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Iran Faces Crackdown Amidst Uprising; 'The Muppet Show' Set for Revival; Comedy Club Cancels Show After Viral Clip
In a week marked by international unrest, entertainment revivals, and cancel culture controversies, several significant events unfolded. Iranian authorities reportedly initiated a severe crackdown on protestors, while beloved characters from "The Muppet Show" prepared for a return to television. In the United States, a comedy club faced backlash after a comedian's controversial jokes surfaced online.
According to TIME, the Iranian government shut down the internet on January 8, 2026, and authorized security forces to suppress widespread protests. Sources within Iranian health officials told TIME that the resulting violence led to a death toll potentially exceeding estimates, with numbers reaching as high as 30,000 in a 48-hour period. The protests stemmed from widespread discontent with the current regime, echoing the 1979 revolution. TIME reported that the government was aware of the potential for unrest and acted decisively to quell it.
In lighter news, "The Muppet Show" is set to return to television on February 4, 2026, on ABC and Disney, TIME reported. The revival follows numerous attempts to recapture the magic of the original series, including "Muppet Babies," "The Muppets" (a 2015 sitcom), "Muppets Tonight," and "Muppets Now." The return aims to bring back the classic variety show format that made the original "Muppet Show" a success.
Meanwhile, in St. Paul, Minnesota, Laugh Camp Comedy Club canceled comedian Ben Bankas's six sold-out shows after a video clip of him making jokes about Renee Nicole Good, a woman killed by an ICE agent, went viral, Fox News reported. The clip, filmed shortly after Good's death, showed Bankas mocking the victim and her partner, leading to widespread condemnation and protest threats. Bankas responded defiantly and plans to find a new venue, according to Fox News.
In other entertainment news, Variety reported that Jay Duplass directed "See You When I See You," a film starring Cooper Raiff, which explores a family coping with the death of a sister. Variety's Peter Debruge described the film as a "too-familiar traumedy." Also, Lisa Rinna addressed controversial comments regarding Colton Underwood on "The Traitors," stating, "He wanted a Housewife, so I gave him a Housewife," Variety reported.
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