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.
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.
Barry Manilow to have surgery for early-stage lung cancer and postpones January concerts
Barry Manilow will have surgery to remove a cancerous spot on his left lung, and has rescheduled his upcoming concerts in January. The singer announced on Instagram that doctors caught it “so early” thanks to an MRI in the wake of a long bout with bronchitis. Manilow expects he will not need no chemo or radiation, “just chicken soup and ‘I Love Lucy’ reruns.” Hi representatives said it's a stage one tumor, and that the surgery would take place in late December. Manilow plans to return to action with Valentine’s weekend concerts beginning Feb. 12 in Las Vegas. His arena concerts will resume Feb. 28 in Florida.
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.
Recommended for you
$1.6B Powerball jackpot to be drawn Monday, but the odds still aren't in your favor
The Powerball jackpot now stands at an estimated $1.6 billion and is one of the largest lottery prizes in U.S. history. On Monday the lottery group will be drawing the 5th-largest jackpot ever. The record U.S. jackpot is $2.04 billion from back in 2022. The odds of winning Monday’s jackpot are 1 in 292.2 million. One math professor says those odds are equivalent to selecting one marked dollar bill from a stack 19 miles high. Players are still hoping to win big. One person says he is buying a $2 ticket to take his wife on a trip. A middle schooler says he wants an Xbox and a Lamborghini.
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.
Movie Review: Ralph Fiennes shines in 'The Choral,' a heartfelt WWI drama about the power of music
“The Choral” is a gentle, British film set during World War I, focusing on the power of art, says AP critic Mark Kennedy. Ralph Fiennes stars as Dr. Henry Guthrie, who takes over a town's choir after the choirmaster leaves to fight. The film is directed by Nicholas Hytner and written by Alan Bennett. It marks their fourth collaboration. Guthrie is a gay atheist who faces skepticism but is determined to assemble a choir. He recruits singers from unlikely places, echoing the “Ocean's Eleven” crew-building scenes. The film explores themes of youth, love and loss, with standout performances and a mix of sacred sounds and profane humor.
'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.
(0) comments
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep the discussion civilized. Absolutely NO personal attacks or insults directed toward writers, nor others who make comments.
Keep it clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
Don't threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Anyone violating these rules will be issued a warning. After the warning, comment privileges can be revoked.