Today, Disney Branded Television announced the “Jonas Brothers Christmas Movie” (working title), a holiday comedy from 20th Television that is slated to premiere during the 2025 holiday season on Disney+. In the movie, Kevin Jonas, Joe Jonas and Nick Jonas face a series of escalating obstacles as they struggle to make it from London to New York in time to spend Christmas with their families. The Jonas Brothers also serve as producers.

Isaac Aptaker and Elizabeth Berger (“I Want You Back,” “This Is Us,” “Love, Simon”) serve as writers and producers. Kevin Jonas, Joe Jonas and Nick Jonas are producers, alongside Adam Fishbach, Spencer Berman and Scott Morgan. EmmyⓇ and Academy AwardⓇ winner Jessica Yu (“Quiz Lady,” “This Is Us”) is directing, and GRAMMYⓇ nominee Justin Tranter is executive music producer, writing the original songs. The movie is produced by 20th Television, a part of Disney Television Studios.

Just For Laughs has signed on as co-producer of the Broadway musical Real Women Have Curves, set to begin previews at Broadway’s James Earl Jones Theatre on April 1, 2025. Sylvain Parent-Bédard, new owner of Just For Laughs and CEO of Just For Entertainment Group – who produce the Montreal Just For Laughs Comedy Festival, the world’s largest comedy festival – and Jérôme Tremblay, producer for the group, are joining the producing team.

This collaboration with National Artists Management Company (NAMCO) and TruWorthy Productions marks a significant milestone for the Quebec-based company in the field of theatrical and musical productions. In addition to the amazing comedy festivals that Just For Laughs has been producing around the world, the company has also created French-language adaptations of beloved musicals such as Mary Poppins, Annie, Waitress, Chicago, and many more. It was after collaborating with Barry and Fran Weissler, along with NAMCO’s executive producer Alecia Parker, on the French adaptations of Waitress and Chicago in Montreal, that the company was approached for the co-production of Real Women Have Curves on Broadway.

“Collaborating once again with our Quebec partners at Just For Laughs, this time in New York, is truly exciting. We have built a wonderful relationship and it’s a pleasure to have them as co-producers on Real Women Have Curves. They are incredible and valuable partners.” says Barry Weissler, producer of Real Women Have Curves and founder of NAMCO, the New York-based company with an impressive track record of nearly 50 years of experience in producing world-class productions. Whether on Broadway, the West End, or with international tours, NAMCO’s productions have earned 93 Tony Award nominations and 8 Laurence Olivier Award nominations, winning 24 Tony Awards and 2 Olivier Awards.

“This new and exciting adventure confirms the position of Just For Entertainment as a leader in musical theater production in Quebec and marks a significant expansion for its Just For Laughs division, opening the door to new opportunities in New York, the United States, London, and internationally.” said Sylvain Parent-Bédard, president and new owner of Just For Laughs, a division of the Just For Entertainment Group. “Although comedy has always been our focus, we are convinced that theater—whether musical, comedic, or dramatic— can be an equally powerful unifying force. We are excited about expanding the Just For Laughs brand with musical productions on Broadway, and it is an honor to begin this new chapter for the company with trusted partners like Barry and Alecia.”

“Our involvement as co-producer of Real Women Have Curves is a natural extension of our successful collaboration with NAMCO for the world premiere of Waitress in French last year and now for the production of Chicago. I must also say that we were immediately captivated by this original musical. The songs by Joy Huerta and Benjamin Velez are absolutely beautiful, and the show powerfully demonstrates that a heartfelt story about the real challenges faced by immigrants can also be a funny, inspiring, and uplifting celebration of family, community, and resilience. It’s truly a show that brings people together!” concludes Jérôme Tremblay, producer at Just For Entertainment.

Based on Josefina López’s acclaimed play that inspired the iconic HBO hit film by Josefina López and George LaVoo, Real Women Have Curves is a captivating new show that explores life’s unexpected turns with strength and emotion. This adaptation marks a historic first on Broadway: a musical where the entire creative team (book, music, choreography, and direction) is made up of Latin artists, including music and lyrics by Grammy Award-winning artist Joy Huerta and composer/lyricist Benjamin Velez, book by Lisa Loomer with Nell Benjamin, and direction and choreography by Tony and Olivier Award winner Sergio Trujillo. Music Supervision is by Nadia DiGiallonardo. The show will star Tatianna Córdoba in her Broadway debut, alongside Screen Actors Guild Award-winner Justina Machado, and has been cast by X Casting/Victor Vazquez, CSA and ARC/Duncan Stewart, CSA.

