Staying Current

John Krasinski has been announced as People’s “Sexiest Man Alive” for 2024. An arbitrator upheld suspensions for Bad Bunny's sports agency execs over improper player perks. Entertainment Weekly reports that Lady Gaga has joined the cast of “Wednesday” for its second season. Actor Dave Coulier of ‘Full House’ announces he has cancer. AirBnb has announced a new Gladiator experience at the Colosseum.

John Krasinski is this year’s “Sexiest Man Alive” (NBC)

Bad Bunny's Sports Agency Executives Hit with Major Suspensions Over Player Perks Scandal (AP)

Entertainment Weekly reports that Lady Gaga has joined the cast of “Wednesday” for its second season (EW)

Dave Coulier of ‘Full House’ reveals cancer diagnosis (Today)

AirBnb has announced a new Gladiator experience at the Colosseum (AirBnb)

HBO/Max CEO Casey Bloys confirmed that the show’s third season will begin shooting in January 2025. Former Disney Channel star Skai Jackson announces her pregnancy. Squid Game creator Hwang Dong-Hyuck reveals he lost 8-9 teeth from stress while filming the show’s first season and didn’t make much money despite the series’ global success. The Pitchfork Music Festival in Chicago will not return after a 19 year run. Wheel of Fortune contestant offers meaty answer on the show. 

Former Disney Channel star Skai Jackson announces her pregnancy (People Magazine)

HBO/Max CEO Casey Bloys confirmed that the show’s third season will begin shooting in January 2025 (Variety)

Squid Game creator Hwang Dong-Hyuck reveals he lost 8-9 teeth from stress while filming the show’s first season and didn’t make much money despite the series’ global success (Variety)

The Pitchfork Music Festival in Chicago will no longer take place (NBC)

Wheel of Fortune contestant guessed something meaty during broadcast (Today)

A suspect in Liam Payne’s death denies supplying the singer with drugs. The MTV Music Awards saw big wins for veterans and newcomers alike. Mattel apologizes after accidently printing the link to a pornographic website on the packaging of their “Wicked” dolls. Megan Fox shares a pregnancy announcement with MGK. The 8th and final Mission Impossible movie had its first trailer drop.

Sources:

A suspect in Liam Payne’s death denies supplying the singer with drugs (Billboard)

The MTV Music Awards have big wins and sweet tributes (AP)

Mattel apologizes after accidently printing the link to a pornographic website on the packaging of their “Wicked” dolls (CNN)

Megan Fox and MGK are expecting their first child together (NBC)

The trailer for the 8th and final installment of Mission Impossible has been released (EW)

The D23 Brazil Expo brings surprising new looks at all Disney conglomerate upcoming projects. SNL kisses up to Donald Trump to stay off of his enemy list. Musical duo Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel reunite after nearly a decade of treacherous press.Yale announces new class all about Beyoncé. Horror actor and long-time screen legend Tony Todd passed away at the age of 69. 

D23 Expo in Brazil brings sneak peeks and new looks for many upcoming projects (The Walt Disney Company)

SNL kisses up to Donald Trump to stay off of his enemy list (The New York Times)Musical duo Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel reunite after nearly a decade of treacherous press (Sunday Times)

Yale announces new class all about Beyoncé (NBC)

Horror actor and decade-long legend Tony Todd passes away (AP)

genina and has returned to the U.K. After the success of the Timothée Chalamet look-alike contest in New York, a similar contest was held in Dublin with Paul Mescal look-alikes. A new “Star Wars” trilogy is rumored to be in the works. The University of the Philippines announces Taylor Swift course. The second half of ‘Outer Banks’ drops on Netflix, bringing grief to fans.

Sources:

Three people have been charged in the death of Liam Payne. Payne’s body has been released by Argentina and has returned to the U.K. (NBC, BBC)

After the success of the Timothée Chalamet look-alike contest in New York, a similar contest was held in Dublin with Paul Mescal look-alikes (The Guardian)

New Potential “Star Wars” trilogy rumored to be in the works (New York Post)

The University of the Philippines launches Taylor Swift course (The Independent)

‘Outer Banks’ drops the second half of season 4, and fans are not okay (Today)

Celebrities react to Election results. The fifth and final season of “Stranger Things” will be released in 2025. The Australian Olympic breakdancer Raygun, who went viral for her interesting performance, has announced her retirement. Ariana Grande says she scrapped “so many things” to go alongside her 2020 “Positions” album due to fans’ lukewarm response. BTS’ V to release “White Christmas” remix featuring the late Bing Crosby.

