Entertainment

Somewhere down the line, a brand will probably hire Dentsu as its global entertainment agency, with a brief that has nothing to do with the creative or media accounts. That would have sounded far-fetched a couple of years ago. The branded entertainment hype has kept going for long enough now that it no longer does. It started with people getting rather good at ignoring ads, which pushed brands toward making things they chose to watch. Handily, the entertainment industry is short of cash and far less sniffy about taking a brand’s money than it once was. Social media has opened that door wider. Feeds that once showed a friend’s holiday snaps now run on shows made by creators that cost a fraction of a typical TV series.

Richmond’s Baan Lao Fine Thai Cuisine is no stranger to awards, and it has just added to the trophy case by being named North America’s Best Restaurant at the World Culinary Awards. This distinction is especially significant as it is the first Canadian restaurant to win the title. Previous North American title holders have included French Laundry, Le Bernardin, and Atelier Crenn. Baan Lao was also named Canada’s Best Restaurant for the third consecutive year.

For both Green’s longtime fans and new readers, “Hollywood, Ending” continues to strike his books’ usual harmony between a riveting story and sharp cultural commentary. In his long-awaited return to fiction, John Green tackles art, love and celebrity culture with his signature empathy and humor in his new novel, “Hollywood, Ending.”

Looking to be entertained from Thursday, Oct. 15, through Wednesday, Oct. 21? Check out the Skagit Valley Herald’s weekly recommendations. OCT. 16‘House on Haunted Hill’ showingThe reportedly haunted Concrete Theatre will host a showing of the 1959 film “House on Haunted Hill” at 5 p.m. Friday. “House on Haunted Hill” is a supernatural horror film that follows an eccentric millionaire who offers $10,000 — worth about $115,000 in 2026 — to five strangers if they can survive a night locked in a haunted mansion. The film has a score of 6.7/10 on IMDb, 80% on Rotten Tomatoes and 3.4/5 on Letterboxd. Tickets will be sold at the door for $9. OCT. 17Skagit Drag Halloween ShowGlittery, spooky performances will take place at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Lincoln Theatre during the Skagit Drag Halloween Show. Hosted by Gina Touché and Lady Charlamaine, the night will include live performances from a variety of local drag kings, queens and things. The show will include live vocals, comedy, dancing, extravagant costumes and spooky performances sure to entertain the entire family.

a Vulture news blogger who covers TV and comedy Breaking Bad’s Aaron Paul wrote a heartfelt tribute to the late RJ Mitte, who played Walter Jr. on the Emmy-winning show. “RJ, You have always been an inspiration for so many. I am so sorry you were hurting my friend. I wish we knew,” he began in the caption of his Instagram post. “You constantly had a smile on your face and you took every single challenge that was given to you with such confidence and grace. I met you when you were a little boy and watched you grow into a beautiful young man.” Paul shared a video of Mitte sharing an inspiring message of strength and the importance of mental health. “The last time we saw each other I kept calling you Superman,” Paul added. “You reminded me of him because you always led with kindness and strength. It was blinding. You were born into a world with challenges but you never let any of that stand in your way… What an absolute tragic loss.”

Oct 15, 2026 2:06 AMPublished Oct 15, 2026 2:06 AMBy 2034, Salt Lake City is going to have an NBA team, an NHL team, a renovated Delta Center, and perhaps even an MLB team. They will also beat any allegations of having a dead downtown scene. Utah Mammoth and Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith released a video alongside Salt Lake City mayor Erin Mendenhall and Salt Lake County mayor Jenny Wilson, going over newly released graphics of a revitalized downtown Salt Lake City entertainment center. It’s an over $3 billion project led by Smith and the Smith Entertainment Group (SEG) that is scheduled to be completed before the 2034 Winter Olympics. The project will completely revitalize downtown Salt Lake City directly in front of the Delta Center, creating the city’s first entertainment center. Currently, the Salt Palace Convention Center takes up a majority of the land between the Delta Center and City Creek, a popular shopping center downtown. It creates a wall between the two areas. SEG and Utah are looking to break down that wall and create a walkable pathway from the Delta Center to the City Creek area. “When we think of our downtown, we need connection,” Mendenhall said.

Sharon Bialy of Bialy/Thomas & Associates is a revered, Emmy-nominated casting director who is perhaps best known for Breaking Bad, but has also cast many other high-profile projects including The Walking Dead, The Handmaid’s Tale, Barry, Dead to Me and Pluribus. Below, she pays tribute to the actor R. J. Mitte, who died on Oct. 12 at the age of 34. The first time I met R. J. Mitte was when he came in to audition for the role of Walt Jr. on Breaking Bad.

