Author: Rap Hooks

The Muppet Show is making a comeback — featuring Sabrina Carpenter and Seth Rogen.

Disney+ has released a first look at its upcoming Muppet Show special event, which premieres on the streamer and ABC on Feb. 4. The trailer shows the familiar faces of beloved characters Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy and more getting ready to take the stage at the original Muppet Theatre with the help of some new friends.

“It’s the return of The Muppet Show — back on the very stage where it all started, and then ended, and is maybe starting again depending on how tonight goes,” Kermit announces in the 30-second clip.

The preview for The Muppet Show reveals special guest Sabrina Carpenter buttering up Miss Piggy backstage.

“You are an icon,” says Carpenter, who welcomed Miss Piggy to her own show in November, “arresting” the Muppet star at the final stop of the Short N’ Sweet Tour in Los Angeles. More recently, the pop star released Man’s Best Friend (Bonus Track Version) on streaming services with the song “Such a Funny Way” on Christmas Eve. (A lyric video for the track also arrived as a holiday surprise for fans.)

“You’re too sweet,” Miss Piggy replies before cheekily adding, “Go on.”

Seth Rogen, executive producer on the new Muppet Show project, also gets some screentime in the sneak peek.

Watch the trailer for Disney’s The Muppet Show reboot below. Jim Henson’s original Muppet Show first went to series 50 years ago, in 1976, and ran through 1981.

Carlos Baute, Danny Ocean, Ricardo Montaner, Erika Ender and more Latin music artists reacted on Saturday (Jan. 3) to the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, in a surprising U.S. military operation carried out overnight in Caracas. The news was confirmed by U.S. president Donald Trump early in the morning.

“The United States of America has successfully carried out a large scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolás Maduro, who has been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of the country,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. He later reported that Maduro and his wife were being transported on a U.S. warship to New York, where they would face criminal charges related to narco-terrorism, according to the Associated Press, and stated that the military operation in Venezuela was necessary to curb the flow of drugs into the United States.

The news was largely received with a mix of joy and cautious optimism.

“All profound changes are painful. We know that difficult days are coming, but after the storm, calm always comes,” Carlos Baute wrote in an Instagram post. “To everyone inside — family, friends, our people — we are praying for you and supporting you from afar in every way possible. God does not abandon good people, and Venezuela is a country of good people,” added the singer-songwriter of the mid-’90s hit “Yo Me Quedo en Venezuela,” which became an anthem for many compatriots.

“We haven’t slept. With rum since 3 a.m. The moment we’ve been waiting for has arrived. Is this reallll???? Venezuelaaaaaaaa,” posted Mau y Ricky.

With tears in her eyes, singer Karina celebrated that “Venezuela will be free” in a video posted to her Instagram Stories. “It has begun,” she said. “This cannot be stopped. Please take care of yourselves… Miracles do happen.”

Some opted to share messages of peace and prayer. “Lord, take care of and bless the Venezuelan people, remove the bad ones and let peace reign, and may your love and mercy guide the future of all who love you. Amen amen,” posted Ricardo Montaner in his Instagram Stories, alongside the hashtags #venezuela and #venezuelalibre (#freevenezuela). Similarly, Elena Rose, known for her spirituality, shared a prayer to Saint Michael the Archangel for protection in her Instagram Stories, as well as Psalm 21 about divine protection, refuge and safety.

Others simply reposted a statement from opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate of 2025, María Corina Machado, titled “The Hour of Freedom Has Come”: “Today we are prepared to enforce our mandate and take power,” she wrote. “Let us remain vigilant, active, and organized until the democratic transition is achieved. A transition that needs all of us.”

This was the case with popular Venezuelan artist Danny Ocean, who has been vocal about the situation in his country and recently performed in Oslo at the Nobel ceremony in honor of Machado. In his Instagram Stories, the musician shared an image of the Venezuelan flag accompanied by Mathias Fritsche’s musical piece “Honor Him” from the movie Gladiator, followed by Machado’s statement.

Machado also wrote that opposition figure Edmundo González should assume power after Maduro’s departure, claiming he legitimately won the 2024 presidential elections. However, by midday, in a press conference at Mar-a-Lago, Trump declared that the U.S. government would administer the South American country, at least temporarily, and would take advantage of its vast oil reserves until a “proper transition” could take place.

