HOLLYWOOD, Calif. /PRNewswire/ — Nickelodeon revealed the nominees for its annual slime-filled Kids’ Choice Awards, with over 50 first-time nominees from across the worlds of film, television, music, sports and more. Hosted by SpongeBob SquarePants (voiced by Tom Kenny) and Patrick Star (voiced by Bill Fagerbakke), Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards 2024 will premiere live from their undersea home of Bikini Bottom on Saturday, July 13, at 8 p.m. (ET/PT).Kids’ Choice Awards 2024
First-time nominees include Halle Bailey, Austin Butler, Sabrina Carpenter, Kai Cenat, Timothée Chalamet, Luke Combs, Ariana DeBose, Ayo Edebiri, Ryan Gosling, Reneé Rapp, Margot Robbie, Paul Rudd, among others. Leading the pack with six nods is Taylor Swift, followed by Beyoncé, Miley Cyrus, Olivia Rodrigo and Justin Timberlake, with four nominations each. Musical performances and presenters will be announced at a later date.
KCA will continue to put kids and families in control as they are transported to the biggest party of the summer in Bikini Bottom. This year’s show will also feature: enhanced graphics, high-tech motion capture and augmented reality; fun celebrity collaborations and stunts as Nickelodeon celebrates SpongeBob SquarePants’ special birthday; and the net’s signature orange blimp award and epic slimings. Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards 2024 will simulcast across Nickelodeon, TeenNick, Nicktoons, the Nick Jr. channel, TVLand, CMT and MTV2.
Beginning today, fans in the U.S. can cast their votes across 33 categories on the official Kids’ Choice Awards website, KidsChoiceAwards.com. International markets will also open voting today, including additional regional categories.
Media outlets can access photos and video for Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards 2024 as well as request media credentials, by visiting nickkcapress.com.
TELEVISION: FAVORITE KIDS TV SHOW Danger Force High School Musical: The Musical: The Series Percy Jackson and the Olympians Power Rangers Cosmic Fury Raven’s Home The Muppets Mayhem The Really Loud House Tyler Perry’s Young Dylan
FAVORITE FAMILY TV SHOW Abbott Elementary Avatar: The Last Airbender Goosebumps iCarly Loki Young Sheldon
FAVORITE REALITY SHOW America’s Funniest Home Videos America’s Got Talent American Ninja Warrior Is It Cake? Kids Baking Championship LEGO Masters
FAVORITE CARTOON Big City Greens Monster High SpongeBob SquarePants Teen Titans Go! The Loud House The Simpsons
FAVORITE FEMALE TV STAR (KIDS) Hunter Deno (Amelia Jones, Power Rangers Cosmic Fury)* Lilly Singh (Nora Singh, The Muppets Mayhem) Olivia Rodrigo (Nini, HighSchool Musical: The Musical: The Series) Raven-Symoné (Raven Baxter, Raven’s Home) Sofia Wylie (Gina, High School Musical: The Musical: The Series) Tessa Rao (Izzy Garcia, Power Rangers Cosmic Fury)*
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FAVORITE MALE TV STAR (KIDS) Chance Perez (Javi Garcia, Power Rangers Cosmic Fury)* Dylan Gilmer (Young Dylan, Tyler Perry’s Young Dylan) Jahzir Bruno (Clyde McBride, The Really Loud House)* Joshua Bassett (Ricky, High School Musical: The Musical: The Series) Walker Scobell (Percy Jackson, Percy Jackson and the Olympians)* Wolfgang Schaeffer (Lincoln Loud, The Really Loud House)
FAVORITE FEMALE TV STAR (FAMILY) Janelle James (Ava Coleman, Abbott Elementary)* Laci Mosley (Harper, iCarly)* Miranda Cosgrove (Carly, iCarly) Peyton List (Maddie Nears, School Spirits) Quinta Brunson (Janine Teagues, Abbott Elementary)* Rosario Dawson (Ahsoka Tano, Ahsoka)*
