Entertainment
40 stories
Blockbuster LLC
Blockbuster was once the world's largest video rental chain with over 9,000 stores globally at its peak in 2004. The company filed for bankruptcy in 2010 after failing to adapt to digital streaming and online competition from Netflix.
Joseph Allen Maldonado-Passage (Joe Exotic)
Joseph Maldonado-Passage, widely known as Joe Exotic from the Netflix series "Tiger King," is currently serving a 21-year federal prison sentence for a murder-for-hire plot and wildlife violations. Despite ongoing appeals and a battle with prostate cancer that has spread, he remains incarcerated at a medical facility in Fort Worth, Texas, with a projected release date in March 2036. He has continued to seek pardons and even ran a presidential campaign from prison.
Minecraft
Minecraft, the iconic sandbox game, continues its global dominance over a decade after its initial release, boasting hundreds of millions of players and copies sold. Under Mojang Studios and Microsoft, it has evolved into a vast ecosystem, regularly receiving 'game drop' updates, expanding into educational tools, and launching successful spin-off titles and real-world experiences.
Will Smith Oscar Slap
The 'Will Smith Oscar Slap' refers to the incident at the 94th Academy Awards on March 27, 2022, where Will Smith slapped Chris Rock on stage after Rock made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith's shaved head. The event led to widespread condemnation, Smith's resignation from the Academy, a 10-year ban from Academy events, and a significant impact on his public image and career, though he has since begun a comeback with new film and music projects.
Tower Records
Tower Records was an iconic American music retail chain that operated from 1960 to 2006, known for its massive selection and 24-hour flagship stores. The company filed for bankruptcy twice in the 2000s due to declining CD sales, digital piracy, and competition from online retailers like iTunes and Amazon.
Pokemon Go phenomenon
Pokémon Go, an augmented reality mobile game launched in July 2016, rapidly became a global cultural phenomenon, encouraging millions to explore the real world to catch virtual creatures. While its initial peak subsided, the game has maintained a substantial and dedicated player base through continuous updates, new features, and community events, and as of 2026, it continues to evolve under new ownership and celebrates its 10th anniversary.
MySpace Music Scene
The MySpace music scene was a pivotal cultural phenomenon from the mid-2000s, serving as an unprecedented launchpad for countless independent and mainstream artists. It democratized music discovery and artist-fan interaction, but ultimately declined due to competition from platforms like Facebook, strategic missteps, and a catastrophic data loss in 2019. Today, MySpace exists as a niche, largely read-only platform with music playback functionality disabled since early 2022.
Like Nastya
Like Nastya, whose real name is Anastasia Radzinskaya, is a Russian-American child YouTuber who has become one of the world's most popular and highest-earning content creators. Born with cerebral palsy, her parents began uploading videos to document her progress, which evolved into a global YouTube empire featuring educational entertainment, vlogs, and toy unboxings, translated into multiple languages. As of early 2026, she continues to create content, engage in brand partnerships, and maintain a massive online presence across numerous channels.
HitClips
HitClips were miniature portable music players launched by Hasbro in 2000 that played 60-second clips of popular songs on tiny cartridges. The product was hugely successful among tweens and teens but was discontinued by 2004 due to the rise of digital music players and changing consumer preferences.
Netflix DVD
Netflix DVD, the pioneering mail-order DVD rental service launched in 1998, revolutionized home entertainment by offering subscription-based rentals without late fees. It served as the foundation for Netflix's eventual pivot to streaming, which began in 2007. Facing declining demand for physical media, Netflix officially ceased its DVD-by-mail service on September 29, 2023, after a 25-year run, marking the end of an era for its iconic red envelopes.
Johnny Depp
Johnny Depp is an American actor, musician, and producer whose career has been marked by both critical acclaim and significant personal and legal challenges. Following highly publicized defamation trials against his ex-wife Amber Heard, which severely impacted his Hollywood standing, Depp has begun a career resurgence, focusing on European and independent film projects while maintaining his lucrative endorsement deal with Dior Sauvage. He is actively filming and developing new movies for release in 2026 and beyond.
