Latest news with #GuinnessWorldRecord-holding
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Paranormal crew finds ‘a lot of energy' at Grand Midway Hotel
WINDBER, Pa. (WTAJ) — A new show that recently debuted on Amazon Prime took a trip to the Grand Midway Hotel in Windber. Host of the Connecticut-based show, 'Dark Echoes Paranormal,' and creator Matt Kondracki and his team of paranormal investigators are currently filming their second season for a 2026 debut, according to WTAJ media partners at The Tribune-Democrat. Kondracki is a longtime paranormal investigator turned producer whose past credits include Animal Planet's 'The Haunted' series. The Grand Midway Hotel offers 32 rooms, with plenty of ghost stories to match, owner Blair Murphy said. Each room is decorated with a different eclectic and sometimes eerie theme, with the roof doubling as a Guinness World Record-holding Ouija board. What Kondracki said sets his series apart is that he knows little about the space's history, as well as the spiritual medium brought in to visit, who is also kept in the dark about their destination until they enter the door. Kondracki added that all of their footage is filmed live, with Erica Marks, their medium, brought in blindfolded. 'We want to show people this is real,' Kondracki said. 'We go to wherever the medium is drawn to.' For Marks, that seemed to be almost straight up to the hotel's third floor. Even before entering, she said she felt greeted by an energetic young male's presence, who seemed to be eager to show her from one themed room to the next. Marks also noted that there was a 'heavier' energy upstairs as well. 'There's a lot of energy here,' Marks said. 'You walk in here and it's almost the sensation of a funhouse. At times, it's like the walls are coming in on you. There's so much different energy, which sort of makes sense for a hotel.' Kondracki, who was writing notes on Marks' observations, was able to piece together part of one mystery with her. He later spoke with frequent Grand Midway Hotel guests to see how, and if, her observations blended with the hotel's storied past. The approach of 'Dark Echoes Paranormal' isn't centered on first impressions, with each episode involving a 24-hour visit. For Marks, that meant spending Saturday evening alongside paranormal investigators and anyone else at the Grand Midway Hotel. However, viewers will have to wait until 2026 to see how the trip went. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Los Angeles Times
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Gabriel ‘Fluffy' Iglesias and Jo Koy announce Super Bowl-size comedy show at SoFi Stadium
Two of L.A.'s biggest comedians are teaming up to grab the mic for what they anticipate will be the largest comedy show in history. Gabriel 'Fluffy' Iglesias and Jo Koy on Tuesday announced that they'll be headlining the first stand-up performance at SoFi Stadium on March 21, 2026 — setting their sights on a sold-out crowd of 70,000 fans. If achieved, this number would eclipse the current Guinness World Record-holding comedy audience of 67,733 pulled off by German comedian Mario Barth at the Olympiastadion in Berlin in 2008. Announcing the show exclusively to The Times, Koy and Iglesias said that this massive undertaking will be a major moment not only for their fans who've supported them for decades, but for the art form of stand-up comedy. 'For one day, the two of us will be Taylor Swift,' Iglesias joked. The two longtime friends, who frequently pop up at each other's sold-out arena shows, said they felt the time was right to finally make a major co-headlining appearance together. They'll be performing their sets back to back on one night only with an array of special guests, surprise moments and plenty of other hilarious interruptions that will make for a roughly four-hour show. 'I think every time that we crash each other's shows, we see the reaction of the fans, and people get excited,' Iglesias said sitting outside SoFi with Koy on a recent afternoon talking about the show set to happen next spring. 'And the more we do that, the more we realize we have a lot of the same fans. We've always wanted to do shows together, yeah, like trying to make it make sense.' Looking across the giant man-made lake in front of SoFi's enormous structure, Koy can hardly contain his joyous disbelief that he'll be performing at one of the largest NFL stadiums in the country where the Rams and Chargers play. 'I play the Forum, and then as I'm pulling in this … it's dwarfing the Forum,' Koy said. 'This is a massive deal. To share the stage with this guy is gonna be incredible.' Between the success and fan bases of both comedians, the potential of a record-setting stand-up show seems statistically within reach. In 2022, Long Beach comedian Iglesias was the first comic to sell out the 56,000-seat Dodger Stadium as part of the debut of the biennial Netflix Is a Joke Festival in L.A. He also set a record for fines incurred by a performer for going over his allotted time slot (a hefty $250,000 for not leaving the venue until 4 a.m.). 'I'm the reason the Dodgers could afford Ohtani this year,' Iglesias joked. 'That being said, I've learned a couple things, and we're gonna apply them to this. And I think that it has to make sense, and it's gonna make sense.' Last year, Koy also made comedy history by performing two back-to-back sold-out shows at the Forum, bringing him to a record-setting total of six sold-out headlining shows for a comedian at the Inglewood venue that seats more than 17,500 fans. The discussion of the pair playing SoFi began when Iglesias came out at Koy's record-breaking sixth Forum show last February to hand him a plaque for his achievement. In front of the crowd, Iglesias asked Koy if they should contemplate performing 'across the street' together, which elicited a roar of excitement from the crowd. 'I always wanted to do a show with [Iglesias] and it was him that was like, 'Hey, let's do SoFi,'' Koy said laughing. 