Entertainment

It’s time to get things started on the return of the most sensational, inspirational, celebrational, Muppetational TV show ever.

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of its original launch in 1976, The Muppet Show returns Feb. 4 for a “special event” on Disney+ and ABC. A new teaser just dropped featuring special guest stars Sabrina Carpenter and Seth Rogen; Rogen is also an executive producer on the show.

In the teaser, Kermit the Frog turns the lights on and takes the stage, saying, “It’s the return of The Muppet Show, back on the very stage where it all started, and then ended, and is maybe starting again depending on how tonight goes.”

After a montage of scenes featuring characters like Rowlf the Dog, Gonzo, the Swedish Chef, and Bunsen and Beaker, we see Sabrina telling Miss Piggy, “You are an icon.” “You’re too sweet,” replies Piggy, before adding, “Go on.”

We then see Sabrina hitting a Muppet, while Seth, standing backstage, tells Fozzy Bear, “It’s always been a dream of mine to be here.” “Ooh,” Fozzy replies. “Got any other dreams?”

The original Muppet Show ran from 1976 to 1981, airing in over 100 countries and featuring musical guests like Elton John, Paul Simon, Diana Ross, Debbie Harry and Gladys Knight. All five seasons are available to stream now on Disney+.

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2026 is shaping up to be a year filled with blockbusters and other big cinematic events. With sequels, animated family films and superhero movies looking to make an impact, here’s a look at some of the most-anticipated films of the upcoming year.

The summer starts off with the debut of Toy Story 5 on June 19. Woody, Buzz and the rest of the gang of toys return for the fifth film in the Pixar animated film franchise. This time around, the toys are facing what could be their biggest obstacle yet — a modern technology takeover. Greta Lee voices the new character, Lilypad, a smart tablet that is taking over playtime. Finding Nemo director Andrew Stanton helms the film from a script he wrote.

Also making a splash this summer is Christopher Nolan‘s epic The Odyssey. Releasing on July 17, the film is Nolan’s first since his Oscar-winning blockbuster Oppenheimer. Matt Damon stars as Odysseus in this movie adaptation of Homer‘s epic poem. Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland and Robert Pattinson also star.

Swinging in to theaters on July 31 is Spider-Man: Brand New Day. This movie brings Tom Holland back in his fourth stand-alone film as the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man, also known as Peter Parker. It is the continuation of his story after the wildly successful 2021 film Spider-Man: No Way Home, which found all of Peter’s friends and family forgetting who he is. Zendaya and Jacob Batalon return as MJ and Ned, while Sadie Sink joins the franchise in a mystery role.

Audiences will return to Panem with the release of The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping on Nov. 20. The backstory of Haymitch Abernathy, who mentored Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark, will be told in this adaptation of Suzanne Collins‘ bestselling prequel novel. Francis Lawrence returns to the franchise to direct the film that stars Joseph Zada, Whitney Peak, Mckenna Grace, Jesse Plemons and Elle Fanning, and is set to have Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson return as Katniss and Peeta.

Will the next Barbenheimer be Avengers: Dunesday? Two major films are set to release on Dec. 18 — Avengers: Doomsday and Dune: Part Three. The former finds brothers Anthony Russo and Joe Russo back at the helm of the Marvel Cinematic Universe as they direct the next Avengers film, which stars Robert Downey Jr. in the role of Dr. Doom. The latter stars Timothée Chalamet as Paul Atreides in the third part of Denis Villeneuve‘s space opera based on Frank Herbert‘s Dune Messiah.

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Actor Isiah Whitlock Jr. has died, his manager confirmed to ABC News.

“It is with deep sadness that I share the passing of Isiah Whitlock Jr. He passed away today peacefully in NYC after a brave battle with a short illness,” his manager Brian Liebman said in a statement. “Isiah was a brilliant actor and even better person. He was loved by all who had the pleasure to work with or know him.”