Kanye West
Kanye West, also known as Ye, has continued to navigate a complex landscape of music releases, business ventures, and legal challenges since 2022. Despite facing significant backlash and severed partnerships due to controversial statements, he has independently released new music, including the 'Vultures' series, and is preparing for a new solo album 'Bully' in March 2026, alongside ongoing legal battles and international concert announcements.
The Ellen DeGeneres Show
The Ellen DeGeneres Show was a highly successful American syndicated daytime talk show hosted by Ellen DeGeneres, which ran for 19 seasons from 2003 to 2022. Its popularity was significantly impacted by allegations of a toxic workplace environment that emerged in mid-2020, leading to a sharp decline in ratings and its eventual cancellation. Following the show's conclusion, DeGeneres has engaged in stand-up comedy and relocated to the UK in late 2024, though recent reports in late 2025 and early 2026 suggest a potential return to the US.
Avengers: Doomsday
Avengers: Doomsday is an upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) film, originally conceived as 'Avengers: The Kang Dynasty,' but significantly redeveloped to feature Doctor Doom as the primary antagonist, with Robert Downey Jr. cast in the titular villain role. Directed by the Russo Brothers, the film's release date has been adjusted multiple times and is currently set for December 18, 2026, following principal photography that concluded in September 2025. It is poised to be a pivotal installment in the MCU's Multiverse Saga, bringing together a vast ensemble of heroes and introducing new elements from the Fantastic Four and X-Men universes.
Mel Gibson
Mel Gibson's career spans over four decades as an actor, director, and producer, marked by early success as an action star and later critical acclaim for his directorial work. Despite significant controversies and personal setbacks in the mid-2000s that impacted his mainstream appeal, he has continued to work steadily, directing and starring in films, with new projects extending into 2026 and 2027.
Porno for Pyros
Porno for Pyros was an American alternative rock band formed in 1992 by Jane's Addiction frontman Perry Farrell and drummer Stephen Perkins. The band released two studio albums in the 1990s before going on indefinite hiatus, with members pursuing other projects including Jane's Addiction reunions.
The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien
Conan O'Brien's brief tenure as host of NBC's 'The Tonight Show' from June 2009 to January 2010 ended amidst a highly publicized conflict with the network and his predecessor, Jay Leno, over time slot changes. Following a $45 million settlement, O'Brien departed NBC, subsequently launching a successful cable show 'Conan' on TBS, a popular podcast, and a travel series, while continuing to host major events like the Academy Awards in 2026.
TV Guide
TV Guide, once America's most widely read magazine for television listings, has undergone a significant transformation. While the iconic print magazine continues to be published biweekly by NTVB Media, its digital counterpart, TVGuide.com, has evolved into a comprehensive streaming and entertainment guide owned by Fandom Inc., reflecting the shift in how audiences consume media. The brand now navigates both traditional print and a dynamic digital landscape, offering curated recommendations and news across various platforms.
Rooster Teeth
Rooster Teeth, a pioneering online entertainment company founded in 2003, experienced significant growth with popular web series like 'Red vs. Blue' and 'RWBY', before facing financial difficulties and controversies. After being acquired by Warner Bros. Discovery, the company announced its shutdown in March 2024. However, co-founder Burnie Burns reacquired the brand and some key intellectual properties in February 2025, relaunching it under his new company, Box Canyon Productions, with a focus on its original creative roots.
MoviePass
MoviePass was a subscription service that allowed users to see unlimited movies in theaters for a monthly fee. The company experienced explosive growth in 2017 after dropping its price to $9.95 per month, but collapsed within two years due to unsustainable business practices and fraud allegations.
Robyn Rihanna Fenty
Rihanna has transformed from a global music superstar into a billionaire entrepreneur, primarily through her Fenty Beauty and Savage X Fenty brands. While continuing to expand her business empire and embrace motherhood with three children, she has also made a highly anticipated return to live performance and is actively working on new music in 2026.
Kevin Spacey Fowler
Kevin Spacey's career was significantly impacted by numerous allegations of sexual misconduct that emerged in 2017. While he was acquitted in a 2022 U.S. civil lawsuit and a 2023 U.K. criminal trial, he continues to face new civil claims in the U.K. with a trial set for October 2026, even as he attempts a career resurgence with new film and television projects.
