Alex Warren’s Little Orphan Alex Live tour (Live Nation)
If you wondered how Alex Warren got Jennifer Aniston to appear in his tour announcement video as a judge, it’s because he and the former Friends star are actually, well, friends.
Alex tells Billboard that “Jen,” as he calls her, has been a pal of his “for a little while now,” though he doesn’t explain how they first met. “It’s just been such a cool thing that she said yes to that,” he adds.
Alex also shares that he wrote the script for the hilarious tour announcement, which finds him defending himself in court against Little Orphan Annie — she’s upset that he wants to call his tour Little Orphan Alex. At the end, Max Greenfield comes into the courtroom and reveals that Annie is not actually an orphan because he’s her father. Judge Aniston then rules in Alex’s favor.
“I was so nervous for her to read my first script I’ve ever written. So, when she read it and she loved it, it was really reassuring,” Alex says. “I was like, ‘No, no, tell me the truth. Tell me you hate it.’ And she loved it, and she didn’t change anything. I thought that was the coolest thing in the world.”
“I was just so thankful that she loved it and she wanted to be in it, and very thankful for her friendship,” he adds. “So, it’s been cool. It’s a weird, pinch-me moment whenever I get a text from her, and it’ll say, like, ‘A text from Jennifer Aniston,’ and I’m like, “Holy f***!’”
At one point in the video, Jennifer mistakes Alex for Ed Sheeran, who’s also a friend of his. Ed happens to be close with Jennifer’s friend Courteney Cox, so maybe that’s how they connected. Hey, who really understands the mechanics of celebrity friendship?
Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day performs prior to Super Bowl LX between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots at Levi’s Stadium on February 08, 2026 in Santa Clara, California. (Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
Green Day performed during the Super Bowl 60 opening ceremony Sunday at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
The band’s set began with Billie Joe Armstrong performing a solo rendition of “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)” as MVPs from past Super Bowls took the field. They then transitioned into a medley of hits from their 2004 album, American Idiot: “Holiday,” “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” and the title track.
Armstrong notably skipped the verse in “American Idiot” where he sings, “I’m not a part of a redneck agenda,” which he has changed to “MAGA agenda” for past live performances in protest of the Donald Trump administration. He did, however, sing the lyric, “The subliminal mindf*** America.”
Armstrong did get more explicitly political during an invite-only concert Friday in San Francisco. As seen in fan-shot footage, he called out agents of United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, ICE, saying, “Quit your s****y a** job.”
Greg Brown is shown performing on stage during a live concert appearance with Cake on November 12, 1996. (John Atashian/Getty Images)
Greg Brown, original guitarist for Cake, has died.
“It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of Greg Brown’s passing after a brief illness,” the band writes in a Facebook post. His age was not given.
“Greg was an integral part of CAKE’s early sound and development,” the post continues. “His creative contributions were immense, and his presence — both musical and personal — will be deeply missed. Godspeed, Greg.”
Brown was part of the original lineup of Cake, which was founded in 1991 by frontman John McCrea. He played on Cake’s 1994 debut album, Motorcade of Generosity, and their breakthrough 1996 sophomore effort, Fashion Nugget, which spawned the Brown-written hit “The Distance.”
Brown left Cake in 1997. He briefly reunited with the band to play on a song on their 2011 album, Showroom of Compassion.
Brad Arnold of 3 Doors Down performs at Rose Music Center on July 17, 2021 in Huber Heights, Ohio. (Photo by Stephen J. Cohen/Getty Images)
3 Doors Down frontman Brad Arnold has died at age 47.
The band confirms in a Facebook post that the “Kryptonite” rocker passed away Saturday after announcing in May he’d been diagnosed with cancer.
“As a founding member, vocalist, and original drummer of 3 Doors Down, Brad helped redefine mainstream rock music, blending post-grunge accessibility with emotionally direct songwriting and lyrical themes that resonated with everyday listeners,” the post reads. “Brad’s songwriting became a cultural touchstone for a generation, producing some of the most enduring hits of the 2000s, including the band’s breakout hit, ‘Kryptonite,’ which he wrote in his math class when he was just 15 years old.”
The band adds, “[Arnold’s] music reverberated far beyond the stage, creating moments of connection, joy, faith, and shared experiences that will live on long after the stages he performed on.”
The aforementioned “Kryptonite,” which dropped in 2000, peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100, and is certified eight-times Platinum by the RIAA. It was included on 3 Doors Down’s debut album, 2000’s The Better Life, which is certified seven-times Platinum and also spawned the hits “Loser” and “Be Like That.”
The success continued with 3 Doors Down’s 2002 sophomore effort, Away from the Sun, which has gone quadruple Platinum and features the singles “When I’m Gone” and “Here Without You.” The next two 3 Doors Down albums, 2005’s Seventeen Days and 2008’s self-titled release, both debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200.
“Above all, [Arnold] was a devoted husband to [his wife] Jennifer, and his kindness, humor and generosity touched everyone fortunate enough to know him,” 3 Doors Down’s post reads. “Those closest to him will remember not only his talent, but his warmth, humility, faith, and deep love for his family and friends.”
