We did not have Benson Boone baring chest in a mall bathtub on our 2026 bingo card. Okay—knowing the singer, maybe we should have. But this year has been full of surprising twists and turns, and this week is no exception, with The Simpsons’ Apu’s return to the show after a nearly 10-year hiatus.
Plus, we may see an actress make Oscar history by receiving two nominations in the same category and Lena Dunham’s Girls is coming back for a limited revival. The one thing we did have on our bingo card? Harry Styles will be getting a new documentary, with a focus on the star’s Together, Together tour.
Benson Boone shirtless in a bathtub at a local mall? The acrobatic pop star recently surfaced at a Caliwater event to promote its new Dragon Fruit flavor with co-founder Vanessa Hudgens and Demi Lovato. Boone, who helped curate the new drink, has clearly decided to lean into his sex-symbol era, frequently stepping out completely bare-chested or poured into garments at least one size too small.
However, the thirsty optics do beg the question: Is the singer becoming more famous for his signature backflips and missing shirts than for his actual music? Apu is back, and frankly, it’s about time. After a nearly 10-year absence without a speaking role, Apu Nahasapeemapetilon—the iconic Kwik-E-Mart proprietor on The Simpsons—has officially returned to the long-running sitcom.
Now voiced by Sunil Malhotra, the character made his long-awaited comeback in a recent episode. Previously voiced by Hank Azaria, Apu was effectively silenced for years after the show faced backlash for reducing him to a South Asian stereotype, intensified by the 2017 documentary The Problem with Apu. While the creatives behind the series finally did the right thing by authentically recasting the role, it’s a shame it took a decade to get here.
Regardless, we’re just glad Apu is back. Penélope Cruz might just pull off an Oscar first this year. The Academy Award-winning powerhouse is currently positioned to snag two nominations in the exact same category.
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