ABOUT JUST FOR ENTERTAINMENT

Since it was founded in 1997, Just For Entertainment/Juste pour divertir (formerly ComediHa!) has firmly established itself as an international entertainment leader in the world of live shows, television, film and festivals. In 2024, the acquisition of the Just For Laughs Group added to ComediHa’s strengths and values. We solidified our position as the benchmark in the comedy industry for “Making people laugh around the world”. Established in 1983, Just For Laughs is internationally renowned for organizing the world’s largest comedy festival, attracting millions of visitors to Montreal and Quebec City. It’s also celebrated for its role in promoting comedy worldwide and for catapulting the careers of countless comedy stars. Today, Just For Entertainment goes far beyond comedy to deliver a diverse range of content, including music, drama and much more. Our talented team is made up of nearly 200 permanent employees and 6,000+ temporary employees and collaborators, who always bring their shared passion and creativity to the table. Our mission is clear: Bring together talent to create a world of entertainment through inspiring brands and content. Our brands and products now captivate hundreds of millions of viewers around the world via our broadcast partners, festivals, social media, and digital platforms, which are followed by over 70 million engaged fans and have accumulated over 100 billion views so far.

ABOUT JUST FOR LAUGHS

Established in 1983, Just For Laughs stands as a global beacon of comedy, orchestrating the world’s grandest Comedy festival in Montreal. It has fostered the ascent of esteemed comedians and entertains millions of viewers annually through its festivals and content broadcast in over 150 countries. Just For Laughs also produces shows and musical comedies and organizes the “ComedyPRO” conference.

This year, the Fired-Up Gala is taking place at The Ritz Carlton on February 21, 2025, with the festivities beginning at 6:00 pm.

This highly anticipated black-tie event promises a night of elegance, entertainment, and fundraising for an incredible cause. Following the success of last year’s gala, this year’s goal is to raise $100,000 to support life-changing care at SickKids.

Following dinner, the afterparty will begin at 10:00 pm, where attendees can enjoy late-night bites, a decadent sweets table, and performances by the DNA Project Band and other live entertainment to keep the dance floor alive. Guests will also take home exclusive gift bags filled with luxurious items.

When: Friday, February 21, 2025, starting at 6:00 pm

Where: Ritz-Carlton Toronto – 181 Wellington Street West, Toronto

Tickets: Tickets start at $249, available for purchase here.

Booking.com, a global leader in connecting travellers to an unmatched selection of incredible accommodations, activities, and transportation options, including flights, car rentals, and taxis, is proud to announce the recipients of its 13th annual Traveller Review Awards. Based on over 360 million verified customer reviews, the awards honour travel partners who consistently deliver outstanding hospitality and service. This year, 8,740 Canadian travel partners have won Booking.com 2025 Traveller Review Awards; an increase of more than 1,000 (13%) when compared to 2024, which saw 7,725 winners. A record 1.71 million travel partners worldwide are receiving awards, a 16% increase in winners over 2024’s 1.48 million winners.

Most Welcoming Places in Canada
Based on each location’s share of accommodation providers receiving a 2025 Traveller Review Award*, this year’s list of the ‘Most Welcoming Places’ in Canada includes two southern Ontario hotspots, a distinctly European-feeling city, a Western Canada cultural gem, and a seaside foodie favourite. Here are Canada’s most welcoming places for 2025, plus top places to stay in each :

Toronto, Ontario
Le Germain Hotel Maple Leaf Square
Gladstone House
Québec City, Québec
Les Lofts Dorchester – Par Les Lofts Vieux-Québec
Monastère des Augustines
Halifax, Nova Scotia
The Prince George Hotel
The Inn at Fisherman’s cove
Victoria, British Columbia
Pendray Inn and Tea House
Fairmont Empress Hotel
Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
Prince of Wales Hotel
Riverbend Inn & Vineyard
Vancouver, British Columbia
O Canada House Bed & Breakfast
Fairmont Pacific Rim
Mont-Tremblant, Québec
Le Westin Tremblant
Le 900 Tremblant Inn Café and Bistro
Ucluelet, British Columbia
Black Rock Oceanfront Resort
Waters Edge Shoreside Suites
Canmore, Alberta
The Malcolm Hotel
MTN House By Basecamp
La Malbaie, Québec
Auberge La Châtelaine
Auberge La Marmite

Most Welcoming Cities on Earth

Determined by the share of accommodation partners receiving a Traveller Review Award in a given city, this year’s list highlights the world’s diverse charm and hospitality, inspiring unforgettable adventures in the year ahead. Whether its coffee farms and pristine beaches, medieval hideaways and jungle towns, here are 2025’s ‘Most Welcoming Cities on Earth’.

