HBO Shifts Programming to Avoid Super Bowl; Lithgow Defends Potter Role; New Alex Pretti Video Sparks Controversy
HBO announced it would move the release dates for episodes of "Industry" and "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms" to Friday, February 6, to avoid conflicting with Super Bowl Sunday, according to Variety. The episodes, "Industry Season 4, Episode 5" and "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Season 1, Episode 4," were still scheduled to air on HBO on Sunday, February 8, at their usual 9 p.m. time slots.
Meanwhile, John Lithgow defended his role in the upcoming "Harry Potter" HBO series amidst ongoing controversy surrounding J.K. Rowling's views on transgender issues, Fox News reported. Lithgow found the controversy "ironic" given the series' themes of acceptance and kindness. Despite backlash against Rowling, Lithgow emphasized the inclusive nature of the new adaptation and the talented team behind it, noting Rowling's limited involvement in the production.
A video surfaced of Alex Pretti kicking out the taillight of an ICE vehicle, 11 days before Border Patrol agents shot him to death, according to Vox. The video sparked controversy, with right-wing influencers casting the incident as somehow exonerating the actions of Border Patrol agents. Eric Levitz, a senior correspondent at Vox, described the response to the video as "dismaying."
In other entertainment news, Markiplier's film "Iron Lung," a video-game adaptation, was released, with Variety's Dennis Harvey noting that it flatters his directing and acting skills, though the claustrophobic sci-fi horror tale itself wears thin.
Netflix announced its February 2026 lineup, including the premiere of "Is It Cake? Valentines" on February 4, the 10th season of "Love Is Blind" on February 11, and part 2 of "Bridgerton's" fourth season on February 26, Time reported. The streaming service will also add classic romantic comedies such as "The American President," "You've Got Mail," "Letters to Juliet," and "Crazy Stupid Love" on February 1. The drama "Shakespeare in Love" will leave the streaming site on February 10. Ahead of the Winter Olympics beginning February 6, Netflix will premiere "Glitter + Gold: Ice Dancing," a documentary series about ice dancing, featuring married American couple Madison Chock and Evan Bates.
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