Month: December 2020

Earlier this year, rapper Megan Thee Stallion penned a powerful op-ed for The New York Times honoring and uplifting other women of color called “Why I Speak Up For Black Women.” The essay came during a year that re-prioritzed calling out and fighting back against the systematic racism in America, and it didn’t go unnoticed by other Black women who work in the public eye. Maxine Waters, a congresswoman from California, took the time to write a letter to Megan to let her know how the letter impacted her.

Megan, too, was equally impacted by having her voice acknowledged, and shared the letter in full in an Instagram post today. “One of the highlights of my year was getting a letter from Congress Woman @repmaxinewaters,” she wrote in the caption. “I am so honored to be recognized by such an amazing woman and I promise to keep using my voice and encourage others to use theirs!”

Read the letter below.

Dear Megan,
I read the op-ed you wrote that appeared in the New York Times recently and I can’t thank you enough for bringing much needed attention to the plight of Black women, not just here in the United States — but everywhere. You are so right that Black women have paved the way and have done so by leading with courage and bravery. There is also this notion, which you touched upon, that we as Black women have the ability to bear a heavier burden than everyone else in society. That notion contributes to the lack of care and attention to the issues that specifically affect us. While we are too often overlooked, there is no doubt that Black women are the glue for our families and communities, and a crucial part of the fabric of this country. We see that — in your career and your tremendous success, despite the obstacles that have come your way.

I write all this to say that I’m so incredibly proud of you and how you have used your voice to uplift Black women. I know that Black women and girls everywhere thank you for the way you so fiercely have their back. I want you to know that I have your back, too. I hope that during these trying times you take comfort in knowing that I’m fighting for you, and all Black women, every single day. Stay well, keep fighting, and take care. We need your voice in this fight.

Warm Regards,

Maxine Waters
Member of Congress

LeBron James and Kyrie Irving’s partnership in Cleveland was, at times, tense, as the young guard wasn’t always quick to embrace James’ dominant leadership style, but the two did combine to lift the Cavaliers to their first championship in 2016 in their historic comeback from 3-1 down against the 73-win Golden State Warriors.

A year later, Irving would issue a trade request that landed him in Boston as he seemed determined to break off on his own to take on the starring role he believed he was destined for, while James spent one more year in Cleveland before heading to Los Angeles. This year, James’ Lakers are once again the favorite in the West and to repeat as champs, while Irving’s Nets are among the favorites in the East now that he and new star teammate Kevin Durant are both healthy.

There’s certainly going to be a feeling out process for Durant and Irving, but the two friends are very excited to play together. Earlier this offseason, Irving joined Durant on his The ETCs podcast and made a comment that raised some eyebrows, in which he indicated that Durant will be the first teammate he fully trusts to defer to and take some of the same shots in clutch situations.

“I felt like I was the best option on every team I’ve played for down the stretch,” Irving said. “This is the first time in my career where I can look down and be like, that motherf*cker can make that shot too and he’ll probably do it a lot easier. I feel like, yo, it’s not so much deferring, because in past situations if I didn’t take the last shot I felt guilty. I was like I want this game-winning shot but you want to trust your teammates — not to say I didn’t have the trust in my teammates — but I felt like I was the best option. And now, 10 seconds down, OK, K, get us a f*ckin bucket, I don’t care. I’m going to crash the offensive glass.”

Naturally, everyone’s first reaction was to be rather surprised by the comment given that he played with LeBron who is among the best players to ever play, and it was a comment that even caused LeBron to be taken aback. James addressed it on the Road Trippin’ Podcast with Richard Jefferson and Allie Clifton, noting that he waited until he could get the full transcript to make sure it hadn’t been taken out of context, but once he saw that was indeed how it came off he was “kinda hurt” by Irving’s comments.

The relationship between James and Irving has always been a fascinating one, as Kyrie never seemed keen to taking on the role of young player being brought along under LeBron’s wing, balking at the idea that he was a little brother or something of the sort. Irving’s relationship with Durant is clearly different and built out of longtime friendship, rather than a sudden pairing as happened with he and LeBron in Cleveland. It’s clear that LeBron wanted to have something different with Irving, as noted by his saying the two never aligned, and this is the latest instance of him being a bit hurt by that not being the case. As he said, it isn’t something that made him mad or upset, but clearly made him feel some type of way and a little disappointed that Kyrie doesn’t see him in that same light.