FAVORITE MALE TV STAR (FAMILY) Gordon Cormier (Aang, Avatar: The Last Airbender)* Iain Armitage (Sheldon Cooper, Young Sheldon) Jerry Trainor (Spencer Shay, iCarly) Justin Long (Nathan Bratt, Goosebumps) Tom Hiddleston (Loki, Loki) Zack Morris (Isaiah Howard, Goosebumps)*
FILM: FAVORITE MOVIE Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom Barbie Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 The Little Mermaid The Marvels Transformers: Rise of the Beasts Wonka
FAVORITE MOVIE ACTOR Adam Sandler (Danny Friedman, You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah) Chris Pratt (Peter Quill, Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 3) Jason Momoa (Arthur, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom) John Cena (Jakob Toretto, Fast X) Paul Rudd (Gary Grooberson, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire)* Ryan Gosling (Ken, Barbie)* Ryan Reynolds (Cal, IF) Timothée Chalamet (Willy Wonka, Wonka)*
FAVORITE MOVIE ACTRESS America Ferrera (Gloria, Barbie)* Brie Larson (Carol Danvers/Captain Marvel, The Marvels) Halle Bailey (Ariel, The Little Mermaid)* Jennifer Garner (Jess, The Family Switch) Margot Robbie (Barbie, Barbie)* Melissa McCarthy (Ursula, The Little Mermaid) Zendaya (Chani, Dune: Part Two) Zoe Saldana (Gamora, Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol 3)
FAVORITE ANIMATED MOVIE Elemental Kung Fu Panda 4 PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem The Garfield Movie The Super Mario Bros. Movie Trolls Band Together
FAVORITE MALE VOICE FROM AN ANIMATED MOVIE Adam Sandler (Leo, Leo) Brady Noon (Raphael, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem) Chris Pratt (Mario, The Super Mario Bros. Movie) Jack Black (Bowser, The Super Mario Bros. Movie) Jack Black (Po, Kung Fu Panda 4) Jackie Chan (Splinter, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem) Justin Timberlake (Branch, Trolls Band Together) Shameik Moore (Miles Morales, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse)
FAVORITE FEMALE VOICE FROM AN ANIMATED MOVIE Anna Kendrick (Poppy, Trolls Band Together) Anya Taylor-Joy (Peach, The Super Mario Bros. Movie)* Ariana DeBose (Asha, Wish)* Awkwafina (Zhen, Kung Fu Panda 4) Ayo Edebiri (April, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem)* Hailee Steinfeld (Gwen Stacy, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse) Kristen Bell (Janet, PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie) McKenna Grace (Skye, PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie)*
FAVORITE VILLAIN Amy Schumer (Velvet, Trolls Band Together)* Austin Butler (Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen, Dune: Part Two)* Jack Black (Bowser, The Super Mario Bros. Movie) Keegan-Michael Key (Chief of Police, Wonka)* Melissa McCarthy (Ursula, The Little Mermaid) Reneé Rapp (Regina George, Mean Girls)*
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MUSIC: FAVORITE FEMALE ARTIST Ariana Grande Beyoncé Billie Eilish Cardi B Miley Cyrus Olivia Rodrigo Selena Gomez Taylor Swift
FAVORITE MALE ARTIST Bad Bunny Drake Ed Sheeran Justin Timberlake Post Malone The Weeknd Travis Scott Usher
FAVORITE MUSIC GROUP Black Eyed Peas Coldplay Imagine Dragons Jonas Brothers Maroon 5 *NSYNC
FAVORITE SONG “Dance the Night”- Dua Lipa “Fast Car”- Luke Combs* “Flowers”- Miley Cyrus “Paint The Town Red”- Doja Cat “Selfish”- Justin Timberlake “TEXAS HOLD ‘EM”- Beyoncé “What Was I Made For?”- Billie Eilish “yes, and?”- Ariana Grande