Sigiriya, Sri Lanka
Cazorla, Spain
Urubici, Brazil
Taupo, New Zealand
St. Augustine, US
Orvieto, Italy
Manizales, Colombia
Quedlinburg, Germany
Ko Lanta, Thailand
Chester, UK

Learn more about what these memorable locations have to offer in this Booking.com destination guide.

Expanding beyond iconic cities, the Traveller Review Awards also highlight entire regions that deliver consistently outstanding hospitality. Here are the ten most welcoming regions, provinces, or territories across the globe, showcasing a remarkable geographic diversity that offers travellers even more opportunities to experience genuine warmth and hospitality.

Most Welcoming Regions on Earth

Osijek-Baranja, Croatia
Kakheti, Georgia
Madeira, Portugal
Misiones, Argentina
Graubünden, Switzerland
South Australia, Australia
Bretagne, France
Baja California Sur, Mexico
Kien Giang, Vietnam
Drenthe, Netherlands

Apartments Lead the Way for Accommodation

As in 2024, apartments claim the top spot in Canada as the most-awarded accommodation type (2,479). Hotels are the second favourite in Canada with 1,703 Booking.com Traveller Review Awards, with holiday homes (1,195), B&Bs (739), and chalets (546) rounding out the top five most-awarded accommodation types.

Globally, apartments remain the most-awarded accommodation type for the eighth consecutive year, with holiday homes and hotels in second and third place respectively.

Notably, capsule hotels saw a 35% increase in awards year over year, the highest growth among accommodation types, followed by villas (25%) and cabins (21%). Overall, awards for vacation rentals and other unique properties increased by 17%, reflecting travellers’ continued enthusiasm for a variety of stays that offer distinctive hospitality and memorable experiences.

Since 2010, Booking.com has facilitated over 4.5 billion guest arrivals, of which over 1 billion have been in alternative accommodations, or non-hotel properties. Today, travellers can browse more than 30 types of accommodations, including everything from cozy country homes, funky city apartments, and elegant villas to charming B&Bs, spacious farm accommodations and beachfront bungalows. For the adventurous traveller, there are even boats, igloos and treehouses.

Transport providers recognized for excellent service and hospitality

Booking.com’s rental car and taxi offering is integral to providing travellers with a seamless and frictionless travel experience, helping make it easier for everyone to experience the world. This year, 34 transportation partners in Canada are receiving a Booking.com Traveller Review Award. Globally, 1,329 car rental companies and taxi suppliers are receiving a Traveller Review Award, a 196% increase compared to the 2024 edition of the Awards.

“Whether it’s a taxi driver giving tips on where to find the best local food, or an apartment owner surprising a couple with champagne and roses to help them celebrate their anniversary, our partners go above and beyond every day to create incredible experiences for travellers in Canada and beyond,” said James Waters, Chief Business Officer at Booking.com.

“Our annual Traveller Review Awards are one way we shine a spotlight on these hospitality heroes and say thank you to them not only from all of us at Booking.com, but on behalf of hundreds of millions of travellers from all over the world.”

Only guests who have booked stays through our platform, rented a car or rode in a taxi can leave a review of their experience on Booking.com. As these reviews are never edited or adjusted in any way, travellers can reference them for an authentic account of what the real traveller experience is like at every place to stay or with every ground transport provider on Booking.com.

About Booking.com
Part of Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: BKNG), Booking.com’s mission is to make it easier for everyone to experience the world. By investing in the technology that helps take the friction out of travel, Booking.com’s marketplace seamlessly connects millions of travellers with memorable experiences every day. For more information, follow @bookingcom on social media or visit news.booking.com.

Paramount+ today revealed the teaser trailer and premiere date for its highly anticipated original drama series HAPPY FACE. The eight-episode season will premiere on Thursday, March 20 with two episodes, exclusively on Paramount+ in Canada, the U.S. and international markets where the service is available. Following the premiere, new episodes will drop weekly on Thursdays, with the season finale on May 1. HAPPY FACE was filmed in Vancouver, B.C. in 2024.