“The family is deeply grateful for the outpouring of love and support during this difficult time and kindly asks that their privacy be respected,” the statement concludes. “He will be deeply missed and forever remembered.”
3 Doors Down released their last record, Us and the Night, in 2016. The band continued to tour, and performed ahead of Donald Trump‘s first presidential inauguration in 2017.
Fred Smith of Television performs at Georgia Theatre on September 10, 2016 in Athens, Georgia. (Chris McKay/Getty Images)
Fred Smith, bassist for the influential band Television, has died at age 77.
“[Smith] was a great running buddy and exactly the guy you wanted around when road life got wearisome,” Television guitarist Jimmy Rip writes in an Instagram post published Friday. “His sense of humor, much like his musical voice, was dry, subtle, to the point, hilarious and always left you wanting a more. Yesterday, he left this world, leaving so many who loved him wanting so much more…of him.”
Smith joined Television in 1975 following the departure of original bassist Richard Hell. He played on all three Television studio albums, including their seminal debut, 1977’s Marquee Moon.
Television’s sound helped shape the alternative scenes to come, particularly 2000s indie bands such as The Strokes and Interpol.
“If you are a lover of melodic bass lines and counterpoint, you could go to school on what Fred created so effortlessly,” Rip writes. “He was a natural — never flashy, always essential — always serving the song in ways that only the greatest musicians can.”
Aside from Television, Smith played in an early incarnation of the band that became Blondie, and on Television frontman Tom Verlaine‘s solo albums.
Verlaine died in 2023 at age 73. According to Rip, he and Smith had “big plans to play Tom’s music live this year.”
“But it just wasn’t meant to be,” Rip writes. “Thankfully, we were able to say goodbye, ‘love you’ were our last words to each other.”
The Format on ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ (Disney/Randy Holmes)
After putting out their first record in 20 years, The Format has now released one more song.
The track is called “The Bar Is Set So Low” and was initially written during the sessions for said comeback album, Boycott Heaven.
“At the time I was listening to a lot of The Proclaimers, and the general idea was to have a song kinda in the same vein as ‘I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)’ but instead of a stomping love song, I wanted it to be a stomping song about how awful this country treats its immigrants (legal or ‘illegal’),” says frontman Nate Ruess.
The Format is now releasing the song following the shooting and killing of two U.S. citizens by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis.
“While I always assumed the song would reappear in one way or another, I was hoping it wasn’t gonna be under these type of circumstances,” Ruess says. “But since [multi-instrumentalist] Sam [Means] and I first started floating the idea of bringing The Format back to life, we told ourselves that it was necessary for us to try and do more good with whatever platform we would be given- and while we happen to have a lot of big plans in that regard for the near future- we really want to be able to help right now. Like right at this very moment.”
“The Bar Is Set So Low” is out now on Bandcamp. Proceeds will be donated to Immigrant Rapid Response, Immigrant Defense Network, Advocates for Immigrants Rights and Latino Memphis.
Boycott Heaven was released in January. It includes the single “Holy Roller.”
“Murder Scene” single artwork. (Better Noise Music)
Eva Under Fire has premiered a new single called “Murder Scene.”
“‘Murder Scene’ explores eating disorders, body dysmorphia, self-doubt, and how dreams can become nightmares when the same people who once cheered for you are now criticizing you,” says frontwoman Amanda Lyberg.
You can watch the “Murder Scene” lyric video on YouTube.
“Murder Scene” follows Eva Under Fire’s 2025 single, “Awakening.” The band’s most recent album is their 2022 debut, Love, Drugs & Misery, which spawned the singles “Blow” and “Unstoppable.”
Eva Under Fire will be on tour throughout the year, including a run with Five Finger Death Punch launching in July.
Pringles® Gives Fans a Taste of Love With Once You POP Star Sabrina Carpenter and Her Snack of a Soulmate Pringleleo in its 2026 Big Game Ad (Courtesy Mars, Incorporated)
Many people watch the Super Bowl just for the commercials. Music fans have many to look forward to on Sunday, with a slate of pops set to appear in game-day ads. Here’s a rundown:
Lady Gaga‘s new version of the Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood theme, “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?,” is featured in an ad for Redfin X Rocket Mortgage.
Benson Boone teams up with Ben Stiller to play a Europop 1980s duo of warring brothers in an ad for Instacart.
Backstreet Boys surprise shoppers in Times Square in their clip for T-Mobile.
Post Malone and pals chase after a beer keg at a wedding in a spot for Bud Light.
EJAE of HUNTR/X stars in an ad for Liquid I.V. water, which features her singing Phil Collins‘ “Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)” in a bathroom. The teaser features the full three-minute performance.
Charli XCX teams up with her pal and The Moment co-star Rachel Sennott in a teaser for a Poppi probiotic soda ad.
KATSEYE appear in a commercial for State Farm Insurance alongside Hailee Steinfeld, Keegan-Michael Key and Danny McBride. The official clip has not yet been released.
Addison Rae makes a brief appearance in an Uber Eats ad, sipping a Diet Pepsi while Matthew McConaughey and Bradley Cooper debate whether football is a sinister plot to get people to consume more food and drinks.
