Ted Danson, Jean Smart, and“South Park”creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone are among the names going into the Television Academy Hall of Fame this year. The prior 27 classes of inductees have included some 180 individuals, groups or shows who/that “have made outstanding contributions in the arts, sciences or management of television over a lifetime career or via singular achievements.” Among them: Lucille Ball, Milton Berle, Norman Lear, Edward R. Murrow, Rod Serling, Sid Caesar, Carol Burnett, Walter Cronkite, Mary Tyler Moore, Jackie Gleason, Bob Hope, Johnny Carson, Jim Henson, Jack Benny, Ted Turner, Dick Clark, Oprah Winfrey, Howard Cosell, Bill Moyers, Dick Van Dyke, Betty White, Aaron Spelling, Carl Reiner, Fred Rogers, Lorne Michaels, Katie Couric, Regis Philbin, James Burrows, William Shatner, Merv Griffin, Dick Wolf, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Joan Rivers, Shonda Rhimes, Ken Burns and Henry Winkler.

Alan Jackson’s final show from last weekend will get a live album release.  It’s already available for pre-order as a CD for $14.98.  It ships New Year’s Eve.  Also, the TV special will now air sometime in December on NBC.

July 14th is SpongeBob Day, according to Nickelodeon . . . which plans to turn the date into an annual birthday celebration. This year’s events will include a TikTok live hosted by SpongeBob voice actor Tom Kenny and the launch of the official Patrick Star YouTube channel. There will also be fan-favorite episodes on Nickelodeon, plus all-day Marathons on Nicktoons and Nick Pluto. Speaking of Patrick, he’s dropping an ALBUM called “Patrick Star Superstar”.  It’ll be available for pre-order on the 14th, but the first single is dropping on the 9th.  It’s called “Watch Out for That Rake”.  SpongeBob Day will also be recognized at Nickelodeon’s hotels and attractions. “SpongeBob SquarePants” debuted on July 17th, 1999. (Check out more info here.)

Netflix recreated Gene Wilder’s voice with A.I. for the new competition series, “Wonka’s The Golden Ticket”.  And yes, the Wilder Estate and his wife gave their blessing.  Karen B. Wilder said she’s delighted to introduce Gene’s magic to a new generation. The series includes recreated sets from the 1971 classic, like the chocolate river that runs through the edible garden.  12 “golden ticket” winners and a partner of their choice will compete in challenges inspired by the movie and book. Netflix says, quote, “contestants must navigate a series of Wonka’s games, tests, and temptations designed to challenge them physically, mentally, and morally.” The winner of the show will leave with, quote, “Wonka’s life-changing prize”, but there’s no word if that means a life supply of chocolate or their own factory. An Oompa Loompa from the original movie will also be making a comeback . . . makeup and all.  He’s an English actor named Rusty Goffe, and he’s 77 years old.  “Wonka’s The Golden Ticket” premieres September 23rd on Netflix.  A two-part finale will follow a week later on September 30th. (You can watch the teaser here.  Do you think the voice sounds like Gene?)

Bailey Zimmerman tells CountryNow.com that he surprised his mother with a new house after she pulled through a tough time in the hospital. “My mom was in the hospital, and it got to the point where I wasn’t sure if she was gonna make it or not. Once she miraculously recovered, I told her I was gonna get her a better place to live. I bought her a new house that Christmas.”

Jordan Davis is a wanted man. Well, not THAT Jordan Davis. After performing a show in Canada, he was on his way to re-enter the states when he was detained by Canadian Border Patrol officers. They’d mixed him up with a guy of the same name from Indiana who is in some sort of serious trouble.  After Jordan was questioned for a few minutes, the officers realized who he was. He talks about the interaction with his crew in a video, with the caption, quote, “Keeping the borders safe . . . one Jordan Davis at a time.  Much love Canada.”

LeBron James will play in the NBA next season, but NOT for the L.A. Lakers. LeBron announced yesterday that he’ll be taking his talents to . . . someplace else. Owner Jeanie Buss issued a statement thanking LeBron for his eight years with the team, adding, quote, “He will always be a cherished part of the Lakers family.” LeBron replied that it was, quote, “truly an honor” to wear the purple and gold. There’s no word where LeBron will end up, but the Golden State Warriors, Miami Heat, and Cleveland Cavaliers are said to be in the running.  LeBron is 41 years old.  He’ll turn 42 a few months into the 2026 – ’27 season. Of course, everyone’s joking that with LeBron leaving, his son LeBron Jr. will be kicked to the curb.  But actually, his contract became fully guaranteed on Monday. So yes, he’ll be a Laker next year, and he’ll be paid $2.3 million.

Alan Jackson’s final show from last weekend will get a live album release.  It’s already available for pre-order as a CD for $14.98.  It ships New Year’s Eve.  Also, the TV special will now air sometime in December on NBC.

Kane Brown tells CountryNow.com that one of his big dreams is to write his own movie. “I love acting but I don’t think I’ve found the perfect role for me yet. I love movies but at the end of the day, my favourite thing to do would be to write or produce a movie.”

Bunnie XO tells Wide Open Country that men and women want to date her now that she and Jelly Roll are no longer together. “My DMs have been wild. Shout out to all of the women. I told so many girls to go in Jelly’s, which, have at it. Good luck with that. But all of these women are in my DMs. I’ve got the blue check marks coming in. I’ve had a few rappers that are literally in my DMs like, ‘Yo.’ You’ve got to give me something more. I’m never going to respond to a ‘Yo.’”

America only turns 250 once, so why not go all out?  To make sure you have the perfect playlist to celebrate, here’s a list of patriotic country songs:

1.  “Mr. Red White and Blue”,  Coffey Anderson and Drew Jacobs

2.  “God Bless the U.S.A.”,  Lee Greenwood

3.  “Ragged Old Flag”,  Johnny Cash

4.  “Only in America”,  Brooks and Dunn

5.  “Red, White & Bluegrass”,  Dolly Parton

6.  “American Saturday Night”,  Brad Paisley

7.  “Different ‘Round Here”,  Riley Green

8.  “Country Roads, Take Me Home”,  John Denver

9.  “Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue”,  Toby Keith

10.  “All-American Girl”,  Carrie Underwood