| | | | | | What's news: The Grammys got political with several artists giving passionate anti-ICE speeches. Disney values ESPN at $30b. Trump is closing the Kennedy Center for a 2-year renovation. Savannah Guthrie's mother is missing. And Mehdi Mahmoudian, the Oscar-nominated co-screenwriter of Jafar Panahi’s It Was Just An Accident, was arrested in Iran. — Abid Rahman
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Grammy Awards 2026 ►🏆 Congrats! 🏆 Bad Bunny won album of the year at the 68th annual Grammy Awards on Sunday night for DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS. The Puerto Rican artist, who was visibly emotional over the award, gave most of his speech in Spanish. The album became the first Spanish-language album ever to win the award. Record of the year went to “luther” by Kendrick Lamar with SZA. Olivia Dean took home the award for best new artist. And “Wildflower” by Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell won the award for song of the year, with Eilish one of the many artists who blasted ICE during an acceptance speech. The winners.
—Snubs, shutouts and surprises. Six-time nominees Sabrina Carpenter and Tyler, the Creator both delivered memorable performances at Sunday's Grammys, but both underperformed when it came to wins. Carpenter was shut out completely, and Tyler going one for six. Similarly, Clipse, up for five awards, won only one award. In terms of surprises, Lola Young was an unexpected winner in the best pop solo performance category for “Messy,” and the Grammys reminded people to never count out Billie Eilish as she and brother/collaborator Finneas O’Connell won song of the year for “Wildflower.” The snubs, shutouts and surprises.
—It was a "F*** ICE!" kinda night. From Sabrina Carpenter's theatrical performance to Kendrick Lamar shattering Jay-Z’s record and Bad Bunny slamming ICE during his acceptance speech, THR has picked out some of the highlights from Music's Biggest Night. The memorable moments.
—Records smashed. Bad Bunny made history at the Grammys by becoming the first-ever artist to win album of the year for a non-English language album for his landmark DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS. Kendrick Lamar, who was the most-nominated act coming into the evening with nine overall, went back-to-back for record of the year with “Luther." Lamar earned five wins on the night, including for best rap album and best rap song, and he became the most-awarded rapper in Grammy history, surpassing Jay-Z as the new record-holder. The story.
—"Welcome back Cher, everybody." Cher was honored with a lifetime achievement award at the Grammys, but that was only half of the reason she was onstage at the music ceremony. The icon, who was a surprise guest at Los Angeles’ Crypto.com Arena, was greeted with a standing ovation as host Trevor Noah presented her with her career tribute. After she delivered her acceptance speech, though, Cher was ready to leave, walking offstage as the crowd and Noah, standing on a platform in the middle of the audience, urged her to come back to announce the record of the year winner. The story. |
Review: Noah Is a Dud, But Passionate Speeches Carry Telecast ►"There were barely any jokes." THR's chief TV critic Daniel Fienberg offers his review of the 68th Grammy Awards, which was Trevor Noah's final time hosting Music's Biggest Night. Daniel writes that Bad Bunny won top awards and delivered the strongest speech on a night dominated by spectacle and tributes. The review.
—"So many stars in this room, I feel like I’m at Jeff Bezos wedding — but with way more Black people." Trevor Noah took to the Crypto.com Arena stage Sunday night and delivered an opening monologue that took aim at President Trump and our national “anxiety.” Throwing down largely gentle barbs, Noah joked at the outset of the Grammys that America’s drinking game was now “every time we turn on the news, we drink.” The monologue.
—Not a fan. After the last Grammys were handed out Sunday night, Donald Trump took to social media to denounce the awards show and take aim at host Trevor Noah, even going so far as to threaten to sue the comedian. “The Grammy Awards are the WORST, virtually unwatchable! CBS is lucky not to have this garbage litter their airwaves any longer,” the president wrote on Truth Social, referring to the Grammys’ last year on CBS. After throwing shade toward the event, he pivoted to Noah. “The host, Trevor Noah, whoever he may be, is almost as bad as Jimmy Kimmel at the Low Ratings Academy Awards,” he continued. The story. |
Grammys: Best Dressed Stars ►Go big or go home. The 2026 Grammys did not disappoint — not in speeches or shock value, nor in viral style moments. Regarding the latter, in fact, it was everything fans hoped might take place on the red carpet of the music industry’s biggest night at Crypto.com Arena, and perhaps just a bit more. As ever, THR's Laurie Brookins went through all the looks to pick out the stars that really got the fashion right on Music's Biggest Night. The looks.
—Nippy evening. Chappell Roan is accustomed to creating a social-media frenzy with her red carpet looks, as her appearances at the Grammy Awards and elsewhere typically garner plenty of media attention. Roan pushed the envelope a little further on Sunday, wearing a design by Mugler creative director Miguel Castro Freitas. Her custom negligee dress and matching cape were crafted in silk georgette in a deep red garnet. But once Roan removed the cape, the result was a naked dress that seemingly exposed her breasts, with the silk georgette suspended by nipple rings. The story.