'Like, can we just start small? ... this is [Iglesias'] brain child. I love it that it took someone like Gabe to come up with something this big and to inspire me to do it.' Considering both comedians have made a career of selling out major market arenas in the past, Iglesias said he's confident his big idea will pay off. 'It needed to be said out loud for us to actually make it real, to make it feel like this is something that can happen,' he said. 'Because, I mean, theoretically, mathematically, it should, we should be fine. There should be five of these like Tay-Tay.' When it comes to playing to the 'cheap seats' at the back of the stadium, the comedians said they're committed to making sure everyone in the venue enjoys the experience of their comedy show, which is being presented by Icon Concerts. Pre-sale begins at 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 23, local time, and tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, April 25, on Ticketmaster and via the comedians' websites, and 'That's always the first thought — is everyone gonna be able to enjoy the experience,' Iglesias said. 'And I think you bring in the right production, the right sound, the right lighting, spare no expense on that one, and make sure that every single seat is a good seat.' 'We're going to have mics everywhere,' Koy said. 'That was like, my biggest concern. Let's make sure we capture everything and make sure everyone sees us. This thing's massive, it's nuts.' This banner career moment for Koy next door to LAX comes on the heels of a rather scary moment in the skies earlier this month as a passenger with his family on an L.A.-bound flight from the Philippines that made an emergency landing in Tokyo after smoke started billowing into the cabin due to an electrical fire. 'I had my family with me, so I'm trying to be strong but inside I'm like, 'Oh, my God we're gonna crash!' Koy said. 'When we landed, it was like a new life was handed to us.' If anyone can identify with Koy's experience it's Iglesias, who had his own emergency landing in 2023 when a private jet he was on skidded off the runway and landed in a field. 'I think [Koy] wins, he had fire,' he quipped. For Koy and Iglesias, who both survived and thrived in the comedy scene in L.A. for years and became worldwide stars in comedy with a combined 60 years worth of experience between them, performing a show this size is definitely no joke. 'A mega show is in order,' Iglesias said. 'I think that the two of us are right at that perfect spot where this is the right time and the right place.'
Khaleej Times
31-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
UAE: Why Gen-Z is ditching textbooks for TikTok
For a platform synonymous with dance challenges and viral trends, TikTok's evolution into an educational hub may come as a surprise. Yet, the #LearnOnTikTok hashtag, boasting over 32 million posts and billions of views, has proven that learning can be as engaging and fast-paced as entertainment itself. Across the globe and within the UAE, educators and professionals are using TikTok to simplify complex topics, share bite-sized knowledge, and make learning accessible to the app's predominantly young audience. From maths tricks and psychological insights to dental hygiene tips and Guinness World Record-worthy calculations, TikTok's shift into the 'edutainment' space has opened new avenues for knowledge-sharing. However, with the rise of digital education comes a darker side—misinformation, where so-called 'experts can also spread misleading claims, sometimes with dangerous consequences. As educational content flourishes on social media, so does the challenge of separating fact from fiction. So, how do content creators strike the balance between engaging and credible content? And how does TikTok ensure that users—many of them young and impressionable—aren't consuming false or misleading information? The shift towards edutainment Traditionally, education has been associated with textbooks, lectures, and lengthy reading materials. TikTok has disrupted this notion, making learning as addictive as scrolling through a feed of funny memes. The platform's short, engaging videos break down complex concepts into digestible snippets, offering an alternative to traditional learning. Dr Jana Bou Reslan, an experienced university lecturer in Educational Psychology who shifted her focus to coaching and awareness, saw the potential early on. 'As a mental health advocate with 17 years of experience, I recognised the potential TikTok has in reaching younger audiences in a way traditional media cannot,' she says. Her content focuses on wellbeing, emotional intelligence, and educational psychology—delivered in Arabic to make it more accessible to her community. Similarly, Guinness World Record-holding mental calculation expert @guinnessandmathguy uses TikTok to demystify math. 'I realised that there was a unique opportunity to share math tips, tricks, and shortcuts with a global audience. Within a month of starting my account, I had 150,000 followers,' he recalls. His success is a bright example of the platform's ability to turn even the most intimidating subjects into viral learning experiences. Dr Diana Chehab, a licensed dentist with over 411K followers, sees TikTok as a gateway to accessible oral health education. 'I believe that understanding dental care can empower people to make better decisions for their overall health, and TikTok offers the perfect platform to reach a wider audience with fun and informative content,' she says. From debunking common myths to explaining proper oral hygiene practices, she uses her platform to spread awareness in an engaging way. The power of bite-sized learning One of TikTok's biggest draws is its ability to condense complex information into short, digestible videos. Unlike traditional learning methods, which often demand attention for extended periods, TikTok leverages micro-learning—a method proven to be 17 per cent more efficient than traditional courses, according to a study by the Journal of Applied Psychology. Kinda Ibrahim, Regional GM, Operations and Marketing at TikTok, explains the key to the platform's success in education: 'I believe the simple and overdue realisation that education can be as 'fun' as entertainment content is what helped #LearnOnTikTok gain popularity. It's like stepping into a virtual classroom where education meets fun—what I call 'edutainment' central.' This shift has resonated strongly with Gen-Z and Millennials, who naturally gravitate towards short-form video learning, making TikTok the perfect vehicle for everything from science experiments and DIY projects to life advice and motivational content. The appeal of learning on TikTok is that it doesn't feel like learning. Instead of long lectures or static PowerPoint presentations, users are exposed to interactive, dynamic, and often humorous videos that make concepts easy to grasp. For Dr Reslan, TikTok has provided a unique opportunity to reach an audience beyond the traditional classroom. 