On one hand, it’s legitimately terrifying that an outgoing president is trying to overturn an election. On the other, Donald Trump is doing such a bad job at it that it’s been amusing, as well as scary. From his Keystone Kops legal team bumbling through one creatively failed presser and hearing after another to a guy whose father and wife he insulted promising to come to his rescue, it’s been a lot. But surely few people imagined that it would come to this: Lou Dobbs almost made Stephen Miller cry.

Dobbs, of course, is one of the president’s most stubborn cheerleaders. Miller, of course, is one of Trump’s most hated minions. They both adore 45. They both hate immigrants. But on Monday night — hours after a report emerged that Trump bungled an attempt to vaccine more Americans early and often — Dobbs turned on Miller. And people on social media found it glorious.

Miller came ready to parrot some familiar and dodgy (and in many cases already debunked) claims of voter fraud. But Dobbs wasn’t having it. He thought the president’s Senior Advisor was just another Republican letting him down, allowing him to get humiliated in one failed court case after another, ready to go down as a disgraced one-timer.

“The president warns for months and months and months about mail-in ballots and the potential for fraud, and the Republicans do nothing, Stephen. Nothing,” Dobbs scolded. “What’s wrong with the Republican party?!”

Miller tried to get in some moth-ridden talking points, even saying America had become a “banana republic,” but not because they elected a potential authoritarian who won’t concede an election he didn’t come close to winning. But Dobbs wouldn’t let him get very far.

“The reality is that this president right now is fighting — and let’s be straightforward about it — he’s fighting all alone,” Dobbs averred. “And Ted Cruz has stepped up to say he’ll argue before the Supreme Court. Why on God’s green Earth wouldn’t the White House jump on it?”

When Miller again tried to save himself with canned lines, Dobbs blew up. “No, no, Stephen. I’m not going to let you do this! I’m not going to let you do that!” Dobbs shouted. “I asked a question. You and I, we’re reasonably smart and decent fellows. Why don’t you answer me? That’s all I’m asking here, Stephen. Why don’t you guys jump and salute Ted Cruz and say, yes, we want you on the team now? My God, this is not a time for internecine nonsense on the part of the Republican party which is watching its blood drain into the streets because they’re gutless!”

Dobbs may have intended to energize Miller into taking a bolder stand, even though, at this point, the administration has done almost everything it could to overturn the election, without success. Instead Miller retreated into himself, looking as though he was about to cry.

Besides, the only people energized were people who dislike Lou Dobbs and Stephen Miller.

And truly, it was a big deal that Lou Dobbs — who regularly gives Republicans a hard time, but not people so close to the president — blew up on Stephen Miller.

At one point Dobbs floated the idea of hiring Marc E. Elias, who’s been defending the Democratic side of the election, and quite well at that. Elias himself found that quite amusing.

Still, he had to turn the handsome offer down.

Some were worried about Lou Dobbs.

Others basically said, “Let them fight.”

But maybe what they are is a new comedy team. After all, Republicans definitely need more funny people.

Anyway, barring some bizarre plot twist, Stephen Miller will be out of a job in a month-and-a-half, at which point we can all go back to thinking the most famous person with his name is an old rock musician with a bunch of hits. But will Lou Dobbs stay at the increasingly hated-by-Trump Fox News syndicate? Or will he jump ship to Trump’s revenge channel?

While Trump was campaigning for November’s presidential election, he was faced with a problem: Musicians kept suing him for playing their songs at rallies. Neil Young was among those to take legal action, suing the president in August for playing “Rockin’ in the Free World” and “Devil’s Sidewalk,” even after Young repeatedly told him to stop. However, it will not go to court as Young has now officially dropped the lawsuit, and for a good reason.

This comes from Rolling Stone, which reveals that the decision to dismiss the case was because, well, Trump lost his 2020 presidential bid to Joe Biden over a month ago. This could mean the lawsuit was perhaps symbolic in nature, though Young’s team has not commented on the musician’s intentions.