HAPPY FACE features a star-studded cast, including Emmy-nominated and Tony Award-winning actress Annaleigh Ashford, Emmy Award and two-time Golden Globe-nominated actor Dennis Quaid and series regulars James Wolk, Tamera Tomakili, Canadian Khiyla Aynne and Benjamin Mackey.

HAPPY FACE is inspired by the true-life story of Melissa G. Moore; the critically acclaimed Happy Face podcast from iHeartPodcasts and Moore; and the autobiography Shattered Silence, written by Moore with M. Bridget Cook. At 15, Moore discovered that her beloved father was the prolific serial killer known as Happy Face. As an adult, she has changed her name and guarded her secret while her father has been serving life in prison.

Jumping off from Moore’s true-life story, the Paramount+ Original Series follows Melissa (Ashford) and her incarcerated father, known as the Happy Face Killer (Quaid). After decades of no contact, he finally finds a way to force himself back into his daughter’s life. In a race against the clock, Melissa must find out if an innocent man is going to be put to death for a crime her father committed. Throughout, she discovers the impact her father had on his victims’ families and must face a reckoning of her own identity.

HAPPY FACE is produced by CBS Studios in association with King Size Productions, iHeartPodcasts and Semi-Formal Productions. Jennifer Cacicio (Your Honor, Shooter) serves as showrunner for the series and executive producer alongside Robert and Michelle King, Liz Glotzer, Melissa G. Moore, Conal Byrne, Will Pearson, Michael Showalter and Jordana Mollick. Michael Showalter (The Dropout, The Eyes of Tammy Faye) also directed the first episode. The series is distributed by Paramount Global Content Distribution.

After winning silver and their golden ticket to the most prestigious yet challenging competition on Earth, in France today, our national culinary athlete Keith Pears and his commis, Joseph Mongillo, placed 10th on the world stage, moving Canada up one place from the 11th position in 2023 and 13th in 2019.

Proud of their accomplishments, Chef Keith Pears fought his way through the five-and-a-half-hour culinary battle featuring venison, foie gras, and tea – mandatory ingredients that paid an homage to the late Paul Bocuse. This 20th edition plate theme celebrated the unique harmony between celery (both stalk and root), stone bass, and lobster, ingredients that we are blessed to find in Canada. With a menu entitled “Canada: The World in Every Bite”, the team included a slew of local ingredients such as Canadian nori, ice wine and hazelnuts in their dishes.

“I’m proud of what we accomplished and excited to have well represented my country and the industry I love”, states Pears. “Ultimately, our participation in the World Cup of cookery talents had the sole objective to put Canada on the world’s list of top culinary destinations with gourmets from all over the globe.”.

Twenty-four teams comprised of some of the best chefs on the planet were gathered in Lyon for what is known to be the most prestigious and difficult culinary competition on Earth. The Bocuse d’Or is an event that makes fine dining an arena sport. It comes with all the trimmings including uniforms, judges, cheering fans holding flags, bronze-silver-and-gold statuettes, and winners on podiums beaming while their national anthem blares in the speakers. And while there’s glory in winning one of the culinary Oscars, the road to Lyon is a long process that takes passion, dedication, and a strong desire for perfection.

From unique set menus to custom cocktails and desserts, each of INK Entertainment spots offers something special for the occasion.

Here’s a look at what each restaurant has in store:

♡Chica: A la carte options and special features, no minimum spend required.

♡Patria: A la carte options and special features, $95 minimum spend.

♡Byblos Uptown: $125 set menu (see menu attached).

♡Byblos Downtown: $125 set menu (see menu attached).

♡Akira Back: $145 sharing-style set menu with a glass of sparkling sake, available Feb 14th-16th (menu attached).
—Special Valentine’s Day dessert: TOU-RIN (Peach Orchard) – white peach mousse, matcha moss, cotton candy (see attached photo).

♡Animl: No minimum spend, plus a custom Valentine’s Day dessert (Strawberry Lemon Mousse) and a special Valentine’s Day cocktail 

♡Daphne: $145 minimum spend.

♡Amal: $125 minimum spend.

♡Laylak: $95 minimum spend.

♡Ultra: $125 minimum spend.

♡Margo: $95 minimum spend.

♡Sofia: $145 minimum spend.

♡KOST: $125 minimum spend.

Yorkdale Shopping Centre is featuring some of the most extensive Lunar New Year experiences and exclusives to mark the Year of the Snake in style.