Connection Needed: Mammoth Owner Ryan Smith Unveils New Salt Lake City Entertainment DistrictBy 2034, Salt Lake City is going to have an NBA team, an NHL team, a renovated Delta Center, and perhaps even an MLB team. They will also beat any allegations of having a dead downtown scene.1:03Now PlayingPausedAd Playing

The doll, plus mandatory Barbie Club 59 membership, will set Céline fans back CAD$106. Left: Canadian singer Céline Dion performs as she presents a creation by l'Oreal Paris for the Women's Spring/Summer 2027 collection fashion show as part of the Paris Fashion Week, in Paris on Sept. 28, 2026. Right: The new Céline Dion Barbie doll. (Kenzo Tribouillard / AFP via Getty Images)

Sylvester Stallone is opening up about how decades of daredevilry have affected him—and why he considers himself an "idiot" for continuing to do his own stunts year after year. In a recent interview with Fox News Digital, the "Rocky" actor said he has "millions, millions of regrets" about his action career. "I could literally spend a half hour talking about injuries, the amount, not even like one, I'm talking about 30 hours, 30 minutes of just individual ones, because it becomes compounded. I have been injured many, many times, but after 'Expendables,' I ended up with nine back operations, three neck fusions. Both shoulders ripped out, eye, you know, all kinds of lens put … it's been brutal," he said, adding that he's never been "quite the same" since the surgeries. More from VarietyStallone starred in — and also directed — the action thriller "The Expendables" in 2010 alongside Jason Statham, Mickey Rourke and more. While filming a scene where Stallone got tackled by WWE legend Steve Austin, the stunt went wrong and left Stallone with dislocated shoulders and a fractured neck that required more than seven back surgeries.

The Open Era quickly reverts to Survivor’s old ways, and it makes for a predictable elimination. I have been absolutely loving this season of Survivor. (And I was also loving the recaps by Jason P. Frank, who was filling in for me the past few weeks while I finished up another project.) I’ve loved two tribes; I’ve loved the absolute wackiness of the casting; I’ve loved that each week we went into Tribal Council without knowing what would happen, but the shock each time made absolute sense thanks to some deft editing. I even love all the whales, from the gorgeous immunity idol to the cetacean B-roll to Moby Dick’s bones that are hanging out at Tribal Council just to piss off Captain Ahab. Know what whale I do hate? The second immunity idol that is a whale, because that means that three tribes are back. Ugh. It’s like you have to eat Brussels sprouts every night for years and then finally someone gives you a sundae, and it’s so delicious, and you want to gobble it all up, but after four bites you put your spoon down into that cold, tall glass and pull out … more fucking Brussels sprouts.

The death of actor and disability rights advocate RJ Mitte was met with a wave of grief from his Breaking Bad co-stars, who shared memories of Mitte following the tragedy. Mitte, who was best known for playing Walter White Jr. on the Emmy-winning series, died on Monday in Brownsville, Texas, at 34. A representative for Mitte confirmed that the cause was suicide. More from Rolling StoneIn a tribute by Aaron Paul, who portrayed Jesse Pinkman on the show, the actor called Mitte "an inspiration for so many" and remembered the last time they saw each other. "I am so sorry you were hurting my friend. I wish we knew," wrote Paul in his post shared to social media. "You constantly had a smile on your face and you took every single challenge that was given to you with such confidence and grace. "Paul recalled meeting Mitte when he was just "a little boy" and watching him "grow into a beautiful young man" who took on "every challenge head on. " He continued, "The last time we saw each other I kept calling you Superman. You reminded me of him. You reminded me of him because you always led with kindness and strength. It was blinding.

Key PointsDancing With the Stars contestant Tyler Cameron lamented the loss of costar Guillermo Rodriguez on TikTok. The Bachelorette alum said the competition should not be based solely on being the best dancer. Cameron is partnered with pro Sharna Burgess for season 35. Dancing With the Stars contestant Tyler Cameron says remaining in the competition is not all about ruling the dance floor. The Bachelorette alum mounted his argument in a recap of this week's episode after lamenting that his fellow contestant, Guillermo Rodriguez, had been eliminated despite having given his all. "I think that's what people are missing and losing in this dance competition, is it's about people's journeys and people's improvements and people growing and learning and becoming better and what dance opens up for them," Cameron said on TikTok. "It's not always about the best dancer. That's why there's the people's vote. That's why you get to see the journey and root them on, and want them to go further.

The first Paramount film scoring a cinema release since Skydance officially acquired Warner Bros. Pictures, Legendary’s “Street Fighter” hits screens Friday and is shaping up to have a pretty good start. The latest film adaptation of the famed Capcom fighting game is expected to open domestically in $25-35 million range and overseas in the mid-$30 million range, for a worldwide debut of nearly $70 million.

GuruFocus News 10/14/2026 17:35 On October 14, 2026, Flutter Entertainment PLC FLUT shares fell 4.9% to $74.26. This decline reflects a significant drop over recent months, with the stock down 26.2% over the last month and a staggering 65.5% year-to-date. The shares currently trade within a 52-week range of $72.56 to $255.26. GF Value™ verdict: Current price of $74.26 is 75.6% below the GF Value™ estimate of $304.62. GF Score™ is 73/100, indicating an above-average rating. Most notable signal: Over the past 12 months, insiders net sold $2.1M in shares, indicating potential caution. Is FLUT Overvalued or Undervalued? Flutter Entertainment's current market price of $74.26 is significantly below the GF Value™ estimate of $304.62, suggesting that the stock is 75.6% undervalued. GF Value™ is GuruFocus's proprietary intrinsic value estimate, derived from historical trading multiples, past business growth, and future performance projections. While this extreme reading indicates a potential opportunity, it is essential to exercise caution, as the label suggests a "Possible Value Trap," urging investors to think twice before diving in.