Liebman also paid tribute to the actor on Instagram, writing, “If you knew him – you loved him. May his memory forever be a blessing. Our hearts are so broken. He will be very, very missed.”

He is known for The Wire and for frequently collaborating with director Spike Lee on films like Da 5 Bloods and BlacKkKlansman.

Born on Sept. 13, 1954, in South Bend, Indiana, Whitlock got his start as an actor while attending college at Southwest Minnesota State University, where he had a football scholarship and studied theater. He joined the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco, CA, after graduating in 1976.

In 1987, he landed a role in the TV series Cagney & Lacey, in which, according to IMDB, Whitlock played a man getting in a cab.

He went on to book a few more roles in films like Gremlins 2: The New Batch, 1990’s Goodfellas, the TV series As the World Turns and more.

From 2002 to 2008, he starred as Senator R. Clayton “Clay” Davis in The Wire. He made the role his own when he developed a catchphrase for his character: “Sheeeeee-it.”

Following The Wire, Whitlock continued to star in several TV series, including Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Rubicon and Meet the Browns. He also starred in the 2011 film Cedar Rapids and the 2008 film Cadillac Records alongside Beyoncé, Adrien Brody and Jeffrey Wright.

In 2012, he collaborated with Lee for Red Hook Summer and also starred in the TV series Smash.

He went on to star in Veep alongside Julia Louis-Dreyfus from 2013 to 2015 as George Maddox.

In 2020, he starred in the TV series Your Honor as Charlie Figaro alongside Bryan Cranston. The show lasted two seasons and wrapped in 2023.

His most recent role was as Larry Dokes in the Netflix miniseries The Residence, which he starred in with Uzo Aduba, Giancarlo Esposito, Randall Park and more.

In the upcoming 2026 Disney film Hoppers, Whitlock voiced the character of Bird King. The film also stars Jon Hamm, Meryl Streep, Kathy Najimy and Dave Franco.

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This year’s edition of Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest will boast the iconic show’s largest lineup and longest telecast in its more than 50-year history on ABC Wednesday. The show will span multiple cities, feature dozens of performances and run for eight hours, as Ryan Seacrest and his Times Square co-host Rita Ora tell ABC Radio. 

“We start at 8 o’clock, it goes till 4. We’ll be in Chicago for the first time with a drop there. Obviously here in New York, Puerto Rico, Las Vegas, so four [ball] drops, four midnight moments,” Ryan says. 

“There’s nothing like it and seeing all the performances — I mean, we have a legend this year,” Rita notes, referring to Times Square performer Diana Ross. “It’s insane how incredible [it is that] we can see her live in action.”  

As for working for eight hours, Ryan says, “It’s a record breaker, right?” Rita adds, “There’s so much happening that I’m actually surprised we’ve only got it till 4 a.m. I thought it could go longer.”

Ryan feels his old boss Dick Clark, the late creator and host of the show, would be happy about the show’s expansion.

“When he started, it was a small show and then he grew it. I think he would like it,” Ryan says. “Dick loved to be on the air. He loved to work, and he also loved great music. And so I think he’d love to include as many artists as we’re including now, with 42, and over 90 different songs being performed.”

Those artists include everyone from Mariah Carey and Chappell Roan, to Post Malone, Pitbull and KPop Demon Hunters’ HUNTR/X. When the clock strikes midnight, Ryan says, “There is this significant moment of unity with everyone. … For at least once in the year, everybody’s together.” 