More from the 2026 Grammy Awards...
—Jack Antonoff becomes fourth person to win the 4 major Grammy categories
—Justin Bieber returns in only shorts and socks for raw “Yukon” performance
—Gaga returns to Grammy stage with rock-ified “Abracadabra” performance
—Rosé brings down the house during K-pop’s biggest Grammys yet |
ESPN Valued at $30B, As Disney Reveals NFL Deal Details ►The nitty gritty. ESPN is valued at about $30b, with the National Football League’s 10 percent equity stake in the sports media giant securing an estimated fair market value of $3b, according to Disney's latest quarterly earnings report. Disney and the NFL closed their mega deal in the last week, giving the league its non-controlling interest, leaving Disney with 72 percent, and Hearst with 18 percent. According to the company’s 10-Q, Disney will have an option to reacquire the NFL’s stake in ESPN after July 2034, based on the division’s performance, in exchange for a ten-year note at 70 percent of the then fair market value of the NFL’s interest in ESPN. The league, meanwhile, has an option to acquire an additional 4 percent of ESPN on a similar timetable, also at 70 percent market value. The deal will see ESPN fully own NFL Network, with plans to bake it into the ESPN streaming service. The RedZone channel, meanwhile, will join Disney’s linear portfolio. The story.
—Succession question looms. Disney beat Wall Street in its latest quarter, a hard-earned win and perhaps even a sendoff for CEO Bob Iger, who is widely expected to step aside in the coming months, ahead of his end of 2026 contract expiration (Josh D’Amaro, Disney’s experiences chairman, is seen as the internal favorite to succeed him). Disney delivered revenue of $26b in the quarter, its fiscal Q1, with segment operating income of $4.6b and adjusted earnings per share of $1.63. The street had projected revenue of $25.6b and adjusted EPS of $1.58. A strong film slate in the quarter and a streaming business that continues to grow bolstered Disney’s entertainment division, while experiences delivered record revenues and operating income. The results. |
Trump Announces Plans to Close Kennedy Center for Renovation ►Sure, Jan. Donald Trump announced plans to close the Kennedy Center for a two-year renovation, amid turmoil at the arts center and a wave of cancelations by artists. In a post on Truth Social on Sunday, Trump wrote that he planned “to cease Entertainment Operations for an approximately two year period of time” for “construction, revitalization and complete rebuilding.” The closure is set to begin July 4, 2026, Trump wrote. The decision is subject to board approval; however, Trump has appointed himself chair of the board and ousted most former members with his handpicked replacements. The board voted earlier this year to rename the institution the Trump Kennedy Center, which led dozens of artists canceling performances at the storied venue. The story.
—Arrested. Mehdi Mahmoudian, the Oscar-nominated co-screenwriter of Jafar Panahi’s It Was Just An Accident, was arrested in Tehran yesterday after signing a statement condemning the actions of Iran‘s supreme leader, Ali Khameni, during the recent violent crackdown on government protesters. Neon, the U.S. distributor of It Was Just an Accident, said Mahmoudian was arrested along with two other signatories, Vida Rabbani and Abdullah Momeni. A total of 17 people signed the letter, including Panahi, who is currently outside Iran promoting his film, and Mohammad Rasoulof, director of 2025 Oscar-nominee The Seed of the Sacred Fig, now living in exile in Germany. The story.
—Missing. Today show host Savannah Guthrie‘s mother Nancy Guthrie has been confirmed to be missing by authorities in Arizona. On Sunday, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department announced during a press conference that 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie was last seen in the Catalina Foothills area on Saturday night at approximately 9:45 p.m. Local news reports that Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said a family member reported Nancy Guthrie missing on Sunday, around noon. Nanos added that search and rescue teams have been out at Nancy Gutherie’s home, along with homicide teams and detectives. Foul play is not being ruled out at this time, authorities said. The story. |
Mel Brooks Is Still Laughing at 99 ►"When you’re right, nothing can stop you." THR's Seth Abramovitch spoke to Mel Brooks about about his new, Judd Apatow-directed HBO documentary, Mel Brooks: The 99-Year-Old Man! The comedy legend also dished on how he made fart jokes an art form and what Ted Sarandos told him about high anxiety. The interview. |
Oscar Season's Messy Side Comes for 'Marty Supreme' ►Bad time. For the past year, rumors have swirled surrounding the nature of the professional split of Benny and Josh Safdie, brothers and directors who together made defining A24 films of the 2010s, like Good Time and Uncut Gems. They found themselves in an unusual situation for 2025: Each came out with a major, pricey film for A24 that the other was not involved in, toplined by a huge star, and expected to figure prominently into the awards conversation. Then the California Post dropped a bombshell story about what drove the brothers apart. THR's David Canfield writes that Josh's Marty Supreme is dealing with resurfaced allegations regarding its director’s conduct on a previous movie, and sharp criticism from the family who inspired its main character — all reinforcing suspicions of a smear campaign. The story.
