This topic covers the deaths of beloved French movie icon Brigitte Bardot, soul music legend Don Bryant, 'Diff'rent Strokes' actress Melanie Watson Bernhardt, and piano virtuoso Gary Graffman.

• Brigitte Bardot, French Movie Icon Who Renounced Stardom, Dies at 91 — New York Times Movies -
• Don Bryant, 83, Dies; Co-Wrote ‘I Can’t Stand the Rain’ for His Wife — New York Times Music -
• Melanie Watson Bernhardt, ‘Diff’rent Strokes’ Actress, Dies at 57 — New York Times Arts -

• Gary Graffman, Piano Virtuoso and Renowned Teacher, Dies at 97 — New York Times Music -

This section details the rise of SNL star Marcello Hernández, 2025's global surge in anime popularity, a review of the 'Anaconda' reboot, streaming recommendations for documentaries, and upcoming New Year's Eve television specials.

• Marcello Hernández Can Handle the Haters — New York Times Arts -
• 2025 Showed Us the Global Power of Anime — New York Times Movies -
• ‘Anaconda’ Review: Back in the Jungle — New York Times Movies -

• Three Great Documentaries to Stream — New York Times Movies -
• New Year’s Eve Specials, Plus 4 Things to Watch on TV This Week — New York Times Movies -
• New Year’s Eve Specials, Plus 4 Things to Watch on TV This Week — New York Times Movies -

This topic highlights the departure of an innovative opera director in Detroit, a look at nine emerging artists to watch, accessible opera viewings at home, and a reflection on rock music's enduring relevance in 2025.

• A Bold Alliance Ends as Innovative Opera Director Bows Out in Detroit — New York Times Music -
• 9 Artists to Watch — New York Times Music -
• 5 Operas You Can Watch at Home Now — New York Times Music -

• Who Says Rock Is Dead? — New York Times Music -

This section offers recommendations for twisty new thriller books, a spotlight on five breakout novels of 2025, and authors sharing their key learnings from books read in the past year.

• Twisty New Thriller Books — New York Times Books -
• From ‘Buckeye’ to ‘Mona’s Eyes’: 5 Breakout Novels of 2025 — New York Times Books -
• Jeff Kinney and Other Authors on What They Learned From a Book in 2025 — New York Times Books -

This topic explores a hip-hop rehabilitation story told through step, artists capturing identity through clothing in 'Exactitudes', the São Paulo Bienal's vision for a better world, London's 2025 theater highlights, and a critique of esports culture in 'Q-UP'.

• ‘Try/Step/Trip’ Is a Story of Hip-Hop Rehabilitation, Told in Step — New York Times Arts -
• The Artists Behind “Exactitudes" Capture How People Use Clothes to Create Identity — New York Times Arts -
• Want to Build a Better World? The São Paulo Bienal Has Some Tips. — New York Times Arts -

• London’s 2025 Theater Highlights — New York Times Arts -
• Q-UP’s Competitive Coin Flip League Has a Satisfying Payoff — New York Times Arts -

This section reports on Idris Elba and Cynthia Erivo receiving prestigious King Charles's New Year Honors.

• Idris Elba and Cynthia Erivo Make King Charles’s New Year Honors List — New York Times Arts -