Celebrities react to Election results (Forbes)

Season 5 of “Stranger Things” will be released in 2025 with 8 episodes (Variety)

Viral Olympic breakdancer, Raygun, has officially announced her retirement (NBC)

Ariana Grande says she scrapped “so many things” to go alongside her 2020 “Positions” album due to fans’ lukewarm response. (Variety)

BTS’ V to release “White Christmas” remix featuring the late Bing Crosby (Billboard)

Paul Rudd passes out water to Pennsylvania voters. Pope Francis appears to accidentally bless the NFL’s New Orleans Saints. Netflix offices raided in France and Netherlands in a tax fraud investigation on Tuesday morning. A pair of ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland have gone up for auction. Singer and Prince’s sister, Tyka Nelson, has passed away at the age of 64. 

Actor Paul Rudd passes out water to Pennsylvania voters on election day (EW)

Netflix offices raided in France and Netherlands in a tax fraud investigation on Tuesday morning (Reuters)

Pope Francis appears to accidentally bless the NFL’s New Orleans Saints (NBC)

Stolen ruby slippers from “The Wizard of Oz” are up for auction (AP)

Singer Tyka Nelson, and sister of Prince, has passed away at the age of 64 (Variety)

Quincy Jones, the music legend who worked closely with the greats, has passed away at the age of 91. The new horror-suspense film ‘Heretic’ shows a complete new side of Hugh Grant. A new women’s professional baseball league is set to launch in 2026. Famous pygmy hippo Moo Deng predicts Donald Trump as President. Uber and Lyft are offering 50% discounted rides for voters.

Sources:

Music legend Quincy Jones has died at the age of 91 (Today)

A24’s ‘Heretic’ has Hugh Grant terrifying audiences (AP)

A new women’s professional baseball league is set to launch in 2026 (Yahoo)

Famous pygmy hippo Moo Deng predicts Donald Trump as President (The Independent)

Uber and Lyft are offering 50% discounted rides for voters (6ABC Philadelphia)

Kamala Harris appears on Saturday Night Live ahead of Election Day. Chappell Roan delivers a historical and spectacular performance on SNL. Actress Chloë Grace Mortez comes out in a voting-centric social media post. Jason Kelce smashes a heckler’s phone on video for insulting brother’s relationship with Taylor Swift. Collins Dictionary names ‘brat’ as the word of the year.

Sources:

Kamala Harris appears on Saturday Night Live ahead of Election Day (Saturday Night Live)

Chappell Roan ‘gives’ standout SNL performance (Variety)

Chloë Grace Mortez comes out as gay in social media post encouraging voting (Today)

A video of Jason Kelce smashing someone’s phone goes viral (NBC)

Collins Dictionary names ‘brat’ as the word of the year (Collins Dictionary)

Celebrity endorsements from Arnold Schwarzenegger, Nicky Jams and Buzz Aldrin roll in ahead of Election Day. Rapper Young Thug pleads guilty after a two year long trial. The LA Dodgers are World Series Champions for the 8th time while bringing in one of the most watched games in years. Unlike previous years, Spotify will continue to track user data for “Spotify Wrapped.” Nintendo releases “Nintendo Alarmo” and “Nintendo Music.”

SOURCES:

Celebrity endorsements from Arnold Schwarzenegger, Nicky Jams and Buzz Aldrin roll in ahead of Election Day (NPR, CNN, Fox News)

Young Thug pleads guilty, putting an end to Georgia’s longest running criminal trial (NBC)

The LA Dodgers are the 2024 World Series Champions (AP)

Unlike previous years, Spotify will continue to track user data for “Spotify Wrapped” (Forbes)

Nintendo releases “Nintendo Alarmo” and “Nintendo Music” (Wired, The Verge)