Vincent Kennedy McMahon
Vince McMahon, the long-time chairman and CEO of WWE, transformed professional wrestling into a global entertainment empire. His career, however, has been marred by multiple allegations of sexual misconduct and hush-money payments, leading to his retirement in 2022, a brief return in 2023 to facilitate the TKO Group Holdings merger, and a final resignation in January 2024 amidst a sex trafficking lawsuit. As of early 2026, he faces ongoing legal battles, including a federal investigation and a civil lawsuit with an arbitration hearing scheduled for June 2026, while also reportedly exploring new entertainment ventures and having recently been involved in a car accident.
Amber Heard
Amber Heard is an American actress whose career and public image were significantly impacted by highly publicized legal battles with her ex-husband, Johnny Depp. Following the 2022 defamation trial, she relocated to Spain, focusing on motherhood and gradually returning to acting in independent projects and advocacy work, including an appearance in the 2026 documentary 'Silenced'.
Fyre Festival
Fyre Festival was a disastrous 'luxury' music festival co-founded by Billy McFarland and Ja Rule, which collapsed in April 2017, leaving attendees stranded with inadequate accommodations and food. The event led to multiple lawsuits, McFarland's conviction for fraud and a six-year prison sentence, and has since become a cautionary tale about influencer marketing and unchecked ambition. As of 2026, the Fyre brand has been sold, and McFarland, released from prison, is pursuing new ventures to pay off his substantial restitution.
Richard Corey Harrison
Corey Harrison, known as "Big Hoss" from the reality TV series *Pawn Stars*, has transitioned from a prominent role in his family's Las Vegas pawn shop to a new life in Tulum, Mexico. After departing from the show in 2024-2025 to pursue other ventures, he faced a severe motorcycle accident in January 2026, incurring significant medical debt that led to a public GoFundMe campaign.
Sekiro: No Defeat (Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice Anime Adaptation)
The critically acclaimed video game "Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice" is officially receiving an anime adaptation titled "Sekiro: No Defeat," set to premiere globally on Crunchyroll in 2026. Announced at Gamescom 2025, the series is being produced by Kadokawa, Qzil.la, and ARCH, with a commitment to a hand-drawn animation style and a faithful adaptation of the game's narrative. Recent updates in March 2026 include a new trailer and confirmation of returning voice actors from the original game.
Stephen Moyer
Stephen Moyer is an English actor and director, widely recognized for his starring role as vampire Bill Compton in the HBO series 'True Blood'. Following the show's conclusion, he has continued to build a diverse career in television and film, including recent roles in 'The Gifted', 'Elsbeth', 'Art Detectives', and 'The Night Agent' through early 2026.
Quibi
Quibi was a short-form mobile video streaming platform that launched in April 2020 and shut down just six months later in October 2020. Despite raising $1.75 billion and attracting A-list talent, the service failed to gain traction with consumers and became one of the most spectacular startup failures in entertainment history.
Alec Baldwin Rust Shooting
The Alec Baldwin 'Rust' shooting refers to the accidental fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and injury of director Joel Souza on October 21, 2021, when a prop gun held by actor Alec Baldwin discharged a live round on the set of the film 'Rust'. The incident led to multiple civil lawsuits, criminal charges against Baldwin and armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, and significant changes in film set safety protocols. As of early 2026, the criminal case against Baldwin has been dismissed, while Gutierrez-Reed was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and later released on parole, and Baldwin is pursuing a malicious prosecution lawsuit.
Brendan Fraser
Brendan Fraser's career saw a meteoric rise in the 1990s with leading roles in popular films, followed by a significant decline in the 2000s and 2010s due to personal hardships, health issues, and an alleged sexual assault. He experienced a highly acclaimed comeback, dubbed the 'Brenaissance,' culminating in an Academy Award for Best Actor in 2023 for his role in 'The Whale,' and continues to take on diverse projects into 2026 and beyond.
