Sean 'Diddy' Combs's sentencing and the judge's denial of his request to vacate conviction are prominent, detailing the legal proceedings against the music mogul for prostitution-related offenses.

• What to Know Before Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’s Sentencing — New York Times Arts -
• Judge Denies Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’s Request to Vacate Conviction — New York Times Arts -

The review of 'Play Dirty', Chloë Grace Moretz's role in 'Caroline', and upcoming October streaming releases dominate film and TV news, alongside commentary on the value of shared laughter in movie theaters and Ronny Chieng's late-night comedy.

• ‘Play Dirty’ Review: A Halfhearted Heist Movie — New York Times Arts -
• ‘Caroline’ Review: Chloë Grace Moretz as a Mother Starting Over — New York Times Arts -
• The Best Movies and TV Shows Coming to Disney+, Amazon, Max, AMC+ and More in October — New York Times Arts -

• The Case for Laughing With Strangers in the Dark — New York Times Arts -
• Ronny Chieng Shades Pete Hegseth’s Military Address — New York Times Arts -

Tina Turner's new sculpture, Hayley Williams's solo career alongside Paramore, and insights into Nina Simone's musical legacy are key, along with Taylor Swift's collaboration with Max Martin shaping pop music.

• A New Tina Turner Sculpture Joins List of Scorned Statues — New York Times Arts -
• Does Hayley Williams Want to Escape Paramore’s Shadow? It Depends. — New York Times Arts -
• 5 Minutes That Will Make You Love Nina Simone — New York Times Arts -

• When Taylor Swift Met Pop’s Supreme Hitmaker, Max Martin — New York Times Arts -

A new PEN America report on rampant book bans highlights free speech concerns, complemented by reviews of Jeff Chang's biography and guides to Thomas Pynchon's novels, along with recommendations for horror and toddler books.

• ‘Rampant’ Book Bans Are Now Taken for Granted, Free Speech Group Warns — New York Times Arts -
• Book Review: ‘Water Mirror Echo,’ by Jeff Chang — New York Times Books -
• Thomas Pynchon’s Novels: A Guide — New York Times Books -

• Great Horror Books About Possession — New York Times Arts -
• Great Books for Toddlers — New York Times Books -

Danielle Brathwaite-Shirley's interactive video games as art and predictions for New York's arts scene in 2050 are key, alongside Larry Bell's public glass sculptures, the Paris Opera Ballet's American tour, and a guide to October events in NYC.

• Danielle Brathwaite-Shirley’s Video Games Are About Connecting, Not Winning — New York Times Arts -
• What Will New York’s Arts Scene Look Like in 2050? — New York Times Arts -
• Letting the Squirrels Have Their Way With His Art — New York Times Arts -

• Paris Opera Ballet Brings Hofesh Shechter Work to America, Leaving Tutus at Home — New York Times Arts -
• 36 Fun Things to Do in NYC in October 2025 — New York Times Arts -

Investigating whether bathhouses can alleviate loneliness and a personal story about hiring an escort for a 70th birthday explore unique social and lifestyle narratives.

• Can Bathhouses Fix Our Loneliness Problem? — New York Times Arts -
• For Her 70th Birthday, She Hired an Escort — New York Times Arts -

A review of 'Hades II' praises its Sisyphean yet endlessly satisfying gameplay, highlighting its elegant combat and character growth.

• Hades II Feels Sisyphean Yet Is Endlessly Satisfying — New York Times Arts -

The passing of Marilyn Knowlden, a child actress from 1930s Hollywood, marks the end of a long career that included appearances alongside cinematic legends.

• Marilyn Knowlden, Child Actress of 1930s Hollywood, Dies at 99 — New York Times Arts -