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Apple TV has unveiled the trailer for season 3 of Shrinking, featuring the first look at guest star Michael J. Fox‘s return to acting. The Emmy-nominated show, starring Jason Segel and Harrison Ford, returns Jan. 28 with a one-hour season premiere, followed by one new episode weekly until April 8 …

Tell Me Lies is getting a companion podcast. Hulu has announced Tell Me Lies’ Official Podcast will premiere Jan. 6 with a season 1 and 2 recap episode. The nine-episode podcast will be hosted by Stassi Schroeder and feature guests including series stars Grace Van Patten and Jackson White. Tell Me Lies season 3 debuts its first two episodes Jan. 13 …

Wicked: For Good is officially available to watch at home. The film hit digital platforms for rent or purchase Tuesday and will arrive on Blu-ray, DVD and 4K on Jan. 20 …

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Here’s a look back at those in the entertainment community we lost in 2025:

January
January 3 — Jeff Baena, director, husband of Aubrey Plaza
January 15 — David Lynch, director, Twin Peaks, Blue Velvet
January 30 — Marianne Faithfull, Grammy-nominated singer, actress

February
February 26 — Michelle Trachtenberg, actress, Gossip Girl, Buffy the Vampire Slayer
February 26 — Gene Hackman, actor, The French Connection
February 28 — David Johansen, rock singer, New York Dolls

March
March 1 — Angie Stone, singer, Grammy nominee, “Wish I Didn’t Miss You”
March 21 — George Foreman, boxing legend, grill entrepreneur
March 25 — Dennis Arndt, actor, Basic Instinct

April
April 1 — Val Kilmer, actor, Top Gun, Batman Forever
April 21 — Pope Francis, first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church

May
May 11 — Robert Benton, director, Oscar winner, Kramer vs. Kramer
May 20 — George Wendt, actor, Cheers 
May 25 — Phil Robertson, reality TV star, Duck Dynasty
May 30 — Loretta Swit, actress, M*A*S*H

June
June 9 — Sly Stone, singer, Sly and the Family Stone
June 11 — Brian Wilson, singer, The Beach Boys
June 17 — Anne Burrell, celebrity chef, host, Worst Cooks in America

July
July 16 — Connie Francis, singer, “Pretty Little Baby,” “Stupid Cupid”
July 20 — Malcom-Jamal Warner, actor, The Cosby Show
July 22 — Ozzy Osbourne, frontman, Black Sabbath 
July 24 — Hulk Hogan, wrestler

August
August 6 — Jon Miyahara, actor, Superstore
August 11 — Danielle Spencer, actress, What’s Happening!!
August 17 — Terence Stamp, actor, Superman

September
September 10 — Charlie Kirk, right-wing commentator, founder, Turning Point USA
September 16 — Robert Redford, actor, founder, Sundance Film Festival
September 23 — Claudia Cardinale, actress, 8 ½

October
October 1 — Jane Goodall, primatologist, conservationist 
October 4 — Ike Turner Jr., son of Tina Turner
October 11 — Diane Keaton, actress, Annie Hall, The Godfather
October 14 — D’Angelo, singer, Grammy winner
October 16 — Ace Frehley, lead guitarist, KISS
October 24 — Dawn Little Sky, actress, Disney artist

November
November 3 — Diane Ladd, actress, Chinatown
November 3 — Dick Cheney, former vice president of the U.S.
November 11 — Cleto Escobedo III, bandleader for Jimmy Kimmel Live!

December
December 9 — Sophie Kinsella, author, Confessions of a Shopaholic
December 14 — Rob Reiner, actor, director, When Harry Met Sally…, The Princess Bride
December 28 — Brigitte Bardot, actress, And God Created Woman

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The God of Thunder stars in the new teaser trailer for Avengers: Doomsday.

Marvel released the second teaser trailer for Avengers: Doomsday on Tuesday, and it stars Chris Hemsworth back as the Asgardian god Thor.

The trailer finds Thor kneeling in the wilderness as he prays to be able to return home to his daughter.

“Father, all my life I have answered every call. To honor, duty, to war. But now fate has given me something I never sought. A child. A life untouched by the storm,” Thor says in the teaser. “Lend me the strength of the All-Fathers so that I may fight once more. Defeat one more enemy and return home to her. Not as a warrior, but as warmth. To teach her not battle, but stillness. The kind I never knew. Please, Father, heed my words.”