—Just the two. After forgoing live performances of the best original song nominees at the 2025 Oscars, the 2026 ceremony is bringing them back but just for two of this year’s nominated tracks. This year’s awards ceremony will feature live performances of “Golden” from KPop Demon Hunters and “I Lied to You” from Sinners. The other three nominated songs — Nick Cave and Bryce Dessner’s “Train Dreams” from Train Dreams, Diane Warren’s “Dear Me” from Diane Warren: Relentless and “Sweet Dreams of Joy” by Nicholas Pike from Viva Verdi! — will be introduced via custom-produced segments featuring film and behind-the-scenes footage and receive support across social media. The story.
—📅 More importantly, what's the Japanese title? 📅 The family is getting back together for the latest installment in the Fast & Furious franchise. Universal announced Friday that the forthcoming sequel in the racing series is titled Fast Forever and set for theatrical release March 17, 2028. It follows the previous installment — director Louis Leterrier’s Fast X — having hit theaters in 2023. A sequel to Fast X was initially slated to hit theaters in spring of 2025 but was delayed, and Universal has yet to share details about the filmmaking team, cast or plot for Fast Forever. Back in February 2024, Diesel posted to Instagram that the series’ forthcoming 11th film would mark the finale for the franchise’s core story. The story.
—🤝 Sold! 🤝 Noah Kahan‘s exhilarating year following the breakout success of multi-platinum album Stick Season is the focus of a forthcoming documentary feature. THR troubadour Ryan Gajewski has the scoop that director Nick Sweeney’s film centering on the Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter is set to debut globally on Netflix later this year. The project is currently untitled and follows Kahan’s recent announcement that his latest album, The Great Divide, is set for release on April 24. The story. |
'Melania' Opens to $7M ►Juiced. The wait is finally over to see if the first lady’s new documentary — the most expensive in history — would be able to rely on her husband’s supporters to turn up at the box office to watch Melania as she tries to carve out her own career and identity.
They did, with the Amazon MGM Studios doc — directed by Brett Ratner in his first film since he was accused of multiple incidents of sexual misconduct — launching safely in third place with a better-than-expected $7m from 1,778 theaters. THR's Pamela McClintock writes that is the best showing in a decade for a nonfiction title, excluding concert pics and Disney nature titles. And it beat Jason Statham‘s new pic, Shelter, which opened to $5.5m.
A major caveat though, Amazon MGM Studios paid $40m for worldwide rights to release Melania in both in theaters and on its streaming service Prime Video, making Melania the most expensive doc in history in what many view as an attempt to curry favor with Donald Trump. Amazon spent another $35m on the global marketing campaign, with at least $20m dedicated to the U.S., where a large chunk of the TV ad spend went to Fox News and pricey ads on NFL games, including the final championship games.
Sam Raimi’s acclaimed horror-thriller Send Help won the domestic race this weekend with a better-than-expected $20m and earned another $8.1m overseas for a global launch of $28.1m against a net budget of $40m before marketing. The box office report. |
Film Review: 'Melania' ►"I REALLY DON'T CARE, DO U?" THR's Frank Scheck reviews Brett Ratner's Melania. The Rush Hour director's documentary film offers an up-close and not-so-personal portrait of the first lady during the few weeks before President Trump's second inauguration. The review.
—"Two hours of endless hell." Despite not being screened for critics, reviews are rolling in for Melania just the same. THR has gathered together some of the (almost entirely scathing) critiques. Here's a brief sample: The Atlantic called the film “a disgrace,” saying, “Ratner seems desperate to find action, but there is none." The Guardian: “Ratner’s film plays like a gilded trash remake of Jonathan Glazer’s The Zone of Interest." The review roundup. |
THR Film Critics Pick the Best of Sundance 2026 ►Ice breakers. Thus ends the final Sundance in Utah. As always, THR's gang of intrepid reviewers — David Rooney, Richard Lawson, Sheri Linden, Daniel Fienberg, Jordan Mintzer and Jourdain Searles — have come together to pick out their personal highlights from a historic Sundance. Included in the mix of the festival's best films are a queer horror film, a double dose of Olivia Wilde, a shocker about an 8-year-old sexual assault witness and docs on Salman Rushdie and Billie Jean King. The list.
—"Overstuffed but winningly acted." For THR, Jourdain Searles reviews NB Mager's Sundance U.S. dramatic competition entry, Run Amok. The filmmaker's Sundance-bowing debut feature is school shooting dramedy starring Alyssa Marvin, Margaret Cho, Sophia Torres, Elizabeth Marvel, Bill Camp, Yul Vasquez, Molly Ringwald and Patrick Wilson. Written by NB Mager. The review.