FAVORITE MUSIC COLLABORATION “All My Life”- Lil Durk* and J. Cole* “Baby Don’t Hurt Me”- David Guetta, Anne Marie* and Coi Leray* “Barbie World”- Nicki Minaj and Ice Spice* with Aqua* “Doctor (Work it Out)”- Pharrell Williams featuring Miley Cyrus “Fortnight”- Taylor Swift featuring Post Malone “Karma (Remix)”- Taylor Swift and Ice Spice* “SUPPOSED TO BE LOVED”- DJ Khaled featuring Lil Baby,* Future* and Lil Uzi Vert* “Wild Ones”- Jessie Murph* and Jelly Roll*
FAVORITE BREAKOUT ARTIST Coco Jones* Ice Spice* Jelly Roll* Reneé Rapp* Tate McRae* Teddy Swims* Tyla* Victoria Monét*
FAVORITE ALBUM “Barbie: The Album” “Cowboy Carter”- Beyoncé “Endless Summer Vacation”- Miley Cyrus “GUTS”- Olivia Rodrigo “THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT: THE ANTHOLOGY”- Taylor Swift “Whitsitt Chapel”- Jelly Roll*
FAVORITE GLOBAL MUSIC STAR Africa: Tyla* Asia: BLACKPINK Australia/NZ: Troye Sivan Europe: Zara Larsson Latin America: Karol G* North America: Taylor Swift UK: Dua Lipa
FAVORITE TICKET OF THE YEAR Bad Bunny: Most Wanted Beyoncé: Renaissance Tour BlackPink: BornPink Tour Olivia Rodrigo: Guts Tour Sabrina Carpenter: Emails That I Can’t Send Tour* Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour
FAVORITE VIRAL SONG “Beautiful Things”- Benson Boone* “Daylight”- David Kushner* “Espresso”- Sabrina Carpenter* “Greedy”- Tate McRae* “Lil Boo Thang”- Paul Russell* “Water”- Tyla*
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OTHER CATEGORIES: FAVORITE MALE CREATOR Dhar Mann* Mark Rober* Markiplier MrBeast Ryan’s World Spencer X
FAVORITE FEMALE CREATOR Charli D’Amelio Dixie D’Amelio Emma Chamberlain Hannah Stocking* Kids Diana Show Lexi Rivera
FAVORITE GAMER Aphmau* Kai Cenat* Ninja Preston TheBoyDilly* Unspeakable
FAVORITE SOCIAL MUSIC STAR Addison Rae Bella Poarch David Kushner* Djo* Madison Beer* Paul Russell*
FAVORITE CREATOR FAMILY FGTeeV Jordan Matter/Salish Matter* Ninja Kidz Royalty Family The Beverly Halls* The Herberts*
FAVORITE FEMALE SPORTS STAR Alex Morgan Caitlin Clark* Coco Gauff* Sha’Carri Richardson* Simone Biles Venus Williams
FAVORITE MALE SPORTS STAR Cristiano Ronaldo LeBron James Lionel Messi Patrick Mahomes Stephen Curry Travis Kelce*
FAVORITE VIDEO GAME Just Dance 2024 Madden NFL 24 Minecraft Roblox Super Mario Bros. Wonder The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards 2024 is produced by Nickelodeon Productions and overseen by: Ashley Kaplan, Executive Vice President, Nickelodeon & Awesomeness Unscripted & Digital Franchise Studio; Paul J Medford, Vice President, Unscripted Current Series; Luke Wahl, Vice President, Unscripted Creative; Jennifer Bryson, Vice President, Production, Tentpoles, Events & Music & Specials; and Ellen Rydzewski, Senior Vice President, Celebrity, Events & Talent Relations. Guy Carrington & Kevin Hermanson of Done and Dusted serve as executive producers, with Rob Paine serving as co-executive producer. The show is directed by James Merryman.
Since its launch July 17, 1999, SpongeBob SquarePants has reigned as the most-watched animated series for 22 consecutive years, while generating a universe of beloved characters, pop culture catchphrases and memes, theatrical releases, consumer products, a Tony award-winning Broadway musical and a global fan base. SpongeBob SquarePants is one of the most widely distributed properties in Paramount history, seen in more than 180 markets, translated in 30+ languages, and averaging more than 90 million total viewers every quarter. SpongeBob SquarePants was created by Stephen Hillenburg and produced by Nickelodeon in Burbank, Calif. The character-driven cartoon chronicles the nautical and sometimes nonsensical adventures of SpongeBob, an incurable optimist and earnest sea sponge, and his undersea friends.