Panamanian singer-songwriter Erika Ender, whose country experienced a U.S. invasion in the late 1980s, shared a heartfelt message on social media. “Venezuela, Panama went through what you are going through today. And even so, from that pain, it rose again stronger than ever. That’s why I know it’s possible. And that’s exactly what I wish for you too,” she wrote. “I deeply understand what you have had to endure — the silent wounds, the paths so many had to take far from home to survive, grow, and reinvent themselves. An entire generation that started over in other lands and, with hard work and dignity, also helped other countries grow. Venezuela has sown much beyond its borders… Today, I wish, from the bottom of my heart, that your rebirth is the one you deserve.”

Dove Cameron and Damiano David are taking the next step in their relationship.

On Saturday (Jan. 3), the Disney Channel alum announced on social media that she is engaged to the Måneskin frontman after two years of dating.

“My favourite part of being alive … happy new year,” Cameron captioned an Instagram gallery of the couple celebrating the milestone. David shared the same photos on his Instagram account, writing, “It’s gonna be a beautiful year.”

In the snapshots, Cameron, 29, beams in a red dress while showing off her engagement ring, as David, 26, gazes back at her lovingly.

The announcement follows engagement rumors from October 2025, when the couple was spotted in Australia wearing matching black outfits, with Cameron showing a sparkler on her ring finger, according to People.

The pair celebrated their two-year anniversary in early October. “The 2 best years of my life,” the “French Girls” singer wrote on Instagram. “I am brought to tears at least once a week because life has become so beautiful with you in it. I love you in a way no words could ever express, but i will never stop trying. buon anniversario amore mio.”

Cameron and David first met at the 2022 MTV Video Music Awards, where the Descendants star and the Italian rock band were both nominated for best new artist. They later crossed paths again at the same event the following year. David invited her to visit the band during a concert at New York’s Madison Square Garden, and their relationship blossomed from there.

“It was very, very slow, cautious, feeling-out, interview-type questions for eight hours,” Cameron told Cosmopolitan in 2024 of their backstage meeting, “before it was finally like, ‘OK, are we holding hands now?’”

She added, “I remember I was fascinated because he presents in a way that seems very easily digestible and then you spend two minutes around him and you realize he is the kindest, most generous, most innocent, most giving person. He’s just a beautiful, sensitive soul.”

See Cameron’s engagement announcement on Instagram here.

Barry Manilow is sharing some encouraging news following his recent lung cancer diagnosis.

In late December, the 82-year-old Grammy-winning singer revealed that doctors had found cancer in one of his lungs, prompting him to postpone his January concerts to begin treatment.

On Friday (Jan. 2), the “Copacabana” hitmaker shared a positive update on Instagram, posting a grinning selfie that appears to have been taken in a hospital bed while wearing a gown. The photo, seemingly sent through text, shows a gray message bubble that reads, “Better today!”

About two weeks ago, Manilow announced his cancer diagnosis in a statement on his social media accounts.

“As many of you know, I recently went through six weeks of bronchitis followed by a relapse of another five weeks. Even though I was over the bronchitis and back on stage at the Westgate Las Vegas, my wonderful doctor ordered an MRI just to make sure that everything was OK,” he wrote. “The MRI discovered a cancerous spot on my left lung that needs to be removed. It’s pure luck (and a great doctor) that it was found so early. That’s the good news.”

The singer added that he would be undergoing surgery to have the cancer removed.

“The doctors do not believe it has spread and I’m taking tests to confirm their diagnosis,” Manilow wrote. “So, that’s it. No chemo. No radiation. Just chicken soup and I Love Lucy reruns.”

Manilow also apologized to fans for postponing his January shows.

“In the meantime, I’m counting the days until I return to my home away from home at the Westgate Las Vegas for our Valentine’s weekend concerts on February 12-13-14 and throughout 2026,” he wrote. “Something tells me that February weekend is going to be one big party!”

He concluded his message by wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, and reminding fans to stay on top of their health. “And remember, if you have even the slightest symptom… get tested!” he wrote.

See Manilow’s latest update on Instagram below.

Billy Joel surprised fans in Florida with his first performance since revealing he has a brain disorder.

On Friday (Jan. 2), the 76-year-old music legend delivered a two-song set alongside Billy Joel tribute band Turnstiles at a village amphitheater in Wellington, Florida, which was celebrating its 30th anniversary.

