Bruno Mars Unveils New Album and Tour as ‘Stranger Things’ Animated Spinoff and ‘The Simpsons’ Character Exit Shape U.S. Entertainment Week

Bruno Mars Announces New Solo Album and U.S. Tour

Bruno Mars is returning with his fourth solo studio album, marking his first solo project in nearly a decade. Local TV entertainment segments reported that Mars recently told fans his new album is finished, following years of collaborations since his 2016 release "24K Magic."[5]

Building on that momentum, Mars has now announced “The Romantic” tour, tied to an album of the same name.[4] The tour is set to kick off in Las Vegas on April 10, with at least one major stadium stop already confirmed at Ford Field in Detroit on May 9.[4] Tickets for the Detroit show are scheduled to go on sale January 15, giving U.S. fans an early chance to secure seats for one of pop’s most anticipated comebacks.[4]

The new tour underscores Mars’ status as a reliable arena headliner and reflects sustained demand for live pop and R&B performances after years of pandemic-related disruptions. Industry buzz has focused on how the new material may balance his retro-inspired sound with the expectations of a streaming-era audience.[5]

‘Stranger Things’ Expands With Animated Series and New Voice Cast

Netflix is officially returning to Hawkins with its first-ever animated series set in the “Stranger Things” universe.[4] The show will revisit younger versions of Eleven, Mike and the rest of the core group, but with a new cast of sound‑alike voice actors rather than the now-grown original stars.[4]

Producers are reportedly aiming for a “Saturday morning cartoon” vibe, signaling a tonal shift from the darker live-action series while keeping the 1980s-inspired aesthetic that helped make the franchise a global hit.[4] The animated project is expected to debut on Netflix later this year, part of the streamer’s strategy to extend flagship franchises beyond their main runs.[4]

The decision to recast with younger-sounding actors reflects the long production gaps between seasons of the original show, which allowed the child actors to age well beyond their on-screen counterparts.[4] For U.S. viewers, the animated entry could serve as a bridge between the live-action finale and any future spinoffs, while also opening the door to a younger audience that may have been less engaged with the series’ horror elements.

‘The Simpsons’ Officially Retires Longtime Mascot Character

In another notable shift in American pop culture, “The Simpsons” has officially retired Duff Beer mascot Duffman from the show’s fictional Springfield universe.[5] The move ends the character’s decades-long run as a recurring symbol of over-the-top beer marketing within the series.

Voice actor Hank Azaria, who has long provided Duffman’s distinctive sound, acknowledged that the character’s voice was among the most physically demanding in his lineup.[5] While some fans are disappointed to lose a familiar figure, the change is being framed as a permanent retirement, not a temporary pause.[5]

The decision follows years of scrutiny over legacy animated characters and how they reflect evolving cultural sensibilities. For U.S. audiences who grew up with the show, Duffman’s exit underscores how even the longest-running sitcom in American television continues to adapt as it enters yet another decade on air.

Reality TV Crosses Into Politics as Spencer Pratt Draws Support

In a crossover between entertainment and local politics, reality TV personality Spencer Pratt, best known from MTV’s "The Hills," has received public encouragement for a possible run for mayor of Los Angeles.[6] Fellow cast member Brody Jenner voiced support and argued that Pratt works as hard in reality TV as many people do in traditional nine‑to‑five jobs.[6]

While no formal campaign launch has been confirmed, the idea highlights how reality television figures continue to leverage their media profiles into broader public roles. For Los Angeles, a city where entertainment and civic life are closely intertwined, even speculative candidacies from TV personalities tend to draw outsized attention.

Why These Stories Matter for U.S. Audiences

• Live Music Resurgence: Bruno Mars’ new album and tour add star power to the 2026 concert calendar, signaling continued recovery and growth for the U.S. live events industry.[4][5]
• Streaming Franchises Evolve: The “Stranger Things” animated series shows how major platforms are reworking hit properties to attract both legacy fans and younger viewers.[4]
• Legacy Shows Keep Changing: Retirement of Duffman from “The Simpsons” reflects ongoing recalibration of long-running characters for modern audiences.[5]
• Celebrity Politics Crossover: Talk of Spencer Pratt in the Los Angeles mayoral conversation underscores the persistent blurring of lines between entertainment and political life in the U.S.[6]