Finals have entered the chat, and this editor is already stressed over papers, projects and presentations. As everyone reaches the end of the semester — and many the end of our rope — the pool and a tiny umbrella are calling our names. However, don’t worry dear reader, your features team will still be bringing you the latest in entertainment — this week being no exception. Before you close your laptop for the next four months, find out what went on this week in the world of television and music.
‘Abbott Elementary’ ends the school year with a bang

MTSU isn’t the only school headed for summer break — “Abbott Elementary” ended its year with a double-feature as season five officially wraps up.
This season featured major damage to the school building, forcing the teachers and their classes into a new — and pretty unconventional — location. The school year also brought some major relationship revelations.
To finish off the season, two brand-new episodes dropped on April 22. The first follows everyone’s favorite teacher crew as they throw another A.V.A. Fest, their yearly back-to-school event, with Ava hoping this one will be the best yet. In the finale episode, a trip to Miami for a teacher conference brings on major revelations and possible changes for the team.
The show has already been confirmed for a sixth season and is still available to stream all five complete seasons on Hulu and Disney+. Karlie Lohr
New advantages, rice bets and host competition in ‘Survivor 50’

In episode nine of “Survivor 50,” the remaining Survivors are left reeling from last week’s double elimination, scrambling to hold onto alliances and stay in the game.
For the episode’s challenge, host Jeff Probst steps in to compete for the first time, making a side bet with four players. With rice on the line, the Survivors come out on top.
Joe Hunter wins individual immunity and earns the power to send one tribe mate on a solo excursion. Christian Hubicki is chosen and sent to a pallet floating at sea, where he must complete a puzzle before time runs out to earn an advantage.
The advantage is called “Jimmy Fallon One in the Urn” — continuing the trend of celebrity fan cameos — in which Hubicki has the chance to cast a vote before Tribal Council even starts.
Instead, his failure flips his fate entirely. Hubicki is forced to cast a vote against himself at Tribal — a first in “Survivor” history — leaving him with limited options.
The tribe takes advantage of the situation, voting him out and sending him to the jury as its fourth member.
Watch “Survivor 50” Wednesdays on CBS or Paramount+. Jesse Jones
Foo Fighters present fans with ‘Your Favorite Toy’
Last week on April 24, Foo Fighters released their 12th studio album, “Your Favorite Toy.” It has been nearly three years since the band released their 2023 project, “But Here We Are.” Now they’re back with “Your Favorite Toy.”
The album includes 10 tracks and runs 36 minutes. It is also the first project with new drummer Ilan Rubin after the departure of drummer Josh Freese in June 2025. Rubin was the longtime drummer for the band Nine Inch Nails. William Holman
D4vd faces trial and a preliminary evidence hearing
Following the previous distraction on this case, singer-songwriter David Anthony Burke, professionally known as d4vd, was charged with murder and prolonged sexual abuse of a minor on April 20. This comes after Burke’s arrest on April 16 in connection to the murder of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez.
Burke has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder with special circumstances, mutilating human remains and continuous sexual abuse of a minor under the age of 14. The judge assigned to his case has set a preliminary evidentiary hearing to begin on May 1, at the request of Burke’s lawyers.
Law enforcement agencies seized up to 40 terabytes of evidence that will be used against Burke in court, and the prosecution is trying to collect as much of this evidence as possible before the hearing. Logan Bowman
Disney+ looks to the future with ASL songs

Disney+ is seeing “How Far it Goes” with three new animations titled Songs in Sign Language. The debut of these Disney Animations include the popular tunes “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” (Encanto), “The Next Right Thing” (Frozen 2) and “Beyond” (Moana 2).
The musical sequences are directed by Hyrum Osmond, an experienced director and animator at Disney Studios. Osmond created a large team of producers, animators and others to make videos happen — including Tony-award Winning Deaf West Theatre.
Along with the sequences, the animations will also include a behind-the-scenes look at how the magic was made and animators could get the sign language correct in their designs.
These new animations debut Monday in celebration of National Deaf History Month. Tucker Young
‘Stranger Things’ and stranger…animation?

For fans who missed their favorite retro-sci-fi-horror series, Netflix’s hit franchise “Stranger Things” returned last week with an animated spin-off series, “Stranger Things: Tales from ‘85.”
The show, set after the events of season two, explores new adventures, characters and terrors in Hawkins, Indiana. The series also adds new storylines featuring the characters fans have all grown to love over the years.
While reactions online are mixed, many reviews praise “Tales from ‘85” for its visual concepts, animation and voice acting. Dissenters use the show’s accuracy compared to the original and its inclusion of new, non-canon characters to discredit the animated series entirely.
Personally, the newer aspects of the show didn’t bother me. I also really liked the animation style. It reminded me of a mixture between Telltale video games, “Arcane” and the “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” show from the 2010s — very nostalgic.
All episodes of “Stranger Things: Tales from ‘85” are available on Netflix. Lily Agee
‘Dancing With the Stars’ introduces a new era of dance

From the creators of “Dancing with the Stars,” a brand-new spin-off show will air on ABC starting July 13.
“Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro” was announced April 22 during Hulu’s Get Real House Event, a live showcase for all things reality shows.
The spin-off was created to find a brand-new professional dancer for season 35 of “Dancing with the Stars.” It will feature 12 up-and-coming dancers, living together in one house and going head-to-head through the grueling audition process for the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
The show will feature Mark Ballas and his mother, Shirley Ballas, as judges and “DWTS” season 35 winner Robert Irwin as host. There will also be a lineup of pros serving as mentors and guest judges. Karlie Lohr
Geese are going back on tour
Rock band Geese have announced a new tour for 2026, the “Getting Killed Again” tour. The announcement comes just five days after the band finished performing at Coachella.
Geese exploded in popularity after the release of their 2025 record, “Getting Killed.” The record was accompanied by a tour, but now it seems the band is taking the album back on the road.
The band’s first stop on the new tour is in Nashville at Ryman Auditorium, Sept. 29.
Fans can sign up for artist presale tickets now, and they will be distributed on April 29. General public ticket sales open on May 1 at 10 a.m.
Geese is also set to perform on the second day of Bonnaroo, June 11. William Holman
To contact the features editor, email [email protected].
For more news, visit www.mtsusidelines.com, and follow us on Facebook at MTSU Sidelines and on X and Instagram at @mtsusidelines. Also, sign up for our weekly newsletter here.