Measuring an impressive thirty-feet tall, twenty-feet wide and made entirely of sustainable materials, Toronto’s largest indoor Year of the Snake installation is presiding over shoppers in the East Court until February 12. The green hues of the geometric serpent reflect the elegance of jade, attracting prosperity, warding off misfortune, and symbolizing luck, growth and renewal.

The Golden Gateway delivers an immersive visual experience for photos and videos, located near Tiffany & Co. Until February 12, guests can walk through golden archways and a stunning, custom-designed Year of the Snake runway adorned with florals and snakes that beautifully intertwine tradition and modern artistry.

“Lunar New Year is one of the most significant gift-giving events in many Asian cultures. We know from experience that our guests expect some Toronto’s most engaging experiences in addition to our unrivaled array of global brands that often release exclusive, limited edition Lunar New Year collections,” says Rachael Tang, Marketing Manager, Yorkdale Shopping Centre.

Lion Dance & Eye-Dotting Ceremony

A traditional Lion Dance and procession, led by one of Canada’s premier lion dance teams, will begin at 3 pm on Sunday, February 2. The ceremony will be held at the Year of the Snake sculpture in East Court and include the marking of the eyes of the Lion. Traditional scrolls and envelopes will be distributed to the public at this event.

Gift Giving at Yorkdale

Discover Yorkdale’s curated gift guide featuring beautiful luxurious collections at the Centre of Style to bring prosperity and joy this Lunar New Year, including offerings from Tiffany & Co., LOEWE and more.

See here for a full list of offerings.

Culinary and Experiential

Shoppers can treat their tastebuds to exquisite tastes by ordering off the special Lunar New Year menus from some of Toronto’s favorite dining establishments.

Delysees

· Exclusive Lunar New Year Box Sets featuring unique flavors

o Pure Mini Matcha Dome- pistachio macaron (green)

o Roasted Hazelnut Dome- hazelnut macaron (brown)

o Vanilla Honey cake Dome- caramel macaron (white)

o Fresh lychee Rose Dome – raspberry macron (red)

Yu Seafood

· Dried Oyster & Fat Choy Taro Cake

· Ham & Dried Scallop Radish Cake

· Prosperity Coconut Rice Cake

AMERICAN MURDER: GABBY PETITO is coming soon to Netflix and today we get a new Trailer of this intriguing story which shocked the world.

Series Premiere Date: February 17, 2025

Synopsis:

In August 2021, 22-year-old Gabby Petito was killed by her fiance, Brian Laundrie, while the young couple was on a four month road trip across the United States documenting their “van life” journey on social media. Two months later, Laundrie was found to have died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound and his parents were suspected of helping to cover up the murder. While taking viewers on a journey through Gabby and Brian’s final days together, the series will unveil the tragic reality behind their Insta-perfect life and reveal painful moments where their story might have taken a different turn.

Series Premiere Date: February 17, 2025

Production Companies: Cinemart, Stage 29
Directors/Executive Producers: Julia Willoughby Nason & Michael Gasparro
Executive Producers: Dr. Phillip C. McGraw, Sarah Carden

Disney+ unveiled the new key art and official teaser for the highly anticipated Original series, FX’s “Alien: Earth,” from executive producer Noah Hawley. “Alien: Earth” is set to stream exclusively on Disney+ in 2025 in Canada.

When a mysterious space vessel crash-lands on Earth, a young woman and a ragtag group of tactical soldiers make a fateful discovery that puts them face-to-face with the planet’s greatest threat in the sci-fi horror series “Alien: Earth.” As members of the crash recovery crew search for survivors among the wreckage, they encounter mysterious predatory life forms more terrifying than they could have ever imagined. With this new threat unlocked, the search crew must fight for survival and what they choose to do with this discovery could change planet Earth as they know it.

Lead by Sydney Chandler, the series showcases an expansive international cast which includes Alex Lawther, Timothy Olyphant, Essie Davis, Samuel Blenkin, Babou Ceesay, David Rysdahl, Adrian Edmondson, Adarsh Gourav, Jonathan Ajayi, Erana James, Lily Newmark, Diem Camille and Moe Bar-El.

Robust parental controls ensure that Disney+ remains a suitable viewing experience for everyone in the family. Subscribers can set access limits on mature content and create PIN-protected profiles alongside the already existing Junior Mode profiles to give parents and guardians peace of mind.