—"A big swing that pays off." Jourdain reviews Vera Miao's Rock Springs. Premiering in the Midnight section at Sundance, the grief horror film revolves around a young widow and her daughter attempting to start over in Wyoming. Starring Kelly Marie Tran, Benedict Wong, Jimmy O. Yang, Aria Kim, Fiona Fu, Ricky He and Cardi Wong. Written by Vera Miao. The review. |
Film Review: 'Frank & Louis' ►"Restrained but affecting and superbly acted." THR's chief film critic David Rooney reviews Petra Volpe's Frank & Louis. The Swiss writer-director's English-language debut, which bowed at Sundance, is inspired by a California program in which incarcerated men are trained to care for elderly inmates with dementia. Starring Kingsley Ben-Adir, Rob Morgan, René Pérez Joglar, Rosalind Eleazar, Indira Varma and Calum McPherson. Written by Petra Volpe and Esther Bernstorff. The review.
—"Watch and bear witness." David reviews Jack Weisman and Gabriela Osio Vanden's Sundance U.S. documentary competition entry, Nuisance Bear. Winner of the doc competition’s Grand Jury Prize, this film is both a nature doc and a haunting ethnographic portrait. Narrated by Mike Tunalaaq Gibbons. The review.
—"A slow burner, beautifully played." THR's Sheri Linden reviews Visar Morina's Sundance world cinema dramatic competition entry, Shame and Money. In this Kosovan drama, Astrit Kabashi and Flonja Kodheli star as rural people trying to stay afloat in the city. Also starring Kumrije Hoxa, Abdinaser Beka, Fiona Gllavica, Alban Ukaj and Tristan Halilaj. Written by Visar Morina and Doruntina Basha. The review. |
TV Review: 'Vanished' ►"Too light and too heavy, all at once." THR's Angie Han reviews MGM+'s Vanished. An ordinary American woman (Kaley Cuoco) gets embroiled in a dangerous conspiracy after her boyfriend (Sam Claflin) mysteriously disappears from a train leaving Paris. Also starring Simon Abkarian, Karin Viard, Matthias Schweighöfer, Dar Zuzovsky and Olivier Sa. Created by David Hilton and Preston Thompson. The review.
—"Bold, ambitious and thrillingly emotional." Angie reviews Walter Thompson-Hernández's If I Go Will They Miss Me. The film brings a lightly surreal touch to a coming-of-age story about a family in the Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles. Starring J. Alphonse Nicholson, Bodhi Jordan Dell, Danielle Brooks, Myles Bullock and Bre-Z. Written by Walter Thompson-Hernández. The review.
In other news...
—Netflix’s new releases coming in February
—Devil Wears Prada 2 trailer sees Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt catch up 20 years later
—JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette Kennedy’s tragic romance unfolds in Love Story trailer
What else we're reading...
—Steve EderMichael C. Bender and David Enrich report that Trump was mentioned more than a whopping 5,300 times in Epstein files (so far) [NYT]
—Caitlin McCormack reports that CBS News’ star hire Peter Attia swapped hundreds of friendly emails with Jeffrey Epstein [NY Post]
—Meaghan Tobin and Xinyun Wu have an interesting piece on how China wants its domestic tech champions to dominate AI [NYT]
—By Jove, he's done it again! Isaac Chotiner is back with a quite incredible interview, this time with Melania cinematographer Dante Spinotti, who answers why he helped make propaganda for the Trump family [New Yorker]
—Chloe Mac Donnell writes that birthday boy Paul Mescal is driving a new menswear trend: small singular hooped earring like the one he wore in Hament [Guardian]
Today...
...in 2018, CBS Films released The Spierig Brothers' Winchester in theaters. The supernatural biopic set in 1906, starred Helen Mirren as heiress Sarah Winchester as she is haunted by spirits inside her infamous San Jose mansion. The original review.
Today's birthdays: Shakira (49), Paul Mescal (30), Tom Blyth (32), Gemma Arterton (40), Julia Fox (36), Osgood Perkins (52), Zosia Mamet (38), Jennifer Westfeldt (56), David Jason (86), Florence Hunt (19), Mercedes Blanche (29), Brent Spiner (77), Rich Sommer (48), Emily Rose (45), Blake Clark (80), Alex Sharp (37), Lori Beth Denberg (50), Ellie Bamber (29), Michael T. Weiss (64), Adam Ferrara (60), Jack McGee (77), Arly Jover (55), Jenny Lumet (59), Salvatore Esposito (40), Barbara Sukowa (76), Christie Brinkley (72), Anirudh Pisharody (32), Marissa Jaret Winokur (53), Hannah Britland (32), Soni Bringas (24), Cady Huffman (61), Amelia Eve (34) |
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