'As a lecturer of educational psychology, I recognised the potential TikTok has in reaching younger audiences in a way traditional media cannot.' Similarly, Dr Chehab has seen firsthand how social media can influence real-world behaviour. 'Many clients come to my clinic and mention how they found something I shared in a video interesting and want to know more. That's when I know my content is truly making a difference.' For @guinnessandmathguy, the goal is to break the stigma around mathematics by making it approachable and fun. His mental math tricks have earned him 1.7 million followers and transformed the way people—of all ages—view numbers. However, as educational content flourishes on TikTok, so does misinformation, which has been a growing concern across all digital platforms. When viral knowledge turns dangerous While TikTok has democratised education by giving experts and professionals a voice, it has also given rise to self-proclaimed 'gurus' who spread misleading information under the guise of expertise. Health-related misinformation is particularly concerning. Many users rely on TikTok for medical advice, from home remedies to mental health self-diagnosis. But not all information is accurate or safe. The ease with which content can spread also raises concerns about the credibility of information. Misinformation on social media is nothing new, but the short, rapid-fire nature of TikTok videos can make it even harder to distinguish between fact and fiction. Dr Jana doesn't shy away from acknowledging the challenge. 'One of the biggest hurdles is translating complex psychological concepts into short videos without losing substance,' she says. 'Another challenge is battling misinformation. Social media is full of quick, inaccurate information. I ensure my content is always rooted in research, thanks to my academic background.' For Dr Diana, the spread of misinformation in the health sector is particularly concerning. 'One major challenge with misinformation on digital platforms is its rapid spread, often gaining more attention than accurate content,' she notes. 'With the popularity of short, catchy videos, oversimplified or misleading information can go viral before experts have a chance to address it.' TikTok, aware of these risks, has implemented several measures to combat misinformation. Ibrahim explains how the platform ensures accuracy. 'We use a combination of advanced technology and human moderation. Machine learning tools detect potential misinformation, and flagged content is reviewed by experts. We also partner with independent fact-checking organisations who verify content accuracy,' she says. Dr Diana To regulate misleading content, TikTok actively removes videos that promote harmful medical advice, dangerous health trends, or content that contradicts authoritative public health information. Ibrahim adds, 'Through our Global Fact-Checking Programme, we collaborate with 19 IFCN-accredited organisations to verify content accuracy in over 50 languages across 100+ markets.' Additionally, social media platforms limit the reach of flagged content, preventing it from appearing in users' 'For You' feeds, while also featuring in-app prompts encouraging users to double-check facts. How creators ensure accuracy Given the risks of misinformation, responsible creators take extra steps to ensure that their content is factual and reliable. Dr Diana outlines her process: 'I rely on reputable, evidence-based sources. As a dentist, I cross-check with trusted dental journals, research papers, and guidelines from reputable health organisations. If I address complex topics, I may consult additional experts to ensure the content is well-rounded and factual.' Dr Jana echoes this sentiment. 'As a university lecturer, I have access to academic resources and studies that inform my videos. I always cross-check facts and consult experts when necessary, particularly for complex psychological or mental health topics.' For @guinnessandmathguy, maintaining credibility is just as important. 'Math is a subject that many people struggle with, so I ensure that my explanations are precise and backed by logic. I take time to refine my content, making sure it's both accurate and engaging.' Dr Jana The future of digital learning With educational content on the rise, what does the future look like for platforms like TikTok? Ibrahim points to a growing trend of 'edutainment' in the UAE and across the Mena region. 'There's a strong rise in educational and entrepreneurial content, particularly in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Users aren't just looking for information, they also want inspiration and real-world application,' she says. The rise of #LearnOnTikTok proves that learning doesn't have to be dry or tedious—it can be as engaging as any other social media trend. For many, it serves as a gateway to knowledge that might otherwise feel out of reach. However, as educational content flourishes, so do the risks of misinformation, making it more crucial than ever for both creators and platforms to uphold credibility and accuracy. By prioritising authenticity and maintaining vigilant content moderation, creators and platforms can ensure that the fusion of education and entertainment continues to positively shape how we learn in the digital age.