In the unexpected appearance, the Piano Man joined the band onstage accompanied by his wife, Alexis Roderick, and their two daughters, Della and Remy. After asking for permission to use the microphone, Joel performed “We Didn’t Start the Fire” and “Big Shot,” while his daughters danced beside him.

Throughout the show, the tribute act teased that a special guest would appear, according to TMZ.

“I wasn’t planning on working tonight,” Joel told the enthusiastic crowd, the Palm Beach Post reports.

Friday’s performance marked Joel’s first time back onstage since revealing in May 2025 that he has normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH), a type of brain disorder. Following the announcement, he canceled all scheduled concerts to begin physical therapy to manage his symptoms. His last full concert took place in February 2025.

NPH occurs when cerebrospinal fluid builds up in the skull and puts pressure on the brain, according to the Cleveland Clinic. The condition can affect thinking, memory, balance and movement, and is often treated with a surgically implanted shunt to drain excess fluid.

In a July 2025 interview on Bill Maher’s Club Random podcast, Joel said he was feeling okay but noted that his condition was ongoing. “It’s not fixed,” the singer-songwriter said, “it’s still being worked on.”

Sitting at the piano, Joel added, “I feel fine. My balance sucks. It’s like being on a boat. [My condition] used to be called ‘water on the brain.’ Now it’s called normal pressure hydrocephalus.”

Check out fan-captured footage of Joel’s surprise performance in Florida on YouTube here.

Powerhouse music attorney Dina LaPolt is suing a former law partner for allegedly disparaging her to clients and industry professionals after opening a competing firm.

LaPolt, a frequent Billboard honoree known for her representation of major artists and advocacy for legislation including the Music Modernization Act, filed breach of contract and defamation claims on Dec. 19 against attorney Mariah Comer. The lawsuit alleges Comer has “declared war” since leaving LaPolt Law and starting her own firm, Comer Culture.

“Given Comer’s false statements to industry professionals, her breaches of confidentiality, and the threat of further false allegations being made public through litigation, plaintiffs have been forced to bring this action to establish the true facts about Comer’s employment, performance and resignation,” reads the legal complaint.

According to the lawsuit, Comer joined LaPolt Law as an intern in 2019 and then full-time after graduating from Cornell Law School in 2021. LaPolt says she saw “raw potential” in Comer and took her under her wing as a mentee, quickly promoting the young lawyer to partner in 2022 and investing heavily in her development.

But LaPolt claims Comer was often “hostile, bullying and belligerent” with colleagues and clients. This behavior allegedly escalated in 2024, when LaPolt received numerous complaints about Comer’s behavior, and the lawyer had to be removed from the team of a prominent recording artist.  

Comer also supposedly got LaPolt Law fired from a major catalog sale deal last June by sending improper direct communications to the unnamed client’s musical collaborator, causing the firm to lose out on a multimillion-dollar commission. Then, in August, LaPolt says she discovered that Comer had botched the sync licensing clearances for a cover that another unnamed client had released the previous year.

LaPolt says she still didn’t fire Comer after these many issues but instead assigned a senior partner to oversee Comer and decreased her bonus compensation in the process — leading Comer to resign in October out of “pride, ego and an overblown sense of her own importance,” the lawsuit alleges.

Comer then struck out on her own and opened Comer Culture. In the process, LaPolt claims that Comer, a Black woman, has been falsely telling clients and other industry professionals that she was subjected to racism at LaPolt Law.

“She has attacked Ms. LaPolt precisely where she knew it would hurt most, by fabricating claims of racial discrimination against a lifelong advocate for diversity and equality,” reads the lawsuit, which notes that LaPolt has worked extensively with the Black Music Action Coalition and is the mother to two Black children.

Comer has also allegedly threatened to bring a $1.5 million racial discrimination and wrongful termination lawsuit against LaPolt Law. According to LaPolt, Comer sent her a draft complaint last month that “disclosed multiple confidential client matters” in “blatant disregard” of attorney-client privilege requirements.

Now, LaPolt is suing Comer to enforce confidentiality and non-disparagement clauses from her old employment contract, as well as for breach of fiduciary duty, trade secret misappropriation, unfair competition and defamation. LaPolt is seeking financial damages for the harm that Comer has supposedly inflicted on her reputation.

A rep for Comer did not return a request for comment on the lawsuit on Friday (Jan. 2).