The entertainment world mourns Robert Nakamura, Robert Mnuchin, Chris Rea, Kevin Arkadie, May Britt, and Vince Zampella, all influential figures in film, art, music, television, and gaming who passed away.

• Robert Nakamura, ‘Godfather’ of Asian American Film, Dies at 88 — New York Times Arts -
• Robert Mnuchin, Stock Trader Turned Art Dealer, Dies at 92 — New York Times Arts -
• Chris Rea, Grammy-Nominated Singer of ‘Driving Home for Christmas,’ Dies at 74 — New York Times Arts -

• Kevin Arkadie, ‘New York Undercover’ Co-Creator, Dies at 68 — New York Times Arts -
• May Britt, 91, Dies; Her Marriage to Sammy Davis Jr. Sparked Outrage — New York Times Arts -
• Vince Zampella, Formative Designer of Call of Duty Games, Dies at 55 — New York Times Arts -

Playwrights Horizons faces a lawsuit over race-based discounts, while Russell Brand is charged with additional counts of sexual assault, and British police drop a case against Bob Vylan for an anti-Israel chant. Additionally, the Kennedy Center's naming controversy involving Donald Trump continues with a lawmaker's lawsuit, as a feature explores artistic expressions of racial solidarity.

• Playwrights Horizons Is Sued Over Discounts to People of Color — New York Times Arts -
• British Police Drop Case Against Bob Vylan After Its Anti-Israel Chant — New York Times Arts -
• Kennedy Center, Memorial to JFK, Is Trump’s Now, Too — New York Times Arts -

• Russell Brand Is Charged With Additional Counts of Rape and Sexual Assault — New York Times Arts -
• ‘Sinners,’ ‘One Battle After Another’ and the Art of Racial Solidarity — New York Times Arts -
• Lawmaker Sues to Remove Trump’s Name From the Kennedy Center — New York Times Arts -

K-Dramas featuring unjustly accused women are highlighted, while Taylor Swift's 'The End of an Era' documentary offers key takeaways, and a look back at the best animated shows and movies of 2025 is presented. New shows like 'Heated Rivalry' find success, alongside a review of the holiday classic 'Jingle All the Way' and a look at Kate Winslet's directorial debut, 'Goodbye June'.

• In These K-Dramas, Women Are Unjustly Accused (Maybe) — New York Times Arts -
• 7 Takeaways From the Final Episodes of Taylor Swift’s ‘The End of an Era’ — New York Times Arts -
• The Best Animated Shows and Movies of 2025 — New York Times Arts -

• ‘Heated Rivalry’ Scores Big With Hockey and Sex — New York Times Arts -
• ‘Jingle All the Way,’ and the Super Bad Dad Superhero — New York Times Arts -
• Kate Winslet’s Unhappy Family Christmas — New York Times Arts -

Personal music journeys are explored with a feature on 10 songs that defined the year and an invitation for readers to share songs they discovered or rediscovered in 2025. Additionally, nine promising new artists across various genres are highlighted for their emerging talent.

• 10 Songs That Explain My Year — New York Times Arts -
• What Song Did You Discover, or Rediscover, in 2025? — New York Times Arts -
• 9 Artists to Watch — New York Times Arts -

The Rockettes celebrate their centenary with reflections on their future, while a Canadian ballet company finds upliftment after stolen 'Nutcracker' sets. On Broadway, 'The Queen of Versailles' faced challenges, and the Metropolitan Opera engages influencers to attract new audiences, with holiday opera options increasing in New York.

• The Rockettes, at 100, Need a Kick in the Right Direction — New York Times Arts -
• In Ontario, the Uplifting Case of a Ballet Company’s Stolen ‘Nutcracker’ Sets — New York Times Arts -
• ‘The Queen of Versailles’ Bombed on Broadway. What Went Wrong? — New York Times Arts -

• Miracle on 64th Street: Options for Holiday Opera — New York Times Arts -
• Influencers Get Their Night at the Opera as the Met Courts New Fans — New York Times Arts -

Justin Marozzi's 'Captives and Companions' and John Samuel Harpham's 'The Intellectual Origins of American Slavery' are reviewed, offering insights into historical contexts. Additionally, a selection of five breakout novels of 2025 highlights new literary talents beyond household names.

• Book Review: ‘Captives and Companions,’ by Justin Marozzi and ‘The Intellectual Origins of American Slavery,' by John Samuel Harpham. — New York Times Books -
• From ‘Buckeye’ to ‘Mona’s Eyes’: 5 Breakout Novels of 2025 — New York Times Arts -

In the art world, two new Banksy murals have appeared in London, combining seasonal themes with social commentary on rising child homelessness.

• Two New Banksy Murals Appear in London — New York Times Arts -