Entertainment Tidbits

Warner Bros. Discovery’s board unanimously rejected Paramount Skydance’s $108 billion, $30-per-share takeover offer, calling it inferior to its pending merger with Netflix. WBD reaffirmed its commitment to the Netflix deal of $27.75 per share, under which Netflix would acquire Warner Bros. studios, HBO, and HBO Max after the planned 2026 spin-off of Discovery Global. (Story URL)

Gil Gerard, best known for playing the lead in NBC’s 1979 sci-fi series Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, has died at 82 after battling cancer. Gerard left a message for fans, shared after his passing. He reflected on his “amazing journey” from Arkansas to Hollywood and his life with wife Janet, adding, “Don’t waste your time on anything that doesn’t thrill you or bring you love.” (Story URL)

The famous Home Alone house in Winnetka, Illinois, will soon regain its original 1990 holiday charm. The new owners plan to restore the interior to match the film’s cozy, colorful design. Built in 1926, the 9,000-square-foot home was sold in January 2025 for more than $5.5 million after a 2018 renovation gave it a modern, all-white look which fans criticized as “sterile.” (Story URL)

Dr. Mark Chavez was sentenced to 8 months of house arrest for conspiring to illegally distribute ketamine linked to Matthew Perry’s 2023 overdose death. Chavez, one of 5 convicted in the case, also received 3 years of supervised release and 300 hours of community service. Chavez faced up to 10 years but cooperated with investigators and surrendered his medical license. (Story URL)

James Cameron says he once performed CPR on a drowning rat while shooting his 1989 film The Abyss. He told THR about rescuing ‘Beanie‘ during the underwater production. “Beanie and I bonded over the whole thing,” he said. “I saved his life. We were brothers.” Cameron added that Beanie later lived on his desk while he wrote Terminator 2 and “lived to a ripe old age.” (Story URL)

Netflix will debut over 15 exclusive video podcasts in early 2026 through new partnerships with iHeartMedia and Barstool Sports. Video episodes will be exclusive to Netflix, while audio versions remain on existing platforms like Spotify and Apple Podcasts. YouTube viewers will lose access to full video episodes once the shows migrate to Netflix, requiring a subscription. (Story URL)