Myles Smith and Niall Horan have released their duet “Drive Safe,” which the two artists also co-wrote. The song is about being able to manage obstacles in life with help from the people around you. Myles says, “Collaborations only really matter to me when they come from something real, and working with Niall genuinely did. He’s got this effortless instinct for melody, but beyond that he’s a good friend who very quickly became one of my closest. Our friendship shaped the song, and hopefully you can feel it in every line!”
Ahead of his national anthem performance at the Super Bowl, Charlie Puth released another song from his upcoming album, Whatever’s Clever! The new song,“Cry,” features saxophone playing by Kenny G. Charlie says, “‘Cry’ is about allowing yourself to feel things fully. I grew up watching people I admire carry emotional weight quietly. This song is a reminder that expressing emotion is not weakness — it’s human, and sometimes it’s exactly what helps you grow.”
Tired of hearing EJAE sing “Golden”? She’s got a fresh track for you. The lead voice of HUNTR/X has dropped a mid-tempo song about heartbreak called “Time After Time.” She says the song’s melody was “stuck in my head for years, just like the person I wrote it about.”
In this Feb. 12, 2025, file photo, President Donald Trump claps after Tulsi Gabbard is sworn in as Director of National Intelligence by Attorney General Pam Bondi in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
(WASHINGTON) — As Democratic lawmakers continue to question why Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has been involved in the Justice Department’s criminal probe into the 2020 election, Attorney General Pam Bondi on Friday defended Gabbard’s role, saying, “we are inseparable.”
Bondi was asked to explain the shifting and sometimes conflicting accounts given by the DOJ, President Donald Trump and Gabbard herself about who ordered her to be at the Fulton County, Georgia, Elections Hub and Operations Center on Jan. 28 when the FBI raided the office and took ballots and other documents related to the 2020 election.
On Monday, Gabbard had told Congress in a letter that President Donald Trump ordered her to be at the election office and that it was part of her job to ensure U.S. election security against foreign interference.
On Wednesday, Trump said, “I don’t know,” when asked in an NBC News interview why Gabbard was in Georgia.
However, Trump told attendees at a National Prayer Breakfast on Thursday that Gabbard went to Georgia at “Pam’s insistence,” referring to Bondi who was present at the event and added that “Pam wanted her to do it.”
On Friday, Bondi responded to questions about the inconsistent accounts, saying she and Gabbard are “inseparable.”
“We are constantly together,” she said. “We constantly talk, we collaborate as a Cabinet. We’re all extremely close [and] know…what we are doing at all times pretty much.”
Bondi declined to give details of the investigation, but contended Gabbard’s presence at the FBI raid and involvement in the probe would not hinder the investigation.
“Georgia is a very important issue to us,” she said.
“Andrew Bailey was taking the lead down there. He’s Director Patel’s Deputy Director of the FBI,” Bondi later added.
Bondi avoided answering a direct question about whether it was she, as President Trump claimed, who sent Gabbard to Georgia.
“Did you send her down?” a reporter asked.
“She was there. We’re inseparable. That’s all I’ll say,” Bondi replied.
Inseparable though they might be, Bondi was not in Georgia with Gabbard.
An ODNI official told ABC News last week that Gabbard’s presence was requested by the president “and executed under her broad statutory authority to coordinate, integrate, and analyze intelligence related to election security, including counterintelligence, foreign malign influence, and cyber security.”
Trump has repeatedly made baseless claims that there was voter fraud in the 2020 election, specifically in Georgia, that contributed to his election loss to Biden. He also has repeated claims, without evidence, that China and other foreign adversaries were involved in the alleged fraud.
Georgia officials audited and certified the results following the election, and numerous lawsuits challenging the election results in the state were rejected by the courts.
Fulton County officials say FBI agents removed 700 boxes containing ballots and other materials associated with the 2020 election after obtaining a search warrant approved by a federal magistrate judge.
Investigators are going ballot by ballot, searching for any irregularities, sources said. Fulton County officials have demanded that those materials be returned.
The investigation has set off a firestorm among Georgia election officials and some Democrats on the Hill who have questioned Gabbard’s authority and Trump’s allegations.
Democrat Sen. Mark Warner, vice chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, has demanded Gabbard and the administration be more transparent.
In an interview with CNN Thursday, Warner called the shifting explanations about who directed Gabbard to be at the FBI search “almost like Nixon-esque” because “after the Watergate, people [couldn’t] get their stories straight.”
“It begs even the original question, is why in the hell is the president of the United States aware of a search warrant being ordered in Georgia?” Warner said. “So, if he told her to be there, he knew about this beforehand, which, by the way, is exactly the kind of activities that got Richard Nixon in trouble.”
Warner raised concerns that Trump is sowing seeds to interfere in the 2026 midterms and the 2028 presidential election.
“Here’s a guy that was obsessed about losing in 2020, obsessed about losing in Georgia. And I, I believe they may be intending to interfere in our elections in ’26 and ’28,” he said.
“And I think we all have to step up our game, you know, take all of this, and then you add in the president saying he wants to federalize elections and have Republicans take control. This isn’t the way the system works,” Warner added.