Charlie Sheen
Charlie Sheen, born Carlos Irwin Estévez, is an American actor who rose to fame with iconic roles in films like 'Platoon' and 'Wall Street' and the highly successful sitcom 'Two and a Half Men'. His career has been marked by significant public struggles with addiction, highly publicized controversies, and an HIV diagnosis, leading to a dramatic decline in his fortune. As of 2026, Sheen is sober, focusing on his health, and making a measured return to acting with new projects, a memoir, and a documentary.
Lindsay Lohan
Lindsay Lohan, a former child star who rose to fame with iconic roles in the early 2000s, navigated a period of highly publicized personal struggles before staging a significant career comeback. Now residing in Dubai with her husband and son, she has re-established herself in Hollywood through a multi-picture deal with Netflix, a highly anticipated Disney sequel, and an upcoming Hulu drama series, embracing a more balanced and private life.
Joseph Hill "Joss" Whedon
Joss Whedon, once celebrated as a visionary filmmaker known for creating beloved shows like 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' and directing Marvel's 'Avengers' films, has seen his career largely halted following multiple allegations of workplace misconduct and abuse. These accusations, which began surfacing prominently in 2017 and escalated significantly from 2020 onwards, have led to his professional ostracization and a re-evaluation of his past work through a critical lens. As of 2026, he remains largely absent from high-profile projects, with a new 'Buffy' reboot explicitly moving forward without his involvement.
Milli Vanilli
Milli Vanilli was a German-French pop duo that achieved global stardom in the late 1980s before their career spectacularly collapsed in 1990 when it was revealed that members Fab Morvan and Rob Pilatus did not sing on their hit records. The scandal led to their Grammy Award being revoked and their music being pulled from circulation. Following the fallout, Rob Pilatus struggled with substance abuse and tragically died in 1998, while Fab Morvan has steadily rebuilt his career, releasing solo music, performing live, and in 2025, published a memoir that earned him a 2026 Grammy nomination.
Richard Starkey
Ringo Starr, the legendary drummer of The Beatles, continues an active and prolific career in 2026, with a new country album, "Long Long Road," set for release in April and a North American tour with his All-Starr Band scheduled for May and June. He remains a celebrated musician, songwriter, and actor, consistently releasing new music and performing live well into his eighties. His recent work has seen a notable return to country and Americana influences, garnering critical and commercial success.
USA Network
USA Network, initially launched as a sports channel in 1977, evolved into a major general entertainment cable network known for its 'Characters Welcome' era of original scripted dramas. Facing shifts in the media landscape, it transitioned towards reality programming and live sports, and as of January 2026, has been spun off by Comcast into a new independent public company named Versant, alongside other former NBCUniversal cable properties. The network continues to air a mix of original series, acquired content, and significant sports programming, including WWE SmackDown.
Armand Douglas Hammer
Armie Hammer's once-promising acting career was derailed in early 2021 by multiple allegations of sexual misconduct, abuse, and disturbing private messages, including cannibalistic fantasies. While he was cleared of criminal charges in June 2023 due to insufficient evidence, the scandal led to his removal from numerous projects, a period of working odd jobs in the Cayman Islands, and a significant public downfall. As of early 2026, Hammer is attempting a career comeback with new acting roles and a podcast, while his ex-wife has launched her own podcast to give a voice to 'hammered' men.
Police Academy (film series)
The 'Police Academy' film series, launched in 1984, became a highly successful comedy franchise known for its slapstick humor and ensemble cast of misfit police recruits. While critically panned after the first installment, the series maintained commercial appeal through seven films, two television spin-offs, and has seen numerous attempts at a reboot, with the latest, 'Police Academy 8: Next Generation,' reportedly slated for a 2026 release.
Paul Donald Wight II
Paul Wight, globally recognized as 'The Big Show,' has transitioned from a legendary in-ring career in WCW and WWE to a multifaceted role in All Elite Wrestling (AEW) as a commentator and ambassador. Despite a series of significant surgeries and a temporary hiatus from active competition, Wight is undergoing a remarkable physical transformation and remains committed to an eventual return to the wrestling ring, alongside pursuing various acting projects.