What would a Harry Potter product be without a sequel?
The mega-successful book franchise, which spanned seven installments, later spawned eight equally successful movie adaptations and a hugely popular theme park, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Islands of Adventure.
Now, Universal Orlando Resort has announced a second park – The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Diagon Alley – will open in 2014. The coolest addition probably being the Hogwarts Express train that will connect the planned park to its existing brethren.
Between the book and movie franchises, Harry Potter has his fingerprints on dozens of records, including the best selling book series for children by J.K. Rowling and the highest box office film gross on opening day for "Deathly Hallows: Part 2."
While Potter continues to power on, another 21 st-century media juggernaut may soon try to reboot. Sources say “American Idol” plans to replace all four judges – including original judge Randy Jackson – next season, as well as executive producer Nigel Lythgoe, in response to lagging viewership.
At its peak, nothing on American television could touch “Idol,” which held records for the most public votes received by a TV program, most No. 1 singles generated by a music TV talent show, and the largest TV audience for a reality music program.
It’s hard to find anyone not using some form of social media these days, but can liking, pinning, and retweeting have adverse effects on our health? A recent survey found that more than 40% of moms say they sometimes suffer from “Pinterest stress,” – feeling their efforts can’t compare to their creative peers. Maybe catchphrase “Stop the Pinsanity” can top Barack Obama’s most widespread social network message in 24 hours, which was retweeted more than 771,635 times last election day.
Meanwhile, another digital institution is starting to lose followers and it’s the wildly popular online adventure game “World of Warcraft.” Activision Blizzard, which publishes the series, says it lost 14% of subscribers in the first quarter of this year. Even still, WoW sits atop the mountain as best-selling MMO video game ever, having sold 6.25 million copies as of January 2013.
Lastly, we all strive for perfection, and one new automobile has come painstakingly close. The Tesla Model S car recently tested a 99 out of 100 in tests conducted by “Consumer Reports” magazine, tied for the highest-ever score doled out by the publication. The all-electric plug-in car, with its “excellent scores for acceleration, braking and ride quality,” may be a perfect candidate to hit the road with if one would like to break the record for greatest distance in an electric vehicle on a single charge, set at 623.35 miles (1,003.184 km) by Tadashi Tateuchi of Japan in May 2010.