As Thor prays, we see a clip of him inside a home, where his daughter, Love, rests inside of her bed. He goes to her and comforts her at her bedside.

Love is played by Hemsworth’s real-life daughter, India Hemsworth. She first took on the role in 2022’s Thor: Love and Thunder.

The teaser ends with a black screen and text that reads, “Thor will return in Avengers: Doomsday.”

This is the second teaser for the film. It follows a previous trailer that showed off the return of Chris Evans as Steve Rogers, a character who hasn’t appeared in the Marvel Cinematic Universe since 2019’s Avengers: Endgame.

Avengers: Doomsday will arrive in theaters on Dec. 18, 2026.

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Idris Elba and Cynthia Erivo are among the stars on King Charles III‘s New Year’s Honours List 2026. The honors system recognizes figures from across British society for their public achievements, and commitment to serving and helping the U.K.

Idris has been awarded a knighthood for his services to young people, while Cynthia has been made an MBE for services to music and drama.

Idris has worked with the youth via his Elba Hope Foundation, which supports education, among other things. He previously launched the Don’t Stop Your Future anti knife advocacy campaign and teamed with the King’s Trust (formerly known as the Prince’s Trust) to provide youth with hands-on training, mentoring and direct pathways into in music, creative media and more.

As for Cynthia, her services in music and drama include acting and/or singing in Broadway’s The Color Purple, Wicked and its sequel, Harriet and Genius: Aretha. She’s also shared her expertise with other artists via a master class at the American Theatre Wing.

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It’s time to say goodbye to Stranger Things.

Netflix released the trailer for last episode of the fifth and final season of its hit sci-fi series on Tuesday.

It finds Jim Hopper (David Harbour) monologing to his adopted daughter, Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown), as she prepares to fight Vecna once and for all alongside the entire Hawkins gang.

“I need you to fight one last time,” Hopper tells Eleven in the trailer. “Life has been so unfair to you. Your childhood was taken from you. You’ve been attacked, manipulated, by terrible people, but you never let it break you. Fight for the days on the other side of this. Fight for a world beyond Hawkins. Let’s end this, kid.”

As Hopper delivers the monologue, pivotal scenes from all of the five seasons of Stranger Things play in a montage before we see the crew begin the final battle with Vecna.

“The final battle is looming — and with it, a darkness more powerful and more deadly than anything they’ve faced before. To end this nightmare, they’ll need everyone — the full party — standing together, one last time,” according to the show’s synopsis.

The first volume of the three-part drop of Stranger Things season 5 was released on Nov. 26. Volume 2 dropped on Dec. 25, while the two-hour series finale premieres on Dec. 31.

Netflix is also screening the Stranger Things series finale in a limited theatrical release. The screenings take place in over 500 cinemas across the U.S. and Canada starting on Dec. 31 at 5 p.m. PT, timed exactly to the episode’s global premiere on Netflix. They’ll run through Jan. 1.

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How very! Cobra Kai star Peyton List is set to join the off-Broadway cast of Heathers: The Musical in the role of Heather Chandler. Her stint in the New York production of the musical starts at the end of January. “Can’t wait to take on the role of the mythic b**** herself HEATHER CHANDLER in NYC January 26th,” List wrote on Instagram.

If you missed Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie while it was playing in theaters, you’ll get your chance to see it at home very soon. The movie will be available to stream on Peacock on Jan. 23. A sing-along version of the film will also be available to watch the same day. Laila Lockhart Kraner, Gloria Estefan and Kristen Wiig star in the film, which is based on the popular children’s TV series …

The films nominated for the 13th annual Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild Awards have been announced. One Battle After Another, Sinners, Weapons, Frankenstein and Wicked: For Good all received the most nominations, with three each. The winners will be announced at the Valentine’s Day gala on Feb. 14 in Los Angeles …

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