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Nickelodeon, now in its 45th year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The brand includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, digital, location-based experiences, publishing and feature films. For more information or artwork, visit http://www.nickpress.com. Nickelodeon is a part of Paramount’s (Nasdaq: PARA, PARAA) global portfolio of multimedia entertainment brands.
Pat Finn: Remembering the Familiar Face Who Made Us Laugh
Pat Finn, the familiar face from The Middle, Seinfeld, Friends, and Toyota commercials, has passed away at 60. We remember his career, legacy, and lasting impact.
Pat Finn: Remembering the Familiar Face Who Made Us Laugh
Many people may not have known his name right away, but they knew his face. Pat Finn was one of those rare actors who quietly became part of America’s shared television experience—popping up in beloved sitcoms, memorable commercials, and scene-stealing guest roles for more than three decades.
In December 2025, Finn passed away at the age of 60 after a battle with bladder cancer, leaving behind a body of work that continues to resonate with audiences who grew up watching network television’s golden era of sitcoms.
A Career Built on Consistency and Craft
Pat Finn wasn’t a headline-chasing star. Instead, he was the definition of a working actor—someone whose talent and reliability kept him in steady demand across generations of television.
He appeared in some of the most recognizable shows in TV history, including Seinfeld, Friends, Murphy Brown, 3rd Rock from the Sun, That ’70s Show, The King of Queens, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and The Goldbergs. To many fans, he was especially memorable as Bill Norwood, the occasionally awkward and often hilarious boss on ABC’s long-running sitcom The Middle.
These weren’t flashy roles—but they were essential ones. Finn had a gift for grounding comedy in reality, playing characters who felt like people you actually knew: coworkers, neighbors, or that guy you’d see at the store every week.
From Chicago Improv to National Screens
Born in Evanston, Illinois, Pat Finn came out of Chicago’s legendary improv scene, training and performing with The Second City and the iO Theater. That background gave him sharp comedic instincts and impeccable timing—skills that translated effortlessly to television.
He was also a contemporary and friend of Chris Farley, and like many performers from that era, Finn carried the Chicago improv tradition of generosity, collaboration, and humility throughout his career.
The Toyota Commercials—and Being “That Guy”
In later years, a new generation came to recognize Finn from Toyota commercials, particularly regional dealership ads. Once again, he became “that guy” everyone recognized but couldn’t quite place—a testament to just how deeply embedded he was in pop culture.
Commercial work is often overlooked, but Finn approached it with the same professionalism and charm as his television roles, making even short appearances feel authentic and memorable.
A Teacher, Mentor, and Family Man
Beyond acting, Pat Finn was also a teacher and mentor, sharing his experience with aspiring performers and encouraging young actors to respect the craft rather than chase fame.
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He was married to his wife, Donna, for more than three decades, and together they raised three children. In tributes following his passing, family and colleagues alike emphasized not just his talent, but his kindness, humor, and generosity.
A Quiet Legacy That Lasts
Pat Finn’s passing is a reminder that television history isn’t shaped only by superstars. It’s built by dependable, talented performers who show up, deliver, and elevate every project they touch.
If you’ve ever laughed at a scene and later realized, “Hey, I’ve seen that guy before,” there’s a good chance it was Pat Finn.
His work lives on—in reruns, streaming libraries, commercials, and the memories of audiences who didn’t always know his name, but never forgot his presence.
Rest in peace, Pat Finn. And thank you for the laughs.
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The Viral Backlash: How a Chef, a TikTok Influencer, and One Moment Changed a San Francisco Restaurant
TikTok Influencer vs Chef: A viral TikTok confrontation between Chef Luke Sung and a food influencer led to backlash, a restaurant closure, and a major rebrand in San Francisco.
