This week brings a fresh dose of interpersonal drama as Sydney Jo’s popular TikTok series, centered around a girls’ group chat, returns for its highly anticipated season 3.
But the week ahead offers much more than just social media entertainment.
The highly anticipated Superman reboot soars into theaters, Last Pundit Standing debuts on BBC iPlayer, and the Esports World Cup kicks off.
Here’s a closer look at the key events unfolding this week…
The relatability of Sydney Jo’s TikTok series is striking, resonating with audiences far and wide.
The 27-year-old New York-based content creator launched her first video depicting friends communicating in a group chat back in March, and she told me her social media presence has exploded since then.
The series captures the essence of female friendships, showcasing the bickering, side conversations, and subtle digs exchanged in group chats – a dynamic Sydney describes as “a universal experience.”
“My friends, work colleagues, and sisters all had similar stories about their texts and group chats,” she said. “This is something that’s only going to continue, as we start having bachelorettes and weddings.”
Sydney revealed that she filmed the first episode on a Sunday morning while recovering from a hangover.
Her follower count skyrocketed from 264,000 to 1.6 million in a matter of months, earning her a dedicated fan base. Today has even dubbed her series “the internet’s favorite show.”
With season three now underway, Sydney promises more camaraderie, heartwarming moments, and shared animosities.
She also hinted at a potential male counterpart to the series, stating, “I didn’t anticipate the male audience I would draw. I had a 50-year-old dad recognize me recently.”
James Gunn’s highly anticipated Superman reboot, a film carrying the hopes of Hollywood to overcome “superhero fatigue,” arrives in theaters on Friday.
American actor David Corenswet, 31, dons the cape as the Man of Steel in a film intended to usher in a new era for DC Studios, under the leadership of writer-director Gunn and producer Peter Safran, who took over in 2022.
Corenswet, known for his roles in TV series such as The Politician, Hollywood, and We Own This City, is the fourth actor to portray Superman in a major film, and the first in a decade.
The film also stars Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane and British actor Nicholas Hoult as the menacing Lex Luthor.
DC has faced challenges in recent years, with films such as Shazam! Fury of the Gods, The Suicide Squad, Wonder Woman 1984, and Joker: Folie à Deux – part of the wider DC stable – each earning less than $60m (£48m) at the North American box office.
The anticipation surrounding this film is high, and to generate further excitement, a life-like Superman figure was suspended atop The Shard in London earlier this week as part of a one-day-only installation.
By Andrew Rogers, Newsbeat reporter
While most of us can only dream of such skill, professional gamers are heading to Saudi Arabia for the Esports World Cup, commencing on Tuesday.
Over seven weeks, the world’s best players will compete for a record combined prize pool of $70m (£50m).
Now in its second year, the EWC brings together 25 different esports into one event, including fighting games like Tekken 8, first-person shooters such as Call of Duty, and battle arena juggernauts Dota 2 and League of Legends.
The format has encouraged consolidation within the esports world, as the Club Competition incentivizes teams to field players in as many different games as possible. The team with the most points at the end receives a bonus of $7m (£5m).
However, the EWC has faced criticism from some fans and players, citing concerns about its location in a country where women’s rights are limited and homosexuality is illegal. Others argue that Saudi Arabia’s financial backing is essential for the growth of esports, enabling it to compete with traditional multi-sport events like the Olympics.
On Monday, a new BBC competition series to discover the next football pundit premieres on iPlayer, as well as on BBC YouTube and TikTok channels.
Hosted by football legend Troy Deeney and YouTuber/presenter James Allcott, Last Pundit Standing follows 12 football enthusiasts as they vie for the opportunity to become BBC Sport’s next prominent football content creator.
Described as a blend of The X-Factor and the beautiful game, the contestants will face a series of challenges in their pursuit of their dream job.
The series will also feature guest appearances from Alex Scott, Rebecca Welch, and Max Fosh, who will provide tasks and expert guidance.
The seven-part competition series arrives shortly after Gary Lineker’s departure from the broadcaster after apologizing for sharing an antisemitic social media post.
In May, he was presented with a commemorative cap and golden boot by pundits Alan Shearer and Micah Richards as he concluded his final edition of Match of the Day after 26 years.
Comeback tour dubbed “best night ever” in Welsh capital as fans revel in Britpop band’s return.
The culture secretary says she is “exasperated” over the length of time a BBC review into the documentary has taken.
Fans celebrate the return of the feuding musical siblings from Manchester at a gig in Cardiff.
Former Spandau Ballet frontman Tony Hadley is among headliners at this year’s event.
The BBC’s Secret Coventry series recounts how the famous film ended up filming in the city.