The original lawsuit filed against Trump stated that Young did not want his music to be a part of a “divisive” movement. “This complaint is not intended to disrespect the rights and opinions of American citizens, who are free to support the candidate of their choosing,” the court documents state. “However, Plaintiff in good conscience cannot allow his music to be used as a ‘theme song’ for a divisive, un-American campaign of ignorance and hate.”

Other musicians who’ve taken legal action against the Trump campaign include Phil Collins and Leonard Cohen’s estate. Tupac’s family also had a tiff with the administration, though not over a MAGA rally. Rather, Tupac’s family bashed Trump’s campaign for using the late rapper’s name to mock Vice President-elect Kamala Harris.

Neil Young is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Over the last handful of years filmgoers have been demanding more diverse representation in movies, and Charlize Theron has been more than happy to star in them. In Atomic Blonde, she played a bisexual spy whose main relationship is with another woman. In this year’s The Old Guard, it was strongly implied her centuries-old warrior had been involved with a female colleague. Theron has been proud to be a queer icon, and when a fan floated an idea for another high concept LGBTQ+ actioner, she was game.

Over the weekend, someone on Twitter had a great pitch: “Lesbian Christmas rom coms are all well and good but what I REALLY want is a Die Hard where Charlize Theron goes on a rampage to save her wife,” wrote a “PhD historian/interpretation writer” with the handle “Francis O.” Theron wasn’t tagged, but the Oscar-winning actress found the tweet regardless, and in a quote tweet she wrote, “Where do I sign.”

As it happens, Theron did just ink a two-year first look deal with HBO and HBO Max. Perhaps she can take this person’s advice and float a Die Hard clone — or, why not an actual Die Hard reboot? — in which she runs around a skyscraper or an airport or New York City, shooting baddies, cracking quips, and maybe even smoking a Guinness number of cigarettes, all while trying to save her wife. If so, she’ll have someone to credit with a great idea. Maybe by the time it’s made HBO Max will even be on Roku.

Few non-Trump supporters have ever bought his lines about the great job he says he’s done battling the virus that he himself caught, which is currently seeing record spikes, largely in places that voted for his failed second term. On Monday, there emerged another confirmation of his tragic and bumbling mishandling of a once-in-a-century public health crisis. According to The New York Times, months ago Trump made a decision that will almost certainly delay vaccinations in the country he will soon no longer lead.

In late summer, sources tell the Times, Pfizer — one of two companies that are very close to okaying a COVID-19 vaccine — approached the Trump administration, offering to sell America additional doses. Trump said no. But other nations said yes. And now, with Pfizer’s vaccine on the cusp of authorization, the Time says the company “may not be able to provide more of its vaccine to the United States until next June because of its commitments to other countries.”

Mind you , that’s caused Trump — who has spent the majority of the last month lodging baseless claim after baseless claim of voter fraud in the election he lost to Joe Biden — to actually, finally do something to help a nation destroyed by an out-of-control virus. Per the Times:

As the administration scrambles to try to purchase more doses of the vaccine, President Trump plans on Tuesday to sign an executive order “to ensure that United States government prioritizes getting the vaccine to American citizens before sending it to other nations,” according to a draft statement and a White House official, though it was not immediately clear what force the president’s executive order would carry.

That included whether it would expand the U.S. supply of doses beyond what is spelled out in existing federal contracts.

But it may be too little too late. A spokeswoman for the Department of Health and Human Services told the Times, “We are confident that we will have 100 million doses of Pfizer’s vaccine as agreed to in our contract, and beyond that, we have five other vaccine candidates.” Meanwhile Pfizer that any additional doses beyond the previously agreed-upon 100 million would require “a separate and mutually acceptable agreement.” But those additional doses may not be available until June.

The news of Trump — who had a ghost-writer pen a bestseller entitled The Art of the Deal — screwing up a deal had people wondering if he was the savvy businessman he claimed to be.

Others were just livid.

There is, however, a possible silver lining that could fix Trump’s epic screw-up.

On the same day news broke of Trump’s failed Pfizer deal, it was also reported that Justin Trudeau, prime minister of Canada, had arranged for a first batch of Pfizer vaccines to hit his nation as soon as next week.

