WCGX The Cat 96.5 FM

Universal Pictures announced that sing-along screenings of Wicked will be held at over 1,000 theaters on Christmas Day, Dec. 25. Stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande will make a new video introduction, with the lyrics for all the film’s musical numbers shown on screen. Wicked will also continue its theatrical run in standard format.

Jim Orr, president of domestic theatrical distribution for Universal Pictures, said in a statement: “the overwhelming response to ‘Wicked’ has been remarkable. These sing-along screenings offer fans a unique opportunity to become part of the story they’ve embraced so enthusiastically. There’s something extraordinarily special about experiencing this beloved musical together as a community, and we’re thrilled to create that opportunity this holiday season.”

Wicked is based on the Broadway musical prequel to ‘The Wizard of Oz’. Wicked: Part Two is set to debut in theaters on November 21, 2025.  The film is now the highest-grossing Broadway musical film adaptation in U.S. box office history, and has made over $320 million domestic and $457 worldwide. It surpasses ‘Grease’, which held the record for 46 years.

Tickets for the sing-along screenings are available now; visit wickedmovie.com/singalong for details on showtimes and availability.

Editorial credit: Tinseltown / Shutterstock.com

Yellowstone co-creator Taylor Sheridan and country superstar Blake Shelton are set to executive produce a new reality competition series for CBS called The Road, set to premiere next year.

The Road will follow a headlining superstar — to be announced at a later date — as they search for the next big music artist.  Sheridan said in a statement: “There is a revolution taking place in country music. Building a platform with Blake for the next leaders of that revolution is an incredibly exciting venture. No more shiny floors and studio audiences. This is where the rubber meets the road — literally. Get in the van, go to the next town and win the crowd. Do it enough, and you become the next leader. Simple as that.”

Shelton and Sheridan will executive produce the docuseries along with Lee Metzger and David Glasser. Per a press release, The Road will offer “a backstage pass into the gritty and unforgiving life of a touring artist” with exclusive access to the behind-the-scenes workings of the music industry. The series will show “what happens when some of the best up-and-coming performers pile into a tour bus and tackle a grueling schedule in pursuit of their dreams.”

Shelton, 48, said in a statement: “I’m a big fan of Taylor’s incredible work, and I’m excited to team with him and my long-time collaborator, Lee, on ‘The Road’. I know a thing or two about singing competitions and what it’s like to chase a music dream and live life on tour. I’m looking forward to discovering new talent and giving them this platform.”

Editorial credit: taniavolobueva / Shutterstock.com

Mindy Kaling and Morris Chestnut announced the nominees for the 82nd annual Golden Globes, honoring excellence in television and film. Wicked, Gladiator II, Anora, Emilia Pérez, A Complete Unknown, Baby Reindeer, The Bear, Shōgun and Slow Horses were all among the top nominees.

Deadline reports that Emilia Pérez leads film nominations with 10, , including Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy and Best Motion Picture – Non-English Language. The Brutalist follows with seven nods, and Conclave with six.

The Bear lead the television nominations with five, including Best Musical or Comedy Series. Only Murders in the Building and Shōgun followed, earning four nods each.

As previously announced, actress Viola Davis will be honored at the Golden Globes ceremony with the prestigious Cecil B. DeMille Award for her career accomplishments; while Ted Danson is set to receive the Carol Burnett Award for excellence in television. The Golden Globes, hosted by comedian Nikki Glaser, will take place Jan. 5 and air live at 8 p.m. EST on CBS. The show will also stream on Paramount+.

For the full list of nominations, head to goldenglobes.com.

Editorial credit: Joe Seer / Shutterstock.com

Jay-Z (legal name Shawn Carter) is publicly denying the ‘heinous’ allegations made against him in a civil lawsuit against Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs.

NBC News reported that Jay-Z, 55, and Combs are accused of raping a 13-year-old girl 24 years ago in the lawsuit, that was amended since originally being filed in October. Carter was named in the civil lawsuit filed by a woman identified only as Jane Doe; according to the amended complaint, Doe alleges that she was assaulted after she was driven to an MTV Video Music Awards afterparty in 2000.

The lawsuit that was originally filed in New York City on October 20 had the names of two celebrities redacted, only listing Combs, 55, as a defendant. An amended complaint was filed on Sunday, Dec. 8 has the unnamed woman alleging that she was raped by Combs and Carter, while a still-unnamed female celebrity watched during a party in a N.Y.C. residence after the VMAs.  The suit states: “Defendant Sean Combs, along with his longtime friend and collaborator Shawn Carter (a/k/a ‘JayZ’), drugged and raped a thirteen-year-old girl at an afterparty following the 2000 Video Music Awards. Another celebrity stood by and watched as Combs and Carter took turns assaulting the minor.”