The Viral Backlash: How a Chef, a TikTok Influencer, and One Moment Changed a San Francisco Restaurant
In mid-2025, a San Francisco restaurant found itself at the center of a viral controversy—not because of its food, but because of an interaction between a well-known chef and a TikTok food influencer. The incident sparked a broader conversation about power, professionalism, and the growing influence of social media in the hospitality industry.
What Happened at Kis Cafe
The incident involved Chef Luke Sung, a respected name in the Bay Area culinary scene, and a TikTok micro-influencer known online as @itskarlabb. The influencer had been invited to Kis Cafe for a planned promotional collaboration. According to the influencer, during her visit the chef questioned her follower count—around 15,000 at the time—and allegedly implied that her audience was not the “type of people” who would dine at his restaurant. She later described the exchange as humiliating and dismissive. After leaving the restaurant, she shared her experience in a TikTok video. The post quickly went viral, gaining millions of views and triggering a wave of online backlash.
The Internet Reacts
Although the influencer initially did not name the restaurant or the chef, internet users quickly identified Kis Cafe. The restaurant’s review pages were flooded with criticism, and the incident became a flashpoint in online discussions about elitism, influencer culture, and accountability. Within days, Kis Cafe issued a public apology and announced that Luke Sung was no longer affiliated with the restaurant in any capacity.
Chef Luke Sung Responds
Chef Sung later released a public apology, acknowledging that his behavior was condescending and inappropriate. He stated that there were no excuses for the way he treated the influencer and accepted responsibility for the incident. The apology, however, did little to slow the momentum of public reaction.
The Restaurant Closes — and Reopens
Not long after the controversy, Kis Cafe announced it would close. In the months that followed, the space reopened under a new name, Bosque, with new leadership and no involvement from Sung. The rebrand was seen as a clear attempt to move forward and distance the business from the viral episode.
The Influencer Effect
Meanwhile, the influencer at the center of the controversy saw her follower count surge dramatically, growing from a modest audience into hundreds of thousands of followers almost overnight. The incident highlighted the real-world impact that even “micro-influencers” can have—and how a single moment, captured and shared, can reshape careers and businesses.
Why This Story Matters
This controversy underscored a major cultural shift: social media is no longer separate from real-world industries like dining and hospitality. Online platforms can amplify personal experiences into powerful narratives with lasting consequences. As of early 2026, the restaurant operates under a new identity, the chef has stepped away from the project entirely, and the influencer continues to grow her platform. The episode remains a cautionary tale about professionalism, respect, and the power of digital voices. Get The Knowledge. More stories like this are available at STM Daily News.
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Brigitte Bardot defined the modern woman and defied social norms
Ben McCann, University of Adelaide Brigitte Bardot’s death, at the age of 91, brings to a close one of the most extraordinary careers in post-war French cultural life. Best known as an actress, she was also a singer, a fashion icon, an animal rights activist and a symbol of France’s sexual liberation. Famous enough to be known by her initials, B.B. symbolised a certain vision of French femininity – rebellious and sensual, yet vulnerable. Her impact on beauty standards and French national identity was profound. At her peak, she rivalled Marilyn Monroe in global fame and recognition. Simone de Beauvoir, France’s leading feminist writer, famously wrote in 1959 that Bardot “appears as a force of nature, dangerous so long as she remains untamed”.
A star is born
Bardot was born in 1934 to a well-off Parisian family. Raised in a strict Catholic household, she studied ballet at the Conservatoire de Paris with hopes of becoming a professional dancer.Brigitte Bardot, pictured here in 1946, studied ballet as a child.Roger Viollet via Getty Images Her striking looks led her to modelling. By 14, she was appearing in Elle magazine, catching the eye of director Roger Vadim, whom she married in 1952. She began acting in the early 1950s and her appearance as Juliette in Vadim’s And God Created Woman (Et Dieu… créa la femme, 1956) put her on the map. Bardot was instantly catapulted to international stardom. Vadim presented his wife as the ultimate expression of youthful, erotic freedom that both shocked and captivated French audiences. Watching this relatively tame film today, it’s difficult to imagine just how taboo-breaking Bardot’s performance was. But in sleepy Catholic, conservative 1950s France, it set new norms for on-screen sexuality. The film became a global phenomenon. Critics loved it, but censors and religious groups grew nervous.
