Thanksgiving is on the horizon, and thankfully we’re still stuffed with pop culture news before getting into all that stuffing. We have all the biggest stories here for you to catch up on with the latest Weekly Roundup.
First, strike season has finally come to a close with the end of the SAG-AFTRA strike, as they reached a deal with studios. The first trailer has been released for the upcoming Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, and the mystery man on the front of Led Zeppelin IV has been uncovered. Slipknot have parted ways with their drummer Jay Weinberg, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony rolled on with numerous iconic moments.
Catch up on all the hottest music, entertainment, and pop culture news via the video above, and find more info on each story at the links below.
SAG-AFTRA Strike Ends Following New Deal — After 118 days of striking due to failing to secure a new contract with the AMPTP, the SAG-AFTRA strike has come to an end, with actors being permitted to return to work Thursday, November 9th. Precise details of the tentative deal aren’t fully disclosed, but are said to involve “above-pattern” minimum compensation increases, consent and compensation provisions for AI, streaming participation bonuses, and Pension & Health caps increases. As actors told Consequence at the start of the strike, the previous system was not sustainable for many working actors. The WGA strike wrapped up earlier in September following 148 days on the picket line.
New Trailer for Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire Released — Led by Paul Rudd and Carrie Coon, the first trailer for the sequel to 2021’s Ghostbusters: Afterlife has come out, bringing the new cast together with the OGs. Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, and Ernie Hudson are back alongside Mckenna Grace, Finn Wolfhard, Logan Kim, and Celeste O’Connor, along with a plethora of other new cast members like Kumail Nanjiani and Patton Oswalt. The film is set to release March 29th, 2024.
Man on Cover of Led Zeppelin IV Classic Cover Identified — Following 52 long years of speculating about this mystery man, the identity of the person who graces the cover of the classic Led Zeppelin album Led Zeppelin IV has finally been unveiled. A researcher by the name of Brian Edwards found the original photo while researching an exhibition for Wiltshire Museum in 2021. The photo is of a Victorian-era man named Lot Long, a Wiltshire thatcher.
Slipknot Part Ways with Jay Weinberg — Earlier in the week, Slipknot announced that they would be parting ways with drummer Jay Weinberg. Following the departure of original member Joey Jordison, Weinberg joined in 2014, and has performed on the last three Slipknot albums. The band labeled the split as a “creative decision” upon the announcement. Weinberg is the third member of the band that has been let go in the last five years, following Chris Fehn and Craig Jones in 2019 and 2023, respectively.
Kate Bush, Rage Against the Machine, Missy Elliott, Willie Nelson, More Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame — This past weekend, numerous legendary acts were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Tom Morello made an appearance on behalf of Rage Against the Machine for their induction, and in lieu of her own appearance, Big Boi and St. Vincent honored Kate Bush. Willie Nelson made an appearance to perform, while Sheryl Crow was joined for a performance of numerous songs by Stevie Nicks, Olivia Rodrigo, and Peter Frampton. Jimmy Page covered Link Wray’s “Rumble” in honor of his induction, and there were appearances from Elton John, Brandi Carlile, Dave Matthews, and more. The full list of inductees also includes Chaka Khan, George Michael, The Spinners, DJ Kool Herc, and Bernie Taupin.