When vaccines do arrive on these shores, there will likely be more than one. The Pfizer vaccine requires two doses at separate times. The other, by Moderna, is also expected to be approved very soon. When struggling Americans will receive them is another story.

(Via The New York Times)

Last week it was revealed last month that Warner Bros. was releasing its entire 2021 film slate — from Wonder Woman 1984 to Dune to The Matrix 4 — to HBO Max the same day they hit theaters. When the news hit, some wondered if the brash, potentially industry-shattering decision came in part due to Tenet underperforming in American theaters crippled by the pandemic, which no doubt scared its parent company. Speaking of, among the many critics of the move was Tenet’s director, Christopher Nolan.

In a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, the acclaimed filmmaker did not mince words. “Some of our industry’s biggest filmmakers and most important movie stars went to bed the night before thinking they were working for the greatest movie studio and woke up to find out they were working for the worst streaming service,” Nolan said. He added:

“Warner Bros. had an incredible machine for getting a filmmaker’s work out everywhere, both in theaters and in the home, and they are dismantling it as we speak. They don’t even understand what they’re losing. Their decision makes no economic sense and even the most casual Wall Street investor can see the difference between disruption and dysfunction.”

In the deal, HBO Max would gain a total of 17 films, spread over the next year, starting with Wonder Woman 1984 on December 25. It’s true that new movies released to American theaters have struggled to turn profits, or even mediocre grosses. That’s driven Hollywood’s major studios to do the unthinkable. In the early days of the pandemic, Universal enraged theater chains by releasing Trolls World Tour straight to PVOD, while Disney has done both PVOD (with their Mulan remake) and simply dropped titles like Artemis Fowl (and soon Pixar’s Soul) onto their own streaming service.

But the idea was that theaters would one day be safe again. The Warner Bros.-HBO Max deal could dramatically transform the entire industry, if not put the final stake in movie theater chains. And it’s already angered filmmakers, who expected their films to at least eventually be first available on the big screen. THR reports that Crazy Rich Asians director John M. Chu had to be “soothed” when he learned his next movie, an adaptation of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s In the Heights, would get the HBO Max treatment.

Other sources say James Gunn, who migrated to Warner’s for The Suicide Squad, “was not pleased” with the news, in part because of a “lackluster formula for compensating him and other profit participants in the film.” Dune director Denis Villeneuve is said to be a big proponent of his pricey Frank Herbert adaptation being seen on the biggest screen possible.

There’s even talk of legal action. On Monday sources were reported to have said that Legendary Entertainment, the production company behind Dune and Godzilla vs. Kong, both HBO Max-bound, may sue Warner Bros. While trepidatious film fans may applaud the chance to watch next year’s biggest movies without risking their lives, things are bound to get ugly very soon. In the meantime, HBO Max — which, to its credit, has possibly the most diverse line-up of the streamers, an embarrassment of riches that includes DC through TCM through Adult Swim through Looney Tunes — is still unavailable on Roku.

(Via THR)

Bon Iver have spent much of 2020 fighting for the greater good. In recent months, vocalist Justin Vernon has donated audio equipment to Black Lives Matter protests and has worked to get people to the polls with his initiative “For Wisconsin.” Now, they’ve committed to making their charitable actions more permanent. The band announced they will donate five percent of their annual royalties to a charity fighting against gender inequality and violence.

In an announcement, Bon Iver said that a portion of their royalties will benefit Vernon’s non-profit 2 A Billion. The organization aims to raise support, awareness, and person-to-person connections in an effort to end gender inequality, domestic violence, and sexual abuse.

“We are committing 5% of our publishing royalties annually in order to continue supporting past 2 A Billion partners. On tour, we’ve been humbled by our partners’ work towards bringing gender equity center stage and addressing issues of domestic and sexual violence. That work must continue, even once the show is over. […] Consequently, we hope such commitments move other artists, labels, PROs, agencies, industries, and corporations to support the causes most important to them and their communities. It is time for those with ample privilege and large platforms to amplify marginalized voices, speak up for disenfranchised communities, and give back to those working on the front lines of our country’s greatest challenges. If you have more than enough, please give something. As we all face so many grave issues in our world, we can achieve something good by coming together.”