An 60s icon
Bardot’s lack of formal training as an actress paradoxically became part of her appeal: she adopted a spontaneous acting approach, as much physical as verbal. She was stunning in Contempt (Le Mépris, 1963), Jean-Luc Godard’s masterpiece about a crumbling marriage. Godard used her beauty and fame both as spectacle and critique. The film’s most famous sequence was a 31-minute conversation between Bardot and her co-star Michel Piccoli. Bardot was never better. In Henri-Georges Clouzot’s intense courtroom drama The Truth (La Vérité, 1960), she showcased her dramatic range playing a young woman on trial for the murder of her lover.Bardot in a poster for The Truth, 1960.LMPC via Getty Images In 1965, she co-starred with Jeanne Moreau in Louis Malle’s Long Live Maria (Viva Maria), a rare female buddy film that blended comedy and political satire. Bardot’s anarchic energy remains a dazzling feat. A Very Private Affair (Vie privée, 1962) saw her portray a woman consumed by fame and chased by the media. The plotline was eerily predictive of Bardot’s own future. She popularised fashion trends like the choucroute hairstyle and ballet flats. The Bardot neckline – off-the-shoulder tops and dresses – was named after her. She even wore pink gingham at her 1959 wedding.
Allure and provocation
Bardot’s star appeal lay in her contradictions. She appeared simultaneously natural and provocative, spontaneous and calculated. Her dishevelled glamour and effortless sexuality helped construct the archetype of the modern “sex kitten”. She famously said “it is better to be unfaithful than to be faithful without wanting to be”. Throwing off the shackles of bourgeois morality, Bardot epitomised a commitment to emotional and sexual freedom. Her turbulent love life was a case in point. She was married four times, with dozens of stormy relationships and extra-marital affairs along the way. Forever immortalised as a free-spirited ingénue, Bardot was a muse for filmmakers, artists and musicians, from Andy Warhol to Serge Gainsbourg. Later on, Kate Moss, Amy Winehouse and Elle Fanning mentioned Bardot as an inspiration. Famously, Bardot never succumbed to cosmetic surgery. As she once noted:
Women should embrace ageing because, at the end of the day, it’s much more beautiful to have a grandmother with white hair who looks like an elderly lady than to have a grandmother who’s bleached, dyed, and […] who looks much older but also really unhappy.
Life after the movies
Bardot retired from acting in 1973, aged only 39, citing disillusionment with fame. “It suffocated and destroyed me”, she said, about the film industry. She shifted her attention to animal rights, founding the Brigitte Bardot Foundation in 1986. She became an uncompromising, vocal activist, campaigning against animal cruelty, fur farming, whaling and bullfighting. But Bardot courted controversy from the mid-1990s for her far-right political views, remarks about Islam and immigration and repeated convictions for inciting racial hatred. She publicly defended disgraced actor Gérard Depardieu and pushed back on the #MeToo movement in France. Such statements damaged her reputation, especially outside France, and created a troubling image: the once-liberating sex symbol now associated with nationalist conservatism. While she never identified as a feminist, her unapologetic autonomy, early retirement and outspoken views led some to re-evaluate her as a figure of proto-feminist rebellion. France gradually began to turn against Bardot, bothered by her outspoken views. But some applauded her couldn’t-care-less attitude and unwillingness to play by the rules. Ultimately, by rejecting fame on her own terms, she parlayed her 50s free-spiritedness into a bold stand against conformity and societal norms. Late in life, she told Danièle Thompson, the writer-director of the 2023 mini-series about her career, “I don’t understand why the whole world is still talking about me”. The answer is simple – Bardot continues to fascinate us, flaws and all. Ben McCann, Associate Professor of French Studies, University of Adelaide This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
