ensure safety. The show is based on the Indiana Jones films and recreates a famous scene from "Raiders of the Lost Ark."

Isiah Whitlock Jr., actor from 'The Wire,' 'Veep' and Spike Lee films, dies at 71

Actor Isiah Whitlock Jr. has died at age 71. His manager confirmed he passed away Tuesday in New York after a short illness. Whitlock played the corrupt state Sen. Clay Davis on “The Wire." He also appeared in several Spike Lee films, including “25th Hour” and “BlacKkKlansman.” Whitlock played Secretary of Defense George Maddox on “Veep.” Originally from South Bend, Indiana, he studied theater after a football injury and began his acting career in San Francisco. He began appearing in small television guest roles on shows including “Cagney and Lacy” in the late 1980s. He went on to appear in five of Lee’s films.

In a breakneck digital era, the ancient art of Peking opera works hard to keep flourishing

BEIJING (AP) — The old and nuanced art of Peking opera is working hard to flourish in an era of digital entertainment and incessant screens. It's doing so through people like Zhang Wanting, an actress who is so dedicated and determined that she practices a single, gravity-defying move for months — and sometimes years. For Zhang, the payoff is in the audience's reaction. But as determined as she is to impress, she's also committed to making sure that this centuries-old piece of Chinese culture doesn't fade as the world moves deeper into the 21st century.

What music and television to stream: A New Year's Eve tradition and a 'Stranger Things' sendoff

The end of the year brings fewer new streaming options, but it's a great time to catch up on 2025's best movies, TV, music, and games. The Associated Press offers comprehensive guides on its Year in Review page. One standout this week is a music and television option perfect for New Year's Eve. On Dec. 31, you can enjoy all-star performances. “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest” is available to stream on ABC.com. Performers include Chappell Roan, 50 Cent, Diana Ross, Chance the Rapper, and many more. Earlier in the evening, “Stranger Things” will drop its series finale with the final episode of Season 5.