Reiner's Son Arrested, Grande & Bailey for Stage Musical, Lizzo Wins Legal Battle

Rob Reiner and Wife Michele Found Dead in Los Angeles Home; Son Arrested

Iconic director and actor Rob Reiner (78) and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner (68), were found dead at their Brentwood home on Sunday, December 14th. Following an overnight investigation, their 32-year-old son, Nick Reiner, was arrested on suspicion of murder. LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell confirmed that detectives quickly moved to take Nick Reiner into custody, bringing a shocking conclusion to the double fatality that has gripped Hollywood.

The tragedy marks a profound loss for the entertainment industry. Rob Reiner’s career defined eras of American film and television, beginning with his Emmy-winning role as Mike "Meathead" Stivic on All in the Family. He later became a revered director, helming classics that remain cherished today, including This Is Spinal Tap (1984), The Princess Bride (1987), When Harry Met Sally... (1989), and A Few Good Men (1992).

Ariana Grande and Jonathan Bailey Eye Set For Sondheim's Sunday in the Park With George

Ariana Grande and Jonathan Bailey are reportedly in the early planning stages for a highly anticipated London revival of the Pulitzer Prize-winning musical, Sunday in the Park With George, slated for 2027. This potential project is generating significant excitement in the industry, not only for reuniting the Wicked co-stars but also because it is set to be directed by the multi-award-winning visionary, Marianne Elliott. For Grande, taking on the role would underscore her commitment to serious, prestigious stage work, while the revival would further solidify Bailey’s status as a formidable leading man across all performance mediums.

The beloved musical, a collaboration between Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine, is a foundational work of modern musical theatre, famously inspired by Georges Seurat’s iconic pointillist painting, A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte. The production cleverly explores the lives of the people in the artwork, focusing on the obsessive artist George (likely Bailey) and his witty lover and muse, Dot (a role Grande is expected to fill, playing her daughter Marie in the second act).

ICYMI:

• Taylor Swift and Sabrina Carpenter AI impersonators scammed fans out of an estimated $5.3 billion in 2025. The scammers sold fake tickets, merch, and fan experiences on social media.

• Amanda Seyfried has told Variety that Lewis Pullman has asked her if he could join the cast of ‘Mamma Mia 3.’

Lizzo Scores Legal Victory as Judge Dismisses Fat-Shaming Claims

Lizzo is celebrating a partial legal win after a judge dismissed the fat-shaming allegations from the 2023 lawsuit filed by three of her former dancers. The singer addressed the development in a video statement, arguing she had "no evidence" to suggest she fired the dancers over weight gain, asserting they were terminated for secretly recording her without consent. Despite this dismissal, the case against Lizzo and her production company will continue over claims of sexual harassment, which Lizzo adamantly denied, stating, "I am not settling. I will be fighting every single claim until the truth is out."

The remaining claims allege that dancers Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams, and Noelle Rodriguez were harassed and pressured into attending sex shows and interacting with nude performers. Lizzo’s legal team appealed the decision to allow these claims to proceed, arguing the outings were part of the singer's creative process and should be protected by the First Amendment, a claim fiercely rejected by the dancers’ lawyer. Lizzo's attorney maintains that the claims are meritless, citing 18 witnesses ready to refute the dancers’ accusations.

@lizzo

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POP FACT: On this day in 2022, Avatar: The Way of Water was released. It remains one of the highest-grossing releases of all time.

Stranger Things 5 Volume 2 Trailer Arrives

Netflix has released the intense and highly anticipated trailer for Stranger Things 5 Volume 2, offering a dark preview of the series' concluding chapter. The footage plunges viewers into the ravaged Upside Down, which is now bleeding into reality, showing Eleven and the core Hawkins crew preparing for their final, desperate stand against Vecna. The preview confirms the final episodes will deliver blockbuster action alongside high emotional stakes, with a sombre tone and dialogue emphasizing sacrifice and finality. Volume 2, which is set to cap off the successful franchise, arrives on Christmas Day at 5 p.m. PT.

ICYMI:

• Mariah Carey has tied Whitney Houston and Shania Twain as the female artists with the most Diamond certified albums in US history, with 3 each. 

• Disney is developing a live-action film focusing on Gaston from ‘Beauty & the Beast.’ 

• The Kansas City Chiefs have been eliminated from playoff contention for the first time in 11 years. 

• ‘The Fate of Ophelia’ by Taylor Swift has returned to #1 on the Global Spotify chart. It has now spent 68 days at #1.

— Katie Macbeth

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