Carter responded to the allegations via the X account of Roc Nation, calling the accusation false and stating that the filing was a blackmail attempt:  “What he had calculated was the nature of these allegations and the public scrutiny would make me want to settle. No sir, it had the opposite effect! It made me want to expose you for the fraud you are in a VERY public fashion. So no, I will not give you ONE RED PENNY!! These allegations are so heinous in nature that I implore you to file a criminal complaint, not a civil one!! Whomever would commit such a crime against a minor should be locked away, would you not agree? These alleged victims would deserve real justice if that were the case  You have made a terrible error in judgement thinking that all ‘celebrities’ are the same. I’m not from your world. I’m a young man who made it out of the project of Brooklyn. We don’t play these types of games. We have very strict codes and honor. We protect children, you seem to exploit people for personal gain. Only your network of conspiracy theorists, fake physics, will believe the idiotic claims you have levied against me that, if not for the seriousness surrounding harm to kids, would be laughable. I look forward to showing you just how different I am.”    

Carter added that his “only heartbreak” is for his family: “My wife and I will have to sit our children down, one of whom is at the age where her friends will surely see the press and ask questions about the nature of these claims, and explain the cruelty and greed of people. I mourn yet another loss of innocence. Children should not have to endure such at their young age.”

Combs’ attorneys also denied the allegations in a statement: “This amended complaint and the recent extortion lawsuit against Mr. Buzbee exposes his barrage of lawsuits against Mr. Combs for what they are: shameless publicity stunts, designed to extract payments from celebrities who fear having lies spread about them, just as lies have been spread about Mr. Combs. As his legal team has said before, Mr. Combs has full confidence in the facts and the integrity of the judicial process. In court, the truth will prevail: that Mr. Combs never sexually assaulted or trafficked anyone — man or woman, adult or minor.”

Editorial credit: Tinseltown / Shutterstock.com

Max is gearing up for the release of the eight-episode Season 2 of Bookie, the original comedy from Chuck Lorre and Nick Bakay, starring Sebastian Maniscalco and Omar J. Dorsey. Andrea Anders, Maxim Swinton and Rob Corddry also star in the series, with Season 2 guest stars including Charlie Sheen, Ray Romano, Zach Braff and Brad Garrett.

The series follows “veteran Los Angeles bookie Danny (Sebastian Maniscalco) as the potential legalization of sports gambling in California threatens to upend his business for good. Alongside best friend and former NFL player Ray (Omar J. Dorsey), side-hustling sister Lorraine (Vanessa Ferlito), and reluctantly reformed drug dealer Hector (Jorge Garcia), Danny must contend with his increasingly unstable clients as he tries to settle their debts — all while making plenty of risky bets of his own.”

The eight-episode second season returns on Thursday, December 12 with weekly episodes leading up to the season finale oin Thursday, January 30; see the trailer: HERE.

Editorial credit: Eugene Powers / Shutterstock.com

The upcoming CBS medical mystery series “Watson” starring Morris Chestnut has set its premiere date. The show will debut after the AFC Championship Game on Jan. 26, 2025 at approximately 10 p.m. ET – depending on when the game and post-game coverage conclude.

The upcoming medical mystery drama follows Dr. John Watson’s return to his medical practice after Moriarty kills Holmes, the fictional detective who first appeared in novels by British author Arthur Conan Doyle. An official description reads: “Watson is a medical show with a strong investigative spine. Featuring a modern version of one of history’s greatest detectives as he turns his attention from solving crimes to solving medical mysteries.”

As previously announced, Chestnut will star as Dr. John Watson, the companion of the iconic mater detective Sherlock Holmes. Per the official series logline, the show “takes place six months after the death of the titular character’s friend and partner, Sherlock Holmes, at the hands of Moriarty. The show stars Morris Chestnut as Dr. John Watson, who resumes his medical career as the head of a clinic dedicated to treating rare disorders. Watson’s old life isn’t done with him, though – Moriarty and Watson are set to write their own chapter of a story that has fascinated audiences for more than a century.”

Chestnut is also an executive producer on the series, with Eve Harlow, Peter Mark Kendall, Ritchie Coster, Inga Schlingmann and Rochelle Aytes also starring.

Watson premieres Jan. 26 at 10:00 p.m. EST on CBS, with the episode streaming on Paramount+ the following day. The series will begin airing in its regular Sunday timeslot at 10 p.m. ET beginning on Feb. 16.

Editorial credit: Quinn Jeffrey / Shutterstock.com