Here's everything that's been happening in the world of Pop Culture this past week... in case you missed it! Feel free to comment on any of the stories and info shared here, add any news bits that you caught going on that may have been missed, or at least show us some love if you read the post but have nothing to comment on by clicking on that little heart icon at the bottom of the post...

GENERAL POP CULTURE NEWS:

- The antitrust lawsuit brought against the planned merger between Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery by twelve US states (headed by California Attorney General ROB BONTA) was settled this week, allowing for the merger to now proceed. The settlement deal includes independent monitoring for CBS News and CNN, a commitment to increased domestic production, and will not sell any of its Los Angeles lots for at least five years. Bonta and co. were under pressure to get a deal done not only from politicians but also Paramount itself, which threatened to relocate to Tennessee and seeking a court order to force the 12-state coalition to pay $1.88 billion for delaying the deal. The merger could now be completed in the next several weeks. The settlement will need to be reviewed by a judge before being finalized.

- Viral rocker NENE ROYAL was named the winner of season 21 of NBC reality competition series “America’s Got Talent”, besting magician GENO PLOEGER for the win. South Korean dance crew HUNDRED FINGERS, light up dance crew ROYAL LASERS, and aerialist VERONIKA GOROSHKOVA rounded out the top 5.

- NAMES, HASHTAGS, MEMES, AND TRENDS FROM THIS PAST WEEK –

Kennedy Center ‘human chain’ protest; AI “actress” TILLY NORWOOD mid-interview glitch

 GOVERNMENT 101 -

- US: President DONALD TRUMP announced he is immediately banning news outlets CNN, MS NOW, and Politico from the White House over what he called “their constant ‘reporting’ fake news” and warned “other fake news media outlets to follow”. Reporters from other news outlets including Fox News stood in solidarity with CNN, MS NOW, and Politico by suspending the press pool coverage for White House events as the three news outlets sued to get their press credentials back, which a judge granted citing due process laws; however, the White House still refused to allow CNN and MS NOW reporters into the building to cover the state dinner being held for visiting Chinese President XI JINPING despite the order to drop the ban.

TECH TALK -

- Disney+ and Hulu are raising their prices once again, with the ad-free tiers for each seeing the biggest price hikes. Both Disney+ Premium and Hulu Premium will increase by $2.50 to $21.49/month. The ad-free Disney+/Hulu bundle will increase by $2 to $21.99/month. Ad-supported plans for both Disney+ and Hulu will each increase by 50 cents to $12.49/month; however, the ad-supported Disney+/Hulu bundle will not see a price increase and will remain at $12.99/month. The new rates took effect this week for new subscribers; existing subscribers will see the rate increase in their next monthly bill.

TV NEWS:

- Disney+ has ordered a reboot of ‘90s animated series “Darkwing Duck” to series. Actor MARK HAMILL will voice Drake Mallard aka Darkwing Duck and actor SETH ROGEN will voice Launchpad McQuack; other voice actors include LIZZY CAPLAN, DAN STEVENS, KATHRYN NEWTON, and NAT FAXON. No word yet on when the reboot will premiere.

- MGM+ has greenlit the drama series “Rules of Prey”, based on the first novel in author JOHN SANDFORD’s “Prey” book series. Actor JENSEN ACKLES is set to star and produce the series. No word on when the series is expected to premiere.

 TV CASTING UPDATE –

- The season 5 cast of Peacock reality competition series “The Traitors” was announced, with a mix of actors, reality stars, athletes, and more. The cast of 23 stars includes actors KRISTIN CHENOWETH, DOMINIC MONAGHAN, and CASEY WILSON, pop singer CODY SIMPSON, athletes CHLOE KIM and RASHAD JENNINGS, and reality stars CYNTHIA BAILEY, JAG BAINS, BIANCA DEL RIO, MICHELLE FITZGERALD, JOEY GRAZIADEI, TAYLOR HALE, WHITNEY LEAVITT, and BRONWYN NEWPORT.

- Former “Extra” and “Access Hollywood” host BILLY BUSH has joined Fox News as a contributor. Bush will offer cultural analysis on various shows across the network.

- Actress ALLEY MILLS is returning to ABC daytime drama series “General Hospital” in the role of Heather Webber. Mills has played the character on and off since first taking over the role in 2022. Mills’ official return date is November 5^th.

- ABC reality competition series “American Idol” confirmed judges LUKE BRYAN, CARRIE UNDERWOOD, and LIONEL RICHIE will all return for season 25 as will host RYAN SEACREST.

- Actress JUDITH LIGHT will join the season 4 cast of Apple TV comedy series “Shrinking” in a recurring role.

- TV RENEWALS* AND PICKUPS/EXTENSIONS** -

* “The Beast in Me”, Netflix, renewed for season 2

* “Crew Girl”, Netflix, renewed for season 2

- TV CANCELLATIONS* AND TRIMMED/NOT-EXTENDED SEASONS** -

* “House of David”, Amazon Prime Video, will end with season 3

* “Ride or Die”, Amazon Prime Video, canceled after one season

* “Daredevil: Born Again”, Disney+, will end with season 3

* “A Man on the Inside”, Netflix, to end with season 3

* “Sweet Magnolias”, Netflix, canceled after five seasons

MUSIC NEWS:

- Country singer/songwriter ELLA LANGLEY’s “Choosin’ Texas” scored its 23^rd week atop the Billboard singles chart, breaking a tie with pop songstress MARIAH CAREY’s perennial holiday favorite “All I Want for Christmas is You” to set a new record for the longest-running No. 1 pop single in Billboard history.

- LAST WEEK’S NEW #1 SINGLES AROUND THE WORLD –

Greece: “Ores Mikres” by GIORGIOS MAZONAKIS

Italy: “Per Noi” by GEOLIER ft. ACHILLE LAURO

Japan: “You Know What to Do” by INI

- LAST WEEK’S NEW #1 ALBUMS AROUND THE WORLD –

Australia: “You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl so in Love” by OLIVIA RODRIGO

Greece: “Confessions II” by MADONNA

UK: “Here Because of Hope” by EZRA COLLECTIVE

US: “Westside Whimsy” by JHENE AIKO