Nearly a month has passed since the rumor mill began churning in earnest with James Harden’s NBA future in the middle of the rumblings. Eventually, Russell Westbrook was dealt from Houston to Washington in a swap for John Wall but, on the eve of the 2020-21 season, Harden remains employed by the Houston Rockets. However, Harden wasn’t present at the start of Rockets training camp and new head coach Stephen Silas admitted it is a “setback” for the team not to have its superstar player in the mix as the season approaches.

While Silas and Harden’s teammates are left to answer about Harden’s unknown whereabouts, some of the attention is shifting back to the trade market. Throughout the process, it has been widely reported that Harden prefers to head to the Brooklyn Nets but, given his stature, the Rockets are naturally looking for an impressive package and, if they don’t love what the Nets can offer, a standoff could be coming. On Monday, Sam Amick of The Athletic offered interesting insight into the process, noting the Rockets “were surprised by (Harden’s absence) just like everyone else” and shedding light on Houston’s potential asking price.

Amick reports that Houston’s demands “remain unchanged” at this juncture, indicating that the Rockets are looking for “an All-Star/All-NBA level player” as a part of the package. From there, the Rockets are seeking even “a treasure trove of other assets” to come alongside that centerpiece, and not in place of that star. It is worth noting, however, that Amick reports the trade market “wasn’t responding” to Houston’s asking price as of Monday afternoon, but things can certainly change.

On one hand, Houston’s leverage has taken a beating in the last few weeks, with Harden seemingly wanting to dictate his destination and all of the drama surrounding his failure to report to training camp. On the other, superstars have unprecedented power in the modern NBA and, well, it was always likely that Harden would wield that power if he wanted out of Houston in favor of other opportunities.

As far as teams that can present the kind of offer to meet the asking price reported by Amick, it is tough sledding to check all of the boxes. The Nets do have strong present-day talent in Caris LeVert, Spencer Dinwiddie and Jarrett Allen, but none of those players reach the level of definitive All-Star status. Brooklyn could offer Kyrie Irving, but Irving and Kevin Durant planned to play in Brooklyn together and that may not be amenable to all parties. A team like Philadelphia, led by former Rockets exec Daryl Morey, could center an offer around Ben Simmons, but they also may want to see what the team looks like after some interesting offseason changes.

Harden’s market may be tepid if the Rockets are asking for the sun, moon and stars but, in the same breath, Houston should be trying to get a ton for Harden. He is, of course, one of the best players in the NBA and, even while making a lofty salary, he’s worth every penny if dialed in and focused. Still, it will be interesting to see who blinks first and, the longer his absence from Houston goes, the louder the murmurs will get about the next step.

Last week came shocking news that may completely alter how Hollywood works even after the pandemic: Rather than wait for movie theaters to be safe again, Warner Bros. moving their entire 2021 slate — some 21 films — to HBO Max, the streamer owned by their parent company. It’s a move that could change the industry. And it has some big detractors, namely the production company behind some of the biggest titles they’re planning on sending straight-to-streaming. (Though the films will also be released to theaters, on the same day.)

Sources tell Deadline that Legendary Entertainment, which has had a partnership with the studio titan going back to 2005’s Batman Begins, “either has or will send legal letters” to Warner Bros., perhaps very soon. They’re allegedly unhappy that two of their largest projects, Dune and Godzilla vs. Kong, will get a day-and-date release strategy, hitting the big and small screens at once.

According to the source, Legendary was given no advance warning before the announcement. What’s more, they put a whopping 75% of the sci-fi adaptation’s $165 million budget. They also reportedly considered selling Godzilla vs. Kong to Netflix for $250 million before WarnerMedia blocked the sale.

This is big if true, but there has still been no confirmation either way. Legendary have helped supply Warner Bros. with some of their biggest titles, from the Christopher Nolan Batman trilogy to The Hangover trilogy to 300 to Pacific Rim, and the Godzilla/Kong movies. They also work with Universal, Paramount, and Netflix. Stay tuned for more.

(Via Deadline)